Henry Repeating Arms donated serial number 1 of all three models from its America's 250th Anniversary Tribute Edition collection through a GunBroker auction that raised $23,526 for Gun Owners Foundation. The proceeds will fund legal work for Gun Owners of America, with Federal Premium Ammunition contributing 5,400 rounds of commemorative ammunition to the lot.

Dallas Safari Club President Rick Warren and Life Member J.D. Yates participated in Angola's first sanctioned safari hunt in 18 years, marking a significant milestone in the country's wildlife management recovery. The hunt, initiated through a DSC auction that benefited the Angola Hunters Association, demonstrates how legal, regulated hunting can support sustainable wildlife management and local communities.

The NRA Youth Education Summit (Y.E.S.) is accepting applications for its 2027 program, an all-expenses-paid six-day leadership initiative for exceptional high school students in Washington, D.C. Participants compete for up to $40,000 in college scholarships while engaging with national leaders and exploring American government and history. The application deadline is January 10, 2027.

Silencer Central made a second $25,000 contribution to NSSF's Protect Liberty PAC, bringing its 2026 total to $50,000. Founded by Brandon Maddox, the company has also contributed over $2 million to conservation partners including Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, and Pheasants Forever.

MidwayUSA is hiring a Product Information Specialist in Columbia, Missouri to develop and maintain product information, specifications, and media on their website. The position offers a salary range of $55,000-$71,500 with comprehensive benefits and opportunities for professional development at the family-owned outdoor retailer.

Davidson's, a 90-year-old firearms distribution leader headquartered in Prescott, Arizona, is hiring a Call Center Sales Manager to direct sales teams and mentor Account Executives. The position requires 5+ years of B2B sales management experience, firearms industry knowledge, and onsite presence in Prescott, with a starting salary of $90k-$100k plus comprehensive benefits.

GSM Outdoors announced a strategic partnership with Dude Perfect Outdoors to exclusively represent Stealth Cam and Walker's brands. The collaboration will deliver exclusive videos, educational resources, and behind-the-scenes experiences via the @dudeperfectoutdoors YouTube channel, aiming to inspire youth to engage in outdoor pursuits and foster the next generation of conservationists.

Comp-Tac Holsters celebrates the International Holster's enduring success as the top competition holster brand among IDPA National Championship competitors for seven consecutive years. The International V2 builds on the proven platform with a slimmer profile, lighter weight, and deeper optic accommodation while maintaining the speed and durability shooters expect.

Real Avid, the leader in DIY for Guns, offers purpose-driven firearm maintenance and setup tools including Ratchet Rests, Master Grade Scope Mounting & Bore Sighting Kit, Smart-Torq Adjustable Limiter & X3 Driver Kit, and Bore Boss cleaning system to help shooters maximize accuracy and reliability.

CZ announces the availability of the CZ 600+ Carbine in the United States, a compact, lightweight bolt-action rifle chambered in .300 Blackout. The rifle features a cold-hammer-forged barrel, beechwood stock, adjustable trigger, and CZ's patented S.E.A. safety system, designed for hunters and recreational shooters.

Riton Optics is offering rebates through December 31, 2026, including $20 off 1 Series products and $50 off 3 and 5 Series products. Eligible items include the 3 Tactix MPRD XL, 5 Primal binoculars and scope, and 5 Conquer 5-25x56 scope.

The Outdoor Sportsman Group announces Joe Kurtenbach's return as Editor in Chief of Shooting Times, replacing Joel Hutchcroft. Kurtenbach brings over 15 years of industry experience, including previous roles at American Rifleman, Guns & Ammo, and Silencer Central.

Athlon Untamed announces Ballistic's Best 2026: Hunting Edition, a hands-on testing program evaluating hunting firearms and gear across seven categories including rifles, shotguns, rangefinders, suppressors, crossbows, and handguns. Led by Editorial Lead Megan Plete Postol, the program emphasizes real-world performance over specifications.

SHIELD Sights will display its new AMSx with C-UAS Reticle at Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition in Perth, Australia, October 6–8, 2026. The optic will be featured at Booth 3N07 with 360 Defence, SHIELD's exclusive Australian government supplier, welcoming U.S. military and defense industry representatives.

EOTECH has made a monetary donation to the Core Medical Foundation to support veterans, active-duty military, law enforcement, and first responders. The foundation's mission includes providing free telehealth, bloodwork, and hormone replacement therapy to address the veteran suicide epidemic through initiatives like their Annual Military Appreciation Weekend.

HuntStand is offering hunters five days to enter its Whitetail Adventure Sweepstakes for a chance to win a fully guided rifle hunt in Oklahoma with Rut N Strut Guide Service. The winner receives premium gear from Savage, Vortex Optics, Barnes, Muddy Outdoors, and Walker's, with support from Mossy Oak and Waypoint TV. Entries close October 10.

World Fishing Network launches "Reeling North Fridays" programming block featuring fly fishing shows like Fly Fusion and The New Fly Fisher, plus Wild Game Cooking with Chef Rupert, Fish TV, Gary Cooper's Fishing Diary, West Coast Sporting Journal, BC Outdoors Sportfishing, and Fishing the Rock with Kastine Coleman, airing 6:00-10:00 p.m. ET.

My favorite part of this job—surprisingly —isn’t testing new guns or getting review samples before everyone else gets to see a new product. It’s visiting manufacturers and seeing how they operate. Seeing how the sausage is made, meeting the people behind the products, and getting a feel for a company’s culture can turn me into a believer—or, sometimes, a detractor.

I try to look beyond the marketing spiels, talk to the people who are actually doing the work, and pay attention to what’s happening around me. That’s especially important with smaller or startup companies, where you’re often evaluating the person behind the business as much as the product itself. That was my focus when I visited TiGuard Technologies, a new suppressor maker here in my backyard in Akron, Ohio.

Another New Suppressor Company

I get it. Another new suppressor manufacturer. Do we need more? Maybe…ehh, probably not. But what we need is people who take pride in their craft and provide a product and service you don’t typically find.

Jason (Jay) Carmel, the founder of TiGuard, spent the better part of three decades in the custom tool and die space. He started working in a shop at 14, literally sweeping floors. Those experiences gave him the foundation for being both a perfectionist and a talented machinist.

The idea of building suppressors started about two years ago. Jay knew he had all the equipment. He just needed to dive in. And dive in, he did. He spent those two years designing and perfecting his flagship line, all while keeping up with his custom tool and die backlog. The result? One of the most unique suppressor offerings I’ve seen.

A Unique Approach

While much of the suppressor industry is moving toward additive manufacturing (3D printing), TiGuard is taking a more traditional approach, using mills and CNC machines to build its titanium suppressors. Hence the Ti in TiGuard And unlike many lightweight titanium cans, TiGuard’s are built for serious use.

Each suppressor starts as a 3mm-thick (1.5″ diameter) titanium tube that goes through the entire machining process. These are beefy cans, and while some may see that as a drawback, I see it as an advantage. Titanium is exceptionally strong and offers excellent weather and corrosion resistance—both valuable traits in a suppressor.

While most titanium cans I’ve used are designed for bolt guns or handguns, TiGuard’s are built to live on the end of an AR-15. That durability and intended use have caught the attention of several police departments throughout northeast Ohio.

The Lineup

TiGuard has three main lines: the Cipher Series (PVD-coated), Designator Series (laser-imaged), and the Black Out Series (Cerakote). The Cipher is TiGuard’s flagship model and comes in 5.56, 6.5mm, and .30 cal diameters. You can choose the color, end cap, flow, muzzle attachment, thread pitch, and length (from 5.5” to 11.25”). All of the Ciphers are PVD-coated to match titanium’s durability. Starting price is $899.

The Designator is for those who want to stand out. Users can select from a variety of images to be laser-engraved on the suppressor body. All other options remain the same except for color—this is a raw, unfinished suppressor with a starting price is $799.

The Black Out maintains all the features of the Cipher series, but rather than a PVD finish, you can choose from a range of Cerakote finishes. This one may be TiGuard’s most popular option. The starting price is $799.

Made to Order

Those options sound great, but they aren’t what sets TiGuard apart. TiGuard offers a custom suppressor service, something you rarely see in the suppressor world.

Under the Blackout Custom line, customers can choose from different lengths, bore diameters, attachment methods, colors, exterior designs, front caps, and baffle configurations. And if you don’t see the option you need, just give TiGuard a call. The company came from a custom tool and die background. If you can dream it, Jay can make it reality.

That custom work extends beyond suppressors. Jay also supports the local community through gunsmithing and machining projects. As I write this, Jay and his Cerakote guru, Joe, are giving new life to a POF MP5 clone.

As Jay and his team continue building TiGuard, the goal is to eventually become a full-service shop. Suppressors will be the bread and butter, but Jay wants to expand TiGuard’s capabilities to service all kinds of firearm platforms. Local communities need that. The days of the local gunsmith are disappearing. Jay’s trying to fill that void.

What TiGuard is doing is fascinating, and Jay is clearly a talented machinist. But none of that matters as much as his drive and belief in what he’s building. It came across clearly the first time we talked.

While I was there, Jay showed me a suppressor that had failed inspection and asked me to find the blemish. I gave it my best shot, but was flummoxed. I couldn’t find anything wrong with it. He eventually pointed out a thread that was slightly off. I’ve seen much worse from some of the biggest suppressor makers, but 99% wasn’t good enough for him. It had to be right. So what did he do? He started over.

In 2026, when new suppressor manufacturers seem to pop up like weeds after a thunderstorm, TiGuard is worth watching. The company is doing something different while staying true to old school American craftsmanship. And Jay isn’t settling for “good enough.”

– Cory Ross, Shooting News Weekly