Archive | Flashlights

Review: MSM Wrap Holster and Wrap Multi Pouch

I have used a number of Velcro backed holsters and magazine pouches over the years. I have even made my own. The most versatile that I have found to date are the Wrap Holster and Wrap Multi Pouches from MILSPEC Monkey (MSM).

Overview

MSM’s Wrap accessories are pretty simple and both the Holster and Multi Pouches share a common feature set. They are made almost entirely of Velcro One Wrap which is magical stuff that sticks to itself like… well, like Velcro. This is the secret to the Wrap accessories’ versatility. You can basically origami your way into any shape you need to carry whatever you want by simply moving the parts around to fit the payload.

Each Wrap accessory also comes with a bungee retainer that is easy to add, remove, or adjust for length.

MSM Wrap G19 with LightMSM Wrap Handgun Mags

Observations from Use

The use of One Wrap for these accessories works out so well. One Wrap makes these pouches incredibly adjustable and extremely versatile because of all the different ways you can configure them. All of that is great but what really surprised me (in a good way) is that One Wrap is somewhat rigid – more rigid than what many universal holsters are made from. That rigidity makes it extremely easy to draw and reholster because the Wrap accessories hold their shape. It really is a very good material for this application.

The Wrap Holster is excellent for use with handgun mounted lights. Few universal type Velcro backed holsters work well with lights. Many will allow them to fit but unless they holster is long enough and rigid enough, the light or front sight will snag on the bottom of the holster during the draw. Again, the slight rigidity of the One Wrap material is a boon here as it prevents the light from being accidentally activated in your bag.

MSM Wrap AR Mag MSM Wrap Compact Revolver

The Multi Wrap Pouches work for handgun magazines of just about any length. They are ideal for longer magazines from full-size handguns. If you have a shorter magazine (Glock 19 and shorter), you will have be careful to draw the bottom of the pouch very tight to limit how deep the magazines sit. MSM may want to consider a shorter version in the future but I was able to make them work.

I was able to configure the Wrap Holster to work for everything from a Glock 21 with light to S&W J-frame in terms of handguns. You can set the retention as tight or loose as you want. You can easily set the Wrap accessories tight enough that you don’t need the bungee retainer for most items though it will be more difficult to insert the item. The Wrap Holster also works very well for AR-15 magazines, cell phones, Altoid tin style survival kits and other small containers, smaller battery backups for your electronics, GPS units, communication handsets, and more.

The Wrap Multi Pouches are dynamite for handgun mags, multi-tools, flashlights, Snickers Bars (You’re not yourself when you’re hungry!), and more.

MSM Wrap Smart Phone

Wrap Up

The Wrap Holster and Wrap Multi Pouch are as versatile as any piece of gear I have tried. One Wrap is a great material for this application in obvious ways and in ways that I didn’t envision until I tried them. MSM hit these out of the park.

Check out the Wrap accessories at MILSPEC Monkey.

Review: INFORCE WMLx

The INFORCE WMLx is more than just a 500 lumen flame throwing version of the popular WML. It has an all new user interface that works very well whether you prefer momentary only or constant on activation modes.

INFORCE WMLx

Overview

The WMLx keeps much of what makes the WML great. It is lightweight (4 ounces) thanks to polymer construction. It has a switch that allows it to be used in any position on the rail. It still has an easy to use, built in rail clamp. The lock out bail is also still present which is great because it is a tremendous feature (see the JTT review of the WML to find out why).

The most notable differences are that the light is longer to accommodate 2 CR123A batteries and, when you turn it on, you are greeted with 500 lumens of light versus the WML’s 200. The WMLx also has a new optic to shape the light coming from its LED (more on this later).

The switch interface has been simplified and streamlined. Now there is a lever on the side that allows the user to change the way the switch functions. You can push the lever rearward for a momentary only switch – the light will only activate while you are actively pressing the switch.

Move the lever forward for constant and strobe functionality. This mode will feel familiar to users of the Multi-Function WMLs but it has been improved significantly with the removal of the low mode. You can now access only High and Strobe from this mode. Strobe can be deactivated manually leaving only high mode. If you tap the switch, the light comes on and stays on. Tap it again to turn it off. If you press and hold the switch for more than a ½ second or so, it will turn off when you let go of the switch.

INFORCE WMLx Lever

Observations from Use

The WMLx still feels like a WML and that is a good thing. Everything I like about the WML is still intact – lightweight, low cost, lock-out features, easy mounting, etc. That is good but what is even better is that INFORCE managed to improve the user interface.

I prefer to have some sort of constant on mode available to me so I used the “multi-function” version over the momentary only WML and learned to live with its switch interface (not that it is hard to do). I never used the strobe so I turned it off and only really ever used the low mode on accident. The WMLx’s new switch interface strips away all that clutter. There is no guess work. If you press the button you see 500 lumens of light. If you accidentally tap when you meant to press, your natural reaction is to tap again which instantly turns the light off. It works extremely well and I hope INFORCE adopts it for the original WML as well.

The new reflector is interesting. It splits the light into 3 distant rings. The center hotspot is very bright and has solid throw. There is a moderately bright ring around that which lights up a slightly wider area. Finally, there is a third and outermost ring that is very wide and provides more than enough light to ID a person in a dark room. If you point it at a wall, it looks a bit strange because each ring is so distinct, but in use, it feels like any other light with a bright hotspot and tapering output toward the edges of the beam.

The rail mounted portion of the WMLx is basically identical in size to the WML so those who are mounting them toward the end of a handguard won’t really notice much of a difference in size.

I found the runtime to be true to the advertised 2 hours in my admittedly unscientific eyeball test. I have also had no issues with the light draining batteries as has been reported by some WML users. In fact, I own 7 WMLs and none of them have ever drained their batteries when not in use.

INFORCE WMLx WML Comparison

Wrap Up

INFORCE made a good light better. They retained the best parts of the WML and refined the user interface. That is a recipe for a winner.

Check out the WMLx at INFORCE.

First-Light TORQ Series Tactical Lights

You may know First-Light for their innovative and unique line of angle head tactical lights, like the Tomahawk and Liberator, that are made to work with you while you grip a firearm. There newest addition, the TORQ series of lights, is their most affordable yet but it still packed with the features that make First-Light unique.

TORQCB(500)

The TORQ series lights run on 2 AA batteries which is a departure from their other lights which are powered with CR123A batteries. These lights are made from polymer and feature a swiveling head that allows the light to be mounted to your gear and aimed where you need it for hands free use.

Like First-Light’s previous offerings the TORQ lights feature secondary lights in various colors that are suited to different tasks. All of the light’s modes, like the 155 lumen constant output, strobe, and secondary colors are accessible through a multi-button interface.

TORQ also has a number of available accessories including MOLLE, belt, and magnet mounts for hands free use.

You can check out First-Light’s TORQ product page and the video below for more information.

Low-Pro Products Offset Flashlight Mount Surefire X-Series

 

IMG_2168Low-Pro Products makes several great rail mounted accessories like optic and light mounts. One of their newest is their Offset Flashlight Mount Surefire X-Series. As you might have guessed by the name, it is designed to mount a Surefire X-Series light, or other rail mounted lights like the INFORCE WML, offset to the rail on which you place the mount.

Their mounts do a great job of keeping the light close to the rail and have a simple and robust, set-screw style mounting interface. The mount interface is also aggressively skeletonized to strike a balance between durability and lightweight.

Check out Low-Pro Products from AMS Machine.

A-2070-4

Hyskore GripLight

Mounting a light on a revolver is problematic. Manufacturers have tried to put accessory rails on revolvers before but they are usually placed on the under lug of the barrel when would mean the user would have to place their thumb over the flash gap in order to active the light. I have no interest in placing my thumb in the way of hot gas that is being vented at several thousand psi. Hyskore, with some design help from American Handgunner editor Roy Huntington, has a solution.

hyskore_griplight

The GripLight is a set of duty sized grips for the popular J-frame revolvers from Smith & Wesson that sport an integrated white light. The light is powered by a CR2 battery and activated by a small button located high on the front strap of the grip. This configuration allows the 130 lumen light to activate whenever you grip the revolver.

The light module is made from aluminum and is located on the right side of the revolver above the cylinder. It is compact enough that adds a small amount additional width and should still work fine for pocket carry which is how I use my j-frame most of the time.

Check out Hyskore for more details.

Powered by WordPress. Designed by Woo Themes