The doors at the SHOT Show 2026 have fully opened, and the Venetian Expo has once again transformed into a labyrinthine sprawl of tactical gear and corded lanyards. Thousands of attendees are currently navigating the carpeted aisles, fueled by questionable amounts of caffeine and the pursuit of the latest developments in the industry. While the floor is crowded, the atmosphere is professional, characterized by the low hum of deals being negotiated and the rhythmic clicking of dry-firing across nearly every booth.

The week began with the Supplier Showcase, a segment of the event that serves as the industrial backbone for everything else on display. Featuring over 600 exhibitors, this showcase focuses on the less glamorous but essential aspects of firearm production: raw materials, precision machinery, and the technological innovations required to keep a factory running. It is a hub for manufacturers to secure reliable vendors, ensuring that the supply chain remains resilient enough to keep production lines moving without the hiccups that have plagued recent years.

The diversity of the Supplier Showcase is noteworthy, ranging from niche specialists in short-run metal stamped parts to massive global providers. Networking here is a focused affair, as these booths are populated by decision-makers with the authority to sign contracts rather than casual observers. The global nature of the industry is on full display, with representatives traveling from Australia, Japan, and various European hubs to establish partnerships that will likely dictate the market’s direction for the next several seasons.

Evike.com are at the Shot Show 2026 and Matt highlights several new Taran Tactical releases. The featured product is the TR9, which is available in both gas blowback and AEG (Automatic Electric Gun) versions. These airsoft rifles are showcased alongside other new releases from Taran Tactical.

In addition to the TR9, the video mentions that there are several other exciting releases from Taran Tactical at the event. These new products offer airsoft enthusiasts more options for their gear, whether they prefer gas-powered or electric rifles.

Holosun has arrived with a suite of updates that suggest a "bigger is better" philosophy for 2026. Tactical Advisor reports that the AEMS Evo and ASES Evo Duo have taken center stage, offering substantially larger windows than their predecessors. The primary goal here is to provide a wider field of view, acknowledging that users generally prefer not to feel like they are looking through a drinking straw when engaging targets. The Duo model is particularly interesting for its integration of infrared and visible lasers directly into the housing, which tidies up the rail space considerably.

Further refinements in the Holosun lineup include the Aero Evo and the 507 Pro Max. The latter is a scaled-up version of the 507 Comp, featuring a more restrained logo for those who prefer their optics to look like tools rather than billboards. For the handgun market, the AEMS Macro is being positioned as a large-window pistol optic or an offset dot for rifles. The company is also doubling down on reticle variety, offering red, green, and gold options across most of their new models, ensuring that there is a color for every specific type of color blindness or personal preference.

According to the Nova Group, a significant technical shift showcased by Holosun involves their new "Evo Dual" line, which introduces a single-plug, two-button tape switch. This system allows users to toggle between visible and IR modes with a "visible override" feature. This is a practical addition for anyone who has ever transitioned from a night-vision environment to a brightly lit room and realized their laser was invisible against the white light. By integrating these systems into a single housing at a projected price point near or below $1,000, they are making advanced aiming solutions more accessible to the average shooter.

Palmetto State Armory (PSA) continues its streak of rapid prototyping and product expansion with the AXR series.  In this video by Fit'n Fire, the AXR Short Stroke Piston rifle is a response to the weight concerns often associated with their previous long-stroke systems. The AXR utilizes a proprietary barrel nut that surprisingly retains compatibility with standard AR-15 barrels, offering a high degree of modularity. This modularity is a recurring theme for PSA this year, extending to their fire control units which allow a single serialized chassis to move between different frames and receiver sets.

For those who enjoy a bit of nostalgia mixed with modern practicality, PSA introduced a 9mm version of the "Krink" AK. It features a slimmer magazine well and utilizes CZ Scorpion-style magazines, aiming for reliability through a straightforward blowback system. They also displayed the "Saber Key," a modern homage to the under-barrel Master Key shotgun. Built from a modified 570 receiver, it is designed to mount onto M4 profile barrels, providing a specialized tool for breaching or, perhaps more likely, for looking very interesting at a local range.

Agilite has decided to tackle the problem of tactical perspiration with their SFT combat t-shirt. Billed as a "no melt, no drip" garment, it is designed to offer protection against thermal threats like RPG flashes or Molotov cocktails while remaining as breathable as athletic wear. It is a specialized solution for those who find traditional combat shirts too restrictive but still value the ability to not have their clothing fuse to their skin in an emergency. They also introduced the Emergence fanny pack, catering to the growing market of users who want to carry medical supplies or CCW equipment in a more discreet, waist-mounted fashion.

Drop It Like It's Scott reports that the collaboration between Canik and Radian Weapons resulted in the Canik Prime Radian, a factory-tuned pistol that includes a Radian Afterburner compensator and Ramjet barrel out of the box. This partnership aims to provide high-end aftermarket performance at a lower integrated price. Canik is also expanding its "ecosystem" by introducing a line of ten optics and their "Void" suppressors. It seems the days of Canik being seen only as a budget handgun manufacturer are fading, replaced by a push to become a one-stop shop for an entire firearm setup.

Shadow Systems maintained a steady presence by showcasing their Axio and EU526 models. While their presentation was more of a consolidated look at their entire catalog, the focus remains on their reputation for reliable, "duty-ready" features straight from the factory. They have also been active in digital outreach, ensuring that the features of their new pistols and suppressors are well-documented for the portion of the community that was unable to make the trek to Las Vegas this year.

With three days remaining in the schedule, the show floor is expected to remain busy. While the focus has largely been on firearms and traditional tactical gear, there is a lingering curiosity regarding the airsoft sector. Hopefully, the remaining days will see airsoft media personalities highlight the companies in that space who have set up shop at this massive event. Until then, attendees will continue to navigate the Venetian’s corridors, checking out everything from precision rifles to fire-resistant tactical shirts.