SHOT Show 2018 Blue and FDE: The Trendiest Colors At SHOT Show Industry News February 4, 2018 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. By Jacki Billings That Tiffany Blue is so hot now — at least that’s what gun and gear makers are subtly hinting at as the color dominated the “women’s” arena at SHOT Show this year. Robin’s Egg, Tiffany Blue, Teal… whatever the specific name, the bright blue color scheme is subtly working its way over the pinks of the past to claim its space as the “it” color for female shooters. Women have long lamented the frilly, nauseatingly bright pink that once coated everything from handguards and grips to guns themselves. Walther PK380 Pink, meant to seem non-threatening and welcoming to women entering the shooting sports, inadvertently turned some women off. The gun industry, in turn, began dialing back the pink. The industry isn’t done dolling up designs though in an effort to grab women’s attention. Tiffany blue, it seems, is the new pink. Taurus Spectrum As we walked through SHOT Show taking note of the products advertised to women, we couldn’t help but notice the abundance of bright blue. From handguards to pistols to AR-15s, Tiffany Blue was a dominating force — more so than in years past. Pink, on the other hand, was hard to be found. Black Rain Ordnance Not to be outdone, flat dark earth also seemed to grandstand at the show proving that while black may be classic, dudes still like a little pop of color in their arsenal. FDE is nothing new and the color has infiltrated gear for years, but this was the first time we saw more and more guns adopting the color scheme. Smith & Wesson M&P15 While some gun makers opted to add one or two FDE variants to their catalog, FN made a whole series. Go big or go home, right? The result seemed to be a hit. FN’s booth was flooded with on-lookers oogling the Black and FDE series. FN wasn’t the only manufacturer churning out FDE goods. High Threat Concealment also showcased its strict black or FDE policy, launching a new holster and mag pouches available in FDE. Everywhere we turned we saw more and more Flat Dark Earth. If Tiffany blue is the new pink, then FDE is quickly becoming the new black. We’re interested to see if the blue and FDE trend will continue throughout the year or if the industry will opt for a new color scheme to bring new gun owners in and encourage current gun owners to add to their collection. Beretta APX Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
