Gun Reviews February 25, 2022February 25, 2022 Post By admin

The Real Avid Gun Tool AMP — Pistol

What’s worse than needing a specific tool and not having it? When you have the tool but it is… elsewhere. As in, not physically available to you where you need it when you need it.

Sometimes you need your gun tools when you’re out in the field or at the range. Heck, maybe you just want to make them part of your EDC because your work (or preference) demands it. That’s where Real Avid comes in with its Gun Tool AMP line. Instead of trying to come up with a solution using whatever materials may be close at hand, the Gun Tool AMP has your tools packed into a portable multi-tool configuration.

Cool, eh? The available models cover three popular platforms: the AR 15, 1911, and pistol.

The gun tool (this one is the pistol model) is configured like a multi-tool and comes in a holster. The pin punch folds out easily. And check out all of the bits stored in the interior of the holster, there are nine of them in all!

We recently obtained the model for pistols, so we’ll take a closer look at it. Before we get into the review, though, check out the video demonstration so you can see how the system works.

I used the Real Avid Gun Tool AMP to install a Tyrant Designs Magazine Extension and Extended Slide Release on my Glock 43.

The two-part system maximizes storage, function, and portability.

You wouldn’t think a multitool and holster combo with this much capability would be small enough to fit comfortably in your hand, but it does. And though it’ll add a little bulk to your belt if you decide to wear it, it isn’t enough to be cumbersome.

Real Avid Gun Tool AMP multitool in holster — The multitool nestles snug into its holster. For the capability this offers, it’s surprisingly compact.

The Multi-Tool

Real Avid Gun Tool AMP - pistol - tools deployed — I really appreciate the easy-to-deploy design of the multitool. It has a total of nine tools, including a bottle opener, knife blade, and a tap hammer for everyday tasks.

The multitool portion has stainless steel tools including:

2.6″ Wharncliffe knife blade
Laser/sight trigger adjustment Hex keys (.028″, .035″, .050″, and 1/6″)
2.5mm (3/32″) pin punch
Tap hammer
Flat carbon scraper for deeper cleaning
Metal file
Bottle opener
Angled pick to help access those hard-to-reach places in the pistol slide and frame
Nut wrenches (4mm, 5mm, 1/4″, and 5/16″)

The tools either have a black oxide finish or are made of titanium.

The Holster

Real Avid incorporated so much into this holster, I find it to be quite impressive. The belt clip is big enough to be used on wider belts and it’s also MOLLE compatible. And then, there’s the magnetic bit storage, multiple bit options, and the lever system to keep it all secure until you’re ready to use it.

Real Avid Gun Tool AMO pistol holster with deployed bit driver — The interior of the holster has a magnetic storage space with a nine-function bit set. The bit driver folds out for use.

The bit set includes common bits and screwdriver heads:

5/64″ Hex
3/32″ Hex
7/64″ Hex
T15
#1 Phillips
1/8″ Flat
3/16″ Flat
1/4″ Flat
9mm Flat

Real Avid Gun Tool Molle Compatible Clip — The belt clip *can* be worn on your belt, but it’s also MOLLE compatible. At over two and a half inches wide, it will accommodate multiple belt sizes. I’ve had some gear that came with holsters that only had a one-inch allowance for the belt strap, making them less likely to be used. It’s been an irritation to me so I thought this feature was worth mentioning. The width of this clip is just a simple, smart feature.

Gun tool quick release lever on holster — The large red lever on the north end of the holster quickly deploys the bit driver and allows the multitool to be removed. The smaller red button on the south end allows the bit driver to fold back into the holster in its non-deployed position.

Function

As I mentioned earlier, I used the Real Avid Gun Tool AMP to install a Tyrant Designs Magazine Extension and Extended Slide Release on my Glock 43. It was easy to install both of them, though I did learn a new trick when installing the slide release.

Glock 43 field stripped to add Tyrant Designs extended slide release — Switching the factory slide release out for the Tyrant Designs extended version was easy using the punch.

At first, it seemed like I need to pound the slide release pin with the punch to get it out, but I really didn’t want to use too much force for fear I might damage the gun, the pin, or even my fingers. I asked a buddy about it and he sent me this video showing how to remove it without using too much force.

Basically, if you press down on the spring that is pushing up on the slide release while pushing on the spring, you can use a punch and push it out. No hammer (or roll of tape as a platform) is required!

Field stripped Glock 43 with Tyrant Designs extended slide release installed. — My Glock 43 with the extended slide release installed.

My Glock 43, ready for the range with the extended slide release and magazine extension. — My Glock 43 is ready for the range with the extended slide release and magazine extension.

So after I made these modifications to my Glock, I took it to the range to try it out. Of course, I was glad to have the mag extension in place, because…more rounds is more better, right? But I was especially eager to see how the extended slide release would be, since I’ve only used the Glock with the one from the factory.

I was very pleasantly surprised. With the factory slide release, it was a little difficult (for me) to press it in when I wanted to field strip the gun. The extended slide release stands out and adds just enough surface area and texture to give my thumb a little more leverage, thus making the process easier to do since my thumb is way less likely to slip during the process. And that’s the whole point, right?