KDG, headquartered in Seymour, Connecticut, has completed its brand transition and is accelerating product development with a focus on innovation and American manufacturing. The company plans to expand its Kinect and SideLok product lines while introducing new categories, with all products designed and manufactured in the United States.
Capstone Precision Group, manufacturer of Berger Bullets and Ammunition, has been selected to produce M1200 6.5 Creedmoor Special Ball Long-Range Ammunition for United States Special Operations Command. CPG will manufacture several million rounds at their Mesa, Arizona facility, with deliveries beginning in Spring 2027.
RetailBI, powered by Gearfire, released its Q2 2026 Shooting Sports Retail Sales and Inventory Report showing firearm unit sales declined modestly while retail revenue increased as consumers shifted toward higher-priced products. The report reveals suppressors delivered the strongest growth, premium products outperformed entry-level offerings, and dealers reduced inventory across firearms, ammunition, optics, and suppressor markets.
NSSF praises the Trump administration's new rules transferring firearm suppressor export licensing from the State Department to the Commerce Department. Lawrence G. Keane, NSSF Senior Vice President & General Counsel, stated the reforms will enable American suppressor manufacturers to compete more effectively in overseas markets without burdensome regulatory requirements.
Orchid announced a new integration between Orchid POS and Chattanooga Shooting Supplies' live inventory of over 45,000 shooting and hunting SKUs, featuring real-time stock levels and pricing. The integration will be showcased at the Annual Chattanooga Shooting Supplies Dealer Show on July 27–28, 2026, at the Chattanooga Convention Center.
Q, the New Hampshire firearms and suppressor manufacturer founded by Kevin Brittingham, has selected Guidefitter as its exclusive pro program partner. Guidefitter's platform will connect Q with guides, outfitters, military service members, and first responders, leveraging its network of over 200,000 verified professionals.
GRITR Sports officially opened its warehouse robotics facility in Arlington, Texas, integrating autonomous mobile robots and AI-driven logistics software. The facility is expected to increase throughput capacity by 130% while reducing processing errors, and has created 25 new specialized roles in robotics maintenance and data analysis.
Orchid announced an integration between its Orchid POS platform and Gun Made, automatically syndicating live inventory from Orchid POS dealers into Gun Made's search results across 4,000+ dealers and 500 million products. The integration drives traffic and sales to dealer storefronts with no commissions or manual uploads required.
GrabAGun Digital Holdings Inc. announced a strategic collaboration with Backwoods Suppressors, marking the third manufacturer to join its PEW Logistics direct-to-consumer platform. The expansion into suppressors comes as the U.S. suppressor market experienced 265 percent growth between 2020 and 2024, with over 845,000 applications submitted in the first five months of 2026 following the elimination of the federal transfer tax.
MidwayUSA promoted Sam Price to Marketing Manager after 12 years with the company. Price will lead digital marketing analysts overseeing customer relationship, advertising, public relations, social media, and SEO processes. VP Marketing Ryan Cokerham praised Price's dedication and industry expertise.
We Buy Guns released its June 2026 Secondary Firearms Market Report showing 1,793 firearm offers totaling $977,332 and 609 completed purchases. Handguns dominated at 62.4% of submissions, with Smith & Wesson, SIG Sauer, Glock, and Ruger leading manufacturers, while the SIG Sauer P320 led individual model activity.
The NSSF invites legal professionals to its second annual Legal Symposium on October 6–7 in Washington, D.C. The event features panels on Supreme Court decisions, FFL hiring practices, state firearm responsibility laws, product liability prevention, ATF regulatory reforms, and IP portfolio management, with an evening reception and full day of presentations.
The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) raised $18,000 for Project ChildSafe through an auction at its annual board meetings, celebrating its 100th anniversary. Project ChildSafe, the nation's most comprehensive firearm safety program, has distributed over 42 million free safety kits since its 1999 launch.
MidwayUSA promoted James Bland to Merchandising Manager - Shooting after 13 years with the company. Bland, a Tarleton State University graduate and NRA Life Member, will lead the Shooting category focusing on inventory management, sourcing, pricing, and promotion.
MidwayUSA promoted Travis Rodgers to Director of Logistics after 14 years with the company. Rodgers previously served as Director of Merchandising for the Hunting & Outdoors division and will now lead the warehouse operations team at MidwayUSA's Nitro Express Distribution Center.
Silencer Central announced a partnership with Sezzle to provide flexible "Buy Now, Pay Later" payment options for suppressor purchases. Founder and CEO Brandon Maddox stated the new payment option complements faster ATF approval times while allowing customers to break up costs over time. The service launches July 15, 2026, on Silencer Central's website.
CMC Triggers and San Tan Tactical have renewed their partnership with Jones's Company, a manufacturers' representative agency serving the shooting sports industry. Jones's Company will represent both brands across its national dealer and distributor network, providing enhanced support for CMC Triggers' firearm components and San Tan Tactical's precision-engineered rifles and accessories.
Walther Arms and Umarex USA announced Don Angle's appointment as General Manager for Law Enforcement, Military, and Government markets. Angle brings extensive experience from his tenure at Trijicon and over two decades of U.S. Army and defense industry service, leading the newly integrated professional user team.
KDG announced the official completion of its brand transition, strengthening its marketplace presence while maintaining all products, warranties, and engineering standards. The Connecticut-based company, founded in 2014, continues focusing on innovative firearm accessories including Kinect™ quick-detach systems, SideLok™ optic mounts, and platform-specific upgrades for FN SCAR and Grand Power Stribog platforms.
Solo Star North America launched as a Growth Agency for outdoor brands, introducing the S2 Intelligence Platform, a unified data model designed to integrate retail, DTC, and digital advertising channels. CEO Todd Fuller and Director of AI & Analytics Julian Tisdale highlight how the platform helps brands overcome data silos and achieve profitable growth.