Gear Review: Vickers Tactical Mag Release

I’m a new Glock convert. I never thought that this day would come, but it has. I’ve traded off most of my HK’s and now shoot stryker fired pistols. Don’t worry I still have a 1911, because any self respecting shooter at least needs one in the collection.

I shot my second defensive hand gun course (shot out to Advantage Group) with it this past weekend and noticed that I was having troubles doing magazine changes. I could reach the mag release slightly with my thumb but not enough to put the pressure necessary to eject the magazine consistently. I wound up having to rotate the pistol in my hand drastically in order to do a mag change. This in my mind was no bueno.

So with the need to fix the issue and the simple fact that I was dying to get an aftermarket part for the pistol, I decided to buy a new mag release. Luckily I already knew what I wanted. One of my friends at the class had a Glock with the Vickers mag release already on it. Aren’t friends great in helping you spend money? After two seconds of playing with it, I knew that it was the one for me.

What I really dig about the Vickers mag release is the fact that it’s extended, but not so much that it causes the mag to drop free unexpectedly. My normal hand grip works and does not cause me to hit the release unexpectedly.
It’s got a nice rounded dome shape to it and isn’t very aggressive. It’s got a sexy sleek look to it.

Installation was quick and easy. Took all of 2 minutes. I decided to go with the FDE mag release to go with the FDE ATOM slide that I will be purchasing as soon as they are available from Unity Tactical.

I’m happy with my purchase and would definitely recommend anyone that needs an extended mag release to try the Vickers Tactical version. I purchased mine from SKD tactical. Look for them soon at my shop, Interstate Guns.

Gear Review: Griffin Armament (E-TAC) Enhanced Tactical Scope Rings

I’m always on the look out for new accessory manufactures. I’m always interested in anything that can maximize the value of myhard earned dollar. I found a guy by the name of Evan Green, Co-Owner and operator of Griffin Armament. These guys specialize in making suppressors and muzzle devises, but have recently designed a new tactical ring.

What intrigued me about these rings is that they are designed by guys who have extensive field experience. Come to find out, the Griffin brothers moonlight as US Army snipers. With pretty stiff competition out there from guys like Nightforce, Seekins, and Badger Ordinance, these guys have come out with a product that I believe has some nice features that the other guys are missing.

So here is the low down on the Griffin Armament’s Enhanced Tactical (E-TAC) Rings:

• 30mm ring
• offered in 3 heights: .86(low), 1.05(medium), and 1.4(high)
• CNC machined from billet 7075-T6 Aluminum
• Type III Hardcoat Anodized
• 1/2″ Drive nuts
• 8×40 T15 cap screws
• 1/4×40 threaded grade 5 crossbolt
• 30mm holes chamfered for resistance to ring marks
• Corners are radiused and blended

I really like the fact that all the sharp edges are radiused and blended unlike other manufactures in this price range.  I like the fact that the rings are a zero gap ring that use 8×40 screws on the ring caps. For a street price of $124, the Griffin Armament ETAC scope rings offer a great value to the customer.

Check out this video for more information or give a call to the guys at  SportOptics.com for more details.

Gear Review: Wheeler Engineering Professional Reticle Leveling System

Wheeler Engineering Leveling System

If you are like me, you love picking up little gadgets and gear that make life easier. I’ve had this piece of gear for a year or so now, but I recently picked up a new scope to go on a rifle. Since I had to break it out I figured why not do a write up.  After looking at the tons of scope leveling kits out there, I decided to give this one a try because of the way it works. Very quick and easy set up and I haven’t met a rifle yet that the system did not work on.

The design of the system is pretty genius and works with just about any firearm in three easy steps:

Step1: Level the rifle by putting the level on the top of the receiver. Once the rifle is level make sure you can lock it in place either in a vise or by suing a swivel bi-pod with a lock.**I realize I snapped the picture before it was level**

Leveling The Rifle

Step2: Place the barrel devise on the barrel and true that level to the action level. The thumb screw on the top of the devise allows you to adjust the level.

Leveling the Barrel Level To The Action Level

Both Levels On The Rifle

Step3: Remove the level from the action and drop you scope into its rings. You can either use the action level on the top of the scope turret or hang a plumb line to level the reticle. I do both. The reason for this is because the reticle could be installed with up to 20 degrees worth of offset depending on the manufacturer of the scope. So even though the scope itself is level, it is possible that the cross hairs are not level. That’s just how I do it….feel free to do it you own way.

So there you have it! Scope is on and leveled.

Gear Review: LaserLyte Laser Trainer Target TLB-1

Last week Hurricane Issac was bearing down on my hometown in East Louisiana. As we were preparing to hunker down for the storm, I knew that I had to be prepared to keep myself occupied in the event that we would be stuck at home for a long period of time. I had a couple of books to read, but I knew that reading would get old quick. It was going to be windy outside so I wouldn’t be able to shoot my bow. As we were closing up shop at the office, I walked by our LaserLyte display and the LaserLyte TLB-1 Trainer Target caught my eye.  I picked up a target along with a 9mm and 45 ACP training cartridges thinking that if anything else, I might be able to get some good practice in.

Over the next several days while the wind and rain were bearing down on us, a constant click….rack……click…..rack….click sound could be heard echoing through my house. Here is a rundown on my experience thus far:

LaserLyte TLB-1 Laser Trainer Target:

LaserLyte Trainer Target

• Packaging and Assembly: The package itself is very simple and easy to open. The cardboard box is made well and I think will serve as storage for the target and cartridges for many years. Opening the box, you find the training target, a screwdriver, instructions, and a set of batteries (which was nice because I didn’t have to use my hurricane batteries). Set up of the target is a breeze. Simple install the provided batteries and use the provided phillips head screwdriver to join the two halves of the target together. Now your ready to start dry firing.

• Operation of the Target: With it’s simplistic design, operation without reading the instructions is a snap. When you are ready to begin your session, switch the target power switch to the “ON” position and you are ready to go. I recommend shooting 3-4 shots at most, then shoot the “DISPLAY” target to show your shot placement. If your shot placement is the same spot every time, only one shot spotter will display.  That’s why I recommend 3-4 shots. After you display the shots, shoot the “RESET” target to clear everything and you are ready for another round.

LaserLyte Laser Trainer Cartridges:

• Packaging and Assembly: The trainer cartridges come packed in nice blister packs that look really good hanging in the retail store. The cartridges come with batteries pre installed as well as an extra set. The cartridges work on small lithium batteries so there is no chance of the batteries leaking during long periods of storage like alkaline batteries do. Each cartridge is individually packaged and has the caliber clearly marked on the body of the cartridge.

• Operation of the Cartridges: The laser pulse is emitted from the cartridge when ever the firing pin strikes the rear of the cartridge. To start your training all you have to do is insert the cartridge into the firearm’s chamber and you are ready to  go. The cartridges have rubber o-rings , one on the front and one on the rear, to hold them inside the chamber. I found that I needed to remove one of the o-rings for the cartridge to fully seat into the chamber of my pistols. On the 45 I removed the rear and on the 9mm I removed the front to see if it made a difference on which o-ring was missing. I found there to be no difference. If you ever need to change the batteries, simply unscrew the rear of the cartridge from the front half to gain access to the batteries.

Modified LaserLyte Training Cartridges

How to Change the Batteries

Observations and Thoughts: Practice makes perfect is something that I can remember coaches and instructors drilling into my head throughout my life thus far. However I think it is better to say that “perfect ” practice makes perfect. Sloppy practice could definately produce training scars, so be mindful of how you approach using your target.

The only downfall of the target that I can tell so far is the fact that I can’t use it outside. I didn’t think that it would work seeing as it works on a laser pulse to register “hits”. It would be nice to be able to use it outdoors so that my wife wouldn’t have to put up with all of the clicking. Bright light will effect the unit’s performance.

Whether or not using the target will perfect my shooting abilities are still in question and only time will tell. But it is nice to have something to use indoors when I want to be able to get some dry firing time into my training regiment.

I haven’t been keeping tract of how many times I have been shooting each cartridge to see how long the battery live is.  I’m really not too worried because it came with an extra set so I didn’t even think to keep tract.

Overall I would say that the product is solid in it’s design and operation except for the double o’rings on the cartridges. A single o-ring would have been sufficient. Very simple and easy to use design makes this target a nice addition to my gear collection. For more information or to see other products offered by LaserLyte, check out OutdoorOutfitters.com or got to LaserLyte.com.

Magpul AFG: Not For Me

Magpul Angled Fore-Grip

While looking at rifle accessories and reviews or opinions, many people in shooting forums rave on Magpul gear. I personally find it difficult to find anyone speaking about a negative experience or a flaw in their product. There might be a complaint here and there, but typically Magpul products recieve rave reviews.

Established in 1999, the company was  named after it’s original product called the Magpul. Since then, they have expanded their product line to include magizines, slings, rifle stocks, iPhone cases, and they have also have developed their own line training videos. While they come from humble beginnings, they now have one of the largest footprints in the market for rifle and shotgun accessories as and training videos in the shooting community. They have become a household name.

A few years back I noticed a rapid transition from shooters using vertical grips to using a Magpul created devise called the Angled Fore-Grip. After hearing nothing but good things, I decided it was time to taste the Magpul Kool-Aid and I  purchased one of their AFG whizz bangers. The theory behind the AFG sounded great when I read it off of their website; “Compatible with most any 1913 Picatinny-railed hand guard, the Magpul AFG (Angled Fore-Grip) takes into account natural body mechanics and provides a comfortable and stable user interface that reduces fatigue and allows for more precise weapon control. By positioning the shooter’s hand high on the centerline of the bore, unlike conventional vertical fore-grips, the AFG helps mitigate recoil and control the weapon to facilitate faster, more accurate follow-up shots” (http://www.magpul.com).

I’ve had it on my rifle for over a year now, and I have to admit that I am disappointed in the product. Besides the “tacti-cool” look that it gives my rifle I don’t find that it has a practical purpose for anything except for being an oversized handstop. While I do agree with the theory of the product , forcing the shooter to grab the rifle over it’s axis thus controlling the rifle better, I don’t think that you need a $40 device to hold the rifle as such.

While the lip on the from of the grip does serve as a hand stop, looking at what the AFG  does compared to a stubby vertical grip gives me buyers remorse. For the cost of the AFG, I firmly believe that I will be better served going with a stubby vertical grip. In my opinion, the vertical grip would have more advantages for the type of shooting I am now doing as a civilian:

Angled Fore-Grip

• It can act as a hand stop. Give you something to push against when presenting the rifle to the target
• It can provide barricade support
• It can provide support for alternate shooting positions

If I was still deploying down range, there would be even more advantages for a vertical grip. It would allow me to do all the above as well as do thing like grab a fast rope if I needed to pull it closer, grab a ladder, or do something really high speed like grab a pod seat on a little bird. It would also come in handy for grabbing concertina if I was building a fighting position or preping a snap VCP or could also hold my tp while taking one of those tactical deuces in the field.

Let me repeat myself from earlier: If there is a plus to the AFG I would say that it does show you how to hold the rifle. However holding the rifle over its axis does not require the use of Magpul’s devise. In hind site I wish that I would have figured out  the fact that a vertical grip on a rifle does not have to be used in it’s most obvious form (holding around the column).

So that’s my review on the Magpul Angled Fore-Grip. Take it how you like. If you have an AFG and it works for you then great. I hope that I have given some insight into the possible pros vs cons of an AFG . It was my intention to share with my readers my experience with the AFG and why I don’t really care for it. Hopefully my review will help someone who is on the fence about their purchase by giving them some knowledge from my experience.

VTAC MK-1 Review

After my last deployment, I decided that a single point rifle sling was not for me. While the Blackhawk single point that I was using may be good for some people, I was having difficulty performing some tasks that would arise in the field. Transitioning from strong side to weak side was difficult. Shooting from different positions especially going from standing to prone was  a chore because I could not get enough slack in the sling to go prone. I also noticed that the rifle would hang to the side versus in front of me or which was awkward because it would bang on my leg as I walked. Whenever I needed to work hands free I found my self passing my rifle off to my radio operator. Fast forward two years later. After my discharge from the Marine Corps, I never gave the fact that I needed a new sling a second thought. The only shooting I was doing was at a range where a sling was not needed. It wasn’t until I took a carbine course with a private training company (The Advantage Group) that I decided to find a better sling solution. So the search began for a two point sling that would do what my one point sling would/could not do. My criteria was simple:

1. A sling that would allow me to switch shooting shoulders easily.
2. A sling that would allow me to change shooting positions but would at the same time provide the stability that a sling should provide while firing.
3. A sling that would allow me to work hands free and not hang awkwardly to a single side.
4. I also wanted to find something that I could wear at an all day class that would support the weight of the rifle a little better.

I made friends with one of the instructors at the carbine class, so I called him on advice on where to start my search. He mentioned that he and another instructor ran a VTAC MK-1 sling and highly recommended it based on his experience  using it downrange as well as training. So, going on his recommendation, I placed my order and sat in front of my front door waiting on the brown dinosaur (UPS) to arrive.

VTAC MK-1 Rifle Sling

I am really glad that I went with the operator’s recommendation because this sling is all that and a bag of chips. It does everything that I was looking for it to do. I had the sling on the rifle and properly adjusted in about 5 minutes. This sling would be a breeze for a novice shooter to set up as long as they can follow the simple instructions included. I took  a couple picture of the way it installs.

1. After making sure that the rifle is unloaded, attach the rear of the sling to the butt stock of the rifle. My stock had an opening on the top, rear that would allow the sling to easily attach to it.
   
2. Once the rear of the sling is connected, simply attach the adjustable portion of the sling to the front of the rifle. On my rifle I attached the sling to the front sight post. If you have a sling swivel or a rail with a QD stud on the forward most portion of the rifle, I would suggest using that.
3. We want to make our adjustments on the sling from the rear first. Place the sling over your firing shoulder and under your non-firing arm. If the sling is adjusted properly in the rear, we should be able to reach the free running end as well as the quick adjust buckle with our non firing hand. If you can’t then you need to tighten or loosen the sling on the butt stock.
4. With the sling ran out at it’s longest point, you should be able to freely transition from strong side to week side when the rifle is slung only around your neck. Tighten or loosen the sling from the front to make this adjustment.
5.  The sling keeper allows the shooter to tie up the dangling end of the sling. It also acts a a adjustment stop when cinching the sling down. If you need more adjustment to cinch the sling down, just keep pulling till the velcro breaks free.

I find that the sling performs as advertised. It was definitively designed for the tactical shooter in mind. It allows you to quickly adjust the sling for several different shooting positions as well as giving you the ability to sling the rifle across your back for climbing, running, or anything else that would require you to work hands free. It give you the If you are looking for a sling for your AR, I highly recommend getting yourself the VTAC MK-1. It is money well spent.