XS Sights' Optic Plate and OR-Height Sight Bundles for Glock MOS pistols won ON TARGET Magazine's Editors' Choice Award. The precision CNC-machined steel plates offer 30% more thread engagement and are compatible with ACRO and RMR footprints, providing a drop-in solution for red dot mounting with minimalist iron sight backups.
TenPoint Crossbow Technologies won Best Crossbow in the 2026 Bowhunting World Readers' Choice Awards, voted by the magazine's dedicated readership. The company's 2026 lineup features the NEW Ultra Series of Crossbows and Vision™ HD 3-12X Digital Rangefinding Crossbow Scope, designed for superior accuracy and reliability.
Benelli USA announced its 2025 Sales Representative of the Year Awards honoring outstanding performers across its Benelli, Franchi, Stoeger, and Uberti USA brands. Recipients include Chase Spurgin, Ken Johnson, Tyler Harpster, Dave Lotito, James Tullos, Bentley Scott, Christian Larsen, and Greg Rader, recognized for exceptional sales performance and customer service.
On Target Magazine awarded Federal Ammunition's 7mm Backcountry cartridge a 2025 Editors' Choice Award as part of its 24th annual awards program. The cartridge features patented Peak Alloy case technology and is engineered for short-barreled hunting rifles, achieving 3,000 feet per second through 20-inch barrels with 170-grain bullets.
Federal received the 2026 Gold Award in the Shotshells category from Predator Xtreme readers, marking their eighth consecutive year winning the honor. Federal Shotshell Product Director Dan Compton highlighted the Federal Premium Buckshot 4B load's copper-plated pellets and tight patterns for predator hunting.
CCI Rimfire Ammunition won the Predator Xtreme 2026 Gold Award for Rimfire Ammunition for the 10th consecutive year. CCI Rimfire Product Manager Steve Monniere announced two new Hunter Series loads featuring Small Game Bullets in 22 LR calibers for 2026.
Kim Rhode, a decorated U.S. Olympic athlete and Team Winchester member, received the NSSF Ken Sedlecky Lifetime Achievement Award at the SHOT Show. Rhode competed in six consecutive Olympic Games, earning six medals across three shotgun disciplines, and has contributed extensively to youth shooting programs and firearm safety advocacy.
Outdoor Sportsman Group presented Chris Dolnack, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer for the National Shooting Sports Foundation, with its Lifetime Achievement Award at SHOT Show in Las Vegas. The award, presented by Michael Waddell during live filming, recognized Dolnack's three decades of contributions to the shooting sports and firearms industry.
Hornady will host the Zombies in the Heartland 3-Gun Match May 29-31, 2026, at Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, Nebraska. The match features reactive targets and requires competitors to use pistol, rifle, and shotgun, or pistol-caliber carbine and shotgun in the PCC Division. Registration is open via Practiscore.
Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed an opening brief with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in Elite Precision Customs v. ATF, challenging federal laws prohibiting licensed firearm dealers from selling handguns to out-of-state buyers. The case is represented by David H. Thompson, Peter A. Patterson, William V. Bergstrom, Cody J. Wisniewski, and R. Brent Cooper.
Gun Owners of America announces Arizona Freedom Festival 2026 on March 28, 2026, at Glendale Civic Center East Parking Lot. The family-friendly event will feature vendors, Second Amendment advocacy organizations, speakers including Mark W. Smith and Andy Biggs, and an Overland Vehicle and Motorcycle Exhibit.
Hook & Barrel Magazine is hosting a giveaway sweepstakes for a Dead Air Silencers Nomad Ti OTB .30-caliber suppressor valued at $1,049. The sweepstakes runs through February 28, 2026, with entry available on the Hook & Barrel website.
Todd Seyfert, President and CEO of Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc., has been elected to the NSSF Board of Governors at the 2026 SHOT Show in Las Vegas. Seyfert brings extensive industry experience from previous roles at FeraDyne Outdoors, Vista Outdoor, and other manufacturing enterprises.
HeadHunters NW President Shaylene Keiner will conduct face-to-face executive recruiting consultations in the Phoenix area from February 10 through March 5, 2026. Organizations can meet directly to discuss 2026 hiring needs, gain market intelligence on talent expectations, and develop customized talent strategies with no obligation required.
ATF Deputy Director Robert Cekada, President Trump's nominee to lead the agency, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee and pledged to focus on violent crime while protecting Second Amendment rights. The NSSF expressed strong support for Cekada's confirmation, praising his three decades in law enforcement and commitment to not burdening lawful gun owners.
Vortex Optics launched the Triumph™ 2 MOA Red Dot in Barneveld, Wisconsin, designed for new and recreational shooters seeking reliable performance across multiple platforms. The optic features 9 daylight and 2 night-vision illumination settings, motion activation with 10-minute auto-shutoff, and multi-height mount options at $99.99 MAP.
Warne announces the MaxLite MSR Scope Mount, a lightweight aluminum optic mounting solution designed for modern sporting rifles. Available in 1-inch and 30mm tube sizes at $109.99 MSRP, the mount offers precision construction and proper MSR height for shooters using LPVOs and other modern optics.
ZeroTech launches the Thrive HD 1-8x24 LPVO RAR Illuminated riflescope, engineered for rapid target acquisition at 1x magnification and precision at extended distances. The optic features a 30mm maintube, 7075-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum construction, and RAR illuminated reticle optimized for tactical, competition, and hunting applications.
ZeroTech Optics introduces two new reticle options for its Thrive 3-9x40 riflescope platform: the G4 for fast target acquisition and the PHR4 for precise shot placement. Both models maintain the rugged construction and optical performance expected from the Thrive family and are available through authorized dealers and online.
Dallas Safari Club announced Russell Stacy as its new Chief Executive Officer. Stacy, a fourth-generation agri-business operator and DSC Life Member, previously served on the DSC and DSC Foundation Boards. He will lead DSC as it temporarily relocates its annual Convention to Atlanta in 2026-2027 and Houston in 2028-2029.
Kinetic Development Group announced the updated 3.25" Stribog Rail is back in stock with extended length and enhanced bridge design for improved strength and mounting space. The refined accessory maintains KDG's lightweight construction and durability while offering greater functionality for shooters.
Winchester introduces Super Suppressed, a comprehensive subsonic ammunition line available in centerfire handgun, rimfire, and centerfire rifle calibers at major outdoor retailers. The ammunition features clean performance with lead encapsulation technology and pairs with suppressors to optimize noise reduction for target and range shooting.
MDT announces expansion of its LSS GEN3 Chassis System with new Ruger American and Ruger 10/22 inlets, plus interchangeable buttstock interface assemblies including XTN, Carbine, and Picatinny options. The modular platform allows shooters to swap components while maintaining optic zero.
Redding Reloading Equipment launched a new Precision Expanding Mandrel product line featuring six mandrels in .0005" increments for eight popular calibers. The CNC-machined mandrels offer handloaders precise control over case neck tension with available sizes ranging from .0005" to .0030" below nominal bullet diameter.
Avian-X announces the launch of Ridge Runner and Ridge Runner X turkey vests designed for mobile hunters, featuring backpack-style designs with EVA-molded call pockets and magnetic quick-deploy seats. Limited-edition NWTF versions will debut at the National Wild Turkey Federation Convention in Nashville, Tennessee, February 12-14.
CZ will exhibit at the 50th Annual National Wild Turkey Federation Convention & Sport Show on February 12–14, 2026, at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The company will showcase hunting-focused firearms at Booth #1114 and connect with industry leaders and conservation-minded sportsmen.
Traditions® Performance Firearms will exhibit at the 2026 Great American Outdoor Show, February 7–15 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. Attendees can visit Booth #693 to explore the company's muzzleloading and hunting firearms innovations. The world's largest consumer outdoor show attracts over 200,000 visitors annually.
Friends of NRA and the National Rifle Association debut an enhanced Wall of Guns at the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, featuring new raffle opportunities with Guns.com gift cards and cash prizes. Sponsors Guns.com, Weatherby, and Nine Line support the fundraiser benefiting the NRA Freedom Action Foundation.
BERSA USA will exhibit at the Nation's Best Sports 2026 Spring Semi-Annual Market in Oklahoma City, February 10-13, showcasing its firearms lineup including new M2XI double-stack 1911 models and striker-fired pistols at booth No. 431.
Target Sports USA returns to Booth #710 at the Great American Outdoor Show with raffles, exclusive ammunition pricing, and a Ford F-250 giveaway truck. New AMMO+ members receive a $130 gift and automatic entry into the truck drawing.
T/C Arms will exhibit at the 2026 Nation's Best Sports Spring Semi-Annual Market in Oklahoma City, February 10–13, 2026, at Booth #1918. The firearms manufacturer will showcase its latest products and connect with independent sporting goods retailers to discuss market trends and growth opportunities.
Kinetic Development Group (KDG) has been approved as an official vendor partner with MidStates Buying Group, expanding distribution of its American-made firearm accessories including MREX® rail systems and Kinect™ quick-attach solutions. KDG will showcase products at the MidStates Fall Rendezvous in Arizona this August.
Bear & Son Cutlery, Alabama's largest knife manufacturer, will exhibit at the 2026 Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, February 7-15. The company will debut over a dozen new products including Locking Farmhand pocketknives, Executive stainless steel series, and expanded kitchen cutlery at booth #720.
Meprolight will showcase new and proven products at the NBS Show in Oklahoma City, October 10-13, at Booth #1924. New offerings include the Mepro CABS backup sights, Mepro CRIS iron sights for pistol optics, and green reticle options for micro pistol optics. The company will also feature battlefield-tested Variable Optic riflescopes and the Mepro MCO PRO carbine optic.
APEX Ammunition will exhibit at the National Wild Turkey Federation Convention February 12-14 at Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, showcasing their TSS turkey loads in Booth #1445. The company will offer multiple gauges and blends, with the APEX Cigar Box available free with purchase of three or more boxes of turkey ammo.
Patriot Ordnance Factory Inc. (POF-USA) will exhibit at the NBS 2026 Spring Semi-Annual Market February 10-13 in Oklahoma City, showcasing its AR-type rifles and product lineup at booth 218. Vice President of Sales and Marketing Corey Soriano highlighted the event's importance for connecting with retail partners and discussing opportunities for the upcoming year.
Nighthawk Custom has joined the Second Amendment Foundation as a Gold-level corporate partner. The Berryville, Arkansas-based precision firearms manufacturer donated a custom pistol build through SAF's sweepstakes program, raising $25,000 for the organization's Second Amendment advocacy work.
Pursuit Channel highlights its flagship Sportfishing Sunday block airing every Sunday at 10:00 a.m. ET, featuring programs like Vice Versa Saltwater Adventures with Scott Martin, Texas Team Trail, National Walleye Tour, and Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Series. The 2026 lineup reached 158.4 million total viewers across all platforms in 2025.
Pursuit Media TV, LLC announced dual Friday night programming blocks starting at 8:00 p.m. ET across Pursuit Channel linear TV and Pursuit UP free streaming platform. The lineups feature shows like Trigger Time TV, Ted Nugent Spirit of the Wild, and Americana Outdoors presented by Garmin, reaching 158.4 million total viewers across platforms in 2025.
Of late, I have been working with a number of handguns that have optics mounted on them. These would include the traditional red, amber, and green colored reticle options. In the green spectrum, I have a Holosun 507C GR X2 optic mounted to a Tisas PX-9 Gen3 pistol. That led me to consider not just this pistol in particular, but the state of supposed EDC or self-defense handguns today.
Tisas PX-9 Gen3 Duty
First things first. The PX-9 Gen3 pistols are made in Turkey and imported in the United States by Tisas USA. The pistol in these photos is one of two that I’ve been working with during the last few years. This one, the FDE colored version, is the “Duty” model being about the same size as a G17 or XD-M.
Rather than completely reinvent the wheel, Tisas took popular and accepted designs and adapted them to the PX-9 Gen3. For instance, it uses a SIG P226 pattern magazine, but these hold 18 rounds versus the standard 15 rounds you get with a factory 226. The action is striker-fired, much like a GLOCK or any GLOCK clone, but disassembly is more reminiscent of the Springfield Armory XD-M. There is a takedown lever and a slide lock on the left side of the frame.
Fear not, there’s no grip-safety on the PX-9. The striker-fired trigger has a red trigger safety blade and the gun has a built-in drop safe/firing-pin block. When the striker is cocked the shooter can see the little red button sticking out of a hole in the back.
The frame is modular and has interchangeable grip panels and backstraps in small, medium, and large configurations. Also, up front on the dust cover is the accessory rail that you’ve come to know and love since GLOCK introduced them on their Gen3 in 1998. Yes, it’s been 28 years now.
Atop the slide, you’ll find steel and fiber-optic sights fitted with GLOCK standard sight cuts. The pistol featured here had the factory sights replaced with a set of Night Fision Accur8 sights.
As you’d expect, there is a cover plate sitting on the optic mount area on the slide. The PX-9 Gen3 optic mount is configured for a Trijicon RMR footprint which is also the same as the Holosun 507C and numerous other red/green dot sights. The Holosun optic that I used mounts directly to the slide, no plates needed. That meant the optic sits low enough to still be able to use the Accur8 sights and co-witness the bright green reticle right over the tip of the front sight.
You can get the PX-9 “Duty” sized pistols with or without a threaded barrel. This one has standard American 1/2×28 TPI threading. Of course, if you live in a state where your masters forbid you to shoot your guns quietly, such an option isn’t necessary. For those in Free America, it’s a decent option to have if you own a silencer.
Range Time
While the PX-9 might not be considered a glamorous pistol, I can testify that they run and run well. A few years ago I did a 1000 Round Torture Test on a black stock model. Over the last couple of years I’ve put a thousand-plus rounds through the FDE Duty model featured here.
These guns have cycled every type of 9x19mm ammunition I have tested in them from high-end Black Hills ammo to steel-cased FMJ and everything in between. Accuracy is as good or better than you’d expect. Hits on steel silhouettes out to forty and fifty yards aren’t a problem. I’ve deliberately dropped it in dirt and sand. Then I dropped it into a bucket of water, pulled it out and shot it immediately.
Long story just a bit longer, the PX-9 Gen3 pistols have proven to be reliable and worth every bit of their inexpensive asking price. At press time the average retail price is in the $350 range.
Features! Features! Features!
For about one hundred and fifty years in the United States, cartridge firing handguns designed for fighting and self-defense were distinguished by a limited number of features: action, caliber, metal finish and grip/stock material. That was pretty much it. Variable barrel lengths and sight options were used to spice up older models.
What really set off the “features” craze for handguns was the advent of polymer frames. The HK USP had an accessory/light rail, but that design was proprietary and about as popular as jock itch. Then GLOCK decided on the M1913 Picatinny/Weaver standard accessory rail for their Gen3 pistols. That forced every other polymer-framed pistol maker to retool and come out with their own version with a “light rail.”
For a while, whether a duty pistol had a rail or didn’t was what set them apart. Walther then added another feature to the mix with their P99 pistols with replaceable backstraps for a better fit. The Smith & Wesson 99, a P99 clone, followed suit with “rear grip inserts.”
This move by Walther and S&W forced GLOCK and others to come up with interchangeable grip backstraps. Soon, interchangeable backstraps weren’t enough, you needed to have removable grip panels as well.
While all the gun makers were focusing on adding features to their pistol frames, FN decided to make a factory pistol with an optic mount that used different mounting plates to account for different optic footprints. We all know that every other gun maker eventually campe up with some kind of optic-ready mounting system for their pistols; GLOCK Gen4 MOS, S&W “OR” (optic ready) M&P pistols, SIG P320 RX (ouch!), etc.
By the mid-teens, if you wanted to be competitive in the duty or self-defense handgun market, your polymer-framed, striker-fired guns needed to have a light/accessory rail, modular grips, and be “optic-ready.” Throw in OD green and FDE colored frames just to mix it up.
But it didn’t end there. Once everyone and their brother had a pistol with all of those features, gun makers needed something new. Soon factory-threaded barrels became a new feature in an attempt to stand out. Of course, that didn’t last long because it’s not hard to add a half to ¾ inch to a factory barrel and thread it.
While that was going on, handgun makers were adding extended baseplates to their factory magazines to bump up capacity by two or three rounds. “Our competitor’s gun holds 17 rounds, but our gun holds 20.” It didn’t take too long for every gun maker to offer “extended” mags.
Keep in mind that all of this took place over a relatively short time, say twenty years or so. Think about that for a moment. In 1999, the most popular law enforcement handgun in the USA was the GLOCK 22 Gen 2 or 3 (Gen3 was released in 1998 and it took some time for agencies to convert). The only “cool guy” feature on the Gen3 G22 was a rail. The US Army service pistol was the Beretta M9 and it didn’t have any of the current cool guy features, not even a rail.
I’ve been carrying a handgun on and off duty since 1987. Looking back, I don’t know how we survived. None of our service or duty pistols had holes deliberately carved in the slides so we could see our barrels. The M9 had a wide open slide design and we learned that was okay in garrison…but not so much in the desert. None of our service pistols had ports or compensators to blind us in low light and shoot propellant gasses (and tiny bullet fragments) into our faces when shooting from retention in close quarters.
Is it beneficial to have a light on a duty pistol to positively identify threats? Yes. Before we had weapon lights we had to hold flashlights in our left hand. Can optics on pistols help shooters with vision issues as well as aiding well-trained shooters under stress? Yes. Yes they can.
What’s Next?
Are gun makers still in a cartoonish race to add features to their guns in order to keep up with the latest social media trends? Once might ask where does it all end? What’s next? I would say lasers, but we already went through that phase fifteen years ago.
After every company succumbs to the pressure from the Instagram models to port and comp their supposed self-defense pistols, what then? How soon before some company puts a bottle opener in the grip? Actually, I haven’t tried prying the cap off of a Dos Equis with a pistol comp yet, but that might just work.
Specifications: Tisas PX-9 Gen3 Duty
Caliber: 9x19mm Capacity: 18+1 rounds Actions: Striker-fired Weight (empty): 1.78 lbs. Barrel Length: 4.69 in. (threaded 1/2×28 TPI) Slide Length: 7.9 in. Sights: Steel and fiber optic
