Sioux Falls, SD (September 30, 2026) – 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:
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.
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.