Beretta USA launches its Multifield Performance Collection, a versatile apparel line featuring technical layers and outerwear designed to transition seamlessly from field and range to everyday wear. The collection includes pieces like the Cadet Flannel, Abisko Full Zip Fleece, Highland Heritage Windblock Sweater, and Halifax Sherpa Jacket, available through Beretta authorized dealers and online.

TrueTimber and Bear Archery announced three new compound bows featuring TrueTimber Strata camouflage for 2027: the Paradigm Pro RTH, Legit Pro RTH, and Legit NXT RTH. Each model offers ready-to-hunt packages with advanced performance features and adjustability for bowhunters of varying experience levels.

Savage Arms' Model 110 Trail Hunter Lite V2 won Ballistic's Best Hunting Edition 2026 award in the under-$1,000 category, published by Athlon Outdoors. The rifle demonstrated exceptional accuracy with five-shot groups under one minute of angle across multiple evaluators, earning recognition for its performance and value.

Leupold & Stevens, Inc.'s new VX-4HD riflescope has received the Caliber Award for "Best New Optic" from the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) and the Professional Media Outdoor Association (POMA). The award was presented at the annual NASGW meeting in Phoenix on October 12.

PROOF Research's Elevation MTR FDX rifle earned Outdoor Life's Editor's Choice award for Best Hunting Rifle of 2026. Shooting Editor John B. Snow praised the rifle's build quality and performance, highlighting the innovative PXT barrel technology that achieved a 0.58-inch 20-shot group average during testing.

Federal Ammunition's 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak cartridge won the Caliber Award in the Best Ammunition New Product category from NASGW and POMA at the 2026 NASGW Expo. The high-pressure cartridge uses Peak Alloy cases and delivers 300 fps faster velocities while maintaining similar recoil in existing 6.5 Creedmoor rifles.

Jeff Crane, President and CEO of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation, received the 2026 Chairman's Award from the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers for his decades of advocacy for sportsmen, conservation, and the outdoor community. The award recognizes his leadership in growing the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus and securing landmark conservation victories.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit affirmed that the federal government cannot impose a lifetime gun ban on Edward Williams based on his decades-old nonviolent DUI conviction. Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) supported the case, with the court ruling that America's historical tradition permits disarming dangerous people, not permanently disarming peaceable citizens for nonviolent offenses.

CCW Safe, a national leader in self-defense legal services, will participate as a featured panel speaker at The Great 2A Insurance Town Hall on October 17, 2026, in Petaluma, California. Director of Field Sales Jerome Vinet will represent CCW Safe alongside other firearm legal protection organizations to discuss coverage, legal preparedness, and responsible firearm ownership.

SLG2, Inc. is bringing its Shoot Like A Girl experience to Bass Pro Shops in Concord, North Carolina on October 17-18. The Grand Safety Tour features a mobile range with firearm safety training using FATS simulators, archery instruction, and demonstrations from brands including GTM Original and Black Rifle Coffee.

Platte River State Fish Hatchery in Benzie County completed accessibility upgrades funded by a $300,000 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant. The project includes an accessible paved trail, pavilion, and improved facilities exceeding ADA guidelines, allowing more visitors to explore the historic hatchery and learn about Michigan's fisheries.

Vice Chair K.C. Walsh, representing Region 4, proposed amendments to Montana's 2027-2028 Fishing Regulations affecting multiple river sections. Changes include catch-and-release trout requirements, artificial lure restrictions, boat fishing closures, and northern pike regulations. The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will vote on the amendments at tomorrow's virtual meeting.

Oklahoma's fishing report covers northeast and southeast regions with updates from Grand, Kaw, Keystone, and Spavinaw lakes, plus Blue River PFHA, Broken Bow, Hugo, Konawa, and Lower Mountain Fork River. Reports submitted by game wardens Riley Willman, Spencer Grace, Tracer Wagner, Kody Moore, Ethan Lovelace, Mark Hannah, Chance Phillips, and Garret Harley detail current conditions and fish activity.

Michigan's weekly fishing report for October 14, 2026 covers conditions across the state's Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula. Yellow perch fishing improved on Lake Erie, while salmon and steelhead activity varied by region, with the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app recommended for purchasing licenses and accessing regulations.

Rain overnight and Tuesday provided relief for firefighters battling the Ridge Fire (450 acres, 20% contained) and Craig Lake Fire (600 acres, 20% contained) in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The DNR confirmed a lightning strike caused the Craig Lake Fire, while the Ridge Fire's cause remains under investigation. Despite lower fire activity, rain created hazards including muddy terrain and slippery exposed rock, with fires burning deep in the duff layer.

Youth hunters under 18 years old can participate in a dedicated deer gun season October 16-18 with adult mentors before the general season opens. This opportunity allows experienced sportsmen and women to mentor young hunters on hunting fundamentals and techniques.

Oklahoma's deer muzzleloader season runs October 24 through November 1, requiring a deer muzzleloader license and annual hunting license. Youth hunters need only a youth annual super hunting license, which also covers youth deer gun season October 16-18 and all other licensed hunting in Oklahoma.

Arkansas's alternative firearms deer season opens October 17, now in its third year allowing straight-wall cartridge firearms alongside traditional muzzleloaders. AGFC Deer Program coordinator Ralph Meeker reports early harvest is up despite heat, with the deer herd in good shape and hunters encouraged to harvest does to balance population before the rut.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department alerts Prescott-area hunters that the Rough Rider gravel bike race will occur October 30 through November 1, coinciding with the second weekend of general deer season across multiple Game Management Units. Hunters, cyclists, and recreationists are encouraged to use extra caution and be aware of one another while sharing these areas.

Vermont Fish and Wildlife reminds hunters to wear fluorescent orange for safety. Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Jason Batchelder and Hunter Education Program Coordinator Nicole Meier emphasize that orange visibility keeps hunters safe in the woods, while deer are unaffected by the color.

Guns.com's Dealer Network has achieved over 50% year-over-year growth in firearm and suppressor sales, uniting more than 2,000 licensed dealers nationwide. The company is launching new proprietary technology to help dealers create used firearm listings quickly and efficiently.

Following an October 9 ATF announcement, the agency will no longer enforce NFA requirements for suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and related items. SilencerCo explains the implications for suppressor ownership, including federal non-enforcement of registration and interstate transport restrictions, while emphasizing state laws remain applicable.

ZeroTech Optics USA introduces the Trace X 5-25x56 FFP – RMG 3 Illuminated riflescope, featuring an illuminated MIL grid reticle with a 30-mil vertical holdover scale, 34 MRAD elevation travel, and first focal plane design for competition, long-range shooting, and hunting applications.

Trijicon announces the new Credo 1-10x28 and RCR Combo, combining two proven optics with Q-LOC mounting technology for close-range speed and extended-distance precision. The system features a first focal plane dual red/green illuminated reticle and ruggedized closed-emitter red dot for extreme durability.

ZEISS Outdoor expanded the ZEISS Conquest Apia spotting scope lineup with new 65S straight and 85A/85S models offering increased magnification up to 24-60x and enhanced eyepiece configurations. The compact, durable scopes deliver premium ZEISS optics performance for hunters and shooters with availability beginning in November 2026.

The National Rifle Association released a 30-second ad targeting Democrat U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico's support for banning assault weapons and standard-capacity magazines. The ad is part of the NRA's multi-million dollar investment to retain pro-gun majorities in Congress, supported by the Gun Bus tour and grassroots get-out-the-vote efforts across Texas.

Ground Force International, an Australian distributor of premium outdoor and hunting products, announced a multi-year commitment to support Wild Giants Conservation Fund's rewilding efforts in the Caucasus. The partnership provides substantial contributions in 2025 and 2026 to advance conservation initiatives in Georgia.

Bass Pro Shops and Schulte Hospitality Group announced a partnership to unite the historic Cheeca Lodge with the legendary Islander Resort in Islamorada, creating a premier destination with nearly 400 accommodations, world-class fishing, and conservation initiatives. The combined properties will anchor Bass Pro Shops' Florida Keys presence alongside World Wide Sportsman Store & Marina.

MOJO Outdoors has released the upgraded Baby MOJO 2.0 spinning wing decoy with a redesigned enclosed housing system for smoother, quieter operation. The decoy features dual battery compatibility, updated mallard paint schemes, and remote-ready capability while maintaining the value-driven price point of the original.

Hornady announced its 2027 product lineup including new SBR Suppressed ammunition, expanded Subsonic and Frontier Cartridge lines, reloading equipment like the Lock-N-Load Classic Pro Accuracy Kit, and Hornady Security items including a 2-in-1 Dehumidifier Light and Square-Lok AR Upper Mount.

Taurus Holdings, Inc. announced the Brace-Ready TX22, the newest addition to its TX22 family, featuring the Strike Industries FSA Lite folding brace for enhanced stability and control. The optics-ready platform includes a threaded barrel, comes with two magazines, and pairs well with Taurus USA's new TTX22 titanium suppressor.

Lipsey's, a major firearms distributor, is adding the Alpha Foxtrot Romulus to its catalog. Manufactured by Dasan USA in Duluth, Georgia, this American-made double-stack 1911 offers five barrel options, multiple calibers, and optic mounting configurations for recreational, competitive, and defensive use.

Derya Arms unveiled the OBone, its first suppressor manufactured in Jacksonville, Florida. The .22 LR silencer is rated for full-automatic fire and priced at $199 MSRP, featuring user-serviceable aluminum baffles and a steel mount with no minimum barrel length requirement.

Trophy Scan has relaunched with a redesigned mobile app enabling hunters to scan, score, and certify whitetail deer trophies using their phones. The platform now includes certified scoring, nationwide contests, and a community feature for sharing hunts, available free on iOS and Android.

Zanders, a national distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, announced the CZ DUTY 4.0F 9mm pistol is now in stock and ready to ship. The full-size handgun features a 4-inch barrel, black finish, manual safety, and comes with 17-round and 19-round magazine options.

Athlon Untamed's Ballistic's Best Hunting Edition 2026 evaluated three big-bore hunting revolvers: Taurus Raging Hunter in .460 Mag, Smith & Wesson Performance Center 460 XVR in .460 Mag, and Ruger Super Redhawk in .454 Casull. Five experienced handgun hunters scored each revolver across nine categories to determine the best option for serious game hunting.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public comment on environmental assessments, including a proposal to expand the Glasgow Shooting Range through a lease agreement with the City of Glasgow to improve rifle and archery ranges for recreational shooting. Comments are due by October 23.

Carbon Express announced that Robin Jäätma, Estonia's only World Archery Championships medalist and former under-21 world champion, has joined its professional shooting team. The 25-year-old compound archer will compete with Carbon Express target arrows and has achieved a career-high world ranking of No. 6.

Block Targets, based in Superior, Wisconsin, continues its partnership as a Whitetails Unlimited national sponsor. The award-winning archery target manufacturer produces durable block targets for all skill levels, compatible with field points, fixed blade, and expandable broadheads.

Dead Air Silencers will serve as headline sponsor and exhibitor at CANCON West, October 22-24, 2026, at Boulder Rifle & Pistol Club in Boulder City, Nevada. The company will showcase its complete suppressor lineup including the CT5P, Lazarus 6, Mojave 45, and Nomad Ti OTB models.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' Classification Review Committee will meet virtually on October 16 from 10 a.m. to noon to make recommendations on exotic wildlife classification, including petitions for bobwhite, Brazilian smooth snake, and Hopes stag beetle.

As daylight saving time ends in November, Utah residents face increased vehicle-wildlife collisions during peak deer migration. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, through the Utah Roadkill Reporter app and Utah Wildlife Migration Initiative, partners with the Utah Department of Transportation to track collisions and construct strategic wildlife crossings to reduce accidents.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources encourages outdoor enthusiasts to report black bear den locations during fall and winter to support bear management programs. Reported dens may be investigated by DNR biologists who select candidates for research projects involving collaring and data collection.

On Tuesday, distributors got a memo from Ruger telling them that several “lower-volume and legacy product families” and, in keeping with their Ruger 2030 product portfolio review had made the decision to suspend those lines.

Those suspensions include the “immediate” suspension of the Ruger LCR, Ruger SP101, GP100 and Bearcat handguns. According to the memo, all open distributor orders for these guns would be cancelled. 

Those immediate suspensions were only the tip of the iceberg. Other current-generation product families will continue through final planned production runs over the remainder of 2026: SR1911, LC Carbine/ PC Charger, PC Carbine / LC Charger, Redhawk/ Super Redhawk, Blackhawk / Super Blackhawk, Single-Series revolvers, Vaquero, No. 1, 77-Series rifles, Hawkeye and Ruger Precision Rifle.

These products, the memo reads, will be placed on allocation. Open orders that haven’t been filled by the end of production will be cancelled. 

What’s not been widely distributed with these notices is the fact Ruger isn’t dumping these lines. They’ve paused lines before. Some, like the Ruger Precision Rifle were paused to allow for improvements. Others, like the Red Label shotgun, were paused for far longer. 

Speaking with Ruger officials, I was reminded -repeatedly- that they realized the importance of many of the products with distributors, retailers and consumers. That’s why they emphasized the moves should be viewed as a company responsibly managing the products’ evolution, not simply ending their history.

Suspending production, they assure me, didn’t necessarily mean saying goodbye to the product families. In fact, they believe opportunities exist to bring legacy platforms forward via new designs, modern manufacturing, and “meaningful innovation.”

“Just as importantly,” the distributor memo reads, “they do not change who Ruger is, the markets in which we compete or the consumers we are committed to serving. Our heritage remains an important part of our future. Our responsibility is to build upon that heritage by ensuring the products that carry the Ruger name continue to evolve with the needs and expectations of today's consumers.”

The notification included several FAQs that appear to be reassurances that Ruger isn’t moving away from their revolvers, traditional rifles or legacy lines. In fact, it reads “No. These decisions should not be interpreted as Ruger moving away from the markets, product categories or consumers we have historically served. They reflect decisions about specific current-generation products and how we best allocate resources today while evaluating opportunities for future products.

And, yes, they write, they believe opportunities exist to bring a number of these “important Ruger product platforms back to market in new forms,” from updated designs and new features to improved manufacturing and broader generational changes.”

Several of the guns that will be part of the “pause” certainly hold key places in Ruger’s history, from the SR1911 to the truly iconic revolvers and Hawkeye rifles. But the determining factor in manufacturing isn’t product recognition; it’s product sales. 

While I’m not privy to Ruger’s sales numbers, I’m reasonably confident that the sales of all the products slated for suspension represent less than five percent of the company’s current sales. That’s not a slam on any of the products; it’s simply a reflection of the changing tastes of consumers and the fact that many legacy products can find themselves more significant in a historical perspective than a commercial marketplace.

As always, we’ll keep you posted.

—Jim Shepherd

When the Department of Justice decided not to appeal the Jensen decision on suppressors and other NFA firearms, it was unclear how much it would affect the firearms industry.

After the Friday release of guidance by the ATF, the answer by the industry was swift and definitive; the sales of suppressors skyrocketed to a point where most manufacturers have sold out most of their near-term allotments and won’t be able to replenish stocks until Q-1 of 2027, if not longer.

“Every major manufacturer in the United States is out of inventory,” one prominent manufacturer said. “It will take us 90 to 120 days to ramp back up.

The Texas judge’s August decision pulled cans, SBRs, SBSs and AOWs out of regulation under the National Firearms Act which was passed in the 1930s, and imposed a tax on suppressors, short-barreled rifles, and other guns.

When the Trump administration eliminated the $200 transfer tax under the Big Beautiful Bill. That, combined with drastically lower Form 4 processing times. Then Friday’s guidance applying Jensen nationwide really opened the floodgates.

Some manufacturers saw the handwriting on the wall and were prepared for the potential onslaught.

“We came in very prepared,” Andy Eff of Banish Suppressors said while exhibiting at the National Sporting Goods Wholesalers Annual Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, on Wednesday. 

Calling his sales this week at the Expo “SUBSTANTIAL,” Banish, a South Dakota suppressor maker, will need an additional two weeks to fulfill new orders, even with manufacturing running 24 hours a day.

According to others at the NASGW Expo, it’s not just suppressors and short-barrel rifles jumping off the shelves, but also related accessories, even including cleaning kits.

– Alex Miceli