What Makes Gear Worth Talking About

JD Malone

6/3/20252 min read

JD Malone Shooting a USPSA match
JD Malone Shooting a USPSA match

There’s no shortage of gear reviews out there. Some are written off spec sheets. Some are scripted from sponsored talking points. That’s not what I’m doing here.

I shoot, train, and hunt—hard. And when I talk about gear, it’s because it made an impression after being run in the real world. Not in a vacuum. Not in perfect lighting. But during the reps, under pressure, in dirt, sweat, and weather. If I write about it, it’s because it’s worth your time.

What Gets My Attention:

I’m not out here chasing the latest tacticool gimmick or filling shelves with trendy builds. The gear that catches my eye usually checks one or more of these boxes:

It solves a real-world problem.

It offers something different in performance or feel:

It fits the demands of competitive shooting or hunting:

I’ve seen it run by people I respect—or I’ve been curious about it long enough to put money behind it:

Sometimes it’s a recommendation from someone I trust. Sometimes it’s me taking a shot in the dark. Either way, I’m not just here to post what’s trending. I’m here to post what works.

What Actually Matters to Me:

When I evaluate gear, there’s no checklist or spreadsheet involved. I’m asking one thing: Does it work where it matters?

Can I run it fast without thinking?

Does it feel right in my hand, under recoil, or through transitions?

Will it hold up after a few thousand rounds or a hard season in the field?

Does it integrate with how I already shoot and move?

Does it help me hit faster, move cleaner, or think less?

If it makes me better—or at least doesn’t get in the way—I’ll keep running it. If it doesn’t, it’s gone.

Why I’ll Always Keep It Honest:

No one’s paying me to talk nice. If I ever partner with a company, it’ll be because I already trust their gear. Until then, every review is just that—my experience, tested the only way that matters: in real conditions, with real outcomes on the line.

I don’t write to impress brands. I write to build trust. If you’re reading this, you deserve honesty, not hype.

What to Expect Moving Forward:

This blog sets the tone for every review I’ll write. I’m not running formal tests or creating scoring systems. I’m sharing what I’ve used, what held up, and what didn’t. If it’s on this site, it’s because it earned its place by doing one thing: working when I needed it to.

Simple as that.

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