Beretta USA expands its Suprema Waterfowl Collection with Mossy Oak Original Bottomland camouflage, featuring an integrated layering system including wader jackets, bibs, insulator jackets and vests, and merino base layers designed for demanding waterfowl hunting conditions.
ScentLok has launched its new Realtree XT-3 collection, combining the brand's scent-control technologies with Realtree's latest camouflage pattern. The versatile lineup spans flagship systems including Savanna Fuse, Ridge, and BE:1 collections, available at Academy, Sportsman's Warehouse, and Scentlok.com.
Beretta USA, a Diamond Sponsor of the 2026 NSCA U.S. Open Sporting Clays Championship, will showcase competition shotguns including the 694 Black DLC, DT11 Super Sport, SL2, AX800 Suprema, and A400 L Sporting at the event August 11-16 in Hudson, Wisconsin. Team Beretta athletes Anthony Matarese Jr., Joseph Fanizzi, Dominic Grossi, Desirae Edmunds, and Zach Kienbaum will compete in the championship.
Dead Air Silencers will exhibit at the 2026 Connecticut SWAT Challenge (August 10-13) at Hartford Gun Club, showcasing their latest suppressor technology including the new CT5P suppressor designed for tactical teams and patrol officers running 5.56 NATO duty rifles.
Finland's Marco Nikko won the opening stage of the 2026 Lapua Monarch Cup at Ridgway Rifle Club in Pennsylvania, knocking down 111 of 120 targets. John Mullins of Team Berger finished second with 109/120, while two-time champion Jake Stine of Team SK placed third with 108/120. The final stage concludes in October 2026 in Mexico.
James Fox of Team Berger won his fourth Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) National Service Rifle Championship and second consecutive title with an aggregate score of 2371-90X at Camp Perry, Ohio. Fox competed against 353 marksmen using Berger ammunition and achieved multiple top finishes throughout the National Matches.
U.S. District Court Judge James Wesley Hendrix ruled in Jensen v. ATF that the National Firearms Act lacks constitutional basis after Congress eliminated transfer taxes for regulated firearms. The Firearms Policy Coalition-backed lawsuit, representing plaintiffs including Hot Shots Custom LLC and the Texas State Rifle Association, achieved a major victory challenging NFA regulations on suppressors and short-barreled firearms.
The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and partners including the California Rifle and Pistol Association, Gun Owners of America, and Gun Owners of California announced a settlement in California Rifle and Pistol Association v. LASD, resolving claims against the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department over Second Amendment carry rights violations. The settlement follows LASD's compliance with California's 120-day CCW permit processing requirement and represents significant victories including nonresident carry rights and reformed permit fee structures.
A federal court ruled that challenged NFA provisions are unconstitutional as applied to untaxed firearms in Silencer Shop Foundation v. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. SilencerCo, a named commercial plaintiff represented by Wiley Rein LLP, celebrates this landmark decision affecting silencers, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and any other weapons, representing a significant first step toward broader suppressor reform.
The Second Amendment Foundation filed a reply brief in Harrington v. Crawford, challenging the unconstitutional search of high school student Jack Harrington's vehicle based solely on his lawful gun ownership. SAF Senior Director Bill Sack and founder Alan M. Gottlieb argue the search violated Fourth Amendment rights without probable cause or valid consent.
The Second Amendment Foundation and partners including the National Rifle Association and Firearms Policy Coalition filed a motion for preliminary injunction in Renna v. Bonta, challenging California's Assembly Bill 1127, which bans Glock and Glock-style handguns starting July 1, 2026. SAF argues the ban violates the Second Amendment as handguns are constitutionally protected and in common use.
Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a motion for preliminary injunction in Renna v. Bonta challenging California's cruciform trigger bar ban affecting Glock and similar pistols. The lawsuit, supported by FPC, San Diego County Gun Owners PAC, Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, Second Amendment Foundation, and National Rifle Association of America, seeks to prevent enforcement of the state's handgun restrictions.
A U.S. District Court judge ruled that NFA registration requirements for short-barreled rifles and suppressors are unconstitutional in Jensen v. ATF, a case supported by the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, FPC Action Foundation, and Texas Rifle Association.
Sonicore Suppressors by Lyman will join White Birch Armory's 6th Anniversary Celebration on August 8-9 in Dover, NH, featuring live demonstrations, hands-on suppressor experiences, and raffles. Kyle Potenziani, Product Manager from Lyman Products, will discuss Sonicore's performance and innovation.
The Murray Road Agency, a marketing firm serving the outdoor industry, is hiring a senior communications specialist in Charleston, S.C. The role requires 3-5 years of PR and marketing experience, with responsibilities including client relations, campaign strategy, and media outreach. Knowledge of fishing, hunting, camping, shooting, and boating is preferred.
Bleecker Street Publications, which acquired Gun University, is launching an extensive refresh of its Best series starting with Self-Defense & Concealed Carry Insurance guides. Led by Emily E. Long, Chair of the Board and Chief Legal Counsel, the updated guides will feature attorney-driven evaluations and expand to cover handguns, shotguns, optics, and outdoor gear.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation hosted its inaugural Big Game Days in Missoula, Montana, attracting thousands of hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. The four-day event, presented by onX Hunt and Montana Knife Company, featured hunting gear displays, shooting competitions, archery challenges, and the 35th World Elk Calling Championships. RMEF recognized conservation partners including the late Daryle Singletary and the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.
Friends of NRA has reached a historic milestone, welcoming more than 5 million attendees to its volunteer-led fundraising events since 1992. The organization has hosted over 27,000 events across all 50 states, generating more than $1.2 billion in gross revenue and funding over 66,000 state grants supporting firearm safety, education, youth development, and shooting sports programs.
DeSantis Gunhide® launches the Slim-Tuk™ IWB holster (#137) for the H&K VP9CC, featuring an ambidextrous Kydex® design with a tuck-able 360° C-Clip for unlimited mounting options. The holster retails for $55.99.
Beretta USA introduced two innovative .22 LR pistols: the B22 Jaguar Tac Metal for recreational shooting and training, and the B22 Jaguar Metal Competition developed with the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) and TANDEMKROSS for Steel Challenge-style competition. The Competition model features premium TANDEMKROSS upgrades and is purpose-built for youth shooters and competitive athletes.
Zanders, a national firearms distributor based in Sparta, Illinois, announced the availability of the Winchester Ranger .22 LR Rifle. The lightweight rifle features reliable action and ergonomic design, ideal for recreational shooters, small game hunters, and first-time firearm owners seeking Winchester's trusted craftsmanship.
Federal Ammunition secured contracts to supply the Canadian Department of National Defense with 300 Blackout ammunition and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police with 12-gauge shotgun rounds for duty and training purposes.
KDG announced a significant retail expansion with Sportsman's Warehouse, making select Kinect Series products available in 30 locations nationwide and online. The partnership marks a major milestone for the company's patented quick-detach mounting technology, bringing innovative firearm accessories to shooters and outdoor enthusiasts across the country.
AGM Global Vision will exhibit at the Mid-States Fall Rendezvous on August 11–12, 2026, at Booth 144 in Phoenix, Arizona. Keith Weaver and Scott Cook will represent the company, showcasing thermal imaging, night vision, and digital optics for hunting and outdoor use.
RSR Group's 2026 E-Vault Virtual Show featuring Ruger runs August 11-14, 2026, offering dealers exclusive online access to limited-time promotions, new product announcements, daily prize giveaways, and extended terms on Ruger products at www.rsrgroup.com.
Dead Air Silencers will showcase hunting suppressors at the Texas Trophy Hunters Association's Hunter Extravaganza in San Antonio and Fort Worth in August 2026. Featured products include the Nomad Ti OTB, Nomad Ti XC, and Mojave45, designed for various hunting applications and firearm platforms.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources launched IHEA PathPerks, becoming the second state agency to offer newly certified hunters pro-level gear pricing from over 200 outdoor brands including Hornady, Swarovski Optik, Weatherby, and Vortex Optics. Co-developed by the International Hunter Education Association and Guidefitter, the no-cost program reaches Alabama's approximately 500,000 hunters at no expense to the state or students.
Major League Fishing's Bass Pro Tour Stage 7 streams live on MyOutdoorTV from Lake Erie with 51 professional anglers competing for a $125,000 top prize and $600,000 purse. The four-day event (August 6-9) hosted by Shores & Islands Ohio features broadcast coverage by Chad McKee and J.T. Kenney.
Major League Fishing's Bass Pro Tour Suzuki Marine Stage 7 season finale airs live on GAME & FISH TV from Lake Erie, Ohio, featuring 51 professional anglers competing for a $125,000 top prize and $600,000 purse across Saturday's Knockout Round and Sunday's Championship Round.
GAME & FISH TV launches the "Buck Zone" block featuring six premier deer-hunting programs including Buck Commander with Willie Robertson, HeadHunters TV, BuckVentures, Buckmasters, Drury's THIRTEEN, and Whitetail Freaks hosted by Don & Kandi Kisky, airing Thursdays in August on the free streaming platform.
World Fishing Network launches "Reel Coast Thursdays," a four-hour saltwater fishing programming block featuring shows hosted by Captain Jimmy Nelson, George Poveromo, Nick Honachefsky, Captain George Gozdz, and other renowned anglers exploring diverse coastal destinations and fishing opportunities.
A hundred years came and went for the hugely popular 1911 pistol design. For more than a century the John Moses Browning’s pistol has been copied and refined by countless others…and that hasn’t all been bad.
Like many, I wasn’t really interested in such pistols until one of the latter designs caught my eye. Creating a double-stack version that runs 9mm cartridges birthed a whole new generation of pistols, and they are called 2011’s. Well, some are. That’s actually a trademarked name, but like Kleenex, it’s become ubiquitous.
I’ve been on the 2011 wagon for a couple years now and showing no signs of getting off anytime soon. One of those that I’ve gotten time with is mported from the old world by European American Armory and manufactured by Girsan, the Witness2311 CMXX pistol.
At first glance, you might think this pistol was a direct copy of the very popular Staccato XC. I’d suggest you’re right. The Girsan 2311 seems to have nearly every similar feature, but for two. The Witness2311 has a 4.25 barrel length versus the XC’s 5-incher and it also incorporates a firing pin block. That was done to negate the need for the grip safety you’ll see on most 19/2011’s.
If you look closely you can see the firing pin block plunger in the bottom of the slide, and the opposing actuator in the frame that pushes it.
Another one of the Witness2311’s most obvious features is the large compensator built into the barrel assembly. By directing some of the blast upwards, the compensator keeps muzzle rise to a minimum while shooting.
Under the comp you’ll find a typical Picatinny accessory rail to mount a weapon light. Behind that is a square trigger guard. The Girsan Witness2311, like many 2011’s, uses a steel frame with a polymer grip, so the flared magwell and grip are bolted on.
The fieldstripped 2311CMXX ready for cleaning.
A traditional 1911 style trigger and ambidextrous safety round out the frame. The hammer is protected by an extended beavertail, but as I mentioned the beavertail doesn’t hinge as part of the grip safety. It is fixed. The steel slide is cut for RMSc optics, allowing you to mount a variety of different red dot options. Interestingly enough, the WitnessCMXX doesn’t use a two-piece or other locking guide rod like many other 2011 designs. Just a guide rod with a flat recoil spring.
Before heading to the range the first time, I mounted a few accessories to the pistol. I expect they named it 2311 as some sort of indication that it’s the next generation after a 2011. Or perhaps they just wanted the model to stand out on its own.
Anyway, I mounted a Vortex Defender-CCW Micro enclosed solar sight. It fits perfectly on the Girsan, so I added one of my Nightstick weapon lights to complete the package.
Over the course of many months now, I’ve been able to shoot the Girsan Witness2311 extensively, carry it daily, and shoot it often. Because I’m lucky to work in a pro Second Amendment office, I spend a lot of time practicing my draw and presentation while at work. All that is to say that I’ve become pretty comfortable and familiar with this pistol.
My kids love shooting this pistol.
Like most 2011-style pistols, this one is smooth and tight-fitting. It has a slightly stiffer spring than some of my other 2011 pistols, but that’s fine and hasn’t made any difference in its function. Also, like other 2011 pistols, the Witness2311 feels great in the hand, with its aggressive grip texture. Its length of pull is just right for my hand and the controls are right where they need to be for perfect operation.
Well, almost. I think I’m going to put an extended slide release on it to avoid having to break my grip to drop the slide.
The trigger and safety both have a clean snap to them, giving a significantly better feel than most striker-fired pistols. And because the trigger pull is straight back instead of hinged on a pin, it feels like there’s less movement of the pistol when pulling the trigger.
Feeding the Girsan Witness2311 is done using Checkmate 2011 magazines, which as far as I can tell come off the exact same production line as the Staccato-branded mags. I’ve also used Mec-Gar 2011 magazines, all of which have worked flawlessly in the CMXX.
Part of the reason these guns run so smoothly is because of those magazines. You can slide your hand across the top of a loaded magazine and get nearly a dozen rounds to neatly file out. Try doing that with a GLOCK magazine. My point is with so little effort needed to feed rounds, the pistol doesn’t need an overwhelming spring to push the slide forward.
I’ve done a lot of shooting with this pistol, both indoors and out. I must say that I’ve become quite a fan of shooting it. Not only does it cycle ammunition flawlessly, it shoots very accurately all while looking dead-sexy at the same time.
It shoots incredibly flat, allowing you to keep a good sight picture even while dumping the magazine. It fits nicely into all of my 2011 holsters which makes it a joy to carry. And it does all of that for an MSRP of only $1149. The street price is just over a thousand dollars. For a double stack 1911, that’s downright affordable.
I have a couple things to gripe about. The first was very apparent from the beginning. The pin that secures the magazine flare was a bit long causing a slight irritating feel on the bottom edge of my hand. A quick adjustment with a Dremel took care of that.
The other issue I’ve had is a touch more concerning. 19/2011 ambidextrous safeties are connected in the middle by a tongue and groove coupling. They’re held together by the open side, snapping over a detent on the opposing shaft. I have found that excessive force on the right side safety lever can cause the groove side of the coupling to open slightly, making it possible for it to come out. That can obviously be corrected by either closing the groove slightly, or replacing the safety itself with a better one.
The Witness 2311 CMXX with the Nightstick weapon light fits perfectly in my Safariland holster.
Other than those two slight issues, I’ve had nothing but a great time with the Girsan Witness2311. I wasn’t already a fan of the 2011 design, but I think this pistol has made me even more so. I have it on good authority that EAA will be releasing a 10mm model to accompany the 9mm and .45ACP models currently available. I may have to get that one too because there’s apparently no cure to this illness.
If you too find yourself looking for an affordable double-stack 1911 pistol that looks great and shoots the same way, give this Witness 2311 a good look. As with any firearm I’d recommend you trying before buying, but I expect you’ll like it much like I have.
This isn’t my first 2011. I have others that are significantly pricier. While none of my 2011’s are going anywhere, I wonder, had I have gotten one of these first, if I would have even bought the more expensive models.
Who am I kidding? I have zero regrets.
Specifications: EAA Girsan Witness2311 CMXX
Caliber 9mm, .45ACP or (soon) 10mm Capacity. 17+1 Barrel Length. 4.5 inches Overall Length. 8 inches Weight 1.6 pounds Magazine Standard double stack 1911 Action Single Optic Mount RMSc Sights Removable 3-Dot Sights, Fiber Optic Front Sight Safety Auto Firing Pin-Block (no grip safety) Thumb Safety Ambidextrous Accessory Rail Picatinny MSRP $1,149
