Barnett's Hyper Raptor GTX™ crossbow is now shipping to dealers nationwide, featuring 425 FPS velocity, TriggerTech™ Frictionless Release Technology, and a compact 7.5-inch axle-to-axle design optimized for deer season hunting.

Sturm, Ruger & Company's Ruger Red Label III shotgun has been awarded Best New Shotgun at the 2026 NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards. Built by Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company, the over/under shotgun features classic styling and premium materials, offered in 20 gauge with 28" or 30" barrels.

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) presented Jeff Crane of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation with the 2026 Chairman's Award for his significant impact on the shooting sports industry. Crane brings over 40 years of experience in natural resource management and has fostered bipartisan relationships among policymakers and the sportsmen's community.

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) presented its 2026 Appreciation Awards recognizing top manufacturers including Smith & Wesson, Holosun Technologies, and Hornady. NASGW partnered with the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) to present Caliber Awards for product innovation, with Canik USA's Prime Radian winning Best New Overall Product.

Dead Air Silencers' Nomad Ti OTB suppressor won the 2026 NASGW-POMA Caliber Award for Best New Suppressor at the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers Expo in Phoenix. The over-the-barrel design, manufactured from 3D-printed Grade 9 titanium, weighs 10.5 ounces and is rated for cartridges up to .300 RUM.

Team Vihtavuori shooter Chad Heckler won his second International Precision Rifle Federation Limited Division World Championship at the 2026 IPRF Centerfire World Championship in Lipan, Texas, scoring 171 of 200 points. Heckler's winning load featured Berger bullets, Lapua brass, and Vihtavuori N150 powder, with Team USA earning top honors across all division categories.

Team SHIELD athlete Robin Grauffel achieved 94.35% of the Production Optics Division winner's score at the 2026 USPSA IPSC Nationals while competing as a Junior. SHIELD Sights CEO James White praised Grauffel's continued demonstration of speed, accuracy, and consistency among top competitors in the sport.

Benelli Pro Staff shooter Heather Eckhardt led Team USA to gold in the Ladies Modified division at the 2026 IPSC Shotgun World Shoot in Corinth, Greece, defeating over 900 competitors from around the world. Eckhardt's championship-winning setup featured the Benelli M2 Speed shotgun.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and Hunt 2 Conserve committed $125,000 to support Amendment 83, a Colorado ballot measure that constitutionally protects hunting and fishing. The amendment declares hunting and fishing as the primary means for sustainable wildlife management, with over 300,000 hunters and 950,000 anglers expected to recreate in Colorado in 2026.

Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed an opposition to New York Attorney General Letitia James's motion to dismiss in Goldberger v. James, challenging the State's ban on firearm carry in Times Square. FPC argues James should remain in the case and that the organization has standing to sue on behalf of its members.

Following a federal court victory in Silencer Shop/Jensen v. ATF, Firearms Policy Coalition sent letters to 15 state attorneys general requesting immediate non-enforcement of state laws tied to the now-enjoined NFA registration scheme. The ATF also announced it will no longer enforce many NFA restrictions on short-barreled rifles, suppressors, and other covered arms.

B&T USA, a named plaintiff in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF, exhibits at the 2026 NASGW Expo in Phoenix as the ATF extends nationwide relief eliminating NFA registration and tax-stamp requirements for suppressors. The company has scaled production to 7,000 suppressors monthly at its Herriman facility.

The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) has standardized the 5.56 Commercial cartridge, introduced by Hornady Manufacturing Company. The new round features a 55-grain bullet at 3,400 fps with a maximum average pressure of 62,000 psi.

We Buy Guns, a national online firearm purchasing platform, reported 15 transferable machine gun purchases in 2026 compared to six in 2025. Owner Chris Wing emphasized the importance of trust in NFA firearm transactions, which now represent about 9% of the company's total offer value despite comprising less than 0.5% of submissions.

HeadHunters NW clarified that ZEV Technologies was a victim of a recruiting scam, not its source. A fraudulent recruiter exploited a genuine Vice President of Sales opening that HeadHunters NW was recruiting for, using fake emails to solicit payment from candidates.

B&T USA, a plaintiff in Silencer Shop Foundation v. ATF, welcomed ATF guidance applying a federal court ruling nationwide that eliminates registration and approval requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns. Suppressors now transfer through licensed dealers with Form 4473 and background checks like other firearms.

Dead Air Silencers welcomes the ATF's new guidance eliminating approval and registration requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and short-barreled shotguns following Congress's reduction of the federal tax to $0 effective January 1, 2026. The change removes barriers established since 1934, making hearing protection devices more accessible to responsible gun owners while state and local laws remain in effect.

Luth-AR founder and NRA Board of Directors member Randy Luth attended the Friends of NRA fundraiser in Park Rapids, MN on October 3, 2026, featuring raffles, silent auctions, and the Wall of Guns.

Sierra Bullets and Barnes Bullets announced Cole Seyfert joined their sales team managing Key Accounts and International Commercial sales. Seyfert brings sales management experience from American Outdoor Brands and founded ROCT Outdoor, a premium dog gear company serving sporting and farm markets across the United States, Canada, and Europe.

Primary Arms Optics announced the promotion of Jeff Scheider to Vice President of Sales. Scheider, who previously served as National Sales Manager, will lead sales strategy and strengthen dealer partnerships for the Houston-based optics company.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is hiring an Eastern Regional Development Director to support strategic fundraising efforts, manage major donor portfolios, and identify planned gift opportunities. The remote position requires a bachelor's degree, five years of development experience, and frequent travel throughout the Eastern United States.

Primary Arms Optics, a Houston-based tactical optics manufacturer founded in 2008, is hiring a Product Development Engineer II to design and develop new optics and products. The role requires a mechanical engineering degree with 3-5 years of firearms or optics industry experience and expertise in manufacturing processes including milling, turning, molding, and casting.

ZeroTech Optics USA introduces the Trace X 5-25x56 FFP – RMG-H MRAD Illuminated riflescope, featuring a matched MRAD aiming system, illuminated first focal plane reticle, 34 MRAD elevation travel, and mechanical zero stop designed for precision competition and long-range shooting.

The National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action announced the National Shooting Sports Foundation as an official partner of the 2026 NRA Gun Bus Battleground Tour, sponsored through NSSF's Protect Liberty PAC. The tour will visit 13 states with over 60 planned stops through Election Day, November 3, 2026.

The Second Amendment Foundation released a fact sheet refuting 85 predictions from anti-gun groups including Brady, Everytown, Giffords, and March For Our Lives that claimed pro-Second Amendment court rulings would increase violence. FBI data shows three consecutive years of declining murder rates and the largest one-year drop in violent crime on record in 2025.

The Bowhunter Podcast, presented by Tactacam and Thompson Cigar, features contributors Emily Konkler, Darron McDougal, and Danny Farris discussing optimal hunting times and tactics for the 2026 whitetail season. The expert panel shares insights on early season, rut hunting, decoying strategies, and late-season tactics using DataSport's Fish & Game Forecaster as their baseline.

Ol' Man Outdoors announced its 2026 hub-style ground blind lineup featuring three models: the Buck Shot, Carnivore 270, and Bounty Hunter 270. Each blind offers enhanced concealment, visibility, and capacity for deer hunters, with features including camouflage fabrics, silent window systems, and rapid setup capabilities.

Trijicon, Inc. announces six night sight configurations for the Springfield Armory Echelon pistol, including HD, HD XR, and suppressor-height options. These self-luminous sights feature photoluminescent paint and tritium technology, providing enhanced visibility and durability for optics-ready platforms.

Canik launched the METE MC9LS Flying Ace, a WWII aviation-inspired special edition pistol featuring laser-ablated Cerakote artwork on the proven MC9LS platform. The 9mm compact-to-full-size handgun offers 17+1 capacity, optics-ready slide, and reversible magazine catch with an MSRP of $549.99.

Diamondback Firearms and TALO Distributors unveiled an exclusive DB15 rifle featuring a custom Desert Sage and Gun Metal Gray Cerakote finish, Magpul Stealth Gray furniture, and a Viridian VENTA green dot. The 5.56 NATO rifle is available now through TALO distributors with an MSRP of $928.00.

Hornady introduces the VEXIS Mobilis Safe line featuring patent-pending vein-scanning biometric technology that unlocks in under half a second. The modular safes offer vault-level security with 9-gauge steel construction, one-hour fire protection, and support for up to 10 authorized users with keypad and mechanical key backup options.

Meta Tactical launched the Vector Green MX-1 handgun conversion kit on October 9, 2026, featuring a digital green camouflage pattern and tool-free installation. Compatible with over 70 handgun models including Glock, P80s, PSA Daggers, and Ruger RXM, the MX-1 offers six configurations priced from $399.99 to $429.99 MSRP.

Trijicon announces new MRAD reticle offerings for its ACOG line in 4x32 and 3.5x35 configurations, developed through customer feedback. The flexible aiming solution allows users to establish precise elevation and wind holds across different firearm platforms, calibers, and ammunition types.

Liberty Ammunition has been adopted as duty ammunition by the Galveston County District Attorney's Office. CEO Gary Ramey stated the department sought ammunition with greater stopping power and less weight, which Liberty Ammunition provides while meeting FBI protocols.

Galco unveils the Combat Master 2.0 belt holster for Glock 21, now available with or without carry optic accommodation. The professional-grade pancake holster features hand-molded premium steerhide construction, raised sweat guard, and twin belt slots for enhanced comfort and concealment.

Springfield Armory introduced the Echelon Pro Comp line of 9mm pistols in three variants: 4.0C compact, 4.0FC hybrid, and 4.5F full-size. The pistols feature enhanced performance elements including LightForged grip texture, integrally compensated slides, and modular design with an MSRP of $899.

NEXTORCH, the primary U.S. distributor of NEXTORCH Industries, announced the NP12 Ti Bolt-Action Titanium Tactical Pen, featuring aerospace-grade TC4 titanium construction, a German SCHMIDT easy FLOW 9000M refill, and an integrated kinetic spinner for stress relief. The tactical pen combines premium writing performance with emergency glass-breaking capability at an MSRP of $79.99.

FastBound announced the ATF Compliance Connector for Oracle NetSuite, the only firearms compliance app on SuiteApp.com. The connector automatically records acquisition and disposition entries in FastBound as NetSuite transactions save, with no middleware or serial number re-keying required.

CCI Ammunition is expanding its Blazer Brass handgun lineup with new 357 Magnum 158-grain and 44 Remington Magnum 240-grain loads featuring FMJ bullets and reloadable brass cases. These new products are now shipping to retailers nationwide with MSRPs of $49.99 and $79.99 respectively.

Steiner Optics has added the MPS 2.0 pistol sight to its Steiner Overwatch Program, offering special pricing on precision optics to qualified military, law enforcement, first responders, and judicial personnel. The MPS 2.0 features an enclosed emitter micro red dot with extended runtime up to 90,000 hours and waterproof design for extreme conditions.

MDT announced the Scope Tube Mount with V-Mount, a clamp-on mount for riflescopes in 30mm, 34mm, 35mm, and 36mm sizes. The mount provides V-Mount and Picatinny mounting points for accessories like levels and red dots while freeing up rail space on rifles, available October 9, 2026.

ZeroTech Optics USA introduces the Trace X 5-25x56 FFP – RMG-H MOA Illuminated riflescope, featuring 116 MOA of elevation travel, 58 MOA of windage, quarter-MOA clicks, and an illuminated first focal plane reticle with mechanical zero stop for precision shooters.

CAA has announced the Limited Edition Hi-Viz Orange MCK EVO, a Micro Conversion Kit featuring vibrant orange polymer construction launching October 1, 2025. Available in six configurations with prices ranging from $349.99 to $384.98 MSRP, the product will be sold exclusively through caagearup.com.

Hornady has redesigned its Lock-N-Load Classic Pro Press with 17 refined features, including precision-machined surfaces, brass bushings, and an integrated grease zerk. The press maintains the legendary Lock-N-Load die bushing system while delivering smoother operation and tighter, more repeatable reloading results for serious precision shooters.

Crow Wholesale announced an exclusive MTP Holiday promotion featuring Colt products with special promotional pricing for dealers October 12-16. The limited-time offer helps Crow dealers prepare for the holiday selling season with access to select Colt products while supplies last.

Silencer Central is running a weeklong SilencerCo takeover through October 18, offering customers a $150 rebate coupon and double Silencer Central Rewards points on qualifying SilencerCo suppressor purchases. Rebate codes can be redeemed toward future SilencerCo suppressors or accessories by November 25, 2026.

Ballistic's Best Hunting Edition 2026 evaluated seven leading waterfowl shotguns including Winchester SX4, Browning A5, Mossberg 940 Pro, Beretta AX800 Suprema, Benelli Super Black Eagle 3, Franchi Affinity 3, and Stoeger M3500. Three shooters tested handling, fit, recoil, and performance, finding tight competition across modern duck guns with no single feature guaranteeing success.

Ballistic's Best Hunting Edition 2026 evaluated five rifle suppressors: Sig Sauer Endure 30, IWI IWS7Ti, EOTech DCBL 762, Dead Air Nomad Ti OTB, and Rugged 360 Ti. Testing measured weight, sound reduction, recoil, and point-of-impact shift to determine which suppressors deliver optimal performance for hunters.

Firearms News releases its October 2026 issue featuring Field Editor Patrick Sweeney's review of the Springfield Armory Saint Victor PDW-Type Pistol. The magazine, celebrating its 80th anniversary, includes articles on firearms from Q, Live Free Armory, Smith & Wesson, Dead Air, and coverage of NFA rulings and Second Amendment news by Editor-in-Chief Vincent L. DeNiro and other contributors.

Paul G. Markel's new workbook "Airsoft and Airguns for Tactical Training" offers practical solutions for practicing tactical skills when live-fire ranges are unavailable. The book covers training versus practice, airsoft history, gear selection, practice drills, and force-on-force considerations, available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle formats.

Legacy Sports International will exhibit at the 2026 NASGW Show in Phoenix, Arizona, October 13-16, featuring HOWA, POINTER, and CITADEL brand firearms. The company will showcase popular products including HOWA Superlite Gen 2 rifles, POINTER shotguns, and CITADEL Boss25 AR-style shotguns to top distributors.

Tac Shield will debut its new Modular Suppressor Cover and Fixed Length Suppressor Cover at the 2026 NASGW Annual Meeting & Expo in Phoenix, Arizona. Both mil-spec covers feature high-temperature insulation withstanding up to 2,000 degrees and are designed to reduce heat mirage and improve sight picture clarity.

Beretta Defense Technologies alliance members including Beretta USA, Sako, Benelli, Steiner, Centanex, SwissP, RWS, and Norma will exhibit at AUSA Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, October 12-14, 2026, showcasing firearms, optics, ammunition, and counter-UAS capabilities.

Sarsilmaz will exhibit at the 2026 NASGW Annual Meeting & Expo in Phoenix, October 13-15, showcasing its 7/24 Series, K-12 Sport, and SAR9 family handguns. Chief Revenue Officer Miranda Cook highlighted the company's diverse lineup for concealed carry, personal defense, and competition.

Beretta will return to the 2026 National Sporting Clays Championship in San Antonio, Texas, October 17-25, featuring demo shotguns, retail services, and sponsorship of the Super Sporting competition. Team Beretta members including Desirae Edmunds, Zachary Kienbaum, and Anthony Matarese, Jr. will compete, while attendees can preview new unreleased shotguns and limited-edition 500-year anniversary products.

Project ChildSafe's Safety Sweepstakes, administered by NSSF, is now accepting entries for eight prize packages valued over $20,000, including offerings from Vault Pro, GLOCK, Hornady, Savage Arms, Leupold, and other sponsors. The sweepstakes runs through January 31, 2027, with winners drawn March 11, 2027.

Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo, along with RJ and Aubrey, invite viewers to tune into the 26th season of The Choice on Pursuit Channel, beginning October 12th. The episode features the family bowhunting Kansas whitetails with J&M Outfitters in an exciting hunt for big game.

The Civilian Marksmanship Program kicks off the 2026 National Matches with pistol week, featuring the first ceremonial first shot fired from a pistol. The Gary Anderson Competition Center hosts 10m air rifle nationals for juniors and open competitors, including Olympians.

The tactical 20-gauge shotgun market has grown in recent years. In fact, it’s doubled from one to two on the current market. Mossberg gave us a 20 gauge 590 last year and this year Beretta delivered the 20 gauge A300 Ultima Patrol. We now have a 20-gauge, gas-operated, semi-auto tactical shotgun with all the modern features. 

Breaking Down the A300 Ultima Patrol 

The A300 series started as a sporting shotgun and was already available in 20 gauge. It must not have been much work for Beretta to convert the A300 sporting platform into a shorter tactical model. The A300 series is American-made and doesn’t carry the Italian tax. It’s not exactly cheap, but it’s considerably more affordable than the 1301 or M4. 

The Ultima Patrol doesn’t just trim the barrel and call it tactical. It got a full Nicole Kidman-style facelift. The barrel is trimmed to 19.1 inches. That’s an odd length for a tactical shotgun, but it ensures it sits flush with the extended magazine tube. Capacity is increased to seven rounds with the addition of an extension. I prefer a single-piece tube, but it’s more economical to use the tubes you have and use an extension. 

A barrel-to-magazine tube clamp gives you a sling point and a single M-LOK slot. The handguard was stretched, and we have a few more M-LOK slots for accessories. The gun comes with a high-visibility front sight and a non-adjustable rear ghost ring. Plus, there’s a rail for easily adding an optic. 

One of the best things that happened to tactical shotguns is that manufacturers took the controls and made them massive. The charging handle is huge, as is the bolt release. We get a large, textured, tactile safety button. The loading port is also bigger, so shoving rounds into the tube is easy, and your thumb won’t catch. 

Finally, the stock lets you adjust the length of pull with inserts. This is a fantastic addition that doesn’t lock you into a 14.5-inch length of pull. A length of pull that fits the shooter supports a modern stance and a good push-pull hold to reduce recoil. 

The Recoil Dilemma

Since we’re talking recoil, let’s talk 20 gauge. Most people buy a 20 gauge for its reduced recoil, and for bird hunting and clay shooting, it’s the right choice. For defensive use…not so much. The 20-gauge round can reduce recoil, but in reality it’s not that simple. 

Most 20 gauge shotguns are lighter than 12 gauge guns. For example, the 12 gauge Ultima Patrol weighs a pound and a half more than the 20 gauge version. Less weight equals more felt recoil.

When we examine the buckshot options for 20-gauge guns, we see some interesting choices. 

Winchester Defender has a reduced-recoil load: 20 pellets of No. 3 buckshot at 1,145 FPS. That’s about 480 grains of lead in all. An eight-pellet 00 load packs about 450-ish grains, depending on the load, and a reduced-recoil load has the same velocity. From a lightweight gun, that recoil difference is barely noticeable.

To compare like with like, a 20 gauge load of Federal Flitecontrol from the six-pound A300 equates to about 15 foot-pounds of recoil. A load of Federal Flitecontrol from the slightly heavier A300 12-gauge gives us about 17 foot-pounds of recoil. 

Running and Gunning With the A300 Ultima Patrol

When shooting the Ultima Patrol in 20 gauge, the recoil isn’t stiff. Everything feels about in line with a 12 gauge gas gun shooting reduced-recoil ammunition. Yet the 20 gauge gun really shines because it only weighs six pounds. That’s crazy lightweight for a semi-auto gas-operated shotgun. 

Shooting cheapo birdshot, the recoil is quite pleasant, enough that I could land four rounds on targets in 1.04 seconds from the low ready. I tried hard to get it under a second, but just couldn’t break that time. 

Dropping double-taps in about half a second is pretty nice, and you can put a lot of lead on target fast. The stock and forend have super-aggressive texturing. It’s more like a pistol grip texture than any other shotgun. It allows you to dig into the gun and get that good stretch with your push/pull. Your hands won’t slide or slip, even when covered in sweat. 

It grabs your hand and I love it, but I never found it grating or painful. I never needed a glove. Well, I didn’t need a glove because of the texture. The forend gets thin near the top of the barrel, and can be easy for your thumb to graze a hot barrel. 

The controls are fantastic and easy to use. My finger could find the safety without fumbling around. In doing some grab-and-go, cruiser-ready drills, my hand never slipped when racking a round into the chamber. Reloads were easy with that massive bolt release and the enlarged loading port. 

Plus, the A300 lifter design is absolutely fantastic and might be my favorite on the market. When the bolt is locked to the rear, it stays upward, making it easier to load rounds. The lightweight design made it easy to stay on target while shoving rounds into the tube. 

Without a doubt, this shotgun would be one helluva clown remover. 

Keeping It Light 

The real advantage of a 20-gauge gun isn’t its recoil, but how light it can be compared to comparable 20 gauge scatterguns. The lightweight design makes it easy to swing, do repeated ready-up drills, and carry around. You can even shoot it fairly easily with one hand. When doing emergency reloads, it’s super-easy to hold as you shove a round into the ejection port. 

Moving between positions and working around cover just feels easier with a lighter gun. I’ve been working on my compressed shooting positions and the lighter gun makes it much easier to control and handle in an awkward position. 

I fired 200 rounds of Monarch birdshot, 100 rounds of Monarch No.1 buckshot, 50 rounds of dirt-cheap Sterling No. 2 buckshot, five rounds of Federal Flitecontrol, and 5 rounds of Winchester Super-X slugs. I had zero malfunctions. 

The slim Beretta chewed through everything without a problem. The biggest fault I found was the non-adjustable ghost ring sights. What’s the point of non-adjustable ghost rings? For buckshot at buckshot ranges, it’s not a problem. For slugs, you have to find the range you’re close to being zeroed at and keep it there. 

That’s not a big problem since I’m a buckshot man with my shotguns, but if you’re serious about slug use, you’ll want to replace the rear sight or add a red dot. 

Naturally, patterns varied by load. The Sterling opened up about an inch per yard. The Monarch was able to stay in a five-inch pattern at seven yards. The FliteControl predictably provided the tightest pattern with a 4-inch pattern at 10 yards. The gun uses replaceable Mobilchokes so you can tighten it up with ease. 

The A300 Ultima Patrol Now In 20 Gauge 

The A300 Ultima Patrol has made the move to 20 gauge, giving us a quality, semi-auto 20 gauge defensive option. I wouldn’t grab one expecting the absolute lightest recoil, but because I want a lightweight, easy-to-maneuver, ultra-reliable shotgun. That’s where this thing really shines. 

What I would love to see is an eight-pellet No.1 buckshot load that’s a true reduced-recoil load. I think that could really move the needle for 20-gauge tactical shotguns. For now, the A300 presents a competent defensive shotgun in a light platform with all the modern features you want in a tactical shotgun. 

– Travis Pike, Shooting News Weekly