CZ presented its inaugural Breakthrough Awards to Davidson's and Ann Arbor Arms during a gala at the company's 90th Anniversary Celebration in Prague. Davidson's received the distributor award and Ann Arbor Arms the retail award, both recognized for exceptional growth, partnership commitment, and brand advancement.
Kahl Harmon and Mitch Fitzpatrick won the Team Division at the 2026 Nightforce ELR Steel Challenge in Glenrock, WY, outscoring over 40 teams with a score of 245.93. Fitzpatrick credited Berger bullets, Vihtavuori powder, and Lapua brass for their success across 20 stages at distances up to 2,100 yards.
The 2026 Minnesota State High School Clay Target League Trap Shooting Championship is underway in Alexandria, Minnesota, featuring 7,724 student athletes from 340 high school teams competing across nine days. Presented by Alexandria Technical & Community College with sponsors including Do-All Outdoors, Ducks Unlimited, Federal Premium Ammunition, and the NRA Foundation, the event is possibly the world's largest shooting sport competition by participation.
Team Vihtavuori member Kim Rowe earned top honors at the 2026 NRA National High Power Mid-Range Prone Championships and the 2026 NRA National High Power Long Range Championships, capturing the Patriot Minuteman Trophy and multiple podium finishes. Rowe credited her success to premium components including Vihtavuori powder, Berger bullets, and Lapua brass.
Team Lapua's Brandon Green secured second place at the 2026 NRA National High Power Mid-Range Prone Championships in Oklahoma, posting an aggregate score of 2397-183X. Green also won the High Military Veteran and Any Rifle Iron Sight categories while helping his team, including Kimberly Rowe, Larry Sollars, and Jonathan O'Neal, claim the team title.
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in United States v. Hemani that the federal ban on gun possession by marijuana users violates the Second Amendment. Firearms Policy Coalition, FPC Action Foundation, and the Center for Human Liberty filed supporting amicus briefs in the case decided June 18, 2026.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Hemani that a lifetime firearms ban for marijuana users is unconstitutional. The Second Amendment Foundation, Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, California Rifle & Pistol Association, Second Amendment Law Center, and Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus filed amicus briefs supporting the decision.
The Second Amendment Foundation filed a federal lawsuit challenging Contra Costa County Sheriff David Livingston's policies prohibiting permit holders from carrying handguns with red dot sights, flashlights, or single-action 1911-style pistols. SAF argues these restrictions violate the Second and Fourteenth Amendments under Supreme Court precedent.
Silencer Central announces Day 64 of its 100 Days of Silence promotion, offering a $3,500+ 9mm bundle including a Ruger PC Charger, BANISH 9 suppressor, ATN ThOR 6 Mini thermal scope, and additional gear. The giveaway runs through July 6, 2026, with daily prize packages available at PopularSuppressors.com.
SAAMI announced it is establishing a working group to evaluate Federal Premium's new 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak cartridge, which operates outside existing SAAMI standards. SAAMI takes no position on the cartridge's interchangeability or safety with standard 6.5 Creedmoor firearms and suppressors pending technical review.
Federal and Remington Ammunition, both part of The Kinetic Group, were awarded a $77.4 million FBI rifle ammunition contract covering all four product categories: Duty, Training Reduced Lead, Non-Jacketed, and Jacketed Frangible ammunition. Delivery is expected to begin in 2026.
MidwayUSA, founded by Larry and Brenda Potterfield in Columbia, Missouri in 1977, celebrates 49 years of business. The family-owned company has grown from a small 1,600-square-foot gun shop to a major retailer offering shooting, hunting, and outdoor products while maintaining core values of customer satisfaction and integrity.
Christensen Arms has integrated with Guns.com to allow customers to find and purchase rifles directly from ChristensenArms.com through the online marketplace, with firearms shipped to local FFL dealers. The integration bridges product research and purchase while supporting the licensed dealer network.
Beretta USA celebrated its Gallatin, Tennessee manufacturing facility's 10th anniversary with an employee and family appreciation event. Since 2016, the facility has become a cornerstone of Beretta's American operations, producing firearms for hunters, competitive shooters, and professionals nationwide.
KJI announced the launch of its modernized K-Series tripod lineup, replacing the original K-700 and K-800 models. The new lineup includes five tripod models and the K100 monopod, featuring carbon-fiber and aluminum construction with CNC-machined components designed for hunting, competition, and professional field use.
Magnum Research and Koted Arms Master Gunsmith Jonathan DeVries' have created a limited-edition "250 Years of Liberty" Desert Eagle pistol celebrating America's Semiquincentennial. Only 100 will be produced, with the first 10 available June 18th through Magnum Research's Custom Shop at $9,659.00.
CAA USA announced the MCK EVO Gen 6 Beavertail Expansion, enabling its flagship Micro Conversion Kit to support Glock's newly released 6th Generation pistols (G17, G19, G45). The expansion brings the MCK EVO's compatible firearm roster to over 130 models across major brands.
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. expands its 250th Anniversary Series with six additional limited-production firearm models including SR1911 pistols, Hawkeye rifles, No. 1 rifles, and Marlin Model 1894 lever-action rifles, each marked with patriotic engravings and elevated finishes celebrating American manufacturing.
Auto-Ordnance honors the United States' 250th anniversary with the Founding Fathers 1911, a commemorative pistol created by Altered Arsenal featuring patriotic engravings and a worn Old Glory finish. Built on the premium Auto-Ordnance Stainless 1911 platform and chambered in .45 ACP, this firearm merges historical reverence with modern manufacturing for collectors and sport shooters.
KDG (Kinetic Development Group) announced the Kinect Arca Rail, a tool-free Arca rail attachment for M-LOK equipped rifles featuring a 6-inch Arca rail section and patented quick-attach technology. The product allows shooters to instantly add or remove a stable Arca interface in seconds without tools or installation procedures.
Earlier this spring, I attended a Safariland event at Haley Strategic Partners in Arizona. At the event, Safariland, in conjunction with HSP, released the INCOG XS holster. But towards the end of the event, attendees were issued a surprise: another new release that had been kept under wraps, the BASELINE MOLLE belt. This release was more than a belt, though; it was the introduction of a new system. Over the past couple of months, I’ve been using the belt, all while getting to know the system. Here’s what I think thus far.
The Baseline MOLLE Belt
The BASELINE MOLLE Belt is designed for users requiring a comprehensive load-bearing platform. Unlike other belts on the market, the BASELINE prioritizes rigidity and comfort, featuring an improved MOLLE interface for precise placement of pouches and accessories. I value gear that can be customized for specific missions, as I prefer modular, scalable setups. A versatile MOLLE belt should handle a variety of scenarios and loadouts comfortably without adding bulk, and that’s where the BASELINE MOLLE Belt excels.
Specs
Like most modern tactical belts, it’s a two-part system with an inner and outer belt. Safariland offers the new D3 or D3 Pro inner belt. However, I used an old inner belt I’ve had for years (I think it’s a T.REX Arms one). While Safariland recommends using its own inner belt, the BASELINE MOLLE will work with any Velcro hook-and-loop inner belt.
Small Outer Belt:
32″-36.5″ (L) x 2″ (H) x 0.25″ (W) • 7.5 oz • 20 MOLLE columns with 3 rows of ½” MOLLE
Medium Outer Belt:
35″-39.5″ (L) x 2″ (H) x 0.25″ (W) • 7.9 oz • 22 MOLLE columns with 3 rows of ½” MOLLE
Large Outer Belt:
38″-42.5″ (L) x 2″ (H) x 0.25″ (W) • 8.4 oz • 24 MOLLE columns with 3 rows of ½” MOLLE
XL Outer Belt:
41″-45.5″ (L) x 2″ (H) x 0.25″ (W) • 8.9 oz • 26 MOLLE columns with 3 rows of ½” MOLLE
Features
The BASELINE MOLLE belt combines advanced laminate construction with a rigid yet lightweight design that evenly distributes weight across the waist, helping reduce fatigue during long training and range sessions. At the core of the system is the Overlock Tab Closure System, paired with an integrated 1-inch Raptor buckle, which creates true 360-degree rigidity by eliminating the weak points commonly found in traditional belt closures.
Overlock Tap Closure and Raptor Buckle. (Cory Ross)
A standout feature is the enhanced MOLLE interface, which uses refined ½-inch spacing for more precise pouch placement while remaining fully compatible with standard MOLLE/PALS systems, Malice Clips, and Mandible Straps. The belt also incorporates Velcro High Technology Hook for stronger engagement with the inner belt and improved load stability.
Easily carries a Safariland bucket. (Cory Ross)
Constructed from mission-ready materials including MIL-SPEC webbing, nylon laminate, and a high-density polyethylene stiffener, the BASELINE MOLLE Belt provides a durable foundation for demanding loadouts. Each belt ships with a two-pack of Mandible Vertical MOLLE straps, creating a ready-to-run platform focused on modularity, support, and all-day performance.
After using it for a little while, I really like it. Travis Haley was key to the belt’s design and brought many intuitive features. The Overlock Tab Closure system, combined with the Raptor buckle, is one of my favorite features. This combination prevents sagging along the front of the belt, which is common with others I’ve used. The ½-inch MOLLE spacing is another nice upgrade, allowing the user to place pouches more precisely for a better fit.
Running angled magazine pouches using the Mandible Angled MOLLE Strap. (Cory Ross)
I’ve been running the belt with two angled magazine pouches, one vertical BASELINE 5.56 pouch, a dump pouch, and an IFAK. For a holster, I’ve been using a Safariland 6354RDSO-ALS with a QLS Fork and a mid-ride receiver that attaches to the belt. This is a pretty standard setup I commonly use. The BASELINE distributed the weight well. I also found it’s easier to adjust pouch placement with the Mandible MOLLE straps (which are needed to angle the pistol pouch).
HSP ITRK mad kit. (Cory Ross)
Zooming Out
After spending time with the BASELINE MOLLE belt, it’s clear Safariland and Haley Strategic focused on creating the best battle belt setup possible. From the Overlock Tab Closure System and Raptor Buckle to the improved ½-inch MOLLE spacing, every feature seems designed to address common frustrations. They focused on enhancing comfort, stability, and customization.
Throughout my range sessions, the belt remained comfortable under load, distributed weight effectively, and made it easy to fine-tune gear placement for my preferred setup. While I’ll continue putting it through its paces, my initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive. For users seeking a rigid, modular, and thoughtfully designed load-bearing platform, the BASELINE MOLLE Belt is off to a strong start.
