Year-end lists have become pretty much obligatory. But when we decided to name the best of the best in the world of guns for 2013 – a first for TTAG – we didn’t want to do all the heavy lifting ourselves. Where’s the fun in that? Instead, we figured it made more sense to leave the decision-making to the collective wisdom of you, our readers. And I probably don’t have to tell you you’re an opinionated group. So now that we’ve weeded out the snark and older stuff, here are your choices for the best new products in the firearm firmament for 2013 . . .
Best Rifle of 2013 – TAVOR SAR
The Ruger 10/22 Takedown got a lot of love, but Tavor’s bullpup from the holy land was the clear winner. Nick’s review is here.
Best Shotgun of 2013 – Mossberg FLEX 500
Readers had high regard for a couple of other smoothbores, too – the Kel Tec KSG and the Remington 870, to name two – but neither was new for 2013. Hell, your granddaddy probably shot an 870. And based on Chris’s review, FLEX 500 owners are likely very happy they went with Mossy’s modular design.
Best Handgun of 2013 – Springfield Armory XDs-9
Our readership is a forgiving lot. After a neck-and-neck race with SIG Sauer’s P227, the Armed Intelligentsia looked past Springfield’s recall of their compact XDs guns and awarded the 2013 handgun laurels to the eminently concealable XDs-9.
Best Ammo of 2013 – Lehigh Defense .45 Colt Maximum Expansion
If a picture is worth a thousand words, a well-produced YouTube vid must add up to a bajillion or something. That’s what we figure tipped the scales toward Lehigh Defense’s devastatingly effective .45 Colt 220gr Maximum Expansion round for the Taurus Judge or S&W Governor. Check out ShootingTheBull410’s oh-so-thorough test and you’ll be impressed, too.
Best Optic of 2013 – Trijicon TA33 300 BLK ACOG
Yes, Nick’s hot for all things 300 Blackout, but he didn’t have his thumb on the scale for this one. Really. Trijicon’s 300 BLK-specific optic took the honors here fair and square.
Best Accessory of 2013 – SIG Sauer SB15 Stabilizing Brace
Settle down, settle down. This vote wasn’t even close. SIG’s SB15 took the title here by an almost three-to-one margin over the next closest vote getter. Looks like there are plenty of AR pistol fans out there after all. The Rabbi’s review is here.
So there you have it. The People of the Gun have spoken. Let the second-guessing, backbiting and recriminations begin.