In observance of the Easter holiday, we will not be publishing any wires on Friday, April 3. If your news needs to be distributed before Monday, April 6, 2026, please get it to us no later than 4:30pm Eastern Time on Wednesday, April 1. News arriving later will not make Thursday's final editions for the week.
The Kids & Clays Foundation launched a charity auction on GunBroker.com featuring a custom-engraved Ruger Red Label 28-gauge shotgun by Baron Engraving. GunBroker is waiving all fees, ensuring 100 percent of proceeds support Ronald McDonald House chapters across the country.
USA Archery National Head Coach Elias Cuesta has been named World Archery Coach of the Year for 2025, recognizing his outstanding first year leading the U.S. program. Cuesta guided Team USA to historic results on the World Cup circuit and secured podium finishes at both the World Archery Championships and World Archery Youth Championships.
B&P USA Pro Staff member Joe Charnigo won the High Overall title with 986/1000 at the Southern Grand American in Odessa, Florida, March 8–15. Charnigo achieved a near-perfect 99/100 in the Monday Preliminary Doubles (AAA) and multiple runner-up finishes, demonstrating exceptional consistency throughout the competition.
Team Krieghoff competed at the 2026 NSCA Western Regional Championships in Tucson, Arizona, with over 600 shooters participating. Notable performances included Derrick Mein's HOA win in the FITASC event, Brandon Powell's Prelim High Overall title, and Jonathan Prince earning Junior Champion in the Main Event. The next tour stop is The World English in San Antonio, Texas, April 22–26.
RETAY USA launched its annual Turkey Photo Contest inviting hunters to share field photos for chances to win RETAY shotguns, NOMAD turkey vests, and PatternPros packages. The contest runs March 1 – May 31 with entries submitted through retaynation.com/giveaways/.
The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), Firearms Policy Coalition, and private citizen Gary Zimmerman filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of federal law 18 U.S.C. § 930(a), which bars firearm possession in National Park Service facilities. SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut argues the ban unconstitutionally forces law-abiding citizens to disarm before entering visitor centers and ranger stations.
Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a federal lawsuit, Zimmerman v. Bondi, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas challenging federal laws banning firearms in national park facilities. The Second Amendment Foundation and an FPC member are plaintiffs represented by attorneys from Cooper & Scully, P.C. and Cooper & Kirk, PLLC, seeking a permanent injunction against enforcement of the carry bans.
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. announced Andrew Wieland's appointment as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Tom Dineen. Wieland brings extensive financial leadership experience from Eaton Corporation and will lead Ruger's financial operations supporting the company's 2030 strategic plan.
SHIELD Sights announced new distribution partnerships with Sports South and Zanders Sporting Goods, joining its longstanding partnership with RSR Group. The expansion makes SHIELD's micro red dot optics available through these major wholesale distributors' dealer networks across the United States.
GrabAGun announced a strategic collaboration with Derya Arms, marking the second firearms manufacturer to adopt the company's PEW Logistics direct-to-consumer platform since its January 2026 launch. The partnership enables Derya Arms to focus on manufacturing while GrabAGun handles eCommerce fulfillment, compliance, and logistics.
NSSF praised Utah Governor Spencer Cox for signing House Bill 214, which amends civil liability laws to protect firearm and accessory businesses from frivolous lawsuits. The law prevents foreign nationals and political subdivisions from launching junk litigation against manufacturers, sellers, and trade organizations, making Utah the first state to pass NSSF's state liability reform language.
B&P USA, manufacturer of premier shotshells for clays and hunting, launched its redesigned website at baschieri-pellagriusa.com. The platform offers shooters online purchasing, product specifications, and brand heritage information while supporting existing retail partners. Director of Marketing Christian Hogg emphasized B&P's commitment to delivering quality ammunition and enhancing digital engagement with its community.
Real Avid has launched the Master Maintenance Collection for Glock, a comprehensive toolkit featuring essential tools and supplies for Glock pistol owners. The collection includes sight pushers, cleaning kits, magnetic bore lights, and maintenance products designed for upgrades, cleaning, and tuning of Glock handguns.
Italian Firearms Group announces the Kodiak Survivalist, a compact express rifle from Davide Pedersoli chambered in .44 Remington Magnum. The side-by-side barrel rifle features an 18" barrel, weighs 6.17 lbs, and combines traditional craftsmanship with modern performance for hunters seeking refined utility.
T/C Arms launches multiple new products including the ENCORE PROHunter Pistol Frame Assembly, ENCORE PROHunter Turkey Shotgun, ENCORE PROHunter FireStick Muzzleloader .50 cal., expanded accessories, and returning Contender Barrels. CEO Gregg Ritz emphasizes the company's commitment to modularity and American-built reliability across proven platforms.
ALPS Mountaineering introduces the EverDry, a 2026 all-season waterproof tote available in two sizes (20-35L and 30-55L) with puncture-resistant TPU material and fully-welded seams. The versatile carry solution features a self-standing design, wide opening, and lashing points, backed by ALPS' Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Dasan USA announced the Alpha Foxtrot Romulus 1911DS featuring a precision-machined aluminum grip designed to improve control, balance, and shooting performance. The USA-made pistol includes Night Fision® sights, a compensated barrel, and ambidextrous controls, available in three configurations starting at $1,679.
Canik has launched its new VOID series suppressors in collaboration with Otter Creek Labs. Three rifle models (VOID-556, VOID-556K, VOID-762) are available at $649.99, with a 3D printed VOID-9 for handguns and PCCs launching at $849.99. All feature stainless steel construction and low back pressure gas systems.
Benelli announced the launch of the Art of Performance video series, showcasing the proprietary engineering behind the Benelli Lupo precision rifle. The series details the rifle's three-step barrel manufacturing process: vacuum heat treatment, electrochemical rifling, and cryogenic Crio treatment, which together deliver exceptional accuracy and consistency.
DeSantis Gunhide introduces the Infiltrator Air, a breathable hybrid IWB holster accepting Red Dot Sights for everyday carry. Featuring tuckable clips, adjustable cant, and precision-molded Kydex construction, it retails for $113.99.
ALPS Mountaineering introduces the Reflection Dry Backpack, featuring durable 600D polyester over TPU fabric with welded seams and roll-top closure. Available in 20L, 40L, and 70L sizes in Slate Blue or Taupe, the pack starts at $99.99 and includes ergonomic shoulder straps and breathable backpad design.
Sticky Holsters highlights its Venatic Collection products for spring turkey season, featuring the Modular Rifle Sling for stable carry and the Stock Pad/Riser with Shotgun Ammo Holder for secure shell storage and accessibility during hunting.
Mossy Oak announced a partnership with Sniper Bladeworks to offer select knife models featuring Mossy Oak camouflage patterns. Founded by Lance Abernathy, Sniper Bladeworks specializes in high-performance, hard-use knives for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts, combining proven camouflage designs with durable construction.
WOOX is expanding its Ambassador and Pro Staff Program to compensate content creators and outdoor enthusiasts. The program offers up to 10% commission on sales, exclusive brand benefits, and free products for promotion across social media platforms and blogs.
A little cool, 40°, on an early spring morning, and it seemed a good time to take out a pair of S&W “Kit Guns” that are resident. Both with three-inch barrels (the three-inch J-frame is a personal favorite of long standing), one is the “AirLite” Model 317. The other is the Model 63. Both are of the “lock” era, both have fiber-optic front sights. The M317 has a “V” notch in the rear sight blade; the M63 has the square notch.
I’d never considered either to be particularly accurate, finding as the previous generation gun author “Skeeter” Skelton did that the J-frame size and action (sights notwithstanding) took considerable effort to shoot well.
I don’t find 38 Special J’s that hard to shoot. It’s likely the lustier mainspring to better ensure we light the rimfire priming compound and the fact that one needs to emphasize follow-through. It seems to take forever to get that 22 slug out of the bore.
With the AirLite, it’s the fact that there’s no real weight to stabilize one’s hold. It just waves around in the breeze at the end of your arms. In Kansas, finding a still enough day to steady the pint-sized blaster is tough.
Like Mr. Skelton, I find that “cheating” by taking a field rest is critical to scoring hits with such small guns. A genuine M317, 1 7/8” barrel gun with the tiny “boot grips” of Uncle Mike’s fame, scored a headshot on a peeping prairie dog on the Spur Ranch in Wyoming. I can’t tell you the distance – if I remembered how I paced it off, I’d still find it unlikely.
I was perched next to Dick Williams’ Ford F150, using it for support when I took the shot. I saw dirt fly, considered it a miss; all I’d seen was the critter’s noggin.
Dick said, “I think you hit him. You better go look.”
I did. I had.
Don’t get excited. It was luck.
The flyweight wasn't as easy to hold as the steel M63 (below).
These longer guns needed some shooting before I cleaned them for the walking-around season. I selected Federal bulk-packed Auto Match 40gr. ammo for the range trip. Shooting one-handed, bullseye-style (I’m a glutton for punishment), I printed a 7 ¼” pattern with the flyweight 317.
You could hardly call it a group. There were four hits in 4 ½”, more in keeping with what I can do with the insubstantial gun. Three hits were in 2 ¼”.
With the stouter Model 63, five shots went into 2 7/8” – shot the same way. Three hits crowded into 1 3/8”. I was back into “luck territory.”
I stapled up a business-size envelope and shot it two-handed from 20 yards with the steel Kit Gun. That gave me a 3 3/8” group (more like it), with three hits into 2 ¼”.
That’s with no fender, table, tree or fence post to be supported by.
I spent a little more time with each gun. I had one failure to fire using CCI Standard Velocity in the AirLite.
There were no other stoppages.
I’d quit shooting for groups to measure and just tried to make hits on various targets. It’s not wasted effort when you’re shooting a 22.
And it’s just a good way to start the spring time.
