Come Join us for an Echelon Happy Hour Wednesday 2-4pm at our Booth 62308 and grab a free can of Echelon. While you’re there, take a peek at some of the new products we’re releasing this year.
Archive for the ‘Advertiser’ Category
Tracer Tactical Invites You to the Echelon Happy Hour at SHOT Show
Friday, January 16th, 2026WARQ to Launch GEN 2 Force-on-Force Helmet at 2026 SHOT Show
Friday, January 16th, 2026
WARQ, a manufacturer of advanced protective equipment for Law Enforcement and military force-on-force training, has announced the launch of the WARQ GEN 2 Helmet, the next evolution of its purpose-built force-on-force helmet platform.
New in GEN 2:
• EN 1385 bump certified: The only bump-certified force-on-force helmet on the market.
• D3O® Halo 7 pad system: Advanced blunt impact absorption.
• Reinforced fiberglass shell.
• Improved sizing ratchet and retention system.
While GEN 2 expands protection and improves comfort, the helmet retains the core features that have made WARQ helmetsa benchmark in force-on-force training:
• Complete anti-fog ventilation system
• Extra-wide 210° visor for enhanced situational awareness
• One-size-fits-all adjustability
• Made in Europe
• EN 166A and ASTM F1776 certified protection standards
• Industry leading 5 year warranty
The GEN 2 Helmet will be revealed for the first time at the 2026 SHOT Show, where attendees can see it in person at WARQ’s booth #62605.
SIG SAUER Introduces the P211 GT4 and GT5
Friday, January 16th, 2026
NEWINGTON, N.H., (January 16, 2026) – SIG SAUER, industry-leading manufacturer of cutting-edge firearms, optics, and ammunition, introduces the P211-GT4 and GT5 – the latest additions to SIG SAUER’s distinguished lineage of hammer-fired pistols. The P211’s precision machining and reliability incorporate the timeless appeal and superior performance of SIG’s first double-stack 1911 pistol. The GT4 and GT5 variants deliver even more options for the serious pistol competitor, elite operator, or shooting enthusiast.
The GT5 is a full-size pistol engineered to excel in both competition and duty/self-defense applications. Its full-length slide and 5” bull barrel provide excellent recoil characteristics and expand the P211’s use in the shooting sports. The GT4 combines the capacity and performance of a double-stack SAO pistol with the practicality of a 4” slide and low-profile magwell, making it the ideal choice for discreet concealed carry.
GT5 Product Details:
- 5” Target crown bull barrel
- Steel frame with 3-slot accessory rail and full-length dust cover
- Compatible with Picatinny rail-mounted accessories
- Straight-pull trigger for a clean and consistent pull
- Precision-engineered alloy grip module
- Grip Safety, Ambidextrous Thumb Safeties, and Firing Pin Safety mechanism
- Equipped with (2) 21-round and (1) 17-round P320 compatible steel magazines
GT4 Product Details:
- 4.2” Target crown bull barrel
- Steel frame with 3-slot accessory rail and carry-length dust cover
- Compatible with Picatinny rail-mounted accessories
- Straight-pull trigger for a clean and consistent pull
- Precision-engineered alloy grip module
- Grip Safety, Ambidextrous Thumb Safeties, and Firing Pin Safety mechanism
- Low Profile Carry Magazine Well
- Equipped with (2) 21-round and (1) 17-round P320 compatible steel magazines
The P211-GT4 and GT5 will be displayed in SIG SAUER’s booth at SHOT Show (booth #73039). To learn more about the P211-GTO and all of SIG SAUER’s innovative and battle-tested products, visit sigsauer.com.
Streamlight Celebrates the 20 Year Anniversary of the TLR Series
Friday, January 16th, 2026
EAGLEVILLE, PA, January 16, 2026 – Streamlight®, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the TLR® series, marking two decades of innovation, reliability, and performance in weapon-mounted lighting. Since its introduction, the TLR® platform has become a trusted standard for professionals across law enforcement, military and sporting goods markets worldwide.
Designed to deliver powerful rail-mounted tactical illumination, the TLR series helped redefine expectations for durability, performance, and user-focused design in weapon lights. Beginning with the TLR-1®, Streamlight’s first aluminum gun-mounted light for full-size guns, the TLR family has grown exponentially to include a full line of TLR products to fit long guns, full-frame, compact and sub-compact handguns. Streamlight has continued to evolve the platform with advancements in LED technology, power sources, mounting options, and more while maintaining the rugged dependability users rely on.
“For 20 years, the TLR series has proven itself as a reliable lighting tool. From first responders to shooting enthusiasts, they know that the TLR product line provides dependable performance in a weapon light,” said Michael F. Dineen, Streamlight President. “This anniversary represents not just a milestone for the product line, but a testament to the trust users place in Streamlight every day.”
Streamlight will commemorate the TLR 20th Anniversary at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas, inviting attendees to see current models firsthand at Booth #11468.
For more information, visit www.streamlight.com.
MIL/LE Special Operations Veterans Join BFG at SHOT Show 2026
Friday, January 16th, 2026POOLER, GA. – Blue Force Gear, Inc., the world leader in load carriage equipment innovation, will exhibit at the 2026 NSSF SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. For nearly five decades, SHOT Show has been the benchmark tradeshow for professionals in the shooting sports, hunting, military, and law enforcement industries. This year, the show dates will be from January 20th to the 23rd at the Sands Expo Center.
Blue Force Gear is known for their cutting edge, lightweight designs, superior proprietary technologies like Helium Whisper and ULTRACOMP that many tactical nylon companies license, and boldly redefining the way gear is constructed across the globe. At Booth #20405, Blue Force Gear will unveil a variety of new products during the show, as well as showcase their flagship line of slings, load carriage pouches and carriers, and medical equipment.
In addition to the products that will be on display, Blue Force Gear will have a team of experts in the booth to answer product questions and assist with procurement. Special guest appearances include Chuck Pressburg (Tuesday/Thursday, 3-4PM), Jared Reston (Wednesday, 2-3PM), and Ishmael Antonio (daily starting at 10AM). Each appearance will featurestory time, Q&A in their respective fields, and trivia with a chance to win a limited-edition Blue Force Gear Vickers Sling.
SGM(R) Chuck Pressburg retired from the U.S. Army in 2017 after 26 years of active service, primarily in Special Operations and Special Missions Units. He is a firearms trainer, industry consultant, and longtime friend of Blue Force Gear.
Jared Reston is a highly decorated retired Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office SWAT detective and Medal of Valor recipient who, after surviving being shot seven times in 2008, founded Reston Group Training to instruct law enforcement and citizens on elite firearms tactics and mindset.
Ishmael Antonio is a retired U.S. Air Force MSgt Pararescueman who participated in multiple combat and contingency operations, including Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, and Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti. He is a subject matter expert in confined space and collapsed structure rescue operations and has a special demonstration planned during his time in the Blue Force Gear booth.
Follow Blue Force Gear on social media for daily recaps, behind-the-scenes content, and highlights from SHOT Show 2026. Sign up for their newsletterfor upcoming product announcements, exclusive promotions, and special offers. For more information about Blue Force Gear or any of their product offerings, visit their website: www.blueforcegear.com
Gentex Corporation Announces the Ops-Core NOMAD System, a Lightweight, Low-Profile Mount for Night Vision and Visual Augmentation System
Friday, January 16th, 2026
CARBONDALE, PA, January 16, 2025 – Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces, emergency responders, and industrial personnel, announced the launch of the Ops-Core NOMAD (Night Operations Mounting and Deployment) System, a highly stable, low-profile head harness engineered to securely mount night vision and visual augmentation system(NVG/VAS) without the need for a traditional ballistic or bump helmet.
The Ops-Core NOMAD System is a one-size-fits-all head harness engineered to provide a stable, comfortable, and secure platform for mounting night vision and visual augmentation devices. Available in black, the system is designed for Global SOF, Close Combat Forces and law enforcement officersoperating in low-visibility, covert, or jungle environments where traditional helmets are impractical or unnecessary. The NOMAD system delivers mission-ready performance in a compact, collapsible form factor without the weight or bulk of a helmet system.
“We designed the NOMAD System to give operators a lightweight, low-profile solution without sacrificing stability,” said Peter Harbeck, SOF Segment Director at Gentex Corporation. “Across austere environments and varied mission-sets, Special Operations Forces need a comfortable, stable NVG platform that collapses and stows easily when a helmet is not practical.”
The NOMAD System combines Ops-Core’s advanced fit technologies to deliver full-helmet–level stability in a lightweight, low-profile design. Its LockDown® Cable Occ-Dial® System ensures a silent, micro-adjustable fit for quick on/off and fit fine tuning, while the Head-Loc® Flex Retention System allows the strap to be worn under or over the chin for comfort or maximum stability. An Integrated Rear Mount Strap enables immediate attachment of battery packs or counterweights, keeping the system balanced and comfortable even with heavier night vision devices.
Additional features include elastic webbing loops for convenient cable management and foliage attachment for low-visibility environments, an Ops-Core Modular Bungee Shroud with integrated bungee retention, and removable comfort pads for easy maintenance. The Ops-Core NOMAD System is proudly assembled in the USA and Berry Compliant, ensuring supply chain reliability and quality assurance.
Click here for more information.
FirstSpear Friday Focus: SHOT Show 2026
Friday, January 16th, 2026
Come see us next week at SHOT Show 2026 over at booth #32111 from Tuesday, January 20th through Friday, January 23rd. Check out our product line-up and catch up with our team to learn more about what’s coming in 2026!
To request an estimate click image above or visit First-Spear.com/Request-For-Estimate. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting-edge tactical gear for military, law enforcement and those who train. For more information visit First-Spear.com.
Blue Force Gear Appoints GW Ayers as Vice President of Sales
Thursday, January 15th, 2026POOLER, GA. – Blue Force Gear, Inc., the world leader in load carriage equipment innovation, is pleased to announce that GW Ayers has joined their team as Vice President of Sales. Well-known in the industry, GW Ayers brings extensive experience of the defense and firearms industries to further drive Blue Force Gear’s growth and reach a wider market with their cutting-edge designs.
Ayers dedicated 22 years of service to the U.S. Army before entering the defense contracting sector.Moving into the firearms industry, he led the establishment of high-end retail operations and shooting ranges while personally mentoring staff and instructors to excellence. Ayers will oversee Blue Force Gear’s sales strategy and operations, bringing decades of military and commercial experience to further elevate the company’s industry-leading sales team.
“Joining Blue Force Gear is an incredible opportunity,” said Ayers. “Their dedication to quality and advancing materials and designs for the warfighter and beyondis unmatched. I’m eager to help expand our reach and ensure we continue delivering exceptional products to professionals and enthusiasts alike,” said GW Ayers, Vice President of Sales for Blue Force Gear.
“I’m exceptionally proud of our team and that we’ve set the standard in so many categories,” said Ashley Burnsed, CEO of Blue Force Gear. “Adding GW to our leadership will expand our influence in surprising ways. His unique perspective and proven track record will help us reach new markets while staying true to our commitment to innovation and quality.”
For more information about Blue Force Gear or any of their product offerings, visit their website: www.blueforcegear.com
