Dead Air Silencers' RXD22Ti has been selected as a Ballistic's Best 2025 award recipient for its effectiveness and design in the rimfire suppressor category. The titanium-bodied suppressor delivers excellent sound suppression with a serviceable design suited for training, competition, and recreational shooting.

Team Lapua's Ryan Sponauer earned 2nd place at the AZ State Smallbore Prone Championship hosted by Desert Sharpshooters Rifle Club. Competing in challenging weather conditions with gusting winds, Sponauer credited Lapua Midas+ ammunition for performing excellently during the 160-round match at Ben Avery Shooting Complex.

Beretta celebrates its 500th anniversary in 2026, marking nearly five centuries as the world's oldest continuously operating firearms company. The Italian gunmaker will unveil ten unique firearms, seven limited edition models, and new product platforms throughout the year, with festivities kicking off at SHOT Show 2026 in January.

NSSF praises U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum's Secretarial Order 3447, which opens Interior Department-managed lands to hunting and fishing. The initiative eliminates unnecessary ammunition restrictions and reflects state regulations, benefiting sportsmen while prioritizing wildlife conservation funded by firearm industry excise taxes exceeding $29 billion since 1937.

Azimuth Technology promoted Cameron Grantham to Chief Revenue Officer effective January 16, 2026. Grantham, previously Senior Vice President of Business Development, will oversee revenue generation and lead expansion into new markets beyond firearms and defense sectors.

Viridian Weapon Technologies launches the RFX1 Green Dot Reflex Sight, the first optic purpose-built for the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0. The world's smallest green dot sight installs via drop-in mounting without slide modification, featuring a 3 MOA dot, auto-brightness, and INSTANT-ON motion activation.

Holosun introduces three new rifle optics for 2026: the AEMS MACRO with wide field of view, AEMS MICRO for compact builds, and AEMS MICRO SAR with structured alignment reticle. All share 7075-T6 aluminum housing, Shake Awake technology, and CR2032 battery compatibility.

The Boone and Crockett Club praised Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's secretary's order ensuring federal public lands remain open for hunting and fishing. CEO Tony A. Schoonen highlighted the organization's 140-year commitment to protecting wildlife habitat and public hunting opportunities while supporting sustainable outdoor traditions.

The Mule Deer Foundation praised Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum's Secretarial Order 3447, which establishes an "open unless closed" standard for hunting and fishing on Department of the Interior lands. The order aligns federal refuge rules with state wildlife management and recognizes sportsmen's historical funding of conservation through Federal Duck Stamps and Pittman-Robertson excise taxes.

The Boone and Crockett Club reaffirmed its foundational principles requiring only native, wild, and free-ranging big game for its records program. Vice President Mike Opitz emphasized that maintaining these rigorous standards protects hunting's future and ensures the nearly 60,000-entry database remains a credible tool for wildlife managers and conservation efforts.

Berger has released new 223 Remington 69 Grain OTM bullets and ammunition for 2026, designed for AR platforms and modern sporting rifles. The precision ammunition features Lapua cartridge cases and Vihtavuori propellant, complementing Berger's existing 73 and 77 Grain OTM offerings for civilian, military, and law enforcement professionals.

1791 Outdoor Lifestyle Group announced the Tac Leather Rifle Sling, combining 100% Certified American cowhide with tactical nylon for durability and comfort. The sling features a Rapid Adjustable Slider and handmade leather fittings, priced at $69.99, and will debut at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

Dead Air Silencers introduces the RXD910Ti suppressor, the third model developed under license from Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc. Optimized for 9mm and 10mm applications, the RXD910Ti features Dead Air's Triskelion baffle system and weighs 11.4 oz., with an MSRP of $999.

Bear OPS, the tactical division of Bear & Son Cutlery, will debut new everyday carry knives at the 2026 SHOT Show, including expanded Nekema I and II lines and the new Load Out I assisted-opening series. All models feature Sandvik 14C28N steel and are made in Jacksonville, Alabama.

Weatherby unveiled the Mark V Backcountry Capra, starting at just 4 pounds, making it the lightest production bolt-action rifle available. The rifle features titanium Mark V actions, a thin contour barrel with double spiral fluting, and a Bridger stock developed with Peak 44 to maximize weight savings while maintaining accuracy and durability.

Breakthrough Clean Technologies®, part of the Allen Company portfolio, has released its new Toolbox Cleaning Kit featuring Military-Grade Solvent, High-Purity Oil, and Battle Born Grease in a portable drawer-style toolbox. The kit will be showcased at SHOT Show booth #13021.

RETAY introduces the ASEND, a precision-engineered .22LR bolt action rifle featuring a precision-drilled special alloy barrel, hard chrome bolt action, and 3-stage adjustable trigger compatible with Remington 700 triggers. Available in Hunter and Sporter models with MSRPs starting at $399, the ASEND will be showcased at SHOT Show 2026 at Caesars Booth #70435.

Traditions Performance Firearms introduces Desert Web finish for 2026, an irregular webbing pattern that blends into multiple environments while reducing glare. The versatile finish will be available on NitroBolt, NitroFire, Vortek StrikerFire, Pursuit™ XT, ShedHorn, and PA Pellet product lines.

Allen Company introduced its new HELIX Bipod line featuring aircraft-grade aluminum construction, patent-pending rapid-snap leg extension, and 180-degree ARC adjustments. Available in four models with M-LOK, Picatinny rail, and stud-mount options priced from $69.99 to $89.99, the bipods will be showcased at SHOT Show booth #13021.

Remington Ammunition announced its new Hard Cast handgun ammunition line featuring hard-cast, waxed-groove alloy bullets for deep penetration in four dangerous game defense options. Product Director Nick Sachse highlighted the ammunition's non-deforming design and nickel-plated cases for reliable performance. The products will debut at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas.

CVA announced production of the 28 gauge Scout Spur shotgun, featuring upgraded ergonomics, TruLock XX-Full Turkey choke, and customizable adjustments. Available in Mossy Oak Bottomlands or OD Green with MSRP starting at $544, the single-shot platform offers versatility for hunters seeking reliability and innovation.

Safariland's CADRE Dispatch blog reached its 1,000th article milestone, reflecting years of editorial commitment to delivering practical, experience-driven content for gun owners, competitive shooters, and law enforcement. The blog publishes two feature articles daily, written by vetted trainers and industry professionals including Travis Pike, Rick Hogg, and Lanny Barnes, covering training, preparedness, and industry history.

Rock River Arms will showcase its latest firearm innovations at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, January 20–23, at booth #10331. Featured products include the RRA .17 HMR rimfire AR, BT-2 ATR ambidextrous carbine, and XM-24 Switch Barrel Precision Rifle System designed for accuracy and performance.

German Precision Optics (GPO USA) will exhibit at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, January 20-23, at booth #11053. The company will showcase its PASSION HDi Riflescope line, GPO Carbon Fiber Tripod, and award-winning CENTURI line featuring innovative Zero-Stop turrets and iCONTROL illumination technology.

Target Sports USA announces its 2026 SHOT Show Passport event during January 21–24, 2026, offering attendees an interactive booth-visiting experience with exclusive rewards. Participants collect stamps at partner vendor booths and redeem completed passports at Target Sports USA Booth #72227 for swag bags, with three randomly selected bags including $200 AMMO+ Memberships.

Hornady Manufacturing Company will showcase its ammunition, reloading tools, and accessories at the 2026 SHOT Show, January 20-23, at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas. The event, owned by the National Shooting Sports Foundation, attracts over 60,000 industry professionals and 2,000+ exhibitors.

Burris Optics will showcase its award-winning optics lineup at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, January 20–23, featuring flagship products including the Eliminator 6, Veracity PH, and XTR PS riflescopes with advanced technology and Burris Connect App integration at booth #13227.

Winchester Safes will showcase new products at SHOT Show 2026, including the VaultLite Secure Storage Series, Outrider Series, and special editions like the Big Daddy XLT2 Pearl Edition and Ranger 42 Heritage Green Edition. President Kyle Walters emphasizes lifestyle-focused security solutions designed to help dealers succeed on the showroom floor.

BANISH Suppressors will showcase innovative suppressor technology at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, January 20-23, featuring the new BANISH 556, BANISH 30-V2, and BANISH 12 shotgun suppressor. Founder and CEO Brandon Maddox highlighted increased demand following the Federal Stamp fee elimination and emphasized the company's commitment to technological advancement.

Charter Arms will exhibit at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, January 20-23, showcasing new revolvers including the Boomer compact carry revolver and Pathfinder II double-action/single-action model. The Shelton, CT manufacturer will display their latest offerings at booth #72238 in the Caesars Forum.

Zanders, an all-women-owned firearms distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, will exhibit at SHOT Show 2026 in Booth #72211 at Caesars Forum. The company has partnered with major brands including Ruger, SIG SAUER, Leupold, Henry Repeating Arms, and BANISH Suppressors to offer exclusive promotions and giveaways for dealer partners.

SDS Arms will showcase its brands including Spandau Arms at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, January 20-23, at booth #12460. The Spandau Arms lineup features the RL bolt-action rifle in .308 Winchester with planned caliber expansions, S2 semi-auto shotguns, and Premier Field over-under shotguns, plus an announcement of a partnership with a premier hunting brand.

C&H Precision will exhibit at the 2026 SHOT Show in booth 11849 at the Venetian Expo, debuting new products including the STRYKR and ERD enclosed-emitter red-dot optics. Owner Buck Holly highlighted the company's excitement to showcase innovations designed for duty and performance demands.

Major League Fishing's 2026 Bass Pro Tour season opens at Lake Guntersville with 51 pro anglers competing for a $125,000 top prize and $600,000 total purse. The event streams live on MLFNOW! via MyOutdoorTV, hosted by Marshall County Tourism & Sports, with anglers competing for Angler of the Year points and qualification for REDCREST 2027.

Outdoor America, rebranding as Field & Stream TV, announces Country Outdoors, founded by Mary O'Neill Phillips, is joining its lineup. The partnership brings 30-minute television episodes, podcast archives, and new weekly content featuring country music stars and outdoor personalities across broadcast, FAST, and digital platforms launching late January 2026.

The Generation 6 9mm GLOCK pistols are now out and about. After a projected late-January arrival, they’ve been advertised as available by a number of distributors and dealers. I saw Palmetto State Armory had Gen6 G19s available, but the ad said “short supply.”

Are they popular for a reason or do people just yearn for “the latest?”

I was about to find out. GLOCK sent a Gen6 GLOCK 45 (the “crossover – G19 slide and barrel over a G17-size frame with 17-round magazine) for examination. It featured the plastic place-holder sights along with all the new updates. 

The frame is redesigned for ergonomics; the forward part of the frame (below the slide, behind the accessory rail) features “gas pedals” on each side. More stabilization pads, it’s a place to apply pressure to redirect movement post-ignition. There’s an enhanced “beavertail” tang to prevent slide-bite on large hands. 

It appears to me that the nearly-flat trigger shoe and the slight palm-swells may have more impact on the gun’s shootability. 

While the ‘feel’ of the piece when just dry handling is okay, but it takes shooting to assess whether or not the changes help.

I tended to press left with GLOCK pistols since my first shooting experience with them. I tried about everything. I noted that the left-tendency I had with their guns didn’t appear so much with their large frame (G20, G21) guns, with the slim-frame (G42, G43, G43X) nor with the subcompacts (like the G26). 

It was G19/23, G17/G22 where I saw the issue arise. 

When they came out with the Gen5 guns, I wondered what changed because I was less left-centric with those guns. 

Now, with the Gen6 G45, it appears that I’m more centered up. 

As to accuracy, in my limited handling tests (all I’ve done so far), the Gen6 is Gen5 accurate – which means the most accurate regular frame GLOCK 9mms ever made.

I started out with the D-1(c) repair centers for the NRA D-1 targets used in the GLOCK Shooting Sports Foundation gallery courses. I shot a short (15 yards and in) target and a long line (25 yards) target separately. These were the first rounds out of the gun. I shot in the 10-rounds/15 second cadence, starting from low ready, as in a GSSF match. 

I ended up with a few hits in the 10-ring outside the X up close and had only one out of the X-ring at 25 yards. 

I don’t shoot that well. 

I used an IALEFI-Q target for my own mash-up “qual-“type course. This included shooting close with the so-called ICE bent-arm technique, shooting from ten-feet with one-second for a head shot starting from covered low ready (hand on holstered handgun) and one-second pairs from compressed low-ready. 

I had one hit out of the “head” circle – my first round fired. Otherwise, rounds were centered in the scoring rings. I did pull one off target with a 25-yard headshot; the other four were inside. 

I plead elder shooter status.

I posted a pair of business reply envelopes in landscape mode and checked standing two-hand zero with Hornady Critical Duty 135gr. +P and Federal 124 grain PUNCH JHP. Both clustered inside the space of the envelope.

The following day, I hit the range with the 22LR GLOCK 44 in tow. I shot a B-16 (NRA “Short Course”) slow fire target with ten rounds and followed up with ten rounds timed fire on a B-8 repair center. Every round was fired one-handed.

While my 57/100 slow fire was miserable (that scoring is tight), I shot a 90/100 timed fire. With that “warmup,” I shot the Gen6 G45 bullseye style. I had a full 17-round magazine and shot on a B-8 repair center.

I tended right, shooting one-handed. I believe it was my error in finding natural point of aim – it was that consistent. I shot 150/170 on that effort. 

Just before leaving the range, I put up the target I printed of the Shootist’s Challenge. A five-inch square of an old-time envelope with a one-inch square, representing a stamp in the midst of the square. Step off ten paces, right around 25 feet for most folks, turn and fire six rounds – one-handed. The object is six rounds in the “envelope” with at least one hit on the “stamp.”

The G45 passed this easily. 

I’m not through with the test of the gun – though a trip to the indoor range may be in order due to some winter weather. At the outset I can say it’s GLOCK-ish except it doesn’t exactly feel like a traditional Austrian blaster. 

Those plastic sights were no obstruction to some good shooting; you’d need higher sights for most optics anyway and I’m sure most buyers of Gen6 GLOCK pistols will put glass on them. 

So far, so good. 

— Rich Grassi