Manufacturers Spotlight
Mossberg’s New 2026 Lineup
By Brad Stephenson
New for 2026, Mossberg has introduced a 940 Pro Waterfowl in Realtree Legacy camo with a 28-inch barrel. It features an adjustable length of pull, along with an adjustable cast-and-drop stock, oversized charging handle and bolt release, an enlarged and beveled loading port for easy loading, and an elongated pinch-free elevator so you don’t pinch fingers when loading.
A redesigned gas system runs cleaner and allows for longer intervals between cleanings. The 940 Pro Waterfowl shoots 12-gauge 2-3/4-inch and 3-inch shells. Don’t let the word “waterfowl” in the name mislead you. That designation refers to the corrosion-resistant internal parts—including a boron-nitride-coated gas piston, magazine tube, and hammer and sear, a stainless steel return spring, and a self-draining stock—all of which are terrific upgrades for any hunter that wants a gun that will last. The 940 Pro Waterfowl is optic-ready, with patent-pending receiver cuts that accept direct mounting of Shield RMSc-pattern micro-dot sights, as well as adapter plates for other red-dot footprints, allowing use of most popular red-dot brands. Red dots are becoming increasingly popular on shotguns, and this is one of the most secure mounting options available. The 940 Pro Waterfowl has a suggested retail price of $1141.
Mossberg has also introduced a budget friendly semi-auto in their Maverick SA All-Purpose line. Available in 12 gauge with either black synthetic stocks and matte finish for a suggested retail price of $623, or classic walnut stocks and high-polish blued finish for a suggested retail price of $693, these two new models feature a 28-inch-barrel, adjustable length-of-pull stock, come with five chokes to cover a range of applications, and shoots 2-3/4-inch and 3-inch shells.
Mossberg has also brought a Patriot Predator rifle to the 2026 market in .450 Bushmaster, with a suggested retail price of $658. It is a great addition for hunters in areas where straight-wall rifles are all that is allowed. Visit www.mossberg.com and learn more about all of the Mossberg firearms.
Primos Edge Carbon Fiber Tripod Shooting Stick with Magna Switch
By Bruce Ingram
While hunting with a rifle within a blind this past deer season, it occurred to me that what I really needed to increase my accuracy was a tripod. So I contacted Jason Dyer, marketing manager for Primos, and he said his favorite shooting sticks were his company’s Edge Carbon Fiber Tripod Shooting Stick with Magna Switch (65832).
“At 3 ½ pounds, it’s lightweight enough to load into and out of the woods, especially when bringing in a blind,” he said. “I also like that the product adjusts from nine to 67 inches and collapses to 33 inches. The three legs, made of durable carbon fiber, position for easy adjustments in sitting, kneeling, or standing positions. And the Magna Switch mounting system, with patented Spartan Precision Technology, makes it easy for getting on and off the tripod.”
The result, of course, is more stability on uneven ground and the ability to help hunters make faster and more accurate shots. In short, I found the Primos Edge Carbon to be exactly what I have been looking for, specifically when I am set up in a ground blind. I also recommended this product to a friend who no longer can hunt from a tree stand and prefers to set up next to a tree or in a makeshift ground blind.
For more information: www.primos.com
MTM Gun Case
By Chuck Nease
The old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” applies to everything we do as hunters and outdoorsmen. Finding solutions to problems and protecting our hard-earned equipment is a continuous journey. It is great to have companies that offer quality, affordable products to meet our every need.
MTM is a U.S. company that provides great products, prices, and customer service. Its new gun case line checks all the blocks. Extra-thick egg-crate foam padding and an impact-resistant outer shell provide plenty of protection for any trip. Four strong latches and padlock access allow for security 24/7.
For less than the cost of a box of premium ammo, you can secure and protect your rifles and firearms from home to the field. American-engineered and manufactured, MTM is a smart choice. Check out all the new MTM Case Guard products at your local dealer or visit MTMcase-gard.com.
The SlapStrap
By Hunter Safety System
So often, new hunting products evolve from frustrations experienced by us hunters. This is exactly the case with Hunter Safety System’s new SlapStrap. Saddle hunters are constantly battling to maintain a safe, tight line in their tether rope and their lineman’s rope. The SlapStrap takes care of this frustration, along with many other issues facing the modern saddle hunter.
The SlapStrap is a fabric-covered, coiled steel band that grips the tree at all times. It also conveniently wraps around the hunter’s waist for easy transport to and from the woods. Because the SlapStrap is secured to the tree, the hunter no longer has to fight the issue of his ropes falling down the tree every time slack in the ropes appear. The hunter’s tether rope and lineman’s rope are protected from rope-fraying tree bark as they run thru fabric-covered channels. The first thing a hunter does when approaching the tree is slap the SlapStrap onto the trunk and remove both ropes from their convenient zippered storage pouches. Bingo…in mere seconds, your ropes are now positioned exactly where needed. Because your ropes are now conveniently accessible, it’s easy to attach both ropes at ground level before taking one step off the ground. This is very difficult to do without the SlapStrap.
After connecting both ropes, the hunter simply releases the tension on the coiled steel band, moves it up the tree, and allows it to re-tighten to the tree as he ascends. This same process is used in reverse as he descends the tree. These two ropes are perfectly positioned to allow the hunter to stay connected when going over or under a tree limb.
Even with all of its hunter friendly features, the SlapStrap is a bargain. When a hunter purchases a SlapStrap, he no longer needs to purchase a tether rope, lineman’s rope, mechanical ascender, saddle bags, accessory strap, heavy-duty hook for those heavy items, or a deer drag. And because it can simply be transported around your waist, it takes up no valuable backpack storage space.
The most important feature of all is the ability to stay attached to the tether rope at all times while above ground level. Leave it to Hunter Safety System to develop a more hunter-friendly, safe way to saddle hunt. For more information, visit www.huntersafetysystem.com.