Douglas Barrels: Handcrafted Precision

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February 5, 2026

A quick look at .17 Remington Fireball, another brainchild of P.O. Ackley.

One of many wildcats dreamed up by P.O. Ackley through the years was the .17/221 Fireball, which is the .221 Remington Fireball case necked down for bullets measuring .172-inch in diameter. When Las Vegas gunsmith Vern O’Brien started building custom rifles around the small Sako L461 action, he obtained permission from Ackley to chamber them for the .17/221 but decided to rename it the .17 Mach IV. O’Brien offered the same chambering in custom single-shot pistols built on the XP-100 action, but called it the .17 Mach III, due to lower velocities from their shorter barrels.

cartridges of the world 17th ed book — This is an excerpt from Cartridge's Of The World, available now at GunDigestStore.com.

As is commonly seen in more than one wildcat, dimensions can vary slightly among makers of chamber reamers, which means that even though at first glance the .17 Remington Fireball appears to be the old .17 Mach IV with a different name, a closer inspection may reveal minor dimensional differences. For this reason, Remington discourages the firing of .17 Fireball ammunition in rifles chambered to .17 Mach IV and vice versa.

General Comments

Even though case dimensions of the .17 Fireball can differ a bit from those of the .17 Mach IV, the two cartridges are virtually identical in powder capacity and for this reason their velocity potential is the same. Capable of accelerating a 20-grain bullet along at over 4,000 fps, the trajectory of the .17 Fireball is quite flat, and mild recoil makes the little cartridge lots of fun to shoot.

Contrary to what has been written about the .17 Mach IV in the past and will likely be written about the .17 Fireball in the future, neither cartridge is capable of matching the velocities of the .17 Remington, which is on a modified version of the more capacious .223 Remington case. It has also been written that bullet jacket fouling builds up more rapidly in a rifle chambered for the .17 Remington, but the original author of Cartridges of the World found this to be untrue when the three cartridges are used in barrels having bores of equal quality and smoothness.

.17 Remington Fireball Loading Data and Factory Ballistics

Bullet (grains/type)	Powder	Grains	Velocity	Energy	Source
20 Hornady V-Max	H4198	17.3	4,037	722	Hodgdon
20 Hornady V-Max	H335	20.5	4,027	719	Hodgdon
25 Hornady HP	Benchmark	19.0	3,745	778	Hodgdon
25 Hornady HP	IMR-4198	16.2	3,692	756	Hodgdon
30 Berger HP	H322	18.0	3,533	831	Hodgdon
30 Berger HP	Benchmark	18.7	3,569	848	Hodgdon
20 AccuTip-V	FL	FL	4,250	802	Remington
25 HP	FL	FL	3,850	823	Remington

Editor's Note: This article is an excerpt of Gun Digest's Cartridge's Of The World.

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First Look: Lipsey’s Exclusive S&W Field Ethos Model 36

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February 4, 2026

If you like snubbies, you’ll want to check out the new Lipsey’s Exclusive Smith & Wesson Field Ethos Model 36.

Smith & Wesson has been releasing a lot of really cool distributor-exclusive revolver models lately, and the latest is this Field Ethos Model 36 from Lipsey’s. While Smith clearly didn’t cut any corners when it comes to this J-Frame’s form, it looks like it has plenty of function, too.

Chambered for .38 Special +P, the Field Ethos Model 36 has a 5-shot capacity, a 1.88-inch barrel and, thankfully, no lock on its side. It has a bobbed hammer, but its double-action only trigger pull should still be buttery smooth thanks to its Performance Center action job.

Other features of this Model 36 include a gold bead front sight/integral notch rear sight, a beautiful carbon blued finish on its cylinder and frame and a Tyler Gunworks premium walnut boot grip. The revolver also comes with the Field Ethos logo engraved on its side plate.

MSRP for the Lipsey’s Exclusive Smith & Wesson Field Ethos Model 36 is $1,100 and it’s available now.

For more information, visit smith-wesson.com.

More On Defensive Revolvers

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The Pros And Cons Of Defensive Revolvers

By

Chuck Haggard

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February 3, 2026

3

We address some of the downsides, and upsides, of carrying a revolver for self-defense.

The Western lawman. Cop movies set in the 1970s and ’80s. Detective pulp novels with dames and private investigators. Wyatt Earp. Roger Murtaugh getting too old for this sh*t. All these share two common traits: unironic mustaches and deadly wheel guns. But there’s more to the revolver than history, pop culture, and a throwback to ancient days.

Revolvers pros and cons 4 wyatt earp — Wyatt Earp.

There are people in the gun world who wonder why this far into the 21st century anyone would choose a revolver over a modern semi-auto pistol. Well, we’re glad you asked. We’re reminded of the late Pat Rogers and his old axiom: “The mission drives the gear train.” In short, for some people, and some situations, the revolver can be the dreaded “just as good as,” or an even better.

While it is true that the modern military-grade semi-auto service pistol has replaced the revolver for hard use in defensive carry, police and military service, this in no way means the revolver isn’t a capable handgun for defensive and sport use.

To start, let’s address what’s often perceived as an issue when revolvers are considered for defensive carry use: the deadly duo of low ammunition capacity and slow reload speed.

Ammunition Capacity

This is actually a non-issue for the concealed carry paradigm. We can learn quite a bit by examining what has happened in real-world incidents. To borrow a line from Tom Givens, when speaking of experiences from his students who’ve actually been in defensive shootings: “three shots in 3 seconds at 3 feet” is still what a typical defensive shooting looks like.

It’s here that it’s worthy to note Givens is also famous for saying, “The primary cause of needing to reload is missing.”

Revolvers pros and cons 7 — The gunfight a cop has is often very different than the one a concealed carrier has in the streets—and even then the wheel gun usually holds enough.

To pursue this idea further, we draw on the research of friend and mentor Keith Jones. Jones is a Vietnam combat vet, nearly 40-year police officer, multiple gunfight winner, very competent researcher and gun guy. Back in the days when coppers only carried revolvers, Jones looked at the experiences of the officers in his area. He found that in 199 incidents, from 1970 through 1988, there was only one (!) instance where the officer had to reload to prevail in the fight.

Everything else was settled with the five or six rounds available in the wheel gun.

The patrol officer shootout is often a very different fight than we see in the concealed carry/defensive pistol realm; suspects fight more aggressively to avoid arrest, multiple suspects are more likely to be involved, and there’s a duty to pursue. Yet in these 199 incidents, the revolver clearly had enough capacity to get the job done.

Claude Werner, a gifted instructor, noted researcher and generally the smartest guy in the room tells us the average number of shots fired in the defensive gunfight is 1.43.

Reliability

An underappreciated advantage of the revolver is the rate of malfunctions that occur in real-world fights. Although the military-grade semi-auto service pistol is clearly more tolerant of abuse and hard service than the revolver, all semi-auto pistols are subject to malfunction when the shooter uses a weak grip, is floating the gun one-handed, if the ammunition is underpowered and if the pistol is poorly lubed and/or full of dust bunnies.

While the “six for sure” mantra of revolver proponents is a myth, it’s a fact the revolver is vastly more tolerant of a poor grip and garbage ammunition.

Revolvers pros and cons 5 — While the “six for sure” mantra of revolver proponents is a myth, it’s a fact the revolver is vastly more tolerant of a poor grip and garbage ammunition.

Even though yours truly started in the defensive handgun world in the days when cops carried by-God-steel-framed-revolvers and leather gear, uses for the wheel gun nowadays include backup gun/lightweight carry gun, hunting/“kit gun,” general fun shooting and training gun.

Being an old cop, using the snubby as a backup gun was a natural thing. Over the years we have tried several semi-auto backup guns but have repeatedly come back to the snub due to some very concrete advantages that this platform gives versus the semi-auto pistol.

An airweight snub, such as an S&W 642 or a Ruger LCR, generally carries on an ankle or in a pocket better than any semi-auto pistol. It also draws more cleanly and consistently when pushing speed. The snub can be reliably fired with hard muzzle contact, clothing interference or even through a pocket. The shape of a snubby often makes it conceal better than a similarly sized semi-auto, and this shape also makes it easier to get a shooting grip on the gun when carried in deep concealment.

In extensive testing, shooting and training with various pocket pistols over the years, not one can equal the reliability of an S&W or Ruger snub. The perceived advantages of higher capacity and faster reload speed are siren songs, but the .38 snub still wins the reliability game—along with the aforementioned cleaner draw and speed to a first-shot hit.

Accuracy

It’s boringly common to find service-grade revolvers in .38 Special and .357 Magnum capable of 1- to 1½-inch groups off of a rest at the 25-yard line. The same cannot be said of service pistols. Groups as small as 6 inches at 100 yards with a 4- or 6-inch .357 Magnum revolver, fired in single action, from a rollover prone isn’t terribly difficult.

This level of accuracy starts to shade into carbine territory. For this reason, the midsized .357 Magnum revolver, such as an old Ruger Security Six or S&W model 66 or 681, can easily be a “go to the woods” gun.

Ease Of Training

An advantage of the double-action revolver over many of the modern striker-fired pistols so popular now is the revolver is easier to use for dry-fire practice and for “ball and dummy” training at the range.

The DA revolver can be dry-fired repeatedly without the need to reset the trigger, and when used in specific drills, the ball and dummy exercise can be done without the need to buy or load dummy rounds into the gun. Dry practice is typically underappreciated as a skill builder, but it’s critical to the development of trigger control. Trigger control is the toughest pistol skill to learn, and the most easily perishable when neglected.

The revolver has a simpler manual of arms and it’s impossible to “forget” that one has a round in the chamber after the magazine is removed, which can be a real advantage to the novice shooter.

While the snubby as a defensive firearm is often thought of as an “expert’s gun,” that idiom hasn’t panned with either officers or students.

Here’s a recent personal example: A gentleman decided he wanted to buy a defensive firearm but had no idea where to start. At the range he was able to handle and fire several semi-auto pistols and revolvers. He preferred the simplicity of the revolver and eventually bought a Ruger LCR in .38 Special. In follow-up sessions at the range, he went from having never fired a gun in his life to being able to keep 100 percent of his shots in the “down 0” zone of an IDPA target out to 10 yards.

He achieved this level of marksmanship in less than 100 rounds fired in conjunction with approximately four hours of practice.

Versatility

Revolvers still maintain a significant edge over semi-auto pistols for large game hunting or large animal defense. While big-assed semi-auto pistols such as the Desert Eagle exist, they’re far from being handy, easy to carry or quick into action. They look cool in movies though. Service-sized pistols such as the Glock 20 in 10mm simply pale in available power level when compared to even middle-of-the-road loadings for the .44 Magnum. Said .44 Mag is itself easily outclassed by things like a heavy-loaded .45 Colt, .454 Casull, and more. While you can hot rod a semi-auto, it can also bring its own issues such as stoppages due to excessive slide velocity.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — From silver to black, irons to optics, 9mm to magnums—the 21st century still has a ton of revolvers around. Try one out.

A 4-inch .357 Mag has the ability to safely fire any .38 Special or .357 Magnum ammunition that will chamber in the gun. This includes defensive carry with JHPs, snake and rodent whacking with shot loads, plinking and small game with wadcutters, predator control with lightweight hollow points, deer hunting with heavier versions of the same and bear protection with high-penetration ammo.

For just plain fun that translates well to serious purposes, it’s hard to beat live fire with a good .22 revolver. For this reason, some favorite handguns are .22 wheel guns. Though we’d be hard pressed to pick a favorite, the Ruger LCR in .22 LR and the S&W 317 and 43c are currently seeing the most use for training and plinking. Each of these guns displays a high level of accuracy, with near zero recoil. Each is capable of reliably firing .22 CB, short, long, and long rifle ammunition, in either standard or high velocity loadings—not possible with a semi-auto pistol.

But What About Reload Speed?

To address the persistent issue of the worry about the need to reload in a defensive shooting scenario, note that revolver science has been well developed over the past 100-plus years.

For the snubs, ensure the chamber edges are chamfered or otherwise smoothed to avoid catching the bullets during the reload. This simple step in prepping the defensive revolver for carry is similar to making sure your semi-auto pistol has a flared magwell or mag funnel for speed reloading. In the revolver, it pays off in dividends.

Revolvers-pros-and-cons-6 — There are a number of methods and accessories and doodads for revolver reloads that have been developed over the years, and most of them work well if you put in the work yourself.

For concealed carry, a Bianchi Speed Strip makes for a small package. Instead of completely filling these up, having four rounds instead of five or six significantly reduces your time to target. Getting that last round or two in the cylinder takes more time than the previous four. It may sound strange but do it on the shot clock for yourself.

If you can get away with a larger footprint, Jetloaders or Safariland Comp speedloaders can give you a reload of under 5 seconds with practice. USPSA reload speed this isn’t, but it’s certainly better than fumbling with loose rounds.

There’s also an old-school copper skill of reloading two with eyes down range, in case you need to close the cylinder and engage an aggressive bad guy (a hard won lesson from the Newhall fight …).

Carry The Damn Thing

It’s no small comfort that research has yet to find a case where a police officer was able to access a backup gun and didn’t survive the fight. The lesson here for cops is this: Carry a backup gun and quit worrying about things like magazine or ammo interchangeability with your primary pistol.

This same lesson translates to the concealed-carry world. “What gun?” and “How many rounds on board?” are vastly secondary to the ability of the carrier to have the gun with them at all times. And the ability to draw quickly from concealment. And place one to three effective hits on target at a car length or less.

If you can’t find an instructor who can teach you these skills, seek out a crusty old cop; he’ll know what to do.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the March 2026 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More On Defensive Revolvers

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New Guns And Gear February 2026

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February 2, 2026

Looking for a new iron or piece of kit to enhance the one you already own? Check out these 7 new bits of guns and gear to grow your firearms wish list.

The New Guns And Gear:

TALO Exclusive Girsan MC1911 Negotiator in .38 Super
Chiappa Rhino 60DS L-Frame in .44 Magnum
Sightron S6 10-60x56mm ED Field Target Scope
WOOX 1913 Compatible Stocks
Henry Repeating Arms SPD Predator
SIRT TruBreak
MDT STS Buttstock

TALO Exclusive Girsan MC1911 Negotiator in .38 Super

It’s true that 1911s in .38 Super don’t get enough love these days, but it’s an excellent chambering option. It also pairs very well with gold accents, and that’s exactly what’s being offered with the new .38 Super TALO Exclusive Girsan/EAA Corp MC1911 Negotiator. This 5-inch barrel 1911 has a 9-round capacity, an adjustable rear sight, a fiber-optic front sight, a lightening cut slide and a skeletonized trigger. It features a hand-tuned action and Picatinny rail as well, and the cherry on top is its titanium nitrate “gold” finish on the barrel and accents on its barrel bushing, magazine release, hammer, safety and beavertail.
MSRP: $1,060

Chiappa Rhino 60DS L-Frame in .44 Magnum

Finally, the Chiappa Rhino in .44 Magnum is here. The .44 Magnum is a big, powerful round with pretty stout recoil, so it’s the perfect match for the kick-taming nature of the Rhino’s low bore-axis, bottom-chamber firing design. The revolver’s weight and strength stay balanced despite the larger size thanks to its 7075-T6 aluminum frame, steel barrel and steel breech shield. The ergonomics have been improved as well thanks to the addition of twin finger stops and a revised interface for the Hogue rubber grip. Other details of the .44 Magnum Rhino are its 6-inch barrel, six-round capacity and fiber-optic sights. They’re available with either a black, white nickel or gold PVD finish, and each Rhino ships with a hard case and an owner’s kit.
MSRP: $1,745

Sightron S6 10-60x56mm ED Field Target Scope

Airgun, small-caliber field target and benchrest shooters have reason to be excited following Sightron’s announcement of this rifle scope. Designed to withstand the recoil of everything from the heaviest big-bore airguns to .50 BMG rifles, the S6 10-60x56mm ED was tested and shock-rated to 1,000Gs for more than 10,000 cycles. That’s a pretty tough piece of glass. Speaking of glass, inside the scope, there are 15 Japanese optical-grade glass lenses, as well as two Extra-low Dispersion elements designed to massively boost optical resolution. Camera-grade multi-coatings also help to increase the scope’s light transmission, contrast and clarity while reducing color fringing, flare and chromatic aberrations. You have the choice between two new purpose-built reticle options—MOA-2FT and MH-FT—and it can be ordered with or without its 145mm diameter magnetic side-wheel for rapid adjustments.
MSRP: $1,800 scope only // $2,000 wheel bundle

WOOX 1913 Compatible Stocks

A lot of new guns these days come with a segment of 1913 rail on the rear of their receivers for attaching a stock or a pistol brace. As this method of stock attachment has grown in popularity, so has the aftermarket of available stock options, giving shooters more choice than ever when deciding exactly how they want their gun to look and feel on the shoulder. WOOX has entered the fold with its new line of 1913 compatible stocks, and while the aesthetics won’t appeal to everyone, those who want to add a dash of wood and class to an otherwise black gun will find WOOX’s lineup an attractive new option. The family features two models currently—the 1913 Edge and the 1913 Woody—but both are available as either a fixed stock or a folding stock.
MSRP: $230 fixed // $300 folding

Henry Repeating Arms SPD Predator

Henry is calling its new SPD Predator “the most accurate lever-action rifle ever built.” Chambered for .223/5.56, it’s built on the same architecture as Henry’s Lever Action Supreme Rifle … but with a few tricks up its sleeve to increase its accuracy potential. The most important one is a match-grade 416R stainless-steel barrel tension-wrapped in carbon fiber. Topped off with a 1/2×28 threaded muzzle, this barrel will provide shooters with better rigidity, faster cooling and less weight. The SPD Predator also features a forged carbon-fiber Picatinny rail for optic mounting, a gray laminate buttstock and forearm with an adjustable comb system, a crisp, user-adjustable trigger tuned at the factory to 4 pounds and compatibility with standard AR-15 magazines. Oh yeah: It ships with a Harris S-LM bipod, too.
MSRP: $2,510

SIRT TruBreak

Trigger control is one of the most crucial aspects of handgun shooting, and dry fire is a great and cheap way to refine your skills at home. SIRT just released an interesting new gadget that takes trigger control practice to the next level. Called the TruBreak, the device will only break and reset the trigger if it’s pulled back perfectly straight. If your press drifts to either side, it will result in a dead trigger and require you to slap the bottom of the fake magazine well to reset it. Fair warning, SIRT says it’s extremely addictive to play with and that people are calling it a “fidget spinner for shooters.” For a toy that will improve your shooting skills, being addictive isn’t so bad.
MSRP: $50

MDT STS Buttstock

Standing for Skeleton Traditional Stock, MDT’s new STS buttstock is the solution for shooters who want the accuracy and modularity of a modern precision chassis but with traditional rifle ergonomics. Designed for the LSS Gen3 Chassis System, the STS features an overmolded rubber grip, tool-less cheek riser adjustability, vertical buttpad adjustability, an integrated M-Lok rail for bag rider attachments and a QD sling mount. Length-of-pull is adjustable as well, and the package ships with four spacers. It’s offered with either a black or FDE finish.
MSRP: $400

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2026 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

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First Look: Staccato HD C4X

By

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January 30, 2026

Staccato has just updated its HD line of 2011 pistols with the compact, integrally-compensated C4X.

With the goal of making an extremely versatile 2011 that was equally parts a compact defensive pistol and duty weapon, Staccato has just added the HD C4X to its lineup. Co-developed with an elite law enforcement tactical surveillance unit, the pistol feels just as good on the hip as it does in the hand putting shots down range. I had the chance to shoot one at Staccato’s Vegas range day this year, and to put it simply, this thing shoots flat.

The Staccato HD C4X features a 4-inch integrally-compensated barrel, a lightweight aluminum frame, an HD HOST optics-ready slide and a compact grip that provides a flush-fit capacity of 15 rounds of 9mm. Even better, it uses Glock-pattern magazines, and each gun ships with two steel 15-rounders. Other features of the C4X include its crisp 4- to 4.5-pound trigger, its 3.6-inch captive flat wire recoil system, fully ambidextrous controls, improved ergonomics and tall iron sights that sit forward of the red dot mount.

Paul Smith, Vice President of Product at Staccato, said this about the new 2011:

The Staccato HD line continues to evolve based on real-world use and direct feedback from professionals and customers … With the Staccato HD C4X, we set out to create a compact and extremely versatile pistol that can confidently be carried on duty, for personal protection, or both. This platform reflects our commitment to giving customers a high-performance option they can trust in any situation.

The C4X is a sweet little package; the only downside is that it has an MSRP of $3,500. It will start shipping to dealers on February 16th.

For more information, visit staccato2011.com.

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First Look: Shadow Systems AXIO Pistols

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January 29, 2026

Shadow Systems has just announced the AXIO pistol line, designed around a steel chassis for enhanced controllability and recoil management.

As popular as Glock pistols are, many shooters have always felt that they’re lacking in certain departments. This gave rise to a huge industry entirely dedicated to improving them with aftermarket components and modifications. It also resulted in companies like Shadow Systems that iterated on the design to build their own pistols with improvements throughout the whole gun. The company's different models have garnered an excellent reputation among concealed carriers, duty users and even competitors over the years, but the latest addition to its catalog was designed from scratch to crank performance up to 11. Called the AXIO line, the new 9mm pistols are built around a steel chassis to reduce recoil and improve shootability.

The AXIO pistols’ precision-machined steel chassis was designed to add mass and efficiently distribute it to key areas for enhanced controllability, as well as improve balance, rigidity and slide-to-frame fitment. Another important feature is the new Overstroke Slide System that reduces recoil and ammo sensitivity by increasing slide travel and dwell time.

There will be two variants of the AXIO available, the standard and the PRO, and each of those will be available with a longer 4.4-inch barrel as well. All models feature interchangeable grip panels for improved ergonomics, but the standard version will ship with textured polymer panels and the PRO will ship with machined steel panels. Both versions will also feature Shadow Systems’ next-generation trigger system, but the standard model will have a 4-pound trigger while the PRO will have a 2.5-pound pull weight. Naturally, all AXIO pistols will be optics-ready as well.

Trevor Roe, CEO of Shadow Systems, said this about the new pistols:

AXIO wasn’t about adding features for the sake of differentiation … It was designed from first principles, with an uncompromising focus on recoil control, build quality, and a striker-fired trigger system engineered to set a new benchmark. Every design choice was made to elevate how the pistol shoots and how confident the shooter feels behind it.

Shadow Systems AXIO pistols will begin shipping in spring of this year, and each gun will come with two 18-round magazines. MSRP for standard models will start at $2,000 and $2,250 for AXIO Pro models.

For more information, visit shadowsystemcorp.com.

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Midwest Industries Bounty Hunter Series: Steel Cylinders & Cheek Welds

By

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January 28, 2026

The Midwest Industries Bounty Hunter Series of stocks and arm braces offer a bold new way to work with the big irons.

Unconventional? Absolutely.

Practical? Most definitely.

More fun than having to watch your kid’s first baritone recital while the Super Bowl is on? Just a little.

The Bounty Hunter Series is designed to deliver consistent stability across a wide range of revolver calibers, from small to large. Its multiple points of contact enhance shooting accuracy, giving every revolver shooter the confidence to center-punch targets every time. The stock and arm brace are properly aligned for seamless integration with iron sights and red-dot mounts, ensuring quick target acquisition and improved performance.

midwest industry bounty hunter 7 — Each stock features five quick-detach sling sockets and holds six rounds of ammunition.

I’ve you’ve never before shouldered your revolver, you’re certainly missing out.

The heart of the Bounty Hunter Series beats around its robust construction. A big iron, after all, delivers a big payload at both fore and aft. The grip, stock and Z-beam are all made from 6061 hard-coat anodized aluminum, allowing this series to combine lightweight performance with exceptional durability. Plus, the hard-coat anodizing ensures resistance to wear and tear, making it a dependable companion in even the most demanding conditions.

Every revolver is a function work of art, and the Bounty Hunter is designed to match it.

For enhanced comfort, the Series features polymer textured grip panels, a polymer cheek piece and a rubber butt pad. These elements all work together to provide superior recoil management, facilitating complete control throughout the shot cycle, regardless of how many rounds you send downrange.

midwest industry bounty hunter 2 — The Bounty Hunter stock attaches to the grip with a single thumbscrew for very fast takedown … or folding.

One of the standout features of the Bounty Hunter Series is its shell plate holder, which includes three universal shell holders. This innovative addition allows you to store up to six rounds of ammunition, compatible with any revolver caliber. Ammo, after all, is useless if you cannot access it quickly. Whether you’re at the range or in the field, this feature ensures quick access to your rounds without sacrificing mobility.

A hardened steel takedown thumbscrew allows for easy disassembly, making storage and transport a breeze. And, the design also incorporates five (yes, five) quick-detach sling sockets, offering customizable sling configurations to suit your preferences. Set it up exactly as you want it.

Proudly made in the USA, it’s also noteworthy that the Bounty Hunter Series comes with a lifetime warranty, nodding toward the confidence in quality upon which Midwest Industries has built its reputation.

In a way, the Bounty Hunter Series is more than just a stock or arm brace—it’s a symbol of innovation, quality and performance. It’s a statement that says, “There’s more than one way to shoot a revolver … and I’m here for all of them.”

midwest industry bounty hunter 3 — There’s nothing conventional about the Bounty Hunter stock, but then again, there’s nothing conventional about shouldering a revolver, either.

Midwest Industries Bounty Hunter Series Specs

Available as a stock or arm brace, designed for enhanced stability and control across small and large revolver calibers.
Constructed from 6061 hard-coat anodized aluminum for the grip, stock and Z-beam, ensuring durability and lightweight performance.
Polymer textured grip panels, a polymer cheek piece and a rubber buttpad for superior comfort and recoil management on the stock version.
Properly aligned height for seamless use with iron sights and red-dot mounts.
Multiple points of contact improve shooting accuracy and control.
Ambidextrous design for right or left-hand shooters.
Includes a shell plate holder with three Midwest Industries universal shell holders, compatible with any revolver caliber and allowing six rounds of ammunition to be stored.
Hardened steel takedown thumbscrew enables easy disassembly for compact storage.
Equipped with five quick-detach sling sockets for customizable sling configurations.
Designed with lots of room for easy firearm handling and operation.
Made in USA with a lifetime warranty.
Weight: 1.75 pounds

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2026 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More On Revolvers

.357 Magnum Revolver: Controllable Concealed Carry Options
Best Concealed Carry Revolvers For Personal Defense
Fighting Revolver Project: Smith & Wesson Model 586
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Vortex Relay System Review: Batteries And Bullets

By

Josh Wayner

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January 27, 2026

I hit the range with Vortex’s new Relay system to see just how much easier advanced technology can make shooting.

Technology is one of those funny things in the shooting industry. For some reason, people have this notion that batteries don’t belong in guns, and the simpler the better when it comes to their chosen SHTF scenario. However, just because something is common does not mean it’s simple, and firearms are fairly high on the list when it comes to their maintenance, requirements and what it takes to make them in the first place.

The shooting public has always been a little bit slow to embrace change. I think a lot of this has to do with our culture being fairly traditional—certain things are cherished while others are shunned. Regardless of how you feel when the wings of change come swooping down, it’s impossible to at least admit that Vortex’s Relay system is a truly amazing advancement for the shooter.

Somebody Call the IT Department

When it comes to guns, I have a fairly wide range of interests. I enjoy pretty much all firearms and have an appreciation for history as well as new technologies. One of the things that interests me a lot is the fact that, at some point in time, the things we consider old or simple were on the cutting edge for their day.

What’s more interesting is that there have been many technologies that have existed separately for long periods of time before they were eventually integrated into one system—consider the first attempts to combine telescopes with guns. Optical equipment is so common on guns these days that we barely give it a second thought.

Likewise, the idea that these computerized systems are too fragile or complex is due to unfamiliarity. For example, a guy joked with me at the range that he’d “need an IT degree” to use the Relay system … but it’s really not difficult to use at all.

The Relay system comprises three units: the Impact 4000 gun-mounted rangefinder, Talon HD 10K 10x42mm binocular (includes five target modes and four ranging modes, and is tripod adaptable) and Ace ballistic weather meter. These can all be used as stand-alone units or as any combination of the three.

But here’s where things get interesting.

These devices can be tied to the Geoballistics app on your phone and provide real-time data to each other, and profiles can be carried over to each device. Yes, you read that right: Your binoculars can talk to your weather meter, and so on and so forth. The implications here are huge, as you can have real-time firing and spotting solutions updating live as you’re behind the gun.

I’ll get into more details on this in a moment, but I do want to do a bit of explaining here because this is a big concept, and it has far-reaching implications to our craft. In my time using this system, I’ve had some pushback, especially from those a bit set in their ways regarding technology at large. Not everyone wants a computer on their gun, but virtually all modern guns are the product of computerized manufacturing and design.

Don’t let enhanced capability get handicapped by sentiment—there are no simple guns.

The Tentative Marriage of Bullets and Batteries

Of course, guns and computers have a long history, and many early computers were developed to help track ballistics. However, the entire idea of putting computers onto your gun seems like a bridge too far for some.

The Relay system is inherently an electronics-based family (although you can still use the Talon as just a binocular). It has taken the shooting public decades to truly embrace electronic sights, and now they are so trusted and well established that they are on nearly every gun platform. The failure point of other systems is that they have typically been proprietary and did not have a communication feature.

I have six apps on my phone dedicated to a variety of products, and they don’t communicate with each other. This is an annoyance that has pushed people away from this type of electronic, not to mention limited product support and generational changes. If one failed, well, you were out of luck. That’s not so here, as each Relay product can carry the same data.

I can easily recall a time when electronic optic durability and reliability were in doubt. I found this to be interesting: The idea that a battery would fail when you need it most … when at any given time you’re only carrying a finite amount of ammunition. If you think of it this way, battery life is usually in the tens of thousands of hours for most electronic optics. During that run time, it’s the firearm that’s more likely to encounter a malfunction than the optic.

The anti-technology sentiment is, of course, based on a logical fallacy where people are comfortable with technology up to a certain line that is convenient for them. Everybody carries a cell phone these days, and you can be physically tracked using the Wi-Fi signal in your home, yet people are uncomfortable with their scopes having Bluetooth capability. If the government wants to spy on you, well, it’s not like you’ll know. In an era of electronic surveillance and deep saturation, you’re already being monitored, right down to your smartwatch and vehicle.

The Relay system is composed of technology elements that have existed separately for years. However, the way that it integrates them is quite novel and seamless. Obviously, handheld weather stations and rangefinders have been around for quite some time. The technology is well established and has become relatively inexpensive, to the point that they are commonly used for many types of recreation.

While I’m not a big-time golfer, my dad and all of his buddies have rangefinders—I’ve even heard of some using handheld weather stations. I will never be a good enough golfer to have a rangefinder or weather station matter for me, but it does make a difference for some of the people I’ve seen playing while I’m having a beer in the kart.

Shooting, on the other hand … well, there’s an area where I rely on these types of devices.

As time has passed, we’ve been migrating closer to what will eventually be something of a “peak” modern rifle, a large part of that modernization happening in the past five or so years. The modularity of both bolt action and AR platform rifles has created massive markets for each, and we are now seeing system integration with other existing technologies, such as the Arca Swiss rail interface, M-lok accessory attachment points, common chassis sizes, quick-detach suppressor capabilities and return-to-zero optic mounts.

On most of my rifles, I have some—if not all—of these elements. There will be a time in the very near future where off-the-shelf factory guns will have all of the features as my custom rifles currently do … for a fraction of retail cost. I believe that the Relay system is the foundation for a new generation of upgrades that will eventually migrate into being commonplace, and you’re hearing it here first.

The Relay System and Theory of Use

I’ve been using the Impact 4000 for a while, and it has caused some confusion as to why I’d want it. Some guys at the range are just comfortable with a handheld rangefinder and a printed out drop chart, and that’s fine. However, those shooters don’t see how far we’ve already come with different reticles alone. Remember: The mil dot was cutting-edge stuff.

The Impact 4000 is a very distinct piece of hardware that’s certainly noticeable on top of a rifle. The main comments I get about it are concerns with weight and ergonomics. I’ve also been asked about its durability and overall utility.

For me, the system has been working flawlessly; however, it should be noted that this technology is still in its infancy. What you are witnessing right now as you read these words on this page is the technology window shifting. What Vortex has achieved here is extremely impressive.

The Geoballistics app is the centerpiece of this system. You can build various gun and bullet profiles quickly and easily using the data you collect at the range or in the field. The app itself is easy to use and very fast. I’ve used some in the past that were good but clunky, and this one is truly understandable to any end user.

Let’s say you’ve got a few Vortex optics in ADM QD mounts, and a few rifles in different calibers. You have a .22 LR bolt gun for NRL, a lightweight 6GT you like for competition and coyote hunting, and a .300 Win. Mag. you take out West. Because Vortex is so consistent and the ADM mounts are well known for their return to zero abilities, you’re comfortable swapping your optics out from gun-to-gun.

I do it, because it’s plenty easy and repeatable.

In your profile, for each gun, you have your chosen loads and notes on the scopes where your zeros are per caliber. One of your scopes has the Impact 4000 mounted on it, the other two don’t.

Let’s say you’re going hunting for elk in the mountains, and there’s close tree cover in some areas. You start low and spot using the Talon HD. This has an impressive maximum ranging distance of 10,000 yards, or more than 5.5 miles. This feature can help in land navigation, as it can provide you with accurate readings on landmarks to help you to plot a route.

Now, let’s say you have your .300 Win. Mag. and have put your new Razor HD 4-24x on it. You reset your turrets to your established zero, and you’re good to go. You spot an elk herd and stalk up; the wind is nasty because it always is, so you pull out the Ace and get in position. As you line up on the elk, you get live drop and windage correction looking at him through the Talon; it even corrects for a number of factors as you look … and it gives you a solution right in the display.

Now, you’re out solo for coyotes. You have the 6GT, and you’re posted up calling. You have your scope with the Impact 4000 mounted on it because you’re traveling light, and your shots are going to be on fast movers inside 500 yards, so you don’t bother with the Ace or Talon; you just need the speed of the Impact 4000 to give you ballistic data. They come in, and you knock them down as fast as you can get your drop readouts.

After all that, you and your buddies decide to see how far you can stretch out the .22 LR cartridge. You take the scope with the Impact 4000 mounted off your 6GT and get your known zero and profiles switched over. It’s windy so you pull out the Ace and start getting to work. Well, your buddy thinks he knows better, and you let him get on the gun. He’s unfamiliar with the Impact, but luckily you can be watching though the Talon and give him real-time updates on wind as he’s shooting.

While you’re there, your other pal wants to see what his iron-sighted M14 can do. He’s got no idea what his muzzle velocity is, but he’s shooting 168-grain Hornady match and he’s got National Match sights, so his adjustments are known. You check out the Hornady site for general velocity, plug that all into your app and build him out a profile. He takes a shot at 100 yards to confirm zero, and now you give him dope for 500. He clicks it in and it’s off, so he adjusts to hit, you adjust the MV number to correspond with his known drop, and then he’s trued out.

You give him correction for 500 and 600 yards, and a rock at 864—he clicks in and smacks it. Now your other buddy wants to try to hit it with your .22, so you quickly switch profiles, range it with the Talon and he fires.

Terrific Tech

So as far as my speculation goes, this is an incredible system that is highly flexible. When I started using it, I immediately thought about all the apps I have to manage my gear and how easy it could be instead.

This is just three products … and imagine the possibilities that exist: This technology can be integrated into spotting scopes and even thermal optics. Imagine being able to communicate in real-time with guides, spotters and other hunters without any guessing. It’s already possible to remotely watch the view through the scope on many thermal optics with wireless capabilities. You could be in the field as a spotter not only watching through your own optic that’s communicating data as you watch, but you could also be watching through your partner’s scope as well.

Instead of hours of setup and testing at the range, you get a new device and connect it, and all of your data is available instantly.

The possibilities here are somewhat endless. As a night hunter, it’s especially exciting. We are within the timeframe where we could have a single thermal optic that integrates a rangefinder and weather station into it that could instantly correct the digital reticle to the bullet drop and drift as you point it at a given object in real-time. This is huge, and the most impressive part of it all is that all you’d have to do is zero it for your rifle and port your data to it instantly, meaning your time getting into the field would be minimal and your efficiency would be maximized like never before. Thanks to Vortex and the Relay system, the average shooter can take a serious step into the future.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2026 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More On Long-Range Shooting

9 Long-Range Shooting Fundamentals You Must Master
Long-Range Hunting: Times And Tactics Have Changed
Legacy Skills: Becoming A Well-Rounded Long-Range Marksman
Your Precision Rifle Journey
Practical Precision: A Return To The Fighting Rifleman

Best Concealed Carry Revolvers For Personal Defense [Field Tested]

By

Elwood Shelton

-

January 26, 2026

8

Our current list of the best concealed carry revolvers that are more than ready to cover your six.

Semi-automatic pistols have ruled the roost when it comes to self-defense guns in recent years, but I'm a firm believer that concealed carry revolvers still hold their own when push comes to shove. The time-tested design is offered in some excellent self-defense calibers, is straightforward in operation and is as dependable as the next day’s dawn. And there are some top-notch and well-thought-out options in the revolver market tailor-made to hang ever-ready on your gun belt and deliver when called upon.

How We Chose The Best Concealed Carry Revolvers

We're fans of wheelguns at Gun Digest, and we still believe that they have a place in the concealed carry world despite the current domination of semi-autos. Between the other Gun Digest editors, our most trusted freelancers and myself, we have quite a bit of trigger time behind a variety of different carry revolvers, sending thousands of rounds down range and testing a wide swath of what the market has to offer in self-defense wheelguns. On each make/model we looked for the quality of the build, features, dependability, accuracy, concealability and price. When the dust settled these were our picks for the best concealed carry revolvers.

Best Revolvers For Concealed Carry

Best Overall: Ruger LCR
Best High-End: Smith & Wesson Performance Center 442
Best .357 Magnum: Ruger LCRx 3”
Best Value: Rock Island Armory M206 Spurless
Best .44: Charter Arms Bulldog DAO
Best .38: Smith & Wesson Model 642

Best Concealed Carry Revolvers Comparison

Model	Caliber	Capacity	Barrel Length (in)	Overall Length (in)	Overall Height (in)	Overall Width (in)	Weight (oz)	MSRP
Ruger LCR	.327 Federal Magnum	6	1.87	3.1	6.5	1.28	17	$859
Smith & Wesson PC 442	.38 SPL	5	1.88	6.31	4.3	1.3	15	$849
Ruger LCRx 3-in	.357 Magnum	5	3	7.5	5.8	1.28	21.3	$859
RIA M206 Spurless	.38 SPL	6	2	6.75	4.67	1.5	24	$279
Charter Arms Bulldog DAO	.44 SPL	5	2.5	7.38	5.13	N/A	21	$453.60
Smith & Wesson 642	.38 SPL	5	1.88	6.31	4.3	1.3	14.6	$539

Best Overall Concealed Carry Revolver: Ruger LCR

Pros

Very Lightweight
Snag-Free Design.
Easy to carry and conceal
Good Aftermarket Support

Cons

Snappy Recoil In Certain Calibers
A Lot Of Polymer
Expensive

Ruger LCR Specs (.327 Fed. Mag.)

Caliber: .327 Federal Magnum, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .22LR, 9mm
Capacity: 5 to 8 depending on caliber
Action: DAO
Barrel Length: 1.87 Inches
Overall Length: 6.5 Inches
Overall Height: 4.5 Inches
Overall Width: 1.28 Inches
Weight: 13.8 to 17.1 Ounces depending on caliber
MSRP: $739 to $859 depending on caliber

Outside of the cylinder, revolutionary hasn’t been applied much to the revolver since the 1830s. But there’s a whole bunch of it in the Ruger LCR (Lightweight Compact Revolver).

The diminutive five-round handgun is absolutely cutting edge when it comes to material use. Not only has Ruger turned to aircraft-grade aluminum for the gun’s frame, but also polymers for its fire-control housing. Combined with a highly fluted stainless-steel cylinder, the LCR is among the lightest guns available today—a whopping 13.5 ounces. On top of that, I find that Ruger’s friction-reducing cam system makes the LCR among the easiest double-actions to shoot well.

Per Ruger’s MO, the revolver is highly modifiable, boasting an easily replaceable pinned ramp front sight and grips. But outfitted at the factory with a Hogue Tamer Monogrip, there might not be much reason to go shopping in the latter department.

The revolver is available in five calibers, but for carry the .327 Federal Magnum would be my pick. While the ammo is a bit pricey and probably isn't stocked in most brick-and-mortar gun shops, the round punches above its weight all while fitting a sixth round in the cylinder (the .38 SPL +P, .357 Mag. and 9mm versions only hold 5). As a bonus, you can even shoot .32 S&W Long out of it for some inexpensive training or plinking fun.

Read our complete Ruger LCR review and see why it tops our list… particularly in .327 Federal Magnum.

Ruger LCR .327 Fed. Mag. Deals

Guns.com	$655.99
Cabela's	$679.99
Buds Gun Shop	$662.28

Best High-End Concealed Carry Revolver: Smith & Wesson Performance Center 442

Pros

Incredibly Lightweight
Easy To Carry
Shrouded Hammer For Snag-Free Draw
Comes With A Crimson Trace Lasergrip

Cons

Plenty Of Recoil
Expensive

S&W PC 442 Specs

Caliber: .38 Special
Capacity: 5
Action: DAO
Barrel Length: 1.88 Inches
Overall Length: 6.31 Inches
Overall Height: 4.3 Inches
Overall Width: 1.3 Inches
Weight: 15 Ounces
MSRP: $849

There are those, foolish as it may be, who think a J-frame is just a J-frame. To them, It doesn’t matter what model number Smith & Wesson slaps on one, they’re all the same. Boy howdy, what a mistaken frame of mind.

The S&W Performance Center 442 is more than proof.

Hand-assembled and tuned to perfection, the .38 Special is the epitome of a serious concealed carry revolver, a cut above most everything on the market today. Smith & Wesson has trimmed down the weight of the 442 to a scant 15 ounces unloaded, mainly thanks to an aluminum alloy frame. Yet, boasting a polished five-chamber stainless-steel cylinder, the +P-rated .38 is more than up for rough EDC treatment.

But is it on target? At 15-yards in—where it would most likely be employed—I found it absolutely accurate! Though, I'd venture this is it's limits in the hands of most shooters.

Expediting the 1.875-inch barreled gun’s target acquisition is a factory-installed Crimson Trace Lasergrip, which activates when you grip the revolver’s rounded butt. Of course, there’s a ramp front and integral rear sights for backup.

By the way, the DAO (double-action only) PC 442 comes sans an internal locking mechanism, always a plus when talking S&W.

Looking to step up your concealed carry revolver game, check out our S&W Performance Center Model 442 review and see if it's right for you.

S&W PC 442 Deals

Sportsman's Warehouse	$519.99
GrabAGun	$523.99
Guns.com	$772.99

Best .357 Magnum Concealed Carry Revolver: Ruger LCRx 3”

Pros

Better Ballistics
Bigger Grip
SA/DA

Cons

Harder To Conceal
Exposed Hammer Can Snag
Expensive

Ruger LCRx Specs (.357 Mag. 3″ Model)

Caliber: .357 Magnum
Capacity: 5
Action: DA/SA
Barrel Length: 3 Inches
Overall Length: 7.5 Inches
Overall Height: 5.8 Inches
Overall Width: 1.28 Inches
Weight: 21.3 Ounces
MSRP: $859

I hate to break it to you, but size matters.

Too short in the barrel department and the better part of that powder you're burning deflagrates in thin air. All you’re left with is a heap of muzzle flash and limp ballistic performance—particularly from a big dog, such as a .357 Magnum. Hence, why Ruger’s addition of a 3-inch barreled .357 Magnum LCRx is so welcome.

Certainly, the lightweight magnum falls short of producing the velocities found out of a 6-inch revolver—but by my chronograph, not by much. Which is to say, with this LCRx you’re well-armed.

As to its extra size, especially compared to many of the other options on this list, yes, it’s larger. However, not prohibitively so. I found the stainless-steel Ruger is still extremely concealable and at 21.3 ounces unloaded is no burden at all.

True enough, it’s not as streamlined as other concealed carry revolver options. It boasts adjustable rear target sights and an exposed spur. Yet, Ruger manages to keep this all fairly unobtrusive, keeping the LCRx snag-free once you’re used to the system.

Find out why this concealed carry revolver exerts magnum force in our Ruger LCRx review.

Ruger LCRx 3-in. .357 Mag. Deals

Sportsman's Warehouse	$649.97
Buds Gun Shop	$662.28
Cabela's	$689.99

Best Value Concealed Carry Revolver: Rock Island Armory M206 Spurless

Best Concealed Carry Revolvers: RIA Spurless

Pros

6-Round Capacity
Snag Free
Affordable

Cons

Not +P rated
Large For Its Class
Heavy For Its Class

RIA M206 Spurless Specs

Caliber: .38 Special
Capacity: 6
Action: DAO
Barrel Length: 2 Inches
Overall Length: 6.75 Inches
Overall Height: 4.67 Inches
Overall Width: 1.5 Inches
Weight: 24 Ounces
MSRP: $279 (black) ; $369 (nickel)

Not a new concealed carry revolver by any stretch of the imagination, but well worth adding to the list. The M206 Spurless is a real workingman’s .38 Special, short on glitz and glamor and long on performance. And, above all, affordable!

That’s a rarity nowadays, but highly welcome.

How Rock Island pulls this off is jettisoning aesthetics on the steel-framed revolver and purely focusing on performance. And the plucky 6-round, 2-inch barreled double-action performs.

I found the trigger surprisingly smooth for an entry-level revolver, its timing is impeccable and ramp front and fixed back sights plenty accurate at 15-yards in.

Plus it comes with some desirable features, such as checkered wood grips, ejector-rod shroud and a Colt-like cylinder release. Furthermore, there’s the choice of Parkerized and matte nickel finishes.

The issue the M206 presents, at least for me, is Rock Island does not list it as +P rated. While generations of law enforcement more than accomplished their mission with run-of-the-mill .38 Special, the velocity at which it operates doesn’t always play nice with modern expanding bullets.

To some extent, +P mitigates this issue – not always, but more so. Good defensive ammo is available for standard .38 Spc., but–especially out of a snubbie–requires savvy shopping.

Medium-Bore Match-Up: .38 Special vs 9mm

RIA M206 Spurless Deals

Palmetto State Armory	$263.99
Sportsman's Warehouse	$279.99
GrabAGun	$265.99

Best .44 Concealed Carry Revolver: Charter Arms Bulldog DAO

Best Concealed Carry Revolvers: Charter Arms Bulldog DAO

Pros

Easy To Shoot
Concealable
Snag-Free
Comfortable Grips

Cons

Defensive Ammo Expensive
Large

Charter Arms Bulldog DAO Specs

Caliber: .44 Special
Capacity: 5
Action: DAO
Barrel Length: 2.5 Inches
Overall Length: 7.38 Inches
Overall Height: 5.13 Inches
Overall Width: N/A
Weight: 21 Ounces
MSRP: $453.60

A surefire way of stopping a threat is to poke big holes into it. Charter Arms gives you the ability to do exactly this with its legendary .44 Special Bulldog.

The 2.5-inch barreled revolver has been around for a spell, first introduced in the early 1970s, and has only gotten better with time. This includes what I believe are some much-needed tweaks to the original design, such as making the front sight integral to the barrel and expanding the selection of models to keep up with prevailing concealed-carry trends.

The DAO is one such example.

A clipped spur isn’t absolutely essential for concealed carry revolvers, but it does up the odds of a clean draw each time the gun is unholstered. Not to mention, it makes the revolver more comfortable to carry.

The five-round revolver is very controllable, especially for weighing 21 ounces and pitching bullets up to 300 grains in weight. Much of this is due to the low pressure at which the .44 Special operates, and it is further helped down this road with generous grips, complete with finger grooves.

Being chambered for .44 Special, however, does pose a bit of a challenge.

Ammo is not as abundant as it is for the .38 Special or .357 Magnum. I was willing to shop around and found defensive loads, solid and hard-hitting options, but it does take some digging.

The reward for doing so, plenty peace of mind in holstering a dog that definitely has bite.

Charter Arms Bulldog DAO Deals

Sportsman's Warehouse	$469.99
Sportsman's Guide	$397.99

Best .38 Concealed Carry Revolver: Smith & Wesson Model 642

Best Concealed Carry Revolvers: S&W Model 642

Pros

Lightweight
Very Comfortable To Carry
Snag Free

Cons

Plenty Of Recoil

S&W Model 642 Specs

Caliber: .38 Special
Capacity: 5
Action: DAO
Barrel Length: 1.88 Inches
Overall Length: 6.31 Inches
Overall Height: 4.3 Inches
Overall Width: 1.3 Inches
Weight: 14.6 Ounces
MSRP: $539

For many, this Smith & Wesson J-Frame is what comes to mind when they think about concealed carry revolvers. The double-action only .38 Special (+P rated) is one of the easiest revolvers to carry, given it is among the lightest options available today.

The Model 642 weighs in at less than a pound unloaded—a scant 14.6 ounces—thanks largely to its aluminum-alloy frame. And with a shrouded hammer, well, there’s no worry about the revolver digging into your side when driving or snagging on your shirt when you need it most.

Granted, the 1.8-inch barreled snubby takes some practice to become fully proficient with it (what gun doesn’t?). But the .38 Special is a notoriously forgiving round to shoot—I'd even say pleasant. Chuck five rounds of +P ammo in its stainless-steel cylinder when it's time to head out the door, and you’ll know you're covered for anything short of World War III.

S&W Model 642 Deals

Cabela's	$559.99
Guns.com	$534.99

Choosing A Concealed Carry Revolver

If you're seriously considering getting a concealed carry revolver, we should take a minute to talk about the option for self-defense. It’s not the ideal choice for everyone, particularly entry-level shooters. Yes, the guy behind the gun counter might have sworn up and down otherwise, but guess what—he was selling you something, he might not have had your best intentions at heart.

As it goes, three areas make the concealed carry revolver tricky for beginners:

Barrel Length: Concealed carry revolvers are among the most compact handguns around, mainly due to an abbreviated barrel. We’re talking 3 inches or less. That’s short. While highly concealable, these ‘snubbies’ have exceedingly short sight radii—the distance between the front and rear sights. This is a concern, given the shorter the radius the less noticeable issues with your sight picture become, thus are more difficult to correct. Not the formula for success when you’re just starting.

Trigger: By and large, the concealed carry revolver has a double-action (DA) trigger, meaning each pull cocks the gun and releases the hammer. Indeed, many models can be shot in single-action, an impractical side-benefit for self-defense—unless you happen to be John Wesley Hardin. You’re not, by the way.

DA triggers are bears given most have a rather hefty pull weight, the amount of weight your finger must apply to depress the trigger and break a shot. Whereas most striker-fired pistols have a break somewhere around the 4- to 7-pound range, most DA revolvers' triggers trip in the 10-pound neighborhood. This makes trigger control much more difficult—i.e. the ability to break a shot while holding the gun on target.

Reloads: Reloading a revolver isn’t only a challenge for new shooters, but masters as well. Speed and tactical reloads especially. The issue at hand, quickly reloading a revolver is not a push-button affair like a pistol—a magazine doesn’t drop free and 15 rounds don’t load in with the slap of a palm. The process isn’t intuitive and requires many more steps than a pistol. Can it be done quickly? You bet your life, but expect a steeper learning curve and much more practice to reach proficiency.

Now, we're not mentioning these points to scare anyone off from a concealed carry revolver. Simply to enlighten you about some of the challenges inherent in the system, particularly those new to the gun game.

As a new shooter, perhaps you have the time and patients to learn a revolver’s manual of arms and perfect them to the point you can save your life with one. But if the process sounds daunting and more to tackle while taking the first steps as a gun owner, then perhaps a concealed carry revolver is something to consider down the road when you’ve built your skill base.

Get More Concealed Carry Info:

The Best Concealed Carry Guns
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Modern Rifle Bullets: Baby Steps Toward Perfection

By

Richard A. Mann

-

January 26, 2026

A closer look at some of the latest developments in ammunition technology.

I know folks snort and complain every time a new bullet or cartridge is invented and offered for sale. Thank goodness this was not the trend in 1926 with the .270 Winchester, in 1948 when John Nosler created the Nosler Partition … or in the mid-1980s when Walt Berger pioneered the VLD bullet. All the new cartridges and bullets we’ve seen over the years get us one step closer to better cartridges and better bullets, but we must acknowledge that all along we have been taking baby steps in the search for perfection.

Modern Rifle Bullets 11 — Here you can see how conventional cup and core and bonded bullets compare to the Nosler Partition, which has a partitioned core. (Left to right: Nosler Partition, Nosler Ballistic Tip, Nosler AccuBond.)

The modern rifle bullet started with a simple cup-and-core design that used a thin copper jacket over a pure lead core. This worked until velocities climbed to the point these bullets would not withstand impact with an animal. This led to bullets with tapered jackets, jackets that attempted to lock together with the core, partitioned jackets and jackets bonded to the bullet’s core.

Modern Rifle Bullets 12 — What has always made the Nosler Partition special was its ability to damage large amounts of tissue and penetrate deeply. It’s the jacketed bullet forerunner of the mono-metal Controlled Chaos bullet.

Eventually, all this progress gave us the mono-metal X Bullet and the various iterations of that design and other lead-free projectiles. All these bullets were attempts to create an accurate bullet that would also deliver great terminal performance up close at high velocity and far away at much slower velocities.

We got pretty good at making those bullets until about 2010. The new 6.5 Creedmoor and the similar fast-twisted, long-range cartridges that followed are capable of flatter, more wind-defying trajectories at distances most shooters only dreamed of shooting at. Why? Because all these new cartridges utilized a fast rifling twist rate that could stabilize a more aerodynamic bullet. This really pleased target shooters because, like with the Berger VLD, manufacturers were good at making target bullets with a high ballistic coefficient (BC).

However, hunters wanted a bullet that would shoot the same, but that would also provide good terminal performance up close and at extreme distance. Hunters had the cartridges they wanted, but once again lacked the bullets they needed.

The Nosler Partition And The Berger VLD

You could argue that, when it comes to terminal performance and precision, the Nosler Partition and the Berger VLD are the gold standards. The Nosler Partition is designed to shed its front core to enhance wound cavity size and tissue damage through the dispersion of lead particles, and for the rear core—with the deformed frontal jacket increasing frontal diameter—to retain enough weight for deep penetration. Though not known for delivering extreme precision, the Nosler Partition performs well—terminally—over a wide velocity range.

Modern Rifle Bullets 4 — The Berger VLD bullet will deliver good terminal performance at slow impact velocity and can also deliver one-hole accuracy. When impacting at extreme speeds, it can be explosive with limited penetration.

As for the Berger VLD, it combines an insanely streamlined profile with a thin copper J4 jacket surrounding a pure lead core. Using manufacturing techniques created by master benchrest shooter Walt Berger, this allowed the bullets to be made incredibly precise, which is what’s needed for extreme precision. Berger VLDs can deliver fine precision at extreme distance, and at distance they tend to deliver good terminal performance, though at a moderate depth. But when they impact at close range at high velocity, their terminal performance—though violent—is shallow.

Modern Attempts at Bullet Perfection

With the fast twist rates of modern rifle cartridges, you can shoot a longer more aerodynamic bullet with a higher BC. This is what target shooters and hunters want so they can get hits at distance easier.

But the struggle has been building long and slender high BC bullets that will deliver great precision and good terminal performance over a wide impact velocity range. Essentially, what’s needed is a bullet that flies like a Berger VLD but that performs—terminally—like a Nosler Partition.

Modern Rifle Bullets 10 — Hornady’s new CX bullet is a fantastic mono-metal bullet that shoots accurately and provides good terminal performance. But the faster-twisted the barrel is, the better terminal performance it will provide.

One of the most successful attempts has been the Hornady ELD-X. By utilizing the combination of a tapered and high concentric AMP jacket, a lead core, streamlined design, and a heat shield tip that helps maintain ballistic coefficient, the ELD-X bullet shoots with great precision and delivers good terminal performance at slow impact velocities.

Modern Rifle Bullets 2 — The Hornady ELD-X bullet with its original translucent tip. This is a great long-range hunting bullet, but with high velocity impacts, it can be overstressed.

However, at extreme high velocity impact—up-close shots with magnums—the ELD-X can shed its core and deliver limited penetration.

Modern Rifle Bullets 5 — Hornady loads the ELD-X bullet in their Precision Hunter line of ammo. This ammo generally provides great precision and good terminal performance, especially at distance.

Barnes Bullets attempted the any-range bullet by increasing the hollow-point cavity size in their Triple Shock bullet and then adding a polymer tip to help instigate bullet upset at slow velocities. Their LRX bullet will flower open at slightly slower velocities than their TSX or TTSX bullets and retain—in most cases—100 percent of its weight for deep penetration.

Modern Rifle Bullets 9 — The Barnes LRX bullet is a fine long-range hunting bullet, but at impact velocities below 2,000 fps it delivers less than optimal performance.

However, because this bullet does not shed material like the Nosler Partition, wound cavities tend to be narrow. As with a lot of recent modern bullet options, it seemed like we tend to have too much of one thing and not enough of the other.

The Lehigh Defense Controlled Chaos bullet is a different take on the mono-metal bullet, and it’s a bullet that Hammer Bullets has tried to emulate. Instead of retaining its petals, it sheds them, almost immediately after impact. However, unlike the petals from most mono-metal bullets that, if they break off, tend to trail behind the main bullet path, the petals from the Controlled Chaos bullet push forward, radiating out from the path of the base of the bullet, creating their own paths of destruction.

Modern Rifle Bullets 3 — A 102-grain Controlled Chaos bullet at 3,400 fps and twisted to one turn in 7.5 inches can be dime-splitting accurate and seriously deadly up close and at distance. With a higher BC, it would be near perfect for what modern hunters now want.

Also, most mono-metal bullets need to impact at around 2,000 fps to deliver meaningful bullet upset, but the Controlled Chaos bullet—especially when twisted fast—will work at impact speeds as slow as 1,600 fps. Essentially, it’s a mono-metal bullet that works similar to a Nosler Partition, and it’s available in several variations. Though Controlled Chaos bullets generally deliver excellent precision, even the polymer-tipped Controlled Chaos bullets have lower ballistic coefficients than most jacketed or other mono-metal bullets of the same caliber and weight.

Modern Rifle Bullets 13 — The Controlled Chaos bullet might best be described as a more accurate mono-metal version of the time-proven Nosler Partition.

Enter, The Spin Doctor

In the past, we flattened trajectories with high velocity, which is why cartridges like the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum and all the Weatherby cartridges exist. However, with the modern cartridges and their fast twist rates, bullet engineers have more to work with.

The linear velocity of a bullet degrades swiftly after it exits the barrel because of gravity. At 400 yards, a bullet from a 6.5 Creedmoor will have lost nearly 25 percent of its velocity. However, the rotational velocity of a bullet hardly degrades at all over distance. This is, of course, what helps keep bullets stable in flight.

However, bullets that are spinning faster upset better on impact. The centrifugal force generated by the spin helps peel back the bullet’s jacket or petals. The faster a bullet is spinning the more rotational energy it has.

To get an idea of the difference in rotational velocities from a slow-twist rifle compared to a fast-twist rifle, we can compare a .308 Winchester with a 6.5 Creedmoor.

Modern Rifle Bullets 1 — This Hornady ELD-X bullet was recovered from an elk that was shot at 318 yards with a .308 Winchester. Impact velocity was about 2,000 fps.

Most .308 Winchester rifles have a 1-in-10 twist, but the 6.5 Creedmoor has a 1-in-8 twist. If both rifles fire a bullet at 2,800 fps, the .308 Winchester bullet will have a rotational velocity of 201,600 rpm and the 6.5 Creedmoor bullet’s rotational velocity will be 25 percent faster at 252,000 rpm. The faster twist rate of the 6.5 Creedmoor allows it to shoot bullets with a higher ballistic coefficient and retain linear velocity better, but it also has more rotational velocity to help the bullet upset on impact.

This high rotational velocity is what allows the 8.6 Blackout cartridge, which has a crazy fast 1-in-3 twist, to deliver such violent wound cavities at supersonic velocities of around 2,000 fps and even at subsonic velocities. At subsonic velocity, the 8.6 Blackout has the same rotational velocity the 6.5 Creedmoor has at 2,800 fps. And at 2,000 fps, the 8.6 Blackout has an incredible rotational velocity of 480,000.

Modern Rifle Bullets 14 — Because of its fast 1-in 3-twist rate, even at velocities between 1,000 and 2,000 fps, the 8.6 Blackout cartridge allows bullets like the Controlled Chaos to work exceptionally well.

High rotational velocities are also why bullets fired from a 9mm Luger, with a twist rate of 1-in-10 and a rotational velocity of around 82,000 rpm, will upset over a wider impact velocity range than bullets fired from a .40 S&W or .45 Auto, which will only have a rotational velocity of about 51,750 rpm.

The point of all this is that, going forward, we can expect the fast twists we’ve seen with modern cartridges—the Creedmoors, PRCs, ARCs, the 7mm Backcountry and the brand-new 25 RPW Weatherby—to be the new standard. These fast twist rates help us shoot bullets that fly flatter and resist the wind, but they also help bullets upset and damage more tissue.

In the Field and in the Future

To sort of summarize all this, let’s look at two deer shot with the new, 1-in-7.5-inch twisted, .25 RPM Weatherby last deer season.

Modern Rifle Bullets 8 — This whitetail had been shot by another hunter and was put out of its misery with a 102-grain Controlled Chaos bullet from a .25 RPM Weatherby at 419 yards. Impacting at less than 2,400 fps, the bullet still had a rotational velocity of more than 300,000 rpm, and it created a nasty and lethal wound.

The bullet was a 102-grain Lehigh Defense Controlled Chaos bullet that left the muzzle at 3,400 fps. One deer was shot at 300 yards and the other at 420 yards. Now, this bullet does not have a high BC, at 300 yards it impacted at about 2,650 fps, and at about 2,400 fps at 420 yards. However, the high spin rate helped the bullet shed its petals, allowing them to track through the deer, creating their own paths of destruction all the way to the rib cage on the other side. The bullet’s base exited and when the petals reached the offside of the rib cage, each had radiated out from the main bullet path by about 4 inches.

Modern Rifle Bullets 7 — With a muzzle velocity of 3,400 fps, like is possible from the new .25 RPM Weatherby cartridge, tough mono-metal bullets make sense, especially ones that will still work at long range.

When those bullets impacted the deer, they had a rotational velocity of about 326,400 rpm. That’s 30 percent faster than a common 6.5 Creedmoor bullet.

Bullet engineers have just about exhausted all their options with both jacketed and mono-metal bullet designs. But an area they still have room to explore is how they can leverage faster twist rates with various bullet designs to not only make them fly flatter with less wind drift, but to also be more lethal.

I believe in the future we will be able to take bullets similar in design to the mono-metal Controlled Chaos and twist them fast enough to give us everything we need with regard to precision and external and terminal ballistics, up close and at distance.

You might say that, in more ways than just one, it’s a twisted new world we’re living in.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2026 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More On Rifle Bullets

Lighter Bullets, Longer Ranges
Bullet Sectional Density And Penetration Potential
Bullet Weight: Is Bigger Really Better?
Bullet Technology And Ballistic Innovation With Lehigh Defense

Best SIG P365 Upgrades 2026 [Field Tested]

By

Alexander Castiglione

-

January 26, 2026

2

Kick up your SIG's performance with these P365 upgrades. We put them through the wringer so you don't have to.

The Sig Sauer P365 is the most popular concealed carry pistol as of the time of this writing. And with that comes a litany of aftermarket support. By Sig utilizing a modular FCU design an entire sub-market opened up. And as we’ve seen in multiple arenas, whenever a new market opens up, innovation rules the proverbial roost.

With all of the choices comes paralysis. Some companies literally have thousands of different configurations for their P365 setups. Couple that with the dozens and dozens of companies that make grip modules, slides, small parts, spring kits, striker assemblies, back plates, and more, and it becomes even more daunting.

Worry not, though, fellow shooter. We reviewed as many as we possibly could over the last six months, so you can make an informed choice for upgrading your P365. Let’s get into it.

How I Choose The Best P365 Upgrades

Every component was tested rigorously in a hands-on on head-to-head by the author, over the course of several months. The scoring criteria document gets into the details, criteria, and commentary of each component, and scores critical dimensions of each product. Items were scored on the following dimensions: Grip modules for comfort, shootability, modularity, concealability and a nod to holster compatibility. Slides for shootability, controlability, form factor/aesthetics, and porting/recoil impulse if applicable. Optics were scored on window size, footprint, battery size, clarity, durability, and brightness.

Best P365 Grip Modules: Sharps Bros MACRO

Grade

Overall Average: 4.4
Comfort: 5
Shootability: 5
Modularity: 4
Concealability: 3.5
Holster Compatibility: Holster choices are pretty slim but TXC has some phenomenal options.

At the risk of sounding preferential, the Sharps Bros MACRO grip module is probably one of my favorites, especially when paired with the matching slide. It has similar gas pedals as other offerings, but with the Brazilian Cherry hardwood grips. It just looks and feels sexy.

Fine checkering on the front and backstrap and a chunkier grip make this gun a pleasure to shoot with a full-size magazine. The magwell has a slight flare; you can make quick reloads, but still conceal essentially a full-size gun.

Texturing on the front strap and backstrap makes this a wonderful extension of your hand, with outstanding ergonomics and pointability. I can press out, eyes closed, and open up to a perfect sight picture. That’s the sweet spot of any pistol.

One detail I love about this grip module is the use of a screw instead of a pin to install the FCU. That detail, along with the elegant styling and exceptional ergs, make this one of my top picks.

Sharps Bros Deals

Optics Planet	$290
Midway USA	$300

Runner Up P365 Grip Module: Shalotek Macro Flex Frame

Grade

Overall Average: 4.3
Comfort: 4
Shootability: 5
Modularity: 5
Concealability: 3
Holster Compatibility: TXC and Four Bros make excellent holsters for this grip module. However, some of my slides did not fit in the Four Bros (Norsso for example).

Shalotek is in a class all its own with the modularity, innovation, comfort, and permutations of the slides/grip modules they offer. I tested several different types of setups, but its Macro Flex Frame tied for first. I do need to mention, and even the guys at Shalotek warned me, the tolerances here are tight. Putting in an FCU for the first time requires patience, a soft touch, and some gun oil. Same goes for all the other mechanical parts, they’re right, right, and lock up nice.

Macro Flex Frame Deals

SIG Sauer	$420
Shalotek	$420

Other P365 Grip Models Tested

Icarus Precision: Grade–3.5
Mischief Machine Alpha Gen 3: Grade–3.5
Mischief Machine Commander: Grade–4.1
True Precision: Grade–3.5
Juggernaut Tactical: Grade–4.13

Best P365 Slide: Norsso Reptile

Grade

Overall: 5
Shootability: 5
Controlability: 5
Form Factor: 5
Porting/Recoil Impulse: 5

The Norsso Reptile is easily one of my favorite slide/barrel combos for a few reasons. A unique scale-like serrations, it truly lives up to its namesake. Furthermore, there are window/lightening cuts, but with the scalloped edges that look like eyes.

The N365XL Bull Barrel Reptile KP Set features: a RMSc/Holosun/EPS Carry footprint, and I’ve been testing it with the SCS Carry by Holosun. The sawtooth texturing on the top of the slide gives way to the porting, which is primo: the geo ports are outstanding. Moreover, the bull barrel itself is crazy accurate, stupid thick, with a target crown. Note: this slide only works with Bull Barrels.

The 3.7” barrel mates into the slide for a smooth buttery action, and is machined from 17-4 PH Stainless. The rear serrations are deep, aggressive and outstanding for maintaining a grip with wet or – worst case – bloody hands.

Reptile Deals

Primary Arms	$456
Norsso	$454

Runner Up P365 Slide: Fdez Works Slide

Grade

Overall: 4.5
Shootability: 5
Controlability: 5
Form Factor: 4
Porting/Recoil Impulse: 4

This combo is interesting for a variety of reasons, first and foremost, its futuristic styling. With ultra-modern styling—from the pinched rear of the slide to relief cuts on the top side—it just has a unique look. The barrel is both ported and compensated and the slide itself is integrally compensated, making this a very flat-shooting gun. Mine was tested with Angry Bear Arms sights and a Holosun 407K mounted.

Fdez Works Deals

GunMag Warehouse	$375
FDZ Werx	$300

Best P365 Barrel: True Precision

True Precision got their name making barrels for every major pistol, to be sure, but also for every Sig P365 iteration and flavor.

Their proprietary broach cut has 5 grooves, with a 1/10 right hand twist, suitable for all ammo, even cast lead barrels. The barrels themselves are machined and cut from 416r stainless, and aren’t blanks. They take a solid bolt of metal and turn it into a barrel on site and in the US. The barrels come with either 1/2×28 threads or a target crown.

I tested an XL barrel with my True Precision slide. Of all the barrels and barrel companies, since this was how they started, True Precision has the most optionality, versatility, and breadth of choice. You can get one that’s nitrided, or one that is PVD coating in any of the whacky colors they make. You can truly build a unique one-of-a-kind gun with their parts.

True Precision Deals

Midwest Gun Works

$171

Best P365 Comp: Radian AfterBurner + RamJet

This is the gold standard for compensators against which all other comps should be compared. While pricey, and requiring a barrel/comp combo, this is by far the most accurate and reliable package of the bunch. With a novel and easy installation of just a hex screen and barrel/comp pair, the Radian Afterburner Ramjet combo is the pinnacle of compensation and concealability, in my humble opinion.

The barrel itself is made from 416R stainless, enhanced with their Radianite coating. This gives the slide a slick surface to ride over, low friction, high hardness, and corrosion resistance. The small comp doesn’t stick out too far, and on standard 365 barrels it’s rumored to fit into XL holsters with ease.

The Intra-Lok mourning system uses a taper lock, and angled v groove under the barrel to provide a tight and reliable fit. It’s a simple and repeatable process, and is easy to take off with just a screwdriver, unlike some integrated compensator designs that require special tools and a lot of elbow grease.

It performed as well if not better as testes, with a significant reduction in perceived recoil. No ammo issues were observed, and this thing cycles my competition powder-puff loads as well as carry loads. A clear frontrunner, the Radian RamJet is ideal for a CCW compensator.

Ramjet Deals

Scheels	$390
Midway USA	$390

Best P365 Open Emitter Optic: Vortex Defender

Grade

Overall: 4.8
Window Size: 5
Footprint: 5
Battery Size: 4
Clarity: 5
Durability: 5
Brightness: 5

The Defender CCW is my favorite open reflex sight that was tested. Even against a 407/507k, and a Trijicon RMRcc, I found the Vortex to be the best all around red dot. With the best warranty out there, and the texturing on the front of the lens housing, I also shamelessly racked it off everything, as I do with all my dots. This sight held up to the abuse, of course, and held zero.

Spec wise, it’s solid. With an aluminum housing, the 3 MOA dot runs on a common 1632 top load battery – unlike the RMRcc which requires you to take it off – and a shim plate. It has motion sensors that turn it on, and it auto shuts off after 10 mins of non-use. The red dot itself was crisp, small enough for precision shots (my preference) and performed beautifully on a Shalotek LC slide.

Overall, of all the dots I tested, this is the best reflex sight. It’s durable, reliable, has a great warranty, and even the design acknowledges dots are made for racking.

Vortex Defender Deals

Euro Optics	$250
Primary Arms	$300

Best P365 Enclosed Emitter Optic: Holosun SCS & EPS

Grade

SCS

Overall: 5
Window Size: 5
Footprint: 5
Battery Size: 5
Clarity: 5
Durability: 5
Brightness: 5

EPS

Overall: 5
Window Size: 5
Footprint: 5
Battery Size: 5
Clarity: 5
Durability: 5
Brightness: 5

These two sights are some of my favorites, and I have some that are much more expensive than these enclosed emitter red dots. Sleek, rugged and with crisp reticles, both of these Holosuns are outstanding choices.

The SCS Carry runs on a solar-rechargeable battery that gets up to 20,000 hours of life on a single charge. The window is rather large for an optic this size (0.9 in x .63 in), and within the window the reticle is green, bright, and crisp.

A 2 MOA dot and 32 MOA ring, the green reticle makes me get over my hatred for green dots, as they usually wash out. The bright reticle is capable of cycling between just the dot, dot and circle, or just the circle. I love this option and delivers it.

The aluminum housing is rugged, the aesthetics of it are pleasing, and she holds zero of course. The shakeawake tech is pretty standard, except for ironically Trijicon, and works well here.

Its brother – the EPS carry – also has a solar failsafe but runs a 1620 battery for 50,000 hours of life. Similar to the SCS, it has a 2 MOA dot, 32 MOA circle that can be run either with just the dot, dot and circle, or just the circle. The red reticle is my preference, and is plenty bright, with some NV settings as well. The window size is slightly smaller (0.58 x 0.77), but it sits lower so as to co-witness better. Both of these are in heavy rotation on my carry guns.

EPS Deals

Optics Planet	$330
Primary Arms	$330

SCS Deals

Optics Planet	$350
Scheels	$350

Other Optics Tested

Trijicon RMRcc: Grade–4.2
Primary Arms Classic Series 21mm: Grade–3.3
Shield Arms AMSc: Grade–4

Best P365 Holsters: Tier1 Concealed Axis Elite

Grade

Overall: 3.5
Comfort: 3
Fit: 4
Printing Factor: 5
Cross Compatibility: 4

One of the gold standards of concealment and versatility, the Tier1 Concealed Axis Elite is top notch when it comes to the ability to carry an extra mag and keep everything concealed. For standard OEM grip modules, this is by far my favorite rig to carry with. Not only do I have an extra magazine on tap, but the p365 platform with a 12 rd grip module just disappears, even in summer. This isn’t my only T1C, I have about 4 others – but for the p365 in standard configuration, this is hard to beat, especially for the sidecar layout. Their Axis Elite setup just vanishes. Overall, the most comfortable and concealable holster out there.

Sharps Bros Deals

Tier1

$140

Other Holsters Tested

LAS Concealment: Grade–4
Hillker Holster: Grade–3.5
TXC: Grade–4.8
4Bros: Grade–4.3

Best P365 Chassis: Flux Raider

Flux Raider 365 Closed with True Precision Slide and PA Green Dot

The Flux Raider is an interesting little toy, and yes, I view it as a nice to have, but not a need to have. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very cool little package, I tested with my True Precision slide, and the Flux 6” barrel.

It’s a solid piece of anodized aluminum as the chassis, which allows the user to carry 1 in the gun, 1 in the front as a backup. Clevery, the mag release to drop your backup mag also engages the magazine in the grip of the gun, making mag changes simple as the press of a button i.e. you will drop an empty when you grab a full magazine and press the button.

Furthermore, the brace can be actuated with your right index finger, and the weapon can be fired with the brace open or closed. I tested it running a few with it closed, opening it and shouldering it with no issues. It’s a very cool design and is intuitive, that is to say: easy to learn.
I had good accuracy on a plate rack with this set up, for example, but I was still faster and more accurate with my pistol. Maybe with practice I could blow away my plate rack times with this since there are more contact points, but in testing, I would just go for a pistol and extra mags. With a side-car rig and a Macro size gun, you have the same ammo, and just have to reach a little further for a reload (hip vs using support hand).

Flux Raider Deals

FLUX Defense

$800

Best P365 Optics Plates: Maple Leaf Firearms

Imagine your chagrin if you spent close to $1,000 on a FCU, grip and slide milled, only to find out that the $600 RMRcc didn’t mount to anything. Maple Leaf heard your pain and created plates to allow you to mount pretty much anything to a P365. I tested out P365s with RMR footprint optics with the company’s adaptor and was pleased. Maple Leaf also makes they even make slides for direct mount RMRcc. It’s very innovative companyand they think in thousandths of an inch with all of their products.
Best Trigger: MCarbo

Probably the gold standard of striker assemblies, MCarbo has a lot going for them. With its titanium striker assembly, it’s made OEM assemblies seem suboptimal. The titanium striker reduces lock time, in addition to being lighter—minimizing light strakes and primer drag. The downside is the strike assembly is both expensive and has a proprietary back plate. What’s more the geometry of the design reduces primer drag and is an instant upgrade for all Sig Models.

Its trigger shoe is a wonderful upgrade as well. It is adjustable and improves the reset and break angle by up to 33 percent. In the Mischief Machine grip module I tested with the MCarbo slide, I installed this trigger in the FCU and the combination of the trigger, titanium striker assembly, and Mcarbo slide gave me wonderful results. It dropped nearly 1 pound in pull weight to around 2lb 10oz, with minimal grit. The geometry of this trigger does lower the overall trigger pull.

Maple Leaf Plate Deals

Maple Leaf

$75

P365 FAQ

Is the Sig P365 the best carry gun?

There is no “best” carry gun. One handgun might be ideal for one person's risk profile, skill ability, budget and other factors, but not for another. However, the P365 certainly has been among the most popular concealed carry pistols to come out in recent years. This is due to a number of factors, in particular its small size, excellent capacity and accuracy.

Does the Sig Sauer P365 have a lot of recoil?

The pistol does not have considerably more or less recoil than other micro-compact 9mm options. For the caliber, this class of guns is considered to have a fair amount of recoil, particularly compared to duty- and full-sized 9mm handguns. That said, micro-compact 9mm do not have excessive recoil and, with practice, can be managed by even those new to handgun shooting.

What are the cons of the Sig P365?

Likely, the price tag of the P365 is the pistol's largest con, especially compared to other micro-compact 9mms. From there, the gun has a stiff recoil that beginners may have difficulties managing, the factory trigger is squishy and it has a short sight radius, which may affect the accuracy of those new to this class of gun.

How many bullets does a SIG P365 hold?

The P365 ships with a 10-round magazine, however, 12-round magazines are also available for the pistol.

More On SIG:

SIG P365 Rose Review: The Pistol’s Petals And Thorns
Sig Sauer P322 & SRD22X Review: The Quiet Couple
6 Best Sig Sauer Pistols For Concealed Carry
SIG P365: Small Package, Big Performance

Best AK Ammo: 7.62×39 Buyer’s Guide 2026 [Field Tested]

By

-

January 24, 2026

I hit the range with a spread of different AK ammo to find the best 7.62×39 loads for plinking, hunting and self-defense.

Not that long ago, AKs were cheap, and the 7.62x39mm ammunition they fired made blasting trash in the woods an economically sound pastime. So economical, in fact, that AR-15s chambered for it were once a popular option for those looking to keep range time affordable.

Those days are, unfortunately, well behind us.

Now, AR-15s are far more affordable than the most budget-tier Kalashnikovs, and cheap 5.56 NATO can be found at nearly half the price of 7.62 Soviet.

Does the new, higher cost of 7.62×39 mean you should stop shooting your ComBloc guns? Of course not, you just have to be smarter about what you feed them.

Whether you’re looking to fill magazines for the range, maximize the defensive capabilities of a self-defense SBR or even take a deer this season, here I'm going to go over some of the top AK ammo options on the market.

How I Chose The Best AK Ammo

Armed with a variety of 7.62×39 loads, two rifles and a Caldwell Ballistic Precision G2 chronograph, I headed out to the range to do some testing.

I sent two 5-round groups of each load through the chrono, one group using a standard 16-inch WASR 10 and the other group with a 12.5-inch Romanian SBR.

Chronograph data isn’t everything, but it does help determine which of the ammo types are loaded consistently and if they generate the advertised velocity or not.

All tested loads functioned and cycled flawlessly through both rifles, so reliability isn’t a concern, although only one type of magazine was used throughout (a WBP 20-round polymer mag).

To scientifically test ammunition's accuracy, you need some method of removing the human element from the equation. I didn’t have that, so I merely confirmed practical accuracy with a 6-inch gong at 100 yards. Using iron sights from a bench, each load went five for five hits. It doesn’t show which ammo type was the most precise, but it does show that all the loads tested should be good enough for hunting or defensive purposes at normal ranges. AKs and 7.62×39 are more accurate than they get credit for, but if you’re looking to do long-range precision work, you should be looking at other cartridges.

After taking into account factors like chronograph data, price and the projectile qualities of each type of AK ammo, these are the top loads I’d recommend feeding your Kalashnikov with.

The Best AK Ammo

Best Range Ammo: Wolf Military Classic
Best Deer Ammo: Winchester Power-Point
Best For Hog Hunting: Prvi Partizan PSP
Best Defensive, 16-inch AK: Winchester Deer Season XP
Best Defensive, SBR: Hornady BLACK MonoFlex SBR

Ammo Comparison Table: 16-inch Barrel

LOAD	Min. Vel.	Max. Vel.	Average Vel.	ES	SD
Wolf Military Classic 124gr	2,231	2,284	2,257	53	21.3
Winchester Power-Point 123gr	2,325	2,374	2,351	49	17.9
PPU PSP 123gr	2,138	2,357	2,280	219	78.6
Winchester Deer Season XP 123gr	2,345	2,377	2,360	32	12.5
Hornady BLACK SBR 111gr	2,283	2,374	2,330	91	37.6

Ammo Comparison Table: 12.5-inch Barrel

LOAD	Min. Vel.	Max. Vel.	Average Vel.	ES	SD
Wolf Military Classic 124gr	2,094	2,196	2,139	99	39.6
Winchester Power-Point 123gr	2,152	2,226	2,200	74	25.3
PPU PSP 123gr	2,098	2,214	2,173	116	39.8
Winchester Deer Season XP 123gr	2,173	2,235	2,213	62	23.2
Hornady BLACK SBR 111gr	2,206	2,291	2,226	85	33.5

Best Range Ammo: Wolf Military Classic

Bullet Weight: 124gr
Projectile Style: Full Metal Jacket
Case Material: Steel
Country Of Origin: Russia

Bbl Length (in.)	Min. Vel.	Max. Vel.	Average Vel.	ES	SD
16	2,231	2,284	2,257	53	21.3
12.5	2,094	2,196	2,139	99	39.6

PROS:

Still some of the cheapest AK ammo available
The real Russian stuff, get it while you can

CONS:

Steel case, not reloadable

Despite a ban on Russian ammo importation going into effect in 2021, apparently, the stuff was stockpiled in massive quantities because ammo retailers still seem to have plenty available at the time of writing. The only difference is that it’s not as cheap as it once was, although it is still some of the cheapest. Once reserves dry up, we’ll have to turn to another source, but in the meantime, Russian-made AK ammo remains my go-to.

The chrono data showed it was relatively consistent and generated expected velocities, and that’s all you really need from standard range FMJ ammo. The only potential downside to some is that it’s steel-cased, so it can’t be reloaded, but who reloads AK ammo anyway? If you do, the rest of this list has plenty of brass-cased options to choose from.

Ammo To Go

1,000 Rounds – $585

Best Deer Ammo: Winchester Power-Point

ak ammo buyers guide winchester power point

Bullet Weight: 123gr
Projectile Style: Traditional Soft-Point
Case Material: Brass
Country Of Origin: U.S.A.

Bbl Length (in.)	Min. Vel.	Max. Vel.	Average Vel.	ES	SD
16	2,325	2,374	2,351	49	17.9
12.5	2,152	2,226	2,200	74	25.3

PROS:

Classic Winchester soft-point load for deer
Consistently loaded with good average velocity

CONS:

A bit pricey

The classic American deer rifle is a lever-action in .30-30 Winchester, but the rifles and ammo can be pricey. There was a time when an SKS loaded with 7.62×39 could provide very similar effective performance for a lot less money. While prices have gone up across the board, 7.62×39 remains the cheaper cartridge and is still just as good at taking medium-sized game.

Winchester Power-Point in 7.62×39 is loaded with a traditional soft-point 123-grain projectile that offers great knock-down power and penetration. My chronograph testing shows that it has about 100 fps more velocity than the Wolf FMJ on average, too, so it should expand nicely on impact.

Ammo To Go

20 Rounds – $29

Best For Hog Hunting: Prvi Partizan PSP

Bullet Weight: 123gr
Projectile Style: Pointed Soft-Point
Case Material: Brass
Country Of Origin: Serbia

Bbl Length (in.)	Min. Vel.	Max. Vel.	Average Vel.	ES	SD
16	2,138	2,357	2,280	219	78.6
12.5	2,098	2,214	2,173	116	39.8

PROS:

Affordable for soft point
Good balance between terminal performance and price

CONS:

Not loaded very consistently

Admittedly, PPU’s soft-point 7.62×39 isn’t quite as nice as the above load of Winchester, but that’s also reflected in its price. Culling hogs requires a lot more ammo than taking a deer or two, and that calls for less expensive ammo.

PPU’s PSP 123-grain soft-point load is the perfect balance between performance and price. It offers much better effect on target than standard cheap FMJ, but it’s also sold in 1000-round bricks for about half the per-round price of Winchester Power-Point. If you’re looking to load up several banana mags to help control the wild hog population, I think PPU’s soft-points are the ideal option.

Ammo To Go

1,000 Rounds – $750

Best Full-Size Defensive Round: Winchester Deer Season XP

Bullet Weight: 123gr
Projectile Style: Polymer-Tipped Extreme Point
Case Material: Brass
Country Of Origin: U.S.A.

Bbl Length (in.)	Min. Vel.	Max. Vel.	Average Vel.	ES	SD
16	2,345	2,377	2,360	32	12.5
12.5	2,173	2,235	2,213	62	23.2

PROS:

Loaded very consistenly
XP projectile should provide excellent effect on target

CONS:

A bit pricey

Another Winchester load optimized for deer, ostensibly, is Deer Season XP. For the 16-inch WASR, however, chronograph testing revealed that it had the highest average velocity with very consistent results.

The Extreme Point (XP) projectile was designed to remain ballistically efficient while providing near instant, devastating expansion on impact. The rest of the jacketed bullet was designed to deliver excellent penetration through hide and muscle, but that same performance should have no issue translating to stopping a human attacker.

Ammo To Go

20 Rounds – $33

Best SBR Defensive Round: Hornady BLACK MonoFlex SBR

Bullet Weight: 111gr
Projectile Style: MonoFlex Expanding Flex Tip
Case Material: Brass
Country Of Origin: U.S.A.

Bbl Length (in.)	Min. Vel.	Max. Vel.	Average Vel.	ES	SD
16	2,283	2,374	2,330	91	37.6
12.5	2,206	2,291	2,226	85	33.5

PROS:

Optimized for short barrels
MonoFlex projectile ideal for stopping human threats

CONS:

Expensive

No surprise, the Hornady BLACK load optimized for defensive use with short-barreled rifles proved to have the best performance when tested in the SBR. It’s the only load on the list that doesn’t have a standard 123- or 124-grain bullet weight, and the data reveals that the 111-grain MonoFlex bullet still has excellent velocity out of a shorter barrel.

Just as important is the projectile itself, and the Hornady MonoFlex is designed to penetrate deep, expand maximally and lose a minimal amount of weight in the process. When it comes to stopping attackers with a short-barreled AK, accept no substitute.

Ammo To Go

20 Rounds – $35

7.62×39 FAQ

Is 7.62×39 too much for home defense?

In terms of having enough stopping power to incapacitate an attacker, no, 7.62×39 is definitely not too much for home defense. If your living arrangement means you have to worry about overpenetration through walls, however, it might not be the best round for you. Either way, the use of good hollow point ammunition is a good idea, both for better effect on target and for reduced penetration through barriers.

Why is 7.62×39 so expensive now?

As the Cold War came to an end in the early 1990s, a lot of things changed for the American gun market. Not only were many once-Warsaw Pact nations transitioning to NATO equipment and calibers, resulting in a flood of surplus ammo and guns on the market, but new avenues for commercial trade opened with freshly capitalist Russia. One result of this was very cheap and available 7.62×39 ammo. Russia remained the main source of affordable 7.62×39 (and other calibers) until Russian-made ammo was banned from importation in 2021. This ban, combined with withering stocks of surplus ammo globally, has resulted in the price of 7.62×39 to skyrocket above what it once was. At the time of writing, the cheapest 7.62×39 is marginally more expensive than the cheapest .223 Remington.

What's a similar cartridge to compare 7.62×39 to?

In terms of ballistics, the most common American cartridge with similar performance to 7.62×39 is .30-30 Winchester. They're both roughly .30-caliber, have similar maximum chamber pressures, and, when loaded with bullets of similar weights, produce muzzle velocities in the same ballpark (.30-30 winning out slightly with higher fps and more energy). The most apparent distinction between the two cartridges is that .30-30 Win. was designed for use in lever-actions while 7.62×39 was designed for self-loading firearms.

More AK Stuff:

PSA AK-74 Review Review: American-Made Russian Thunder
Soviet Gun, NATO Ammo: The 5.56 AK Buyer’s Guide
The AK Red Dot Mount Buyer's Guide
AKM: The Acme Of AKs
SKS Vs AK-47: If You Could Only Have One
Going Modern With B5 Systems AK Furniture
Krispy Kalash: Timney AK Drop-In Trigger Review

New Guns For 2026

By

Richard A. Mann

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January 23, 2026

From the lust worthy to the affordable to the extremely expensive, here’s a look at some of the latest guns announced this year!

Oh my, it’s that time of year when shooters and hunters wait, anxiously, to see if the gun they have been longing for might make it to production. We walked the floor at SHOT Show until our feet begged us for forgiveness and our knees threatened to never bend again, all to discover the newest and coolest new guns for 2026.

Here are our top 10 picks—priced from the least to the most expensive—that include everything from a clown-colored revolver, a pistol you’d expect Shaggy and Scooby to chase, a rifle named after a cross between a donkey and a horse, and what might be the lightest production bolt-action rifle ever made.

1: Bear Creek Arsenal Grizzly 102 Compact

Bear Creek Arsenal is well known for offering reliable guns at very affordable prices, and their new Grizzly 102 Compact Handgun is their latest. This 9mm pistol has front and rear slide serrations and bear fur stippling on the grip and frame just above the trigger guard. The slide has an RMR cut for optics, and there’s a M1913 Picatinny rail on the dust cover. It’s compatible with Glock Gen 3 aftermarket parts and the Gen 5 ambidextrous magazine release. The slide has window cuts just forward of the chamber, and there is a wide assortment of threaded or unthreaded barrel color options. The pistol ships with two 15-round magazines. MSRP: $295

2: Ruger RXM

Ruger has upgraded their RXM pistol with a threaded barrel to make it suppressor friendly. If you’re unfamiliar with the RXM, it’s a Glock-like polymer-framed pistol that utilizes a removable serialized stainless-steel fire control system and a Magpul EHG modular grip. The new suppressor-friendly RXM is chambered in 9mm Luger, and the muzzle is threaded at 1/2×28 and comes with a thread protector. However, in addition to the threaded muzzle, the pistol ships with an extra and heavier 18-pound guide rod/recoil spring assembly to help you tune the pistol to your chosen suppressor and ammo. The pistol ships with two 15-round P-Mags, and the slide has an optics cut. MSRP: $569

3: New Smith & Wesson Revolvers from Lipsey’s

Lipsey’s is always the place to turn for revolver aficionados looking for something a little off the beaten path. They are offering two new Smith & Wesson revolvers. The Model 386 is chambered for the .357 Magnum and is a lightweight Scandium 24-ounce, seven-shot wheel gun with a 3-inch barrel that’s built on the L-frame with titanium pins. It has no internal lock and is fitted with XS Sights. It also has chamfered charge holes, a front edge bevel on the cylinder, Hogue Bantam rubber grips and a narrow black oxide smooth trigger and hammer. The Model 396 might be the most exciting of the two because it’s chambered for the .44 Special. The specifications are the same except the 44 Special is a five-shot revolver that weighs 23 ounces. MSRP: $1,269

4: Franchi MULE

This rifle is part of the Franchi Momentum series, and the acronym MULE stands for “Momentum Utility Lite Elite.” Designed as a general-purpose rifle, the MULE is a perfect truck, UTV or everyday carry rifle. It has a 16.25-inch barrel with a threaded muzzle, weighs in at about 7 pounds and is only 38.35 inches long. Standard are flip-up adjustable sights, with the rear sight integrated into a long Picatinny rail. The rifle feeds from an 8+1 detachable magazine in .308 Winchester and a 10+1 detachable magazine in .223 Remington. The stock, with its VEIL TAC Black camo finish, quick-detach swivel connections and M-LOK rails, combined with the Graphite black Cerakote finish on the metal surfaces, makes for a serious look. For those wanting a modernized version of a Scout Rifle, the MULE checks a lot of boxes. MSRP: $1,549

5: Henry SPD PREDATOR

This is the lever gun no one was expecting. The SPD Predator is built on Henry’s new Lever Action Supreme platform, and it’s chambered in .223 Remington/5.56 NATO. Aside from the uniqueness of the basic platform Henry introduced last year, the Henry Special Products Division (SPD) designed this rifle, which they associate with another acronym—PREDATOR—which stands for “Precision Rifle Engineered for Dispatching Agile Targets Over Range.” To set it apart from the base Lever Action Supreme, the SPD PREDATOR has been fitted with a carbon-fiber-wrapped barrel and a laminated wood stock that has an adjustable comb. It feeds from AR-15 magazines, and it’s the only lever action rifle that comes with a sub-MOA guarantee. MSRP: $2,510

6: Wilson Combat DMR

Though mostly known for their exquisite 1911 pistols, Wilson Combat builds some of the best AR-style rifles you can buy. Their newest rifle is the DMR—Designated Marksman Rifle—which is purpose built for the most precision focused and demanding shooters. It’s crafted from a perfectly matched billet upper and lower receiver set and features a premium 18-inch fluted Recon barrel that comes with a Q-Comp muzzle device to mitigate recoil and muzzle rise. It has a lightweight 15-inch handguard, Wilson Combat’s rail covers, a crisp two-stage TTU trigger unit, Magpul MOE Stock and a corrosion-resistant Black Armor-Tuff finish. MSRP: $2,575

7: Weatherby Backcountry Capra

Fortunately for hunters, rifles just keep getting lighter. Starting at 4 pounds the new Backcountry Capra bolt action Mark V rifle from Weatherby might be as light as you can get. This rifle is built around a six-lug Titanium action and sports a deep bolt with a 54-degree bolt lift, a double-helix fluted barrel, TriggerTech trigger, Accubrake muzzle brake, removable bolt knob and a hand-painted Peak 44 carbon-fiber stock with a 3D Hex recoil reducer pad. All the metal surfaces have a Cerakote finish, and the rifle is available in .22 Creedmoor, .240 Weatherby Magnum, .25 Creedmoor, .25 Weatherby RPM, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6.5 Weatherby RPM, .270 Winchester, .280 Ackley Improved and .308 Winchester. The Capra also comes with a sub-MOA guarantee. MSRP: $3,499

8: Wilson Combat P1 Ghost

Some of you might have missed the pre-SHOT Show launch of this new pistol out of Wilson Combat’s Division 77 because every single one of them immediately sold to dealers. If you want one, that’s where you’ll have to look. The Ghost is the latest edition of the revolutionary P1 Pistol; it’s stainless-steel and chambered in 9mm Luger. It has an 18-round capacity, 5-inch barrel and weighs 33.8 ounces empty. That might not sound all that exciting but it’s all the other stuff that makes the Ghost special. The slide and barrel are ported, and with its 42 percent recoil reduction, this thing shoots so soft you’ll think you have a cheat code for Call of Duty. It has a fluted barrel, fluted chamber, and the slide is cut for optics, which you can mount with the exclusive Project 1 Pin Technology. If you prefer open sights, it comes with a Battlesight rear sight and a fiber-optic front. MSRP: $4,195; $4,510 with limited edition storage box and challenge coin

9: Blaser R8 Professional 2.0

Blaser has taken their R8 straight-pull bolt-action rifle to the next level with the Professional 2.0. This rifle features a new, ergonomically optimized vertical pistol grip with ambidextrous palm swells for left- and right-handed shooters. It also has new molded elastomer grip inserts with a better surface texture for an improved grip. The comb on the stock is height adjustable to help you achieve that perfect cheek weld and riflescope eye alignment, and the receiver is permanently embedded into the synthetic stock for enhanced protection, rigidity and precision. The stock’s forearm allows for the mounting of a Harris bipod or Picatinny rail, and the R8 Professional 2.0 is available in black, brown and dark olive, in three length of pulls, and it comes with a Blaser hard case. MSRP: $5,500

10: Chiappa Rhino Elite

I’m going to go out on a limb and guess you’ve never seen a revolver like the Rhino Elite 60DS-L Frame. This nearly 3-pound six-shot revolver is chambered in .44 Remington Magnum, and it has a 6-inch barrel. The frame is made from 7075-T6 aluminum, with a steel barrel and breech shield. Every one of these revolvers features an exclusive color combination and comes housed in a bespoke custom painted display case that has been meticulously created from a single solid block of aluminum, and it is finished inside with Italian black leather. Each of these revolvers also comes with a hand-signed certificate of authenticity, a special base for display, and a Rhino 44 Patch. MSRP: $5,775

And One More Thing …

All these new guns are cool, but my favorite new gun-related item for 2026 is a new rifle cartridge from Weatherby. Old timers will remember the .250 Savage—the first American Centerfire rifle cartridge to break the 3,000-fps mark. The 0.25-caliber .250 Savage did that with an 87-grain bullet, and the new .25 Creedmoor—a cartridge I wildcatted a decade ago—does it with a 115-grain bullet. But the new Weatherby RPM can exceed 3,000 fps with a 133-grain bullet. The cartridge is based on a lengthened version of the .284 Winchester case just like the other Weatherby RPM cartridges. It has a 1-in-7.5 twist rate and will be available in a variety of Weatherby rifles. Initial ammo offerings include a 107-grain Hammer bullet at 3,350 fps, 117-grain Hornady SST and Barnes LRX bullets at 3,150 fps and a 133-grain Berger Elite Hunter bullet at 3,000 fps.

Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the February 2026 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

More New Guns

Staccato Vegas Range Day 2026
SHOT Show 2026 Day 1 Roundup
SHOT Show 2026 Day 2: RECOIL Network's Top Brass Awards
SHOT Show 2026 Day 3 Roundup
SHOT Show 2026 Day 4 Roundup

SHOT Show 2026 Day 4 Roundup: The Final Day!

By

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January 23, 2026

M+M Industries

Not everything cool we see at SHOT is a new product. Sometimes something is just cool because it exists. This cutaway from M+M Industries isn't for sale, but it's awesome to look at.

MDT New DRT Lightweight Magnesium Chassis

“Lightweight” might not be the perfect term, since MDT offers two chassis that are about half the weight of the DRT, but we're pretty excited about this chassis either way. Built to be extremely rigid while cutting a ton of weight off the chassis system, the DRT uses almost all magnesium to give hunters a rock-solid platform to get the job done. Perfect for night vision or thermal mounting!

Magnesium chassis body and buttstock
Weight: 3.2 lbs (51.2 oz)
Type III hard-anodized aluminum NV bridge and ARCA rail
Integrated adjustable friction folding mechanism
Tool-less LOP and adjustable cheek riser
Carbon fiber vertical grip
Full-length ARCA with RRS Lock + ARCALOCK
M-LOK forend with integrated thumb shelf
Adjustable magazine latch and magazine release lock
Bedding compound grooves
Compatible with Remington 700 clone actions only
Accessory compatible with MDT NV bridges, grips (excluding connector bar), LOP spacers, vertical buttpad base, MDT Elite Bag Rider
Colors: Black and FDE

Rozvelt Vektr Scent Elimination Mask

One of the more interesting new products found in the basement of SHOT Show was this scent elemeination mask built for bow hunters. According to Rozvelt, “80%” of your sent comes via breath. While other products have existed to help combat this, like scent gum, nothing has come close to the effectiveness and ease of use of their new Vektr mask.

SHOT Show 2026 Day 3 Roundup

By

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January 22, 2026