In observance of the Memorial Day weekend we will not be distributing any of our services on Monday, May 25. The Outdoor Wire Digital Network will resume our normal distribution schedule on Tuesday, May 26. If you have important news to distribute prior to the holiday weekend, please submit it by 4:00pm Eastern on Thursday, May 21. News arriving later will not make Friday's final editions for the week.
Team Remington's Brandon Powell won his third consecutive NSCA Northeast Regional Main Event Championship at M&M Hunting Preserve in Pennsville, New Jersey, defeating 828 competitors. Teammate Braxton Oliver also claimed top prize in the B&P Preliminary, while Turner Parcell won the 20-gauge event and Michael Luongo finished runner-up in the 28-gauge competition.
Kent Cartridge has begun development of a two-acre wetland impoundment on its West Virginia property to advance waterfowl conservation and habitat management. The project will provide employee hunting opportunities, support product testing, and serve as a storytelling platform for the company's conservation commitment.
The Second Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Firearms Policy Coalition's Christian v. James lawsuit that New York's ban on firearms at publicly accessible private property without owner consent violates the Second Amendment. FPC, joined by member Brett Christian and the Second Amendment Foundation, challenged the state's carry restrictions.
The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), Firearms Policy Coalition, and Brett Christian secured a court victory in Christian v. James, striking down New York's ban on concealed carry on private property open to the public. The Second Circuit affirmed the permanent injunction while upholding the state's park carry ban.
Meprolight will showcase its battle-proven optics at The Tactical Games at The Sawmill Training Complex this Memorial Day Weekend, offering hands-on demonstrations and exclusive event pricing on products including the MVO riflescope series, Tru-Vision SR, M22 PRO, MCO PRO, and MMX4 magnifiers.
Walther Arms is hosting the Walther Shop Stop on May 22, 2026, at FrogBones Family Shooting Center in Melbourne, Florida. The event features live product demonstrations, private instruction from professional shooters Santiago Lopez, Parker Patrick, and Jay Beal, a Walther drift car driven by Caleb Quanbeck, and exclusive deals and giveaways.
NSSF wrapped its 2026 Marketing & Leadership Summit in Hilton Head, South Carolina, bringing together firearm industry executives and business leaders to discuss AI, workplace culture, consumer trends, and e-commerce. Platinum sponsor 20North Marketing, silver sponsor Shopware, and bronze sponsors including BigCommerce, Listrak, and Payroc supported the event. The 2027 Summit is scheduled for May 11-13, 2027, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Celerant Technology hosted its 2026 Client Conference in Dallas, introducing major product updates including Skylar IQ AI retail agent, Customer Engagement Suite, and redesigned POS interface. The event brought together firearms retailers, distributors, manufacturers, and industry partners including SIG SAUER, RSR Group, NASGW, Silencer Shop, and Project ChildSafe to discuss regulatory changes and retail technology solutions.
Nocpix unveiled the MATE ULTRA, a next-generation thermal clip-on featuring a 1280×1024 thermal sensor, 60mm objective lens, and integrated 1,300 yard laser rangefinder. The system seamlessly integrates with traditional daytime optics and is distributed in the United States by iRayUSA in Lewisville, Texas.
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation announced KUIU as its Official Hunting Apparel Partner. KUIU, a Dixon, California-based ultralight hunting gear company founded in 2011, will support RMEF's habitat stewardship, conservation, and hunting education programs while offering products at the RMEF Visitor Center in Missoula, Montana.
Michael Waddell hosts his father James Edwin "Paw Paw" Waddell and longtime mentor Bill Joe "Sammy" Ellison on The Michael Waddell Podcast, presented by Spandau Arms in partnership with Folds of Honor, Cigars International, and Poncho Outdoors. The episode explores their journey from hardscrabble childhoods in the rural South to successful careers in construction, emphasizing work ethic, skilled trades, and enduring friendship.
Nosler, Inc. announced the expansion of its Whitetail Country ammunition line with two new 30 caliber offerings: 30-06 Springfield 180gr Solid Base and 300 Winchester Magnum 180gr Solid Base. Designed for deer hunters, these offerings deliver premium terminal performance at accessible price points starting at $40.95 per box.
XS Sights launched pre-drilled Tritium Standard Dot front sights for Ruger SP101 revolvers, featuring dual-illuminated tritium lamps with green or orange photoluminescent Glow Dots for improved target acquisition in various lighting conditions. The sights are priced at $75.99 and backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty plus 12-year illumination warranty.
Springfield Armory launched the Echelon Alpha 4.0C 9mm pistol with an MSRP of $599, featuring a modular design with a serialized Central Operating Group chassis and Variable Interface System for direct-mount optics compatibility. The compact 15+1 capacity pistol expands accessibility to the Echelon ecosystem with interchangeable backstraps and Melonite-finished slide.
Blue Force Gear unveiled the patented BFG Integrated Stealth Harness (ISH), a certified system combining a combat gun belt and climbing harness into one lightweight platform. Weighing just 1 pound 9 ounces total, the ISH serves as a combat gun belt, helicopter restraint system, and certified rappel harness rated to hold over 3,000 pounds.
VKTR Industries announced a collaboration with Shark Coast Tactical and Exigent Defense Suppressors to release the "Kentucky Truck Gun," featuring a 10.5 inch piston VK-1 rifle with Exigent LE556 Suppressor, Holosun sight, and additional tactical components available exclusively through Shark Coast Tactical.
Blue Force Gear announced the MARCO HR, a patent-pending chemlight deployment system for military and law enforcement. The injection-molded nylon device carries thirty 2-inch chemlights weighing only 9.6 ounces and uses palm-actuated deployment, reducing bulk and weight compared to traditional taped bundles.
SoundGear and Realtree have partnered to introduce the SoundGear Shield x Realtree Special Edition, a 93 dB electronic hearing protection device designed for hunters and shooters. The collaboration combines SoundGear's advanced sound management technology with Realtree's exclusive accessories to promote hearing conservation and outdoor safety.
Magpul released three new M-LOK products: an Index Stop, Thumb Shelf, and SVG Grip designed to improve firearm control and mitigate recoil. All accessories are ambidextrous, available in multiple colors, and constructed from durable polymer with mil-spec hardware included.
Beretta USA and Langdon Tactical Technology unveiled the 92G Elite Combat LTT, a competition-grade pistol featuring enhanced ergonomics, a Toni System compensator, fiber-optic sights, and three 22-round magazines. The pistol is available through authorized dealers at $1,299 MSRP.
Kinetic Development Group announced new rail systems for Grand Power Stribog 10mm and .45 ACP platforms, available in 3.25" and 6" lengths in Black and Flat Dark Earth. Pre-orders begin June 30th with shipments starting by end of July.
Galco has launched the SB40 HD Range Master Holster Belt, a heavy-duty 1 3/4" wide double-thickness leather belt made from premium steerhide. Designed for all-day carry with steel-framed firearms, it features seven adjustment holes and solid brass buckles in tan or black options.
Kinsey's, a leading outdoor and shooting sports distributor, is now distributing smokeless powder from Hodgdon Powder Company. The partnership expands Kinsey's reloading category and strengthens support for independent retailers with this trusted, industry-leading brand.
Blue Force Gear returns to SOF Week 2026 to showcase innovative tactical equipment including the MARCO HR marking light dispenser, DRYOUT moisture-remediation dry bags, and the BFG Integrated Stealth Harness. CEO Ashley Burnsed emphasizes the company's mission to engineer lighter, smarter equipment that enhances operational capability for modern warfighters.
Sarsilmaz and SDS Arms announce co-sponsorship of the 2026 CMP Bianchi Cup, taking place May 21–24 at Green Valley Rifle & Pistol Club in Hallsville, Missouri. Sarsilmaz will showcase firearms including the SAR9 series, SAR9 SOCOM models, 7/24 series, and K12 hammer-fired steel pistol.
Shooting USA features the Hornady Zombie 3Gun match at Heartland Public Shooting Center in Grand Island, Nebraska, and profiles a D1 College shotgun team without university support that achieved a national championship.
Pursuit Channel spotlights Florida Insider Fishing Report and Texas Insider Fishing Report, two popular weekly fishing programs delivering regional intelligence to anglers. Both series air on Pursuit Channel reaching over 22 million homes via DIRECTV, Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, and regional cable systems, with streaming available on Pursuit UP and multiple free platforms.
Just three short years ago Springfield Armory released the Echelon, their then-new modular striker-fired 9mm service pistol. I was lukewarm at first—until I took it to the range. After that first session, I couldn’t put it down. Over the past three years Springfield has expanded the Echelon line into several sizes and configurations. What’s the next logical extension? Lower cost, of course. But can they cut price without cutting corners?
Enter the Springfield Armory Echelon Alpha: the same core Echelon design, but at a lower price. How did Springfield manage this? Let’s take a close look at the differences and what you gain—and what you don’t—with the new Alpha.
At first glance the Echelon Alpha resembles the Echelon 4.0C. But take a closer look and the differences are clear. The front sight is a plain white dot rather than tritium.
The forward trench on the front cocking serrations is gone. The optics cover plate is polymer instead of steel. The slide’s rear is plain—no flared slide. The rear sight matches the Echelon 4.0C.
Now, what’s omitted. The Echelon Alpha ships with one stainless-steel 15-round magazine, not two coated mags. It includes only one set of VIS (Variable Interface System) self-locking pins for the RMR footprint. Only a medium backstrap is included. There’s no zipper-padded pistol case or magazine loader.
In short, the Alpha is a low-cost entry into the Echelon ecosystem. If you or need some of those features and extras, Springfield Armory’s online store sells them separately. I ordered the pistol case and the backstrap kit because I prefer the small backstrap. Those were the only items I missed.
The polymer optics plate? Like a lot of shooters, I mounted an optic, so I remove it and put it away. No loss there.
The front sight? Since I’m using an optic a tritium backup sights may or may not be necessary. I’ll decide after I finish the setup and run the pistol for a while. The lack of a mag loader is insignificant. My fingers work fine and I have other mag loaders The stainless-steel magazine (rather than the powder-coated mags) is a nice touch. I actually like it and will likely buy more if Springfield lists them separately.
I also ordered the zipper pistol pouch. Call me crazy, but I like it. It’s not essential, but I wanted one.
First Range Trip
For my first range trip I ran the Echelon Alpha straight out of the bos. No optics, just old-school iron sights. I loaded the stainless mag with Federal American Eagle 115gr FMJ and fired. I wanted to see if the lower price point and fewer features sacrificed reliability. The answer: no. Right out of the box, I could tell this budget model was ready for prime time.
The Alpha is built around the same Echelon central operating group — the internal modular unit that is the legal firearm. And the Alpha uses a standard Echelon grip module and barrel, it performs like…an Echelon. The Alpha’s accuracy was very good.
Holsters
Does the Echelon Alpha fit existing Echelon 4.0C holsters? I carry an Echelon 4.0C Comp in a Safariland Incog-X, so I tested it—and yes, the Alpha fit without a problem.
Optics
Because the Alpha uses the Springfield VIS system, you can mount nearly any optic that’s available. I’ll fit mine with the Viridian RFX-11 Echelon model made to drop directly onto Echelon slides.
The neat part: you don’t need the slide’s locking pins. Remove the plate and pins, place the RFX-11, torque the supplied screws to 12 in-lbs, and you’re done.
Aftermarket Parts
Do current aftermarket parts fit the Echelon Alpha? Yes. I’ll try a few favorites. From APEX Tactical I’ll test their Extended Single-Sided Mag Release for Springfield Echelon and Echelon Compact. I like the ambidextrous mag release on the Echelon, but this single-sided option deserves a try—I think I’ll like it.
APEX also offers a stainless-steel guide rod and cap for the Echelon Compact. It adds weight, is easy to install, and uses the factory recoil spring—a win.
Springer Precision offers guide rods that let you tune spring weights to your loads. They also make magazine base pads in various colors and materials, available as extended-capacity or standard-capacity-with-extended-base-pad. Springer’s carry/duty mag well aids fast reloads and comes in multiple colors.
The Springfield Armory Shop carries a range of factory parts and compatible third-party items that will suit the Echelon Alpha.
Is the lower-cost Springfield Armory Echelon Alpha “carry worthy?” Absolutely. Once I finish final setup and zero it, this pistol will join my carry rotation. I wouldn’t be surprised if it replaces my Echelon 4.0C Comp—yes, it’s that good.
Springfield didn’t cut corners with the Alpha. They built a good, affordable carry pistol that gets you into the Echelon system at a more affordable price. The Alpha has an MSRP of $599 while the Echelon 4.0C is $710. You can then customize it if you want…or not. As you wish, which is the beauty of the modular design.
