Shadow Systems, a Texas-based firearms manufacturer, has been acquired by Roe Strategic Capital LLC, a partnership between CEO Trevor Roe and investor Richard Roe, from Catalyst Holdings. The management-led transaction positions the company for long-term growth and product expansion while maintaining current operations and leadership.
Collector's Elite Auctions opened its March event featuring over 100 rare firearms, headlined by a Ted Nugent-fired PSA JAKL rifle with memorabilia benefiting Gun Owners of America. The auction also includes master-engraved Colt revolvers by Kelly Laster and Phil Quigley, a rare 1957 Smith & Wesson Pre-Model 27, and the only known Bynuna F-Class rifle in the United States. Bidding closes March 15.
Birchwood Casey won the Readers' Choice 2026 Gold Award in the Shooting Target category from Predator Xtreme magazine for the second consecutive year, recognizing the brand's innovation, reliability, and leadership in shooting industry products.
TenPoint Crossbow Technologies earned two prestigious honors at the 2026 Kinsey's Dealer Show: Best in Crossbows for the fourth consecutive year and Best Innovator in Archery for the Turbo X. The awards recognize dealer votes across eight categories, reflecting TenPoint's reliability, innovation, and service excellence in the crossbow industry.
Mossy Oak announced its ProStaff of the Year winners, with Hunter Bonner and Hunter Englehart tying for the honor. Both winners will receive an all-expense-paid trip in 2026, while all 20 nominated ProStaff members receive $250 gift codes to the Mossy Oak Store.
University of Rhode Island won the 2025-2026 National Intercollegiate Rifle League championship with a 2,349.6 season average, while Georgia Military College's MacKenzie Sookhoo completed an unbeaten individual season sweep across all eight matches with a 618.3 average.
Madi Woodward, E-Commerce and Trade Marketing Manager at Sierra Bullets, placed first in the women's classification and 4th overall in the Open Light Division at the 5th Annual Mason Valley Steel Hunter. Competing with Sierra Bullets 25 Cal 131 GR MatchKing in a 25 Creedmoor, Woodward completed all 17 stages despite challenging 95-degree heat conditions.
Federal Ammunition sponsored shooter Cameron Hicks won the FITASC event and EZGO Shootout Qualifier at the Seminole Cup in Georgia, competing against over 600 shooters. Hicks used Federal's new Master Class sporting clay load to achieve both victories, matching his father's 2003 FITASC win.
Scopos' 2026 National Air Rifle New Shooter League and National Air Pistol League reached their midpoints in Week 5, with Vista Grande MCJROTC and Cos Cob Revolver and Rifle Club maintaining unbeaten records. North Brunswick AJROTC, Perry AJROTC, and NoVA Sharpshooters also posted victories, setting up marquee matchups for Week 6 including North Brunswick versus Vista Grande and NoVA Sharpshooters versus Cos Cob Revolver and Rifle Club.
The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) filed a petition for rehearing in Defense Distributed v. Attorney General of New Jersey after a Third Circuit panel dismissed the case. Originally filed in 2018, the case challenges New Jersey's statute prohibiting publication of digital firearms information on First and Second Amendment grounds. SAF Director Bill Sack and founder Alan M. Gottlieb argue the panel's dismissal was based on legal technicalities rather than substantive constitutional claims.
Celerant Technology announced the launch of Cumulus Analytics, a new analytics module for Cumulus Retail users that provides dashboards and reporting for small and mid-sized retailers. The cost-effective tool offers 10 essential reports covering sales, customers, inventory, and suppliers, with beta customer Hobby Works praising its intuitive interface and decision-making capabilities.
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. reported fourth quarter net sales of $151.1 million and full-year net sales of $546.1 million, with CEO Todd Seyfert highlighting strong product momentum including 65 new models launched and three new platforms: Glenfield by Ruger rifle, Red Label III shotgun, and Harrier rifle. The company generated $54.3 million in operating cash flow and returned $36.2 million to shareholders in 2025.
Target Sports USA unveiled a state-of-the-art ammunition vending machine featuring age verification technology, secure payment processing, and real-time inventory tracking. The machine was displayed at the Great American Outdoor Show and aligns with the company's expansion goals, including their AMMO+ Membership and New Republic USA ammo brand.
Smith & Wesson is hiring a Director of Domestic LE Sales based in Maryville, TN to lead law enforcement sales strategy across the United States. The role requires 5-10 years of firearms industry sales experience, preferably in law enforcement channels, with progressive management responsibilities and a bachelor's degree preferred.
Smith & Wesson is hiring a Law Enforcement District Sales Manager for the western U.S. territory covering WA, OR, ID, UT, WY, MT, ND, SD or Northern NV. The role involves managing law enforcement sales opportunities, demonstrating S&W products, and coordinating training across city, state, and federal agencies with substantial travel required.
Kinetic Development Group's SideLok optic mount system remains the foundation of the company's expanding optic mount strategy in 2026. The USA-manufactured, patented push-button mount offers secure lockup and repeatability, with KDG planning to introduce a new optic mount product in Q2.
Bass Pro Shops donated $15,000 to the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports to support R3 initiatives and strengthen national hunting and shooting sports participation. The contribution will expand educational resources and professional development across wildlife agencies and conservation stakeholders.
Magpul has expanded its AMAG line with new 10- and 12-round stainless-steel magazines for the SIG P365, featuring controlled-tilt followers, stainless-steel springs, and capacity indicators. The magazines are designed to minimize printing and maximize concealment, available at competitive prices compared to OEM options.
Walker's has launched the SHOTSYNC wearable shot timer, now available online and through retailers nationwide. The device pairs an integrated microphone with accelerometer sensors to track shot counts and split times, featuring Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity with the Walker's Link app for custom training configurations and performance tracking across all firearm types.
Thompson/Center Arms announced the launch of the ENCORE PROHunter Pistol Frame Assembly, a modular handgun frame designed for hunters and precision shooters. The CNC-machined frame offers compatibility with ENCORE pistol barrels and is available through authorized dealers with an MSRP of $530.
Chattanooga Shooting Supplies (CSSI) unveiled an exclusive dealer package featuring the Sig P365X "Sick Puppy" 9mm with HUSH suppressor, Holosun 407K optic, and threaded match barrel. The premium bundle offers a turnkey solution combining performance and innovation for dealers and consumers seeking an enhanced everyday carry platform.
Hornady announces the 400 Legend 210 gr InterLock ammunition in the American Whitetail line, designed for straight-wall cartridge hunting states. The American-made offering features controlled expansion and deep penetration for deer-sized game.
HEVI announced its Tom Takedown rebate program offering wild turkey hunters up to $100 back on purchases of HEVI-13, HEVI-Metal Turkey, Magnum Blend, HEVI-X Strut, HEVI-Bismuth Turkey, and HEVI-18 turkey loads through May 31, 2026.
Federal Ammunition's Spring Savings Slam rebate program runs through May 31, 2026, offering up to $100 back on turkey loads including Strut-Shok, Grand Slam, and new Realtree 40th Anniversary and Rob Roberts Limited Edition offerings.
The Armory Life announces its Spring 2026 print magazine issue, marking the fifth anniversary of the quarterly publication. The issue features a cover story on the Echelon 4.0FC 9mm, interviews with Jeff and Kristi Hoffman of Black Hills Ammunition, and reviews of Springfield Armory firearms including the SAINT Victor and Model 2020 Waypoint.
Hook & Barrel Magazine announces Cameron Willis's appointment as Head of Digital Strategy. Willis brings a decade of international media and digital expertise across the UK, U.S., and UAE, and will lead the brand's digital initiatives to expand its online presence.
The Second Amendment Foundation announced that Die Free Co., a Made-in-the-USA rifle parts manufacturer, has joined as a Silver-level corporate partner. CEO Adam Johnson and SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut emphasized their shared commitment to defending Second Amendment freedoms, with DFCO also collaborating on fundraising efforts.
SLG2, Inc. announced Aimpoint as its newest corporate partner for 2026. The partnership combines SLG2's firearms safety education with Aimpoint's premium red dot sighting solutions, with Aimpoint products featured on SLG2's 2026 Grand Safety Tour across the country.
Winchester will sponsor Richard Childress Racing's No. 3 Chevrolet driven by Austin Dillon at the Straight Talk Wireless 500 NASCAR Cup Series race at Phoenix Raceway on March 8. The race airs on Fox Sports 1, HBO Max, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
GunBroker.com partnered with SIG SAUER to launch the March Marksmanship Giveaway, offering a $5,249.95 prize package including a P211-GTO COMBAT Pistol, M400 TREAD V2 Rifle, ROMEO5 Gen II optic, Hexium 556Ti suppressor, and ammunition. Participants can enter daily through March 31, 2026.
World Fishing Network launches "Reeling It In Tuesdays" programming block featuring professional fishing instruction including Legends of Rod & Reel, Bass Pro Shops Fisherman's Handbook, Fishing University, In-Fisherman TV, and other shows hosted by expert anglers like Doug Stange, Wade Middleton, and the Lindner brothers.
This week's Shooting USA episode features CMP Vintage Sniper competition at Talladega Marksmanship Park, junior competitive shooter Austin Hull's rise to elite status, and a Hornady Security firearms safety tip.
Streamlight's Lock & Load Thursdays on Sportsman Channel features five shows including The Adventures of Chapo Gringo, Guns & Gear TV, Guns & Ammo, Gun Stories hosted by Joe Mantegna, and Made for the Outdoors, airing Thursday nights 8-11 p.m. ET with hunting adventures, gear reviews, and factory visits.
Jill Dugan is a hat maker. She’s the owner and milliner—someone who makes or sells women’s hats (I looked it up so you didn’t have to)—behind the Dugan Hat Co. in Prescott Valley, Arizona.
Jill admits she had no idea Cowboy Action Shooting was even a thing until last December. Yet last week she found herself in North Phoenix at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility selling hats during the End of Trail World Championship.
In the comfort of the shade of her trailer, Jill Dugan talks hats with an interested buyer during the End of Trail World Championships. Photo: P. Erhardt
It all started when a competitor heading to End of Trail stopped by her pop-up in Prescott and casually asked if she’d ever heard of SASS—the Single Action Shooting Society that governs Cowboy Action Shooting.
That conversation, Dugan says, sent her down a YouTube rabbit hole to learn more. Soon after, she reached out to SASS to see if they were accepting any new vendors for this year’s End of Trail.
Clearly, they were.
Hat making is Dugan’s side hustle. Her day job is in the craft beer industry, where she runs logistics for a company called Keg Logistics.
“I make sure craft breweries have enough empties to fill. They go out to market. I talk to those wholesalers, get them back, send them to the next brewery—just making sure those kegs keep going around,” Dugan explained.
Dugan’s foray into hat-making began in late 2023. She stumbled across a social media video of someone burning a hat, for that distressed look, and thought to herself, “I can burn things—I like wood burning and all that.”
Before long she had more distressed hats than she knew what to do with and began selling them to friends. Naturally, that turned into a business—though she admits finding her footing took a little time.
“I took a class and then got scared of it. I was like, ‘I don’t know if I can do this.’ But midway through 2024 I got more confident and thought, ‘Okay, let’s go,’” Dugan explained.
During the competition, Dugan divided her time between selling new hats out of her trailer and reconditioning hats for competitors.
Dugan said shooters stopped by her trailer looking for a hat—sometimes because they simply needed one, and sometimes because they needed the right hat to match a particular outfit.
Those same customers often returned to have their old hat reshaped. She offered the reconditioning service—something a number of hats on the range needed—free of charge.
Jill Dugan steams a shooter's well-worn cowboy hat working to reshape it and get it back, at least somewhat, to its former glory. Below, Dugan returns the same hat to its owner, showing him how the reshaped hat looks on his head. Photos: P. Erhardt
When I asked why she offered the service for free, she shrugged: “Why not? I just need the practice.” And she got plenty of it throughout the week.
Dugan’s trailer quickly became a popular stop, and the constant interaction with SASS members drew her further into the community—“the family,” as SASS owner Misty Moonshine likes to call it.
I asked if she planned to return next year.
“I was hoping they’d invite me back—and they did. Customers have been telling me about the regional shoots and when they happen, so slowly but surely I’ll get myself deeper and deeper into this community.”
