http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php/page/index.html/_/reviews/ Tue, 21 May 2013 01:41:10 +0000 86400 Gear reviews by BoomerShooter.com http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php/page/index.html/_/reviews/thrust-button-review-r31 http://www.boomersho...s/thrust/t2.jpg[/imgleft]The "Thrust Button" was designed by Brian Lambert, and is produced by CAD Innovations right here in Okie-homa. It is machined from 6061 T6 aluminum, wears a black anodized finish, and has QD sling swivel For 1 1/4" sling. The front edge of the device features aggressive serrations, while the rest of the device body is nicely checkered. The device is essentially three pieces, the QD swivel, the main body, and the handguard attachment nut. Currently the device is available for Loki handguards, but I'm told a picatinny version should be out soon.

Installation was a breeze. If you can turn a Allen wrench, you can install the device. Slip the attachment nut behind a slot in the handguard, line up the main body, and start turning the screw. I didn't need to borrow a neighbor's kid to help me. Piece of cake.
I mounted the device on the left side of my Loki XLhandguard equipped AR15 that is designated as my SWAT competition rifle. I mounted it as far forward as possible. Anyone who shoots comp know that sticking too much gun trough a port or beyond a barricade is a time killer. I also found that by mounting the device way out front, it acted as a thumbrest for my support hand. I do not know if it was intended for this role, but it sure as hell worked.

The device worked great for gaining extra support when shooting thru ports and around barricades. The serrations gave enough bite to steady the rifle, but not so much that I couldn't pull the rifle from position leaving the port.
I actually got my hands on a second Thrust Button and mounted it on the right side of the rifle, nearer the receiver. I did this because in SWAT comp we are often forced to shoot off smallish platforms and it may be necessary to put more rifle through some ports.

[imgright]http://www.boomersho...s/thrust/t3.jpg[/imgright]I might add that since the devices are mounted on a SWAT gun, it was necessary to modify them slightly. They take a coat of camouflage Krylon like a champ!

I spoke with Brian Lambert after I had the device for some time. I mentioned that it worked well as a handstop/thumbrest kinda thing. Basically, he notified me that I am dumb and that is what it was intended for. I bought it to give me support on barricades/walls, etc.... I thought I was a genius for discovering it's freestyle capability..... But again, I've been denied of my intellectual glory.

Again, this is a cool little widget, that is functional and isn't so expensive you have to put off your kidney transplant. I have no complaints whatsoever.

The Thrust Button can be ordered from Tony Wall at www.makereadyproshop.com.]]> Tue, 20 Mar 2012 23:35:01 +0000 1afa34a7f984eeabdbb0a7d494132ee5 http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php/page/index.html/_/reviews/fn-fns-shift-change-pistol-review-r29
Today I had the pleasure of evaluating the new FN FNS "Shift Change" pistol. In my occupation, it is possible for me to acquire firearms for test and evaluation. When I heard that a certain big time USPSA guy may be shooting this pistol, I thought a review would be appropriate for Boomer Shooter. I used my connections in LE and got the pistol today.

Let me say this, I really like this pistol!

I brought the pistol out to SWAT training today and went out on a limb and used it as my teaching gun all day. Approximately 500 rounds were fired through the gun, with zero malfunctions experienced. The gun was fresh from the box, and still had factory oil on the pistol. I applied more lubrication at lunch.

The pistol with its 4" barrel seems to be in between the Glock 17 and 19 in size. Big enough for duty or competition, but small enough to conceal easily. A nice compromise of size. The trigger guard is large and rounded. There are rails, for attachment of lighting devices.
The polymer frame was checkered and came with both an arched and flat backstrap. Backstraps were changed by pushing a paperclip through a hole in the rear of the backstrap. This depresses a spring and allows the backstrap to slide off. Although the arched backstrap was comfortable, I really liked the flat. The checkering is sorta raised pyramid thing (similar to the Glock RTF) on the side panels, more traditional checkering on the backstraps, and horizontal lines on the front strap. The front strap seemed to these hands to be very extreme, almost uncomfortable. The gun definitely grips you back. There is a slight beavertail, reminiscent of the M&P, so no slide bite.

Sights were Trijicon 3 dots, fixed and adjustable by drift. They are dovetailed in place, so I suspect other manufacturers will soon be producing replacements. Ahem.......Dawson?

The Magazine release buttons are large. They are also ambidextrous. No need to flip the release around, it works from either side. I found that my shooting hand grip covered the magazine release, but this did not cause any problems during shooting.

The pistol has a nicely beveled magwell, more so than an other polymer framed pistol I've seen. The magazines are steel and have a small lip about halfway up the front of the mag body. This lip is what the mag catch latches onto. While making magazine changes, I didn't notice the lip. Hitting the mag release, the magazines shoot out of the grip like they are being chased! Magazine basepads have a large front lip, which reminds me of the stock M&P magazine basepads. I think if comp is to be shot with this gun, basepads that are a tad smaller would be in order. When snatching a mag from a mag carrier, you could dislodge the mag behind the target mag. But...nothing a Dremel or smaller replacement pads won't cure.

The slide release lever was positive and easy to manipulate. It is protected by the frame so as to not lock up during firing. This has been a problem for me in the past. I grip really high, and have had Glocks lock back prematurely, so I usually file off the outside of the Glock levers. This wasn't an issue today. Ambi, here too.

The gun sits low in the hand and points very well. I found that when tracking the sights, I got more of a back and forth track, as opposed to a vertical track. The gun wasn't as snappy as some other 40 caliber pistols. I attribute this to a low bore axis, aggressive grip texturing, and a proper firing grip.

Now to the trigger..... Take up was a bit gritty, but seemed to be smoothing out over the course of the day. Take up wasn't "airy" like a Glock, it felt positive the entire length of travel. Once the trigger is taken to the "wall", things got crisp! There was a slight hint of over-travel, but not much. Reset was very short and positive. I didn't measure trigger pull weight, to me those numbers don't mean anything. FN publishes the pull weight at 5.5lbs. Ok, whatever. All I know is the trigger felt better than any other factory striker fired pistol I've shot. The trigger is meant to go fast!

Accuracy was boring. Tiny groups were shot all day long. Pepper poppers at 100 yards fell all day.

Now for the important part, shoot-ability. The gun pointed well, recoiled mildly, and the trigger felt great. Mag changes were a breeze, mags flew out of the gun, and inserted with ease. When reloading from lock back, the slide release was easy to hit, and their a ample cocking serrations both front and rear if you are so inclined. I'm sure the Lefties will appreciate the ambi slide releases.

In my opinion, this is a viable gun from competition, carry, and duty. For comp, I would change the magazine basepads to something smaller and I would install some sights of the fiber optic variety. It comes with 3 magazines, so buy two more and you're ready to rock. I don't know of any competition holster options, but it can't be long before the major players tool up. For duty or carry, she's ready to go.
I think FN has a winner. I know of one major Oklahoma police department (the biggest one) that is taking a very hard look at this pistol.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
Operation: Double action - Manual Safety levers
Frame Color: Black
Slide Finish: Matte black
Barrel Length: 4.0" long
Caliber: .40 S&W
Magazine Capacity: 14 round
Sights: Fixed thre-dot
Weight: 27.5 oz.
5.5 -7.7 lbs. trigger pull

SLIDE:
All stainless steel construction
Front/rear cocking serrations
Three-dot fixed Tritium sights

FRAME:
Four interchangeable backstrap inserts with lanyard eyelets
1913 accessory mounting rail

OPERATING CONTROLS:
ambidextrous safety levers
ambidextrous slide stop levers
ambidextrous magazine release



]]> Tue, 07 Feb 2012 20:46:15 +0000 d1f491a404d6854880943e5c3cd9ca25 http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php/page/index.html/_/reviews/gear-reviews/maxpedition-mini-pocket-organizer-mini-review-r28 Background: Red Dawn Hunting Survival & Recreation generously donated a mini-pocket organizer to BoomerShooter.com for a review and to donate as a prize to a member. If you  have a backpack and need a small organizer to keep smaller items handy instead of flopping around loose inside your pack, the mini pocket organizer is the perfect solution. If you already have a Maxpedition pack then it is even better as I will describe below.

Initial Impression: As with all Maxpedition gear, the quality is unsurpassed. The 1050-denier nylon is some of the heaviest on the market and will withstand years of “hard use”, hence the Maxpedition slogan “Hard Use Gear”. The nylon is also Teflon coated which will keep dirt and moisture away. Quality YKK zippers with paracord pull straps adorn all Maxpedition gear. Reinforced stitching is all covered with a nylon material to prevent fraying.

Features: The Mini Pocket Organizer is small but packs a big punch. It is 4”x 6”x 0.75” in size. When unzipped fully it measures approximately 9”x 6”. Inside there is a slip pocket on each half. There are 4 small elastic loops on the left side and two larger elastic loops underneath those. On the right side there are 3 small elastic loops over one larger loop. The left side also has a key chain hook to keep smaller items or and extra key on. On the front there is a small mesh pocket with a Velcro opening. This would be  a good place for an ID card or something thin. It also has a Velcro patch for attaching your BomerShooter patch. On the back there is a carry handle and also three rows of MOLLE compatible straps. Maxpedition sells a set of TacTie™ attachment straps to securely attach this organizer to the outside of any of their other packs.

Daily Use: You can put any number of items in this little organizer but I have pictured some suggestions of what I carried. Spare batteries and a small flashlight on the left side. Inside the slip pocket on the left I have some sanitizer hand wipes. On the key chain hook, I have a small pill bottle attached that holds allergy medication. On the right side I have a small folding knife, a mini-multi tool and a mechanical pencil. Inside the right slip pocket I have a 3” x 5” “Rite in the Rain” notepad. If you haven’t tried one of these notepads, you owe it to yourself to get one and stick it in your daily carry pack. The mini-organizer is also small enough to slide in a pocket of a pair of cargo pants or shorts without adding a lot of bulk.

EDIT: I added a picture at the bottom of one more possible use. A small .380 auto like this Kel-Tec will fit perfectly under the elastic strap and also have room for a spare magazine.

Overall Impression: Quality!  It might be small but you can put a lot of stuff in this organizer if you plan the essentials that you might need easy access to. The only fault I can find is that, unfortunately, it is not made in the USA.

Maxpedition makes three other sizes of the Pocket Organizer.
The Micro: 3.5" x 5.5" x 1" deep.
The Fatty: 5” x 7” x 2” deep.
The EDC: 5” x 7” x 0.75" deep

I give the Maxpedition Mini Pocket Organizer a rating of 4.25 hollowpoints (out of 5).


  
  



You can see all of the gear available from Maxpedition at www.maxpedition.com]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:45:31 +0000 76dc611d6ebaafc66cc0879c71b5db5c http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php/page/index.html/_/reviews/apex-handguard-system-review-r27 Background: I recently began gathering parts to build a light weight .308 caliber AR style rifle for some medium range plinking as well as hunting, both deer and hogs.  My ultimate goal was to build the lightest rifle I could and yet still be durable and able to withstand the tough conditions sometimes mother nature can throw at us.

First Glance: When I first picked the box up off my doorstep my initial reaction was “Oh crap – they sent me the wrong handguard”.  The box felt as if there was nothing in it.  I immediately opened it to find that there was indeed a handguard in there.  Next came out the tape measure, I thought “OK maybe they sent me the wrong length” – NOPE right length 12.5” handguard for DPMS pattern LR-308 rifle.  This thing is amazingly light!  If all I was wanting was a light handguard that looked great – I would be done, review over, time to move on – however I want to be sure that this will stand up to the needs I placed forward as well as have some great features with it.

Features: The handguard comes in various sizes for both AR-15 style rifles as well as 308 style AR’s both DPMS pattern and Armalite pattern.  There are optional rails for both the top and various positions on the handguard that you can add at an additional cost.  The weight of the 12.5” Rifle length handguard is a mere 10.4oz.

The handguard has a couple other really unique features.  One of these really awesome features are the built in QD swivel sockets.  There are 2 positions on both the left side and right side for one to use QD slings to attach it to the handguard without any additional accessories or hardware needed.  The other really unique feature of the handguard is the Gator pattern “GatorGrip” underside that really gives added grip and texture to the handguard.  I tried the handguard with both gloves and bare hands and I can definitely say that this makes a major difference.  There was no slippage at all even when I tried gripping the handguard with wet hands.  From a practical standpoint seems that Apex included some really useful features in the handguard!

Fit / Finish: Overall, I could find zero finish/fit issues with the handguard.  The anodizing is perfect, there are no rough edges anywhere and it def seems to be quality material.

Wearability: Once I get a few 1,000 rounds through the rifle I will come back and update how the handguard is standing up!

Overall Impressions: Overall this handguard is perfect for my needs.  Light weight, feature rich, great price point – what more could one ask for in the handguard.  I have zero problem recommending this handguard to anyone looking to replace their exisiting handguard on both AR-15 or 308 style AR’s.  Just a note, I purchased this handguard for my personal use, I did inform Apex that it would be part of a review however I actually paid for this handguard.  I can honestly say that it is MONEY WELL SPENT!!!

Apex Handguard Systems is located in White City, OR and can be reached online via http://www.apexhandguard.com/

Pros:
Ultra light weight
Built in QD Swivels
GatorGrip underbody adds additional grip
Reasonably Priced - $200 MSPR for 12.5” DPMS .308 Handguard
Great Customer Service (fast email response)

Cons:
Does not come with top rail or accessory rails
Add-on rails can be pricey







]]> Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:52:18 +0000 ec5decca5ed3d6b8079e2e7e7bacc9f2 http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php/page/index.html/_/reviews/firearm-reviews/quentin-defense-gideon-lr-308-lower-coming-soon-r25 Stay tuned for an in-depth review of Quentin Defense's NEW Gideon LR-308 Lower!








]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2011 23:46:38 +0000 3def184ad8f4755ff269862ea77393dd http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php/page/index.html/_/reviews/gear-reviews/vz-aliens-grips-review-r24 Background: I have used VZ grips for many years and have always been more than satisfied with the product and service. I recently got the urge to find a more aggressive grip for my Kimber Pro CDP. It was wearing VZ Operators and they were fairly aggressive but I was on a quest to find the gnarlyest, grippyest grips I could find. I already knew I wanted VZ brand grips because I have never been disappointed with their products. After studying, reading and surfing the net, I decided on the Aliens in Black Gray.

First Impression: HOLY CRAP! These things remind me of a wood rasp. The VZ website rates the texture of their grips from smooth to very aggressive. Aliens are rated as “medium”. I beg to differ! The Operators are rated as aggressive and I found them to be less so than the Aliens. The Black Gray color means the layers the grips are constructed of are alternating black and gray. the resulting appearance is kind of charcoal gray and the two colors aren’t as differentiated as their other color combinations such as Black Desert or Zebra.

Quality: When talking about VZ Grips, quality is not an issue. They are always made of high quality materials and exceptional workmanship. The Aliens are no exception and the G10 from which they are made is clean finished with no rough edges, except where they are supposed to be rough.



Fit: The fit on my Kimber was perfect. The holes aligned perfectly with the bushings and the grips fell right into place. I did sand about 1/16” off the top of the right grip panel so my thumb safety would fully disengage. I do not consider this an issue with the grips because my thumb safety is oversized and every one is slightly different. The G10 can be sanded easily and doesn’t change the look or functionality of the grips whatsoever. After shooting a couple of matches with these grips, the grip screws did loosen slightly. I attribute this to the hardness of the G10 which doesn’t allow for the screws to be tightened like wood or other softer materials would. VZ sells some small o-rings that you can place under the grip screws to allow them to be tightened more.

Overall Impression: My overall impression is that these are the most aggressive grips I have personally handled and shot. If you use these on your carry gun (like I do) and the gun is tight against your side (as it should be) you might want to wear an undershirt. If you have sensitive hands or are otherwise sensitive to abrasion, you might want to try something different, like a wood rasp! Some would not recommend these grips for a carry gun. I say, what better grips could you want? If you ever have to draw your weapon in self defense, the last thing you want is for your gun to slip out of your hand. Once you get your grip on the firearm, it isn’t moving. Two handed, one handed, strong hand, weak hand, doesn’t matter.



PROS:
Very Aggressive
17 color choices available
Price (VZ offers periodic coupon codes)
Perfect fit

CONS:
Screws can work loose
Can irritate your side

OVERALL RATING: 4.75 hollowpoints (out of 5)

VZ Grips can be found on the web at www.vzgrips.com or followed on Facebook ]]> Tue, 29 Nov 2011 23:11:22 +0000 c8ffe9a587b126f152ed3d89a146b445 http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php/page/index.html/_/reviews/gear-reviews/ss-iwb-holster-holster-r23 Background: I recently purchased a SIG 1911 TacOps to use for EDC and began looking for a holster.  I cam across S&S Holsters on another site and decide to give them a shout to see what they could do for me.  I have never carried a pistol before but I heard the right holster makes all the difference.  I gave Brandon at S&S free reign design wise to make me a nice holster for EDC.

First Glance: When I first opened the box that the holster came in my first reaction was "WOW".  This thing really looks great!!!  Brandon went with Black leather with Black Shark Trim to go along with it.  This really gives the holster a nice look.  The holster has a slight cant forward as well as slight curve to match the curve on your side.

Holster quality: The leather on this holster is of a heavy thickness and a very professional finish. The loops are 1 1/2" and very sturdy snaps.  The stitching looks great with no loose frays anywhere and  the Shark Trim really adds a lot of character to the holster.

Firearm fit. The first thing that I noticed when I grabbed my gun and put it in the holster was "WOW this sucker is tight".  I then went over to S&S's website and they mention that if it is a little snug at first to use the plastic bag that it shipped in to wrap your firearm and put it in to stretch it just a tad.  I did this and within a few hours noticed a much better fit.  I guess its better to be too tight at first, as leather can stretch, than to be too loose.  I'm going to leave the firearm, in the bag, inside the holster all night and see how it fits tomorrow.  All in all though the fit is perfect for the pistol.

Wearability:  After I got the firearm in the holster the next step was to check to see how it fits on me.  I had a pair of jeans on with a cheap leather belt, and a T-shirt - I figure this was as good of outfit as ever to see how it looks.  I put the holster on - got it in place on my side, pulled my shirt down and was surprised at what I saw.  Actually, I should say what I didn't see!  I had a full size 1911 on my side that I couldn't even tell was there.  My T-shirt is actually a little small as it has been shrunk a few times and still - couldn't tell the gun was even there.

Overall Impressions: Overall I am very pleased with this holster.  So much that I will be giving S&S a call in the future to build me another holster for my Khar that I plan to get for summer carry.  The cost was $110 with the Shark Trim and (I believe) $95 without.  The turn around time was about 3 weeks, which for a 100% custom made holster is not bad at all.


Looking for your next holster - give S&S Holsters a try -- I know I will def use them again.  http://www.ssholsters.com/

Pros:
Custom made to your specs
High quality leather with many options
Great concealment
Snug snaps

Cons:
Price - $110 (although for fully custom this is not bad at all)
Firearm is a little snug at first - I'm expecting this to not be an issue in the future







]]> Sat, 26 Nov 2011 01:53:03 +0000 202cb962ac59075b964b07152d234b70 http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php/page/index.html/_/reviews/gear-reviews/spikes-nickel-boron-bolt-carrier-group-r20
Second, the BCG they say is made "in-house" by them and the Nickel Boron coating is done by Fail Zero.

I bought the NiB BCG because I had heard and read that they required no lube because the NiB had "self lubricating" properties. I can say that I haven't found that to be true.

I will say that it does run longer without lube than a regular BCG, but it still needs lube. Maybe not as much as a normal BCG.

I took it out and shot maybe 600 to 800 rounds through it, not all at once but over several sessions and a 3 gun match. I didn't have any problems but the grime was getting to be too much so I had to clean it.

I had also heard that you could just "wipe it off" and it would be good as new. Well I tried that. It really didn't work. The carbon fouling on the bolt was pretty bad and it needed to be soaked in BF CLP and some other solvent I had, then scrubbed with a copper brush and tooth brush. I finally got it pretty clean but the coating was discolored. For me, the discoloration wasn't a big deal because I'm not too concerned with the looks but I was very disappointed that the BCG didn't "wipe clean".

Picture time!

Dirty:













Clean:












As you can see it didn't really clean up like I thought it would. The finish is discolored from the heat I guess.

It runs perfect.  A lot of people that purchased these complained about the finish. It shows tooling marks horribly. The tool marks are on every BCG but the NiB coating exaggerates them. Again, looks aren't as important as function to me.

To sum it up, I am pretty disappointed in it. For the price paid, I expected it to be amazing. Its not amazing, its just OK.

Worth the money.. IMO, No. It works but it doesn't perform exactly as they say in terms of wiping clean and being able to run totally lubeless.

I have since done another test with it and found that if lubed, maybe not as much as what some people lube, but if lubed some, the carbon on the bolt comes off a lot easier. If I go shoot a lot, allow the rifle to sit for a few days before cleaning it, the carbon hardens and is a pain to get off.

If you have any questions I'll try to answer them.]]> Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:10:19 +0000 da4fb5c6e93e74d3df8527599fa62642 http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php/page/index.html/_/reviews/gear-reviews/vortex-strikefire-redgreen-dot-optic-r19
I purchased my Strikefire in November of 2009 and have put over 5000 rounds through the rifle with this optic aboard.  I have changed the battery one time.  The Strikefire is equipped with a 6-hour shutoff and a battery will last a reported 130 hours with the red dot on maximum brightness.  This color/setting combination makes for the absolute shortest battery life for the optic.

The optic is available with either a low- or high-mount.  The high-mount is ideal for an AR co-witness.  The mount is of suitable quality for most applications but would best be replaced with a cantilever mount if you desire to mount a magnifier behind it.

After several iterations of on-and-off in the course of installing new parts elsewhere on the upper receiver the optic's zero remained mostly unchanged by going back to the same slot with the mounting screw against the rear of that slot but some minor adjustments were still required.  With 1/2-minute graduations the adjustments can be slightly less accurate than may be desired but are easy enough to make.  One feature I would like to see here is for the adjustment and battery compartment caps to be equipped with a 'bikini' keeper like some higher-end optics.  This feature should be easy enough to provide on an optic in the Strikefire's price point.  It should not be reserved, in my opinion, for the most expensive optics(the Primary Arms M3-style optic comes to mind).

The Strikefire sports multiple antireflective coatings on its lenses.  In my experience the optics are very clear and remained fog-free with a light coat of EK's Cat Crap antifog product.  The optic is reported by Vortex to be parallax free beyond 50 yards and to have less than one inch of parallax within 40 yards.  My experience has not yielded a discernable amount of parallax from 3 to 50 yards.  A screw-in 2x magnifier comes with the optic but I found it to be minimally helpful, if at all.  The Strikefire 3x magnifier and new 180-degree mount look intriguing and perhaps can be the subject of a future review.  At 1x the dot is quick to the eye in the high mount and, being parallax free, the optic is easy to use with both eyes open, even at close range.

A kill flash filter is available for the Strikefire if one's operating environment might require it.  The lens caps are sufficient but I found that they became difficult to close easily after a period of time.  They may be best left open or removed altogether.

The Strikefire is equipped with a night vision (NV) setting.  I had the opportunity to test this capability with a PVS-14 and the Strikefire proved to be the inexpensive little optic that could.  The dot was crisp, clear and 'halo' free.  The overall image was equally impressive with a clear tube.

The operating controls are set on the left side of the optic and include the power button, brightness setting controls and the NV control.  The power button turns the unit on to the red dot setting.  Pressing it again turns the dot green and once more will power off the unit.  The NV and brightness settings buttons are well-located at the rear of the control module facing the shooter.  The power button is less well-placed.  With the power button placed on the outer side of the control module a right-handed shooter might notice, between strings of fire after the rifle has been hanging, that the dot color has changed.  This is only marginally annoying if the color has simply changed but when taking advantage of the eye's preference for all things green it can be dangerous to find that the unit has been inadvertently turned off.  This is largely only an issue when letting the rifle hang on the sling over magazines or an armor carrier.

Other than the shortcoming with the power button, lack of cap keeper and quick wearout of the lens cap gaskets I would rate the Strikefire an excellent value with a $159 suggested retail price.  The unit can be had for less with a little Google Shopping prowess, though, which just makes it even better.  If you're looking for a quality optic with the flexibility of either a red or green dot and equipped with a night vision capability, the Strikefire might just be the optic for which you've been searching.



Read the manufacturer's information by clicking here]]> Wed, 23 Nov 2011 02:44:20 +0000 07e1cd7dca89a1678042477183b7ac3f http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php/page/index.html/_/reviews/gear-reviews/looper-leather-owb-pancake-holster-r16 Background: I most typically carry my J-Frame in my RKBA pocket holster but was in the market for a OWB holster for times when I can’t carry in my pocket such as with particular pants. Basically I just wanted another holster and I decided to go with an OWB since I didn’t already have one.

First Glance: The holster is very nice looking and has a light brown color to it. I call it saddle brown. The stitching is black or very dark brown and very tight and matches the burnished edges on the holster. I would call the boning, semi-detailed. The holster is slightly curved to the shape of [most] bodies so the holster really lies flat against your side.

Holster quality: The leather on this holster is of a heavy thickness and a very professional finish. Although the loops are not quite as large as the Galco loops, they are sufficient for my double thick Filson belt with a little bit of work. The slots will eventually “waller out” and should fit about any 1-1/2” belt. The inside of the holster is natural rough out finish which aids in the retention.

Firearm fit. As with all pancake holsters, retention is greater while on your belt than just holding it in your hand. Retention is perfect for a gun with no thumb break. You have to give it a pretty good tug to get the gun out, as it should be. The guns sits down into the holster just far enough to allow for a full firing grip on the little revolver. This is also partly why the retention is so good, the top (back) of the cylinder rides below the leather allowing for the edge of the leather to “grab” the cylinder thus increasing the retention. Because it is a pancake style and the gun is a revolver, the holster tries to SLIGHTLY close if you wear your belt relatively tight. Although, I had no trouble re-holstering with ease

Overall Impressions: The revolver rides such that the cylinder is even with the belt. I like this better than one that rides higher because a short barreled gun such as this needs the support to be across the middle instead of only on the end of the barrel. This allows for the gun to be pulled tight without having to cinch the belt to the point of cutting off your wind.  Lastly, the holster seems to really lie flat against my hip. No edges sticking up to catch on chairs, doorways etc. It seems to be contoured to my shape very well.


PROS:
Inexpensive ($50)
Very nice fit and finish
in stock at H&H (no waiting)
High quality stitching
Holds gun close to your side
Made in Oklahoma!

CONS:
Belt Loops could be slightly larger to accommodate BIG belts

OVERALL RATING: 5 hollowpoints (out of five)





]]> Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:05:14 +0000 c45147dee729311ef5b5c3003946c48f http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php/page/index.html/_/reviews/gear-reviews/fenix-e01-review-r15 Hey there, everyone. I discovered this forum from the OSA forum at someone's direction. I think I'll like it here

Anyway, I recently started a light, gun, and knife review blog (more for my own satisfaction than anything else). But since this forum has a gear review section, I'll gladly contribute.

Coming from the time when one AAA getting you around two lumens for around two hours, this light is incredible.



The Fenix E01 is a tiny, bright, and budget-minded AAA light. It's throw-against-the-wall durable, has one mode, and is cheap (around $10).

It features a prefocused Nichia LED—prefocused meaning that it doesn't have a traditional reflector, but rather a resin lens that the LED's built into that focuses light. As such, there is no polished reflector, just a rough aluminum one that does next to nothing. It has no lens, so if you keep it in your pocket lint will get into the head. No big deal, just something to know.



It throws a 10 lumen beam that's asymmetrical and of a purple hue. Runtime is listed as 10 hours at full strength, at which point the light drops output for a quasi-second level that is supposed to last an additional 10 hours.



While not evident in the picture above, the E01's beam is a rounded-off rectangular shape with a distinct purple tingle in the middle. The shape is due to the LED having two dies right next to each other instead of the normal one die.



It's hard to see, but you can make out the two separate dies in the above picture.

The E01 is a flashlight that you can put on your keychain and not worry about it being knocked around. Both the external anodized aluminum body and the internal components were built right, being robust enough to survives the rigors of harsh day-to-day treatment.

One amazing thing about this light is its ability to seemingly resurrect dead batteries from the grave. Today I put a near-dead alkaline battery in my Maglite Solitaire (which I'll review in a later post) and ran it down to nothing. I gave it five minutes and stuck it in the Fenix (interesting coincidence of words...)

The E01 lit up, albeit in the reduced power mode, and ran long enough that I got bored of watching it die. It won the battle and I stuck its fully charged NiMH battery back in.

Speaking of rechargeable batteries, I wouldn't recommend the lithium-ion 10440 cells for use in this. I haven't tried it, but I doubt that the E01 would handle the increased voltage with flying colors; more like a tiny wisp of smoke...



The E01 is small. Very small. Pictured above is the light next to a Federal .357 Magnum round.

When it comes down to it, this light's purpose is to be a tough, decently bright flashlight that'll be as happy sitting in a desk as it will be in a purse or on a key ring. Mine's never failed to light and has been extremely efficient.

I look forward to this year's SHOT Show to see what 4Sevens has in store. Rumor has it that they've developed a so-called "E01 Killer". It is a tall order to create a budget light that outshines this one (in more categories than one), but if anyone can do it 4Sevens can.

We shall wait and see...

Looking forward to posting more.]]> Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:03:57 +0000 2b44928ae11fb9384c4cf38708677c48 http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php/page/index.html/_/reviews/gear-reviews/rkba-pocket-holster-review-r14 Cost: $38.50 including shipping. Received holster 3 weeks from date of order

First Impression: When you take this holster out of the bag you know it is made well. The leather is thick and it just looks like a quality piece. I ordered the saddle tan color but it also comes in natural and black.

Fit/Finish: You can order these holsters with rough side out or smooth side out. Mine is rough side out. The stitching is a natural color and is very tight and straight. All of the edges are burnished and makes for nice smooth lines. This holster has a very professional look.

Retention: The retention on my S&W 642 is perfect for a pocket holster. Not so tight that it is difficult to draw and not loose enough that it would slide out when you sit down.

Design Features: Because of the design of the holster is flat across the top, you can get a full firing grip on the gun inside your pocket before you present the weapon. The best feature of this holster is that it is formed in a curve like your leg. No more flat pocket holster that sticks through your pants when you sit down. The gun is also canted slightly so the butt of the gun doesn’t “peek” out of the corner of your pocket. The bottom of the holster is flat but it is tapered slightly so it works equally well with round or flat bottom pockets. Another unique feature of the holster are the little “hooks” at each end of the top of the holster. This holster CANNOT come out of your pocket when you draw. The hooks will hang on anything they come in contact with. In fact, it is kind of hard to get out of your pocket when you get ready to take it out at the end of the day.

Overall Impression: I can’t say enough good things about this holster. It has everything you need in a pocket holster; quality leather and workmanship, fair price and a superb design. I give this holster a 5 hollow point rating (out of 5). This is the only time I have ever given a 5 rating on a holster but I think this one is warranted.

RKBA Holsters can but purchased at http://www.rkbaholsters.com/





]]> Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:43:02 +0000 5fd0b37cd7dbbb00f97ba6ce92bf5add http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php/page/index.html/_/reviews/gear-reviews/surefire-s2-r13
First off, it is typical SF construction, solid as can be and you would be hard pressed to find any flaws. The threads are beefy and you would have to be really determined to strip them. The clicky switch is quite firm and will no doubt hold up for a lifetime. And you also have Surefire's NO BS warranty...more on that at the end of this review.

First of is brightness levels and runtimes as stated claimed by Surefire.

160 lumens high, 2 hours tactical runtime (until output drops below 50 lumens)
50 lumens medium, 15 hours total runtime
5 lumens low, 75 hours total runtime

I have found their runtimes to be probably about what they state, no problems there...I have not done a formal test myself on this one.
As for brightness levels, I think Surefire tends to be very conservative in their claims. Granted I dont have the equipment to say for sure, but I suspect by eye balling it, they tend to run a good deal brighter than what they say.

The 5 lumen low? Ok, if they say so...15 at least IMO.
Medium of 50? I have compared it to other brands with stated 70-80 lumen output and the S2's 50 clobbers them pretty darn good.
160 high? Call it 200 or a touch above and I believe it.

When you ask about lights and somebody tells you SF is old news with poor output compared to the newer wonder lights in the same class (think SF Vs Fenix)...compare side-by-side and you will probably see that Fenix might stretch the claim a hair and SF understates theirs a bit...usually no contest, SF is brighter. Not to say Fenix does not make a good light...I think they are superb in every way.

One thing that struck me about this light at first was the beam. Some lights are used for amazing throw and some for their flood and covering a wide area. There are some lights that are trying to do both and only do a fair job at that. This is the best of both worlds. It has a pretty tight center with excellent and impressive throw. Really a well defined spot that gives up very little to nothing compared to "throwers" in the same size/power range. The flood will also rival dedicated "flood" beams again in the same size/power range. The flood brightness also does NOT taper from fairly bright to very dim as it reaches the outside of the circle...very consistent actually and very well defined circle. It covers a very large area but when it ends at the edge of the circle, it ends...like night and day. Does that make sense? You really have to see the beam to appreciate it.

One thing that might be a drawback to some is that the light comes on low first, then medium then high. This does not bother me as most of the time the low setting is more than accurate. If I need more then I have messed with this thing more than enough that I can cycle to the brightness I need in no time. The switch can be partially depressed for momentary, or clicked for constant on...a little practice and you can cycle to its brightest level in a blink.

Surefire has some new lights out like the 6PX that look very similar to this and are quite a bit cheaper. I have not tried them so I dont know what the major differences are. I do know that this S2 has a HA-III finish vs the HA-II of some of the newer models like the 6PX, other than that, anybody know the big differences that would justify the price differences?

The heads of these style of lights do not have the large teeth like striker bezel like the Defender series, and they are not perfectly smooth like the old 6P style, instead they have little micro teeth like a hacksaw or something. In a pinch the light would make a good impact weapon to buy yourself a little time to get away, but I doubt the micro teeth would contribute much to that...I have a hard time imagining why they are there, but nevertheless there they are.

A few pics.
The S2 Stratum:




The little teeth:


Beam Shot. Camera was set on auto and I dont really think the shot does justice to the light.


---I said at the beginning I would mention the warranty here. My wife has an L1 Surefire that is probably 3 years old or so and it stopped working on high. I emailed Surefire telling them I thought the tail switch was bad and they asked for my address and said give them a few weeks. As it turns out a new switch arrived in less than a week with a little note apologizing for the inconvenience and thanking us for choosing Surefire. Never had to show proof of purchase, never had to send it in and had never registered any type of warranty.]]> Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:41:25 +0000 73278a4a86960eeb576a8fd4c9ec6997 http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php/page/index.html/_/reviews/gear-reviews/surefire-6p-incandescent-review-r12
Ask most people who know about lights what the two main brands of incandescent flashlights were back when they were commonplace and you'll likely get the same two brands: SureFire for the tactical folks and Maglite for the LEO and civilian folks.

I plan on reviewing some old Maglites just for nostalgia's sake later, but today I'll focus on one of the most popular SureFire models ever produced: the 6P.

Nowadays we have the 6PL, an LED variant of the 6P with the same body and inner workings. I have my own opinions on that model (which are mainly negative; nothing against the SureFire hardware but the LED is under-driven and runtimes aren't that great). But this model has a good old fashioned incandescent bulb, straight from the time when men were men and light was made by heating up a filament surrounded by inert gas.



SureFires have always had great beams and this one is no exception. Its orange peel reflector does a great job of both concentrating the beam and smoothing out ugly artifacts. This light makes the absolute best beam of any incandescent light I've ever seen.

The beam is a very, very pleasant yellow, but not the sickly yellow that you can get with, say, a Maglite that's batteries are running low. The lithium batteries that this light eats do a great job of supplying a near steady source of power until they're out. This means that it won't dim very much when the cells are getting low, but it also means that you won't get much warning when they're about to die. Personally, I'll deal with the disadvantage of the suddenly dead batteries if it means no ridiculous dimming when the batteries lose 10% of their power.



The hotspot is slightly oval. This is caused by the nature of incandescent filaments.



Runtime is fairly short at only 60 minutes, and, being an incandescent, it only has one brightness level. As stated above, the light uses two lithium CR123 batteries. They're sometimes hard to come by, and when you do find them they are quite expensive. Go to Bass Pro and you'll pay around $8 for two SureFire branded cells, and go to Walgreens and you'll pay around $5-6 for one Energizer cell.

Luckily there are solutions.

If you want to go the alternative route and use rechargeables, there are RCR123s, but be sure to get a reputable brand, as using lithium ion rechargeables is different that using the ubiquitous NiMH batteries.

If you want to go the primaries route (which I do), there is a wonderful company called Titanium Innovations. They make several models of flashlights, including several great HIDs, but they also produce quality lithium batteries. Both their CR123 and CR2 cells are reliable and cheap. The only thing you sacrifice is a little capacity (they're 1400mah as compared to the SureFire brand's ~1550mah). Best part is that they're currently $1 a piece at Battery Junction and a little under $12 for a dozen.

The light is a SureFire, which means it's one step away from being indestructible. Thousands of LEOs and military men and women have trusted their lives to this brand, and they're right to do so. Although I don't think the bump up in quality from such recent brands as 4Sevens, Fenix, and Olight justify the entire premium you would pay for this, but it's just sturdier than those other brands.

And it is expensive. You'll currently pay around $90 for this light, whereas you could spend the same amount for a light that gives you six times as much light.

One gripe I do have about the light is its tail switch.



The switch allows for momentary on—some people hate forward clickies (where you can half-press to turn on, then click all the way for constant) because they turn on and waste batteries. I've never had this problem and I've worn a forward clicky light for years.

This switch allows for momentary on, yes, but the switch can't turn the light to constant on, i.e. there is only momentary on as far as the tail switch is concerned. To turn the light on completely you need to fully tighten the tail. To turn is off you loosen the tail slightly. This method is straight up annoying to me, but to each his own. I'm sure there are tons of people who love it.

Overall this is a fantastic light. It's expensive to buy, expensive to feed, and requires changing out the bulb assembly relatively often. It's bright, especially considering how small it is, but the runtime isn't that great. The UI takes some getting used to if you're coming from a click-switch setup, but honestly this SureFire probably has the most reliable setup (meaning there are no clicky switches to break).

If you want a great incandescent light and you're willing to pay the premium, you can't go wrong with this SureFire. It's something that you (and probably your kids) will have for a very long time.]]> Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:14:58 +0000 7f6ffaa6bb0b408017b62254211691b5 http://www.boomershooter.com/forums/index.php/page/index.html/_/reviews/gear-reviews/kytac-braveheart-holster-review-r11 Background: I told my Dad yesterday “The holster search is over”. As some of you may know, I have not been able to find “The One” holster for my Glock 26. I have come pretty close, but there was always one small thing that kept it from being “the One”. We all have a box full of holsters that we accumulate over the years searching for that one holster that is perfect for our particular style of carry, body type and weapon of choice. The perfect holster for a 1911 might not work for a Glock. And a holster that works for you might not work for me. Well, my holster search ended this weekend with a Kytac Braveheart. I have been talking to David about what I needed and he suggested trying his  Braveheart model. I took his advice since he is the holster master and it was good advice.

First Glance: The holster doesn't look like a typical holster when you first pull it out of the bag. It has a stabilizer “wing” extending off the rear of the main body to stabilize the holster once it is attached to the belt. The kydex is slightly thicker than the Kytac “Burk” holster that has swept the nation (OK, well maybe OKC) I will explain why later.

Holster Quality: As with all Kytac gear, the workmanship is top notch. Quality kydex, smoothed and rounded edges and designed to work without a bunch of extra fluff you don’t need. I call them minimalist. The loop off the main body is formed from the same piece of kydex so there are no extra screws or thickness. It is simply folded over from the body. For this reason it is made from a slightly thicker material than the Kytac “Burk” holster I reviewed for my J-frame. The same material is used for the stabilizer wing and the rear clip is also folded overfrom a single piece of kydex. A small piece of leather connects the main bodyand the stabilizer thus allowing the entire holster it to conform to your body.

Firearm Fit: One word, perfect! As we have come to know, kydex offers superior fit and firearm retention. David doesn't like to put a trigger guard “pinch” but I asked him to and he did so. It gives the gun a distinctive click when fully seated insidethe holster. It’s a personal choice but that’s the way I like them.

Overall Impression:David handed me the holster at the last match and I slipped it in my waistband and I knew the holster was what I had been looking for. My history with G26 holsters has been tumultuous at best. Most holsters carried it too high; somehad too much cant for a smaller gun, some just sucked. One of them even fell out of my waistband and bounced across the sidewalk. The Braveheart carries the gun at about a 10-15 degree cant and it rides as low as it can and still allows a full combat grip. It also pulls the gun in very snug against my side. Everyone’s body type is slightly different but most Baby Glock holsters don’tdo this.

Overall Rating: 5 +P hollowpoint rating (out of 5)

Maybe David should consider calling it “The One”

Now for some pictures:







]]> Tue, 22 Nov 2011 21:36:47 +0000 698d51a19d8a121ce581499d7b701668