Max took a closer look at the Mission Suzanne Smith darts, putting this short, bomb-shaped player model through its paces to see how that compact, multi-section grip feels in real-world use. Out of the box they look every bit as striking as you’d expect from a Mission player release: bold coral-coloured coating in the milled grooves, a chunky tapered profile and a distinctive combination of micro-grip, square-cut grooves and oblong milling through the centre section. They’re clearly aimed at players who like a front-weighted, short-barrel setup and prefer something with plenty of grip right where the fingers sit.
Mission’s playermodel barrels always lean into a strong visual identity, and the Suzanne Smith darts follow the same philosophy. The barrel is compact but busy, with three different machining styles running through it: a tapered micro-grip at the nose, a bold middle section with staggered square and rectangular grooves, and a tapered micro-grip section at the rear leading into a smooth back with the Mission logo. That coral PVD-style coating pops beautifully in the hand, and despite the short length the barrel still gives clear grip zones depending on where you place your fingers.
On throw, Max found the darts flew well but took some adjusting to because of the short length versus his usual longer barrels. He opened strongly in practice with a clean 140, then followed up with a solid 99 to start his 201 routine. After a handful of chances at the finish and a couple landing just on the wire, he eventually checked out in ten darts. The darts felt grippy and controlled, with the micro-grip at the rear giving him a comfortable anchor point when throwing from the back, even though the main square-cut section is very much designed for front and mid throwers.
In short, the Mission Suzanne Smith darts are a short, front-weighted bomb-style barrel in 90% tungsten with a mix of micro-grip and precision square milling, all highlighted by a bright coral coating. They offer a very positive feel without being overly aggressive, and at £57.95 they land in the typical range for a premium, heavily milled Mission release. Best suited to players who like short, chunky barrels with defined grip zones and a front-loaded feel.
Darts: 3 × Mission Suzanne Smith 90% tungsten barrels
Packaging / Case: Mission retail box with velvet-coated plastic insert and Mission point holder
Flights: 1 × set of Suzanne Smith–branded Mission flights
Shafts: 1 × set of Mission Sabre shafts
Points: Matte black steel tip points, factory-fitted
- Tungsten: 90%
- Barrel profile: Short bomb-shaped barrel with tapered front and rear sections
- Balance: Slightly front-weighted
- Surface / colour: Coral-coloured coating with milled micro-grip, square grooves and rectangular cuts for visual contrast
- Nose: Tapered radial “ball nose” style for smooth entry into the treble bed
- 24g – 43.80 mm x 8,10 mm
26g 43.80 mm x 8.10 mm
Grip Zone: Multi-zone (front, mid and rear sections all feature distinct grip styles)
Grip Type: Micro-grip sections combined with staggered square rings and oblong rectangular grooves
Grip Level: 4/5
The Review
Suzanne Smith Mission Darts
These player darts are another lovely edition to Mission’s darts range, and I think they would be great for players who like a front weighted and front gripped dart. I personally struggled a bit to throw them, but that is just down to my throwing preferences and being used to longer barrels – if you prefer wider and shorter barrels, I think these would be great for you. I did particularly like the grip in the middle of the barrel though and it reminded me a lot of Mission’s Roman Benecky darts.
PROS
- Look fantastic
- Nice barrel design
- Middle grip profile
- High-quality design
CONS
- Couldn't find any
