Luke Henry / 6 Minutes / How Strike Optics Began
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Strike optics are fairly new to the firearm and optic space. They have grown faster than nearly any other optic company in the last few years and we want to know where they came from and more importantly where they are going. They are quickly carving out a name for strike optics and standing up to scrutiny from even the most discernible and finicky shooters. Competitors and beginners can get use from a strike optic it seems and the price won’t leave you eating beans for dinner. so , where the heck did Strike Optics come from?
Ben Smith and his brother Larry grew up in a military family in the 80’s. They were shooting from a young age and by the time they were in their late teens they had both decided to carry on their family tradition and as soon as they were of age they joined the military.
Ben did three tours of Afghanistan while Larry was honorably discharged after being injured in combat. After returning home they were going to start a local gun shop when they realized that they had the skill set to create an optic that the military personnel would find useful.
After a few prototypes they finally released the “Honey Badger” which is a red dot that boasts both a BDC AND a BRC. It is a patented reticle that will account for your bullet not only its drop but also how much it raises at the hundred yard shot.
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The honey badger caused a stir on the three gun competition scene as it was faster for even a beginner to become alarmingly accurate and reduced the learning curve dramatically. After winning best new product of the year they decided to jump into the optics space with both feet and never look back.
There is a lot of reasons to like strike optics so we figure it would be easier just to list the top reasons we think they are Rogue material.
We wanted to make something that could be used by both he serious military personnel and something simple enough that every day shooters could utilize it, thats how we approached the “Honey Badger” design- Ben
Like all businesses it was not all smooth sailing. While developing the “Honey Badger” they made a lot of mistakes. " more mistakes than you could shake a stick at" said Ben when we talked. They ordered parts from companies that never arrived, they had prototypes fall apart on the gun and they came within a “hairs breadth” of going bankrupt. In fact if the Honey Badger had not won numerous movement competitions and gain notoriety Larry said they’re very easily could have been out of business before they even got started.
Since the honey badger they have released other products but both Ben and Larry vow to keep their product lines small and useful. They do not want strike optics to become too big. They want a handful of world class optics that everyone can afford.
The following are our top picks:
1.Honey Badger
2. The Animal
3. Big Dog
So what happens next for strike optics? They told me they cannot reveal everything they have in the chamber but to keep an eye out for their long range competition series. They have also teamed up with the wounded warrior project to help assist wounded and struggling veterans. Strike optics definitely has the heart of a rogue.