WED | APRIL 23, 2025

AXIS SPT was first introduced for bowhunters with shorter draws and lighter poundage. More recently, Easton added a full range of spine sizes to round out the offering. Now, AXIS SPT covers spines from 260 to 700 fitting virtually all hunting bow setups.

The readers of Tactical Retailer and Shooting Sports Retailer have awarded Federal Ammunition the 2024 Gold Award for Best Shotshell. These annual Readers’ Choice Awards are 100 percent reader-driven and represent the most trusted gear and brands among today’s shooting sports professionals and enthusiasts.

CCI has been awarded the 2024 Gold Award for Rimfire Ammunition by Tactical Retailer and Shooting Sports Retailer readers. These prestigious awards are entirely reader-driven and reflect their trust and confidence in the brands they rely on.

In a spectacular showing of ability and equipment, Team Lapua’s Nate Guernsey put his abilities on full display at the 2025 South African Open by scoring a 659-75V and securing the Grand Aggregate title.

Boise City’s senior and junior trapshooting teams swept the competition to became 2025 state champions at the Oklahoma Scholastic Shooting Sports Program (OKSSSP) state shoot. The event was held April 16 at the Oklahoma Trap and Skeet Association in El Reno.

Chiappa Firearms announced its return to the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, taking place in Atlanta. Attendees are invited to visit Booth #3363 to explore the latest innovations from Chiappa Firearms and Charles Daly, along with a showcase of proven favorites.

Dead Air Silencers will exhibit at the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, taking place April 24-27 in Atlanta. Visit Booth #2863 to see why Dead Air is the trusted choice for gun enthusiasts, hunters, and responsible firearm owners nationwide.

Shadow Systems announced its participation in the 154th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits. Attendees are invited to visit Shadow Systems at Booth #41726 to experience firsthand the company's latest advancements in firearm technology.

Holosun will be in attendance at the NRA Annual Meeting, showing their proven and newest designs and technology at Booth 2555. Attendees will see Holosun’s latest innovations, including the all new ARO and IRIS lines, the groundbreaking DPS-TH, AEMS PRO, and more.

Bear & Son Cutlery, manufacturer of premium, made-in-the-USA knives for hunting, tactical, and everyday carry, announces the company will be displaying at the upcoming NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, April 24-27, 2025, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Lapua will be attending the 154th NRA Annual Meetings in Atlanta. Stop by booth #1916 to check out the wide range of Lapua products, including the new 7mm PRC, 6mm Dasher, and MaxRange Target bullets.

Meprolight will be exhibiting at the 2025 NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta. Stop by Exhibit Hall Building B Booth #4619 to take advantage of the Show Special and receive 20% off any product.

Silencer Central invites attendees of the 2025 NRA Annual Meeting & Exhibits, April 25-27 in Atlanta, Georgia, to stop by booth #4943. This year marks the 154th anniversary of the NRA’s yearly gathering and Silencer Central is proud to be part of it.

Rock River Arms will attend the 2025 National Rifle Association Annual Meetings & Exhibits. Attendees are encouraged to stop by Booth #3117, where Rock River Arms will showcase its lineup of 1911 pistols, AR-style carbines, and precision bolt action rifles.

GunBroker.com will be in attendance at the upcoming 2025 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits. The event will be held from April 24th to 27th in Atlanta. At Booth No. 1825, GunBroker.com will be on hand to discuss how to buy and sell on the platform, demonstrate the site’s newest features, including new shipping options, a revamped front-page experience and our ever-expanding line of categories and product offers.

Langdon Tactical Technology (LTT) will attend the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, held April 24–27 in Atlanta, Georgia. LTT will be located in the main exhibit hall at Booth #721, where attendees can explore the latest product launches, top-selling custom firearms, and innovative upgrades.

Steiner announces it will be exhibiting at this year’s NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits. NRA members and show attendees are invited to booth #1837 to see the new Steiner H6Xi Rear Focal Plane riflescope, a product that brings rugged reliability and performance to the modern hunter.

Burris Optics announces its attendance at this year’s NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits, taking place this weekend at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. NRA members and show attendees are invited to booth #1837 to explore the latest innovations in hunting, long-range, and handgun optics.

SAR USA announces its participation in the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits (NRAAM) this week. Attendees can visit SAR USA at booth #4625 to experience the company's product lineup, curated and purpose-built for American customers.

Rost Martin will exhibit during the NRA Annual Meetings in Atlanta, Georgia, this weekend, April 24-27th, 2025, at booth #1226. Rost Martin will showcase its latest pistols, the subcompact RM1S and RM1C Comp, while also unveiling a new model variation at NRAAM.

CzechPoint, importers of the VZ 58 rifle and the VZ 61 pistol, will be attending the NRA Annual Meetings in Atlanta Georgia, April 25th-April 27, 2025, at the Georgia World Congress Center. Stop by booth #2618 to see their legendary firearms.

Legacy Sports International and Howa Rifles will be showcasing its 2025 lineup of new and exciting products such as the 22ARC Mini Action series and the new HOWA Superlite Short Barrel. Stop by and check out Booth #1020 from April the 24th to April 27th at the NRA show.

Aguila Ammunition announces the 3rd anniversary of Plinko De Mayo, a unique holiday celebrating Mexican heritage and the joy of informal target shooting, also known as “Plinking”. On May 5th, shooters of all skill levels are invited to join the festivities and experience the thrill of plinking in this fun-filled celebration.

Dead Air announced its involvement at the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association Annual Training Conference, taking place in Round Rock, Texas. The Texas Tactical Police Officers Association supports officers and agencies in Texas by researching, developing, and providing training and resources to enhance tactical operations and improve preparedness for the challenges faced by special operations units.

Winchester Ammunition and White Flyer will have a major presence at the 2025 NRA Annual Meeting taking place April 24 – 27 in Atlanta, Georgia. Attendees are encouraged to stop by booth #3137 to learn about featured products from the legendary Winchester and White Flyer brands.

Hornady and SnapSafe, a Hornady Company, will be attending the NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Booth #1929 in Atlanta. Stop by the Hornady booth to view their comprehensive lineup of 2025 new products and meet many of outdoor television’s most popular hunting celebrities.

Berger will be attending the 154th NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Atlanta Georgia. At booth #1916, Berger will showcase their entire product line, including new ammunition and bullet offerings.

VKTR Industries announces they will be attending and exhibiting at the 2025 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Atlanta, Georgia. If you are planning to attend, please stop by the VKTR Industries booth #945 to see the array of products they offer.

FALCO Holsters announces new weapon light & laser compatibility to support a wider range of everyday carry setups. From concealed carry to duty use, each light-bearing holster is handcrafted to order, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit for both firearm and accessory.

Safariland announced its enhanced collaboration with Axon Enterprise, Inc. in developing the newest suite of holsters and accessories compatible for use with Axon Signal Sensor. This joint effort delivers technology that enables hands-free activation of Axon body-worn and fleet cameras, helping to ensure critical moments are captured while allowing officers to focus on the task at hand.

From cross-country turkey hunting adventures in pursuit of a Grand Slam to daily trips to the prime local hunting spot or simply storing gear safely between hunts, Flambeau’s Formula Bow Case provides unmatched protection and reliability every step of the way.

Featuring D30 knuckle protectors – which pass EN13594 Level 2 motorcycle standards and EN388 industrial-strength standards – and fire-resistant Nomex® material, the Breach Glove 2.0 from Magpul leave nothing to chance, whether that’s on the jobsite, doing manual labor at home, or for professionals doing what they do.

Henry Holsters announced the latest addition to its Cipher line of inside-the-waistband concealment holsters: a new model compatible with the Ruger RXM pistol. Like all Cipher holsters, the new Ruger RXM variant is ambidextrous and optimized for both appendix and behind-the-hip carry.

NSSF® invites firearm retailers, range operators and shooting sports entrepreneurs to the 2025 Range-Retailer Business Expo™, taking place July 16–17 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Florida.

The Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers’ Institute,® Inc., (SAAMI®), announces that Derya has joined SAAMI as a Supporting Member. Derya is a manufacturer of firearms, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida.

Primary Arms Government announced a strategic partnership with ALS, manufacturer of less-lethal munitions, breaching tools, and tactical equipment for law enforcement and military professionals. Through this partnership, Primary Arms Government will now offer a full selection of ALS products at highly competitive pricing, ensuring agencies nationwide have access to trusted, field-proven duty gear.

Wazoo Gear has appointed Source Outdoor Group as their marketing and Public Relations firm. This partnership combines Source Outdoor Group's years of experience in branding, marketing, and advertising in the outdoors market with Wazoo Gears' passion for quality and excellence.

Last week Scopos reached a milestone and manufactured their 3000th Athena Target, an important milestone in their commitment to modernize the sport. Sixteen years ago Scopos (then Shooter’s Technology) launched the Orion Scoring System. Orion digitally scored paper targets, and managed your matches over a diverse set of rulebooks, targets, and courses of fire.

Taurus is proud to announce the return of world-renowned competition shooter Jessie Harrison. A celebrated figure in the shooting sports industry, Jessie is back "home" with Taurus.

Olin Corporation announced that it has completed the previously announced acquisition of the small caliber ammunition assets of AMMO, Inc. The assets, employees and ammunition business are now part of Olin's Winchester Ammunition business, including the brass shell case capabilities and a newly constructed, world-class, 185,000 square foot production facility located in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

Camfour, a trusted distributor in the shooting sports industry with over 70 years of experience, is seeking motivated Sales Representatives to join the team. They are interested in individuals who are passionate about winning sales and motivated by the potential for an unlimited commission program.

In a case that could potentially have far-reaching implications for similar lawsuits across the nation, the U.S. Supreme Court has denied Minnesota’s Petition for Writ of Certiorari in Jacobson v. Worth, the Second Amendment Foundation’s challenge to the 18-20-year-old carry ban in the state.

Firearms Policy Coalition released a statement regarding its Worth v. Jacobson lawsuit. The Supreme Court declined to hear Minnesota’s petition to review the injunction preventing Minnesota from enforcing an age-based carry ban.

Following on the unprecedented success of the Mossberg 590® Shockwave pump action, Mossberg announces the all-new 990 Aftershock, a 12-gauge, 3-inch semi-auto version of this small in size, but big on performance tactical firearm.

Viridian Weapon Technologies announces the launch of the RFX11 Custom, precision-engineered to seamlessly pair with the Springfield Armory Echelon. The new RFX11 Custom green dot optical sight delivers fast, reliable target acquisition while mirroring the bold, angular aesthetics of the Echelon to create a unified, tactical look and feel.

The Credo 1-8x28 has rapidly earned its place as one of Trijicon’s most sought-after riflescopes — and it’s now available in a rugged anodized Coyote Brown finish. The Coyote Brown finish will be available in Credo 1-8x28 MRAD or MOA models.

New for 2025, the Trijicon MRO SD features improved optical performance with a reengineered objective lens that delivers a refined, crisp 2.0 MOA center dot, optimized for seamless use with the optional MRO 3x Magnifier.

Thanks to a preliminary injunction in the Second Amendment Foundation’s case CRPA v. LASD, starting Wednesday, April 23, non-resident SAF members can apply for a California carry permit. The injunction requires that California accept permit applications from any United States resident outside the state who is a member of SAF or its partner organizations and not prohibited from possessing firearms.

MDT introduces the JAE-G5 Extended ARCA Rail, designed for the JAE Generation 5 chassis. This upgraded ARCA rail features a 6-inch extension, allowing shooters to mount their bipod further forward for enhanced stability and balance.

The Galco Miami Classic II, refined and modernized for the 21st Century, is now available for the SIG-Sauer P365 Fuse pistol, with or without a mounted red dot sight. The Miami Classic II orients its spare ammo carrier in a horizontal position, allowing a faster and more natural grasp when reloading.

B5 Systems announces the launch of its new Compact Furniture Line for the AR platform. Items include the P-Grip 22K, Sierra K Stock and Sierra K Receiver Extension Kit.

MDT announced the launch of the Buttpad Spacer Kit, designed for the JAE G4 and G5 chassis. This new accessory offers shooters enhanced adjustability to fine-tune their length of pull for a perfect fit.

Wiley X supported the 2025 Best Ranger Competition by donating 100 pairs of its premium ballistic-rated eyewear. Held at Fort Moore, Georgia, the Best Ranger Competition is one of the most intense and prestigious endurance events in the U.S. military.

With an outfitting business, farming acreage and a house full of boys…including patriarch Fred – Michele and Fred Eichler pull back the curtain on Everything Eichler, airing Sundays at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sportsman Channel.

This week, Shooting USA is there at the annual gathering of NRA members, an event that has become a venue for the gun companies to reveal new products.
 

FEATURE

Vortex Defender line of reflex sights. Photo: Jason Mosher

When it comes to pistol optics, Vortex has become one of my favorite companies. Their products are built well, but that’s not the only reason I’m a fan. Their VIP warranty and customer service are a big part as well.

I won’t get into the details of their customer service and warranty today as I’ve mentioned it in other articles. But I will say this…when Vortex says they offer a “no questions asked” lifetime warranty, they mean it. They will keep your optic running for life, regardless of what may happen to it.

From left to right, the Defender CCW, ST, and XL. Photo: Jason Mosher

But enough of that and on with the topic of the day; the Defender line of pistol optics. I’ve been using all three of the reflex sights in the Defender line for a while now. The newest is the XL so I have the least amount of time with it, but so far it’s proving to be just as reliable as the others.

Here’s a quick rundown of the three sizes that are available in the Vortex Defender line.

Defender CCW

Released in early 2023, the Defender CCW wasn’t like anything Vortex had done yet. It is specifically designed for concealed carry pistols. It’s lightweight and low-profile which is what most people want on their compact gun.

The battery used in the Defender CCW is a CR1632, which is conveniently stored in a top-loading battery tray. The CCW has a 3 MOA dot, which is a good size for self-defense optics. This optic wasn’t made as much for precise shooting as fast target acquisition.

Vortex Defender CCW is the smallest of the Defender line and works great with compact handguns. Photo: Jason Mosher

It has auto on/off as you would expect from a quality handgun optic. The auto off time is 10 minutes after the optic has not been moved. I prefer shorter times like this as it makes the batter last a little longer. In this case, the estimated run time is 9,500 hours (on setting 6).

That’s not near as long as a lot of other optics out there, but with the auto off feature helps. I’ve been using my CWW Defender for about 17 months before changing the battery. With easy access to the battery, it’s not a big deal to swap out either. I would recommend replacing the battery once per year even if it’s not dead yet. This will help ensure it stays running while carrying it.

Every time I review an optic I freeze it, bake it in the oven, and soak it in a bucket of water. The Defender line held up great to every test I performed on them. Photo: Jason Mosher

There are 10 brightness settings, including 2 night-vision compatible levels, which is about the norm these days.

The Defender CCW uses the Shield RMSc footprint, which is one of the most popular footprints for compact size pistols.

Specs for the Defender CCW

  • Dot size: 3 MOA
  • Battery: CR1632
  • Battery location: Top-loading compartment
  • Footprint: Shield RMSc
  • Brightness levels: 10 (8 daylight, 2 night vision)
  • Runtime: Up to 9,500 hours (setting 6)
  • Construction: Aluminum housing with a hard coat anodized finish
  • Waterproof: Yes (IPX7)
  • Weight: 0.95 oz

Defender ST

The Defender ST (Standard) is the middle child of the Defender family. Released in early 2024, it’s a great optic for full-size handguns like duty weapons or home defense pistols.

Of course, the ST is a bit larger overall meaning it also has a larger window. Like the CCW, it uses a top-loading battery but this one has a little more juice with a CR2032 battery. The estimated runtime on this one is 25,000 hours, which is more than double of the CCW.

There are to dot sizes available when purchasing the ST which are 3 and 6 MOA. I like having options because everyone is different and has their own preferences.

Auto on/off are the same with this optic and again, there are 10 brightness settings with 2 night-vision levels.

Vortex Defender ST is the “standard” size of optic that works great for most mid to full-size handguns. Photo: Jason Mosher

One feature I didn’t mention with the CCW is the aggressive texturing on the front of the optic. Vortex calls this “fast-rack “texturing and you will find it on all three optics in the Defender series. This gives the front of the optic a great surface to rack your slide with.

The ST mounts using the Docter/Noblex footprint. I’ll be honest, I’m surprised they didn’t use the RMR footprint, but it’s not a big deal for me. Vortex sends an MOS adaptor plate and picatinny mount in the box. It’s easy to find other adaptor plates should you need them as well.

The “fast-rack” texturing that Vortex put on the front of the Defender line of optics makes it a great surface for racking the slide on your gun. Photo: Jason Mosher

Specs for the Defender ST

  • Dot size: 3 or 6 MOA
  • Battery: CR2032
  • Battery location: Top-loading compartment
  • Footprint: Docter/Noblex
  • Brightness levels: 10 (8 daylight, 2 night vision)
  • Runtime: Up to 25,000 hours (setting 6)
  • Construction: Hardcoat anodized aluminum housing
  • Waterproof: Uses O-ring seals to prevent moisture dust and debris
  • Weight: 1.15 oz

Defender XL

And the newest optic in the Defender line is the Defender XL. The window on this red dot is 25.5mm wide and 23.3mm tall. It is available in three MOA sizes of 2, 5, and 8 MOA. This would be a great optic for competition shooting, hunting, etc. The larger window also makes it nice for rifles and PCC weapons.

Like the first two, it has a top-loading battery, but this one is a little different. On the CCW and ST, the battery catch unscrews from the top of the optic using a Phillips or strait screwdriver. On the XL, there is a handy push-and-lift lid that makes swapping out batteries even faster and doesn’t require any tools.

The Vortex Defender XL is a large-window optic that is great for competition shooting, hunting, or even PCC weapons. Photo: Jason Mosher

The optic runs on a CR2032 battery and has a 25,000 hour battery life like the ST. It has the same features and settings as the ST which also include a

Vortex used the Docter/Noblex footprint like the ST and again provides a Glock MOS plate, picatinny rail mount, cover, and 5 sets of mounting screws.

The battery hatch on the Defender XL has a flip-open”style lid that doesn’t require any tools. Photo: Jason Mosher

Specs for the Defender XL

  • Dot size: 2, 5, 8 MOA
  • Battery: CR2032
  • Battery location: Top-loading with tool-free lid
  • Footprint: Docter/Noblex
  • Brightness levels: 10 (8 daylight, 2 night vision)
  • Runtime: Up to 25,000 hours (setting 6)
  • Construction: Aluminum with hardcoat anodizing
  • Waterproof: Uses O-ring seals to prevent moisture dust and debris
  • Weight: 1.34 oz

Options are never bad

Because I was already used to carrying the Defender CCW on a regular basis, I liked having a full-size optic that functioned the same. With the XL, I get the same familiarity in an even larger optic.

So far, I’ve been using my Defender CCW on my IWI Masada Slim, the Defender SL on my Glock 45 and the Defender XL on my B&T. I’m not against using a larger optic like the XL on a handgun, but I’m liking it on a PCC for now.

There are other great optics out there and like I said in the beginning, I like using them all. But I always find myself drawn to Vortex for my daily carries. Part of this is because I know they will fix it if anything goes wrongs, but also because I like their product.

If you are not familiar with this line of optics, check out the Defender series. There three sizes to choose from and options are never a bag thing.

— Jason Mosher, Shooting News Weekly
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