Community Reviewer

Stngr 15" Rptr handguard

Written by: Zane M.

  There are hundreds if not thousands of choices for Handguards and rails for the ar15. Everyone has their own opinion as to what a rail should offer. Personally I like to have as much rail as I can in relation to barrel length, so for a 16” gun that means a 15” rail.

  A few months ago I had a STNGR (pronounced “stinger”) RPTR sent to me to take a look at. At first glance, it looks good. Seems a bit heavy but considering it has quad at the muzzle end not overly so. In the box is the handguard, the barrel nut, and proprietary “wrench” or installation tool.

  Installation was simple. The low pro barrel nut required no timing, a welcomed feature and the provided tool was adequate. The barrel nut is made from aluminum, while I encountered no issues I would much rather have a steel barrel nut. Luckily, they offer one as an upgrade and I will most likely replace mine should I decide to stay with this hand guard.  I feel this should be standard but i understand the need to keep the price and weight down for the casual plinker. It’s worth noting that the anti rotational wings that “lock” the rail in place could need removing for use with a billet upper but I installed it on a forged receiver so I encountered none of that. But more on those wings later.

  The 15” officially licensed Mlok rail comes in at 11.64 oz not including the barrel nut and is made from 6065 aluminum. It will require a low profile gas block or in my case a cut down a2 front site base. At 1.35 inner diameter not too many silencers are going to fit under it if that’s your thing but for people with small hands that don’t like vertical foregrips it’s quite comfortable to grab.  Two QD sling points at the either side towards the receiver end don’t offer much flexibility in using QD slings. Since I don’t use a QD sling this wasn’t a concern for me.

The gun, a colt 6920, still points good, this rail is much thinner than the previous one I had and, as mentioned earlier, makes for a much more comfortable grip. After a day of shooting I noticed two things: 1, the rail has quite a bit of flex and 2, it heats up quick. Then as the day went on I found I had a tendency to oversteer the gun. Let’s address these one by one.

  Flex, the rail flexes. It’s a 15” free-float so that’s to be expected. From the prone at 25yds using only sling tension I was able to move the backup irons enough to shift the strike of the round 5-6” That’s a concern of you’re going to use rail mounted aiming devices like irons or lasers.  If your primary optic is receiver mounted, this is obviously much less of a concern.

  Now let’s talk about heat, after two quick mag dumps, the rail was almost too hot to hold. Midway through the third mag I put a glove on. I definitely wouldn’t put this on a full auto or bumpstocked lower but since I don’t have either and magdumps aren’t really my thing, this is less of an issue. I don’t know how it would hold up on a full day class as I didn’t have opportunity to run it in a class.

  My last minor concern is the weight towards the end. In all fairness I requested the rail with quad at the muzzle, this obviously increases the weight a bit at the muzzle end causing me to ever so slightly oversteer the gun. They offer rails that don’t have the quad rail portion and if I did this over again I would  forgo it.

  The next range trip I brought some range barrels (55gal drums), barricades and a homemade notch wall along to purposely try to break the little bitty anti rotational wings off. After several hundred rounds and several dozen overly aggressive slams into different positions, I was unable to do so. I’m sure if I beat it as hard as I could on the concrete I could bend or break it but I don’t know much that I couldn’t break at that point. My concerns with the wings seem unfounded judging by the last several months of range trips and they’re still holding up just fine. However, they do seem to have about 1/32” extra space so take care in lining the rail up before wrenching it down. And at some point in the testing process I was able to twist it every so slightly. I am chalking this up to user error since I didn’t use a torque wrench to tighten the clam screws to the recommended 20-30 inch lbs. why? You ask, because I don’t have an inch lbs torque wrench. I realigned it and went hand tight-er and didn’t rencounter this problem.

  At $135 it’s hard to beat for a made in America, aluminum handguard. While I’m not sure I would recommend it for duty use, for the hobbyist or for a home defense rifle it seems like a fine choice.

FIREARMS INSIDER REVIEWS - 8 KEY POINTS

 

CLAIM TO FAME:

Made in America aluminum freefloat handguard/Rail

TARGET MARKET:

Anyone with an AR-15

FNBS (FEATURES & BENEFITS OF THIS PRODUCT):

  • Free floated
  • Mlok
  • 2 QD attachments
  • Full length
  • Quad rail at muzzle end
  • Lifetime warranty

WHAT OTHER AESTHETIC OPTIONS OR FINISHES ARE AVAILABLE?

They make rails from 7”-15” in Mlok or keymod, with or without a 3slot quad picrail at the muzzle end

What others are saying:

From STNGR’s website

08/07/2018

Jeremy Koop

First AR build

I’m building my first AR, and want everything on this one to be good quality. I’m enjoying seeing it come together, but now that I got this handguard on, it looks amazing. I did a lot of research and was going to spend 300 dollars on a handguard, before stumbling on to STNGR, that being said, it was a perfect fit, everything is so clean, A++.

 

Price point:

MSRP  - $134.99

At time of writing blemish rails are available for $119.99

Other rails and lengths vary in price

I need it now availability:

STNGRUSA.com

Our Rating:

    Pros:

  • Does the job
  • Price
  • Made in America (if that matters to you)
  • Freefloat
  • Easy installation

   Cons:

  • Has a lot of flex
  • Gets hot fast
  • Very small tolerance issue on the wings

 

Score: 7.5 Good

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Grey Ghost Precision Glock 19 Slide

Written by: Kenny Ortega
 

It seems like everyone is making Glock slides these days. Walking the aisles at the 2018 NRAAM and exhibits this year, glock slides were plentiful. As I was perusing the wares at the Tactical Tailor booth, I saw that their sister company, Grey Ghost Precision, was sharing the booth with them and had slides and barrels on display. I happened to get the opportunity to chat with the Marketing Guru at the Grey Ghost Precision, GGP, side of the booth as I ogled some of the slides available there.

At first glance, I noticed that the slides were not overly adorned with features that didn't offer any benefit other than aesthetics. Unlike most slides at the show, they were made to perform and look good, not just look good. There is an elegance to a product that is made to perform first and look good second. Who cares how good it looks if it doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do? At first glance, it appears that Grey Ghost got both areas right.

I had a number of questions for the marketing guru and after some discussion back and forth, he offered to send me a unit for review. Of course I said yes, their products were impressive. When the slide arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to find that he included one of their threaded barrels as well. That was a bonus that I had not expected. The slide that I chose was the Version 1 as it offered a bit more traction for slide manipulation. That factor became very important to me after another slide that I used to carry failed miserably in that area.

Some time ago, I purchased this slide from Zev and it had great visual appeal albeit it at a high price tag. Although, after running the slide on my gun under tough conditions, I reverted back to the factory slide as it proved more functional under real world conditions. The real test with the GGP slide would be whether it can overcome the shortcomings of a more well known and higher priced race gun slide. The only area that the GGP slide didn't surpass the race gun slide was in the flashy looks department. This comparison is a bit unfair though, it’s like comparing a Corvette to a Jaguar. Both are good looking cars but the Jaguar has a reputation for failure and requires expensive maintenance. GGP made a Corvette. It runs and looks good, at a fraction of the cost.

First Impressions

Upon opening the box, I noticed that the slide was packaged nicely and came with assembly and RMR installation instructions. Also included were the proper length screws for use with an RMR. Closer inspection showed a slide that was well machined, all the lines were crisp and sharp, there were no tool marks that I could see. The finish was deep and even. Overall, the slide had the look of a quality product and not something that was slapped together and rushed to market like many others. I felt that this slide was something I could trust and have complete confidence in. The slide did come stripped so I had to order some parts to complete the slide.

A couple of credit card number entries later and I was just waiting for parts to arrive. I kept all the parts stock to most closely mimic what the average builder might use. While race gun parts might have made the slide more desirable to some, I wanted to keep the budget minded builder as the target audience. The one item that I would highly recommend to complete the slide assembly is  a channel liner installation tool. Trying to install a channel liner without one is like trying to put on your socks without holding them. You might be able to do it but it’s a lot more work than it needs to be. Just spend the few bucks on the tool. You’ll be happy you did.

All the parts installed in the slide without any fitting or modification. To me, that speaks volumes. It means that the tolerances are held close to specifications on the slide, a sign of quality and attention to detail. I was glad to see that. When I went to mate the slide to the frame, I noticed that the fit was tighter than that of the factory slide and the alignment of the two had to be more precise. The slide to frame fit, while tighter than factory, moved freely and smoothly once the parts were mated. The barrel to slide fit was also tight and inspired confidence in the accuracy potential of this parts combination.

Checking the fit of the RMR cover plate, I found it to be snug and well fitted to the cutout for the sight. There did not appear to be any hand fitting of either the plate or the slide to mate the two parts. These items are obviously held to tight manufacturing tolerances with machines that have repeatable accuracy. Their friction fit was impressive. As someone who has been around machinists for decades, I know that tolerances like these are no small task without talent and expensive, well maintained, equipment. GGP obviously has both and it shows.

Range Testing

I was skeptical about how the slide would perform on my normally flawless Glock 19 frame and I was right to be skeptical, initially. The tighter than normal slide to frame fit did result in some failures to go fully into battery and failures to fire. To be honest though, I did do a sort of a torture test on the slide, I ran it dry to try and get it to fail. Using Winchester white box 115 grain 9mm ammo, not known for its reliability, and running the slide to frame interface dry initially, the slide did much better than other slides I have seen. The hiccups did cease after about 100 rounds and, with proper lubrication after that, the slide has yet to malfunction after several hundred more rounds.

In order to try and induce malfunctions, I added a TBRCI micro comp to the barrel. The slide just kept on performing flawlessly. I haven’t been able to induce a stoppage regardless of how hard I try. I have shot the slide in strong hand supported, strong hand only, weak hand supported, weak hand only, and had less experienced shooters shoot it as well. It performs with the notorious reliability of a Glock. They certainly go well together. If I had to find fault anywhere, it would have to be with the RMR. I am not a red dot shooter so I don’t shoot as well with one as I do with iron sights. That’s no fault of the slide though except that it gives me the ability to use a sight that I need more practice with. I’m an old iron sight guy and that’s a hard habit to break.

The slide/ barrel combo shot equally as well as the factory slide does with the aftermarket Silencerco barrel that I normally shoot. Having turned 50 last year, my eyes are not what they used to be and focusing on the front sight is difficult. You would think that a red dot would work better for me but I guess old habits die hard. Even with my old eyes, and other physical compensations I have to make, I was able to shoot 1” groups at 10 yards with ease. More importantly, when I ran ball and dummy exercises to simulate failures, the well defined, sharp edged serrations on both the front and rear of the slide allowed me to easily and effectively manipulate the slide. This was the biggest issue I had with the Zev slide that I ran in a recent class. That slide did not give me enough traction on the slide to clear simulated failures. The GGP slide traction was excellent and allowed me to clear the malfunctions with ease.

After discovering that this whiz bang slide that I bought, for almost twice what the GGP slide cost, would probably get me killed if I ever needed to clear a malfunction, I went back to the factory slide. Running the GGP slide in the same manner, I found that I could count on it to provide the necessary traction needed in an emergency and, even when my hands were sweaty, I could still manipulate it. The GGP slide restored my faith in aftermarket components on a carry gun. The V1 version of the slide has more aggressive texturing in my opinion while the V2 has a more aesthetic design. Either way, at a price point of $418.95 to $449.99, you can’t go wrong with either option.

Conclusion

GGP components are well made, aesthetically pleasing,  and reliable. The cost is on par with several other lesser known slide manufacturers on the market that try to compete solely on price. The prices are well below several other vendors that can easily venture into the $700 price range and beyond. Their threaded barrel with an MSRP of $189.99 is also a good deal. Their products, barrels included, are quality offerings and are priced well for the quality they provide. I am so impressed with their offerings that I am considering buying a Glock 43 just so I can modify it with one of their slides.

If you’re looking for a slide and/or barrel for your Glock, look to Grey Ghost Precision, you won’t be disappointed.

Rating: 8.75 Great

 

For a rating, I would say an 8.75. If it had been just a tad more reliable initially, I would have rated it higher.

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Werkz M2 w/TLR-1 Holster

Written by: Zane Mungillo

     Finding a good holster can be hard.  It’s such a personally dependent thing. There is a reason I have two large drawers full of them.  What is a great choice for me may be entirely wrong for you. It’s for that reason I approach holster reviews a little differently than other products. All holsters, in my opinion, should have the following qualities to even be considered for concealed carry:
•completely cover the trigger/guard
•allow for a full firing “master” grip on the gun while holstered
• have positive retention of some kind
•be made of either leather or kydex (not both) 
•allow for one handed reholstering. 
•firmly attach to the belt or pants
    
 Had the Werkz not “passed” these requirements, I would not have continued the review. 

     The Werkz holster took me on an emotional roller coaster if you will. A variation on their m2 iwb (customized for my gun and light) the holster, at first glance, appears to be very well crafted. All edges were buffed and perfectly smooth. It’s comes with a 1.5” injection molded clip that can be mounted at two different ride heights, straight draw or canted forward or backwards. It also has two tension screws for adjusting how much passive retention is on the gun/light combo. Retention is good when set to my preferred stiffness and a solid audible and tactile click is present when the gun is inserted, I knew I was going to love this holster. 

     That is, until I put it on, while extremely comfortable I couldn’t conceal the gun. The grip printed horribly in my typical dress, shorts and a t-shirt. Standing a boring 5’10” and weighing in at around 150 lbs I realize that I’m asking a lot of a holster to conceal a g17 in my extra medium t-shirts.  To give the holster a fair shake, I wore a slightly larger shirt a few days a week and carried around the house and at the range where I’m much less concerned with printing. 

     After about 2 months, when taking the gun and holster off I noticed the two tension screws had completely backed out and where nowhere to be found. The gun still had plenty of retention while in the waistband but this was concerning to me. To be fair I didn’t apply loctite after setting the desired retention so I chalk this up to that.  Since I used to make holsters in my shed, I have plenty of Chicago screws and such laying around so I replaced them and applied loctite this time (like I should have as soon as I got the holster).

     I decided to “modify” the holster at this point to make it more concealable so I superglued a pair of Dr. Scholls pads  to the inside portion and glue a furniture slide pad to the front inline with the belt clip. This both tilted the grip into my stomach but rotated the grip around. Werkz now offers a claw to accomplish the rotation of the grip and a quick google search of “the aiwb holster hack, Limatunes” will show you how to do the Dr. Scholls hack. I in no way removed material or heated the holster as to compromise the function of it. I simply added a wedge and a claw. 

     The holster now works fine with my typical dress and I’m very pleased with it.  I have over a thousand drawstrokes from it over the course of much dryfire and many range trips as well as about six months worth of  carry. I’m carrying it everyday for now until the next new hotness comes around that I have to try. 

FIREARMS INSIDER REVIEWS - 8 KEY POINTS

CLAIM TO FAME:  

Holsters made with little extra bulk and fast turnaround time, even on custom orders

TARGET MARKET:  

Concealed carriers 

FNBS (FEATURES & BENEFITS OF THIS PRODUCT):  

  • Meets my requirements for a good holster
  • Well made

WHAT OTHER AESTHETIC OPTIONS OR FINISHES ARE AVAILABLE?

Black, Blue, coyote brown, dark gray, FDE, olive drab, carbon fiber black, carbon fiber blood red, carbon fiber coyote, carbon fiber fde. 
Firearm and light options
1.5” or 1.75” clip 

What others are saying:  

Couldn’t find anything for this particular setup (g17w/trl-1) 
The only other reviews I found were on amazon and they tend to be hit or miss. 

Price point:  

MSRP - $42-80 depending model and options.

Retail - Same

I need it now availability: 

Werkz.com - Ships next day on in stock, 2-5 days for quick ship customs and 10 business days on completely custom orders.

Our Ratings:

Pros: 

  • Works as advertised
  • Holds gun securely


Cons: 

  • Not as concealable as other holsters I’ve tried 


Score: 7.50 Good

6.5 before modifying 8.5 after for an average or 7.5

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Blue Alpha gear SR EDC Belt

Written by Zane M.

  At first the belt seemed thin but being stitched double webbing it’s every bit as stiff as I have come to expect from a good quality belt. The plastic buckle is ugly, think life jacket, but if I were concerned with looks I’d wear a leather belt. Make no mistake, this belt is not a looker but it’s sure as hell functional. 

  All ready to go for the day with my new belt on and my typical set up I started my first day with the new belt. This belt had its work cut out for it. A typical load out for me consisting of a g17 with a trl-1 aiwb, a spare 20 round mag next to it, two cell flashlight in one pocket and a tourniquet in the other. All this in cargo shorts and a t-shirt. 

  Over the next few months this was my go to belt and still is as of writing. I found this belt less useful for holsters that require the belt be fed through the mounting points, it can be done but not without removing one side of the buckle (like a cobra buckle). I was, however, able to thread the buckle through almost all of my pants regardless of belt loops. The only exception was dress slacks and let’s be honest, this belt doesn’t  go with a suit anyway. 

  Sizing is super simple, unlike with most belt companies you simply order your pant size. There is plenty of adjustment. I was between sizes so I ordered up but either way looks like it would have worked fine. 

  Probably the best thing about this belt is the price. It retails for just under $35 on Blue alpha gear’s website. You would be hard pressed to find another belt this good for that price. 

 

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

CLAIM TO FAME:

Cheap durable edc belt 

TARGET MARKET:

Concealed carry 

FNBS (FEATURES & BENEFITS OF THIS PRODUCT):

  • Very reasonably priced. 
  • Alternative to the cobra buckle (for those like me that aren't a fan) 

WHAT OTHER AESTHETIC OPTIONS OR FINISHES ARE AVAILABLE?

Black 

Wolf gray

Coyote brown 

What others are saying:

From blue alpha gear’s website 

Outstanding value

Jeremy on Feb 11, 2018

What a great belt for not a whole lot of money. Fits in Levis and Carhartt with no issues. Solidly built and is the cost of a week's worth of coffee.

Works great for AIWB and regular carry. This is a perfectly capable everyday belt. Good stuff made in the US.

Price point:

MSRP - $34.97

At time of writing on sale for $29.97 from blue alpha gear 

I need it now availability:

2-5 day lead time at time of writing from Blue Alpha Gear

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Super stiff
  • Very reasonably priced 

Cons:

  • Buckle is ugly 
  • No frills 
  • Doesn’t feed through all belt loops 

Score: 7.5 GOOD

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You Suck, It's not the Gun

Written by: Kenny O.

  How many times has someone said “there’s something wrong with this gun” yet it performs perfectly in someone else’s hand? This is where You Suck, It’s Not The Gun was born. People are always ready to blame an equipment failure when there are certain aspects at play that cause them to fail. Recently, I had the opportunity to train with Erik “Trek” Utrecht, owner of Michigan Defensive Firearms Institute, MDFI, and learn how and why I suck. The gun just does what it’s told.

  Trek starts out by giving us some background, interspersed with movie quotes every now and again, and tells us what to expect for the day. Hearing that we will only be firing 115 rounds for a full day seems incredulous at first. How can so few rounds make one a better shooter? It all comes down to taming the wolves. After a 10 round qualification, at 10 yards, the day really gets going. Trek tells you to bury that qualification target somewhere that you won’t see it for the rest of the day. What comes next is the introduction of the two wolves that need to be tamed.

  Obviously, these are not real wolves. They are analogous to the controls that we need to master to be better shots. They are referred to as the Sight Wolf and the Trigger Wolf. The illustration that is set up is one of two children, one adolescent and one teenager. The younger of the two is kind, gentle, and obedient. This is the Sight Wolf; he wants to behave. The Trigger Wolf is not the same. He is the bad seed, rebellious, hellion of a child that will buck authority and society at every opportunity. The challenge is teaching this Wolf to obey and not corrupt the good wolf. The first way to tame him is to take your time with him. The motto of the class therefore is there is no time limit. It doesn’t matter how fast you can miss a target.

  Starting at the 1 yard line, the fundamentals get refined making many of the students 1 yard snipers. Get the T-shirt, it should be good for a laugh. Being a 1-yard sniper doesn’t sound impressive, but it helps to build on the fact that good shooting is a possibility. After a break, Trek continues to emphasize how the wolves can be tamed and becomes a chef. His shooting recipes for wolves will highlight your strengths and weaknesses on the firing line. After the first recipe or two, shooters really start to see where they need to improve or continue what’s working for them.

  Trek might just be the Bobby Flay of the shooting world because his recipes can be magical. This is evidenced at the 3 and 5 yard lines with more drills. All these drills use a 1” dot as the target. There is something to be said about using a small target to aid in improvement. It is also incredibly rewarding when you’re able to keep your shots inside of the dot. By the end of the day, after all the recipes, stories, and wolf warnings have been shared, it’s time to reshoot the 10 yard qualification. After only firing about 100 rounds, many of the students saw a significant improvement in their shooting. I myself was able to cut my group size in half from morning to afternoon.

  I strongly recommend anyone that wants to improve their shooting skills to take this class. It is not sexy, cool, or tactical. It is practical though and well priced at $175. Every bullet that a shooter fires, whether on the range or on the street, has a lawyer attached to it. Wouldn’t you want the confidence of knowing your rounds are going where you want them to go? I know I do and I consider this a small price to pay to help me do that. Trek is a great instructor who keeps what could be boring and mundane entertaining and enlightening. He is not overbearing, and he has a good sense of humor. Throughout all of that, safety is paramount. I was not in fear of injury like I have been in other classes. It was clear that I suck, it’s not the gun.

  I learned valuable lessons that day of how to suck less so I can be a better shooter.

Self Defense Insurance

First I am not a lawyer nor an insurer. The information in this article is intended to be used for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal advice or self-defense insurance advice.

  • YOU must perform your own research and determine which, if any, will be applicable to you.

 

You have just used your sidearm to defend your life.

You have just had the fight for your life, now you are in for the fight of your life.

Are you ready?

 

Defending yourself from using deadly force can cost a lot of money. Some recent instances cost the over $100,000 and, in one case, over $2,000,000. Not everyone has the funds available to cover the costs of a trial, especially when you consider attorney fees, court costs, expert witnesses etc. This is where self-defense insurance plans come into play. There are several companies offering insurance offering various degrees of coverage at a wide range of costs. Not all insurance plans are created equal nor do they provide the coverage you may need.

 

When evaluating self-defense insurance companies the following items should be considered:

 

Bail Bond – You need to be prepared as most likely you will most likely be arrested, taken to jail, and will need to post bond to be released. Will the insurer pay up front for the bail? Some will pay at varying degrees up front for bail, while others only after you are acquitted.

 

Lawyer – Lawyers will want up front money prior to taking your case. Some insurers will cover lawyer costs up front (at least in part) and others only if you are acquitted. If you select an insurer who will pay legal fees pending acquittal you will need to ensure you have sufficient savings to cover costs of the legal team. If you select an insurer who will cover the costs up front make sure you know what the limits are as you will be responsible for expenses beyond the covered limit.

  • Keep in mind that most insurers will want access to case files to make an assessment and determine if they will provide additional funds.

 

Lawyer Selection – can you select your own lawyer or is one assigned? If the lawyer is assigned what is their level of familiarity with Self-defense cases? Will the attorney be able to effectively mount a defense for you?

 

Why not keep a lawyer on retainer (just in case)? The issue is you are putting down funds for an event that (hopefully) will never happen. Most lawyers will not take a retainer for an uncertain future case as they will have to account for and track the money for years, or even decades. What happens to your money if the lawyer closes shop?

 

Non-Lawyer expenses – will the insurance cover costs for expert witnesses, investigators, co-counsel etc.? What is the limit for these expenses? Remember, you will be responsible for expenses beyond plan coverage.

 

Non-Firearms Self-Defense – if you do not use a firearm for self-defense (voice command, baton, pepper spray etc.) will that be covered? Some insurers will only cover firearms usage and a person legally carrying firearms have been arrested for verbalizing their INTENT to use a firearm to defend himself.

 

Gun-Free Zone – If you carry in a Gun-Free Zone are you covered? What about other areas you are not permitted to carry (bars, parks, public areas etc.)? What if you carry where it is posted ‘No Weapons’?

 

How is your case handled – When you report a Self-Defense claim will you be referred to someone on staff who has familiarity with self-defense issues or will they refer you to an external third party? Will the focus be on your defense or minimizing expenses?

 

Insurer Solvency – How much money do they have on-hand to pay for your defense? You would not want to pay for insurance just to find out that they do not have sufficient funds to pay for your defense.

 

Civil litigation – You will most likely be sued civilly, will this be covered? What are the limits? Are the limits in conjunction with or in addition to the self-defense criminal limits?

 

In summation, do you need self-defense insurance? This depends on your:

  • Likelihood to need to use deadly force to defend your life

  • Risk aversion preference – how willing are you to assume risks of paying for your defense.

  • Ability to pay costs involved for your defense.

 

Regardless of your decision to obtain legal insurance you need to consider learning about self-defense laws in your state and areas you frequently travel. Self Defense laws vary based on states, counties, cities and you should be familiar with the law. There is a difference between what the right thing to do is and what is legally right to do. Knowing and following the law is extremely important.

 

This table contains data for some most popular/advertised companies that issue self-defense insurance. A few notes on the data:

  • This data is current as of 1/1/18.

  • The data was based on what could be obtained from the issuer’s web site. If other sites had information that was not considered as it was not first hand from the issuer.

  • The NRA Carry Guard is not completed as data on their insurance could not be located on their web site.

  • You can also see additional information on http://vcdl.org/legal-plans.

    • This is from a survey conducted in November 2017.

 

JP Enterprise Silent Captured Spring

Written by: Michael Caprioli

 

  I’ve been interested in since they first appeared in 2012. It’s a buffer spring and a buffer, it’s two – two items in one!  The JP Enterprise Silent Captured Spring is genius!  The system uses a spring like a 1911 recoil spring around an aluminum rod with adjustable weights at the BCG mating side with a cone like base at the rear of the unit.  

  JP Enterprise puts a lot of research into their products and won’t release a product if it doesn’t work 100%.  Specifically, JP did a lot of research to see if there are any limitations to their SCS.

  There are two generations of the AR15 SCS – First and Second.  The difference being the first generation uses a steel guide rod, are metric (M5) and take a 3mm hex key.  The second generation uses an aluminum guide rod and a 1/8 hex wrench.

  The AR15 JP Silent Capture Spring 2-15 (JPSCS2-15), is not compatible the Primary Weapons System (PWS) old style Enhanced Bolt Carrier (EBC).   This is because the back-bore, rear opening of the bolt carrier, is not large enough to allow the guide rod of the SCS to travel through it.  This is important because the EBC guide rod is stationary and has the BCG retracts in to the buffer tube during the firing cycle the guide rod penetrates the rear of the BCG.  The PWS EBC is easily identified by the larger rear bearing area and smaller diameter back bore.  As a side notice I remember when the SCS first came out it was also recommended not for use with the PWS Enhanced Buffer 416 Tube because the tube had a slight interior taper that did not allow the SCS to fully seat to the rear.  This is not currently listed in the product instructions.

  JP also makes an AR10 second generation version of the SCS, JP Silent Capture Spring 2-10 (JPSCS2-10).  The AR10 version is not recommended for use with HK MR762 due to its larger diameter buffer, nor the DPMS GII, which will not cycle with the SCS due to its carrier design.  It’s nice that a company cares enough about its products to let you know it’s limitations before you buy it.  

  The JP 9mm SCS will work with some 9mm pistol caliber carbines, but won’t work with others. A key to look for is if the 9mm bolt has an opening large enough and deep enough to the guide rod to penetrate.  With the numerous 9mm PCCs hitting the market I can see why it’s difficult for JP to specifically state which PCC it will work for and which ones it won’t.  But I can guarantee it will work in the JP GMR-15 9mm PCC.  (Hopefully I can review one of these in the future.)  Or if you are building your own JP sells an outstanding line of 9mm PCC products.

  Both the AR15 and AR10 are available in a heavy H2 version.  The heavy H2 is recommended for use with short barrel rifles, suppressors, select-fire, piston-operated systems and when manufacture recommends use of an H2.

  If you’re not sure what system to get JP has a SCS selection guide.

  The SCS is pricey, $139.00 to $196.00, depending on type: standard, H2, with assorted spring kit; AR15, AR10 or 9mm.  Price is the main thing that kept me away from buying the SCS.  While walking the prize table at the 2017 He-Man Nationals I picked up a gift certificate from JP Enterprise that allowed me to get two Silent Captured Springs and two Low Mass BCGs.  I ordered the AR15 SCS standard version with the assorted spring kit.  The set arrives in a neat triangular shaped box.   The kit includes the SCS system, five springs, spacer and steel weights.   You can also order additional tungsten or steel weights to customize the system for your AR15 application and ammunition.  The SCS is designed to be used in a carbine buffer tube.  If you have a rifle length buffer tube don’t worry.  JP includes a spacer to be used in a rifle length buffer tube.  Simply drop the spacer in the rifle length buffer tube first, then install the SCS next.  If you have an A5 buffer tube you should be able to trim it to fit.

  A note on carbine buffer tubes.  As I stated earlier, JP does a lot of research on their products before they release them.  They also listen to feed back from their customers.  Due to the different manufactures of buffers tubes not all of them may have the same exact internal dimensions.  As a result, the SCS was seating deeper in some tubes then necessary.  JP came up with a solution to the problem.  Place a quarter in the bottom of the buffer tube and it will fill the space needed.  There should be no gap between the back of the BCG and the buffer end of the SCS.

The standard version is designed to be a low-mass system.  The weight on the system is set by using steel or tungsten sleeves.  A standard buffer uses small steel cylinders. The H buffer comes with two steel sleeves and one tungsten sleeve.  Additional steel and tungsten sleeves can be purchased to fine tune your rifle

  The five springs are rated from light to heavy and are color coded.  You must refer to the product instructions to reference the colors (so keep the product instructions with your springs!)  Changing the springs is very easy. Remember safety – wear safety glasses! You are dealing with a spring under tension and parts may fly into your eyes. Depress the weight end and place a small Allen wrench or pin into the hole in the guide rod.  Unscrew the guide rod screw.  Now remember the weights are under spring tension and now there is nothing to keep them from flying off into the oblivion that your detent pin flew off to last month. Push the weights down to relieve tension on the Allen wrench, or pin, and remove it.  Slowly allow the spring to expand until there is no more pressure against the weights.  The weights should be clear of the guide rod, remove them and then you can remove the spring.  Select what spring you want to use, and install it in reverse order.  The guide rod screw comes a dap dried of 242 loc-tite on it and should be good for about two removals and resets.

  I used the white spring because my intended purpose was a light weight 3-gun rifle with a JP Low Mass BCG.  I also have JP Adjustable gas block on the rifle length gas system.  After tuning the gas system for reliability, I ran the rifle through a series of tests.  I used both JCAA 55 grain and 77 grain long range ammo.  The cycling was flawless and fast.  I also noticed the rifle recoil was smooth and shot very flat, it did not nose dive when it returned to battery.  I think this is because of the limited range of motion of the SCS.  The forward motion of the spring is stop by the retention screw in the guide rod.  In a standard AR15 the buffer is pushed forward by the spring and the buffer hits the detent pin in the lower receiver.  This may or may not be correct but either way, the system provides smooth cycling.

  So is the JP Silent Captured Spring worth the money?  I would say, “Yes.”  I did not find anything negative about the system and saw an advantage to it.  I would highly recommend it for any higher end build.  And I think everyone needs at least one high end build AR15.

  DISCLAIMER:  The products reviewed have been personally purchased or won as prizes from shooting competitions.  Any items provided to the writer for review shall be stated and disclosed in the review. The writer does not receive any financial compensation from any company’s in this review and will identify any sponsorship relationship with any companies in the review.

 

FIREARMS INSIDER REVIEW – 8 KEY POINTS

 

CLAIM TO FAME:

Self-contained, complete spring buffer system. Eliminates the drag and twang of traditional buffer springs.  

TARGET MARKET:

AR15 shooters looking to improve the performance of their rifle and end the twang.

FNBS (FEATURES & BENEFITES OF THIS PRODUCT):

  • Exceptionally smooth operation

  • Easy installation

  • Unique look

  • Adds in recoil efficiency

  • No bolt bounces

WHAT OTHER AESTHETIC OPTIONS OR FINISHES ARE AVAILABLE?

Available for all types of AR systems.

Easy to adjust buffer weights

Easy to adjust spring weights

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:

One of those things I can’t imagine living without. – The Truth About Guns

It will blow your mind how smooth it makes your rifle. – The Firearm Blog

LINK TO OTHER REVIEWS:

The Firearm Blog: Gadget Review

Tactical Gun Review – JP Rifles LMOS and Silent Captured Spring Review

PRICE POINT:

MSRP:  $139.95-$206.95

Retail: $139.95-$169.95 @ Brownell's

I NEED IT NOW! AVAILABILTY:

Brownell’s

JP Enterprises

OUR RATING:

Pros:

  • Easy to install

  • Easy to adjust

  • Smooths weapons reciprocation

  • Quite

Cons:

  • Expensive (but worth it)

 

SCORE:  9.0 EXCELLENT

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Brigand Arms Forearm Review

Written by: Michael C.

I’ve always been a function over style type person.  When I first saw the Brigand Arms handguard I thought it was stylish, but not very functional.  It looked like under heavy firing it would get hot because it was so wide open the heat from the barrel would radiate to the shooters hand.  

When I took the Tactical Performance Center Multi-gun class we were told to bring a wrap or glove because the rifle forearm would probably get very hot due to the large amount of fast shooting we would we be conducting.  During the three-day course, the forearm on my Armalite 3-gun rifle did get warm but not so much that it bothered me.  After this experience I thought the Brigand Arms would really get too hot to handle.

The lack of a rails didn’t bother me as those are only needed on a “tactical” rifle to mount lights, lasers, grips and bottle openers.  This is not a rail that one would choose for that application.  It just looked cool.

After hearing a positive review of the Brigand Arms handguard on the We Like Shooting podcast and the AR-15 podcast on the Firearms Radio Network  I thought I would give it a try. But first I had to see if Brownell’s carried the Brigand Arms handguard.  I’ve been a Brownell’s customer long before I started reviewing gear.  The customer service has always been excellent, and they have the best website in the business.  Has a bonus Brownell’s has the Forever Guarantee - no questions asked return policy.  So, if I don’t like it or decide I don’t want it, I can return it. And has an Edge member I don’t pay for shipping!  Including returns!

When the package arrived, I thought the box was empty because it was so light.  I opened the box and there was my new woven carbon fiber handguard!  I ordered the fifteen inch “Blade” version.  I think the Blade version really adds to the unique design of the handguard design.  The Blade is angled at the front and because of the mounting system you can run the angle however you like: long on the bottom, short on the top; long on the top, short on the bottom; or anywhere along the 360 degree radius.   

Unpackaging the forearm I was reminded of an issue with woven carbon fiber – loose fibers.  I caught a loose fiber in my hand, like a wood splinter.  I took a break to remove the foreign body from my finger and then put on my welding gloves.  I ran the gloves over the handguard to remove any loose fibers I imagine you could do the same thing with a shop rag, just make sure to throw the shop rag away when you are done.  This is not a negative against the Brigand Arms handguard, it’s common to all woven carbon fiber products, just part of the required pre-installation: wipe down the handguard.  Please note I have taken the rifle out five times since I mounted the hand guard with no more splinter issues.  There are three parts in the package: handguard, barrel nut and cinch nut.  The barrel nut is aluminum and appears to be similar to the YHM barrel nut, and the cinch nut appears to be similar to the YHM jam nut.  This is smart outsourcing by Brigand Arms, use off the shelf items to cut cost.  This is a smart move by Brigand Arms to lower the price of the handguard.  And since this is one of the pricier handguards on the market anything that can be used to lower costs while maintaining quality is a smart move.  Like Scrooge McDuck said, “Don’t work harder, work smarter.”

To start the installation I put a dap of release agent on the barrel extension on my custom order 18 inch, light profile, rifle gas system, 1-7 barrel I from Columbia River Arms and inserted it into a Vltor MUR upper receiver.  I really like the Vltor because I have yet to find one out of spec.  They look like billet, but they are forged and a little thicker than a mil-spec upper.  Next, I put a dap of LocTite 242 (blue) onto the threads of the receiver and tightened the barrel nut to the recommended torque of 34 – 40 foot pounds.  Next I installed the Brownell’s black nitride gas tube mounted to a JP Enterprise  AR-15 2 piece detent adjustable low profile gas block. The gas tube runs through the barrel nut so it’s important to make sure the barrel nut is aligned properly.  If the tube doesn’t fit through the nut keep tightening it a little bit at a time until it freely aligns with the gas key on the bolt carrier group.

Installing the handguard was very straight forward.  Like installing a YHM handguard.  In fact, Brigand Arms recommends on their FAQ web page to use the YHM handguard wrench to install the handguard.  Alternative ways are to tighten the cinch nut is with a spanner wrench, strap wrench or give the cinch nut a tap with a flat head screw driver.   I had a spanner wrench on hand and I wrapped the areas that might mare the finish with duct tape.  I was unable to get adequate torque on the cinch nut to keep the handguard form turning.  I made a quick trip to my local gun store Cobra Tactical (one of my sponsors) and asked Eric if he had the YHM handguard wrench.  He was kind enough to loan me the tool, so I could finish the build.

With the upper assembled I headed out to the range.  One of the first thing I noticed was how easy it was to access the adjustable gas block.  All too often the handguard must be removed to access the adjustments to the gas block, then reinstalled and you hope you have it adjusted properly.  

The test and evaluation for this upper was actually for five new parts: Brigand Arms handguard, Columbia Arms Barrel, UM Tactical RAGE muzzle brake, JP Enterprise low mass bolt carrier group and JP Enterprise silent captured spring recoil system, and Geisslle charging handle.  After getting everything tuned up (I will cover these items in a later review) I laid the handguard on a sand bag to check the accuracy of the build.  Awesome is all I can say regarding the accuracy of this build.  I was pleasantly surprised at how solid the handguard was on the rest.  No flexing or torquing while shooting off the sand bag. The sand bags at the range are the heavy plastic and I was surprised to see no melting or deformation from heat of the barrel to the bag.  Inspecting the handguard, I could not see and deformation or wear marks on it.

Next test came the test for what I thought would be the problem, heat radiating from the barrel through the hand guard.  I did a series of speed and transition drills without pause.  I finished with two 30 round magazine dumps.  Surprisingly the handguard never became too hot to handle or uncomfortable to hold.  Another surprise was how quickly the barrel cooled.  Just has the Brigand Arms stated in their interviews on the Firearms Radio Network because of the lack of surface area on the handguard the barrel cools quickly.

I’ve been able to take the rifle to the range five more times and even practiced dumping the rifle into a USPSA box and 3 Gun Nation barrel.  No damage to the handguard.  The handguard is a little larger in diameter than some other handguards but still fits well in the hand. The woven pattern of the hand guard makes for a good gripping surface. I practiced holding the handguard in different positions, all were secure, and it was easy to control the weapon.  

Brigand Arms makes three models of the woven carbon fiber handguard: Blade, Edge and Atlas.  The Edge is like the Blade but with a flat front.  The Atlas is like the Edge but adds a four short picatinny rails at 3, 6, 9 and 12 positions at the front of the handguard.   If you want to add rails Brigand Arms handguards, they are prepared for you.  You can purchase rail sections and add them wherever you want on the handguard.  Brigand Arms also sells M-Loc panels you can add anywhere to the handguard.

Overall, I am very pleased with the Brigand Arms handguard. It is performing better than I imagined it would.  The handguards are expensive, $259.00 to $414.00, but they are worth it.  Brigand Arms has added AR-10 DPMS-Hi style handguards to their shop.  I will be buying one of these for a light weight AR-.308 build.  I’m expecting the same outstanding performance from the .308 models.

Brigand Arms are innovators and I look forward to seeing other products they bring to market.

FIREARMS INSIDER REVIEW – 8 KEY POINTS


CLAIM TO FAME:

Lightest handguard available

TARGET MARKET:

Modern Sporting Rifle users who want a light weight unique handguard.

FNBS (FEATURES & BENEFITS OF THIS PRODUCT):

  • Lightweight

  • Easy installation

  • Unique look

  • Adds in barrel cooling

  • Off the shelf mounting hardware

  • Ease of access to adjustable gas blocks

WHAT OTHER AESTHETIC OPTIONS OR FINISHES ARE AVAILABLE?

  • Three different styles

  • Four different lengths

  • Available for AR15 and AR10 (DPMS)

  • Bare carbon fiber

  • Handguard can be Cerakoted

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING?:

Coolest and most interesting product at SHOT Show

LINK TO OTHER REVIEWS:

Brigand Arms website - Reviews

PRICE POINT:

MSRP:  $269.00 - $414.00

I NEED IT NOW! AVAILABILTY:

Brownells or Brigand Arms

OUR RATING:

Pros:

  • Easy to install

  • Lightweight

  • Feels good in the grasp

  • Looks wicked cool

Cons:

  • Expensive

  • No continuous rail on top

 

SCORE:  9.0 EXCELLENT

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Patriot Gun Polishing

Written by: Tony Simon

My BBQ Gun by Patriot Gun Polishing

    I remember being enthralled as a kid reading a gun magazine article about BBQ guns. What is a BBQ gun? Only the hottest looking revolvers I’d ever seen! There were nickel and gold plated Colt Single Action Army revolvers, Colt Pythons and Smith and Wesson revolvers with awesome scroll engraving work with beautiful grips made of everything from ivory, pearl and exotic woods. They were all wrapped in highly customized holsters made from leather that were open carried to BBQs for everyone to gaze upon. I lusted after one throughout my childhood but I assumed that I was over it when I became an adult. I was wrong.

   I owned a Smith and Wesson 686 that I use to teach new shooters how to use a handgun and for The 2nd is For Everyone: Diversity Shoot. I am always looking for ways to get people introduced to firearms and I figured a BBQ gun would be just the ticket to get new shooters over being intimidated by a firearm. Pretty guns can’t be scary, right?  I looked around to have BBQ gun work done on my Smith and Wesson 686.. I saw really cool stuff from some top gunsmiths but the sticker price was out of this world. The cost of doing this work was in the thousands of dollar range, so I was out.

   I stumbled across Patriot Gun Polishing’s Instagram page and had my mind blown. The quality of the mirror polishing was amazing and soon I was at Gun For Hire range in Woodland Park NJ having them send my revolver to Patriot Gun Polishing in Florida.

  Robert, the owner of PGP, sent me a written description of all of the surface scratches that were on my revolver after he looked it over so we were both aware of what he had to work around. The wait for the work was a few weeks and it was killing me! Every day he post pictures of firearms that he is working and they looked great, I was going nuts waiting for my firearm. I received my revolver back in the hard black pistol case that I sent out. When I opened it I felt like the characters in the movie “Pulp Fiction” opening Marsellus Wallace’s suitcase, it positively glowed. Most parts of it was polished to a mirror finish, there was no hint of the scratches that were on the revolver. The end of the barrel and the top strap was left sandblasted,the trigger and hammer were left original.The mirror polishing along with the trigger and action job I’d had done when I purchased the 686 made this BBQ gun THE BOMB!

 I took this to the very next “The 2nd is For Everyone : Diversity Shoot” to see if new shooters would be impressed by the beautiful revolver. It made an impression on the new shooters but they had nothing to compare it to since it was their first time shooting any firearm. It was more of a big deal to experienced shooters that owned stainless steel firearms. They came over one after the other to look at and shoot my BBQ gun. I know this isn’t an expensive super customized BBQ gun from my childhood but it sure feels like it. I did not to change the grips because this is a training firearm, I want it to be as soft shooting and recoil friendly as possible so I kept original Hogue rubber grips.

   Clean up seems easier than before, I clean it the same as before I had the work done. I wipe it down with the same micro fiber cloth that PGP sent my revolver wrapped around to keep fingerprints off. The prices for most revolvers are $375, full sized pistols are $575, Commander size pistols are $525 and compact models are $375-$450. All prices include shipping. Robert was good enough to donate his services to 2A4E Diversity Shoots and for that I am very thankful. I have taken many photos of the revolver and used them to spread the word of our 2nd Amendment events. This firearm is very photogenic and tens of thousands of people have seen this firearm on social media.

 

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Gun polishing

Target Market:

Anyone wanting a customized revolver

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Looks really cool

  • Easier Cleanup

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Shiny or Shinier

What others are saying?:

Sam K. on Yelp

If you want to turn your pistol or revolver into a piece of art then send it off to Robert at Patriot Gun Polishing. Robert is a trustworthy and first class firearms expert. Turn around time was good. Communication was professional. A first class operation! Wow!

 

Kurt-Patriot Gun Polishing on Facebook

Top notch service. Master of his trade. I carefully looked my Coonan over for any rounded off edges that aren't supposed to be rounded off. Couldn't find any. Some would say polishing is a bit pricey. It is (no matter who does it) So why pay the same and get less? I know a guy that had his 1911 polished by a competitor. The picatinny rail was rounded off. It looked like waves crashing on a beach. YOU WILL NOT GET THAT HERE! A true craftsman.

 

Price point:

MSRP = $375-575

I need it now! Availability:

Patriot Gun Polishing

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • The gun looks great

  • Cleanup seems to be quicker

Cons:

  • It seems expensive until you compare it to having a custom finish painted on a handgun

Score: 9.0 Amazing

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Glock 19 Gen 5

 Written by Zane M.

  In case you haven’t heard the worlds most perfect pistol just got an upgrade. That’s right perfection has been perfected. In all seriousness glock has released their gen 5 line of g19 and g17 guns and people seem to have mixed emotions.

  Being a fan of glocks, I was naturally curious and later reading a few write up and internet scuttlebutt I definitely wanted to get my hands on one.  It worked out well because a friend called saying he was getting one and did I want to check it out.

  I drove out to his house and picked up a brand new g19 gen5. “Bring it back sometime next week” he said. I also had an alert from UPS letting me know I had a case of ammo on my doorstep, how convenient.

  The new finish on slide looks very nice, it looks a bit darker and is more subdued. A blacker black if you will, and not as shiny as my gen4 and gen3 glocks. The gun lacks finger grooves, a welcomed change from most people I know, but so does my gen4 thanks to a dremmel. The barrel on the gen5 uses traditional rifling instead of the polygonal rifling glock has previously used. Probably the most notable difference aside from the lack of finger grooves is the ambidextrous slide release/stop. So if you’re wrong handed, glock thought about you. One change I was most interested in checking out was the Flared magwell. I was underwhelmed by it at first glance but it definitely grew on me. Glock is still using those plastic atrocities they call sights but this gun had already had them replaced with some fiber optics. The biggest thing I noticed is still no front cocking serrations. Come on, glock, get with it.

  The gun came to me with one magazine through it but was otherwise brand new. In the box there were three mags and mag loaded tool, Cleaning rod and brush, cable lock and manual. I took the gun to the range as it came to me with a few hundred rounds of ammo.

The trigger is a glock trigger, it seemed a bit smoother than my gen 4 and gen 3 but lighter than the g42 I used to have. The take up did seem bit stiffer but I’ll take that for the seemingly more consistent “push” if you will through the “wall” The gun handled and fired like a glock. The flared magwell did grow on me with every reload. In 300+ rounds of two hand, primary hand and support hand only shooting. I had no malfunctions to speak of aside from three failures to lock back on the last round. These were completely shooter induced and occurred with a 19, 17 and magpul 21 mag. It’s also worth noting this is a problem I have with all glocks because my support hand contacts the slide release.

  Holster compatibility was something I was curious about so I tried the gun in several that I had laying around. The starboard side slide release dragged on two of them, touched one, and worked fine with four. Two of those were home made by yours truly and the other two require the use of a weapon mount light. Overall it seemed to work in many existing holsters and with some quick modifications I don’t see why it wouldn’t work in most all of them.

  Final thoughts: I like it. For an out of the box carry/duty gun, it’s hard to beat save the sights. However, if you’re going to modify or send it off, I’d probably just save the little extra and go gen 4

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

It’s a glock, not much else to say. It’s been upgraded

Target Market:

Law enforcement, security and law abiding citizen looking for a reliable, ambi pistol. And glock fanboys like myself

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • glock reliably

  • ambidextrous slide stop

  • flared magwell

  • lack of finger grooves

  • new more durable coating

  • replaceable back straps (not new)

  • traditional rifling

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None

What others are saying?:

Too New

Link to other reviews:

Concealed Nation

Price point:

MSRP = $629.00+

Retail = $559 at Brownells

I need it now! Availability:

Brownells

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Works like a glock

  • flared magwell

  • pleasing to shoot

  • smoother trigger

Cons:

  • Still no front serrations

  • sights are still terrible (not a big deal to me)

Pros/Cons: You Decide

  • lack of finger grooves

  • ambi slide release

Score: 8.5 Great or slightly better than the gen 4

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Raven Concealment Eidolon

Written by: Zane M.

Selecting a holster can be a daunting task. Anyone who is serious about carrying a firearm probably has at least one box or drawer full of holsters that have fallen short in one way or another. I have two and half dresser drawers full of bad ideas and borderline junk myself.

  About a year ago I decided to try the  appendix inside the waistband(AIWB) position for various reasons. After trying a few holsters that I found and a few I made without much success, I reached out to some friends in the industry for suggestions.

  Highly recommended was the raven concealment systems eidolon. One of my friends had one he wasn’t using anymore so he sent it my way for some testing and evaluation. If you’re not familiar with the eidolon it is extremely user configurable. So much so it can be intimidating but it’s comes with a user’s manual and I recommend you read it.

  I kept the holster in the configuration it came to me in: a single belt strut(molded clip) and the RCS claw. Both soft loops and over struts can be used. Typically I’m a fan of soft loops but I have nothing against struts so I chose to keep it as configured. Other options include a wedge for pushing the top of the gun into your body, the claw(that I did use) for rotating the grip towards your body and wings so the holster can be configured for hip carry. The holster can be used right handed or left handed by simply switching out the mounting hardware. The holster is available for a wide array of guns as long as it’s a small frame glock that is to say double stack 9mm/.40/.357sig/.45gap (people use .45gap?) the model I have is cut to glock19 length with an open bottom. The majority of the testing was done with a glock 17, I also used it with a glock 26 for  comparison sake.

  At this point it’s worth mentioning I stand a staggering 5’10” tall and am weighting in at a whopping 150lbs, in other words, I’m not a big dude. The holster is comfortable and extremely good at concealing the gun. It covers the trigger completely but still allows for a full firing grip while the gun is holstered, even with a custom undercut on the trigger guard.  The strut is well made and after several hundred draws never once did it slip off the belt. As I was using a g17 there was about a half of an inch of slide sticking out the bottom of the holster, however I didn’t find this to be a problem. RCS offers a version with a closed bottom for the g17 size guns if that’s an issue for you. The gun stays in place, even with only one belt strut, and the rcs claw really does wonders for rotating the grip into the body making concealment of a full size gun not only possible but easy.   With the g26 the gun literally disappears.) If I were to continue to use the holster for every day use I would probably add a 2nd strut or even use two tuckable soft loops (available with the full kit or from RCS) I did add a strip of Velcro to put a foam wedge on, even though RCS offers a wedge I chose this route for the simple reason that I had the wedge already for another holster. A g26 in the eidolon is my go to non permissive environment rig (all federal, state and local laws followed of course) but no longer use it for the g17. The only reason for this is I now carry a weapon mount light and this holster doesn’t allow for that.

  If you’re looking for a user configurable, AIWB holster for your glock, you should take a good look at the RCS eidolon.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

A comfortable user configurable  AIWB holster for compact and full size glocks.

Target Market:

Anyone with a need to conceal a 19/17 size glock. Concealed carriers, off duty law enforcement and special operators with the military/security forces

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • RCS claw and wedge

  • Completely covers the trigger but still allows for a full firing grip even with an undercut.  

  •  User configurable   

  •  Injection molded

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Black or Limited clear at time of writing

What others are saying?:

From raven concealment systems website

“I ordered the G17 Full Kit for my G19 MOS w/ Trijicon RMR. It's a solid product! Shipping was fast and craftsmanship is top notch. My favorite holster to this day. I went ahead and ordered the soft loops too.”

Amazon review

“Ok like most everyone else I've been trying to make the switch to appendix carry. Finally after 6 different holsters I am appendix carrying. This holster is comfortable and most importantly it doesn't print. It literally disappears. I will say I bought the clips and they didn't work. I had to order the soft loops to make it work. I could never get the clips in the "right" position. Save yourself some money and buy the soft loops from the start. I paid $25 to order the soft loops after the fact when I could have gotten them for less than $10 by just ordering them with the holster. At the end of the day I can now carry off duty in the appendix position comfortably.”

Link to other reviews:

Breach Bang Clear

Price point:

MSRP = $59.99-149.99

Retail = $54.24 on Amazon

I need it now! Availability:

Raven Concealment and Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • user configurable

  • Super comfortable

  • Very well made

  • Cut for use with RMR/RDS

  • Tall sight channel

  • Mag release guard/ but not covered

  • Tuckable

Cons:

  • Only for glocks

Score: 9.0 Amazing

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FLIR One for Android

Written by: Rob Smith

  Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) cameras use special optics to display thermal images (i.e. meltdown videos). In recent years prices for non-military applications has steadily decreased to the point where we now have civilian systems which produce a very good image.

 

  Enter the FLIR Company and their FLIR One camera systems for Android and IOS devices. The FLIR One uses proprietary MSX technology to combine a regular and thermal image into one composite image. It does this in a compact unit which currently retails for about $200.

 

The Following items are included in the box:

  • Camera

  • Camera Cover

  • Lanyard

  • Two spacers (one for Galaxy S5 and another for other Android phones)

  • Two adapters, one reversible for IR selfies.

  • USB Charging cable

 

  When you purchase the camera download the FLIR One App from the IOS App Store or Google Play (you might need to approve access to your storage location). When you use the app you will be prompted to create an account for warranty registration and receive updates about the application.

  You can still download the app if you do not have the camera but the imaging portion of the app will not function.

  Once the app is downloaded, ensure that the phone and camera are charged, turn on the camera and insert it into the micro USB slot. The application will automatically start and you are ready to take IR pictures. To take a photo press the photo button from the app (not the camera photo button). You will see the app swipe the photo to the side, indicating the photo was taken and ready to take a new picture.

  At the top of the screen is the menu button which takes you to application menus. Next is the Spot Meter button (looks like crosshair) which will turn on a thermometer which can read temperatures from -4F to 248F. The flashlight icon will turn on a flashlight for use in low light situations. The stopwatch button activates 3 or 10 second timer (configurable by user). The battery level is for the FLIR One camera.

  The current version of the software allows the user to change from photo, time lapse and video modes by sliding the mode at the bottom of the viewing screen.

   Under the Settings menu you can chose from nine different color palettes (these are just a different way to view the IR images). You can also use the parallax menu to change the overlay of the two cameras (or superimpose one image next to the other).

This is a photo of my front door taken from inside of the house at 4:00pm (door faces west)

This is the same photo but with the nine different color palettes

Here are two pictured from my dryer, one in Iron and the other in Wheel (note the dryer vent signature through the wall).

  When I first started using the camera on my phone (Motorola Droid Turbo II) it would constantly lock up. I found moderate success by clearing the cache and restarting. To be fair my phone was not listed as an approved phone (downside of using non-standard iPhone platform).

NOTE - In June of 2017 FLIR upgraded (overhauled) the app and it seems to be working fine now.

  Two spacers are included with the camera and are designed to close the gap between the bottom of the phone and the top of the camera (if not using a case on your phone). Peel away the backing on the spacer to expose the glue which will allow you to attach the spacer to the camera. When I tested this on my phone there was still a little bit of a gap so I did not use them.

  Two offset adapters are also included which move the position of the camera relative to the phone. One of the adapters reverses the camera so you can take IR Selfies. The photos below show the two different adapters.

This adapter changes the offset of the camera (micro USB port is on the other side):

Note: the gap between the adapter and the phone is similar to the gap between the phone and the camera.

This adapter reverses the direction of the camera

  When taking pictures I have noticed that this camera setup is not sensitive enough to take images through glass. I was in my living room taking images of items on the porch and notices that the IR images contained reflection on the glass door of items from inside the house.

  Other reviews have indicated that the camera is not sensitive in low light situations. I have found this to be true. Using the flashlight button to activate the phone’s light provides a much clearer image. This is because the IR Camera is using both an IR and regular camera to take a composite image and the regular camera requires a moderate amount of light.

  The micro USB charging cable can charge the camera or cellphone (you cannot charge the phone by connecting the charging cable to the camera and the camera to the phone).

 

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

FLIR camera for your cell Phone

Target Market:

Anyone who wants a FLIR camera without spending a lot of money.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Inexpensive way to take IR images.

  • FLIR MSX image software.

  • Can take pictures, video and time lapse video.

  • Has a countdown timer (3 or 10 seconds) when taking pictures

  • Nine different color palettes.

  • Can measure temperatures from -4F to 248F

  • Temperature can be displayed using the Spot Meter

  • Adapter can connect to your phone or tablet even if it is in a case.

  • FLIR One app is user friendly

 

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

You can get it in any color you want as long as you want black.

http://flir.com/flirone/

What others are saying?:

C|net https://www.cnet.com/products/flir-one/review/

The Good The Flir One's MSX tech mashes a regular and a thermal image together so you can see more than you would with a standalone raw thermal image.

The Bad While $250 is inexpensive when you consider the larger commercial thermal camera market, it still isn't a cheap mobile accessory. There aren't a ton of practical uses for the Flir One.

The Bottom Line Get the Flir One for its superior thermal imaging tech and overall ease of use, but be sure to consider specific, ongoing applications for this $250 accessory before you buy.

Price point:

MSRP = $199.99

Retail = $289.98 at Amazon

I need it now! Availability:

FLIR or Amazon

Our Rating:

FLIR One is a great gadget for your cell phone as well as a useful tool.

Pros:

  • Cost effective way to take thermal images.

  • Camera can be used on different phones.

  • Automatic IR calibration

  • Nine different palettes to view the images.

  • FLIR has created several how-to videos with suggestions for using the camera.

Cons:

  • Takes a lot of memory to run app and camera (seems to be better with the recent upgrade).

  • Camera is not sensitive enough to take images through glass or low light.

  • Camera has limited battery life (about 1 hour).

  • You have to be careful to avoid accidentally breaking the micro USB Connector.

  • Cannot use the camera to charge your phone.

  • Not for use in bad weather.

Score: 6.5 Okay

 

 

Stormrider Underlord Gear Belt

Written By: Zane M.

Probably the most overlooked part of everyday carry (EDC) gear is the belt.  You can't truly appreciate a good belt until you've worn a good one for any length of time.  About 8 months ago I began my quest for a new belt, as the old instructor belt I'd worn for years had seen better days, to say the least. There was one problem: I'm not a fan of the cobra buckle and cobra buckles are all the rage these days.  

  Enter Stormrider gear's underlord belt. The underlord is part of a belt system that uses an inner and outer belt. The outer is ideal for duty, training, and/or competition without the need for belt keepers. The inner belt, affectionately referred to as the underlord, makes an absolutely wonderful choice for a stand-alone belt for your EDC. 

  The belt has no buckle to speak of; instead it uses hook and loop to "lock" the end in place. The belt also sports loop (or the fuzzy side of the brand name Velcro) around the circumference of the belt. This is for use with the outer belt part of the system, called the overlord. This also works well with certain accessories that utilize hook and loop attachment points, such as mag carriers, medical kits, and of course moral patches. Stormrider gear offers belts without the loop, but for the same price and on recommendation from a trusted friend in the gun community, I saw no reason to forgo it. 

  The belt is stiff, as expected, and does support the weight of my EDC gear. I have carried in several different configurations during the last 6 months and regardless of how I carried, the belt supported each setup very well. I typically carry a Glock 17 and at least one spare magazine every day. For concealed carry the gun is kept in an appendix holster in the waistband with a spare magazine right next to it at about 11:00. For open carry, I use a duty type holster with active retention with a belt slide attachment (not a paddle) and belt slide duel mag carrier on the support side. I've also carried the same gun at about 3:30 in the waistband. The only time the belt ever became uncomfortable was during extended wear “hotspots” would develop right on my hip bones. It's worth mentioning that I have this issue with all thick webbing type belts and attribute this to my thin build.

  The belts are 1.5" in width and Stormrider gear boasts several color options on their website, to include the ever popular Kryptec patterns. I went with Kryptec Typhon and solid black loop. There is a sizing chart on their website and they warn "do not use your pant size.” 

  If you are someone who trains a lot with a full set up or needs the ability to quickly go from low profile CCW to full on duty rig (“kit up” for the tactical Timmy’s out there) the underlord is a perfect base to start with.  As long as you chose an outer belt that has hook attachment, you'll be good to go. 

  This belt is a great overall choice for the concealed carrier, as it is sturdy, comfortable, and very functional. The best part is, the underlord won't break the bank at sub $50. I've worn belts twice the cost of this and didn't gain much by way of comfort or usability. 

FIREARMS INSIDER REVIEWS - 8 KEY POINTS

CLAIM TO FAME:

Buckle-less design 

1" loop the entire circumference 

TARGET MARKET:

Concealed carry

Law enforcement/security personnel 

Anyone who needs a stiff, ridged belt 

FNBS (FEATURES & BENEFITS OF THIS PRODUCT):

Loop attachment points 

Very reasonably priced. 

Alternative to the cobra buckle (for those like me that aren't a fan) 

WHAT OTHER AESTHETIC OPTIONS OR FINISHES ARE AVAILABLE?

Base color:

Assassin black

Coyote brown

Foliage gray 

Ranger green 

Wolf gray 

Multicam

Kryptec highlander 

Kryptec typhon

Kryptec yeti

multicam black 

 

Loop colors:

Assassin black

Coyote brown

Foliage gray 

Ranger green 

Wolf gray 

Just brown

 What others are saying:

"I FORGOT I WAS WEARING IT!

 This belt is stout in construction but flexible enough that I forgot I had a belt on. When loaded up it feels like it distributes the weight well and resists bending outward very well. I can't wait to get the overlord to go with it. The buckle-less design is a huge comfort factor and is what lead me to give this belt a go. Was worth the wait!"

 -Review from storm rider gears website.

Price point:

 MSRP = $46.99 Add $3 for kryptec or multicam 

 Retail = $46.99

I need it now availability:

I was only able to find in on stormridergear.com

Lead time is 8 weeks at the time of writing

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Super stiff
  • Very comfortable 
  • Hook and loop fasteners
  • Very reasonably priced

Cons:

  • More difficult to sit down in the restroom than with a traditional belt buckle. 
  • Hotspots can build up on the hips (you probably know what I'm talking about. If you don't it's probably a non issue)
  • Looks odd with a shirt tucked in

 

Score: 8.0 Great

SCCY CPX-2 Handgun Review

You may have seen the SCCY handguns and wondered what kind of gun they are; a cheap “Saturday night special” sub-par firearm or is it a real bargain, a diamond in the rough. Well hopefully after reading this review you’ll be well informed about just what this pistol is and what it is not.

So let us get into a little about the pistol. The SCCY (pronounced sky)  CPX-1 and CPX-2 are all 9mm handguns. Anyone familiar with the Kel-tec and the Ruger LCP / LC9 series pistols will be familiar with this platform, as they are essentially a scaled up version of that platform. They straddle that line between a compact and a subcompact pistol. They have a stainless steel machined barrel and slide with a polymer lower frame and an aluminum and steel fire control system that has a DAO nine pound trigger, and come in many colors. Functionally, the pistols are all the same, the only difference being the CPX-1 has a manual frame mounted safety. All come with two double stack 10 round magazines one flush fit one with a finger extension. They also come with a box, a manual, and locking device. In my six months of extensive use, I have never had to use the warranty but it seems to be one of the best in the industry. The real world street price is around $250.00

I am very blessed to have many wonderful handguns; Glock, Smith and Wesson, and Wilson Combat, to name a few. All very nice reliable accurate competition and defence guns. If they were not, I would sell them and get something else.

So why would I ever use or carry a much less expensive handgun like a SCCY? Well that’s easy, because it works! I have tested them extensively for the past six months as a defensive gun and a teaching tool for firearms instruction.

With that said, let's get into testing and evaluation. I have certain standards that my  defensive handgun must meet before I am comfortable carrying it. Dependability is, obviously, very important. This is where this budget gun shines the brightest; A++. In my six months of extensive testing with several of these pistols I don’t think I have ever had a malfunction. That’s almost unheard of. I wish that I had kept a round count but trust me it's up there. I have fed this handgun all manner of factory rounds. From FMJ and several defensive hollow points including +P+ federal 9BPLE that is rated high above the plus P pressure levels. Now, handloads are what my guns eat most of the time. I have loaded it with my competition load that is just making power factor for USPSA out of a 5 inch barrel, so I know it should be well under factory ammo levels out of the SCCY’s much shorter barrel. None of this ammo choked the gun. I have loaded from 115gr FMJs to 148gr lead poly coated bullets I have loaded them both longer and shorter than specified C.O.L. with zero malfunctions. I have fired it two handed, right hand only, left hand only, wet, dirty; I even threw one in the snow and mud and fired it without a cleaning. I have dropped it on both asphalt and dirt. Still no issues. This may upset some people but I have had Sigs and Glocks that have had more malfunctions. To put it simply: I have tested this thing for reliability and it passed.

After the gun fires, the bullet needs to hit the target. So next I'll cover accuracy. There are two types of accuracy I would like to cover. First is mechanical accuracy: how accurate the gun is with no human influences. Next, and more important, the personal accuracy: how well the shooter and the gun function together. My personal test for accuracy of my carry guns is the minimum capability to make 25 yard head shots every. This weapon  can achieve sub 3 inch groups off hand at 25 yards. The point of impact varies depending on the ammo velocity, grain, etcetera, as with any Browning type lockup, tilt barrel design. This is where the pistol came the closest of not making the cut for me. With all  the SCCY’s that I have tested the Point of impact is high at 25 yards. With the load I found that has the closest point of aim / point of impact (Federal 115gr 9BPLE) it’s still inside a USPSA head area at 25 yards, so it’s not a big issue. But with some loads the point of impact can be quite high. This just reinforces the importance of personally testing the gun and ammo you use to defend your life with. Still, these guns are capable of good accuracy; a caveat being that they have a long heavy double action trigger and that’s a hard pill for some shooters to swallow. I think double action only can be a good choice for a defensive trigger but if you are not used to it, it may take some training to be accurate. If you are used to a double action revolver trigger, it will be like an old friend.

After you have hit your target, you may want or need to hit the target again quickly. Therefore a reasonable rate of fire is important. I believe this defensive firearm with trained handler can achieve a reasonable rate of fire. For this to happen the shooter must be able to control the recoil of the firearm they are using. If the shooter has to readjust their grip after every shot, that will greatly hinder the speed of follow up shots. Now, as I stated earlier, this gun has a long heavy double action trigger. If you are looking for 1911 split times this gun, it will be slower. Also, this is a smaller, lighter gun and it has comparable amount of recoil for a gun of its size. I found the recoil substantial. More than my average carry gun. I would say more than an M&P, Glock 19, or 1911 platforms but less than Ruger LC9, S&W J frame or S&W Bodyguard. Physics being what they are, the recoil is on par with a smaller lighter 9mm.

So with the major things out of the way I will cover some other aspects of the SCCY. First off size, this handgun it about the same size as a Glock 26/27 without being as blocky, although I love my Glock 26, it’s a great carry gun I do find it uncomfortable to pocket carry. This one with a flush fit magazine I find pocketable. As a trainer I find that a lot of new concealed carriers get handguns that are too small. There are times when a super small micro .380 is all you can get away with. However for the most part a medium sized handgun in a service caliber is a more effective choice. This gun is on the “smallish” size but not to small to be effective. I feel that this pistol is a good size for all around carry.

So what’s the quality like on this sub three Benjamin handgun?  The metal on this gun is machined well, the fit and finish is nicer than you would expect for the price. The springs seem to be of a good quality with a dual recoil spring. The barrel is good quality, one note is that machine marks can be seen in the lands of the rifling. I’m not sure that most people would even notice.

Now ergonomics are in the eye or hand of the beholder. That said here are some generalities. The profile of the gun it good overall. Most shooters should get a full grip on the gun. I think the finger groves will work for most people. The Polymer's grip texture is similar to other guns. I would like to see a more aggressive texture on a CCW gun, but I would say that for the majority of polymer guns out there. The controls will be familiar to users of other modern handguns. They are in the right place and the size and shape make for easy manipulation of the pistol.

As far as the sights, go they are the standard 3 dot sights that the shooting community has come to expect. The rear is metal dovetailed with an allen set screw, a nice feature. The front it a polymer press in like the old style Glock front sights.

The disassembly and assembly are super simple, which gets high marks from me. I would say that one reason that these guns are so reliable is their simple design. I mean, they make a Glock look complicated, and the insides of a 1911 look like a super computer.

Now before you think I’m completely smitten with this piece, there are some things that I would improve. First the trigger reach is quite long. I have medium hands (I wear a medium glove). The trigger reach is on the verge of not allowing me to properly grip and manipulate the trigger. So if you have very small hands, beware. I’m not an engineer but I would think they could made a different angle on the trigger to give it a shorter reach. I took a dremel to one of mine and cut some meat out of the backstrap to shorten it trigger reach.

Speaking of dremel tooling, I also undercut the backstrap on one of the pistols to get a better bore axis and there was plenty of extra material there so I think SCCY could lower the bore axis and improve the recoil impulse. I would also lose the finger grooves.

One thing about this gun is it’s not a Glock, so the aftermarket support is not there, as far a sights, triggers, or holsters. As I said before the front sight fits in with a hole drilled in the slide and pressed in, it seems to me it would be easy to make it Glock sight compatible; thus allowing owner to customize the sights.

With all that I might change there are things I really like about this handgun.  Dependability: I can't over emphasise how rock solid reliable these guns have been for me. For a gun you may have to bet your life on, that's very important. It should be noted that this gun also has restrike capability, if that’s important to you. The next big plus is simplicity. Man is this thing is simple. The whole gun is simple and driving out two pins lets you pull out the fire control system like a Sig 320 / 250 but much simpler. Although the company does not market it as such, you could get other frames and it would be a modular platform allowing for more customization. The pistol comes with two good quality mags one with an extended grip.

Now where does this gun fit in? Well, for me, I carry a full size handgun, most of the time. I keep this one in a holster in my pack with a box of ammo. If i find myself in a situation where I can’t carry the larger gun I, grab the SCCY and I don’t feel neutered. I also don’t worry about it banging around.

For someone on a budget they can get a SCCY new, a decent knife, and a hardware store LED flashlight and have functional every day carry (EDC) kit for under three hundred US dollars. If later they want something else, keep it as a back up.

You may have seen the SCCY handguns and thought that it was probably a cheap “Saturday night special” sub-par firearm. To be honest, I had my reservations, at first but, after much testing and evaluation I have to say it’s a real diamond in the rough, and is now my go to for students who take my instruction and need a dependable handgun for training.

So to wrap up, the SCCY won't give you a crisp 1911 trigger, the customization of a Glock, or the buttery smooth recoil impulse of a Beretta 92, but for $250.00, boy it gives you a lot. More than any other gun in its class. For the price point, there is nothing else like it. This gun is truly a dependable CCW handgun that can be obtained brand new for around two hundred and fifty dollars.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:  An  Affordable CCW Handgun

Target Market: (First time handgun buyers and those on a budget.)

Key Features:

  • DAO Double Action Only
  • 10 round double stack.
  • 3 dot sights
  • Stainless steel & Polymer Constructions
  • Barrel Length: 3.1"
  • Height: 4"
  • Length: 5.7"
  • Width: 1"
  • Weight: 15oz
  • MSRP $334

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: These pistols are available in many colors including black, tan, red, orange, blue, pink, and purple.

What others are saying: “So, if you want a reliable, accurate, low-cost, but rugged 9mm carry pistol, all made in the USA, there’s a new name you should know: SCCY.” – Patrick Sweeney, Guns & Ammo

Price point:

MSRP = $334.00

Retail =  $250.00

I need it now! Availability: (http://www.sccy.com/dealer-locator)

Our Rating: 8.0 Great

Pros:

  • Rock Solid Reliable.
  • Good price point.
  • Simplicity

Cons:

  • Long trigger reach.
  • Long Heavy DAO trigger

Volquartsen Custom Scorpion .22 LR Pistol Review

Review-Picture-4.jpg
Review-Picture-4.jpg

Review Picture 4

Written by: Ryan Michaud

The .22 rimfire pistol market is one of variety. From inexpensive plinkers to tricked out, high performance raceguns, I don’t know of a market that offers the discerning consumer more choices in terms of fit, finish & quality. In contrast to a few years ago, .22 rimfire ammunition has started to make a comeback in areas where it was scarce for quite some time, and that has made taking these rimfire pistols back out to the range much more of a possibility. Gone are the days of 99 cent Winchester White boxes of 50 rounds like I remember, but .22 LR still offers good performance and practice options at a far reduced price compared to full size centerfire ammunition. As mentioned before, there are many different tiers of .22 LR pistols. The Volquartsen Custom Scorpion is definitely securely placed in the top-tier of .22 LR handguns; it is a lightweight .22 LR Pistol designed for high performance and is equally at home in the competition arena, or out in the field.

The Volquartsen Custom Scorpion can mount many optics such as this Burris Fastfire

Back in March I did an interview with Scott Volquartsen of Volquartsen Custom about their business. I came away impressed with their commitment to quality as well as to their employees & customers. Scott stated that Volquartsen had worked to make the finest rimfire handguns and rifles for competition and other uses that money could buy. We spoke about potentially having me test a handgun, and after NRA Show 2015, we spoke about what my desires would be if I was contacting Volquartsen to purchase a custom .22 LR handgun. I told Scott that if I were to call and order one, I would want a handgun that could fill a couple roles: competition & handgun hunting. I am a fan of hunting with handguns, and many .22 pistols simply aren’t precise enough for small game hunting. I have also thought about getting involved in rimfire competition, and would want a handgun that could fill dual roles. Scott suggested their Scorpion line, with a 4.5” barrel, the 1911 style VC Target frame, and Fiber optic front sight with the Volquartsen Target rear sight. The handgun would be fitted with all Volquartsen internals and would have an accessory rail on the top if I desired to mount any optics.

The Competition Bolt is coated in a variety of finishes for superior performance.

The Scorpion is a combination of the Lightweight VC Target Frame and the LLV Upper. It comes standard with the Volquartsen Competition Bolt. The Volquartsen Competition Bolt is CNC Machined and ground for superior tolerances, fit and finish. It features the SureStrike Firing Pin and the Exact Edge Extractor to ensure reliable feeding & function. The bolt is also offered with four different coatings, Diamond Like Carbon, Chromium Nitride, Titanium Nitride and Titanium Carbo-Nitride. The example I have here has the Diamond Like Carbon Coating. I can attest to the reliable functioning of the bolt and pistol, as I put a little over 3,000 rounds of various brands of .22 rimfire cartridges through the pistol in about a months time with not a single malfunction. This was with extremely minimal lubrication and almost no cleaning aside from wiping the bolt with a soft cloth.

The VC Target Frame and LLV Upper combine to make the Volquartsen Scorpion

The VC Target Frame is manufactured by Volquartsen, and is offered with a MKIII style grip angle or a 1911 style grip angle. The example I have is the 1911 style frame. It is CNC-machined from aluminum alloy and with a 6oz base weight, is very light and handy. You can get the frame in a variety of finishes & colors, with the Black, red, blue and OD green frames being Type III hard anodized and the Silver frames being NiB coated. The VC frame is fitted with all Volquartsen internals, including the Accurizing Kit with Extended bolt release, CNC Machined Target Trigger, Wire EDM Cut Target Hammer and target sear. It also sports a CNC machined disconnector, extended safety and in the MKIII models, a spring-loaded magazine ejector for positive ejection of spent magazines. Volquartsen has eliminated the magazine disconnect from this frame as well. Their trigger is outstanding, with minimal take-up and an adjustable overtravel stop. The manual lists the trigger pull weight at 2.25 lbs and I found this to be true, with the average over 10 trigger pulls reading between 2.25 and 2.3 on my Lyman trigger pull gauge. I cannot say enough good things about the trigger on this pistol.

The Volquartsen Target Rear with Fiber Optic Front presents a fantastic sight picture

The LLV Barreled receiver/upper is hard anodized & CNC machined. The receiver and barrel shroud are precision machined as one piece from aluminum alloy. An integral picatinny rail is machined into the top of the receiver for easy mounting of any of the optical sights available on the market today. It is fitted with a precision stainless steel barrel that is machine-honed and lapped and is available in either 4.5” or 6” lengths. The standard configuration LLV comes with 1/2 x 28 muzzle threads with either a thread protector, or with their LLV compensator.

The LLV Compensator mates perfectly with the LLV upper and tames the mild .22 LR recoil to almost nothing.

  My example has the LLV Compensator which functions very well and tames the already mild recoil of the .22 Rimfire down to almost nothing. The pistol runs well with a suppressor too, as you can see in the video. You can also choose any number of sight options, such as Hi-Viz front and Tritium rear, Hi Viz Front and Target rear, or Volquartsen Target sights. You can also opt to not have sights installed and simply use electronic optics.

Grip options for the VC Target Frame include Volthane Target Grips or Laminated Wood Target grips for the MKIII style grip angle, and Aluminum Grips or the Hogue Monogrip for the 1911 Style Grip angle. My example sports the Hogue Monogrips. They were very comfortable and made the gun easy to handle, especially after many hundreds of rounds downrange in a single session. This whole package comes in at under 2 lbs.

Multiple brands & types of ammo were used in the evalutation

At the range, I found the Scorpion to be incredibly accurate and fast. From close-up shooting on multiple steel targets as fast as possible, to 45, 55 and even 60 yard shots on an 8” steel plate, the Volquartsen Scorpion delivered. I fired many different brands & loads through the Scorpion over the test period, and the pistol functioned flawlessly with every single one. I used CCI Mini-Mag .22 LR hollowpoint 36 grain, Winchester Super X .22 LR round nose 40 grain & Aguila .22 Pistol Match 40 grain LRN. Also mixed in there were some Winchester 40 grain Dynapoints during the suppressed fire. At about 25 yards, the CCI Mini Mags were the most accurate for me, with groups of 0.58” being common.

It seems my particular sample really likes the lighter weight 36 grain bullet of the Mini-Mag. The rest of the ammunition didn’t shoot as tight groups for me, but all were well under an inch from a rest at between 25-30 yards. I had the most fun doing rapid fire steel drills on multiple 8” steel plates from 15 yards. It is REALLY fun to run this pistol fast.

Groups like this one (minus those two flyers from a previous group; the sticky fell off) were commonplace with the Volquartsen Scorpion at 25 yards

The Volquartsen Custom Scorpion is really an outstanding .22 pistol. The combination of high quality features really make for a handgun that is a cut above the rest in the rimfire pistol world. When I spoke with the folks at Volquartsen, I said that I would want a pistol that would be equally at home out in the field hunting small game as it would be in the competition arena. This pistol really delivers. It is eminently customizable to fit your needs, and  you can tell the people at Volquartsen really care about the desires of the customer. Every question/request I had was answered in a timely manner and with a high degree of detail and explanation. With a price range between $1,175 and $1,236 depending upon chosen options, it is definitely in the higher range of .22 pistols, but you are getting a high quality, high performance handgun that will definitely last you a lifetime.

Firearms Insider Reviews – 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Super High Quality .22 LR Pistol intended for competition or target shooting use.

Target Market: Shooters who need a .22 LR pistol for competition or small game hunting.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • High quality internals

  • Light weight

  • Superb Trigger & Sights

  • Optics Mounting Options

  • Fantastic Customer Service

  • Support a family-run firearms business

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

  • Black, Red, Blue & OD Green Type III Hard Anodized

  • Silver is Nickel Boron (NiB)

  • Target Grips

  • Aluminum Grips

  • Various Options for Compensators

  • 1911 style or MK III Style Grip Frame

Price point:

MSRP = Between $1,175 and $1,236 depending upon chosen options. This is a custom pistol.

I need it now! Availability: You can purchase the Volquartsen Custom Scorpion directly from Volquartsen Custom.

Pros:

  • Custom built to the user specifications

  • Uses high quality components for the internals

  • Trigger is AMAZING.

  • Coated Competition Bolt almost eliminates the need for lubrication.

  • Reliability over 3,000 rounds with almost no cleaning whatsoever is amazing in a .22 rimfire pistol.

  • Accuracy is top-notch even at long distance.

  • Worked fantastic with a .22 LR suppressor. Very very quiet and accurate. Also, the sights can be used with the suppressor attached.

Cons:

  • It is definitely in the upper end price range for .22 LR pistols. However, this isn’t really a “con” as it IS a high quality custom .22 LR pistol intended for the highest levels of rimfire competition.

95

Our Rating: 9.5 AMAZING!

Visit Volquartsen Custom for more information and to place an order!

Visit Ryan Michad over at Handgun Radio and the Handgun Radio Facebook Page

Lone Wolf Distributors Ultimate Adjustable Trigger

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Let me start off this review by saying I am not a huge fan of Glocks. The grips never usually fit me right, they feel really blocky to me and they just don’t excite me like a wood and steel gun does. With my personal feelings on Glocks out of the way, let me say that Glocks are rugged, accurate and reliable handguns that have withstood the early criticisms leveled against them, and have emerged as the top handgun for law enforcement and personal defense. Their polymer frame offers light weight, along with some recoil reducing characteristics and manufacturing economy. The Tenifer treatment on the slide helps ensure that the guns resist corrosion, even after the black finish on the slide is worn away over time. I have seen many police trade-in Glocks with the black finish worn away from reholstering, and the exposed metal still did not show any signs of rust forming. Glocks are definitely in it for the long haul when it comes to quality construction.

The UAT is made of 6061 Billet Aluminum

However, one thing that some people do not care for is the trigger. To me, the factory Glock trigger feels very spongy. I definitely notice a “sproing” feeling just after the trigger breaks, and it can be distracting to me, and many other people as well. Due to the less-than-stellar factory trigger, there has been a growing number of Glock drop-in replacement triggers to help improve the trigger pull & feel. Many of these units use multiple pins in their assembly and generally are not adjustable after the trigger is installed in the frame. They are also quite expensive, with units ranging from $99.00 to upwards of $180.00. For those people who want to upgrade the trigger on their Glock, those features and prices can be prohibitive. There weren’t really any other options out there for people who wanted a easily adjustable and affordable aftermarket trigger….until now.

The pre-travel adjustment screw is visible just under the locking block

The Lone Wolf Distributors Ultimate Adjustable Trigger offers easy adjustability while the trigger is still installed in the gun. Couple that with the low retail price of $74.95 on the trigger, and I think Lone Wolf has a winner here. The trigger shoe is constructed out of 6061 billet aluminum and is held together with one simple, yet robust, allen head screw, and does not use any press out pins like you see in similar trigger units. The shoe is nicely radiused, and to me felt far better comfort wise than the stock trigger. The trigger bar that comes with the shoe is very nicely polished and eliminates any friction that may have been present with the stock trigger unit. The trigger safety has also been altered somewhat, and seems to sit more flush with the trigger unit than the stock unit does. I definitely noticed the difference in the trigger safety; that is to say I barely noticed it’s presence at all (which to me is a good thing!). However, testing the trigger safety’s function shows that it operates just as positively as the stock unit does (provided you adjusted it according to the well illustrated instructions; more on that later.)

The over-travel adjustment screw is easily accessible on the back of the trigger shoe.

I installed the UAT in a Glock 22 using a 9mm Lone Wolf conversion barrel. I used a 3.5 lb connector and a 6 lb trigger spring, also from Lone Wolf. Installation of the trigger was a snap, especially with the really well done instructions provided by LWD. Once the trigger is installed in the gun, the real fun begins. The trigger comes with two allen keys, with one a bit bigger than the other. These allen keys are used to adjust the pre-travel and over-travel screws that are on the trigger. The instructions show you how to do the initial setup of the trigger once you have it in your gun, and it is VERY, VERY IMPORTANT that you follow them. If you do not properly adjust the pre-travel and check it, you can cause a condition where the trigger safety does not rest in the proper place, and the trigger is free to be depressed without the safety disengaged. Following the instructions, it is very simple to adjust the pre-travel safely to your desired setting. Just insert the allen key in between the slide lock and the locking block. To remove pre-travel, you turn the screw clockwise, to add pre-travel, you turn it counter-clockwise. Simple as that. To adjust the amount of over-travel, you simply insert the allen key into the screw on the backside of the trigger shoe (in the magazine well area) and adjust to your preference. The best part about this is that it can all be done by simply removing the slide; further disassembly is not necessary.

After properly adjusting the trigger to my prefered amounts of pre- and over-travel, I checked the pull weight on my Lyman trigger pull gauge. With the 9mm LW Conversion barrel and the Glock 22 slide installed, the trigger broke cleanly at an average of 3.0 lbs. I then installed an Advantage Arms .22 Long RIfle Conversion unit on the same frame, and the trigger pull averaged around 3.4 lbs. There was a distinct difference in the trigger pull between the two configurations, with the conversion unit trigger pull feeling very crisp, like a finely tuned rifle trigger. I headed out to the range several weekends in a row to test the unit, and found that it functioned flawlessly as expected. Be sure to check out the video footage of the UAT in action on both the standard Glock 22 configuration and the Advantage Arms configuration, as it will give you a good idea of what I’m talking about. It is REALLY easy to just feather the trigger with the .22 Conversion unit and get a fast, accurate string of shots.

Glock 22 w/ UAT on bottom, Glock 35 on top with stock factory unit.

Overall, I am extremely impressed with what Lone Wolf has created. The UAT offers the end user a great amount of adjustability with easy installation and a very inexpensive price. Don’t let the price fool you, however; this is a quality unit. The construction is very nice and the precision machining utilized in making the trigger is readily apparent. Once assembled, the seam on the side of the trigger is darn near invisible with a quick glance. To get such precision on a small part like a trigger shoe is really impressive. It is such a huge step up, in my opinion, over the factory unit that, if I were to buy any more Glocks, I would automatically purchase one of these units for them. The inexpensive price coupled with the great quality and performance simply can’t be beat in the world of custom Glock triggers.                           You Tube Video

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Provides the Glock shooter with a nicely made & robust trigger than can be adjusted for pre-travel and over-travel without fully disassembling the firearm.

Target Market: Those Glock owners who want to upgrade their triggers to a more robust and user-adjustable unit (adjustable WITHOUT uninstalling the trigger).

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Aluminum construction

  • Polished trigger bar

  • User adjustable for pre-travel and over-travel WITHOUT full disassembly.

  • Different trigger shape & radiused edges offers better trigger control & comfort.

  • Assembly uses only one screw.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?: It is available only in silver 6061 billet aluminum at this time.

Price point:

I need it now! Availabily: You can purchase from Lone Wolf Distributors

Our Rating:

Positives:

  • Trigger feels amazing to use.

  • Solid billet aluminum construction; no plastic.

  • Polished trigger bar eliminates friction.

  • The trigger shape offers better control & comfort for the shooter.

  • Biggest plus? User adjustability for over-travel & pre-travel without uninstalling the trigger!!

90

Score: 9.0 Amazing

Ryan Michad Links

Handgun Radio

Firing Line Review