ARCHIVE - ISSUE EIGHT - JUNE 2014 COVER - FEATURED PICTORIAL - TRAINING - LIFESTYLE - REVIEWS ARCHIVE - ISSUE EIGHT - JUNE 2014
Death Dealer Tactical - Assassin Sling Bag Review
My husband and I were browsing at a local gun show about a year ago and came across a booth carrying backpacks and gun bags from a company called Death Dealer Tactical. With a name like that, our “flag” began flying. Come to find out, they are a Veteran owned and operated small business (which we fully support). I had been casually looking for my own range bag, and they had a variety of different sized backpacks, sling packs, and gun bags on display that day. However, what really caught our eyes was their Assassin sling bag. The first thing I noticed was that they carried it in black and hot pink (It does come in other colors, folks!).
Let’s be honest though—a girl cannot base a range bag purchase on color scheme alone, so after looking at the bag and its features I knew that it would work well for me, not just as a range bag but for those days when I may need to bring along an extra bag for kid stuff or a small day bag for that family trip to the zoo. Constructed of 600D Cordura, the Assassin is meant to take a bit of abuse without worry. There are two external pockets, a main internal section that runs the entire length of the bag, a section that rides against the back, and an external pouch for a water bottle. I usually carry my eye/ear protection, car keys, and any girly accoutrements I may need that day in the two external pockets. Inside the main compartment of the bag consists of a large open pocket on one side, and on the opposite side is another large pocket with a Fastex buckle that works well for carrying handguns or securing something down inside. There is also a mesh zippered pocket that is divided into two smaller pockets, great for loose ammo or brass (or for carrying snacks for the kiddos!). The main compartment has plenty of open space for any boxed ammo or accessories that I may have with me as well. The Assassin also has a large zippered pocket on the backside for carrying a 1.5L hydration bladder, small laptop/tablet, concealed handgun, or in my case my rifle’s data book. There is also a retention strap to keep everything tight, preventing that side-to-side sway when less than full or filled with loose items. 
One of my favorite features on the Assassin is that it can be opened while I am still wearing it by bringing it around in front of me and accessing it from the side (similar to a messenger bag). You never know when you will need to get something from it while on the go, whether it be Chapstik or a Glock. This feature is especially convenient if I’m out with the kids and they need something. I don’t have to stop, take the bag off, get what they needed, and then put the bag back on. It’s a simple move to swing the bag around in front of me, open the necessary pocket, get the needed item, and swing the bag back into place.
The Assassin is very well-constructed, with lots of MOLLE/PALS webbing on it for attaching items or external pouches. I carry it around a lot and I haven’t had any issues with tearing, fraying or broken zippers. Also, all of Death Dealer Tactical’s products come with a lifetime warranty, so I don’t feel as if I have to baby this bag. I can already hear you asking “what does there lifetime warranty cover?” Allow me to address your question. My husband bought an Assassin that same day and carried it back and forth to work daily, traveled with it, deployed with it, and took many trips to the range. After a year of this the main strap began to fray and stitching at this joint began to fail. We knew we were going to have to send it back, but before we had a chance we ran into Death Dealer Tactical at the Cedar Park Gun Show a few weeks back. After my husband explained to them what was going on with his bag, they gave him a new one without even seeing the old one and provided him with a return shipping address for the bag. I remain impressed by the functionality, quality, features, and customer service provided by Death Dealer Tactical. The Assassin is available through Jade Shooting Supplies: www.jadeshooting.com - Lindsae Bryant |
Bella Ballistica - Women's Shooting Glasses Review
It's no secret that my obsession with sunglasses almost rivals my obsession with shoes. I'm guilty of wearing Gucci sunglasses at many a range day, because I hate the look of (and the way I look in) most protective eyewear.
This year I was lucky enough to attend SHOT show's Media Day on the Range in Las Vegas. The Media Day event is the part of the world's largest shooting sports trade show, where members of the media (yours truly) can go and shoot the latest and greatest guns, as well as demo a myriad other firearms-related products. As Carrin and I walked through the entrance to the vast outdoor range to begin the event, I noticed an unattended table of miscellaneous eyewear right in front of us—the packaged glasses were strewn about with no order, it looked like someone just dumped a box of products on a table. As I neared it, one of the Range Day workers called out "Those are to take!". Okay, I thought, I could use some ballistic eyewear today (since the aforementioned Guccis were on my face). So I quickly grabbed the pair that looked the least like typical protective eyewear. Carrin didn't bother taking any; she had eye protection with her. Little did I know that I had grabbed the most killer, aesthetically-awesome protective eyewear I have ever seen! The Bella Ballistica Shooting Glasses (made by Champion) are not only shaped like high-end designer sunglasses, but they have a weight to them that makes them feel sturdy without feeling heavy. They're comfortable and fit my face, and their wraparound design doesn't allow side light in. They're brown with a tortoise-shell pattern and have just enough tint for the brightest sunlight, but not too much for indoors. And the lenses are scratch-resistant, which for me is huge, as I am constantly throwing my sunglasses in bags without putting them in their cases! 
According to the manufacturer's website, these are some of the features:
Since I had acquired these bad boys for free, I was interested in finding out how much they retail for (and Carrin, after kicking herself for not taking a pair that day, wanted to buy a pair as well). I was expecting these glasses to be pretty pricey, so imagine my surprise when I saw that they retail for only $24.95! It's always nice to see companies embrace women and shooting, and doing so in a real way (not simply making something pink). These glasses NAIL IT, and I couldn't be happier with them! Available through Champion: http://www.championtarget.com/ - Niki Jones 
Austin Sure Shots - we practice every week at Red's Indoor Range.
Come shoot like a girl! Check out Austin Sure Shots and San Antonio Sure Shots for details. |
