Archive for May, 2017

Streamlight TLR-1S Flashlights still going strong and still improving

Some Streamlight flashlights are probable never going to go away and one of them is the Streamlight TLR-1 series.   There are a few variations of this light they might fade out because the standard model has become so versatile and improved output, that it can be used on either a rifle, handgun or shotgun.    I recently tested out the Streamlight TLR-1S (which has the strobe) and tested it in total darkness on a camping trip on my LWRCI Rifle.   The beam on this was excellent out to 100yds I was shocked at how at 300 Lumen output it had better throw than my Streamlight Protac HL USB that had an 850 Lumen output.

There seems to be the most competition between the Streamlight TLR-1S and the Surefire X300, I find them to be different in price, and the feel of the toggles are different.   One has a 300 Lumen output for a little over $100 and the other has a 500 Lumen output for under $200.   Nothing wrong with Surefire, but you are paying for the name.   I do highly suggest the strobe feature for handgun and rifle flashlights because it does come in useful in some defensive situations, it’s also another tool you can use to avoid having to pull the trigger on someone.

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Sig Factory Magazines rarely should you deviate

I’ve been around long enough to have tried out all kinds of magazines in various firearms to see if I could get around having to pay full price.   Back when the assault weapons ban of 1994 was in full affect, there were way more after market companies out there.   I still have 10rd extended magazines for a few of my 1911 models that worked for a few times and then the springs stopped functioning.  Cheap springs.  Followers are another thing that have to be properly designed to avoid tilting, and this will become more of a problem when you start trying to use defensive ammunition.   I tend to see a lot of people try after market magazines for 22LR rifles and reliability often quickly deteriorates.

The one thing people many people don’t understand with firearms is “timing” because that’s where reliability “is” or “isn’t”.  When you go to extended capacity magazines, if it’s a cheap company, the magazine springs get weaker and weaker, which translates to slower and slower and when the slide cycles, it is out of its operational window and jams occur.   If you are using Sig Pistols or Rifles, some of their magazine costs are higher than Glocks, but they are part of the reason why Sig Sauer has such a strong history of putting out reliable handguns and rifles, stick with Sig Factory Magazines for your Sig firearms and about the only deviation I would suggest would be Sig AR15 style rifles and using Magpul P-Mags and Lancer Magazines.

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Rothco BDU Shorts a very inexpensive option for summer carry.

Rothco is a new product line for us this year and we expect to be picking up more of their product lines, but when it comes to shorts that work with our customer base, this is something we think will be a new option for them.  The Rothco BDU shorts come in 9″ inseam to 13″ Inseam which may or may not be your thing.   The point is that they are all like the military pants and have deep pocket for stowing gear.   The Camo pattern options give you a broad selection of new patterns or vintage options like the traditional Woodland.

While the shorts are going to be as stiff as the military BDU pants, this means they will be durable.  This is probable the least expensive tactical clothing brand that has a shockingly good value.   The one trade off is the pockets are as modernized as many of the other tactical shorts we sell, like knife pockets, cell phone pockets ect, but if you want to wear something different this year, see the multiple Rothco BDU Shorts styles we recently listed.

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Tru-Spec 24-7 SERIES ECLIPSE TACTICAL PANTS

If you’re looking for something extremely light weight while we transition into hot weather clothing season, this is the best thing besides wearing shorts.  The pocket designs are completely different than anything else in the Tru-Spec inventory but it is something I personally wear and highly suggest for hot weather.   The 100% nylon pant is so lightweight that I would not recommend it for pocket carry unless you put a piece of cardboard or or something that helps avoid printing because you will print in these.  There is a 65/35 poly cotton ripstop version of this pant but I don’t find it as cutting edge. Tru-Spec 24-7 SERIES ECLIPSE TACTICAL PANTS is best worn in the nylon style but it is extremely forgiving in hot weather.

I always have to transition my knife to the side leg pockets and my Kimber pepper blaster to the other leg pocket but theses are extremely popular in the lower half of the Country.  Tru-Spec 24-7 SERIES ECLIPSE TACTICAL PANTS is highly breathable and when it’s in the 90F range, the difference in sweating and fatigue is considerable.   This is something I consider as a trade off for much of the 100% cotton ripstop pants that were in my inventory.   There is no elastic waistband so you are going to have to be more accurate in finding your actual size and if you are going to be carrying IWB you are going to have to consider a size up.

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Don Hume Leather Holsters still something to consider

The firearm holster market that is probable best compared to Amelda Markos’s shoe collection, it’s endless and not all of them are that popular, but once you’ve been in the actual functioning industry, there are some gun holsters that are high volume and are never going away.   There are endless styles of leather holster makers and the prices are all over the place, there is still a demand for customer holster makers but the Kydex industry really took a chunk of business away from it.    Kydex has it’s flaws but just because it’s made of leather, doesn’t mean it’s going to be that expensive.   It’s kind of like that girl with a great personality that you love to be around, but she’s not the prettiest one in the group.    We never get complaints about people not having Don Hume Holsters hold up, they are sturdy and last a very long time.

We expect to be expanding our Don Hume Holsters in 2017 because so many people have been asking us to carry more of the Glock holsters with the body shields, this is something that can help keep your holster dry and your firearm clean from moisture and sweat.  The most popular holsters we carry from Don Hume Holsters is the H715 IWB holsters, lots of small and medium frame guns fly out out the door from Glock 19 to Glock 42 and Glock 43.   Most of these holsters are under $30.   I am a fan of the Don Hume Jit holsters for my J-Frame because it sits up high and the barrel does not protrude below the holster and it has a good fit.

 

 

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Rothco Concealed Carry Vests something to consider if you don’t want to pocket carry

That seems to be the dilemma with the season change.   The Smith & Wesson Shield is probable the most popular firearms right now because everyone is getting them with a $75 rebate and from a local gun shop.   It’s still cold this May of 2017 in Pennsylvania, but as soon as it gets hot, it’s pretty much shorts and a t-shirt for most of our customers.   We’re actively researching new products lines because many of the pocket carry friendly clothing brands we use to sell are no longer available.  It’s also getting  harder and harder to find real CCW vests because so many of them are overly designed and tactical.

The Rothco Under Cover Travel Vest and the Rothco Concealed Carry Softshell vests are exactly what caught our eye that we knew our customer base would like.   We’ve only been selling their products for a few months but they are reasonable priced and cut for CCW.  There are other Rothco Concealed Carry Vests, but I wish there was a 100% cotton version of the Rothco Professional Concealed Carry vest because it looks exactly like the Eotac 102 lightweight vest that so many IDPA competitors wore, but it is slightly heavier weight which might be an issue with some of our customers.

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