--- title: NASGW & POMA Announce Finalists for the 2026 Caliber Awards description: NASGW & POMA Announce Finalists for the 2026 Caliber Awards image: https://nasgw.org/hubfs/Caliber%20Awards/NASGW_CaliberAwardsHeader.jpg --- [Go Back Up](https://nasgw.org/news/nasgw-poma-announce-finalists-for-the-2026-caliber-awards#top) [Skip to Content](https://nasgw.org/news/nasgw-poma-announce-finalists-for-the-2026-caliber-awards#body) [![nasgw-logo](https://nasgw.org/hubfs/nasgw-logo.svg "nasgw-logo")](https://nasgw.org/) Toggle Menu - Solutions Toggle children for Solutions Main Menu (Press to Return) \> Solutions - [Distribution Is The Solution](https://nasgw.org/distribution-is-the-solution) - [VAULT](https://itsonvault.com) - [Get SCOPE™](https://nasgwscope.org/) - [NASGW EXPO](https://nasgwexpo.org/) - [Fortify Insurance](https://www.choosefortify.com/) - [Bill Tracker](http://members.nasgw.org/bill-tracker) - Membership Toggle children for Membership Main Menu (Press to Return) \> Membership - [Join NASGW](https://nasgw.org/join-nasgw) - [New Member Info](https://nasgw.org/new-member-info) - [NASGW Directory](https://members.nasgw.org/membership/directory) - News / Media Toggle children for News / Media Main Menu (Press to Return) \> News / Media - [News](https://nasgw.org/news) - [Insight](https://nasgw.org/insight-newsletter) - [Webinars](https://nasgw.org/nasgw-webinars) - About Toggle children for About Main Menu (Press to Return) \> About - [Our Association](https://nasgw.org/about-nasgw) - [Board of Directors](https://nasgw.org/board-of-directors) - [FAQ's](https://nasgw.org/nasgw-faqs) - Industry Toggle children for Industry Main Menu (Press to Return) \> Industry - [Our Involvement](https://nasgw.org/industry) - [Partner Organizations](https://nasgw.org/partner-organizations) - [Affiliate Partners](https://nasgw.org/affiliate-partners) - [Join Now](https://nasgw.org/join-nasgw) - [Member Login](https://nasgw.memberclicks.net/login#/login) # NASGW & POMA Announce Finalists for the 2026 Caliber Awards [NASGW Expo](https://nasgw.org/news/tag/nasgw-expo) [Industry Events](https://nasgw.org/news/tag/industry-events) [Recent News](https://nasgw.org/news/tag/recent-news) 9/30/26, 11:00 AM [NASGW](https://nasgw.org/news/author/nasgw) 4 min read [mailto:?subject=NASGW%20%26%20POMA%20Announce%20Finalists%20for%20the%202026%20Caliber%20Awards&body=https%3A%2F%2Fnasgw.org%2Fnews%2Fnasgw-poma-announce-finalists-for-the-2026-caliber-awards](mailto:?subject=NASGW%20%26%20POMA%20Announce%20Finalists%20for%20the%202026%20Caliber%20Awards&body=https%3A%2F%2Fnasgw.org%2Fnews%2Fnasgw-poma-announce-finalists-for-the-2026-caliber-awards) The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW), in partnership with the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA), has announced the finalists in each category for the **2026 NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards**. Categories include Best New Rifle, Best New Handgun, Best New Shotgun, Best New Ammunition, Best New Optic, Best New Accessory and Best New Suppressor. An independent panel of 21 industry judges, comprised of NASGW and POMA members, selected the finalists in each category. To qualify, manufacturers must be NASGW members in good standing, and eligible products must have been publicly released between the end of last year's NASGW Expo and the beginning of this year's event and submitted through the NASGW Expo New Product Showcase. “Reaching the tenth year of the Caliber Awards is a testament to the level of innovation this industry continues to deliver,” said Kenyon Gleason, NASGW President. “Our judges had another competitive field to evaluate, and these finalists represent products that stood out for their ingenuity, market relevance and value. We look forward to recognizing this year’s winners in Phoenix.” For the tenth consecutive year, the Caliber Awards offer a unique, unbiased approach to recognizing and honoring product innovation in the shooting sports industry. The voting panel brings together professionals who buy and sell these products every day, along with media members who test, review and report on them in the field. “The Caliber Awards bring together perspectives from both the business and media sides of the industry,” said Stephanie Spika Hickey, POMA Executive Director. “POMA is proud to have our members contribute their hands-on experience to a process that recognizes meaningful product innovation across the shooting sports market.” The panel narrowed the submissions in each category to three finalists. Judges were asked to consider uniqueness, market need, product value, ingenuity and presentation.   The finalists for the 2026 NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards are: ## Best New Accessory - **Caldwell** - DeadShot Air™ Front and Rear Shooting Rest Combo - **Fobus International LTD** - UNDERCOVER - **SIG SAUER** - FOXTROT2R LIGHTFIGHT ## Best New Ammunition - **Federal Ammunition** - 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak Cartridge - **Hornady** - American Whitetail tipped - **Remington Ammunition** - Performance Wheelgun 22 Rimfire ## Best New Handgun - **Canik USA** - Prime Radian - **Ruger Firearms** - LCP® MAX with Magpul® Enhanced Handgun Grip - **Taurus Holdings, Inc.** - TAURUS RPC ## Best New Optic - **ATN** - ATN ThOR 6 Elite Thermal Rifle scope - **Leupold & Stevens** - VX-4HD - **SIG SAUER** - XRAY5 ## Best New Rifle - **Marlin** - Marlin® Trapper Series Model 1894™ Chambered in 10mm Auto - **Savage Arms** - m110 Carbon Hunter - **Weatherby Inc.** - Mark V Backcountry Capra ## Best New Shotgun - **Mossberg** - 590RM Chisel - **Ruger Firearms** - Ruger® Red Label™ III - **TriStar Arms** - TriStar Viper G3 Semi-Auto ## Best New Suppressor - **Bergara** - BTi-30 - **Dead Air Silencers** - Nomad Ti OTB - **Silent Steel USA** - Flow IQ Streamer In addition to selecting a winner in each of the seven categories, the judging panel will select the **Best Overall New Product** from this year's Caliber Award contenders.   Winners of the 2026 NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards will be announced during the **NASGW Annual Appreciation Reception and Dinner on Monday, October 12**. The dinner kicks off the week of the **2026 NASGW Annual Meeting & Expo**, taking place October 13–15 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. ***About NASGW*** *The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers is comprised of wholesalers, manufacturers, independent sales reps, media, and service providers - both national and international - all of whom are primarily focused on shooting sports equipment and accessories. As a trade association representing the business interests of its members, NASGW’s mission is to bring shooting sports buyers and sellers together. For more information about the NASGW, visit the association’s website at* [www.nasgw.org](https://www.nasgw.org/?utm_campaign=331697863-2026%20Expo&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9MZhqKtOfVqkzpj2ZNwzXQ8ILbOzkJW5DuuIoYdPWHLJDoYZPgQ1k0BZuzn0_5zYIfMUPB)*.* ***About POMA*** *The Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) connects and empowers outdoor communicators through professional development, networking and opportunities that strengthen careers and the outdoor industry. Representing writers, photographers, broadcasters, creators and other communications professionals, POMA champions honest, responsible storytelling in traditional outdoor sports and conservation. Through education, mentorship and industry connections, POMA helps today’s communicators thrive while inspiring the next generation of outdoor storytellers.* **For More Information Please Contact:** Gregg Alexander National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers [galexander@nasgw.org](mailto:galexander@nasgw.org) ## NASGW You May Like These ## Related Articles [![nasgw-webinar-1](https://nasgw.org/hs-fs/hubfs/nasgw-webinar-1.jpg?width=300&height=131&name=nasgw-webinar-1.jpg "nasgw-webinar-1")](https://nasgw.org) [Join Now](https://nasgw.org/distribution-is-the-solution) ©© 2024 National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers All Rights Reserved.  [Privacy Policy](https://nasgw.org/privacy-policy)  101 S. 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