Collector's Elite Auctions' March event closes Sunday, March 15, featuring over 100 rare firearms including a Ted Nugent PSA JAKL benefit package supporting Gun Owners of America, master-engraved Colt revolvers by Kelly Laster and Phil Quigley, and a rare Bynuna F-Class competition rifle.
Streamlight Inc. awarded 144th Marketing Group LLC the 2025 Sales Rep Agency of the Year Award for Law Enforcement at SHOT Show in Las Vegas. The Peachtree City, GA-based manufacturers' representative agency was recognized for outstanding sales achievement in Southeast territories.
Streamlight Inc. recognized Odle Sales as its 2025 Sales Rep Agency of the Year Award recipient for the Sporting Goods Market at SHOT Show in Las Vegas. The Columbia, Missouri-based manufacturers' representative agency was honored for exceptional sales achievement and advancing Streamlight's presence in the shooting, hunting, and outdoor industry.
Team Beretta pistol shooter Ben Hardt won the Limited Optics division at the North Texas Race Gun Sectional, a USPSA Tier II match and qualifier for the Race Gun Nationals. Competing against 121 shooters with the Beretta 92X Performance Carry Optic, Hardt secured his first major victory of the 2026 season.
Competitive shooter Corson Piper secured first place in two regional precision rifle matches using Sierra Bullets' new 6mm 116-grain Tipped MatchKing. Piper won at Farm Out Range Regional Match in Cheney, Washington on March 7 and Rock Lake Range the following day, demonstrating the bullet's exceptional performance in challenging wind conditions.
Gun Owners of America (GOA) announced special event add-ons for the 2026 Gun Owners Advocacy and Leadership Summit (GOALS), including the Activist Society Dinner, Women's Brunch, Hunters Brunch, Prayer Breakfast, Student Lunch, and Fueza Breakfast. Senior Vice President Erich Pratt stated the events strengthen relationships within the Second Amendment movement.
Dallas Safari Club announced the 2026 Summer Expo & Foundation Gala will expand to four days (July 23-26, 2026) at Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center. Following the inaugural event's success, the expanded format will feature hundreds of exhibitors, signature events including the Foundation Gala & Auction and Smoke & Spurs, with special pricing offering a free fourth day with three-day pass purchase.
Maxim Defense, a premier manufacturer of precision firearms and suppressors based in St. Cloud, Minnesota, will exhibit at the 2026 "The Gathering" Firearm Range Day and Expo presented by Palmetto State Armory on March 20-21 in Clinton, SC, showcasing their latest firearms, suppressors, and accessories including the SDX RFLX and PDX-SD integrated suppressor systems.
The Inter-American Court of Human Rights published an advisory opinion requested by Mexico's government, but it provides little support for Mexico's lawsuits against U.S. firearm manufacturers and retailers. The U.S. Supreme Court previously dismissed Mexico's claims in Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos, and Mexico's pending retailer lawsuit against Diamondback Shooting Sports, Inc. faces similar legal obstacles.
NSSF, The Firearm Industry Trade Association, announced the relaunch of its improved Where To Shoot mobile app, helping shooters find ranges across the United States. The redesigned app features location-based search, indoor and outdoor range filters, and training opportunities for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices.
Iron Valley Supply Co., a Birmingham-based wholesale distributor representing over 150 leading national brands in hunting and shooting sports, is expanding its sales team. The company seeks an Account Representative to manage existing accounts, develop new customer relationships, and drive revenue growth within the wholesale channel.
Outtech Sales Services, a division of Legacy1846 Outdoor Group, is hiring Regional Managers nationwide for the hunting, archery, shooting sports, and outdoor recreation industries. Candidates must have 4+ years of territory sales experience and willingness to travel weekly. Interested applicants should send resumes to HR@outtech-online.com.
The ZeroTech x Shoot2Hunt / Rokslide 3-18×44 FFP riflescope sold out in 90 minutes following its launch, with customers placing $100 deposits to secure units. Developed through a two-year collaboration between ZeroTech engineers, Shoot2Hunt, and the Rokslide community, the scope is engineered for backcountry hunting at a $999 retail price.
Vortex Optics unveiled the Strike Eagle 1-10x24 FFP riflescope, a compact tactical scope featuring 1-10x magnification, illuminated EBR-8 BDC reticle, and motion activation. Designed for AR platforms, it delivers versatility from close-quarters to 600+ yard distances at $699.99 MAP.
Kinetic Development Group reaffirms its disciplined engineering philosophy for optic mount development, emphasizing real-world feedback and long-term reliability. The company's SideLok series remains its flagship offering, with internal development efforts underway as part of its 2026 product roadmap.
Boyd D. Metz, Jr., a prominent shooting sports industry figure for nearly 50 years, passed away at 83. He represented major brands including Sig Sauer, Winchester Ammunition, and Hunting Shack Munitions, and was the 1989 national smallbore rifle champion who competed in Olympic trials.
Horus Vision launched the TREMOR7 reticle in the HoVR 1-8x24mm LPVO riflescope, designed for modern sporting rifles and dynamic shooting environments. The optic features daylight-visible illumination, a 34mm tube, and integrates with the free Horus Ballistics App for precise firing solutions, available at $1,199.99.
APEX Ammunition now offers a 28-gauge load in its SmallTown Hunting Blend turkey ammunition line, combining #7.5 Tungsten Super Shot with #9 TSS for maximum pattern density and extended range. The 2 ¾" 1 ½ oz. duplex load is priced at $64.99 per 5-round box.
Viridian Weapon Technologies has introduced E Series laser sights designed specifically for the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 2.0, available in green and red variants. The model-specific sights feature ambidextrous activation buttons, windage and elevation adjustments, and a compact design that maintains the pistol's concealability for concealed carry applications.
FK BRNO, a Czech Republic-based firearms manufacturer, offers purpose-built pistols around their proprietary 7.5 FK cartridge system. Italian Firearms Group, the exclusive U.S. importer, features the FK BRNO PSD and Field Pistol models designed for long-range performance with rifle-like ballistics and modular configurations.
Firearms News' March 2026 issue features a cover story by James Tarr on US Palm's CAT4 Storm Series AR-Style Rifle. The issue includes reviews of firearms from Mossberg, Smith & Wesson, and Steyr, plus articles on defensive training and ammunition reloading. The magazine celebrates its 80th anniversary and is available at major retailers.
Dead Air will exhibit at the Georgia Tactical Officer Association (GTOA) Annual Training Conference in Columbus, Georgia, March 15-20, 2026, showcasing its new CT5P AR-15 suppressor designed for patrol officers with compact performance, reduced muzzle flash, and compatibility with multiple mounting systems.
Dead Air Silencers will exhibit at the 2026 Mule Deer Days hosted by Muley Fanatic Foundation, March 13–15 in Rock Springs, Wyoming. The company will showcase its new Nomad Ti OTB Suppressor, a lightweight titanium silencer designed for western hunting applications.
Dead Air Silencers will showcase its newest suppressors including the Ruger RXD910Ti, CT5P, Nomad Ti OTB, Sandman X, and Mojave 45 at the 2026 Sharkapalooza 2nd Amendment Festival at Shark Coast Tactical in Ruskin, Florida. Attendees can try products firsthand and meet company representatives.
Liberty Ammunition will exhibit at the Georgia Tactical Officers and Alabama Tactical Officers Association event in March in Columbus, Georgia, featuring their new Law Enforcement and Military only "Pro Series" ammunition. CEO Gary Ramey noted the product has been well-received at range days and has replaced outdated ammunition at some departments. Free product samples and ballistic range days will be available.
TriStar Arms donated a KR22 rifle to Walk the Talk America's March 24 fundraiser auction, supporting mental health awareness and resources within the firearms community. The partnership with Pot of Gold Estate Auctions aims to generate critical funding for WTTA's programs promoting responsible firearm ownership and mental wellness advocacy.
I love tip-up (tilt) barrel guns. Beretta more or less owns the tip-up market with their .32 ACP and .22LR options. Girsan has a .380 pistol that’s surprisingly nice. Taurus had long produced quasi-clones of the Beretta guns with a few of their own small changes in the form of the PT22 and PT25. To build on the PT lineup, Taurus released the 22 TUC.
The 22 TUC: What’s New
The Taurus 22 TUC keeps some of the PT22 DNA, but wisely made a few changes to make the new design a bit more current. It’s easy to describe the 22 TUC as a Beretta 20X or 21A clone, but that’s not exactly accurate either. While they borrow the tip-up DNA, there are some notable changes.
The 22 TUC comes in stainless and black. It has a polymer frame rather than metal, with G10 grips. That lightens the gun and makes it notably cheaper. The 22 TUC also does away with a DA/SA design and instead uses a simpler double-action-only system. As much as the DA/SA guns of the Beretta series charm me, the DAO design makes more sense.
Tilt barrles have a certain charm that’s tough to beat. (Travis Pike for SNW)
The PT22 series technically had sights. I say technically because they were so small as to be virtually useless. The 22 TUC comes with a much larger set of sights that are built into the slide and barrel. They’re fixed sights, but larger, easy to see, and ultimately easier to use.
The 22 TUC weighs 10 ounces unloaded, measures 5 inches overall, and has a barrel length of 2.5 inches. The gun is 1 inch wide and 4.35 inches tall. Overall it’s small, pocketable, and simple.
Tip-Up Benefits and Follies
The gun relies on a straight blowback system, which is the norm with .22LR semi-auto pistols. On this gun, there’s no ejector or extractor. The blowback action takes care of that for you.
The benefit of the tip-up barrel is that you can load and clear the chamber without having to work the slide. That allows folks with reduced hand strength to load and ready the gun. Even for those with adequate hand strength, racking that small slide isn’t easy.
The 22 TUC Builds on the PT22 series. (Travis Pike for SNW)
The downside of tip-up barrels is that if the gun malfunctions, you’re up a creek without a paddle. Every malfunction can easily be a complicated malfunction. Double-feed? You have to drop the magazine, work the slide, and likely tilt the barrel.
It has a certain space gun look. (Travis Pike for SNW)
Failure to fire? Well, you can re-strike, but if that doesn’t work, you’ll have to tip up the barrel and free the dud cartridge, then reload. The lack of an extractor and ejector complicates things. Kind of funny how a simplified design can create other complications, but life is a series of trade-offs.
The 22 TUC In The Hand
The 22 TUC has a fairly standard layout. The magazine release is where you expect it to be. The magazine holds nine rounds of .22LR, and with one in the chamber, you’ve got 10 rounds total. The grip is aggressively textured and is long enough to fill my entire (large) hand, thanks to the pinky extension on the magazine.
A small gun that just so happens to work with big hands. (Travis Pike for SNW)
The mags are made of metal and drop free when you press the release, for the most part. Your pinky will pin it in if you don’t move it like you’re drinking tea. The magazine release is fairly large and easy to reach as it sticks out a reasonable distance from the frame. You don’t have to shift your hand to press it.
The gun comes with just a single magazine. Loading the magazine was easy, and below the follower sits a slot and hole. If a shooter chooses the .22 TUC due to lower hand strength, they can use a small rod or an Allen key to press the follower down to make loading mags easier.
Don’t hold it too high. (Travis Pike for SNW)
The tip-up lever is huge and easy to reach with the firing hand thumb. Press it forward and it springs upward fast and hard. It’s quite aggressive and I appreciate that. I’d hate to have to fish the barrel up when I need to clear a malfunction.
At the Range
As a man with big hands who chokes up as high as possible on handguns, I learned quickly that’s not the move with the 22 TUC. The beavertail encourages a high grip, but not too high. Get too high and the slide takes a chunk of flesh with it. Choke up to the beavertail, but not against the beavertail and you’ll be fine.
Choke up to the beavertail…not against it. (Travis Pike for SNW)
The 22 TUC has a long, heavy double-action trigger pull, but it’s surprisingly smooth. The pull remains consistent until you reach the point where it breaks and the gun fires. There’s no manual safety and with a trigger like this, you don’t need one.
The big sights on this gun are outstanding. The front sight features a high-visibility orange dot that makes it easy to find and align on target. At seven, ten, and 15 yards, I can keep all ten shots inside an 8-inch circle. At 25 yards, with slow fire, I can hit an IPSC-sized target with all ten rounds. Not all A-zone shots, but plenty hit the high chest area.
The bright orange sight is easy to see. (Travis Pike for SNW)
I tried my hand at a ten-inch gong at 25 yards and didn’t have the same success. On the first mag I went four out of 10. On the second I went six out of ten. Not bad for a micro-seized DAO gun by any means.
Recoil? That’s not a worry here. You can unleash rounds and your sights won’t leave the target. In the first few magazines, I went fast and failed to let the trigger fully reset each time. I started to make it a habit to slap the front of the trigger guard with my trigger finger. Since the trigger goes so far forward and the trigger guard is small, my finger isn’t leaving the trigger to smack the trigger guard.
Good sights go a long way. (Travis Pike for SNW)
What About Reliability?
Small .22LR semi-autos can be finicky. Any Beretta 21A owner will tell you that. I took the 22 TUC out with 100 rounds of CCI Mini-Mag, Aguila Super Extra, Federal Ammunition, CCI Blazer, and Remington Golden Bullet ammo.
Make sure the long trigger resets all the way. (Travis Pike for SNW)
The Remington Golden Bullet gave me two malfunctions in 100 rounds. Both were failures to fully eject. The Blazer gave me a failure to fire, which was solved by a second trigger pull. Another failure to fire might have been due to my failure to let the trigger fully reset. The Automatch, CCI, and Aguila ran without a problem.
Those are the only notable failures. You need to ensure the rear portion of the barrel and chamber remain clean. I’ve found that with tip-up guns, especially rimfires, this ensures reliable function and smooth extraction. If it gets too dirty, you’ll run into problems.
The controls are surprisingly large for such a small gun. (Travis Pike for SNW)
Tucking In
I’m an advocate for deep concealment guns and think with a little forethought and proper round selection, the meek .22LR will get ‘er done. I like Federal Punch and that seems to get good results out of a short barrel. The 22 TUC is one of the few, modern, pocket .22s still around and I’ve become a fan.
