MAKE: Slumberjack

MODEL: Pursuit Highlander (Kryptek Highlander Camouflage)

SIZE: One size fits all; total volume: 468 cu. in.

MATERIAL: 600D polyester

MSRP: $90

Slumberjack.com

The Pursuit is a modern take based on the military load-bearing vest that filled the narrow gap between A.L.I.C.E. gear and MOLLE gear. It is designed for a low-profile and snug fit (“worn, not carried”) for minimalist gear carry of the essentials to maintain the wearer’s mobility and agility, whether it be stalking deer, hunting gobblers, fishing, hiking, biking, etc. Four easy-access front pockets zip open to reveal internal organizers to secure keys, handgun mags, shotguns shells, pocket guns or whatever. Side panels have PALS webbing for attaching additional gear. The main backpack compartment holds a 70-ounce hydration reservoir and has a slot opening at the top. A separate compartment holds smaller items, such as a packable rain jacket. Ten separate straps allow for a perfect fit on just about anyone and tuck away for no snagging. The reverse side is padded for comfort, with mesh for ventilation.

MAKE: RailScales

MODEL: Anchor

SPECS: 15/8 oz., 2¼ in. tall

MSRP: $129

RailScales.us

The literature reads, ”The most sophisticated and over engineered vertical Grip on the market,” and that about sums it up. It’s made of 6061 T6 aluminum. Each one takes 46 minutes to machine on a fifth Axis CNC machine (it has 236 machined faces) and is then given a Type 03 hardcoat-anodized treatment and an individual serial number. The design and machining make it lighter than most polymer grips. It’s reversible for a 70- or 90-degree grip angle. It has the same honeycomb texture found on the popular and effective RailScales, which we’ve found to have 100 percent positive grip under any conditions. It works with both KeyMod and M-Lok rail systems: Just insert the recoil lug into the grip with the desired system logo facing you and then attach it to the rail with applicable hardware.

MAKE: MTM Case-Gard

MODEL: 3-Can Ammo Crate DIMENSIONS: 13.5 in. (W) x 25.4 in. (L) x 8.5 in. (H)

MSRP: $45

MTMCase-Gard.com

When we go to the range, we shoot in bulk. If it’s one caliber, a large ammo utility box works fine, but if we have multiple calibers, it’s best to keep them separate. Instead of lugging around different ammo cans, this carries three boxes at a time. It comes with three .50-caliber ammo cans that fit securely in place. It has large, comfortable carry handles for transport, tie-down points to secure it while in transit, and it’s stackable with other 3-Can Ammo Crates for efficient storage. The three .50-cal. ammo cans are the same MTM cans you buy separately—O-ring seals for water-resistant dry storage, a comfortable handle, dual latching system and double padlock tabs. Made in the U.S.A. of tough, rugged polypropylene polymer.

MAKE: Lyman

MODEL: Cyclone Case Dryer MSRP: $70

LymanProducts.com

Thanks to Lyman, you no longer have to make a choice between letting your brass take days to air dry or using your food hydrator and cutting into your beef jerky production. The Cyclone Case Dryer uses airflow and low heat to dry up to 1,000 5.56 cases or 2,000 9mm cases in fewer than three hours, and the five separate trays allows you to keep different calibers/ makes separate. Our favorite part: It works for gun parts too. If you can fit the part in the tray, it will dry it. For some people, the knock against ultrasonic cleaners is that they can leave water in hard-to-reach places on your gun. But that’s no longer an issue with this case dryer. Easy to use: Plug it in and turn the dial to the desired time—it does the rest for you.

MAKE: Winchester Ammunition

MODEL: WWII Victory Series, .45 Auto 230 GR Ball M1911

MSRP: $25–$30 per box

Winchester.com

Fifteen billion rounds of ammunition were manufactured by Winchester and delivered to U.S. troops during World War II. To commemorate this, Winchester has launched its WWII Victory Series Ammo. Each round has
a special head stamp marked “W.W 45 Auto M1911” and has period-correct load specs. It is packaged in a collector’s carton and commemorative wood box. This limited-edition ammo is about as bad-ass as it gets … aside from your bad-ass grandpa, who actually fought in World War II.

MAKE: 2A Armament

MODEL: Titanium Regulated Bolt Carrier Group, AR15

MSRP: $439

2A-Arms.com

If you’ve ever wished you could fine-tune your AR’s gas system— on the fly—to whatever ammo you’re shooting, your time has come. No need to break down your rifle to make adjustments, because the gas gate is accessed via the ejection port with the bolt-in battery. A T6 Torx loosens the lock screw and then adjusts the gas gate to the desired setting. Then, you tighten the lock screw. When your ejection pattern is at 3 o’clock, this is the optimal gas setting for whatever you’re shooting. Optimize performance and minimize felt recoil by tuning it to your specific setup—barrel length, buffer/ spring, ammo, suppressed, etc. The gas gate can be adjusted from “fully open” to “fully closed” and everything in between.

MAKE: Meopta

MODEL: MeoNight 1.1 Night Vision Device

INTENSIFIER TUBE: Gen 2+ green phosphorus

INCLUDES: Remote control, Picatinny rail, tools, eye cup, grip/handle

OPTIONAL: Quick Release mount, 3x booster, objective adapters (56mm, 50mm, 42mm)

MSRP: $4,500

MeoptaUSA.com

The MeoNight 1.1 is a non-magnified optic designed to be used as a handheld monocular or in conjunction with a riflescope. When used with a riflescope, it can be mounted directly to the riflescope’s objective via adaptor or mounted in front of it using Meopta’s Quick Release NAR mounted to a Picatinny rail. It ships with a remote-control cable that can be mounted to the stock or grip to adjust image brightness—without compromising hand grip. The intensifier tube is Gen 2+ green phosphorus. Compared to other Gen 2+ NODs we’ve used, it has excellent optical clarity. Recoil resistance is rated at 500g (the average basic AR15 chambered in 5.56 is around 400g). It has an auto one-hour shutoff and runs on one CR123 battery for a 50-hour runtime.

MAKE: Off Grid Tools

MODEL: OGT Survival Axe

SIZE: 11.5 x 5.5 x 1.2 in.; 1.5 lbs. (without sheath)

MSRP: $40

OffGridTools.com

Boasting 31 features, the OGT Survival Axe is a 420 stainless steel, full-tang multi-tool that is suitable for just about any chore you come across in the wild. Features include a hatchet, hammer, nail puller, pry bar, four hex sockets that work for eight sizes, glass breaker, seat belt cutter, bottle opener, gas valve wrench and reciprocal saw blade. The saw blade is replaceable and locks securely open for use or inside the handle for storage. The grip is glass-filled nylon and has a good feel to it. The unit is sufficiently compact to fit into your glove box or backpack, but it has enough heft at 1.5 pounds for some good hacking. We took the axe to a dead, 2.5-inch branch, and it chopped pretty efficiently, with good balance. The saw blade tended to unlock and open during chopping, although the blade side is toward the inside, so this is not a big deal. We also found that with prolonged chopping, the slot for the saw blade near the grip knob became uncomfortable, so it’s best used with gloves or for short chopping tasks. Includes a nylon sheath.

Editor’s note: A version of this article first appeared in the October 2018 print issue of Gun World Magazine.