The 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States of America is coming up on July 4, 2026 — just 24 days from now. To help celebrate this event, Colt has created a Colt 1911 USA 250th Anniversary Special Edition pistol. This impressive, engraved 1911 Colt pistol will be sold exclusively through Iron Valley Supply, based in Birmingham, Alabama.
This handsome Colt 1911 Classic Government Special Edition pistol is adorned with gold embellishments that exhibit the signing of the Declaration of Independence while honoring those who have fought to defend America’s freedoms.
Colt 1911 Classic Government — USA 250th Special Edition
About Iron Valley Supply: For decades, Iron Valley as been a leading supplier of shooting sports and outdoor products. Based in Birmingham, Alabama with offices across the country, Iron Valley distributes more than 150 of the nation’s leading brands of shooting and outdoor products.
We think every gun owner should have a .22 LR rifle and .22 LR pistol for training and fun plinking. You can shoot .22 LR rimfire rounds for a tiny fraction of the cost of centerfire ammo, which can exceed $1.80 per round just for components. Today we spotlight some of the best .22 LR rimfire ammo deals on the web.
At CheapAmmo.com we found quality, respected-brand .22 LR rimfire ammo for as low as 7 cents per round with bulk ammo purchases. These deals, all just 7 cents or 8 cents per round, are available now with the discounted ammo in stock and ready to ship. Everything shown below is listed as “IN STOCK” (and ready to ship) as of 11:30 pm PST on 6/6/2026.
Bonus — Big Rimfire Ammo Comparison Test
This Backfire Channel Video features an accuracy comparison test of 13 .22LR ammo types from multiple manufacturers. This includes low-priced ammo, such as Aquila, as well as more costly match ammo from ELEY, Lapua, and SK. The most accurate ammunition in the tester’s rifle was Lapua Center-X. Do note that different ammo may shoot better or worse in different rimfire guns. For example a round that works in a Ruger 10/22 may not be the best choice for a .22 LR revolver. But this review can help you get started in your ammo selection process.
An Important Anniversary Eighty-one years ago today, Allied forces crossed the English Channel and began the assault of Europe that meant the end of Nazi occupation and the end of WWII in the European Theatre. There are few of those assaulters left today, but we all owe them a debt of gratitude. They’re part of that “Greatest Generation” that preserved freedom in its time of greatest peril. And we thank them all. — The Shooting Wire
Back in 2014, Forum member Robert Chombart posted this message from his home in Normandy, France: “On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of D-Day, I … salute the memory of the thousands of American soldiers who sacrificed their youth to liberate France, with … particular [respect] for those who rest in Normandy ground.” Today, 80 years after that historic invasion day, it is important we never forget the sacrifice of those who gave their lives on the beaches of Normandy.
Today we should remember those who crossed the Channel to begin the liberation of Europe. Thousands of soldiers, sailors, and aviators gave their lives on June 6, 1944. Their sacrifice on “The Longest Day”, allowed people throughout Europe to enjoy freedom. We should remember those brave warriors, and never forget that freedom is not free — it requires continuing vigilance and sacrifice.
The true cost of living has risen significantly in the last couple of years. Accordingly, it’s important to save money whenever possible. Mid-Grade gasoline is $4.75/gallon, food prices are going up, health costs are rising very significantly, and the cost of components (bullets, brass, powder, primers) remain at high levels (though inventory is starting to improve). In addition, we are seeing 10-20% increases in the cost of optics, barrels, and actions. To help you hang on to those hard-earned dollars, here are discount codes you can use with a variety of online retailers, including leading vendors such as Brownells, MidwayUSA, Optics Planet, and Sportsman’s Warehouse.
For more deals, check regularly for current COUPON CODES at Gun.deals/coupons.
Sportsman’s Guide
DEAL: 15% Off Sitewide
CODE: SG4261
Expiration date: June 5, 2026 (end of day)
Optics Planet
DEAL: 11% Off (+2% Bucks)
CODE: GETET
Expiration date: June 6, 2026
DEAL: 12% Off (+2% Bucks) in the APP
CODE: APPYDL
Expiration date: June 6, 2026
EuroOptic
DEAL: 12% Off Many Vortex Products
CODE: VTX12
Expiration date: Unknown
MidwayUSA
DEAL: FREE Shipping for Orders over $100
CODE: Activated automatically when products added to Cart
Expiration date: Unknown
Brownells
DEAL: FREE Shipping for Orders over $150
CODE: 150FREESHIP
Expiration date: Unknown
Natchez
DEAL: 5% Off Sitewide
CODE: DG5
Expiration date: Unknown
DEAL: 10% Off Vortex Optics, plus FREE Shipping for some models
CODE: VORTEX10
Expiration date: Unknown
MidwayUSA Foundation provides significant cash grants to youth shooting programs. Team grant applications are reviewed and decided upon by the MidwayUSA Foundation Board of Directors twice per year — in December and June. The current deadline to apply is June 15, 2026, just 12 days away. NOTE: Eligible teams and organizations must submit their application by the mid-June deadline.
MidwayUSA Foundation grants provide cash that youth shooting sports programs use to cover essential expenses, including ammunition, targets, entry fees, travel, and safety equipment. Programs with a MidwayUSA Foundation endowment receive 5% of their endowment balance. Youth shooting teams must have at least $2,000 in their Team Endowment Account before they can apply for a grant.
“The funding from MidwayUSA Foundation has helped our team to participate in more events throughout the season and buy gear for the team,” said Jason Giovannone, Heathwood Hall Highlanders Head Coach. This South Carolina youth shooting team has received nearly $50,000 in cash grants so far.
MidwayUSA Foundation’s endowment model helps youth shooting programs achieve financial stability. The Foundation’s nearly $500 million in endowment funds are invested, adding market earnings to every active endowment. And, along with industry sponsors, the public charity offers FREE fundraising product grants to help teams fundraise in their communities, and the Foundation’s website allows any donor the ability to give to the youth shooting team of their choice. These contributions are also matched, dollar-for-dollar with generous funding from Larry and Brenda Potterfield.
Since its inception, MidwayUSA Foundation has awarded over $99 million in cash grants to support youth shooting sports, including $7.6 million in 2026 alone. Teams are encouraged to apply for their grant every year and can do so through the Foundation’s online system. Learn more on the team grants webpage.
The MidwayUSA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity providing long-term funding to youth shooting teams. Every donation made is 100% tax-deductible. The Foundation supports all shooting disciplines. For more information visit Midwayusafoundation.org or call 1-877-375-4570.
We really like to see this kind of major support for youth marksmanship programs. Young people are the future of recreational and competitive shooting.
James Crofts of Team Berger has been crowned the 2026 F-TR Vihtavuori V2 Series Champion following an outstanding performance in Raton, New Mexico. Held May 13–16 at the NRA Whittington Center, the Vihtavuori V2 Finale is an invitation-only, long-range championship. The 3-day event features two, 32-shooter brackets in both F-TR and F-Open disciplines. Competitors earn their place in Ratopn by participating in F-Class Points Series qualifying matches, accumulating points based on their finishes. The top 32 shooters in each division advance to the Finale, where they compete in a double-elimination bracket to determine the champion.
Crofts competed in the F-Class Target Rifle (F-TR) category, which has strict equipment requirements. Rifles must weigh no more than 18 pounds, and competitors are limited to standard .308/7.62 NATO or .223/5.56 NATO chambers with no modifications. Crofts loads his .308 Win match ammo with Vihtavuori N150 powder in Lapua .308 Winchester Palma brass. His bullet choice is the Berger 208gr Long Range Hybrid Target, with a 0.689 G1 BC and 0.354 G7 BC.
“With the continued use and support of Berger and their components, I had 100% confidence in my ammunition,” said Crofts. “I knew if I missed or had a bad shot, it wasn’t the ammo — it was the conditions. Berger bullets, Lapua brass, and Vihtavuori powder are hands down the best.”
Berger congratulates James Crofts on his impressive V2 Series win at Raton, NM. What’s next? James will compete with Team USA this fall at the 2026 F-Class World Championships in Bisley, England.
Gun Storage Check Week is the time to ensure your firearms are stored safely and securely. NSSF, the Firearm Industry Trade Association, is promoting Gun Storage Check Week, June 1-7, 2025, to remind gun owners to review their storage practices to prevent accidents, suicides and thefts. During this week, check your gun safe(s), and ensure your firearms are stored correctly and locked down properly. Also use secure gun cases when transporting firearms to the range. When traveling by air, use proper TSA-approved gun cases and comply with transport rules.
“Securely storing guns when they’re not in use can save lives. It’s really that simple,” said Joe Bartozzi, President and CEO of NSSF. “No one wants their gun in the hands of an unsupervised child, a person in crisis, someone who does not understand how to safely operate firearms, or a thief. If something bad happens because your gun isn’t stored securely, you’ll regret it, probably forever.”
This video covers gun safety rules and secure storage of firearms.
Gun Storage Check Week’s safety resources highlight many options to store firearms securely so that guns are off limits to unauthorized persons. Secure gun storage devices include:
Cable Locks — Available free of charge through NSSF’s Project ChildSafe® program Lock Boxes — Secure storage solution for guns kept for home security and in vehicles Lockable Gun Cases — for security, portability, and travel Full-size Gun Safes — For owners with multiple firearms to protect against fire and theft.
Enter to Win a Biometric Pistol Lock
Visitors to GunStorageCheck.org can enter the Gun Storage Check Week Sweepstakes to win a B.O.S. Lock Fusion. This innovative firearm safety device mounts to a handgun’s accessory rail, combining a biometric slide lock with an integrated tactical light and green laser.
The B.O.S. Lock Fusion is the world’s first biometric slide lock that integrates a tactical light and laser into a single, high-performance locking device. Go to GunStorageCheck.org to register. One winner will be chosen.
NOTE: Gain 5 extra entries by watching any of the firearm safety or suicide prevention videos after you complete the entry form.
As the United States approaches its historic 250th Anniversary (July 4, 2026), the National Rifle Association invites Americans to celebrate freedom by competing in the NRA America’s Rifle Challenge (ARC). The expanded 2026 ARC Across America National Challenge is a nationwide competitive shooting event. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, gun owners across the country can compete in ARC matches at participating clubs and ranges with opportunities to win prizes from ARC partners and sponsors.
To learn more about participating in NRA America’s Rifle Challenge events, visit ARC.NRA.org.
The heart of the program is the ARC Level 1 format, the foundation of the USA250 national event and the entry point for gun owners of all experience levels.
Built around practical rifle skills across four stages of fire, the Level 1 course challenges participants to demonstrate accuracy, control, and safe firearms handling.
Every ARC match is more than a competition — it’s a training opportunity. Each run on the course helps shooters grow more capable with their rifles. Participants can:
— Develop new rifle skills through structured competition
— Challenge friends and family in a fun and exciting environment
— Compete multiple times in a “Re-entry Match” format, allowing competitors to improve their score.
And, at the end of each ARC match, participants can see where they rank nationally across the country with other ARC competitors. And Veterans can meet other former service members.
How Clubs Can Host ARC Matches
The NRA’s goal is to have more than 250 clubs and ranges host ARC matches between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The program was built so clubs can run an organized, safe, and engaging event without requiring complex stages or extensive infrastructure. Clubs interested in hosting NRA America’s Rifle Challenge events can sign up on the ARC.NRA.org website.
ARC Competition Format Options
Clubs can host ARC matches using one of two range configurations:
Full Level 1 Course Format – designed for ranges with 100-yard capability Reduced Course Format – designed for ranges with 25-yard capability
Note: Both formats provide the same structured experience and competitive opportunity, ensuring that nearly any club can participate regardless of range size.
The NRA America’s Rifle Challenge (ARC) is a national rifle competition program designed to help firearm owners develop safe gun-handling skills, practical marksmanship, and confidence through structured competition. ARC events are hosted by local clubs and ranges across the country and welcome participants of all experience levels. Clubs willing to host an event will join a growing network of ranges across the country helping bring this celebration to life.
Camp Perry Expansion — New Competition Center and Awards Plaza
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) has announced a major expansion project at Camp Perry, Ohio — a new Competition Center building, plus an Awards Plaza. The new Competition Center, building upon the success of the existing Gary Anderson CMP Competition Center, will be a large modern facility. This will provide a large, modern indoor range, expanded retail space, competitor support areas, and gathering spaces for competitors, coaches, spectators, sponsors and visitors. The new Competition Center will support training and competition for air gun, smallbore, and pistol disciplines.
This major CMP Camp Perry expansion project is aimed to strengthen the future of marksmanship training, education, coaching, competitions and youth development in the United States. The project is scheduled to break ground on August 3, 2026, with an estimated completion date of December 2027.
The lead photo above features a rendering of the new Competition Center building and below is a rendering of the new Awards Plaza.
Shooting USA TV has a good show this week. Today’s broadcast features the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits, held April 16-19 in Houston, Texas. This Shooting USA show features new products from many manufacturers along with interviews with noted shooters and gun industry executives. Along with the NRA Show feature, this week’s episode features a gun safe review and a new Colt ProTip about Red Dots.
Shooting USA SHOW TIMES: This Shooting USA Episode airs Wednesday, May 27, 2025 at 9:00 PM Eastern and Pacific; 8:00 PM Central. If you miss the regular broadcast, you can stream the show online at any time on Vimeo for $0.99 per episode.
NRA Annual Meetings 2026 photo courtesy Charles Rowe.
The 2026 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits was a very successful event, with plenty of new products on display, plus a large number of informative seminars. As a quick re-cap of the 2026 NRA Annual Meetings here’s a video filmed in Houston at the George R. Brown Convention Center.
