Bleecker Street Publications announced the acquisition of Gun University, a leading online firearms education platform founded by Ryan Cleckner and Dave Chesson. The acquisition expands Bleecker Street Publications' portfolio while maintaining Gun University's mission of delivering responsible firearms education and equipment reviews.
Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. announced ten retailers nationwide as 2025 Ambassador Dealers, including Americana Arms, Not Just Guns, H&H Shooting Sports, Fuquay Gun, Fin Feather Fur Outfitters, Magnum Shooting Center, Freedom Firearms, Idaho Guns & Outdoors, Shoot Straight, and Smoky Mountain Guns & Ammo, recognizing their exceptional sales performance and customer service.
Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a federal lawsuit, Goldberger v. James, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York challenging New York's "sensitive location" handgun carry ban in Times Square. Represented by Peter A. Patterson, William V. Bergstrom, and Alfonso Gamboa of Cooper & Kirk, PLLC, FPC seeks a permanent injunction against enforcement of the ban.
Beretta Holding, the largest shareholder of Sturm, Ruger & Company with 9.95% ownership, sent a letter to shareholders detailing the need for board change due to sustained share price underperformance, operational deterioration including 23% gross margin compression, and board members' minimal ownership stakes despite decades-long tenures.
Dead Air Silencers announced the hiring of Jack Cannon as Key Accounts Manager. Cannon brings 15 years of experience from Davidson's Inc., where he held roles including Customer Relationship Manager and National Accounts Manager, witnessing Dead Air's growth to become Davidson's largest suppressor brand.
Sarsilmaz, a leading firearms manufacturer, has partnered with Proactive Sales to strengthen market outreach and customer engagement. The collaboration will promote Sarsilmaz's product lines, including the SAR9 and 7/24 series, beginning in Q1.
Celerant Technology and MSR Distribution announced a new integration allowing FFL dealers to import MSR's product catalog directly into their Celerant Point of Sale system and automate purchase orders, streamlining inventory management and expanding product selection without manual effort.
Dan Wesson Firearms unveiled its redesigned website emphasizing Heritage, Craftsmanship, Precision, and Innovation. The launch includes an exclusive interview with Eric Wesson, great-great-great-grandson of Smith & Wesson co-founder Daniel Baird Wesson, reflecting on the family's firearms manufacturing legacy and commitment to quality.
German Precision Optics (GPO USA) now includes a premium custom-fitted Cordura stay-on zip case at no additional charge with all PASSION APO spotting scopes, including the 16-48×65 APO and 20-60×85 APO models, providing rugged protection for outdoor use.
ZeroTech Optics introduced the Vengeance HD 1–10×28 FFP LPVO, a versatile low-power variable optic featuring true 1× magnification for close-range capability and 10× for precision at distance. Available in Black and Flat Dark Earth finishes, the scope includes an illuminated RMG-L reticle, 34mm aircraft-grade aluminum tube, and capped turrets with zero reset.
Langdon Tactical Technology has joined the Second Amendment Foundation as a Silver-level corporate partner. The firearm customization company, led by President Aimee Langdon, partners with SAF to support Second Amendment rights and constitutional protections for responsible firearm ownership.
The National Rifle Association unveiled its new official NRA App, featuring digital membership cards, Second Amendment news from the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, digital magazines including American Rifleman and American Hunter, local event discovery, and exclusive member benefits. CEO Doug Hamlin emphasized the app represents the NRA's commitment to innovation and serving members in the digital age.
Rock River Arms introduces the new 10.5-inch A1 Carbine SBR to celebrate the zero tax on NFA items. The retro rifle features a lightweight chrome moly barrel, forged LAR-15M lower receiver, and is available with M4-style or fixed entry stock options, priced at $1,135-$1,150.
Springfield Armory released the XD Mod.4 OSP 9mm pistol, featuring a factory-milled slide with optical sight compatibility, aggressive texturing, and enhanced safety features. The striker-fired handgun is priced at $399 MSRP and ships with a 16-round magazine.
Bear Creek Arsenal announces the upcoming release of the BCA AK-47 rifle, featuring a 16-inch 4150 Chrome Moly Vanadium barrel, black nitride receiver with integrated rail mounts, and three color options. The official launch is scheduled for March 31.
Kinetic Development Group's Kinect Series offers shooters a practical modular mounting solution that allows quick attachment, removal, and repositioning of accessories without tools. The system enables rapid rifle configuration changes for different shooting environments, training, competition, and field use while maintaining stability.
DeSantis Gunhide announces their Quick Safe holster has received official approval from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Air and Marine Operations (AMO), and Federal Protective Service (FPS). The self-locking, outside-the-waistband Kydex holster surpasses Level III duty rig standards while maintaining fast draw speed, with an MSRP of $184.99.
Real Avid has launched its Master Collections series, strategically bundled tooling and maintenance products for AR-platform firearms. The collections range from basic cleaning sets to armorer-level assemblies, with five AR-15 options and four dual-platform AR-15/10 collections available.
Exothermic Technologies brings its Pulsefire® lineup to Iron Valley Supply. The torch systems, developed by firearms and firefighting professionals, provide safe fire application for bonfire lighting, weed control, and land management.
MDT announced expanded ACC Elite chassis system compatibility for CZ 457 rimfire and Savage 110 Short Action platforms, bringing their flagship competition chassis design to additional rifle platforms. The system features the SRS-X Elite Buttstock, Vertical Grip Elite with backbar, and an extended forend for improved stability and recoil management in precision shooting competitions.
White Label Armory, a VKTR Industries subsidiary, launched a new suppressor lineup featuring the Geist and Fenix series in multiple calibers, plus .22 options Hot Link and Party Popper. The suppressors are exclusively available through Sports South Distributors and designed for high-performance, budget-conscious consumers.
Mark 7 Reloading introduced the Revolution, a 10-station loading platform designed for high-volume commercial ammunition production capable of up to 3,500 rounds per hour. The system features motorized powder measures, automated priming, advanced sensor technology, and convertibility to 35 different calibers.
Hammond Cove Shooting Range in Hartland, Vermont opens April 2 at 10:00 a.m. under Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department rules. Range users must sign in with a safety officer and have a valid hunting or fishing license. Dylan Smith, facility and lands coordinator, encourages turkey hunters to pattern their shotguns at the range.
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's offer free Easter Bunny photos and 4x6 studio-quality prints at all North American retail locations from March 21-22 and March 28-April 5, 2026. Families can make free online reservations and receive complimentary Easter eggs with prizes while supplies last.
CCW Safe, founded by Mike Darter, Stan Campbell, and Kyle Sweet, will sponsor the 2026 Concealed Weapons Coordinator Conference in Vacaville, California on March 24-26. The event, presented by the Solano County Sheriff's Office, expects over 400 law enforcement officials and will feature legal updates, policy guidance, and practical training sessions.
Outdoor Sportsman Group Networks announces a packed Q2 schedule starting March 30, featuring new series and seasons across Outdoor Channel, Sportsman Channel, World Fishing Network, and MyOutdoorTV. Highlights include Chef Mike Robinson's Fishing the Wild, Heather Douville's Our Way of Life, and live McKenzie ASA Pro Am archery tournaments on Sportsman Channel.
It was an unseasonably warm March day when elderly KP&F retirees congregated at the Sheriff’s Training Center for the annual attempt to qualify under the Law Enforcement Officers’ Safety Act (LEOSA).
By unseasonable, the temps in the lower 90s this early in the year broke a record. The smart ones (like me) arrived early to beat the March heat.
The state reads LEOSA to mean that use of autos and revolvers be tested, if the applicant is going to carry either (or both). Above, the G45 Gen6 was used in the auto portion, with the Safariland Gravity holster. The Smith & Wesson/Lipsey's Model 686+ Mountain Gun, with Galco Masterbilt Revenger holster was used for the revolver session.
As often I do, I had guns on loan that I was going to test – along with my ability (or lack of) to use them on a line of shooters, each shooting for the approval of someone else. The current range master is retiree-eligible and puts on a gruff performance. That’s what range people and armorers do; they sigh heavily, frown and shake their heads as they try to herd fleas.
I noticed this time that the same demeanor was present, but he was quick to assist the now-feeble that he’d worked with, trained under, and modeled himself after over years. It’s not easy getting old and the elderly require some accommodation – especially as we qualify on the same course as the "children" who now occupy the uniforms, patrol cars, and offices in our stead.
The result? I could shoot either gun on my own better than on a line with other shooters, while a soon-to-be-rookie-retiree looked on. There’s no real surprise there.
With the M686 Mountain Gun, I shot CCI-Blazer 38 Special 125 grain FMJ. A reasonably mild load, the excellent Tyler Gun Works stocks didn’t hurt at all. The holster was the Galco Masterbilt Revenger belt holster, a fine rig. It’s solid, stayed put on the belt during draw and reholster and would work fine in casual concealment.
The GLOCK was fed CCI-Blazer 115gr. FMJ. The holster was the Safariland Gravity paddle holster. That rig likewise kept the gun available in the same place for an efficient draw.
The targets are shown here – not that I’m proud of them, but you see them as I shoot them. No hiding here.
The agency-designed SNSO-KSCB – a cardboard target I’ve not seen in the online catalogs from any target company – was used. While the interior “bottle” is taller than the FBI-Q, only part of it is used for qualification scoring.
The 7” “C” circle on the target was going to be my aiming point – but I held on the lower part of it to keep rounds from drifting up into the “no score” area. I had fifteen hits outside of that circle with the G45 (no fault of the gun), with my 25-yard effort showing some sinkers. All were in the scoring zone, so I “passed” with a 100. I’d have scored it at 235/250 (counting -1 for each in the bottle outside the “C”.)
With the revolver, it was likewise glum. I only had 8 hits in the circle, with 42 below it. Five hits were perilously close to the bottom line. The gun can clearly outshoot that – with the same ammo.
The stocks don’t offer a lot of feedback in terms of elevation – though the sights are superb. The action is still “new-tight,” nothing that a few hundred dry presses of the trigger wouldn’t solve. While their appearance isn’t up to Bobby Tyler’s stocks, I’d go with Hogue Monogrips or Pachmayr Gripper Professionals for carry and shooting chores.
That’s just my preference.
The Gen6 is still 100% for function – as is the Lipsey’s-inspired S&W Mountain Gun. I’m not at all surprised by either.
