Every October the same thing happens at my bench. Hunters pull rifles and shotguns out of the safe, find last year’s half-used box of shells in a duffel bag, and head to the woods without giving either one a second look. Most years that works out fine. This year there are three active recalls that touch hunting and field gear, and two of them came out in just the last couple of weeks.
None of these involve handguns, and none of them are cause for panic. They do take about five minutes of checking, and that is a lot cheaper than finding out the hard way.
Kent Cartridge 12 and 20 Gauge Shotshells
On October 2, Kent Cartridge announced a recall of specific lots of 12 gauge and 20 gauge shotshells. The company says the affected ammunition may produce excessive chamber pressure when fired, which can damage the gun, leave it inoperable, and put the shooter and anyone nearby at risk of serious injury. [1]
The recall covers certain lots of Ultimate Turkey, Fasteel+, Ultimate FastLead, Steel Dove and TealSteel. That is turkey, waterfowl, dove and teal ammunition, so it is exactly the kind of box that rides around in a blind bag for a couple of seasons.
Here is the part people get wrong. A box is only affected if both the product code and the lot number on the label match one of the combinations Kent published. A matching product code with a different lot number is fine. Kent lists ten product codes and the lot numbers that go with each one, so pull up the full table in the notice and check your boxes against it line by line. [1]
If a box matches, Kent’s instructions are simple. Stop using it, keep it separate from your other ammunition, do not sell it or give it to anyone, and contact Kent at 844-951-6098 or su*****@***********ge.com for return and replacement instructions. Kent also keeps a recall page on its website. [1] [5]
One habit worth picking up from this: keep shells in the box they came in. Loose shells in a vest pocket have no lot number, and there is no way to tell whether they are part of a recall. If you have loose Kent shells of these types and cannot tell where they came from, I would retire them.
CVA Paramount Muzzleloaders: Stop Using Them
This one is older but still active, and with muzzleloader hunters getting ready it is the most serious of the three. In July, CVA issued a recall and immediate stop-use order for every Paramount, Paramount HTR, Paramount Pro and Paramount Pro V2 muzzleloader, covering all production years. [2]
CVA says an unsafe condition can occur when a Paramount is loaded improperly. Its list includes double loading, using the wrong or an incompatible powder, improper loading, cleaning or storage, and an obstruction in the bore. Under those conditions the company warns of an increased risk of failure, serious injury or death on the first shot or later ones. [2] That means a rifle that shot fine last season is still covered.
If you own one, do not load it or fire it. If it is loaded right now, CVA tells owners to unload it following Section 17 of the owner’s manual. [2] Do not try to shoot a charge out of it to empty it. To start the recall, use CVA’s form at bpioutdoors.com/paramount-recall, which asks for your serial number, model and caliber, or reach the company at Pa**************@*********rs.com or 770-449-4687. [3]
Hatsan Blitz and Blitz 777 Air Rifles
This is not a firearm, but plenty of our customers use big-bore PCP air rifles for pests and small game, so it belongs on the list. On October 15, the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a recall of all Hatsan Blitz and Blitz 777 air rifles sold from February 2020 through March 2026, about 16,170 rifles in .22, .25 and .30 caliber. [4]
According to the CPSC notice, the rifle can fire unexpectedly if the bolt is released before the rifle is fully cocked. HatsanUSA has one report of an accidental misfire and no reported injuries. [4] Owners should stop using the rifle, make sure it is unloaded, and contact HatsanUSA for a free replacement trigger assembly. The company will mail the part with instructions, or send a prepaid package if you would rather ship the rifle in for the work. HatsanUSA can be reached at 877-750-3375, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Central, Monday through Friday, or at bl*********@*******sa.com. [4]
A Quick Safety Note
When you check any gun pulled out of storage, treat it as loaded until you have opened the action and looked and felt to confirm the chamber is empty. For muzzleloaders, that includes checking whether a charge is still down the bore. If you are ever unsure whether a muzzleloader is loaded, do not cap it and do not try to fire it. Follow the manufacturer’s unloading instructions or call them.
Your Pre-Season Checklist
While you are digging through the gear, run through a few things before opening day:
- Check every box of shotshells and cartridges against current recall notices, using both the product code and the lot number.
- Look down the bore of every gun for rust, debris or an old cleaning patch. An obstruction is dangerous in any firearm.
- Wipe off old, gummy oil and relubricate lightly. Thick oil left over the summer slows actions down in cold weather.
- Check scope rings and mount screws for tightness, then confirm your zero at the range before the season, not in the field.
- Register your guns with the manufacturer if you have not. That is how companies reach owners when a recall comes out.
Get It Looked at Before Opening Day
If something does not feel right when you get your gear out, whether it is a sticky action, a safety that will not engage cleanly, or a gun that has not been cleaned since last season, bring it to Strikepoint Gunsmithing. We do cleaning and deep cleaning, safety inspections, small parts replacement and optic mounting. Recalled items need to go back to the manufacturer through their recall process, but we are glad to look over the rest of your guns before you head out. See current rates on our pricing page or contact us to set up a time.
Sources:
- Kent Cartridge recall notice via The Outdoor Wire, Oct. 2, 2026: Kent Cartridge Announces Recall of Certain 12 Gauge and 20 Gauge Shotshell Ammunition
- CVA recall notice via The Outdoor Wire, July 1, 2026: Safety Recall Notice for CVA Paramount Series Muzzleloaders
- BPI Outdoors/CVA, Paramount recall form: https://bpioutdoors.com/paramount-recall/
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Oct. 15, 2026: HatsanUSA Recalls Blitz Air Rifles Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Projectile Hazard
- Kent Cartridge recall information page: https://kentcartridge.com/recall/