CategoriesGun Reviews

What the AA19 Does Better than the Glock 19

Glock Perfection might be the worst marketing Glock could use. Glocks are great guns, easily some of the simplest, most reliable firearms on the market. The problem is people love to tinker, so jokes about ‘Glock’ perfection are often made after someone slams a few hundred bucks in upgrades onto their Glock pistol. On top of that, the market for Gucci Glocks has grown. Why buy and a gun and do the upgrades yourself when someone else will do it for you? That’s exactly what Adam Arms did with the AA19, their Glock 19 clone.

The AA19 comes from Adam Arms, an AR Centric company.

I know what you’re thinking. Adam Arms is a AR 15 company. Yep, very true, they make some fantastic piston guns, and that’s more or less their bread and butter. Well, until now. Calling the AA19 a Glock 19 clone is underselling it since Adam Arms went a fair bit further than just making a clone. They started from the ground up to produce an extremely high-quality handgun that can trace its lineage to the Glock 19.

Glock 19
The Glock 19 is the standard-bearer for a reason.

It’s like saying I’m a clone of my grandfather. We might share a common gene pool, but there are significant differences worth noting. Those differences are what we are going to talk about today.

How does the AA19 differ from the standard Glock 19?

Well, let’s find out.

The AA19 Trigger

“Just okay” perfectly describes your basic Glock trigger. It’s nothing fancy, but it works. Lots of people hate the sharp nature of the trigger and the safety dingus, and after a high round count day, I see why. The Glock trigger has never been bad. They are decidedly average, and that’s not bad praise for a stock gun.

The AA19 isn’t a stock gun — it comes with a Vickers Tactical Carry trigger. With this trigger, we get a metal trigger shoe, a flat face, and yes, we still get the safety dingus.

AA19 trigger next to Glock 19 trigger
Glock triggers are A-Okay, but the AA19 features a superior trigger.

However, it’s a much more comfortable trigger overall. It doesn’t dig into your finger. The Vickers Tactical Carry trigger isn’t a crazy light trigger and is completely appropriate for defense or duty use.

It’s much smoother overall. Less grit and grime as it travels. We get a little take-up that’s noticeably smoother than the stock Glock trigger. The wall seems to take pounds to break, but just barely so. Overall the AA19 trigger is much smoother and superior to the Glock’s stock design.

The Entire Grip

The whole ass grip is better with the AA19. I won’t comment on finger groove because Glock wisely got rid of them on the Gen 5 guns. However, I will say the AA19’s use of the Polymer 80 grip module was wise. It’s not a pure PF940 grip and has been customized to Adam Arms standards.

We get the more American grip angle. By American, I mean 1911 like. Grip angle might not affect much besides personal comfort, but the difference bears mentioning. I prefer it personally.

Glock 19 grip vs Glock 19 clone AA19 grip
Glock, fix yo grips!

The grip texture reaches extreme levels, stick, and stipple. The stock Glock grip texture is okay, but they get the stipple treatment for a reason—the AA19 rocks on with a very aggressive grip texture.

AA19 also did a double undercut with the trigger guard. It’s super aggressive and allows me to get my hand much higher on the gun. Seriously, at first grip, I thought they lengthened the grip. With a normal Glock 19, about half my pinky hangs over the edge of the grip.

AA19 trigger guard undercut
Look at that gorgeous undercut.

With the AA19, my entire pinky sits on the grip. Outside of pinky height, the undercuts allow both my firing and support hand to get nice and high. A high grip means more control. That high grip works extremely well with the large beavertail at the rear of the grip. You can get your hand high without worrying about slide bite.

Seeing the Sights

Most of your Glock ranges from good to okay, but the sights, well, the sights just freakin’ suck. These plastic ‘target’ sights just plain suck. They always have, and I’m still surprised Glock clings to them.

Adam Arms utilizes a set of all black and all-metal sights from Ameriglo. Specifically, the Defoor EDC sights. These all-black sights are super easy to Dsee. All black sights aren’t for everyone, but I’m growing to like them.

Glock 19 sights next to AA19 Defoor EDC sights
Glock plastic vs. high-quality metal? Hmm, easy choice.

The front sight is nice and thin, and the rear sight is wide enough to provide plenty of air between the sights.

This makes the sights both fast and accurate at longer ranges. It’s a great setup overall that feels excellent for both close quarters shooting and longer range stuff. Plus, they aren’t made of cheap plastic, so you can drop them without worry.

The Slide

AA19 uses a very Gucci-slide with deep cuts into the slide for both front and rear serrations that are angled rearward and very easy to grip and grab. Over the top, we see a slight shoutout to reduce slide weight and to certainly look cool. Not a bad place to put the cut if you plan on attaching a muzzle device to the threaded barrel. This ensures a little bit more balance in this situation.

Glock 19 slide vs AA19 Glock 19 clone slide
The Gucciness of the AA19 slide gives in a non Glock look for sure.

Glock slides are Glock slides. I have no complaints, and I doubt other people do too. I like the look and feel of the AA19’s slide, but a standard Glock 19 slide won’t get me kilt in the streetz.

Glock 19 slide compared to AA19 slide
Textures differ, and both work, but the AA19 is noticeably ‘grippier.’

The AA19 comes optics-ready and can work with a variety of plates to accommodate a wide variety of optics, like an absolute ton of different optics including Trijicon, Vortex, Holosun, Burris, Docter, and so many more. The Glock 19 MOS series provides the same option, so you can mount a wide variety of optics to a stock Glock as well.

A Real Rail

Glock’s rail is, well, it’s a rail. It’s not exactly a Picatinny rail. It can also, on occasion, require the use of special keys, like in the case of the Streamlight series of pistol weapon lights. It works, but the standard 1913 Picatinny rail present on the AA19 is an actual universal rail system. No special keys are needed, and this gives you the Glock 19 that isn’t snowflake-like.

The Barrel

Finally, a barrel is often a barrel, but the AA19 does utilize a match-grade barrel for superior accuracy. The new Gen 5 Glock 19’s utilize the new Marksman’s barrel that also enhances accuracy. I’d say the barrel quality is the same, but the AA19 has a slight edge.

It comes with a threaded barrel. You can easily attach a suppressor or compensator to the gun and go full Gucci.

 the AA19 has a threaded barrel
A threaded barrel makes adding muzzle devices easy and a real rail makes adding light easy too.

What about the price?

The Adam Arms AA19 has an MSRP of $999. That’s on the higher end of the pistol spectrum, admittedly. The Glock 19 MOS costs about $650 for the Gen 5 model. So it’s cheaper, but how much cheaper when you factor in the price of the extra accessories.

  • Glock 19 MOS – $650
  • Ameriglo Sights – $45
  • Vickers Tactical Trigger – $41
  • Adam Arms Threaded Barrel – $150
  • Double Grip Undercut – $60
  • Extended Magazine Release – $27.99
  • Total Price – $973.99

This doesn’t count shipping or tax on the parts, pieces, and guns themselves. With that in mind, if you don’t want all the extras, then this doesn’t matter. You’ll have a competent pistol with the Glock 19 MOS. However, the Adam Arms 19 provides the extras at a reasonable price point if you want to take that route.

Glock 19 and AA19
One’s decidedly average, the other kicks it up a notch. Neither are bad choices.

The good news is that capitalism provides options. With that said, which would you take? What accessories or features are a must-have for you? Let us know below!

CategoriesGun Reviews

Glock 19X — Premier Combat Masterpiece!

Currently, there is a staggering selection of pistols that are very small and lightweight, carry quite a few rounds, and can easily be dropped into a pocket. It’s the trend these days, and many shooters eat them up. And for lots of people, these tiny pistols fill the bill nicely for defensive purposes. I have a couple of smaller pistols myself. In light of this, why would I choose a Glock 19X as my next handgun? Surely, there are lighter, smaller choices for concealment.

As mentioned, I already have that base covered, and I intended to fill another niche; I was after a fighting pistol that could allow me to prevail in a hostile environment. If that pistol happened to be relatively concealable, that would be an added bonus.

Pistol, weaponlight, handheld light, and Emerson CQC-6. The Total Package!

Let’s face it, if we’re expecting real trouble, we’re going to bring something a bit more serious than a pistol to the fight (better still, we’d avoid the fight altogether). That is assuming things are ideal. Which, thanks to Murphy’s Law, they usually are not. Pistol bullets are not efficient bad-guy-stoppers due to their generally low velocity.

On the other hand, it’s not always convenient or possible to have a long gun with us, and so the pistol is frequently the tool that we have to work with, which brings me to the point of this article.

Glock 19X

What is now the Glock 19X was initially submitted to the military as a competitor for their XM17 MHS (Modular Handgun System) a few years back. The point of the pistol was to be a standard-issue sidearm for use in enclosed spaces, such as with vehicle crew members, for example. The pistol needed to have substantial magazine capacity (it certainly does) and be supremely reliable (it certainly is). A manual safety was included on the military submissions, but Glock elected to omit the safety on the pistol that is sold to civilians.

Ultimately, the military chose the Sig P320 for reasons I won’t reiterate here, although the word on the street is that cost was the straw that broke the camel’s back. It’s likely that a book could be written about all the details of the Service Trials, and my purpose is not to plow that row again. Suffice to say, both the Sig and the Glock are great handguns, and I know many people who own and are happy with both brands. I really like the Glock for the reasons that I’m about to go into momentarily. The fact that well over half of the law enforcement agencies in the US (along with some military units) issue Glock firearms also doesn’t hurt.

Tech Specs

The technical specifications of the 19X are a barrel of 4.02 inches, weight (with empty magazine) is 24.83 ounces, and a height of 5.47 inches.

To simplify those dry technical specs above, the 19X has the grip of a Glock 17 and the slide of a Glock 19. Full-size grip, shorter slide.

At first, many in the shooting community came close to experiencing nervous breakdowns, and antacids were being consumed by the 55-gallon drumful to quell the indigestion that this caused. You see, many shooters wanted the opposite; a shorter grip (all the better to conceal the pistol with) and a longer slide (longer sight radius to hit faraway targets with).

But did they really know what they wanted? Fast forward to the present day, and we see that hordes of gun people are singing the praises of the 19X and its “backward” anatomy. I personally know a couple of dozen people who are in love with the 19X in a big way. Well, what in the world happened to turn peoples’ opinions around?

To better understand it, let’s harken back to around 1970 when the Combat Commander concept was put into the flesh (or, shall we say, into the steel). It comprised a 1911 with a…wait for it…full-sized grip and short slide!

The same concept applies to the Glock 19X (as well as the Glock 43X) as it did to the Combat Commander. A full-sized grip allows a good purchase on the grip as well as a full load of ammunition.

The shorter slide accomplishes a few things.

First, it clears the holster faster because there is obviously less slide to drag out of that holster, and in a gunfight, that fraction of a second could very well make all the difference. A faster draw stroke is always a Good Thing. The difference between the slide length of the G19 and the G17 is approximately one-half inch, with the G19 obviously being shorter.

Closeup of Glock 19X barrel and slide
The front of the slide and frame are both beveled, making reholstering easier than earlier models that lacked these features. Also note the Coyote Brown finish.

Next, the shorter slide allows the shooter to index targets faster. Again, there is less slide to be swinging around, and at close range, the user can aim in faster. Is it a huge advantage? Not dramatically, but as with the faster draw stroke, we’re shaving fractions of a second off of our reaction time, and that can add up. As such, the shorter slide helps on both of these fronts.

Critics wailed about the shorter sight radius and how it would be detrimental to accuracy. The question one has to ask is, how far does he plan on engaging targets? Even at extended ranges, the Glock 19 length slide can engage as well as most other combat pistols out there, so the shorter slide is not a massive handicap. When weighing the pros and cons, I’ll go with the shorter slide because it’s handier, faster, and still gets the job done quite well, thank you very much!

Looking at all of these factors, Glock has not come up with a new, novel concept with the “X” series, in that it was invented decades ago. However, I give them credit for re-embracing the concept and incorporating it into their line of firearms. They went against the grain and came up with a better product for it.

As mentioned, if I were looking for a Glock to simply carry with defensive use and concealability in mind, I’d go with the Glock 43X (as a point of fact, that is exactly the route I went with) or a Glock 19. Both are capable pistols. However, because of the reasons mentioned earlier, I went with the 19X. This article is, therefore, a bit of a comparison, at least in the philosophies of the missions that pistols cover.

Glock 19X Extras

Backstraps

Four interchangeable backstraps are included with the 19X to fit various hand sizes and shapes—two for medium and two for large-sized hands. One each of the medium and large size have a beavertail configuration for users who wish for such a grip. I will say that these backstraps are very nice. They are  installed by driving out a pin in the grip of the pistol, snapping the backstrap into place, and then reinserting the pin. It’s easy enough to accomplish. Personally, I haven’t installed any of them, as I wanted the smallest grip possible for my medium-sized hands. The grip is already substantial and I did not wish to add any more length toward reaching the trigger.

That said, even my medium hands have no problem getting a nice grip on this 19X. For me, it’s not quite as comfortable as my 43X, which has a slimmer grip that I’ve found to be my very favorite grip among Glocks.

Glock 19x and Glock 43X
Glock 19X with Glock 43X underneath. The 43X is slightly smaller all around, but the size difference is not as huge as you might think.

However, when firing the 19X, that extra grip girth gives the advantage of spreading out the recoil over a larger area, translating into better control. Not that the 9mm in a full-sized handgun is anywhere close to a problem to control, but more control is always better. The 19X’s grip does not have the finger grooves that some other Glock models have, and many of us are happy that they have been omitted. The RTF (Rough Textured Finish) is used on the grip, and it does a superb job of providing traction when gripping the pistol without being obnoxious to the skin.

Steel Sights

Other additional items come standard with the 19X, and these really put it ahead of other offerings from Glock. The first items that I was really excited about it coming standard with are steel night sights. Bravo, Glock! These should be standard with every single pistol that they sell. They are a very simple 3-dot affair that is powered by Tritium, and their nighttime glow is very bright.

Glock 19X tritium sights
The Steel Tritium three-dot sights come standard on the 19X, a most welcome addition.

All in all, I love these sights (in case you haven’t already picked up on my enthusiasm). Being steel construction, they are very robust and allow the pistol to perform in all conditions. One of the only things that Glock lovers complain about loudly is the Polymer sights that most of their pistols are equipped with, and Glock has eliminated that issue with the 19X.

Magazines

To sweeten the deal even more, Glock has included a total of three magazines with the 19X (most Glocks come with one spare magazine). These magazines deserve special mention because some thought has gone into them, and they are truly stellar. One is a 17-round, flush-fitting magazine, the same as their Glock 17 magazine, so there’s nothing earth-shattering here. However, the other two magazines have factory-installed +2 baseplates, bringing their capacity up to 19 rounds.

Glock 19X, 17-round and 19-round magazines
On the left is the 17-round mag, the 19-rounder is on the right.

With one of these in the mag well and a round in the chamber, the user now has 20 rounds of 9mm on tap, and that’s nothing to sneeze at! With all the included magazines and a round in the chamber, we have 56 rounds with us.

Glock 19X with magazines
The 19 round magazine is in place. The extension does add a bit of length to the butt of the grip. 19+1 rounds is extraordinary for a handgun! The 17 round magazine is next to the 19 rounder for comparison

These magazines all wear the same color as the 19X; Coyote Brown. The color coordination is nice and the overall color of the pistol and mags is quite fetching in my opinion. I’ll admit it’s part of what attracted me to the 19X initially. In this day and age of so many pistols being black, this color was a pleasant departure. The 19X’s slide wears a coating of nPVD that sort of resembles a bronze color and closely resembles the Coyote Brown, which prohibits corrosion. It seems to work well and be durable because I’ve not had an issue of corrosion with my pistol. And Glock is known for the durability of their finishes, so this one is good to go.

Getting back to the magazines, I really have to give serious kudos to Glock in this department, and not just for the 19X, but for all their pistols. I’ve been through a number of shooting schools and training over the years, and one thing has become blatantly apparent: Glock magazines can take one hell of an ass-kicking and come out on the other side asking for more. I’ve seen them slammed onto concrete floors during mag changes countless times and I’ve yet to see one give up the ghost. Magazines from other brands of pistols frequently are not even close in the durability department. For this, Glock gets the highest marks. Perhaps it’s the fact that they have a Polymer outer layer over top of the metal insert. It seems to absorb impacts better than magazines that only have metal construction.

Admittedly, the +2 extensions do add some length to the grip, and considering that this is a Glock 17 grip already, the length that they add is definitely going to affect concealability. In short, that grip with the mag extension is a handful, which is why Glock meant for these to be spare magazines, intended for use when the fecal matter hits the fan. I personally carry a standard magazine when carrying concealed and keep the 19-rounders as spares. Once a battle begins, and if a mag has to be changed, I’m not going to care how far the extension hangs out the bottom of that magwell. As it is, 17+1 rounds in a carry pistol is more than adequate.

One criticism that I have (as do many others) is that Generation 5 Glock magazines cannot be used in the 19X. This is because of a solid tab on the front of the magazine well, and the Gen 5 mags have a baseplate that sticks out, which won’t allow the magazine to seat in the 19X magwell. I was told that this tab on the grip was requested by the military. There is an easy fix: simply replace the Gen 5 baseplates with those of earlier generations, which would be an advantage if you have a pile of Gen 5 mags that you’d like to use in the 19X. As an aside, 19X mags will work in other Glock generations, including Gen 5 pistols.

Glock 19X Magazine Question: What Mags will fit the G19X?

More Features and Extras

One item that I removed immediately was the lanyard loop from the magwell, as I do not foresee having a need for it, and it would be more in the way than being of any use. Those in the military, especially operators working from heights or above water, would benefit from the lanyard loop to keep from losing the pistol.

There is an ambidextrous slide release, which many will consider to be a useful feature. Aside from lefties, many of us train to shoot from either side.

The trigger on the 19X is pretty good, as well. The takeup is smooth and the break is clean, making it a pleasure to use. No, it’s not a competition 1911 trigger that breaks like a glass rod, but for a striker-fired pistol, it is a joy. Especially when compared to the triggers from earlier Glocks, this one is much improved. The weight at which it breaks is around five pounds.

Glock 19X controls
All controls are standard Glock; mag release, slide release, takedown lever.

As with all other Glock pistols, the 19X comes in a plastic case. This particular one is Coyote Brown and matches the pistol and magazines perfectly. It comes complete with a magazine loader and a cleaning rod & brush, along with a gun lock. All in all, it rounds out the package nicely.

The GMB (Glock Marskman Barrel) comes standard, which Glock claims enhances the accuracy of their pistols. It appears to work well, as the 19X is a very accurate pistol. To put it bluntly, it’s just a very “shootable” pistol! The recoil is surprisingly soft, the action is super smooth, with minimal muzzle flip, and it just puts the rounds where you want them. Glock really hit a home run on this one!

At the Range

At the range, the 19X made an excellent showing. There were a series of steel plates that showed themselves and simply had to be engaged. With the 19X, I had an enjoyable time making them ring with regularity. At 20 yards, it was child’s play to ring them almost as fast as I could pull the trigger, proving that this pistol does precisely what it is intended to do, which is to rapidly and accurately engage targets.

As far as accuracy goes, the Glock 19X is more accurate than my aging eyes are. Groups of just over two inches at 25 yards from a rest are not unheard of, though, and better shooters will undoubtedly achieve better results than I’m capable of.

Some simple shooting drills proved that the 19X will engage multiple targets very quickly. Moving from target to target is a joy, given the short slide.

This pistol is a real joy to fire, and it really became addicting; we didn’t want to stop shooting! Unfortunately, with the state of ammunition being what it is these days (difficult to find and worth its weight in gold), we had to reign ourselves in far sooner than we’d have liked to. Ammo hoarding because of uncertain times is, at the time of this writing, a major thing.

That said, the 19X handles like a dream. It’s hard to explain, but it has a sort of unique feel to it, unlike most other Glocks. It seems that the hand-filling Glock 17 handle, coupled with the Glock 19 slide, gives it this unique feel. One description I’d use is that it feels “handy,” in that it is quick-handling, which I attribute to the shorter barrel. It just feels right. Beyond that, you’re going to have to try one out for yourself to truly get the feel of one.

Glock 19X review - engaging target
The 19X shines for the military, law enforcement, or armed citizen! The capacity gives it versatility. Engaging targets quickly was easy with the 19X, even in full kit.

The more I handle this pistol, the more I like it. The way it looks and handles is outstanding. I believe one major factor in the lack of recoil and smoothness in shooting is attributed to the double captive recoil spring that Glock is now using. The unit works like a charm, and the fact that the pistol is full-sized doesn’t hurt either, and goes a long way toward its soft shooting nature. As I remember back to the late 1980’s when I bought a Glock 17 when they first began being imported into the country, I marvel at how far they have advanced.

Is the Glock 19X superior to the Glock 19 and Glock 17?

For its intended role as a combat pistol, I believe so. It combines the best of both pistols without sacrificing much aside from the 19’s concealability.

Granted, the 19X is not the best pistol for concealed carry, but it certainly can be concealed. I’ve carried it on many occasions and had no major problem concealing it. These days, we’re spoiled with the tiny pistols that fit into a pocket, so some will consider the 19X to be the equivalent of a horse-drawn artillery piece. But those among us who hearken back to the days of the Sig P226, full-sized 1911s, and the Beretta M9, which we used to carry concealed, will scarcely have issues concealing the 19X.

Understand, I’ll not be carrying the 19X everywhere I go, as I have other handguns that fill the role better. But for certain situations, the 19X will be coming along with me, and that is comforting. Especially in colder weather when we wear bulky coats and for walks in the woods where concealment is not paramount. It is one of the most versatile, capable pistols on the market today as far as combat pistols are concerned.

Recently, the folks at We The People Holsters sent me one of their holsters for the 19X to review, and I’ve been carrying it in their holster (AIWB). I’m happy to report that the 19X carries well, although it is obviously heavier than my 43X and the butt of the grip extends out slightly more. Aside from that, it is not a problem to conceal and works well.

Glock 19X holstered
Despite its size, the 19X can be carried concealed without much trouble. Holster by We The People Holsters.

The extra mile that Glock went with the spare magazines, steel night sights, and the color really set this pistol apart from the company’s other offerings. At the time of this writing, my local gunshop had the 19X for $569. That’s around $100 more than most standard offerings from Glock. If we were to shop for those extra goodies and purchase them individually, the price tag would be well over $100, so the slightly higher price of the 19X is more than justified and represents a solid value. And even though this particular Glock is on the higher side for the company’s offerings, it’s still less expensive than many other combat pistols from other manufacturers on the market.

All in all, you’re getting an accurate combat pistol that is uber-reliable for a reasonable price. It handles like a dream and covers significant bases. The grip texture is comfortable and offers a solid purchase that cements it into the shooter’s hand. The extra features that are included just sweeten the deal that much more. Were I heading into trouble and had a choice of any pistol, the 19X would be my pick.

Give one a try, I’m pretty sure you’ll agree that the 19X is a champion, along with legions of other shooters who have already decided.

 

 

CategoriesGun Reviews

Best of Russian Assault Rifle AK 12

When someone says AK or Kalashnikov, we can all picture that rifle in our minds. It’s that universal. The AK12 from Kalashnikov, used by the Russian military, is not far off either. The gents over at Ultimate Weapons and Gun Breakers give some good background as well as abuse testing to see how it stacks up to its predecessor.

The AK12, in case you didn’t know, is one of the latest iterations from the Kalashnikov Group chambered in 5.45×39. It’s essentially the updated and modern version of the AK47. The AK12 came to be in 2011 by the Izhmash factory for the RATNIK trial by the Russian Army. After those trials, it was further developed by the Kalashnikov Group and received modifications and changes so that the rifle would meet military needs.

The AK12 went through extremely rigorous testing to be adopted by the Russian military. What came out of those tests is now a high standard for future rifles to meet.

The main things that needed to be addressed were the concern of the overall cost to manufacture as well as the issues with accuracy and reliability in the original version in full auto. Several revisions to the rifle helped pare down the list of defects and concerns in the original versions. 

Russian soldiers with AK12
After rigorous testing, it completed operational field testing in June of 2017, and again in December 2017 and was adopted in January of 2018 by the Russian military.

With a cyclic rate of 700 rounds a minute, this 415mm barreled rifle has a maximum range of 800 meters. The rifle also comes with standard 30 round magazines that have windows to help see the number of rounds left in the mag. Not only do they work with AK12 mags, but they are also compatible with AK74 magazines. To round out the features of the AK12, it has an adjustable stock, a large firing selector, and a cleaning kit tucked into the grip.

But how does the AK12 hold up to abuse? Well, Georgiy Gubich, a Kalashnikov specialist at Gun Busters, took on the challenge. In full protection gear that includes a flack vest, they started out with 1,000 rounds of ammunition, stacks of 30 round magazines and proceeded to do mag dumps in full auto.

Hot takeaways

• After 60 rounds, smoke can be seen coming out of the barrel
• After 180 rounds, smoke increases
• After 390 rounds, the barrel is red hot and has a glowing muzzle brake
• After 510 rounds, there are visible flames coming out of the handguards
• After 680 rounds, sparks and flames burst from rifle and the test ends

AK12 glowing barrel and muzzle
The AK12 held up surprisingly well in the stress test. After nearly 500 rounds, the barrel and muzzle brake started glowing red.

Georgiy runs magazine after magazine, not letting the rifle cool down. He notes the presence of smoke that doesn’t dissipate at 180 rounds. After shooting a constant 480 rounds, he notes the strong smell of plastic with the smoke still emanating from the rifle. When he hits the 510 round mark, there are visible flames coming out of the handguard, but he notes that there is no change in the rate of fire. Larger flames and muzzle flames start showing up around the 570 round mark. Once the rifle reaches the 620 round mark, Georgiy quips that he’s gone blind and then subsequently deaf after the 650 round mark. The barrel burst and is on fire at the 680 round mark, thus ending the abuse test.

Georgiy then extinguishes the flames and cools down the rifle to get a better look at it. He says that having a burst barrel is common in 5.45 or 5.56 rifles because of the thermal expansion which causes the bore to get tighter and slows down the bullets. The pressure shock happens and the barrel breaks at the stress point. Even with all the fire present in the test, the bolt and carrier are unchanged along with the muzzle brake.

AK12 military rifle
Withstanding 680 straight rounds with no cooldown, the AK12’s barrel bursts and send sparks and flames into the air. But it survived three times the number of rounds it needed to based on standards from the Russian Ministry of Defense.

Overall, the rifle withstood 680 rounds in rapid succession, which is three times the number required by the Ministry of Defense for the rifle. Not only that, but that number is 100 rounds higher than what the AK74 stood up to. Looks like the Russian military has a solid gun to work with.

Want to watch the overview video for yourself? Check out the Ultimate Weapon video here:

 

But if you want to see an AK12 catch on fire and ultimately burst, check out this one from the Kalashnikov Group:

 

CategoriesGun Reviews

The CMMG FourSix — For Home Defense?

So, guess what? CMMG has released three firsts with one gun. First, the FourSix is the first AR platform to chamber the 4.6x30mm round. The second first is the first civilian firearm to utilize the 4.6x30mm. The third first is the first use of the new micro length gas system that uses CMMG’s patent-pending Micro gas block. The 4.6x30mm is one of two PDW calibers. The OG of PDW calibers is the 5.7x28mm.

FN was smart and released 5.7 caliber guns like the Five-SeveN pistol and the PS90 to the civilian market, but HK has never even considered releasing a civilian MP7. The round has languished in the civilian market, even though Fiocchi makes plenty of it. The FourSix is a Banshee Mk4 AR pistol, and CMMG’s also made a 5.7 Banshee, so this isn’t an all or nothing.

The little Banshee sure as hell wails.

Why would I, as a civilian, choose the 4.6x30mm over the 5.7? Well, mainly because 4.6x30mm can be cheaper. Significantly cheaper than 5.7×28 because it doesn’t require the lacquer coating the 5.7x28mm has. The big difference currently is all about economy of scale, so if the 4.6 gets more popular, the ammunition could be cheaper than the 5.7×28.

Now, this is my first real experience with 4.6x30mm, and obviously, my first experience with the CMMG FourSix, and I honestly think this could be a fantastic home defense platform.

But Why Not Just 9mm?

Why use 4.6x30mm over a simple 9mm subgun? I have a 9mm Banshee, and I love it. Is 4.6x30mm ever going to be 9mm cheap? I can’t say, but it will take a long time for it to reach 9mm prices. However, there is a reason these PDW rounds were developed. NATO wanted a round that outperformed the 9mm from an SMG-style platform. The main concern was max range and armor-piercing capability.

The 4.6x30mm isn’t quite a rifle round, but it flies faster and further than any 9mm. The 4.6x30mm flies at a speed of 1,900 feet per second with my cheap Fioochi loads. It flies much further than the 9mm. At 100 yards, the 9mm can have a foot of drop! With the 4.6X30mm, I’m seeing about 4 inches with the 4.6x30mm out of the CMMG FourSix.

CMMG FourSix with Fiocchi 4.6x30mm ammunition
The 4.6x30mm finally has a civillian platform to worm its way into.

The CMMG FourSix packs an eight-inch barrel, and honestly, I’m using a red dot, but I think a 1-4X LPVO or even a 3x or 4x prism would be a superior option to take advantage of the gun’s accuracy and max range. At 100 yards, in a good stable position, I’m scoring beautiful headshots on an IPSC target.

CMMG FourSix barrel with SV Brake
The 8-inch barrel is topped with a CMMG SV Brake for even more recoil reduction.

It’s not a proper rifle round, so you won’t get the same superb accuracy out of it as a 1 MOA 5.56 rifle. However, it’s easily accurate enough for practical applications. I can quickly kill coyotes at that range with decent headshots. That spitzer-style bullet and retained velocity ensure good penetration.

The CMMG FourSix

The CMMG FourSix uses the AR platform we all know and love. In terms of changes to the gun for the 4.6x30mm, there aren’t many. First, the magazines are proprietary, but they are built in the shape and design of a standard 5.56 magazine. This allows the magazines to function in a Mil-Spec lower receiver so you can purchase a CMMG build kit and build your own FourSix.

CMMG 4.6x30mm 40-round magazine
The magazine fits Mil-Spec AR 15 lowers and magazine pouches.

Additionally, these magazines fit AR 15 magazine pouches without issue. This opens up your ability to carry spares with ease. The CMMG 4.6x30mm magazines hold 40 rounds of 4.6x30mm and interact without issue with your last round bolt hold open.

CMMG FourSix and magazine
The magazine design is smart and gives you 40 rounds of 4.6x30mm.

The gun utilizes an 8-inch barrel, which taps out the velocity of the 4.6x30mm round. At the end of that barrel sits a CMMG SV brake. The FourSix comes with an M-LOK handguard, a CMMG/SB Tactical RipBrace and tube, as well as a Magpul pistol grip. The ergonomics are standard AR-15 with an ambidextrous safety and massive charging handle.

CMMG FourSix
CMMG makes the gun available in a variety of cerakote finishes.

Like any CMMG AR, the FourSix is exceptionally well made. The receiver fit is tight, the castle nut is staked, and the handguard isn’t moving. Also, it uses the standard direct impingement system like every other rifle caliber AR-15.

CMMG FourSix ambidextrous safety and charging handle
The controls include an ambidextrous safety and charging handle.

The use of CMMG’s new micro length gas system and micro gas block make the FourSix a fascinating design that doesn’t require a blowback action. The FourSix is super lightweight at only five pounds and six ounces.

Using 4.6 for Home Defense

Is the CMMG FourSix the best choice for home defense? Best is relative, and I’d say a 5.56 rifle is likely best for most people. However, if you are a petite person, someone with strength issues, or disabled, I’m more likely to recommend the 4.6x30mm to the 5.56 or even the 9mm. If you don’t plan to train, the 4.6x30mm is also quite handy.

Travis Pike shooting the CMMG FourSix
Shooting with speed is easy and my sub-1.5-second failure to stop drill proves it.

At the range, the gun barely even moved between shots. I started firing combating drills like failure to stop, box drills, and the VTAC 1-5 drill. The gun barely moves between shots. It handles like a loud 22 LR, to be honest. I could shoot blazingly fast and accurately. With the light recoil, my double-taps were nearly on top of each other.

CMMG FourSix AR-15 chambered in 4.6x30mm
Anyone can shoot the 4.6x30mm due to its light recoil and non-existant muzzle rise.

For failure to stop drills, I was scoring below 1.5 seconds at 15 yards. I dropped rounds directly into the -0 of the head and chest of my targets. The super-light recoil and the non-existent muzzle rise make it very easy to control. The fact the gun is light and short also helps keep things sweet and easy to control. I can dump long strings of fire into the target with the gun barely moving.

Ballistic Capability

I might need that because, ultimately, the 4.6x30mm doesn’t have the energy of a 5.56, and expansion isn’t nearly as good as a 9mm. The main advantage is good penetration and the fact the round tumbles. The 4.6x30mm penetrates deep enough to kill but relies a lot on shot placement and lots of rounds. The 40 round magazines and easy-to-control design make it easy to put several rounds into an attacker with absolute ease.

FourSix 50-yard target group
At 50 yards the accuracy was impressive enough for repeated headshots.

I fired the 9mm Banshee side by side with the 4.6x30mm FourSix Banshee, and the difference in recoil is night and day. The 4.6x30mm delivers much lower recoil and gives me 40 angry little bees in the magazine. Handling the FourSix with a single hand shows a serious advantage to the 4.6x30mm in terms of control and accuracy.

CMMG FourSix with a red dot sight
The FourSix works fine with a red dot, but a magnified optic wouldn’t be out of line.

The Navy SEALs, specifically DevGru guys, use the MP7 with the 4.6x30mm round and have put lots of bad guys in the ground. They went on the bin Laden raid and have turned lots of terrorists into good terrorists. According to the limited information on DevGru post-ops, it seems like more is better with the MP7. They often dump a controlled burst into the bad guy.

Shooting the FourSix from a kneeling position
With a well-supported position headshots at 50 yards are possible.

Does that mean it’s necessary? Well, maybe. But to be fair, if someone is worth shooting once, they are worth shooting over and over. You don’t shoot once, pause, and make sure the bad guy is still a bad guy. You can shoot a half dozen rounds in a second, which might be pretty tempting in a violent encounter.

Penetration Concerns

The big advantage of the 5.56 round is the fact that it tends to tumble and lose energy quickly through drywall. Buckshot and 9mm tend to keep popping through, but 5.56 tumbles. 4.6x30mm, in theory, should do the same. The little 4.6x30mm should strike, tumble, lose energy and help prevent overpenetration. The best way to prevent over-penetration is not to miss, and the CMMG FourSix makes that easy, but crap happens.

Travis Pike with CMMG FourSix Banshee
CMMG brings the PDW home.

Call me a fan. I hope the CMMG FourSix becomes a success and more and more companies produce 4.6x30mm firearms. I want to see the price drop for ammunition, and I think the 4.6x30mm could be a great round, in short, PDW-type platforms. The CMMG FourSix will certainly help the 4.6’s case as a fantastic firearm.

Does the 4.6x30mm appeal to you? Yes? No? Let us know below what you think.

 

CategoriesGun Reviews

Shootout! Four of the Best Bullpup Shotguns and CQB

Bullpup shotguns used to be a rather weird, niche type of shotgun that would pop up and then fade away. Mossberg made a bullpup 500 series gun, High Standard had the Model 10, but then KelTec came along with the KSG. When the KSG came around, something clicked, and the concept became much more accepted. As a shotgun nerd, I’ve experimented with a variety of bullpup shotguns, and today we are doing a bullpup shotgun shootout with four of the best bullpup shotguns on the market.

Bullpup Shotguns — Why?

Bullpup shotguns make a lot of sense. Shotguns are close-quarters weapons that excel in bad breath ranges. In CQB, the smaller your weapon, the more maneuverable it is and the easier it is to use. With shotguns, you can see two routes to get a short shotgun. First, get a tax stamp, trim the barrel down a bit at the cost of ammo capacity, and call it a day.

Bullpup Shotguns keep things short and powerful.

That’s one way, but bullpup shotguns are the other. They shrink the platform to short barrel shotgun levels without the need for a tax stamp and without the need to trim ammo capacity. In fact, three of the four bullpup shotguns on this list have expanded capacity compared to most shotguns. These shotguns are shrunk to SBS levels but don’t require a tax stamp.

Into the Breach

So today, we have four of what I think are the best bullpup shotguns currently on the market. We are looking at the KelTec KS7, the Smith and Wesson M&P 12, the IWI TS 12, and the SRM 1216. We have two pump actions and two semi-autos with capacity varying from 7 to 16 rounds.

KelTec KS7, the Smith and Wesson M&P 12, the IWI TS 12, and the SRM 1216
These 12 gauge blasters keep things short and sweet.

Unlike bullpup rifles, which tend to follow a similar layout, bullpup shotguns are all over the place in design and function. This makes them rather fascinating, and it feels like bullpup shotguns are at a phase where experimenting and the market will drive what becomes the best overall model that will drive the market in the future. So without further ado, let’s get down to our bullpup shotgun shootout.

1. KelTec KS7

The wee little KS7 is a descendant from the KSG and simplifies the design rather nicely. This single tube gun holds seven rounds and presents a very affordable bullpup blaster. This is about as close to a regular shotgun as you get on this list. The KS7 is super lightweight and shorter than a Mossberg Shockwave, yet you get a stock, seven rounds, and a weird but efficient mounting system for accessories.

KelTec KS7
The KS7 keeps things simple…and affordable

Bullpup shotguns are rarely this simple, but the KS7 is a nice break from more complicated guns. Simply load the tube, rack the pump, and you’re set. The controls are ambidextrous, and ejection is done through the bottom of the gun, ensuring both righties and lefties get their day in the sun.

KelTec KS7 chamber
Bottom feeding makes it tough to load quickly, but makes it ambidextrous.

Bullpup shotguns, much like bullpup rifles, are often slow and awkward to reload. That is an issue here with the loading port in front of your armpit. It’s slow to reload and awkward to reload while on target. However, the little 5.9-pound shotgun handles well and is so damn short it’s easy to use in a phone booth.

Pros
Extremely Lightweight
Extremely Short
Holds 7 Rounds
Downright Affordable

Cons
Awkward to reload
No stock optics options

2. S&W M&P 12

Of all the bullpup shotguns, the M&P 12 surprised me the most. First, Smith and Wesson isn’t a shotgun company. Second, this is an odd shotgun to make. This is a pump-action, dual tube design with a bullpup layout. The M&P 12 holds fourteen 2.75 inch shells, and that’s a ton of lead for a shotgun.

S&W M&P 12
Shotgun go BOOM!

The barrel is 19 inches long, but the overall length is only 27.8 inches total. It’s a super short design that took the KSG’s initial idea and then refined it into a much more ergonomic shotgun. The M&P 12’s tube selector is mounted on the pump, and the controls are ambidextrous, an optics mount and M-LOK rail are also included. It’s a well-built shotgun that’s filled to gills with ammo.

S&W M&P 12 bullpup shotgun
I love the Cyberpunk appeal.

The weapon feeds and ejects from the bottom, making it quite handy for lefties. While it’s short, the M&P bullpup shotguns are quite hefty when fully loaded and weigh over ten pounds. S&W solved a problem if the weapon jams by making the ejection port expand at will to dump jammed shells.

Pros
Optics/Accessory ready
Short and CQB ready
14 rounds with mini shell compatibility
Awesome ergonomics.

Cons
Long Length of Pull
Heavy

3. IWI TS12

The IWI TS 12 produced a concept I fell in love with at first sight. As far as bullpup shotguns go, this one shocked me with how cool the design is. IWI utilizes three rotating tube magazines that each hold five rounds. The total capacity of this weapon is 15 rounds of 2.75-inch shells. The shell release is located in the trigger guard and makes rotating tubes fast and easy.

IWI TS 12 bullpup shotgun
The new Hebrew Hammer

The IWI TS 12 is also semi-automatic and uses a gas operating system for the utmost reliability. The gas operating system also helps reduce recoil significantly and makes controlling the weapon very easy. The IWI TS 12 is only 28.34 inches long with an 18.5-inch barrel, making it extremely efficient.

IWI TS 12 tube magazines
Three five-round tubes give you 15 rounds total.

The IWI TS 12 can be loaded like a normal shotgun with loading ports on the left and right side. You can very easily continually load the gun like a normal shotgun and keep the gun running. The downside of the gun is that it tends to be ammo picky, with a requirement for ammunition loaded to 1 1/8th of an ounce at least 1,200 FPS. My first TS 12 was unreliable, but IWI seems to have figured it out in the later generations.

Pros
Soft recoiling
Semi-auto
15 rounds
Easy to load

Cons
Ammo Picky
Must be sold/set up for left-handed use at the factory.

4. SRM 1216

This is a quasi bullpup shotgun, but I’m including it on my list of bullpup shotguns. The SRM 1216 utilizes a unique feeding system that predates the IWI TS 12 but also uses rotating tubes. This shotgun utilizes four rotating tubes that hold a total of sixteen 2.75 inch 12 gauge shells. These tubes also rotate in both directions, and when a loaded tube meets the empty chamber, the weapon automatically loads the round and closes the bolt.

SRM 1216
See that big tab beneath the barrel? That releases the magazine.

Those four tubes combined are also a removable magazine that makes quick reloads a reality. The SRM 1216 reloads faster than any other shotgun on this list and gives you an immediate 16 rounds on tap. The SRM 1216 utilizes a roller delayed blowback system that makes it easy to fly through those 16 rounds.

Shooting the SRM 1216 - reliability is outstanding.
Reliability was outstanding.

The controls are ambidextrous, and users can swap the ejection port and charging handle to accommodate righties or lefties. This isn’t super simple, but it can be done by users at home with some simple tools. The SRM 1216 is a blast to shoot, and I mean that literally and figuratively, and is my personal favorite of all these bullpup shotguns.

Pros
Removable tubular magazine
16 round capacity
Reliable semi-auto action
Ambidextrous layout and setup

Cons
Extra magazines are expensive.

Bullpup Shotguns and You

Who doesn’t love a good shotgun? Who doesn’t love bullpups? Combine the two, and you get a shotgun concept that makes a lot of sense. It’s short and easy to maneuver inside a building, which makes them well suited for defensive use. Of course, you need to load them up with Federal Flitecontrol as well.

Which one is for you? Well, hell, I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me below which you prefer? Let us know why as well.

 

CategoriesGun Reviews

Forgotten Weapons: MP7 A1 versus MP7 A2

Heckler and Koch is well known for their high-quality firearms, and their PDWs (Personal Defense Weapons) are no different. In this video review, Ian of Forgotten Weapons discusses the HK MP7 — specifically, the MP7A1 and MP7A2 — going over their various features and, of course, their history. If you’re into gun history, there’s no YouTube channel better than Forgotten Weapons to teach you more. And even if you aren’t into it, you’ll be into this, because HK PDWs are awesome.

HK PDW love with Forgotten Weapons. (Photo credit: Forgotten Weapons)

How Does the MP7 Work?

One of the things Ian gets into right away is how the HK MP7 compares to other military chamberings:

“Let’s dive into how exactly the MP7 works, because its significantly more complex than FN’s P90 [which is a select-fire PDW carbine designed in the 1980s, chambered in 5.7x28mm, with a 50-round capacity].

“…let’s start with a cartridge comparison. There’s our magazine, and…a 5.56 NATO cartridge. Here’s the 4.6x30mm HK cartridge [which the MP7 is chambered in]. …ballistically, there are a number of different loadings for it, but it is essentially 31 grains of bullet — typically armor-piercing bullet because that’s what it was designed for — traveling at about 2350 to maybe 2400 feet per second, depending on the loading. I will point out, for the sake of comparison…FN’s 5.7x28mm cartridge…[has] virtually identical ballistics on paper — 31 grain bullet at 2350 feet per second. …they are not identical, because they do have different performance, largely because of the different bullet diameters and construction. …they are [also] both substantially smaller than the 5.56 NATO.”

So, how does it compare to the FN P90?

Ian states “One of the things that I find really interesting is the P90 is kind of a study in unorthodox design decisions, and the MP7 is exactly the opposite. [The MP7] is a really clever engineering attempt and success at taking all of the existing orthodoxy of firearms controls and design, and shrinking them into a very compact, very lightweight, and controllable package. So when it comes to the controls [of the MP7] this all duplicates exactly what we’re used to seeing on typical…military firearms. …the P90 is almost all very unusual controls.”

Interested in learning more about the MP7? Check out the video below:

 

HK MP7 Key Features

  • Lightweight
  • Highly portable
  • Easy to maneuver in close quarters
  • Somewhat concealable
  • Reliable
  • Ambidextrous controls
  • Standard military firearms features and design
  • Accurate
  • Can be carried in a drop leg holster
  • Folding aperture sights
modern HK PDW
A look at the internal workings of a modern HK PDW. (Photo credit: Forgotten Weapons)

Heckler and Koch list the following information on their website about this PDW:

“The MP7 is extremely compact, lightweight, can be used in very confined spaces, and is practically recoil-free. It can be carried continuously, making it the ideal personal weapon for the soldier of today. Those who carry it will be suitably armed for the broadest range of operations.

Comparing the calibres, the penetration and terminal effects of the 4.6 mm x 30 cartridge are several times those of the standardised 9 mm x 19 cartridge. By way of illustration: The new high-performance calibre penetrates the NATO CRISAT TARGET (1.6 mm titanium and 20 layers of kevlar) even at 200 m. One fundamental requirement: At the same time, the risk of overpenetration is reduced to a minimum.”

Manufacturer: Heckler and Koch

Model: MP7A1

Caliber 4.6 mm x 30
Operating principle Gas-operated
Magazine capacity 20/30/40 rounds
Modes of fire 0-1-D
Rate of fire approx. 950/min
Sights M
Buttstock R
Dimensions
Length min./max. approx. 415/638 mm
Width approx. 51.0 mm
Height approx. 169.0 mm
Barrel length approx. 180 mm
Sight radius approx. 230.0 mm
Weight
Weapon approx. 1.90 kg
Magazine approx. 0.10/0.15/0.20 kg
Other Data
Color scheme Black/Green Brown

It’s impossible to deny this is a cool gun.

Do you have a PDW? Tell us about it in the comments below.

CategoriesGun Reviews

Merrell Tactical Boots — MOAB 2

Today we’ll take a look at the MOAB 2 Tactical Boot offering from Merrell Boots. Merrell has been making popular boots and shoes for a number of
years, and many people swear by them. I’ve been a long-time customer.

I have worn this pair almost daily for over a year. They are well worn, but still have life left (although they are no longer waterproof).

For the past several years, I’ve been using these Merrell tactical boots, so I feel very confident in being able to give an accurate review of them.

Key Features

• Waterproof membrane
• Rubberized mesh ankle upper for support
• Heavy-duty YKK side zipper
• Breathable mesh lining
• Removable insole
• Air cushion in the heel to absorb shock
• Vibram TC5 rubber sole
• Weight is two pounds, 11 ounces per pair

At the time of this writing, there are two colors available: black and tan. The boots I’ve bought over the years have been of the tan persuasion.

Let’s start with the good points first.

Comfort!

These are extremely, super, exceedingly, superlatively comfortable boots! It’s like they hug the feet and ankles in padded bliss, protecting them nicely. I wore them when I worked in a sawmill, which was a particularly unforgiving environment where plenty of opportunities existed to bang my ankles against lumber, boards, and such. These boots protected my feet very well. For comfort, they get a 10 out of 10.

Top view of Merrell MOAB 2 tactical boots
These might be the most comfortable boots that the author has worn. Lots of padding in the uppers. The thick, padded tongue also contributes to the comfort level.

Weight

The MOAB Tactical boots are light on the feet, despite being 8-inch uppers. As mentioned, they are two pounds, 11 ounces for the pair. That’s pretty
lightweight! As such, they don’t wear you out as if you were dragging around bricks on your feet. When hiking or taking long walks, this really means a lot. For being lightweight, they get a 10 out of 10.

Appearance

These boots simply look cool, and there’s no other way to put it. Merrell just did a smashing job designing these things to look…well, tactical! They’re constructed in an interesting way, and you can see from the photos that they have interesting architecture. This is, naturally, easier to see in the tan models, since the black color kind of hides the features. Because tan is lighter and allows more light to be reflected, you can just see it better. Cool factor: 10 out of 10!

Marrell MOAB tactical boot in tan
They just look cool!

Traction

For gripping various surfaces, they work very well. Dirt, grass, rocks, wet floors, the Vibram soles grip it all fairly well. I’ve not yet been in a situation where the gripping quality of these boots failed, though the closest that would have been was on slippery, wet floors. Nevertheless, these boots do about as well as any other boots. 10 out of 10 in this department.

tactical boot tread
Aggressive tread helps them grab any terrain!

Price

At the time of this writing, these boots retail for around $150, which is pretty much in line with many other brands and models that are similar. They represent a decent value for the money.

Side Zipper

Initially, I did not view the zipper on the side of the boot’s upper as an advantage, figuring it was just one more thing to break. I was mistaken. Of the several pairs of Merrell Tactical boots I’ve had, not one zipper has failed. On the contrary, the zippers make it easier and faster to get the boots on and off, which is a big plus.

Merrell Tactical boot side zipper.
Merrell Tactical boots have a durable zipper that makes Taking them off and on easier.

What I didn’t care for

Durability

This is the only area that I’m not completely satisfied with the Merrells. They hold up reasonably well, although my chief complaint is that they lose their waterproof quality after several months. It just goes away. This is very irritating when I’m working in the rain or fording a low creek, and I see no reason why Merrell cannot rectify this issue. Plenty of other boot makers make boots that stay waterproof for years.

Merrell does offer a one year warranty on their boots, but if you intend to cash in on that, you will need your original sales receipt. And who keeps the sales receipt for their boots? Not me. So when I contacted them this time around, they refused to replace my boots. In the past, a receipt was not needed, and they did replace a pair that I had this issue with, but apparently that is no longer the protocol.

Yes, I’ve had this very same issue with a few other pairs of their tactical boots, so it is not a fluke. It’s the order of the day for these boots.

Aside from that, the stitching around the toes will also let go after a while. If they would make that stitching more durable, it would be swell.

tactical boot weakpoint, stitching at the toe
One weak point is the stitching near the toe.

Now I don’t mean to imply that these boots self-destruct after two months of wear; they do not. You can count on a good year of wear for them, unless you are in the wilderness beating the hell out of them (not normally my protocol).

For durability, I give these boots a 7 out of 10. Could be better, could be worse.

Would I buy again?

So, given that complaint, would I purchase another pair of the Merrell MOAB 2 tactical boots?

Yes. The comfort level is just really off the charts and I love how they look. I can live with buying a pair every year or so. Next time, I’ll save my receipt.

Overall, the light weight also adds to the comfort in a big way, which is another factor in my continuing to buy them. Give them a try, I think when you slip your feet into these boots, you will have a smile on your face. 

 

CategoriesGun Reviews

Fix It Sticks AR-15 Maintenance Kit

Fix It Sticks have been around for several years now. The company started off in the cycling industry and then branched into firearms. If you are not aware, these two industries typically don’t have much bleed over. They are basically cats and dogs. Once, I asked a question about a product that I was going to purchase for an article in another publication that has guns in it on occasion, and was met with very anti-gun sentiment. So it’s awesome that a company that deals in both industries is flourishing—on both sides.  Fix It Sticks has said that the firearms community is their larger customer though, so let’s talk about one of their very useful products.

Fix It Sticks AR-15 Maintenance Kit

The AR-15 Maintenance Kit consists of a pile of useful tools in a compact case that takes up to no space in your pack. This is not a builders kit, but it has pretty much everything you need to maintain your rifle, and attach or remove accessories.

The case of the Fix It Sticks AR-15 Maintenance Kit has PALS webbing on the back and a Velcro patch on the front.
Fixit Sticks AR-15 maintenance kit
The Fixit Sticks AR-15 Maintenance Kit is a nearly fully-featured maintenance kit that easily fits in your bag.

We say pretty much everything because it is missing a cleaning kit for your chamber and barrel and a torque driver. It does have some pretty handy cleaning bits in it that not all cleaning kits come with that can save you some time and frustration.

Fix It Sticks AR-15 maintenance kit - stick
The Fix It Sticks Stick has the perfect reach for getting into those annoying areas like inside your grip.

The Cleaning Bits

cleaning rod with gun cleaning tip
The two cleaning rod sections that come with the kit attach to the hex bit in the kit allowing you to screw on your favorite cleaning tip.

To clean your AR-15 or rifle that has a similar bolt you have a few items in your Maintenance Kit arsenal: two short sections of cleaning rods along with an area to add any screw-on brushes in between all the bits in the kit. You get a nylon brush that you can either use in the Sticks using the magnetic 1/4″ socket or screw it onto the cleaning rods if you really need to scrub.

nylon bristle brush
Everyone should really use a nylon bristle brush instead of steel when working on their rifles. It’s far safer for the finish.

The kit comes with a bronze carbon scraper that, much like the brush, attaches to the cleaning rods.

Fix It Sticks bronze scraper
The bronze scraper is perfect for the hard-to-get carbon and since it is softer than the steel of your bolt shouldn’t do any damage to it.

You can also take apart the 1/4″ bit adapter revealing an 8-32 thread since bronze is not magnetic if you want to attach it to the Sticks. You get a dental pick that much like the others can attach to both and it’s great for getting to the hard-to-reach areas. Last but not least is the bolt carrier group scraper which helps clean off all that nasty baked-on carbon because you never clean your gun your dirty person.

bolt carrier group scraper
Everyone knows the radius section at the back of the bolt can really collect carbon. This little bit makes cleaning it a breeze.

The Maintenance Stuff

castle nut wrench
The castle nut wrench in the kit does a great job for most things with a castle nut. You may need a beefier one if things are really stuck but you won’t have that with you out in the woods or at the range.

We build a lot of guns here. We mean, a lot, like some of the guns we have built cost more than the cars we drive. So good tools certainly matter to us.

The Sticks in the AR-15 Kit are the original version of their T-wrench. It consists of two silver Sticks that take a 1/4″ bit at either end and have a slot in the center. The bit adapter we talked about earlier is used to join them together into a T-Wrench or make them one long tool to get a bit of leverage when using the next tool.

The castle nut wrench is something everyone who uses an AR-15 should have on them. A properly staked castle nut should not come loose. When they do it can cause you some issues at the range. Why not have a tool for those just in case scenarios? We actually used it recently on our Maple Ridge Armory Renegade (more on that later) build when swapping from a carbine buffer tube to an A2 one when attaching the Magpul PRS and it easily broke the torque.

The T-Handle of the sticks provides just the right amount of force for pulling screws that you used Loctite on.

If you have an A2-style front sight post it comes with a fancy bit for adjusting it up and down for elevation. The kit comes with two pin punches: a plastic non-marring one and a thin steel punch. Along with all these tools, you get 12x 1/4″ screwdriver bits ranging from hex to Torx, along with Philips and common. These bits should cover just about any situation that comes up when installing parts and accessories.

Fix It Sticks bits in AR-15 maintenance kit
Some of the random bits along with the Sticks that come in the kit.

The Pouch

The Kit comes with well built MOLLE compatible pouch that comes in a multitude of colors—as long as you’re looking for black. The outside of the pouch has a 5″x3″ velcro section on it to attach patches or a name tag. We used it for the Fix It Sticks Magnetic Patch. There are certain small parts like the firing pin retaining pin that you just don’t want to sacrifice to the floor gods. With the magnetic patch, you can pop these small parts onto it and not worry about them migrating away.

Fix It Sticks magnetic pouch
The magnetic patch is perfect for keeping a grip on the small metal parts that you wouldn’t want to lose while doing emergency maintenance.

The pouch has two zippers with zipper pulls on them. If you want to quickly open the pouch put both the zippers on the top with a small gap. You can grasp the front and back and rip the clamshell pouch open.

Inside is a rubber bit holder that, as we said above, holds 1/4″ bits along with cleaning rod items like brushes in the center. The backside of the interior has three elastic loops, two of which hold the Sticks. The front side of the interior has an elastic mesh pouch with five elastic loops behind it for any other loose items you want to toss in the kit.

Fix It Sticks makes a ton of additional accessories.

If there are parts of the kit that you just don’t use and others you would prefer like say a bit for the front sight of a Glock or an Aimpoint sight adjustment tool your good. We will be going through our kit over the next little while and seeing what all we want to swap out as we just don’t need all of those bits in our range bag.

They do make a more generalized kit that would be great for building different firearms and attaching accessories since it includes a bunch of torque limiters. This kit would be great for mounting scopes although we would likely toss in their Scope Jack or an Arisaka Optic Leveler. If you have a Spuhr ISMS Scope Mount though you can just toss the wedge in your kit since it has a built-in leveling wedge.

CategoriesGun Reviews

Radian Weapons Model 1 Review with Kit Badger

If you’re interested in AR-style rifles, you’ve probably heard of Radian Weapons (and if you hadn’t, you have now). Radian is known for producing good-quality firearms with fantastic attention to detail and their Radian Model 1 proves they’re delivering as promised. In this video review, Ivan of Kit Badger runs through a hands-on review of this rifle. 

Ivan of Kit Badger covers the general features and performance of the Radian Model 1 rifle so you get an idea of what to expect if you’re considering adding one to your gun collection.

What are the Features of the Radian Model 1?

The rifle Ivan reviews in this video is the Model 1 with a 17.5-inch barrel. Radian markets it as their intermediate-length rifle but it would also be accurate to refer to it as carbine-length since it’s under 18-inches. The rifle is chambered in the popular 5.56 NATO round and has an eye-catching flat dark earth finish. Ivan describes some of his favorite features at some length:

“There is a QD endplate with a stainless steel insert, so it [won’t get] chewed up or come out like some of the aluminum ones. …of course, the castle nut is properly staked, which is a good thing. [It has] super clean billet lines going forward and…you get into their proprietary handguard. The barrel nut is incredibly strong; [it is a] really strong, rigid handguard, which is good…especially if you end up mounting stuff like lasers to it.”

Check out the video below to find out what else Ivan liked about the Radian Model 1 and how it performed on the range:

 

Specifications

  • Designed & manufactured in the USA
  • Upper receiver, lower receiver, and handguard Cerakoted together for perfect color match
  • Weight: 6.0 – 8.0 lbs depending on configuration

Upper Receiver Specifications

  • Sub-MOA Accuracy guarantee w/ Black Hills Match Grade ammunition
  • Billet machined 7075-T6 upper receiver w/ M4 feed ramps
  • Proprietary extended aluminum handguard w/ Magpul M-LOK Modular Mounting System and integrated upper/handguard stainless steel anti-rotation pin
  • Match Grade 416R stainless steel barrel w/ polished crown and feed ramps, chambered in .223 Wylde/5.56 NATO or 300 BLK, threaded ½ x 28 (.223) or 5/8 x 24 (300 BLK)
  • Enhanced Black Nitride M16 bolt carrier group
  • Lightweight forward assist
  • Radian Raptor-SD Suppressor-Optimized ambidextrous charging handle
  • Direct impingement gas system
  • 9” 300 BLK: pistol-gength
  • 10.5” 5.56: carbine-length
  • 14.5” & 16″ 5.56: mid-length
  • 17.5” 5.56: intermediate-length
  • SilencerCo ASR Flash Hider/Suppressor Mount or Dead Air Flash Hider/Muzzle Brake

Lower Receiver Specifications

  • Billet machined 7075-T6 lower receiver w/ integral trigger guard and flared magazine well
  • A-DAC Ambidextrous Dual-Action Control right side bolt hold open feature
  • Ambidextrous right & left side magazine and bolt release buttons
  • Radian Talon Modular Ambidextrous 45°/90° safety selector
  • Radian Vertex trigger
  • 6-Position Milspec receiver extension w/ QD end plate and an H2 carbine buffer
  • Magpul pistol grip and collapsible stock (SBA3 Brace for Model 1 Pistol Variants), USGI 30 Round Magazine
Radian Model 1
Getting up close and personal is the best way to review rifles. (Photo credit: Kit Badger)

What’s the Bottom Line?

Overall, the Radian Model 1 17.5-inch in 5.56 NATO looks like a well-made, reliable rifle that’s capable of fantastic accuracy. It’s always nice to see such precise machining and attention to detail on a gun, and who doesn’t love sub-MOA?

Do you have a Radian Weapons rifle? Do you want one? Tell us about it in the comments below.

CategoriesGun Reviews

1911 Syndicate Reviews the Glock 48

Inevitably, we all know someone who is Team Glock or Team 1911, or whichever team you’re on. But what happens when a self-proclaimed Team 1911 guy gets a brand-new Glock 48 to test and shoot? Enter 1911 Syndicate and his review of a straight out of the box Glock 48.

What happens when a 1911 guy reviews a Glock 48?

His review might surprise you.

 

Admittedly, Jake Dwyer over at the 1911 Syndicate would rather shoot 1911 any day over a Glock. While he doesn’t hate Glock, per se, he certainly isn’t a Glock fanboy. Before they shot the video, he had never shot a Glock 48. His reaction? While saying it pained him to say so, he says that it is really, really not bad and nice to shoot.

Key Takeaways from the Review

1. The Glock 48 has a softer recoil than a Glock 43.
2. It has a larger frame and slide than a 43.
3. It’s a single stack vs. the double stack in the Glock 19.

Jake went on to say that that recoil on the Glock 48 was a lot softer than the smaller Glock 43, by a lot. Based on his initial reactions, the Glock 48 wasn’t that bad. For him, shooting the Glock 48 was very similar to shooting the Glock 19 and that was a good thing.

1911 Syndicate comparing a Glock 48 and Glock 19.
While both Glock models are 9mm, the 48 is essentially a single stack Glock 19.

When compared to the 43, the 48 is definitely bigger. It has a higher capacity magazine (10+1 for those wondering) and a longer slide which lends itself to a longer sight radius. That last fact alone gives the 48 a leg up on the 43. The roughly ½”, by Jake’s estimation, helps give it
better accuracy with the sights.

Jake goes on to say that the price of the 48 is pretty low, in the low $400 range, making it a screaming deal. The one thing he is not a fan of (besides using speed loaders — don’t get him started on that) is the plastic factory sights. In his opinion, they need to be replaced as soon as possible.

For hand feel, the 48 is only slightly larger than the 43 and feels a lot like the Glock 19. Which, really, it should feel like that given that it’s essentially the Glock 19 frame in a single stack. The single stack helps give the 48 a great low profile that is very concealable.

shooting the Glock 48
According to Jake’s perception, the G48 shoots so much softer and better than the Glock 43. He really enjoyed shooting the gun even though he is a 1911 guy.

Jake then went on to shoot both the 43 and the 48 to show just how different the recoils are. The 43 delivers a very sharp, as he put it “nasty recoil” while the 48 is a lot softer and easier to shoot. What he doesn’t understand is the niche category that the Glock 48 fills. It’s not as small
as the 43 so if you’re going to carry a 48, why not just carry the Glock 19 and get the extra rounds.

Jake rounded out the review by going over some key aspects of the Glock 48. He said that the factory sights need to be replaced. The factory trigger has been getting better from Glock, still not awesome but it isn’t bad. Ultimately, Jake is conflicted on this gun – he says it’s cool but
why does it need to exist? It’s accurate, hits at distance, and is a good carry gun.

Want a different take on the 48? Check this one out.

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