Archive for March, 2014

Tested gear in a breakable world

slingsTroy flash suppressorsTroy Charging HandlesI’ve already got enough experience in this industry to see reticles spin inside a scope tube, folding foregrips crack, firearms explode, magazines blow out and basic operator induced malfunctions.   I think it’s kind of funny that so many of the firearm training DVDs that I have watched about handguns and rifles seem redundant, but the truth of the matter is that Administrative Loading and Unloading can’t be taught enough.   I’ve out shot ARTroy Rail PanelsTroy Gas BlocksTroy Pistol GripsTroy ForegripTroy Trigger GuardTroy QD Sling attachmentTroy Stock attachment15s with Mini 14 because I know the ballistic capabilities and 5.56 bullet twist rate and the pros and cons of each caliber and firearm.   Firearms especially rifles are more like Golf Clubs.   You can’t use a putter to drive a ball accurate, a wedge isn’t good on the green and a wood isn’t good for putting.

Many firearms that people own don’t have a lot of rounds through them, probable because most gun owners are hunters that only bring their guns out a few times a year and might only check their zero and others are in the “plinking” category.  There are several really good brand names that we saw at Shot Show this year but Troy firearm accessories from pistol grips to slings, iron front sights and rear sights, gas block sights to their rail systems, are in high visibility.   There are a ton of grip accessories and plastic accessories at gun shows but name brands mean something.   Troy gun accessories and Magpul Industries have a large customer base for a reason.

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Reasons to keep your gear organized

Bulldog gun casesrifle caserange bagThere are a lot of reasons to consider putting the money down for a quality range bag because I’ve often see guys show up at gun ranges that didn’t have staples or forgot thumbtacks or tape for their targets.      One thing I always forget to bring with me is a dump pouch not just for collecting used magazines, but for keeping the brass I used so I can use it for reloading at a later time.  It’s always a liability to keep all of  your stuff of value in one place but it’s also an asset to know were it all is.  Nylon gear cay vary from quality to ingenuity from manufacturer to manufacturer but sometimes its best to look over all of what is available and pick what suits you.

If you wanted a shoulder holster that is made out of leather you’re going to be spending well over $100 and probable closer to $150 for a good one but nylon holsters are fast less expensive and depending on what type of gun you are carrying you might find you saved 50% off and got a good comfortable holster from Bulldog, Blackhawk or Elite Survival systems.    The Bulldog gun cases are reasonable priced and are a good option for pistol rugs, hunting rifles, shotguns ect.   The bulldog range bags are simple carry bags that can keep your ammo, range gear and magazines and sight in tools organized.

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Tru-Spec Combat Shirts

I got a question from someone recently that asked why the prices were so different on certain Tru-Spec Combat shirts and my short answer was because of the different materials.   Some of the shirts are a 65%/35% Polyester/Cotton ripstop and some are a 50% Nylon/50% cotton ripstop.   Anyone that knows an electrician can ask them first hand why clothing matters and it’s all about the “what if” there was a flash or a fire.  As someone who’s got scars to show what plastic can do to skin even if they aren’t on fire, getting burned by melting materials is as painful as having a fire burn you and usually worse.  Polyester cCombat shirtsMulticam Combat ShirtArmy DigitalUrban DigitalMulticam Blackan be bad news around fire, and cotton just burns off and doesn’t melt.  Law Enforcement are exposed to flash bangs that can spark or shoot fragments which is why eyewear and proper clothing even if it’s  not bullet proof is so important.

There are many cross-overs with some of these products and it’s not all Law Enforcement that buy some of these Combat clothing.   Airsoft is really big these days and a big step up from paintball and the Tru-Spec combat shirts and Assault shirts can work well for that type of thing although they are much better quality than you’re going to find in an all paintball or airsoft store.  When choosing what type of camo or colors, it’s either about looking cool or melting into your environment for your own personal advantage.  Multicam and now the new Multicam Black are a big step up from the Digital patterns that have been around for more than a decade.   Is some environments you may be better off with the All Terrain Tiger.   We keep all of these patterns in

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Magazines should drop free

Glock magazinesWe all start out at some point with our firearm training or learning experiences.   I started out at 10yrs of age with handguns and 22lr rifles and it was basically all a Father/Son environment where kids shot next to their parents and learned the basics.    You learn the basics at a 100yd range with a 22LR and the differences between bullet weights and velocity can mean several inches in bullet drop.   Iron sights are always the best starting point and optics should come later.   When you move away from bolt action rifles, things can become more complicated and reliability of firearms can dramatically diminish with second rate magazines.  I’ve had bad experience and witness tons of malfunctions with semi-auto 22LR rifles but there are things you can do to improve reliability.

Back in the 1990’s after the AWB there were a ton of people buying aftermarket magazines and some firearms just didn’t handle them very well.   Many Factory Glock Magazines where going for close to $100 and aftermarket mags could be had for under $30 but they didn’t drop free or sometimes just didn’t run right.   There are several manufacturers that make magazines for several different companies but just stamp different brand names on them.   Magazines like Mec-Gar and Promag do have magazines for Walthers and Browning that work well but I often tell people that if the magazine doesn’t drop free you are going to have problems with it and might want to stick with Factory magazines.   There are replacement parts you can buy like followers, Wolff gun springs and base plates that can fix things but there’s an awful lot of testing I would do before I used them as self defense mags.

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Want a comfortable holster? Get a pocket gun

pocket holsters“I want a comfortable holster” is the top question being asked of us in March 2014,  we never mind getting asked questions like this because we know right off the bat that this person doesn’t have the slightest clue as to what they are looking for.   In the last 2 months we’ve had 3 people walk out the door regretting buying a particular firearm at a gun show because “they got a good price” on it, but found out nobody has a holster for it.   Ask all of the people with the Smith & Wesson shield how many holster options they had in the last year.  People normally choose a firearm because it fits withing their criteria of what they can carry but often the only holster options are not going to be idea.   Sure you can get a paddle holster for just about everything but what are you going to have to wear to conceal a paddle holster in 90F temperatures?

In most parts of the United States you are going to have climate changes and holster options can vary depending on  your wardrobe.  There are plenty of firearm you can put in your pocket if you wear the right kind of clothing but we choose to stock the Elite Survival Systems pocket holsters because so many people don’t use a pocket holster at first and end up finding out the hard way about how much lint there is floating around.  Now that Glock is making the Glock 42 .380 pistol, it’s hard to not consider some sort of pocket gun in your CCW routine.    The reason to use a pocket holster is to keep it lint free as well as reduce printing and also make sure you do proper testing with your clothing because not all pants pockets will grab onto the pocket holsters out friction designs and it won’t separate from the gun when being drawn, clothing materials can matter.

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New Patterns and the reality of camo

TruSpec MulticamThere are a ton of cool looking camo patterns out there that are fun to wear while playing airesoft or paintball and then there are camo patterns that are absolutely useless in the military and are going to put you in the crosshairs of an enemy sniper because you standout like a groundhog on a hill.   Digital pattern camo was cool when it first came out but it doesn’t work well.  The idea was theoretically good but didn’t work.   Multicam was a big step forward and what looks like the military is going to up in the air after some testing with CrTruSpec MulticamTruSpec Multicam combat shirtMulticam Assault suitye Precision’s MultiCam, it looks like budget cuts might hold that idea up.   My standards for what actually works in camo is from a bow hunters point of view. If the pattern makes you hard to spot in a tree stand it’s probable a good idea for the military.

There is a new Multicam black that has been hard to keep on the shelves because like the previous Multicam, it actually works well in many environments.   The majority of the multicam we are carrying is the TruSpec multicam which comes in various products from the 24/7  Series tactical pants for $64.95 to the once piece assault suit.   I personally find the Assault suit to be a very nice bow hunting option because it has knee pads and elbow pads built into it although I know it’s kind of pricey.   The new combat shirts should be in sometime in the next month with the multicam and multicam black.

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Tactical clothing fabrics

tactical pantsEveryone in this industry wants comfort and there is a difference between a Police Officers uniform comfort a Soldiers comfort and someone going to training on a firearm range.   I hear so many nightmare stories from our Law Enforcement about all the bad tailoring the get, they get measure so it will fit properly, and then when it’s on them, it’s not right.   We’ve noticed differences in fit, from tactical clothing company to tactical clothing company and it’s definitely there.   Comparing pants with elastic waistbands to tailored clothing is a bad idea.   One reason we have a fitting room is our customers have to decide for “themselves” of what is comfortable for them.   Once you get the proper fit, there is another area of comfort and that is with the fabrics.

It usually starts with a varying degree off cotton to give breath ability because it’s assumed in this world that you will be moving and sweating.  Most of  your perspiration is release from you upper body so tactical pants won’t have ventilation like shirts due but varying degrees of durability is what is offered.   100% cotton ripstop is probable the most comfortable, but the least durable, but hot environments you don’t want to sweat to death, but the nylon stand prevents tearing which actually what it was designed for in the Pacific theater in WWII.  Cotton canvas is durable but can absorb moisture,   Poly/cotton ripstop is a stiffer feel and Blackhawk, Tru-Spec and 5.11 have made a big foothold in the industry with this material.   Many Tru-Extreme or Combat Uniforms have poly/cotton or 50/50 Cordura.  Spandex and Lycra are two other materials you will find in these products as well as Vertx tactical pants to give the material some ability to stretch.

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Carbine modifications and consistency with furniture

Magpul StocksI’ve tried out several modifications on my M4 and some of them just didn’t cut it.   There are plenty of brands that show up at gun shows and look cool, but i’ve taken that plunge, can’t remember the brand names of all of them, but then cracked grips and wobble parts will eventually show face on the firing line.   I’ve got about 8yrs on the LWRC M6A1 and although it’s got the newer piston design than it originally was designed with, castle nuts have come loose, folding foregrips have broken and magazines have failed.   All mechanical devices have their breaking point and for people who are in situations where that can mean death, all I have to say is, Smart people tend to live longer.

I see all the fragility of many of these airsoft guns out there, but for youth just having fun, it’s a learning experience.    The difference between the Magpul stocks is significant because you have to find that sweet spot with your cheek weld and not everyone is going to be the same.   Hand sizes can differe and someone with small hands is not going to want the AFG1 or a Tapco SAW Grip.   The most popular AR15 grips from our point of you are the Hogue finger groove grips and the Magpul MOE + rubber grips.   Some  batter compartments and gun cleaning kits do not work in both the MAGPUL MOE Grip and the Magpul MOE + so if you have something you are using presently be careful you don’t do an upgrade and find out some of your gear won’t transition over.

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Fast shots while hunting

rifle sightsLots of things have changed pertaining to firearm accessories, back in the stay, putting  a side saddle on your shotgun or putting a rifle stock shell holder was considering “accessorizing” but now some shotguns have been modified and altered that it sometimes difficult for me to tell if it’s a Remington 870 or a Mossberg 590.   I have been eyeballing some of the hiviz rifle and shotgun sights for awhile now because even though I feel proficient with my Marlin 35 Remington,   there have been times in the morning where my rifle sights (iron sights) were difficult to see.  I’ve avoided putting optics on my level actions because I wanted to get the most out of the firearm with out adding weight or having a gunsmith properly mount it.

Several customers in recent months have had negative things to say about some of the red dot optics that are on the market and they claim that all they see is fuzz and “flaring” when they look through them, the truth of the matter is this is a common problem with red dot optics and why larger dots, although can obscure things at distance, give better clarity of focal points.   Many of the Hiviz rifle sights will give you the illuminated targeting for a fraction of the cost of an optic and I’ve heard great things about people putting them on shotguns and level actions.   You can get a bead or a magnetic front sight from Meprolite for a Remington 870, AR15, lever actions and even AK.

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Preparing for emergencies in different climate seasons

Wise Emergency Food StorageI think up here in the Northeast, most of the major power losses occur in the Summer when major thunderstorms roll through and trees come down and knock out power.   We get wacked with hurricanes every couple decades and most people up in my neck of the woods have stories about them.  This year was very different, we are dealing with one of the highest recorded amount of snow and several ice storms and never ending snow storms have piled up on power lines.   The idea of being without refrigeration like you have in the summer doesn’t matter when it’s 6 degrees fahrenheit and all you have to do is move your freezer outside, but there are problems that extreme cold temps can cause you when you loose power.

If you have a gas stove you will still need to melt snow or keep water from freezing if possible, but fruits and vegetables are going to go bad if they freeze.   Having an item like the Wise Food Storage in your emergency food storage supply is going to come handy in these situations.  We have several local emergency management departments buying the larger serving kits to drop off in neighborhoods when people loose power for more than a week.   Things people don’t realize until it happens so it’s a good idea to keep an eye on what happens around the Country from weather channel cable news and see how they dealt with it.    These are sometimes once or twice in a life time incidences but we got our warnings in 2014 to be prepared for the next round or the next year.

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