ICYMI: Industry News
From Mar. 7 — Mar. 13, 2026
Otis Announces Private Label Partnership With Bud’s Gun Shop
Otis Technology announced a private label partnership with Bud’s Gun Shop which brings a specially branded line of gun cleaning kits by Shooter’s Choice directly to Bud’s customers. This collaboration unites Otis’s decades of expertise in firearm maintenance with Bud’s wide reach and dedication to serving shooters, offering high-value, caliber-specific cleaning kits designed for everyday firearm care and upkeep.
A New Cleaning Kit Line Tailored to Shooters
Through this partnership, Bud’s Gun Shop will feature a suite of private-label firearm cleaning kits manufactured by Shooter’s Choice and branded specifically for Bud’s. These kits provide an all-in-one cleaning solution for a broad range of calibers and gauges, making proper firearm maintenance easier and more accessible for shooters of all experience levels.
Bud’s Private-Label Cleaning Kit Lineup
Each kit includes aluminum rods, caliber-specific brushes and jags, cleaning patches, a bore guide, and FP-10 lubricant CLP — everything shooters need for regular maintenance and improved firearm longevity.
Bear & Son Cutlery Introduces Genuine India Stag Bone 3 ½” Barlow
Bear & Son Cutlery continues a rich tradition of American craftsmanship with the release of the Genuine India Stag Bone 3 1/2″ Barlow—a timeless pocketknife with roots that stretch back to the 1700s. Often passed down through generations, the Barlow remains one of the most iconic and gifted knife styles in history, especially to first-time knife owners beginning a lifelong relationship with quality blades.
This Alabama-made, two-blade barlow carries forward that legacy with premium materials and heritage-inspired design. Featuring a clip point blade and pen blade, both made from high carbon stainless steel, this knife is built to tackle everyday tasks with reliability and style. The smooth, rounded profile slips easily into the pocket, while the Genuine India Stag Bone™ handle offers a traditional look and feel that collectors and users alike will appreciate.
To learn more about Bear & Son Cutlery’s 2026 pocketknives, visit bearandsoncutlery.com.
Project ChildSafe Foundation Expands Fundraising Opportunities with New Product Donation Process
The Project ChildSafe Foundation announced the launch of an enhanced fundraising model that brings together its popular Safety Sweepstakes and charity auctions under a streamlined, partner‑friendly, product-donation process. As the fundraising engine for Project ChildSafe, the Project ChildSafe Foundation helps advance firearm safety education nationwide.
The Safety Sweepstakes and auctions have become two of Project ChildSafe Foundation’s most successful fundraising tools, offering supporters a chance to win or bid on premium outdoor, shooting sports and lifestyle products — all while advancing national firearm safety education. Donations of products by industry companies are central to the success of these fundraisers. To make participation easier for manufacturers, retailers and industry partners, a new, easy-to-use product donation form is now available at: https://projectchildsafe.org/product-donation-form/
Big Horn Armory (BHA) Introduces the CAT 5
Big Horn Armory (BHA), makers of big-bore firearms, announced the launch of the CAT 5, a bold new configuration of its industry-leading lever-action platform that merges uncompromising big-bore power with modern tactical styling and adaptability. Developed in direct response to strong internal demand and customer requests, the CAT 5 delivers a more tactical configuration without sacrificing the raw performance that defines Big Horn Armory rifles. The CAT 5 is chambered in .500 S&W Magnum and features a 16-inch threaded barrel.
The CAT 5 is offered in Matte Stainless, Burnt Bronze, or Hunter Black. Stock options include laminate or Cerakote®-style webbed finishes, allowing customers to tailor the rifle’s aesthetic to their application and environment.
For more on Big Horn Armory, visit bighornarmory.com.
APEX Ammunition Introduces 28-Gauge SmallTown Hunting TSS Turkey Blend
APEX Ammunition is now offering a 28-gauge load in the precision-built SmallTown Hunting Blend line of turkey ammunition. Engineered for hunters who demand maximum pattern density, lethal energy, and extended range, this 2 ¾” 1 ½ oz. duplex load combines the knockdown power of #7.5 Tungsten Super Shot with the pattern-filling density of #9 TSS. The result: devastating close-range impact while maintaining lethal pellet count at distance.
Every round of SmallTown Hunting Blend is produced under heightened quality control measures designed to ensure the most consistent performance possible from shot to shot. Clean burning powder and APEX’s Tungsten Propulsion Wad System are used in all APEX TSS loads to deliver the tightest patterns possible and maximum barrel protection.
MSRP: $64.99 per 5-round box
For more information, visit: ApexAmmunition.com.
