Update: Voting has closed. Thanks to all those who participated!

The Ballistic’s Best Awards were created to be the most prestigious honor in the firearms world, recognizing the top handguns, rifles, shotguns and more in a given year. The premier issue of Ballistic’s Best, unveiling the winners in May 2018, is a large-format, beast of a book destined to become the most sought-after magazine in the shooting sports industry.

Products recognized in Ballistic’s Best must meet the demanding criteria and testing protocols of Ballistic’s content creators and leading firearms experts.

While we’re sure you all value the opinion of Ballistic Magazine and our lineup of experts, we know you all have your opinions too (we read them every day in the comments section on BallisticMag.com and across all of our social channels).

Accordingly, we’re giving you, the readers, an opportunity to make your voice heard. From March 1-31, we’re going to be running the first-ever Ballistic’s Best Reader’s Choice Awards, to coincide with our new magazine!

How does it work? The voting will be done right here on BallisticMag.com. You’ll have an option to vote on a number of different predetermined categories.

Ballistic’s Best Categories

“Best of” categories that readers will be able to vote on include:

• 1911
• Compact Auto Handgun
• Full-Sized Auto Handgun
• Revolver
• Bolt-Action Rifle
• Lever & Pump Rifle
• Semi-Automatic Rifle
• Sporting Shotgun
• Tactical/Defense Shotgun

So it’s not a free-for-all, we’re going to lay out the candidates for you. From there on out, it’s all up to you.

The Scoring

How does scoring work? Well, we’ll be judging based on an established set of criteria, seen here:

• Aesthetics
• Ergonomics
• Sights
• Trigger Control
• Recoil Control
• Reloading Ease
• Accuracy
• Reliability
• Value/Price Point

However, you’re not held to these standards. Ultimately, it comes down to what you like best.

Once voting closes on March 31, we’ll tally up the results and announce the winners. Simple as that.

So start spreading the word, because voting begins soon!