In observance of the Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day holiday weekend there will be no Weekend Edition on Saturday, October 10, and we will not be distributing any of our services on Monday, October 12. The Outdoor Wire Digital Network will resume our normal distribution schedule on Tuesday, October 13. Due to the holiday weekend, we request you submit news for Tuesday's editions no later than 2:00pm ET Saturday.
Shane Mahoney, president and CEO of Conservation Visions Inc., received the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies' 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award for over four decades of wildlife conservation leadership. AFWA recognized his work shaping conservation policy across North America and advancing One Health approaches that connect human, animal, and environmental health.
Team Beretta athletes Sal Luna and Ben Hardt secured third place finishes at the 2026 US IPSC Nationals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Both competitors used Beretta's new 94X Performance pistol, which was showcased at the event ahead of its U.S. launch.
Team Ruger's Lauryl Akenhead earned third place in the Individual Lady category at the 2026 IPRF Centerfire World Championship in Lipan, Texas, while competing with her Ruger American Rifle Generation II. Her performance helped Team USA secure first place in the Ladies Team division at the international precision rifle competition.
Federal Ammunition congratulates two-time Olympian Derrick Mein on winning High Over All honors in both the FITASC and 5-Stand events at the 2026 NSCA South Central Regional Championship held at Providence Hill Farm in Mississippi. Mein credits Federal's Gold Medal Paper shotshells for his success, with fellow Federal shooter Thomas Jacobs earning Runner-Up in FITASC.
Fiocchi Pro Staff members Lanny Barnes and Dianna Muller delivered exceptional performances at the 2026 IPSC Shotgun World Shoot in Greece, with Barnes capturing three gold medals including a successfully defended Ladies Open World Championship, and Muller earning silver in the Open Lady Senior category.
Firearms Policy Coalition filed a motion for preliminary injunction in Hoffman v. City and County of Denver, seeking to block Colorado and Denver's nonresident carry permit bans. FPC argues the restrictions violate the Second Amendment and Privileges and Immunities Clause, continuing its nationwide campaign to eliminate residency-based gun carry restrictions.
The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) reached a settlement with Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office to withdraw prohibitions on red-dot sights, weapon-mounted lights, and semiautomatic 1911/2011 pistols for CCW license holders. SAF was joined by private citizens Andrew Moore and James Treuel, represented by attorney John W. Dillon.
Sonicore Suppressors by Lyman will showcase its latest suppressor technology at Shark Coast Tactical's Sharkapalooza 2nd Amendment Festival & Range Day on Sunday, October 11, in Ruskin, FL. Kyle Potenziani, Product Manager from Lyman Products, will discuss Sonicore's performance and innovation, with attendees eligible to win a Sonicore suppressor in the event raffle.
Heckler & Koch USA announced Katherine Karaki's appointment as National Sales Manager. Karaki brings extensive sales leadership and manufacturing experience from a custom firearms manufacturer, holding a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas at Tyler. She will begin her role at the NASGW Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, October 13-15.
We Buy Guns released its September 2026 Secondary Firearms Market Report showing 758 completed purchases, the highest monthly total of 2026, with total offer value reaching $1,149,663. Smith & Wesson led manufacturer activity, while the SIG Sauer P320 was the most frequently submitted and purchased model, with Florida leading in submissions and completed purchases.
Christensen Arms appointed Kalvyn Ferronato as Senior Marketing Manager. Ferronato brings nearly a decade of marketing and communications experience across government, conservation, and firearms industries, with prior familiarity with Christensen Arms from her work at Gunpowder Inc.
CZ announced the appointment of Jon Shaffer as Vice President of Commercial Sales, reporting to President and Chief Commercial Officer John Dain. Shaffer brings two decades of sales experience, including over 10 years at SIG SAUER, and will lead commercial sales execution and channel development for CZ-USA and Dan Wesson.
Primary Arms Optics announced Stephen Morgan's promotion to Vice President of Product Development and Marketing, effective immediately. Morgan, who joined the company in 2021, previously served as Senior Director of Sales and Marketing and will now lead product positioning and strategy for the optics division.
Primary Weapons Systems (PWS) has joined the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) as a Silver-level corporate partner. PWS also donated a MK114 Mod 2 rifle and BDE 556k suppressor for SAF's October sweeps program, supporting SAF's legal efforts including two upcoming Supreme Court cases on assault weapon bans.
Silencer Central and U.S. LawShield launched a new NFA trust offering clearer documents, streamlined ATF submissions, and self-service tools through the Silencer Central customer portal. The revocable trust includes online education on NFA firearms, firearm trusts, and co-trustee management, available free to suppressor customers.
Bear Edge Knives introduces the new 4" Light Gray Aluminum Folder with Flipper, a lightweight everyday carry knife featuring a 440 stainless steel blade, aluminum handle, and flipper deployment. Weighing 3.2 ounces with a $42.99 MSRP, the knife offers practical functionality and reliable performance for cutting tasks.
Bear & Son Cutlery, based in Jacksonville, Alabama, has released the White Smooth Bone Block Set featuring nine specialty knives with Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel blades and white smooth bone handles. The 10-piece set includes a chef knife, fillet knife, cleaver, boning knife, santoku knife, four steak knives, and a walnut wood block, priced at $999.99.
Wall Blush and Realtree have partnered to offer six iconic camouflage patterns as made-to-order premium wallpaper, printed in the USA. The collection features Original, Advantage, APX, EDGE, EDGE (Pink), and MAX-7 patterns reimagined at architectural scale for residential spaces, available in three material options through Wall Blush's Mesa, Arizona facility.
Derya Arms expanded its EX imported shotgun line with the EX1400 Coach, an 18-inch 12-gauge side-by-side designed for Cowboy Action, vehicle carry, and home defense. The coach gun ships with an extra grip and three-choke set at $699 MSRP through authorized dealers nationwide.
Remington Gun Care has launched a new suppressor cleaning product lineup featuring three items: a complete cleaning kit, reusable cleaning tubes, and specialized cleaning fluid. These products help shooters maintain suppressors effectively and extend their service life.
Millennium Treestands introduces the L118 Bowlite Single Ladder Stand, a 53-pound lightweight stand designed for bowhunters. Featuring an 18-foot height, ComfortMAX seat with armrests, and silent operation, the stand enables smooth rotation for close-range shots during archery season.
Warne launches a new +5 Magazine Extension for Glock 43X/48 15-round steel magazines, increasing capacity to 20 rounds. The precision-machined aluminum extension features a secure locking mechanism, black anodized finish, and includes a new magazine spring, backed by Warne's lifetime warranty.
Ballistic's Best Hunting Edition 2026 evaluated five advanced laser rangefinding binoculars including the Vortex Talon HD 10K, Tract Toric 10x42 Eagle LRF, Leupold BX-6 Range HD LRF, Apex Synergy LRF, and Leica Geovid Max. The comprehensive testing assessed build quality, ranging performance, glass clarity, ballistic capability, and real-world field performance to determine which rangefinder best serves hunters' needs.
Ballistic's Best 2026: Hunting Edition tested seven 20-gauge turkey shotguns from Weatherby, Benelli, TriStar, Retay, Spandau, Mossberg, and Thompson/Center across nine categories including accuracy, reliability, and value to determine which guns perform best in the spring woods.
Steiner Optics announced that Strohman Enterprise in Mechanicsville, Virginia, is now an authorized dealer for the Steiner Overwatch Program. Founded by Joe Strohman, the veteran-owned company serves federal agencies, Department of Defense, and law enforcement. Qualified first responders and military personnel can purchase precision optics including binoculars, riflescopes, and red dots through the program.
VKTR Industries and White Label Armory will exhibit at the 2026 NASGW Expo in Phoenix, Arizona from October 13-15. VKTR will showcase piston-driven AR-15 rifles and accessories, while White Label Armory will display AR-15 accessories, lower receivers, and suppressors at booth #1311.
Taurus USA will exhibit at the sold-out Revolver Fest 2026, October 10–12 at Clinton House Plantation, hosted by American Fighting Revolver. Taurus General Manager of Marketing Caleb Giddings will serve as a featured instructor, bringing over 20 years of industry and competition experience to the premier revolver training event.
Leapers, Inc. will exhibit its UTG, UTG Pro, and Integrix brands at the 2026 NASGW Expo in Phoenix, Arizona from October 13-15, featuring a presale of the new SD version of UTG Pro Monolithic M-LOK MP5 handguards and AR15 receiver sets. The Livonia, Michigan-based firearm parts manufacturer will showcase optics, mounts, and accessories at Booth #823.
BERSA USA will exhibit at the 2026 National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, October 13-15 at Booth 1023. The company will showcase its firearms lineup and newly launched B-Series suppressor line to wholesale distributors and industry partners.
Colt announced its participation in the 2026 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition, taking place October 12–14, 2026, in Washington, D.C. Colt President and CEO Jillair Kubish and Vice President of Government Sales & Programs Thomas Sullivan will connect with military leaders and industry partners at Booth #7547.
European American Armory Corp. will exhibit at the 2026 NASGW Expo in Phoenix, October 13-15, showcasing new firearms including the Witness2311 XXX 1911 series starting at $599, the BLK .308 Bolt-Action Rifle from Balikli, and expanded Blue Label O/U Shotgun configurations.
Meprolight will exhibit at the 2026 NASGW Annual Meeting & Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, October 13–15 at Booth 601. The company will showcase its MVO magnified optics, MPO pistol optics, M22 PRO, MCO PRO, Tru-Vision® SR, and other sighting solutions to distributors and industry partners.
Kinetic Development Group (KDG) will exhibit at the 2026 NASGW Annual Meeting & Expo in Phoenix, October 13–15, at Booth #1240. The firearm accessories manufacturer will showcase new products including the BOM Series Optic Mount ecosystem, Kinect™, and SideLok™ mounts while connecting with wholesale partners.
Steiner eOptics will showcase optical and targeting technologies at the Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting & Exposition October 12-14, 2026, in Washington, D.C. The company will display binoculars, rifle scopes, laser systems, and imaging technologies at the Beretta Defense Technologies booth.
Dead Air Silencers will exhibit at the 2026 NASGW Expo and National Meeting, October 13-15, in Phoenix, Arizona. CEO Ernie Beckwith emphasized the event's importance for strengthening distributor partnerships and showcasing the company's suppressor lineup, including previews of 2027 products.
Walther Arms, Inc. will exhibit at the 2026 NASGW Annual Meeting & Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, October 13-15. The event connects manufacturers, wholesalers, and industry partners in shooting sports, featuring product showcases and networking opportunities.
Orchid and Business Solution Partners will exhibit at NASGW 2026 in Phoenix, showcasing Orchid eBound™ for Bound Book-to-ERP integration, Orchid eState™ for firearm restrictions, and attorney-backed ATF compliance services. The companies will host a cocktail reception and sponsor the Annual SCOPE Update Lunch.
Armscor and Rock Island Armory will showcase their ammunition and firearms at the 2026 NASGW Annual Conference and Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, October 13-15. The company will feature the STK Series, TCM Series, and RIA-USA models including the Pak-Out and TAC Ultra.
Liberty Ammunition will participate in the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association (TTPOA) SWAT Competition in Pasadena, TX. CEO Gary Ramey noted that several Texas law enforcement departments carry Liberty Ammunition and have requested rifle round development alongside their existing pistol ammunition.
Traditions Performance Firearms will exhibit at the 2026 NASGW Annual Meeting & Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, October 13-15, showcasing innovative products including the NitroBolt bolt-action muzzleloader, NitroFire, and Outfitter G3 centerfire family at Booth #517.
Beretta USA will display Manurhin MR73 revolvers at Revolver Fest 2026 in Clinton, South Carolina, October 10-12. The showcase will feature three MR73 models and new American-made leather holsters, with demonstrations using Norma Range & Training ammunition alongside Uberti USA revolvers.
Colt's Manufacturing Company will exhibit at Revolver Fest 2026, October 10–12 at Clinton House Plantation in Clinton, South Carolina. The event features hands-on demonstrations, instructor-led training with notable instructors including Wayne Dobbs, Bryan Eastridge, and Lew Gosnell, and opportunities to connect with the Colt team.
Pursuit Channel highlights the popular series North American Trapper hosted by Alan Probst, featuring authentic trapping content and field techniques. The show airs on Pursuit Channel via DIRECTV, Comcast Xfinity, Verizon Fios, and regional cable systems, plus Pursuit UP streaming platforms.
Winchester Deadly Passion Season 15 continues on Sportsman Channel with host Melissa Bachman, co-host Ben Bearshield, and family hunting across diverse locations. New episodes air Sundays at 11:30 a.m. ET, featuring moose hunts in Yukon, pheasant hunting at NILO Farms, whitetail and mule deer pursuits, and sturgeon fishing with SCI auction winners.
Pistol braces have been through a lot over the past few years. The Biden ATF’s 2023 stabilizing brace rule has since been vacated or enjoined by federal courts, and the agency is now moving to formally remove the regulatory language added by that rule. That doesn’t mean every legal question surrounding every possible brace and firearm combination has disappeared, and state laws remain another consideration depending on where you live.
All of which means there’s still a place for the pistol brace.
SB Tactical has been at the center of the brace market from the beginning, and its SBA3 has become one of the go-to designs in the industry. You’ll find it sold as an aftermarket accessory and installed on plenty of factory-built large-format pistols. There’s good reason for that. The SBA3 has clean lines, works well, and isn’t particularly bulky.
It’s a solid design, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t room for improvement. SB Tactical took feedback from the SBA3 and its other braces and incorporated it into the SBA6. While the new brace retains some of the familiar lines and basic format of the SBA3, it brings a number of updates and refinements to the design.
A New Brace for an Old 10mm
I recently installed an SBA6 on the Faxon/Foxtrot Mike 10mm build I covered previously here at Shooting News Weekly. I’d considered SBR’ing the 10mm at various points but never got around to it.
Filing a Form 1 isn’t particularly difficult with eForms, but there’s still paperwork involved. You also need to have the required NFA markings added, and interstate travel with an SBR brings additional considerations. I’d never felt enough urgency with this particular gun to bother with all of that.
The SBA6 gave me another option.
I’d been using a thin blade-style brace on the 10mm. It worked, but the SBA6 offered considerably more surface area and looked like it would be a much better match for a fairly substantial 10mm AR pistol. Swapping braces let me improve the gun without turning it into another NFA firearm.
From the SBA3 to the SBA6
If you’re familiar with the SBA3, there’s a lot about the SBA6 that will look familiar. That’s a good thing. Rather than completely reinventing the design, SB Tactical refined a format that was already proven.
The SBA6 fits a standard mil-spec carbine receiver extension and provides five-position adjustment. An ambidextrous QD sling socket is incorporated into the brace as well. I didn’t use the QD socket during my testing, but it’s a nice option to have and one I expect I’ll take advantage of in the future.
The SBA6 weighs about 8.5 ounces compared to roughly 6.75 ounces for the SBA3. That isn’t much of a penalty, especially on something like my 10mm build. In return, the SBA6 has a more substantial, rigid feel while retaining a relatively streamlined profile.
I’ve also used SB Tactical’s SBA5. It’s a good brace and provides more surface area than a thin blade-style design, but I find it a little chunky and don’t care for its aesthetics quite as much. The SBA6 strikes a better balance for my tastes. It has the additional substance I was looking for while retaining more of the streamlined appearance I like about the SBA3.
The SBA6 has an MSRP of $124.99.
Simple Installation
Installing the SBA6 couldn’t be much easier. Pull the adjustment lever all the way down so the detent pin clears the adjustment holes in the receiver extension, slide the brace onto the tube, and release the lever so the pin drops into one of the positions.
Once installed, adjustment is equally straightforward. The lever is easy to operate, and the SBA6 locks firmly into each position.
There is a little side-to-side movement in mine, but it’s about what I’m accustomed to seeing with a typical CAR-style collapsible stock. It wasn’t excessive and wasn’t something I noticed while actually shooting.
The SBA6 is also a good visual match for the 10mm. It’s more substantial than the blade brace it replaced, but it doesn’t look oversized on the gun. The lines work well with an AR-pattern build, and the relatively compact profile keeps it from looking or feeling unnecessarily bulky.
On the Range With the SBA6
I put roughly 100 rounds of 10mm through my Faxon/Foxtrot Mike build with the SBA6 installed. That’s where the difference between it and the old blade brace became readily apparent.
A blowback-operated 10mm isn’t exactly a rimfire. The greater surface area of the SBA6 made the gun considerably more comfortable to shoot than it had been with the thin blade-style brace.
The extra couple of ounces weren’t something I noticed on an AR pistol that was already fairly substantial. The increased comfort, on the other hand, was obvious. For this particular build, I’ll happily make that trade.
I also spent some time using the SBA6 as an actual stabilizing brace. I wrapped it around my forearm, secured it with the Velcro strap, and fired the 10mm one-handed.
My 10mm is a big, heavy pistol, so attaching a brace doesn’t suddenly make one-handed shooting effortless. It does, however, provide useful support. I was able to fire the gun one-handed with the brace secured around my forearm, and the SBA6 worked as intended in that role.
Refining a Proven Design
Having used the SBA3, SBA5, and now the SBA6, I think the SBA6 takes the things I already liked about the SBA3, the styling, function, and basic format, and refines them into an even more functional design.
The SBA5 offers some of the same advantages in terms of additional surface area, but I prefer the more streamlined look and compact feel of the SBA6. For me, it hits a nice middle ground. It provides the additional substance and comfort I wanted without feeling unnecessarily chunky.
More importantly, it proved to be a particularly good match for my 10mm build.
I’d considered filing a Form 1 and turning the gun into an SBR, but never felt compelled enough to actually do it. Dropping the SBA6 onto the existing receiver extension took a matter of seconds and substantially improved the comfort and handling of the gun without going through the Form 1 process.
After roughly 100 rounds with the SBA6 installed, I don’t feel much urgency to change the setup.
