Review

Trijicon HD Night Sight

Trijicon-HD1I bought these sights to put on a Glock 22 that had the standard Glock sights on it.  I personally don’t care for the “Goalpost” rear sight that Glock uses.  I was looking for a sight that had a larger front dot to help in quicker front sight post acquisition.  It came down to the Trijicon HD Night Sights or the XS Sights Big Dot. Since I already have 3 dot sights on my other Glocks, I decided to go with the Trijicons, as they also have a three dot set up.  That is verses the XS sights that use a lollypop sighting system.  I felt that consistency throughout my handguns is important, so that no matter which one my wife or I grab, the sight picture will be as similar as possible. Trijicon-HD2

Upon taking my Glock to the range, I found that the sights were just what I was looking for.  As soon as I snapped it up on target my eyes were drawn to the front sight post like the mainstream media to a smooth talking liberal.  Well maybe not quite like that, I didn’t get weak in the knees, and start drooling.  As I continued to shoot, I found that they weren't the most accurate sights I had shot.  However, they served the purpose that I had gotten them for.  As a “combat” sight I feel that they are right on the money.  As for competition, I feel that they would be more than capable of allowing you to run and gun quickly.  So for competitions that speed is the key (ie: most three gun matches) I feel they would be great.  The rear sight is strong enough to aid in single handed slide manipulations.  In the future, I plan on putting these sights on other handguns I get.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: The large front sight dot that allows for quick sight acquisition.  The three dot design allows for a sight picture that most people are used to.

Target Market: Anyone looking for a fast acquisition combat sight.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Metal Body
  • Tritium-Phosphor inserts
  • sapphire window that helps evenly distribute Tritium's light
  • Silicone Rubber cushion
  • Protective clear coat and high visibility colored front sight post
  • “U” notch rear sight
  • subdued rear sight allows the shooter to more easily focus on the front sight

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: There are two options for the front sight color.  They come with either a yellow or orange front dot.

What others are saying?: 

  • OpticsPlanet (Bob’s Review) In over 35 years training civilian and LE officers with firearms, I have used many different notch sites. The trijicon hd is without a doubt the best I have ever used. The large U on the rear site makes acquiring the large (yellow) front site extremely fast . I have them on every Glock I own.
  • Review on the Bang Switch: http://www.thebangswitch.com/trijicon-hd-night-sights/

Price point:

I need it now! Availability: You can purchase the Trijicon HD Night Sights from many retailers, including Amazon and directly from Trijicon.

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Fast front sight acquisition
  • easy to shoot fast and make first shot hits at defensive ranges
  • Easy installation

Cons:

  • Cost
  • Not as accurate as other sight options

Score: 9 Amazing90

 

The only thing I could really mark these sight down on is the cost.  They are super fast to acquire, and get on target.

 

 

Kinetic Research Group Bolt Lift

Kinetic Research Group Bolt Lift

The Remington 700 is quite a rifle. Despite the collateral black eyes it receives as a result of Big Green's holding company and the ripple effect that has affected quality and value thought the product line, the history and reliability of the R700 is almost unparalleled in the bolt acton rifle world. Very similar to the Glock and it's position in the handgun market, the R700 isn't a perfect rifle, but its a decent platform for modification, customization and enhancements for achieving the exact firearm you have in mind. One very low cost, easy to install and arguably one of the most functional additions you can make to your Remington 700 rifle is the Kinetic Research Group Bolt Lift.

Kinetic Research Group Bolt Lift

The Bolt Lift is an enlarged polymer shell that fits over your existing bolt handle that drastically improves bolt manipulation. Simple as that. While $28 for two pieces of plastic, a screw, and some O-rings might seem overpriced for such a minimalistic product, it suites a purpose that would otherwise cost almost 5x that amount in machining labor for a larger metal handle onto your existing bolt. KRG offers the Bolt Lift in two styles, the standard which is more tacticalesque, and the SV which is not as elongated and smaller than the original Bolt Lift. Both models mount the same way over the existing bolt handle. You don't have to permanently modify your rifle in anyway and can be removed easily. You can use epoxy if you desire a more permanent installation thats bedded to your bolt knob.

Kinetic Research Group Bolt Lift

The Kinetic Research Group was established conceptually in 2005 by a group of then active duty Army Special Forces soldiers. Being both professional and sport shooters, their passion led them to a deep understanding of the strong and weak points in the fielded equipment. All of the founding members have multiple OIF/OEF deployments and have had extensive small arms training through the military and, in some cases, have been instructors. KRG staff have been responsible or assisted in development for small arms designs including the modular straight-pull bolt action rifle Ballista, the Magpul Massoud .308 semi-auto rifle and parts of the Magpul Masada/Remington ACR.

I asked KRG if they were considering making a bolt lift for other manufacturer's rifles in the future.  They responded promptly, saying "Right now we're not planning one specifically for any other particular rifles.  We're considering a "universal" model in the future that will fit many different rifles but will need a little fitting for each one.  We have had customers put the Bolt Lift on the Savage, Howa, Mossberg and many others, they just did a little dremeling or maybe used some epoxy to bed it into place a bit. Thank you for your interest in our products!"

If you own a Remington 700 and feel like a larger bolt knob would benefit your shooting (or you are handy with a dremel & epoxy and want to mod one to fit your non-remington rifle) I would highly recommend the Bolt Lift.

Firearms Insider Reviews – 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:  The first and only products of their kind, the Bolt Lift gives you all the benefits of an oversize bolt knob (AKA "Tactical" knob) in a simple user friendly package.

Target Market:  Remington 700 Bolt Action Rifle Owners

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Gives a better grip when operating the bolt under any conditions
  • Do-It-Yourself, no gunsmithing required*
  • Comes with two sizes of O-Rings for better fit of your rifle's existing bolt knob
  • No permanent modifications to your rifle
  • For a permanent installation, skip the O-Rings and use epoxy.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: Standard and SV (Smaller Version), as well as Black, OD Green, and FDE

What others are saying?:

"The Bolt Lift feels very solid. There is no wiggle or play at all once it is tightened down. You really cannot tell by feel that it is not molded onto the knob. Unless the knob begins to loosen up with use I see little reason to make the installation permanent. Prior to installing the Bolt Lift on this rifle to cycle the bolt you had to use fingertips and thumb. If you attempted to grip the factory knob you would skin your thumb. After installing the bolt lift I was able to manipulate the bolt while retaining a firm grip on the end. If you are a "grip it and rip it" type of bolt operator, then the Bolt Lift is a great option. I have seen many comments about the visual appearance of the Bolt Lift and the fact that it's a bolt on plastic piece. The looks matter little to me. I only care about the function. The Bolt Lift works. The fact that it is made of plastic is also immaterial. The bolt knob on my four thousand dollar Accuracy International is plastic. The true value of the Bolt Lift is that for $28 and a few minutes time you can see if a "tactical" bolt knob will fit your tactics and your rig. You don't have to worry about voids in the handle, sending it off to a gunsmith or any other nonsense."  8541 Tactical Review

"I cannot believe it was only $28. Honestly, I’m baffled. It’s the single best upgrade I’ve made for such a small amount of money. My thumb no longer bashes my scope, cycling the action is smoother and easier due to better leverage, and being plastic, it didn’t add much in the weight department. Notice the little grippy part on there? I found once I started to get the palm sweat I get when I shoot, that this small feature made handling the knob a breeze. All the little details add up to make this an impressive little upgrade!" Survive Hive Review

Price point:

I need it now! Availability:  Readily available online at KRG's website

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Two different styles for different rifle roles
  • Easy to assemble
  • Instantly improves bolt handling, especially under duress or fast courses of fire
  • Comes with a sweet vinyl sticker
  • Military Discount
  • MADE IN 'MURICA

Cons:

  • Price for polymer molded item is alittle high (but much less than an actual metal knob + gunsmithing)
  • Enlarged knob may interfere with low mounted optics
  • Certain aftermarket stocks may need to be modified (or sand down the bolt lift on the bottom)

Score: 9.0 Amazing

 

 

Featured FFL:

For FFL services I choose Promised Land Firearms in Toulon, IL.

Ryan's Links:

Gun & Gear Review Podcast

Hunter of Design

Tasco .22 Rimfire Red Dot Riflescope

IMG_9353IMG_0635It wasn't long ago that red dot sights were rare and expensive pieces of equipment, which were all but unattainable for most shooting enthusiasts. But, over the past decade or so, they've gained tremendous popularity, as the number of options on the market have increased and prices have decreased. It's now possible to purchase a functional red dot sight for less money than a used copy of Call of Duty. This is fantastic news for the frugal gun owner, but the options can be overwhelming. With all of the inexpensive options on the market, how do you know what's worth buying? I found myself in just such a dilemma when I decided I wanted a red dot sight for my newly purchased Ruger 10/22 Carbine. If you spend any time on the internet, you'll quickly realize that most of the commonly recommended red dot sights are more expensive than the 10/22 itself (often they're many times more expensive). Most owners of .22lr rifles are just looking to do some cheap plinking, and would rather buy a few thousand rounds of quality ammunition than a red dot sight designed for military use.

That's where the Tasco BKRD3022 comes in: it's an inexpensive red dot sight designed for use on rimfire rifles. It doesn't offer any frills or a plethora of features - it's just a basic red dot sight meant for plinking. There are only three controls on the entire unit: elevation adjustment, windage adjustment, and power/brightness adjustment.

Elevation and windage can be adjusted in .5 MOA (1/2" at 100 yards) increments. The adjustment knobs are concealed underneath threaded dust caps, and a screw driver or coin is needed to turn them. Each click of the adjustment knob is satisfying, crisp, and light. Make sure you don't lose those dust caps, otherwise you'll likely end up accidentally turning the knobs all the time.

Power and dot brightness are controlled via a large knob located on top of the unit, which gives you 11 different brightness settings. On the lowest settings, battery life is claimed to be 6,000+ hours (250 days) of continuous use. However, the brightness knob ended up being the only thing I didn't like about the Tasco BKRD3022, as I felt it was too difficult to turn. Sure, this will keep you from unintentionally turning it, but it becomes difficult to turn if it's wet from rain or sweat.

So, how does it actually perform? For a red dot sight that can usually be found for about $30, the Tasco BKRD3022 feels and performs very well! The construction is surprisingly solid and durable, and it manages to feel hefty without being heavy (it weighs just 6 ounces). The 1x30mm glass is nice and clear, and the lens coating works well without being too obtrusive.

IMG_9355

With it's 5 MOA dot, it's obvious that this wasn't intended to be used for any kind of serious target shooting (but then again, what red dot sight is?). But, I found it to be more than adequate for my uses. Once zeroed, it was easy to keep 3" groups at 50 yards from my completely stock 10/22 Carbine (and I'm no crack shot). I found the maximum brightness to be suitable for broad daylight, and the lower settings were useful indoors. And, other than one minor mishap, it had no problem staying zeroed.

"What was the mishap?" I'm sure you're asking. A pretty silly mistake on my part: I forgot to put Loctite on the screws for my 10/22 Weaver mount. So, after ~500 rounds or so it started to come lose. The BKRD3022 itself stayed securely fastened to the weaver mount though (because I did remember to use Loctite on that). Obviously, this is not the fault of Tasco, I'm just bringing it up to remind you to always use Loctite! Make sure to use the Blue 242 variety of Loctite, as if you use the green, it will require heat and heavy force to remove and you would risk damaging your gun, sight, or both.

All in all, I've been very satisfied with the Tasco BKRD3022. For the price (which really is "bargain basement"), I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better red dot sight. In fact, I think you could spend 2 or 3 times as much and still not find anything better.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: The price

Target Market: .22lr rifle plinkers

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Low cost
  • Brightness Adjustability
  • Battery life
  • Easy mounting

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: The Tasco 22 Rimfire Red Dot Riflescope is only available in black.

What are others saying?: 

  • "The Tasco Red Dot sight is the company’s basic entrant in the red dot sight competition, and is a pretty good choice for desert- and snow-dwelling target shooters, or anyone operating under heavy glare" - RedDotSights
  • "The Tasco Red Dot feels nice and sturdy, I dont expect it to break on me anytime soon. I've bumped it into a few things over the months that I've owned it and haven't seen a loss in accuracy, nor have I had to re-zero it." The XtremeConditioning Blog

Price Point:

I need it now! Availability: Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Very low price
  • Solid construction
  • Good performance

Cons:

  • Brightness knob is hard to adjust
  • Need coin/screwdriver for elevation and windage adjustment
  • Loctite is basically a necessity

Score: 7.5 Good75

 

Cameron's links:

Serial Hobbyism

Beretta Shooting Glasses

Beretta Shooting Glasses

A few months ago, I was in the market to upgrade my cheap eye protection that I have had for years.  Being mostly a shotgun shooter, I thought that I would look at something manufactured by a company that is in the shotgun arena.  My logic was, that if you can make great shotguns, then surely you must be able to produce great shotgun safety equipment as well.  So naturally the big names that came to my mind were Remington, Browning and Beretta.  I know I know, there are lots of other great shotgun makers out there.  However not all shotgun companies offer their own line of safety equipment.  Anyway, with that being said.  I went on-line and looked at everyone's inventory for safety glasses.  Surprisingly, there was not a ton of offerings like I imagined.  Nonetheless, my attention was captured by the Beretta Performance Shooting Frames.

Now keep in mind, that never saw these in the flesh.  My only interaction with these glasses was what I could see and read about on-line.  I think what really sold me on the glasses besides their low purchase point was the amount of unobstructed vision.  I liked how my eyes could clearly see objects coming from the side of me without getting lost in a construction piece.  Remember, I shoot a lot of sporting clays.  And the thing with sporting clays is that you don't know from what direction the clays will be coming from.  They could be thrown from behind you over your head, they could come right at you or they could come from somewhere on the side of you.

So I decided to pull the trigger and make the purchase.  I will have to say that the glasses are lightweight.  They glasses do have a very comfortable nose piece and the glasses stay put on your ears.  The field of vision of the glasses was amazing and everything that I hoped it would be.  However, they are large.   I guess it has to do with the design of the lenses, but they just seem to cover your whole face.  Don't get me wrong, you want proper eye protection and these glasses do deliver on that.  But they just seem a bit too big.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Lightweight and improved design allows for great field of vision and more protection.

Target Market: From plinking, to sporting clays, to hunting, these glasses are offered to suit us all.

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

  • Lightweight
  • Plastic soft touch frame
  • Anti-slip tips
  • Larger field of vision

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:  Lenses are offered in smoke, clear, yellow, purple, red, orange and blue.

What others are saying?:  4.1 stars out of 5 from Amazon reviewers.

  • "Great value"
  • "They are huge"

Price point:

I need it now! Availability: Readily available on-line at Safety Glasses USA, Beretta and Amazon.

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Lightweight
  • Anti-slip tip
  • Comfortable nose piece

Cons:

  • They are large

Score: 8.080 Great

 

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

 Simon Peter Sport banner

Jared's Links:

SOG Tomahawk Sheath

sogsheath3I received a SOG Sheath for my tomahawk that I reviewed a while back. The sheath is made from a durable black nylon. The sheath is made to mount on your belt, and has different angles that you can easily set by pushing a lock button and rotating the tomahawks position. The belt loop locks closed and has adjustable bars for different belt widths. When installing the SOG tomahawk into the SOG Sheath, you must first rotate a piece on the front of the sheath, so it is at the front of the sheath, you can then take the tomahawk and insert the rear first, then push the front of the hawk up into the sheath, and then rotate the front piece down to hold the hawk in place. The tomahawk snaps in place fairly firmly. sogsheath1The SOG Sheath can be a little strange to use. With the handle pointed down, the tomahawk can catch on branches or other things. It is definitely not made to use while sitting either, though one could rotate the sheath so that the tomahawk handle faces up. The Sheath might be best used by attaching it to a backpack. If the pack has MOLLE straps, the belt loop on the sheath could possibly be slid through them and mounted.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Adjustable hard sheath for the SOG tomahawk

Target Market: Those who want a hard sheath for their SOG Tomahawk

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Protects Blade
  • Tek-Lok mounting system (Allows Rotation adjustment of sheath)
  • Supports different belt widths
  • Tomahawk easily snaps into sheath

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available? None

What others are saying?:

  • Shake, rattle and fall out
  • By sndmn "ern1900". 3/5 stars on Amazon      This is not a secure scabbard. The latch can open accidentally very easy then the tomahawk can fall out and injure you or some one below you. This holder rattles and I don't trust the gadget that allows you to spin the scabbard to different angels. All of the components make the tomahawk stick out and catch on brush making more noise. In one day of harvesting bamboo it fell out twice causing me to have to go back and find it. The last time it fell out it bounced off of my calf. I'm lucky it didn't cut me. Good idea just needs to be refined. I have and use several of these tools so I hope someone makes a sheath, scabbard or holder for these popular tomahawks.
  • Paul  5/5 stars on LA Police Gear     Nice versatile sheath.
Price point: 

I need it now! Availability: Amazon or maybe your local sporting goods store

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Protects Blade
  • Swivel mount system
  • Belt mount

Cons:

  • Not overly secure
  • Puts tomahawk in the way

Score: 6.5 Okay65

 

 

Chad’s Favorite Link: We Like Shooting Podcast

wls-ggg-banner-art1

 

 

 

Firing Line Review

 

 

LOK 1911 Grips

LOKgun2 LOKgun1I received these LOK 1911 grips after discovering the company while searching for grips on Amazon. These grips are great. LOK has definitely done their homework.  LOK Grips is a new company that has ventured into the grip manufacturing world.  They offer a variety of G10 grips for 1911's, Beretta 92's, Ruger 22/45's, CZ-75's, and Sig 238 and 938's.  Various textures and color combinations are offered as well.

The grips I chose were the "Spec Ops" in an orange/black color combo.  The Spec Ops have a golf ball texture on the front of the grips panels, and slanted ridges on the back.  This design gave me a good grip on the gun and excellent recoil management.  I originally thought that these grips might be too aggressive, but they are very comfortable to shoot with.  My hands were not any worse for wear after shooting with the LOK Spec Ops grips.

lokgrip1911LOK offers a number of different options for the grips. After you have selected the style and texture, you can select ambi-safety cuts, style of bottom cut, and magazine release cuts.  Since I chose 1911 grips, I opted for a magwell bottom cut, a magazine relief cut, and an ambi-safety cut.  I noticed that with the magwell cut, LOK also has relief cuts, on the back side of the grip, for the main spring housing pin.  This shows how much quality they put into the manufacturing process.

I am very pleased with these grips. They are attractive, functional, and less expensive than other G10 grips on the market. They are a very high quality grip at decent price.

LOKgrips1

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Good looking functional grips

Target market: Any shooter who wants a functional, good looking grip, with emphasis on functionality.

FNBs (Features & Benefit):

  • Lightweight G10 material
  • Texture options
  • Color combinations
  • Grip cut options

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:  Many colors and options, please go look for yourself at LOK grips

What others are saying?:

  • "Lok Custom Grips... Best Value Anywhere on 1911 Custom Grips!"  - Amazon
  • "I picked up a pair of grips today at the gun show. I love them, they fir great and you gotta love the price." - Facebook

Price Point:

I need it now! Availability: Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Good grip texture
  • Style options
  • Color options
  • Lightweight
  • Made in U.S.A.
  • Fast shipping

Score: 8.5 Great85

 

 

Chad’s Favorite Link:  U.S. Tactical Supply

Firing Line Review

 

 

Negrini Dedicated 1911 Handgun Case Review

negrini2 For those unfamiliar with Negrini you should definitely familiarize yourself with them. To me, they bridge the gap between wanting security/strong construction and lightweight/slim construction. If you want something more sturdy than your average thin plastic case with flimsy foam, but don’t want to sacrifice half your trunk to get your pistol to the range, this case by Negrini is a great choice. Although built and marketed as a dedicated 1911 case it can fit, and store securely, most medium to full size pistols. When you add built in locks it makes legally transporting in some states easier it is one of the most versatile single pistol cases I have seen.

negrini1

negrini4

negrini3Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Quality and secure construction without bulk

Target Market: High end gunners perhaps the people already familiar with their shotgun cases.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Slide length adjustability
  • Storage for a few mags and more
  • Proprietary double wall abs constructions
  • Hand finished
  • Double locks built in
  • Customizable finishes

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: It would appear that anything is possible given the money is available

What others are saying?: Cannot find any third party reviews for this product.

Price point:

MSRP = $149

Retail = Have not located any places other than the manufacturer site.

I need it now! Availability In your hands today not very likely, however you can order direct from Negrini.

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Build Quality
  • Built in Locks
  • Finish Options
  • Storage Versatility

Score: 8.585

 

Featured FFL:

For my gunsmithing and FFL services including custom Cerakoting, I choose Dynamic Combat Solutions. Gus is really great to work with and you can check him out at his website here.

Sam's Links:

Guns of Hollywood Podcast

NJ Gun Blog

Traditions Firearms ALS 2100 Shotgun Review

Traditions ALS 2100 By Justin Miles

I have almost three years worth of experience with this great shotgun. In short, it's usability completely outweighs the bargain price you can expect to pay for this gun. I have not had any serious issues from its use, and would highly recommend picking one up a Traditions Firearms ALS 2100 Shotgun from the shelf if you find one used.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: A very lightweight shotgun that is very affordable

Target Market: Hunters and personal-defense advocates that need something that is both cheap and user friendly

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Lightweight shotgun and has great reliability
  • Comes with a recoil base pad.
  • Low recoil
  • Takes all kinds of twelve gauge shells up to 3 inches)

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available? Camouflage synthetic and hardwood

What others are saying?: On Shotgun News, the forum member SpecialEd says that it’s a great shotgun that shoots slugs very well.

Price point:

MSRP = Not Available Retail = $150 to $350

I need it now! Availability: Used Firearms websites - Armslist, Buds Guns, Gunbroker, Local Gun Shops

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Very reliable
  • Lightweight
  • Great trigger

Cons:

  • Very few spare parts
  • It’s hard to remove the magazine blocker from the tube. You need a special tool for this.

Score: 8.0 Great80

 

Zero Tolerance ZT 0561 Knife Review

  ZT0561-3

ZT0561-1The Zero Tolerance ZT 0561 is an extreme duty knife.  The ZT0561 would be a great pocket knife for anyone needing a large, rugged folding style knife.  Due to its 3.75" blade, pocket carry can sometimes be cumbersome.  However, the knife does come with a pocket clip that can be located in any of four locations. The knife is fairly light for its size, coming in at 6.4 ounces.  This weight is made possible by one whole grip of the knife being made from titanium.  The other grip panel is made of G-10 in flat dark earth.  Both grips are textured with, what ZT calls, a "3-D machined," which is a type of scallop pattern and gives the knife a good texture to hold on to. The blade is made from an "Elmax" powdered steel, which gives the knife good corrosion resistance and good edge retention.  The blade runs on a set of ball bearings for smooth operation with an easy opening tang on the back side of the knife. This knife would make a great addition to anyone needing a tactical folder that might get abused.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Extreme duty folding knife

Target Market: First responders or anyone needing a rugged folding knife.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Made in USA
  • Ball-bearing opening system
  • Titanium frame lock
  • Quad mount pocket clip
  • Blade length: 3.75"
  • Closed length: 5"
  • Overall length: 8.8"
  • Weight: 6.4 oz.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: None, what you see is what you get.

What others are saying?:

NOT A KNIFE..... IT'S A BEAST!

This edged weapon is something to behold. I've owned benchmade, kershaw, spiderco, ect.... This thing will be my last knife I'm sure. It holds an edge and looks good doing so. I've used mine for work and play and will never buy another cheap piece of junk knife again. You get what you pay for!!!

By Jo Oklahoma from ZT knives

Outstanding Knife
  After purchasing this knife, I have officially laid my Benchmades to rest. This is an absolute quality knife. The lock is rock solid and there is absolutely no play in the blade. The handle is very comfortable and grips the palm extremely well. I love how the flipper acts as a finger guard while open. The size is very intimidating at first for an EDC, but it is surprisingly thin and fits in the pocket well. The blade is incredibly sharp and super stout.
By  PFDR108 from Amazon

Price point

MSRP = $325 from ZT knives

Retail = $195.60 from Amazon

I need it now! Availability: Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Easy opening
  • Strong blade
  • Lightweight
  • Pocket clip locations

Cons:

  • Size
  • Price

Score: 7.575

Remora Clip-less Holster for Ruger LC9 Review

image (2)  

By: Larry

Upon first look of the Remora Clip-less holster, I thought there was absolutely no way this holster would work for me. However, after wearing this holster a number of times, I am amazed at the comfort. Often times I had to reach down to my hip to make sure my firearm was still intact. The non-slip material is everything as advertised. My firearm remained in place. Also, this holster is great as a deep pocket concealment holster. The price is very reasonable for just about everyone who wishes to conceal. Overall, I have very little complaint and I recommend this holster for anyone searching a low cost comfortable holster.

image (5)

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Pointsimage (10)

Claim to Fame: Conceals firearms with comfort

Target Market: Best servers conceal carrier with a low profile holster

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Light weight
  • Low profile
  • IWB or pocket carry
  • Ambidextrous
  • Closed design

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: Available in black only.

image (3)

What others are saying?: “This is a clip-less IWB from Remora. I wasn’t sure how well it would work, but the review I read on the LCP site was it very encouraging so I went for it. The holster is made from a slip resistant material and there is no need for a clip. I ordered the 2A with sweat guard for my LCP and a double magazine pouch also.” – eaglefrq, GlockTalk user

Price Point:

I need it now! Availability: I need it now! Availability Ships in 5-7 days directly from Remora and 1-2 days from Amazon.

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Lightweight low profile design
  • Comfortable
  • Non-slip outer skin
  • Low cost

Cons:

  • Holster needs to be removed to re-holster after drawing
  • No belt clip

Score: 8.080

 

 

Featured FFL

Larry prefers Cops Inc. in Sycamore, IL for his FFL needs.

Bore-Tips & Gun-Tips Cleaning Swabs Review

By Ryan Michad  photo 2

Let’s start off with one pretty well-known fact: most people absolutely HATE cleaning their guns. I’m one of them. I hate having to clean up the mess of spilled cleaning solvents/oils, torn patches, stuff stuck in the bore from said patches, etc. It tends to be a very messy, smelly job but is necessary to ensure the long-life and good function of your firearm. Solving one part of the problem, the company Swab-Its offers two products; Bore-Tips and Gun-Tips.

Bore-tips are a package of small Q-tip like implements, except with the cleaner part made out of a sort of light spongy material, rather than the cotton like on a Q-tip, which can pull off and remain stuck in the barrel. The spongy material readily absorbs cleaning solvents, and offers 360-degree coverage during it’s travel down the barrel. Bore-Tips are offered in all your major cleaning jag sizes, from .22  to .45, and 12, 20 and 410 gauge shotgun sizes. They have a pre-threaded portion that allows you to screw the cleaning swab right on to your favorite 8-32 gun cleaning rod.

The Gun-Tips use the same foam material but are like long q-tip swabs. These come with 3” swabs, 5” swabs and 6” swabs in a 9 piece kit. These are great for applying lubricants and other things in areas that may be difficult to reach with larger gun cleaning patches or brushes. Since the Gun-Tips are made out of the same foam material as the Bore-Tips, they do not tear or shred anything in the bore, and are easily reusable and cleaned. The different size brushes mean you have many options at your disposal for different sized guns.

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I used both the Bore-tips and the Gun-Tips swabs to clean several firearms, including a S&W Model 66, a Ruger LCP and a Pietta 1851 Navy blackpowder reproduction. My initial concern when using these tips was that the cleaning solvents would really affect the foam material. We have all seen how some common cleaning products can melt certain types of plastic and other things, and that was my initial thought. The people at Swab-Its seem to have certainly done their homework, and the tips have not shown any sign of degradation, 1 and ½ weeks after the cleaning session. I used Remington Nitro Solvent along with some Rem-Oil for lubrication.

My other concern was the ability to clean the swabs and reuse them. Some products claim that you can do that, but oftentimes there is quite a bit of difficulty cleaning them up. Using some light dish detergent and some hot water, I was able to hand wash the swabs and get them back ALMOST to the original color when I opened the package. Swab-its does recommend using a little bit of mineral spirits to help clean the swab, but I did not use any when I cleaned them. Using a bit of the mineral spirits would probably help bring the swab to its original color.

While cleaning the guns, I did not baby the swabs, as I wanted to see just how tough they actually were. Cleaning a revolver cylinder can result in torn patches and lint all through the gun if you’re not careful. This was not the case with the Bore-Tips and Gun-Tips. I used the Bore-Tips to clean the chambers with ease and the Gun Tips to clean the face of the cylinder and the rear near & under the ejector star. The area under the ejector star is usually the place that causes problems for traditional cleaning patches; not so with the Gun-Tips. They did not hang up on any of the very sharp edges and made cleaning under the ejector star much easier with their compact design.

Using the Gun-Tips to lubricate the smaller parts of the LCP was also very convenient. Using larger swabs on a small gun can be tedious, with lubricants going into unintended areas. Using the Gun-Tips, I was able to apply a bit of Rem-Oil to the foam (which absorbed the oil and held it in place until applied) and used it to lubricate the inside of the slide and the rails. Using the tip helps to prevent over-lubrication simply because you have a finite amount of oil in the tip, and allows you to ensure those small areas are properly coated.

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The only problem I had throughout the cleaning process was when I stepped up to clean the 1851 Pietta Navy. The Pietta had quite a bit of blackpowder residue in the bore, and some of it proved to be rather hard and difficult to remove. The Bore-Tips and Gun-Tips aren’t designed to be heavy duty scrubbers, and that task is better left to a brass hard bristled brush and allowing the solvent to properly work before attempting to clean it. The Bore-Tips are much better suited to use as a replacement for the patch/jag you would use normally to ensure your bore gets a good coat of solvent and then a good coat of lubricating oil.

Overall, I was very impressed with the Bore-Tips and Gun-Tips. With most of the packs being under $10, the simple fact that they are reusable doubles the value of the product. With traditional patches, you get them dirty and you throw them away. With the Bore Tips and Gun Tips, you get several repeated uses. The swabs are very convenient and would be a great addition to any firearms enthusiasts cleaning kit.

Key Points:

-The Swabs are made out of an absorbent foam that doesn't degrade when exposed to most solvents, and holds solvents and oils securely to ensure proper coverage.

-The foam tips do not tear and leave behind debris in the barrel of your firearm. Oftentimes with cotton patches or wrapped cotton tips, you end up leaving behind strands of cotton and other materials inside the bore. With the foam material of the Bore Tips and Gun Tips, these deposits are minimized.

-The Bore-Tips thread into your favorite gun rod, allowing for easy cleanup.

-They are competitively priced, especially being a washable and reusable product. They can be purchased for under $10 for a single, reusable pack at Bore-Tips

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Score: 8.0 - Great

 

 

Firing Line Review

 

 

 

Norton's Universal Cleaning Sticks Review

20140811_200017Norton’s Universal Cleaning Sticks (UCS) are super simple, yet super useful cleaning tools. They are a much better option than using a toothpick to reach all of the gunk in your gun. I know that I’ve broken plenty of those, but no more. Norton’s UCSs are thin, chemical resistant plastic sticks about the size of a popsicle sticks. They are designed to help you reach the little nooks and crannies of your firearms. Each end is sloped to a point. You can fold a cleaning patch over the end, and pass it along rails, under extractors, against bolt faces, and such, to get the crud out of the hard-to-reach areas. You can also use them to gently pry under the disassembly bars of Beretta and 1911 style pistols. They are also small enough to throw in a cleaning kit, and forget about them, until they’re needed. 20140811_195711

A forum member on m1911.org, allstop, reported that his UCSs did not hold up to Hoppe’s No. 9 solvent. He said that it began to eat away at the sticks during his very first use. See his thread on the subject here. Seeing this, I decided to chop one up, and test it. I soaked one piece in Hoppe’s No. 9 solvent and another in Rand CLP. These were the only two things I had on hand, so it’s all I tested. I let them soak, completely covered, for about 6 hours, and there was no damage. I then took them from being completely covered and removed most of the fluid. I figured that maybe the air exposure mixed with the chemical may have a different reaction than the full submersion, but this was not the case. They sat partially covered for about a week and, still, there were no signs of deformation. Allstop did have the orange UCS, and I tested the green, so there may be a variance in material there, but I doubt it. I believe they may have changed their formula to make them more chemical resistant, since his original post dates back to October of 2007.

They are sturdy, useful and cheap. There’s not really a whole lot to say about them, except: Get some!

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: “Used to help provide complete cleaning and assist in the disassembly of modern weapon systems.” – CountyComm website

Target Market: Firearms owners

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Thin
  • Sturdy
  • Flexible
  • Inexpensive
  • Chemical Resistant
  • Gets all the gunk out

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: Norton’s UCS are available in many colors, including Neon Green, Orange, Brown, Yellow, and Green.

What others are saying?: Some users have had corrosion problems with solvent, but I have not seen this to be the case. Others seem to really like them.

“Cheap in price, but not in quality.” – cutlerylover

Price Point:

I need it now! Availability: You can get Norton's Universal Cleaning Sticks from CountyComm.com

Our Rating:

+-Useful +-Sturdy +-Inexpensive

Score: 8.5 85

SOG Tactical Tomahawk Review

722014172456 722014172249The SOG Tactical Tomahawk is a useful tool for the outdoors.  It is a compact axe, pick, or hammer.  As one might expect, you can use this for anything that a normal hatchet would be used for.  I have use the Tomahawk for cutting kindling, hammering in tent stakes, and removing stuck in the ground rocks.  Even though it is called "tactical," I use it for more practical uses.  I now leave it in with my camping equipment.  No longer do I have to have a separate hammer and hatchet.  It has held up well to everything I have thrown at it. The head is still tightly affixed to the handle and the edge is still relatively sharp. It might possibly be well suited for backpacking also.

The Tomahawk comes with a nylon sheath (basically a cover for the head of the tomahawk).

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Specifications:

  • Overall Length: 15.75”
  • Head Length: 8.25”
  • Edge Length: 2.75”
  • Weight: 24.0 oz

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:  Versatile utility tool.

Target Market: Anyone who needs a hatchet, hammer, or combo utility tool.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • 420 Stainless Steel
  • Hardcased black coating
  • Nylon carry sheath
  • Fiberglass reinforced nylon handle
  • Side hammer checkering
  • Heavy-duty bolts and a steel ferrule for stability

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:  Hopefully you like Black, because that is what you get.

What others are saying? "A good little tool. When i first picked up my tact. Hawk i was surprised by the weight. I had expected it to be much heavier".  Darlynn from SOG website

"Perfect for Backpacking.  I use it to cut firewood, dig holes, driving tent stakes, pulling tent stakes (see the holes in the blade? perfect!)".  Zaskoda on Amazon

Price Point:

I need it now! Availability:  Amazon, Brownells, or maybe your local gun store.

Our Rating:  

+-Utility +-Size +-Lightweight +-Strong +-Comes with a sheath +-Price

Score: 7.5 Good75

 

 

Chad’s Favorite Link:  U.S. Tactical Supply

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Lyman Case Prep Multi-tool Review

Lyman Case Prep Multi-tool There's about a gajillion different tools out there for reloading. Most tools come in either manual / hand powered versions or a more expensive electric counterpart. For case preparation, you could spend a few hundred dollars on an electric prep station that has spinning heads for each step, or you can buy each tool individually and perform the steps by hand, and save a few extra pennies for powder, primers, bullets, or heck even a new press. One tool I've been using heavily thats gotten the job done and was relatively inexpensive is the Lyman Case Prep Multi-tool.

Lyman Case Prep Multi-tool

Case prepping has 4 steps after you've deprimed, resized and trimmed your casings. If you've trimmed the mouth back down to SAAMI specs after the brass has stretched from firing (every rifle cartridge stretches to some degree over time and repeated firing of same brass piece) then you should chamfer and debur the mouth. This gets rid of any ragged brass filings still clinging to the mouth, and also helps with easier bullet seating and proper chambering in the firearm. The Lyman Multi-tool has both deburrer and chamfer tool which you can thread into each end, letting you simply flip the tool over and complete both tasks with minimal effort, especially if you have a manual or electric way of spinning the brass, like a Lee Zip Trimmer or a case chuck bit for a drill.

Secondly if you are loading rifle rounds that have military primer crimps, you are very familiar with the bane of every reloaders existence. That is, until you have a tool that can ream those crimps out to a wider primer pocket. Lyman provides reamers for both large and small primer pockets (5.56 and 7.62x51 brass made for the military will most likely have the crimp)  After several rotations with the tools, you'll be able to seat a new primer with little resistance.  Also included are a pocket cleaner for both large and small pockets, which can help clean out carbon and dirt and ensure a full spark through the flashhole, and thusly a good powder burn.

Instead of fumbling with 6 different hand tools, or dropping a few hundo's on an electric case prep center, give this multi-tool a try. Its under 25 dollars and is easily stowed away, leaving more room for all the other tools, gauges, and components to clutter your bench.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Provides the reloader with all the essential case preparation accessories in one compact, double-ended storage tool.

Target Market: Reloaders who trim cases and or need to remove military primer crimps

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product)

  • Provides reloader with all the essential accessories
  • All accessories located in one compact, double-ended storage tool
  • Unique knurled handle unthreads in the middle to store all parts
  • Includes inside and outside deburring tools, large and small primer pocket cleaners, and large and small primer pocket reamers
  • Convenient and compact storage
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:  Lyman Orange only

What others are saying?:

I used it to prep 100 cases recently. It's handy because all the bits can be stored inside the aluminum case/handle. The functionality is satisfactory because it works. The only drawback is that it is two major pieces (aluminum case) that thread together with bits that are also threaded in. As long as you work the tool in one direction, that's fine, but once you twist counterclockwise with the working end bound to the brass in any way (when chamferring and deburring)the parts start loosening (which is why I can see how the Lyman universal case prep kit with 8 dedicated tools might be preferred -- especially if you have the bench space for it and don't mind the extra cost). It made me wish for my solid, one-piece chamfering/deburring tool that was in the garage while I was leisurely (lazily) working the .308 brass in front of the TV. My solution was to de-thread the two halves apart and use them like two tools with the primer bits sitting on a paper towel. And with that being said, this tool was cheap to buy, does the job, does have a massive handle that prevents finger fatigue, and stores nice and tidy. It is more helpful than it is annoying, which is why, for the price, I would recommend it" -SteveH Amazon.com user

Price Point:

I need it now! Availability: Readily available at brownells.com or Amazon.com

Our Rating:

+-Knurled grip is plenty big enough for heavy use without hand cramps K +-Stores all parts inside to prevent lost bits +-Price is very affordable for 6 tools in one

--Threads loosen if primer pocket reamer or chamfer tool bind up and you rotate counterclockwise, requires acute but quick retightening.

Score: 8.5 Great85

Glocktech MIC Holster Review

20140727_174018 The Glocktech MIC holster is a zero bulk holster for deep concealment. The idea came about from a law enforcement officer in the mid 90s. Detectives and undercover officers were carrying their firearms by just sticking them in their waistband, sans holster. Mitch, the creator, says  there was a need for a safer alternative, without having to add the bulk of a full belt holster, and thus, the Minimal Inside Carry(MIC) holster was born. It is small, molded Kydex piece that is formed around the trigger guard and is available for 32 different firearms. It simply slips over the trigger guard and protects the trigger. On the front of the holster, just forward of the trigger guard, there is a hole with a cord through it. The cord wraps around your belt, then you stick the holstered pistol into your waistband. The cord that is wrapped around your belt does two things. The first concern of non-holstered carry is that your pistol could slip down your pants and out of your leg, possibly being kicked across the floor at the most inopportune moment. The cord keeps it from going too far down, and falling out. Its other purpose is to adjust carry depth. You can shorten or lengthen the cord by putting a knot in it. If you want it deeper, make the knot further from the holster and if you want it higher, put the knot closer to the holster.

Drawing from the MIC is a little different from a normal holster. You have to draw it with far enough to get the holster to detach from the pistol. It does take a little force, also, so you would need to pull the holster out more vigorously than you would a Kydex, leather, or hybrid holster. You can also draw it to where it is just out of your waist band, then push forward. This will free the holster from the pistol. Watch the video below for visuals of the drawing techniques.

Where this holster shines, is that you can quickly adjust its cant and position without removing a holster. If you carry on your strong hip, driving with a traditional holster can be uncomfortable, because the butt of the grip pushes against the seat and squishes the pistol into your side. With the MIC, there is enough flexibility, with the lack of clips, that it just simply gets pushed forward and makes driving armed incredibly comfortable. The downside to this is that when you exit your vehicle, you’ll have to adjust it back to your normal cant. If getting in and out of a vehicle all day, it may get a little annoying, but if you’re driving all day, it really makes it comfortable.

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Another feature of the MIC is that the cord is heavy enough and the retention is tight enough that if your pistol is somehow knocked/worked loose from your waistband, it holds the pistol, instead of it just hitting the floor. It would be an awkward, and possibly illegal, situation, but at least your gun wouldn't be lying on the floor of the grocery store check-out line for someone else to pick up.

One last feature is that you can wrap the cord around the base of your seat in a vehicle and use the holster in the vehicle by jamming it in between your seat and console. The holster covers the trigger guard and also keeps the pistol from bouncing around in the event of a collision or a sudden stop. See Mr Colion Noir’s video for a better description.

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Glocktech also offers an upgrade for the cord. They call it the Versa Cord. It is a heavier cord than the included one, and it is about twice the length. They advertise it for giving even more range of adjustment, and to also keep something covering your trigger when pocket carrying.

I personally think the MIC is a great holster, but I may be a bit hesitant to refer it to a new concealed carrier. The reason why, is that the handling pretty unorthodox.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Zero bulk, concealed carry holster

Target Market: Concealed carriers and discreet law enforcement officers

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Zero bulk
  • Adjustable carry depth
  • Very versatile
  • Great for driving

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: The MIC is only available in black, but, despite the Glocktech name, the MIC is available for many more firearms.

What others are saying?: “When you use a product like this, you have removed all the risk of this type of carry” –The Yankee Marshall

Price Point:

  • MSRP = $18.95 + Shipping
  • MSRP = $20.95 for MIC with Versa Cord
  • Retail = $22.99 with Free shipping

I need it now! Availability: You can purchase the Glocktech MIC holster from Amazon and directly from Glocktech.

Our Rating:

+-No bulk +-Simple +-Versatile +-Great for driving +-Inexpensive

--A little bit of a nuisance when going from sitting to standing

Score: 9.0 90

N82 Tactical Original Holster Review

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N8 Squared Original with Glock 19 Although my current geographical situation precludes me from carrying concealed, being a good American consumer, and a lover of all things gun related, I still get holsters every once in a while. Perhaps, it's just in case hell freezes over and NJ becomes a shall issue state, or maybe as a pinch of preparedness. Either way, just like my firearms collection, the handguns that I have holsters for are varied. Outside the waistband holster for the like of my Sig 226 and kydex IWB holster for my Glock 19 and now the N82 Tactical Original for my little J-frame or Glock 19.

N82 Original with SW Airweight

In carry philosophy, there are a few ideals which need to be lived up to in varying degrees. One is the concept of that the best carry handgun is the one you have with you, it is the one that you will have on your person every day no days off. This can be lived up to, depending on where you are located, where you travel, work, etc. Another one is more in the application of the holster. The weapons security is crucial in a defensive scenario. You could need to run, drive, or carry someone, basically anything that would require two hands in the middle of, or after, the shooting. For the very same reason you use a holster in the first place and carry it concealed, you want to carry that defensive tool in as safe and secure a manner as possible. What I am getting at is re-holstering ability. If you pocket carry with no holster, then it’s a moot point, but if you're carrying using a holster, the ability to re-holster that defensive tool could be a deal breaker in your philosophy of use.

To me, these are the two biggest considerations, aside from concealability, to consider when choosing a holster. A concealed carry permit does you no good if you can’t carry safely in all manner of dress or it is not comfortable and you leave it at home. So, to me, the consistency of your carry slightly edges out re-holster ability.

Something else that impresses me is the price. The most powerful impact of the concealed carry movement is that it re-took the right to self defense from the elite and rich and brought it back to the people. The affordable price point on the original design makes a very comfortable, secure carry system available to more people which, in my book, is a good thing. Put a used J-frame in this holster and for less than 300 bucks total you will have a reliable proven gun with great defensive loads in a comfortable, secure holster and, all-in-all, will be a system that can pretty much disappear on most people.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Concealment, Comfort.

Target Market: Entry level carry

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Suede leather backing
  • Neoprene midlayer
  • Steel Clip
  • Comfortable against the skin
  • Neoprene stops body oils and sweat from contacting firearm
  • Thin and minimalist design improves concealability

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: They make this same holster but with a different clip that makes the unit tuckable. They also make the professional line which is a polymer molded unit attached to the same comfortable platform. N82 products page

What others are saying?:

Big Tex Outdoors Youtube

Price point:

MSRP = $39 +9.50 shipping Retail = $39 +8 shipping at Tacdaddy.com

I need it now! Availability: You can buy these at the above mentioned sites and a quick Amazon search yielded two left handed models on there but no right handed models.

Our Rating

+-Comfort +-Concealability +-Construction

--No re-holster ability

Score 7.575

 

Featured FFL:

I enjoy working with Dynamic Combat Solutions in Wayne, NJ for all my FFL services and custom gunsmithing needs.

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Guns Of Hollywood Podcast

CCOP USA 1-6X30 Tactical Rifle Scope with Illuminated Reticle Review

1624i_1Allow me to let you into a little industry insider secret. Everyone walking the SHOT show has a shopping list.  It doesn't matter if you are from the media, a retailer, manufacturer, owner or representative, we all walk around the grounds of SHOT with an item in mind we want to checkout/try/asses for the purposes of buying it later.  I’m no different, one of my top items in mind while I was wondering the endless halls of the 2014 SHOT show was a variance 1-4X or 1-6X tactical scope for my favorite AR15.  Don’t get me wrong. ACOGs are great and so are EOTechs but they are very specialized and wonderfully engineered tools that will execute the task they were built for flawlessly while burning a very big hole in your pocket… I was on a task to find a good quality glass that will give me both the CQB red-dot reflex sight capabilities but will also give me some magnification capabilities for the 75-200 yard range where a red dot sight starts to be more of a guess and less of a precision tool.  I could, I suppose, go for an EOTech with a magnifier, but there are 2 things I didn’t like about this combo: first, the logistics of mounting/un-mounting and the need to carry the magnifier somewhere while it’s not mounted was a little too annoying for me. Second was the painful $1000 price tag (on the low end!)  All of the above made the variance scopes very popular recently with the tactical shooting community, particularly the AR15 and AK47 owners.

So, I’ve set a goal to find something good for a sub $300 budget.  Now don’t get me wrong, I checked, felt and drooled over ALL the optics in the 1-4X/1-6X categories. I’ve been to every optics vendor from Sun Optics to NightForce. I checked the offering from Vortex, US Optics, Leupold, and many other vendors I can’t remember their names (so, so many…)  After 3 loooooonnnnnggg days of wondering the grounds, in a dark corner of the basement level, I ran into a small booth of a company called CCOP-USA. A new(ish) Chinese manufacturer that I haven’t seen before that offers all kinds of optics and optics accessories. Tired and disappointed that I couldn't find what I was looking for, I had no big expectations for their product and figured they’d be low quality as most of the other no-name eastern manufacturers I saw so far.

1624i_6Boy was I wrong. First, they had both 1-4x AND 1-6X options. The first thing you notice when you look through the glass is how clear it is and how much light goes through it. This is probably due to the 30mm tube (most other 1-4X optics have a 24mm tube which let less light through.The Illuminated reticle and the big diameter make it feel like a red-dot reflex sight. Having the reticle backed by the black reticle and lines guarantee that even if the battery runs out you can still use the optics (point down for EOTech on this one).  One huge compliment for these guys is that their 1X is the closest 1X I’ve seen in any of these 1-4X/1-6X optics. Including some of the expensive brands!

1624i_3A twist of the ring and you get up to 6X magnification. Considering most “budget” scopes are 3-9X this covers a very good distance.  So, getting one is a little slow (about 7-10 days to get it) but when I got it, I couldn't wait to mount it and head to the range.

I had it mounted on my PS90 with a one piece scope mount that also positioned the optics high enough at my eyes level.

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Zeroing was real easy thanks to the “clicks” adjustment mechanism on the scope (which usually only exist on the more expensive scopes).1624i_4

I had it zero at 25 yards and then switched to 50 yards, 75 yards and 100 yards. I had no problem staying on target and hitting every time.  SO, to the question you’re probably asking yourself by now, what’s the cost?  Well, this is one of the coolest thing about this scope. MSRP is only $310 and you can find retail in the $190-$250 range.  I gave this product a score of 8.0.  The only reason I didn’t score it higher is because I don’t have it long enough to testify to its long term usage durability but I promise I’ll have a follow up review in a few months.

I guess SHOT was successful after all…

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Best Bang for your buck in the variance range tactical scopes

Target Market: Tactical shooters / AR15 and AK47 owners that look for a budget aware alternative

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Model: SCP-1624i
  • Magnification: 1X-6X
  • Tube Diameter: 30mm
  • Objective Diameter: 24mm
  • Field of view @100yards: 115-19.2ft
  • Eye Relief: 4.5"-4"  
  • Exit Pupil: 10-4mm  
  • Click Value: 1/2"  
  • Length: 265mm  
  • Weight: 508g
  • Reticle: CQB
  • Illumination: Red / Green
  • W/E: ≥40'  

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: Comes with a soft elastic scope cover

What others are saying?: Their eBay store has over 3700 reviews with a positive percentage of 99.7%

Price Point:

MSRP = $310 Retail = $225

I need it now! Availability: CCOP USA 1-6X30 Tactical Rifle Scope is available here.

Our Rating:

+ Easy on the budget + A twofer: you get a CQB sight and a 6X scope in one package + Zero adjustment is easy with no tools required + Shock proof + Water proof + Fog proof + Illuminated reticle + Black reticle marking to backup in case of dead battery

- New/unfamiliar manufacturer with no history or long term reviews. - Shipping could take up to 10-15 business days

Score: 8.0 Great80

 

 

Joseph's Featured Link:

Big D Armory

BigDArmory

Lone Wolf Dist Glock Magazine Disassembly Tool Review

20140623_193736 Last week, Zack, from Lone Wolf Distributors, and formerly of Gun Guy Radio, posted on Lone Wolf’s Facebook seeking two people to review a new tool from them. I jumped on it and got the tool.

20140623_193951The Lone Wolf Dist Glock Magazine Disassembly Tool is an insanely simple tool designed to disassemble any of Glock’s magazines, including the new .380. The way it works, you simply slide the tool onto the baseplate. There are three slots that correspond with each size magazine(9mm/.40/.357/45GAP, 45/10mm, and .380). There are also two holes that correspond to the different mags. They are engraved with “Small”, for the .380, and “Large”, for everything else. Once you insert the mag, you push your Glock Tool(or any stiff punch) through the correct hole, and it depresses the mag plate button. Once that’s done, place the tool with the magazine oriented “bullets-forward” onto a hard surface, and push the mag body down. The tool holds the plate, while you slide the body off of it. When you pull the tool off, you can place your thumb over the baseplate, to catch the spring, and slide it the rest of the way off. It’s really that simple, or maybe even simpler than I just made it sound.

Lone Wolf posted this video to show the operation. There’s no sound, but it’s incredibly simple.

The review sample I received was aluminum “in the white”, but the final product will be black anodized. They also told me that you can have them custom engraved, if you’d like. They are also offering it as a package with the Glock Tool, for those people that got a Gen 4, lost their tool, or just want an extra.

Bottom line, if you own a single Glock magazine, you’ll want this tool!

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: This tool makes Glock magazines effortless to disassemble.

Target Market: ALL Glock owners

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Solid aluminum
  • Fits all Glock magazines
  • Simple disassembly of mags

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: The tool is only available in black, at this time.

What others are saying?: “Does save some time and aggravation especially if you're taking apart a lot of mags all at once.” - Hank Strange

Price Point:

  • MSRP = $14.95 (tool only)
  • MSRP = $24.90 (with Glock tool)

I need it now! Availability: At this time, the Magazine Disassembly tool is only available directly from Lone Wolf Dist.

Our Rating:

+-Effortless magazine disassembly +-Compatible with all Glock mags +-Solid aluminum

Score: 9.5Amazing

 

 

LaserLyte Reaction Tyme Kit Review

Reaction Tyme KitThe Laserlyte Reaction Tyme Kit is a laser training system that consists of a Universal Pistol Laser Trainer, a Trigger Tyme Compact Training Pistol, and a Reaction Tyme Target. Universal Pistol Laser Trainer:

Reaction Tyme Real

Reaction Tyme GunThe Universal Pistol Laser Trainer is a laser unit that fits slips into the bore of any pistol, from 9mm to .45 cal. This is accomplished by an arbor that screws into the rear of the unit, which expands as you tighten the screw. The front end of the unit is tapered, to keep the laser centered in each caliber. Once installed, the laser will activate whenever the striker or hammer of the pistol falls. It runs on three tiny 377 tablet batteries. The unit comes with three pre-installed and three more for replacement. There is a small plastic disk to keep the batteries separated from the circuit during storage and shipping. Make sure it’s removed before use, or it will not work. The way the laser is activated is that the unit is “listening” for the striker/hammer fall. This means that, if the circuit is complete, during storage, the batteries will run down very quickly. The laser is easily seen indoors, but I believe Laserlyte should offer a green option, for outdoor use. That would allow you to get out to longer ranges, while still having the benefit of not having to spend money on ammo. The manual says that the unit requires at least a two inch barrel, and I confirmed that it would not fit in the standard 1.875" J-frame barrel, without impeding the cylinder rotation. Laserlyte has incorporated a plug that goes on the end of the battery cap that you can flip over and stick it into the battery compartment. This disconnects the circuit, while also keeping everything together. This system could be done a little better, because it is just a rubber plug that can be knocked out, if it’s bouncing around in a bag, or something. I would prefer a threaded cap, to keep it all together.

Reaction Tyme Laser

In my traditionally rifled barrel, the arbor slipped right in when tightened properly. In my Glock, with polygonal rifling, the arbor would grab the rifling, and tighten itself, causing it to flare out even more and get stuck, before it is fully seated. This is easily overcome by making the arbor loose enough to where it just barely engages the rifling, but will tighten up as it is inserted. The laser unit will fit into the bore of a .380, but it was very tight in my Kahr CW 380, so it had to be loosened.

When I first got my kit, the laser unit was faulty. It would activate properly, but it was very dim. I contacted Laserlyte’s customer service, and got a response within an hour. The representative sent me out a new laser, along with a return sticker for the faulty one. She was even kind enough to throw in a 12 pack of replacement batteries. This was about as good of a customer service experience you could get.

Trigger Tyme Compact Training Pistol:

Reaction Tyme Compare

The Trigger Tyme Compact Training Pistol is a completely inert training pistol with a resetting trigger, which means that you don’t have to do any additional actions between each trigger pull. It has a bore that will accept the Universal Laser Trainer. The resetting trigger makes an audible “Click” that is picked up by the laser and activates it. I do not have a trigger pull gauge, so I was not able to actually test it, but it feels a few pounds heavier than my Glock stock trigger. The pistol has basic, black sights on it. They are very similar to the basic Glock sights, just without the white dot and box. The Laserlyte website states that the dimensions are very similar to the Springfield XD-S. The grip is very slim and short. The rear beavertail of the grip has relatively sharp corners, so it can be rather uncomfortable to train with. I decided to file and round the corners to make it a little easier on the web of my hand.

Reaction Tyme Compare 1When I ordered this kit, I did not realize that it came with the compact version of their pistol, so once I tried the compact one out, I ordered their full-size, which is very similar in dimensions to the Glock 19/23. It has the same sight and trigger. It will fit in my Concealment Solutions hybrid holster, but not in the Serpa holster, because the “slide” is a little thicker. The beavertail is not sharp, like the compact version, which is very good, as it’s actually comfortable to use. I would also like some type of false magazine that stores the laser with the pistol, when not in use.

Reaction Tyme Target:

Reaction Tyme Target

The Reaction Tyme Target is an electronic, reactive target that is designed to be used with Laserlyte’s laser trainers. The target area is about three inches square. It has two different modes: Reaction and Normal. The Reaction mode will light the entire target red. You then have a couple of seconds to react, and shoot it, before it turns off. If you successfully hit the target, in the allotted time, it will blink and beep twice, letting you know you hit. The target will continue to light up red at random intervals of three to five seconds, until you switch the target off. In the Normal mode, the target stays unlit, until you hit it with the laser. Each time you hit it, it will light and blink, letting you know you’ve hit the target.

The target runs off of a three AAA batteries. It seems to be very sturdy. It also has a hole in the back, so you can hang it on a screw or nail.

The Reaction Tyme Kit, as a whole, is a very good training aid. I would prefer the option to order it with the Compact or Full-Size pistol. It would also be nice to have a second target included, so you could practice transitioning between each target, but they are offered for sale separately.

If you are in need of a laser training system, this is a very good option. You may even be able to call or email Laserlyte to get them to sell it to you with the full-size pistol. You could buy each component separately, but you save about $60 by buying the kit. I would recommend this kit to any shooter wishing to get some inexpensive trigger time in.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: “One-stop system of entry level laser training” - Laserlyte

Target Market: Pistol shooters looking for a safe, laser training option

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Universal laser unit
  • 9mm - .45 cal
  • Pistol is “Training” blue
  • Red laser
  • Reactive target

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: All of the items are only available in one color: blue pistol and red laser unit.

What others are saying?: “By practicing with a device that replicates DAO triggers in-general you are gaining/polishing trigger skills that are universal to all pistols with DAO triggers.” – Eric, AmmoLand

Price Point:

I need it now! Availability: You can get the Laserlyte Reaction Tyme Kit at Brownells and Amazon.

Our Rating:

+-Resetting trigger +-Universal Laser +-Reactive target +-Great customer service +-Full-size pistol fits well in my hand

--Compact pistol is a little uncomfortable --No storage compartment for the laser --Laser battery plug is prone coming out, when not in use --Laser should be offered in green, for outdoors use

Score: 8.080

Alien Gear IWB Holster Review

58201418928 Written by Chad Wallace

582014181059I ordered the Alien Gear IWB holster because I liked the price.  The holster is everything I expected it to be and more.  The Alien Gear holster is an Inside The Waistband (IWB) holster of the hybrid variety.  It has a large leather back panel and a kydex shell.  This holster is tuckable and comes with metal belt hooks, an option is available for leather hoops also.  The holster arrives with a bag full of extra hardware, which can be used to vary the amount of tension on the gun.  It varies the tension by adjusting the screws that hold the shell on.  Between the shell and the leather backing are some rubber grommets to do this tension adjustment.  Ride height and cant can also be adjusted by moving the belt loops around.  I ordered the tan leather but black is also available as an option.  The holster is available for a vast selection of pistols and comes in a combat cut only, this means that the grip of the pistol is not backed by leather and therefore it rests against you skin or undershirt.   An option is also available to just purchase the outer shell, or trade your original shell, for a new one if you change firearms.  I experienced the shell swapping, because on my original order they sent my holster system for the wrong firearm.  I contacted them and they sent a new shell out the next day.  This was great, until the new shell came for the same wrong firearm.  It then took 3 weeks to finally get a hold of them to tell them about the new mix up. So 5 weeks after the initial holster arrived I received the correct shell and was able to try the holster out.  I have found the holster to be really comfortable and hides the firearm nicely.  

58201418725

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Inexpensive quality IWB holster with the option for gun interchangeability.

Target Market: Those wanting a hybrid IWB holster for a decent price.

FNBs  (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Hybrid Design
  • Price
  • Changeable Shells and/or free shell trades
  • Forever Warranty
  • Adjustable angle
  • Adjustable ride height
  • Adjustable tension
  • Tuckable
  • Extra hardware

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:

  • Comes in tan or black leather
  • Available for a vast selection of pistols

What others are saying?:  From the AlienGear website:58201418825

  • Great product, great value!
  • Very nice product, my only negative thing its the time that I have to wait since order date until it's ready to ship
  • Great Value

Elsewhere on the web:

  • Just got my Alien Gear holster in today and it is a great holster
  • A decent piece for the price, but it is not a replacement for a higher end hybrid
  • Very nice! Super comfortable!

Link to other reviews:  TexasCHLforum,  YouTube

Price Point:

I need it now! Availability:  Aliengearholster.com but shipping times are about 4wks

Our Rating:

  • Price
  • Comfort
  • Adjustments
  • Extra hardware

  • Customer Service

  • Shipping times (about 4 weeks from order date)

Score: 7.0 Good 70

Chad’s Favorite Link: Northwest Firearms