look out for my tell tale shimmer with this review of Predator Vision!!!!
ADVANCED GUNSLINGER ARMAMENT - HIT Sling
SAM XT TOURNIQUET
CAT, SOF-T, SWAT-T... And now SAM XT Tourniquet has entered the battlefield. For over 30 years, SAM Medical Products, an industry leader in the pre-hospital, trauma care market. “From the front lines to behind the lines to the sidelines, our products treat the problem at hand fast and effectively…”
Recently they’ve released a handful of new products on the market and I was lucky enough to receive a few of the XT TQs. Thankfully, I’ve not had to use one in a real world application, but I’ve tested them out extensively. I also brought it around my local shooting club that has members from all branches of the military, law enforcement, medical personnel, and regular Joes. Some of the big concerns where the plastic that SAM used in the buckle and other components, and the fact that you have to pull in a different plane than others. With those concerns, no one was able to break the plastic buckle(or other components), and after showing someone the correct way to pull(against the buckle, not perpendicular) everyone got it after the fact. Additionally, it was very intuitive to use by people who’ve never had TQ training.
What sets the SAM XT TQ apart from the rest of the herd is the Truforce Buckle. It’s a special buckle that releases forks to hold the tourniquet strap in place, and not allow it to loosen while you're securing the rest of the strap to itself. Slack in the strap is the leading cause for tourniquet failure, resulting in loss of life. With the Truforce Buckle, it secures the strap at a preset circumferential force, and allows you to use fewer windlass turns to fully tighten and cut off blood flow. Once it’s tight, you secure the windlass in the C-hooks, and lock it in the a velcro time band.
As with all tourniquets, they recommend you get one for training and one for use in your kit. As it falls in line with the price of other TQs, you should take a look at your concerns and consider this for your kit. I know I’ll be keeping one with me.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
Stopping extremity blood loss due to trauma
Target Market:
MIL/LEO, anyone who owns a gun, car, chainsaw, etc.
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
- Auto-lock Buckle
- Metal Windlass
- Windlass C-Hooks
- Meets MIL-STD 810G
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
Available in Civilian Orange and Military Black.
What others are saying?:
Only 2 reviews were founds at the writing of this article, they’re from amazon.
★★★☆☆ Good functionality, but very steep learning curve.
★★★★★ Even better than the CAT.
Price point:
MSRP = N/A SAMXT.com
Retail = $37.99 Boundtree (preferred distributor)
$36.96 Amazon
I need it now! Availability:
For speedy results, the best bet would be to buy it on amazon.
Our Rating:
Pros:
Auto locking buckle
Metal Windlass
Circumferential range: 5.5in - 35in
MIL-STD 810G Proven
Cons:
Plastic components
Additional training required (as with all different TQs)
Score: 8.5 Great
Alex & Ryan Design Kydex Light Bearing Holster
I first heard of Alex and Ryan Design from my friend who bought a cuff holster from them. I looked into them a little bit and sent a few emails back and forth. After getting their advice(they answer their own email) I ordered the holster featured here and a double mag holster for IWB. I very promptly received an email from Alex saying that he thought it’d be more comfortable if I had 2 single mag holsters.
I went with his recommendation as he’s the expert. When I received the product I was a little shocked that it came in a plastic shipping bag as opposed to a box but my fears were immediately set aside as I inspected the holsters for damage. They’re definitely strong and durable to travel through the postal system unscathed. I grabbed my Glock 19 with Inforce APL and quickly, yet safely, inserted it into the holster, and then the whole contraption into my pants. I decided that it needed more retention so I removed it and tightened it with a coin, like many other smart designs allow. After some trial and error I got it to a retention level that I felt comfortable with.
The inside of the holster is smooth and allows for quick retrieval of your weapon while the outside has the familiar feel of kydex, rough yet soft. Wearing this has been a breeze and comfort has never been an issue. I've since wore it to two weddings, one of which I was a groomsmen, and no one had a clue. I recently tripped while running and the holster held up, kept my firearms secure, and only suffered some light scratches. A nice thing about its design is that I’ve successfully carried this setup as appendix, on the hip, behind the hip, and small of back positions. The clip on it is very sturdy yet still flexible to enough to bend far beyond any belt they can accommodate. I’m unsure of a way to make it any better without the addition of adjustable cant.
Claim to Fame: Comfortable and quality holster
Target Market: Concealed carriers
FNBs:
- Custom made to your setup
- Many firearms choices
- Adjustable retention
- 10 degree cant optional(non light bearing)
- Options for different lights
- Suppressor sights chanel optional
- Optional lifetime warranty on all parts and hardware
- 3 different sweat guard heights
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
There are too many for me to list so here’s a couple cool ones: Multicam, Tiffany Blue, 9 Kryptek designs, classic black, and many more.
What others are saying?
You can find reviews on their site for this holster
Price point:
$48.99 and up depending on options chosen. $65.99 as designed in this review.
I need it now! Availability:
It’s a custom made product so it takes 2-3 weeks to produce depending on their other orders. There is an option for rush orders and they’ll ship in 3-5 business days.
Our Rating:
Pros:
- Tough design, .080 thickness
- 100% American made using American made hardware and equipment
- Full combat grip
- Easy reholstering (kydex retains weapon shape)
Cons:
- Preset 0° cant on light bearing, 0° or 10° degree cant on non light bearing
- Neutral: At the time, it wasn’t offered at Appendix with RCS claw. It is now offered as such.
