Jerking the Trigger

Review: Midwest Industries One Piece FF Gen -2 SS-Series Rail

May 21, 2013 – 7:44 am

The Midwest Industries One Piece FF Gen -2 SS-Series Rail (MI Gen-2 SS Rail) is part of the current crop of slim, lightweight, slick-sided free float rails. Many of these free float rails are so similar that, at first glance, it can be difficult to differentiate one from the other. That appears to be the case with the MI Gen-2 SS Rail until you take a look at its specification. Two specs in particular make your eyes pop out of your head – 9.3 ounces and 1.5 inches – the weight and the width. Does that have your attention? It certainly captured mine.

The MI Gen-2 SS Rail is available in several lengths (7”, 9”, 10”, 12”, and 15”). This review will deal with the 12” version though the features are identical across the entire line.

Overview

The MI Gen-2 SS Rail is a slim, lightweight, slick-sided free float tube. It features a continuous top rail across its entire length and the ability to attach accessories like rails or hand guard covers in multiple locations along its circumference. This design strategy reduces weight by allowing the end user to determine where rails are necessary. It also reduces the circumference of the rail allowing the end user to grip it more aggressively. It comes with 3 2.5” accessory rails (1 includes a QD sling swivel socket).

Midwest Industries was particularly successful with this strategy since they have reduced the weight of the rail to just 9.3 ounces (including the barrel nut) and the outside diameter to just 1.5” (excluding the top rail). That makes it one of the lightest free float tubes on the market and the slimmest one that I am aware that has an integral top rail.

The MI Gen-2 SS Rail are made from 6061 aluminum and hard anodized for durability. They utilize a proprietary barrel nut to mount the tube to the upper receiver. The tube attaches to the barrel nut with a friction fit via 2 large hex screws. The barrel nut is checkered to enhance this friction fit.

Observations from Use

You have probably gathered by now that the MI Gen-2 SS Rail is very lightweight and very slim. Until you try one of these rails, those are really just numbers on a screen. The lightweight and slim design actually translates to functionality in use. For instance, I typically like to use a vertical grip on a traditional 4 rail free float tube. However, with the MI Gen-2 SS Rail, I don’t need one because I can wrap my hand around the rail and pull the carbine back into my shoulder aggressively to control recoil. That saves additional weight. The rail is so slim that I can wrap my hand around it and touch my thumb and index finger (or any other finger).

It is easy to put the weight of the MI Gen-2 SS Rail in perspective. It weighs just 9.3 ounces including the barrel nut (before adding any accessory rails). That is the exact same weight as a standard polymer M4 hand guard with double heat shields. So, for the same 9.3 ounces, you can have a cramped polymer hand guard with no light or sling mounting options or a 12” extended rail. The MI Gen-2 SS Rail delivers a lot of functionality per ounce.

There are a host of accessories already available for these rails. Midwest Industries supports them with direct connect handstops, additional rail sections, and hand guard panels. I find the hand guard panels with an integrated handstop to be a great value. Impact Weapons Components also makes several items in their MOUNT-N-SLOT line that work (use discount code “triggerjerk” for a discount at IWC). The 1.75” diameter mounts seem to work fine despite the slight difference in diameter. There are so many accessories available for these that you can attach everything you need without having to use an accessory rail which saves even more weight.

I have 2 of these MI Gen-2 SS Rails and they have held up very well to use. The hard anodizing seems to hold up well. It often looks scratched but usually the “scratch” is just a scuff that wipes off easily. I have been able to put some honest to goodness scratches on them but that will happen when you are doing things like shooting on barricades and, you know, actually using your gear. The attachment system has been durable enough that, so far, I have had no issues with loosening, wobble, breakage, and anything else that you might be worried about.

Rails like these have a lot of application for the civilian gun owner (or anyone else). Their small diameter and light weight make them perfect for all you guys who like to build carbines “for your wife.” While the fairer sex often prefers lighter weight carbines, you should, too. That is especially true when rails like the MI Gen-2 SS Rail reduce weight while still maintaining (or even adding) functionality and great durability. Why wouldn’t you want a lighter gun if it was just as functional as a heavier one? The ladies (and delicate handed bloggers) will also appreciate that Midwest Industries does a good job of breaking the edges on the MI Gen-2 SS Rails so they don’t have the cheese grater feel that many similar products have.

Wrap Up

I really like these rails. Not only are they lightweight, slim, and durable, they are also a good value. None of the MI Gen-2 SS Rail models cost more than $190 and in most cases they cost much less than that. If you are going to drop the coin for a free float rail, you would be hard pressed to find a better value than these.

Check out the 12” Gen-2 SS Rails and 15” Gen-2 SS Rails at PredatorARMAMENT.com.

By Matt | Posted in Guns | Tagged Midwest Industries | Comments (0)

Surefire Fury Modifications from Precision Gunsmithing

May 21, 2013 – 6:00 am

Precision Gunsmithing offers a few modifications for the popular Surefire Fury that make it easier to hold on to and cheaper to feed. They machine a series of grooves around the circumference of the light so that o-rings can be retained in the grooves. This greatly improves the grip on an otherwise slick light.

They can also bore and polish the inside of the light to allow it to accept a rechargeable 18650 battery. In addition to the benefits that come along with being rechargeable, the 18650 gives 15-20% more runtime versus CR123A primary batteries.

These are some very simple and functional modifications for a great light.The o-ring groove service costs $42 for regular guys like me and $35 for LEO and Military members. The price includes shipping and o-rings. If this is your duty light, Precision Gunsmithing can complete the work in as little as 48 hours.

Precision Gunsmithing offers several other modifications for flashlights including machining for tritium locators and pocket clip installation. Check out PrecisionWorks.co.

By Matt | Posted in EDC, Flashlights | Comments (0)

Beez Combat Systems Custom Body Armor Carriers

May 20, 2013 – 5:00 pm

There are several different soft armor cuts out there on the market and it can sometimes be difficult to find a carrier that works with whatever cut you happen to have. When it comes time to replace or upgrade the functionality of your armor carrier, Beez Combat Systems (BCS) can take the pain out of finding the right carrier with their custom body armor carriers. They have tried to make the process so simple that even bloggers can understand it.

Beez Combat Systems Custom Body Armor Carrier Form

BCS recently revamped their form to make the process even easier. If you want to purchase a custom carrier, just follow these steps…

Trace your soft armor panels (the panels, not the carrier) on the back of a gun bunny poster (any paper will do but they prefer gun bunny posters) and then cut them out.
Mark each cutout with “front” or “back” respectively, your contact info (name, phone number, email address, mailing address), rifle plate size if applicable, stab plate size if applicable, internal hook or loop material, Velcro field placement for ID/patches, any other options you want, and the brand and size information of the panels if you can provide it.
Record your height, weight, chest, and waist measurements on one of the cutouts.
Fold the cutouts and place them into an envelope with the above form.
Email BCS to let them know that the cutouts are on their way.

After all that, you just sit back and weight for a shiny new armor carrier to show up. Easy.

Check out the Beez Combat Systems Blog and BeezCombatSystems.com for more details.

By Matt | Posted in Tactical Gear | Tagged Beez Combat Systems | Comments (0)

TAREINCO Chemlight Insert

May 20, 2013 – 12:00 pm

The TAREINCO Chemlight Insert can hold 4 chemlights or similarly shaped objects. It is designed to be able to be carried on a belt (up to 2″ wide), in a loop (Velcro) lined bag or pack, or M4 magazine pouches. Multiple inserts can be stacked on top of each other thanks to the hook and loop material on the front and back.

The Chemlight Inserts will be available on TAREINCO.com soon.

By Matt | Posted in Tactical Gear | Tagged TAREINCO | Comments (0)

Review: Blind Horse Knives T1 (BHK-T1)

May 20, 2013 – 6:00 am

I like to carry a stout fixed blade knife on my range gear at all times. I do this for a number of reasons not the least of which is that you never know when a knife will come in handy when you are outdoors. It is also useful for clearing a bolt over malfunction in an AR-15. Some trainers, like Pat Rogers, consider a compact knife to be essential support gear for the carbine.

When choosing a knife for this role, I usually shop for something that is a tool first (not an over the top “tactical” knife) because nearly anything with a sharp edge can be pressed into the role of a weapon. I also look for something that is fairly compact so I am not lugging around extra weight and so it can be carried in a number of different ways like attached to a “battle belt” or secured with hook and loop in the kangaroo pouch of my plate carrier. A compact knife is also easier to exert control over when trying to pry back the bolt during a malfunction. If you were to picture such a knife in your minds eye, it would probably look a lot like the BHK-T1 from Blind Horse Knives.

Overview

The BHK-T1 is ground from 1/8″ thick D2 steel. The drop point blade is 2 7/8″ from the tip to the scale and the knife is 6 3/4″ overall. The blade is saber ground (more on this later) with a polished convex edge. It has a small false edge at the spine that gives this knife a great working point.

The handle is large enough for my medium sized hands to have a full 4 finger grip with room to spare. The handle scales are made from nicely contoured and rounded black micarta that has been bead blasted. The scales are fixed to the blade with good looking fish eye bolts and an oversize brass lanyard hole.

The included fold-over style kydex sheath has adjustable tension and rivet spacing that makes it compatible with a number of accessories like Tek-Loks, MOLLE-Loks, Spyderco G-Clips, and similar items. The sheath came with a small Tek-Lok configured for horizontal belt carry.

The knife and sheath weigh just under 7 ounces total.

Observations from Use

I used the BHK-T1 in a number of different ways because a knife of this size and shape is useful for a number of different tasks. I used it for EDC which it excelled at thanks to its compact size and capable sheath. I used it on my range gear and, just to get an idea of how it cuts, I used it in the woods a bit, too.

I have been carrying the BHK-T1 as an EDC for much of the time that I have had it and I really like it in this role. Its dimensions lend themselves very well to a variety of carry methods from horizontal belt carry, to vertical belt carry, and even pocket carry. I like my EDC knives to have usable points and the BHK-T1 has a very usable point thanks to the swedge (false edge). The swedge really thins the point down nicely while still leaving a lot of material on the center line of the blade so the point isn’t fragile.

The BHK-T1 carries very well on my beloved BFG Micro Pack’s shoulder strap.

I also took this knife into the woods because I find that processing wood is a great test of how a knife cuts. The BHK-T1 bites into wood well for tasks like notching and making feather sticks. This is probably partially due to the edge type (convex) and partially due to the great geometry. BHK went with 1/8″ steel for this knife but by choosing a saber grind (a flat grind that only comes about halfway up the height of the blade) they leave behind plenty of material to keep the blade strong. The result is a knife that should be very durable to lateral pressure but is still thin enough to cut well. Kudos to BHK for this subtle, but important design element.

The BHK-T1 is right at home as an EDC or a compact companion in the woods but I think it really shines as a tool for your range gear. It is compact enough to carry very well in a number of different ways. I mostly carried it on my battle belt using a MOLLE-Lok. I also stuck some adhesive Velcro to the exterior of the sheath so that I could tuck it into the kangaroo pouch of a plate carrier or into the panel on the back of some chest rigs like those from Mayflower R&C. If you happen to have a bolt over malfunction (empty brass lodged between the top of the bolt and the charging handle) with your AR-15, the spine of a stout knife like the BHK-T1 can be used to pull the bolt carrier to the rear and hold it so that the charging handle can be pushed forward to release the brass. The BHK-T1 is works well for this technique but beware, the edge of any knife can suffer some edge damage if it contacts the sides of the ejection port. I didn’t notice any edge damage to the BHK-T1 when I tested pulling the bolt back with it.

The handle is grippy without causing hot spots over prolonged use. It isn’t what I would call hand filling since this is a very compact knife, but it is nicely rounded and well contoured which makes the grip comfortable and secure. The BHK-T1′s handle is neutral enough that can be held comfortably with the blade up or down and with the edge in or out. However it is also contoured enough that it gives tactile feedback as to how the blade is oriented even if you can’t see it. There is no guard but the edge is slightly offset from the handle to prevent your hand from sliding up onto the edge.

The BHK-T1 is compact enough to carry well in a pocket or the organization panel of a backpack.

The sheath is very secure, fairly compact, and very functional. Many knives come with some sort of afterthought for a sheath. The BHK-T1 comes with a sheath that is actually well suited to its intended use. You would think more knife makers would figure that out but, sadly, they haven’t. BHK nailed the sheath on this one.

Those of you who like ferro rods will be happy to know that the spine of the BHK-T1 is square and throws sparks very well.

D2 steel offers excellent edge holding capability but it can be a bit of a pain to sharpen. Thankfully, BHK really refines the edge to a high polish. I was always able to bring the knife back to shaving sharp with just a loaded strop even after cutting up a ton of cardboard after a move and time in the woods to test the knife. BHK’s D2 does seem to be a bit easier to sharpen than some that I have tried so perhaps they aren’t taking the steel as high on the Rockwell hardness scale as they could be (that is fine with me, I hate sharpening knives).

Functionally, this is a great knife but some users might find some fit and finish nits to pick. The grinds are a touch uneven, there are still grind marks on the non-cutting surfaces of the knife, and the secondary grind curves a bit where it should be straight. Absolutely none of that effects the function of the knife. The fit and finish is good where it counts. The edge is highly polished and hair popping sharp (the factory edge cut paper nearly silently), the handle is perfectly fit to the blade stock, and the surfaces that contact the hand are nicely rounded. So basically, this is made like a tool. It might be a little rough in spots but it is functional and refined where it counts.

Apart from the small fit and finish issues, there are a few things I would change. I would taper the handle just a little bit near the blade. As it is, the scales are basically just squared off which can make pinch grips a little tricky. A little bit of jimping on the spine might also be nice on a knife of this type. I find some jimping to be helpful for when you are using your thumb to apply leverage for a cut. BHK offers several custom sheathing options and, even though the included sheath is very nice, a pancake style sheath with eyelets on each side would offer a bit more versatility for mounting the knife to PALS webbing (MOLLE) even if it would add just a bit of bulk.

I added some adhesive Velcro to the sheath so that it could be secure to the back of this Velocity Systems chest rig or the kangaroo pouch of a plate carrier.

Wrap Up

The BHK-T1 is a great knife. Its dimensions make it great for EDC or for use on your tactical gear. BHK’s good understanding of blade geometry make it very stout without sacrificing too much cutting performance. It is comfortable to use, easy to carry, and it cuts like a laser. I am really impressed with this little knife.

Check out the BHK-T1 at BlindHorseKnives.com.

By Matt | Posted in EDC, Knives, Reviews, Survival, Tactical Gear | Comments (0)