There’s never a shortage of new companies joining the outdoor industry, and it can take time to figure out which ones are worth following (and eventually stocking in your store). To make it simpler, we’ve done the research and hands-on time to figure out some of the most promising new brands in the outdoor industry. These are some fantastic up-and-coming manufacturers that are well worth the investment of time — and product to stock your shelves.

Rost Martin

It’s not often a new handgun manufacturer comes along offering impressive potential right off, but Rost Martin manages it. Chris and Stefany Toomer are the names behind the brand, and even though they’re new, they’re not inexperienced. Chris is the face of the company, and he’s personable and knowledgeable. He’s also taken care of ensuring the company’s website is properly set up (that’s an area many manufacturers fail). Rost Martin is getting its start with the RM1C, a compact 9mm that isn’t just another polymer pistol — not even close. More on that in a second.

Rost Martin is based in Dallas, Texas — and who doesn’t love a Lone Star State brand — but even more importantly, their guns are truly made there. These are made-in-America pistols, something that becomes even more impressive when you realize the company is keeping price points down despite the higher cost of American manufacturing. They’ve branded themselves as “The Next Generation of Freedom,” and the moniker fits.

The RM1C is an aesthetically attractive handgun that also manages to be reliably functional. It’s full of features that cater to the needs of self-defenders, and it’s clear Chris Toomer himself put a great deal of thought into design and quality. This is a striker-fired gun with a polymer frame and nitrocarburized steel slide, giving it the best of both worlds for cutting overall weight and remaining ruggedly built. It has a 4-inch barrel and an overall length of 7.1 inches, making it great for concealed carry. Features like the aggressively textured grips, angled slide serrations, and optic-ready RMR-compatible plate make it all the more appealing. The RM1C is currently offered in black, Stone Gray, and FDE. MSRP $459.

Rost Martin can be visited at SHOT Show booth 40331 (VE1).

Gideon Optics

As a relative newcomer to the optics market, Gideon Optics has hit the ground running. They’ve gone from new and unknown to making their mark as a trusted, established brand. This is at least partly thanks to the addition of Mike Branson to the team — Mike is a seasoned outdoor industry professional with years of experience in the optics industry. This means Gideon got started well-positioned to put its best lens forward among serious shooters. Gideon Optics is based out of Pennsylvania.

Gideon Optics has carved out a niche designing quality red-dot sights, although they’re also making riflescopes. The Gideon Granite MOS Competition Red-Dot Sight is a fantastic model for customers who are competitive shooters — or really any pistol shooter looking for a larger window on their optic. Window size is 28.33mm x 22.5mm. The Granite is parallax free to 33 yards, boasts an 8-MOA red or green dot, and uses motion-sensing technology for longer battery life. MSRP $319.99.

For customers focused on concealed carry, there’s the more compact Rock Pistol Red-Dot Sight. The Rock is compatible with the RMR footprint and is offered with a red or green circle dot or red or green only dots. The circle dot reticle is a 45-MOA circle surrounding a 3-MOA dot, and the dot-only reticle is a single 3-MOA dot. This sight is meant for rapid target acquisition, ease of concealment, and durability. MSRP $199.99.

Gideon Optics can be visited at SHOT Show booth 42208 (VE1).

Patriot Tactical

At Patriot Tactical, the tagline is “Average is the enemy.” As a company with only a few years behind them, they’re now gaining a foothold in the tactical world for everything from knives to rifle bags. The company’s blades, backpacks and gun bags are exceptional quality and made to withstand hard use. Gun owners need ways to store gear and transport firearms to the range, and Patriot Tactical manufactures solid gear to fulfill that need.

The Patriot Tactical Range Bag is made using durable, heavy material and features numerous pockets and storage loops for gun gear. Side pockets are great for keeping eye and ear pro where it can be found quickly, and a front zippered pocket contains magazine loops for easy access to spare mags. The Range Bag is 16 inches wide and 12 inches deep. MSRP $59.99.

For customers who spend a lot of time at the range or take classes with their long guns, the Patriot Tactical Dual Rifle Bag in Desert Khaki is a nice fit. It’s a soft-sided case made from ballistic nylon, and as its name suggests, it’s big enough to carry two rifles. The bag is 36 inches long, 8 inches deep and 12 inches tall. Velcro straps hold rifles in place during transport, and the customer has their choice of utilizing padded carry handles or integrated backpack straps. MSRP $119.99.

Patriot Tactical can be visited at SHOT Show booth 43951 (VE1).

Show Low MFG

A company that’s making a name for itself in the PCC (pistol caliber carbine) world is Show Low MFG. The gun maker’s BlackJack line of PCCs are made with an eye for detail and attention to quality, and even though they’re new, there are a variety of model options. And because pistol caliber carbines are versatile and portable, they’re a great product to keep in stock for tactical-minded customers.

The Show Low MFG BlackJack 16.1-inch model in High Roller Green is a great option for home defense, use as a truck gun, or working on tactics at the range. Customers interested in maneuverable, lightweight firearms that deliver fantastic accuracy will want a look at the BlackJack. This 9mm PCC comes standard with a Magpul MOE stock, ACE Rail DLG polymer flip-up sights, and a 35-round magazine. It has a barrel length of 16.1 inches, an overall length of 34.75 inches, and an empty weight of 6.23 pounds. There’s also a California-compliant model for residents of the Sunshine State. MSRP $1715.00.

Show Low MFG can be visited at SHOT Show booth 41155 (VE1).

Third Bay

Although revolvers remain a popular option for pocket carry, you’ll find many customers more interested in Third Bay’s Ounce CCW Pistol. The Ounce is what it sounds like — a tiny pistol that’s made to provide the ultimate in concealability and subtlety. Interestingly, Third Bay launched for the purpose of introducing this folding pocket pistol. The company saw a niche and filled it, and now your customers can benefit with a pistol that’s ideal for non-permissive environments.

The Ounce CCW Pistol weighs in at 8 ounces and folds into a size comparable to a deck of cards (4 ¾ inches x 3 inches x 7/8 inches). Unfolded, the Ounce isn’t much bigger, coming in with dimensions of 5 ¾ inches x 4 ¾ inches x 7/8 inches. The pistol’s barrel is 3 ¾ inches in length, which is sufficient for the .22 LR chambering. It can’t be fired when it’s closed. Features include a loaded chamber indicator, low barrel axis, and bottom ejection rather than a side ejection port. This is a gun that’s designed for deep concealment and close quarters use, and it might be perfect for customers shopping for a back-up gun. MSRP $899.

Third Bay can be visited at SHOT Show booth 43004 (VE1).

DNT Optics

The U.S.-based arm of DNT Optics is new and based in southern Texas. DNT Optics’ focus is bringing superior quality digital optics to market, and they’ve done that with the ThermNight TNC225R, the Thermal & Night Vision Multispectral Scope with Laser Rangefinder and Ballistic Calculator. The tactical applications of state-of-the-art thermal optics are broad and include a definite appeal to home and property defenders in rural areas. There’s also crossover between tactical and hunting applications, because pastimes like hog hunting give tactical-minded shooters an excellent chance to hone their low light/no light skills.

The ThermNight from DNT Optics offers 32 GB of internal storage and is Bluetooth-compatible. It’s a compact optic that measures 6.7 inches x 3.3 inches x 3.1 inches and weighs 22.8 ounces. Operating temperature ranges from -4 degrees Fahrenheit to 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Display resolution is 1024 x 768 pixels. The thermal operates using one 18650 flat-top battery and also has a Type C USB external power supply. MSRP $1,299.99.

Also new from DNT Optics is the DNT-7535LR, a long-range riflescope made with precision shooters in mind. The scope offers 7-35X magnification, clear glass, and a wide field of view. This is a first focal plane scope offered in either MOA or mil. The windage dial is offset at 45 degrees for quick operation, and the illuminated reticle has off positions between brightness settings. The DNT-7535LR is nitrogen purged, fog proof, and waterproof. The scope tube is 34mm and the objective lens is 56mm. MSRP $699.99. 

DNT Optics can be visited at SHOT Show booth 41762 (VE1).