Eotech holographic sights are they still competing?

If you ask any of the local law enforcement officers in our area, that’s all you’ll hear them talk about.  Most SWAT Teams are still running these optics and the first rule of an optic for them is they must be able to keep both eyes open.   For any optics like the Trijicon ACOGS, they are more of a  liability for a police officer that may be in a hostage situation at 20yds rather than nailing a Taliban soldier at 4oo meters.  There have been many technological improvements to optics and to some people Eotech might be slacking because they are still reliant on batteries, but for short deployments that’s rarely and issue.  I personally run an Eotech 512 AA on my LWRC M6A1 and I have had some wear issues and batteries fail on me.  I had to super glue the contacts back in and recently heard that this was part of the reason the CR123 batteries are being used and they are also going in sideways instead of forward.

The Eotech XPS sights are smaller and lighter compared to the most popular Eotech 512 AA battery and this means something for those that are running various pressure switches or gun sights.   The smaller lighter XPS Eotech sights are running with the CR123 batteries and these batteries will give you more shelf life than the AA batteries and take up less weight.   The only bad thing about the CR123 batteries is they are not that common in gun stores or retail locations and if they are they are usually more expensive.  Buying these in bulk is a good idea, we normally sell them in 12 packs for $23.99.

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All of those gas piston guns out there….

There are many guns popping up that are now piston driven, everything from Ruger, Adams, POF, and many more.  One of the best levels of advice I’ve given to people when they ask about a certain firearm is to not be the first  one to buy it because you’ll be the first one that has to send your gun back when they find out there is a design flaw or an upgrade.  This happened with the Beretta 92F and we ended up with the Beretta 92FS, and even the LWRC M6A1 had some major internal changes after the gun was first fielded and this is considered the Cadillac of AR15 piston driven guns.

We’ve sold a lot of the LWRC M6A2 guns in the last year or so because they still are the kings of the piston guns.   Recently we’ve also sold a  lot of the Adams gas piston upper receivers which are different in design but I can’t tell you which is better or if they are worth what they are selling for until they have been fielded and  used on the ranges  long enough.   I’ve seen many minor issues with guns from spring flaws, weak pistons, making the bolt carrier group a one piece and eliminating the screws that keep the gas key in place.  These were sheering off on the guns after a  few thousand rounds but anyone that purchased these about 2yrs after they came out got the better version.

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Be careful about about how much screwing around you do with your 1911s

I’ve had many family members and friends ask me to go shopping with them to help them pick up a firearm.  There have been many times that I have warned people about buying a certain gun even though it looked like it was a good price.  Many of the times it was a firearm that had obviously been customized.  The biggest warning sights are usually when the triggers have been changed.   That can mean that somebody was lessening the trigger pull weight and it’s also a hint that it was turned into a target gun and there may be other parts like springs or buffers inside it.   I have a family member that purchased a 1911 because he had one in the military and the one he eye balled at a gun store had exactly these issues.

After we took this firearm to the gun club it actually jammed up on us several times, I tried to take it apart to see what the spring looked like but it had a full length guide rod and I did not have any familiarity with that.   We even tried several of my wilson combat magazines that usually solve many 1911 problems but the gun still hung up.   We later found out that there was a tool we needed and there was in fact a buffer that was decaying inside the gun and causing all of the malfunctions.   There are so many new 1911s out there, Sigs, Les Bauer, Kimber ect. that you have to watch the amount of tinkering people do with them because not all of the 1911 parts and especially holsters are going to work with them.

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Best gun cases for the buck?

Yes, we realize that not everyone looking for an AR15 is  going to want to pick up an LWRC M6A2 so we don’t always stock the most expensive items out there.  There is something to be said for getting what you paid for but not everything has to be expensive.  There are many products that are just what you need and you don’t need all of the added features or added cost.  The  only bad thing about shopping for products like this is they tend to be foreign made products and it’s rare to find good products in a low price range that are Made in the USA.   We stock a lot of the higher end  products especially the tactical nylon gear like the Elite Survival Systems products.

We realize that Uncle Mike’s makes some very nice products but not everything is going to work for you.  One of our top selling online sales for nylon gun cases and gun bags are the Bulldog gun cases which are always very well priced.  These gun cases can help protect your handguns or rifles to and from the firing range, in your closet or just for storing in your gun safe.  There are always varying degrees of rifle case protection and not everyone needs to spend $80-$110 on a padded rifle case.  They do make some very inexpensive assault rifle cases for under $40.  Check them out if you are on a budget.

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Time to change the way you view optics?

Ever since I picked up my crossbow from Horton and it came  with the illuminated red and green reticle, i have changed my mind about the types of optics that I am going to be using.  I had a lot of trouble going from standard duplex reticles to all of those circle, triangles and hash marks that you see on many combat optics.  I’ve learned in the past that it’s best to pick a bullet weight that is flat shooting and then give yourself a better chance at getting a hit rather than knowing all of your bullet drops at various distances and having to bring a range finder with you.   For 556 I tend to stick to 62gr bullets and the 150gr for .308 if I want that flat shooting trajectory.

When i first looked through the Trijicon Accupoint scopes that looked very odd to me.  I had trouble understanding why I need to have a pole reticle but the Trijicon Accupoint rifle scopes have a very clear and pin point aiming system that can actually help many shooters see their target instead of covering it with crosshairs.  There are different reticles you can get and background can make a difference.   There are certain wooded areas where amber or yellow reticles might do better for  your eyes than the green or red, but it’s really all about preference.   There are many Trijicon Optics out there to choose from and their hunting optics are superb.

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LED Advancements in that tactical world

Flashlight technology has advanced more than most other items in the last few  years and LED technology really should make the average home owner, Concealed Carry holder and average citizen think about cleaning out the house and tossing  your older Mag-lite flashlights.   You can get far more out of a CR123 than you  use to get from several D batteries and the same flashlight that you use to take camping is the same one you can mount on your M4 Carbine.

LED technology has advanced so much in recent years that it truely is time to clear out your old flashlights and replace your home and traveling white lights. Fore handguns and Carbines we highly recommend Streamlight Flashlights for home or street defense.  The TLR-1 is one of biggest selling handgun tactical lights and is easy to mount and easy to use. If you are looking for a light and laser combo, the TLR-2 tac-light is what you’re looking for. The Streamlight Scorpion PolyTac is a good companion for traveling or for mounting on your M4 Carbine.

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Trijicon M4 Optics what bullet weight?

You do have to be careful who you listen to when you shop around for optics for your M4 carbine.  In recent years it is not that uncommon for people to be using 75gr or 77gr ammuntion in their M4 Carbines, and if you change the bullet weight of  your round, you can void the purpose and  uses of your bullet compensator.  I know several people that think there is no difference between the M855 and the M193 round when  you sighting in  with a Trijicon ACOG, but this is not the case.  If you are using something like the Trijicon TA01NSN optics and you want to engage a target at 400yds, there is going to be a big difference in where you hit.  If you pay attention the ballistics of the ammunition you are using and you use the good stuff, you should be dead on with your Trijicon sighting system.

I use an LWRC M6A1 with a Trijicon TA01NS which is my favorite optics, primarily because I can never really adjust to anything but crosshairs on my reticle.  I have used  the TA31F-G on occassion but the Trijicon TA01NSN is still my favorite optic.   The iron sights are an added feature which do sit high, but an easy transition from medium range to close quarters combat shooting if need be.   You also have a night sight on the front sight.   You can always swap out the iron sights for one of the RMR sights if you want to.

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Crossbreed holsters vs Galco Kingtuk and the Desantis holsters

I am always looking to carry a larger firearm but in a more comfortable manor.   Several years ago I found  out about the Crossbreed holsters and at first, they seemed very large and I didn’t understand how they could be more comfortable.   Like I always do, I ask around amongst my friends to find out if you they ever heard of something before I spend a dime on it.   Asking questions at a gun club or asking someone if you can try their firearm out is always the best way to get the feel of something.  I heard about Trijicon ACOGS for years before I ever looked through one and my first impression was that I didn’t think a 4x optic was worth $800.  They cost even more than that now.

I’ve tested a few of the Desantis and the Galco versions of these holsters and I have some  pretty consistent feedback.  I started out with the Desantis holsters that we stock so much of an I’ve known for years.  We tested out the Desantis Scorpions and the Galco Kingtuk holsters for the Glock 19 and this is what happened.   After about 3 months the Desantis Scorpion belt straps which are made of kydex broke.  The following week a customer walked back in the door and told me they broke in his XD holster.   We noticed that the Galco Kingtuk holsters all have metal clips and not  one of them has broken.  Desantis was nice enough to send us replacements but the replacements were all kydex.  It’s time for a redesign.

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Local Police using Safariland holsters and Blackhawk Holsters

We get so many phone calls and walk in customers with the new handgun that they purchased and they are completely stumped on what type of holster they should be using.  I tend to recommend everyone use a IWB holsters, preferable Kydex although leather holsters are very comfortable and sometimes just a preference.   We still a large amount of the nylon holsters, both leg holsters and belt holsters.  Sometimes it’s just easier to find a holster that holds your gun rather than a customer kydex or perfect leather holsters.  Now that so many people modify their firearms, and there’s nothing wrong with doing that, they can make it difficult to find a holster that functions the way they want it to.

I have a Fobus holsters for all of my medium and large frame semi-autos because i’m a big believer in having a holster for everyone gun I own.   Sometimes it’s easier to just spend $20 on a paddle holster rather than spend $35+ dollars on the Blackhawk Serpa holsters especially if you are not going need a retention holster.   The Blackhawk Serpa holsters are very popular with a local PD that are using the Glock 21 and the Glock 30 handguns.   It’s actually nice to see police departments carrying the 45acp round and yes even the 1911 is still being used and Blackhawk has a  holster for you.

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Some feedback for customers that wore Eotac or Woolrich Elite Shirts

I’m not going to bash either product because if you really want an opinion about those three products, they are all well made tactical products but they really are more about the mission or the preference you have in your work space.   Here in Pennsylvania, I’ve told people many times, that we can get all 4 Seasons, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring.  And when i mean all 4 Seasons, I mean zero degrees to 103 F in the same year.   Which tactical polo is going to work well for you in that situation?  I have some customers that love the Woolrich Elite Polos because they are a looser fit, but some customers don’t like them because they are heavier in weight compared to 5.11, Tru-Spec or Eotac stuff.

Many of the products we sell from Tru-Spec are very well received.  Even though we are clearing out some other tactical apparel product lines, many of our customers are trying to move away from the 5.11 tactical clothing and we have been successful in moving the Tru Spec shirts that have been coming in.  There will be a new line of the Gunny approved Tru-Spec product line in the coming weeks.  There are also new backpacks and lightweight tactical vests coming in with the product line.  We are hoping to add more and more lightweight products including the new gunny pants that have slight differences, yet improvements to the 24/7 series.

 

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