One of my friends recently posted a picture of his gear to Instagram. In it was a reference to the MultiTasker Nano. He was doing an annual shakedown, as he described it, “before the shooting starts”. That’s an important thing to do for anyone, particularly if someone is going to be shooting back, but in this case, as I learned, he was doing so in anticipation of upcoming competition matches. Specifically, a “quantified performance match”.
“Time for a gear shakedown before the shooting starts!”, Joe said. “It’s nice having the new Nano in my range bag for work like this. It’s a nice complement to the MultiTasker and Twister and has more uses than you might think.”
Adjusting a scope turret with MultiTasker’s Nano. (That’s a Vortex LPVO in a Knights Armament mount.)
Now, although I know it was released, I haven’t used the Nano yet. Other than generalities, and despite the fact that we have it on the “Warehouse side”, I didn’t know much about it. Nor was I was then familiar with the term “quantified performance match” (though I do follow news from the Precision Rifle Series, or PRS).
Q: Okay Joe, for those who aren’t familiar, what’s the Nano?
A: It’s a new tool from…MultiTasker. The nobs on the top are to adjust an Aimpoint and similar optics. It’s made to put into the bottom of the [forthcoming, ed.] MagPod Gen 3. There’s a side blade to it you can use to remove battery caps and some other features too.
Q: Why do you like it? Anything you don’t like?
A: It’s convenient, light, and doesn’t take up a lot of space. There’s a lot you can do with it, especially considering the size and weight. It could be easy to lose though, in a range bag or on the ground, so I’d put it on a keychain, stash it in a dedicated place in my gear, or of course on the bottom of your PMAG.
The MultiTasker Nano is a handy and lightweight tool: but take steps to ensure it doesn’t get away from ya!
Q: What’s a “quantified performance match”?
A: It’s a precision match for semi-auto rifles. Ash Hess and Jack Lueba started the league.
Q: What’s the deal with the bright slashes on your scope mount?
A: The yellow is painted on there for witness marks. I use them to make sure the screws haven’t come loose and that they’re torqued down to spec, you know, to be sure nothing has moved.
The “witness marks” on Neuroth’s Razor 1-10 Low Power Variable Optic. They allow him to ensure with a glance that the scope is in place where it’s supposed to be and that the screws haven’t started to come loose.
Q: What are the optics?
A: Both are LPVOs [Low Power Variable Optic, ed.] The black gun is a precision competition gun. That scope is the Vortex Razor 1-10. The brown rifle has a Vortex Optics Razor 1-6.
Q: Talk me through the gun porn of this. What are those rifles?
A: The black gun is an AR10 (-ish) chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor with Zev Tech receivers and rail. The optic is a Razor 1-10 in a Knights Armament Mount, and the bag on the front is the Armageddon Gear/Area 419 “Grip Changer” on an Arca Rail from Area 419. The Arca Rail allows you to rapidly move the bipod up and down the rail. Same with the bag. You can have both mounted at the same time. The placard looking thing is a dope card holder. I picked it up off of Amazon. You can put your notes down on a 3×5 card and throw it on there so it’s easy to see from the prone position.
The brown gun is a 5.56mm Hodge Defense AR 15 with a Razor 1-6 up top in a Badger Ordnance mount. That’s a Centrifuge Training QD sling on there. Both rifles are equipped with Magpul stocks.
Announced in early February 2021, the Nano is a small (hence the name) stainless steel tool intended for carbine optic adjustment.
It features a dedicated Aimpoint T1/T2 turret adjuster on one end and a slotted screwdriver with radiused edges on the other. The former will work on more than just Aimpoints, that the latter has multiple uses.
According to MultiTasker, the Nano is…
“…compatible with a wide array of issued carbine optics, including the Aimpoint M68 CCO, Trijicon ACOG, Eotech EXPS-3 as well as the Trijicon RMR and aiming lasers such as the PEQ-15 and MAWL from B.E. Meyers & Co.”
Designed to tuck into the storage slot of the soon-to-be-released Gen 3 MagPdd, the Nano can easily be carried on a lanyard, keychain, or something similar.
SPECS:
–Size: 1.2 x 0.5 inches –Weight: Less than 1 ounce –Carry Options: lanyard hole and compatible with the integrated Gen3 MagPod SpaceFrame locking storage slot –Material: 420 stainless with Melonite finish
MultiTasker-Nano in Gen 3 MagPad.
Big Joe, Biiiig Jooooooeee…Big Joe is a pretty big Joe.
David Reeder’s Wu Tang name is Lucky Prophet. He is a retired AF veteran, former Peace Officer, and current Tier 2.5 writer-operator. Over the course of his career, he has worked a variety of military and lE billets, served as an Observer-Controller at the National Homeland Security Training Center, a MOUT instructor, and an MTT tracking instructor – all of which sounds much cooler than it really was. Although he only updates his website once in a very great while, he can absolutely be relied upon to post to social media (@reederwrites) at least once a month. -Ish.
The folks at Cincinnati-based Faxon Firearms (a family-owned and operated outfit that makes rifle and pistol components, as well as complete firearms) just announced that they’ve released a new line of Glock 43 and Glock 43X barrels. They call it the Match Series. Each Glock 43 barrel is 100 percent machined in-house. The company says these barrels can be dropped into factory slides—no gunsmithing required.
Faxon Match Series Barrels for Glock 43 & 43X.
Here’s how the company described the new barrels in their recent press release.
Faxon Firearms, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based manufacturer of quality rifle and pistol components, and complete firearms, is excited to announce the release of their new Match Series Barrels for Glock G43/43X.
Faxon’s Director of Product Management, Jay Wilson, said, “This year we are making a big push to expand both our pistol barrel and pistol part and accessories lines. We released M&P Shield barrels last month, G43 is just releasing, and keep your eye out soon for another single-stack offering. After that, expect some exciting new accessories and different pistol platform barrel offerings. We’ve brought a lot of new machines and equipment online over the past couple of months, which will allow us to really push into these segments.”
The barrels are available in Black, Tin, and Chamelion, with or without threading to add a suppressor.
Faxon’s Match Series pistol barrels for Glock G43/43X are machined 100% in-house from stress-relieved 416-R stainless steel. These barrels are then given a black Nitride or PVD coating to increase lubricity, barrel life, and resistance to surface wear.
According to Faxon, each Glock 43 barrel is conventionally rifled to allow a wider range of ammunition to be used, including cast lead. The barrels drop into factory-spec slides with no gunsmithing required, and their better-than-factory tolerances ensure a consistent, tighter lockup than OEM.
Watch the new Glock 43 barrel in action in this product launch video from the Faxon website.
Match Series Gloc 43/43X Barrel Technical Specifications:
By the way, what’s the difference between a Glock 43 and Glock 43X?
We get it, Glock nomenclature seems bizarre. Kat Ainsworth does a thorough job explaining the difference in her article, Glock 43 vs 43X: A Faceoff,
After all, there’s no correlation between the model number and the gun’s size or caliber. Unless you have their patent numbers memorized you’re out of luck understanding the process.
Then there are guns like the 43 and 43X which sound like they must be basically the same model and are not. Why does the 43X simply have an “X” added to its designation?
Just to be clear, they’re not interchangeable, as Kat Ainsworth further explains,
The slide of the G43 is not the same as the G43X and their holsters are not interchangeable (neither are their magazines). The G43 is technically a Gen 4 and the G43X is a Gen 5, so their internal and external parts and features vary quite a bit.
Stephanie Kimmell is the firstborn daughter of Missouri’s Pecan King, worthy scion of a Vietnam veteran sailor turned mad engineer-orchardist-inventor-genius. With a BA in technical writing, she freelances as a writer and editor. A Zymurgist greatly interested in the decoction of fermented barley and hops, she is in many ways a modern amalgam of Esther Hobart Morris, Rebecca Boone, and Nellie Bly. She hunts, fishes, butchers, and cooks most anything. When not editing or writing, she makes soaps and salves, spins wool, and occasionally makes cheese from cows she milked herself. Kimmell is a driven epistemophilic who loves live music and all sorts of beer.
You’ve been involved in a defensive shooting — ideally a shooting and not a gunfight. What comes after? What should you do post-engagement? Here’s a hint: it’s not just flipping your head around dramatically in a theatric scan-and-assess. In today’s episode, we discuss what to do after. Though important, situational awareness is necessarily different in every situation. However, to develop the proper mindset Daniel presents his system that if used in the course of training will help you prioritize your post-defensive shooting actions. Mindset, mission, purpose, and mental-emotional preparation can help save your life and protect your loved ones. We’ll talk about that.
Listen to the podcast, or feel free to jump to a specific topic in episode 166…
Defensive Shooting: what comes next?
02:00 listen to the environment
02:34 what to ask yourself
04:24 access threats
05:37 training awareness
08:40 fighting with no cues
09:45 looking at things not for things
11:23 training in a shoot-house scenario
16:52 mindset focus
18:00 context and discussion: a short story by DS
24:00 comfort in discomfort
Scan and Assess
Should you scan after a defensive shooting?
2:00 VF says,
“I try not to be dogmatic about (this is what you do [after] every time you pull the trigger), you do this exact procedure.
It’s more about trying to find out what the environment is telling me and what the highest priority need is going to be.
The first one is going to be safety, then after that, we look at; do we need to fight more?”
2:34 DS suggests the questions you should be thinking to determine your next priority,
“This threat… does it need more bullets? Is it over? Can I stop shooting to evacuate my child? Is there anything else here that can hurt me?
There’s this idea that you can’t leave the scene and where it came from I don’t know.
It’s situational…”
4:24 VF says, “If it’s important enough to shoot, it’s important enough to make sure its shot. From there, the tasks are prioritized by the environment…
[Ask yourself] …what are the highest threats to my safety and what are the avenues to deal with it?
If someone wants to train scans, I’m ok with it, I just encourage people not to do it every single time they shoot.”
Mindset: Prioritization
Daniel’s mindset priorities:
Does he or she need more bullets?
Is there anything else here that can hurt me?
Am I in the most survivable location?
What’s my next problem to solve?
Training, mindset…is way more important than where you look around -VF
5:37 VF says,
“You go to an indoor shooting range, and you got these black ballistic walls that are eighteen inches on each side of your head… you’re essentially training yourself to look at nothing, because you know there’s nothing there, and I don’t support that type of training. I don’t think it’s conducive to creating the type of awareness that allows you to prioritize the tasks when you look at the environment.”
8:40 DS says,
“I see it all the time where someone doesn’t know what to do, they’re standing in a vulnerable spot, they’re not in a great location, they just had to shot somebody and they’re looking for the next thing to do, and they can’t figure it out because they’re not receiving any cues.
…Third piece of my thought process is; am I standing in the most survivable location? “
Vulnerable civilians are seen panicking to find safety after a shooting took place at this airport in Florida.
9:45 VF says,
“You need to stop looking for things and start looking at things.”
Here, a teacher in Arlington, Texas is getting trained to carry a gun in their classrooms, so that if a gunman ever comes to their school they’ll be ready to protect their students. The teachers are never told who will be walking through the door; a threat or a student.
Ex: [During training] “…If you have to go through a door into a room where they don’t know what’s there. A lot of times they’re expecting to see something there. They’re looking for a bad guy with a gun, this predetermined image in their head. If you get through the door and that’s not what you encounter, your brain has to loop all the way back and re-figure out what you’re looking at. The trip back to that square one would be a lot shorter if you didn’t have an expectation already set.
You [should] go into an open room with an open mind, and you’re looking at what’s in front of you, not looking for something.”
11:17 DS adds; “Looking for something vs at something results in no-shoot targets getting shot.”
11:23 VF’s shoot-house scenario training method for civilians;
Ex:
“I’ll put an active shooter in what would be a bank. You got someone in there talking to the banker about a mortgage, you got a couple of people working in there, then an active shooter comes in looking for their estranged wife (or whatever), and one of the scenarios is;
I’ll send in a second shooter. Either an average CCW guy, trying to help but he’s not doing it properly which is fully expected, and then you’ve got officers responding. I’ll use real police in those roles. Then I’ll have civilians in there who just got into an engagement with an active shooter, and now you’ve got a gun coming around the corner at you. Its either going to be; a second bad guy, a second good guy, or a law enforcement officer and if you’re looking for juts a gun, all three of those guys are going to get shot.”
15:19 VF says: “If all you’re doing is going to the range and doing fast draws, working on your draw stroke, putting a lot of rounds downrange, you can shoot great [that’s a good start], but the mindset component can’t be skipped.
Unfortunately, a lot of classes don’t deliver a mindset component because the flashy shooting part, is the most popular part in the industry and it’s the most fun…
Gunfighting is like 10-20% shooting and 80-90% thinking.”
Its training and thinking on the range, on a level where recognize our assets, our vulnerabilities, and figure out a way to mitigate those vulnerabilities and increase our assets – DS
DSCreates training with unpredictable elements, foregrounds, and backgrounds, to enforce mindset essentials on the range;
“It’s usually a very big eye-opener for a lot of folks about how many times they didn’t even recognize that there was a target right behind that [other] target, they didn’t clear a foreground or background, or didn’t make the right movement… yes you’re shooting guns, but it’s really just trained thinking in problem solving and mindset”
20:00 VFagrees by adding, “And you shock a lot of people because they actually become shocked by their own behavior, they don’t expect themselves to respond the way they did and realize they weren’t even close to figuring it out.”
“Plans rarely work out when they meet contact.” – DS
24:01 VF says, “I have had some pretty deep experiences with violence myself, numerous times. After a while, if you’ve got what it takes, you begin to develop this ability to rapidly adapt to a situation. What happens is, after the situation starts to unfold into chaos, or a more hostile event, you adapt and using your mindset, you just do your job.
That could be taking all this information in at a super rapid rate. You have all this stuff happening; people running, things are moving, there are bullets flying, all this crazy stuff is happening. Your ability to take that in and process it very often improves over time. In my case it did. I became more comfortable in hostile situations.”
17:25 VF says; “It matters how you conduct your training. And of course, it comes down to anything else, you get what you put into it. If you go there [a square range] invested in “I want to get faster and shoot better,” that’s all you’re going to get if you’re lucky.
…Or, you get your mind opened up by a good instructor [that teaches you that] the decisions are going to come at you so fast, and sometimes you’re going to have choices between great decisions, good decisions, and sometimes it’s going to be between two bad decisions. That’s just how it goes. Sometimes you have to do that. There are things that you may have to do that are not comfortable, but you have to be able to process those thoughts, while you’re in a super elevated condition, physiologically and psychologically
Check out Daniel’s short story: The First Step, explains what was going on in his head during one of the moments leading up to his first firefight in the Battle of An Nasiriyah, on March 23rd, 2003.
Gunmag Warehouse’s own Director of Marketing, Daniel Shaw is a retired US Marine Infantry Unit Leader with multiple combat tours and instructor titles. Since retirement from the Marine Corps, Daniel teaches Armed Citizens and Law Enforcement Officers weapons, tactics and use of force.
Daniel takes his life of training and combat experience and develops as well as presents curriculum and creates digital media content to help Law Enforcement, US Military and Responsible Armed Citizens prepare for a deadly force encounter. When he isn’t directing marketing for Gunmag Warehouse, Daniel travels the US teaching and training under his company, Shaw Strategies, and discusses all things hoplological and self-defense related on The MagLife Podcast.
If you are reading this I probably don’t have to explain to you that the AR15 is an excellent gun. One of the more attractive aspects of the AR platform is the ability to customize and accessorize the gun. The customization and accessorization of the AR-15 allows the user to tailor the gun to their specific needs. It also allows us to take the AR-15 from formidable to quite possibly the ultimate defensive firearm.
At the same time, for duty and defensive use, the AR-15 is a formidable tool—right out of the box. Add a reliable magazine (MAGPUL and Lancer are my favorites) and 28 rounds of a good soft point defensive round and you are good to go for a wide variety of circumstances.
An AR-15 handguard can have a lot of work to do. In addition to my sling attachment, which holds the weight of the whole package, the handguard is the home for my REIN weapon light and my laser. The handguard must hold the laser firmly in place. Remember, this laser is an aiming device.
Let’s face it though, adding some accessories to your M-4 can make a huge difference when it comes to efficiency.
To that end, I have compiled a list of what I think are the seven most important AR-15 accessories. I have tried to compile a list in order from most important to least important. Yup, we could argue about the order all day long. Some folks might find very good reasons related to their context to tweak or completely rearrange the order of importance. They aren’t wrong, and neither are you. You do you.
I think this list and its order applies to most people most of the time. Use it as a starting point as you decide what the most important accessories are for your defensive or duty AR-15.
1. An M-LOK Handguard
When I compiled this list of AR-15 accessories, I did it with defensive and duty use in mind. To me, that means reliability above all else. Your gun needs to run and all the accessories need to be in place and ready to go.
When I build out an AR-15 for serious use, it gets an M-LOK handguard. This is what the majority of accessories are going to attach to. Your sling, weapon-mounted light, and your laser (if you have one) will all mount to your handguard. They need a solid home, and M-LOK has become the standard.
One of the biggest disadvantages of some of my must-have AR-15 accessories is the fact that they live out on the end of my rifle. This makes my Victor SBR a bit front heavy. More push-ups needed.
If you already have an AR15 with an M-LOK handguard, move on to number two unless you want to build your ego and feel good about the choices you’ve made.
What do I look for In a handguard?
When I select an M-LOK handguard I seriously lean toward a free float, aluminum handguard with a solid attachment to the upper receiver.
Can polymer get you by? Probably, but the advantages of a free-floated aluminum handguard are too many to ignore.
The security of your expensive gear is important. You need everything to be right where it is supposed to be when your safety depends on it. A free float aluminum handguard is also going to increase your accuracy by allowing your barrel to point regardless of the pressure on the handguard and making sure any additional kit is pointed where you originally pointed it.
I’ve never been disappointed with the offerings from BCM or Midwest Industries when it comes to M-LOK free float handguards. You won’t regret the upgrade.
2. A Quality Two-Point Sling
I recently sat in a deer stand with Joe Weyer, the man behind Alliance Police Training Facility, and among other things we were back and forth about what the most important AR-15 accessories are. It was a lively discussion. We didn’t shoot any deer that day…
Joe contends that a rifle just isn’t a rifle unless it has a functional sling. So far Joe and I are in lockstep.
A good sling serves many purposes. It can provide a way to carry your AR-15 with no hands either in front of you or behind. It helps to maintain control of the gun if you end up in a physical struggle over the weapon. A sling provides additional stability for shooting and allows you to easily take your support hand off the gun to do work. The list of how a sling can help you do work is long.
A rifle isn’t a rifle without a sling.
I really like my Springfield SAINT Victor SBR and its set up. This gun includes all 7 of the upgrades I recommend for a fighting AR-15. The best part about the Victor is it ships with a solid M-LOK handguard from the factory. This is where my Defense Mechanisms front QD attaches.
In Joe’s opinion, a sling is so integral in the use of the rifle that it is actually a part of the rifle and so there is no need to mention it as an accessory. He has a point here. You notice that I haven’t included a bolt as an accessory. An AR-15 just isn’t a rifle without a bolt… or a sling.
On the other hand, I’m guessing there are folks here that may have not even considered that a sling (and knowing how to use it) is so dang important. This is why I think it should be on the list.
If you are in that group, get yourself a sling.
My favorite, by far, is the Rifle Sling from Defense Mechanisms secured to that handy handguard and the buttstock, the sling is adjustable, versatile, stow-able and, functional.
3. A Weapon-Mounted Light
If you can’t see it, you can’t shoot it. I mean this not only from a practical point of view but also from a moral and ethical standpoint. You need a weapon-mounted light so that you can identify your threat. A quality light not only allows you to identify that threat and ensure that they are a foe, but it also allows you to visually interrogate that threat. Seeing details in the dark is important and a good light allows you to do that at a distance.
In addition to helping you see, a quality light helps to make sure your threat can’t see. Denying your adversary visual information deprives them of what they need to make good decisions. This gives you an edge.
I keep talking about quality lights. I’m talking about a light that is reliable, easy to activate (and deactivate,) and bright like the sun.
This is what it looks like to stare down a Cloud Defensive OWL at 40 yards. A quality weapon light can deny your threat visual information.
Weapon-Mounted Light Specifications
Bad things can happen in the dark. In fact, they tend to. If you want to solve problems you need visual information. A quality weapon-mounted light can help you solve problems you can’t even see in this image.
On a rifle, I am looking for 1500 lumens or better and I want to see the Candella near or above 50,000. On short guns that are set up slick, my favorite light is the Cloud Defensive OWL due to its simplicity. If I have a lot of other accessories on the front end I prefer the Cloud Defensive REIN to provide more mounting options and outstanding cable routing. Either of these lights is a powerful tool that will serve you well. Travis Pike REINs you with info on the REIN and you can see who the OWL is for here.
I am impressed with the performance of the Cloud Defensive REIN. At 100 yards the WML easily lights up this building. INSIDE and out.
4. Red Dot Optic
Optics on rifles have been the standard for years now and for good reason. Optics help you get hits faster. When it comes to optical solutions, unless there is a reason to be magnified, I default to a simple 1 power dot.
A red dot sight simplifies aiming your AR-15. When you look through the reticle of your optic your aiming point is superimposed on your threat. Both the threat and the dot appear to be on the same plane so there is no need to shift your focus back to your sights. Instead, holdover as needed and press the trigger.
I’m quite the Trijicon fan. I grew up in Detroit and it’s hard not to cheer for the home team. I depend on the MRO on top of several of my AR-15’s. In this case, I run an MRO HD so I have the option of slapping on my 3x magnifier. I use an American Defense Manufacturing night vision height mount to allow me to use the MRO with my NVGs.
I’ve been a fan of Trijicon’s optics for a long time and love my Trijicon MRO’s and MRO HD’s. I’m also starting to like Holosun’s optics and have enjoyed using my Holosun HS503CU Red Dot Sight.
5. Replacement Grip
There isn’t anything that’s “wrong” with the A2 grip that comes on most AR-15s. I mean as long as you enjoy that twinge in your wrist from it being bent at a weird angle when using your AR-15 with a modern shooting stance.
Personally, I don’t like the way the A2 grip forces me to hold my AR. So I upgrade my grip to something with a more verticle orientation. I really like the Magpul K2 grip, or you could go with something like Xtech’s Adjustable AR-15 Grip. This cool grip allows you to set the angle to what works best for you and your application.
With today’s modern, squared up shooting stance, the standard A2 is a bit outdated. Its swept-back angle is best used when prone. I could end up prone, but if I have to use my AR, I’ll likely be standing. I want a more vertical grip like the BCM grip that ships on the SAINT Victor SBR.
5. Laser
If I was writing this article 12 months ago, it would have been “Six Must-Haves AR-15 Accessories”.
A year can teach you a lot and in 2020 I spent a lot of time training and practicing at night. When I say a lot of time, I would say that I spent close to 400 hours with my rifle in the dark in class. My time after sunset reinforced to me how important my weapon-mounted light was. No surprise there.
What forced me to reconsider my thoughts about my rifle set up was how useful I found a laser.
I currently run a Steiner DBAL-A3 mounted on my Springfield Victor SBR. The visible and IR DBAL is overkill unless you also run night vision.
In my opinion, the biggest advantage of a visible laser is that it allows you to see your point of aim without looking through your optic. This opens up a wide variety of strategies you can use to get hits in difficult situations.
You might not need infrared…
What everyone can get some use out of is a visible laser. A visible laser on a rifle is extremely useful as an aiming device. With a vis laser, you know where your rounds are going to hit even if the optic isn’t in your line of sight. Accurate hits from retention at 100 yards are no problem with a vis laser. Locking your gun in place with your body, (like lying on top of the gun), makes longer hits relatively easy as well.
Or looking out one port while shooting out of another? Yup, vis lasers make it possible, maybe even easy.
A laser can also be a great communication tool. When used properly a laser can be a great signaling device when you are trying to link up with others and a fantastic tool to communicate force to those that don’t need to be shot. Yet.
Lasers don’t have to be four-figure monsters like the DBAL or the MAWL. You might start out with something like this Streamlight Protac HLX Rifle Light Laser Combo for less than 2 bills. If you decide you like the laser life you can always upgrade!
7. A Suppressor
I enjoy shooting suppressed and am lucky to have access to a wide variety of cans. Lately, I have been running the NG2 Defense Maxflo. It isn’t the quietest can, but it is pleasant to shoot and reduces the back-flow of gasses.
I resisted suppressors for a long time. The paperwork seemed like a pain, the stamp seemed expensive. I get it. Now that I shoot my AR-15 suppressed, I won’t go back. It is much more pleasant for me as a shooter, and for those around me as well.
There is no doubt that a can takes your favorite AR to 11. Wait, I think I have that backward.
Final Thoughts
For many years, the AR-15 did good work without any of the fancy upgrades. If all you can afford is a rifle (with a sling of course,) some mags, and ammo, you are not out of the game. Train and practice. When you need to, you will be set.
If you have the money and the time, adding must-have AR-15 accessories makes sense. Just remember, adding a bunch of gear doesn’t mean you don’t have to train and practice. In fact, every piece of kit you add is likely to increase your need to train and practice. All the Gucci AR-15 accessories in the world won’t make up for a lack of skill.
In addition to the bright light that really reaches out, the coolest aspect of the REIN is the ability to route the switch wiring efficiently.
Paul Carlson, owner of Safety Solutions Academy, is a Professional Defensive Shooting Instructor. He has spent the past decade and a half studying how humans can perform more efficiently in violent confrontations and honing his skills as an instructor both in the classroom and on the range.
Through Safety Solutions Academy, Paul teaches a variety of Critical Defensive Skills courses in more than a dozen states annually. Courses range from Concealed Carry Classes to Advanced Critical Defensive Handgun Courses and include instruction for the defensive use of handguns, rifles and shotguns. Safety Solutions Academy regularly hosts other industry leading experts as guest instructors to make sure that SSA’s students have the opportunity for quality instruction across a broad range of Critical Defensive disciplines.
GOAT Box is a rough-and-tumble storage system designed for modularity, durability, and versatility. From what we can see, the reality of use in the field meets design intention. If you follow them on social media, or just peruse the website, you’ll see that in addition to roll your own organization options they frequently put together “packages” in conjunction with other outdoor industry companies.
One such package is The Overlander (the The Overlander?). The Overlander consists of some specific GoatBoxCo CANs (q.v.) and their flagship container, the Hub 70.
GOAT Box “Overlander” in the California desert with @bound.for.nowhere.
The Overlander includes a Basic First Aid CAN, Power Boost CAN, Hydration CAN, and Hygiene Can.
What are CANs? GoatBoxCo says, “The cornerstone of GOAT’s modular gear storage system, our stout CANs were engineered to hold essential gear for any situation. Built from the same polycarbonate that NASA uses, these damn near indestructible CANs integrate securely into GOAT’s HUB 70 and RACK like a glove. Our CANs come fully loaded with kits of gear from our best-in-class partners or empty ready to be filled with whatever you can dream of. In a pinch, they make for a great beer stein.”
You had this fictitious reporter at beer stein!
GOAT Box CANs
Let’s take a look.
The GOATBox First Aid Can was put together in partnership with My Medic. It’s for medical contingencies like cuts, burns, headaches, griping guts (which the hydration CAN should help you avoid, but just in case!), CPR, and the like.
The Power Boost CAN is powered (pun intentional) by NOCO. It holds juice for a wide array of devices and holds its own battery charge for a year.
Staying hydrated is obviously a big deal. Staying hydrated without getting sick (and possibly ejecting your chow from one or both ends) is an even bigger deal. Water filtration is an integral part of the GOATBoxCo Hydration CAN.
The Hygiene CAN includes a towel, wipes, hand sanitizer, and other essentials, all in a waterproof rollable dry-sack that can be used to move contents from the vehicle to your backpack, canoe, or ATV. The Hygiene CAN was put together in partnership with Sea to Summit USA.
“The Overlander is for anyone who likes to venture deep into the unknown. For us, we never know what we will be getting ourselves into when we venture down some far-flung dirt road, so it’s nice to come prepared for anything. With the GOAT HUB, we never had to worry because in addition to cold beer we are always equipped with first aid, hydration, power, and hygiene all covered in one organized, grab-and-go system. It also eliminates the possibility of forgetting something, like I often do!”
The Hub 70 System, which is built around a pretty badass cooler, is described as an “all-in beast…designed to haul all your gear to any of life’s adventures with 4 CANs included…”
Hub 70 System
Here’s what GoatBoxCo has to say about the Hub 70 System.
How do you get more functional storage out of a high-performance cooler without grossly increasing the footprint or weight? The X-Shape Design of our HUB 70 is how.
❌ The corners of a traditional cooler are commonly unused real estate and the best place to incorporate additional storage without increasing the overall dimensions ❌ The design is visibly and functionally strong, stable, and secure
❌ The CAN turrets provide more insulation for the interior cooler portion ❌ The ergonomic shape allows for easier carrying ❌ By adding the cargo net, we increased the system storage capacity while keeping that storage within the overall footprint
Bottom line, the HUB 70’s X-Shape” design enhances balance and stability and delivers improved thermal retention.
To learn more, hit one of these links:
The CAN: https://goatboxco.com/products/the-can
The HUB: https://goatboxco.com/pages/hub-page
Their packages: https://goatboxco.com/pages/shop
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goatboxco/
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goatboxco
Know of a smaller or niche company making interesting gear suitable for range trucks, outdoor adventurin’ or making that vehicle better in general? Let us know in the comments below.
Brock Trautman is the senior news anchor for The Mag Life, the official publication of GunMag Warehouse. He’s also a cartoon, so…don’t get butt-hurt about anything he says. He’s not making subjective judgments on things, or reviewing anything – he’s just passing along the news.
It’s called ancient, the most popular cartridge in the world, the ultimate rimfire round, and even part of the bedrock of shooting sports. And, considering that it’s been around as a standardized cartridge since 1887, the .22LR is just as popular now as it ever was—actually more so considering the growing enthusiasm for precision rimfire competitions. It’s relatively cheap to shoot, isn’t terribly loud, and has low recoil. In other words, it’s easy (and fun) to shoot. Think about it, all kinds of firearms are chambered for it: lever-actions, ARs, revolvers, pistols, and we’re not even talking about conversion kits. And this week, Volquartsen announced the release of a new 22 LR rifle, the VF-ORYX.
The rifle is available in two configurations, the VF-ORYX and the VF-ORYX-S, which comes with a Zeiss Conquest V4 6-24x50mm scope with rings.
The ORYX is designed with a single-piece integrated aircraft-grade aluminum chassis and buttstock for improved consistency and accuracy.
Volquartsen VF-ORYX-S with Zeiss Conquest V4 6-24×50.
Here’s the description, from Volquartsen.
The VF-ORYX is the latest addition to the Volquartsen line of 22 LR rifles. The VF-ORYX features a CNC-machined stainless steel receiver. This receiver features an integral 20 MOA rail making it ideal for long-range 22 LR shooting.
Volquartsen Firearms President, Scott Volquartsen commented, “With the popularity of precision 22 LR rifle shooting continuing to grow, we felt this was the perfect time to introduce the VF-ORYX. This chassis set up is perfect for this. The 22 LR is also a great way to introduce new shooters to the long range game as well. Teaching them how to properly use an optic, learn their holdovers, and manage their breathing to execute the shot, long range 22 LR is ideal for competitors and recreational shooters alike.”
The Snake Fluted Barrel is threaded into the receiver increasing rigidity between barrel and action.
As with all Volquartsen rifles, it features CNC-machined and wire-EDM internal components for unparalleled reliability. The CNC-machined bolt includes a titanium round firing pin and tuned extractor for improved performance and function.
The TG2000 trigger group provides a crisp, clean 2.25lb trigger pull. Both pretravel and overtravel are user-adjustable to the shooter’s preference.
The TG2000 trigger group is CNC-machined from 6061 Aluminum, has a 2.25 lb trigger pull, and is adjustable for pretravel and overtravel but not pull weight.
The VF-ORYX is set into the ORYX chassis from MDT. This one-piece integrated aluminum chassis and buttstock is designed to improve the consistency and accuracy of your rifle whether you’re shooting from the bench, a bipod, or a prone position.
The ORYX chassis also features a free-floating barrel, contoured forend grip, adjustable cheek riser, and overmolded pistol grip for added comfort and stability. It also features a .25″ spacer in the buttpad for adjustable LOP.
The ORYX chassis is available as a stand-alone product.
The ORYX comes with one magazine and a manual. Read more at Volquartsen.
Stephanie Kimmell is the firstborn daughter of Missouri’s Pecan King, worthy scion of a Vietnam veteran sailor turned mad engineer-orchardist-inventor-genius. With a BA in technical writing, she freelances as a writer and editor. A Zymurgist greatly interested in the decoction of fermented barley and hops, she is in many ways a modern amalgam of Esther Hobart Morris, Rebecca Boone, and Nellie Bly. She hunts, fishes, butchers, and cooks most anything. When not editing or writing, she makes soaps and salves, spins wool, and occasionally makes cheese from cows she milked herself. Kimmell is a driven epistemophilic who loves live music and all sorts of beer.
In the world of firearms, it seems like gun owners fall into one of two categories when it comes to the 1911 platform: love or hate. It’s true there’s some neutrality out there but in general, it does appear as though those who love guns either become addicted to the 1911 or see it as an outdated and rather pointless gun. Here’s the thing: the 1911 is a useful platform with multiple safeties that’s now available in a variety of calibers. Learning to run one — well — is a worthy undertaking. And when it comes to suggestions for a modern 1911 to try your trigger finger at, we do have a suggestion: the Devil Dog Arms (DDA) 10mm 1911. Read on to find out why.
The DDA 10mm 1911 with a threaded barrel. (Photo credit: Kat Ainsworth Stevens)
Because, 1911s
Something you might not know about 1911 history is that we can trace its roots back to the Spanish-American War (that means back into the late 1800s). The United States did win the war and when all was said and done they decided to claim the Philippines. No sooner had they done so than the Filipino leader Emilio Aguinaldo decided to declare independence, triggering another war, the Philippine-American War.
Here we can fast-forward to the Moros, Muslim southern Filipinos who felt the incursion by the United States was an immediate threat to their 600-year battle for religious autonomy. This is where we got the Moro Rebellion, part of the Philippine-American War.
During the Moro Rebellion in the early 1900s, the US Army discovered their 38 Long Colt revolvers were all but useless which lead to the creation of the 1911. (Photo: historical archives)
The Moros had a fundamentalist faction known as the juramentado (translation “one who takes an oath”). That faction was zealous and honor-bound to murder Christians, meaning the Americans had to go. But they weren’t just zealous, they were incredibly tough fighters—fighters amped up on opiates so they’d be even more fearless and numb to pain.
During their attempts to squash the Moro Rebellion the US Army found out the Colt New Army 1892 chambered in .38 Long Colt they were using wasn’t up to the task. Some cartridge details: the .38 Long Colt was a black powder cartridge dating back to 1875. Its case length was 1.031 inches and bullet diameter was 0.361 inches. The best way to describe it would be as an anemic cartridge. The muzzle velocity of a 150-grain round was 777 feet-per-second and the muzzle energy was 201 foot-pounds. Sounds like they needed something better, right?
This all caught the attention of Colonel Louis Anatole LaGarde, the man you may know for his part in the Thompson-LaGarde Report. Yes, the report that decided .45 ACP was the best-suited handgun cartridge at that time. That led to the 1907 US Army Pistol Trials which included a long list of handgun features the US Army required for their new pistol. The rest is basically 1911 history.
Decades would pass before the 10mm would be created and even more time passed before it became a cartridge seen as compatible with the 1911. This brings us to the current day with Devil Dog Arms launching their 10mm-chambered 1911 complete with a threaded barrel. A lot of history and knowledge backs the DDA 10mm 1911 and the end result is, in this writer’s opinion, fantastic.
DDA 10mm 1911 Specifications
Devil Dog Arms’ 10mm 1911 is made with fantastic attention to detail. (Photo: Kat Ainsworth Stevens)
The DDA 10mm 1911 is a solidly-built Government-sized pistol chambered in 10mm with a capacity of 8 +1. It weighs in at 36.8 ounces, empty, and has a heat-treated 4140 steel frame and 4140 bar stock stainless steel slide. Having some weight on a 10mm is always a good idea and Devil Dog Arms accomplished it in such a way that it has elegant-yet-durable lines with good balance rather than a heavy, unbalanced design.
Oversized, angled serrations at the front and rear of the pistol allow the shooter to manipulate the slide from either end. Side note: if you do choose to rack the slide from the front, take care to do so properly, avoiding covering any portion of the muzzle with your hand. The slide itself has a custom flat-top design with a black oxide finish to reduce glare and cut the risk of snags on the drawstroke.
Perhaps one of the greatest features of the DDA 10mm 1911 is its barrel. The barrel is 5.0-inches in length and made from domestic 416 stainless steel. It’s designed to last thanks to being heat-treated, double-stress relieved, and button-rifled. The twist rate is 1:16 LH for superior accuracy. This review model also has a threaded barrel, an excellent addition since it means you can add a suppressor with no need for aftermarket parts.
The threaded barrel makes it easy to add a suppressor while the red fiber optic front sight contrasts nicely with the blacked-out rear adjustable sight. (Photo: Kat Ainsworth Stevens)
The gun’s 4140 stainless steel frame has a rounded trigger guard and an accessory rail ahead of the guard. Adding a light or laser – or both – to that rail is a good idea whether you’re using your DDA pistol for self-defense or hunting. Aggressively textured NBD grips made by the manufacturer give the shooter a firm grip even with sweaty hands.
DDA NBD grip panels are aggressively textured for a sure grip even with wet hands. (Photo: Kat Ainsworth Stevens)
Factory sights on the DDA 10mm 1911 are a fixed red fiber optic front sight and adjustable blacked-out rear sight. Other features include 22 LPI front strap checkering and a generously sized beavertail grip safety. The gun ships with two 8-round magazines and a hardshell case.
Range Time
This is a pistol that fit my hands beautifully right out of the box. At the time I reviewed it, I had a stack of other review pistols and this gun quickly became a favorite. The ammunition I used for this review and for some handgun hunting included Federal Premium Personal Defense Punch 10mm 200-grain JHP, Federal Premium Personal Defense 10mm 180-grain Hydra-Shok, Inceptor Preferred Defense 10mm 90 grain ARX, and Hornady 10mm 180-grain XTP.
Testing took place both from the bench and firing offhand. Shooting from the bench at a distance of 25 yards the average five-shot group size was 2.7 inches; shooting offhand at 10 yards the average five-shot group size was 1.3 inches. The best group shooting from that distance offhand was nailed by Inceptor’s lightweight frangibles with a group size of 0.99 inches. This was, of course, untimed shooting at a leisurely pace. Switching things up to rapid-fire, the groups remained small. Suffice to say this is a precise pistol.
The trigger of the pistol is a three-hole skeletonized design. Using my Lyman Digital Trigger Pull Gauge to find the average of ten measurements the trigger measured 3 pounds, 8 ounces. It does have an adjustable reset screw. The trigger has a clean break and brief reset, making it easy to run at faster speeds with no problems whatsoever. This is a good factory trigger. Zero complaints.
The DDA 1Omm 1911 has a skeletonized three-hole trigger with a clean break and short reset. (Photo: Katherine Ainsworth Stevens)
Safeties on the gun are the expected grip safety and external thumb safety. Controls such as the magazine release and slide lock are textured for easier use.
Something worth mentioning about this 1911 is its barrel bushing, which is rock-solid. Wiggling and shifting of a bushing can affect accuracy, not to mention that it bears testament to the overall quality of a 1911. The DDA 10mm 1911 has good fitment of all its parts. It’s a well-made gun and it is clear that attention was paid to design and detail.
Bottom Line
If you’re in the market for a 10mm 1911 this Devil Dog Arms model is definitely worth serious consideration. This is a cartridge that’s great for self-defense and also fully capable of handgun hunting use for everything from coyotes to deer.
As with any gun, you should be familiar with the penetration of the load you intend to use for self-defense which is one of many reasons I’m a fan of frangibles. Sinterfire and Inceptor both make defensive frangible rounds well-suited to self-defense that negate much of the over-penetration concern.
Yes, this gun might be too large for you to carry concealed using your usual methods but you can always use a cover garment rather than using an Inside the WaistBand holster. There’s always open carry, too, depending on where you live.
This is a reliable, precise, quality 1911 chambered in what happens to be my favorite handgun cartridge. Devil Dog Arms did a stellar job. 10/10 recommended.
Devil Dog Arms 10mm 1911 Specifications
Manufacturer: Devil Dog Arms
Model: DDA 10mm 1911
Caliber: 10mm
Capacity: 8 +1
Size: Government
Action: Semi-Automatic
Trigger: Single-Stage, Skeletonized, Adjustable
Slide: 4140 Steel
Barrel Length: 5.0 inches
Barrel Material: 416 Stainless Steel
Twist Rate: 1:16 LH
Sights: Rear Adjustable, Fixed Red Fiber Optic Front Sight
Overall Length: 8.75-inches
Width: 1.37-inches
Weight: 36.8 ounces, empty
Finish: Matte Black Oxide
Features: Threaded Barrel
Ships With: Two 8-round Magazines, Hard Case
MSRP: $1,299.00 *with threaded barrel
Kat Ainsworth Stevens is a long-time outdoor writer, official OGC (Original Gun Cognoscenti), and author of Handgun Hunting: a Comprehensive Guide to Choosing and Using the Right Firearms for Big and Small Game. Der Teufel Katze has written for a number of industry publications (print and online) and edited some of the others, so chances are you’ve seen or read her work before, somewhere. A woman of eclectic background and habits, Kat has been carrying concealed for over two decades, used to be a farrier, and worked for a long time in emergency veterinary medicine. She prefers big bores, enjoys K9 Search & Rescue, and has a Master’s Degree in Pitiless Snarkastic Delivery.
With the high level of civil unrest currently racing across the country, unsuspecting motorists are suddenly finding themselves caught in the middle of riots. They often get attacked by the mob, dragged out of their vehicle, and beaten, even though they had nothing to do with the protest and did not instigate the riot. They were truly victims of a mob mentality that feeds off its own energy. How do you survive this type of encounter if it happens to you?
First – Avoid
Obviously, if you can avoid the situation, do it. This starts by watching the news or online to find out where the unrest is happening so you can stay away. Do you really need to go downtown today, or can it wait? Often, cities will post protest schedules on their websites – assuming the protesting group got a permit – to alert everyone to street closures and re-routes.
Courtesy of Imminent Threat Solutions.
Sometimes, however, protestors don’t follow the rules (big shock, I know) and will meet up in areas unexpectedly. You turn the corner thinking you’re on a safe street and suddenly there is a mob marching straight at you. What do you do? Get out of there! Turn around and drive away. You probably don’t need to pull off any Hollywood stunt driving or jam a tactical J-turn, but make a quick-yet-safe exit from the area ASAP. There is no shame in beating a hasty retreat, especially if you have your family with you.
There are skills you can practice now to avoid bad situations before the threat becomes real. For example, thinking ahead all the time, in your everyday life, so you’ll be ready if the need arises.
“Condition yourself now by practicing reading the terrain,” says Charles (CK) Redlinger, former Law Enforcement Trainer for the Department of Defense. “Always look ahead several vehicles so you can gain insight on what is potentially waiting for you ahead. This is a good strategy when driving anytime, protest of not.”
But Now You’re Stuck
What do you do if you can’t get away from the riot because the mob suddenly formed out of nowhere and you’re surrounded? This can happen anytime, anywhere, not just under the current national unrest, so you need to be prepared all the time. First, carry a gun. This may seem obvious – you’re on a gun website, after all – but do you carry it all the time? You need to. Bad things don’t just happen in bad parts of town and at convenient times when you happen to be prepared. Take a cue from the Boy Scouts and be prepared – always!
Courtesy of NPR.
Now, this doesn’t mean you’re going to use the gun. You might, but keep it holstered for now. There are a few things that you should do first that might help you avoid a confrontation. Can you get out of the mob without hurting anyone? Will they let you just leave? Sometimes newly formed mobs still have enough respect to understand you’re not involved and will move out of the way to let you leave without incident. If so, great! Thank them on the way out and drive away safely.
There are certain “tricks” you can learn and practice to make your evacuation quicker and safer.
“Start practicing now when you drive to factor in a vehicular reactionary gap,” says Redlinger. “That means giving yourself enough room to escape by leaving at least a car length of distance between your vehicle and the vehicle or object in front of you. Don’t stop at red lights with your front bumper almost touching the car in front of you.”
If the mob won’t let you leave, that still doesn’t mean you’re in any danger. They might let you move along with them slowly if you don’t show any signs of hostility toward them. This is no time to pick a fight. Even if you disagree with their cause, keep your mouth shut. Be nice no matter what you think of what they are protesting. This is not the time to debate the merits of their cause. You just want to leave safely. Remember, it’s better to deescalate than escalate. If your windows are up, open them a crack and ask the closest protestor if you can drive out. Explain that you don’t want to get involved and just want to get out of their way. This may be all you need to get some cooperation that will get you out of there.
If being nice to the protestors doesn’t work and you feel that your life is in danger, it might be time to take decisive action. CAUTION: This is also where things can get legally sticky. Engage with deadly force only if you can legally and morally justify it. This will be a judgment call in the incident. Remember that deadly force can only be used to protect life, not property. If they are beating on your car but not coming after you or your loved ones, hold off on deadly force. Once the threat moves to the passengers, the game changes drastically.
The level of force you use depends entirely on the level of the threat. Redlinger advises, “When you find yourself boxed in and feel threatened, can you escape by damaging property first before using deadly force?”
Courtesy of USACarry.com.
If the person outside the window just broke through, for example, and is trying to beat on you, he or she is so far your only threat. Deal with that accordingly. It could mean using your gun or improvising another solution.
Sometimes a non-lethal alternative such as mace or bear spray can do the trick. Just make sure the nozzle is outside glass so you won’t spray yourself.
If the mob in front is starting to gang up on you, it might be time to escalate the action. Your car can be considered a deadly weapon, which is both good and bad. The good side is you can use it to stop a mass threat. The bad side is that using it can turn on you in court. Check your local laws to know what is allowed and not allowed when trying to escape a crowd.
We have seen instances of rioters slashing tires of vehicles trying to escape. Don’t let this stop you. It only takes 11 seconds for a mob to flip a car, so you need to get out of there immediately, even if all four tires are flat. You’ll be amazed how far you can drive on flat tires. Get as far away as you can, safely out of riot range, before stopping to call AAA. And tell them they may need to bring a few extra tires.
Train Shooting from Your Car
Before you ever get involved with a mob, you need to have the skillset and training to handle the situation. This includes drawing and shooting from a seated position in your car. Train with an expert in urban combat, someone who understands the unique dynamics of vehicular engagements, such as how to draw, how to shoot through windows, and other important skills. This will not only help you in the moment but also in court when the prosecuting attorney tries to impeach your abilities and judgment. The more training you have, the better you look to a jury.
Positioning your gun is critical, just in case you need to use it. You probably have a favorite carry position, chosen because it’s comfortable and you can quickly access your gun. But can you access it from a seated position? If you appendix carry, you’re set up for success, but if you strong side carry, it may be tough to clear your cover garment, lean forward, and unholster your gun. Not saying it can’t be done, but it will take additional training. Keep in mind that you will likely have to draw with the seatbelt on, restricting your forward motion. This is to prevent someone from yanking you out of the car.
If you must shoot through a window, remember there will be flying glass — not just out toward the target but also back at you. Keep a pair of sunglasses or clear glasses handy to protect your eyes from flying shards. If you’re already wearing glasses, those will work fine. Keep in mind, however, that many of these encounters happen at night when you’re probably not wearing your sunglasses (unless you’re Corey Hart cool).
When shooting from a car, be fully aware of where others are seated. The last thing you want is to put an innocent person in the crossfire. If the others in the car have guns and engage, too, divide and conquer by sectioning off the car using verbal commands.
Coverage
Perhaps this should have been at the beginning of the article because it’s something you should do immediately, but be sure you have legal protection in the form of some sort of legal defense fund. Companies such as US Law Shield (no, this is not a paid endorsement) and others will help pay for your legal defense should you be arrested and charged with a crime relating to your actions. Remember, getting arrested doesn’t mean you’re guilty — only that you’ve been charged and will have your day in court.
As always, your best bet is to avoid the situation in the first place. You really don’t want to get caught up in a riot. But if you find yourself stuck despite your best efforts, know what you can and cannot do to get you and your loved ones out safely.
Did you know we have a badass YouTube channel – you’d be doing yourself a solid by visiting. Me nem nesa.
David Workman is an avid gun guy, a contributing writer to several major gun publications, and the author of Absolute Authority. A logophile since way back, Workman is a quickdraw punslinger and NRA RSO and Certified Pistol Instructor. He helps train new shooters on basic handgun skills and CCW requirements and is a strong advocate for training as much as practicable. “Real-world shootouts don’t happen at a box range.”
Pistol braces are the most innovative product to come out of the industry in the last ten years. I believe we only see certain guns these days because of the presence of pistol braces. Guns like the Daniel Defense PDW, the SIG Copperhead, the Ruger PC Charger, and DBX57 exist because pistol braces make them much easier to handle. We have SB Tactical to thank for that.
Why does SB Tactical rule? Well, that’s a long answer. Here are five reasons why SB Tactical rules the pistol brace world.
5. They Invented the Pistol Brace
SB Tactical created the original SB 15 and partnered with SIG to produce it. The SB 15 changed the game and immediately sent the industry into overdrive. When it first premiered, it was near impossible to obtain one. They were consistently sold out. I remember being extremely excited to overpay for one on the secondary market.
My Draco wearing an original SB 15 tactical brace. Years later it still works like it’s new. Also, “WOLVERINES!”
Shortly after, they produced an AK model, and from there, they exploded. Everything that could be braced became braced. All based on the original design of the SB 15. Since then, the brace world has evolved and become more refined. They’ve shaped and morphed into designs that are both better looking and more functional.
4. SB Tactical Make Tons of Different Braces
What kind of gun do you have? SB Tactical likely makes a brace for it. What started with AR and AKs has spread to CZ Scorpions, MP5s, 12 gauge firearms, 1913 braces, and beyond. SB Tactical has produced braces for everybody and every gun, and likely multiple types of braces for a single gun.
This FS1913 brace fits a wide variety of guns, and shows the innovation SBT imparts on its designs. From the Micro Uzi to Shockwave style firearms SBT has you covered.
We have folding braces, collapsing braces, PDW braces, PSB braces, and more. For AKs, ARs, UZIs, Scorpions, Shockwaves, and more. Every pistol AR 15 build kit on the market includes a pistol brace these days.
The SOB47 might be a more modern choice, but the SB 15 still rocks on my Drago.
They work with companies as large as Palmetto State Armory and as small as Manticore Arms to produce new brace designs for the wide variety of large format pistols out there. The same goes for 12 gauge firearms. They embrace the current aftermarket and produce goods that work with numerous adapters and even produce adapters to allow a greater variety of braces to be used on a wide variety of platforms.
3. The Best Braces
SB Tactical makes the best braces. And, because they make the best braces, they’ve become partnered with industry movers and shakers. This includes working with Noveske, Maxim Defense, SIG Sauer, BCM, Daniel Defense, and dozens more.
The original braces are still in use today. They are extremely well made, designed to be comfortable, and completely functional. Hell, they even look good, and that’s tough to accomplish. The wide variety of braces they make allow the brace to blend with the pistol.
SBT teamed up with Manticore to create the CZ PDW brace. This is one of two braces for the Scorpion series.
A side folding triangle type brace looks like it belongs on an AK. The SBA4 does the same with AR platform pistols, and so do a wide variety of the braces they produce. Their braces improve comfort by providing braces that lengthen and shorten to accommodate various shooters. Some incorporate excellent folding mechanisms to minimize size.
Durability, comfort, function, and beyond make their braces the best currently on the market. It’s tough to beat the original, and when the original constantly innovates, they remain untouchable. I’d love to tell you how their customer service is, but I can’t, because I’ve never had to use it before. From my original SB 15 to my latest FS1913, my SB Tactical braces have always been rock solid.
SBT works with major gun companies. For example they help develop the brace for the SIG Copperhead in partnership with SIG.
2. They Give Disabled Shooters Options
The original SB 15 was designed with disabled veterans in mind. They allow shooters with disabilities to not only better handle their large platform pistols but also allow them to wield them safely. SB Tactical braces come in various configurations for tons of different firearms that allow a shooter with poor strength and motor functions to safely enjoy their firearm.
The SBA3 makes shooting this big boy easy. Even with my old-man shoulders. SBT started life on the idea of making guns easier to shoot for injured veterans. Along the way, they developed the best product the gun industry has seen in decades.
I have what my doctor calls “the arthritis of an 80-year-old” in my left shoulder. It’s been an adventure strengthening my shoulders to compensate for arthritis, and along the way, SB Tactical braces were a godsend. Handling some of my favorite guns was easy as the weight was put on my right arm and not my left. I could fire my CZ Scorpion accurately and safely, thanks to SB Tactical braces. You can’t beat a tool that not only improves your ability to shoot but your safety in doing so.
1. SB Tactical Fights for the 2nd Amendment
There are a few companies that put their money where their mouth is. Magpul is one, and SB Tactical is another. They fight to upend unconstitutional restrictions and to be a watchdog on the ever-changing opinions of the ATF. The folks at SB Tactical spent their own money to hire lawyers to fight the ATF when they reversed a decision on the use of pistol braces.
What’s the ATF have common with a box of chocolates? They’ll both kill your dog.
In the latest round of ATF fuddery, SB Tactical held the line. They organized and disseminated accurate information. They readied themselves and were monumental in having the ATF pull their decision from the Federal Register. SB Tactical continues to monitor and communicate with politicians, lawyers, 2nd amendment advocates as well as the ATF to provide fair and legal guidelines for the use of their products.
SB Tactical has not just chased legislation regarding pistol braces but gun rights in general. They advocate against magazine bans, AWBs, and for 2nd Amendment rights for all.
Both are technically pistols. One just accepts a brace easier than the other. Braces make large-format pistols much easier to operate, and much more comfortable.
When you piss off the right people, I can’t help but appreciate you. When gun control efforts from Moms Demanding Action and the Trace name you personally, you should know you have a friend in me. Judge your friends by your enemies and you’ll tend to have lots of stuff in common.
Brace it
When it cames to large format pistols and rifle caliber pistols, SB Tactical changed the game. Before they came along AK and AR, pistols were clumsy, hefty, and, at best, a novelty but that changed completely with the addition of a brace. Heavy, bulky firearms became more manageable and easier to fire accurately and safely.
Braces might have initially been designed to help disabled shooters, but they’ve gone on to make pistols more accessible for all shooters. Pistol braces are now a massive market that has been accepted with graciousness by the entire industry. SB Tactical wisely works with companies to develop new products and produce exceptional braces.
What’s your experience with SB Tactical? Let us know below.
Travis Pike is a former Marine Machine Gunner, a lifelong firearms enthusiast, and now a regular guy who likes to shoot, write, and find ways to combine the two. He holds an NRA certification as a Basic Pistol Instructor and is the world’s Okayest firearm’s instructor.
If you have a medium bit of cash lying around you may wish to check out these new 686 pants. Actually, they’re not totally new, they are an upgrade of the 686 Anything Cargo Pant. The company says they upgraded the pants with “GORE Infinium fabric with WINDSTOPPER enabling Technology, YKK Aquaguard Waterproof Zippers, stretch gusset and back yoke, 3M reflective inner taping, and a new Snap Hem Adjustment.”
These upgraded 686 pants feature an Innie + Outie Lacing System, a snap hem adjustment around the ankles, and intelligently designed pockets for your gear.
Many reviewers seem to love the breathability and these were highly praised for being great in rain and wind conditions. They also mention the pockets often using happy words to describe them, because there are so many of them and they don’t make the wearer look bulky.
What makes these 686 pants stand out?
Lightweight As easy to pack as it is comfortable to wear.
Water-Resistant Designed to resist light rain and snow, which means light rain beads off and rolls off, so you stay comfortable.
Breathable Moisture from sweat vapor can easily escape through the innovative membrane, so your body’s microclimate stays balanced.
Windproof Don’t-even-need-to-worry-about-it, windproof. When an icy wind picks up and you™re miles from home, that’s exactly what you should be relying on.
Modern Fit – Made to move. A regular fit through the waist, seat and thigh with a highly articulated leg.
Men’s Gore-Tex Infinium Anything Cargo Pant Specs
686 pants – Men’s Anything Cargo pants
More Specs
GORE-TEX 2L 100% Polyester Fabric with Windstopper Technology
