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Post By admin

Solid Concealed Carry that Won’t Break the Bank

While it may seem like the world of high-capacity concealed carry has enough contenders already, there is definitely room for at least one more, especially at a lower price point. With two 11-round magazines included, the new diminutive-framed Taurus GX4 9mm is clearly aimed at the SIG P365, Springfield Hellcat (original and RDP), and Smith & Wesson Shield PLUS as its biggest competitors, but it is also aimed at shooters who don’t want to spend $500+ on a concealed carry gun.

Ever since Sig introduced the P365 in 2018, every reputable manufacturer has upped their game to compete in the larger capacity concealed carry arena, so makes sense that Taurus would join the fray sooner or later.

There is a lot to like about the GX4 and a few things that gave me pause. Here is a breakdown of what I liked and didn’t like.

Spoiler alert: most of it is good.

The Good

The Taurus GX4 has a lot to recommend. It’s not perfect (no gun is), but the Plus column is a lot longer than the Minus column. Understand before we get too deep into the goods and bads that this is not an exotic firearm full of expensive bells and whistles. It’s a basic concealed carry gun.

Taurus GX4, magazine, case

The Taurus G4X is a basic concealed carry gun.

Let’s start with the size. It matters, right? (Sorry, not sorry.) At around 1 inch thick, it falls right in line with its competitors, tucking easily away under even the lightest cover garments.

Taurus GX4 in Crossbreed Holster

The magazine easily holds 11 rounds within its narrow grip, with a spring that is surprisingly light for being brand new. Like so many of us, I typically use my speed loader with a new magazine because the spring is so stiff. However, this one was light enough to load all 11 rounds without any mechanical assistance, a refreshing change.

Once loaded, the gun was easy to get into battery with a medium weight recoil spring making slide rack easy, aided by deep serrations on both front and back. Press check was easy.

Taurus did an awesome job on the grip texture — not too rough and not too smooth. Kudos to the grip design engineers. Goldilocks would be proud. Shooting with both dry and sweaty palms proved solid and firm, with little worry about the gun moving in my grip during recoil and realignment.

Taurus GX4 concealed carry pistol

The grip texture was really good, but I was a bit confused by the interchangeable backstraps. Not the concept — I get that — but why they are virtually identical.

The GX4 comes with two interchangeable backstraps that are simple to swap out, but they are so similar that I couldn’t tell much difference between them. The slightly larger one that came installed on the gun fit my hand solidly, but of course, I was obligated for scientific reasons to swap them to feel the difference, which was nominal. The swells were close enough that I don’t know that Taurus needed to include the second one.

I would like to have seen a more significant difference between the two. It’s also interesting that they chose to spend money on interchangeable backstraps instead of fixing some of the small items I’ll mention in the “The Bad” section below.

(Don’t jump down there yet. That’s cheating. There is more good stuff first.)

Taurus GX4 at the shooting range

The grip length, often the bane of large-handed people’s existence on compact pistols, is better on the GX4 than on most of the competition. Taurus did an admirable job of shortening the grip to reduce printing without going too small for larger hands.

For sure, cramming 11 rounds inside prevented them from going too small. While only part of my pinky rested comfortably on the bottom, it only sort of hung off, barely. When I started shooting, my fingers stayed firm on the grip, not ever slipping off. After a few shots, I forgot all about it. This was all during a session where I threw 100-, 115-, and 124-grain ammo downrange in a healthy mix of practice and defensive rounds from Federal, Winchester, and Black Hills, all of which ran flawlessly with zero malfunctions.

Taurus GX4 trigger guard

The Taurus GX4 has a wide trigger guard and a flat-faced trigger.

One often neglected feature in compact pistols is the trigger guard size. But Taurus paid attention to it. The GX4 incorporates a large trigger guard, wide enough to comfortably insert a gloved finger without the danger of an accidental discharge.

Speaking of the trigger, the GX4 features a flat-faced design with trigger safety. I was half expecting a squishy action with lots of slack and a mushy reset, especially given the price point (see below), but what Taurus gave us instead is a 6-pound pull with a crisp break, minimal slack, and a firm, audible, tactile reset — the kind of trigger feel normally associated with more expensive guns.

I have to call out one feature that floored me, in a good way.

You know how hard it is sometimes to close a slide on a compact with your thumb because the slide stop is just too dang small and hard to push? Not on the Taurus GX4! (It’s the little things, right?) The slide stop on this compact is easy to operate with the thumb, removing the need for a two-hand rack on every reload. This may not sound like a big deal but think about reloading under pressure in a real gunfight. Now, how big of a deal is it? Kudos to Taurus for this little oft-overlooked detail!

The Bad

Now, before you start thinking this is a Taurus GX4 love fest, there are a few things about the gun that definitely could be better. Some are big, some small. Remember, this is a budget-conscious pistol, so don’t expect too many high-end features, but a few small improvements would have been nice.

The Sights

Taurus GX4

 

The factory sights are okay but not great. They are basically Glock knockoffs with a non-glowing white dot on the front and blacked-out rear with anti-glare texturing, which is a nice touch if you like blacked-out sights. I’m not a big fan, especially on concealed carry guns designed to be used in heat-of-the-moment self-defense situations where you need to immediately see the sights, but maybe that’s just me.

Thankfully, replacing the stock sights is fairly simple, if you so choose. It would have been nice to see a dayglow sight on front at least, but that might raise the price beyond Taurus’ target market, so maybe we will see that in a 2.0 version down the road.

Takedown

The GX4 has an unconventional takedown system that requires tools. Unlike the typical takedown lever found on most guns, which pushes up or rotates with a finger or thumb to release the slide, the GX4 requires a flathead screwdriver to twist the lever while the trigger is pulled and the slide is pushed forward. And the screw is on the other side of the gun, which is a bit odd.

Taurus GX4 takedown screw.

This is not terribly difficult or prohibitive, just unnecessarily awkward. The good news is once these gyrations are complete, the rest of the takedown process is like any other striker fire.

Where is the accessory rail, even a short one?

Right now it has none, zero, zilch, not even a stub of one for tiny accessories. It would be nice to have at least a little rail to attach a small laser or light. Space is not an issue. There is enough real estate in front of the trigger guard to allow for one. This may not be a huge miss for some, but it might turn off at least a few potential buyers.

Taurus GX4 subcompact 9mm concealed carry pistol

One last thing — and this is a biggy.

It’s missing an optic plate, something more and more expected as standard across the pistol world nowadays. While the rest of the compact concealed carry market is either including an optic plate (some even throw in the optic) on new models or going back and adding them to new versions of an existing gun, Taurus inexplicably left off this ever-increasingly popular and important feature.

Even though it should have been on the original, perhaps we will see it as at least an option on any upgraded versions of the GX4 in the future.

The Ugly

Okay, shame on me. Yes, I threw this in just to perpetuate the movie theme at the risk of copyright infringement. There really is nothing ugly about this gun. But there really is nothing all that pretty about it either. In fact, its looks are fairly unremarkable. The GX4’s boxy exterior is neither ugly nor beautiful. It’s…functional, which is fine because it’s a gun, not decoration.

While it won’t win any beauty contests, it also didn’t fall out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down like many other lower-priced firearms. Its design serves the purpose: to hold all the parts and pieces together and provide good ergonomics and concealment for the shooter.

Taurus GX4

While the GX4 may not be the sexiest gun on the market by a long shot (pun intended), its average looks do justice to a gun that clearly only serves a utilitarian purpose. It’s a box. And that’s okay.

Takeaways

Overall, the Taurus GX4 is a rock-solid, reliable option in a basic carry gun that won’t break the bank. It fits the hands well, shoots flat with minimal felt recoil for a small gun, has enough rounds in the mag to compete in the higher capacity concealed carry market, and performed flawlessly in my limited testing.

Manufacturers will soon introduce holsters and other accessories, so support should be good. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, no-nonsense, frill-free concealed carry gun that checks all the basic boxes and a few extras, the Taurus GX4 at $392.42 MSRP is definitely well worth consideration.

Taurus GX4 Specs

  • Caliber: 9mm Luger
  • Capacity: 11 RDS
  • Magazines: 2×11
  • Firing System: Striker
  • Action Type: Single Action Only
  • Front Sights: Fixed White Dot Steel
  • Rear Sights: Serrated Drift Adjustable
  • Safety: Striker Block, Trigger Safety, Visual Loaded Chamber Indicator
  • Frame Size: Micro-Compact
  • Grip Material: Polymer
  • Slide Material: Alloy Steel
  • Barrel Finish: Satin Black DLC Coated
  • Slide Finish: Gas Nitride Treatment
  • Barrel Length: 06 in.
  • Overall Length: 05 in.
  • Overall Width: 08 in.
  • Overall Height: 4 in.
  • Weight: 5 oz. (unloaded)
  • Packaging Weight: 80 oz
  • Packaging Size: 8 in x 9.75 in x 3 in
  • MSRP: $392.42

Taurus Micro 9

Manufacturer Video

 

Taurus GX4 Initial Release

The following is the notification we initially received about the new micro-nine from Taurus HQ in Bainbridge, GA. 

This is a copy of their PR, not a part of a review or endorsement.

Taurus, manufacturer of premium handguns for defense, hunting, and sport shooting, is excited to announce the all-new Taurus GX4, designed to deliver maximum concealment without sacrificing ergonomics, performance, or capacity. In short, the Taurus GX4 offers everything you would expect from a full-frame defensive handgun (and more!) but at a fraction of the size and weight. The new Taurus GX4 redefines the micro pistol segment to deliver the concealability of a .380 but with the power, capacity, and function of a full-size 9mm handgun.

Taurus G4X micro nine EDC gun

The Taurus GX4 is built on a stainless frame with a polymer grip that earns high marks in shooter comfort and strength. This thin, one-inch-wide frame provides negligible printing when worn inside the waistband and features a grip dimension sized to fit any hand. To ensure structural rigidity and reliable cycling in such a scaled-down foundation, the polymer receiver bolsters an integral stainless-steel framework that eliminates flex or deformation when firing.

Intelligent channeling beneath the slide rail allows for recessed placement of the slide stop lever and takedown pin. This permits easy manipulation of these controls while maintaining a flush, no-snag profile for a smooth draw from deep concealment. Likewise, the magazine release button is flush to the grip to eliminate snag potential without hindering quick manipulation during mag changes.

The stippling pattern along the grip offers the perfect balance of aggressive texture across the front of the grip, the side panels, and the full length of the backstrap for a concealed carry application. Stippling is also found forward of the trigger at the indexing and recoil management pad locations. These pads, working in conjunction with the high-texture grip, help the shooter maintain proper hand positioning and assist in managing 9mm recoil while promoting fast target reacquisition in a small handgun platform.

The Taurus GX4 comes with two backstrap options. Installed at the factory is the standard backstrap profile with its slight palm swell to accommodate the preferred grip for most shooters. Those who favor a higher wrist position for natural point-of-aim via a more pronounced palm swell can install the included high-swell backstrap.

Shooters will enjoy the accuracy and predictability of the Taurus GX4 trigger courtesy of its crisp, precise sear break and the pleasingly short and tactile reset that is fundamental to quick, on-target follow-up shots. Adding to the control quotient are serrations along the trigger safety blade. These serrations help prevent finger slip and promote a straighter, more consistent trigger pull.

Located at the front and back of the slide, the serrations not only provide a positive grip for charging and cartridge extraction, they also allow for push or pull manipulation from either end of the slide to accommodate the shooter’s preferred operation style.

Topping the slide is a fixed-position steel front sight and square-notch steel rear sight. The rear sight features serrations across the back to minimize glare, and the cross-cut dovetail slot allows for drift-adjustment of the sight’s windage. The front sight includes a white alignment dot for improved visibility in reduced light conditions. Understanding that many personal defense practitioners desire a tritium or fiber-optic sight system for extreme low-light performance, the Taurus GX4’s dovetail slot is sized to be compatible with common aftermarket tritium and fiber-optic sights. The front sight also uses the conventional screw attachment system, so upgrading the Taurus GX4™ to aftermarket night sights is a simple matter for a gunsmith or anyone with a pistol sight installation tool.

As with all Taurus polymer frame pistols, the Taurus GX4 slide includes a visual loaded chamber indicator. This allows the shooter to quickly see if a cartridge is loaded in the chamber and eliminates the need for the traditional “press check.” To separate the slide assembly from the frame for cleaning, the Taurus GX4 utilizes an easy take-down pin system.

The Taurus GX4’s 3.06-inch stainless-steel barrel, for example, features a satin black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) treatment for reduced friction and greater wear and corrosion resistance. For the slide finish, Taurus engineers opted for a gas nitride coating to maximize slide surface hardness. This treatment is ideal for a gun intended for daily carry and for deep concealment due to its wear resistance properties.

Elsewhere, operational control parts receive a Teflon™ coating. The inherent lubricity of Teflon allows components such as the reversible mag release to operate with maximum smoothness while also resisting wear and corrosion. The steel slide stop has polymer overmolding for maximum durability. Inside the Taurus GX4, metal internal parts are nickel-plated to further resist rust and corrosion.

While the Taurus GX4 proves that neither ergonomics nor reliable performance need be sacrificed to create a full-feature micro pistol, it also proves that firepower or cartridge capacity need not be compromised, either. Chambered for 9mm Luger, the Taurus GX4 delivers several double-stack magazine options.

The Taurus GX4 comes from the factory with two flush 11-round magazines. There is the standard magazine with a floor plate that is flush with the bottom of the grip and an optional 11-round magazine with a finger extension for those who prefer a larger grip surface. If more capacity is desired, Taurus offers an optional 13-round extended magazine. The Taurus GX4 comes in a 10-round magazine version for those consumers in capacity-restricted states.

In keeping with the Taurus philosophy of producing handguns with the industry’s best performance-to-cost ratio, the new Taurus GX4 delivers. With an MSRP of $392.42, Taurus GX4 buyers can enjoy all the feature benefits and ergonomics typically associated with larger polymer frame striker-fired pistols at a price point that fits any budget.

Taurus GX4 9

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.”

CategoriesGun Reviews
Post By admin

Viktos Johnny Combat Boots — A World Ahead

Boots. Every man, woman, and child should have a good pair of boots. As a real American, I own several, and my latest comes from Viktos in the form of the Johnny Combat boots. Specifically, the black multi-cam variant that gives me a stylish look combined with a practical set of boots. Multi-cam black is rather hipstery, but as the resident tactical hipster, I accept that fully. So how did I review the Johnny Combat boots? Well, I freaking walked in ’em, duh.

Reviewing the Johnny Combat Boots

I got these bad boys in the middle of March and hit the ground running. Well, walking mostly. I was heading to South Carolina for the Gathering event, so I strapped the boots on and jumped on it. Like most gun events, you are on your feet, shuffling from event to event on the shoelace express.

Unlike other events, this one was held outside in the foothills, so lots of up and down, with a hefty dose of bad weather. I faced hills, mud, and lots of clay during this thing.

It presented a good chance to ‘break’ the boots in. As I type this, I hit my hundredth mile wearing the boots with several days of 3 to 5-mile hikes under my belt.

Viktos Johnny Combat Boots, multicam

Multicam gets all the love.

For me, rest days involve a long morning walk with a weight vest on. The pace varies on my mood. It’s often faster than your grandma but nowhere near as easy.

Beyond that, I’ve worn them on my quest to be big and fit. The Johnny Combat boots aren’t designed for sprinting, weights, flipping tires, or box jumps, but how else would I know if they work in dynamic movements? I pushed these boots to the edge because I needed to see if they function as good as they look.

I can recreate Fallujah in my backyard, but I still put these bad boys through the wringer.

What I Found Out

The break-in period was anything but. I brought a spare pair of shoes in case the break-in was rough on my feet. My sensitive self didn’t want to deal with blisters and cramping feet at a media event. I never changed out of the Johnny Combat boots. These things never hurt my feet or caused much discomfort.

As far as a break-in goes, the Johnny Combat boots have gotten more comfortable over time, but they never hurt me in the first place. Within that week, in which I walked 18 miles, I would say they had softened up and broken in a bit.

Viktos Johnny Combat boots review

Comfort was always great with the Johnny Combat boots.

Today, on my hundredth mile, I’ve walked a total of 7.73 miles, including a five-mile hike and then my regular around-the-house stuff. Wearing the Johnny Combat boots the entire time, I never felt a single hot spot or blister. It was perfectly comfortable.

When facing down the elements, I also had zero issues. From the cold rain, wind, and mud to the dry spring of Florida, there is nothing that brought shame upon the name. Viktos builds the boots to be inherently water-resistant. While I haven’t tried to go swimming in the Johnny Combat Boots, I’ve struggled through the mud, walked through puddles, and knee-high wet grass. The whole time my beautiful feet remained dry and warm.

Bringing the Heat

Are they jungle boots? Cold weather boots? Well, they are neither. More like a three-season boot or a Florida boot. If I lived up north and faced snow, I might want something heavier; in my weather, they don’t present an issue. Even in the heat, which has climbed to the low 90s this week, the boots are never hot.

They are light enough to breathe and breathe well. In South Carolina, it was rather cold. Colder than I like for my Marches, and again, my feet never felt cold. In the actual desert or in the tundra, I might want something specific, but for the regular world, they’re perfect.

Viktos Johnny Combat boots and ruck sack

These boots are made for walking… and well..isn’t that what all boots are made for?

Viktos installed a very aggressive tread pattern into the bottom of the Johnny Combat boot. It really digs into the earth and soaks it in. Climbing up and down those South Carolina hills coated with rain and wet clay didn’t slow me down. I didn’t slip and fall, which is a feat for my clumsy ass.

Viktos Johnny Combat boots - soles

The tread is impressive and provides you a good, stable platform for climbing hills, hiking, and life living.

Putting Work In With the Johnny Combat Boots

I live in the absolute middle of nowhere. I am surrounded by jungle with a thin dirt road as my only access to the world. That thin dirt road is my hiking trail, and depending on the weather, it is covered in either moon dust or the slickest mud imaginable. I’ve dealt with both in the last month and I’ve yet to trip over my own feet.

On tire box jumps, I never slipped and ate dirt either. Doing walking lunges and farmer’s carries also proved that I could keep my feet on the ground without tripping or rolling an ankle. Not to mention side lunges, goblet squats, and burpees were all completed without issue.

kettlebell lift

These aren’t designed as gym shoes, but a workout proved to be a great way to test them.

The Johnny Combat boots make carrying a heavy load comfortable too. A wide forefoot allows for foot splay under a heavy load. It doesn’t cause the sides of my feet to aggressively rub the boots and challenge my callouses to a fight.

Speaking of Tripping

The week before my first deployment to Afghanistan, we did a three-mile hump to do a final BZO on our weapons and optics. Somewhere on the way back, I rolled an ankle and got a fracture. I then deployed and just taped it up and went on business as usual. Since then, I’ve had a weak ankle and I tend to roll it often.

The Johnny Combat boots are a bit of a weird size that doesn’t conform to the norms of low, mid, and high. Instead, they go up six inches on the ankle and, when tied tight, provide a ton of support to the ankle. It’s almost cast like in its support. Rolling an ankle hasn’t happened yet, and it doesn’t seem to be an option.

Johnny Combat boot anke support

The mid-length-ish height provided excellent ankle support.

That being said, I had enough mobility to run sprints (or what my fat ass calls sprints) and flex my footwork around a heavy bag. You certainly feel the tread dig in when doing both. The Johnny Combat boots aren’t too heavy either, so it doesn’t feel like you’re hauling boat anchors. I’m not gonna run in them by choice, but if I had to, these would work.

The slightly lower cut offers a lot of mobility mixed with a lot of stability. It’s an excellent compromise between mobility and stability, and my weak ankle appreciates it.

Tactical Hipster Approved

The Johnny Combat boots and I have some miles in. Happy miles, good miles, miles I wouldn’t trade for anything. They are a rock-solid set of boots that are supportive, offer good mobility, support, and are nice for most weather conditions.

Box Jump exercise

Box jumps suck, but the Johnny Combat Boots don’t.

They also look good! The black Multicam looks excellent, although it likely doesn’t offer me much actual camouflage. Honestly, I plan to wash them after this review. All the clay, sand, and pollen has given them a unique color of filth, and I didn’t pick black Multicam not to show it off.

Check out the Johnny Combat boots and the other gear at Viktos.

Buy your mags at GunMag Warehouse!

 

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.

CategoriesSkills and Gunhandling
Post By admin

Home defense magazines: reloading at home

While some internet tough guys pretend they’re ‘Ministers of death, praying for war’, the reality of having to use a firearm for home defense is a grim and terrifying one. Making the decision to defend one’s home and loved ones with lethal force seems like an obvious choice for many gun owners, but it isn’t so cut and dry for everyone. Not just with regard to the implements necessary but also with the willingness and determination to use them. This is as critical to a solid home invasion defense plan as is a reliable self-defense gun and what we’ll refer to as “home defense magazines”.

Personally, I couldn’t live with myself if I had the chance to stop any terrible harm befalling my family – and while that may be the most ethical choice for me, it’s one gun owners shouldn’t take lightly. Taking a human life, no matter how justified, takes a toll on our souls, or for you more agnostic readers, on our psyche.

Though the cost of saving the lives of you and your family may be more material.

An elite team of guards standing by to respond to a home invasion

Very, very few of us have an elite team of trained shooters standing by to act as a home security system. It’s up to us.

Note: This article originally ran in 2016.

Even if you’ve steeled yourself to the idea of that, courts are full of easily influenced jurors and blood-thirsty prosecutors, though the extent of which greatly depends on your home state – Texas, for instance, is a different world compared to California when it comes to gun- and personal defense laws. Also, even if you’re found innocent, even if you were forced to use violence during hour home invasion defense, unscrupulous family members of your assailant will go after every cent you’ve ever earned.

Once a shooter has made the choice to at least consider the use of deadly force, they must fully commit if they truly care about the outcome.

Think of it like the meek drivers who slowly attempt to merge into fast-moving traffic before getting slammed by a semi. While their milquetoast mentality buys them a few moments more on this Earth, their reluctance to take the initiative ultimately leads to disaster.

Does that mean shooters should pounce at the thought of engaging in a firefight with every mysterious sound they hear in their homes? Not at all – it means being prepared both physically and mentally are equally as important.

When you awake at three in the morning to the sound of your daughter screaming in fright and the icy sound of shattering windows, it’s too late to ponder the moral quandary of having to shoot a man.

These are just a few considerations for defense (or what ought to be considerations).

If you’re wondering what on Earth that has to do with picking a magazine, it’s all related. Though for me, I believe I would be remiss to not mention the cold, hard realities of any event that might lead to the use of deadly force, home invasion, or otherwise. That said, part of being prepared for dangerous situations at home is having good, reliable equipment.

If a shooter is worried about their equipment not performing, they aren’t 100 percent focused on the task at hand. This is true for competition, target shooting or home defense; though each requires a unique approach and solution.

As I mentioned in my AR15 magazine guide, extended magazines are great for competition use, but their ungainly weight and added length/bulk make them a poor choice for navigating the tight hallways of a residential home.

The key to picking the perfect home defense magazine is to set out certain practical ideals for the magazine and choose a solution that meets or exceeds as many of those metrics as possible. For this guide, I’m going to use my own metrics, but I’ll present them in such a format that they can be tailored for other shooters.

The five areas I use to narrow down my selection are reliability, durability capacity size, and weight.

“But Jim, you forgot price!”

I didn’t forget the price. I intentionally excluded it.

When picking any product that could potentially save your (or someone you love’s) life, cost should be the least influential aspect. After all, would you skimp on a life jacket or seat belt for your child because it was a hundred bucks more than you budgeted for?

(Don’t answer, it’s a rhetorical question)

Home Invasion Defense

Attributes of perfect home defense magazines

Keep this in mind as you read this. We’re linking to some of the magazines we sell from the Warehouse side. That’s what we do — we sell magazines. A vested interest in capitalism our part doesn’t change the truth of what we’re saying. Do some research. Perform some due diligence. We encourage you to make your own informed decision about what to buy: we’d just prefer you buy it here.

Reliability

So we’ll start with reliability. This is an important concept for basically every firearm decision you ever make, save for collectors, and such. An auto-loading firearm is an expensive, awkward, single-shot piece of junk if its magazines aren’t feeding correctly.

The best way to determine which magazine runs best in your given firearm is to test dozens of variations and eliminate them based on your personally experienced failures while minimizing as many variables as possible. So shooters should load the same ammunition they intend to use in a home defense scenario. Also, be sure to clean the gun between tests.

This is prohibitively expensive for most shooters, so I normally suggest narrowing down your selection to three examples: what the military uses, (if a military uses the gun) what competition shooters use and what the factory ships the gun with.

For example, we’ll use the AR-15.

The US Military issues their rifles with STANAG aluminum magazines, but soldiers often purchase polymer Magpul PMAGS, making both of these an acceptable solution. On the competition side, Magpul and Lancer L5 Warfighter magazines rule the day. As for factory magazines, most tactical rifles today ship with Magpul PMAGS for two reasons: they work, and they’re inexpensive. [Edit due to republication: obviously this has changed somewhat since this was first written, but the example remains sound.]

So we’ve got our selection to USGI Aluminum 30-round magazines, Magpul PMAGs and Lancer Systems L5AWM mags.

Durability

Further narrowing down the selection process, let’s take the next metric into consideration – durability. My personal favorite test for this is as simple as it is effective: a drop test.

Get somewhere high enough to drop your fully-loaded magazines approximately ten feet onto concrete. (Note: do not throw them, you want to let gravity determine their velocity, not your arm strength)

Inspect each magazine for anything other than cosmetic damage, and discard any with cracks.

For me, this resulted in the elimination of the USGI aluminum magazine, whose body deformed and prevented the magazine from fitting any magazine wells. The Magpul magazine regurgitated about a half dozen rounds and showed minor scuffing, while the Lancer lost a single cartridge and scrapped its baseplate.

Since these magazines will reside at my bedside, this test was sufficient to determine their ability to withstand abuse. If I were going to deploy somewhere with mechanized infantry, I’d like to test how well these mags tolerate being run over by heavy vehicles. The point here is to always tailor your test to the target environment, and make sure not to go overboard. Be realistic and be practical.

If my favorite magazine melts inside a hot oven or stops .50 BMG rounds, that doesn’t invalidate an otherwise completely reliable performance.

Also, after these durability tests, be sure to use a fresh example for home defense: there’s no sense in taking chances on an invisible crack or hairline fracture. Though you should obviously run your unsullied version through your chosen home defense firearm a few times just in case.

Capacity and Size

With reliability and durability out of the way, it’s time to address capacity and the directly-related issue of size. For the foreseeable future, the larger the magazine, the more rounds it holds…at least until we manage to capture tiny black holes to provide endless streams of ammunition.

As such, picking an ultra-capacious magazine tends to have diminishing returns; especially if the host firearm has a sizable magazine well like the AR15. More on that in a moment.

For now, I take a page from the Roman architectural playbook and subscribe to a golden ratio of magazine-to-rifle size.  Unlike the Roman ratio, mine is a nice easy whole number – one.

I try to make the magazine extend no further than the lowest handing portion of the firearm itself – this obviously doesn’t apply to tube-fed firearms. For guns like the traditional-stocked Ruger Mini-14, this is a little tricky as the stock only extends downward far enough to accommodate a 10-round magazine.  But, extending past that isn’t as big of a concern since the Mini has such a low profile.

For the more prolific AR15, I try to pick magazines that don’t extend past the pistol grip if possible. I do this because it makes shooting from either a prone or supported position much easier. From the prone, this means not having to balance the rifle on its magazine. For shooting supported or from cover, it’s one less protrusion to get snagged while manipulating the rifle.

Keeping your defensive tool compact means making it more maneuverable in close quarters and tight hallways. It also makes you more mobile. Another contributing factor to this is the weight.

Reloading with good home defense magazines is a better plan than dual wielding.

Reloading with good home defense magazines is a better plan than dual-wielding. Doesn’t matter if you’re dealing with a home invasion or you’re at a competition.

Weight

One can subscribe to my ratio theory and still have a tremendously capacious magazine – just look at KCI’s double drum mag. It barely protrudes down past the pistol grip and holds a whopping 100 rounds of 5.56mm ammo.

It’s made of plastic, yet it weighs a freakin’ ton because it holds a ton of ammunition. This is fine if you’re not concerned with moving around with your firearm. So shooters who either don’t have children or family members residing in their homes (or visiting) when a home invasion occurs can pick as high a capacity magazine as their budget or local laws permit.

But if there is even a small chance you’ll be forced to venture out from your bedroom to rescue children or elderly relatives, this weight can be a curse. Manipulating a long arm indoors is already pretty difficult. Add extra bulk and weight and the logistics of flipping light switches and turning doorknobs while one-handing a fully-loaded carbine becomes daunting.

This advice, like most I give, is situational and carries a caveat. Ideally, when dealing with an armed home invader, shooters should take a defensive position in their bedroom facing the only means of egress. Then, call 911, explain that someone is in your house, you’re armed, and are currently in fear of your life.

Most importantly, nothing in your house that isn’t alive is worth dying for – if you can help it at all, stay put. It’s always easier to defend than attack.

 

You might also like our series on home defense weapons.

Or, find all home defense articles we’ve published.

Jim is a freelance writer for dozens of firearm publications, the host of the YouTube channel Burst Review and the youngest author to write a cover story for Shotgun News in its 86-years of operation. Jim loves anything that goes, ‘boom’ but particularly enjoys military firearms from the Cold War and WW2. When he’s not slinging lead downrange he can be round hiking in the mountains with his wife Kim and their vicious attack dog, Peanut.

CategoriesAccessories
Post By admin

Tenicor Velo4 and Certum3 now available

 

Tenicor is now shipping concealed carry holsters for the Walther PDP Compact: the Velo 4 AIWB holster and Certum 3 IWB holster.

Tenicor Walther PDP Compact Holster Options

Tenicor is a Kydex holster manufacturer and training company headquartered in the PNW.

Need Walther mags?

Tenicor Velo

Of the Velo, Tenicor says: “The VELO holster is intelligently designed, easy to conceal, and built for every day. It is an appendix carry holster intended to be worn in front of the hip around slot terbaru one o’clock (for right-handed shooters). Bulky heavy clothes are no longer required; the VELO holster enhances your ability to carry a gun every day, even in tailored or athletic fit clothing.”

Walther-PDP-Compact-holster-Tenicor-Velo

Learn more online here. 

Walther-PDP-Compact-holster-Tenicor-Velo

Tenicor Velo for the Tenicor PDP Compact.

Sentry-Battle-Belts

Tenicor Certum

Tenicor describes the Certum thusly: “The CERTUM3 is Tenicor’s take on the classic fold-over inside-the-waistband holster. The streamlined profile and precision molding create https://www.openthailandsafely.org/ a sleek, intelligently designed holster. Excess is eliminated, and the result is unencumbered and precise performance.”

Learn more online here.

Walther-PDP-Compact-holster-Tenicor-Certum

About Tenicor in their own words: “Tenicor is an American design, development, manufacturing, and training company. We build products that work. Since 2008, we have been determined in our design, development, and testing of innovative and slot gacor malam ini intelligent equipment. In 2017, we introduced our first commercially available products.”

Hoppes Brand at GunMag Warehouse

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.

CategoriesRange Gear
Post By admin

Palmetto State Arms Affordable US made AK-103

The venerable AK is one of the most recognizable rifles on the planet. There are so many that you’ll find them in every corner of all three worlds —first, second, and third—as a much-adored go-to for both military and personal protection. Because they are so popular, every gun maker out there makes some sort of straight AK or AK lookalike to satisfy the huge demand. Palmetto State Armory is no exception.

As reviewer Garand Thumb points out in the video below, the new PSA AK-103 may not be a pure AK-103, but it’s pretty darn close—close enough that non-die-hard enthusiasts might not know or care about the differences.

Tip to butt, what is this gun, from a shooter’s perspective? 

To start, it has a pretty typical modern AK-100 series muzzle brake, “These muzzle brakes are very, very effective at controlling AK recoil. You can see in the video, this weapon does not really dance around and that is pretty cool, given the fact that it is launching a 7.62 x 39 round.” 

Thumb points out that a lot of muzzle flash and concussion come with this particular muzzle brake, so he recommends the use of a suppressor for low-light situations.

As for the barrel, Thumb says, “Palmetto State Armory has done a lot of very incredible things in the AK world, and the barrel is absolutely one of them.” The cold hammer-forged barrel is made by Fabrique National made specifically for this gun. “What an incredible barrel to include on a very cheap gun.”

The PSA AK-103 has typical AK-100 series furniture, which can easily be switched out for modern furniture. It comes with your typical AK iron sights and they are very well constructed, there’s no canting.

One of the amazing things about the AK-103 is the forged parts like the front trunnion, carrier, and bolt which makes the rifle more reliable and longer-lasting. It’s got a typical AK magazine release and takes various AK magazines including Bulgarian and Magpul mags.

Thumb says the safety is incredible, “The thing that always annoys me with AKs is how terrible the safeties are. So, by having the enhanced safety on the PSA, one—that’s awesome. And two, it’s very easy to manipulate.”

Sentry brand Battle Belts

How about quality?

How does this compare to other AKs out there? According to Thumb, after over 3,000 rounds, the rifle has held together just fine, with no pins walking out or other design/build issues. The gas block and system have held up perfectly with zero issues. Overall, he says, the build quality has been outstanding.

As far as accuracy over the long haul, Thumb says the cold-forged barrel resisted serious deflection after heating up, allowing for tight groupings even on faraway targets.

Palmetto State Armory AK-103

The PSA AK-103 may not be a pure AK, but it’s still a ton of fun and just as potent as its original Russian daddy.

So how much are you shelling out for this Cold War beauty? The fixed stock version will run you about $899 rubles, sorry, dollars, while the folding stock version kicks it up to around $1,000. Compared to other AKs out there, that’s a pretty sweet price point.

Palmetto State Armory US-made AK-103

To the naked eye, you’d never know this wasn’t an authentic AK. Shooting it won’t give away its secret either.

Check out all the rest of his comments in the video. Afterward, check out our selection of AK mags and accessories.

Want more Gun Mag Warehouse? Follow us on Instagram @gunmagwarehouse.

SB Tactical at GunMag Warehouse

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.”

CategoriesNew Gun Releases
Post By admin

SIG P365 Holster Options for your Every (365) Days of Carry

What is the best Sig P365 holster? What is the most comfortable Sig P365 holster? These aren’t rhetorical questions. The Sig P365 is without a doubt one of the most revolutionary handguns we’ve seen in the concealed carry market, though the subsequent Hellcat has been giving it some competition. The article you’ll read below was originally published about a year ago (August 2019). Since that time, many other holster companies have released a Sig Sauer P365 holster option (or more than one) Some we’ve written about (like the Tenicor Velo, below). Some we haven’t (yet). Some we won’t. 

 

 

• SIG P365 Holster Releases & News

• Tenicor Velo: AIWB P365 Holster Review

• Pike’s Picks for Best SIG P365 Holster

 

 

 

Sig P365 Holsters in the News

Brock Trautman

 

DeSantis Gunhide Slim-Tuk Holster for SIG P365 with Streamlight TLR-6

DeSantis Gunhide Slim-Tuk Holster for SIG P365 with Streamlight TLR-6

DeSantis Gunhide Slim-Tuk Holster for SIG P365 with Streamlight TLR-6

May 2021. DeSantis just expanded its IWB Slim-Tuk holster options by adding the fit capability to accommodate the Streamlight TLR-6 light. It’s an ambidextrous IWB holster made of Kydex with the DeSantis tuckable 360° C-Clip, which affords the wearer unlimited mounting options. 

From DeSantis:

This new enhancement to the Slim-Tuk style that now fits the TLR-6 is sure to be a great hit as we continue to see illumination tools becoming brighter and smaller, providing deep concealment and versatility. We already have a fitment for the Glock 43 with the TLR-6 and will be adding even more Slim-Tuk fitments for other illumination tools in the weeks to come. Stay Tuned!

The retail price is $34.99 (at the time of this writing).

 

 

 

Tenicor Velo: Reviewing a Sig P365 Holster

50 Shades of FDE

SIG P365 Tenicor holster

Carrying concealed is the only way I carry a firearm when I am off duty. While my methods have changed over the ten years or so of my career, the fundamental requirements of a good holster have not. So while the pistols have gotten smaller and holsters have become less leather, more Kydex, the features required of a quality holster remain consistent: features you’ll find well-developed in the Tenicor Velo Sig P365 holster.

When I first began carrying, it was usually a Compact or Subcompact platform. I normally carried at the four o’clock position with a button-up shirt to effectively conceal it all.

SIG P365 holster from Tenicor.

What you see up top is my current EDC setup when using the Velo. here’s a close-up of the holster, weapon, and mag “pouch” (holder). It’s discreet, with plenty of ammo on board.

Now I carry a Sig Sauer P365, with a 12 round extended magazine in, along with two spares for reloads. Depth of pocket allowing, I can also carry an extended 15-round P365 mag. That’s quite an impressive loadout, considering what a small-framed individual was once restricted to. This is made possible by the small overall size of the pistol and a good holster. Happily, there are a couple of options that fit that description, and they allow me to wear t-shirts again.

I was using a rig from another brand when I first began carrying the Sig P365. It was a decent holster, but I was still printing with the grip. It used plastic clips, which were okay, but I repeatedly experienced movement as I wore it throughout the day (the amount depending upon my activity).

When Tenicor added the P365 to their lineup Velo holsters, I immediately wanted to try it out — and it’s been my AIWB holster (Appendix Inside the WaistBand) ever since. Well, my choice of any EDC holster for that matter.

Holsters may seem virtually identical, but that’s far from the case. The Velo, with its distinctive look and muzzle wedge, has many features not to be found on other holsters. That wedge, for instance, looks weird, but it serves a very important purpose — it pushes the grip of your pistol into (toward) the body, which helps keep it from printing.

Another unique and highly effective feature of the Velo, at least in my experience, is the Tenicor T1 belt clip by Discreet Carry Concepts. These are hands down the best clips I’ve ever had on an AIWB holster…or on any holster for that matter.

Plastic clips work acceptably well, but they often allow an entire holster to move around while you’re going about your day — and they’re rarely as durable as the quality metal versions. T1 clips from Discreet Carry Concepts are thin, lightweight, very low profile and have incredible tension. That tension feels as aggressive today as it did when I first began using the holster.

In fact, having a good EDC belt (which should be a must-have as a part of your carry setup) isn’t as necessary as it might be with otherwise due to the Velo’s clips. I’ve used a variety of belts with the Velo and sometimes without a belt at all. The holster has always performed just fine as long as the pants or shorts had enough material in the waistline.

That said, a good belt is always going to be my preferred foundation of carrying.

That is how strong the T1 clips are, and that allows for many more options wardrobe-wise. That, in turn, means that there are even fewer excuses reasons not to carry.

Tenicor Velo Sig P365 holster, EDC loadout

Tenicor Velo Sig P365 holster as a part of a complete EDC loadout (though you can’t see the medical component from this angle). It’s good to have enough gun, but you should have a TQ or some combat gauze or something immediately accessible to patch holes on you.

I have carried my P365 in the Velo for over a year now, the vast majority of the time off duty, and unless someone comes up with something startlingly better it’s going to remain what I use. The Velo + P365 makes for a tight, light, compact option that’s easy to conceal no matter what you wear. Though at first, the muzzle wedge wasn’t very comfortable against my body, after a few days of wearing it that discomfort went away. I have driven on long road trips with it and I am comfortable during the entire 3 to 4-hour ride. That’s actually similar to my first experience carrying appendix fashion for the first time overall — the comfort level improved over a short wear period, and I quickly realized the advantages it gave.

The T1 clips are very effective at staying put and keeping the holster in place. Unlike any other holster I’ve used, I’ve never had to worry about it slipping or falling out. Retention is solid, and I am confident that my pistol is secured until I make the conscious decision to draw it.

SIG P365 in a Tenicore holster, concealed.

There’s a Sig P365 under here — no, it won’t fit an iron or a steamer. Concealed means concealed.

 

Tenicor holster for the SIG Sauer P365

T1 Clips are some of the best!

Tenicor did an excellent job at designing and manufacturing a holster system that is very concealable, safe, lightweight, and durable. They have since made updates to the design with the body contour that evolved from the wedge and a few other features.

The Velo works as advertised and if there is one thing that I could come up with as a con, it would be the price. A Velo setup with the T1 clips will run you $95. Good kit costs money and this is no different. This particular holster has lasted me over a year and is showing no signs of wear or reductions in retention with the clips or of the pistol. It is a high-quality product that Tenicor stands behind 100% and will do a full refund if purchased direct.

The Velo lets you carry your EDC pistol discreetly, safely and will work with pretty much anything you decide to wear. With the increase in shootings in public places, it’s never more important to have a pistol on you (if you can do so legally) so that you’ll have a fighting chance if you’re caught up in an incident where you need it.

For more information check out the Tenicor website.

 

Carry a Sig P365?

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Stock: Blackpoint Tactical

Blackpoint Tactical left hand AIWB holster for SIG P365

GunMag Warehouse carries this one for the wrong-handed: it’s the Blackpoint Tactical left-hand AIWB holster for the SIG P365.

 

 

Sig P365 Holster — This Guy’s Top Five

Travis Pike

The P365 is the size of a single stack 9 with the capacity of a double stack 9. The gun has of course been quite popular with the concealed carry market and I carry one myself. This has led me to discover a series of Sig P365 holsters, some of which, of course, are better than others. Here are five I feel specifically partial to.

1. Bravo Concealment Torsion 3.0 

If you want to go full kydex, the Bravo Concealment Torsion 3.0 is the route to take for the standard grip frame. This appendix carry design comes with two belt clips, but a single clip can be used for a more traditional appendix carry setup. I personally preferred the strongside IWB setup and the Bravo Concealment rig conceals without effort. 

A SIG P365 holster by Bravo Concealment

A Sig P65 holster of choice: the Torsion 3.0 holster is a good Kydex option for AIWB (Appendix Inside the Waist Band) carry.

The design is set up to accommodate a threaded and extended barrel and will also function with raised suppressor height sights. With a growing P365 aftermarket it makes sense that some folks have suppressed their P365 for range time. Having P365 holsters to accommodate this is a nice touch. The Bravo Concealment Torsion 3.0 has an adjustable cant and adjustable passive retention. 

The Torsion 3.0 is a well-made holster that is plenty comfortable and has that satisfying click when the gun is holstered. The Torsion 3.0 is currently only available for the standard P365 model, but I would expect an XL model to come forward soon. 

 

Sig Sauer P365 9mm 15-round magazine. GOT MAGS?

 

2. Crossbreed DropSlide 

Crossbreed is well known for their hybrid style holsters and they produce both IWB and OWB models. They produce an absolute ton of P365 holsters. The Crossbreed DropSlide is an OWB model that is cut not only to accommodate the P365, but also TLR 6 equipped P365. This is one of the few light-bearing models I could find without a 6 to 9 week lead time. 

A comfortable P365 holster from Crossbreed.

The Crossbreed DropSlide for SIG Sauer P365 is an OWB model that is cut not only to accommodate the P365, but a TLR 6 equipped P365 as well…cuz it’s good to have a light! (WML and handheld f you can.)

I’m an OWB kind of guy. I typically find it the most comfortable means to carry a gun and my large frame also makes it easy for me to conceal an OWB gun. The DropSlide design cuts the leather low to make it easy to get a comfortable grip on the gun and draw with speed. 

The DropSlide bends around the body and allows the holster to conform to the body. It conceals very well and the DropSlide’s custom-molded frame keeps things comfortable and keeps the gun secured. I can carry my SIG p365 with a Streamlight TLR 6 and do so very comfortably. 

 

P365 Micro-Compact 9mm 12-round magazine. GOT MAGS?

 

3. Alien Gear ShapeShift 

The Alien Gear ShapeShift Holster system is designed to be an all-in-one holster option. It utilizes interchangeable shells that allow you to swap holsters and carry techniques. You can swap between OWB models, appendix holsters, hybrid IWB, shoulder holsters, car holsters, MOLLE rigs, pocket holsters, and more. With one shell you can purchase the expansion packs you need and want. 

A P365 holster: the Alien Gear "Shapeshift".

Alien Gear’s ShapeShift Holster system is based on interchangeable shells so you can swap holsters (and change up carry techniques).

Alien Gear and their ShapeShift system was an early adopter of the P365 and allowed shooters to have nearly any option they wanted for their P365. The ShapeShift system isn’t perfect, and won’t satisfy all people with their designs. However, they do offer a multitude of options that other holsters companies do not. 

Being able to carry my P365 on a belly band, or a shoulder holster, or even on my ankle isn’t always necessary but they do open up options for those niche situations in which you need a niche means to carry. I tend to stick to the IWB model for a tuckable carry option. As far as P365 holsters go this will cover every use you can imagine. 

 

P365 Micro-Compact 9mm 12-round magazine. GOT MAGS?

 

4. Clinger Holsters V3 

The V3 No Print Wonder from Clinger Holsters is a modular holster system that mixes leather and kydex but not in a way that you’d expect. The V3 No Print Wonder P365 holsters use a solid polymer base with leather wing attachments. These wings allow you to carry the gun in an OWB or IWB configuration with just a flip of the hardware. 

This model is from "Clinger Holsters".

This is the V3 No Print Wonder from Clinger Holsters: it’s a leather-and-Kydex modular holster system, but not the sort of hybrid you might expect. Another recommended option for those of you who need a Sig Sauer P365 holster.

The IWB hardware gives you a strongside IWB holster that does what its long name says. The design doesn’t print and is superbly secure and comfortable. OWB hardware gives you something akin to a pancake-style design. It keeps it tight to your body. 

If you remove the wings and add a large clip to the body of the polymer holster then you now have an appendix holster. The Clinger Holster V3 allows for a multitude of carry options in a low profile and lightweight design. On top of all that modularity, you can also adjust both cant and ride height to maximize concealment and comfortable draw. 

 

P365 9mm 10-round magazine with extension. GOT MAGS?

 

5. Black Label Products Appendix Holster 

Black Label is the only company I’ve found that produces a full kydex P365 holster for the Icarus Grip Module I keep my P365 situated in. This gives them a major advantage to me in this list. This appendix rig offers me a small, lightweight, and unobtrusive holster for carrying my P365 with the Icarus Grip Module. 

Appendix carry Black Label holster for that little SIG.

It’s good for the Icarus Grip Module Sig P365XL too — thin, well-made, and comfy, it’s the Black Label appendix carry Sig Sauer P365 holster option for concealed carry.

 

The Black Label appendix rig does offer you adjustable cant as well as an easily adjustable ride height. Unlike many other appendix holsters, the Black Label holster system doesn’t have a claw. Instead, it has an integrated bump on the outward-facing portion of the trigger guard. This pushes the holster back for complete concealment. It has an integrated sweat guard but is a minimalist design. 

The Black Label Appendix holster is thin, well made, and quite comfortable. It will also fit the new P365 XL with the Icarus Grip module as well. The Black Label Appendix holster comes from a small company, but they seem to be one willing to innovate. The holster is also available in a multitude of colors, including black, Tiffany Blue, Krypteks, Multicam black, and many more. 

 

Find it: the P365 Sig P365 Icarus Grip Module.

 

Sig Sauer P365 Holster Choices and you

This is a gun designed to be carried day in and day out. It’s called the 365 for a reason. The P365’s aftermarket is growing rapidly and holsters are one small portion of that aftermarket. Who else carries one? If so, what is your preferred choice of Sig Sauer P365 holster?

Let us know if there are any holsters we should check out.!

 

 

Find this article’s holsters here:

Bravo Concealment: https://www.bravoconcealment.com/

Crossbreed: https://www.crossbreedholsters.com/

Clinger Holsters: https://clingerholsters.com/

Alien Gear: https://aliengearholsters.com/

Black Label Holsters: https://blacklabelholsters.com/

 

 

This has been a collaborative effort by two or more members of The Mag Life contributor team: to wit, a JWOT (Joint Writing Operations Team). We’ll advise which specific contributors in the text of the article. Subscribe to GunMag TV and follow GMW on Instagram, @gunmagwarehouse. Connect on Facebook, /gunmagwarehouse/.

CategoriesGun Reviews
Post By admin

The Jericho Pistol — Israel’s All-Steel CZ 75

The Israelis and their domestic firearms production has made some seriously awesome contributions to the world of firearms. We got the Uzi, the Galil, the Tavor, and of course, the Jericho series of handguns. Unlike the other aforementioned firearms, I feel the Jericho series of handguns is nowhere near as respected or as appreciated. Admittedly, the Jericho pistol series does what most middle eastern and Eastern European handgun manufacturers do and just copy the CZ 75.

IWI Jericho pistol

Sleek, sexy, and dangerous looking. Oddly enough in film and media the IWI Jericho pistol is often used by the bad guys.

Well, kind of. The Jericho came from the year 1990 and has been imported under various other names. This includes the Uzi Eagle, the Desert Eagle, the Baby Eagle, and obviously as the Jericho. Israeli Weapon Industries tried to cash in on the popularity of the Uzi and Desert Eagle titles. The Jericho does have a passing resemblance to the Desert Eagle with the triangular muzzle end. Other than that and the fact they are both semi-auto handguns, the two guns have nothing in common.

What’s a Jericho?

Israeli’s Jericho pistol is a service pistol. A gun designed for military and police use primarily, but like most guns, it can be regulated to concealed carry by the dedicated. My particular model is the all-metal variant, stamped Desert Eagle Pistol, and is a 9mm variant. It features a Picatinny rail, a DA/SA action, and a slide-mounted safety.

IWI Jericho Pistol that resembles Desert Eagle.

The Jericho has the shark-like front end that resembles the Desert Eagle just a bit.

There are tons of variants of the Jericho pistol. This includes polymer frame models, various calibers, including the now-extinct proprietary .41 AE. Safeties have varied between frame- and slide-mounted designs. Most modern variants sport rails, but early models did not. Jerichos also come in full-size, compact, and subcompact sizes.

Narrowing exactly what the Jericho is, is tough to do. Too many varieties that vary widely, under a wide variety of names, make it tough to say these specific features make the gun a Jericho. There are many Jerichos, but this one is mine.

Run it Down

My big, hefty Jericho pistol weighs a stunning 2.8 pounds unloaded. It’s a hefty girl, like one of those body-positive types that occupy Instagram. I like all metal guns, and I don’t mind heft by any means. The Jericho is easily one of the heaviest 9mm service pistols I’ve ever handled. It’s heavier than the Glock 17, the Beretta M9, the S&W 4506, and 1911 Government models. Heck, it’s even heavier than the CZ75B.

IWI Jericho pistol with CZ 75 magazine

The Jericho utilizes CZ 75 magazines, which are robust, well made, affordable, and plentiful.

This full-sized beast chambers the 9mm round and, as a CZ 75 clone, luckily utilizes CZ 75 magazines. People love Glock magazines, but they should appreciate CZ 75 mags. These magazines are extremely common, well made, and affordable in varying capacities.

I typically prefer decockers over safeties, and when I have to deal with safeties, I prefer frame mounted. Some Jerichos use a frame-mounted safety, but mine does not. Luckily, since this is a clone of the CZ 75, the slide is super short, and the slide-mounted safety is easy to access with just the thumb. The safety is also a decocker, so there is no lock and cocked carry with my Jericho variant.

Gives You Wings

The safety does act like wings on the slide. Since it’s so small, there is very little slide to grab. The safety adds a little extra grip material for slingshotting this bad bay into action. The slide release/slide lock is my very favorite. Mostly because my sausage thumbs do not pin it down and render it useless, it’s also my favorite because it’s massive and very easy to hit and send the slide roaring home.

slide mounted safety

The slide-mounted safety acts as wings to grip the teeny tiny slide oh so much better.

A huge beavertail at the rear end protects the webbing of your hand and allows you to choke up nice and tight on the gun. Combine that with the hefty weight and the low slide mass, and you get a very comfortable shooting gun, but more on that later.

slide release

Look at this slide release. It’s massive and easy to activate.

IWI fit simple rubber grips to the gun, but they are interchangeable. Plenty of wood, metal, and polymer options exist. Heck, you can even get the grip Spike used on his Jericho from Cowboy Bebop.

….But How Does the Jericho Pistol Shoot?

Like a kitten, it shoots and handles like a kitten. Saying recoil is minimal doesn’t properly describe how this gun handles. It’s super soft and easy to control. You’ll experience very little muzzle rise. All that weight, that high grip, and that low slide mass results in a very easy-to-control firearm. This gun, alongside my CZ 75B, are my favorites for new shooters.

Once a new shooter moves past a 22LR handgun, the CZ75 and Jericho give them a soft shooting centerfire handgun. It takes some of the scary out of the act of shooting a gun and gives them something with a little more oomph than a 22LR.

Desert Eagle stamp on slide

Look closely and you can see the Desert Eagle markings on my Jericho.

The trigger is very much OK. It’s a contradiction in many ways. The double-action trigger pull gives your finger a workout. It’s extremely heavy and long, although I’ll give credit where credit is due and say it is smooth. The single-action trigger provides a much better experience. It has a slight take up, and then a short ball, and Boom—the gun fires.

It gets an OK rating because, well, a rough double-action trigger combined with a great single action makes an OK overall trigger. The big spurred hammer is easy to cock manually, and single action is how I suggest you chase the dragon with this one.

IWI Jericho pistol double action, single action

A DA/SA design gives you a heavy freaking trigger for the first, but a very light and crisp trigger for the single-action design.

When I compare my CZ 75B to my Jericho, I’d say that the CZ 75B has a better double-action trigger but a worse single action. Although, the CZ 75B still has a very nice single-action trigger.

Heavy Is Good

Heavy is reliable, heavy is capable, and the Jericho pistol is all that. It’s quite reliable and chews through the worst ammo I have on hand to include Winchester Forged. Winchester’s Forged ammo is made by the dwarves Tula fired for QC issues.

IWI Jericho pistol

I really need some of those Spike special Cowboy Bebop grips.

It even shoots crappy ammunition straight. My 50 yard 10-inch gong test was easily passed with the Jericho… well, as long as I used the single-action trigger. The double-action proved itself capable enough to hit headshots at 20 yards. I think with lots of double-action-only practice, I could get better at it, but I’m not there yet.

IWI Jericho pistol

The Jericho is a striking pistol that gives you excellent ergonomics and accuracy.

When you steal a little from the CZ 75 series, you better steal the ergonomics. Luckily, the Jericho possesses those same fantastic ergos. The grip slides into the hand and feels like it’s meant to be there. The curves and humps provide a glove-like fit and make the weapon quite comfortable to hold and shoot.

You can reach the controls without changing your grip. Swapping mags, disengaging the safety, and sending the slide flying home are all very easy to accomplish. IWI knocked it out with the Jericho and kept the features that made the CZ 75B such a legendary gun.

IWI Jericho pistol

This gun has taken an absolute beating but keeps on kicking.

Ping Pow Pew

Why the gun industry clamors over the latest Glock but ignores the awesomeness that is the Jericho series befuddles me. The Jericho doesn’t pull punches and delivers a very capable fighting pistol outfitted with fantastic ergonomics, excellent accuracy, and brilliant reliability. Plus, if you ever run out of ammunition, you can beat someone to death with it.

 

 

 

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.

CategoriesSkills and Gunhandling
Post By admin

A Dry Fire Magazine? Train at Home

One of the things I spend the most time on at the annual NRA Annual Meeting is scouring the exhibit halls for new and innovative products. This year, I ran across a previous acquaintance. I had forgotten about this Dry Fire Mag until we crossed paths again in the midst of 81,000 of my closest friends at the recent Indy NRA meeting and expo. It’s a dry-fire practice aid that falls squarely into the “Why didn’t I think of that?” category, and it’s arguably a simpler and more efficient solution than a dry fire pistol.

I tell every shooter I work with that a few minutes a day of dry-fire practice is the single most effective thing that can do to improve their shooting skills. How many adopt that practice, even occasionally? I don’t know, but I suspect it’s about the same percentage as people who floss their teeth daily and following the wash-rinse-repeat instructions on hair shampoo.

The problem with dry fire

One reason that dry-fire practice is about as interesting as watching C-SPAN on mute is that it requires artificial gun manipulation if you use a semi-automatic pistol. After all, the whole point of dry-fire practice is to work on the trigger press repeatedly. Each time you press the trigger on a semi-auto, you have to reset the trigger and striker so you can do it again. That requires at least a partial slide rack. Worse yet, if you have a magazine inserted, you have to be careful not to rack too far or else you’ll have the release the slide, too.

There are three problems with these slide racks between shots. First, it’s a pain. Second, you can’t practice multiple shot scenarios, not even two in a row. Third, it arguably develops what tacti-ninjas call “training scars.” Those are training habits that result from doing something in practice you would never do in real life. While I don’t know of a real-world case, it’s conceivable that in the heat of the moment, a frequent dry-fire racker might start racking the slide after every shot. Whatever you think about reason number 3, the first two are enough to warrant finding a better way.

This article originally ran in 2019. It has been updated and republished.

Dry Fire Mag

The Dry Fire Mag works by intercepting the trigger bar with its own spring system to provide resistance and reset. This allows the user to train with an actual EDC weapon, vs. a “dry fire pistol” like NLT’s SIRT gun. 

One solution: Dry Fire Mag

Enter the Dry Fire Mag. This nifty invention replaces the magazine in your Glock or Smith & Wesson M&P with this one and you can press your trigger until you become Max Michel or Julie Golob. It works by housing a spring assembly that intercepts the trigger bar on the way back. In fact, it doesn’t even require the slide to be in place to operate. Obviously, you wouldn’t practice that way, but the point is that the system doesn’t use the firing pin, so no wear and tear there. You can also adjust the Dry Fire Mag to match whatever the pull weight is on your current trigger.

It’s a nifty solution for safe and at-home practice.

Dry-Fire Magazine Edit

September 2020

There are options to the Dryfire Magazine. Though they remain popular, not everyone is impressed with the idea (citing the danger of negligent discharge). One of the most obvious alternatives is the SIRT gun, which has been a staple in many a “training arsenal” for years and is certainly worth looking at. There are others, as well. MantisX can be used with your phone, the LASR program will run on your laptop, the Glock E-Trainer allows you to drop the trigger without having to rack the slide for reset, the Coolfire Trainer Laser Recoil System has received interesting reviews, Airsoft guns for training are readily available (though often reviled, it’s a good tool), and there are always good ole’ snap caps. Jacob Paulsen wrote an article about some of these and other options on ConcealedCarry.com.

Looking for additional perspective on the Dry Fire Mag? Read about it on 8541 Tactical or Justified Defensive Concepts.

This isn’t to say you shouldn’t use the Dry Fire Mag. Just know there are options. Some of those are listed below.

Note: some of the links below are derived from various affiliate programs. Should you purchase something using one of the provided links GunMag Warehouse will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.

Find the Dryfire Mag: https://www.dryfiremag.com/. They even have an Amazon store. On IG, @the_original_dryfiremag, and on FB www.facebook.com/DryFireMag/.

• Next Level Training/SIRT:; , on Amazon, Instagram @nltsirt, on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/NextLevelTrainingLLC/.

• MantisX: https://mantisx.com/, on Amazon, , on Instagram #MantisX, and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MantisFTS/.

• Glock E-Trainer: https://www.glocketrainer.com/home1, , , and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/gloketrainer/.

• Airsoft Guns/AEX: https://www.airsoftextreme.com/, on Instagram @aexairsoftextreme, and on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AEXSuperstores/.

Tom McHale is a committed learning junkie always seeking a new subject victim. As a lifelong student of whatever grabs his attention on any particular day, he thrives on beating rabbit trails into submission. In between his time as a high-tech marketing executive, restaurant owner, and hamster cosmetology practitioner, he’s published seven books and nearly 1,500 articles about guns, shooting, and the American way.

CategoriesAccessories
Post By admin

Build a better brainbucket: Bump Helmet Optimization

Helmets — we wear them to protect one of the most important organs on our bodies — the brain. There is a specific helmet for nearly every aspect of life, stemming from sporting activities to construction to warfighting. I’ve written many reviews on Ballistic Helmets over the years and the technology has improved vastly during that time. Long gone are the days of the Protec skateboarding and snowboarding helmets that were very popular with special operation forces who needed or wanted a lightweight helmet to mount their night vision devices. Many companies like Ops-Core have stepped up and developed “Tactical Bump Helmets” that were designed specifically for low threat and training missions for the special operations community and those technological updates are now available to everyone in the law enforcement and civilian sectors.

The term or classification “Bump Helmet” describes them pretty well…they protect your head from impacts or bumps. They are non-ballistic, meaning they won’t stop a ballistic threat from either bullets or high-speed fragmentation. They are made of high-impact polymers or carbon fiber and this makes them very lightweight in comparison to their ballistic counterparts. They usually have air vents, which makes them a lot cooler to have on. They vary in the level of impact protection based on the padding system that is in place. Basically, they have all the features identical to the ballistic version, just a lot lighter and more comfortable in every way.

This article originally ran in August 2020. 

So what are bump helmets used for?

The special operations community uses them for parachuting, maritime, vehicle, training operations (search and rescue teams all over the world wear them during training and missions), rock climbers, recreational shooters — especially those who run NODs, and basically anyone who needs some blunt force trauma protection. With all of the current events with civil unrest, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have one just in case you need to get out of a bad situation that couldn’t be avoided. We’ll get more into that later.

Bump helmets are relatively inexpensive, starting around two hundred dollars and going up from there. Like any other piece of kit, you get what you pay for. I have both a budget and a high-end setup. I figure it’s a good idea to have more than one, so I can have different applications as well as a spare for my wife or kid to use, especially in an emergency.

Bump Helmet Optimization - Ops-Core

The Ops-Core Fast SF Carbon Helmet works well as a bike helmet too.

In general, all bump helmets are lightweight and have an NVG shroud for mounting NODs, light, or camera. There are many manufacturers, typically armor companies, that make a bump version of their ballistic offerings. I will go over both of my setups and the accessories that I have on them as well as other available options that I have seen and done research on. When it comes to protection from blunt force trauma, having a good padding system is important to absorb the impact before it reaches your head.

With the advances in helmets, companies that make accessories started to design their products for use on helmets. The good thing about all of the accessories that go on helmets is, for the most part, they are modular and simple to install and remove. When ordering, make sure you use the sizing guidelines and go with the larger helmet if you’re close to the limits on a certain size. I have a small head and medium-sized helmets are usually perfect for me.

Budget Bump Helmet Setup

Hard Head Veterans: ATE Bump Helmet. $199.99

Hard Head Veterans: ATE Bump Helmet, $199.99 as of this writing. Though it might seem counter-intuitive, there are many occasions where a “brain bucket” would be useful, if not literally a lifesaver. 

Hard Head Veteran’s or HHV for short, makes an affordable high-cut ballistic helmet, which is currently in the second generation of their ATE (above the ear) ballistic helmet. I have an early version of the Gen2 ATE. Not long after the Gen2 was released, HHV started working on a non-ballistic version, the ATE Bump Helmet. It has most of the same features as the ballistic version with a double-layer padding system, MLOK rails, NVG shroud, and magnetic chin strap. The difference is obviously the lighter weight and thinner profile as well as air vents to assist in airflow.

I have on them, my Peltor Sport Tactical 500 headset attached via the HHV Rak adapter kit. Depending on what I am using the ATE bump for, I usually leave it slick as I can attach a marker or light very quickly and easily. This helmet gets the job done and is very comfortable to wear. The inner padding does cover some of the air vents and therefore restricts airflow throughout the helmet when worn. It is also on the softer side when it comes to padding, with the two layers installed. It does the job in blunt force trauma protection.

For the price, the ATE Bump helmet is a great entry-level helmet and is very capable. Since I have two setups and this being the lower end, it is my back up and readily available for my family if the situation dictates that it is necessary for them to need a helmet whether it’s for recreation, range use, or emergency.

High-End Setup — My Primary Bump Helmet

It is the non-ballistic version of their new Fast SF Ballistic Helmet, which is already very lightweight, one of the lightest I have tried on. I got to wear the ballistic version briefly at SHOT Show 2020 in January. This is therefore the latest version of their Carbon Bump helmet and features a new blend of composite materials and Carbon Fiber. It shares a lot of the features from the Fast SF Ballistic with the same super high cut profile, the new Modular Bungee Shroud, and ARC rails. The new materials make it stronger than the previous offerings and that adds to the price. This one, in my opinion, is the high-speed, low-drag — or the Ferrari of bump helmets.

Since you can’t have holes in a ballistic helmet for obvious reasons, the bump version can and does. The vented lux liner in the Fast SF Carbon matches the vent holes, giving unrestricted airflow to help with cooling. The pads are stiffer and hold their form much better than the ones in the HHV.

Ops-Core FAST SF Carbon Composite bump helmet interior padding.

The exterior of the Fast SF Carbon matches its ballistic counterpart with the unique velcro pattern throughout the helmet. It breaks up the shape of the helmet and lowers the IR signature as well as provides more options and surface area to attach certain accessories.

Ops-Core Fast SF Carbon Composite Bump Helmet exterior with velcro for accessory attachment.

Ops-Core is part of Gentex Corp and has been on the leading edge of helmet technology and has produced a ton of accessories for its Fast line-up. The Fast SF Carbon is compatible with all of the Fast accessories that include a variety of face shields, goggles, and mandible guards.

For hearing protection, I use the Ops-Core AMP headset with the NFMI earplugs. Together, they offer 33-34db NRR protection, which is unheard of. I am currently working on a separate review of that system, so stay tuned for that. The AMPs are unique in design and can be worn as a headset underneath a helmet or with a rail-attached kit that can be attached to the rear section of the ARC rails.

Ops-Core Fast Composite bump helmet with AMP headset and NFMI earplug.

The ear cups attach to the arms with a gimbal, allowing full articulation and keeping the best seal possible. Transferring from headset to the rail kit takes a few minutes tops and requires no tools, which is a feat in engineering and design. The sound quality gives you excellent situational awareness with 3D hear-through, meaning you can tell exactly where the source of each sound is coming from. I prefer to have the AMPs attached to the helmet.

For most applications, I will have the Fast SF Carbon with the AMPs attached and either my prescription glasses or Mk1 for eye pro. At the minimum, I’ll have the Helstar 6 on the top rear of the helmet for IFF or visibility on the range. Lights can be attached on a case by case basis.

Ops-Core Fast SF Carbon with AMPs stowed. Oakley SI M-Frame Alpha for Eye Pro.

High-End setup. Ops-Core Fast SF Carbon with AMPs stowed. Oakley SI M-Frame Alpha for Eye Pro.

Ops-Core bump helmet with AMPs and eye protection.

The author with the Ops-Core Fast SF Carbon and AMPs along with Oakley SI M-Frame 3.0. Range Setup.

Bump Helmet Accessories

Helmet Covers

You may want a helmet cover to add for storage and velcro if your helmet doesn’t have enough to attach markers etc. Covers will protect your helmet from scratches and dings. You will cover the air vents and restrict some of the cooling features. Every helmet manufacturer usually has its own covers available. Agilite Tactical makes high-quality covers for ballistic and bump helmets. Make sure you get the correct cover specific to the bump version as they are thinner than their ballistic counterparts or go with the bridge, which will adapt to whatever helmet you’re running.

bump helmet with cover and accessories

Illumination

Having a hands-free light is not a bad idea. You can mount most flashlights to the rails of your helmet. Princeton Tec makes specific lights that’ll go directly on your rails or attach to the NVG shroud.

Ops-Core Bump helmet with AMP, SureFire M300V, Thyrm Variarc mount, and Helstar 6.

The Princeton Tec Charge Pro comes ready to attach to the ARC rail and includes numerous mount adapters to work with other helmets. It takes a CR123 battery and has a 55-lumen white floodlight when you hold down the activation button. You can choose the max bright color LEDs. I got the red and they turn on with a push of the button. There are two brightness settings and you can toggle them by pressing the button. The red light will save your night vision and the light head is attached to a flexi-neck that can be articulated to the position you need it to illuminate.

The old-school Surefire HL1 Helmet light can be mounted to an ARC rail with an adapter. It gives you visible and IR lights as well as an IFF marker. You can also mount your Surefire Scout or X300 using Picatinny ARC mounts adapters.

The Thyrm Variarc is a low-profile ARC rail adapter with some Picatinny slots. It can be rotated in eight different positions where other mounts are limited so a certain degree of manipulation. I have my Surefire M300V attached to it with the Impact Weapons Components Thorntail Picatinny mount.

Markers

Depending on your specific application, having a visual marker (a technical term for light) could be helpful to allow your friends to find you using either visible or IR signals. CORE Survival Helstar 5 and 6 are multifunctional markers that were made specifically for helmets.

Ops-Core Bump Helmet with AMP headset and Helstar 6 multi-function light.

Helstar 6 on an Ops-Core bump helmet.

CORE Survival Helstar 6 in Visible Green mode. Taken with Sionyx Aurora Color Night Vision camera.

CORE Survival Helstar 6 in Visible Green mode. Taken with Sionyx Aurora Color Night Vision camera.

Hearing Protection

Having electronic ear protection is never a bad idea. Especially if you plan on taking it to the range. Since it’s mostly uncomfortable wearing them underneath, attaching them to the rails is not a bad way to go. You can mount Peltors pretty easily with adapters like the Unity Tactical Mark Kit, if you run MSA Sordins, then you’ll need the SARA adapters and some assembly is required.

The downside of having them attached to the helmet is that they’ll most likely be a permanent fixture since moving them back and forth to the headband is a pain in the ass, to say the least, with most headsets out there. That is unless you have the Ops-Core AMP headsets, all you need is the arm attachment kit and you can place the headset over in about a minute’s time.

The AMPs from Ops-Core quickly attaches to your helmet without any tools, unlike any other headsets available.

The AMPs from Ops-Core quickly attaches to your helmet without any tools, unlike any other headsets available.

Eye Protection

Protecting your ability to see is important, the simplest solution is to wear some ANSI rated glasses. However, having eye pro attached to your helmet guarantees that you’ll always have them with your helmet — kind of like having headsets attached. There are several available and are usually specific to the manufacturer of the helmet. Most times they are not compatible with other makes.

I run the Ops-Core Mk1 performance eye protection. They are ANSI Z87.1 rated and were designed to work in conjunction with helmet systems. The Mk1 is metal framed and has a flat profile that makes them less likely to snag on comms cables or straps.

Oakley Ballistic M-Frames are another great option for eye protection. I have had many throughout the years and they work well under helmets.

Ops-Core Fast SF Carbon Bump Helmet with AMPs headset, Oakley standard issue M-Frame Alpha eye protection. set up for search & rescue operations or range training.

The author with the Ops-Core Fast SF Carbon Helmet and AMPs in place. Oakley Standard Issue M-Frame Alpha for eye protection. Solid setup for search & rescue operations or on the range training.

Camera

If you’re doing some action sports, you may want to record some cool footage for later. You can mount a GoPro using adapters that will fit the NVG Shroud. I currently don’t run a camera but I may do so in the future.

Take note that a helmet is only so big and the total surface area is limited even if you have a huge noggin. You are also limited by rail space. Everything, no matter how light it is, adds weight and in some cases becomes a snag hazard. Many of these accessories are not compatible in conjunction with others. You’ll have to make the determination on what you actually need to have on it, just like setting up a Carbine, plate carrier, or any of your gear. It is very mission dependent and only you should know what you need and what you don’t.

Practical Uses for the Bump Helmet

Natural Disasters

Natural Disasters can happen at any time. No matter where you live in the states, there’s a possibility of being affected by a natural disaster. Whether it’s a wildfire, earthquake, tornado, hurricane, or landslide, you would benefit a lot by having a bump helmet or two.

The first responders that conduct search and rescue operations are certainly wearing some kind of helmet. It may take them some time to come and rescue you and everyone else around you when disaster strikes. If you have a family and people dependent on you for their safety, you are no good to any of them if you are down. I am definitely not a doctor but I am confident that blunt force trauma to the head, in any case, is a bad thing and can incapacitate you therefore not allowing you to help your loved ones.

During these events, you may have to go through uneven terrain and obstacles, which increases the probability of you banging your head simply trying to get to someone or getting out of a bad spot. In other events like a hurricane or tornado, the chances of getting hit with flying debris increase drastically and a helmet can absorb a lot from an impact.

If you’re setting up your bump helmet for these situations, from some of the accessories that I have listed above, I recommend having a flashlight and a visible marker. You want to be able to have a hands free light to have full use of your hands in order to see where you’re going and be able to climb, crawl, or move things out of your way. This is also important if you need to render medical aid. The bump helmet increases your survivability and effectiveness in these conditions.

Civil Unrest and/or Riots

If you’re a first responder and aren’t issued a riot helmet with a face shield, maybe it’s a good idea to invest in your own safety PPE or personal protection equipment, as long as you wouldn’t get in trouble doing so. I would hope that if your employer wouldn’t care if you do and they’re not providing it for you. The usual-issue riot helmets in most cases absolutely suck. They’re either repurposed equestrian helmets or military surplus PASGT or ACH (if you’re lucky) with a face shield attached. They are heavy, dirty, and probably not personally issued to you so they’re passed on to whoever’s up on the line and most likely not sanitized. If you’re an officer on the front line, you probably don’t have the option to use your own. If you’re an EMT or firefighter, you might have more leeway and a bump helmet would definitely help protect you from x, y, and z thrown at you while you’re trying to do your job.

A face shield is something that would be useful in protecting your eyes and face from whatever is thrown at you. Having a marker and light would be the other optional accessories that can help with visibility with your partners and having hands free illumination to tend to patients.

Range Use

If you’re fortunate enough to have access to a range in the nighttime hours, which I do sometimes, whether you are running night vision devices or not, having a bump helmet with a marker is a must-have piece of kit. It keeps you and everyone safe by allowing everyone to know where everyone is. Chem lights tied to your hat or shirt work too, but why not have a helmet that can increase your capabilities with having ear pro and lights attached? When you’re doing admin duties or changing targets downrange, having a hands free light source is very helpful.

Everything Else

As you can see, a bump helmet is very versatile and modular to fill many hats, pun totally intended there. It has many more practical uses than a ballistic helmet and outside of the uses I already mentioned above, you can use it for sports to include mountain biking, hiking, water crafting, off-roading, and many more. Hell, I’ve worn one while doing tree trimming around my house and that has saved me from a concussion or two. I can really go on and on with this topic, as there are so many options and accessories available today. I will most likely do a follow up on those in the future.

Doesn’t matter which one you go with, you get the features and capabilities that you pay for. Either way, they can be a very practical part of your kit that you will most likely get your money’s worth out of.

Be safe during these times of uncertainty and being prepared goes without saying.

Addendum

In the wake of the massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, it is yet another reminder as to the importance of having PPE ready to go. A similar incident happened in the city of West, Texas where a fertilizer plant blew up. Many of these types of facilities are in close proximity to residential communities and all it takes is some negligence for a horrible accident to come about.

A bump helmet would be crucial for any first responder and everyone in the vicinity of a blast zone where encountering broken glass and compromised infrastructure is an inevitable result from the blast and shockwave. Simply trying to exfil from the area can present problems an be a challenge to navigate.

If you’re responsible for others, ie your family or coworkers, you will be going back into hazardous areas to get them. Power might be taken out so you can expect to be in the dark. Having a light on your helmet would assist you with the lack of light. Eye protection, preferably wrap around style like the Oakley Standard Issue M-Frames will protect your eyes from debris and secondary explosions if that were to happen.

Also having multiple helmets for other members of your family will prevent them from getting injuries during your egress from the area. Helmet markers will make you visible to rescue workers and help you get extracted if you get trapped or stuck. Although it’s not the focus of this article, I cannot stress enough with knowing basic first aid or TCCC and having a med kit with you everywhere you go.

Read more articles by Fifty Shades of FDE.

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Fifty Shades of FDE is a full-time LEO in California with about a decade’s service in a very large metropolitan agency. He’s a husband, father, and firearms enthusiast. He is a supporter of the Second Amendment and a proponent of law-abiding citizens’ right to defend themselves with concealed carry permits. He runs his @fiftyshadesofFDE page on Instagram and writes gun/gear reviews on www.fiftyshadesoffde.com – when he’s not writing for The Mag Life, of course.

CategoriesRange Gear
Post By admin

The 7 Best Ways to Use HSGI Tacos

What is an HSGI Taco? Well, it is an expandible universal mag pouch designed for versatility, incorporating a number of features that make it unlike any other magazine pouch on the market. This includes using a combination of shock cord, polymer brackets, and heavy-duty nylon to construct a rugged, expandable magazine pouch. The unique HSGI Taco design makes these pouches incredibly useful and here, we’ve gathered the seven best ways to use them. 

universal mag pouch HSGI taco

Originally published August 2020.

1. Magazines… DUH

HSGI Tacos are magazine pouches so guess what? They hold magazines. In fact, these are some of the best magazine pouches on the market. They expand and contract to meet your magazine’s carrying needs.

The rifle magazine pouches stick you with 5.56 style magazines and allow you to carry AUG, G36, Mini 14, and of course AR 15 magazines. 

HSGI double rifle mag pouch.

HSGI double rifle mag pouches.

HSGI Taco Mag Pouch

HSGI Tacos. Expandable magazines pouches, rifle and pistol.

The pistol magazine Tacos seemingly fit nearly every pistol magazine you can toss at them This includes your favorites like Glock and 1911s, and expands into CZ, FN, Ruger, and so on and so forth. The only pistol magazines it would seemingly have issues with are ultra-short pocket pistol magazines. If you need something to carry a wide variety of magazines then the HSGI Taco mags are hard to beat. 

HSGI taco double mag pouch with rifle mags.

HSGI taco double mag pouch with rifle mags.

FN mag pouch

FN mag pouch.

Glock magazine pouch from High Speed Gear.

Glock magazine pouch.

 

2. Tools 

Tools is a good term for things that are tactical, but not exactly magazines. HSGI Taco pouches are expandable and this allows for uses beyond simply stashing magazines. The Taco universal mag pouch is a great way to carry a variety of useful tools. 

HSGI Tacos pistol magazine pouch holding flashlight.

The pistol magazine pouches are excellent for carrying flashlights, and even larger knives. This includes my butterfly knife, the Lucha, as well as OTF knives for quick and easy access.

HSGI Tacos. The pistol magazine pouches are great for holding knives. Image of taco with butterfly knife.

The rifle Tacos can carry CAT Tourniquets and even multi-tools. The Tacos can hold it all.

HSGI rifle taco holding a CAT tourniquete

battle belt loadout with HSGI tacos

Battle belt loadout with HSGI tacos.

3. Uhmmm Can Kinda Hold a Flask 

I’m not gonna say I went around my house trying to see what I could fit in a Taco universal mag pouch. I’m also not going to say I didn’t do that. 

HSGI Tacos can be used as flask holders - sort of.

With that in mind, if you try hard enough and really try and squeeze it in a flask will kinda, sorta fit into a rifle Taco. Now, I’m not saying a flask is a tactical necessity, but I’m not going to say it’s not. From cleaning wounds to calming nerves, anything over 40 proof can be pretty handy. You can also set fires, loosen up sources, and you can even clean with it. It’s handy, and not just a problem some people think I have.

4. Tacos for Tacos? 

A problem I admittedly have is Tacos. Not HSGI Tacos, but real Tacos. A quick look at my waistline will tell you I love Tacos. Imagine if you will. You hit the range, the field, or perform a mission and you get snacky. Your stomach is growling and in that situation, a PMAG isn’t going to help you. 

HSGI Taco holding a real taco.

A supreme soft taco most assuredly will. HSGI Tacos have no issues fitting actual tacos should the need arise. 

5. Oh, and a Ton of Snap Bracelets 

You got a bunch of kids you barely like? Well, a great way to get back at them for bein’ children is to hit them with an off-brand snap bracelet. You see, off-brand snap bracelets more than often than not don’t snap very well. You can hurt them a good bit with these dollar store snap bracelets. If you have to disperse a birthday party’s worth of children the HSGI Pistol Taco magazine pouch can fit a ton of Snap Bracelets in it. You can disperse them at the cyclic rate.

HSGI Taco pistol pouch snap bracelets

6. Candy, Too 

Let’s say you drop off all those snap bracelets and now you got an empty Taco pouch. Well, you are at a birthday party so you might as well start stealing all the candy. You’d be pleasantly surprised by how much candy you can squeeze into a pair of Tacos. Like, way more than you think. Enough to allow a dentist to purchase a new Benz. 

HSGI taco, expandable magazine pouch, holding candy

High Speed Gear Reflex

Found this on Insta: apparently @brandon__rich throws licorice in his HSGI Taco universal mag pouch when he’s at Alliance Police Training.

 

7. Can Hold One of those Tall, Girly Beer Cans 

I totally didn’t just shove this last one in here last minute because my girlfriend likes Spritzers and Leinenkugels. However, the rifle Taco easily fits the tall, weird can, and makes it quite convenient to wash down that Taco you’re carrying around. 

HSGI Tacos can hold tall skinny beercans like this Leinenkugels.

Tacos for Days 

HSGI Tacos mag pouches are excellent pieces of gear. These things are well made, easy to use, and perfect for a wide variety of tasks. While GunMag Warehouse may be known for selling tons and tons of magazines we also sell you the means to carry them. And the means to carry a Taco. 

HSGI taco universal mag pouch collection and gear

HSGI taco and Slim Grip padded belt.

HSGI tacos on Slim Grip padded belt.

HSGI Taco pouches LE Blue. universal mag pouch

HSGI Taco mag pouches in LE Blue.

MultiCam Black HSGI Taco Pouches, universal mag pouch

MultiCam Black HSGI Taco mag pouches.

The 7 Best Ways to Use HSGI Tacos

 

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.

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