The National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) kicked off its 2026 Expo week on Monday, October 12, with the Annual Appreciation Dinner at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown. Each year, the NASGW Expo brings together wholesalers, manufacturers and industry partners from across the shooting sports industry to connect, collaborate and plan for the year ahead. The event serves as a cornerstone for product launches, business meetings and celebrating the partnerships that drive the industry forward.
NASGW partnered with the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) to present the 2026 NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards, recognizing the most innovative new products across seven categories. An independent panel of 21 industry judges, comprised of NASGW and POMA members, evaluated the entries to determine a winner in each category as well as the Best Overall New Product.
Eligible products were submitted through the NASGW Expo New Product Showcase and evaluated based on uniqueness, market need, product value, ingenuity and presentation. The judging process narrowed the field to three finalists in each category before selecting this year’s winners.
Now in their tenth year, the Caliber Awards provide a unique approach to recognizing product innovation by bringing together the perspectives of professionals who buy, sell, test, review and report on shooting sports products every day.
“Each year, the Appreciation and Caliber Awards give us an opportunity to recognize two of the things that make this industry successful—strong business partnerships and continued product innovation,” said Kenyon Gleason, NASGW President. “This year’s recipients represent companies and products that are making a meaningful impact across the shooting sports marketplace. We congratulate all of our 2026 winners and finalists.”
POMA would especialy like to congratulate POMA Corporate Partners Federal Ammunition and Dead Air Silencers for their wins!
Best New Accessory
SIG SAUER – FOXTROT2R LIGHTFIGHT
Best New Ammunition
Federal Ammunition – 6.5 Creedmoor +Peak Cartridge
Best New Handgun
Canik USA – Prime Radian
Best New Optic
Leupold - VX-4HD
Best New Rifle
Savage Arms – m110 Carbon Hunter
Best New Shotgun
Ruger Firearms – Ruger® Red Label™ III
Best New Suppressor
Dead Air Silencers – Nomad Ti OTB
Best New Overall Product
Canik USA – Prime Radian