All posts by Soda_Pop

What size Gunvault Gun Safe should you buy and what are you really going to be putting in it?

Gunvault Gun SafesOne of the items people really want to see in their hands instead of ordering it online are the Gunvault Gun safes.    You can give people all the measurements and specs but it still doesn’t mean anything to them because all they know about their handguns are the barrel lengths and hardly anyone knows the over all length and how certain guns are going to fit in them.   “Will a Springfield XD and Glock 19 with a flashlight fit in this gun safe” are questions we often get asked.    It’s usually better to go with a large safe than a smaller one and placement of a safe in your closet or wherever and knowing  you can bolt it down is also very important.   The real reason to lock you stuff up is preventing Children from having access to them and making it difficult for someone to pull a smash and grab and walk out your door with your firearms because you left them in a dresser.     There is a drawervault that you can consider if your dresser drawer is where you want to put your gun but I’m not the biggest fan of putting a gun there because it’s one of the first places criminal look for valuables.

I’ve heard about all of  the gun safe breaches that can occur and if you give a criminal too much time, they’ll be able to get into any safe, but hiding the gunsafe in a closet and making sure it’s covered with clothing or a towel is also a good way to make a fast moving criminal glance over it and not see anything but a pile of clothing.     You can use most of these saves in a car if you need to but the Microvault is probable the most popular since most people are only putting 1 handgun in the safe because they have to go  in and out of buildings with metal detectors or places where carrying in prohibited.   The Gunvault Gun Safes that I usually suggest people getting are the standard or deluxe Multivaults because even though you want to lock up your firearms, there are plenty of other things you might want to consider putting in the safe like jewelry, gun magazines or various important documents and these safes can run out of room real fast.

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Fabrics have changed and it does pay to wear the right clothing

Under Armour Heat GearThere are many things that we sell that can be ruined by body sweat, firearms, parts, magazines body armor, holsters ect, and I, unfortunately have some stories about how I accidentally pitted the barrel of a j-frame revolvers as a novice CCW holder that used a leather holster during Pennsylvania Summer heat waves and the salts from my body sweat absorbed into the leather and over time, transferred to the firearm and ruined the finish.  If you read through military history, there are all sorts of stories about how wooden stocks, gun powder and firearms were ruined from moisture.  “Maintenance” is an important thing to do to keep any tactical gear in good condition and having a good moisture wicking shirt on in the summer that does not hold in body sweat is something to consider even if you are not in Law Enforcement.

I highly recommend wearing body armor  while being on firing ranges because there are so many idiots out there the lack muzzle discipline and depending on the type of training course, statistics say that bullets can do strange things and it’s an extra insurance policy.   We have been bringing in large quantities of Under Armour Heat Gear this summer, mostly on the requests of local Police Departments because it’s so important for them to change from Under Armour Cold Gear to Under Armour Heat Gear because sitting in a car for hours with a winter like we just had to jumping from Air Conditioned Patrol vehicles to an eventual Summer Hot weather can be physically stressful and with all the duty gear they have to wear,  comfort is extremely important to be physically and mentally alert.

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There were Movies about Cops and Robbers and now, Bad guys are Chemists

Trijicon ACOGSSure thinks like Opium, Ayahuasca and Marijuana have been for a long, long time, and they are very well embedded into different cultures, for Religious experious, cultural rituals or just because it feels good and a society has accepted it.  You can always weight the tolerances on morality and different belief systems but in America, sometimes its just because people want the experience.   There is a certain point people have to make decisions for themselves and from an adult/parent point of view, I hope none of my kids are dumb enough to take something off the street that manufactured by somebody working in a lab out of their basement.  The reality of what goes on at Certain Colleges, especially the whole “Rave” thing is almost a survival of the fittest and from a Law Enforcement point of view it’s extremely disturbing to see these young beautiful women caving in to this environment and after talking to so many in Emergency Services about the growing problems.   The New Voltage Pictures  Steven Seagul Red Box Action/Crime movie,  gets into what is really going on with how drug operations are, with bad heroin, ecstasy ect.   To be a Cop these days and realize you can only get so far down the chain, most of the time, to shutdown drug operations is a sad reality and it’s more like “whack a mole” because the chain usually goes further. Steven Seagul Action Movies Street Wars Trailer

Cop movies use to be about bank robbers and the Mafias or a syndicate, but shows like “Breaking Bad” kind of shocked people because it’s rare that people understand that so many of the drugs, like Crystal Meth or even Ecstasy, are made in a Lab in someones home and the occasional “bad dope” gets a news story because of all the deaths that hospitals report, and the sick thing is sometimes, many times, it’s all part of the drug operations game plan.   Steven Seagul is back as Elijah Kane in the next part of the True Justice Series called “Street Wars”  I picked up late in the series but have been on-board and looking forward to the June 3rd release of “Street Wars” on RedBox.   Redbox is all over the place and sometimes a better “movie night” option than what you are limited to on your FIOS or Comcast Cable networks.

In “Street Wars” Elijah Kane picks up the trail of drug operation after a fatality at a Rave Club and his department is sent to investigate.   With so many that are in the drug culture,  there’s a segment that like the party life, and don’t feel involved with the violence and brutality of what drugs, money and greed brings out in people.  Elijah Kane is the Action Hero not afraid to wield a Benelli M4 Shotgun or take the bad guys down with his bare hands and the tough Female Cop Co-Stars-  Meghan Ory ( Juliet Saunders) and Sarah Lind (Sarah Montgomery)  have gun fight scenes with Glocks, H&K MP5s which looked decked out with Trijicon ACOGS  and look like TA01 models, while battling and fighting the bad guys while  Elijah Kane beguns uncovering and shutting down a far reaching opration that may lead back to dirty cop in his Cities Police Department.   I’m noticing lots of equipment changes and firearms added into the “Street Wars” action but as an action Movie Buff and Law Enforcement Industry worker I’m entertained.

 

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If it’s not Magpul PMAGS it’s Lancer Magazines

Lancer 30rd MagazinesLancer AR15 MagazinesLancer 10rd AR15 MagazinesLancer Products are products are magazines we didn’t know much about until we started getting into the competition shooter market and lots of sponsored 3 gun shooters told us that they are pretty popular amongst them.   Usually when we hear something about a product, watching YouTube reviews is where we go to and get first hand reviews from people that have done various tests or comparisons and it’s really a great resource to learn about tactical gear, firearm accessories and certain features that you might not know about.   There are pros and cons of AR15 Magazines like USGI and Polymer Magazines like Magpul PMAGs and from what I gather, the biggest negative about PMAGS VS USGI is the life of the magazines due to material breakdowns over the course of several decades.   This is a reality with things like Glock firearms because you won’t be able to shoot those 100years later like you could with a Colt 1911 and metal magazines won’t break down like plastic and the likes.

Well, that might not be an issue for most of us because we can expect to wear things out in a matter of years if we shoot enough but it is something to consider.   Back to Lancer AR15 Magazines though, they are not as common in gun shops and you might be the first one in your group to own them but they have enough of a track record for being in the same league for durability as Magpul.   You can weigh the need for having translucent magazines vs needing windows on an AR15 but if you want magazines with reliability and durable magazine  followers, these are something to put in your stockpile.   They have AR15 10rd Magazines, AR15 20rd Magazines and AR15 30rd magazines.  The Advanced War Fighter magazines have been used by the Military and check out Youtube for more reviews and info about them because you’ll get a lot more there than from me.

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Galco Holsters the STOW-N-GO vs Kydex and Nylon

Galco HolstersWe sell tons of CCW holsters and usually leave it up to the customer to decide on what they want, everyone’s tolerances are different and adjusting to certain levels of discomfort and limitations in movement are going to have to be accepted.   “I want a comfortable Holster” and when we get asked that, we tell them to get a pocket holster and see what there reaction is.   There are some pretty nice pocket carry friend pants available the 5.11 Covert Khaki 2.0, not to be confused  with the earlier covert khaki pants (which I don’t have a fond opinion of) are one of the few non-tactical looking pants that have deep pockets.   If you are stuck on carrying a larger frame firearm, you are going to have to accept that certain methods of carry are going are not going to work for you.    Leather has a very nice look but even from a Law Enforcement standpoint, leather is on it’s way out and  more people are going for leather/Kydex hybrids and STX finishes.

The Smith & Wesson Bodyguard is probable one of the most popular off duty firearms in our area and the most popular holster that we are getting positive responses from is the Galco Stow-n-go holsters.   This soft suede like  material, depending on the size of gun you have, doesn’t dig into  you the way that Kydex inside the waist holsters often do and if you are fond of Galco holsters as a brand name this is something to consider putting into your Summer carry CCW or Off Duty holster options.    The Sig 239 is also a very good match for this holster as well as many Glock firearms and Sig Sauer firearms.    We’ll be looking out for the Glock 42 holsters which I’m sure will  be out shortly.

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You need 2 Sleeping bags a Summer Bag and a Winter Bag so check out the Recon Sleeping Bags

Recon 2 Sleeping BagsRecon 3 Sleeping BagsRecon 4 Sleeping BagsRecon 5 Sleeping BagsWe have been expanding our EMS and Search and Rescue product lines in the last year from medical kits, Quick Clot sport and Combat Gauze as well as Timberline EMS Rescue Tools and Leatherman Multi-tools that are geared towards military, survival and Paramedics and EMTs.   There are always interesting products that Search and Rescue personnel buy from us that make you think they are going to be repelling off a cliff or going off on a jungle adventure.   One thing everyone knows in this industry is something many use to learn in Boy Scouts is “being prepared” is the best mindset you can have.  I don’t know the number of times I’ve been on friend or family trips and someone didn’t even think to bring rain gear or medical supplies.   There’s something to be said about survival of the fittest and when you are going in the outdoors for long periods of time, sometimes the possibility that something could go wrong and you might be out longer than expected is a real possibility.  Packing light is something that is much easier to do today and if you have old camping gear or outdated sleeping bags you might want to consider doing a clean out of your attic.

We picked up the Recon Sleeping bags via Elite Survival Systems and didn’t know much about them until they came in stock but we were really impressed with out light and compact these are.   There are always extreme temperatures that one can endure and not every sleeping bag is going to be good for -10 C and also be good for 95F temperatures.   Many in the Search and Rescue are aware that deployments might be a  lot longer and getting stuck over night in a not so great environment is a reality.   I’ve found that packing lighter gear especially camping and hiking gear is becoming easier and easier.   The lighter the sleeping bag the more food or gear you will be able to carry and even something like the Recon 2 Sleeping Bags or Recon 3 sleeping Bags and some type of emergency blanket that might only weigh a few ounces and cost less than $5 keeps your backpack light and gives you much more tolerance to cold temperatures.   The Recon Sleeping bags are very friendly to being geared up and ready to good since the bottom of the bag gives you the ability to move around with boots on without snagging or twist up.

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The Importance of Hydration Bags, and not making last minute guesses

5.11 Bags5.11 Tactical Hydration PouchThere are a lot of things you can buy in this industry that are a gimmick but there are plenty of things like Hyrdration packs that can be the difference between ending up in the Hospital with heat stroke vs. making overtime and getting a good pay check because you were able to run security at an event because you came prepared.    Most of us have some level of experience with backpacking or hiking, bike riding or jogging but finding the right balance for how much you need without over packing takes a little bit of foresight.    There are plenty of guys that have been in the military and know how to pack for trip and carrying the least amount of weight means less physical stress.  The same goes for someone working as an EMS or Law Enforcement Station and we hear all the stories about hospital visits and lack of preparation every time there is a running event or golf tournament.

Another thing to put into consideration is not just bringing water with you, that’s an easy thing to find if you run low, but you will need to replace more that just water but maintaining your hydration gear from mold or mildew means getting the right packs or bottles that have anti-microbial materials built into them.    We sold a ton of the 5.11 Tactical Bags last summer as well as Elite Survival Systems and Camel backs from 1 liter to 2 Liter backpacks.  If you are using a bag, many don’t realize that there are compartments to stow hydration packs that have a slot in them were the hydration tube can go.   Carbine Courses are another thing you should consider getting something for because its normal to have to carry all of your ammunition, gear and food with you.

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Reviews about gun lubrication, Slip 2000 and how things have changed with gun cleaning

Slip 2000 EWLThere are a ton of lubricants out there for firearms that have made major leaps forward from M-Pro7 to Frog Lube to Slip 2000.  I still have ancient remnants of gun cleaning supplies sitting in my reloading room that are probable going to end up in the hands of my grandchildren if I don’t conjure up the courage to thrown them out, but I’ve used Rem Oil and a few other items in those piles to fix door knobs and swivels on cabinets and it seems a waste to just chuck it.   I have however given up on using anything but M-Pro 7 and Slip 2000 on my firearms because I’ve pretty much found what I’ve been looking for.   There are always slight pros and cons between M-Pro 7, Frog Lube and Slip 2000 but I don’t notice the difference.   Chemical engineering and synthetic oils have crossed over from car oils to gun oils and I actually have a few friends that use Mobil 1 on their guns although that does not have the preservatives that Slip 2000 or some of the other weapon lubricants have.

I have used the Slip 2000 EWL on all of my AR15 and also my AK rifles and even after using the rifles for hundreds of rounds the bolt carrier group still looks wet.   Sure if you heat the gun up in a firefight the lube is going to burn off at a higher rate but Slip 2000 EWL has a good reputation from some of our Special Ops customers that in all honesty, was the recommendation for us to carrier the product line.  I am going to work on some of the Copper Removers and see what I notice but I have never really felt the need to have to have this done on the combat rifles I own due to the fact that I never notice any deterioration in the accuracy as of yet.   For handguns and bolt action rifles you can use the Slip 2000 EWL but If  you look at the technical specs on it, it’s probable a bit of an over kill and you best save that for your FAL, AK, Steyr Aug, G3 or other military style rifle.   The Slip 2000 gun lube is probable best for handguns, bolt actions and revolvers.

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Firearms Accessories are like opening a tool box, Crimson Trace Laser Grips……..

Crimson Trace Laser GripsOne of the best analogies I’ve ever heard when discussing a Mini 14 vs AR15 debate over on the The Firing Line.com was a debate about how crappy the Mini 14 was and how it didn’t hold up.   I remember a talking to someone that referenced that the difference between various rifles was the difference between a 9 iron, a wedge and a putter.  The Golf analogy has stuck with me and have often used it in Training, even when people talk about different ammunition from M193 to M855 and the M262.    Each one of those has a different velocity and terminal ballistics.    When the discussion is about Trijicon ACOGS, Eotechs and Aimpoints, the same analogy applies.   The AR15 is probable the most versatile firearm in existence and adding different optics and accessories to it can give you a short range advantage or a long range advantage and often, not both.

A good operator is going to know the limits of his firearm and push the envelope if even need be and the usefulness of Crimson Trace Laser grips isn’t going to be different than any of the previously mentioned topics.  One thing that I have recently proven to myself is that green lasers have an advantage over red laser grips at longer ranges.  One reality about firearm engagements is that “hits” are what count and being under stress is something that many never push themselves to train for.   Lasers are good for I.D. Targets and if you’ve ever been in low light situations the ability to point, still defend yourself and know where your muzzle is actually at, Crimson Trace Laser Grips might give you an advantage in your home or in your line of work.

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New Sig 320 Striker Fire, Ambidextrous Handguns and Rifles are the future

Sig Factory MagazinesI remember hearing all of the stories from my Father’s friends and Uncle’s friends that served in World War II and in Korea, and whenever they talked about the M1 Garand, they always had the statement that “it kicked like a mule” and several of them referenced that they couldn’t hit anything with it.   Well, when I grew up it didn’t take me long to realize it’s because some of these guys didn’t have the physical ability to handle the rifle because it was too long and too heavy for them.   Part of the reason the M14 had such a short life in Vietnam was due to the fact that it was a major improvement over the Garand, but it was too heavy and still hard to control.    You’ll hear the same story from people about various modern firearms, from the Beretta 92FS to the Sig 220 or the 1911 Government Model.   You won’t hear that from anyone that served with the M16 or any Law Enforcement that has an M4 Carbine with an adjustable stock.   The major complaints are going to be from left handed shooters and that’s why modern engineering and technology is introducing ambidextrous handguns and rifles.

The Glock Generation 4 handguns had a rocky introduction to the Firearm Community but it seems they got the bugs worked out.   Smith & Wessons M&P handgun has really taken off but now Sig Sauer is intruding the new Sig 320 that is yet another handgun trying to cut into the Glock Law Enforcement Market.   I realize that Glocks are incredible rugged firearms but the take down of the firearm and reality that not all operators are at high levels of competency means there are inevitibles that are going to occur.  One of the problems we often have when guns like this come out are the availability of accessories, holster and even now, there are major shortages in Sig Factory Magazines for various firearms that have come out, the Sig 210, Sig 224 and Sig 227 seem hard to keep in stock and as this new Sig Sauer 320 hits the market, if it’s a successfully designed firearm out of the box as they claim it is, it’ll be a while for the Law Enforcement Duty Gear and Holsters to catch up.

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