Gun Industry News

• MDT Launches Stalker Core Buttstock and XTN Single-Hinge Folding Adapters

  MDT has released the Stalker Core Buttstock, a minimalist skeletonized aluminum design using the XTN interface for lightweight compact rifle builds, along with two XTN Single-Hinge Folding Adapters (XTN-XTN and XTN-Picatinny). Both the buttstock and adapters became available August 28, 2026 through MDT dealers and mdttac.com. The Stalker Core weighs 9 oz (11.8 oz with included L-key), offers a minimum length of pull of 10.43 inches, and is upgradeable with a cheek riser and LOP spacers; the steel folding adapters feature single-button 180° folding, adjustable tension, ambidextrous configuration, and add approximately 1.13–1.14 inches to length of pull.

  • The Gist: Available starting August 28, 2026 through MDT dealers and at mdttac.com
  • Bottom Line: Stalker Core: 9 oz (11.8 oz w/ L-key), skeletonized Cerakote aluminum, min LOP 10.43″, XTN interface, Black/FDE, upgradeable with cheek riser & LOP spacers. XTN Adapters: steel w/ black liquid-nitride, single-button 180° fold, adjustable retention, ambidextrous, accepts MDT XTN buttstocks, adds ~1.13-1.14″ LOP

• Talo Releases 800-Unit Limited Edition Ruger SR1911 Phoenix

  Talo Distributors announced an 800-unit limited edition of the Ruger SR1911 platform designated the Phoenix, featuring a PHX serial number prefix, stainless steel slide, anodized aluminum frame, and custom Kirinite grips with the Ruger Phoenix logo. The pistol is chambered in .45 Auto with 8+1 capacity and a 5-inch barrel, maintaining standard SR1911 ergonomics and construction. The release is themed around the mythological Phoenix as a symbol of rebirth; no pricing or specific availability dates are provided in the announcement.

  • The Gist: Limited to 800 units with PHX serial prefix; available via Talo distributors (announced August 25, 2026)
  • Bottom Line: Caliber .45 Auto, 8+1 capacity, 5-inch barrel, stainless steel slide, anodized aluminum frame, custom Kirinite grips with Phoenix logo, UPC 736676167081, item 16708

• Pro-Tech Rockeye Automatic Daniel Defense Collaboration

  The Rockeye Automatic is a full-size button-lock automatic knife resulting from the collaboration between Pro-Tech and Daniel Defense. It features a 3.38-inch DLC-coated MagnaCut drop-point blade, 6061 aluminum handle with Black Lip Pearl button accent, and standard 3-hole clip. Built in the USA, the knife measures 8.38 inches overall, weighs 4.64 oz, and is designed for fast one-handed deployment with solid lockup.

  • The Gist: Available for purchase at Scheels (announced August 25, 2026)
  • Impact: $300 MSRP
  • Bottom Line: 3.38″ DLC MagnaCut drop point blade, button automatic mechanism, 6061 aluminum black handle with Black Lip Pearl button, 5.00″ handle length, 8.38″ overall length, 4.64 oz, right-handed, standard 3-hole tip-up clip, all black blasted hardware

• Winchester Launches Super Match Competition Ammunition Line

  Winchester announced the Super Match line of competition ammunition on August 27, 2026, covering centerfire handguns, rifles, and 12-gauge shotguns with a total of 19 configurations. The loads feature high-sensitivity primers, thick hulls or high-brass construction for reliable feeding in magazine-fed firearms, and BC Max polymer-tipped bullets in select rifle offerings. Handgun loads are packaged in 50-round boxes, rifle in 20-round boxes, and shotgun in 25-round (target/buck) or 10-round (slug) boxes.

  • The Gist: Availability: Launched August 27, 2026 (dealers and online retailers)
  • Bottom Line: Key specs/features: Handgun – 9mm (115/124gr RN FMJ, 115/147gr FN FMJ), .40 S&W 180gr FN, .45 ACP 230gr RN; Rifle – .223/5.56 (69/77gr BTHP), .308 (168gr BTHP, 175gr BC Max), 6.5 Creedmoor (140gr), 6.5 PRC 140gr BC Max, others including 7.62 NATO 175gr BTHP and 6mm ARC 107gr BTHP; Shotgun – 12ga 2.75″ 1.125oz #7.5 target load at 1235 fps, 00 buck at 1300 fps, 1oz slug at 1300 fps

• Beretta APX A1 Ported

  Beretta introduced the APX A1 Ported on August 27, 2026, as a 9mm variant featuring a precision-ported barrel and optics-ready slide designed to reduce muzzle rise and felt recoil. The pistol includes an Aquatech Shield coated slide with aggressive serrations, ambidextrous controls, and is available in FDE or OD Green finishes. It ships with three magazines and retains iron sights for backup use alongside red-dot optics.

  • The Gist: Introduced August 27, 2026
  • Impact: $719 MSRP
  • Bottom Line: 9mm Parabellum; ported barrel (single angled port) + optics-ready slide (7 ports, deep serrations); Aquatech Shield slide coating; oversized ambidextrous mag release; configurable ambidextrous slide stop; FDE or OD Green; includes 3 magazines; gas redirection reduces muzzle rise for flatter shooting and faster splits

• Vortex Venom Enclosed Micro Green Dot

  Vortex Optics has added a green-dot variant to its Venom Enclosed Micro pistol optic line. The new model features a 3 MOA green dot reticle in a 6061 aluminum enclosed housing that protects against weather, mud, snow, and debris. It includes a large viewing window with an aspherical lens for distortion-free viewing, motion activation with 10-minute auto-shutoff, and top-mounted brightness controls. The optic maintains the same mounting footprint as the existing red-dot version and is suitable for pistols, carbines, or LPVO use.

  • The Gist: Available now (announced August 27, 2026) through Vortex and standard firearms retailers
  • Impact: MSRP $289.99
  • Bottom Line: 3 MOA green dot, 6061 aluminum enclosed design, large aspherical window, motion activation with 10-min auto-shutoff, top-mounted controls, same mount as red-dot version

• Savage Expands Ultralite Lineup with Carbon Fiber Barrel Models

  Savage Arms announced four new models in its Ultralite series on August 28, 2026, featuring carbon fiber barrels (or carbon fiber-wrapped), updated AccuFit V2 stocks, modular M-LOK and ARCA rail options, and lightweight designs. The lineup includes bolt-action 110 variants and a straight-pull Impulse model, targeting hunters and precision shooters with reduced weight and improved ergonomics. Key additions emphasize carbon fiber technology for weight savings while maintaining accuracy and modularity.

  • The Gist: Availability: Announced August 28, 2026 (retail availability not specified)
  • Impact: Cost: 110 Ultralite Pro $1,949–$1,989; 110 Ultralite Predator $1,899; 110 Ultralite Elite V2 $3,599–$3,639; Impulse Ultralite Pro $2,299–$2,439 (MSRP)
  • Bottom Line: Key specs/features: Carbon fiber barrels (18–24″ on Pro/Impulse, 16.5–22″ on Predator, 18–22″ on Elite V2); AccuFit V2 adjustable stocks; M-LOK/ARCA rail options; ~5 lb weight on Elite V2 chassis (MDT HNT26); AICS magazine compatibility; multiple calibers; straight-pull action on Impulse model

• Springfield Armory Kuna Tri-Lug 9mm PDW

  Springfield Armory announced the Kuna, a 9mm roller-delayed blowback PDW featuring an integral Tri-Lug suppressor mounting system on its 6.6-inch barrel. The monolithic aluminum upper, fully ambidextrous controls, and quick push-and-twist tool-free suppressor attachment enable rapid suppressor swaps with compatible tri-lug devices. Offered in bare-rail or Strike Industries FSA side-folding brace configurations, it ships with two 30-round magazines (or five 10-round magazines in low-capacity variants).

  • Impact: MSRP $1,179 (bare rail), $1,330 (FSA-braced)
  • Bottom Line: 9mm Parabellum, 6.6″ barrel with integral Tri-Lug, roller-delayed action, monolithic aluminum upper, fully ambidextrous controls, ships with two 30-round magazines (low-cap variants with five 10-round magazines), bare rail or Strike Industries FSA brace, tool-free push-and-twist suppressor mounting

• Staccato Removes Ownership Restriction from Lifetime Warranty on 2011 Pistols

  Staccato has updated its lifetime warranty program so that coverage now follows the firearm rather than the original owner. The change applies to all Staccato-branded 2011 platform handguns, effective immediately, and allows subsequent owners to activate coverage by re-registering the pistol at no cost. Legacy STI firearms are not included.

  • The Gist: The Gist (what specifically happened): Staccato expanded its lifetime warranty from original-owner-only to the pistol itself for its operational life, regardless of transfers or where purchased; previous policy terminated coverage upon sale. The manufacturer stated that “lifetime should mean lifetime” and the update supports every owner. Existing registrations are updated automatically; pre-owned buyers must re-register via staccato2011.com/warranty.
  • Impact: Market Impact (who this affects): Benefits current and future owners of Staccato 2011 pistols by providing no-cost coverage for manufacturing defects, function/accuracy issues, cracked frames/slides/barrels, broken safeties/slide stops/ejectors/extractors/grips, and factory coating delamination. Excludes normal wear (springs, magazine followers, holster wear), aftermarket parts damage, and all legacy STI firearms.
  • Bottom Line: The Bottom Line (why it matters): Increases long-term value and resale appeal of Staccato pistols by extending transferable lifetime warranty protection, reinforcing manufacturer support for the platform’s durability and reliability in the 2011 market. Published August 28, 2026.

• Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0FC Earns NTOA MTR Gold Rating

  The Springfield Armory Echelon 4.0FC is a 9mm striker-fired polymer-frame duty pistol featuring a modular Central Operating Group (COG) stainless steel chassis, Variable Interface System for direct low-profile optic mounting via self-locking pins, ambidextrous controls, deep slide serrations, and Adaptive Grip Texture. It uses a crossover configuration with a full-size grip module and compact 4″ barrel/slide assembly supporting 17- or 20-round magazines. In the NTOA Member Tested & Recommended (MTR) program, it achieved an overall score of 4.65 out of 5.0, earning the top Gold rating (4.50–5.00 range) across design, performance, ease of use, quality, durability, and accuracy after real-world testing by law enforcement officers.

  • The Gist: NTOA MTR program evaluation by over 30,000-member law enforcement organization; tested off-the-shelf unit in real-world conditions including 800+ rounds of mixed ammunition (Speer Gold Dot, Federal HST, ball) without cleaning or lubrication
  • Bottom Line: Achieved 4.65/5.0 overall score for Gold rating; ~2.5″ 10-round groups at 25 yards in adverse conditions (10°F weather); praised for ergonomics, grip texture in sweat/gloves, slide manipulation, reliability, and “Goldilocks” balance suitable for duty and plainclothes use

• Apex Tactical Releases Evo 6 Trigger Kit for Gen 6 Glock Pistols

  Apex Tactical has launched the Evo 6 Trigger Kit as its first aftermarket trigger system designed specifically for Glock Gen 6 pistols. The drop-in kit is compatible only with G17, G19, and G45 models and includes a trigger assembly, Gen 6-specific trigger bar, performance connector, and competition striker spring. It is manufactured in Phoenix, Arizona, and offers two aesthetic profiles (Classic radiused or Type 3 chamfered) that deliver identical mechanical performance.

  • The Gist: Availability: Released August 24, 2026 with limited initial quantities; available direct from Apex Tactical with free FedEx shipping
  • Impact: Cost: MSRP $145.00
  • Bottom Line: Key specs/features: 3.8–4.8 lb trigger pull (varies with striker spring), reduces pre-travel/overall travel/reset length, smooths uptake and reset, center-pivoting safety maintains factory specs, includes competition striker spring (range/competition use only), 60-day return and limited lifetime warranty

• ATN ThOR 6 Mini Firmware Update

  ATN released a free firmware update on August 4, 2026 for the ThOR 6 Mini 6th-generation thermal riflescope. The update improves image sharpness with cleaner first-frame heat signatures, enhances SharpIR© AI edge detection and background separation, increases frame rate with reduced latency and faster contrast adjustment, sharpens digital zoom, improves 18650 battery voltage recognition, refines Recoil Activated Video (RAV) to reduce corrupted clips, adds language support, and increases overall system stability. Existing owners can update via the ATN Connect 6 mobile app over Wi-Fi or USB-C; settings and zero are preserved.

  • The Gist: Best for coyote and hog hunting, AR-15 shooters, and budget-minded users seeking premium thermal performance under $1,000 for range and field use.
  • Impact: 12μm core, resolutions 256×192 to 640×512, ≤18 mK NETD, detection to 3,500 m, sub-500 g magnesium-alloy housing, 64 GB storage, built-in Wi-Fi, starts at $895.