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Xtreme Hardcore Gear Force Recon Tactical Rings

Xtreme Hardcore Gear Force Recon Tactical Scope Rings

When you are dumping money into a precision rifle, whether it be an AR-15, AR-10, or bolt action platform, theres a saying that goes "spend two times the amount of the gun on the optic." Easier said than done if you do in fact mind sleeping on the couch for a week. No matter what you spend on the rifle itself or the glass, they still have to interface together. The scope rings are just as important, as they determine how true the relationship will be between where you are aiming, the adjustment of your dope turrets, and where that bullet will go.

Xtreme Hardcore Gear Force Recon Tactical Scope Rings

High quality rings will make sure your scope is and remains mounted securely and consistently shot after shot. Generally speaking, the higher the price tag, the better the machining of the pair of rings to be within tight tolerances and will hold your scope true to the rifle's bore. Of course, if you are canting your rifle or resting on uneven ground, everything goes out the window. Thats where a bubble level comes into play. There are a handful of scope level products on the market, either clamping onto the scope tube or mounting via picatinny rail somewhere on the rings. I've seen plenty of rifles with them, and I have a couple on my own tack drivers. What I haven't seen is a premium quality scope ring with an integral bubble level... until I found the Xtreme Hardcore Gear Force Recon Tactical Rings.

Xtreme Hardcore Gear Force Recon Tactical Scope Rings

Besides being a mouthful, the Xtreme Hardcore Gear Force Recon Tactical Rings are one of the only sets of scope rings I've seen to both be of high quality, and integrate the bubble level. At around $180 they are certainly a premium, but perfect for a high dollar rifle that's purposefully built for small groups at long ranges. A scope won't track correctly along the X and Y axis (windage and elevation) if your scope and bore aren't perpendicular with the ground, thats a simple as I can put it. Firing a bullet from an non-level position will skew that bullets course exponentially the longer the distance, and your scope's tracking adjustments will be diagonally "hinky" as well.

Xtreme Hardcore Gear Force Recon Tactical Scope Rings

In addition to the integral bubble level, these rings offer a level of precision only rivaled by $200+ ring sets. The Xtreme Hardcore rings are designed and machined to not allow the scope to move under any recoil scenario. The rings interface with the rail with a robust .875" mounting platform while the two cross slot bolts provide awesome clamping power without any protruding bolt heads. The cherry on top is the pair of steel guide rails that press into the ring base. The ring base clamp rides on these rails to keep the clamp perfectly aligned as the two cross slot bolts are drawn tight against the pic mount.  Another detail I appreciate is the rings and caps have a .030" radius on both sides of the scope bore to eliminate any marring or sharp contact points on your scope. Together with the provided 6 torx bolts for an evenly distributed force onto the top of the scope, these features add up to the best scope rings you can buy for precision work.

Firearms Insider Reviews – 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: The Force Recon Tactical Rings feature a built in level housed into the rear scope ring, assuring a perfect parallel which is essential for long range shooting.

Target Market:  Long range rifle shooters

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Ring Bore Diameter 30mm with tolerances +/-.001"
  • USA Mills Billet 7075 T-6 Aircraft Aluminum
  • Black Anodize Mill Spec 8625 Type 3 Hardcoat
  • Rings are matched within .002"
  • 6 Cap Screws (USA 8-40)
  • 2 Clamp Screws (USA 10-24 SHC Grade 8)
  • 2 Clamp guide Rails: (USA .125 Precision dowel pins)

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: Black, 30 & 34mm diameter

What others are saying?: "While field testing, we found the bubble easy enough to see while sighting through the scope. Under very low light conditions, it took a little more effort to focus on the reference lines, most likely because the level isn’t exposed to any light from the top or bottom of the ring. At any rate, it didn’t interfere with the ability to make accurate long range shots at last light. In conclusion, if you’re looking for a set of very high quality rings for your long range rig, you owe it to yourself to check these out. The price point is comparable to other quality rings that require the additional purchase of an add-on bubble level.  You can purchase the the Force Recon Tactical Scope Rings here: Xtreme Hardcore Gear." Rockslide Blog

"I mounted each ring on my Badger scope rail and then did an alignment check with a 34mm lapping bar. Then I checked the alignment with a set of scope alignment bars and they were Dead On. The rings mounted Rock Solid and look Great. The level is calibrated perfect and there is no issues with these rings. These rings are of Excellent quality and I would highly reccomend these for any Tactical build. I like the fact that they are the lowest available for a 34mm scope. At .900" height they put my eye right on with my McMillan A5 stock." Sniper's Hide Review

Price point:

I need it now! Availability: Brownells or Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Level verifies action/bore and scope are perpendicular with ground / shooting rest is level.
  • Less play forward/aft on picatinny rail before screw full torqued
  • Base clamp rides on stainless steel guide rails keeping the clamp perfectly aligned
  • 6 Torx bolts make a good solid mount
  • Rings and caps radiused on both sides to eliminate any marring or sharp contact points

Cons:

  • Clamp Screws used as crossbolt (some folks don't like this)
  • Bubble location makes visibility difficult in low light

Score: 8.5 Great

 

 

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Springfield Armory Mil-Spec .45 ACP Pistol Review

PB9108L By Mark Smith

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Looks great (Cocobollo grips), feels good in your hand and shoots well.

Target Market: Collector that likes to shoot.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Comes with 2 mags, mag holster and holster.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: The Springfield Armory Mil-Spec .45 ACP Pistol is available in black parkerized and stainless steel.

What others are saying?: “Forged frame, slide and barrel, combat 3-dot sights, high-hand™ grip, beveled magazine well, polished feed ramp & throated barrel, arched mainspring housing, stainless steel barrel, lowered and flared ejection port, angled slide serrations, black and cocobolo hardwood grips, loaded chamber indicator and titanium firing pin.” - AmmoLand.com

Price Point:

I need it now! Availability: You can purchase this pistol from many retailers, including Bud's Gun Shop and Cabelas.

Our Rating: + Great performance + Classic design + Functions well

Score: 9.5 Amazing Amazing

 

Taurus PT709 “Slim” Pistol Review

IMG_20140315_191701 By Justin Goodell

The Taurus PT709 is one of the first handguns I purchased because it fit my criteria: modestly priced, easily concealable 9mm for self-defense. This firearm has a 3.2" barrel, 6.24" length, 4.52" height, and 1.04" width. It weighs in at 19 oz. with an empty magazine. Capacity is 7+1. Sight system is 3-white-dot with a fixed front sight and adjustable rear sight for both windage and elevation. The magazine release is reversible for all of you wrong-handed people, but the slide stop and manual slide safety are not. It is a polymer/blued carbon steel hybrid, also available with a stainless steel slide. Trigger pull is officially listed as 5-7 lbs., and without the proper equipment, I am unable to quantify the trigger pull.

My wife and I have shot around 600 rounds through this gun so far, and I am pretty impressed with the product. However, she is not. She has fired around 200 of those and had 2 failures to feed and 1 failure to extract. I have fired twice the number of rounds and have had zero stoppages of any kind, but it's a habit of mine to strong-arm my handguns. It's possible that those failures have all been from not maintaining a solid grip.

On both sides of the grip frame, just forward and above the trigger guard on either side are little concave grooves. They are very convenient for a trigger finger rest for the dominant hand and the thumb rest for the off hand. They are perfectly placed for my average-sized man hands and assist in attaining the perfect grip consistently, draw after draw. Simple feature, but one of my favorites.

Another thing I would like to mention is that the white paint started to chip off the sights after about 3 months of daily carry with draw/reholster drills with a hybrid leather and kydex IWB holster a few days per week. I attempted to fill the recesses in with some florescent orange nail polish thanks to my wife, but the nail polish seemed to dry somewhat translucent. I removed the nail polish, applied the brightest white model enamel (like the stuff you paint model cars and airplanes with) I could find, and have not had another problem since.

I carry this daily inside the waistband in a leather/kydex holster by Shepperd Leather and have not had any issues with the gun, the holster, or any combination thereof. No accidentally dropping mags, no hang-ups, no sticking. Speaking of magazines dropping, the release is very low-profile but still easy to use. The shape and placement is perfect. The button only actuates when deliberately pressed, yet it's easy to do so.

Finally, the fun factor. I really enjoy taking this gun to the range! It's fun to shoot, makes easy follow-up shots, and is easy to clean, even at the range. It is my everyday carry pistol for now until I can afford to buy something that I can grow into, not out of.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: This gun is very small and thin, allowing a comfortable carry in the waistband or in a pocket holster.

Target Market: The PT709 is intended for concealed carry.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Competitive price
  • Manual slide safety if desired
  • Adjustable rear sight

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: The Taurus PT709 “Slim” is available in black and 2-tone with a stainless steel slide.

What others are saying?: "The PT709 has a bit of a "Glocky" appearance, with a lever in the middle of the trigger and a very Glock-like takedown lever/latch. It is also striker-fired, as is the Glock, but unlike the Glock the PT709 offers a double-action mode which allows you to attempt to fire a round that didn't go bang the first time." - Russ Chastain

Price Point:

I need it now! Availability: You can purchase this pistol from many retailers, including Bud's Gun Shop, Academy and Kentucky Gun Co.

Our Rating:

+ Price + Adjustable sights + Size + Weight + Feel

- 3 failures possibly from sloppy grip

Score: 7.575