Awards & Honors

The Double D Foundation presented its 2026 Patriot Award to Pete Brownell, Chairman of Brownells and 2nd Adventure Group, during its Annual Georgia Banquet on October 15. Brownell was recognized for his leadership, integrity, and commitment to protecting the Second Amendment and advancing shooting sports. The Brownells Foundation also joined the Foundation's Corporate Partners Program.

Hornady has been recognized as Ammunition Manufacturer of the Year by the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) for the fourth consecutive year. Vice President Jason Hornady praised the award and highlighted the company's commitment to innovation and customer service through their wholesale distribution partners.

Dead Air Silencers' Nomad Ti OTB has been named the 2026 Athlon Untamed Hunting Suppressor of the Year. The innovative over-the-barrel suppressor earned top honors for its lightweight titanium construction, compact design, and superior performance across multiple evaluation categories.

PRADCO Outdoor Brands recognized three outstanding sales representatives for 2026: Chad Bauman as Sales Representative of the Year, Bert Moore as Regional Representative of the Year for the Southeast, and Rocky Stewart as Regional Representative of the Year for the Northeast.

Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc. received the 2026 Firearm Manufacturer of the Year award from the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers. The recognition reflects the company's commitment to trusted products, American manufacturing, and support for distributors and retailers.

Guns & Ammo magazine awarded Federal's 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak cartridge as Ammo of the Year for 2026, marking the second consecutive year the publication honored Peak Alloy technology. The high-pressure cartridge delivers velocities up to 300 fps faster than conventional 6.5 Creedmoor while maintaining similar recoil and compatibility with existing rifles.

Century Arms received the Importer of the Year award from the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) at the 2026 Caliber Awards dinner in Phoenix. The recognition, voted by NASGW wholesaler members, honors the company's exceptional service, partnership, and support within the shooting sports industry's distribution channel.

Canik USA's Prime Radian, developed in collaboration with Radian Weapons, won both Best New Handgun and Best New Overall Product awards at the 2026 NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards. Selected from over 100 entries, the Prime Radian was recognized by industry judges for its innovation, performance, value, and market impact.

PROOF Research's Elevation MTR FDX rifle earned Outdoor Life's Editor's Choice award for Best Hunting Rifle of 2026. Shooting Editor John B. Snow praised the rifle's build quality and performance, highlighting the innovative PXT barrel technology that achieved a 0.58-inch 20-shot group average during testing.

Dead Air Silencers' Nomad Ti OTB suppressor won the 2026 NASGW-POMA Caliber Award for Best New Suppressor at the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers Expo in Phoenix. The over-the-barrel design, manufactured from 3D-printed Grade 9 titanium, weighs 10.5 ounces and is rated for cartridges up to .300 RUM.

Sturm, Ruger & Company's Ruger Red Label III shotgun has been awarded Best New Shotgun at the 2026 NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards. Built by Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing Company, the over/under shotgun features classic styling and premium materials, offered in 20 gauge with 28" or 30" barrels.

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) presented its 2026 Appreciation Awards recognizing top manufacturers including Smith & Wesson, Holosun Technologies, and Hornady. NASGW partnered with the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) to present Caliber Awards for product innovation, with Canik USA's Prime Radian winning Best New Overall Product.

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) presented Jeff Crane of the Congressional Sportsmen's Foundation with the 2026 Chairman's Award for his significant impact on the shooting sports industry. Crane brings over 40 years of experience in natural resource management and has fostered bipartisan relationships among policymakers and the sportsmen's community.

Federal Ammunition's 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak cartridge won the Caliber Award in the Best Ammunition New Product category from NASGW and POMA at the 2026 NASGW Expo. The high-pressure cartridge uses Peak Alloy cases and delivers 300 fps faster velocities while maintaining similar recoil in existing 6.5 Creedmoor rifles.

Shane Mahoney, president and CEO of Conservation Visions Inc., received the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies' 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award for over four decades of wildlife conservation leadership. AFWA recognized his work shaping conservation policy across North America and advancing One Health approaches that connect human, animal, and environmental health.

TriStar Arms' Viper G3 Bronze semi-auto 12ga shotgun has been named a finalist for the 2026 NASGW-POMA Caliber Award for Best New Shotgun. The next-generation platform builds on the award-winning Viper G2 series and will be showcased at the 2026 NASGW Expo in Phoenix, Arizona.

Armament Systems and Procedures (ASP) presented its 2026 Premier Partner Awards to Galls (USA), Antero Lopes (Portugal), and ASCiM (Turkey) during IMPACT Week in September. ASP also introduced its inaugural Subject Matter Expert Award to Chris Patzer of Handcuff Warehouse, recognizing exceptional product knowledge and customer service.

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) and Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) announced finalists for the 2026 Caliber Awards across seven categories including Best New Rifle, Handgun, Shotgun, Ammunition, Optic, Accessory, and Suppressor. Winners will be announced October 12 at the NASGW Annual Appreciation Reception during the 2026 NASGW Annual Meeting & Expo in Phoenix.

The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) announced finalists for the 2026 Appreciation Awards recognizing top manufacturers including Glock, Ruger, SIG SAUER, Hornady, and others for their commitment to two-step distribution. Winners will be announced at the NASGW Annual Appreciation Reception and Dinner on October 12 in Phoenix, Arizona.

The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) presented its 2026 Golden Bowtie Award to Don Kilmer, a constitutional law litigator and Second Amendment advocate with over 25 years of experience. Kilmer, who has represented SAF in numerous cases and co-authored a law school casebook on firearms law, was honored for his significant contributions to the organization's mission.