Holosun Technologies, Inc. received the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) Optics Manufacturer of the Year award for 2026, marking its fourth win in five years. The honor recognizes Holosun's outstanding service, value, and support through two-step distribution to wholesalers and dealers.
Vortex Optics announced that the Vortex Relay Network received Guns & Ammo's 2026 Technology of the Year award. The system connects compatible Vortex devices to share ballistic data and optical information, helping shooters make more informed decisions in changing conditions.
Team B&P professional shooter Karen Miles won five Ladies championship titles at the 2026 National Sporting Clays Championship in San Antonio, including Ladies Main Event HOA, FITASC, K-Cup, All-Around, and Winchester Ladies Cup Pro championships. Baschieri & Pellagri celebrates Miles' exceptional performance against elite competitors.
Alfred State College (NY) won the team title and Tanner Schmaus of Montcalm Community College (MI) captured the individual crown at the 2026 USA College Clay Target League National Championship held October 30th–November 1st in Bunker Hill, Illinois. Schmaus shot 199 of 200 targets, winning on a tiebreaker over Alfred State's Justin Jerome.
Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) and the National Rifle Association (NRA) filed a motion for preliminary injunction in federal court seeking to immediately block Pennsylvania's ban on issuing firearm carry licenses to adults under 21, citing binding Third Circuit precedent from Lara v. Paris that established 18-to-20-year-old adults are protected by the Second Amendment.
Millennium Marine introduces the Spyderlok R300 Rod Transport Rack, an anodized aluminum solution that securely holds up to eight fishing rods using patented Spyderlok technology. The adjustable rack accommodates rods of varying lengths and features easy removal for quick access at the water.
Lt. Colonel Robert K. Brown, founder of Soldier of Fortune magazine, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2026. His wife Marie honored his wish for privacy until November 2nd, marking what would have been his 95th birthday.
The NSSF-adjusted NICS figure for October 2026 reached 1,402,422, representing a 7.9 percent increase compared to October 2025. Texas, Florida, and California led in adjusted NICS checks, while the unadjusted FBI NICS figure showed an 8.1 percent decrease year-over-year.
SHIELD Sights marks its 40th anniversary as a British manufacturer of red dot optics, celebrating four decades of innovation since its founding on November 3, 1986. The company developed the influential RMSc mounting footprint now widely adopted by handgun manufacturers and continues manufacturing optics in Crewkerne, England.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) is hiring a Director of Land Conservation based in Missoula, Montana. The position leads RMEF's land conservation and access program, managing strategic partnerships and overseeing projects that have conserved over 9.2 million acres since 1984.
ZeroTech Optics USA introduces the Thrive HD 6-24x50 – PHR 2 Illuminated riflescope, featuring a 24x magnification, six red brightness settings, and an Adjustable BDC Turret with five lockable markers. Weighing 23.0 ounces with a 50mm objective, the scope is designed for hunters seeking higher magnification without sacrificing portability.
Trijicon, Inc. announced the availability of its RMR Type 2 Adjustable LED Green Dot reflex sight in a new Coyote Brown anodized finish. The USA-made optic features a 3.25 MOA green aiming point, forged 7075-T6 aluminum construction, and advanced battery conservation technology for reliable performance in demanding conditions.
Trijicon, Inc. announced the availability of its RCR (Ruggedized Closed Reflex) sight in a new Flat Dark Earth anodized finish. The fully enclosed reflex optic features a 3.25 MOA red dot, 10 brightness settings, and waterproof performance to 66 feet, maintaining compatibility with existing RMR-ready slides and mounting plates.
ZeroTech Optics USA introduces the Thrive HD 2.5-15x50 – PHR 2, a 21.7-ounce hunting riflescope featuring a 2.5-15x magnification range with an Adjustable BDC Turret offering five independently lockable reference markers for customized elevation adjustments.
Hawke Optics unveiled the Frontier ED X Compact 15–35x56 Spotting Scope, featuring extra-low dispersion glass and wide-angle optics in a lightweight 35.4-ounce package designed for backpacking and hunting expeditions while maintaining premium optical clarity and performance.
SIGHTRON announced the addition of lockable turrets to three S6 5-30x56 ED IR riflescope models designed for medium to long-range tactical shooters and hunters. Made in Japan with Extra-Low Dispersion glass and exclusive Zact-7 Revcoat Plus lens coatings, the riflescope features SIGHTRON's ExacTrack W&E system and is covered under their Lifetime Performance Guarantee.
Michael Waddell, Nick Mundt, and Travis "T-Bone" Turner reunite on The Michael Waddell Podcast to share hunting memories, discuss team building, and reflect on their 18-year journey with Bone Collector. The trio discuss hunts at TC Outfitters in Texas, Hooray Ranch in Kansas, and R&K Outfitters in Utah, emphasizing camaraderie and the importance of appreciating shared experiences over rushing to the next task.
Blue Force Gear® introduces the MTKN!® NANO - ES, a compact 6" by 4" trauma kit designed for everyday preparedness and emergency response. The kit features a one-handed deployment system with essential supplies including QuikClot® Combat Gauze LE, HyFin® Vent Compact Chest Seal, and compression dressing, available in belt-mounted and MOLLE configurations.
SnapSafe, a Hornady Manufacturing brand, introduces modular safes that assemble on-site without welding or professional installation. The line features 2300°F fire protection and scales from single-door to double-door configurations, with the Titan model starting at $2,189 and the Super Titan Double Door at $3,269.
Chiappa Firearms introduces the Hunter Rhino 60DS, a .357 Magnum revolver with a unique low bore axis design that reduces recoil and muzzle flip. The 6-inch barrel revolver, made in Italy and distributed by Chiappa USA in Dayton, Ohio, is chambered for .357 Magnum and .38 Special, offering hunters versatility for whitetail, hogs, and predators.
Magpul released the DT-S, an AR15 adjustable carbine stock featuring Dual Tension technology, two waterproof storage tubes for batteries, and an ambidextrous adjustment latch for enhanced shooter comfort and stability.
SnapSafe introduces its Modular Safe line, featuring vault-grade security in disassembled pieces that assemble on-site without welding or professional installation. The line includes three models with 2300°F fire ratings, ranging from the Titan to the Super Titan Double Door, all manufactured by Hornady Manufacturing.
Remington announces the availability of the 2027 Limited Edition Bullet Knife, The Homesteader, a collector-focused folding pocketknife featuring premium multi-blade design and classic materials. The knife is 100-percent U.S.A. made with hand-finished V-Flat edge and green stag bone handles, now shipping to dealers nationwide at $147.99.
Crow Wholesale announced an exclusive MTP Holiday promotion featuring Diamondback products with special promotional pricing for dealers from October 26-30. The limited-time offer aims to help Crow dealers prepare for the holiday selling season with access to select Diamondback products while supplies last.
Thompson/Center Arms and Buckmasters have partnered to showcase T/C Arms muzzleloaders, including the ENCORE FireStick and Triumph models, across Outdoor Channel television, YouTube, podcasts, social media, and ambassador initiatives. The collaboration between the legendary firearms manufacturer and founder Jackie Bushman's hunting brand aims to connect with hunters nationwide.
Bergara has announced its sponsorship of Beyond the Hunt, an Outdoor Channel television series hosted by Rick and Julie Kreuter. The partnership aligns Bergara's precision hunting rifles with the Kreuter's experience-driven approach to outdoor storytelling, emphasizing conservation, hunting heritage, and wildlife respect.
The Realtree Channel returns to MyOutdoorTV throughout November, featuring shows from Bill Jordan, Tyler Jordan, and David Blanton. The ad-free channel includes Realtree Outdoors, Realtree Road Trips, Realtree's Monster Bucks, and Black Cloud Duck Hunting content celebrating Team Realtree's 40th Anniversary in 2026.
Sportsman Channel's "Lock & Load Thursday" block airs weekly from 9:00-11:00 p.m. ET, featuring Guns & Ammo TV, Gun Stories hosted by Joe Mantegna, Dirt Trax TV, Handguns with J. Scott Rupp and Richard Nance, and MeatEater with Steven Rinella. The 4th annual "Guns & Ammo Showcase" presented by Brownells premieres November 26.
Shooting USA features the tenth anniversary of the Civilian Marksmanship Program's Talladega Marksmanship Park and the tenth year of the CMP Talladega 600 match series, including the Congressional 30 service rifle match on Range One. The episode airs Wednesday at 9:00 PM ET/PT on Outdoor Channel.
Pursuit Channel has renewed its multi-year partnership with The Choice with Ralph & Vicki, one of outdoor television's most recognized programs. Hosted by Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo, the series will continue airing on Pursuit Channel and Pursuit UP, reaching over 20 million linear television homes and 120 million streaming users.
The Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's National Walleye Tour, presented by Progressive, unveiled its 2027 schedule featuring a return to Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas and an invitation-only Professional division of 100 anglers, while the Co-Angler division remains open to the public. The season includes four regular-season events across Arkansas, Minnesota, and Michigan, plus a Championship, with a new split bait format to test anglers' versatility.
One of the new production technologies that has most affected the firearms market is 3D-printing. Whether for polymer parts like we’re showing you here, or DMLS metal printing of suppressors the computer aided tech has produced fascinating stuff. It has made all kinds of products possible, some useful and others that probably should have stayed on the drawing board.
Today we’re looking at something I think falls firmly into the useful category. The Layerform Precision Cricket LP Target Rifle Chassis brings some of the features found on much more expensive precision rifle chassis to an affordable platform designed for young shooters.
The LP Target Rifle Chassis is a 3D-printed chassis made for the popular Cricket rifles from Keystone Sporting Arms. If you have a young shooter in the family and want to improve the fit and functionality of their first rifle, this is an interesting option worth considering.
One of the first things you’ll notice is that the chassis can be ordered in several different colors. But the more important features are found in its adjustable stock.
Anyone who has spent time helping kids learn to shoot knows that rifle fit can be a challenge. A stock designed for an adult simply won’t work for a small shooter. The LP chassis addresses that problem with an adjustable length of pull that can be shortened to fit smaller shoulders and extended as the shooter grows.
The stock also allows adjustment of the butt angle and height, giving you additional ways to get the rifle situated just right. There’s an adjustable cheekpiece as well, which is particularly useful when introducing a young shooter to a riflescope. Getting the proper cheek weld and eye position can make a big difference in how comfortably a child gets behind the rifle.
Another interesting feature is the removable buttstock. With the stock removed, the rifle can be configured as a bolt-action pistol. Up front, the chassis can be equipped with either a Picatinny rail section for mounting a bipod or a longer combination Picatinny and ARCA rail for those who want additional mounting options.
Cricket rifles aren’t exactly known for having the most rigid stock-to-action interface. The Layerform LP Target chassis uses the factory action screw to secure the rifle, with a single screw passing through the chassis and threading into the action. That isn’t the sort of elaborate bedding or mounting arrangement you’ll find on a serious precision rifle, but that’s not what this is. For a youth rimfire rifle, that arrangement works just fine for its intended purpose.
For testing, I installed a Crickett EX17HMR that I originally purchased for my son nearly two decades ago. The rifle came with its own scope mounting rail, so I didn’t need to use the rail offered by Layerform Precision. I left the old Simmons 3-9×40 riflescope in place as well. It’s been on this rifle for years and has taken plenty of varmints over the years. I also installed a Harris bipod on the front of the chassis to provide some support, and a suppressor to be polite.
To get a better idea of how the chassis works for its intended audience, I recruited one of my nephews to do some shooting. He was just about the perfect candidate for a product like this and, like most young boys, he was more than happy to get his hands on a rifle.
Shooting from a supported position worked very well. That wasn’t particularly surprising, as the adjustable stock and bipod make it much easier to get comfortable behind the rifle. The Crickett we used has a slightly heavier barrel than the typical model, however, and that made it a little more difficult for him to hold up while shooting from a standing position.
Once we settled in, the first adjustment was the length of pull. We shortened it as much as possible, which turned out to be just right for him. The polymer construction isn’t quite as forgiving against the shoulder as a rubber buttpad, but we’re talking about a rimfire rifle with non-existent recoil. It wasn’t an issue during our shooting session.
Next, we adjusted the cheekpiece until he could see properly through the scope. This is one of those things that can make a bigger difference than people realize. A young shooter doesn’t necessarily know what a proper shooting position should feel like. If the rifle doesn’t fit, they’ll often compensate by moving their head or body into an awkward position. With the adjustable stock, we were able to bring the rifle to him instead.
Once everything was adjusted, my nephew looked quite comfortable behind the rifle. His shooting position was good, and he appeared to have a much more natural fit than he would have had with the factory stock. It was a good reminder that sometimes what looks like proper shooting form is simply the result of having equipment that actually fits.
There are a few things worth considering when looking at a 3D-printed chassis. It would be unreasonable to expect the same rigidity and finish found on a premium aluminum precision rifle chassis. There are visible printing texture and surface marks, and the material doesn’t have quite the same substantial feel as a conventionally molded or machined stock. But that isn’t a problem for this application.
The purpose of the LP chassis isn’t to turn a Crickett into a competition-winning precision rifle. It’s to make a small rimfire rifle more comfortable, useful and fun for a young shooter. For that job, the construction is perfectly adequate. I wouldn’t expect it to survive being thrown out of a moving vehicle or subjected to the kind of abuse that would destroy most lightweight stocks. But for a kid carrying a rifle through the woods while chasing squirrels, it should hold up just fine.
More importantly, it provides a better platform for learning the fundamentals. Proper cheek weld, eye relief, shoulder placement, and supported shooting positions are all easier to teach when the rifle fits the shooter. If your long-term goal is to introduce a young shooter to precision rifle competition, or perhaps even develop a future PRS competitor, those fundamentals are worth spending time on.
The chassis also gives a young shooter something that looks and feels more like the precision rifles they see adults using. That might sound like a small thing, but making the experience enjoyable is an important part of getting kids interested in shooting.
The starting price of $59.99 is another strong point. That’s a relatively small investment for the improvement in fit and shooting comfort it can provide. Better equipment doesn’t automatically make someone a better shooter, but equipment that fits properly can make the learning process easier and more productive. It can also help make range time and ammunition better spent.
Layerform Precision also offers chassis options for the Savage Rascal and Winchester Xpert rifles, giving owners of those popular youth rimfires a similar opportunity to improve their rifles.
The Crickett LP Target Rifle Chassis is a pretty easy recommendation for the price. It isn’t intended to compete with expensive precision rifle chassis, and it doesn’t need to. It takes an affordable youth rimfire and adds the adjustability needed to help a smaller shooter get comfortable behind it. The 3D-printed construction keeps the price down while providing useful features that would otherwise be difficult to find at this price point.
For anyone looking to make a child’s first rifle fit better, the LP chassis is a great, affordable upgrade. It helps young shooters establish a proper position, makes the rifle more comfortable to use, and gives them a little more of that precision rifle experience.
You can find the Crickett LP Target Rifle Chassis directly through Layerform Precision.
3D-printed polymer construction
Designed for Keystone Sporting Arms Crickett rifles
Adjustable length of pull
Adjustable buttstock height and angle
Adjustable cheekpiece height
Removable buttstock for bolt-action pistol configuration
Multiple color options
Optional Picatinny bipod mounting section
Optional extended Picatinny/ARCA front rail
Uses factory action screw for rifle attachment
Compatible with factory scope mounting rail
Starting price of $59.99
Also available for Savage Rascal and Winchester Xpert rifles
