by Michelle Hamilton
Hiperfire PDI trigger
The Hiperfire PDI is their latest “drop in trigger” system for AR15 style rifles. They even make one specifically for the Sig MCX platform also. Usually when I think of a “drop in trigger”, I think of the cartridge style, where all the parts are contained inside a cartridge, that just drops in where the trigger assembly goes. The PDI is slightly different. It is essentially a cartridge style, but with the hammer spring feet extending forward, like a standard GI trigger assembly. Installation is pretty straight forward for anyone used to dealing with AR triggers. It also comes supplied with an anti-walk pin set.
If you have ever seen a Hiperfire trigger, you know that they look a little different than a normal trigger. The PDI is no different. It uses a curved trigger with a “backbone”. The backbone consists of a toothed section on the back of the trigger shoe. One of the purposes of the backbone, is to install their “Hipershoe”. The Hipershoe is an adjustable finger pad that can be moved up or down, depending on user preference. Using the Hipershoe will also allow slight adjustments in trigger pull weight. If you move it down, it slightly lowers the trigger pull weight. Moving it up slightly increases the pull weight. The drawback to this is, may it be ever so slight, that more creep is added to the pull, when the pad is in the lower positions, and more trigger pull weight is added when in the upper positions. I only really noticed this when shooting slowly, as in precise aimed shots. The Hipershoe also helps individualize the trigger, by placing the shooter's finger in a better location for him or her.
One of my favorite aspects of the PDI trigger is it’s hammer energy. Lots of aftermarket triggers reduce the hammer strike energy to lower the trigger pull weight. Not the PDI trigger. It has Mil-strength hammer strike energy. What does that mean for you? Well, it means that you will probably never have a misfire because the hammer didn’t hit the primer hard enough. My sample PDI worked with every type of ammunition used, from steel cased .223 to 9mm and even .22LR.
My Second favorite aspect is the trigger pull weight. It comes in at a 2 lb fixed pull weight. Yes, 2 lbs. When I first installed the PDI, it measured 2-¼ lbs, but with some use, came down to the stated 2 lb weight. As mentioned earlier, the weight can be finely adjusted by moving the Hipershoe up or down the trigger face. When I say slightly, I get about ¼ lb difference in pull weight, from the top setting to the bottom setting. My least favorite aspect of the PDI, also includes trigger pull. There is quite a bit of initial creep in the trigger before it releases. When shooting fast, it is not really noticeable. But, when shooting slow, precise aimed shots, it is annoying. As the Hipershoe gets moved farther down, for the lightest pull available, this creep gets more noticeable. The trigger reset has to be mentioned. It is very positive, that trigger snaps back way better than I expected, basically like a standard mil-spec trigger.
The PDI trigger can also be used in Pistol Caliber Carbines (PCC’s). The design has a hammer collision bumper and disconnector crash protection. This allows the hammer to reset properly under the harsh direct blowback of most PCC’s. PCC’s tend to bounce hammers from their harsh recoil impulse, especially with lower trigger weights. Thankfully, Hiperfire has alleviated this with their PDI trigger. I ran the PDI in a 9mm PCC. I had zero times where the rifle went more than one round per trigger pull, something I can’t say about other PCC triggers I’ve used.
I used the PDI in just about every type of situation I could think of. It ran flawlessly in all of them and was a joy to use. Since I don’t use this trigger for slow fire, the creep was not an issue. The trigger pull weight is just awesome. I am able to shoot super fast double and triple taps, thanks to the PDI. This applies to 9mm, .223, and .22LR. I even use it with the “Blackbeard” system from MantisX. I really do think this trigger improved my speed on follow up shots. I even dropped the rifle with the PDI in it, and it still works as if it were brand new.
The Hiperfire PDI drop in trigger is everything they say it is. I just can’t get over the 2 lb pull weight in a drop in trigger system. Yes, it might be $180, but it’s not the highest priced drop in out there. If you are looking for a good AR15 trigger, for PCC or anything else, definitely go check out Hiperfire and the PDI.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
Smooth, light, drop in trigger for AR15”s
Target Market:
Those wanting a nice drop in trigger that will work in just about any AR configuration
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
MIL-Grade Hammer Strike
H&M BLACKNITRIDE Finish
Hammer Collision Bumper
Disconnector Crash Protection
Disconnector Spring Crush Protection
Curved Trigger Bow with a Backbone
HIPERSHOE
Drop in assembly
2 lb trigger pull weight
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
SIG MCX, Titanium-Nitride or Titanium-Carbon-Nitride coatings
What others are saying?:
5/5 stars on Brownells
WELL DESIGNED
I installed the trigger in a Quarter Circle 10 PCC and would comment the second trigger pin was a little tight to get through the hole. Not saying this is a problem just an observation. The trigger breaks between 2.5 and 3 pounds and has a nice feel. The reset is short and is very audible. No failures or problems after 500 rounds (practice and 2 gun match). I feel the trigger is a good value, appears to be well made, and should hold up to the demands a blow-back bolt places on a trigger.
Link to other reviews:
Nothing found at the writing of this
Price point:
MSRP = $180.00
Retail = $171.00 at Brownells
I need it now! Availability:
Our Rating:
Pros:
Hammer Energy
Pull weight
Hipershoe
PCC compatible
Great reset
Ease of installation - drop in
Comes with anti-walk pins
Cons:
Creep in trigger
A little on the higher price side
Score: 8.50 Great
Pro Ears Stealth Elite
In the world of hearing protection, everyone is looking for the newest and greatest earbud style protection. This brings us to the Pro Ears Stealth Elite in ear hearing protection. The stealth elites are essentially electronic hearing protection, in a small compact, earbud size package.
When I first heard about the Stealth Elite’s, I was very curious. If I could get the benefits of electronic sound cancellation, in an ear bud, what more could I ask for? Part of what made these so attractive, was the price. At an msrp of $159.99, they are less expensive than other brands in this market. Plus they have the added option of using a rechargeable bluetooth lanyard.
The specifications on the Stealth Elite’s is quite extensive. They have a very good noise reduction rating of 28 db’s. Are IPX6 rated, so you can drop them in water or use them in the rain. The pair weighs 28 grams. A neck lanyard, that clips to the ear buds, is included for when you don’t have the bluetooth one connected. Plus they are supplied with a variety of compressible foam or silicone ear tips. All of which can be stored in a nice little carrying case.
Besides the specifications mentioned before, the Stealth Elite’s has electronic noise cancellation. There are 3 modes in which each earbud can be set. These are Isolation, Awareness, and Amplification. On each earbud is a tiny switch to change between these settings. A “0” setting for off, or “isolation”. A “I” setting for “Awareness”. And a “II” setting for “Amplification”. The off, or isolation setting, makes these earbuds work as a regular earplug. The awareness setting allows the wearer to hear their surroundings. Essentially letting you hear normally, at a normal volume. Then there is the amplification setting. This, as the name implies, amplifies what you hear at 5 times normal volume. Both the latter two modes will cut any loud sounds, down to hearing safe levels. In my experience, they work very well at cutting out unsafe noise levels.
Because of the electronics needed to make the Stealth Elite’s work, they run on batteries. They designed the earbuds to use a #10 hearing aid battery. The batteries will last about 80 hrs each. There is one battery in each one of the earbuds. The batteries are relatively inexpensive and can be found at just about any local store. 60 of them cost between $15-20 on Amazon. So for $20 you can run the set of earbuds for 2400 hours, that’s 100 days straight. The batteries are easily changed, through a little built in door, in each earbud.
Also included is the aforementioned bluetooth lanyard. The bluetooth lanyard is rechargeable and gives around 9 hours of use. As with most bluetooth stuff, it has up/down and a larger button in the middle. The middle button is also the power button, answer call, etc. The lanyard uses a tiny little connector that just plugs into the bottom of the earbuds. It is a pass through connection. This means that it powers the earbuds for sound, so one can actually use this feature when the battery is dead or missing. I mainly use the bluetooth, when using the earbuds for other things, like mowing the yard. It works good enough for me. One interesting thing about using the bluetooth is: it has a built in sound limiter, so you can not turn the volume up past 110 db’s and damage your hearing.
Since you are probably wondering how they perform, let's get into it. I have used the Stealth Elite’s on the range a lot. They do a great job of letting me hear my surroundings, while cutting out gunshots. Battery life is good, as explained earlier. When the batteries start to get low, I get a crackling sound. I have learned that when it gets to that point, I just change the battery. Even though they supposedly have a “wind shield”, they still pick up wind noise and amplify it. When using either of the “on” settings, sound is really good and I am able to hear conversations at a noisy shooting range. The Stealth Elite’s stick out of one's ears more than some earplugs and I was worried about this when shooting rifles and shotguns. Well, after using them with both, there is nothing to worry about. I never had any problems with them hitting the stocks of various rifles and shotguns. In fact, I prefer them over muffs because they don’t get pushed out of the way. Because they are “in ear” hearing protection, they also keep your head and ears from getting hot like “over ear” hearing protection does. With the compressible foam ear tips, they are very comfortable to wear all day. I have worn them continually for 8+ hours on the range without causing me discomfort. Of course, results may vary on your comfort.
So if you are looking into getting some electronic hearing protection, do check out Pro Ears and their Stealth Elite’s. I’m pretty happy with their performance. The price seems good. Battery life is good. The noise reduction is top notch. Plus, they are a USA based business.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
In ear, electronic noise reduction hearing protection
Target Market:
Those who dislike ear muffs, or those wanting in ear hearing protection
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) of 28db
IPX6 rated -Water Resistant & Sweat-proof.
Amplification Mode: Let’s you hear faint sounds from a distance while protecting your ears from extremely loud sounds (5x amplification).
Awareness Mode: Allows ambient sounds to pass through even while you are listening to music or talking on the phone so you remain situationally aware.
Isolation Mode: Enjoy complete peace and quiet when you want to focus or recharge.
Wind Shield
In ear, earbud style
Rechargeable BlueTooth lanyard
80 hour battery life for earbuds
Uses #10 batteries (60 pieces are around $20)
Foam and Silicone tips included
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
None
What others are saying?:
Richard M. on Amazon 5/5 stars
Nice hearing protections and excellent hearing enhancement
I bought these for hunting in the blind. The hearing enhancement feature is unbelievable. I can pick up the slightest of sound. It did take a little time to set it up to select the right ear buds and clips for my ears. I was surprised with all the options it came with to make sure the fit is comfortable and secure. I also like the fact it comes with a line that attaches to each ear piece so I can't lose one.
Link to other reviews:
Price point:
MSRP = $159.99
Retail = $145.99 on Amazon
I need it now! Availability:
Our Rating:
Pros:
Sound reduction
Rechargeable Bluetooth lanyard
Assortment of different ear pieces
Comfort
3 different sound/hearing protection choices
Cons:
Wind noise
Crackling static when battery is low
Not as quiet as regular over-ear muffs
Score: 7.00 Good
Favorite Link: Gun & Gear Cult
Axeon MDSR-1
I was looking for a red dot to put on top of a new build and was wandering around the Axeon Optics website. I didn’t need anything special, just something that I thought would hold up. Axeon really did have what I was looking for. It was the Axeon MDSR-1 red dot. The MDSR-1 appears to be built for modern sporting type rifles, so here we are.
The MDSR-1 is not a red dot you would put on a fighting rifle. But, it wasn’t designed for that. It is however a great little red dot for trips to the range or varmint hunting. I say this, not because it isn’t well built, but because it has a 3 hour auto off function, not something I like in a fighting red dot. As mentioned, I mounted this little 1x20 red dot on an AR rifle and it works great! The MDSR-1 would also be right at home on a 22 rifle, something like a 10/22 for instance. Since it comes with both a standard low mount, and the co-witness hi mount, you can pretty much put it on whatever you wish.
The specs on this little red dot are pretty nice too. The battery life is 30,000 hours on a single cr2032 battery, so I’ll be retired by the time it wears out. It has 11 brightness adjustments operated by up/down buttons on the top of the optic. The “up” button also turns the sight on. It weighs in at a measly 4 ounces. Axeon also provides see-through flip up lens caps, and they are pre-installed.
Probably my favorite aspect of the MDSR-1 is the 2 moa dot size. The dot is crisp, even for me. But with the 2 moa dot, I can pick it up faster than a 1 moa dot. A 2 moa dot is still small enough for me to have some precision. The Axeon has ½ moa adjustments to get you on target. The little caps, covering the adjustment knobs, are made to be flipped over and used as the adjustment tool. This isn’t just an Axeon thing, but I do appreciate this little bonus.
I ended up using the MDSR-1 more than expected. At first glance, I thought the little 20mm optic might be a bit small. It is not. My eyes looked right through it every time I shouldered the rifle. There is a little bit of halo effect when the dot is turned up high. I see this halo where the edge of the glass meets the housing. It is noticeable, but actually kind of gives it a circle dot feel. On my first range session with the little red dot, I had the dot start blinking under recoil. I pulled the battery and bent the terminals some. This fixed the problem and it hasn’t come back, so I chalk it up to being made somewhere outside of the US. I don’t know how many rounds are through this red dot, but it’s probably over 500 when I write this. It has held zero. I even had to hit this particular rifle with a rubber mallet, because my .22lr kit didn’t want to be removed. The sight’s zero and battery terminals, held up to the “literal” beating, so I figure it’s good enough for its intended purpose.
For a reasonably priced red dot, the MDSR-1 has been really good. At around $100, I got way more than I expected. Crisp dot, lightweight, long battery life, what more could you really ask for in a sporting red dot. Go check out the MDSR-1 if you're in the market for a decent red dot in this price range.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
Modern sporting rifle red dot
Target Market:
Those wanting a small red dot for range and hunting use
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
1x20mm
2 MOA dot
11 brightness settings
3 hour auto off
Weight - 4 ounces
See through flip caps
30,000 hours battery life
Includes standard and riser mounts
½ MOA adjustments - adjustment caps double as adjustment tool
Uses 1 - CR2032 battery
IP6 waterproof
800g shock rating
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
None
What others are saying?:
Nothing found
Link to other reviews:
Nothing found with Google search
Price point:
MSRP = $129.99
Retail = $106.17 on Amazon
I need it now! Availability:
Our Rating:
Pros:
Size & weight
Crisp dot
Includes riser mount
Battery life
Flip caps
Cons:
Auto shut-off
Had to tighten (bend) battery terminals
Score: 7.50 Good
Favorite Link: Gun & Gear Cult
Discreet Carry Concepts belt clips
Those familiar with me might describe me as a holster snob. This isn’t because I want to “flex on the poors” but with the plethora of holster manufacturers out there there’s really no reason to use a subpar holster.
One thing I’ve been super unhappy with are the mounting attachments available for concealed type holsters, more specifically, AIWB holsters. I’ve tried them all; from fomi clips, rcs struts, spring steel, ulticlip, soft loops, j-hooks, you name it. While some are far superior to others none offer the level of security, concealability, and comfort I desire. I’ve lately just defaulted to soft or “pull the dot” loops as they are the most secure but they lack in ease of use and concealment.
This is why when Discreet Carry Concepts (DCC) came out with their line of holster clips, I was curious but not very enthusiastic. Well, wrong I was. I have three DCC equipped holsters and don’t see myself ever going back to any other attachment method. As of the time of writing I am retrofitting the last two holsters I actually use with DCC clips and by the end of the month I won’t have a holster in rotation without them.
Holsters currently equipped include:
Armadillo concealment lux
2 black rhino concealment custom pieces
One of the black rhino’s is exactly how it came from the company and the other two holsters were retrofitted with the clips by me. I currently have a Henry holster spark awaiting them and a philster spotlight that until recently wasn’t able to accept DCC clips but that is a whole review in itself.
The clips are super secure, in fact if I had to point out a con it would be they aren’t the easiest to get off. But not unmanageable and in my opinion no worse than soft loops. And if you think about it, the holster’s clips’ job is to securely attach the belt/pants. So ease of removal isn’t very high on my priority list. I have three different types as of writing but behind the belt variants and a monoblock that works over a belt or behind the belt.
The holster isn’t going anywhere. It is attached, it’s more secure than any metal or plastic clip I’ve tried and on par with soft loops if not a tad more secure because movement of the holster is practically nonexistent. It stays where you put it. And the best part is they are more low profile than even the thinnest of clips to include the terrible fomi clip. No more printing from the attachment point.
Installation is straight forward. If you own a screwdriver, you can install these. I would use loctite or some kind of thread locker because I’ve had screws on holsters back out many times without it. I loctite everything.
The behind the belt style clips are a tad more challenging to put on the pants but it’s not rocket science and the monoblocks are pretty much as easy as those stupid fomi clips. The monoblock can be used with or without a belt. Seriously, it’s just as secure either way. While use without a belt isn’t fun with my g19 or g17 with the LCP it’s fantastic.
Long story short, every holster I use will have these or I just won’t use that holster. And they don’t break the bank. That’s always a nice plus.
FIREARMS INSIDER REVIEWS - 8 KEY POINTS
CLAIM TO FAME:
Low profile secure holster attachment
TARGET MARKET:
Concealment of iwb specifically aiwb holsters
FNBS (FEATURES & BENEFITS OF THIS PRODUCT):
Firmly holds the holster in place
Low profile with little to no printing
Durable spring steel
Can be retrofitted to most holsters
WHAT OTHER AESTHETIC OPTIONS OR FINISHES ARE AVAILABLE?
Black or black with no logo
There are several belt sizes, ride height, configuration and cant options available
What others are saying:
From bigtexoutdoors.com
Brendon B. - 5/5 stars
Great for keeping the holster extra concealed w/o printing
Link to other reviews:
Price point:
MSRP = $4.99 - $11.99 for the clips
$3.50 for hardware
I need it now availability:
Select holster manufacturers
Our Rating:
Pros:
Low profile
Very concealable.
Secure attachment
Cost
Cons:
Can be hard to remove
Catch on clothing during draw (I’ve not personally experienced this through thousands of draw and multiple classes, but I’ve see one or two people talk about this online. So it’s worth mentioning)
Cost depends on your holster setup
Score: 8.5 Great
GunSkins
Being curious, I had to try out some of the GunSkins vinyl wraps. I am always one that likes to tinker with firearms. So, the GunSkins were right up my alley. The skins are a vinyl wrap, similar to what one might “wrap” a vehicle in. These wraps come in almost any pattern or print one can imagine.
When I inquired about an AR15 skin, I was also encouraged to get a pistol skin. Since GunSkins was sending me the products for free, I didn’t say no. They recommended I install the pistol skin first. Maybe to increase my learning curve, or maybe to just have me try both out. Either way, that’s exactly what I did. The pistol skin is “Proveil Victory”, which is an American flag pattern. I opted for the “Prym1 Black Out” skin for the AR.
Installation is not particularly hard, but it does take patience. To install the skin, you will need a few items. These include: A heat gun or blow dryer, a razor knife with lots of extra blade, some kind of squeegee (I used an old credit card), a way to degrease the firearm (I used non-chlorinated brake cleaner), and a piece of foam to aid in pressing the vinyl into crevasses. If you decide to take on installing a GunSkins, definitely go watch their install videos.
Patience is needed as the install takes a bit of time. In the GunSkins kit, are the pre-cut vinyl pieces, and some generic pieces. For a pistol slide, for instance, peel the “slide” piece off, and then lay it down on one side of your slide. Press it down, then stretch it slightly to fit the non-flat surfaces. Add a tiny bit of heat (from the heat gun) to stretch it around. DON’T use too much heat, or the vinyl can split and melt. After a little practice, you will know how much heat to use to “pull” the skin around hard to reach places, like sights. I used a little too much heat going around the rail section of the pistol, so I know what can happen. In the pistol slide case, you just then work the material around the slide with heat when needed. Going around the sights was probably the hardest part. Just take your time and maybe have the install video handy to keep looking at. When everything is where it is supposed to be, then you can trim the extra off with a sharp hobby knife. Sharp is the key point, which is why having a bunch of sharp blades handy is key. Doing the frame is similar, it just takes even more time.
The AR skin is more complicated, but only because it has more pre-cut parts. Since I have the tools, I removed the freefloat handguard to make it a little easier. One of the good things in the AR skin, is the pre-cut pic rail pieces. I used this on the 15” handguard. It worked well. There is not enough rail section vinyl to do the rail and the receiver, but that was okay for me. Especially since the vinyl adds some material to the rails. This makes accessories not fit properly all of the time. Since I was mounting a red dot on this rifle, not having enough to cover the receiver, worked out well. The skin went on much better than the pistol. Probably because I had done the pistol first. Or, more likely, because I knew that it was a time consuming project.
The GunSkins look good. Even if you have minor wrinkles or screw ups, they can only be seen close up. Trust me, neither the pistol or AR I did came out perfect. The camouflage style patterns don’t show the flaws as much as some other patterns, imagine that. I do have a few dislikes about the GunSkins. They make the grip extremely slick. It’s not as big of a problem on the AR grip, but is a nogo for me on the pistol. The skin is also pulling up around the beavertail section on the pistol. I tried to reheat it and press it down, but it keeps coming up. On the pistol skin, kydex holster wear is a problem. Especially around the trigger guard, at least for me. There is also a little wear around the rear of the ejection port, but not near as bad. The AR, on the other hand, doesn’t get put in a holster, so it has worn extremely well. The GunSkins are a good quality vinyl, not cheap thin stuff, so they also help protect the firearm.
For something like a hunting rifle, the GunSkins may be just the ticket. Since the skins come in so many different camouflage patterns, choosing the right one for your environment is easy. Having the ability to inexpensively throw some camo on your rifle for that once in a lifetime hunting trip, priceless. The skins will also help protect the rifle in the elements, either from scratches or rain and snow. When you return, you can leave the skin on, or just peel it off and have your firearm back to original.
GunSkins might be a good option. Especially if you're like me, and like to experiment with different firearm accessories, this is a good way for you to put some flair on your firearm. Installation takes time, but isn’t difficult. There are so many different options to pick from, it might actually take longer to decide which pattern, than to complete the install. Go check out the GunSkins website, maybe they have the pattern you are looking for.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
Do it yourself vinyl wraps for firearms
Target Market:
Those wanting a protective pattern for their firearms
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
Multiple Patterns
Pre-cut shapes
Stretches into and around odd shapes
Removable
Waterproof non-reflective matte finish
Made in USA
Lifetime warranty
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
What others are saying?:
PISTOL:
4 / 5 stars on Amazon
Makes grips very slick.
First , it is much more difficult to apply correctly the first time than the manufacturers video
Leads you to believe. Maybe by the 5th or 6th one you could do it fairly easily, not the first one, not difficult just more so that it first appears. It looks great on the gun , would be great for a display, but it makes it much more difficult to rack as it has a slick finish, same for grips, makes them slick. I put this on my Glock 43, my EDC, not sure I will keep it on, have to go to the range and see. Maybe will
put one on that’s not for EDC.
They don’t emphasize you need a VERY sharp blade to trim it easily, it’s pretty tough material.
They also don’t emphasize about not trimming too close to the mag release, be generous or it makes it sticky, mag doesn’t drop, trimming has to really be fine tuned. You also have to trim both sides of the release button( both grip sides) to prevent sticking.
RIFLE:
4 / 5 stars on Amazon
Take your time!!
This is an extremely well made vinyl wrap for your AR. Take your time and make sure you have plenty of extra blades. Watch the videos on YouTube for installation instructions. It doesn’t hold up well to bumps and usage but it does protect the original finish underneath. Take your time and use a piece of egg crate foam to press into small crevasses.
Link to other reviews:
Price point:
MSRP =
Retail = Same price on Amazon
I need it now! Availability:
Our Rating:
Pros:
Multiple patterns available
Protects firearm finish
Looks nice
Quality Vinyl, not the cheap thin stuff
Pre-cut for hard to do places (rails, safety, mag release, etc)
Cons:
Makes firearm slick
Lengthy installation time
Holster wear
Stretched parts don’t stick as well
Score:
Rifle - 7.00 Good
Pistol - 5.50 Mediocre
Favorite Link: Gun & Gear Cult
Canik TP 9 Elite SC
By: Rusty Odom
This review is on the Canik TP-9 Elite Sub Compact 9mm in Tungsten grey. I purchased this pistol after hearing that it was optic ready, I had been looking for a small sub compact pistol that was optic ready and without having to have a slide cut or purchasing another slide, this pistol fit the bill. To start off with I was looking at several other sub compacts and had purchased a Glock 43x. With my aging eyes I have recently got into the optic red dot game on pistols. Before buying this one I looked for slides or having the slide cut on the 43X, it was going to cost me about the same price to purchase a new firearm and a red dot to boot. So I bought it, and who doesn't need a new firearm.
So I found this pistol on Palmetto State Armory’s website for $399.99. This pistol is around the same Size as the Glock 26 and the Springfield XD-S Mod 2, coming from the factory with a 12 round magazine and a 15 round extended magazine. It also comes with extra magazine floor plates, flat and pinky curved. The box that it comes in is a very nice injection molded box, with tools and screws for mounting the optic. The box also contained a holster that can be configured for OWB or IWB carry, the holster is not that bad, it is not on par with a lot of other high end holster makers but it will do for range use. The barrel has a Nitride finish and the slide is Cerakote over the Nitride. It makes for a very pleasing look, compared to some of the plain jane black brick looking pistols on the market. It really does set this pistol apart from the others. The box also has a second backstrap to change for your comfort. I am still running the one that came installed on it because it fit my hand naturally. The slide has front and rear serration, a loaded chamber indicator, ambidextrous slide release and a reversible mag release.
Specifications of this pistol: 9mm, 4.19” barrel, overall length 7.28”, height 5.27” and weight is 1.77 pounds. The pistol does feel a little heavier than a Glock 26, because it is. It is 7 ounces heavier, an overall longer length around ¾ of an inch. It is close to an inch taller and a ¼ inch wider.
Despite its size the gun is very concealable. I am carrying it in a Crossbreed hybrid AIWB holster with its optic cut. I have been carrying this almost everyday for over 2 months, it rides very well and with the proper gun belt you wont get any sag, or grip stick out, like you do with some larger pistols. The draw of the Canik is so natural, it almost reminds me of a 1911 style when you point. It just falls in place and the sights jump right out at you. All of the controls can be assessed with one hand manipulation. Also I am running the Swampfox Sentinel red dot that is a RMSc shield footprint. I have noticed that it is easier to get the dot on target with the sub compact size than it is with a Full size Glock with an optic. Like I said before it is a natural pointer.
Now if there is one part of this pistol that has to be praised and talked about, it has to be the trigger. It is a short reset single action that is crisp with little to no creep. I have numerous wonder 9mms and they all have the same problem, the triggers are terrible. The trigger ranks right up there with my Grey Ghost match flat faced trigger that I have in one of my Glocks, and the best part is I didn't have to buy it and add it in. The trigger breaks at about 4.5 pound, and the reset is great. You can hear and feel it when it does reset. It makes for very fast follow up shots. The one thing I always look for when buying a firearm is how the trigger feels and the sights. That brings us to the next part. The sights are factory Warren tactical with a red rear and green front fiber optic front. These sights are nice and crisp, they just stand out when you present the pistol into the shooting stance. When co witnessed with a red dot, it just makes this little sub compact that much more admirable.
I ran this pistol with Tula 115 grain FMJ ammo, before everyone gets in a tizzy, it is from Turkey which I believe is an old combloc country so it should be at home eating this. I would have preferred to run brass ammunition through it, but with the ammo shortage I was just glad to be able to pull the trigger and it go bang and I did not have to make the pew pew noise myself and have a child hit the steel target with a hammer for impact. I put a full 500 rounds in the pipe, at a range of 7, 10 and 25 yards. Running the dot on the pistol made for fast target acquisitions when drawing from the holster. The recoil is no different than that of a Glock 19, I was able to get a decent grip with the 12 round mags with the flat pads. When running the 15 round magazines it was even more pleasant to shoot. The set up reminded me of the FN 509 tactical that has the red dot and extended magazine. I had no malfunction, it ate the steel cased ammo and I didn’t even notice any shavings or wear in the extractor area.
The Cank TP-9 Elite sub compact is a game changer. I am not what you call a Glock fanboy but I am more invested in that platform then any other, so I would have to say that out of the box this firearm has everything you could want or need even more so than the Glock. There is no need to replace the trigger, change out the sights, stipple the grips or have the slide machined. It really does have everything you could ask for in a modern day carry pistol. I love the pointability of it, the sights are excellent, the optic cut great, and the fact that it rides well in a holster rounds out this little package. It comes with a plethora of items in the box for mounting an optic, changing the back strap, a holster, cleaning kit etc. So this would make a great starter pistol for someone looking to get into concealed carry, a range or home defense firearm. I forgot to mention that it does have an accessory rail to mount your favorite light, laser or bayonet to.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
Sub-compact 9mm pistol
Target Market:
New handgun owners
Anyone wanting an optic cut pistol
Concealed carry
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
Optic cut
Great trigger
Small package
Snag Free
Interchangeable back strap in 2 sizes (small and large)
Blackout rear and phosphorous front white dot sight
Reversible magazine release
Accessory under-barrel rail
Tungsten Cerakote over nitride slide finish
Match grade nitride coated barrel
Small parts and internal components nitride or high-wear nickel-coated
Comes with two magazines: one 12rd + optional finger rest base plate and one 15rd with extended baseplate
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
What others are saying?:
Nothing found
Link to other reviews:
https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2020/2/13/review-canik-tp9-elite-sc/
https://aliengearholsters.com/blog/canik-tp9-elite-sc-review/
Price point:
MSRP = $429.99
I need it now! Availability:
https://palmettostatearmory.com/canik-tp9-elite-subcompact-9mm-pistol-tungsten-hg5610t-n.html
https://www.classicfirearms.com/century-arms-hg5610t-n-canik-tp9-elite-sc/
Our Rating:
Pros:
Factory optic cut
Fiber optic sights
Great trigger
Complete starter carry package
Cons:
Heavier than comparable pistols
Magazines are hard to find
Magazines are pricey
Score: 9.00 Amazing
Angry Bear Arms RMR tall sight kit
A lot of people are switching to a red dot optic on their handgun. Because of this, they most likely will need a set of back up iron sights that can be seen through the optic. This is where Angry Bear Arms comes in. They make inexpensive sights for Glock and M&P pistols in various sizes from short to extra-tall. The tall RMR set was the one sent to me for review.
Angry Bear Arms has quite a few options when it comes to sights. All are made from US sourced steel and made in the USA. The sights have a black nitride coating, so they should last a very long time. What makes the sights stand out, is the $40 starting price for a set. The option I chose for review was the - Glock RMR Cut, Tall profile, Fiber Optic Serrated Sight Kit. Price on it is $45.95 and is from their “Bear Bones” line. This line only comes with the front and rear sight, front sight screw, rear sight set screw, and the red and green fiber pipes. Other kits they make come with a sight tool and/or various front sights of different heights. Those are more geared for someone who wants to get a precise impact point with their chosen ammunition.
The RMR tall kit is basically for use as a low witness back up for the red dot sight. The sight notch base just barely sits above a recessed mounted red dot. Hence the RMR in the name. I am using a Holosun 507C with them, and it works great. The Holosun is recessed into the slide, and must be for these sights to work. Angry Bear does make a MOS extra tall sight for red dots that are not recessed.
Installation is pretty routine. Take out the old sights, install Angry Bear Arms sights. Since these are Glock sights. The rear sight is dovetailed in, so a sight pusher, or some other way of sliding the sight into place, is needed. Angry Bear also has a set screw, that screw down from the top of the sight, to help hold it in place. The sight hasn’t moved on me, or do I think it ever will. The front sight is screwed in from below. I used blue (242) loctite on the screw to help keep it from backing out. As with all Glock style front sights, don’t over torque the screw. Since the front sight is fiber optic, now one must install the fiber rod into the sight. I chose green, they supply red also. Green was chosen because it is not the same color as the red dot optic. Take a lighter, or something hot, and heat the end of the fiber up. Then just press on it a little to swell it out. Slide the rod through the front sight, from back to front. The fiber should stop when it hits the swollen part. Then cut the other end off, leaving a little bit of room to heat it up. Then, when hot, press the end to swell it and hold the fiber in. Angry Bear Arms supplies enough fiber for you to mess up a few times. Now you can go shoot the handgun.
These sights have pretty much everything I want in a sight. The rear notch is just wide enough to allow the right amount of light on each side of the front post. I really do like the sight picture. Yet the front sight is narrow enough to give good accuracy. I opted for the serrated set, which puts some nice horizontal lines on the face of the front and rear sight. This helps cut down on glare, either from the sun or a flashlight. Yes, it really does cut down the glare over smooth sights. The rear sight has been smoothed out on every corner of it. This is a nice touch for the price and it will keep it from wearing on your clothes. The front side of the rear sight is straight and flat. This would give you a good purchase to rack the slide off of something like a table, etc. This would only work if there wasn’t a red dot in front of it. The front sight is nice and square, giving a really good sight picture. One can’t really dehorn a front sight like you can the rear. I definitely would use these RMR tall sights without an optic. They are a nearly perfect sight picture for my taste.
If you're in the market for a quality, inexpensive sight set, go check out the Angry Bear Arms sights. I could not be happier with the form and function of the set I received. Next time I get a new slide, I definitely know where I’m headed to get some sights.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
Tall sight for use with recessed red dot optic
Target Market:
Those needing a back up iron sight for use with a red dot
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
Serrated front and rear sights
Fiber optic front
Red and Green fiber included
0.305” tall front sight
0.310” tall rear sight
All steel construction
Black Nitride coated
Made in USA
Available for Glock and M&P
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
Different heights, non-fiber optic, kits with 3 front sight options
What others are saying?:
Nothing found
Link to other reviews:
Black Diamond Guns & Gear on YouTube
Price point:
MSRP = $45.95
Retail = $35.95
I need it now! Availability:
Our Rating:
Pros:
Good sight picture
Fiber Optic front with Red or Green fiber
Inexpensive
Serrated for glare reduction
Made in USA
Cons:
Not always in stock
Score: 9.00 Amazing
Favorite Link: Gun & Gear Cult
Timber Creek Enforcer Build KIt
By now, everyone knows that you can do just about anything to an AR style rifle. Timber Creek Outdoors can definitely help you with that. They have their Enforcer Build Kit. The Enforcer Kit is a complete upgrade kit for your modern sporting rifle. Besides basic black, the kit comes in a variety of colors, some anodized and some Cerakoted.
To be a little different, I asked for the Enforcer kit in purple. The purple is one of the anodized colors that Timber Creek offers. I like the look of anodizing, as it has that “high gloss” look. This purple does not disappoint. The anodizing is spot on and all the different parts match. Matching anodizing, from batch to batch, is not super easy. But Timber Creek pulled it off.
Down in the FNB section, it shows what all comes with the Enforcer kit and it is a lot. I’ll go over most of the parts individually, at least the important ones. All of the parts come in one nice box. Small parts are in bags, in the buffer tube. On the back of the box is essentially a parts break down, and where those parts go. I also put together a list of what else is needed to complete a full rifle. Some of these parts can also be purchased from Timber Creek, like the barrel and castle nut, these additional parts are as follows:
Castle nut
Buffer and recoil spring
Trigger
Bolt catch
Mag catch
Upper/lower
Buffer retaining pin & spring
Barrel
Stock
Gas tube
First up I’ll start with the lower receiver small parts. The extended mag release has a nice little downward curve to it and isn’t too large. I really liked it’s function as it isn’t any higher than the standard mag release, it just sits back closer to the trigger finger. TC’s oversize trigger guard is wider also. It’s pretty oversize, so much so that I think a Sasquatch could get his finger in there. Then there are the take down pins. They add color, but are undersized in the kit I received. They wobble around and make the upper to lower fit, fit loosely. I had standard pins in this kit before, and they didn’t have these problems. Maybe not a small part, but it attaches to the lower, is the mil-spec 6 position buffer tube. It does not, however, come with a castle nut. A QD endplate is also included.
Also included for the lower is an ambi safety selector. This safety is reversible, meaning that it is either 45° or 90°. I was happy to see this, as I like 45° safeties, so that is how it was installed. Two selectors are provided, one is about standard length, the other one is shorter. This is pretty standard for ambi-selectors. They attach to the safety selector piece with some allen head screws, I did use a little Loctite 242 when installing them. I wasn’t sure how I was going to like the shape of the safety, it is a kind of tear drop shape with serrations . After using it, I do really like it, especially the serrations. These serrations let my thumb know that it is in contact with the safety.
The Timber Creek pistol grip is one of their oldest products. As with all of the Enforcer kit parts, it is aluminum and CNC machined. They skelontonized the grip to save weight. It has a finger rest/stop at the heel to help prevent your hand from sliding off. There is also a beavertail for comfort. Plus some grooves on the front to aid with grip. In my opinion, the grip is a little on the slick side. It is very comfortable, but needs a little more texture to help me grip it.
Next we move on to the upper receiver. Only two small parts here, the dust cover and forward assist. The dust cover adds a nice contrast to the upper. The one supplied doesn’t like to stay closed. If you bump the rifle too hard, installing a magazine for instance, the door flips open. The forward assist works as expected. It has checkering on the face of it for extra grip, just in case you have to use it.
Timber Creek’s Enforcer charging handle is a work of art. It has ball bearings inside it, thus giving the handle arms super smooth actuation. The oversize handles stick out a bunch on either side, making it truly ambidextrous. By making the handles so large, one hand operation is extremely easy. Even if one were to mount a large scope, they would have easy access to the charging handle. The handles are slightly curved forward with grooves on the front face. Pretty much eliminating your hand from slipping off during use. I personally would have liked Timber Creek’s small charging handle to be in the kit, as this one is just a tiny bit too big for my liking. It is, however, an excellent charging handle.
Probably one of the most notable parts in the kit, is the 15” Ultralight Enforcer handguard. This handguard is super skeletonized and weighs nothing. If you pick it up by itself, without the barrel nut, it is like picking up air. The complete handguard assembly weighs something like 7.6 ounces with the barrel nut! Since it is the ultralight version, the handguard has a short rail at the front and back instead of running all the way across the top. I really like these style of handguards, as I never use the middle of the pic rail anyhow. There is a unique “Timber Creek” curve at the nose of the handguard. This curve is useful to keep brush and stuff from getting caught in it out in the field. Plus, it looks pretty good also. Now, if you need to attach anything else, the handguard has M-Lok slots running along the top, sides, and bottom. There are also QD holes for attaching slings and such. These are the good ones that have anti-rotation cuts every 45°. There are five total. One on each side, at the front and rear of the handguard. Then there is one on the bottom rear, just in front of the clamping system. Timber Creek uses a clamp system, with some extra set screws, to hold the handguard on. There are also wings, that extend over the upper receiver, to help keep it from rotating. I think the clamp system works just great, so the probably didn’t need the wings. But, extra insurance is always a good thing. For as light as this handguard is, there is less flex in it compared to other lightweight handguards. At least that’s my experience with the same length ones that I have used. The Enforcer lightweight handguard is well worth the price of admission.
To round out the kit, Timber Creek throws in their muzzle brake and gas block. The gas block is low profile to fit under the handguard. It is the two set screws on the bottom type and about an inch long. It looks goog, and works great. The “Heart Breaker” muzzle brake is a two chamber style, with two holes on the top to reduce muzzle climb. The chambers are heart shaped, hence the name. I was hesitant about this brake at first. Yes, the brake proved me wrong. It works way better than I had ever imagined. It is really loud, but that was expected. My daughter even mentioned the lack of recoil while using it. Instead of a crush washer or shims, the Heart Breaker comes with a locking jam nut. Think of it as a nice little bonus in the Enforcer kit.
Now that all the parts are pretty much covered, here’s my thoughts. If you value quality parts, these are top notch. Timber Creek did an awesome job with most of the stuff in the kit. I really enjoy shooting this rifle, it handles so nice with the lightweight parts. The rifle in the pictures weighs in at 6 lbs 14 ounces with the red dot. But, it uses everyday standard internals and a 16” heavy profile barrel (lightweight barrel would save roughly 8 ounces). The handguard and ambi-safety are probably my 2 favorites. They just work great.
The Timber Creek Enforcer Build Kit is a great upgrade. If you are looking to build a new rifle, add color, or just upgrading your old one, the Enforcer kit is pretty much a worthwhile option. One might think it is a little pricey, but you are getting quality parts. These parts would definitely cost you more if you were to buy them individually. Definitely go check out Timber Creek Outdoors and all of their stuff.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
Complete accessory kit for AR style rifles
Target Market:
AR builders, those wanting to accessorize their rifles
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
15" Ultra-Light Handguard – MLOK
Enforcer Oversized Ambidextrous Charging Handle
Forward Assist
Billet Dust Cover
Enforcer AR Pistol Grip
Oversized Trigger Guard
Ambidextrous Safety
Extended Magazine Release
Takedown Pins
QD End Plate
Buffer Tube
Low Profile .750 Gas Block
.223 Heat Breaker muzzle brake
Pins, etc included for supplied parts
Made is USA
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
Black, Blue, Red, and Orange anodized
Burnt Bronze, Flat Dark Earth, OD Green, and Tungsten Cerakote
What others are saying?:
Nothing found on the “kit”, just individual parts
Link to other reviews:
Nothing found on the “kit”, just individual parts reviews
Price point:
MSRP = $749.99
Retail = $599.99 at Palmetto State Armory
I need it now! Availability:
Timber Creek, Black Bag Resources (call and mention Gun&Gear Review podcast), or Palmetto
Our Rating:
Pros:
Color, Color, and more Color
45 or 90 degree safety
Handguard
Lightweight
Jam nut for compensator included
Made in USA
Cons:
Takedown pins slightly too small
Port door doesn’t stay closed
Castle nut not included
Score: 8.00 Great
Favorite Link: Gun & Gear Cult
MatchPoint Ultimate Holster pack
When I was searching around for a holster, I ran across MatchPoint USA. MatchPoint has a hybrid, adjustable holster system that looked interesting. Instead of just sending me the holster system, the sent me the Chest Carry Holster pack and some extras. I’m only going to review the Ultimate Holster Pack, as I don’t use chest holsters. The Ultimate Holster pack really is only missing the straps and a mounting plate, when compared to the Chest kit.
The MatchPoint holster system is a hybrid style holster. That means that it has a backer system and then a shell that attaches to the backer. The shell is basically ¾ of the holster and is compression molded from Boltaron (a brand of kydex) . It then mounts to the backer using Chicago screws. The MatchPoint Ultimate holster system comes with two backers. One is a smaller size, think just slightly larger than the holster. The second one is larger, like is typically seen with most hybrid style holsters. For inside the waistband (IWB) carry, the system comes with a FOMI belt clip and 2 overhook belt clips. If carrying appendix, only one of the overhook clips is needed. These overhooks are also intended to be used on the larger backer. Also included are their Infinite Carry Loops, these allow using the system for outside the waistband (OWB) carry.
If you want adjustability in your holster, the Ultimate holster pack is for you. The backer is made from a proprietary material that has the life properties of injected molded plastics, but with the flexibility of leather, they call it Comfortuf 420. My favorite thing about the MatchPoint system is it’s almost infinite options. Because the backers, both the small and large, are made with holes everywhere, you can adjust the holster as you see fit. If you want it to ride higher, lower, have more or less cant, just move the shell and/or clips to a different position on the backer plate. One could literally spend hours adjusting the system, I did.
I’ve had the MatchPoint holster for about three months. I have carried off and on with it using a TimberWolf small framed pistol (it uses Glock holsters). Both using the wider/larger backer as a standard style hybrid holster, and the smaller backer. I didn’t try it appendix. Both ways of carrying worked fine. The large backer was a little longer than I liked, but one could always cut the backer to a smaller size and then hit it lightly with some heat to smooth it back out. I ended up using the small backer to carry it strong side IWB. I started with the FOMI clip, but then ordered some of MatchPoints “Push to Lock” soft loops. Soft loops don’t conceal as well, in my opinion, but they work better than the FOMI clip for me. As for concealment, the Matchpoint isn’t the most concealable. It is not bad, just a little “blocky” for my taste. When I had the holster in the “hybrid style” with the large backer, it did conceal a little bit better. I think the lack of concealability is due to the squareness of the outer plastic shell. The carry loops for OWB worked well. I think they would shine on a solid kydex OWB holster.
With the Ultimate Holster pack, came some other extras. The kit included an “accessory mounting plate” or “A.M.P.”. This plate has 1.5” belt loops at both ends. It’s a little over 6” long and a little over 2” wide, but it includes numerous holes, just like the backers. The accessory plate, and the other things discussed in this paragraph, are all made from Tufmax 720. The Tufmax is much stiffer than the Comfortuf, but still has a little flex to it. The A.M.P. can be used to mount mag pouches, a knife sheath, a tourniquet, or anything else you might want on your belt. Not included in the Ultimate pack, but included in the Chest kit, is the “tactical mounting plate” or “Tac-AMP”. This is also another multi hole adapter, but this one is made to hook onto MOLLE/PALS webbing. It measures 5”x3” and has 200 holes. The Tac-AMP attaches with a cool slot system, so no tools are needed to get it on or off. This slot mounting system is very secure, and can be a pain to get on and off. I mounted a kydex holster to the panel, and then installed it in a backpack that has MOLLE inside it. Even with a full size pistol in the holster, the Tac-AMP system doesn’t move. One can also put some shock cord on the Tac-AMP to attach items to it, like a pen, flashlight, etc. MatchPoint also sent me a TAC-Book. The TAC-book is 2 Tac-AMP plates with hook and loop wrapped around 3 of the attachment slots, thus making a book. I personally haven’t found the perfect use for it yet, but MatchPoint has some good ideas on their website.
If you are into adjustability, or just want something with all the options, the MatchPoint Ultimate Holster Pack might be right up your alley. But, only if you are right handed and have a Glock. The Ultimate holster would work good for someone who likes to experiment, or those not sure how they want to carry. The options with this system are endless, as are the options with most of MatchPoint’s products. Go visit their website, they have a lot of good information on these holster systems.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
Multi adjustable holster system
Target Market:
Those wanting a comfortable holster with any option they can think of
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
Multi adjustable holster system
Flexible backing
Mounting holes everywhere
OWB loops
FOMI clip
Overhook belt clips
2 different backers
Accessory Mounting Plate
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
All parts available individually
What others are saying?:
Nothing found
Link to other reviews:
Nothing found worth noting
Price point:
MSRP = $49.95 as reviewed
Retail = $34.95 - $79.95
I need it now! Availability:
Our Rating:
Pros:
Made in USA
Multi adjustable
Price
Impervious to oils or sweat
Flexible backing
Open holster design for different barrel lengths
Cons:
Shell / Holster is a little bulky
Only fits right hand Glock style pistols, for now
Score: 7.00 Good
Favorite Link: Gun & Gear Cult
iSCOPE System
I first saw the iSCOPE adapters at the NRA Annual Meeting. The concept is simple, attach iSCOPE to the scope, attach the phone to the holder and view the target using your phone. The primary difference from other systems is the iSCOPE allows you to use almost any phone with their adapter. This is handy for Android users as most adapters are designed for iPhones. This means you do not need to buy a new adapter when you get a new phone.
Steps to install:
With the adapter off the scope, place the phone in the holder and roughly adjust it so the camera is centered in the viewing port.
Tighten the screws so they will loosely hold the phone and remove the phone.
Place the adapter on the scope and tighten the four outer screws equally so that the scope ocular lens is centered in the iSCOPE viewing port.
Open the camera app on your phone
insert the phone in the holder and center the camera so you can see through the scope to the target.
Tighten the screws
You can start taking photos.
When I started taking photos I noticed that they were a little blurry which was due to the camera being moved when pressing the capture button. This was easily corrected by using the 3-second delay to allow the camera to stabilize before taking the picture. An additional item to consider is that the photos taken are only as good as the scope, tripod and camera you are using.
I have been using the iSPOTTER during range sessions for about a year and have found it to work very well. This allows me to look at the target without needing to squint through the eyepiece of a scope. I can take a shot and then glance over to view the point of impact on the target. The iSPOTTER allows me to record shot order by taking pictures between shots which can be reviewed when I get home.
I tried an older phone with the scope and found that the clamps which secure the phone activated the capture button causing it to take photos continuously. To prevent this some phones will allow you to turn off the capture button. If this is not an option consider Inserting a toothpick next to the capture button to relieve the pressure from the clamp.
I also purchased the iSCOPE adapter designed for rifle scopes but found this to be less effective than the iSPOTTER. This fits over the eyepiece of the scope and allows the same ability to attach a variety of phones. The iSCOPE allows you to slide the camera to or away from the lens to adjust for the magnification level used on the scope. I tried sliding the phone close to and farther away from the scope lens while using scope sunshades but nothing seemed to work. Although I did get some interesting photos of the inside of the scope.
The iSCOPE is designed to be used on a hunting rifle in the woods. When I tried using it at the range it felt a little odd as I could not get my cheek on the stock and have a comfortable view of the target with the phone about an inch from my eye. For me, this would not be a practical way to view the target while hunting with the rifle. In addition, I can see the phone getting hung up on branches, brush etc. while walking through the woods, not to mention, if your phone’s batteries run out, the iSPCOPE will need to be removed.
The downfall to this system is the screw caps that hold the adapter head to the scope fall off and are easily lost. If you go to their web site you can get a Hardware Replacement Kit for $14.99 which contains 8 screw caps and 6 rubber bands. The screw caps are basically nylon washers with felt pads glued on one side. A quick trip to Home Depot located the washers at 4 for $.99 and some felt from furniture moving kits looks like it could be adapted for use to prevent the iSCOPE from sliding or marking your scope. Just glue the felt to the washers and bingo! DIY replacement screw caps.
What i have learned from using this:
Use the countdown/delay timer to take photos
If the holder activates the buttons on your phone use a toothpick (or something similar) to stop it.
Take sequential photos to see how your shot pattern progresses.
Turn off timeout feature on the phone.
Overall the iSPOTTER is a great addition to my range bag and gets lots of positive reviews at the range but the iSCOPE is less useful.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
Universal phone adapter for spotting and rifle scopes.
Target Market:
Anyone who wants to use their phone with their scope.
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
Fits a wide range of scopes
Fits a wide range of phones (including Android phones)
Easy to set up
Can easily take photos through your scope
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
Black
What others are saying?:
iSCOPE review from their website:
4 of 5 stars
It is somewhat difficult to get set right on the scope but once. Place it is awesome! My only complaint is the adjustment screws have felt pads on the inside that have already fallen off after 3 uses and now it can scratch your scope. Great product for hunting with little kids!
Link to other reviews:
Nothing Found
Price point:
iSCOPE - $139.99
iSPOTTER - $119.99
I need it now! Availability:
Our Rating:
Pros:
Support a wide range of phones and scopes
Can take photos of targets while at the range
Do not need to squint through the eyepiece of the scope to view the target.
Cons:
Screw Caps are easily lost and costly to replace.
iSCOPE is not as useful as advertised
Score:
iSCOPE - 6 OKAY
iSPOTTER - 8.5 GREAT
Tasmanian Tiger TAC Modular SW Pack 25
Ever since Tasmanian Tiger products have been distributed in the USA, I have wanted to check some of their stuff out. Well, the time has come. I requested the TAC Modular SW pack 25 for review. This is from Tasmanian Tiger’s discreet line. So from the outside, it just looks like an everyday 25liter backpack.
When the TAC pack first showed up, I was really impressed with the quality. It is made from 700D Cordura , and is tough. I tried to scuff it up with a screwdriver. I couldn’t even tell where I had tried to fray it. 700D has the wear resistance of 1000D but the weight of 500D. It has 3 compartments, 2 of which have lockable YKK zippers. The 2 main compartments run the full depth of the bag. The 3rd is a smaller one that is on the top front, mainly made to hold pens, notebooks, glasses, and various smaller items. Of course the TAC pack has padded shoulder straps, a padded back, and even a padded removable hip strap.
Where the TAC pack really shines, is inside the 2 main compartments. The front one completely unzips and can be folded out for ease of access. On the front fold down piece, there is a zippered mesh pocket that takes up about a third of the flap. The other section of that flap has 2 loop strips to attach stuff. As you look inside this opened up pack, you will see a hook and loop padded divider. This divider has 4 strips of 2” wide loop fastening sewn to it. The inside, sides, are lined with a loop MOLLE panel. I really like the loop MOLLE panel because one can use it a multitude of ways, plus it is pretty stiff to support heavier items. Since I mentioned the padded divider, it is removable to allow the 2 main compartments to become 1.
The second main compartment, which I call the back, because it is the side that is against your back while wearing the pack, also fold down completely. There is no side MOLLE loop panels, unless the divider has been removed. Instead, the whole fold down panel has the loop backed MOLLE panel! The pack comes with a so called universal holster to attach to this. As with most anything called universal, it kind of sucks. So I took a Matchpoint panel, attached a real holster, and made my own. Tasmanian Tiger does mention the holster supplied is really only for transportation, but I think they should have just omitted including it. This compartment also has the pocket for the back support. The back support is a semi-molded plastic with an aluminum spine running down the middle. You can form this to your back pretty easily. In with the backer is also some closed cell foam for padding. Toward the top of this compartment, are slots, one on each side, to allow a bladder hose or wires to go through.
Time for the back area and straps. The part of the TAC pack that rests against your back is also padded. The padded panel is attached in a way that makes it so one can use it like a large pocket. Sliding something in from the top. It does have side openings at the bottom to allow the hip strap to be attached, so it isn’t a true pocket. The hip strap attached inside this “pocket” via hook and loop. The hip strap is padded, has large zippered pockets on each side, and is about 4” wide. The hip strap can hold an AR magazine in each pocket with room to spare. It is very comfortable, but I took it off because I am not carrying huge amounts of weight. The shoulder straps are about 3” wide and very well padded also. They have some curve to them so they won’t rub on your neck. As one would expect, they also have quick adjust straps on both the top and bottom for extra adjustability. An adjustable chest strap, with some elastic for give, helps to hold the pack firmly. The straps also have quick release buckles, in case you need to get the pack off quickly. Over these quick release buckles, is an elastic cover, that can be slid over to keep them from unclasping at the wrong time.
The outside of the pack is pretty generic. This is exactly like a discrete backpack should be. On each side is a pocket, that has loop inside it. The loop allows you to actually keep something attached inside it, like maybe some magazine carriers. It will hold a double mag AR pouch. There is a small single zippered pocket at the bottom front, then the top one mentioned earlier. Now all the way at the bottom, is a zipper. Inside this zipper is an orange panel. The panel is half covered in loop. It can be pulled out and attached to the pack. When attached, it can be used as an identifier by attaching patches to the loop panel or just as a signal. There is a tiny Tasmanian Tiger logo carefully hidden by one of the straps, this is the only noticeable feature, and most people won’t even see it. On the top and bottom sides, there are also some tabs to attach shock cord or paracord. Just a little something in case you might need to strap something else onto the pack. There is also a carry handle at the top of the pack. A pretty useful feature if you don’t want to hoist the bag onto a shoulder for short movements.
I have been using the TAC pack 25 for around 3 months now. It’s been loaded up with ammo and taken to the range as a range pack. I’ve thrown clothes in it for short trips. Basically I have done everything I could think of to this pack, short of dragging it behind a truck. It is the perfect size for travelling, It might even be small enough to count as a personal item on airlines. The comfort is amazing. Having an actual spine makes it useful for heavier items. It is a little narrow to fit my level 3A soft backpack insert into, but it can be crammed into it if needed. The MOLLE hook and loop panels are spectacular. It might be a little heavy for some, at 3.75lbs, but I didn’t think so. The way the compartment panels unzip and fold out, might make it a useful medical backpack.
I’m very pleased with the Tasmanian Tiger pack. It does everything I need. Plus, in today's climate, having a backpack that is discrete, is a huge plus. Nobody will look at it and think, “maybe he has a gun in there”, instead they will just go about their everyday business and pay you no mind. Go check out the TAC Modular SW pack 25 and see for yourself.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
Discrete duty grade backpack
Target Market:
Anyone needing an everyday use backpack with all the options
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
25 liter volume
Padded Back Carrying System with aluminum spine
Large zip opening with easy access to the main compartment
Removable, padded hip belt
Hip belt with zipper pockets
Carry Handle
Lockable zippers
Deep top pocket
Insert pockets on both sides with hook and loop inside
Cable port
Large MOLLE hook-and-loop panel inside
Signal flag with hook-and-loop integrated in the bottom
Main compartment with detachable divider with hook-and-loop closure
Extra small TT Logo to remain covert
3.75 lbs empty
22” x 11” x 7”
700 denier Cordura
Lockable YKK zippers
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
Olive and Coyote
What others are saying?:
Nothing found
Link to other reviews:
Price point:
MSRP = $239.00
Retail = $199.95 at Mad City Outdoor Gear
I need it now! Availability:
Our Rating:
Pros:
Discrete
Excellent size
Removable Hook & Loop MOLLE panel / divider
Carry handle
Lockable zippers
Cons:
Hard to find
Removal/Installation of hip strap
Supplied holster
Score: 8.50 Great
Favorite Link: Gun and Gear Cult
Swampfox Wolverine slide and Justice red dot combo
Written by: Rusty Odom
This review is on the new Swampfox optic Justice 27mm red dot pistol sight and the Steel City Wolverine combo. Let me start by saying I am an average Joe shooter with a huge interest in firearms. I am always looking for the latest greatest item or something to improve on an older firearm to make me a better shooter. For this review I chose a Glock Gen 3 model 22 in .40 S&W to convert to 9mm. The firearm was purchased some years ago for around $295 and it was a local police trade in. I tossed it in the gun safe, knowing one day I’d do something like this to it.
The Swampfox Justice red dot and Steel City Wolverine slide combo. The slide is in a distressed green pattern and is available for the Glock 19 and 17 Gen 1-3 only. The slide comes with the channel liner already installed and with suppressor height fiber optic sights. They are in the combat configuration (rear sight in front of the optic), the slide is smooth with no machine marks on the outside, except in the area of the optic cutout. The threads on the mounting service were nicely tapped and debured. When mounting the optic it is a nice snug fit. It also comes with 3 sets of screws and Allen keys to mount the optic. The slide has great machining in the front for a good grasp to reload with wet or sweaty hands. It’s texture is just the right combination of aggressiveness, not to be uncomfortable when sharply grasping the gun. It has a lightning cut above the barrel, I assume to reduce weight. I have a concern of dirt or debris getting into it and causing issues in a real world situation.
The optic is clear and crisp, it has an 27mm window and is made out of 7075 aluminum. There is a Liberty version that has a smaller window of 22mm. These are duty rated and have a new and improved hood over their last model. It has a top load battery that takes the CR1632 battery. Not Chad’s favorite. It weighs 1oz without the battery, its height is 1.04”, length 1.78” and width 1.24”. It has the normal parallax free, fog proof and ruby coated lens.
It claims to have a greater battery life and new and improved shake a wake motion sensing illumination. The slide and optic are both for the RMR mounting option. Assembly of the slide is straightforward, just like your normal Glock slide would go together. A Brownells Glock completion kit was used for final assembly.
The initial sight in was done by co-witnessing the dot and the front sight post. Once the impacts were on target I did a ⅓ co-witness, raising the dot above the front sight post to declutter the sight picture. The slide had a few failures to feed, but after some lubrication and some dry fire, it ran flawlessly. The optic is easy to pick up, with some practice, for someone that is new to the red dot game. So far I have fired 350 rounds of 115 grain 9mm with no problems after the initial FTE. I was able to keep all the rounds in the 10 ring at 10 yards. Even with astigmatism the dot was clear with some adjustment of the intensity level.
In my honest opinion I do believe that this will make a great setup for someone that wants to put an optic on their Glock and doesn’t want to have their slide cut, or wants the benefits of having one frame with two different calibers. After my initial testing and what I know of some of the other optic I own from Swampfox, this appears to be a quality red dot. The slide is nice and clean, the battle worn or distressed coloring gives it some character.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
A quality optic red dot with a standard RMR footprint, with a cost half the price of others. An improved hood to protect the glass, as well as shake awake technology. It claims to be rated for law enforcement and duty use.
The slide is well textured, nice smooth and rounded corners. Assembly was simple, machining was good.
Target Market:
People who want to get into the red dot game and not have to have their original slide machines. Also those who have a .40 or .357 Sig that want to convert it to 9mm for cost reasons.
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
Ease of assembly
Clear optic
Battery life one year.
Great light intensity of dot
One year warranty
1500G’s rated
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
There is a smaller Liberty optic available.
The slide as of now comes only in distressed green
What others are saying?:
So far the only reviews are on the Seampfox instagram page. All the once noted were high reviews including my own.
Link to other reviews:
None found
Price point:
MSRP -
I need it now! Availability:
Our Rating:
Pros:
Optic has a good design
Improved hood
Ruby clear glass
Good light intensity
Ease of adjustments of dot
Shake a wake feature
Slide has great texture
Channel liner already installed
Good machining with limited tool marks
Nice tall fiber optic sights preinstalled
Great customer service
Cons:
Does not have the time on market as other manufacturers so durability is a concern
Lightening cut in the top of slide
Score: 8.50 Great
Sniper Ops Tactical Tripod
The first time I heard about the Sniper Ops Tripod was during a long range shooting class when my spotter brought his. During the class I had the opportunity to use the tripod and found it worked very well. Researching the tripod I initially passed due to the price and financial situation at that time. Upon using other tripods of lesser quality and available funds, it was immediately purchased.
The tripod has three legs that are each secured with a hex wrench which allows you to control how hard it will be to fold them to the extended position (they are not telescopic). The center of the base contains the rod which the head mount slides on to support the scope. The head has a twist knob which secures it to the rod (left/right) and a throw lever which is used for up/down movement. A micro-fine adjuster on the back of the head allows for incremental elevation adjustments. The scope support can be pivoted 180 degrees to allow for inverted use.
The scope is attached to the tripod using a twist knob, and once secured, it does not move. There is an optional Collet which the head rides on to make it easier to pan the scope. Using the collet allows you to loosen the pan knob, move the scope to the new position and then tighten the knob with ease. Without the collet you will have to hold the head to ensure it does not slip down the rod.
Using the tripod on a bench or prone, only one rod is required. If you want to use it standing or seated with the tripod on the floor you will need additional rod extensions. The rods have a male connection at one end and a female connection at the other so they screw in easily. At 13” in length four rods should be sufficient to use the tripod in your hunting stand or blind. The use of more than two rods will make the tripod top heavy, which is why they make a weight that can be screwed into the bottom rod for greater stability..
If you have a rangefinder an additional head can be used with the primary (scope) head. This will allow you to set up your scope and rangefinder to move in conjunction to allow ranging your target more easily. Adapters can also be purchased to attach your cell phone and a Kestrel in addition to leg extensions which will give the tripod a larger footprint.
The following items are included with the ‘standard’ package:
1 each round shaped, black, STANDARD head mount
Accommodates all scopes and devices with the standard 1/4" X 20 threads
1 each 3-legged base assembly
Legs are non-telescoping
2 each 13- inch rods, 1" diameter
2 joined rods provide about 30" of height
1 each (NON-MOLLE) padded carrying case (capacity for 5 rods)
Inner soft silicone impregnated storage case
1 each operator’s manual
Tough, high quality anodized camouflage
Currently ordering is done by calling or emailing Dave directly. This proved to be fortuitous as he was able to assist me with selecting the correct scope base as well as accessories, including drilling the head for future use with a rangefinder.
When I ordered the tripod the following accessories were also purchased:
Two additional rods
Collet
Quick Attach Mount for scope
Upgraded (MOLLE) carrying case
Drill the head mount to connect a separate mount for a rangefinder
If you are going to purchase any accessory, buy the collet, as that will give you the best use. The collet makes it very easy to pan the scope. Personally, I think the collet should be included in the package.
For side by side comparison I used a friend's Manfrotto tripod. While the Sniper Ops tripod is more expensive it feels more solid and allows the spotter to get the scope lower for use in the prone position.
Weight of Base, rod and head mount - 3lbs 8.3 oz. Collapsed 12in H X 2.5 in deep (without head mount)Extended the base measures 15in X 17.5in.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
Well constructed scope mount
Target Market:
Anyone looking for a scope mount.
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
Solid aluminium construction
Micro adjuster has a range of +5 to -14 degrees.
Works very well when shooting prone or on a bench.
Has attachments for accessories.
Small footprint when legs are extended
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
Camouflage
What others are saying?:
C. Coker
This is a really well made product and I highly recommend it.
Link to other reviews:
Tactical Gun Review (YouTube)
Price point:
$379 for the ‘standard’ package
I need it now! Availability:
Our Rating:
Pros:
Well constructed.
solid scope mounting.
Quality construction
Folds to a compact size
Convenient carrying case
Made in USA
Veteran Owned
Cons:
At 3lb, 8.3oz it is Heavy
More expensive than other tripods.
Score: 9.00 Amazing
Tactical Kinetics G17 Threaded Barrel
Tactical Kinetics, commonly called “The Barrel Guys”, makes rifle and pistol barrels. These barrels are 100 percent made in the USA. I was in need of a Glock 17 threaded barrel, so I asked if they would send one for review. Here we are, G17 barrel in hand, with many rounds down range.
Since I had previous experience with a Tactical Kinetics’ rifle barrel, I expected the same quality. I was not disappointed. The threaded G17 barrel was beautifully made, inside and out. It came in a Black Nitride finish, giving it a smooth dark finish. Plain stainless steel and titanium nitride (TiN) are also available. This particular barrel was engraved with the “TK” logo on the hood, and the model/caliber (17 - 9x19) on the exterior side of the chamber. Amazing to me, was the ability to get a non-logoed version, with no markings at all for the same price. It made me think, “they are in it for the barrel”, not just to show off.
The specifications on this 9mm barrel are pretty standard for replacement barrels. It starts out with pre-hardened 416R stainless steel. Pre-hardening the barrel makes it less susceptible to becoming flawed during the hardening process, thus making a more accurate barrel. It does use a SAAMI spec chamber. The barrel is button rifled with 6 grooves in a 1 in 10 twist ratio. The button rifling lets the shooter shoot every type of bullet, from cast lead to copper jackets. A feature that a polygonal rifled barrel will not let you do. On a side note, the rifling is just beautiful. The 1 in 10 twist rate will let the barrel shoot heavier bullets, better. Bullet weight didn’t seem to matter much, in the way of accuracy, for me. Lastly, it is immaculately threaded the standard ½-28 for compensator or suppressor mounting.
I installed the barrel in a Freedom Flag Products G17 slide. I proceeded to then install that slide on a Lone Wolf TWF-C frame. Everything fit together great. The barrel had a very good lock up with the slide. Better than a factory Glock barrel, for sure. So, I took it to the range, many times. As expected, it worked like a champ. All different types of ammunition cycled. I don’t remember ever having a failure to feed or extract from this barrel. The polished feed ramp probably helped this, as it is really smooth.
What would a barrel review be without some sort of accuracy testing? Probably not a review. So off to the range I went with a handful of different 9mm ammunition types and manufacturers. I measured out 15 yards from the shooting bench, and posted up some targets. I then proceeded to rest the pistol on my shooting bag. I know, not the best rest, but suitable for real world accuracy testing. Here are some of the 5 round groups I shot. They are all good representations of the specific loads tested. My best group was Sig Elite performance 115gr at 1.10”’s.
Freedom Munitions Hush 165gr - 2.26”
Corbon +P 115gr JHP - 2.18”
Federal Champion Brass 115gr - 3.22”
Blazer Brass 124gr - 2.21”
CCI Lawman 124gr - 1.68”
Sig Elite 115gr - 1.80”
I would have no problem putting the Tactical Kinetics barrel up against other manufacturers barrels. You can’t beat the price at $105 plus $18 for a thread protector. It shoots well, has good lock up, and is completely manufactured in the USA. What more could anyone want in an aftermarket Glock barrel. If you’re in the market for a barrel, go check out the Barrel Guys at Tactical Kinetics.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
Glock replacement threaded barrel
Target Market:
Anyone wanting or needing a threaded barrel that fits “Glock” style slides
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
Completely made in house by Tactical Kinetics
6 groove Button Rifling
1 in 10 twist ratio
SAAMI 9mm chamber
416R Stainless Steel
Polished feed ramp (before coating)
Target crown
Black Nitride coated
With or without TK logo
Threaded ½-28
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
Stainless or TiN
What others are saying?:
Tom at RainierArms.com
Excellent drop in threaded barrel
Machining, fit, and finish are excellent. Drop fit nice and tight in a Swenson slide w/Burris Fastfire cut. Shot 100 rounds each of Rem and Win 115gn, and Armscorp and Browning 147gn, largest group at 25 yds was just larger than my palm. Groups better than my Glock factory barrel. Threading for an Omega 9K was excellent, cycled with no issues. Cleaned up with just a few patches after 400 rounds
Link to other reviews:
None found
Price point:
MSRP = $105.00 and $18 for the thread protector
I need it now! Availability:
Tactical Kinetics or Brownells
Our Rating:
Pros:
Less expensive than competitor’s barrels
Quality
Made completely in house
Made in USA
Polished feed ramp
Black Nitride finish
Cons:
Lack of options (fluted, colors, etc)
Thread protector is extra
Score: 8.00 Great
Favorite Link: Gun and Gear Cult
Blackhawk Omnivore
After recently getting into the pistol red dot world I quickly realized one thing, duty style holsters are slim pickings. You basically have safariland and that’s it. Or so I thought. Enter the Blackhawk Omnivore! Yes Blackhawk, the same company that makes the (in my opinion) terribly designed serpa. But the omnivore is different, it doesn’t require trigger finger manipulation to deactivate the retention, and the retention mechanism seems to not be subject to locking up with foreign debris. Since my safariland was on 90 days back order and this Blackhawk was shipping immediately. I figured I’d give it a fair shake and put my Blackhawk bias aside.
The other very notable feature of this holster is it’s pretty much pistol agnostic. It retains and indexes on the light (or rail attachment if you get the non light bearing model) and Blackhawk claims it fits more than 200 different pistols. This would normally be a huge red flag for me as holsters, in general, should be designed to fit a specific gun. But with holsters like the Phlster floodlight and Armadillo lux being two exceptions, it’s not a deal breaker. I opted for the TLR-1/TLR-2 model.
What the TLR-1/TLR-2 version is, it’s better than a serpa, but it’s no safariland.
While I’d prefer to judge this holster on its own merits, it’s pretty much impossible to not compare it to it’s only competitor.
So my first impressions were not good, there were a bunch of plastic pieces and screws that you can/should add into different places and/or mounting platforms. I felt like I had ordered something from Alien gear. Turns out not only do none of these things work, but none are needed at least for my application. There were three different inserts for where the top of the slide meets the holster. I can only assume this is to reduce the play or wobble in the gun. None worked and only made reholstering more difficult. They were held in place by a tiny plastic peg, that I wouldn’t trust, anyhow they are labeled s,m,l. Then there was a piece of plastic labeled “for TLR-1”. Since the instructions/paperwork that came with the holster made no mention of what this was or why to use it, I can only assume you’re supposed to use it if you’re not using the TRL-2. To fill the space where the laser would be. More on that later. It also came with two different height attachments for the thumb drive release button. There are two different mounting platforms included, a paddle and a belt slide but with plastic things for adjusting ride height/belt size. The mounting platforms are the two that come with most “concealment” serpas that are plagued with problems, but the belt slide is the better of the two, so I attached it with the screws provided and attached the clips for my belt size.
Upon inserting the chosen gun, a g19 with trl-1 and Holosun 507c with irons mounted forward, it clicked into place with only a little play, good news! The thumb drive is way too low so I immediately installed the tallest option with the screws provided. I see no reason to not use the tallest option, as it’s the most intuitive, but not quite as intuitive as the safariland als.
I then installed the “tlr-1 adapter” since that was the light I was using. This was the best I could figure, since the instruction manual made no mention of this adapter or how to use it. It clicked into place and seemed semi solid, so I figured I was good to go. On draw strike number two the adapter went flying across the room, “must be operator error” I thought, so I spent a few minutes ensuring I installed it correctly, while looking for YouTube tutorials to help, there were none. As far as I could tell, that was the only way to install the adapter. So I reinstalled it, spending several minutes making sure there was no other way to put it in and it seemed good, then 6 more draw strokes later, it went flying across the room again. No worries though, the gun is retained just as well(as far as I can tell) without it. I later reinstalled it two more times and on installation number four it seemed to stay put. No idea what the problem was.
The draw is smooth enough, again it’s not a safariland, but it’s plenty fine. I certainly appreciated the natural thumb drive motion. Gun is retained well and the retention mechanism seems to be more than adequate for the “gun grab” situation.
The mounting platform isn’t very comfortable but it’s not extremely uncomfortable either. All that said, the mounting platforms are extremely flimsy and not something I would trust for serious use. But deep in the “box of bad ideas” I had some Blackhawk duty gear, that included some more robust mounting platforms. As it turns out, that doesn’t matter. Blackhawk uses a different thread pitch for their duty stuff than their concealment stuff, so none of it would work without going to the hardware store and figuring out what thread pitch, length and head size screws I would need, a task I had no interest in doing.
So I snooped around the interwebs and found a video on this holster from Chuck Presberg. He had run into the same issue and confirmed what I had found about screws and thread pitch. He had mentioned a safariland qls hack, so I looked for this. Turns out it’s fairly easy to modify a qls plate to work with the omnivore for mouthing to safariland attachments, which I prefer anyway. A little dremel and drill work and it was mounted and felt very secure. I should point out I wouldn’t recommend this for duty users since I’m sure the plate is somewhat structurally compromised, but it still feels much more solid than the mounting platforms it came with.
I carried the gun in this bastardized setup on both a ubl mid and a flex adapter, the draw and overall carry experience was pretty much on par with the same setups, as with a safariland holster. Again, the draw stroke is only slightly less efficient than safariland, but that could definitely be because of the thousands of repetitions I have from the competitor’s holster, so I can’t knock it. Maybe my initial impressions were wrong, maybe this is a quality holster.
This is when things took a turn. Several hundred draw strokes in, out came the gun but not the light. The light was still in the holster, held in place by the retention mechanism. Since the holster indexes on the light, not the gun itself, there was nothing holding the gun in the holster. Had I fallen or had someone grabbed the gun, it would have come out freely. Extremely concerned, I tightened the screw on the light as tight as I could without tools (streamlight says not to use tools to tighten the light) and added a whiteness mark, with a paint pen, to keep and eye on this. Hoping this was operator error, I continued the evaluation process, checking the whiteness mark every couple dozen draws. About a week and several hundred draw strokes later, my whiteness mark wasn’t lined up. Sure enough, the screw was loose yet again. The holster seems to be unscrewing the light from the gun. Now the instructions say to line up the slot in a specific orientation, I did that, same issue. I tightened it down as tight as I could get it and no issues drawing but it still would loosen up eventually. This is an issue for me. Now, checking the light screw is part of my daily PMCS. I’ve not had this issue with any other light bearing holster. Is it the end of the world? No, but something to be aware of? Yes
But wait there’s more! Not long after I started the review process, I got word from a friend that his agency (a large law enforcement agent in Florida) had circulated a memo disallowing the use of the omnivore for uniformed and non uniformed duty use, because of the opening at the trigger guard. According to them, it poses a risk for a negligent discharge because the opening for the light is large enough that it’s possible to depress the trigger of the gun while it’s holstered. A Blackhawk holster that can help facilitate a ND? You should see my shocked face. While this isn’t a new issue with light bearing holsters (there are cases of this happening with safariland) I had to explore this and see if the agency was being overly safe, or if this is a real concern, it’s a real concern. With my gun and my hand/finger size, it is absolutely possible for me to get my index finger inside the holster, inside the trigger guard, and press the trigger while establishing a grip on the holstered gun. Uh oh. It should be worth noting that I can indeed press the trigger while the gun is in some safariland light bearing holsters as well, but not while attempting to establish a grip. It has to be from a different angle and is much more difficult. This is a problem.
Overall, if you are an instructor that has a need to use a variety of guns depending on who you’re teaching, or need a range holster for reddot guns this might be an okay option to look at. If you carry a weird gun, that safariland doesn’t offer s rds holster for, this might be your only option. If you have to use a Blackhawk, it’s better than a serpa, but all that said, I’d pass on this holster. And I really wanted to like it.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
CLAIM TO FAME:
Near universal retention holster that is red dot compatible
TARGET MARKET:
People needing a retention holster for use with a red dot and light or for a variety of guns.
FNBS (FEATURES & BENEFITS OF THIS PRODUCT):
Thumb drive retention
Red dot compatible
Indexes on the light
Fits numerous handguns
Thumb activated retention
WHAT OTHER AESTHETIC OPTIONS OR FINISHES ARE AVAILABLE?
TLR-1/ TLR-2, x300u, no light(rail still required)
What others are saying:
Denis B
5.0 out of 5 stars
Works perfectly with my Glock G22 and S/W M and P 40.
As a range/competition holster this product works great. It's not suitable for duty carry and it says so right in the instructions. I carried a Blackhawk Serpa Level III for years but none of the ranges I shoot at or companies offering instruction will allow it. This has saved me the trouble and cost of 2 rigs. One holster does it all. Very happy with this product.
Anthony M.
NOT SAFE!!! DO NOT BUY IF LAW ENFORCEMENT
I've had this holster for about 18 months now and it seemed okay, a little wobbly but overall a good fit, as the time passed it became more and more loose and I had to tighten the screws every other day. Well today, I got in a foot pursuit with a dangerous felon and the piece that secures the gun to the holster snapped off causing my gun to fall out. The part that attaches to the picatinny rail detached from the rail and remained locked into the holster. My gun fell out WHILE IN A FOOT PURSUIT!!!!! This could've very well cost me my life. Because of this, I no longer trust this holster or any holster that attaches using the picatinny rail. I will immediately get rid of this holster and purchase a safariland holster.
Price point:
MSRP - $59.99
I need it now availability:
Our Rating:
Pros
Near universal
Thumb drive retention
Red dot compatible
Actually available for purchase without a 90 lead time (Safariland, looking at you)
Cons:
Mounting platform
Trigger guard opening
Unscrewing the light
Slight play
Score: 5.00 Mediocre
For duty/serious use: 3.00 Awful
Matador Arms "The Regulator"
Matador Arms has been making various aftermarket firearm parts since 2015. They have made products from an SKS chassis to a folding stock adapter. In the range of accessories they manufacture is “The Regulator.” The Regulator is a fully adjustable muzzle brake available in 4 different calibers. I installed the .223/5.56 one on a 16” AR-15.
The first noticeable attribute of The Regulator is its length. It is notably longer than what you may be used to. It measures in at 3.6” long. This is partly due to its adjustability. One probably won’t be able to use this in 3 gun competition, due to a 3” muzzle device rule, but that wasn’t a concern to me. The outside diameter comes in just over an inch at 1.08”. This is also partially due to the adjustability of the Regulator.
The Regulator is essentially a 3 port compensator. Meaning it has 3 large ports on each side, somewhat facing rearward, and 3 holes in the top. The 3 top holes force the muzzle down upon firing. While the 3 side ports help to pull the rifle forward to aid in felt recoil. Of course, the Regulator has the advantage of being adjustable.
Yes, I did mention adjustability, and this is where The Regulator shines. With the Regulator, you can adjust the compensation from all the way off (closed) to fully on (open). In between off and on, are roughly 60 different adjustment points. Best of all, no tools are needed to adjust it. Just turn the adjuster nut at the front of the Regulator. Every 1 of the 60 “clicks” is an adjustment toward closed or open. If you are at an indoor range, for instance, you might want to close the Regulator so you don’t blast the shooters next to you. However, if you want the full compensation effect, open the comp all the way up. If you want to tune your specific ammunition to the firearm, start with the Regulator fully open or closed, and start adjusting until you get the desired amount of compensation. I found that with my rifle there was too much compensation when the Regulator was opened up the whole way. I ended up adjusting it 9 clicks away from full open. This gave me zero muzzle rise and a decent reduction in felt recoil. When I used the Regulator fully closed off, it was exactly like shooting a rifle without a muzzle attachment of any sort.
Full Open
Halfway Open/Closed
Full Closed
Installation is pretty straight forward. In order to install the Regulator, one must first disassemble the muzzle brake. To do this, unscrew the adjuster knob until it comes off. There may be a little spring pressure on the knob, so be careful. Then slide the outer portion of the Regulator off, and the short spring, leaving behind the inner compensator. Install the inner compensator with the 3 holes facing up. Matador Arms includes a crush washer and shims for the install. The inner comp has wrench flats to aid in properly torquing down the compensator. Then reinstall the outer components and hit the range. The inner compensator would also work as a stand alone brake, but I don’t know why one would want to do this.
I tested the Regulator quit a bit. I even measured the muzzle rise, shot times, etcetera with my Mantis X10. I really do like shooting with the Regulator adjusted to my rifle. It definitely reduces muzzle rise to nothing, or even negative muzzle rise if adjusted all the way open. I was able to get faster, accurately placed, follow up shots. From 0.3’s to 0.15-0.20 second split times. I did notice that if adjusting the Regulator between strings of fire, it is hot, so wear a glove, or use some sort of thick cloth. Since the Regulator is adjustable, it will work well on shorter barrels. Shorter barrels usually produce more escaping gases, causing standard muzzle brakes to over compensate. With the Regulator, just adjust the gas output down and this problem is solved. When shooting the Regulator closed, I could definitely notice that it was much quieter to my ear. When fully open, it is loud to the shooter and those near the shooter, but that is just the drawbacks to any compensator. Oh, and sometimes with the Regulator closed, it produces a very large muzzle flash, quite exciting for someone if they aren’t expecting it.
I can say that I am very impressed with the Regulator. Matador Arms did a great job in designing adjustability into a good 3 chamber compensator. It does everything they told me it would do. Go check out Matador Arms, if nothing else, Canadian gun companies could probably use some of our help right now.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
Easily adjustable muzzle brake
Target Market:
Those wanting to tune a muzzle brake or be able to completely close the brake off
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
60+ adjustable settings - full open to full closed
No tools needed to adjust
Triple chamber brake, when not closed
Black Nitride coating
4140 steel
3.6” long
1.08” Outside Diameter
6.8 ounces
Shims and Crush washer included
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
7.62/308, 9mm, 6.5mm
Link to other reviews:
Price point:
MSRP = $149.00
I need it now! Availability:
Our Rating:
Pros:
Super Adjustable
Reduces recoil and muzzle rise
Nitride coated
No tools needed for adjustment
Cons:
Long
Heavy
Not legal for most action rifle competitions (3” long x 1”diameter)
Score: 8.50 Great
Favorite Link: Gun & Gear Cult
Timberwolf TWF-C frame
Lone Wolf Distributors has released their new Timberwolf “Glock” style small frames. I like to call these Version 2, as they have been completely redesigned. They have large and small frames available. The large frame is the .45/10mm, and the small frame is 9mm/.40/etc. This review is on one of the small frame versions, the TWF-C.
Timberwolf frames come in 4 available options. The “TW’ in the part number is, as one would guess, stands for “TimberWolf.” The “F” or “C” stands for full size or compact, either in the frame or the slide. The first “F” or “C” is the slide length you would like to use. I chose the TWF-C, which corresponds to a “full size slide”, so G17 length or longer (think G34), and a “compact” grip frame. This is only a complete frame, so one must supply their own complete slide. Other options are the TWF-F, TWC-F, and TWC-C.
The new Timberwolf frames come with a lot of options. First off, they are a serialized firearm, not an 80%, so they come fully assembled with Lone Wolf parts. Second, they come with a curved and flat backstrap. Third, it has a removable magwell. Fourth, an undercut trigger guard. Fifth, Gen3 or Gen4 slides can be used. Sixth, they fit in standard Glock holsters. Seventh, an accessory rail on the dust cover.
Unlike standard style frames, the TWF-C is small. Even though the width is the same, the circumference is way smaller. This is great for smaller handed shooters. For example, my Polymer80 measures at 5-¾” circumference, while the TWF-C measures 5-¼” with the flat, and 5-⅜” with the curved backstrap. I can definitely tell a big difference. In fact I ended up using the curved backstrap because the flat one is too small for my hand. The grip angle on the Timberwolf frame is also more 1911 style, than Glock style. A good thing for me, as the Glock grip angle never worked well for me.
For those of you who like larger magazine wells, the Timberwolf has you covered. It comes with a removable magwell adapter. I found it to work decently well for its size. The frame has a lip that the magwell just slides over, then the magwell pins at the rear. The design makes it super easy to take it on and off. I leave mine off, as it interferes with my grip on the pistol. It only covers up about 3/16” of the grip, but it reduced the grip enough for me to notice. When the magwell is off, there is still a lip, at the base of the grip, that sticks out a little. Having the option of a removable magwell, is a pretty slick idea.
Now that we understand the TWF-C frame, let's get into how it performs. First things first, I chose the TWF-C because I wanted the shorter frame with a G17 slide. Mainly as a carry gun. The Timberwolf did not disappoint. Since it fits in standard glock holsters, it’s easy to find a carry rig. But, I don’t own any actual “Glocks”, so I used a modified Poly80 holster. It carried better than my compact Polymer80, mainly because the grip on the TWF-C is much more rounded. At the range, the Timberwolf performed flawlessly. It just shoots and shoots. I even used two different aftermarket G17 slides on the frame. One was compensated, one was not. Both served the TWF-C frame well. I did feel like the compensated slide was a bit too long for the compact frame, but that could be just me. The trigger supplied is, so to say, blah. It’s essentially a Glock feeling trigger. But, aftermarket Gen 3 triggers will go into the Timberwolf frame. I might want a more textured frame, but the texture is fine, especially for a carry gun. Smooth frames are also available. Other than that, I really like the Timberwolf frame.
If you're looking for something different in a Glock style pistol, Check out the new Timberwolf frames. Lone Wolf has you covered in the frame option department, with four different ones available. If you have small hands, but want all the options everyone else has, pick up one of these new frames, and feel the difference. Definitely go check out Lone Wolf, for their complete frames and complete slides, you can get a complete TWF-C pistol, if that’s your thing.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
Compact pistol frame that takes G17 slides
Target Market:
Those wanting a small length grip frame with a longer length slide
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
Gen 3 or Gen 4 compatible
Frame comes complete and assembled
Flat and Curved Backstraps
Removable Magwell
Undercut frame
Textured or smooth grip
Beavertail
Light rail
Gen 4 style magazine catch
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
What others are saying?:
Nothing found
Link to other reviews:
Tactical Outdoorsman on YouTube
Price point:
MSRP = $224.95
I need it now! Availability:
Our Rating:
Pros:
Small grip
Works with Gen 3 or Gen 4 slides
Removable magwell included
Backstraps included
Undercut trigger guard
Comes complete
Fits standard G17 holsters
Made in USA
Cons:
Lip around bottom of grip
Magwell makes grip slightly shorter
Needs more texture on grip
Score: 8.00 Great
Favorite Link: Gun & Gear Cult
Combat Flip Flops: The Floperator
I have owned numerous pairs of flip flops, most of which are just plain junk. The toe thong would dig into the web between my toes, the straps would cut into the top of my feet and they were just uncomfortable. They were everything from cheap tourist flip flops to the expensive ones purchased at department stores.
A few months ago I purchased a pair of Combat Flip Flops. When I first tried them I noticed the straps were comfortable and the sole cushioned my feet nicely. They have been worn during all facets of daily life from the house to running errands. These were different from any other set of flip flops I have ever owned. They felt comfortable and fit well. Most importantly they did not cut into the web between my toes or dig into the top of my feet. The traction was good, especially on wet or slippery surfaces. The velcro patches allow you to add small patches to personalize them.
The biggest issue was the logo cut into the heel. This felt uncomfortable the first few times I wore them, however, they felt more comfortable as the logo wore down with use. .
As a side note, they have several charitable endeavors including educating Afghan children and giving women the ability to start their own businesses.
As stated on Combat Flip Flops’ web site, these are bad for running and worse for fighting, but make a great pair of flip flops. .
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
High Quality Flip Flop
Target Market:
Anyone who wears flip flops.
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
High quality construction
Comfortable fit.
Good traction on various surfaces
Velcro patches on straps.
Charitable Endeavors
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
What others are saying?:
Review on the Combat Flip Flop Web Site:
Five Stars (https://www.combatflipflops.com/collections/mens-flip-flops/products/mens-floperator-shadow)
Sorry it took me so long to find y'all, these are the best Combat Flip Flops EVER! From the comfort to the details from the logo at the bottom the removable patch to the strap around the toes! These sandals are built for anything outdoor and so comfortable to wear indoor and all day! I know what everyone is getting for Christmas keep up the great hard work..
Link to other reviews:
Price point:
MSRP = $39.99 (Combat Flip Flops)
I need it now! Availability:
Our Rating:
Pros:
High quality construction
Comfortable fit.
Good traction on various surfaces
Velcro patches on straps.
Veteran Owned
Charitable Endeavours
Cons:
Logo in heel
Hard time running or fighting in them.
Score: 8.00 Great
Lucid Optics "Litl Mo"
Lucid Optics has released their Micro Red Dot. It is designated the “Litl Mo”. Having used some of Lucid Optics' other products, I was excited to get one for review. Once received, I mounted it up on my slide with an adapter plate. This little red dot is getting to be a favorite for range use and competition.
Lucid’s Litl Mo has a lot of features packed in it’s small package. It has a 3 MOA dot. A good compromise for either pistol or rifle use. The Litl Mo uses a Venom/Viper/Doctor footprint. This gives it the capability to be used on a lot of different mounts. It is NOT an RMR footprint, which I personally would have liked, and is, in my opinion, the other industry standard. It also includes a picatinny rail mount for even more mounting options. One fantastic feature of the Lucid, is its side battery tray. It uses a CR1632 battery, which just rests in the little tray, and slides in. There are no screws to hold it in, just some friction magic. I could not get the tray to open on its own, and trust me, I tried. This side battery tray allows the user to change the battery without removing the optic, thus leaving your zero alone. The physical size is 45mm Long x 25mm Wide x 30mm high. Of course, the Litl Mo is also shockproof and waterproof.
There are a few more features of the Litl Mo too. Using it’s 19mm x 28 mm window allows for a great sight picture. This larger sized window really makes the Litl Mo shine. It is so easy to find the red dot. This, of course, allows for fast first shots on target and faster follow up shots. There is a 2 hour auto off on this optic. This would be fine if it had an auto on feature, but it doesn’t. Not to worry, the next generation will not have the auto off. Instead, it will be on, when you turn it on, and off, when you turn it off. Along those lines, the Litl Mo has 8 brightness settings. To turn it on, off, or adjust brightness, just hit either the “+” or “-” button on the left side of the optic. To turn it off, just hold one of the buttons down for around 3 seconds. Because of the auto off function, this optic lends itself to range use only. Which disappoints me, since I would like to use it on a carry gun. The Litl Mo uses a slotted type screw adjustment for windage and elevation, but has no “clicks”. I had no problem zeroing the red dot. Plus, it never lost zero for me.
Micro red dots are becoming the new normal for handgun sights. I mounted the Litl Mo on a Glockish Polymer 80 build. So the Litl Mo got banged around pretty good. I was just about ready to write my review, and the red dot started having problems. The dot would disappear when the slide went forward. I will say it was after around 1200 rounds. I contacted Lucid, they sent a call tag and a new Litl Mo. Of course, I was the first to have a problem. After they looked at it, it was a battery terminal problem. I was informed that they “tweaked” the design a little to prevent it in the future. Customer service was awesome, so no complaints there. Since this is not a “life on the line” optic, it didn’t bother me too much. I have not had any problems with the replacement Litl Mo.
The Lucid Optics Litl Mo is a good micro red dot. I was expecting a little more from a $350 micro red dot. It is built well, has good useability, and good functionality. The lack of staying on, or “waking” up, doesn’t lend itself to the price range it is in. On the plus side, the Litl Mo is a quality built product.
Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points
Claim to Fame:
Micro Red dot
Target Market:
Those wanting a quality micro red dot
FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):
3 MOA dot
Side battery tray
Uses a CR1632 battery
Vortex Venom/Viper, Docter optic mounting footprint
Picatinny rail mount included
Shockproof up to .458 SOCOM
½ MOA adjustments, no clicks
IPX7 waterproof
2 hour auto off - next version will not have this
19mm x 28mm window
8 brightness settings
45mm Length x 25mm Width x 30mm height
Weight - 1 ounce
What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?
None
What others are saying?:
Too New - nothing found
Link to other reviews:
Price point:
MSRP = $349.99
Retail = $289.95 at Primary Arms
I need it now! Availability:
Our Rating:
Pros:
Good Window size
Side battery tray
Dot size
Lifetime warranty
Cons:
No shake awake or stay awake mode
2 hr Auto off
Not an RMR footprint
Price
Score: 6.00 Okay
Favorite Link: Gun & Gear Cult
