Editorial

Welcome back to another TFB review. This week, I want to take a look at a new trend coming from the gun world where standard factory guns are revamped and tricked out to the absolute max. This has been going on for years and certainly isn't a new thing for those who live in the Glock world. Wilson Combat has been upgrading various popular firearms in the industry with their Scattergun Technologies line, but recently it has been upgrading SIGs, Beretta handguns and offering 1911 parts for a number of factory guns. I have had the new Wilson Combat P365 2.0 for almost two months now and after my time with this gun, I can confidently talk about its features and why someone may go with this over a standard model. Let's take a closer look at the Wilson Combat P365 2.0 Comped.

Today’s Photo of the Day shows a rare, fully transferable HK MP5SD3 machine gun complete with its original integral suppressor. Offered by Morphy Auctions, this 1984-produced example carries the “IE” proof code and is marked “Made in W. Germany / HK Chantilly, VA,” a sign of its factory-original heritage and importation history.

I love attending SHOT Show, but it’s all new, flashy stuff. Some classic milsurp guns do show up (like what we see at Navy Arms or Zastava booths), and there are definitely hot new hunting rifles and shotguns (see last week’s Fudd Friday piece here). But for someone like myself, who’s used to shopping off the used gun rack at their local dealer, well, there’s not a whole lot. So that’s why, on the final day of SHOT Show 2026, I grabbed an Uber with some colleagues and headed across town to the Las Vegas Antique Arms Show. I am very glad I made the trip.

You gotta love the mad scientists at Hydra Weaponry. While everyone else is busy building AR-pattern rifles with modern lightweight materials and trick designs, the crew at Hydra isn’t afraid to delve into history, reproducing the designs of Mack Gwinn Jr. At SHOT Show 2026, they were showing off one of their latest creations, a revival of the Gwinn Assault Rifle, aka the “Original Bushmaster.”

Drone Round Defense brought their anti-drone ammunition to SHOT Show 2026, offering 5.56 NATO and 7.62 NATO loads designed specifically to neutralize small unmanned aerial systems. The company operates under the same leadership team behind Freedom Munitions, Unlimited Ammo, and Ammo Load, with production capacity reaching 350 million rounds annually.

Thermal optics are still hot in the tactical and hunting markets these days, and Pulsar has two new options for 2026. The Trail 3 LRF XR50 and Trail 3 LRF XQ50 both aim to deliver affordability, with slight differences because they’re intended to hit targets at different ranges.

DryFireMag dropped three new Smart Mag models at SHOT Show 2026. Walther PDP, Smith & Wesson M&P, and CZ Shadow 2 all get the trigger-reset treatment now. Complete systems run $325 and come with everything you need: training magazine, laser cartridge, barrel block, and red laser for shot feedback.

Last week at SHOT Show 2026 we reported on a significant expansion of Aimpoint’s COA, with the enclosed red dot appearing mounted on a variety of pistols expanding out from the initial Glock offerings which debuted in 2025. Now we have full details from Aimpoint on how they’re going to expand the COA and its A-CUT interface across the industry.

In the 1960s, the Soviet Union sought to close the gap between conventional arms and the specialized requirements of clandestine warfare. Reconnaissance teams, Spetsnaz elements of the Soviet Army, and KGB operatives were expected to operate behind enemy lines or when silent work was required during any operation, and this placed a premium on weapons that were not only reliable and compact but also quiet. Out of that requirement came one of the first mass-produced Soviet handguns purpose-built for suppressed, covert work: the PB (GRAU index 6P9). Designed in the mid-1960s and formally adopted in 1967, the PB became the integral suppressed service pistol for Soviet special forces and state security services.

Today’s Photo of the Day takes us to Charlene’s Meadow, where Butch Fjoser set a remarkable new benchmark in the world of pure mechanical accuracy. On June 7th, 2025, Fjoser fired a .445-inch, 10-shot group at 300 yards in the Unlimited Class, surpassing the previous .512-inch record held by Larry Costa. While images of rifles clamped in a vise usually spark a predictable online debate, it is worth noting that Unlimited Class rail guns are purpose-built for equipment testing rather than traditional marksmanship. The goal here is to explore the absolute limits of consistency when recoil, ergonomics, and human input are removed.

Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, I talked about how to carry in the deep cold of winter. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to click the link here to check it out. This week, I think it's important to look at when it's better to avoid situations entirely when carrying a concealed firearm versus what people do by carrying a heavier-than-normal loadout. Times are changing and it's really important to look at what situations are worth avoiding entirely and what ones should be approached with caution.

Most of the new rifles of the past couple of decades have fallen into the following classes: M4geries, long-range “backcountry” hunting rifleS, low-priced entry-level bolt guns or nostalgia-milking lever-actions. But another style of rifle is always lurking in the background, just waiting for a manufacturer to try it again. I’m talking about scout rifles, and this year at SHOT, the Ruger American Gen II Scout was on display in their booth.

Nosler launched its Whitetail Country ammunition line in October 2024 as factory-loaded ammo only, and at SHOT Show 2026 they're releasing the Solid Base and Straight-Wall bullets as reloading components. The company also expanded the loaded ammunition lineup to include .400 Legend, now shipping with a 215-grain Straight-Wall bullet for $40.95 per 20 rounds.

European American Armory was back at the SHOT Show for 2026 with a booth full of their usual mix of imported firearms—handguns, shotguns and rifles. And in one corner, they had a few firearms that were both shotguns and rifles at the same time. They’re bringing combination guns into the U.S. market soon, and they should be affordable—a hard thing to find these days.

Today, we’re joined by the minds behind Vortex Optics’ New Product Development team, Ben and Connor, some of the company’s brains behind Vortex’s own “Skunkworks.” This group is responsible for everything from Vortex’s affordable red dots and scopes to the top-secret XM157 Fire Control optic developed for the U.S. Army’s NGSW Program meant to work with the M7 and M250 platforms. Today, engineers Ben and Connor share insight into some of Vortex’s newest 2026 releases - at least the ones they can tell us about for now. Today we’ll be talking about the recently released civilian variant of the AMG 1-10x24 LPVO, the new Triumph 1-10x42 Relay-equipped rangefinding binoculars, and the Vortex Ace portable weather station. Together, these products expand the Vortex Relay ecosystem, giving shooters an integrated and highly capable ranging and weather data suite for more precise, confident shots in any setup. Please give Connor and Ben a warm welcome to the show, and be sure to check out the Vortex Nation Podcast for more insights into what’s going on at Vortex HQ.

TheFirearmBlog (TFB) was in attendance of SHOT Show 2026 and their Industry Day at the Range last week in Las Vegas, and we stumbled across an interesting find while at the Colt pistol bay: a blued Anaconda with enhanced grips and a factory optic. This is definitely not something on their website, and it is supremely rare to see factory-mounted red dots on revolvers. So, we tried to gather some more details for ya’ll!

1911s run the entire price gamut. Buyers can choose anything from an inexpensive Filipino gun up through a matched pair of Cabot pistols made of meteorite. In recent years, the new family of Turkish 1911s imported by SDS has started to earn a reputation as good values at a moderate price point. Of special note are the Tisas clone pistols like the Raider, which mimic the classic lines of the M45A1 CQBP. New for this year is a version of the Raider with an optics cut and threaded barrel. Join us as we put it through its paces.

Photo Of The Day: Panzergrenadier Battalion 122 in Oberviechtach has officially received the first G95 rifles, marking an important step in the Bundeswehr’s transition to a new standard service weapon. The G95 is a Bundeswehr-specific variant of the HK416 and retains the familiar AR-15 layout while using a primarily metal construction said to improve durability, stability, and overall precision. I’d love to do a comparison with Sweden’s Sako Ak 24 version, and a few others, of course.

Never ones to stay still Olympus Arms, the Montana company that brought you the long-stroke Vulcan rifle, have announced that they have developed not just a new carbine but also a new round for the carbine. Olympus have spent a year and a half working on the new project.

Barrett has long been a player in the US Army’s developing Precision Grenadier System program. They took part in some of the precursor competitions which helped refine the program requirements and engage with industry. Barrett previously worked with Mars Inc. who were successful in the xTech Soldier Lethality competition early in 2025. But now it appears they’ll have two horses in the race.

⁨@BallisticAviation stops by the curiously vacant FN booth to grab a quick, unsupervised look at the new FN 309 MRD. As staff rushed out ahead of Winter Storm Fern, Luke swooped in for one last peek at what could be a great contender for the best new budget compact 9mm pistol. This budget-friendly 9mm internal hammer-fired pistol delivers user-friendly features like an easy-rack slide (25% less effort), softer grip texture for better control, optics-ready direct mount for Shield RMS/DeltaPoint Pro patterns, and 16/20-round polymer magazines, all for a street price of around $450. Multiple passive safeties and a green fiber front sight make it approachable for new shooters while maintaining FN reliability for EDC carry.

Steyr’s long-awaited ATD and ATC hammer-fired 9mm pistols are finally making their way to the U.S. market, and this video covers what American shooters can expect from the new lineup. The ATD “defense” models are aimed at carry and duty use, and the ATC “competition” variants with longer barrels, heavier frames, and optics-ready slides, along with capacities up to 24 rounds. If you’ve been waiting for a metal-frame, DA/SA Steyr with modern features like compensators, 3D-printable grip modules, and red-dot readiness, this first look at the ATD and ATC shows why these pistols are one of the biggest handgun launches of SHOT Show 2026.

Hoplopfheil⁩ is stopping by the Trijicon Booth at SHOT Show 2026 to speak to Chris about the brand-new Trijicon AccuPoint 1-8x24 riflescope, a true 1x-to-8x LPVO perfect for hunters needing speed at close range and precision at longer engagement distances. This scope features Trijicon’s battery-free Hunter Holds MOA reticle that glows with ambient light for quick holds without electronics failing in the field, tool-less turrets, and a rugged build ready for recoil and weather. Chris breaks down why this AccuPoint brings legendary Trijicon reliability to the versatile LPVO category at SHOT Show 2026.

Hoplopfheil interviews the Streamlight team at SHOT Show 2026 about the new ProTac Rail Mount VIR Pro, a rail-mounted long gun light delivering 1,100-lumen white LED (high: 40,000 candela, 400m beam) plus selectable IR output (2,300mW high/600mW low). A possibly wallet-saving option for those who are craving night-vision shooting on a budget, the ProTac Rail Mount VIR is going to retail for around $300 street price.

BallisticAviation interviews Gerard Wayne Weber, CEO of Steyr Arms USA, about the brand-new SSG M1 A2 precision rifle, released in January 2026, just ahead of SHOT Show. This updated bolt-action beast now comes standard with an Arca-Swiss rail for tripod compatibility, an improved M-LOK handguard, expanded barrel options optimized for suppressors, and other user-requested upgrades like enhanced adjustability and an improved quick-change barrel system. Whether you're into long-range precision shooting in .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, or .338 Lapua, this deep dive reveals why the SSG M1 A2 sets a new standard for tactical precision rifles.

It was only a matter of time before someone tried to sell us plastic crack—and it finally happened when Hammy showed up at SHOT Show 2026. ⁨@BallisticAviation⁩ sits down with  ⁨@hammy3dprints to check out some of his latest and most thoughtful 3D-printed gun parts and accessories. A one-man show in the most literal sense of the word, Hammy3DPrints is a company that’s consistently updating its catalog, refining its designs, and keeping up with the latest trends in the firearm world.

Luke C. ( @BallisticAviation )is back at SHOT Show 2026 to have a quick sit-down with Surefire’s Andrew Wright to dig into the new SOCOM RC4 suppressor and what sets it apart from previous generations. They break down how the RC4’s updated unique design cuts back pressure, reduces gas to the face, and tames flash without adding unnecessary length or weight.

Some years SHOT Show becomes defined by a particular trend - in the past we’ve seen lever actions and 5.7mm pistols dominate. While SHOT Show 2026 was definitely the year of the suppressor with many new manufacturers entering the game following changes to the NFA, for me, SHOT 2026 was the year of the clone.

Double Tap launched their SnakeShot Magnum line at SHOT Show 2026, combining #9 shot with hardcast wadcutter projectiles in five magnum revolver calibers. These defensive loads ship February 2nd and deliver substantially deeper penetration than traditional snake shot by stacking a solid projectile behind the shot charge.

On my last trip to Vietnam, I decided to explore the country from the South to the North, from the chaotic, motorbike-packed streets of Saigon and Hanoi to the quieter stops in between. I ended up seeing a vast swath of the country, its lush river valleys, crowded markets, and small towns that felt like time capsules. Along the way, I kept noticing remnants of the war, old South Vietnamese and U.S. aircraft and weapons displayed in museums, which gave a glimpse of the past. There were also more guns and military relics scattered around than I’d expected, little reminders of a complicated past that still seems to linger in the landscape. The contrast between everyday life and those metal ghosts was striking; it turned the trip into something equal parts beautiful and thought-provoking. One of those thoughts was about the abundance of Miniguns I encountered.