In rifles, the AR category has quieted down, but don’t bet against it. The ups and downs within the firearms industry has been more erratic than the stock market, at times. Demand spikes up, and down, and supply shortages, followed by supply gluts. This is the case with ammunition as well, as most gun owners know all too well. That, and the overall increases in prices, triggered by overall inflation and supply chain issues worldwide.

Hunting rifles are more stable, but that demand, overall, isn’t exactly increasing if you consider that gun-based hunting has decreased ever so slightly for many years, as it continues to do. Partially, this is due to the bow hunting niche, which has also seen its ups and downs in recent years. Target shooting is a smaller community, though indoor range business, especially for handguns is steadily climbing. Semiauto pistol names like Glock and SigSauer continue to be market leads ahead of names like Beretta, Kimber, Walther, Wilson Combat, Springfield, to name just a few, but there are always new handgun brands, and a few are rising stars to watch, like Canek and Shadow Systems, which are lesser known than say, CZ or FN, which are quality choices, among others.

The revolver type handguns are a comparably steady ship where brands like Smith & Wesson, Colt, Ruger and others perform consistently. They are easier to operate, more reliable, ideal to train newbies on, and they tend to come in at a lower price point … usually. Korth, which works with Nighthawk, offers a heavy-duty and imposing top performer. Check it out.

In shotguns, anything 12 ga. will sell, and there is a definite difference in customer type when it comes to traditional wood stock vs. the polymer stock “black” gun market. I recently fired a Keltec shotgun that was way too light for me. There is a wisdom to weight – stability is an important feature. There are many lesser-known brands of shotguns made by Turkish companies that are decent, but when in doubt, go with a known brand. In general, a Browning or a Benelli is a better choice over let’s say Stoeger or Mossberg. Of course, you are paying for that difference. For calibers, I don’t see a shift in demand in the other calibers though 20 ga. is still a clear 2nd in popularity in the U.S., followed by 28 ga. and 410. And, the shortage issues with certain varieties of birdshot, for example, have been mostly resolved.

Air rifles, whether it be in .177 cal. or .22 cal. are still not anywhere nearly as popular as in Europe, and they just aren’t enough high-end choices here. Somebody should figure that out. Once again, training on low calibers is the way to go. Little or no kick, less noise and less expensive – all good traits for products that will appeal to beginners, especially students.

I can’t say too much about firearm accessory categories other than there are alot of choices and very broad features and price ranges for top items like rifle scopes and other optics, Kydex type holsters. Check out Tulster – they do a nice job with a really smart, contemporary design.

And gun care? I am biased, but practical about @tetragun #tetragun