Review

Virtual-Shot

  When it comes to firearms training in today's world, you almost need some sort of dryfire practice system. Virtual Shot is just that, a dryfire training app for your phone. It includes a phone mount and an ocular lens to use as a scope within the app. Virtual Shot does even more when paired with a trigger reset system like the Mantis Blackbeard or airsoft style rifles.

  When purchasing Virtual Shot, you are buying the rifle mount and a code for the app. They just released a pistol mount version, if that’s your thing. The Virtual Shot mount has two pieces. The phone mount and the “ocular” lens. The mount has a picatinny base which allows it to mount on any rail, etc. Part of this mount is the adjustable holder for your phone. It uses a little thumb stud to slide a rail up and down. Just put your phone in it horizontally and slide the thing down until it is tight, then snug the thumbscrew up. My phone fits snugly with the mount all the way expanded. The phone is right at 3” wide. I also have to take the case off of my phone to get it to fit. However, Virtual Shot’s pistol mount is supposed to accept wider phones. The ocular lens then slides in, up against your phone, to make it possible to see your phone close up. It literally makes it like looking through a scope. 

  The Virtual Shot App:

First thing when the app opens, there is a safety screen. The screen makes you check boxes for safety. If you don’t check the boxes, the app doesn’t open.

Then the main screen appears. The main screen lets you choose what you would like to do. Ranges, Skill Development, Mini Games, Armoury, and Range Builder (only available in the Pro version). There is also a settings button in the corner. The “settings”  button is where you get to choose between yards/meters, trigger reset type, shot detection rate, and most important - if you want a scope, red dot, or pistol. My favorite to use is the red dot option.

Ranges: This is where you go to practice “range” style shooting. In this menu there are three options: Open Range, Gallery Levels, and Mechanical Ranges. The Open Range is just that. You can practice on various different targets and distances. This is a great place to start with the app. The Gallery Levels include IPSC, Speed Steel, Accuracy challenges, and many more pre-built shooting style stages. The Mechanical Ranges has options like the US Army rifle marksmanship qualification and Shoot/No Shoot stages.

Skill Development: This is where you can watch instructional videos and then put what you learned to a test in the “Training Levels”.

Mini Games: My absolute favorite part of the app. As the name states, they are games. The “Junkyard” has various targets set up for you to hit in 1 minute. It then gives you a score. It also keeps track of high scores from other users of the app. This lets you try and beat them. It has “Hunting Levels” which are pretty self explanatory. Then there’s “Zombie Survival” and “Zombie Levels”. You shoot zombies and progress as you finish levels. The zombie survival keeps track of how long you can stay alive. Then there’s the “Blackhawk Down” game. In this game, you shoot characters that are shooting at you, once you get enough damage, you die and your score is your time survived. It’s set up like the streets in the Blackhawk Down movie - kind of.

The Armoury: This is where you go to change your scope reticle, if you are using a scope. As of right now, there are 5 scope reticle options. You can also change ballistics from this tab. Virtual shot has pre-set calibers, but you can also change them with your own ballistic data. 

Range Builder: This is on the Pro version only. Here you can make your own stages using steel or paper targets. This could be really useful if you want to design a USPSA or Steel Challenge stage, and then shoot it to see how it works out. It only saves the current setup, so you can’t make multiple ones and save them for use later.

  The Virtual Shot system is very comprehensive. In it you can change from an auto reset trigger to a manual reset trigger, for use on firearms that don’t automatically reset the trigger, like a bolt action. The time can be set from 3 seconds to 10 seconds in four increments. The reason for this is because the app registers the hammer fall sound to distinguish firing. Cycling the bolt would then register as another shot. I tried this out for a while. It does give enough time to cycle the bolt manually. The auto trigger setting is what I used most of the time. It works very well with the Mantis Blackbeard system. A problem I ran into with the Virtual Shot system, was the 0.5 second reset when in the auto mode. I would get on target faster then the app would register. So when doing the “Bill Drill” in the app, it would take me 3 seconds longer than in real life. The app does a pretty good job of tracking the movement of the firearm. But every once in a while the app would glitch and throw the rifle off target. But since it’s not “real life” it only affected my ego. 

  Having the ability to change reticles in the Virtual Shot app is very useful. When the scope is selected, the 5 different reticles let you choose from a hunting style duplex to a mil-dot style reticle and a few in between. I liked the mil-dot reticle since it actually gives some sort of range estimation and bullet drop. Another feature of using the scope is the ability to zoom in from 1x to 30x. One can select the power in increments from 1x-3x-5x-10x-15x-20x-30x. When using the Red Dot reticle setting, the dot size can be changed from small to large, with 4 or 5 sizes in between. Also in the red dot portion is a circle-dot, crosshair-dot, crosshair-circle-dot, along with an AR front post. All of these options have the ability to change sizes too. When messing around with the Virtual Shot, I mounted it behind an actual red-dot. Then I adjusted the dot, in the app, to be in the center of the real red-dot. This gave me a sense of realistic training, as I was looking through the real red dot’s tube and using the Virtual Shot system, just as I would normally on the range.

  One of my most loved and hated parts of the Virtual Shot is it’s realistic ballistic data. It calculates wind and drop of the various calibers. So when shooting farther away, one must figure in bullet drops. It has some preloaded ballistic data to choose from. But these can also be changed. The Virtual Shot will allow you to change Sight Height, Muzzle velocity, Ballistic coefficient, Bullet weight, and bullet diameter. So if you know all these, you can tune the factors in Virtual Shot to your ballistic data, therefore making it even more like shooting your firearm. Since it mounts on your firearm, all the other training aspects like trigger pull, fit, weight, etc. are already built in. 

  The Virtual Shot system has a lot of good things going for it. It brings another feasible way to dry fire train. With it’s adjustable dot sizes and different scope reticles, you get a lot of options. For practice, it is an all around useful tool that uses your personal firearm. Plus the games just make it even more fun to train. If you're looking into a dry fire training application, take a look into the Virtual Shot system.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Extensive training app and system

Target Market:

Those wanting a virtual training system

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Phone mount and ocular lens

  • Affective bullet drop and wind drift

  • Customizable ranges

  • 100+ shooting levels

  • Mini games

  • Practice ranges

  • Shooting analytics

  • Video Shooting courses

  • Works with Mantis Blackbeard

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Pistol mount

What others are saying?:

5/5 stars at VirtualShot

I have had some time to play around with the Virtual-Shot and absolutely love it.  I know I am just scratching the surface but so far it is very impressive.

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found

Price point:

MSRP = $97.00

Retail = Same

I need it now! Availability:

VIrtual Shot

Our Rating: 

Pros:

  • Various training options

  • Mini games

  • Uses your firearm

  • Preset stages and qualification courses

Cons:

  • Slow shot reset (0.5 seconds)

  • Smallish phone adapter

  • Tracking sometimes jumps

Score: 7.50 Good

Favorite Link:  Mantis Blackbeard Review

Expo Arms / Forward Controls extended Keymo single chamber brake

  Expo Arms, in collaboration with Forward Controls, introduced an extended muzzle brake for use with certain Dead Air silencers. This brake uses the “Keymo” mounting option and is for use on .223/5.56 suppressors, but it will also work on any .223/5.56 AR style rifle as just a normal muzzle brake.

  The extended Keymo muzzle brake has 1 port or chamber. Don’t let the 1 port fool you, as the muzzle brake works very well at reducing recoil. Because it’s for use with .223/5.56, it is threaded for the standard ½-28 found on those rifles. Expo/FC’s gave the brake a .30 caliber bore to reduce some noise. They also gave the ports a flat profile. The flat profile directs gasses straight to the side, so that people behind, and to the side of the shooter get less noise and concussion. Being that it is a muzzle brake, it is still fairly loud. 

Top view

  Having the Keymo mounting surface makes it useful for those with certain Dead Air suppressors. The Keymo system mounts the suppressor on a quick on/off taper system. The taper helps repeat a consistent bore to suppressor mount, along with making a tight seal. An advantage to using this type of muzzle brake, with a suppressor, is that the muzzle brake will reduce the forces against the blast baffle inside the suppressor. I however, do not have a Keymo suppressor, so I didn’t get to try this part out.

Bottom view

  Even if you don’t have a suppressor, the Keymo muzzle brake is useful for other reasons. Since this is an “extended” muzzle brake, it is long enough to take a 13.9” barrel and make it 16”. Of course for legal reasons, the muzzle brake must be pinned and welded, unless it is going on a pistol or SBR. Expo/FC already machined in a hole for the pin, if one chooses this route. 

  I have been using the single chamber brake on a 16” AR. Yes, it adds a little bit of length, but it didn’t seem to bother me any. I was really surprised at how well the single port did it’s job. The brake made the rifle shoot flat. I can shoot the AR quite fast with this Keymo muzzle brake. If they made this brake without the Keymo mounting, I would consider using it on a 13.9” barrel that needed a pinned and welded brake. 

  The Expo Arms Keymo brake is only available at Primary Arms. Not that this is a problem, as Primary Arms has a lot of quality gear. The Expo Arms/FCD Keymo brake is top notch, even if you don’t have the Dead Air suppressor to use it with. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Extended length muzzle brake for use with the Dead Air Keymo mounting system

Target Market:

Those wanting a Keymo brake that when pinned will make a 13.9” barrel extend to a legal 16”

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • 2.7" Overall length

  • Single chamber design

  • Pin and weld to 13.9" barrels to meet 16" requirements

  • 1/2x28 threaded for 5.56/.223

  • .30 cal bore to reduce blast

  • Dead Air Keymo mount

  • 4140 steel

  • Properly heat treated

  • Salt bath nitride finish

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

none

What others are saying?:

5/5 stars at Primary Arms

QUALITY PIECE OF KIT

Just received this Expo Arms / FCD muzzle device and installed it today. First I would like to note that when torqued to spec on my barrel, no shims we’re needed as the device properly indexed off the bat! Second, the quality of materials and finish seem to be on par with Dead Air’s own devices. Third I’d like to state that the overall length of this device makes it cross-compatible with both Dead Air’s KeyMo and KeyMicro mounting systems! Will be putting a lot of rounds through this device in the future to see how it will hold up.

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found

Price point:

MSRP = $110.00

Retail = $89.99

I need it now! Availability:

Primary Arms

Our Rating: 

Pros:

  • Extremely effective

  • Extended to make a legal 16” from a 13.9” barrel, when pinned and welded

  • Keymo mounting

Cons:

  • Loud

  • Price

Score:  8.50 Great

Favorite Link: Walker Defense Research

Tasmanian Tiger Multipurpose sling

  If you have a rifle, most likely you need some sort of a sling for that rifle. This leads us to the Tasmanian Tiger Multipurpose sling. The TT sling comes with a bunch of different ways to attach it, thus the Multipurpose name.

  When you first get the TT Multipurpose sling, you essentially say “wow” after seeing all the adapters. The TT sling uses quick fasteners, or small buckle clips, to attach different mounting hardware. The TT sling comes with 3 different sets of these little pigtail adapters. One set has HK style clips, another has loops, and the last set is just webbing with two triglides each. The last set allows you to attach sling swivels or mount it directly on a rifle. The nice thing about these pigtails, is that the clips still give you quick on/off capability. The loop option gives you the ability to mount the sling in a non conventional way, including on a DSLR camera, hence the “Multipurpose” name.

  Besides all the adapters, the TT Multipurpose sling is just that, a sling. It uses 1” nylon webbing for the straps, but also has a 2” wide padded area. The padding is not too thick, and actually helps disperse weight. The TT sling is also a quick adjust style. It uses the pull tab style, as I like to call it. You just pull the webbing to make the sling smaller. Then to make it longer, you pull the little tab. Tasmanian Tiger puts a little loop of paracord on this tab to make it easier. I actually clipped one of the supplied HK clips on it and used it like a handle, it worked out pretty well. The pull tab clamp is the only part of the actual sling that is made of steel, unless you count the HK clips. The tri-glides are all plastic, as are the clips for attaching the different pigtails. Even though all the other hardware is plastic, I didn’t have any problems with it. In fact, the clips to hold the pigtails on are super strong and clip in tight.

  I ran the Tasmanian Tiger Multipurpose sling at a shooting event, besides just using it at the range. This event wasn’t like 3 gun or anything, it was essentially a bunch of pistol and rifle drills. So you needed a sling for transitioning to a pistol, and some other stuff. The sling performed well, but I did run into its shortcomings. The pigtail makes it so you can’t adjust the sling, as tight or loose as you can with a standard style sling, or one without all the pigtail clips. Also, because of extra space taken up from the clip on features, the padding doesn’t sit squarely on your neck. More like half on, half off. Even with that, the padding is still comfortable. It seems like the padding would be more in tune with carrying a rifle over your shoulder. 

  The Tasmanian Tiger Multipurpose sling is just that, multiuse. As with most multipurpose stuff, you are dealing with trade offs. Tasmanian Tiger did an okay job getting all the features they wanted into it, without hurting other ones too much. For someone wanting a sling they can quickly switch between rifles, this might be the one. Tasmanian Tiger makes some great gear, the sling, on the other hand, is just like the name implies - Multipurpose.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Multi-use sling

Target Market:

Those wanting a sling with various mounting options

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Padded strap with a variety of carrying and attachment options

  • Quick fasteners allow you to attach weapons, hooks, etc.

  • Rifle Strap Set

  • 2 elastic loop attachments work with cameras, binoculars, etc.

  • Various carrying and fixation options

  • Soft tubular webbing

  • WEIGHT - 6.5oz

  • DIMENSIONS - 59” x 2in

  • Quick adjustable

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None

What others are saying?:

Nothing found as of writing this

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found as of writing this

Price point:

MSRP = $49.95

Retail = $44.95

I need it now! Availability:

Tasmanian Tiger’s online dealers

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Multi use

  • Various attachment types

  • Padded

  • Quick adjustable

Cons:

  • Padding is more centered, so not where needed for a rifle sling

  • Assorted attachments take up adjustment space

Score: 6.00 Okay

Predator Armor and Accessories

  Predator Armor is a new company breaking into the armor category. They don’t just have plates, but plate carriers and other useful accessories. We had them on Episode 396 of the podcast to talk about their kevlar coated steel body armor plates and such. Predator Armor sent me 2 plates, a carrier, a dump pouch, and a utility pouch. 

  The first thing that comes to mind when looking at Predator Armor’s name is armor. Their armor plates are made of steel. Don’t drop off just yet, Predator has some cool stuff for their steel plates. First off, you can get their steel plates in NIJ level 3, or level 3+. Either straight or curved. Plus, one can have an optional Kevlar wrapping around the plates. This Kevlar wrapping helps prevent spalling, which is a common drawback to steel plate armor. The kevlar adds a little less than a ¼” to the plate's thickness, while adding very little weight. The normal plate is just a little over ¼” thick. I measured it at 0.270”, but the sprayed-on coating (not the Kevlar) probably adds a tiny bit extra to give that measurement. I received a level 3+ curved plate and a level 3 Kevlar wrapped curved plate, both have the shooters cut and are 10x12. Being that the plates are curved, they are very comfortable to wear. I would definitely opt for the extra $15 each to get a curved plate. Another noteworthy option Predator gives you, is the ability to add a “testing target” to your order, for an extra $15. This testing target is cut from the same steel as your plates. This gives you something to do your own testing on, if you feel the need. If you would rather not get the testing target, the plates are rated and tested to NIJ standards. They are not NIJ certified, as of this review.

  Steel plate armor has some pros and cons. Predator Armor knows this, and isn’t trying to sell you anything different. They understand that it is heavy and not something you would want to wear all day, every day. The steel armor is more for someone wanting the protection that it provides, for the off chance they might need it. A pro to steel armor, is that it does not have an expiration date. Lightweight armor plates usually have a 5-10 year shelf life. Another pro of steel armor is cost. Steel plates are far more economical. When I say steel armor is heavy, each plate weighs 7.5lbs, so that's 15lbs you're wearing over your shoulders. Being able to handle multiple hits is also a big plus to steel armor. Predator Armor’s Kevlar wrapped plates also are a plus for the reason mentioned earlier.

  If you have some plates, you need something to wear that holds them. Enter the Minuteman plate carrier. The Minuteman carrier is pretty much like most plate carriers. The plates slip inside the front and back. They are then held in place by a full length hook and loop flap. This flap goes inside the carrier, around the plate, so there is no hooking it on the outside where it could get peeled off and have the plate come out. These flaps hold the plate super securely, the plates are not falling out. There is plenty of MOLLE on the front and back to attach stuff. The top 2 MOLLE rows are also hook & loop with more sewn on in between them. There are 6 total MOLLE rows on each of the front and back. On the back of the plate carrier is also a drag handle, just in case, or for carrying the Minuteman around when you aren’t wearing it. The carrier is mesh lined and padded to help keep you cooler and comfortable. Quick release buckles are used on the waist straps and on one of the shoulder straps. The other shoulder strap has a hook & loop adjustment and no buckle. Padded shoulder strap covers are also included. They are pretty well padded and definitely help when wearing the carrier and plates for long periods of time. Predator Armor sometimes has plate and plate carrier packages available. So you can get everything you need while saving a little bit of dough.

Dump pouch

  Along with plate carrier packages, Predator Armor offers some other accessories. One of these is a Dump Pouch. If you haven’t heard, a dump pouch is super useful to throw half full magazines into while training, or anything else you can think of. Their dump pouch can be rolled up when not in use. If you then need the dump pouch, just pull on the little tab, and it will unroll to it’s useful size. Predator Armor says you can fit 9 AR magazines in it, yes it’s big enough, but that 8 & 9th one are a tight fit. To attach the dump pouch, they put both a belt slot and MOLLE. The dump pouch also has a bungee cord and lock so you can cinch it closed, if needed. This dump pouch is fantastic. I mount it toward the back of my belt. It’s then there for me to throw used magazines in. It’s made from 1000D cordura, so it holds up to just about anything. Another Item Predator Armor makes is a Utility Pouch. It is also made from 1000d cordura and is 6.5" x 3" x 5". It also has a belt slot and MOLLE for mounting it, with additional MOLLE on the front. I found the pouch to be very useful, mainly for dumping ammo out of magazines. But either way, it’s a useful little pouch that is very well made.

Utility pouch

Rolled up dump pouch

  I have been using all of the Predator Armor stuff. I don’t mind having steel plates, after all, I am not wearing them everyday. The padded straps on the Minuteman plate carrier eased the weight burden when I wore the plates around. I really like the carrier, it is all around pretty comfortable, so much that I would use it with lightweight plates.. I use the utility pouch way more than I expected to, I’m always throwing something in it before I come home from the range. Then there’s the dump pouch. I love how large it is. The size makes it easy to find without looking. Plus, it holds so much stuff. 

  Predator Armor has hit the market hard with a bunch of good stuff. They know what they are doing and what lane they are in. The products they make are top notch and all of them are made in the USA. If your in the market for some steel body armor, or some tactical nylon gear, go check out Predator Armor, they don’t just make steel plate armor.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Inexpensive Steel Armor packages with spall protection

Target Market:

Those wanting armor and accessories for that occasional use

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Plates

    • NIJ level 3 or 3+

    • 10” x 12” shooter cut

    • Flat or Curved (optional)

    • Stab and Slash Resistant

    • Kevlar lined to protect against spall and frag (optional)

    • Durable and water resistant coating on plate

    • Maintenance Free

    • Thickness .25”

    • Designed to be used as a front or back plate

  • Minuteman Carrier

    • 500D Cordura material

    • Mesh lined for comfort and ventilation

    • Removable, padded mesh shoulder pads

    • Hook-and-loop webbing on front and back

    • Drag handle

    • Adjustable shoulder straps and waist

    • Quick release buckles on shoulders and waist

    • Designed for 10"X12" plates

  • Dump Pouch

    • 1000D Cordura construction

    • Minimal space required (3"x3"x2")

    • Large enough for 9 AR mags

    • MOLLE and belt compatible

  • Utility Pouch

    • 1000D Cordura Construction

    • 6.5" x 3" x 5"

    • Pocket Sleeve for item separation

    • MOLLE and Belt compatible

  • All items 100% made in USA

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Plenty, just go check out Predator Armor

What others are saying?:

5/5 stars @Predator Armor

Plates seem to be exactly as advertised and the carrier is excellent for the price. Very happy with my purchase.

Link to other reviews:

Turncoat Tactical YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8czwIi6Cdfg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voqn_QtTaiY

Price point:

MSRP = $65.00 for a single level III plate

Armor packages from $290.00

Pouches = $40.00 ea

I need it now! Availability:

Predator Armor

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Price

  • Available level III+

  • Anti-spall Kevlar wrapped option

  • Testing target

  • Plate Carrier is well made and comfortable

  • Large Dump pouch is great

  • No expiration date

  • Made in USA

Cons:

  • Heavy

  • Not NIJ certified

Score:  8.00 Great

Favorite Link:  Atibal Optics

Bushmaster DM2S Trigger

  I'm not usually a 2 stage AR trigger guy. So when Bushmaster asked me to review one of their new DM2S triggers, I was a little hesitant. But, since I really like trying different triggers out, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. When it showed up, I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked it. The DM2S is a good 2 stage AR trigger.

  If you haven’t heard, Bushmaster recently came under new ownership. What does that mean for you, the consumer? Most likely they will be introducing new products, like the DM2S, suppressors, and new updated rifles. All made in America.

  The DM2S is a little different then most aftermarket triggers you might be used to. It is not a cartridge style. Instead it resembles a Mil-spec trigger. So when you install it, it installs in two pieces, just like that old GI trigger. But, it is definitely not your old GI trigger. However, the trigger shoe is a spot on match for a GI trigger. So the trigger shoe curve will be recognizable to all. In fact, when you look at the exterior of a rifle with the DM2S trigger in it, you can’t even tell that it has a match grade trigger installed. 

  I guess an explanation of what a “2 stage” trigger is, is in order. A 2 stage trigger has 2 distinct actions. When you first pull the trigger, a lighter weight pull is felt. This lighter pull can feel like take-up, but in fact, it is part of the design. Once you pull through the first stage, you come to a stop, or wall. This is the second stage. The second stage is a heavier pull weight that is added onto the first stage's pull weight. Then you add a little more pressure, and the trigger breaks, thus firing the firearm. 2 stage triggers are sometimes used by those wanting to “stage” the trigger to get that little extra accuracy. By pulling through the first stage, a shooter can then make slight accuracy adjustments before breaking the shot. Or if the shooter decides not to take the shot, they can simply just release pressure to reset the trigger back to its original starting point. The DM2S that is here, measured around 1.5 lb pull for the first stage and 4 lbs for the second stage. So the DM2S’ second stage adds 2.5 lbs to the first stages 1.5 lbs, thus giving the total pull weight 4 lbs. Bushmaster publishes lubricated and unlubricated pull weights, listed in the FNB’s down below. The 4 lb weight, I measured, was with a lubricated trigger. It was only slightly higher before I lubricated it, maybe 0.25 lbs heavier. The DM2S’ second stage pull is crisp and clean. I was pretty impressed with the trigger break. It also has an excellent reset.

  As mentioned, I’m more of a single stage trigger guy. However, the DM2S isn’t something to turn away. I was pleasantly surprised at how fast I could shoot this trigger. I ran some rifle Bill drills with it and they were about 0.30 seconds slower. That’s 6 shots on target at 7 yards, in 1.7 seconds with the DM2S. Not quite as fast as a super light single stage, but still fast. I can also see where the 2 stage has advantages when shooting from a bench, or prone, or for accuracy. Staging the trigger and then pulling through the 2nd stage can really help staying on target. With the trigger only having a pull weight of 4 lbs, it doesn’t lend itself to moving you off target like a heavy trigger pull weight can.

  The DM2S is a non-adjustable trigger. There is nothing to set for pull weight, over travel, or anything else. That being said, the DM2S has a little bit of over-travel, but not much, maybe 0.050”. Since it is a 2 stage trigger, pre-travel is included in the first stage. I did measure it at around 0.150”. The trigger break measured a little under 0.100”, so I’d say about .080”. Therefore, the total trigger movement, to get the trigger to fire, is around 0.230”, or just under ¼ inch. Reset on the trigger seemed to be around 0.100” since you don’t need to reset the trigger all the way through the first stage, only to the beginning of the second stage.

  The DM2S trigger, from Bushmaster, actually surprised me. For a 2 stage, dedicated marksman style trigger,  it is pretty good. The pull weight is good, it has a crisp 2nd stage, and a forceful reset. If you are the type who likes 2 stage AR triggers, you might give the DM2S a try.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Dedicated Marksman 2 stage AR trigger

Target Market:

AR15 users wanting a good 2 stage trigger

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • 2 stage AR15 trigger

  • 4.12 - 4.56 lbs. unlubricated pull weight

  • 3.12 - 3.71 lbs. lubricated pull weight

  • Standard Mil-Spec Curved Trigger Bow

  • Mil Spec Pin Size - 0.154”

  • Mil-Spec lower compatibility 

  • Made in USA

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None

What others are saying?:

Nothing found

Link to other reviews:

The Truth About Guns 

Price point:

MSRP = $129.99

Retail = Same

I need it now! Availability:

Bushmaster Firearms

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Installs like any mil-spec AR trigger

  • 4 lb total average pull weight

  • 2 - stage

  • Made in USA

Cons:

  • Only available in standard mil-spec curved shoe

  • Not a drop in style

Score: 8.00 Great

Favorite Link:  Midwest Firearm Solutions

Blackout Defense Zero Trigger

  When people that have been shooting for a while ask me for the best upgrade, I usually tell them a good trigger. For newer shooters, it’s dry fire practice, but that’s a different story. Since I’m on the trigger subject, Blackout Defense has come out with their Zero trigger for the AR15 and AR10 platforms. Blackout Defense sent me a curved shoe trigger with a 3lb pull. This is one of the best single stage triggers I’ve had the pleasure of using.

  When you first see the Zero trigger, you don’t really notice anything different about it. The differences are on the inside, and become quickly apparent, more on that later. First off, it’s a cartridge style “drop in” trigger assembly. This makes installation easy. I’d recommend the anti-walk pins, as I would with any cartridge style trigger. They just give that little bit of added security, even if it’s just in my mind. As mentioned, I opted for the curved trigger. The curve is not near as much as a stock GI trigger. I would call it a short radius, but it’s appears to be a pretty standard profile for aftermarket triggers. I really like the curved profile, it works really well for me. If you don’t like curved triggers, they make it in a flat profile too. For me, the curve gives a consistent finger placement, so the felt pull is always the same.

  Now for the Zero trigger internals. What makes the Zero trigger so unique is its ability to completely remove pre-travel and over-travel. So much so, that the total trigger movement can be set to 0.078”. Part of this is accomplished by a curved or cupped trigger tail. This “cup” allows the tail to cradle the safety drum. To fully adjust, or get rid of, the pre and over travel. Hardened set screws are installed on the bottom of the trigger housing, both at the front and the rear. From Blackout Defense’s website - “The bottom of the Zero™ trigger housing features threaded holes that straddle both the front and rear of the trigger tail.  Hardened set screws are provided and can be installed through these threaded holes to finely tune the trigger location and push it into contact with the safety.” The trigger tail riding on the safety drum is what eliminates the pre-travel and is adjustable through the rear set screw. The over-travel is then adjusted with the front set screw. Once set, red loctite is recommended to keep them from moving. My only complaint about this process is that it is tedious work. Mainly because you have to pull the trigger out, turn the set screw a tiny amount, then reinstall the trigger and try it again. Be patient, it could take a while. The Zero trigger is so well made, that these tedious adjustments aren’t really needed for a great trigger pull. I just needed to see how it was done, as it is an option. The trigger will fit in any mil-spec lower, but if you don’t want to take the trigger in and out to adjust it, Blackout Defense’s lower receiver has 2 small holes in it, so that you don’t have to take the trigger out for this adjustment. The Zero trigger also has two different finish options for the internal components. Either Black Nitrided, or NP3. Both finishes help with lubricity and corrosion resistance. After factory setting the trigger pull weight, Blackout Defense then arc welds these set screws to make sure that they never come out of the factory adjustment. Note: these are different from the set screws used to adjust the pre and over travel, these are the ones the factory uses to adjust the pull weight (see inside the trigger housing picture). As you can see, those two screws aren’t ever moving.

  Two different trigger pull weights are available from the factory. Either a 4.5lb pull or a 3lb pull weight. I opted for the 3lb pull weight. When I measured it, it is consistently under the 3lb mark. Anywhere from 2-¾ lbs up to just shy of 3 lbs. Follow that up with the super short pull and the super crisp break, it feels like less. The reset on the Zero trigger is also great. Super crisp and tactile. The reset impressed me for a 3lb pull weight trigger.

  The Zero trigger has me sold. It is one of the best single stage AR triggers out there, at least in my opinion. It works spectacularly when shooting fast. I can consistently shoot a rifle bill drill (6 shots, A zone hits, 7yds) 0.25-0.30 seconds faster then when I use the same upper with different triggers. It works really well for precision shooting also. Having that short crisp pull allows me to not disturb the rifle when pulling the trigger slowly. Does it help my groups? Who knows, but I do know it’s easier for me to not move the rifle.

  While running the Zero trigger, I put a lot of time into dry fire. Well, maybe not dry fire, but the Mantis Blackbeard. This gave me the thousands of trigger pulls I needed to really fall in love with Zero trigger. The trigger never had a single hiccup, either dry fire or live fire. The super fast reset and crisp break made it a dream to use with the Blackbeard system. 

  When it comes to aftermarket triggers, the Zero trigger is a gold mine. This trigger does everything I want in a good AR trigger. Yes, the light, short pull may not be for everyone, but if you are looking for a super fast trigger, it might just be for you. Having the ability to have ZERO take up and overtravel really makes the Zero trigger shine. If you are looking for a great trigger for your AR, I would definitely give Blackout Defense a call. They are super helpful if you need any questions answered about the Zero trigger, or any of their other products.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

AR15 trigger with zero take up and overtravel

Target Market:

Those wanting a great, fast trigger for their AR style firearms

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Single stage drop in trigger for AR-15

  • Short reset design

  • Fits any MIL-SPEC AR-15 lower receiver

  • Trigger and Disconnector: A2 Tool Steel

  • Black Nitrided trigger 

  • Black Nitride disconnector

  • Hammer: S7 Tool Steel

  • Black Nitrided hammer

  • Balck anodized aluminum housing

  • Hardened set screws to adjust pre and over travel

  • 0.154” pin diameter

  • Curved trigger tail

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

4.5 lb, NP3 finish, Straight bow, AR10’s

What others are saying?:

5/5 stars - Charles @BlackoutDefense

SPOOKY PERFECT TRIGGER

I shot National Match Competition on the USMC Shooting Team at Quantico “back in the day”. We fired highly-tuned M-14’s built by amazing craftsman.

Everyone was obsessed with trigger performance.

This is the trigger we were always chasing, only better.

First, there really is no takeup. Apply 4.5lbs with absolutely zero creep. The trigger breaks clean, moves about .05″ and stops.

Release the trigger and it resets: click. Press again. Zero creep, breaks at 4.5lbs, and stops dead. All. Day. Long. Absolutely consistent. It’s uncanny.

After the Marines, I worked my entire career with High Tech CNC manufacturers. So, I know what it takes to make something great: engineering, equipment, people, and quality control. It takes them all.

Hats off to Customer Service too: fast, friendly, efficient, responsive and effective. Thanks.

Does this sound like a paid endorsement? It isn’t. I paid full retail for the NP3 All with Trigger Pins direct from the Blackout Defense webstore.

I am just an ex-Jarhead who knows that you (often, hopefully) get what you pay for. In this case, I got more than I thought was even possible. Nice upside surprise.

To my fellow trigger-obsessed perfectionist, you won’t be disappointed.

Link to other reviews:

The Firearm Blog

Price point:

MSRP = $204.99

Retail = $199.00 at Optics Planet 

I need it now! Availability:

Blackout Defense

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • 3lb pull weight

  • Zero take-up and overtravel

  • Super short pull length

  • Great reset

  • Drop-in style

  • Crisp, Clean break

  • Made in USA

Cons:

  • Set Screw adjustment

Score: 9.00 Amazing

Primary Arms SLx 1-6x24 ACSS 22lr

  Primary Arms may have come out with the perfect 22lr scope. It’s their SLx 1-6x24 with a second focal plane ACSS 22lr reticle. Since there are so many 10/22’s and AR22’s around, the 1-6 seemed like a great all around optic for these platforms. 

  The SLx 1-6 has a lot of features packed into a $290 scope. First up is the 1-6x power. The 1x lets you use the scope like it was a red dot or pism, more like a circle dot style because of the ACSS reticle. Is it a true 1x like a red dot? Not really, It’s pretty darn close. Anything closer than 10 yards is ever so slightly magnified. Not enough to cause any weird problems, just a little noticeable at close ranges. The 1x didn’t cause any problems for me shooting with both eyes open. The 6x will let you see targets farther away. The 6x is fine for certain targets and gives a good magnification, especially if you aren’t looking for precision shooting. In typical 1-6x fashion, the SLx uses a 30mm tube and a 24mm objective lens. It also uses ½ MOA click adjustments for windage and elevation. The clicks are nice and audible with decent detents stopping them.

  Where the SLx 1-6 really shines, is the ACSS 22lr reticle. This reticle is a horse shoe style with a center aiming dot. At 6x, the reticle has a 1 MOA dot and the outer part of the horseshoe is 8.6 MOA. The reticle also has ranging and a Bullet Drop Compensator (BDC). The BDC is calculated to work at 6x, since the SLx is a Second Focal Plane (SFP) reticle. The reticle therefore stays the same size throughout the magnification range. Just zero your 22lr at 25 or 50 yards using the center dot. Then the BDC has marks at 100, 125, 150, 175, and 200yds. It also has 5 MPH wind, or moving target, holds at the respective ranges. These holds are just an estimation and really depend on the ammunition used. I found they were a little off, even with some pretty fast 22lr ammunition. Just try them out first, so you know about where they shoot with your ammo. One can also “true” the scope to the ammo you use, which I haven’t done yet, but will be. Primary Arms can help you with this if you can’t figure it out, they have great tech support. The reticle and BDC can also be illuminated red. There is a brightness knob on the left side of the scope. This knob also houses the CR2032 battery. There are eleven brightness settings, including ones that can be seen in bright sunny daylight. The clicks on the brightness knob are pretty good, you can definitely feel each brightness setting as you turn to them. Off to the right of the reticle, is a ranging bar, which is also calibrated to the 6x magnification setting. It, however, does not illuminate, but It does let you range objects like cans, bottles, clay pigeons, and even small varmints. 

  I’ve found a few things I really like about the SLx 1-6, and a couple I don’t care for. The optic is really clear and bright, especially for the price. But, it also has very unforgiving eye relief. Yes the eye relief at 1x isn’t bad, but at 6x, it really gets limiting. At 6x, it can get fuzzy around the edge if you are not in the perfect eye relief spot. I like the size of the power adjustment knob. It even has a little bump to help aid in turning. But, the knob is pretty stiff, which makes it hard to use. I would like to see a larger bump, or maybe a removable lever that goes on the adjustment knob, to make turning it easier and quicker. The SLx 1-6 also weighs in at a little over a pound, which isn’t bad, but since it’s a dedicated 22lr scope, I’d like it a little lighter. One of the coolest features, in this Primary Arms optic line, is the extra battery storage in the windage adjustment cap. It even comes with an extra 2032 already in the cap!

  For a plinking or fast hunting scope, the Primary Arms SLx 1-6x 22lr is great. Yes, it has a few slight downfalls, but nothing that can’t be overlooked for the price. I really liked the clarity and the ACSS 22lr reticle. The center dot and horse shoe make using the SLx 1-6 extremely fast. Also, the BDC reticle can be useful for quick target changes. The Primary Arms SLX 1-6 is a decent scope that fits my criteria for a fast 22lr optic. Go check out the SLx line of optics at Primary Arms, they are good little optic for the price.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

1-6 optic with .22lr ACSS reticle

Target Market:

Those wanting a low power variable optic, with BDC drops, for a 22lr

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Second focal plane ACSS reticle designed for .22LR

  • Red illumination with 11 brightness settings

  • BDC accurate at 6x magnification

  • 1-6x total magnification

  • Uses one CR2032 battery

  • Single piece 6063 aluminum construction

  • Hardcoat anodized matte black finish

  • Fully multi coated lenses

  • 1/2 MOA adjustments

  • Extra battery holder in windage cap

  • Eye Relief: Low: 3.50 in / High: 3.30

  • Field View - Low: 110.00 ft / High: 19.30 ft

  • Objective Diameter: 24mm

  • Tube Diameter: 30mm

  • Weight: 16.9 Oz

  • Comes with Flip-up lens covers

  • Lifetime warranty

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None

What others are saying?:

5 out of 5 stars @PrimaryArms 

MY NEW FAVORITE 22LR SCOPE

This is by far the best 22LR Scope I've put on my S&W M&P 15-22 and I've played around with some very nice Optics on my rifle including night vision. Primary Arms makes the only scope that I know of with this much Ballistic Data for a 22LR Rifle and once you have it sighted in all the hold over dots are right on the money. It really makes shooting different size targets out to 200 yards so easy. The glass in this scope is so crystal clear and it's something you normally only find in optics at a much higher price point. The # 10 - 11 power settings are very bright and it's easy to see that red reticle in the heaviest of sunlight but you really don't even need it as everything is etched in the glass when the power is off and it's just as easy to see. To put it simply, if you're like me and bought a .22lr Rifle just to have fun with and you don't have the Primary Arms SLx 1-6x24mm SFP Rifle Scope Gen III - Illuminated ACSS-22LR then you're really missing out.

Link to other reviews:

As of writing, nothing was found on the Gen III

Price point:

MSRP = $289.99

Retail = Same

I need it now! Availability:

Primary Arms

Our Rating: 

Pros:

  • Full illuminated reticle

  • Daylight bright

  • Clear, especially for $290

  • Hold over marks

  • Extra battery holder in elevation cap

Cons:

  • Battery Life, yes I left it on and it doesn’t have “AutoLive”

  • Second Focal Plane

  • Eye relief is a little limiting

Score: 7.50 Good

Favorite Link:  Walker Defense

Primary Arms SLx 1x Prism

  I was looking around for a prism sight to replace one of my red dots on an AR rifle. I was tired of the flared out dot due to my astigmatism. So when the chance came along to get behind the Primary Arms SLx 1x prism, I was literally a kid in a candy store. The Primary arms SLx worked great as the red dot replacement.

  The SLx 1x prism had all the features I wanted in a true 1 power optic. For one, it was a prism sight. Therefore it has an etched reticle, like most magnified optics. I really like this as a feature, it takes away the burst that red dots have for me, and it gives an actual reticle, even when not illuminated by the battery. I’ll get to the actual reticle later. The SLx’s reticle illumination is red, but green is also an option. Another feature that I wanted was good eye relief. Since it’s not a red dot style optic, eye relief is important. The SLx has a stated 2-6” of eye relief. But it really feels like more. I can get right up on the optic or back off even more than the 6”s and still get a good sight picture, so much so that it feels very much like looking through a red dot optic.

  Primary Arms gave the SLx 1x prism their ACSS Cyclops gen II reticle. The ACSS (Advanced Combined Sighting System) Cyclops is a horseshoe style etched reticle with a chevron, think triangle, in the middle. The round horseshoe part gives extremely fast target acquisition, especially for close up targets. It is also about the size of a 00 buck pattern at 25 yds. The chevron then takes over for precise aiming. You can also use the chevron like you would a red dot, if up close. The top point of the chevron is where you would zero your rifle. This point is also where you get pretty precise aiming by just putting the point on the target. The zero depends on what barrel length and caliber you are using (see picture). With a 16” 5.56 barrel, it would be 100 yds. The inner point of the chevron is now a bullet drop compensator. So with the same 16” barrel, this would be for 300 yds. Then the bottom part of the chevron would be 400 yds. The BDC is just a close estimation, since it also depends on ammunition type and the height at which the SLx is mounted. There is also range estimation built into the SLx. It uses a 5’10” tall or 18” wide object for range estimation. When sighting in, the SLx has 1 MOA clicks for both the windage and elevation adjustments. The clicks are very positive. The adjusting dial is recessed into the SLx’s housing so that the adjustments won’t be hit and knocked out of zero. It also makes for a smoother look. Even though the 1 MOA adjustments worked fine, since the SLx has the precise chevron aiming point, I would have liked to see more accurate adjustments, maybe more like ¼ MOA, or even ½ MOA.  

  Illumination comes from a CR2032 battery that rides inside the brightness knob. The SLx has 13 brightness settings. The highest are “daylight bright”, and the lowest 3 are for night vision. Yes, the “daylight bright” does illuminate the reticle in bright sunlight. It’s not quite as bright as a quality red dot, but you can still see that it is a brighter red. My biggest complaint about the SLx is it’s mushy and hard to turn brightness knob. The click between levels just suck, plus it’s hard to get the dial to turn to them. If it had better “clicks” I wouldn’t complain as much about the stiffness. But, on the other side of that is the awesome “Autolive” function. This is a motion activated auto on function. After a certain time of no motion, the illumination will turn off. Then, when it gets moved, even just a little, the reticle turns back on to the last brightness setting it was on. The Autolive works fantastic, see this as to how well it works: YouTube Video. Because of the Autolive function, battery life is greatly extended. In fact, Primary Arms states the battery life to be 29,000 hours on the medium setting! Remember, if the battery dies, you still get the advantage of having an etched reticle, it’s just no longer illuminated. 

  The SLx gives a very clear window in which to look through. I found this prism sight to be way clearer than I expected from a $250 optic. It has a pretty good Field of View at 76.5 ft @ 100yds. It has a very forgiving eyebox and even has a diopter to focus in the reticle for your eyes. Even when looking through the SLx at odd angles, I was still able to get a good sight picture. 

  The Primary Arms SLx 1x prism comes with a variety of mounting options, all of which are included in the package. The SLx comes with 4 spacers and a picatinny rail mounting base. 3 of these spacers are cantilevered, the other 1 is straight. This lets the SLx mount right above the rail, with no spacers, or up super high off the rail with the straight spacer plus the high cantilever one, and anything in between (see picture). Of course all mounting screws and wrenches are included to swap the heights around. Oddly enough, the SLx can also be mounted to a carry handle of an AR. All these height options let you tune the height, so if you are using a magnifier or back up iron sights, you can get it just how you like it. Yes, the SLx prism will work with those too.

This is not on full brightness, more like around setting 7 of 13, in full sun

  Primary Arms did a fantastic job with the SLx 1x prism. It does almost everything I wanted it to do, okay, it does everything I need it to do. The clarity is great, it’s bright, has auto on/off, good battery life, and even works without the illumination. The 1x appears to be a true 1 power to me. Everything close up and far away is clear and size appropriate. Shooting with both eyes open is just like shooting with a non magnified red dot, plus no starburst. Having the ability to mount the SLx at various heights is also nice. I like this optic so much that I might even mount it on my “go to” rifle. Go check out the SLx 1x prism at Primary Arms.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Etched reticle micro prism sight

Target Market:

Anyone wanting a solid 1x optic 

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • ACSS Cyclops Gen II reticle

  • 13 Illumination settings including Daylight Bright

  • 3 Night Vision Settings:  Low, Med & Flood 

  • AutoLive motion-sensing on/off battery saving technology 

  • 29,000 Hour battery life at medium setting

  • Includes 8 Mounting Height Options (incl. Absolute Co-witness & Lower 1/3 heights)

  • Length: 2.48”  

  • Weight: 7.6 oz with height riser (only 5.5 oz without riser)

  • Etched Reticle

  • Diopter for precision reticle clarity

  • Eye Relief Range:  2” to 6” with 3.6” for optimum Field of View

  • Field of View: 76.5 ft @ 100 yds

  • 120 MOA total Adjustments

  • 1 click = 1 MOA

  • Fully Multi-Coated optics

  • IP67 Waterproof, nitrogen purged for fog resistance, and dust proof

  • Uses (1) CR2032 Battery (Included)

  • Lens Covers included

  • Backed by Primary Arms Lifetime Warranty

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Green reticle or FDE housing

What others are saying?:

4 out 5 stars @PrimaryArms 

MAY BE MY NEW FAVORITE OPTIC!

Put this on an AR15 in 5.56 and the performance was fantastic. The included mounting system is excellent, the reticle is outstanding and the field of view for such a small optic is surprising. I like the etched reticle and the brightness settings are perfect for all lighting conditions. Up until now my favorite optic was the Trijicon MRO but at half the price red dot is hard to beat. Seems just as if not more so rugged that much more expensive options. The only drawback and it's a small one is the 1 MOA adjustment increments which could make it difficult to really dial it in at range but out to 50 yards on my rifle it was dead on.

Link to other reviews:

The Firearm Blog

Price point:

MSRP = $249.99

Retail = Same

I need it now! Availability:

Primary Arms

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • AutoLive

  • Super Clear

  • Etched ACSS Cyclops reticle

  • Daylight bright

  • A lot of mounting height options

  • Forgiving eye relief

Cons:

  • 1 MOA click adjustments

  • Mushy brightness clicks

  • Tight brightness knob

Score: 8.50 Great

Favorite Link:  Walker Defense

Civivi Hadros

 If you have listened to the podcast, you understand that I am impressed with the Civivi knives. One of their newest knives, the Hadros, didn’t let me down. The Hadros is a very svelte knife with a wharncliffe blade, thumb stud opening, micarta scales, and a liner lock. The Hadros also has an elegant look to it.

  Civivi took the Hadros and added in some civility. This knife is pretty, if I can say that about a pocket knife. All of this starts with the nicely shaped micarta handles, these happen to be olive colored. The handles are smooth, which gives them a softer look. Of course the smooth handles are not my favorite for actual use, as they are slick. But the size and shape give the Hadros a good look. The handle shape is quite slender in both directions. At first I thought this might be a problem. Amazingly though, the knife feels good in the hand. Civivi’s logo on the pivot screw is a nice touch also. To round out the aesthetics is a smooth pocket clip. This clip is reversible for left or right, tip up carry. The clip is strong and slides smoothly over the pockets edge. 

  The wharncliffe blade on the Hadros is super sharp. It’s made from 10Cr15CoMoV steel, which is a good intermediate steel for this knife. What really makes this wharncliffe blade shine is the hollow grind and flat cutting edge. The hollow grind makes it slice through stuff effortlessly, or at least that’s how it felt for me. The edge has held up well, but I have touched it up on my little sharpener a few times. It wasn’t dull by any means, I just wanted it a little sharper. One advantage, or disadvantage to this blade, is the super pointy tip. If you like that, it’s a nice sharp point. I worry that I might bend or break it off, but luckily, I haven’t. The spine of the blade also has some useful jimping. The jimping is exactly where my thumb rests when holding the Hadros and works well. For opening the Hadros, Civivi uses thumb studs. There’s one on each side of the blade, so being right or left handed doesn’t matter. The thumb stud is located in a good spot. It is easy to open the knife without catching your finger on anything but the thumb stud. Once the Hadros is open, the blade is held in place with a stainless steel liner lock. When locked, the liner lock doesn’t extend too far over the blade. It’s enough to hold the blade good and tight, but leaves enough room for future wear. 

  As with all the Civivi knives I’ve felt, the opening and closing of them is so smooth. The Hadros seems a little smoother than the Brazen model I have. The smoothness is due to their caged ceramic ball bearings. These bearings also help the Hadros to have little, if any, side to side play in the blade. With this knife, I just flick the thumb stud and the blade flips out effortlessly. 

  Some of the Hadros’ specifications are also noteworthy. First off, it weighs nothing at 2.57 ounces. For me, it is on the edge of whether I notice I’m even carrying a knife or not. It really is light. The blade is a useful 3.35” long. I like my pocket knives to have between a 2.75” and 3.5” length, so the Hadros is right where I like the blade length. It also has a 4.2” handle, so it won’t take up a bunch of real estate in your pocket. The micarta handles put the knife at 0.47” wide, and in spots, the depth is about the same. 

  I’ve been running around with the Hadros for about 3 months now. I carry it everyday, and probably use it every day. I’ve cut boxes and food with it, as well as other various things . It is a really good knife, don’t let the handle size fool you. It stays sharp. I haven’t broken the tip yet. It looks good in work pants, as well as Khaki’s. It even comes in a little soft case with a cleaning cloth. All in all, the Hadros has treated me well. 

  The Hadros has a nice look and feel to it. It does everything a pocket knife should, and some things even better. The smoothness, of opening the knife, is top notch. It’s sharp, and even holds an edge well. If you’re looking for something with a Wharncliffe style blade, go check out the Civivi Hadros. 


Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Slim, thumb stud folder with a Wharncliffe blade 

Target Market:

Those wanting a lightweight, elegant style pocket knife

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Wharncliffe style blade

  • Overall Length: 7.55" / 191.7mm

  • Blade Length: 3.35" / 85mm

  • Closed Length: 4.2" / 106.7mm

  • Blade Thickness: 0.12" / 3mm

  • Handle Thickness: 0.47" / 12mm

  • Weight: 2.57oz / 72.8g

  • Blade Material: 10Cr15CoMoV

  • Blade Hardness: 59-61HRC

  • Blade Grind: Hollow

  • Blade Finish: Satin

  • Olive Micarta Handle

  • Stainless Steel Liner

  • Tip-Up, L/R stainless steel pocket clip

  • Thumb Stud opening

  • Pivot Assembly: Caged Ceramic Ball Bearing

  • Liner Lock

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Brown or Black scales

What others are saying?:

5/5 stars on Amazon

Great quality, smooth action, great lockup. Perfect gentleman’s carry.

The blade is perfect for opening packages or doing detail work. Long blade reach

Link to other reviews:

Wayne’s Sharp World 

Price point:

MSRP = $70.00

Retail = $59.50 on Amazon

I need it now! Availability:

Civivi or Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Sharp

  • Super smooth action

  • Hollow ground Wharncliffe blade

  • Weight, or lack of it

  • Pocket clip

  • Thumb Jimping

Cons:

  • Super pointy blade, could break off easily if misused

  • Slick and small handle

Score: 8.50 Great

Favorite Link:  Gun Guys Garage

ESEE Xancudo

Written by: Rusty Odom

  With the last year being so hard on us firearms enthusiasts finding ammo, I went back to my roots and started getting back into knives. I have a background of being a machinist, for about 10 years, prior to becoming a paramedic. I worked a lot with tool steels in various states of hardness, stainless steel, Starrett stock, hot rolled, cold rolled and so on. I have hardened all kinds of steels, ground them into cutting dies for the smallest of tasks up to 200 ton presses. I am not a metallurgist, but I do have a good base knowledge enough to be dangerous. Here is a term I like to use, “J.E.D, just enough to be dangerous.”  So when I go to buy a knife I look for several things or a combination of 3 things, blade size, blade steel and carry method. With that being said, as of writing this, I have found my favorite fixed blade.

  The ESEE Xancudo, a fixed blade, light weight, easy handling knife with a 3 inch blade. I have numerous ESEE blades, most of them are in the Randall Adventure Training or R.A.T line. Most of these blades are a 1095 carbon steel blade that are easy to sharpen, keep a good edge, can be used like a plow mule, but also needs care of the edge so it doesn't rust. Then while surfing the internet I came across the Xancudo, I was smitten with this blade from the start. First it has a new blade steel for the Esee line, S35VN, which has a Rockwell hardness to 59-60 rc. It is small enough to work with one hand and is very well balanced. The blade is the right width at .125” or ⅛ of an inch. It weighs in at a whopping 3.8 ounces in the hand or 6 ounces total with the sheath. The blade comes with a stone washed finish, 3D G10 scale handles, and for the best part, it is made in the USA.

  The blade is a simple straight belly design with a flat back, small thumb texturing on the back, the finger choil is ground into the handle and gives a great one hand grip on it. The G10 scales are 3D cut, which means it is grippy and textured in all the right spots. The handles just seem to mold to your hand and making using it very nice. The handles are secured with allen screws and can be changed out. My particular knife is what some would call a high angle use blade because of the oval hole cut into the rear of it. You can wrap a piece of rope through it or attach a carabiner with a lanyard, so you wont drop it. They also have the option to have it without the hole. Both blades are a full tang construction through the handle. 

  First off I have to say I am not a fan of the ESEE sheaths, they serve their purpose and do their job well. But for me I am a sheath snob, I will call around and get a sheath made or try and find a company that already has them in stock. It is the generic style that most of their brand come with. It is a vertical carry, injected molded sheath with a spring clip on it. It also has holes so you can use some cordage and secure it to your pack. I went to RK Custom Kydex and ordered a new sheath and used some button style soft loops to carry it horizontally on my belt. This makes it easier for me to be able to grab it with either hand. 

  Let's get to the nitty gritty of how this knife performs. Right out of the box the Xancudo was sharp, I mean the hairs on my arms were jumping off before the blade got to them. I got this knife right at the end of summer and couldn't wait until hunting season to see how it performed. I was not disappointed at all. On two different occasions, while hunting, my 14 year old daughter harvested a couple of wild hogs. So this was the best time to put the knife to work. It cleanly field dressed the swine on the creek bank with little effort of pressure on the blade. During the skinning process it was like using a scalpel, matter of fact that is kind of how she held it. With just a little bit of motion and pressure the blade gilded through the hide, muscles, tenderloin, around the rib cage of both pigs. I examined the blade after each use and it was still razor sharp. I even put the blade back in the sheath and forgot to clean it, when I pulled it back out there was no rust to be found. I was very pleased with this. If it would have been a 1095 steel blade it would have been rusted and corroded from the blood. 

  So would I recommend this knife to anyone? Yes, I would! Knives are something that can last a lifetime unless you are Tony or Zane (Marines), the blade steel is forgiving, it is great for EDC, Bushcraft, hobby work, wearing around your neck, vertical, horizontally or sticking in your pocket, or securing the sheath with a  piece of cord around your belt so it stays and doesn't hit the ground when you pull it out. I have several ammo cans full of knives that have been given to me or I bought on a whim, they live in those cans because my needs have changed, blade steel has gotten better. I no longer needed a 10 inch Bowie knife or a 7 inch Ontario RAT on my belt. So for what I do, this blade hits the sweet spot. Now, not to scare you off, but here is the thick of it. The price might be more than some are willing to pay. Not me, it is always Christmas because I buy my own gifts year round. I think I made up a holiday when I bought this one though. The price on the ESEE website is $186.00. I bought mine at Knifeworks for $106.95. Now that is a deal for a knife that you can pass down to your kids. On a side note, Knifeworks offers a payment plan with a 3rd party company called Sezzle, they are interest free and break up the payments into 4 instalments. So the knife just started looking better, read on for more.

So let us recap this blade:

Overall Length: 7.12”

Cutting edge: 3’

Blade thickness 0.125”

Weight: with sheath 6 ounces/without 3 ounces

Sheath: Molded or injected plastic if some sort

Finish: stone washed

Handle: 3D G10

MADE IN THE USA

WARRANTY: 

ESEE knives are made with absolute attention to detail using the finest raw materials and care during the manufacturing process. We stand behind our knives with a 100% unconditional lifetime guarantee. If your ESEE knife should ever break, we will repair or replace it. This warranty follows the knife throughout its life, anywhere in the world. No sales receipt or warranty registration required.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Perfect for EDC, Bushcraft

Target Market:

Outdoor enthusiast, hikers, hunters or anyone wanting a good fixed blade knife

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • The warranty says it all. LIFETIME, NO MATTER WHAT! 

  • Great corrosion resistant new age stainless blade.

  • Easy to sharpen

  • Perfect for detail knife usage

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Two versions

XAN2-006 (no hole in handle)

XAN1-006 (hole in the handle)

Replacement G10 grips for $22.95

What others are saying?:

I did not find a lot of other reviews for this knife. There are some but not well detailed. 

Link to other reviews:

Prepper Del on YouTube

Knife News

Price point:

MSRP = $186.00

Retail = $106.95 at Knifeworks.com

I need it now! Availability:

ESEE, Knifeworks, Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Razor sharp 

  • Easy to sharpen 

  • Corrosion resistant 

  • Scales are interchangeable 

  • Lightweight but built like a tank 

Cons:

  • The sheath is not comfortable for those with love handle 

  • Could use a dedicated lanyard hole at the rear. 

  • Possibly too small of a grip for those with larger hands 

Score: 9.00 Amazing

Walker Defense NILE Rail Panels

  Walker Defense Research has come out with some new rail panels. They call these “NILE”. Which stands for Non-Slip Inlaid Element, more on that later. Essentially these are Silicon Carbide grip panels for your M-Lok handguard. They are also 100% made in the USA, including the mounting hardware.

  The NILE’s are very well thought out. Walker Defense uses a thin heat resistant polymer that is somewhat flexible. Then they lay the Silicon Carbide into a pocket that is molded into the polymer. Silicone Carbide is basically the sand stuff they use on sandpaper. This produces a nice “grippy” surface that is easily attached to your M-Lok slotted handguard. The flexibility also makes it easier to install the rails into the M-Lok slots because they aren’t rigid. The heat resistance also helps insulate your hand from excessive barrel heat, if that’s an issue.

  When I say these are thin, they are. Of the 4 pack I received, they all measure right around ⅛” thick. Not even really enough to notice the thickness. They are 0.70” wide. So just enough to not hang over the flats of the M-Lok slots they mount into. Then they are 4.75” long, or they take up 3 M-Lok slots. The Silicon Carbide, or grippy part, takes up a little more than 3.5” of that length.  1 and 2 slot versions are also available, they are 1.5” and 2.125” long, respectively. Walker also offers custom combination packs. These let you choose what length rails you would like to get. That way you don’t have to order a 3 pack of 3 slot rails, and a 3 pack of another length if you only need one 3 slot, and 2 - 1 slots, for example.

The NILE rails also have an extra mounting feature. If you look at the back of the rail panels, you see a little clip or two. These are between the mounting screws. The clips push into, and lock the rail panels into the extra rail slots. It’s a nice little added feature that should help secure the rail panels under extreme circumstances. These little clip tabs make installation a little bit tricky. To install them, start at one end, then push them in along the rail. I had to tap on, some of them, with a little hammer to get them to pop through the M-Lok slot. The panels probably wouldn’t go anywhere, even if you lost the two end screws.

  Some people like grip panels, some people don’t. I’m usually in the category of “don’t” because of the thickness of them. The Walker Defense NILE’s definitely changed my mind. Even when I ran one each at 3,6, and 9 O’clock, I didn’t even notice the added thickness. The panels sit nice and tight up against the rail too, probably adding to me not noticing the thickness. Or should I say slimness? I’m pretty much sold on these minimalist grip panels.

  The Silicon Carbide inlays are really where the NILE’s shine. Now we can understand the name - Non-Slip (for the silicon carbide), Inlaid (it’s put in the) Element. They are super grippy but not so much that you’ll tear skin off. With gloves on, without gloves on, wet hands, dirty hands, either way the panels give a great surface to grip the forend. I really liked how well they feel over the normal “smooth” feel of a handguard. They definitely gave me better control of the rifle. 

  Another feature that comes to mind about the NILE’s, is their weight. They weigh about nothing. Each panel without mounting hardware is 7 grams! A 3 pack of 3 slot panels weighs 3/4 of an ounce. So you really don’t even notice them, at least weight wise. 

  Dirt can be a problem with these types of panels. The silicon carbide can pack up with dirt. Kind of like sandpaper does after use. Walker Defense has an option for a “Dirt Eraser”. Yes you heard that correctly. This eraser pulls the dirt out of the silicon carbide panel. No more scrubbing with a soapy toothbrush. Just rub the “Eraser” on, and it pulls the dirt out. Yes, just like that, and yes, it works. I’m pretty sure it’s some form of magic.

Dirt Eraser in lower righthand corner

  Walker Defense has done it again with a great product. The NERO brake was the first, now the NILE rail panels. The NILE’s were everything I wanted in a grip panel - slim, lightweight, and has a really good grip texture. The eraser is a nice touch too. Go check out the NILE’s, or anything else Walker Defense has to offer. They make top tier firearm accessories.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Super grippy M-Lok rail panels

Target Market:

Those wanting a good grip with their firearm support hand

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Made from heat resistant polymer

  • Thermal resistant

  • Silicon Carbide grip surface provides an aggressive gripping surface

  • Radiused edges for snag reduction

  • Super slim profile

  • Low weight - 7 grams per panel, or less

  • Screws feature anti-vibration patch to prevent loosening

  • “Dirt” Eraser option

  • Allen wrench included for installation

  • 100% US made

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

1, 2, and 3 M-Lok slot versions available

What others are saying?:

Brand new product - nothing yet

Link to other reviews:

Brand new product - no new reviews found

Price point:

MSRP = $49.99 for 3 pack

As tested = $59.99 in the 4 pack

Custom Combo’s

Use code “INSIDER15” for 15% off

I need it now! Availability:

Walker Defense

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Grip Texture

  • Dirt Eraser

  • Thin panels

  • Custom package quantity and lengths

  • 100% made in USA

Cons:

  • Can pick up dirt fairly easily

  • Hard to install

Score: 9.00 Amazing

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Favorite Link:  Atibal Optics

Swampfox Liberty green dot

  Swampfox has been making a name for themselves over the last few years. Over these years, they have been greatly improving their optics lineup. One of these is the Liberty green dot, an open reflex mini-sized dot sight. The Liberty is a welcomed improvement over their previous mini red dot. It is essentially a new streamlined, updated, and improved version.

  The Liberty covers all the normal bases when you think of a mini red dot, or green in this case. It’s small (size below under FNBs). It uses a RMR mounting footprint. The RMR footprint is what I think should be a standard. Because of this footprint, many aftermarket companies make pre-cut slides for most of the popular pistols out there. Making it an easy process to get the sight mounted up and in use. It also gives various mounting options for if you were to use it on a rifle. The Liberty is made from 7075-T6 aluminum, and then anodized. Pretty typical in today's market. Of course it has no magnification, or 1x, and is parallax free. The window size is 16x22mm, which works well for something like a carry pistol. 

  Besides all the “normal” mini dot stuff, the Liberty has some useful upgrades. First off, it is a green dot. Yes, you can also get red if you like, but this one is green. The dot is 3 moa, a really good size for a pistol. It has 10 brightness settings, all accessed by 2 recessed buttons, on the left side of the sight. Swampfox also put a CR1632 battery in a top mount, so no pulling the sight off to change the battery. 

  Auto on/off is one of the best improvements Swampfox made to the Liberty. They call this “Shake ‘N Wake”. What the Shake ‘n Wake does is automatically turn the sight on and off. After around 4 minutes of non use, the sight goes into a power save mode. To power up the green dot again, just move the sight. The movement it takes is very minimal. Just tapping on it with your finger will wake the sight up. It also wakes up on the last brightness setting that you had it set on. So if the Liberty is on the highest setting, it wakes up there, and so on. If you really want to turn the Liberty completely off, you can hold the brightness down button for 3 seconds to turn it off. Then you must touch the brightness up button, to turn it back on and into the Shake ‘N Wake mode. I personally really like this function. The sight is ready to go when I need it. It has always displayed the green dot when I pick up the pistol it is mounted on. Battery life is stated at 4000 hrs on the medium setting. Since it has the Shake ‘N Wake function, the battery actually lasts longer than you would think. Swampfox says to change the battery about once a year. I don’t know if I’d go that long. Maybe every 6 months. The batteries are super cheap anyhow. I have had the original battery in it for 3 months without any problems. I also leave it on the second to the highest brightness setting.

  Sometimes sights, like the Liberty, can be prone to accidental droppings. This doesn’t always seem to do anything to the sight, but sometimes it can. So Swampfox came up with their “Ironsides” protection shield. The shield is made from 304 stainless steel. 304 stainless is pretty darn strong from my experience. The Ironsides literally wraps itself around the Liberty. It leaves a tiny space around the optic to help keep the Liberty from the abuse of drops and other impacts. It does this without really adding much size to the total package. Thankfully I haven’t dropped it yet, but I do feel protected if I do. 

  Since Swampfox knew that I might mount the LIberty on a number of different pistols, they included their “ultimate red dot screw pack”. The screw pack contains a plethora of red dot mounting screws. Both different thread pitches, and lengths. They also include a few extra long screws for “custom mounting”. Of course I had to cut a couple of the extra long screws down to get the Liberty and Ironsides to mount up on the Strike Industries slide. But that’s what the longer screws were for. The screw pack is a nice thing to have around, especially if you mount up a lot of these size sights.

Dot reflection can be seen right on top of front sight. Dot in center is actual dot and very clear.

  Now, you probably are wondering what my thoughts are on the green dotted Liberty. It works well. The green seems a little nicer to the eye, not as harsh as red. I can still pick up the dot easily. There is a small reflection of the dot in the bottom of the viewing window. This is a little annoying. The reflection is not near as bright, so it's not like you can mistake it for the dot. I really like the Shake ‘N Wake feature. The green dot is bright enough to be seen in direct sunlight, a good thing. The window is super clear, without any real noticeable tint. The Ironsides shield is great, I’d definitely say it’s worth the extra money. The Liberty also uses a RMR mounting footprint, so there are plenty of mounting options available for it. I’d say the Liberty is a good little mini green dot sight.

  Swampfox has done some good stuff with the Liberty. The Liberty is leaps and bounds better than Swampfox’s first mini red dot. Between the Ironsides protection and green dot availability, you have plenty of options to choose from. Go check out the complete line of Swampfox optics over at their website.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Mini green dot sight with protective shield (Ironsides)

Target Market:

Those looking for a mini green dot that has an RMR mounting platform

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

Liberty

  • 3 MOA Dot

  • 1x magnification

  • Shake 'N Wake auto on

  • Auto off after 4 minutes

  • 22 mm window

  • 10 illumination settings - up/down buttons

  • CR 1632 battery

  • IPX 7 water resistance

  • 1.78”(length) x 1.09” (width) x 1.0”(height)

  • Weight - 1 ounce

  • 7075 T6 aluminum construction 

  • Parallax free

  • Multi-coated lens

  • 90 MOA adjustment range

IronSides

  • SUS 304 blackened stainless steel construction

  • Includes 6-32 x .393"/ T10 screws

  • Other mounting screws are available in the Ultimate Screw Pack

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Red dot

What others are saying?:

4 out of 5 stars @Swampfoxoptics.com

So far, so good. Basically a budget DPP on the RMR footprint. Very solid idea. Lots of great features here. Bang for your buck this is hard to beat. Durability has been great so far, I have one riding 45° on a rifle and one on a Glock 21 (.45) that I had the slide cut for. They have been holding up fine. My faith in them grows the more I use them. My only complaint is that the windage and elevation adjustments do not have clicks. This may or may not bug you, but it bugs me. Also a shield for the justice would be cool, it would really hammer home the budget Delta Point pro angle.

Link to other reviews:

Guns & Tactics YouTube

Price point:

MSRP :    Liberty = $249.00

Ironsides = $45.00

Ultimate Screw Pack = $19.99

Retail = $225.00 at Brownells

I need it now! Availability:

SwampFox or Brownells

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Top load battery

  • RMR footprint

  • Shake n Wake

  • Clear

  • IronSides shield

Cons:

  • Dot reflection

  • No clicks on windage & elevation adjustment screws

  • Battery life

Score: 7.50 Good

Favorite Link: Gun Guys Garage

Powertac E9R-G4

  When Powertac contacted me about reviewing a flashlight, I honestly was a little hesitant. I shouldn’t have been! They sent out one of their E9R-G4 tactical lights. The E9 is the model, the G4 just means it’s the fourth generation of this light. This handheld light is way better than I expected. It’s also a very useful handheld light.

G43 for size reference

  I’ll start with saying that the E9R has plenty of features. Some of these features even rival more expensive lights. High on the priority list, at least for me, is the use of an 18650 rechargeable battery. The E9 comes with one 3200maH high discharge 18650. On the battery note, it will also work with 2 CR123 batteries, but the max output will be limited. The light also comes with extra O-rings, a lanyard, and a magnetic USB charging cord. The magnetic charger cord is useful, since it just snaps on and starts charging. But, if you don’t like the magnetic, or you lose the cord, you can pop out the magnetic button and charge the E9 with a standard micro USB connector. There is also a charge indicator light, opposite the charging port. It shines red when charging and blue when fully charged.

Target looking dot, at the front, is for the magnetic charger cord

  Operation of the E9R is pretty easy and self explanatory. Push the tailcap button lightly and the light turns on momentarily. Pushing the tailcap button, until it clicks, gives you constant on. The last setting, you previously used, is what setting the light turns on at. The E9R has 6 adjustment settings. These settings are done with a button, on the side of the tail cap, when the light is on. If you push the side button, with the light off, it goes into the strobe mode, which is 1 of the 6 modes. That leaves 5 other modes for brightness. To cycle through the modes, turn the light on and then push the side button. The modes just cycle up from the lowest to the highest brightness settings. These settings are: “Firefly” at 0.64 lumens, “Low” at 71 lumens, “Medium” at 270 lumens, “High” at 1135 lumens, and “Turbo” at 2550 lumens. These are rated using the ANSI FL1 standard, a good article on the standard can be found HERE. Run time at the highest setting is 2 hours and goes up a lot on the lower settings! I found the E9 easily adjustable. I usually throw it in my pocket on the medium setting so I don’t blind myself when using it to look for stuff. Then if I need more light, it’s just a couple of taps on the side button.  If using the light as a tactical light, I would leave it on the Turbo setting, but I use it as more of a task light. I also found the Firefly setting to be very useful as a super minimal task light.

Vehicle Hi-Beams only

E9R-G4 on Turbo, no vehicle lights

  Since the E9R is more of an EDC light, It has more of a flood pattern to it. That means that the beam is more spread out. At 9800 candela and 2550 lumens, I would expect that. The light doesn’t really have a “hotspot” either, which is also expected from this style of light. Inside, you can see a hotspot, but it’s nothing like a high candela rated light. This lets the E9 work well in enclosed spaces, like a house. It also has enough of a lumen rating to work well outside. Powertac rated the throw at 197 meters max, but we all know that at 197 meters, you will see light, but can’t make out what anything is. I would say the max usable distance for this light is around 100 yards. Even at 100yds, you wouldn’t be able to make out what someone is holding. It has a very “white” tint to the light, so getting through fog or smoke might be a bit difficult with the “Turbo” mode, but turn down the brightness to “low” and the light doesn’t reflect back near as much. For everyday use, I really liked the beam pattern of the E9R.

On “Turbo” mode

  The E9R uses an aluminum body. This means that it is quite durable. Powertac also type 3 hard anodizes it for better durability. I’ve dropped it a few times onto concrete without any damage. The Bezel has aggressive cuts to use as an impact weapon. The lens is recessed back from the bezel to help keep it from getting damaged. The light is knurled extensively for good grip. I appreciate the knurling, as I can get a really good grip on it. The rear tailcap switch is slightly protected. The button actually sits up past the end of the light slightly. I don’t like this for two reasons. One, the light can turn on easier in your pocket, and Two, the light can't stand up by itself. Being able to stand the light up can be useful when using the light and having your hands free to do other stuff. I do carry the E9 in my pocket, but it does have a removable pocket clip. The pocket clip worked well, at least the few times I used it, but these type of clips are prone to getting pulled off if you catch it on something. I do find the E9 a little bit long for pocket carry, if it were about an inch shorter, it would be perfect, but I’m not sure that’s possible in an 18650 light. If you don’t like either of those carry options, Powertac includes a belt holster for the E9. It holds the light way too tight for it to be useful for me. It also comes with a lanyard, which is pretty decent compared to others I’ve seen.

I E9R isn’t without flaws. If the threads get dirty or oily, the light doesn’t want to go into Turbo mode. Just keep them clean by wiping them off every now and then, and you shouldn’t have problems. I also noticed that when the battery is getting lower, the E9 also doesn’t want to go into Turbo mode. It will default back to the High setting, similar to like it does when using CR123 batteries.

  I was really surprised at how well I like the E9R-G4. The beam pattern works well for an EDC light, it is super bright, has good run time, and even has a super low “task light” function. The E9 is just a good all around EDC light. Powertac has a bunch of other lights also, after using the E9, I wouldn’t hesitate to go see what they have.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Rechargeable high output tactical handheld light

Target Market:

Every day carry

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Cree XHP50 White LED

  • 18650 3200mAh Rechargeable Battery included

  • Optional CR123 use

  • Magnetic USB Charging

  • Plastic Holster

  • Spare O-Rings

  • Lanyard

  • Length: 138 mm (5.43”)

  • Bezel Diameter: 25.4 mm (1”)

  • Body Diameter: 23 mm (0.905”)

  • Weight: 85g - 3 ounces (without battery)

  • IPX8 waterproof (submersible to 2 meters) 

  • 2550 lumen max output

  • 9800 candela

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Other flashlight models

What others are saying?:

5/5 stars on Amazon

 Bright and Compact.

Perfect light for my duty belt, powerful yet compact, and easy charging. This is my second PowerTac flashlight, and just like the first it does not disappoint. The holster could be better engineered though, found it to difficult to get in and out in a hurry if needed. Bought an aftermarket holster that works better.

Link to other reviews:

EveryDayTacticalVids

Price point:

MSRP = $129.95

Retail = $90.97 with code “GGR” 

I need it now! Availability:

Powertac or Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Aggressive knurling

  • Bright

  • 5 brightness settings

  • CR123 compatible 

Cons:

  • Longer than other 18650 lights

  • Holster is too tight

Score:  7.50 Good

Favorite Link:  Walker Defense Research

Adaptive Tactical EX Stock & Tactical Grip

  Years ago I had the opportunity to use one of Adaptive Tactical’s shotgun stocks. I was impressed with the recoil pad it had. So when they offered to send their new M4 stock and pistol grip, I was all for it. This EX Performance stock has received some upgrades recently over their previous version. Coupled with the Lightweight Tactical grip, you have a nice combination for just about anything needing a new stock and grip.

  The EX M4 style stock still has a bunch of the normal stock stuff. It fits on your standard mil-spec extension tube. It is adjustable with controls similar to an M4 stock. The cheek piece gives a better feel than a lot of adjustable stocks. There is also a bunch more.

  Adaptive Tactical gave the new EX stock a few upgrades. Some of these might be noticeable, others, not so much. It has a larger stock adjusting lever for easier adjustments. They put in an oversized lock pin to hold the placement of the stock better. This pin also adds strength when using the stock on a shotgun or AR10 style rifle. The pins holding the adjustment lever are also covered. Adaptive Tactical says it’s for easier stock removal and installation, I think it just makes it look more refined. Also included is a reversible QD mounting socket. Lastly, it uses their fantastic recoil pad.

  As far as specs on the EX stock, here they are. It weighs in at 12 ounces. But lose the recoil pad, and it drops to 8 ounces. It’s 7 ¼ inches long with the recoil pad. You’ll lose a little over an inch if you remove the pad. The extra pad length also can make the stock work better for tall people, or those with long arms.

  Newly added to the Adaptive Tactical lineup is their Lightweight Tactical Grip (LTG). The grip pairs nicely with the EX stock. As one can guess, the LTG is highly skeletonized to reduce weight. It is made from reinforced polymer and includes mounting hardware. The LTG also has a 25 degree grip angle with a medium beavertail. Lastly, it weighs in at a tiny 2.6 ounces. 

  I’ve had the pleasure of using both the EX stock and LTG grip on different shooting outings. One of those was a shooting match that consisted of mainly rifle and pistol drills. This meant there were quite a few transitions from pistol to rifle, etc. I was worried that the super soft recoil pad would get caught on my gear. I was pleasantly surprised when it didn’t. An added bonus was that there is little to no recoil with that pad on there, yes it was only a 5.56 AR, so not much anyhow. Making adjustments with the oversize adjustment lever was super easy too. The EX stock has a little more play, on the buffer tube, than I would have liked. It didn’t seem to bother any, but I’d like it a little tighter as it rattled a bit. During the match, I also had a sling attached in the QD socket. It did what it was supposed to do, hold the sling. It is not a non swivel QD, so the sling could possibly twist on you. I didn’t have this happen, but it is possible. Overall, I liked how the stock worked for me.

  The Lightweight Tactical Grip wasn’t used during the match, but has been used a bit. It is light, but gives me a pretty good grip on the rifle. The way the LTG is shaped, works well for both small and large handed shooters. It is shaped so that the grip is smaller toward the top, and larger toward the bottom. I found that it felt like my hand was getting forced up toward the top. This gave me a really good grip and made it easy to use the controls. The grip may not be for everyone, as my son said it felt weird to him, but he didn’t have any problems using it. The grip angle seemed to work well for me too.

  The EX stock and Lightweight Pistol Grip are good performers. They work as intended and have some really nice features. If you're building a rifle, or have something with some major recoil, the stock could be perfect for you. The LTG really is personal, you may like it, you may not. It’s very light, so when weight is a concern, Adaptive Tactical has you covered. You can check the stock/grip combo out and more at Adaptive Tactical.  

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Adjustable stock with super soft pad and lightweight pistol grip

Target Market:

AR builders and users or anyone wanting a M4 style stock with a recoil pad

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

Stock:

  • Compatible with Mil-Spec sized extension tubes

  • Reversible QD socket

  • Oversized adjustment handle

  • Weight: 12 oz

  • Length: 7.25"

  • Made in the U.S.A.

Grip:

  • One-piece polymer construction

  • Ergonomic shape; comfortable with aggressive design

  • Beavertail

  • Includes mounting hardware

  • Weight: 2.6 oz.

  • Grip Angle: 25 degrees

  • Dimensions: 4.75” L x 2.25” W x 1.125” H

  • Made in the U.S.A.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

FDE

What others are saying?:

Stock:

Jim S - 5/5 stars @adaptive tactical 

Adaptive Tactical Stock is a superior product, strong design, fit and function is excellent, felt recoil is reduced to a minimum, adds value to any rifle. Thicker recoil pad is a plus, adds that extra length needed for better fit and comfort, especially for shooters with longer arms.

Grip:

Country Girl - 5/5 stars @adaptive tactical

Awesome grips, lightweight yet seem heavy duty, feel good in hand, perfect angle, and great customer service. 

Link to other reviews:

The Truth About Guns

Price point:

MSRP = $59.99 combo price

Retail = $49.99 for the stock

             $17.99 for the grip

I need it now! Availability:

Adaptive Tactical or Primary Arms

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Super soft recoil pad

  • Multiple sling mounting options

  • Skeletonized grip

  • Made in USA 

Cons:

  • Stock fit is loose

  • Rotational QD mount

Score: 7.00 Good

Favorite Link:  Walker Defense Research

Tactical Kinetics Complete G19 slide

  When I think of Tactical Kinetics, I typically think of barrels. After all, they refer to themselves as "the barrel guys." Well, they have branched out into making Glock style slides for gen 3 pistols. You can have these slides either stripped or complete. A complete Tactical Kinetics slide is what arrived in my mailbox. 

  Speaking of a complete slide. When Tactical Kinetics say complete, it means complete. It comes fully assembled with their slide completion kit, and one of their excellent Glock barrels. Complete slides can be had either with a threaded barrel, or without. This one came with a threaded one, which includes a knurled thread protector. As a finishing touch, the slide also comes with sights. The sights on this slide were standard 3-dot white ones. The sights are made from steel, unlike factory Glock sights. They are nothing special, but having them makes it a complete ready to use product. My only complaint is that the slide is not cut for any kind of pistol optic. 

  The Tactical Kinetics slide also has some features some shooters might want. The slide has some very nice front and rear cocking serrations. They are angled and straight at the same time. What I'm saying is that the top portion of them is angled forward and the lower portion is more vertical. These serrations are cut pretty deep toward the top, and then less deep near the bottom. I really appreciated how deep the cut was near the top. I was always able to get a good grip on them. Having the slide serrations cut deep like this, can help with getting a better grip on them, with muddy hands, or if mud and dirt get packed into them. The slide also has a slightly recessed cut on the sides. This cut probably reduces a little weight, but really it just makes it look better. However, there are some slight machine marks in this area. They won't hurt anything at all, just noticeable up close. 

  The slide is also a "closed style." By closed style, I mean there are no extra cuts for dirt to enter into the internal part of the slide. For a carry gun, I think this style works better. It won't prevent everything from getting into the slide, but it will help. 

  To protect the slide and barrel, Tactical Kinetics nitride finishes them. The black nitride finish is well done and smooth. The slide is also a hardened stainless steel, adding to the durable finish. Between the hardened stainless steel and the nitride coating, the slide should last a very long time. 

  I won’t go too much into the barrel, as there is already a review HERE for one of their G17 barrels. But I will mention that it is a very nice barrel that locks up nicely to the Tactical Kinetics slide. It is made from 416R stainless steel, has a 1 in 10 twist, and is button rifled with 6 grooves. This particular one is threaded ½-28. If you need a stand alone barrel, these are a great option.

  As usual, I used the TK slide on a few different pistol frames. As expected, the slide to frame fit was excellent. I would say almost match grade. It fit very snug at first. Probably taking about 50 rounds, or so, to get it to cycle 100%. It now lives on a Polymer 80 OD frame. The slide works well with the Polymer 80 frame. Plus, it’s lines look good with the Polymer 80 platform. Using an 80% frame and the Tactical Kinetics slide gives you a complete pistol for around $500. The whole combo is quite accurate. I didn’t put it on paper, but on steel it was really good, as one can see the splatter marks from the hits. 

  Tactical Kinetics has done a fine job with this complete slide. It has everything you would want in a basic slide. All you need to do is put it on your frame, and you’re ready to go. Not having an optic cut is a bummer, but that’s the only negative for the complete slide. Everything in and on the slide is top quality and all of it is made in the USA. Go check out Tactical Kinetics for a Glock slide, or any number of their great barrels. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Complete Gen3 G19 slide

Target Market:

Primarily builders of Glockish style pistols

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Front and rear cocking serrations

  • Made from 17-4 stainless steel 

  • Heat treated 

  • Threaded 416 SS black nitride coated barrel

  • Thread protector included

  • Standard 3 dot sights

  • Fully assembled

  • Black nitride finish

  • Made in USA

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Non-threaded barrel or stripped

What others are saying?:

Nothing found, they are pretty new as of writing

Link to other reviews:

Ditto

Price point:

MSRP = $395.00

I need it now! Availability:

Tactical Kinetics

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Complete with sights

  • Nice cocking serrations

  • Threaded barrel with thread protector

  • Glock Gen 3 compatible

  • Made in USA

Cons:

  • Machining marks

  • No option for a red dot optic

Score: 7.50 Good

Favorite Link:  Atibal Optics

Occam Defense Hex 2.0 stock

  Occam Defense is mostly known for their AK products. However, some of their products can be adapted to other firearm platforms. The Hex 2.0 fixed stock is one of those offerings. In fact, I installed it on an Enoch 10/22 chassis. It might be a little overkill, but that is kind of what I expected from the Hex stock.

  When I was looking for a stock, for the little 10/22, I remembered Occam Defense. Since the Hex 2.0 uses a picatinny attachment, it would mate up nicely to the Enoch’s picatinny rear rail. Guess what? It did. The stock slid onto the pic rail tightly. I had to push pretty hard to get it on. Occam had mentioned that this could be a problem. Something about most picatinny rails not being cut to the original specifications. Either way, the Hex 2.0 worked without much trouble. The clamping portion of the Hex 2.0 is made for a 4 slot vertical rail. The chassis I used only had a 3 slot rail but the hex 2.0 still clamped solidly to it.

  This little Hex 2.0 stock is stout. Being made from billet 6061 aluminum helps make it that way. It weighs under a pound. Occam then hard coat anodizes it black. I would bet that you could beat this thing on concrete, and not bend it a bit. But really, it’s a solid stock. 

  Occam put a few nice touches into the Hex 2.0 stock. It has 3 built-in, anti-rotation QD mounts. 2 are at the rear of the stock, 1 at the top, and 1 at the bottom. The third QD mount is in the center of the stock, more toward the front. Machined in around the third QD is also a slogan: “By the Free, for the Free.” Pretty fitting for a stock made in the USA and, ironically, mainly being used on AK platform rifles. This variety of QD mounts will give you plenty of options for different sling mounting. I found them to come in useful, especially since I was using the stock on a 10/22 and didn’t have any way to mount a sling at the rear of the rifle.

  I really appreciated the details that went into making the Hex 2.0 stock. Occam machined a nice ribbed pattern on the butt of the stock. It’s not sharp, but more smooth, and gives a nice feel on the shoulder. Well, at least better than a lot of other metal stocks do. Something I immediately noticed on the Hex 2.0 stock, were the steel inserts for the picatinny rail clamping screws. Definitely a top notch idea. Occam could have skimped here and just tapped the aluminum for these screws, but they didn’t! Thanks to these metal inserts and the Torx head screws, you can really clamp this stock down tight on the picatinny mounting rail. As an added bonus, the stock comes packed in straw, like an AK might have years ago.

  The dimensions of the Hex 2.0 could seem small to some. They look this way because the stock is primarily designed for AK’s. So it has a shorter length than an AR15 stock. Coming in at 9” long, or 8 ¾” from the back of the picatinny rail. This length gave me the shortness I was looking for on the 10/22 build, as I wanted to keep it shorter, but still utilize a fixed style stock. The Hex 2.0 worked perfectly for it. 

  I am very pleased with the Occam Defense Hex 2.0 stock. Even though it is an AK stock, in my opinion, it works very well for my purpose. The Hex 2.0 is super sturdy, looks super nice, and has some other nice features to it. I wouldn’t hesitate to go check out the offerings from Occam Defense, especially the Hex stocks.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Lightweight Fixed aluminum stock, mainly for AK’s

Target Market:

Those wanting a fixed stock on an AK or other platforms using a picatinny rail mounting interface

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Billet 6061 aluminum

  • Black type 3 anodizing

  • 3 anti-rotate QD mounting points

  • 1913 picatinny rail mounting

  • 9” length

  • 8 ¾” length from rear of 1913 rail

  • Steel thread inserts for clamping screws

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Folding version and original Hex

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found

Price point:

MSRP = $159.99

Retail = Same

I need it now! Availability:

Occam Defense

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Sturdy

  • 3 QD mounting points

  • Clamp system (steel inserts, torx screws)

  • 1913 mounting

Cons:

  • May be short for certain uses

Score: 8.50 Great

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Strike Industries LITESLIDE

  Strike Industries has been introducing new products at a phenomenal rate. Some of these products are for Glock style handguns. One of them is called the “Liteslide.” The Liteslide is a slide for Gen 3 Glock 17 and 19 size pistols. This includes Strike Industries “Strike 80” 80% pistol frames. The Liteslide can be had in black or FDE, Strike Industries was kind enough to send me one of the black coated ones.

  Pistol builders, and those looking to modify a current pistol, are the primary market for the Liteslide. After all, it is a Glock Gen 3 style slide. The slide is a drop in replacement for those wishing to do so. However, it comes in the “stripped” form. Meaning it has none of the parts to make it function.. Strike Industries does make a “completion kit”, and a barrel, so that you can make it a fully functioning slide. The tighter tolerances, used during manufacturing, can possibly lead to better accuracy and a tighter slide to frame fit.

  One reason someone might want a replacement slide is to allow the mounting of pistol sized optics. The Liteslide has you covered here. It has a machined out flat, on the rear of the slide, to mount optics on. What Strike Industries did was make this a multi-optic mounting surface, or the “SI Universal Optics Mount cut.” This was done by adding a bunch of different screw holes. The optics that fit are mentioned below in the “FNB’s”. But essentially, it’s most of the ones currently available EXCEPT the Leupold DeltaPoint Pro and the Sig ROMEO 1 PRO/03. Strike Industries supplies a bunch of screws and pins for the various mounting of the aforementioned optics. Also included is a cover plate, in case you aren’t mounting an optic to the slide. The cover plate is just a machined piece of plastic that matches the lines of the slide.

  The Strike Industries Liteslide abounds with features. The slide is fully enclosed. It is not one of the ones with lightening slots or holes, but it is still lightweight. It is lighter than a factory slide, giving it reduced momentum during cycling. This can aid in faster follow up shots for the shooter. Since there are no cut-outs in the slide, there is less of a chance that dirt and grime can get inside the slide to cause problems. Front and rear, angled, cocking serrations are cut into the slide too. They are sharp on the front side, and angled on the back side. They give a fantastic grip when manually cycling the slide. The Liteslide also has angled cuts between the top and the sides of the slide. These give the slide a nice slim profile and look. There are a few other machined out cuts to help aid in the looks department too. Also, on the left side is a “SI’ and on the right side is a “19”. These are not obtrusive. In fact, I usually forget they are there. As expected, it uses Glock front and rear sights. However, some rear sights may be too deep/long to work with an optic, as they may interfere with the optic sight. Strike Industries sights, however, do not have this problem. Strike Industries also gave the Liteslide a black nitride coating, which should help it last a lifetime.

  Since the Liteslide comes in a stripped form, it must be assembled first. I just used a G19 upper parts kit that I purchased from an on-line retailer. All the parts went in just fine and worked as expected. The internal machining of the slide is fantastic. I didn’t notice any machining marks, which probably led to the ease of assembly. I already had a barrel to complete the build, and it dropped right in.

  I used the Liteslide with both Iron sights and an optic. When I first received the slide, I installed a set of Night Fision sights. The front screwed on and fit great. The rear also pressed in like normal. Then after using it for a while with iron sights, I installed a Swampfox Liberty. The Liberty uses a RMR pattern, which is one of the options on the Liteslide. This style of optic sits toward the front of the “Universal Optics Mount cut.” I installed some of the supplied pins, along with screws, to hold it down. It mounted up nicely. Because the Liteslide has a universal mounting cut, the Liberty sits toward the front, leaving about an ⅛” gap at the rear. This gap doesn’t hurt anything, it just looks a little odd. This is really the only downside to Strike Industries universal mounting cut. Otherwise it works great.

  I’ve shot the Liteslide on various pistol frames. It has been used on 3 different Polymer 80 frames and a Lone Wolf frame. It’s permanent home is the Lone Wolf frame, as I feel it looks the best on it. However, function wise, it worked flawlessly on all 4 frames. It fit the tightest on the most recently built P80 frame, but still functioned fine. I’ve used the current setup in a pistol match and really liked the way it handled. As previously mentioned, the slide serrations work very well for manipulations. The Liberty has stayed where it’s supposed to also, probably a testament to the mounting pins that help secure the sight from moving. The Liteslide is really nice, especially if you're looking to add an optic to your pistol.

  Strike Industries Liteslide would be a great addition for anyone looking at a Glock 19 slide. This could be a builder or just someone wanting to add an optic to their pistol. It performed well for me, the machining is great, it’s heat treated for years of use, and it just looks great. If you’re in the market for anything like the Liteslide, go check out Strike Industries. They don’t just make Glock parts.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Gen 3 Glock slide with optic mounting options

Target Market:

80% builders or those upgrading their Gen 3 Glocks

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Stripped slide for Gen 3 pistol frames

  • Black Nitride coated

  • Front and rear serrations

  • Multi-cut optics mount

  • Cover Plate included

  • Various screws and pins for optics mounting

  • Standard cuts for Glock sights

  • Made from heat treated 17-4 Stainless Steel 

  • Weighs 9.8 ounces

  • Made in USA

  • RED DOT COMPATIBILITY: Trijicon RMR, Burris FastFire, C-More RTS/STS, Doctor Red Dot Sight, EOTech MRDS, Holosun 407/507/508, Leupold DeltaPoint, SIG SAUER ROMEO 01, Swampfox Optics Kingslayer/Liberty/Justice, Sightmark Mini Shot M-Spec FMS, Vortex Viper/Venom

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Flat Dark Earth (FDE)

What others are saying?:

5 stars on Optics Planet

awesome slide 

The Strike Industries Series Slide was created with optimal accuracy and performance in mind. Machined in the USA from billet 17-4 Stainless Steel using clockwork precision to ensure increased consistency in barrel lockup that results in levels beyond than match-grade accuracy. The Strike Slide weighs significantly less than the factory production model, reducing the recoil momentum, and allows faster and more efficient follow-up placement. Strike Industries proudly designed the Strike Slide with Durability and Function in mind, giving the slide a premium Black Nitride Coating that is protective against scratching and scrapes. We’ve also improved the silhouette with unmatched aggressive styling from the Angled Forward Serrations Points on the front and large

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found with any substance 

Price point:

MSRP = $249.95

Retail = $191.96 at Primary Arms

I need it now! Availability:

Strike Industries, Primary Arms, or various other places

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Fairly slim profile

  • Front & Rear cocking serrations

  • Multi use optics cut

  • Pins and screws included for optic mounting

  • Slide cover plate

  • Fantastic frame fit

  • Enclosed style

  • Made in USA

Cons:

  • Some rear sights are too long to work with an optic

  • Hard to find “in stock”

  • Cover plate is plastic

Score: 8.50 Great

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Favorite Link:  Primary Arms

Enoch Deep Six Chassis

  Enoch Industries is enhancing the Ruger 10/22 market with their chassis systems. They manufacture 2 different ones, the Odin and the Deep Six. Thanks to Faxon, and their rimfire barrel, I was looking for something that would compliment it. Odin offered up a Deep Six in PEWter. Since the Deep Six is longer and better suited for what I was doing, I couldn’t say “no”.

  The Deep Six is made for 10/22 style rifles and pistols, but not the take down versions. I used a stock Ruger 10/22 rifle action, but pretty much all of the aftermarket ones will work too. Mounting the barrelled action into the Deep Six is just like mounting it into any other 10/22 stock. The only difference is that Enoch supplies a proprietary screw to hold the action in place. This screw is essentially just a short version of the stock 10/22 mounting screw. I put some threadlocker on it before I screwed it down tight. After tightening the screw, you can actually feel how much more rigid the chassis is over a stock. It’s just a real solid fit, and that screw comes up tight unlike the factory style. 

  Enoch Industries has made the Deep Six longer than their first chassis, the Odin. It is still short enough for pistol length builds, but I feel it really shines for the more standard rifle length builds. The total length is 15.5 inches. This doesn’t really say much, since that is without any support device attached to the rear rail. What does matter is the 2.5” added length to the forearm over their Odin chassis. This allows for a forearm length of just over 7 inches. Plenty enough to get a good grip on the rifle, as well as maybe install a bi-pod or grip panels. Along the forearm are 3 full length M-Lok slots to aid in adding those accessories. The slots are on both sides as well as the bottom. The Deep Six also allows for almost any barrel profile or barrel addition one might be after. They opened up the forearm to accept barrel diameters of up to 1.310 inches. This means that any bull barrel will fit. Or, if you have a really short barrel and want to run a suppressor, the suppressor will most likely fit in the handguard area!

  Besides being a lightweight aluminum chassis, Enoch added a few bonuses into the Deep Six. The first notable one, is the addition of 2 steel QD inserts. One on each side, on the rear of the chassis, behind where the receiver sits. These work really well for pistol configurations, as a sling can give you some extra support when shooting. For a rifle, they just give you another location for sling mounting. Second, is the addition of a built in filler, behind the trigger guard and extended to the pistol grip. It fills that gap so your hand doesn't get pinched. Not all 10/22 chassis’, that use pistol grips, have this. It really does help and it makes the chassis look complete.

  Yes, you will need to add your own pistol grip to the Deep Six. All non-beavertail grips will work. If you want to use a beavertail grip, it may have to be modified. I modified a beavertail grip for use on it, I just cut the beavertail back some and it works great. I even tried some 3D printed ones that worked too.

  As for mounting a stock or brace, the Deep Six has you covered. The Deep Six uses a 3 slot picatinny rail for mounting these. This type of mounting system is becoming more and more popular, especially on 22’s. With the picatinny rail, the user has many options, from fixed stocks to folding braces. Being that I was doing a “rifle”, I opted for a fixed stock from Occam Defense. This stock is a little shorter than some other options, which actually makes it ideal for me on this chassis. It makes the length of pull a little under 12 inches. The Occam stock uses a 4 slot mounting, so there was a little extra sitting above the 3 slot rail on the Deep Six. Besides looking odd to me, it fit and worked great. I did end up printing a spacer to fill the space and make it look seamless. 

  The Deep Six is a well thought out chassis. The PEWter color has a nice grayish hue to it, which enhances the other parts installed on the rifle. The edges are smoothed out, but still sharp. The fit of the action is much better than most other stocks out there. So as you can guess, the machining is top notch with no noticeable machining marks. There is also an Enoch Industries logo machined onto the left side of the chassis. No names, just the logo. Along with that, there are also machined recesses that give the chassis a distinct look. 

  Enoch Industries did a great job with the Deep Six. It’s short enough to be used on a pistol, yet long enough to look good on a full length rifle. The combination I am running turned out fantastic. When using the Deep Six, you can pretty much build any 10/22 your imagination can come up with. I really do like what Enoch has done with the Deep Six. Definitely check out Enoch Industries and the Deep Six chassis. I really can’t say enough good things about it.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Lightweight chassis system for Ruger 10/22 style actions

Target Market:

10/22 Builders or modifiers

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Weighs 13 ounces

  • Length: 15.25”

  • Width: 1.5"

  • Height: 1.5"

  • 6061-T6 Aluminum construction

  • 3 full M-Lok slots at 3, 6, and 9 O'clock

  • Barrel Channel is 1.310”

  • 3 slot Picatinny rail at rear for stock or brace installation

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Black

Link to other reviews:

Industry Outsider

Price point:

MSRP = $245.00

Retail = $210.00 - $245.00

I need it now! Availability:

Enoch Industries

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Lightweight

  • M-Lok slots

  • Steel QD cups

  • Large barrel channel

Cons:

  • I would like the rear picatinny rail to have another slot

  • Availability 

Score: 8.50 Great

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EDC Knife comparison

  If there’s one thing I’m not, it’s a knife expert. Steel type, brands, grip material, I don’t know what I’m looking at or what is quality. So the only metric I have is in my personal use. 

  Recently I embarked on a journey to find a new EDC knife and it was time to upgrade from whatever caught my eye at the local Walmart. So I took a look at my life and decided on some basic features I “need” in an everyday knife. Remember, these are what I want in a knife, your preferences or needs can vary wildly. 

  One, the knife has to be a worker. I’m not that guy who carries several knives for different things, I want one knife, that will accomplish the tasks I find myself needing to do throughout my day. Anything with a point can be forced into a defensive role, that’s not the purpose of my edc knife. 

  Two, the knife has to have a partially serrated blade. I don’t know much about knife steel and what holds an edge, or what gets sharper better, but I do know, when the knife gets dull, serrations still cut. I do not, however, want a fully serrated blade as that makes it a saw. 

  Three, it needs to be a folder with a secure locking blade and decent guard. Fixed blades are cool but my edc knife needs to fold. It also doesn’t need to fold unless I want it to, and I don’t want my hand or fingers contacting the blade in any way, inadvertently. 

  Four, the knife needs to double as a rescue tool, with at bare minimum, a window breaker and stand alone strap cutter. Both need to be usable with the blade closed. 

  Wanting to keep the price in the $50-$100 range, I found four that interested me, all with slightly different designs and features. So I got them, and carried/used them, all for at least two weeks each. The four I settled on were: CRKT M16-14ZLEK, Gerber Hinderer CLS, Kershaw Funxion EMT, and the SOG Escape. So I’ll go over each one in no particular order and explain what I like and dislike about them all. 

  CRKT: The biggest of the four, coming in at 9.25” overall and a beefy 6.2 oz, is the M16-14ZLEK. The CRKT boasts it uses an “InterFrame construction, with tough, textured glass filled nylon scales over a 420J2 stainless steel liner, InterFrame and solid glass filled nylon back spacers.” This thing is a beast. With a 3.75” AUS8 high carbon stainless steel, titanium nitride finished, tanto blade, and is very capable of handling all the abuse I threw at it. The strap cutter is on the very generous blade guard, and the tungsten carbide glass breaker is sufficient. The pocket clip can be configured in left or right side tip up or tip down (CRKT says it’s not designed for pocket tip up carry, it’s for gear webbing only). While it’s not my favorite clip, it works well enough. I prefer tip up, left side, so that’s how I have it. The knife cuts, pries, stabs, etc., anything I need to do just fine. They do make this knife in smaller sizes but you lose the tanto blade or the four position clip.

Pros: 

Tanto point, hefty blade guard, four position clip, liner lock with a secondary lock

Cons: 

too large for some pockets, clip could be sturdier, no additional cool features like some of the others. 

MSRP - $99

Street price - $60-$70

CRKT Score: 8.00 Great

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Gerber: the Hinderer CLS is the sequel to the rescue model. Scrapping the blunt full serrated blade for a clip point, partially serrated blade, this knife comes in at 8.5” overall and 5.6 oz. The 3.5” 440a steel blade sports a black finish. The glass filled nylon handle has good texture and it is pretty comfortable, with and without gloves. The window breaker also has a lanyard hole (that I should have utilized but more on that later) and the strap cutter swings out from the butt end of the knife. Hope you like right side tip down carry, because that’s the only configuration for the pocket clip. It also sports an O2 wrench in the handle that can be used with the blade closed and it comes in quite handy if you have that need. The knife felt sturdy, and while it is a liner lock, the release mechanism is a pull stud on the handle that makes closing this knife with gloves much easier. The blade guard is ok, definitely could be a bit more pronounced but it works. I really appreciate this strap cutter on this knife and found it to be great at everything from clothing to zip ties. Probably my favorite design of the 4, however it was a bit stiff at first and the detent had to be worked in a bit. My biggest problem with this knife, is that I no longer have it, because a random tree branch or vine took it one afternoon in the woods, in other words, the pocket clip is lacking. 

Pros: 

Great size and weight, strap cutter, locking release, grip texture 

Cons:

Blade guard, pocket clip, thumb stud only 

MSRP - $76

Street price - $60-70

Gerber Score: 7.50 Good

  SOG: The only lockback style knife of the bunch, this one comes in at 8.2” OAL and 4.8oz. A lockback is not my favorite style,. I was willing to overlook that, as the knife was overall quality. While SOG says this is a clip point, it’s more of a spear point. The stand alone strap cutter has spare blades stored in the knife handle, which is super cool if you ask me. I do not like the glass breaker, as it very small and sharp, like needle sharp. This knife also sports several holes in the grip that, when the blade is closed, work as wire strippers. I can’t comment on how well it works because I don’t strip wire on a regular bases, but if that’s your thing, it’s a nice added bonus.  The satin blades finish on the 9cr18mov blade looks nice, and is a nice departure from the black on black that the other three have. Being the only one of this bunch with a 6061t6 aluminum handle, the grip isn’t bad, and the texture is ok. Again, hope you’re like right side tip down carry because the clip is fixed in that position. It’s a good solid clip, when it isn’t loosening up. The blade opens by thumb stud only and the hand guard leaves quite a bit to be desired. 

Pros:

Replaceable strap cutter. 

Cons:

Lockback, lack of blade guard

MSRP - $49

Street price - $40-$45

SOG Score: 6.50 Okay

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Kershaw: The only knife in this article sporting assisted opening, and a built in carabiner. The EMT comes in at 7.25” and 4.8 oz. It’s the thickest knife of the bunch at almost 3/4” wide, this one falls into the “meh” category for me. On paper it looks great, but I can’t say I was extremely impressed overall, but it’s still a decent blade if you want a budget knife, and assisted opening is important to you. The strap cutter feels flimsy, but I had no issues with it, and it cut anything I needed it to. It swings out from the back and has a 1/4” wrench and bottle opener on it. While the bottle opener works, my job frowns upon me using it at work and, at home, I have dedicated bottle openers. I found no use for the 1/4” wrench and feel this would be better served by an O2 wrench. The glass breaker is fine, but it’s on the blade end instead of the butt end, which I found strange. The carabiner, when deployed, locks the blade closed and will not allow you to open the knife until you have closed the carabiner. While I understand why I wish it would lock the blade open for my use case. It is a flipper style, so that’s nice, and the flipper doubles as a beefy hand guard. The grip is glass filled nylon and it is a tad slippery, and the Kershaw “K” grip pattern isn’t the best. The 3” 8cr13mov blade is listed by Kershaw as a drop point, but it looks and feels more like a clip point to me. This knife is thick. like too thick to be carried comfortably in my back pocket. The pocket clip allows for pretty deep carry, and is right side tip down only once again. Final thoughts on this knife: it feels cheap, it’s hard to explain. 

Pros:

Carabiner, hand guard, flipper assisted opening. 

Cons:

Thick, glass breaker isn’t intuitive, lock on the strap cutter feels weak 

MSRP - $58

Street price - $32-$50

Kershaw Score: 5.50 Mediocre 

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So what does all this mean? Well hopefully this can help you pick out an EDC knife, if rescue type knives are your thing. I would have no problem carrying any of these blades in different contexts, except maybe the Kershaw, but in all reality, it will probably find its way into my gear for something. 

My order from favorite to least favorite 

CRKT m16-14zlek

Gerber hinderer CLS

SOG escape 

Kershaw funxion EMT


I will be replacing the Gerber most likely, but I wish they’d update the clip. What I would really like (in case there is a knife maker reading) is the blade and the clip placement options from the CRKT, the glass breaker, size, weight, and O2 wrench from the Gerber, the assisted opening from the kershaw, the clip from the SOG. All these knives have attributes I like. 

FIREARMS INSIDER REVIEWS - 8 KEY POINTS

CLAIM TO FAME: 

Rescue style knives 

TARGET MARKET: 

First responders 

FNBS (FEATURES & BENEFITS OF THIS PRODUCT): 

See individual write ups above 

 

WHAT OTHER AESTHETIC OPTIONS OR FINISHES ARE AVAILABLE? 

See above 

What others are saying:

Not much 

Price point:

$ 35-100 listed above 

I need it now availability: 

Amazon, bladeHQ, or the manufacture websites 

Our Rating:

     Pros: see above 

     Cons: see above 

Score:

See above 



Faxon 10/22 barrel

  Faxon Firearms has been making quality barrels for some time now. They recently entered into the rimfire barrel market with their 10/22 barrels. Faxon has three different barrel contours to choose from as well as two types of fluting options. There are also three different coating options to choose from. I opted for the flame fluted standard profile in chameleon PVD.

  The Faxon 10/22 barrel has a bunch of features not provided on the factory Ruger model. Most notably is probably the addition of Flame fluting. Faxon does a unique style of fluting as one of the options. As one can guess, the fluting looks like “flames”. If you get the “Chameleon” PVD coated barrel, the flutes are actually a different color than the rest of the barrel, which actually makes the flames look a bit more realistic. Since the barrel is PVD coated, the look of the coating will vary from barrel to barrel. This particular one is more of a lavender to blue fade with the flutes being a yellowish orange color. Some are more a blue to green fade. Fluting, both standard and Flame, provides better cooling of the barrel by providing more surface area for the barrel to give off heat. More important to me, is that on a rimfire barrel, it reduces the overall weight. In this case, the Faxon barrel is 0.4 lbs lighter than a factory Ruger 10/22 barrel. Faxon’s pencil profile reduces the weight by another 0.4 lbs, so a 0.8 lb reduction total. The Chameleon barrel sent to me weighs 1.4 lbs total.

  When manufacturing the rimfire line, Faxon uses all the same quality materials they use in their other barrel lines. The Rimfire barrels are made from 416-R stainless steel bar stock, in Cincinnati, OH at the Faxon plant. The barrel is given 6 groove rifling with a twist rate of 1:16. The 1:16 is pretty standard for 22 rimfire barrels. They then cut a recessed target crown into the muzzle. The muzzle is also threaded ½-28” to a depth of 0.625”. A thread protector and spacer is also included. The spacer is to be used on muzzle devices that use the 0.400” depth instead of the 0.625” depth. Faxon rimfire barrels are also magnetic particle inspected for flaws and then heat treated and coated. Currently all of the Faxon Rimfire line barrels come in a 16” length.

  When looking into 10/22 barrels, one typically finds “bull” style barrels. Faxon has those now too. But the standard profile is really nice if you're not into those “heavy” barrels. The Faxon Rimfire barrel has a tapered profile. It goes from 0.912” after the chamber down to 0.600” before where the muzzle threads start. This is pretty close to the Ruger’s standard barrel profile. The Faxon does fit in my standard 10/22 stock. It may not fit all of them, but it fits mine fine. Faxon also gives the Rimfire line a “Sporting” chamber. This gives the Faxon 10/22 barrels the ability to feed almost all the .22lr ammunition out there. I personally would have liked to see a slightly different chamber used, something like a “Bentz” for a little better accuracy. But I understand why Faxon went with the normal “sporting” chamber. 

  I ended up mounting the Faxon barrel to a stock Ruger 10/22 action. The barrel fit about the same as the stock barrel I removed. Meaning it slid into the receiver easily with little side to side movement. I then proceeded to mount it in an Enoch Deep-Six chassis. I opted for a chassis because I felt that a regular stock would not do the Faxon Chameleon barrel justice. The barrel looks really good mounted in the chassis. The chassis is also lighter than some wooden stocks, making this barrel/chassis combination very light. 

  After essentially making a complete different 10/22 than I had started with, I headed out to the range. Since ammunition availability is scarce, I rummaged through my stores of .22lr ammo. I found around 8 different types of plinking ammo, but no match ammo. I figured plinking ammo would be fine for this test. Especially since I don’t consider the Faxon barrel to be a true match barrel. Yes, the barrel is very high quality, it just doesn’t have a match chamber. I shot the various “cheap” 22lr ammo, through the barrel, at 50 yards. All but one of the major brands seemed to group around 1 - 1.5”’s at the 50 yard mark. I started with 5 shot groups and then moved to 10 shot groups. I was really pleased with how well the Faxon barrel shot. My factory barrel shot around 2 - 3” groups with these kinds of .22lr ammo. So as far as accuracy is concerned, I think the Faxon is good to go. If someone were to take the time and figure out which ammunition their barrel prefers, I would expect better results than what I had.

  If you’re looking for something different in the 10/22 game, look into the Faxon Rimfire barrels. They aren’t necessarily cheap, but they are excellent quality and made in the USA. With all the different options, you can get extra lightweight, fluted, flame fluted, coated, etc. I’m very pleased with the quality of the barrel along with how it stands out from everyone else's boring barrels. Go give the Faxon Rimfire line a look if you’re building a 10/22 or just looking for something different.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Lightweight 10/22 barrels

Target Market:

10/22 owners or builders wanting a lighter, more accurate barrel

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Chamber: .22 LR Sporting

  • Flame Fluted

  • 416-R Stainless

  • Weight: 1.4 lbs

  • Length: 16"

  • Twist rate: 1:16

  • Chameleon PVD coating

  • Rifling: 6 Groove

  • Target Crown: Recessed

  • 10/22, non-takedown

  • Taper - 0.912" after chamber, .600" before thread shoulder

  • Muzzle Thread: 1/2x28

  • Thread protector included

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Straight fluted, Pencil, Heavy, all in black, gold, or chameleon

What others are saying?:

 5 stars at Faxon Firearms

Great barrel

Barrel came in fast and well packed. Looks better in person. Fits like a glove no issues setting it. Shoots great but I only have 150 rounds through it so far.

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found

Price point:

MSRP = $175.00 - $355.00

Retail = $355.00 as tested

I need it now! Availability:

Faxon Firearms or your local Faxon dealer

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Lightweight

  • Looks great

  • Accurate

  • Threaded to 0.625 length 

  • Thread protector and spacer included

  • Fits standard 10/22 stocks

  • Lifetime guarantee

Cons:

  • Price

  • Sport chamber

Score: 7.50 Good

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