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Inforce ARC 650 LR-M

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Inforce ARC 650 LR-M

Review

  The Inforce ARC-650 really surprised me. Years ago, Inforce lights were okay, but now their long gun weapon lights are hot. The ARC-650 LR-M is super bright and has features that are compatible with industry standard lights. Making it a top contender in the weapon mounted light category. 

  Inforce has come a long way in their rifle mounted weaponlights. The ARC series has two available options: The ARC 350 LR-M and the ARC 650 LR-M. The ARC 650 is what I am using, but the 350 has similar compatibility. The ARC 350 is a shorter version that runs on a 18350 battery instead of the longer 18650. The 350 has shorter run time and is not quite as bright. Both ARC weaponlights have industry compatibility with mounts, heads, and tailcaps. Making them a great choice for mounting on any firearm.

Illuminated tree is around 150 yards away

  How usable is the light from the ARC 650? To answer that, I’ll dive into the specs first. The ARC 650 has 1400 lumens and 90,000 candela. Since the lumen rating basically tells us how much light is available, the ARC is bright. Being a 90,000 candela rated light also tells us that it has a more focused beam than a light with say a 40,000 candela rating. The higher the candela, the more a light beam is focused on a single point. I found the ARC 650 to be a very good compromise between the range at which the light beam extends and being able to light up something toward the side of the beam's throw. The LR in the ARC’s model is meant to mean “long range”. Inforce says a 600 meter throw, but I always say usable light is half that, and that seems to be about right for the ARC 650. I can easily make out targets at 200 yards and can definitely illuminate targets at 300 plus.

Target stands are at 50, 100, 200 yards

  The ARC 650 also comes with some necessary accessories. In the box you get a 3500mah 18650 rechargeable battery. The ARC 650 can use pretty much any 18650 battery. I have used various different ones that I have laying around, and they all worked fine. Inforce also includes a single charger and a USB cord, so that you can charge the battery. It is just a simple charger, but it works. When the supplied battery is fully charged, you can expect a two hour and forty five minute run time. Even if it runs for two hours, it has a lot longer run time than many other weapon lights. The ARC 650 also has dual fuel compatibility, meaning it can use two CR123 batteries, should your rechargeable run out of juice at the wrong time. 

  When I mentioned industry standard compatibility, here is what it means to you. The body of the ARC 650 uses the same thread pattern as a Surefire Scout light. It also has the standard “scout” bosses on the ARC’s body, these are used to mount the light to a handguard, via a mounting plate. Because of those “scout” threads, any aftermarket light heads and switches that are compatible with the “scout” pattern, can be screwed onto the ARC 650. This makes it possible to add pressure switches, external buttons, or an LEP light head from various other manufacturers.  

  Since the ARC 650 has “scout” compatibility, it uses a scout mount adapter. Inforce supplies a 45 degree M-Lok scout mount with the light. I was glad to find out it was a 45 degree mount, as that is what I usually run. The mount works as advertised and makes it super easy to install the light on a M-Lok handguard. 

  Using the ARC 650 is super easy with the supplied end cap button. As with most lights, push the button slightly for momentary on. Or, push the button until it clicks for constant on. The button has a nice click to it and does not take much pressure for the momentary on function. The button is also recessed completely inside the exterior housing. Making accidental turning on of the light much harder. The ARC 650 also has a light lockout. If you rotate the light head ¼ turn, then the light will not function. 

  I ran the ARC 650 on one of my higher end 16” 5.56 AR’s. Since the ARC 650 has a longer light throw than some other lights, I figured it would make more sense to mount it on a 16” gun rather than a 10.5”. The ARC performed fantastic. Having a really bright light can help with photonic barriers if needed. This applies in the daytime also. A bright light can pierce through tinted windows and let you see what is inside. Having a dual fuel function is nice, even though I tend to carry extra 18650’s. I really like that the ARC is “scout” compatible. I tried it with a bunch of other scout compatible parts that I have, and they all screwed on and worked. It also has an IPX8 rating, which is better than some of the name brands that cost way more. The ARC 650 is just a nice light that is easy to use and set up.

  So, if you are looking for a great weaponlight, the Inforce ARC 650 LR-M might be worth looking into. The price is the only thing going against this light. Price is somewhere between the lower cost lights that work well, and the high priced name brand ones. But, If you want really good compatibility, this light doesn’t seem over priced. The ARC 650 functions great and is a great compromise between light spill and throw, leaning more toward the throw side. It is a very bright light. If you can find an ARC 650, I would definitely check it out.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Long throw weapon mounted light with industry compatibility 

Target Market:

Those wanting a decent weaponlight that can be upgraded or modified.

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Max Lumens - 1,400

  • ANSI Lumens - 1,200

  • Max Candela - 90,000

  • Max Beam Distance - 600m

  • Waterproof Rating - IPX8 Certified

  • Shock/Drop Rating - MIL-STD 810H Certified

  • Lockout Method - 1/4 Turn of the Head

  • Battery Runtime - 2 Hours 45 Minutes

  • Battery Type - Rechargeable 18650 - Protected

  • Dual fuel - Can use 2-CR123’s

  • Body Material - 6061-T6 Aluminum

  • Exterior Finish - Type III Hard Coat Anodized

  • Length - 5.6”

  • Bezel Diameter - 1.4”

  • Weight with Battery - 6.1 oz

  • Lifetime Warranty

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

ARC 350 and Handheld versions

What others are saying?:

Nothing found as of publishing 

Link to other reviews:

Tiberious Gib on YouTube

Price point:

MSRP = $249.97

Retail = A little over $200

I need it now! Availability:

Inforce, Midway USA, or your local gun shop

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Bright

  • Produces a good compromise of spill and throw

  • Industry compatibility

  • Dual Fuel - Uses 18650 or 2-CR123’s

  • IPX8 rating

Cons:

  • Price

Score:  8.00 Great

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ETS Omega Magazines

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ETS OMEGA GLOCK

MAGAZINE REVIEW

  As you can tell this review is about the Elite Tactical Systems (ETS) Omega Glock magazines. Last summer, at the GOA convention, I ran into a gentleman there and he invited me over to his booth. I didn’t know at the time he worked for ETS. I wish I could remember his name but I have sadly forgotten it. After talking for a while about boats, horses, and motorcycles, he started explaining to me about the new Omega mags. I told him that I had a stack of their older mags and I hated them. With the new magazines, he assured me that they fixed all the issues people had with them. I had my doubts, but as a good reviewer, I wanted to try them out. 

  So after about three weeks I received a decent size box from ETS, it had clear translucent magazines in it. In the box there were numerous G17 style mags, G19 style mags, and then the nice lovely G18 “Big Stick”. On first inspection the mags seemed very well made and had a different style spring than normal magazines. 

  The spring, from what I can remember him telling me and what I have read, is a music wire spring that has a high tensile strength. It is wound for equalized upward force, to push the round up to the feed lips consistently. The mag is made of an advanced translucent polymer body with an integrated hardened steel frame and feed lips. The mag is coated with a military grade Teflon coating inside and out. This helps the magazine to drop free. Most of all, it lets the spring travel easily inside the magazine body. This makes it not squeak like the old mags did. 

  So the biggest issue with all polymer mags and translucent magazines is that they swell after you load the mag. Then they do not drop free. If you did drop the mags, you had the potential for them to crack. The old mags all had plastic feed lips. These feedlips always seemed to wear and the mag ended up useless. UPDATE, the new mags have hardened feed lips. This solves the extraction and wear issue. They changed the follower and spring locking plate, so you can see how many rounds that are left in the mag. 

  With the new polymer, the hardened metal feedlips, Teflon coating, and the Omega joint at the upper rear of the mag, it solves all the issues we had with all old polymer mags. It eliminates friction in the mag well, friction on the spring moving in the body of the mag, and most of all the swelling. 

  I ran these Omega mags in numerous Glock clones, and a PCC that takes Glock mags. I had no issue with any of the pistols, but I did in the PCC. The mag did not want to lock into place. It would lock in if I down loaded the mag. I even tried it with the bolt open and it did the same thing. The functions of the mags were exceptional. I had no malfunctions and ran the cheapest steel cased junk ammo I had. The mags seat really close to the original mags when inserted. If you remember some older mags stuck out the bottom and did not make for a good look or for concealed carry. I did drop the mags a few times on concrete while at the range. I had one take a swim with me in muddy water. I just wiped them down and loaded it back up. I did notice the mags are a hair thicker than standard Glock magazines. I don’t know if this will cause an issue with 80% builds or other Glock clones. They just worked for me. 

  So in closing, I do believe the ETS Omega magazines are a massive leap better than any other polymer magazine on the market, or at least that I have tested. I have carried these mags as a backup when I carry a Glock pattern handgun. I use them at the range all the time with my PCC. Can I tell you that they are duty rated? I am absolutely not going to tell you that. I am going to say that they are fine mags and ETS did a great job making them. The advancements that were made fixed a lot of issues that other magazines had. ETS is also making Omega magazines for S&W M&P 9mm, Sig Sauer P320, if you dare, and of course Glock. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Mags that bridge the gap between original OEM mags and older polymer magazines

Target Market:

Range trips

Competition shooters

High volume training

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Hardened steel feedlips and frame

  • Patent pending Omega Joint™ and frame wraps 360 degrees for maximum strength and 100% drop-free reliability

  • Factory reliability

  • Military-grade Teflon-infused coating meets all military standards for corrosion and friction resistance

  • Extreme impact resistance with our patent pending fusion of polymer and hardened steel

  • Ergonomic floorplate design allows for an easy grip to pull from pouches

  • Weighs 50% less than an all-steel magazine

  • Compatible with Gen 1 through Gen 5 Glocks

  • Red follower and locking plate

  • Base plates interchangeable with ETS line of 9mm double stack magazines.

  • Due to the wide variety of extensions for Glock, our mag base is designed to be compatible with Glock extensions

  • Easy disassembly with our specially designed base plate

  • Lifetime Warranty

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

15, 17, and 30 round magazines as well as M&P, and P320

What others are saying?:

From ETS’ website:

Not my first magazine from here and won’t be my last. The 40 round mag looks good in my PCC. 

I’m pleased with the quality and like being able to tell at a glance how many rounds are left. 

Link to other reviews:

Gun Mag Warehouse

The Mag Shack  

Price point:

MSRP = $25.99 to $29.99 for Glock 

Retail = Same

I need it now! Availability:

Elite Tactical Systems 

Midway USA

PSA

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Drop free

  • Tough and dependable 

  • Better feed lips

  • Teflon coated

Cons:

  • Price versus OEM 

  • Closed slide seating the magazine 

  • Possible tolerance difference with clones or 80% firearms. 

Score: 8.00 Great

I am giving them a solid 8. The only reason that I’m not going higher is because they are not duty proven. Or at least I can not find if they are. 

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MAC IX

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 Military Armament Corporation -

MAC IX PCC Review

  Everyone is making 9mm Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCC) these days. Not to be outdone, Military Armament Corporation (MAC) came out with their MAC IX 9mm PCC. This is a direct blowback “pistol” that is compatible with MP5 magazines. It is not one of the MP5 clones, instead it is more like an AR PCC with MP5 features. 

  My first thoughts on the MAC IX. It is a nice looking PCC. It comes with a few extras that other companies do not do. The main one is removable iron sights. These sights have large side protectors to keep the sights safe in case they get banged around. Inside them are a standard AR post front sight and an A2 style rear. MAC also includes an adjustment tool for the front sight. The other included items are a single point sling and a flash hider. I believe the sling is included because this version does not come with an attached brace.

   Let me describe the MAC IX a little. It looks very much like an AR, but it is definitely not. It does have a separate upper and lower, like an AR, but these parts have different spacing, or at least the pins to take the upper and lower apart are spaced differently. There are only 2 main parts on the MAC IX that are interchangeable with an AR. Those are the trigger and safety selector. It also uses any standard AR grip. 

  The upper of the MAC IX is very similar to the PCC you are used to. There is a standard port door covering the bolt, it flops open once the bolt is cycled. To charge the MAC IX, it has an ambidextrous rear charging handle. The upper also has a M-Lok rail up front. It is short, so don’t expect to mount much to it. On top is a standard full length picatinny rail for mounting the included iron sights, or an optic. 

  Again, the lower portion of the MAC IX resembles an AR’s lower receiver. So the trigger and safety are in the same position. It has an ambidextrous safety with short levers on both sides. The safety is very stiff, even after a lot of use. Moving to the front of the lower, is the MP5 magwell. There are 2 different ways to drop the magazines on the MAC IX. First is with a button on the right side of the magwell, very similar to the AR mag release you are used to. However, this mag button is farther away from the trigger than a normal AR. This makes the button hard to get to unless you have long fingers. But, MAC also gives you an ambidextrous paddle mag release. This mag release is like a better MP5 paddle release, it has large paddles on both sides. The only problem with the paddle release is that it is not easy to use. The spring pressure is way too much to reliably push the paddle with your trigger finger. So you end up using your thumb, grabbing the mag and the paddle, and pulling the mag out. On the left side of the receiver is a bolt catch, this is typical AR style. When using the MAC magazines, the bolt will lock back when empty. When using actual MP5 magazines, the bolt will not lock back. The MAC magazines are cheaper anyhow and work great. 

  At the very rear of the MAC IX’s receiver is a vertical pic rail. This rail is for mounting various braces and stocks (assuming you have your Form 1 in hand). On a 45 degree angle, at the bottom of this pic rail, is a QD mounting spot. This is where you install the supplied single point sling. That way you can push out on the pistol, with the sling wrapped around you, to stabilize the pistol. Single point slings work well for this, and the supplied one worked as intended. 

  The MAC IX has a 6.5 inch barrel. It is a good size for this type of 9mm PCC. This barrel has two different ways of attaching muzzle devices or suppressors. The first is with a tri lug quick detach mount. So if you have a tri lug suppressor, you won't need to add anything to the MAC IX to mount it. The other mounting option is ½-28 threads. Which is what I used. The MAC IX also comes with a flash hider that screws onto the barrel. It reminds me of an A1 style flash hider. The accuracy of the barrel was fine. I only ran cheap 9mm ammunition through it. Federal 124gr gave me the best 5 shot group at 15 yards, it was a little under an inch. The other cheap stuff ran between 1-2 inches at that range. 

Notice the metal nub sticking up, a quick file fixed it

  I like the MAC IX. But, it did have a few issues. None of them were functional issues as the IX ran great. The trigger is not good, even for a mil-spec AR style trigger. It's gritty and has lots of creep, even after 900 rounds. It has a pull weight of 6.5 pounds now, it started out heavier. But, you can always change the trigger. Next up, one of the iron sights had a nub on the bottom, inside, almost directly in the middle. This made it so the iron sight would not slide on the pic rail like it should. The sights come in the box, not on the gun. I filed the metal nub off and the sight slid right on. I would say that was a quality control problem. Speaking of QC problems, the IX is also supposed to come with 2 magazines in the box. Well, this one didn't have any in the box. Luckily, SDS Arms had sent me 3 extra mags. These 3 were separate line items, so I know they weren't part of the 2 “not” in the box. I contacted my rep (not at SDS or MAC). SDS told them they would ship me a couple when they were restocked, I still haven't seen them.  

  Now the good. The MAC IX is a super fun PCC. The small size makes it very maneuverable. I put a Strike Industries dual folding brace on this one. It mounted up on the rear pic rail without a hitch and fits the PCC well. The MAC IX will even fit in a backpack with the brace folded and a full 30 round magazine inserted. So if you want something small to carry, that has a little more firepower than a carry pistol, the MAC IX might help. I also installed a 1x prism from ZeroTech. Most of the testing was done with the prism. I only used the irons with a few mags, just to see if they worked. In the 900+ rounds I have shot, I only had 1 failure to feed. The IX was also dirty when that happened. Recoil on the IX had a typical PCC blowback feel to it. I do think the recoil felt less than my old AR PCC. I really like the MAC magazines because they hold the bolt back on the last round. I didn’t notice much difference running the IX with or without a suppressor. Granted, there was a little more gas blowback in my face, but not as much as I expected. The MAC IX just works. All I can say is that the MAC IX surprised me with how much fun it is to shoot. 

  The MAC IX is a fun little PCC. It uses those great MP5 style magazines, comes with iron sights, and is ready for you to install a suppressor. Being a Turkish import, the MAC IX is built really nice. It does everything you might need, or want, it to. The Mac IX is also super portable due to its small package size. The MAC series of firearms are distributed through SDS Arms and can be found on the Military Armament Corporation's website.  

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Blowback operated Pistol Caliber Carbine that uses MP5 magazines and some AR parts

Target Market:

Anyone wanting a small PCC

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Action Type: Direct Blow Back Semi-Auto 

  • Caliber: 9MM

  • Adjustable Sights - AR/M4 BUIS Style

  • Top picatinny rail

  • Capacity (w/ Included Mags): 30 + 1

  • Barrel Length: 6.5"

  • Barrel threaded 1/2-28 TPI and tri-lug

  • OAL: 15.97"

  • Height: 8"

  • Width: 1.75"

  • Weight (Unloaded): 5.10 lbs.

  • Rear picatinny for mounting braces

  • Rear QD attachment point

  • MAC-5/MP5 Magazine Compatibility

  • Paddle and Button Magazine Release

  • Includes: Hard case, 2 magazines, Cleaning kit, Sling, & Flash hider

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None

What others are saying?:

4 out 5 stars at PSA   

I love this thing.

Only complaint I got is mine will not feed hollow points. I’ve run maybe 400 rounds of fmj flawlessly but it won’t fire two consecutive hollow points without failing to feed. Didn’t buy it for hollow points so I’m ok with it. Other than that, I have no regrets.

Link to other reviews:

Gun Talk  

Price point:

MSRP = $797.00

Retail = Around $700.00

I need it now! Availability:

Guns.com, MidwayUSA, PSA, Battle Hawk Armory, and many others

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Compact

  • Uses some AR parts

  • Uses MP5 Magazines

  • Tri-lug adaptor and threaded barrel

  • Comes with iron sights that are decent

  • Rear picatinny rail with QD point

  • SDS mags lock bolt open

Cons:

  • Did not have supplied magazines in box

  • Recoil due to blowback action

  • Stiff safety selector

  • Stiff paddle magazine release

  • Hard to reach button mag release

Score: 7.50 Good

Favorite Link:  AimWin PE320 red dot review   

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ATIBAL ENCLOSED SOLAR TACTICAL DOT

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ATIBAL ENCLOSED

SOLAR TACTICAL DOT (STD)

REVIEW

  The Atibal Solar Tactical Dot is a "closed-in" red dot sight built like a tank. Most red dots have an open lens where dirt or rain can get inside and block the laser diode, but this one is completely sealed in a metal box. It’s designed to stay on, stay clear, and take a beating without breaking the bank.

  A rugged, "always-on" red dot sight that uses both a battery and the sun to stay powered up. It’s built for people who want a sight that works every time they pick up their gun, no matter the weather. It uses a 2032 battery as well as solar power.

  So, I’ve been running the Atibal Solar Tactical Dot (STD) on the Lone Wolf Dusk 19 setup, and honestly, It’s a pretty slick combination. If you're used to those standard open-glass red dots, the first thing you’re going to notice is that it looks like a little mailbox sitting on top of your slide.

  It’s an enclosed emitter, which is a game changer if you’re actually out in the elements. Think about it? If it’s on a standard Glock-style setup, you’re always fighting lint, dust, or raindrops getting right on that tiny laser bulb. With this thing, it’s all sealed up in a nitrogen purged tube. If the glass gets muddy or wet, you just wipe it off with your thumb and you’re back in business . You don't have to worry about the dot starbursting, because of a drop of water that is on the lens. 

  The STD has a 2032 side battery compartment with a round cap on the right side. It has the plus and minus adjustment on the left. The buttons are rubber coated and easy to adjust. When mounting the optic, I had to get an adapter plate because it is the Acro micro footprint. It has fairly decent clicks in the windage and elevation adjustment. It was very easy to mount and sight in. 

  Now, the Enclosed STD does add a little bit of weight to the slide, but on the Dusk 19, it actually feels right. That frame already has a better grip angle and flat trigger, so the extra few ounces of the optic actually helps keep the muzzle down when you’re shooting fast. It makes the whole gun feel a bit less of a handful in your hand.

  The coolest part for me is that it has that solar panel on top, so during the day, it’s gathering sunlight to power the optic. Besides that it has a shake awake feature, if you leave it on the nightstand or in the holster, it goes to sleep. The second you touch the grip, that 3 MOA dot is right there waiting for you.

  It’s definitely a bit chunkier than a standard RMR, so you’ll want to make sure your holster has a decent optic cut. Luckily for me the holsters I used worked just fine. 

  Shooting with the Atibal Enclosed STD was very easy. When I brought the pistol up to shoot, the dot was there. I didn’t have to search for it, it had fingerprints on the front of it, and the dot still looked the same. I ran numerous Bill drills, double taps, and drawing from concealment with it. The dot was always there. I sighted the dot in at 7 yards and ran about 100 rounds through it. I then moved out to 15 and did the same. I finally moved to 25 yards and that was the sweet spot. With the 3 MOA dot, I found that anywhere from 5 to 50 yards, I was always on target. I did not put the pistol in a rest, I just sighted it standing and shaking, as my old hands do. The dot was always there when drawing. During shooting, the optic seems to cushion some of the snap from the 9mm plus P defensive ammo that I was sighting in with. The fact that the big box gives you an extra area to rack the slide is a plus. With gloves, bare hands, if you rack it off the table, or your holster, there is always a place to get a good purchase. 

  I’ve carried the Dusk 19 with the Atibal Enclosed STD mailbox on it for several horseback trips. As we all know, if it’s tested by me, there has to be a horse involved. I fell off after my horse took a misstep. It went into the Cumberland river in May and so did  . The STD was underwater for several minutes in the cold river. I had no water in the optic. I’m not sure if I hit it on anything on the way down. But it did sustain 11 hours of constant movement on the horse. Then when I got back to camp, I went directly to the bath house and stood in the hot shower for over an hour. At first I was fully clothed, then I stripped and left my pants and the holster with the firearm in it, on the shower floor with super hot water running over it. After I was able to become somewhat normal again, I pulled the pistol out of the holster and gave the optic a wipe and it still worked. 

  I recommend a full sweat guard if you’re going to carry it appendix or close to the body. My love handles and belly had some wear from the big optic. I pinched myself several times. If that’s all I have to put up with, so that I can have an optic that has solar and battery backup, I’ll take it. As of this writing, I found two other manufacturers that have the same style setup. The price of them is a lot more than the Atibal Solar Tactical dot. As we know, they are probably all made in the same factory. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

The mailbox advantage blocks mud, dust, rain and other elements 

Infinite power loop, Solar and battery 

Shake awake technology 

Parallax free mounting options 

University mounting options with the Aimpoint micro footprint 

Target Market:

The working man’s gun that spends more time in a holster outdoors than in a safe 

High end performance with an average cost 

Competitive shooters 

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Enclosed LED design 

  • Solar assist illumination 

  • Shake awake technology 

  • 50,000 hour battery life

  • True 1x, window size 20.5x16mm

  • 3 MOA DOT 

  • Adjustment is 1 MOA

  • Windage adjustment is 90MOA

  • Elevation adjustment is 90MOA

  • 10 brightness settings 8 daytime and 2 NVG 

  • CR2032 Battery

  • 50000 hour run time 

  • Lifetime warranty 

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

This optic is a very utilitarian product. It’s in black, but sometimes you might find them in a FDE color. 

What others are saying 

Its not the First and it wont be the last

It’s a beast. I’ve been using it for both weekend competitions and some pretty messy boar hunting trips, and it hasn't let me down once. It’s tough, it’s reliable, and it doesn't cost as much as a used car. Whether I’m trying to shave seconds off my time or tracking a boar through the brush, it’s become the one piece of gear I don't have to second-guess. i will be getting more i have a few more gun i want to outfit and these are my top choice. 

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found as of publishing

Price point:

MSRP: $349.99.

Retail: Around $249.99 to $299.99 on sale

I need it now! Availability:

Atibal Optics and use code “FIREARMSINSIDER20” FOR 20% off

Optics Planet

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Total environment protection 

  • Solar power and battery 

  • Crisp high quality glass 

  • Side loading battery 

Cons:

  • It’s a chunky boy

  • Weight. 5.6 ounces 

  • Make sure it will work in your holster. It might have to be modified 

Score: 7.00 Good

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Primary Arms PLx 1-8x24 RDB

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 Primary Arms PLxC

1-8x24 RDB LPVO Review

  The PLx series from Primary Arms Optics is their top tier “premier” optic line. Recently they updated their PLx Low Power Variable Optics (LPVO) with “Red Dot Bright” illuminated reticles, or RDB as they call it. They sent over one of the PLx 1-8x24 RDB with the ACSS Raptor G2 reticle. This is their first focal plane (FFP) reticle for 5.56/308 that has ranging capabilities. Is it perfect? No, but it does have some fantastic features.

  When you first see the Primary Arms PLx 1-8 you notice it. The lines are very sleek. It is not a target scope with huge turrets. Which is what you would expect from a LPVO. It is compact when compared to some other FFP optics in this tier. It is also fairly lightweight. All the controls are easy to get to and function better than expected. Then there is the super clear glass. 

  First, I am jumping right into the reticle. The PLx 1-8 has 2 different reticle options: The ACSS Griffin MIL G2 and the ACSS Raptor 5.56/.308 Yard G2. I opted for the ACSS Raptor reticle, the Griffin is more of a standard MIL reticle and I wanted something where I didn’t have to think too much for bullet drop. Both are FFP reticles and get larger when you zoom in. This is because all markings on the reticles stay the same actual size for ranging and bullet drop compensation.

  The ACSS (Advanced Combined Sighting System) Raptor reticle was designed primarily for 223/5.56 rifles, but it also will work on 308 rifles. I will explain it for 5.56. The Raptor is a Bullet Drop Compensating (BDC) reticle that also does range estimation and has MIL markings. Pointing toward the center reticle are 3 solid lines, these can only be seen between 1x and 2x. When zoomed in past that, you only see the inner reticles. There are then MIL marked lines toward the inner most BDC reticle. The inner BDC reticle is where all the magic happens. 

  The Raptor BDC part of the reticle allows one to range targets and adapt for wind. In the very center is the horseshoe chevron reticle. The horseshoe is roughly 2.5 MIL’s in diameter and then has a small center chevron (open triangle). You sight in at the top point of the chevron. This gives a very precise aiming point. The BDC marks are then below the chevron marked with 4,6, & 8. These numbers are in yards for bullet drop. The bottom of the chevron would be 200 yards and the top vertical stadia mark would be 300. This mark is also at the bottom of the horseshoe. There are wind holds, or lead dots, for 5, 10, & 15 MPH at the BDC ranges. Horizontal to the horseshoe are 3 more dots. These are for leading a target also, but they are 3, 6, & 9 MPH which corresponds to a human's walk, jog, and run. 

  Simplified ranging can also be done with the ACSS Raptor reticle. In the reticle, on each side going toward the outside, are vertical lines. These lines get larger as you move toward the outside of the reticle. There are 5 lines with a number on every other one. The numbers designate a range in hundreds, so the #6 represents 600 yards. These lines fit an average height person. So if the person fits perfectly in the #4 line, you know they are at approximately 400 yards. To take the ranging one step farther in the Raptor reticle, there are also width ranging lines that run down the vertical BDC marks. These horizontal small lines are used to measure a 18 inch wide target, like a USPSA one. Or the average width of a human torso. Essentially you use it the same way as the height ones. Fit the target in the proper line, say the #6 line, and you know the target is at approximately 600 yards. The ranging is actually pretty easy, once you get the hang of it. 

  Now that you know about the reticle, let’s adjust it. The PLx comes with capped turrets. This helps with the low profile of the 1-8. The turret covers are about 1.5 inches in diameter and have pretty sharp knurling on them. So it is easy to unscrew them, even with thick gloves on. Inside those covers are the turrets themselves. They are about 1.375 inches in diameter with aggressive texture on the top to aid in adjustment. Both windage and elevation turrets adjust in 0.1 MIL increments.and go 10 MIL’s per complete revolution. The windage knob has numbers with both and R & L so you know which way you went. Of course the elevation knob has numbers 0-9, the 10 being the zero again. Both knobs have 3 tiny screws that hold the knobs in place. Once you have sighted in the optic, loosen the screws on the turrets and adjust it to the zero position, then re-tighten the screws. Primary Arms also includes a target style elevation turret. So if you want an adjustable turret without having to take off the cap, you can install it. I say target style because there is no cap, the target turret is still low profile in design. The actual adjustment clicks on the PLx are fantastic. Not only are they solid, but there is very little play when turning them from click to click. They aren’t as audible as you might think, but since they are super tactile, I do not care. The turret adjustments are steel on steel gears. This is one thing that sets higher tier optics above the cheaper ones. Plus they don’t wear out as quickly and return to zero with no error. 

  The PLx 1-8’s red illumination is bright. That is why it has the RDB label, it stands for “red dot bright”. I can attest that with the new technology Primary Arms is using, this reticle is super bright. Yes, it can be seen in direct sunlight, easily. With the reticle at 1x, it really can be used as a red dot and even kind of looks like one, because the horseshoe ends up looking like a bright red dot. When you zoom in to 8x, it is still just as bright, but does have some problems. If you look at all the info on the RDB, it shows only the horseshoe and chevron being illuminated. The problem with high brightness and magnification is that the small lines and numbers become tiny illuminated dots. It muddies up the reticle in my opinion. Turning down the reticle's brightness does help. I have a non RDB Primary Arms LPVO that does this a little bit also, so it’s not just the PLx line. Along with the illumination, the PLx 1-8 also has Primary Arms’ Autolive feature. This is their shake away auto on/off for the reticle. It helps save battery life and works fantastic. The battery is housed inside the brightness knob. There are 10 brightness settings with an off position between each one. Each setting has a positive detent to keep it in place. 

  How clear is the PLx 1-8? I'd say near perfect thanks to the Japanese ED glass that is used. Light transmission is also fantastic. The clarity is where you really notice the quality of the glass. I can't really explain it, it's just clear with no edge distortion. Eye relief is pretty decent and forgiving, even at 8x. I can look through this optic without the eye strain I get from lower tiered optics. 

  The PLx 1-8 also has a nice magnification adjuster. It is nicely knurled and super smooth to adjust. It also comes with a removable throw lever. These throw levers can be swapped for shorter, taller, or folding ones, but they have to be purchased separately. Either way, the throw lever on the magnification ring works nice and is the perfect height. 

  I ended up installing the PLx 1-8 RDB on a Flat Dark Earth 16 inch AR build. This AR has a bunch of high quality parts on and in it, so I figured it would be a great host for the PLx. Also having the 16 inch barrel puts the optic in its sweet spot for the BDC. Primary Arms also sent one of their 2.04 PLx mounts for the scope. I wasn’t sure if I would like the 2.04 mount at first, but it is kind of nice. Okay, back to the PLx 1-8. I do like that this optic is made in Japan and not China. Japan has some of the clearest optic glass around and it really shows in the clarity of the PLx. I also really liked that the PLx weighs just over a pound. It would be nice if the PLx 1-8 could have a zero stop in the turret. It may not be that “type” of scope, but a zero stop would be a good addition. The anodizing color is close to FDE, but looks more bronze colored to me. This is just another reason why we have 50 shades of FDE. The bullet drops from the Raptor reticle seemed close enough for me. This is more of a fighting optic for me, not a precision one, which is why I like the ACSS Raptor reticle. Of course, having the autolive illumination makes the LPVO ready whenever you are. The Primary Arms PLx 1-8 is a fantastic optic with a very useable magnification range.

  If you are looking for a LPVO that really does it all, check out the Primary Arms PLxC 1-8x24 FFP RDB scope. There is a good reason this thing is in Primary Arms’ Premier line of optics. It has fantastic clarity, a sunny daylight bright reticle, and can be used both as a red dot and something for distance. If you are interested, head over to Primary Arms and take a look at the PLx 1-8x24 RDB with the ACSS Raptor G2 reticle.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Top tier LPVO 

Target Market:

Those needing a rugged, precise, super clear LPVO with useable features

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Red Dot Bright Diffractive Reticle technology

  • ACSS Raptor 5.56/.308 Yard G2 Reticle

  • Premium grade Japanese ED glass with enhanced clarity and light transmission

  • First focal plane reticles stay true at every magnification

  • High strength 30mm tube

  • Easy to swap dovetail throw lever

  • 1-8x magnification range is red dot fast in close quarters and accurate at medium range

  • AutoLive Motion-Sensing illumination technology

  • Steel On Steel (SOS®) Adjustable turrets

  • Adjustable illumination from Daylight bright to night vision compatible

  • Water proof, shock resistant, and fog resistant

  • Durable hardcoat anodized flat dark earth finish

  • Made in Japan

  • Battery Type: CR2032 3V Lithium

  • Click Value: 0.1 Mil

  • Exit Pupil Diameter: Low: 8mm / High: 3mm

  • Eye Relief: Low: 3.2 in / High: 3.7 in

  • Field View 100: Low: 121 ft / High: 14.6 ft

  • Length: 9.28 in.

  • Night Vision Compatible

  • Objective Diameter: 24mm

  • Total Elevation Adjustment: 100 MOA

  • Total Windage Adjustment: 100 MOA

  • Capped Turrets

  • Weight: 16.95 oz.

  • Lifetime warranty 

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Griffin Mil G2 reticle in black or FDE

What others are saying?:

5 out 5 stars on Optic Planet   

As good as it gets

Got this on a sale and paid just under 1500 after tax and shipping. For the price, you won't find a better LPVO. This thing rocks. Got the ACSS Raptor reticle as I'm running this on a 14.5 super duty and prefer the 50yd zero and ballistic drop reticle over the Griffin. Glass clarity is superb all through magnification range. And yes, this thing is absolutely red dot bright even on 7/10 setting. Maybe at high noon on a glacier you would need to go higher than 8/10 on the illumination setting. Don't bother getting scope rings with this as you will do away with the near invisible scope feature when you're at the lower magnification settings. That is also an amazing thing about this scope: at 1x, with both eyes open, the scope itself is barely perceptible when looking at your targets. Once you get the diopter adjusted to your eye (both eyes open!) there is no noticeable shift in your view when taking turns closing each eye to see the shift.

Link to other reviews:

C_Does on YouTube

Price point:

MSRP = $1749.99

Retail = Same

I need it now! Availability:

Primary Arms, Midway USA, or your local shop

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Red dot bright reticle

  • Ranging reticle

  • Super clear on 1x or 8x

  • Lightweight

  • Edge clarity

  • Smooth power adjustment

Cons:

  • FDE is more bronze’ish colored

  • No zero stop

Score: 9.00 Amazing

,

ZeroTech Thrive HD Red Dot

,

ZeroTech Thrive HD

Digital Red dot Review

  Red dots are definitely not a new item in the firearms world. What is fairly new is the quality of red dots that you can get for an inexpensive price. ZeroTech has brought one of these good quality, inexpensive red dots to market with their Thrive HD digital 1x22 red dot. The Thrive HD red dot would be great for any PCC, carbine, or 22 rifle. 

  When ZeroTech first sent me the Thrive HD red dot, it reminded me of other similar red dots. Being similar to those other red dots is not a problem. In fact, it is a good thing in the Thrive HD's case. The Thrive HD's top selling point is the price. It can be had for under $150. But for that price, you get a decent, no frills red dot. 

  The ZeroTech red dot comes with every option it should. It also has some features of higher priced red dots. The Thrive HD comes with a high and low picatinny mount. It also uses the industry standard mounting footprint of the Aimpoint T1/T2. This makes finding other mounting options easy, if you don't want to use the supplied mounts. 

  Features of the Thrive HD are numerous. First you get a 2 moa dot inside a 22mm window. The dot is powered by a CR2032 side-mount battery. The battery gives a run time of 50,000 hours. It has 10 brightness settings controlled by the soft touch “+” & “-” buttons on top. It does not have an auto on/off, but I don't think it is needed with that battery life. Plus it's a value red dot that performs great. 

  I ended up mounting the Thrive HD red dot on a Hi-Point carbine in 9mm. The red dot was perfect for what I was doing with the Hi-Point PCC and it needed an optic of some sort. Plus, the direct blowback operating system puts more stress on the red dot, so it was perfect for a review. The glass is just as clear as my Holosun and Primary Arms red dots. The red dot on the Thrive HD is also clear and bright. Does it have night vision settings? No, but for an inexpensive red dot, why would it? 

  Sighting in the Thrive HD red dot was super easy. Once I decided where I wanted to mount the red dot, I torqued it down and headed to the range. Adjustments were easy, ZeroTech even supplies a little adjustment tool. The windage and elevation clicks are 0.5 moa at 100yds. I set up a target at 25 yards and started shooting, with a few clicks I was hitting where I was aiming. The Thrive HD red dot has not lost zero and still shoots great. It would make a great red dot for just about anything. 

  If you are looking for a good red dot, for a great price, the ZeroTech Thrive HD red dot might be worth looking into. It has a bunch of features that just work and nothing extra to go wrong. You can get a great deal on one over at the ZeroTech website and if you aren't into red dots, they have a bunch of other high quality optics.  

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Quality inexpensive red dot with an industry standard mounting footprint

Target Market:

Anyone wanting a simple red dot

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Magnification - 1x

  • Footprint - Aimpoint Micro compatible

  • Objective Lens Diameter - 22mm

  • Brightness Settings - 10 Adjustable levels

  • Controls - Digital with auto on/off

  • Illumination Function - Digital

  • Battery - CR2032

  • Battery Life - Max 50000 Hours

  • Turret Index Value - 0.5 mos

  • Construction - 6061-T6 Aluminium

  • Eye Relief - unlimited 

  • Operational Temperature: -20°C to 70°C (-4°F to 158°F)

  • Reticle - 2 MOA Red dot

  • Waterproof Rating - IPX7

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None

What others are saying?:

Nothing found as of publishing 

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found as of publishing 

Price point:

MSRP = $199.00

Retail = $149.00 plus 20% off with code “GGR”

I need it now! Availability:

ZeroTech Optics or your local gun store

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Price

  • Simple to use

  • Industry standard mounting 

  • Battery life

Cons:

  • No auto on/off

Score: 8.00 Great

,

ZeroTech Thrive 1-10x24

,

Zerotech Thrive

1-10x24 RAR Review

  ZeroTech Optics has been releasing a lot of products recently. One of these is a new base model low power variable optic or LPVO. It is a second focal plane (SFP) 1-10 power optic with an illuminated reticle. The official name of this LPVO is the ZeroTech Thrive 1-10x24 - RAR. It offers clear glass as well as a bunch of other features.

  As mentioned, the Thrive 1-10 is ZeroTech’s value priced LPVO. It is currently just under 300 dollars. This makes it a great option for someone wanting to see if they want a LPVO, or anyone looking for an inexpensive option that has a 10x magnification. It also comes with a neoprene scope cover, which is way nicer than the plastic flip caps other companies give you.

  Being a 1-10 power optic has some advantages. At 1 power, this LPVO has a true 1x magnification, or as close as you can get. When at 1x, the Thrive 1-10 is really close to what looking through a red dot looks like, just with an actual reticle instead of a dot. Don’t get this confused though, it is not a red dot. Then, if you turn the magnification up to 10 power, you can identify targets with ease. Or actually reach out some distance to shoot. 25 years ago, a 10 power scope was all you needed to reach out to 1000 yards and that is still true today. 

  Now we know what the ZeroTech Thrive 1-10 is capable of, what kind of reticle does it have? The 1-10 uses ZeroTech’s “RAR” reticle. This reticle is a second focal plane MOA reticle. Being a SFP reticle, in this case, means that the reticle's MOA marks and numbers will only be accurate at 10x. It also means that the reticle will stay the same viewable size throughout the magnification range. Okay, let me try to explain the reticle, there is a lot going on, kind of. Pointing toward the center of the reticle are three, 4 MOA thick lines that taper down. One on each side, and one on the bottom. These are to help draw your eye to the center reticle portion. The center reticle has thin lines with hash marks every 2 MOA. These hash marks are 1 and 2 MOA high, depending on where they are on the stadia lines. These can be used for ranging, bullet drop, or windage. Inside the inner reticle is a 0.75 MOA dot. Then surrounding the inner dot and part of the reticle is a horseshoe ring. The horseshoe is 12 MOA in diameter. I really like the RAR reticle as I found it super quick and very useful.

  The RAR reticle is semi-illuminated. Basically the horseshoe and center dot illuminate. To turn the illumination on, tap the button on the battery cap. It has 6 illumination settings. To increase brightness, just push this same button again. Once it hits the brightest setting, when you tap the button again, it will start cycling down to the lowest setting. Then when on the lowest, it starts cycling up again. Hold the button down for a few seconds to turn the reticle off. The reticle is not “daylight bright”, but it is fairly bright and can be seen on overcast days. 

  Now that you know what the reticle of the Thrive 1-10 looks like, it needs to be sighted in. Having the ability to crank the Thrive up to 10 power really helps you be able to see where you are hitting on the target. The adjustment ring, to adjust that magnification from 1-10x, is fairly smooth. It also has a small, removable, throw lever. It's not huge like some others, but it is useful. The Thrive 1-10 uses capped turrets. So to adjust the windage and elevation, you must unscrew them and set them aside. Then you have standard click adjustable turrets. The turret’s clicks are not super positive. They also feel a little mushy to me. This is a base model scope, so I didn't expect them to be crisp. More just a heads up. Once the turrets are adjusted to your satisfaction, you can loosen the center screw, pull the turret up, set it to zero, and re-install the screw. Something else I noticed with the Thrive 1-10 is that each click adjustment is ¼ MOA, which is a more fine adjustment than many of the Thrive's direct competitors in the market. 

  The clarity of the Thrive 1-10 impressed me. For being a value optic, the clarity at 10x was nice. It didn't have any shadows around the edges, just a clear picture. The eye relief is decent, but a little tight at 10x. I'd say the eye relief falls in the middle of comparably priced LPVO’s. There are better and there are worse. At 1 power, the scopes clarity and eye relief are quite good. I didn't run into any trouble, using the Thrive, anywhere in its magnification range. 

  I ended up mounting the Thrive 1-10 on a 16” 556 AR. It needed something other than the red dot that was on it and the Thrive fit the bill nicely. After mounting the scope, it was off to the range. This is where I ran into the Thrive's only real problem. I pushed the button to turn on the illumination. Okay, that worked as expected. Then I shot the rifle. Every time the rifle recoiled, the illumination would flicker off and then back on. I contacted ZeroTech and they said that it can do that with certain recoil impulses. Yes, it is an inexpensive optic, but this bothers me. It's not like I was mounting the Thrive on something with heavy recoil. I guess I'll have to move it to a 22lr or not use the illumination. Besides that drawback, I really like the reticle. It is easy to use and draws your eye right to the center aiming point. 

  If you are looking at getting into an LPVO, the ZeroTech Thrive 1-10x24 is not a bad choice. Yes it has some problems, but it also has some great features. Personally, I think it would be a fantastic optic for a 22lr rifle. Go head over to ZeroTech and take a look at the Thrive 1-10x24 RAR. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Low cost, second focal plane, LPVO with decent reticles

Target Market:

Anyone wanting to get onto the LPVO game

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Focal Plane - Second (SFP)

  • Magnification: 1-10x

  • Reticle calibrated magnification power (SFP only) - 10x

  • Objective Lens Diameter - 24mm

  • Main tube Diameter - 30mm

  • Reticle type - RAR Illuminated

  • Fixed parallax – 125m (137yd)

  • Turret Index Value - 0.25 MOA

  • Exit Pupil Diameter - Low: 8mm; High: 2.4mm

  • Eye Relief - 3.62-3.94in (92-100mm)

  • Windage & Elevation Adjustments - 120 MOA

  • Field of View @ 100 Yards - Low: 118.8ft; High: 11.3ft

  • Main tube Material - 6061-T6

  • Weight - 17.8oz (505g)

  • Full multi coated lenses

  • Reticle - RAR Illuminated

  • Objective Outer Diameter - 30mm

  • Ocular Outer Diameter - 44.5mm

  • Waterproof Rating - IPX7

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

G4 and PHR4 reticles

What others are saying?:

Nothing found as of publishing

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found as of publishing

Price point:

MSRP = $449.00

Retail = $299.00 plus 20% off

I need it now! Availability:

ZeroTech Optics 

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Great reticle

  • Inexpensive for 1-10 SFP

  • Lightweight

  • Push button brightness adjustment

  • Clear glass

Cons:

  • Reticle flashes on recoil

  • Mushy turret clicks

Score: 6.50 Okay

,

Foxtrot Mike VFM-9 Foldy Boi

,

Foxtrot Mike Foldy Boi 9mm PCC

The Blue-Collar Sub-Gun Review

  Let’s be real, most of us aren't looking to drop three months’ mortgage on a "Gucci" PCC just to have it sit in a safe. You want something that runs every time, fits in a backpack or under a truck seat, and doesn't require a specialized degree to maintain. The VFM-9 "Foldy Boi" is exactly that—a rugged, purpose-built tool that punches way above its price tag. Here’s the breakdown for the guy who values performance over "clout."

  So lets just clear the air up front, this was sent to me for review from FM Product. I called Foxtrot Mike and specifically asked for the Foldy Boi. I have built a number of 9mm PCC’s and have always had a hard time getting them to run reliably. I did my research before giving him a call and had questions. How does the mass buffer system work? How does it suppress? Is it reliable with all ammo? Can I have one? How strong is the integrated folding system?

  So we are going to start out with a few facts:

1. Portability: The "Truck Gun" King

The "Foldy Boi" name isn't just a meme. Unlike other ARs that need a bulky $200 adapter bolted onto the back, this folding mechanism is machined directly into the receiver.

• The Benefit: It’s rock-solid. No wiggle, no extra parts to loctite, and it cuts the footprint down small enough to fit into a standard 15-inch laptop bag or a tool bag.

• The Reality: It’s a "backpack gun" that actually fits in a backpack.

2. Reliability: It Just Works (With Glock Mags)

If you own a Glock, you’re already halfway there. The VFM-9 is built around the Glock magazine platform, which is the gold standard for reliability and affordability.

• The LRBHO: A lot of cheap 9mm ARs don't lock the bolt back on the last round. It’s annoying and slows you down. Foxtrot Mike’s Last Round Bolt Hold Open is built like a tank—it works every single time, even with cheap Magpul or ETS mags.

3. Ergonomics: Not Your Standard AR

4. The standout feature is the Forward Charging Handle. Instead of reaching back by your face like a standard AR-15, you rack this thing up by the handguard, sort of like an MP5 or a FAL.

5. Why it matters: It’s faster to clear malfunctions and easier to manipulate if you’re in a cramped space (like inside a vehicle). Plus, it’s non-reciprocating, meaning it stays still while you’re firing so no thumb-smacking.

  Now lets get to some specs on what I am calling the “KING OF TRUCK GUNS”

  • Manufacturer: Foxtrot Mike Products.

  • Platform: VFM-9B (dedicated 9mm).

  • Caliber: 9mm Luger.

  • Operating System: Straight Blowback.

  • Magazine Compatibility: 9mm Glock-style magazines.

  • Weight: Approximately 5 lbs for the full pistol; the complete lower receiver alone is approximately 2.25 lbs.

  • Length: 21 inches extended; reduced to 14 inches when folded (7-inch total reduction).

Barrel & Upper Receiver

  • Barrel Length: 5.2 inches

  • Barrel Material: 41V50 Premium Match Grade steel, vacuum stress relieved, and Melonite coated.

  • Barrel Twist: 1:10.

  • Muzzle Thread: 1/2 x 28 (Standard on newer VFM-9 uppers).

  • Handguard: M-LOK free-float rail with a 1.3-inch internal diameter.

  • Charging Handle: Dual charging options (front and rear) available on VFM-9 models. 

Lower Receiver & Folding System

  • Material: Machined from billet 7075-T6 aluminum.

  • Folding Mechanism: Integrated hinge built directly into the lower receiver (not an add-on adapter).

  • Controls: Fully ambidextrous safety selector, bolt catch, and magazine release.

  • Trigger: Curved Mil-Spec trigger.

  • Last Round Bolt Hold Open (LRBHO): Integrated into the lower receiver.

  • Magwell: 3D machined extra-wide flared magwell for faster reloads.

  • Finish: Type III Hardcoat Anodized.

  • Buffer System: Proprietary Recoil Mitigation Buffer (RMB) designed for an A5-length buffer tube.

  • Recoil Mitigation Buffer (RMB): This is a heavy, one-piece buffer weighing approximately 9.4 to 10.6 oz. Unlike standard solid buffers, it uses a sliding body mechanism with internal reciprocating masses that act as a "deadblow" to prevent the bolt from bouncing off the barrel during high-speed operation.

  • A5-Length Buffer Tube: The Foldy Boi uses an A5-length tube (approx. 7.75 inches), which is longer than a standard carbine tube. This extra length allows for the use of the longer proprietary buffer while maintaining proper bolt travel for reliable cycling 

  • Integrated Folding Hinge: Because the hinge is built directly into the 7075-T6 billet lower, the buffer features a special extension to bridge the gap of the folding mechanism.

  • Recoil Spring: It typically ships with a .308 carbine flat-wire spring or a high-strength round-wire spring. This stiffer spring is critical for controlling the heavy bolt of a blowback system.

  • Non-Firing Folded: Note that because the buffer and spring must stay in the tube, the firearm cannot be fired while folded. The system includes a latch to keep the bolt from sliding out when the hinge is open.

  The VFM-9 isn't a safe queen. It’s a tool. It’s built for the guy who wants a compact, reliable 9mm system for home defense or travel without paying the "luxury tax" for a European brand name. It’s American-made, over engineered in the right places, and priced for people who work for a living. I always try to review firearms that the average person can afford. This Little folding PCC fits the itch of who I am. I have taken it apart, changed out parts with standard AR parts and fired it. It ran. I replaced the parts back with the original for the review. For a quick note you can use a FRT trigger, suppress it and let it rock and roll for a lot of fun. I have a little more than 1200 rounds through it. I started off by taking all my carry ammo and rotated it through. It was a mix of 115gr to 147gr of hollow points. I read on the internet somewhere that you needed to allow a 200 round break in but I am not sure if this is in the owners manual. I had a bunch of flat nosed pure lead 9mm ammo that I do not remember the weight and it fed them perfectly. Did I mention that it takes Glock style mags? The last round bolt hold open is a nice touch compared to other PCC’s.

  So is the VFM-9 "Foldy Boi" the perfect truck gun or king of the PCC’s? Well in my eyes it is. You compare it with one of the 3 barrel length options, 5”, 7” or 10”, price, reliability, and the lifetime customer support and this is all you need. So why spend three times as much to say you have a clone of something when you can have the controls of your standard AR, less the front charging system? You still have plenty of rail space in a M Lok configuration to add your favorite accessories. I had no issues with my PCC, it chomped down everything I fed it, it fit in my backpack and I carried it in public this way. I actually laid it in the front seat of my truck and covered the whole thing with my cowboy hat while folded. It checks off all the boxes I have for a truck gun. It is small, accurate, reliable and I enjoy showing it off to friends and people at the range. I know a lot of writers put a lot more specs or technical data in their reviews, but I just felt this one needed an honest working man's review. I guess this is more of how I feel about it. I would recommend the Foxtrot Mike VFM-9 "Foldy Boi" to anyone looking for a truck gun, especially if you carry a handgun that uses the same mags. That just makes a combo you can't beat.  

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

  • American made

  • True integrated folder

  • LRBHO

  • Compact

  • HK style charger

  • Glock mags 

  • Fits in a backpack

  • Price point

Target Market:

  • Glock guy on a budget

  • The guy who needs a rifle style gun as a commuter gun

  • Home defense

  • Range junkie

  • The guy who shops at Tractor Supply or your local Coop that still needs to feed his animals and his firearm.

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • CALIBER: 9MM

  • OPERATING SYSTEM: STRAIGHT BLOWBACK 

  • BARREL LENGTH: 5"

  • BARREL TWIST: 1:10

  • BARREL MATERIAL: 41V50 PREMIUM MATCH GRADE 41v50 BARREL, VACUUM STRESS RELIEVED, MELONITE COATED WITH A HONED CHAMBER

  • MUZZLE DEVICE: MICRO BLAST DIFFUSER

  • MUZZLE THREAD: 1/2 X 28

  • UPPER & LOWER RECEIVER: BILLET AIRCRAFT ALUMINUM TYPE III HARD BLACK ANODIZING 

  • HANDGUARD: 4" M-LOK FREE FLOAT TYPE III HARD BLACK ANNODIZING

  • CHARGING HANDLE: MIL-SPEC CHARGING HANDLE IN REAR, FM 4 POSITION IN FRONT

  • PISTOL GRIP: THRIL

  • BUFFER: 9.4 OZ FM RECOIL MITIGATION BUFFER

  • BUFFER TUBE: A5  

  • BRACE: INTEGRATED FOLDING ADAPTER W/ SBA3

  • TRIGGER: CURVED MIL-SPEC 

  • CONTROLS: AMBIDEXTROUS 

  • LENGTH (INCHES): 21" (14" Folded)

  • WEIGHT (LBS): 4lbs 13oz

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Black, remember this is a working man's gun. 

What others are saying?:

Nothing found as of publishing, at least on the VFM-9

Link to other reviews:

Blowback9 on YouTube 

PewPew Tactical 

Price point:

MSRP =  $599 - $779

Retail = Same

I need it now! Availability:

Foxtrot Mike and use code “GGR” for 10% off

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Recoil Mitigation Buffer

  • Zero bolt bounce

  • Fully Ambidextrous

  • AR Trigger compatibility

Cons:

  • I really couldn't find one

Score: 9.00 Amazing

,

RECOVER TACTICAL S-PRO PISTOL STABILIZER CONVERSION KIT

,

RECOVER TACTICAL S-PRO PISTOL STABILIZER

CONVERSION KIT REVIEW

  What Is the S-PRO? The S-PRO is a modular pistol stabilizer/conversion chassis that turns a standard pistol into a more stable, controllable, and customizable platform without permanent modifications. It ships in a brace configuration and can quickly convert to a buttstock for a more rifle-like setup by removing the brace attachment. 

  It is designed to fit numerous Glock pistols, Canik and PDP. The Recover Tactical S-PRO is a major jump in build quality and modularity over the original 20/20 series. (I took this from someone off the net)  While the 20/20 was a budget-friendly polymer brace, the S-PRO moves into the "prosumer" space with a metal spine and a much more rigid design. The S-PRO is best described as a modular PDW chassis. It bridges the gap between a standard handgun and a dedicated Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC). If you own multiple pistols (Glock, Walther, Canik) and want one high-quality system to stabilize them all, the S-PRO is currently one of the most cost-effective ways to do it. 

  I first saw the S-Pro at GunCon 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. I was familiar with their 20/20 but I liked this one much better. It seemed simple, rugged and has a nice spring out stabilizing brace. I talked to the guys there and they sent me one in for review. I was excited to get it, because pcc and chassis systems are all the rage right now. Plus from the price standpoint, it is a lot cheaper than most other systems in this price range. I can attest to this after my last build of a chassis system pistol build. 

  This system is a no tools needed to assemble. It basically attaches to the front rail and trigger guard. It has a hinged front plate that closes around the front of the frame and trigger guard. This is connected to your stabilizing brace. The item that launches out the back. It then has a blast shield that slides over the bottom of the main piece and the folding latch. It has a button that locks it all in together. Lastly is the front spare mag holder, fore grip or whatever you want to call it. It too has a button to take it on and off. The mag holder has a large button that is on the edge that sorta wraps around, when pressed you can take your spare mag out. The rear of the pistol itself you have to remove the rear sight to place a simple snap in cocking handle on the rear of the slide to charge it. I was not really happy with this part, my thinking was if I wanted to carry it, as just a plain handgun, I would have to replace the rear sight and go to the range to sight it back in. The main chassis has a metal frame covered with the matching polymer that extends to the rear of the firearm. In this metal frame is a heck of a spring that shoots a metal bar out the back that has the tailhook brace on it. The brace has an adjustable cheek weld that is held in by a single screw. Putting the tail hook in was the only screwing that needed to be done.

  Once assembled I placed a green dot STD closed emitter from Atibal on top. This is the only way you can sight because of the height of your head once placed down on the brace. It does give it some extra height but we have to see what we are shooting at. It has a single sling QD hole on the right side of the frame. I did carry this at the range and in the field and it was almost like it wasn't there. 

  At the range I found it easier to hold the pistol in my right hand and reach over to engage the button to release to brace. It will shoot out into place unless something gets in its way to stop it. Then you can give it a tug or shove it back in and try the button again. With practice you will have it shooting straight out into place and not hitting it on anything. Racking the slide was simple, just grab the dog ear and give it a yank back and you're in business. I did find it difficult to do with gloves on so I opted to do it bare handed. There is some texture on the ear that is pleasant on the fingers. I would like to see a redesign in the cocking ear to keep the rear sight and be larger to get a better hold on it. 

  Shooting the S-Pro was straight forward, just rest your cheek on the pad and go to work. The recoil was minimal. Reloads will take a bit to get used to because grabbing the mag from the front carrier is not in my muscle memory yet. The mag is not drop free and will take a bit of force to get it out. 

  Overall the Recover Tactical S-Pro is a great platform if someone is looking to be more stable and have 3 points of contact on the pistol. With the green dot I was shooting at 25 and 50 yards and hitting a man sized target with no problem. I think if someone picked up a police trade in glock and wanted to have a PCC, truck gun or a bag gun, this is a viable option. The S-Pro provides great contact, ease of use and you already know how reliable your pistol is. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

3 points of contact, Durable, Duty grade, No tools to install, Modular with other frames and brands of pistols

Target Market:

Any one looking for a compact 9mm that will give you extra range

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Metal frame

  • MLOK-compatible front shroud

  • Push button release spring loaded stabilizer/buttstock

  • Modular unit – swap out adapters to use the same platform for different pistols

  • No tools are required to install

  • Compatible with high-profile slide-mounted optics

  • More secure platform to shoot from

  • Makes optic use easier

  • Faster follow up shots

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Numerous different colors

What others are saying;

  • Just arrived, easy to put together and feels solid.

  • Excellent platform

  • So much better than expected and makes shooting more fun.

Link to other reviews:

Tiberious Gib on YouTube

Price point:

MSRP = $299.95

Retail = $299.95 

I need it now! Availability:

Recover Tactical or Optics Planet

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • No tools needed to put together

  • 3 points of contact

  • Ease of use

Cons:

  • Have to remove the rear sight to assemble

Score: 8.00 Great 

,

Aimwin PE330

,

Aimwin PE330

Review

  Enclosed micro red dots are not a new thing. However, Aimwin is a fairly new company in the optics market. One of their newest editions is the PE330 enclosed red dot. The PE330 red dot comes with an enhanced feature set and mounts directly to RMSc style footprints. 

  As mentioned, the Aimwin PE330 is an enclosed emitter style red dot optic. This gives the PE330 some advantages over open emitter style red dots. It protects the internals from dust, water, and any other debris. It also makes the lenses easier to clean. Living where I live, having an enclosed red dot is a big advantage because of the rain we get in Oregon. The water doesn’t get trapped inside the lens like on an open emitter style. So if you need to wipe the water off, it is just a simple wipe, not a scrub and soak. 

  The exterior of the Aimwin PE330 is 6061 aluminum. 6061 style aluminum seems fine for this type of optic. The hard anodized aluminum exterior helps to make the PE330 pretty durable. The PE330 also is water resistant, nothing is water proof. Aimwin specs it out as IPX7, which is submerged at 1 meter for a 30 minute time frame. This is pretty standard on these styles of red dots. It didn’t leak on me, but I also didn’t swim with it on.

  When dealing with micro red dots, the mounting footprint is super important. The Aimwin PE330 uses an industry standard RMSc footprint. This footprint is what a lot of micro compact pistols use for direct mounting to the slide. Oddly enough, the RMSc footprint is also used on some 1911 and 2011 full size pistols. Having that industry standard footprint really makes the PE330 standout for mounting on various styles of pistols. Included with the optic is a bunch of various size mounting screws. So finding the correct screw for your mounting surface is super easy. I always like it when companies put in those extra mounting screws, that way I don’t have to hunt some down in my screw bin.

  When it comes to powering the PE330, Aimwin uses a CR1620 battery. This is a slightly thinner battery than the CR1632, which is used in a lot of RMSc footprint red dots. Aimwin states a 20,000 hour battery life. So even though it isn’t as long as others, it is still plenty. Aimwin also designed the PE330 with a side load battery. So when you do change that battery, it is super easy to do and will not affect your zero. Something I haven’t seen with other red dots is that Aimwin includes extra battery tray screws. I will probably lose the extra screws before I actually need to replace one, but they are there just in case.

  The PE330 isn’t just a red dot, it is a multi-reticle system. It includes a 3 MOA dot and a 40 MOA circle. You can combine these into a dot only, circle dot, or just a circle. To do this all you have to do is hold down the brightness up button for a few seconds. For brightness adjustment, there is a soft touch pad on the left side of the optic with + and - labels. The PE330 has 11 brightness levels. The lowest 2 are night vision compatible, while the other 9 are daylight bright. To adjust the position of the reticle, the PE330 uses a small standard screwdriver. It also has actual clicks for adjustment, not just the turn and guess style. Each click is 1.5 MOA. 

  Aimwin has their auto on feature called “AIM Awake”. As one can guess, this is Aimwin’s shake awake feature. After a few minutes of not being moved, the PE330 will go into a standby mode. When movement is detected, the dot automatically turns back on at the same brightness level it was adjusted to. This feature gives more battery life to the optic. In today's red dot market, every optic should have this if it uses a battery. I am glad Aimwin includes the Aim Awake feature. 

  For the review, I mounted the Aimwin PE330 on a Tisas 1911 Double Stack. The window size of 23 x 16 mm worked well on this pistol. It is not the largest window, but it was very useful. I also noticed that the dot is very clear. Some of that is probably due to the glass used on the optic. I was pleasantly surprised at how clear the glass was. I couldn’t notice any color change or tint to it. Because the PE330 is a little wider than smaller RMSc red dots, it does hang over the sides of the slide. It is definitely noticeable, but does not hurt anything at all. That is a price you have to pay for a larger’ish size micro red dot on a thin 1911 slide. I don’t really care for the 1.5 MOA adjustment range. Yes it works, but I would like a finer adjustment, maybe something like a 1 MOA adjustment. With that said, I didn’t have any problems sighting in the pistol. I also haven’t had any problems with the sight itself, even with a ton of rounds being shot for the Tisas review itself.

  Anyone looking for a reasonably priced, enclosed, micro red dot should go take a look at the Aimwin PE330. It uses that industry standard RMSc footprint for mounting and has a side load battery. The red dot is very clear on whatever reticle option you choose, may it be a dot or a circle. Plus it is priced right for anyone. From beginners just getting into the red dot market, or experts just needing another dot, the Aimwin PE330 might be the one you're looking for.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Enclosed RMSc footprint red dot with multi reticles

Target Market:

Those wanting an enclosed red dot for their pistols

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Weight: 1.16 ounces

  • Dimensions: 1.61 × 1.2 × 0.98 in (40.8x30.6x25mm)

  • Dot Size: 3 MOA - 40 MOA

  • Adjustment per Click: 1.5 MOA

  • Windage & Elevation Travel Range: ±40 MOA, (total range 80 MOA)

  • Battery: CR1620

  • Battery Life: Medium brightness level - 20000h

  • Brightness Settings: 9 Daylight Levels, 2 Night Vision Levels

  • Window Size: 23 x 16mm(0.91" x 0.63")

  • Housing Material: A6061-T6

  • Hard-anodized

  • Operating Temperature: -30°C~60°C（-22°F to 140°F）

  • Water Resistance: IPX7

  • Footprint: RMS-C

  • Aim Awake auto on/off

  • Side load battery

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None

What others are saying?:

5 out of 5 stars on Amazon

Great deal

I’ve tried a fair number of pistol red dots over the years, and I picked up the PE330 mainly to see how it would hold up as an enclosed optic. After putting some rounds through it, it’s been solid and predictable, which is really what I want from a handgun optic.

The enclosed emitter definitely helps when conditions aren’t perfect. Dust and debris haven’t been an issue, and the sight picture stays usable without needing constant attention. The glass looks good overall, with no distracting distortion, and once it’s zeroed, parallax hasn’t been noticeable in real shooting.

The reticle setup makes sense. The larger circle helps you find the dot faster, especially when drawing or moving between targets, while the center dot still gives you enough precision for slower, more deliberate shots. Under recoil, the dot is easy to track and comes back into view naturally, which makes follow-up shots smoother.

Battery life hasn’t been a concern thanks to the motion-activated wake feature, and I haven’t run into any random shutoffs. Mounting it on an RMSc-cut slide was quick and straightforward, and it stayed tight and held zero through multiple range sessions.

All things considered, the PE330 is an easy optic to live with. It does what it’s supposed to do, feels intuitive behind the gun, and works well for regular range use or for shooters getting comfortable with enclosed pistol optics.

Link to other reviews:

Chris from the 740 on YouTube  

Price point:

MSRP = $229.95

Retail = $169.95

I need it now! Availability:

Aimwin Optics or Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Window size

  • Aim Awake

  • Side load battery

  • Enclosed

  • Reticle options

Cons:

  • Battery Type

  • Battery life

Score: 8.00 Great

Favorite Link: Aimwin PE320 Review

,

Primary Arms SLx 4.5-27x56

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Primary Arms

SLx 4.5-27x56 FFP Review

  Inexpensive, high quality long range optics are starting to become more prevalent in today's market. Primary Arms Optics recently released their SLx 4.5-27x56 first focal plane scope. This thing is a beast, in a good way. It is available with two different ACSS reticles: the Athena BPR MIL Reticle and the Deka G2 Reticle. I received the Deka reticle, which was the one I would have chosen anyways.

  The SLx line of optics from Primary Arms is what I call their “value” line. What that means for the customer is that you get a ton of features for a reasonable price. For instance on this SLx 4.5-27x56 you get an illuminated first focal plane reticle, 34mm tube, finger adjustable turrets, fast focus eye piece, a throw lever, and a zero stop. This line also has some good glass. Because the 4.5-27 is in the SLx line, you do get a scope that might weigh a little more than Primary Arms’ GLx or PLx line, but I expect that in a value line product.

  Primary Arms Optics SLX 4.5-27x56 is loaded with options. I mentioned a few before, but let us get into them more. The 34 mm tube and 56 mm objective lens help to allow more light through the lenses. At lower power, this is not really a problem, but as the magnification increases, light going through the scope to your eye can diminish. So you get a brighter picture than say a 30mm scope with a 50mm objective lens. Another advantage of the 34mm tube is that it allows more elevation and windage adjustments. In the SLx’s case, it allows for 32 MIL’s of adjustment at 100 meters, or about 115 inches. 

  The ACSS DEKA G2 reticle is nice. The Deka is a MIL reticle that has a bunch of features, including ranging. First, it is a crosshair style reticle, no “Christmas tree” style here. I really like this style of reticle because it doesn’t clutter up the viewing space, allowing one to see their target more clearly. The inner part of the reticle has tiny marks every 0.1 MIL. Slightly larger ones at 0.5 MIL’s, and bracketed “T” marks every MIL. Then every 2 MIL mark has a number out to 10 MIL’s. So 2,4,6,8, and 10 are marked with those numbers. This applies to both windage and elevation. This marked portion of the reticle is the illuminated section, including the center 0.1 MIL aiming dot. The center dot gives you a really accurate aiming point. If you want to only see the illuminated part of the reticle, you are limited to about 15x magnification. At the full 27x, you see about 14 MIL’s of the reticle, 7 on each side of the aiming dot. After the 10 MIL mark, you get a solid line with 20, 30, and 40 MIL marks. This outer portion is not illuminated. The top portion of the reticle has some ranging lines, which are also illuminated. These are used to determine the approximate range of a 5 foot 7 inch tall, and/or a 19 inch wide target. The ranging marks start at 300 meters and go out to 1000 meters. I have one minor complaint about the reticle, I would like the stadia line, that has the marks on it, to be smaller than 0.1 MIL. Maybe something like 0.05 MILs. Mainly because this line just holds the markings, which are 0.1 MIL wide. Other than that, I really do like the configuration of the ACSS DEKA reticle.

  Since the reticle just was explained, now maybe we should adjust it to our rifle. The turrets on the SLx 4.5-27 are fairly large and nicely textured. This makes them easy to adjust with or without gloves. The clicks are quite good for being in the SLx line. They are positive with very little “mush” to them. These turrets also adjust the optic in 0.1 MIL increments. The windage turret is capped, but it can be set to a zero after sighting in the rifle. This windage turret also has right and left markings on it. So once you set the zero, if you need the bullet to go left 1 MIL’s, you just turn it to “1L”, or “1R” if needing to move the impact to the right. The elevation turret is one place the SLx really shines. It is a large target style with an adjustable zero stop. Having that zero stop makes it super easy to adjust the optic back to its base zero. One revolution on the elevation knob is also 10 MIL’s of adjustment, making range adjustments easier to calculate. If you don’t like the target style elevation turret, Primary Arms also supplies a standard height turret. Both of these turrets have markings on them, neither one is capped. On the left side of the optic are the parallax and brightness knobs. Both have decent texturing. The parallax knob turns easily, even if it is harder to get clear at longer ranges. The brightness knob turns harder, but has positive detents for the 6 brightness settings. It also has “off” positions in between each numbered “on” position. Brightness is really good, but it is not daylight bright illumination. Unless it was a really dark day, I didn’t really use the illumination. 

  I was impressed with the SLx 4.5-27’s clarity. At lower power levels, up to about 20x, it is super clear and bright. Okay, it is pretty bright all through the magnification range. When you get up to about 25x, the clarity seems to drop a tiny bit. It is still usable at 27x, you just notice it. I was still able to see, and hit targets at 1000 yards without any problems. Okay, seeing them yes, hitting them was more of a challenge. But that was not the optics fault. Part of the reason the clarity drops off at long range is due to the touchy parallax adjustment. It adjusts fine at 100-500 yards, but as the magnification and range increases, it is harder to adjust to get a clear picture. It can be adjusted for a clear picture, it just takes very small movements. Don’t let these complaints scare you off, the SLx 4.5-27 is still a very capable optic out to 1000 yards and beyond.

Stump is approximately 1100 yards, Optic is at maximum power (27x)

  I ended up mounting the SLx 4.5-27x56 on my Bergara .308, which sits in an MDT chassis. The rifle already has a 20 MOA rail to mount an optic on. This gives me extra adjustment to use. Because of this, with the SLx 4.5-27, I get a full 20 MILs of “up” elevation adjustment. This lets me dial out to a range of about 1400 yards, which is about 200 more than I will ever shoot this rifle. I shot this optic out to 1100 yards. That is how I know that the parallax adjustment gets really touchy. It takes a bit to get a clear picture at that range, but it is doable. The turret adjustments are nice and make it easy to adjust to whatever range you are shooting at. The SLx 4.5-27 would make a great entry level PRS or long range scope. It did everything I needed it to and more.

  If you are looking for that affordable, quality, long range optic, the Primary Arms SLx-4.5-27x56 would be a good choice. It has decent clarity and exceptional brightness. Once it is adjusted, it can easily see targets at 1000 yards and beyond. It also has 2 different reticle options, a Christmas tree style and the DEKA reviewed here, so you can get the style you want. If you are looking at getting into long range shooting, or just need a good high power magnified optic, go check out the SLx 4.5-27x56.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Quality long range optic at value price

Target Market:

Those wanting a long range, clear optic that doesn’t beat you up on price. Also entry level long range shooters

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Battery Type: CR2032 3V Lithium Coin

  • Click Value: 0.1 Mil

  • Focal Plane: First Focal Plane

  • Illuminated: Partial Red Illumination

  • Magnification: 4.5X - 27X

  • Mount Compatibility: 34mm

  • Reticle: ACSS DEKA G2 Mil 

  • Total Elevation Adjustment: 32 MIL

  • Turret Features: Tactical / Target Profile, Finger Adjustable

  • Lifetime Warranty

  • Reticle stop

  • Field Of View @ 100yds: Low: 26.69 ft. / High: 4.46 ft.

  • Length: 13.78 in

  • Eye Relief: 4 in

  • Weight: 32.6 oz.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Athena BPR Mil Reticle    

What others are saying?:

5 out 5 star from Texan at OpticsPlanet.com

Scope is super clear. A great value for the money. My second scope of this line.

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found as of publishing

Price point:

MSRP = $549.99

Retail = Same

I need it now! Availability:

Primary Arms, Optics Planet, or your local gun store

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Reticle choice

  • Clear and bright glass

  • Target turrets

  • Illuminated reticle

  • Zero stop

  • Price

Cons:

  • Parallax adjustment is touchy

  • Heavy

Score: 8.00 Great

Favorite Link:  Primary Arms GLx MD-21 Review 

,

Derya DY9 Island

,

Derya DY9 Island

Review

  Derya Arms established manufacturing operations in Jacksonville, Florida. While the company has its origins in Turkey, the DY9 models are now produced in the U.S. to support the American market, though some components or older versions are still made in the home country. The Jacksonville facility has been dedicated for manufacturing of the DY9 and DY9 Island.

  Now that we have where the Derya is made, let’s talk about what it is. The DY9 is a Glock Gen 3 clone of the G19. Before we all say it’s just another clone, let’s take a look at some of its features.

  • It is a striker fired 9mm

  • Factory 10 or 15 round magazines 

  • 1.81 pounds 

  • Barrel length 3.86”

  • Overall length 6.9”

  • Height 4.56”

  • Width 1.16”

  • Direct mount optic for RMR footprint 

  • Truglo green sights 

  Now that the specs are out of the way, we see it is a Gen 3 Glock clone with a few features right off the bat that are better. This includes the optic mounting and better sights than a standard Glock. It has numerous deep cut outs on the sides of the slide that make gripping it very easy, with bare hands or gloves. It has straight horizontal lines with some angled lines on the grip that appear to be part of the Derya logo on the grip panels. The backstrap and the front strap are basically the same way. It makes for a good feel in the hand. The grip angle is not listed anywhere on the internet as I could find. From shooting it myself it seems to have a unique angle that is not a Glock. It does come with 3 backstraps and 2 magazines that are Glock type but with their baseplate on it. It all came in a nice soft side carry case stuffed into an ammo can. I thought this was a nice touch. 

  Let's talk about how it shot, it shot like a Glock. Well that would definitely be a lie. The grip angle and texture makes shooting it second nature. It has the undercut already on the trigger guard so no Glock knuckle. I mounted a Primary Arms RS-10R red dot on it. Mounting was easy with supplied hardware. After sighting it at around the 7 yard mark, I started shooting for accuracy after getting used to the trigger. It is like a normal striker fired trigger. The weight was around 5lbs. This is where it all fell in place. The recoil was not like a 9mm at all. It was a lot milder, it did not have the flip or muzzle rise of a normal firearm of the size. So what kind of witchcraft are they using? 

  It's an island barrel system. This is seen mainly on high end 2011’s or competition guns. It is a raised central section on the barrel that creates an island. Hence the name. The slide gets to move on more of the barrel’s surface. The barrel has ports in it that help with recoil and muzzle rise. It is meant to give faster recoil and faster cycling time, which improves accuracy. 

  I can’t tell you the exact percentage that it helped, but it was enough that it is noticeable. The slide runs smooth, the firearm sets nicely in the hand and it is a natural pointer. I do have two complaints about the pistol. One is that it is a bit wider than a Glock, so trying to find a holster to fit was not happening. I didn't want to take a heat gun to one of my good holsters just yet. I did find a paddle holster for it on Amazon. It is ok but I am not a paddle holster fan. The second is the mag well. It is stylish and the factory mags have an angled base pad on them to go with the angle of the well. Factory Glock mags and Magpul mags fit, but they will stick out some taking away from the lines of the pistol. Other than that I can not give it a bad review. If you are looking for an American made Glock Clone, that has all the bells and Whistles on it, then the Derya DY9 Island might be your gun. They do have the standard version that is not an island barrel system. You can buy it on the cheap and add the island system later on if you want. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

An affordable American made 9 mm pistol that has its roots in Turkey, it blends Glock 19 style ergonomics with an island compensated barrel for flatter shooting and less recoil.

Parts compatibility from other clones

A standard 1913 pic rail.

Target Market:

Those looking for a reliable and budget friendly compensated firearm.

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Island Comp Barrel system

  • Caliber: 9MM

  • Sights: Truglo Green

  • Capacity: 10 or 15 rds

  • Grip Type: Polymer with changeable back straps

  • Weight: 1.81 lbs

  • Action Type: Striker Fired

  • Barrel Length: 3.86"

  • Finish: Black Melonite

  • Overall Length: 6.9"

  • Overall Width: 1.16"

  • MD Compliant: Yes

  • Overall Height: 4.56”

  • RMR direct mounting system

  • Smooth operation

  • Flat shooting

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Many different colors and finishes.

Link to other reviews:

Athlon Outdoors 

Price point:

MSRP = $599 

Retail = $499

I need it now! Availability:

BattleHawk Armory,  Classic firearms, or your local gun store

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Great shooting

  • Simple operation

  • Glock like 

Cons:

  • Holsters are hard to find

  • Angle of the mag well

Score: 8.00 Great 

,

Tisas 1911 Duty B9R DS

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Tisas 1911 Double Stack (2011)

Review

  In the world of double stack 1911 style pistols, or 2011’s as some people call them, there are a ton to choose from. Their prices range anywhere from about $500 up to the $5000'nds. Tisas started making their 1911 double stacks a few years ago. These are value priced, 9mm 2011 style pistols that punch above their price range. Tisas has both a carry and full size version. Since I am not carrying a 2011 style pistol, I opted for the Tisas 1911 Duty B9R Double Stack, which is their full size 5” version.

  The first thing you notice, when you pull the Tisas 1911 DS out of the box, is all the upgrades it has. To start with, the B9R uses a standard style 2011 polymer grip frame with a rail. This means that it is compatible with most aftermarket grip frames available for 2011 style pistols, including metal frames. This frame has a built-in magazine well and some texture around the grip, as do most of these style frames. Being a 1911 style pistol, there is also a high ride, extended beavertail grip safety with a memory bump. Then there is the slightly extended, ambidextrous, thumb safety. This safety has fine lines on it for better grip. The hammer is a commander-ish style. Then there is an extended magazine release. But somehow, the mag release is not checkered or lined, which I did not care for. All of that is followed by a bull barrel and one piece guide rod. The B9R is also cut for a RMSc footprint optic. So as you can see, this pistol has a ton of upgrades already on it.

  Now that we have the base features out of the way, I will get into them a little deeper starting with the slide. The slide on the Tisas B9R resembles any 1911 slide. It has a curved top reminiscent of old school 1911’s. But that is where it stops. Everything else is new school. Tisas put front and rear, angled, cocking serrations on it. These serrations are really nice and grippy so you will have no problems racking the slide. The muzzle end is cut slightly narrower, mainly for looks, because I can’t see any other reason for it. Sitting on top of the slide is a nice set of iron sights. The front is fiber optic and the rear is blackout serrated. The sight picture is nice. Then Tisas cuts the slide for an RMSc style optic. This cut is deep, so much so that the factory iron sights will co-witness with the optic of your choice. 

  The Tisas’ 2011 style frame is nice. Yes, it has a few minor setbacks, but not everything can be perfect in a $800 2011 ish pistol. The only real setback I found is the smoothness of the grip. The texture Tisas uses is a little lacking. I’m not carrying the B9R next to my skin, so give me some more texture. Even the front and rear checkering needs to be deeper. Tisas does offer a “Coarse” grip module, which I may be checking out. The only other disappointment in the B9R’s frame is the non textured magazine release. Please add some texture. The grip also has a small magazine well built into it. It works well enough, but if you are using the B9R for competition, you may want to add a larger one. Everything else on the grip is great. The Tisas has a rail for lights. Both safeties, the grip and the ambidextrous thumb safety, are nice. The grip safety has a memory bump to help always depress it. The thumb safety has a nice texture and size to it. The B9R also has a squared trigger guard similar to most 2011 style frames. 

  Since the Tisas B9R is a 1911 style pistol, we have to talk about the trigger. Tisas uses a flat style trigger on the B9R. It appears to be around “medium” length which works well for this pistol. The trigger broke around 5.5 pounds when I first received the B9R. It has a little take up, maybe 0.100 inch maximum. Then it breaks clean with a little bit of over-travel. It is definitely everything a typical 1911 trigger is. After some use, the trigger breaks about 5 pounds now. The trigger is non-adjustable. For a base model 2011 style pistol, the trigger is better than I expected. 

  The Tisas Duty B9R DS uses industry standard magazines. Any 2011 pattern magazine will work. Anything from the cheaper $25 magazines, up to the elite $100 ones, they all work. The B9R comes with 2 high quality, flush fit, 17 round magazines. I have used a bunch of different magazines, including some 26 round ones. All have run flawlessly in the B9R.

  I found the Tisas 1911 DS to be quite accurate. Okay, I didn’t put it in a rest at 25 yards, but I can consistently hit the headbox of a USPSA target at that range. At 7 yards I can get a 1”, 10 shot, round ragged hole. This accuracy has to be from the fact that Tisas uses a bushingless bull barrel in the B9R. They also use a 1 piece guide rod. Of course, the guide rod does make disassembly of the B9R a little more complicated, but nothing terrible. I was pleasantly surprised at how accurate the Tisas was out of the box.

  Here are some of my thoughts on the Tisas B9R. It is great for the price point it is at. I got great accuracy from the factory bull barrel. It uses standard 2011 pattern magazines, which all worked flawlessly. I have had zero malfunctions in the 956 rounds I have shot through it. That was using about 7 different brands and weights of 9mm ammunition. Are there things that bother me? Yes. The iron sight cuts use 2 different styles. The rear is a Glock style dovetail, but the front is a Tisas dovetail. So good luck getting aftermarket iron sights that work together. But since I expect that most people will put an optic on it, and it is cut for a Holosun K / RMSc footprint, this doesn’t matter too much. I did like the iron sight picture, it gave me light on both sides of the post as opposed to other sight pictures that basically give you no light on the sides of the post. I ended up mounting an Aimwin PE330 red dot on it. Originally I had one of the Primary Arms Classic series on it, but the PE330 came in and has a larger window. Speaking of optics, I was informed, by a friend, that if you use one of the super large window optics like the Gideon Judge XL, you will need a small riser plate so that the optics window doesn’t hit the top of the slide. SDS Arms has this spacer, but it is not listed on their website. I was impressed with how well the B9R felt while shooting it. It is not as smooth as a $2500 2011. But, after about the first 200 rounds, the slide smoothed up nicely and still has a fairly tight slide to frame fit. Probably my most favorite aspect of the Tisas B9R is that it has aftermarket parts compatibility with most 2011 style pistols. So if you want to upgrade the trigger, or that non-textured mag release, you can.

  The Tisas B9R has proved itself to be a fantastic pistol. With all its extras and the way it performs, you can’t go wrong. If you are looking at getting into the double stack 1911 game, I don’t think you can go wrong with the Tisas Duty B9R DS. It performed fantastic for me, with great accuracy and function, all at a great price. Definitely go look at the Tisas firearms and see what you think. They used to be imported by SDS Arms and Tisas’ are made in Turkey, but don’t let that scare you away from a great pistol.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Value priced 2011 style firearm that uses machined parts, 2011 style magazines, has a bull barrel, and is optics ready

Target Market:

Those wanting a 1911 double stack that doesn’t cost a fortune, but still has tons of features

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Forged Steel Frame & Slide

  • Polymer grip

  • 70 Series + Colt/STI® 2011 Compatible

  • Target‑Crowned Bull Barrel

  • Skeletonized Hammer & Trigger

  • Optic‑Ready Co‑Witness Sights

  • Caliber: 9MM

  • Frame/Receiver - Slide Finish: Cerakote

  • Sights: Fixed - Black Rear - White Dot Front

  • Optics Ready/Cut: Holosun K - RMSc

  • Capacity (2 Included Mags): 17 + 1

  • Barrel Length: 5"

  • Barrel Finish: QPQ Tenifer

  • OAL: 8.6"

  • Height: 5.7"

  • Width: 1.5"

  • Weight: 32.5 oz unloaded

  • Safety: Ambidextrous thumb & grip safeties

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Carry Version     

What others are saying?:

5 out of 5 Stars at Battle Hawk Armory   

Benjamin A.

Fantastic Budget "2011" So far this has been a great purchase for the price. Currently at 750 rounds 100% flawless

Link to other reviews:

The Truth About Guns  

Price point:

MSRP = $879.88

Retail = $650 - $750

I need it now! Availability:

Battle Hawk Armory, Guns.com, Primary Arms, or your local dealer

Our Rating: 

Pros:

  • Price

  • Uses 2011 parts and magazines

  • Shoots fantastic

  • Optics ready

  • Bull barrel

  • Light rail

  • Decent trigger

  • Ambi safety

Cons:

  • Grip needs more texture

  • Smooth magazine release

  • Hard to disassemble 

Score: 8.50 Great

Favorite Link:  AimWin PE320 Review 

,

Frytech Magnetic Buffer

,

Pamax Tactical - Frytech

Magnetic Buffer Review

  When it comes to AR parts, everyone makes something similar. That is what I thought until I heard of the magnetic recoil reducing buffer from Frytech. This is a mil-spec buffer tube that uses magnets to dampen recoil instead of the standard AR buffer weight. This system is currently available through Pamax Tactical.

  I am almost always hesitant about products that claim to reduce recoil. At least if they aren’t a standard muzzle device. But since I had been watching Frytech experiment with these for some time, I thought I would give it a try. I understand the concept of using magnets, as do most 5th graders. When the magnetic fields oppose each other, the magnets push away from one another. This field is progressive, so the closer the magnets are pushed together, the more force they resist. This is used to dampen the recoil in the Frytech Pamax buffer. It also allows the buffer to work with various calibers and barrel lengths. 

  The Frytech buffer system includes a few parts. As it arrives, you get a mil-spec 6 position buffer tube, castle nut, and end plate. Inside the buffer tube is a short spring, more on that later, and the magnetic buffer weights. There is a cotter key installed though the front of the tube. It has a tag on it that says something like “remove before flight”, but really it says “Warning, Magnetic, Do Not Remove Pin.” So do not remove this pin until the Frytech buffer tube is installed on an AR type firearm. Then you can remove the pin. The pin keeps the spring and the magnets in the proper orientation. If the parts go flying, you can install the magnets wrong and then the buffer will not function correctly. So, install the buffer tube, then remove the pin, and then head out to the range.

  Now that we are at the range, I will give you my first impressions. The first time I had the Frytech magnetic buffer out at the range, I took 3 different upper receivers along with a standard lower to compare it to the Frytech one. So shoot 10 rounds, install the same upper on Frytech buffered lower, shoot 10 more, etc. You could definitely tell the difference. It was more noticeable when going from the Frytech buffer and then back to a normal one. I then tried the other 2 uppers I had at the range. Same scenario and the same outcome, less felt recoil. Two of these were 5.56 and one was a 300 blackout. 

  The Frytech buffer ran without any flaws until I tried a piston upper with it. The next time at the range I took my VKTR 10.5 inch piston upper and the Frytech magnetic buffer. The Frytech buffer did not like this, it would short stroke sometimes. Since the VKTR piston upper is finely tuned to run with VKTR’s setup, this did not surprise me. I only note it because it is the only upper that did not work well. I fully believe that if the VKTR were adjustable, or had an adjustable gas system, I could have made it work with the Frytech buffer. So if you are installing the Frytech buffer on a finely tuned firearm, you may have to make some gas system adjustments. But after that, you will get the benefits of those magnets in the Frytech system.

  Since I wanted some real data on the Frytech buffer, I found my Mantis X10 and used it. When it comes to stuff like the Frytech buffer and claims of reduced recoil, I needed some actual data. So again, off to the range with an upper, two lowers, and the Mantis. I was able to get the data I was looking for. As you can see in the photos, all 4 of the metrics were reduced. Some by a pretty good margin. I now have data to show you, the reader, that the Frytech magnetic buffer is the real deal.

Standard AR buffer system

Frytech Magnetic Buffer System

  Because of all the testing, I ran the Frytech magnetic buffer with a bunch of different uppers. I definitely could tell that “magnetic” difference. I like this thing. I did notice a small, non-important hitch with it though. When cycling the bolt manually and slowly, the bolt wouldn’t always close on a new round. So I finally got to use that forward assist thingy to push the first round into battery. If you let the bolt release like you are supposed to, this doesn’t happen. Just thought I would remind people to let the bolt slam down instead of easy. This is also the reason the Frytech system has a short flat wound recoil spring in it. It is to help drive the bolt that little extra distance into battery. So did I mention the buffer uses magnets? Because of this, it likes to pick up allen wrenches off of my desk. They stick to the buffer tube. This could be a benefit, as you won’t lose the wrench for adjusting your optic. I know these things are minor, but I figured they needed mentioning. Speaking of annoyances, that buffer spring twang you sometimes get in a normal AR system is essentially non-existent in the Frytech system. Imagine that, magnetic waves are quieter than springs. Hmmmm, it is almost like they don’t make contact with anything. As I mentioned earlier, the Frytech magnetic buffer works. I really like the reduced recoil impulse, and it is softer feeling because of the way the magnets progressively slow the recoil down. The tube is also not some cheap imported tube, it is of nice quality and has the Frytech/Pamax logo etched onto it.

  If you are looking for something to reduce felt recoil and have a softer shooting firearm, the Frytech Magnetic Buffer might be it. It definitely does what it says it will, it reduces recoil, as the data shows. Is it for everyone? No, but maybe it should be. It is especially good for people that are recoil adverse or those wanting to get the best performance out of their firearm. Head over to Pamax Tactical and check out the Frytech Magnetic Buffer System. I’m sure there are more magnetic things to come from these guys.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Recoil reducing buffer system 

Target Market:

Those wanting a smoother cycling AR with less felt recoil 

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • 6-Position 7075-T6 Aluminum CNC-Milled Buffer Tube

  • Integrated Frytech Magnetic Technology — Built into the tube for seamless operation

  • Fits all mil-spec AR15 & AR-9 lowers

  • Tuned for 5.56/.223 & 9mm Calibers

  • Compatible with FRT Triggers

  • Compatible with Super Safety (may require modification to detent spring.)

  • Works with all mil-spec stock systems

  • Compatible with buffer retainers

  • Replaces buffer tube, buffer, and spring

  • Uses standard or included castle nut & end plate

  • Maintains normal AR15 receiver takedown

  • Zero Lubrication Required

  • Springless Magnetic Stack

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

.308 caliber

What others are saying?:

5 out of 5 stars at Pamax Tactical

Smooth

Amazing. I was skeptical of there being much difference. I was one of the first to order one since I know Fry's been working really hard on this. I am really impressed by how smooth and light the recoil impulse is . I highly recommend giving it a shot if you have the resources to put into it .

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found as of publishing 

Price point:

MSRP = $149.95

Retail = Same

I need it now! Availability:

Pamax Tactical

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Reduces felt recoil

  • Works on a variety of calibers

  • No modifications needed

  • Easy Installation

  • Doesn't take extra force to operate manually 

Cons:

  • Tuned systems may need re-tuned

  • Bolt doesn’t always lock forward on initial loading 

Score: 7.50 Good

Favorite Link:  Mantis X10 Elite Review

,

SecureIt Fast Box 36D

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SecureIt Gun Storage -

Fast Box 36D Review

  There are numerous different styles of safes out there to protect your firearms. They come in sizes from pretty small to extremely large. I was in need of a vehicle style safe, since the State in which I reside passed laws on vehicle storage, as well as limiting where you can carry a firearm. I wanted something large enough to hold a “large” style pistol, as well as my carry gun. SecureIt Gun Storage had exactly what I was looking for in their Fast Box 36D safe.

  SecureIt makes a bunch of different safes that will work nicely in a vehicle. However, SecureIt only makes one safe smaller than the Fast Box 36D. All of their other safes are larger in physical size. The 36D is not small like a single handgun safe would be. The exterior size is 6.5 inches tall x 35.75 inches wide x 13 inches deep, or 14.25 inches if you measure it with the handle. You can see where the model number comes from now, it’s approximately 36 inches wide. The “D” in the model stands for “Drawer”, so this version has a drawer that slides out as opposed to just a door that opens.

  When you start looking at safes like the Fast Box 36D, you look at its features. The features of the 36D are what make it stand out. It has all the features anyone would want. It is made from 16 gauge steel, and has a metal 3 point locking mechanism. Most of us know that safes are designed to mitigate entry risk. The better the construction, lock types, etc., the longer it takes for someone to breach the package and get into it. Besides the manual lock, you have to turn it to lock and unlock the drawer, the 36D also has biometrics, a number keypad, and a key backup. Here is what SecureIt says about the Fast Box: “High-Stress Fast-Access (HSFA) locking system, engineered for lightning-fast, reliable access in high-pressure situations. The customizable 4-digit push-button keypad, backlit for low-light visibility, is paired with a capacitive fingerprint scanner for seamless entry and a manual key override for redundancy. With no third-party backdoors, your gear remains fully secure.”

  Large number buttons make entry into the SecureIt Fast Box 36D super easy. Button entry is by far my favorite way to unlock the 36D. It has 4 large buttons, numbered 1-4. These buttons are backlit the first time you push one of them. There is an option to turn off the backlight, if you so choose. The code to unlock the 36D is user programmable. You can choose anywhere between a 3 digit code and a 12 digit code. Once the code is entered, you will hear a beep for about 5 seconds. During the beep is when you can turn the locking knob and unlock the safe. Once the beep stops, it resets the keypad locking feature. This particular beep can not be turned off. If you enter the wrong code 5 times, the safe beeps every second, for 60 seconds. Once it stops beeping, you can try again. It is not a loud beep, but it is annoying. All of this is powered by an internal 9 volt battery.

  The next way to open the SecureIt 36D is using biometrics. Right below the keypad, on the same panel, is a small fingerprint scanner. The scanner works pretty good. But I don’t rely on biometric scanners, as they are not full proof. They do however offer a convenient way to open things, if you are not in a life or death situation. With the 36D, since it has a drawer, remember to program your fingerprints with that in mind. If it’s mounted on a floor, or something similar, using your finger straight on the scanner probably won’t work. Try programming your print with your finger sideways, or even upside down. The scanner feature can be completely turned off. So if you don’t want to mess with it at all, just turn it off. The same 60 second lockout feature also applies to the fingerprint scanner. If you mess up 5 times, you will have to wait 60 seconds until you can try again.

  Every safe needs some kind of mounting system, otherwise criminals would just pick it up and take it with them. The Fast Box 36D has a ton of pre-drilled holes for mounting. These are drilled for ¼ inch bolts. Remember, it is about how long it takes to enter the safe, or actually take it. Bolting it down makes physically taking the box way harder. To get to most of these mounting holes, you must first remove the drawer. Because of the physical size of the safe, some of the mounting screws can be difficult to install. Which also makes them harder to take out. I bolted it down and ran a cable through some of the mounting holes. Why not add just a little bit more security to it? To go along with mounting, SecureIt also has an option to plug the electronic keypad and biometric reader into a USB-C connection for power. Something maybe worth thinking about when mounting the Fast Box 36D somewhere.

  Having a drawer on the Fast Box 36D is a nice option over just a flip open door. This drawer allows you to easily slide out whatever is inside. And yes, the drawer slides super easy in and out. SecureIt includes a couple of straps and a padded insert for the drawer. This allows you to lay your valuables on something soft, not just metal. Then the adjustable straps hold whatever it is, in place. The size of the drawer is slightly smaller than the external dimensions of the safe, as one would expect. The drawer size is 4 inches high by 33.25 inches wide by 10 inches deep. You lose a ¼ inch in height using the pad. But you will want the pad.

  The SecureIt Fast Box 36D fit my needs perfectly. It has the features most people would want. Entry into the 36D is super easy with the keypad. However, I would like a few more number options. Maybe 1 to 6, so six actual buttons. I don’t use the biometric reader because it is small and a little awkward to get to when the safe is mounted on a floor. But it is there if you want it. The depth of the drawer was just a teeny bit to narrow. When I tried to mount a large style AR pistol in the drawer, with a loaded 30 round magazine inserted into it, it would not fit.This pistol also has a 1X primary Arms prism mounted on it. So with the height of the optic and the magazine, it was just too much. So I just took the magazine out and sat it next to the pistol. In my use-case, this is not an immediate response safe, so not having the magazine inserted is not a make or break deal for me. There is also enough space inside the Fast Box 36D to set my carry pistol alongside the AR pistol. So if I have to go into one of those non permissive environments, I can lock up my carry gun too. In the end, I had some extra safe style carpet from another project. I laid a piece of this carpet over the safe. It hides it from view nicely. If someone happens to see it, it just looks similar to a subwoofer box that all the kids have these days. If someone happens to ask, that is what I would tell them, because it can “hit” pretty hard. 

  If you are in the market for a fast opening safe, with all the features, the SecureIt Fast Box 36D might work for you. This drawer safe had all the features I was looking for: Size, Ease of opening, USB power, and plenty of mounting options. So if you are looking for something larger than the normal handgun safe, check out the SecureIt Fast Box Series.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Compact, secure, vehicle ready safe

Target Market:

Those wanting safe storage in a vehicle or home 

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Weight: 49 lbs

  • External Dimensions: H 6.5″ x W 35.75″ x D 13″ (or 14.25″ with the handle)

  • Internal Dimensions: H 4″ x W 33.25″ x D 10″

  • Rapid Access

  • Advanced Keypad Design

  • Keyed backup

  • Optional USB-C power

  • Pre-drilled mounting holes

  • Foam insert

  • Interior mounting straps

  • 3 point locking system

  • Construction: 16 gauge steel

  • Fits up to 33” length rifle or pistol

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

20, 40, and 47 inch versions

What others are saying?:

5 out 5 stars at SecureIt Gun Storage

Mike C. 

I love my Fast Box so far. The reason I opted for the 36D is because I wanted something that would fit between the legs of my bed and anything longer would not have fit. The first one I ordered had a broken rail when I went to pull the drawer out but I reached out to customer support and they sent out a new one super quick! Really great customer service! My only "complaint" is that I think it is a little overpriced but it is good to know that they stand behind their product and their customer service is top notch so that makes it worth it to me. It does fit my AR, a couple boxes of ammo and a small handgun. I had to take the optic off of my AR to make it fit but I think it would fit better if I had a smaller mag on it.

Link to other reviews:

Best I could find    

Price point:

MSRP = $409.00

Retail = $339.00

I need it now! Availability:

SecureIt Gun Storage or your local dealer

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Size

  • Pre-Drilled mounting holes

  • USB power

  • Biometric use

  • Large Keypad

  • Padded insert and straps

Cons:

  • Fingerprint reader is small

  • Drawer width could be wider to fit loaded rifle

Score: 8.00 Great

Favorite Link:  Primary Arms GLx 1x prism review    

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TriStar KR22

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Tristar KR22

Review

  In my opinion, everyone should have a 22lr rifle. You can go mild to wild when it comes to 22’s. The Tristar KR.22 would be considered mild. Mild enough to make it an inexpensive entry level 22 rifle. The KR22 has some good features, as well as a few that don’t quite hit home.

  I had asked to get one of the TriStar KR22’s after talking about it on the Gun & Gear Review Podcast. The KR22 comes with a lot of features. Most important is that it will accept standard, available everywhere, Ruger 10/22 magazines. This is the reason I wanted to review it. I was also curious if more parts were compatible with the 10/22. They are not. The only parts compatible are those magazines. However, that does not stop the KR22 from having some good features.

  The KR22 uses a synthetic stock. This stock comes with built in swivel studs. I like this because it not only gives you the ability to easily mount a sling, it also gives you the ability to mount a bi-pod. A bi-pod can help young shooters to use the rifle easier. There is also a nice rubber buttpad . But more important is that the KR22 has an adjustable cheek riser. So if you are mounting up some optics, you can adjust it to get just the right position to look through those optics. To adjust it, you just loosen a set screw, adjust the riser up or down, and then tighten the screw back up. I really liked having the adjustable cheek riser since I ran the KR22 with a Primary Arms GLx MD-21 red dot. I also readjusted the riser when I mounted a Primary Arms 4-16x44 for doing accuracy work. Also on the stock is a really nice textured pistol grip. It is grippier than most and I really liked it.

  One of the nice features on the KR22 is the ability to move the bolt handle. You can swap it from the right side to the left. Just unscrew it and then screw it in the other side of the bolt. If you are left handed, or just like the bolt on the left side of the rifle, this feature just makes sense. The push button safety of the KR22 is not reversible though, sorry lefties. I would also like to mention that there is no feature to lock the bolt back. This doesn’t really matter to me, but if you are at certain ranges, or teaching a child, you will need a chamber flag to see if the chamber is empty and safe. 

  TriStar uses a fiber optic front sight on the KR22. The front fiber and standard style rear notch give the KR22 a decent sight picture. Windage is adjusted on the rear notch sight with an allen wrench and set screw set up. The front sight adjusts elevation , also with an allen wrench. These sights are tall enough to clear a suppressor, if you choose to mount one onto the threaded muzzle. All of this works okay, until you notice that the rear sight can move side to side a little. There is no way to tighten this down. So with iron sights, you can’t get very precise shot placement. Luckily, red dots are cheap and you can mount one on the built in pic rail. 

  I was pleasantly surprised with the KR22’s trigger. It is a flat style trigger with a flipper safety in it. The flipper safety just adds a little bit of extra safety and it isn’t noticeable when using the KR22. Of course there is a normal push button safety at the front of the trigger guard. Trigger pull came out at 4.5 pounds. There is essentially no pretravel, a decent wall, and then some over travel. But for a stock 22 trigger, it is better than I expected. The magazine release is located in front of the trigger guard. It is a flat style paddle that you push forward to drop the magazine. The size of the mag release is large enough to make it easy to reach and use. 

 Accuracy of the little KR22 was, what I would consider, normal. Using bulk box, cheap, 22LR ammunition I would get 3-4 inch groups at 50 yds. That was with about 5 different types of 22LR. The KR22 is not a match rifle, and that is about what I get with other 22’s. In this case, it is the ammo’s fault, as bulk 22LR ammo is not very consistent. I was able to get a few 2-2.25 inch groups with CCI MiniMags. This also did not surprise me as the CCI stuff is usually more consistent. For reliability in the KR22, I found the Winchester 36gr bulk packs and the CCI MiniMags functioned the most reliable. Some standard velocity 22LR didn’t always cycle the bolt all the way back to pick up a new round. So I would stick with hi-velocity 22LR ammunition in the KR22.

  I do like the TriStar KR22 rifle. Once I figured out which ammo it liked, it functioned quite well. This is however the 2nd KR22 I was sent. The first KR22 had a burr in the chamber where the extractor slides next to it. I contacted TriStar and they immediately sent me a call tag. Within a week or so, the new KR22 had arrived. So if you do have a problem with anything TriStar, their customer service is top notch, and will have you up and running again in no time. Besides this minor setback, I did find an inconvenience with the KR22. Both rifles I received had slop in the rear iron sight. Even with the adjustment tightened down. These sights would move a little back and forth where they sit inside the picatinny rail. Enough that if I moved it to one side, and then the other, it would change the point of impact by an inch or so at 25 yards. As mentioned, just install a red dot on it and you won’t have to worry about that. Even with these minor problems, I think the KR22 has a lot of good features. The trigger is nice. It has that adjustable cheek riser for when you mount a scope or red dot. It also has a threaded barrel which allows you to install a muzzle brake or suppressor. The KR22 is a fun little 22 rifle.

  The TriStar KR22 isn’t bad for what it is. It has a lot of nice features previously mentioned. Probably its biggest pro is the ability to use 10/22 magazines. Followed by its built in optics rail, because you will want to use it. The trigger is also pretty decent for a $250 22 rifle. So if you are looking for a lightweight 22 plinking rifle, the TriStar KR22 might fit the bill.  

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Inexpensive 22 rifle

Target Market:

Anyone wanting a 22lr rifle that is suppressor ready

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Threaded Barrel (1/2 x 28 right hand thread)

  • Blow back semi-automatic operation

  • Push button & trigger safety

  • Reversible Bolt Handle

  • Adjustable Comb

  • Swivel Studs

  • Picatinny Rail integrated on receiver

  • Adjustable Front Fiber Optic Sight

  • 2 -10 rd. Rotary Magazines

  • Accepts 10/22® Magazines

  • Barrel: 18.6”

  • Weight: 4.9 lbs

  • Overall Length: 38″

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

ODG/Black and FDE/Black   

What others are saying?:

Nothing found as of publishing

Link to other reviews:

Shooting News Weekly on YouTube   

Price point:

MSRP = $289.00

Retail = $234.00 at MidwayUSA     

I need it now! Availability:

Tristar, MidwayUSA, or your local dealer

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Lightweight

  • Threaded barrel

  • Built in picatinny rail for optics

  • Reversible charging handle

  • Adjustable cheek riser

  • Uses 10/22 magazines

Cons:

  • Rear sight moves side to side

  • No way to lock bolt back

Score: 6.50 Okay

Favorite Link:  Primary Arms GLx MD-21 Review

,

Gritr Tactical Range Bag

,

Gritr Gear

Tactical Range Bag

Review

  Everyone needs a good range bag. Some people want smaller ones, and some people want larger ones. Gritr Gear has their Tactical Range Bag that falls somewhere in between the two sizes. So you get a medium sized range bag, with features that can turn it into a larger or smaller range bag.

  The Gritr Tactical Range Bag is really a do all bag. In general, it starts as a 18 inch x 12 inch x 10 inch exterior size. Inside the main compartment is a removable tote, a removable mat, and a medical pouch. On each side are large zipper compartments. On one end is another zipper compartment. On the other end is an open pouch. The main compartment is then covered by a highly velcroed dual zipper flap. Gritr offers the bag in a multitude of colors and patterns. I chose the Green Topo pattern, even though I was torn between it and Splatter.

 I will explain the main compartment of the Tactical Range Bag first. Especially since it is where you end up throwing everything into. The size of the main compartment is approximately 14 x 9 x 9 inches. It sounds small, but you can fit a lot of stuff in there. On the bottom of the main compartment is a hard floor mat. This mat gives the bag a hard bottom but is also removable. Once removed, the floor mat can then be unfolded to a 28 x 14.25 inch size. Because it unfolds, you now have a nice place to set pistols and gear on a shooting bench. You could also use it as an interim cleaning mat. I like it for taking pictures of pistols and gear that I am doing reviews on. The mat has the same topo pattern as the exterior of the range bag. The dual zippered flap that covers the main compartment has hook and loop all over it, for your patches of course. This feature gives you quick access to whatever is in the main compartment. The dual zippers are also tied together with a handle strap, making opening and closing it fairly easy with one hand. This main compartment is very useful for anything you want to throw in it.

  Inside that main compartment is something even more useful. That item is a removable Tote bag. It is made to just rest inside the main compartment. Yes, it does take up most of the main compartment, but you won’t care because it is so useful. It measures 12 x 7 x 8 inches and has some decent, soft style, carry handles. The tote is open top with a hard floor. Built into the sides of the tote bag are 2 padded pistol bags. Just unzip either of them and you can drop a full size pistol into them. Throw some ammo boxes inside the tote and you are ready to go. Because of the tote, you can just grab it instead of the whole range bag. So if you are at a match, or anywhere else, and don’t want to carry the whole bag, you can just grab the tote and go. Put the pistol on one side, and mags in the other, and your ammo resting on the bottom. The only down side to the tote is that it does take up space in the main compartment. I usually just put the tote in the main compartment and nothing else. Having the built in pistol bags is super useful.

  Gritr throws in a medical pouch with the Tactical range bag. It is a fairly decent med pouch having pockets and straps where you need them. The dual zippers unzip to let you open the pouch up flat and quickly. I do wish that Gritr had an option to have the med pouch filled with a trauma kit. Even without it being stocked, I think including a med pouch is pretty cool, especially since any range trip should be accompanied with a good med kit. On a basic level, you could always fill it with something like THIS. I do wish the med pouch had some MOLLE to attach it to the outside of the range bag. But hey, good on Gritr for including it and getting people thinking.

  Back to the outside of the Tactical Range Bag. On each side of the range bag are 2 large zippered compartments, both can fold down flat when open. Inside one of these pockets, there is hook and loop MOLLE up against the bag side. I like that you can attach extra stuff with multiple attachment methods. On the fold down side of this compartment are 2 zippered mesh pockets. I have my stapler in this compartment, with staples in one of the mesh pockets and target tape in the other pocket. The other compartment has one large zippered mesh pocket on the fold down flap side. Then on the side against the bag, there are 3 little pockets. 2 of these have a hook and loop cover flap. The other one is open. I usually put miscellaneous tools, a timer, and rifle mags in this compartment. These side compartments are large enough to fit a ton of extra stuff.

  The Gritr Range Bag has end pockets also. Okay, one is a compartment and one is a literal pouch. The pouch is just an open top pocket with an elastic pull string. I would prefer some way of closing it completely, but maybe I am wrong here. Either way, I use it for my over the ear hearing protection. It does give me easy access to just grab the shooting muffs and slip them on quickly. On the other end is an actual zippered compartment. On the outside of this end compartment is more MOLLE in the bag's color pattern. Inside it is just a compartment, no pockets or anything. I usually have extra hearing protection and eye protection in this compartment. 

  I have been very pleased with the overall size of the Gritr Tactical Range Bag. It has been working out great for me. It is smaller than my old super large one, but big enough that I can fit all my stuff in it. So far the stitching on the seams has held up and looks as good as new. I tend to overload my bags, so this says a lot about the quality of the Gritr bag. The carry handles on the bag work nice, even if they flop into the main compartment when closing it up, but most bags tend to do this. The bag also comes with a removable wide, padded, carry strap. This carry strap is 3.5 inches wide. So it really disperses the weight on your shoulder. Especially if you load the range bag up like I tend to do. Yes, it is adjustable for length too. The Gritr Range bag seems to be the perfect size. If you need only a small bag, just use the Tote by itself. If you need something larger, just attach some stuff to the MOLLE. 

  So, you are looking for a range bag. You don’t want to spend a ton but want a good bag. Go give the Gritr Tactical Range Bag a look. The bag is a great size for range trips, or anything else. The quality is nice. Plus it has all the features you need or want in a range bag. You can even get it on Amazon. Go check it out over at Gritr Gear, who knows, you might find some other good range stuff while you’re there.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Range bag that can used for various other things

Target Market:

Shooters, hunters, or anyone needing a decent shoulder bag

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Material - 500D Nylon

  • Volume - 35.4 liters

  • Dimensions - 18" x 12" x 10"

  • Weight - 6 lbs

  • Removable Inner Tote (12" x 7" x 8")

  • Removable Mat (28" x 14.25")

  • First Aid Kit Pouch

  • Top Patch panel

  • Laser cut molle

  • Heavy-duty zippers

  • Padded carry strap

  • Lifetime warranty 

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Lots of different designs and colors

What others are saying?:

4 out of 5 stars on Amazon 

Love it, could use a few tweaks

Overall I think this would be a five-star bag with a few tiny tweaks just to make it easier to fit things.

I love the bag overall.

Pros:

- good fabric

- great layout

- wish more manufacturers/importers opted for more interesting fabric colors

Cons:

- no pocket/opening fits ear pro well, they all crush ear pro except if you want it bouncing around inside the bag

- internal pockets really flat when empty so they're getting strained when you put anything inside, limiting what you can put in the bag. They are only single stitched, I bet this will be a problem too. Common design problem I see. Would be much better if they just added a half inch of fabric to make all the pockets a little loose when empty.

- wish either the gap for the inner bag were larger or oriented the other way

- eye pro pockets are a very tight fit

- wish the top zipper were lockable 

Link to other reviews:

The Gear Bunker

Price point:

MSRP = $114.95

Retail = $100

I need it now! Availability:

Gritr Gear or Amazon 

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Great size

  • Molle in good locations 

  • Removable inner tote

  • Hard removable floor/mat

  • Available in non-tactical colors

  • Padded carry strap

Cons:

  • Open end pocket

  • Small inner pockets

Score: 8.50 Great

Favorite Link:  Aimwin PE320 review   

,

SRU SRUNA-22 Bullpup Chassis

,

SRU Precision Sruna-22

10/22 Bullpup Chassis

Review

  If you are into guns, or maybe even if you aren't, you most likely have a Ruger 10/22. If you are like me, you can't leave anything in factory form. To help with that modification addiction, SRU Precision has their SRUNA-22 Bullpup Chassis for the 10/22 rifles and their clones. The Sruna-22 easily converts those 10/22's into a space age bullpup design. 

  I was looking for something different to do with a 10/22 that I had laying around. SRU had asked if I wanted one of the Sruna's to review. After using their SARB-15 AR bullpup kits, and liking it so much, I agreed. The Sruna's come in 3 standard colors: Black, Tan, and OD Green. However they currently have a limited edition White Sruna-22. I decided on the white one because it looks more like a space blaster than the other three. All of the Sruna chassis are the same, except for the color. 

  Now that you have decided on the SRUNA-22, what do you get? To start with, you get a complete exterior chassis that bolts on and around your 10/22. The Sruna separates into, essentially, 3 pieces for assembly and disassembly. You have the main aluminum piece that houses the barrel and receiver. The polymer trigger housing assembly with linkage. Then the rear quick release polymer housing. This rear housing enables you to quickly get to your 10/22’s trigger assembly. Allowing easy access for cleaning and maintenance. 

  The main aluminum housing of the SRUNA is where a lot of the utilitarian features come from. This is the section of the chassis that houses the barrel and receiver. One nice feature on the Sruna is that it will work with almost any 10/22 receiver. This includes billet machined as well as standard style 10/22 receivers. This also includes ones with or without a top pic rail. Plus it works with left hand receivers too. This housing also features a full raised top rail for mounting optics or sights on. I found using standard AR 1.5” mounts put an optic at just the right height. The Sruna chassis does drop down a little where your cheek rests. It also has a padded sticker that makes it more comfortable for your cheek. At the front are 5 M-Lok slots located at each of the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. These are useful for mounting whatever. SRU also gave the Sruna 2 M-Lok slots, on 45’s, at the very rear of the chassis. Mainly so one can attach something like a QD sling mount. The top housing also has various cut outs to save weight and make it look “cool”. Warning, if you use any barrel length, or combination of muzzle devices and barrel, shorter than 17 inches, the muzzle will be inside the cut outs and M-Lok slots. I am running a 16” Shaw barrel in this one, and you can see in the pictures that it is just a wee bit short.

  The trigger housing section of the SRUNA-22 is what makes this a really good bullpup chassis. SRU uses a sturdy trigger linkage system. This linkage system doesn’t flex much. That gives the user a really decent feeling trigger. The trigger housing system also includes a new trigger and safety. The safety allows you to keep the 10/22’s original push button safety on “fire”, because the Sruna trigger’s safety keeps the trigger from moving. The trigger housing has an extremely large trigger guard that houses SRU’s designed trigger. It is a flat polymer AR style trigger shoe with texture. I like the SRU trigger. The Sruna also uses an AR style safety. It comes supplied with a polymer one that matches the trigger’s style. I switched it out for a normal AR style one. So yes, the Sruna chassis will take most, if not all, AR style safeties. Including ambidextrous and different lever styles. It will also take a number of different style AR trigger shoes. Not drop in style, but the standard style, and just the trigger. Lastly, the Sruna’s trigger housing needs a grip. You have to supply the grip, but any AR style grip will work. I’ve had 3 different styles on this one. I ended up with a fairly vertical grip from Black Collar Arms. The vertical grip just seems to work better for me.

  On the bottom rear of the SRUNA chassis is the quick release section. This section slides over your 10/22’s trigger housing and the Sruna’s trigger linkage. It has a quick release pin at the bottom rear. Just remove this pin and you can slide this piece down and off. Be careful, because the trigger pin might fall out of the linkage. It also houses the rear buttpad and spacers. When it is off, you have access to the original 10/22’s trigger housing so you can remove the whole thing for cleaning. The quick release housing goes on and off smoothly. It does have a little bit of misalignment with the trigger housing when installed. This doesn’t affect anything, it just looks a tiny bit odd.

  The SRUNA chassis also has a few adjustment screws. I thought I would mention these as they align your barrel and receiver with the chassis. In the Sruna kit are these tiny set-screws. There are places on the chassis to install these. They slightly push on the 10/22’s receiver at the front, back, and bottom for alignment. They also help keep the receiver tight in the chassis. I just snugged them down and everything worked fine, I didn’t see any mis-alignment that needed adjusting on this one.

  The SRUNA-22 bullpup chassis is fun. It shortens up a 10/22 and moves the weight toward the rear. This makes it easier to support because the bulk of the weight is between your hand and your shoulder. It also makes it swing faster between targets. I put a bunch of rounds through it and it does have a few flaws, but they are minor. If you run a larger charging handle on your 10/22, it may interfere with the Sruna chassis’ ejection port cutout. The stock charging handle works fine, but it sits in a little farther, making it harder to use. One with a longer handle, but similar profile should work best. I filed down a larger round handle to fit. The other flaw is that the return spring for the trigger linkage adds close to 1.5 pounds to the trigger pull weight. So it makes a good trigger not quite as good. I also wasn't keen on the chassis pieces not lining up. Now for good stuff. The accuracy out of the Sruna is just as good as your 10/22 was before sticking it in the Sruna. This chassis also takes some AR parts, making it customizable to some extent. I enjoyed my experience shooting the Sruna, plus it looks awesome. 

  If you are in the market for something different in the 10/22 world, the SRU SRUNA-22 Bullpup Chassis might be worth looking into. It does everything a bullpup should do, like shortening the overall length while still giving performance. It doesn't add a bunch of weight and it is just something you don't see everyday. Head on over to SRU Precision and check out the SRUNA-22 kit. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

10/22 bullpup chassis system 

Target Market:

Anyone wanting a bullpup style 10/22

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Compatible with all 10/22 variants except take down version

  • M-Lok slots at 3, 6, & 9 o’clock

  • Full top rail

  • Overall Length: 26.3” - 26.7” (With an additional butt pad, extends to 27.1”)

  • Length of Pull: 14.3” - 14.75” (With an additional butt pad, extends to 15.1”)

  • Chassis Weight: 1090g (38.5oz) (Ruger 10/22 wood chassis is approx. 950g)

  • Handguard Inner Width Compatible with suppressors or muzzle devices up to 1.299” in diameter

  • Upper Handguard: 6061 CNC Aluminum

  • Lower Frame material: PA66 Polymer

  • Trigger Linkage: SUS304 Metal Sheet Stamping

  • Butt Pad material: TPU

  • Cheek Pad material: EVA

  • Quick release chassis system 

  • Uses standard AR grips

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Black, Tan, and OD Green 

What others are saying?:

Nothing found as of publishing

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found on Real Steel version (10/22 not airsoft)

Price point:

MSRP = $399 - $419

Retail = Same

I need it now! Availability:

SRU Precision

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Good design

  • Takes standard AR grips

  • Works with left hand eject

  • Works with any 10/22 receiver 

  • M-Lok slots

  • Full top pic rail

Cons:

  • Misalignment between two parts

  • Increases trigger pull weight 

  • Screw height of top clamping screws

  • Some larger bolt handles may not work

Score: 7.00 Good

Favorite Link:  SARB-15 Bullpup Chassis Review 

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AimWin PE320

, ,

Aimwin PE320

Enclosed Emitter

Red dot Review

  In today's market, there are a bunch of good pistol style red dots. They basically come in two categories: open emitter and closed emitter. Aimwin recently released their PE320. The PE320 is an enclosed emitter red dot with a multi-reticle system and a solar fail safe. 

  As with any quality red dot, the Aimwin PE320 comes with everything needed. In the box you get the optic, a battery, extra screws (including one for the battery tray), wrenches, cleaning cloth, etc. Probably the most important included item is the Acro to RMR adapter. This gives you the ability to mount it on anything that uses the RMR mounting footprint. There are lots of pistol options using a direct RMR footprint. 

  Mounting the PE320 is pretty straightforward. However, it does come with two options. If you happen to have something with an ACRO mounting footprint, like a riser or a plate adapter, you can mount the PE320 directly to that. If you have a direct mount RMR cut/footprint, you can use the supplied ACRO to RMR adapter. This is what I did. Just screw down the RMR plate onto your slide and then clamp on the PE320. It's really that easy.

  Now that the Aimwin PE320 is mounted, you can take it to the range. To initially turn on the PE320, just click the “+” button. The buttons to control the PE320 are located on the left side of the optic. These are rubberized raised buttons labeled “+” and “-”. They are pretty large and easy to use, even if you are wearing gloves. Of course, tapping on a “+” or “-” button will increase or decrease the brightness of the red dot. There are 11 total brightness settings, the 2 lowest are night vision compatible. Now that the PE320 is on, you can sight it in. A nice feature on the Aimwin is its click adjustable windage and elevation screws. Each click adjusts the point of impact 1 MOA, which is fine for these types of red dots. Now that it is sighted in, and you want to completely turn it off, just hold down the “-” button until the dot disappears. 

  The PE320 uses Aimwin's “aim awake” feature. The “aim awake” is their auto on/off feature. Once you turn on the PE320 this feature is enabled. Aim Awake works like any of the other auto on/off systems. After the optic sits idle for a short time, the dot will turn off. Once you barely move the optic, the dot will turn back on. The aim awake feature helps with battery life, giving the PE320 around 50,000 hours of run time. I am a huge fan of these auto on/off features. 

  Aimwin's PE320 is not just a red dot. It features a multi-reticle system. So you get the option of either a circle dot, just a circle, or just a red dot. If using one of the options with the circle, the circle also has little hash marks in it that are located every 90 degrees (similar to an Eotech). To cycle through these 3 reticle options, just hold down the “+” button until it changes. The PE320 uses a 36 MOA circle with a 3 MOA dot, or any combination of the three. I like having reticle options and the PE320's are useful for whatever you need or want. 

  The multi-reticle system of the PE320 is housed inside a large window. How large is the window? 0.94 inches wide by 0.79 inches high. It's a big window, which is really nice for finding the reticle. However, because of its large window, the PE320 is a little wider than a lot of the enclosed ACRO footprint optics. This isn't bad or good, it really just depends on what trade offs you want.

  The last notable feature of the PE320 is the solar panel on top of the optics housing. This solar panel adds a “solar failsafe” to the optic. So if your battery is low, and there is enough light, you will still see the reticle. The Solar Failsafe also works when the battery is completely dead, as long as there is enough light. I tried it with the battery out, and the reticle still comes on under normal room lighting. Don't expect it to work in a dark room without a battery. The Solar Failsafe is a nice option to have, especially if you forget to change the battery out once a year. When you do need to change that battery, the PE320 uses a side mount battery tray for easy use.

  I mounted the Aimwin PE320 to a Polymer 80 with a Grey Ghost slide. This particular slide is cut to direct mount an RMR footprint. So I ended up using the PE320’s ACRO to RMR plate. I chose this pistol because I use it in various different forms, one of those is using a Recover Tactical 20/80 brace system. This let me try out the PE320 in a chassis style system and as a standard pistol. I put a ton of rounds through it and even beat the crap out of the PE320. No loss of zero and no other problems, even when using the optic as a slide racker off the benches at the range. With the PE320’s adapter plate, the red dot does sit a little higher up on the pistol, but still below the top of the slide. If you want the PE320 to co-witness with iron sights, you will probably have to get some suppressor height ones. Those still might not be tall enough to clear the PE320’s deck height. Speaking of size, the PE320 is large for a pistol style red dot. Not so much height wise, but more width wise. It definitely is wider than a standard Glock slide. I only see this as a problem if you are carrying it inside the waistband. On a rifle, this could be a bonus. Especially since the window size on the PE320 is fantastic. It made finding the dot real easy. I like the 3 MOA dot size, it is a good compromise between speed and accuracy. Since I live in Oregon, it also rains a lot here. Having an enclosed system also makes it way easier to wipe the rain off of the lenses. 

  If you are in the market for an enclosed style pistol red dot, the Aimwin PE320 might be worth looking at. It has a decently large window and different reticle options. Being larger in size, it would also make a good rifle dot. If you forget to change your battery, it might still work for you thanks to that solar failsafe. It is also durable and held up to my abuse. So go check it out over at Aimwin.com.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Enclosed pistol red dot with large window

Target Market:

Those wanting a large windowed enclosed red dot

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Weight: 2.19 ounces (62g)

  • Dot Size: 3 MOA with 36 MOA ring (selectable) 

  • Window Size: 24.0mm x 20.0mm (0.94" x 0.79")

  • Dimensions: 45.3mm x 35.0mm x 31.2mm (1.78" x 1.38" x 1.2")

  • Housing Material: Hard-anodized 6061-T6 Aluminum

  • Adjustment per Click: 1 MOA

  • Windage & Elevation Range: ±50 MOA, total range 100 MOA

  • Footprint: ACRO, RMR adapter plate included

  • Battery: Side load CR2032

  • Solar Guard Fail Safe

  • Battery Life: 50,000 hours (low brightness)

  • Aim Awake mode

  • Operating Temperature: -30℃ - 60℃ (-22°F - 140°F)

  • Brightness Settings: 9 Daylight / 2 Night Vision Levels

  • Water Resistance: IPX7

  • Vibration: 2000 G’s

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None

What others are saying?:

5 out of 5 stars on Amazon

 Very Nice Enclosed Optic

Just picked this up for my H&K P30L. Had to change the optics plate (Langdon Tactical cut) to an ACRO mount, but it fits perfectly on it and locks down solid. The body appears to be pretty durable and stout without being overly heavy. Controls are nice and large so adjusting brightness and/or choosing dot style is pretty easy. ACRO mounts are probably the easiest installation of any of the footprints since it works like a pic rail. No screws into the plate to worry about getting torqued just right. It does really need a torque spec listed for the clamp screw, though. Never really liked "make it tight, but be careful not to over tighten it" with no spec for what "tight" is. Dots are extremely bright on the max setting and much calmer on the lower settings. Again, it is nice to be able to choose different reticles for different situations. Battery is side loading, which is nice as you don't have to remove the optic for swaps. Only issue I have with the battery compartment is that the tiny screw that holds it in place seems easy to lose as it is not captured. So be careful swapping batteries. We'll see how it does at the range this weekend at holding zero. Adjustments are nice and tactile with just enough resistance to turning to make me think they will stay put pretty good. May wind up being awfully high if you were to use the RMR to ACRO adapter that comes with it on most RMR cut applications. But sits at a nice height on the ACRO specific plate I have installed.

Link to other reviews:

Chris from the 740 on YouTube  

Price point:

MSRP = $359.95

Retail = $240

I need it now! Availability:

Aimwin Optics or Amazon 

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Multi reticle

  • Solar fail safe

  • Large window size

  • Acro footprint w/RMR plate

  • Auto on/off (Aim Awake) 

Cons:

  • Optic is physically wider 

  • Deck height is pretty tall

Score: 8.00 Great

Favorite Link:  Grey Ghost Glock Slide Review 

Kahr X9

Kahr Arms X9

Review

  Every once in a while, you run across a handgun that fits a need for you. The Kahr Arms X9 turned out to be one of those handguns for me. I was looking to replace my old Kahr CM9 carry pistol with something newer. The X9, with its higher capacity 10 round magazines, seemed like an obvious choice. 

  I have known about the new Kahr X9 pistol since 2024. However it was SHOT show 2025 when I was first able to hold one in person. I liked the design. Partially because it is a small sub-compact pistol that has a 10+1 round capacity, and because it has optics capabilities. I recently noticed that the X9's were shipping, so I phoned a friend to see if I could get one. Now I am here, telling you what I think about the X9. 

  I had forgotten how small the X9 was. For reference, I carry my Kahr CM9 a bunch. The CM9 is tiny, so I expected the X9 to be larger. It really wasn't. When you compare it to a Sig P365, the Kahr X9 is essentially the same size. The only exception is that the X9 has a longer slide and barrel, which I actually prefer. The X9's dimensions are: Length - 6.125”, Height - 4.375” with the flush fit magazine, and a Width of 1”. It also doesn't weigh much, clocking in at 17.6 ounces unloaded. 

  The grip frame on the Kahr X9 has a nice design to it. The grip itself has a sandpaper style texture molded into the side. Then on the front and backstrap are lines made out of little squares. I was surprised at how grippy the front and backstrap are. The grip also dips in at the top. This makes the trigger reach shorter, helping people with tiny hands shoot the X9 better. Without a magazine inserted into the pistol, the grip length is super short. Okay, even with a magazine inserted, it is short. The flush fit magazine actually adds about ⅜ inch to the grips length. Without the magazine inserted, I could get about 1-½ fingers on the grip. With the flush fit magazine I could fit 2 fingers on the grip. To remove the magazine, there is a small mag release button on the left side. It is reversible for those in their right brains. Moving to the front of the frame, Kahr designed the X9 with a 3 slot picatinny rail for mounting lights or other accessories. I liked the feel of the X9’s frame.

  Kahr is known for their smooth triggers. The X9 is no different. If you have shot a kahr pistol before, then you know what I mean. Kahr uses a curved trigger shoe in the X9. Now to explain a Kahr trigger. The pull length is long, but smooth. Kahr states it as a DAO, or double action only, trigger. It is very much like a tuned revolver trigger. About half of the travel is fairly lightweight, about 1.5 pounds. Then it morphs into a smooth 7 pound pull at the end. There is no flipper safety like a lot of other pistols. So the trigger itself feels better on your finger. Reset is essentially all the way out on the trigger. I do not mind the long smooth trigger pull of Kahr pistols. After all, the X9 was designed as a carry or backup pistol, not a duty gun.

  The last user interface on the pistol is the slide. It literally lets you load the pistol and aim at what you want to hit. At the rear of the X9’s slide are slightly angled slide serrations. Kahr has always done a good job of cutting these to be useful. They are not very deep, but they are sharp enough to get a really good grip when racking the slide. There are also half height serrations on the front of the slide. They are half size because the slide is cut narrower in front. Leaving a design line on the top half of the slide. For slide manipulation, Kahr also gave the X9 an ambidextrous slide release. On the top side of the X9’s slide sits a set of dovetailed sights. The front is a white dot and the rear is a white bar. They work fine and I used them for about 400 rounds before mounting an optic. Yes, the X9’s slide is optics ready.

  In 2025, every pistol should come with an optic mount option. Kahr uses a direct mount system on the X9. They cut the slide for a Holosun “K” or RMSc style footprint. This is pretty much the standard for small sub-compact optic footprints. Having a direct mount, instead of a plate, lets the optic sit lower in the slide. The X9 comes with a removable cover plate, so if you don’t want an optic, the pistol still looks nice. Thank you Kahr for using a standard footprint optic cut.

  A pistol doesn’t work very well without magazines. Kahr includes two 10 round magazines with the X9 pistol. One has a flush fit baseplate and the other has a pinky extension. I really would have liked to have seen at least 3 magazines included. Maybe adding in one of Kahr’s 15 round extended magazines for a complete package. They do include a grip extension for the 15 round magazines. The 10 round included magazines do rattle when loaded to capacity. Not a huge deal, but if you are running you can hear them. Because the grip frame is so short, and the magazines have a small grip extension built in, they can pinch your hand when reloading. I thought I’d mention it, even though the X9 is not the only sub-compact pistol that does this. Now, there is a huge plus with the Kahr X9. It will accept Sig P365 and Springfield Hellcat magazines, and they function great. This is especially nice if you are looking for extended magazines in the 15+ capacity range. I have even seen 32 round magazines. You don’t see many other companies doing this with magazine compatibility.

  At this point in time, I have around 800 rounds through the little Kahr X9. I shot it with the iron sights for about 400 rounds. The sights work, but I wanted a red dot on it. Primary Arms had previously sent me one of their Classic series green dots that have an RMSc footprint. It sits pretty low and is easy to mount. I like these red dots because they have an auto on/off function. The rest of the current round count was shot with the optic. The factory iron sights do not stick up above the optics base. So having an option for higher sights that co-witness might be nice. I am sure sight companies will be bringing them out soon. I did have a few failures to feed and a couple stove pipes in the first 100 rounds. About 6-8 total failures. After those initial 100 rounds, the X9 runs fantastic. Kahr still recommends a 200 round break in period, so I can’t fault them on the failures. I think Kahrs tolerances are a little tighter than some other pistols. This can be good or bad, depending on if you are in the “break in” camp, or the “take it out and shoot” crowd. The X9 surprised me with how well and soft it shoots. I expected super snappy, but instead I got controllable with just a little snap. It has way less recoil and snap than my CM9. I think part of the reason the X9 is controllable is due to the fact that it has a 3.5 inch barrel and is a tiny bit wider than my CM9. I also think it is more controllable than the small size P365, also because of the slightly longer barrel and slide. 

  The Kahr X9 will make a great carry gun for some people. I plan on carrying it more. It shoots nice. Reloads are easy, just watch out for pinching that hand. I thought the mag release button would be hard to locate, since it is pretty small. However, during practice reloads, I had zero problems hitting the mag release and dropping a mag. Another reason the X9 would make a good carry gun is its weight. With the optic and a loaded 10 round magazine, the pistol only weighs 25.3 ounces. Because of the nice job Kahr does machining their pistols, the X9 is fairly smooth and shouldn’t catch on anything when it is concealed.

  If you are looking for a sub-compact carry gun, look into the Kahr X9. It does all the things the others do: It is small, narrow, fits 10 round magazines, and is optics ready. But, it will also take magazines from its competition. That by itself is a huge win for the X9. The handgun also shoots extremely well. The Kahr X9 is a great addition to the sub-compact concealed carry market. Check one out at your local dealer, or take a look at it over at Kahr Arms.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Sub compact, optics ready handgun that can use Hellcat and P365 magazines

Target Market:

Concealed carry

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Caliber: 9mm

  • Barrel: 3.54” Stainless Steel Barrel

  • Length: 6.125”

  • Height: 4.375"

  • Slide Width: 1"

  • Weight: 17.6 oz (Unloaded)

  • Finish: Blackened Matte Stainless

  • Sights: White Bar-Dot Combat Sights

  • Optics Cut: Holosun K or RMSc

  • Magazines: One 10 Rd Stainless magazine, one 10-round stainless magazine with finger rest grip extension, one sleeve, base lock, and base lock plate for Kahr X9 15-round or Sig 17-round X-Macro 9mm magazine

  • Grips: Textured polymer

  • Reversible magazine release

  • Armor Black Cerakoted Slide

  • Lifetime Warranty 

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None

What others are saying?:

X9 is too new to find anything worthwhile 

Link to other reviews:

Guns & Ammo   

Price point:

MSRP = $549.00

Retail = $450

I need it now! Availability:

Palmetto State, Guns.com, Kahr Arms, or your local dealer

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Small and Compact

  • Uses Hellcat & P365 magazines 

  • Shoots smooth for a sub-compact

  • Optic cut from factory for a standard footprint 

  • Accessory rail

  • Long smooth trigger pull, also see “cons” 

Cons:

  • Small magazine release button

  • Long trigger pull similar to a tuned revolver

  • Magazines rattle when loaded

Score: 8.50 Great 

Favorite Link:  Kahr CM9 Review

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