NRA Media has announced the winners of the 2026 NRA Golden Bullseye Awards. Now in their 24th year, the Golden Bullseye Awards recognize outstanding innovative firearms, optics, shooting products, and ammunition. And there are also Golden Bullseye Awards for top shooters and for individuals who support the gun industry and Second Amendment rights.

Every year the NRA announces Golden Bullseye Award winners for various product categories (rifle, shotgun, handgun, optics, accessories, gear etc.). These awards are like the Oscars for the shooting industry. There are separate Golden Bullseye prizes awarded by different NRA Magazines — including American Rifleman, Shooting Sports USA, and American Hunter. The 2026 Golden Bullseye Awards will be officially awarded during the April NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Houston, Texas.

Golden Bullseye product awards are selected by the staff of the NRA’s American Rifleman and American Hunter magazines, with multiple categories recognized by each magazine. The selections are then reviewed by NRA Media management. To qualify for consideration for a Golden Bullseye Award, the product must have been: 1) Recently introduced; 2) Innovative in design/function; 3) Tested by a NRA Magazine/media staffer; 4) Reliable in the field; 5) Recognized as good value; and 6) Styled in a manner “befitting the shooting and hunting industry”.

American Rifleman 2026 Golden Bullseye Product Awards

Rifle Of The Year: Tikka T3x Ace Target

The Tikka T3x Ace Target rifle is an affordable tactical rig capable of winning PRS and NRL matches right out of the box. It is offered in three chamberings: .223 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor, and .308 Win. Two barrel lengths are available: 23.6″ and 26.0″. Standard features include two-stage trigger, adjustable cheekpiece, and forearm rails. The Tikka T3x Ace is available for $1799.00 – $1959.00 at EuroOptic.com.

In this video (above), our friend Erik Cortina tests the Tikka T3x Ace Target rifle, shooting from 100 to 1000 yards. The 6.5 Creedmoor T3x showed superb accuracy with Sako TRG Precision factory ammo. Erik stated he was “very impressed” (2:30 time-mark).

Shotgun of The Year: Benelli Nova 3 Tactical 922R

Ammunition of The Year: Hornady 338 ARC

American Hunter 2026 Golden Bullseye Awards

Rifle of The Year: Henry SPD HUSH Lever Action

Ammunition of The Year: Federal 7mm Backcountry

Golden Bullseye Awards for Individuals

The 2026 Shooting Sports USA Golden Bullseye Competitor Award goes to four-time Olympic Gold Medalist Vincent Hancock. He has been one of the greatest skeet shooter in history. He is also recognized for coaching and mentoring Team USA shooters.

The NRA Media 2026 Golden Bullseye Freedom Award goes to noted attorney, scholar, and author Stephen P. Halbrook. In his legal practice Halbrook has won cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, and his scholarship has contributed to Second Amendment historical knowledge.

The NRA Publications 2026 Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award recipient is Anthony Imperato, the founder and President of Henry Repeating Arms. Imperato has been a strong supporter of the NRA and the Second Amendment rights.

The 2026 Golden Bullseye Woman of the Year winner, nominated by the editors of NRA Women.com, is Tanisha Moner. As a dedicated instruction, Tanisha brought firearms training to thousands of women through the Legally Armed in Detroit (L.A.I.D.) organization.

It’s Day 2 of the 2025 SHOT Show. Hundreds of new handguns are on display at vendor’s booths in Las Vegas. Today we feature notable new (or updated) handguns from Smith & Wesson, Colt, Glock, and KelTec. If we were shooting action pistol competitions we would definitely consider the new metal-framed S&W M&P9. And the KelTec 5.7 offers impressive fire-power in a very slim and lightweight package.

Smith & Wesson M&P9 Metal HD – Spec Series V

If you shoot gun games such as the USPSA matches, you want a high-mass pistol with a fast cycling and low muzzle lift for quick follow shots. That can be achieved with a ported barrel and an all-metal frame. Smith & Wesson has emplyed this design with its new M&P9 Metal HD – Spec Series V. This 9mm striker-fired pistol has a 23-round capacity, and utilizes a newly designed aluminum trigger to facilitate more consistent and accurate shooting.

Weighing in at 2.31 lbs. (without magazine), the M&P9 Metal HD features a steel frame with enhanced texturing, a steel magwell, and a steel optics plate. All that steel increases overall weight and help reduce felt recoil. Its 4.8-inch threaded barrel, controls, and magwell all display a sharp blue PVD finish, and it is equipped with a Strike Industries™ compensator to tame muzzle rise and improve control.

“Our polymer M&P handguns [are] recognized for their ergonomics and reliability. We took these trusted attributes and integrated them into a steel platform to help mitigate felt-coil, allowing users to keep their pistol running flat and fast. This new Spec Series offers an advantage in today’s dynamic shooting environments while delivering a premium look and feel”, noted Corey Beaudreau, S&W Product Manager.

The M&P9 Metal HD ships with tall C.O.R.E.™ green night sights and also includes an optics-ready slide that can fit red dot optic. Additional features include three 23-round magazines, a Spec Series Coin and Knife, and a hard carry case. CLICK HERE to view more info and photos for the M&P9 Metal HD – Spec Series V.

KelTec PR57 — Slim Profile, Rotary Barrel, Uses Stripper Clip

The KelTec PR57 is a slim, high-capacity lightweight pistol chambered for the potent 5.7x28mm cartridge. This innovative handgun employs an innovative top-loading design, eliminating the need for traditional magazines. The KelTec PR57 internal 20-rd magazine is fed via 10-round stripper clips (see photo at right). Weighing just 13.86 oz (393 g), the PR57 is very light and thin. With a 4.64″ barrel, is is 7.16″ long, and just 0.937″ wide — 40% thinner that other 5.7×28 pistols.

The PR57 features a rotary (spinning) 1:7″-twist barrel and a crisp 4.5 lb trigger pull. Kel-Tec says the 13.86-ounce PR57 is the lightest pistol in its caliber on the market. By comparison, the FN Five-Seven MRD, PSA 5.7 Rock, and Ruger 57 all weigh 25 ounces, nearly twice as much. In addition to black, the PR57 will be offered in FDE and olive drab. The KelTec PR57 ships with two 10-round stripper clips and an optics plate, with an MSRP of $399. The pistol is expected to begin shipping sometime in the first quarter of 2025.

NOTE: There is a major negative — UNLOADING the pistol is not as simple or fast as simply removing a detachable magazine from the bottom of the grip. This PR57 does NOT have a detachable magazine.

Glock Pistols with Integral Aimpoint COA Red Dot Optic

Glock has partnered with Aimpoint to introduce the exclusive Glock x Aimpoint COA Combo. This package features an Aimpoint COA red dot sight pre-installed on Glock 9mm pistols — G43X, G48, G19 Gen5, G45, and G47. The Aimpoint COA optic i fitted to the slide via an A-CUT interface. The Aimpoint COA optic is optimized for concealed carry, offering a compact, lightweight design with a fully enclosed emitter for protection against environmental elements. The A-CUT mounting system allows the sight to be mounted deeper into the slide.

New Colt Wheelguns and Revived Smith & Wesson Model 10

Savage Stance XR Double Stack with Optional Optic

Savage’s new Stance XR has a 13+1 capacity and a quick-release optics mount that allows the user to switch optics. Internals remain the same as on the original Stance. Options include three colors, manual safety or none, and standard or tritium sights. You can also buy a version (as shown) that comes with installed red dot optic. MSRP runs $469-$659. Find Savage firearms in SHOT Show Booth #12821.