Ballistic February/March 2019

In an effort to keep me out of trouble in my younger days, my dad always quipped, “Don’t be a follower. Be a leader.” For the most part, it worked. I did my best to heed those streetwise words—with a few bumps and bruises along the way, of course. But no risks, no rewards, right? We at Ballistic try our best to lead the way as “The Premier Firearms & Survival Magazine.” We dare to be different—hell, we once put a half-naked Kris “Tanto” Paronto on our cover—and honor those in the shooting world who, in one way or another, act as game-changing leaders. Those brazen, gutsy folks who simply won’t stand for the status quo. We’re talking about the types of companies that say to state legislators, “Screw you…

The firearms industry is tough to beat when it comes to its creativity and output. Every week we see new releases from every corner of the gun world, from mom-and-pop stores to giant manufacturers who have been around for decades. This year looks to be no different, and we’re already off to the races when it comes to cutting through the clutter and reporting on only the best. We’re not here to waste your time. So without further ado, here’s some of the hottest new stuff heading your way. 1> BUSHNELL FORGE 10X42MM BINOCULARS The 10x42mm model in Bushnell’s Forge binocular line defines clarity. With top-of-the-line low-light performance, these binoculars features ED Prime glass, PC3 phase and dielectric coated BaK 4 prisms, Ultrawide Band anti-reflective coatings and Bushnell’s exclusive EXO…

From the days of hide-and-seek with branches in your hat and Red Ryder BB guns in the woods behind the barn, to modern computer-designed patterns designed to save lives on the battlefield, if you need to walk softly and carry a big stick, sometimes it’s necessary to hide said stick. Camo patterns for weapons and clothing generally combine two methods of color theory: matching and disruption. Color matching, just as it sounds, uses colors similar to the surrounding environment to help whatever is being camouflaged blend in, while disruptive coloration uses high contrast to break up outlines and disguise the shape of an object, person or animal. This brings us to the specially camouflaged shotguns up for grabs here. The first, customized by MAD Custom Coating, is a magazine-fed Mossberg…

WOULD YOU RATHER… Not carry your cell phone or your concealed-carry pistol for the next month? I find this an easy question. My job issues me a cell phone, and I’m “on call” 24/7/365. I would be thrilled to leave that damn phone at home and instead carry just my CCW! That said, I also have a personal cell, and leaving it home would throw my whole world off kilter. I need to leave my cell phone at home for a month to remember what is really important. I’m sticking with my gun and ditching my Samsung Galaxy. UNDERCOVER BIRD-DOGGIN’ We all know the stories of the people who go deep undercover: Donnie Brasco, Barry Seal, Kim Kardashian. They sacrifice it all—family, safety, security—as they pretend to be Italian Mafiosi,…

As Magpul enters its 20th year, we worked to put the essence of the company into words. It’s obviously known worldwide for a little calling card known as the PMAG. You might be familiar with it. Magpul has achieved rock-star status and, more profoundly, maintained that status year after year in an industry full of ups and downs. What is very interesting, though, is that Magpul has quietly marched along with no attempt to make any one person or thing the face of Magpul. It wasn’t until we got to visit with Magpul Executive Vice President Duane Liptak that it all became clear. Duane said it perfectly: “Magpul is not any one product or person. It’s an attitude toward solving problems.” The story of Magpul is as American as apple…

1. Magpul DAKA Bifold Wallet The Magpul DAKA Bifold Wallet was designed with the same slim styling of Magpul’s original wallets, but with extra room for those times when you need a little more insurance that you can buy what you want and go where you want. It’ll easily hold your cash, IDs and credit cards without adding significant bulk to your everyday carry. Its slim profile eliminates printing, and its anti-slip texturing ensures it’ll stay securely in your pocket until you need it. 2. Magpul DAKA Can Originally designed to house and protect Magpul Eyewear, the DAKA Can is a rugged, dust-and weather-resistant storage solution made of high-strength injection-molded polymer. You can use it to stow a snakebite kit, tools, cigars, loose ammo, a personal hygiene kit and more.…