If there is one “old cartridge” that has seen a resurgence in recent years it is absolutely the stalwart 10mm. Known for its stopping POWAH [insert Arnold Schwarzenegger voice], many hunters seek out a good 10mm handgun for defense against bears and others use it for self-defense against nefarious 2-legged critters. Another element people aim for is capacity and Springfield Armory looks to deliver both in their newest XD-M Elite offering of a 4.5″ OSP (Optical Sight Pistol) 10mm now unveiled!

Nosler has teamed up with Boot Campaign to help raise funds and awareness for injured veterans by producing 22 custom limited-run Model 48 rifles. And while they might be a little too rich for my blood, I’m sure some of you out there can spare the cash for a good and honorable cause like this. For the rest of us, Boot Campaign does accept donations directly through their website.

Crossbreed Holsters is known among concealed carry advocates for their SuperTuck which has become a staple, popular holster because of its hybrid nature. Long gone are the days where firearm owners look for holsters that are “fixed” in nature – they can only be carried one way and nothing more. Understanding this, Crossbreed holsters has come out with yet another hybrid-style holster to wear many hats in the Crossbreed Rogue.

Adept Armor has just released their new modular Storm System body armor that allows users to adapt their armor to the needs of why it’s being worn. The Storm System body armor starts with a Level III Foundation plate, that can then be up-armored with one of two options, the Storm Titanium, plate for speedy projectiles like 5.56 or 5.45, or the Storm Disruptor, which is a ceramic-based add-on plate to bump the Storm System to a Level IV. The Foundation and Titanium plates can both be worn as standalone options, whereas the Disruptor is only designed as a combination to the Foundation.

For those who might already be devoted fans of Springfield Armory on social media, you may have noticed an intentionally cryptic photograph they shared last week. This black and white image depicted a gunsmith toiling away at his workbench on some unknown firearm with the phrase: “We’re bringing it back.” This lead to a lot of speculation that Springfield might be reproducing the M1 Garand or something else equally iconic. If you were clever enough though and picked up on some clues that Springfield was laying down, you likely already identified their new firearm. A clock displayed the time 19:35 which could mean 7:35pm or the year 1935. There is also a photo of one of the greatest firearm inventors who ever lived: John Moses Browning. So, what did John Browning invent in 1935?… He invented the first double-stack, semi-auto pistol ever in the Hi-Power. So, Springfield Armory is proud to announce their Hi-Power clone, reproduction in the SA-35 9mm!

In a recent online Press Conference, the Austrian optics manufacturer Kahles released their first-ever thermal imaging products. Named HELIA TI these thermal imaging devices come in either a 25 mm or a 35 mm version, where the larger number means better thermal performance. The models are said to be optimized for hunting, with the note: “Not a button too many, none in the wrong place. Uncompromising simple and fast detection day and night.”

Right now, whether all shooters realize it or not, we are in a renaissance period of not only carry pistols, but holsters as well. It is becoming increasingly common to see everyday carry (EDC) pistols sporting miniature red dots, rails acceptant of infinite accessories, and Custom Shop upgrades like gold (TiN – titanium nitride) barrels. With all of these improvements we similarly need holsters that can carry these tricked-out carry pieces. That is where something like the N8 Tactical Xecutive IWB (Inside-the-Waistband) Holster comes into play.

FN America have announced the introduction of some improvements to their semi-auto SCAR line of rifles. The main upgrade is the inclusion of non-reciprocating ambidextrous charging handles to the SCAR 16S, 17S and 20S. This mirrors upgrades already made to the military and law enforcement SCARs and the civilian-available SCAR-SC PDW which was introduced in 2017.

Armor is becoming an increasingly hot topic in this country and whether you’re on the side of donning it for only the direst of circumstances or putting it on as part of your daily job I think most people can understand the need for concealment in certain situations. Premier Body Armor has just announced the introduction of their very own Concealable Level IIIA body armor vest. Along with its concealability, the new NIJ Certified vest sports comfort and adaptability features to make it more useful on a daily basis.

In line with a tradition of continuous improvement, Firearms Guide gets a new 2021 edition, adding new firearm models to its already impressive list. At a glance, references of over 3,000 firearms, 200 manufacturers, and over 3,000 schematics have been included in the new edition of the repository.

Any firearms-related recall is always unfortunate. Companies typically invest a significant amount of time, effort, and resources into their products’ research and development. They want to do all they can to ensure that by the time their product heads out the door into the waiting hands of distributors, retailers, and customers, it’s been well-made and thoroughly tested. Thunder Beast Arms Corporation, or TBAC for short, is no different. They’ve been putting plenty of sweat equity and passion into their suppressors for years, and normally have solid results. Unfortunately, occasionally things can and do go wrong for all of us, and one of those snafus has hit TBAC. If you have one of their Dominus or Ultra Gen2 cans that was manufactured last year, please be sure to read the following recall announcement that was just released, and check your silencer’s serial number.

Current ammo prices are painful. If you’ve been shooting for a while, you understand this all too well. The shortage of essentially all common calibers has been absolutely rampant for months, and the basic laws of supply and demand are being felt across the industry. Demand has spiked, supply has dropped, and so costs are soaring. Unfortunately, 2020 saw a perfect storm of logistical, social, and political pressures that put an unsustainable strain on essentially all ammo manufacturers operating in the US market. At the time of this writing, even the cheapest steel-cased .223 ammo is often selling in excess of $0.60 cost per round – and even then, it’s selling out fast.

XS Sights has just announced their new Plus 2 magazine extension tube for Remington 870 pattern, 12 gauge shotguns. XS Sights has been making more than just sights for quite a while, but this is their first foray into the shotgun magazine extension market. The kit will include a replacement magazine spring, the +2 magazine tube, and a special tool to remove the factory magazine cap detent. The press release from XS Sights can be read below.

A new bill has recently been introduced by Representative George Till of Vermont that would potentially allow hunters to hunt using suppressors. While suppressors are already legal in the state, it is currently not legal to go hunting with a suppressor equipped rifle in the state. The new bill titled Hearing Protection Act, House Bill 5, has been submitted as of January 7th and is currently ‘In Committee’ pending votes. The American Suppressor Association released an extensive press release detailing the bill which will be shared below.

Two of Brazil’s biggest firearms manufacturers have announced the formation of a partnership for the development of products and services. IMBEL and Taurus have signed a memorandum of understanding which opens the way for the development of new products, production methods and marketing so we’re likely to see the companies work closely on various military, paramilitary and police tenders and contracts.

Meopta has just announced their new long-range rangefinding binoculars, the MeoPro Optika LR.  The MeoPro Optika LR binoculars will be available in 8×50, and 10×42 magnifications.  According to the press release, these binoculars are able to range targets up to 2,600 and 2,950 yards.  According to the specifications page for the 10×42 version, it has a field of view of 325 yards at 1000 yards and weighs 32.6 ounces without the strap and caps.  Meopta’s full press release can be read below:

Hot off the heels of Henry announcing 32 new models of rifles and shotguns in the last quarter of 2020, Henry has four new hunting focused models for 2021.  In the rimfire category, Henry is offering a .22 Magnum lever action with a pic rail, a raised comb, and no iron sights with an eye towards optic optimization, the “Lever Action Magnum Express”.

It was roughly one month ago that TFB broke the news that several companies were working on getting new cartridges approved by SAAMI – the Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute, Inc. Two of those cartridges the general public was already aware of in the .277 SIG Fury (from SIG Sauer) and the 6.5 Weatherby Rebated Precision Magnum (6.5 RPM – from Weatherby). The final one was something new to everyone: 6.8 Western? What is that?

True Velocity have confirmed delivery of their final shipment of over 625,000 rounds of their 6.8mm hybrid ammunition for the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon program. True Velocity shared a photo of the shipment on pallets about to leave the factory with some of the production team posing next to it.

The .224 Valkyrie cartridge has been around for a few years now to give distance shooters a smaller cartridge offering in the MSR (modern sporting rifle) platform to compete with all of the larger cartridge AR-10 shooters. To feed that niche of long-range shooting, Federal Premium has debuted NEW Gold Medal Sierra Tipped Matchking ammunition in 224 Valkyrie for all of the shooters launching that relatively new, hot-rod cartridge. All of the specifications for the NEW Gold Medal Sierra Tipped Matchking ammunition can be read below as presented by Federal Premium:

Federal Premium keeps opening the flood gates on new products for 2021 and they continue that trend with additional offerings through their Hydra-Shok Deep line of ammunition with a 380 Auto Hydra-Shok Deep 99 Grain and 38 Special +P Hydra-Shok Deep 130 Grain. This will give concealed carry advocates of tiny handguns – snubby revolvers and pocket 380s – another ammo offering to tantalize over when they are selecting their carry ammunition. All of the specifications for these new offerings can be read below as presented by Federal Premium:

When it comes to long-range target shooting, and long-distance hunting as well, two of the most popular cartridges on the block are from the Creedmoor family in 6.5 Creedmoor and 6mm Creedmoor. Keeping in step with those trends, Federal Premium has expanded their Gold Medal Berger lineup of ammunition to include more 6.5 Creedmoor and 6mm Creedmoor offerings. All of the specifications for those NEW ammunition selections can be read below as presented by Federal Premium:

There are a lot of people who have joined the miniature 6.5 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge) revolution when it comes to long-distance big-game hunting as well as long-range target shooting. To cater to those precision rifle cartridge loyalists, Federal Premium has tailored a NEW Fusion 6.5 PRC load. It boasts the same Fusion bullet that we have all come to know and enjoy, but is simply crafted for the unique design of the 6.5 PRC round. All of the specifications for this Fusion 6.5 PRC cartridge can be read below as presented by Federal Premium:

With the dawn of a New Year, it means lots of new products related to the firearms industry for gun lovers like ourselves. It’s like Christmas 2.0 as we see the cascade of new products announced and are contemplating whether we really need two kidneys or not (could probably get by with just one, right). One of the 1st new product announcements to come from Vista Outdoors is Clean-22 Realtree rimfire ammo specifically from CCI. This offering of ammunition utilizes their polymer bullets for a cleaner shooting experience with a unique twist. You can read the complete list of specifications below as presented by CCI:

In the brick ‘n mortar retail landscape for firearms and sporting goods, there are only so many options for hunters and shooters to choose from in buying their gear. If you want that in-person touch when purchasing your gear – aside from Mom ‘n Pop shops – you are likely looking at Cabela’s, Bass Pro, or Sportsman’s Warehouse. Now those 3 giant retailers are a part of the same family. Sportsman’s Warehouse has been bought by the Great American Outdoors Group – parent company to Cabela’s and Bass Pro – to create a sporting goods retailing superpower. The press release further detailing that transaction can be read below:

Wilson Combat – based out of Berryville, Arkansas – has officially broke ground on expanding their facility an additional 16,000 square feet citing a surge in demand for their products. This will create a 20% increase in their workforce once the expansion is complete and operational. Right now, Wilson Combat employs 200 people so this means they will be looking to hire an additional 40 employees. Tentatively, the expansion is set to be complete in January.

After the crushing news that the NSSF ( National Shooting Sports Foundation) had cancelled SHOT Show 2021 ( Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade Show), Smith & Wesson decided to step up in a big way by donating $500,000 to their organization. While SHOT Show is obviously a huge event for the NSSF, they are still working year-round to support firearm efforts on behalf of gun owners. Smith & Wesson understands this as well and that is what motivated their end-of-the-year generosity. They elaborate on the donation in the press release statement below:

Elite Tactical Systems, or ETS for short, has been cranking out affordable magazines for the world’s most popular pistols and rifles.  Last year, TFB announced ETS’ 40 round magazines for Glock 9mm pistols, and they’ve recently just added 40 round magazines for three more 9mm pistols; the HK VP9, SIG P320, and S&W M&P.  I’ve never shot anything over 30 rounds at a time, but the 40 rounders could leave a bit more time for working on consistent trigger pulls without further interruptions of reloading, while sporting 33 percent more freedom. Elite Tactical Stystems’ specifications for each magazine can be found below, but for clarity, the specs for each new respective magazine were essentially the same, but each photo is designated for its corresponding model name:

PepperBall has just introduced their new LifeLite Mobile Launcher, which can light up potential threats, and propel non-lethal PepperBalls around 250 feet per second.  The PepperBall projectiles are similar to paintballs that break upon hitting a target, but rather than paint, PepperBalls expel an irritant designed to temporarily incapacitate an assailant. The new LifeLite Mobile is the second generation of handheld, non-lethal protection that was designed with a slightly smaller profile and neutral appearance when carried openly. The full press release can be found below:

Cold Steel is one of the most famous modern American knife brands. In its 40 years of history, it has brought to market a great deal of iconic designs. Founded in 1980 in California by Lynn C. Thompson, the company has always been owned by the founder, who over the years proved himself both as a talented designer as well as as an innovative and outspoken marketer. Now, for the first time, Cold Steel is changing hands.