All posts by Soda_Pop

Safariland Holsters aren’t just for Cops

Safariland HolstersSafariland is pretty much a staple product line for Law Enforcement around the Country, but they don’t make everything just for that leather looking State Police Officer.  If you’ve never checked out their competition shooting holsters, there’s a whole other world out there in the firearms industry that has grown to the point that it’s almost becoming a new industry within the firearm world.   There’s a reason most Law Enforcement need retention holsters but it’s not something anyone with a CCW should rule out.  Having retention on a firearm holster does not necessarily mean that it’s going to be slower to pull out.    I’d highly recommend level II holsters because I’ve seen guns fall out of holsters and heard more than a few stories of firearms ending up in toilets.

I’ve pretty much cleared out most of my Fobus holsters that were not the E2 versions because there is that extra tension I can get with the tension screw that is somewhat of a comfort zone for me.   I definitely foresee having more of the Safariland Holsters like the ALS growing in my collection because you will probable get the most variety of flashlight options for your weapon.  The paddles are very secure but somewhat of a pain to get off, not as easy as a Fobus paddle but the other factor you have to be careful about is, how far off the body your holster is going to ride.  I’ve not done exact measurements but it does feel like the Blackhawk Serpa holsters seem to sit further off the body and make CCW rather difficult.   Wearing the right type of gun belt is going to make a big difference as to weather a holster is going to be comfortable so always keep that in mind when evaluating holsters.

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What’s your price range and we’ll tell you, starting at $400 and up, Aimpoint Patrol Rifle,Me Eotech 512 or Meprolight M21

Eotech SightsAimpoint Patrol Rifle OpticsMeprolight M21 SightsThere are plenty of good deals that you can get on used optics, we’re actually thinking about taking in some used optics because in all reality, how much is a 2yrs old Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optics worth?  I’ve purchased plenty of firearms that holster wear or were technically used, but probable had less than 500rds through them.   Optics really don’t loose value, or shouldn’t.   One thing you have to be careful about when shopping on Ebay or Amazon, is that sometimes if the price is too low, it might not be what you think it is.   There is a great post from Larry Vickers that had a student show up in a class and didn’t know he had a knock off Aimpoint.   Unless you have a friend getting divorced I doubt you’ll find any used Eotech, Aimpoint or Meprolight M21 for under $325 that is real or working condition so beware.

I understand the reason for red dot optics, but just never adapted to it, I see a lot of Special Ops guys running the Aimpoint T-1 and I get it, but my eyes track the Eotech Sights much better and the Meprolight M21 Bullseye is 90% of what an Eotech is with maybe 10% difference as far as Pros and Cons.   If you noticed, Eotech has discontinued several optics all due to the mounts that they use to have and now are sold with QD mounts.   That is something worth thinking about because a broken optic that needs to be removed with a tool is not something you are going to want to do under stress.    The Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic is probable the best of everything, longer battery life, night vision compatible, excellent mount, but do you need night vision?  The field of view is smaller with the Aimpoint Patrol Rifle Optic so for open range use that may mean something.  All of the above can get new or used in and around the $400+ or – range and all worth considering.

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Was their something wrong with Glock Magazines? Stick with Magpul PMAGS for your AR

MAGPUL PMAGSMAGPUL Glock MagazinesI’m getting sales calls from people asking about the Magpul Glock magazines and maybe it’s just me, but I have no idea why Magpul is bothering with this?  We had a lot of issues with the Magpul AK magazines and I can’t say that it’s all the magazines fault, it’s more like… how the heck are you going to make a Spec Magazine for a firearm that has so many manufacturers?  We have enough problems with customers walking in and asking for Glock holsters and finding out some of the Gen 1, Gen2, Gen 3 and Gen 4 Glock handguns don’t all fit in the same holsters.  There are slight trigger guard differences and you never know when there might be a slight variation in production that will affect you in someway, it’s just a reality of manufacturing.

We’ve seen so many recalls in this industry from hammer springs causing failures to fire, trigger bars sliding out of triggers after a certain round count, out of spec AR15 Bolt Carriers and even some bad runs on Magpul PMAGS.   I still highly recommend using PMAGS but all of this venturing into making magazine for Glocks and AKs just doesn’t seem like a good idea.  Now with Kalashnikov USA moving production to the United States, I’ll have to consider doing a review of Magpul AK Magazines working in an American Made AK and see how they run, but there are so many after market magazines out there that Magpul venturing into too many things seems to diminish their image in my opinion.

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Blade Tech Holsters, IWB and OWB holsters, things to consider………

Blade Tech HolstersThere are a lot of holsters out there but it pays to do research or walk into a store and hold it in your hands before you buy.   I  have seen people buy $90 holsters online and find them uncomfortable or they find the clothing they are wearing doesn’t work for the holster they purchased.  Things to think about when choosing a holster are the depth the gun will sit in it, usually a holster like the Galco Kingtuk will have some adjustability, but also knowing how much the gun might sit off your body is another.  Not all paddle holsters are the same in these regards and some sit lower than others.   Recently we had some customer stop in our store that were doing IDPA but had no idea if the vests they were buying would cover the gun.   It really isn’t just the clothing, it can also be the holster design.

I think OWB is a better way to conceal carry but that’s your decision, it usually more comfortable and easier to access.  Some of the Blade Tech Holsters that are IWB are very sturdy and I would attribute that to the double loop design, sometimes that one clip holster design doesn’t cut it and can cause the gun to cant and not be where you want it if you needed it.  Expect to see lots of Glock gun holsters, Sig Sauer holsters for Inside the Waistband, Outside the Waistband and The Blade Tech Evolution holsters.

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Midwest Industries Accessories, Flip Up Sights and AK Rail Systems

Midwest Industries AccessoriesThere are times I just purchased something because it looked good, and if I was happy with the product, I’d go back and research what else they have.   I’ve used the Midwest rear Flip Up sight for My LWRC M6A1 for years and only had to take it off once I added a magnifier for my Eotech 512.   It’s another one of things you learn that whenever you add something to your Carbine, that you might find an issue and have to alter or take something else off.   I’ve had a lot of people run into issues when making rail system changes and then finding out that the Surefire tape switch they are using won’t reach around to where they want it to, and end up having to be creative or spend more money to get the job done.

One thing that stands out with Midwest Industries accessories are their rail systems, if you are an AK enthusiast and want to put a light on your rifle, it’s kind of difficult to do with any tradition stock.   There are some handguard rail systems that make putting optics like a Vortex Sparc red dot,  as a low profile optic,  that can make your AK into a nice scout type rifle.   I see a lot of sales for the Midwest AK74/AK47 Quadrail.  With any alteration of stocks with AK’s, always be aware you are dealing with a product made in the third world and the specs might not be accurate, slight fit modifications are the norm so take your time and don’t break anything.

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Mako stocks and accessories, easy to install and worth consideration

Mako AccessoriesWe definitely have the sales data to show that Mako Group accessories move.   I sometimes get a headache thinking about what I should consider changing on any of My AR15 rifles out, the real answer it to buy another Carbine and do it to that and not remove anything that is on My gun.   People tend to overthink the AR15 and there’s a pretty funny picture that’s been around for over a decade of a guy with an AR that has everything from a camera to a can opener on it but it’s somewhat accurate as to many bells and whistles people put on there rifles.  The saying the Mission drives the gear should apply to your personal firearm, if you don’t use it, and don’t need it, you should probable not put it on, with every screw and battery or wired device, there’s another thing that can fall off or fail, and that’s how you should think when accessorizing.

One accessory we are selling a lot are the Mako Accessories like the Mako AR Magwell grip, this is an easy thing to put on and something to consider if you aren’t sure what kind of foregrip to put on your carbine.   That might mean needing a Magpul MOE stock, or a Midwest quad rail system.  Now there are keymod options that can make you feel like you’re researching for a science project.  The Mako Flashlight adaptors are also big sellers and work with many of the Surefire flashlights.  There is a standard and side mounted version and they work very well if you mount your light correctly.  The Mako Front Grip Magazine holder is also something we sell a lot of.  Mako is also the same company that makes the Meprolight M21 Optics which is another outstanding option for an AR optic.

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Wait for the New Production Surefire Flashlights

Surefire Weapon LightsThey are all coming out now and it’s something we often warn people about.   The benefit of being an authorized dealer for many of the products we sell is that we get the NEW stuff.    There is a lot of technology in the products we sell, from Body Armor to flashlights and even footwear.   Things can change like the weather and I’m not talking about the gimmicks and fads with all of the AR15 accessories.   We see things come and go, but when I look at how much output some of these new flashlights are putting out, the value of something like the Surefire Scout M300 Flashlights that are now putting out 300 lumens, you are getting a light almost 3x’s what it was 3yrs ago and an excellent mount in the $300 price range.

Always call or email us about Surefire product pricing because they have a very strip MAP (minimum advertising price) for online sales and we are aggressively marketing Surefire Weapon Mounted lights since they are increasing in value due to technological improvements.   We here people say all the time that they buy a lot of this stuff at better prices on Ebay or Amazon, but you really have to check the technical specs of what you are buying because it may be outdated products or old inventory and we are seeing it all over. We have some good closeout prices on the Surefire M300 200 Lumen light without the Tape Switch for a discounted price.

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Spike’s Tactical Upper Receivers #1 AR15 for builders

Spike's Tactical Upper ReceiversWe’ve had the pattern for over 3yrs now and that’s one reason we have been stocking Spikes Tactical products for almost 2yrs.   The AR15 is the modern musket and can be customized for just about anyone.   I’ve seen people in wheel chairs target shoot them and now many are getting SBR’s or Short Barrel Rifles, and even making AR Pistols.   I don’t see much of the need to have an SBR or anything longer than 20″ in my arsenal, there are a lot of people building their own AR15s, especially if they get  good deal on a lower receiver.  People often ask us if it’s cheaper to build your own AR15, and the truth is you might save about $100-$200 but atleast you get what  you want instead of buying a Carbine and then having to take of something off it and spend money on accessorizing it.

I don’t like the idea of matching more than 2 brands of parts because we’ve seen so many out of spec issues with people building guns that just because it says it was “milspec” doesn’t mean that it is.   There are so many manufacturers out there to choose from but if you don’t know where to start, you can go wrong with Spike’s Tactical Upper Receivers and Lower Parts kits. There are a lot of good deals on lowers right now because prices have come down and there are people that still bought into the panic buying 2yrs ago and are off loading them.   Whether you are just looking to put another grip on your AR, replace worn out triggers or springs, check out all of the Spikes Parts Kits we have to offer.

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Smith & Wesson Factory Magazines and the M&P 9 and 40

Smith & Wesson Factory MagazinesWe see all of the trends in the firearm industry and have enough experience to say NO, to stocking inventory on certain firearms but the sales data just doesn’t justify keeping inventory around for it.   When I think of Smith & Wesson handguns I usually think of the wheel guns because it’s such and established brand with so many firearms that have been in use for a long time.   When Law Enforcement started making the changes from 38 Special or 357 Magnum to Semi-auto handguns, there was a period of time that the handguns out were really not that great.  It was really a machining and engineering starting point.   There were a few S&W guns in the 80’s and 90’s that were OK, but nothing compares to the reliability and durability of what firearm manufacturers are putting out these days.

I’ve got a few wheel guns in my safe that get used very often but the one firearm I’ve been eyeballing for a long time is the Smith & Wesson M&P.   I’m always torn when I see these 9/40 guns because I’m always wishing I had a 45acp.   The capacity on the 9mm is 17rds the 40 is 15rds and and the 45acp holds 10rds.  These have the interchangeable backstraps, there are compact models and it’s up to you have you want to thumb safety.   We stock a lot of the Smith & Wesson Factory Magazines for all of the M&P handguns, from the Shield to the M&P.   There AR15 rifles are always probable in my Top 5 list of AR15s to recommend.

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Elite Survival Ankle Holsters, there’s just something they did right

aahs_holsterWe’ve got enough history with certain holster companies that we can tell you what works just based on sales data.   It’s not just what sells and goes out the door, it’s also about what comes back in, whether its something that breaks or something people just don’t like.   Ankle holsters are a niche of our overall sales, but one of the most returned items until we started carrying the Elite Survival Ankle holsters.   We’ve had about a 75% return rate with other brands, Desantis, Galco and Uncle Mike’s.   I can’t blame it all on them being bad designs because there is a mentality that some people have that makes them think they want an ankle holster, but then they find out how uncomfortable and awkward it is to carry in this manner.

If you don’t have the right cut on the bottom of your pants, expect to have problems with your pant leg hanging up on the holster.  It’s not very practical for CCW and the vast majority of people actually buying them and using them properly are Police Detectives or people that do a lot of driving.   Ankle carry is very practical if you are driving a lot but other than that, you really need to consider pocket carry.  If we hear you complain too much about looking for a “comfortable holster” what you might not want to hear from us, is that you are carrying the wrong gun.   If you are seriously looking for an ankle holster, we have probable a 5% return rate on The Elite Survival Ankle holster.  The fit for the holster is very accommodating for various firearms and you can get the calf support strap for a few extra bucks if need be.

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