Beretta Tactical Fleece Review

For a long time I would wear a Northface fleece jacket on cool/cold days.  However over this past winter, my fleece suffered an unfortunate accident while I was shoveling snow and ripped apart on me.  I was going to go for the budget friendly approach and try sewing the thing back together but decided to forget that idea and buy myself something nice and useful.  I could have gotten another Northface, but I really wanted something that would be more durable and adaptable to my shooting activities.  For those of you who don't already know, I shoot a lot of sporting clays.  With clay shooting, your arms and body are in consistent motion as you follow the clay for the shot.  With that being said, the adjustable cuffs with the thumb holes worked out great at keeping the jacket put.  The reinforced panels around the shoulder area were great at helping to keep the butt of the gun set and not loose its position on your shoulder.  The jacket is warm and loose enough to allow you to layer up a bit.  Last but not least, I actually liked the drop down stadium seat because I could put my butt down on any wet surface around the course.  Why is it always that the little things make the most difference ?

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Comfortable and warm protection that is functional in every day wear.

Target Market: Shooters, gun enthusiasts and those of us with a tactical mindset. 

FNB's:  (Features and Benefits of this product)

• Reinforced with abrasion panels in key areas like shoulders and elbo.
• Drop down stadium seat
• Adjustable cuffs with thumb holes
• Removable hood
• 2 shoulder Velcro shoulder patch panels
• Variety of interior and exterior pockets

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:  Black and green are the only color options that Beretta offers this jacket in.

What others are saying?:  The only reviews that I could find on this item were on the Beretta USA site.  Also, there were only 2 reviews posted.  I shared them both below.  If you average both review together, the fleece receives 4.5 out of 5 stars.

• "Great jacket. Well made".  5 out of 5 stars
• "Overall this is a great fleece, I however am very disappointed with the internal concealed carry pickets.  My 45 will tear right through the lightweight fabric and fall out through the cheap Velcro! Otherwise I love the fleece".  4 out of 5 stars

Price Point:

• MSRP - $139.00
• Retail - $102.99

I need it now! Availability: I have only found this fleece available on-line at Beretta USA and Midway USA

Our Rating:

+-Durable and warm +-Allows for layering up without feeling bulky +-Drop down stadium seating allows you to sit on any wet surface around you +-Adjustable cuffs and thumb holes keep the jacket put around your arms/hands +-Velcro patch panels allow you to customize your fleece's look

Score: 9.0 Amazing

Jared prefers Simon Peter Sport Company for all his FFL needs.

 

Jared's Links:

• Vino Accessories
• Best Golf Tools
• Dorm Room Extras

Duluth Trading Company Ball Room Jeans Review

I was in the market for a pair of jeans that would not only be tough enough to work with me all day long, but also nice looking enough where I could throw on a good shirt and take the wife out.  I was listening to an episode of Gun Guy Radio on my way to work and I heard Jake start talking about the Duluth Trading Company Ball Room Jeans and how much he enjoyed wearing them.  So I looked at Duluth's website and saw that they have a No Bull Guarantee Return Policy, so that sealed the deal and I ordered myself a pair.  I have officially been wearing these jeans for a year now and they have held up extremely well.  I have done everything from range time, wearing to work and weekend warrior activities and these jeans still look as good as the day I purchased them.  Not to mention that my "business" is more than comfy and I can crouch without the ouch.  My one and only complaint about these jeans are the front pockets.  Although the pockets are extra deep and great for carrying things, the actual opening of them is a bit snug.

By the way, if you haven't heard the Duluth Trading commercial for ball room jeans, it's hilarious.  Duluth Ball Room Jeans Brainstorming Commercial

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: High quality jeans that are built to work with and not against you.  Also built so that so you can crouch without the ouch.

Target Market: If you wear jeans while going to the range, hunting or weekend warrior activities ... then you are the target market.

FNB's:  (Features and Benefits of this product)

• Hidden crouch gusset for freedom of movement
• Extra room in seat and thigh
• Waistband, cuffs and pockets are lined with fire hose canvas for durability
• Extra deep front pockets
• Pre-washed for broken-in feel
• No bull guarantee return policy

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:  Offered in a few different wash colors.

What others are saying?:  Over 2,00+ reviews give these jeans 5 stars.  Duluth Website Reviews

Price point:

• MSRP = $49.50
• Currently on sale = $39.50

I need it now! Availability: Readily available at Duluth Trading.

Our Rating:

+ Hidden crouch gusset for extra room where it counts + Fire hose canvas in the waistband, cuffs and pockets gives them great durability + Extra deep pocket + No bull guarantee return policy

- Opening of front pockets is small

Score: 9.0

Jared prefers Simon Peter Sport Company for all his FFL needs.

Duluth Trading Company's Fire Hose Work Pants Review

Have you ever been on the hunt for the most perfect pants?  I mean some REAL pants!  Not just some jeans that you can find down at the local walmart, but some pants that can stand up to the test of time.  I don’t want pants that I have to worry about when I have a bigger job at hand.  I need pants like my dog.  No matter how much I ignore him, get him wet, dirty, hike through countless trails with branches running across his fur, he’s always right there by my side.  That is the kind of pants I need.

I could go on with more rugged dog metaphors, but the reality of my rant is that I have found some pants that meet my expectations.  Enter Duluth Trading Company’s Fire Hose Work Pants.  Backed by Duluth’s 100% No Bull Guarantee, you can give these pants a try without any risk.

I had the opportunity to wear these pants in everything from snow, desert, shooting, and to church on Sunday.  These pants are that versatil.  They are crafted of a nice fire hose cotton blend that feels soft against the skin and flexible in all the right places.  These pants are some what heavy which made them perfect in the snow.  They are also water resistant, so when the snowball fight ensued, I knew I was going to stay dry.  I’ve worn these pants shooting in the high desert of Nevada.  Nevada desert is not a place you would want to be without some quality pants.  I scraped and blazed through the sagebrush hunting for varmints and these pants didn't make a peep.  Every time I caught a branch, I’d just keep on trucking.  The pants weren’t even phased.  Upon inspection back at camp, I couldn’t see one mark in the fire hose fabric presenting a tear or puncture.  My shins could rest easy that they wouldn’t be scraped up from the brush.  These pants are great for the range as well.  They are durable and flexible.  I could transition easily with these pants from standing to kneeling to prone without any hesitations of getting uncomfortable.  I highly recommend these pants for inclement weather range days.

If you’re faced with real man jobs, makes sure you have the right tools for the job.  Checkout Duluth Trading Company’s Fire Hose Work Pants.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Pants tougher the an angry beaver that will outlast all other pants.

Target Market:  These pants are for the hard working individual who relies on quality pants that won’t let you down.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product)

• Deep 13 inch front pockets
• Tuckable cargo flap for easy access to cargo
• Crotch gusset to keep the family jewels in the family
• Heavy duty, soft water resistant fire hose canvas
• Triple stitched seams
• Reinforced waistline
• No Bull 100% guarantee

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:

• Waist size 30-50
• Inseam 28-34
• Black, Brown, Dark Brown, Desert Khaki and Navy
• Men's Fire Hose Work Pants

What others are saying?:  “I wear these pants every day, and when i use to wear out jeans these pants keep on trucking, can't ask for more. I like them so much i never want to take them off.”

Fire Hose Work Pants Reviews

Price Point:

• MSRP = $64.50
• Retail = $64.50

I need it now! Availability:  Readily available at DuluthTrading.com

Our Rating:

+ Super durable and heavy duty + Several large pockets for carrying everything + Small hidden pockets to help keep you organized + Crotch gusset gives you the space you need + Triple stitched adds strength to seams + Great range pants for kneeling as well as running through the brush + Water resistant, water runs off the fabric + No bull 100% guarantee + Comfortable, fabric is soft and not stiff

- Heavy pants - Not super breathable - Tight in the hip and thighs

Score: 8.0 Great

Greg’s links

Greg@firearmsradio.tv

Tactical Paradise

Tactical Tailor - Fight Light Plate Carrier

The second I opened up the package I put it on and wore it. Unfortunately I didn’t have any plates in it yet. The next day I went to my buddies house and stole the plates from his vest. Along with some of the gear he had on it so I could give this a good test. Over the next few weeks I’ve thoroughly tested this, even wearing it to the gym and doing five miles on the treadmill. Although it is heavier and warmer than not wearing it, I love this vest. It’s designed to be lighter than their other vests and lighter than most others. The inside of the vest has some nice padding to cushion your chest from the plates and allow some airflow. It has nice pockets for the plates and it comes with removable side plate carriers, when removed there’s still Molle attachments on the cumberbund.It’s covered in molle and has velcro on the front and back. On the front there’s an admin pouch that’s pretty big. There’s also some pouches on the side plate carrier that my friend said could be for soft armor, I used it for holding my electronics. The front and back are held together by four side release buckles. On the shoulders, they’re wrapped in elastic to cushion and protect the buckles. The ones on the cumberbund are protected by cordura that wraps around it and has molle on the inside(towards the wearer) and outside. It’s extremely quick to put on and secure. The cumberbund is comfortable but its not too adjustable. In the back it is attached with some heavy duty elastic so that it can stretch out but you can’t make it any tighter. They say to order the vest in whatever size your plates are. The communication/hydration routing loops are elastic so they can accommodate just about anything you can feed through it. The drag handle on the back is sewn about every two inches down the back and it runs the whole way down the vest. I had my brother pull me around for a bit to give it a good test and it works. It rode up a little but it wasn’t really uncomfortable and in a situation where I’m being drug I don’t think that I’ll be that worried.

Firearms Insider Reviews

Claim to Fame:Tactical Tailor quality but 30% lighter

Target Market:  Military, LEO, and people who want a lighter vest

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product)

• 30% lighter
• Admin pouch
• Adjustable SAPI side plate pouches
• Cushion that aides in airflow
• Drag handle runs full length
• Tons of Molle
• Elastic comm/hydration routing loops

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available? It’s available in ATACS, black, coyote brown, MultiCam, PenCott BadLands, PenCott GreenZone, and Ranger Green. You can see the all at tacticaltailor.com

What others are saying? 4.8/5  blacksheepwarrior.com “I think it’s pretty amazing TT can create such well thought out, quality applications at the prices they do.”  breachbangclear.com

Price point (MSRP versus actual retail) MSRP = $325-335 tacticaltailor.com Retail = $308 lapolicegear.com

I need it now! Availability (Where can I buy this TODAY?) The only options I know of are tacticaltailor.com and lapolicegear.com.

Our Rating (What we say about it) + Comfortable + Light + Many Cammo options + Flash flame protection + Removable side plate pouches + Cushion for airflow and impact protection - Adjustability down sizing

Score 9.5

Condor Phantom Softshell Jacket

The dedicated shooting jacket.  Some people have their favorite +$200 tactical, bells & whistles and all.  I chose to go the cheaper route and picked up a Condor Phantom.  It's no 5.11 tactical, but it has features that make it useful at the range and makes me look a bit cleaner and more professional at the bench.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: This durable, waterproof, lightweight and breathable jacket contains billions of microscopic pores smaller than a raindrop but a hundred times larger than a molecule of water. The triple layer combination wicks moisture, stops water from passing through and circulates body heat.

Target Market:  Shooters of all disciplines.

FNBs:  (Features and Benefits of this product)

• wVertical chest pocket, two hand pockets,  two sleeve pockets, four internal pockets and a pen loop
• Two 4" x 4" shoulder patch panels
• Full front double zipper
• Underarm vent zipper
• Double layer reinforced forearm
• Drawstring waistband
• Adjustable wrist cuff
• Full front YKK zipper with double zipper pull
• Imported

 What other aesthetic options or finishes are available? Olive Drab, Black, Tan, Navy, Foliage

What others are saying? "The quality of the jacket was far better than most of the bad reviews have you believe. For the price you can't go wrong. I have used it extensively in the Pacific North West and it has stood up to some of the worst conditions it has to show here. The only downfalls are like previously noted; - The zipper could be re-designed alot better, it is hard to zip sometimes, and impossible with gloves. - The waist area should have a draw string, because wearing this jacket makes it seem like I am pregnant. The sizes do fit small... " - Condor Outdoor

Price point:

• Retail = $75 - $100  depending on size

I need it now! Availability: Readily available on sites like Amazon.

Our Rating:

+ Lightweight and material helps regular temperature in average conditions. + Water Resistant + Front Chest pocket perfect for phones - Armpit vent zipper has no mesh/breathable material keeping from rubbing up against zipper.  Irritating, literally. - Sizes run small, should have ordered up one size.

Score: 7.5 Good

Mechanix M-Pact Gloves

Every shooting enthusiast should have a pair of gloves, for safety as well as comfort.  Some gloves have even been designed with shooting mechanics in mind, which not only assists in a positive grip but absorbing recoil as well.  And then there's winter, where you would be crazy to shoot without gloves on... especially if it is below zero and you are wrapping your mits around an all-steel frame pistol.  Brr!

With all the tactical clothing brands out there, sometimes you just don't know what you want until you see someone else wearing it.  I saw a youtube video on the Military Arms Channel with the host wearing the M-Pact gloves, and it convinced me to give them a try.  I purchased them online from Full Source, although you could probably find them locally since Mechanix is a fairly popular glove brand... I could only find the actual mechanic/automotive styles around me.  The company mistakenly sent me another pair of a different style (and different size) with another customer's billing information, so I just forwarded the package onto its correct destination and Full Source gratefully credited me back for the shipping costs.

Anyways, back to the gloves... they're really nice.  I find that they are not as sensitive / dexterous as other competitors who focus on shooting, such as the PIG full dexterity tactical glove from SKD tactical.  But I kind of wanted something a bit more robust but still light enough to load mags, manipulate controls, etc.  They have a rubberized pad over three knuckles that run down your three non-shooting fingers, which looks very attractive and almost skeletal, yet I haven't found a purpose for them.  Maybe backhanding the person who muzzles you at the range? The rubber is attached through "sonic welding" which is absolutely a marketing buzzword because my right glove already has separation between the fabric and the rubber in one spot.  Nothing some crazy glue didn't solve.

The index finger, thumb, and top-of-the-palm have a layer of texture patches which assist in gripping, they work okay when wet but exceptionally.  There are two pads sewn inside the glove for the remainer of the palm which do absorb recoil very well.  Makes the snappier pistol calibers less stingy after a few mags for sure.

Would I buy these again if I had to?  Sure, but I'd take a closer look at the competition.  Does the pair I already own have a permanent home in my range bag?  Absolutely, as long as they still hold up.

Firearms Insider Reviews – 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:  Offers full-coverage hand protection with features like a rubberized thumb, index finger and palm for durable gripping power in any situation.rovides installation of a rail system without permanent modifications.

Target Market:  People with hands, interesting is looking "hella" tactical during maintenance & repair, construction, heavy equipment operation, towing & transportation, and shooting.

FNBs

Key Features:

• Molded Thermal Plastic Rubber (TPR) provides impact protection to the fingers and knuckles
• Form-fitting TrekDry® top material helps keep hands dry and comfortable
• Hook and loop closure for a secure fit to the wrist

Key Benefits:

• PORON® XRD™palm padding absorbs shock and vibration
• Rubberized grip material on the thumb and index finger provides durable gripping power
• Machine washable

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?  8 different color schemes available, I chose Coyote (Matches FDE firearms accessories and clothing).

What others are saying?  Prepper Central

Price point

• MSRP = $34.95 from Mechanix website
• Retail = $29.50 from fullsource.com

I need it now! Availability:  Full Source

Our Rating:

+ Rigid / reinforced in typical wear areas but thin where you want most dexterity + Coyote color matches FDE color accessories + No difficulty manipulating firearm controls / trigger finger fits in trigger guards to problem

- Grip texture on inside of glove is sparce and very minimal to give that "second skin"effect in regards to thickness, and is adequate but not extremely tacky. - Fingers (index and thumb) are a big thick for reloading smaller calibers into mags.  Not designed exclusively for reloading .22 lr into mags but I found it almost impossible to accomplish without taking a glove off - Rubber part already started to come detached from fabric, but after a year of moderate use.

Score: 7.0 Good

Ryan prefers Promised Land Firearms for all his FFL needs.

Ryan’s links: My Blog

Browning Shoulder Saver REACTAR NTS Shirt

By Jared Auchter

If you have ever done a high volume shoot with a hunting rifle or a shotgun, you know first hand how much abuse your shoulders can take.  While that black and blue mark on your shoulder is often a "badge of honor" to how much fun we had, let's be honest, it's still a pain.

While you don't want to have too many layers on to misguide the positioning of the gun to your shoulder, you still want a little something there to help reduce some of the recoil.  Personally, I feel that Browning did a good job in designing the REACTAR shirt and pad so that they are thin enough to be effective, but not too thick so that its cumbersome to position your gun.

I find that after shooting 100+ sporting clays with a 12 gauge shotgun, the next day I have no black and blues and my shoulder is only slightly tender to the touch.  Overall, I am very pleased with the product and will definitely be wearing it on all my sporting clay shoots.

Firearms Insider 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:  Lightweight and breathable undershirt that holds a recoil pad in place.  Gel recoil pad reduces shoulder fatigue and soreness.

Target Market:  Hunters, trap/skeet/sporting clay shooters and any one who wishes to reduce recoil on the shoulders.

FNB's (features and benefits of the product):

• Lightweight
• Stretchable fabric
• Quick-drying
• Anti-microbial for odor control
• Over-sized REACTAR Pad pocket on both shoulders

What aesthetic options or finishes are available? With online shopping, I have only found it in white.   However recently at a sporting good store I was able to find it offered in moss green.  

What others are saying?

•  Amazon reviews

Price point:

• MSRP = $63.75
• Retail  = $49.95

I need it now! Availability:  Online supply seems to be slowing down, but I have found this item readily available at all sporting goods stores.

Our Rating: 

+ Comes with the REACTAR Pad ( $30 when sold separately) + Lightweight. + Breathable. + Ambidextrous shoulder pad holders. + "Next to skin feel" holds gel pad in place.

- White seems to be the dominate color choice offered.

Score = 9.0