Vortex Optics released a limited-run Poppy Remember Short Sleeve T-Shirt with only 600 available, with proceeds benefiting the Wisconsin VFW. VFW State Commander Ty Letto praised the partnership, noting it strengthens their ability to serve veterans across Wisconsin and support programs for veterans and their families.
SHIELD Sights highlights competition results from the EHC Warm Up Cup 2026 in Hungary, with SHIELD-equipped shooters securing multiple podium finishes including 1st place finishes by Bartosz Szczesny in Optics Division and Miroslav Zapletal in Production Optics Division, ahead of the European Handgun Championships in June.
Derya, a Jacksonville-based precision firearms manufacturer, launched an advanced AI customer service agent available during business hours, supporting over 30 languages. Vice President Dustin Jones emphasized the company remains committed to hiring and live agent support for complex inquiries.
The Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports and the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA-USA) released PUP AI, an interactive chat tool designed to help users access information from the National R3 Clearinghouse. The tool makes recruitment, retention, and reactivation research more accessible to agencies, organizations, and professionals working to strengthen hunting and shooting sports participation.
SLG2, Inc. released its Q1 2026 Report highlighting the Grand Safety Tour's impact across four states with 1,155 participants. The tour visited five premier destinations and reported that 39% of guests improved their attitude toward firearms, while 72% indicated plans to purchase a firearm following their experience.
Liberty Safe, America's #1 safe manufacturer, introduces the Presidential Signature, an ultra-premium safe featuring Pro-Flex™ modular shelving for customizable organization. The safe combines robust protection with refined interior finishes, premium fabrics, and contemporary design, available in high-gloss colors and proudly made in the USA.
Walker's has introduced the Razor Junior Muffs, youth-sized hearing protection designed for younger shooters. The muffs feature dual Hi-Gain microphones, HD speakers, sound-activated compression, and a 23dB Noise Reduction Rating, now available online and through select retailers nationwide.
Hook & Barrel Magazine, the lifestyle magazine for modern outdoorsmen, has tripled its in-store presence with Range USA, expanding from 5 to 15 locations across the Midwest and South. The partnership reflects shared values in shooting sports and responsible firearm ownership.
Lapua has renewed its partnership with U.S. Biathlon as the official ammunition supplier for the upcoming Olympic quadrennial. The partnership supports U.S. Biathlon athletes competing in the winter sport that combines cross-country skiing with rifle marksmanship using .22 LR ammunition.
The Montana State Shooting Facilities and Improvements Development and Oversight Task Force will meet May 15 in Great Falls to discuss preliminary survey information. The public is invited to attend and participate in the feedback session.
Outdoor Channel presents "Taste Of The Wild" programming block every Monday in May featuring Chef Mike Robinson, Daniel Vitalis, Steven Rinella, Scott Leysath, Pat Martin, and Chef Jean-Paul Bourgeois showcasing wild game cookery and outdoor culinary adventures from field to table.
Ralph, Vicki, RJ, and Aubrey Cianciarulo invite viewers to their 26th season of The Choice on Pursuit Channel, airing Monday May 11th at 6:00AM EST. The family continues chasing turkeys with multiple family members on the board, competing for a slam.
In 2012, Smith & Wesson came out with the micro-9mm pistol they called the Shield. Later, they ensured everyone knew it was the “M&P Shield,” but it was already a runaway best seller. An ergonomically correct, reliable little 7-shot 9mm striker pistol, the sights were good, the trigger wasn’t bad and the gun could be had with 8-shot magazines that gave the small finger someplace to grip.
The gun shot better than it had a right to. It wasn’t terribly snappy, at 19 ounces (unloaded), less than an inch wide with a slightly-over-3” barrel. And how did that short barrel use ballistics?
The 9mm, as commonly loaded, loses little in short barrels. It’s an efficient cartridge.
Well, that short sight radius has to compromise accuracy, right?
Not appreciably; you have less room for sighting errors. As Mas Ayoob noted, in a discussion on micro-9mm pistols, that short sight radius makes transitions – target to target or different aiming points on the same target – faster. This gives you more time to shoot better.
And better it shoots.
When the Shield arrived in 2012, the holster-makers stepped up. It was one of the best coordinated introductions in the industry up to that time. From mass-produced, to boutique makers, like Skip Ritchie (the Nighthawk holster, an Alessi-design below), there were many rigs for discreet carry of the little blaster.
This line came at an era in my life when I was getting lots of windshield time. I was making a lot of drives to and from the area of our youth on family business. I was happy to get to do it, but discretion was called for. I’d been a cop forever, now retired, and some people just can’t understand.
Clumsily revealing that I was heeled wouldn’t serve the purposes of the trips and they were expensive.
Enter the Shield. Remarkably, the industry responded quickly with holsters and there was such a variety. The gun was so small – yet big enough to shoot well – that it was easily hidden while being ready for quick access if needed.
I exclusively used the 8-shot magazines. They helped my grip, assisting my ability to shoot the gun well and 9 rounds of 9mm (backed by another 8-rounds in a spare magazine) gave me all I needed.
An Apex Tactical trigger went into the original Shield, as well as Ameriglo Sights. In the run-up to the Shield M2.0, M&P Shields were going for a song. I grabbed one through retail channels, called it the “Retail Shield” and did a long-term examination of the factory stock gun.
It’s a favorite.
I’d had various Shields come through. The wonderfully accurate M&P45 Shield and the M2.0 9mm Shield. Finally, the Shield Plus arrived. It wasn’t perceptibly bigger than the original but held more ammo.
Now the concept is adding “optics ready” to the Shield Plus; we have various and sundry Shields – various “E-Z” offerings and the Shield-X that I don’t understand.
Smith & Wesson made a lot of the pre-M2.0 Shields. They’re still out there. The M2.0 is still available (on the S&W website) in 45 ACP and in 40 S&W. I liked the 45, but never shot the Shield in 40.
The Shield Plus – the heir to the throne – is available in a bewildering number of SKUs.
Above, the results of an effort at fifty-yards, shot cold, this time with BLACK HILLS 115gr. EXP ammo. Below, the FBI Bullseye course fired with the "Retail Shield."
As far as shooting, I used the Shield when I took up the “ASYM” drill; on arriving to the range, my first shots were out of the Shield in my holster on a “C-Zone” steel target at fifty yards. The performance would inspire my range work on that trip.
I checked zero with my most common carry load for that gun, Hornady Critical Defense, at ten yards in those days. Now it’d be fifteen yards, all on a B-8 bull.
I shot several LEOSA qualification years with Shield pistols.
It was a great effort by Smith & Wesson and a great gun. It was the first really small 9mm pistol I liked.
