Victory Archery has redesigned its VX27 arrow as the lightest-ever large diameter carbon arrow, engineered with 100% carbon fiber and featuring an ultralight design for improved speed and stability. The arrow includes Victory's enhanced component system with new target points and customizable options for serious competitors.

GunBroker.com launched a National Shooting Sports Foundation SHOT Show charity auction benefiting the Youth Shooting Sports Alliance, with bidding open through January 25. The auction features firearms, custom engraved items from Baron Engraving, and gear from various donors, with all proceeds supporting youth shooting sports programs nationwide.

Guns.com closed 2025 with 16% sales growth and over one million new customers, achieving double-digit growth annually since 2018. The platform expanded to 2,000 FFL dealers and doubled manufacturer partnerships with brands including Smith & Wesson, Glock, and Ruger, driving significant sales increases across the firearms industry.

The Archery Trade Association and Responsive Management released a national study on crossbow hunting in the United States, funded by a Multistate Conservation Grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The research surveyed over 10,000 licensed bowhunters across 13 states, revealing that crossbow use typically begins later in a hunter's life and shows high retention rates among participants.

Gunpowder Inc., a leading enthusiast lifestyle agency, has been named public relations agency of record for SilencerCo, the shooting industry's leader in suppressor design and construction. Gunpowder will support strategic communications, media relations, and brand storytelling to elevate awareness of SilencerCo's premium products and innovation legacy.

Timney Triggers, the world's oldest and largest trigger manufacturer, announces John Trull as Chief Executive Officer. Trull brings over 25 years of shooting sports industry experience, including 14 years with Remington Arms in various leadership roles spanning operations, sales, marketing, and product development.

SAR USA has rebranded as Sarsilmaz, aligning its U.S. operations with the company's 140-year manufacturing history dating back to 1880. The rebrand reflects Sarsilmaz's identity as a leading global firearms manufacturer serving NATO allies and law enforcement in over 80 countries.

Gunpowder Inc. has been appointed as agency of record for ZEV Technologies, a premium firearm and accessories manufacturer. The partnership will focus on earned-media strategy and brand visibility, with Gunpowder supporting ZEV's product launches and industry initiatives throughout 2026.

Gearfire announced a new Software-as-a-Service pricing model for its AXIS RMS retail and range management system, offering firearm retailers and range operators flexible monthly billing alongside existing upfront license options. The company will showcase these new pricing options at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas.

C&H Precision, a precision optics and pistol slide milling manufacturer based in Richmond Hill, Georgia, is hiring a Director of Business Development to drive growth through strategic partnerships and enterprise sales. The senior leadership role reports to the founder and CEO and requires extensive business development experience, preferably in manufacturing or defense industries.

EOTECH introduces the EXPS3 HD, an all-aluminum holographic weapon sight featuring a rotary dial with 7 daylight and 4 night-vision brightness settings, Shake-Awake technology, and enhanced field-of-view. The Heavy-Duty model weighs 11.2 oz and is priced at $999.

C&H Precision announced the launch of the ERD, a next-generation enclosed-emitter red-dot optic for rifles, pistol-caliber carbines, and personal defense weapons. The optic features a 30mm objective lens, reinforced 6061-T6 aluminum construction, side-loading battery compartment, and up to 50,000 hours of battery life with a lifetime guarantee.

C&H Precision announced the launch of the STRYKR, a mission-ready enclosed-emitter red-dot optic designed for duty, defensive, and competition use. The optic features a standard 1913 Picatinny mounting interface, 50,000-hour battery life, and is backed by C&H Precision's lifetime guarantee.

Holosun introduces the HM3X Micro, a compact 3× magnifier designed as an optical companion to red dot sights. The system features a 7° field of view, 67mm eye relief, integrated QD flip mount, and durable aluminum construction for stable performance during rifle movement and rapid magnification switching.

Riton Optics introduces the 3 Tactix MPRD XL, a pistol red dot with an 18% larger window than the standard MPRD while maintaining RMS/c footprint compatibility. The sight features green illumination, three reticle options, and 10 brightness levels, priced at $329.99.

Garmin introduced the Xero L60i, a GNSS-enabled laser rangefinder combining premium optics with augmented reality, digital mapping, and advanced navigation features. The device ranges targets to 3,600 meters and includes Applied Ballistics Ultralight solver integration, available now for $2,499.99.

Benelli expands its Ethos shotgun lineup with six new models featuring Advanced Impact barrels for 2026, including new 20- and 28-gauge Cordoba models and the first sub-gauge Ethos Upland A.I. in 28-gauge. Prices range from $3,299 to $3,399.

Stoeger expands its Combat-series pistol line with the STR-45 Combat in .45 ACP, featuring a 5.18-inch barrel, 16+1 capacity, fiber-optic sights, and optic-ready slide. The duty-ready platform includes interchangeable backstraps, suppressor-height sights, and an MSRP of $649.

MTM Case-Gard introduced the Truck Underseat Gear Crate (TUGC), a low-profile storage solution designed to fit beneath crew cab back seats. The 19.2-quart crate features water-resistant sealing, removable dividers, and durable polypropylene construction, with an MSRP of $34.24.

Magpul's Hunter Lite stocks will be available in January for Savage Axis, Ruger American, and Remington 700 rifles in Black, FDE, and ODG colors. These lightweight stocks weigh approximately 2.5 pounds while maintaining durability and featuring adjustable length of pull, M-LOK slots, and ambidextrous design.

Walker's launched the Razor X-TRM Digital Muffs featuring MAHP™ (Motion Activated Hearing Protection), a patent-pending "shake awake" system that automatically powers on when micro-movements are detected. The muffs deliver near-instant protection against impulse noise with Active Dynamic Sound Suppression and wind-noise reduction algorithms.

Air Venturi will showcase breakthrough PCP technology and new compressor lineup at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas. The company will present advancements in airguns, compressors, and ammunition at booth #72233, featuring products from brands including NSA, Seneca, Western Justice, and Springfield Armory.

Kinetic Development Group announced a new Kinect™ mount for the Athlon Rangecraft Chronograph, featuring a tool-less locking system for fast deployment and removal. The mount was developed through extensive practical testing and follows the success of KDG's Garmin Xero® Kinect™ mount, with shipments beginning January 30th.

Beretta announces the A300 Ultima Patrol 20 Gauge, featuring reduced recoil, lighter handling, and enhanced ergonomics for defensive shooters. The shotgun includes integrated QD sling attachments, enlarged controls, and a 7+1 extended magazine tube, debuting at SHOT Show and available through authorized dealers.

Staccato unveiled the Staccato HD C4X compact carry pistol at SHOT Show, featuring a 4-inch barrel and 15-round capacity starting at $3,499. The brand also announced the Staccato Training Group, led by Max Michel, offering elite firearms and tactical training through live and online education with instructors including KC Eusebio, Randy Tweedy, and Chris Palmer.

Korth Group Ltd., Canada's premier firearms and outdoor equipment distributor, announced strategic expansion partnerships with ANSCHÜTZ, Fausti Arms, Winchester Ammunition, Sierra Bullets, and Barnes Bullets. These 2026 additions enhance Korth Group's portfolio with world-renowned precision rifles, shotguns, ammunition, and reloading components for Canadian retailers and consumers.

RETAY, based in Easton, Maryland, will unveil four new ACE Series shotgun models at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas: the ACE Paloma, ACE Walnut, ACE Sporting, and ACE Upland Ultralight. Each model is engineered for specific shooting disciplines, featuring the company's patented Inertia Plus™ system and Deep Bore Drilled™ barrels.

Beretta announces the A300 Ultima Patrol 12 Gauge shotgun in Multicam Black, featuring an enlarged loading port, extended bolt release, and 7-slot Picatinny rail. The tactical platform debuts at SHOT Show with an MSRP of $1,349 through authorized dealers.

Springfield Armory released the Echelon 4.0FC 9mm pistol, combining compact slide dimensions with full-size capacity through a dedicated grip module. The pistol features Springfield's Central Operating Group, Variable Interface System for optics compatibility, and comes standard with 17-round and 20-round magazines.

Sarsilmaz announced the launch of its 7/24 Series, featuring three hammer-fired, stainless steel 9mm pistols in Compact, Full Size, and Sport configurations. The pistols offer DA/SA operating systems, optic-ready slides supporting multiple red dot footprints, and are produced through Sarsilmaz's vertically integrated manufacturing process trusted by military and law enforcement worldwide.

Henry Repeating Arms launched two new lever-action rifle families: Protector Carbines with 16.5" threaded barrels for suppressor use at $1,200 MSRP, and Provider Rifles with 20" non-threaded barrels for hunting at $1,135 MSRP. Both feature matte blued steel receivers, walnut stocks, and are available through authorized dealers.

Magpul released the EHG RG9 Grip for the Ruger RXM Sub-Compact pistol, featuring a concealable design with Trapezoidal Surface Projection texture, flared magazine well, and universal rail for lights and lasers. The grip is compatible with Magpul GL9 PMAGs and GLOCK magazines, launching in February.

DeSantis Gunhide introduces its #B55 Double Leather Lined Belt, a handcrafted, double-layered belt made from premium saddle leather designed for everyday carry. Available in black or tan with matching buckles, the belt retails for $135.99 and comes in sizes 26-58.

Galco has released the Tuck-N-Go 2.0 IWB holster for the S&W M&P Shield X. Constructed of Premium Center Cut Steerhide, it features adjustable belt clips for multiple carry positions and includes interchangeable UniClip and Ultimate Stealth clip options.

Garmin has launched the Xero C2 chronograph, featuring rapid-fire tracking up to 10 shots per second, Applied Ballistics connectivity, and Garmin smartwatch integration. The pocket-sized device measures projectiles from 100 to 5,000 feet per second and is available for $699.99 starting January 23, 2026.

Safariland, a brand of The Safariland Group and key brand of Cadre Holdings, Inc., announced the launch of SafariMesh, a next-generation mesh network communication device featuring military-grade encryption and extended range. The product will debut at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, January 20-23.

Shell Shock Technologies is offering 15 percent off all loaded Shell Tech ammunition from January 19-24, 2026, using code SHOT2026. The promotion celebrates SHOT Show and highlights Shell Tech's innovative NAS³ technology, available in calibers including 9mm, .380 ACP, 300 AAC Blackout, 5.56 NATO, and 308 Win.

Target Sports USA's AMMO+ Business membership offers tax-exempt professionals, dealers, ranges, and organizations deeper discounts on ammunition and gear with free shipping and priority customer service. Members joining at SHOT Show 2026 booth #72227 receive a free $130 bonus gift.

FirstSpear will debut its VIGR Licensing Program for patented load-bearing technology, launch the Vanguard Elite Specialist Program with Prime Hall as Lead Maritime Vanguard, and highlight its exclusive ten-year licensing agreement with Recon K9 at SHOT Show 2026 Booth #32111.

XTech Tactical will give away 2,000 units of its new LDR2000 9mm Pistol Magazine Loaders at SHOT Show 2026 booth 30207. The loader, priced at $15.95, is 100% made in USA with a lifetime warranty and comes in four variants compatible with popular pistol models.

CANiK debuts the Canik Prime Radian micro-compact pistol, Void suppressor line with Otter Creek, and ten new optics models at SHOT Show 2026 in booth #12260. Vice President Adam Ruonala highlighted the company's goal to expand its portfolio while maintaining affordability for consumers.

Century Arms is showcasing new products from ATA, MKE, and Live Free Armory at SHOT Show in Las Vegas, including the LFA Apollo 11 V2 pistol, ATA ALR and ASR rifles, and expanded AP5 lineup models. The company highlights its 2026 lineup focused on innovation and quality across precision firearms and military-heritage platforms.

US Palm unveils the Storm Series Cat 4 rifles and Eye of the Storm (EOS) suppressor line at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas. Marketing Director Jeff Rose highlights the company's focus on performance-driven products designed for demanding environments and real-world applications.

Killer Instinct Crossbows will showcase its latest product lineup at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, January 20-23. President and CEO Jon Syverson highlighted the company's commitment to innovation and performance for hunters. The company will display new products in Booth #80215 of the Archery & Hunting Pavilion.

MaxView Optics' MaxCam brand will showcase its new MaxCam7 action camera and accessories at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, January 20-23. The rugged point-of-view camera captures 4K video and features advanced image stabilization, with marketing support from Hunt Camp Company.

Mossy Oak will serve as presenting sponsor of the Archery Business + Hunting Retailer Pavilion at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas, January 20–23, while celebrating its 40th anniversary. The collaboration with NSSF and Grand View Outdoors reinforces Mossy Oak's commitment to the archery and hunting community.

ATA Show Week 2026, held January 6-11 in Indianapolis, brought together hundreds of brands and thousands of attendees for trade, competition, and consumer engagement. The inaugural Archery & Bowhunting Supershow drew consumers while the ATA Trade Show served as the industry's premier business event, with nearly 1,200 archers competing across the NFAA Rushmore Rumble and S3DA Indoor tournaments.

Steyr Arms sponsored the 2026 Industry Day at the Range First Shot ceremony, with decorated 22 SAS veteran Christian Craighead firing the inaugural shot using the new Steyr Arms ATc Rock 5". Industry Day at the Range will donate to The Silent Warrior Foundation in honor of the event.

The High Road with Keith Warren released a new episode featuring an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Shaw Custom Rifles factory and Keith Warren's black bear hunt in Alberta with outfitter Dale McKinnon using Shaw's Excursion rifle. The episode airs on Pursuit Channel and is available online at www.highroadhunting.com and YouTube.

Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo, hosts of The Choice TV show and founders of Content King Media, are expanding their partnership with SPYPOINT. The next generation, RJ and Aubrey Cianciarulo, are taking on larger roles within the organization, bringing fresh creativity while honoring the legacy built over decades.

Range Day is the best part of SHOT Show for me. The noise of gunfire ensures I don’t have to maintain long conversations, I get to shoot new guns, and I don’t even have to provide the ammo. It’s always the highlight of my trip, which means it’s all up hill from here.

Range Day this year was a little smaller and a lot quieter, in more ways than one. First, there seemed to be fewer people, which is great because lines suck. It’s also quieter because everyone is making suppressors, including companies like Hi-Point and Lyman. After walking up and down the range, here are the five best things I saw . . .

Ambient Arms EXO Suppressor

With the reduction of the tax stamp to zero dollars, we’ve seen a lot of companies making simple welded cans that can be sold cheaply and en masse. That doesn’t mean we aren’t also seeing a little innovation in the can market. The Ambient Arms EXO suppressor blew my mind.

If you’ve never shot a can, you might not how hot they get, and how fast they get hot. It doesn’t take too many rounds before the thing is way too hot to touch. After a magazine, you can get bacon to sizzle. That’s a downside, especially if you're using the can for duty or defensive use. You don’t want to poke something with a barrel that will sear skin.
 

Ambient Arms has created the EXO suppressor to reduce that risk. It’s literally the coolest suppressor ever made. The EXO uses the Ambient intake system to pull cool air inside the silencer to keep it cool. How cool? Well, they did a display where they shot a magazine's worth of ammo through the suppressor and then immediately grabbed the thing.

Their lawyers wouldn’t let us do the same, but the Ambient folks did it in front of us with no fear. The EXO is a low backpressure suppressor that ensures gases aren't shot into your face. A flash suppressor end helps reduce muzzle flash LBP cans are known for. The price is around $1,400, making it quite pricey, but oh so cool.

SCAR 16S Gen 2

The venerable FN SCAR 16S was killed in 2025...only to be reborn in 2026. The SCAR series of rifles needed a revamp. It simply wasn’t keeping up with modern shooters and the competition. FN seemingly read every negative post about the SCAR and went to work fixing it. Some changes had already been integrated into different SCAR models, so excuse me if they seem redundant.
 

We get a non-reciprocating charging handle, fully ambidextrous controls, and an extended M-LOK handguard that now covers the gas regulator. The stock is still an "Ugg boot," but now it has QD ports for slings. The grip now interchanges with standard AR grips and a ton of different safety configurations.

That’s all neat, but what took the gun to the next level for me is the hydraulically buffered bolt carrier. That reduces the rough, back-and-forth recoil impulse we get with short-stroke gas piston guns that can be tough on optics. 

That feature makes the SCAR 16S an incredibly smooth shooter and a drastic difference from the Gen1 rifle. Oh, and the new SCAR 16S can use suppressors; it won’t kill your warranty to suppress the gun, and FN has its own line of QD cans that are compatible with the SCAR 16S muzzle device.

Auto-Ordnance Thompson in .22LR

One gun I had to wait in line for was the Auto-Ordnance Thompson in .22 LR. I love rimfire guns, and I love all those weird .22 LR rifles that are kitted out to look like a centerfire gun. It’s a symptom of my love of guns purely for their fun factor. I waited and waited and finally got my turn to shoot the little Thompson.
 

The gun uses a straight magazine with a Ruger 10/22-style rotary design, which likely improves overall reliability. The magazine is inserted just like a Thompson mag with the magazine guide. I don’t think most 10/22 magazines will work for that reason alone. It clones the controls of the original Thompson accurately.

It’s admittedly much lighter than a real Thompson and a lot quieter. The gun has a pic rail on the back for red dots, but I hope it’s removable because I don’t like the way the rail looks on the Thompson's classic lines. We get the ventilated barrel, the Cutts compensator, the wood furniture, and the iconic feel of a Thompson.

And we get it all in a light-recoiling, much quieter configuration. This will be a really fun gun, but due to the sound of the Auto-Ordnance .50 BMG going off beside me, I couldn’t quite figure out the price and didn’t want to hold up the line. Hopefully, it falls within the affordable category.

Raider 365 Ultralight

I’m a PDW nerd and I like the fact that we're finally getting a reason to use those removable fire control units. Flux has ruled this genre for a long time and their latest incarnation is the Raider 365 Ultralight. The Raider 365 Ultralight uses the P365 fire control unit and drops it into a braced format. It creates an extremely compact, easy-to-use PDW that can extend your P365 to beyond 100 yards.

The Raider 365 Ultralight’s big change is the move to polymer instead of metal. That reduces the weight a fair bit and knocks $150 off the price point. The reduction in weight makes it a much better gun to toss in a bag or even carry IWB. They even have a holster for this thing, and it works surprisingly well.

At the range, the Raider 365 Ultralight made hits out to 50 yards super easy and very controllable. I’d be lying if I said the recoil impulse was pleasant. It’s no 12-gauge shotgun, but that little brace doesn’t dissipate 9mm recoil much and jams right into you. Hold it tight with no slack and it gets better.

I love these little guns. They're so small and easy to maneuver and conceal, and it makes landing hits much easier at extended ranges. It isn't for everyone, but it sure as hell is for me.

The Rock Island Armory Pak Out

I realized a little while back that there's a big difference between guns that are good and guns that I like. I recognize what makes a gun good most of the time, which means I recognize I don’t always have great taste in guns due to my predilection for the weird. The Rock Island Armory Pak-Out is weird all the way around.

The Pak-Out is a folding 12-gauge shotgun that splits at the receiver to fold in half. There are two models: one is a firearm model with a Raptor-style grip, and the other is an 18.5-inch-barrel model that not only folds in half but also has a folding stock. Double the fold, double the fun.

The Pak-Out is US-made shotgun, which isn’t a surprise. They do weird stuff. It also has some oddities, like the spring-assisted pump-action that shoves the pump forward when released and fights you the whole way back. Loading it was a bit of a hassle because rounds kept getting stuck in the receiver inside the gun.

The folding mechanism wasn’t quite smooth, and there are clearly some things that need to be ironed out. Still, I have poor taste in firearms, but I love it. I like the shotgun more than the firearm. If they get it made well and can back it up with a good warranty, I’m in for the novelty alone.

Shots Fired

Range Day is over; now it gets worse from here. I joke, but Range Day is without a doubt the best part of SHOT. Stay tuned for more SHOT coverage and if you have any specific requests, let me know below.

– Travis Pike, Shooting News Weekly