Tactical holsters, duty holsters and off duty holster options for Safariland

safariland holstersWe’ve expanded our tactical holster line in recent months and really moved away from just CCW style holsters and into a lot of Law Enforcement products.  It seems that a lot of our local Delaware County Police Departments and even Philadelphia Police are not happy with various vendors and then there are also a lot of tactical teams that do different types of training than Patrolmen and want various holsters with flashlights.   Most Patrolmen want to keep their load as light as possible so sometimes tasers and pepper sprays sit back in the locker.   We had some requests for Safariland Level III holsters for Glock 21 and Glock 38 guns so we decided to check out some of their Paddle holsters that hold the TLR1 flashlights.

The Glock 21 seems to have taken over most of the Delaware County and now the Pennsylvania State Police.   The State Police have switched from the Glock 38 to the Safariland holsters that hold the Glock 21.     They are using the Surefire X300 as opposed to most Police in our using the TLR1 Flashlights.   Its sometimes easier for Police to take their duty guns and just use a paddle holster if they have to appear in Court.   We are still in the early stages of figuring out what type of holsters we should stock because just a change on one person at a Police Department can mean a change in firearms and duty gear.   Switching from the Safariland 6280  holster to the 5188-3832 holster is a very easy thing and we have a store full of them for right handed and left handed shooters.

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Customizing cleaning kits to your firearms

Otis gun cleaning kitsI have purchased probable close to 5 types of cleaning kits in my lifetime and I believe I have all of the parts minus one cleaning rod, and possible a few brushes.   I have learned that certain cleaning kits are better for certain firearms and others are mostly for traveling.  The clean kit i use the most is probable the Otis 556 cleaning kit but I still resort to a one piece cleaning rod.   Boresnakes are very usefull but they are caliber specific and with the Otis gun cleaning system you can basically have a multi caliber gun cleaning cord.   The only negative I find with the Otis kits is sometimes the parts fall out of the foam and you will have too many parts if you buy too many kits.  It’s best to learn the pros and cons of a system like this because you may want to consider getting the larger universal cleaning system.

When it comes to gun lubrication, I’m not sure if Otis is going to come out with a green cleaning system like M-Pro7 or Slip 2000.   I still  use several lubes and gun grease but the Otis gun cleaning kits are still in wide use in my gun collection.   I find this system to be excellent for the AR15 rifles as well as 22 caliber guns like my Ruger 10/22 and my Marlin 882 22magnum.   I still prefer a cleaning rod for bolt actions and my DS FAL rifle.   I personally have not noticed any difference in how well the items clean, but I do notice differences in the time it takes to actually clean a firearm.  Every firearm disassembles differently and I choose the gun cleaning system accordingly.

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Smith Optics Boogie regulator reviews after 2yrs

Smith Optics Elite boogie regulatorWhen we first found out about the Smith Optics Elite boogie regulator, we were shocked at the price point.   $40 for a ballistic optic sounds too low for an optics company that puts out $180 Turbo goggles.  The first experiences I had with them were not great because I immediately had fogging issues, but this really is one of those items that you need to know why it was designed the way it is.   This goggle is designed for people that are constantly on the move, jumpers, airsoft and even bikers love these.   I’ve got lots of biker friends that have told me of all of the stories of people getting hit in the face by debris and ballistic eyewear means as much to them as someone on a firing range.   People that like to “ride” know what I’m talking about and we’ve had several Harley’s parked in front of our store.

We hear references to ESS eyewear, and Wiley X, and Smith Optics are priced way up there but if you understand the venting system on the Smith Optics Elite eyewear this eyewear may be for you and it’s only $40.   I personally have used the Smith Optics Elite boogie regulators playing paintball but most are using them for airsoft.   Even in that business you gotta wear good eyewear but if you aren’t sure what to get, buying online or finding a store near you that stock this product line is a way to get a hold of them unless you know somebody that already has them.  Usually the best way to know if you want something is to ask around and get first hand feedback.

 

 

 

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New inventory and new colors this Fall

TruSpec softshell jacketsWe will be getting a sneak peak at the Fall Tru-Spec outwear sometimes this week and we heard TruSpec will be doing another Softshell jacket promo in late November or early December.   The Sofshell jacket really is an excellent water proof jacket even though i’ve been  in situations where the jacket worked and I’d say I was dry.  I won’t use it for scuba diving but this is a very versatile jacket to use for most of the year.   I have a closet with heavy winter jackets and rain coats that I rarely use because the bright yellow rain gear is just too goofy looking to wear around except while working traffic or major events.  I have to worry about getting in and out of cars and keeping my gear in easy to reach locations and this means pulling my knives and flashlights out of my pants pockets and moving them up to the jacket.

We do sell the Tru-Spec waterproof pants and some other outwear but much of that look Police uniforms, these jackets are something that looks like a security or military contractor, TruSpec Softshell jackets also have velcro patches so you can attach any Team emblem or security department or just an American Flag.  We recently started selling the Blackhawk Patches until Elite Survival Systems approached us and made up several other color patterns.   This Jacket is something we have in stock for the most part of the year due to it’s versatility and according to the positive product reviews from local Law Enforcement.  A large part of the Upper Police Department are now wearing our stuff.

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Galco Kingtuk Reviews and lots of feedback

Galco holstersI have a ton of holsters in my closet, mostly nylon ones I picked up at various points of my gun carrying carrier.   Most of them don’t get used but they are still there because I may occasionally use them for open carry or when I am going on a hike.   I use various IWB holsters in the summer but have retired my leather ones because they don’t hold  up very well in the Pennsylvania summers because it can get pretty darn  hot up here and Kydex holsters are what I switch to.  I have tried various kydex holster companies, and some of them fit me well, but there are always small things about them that I wish would get improved.   Most of the kydex holsters I’ve used in the past broke up on me in less than 2 years and I just stopped buying certain brands.  There is still a desire for leather holsters because they look nice, but leather is not as good in the long term for re-holstering firearms.

I have checked out some of the Crossbreed holsters after many of my friends have suggested them, but after looking through some of my dealer product lines I found something very close.   The Kingtuk holster made by Galco Holsters are a great find,  I’ve sold many to Detectives and CCW holders that have not come back and complained about them.   Some of the Desantis IWB holsters like the Scorpion didn’t hold up because the clips were made of kydex and broke after several weeks of wearing them.  The Kingtuk holsters are a tuckable holster that work well with the Sig 229, Sig 220 and most all of the Glock holster including the larger framed Glock 21.

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Elite Survival bags

Elite Survival bagsOne of the things that made  us go with being a stocking dealer for various tactical gun case, range bags, and modern computer cases like the Elite Survival Messenger bag was because so many people were calling us on the phone and asking us all of the technical specs for various products we had listed on our website.   One thing we have found is that everyone can tell you the length of their rifle barrel but nobody has a clue what the overall length of their AR15 is.    Laptops and various technical gadgets are the same thing, everyone knows their monitory size but nobody knows what bag is going to fit it.  Sometimes its easier to just bring your gear in and see.   Sometimes people need to pack up their gear and see if it all fits in, we understand.

The Elite Survival systems tactical messenger bag has a waterproof compartment that protects electronics from the elements.   More of the Elite Survival  bags have features that are very well designed and sometimes we get questions from customers and have to ask the manufacturer why they did what they did and then pass it on to the customer so they really understand what they are getting and why a tactical backpack or carry bag is what it is.  Lots of people are asking for I-phone cases because so many Police and Military personnel are using them and need them on a tactical vest.   There are some really neat hydration systems, so stop  in and check them out.

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Elite Survival Overall view of the product line

Elite survival gun casesWe’ve been customers of Elite Survival Systems before we actually started carrying the product line and they were one of the early products we decided to pick up.  We’ve been getting a lot of questions about the Voodoo tactical products which are next on our list. People are very specific about molle gear and once someone drops $2000 or more on a rifle, the argument about putting out $100 or more on a gun case is moot.  I have several of the gun cases since I find that one of the coolest aspects of the Elite Survival Systems made in the USA product line.   I have the COC cases in 33 and 36 for myself as well as the Epsilon Shooting mats.   Each of these work well for most Carbines like the AK or AR15 variants.  I have a Bushmaster 20 inch barrel in one and my M6a2 in another.

When it comes to bags, we have a military, security and EMS customer base that have gear usually in another bag and they want to make sure it’s going to work for them in their new bag.   Some of the products like the Elite Survival gun cases are specific to caliber and the size of the rifle.  We have a large 3 gun shooter customer base and the Double Agent case has also been a top seller.   People that are travelling and need a Remington 870 and an AR15 don’t want to need to pick up 2 rifle case, a double is what they want.   The amount of padding or foam protection can vary from brand to brand and the durability of the zippers can also vary.   Elite Survival Systems product line is our primary tactical nylon line for a reason.

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Ranger plates on gun magazines? Yep, that’s why base platers matter

Wilson Combat Magazines

Wilson Combat Magazines

I’ve been around the gun community for so long that there are certain things that just start to click, and then  you feel like you’ve arrived.   I didn’t understand why people were so particular about 1911 magazines and all of the various pads and plate lengths.   We’ve been selling AR15 parts and accessories for more than 7yrs and and I never felt the need for putting ranger plates on my pmags or GI magazines until I started shooting competition events.  Just those fractions of a second difference and primarily, the ability to securely grip or clear an empty magazine was improved if you had an extended base plate.  Sometimes magazines don’t drop free because of the shooting angles you are on and this seems to be very common with some 1911s.

I have stuck with Wilson mags for my Colt and Springfield Armory guns and haven’t looked back.   Some people like the 7rd magazines but I have never had an issue with any of my Wilson Combat magazines in 8rd, especially the ETM magazines.  The Black Elite Tactical magazines seem to be the hardest one for us to keep i n stock because our distributors don’t seem to get very many of them.   There are design improvements that are primarily geared to the competition shooter. The National IDPA event ususally gets a lot of Wilson Combat supporters and I was fortunate enough to attend some of those.   45acp is a great round for shooting steel and if you need a good magazine for your 1911, stick with the best.

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Fobus holsters vs other paddle holsters, some thoughts from a retailer

fobus holstersI have several product lines that I have brought in for myself just because I knew I would probable end up buying several items from it for my own personal use.   One of those product lines is the Fobus  one and I can’t say it was because I was a huge fan of the entire product line, it’s just that they make an  extremely practical holster for a very low price.  I’ve been testing out a Safariland 6378 paddle holster and after a long break in, i do like it but there were some issues originally.  I have to say that as far as securing to my belt, I don’t find the Safariland holster to be more secure even though it’s a little more difficult for me to get off.  It may sound like a contradiction, but I had some issues with the gun pulling the holster off my belt when i was 90% sure the gun was secure.   It hasn’t happened since the holster was broken in, but when the gun was tight, it did happen.

The things people have told me they don’t like about the Fobus paddle holsters is they aren’t that strong, well, for most holsters, if you pull on certain parts of them, yeah, they can break and Fobus holsters aren’t exactly built like a tank.   I do think that they Fobus holsters that are the paddle design are very good for IDPA, winter carry, or even for your first 2 day training course.   Paddle holsters always seem to be more comfortable than IWB , but they aren’t always as secure.   Some of these holsters can be had with a belt loop design, but I’m not a huge fan of those.  If you know people are complaining about the lack of retention or adjustable tension, check out the Fobus E2 holsters, the bad thing about those is they aren’t making them for too many guns.

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Rumors abound about Woolrich Elite Series Tactical

tactical pantsWe’ve heard some recent and credible rumors floating around the gun community that the Woolrich Elite Series Tactical line is being sold off.   It’s pretty obvious that the product line was basically smothered by the corporation but it seems that there were too many good products in the line to not have someone with investment potential to rebrand and relaunch the product line.  We heard rumors like this from The Eotac line and both companies were basically started by the same person.   I would like to see some production changes in the line because there were some stark product differences as far as function and durability, but those were slight.  We’ve been getting our feet in other angles of the tactical clothing industry but there was too big of a customer base for it to just disappear.

There regular clothing lines that you see in shopping malls just isn’t going to have the function you need and there is a good possibility that you will either ruin some of the clothing or get unwanted surprises.   What I mean by this is if you are pocket carrying a sidearm in a regular clothing pant poket there is a good pants it’s going to wear through quicker, a good  pair of tactical pants is going to have a ripstop pocket to increase durability.   I’ve had keys from my car wear through pants and the last thing I want is a magazine or a gun wearing through. Other things to think about are how the pockets are sown shut, tactical pants are not sown to the seams which prevents a device like a knife, gun, magazine or flashlight from falling out when you lean back in a chair.  I’ve seen and felt it happen with regular jean pants so be careful, hopefully the rumors we are hearing are true about Woolrich Elite Series Tactical.

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