We are about a month late getting this update out, and that is completely on me. Life has been busier than usual. Over the last few months I have been working through a job change, which fortunately worked out in my favor, but it has not come without some sacrifice. Unfortunately, the new three-hour-per-day commute is taking a significant bite out of my time.
There is another move in my future, if my count is right, this will be number 23 since 2008, so we are taking our time to make sure this one sticks a little longer than average.
That is a long way of saying we are moving a bit slower right now when it comes to getting new content on the site. The good news is that there is plenty in the pipeline. Winter has been snowy and cold, the exact opposite of what our woolly bear caterpillar predicted back in November.
However, it looks like we are finally turning the corner. Warmer weather is in the forecast, along with plenty of rain. The snow is receding, and I am already dreaming about the day I can get the motorcycle back out. That will make those long commutes a little more enjoyable.
Website Updates
We have pushed several new articles to the website over the last month, and we have also been working on refreshing some of our older content. You will start seeing new author bios at the end of articles, along with blocks explaining what the website is about and how you can support the work we are doing here.
Marc has also published a few articles about things that caught his eye at the 2026 SHOT Show. You can check them out below:
A buddy of mine recently asked why two or three different load data sources often show different data for the same cartridge and bullet combination. It was a good question and one that deserved a deeper explanation, so I decided to dig into it. The result is the article below:
Time at the Bench
RCBS Trim Pro-2
Due to the job change and getting settled into a new routine, my time at the reloading bench has been limited. A few weeks ago, however, I was able to spend some time with an RCBS Trim Pro-2 powered case trimmer while trimming straight-wall cases for a project I have been working on. I took the opportunity to photograph the process and record the results.
Over the years I have used several different trimmers, and I have owned the manually driven RCBS Trim Pro-2 for quite a while. It was my first bench-mounted lathe-type trimmer. These types of trimmers are very versatile. Unlike the popular drill-mounted trimmers that use the shoulder datum as the locating reference, these use the base of the cartridge as the reference point.
In theory, this makes them less prone to variation caused by inconsistent shoulder setback. It is also about the only practical way to trim straight-wall cases.
This is not a perfect apples-to-apples comparison with some of the SRT-style trimmers I have been reviewing recently, since those tests were conducted with bottleneck cases. Even so, I think the results still provide a useful point of comparison.
416 Ruger Load Development
Marc has also been spending some time working with the .416 Ruger. I will not spoil the surprise completely, but he has been developing loads and setting up a new rifle to replace an older .416 Rigby. He has several articles planned that will cover that project in more detail.
Industry and Legislative News
Vermont Gun Control Push
Vermont legislators have introduced several new gun control bills this session. At least one of those bills, House Bill 406, a proposed semi-automatic “assault weapon” ban, appears nearly every legislative session. While it has once again been introduced and is certainly a concern, it currently does not appear to have the support needed to pass.
However, another proposal may have more immediate implications. Senate Bill S.160 seeks to outlaw devices that increase the rate of fire of a semi-automatic firearm. The wording of the bill is vague, defining the prohibited accessory simply as a “device that increases the rate of fire.”
While the bill is clearly targeting Force Reset Triggers (FRTs), bump stocks, and similar devices that have been ruled not to meet the federal definition of a machine gun, the language is broad enough that other items could potentially be caught up in it. In theory, even light competition triggers could fall under scrutiny. After all, it does not take much practice to “bump fire” a semi-automatic firearm—even with a heavy factory trigger.
The proposed penalty is a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to one year in jail. The offense would also be classified as a felony, which would carry the additional consequence of permanently stripping the individual of their firearm rights and other civil rights.
There is no grandfather clause for existing devices and no compensation for devices that would be required to be surrendered. In my opinion, that raises serious constitutional concerns regarding the taking of lawfully owned property without compensation. And we are not just talking about $500 FRT triggers, this could also affect legally owned machine guns worth $25,000 or more.
Unfortunately, Democrats currently control both legislative chambers and could override a veto from the Republican governor if they have the votes. It remains unclear how this will ultimately shake out, but the bill is currently in committee. If you wish to oppose it, now would be the time to contact your legislators.
Pot, Firearms, and the Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard arguments in United States v. Daniels, a case concerning the constitutionality of depriving firearm rights from individuals who regularly use marijuana.
As anyone who has filled out ATF Form 4473 during a firearms transfer knows, it is a felony to falsely state that you do not use illegal drugs—including marijuana—even if marijuana is legal in the state where you live. Under current federal law, marijuana remains a controlled substance, and firearm ownership by users is prohibited.
In several cases, federal authorities have pursued charges against individuals based on this conflict between federal law and state legalization, resulting in the loss of firearm rights.
This is largely a problem created by the federal government itself. Federal authorities have allowed states to legalize marijuana without aggressively enforcing federal prohibition, despite marijuana still being classified as a controlled substance. The result is a legal conflict between federal law and state law that has left ordinary citizens caught in the middle.
This issue ultimately goes beyond the question of whether marijuana should be legal. At its core, the case raises a broader question: under what circumstances should individuals lose their Second Amendment rights?
Personally, I believe we are far too quick to strip people of their rights. There are so many laws on the books today that the only thing separating a criminal from a citizen is often whether they have been caught.
New Guns and Gear
Smith and Wesson M&P 2.0
When I turned 21, I started looking for my first handgun. I did a fair amount of research and eventually landed on the Smith & Wesson M&P series. At the time, .40 S&W was still widely advertised as the “one-shot man stopper,” supposedly combining raw power with a couple of extra rounds of capacity compared to larger calibers.
A few years later I bought my first H&K Mark 23. I enjoyed shooting that pistol so much that I eventually sold my M&P and picked up a few more H&K pistols instead. Still, since it was my first handgun, the M&P series has always held a bit of a special place for me.
So when Smith & Wesson announced an all-steel grip version of the M&P at the 2026 SHOT Show, it immediately caught my attention.
I am completely on board with the industry’s rediscovery of all-metal frame pistols that aren’t a 2011 or 1911DS with a price tag that suggests you may need a second mortgage to afford one.
Steel-frame firearms in 9×19mm can be a lot of fun to shoot. The extra weight of the grip does a great job reducing muzzle flip. Yes, they are heavier, and you will probably want a sturdier belt if you plan to carry one, but at the end of the day many shooters will find they can shoot these guns better than their polymer-frame counterparts simply because of the recoil reduction.
They are also more expensive. Expect to pay north of $800 depending on configuration. That said, I suspect they will be worth the price. I am looking forward to getting an opportunity to run one through its paces.
After years of polymer dominance, it seems like manufacturers are finally remembering that a little extra steel can make a pistol far more enjoyable to shoot.
Deals of the Week
It’s no secret that the firearms industry is a little slow right now. People’s wallets are thin, and this industry ultimately runs on discretionary spending.
The upside to that slowdown is that retailers have been running some genuinely strong promotions. We have been seeing some fantastic deals on everything from firearm parts to reloading components.
If you have been thinking about picking something up, now may be a good time to buy.
That’s all we have for this week!
Jay & Marc
