Gas Piston Systems what’s the difference?

I’ll write this blog as the biggest non-expert on the topic,  I know what POF and AR18s are like in comparison to LWRC guns but after that, I have no idea what all of these new piston guns from Ruger, Adams and other are like internally.  It’ll take awhile to have to go through the specifications on them or a tall coffee and a couple hours of watching Youtube video clips.  Some of the reviews are really well done, but takes almost as long to find a good review about a product as it does to comprehend all of the minor differences.  I;ll never forget the time it took me to realize that the terms “hook and loop” closure meant velcro on shirts.

The Metallurgy in making bolt carriers, and barrels has changed so dramatically in the last 7yrs, that I seriously need a refresher course before I can even talk about firearm differences. We have a huge number of backorders for the Adams Upper receivers but I have not had the time to actually take one out and compare it to my LWRC stuff.   I think the only thing I can say about the less expensive piston guns is that the designs may be similar, but I would have to say if saving $300 on an  upper for a proven design means saving anything.

Top

Magpul Pmags and Magpul furniture

I have not had the time to mess around with every single firearms manufacturers products so I’m not going to go out on a limb and say everyone should buy Mapgul Products. I can tell you that I do not have problems with Magpul accessories and once I upgraded my AR15 rifles to Magpul PRS, and Magpul CTR stocks, and haven’t looked back.  Whenever I look into buying new firearms I usually check them out for their furniture or think about which grips I want attach.   I’m real big on keeping things uniform unless I gotta pick up something exotic.  And that’s most likely going to be a LWRC REPR in the near future.

Magpul vertical grips have changed and now that the M.O.E.  evolution is upon us there have been changes in the way we think about attachments.  Our most durable and reliable AR15 magazines are still the Magpul Pmags, but some other things have changed.  No longer to we attach a light to a rail, we attach the rail to whichever area we want, attach the accessory and end up with a lighter firearm.   At first I didn’t want to deal with changing any of my firearms around, but it’s a very good excuse to buy another Carbine.

Top

Switching from 5.11 tactical clothing to something else?

When we first got into the tactical clothing market it was pretty much all 5.11 tactical pants.   The stories about Royal Robbins becoming 5.11 and some of the changes that occurred left many customers disappointed.   I don’t know  how a company can make 5.11 tactical pants in 3 different Countries and expect the quality control to be there but I guess they don’t.  We’ve watched several companies attempt to cut into the market and fail and much of it was about production issues and quality control.  If you buy a pair of pants and like them and buy them again later, the same thing, and the sizing is different or it shrinks and rides up on you, you look for something else.

Some people just don’t understand what it takes to do business in foreign Countries.  It’s not just about a manufacturers ability to make a consistent product, its also about being able to make the product the right way and things like tactical pants sometimes need to be modifed if customers demand this.   I have witness such minor product fit changes that were welcomed and the sales went up.  Other companies were asked to modify their products and they didn’t and lost out to the competition.  5.11 has a real Winner with the Tac Lite Pro pants.

 

Top

Get me a gun case that is ready to go

When many of us get an AR15 we usually buy it by itself, shoot it for awhile and then add on accessories.  Most people I talk to about this issue when I’m explaining the reasons why we stock the Elite Survival Systems gun bags are usually usually nodding their heads.   The reason they are looking at these bags is because they can’t use the gun bags from Uncle Mikes or Bulldog.   I have several M4 Carbines that I had to disassemble to get to the range because the assault rifle gun cases I had wouldn’t fit them because of the flashlights and optics.   It royally sucks when  you get a new gun add stuff to it and find out you need to spend money on another gun bag, but if you do, check out the Elite Survival Systems bags.

The gun cases we have in stock now are the Covert Carry Discreet cases.  Everybody and their dog starts out with the Assault Rifle cases and I have to admit there are some differences between them but the Elite Survival Systems gun cases are in the “good stuff” category.  I have been clearing out some of my older gun socks and gun bags and giving them away to try and keep my higher end guns in better order. The Covert Carry gun cases come in various sizes but they also are customized to carry either AK magazines, 9mm/40 Magazines, and AR15 magazines.   Having velcro straps to tie down your rifles optics, a protective closed cell foam padding between magazines and the firearm and also a compartment to attach the magazine pouch and any other pouches.

Top

Having trouble ordering things online because of sizing and fit?

There is only one person to blame and, well, maybe two people to blame if you are having problems with things not fitting you.  And those two people are the two people that brought you into this world.  Even though it is pretty obvious that people are using the internet to order more and more products, one thing that will not change is sizing and fit issues when ordering clothing.  Recently we had several people come into our Broomall, PA shop and they had issues with eyewear.    Everyone has differences in you want to map their body out and the roundness of your face or head can determine which eyewear will fit you comfortable.

When we had to choose eyewear we went with Smith Optics Elite because even though they have only been in the Military eyewear market for a few years, the people behind the Smith Optics Elite line have extensive experience in the eyewear industry.   Our display of Smith Optics Elite eyewear at our Broomall location is present displaying the Smith Optics lifestyles in clear, gray, polarized gray, and ignitor.   The Polarized brown are probable the newest top sellers .   We are looking forward to the new Smith Optics products for 2012.

Top

These shirts look great

The Woolrich Elite concealed carry shirts are really nice and we’re surprised to see how many shirts they have made.   I guess it was an easy switch to change their product line over from the Woolrich Elite main line to the Woolrich Elite Series tactical line.   The 44916 seems to be the best CCW shirt that came out last year although they did discontinue the 44915 and the 44913 shirts.  Those shirts are now on sale at a discount but they are still in stock. The velcro side flaps are somewhat boring but the shirts are a great bargain and better looking than what I see from Blackhawk and 5.11 tactical.

The newest ccw shirts from Woolrich are the best yet.   These have magnetic false buttons that you might want to use a shoulder holster or something like a deep cover concealment shirt.   The Woolrich Elite CCW shirts we have are very different in pattern and look to the 2011 ccw shirts and they are hands down the best ones.  I always recommend anyone that is using a shirt for ccw should avoid throwing them in dryers and let them hang dry.  We have not gotten any complaints about shrinkage on these shirts but it will slow down the inevitable shrinkage that occurs with all clothing.

Top

Woolrich Elite Lightweight pants in Coyote Brown

We just got in the new Woolrich Elite lightweight pants in Coyote Brown and they look really good.  Over the years we have been surprised at  how un popular black tactical pants were and mostly see khaki colors, OD green and usually something other than black or navy.  I guess most people try and stay away from the ninja look unless they have to, but coyote brown is a welcomed color.   We have been pruning our tactical pants category down for several months now and we should be eliminated a few product lines.  One of those product lines we won’t be discontinuing any time soon are the Woolrich Elite pants.

When we first saw Woolrich Elite products get on the market the first thing we realized is the contrast between 5.11 tactical fabrics and the Woolrich Elite.  Bother tactical pants would state they they were made out of an 8.5 ounce cotton canvas but only the Woolrich Elite pants were really the ones that held up to that.  5.11 tactical would not be where it is today if it didn’t make some great products but the complaints coming from our customer base have been constant and many have moved towards Tru Spec, Woolrich Elite and Vertx.

Top

AR15 upper receivers sold out

I guess the less expensive stuff is what most people seem to go for and right now that is everything from Spikes Tactical.  The funny thing is these guns are so well made for the price that they were in high demand even before things heated up in the Country.  The AR15 is the primary firearm in the United States and transitioning from Civilian to Military with it is an easy step.  Many people forget that the original intent of having an armed population is so that the population could be called to arms at any moment to defend their Country.

Now that so many people own the AR15 changing the guns to something longer or shorter or to MOE can be as easy as pushing 2 pins out.  There are definitely some big differences in the durability of the firearms, but the lower end of the spectrum for AR15 upper receivers is pretty darn good.   Mismatched parts and bad assemble isn’t something I heard about too often anymore.   The poorly run companies seem to have been cleaned out and there are some really good guns being made.  We’ve sold lots of gas piston AR15s this year and the pool is getting competive.

Top

Another Wilson Combat vs Chip McCormick debate

We have to be honest when customers call us  up and ask us a question about a product.  Many times we hear the question “which is better” and the truth of the matter is this is usually somewhat of a trap for us because as soon as we make a claim about something being better than something else, the customer will hold us accountable if we were wrong or if they disagree.  Not like it’s a big problem but if you call us up and ask us what shirt size or vest size, we’ll defer the question and tell you you’ll have to measure yourself.   When it comes to gun accessories, so much of that needs to be fitted to a persons body and much of it is cosmetic or preference.

The 1911 is still probable the in the Top 5 for gun accessories, gun holsters and gun magazine sales.  There are many out there that want us to tell them if their 1911 will run better with Chip McCormick magazines or with Wilson Combat or some other gun magazine.   The truth of the matter is the 1911 sold these days is not the 1911 sold 15yrs ago and there are so  many difference that its something  you’ll have to figure out on your own.   One thing we will tell you is the Chip McCormick magazines are price almost $8-$10 less than the Wilson Combat Magazines which might be a good thing for someone that wants to great magazine for less money.

Top

Suggestions for CCW Flashlights

There are always people that carry products that are outside the norm and everyone has a different reason for carrying what they want.  I knew a guy that carried a Desert Eagle and it wasn’t because he was a nut job, he actually worked on a farm and had issues with gators eating his dogs.   That’s not something I would expect my Sig 239 to  be dealing with but on the flip side, I also heard a story on the local news about a guy that just got his CCW and discharged his Desert Eagle into his hand and to this day it amazes me he has a hand.   There are always idiots in every flock but the vast majority of the product elements of society are very responsible and deserve to have access to the things they choose to carry. Pocket knives also vary and although I think Swiss Army knives are nice, clip on knives are more practical than something floating around in your pocket.   When I am looking for a flashlight that has  a proven track record there are very few companies I will place my money with, my Streamlight Flashlights are my primary home and CCW flashlights although I do have some of the Surefire flashlights on my M4 Carbines.   I am still in a testing stage for weapons mounted flashlights but according to all of the local Police Departments the Streamlight TLR-1 is their pistol flashlight.

Top
1 … 77 78 79 80 81 … 194 Page 79 of 194