WED | JUNE 25, 2025

Wilson Combat announced that their sister company, Lehigh Defense LLC has acquired all assets of Performance Engineering. Performance Engineering has been a trusted supplier of 1911 and AR-15 components to the firearms industry for more than four decades, and Wilson Combat has been proud to source components from them for over 30 years.
Known for its exceptional quality and right-priced gear, Blocker Outdoors introduces the new ¼ Zip Performance Fleece Shirt and Performance Fleece Hoodie, available in Mossy Oak Original Bottomland, Mossy Oak Country Roots, and Realtree APX.
SEVR™ announces the expansion of its popular Hybrid line with the introduction of two new Titanium (Ti) 4-blade models: the Ti 1.75” and Ti 2.0”. These additions give bowhunters greater versatility with increased cutting surface—delivering enhanced performance from SEVR’s proven hybrid platform.

Hornady® congratulates Lauryl Akenhead for her performance at the Hodgdon Powder Punisher Positional PRS Match, June 21-22, 2025, in Conway Springs, Kansas. kenhead used Hornady 6mm 110 gr. A-Tip® Match bullets in her 6mm Creedmoor to secure Top Lady, Top Production, and Top Suppressor honors.
Team Vihtavuori’s Kimberly Rowe, one of the team’s newest members, claimed the High Woman title at the 2025 NRA National Mid-Range Prone Championships with an impressive score of 2392-164X.
After a pair of exciting finals, Ava Downs and Cylas Prince claimed championship titles at the 2025 USA Shooting Trap Junior Olympic Championships, on June 22 in Hillsdale, Michigan.

Meprolight will exhibit at GunCon 2025, hosted by The Gun Collective, on June 28, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. The annual event draws top brands, industry influencers, and firearm enthusiasts for a full day of exhibits, panels, and product showcases.
Since its founding in 1990, The NRA Foundation has awarded more than $509 million through over 65,000 grants, supporting vital programs in firearms education, range development, and shooting sports across the United States. These grants provide critical funding and equipment to organizations that strengthen communities, promote safe firearm use, and cultivate the next generation of sportsmen and women.
Old Glory Bank announces a new offering designed to honor and support America’s veterans: the Veterans’ Premium Checking Account. This top-tier account is available to Veterans with no monthly fee, and with the Old Glory Bank promise of Privacy, Security, and Liberty.

WATCHTOWER Firearms announces that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, has granted final approval for a significant amount of debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing. This financial support is substantial and empowers WATCHTOWER Firearms to maintain operational continuity, reinforce the Company's position as it moves forward in its growth trajectory, and drive it towards a near-term exit from Chapter 11.
Silencer Central announces the addition of industry veteran Kelly Streiff as the company’s new Chief Revenue Officer. Streiff brings more than 15 years of leadership experience in sales and marketing having served as VP of Sales & Marketing at Proof Research and held leadership roles at Leupold & Stevens and Cabela’s.
ZeroTech Optics is proud to take a stand — not just as a company, but as hunters, shooters, anglers, and conservationists — against the proposal to sell off America’s public lands. These lands are more than shaded spots on a map or stretches of undeveloped terrain. They are the soul of the outdoor heritage.
Firearms Policy Coalition announced that the organization and one of its members, Deacon Morris, have filed a new lawsuit, Morris v. Savannah, challenging a City of Savannah, Georgia firearm ordinance that is patently unlawful under the State’s comprehensive firearm preemption law.
The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) has filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court urging it to hear NRA v. Glass, a lawsuit challenging Florida’s ban on firearm purchases by adults under 21.
Firearms Policy Coalition announced its strong opposition to the Department of Justice’s recently proposed merger of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the Drug Enforcement Administration. The dangerous proposal would consolidate the ATF and DEA into an authoritarian “super-agency” with the combined powers to wage the failed war on drugs and enforce unconstitutional federal gun control laws against all Americans.

Spandau Shotguns announced that the Spandau S2 Shotgun, which was released in 2024, is now available in a 20-gauge model in both a Mossy Oak Bottomland finish and a traditional wood finish.
Mesa Tactical announced the release of its new SureShell carriers featuring an integrated Aimpoint ACRO footprint optics mount, designed specifically for the Beretta 1301 Tactical and A300 shotguns. The new reflex SureShell carriers are engineered to deliver seamless integration of modern optics without compromising the factory sighting system.
The Vortex Edge® team is bringing their “Fastest Route to Firearms Mastery” instruction to long-range shooting, and they want you to tune in to this online instructional series for free. This is the second Find Your Edge video series.

The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) announces the 2025 subsidy program for Hunters for the Hungry (HFH) organizations in the United States, by making $100,000 available. Available in awards up to $2,000, the fund will cover the cost of processing, shipping, and distributing donated meat.
Prepared 2 Protect® has announced the release of its innovative .68 caliber pepper-filled Core Defense ammunition, engineered for compatibility with most standard pepper-round launchers. Designed for heightened effectiveness, each round contains a potent 7-percent concentration of PAVA (synthetic capsaicin pepper).
WOOX introduces its new Leather Accessories Collection, now available exclusively at wooxstore.com and through authorized retail partners. Crafted from premium Italian leather, this collection was purpose-built to complement the WOOX Gladiatore—our iconic pump-action furniture line.

Nothing is more memorable than a person’s first firearm. Escort Shotguns will continue this tradition with three youth shotguns: the FieldHunter Youth, PS Youth, and the all-new WS Youth for first-time hunters. All these exceptional firearms fill specific niche needs and outdoor uses, from bird hunting to target practice.
Ever notice how the broken-in leather belts you’ve worn for a while have taken on a curve? That’s called a contour, and it makes a sturdy belt more comfortable. Galco’s contour belts come pre-curved, so they’re amazingly comfortable right out of the package.
FALCO Holsters has launched a new collection of Multi-Fit holsters designed to simplify holster selection without compromising performance. The collection features three distinct universal holster series, each tailored to different carry preferences and budgets, and is available in eight sizes for pistols and revolvers.
Airgun hunting and target practice require substantially different types of ammunition. Hatsan emphasizes the benefits of the Apolo line of airgun pellets, which is effective for every need. With specific lines geared for hunting, long-range shooting, and competition shooting, Apolo handles it all.
Hornady announces its mid-year new products for 2025. The new products will be available from stocking dealers, major retail sporting goods stores and their websites. Dealers can be found by visiting the Retail Locator on hornady.com.
The Snapsafe® One-Gun Keypad Vault offers compact, dependable security with quick access and enhanced protection. The SnapSafe One-Gun Keypad Vault features a spring-loaded door that allows for immediate access when the programmable four-to-six-digit battery-powered keypad is activated.
Ark Press, the pro-human publisher dedicated to authentic American storytelling, announces The Ark Prize, a nationwide contest to find the next Great American Novel. With a $10,000 advance and publication on July 4, 2026—America’s 250th birthday—the winning novel will embody the theme “America 2076”, envisioning the nation 50 years from 2026.
Wiley X once again supported The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation’s Annual American Hero Event. As a Silver Level sponsor, Wiley X donated 100 pairs of premium eyewear to help honor and empower veterans through the therapeutic power of nature.
MyOutdoorTV, the leading global subscription streaming platform dedicated to outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts, is offering a special 30-day free trial Fourth of July promotion. Starting today and running through July 6, 2025, new subscribers can enjoy an extensive library of outdoor content all free for 30 days.
 

Feature

We had an open house at our local gun club last weekend. It was a time for members to get together, renew memberships, have a bit of a swap meet and some grub, as well as engage in a bit of rimfire competition.

Whether or not competition is your thing, whether or not you “have the time” to go all the way out to the range to shoot, whether or not you’re a “joiner,” you should absolutely join your local gun club. These are your people. This is a place to shoot – in a country in which there are far too few places to shoot based on the numbers of gun owners there are. Supporting that effort is smart for the long term survival of private firearms ownership.

CCGC has been here a long time.

When we moved to Topeka all those many decades ago, I joined the gun club – it was the only place to shoot. I came from a place where there was abandoned strip mined property out in the county. People went to them to shoot. After I left, the land was “reclaimed” – meaning it went to individuals to develop into residential properties. 

Progress.

My sister got a gun club membership for Dad, who still lived in that previously mined land. I believe he actually attended the club a few times. It lacked the casual nature of our recreational shooting from an era that had disappeared, but it was still a place to shoot – only safer. 

I have renewed my membership annually by mail – and now, online. I normally don’t attend the open house, but I decided to go this time. 

I’m glad I did. I got to see some friends, I wandered through the impromptu “swap meet” where members were moving off some of their reloading gear – and I saw my first ARA BR50 Sanctioned Match, something an organizer told me happens monthly at the club. 

Above, the Highpower range saw some 100-yard use during the Open House. Below, the BR50 Match was outfitted with a 50-yard target line, intermediate range wind vanes; they take this rimfire match seriously.

 

I was surprised at the wind vanes staked out at various yardages between benches and the fifty-yard target line. I saw a Ruger 10/22 with a large variable optic – and a custom bolt gun, with a match stainless barrel fitted with a muzzle device. And many others. 

There was everything from “reasonably stock” to “high-end” match guns that had arrived to take part.

The local club also schedules Steel Challenge matches, USPSA, various Highpower - 300yd matches, including the Team Infantry Match, NRA Cowboy Lever Action Silhouette, IDPA, Cowboy Action – and even the 4H Shotgun State Qualifier. 

The Capital City Gun Club is a busy place. 

There are also quiet mornings – and sometimes late afternoons – during which I’m able to ply my trade by shooting guns belonging to others. 

Our gun club is a private membership club with a board of directors. Officials include various ranges – Pistol, Highpower, Shotgun, Smallbore, as well as discipline directors (USPSA, IDPA). To join, a member candidate (1) must be able to legally own a firearm in the United States, (2) must have two current member references, and, (3) must be an NRA member. 

In addition, applicants must pass a background check by one of the state police agencies prior to acceptance.  Members are issued an identification badge that allows access to the club.   

Sound like a lot of trouble to go to? Maybe, but it becomes your club. 

There are gun clubs like this across the country – too few, but they’re out there. Do yourself a favor and join. 

Even if you don’t use it, you’re giving back to a community that leads the way in keeping the armed lifestyle alive. 

— Rich Grassi

Shooting Wire - 2271 N Upton St., Arlington, VA 22207
Copyright © 2024, All Rights Reserved.