If you’re a competition shooter or want to get the best-possible performance out of your rifle at the range, you’re probably always looking for ways to up your game. Did you know that upgrading your rifle’s chassis could make have a major impact on accuracy and precision? All chassis systems are not built the same and it’s important to use a high-quality model. MDT produces their ACC Elite chassis system for serious shooters, enabling them to wring every bit of accuracy possible out of their guns.
The MDT ACC Elite chassis system is designed as a rigid, competition-ready system for dedicated shooters. (Photo credit: MDT)
The MDT ACC Elite is a purpose-driven system made for one of the most popular platforms out there: The Remington 700 SA. According to the manufacturer, it’s the most advanced competition chassis system on the market. This chassis gives top-tier shooters the ability to run their guns with instinctual point-and-shoot control on a fantastically balanced system. The ACC Elite facilitates rapid target acquisition, improves precision, and provides a durable, well-made 700 SA foundation for your rifle. MDT created this chassis so every element is stiffer, offers greater adjustability, and is beautifully balanced for the ideal melding of shooter and rifle.
The chassis has an overall weight of 6.1 pounds. (Photo credit: MDT)
This chassis system is an advanced fusion of design and engineering that was designed with top-tier professional shooters in mind. The ACC Elite is assembled from CNC-machined 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum for durability and rigidity with Black, FDE, or Titanium Blue finish.
The system features a longer, wider, and stronger forend with integrated ARCA rail, a taller, adjustable magazine well, improved geometry in the form of the SRS-X Elite Buttstock, and a redesigned Vertical Grip Elite. The Remington 700 SA inlet chassis has an overall weight of 6.1 pounds and an overall length of 37.4 inches.
The system has an adjustable thumb rest on both sides. (Photo credit: MDT)
Features of the MDT ACC Elite chassis system include:
Full-length ARCA forend with M-LOK slots for easy addition of aftermarket accessories.
Accessory mounting ports with M-LOK slots to broaden options for placement of accessories.
Adjustable M-LOK thumb rest on either side of the chassis for improved stability during live fire.
Integrated wide barrier stop for shooting from stationary objects.
Magnetic hex key storage is located under cheek rest for easy accessibility for adjustments.
Ambidextrous, adjustable magazine latch so it can be operated with either hand.
Adjustable SRS Elite buttstock with quick-release buttons to customize fit to the shooter.
Adjustable MDT Vertical Grip Elite to place the grip precisely where it best suits your hands and reach.
QD slings cups on the forend and buttstock for the addition of a sling.
Pre-installed one-inch buttstock spacer for better length of pull.
Hole located in trigger guard so the trigger can be adjusted quickly and simply.
A connector bar increases rigidity and makes the system more stable. (Photo credit: MDT)
This MDT chassis is a fantastic upgrade for any Remington 700 SA. If you want to take your precision shooting to the next level, take a closer look at this chassis system.
MSRP for the MDT ACC Elite chassis system is set at $1599.95.
Mounting a red dot sight to your shotgun doesn’t have to be complicated. The Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical makes it even simpler by shipping with a Holosun micro dot already in place. No searching for an aftermarket mount, no drilling and tapping, no milling; this shotgun is ready to go with a red dot right out of the box. Mossberg designed it with tactical shooting in mind, and it’s a fantastic option for everything from home defense to range time.
The Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical comes with a Holosun red dot sight already installed. (Photo credit: Mossberg)
Mossberg’s 940 Pro Tactical Holosun Micro Dot Combo is a 12 gauge that comes with an HS407K open reflex optical sight already in place. The gun maker also offers the 940 Pro Tactical, which doesn’t have a red dot mounted but does have a removable cover plate so shooters can place a red dot should they choose to do so. That means you’re covered whether you want to choose your own red dot or have one ready to go.
From its sling studs to its red dot, this shotgun is designed for tactical applications. (Photo credit: Mossberg)
The company’s optic-ready 940 Pro Tactical is an eight-shot autoloader based on a redesigned, cleaner-running gas-operating system. This semi-auto system is made to run up to 1500 rounds without cleaning. Also, the Tactical has corrosion-resistant internal parts and finishes, including a nickel boron-coated gas piston, magazine tube, hammer, and sear. This is a shotgun that’s made to withstand serious use and deliver serious longevity.
A bright fiber optic front sight comes standard on every shotgun. (Photo credit: Mossberg)
Among its many useful features are an enlarged and beveled loading port, an elongated, pinch-free elevator, and bright orange anodized follower. Easier manipulation is possible thanks to the knurled, extended charging handle and oversized, ergonomic bolt release lever. The extended magazine tube has a 7+1 round capacity using 2.75-inch shells.
The barrel clamp has a sling swivel stud plus dual-sided M-LOK-compatible slots, making it easy to add aftermarket accessories such as weapon-mounted lights. The barrel length is 18.5 inches and features a matte finish with a fiber optic front sight. The barrel is threaded for use with interchangeable AccuChoke choke tubes and a cylinder choke tube is included.
This shotgun is great for home defense and also fun for the range. (Photo credit: Mossberg)
Features of the shotgun include:
Factory-installed Holosun micro dot.
Sling studs in place for the easy addition of a sling.
7 +1 capacity using 2.75-inch 12 gauge shotshells.
Fiber optic front sight to draw the eye.
Stock is user adjustable for length of pull so the gun can be fit to the shooter.
Bright orange follower so the user can easily see when the tube is empty.
Drilled and tapped receiver, making it possible to add rail-mounted optics if desired.
18.5-inch barrel length, making the gun maneuverable.
Black synthetic stock.
What do you think, is this shotgun on your must-have list? Tell us what you think in the comment section below.
MSRP for the Mossberg 940 Pro Tactical Holosun Microdot Combo is set at $1333.00.
“Violent Night” is the latest in a seemingly growing series of Santa-Claus-is-a-badass movies. We had “Fatman” a few years back, starring a grizzled Mel Gibson as Santa Claus. This year we have David Harbour playing a disgruntled Santa Claus who spends Christmas night getting hammered and haphazardly delivering presents. The movie harkens back to classic Christmas movies like “Die Hard.”
Santa is delivering presents to the ‘Lightstone’ mansion. The Lightstone family is crazy rich; like billionaires-insulting-senators rich. The family is full of strife, and most of them are comedic actors. Edi Patterson is fantastic as Alva, the suck-up sister, with her husband Morgan Steele played hilariously by Cam Gigandet. Beverly D’Angelo plays Gertrude Lightstone, the matriarch with balls of steel.
Santa has a rough night. (Universal)
On the flip side, we have Jason and Linda, an estranged couple trying to give their only daughter, Trudy, a nice Christmas. They are barely putting up with each other when an international team of terrorists takes them hostage, led by Mr. Scrooger, aka John Leguizamo. His team kills their staff and security while Santa is delivering presents. After Santa’s Reindeer are scared by gunfire, he’s stuck in the mansion with the hostage and terrorists.
A Very Violent Night
The movie is a bit of a dark comedy, and as it progresses, Santa is pushed to his limits. He begins a bit cowardly and tries to escape and mind his own business, but Trudy is a true believer, and he stays for her. This movie is ultraviolet, and it’s chock full of blood, guns, and Christmas-themed violence.
The plot is fairly simple and formulaic. You’ll know the ending and the fates of most of the characters at a glance. That’s not why we are coming to see this film. People are watching “Violent Night” to see Santa kill a man, a Christmas star, or use a tinsel garrote, and you get plenty of that.
We get glimpses of Santa’s past, and he was a warrior who wielded a hammer called Skull Crusher. This later leads to an extended, and I mean very extended, violent scene of Santa wielding a sledgehammer alongside a snow blower, a set of skates, and more.
It’s Hammer Time. (Universal Pictures)
Santa himself never grabs a gun, but he faces nothing but heavily armed threats. Much like “Die Hard,” he chews through most of them one at a time. The mansion and grounds are big enough that he gets enough one-on-one face time to take them down with ease. The film gets very creative with its kills and violence, and it’s hilariously over the top.
If you’re looking for some revolutionary commentary on Christmas with a subtle commentary on modern politics, this isn’t for you. It’s just a fun and entertaining movie with a pretty solid cast. The cast gets room to breathe between Harbour, Leguizamo, and D’Angelo. Everyone gets some kind of scene with levity and a chance to shine.
Guts, Gore, and Heart
The film does have some heart and clearly makes references to older Christmas movies. The aptest comparison is “Die Hard.” After seeing “Home Alone,” our sweet Trudy makes some traps that are violent enough that she even racks a kill, even if it wasn’t intended.
Santa has magic but isn’t a superhero. He bleeds and gets his ass kicked. He sews himself up, and it’s really Trudy and her belief in him that keeps him going. I love that the movie doesn’t try to explain Christmas magic. Santa says numerous times he doesn’t really know how it works, it just does, and it works when it’s needed. The naughty and nice list is a great way for Santa to know who is who and how to deal with them.
He gets creative with his Christmas Magic. (Universal Pictures)
This keeps the movie light and movie without a silly exposition dump. In fact, it’s almost entirely exposition dump-free. Santa is Santa, and he has a bad history. The bad guy has a bad Christmas experience, and the mercenaries are one-note characters who are there to die. Although, to their credit, a few get some good jokes in.
While it’s violent and bloody, the movie does hit some standard Christmas themes, like believing in Santa and uniting a clearly broken family in more ways than one. The estranged couple gets back together, but the family as a whole is tighter, even though they all seemingly hated each other in the beginning. It’s a Christmas movie for adults.
The Guns
All the rifles are suppressed, which is neat (Universal)
Obviously, the guns deserve mention, and there are a fair number of them throughout the film. The main bad guy firearms of the bad guys are two rifles, the HK 416D and what appears to be a Troy PDW-style rifle. These highly trained mercs seem to wave the PDW around like a wand of death and the stock is never deployed, but the bad guys armed with HK 416 rifles seem to use the stocks and red dots. Speaking of, those red dots all seem to be the Aimpoint Comp M4s.
Why would you ever deploy your stock? (Universal Pictures)
Later on, we see an armed unit arrive carrying a variety of different AR-type rifles, as well as an M240. The commander of this unit carries a Beretta 92FS, aka “The Official Gun of Christmas.” The bad guy’s sidearm of choice is the very interesting Grand Power X-Calibur. Kind of interesting to see a fairly odd weapon make its way to the big screen.
Harbour takes all these guns on with a sledgehammer and a pair of sharpened skates because Santa can brawl.
Violent Night Rules
“Violent Night” is a fun flick in a new but increasingly familiar violent Santa Claus trope. David Harbour steals the show as a very believable and gruff Santa. It’s a great flick to kick off the holiday season. It’s bound to become a cult classic, and we’ll likely get a sequel. Maybe in the next one, we can see his beloved Ms. Clause and Santa using Skull Crusher.
Any other fans of violent Christmas movies? Can we get a gritty Yukon Cornelius film where we see him use that Colt 45 a time or two?
When it comes to tactics, shedding some light on the subject can literally be a good idea. After all, target identification is vitally important, and you can’t ID what you can’t see. That means you need a quality weapon-mounted light. If you’re running long guns that means you need a light with specific features, and that’s something the team at Cloud Defensive understands. The REIN 3.0 Weaponlight is designed for defensive use and offers a bevy of features meant to make target ID easier. Read on to learn more.
The Cloud Defensive REIN 3.0 Weaponlight is made for tactical applications. (Photo credit: Cloud Defensive)
According to Cloud Defensive, the REIN 3.0 is the most powerful light currently on the market and also the one offering the greatest possibilities for different configurations. This generation of the REIN weapon light has an improved electrical system for even better performance and is produced in a relatively compact package. Based on the light’s specifications, the REIN 3.0 is designed to deliver every bit of light possible both in a focused beam and with the halo at the edges.
The light has a max candela of 100,000. (Photo credit: Cloud Defensive)
The REIN 3.0 has a USA-made, state-of-the-art electrical system. Its design makes it possible for the light to produce its impressive output, efficiency, and run time. It’s powered by a single 18650 battery, which makes it easy to recharge. This light also works with Dual Fuel CR123 batteries, but according to the manufacturer, the use of those batteries does degrade the overall performance. The REIN 3.0 ships with an 18650 and additional batteries are available as aftermarket items. Cloud Defensive states run-time standard per ANSI/PLATO-FL1 is 95 minutes for the full-size REIN 3.0.
The light is powered by an 186350 battery. (Photo credit: Cloud Defensive)
REIN 3.0 Features
Peak beam intensity of 100,000 candelas for the best-possible target identification.
1250 lumens output.
95 minutes run-time when using an 186350 battery, which is easily rechargeable.
Designed for dual fuel capability. The REIN 3.0 runs on 18650 and can also be operated using two CR123 batteries. Be aware general output will be reduced by using CR123 batteries.
1.3-inch bezel diameter which is smaller than the original REIN and reduces the risk of snagging or bumping into objects.
6.17 inches in length, making it a very compact full-size light that doesn’t add unnecessary bulk to your rifle.
Reduced mounting lug height to allow tighter mounting.
Weighs 6.91 ounces with the battery and remote switch, making it incredibly lightweight for its capabilities.
The light is just over six inches in length and weighs under seven ounces, making it compact for a full-sized light. (Photo credit: Cloud Defensive)
The REIN 3.0 has a modular three-piece design. The manufacturer states it has a superior electrical system and is upgradeable just as subsequent generations have been. That means all parts from the 1st generation REIN weapon light are compatible with the 2nd and 3rd generation REIN. This light has an IPX-8 waterproof rating and is listed as being fully submersible to 100 feet for 24 hours. A fully-potted remote switch is included so it can be operated without excessively adjusting your grip on the gun.
MSRP for the Cloud Defensive REIN 3.0 is set at $399.99.
Kat Ainsworth Stevens is a long-time outdoor writer, official OGC (Original Gun Cognoscenti), and author of Handgun Hunting: a Comprehensive Guide to Choosing and Using the Right Firearms for Big and Small Game. Der Teufel Katze has written for a number of industry publications (print and online) and edited some of the others, so chances are you’ve seen or read her work before, somewhere. A woman of eclectic background and habits, Kat has been carrying concealed for over two decades, used to be a farrier, and worked for a long time in emergency veterinary medicine. She prefers big bores, enjoys K9 Search & Rescue, and has a Master’s Degree in Pitiless Snarkastic Delivery.
One of the great things about Glocks is how highly customizable they are. If you’d like to get a Cerakote finish, change out the trigger, or add accessories, the options are practically endless. And if you want to swap your sights out, there are a lot of different aftermarket styles available. Of course, swapping out those sights might seem simple, but if you don’t do it properly you could easily scratch up your gun (or damage the sights before you even get to use them).
XS Sights understands that it’s helpful to have tools for every task, and they produce the Inline Rear Sight Pusher for Glock for just this purpose. With this tool, you can install new sights or make adjustments to existing sights in a secure platform designed for the specific job at hand.
The XS Sights Inline Rear Sight Pusher for Glocks is designed to make changing out the iron sights on Glocks simple and straightforward. (Photo credit: XS Sights)
XS Sights offers two possibilities for this particular tool: The DIY Series and GUNSMITH Series. Both designs are easy to operate and speed up the process of working on your Glock. Perhaps most importantly, they can reduce the force needed for installation by up to 50%.
This sight pusher has a unique open-top design so you can visually align and monitor the installation process rather than having your view blocked by the tool itself. It also has a locking wedge feature so the slide can be secured quickly and easily.
Features include a non-marring brass bit to prevent scratching, which is really a must-have, and a built-in centering scale so windage adjustments can be made precisely. The tool has a compact, lightweight footprint, making it easy to keep in your range bag. And if you store it on your workbench, it doesn’t take up too much space.
Both tools are compatible with all Glock generations and models and work with suppressor-height sights, which isn’t something many similar tools do. Best of all, the XS Sights Inline Rear Sight Pusher can be used on guns with red dots installed on the slides without removing the optic.
The tool has an open-top design so you can see what you’re doing. (Photo credit: XS Sights)
Inline Rear Sight Pusher for Glock Features
No pads, springs, or knob tightening. This tool functions simply using basic physics.
Open-top design makes it a lot easier to watch what you’re doing which speeds up the process.
Locking wedge secures the slide in place within seconds.
Compatible with all Glock models and generations so you can have one tool to do them all.
Works with suppressor-height sights and with red dot sights already installed.
Makes precise windage adjustments simple to accomplish which translates to improved accuracy during live fire.
XS Sights designed the sight pusher using materials to avoid marring the surface of the gun’s slide. (Photo credit: XS Sights)
DIY Series tool includes:
Tool life span: 50 to 100 Installations
Kit includes a semi-professional sight pusher and steel Glock front sight tool
Fits all Glock OEM and aftermarket slides
Glock MOS compatible. Install sights with optic mounted on pistol.
Non-marring brass bit prevents scratching sights or slides
Built-in centering scale, 1/16th inch scale
Bolt thread pitch: 1/16th inch; 1.5 Bolt rotations equals 1/16th inch of travel
The DIY-Series drive bolt uses a stainless steel 3” 5/16”- 24 bolt and a 3-inch 3/16” Allen Key. (Photo credit: XS Sights)
MSRP for the XS Sights DIY Series is set at $150.00. The Gunsmith Series bundle is set at $304.98.
Aftermarket triggers can be a fantastic way to improve your gun’s accuracy. Timney Triggers is one of the best-known manufacturers of high-quality triggers, and their model line makes it possible to give just about any gun a touch of Timney. For example, their Barrett MRAD replacement trigger is a great example of the company’s dedication to producing stellar parts. Adding a Timney to your MRAD could be just what you need for truly superior results on target.
The Timney Triggers Barrett MRAD trigger is designed to deliver superior accuracy. (Photo credit: Timney Triggers)
According to Timney, the Barrett MRAD trigger is designed for the discriminating shooter who demands the utmost performance from their trigger. This trigger is made to be robust and easy to use and is adjustable for pull weight and over travel. Pull weight can be set as low as 1.5 pounds or up to four pounds. That means the trigger pull can be light as a feather or provide a bit more resistance depending on personal preferences.
The company states every part of this single-stage trigger is machined with incredible attention to detail utilizing state-of-the-art technology. With Timney, there are no cutting corners with metal injection molding or stamped old-school parts. They expect superior results from each and every trigger they produce. The Barrett MRAD trigger offers compounded sear leverage, which is one of the ways they get that wider range of pull weight adjustments. Details matter.
Installing an aftermarket Timney Triggers trigger in your Barrett MRAD is a great way to improve accuracy. (Photo credit: Barrett)
Timney Triggers Barrett MRAD Trigger Features
Compatible with Barrett MRAD.
Single-stage trigger for greater and simpler control during live fire
Aluminum alloy housing anodized black for resistance to wear and tear
Single-cassette, drop-in style trigger for easy installation
1.5 pounds to 4.0 pounds adjustable trigger pull weight so it can be customized to the shooter’s preferences
Tool steel, NP3 coated sear for durability
Trigger shoe made from tool steel with NP3 coating for longevity and to withstand serious use
Curved trigger
Adjustable for over travel, allowing the shooter to create the shooting experience they want for stellar results on target
Compound sear to facilitate greater pull weight adjustments
Wire EDM cut sears for precise, high-quality results
Silver trigger shoe
Designed to improve trigger control which translates to impressive accuracy
This trigger is designed so it’s fully contained in a single cassette, making it a drop-in style that’s incredibly easy to install. The fact that shooters get such amazing accuracy out of a straightforward installation process just makes the trigger all the more appealing.
It’s a lightweight trigger with an aluminum alloy housing, so it won’t add unnecessary bulk to your gun. Wire-cut EDM sears and NP3 coating on the sears and trigger shoe help make this trigger function beautifully. This trigger offers Timney’s classic glass rod crisp break and short, smooth pull. If you’re interested in improving your performance on the Barrett MRAD, adding this trigger to your gun’s setup is a great way to get it done.
MSRP for the Timney Triggers Barrett MRAD Trigger is set at $399.99.
Ever wish you had a toolkit tailored especially for your gun? If you’ve ever done any tinkering with firearms, you know that standard toolkits from the hardware store won’t cut it. There are just some things that need dedicated tools. Well, if that sounds familiar, Fix It Sticks has you covered. They offer a variety of quality firearms toolkits both general and specific in nature. Here’s a look at the Fix It Sticks AR toolkit.
The Fix It Sticks AR toolkit is compact and well organized. (Author’s photo)
Compact, Convenient, and Versatile
The Fix It Sticks AR toolkit package says, “With so many ways to customize an AR, no wonder it’s America’s #1 rifle.” No argument here. This toolkit has almost everything I want to work on my AR. I’ll address what I think it lacks below, but let’s start with what it does include.
First, the canvas case is simple and compact. The tools all have their own place in the attached organizer, while the case itself has generous storage pockets and extra slots if you choose to add a few tools to the standard package. The case also has MOLLE webbing on one side if you want to attach it to your gear.
The tools themselves are modular, so you can store them easily and quickly assemble the combination you need. So, what comes in the kit?
Fix It Sticks AR Toolkit. (store.fixitsticks.com)
Included Tools and Accessories
The kit revolves around the “Fix It Stick,” a modular T-handle that employs various accessories to perform the task at hand. The Fix It Stick can also be used as a linear handle, much like a traditional screwdriver. It has four magnetic sockets for accessories or adapters, giving you choices about how to attack your job. The AR toolkit includes:
Two Fix It Sticks
Two 6cm brass cleaning rods
Five hex bits in the following sizes: 3/32”, 7/64”, 1/8”, 9/64”, and 5/32”
Three screwdriver bits in the following sizes: PH1, 3/16”, and 3/32”
Four Torx bits in the following sizes: T-10, T-15, T-20, and T-25
Two bit adapters compatible with 8-32 threaded components
Metal pin punch
Non-marring polymer pin punch
A2 front sight adjustment tool
Bronze scraper
Cleaning brush
Steel pick
Bolt carrier group scraper
Castle nut wrench
All bits are chrome plated.
Maximum Modularity
All the accessories and bits are attachable to the T-handles either directly or through the adapters. The adapters may be used separately or together by use of the 8-32 threads. The adapters also allow you to pair the two t-handles to make a long linear handle or a longer t-handle.
Modularity is the kit’s strongest feature. (Author’s photo)
The cleaning brush, steel pick, and bronze scraper are threaded for use with the brass cleaning rods, but they also fit directly into the t-handles. The adapter allows you to use the t-handle and the brass rods simultaneously with those accessories.
What do I like about the Fix It Sticks AR Toolkit?
First, the modularity and compactness are great. This is a kit I can keep in my range bag or even take into the woods if I’m hunting. It can do just about anything I might need to do at the range or in the field. I already keep miscellaneous tools in my range bag, and this will replace most of those while saving space.
Handy BCG scraper. (Author’s photo)
Second, as you would expect, the Fix It Sticks AR kit has attachments particular to the AR platform, namely the bolt carrier group scraper, castle nut wrench, and the A2 sight tool. The BCG scraper eases cleaning the carbon from your BCG, both inside and out. You can specify whether you want an AR-10 or AR-15 scraper, so it fits right. The large tong fits into the carrier itself, while the smaller tong goes inside the bolt. I’ve also used the smaller tong on the gas key. The BCG scraper is the only difference between the AR-10 and AR-15 toolkits. I got the AR-10 kit and sprang for a .223 scraper for an extra 10 bucks.
Castle nut wrench attached to two linear Fix It Sticks. (Author’s photo)
The castle nut wrench is a handy tool if you’re changing buffer tubes or whatever. It’s a quality steel part that you can set up however you like with the Fix It Sticks system. The A2 front sight tool is also handy, assuming you have an A2 front sight. It’s a nice inclusion.
I also like the bronze scraper, which allows me to get at stubborn carbon in places like the bolt’s locking lugs without damaging the parts. The non-marring polymer pin punch is also nice, especially since my AR-10’s BCG doesn’t have a cotter pin and requires a punch. A small screwdriver has served in the past, but I like this punch.
A Small Wish List
As good as this kit is, I wish it included a roll pin tool and a detent pin tool. That may seem picky, but those additions would make this thing pretty much complete. It would probably make the kit a little larger, but I think it would be worth it. It would certainly fit with the company saying the kit is designed for folks who like to customize their rifles.
Overall Verdict
Despite wishing for the roll pin tool and detent pin tool, I think this toolkit is a slam dunk. Working on my AR rifles just got a lot more convenient. The tools and attachments are high quality, they fit right, and they are easy to use. I love that they aren’t one size fits all arrangements. I can put things together or take them apart to make longer or shorter tools to fit what I need to do.
The adapter helps everything fit together. (Author’s photo)
The bits are in commonly used sizes and fit perfectly in the magnetic t-handle sockets. There’s also space to expand within the case if you want to add a few things of your own.
Fix It Sticks offers a wide variety of toolkits, both general and specific. I’m very impressed by my first experience with them and I expect I’ll buy from them again. If you want to buy your own Fix It Sticks AR toolkit, you’re in luck. GunMag Warehouse has you covered with an AR-15 kit and an AR-10 kit available. Give it a try. I bet you’ll probably like it as much as I did.
When it comes to responsible gun ownership, proper storage should be one of the first things considered. Gun safes can range from massive vaults that require special flooring support to small safes just big enough for one handgun. Hornady is a reliable brand for security and today we will look at Hornady’s Alpha Elite Lock Box. This lock box is just big enough for one gun or other personal valuables and it comes with a cord, so it’s perfect for on-the-go security. It’s best for your car or if you need a small lock box when you travel.
Specifications of Hornady’s Alpha Elite Lock Box
Hornady’s lock box comes with a bag for your keys, two keys, a manual, a booklet, a cable, and a warranty registration. (Photo Credit: Grace Stevens)
The safe weighs in at nearly 5.4 pounds, and for a good reason. It’s due to the 16-gauge steel housing protecting your firearm. This steel is A36 mild carbon steel alloy with a tensile strength between 58,000 and 80,000 psi. It’s one of the most commonly used metals for structural purposes in the U.S. Why? Because it’s proven to do a great job of withstanding damage, whether accidental or intentional.
The exterior dimensions of the safe are 10.25 x 8 x 2.75 inches with the interior being 0.75 x 7.5 x 2.25 inches, a size fitting most 1911 pistols, 4-inch revolvers, and smaller personal items. The inside is lined with a layer of premium protective foam sheets perfect to protect your firearm, even more, to prevent damage while the gun’s inside.
Hornady’s Alpha Elite Lock Box has premium padding lined on both sides of the safe to secure your firearm or valuables. [Photo Credit: Grace Stevens]
Prying hands—or tools—can’t get inside this lock box with ease. According to the manufacturer, crowbars will struggle to deliver thanks to the pry-resistant band around the edges. It’s also resistant to children, making this a safe option for families trying to secure their firearms (just keep it locked and make sure the kids don’t know how and cannot access the means with which to open it). It also meets and surpasses California Department of Justice standards and American Society for Testing and Materials standards, including testing in:
“Cycle test, picking test, plug torque test, manipulation test, handle torque test, drop test, tensile strength test, shock test, saw test, pry attack test, hinge attack test, and flammability test shall be performed to meet the requirements prescribed.”
So yes, this lock box is fairly secure and certainly more secure than many similarly designed ones on the market. But, it’s completely grabbable, so how do you stop a would-be thief from just walking off with it?
Security
Well, Hornady has a line of defense to prevent this. The lock box comes with a patented 3-foot-long cable rated to withstand 1500 pounds. It would take an amount of force beyond what a human can create by hand to break the cable, so unless the thief is coming truly prepared it will take more than some snippers to break.
Hornady’s cable is rated for 1500 pounds and attaches to the safe using the metal piece. (Photo Credit: Grace Stevens)
The cable is designed to be wrapped around something stationary and bolted down, like the frame of your car seat, or an extremely heavy object, to secure it. And since it’s TSA-approved, it would make a good option for travel when other storage isn’t available. Just make sure you know and follow the rules of TSA and the airline you’re traveling with when flying with firearms. Despite its overall strength, the cable is fairly malleable, so it can be wrapped, twisted, and turned around your object of choice.
Now, if somehow the thief gets past the cable, I will say the lock is pretty sturdy. Hornady uses a barrel key lock, also known as a tubular lock, which is known for how difficult it is to pick. It would take a heavily experienced criminal with a bit of time to pick it since it’s no traditional lock. Due to the arrangement of the pins, this lock has to be picked by a professional or drilled out if you lose your key as there is no universal fix.
Another thing to note is that Hornady will not replace the keys provided if you lose them, so keep track of them. The company doesn’t play around with security.
The Best Way to Use a Hornady Elite Lock Box
An Anderson Kiger 9c fits perfectly in Hornady’s lockbox. (Photo Credit: Grace Stevens)
Small safes can be a gamble because they can be picked up and carried off if the correct precautions aren’t taken. Thieves are typically watching for opportunities, so make sure they don’t have one (and if you’re securing a handgun in your vehicle because you’re about to enter a non-permissive environment, do it somewhere you won’t attract attention).
Remember that in theory any lock can be broken, picked, or drilled, so don’t rely on the integrity of the lock box and just leave it out in the open. Make sure you conceal it when it’s in use to the best of your abilities.
Use the cable strategically. Make sure you attach the cable around something completely stationary, or heavy enough that moving it would be a challenge. For use in your vehicle, consider keeping this under the seat of your car and wrapping the cable around the solid bars under the seat.
If you’re using it in your home and want to employ the cable, it’s best if you attach it to something bolted down or heavy, like a wooden king-size bed frame. Of course, that’s not a perfect solution, so keep that in mind when securing the safe. Overall, just be smart with where you place it and understand how to remove any opportunity for theft.
Personal Use
Keeping your safe secure and hidden is important. [Photo Credit: Grace Stevens]
I find the most use in putting this under the driver’s seat of my car. Concealed carry is currently off the table for me due to my age but transporting it in my car is not. Having defense close by is comforting and knowing it’s hidden and anchored helps even more. Keeping my key on my keychain keeps it quickly accessible to me and since Hornady provides a spare, I can keep one at home in case something happens to the 1st.
Another thing I enjoy doing is putting a location tag—such as an Apple AirTag or Tile—under the foam layer. This assures that if the safe itself was taken I may be able to know the whereabouts of my possessions. Given, that isn’t always assured to work since items may be taken and the rest left behind, but it gives peace of mind for certain scenarios.
Personal items other than guns deserve security too. It isn’t quite big enough for typical documents, however, it can hold smaller forms of identification like passports and licenses, valuables such as jewelry, and anything else you’d like to keep locked up. For personal items around the home it’s still best to utilize the cord it comes with. A home is a great opportunity with many hiding spots to choose from that you’re familiar with, so be smart. And remember, this style of safe isn’t meant to replace a securely bolted-down design for long-term storage (Hornady makes those, too).
The Hornady Alpha Elite Lock Box is perfect for proper storage on the road or in the air. The cable it comes with secures the safe well as long as it’s used thoughtfully and worst case scenario, the lock itself isn’t easy to crack. With proper use, this safe is a great choice.
The optic you mount on your rifle can make or break it. Using the wrong glass can easily lead to things like not having enough adjustment available when you need it, loss of focus at greater distances, and poor light gathering. That’s where the team at Bushnell comes in with the Match Pro ED 5-30×56, a riflescope designed for excellence. This optic is made for dedicated shooters in need of a professional-quality scope, and according to Bushnell, it delivers.
Bushnell’s Match Pro 5-30×56 riflescope is designed to maximize your rifle’s potential. (Photo credit: Bushnell)
According to Bushnell, this riflescope is the enhanced version of the original Match Pro. The entire scope is optimized to meet the needs of developing and experienced long-range shooters, offering them premium optical performance and a bevy of useful features. The company states this scope can do it all whether it’s used by hardcore rimfire shooters or precision long-range competitors.
This riflescope is built around an ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) Prime 56mm objective with EXO Barrier coating so it’s better able to withstand the elements, and also resistant to wear and tear. The glass is designed to deliver every bit of clarity and sharpness possible without sacrificing other details.
The optic is specifically designed with long-range and precision shooters in mind. (Photo credit: Bushnell)
The magnification ratio has been increased in this ED model to provide versatility. It has a range of 5x to 30x with the main tube diameter increased to 34mm diameter in order to realize a 103 MOA elevation range (which is undeniably impressive). The turrets of the scope now lock, which is vital for its ability to maintain zero even when being bumped and jostled, and the elevation turret has an integral Easy Set zero stop. There’s also a two-stage pop-up rev-indicator. Basically, there are endless features offered, each one offering something practical and useful to the optic.
The scope has locking turrets and a throw lever with three possible positions. (Photo credit: Bushnell)
Features of the Match Pro ED 5-30×56 include:
An expanded magnification range of 5x to 30x for more options while shooting at longer distances.
Oversized 56mm objective lens for improved light gathering which is especially helpful in low light.
Large eyebox for a quicker sight picture and rapid target acquisition.
34mm tube expands elevation to 30 MRAD of travel and 14.5 MRAD of windage, helping you shoot better at longer ranges.
DM2 reticle that’s a 2/10 MRAD tree reticle.
Illumination with 11 brightness settings so the shooter can choose how bright it is based on the current situation.
Battery saving feature that automatically shuts illumination off after six hours of run time.
Turrets are designed for a positive grip, making them easier to turn even under stress.
15-yard parallax ability to improve rimfire performance.
IPX7 Waterproof and fogproof, features that are vital for functioning in the elements.
Three-position power change lever that can be in left, right, or neutral positions depending on shooter preference.
A 2.5-Inch sunshade with a 64mm outside diameter and forward internal threads is also included.
This is a first focal plane riflescope. (Photo credit: Bushnell)
MSRP for the Bushnell Match Pro ED 5-30×56 Riflescope is set at $699.99.
Xbox Game Pass has saved me so much money. As someone who likes video games but has no time to play them, it’s tough for me to spend $60 plus on a video game. Sometimes I stumble across games I’ve never heard of and hit the download button. If it’s bad, I can delete it and forget. When I saw a game called Gunfire Reborn, I hit download without any knowledge of what it was other than a name that drew me in.
I quickly found it this was a new type of game to me. It’s called a “roguelike,” which apparently means it’s a dungeon crawler and has permadeath or something similar to permadeath. It’s also character based, and you unlock these cute little animal-like characters as you play. When you die, that’s it! You basically have to start over at the very beginning, but you can choose to spend your character’s upgrade points to revive yourself.
That sounds like the game could get repetitive until you get good, but Gunfire Reborn throws in randomly generated levels. Each level consists of several stages, and the only one that’s consistently the same is the boss fight at the end of the level. If you die, you do get to keep your experience points which can be applied to increase your damage, health, defense, etc. This way, the levels get a little easier every time you die.
It’s surprisingly fun, and I haven’t felt frustrated repeating level after level.
Gunfire Reborn Graphics
The game uses cartoonish cel-shading. Your enemies and characters look like they came out of a Saturday morning cartoon. It’s cute and clean in design. It might not blow your mind, but it will charm you. The levels seem to follow a similar color palette that takes you to caves, deserts, tea houses, and more.
The sounds are cutesy little noises mixed with gunfire. Each gun sounds good and different from the others. At least as far as gun genres go. An SMG sounds like an SMG, but an assault rifle sounds different than an SMG. The sounds pop and flow as the game plays.
The environments are cute but sharp looking.
There are some sections of pretty bad translation. It ends up being somewhat funny, ultimately, and never stops you from understanding exactly what you are doing when you choose an upgrade or read your gun’s specs.
The charming look of the characters and enemies keeps you engaged. The environments are a little plain, but they are randomly generated. I get that this was a small developer and give them a little leeway.
The Nitty Gritty of Gunfire Reborn
The game moves fast and is a blast. Each stage and level is fairly short and moves at lightning speed. It’s a jump, move, run, and maneuver type of game. Projectiles move slowly enough that if you move quickly, you can get past them and behind cover to save your life. Movement isn’t required. You can just hide behind the cover and take potshots with a few of the stages and enemies. However, enemies who like melee will aggro you all day.
Playing smart and conservatively can be satisfying and a valid strategy. However, moving, jumping and shooting are a ton of fun. I love jumping, scoring headshot after headshot, and flying through levels that used to be a challenge.
A varied group of enemies is always attacking. Some have crossbows, others have guns, and some are animalistic creatures. Dodging grenades and spearmen as you activate powers and blast away with your shotgun is very satisfying. When you make it through a wave of enemies without taking a hit, you’ll feel incredibly satisfied.
The boss fights are huge, and they follow a pattern you’ll need to figure out and solve. It might take a time or two to figure out, but you can pick up on the patterns and attack styles easily enough.
The bosses are big and mean.
You also get to unlock new characters with different abilities and play styles which spices things up. Your abilities are upgraded as you play, and you lose those abilities when you die. This gives you the option to fix and experiment with what works best for you.
The Weapons and Guns
The guns are all completely fictional and over the top, with varying abilities: shotguns, rifles, submachine guns, pistols, launchers, and more. We also get some ninja weapons like gloves, bows, and swords. The weapons really shine in Gunfire Reborn. They each handle differently and have different effects. They can be upgraded at certain vendors to improve their stats, and various inscriptions can improve stability, accuracy, and critical hit chance.
Look at all these weapons!
While it seems simple, the gameplay around the guns is complex. This complexity is admittedly not explained well, or ever. You just learn as you go, and that feels like the point of these roguelike games. Live, die, repeat, and be better the next go around. I don’t even have a favorite weapon because I just like experimenting with so many different weapon combinations and play styles.
I do prefer real guns, but they wouldn’t look great in such a cartoonish game. There is also no standard aim-down sight ability. That is locked to sniper rifles with scopes. It’s all reticle aiming. It’s not bad for this game, but I still like the ability to aim down the sights.
You can spend a little cash and upgrade your guns.
It’s a Gun Fight
This simple-looking game seems to be fairly complicated. However, anyone can pick it up and play. To be fair, I never played a roguelike shooter and picked it right up and had a blast. The innocent design, lack of graphic violence, and language make this one of the better options for playing with kiddos. My son and I take turns regularly, and he’s already better than I am at it.
The title Gunfire Reborn means something. It is not your typical shooter, and it offered me the same amount of fun AAA shooters like Doom offer. It’s a crazy, fun game that allows you to experiment with a variety of play styles, weapons, and abilities. Mix in the varying levels, enemies, and boss battles, and you have one helluva awesome game. It’s very well made, and even if you don’t have Game Pass, it’s a fairly cheap game.
