In observance of the Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day holiday weekend there will be no Weekend Edition on Saturday, October 10, and we will not be distributing any of our services on Monday, October 12. We will resume our normal distribution schedule on Tuesday, October 13. Due to the holiday weekend, we request you submit news for Tuesday's editions no later than 2:00pm ET Saturday.

If you have important news to distribute prior to the holiday weekend, please submit it by 4:00pm Eastern today, Thursday, October 8. News arriving later will not make tomorrow's final editions for the week.

VIKTOS, a veteran-designed performance apparel company, announces its Fall 2026 Collection featuring waterproof jackets, the Johnny Combat S2 Leather Waterproof Boot, fleece essentials, and the Gunfighter RR Jean in new Faded Blue. The collection combines weather protection, durable construction, and everyday comfort for range and workday use.

Armament Systems and Procedures (ASP) presented its 2026 Premier Partner Awards to Galls (USA), Antero Lopes (Portugal), and ASCiM (Turkey), recognizing exceptional distributor partnerships. ASP also introduced its inaugural Subject Matter Expert Award to Chris Patzer of Handcuff Warehouse for outstanding product knowledge and customer service.

Team Beretta athletes Sal Luna and Ben Hardt secured third place finishes at the 2026 US IPSC Nationals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Both competitors used Beretta's new 94X Performance pistol, which was showcased at the event ahead of its U.S. launch.

HeadHunters NW, an executive recruitment firm specializing in firearms and outdoor industries, announces President Shaylene Keiner will attend the 2026 NASGW Expo on October 13-14 in Phoenix, Arizona, available for strategic meetings with companies seeking to strengthen leadership teams.

SLG2, Inc. is bringing its Shoot Like A Girl experience to Bass Pro Shops in Fort Smith, Arkansas on October 10-11. The event features a mobile range with firearm safety simulators by FATS by InVeris, archery instruction, and demonstrations from brands including GTM Original and Black Rifle Coffee.

Primary Arms Optics announced Stephen Morgan's promotion to Vice President of Product Development and Marketing, effective immediately. Morgan, who joined the company in 2021, previously served as Senior Director of Sales and Marketing and will now lead product positioning and strategy for the optics division.

Colt has delivered more than 2,000 M4A1 rifles to Guatemala through the Foreign Military Sales program, supporting the Guatemalan Army's modernization efforts. The delivery reinforces defense cooperation between Guatemala and the United States, with the M4A1 providing a trusted platform for allied forces.

CZ announced the appointment of Jon Shaffer as Vice President of Commercial Sales, reporting to President and Chief Commercial Officer John Dain. Shaffer brings two decades of sales experience, including over 10 years at SIG SAUER, and will lead commercial sales execution and channel development for CZ-USA and Dan Wesson.

Silencer Central and U.S. LawShield launched a new NFA trust offering clearer documents, streamlined ATF submissions, and self-service tools through the Silencer Central customer portal. The revocable trust includes online education on NFA firearms, firearm trusts, and co-trustee management, available free to suppressor customers.

MDT has expanded XRS chassis compatibility to the Ruger American right-hand long action, offering traditional stock profile with modern adjustability. The chassis features V-block bedding, adjustable length of pull and cheek riser, AICS-pattern magazine compatibility, and M-LOK forend with integrated barricade stop. Available in Black and FDE starting October 6, 2026.

Derya Arms expanded its EX imported shotgun line with the EX1400 Coach, an 18-inch 12-gauge side-by-side designed for Cowboy Action, vehicle carry, and home defense. The coach gun ships with an extra grip and three-choke set at $699 MSRP through authorized dealers nationwide.

Wilson Combat announces the eXperior Elite Commander Double Stack, a precision-engineered 9mm defensive handgun featuring a 4.25-inch match-grade barrel, 18-round capacity, and modern optics integration via the Pin Mounting Platform, priced at $3,999.

Remington Gun Care has launched a new suppressor cleaning product lineup featuring three items: a complete cleaning kit, reusable cleaning tubes, and specialized cleaning fluid. These products help shooters maintain suppressors effectively and extend their service life.

XS Sights launched the XS ACRO optic plate for Glock Gen6 pistols and R3D 2.0 night sights for Glock 43X/48 COA pistols. The company's 'Glocktober' sale runs through October 31, offering 20% off all Glock products and a free optic plate with orders over $175.

MDT has expanded its CRBN rifle stock lineup with a new Tikka T3/T3x Short Action inlet, offering precision hunters enhanced compatibility and carbon fiber construction. The stock features adjustable ergonomics and accessory compatibility, available starting March 31 through MDT dealers and mdttac.com.

CZ-USA announced the launch of the CZ DUTY, a new striker-fired pistol platform featuring a serialized modular chassis, advanced safety systems, and direct-mount optics compatibility. Available in four 9mm configurations starting October 6, 2026, with an MSRP of $729.

Bear & Son Cutlery, based in Jacksonville, Alabama, has released the White Smooth Bone Block Set featuring nine specialty knives with Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel blades and white smooth bone handles. The 10-piece set includes a chef knife, fillet knife, cleaver, boning knife, santoku knife, four steak knives, and a walnut wood block, priced at $999.99.

Zanders has been selected as the first and exclusive distributor of Cloak Industries, Inc. The partnership brings Cloak Industries' products to Zanders' extensive nationwide dealer network, supporting the brand's growth in the firearms and outdoor sporting goods marketplace.

US Palm debuts the CAT 4 Storm rifle series and EOS suppressor line in 2026. Featuring the Storm CAT 4 rifle with Hiperfire EDT trigger and US Palm Hurricane flash hider at $1,399.99, four EOS suppressor models ranging from $899.99 to $999.99 all launched at SHOT Show 2026.

NEXTORCH North America announces the NEXTORCH Snow Guard Winter Tactical Gloves, engineered for cold weather operations above 14°F with zoned insulation, waterproof-breathable membrane, and ten-finger touchscreen compatibility. The gloves feature CORDURA® stretch fabric and are priced at $47.99 MSRP.

Ballistic's Best 2026 Hunting Edition evaluated seven Ready-To-Hunt crossbow packages from Ravin, TenPoint, Barnett, CenterPoint, Wicked Ridge, Excalibur, and Killer Instinct across nine categories. The competitive field revealed capable hardware in today's crossbow market, with testing focusing on practical performance questions beyond advertised specifications.

Ballistic's Best 2026: Hunting Edition tested seven 20-gauge turkey shotguns from Weatherby, Benelli, TriStar, Retay, Spandau, Mossberg, and Thompson/Center across nine categories including accuracy, reliability, and value to determine which guns perform best in the spring woods.

Kinetic Development Group (KDG) will exhibit at the 2026 NASGW Annual Meeting & Expo in Phoenix, October 13–15, at Booth #1240. The firearm accessories manufacturer will showcase new products including the BOM Series Optic Mount ecosystem, Kinect™, and SideLok™ mounts while connecting with wholesale partners.

Meprolight will exhibit at the 2026 NASGW Annual Meeting & Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, October 13–15 at Booth 601. The company will showcase its MVO magnified optics, MPO pistol optics, M22 PRO, MCO PRO, Tru-Vision® SR, and other sighting solutions to distributors and industry partners.

Colt announced its participation in the 2026 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition, taking place October 12–14, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Colt President and CEO Jillair Kubish and Vice President of Government Sales & Programs Thomas Sullivan will connect with military leaders and industry partners at Booth #7547.

Leapers, Inc. will exhibit its UTG, UTG Pro, and Integrix brands at the 2026 NASGW Expo in Phoenix, Arizona from October 13-15, featuring a presale of the new SD version of UTG Pro Monolithic M-LOK MP5 handguards and AR15 receiver sets. The Livonia, Michigan-based firearm parts manufacturer will showcase optics, mounts, and accessories at Booth #823.

Orchid and Business Solution Partners will exhibit at NASGW 2026 in Phoenix, showcasing Orchid eBound™ for Bound Book-to-ERP integration, Orchid eState™ for firearm restrictions, and attorney-backed ATF compliance services. The companies will host a cocktail reception and sponsor the Annual SCOPE Update Lunch.

Walther Arms, Inc. will exhibit at the 2026 NASGW Annual Meeting & Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, October 13-15. The event connects manufacturers, wholesalers, and industry partners in shooting sports, featuring product showcases and networking opportunities.

BERSA USA will exhibit at the 2026 National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, October 13-15 at Booth 1023. The company will showcase its firearms lineup and newly launched B-Series suppressor line to wholesale distributors and industry partners.

Colt's Manufacturing Company will exhibit at Revolver Fest 2026, October 10–12 at Clinton House Plantation in Clinton, South Carolina. The event features hands-on demonstrations, instructor-led training with notable instructors including Wayne Dobbs, Bryan Eastridge, and Lew Gosnell, and opportunities to connect with the Colt team.

Bond Arms will showcase its America 250th collection at the NASGW Expo and Annual Meetings, October 13–15 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Granbury, Texas-based manufacturer will feature handcrafted commemorative handguns including the Cyclops 'Merica, Black Cerakote, and America 250th models at Booth #905.

A friend in the business of coming up with interesting firearms let it be known that he’d come across a Smith & Wesson Combat Masterpiece from just over 70 years ago – made in my birth year. 

Big deal? Not really, except for collectors and sentimental old fools. They began as the K-38 Combat Masterpiece before the 1957 change to model numbers; it came to be known as the Model 15.

A variation of the K-38 Target Masterpiece – a revolver originally meant to compete in bullseye matches, those made with 6” and 8 3/8” barrels, analogous to the K-32 and K-22 Masterpiece revolvers made to the same purpose – the Combat Masterpiece was made in four-inch and, later snub versions. The target audience for the shorter guns was law enforcement. 

I combine the serendipity of the birth year of the gun and I with the fact that the K-38 Combat Masterpiece was the chosen duty revolver – in both barrel lengths – for a pair of badge-toting uncles on my mother’s side.

I never saw the need when I was on the job, having carried a Colt National Match 45 and a Stainless Combat Magnum, Model 66-1 in uniform. I thought both were superior choices. 

Still, the Combat Masterpiece Model 15 saw lots of service with the Los Angeles Police Department and, notably, the US Air Force. Some USAF units didn’t give up the S&W revolvers until 1992, a long record of service as they originally adopted them in 1956 (after this sample had been shipped). 

The Target Masterpiece had a slender rib atop the six-inch (and 8 3/8”) barrels and a Patridge front sight, ideal for target use. The shorter Combat guns had the Baughman (FBI) ramped front sight and shorter barrels.

The sample has a target hammer and service-width grooved trigger. It was made before we knew that smooth face triggers were better for double-action work. Someone painted the front sight a shade of “safety green.”

The gun I got was equipped with Magna style service stocks, like the originals, but the originals had diamond-pattern checkering; these do not. I added an original Tyler T-grip grip adapter I had in the safe.

This is a five-screw gun; there are four screws holding the sideplate, with a fifth in front of the trigger guard under the frame.

I found the trigger press to be easy – easy enough that, when trying some bullseye at 25 yards, I enjoyed a miss. At the indoor range, I tried the 130 grain FMJ non+P load. Five-round strings were fired one hand only at 25 yards. The four hits on the repair center measured in at 3 3/8” with the best three in 1 1/8”. The first round was on the backer just off the repair center.

The gun wouldn’t have missed, but I could.

My second string had all on the paper with a single flier opening the group. The best four in a rounded group went into 1 ¾” with three of those in an inch. 

I put a business size envelope on the backer in portrait mode, ran it out to ten yards. Shooting double action, two handed, five hits went into 1 3/8” while firing in “assessment time.”

A 70+ year old revolver with a shooter the same age; I’m not complaining. 

I’m thankful. 

– Rich Grassi