SLR Rifles works has already rolled out a full line of AK hand guards and soon they will introduce their own matching railed AK Gas Tube to compliment the hand guards. The AK Gas Tube is in production for standard AK length, M92 length, Draco length, and Arsenal 7K length gas tubes. They will be available in about a week from the time of this posting.
AT Armor released a graphic (below) that shows how their STOP plates work to defeat projectiles. Ballistic armor is amazing to me and it is staggering to think about how many lives it has saved. You would think it would be more complicated but the graphic shows just how simple the mechanics of stopping a bullet are (the materials necessary to make a plate as thin and light as the STOP plates are anything but simple).
From AT Armor:
AT Armor’s STOP and STOP-BZ plates are multi-component (aka hybrid) construction that defeat multiple hits of rated projectiles with a ceramic strike face and a subsequent layer of high-pressure compressed ballistic material. The advantage of our STOP series armor is it is very light (as light as 4lbs stand alone in a Med SAPI) and it is thin (.55 inches). Fully capable against common 5.56 threats and 7.62×39 mild steel and AP (STOP-BZ plate).
Check out the STOP Plates at AT Armor.
Adco Firearms, well known for their AR-15 gunsmithing services, recently share the image below along with the following words of caution for dealing with nitride finished barrels…
Black Nitride is a good surface hardening technique, but it also makes things brittle. When timing a flash hider to a 1/2×28 threaded 9mm barrel, don’t use a breaker bar to try an get one more rotation. It will snap off like glass.
This is probably a good reason to use a timing shim set instead of a crush washer on nitride finished barrels. The timing shims will allow you to time the muzzle device without putting as much stress on the barrel which will prevent the above and have less negative effect on accuracy.
Magpul just released details of their new UBR 2.0 Stock. The premium AR-15 stock is getting a host of new features for 2016.
I should also mention that the promo video for the UBR 2.0 is amazing.
From Magpul:
Leveraging nearly a decade of design and engineering advancement, the venerable UBR stock is redesigned for 2016. Maintaining the unique mix of adjustability, strength, and consistent cheek weld, the UBR 2.0 features A5/SR-25 buffer systems compatibility, rotation-limited QD sling mounts, an ASAP QD style receiver end plate, and an improved rubber butt pad profile, while providing significant weight and cost reduction over the original UBR.
Additional Information and Features:
The UBR 2.0 is an adjustable stock for the AR15/M4, designed to offer the same strength and stability as a fixed stock with a consistent and comfortable cheek weld in any position.
An update of the revolutionary Utility/Battle Rifle (UBR) stock, the UBR 2.0 features a fixed cheek piece to provide a consistent cheek weld in any of its 8 positions, and is compatible with Carbine as well as A5-length buffer systems. Designed to accommodate large bore AR calibers and withstand severe impacts, the UBR 2.0 comes standard with front and rear QD sling attachment points, two footman’s loops, the ergonomic MOE SL™ angled-toe rubber butt-pad, and customizable storage compartment.
MSRP: $199.95
Made in U.S.A.
I purchased a Vanguard Quest T62U last year to give me better year round use of unimproved shooting ranges and potentially for hunting. The Quest T62U is a tripod with a 360 degree swiveling rifle yoke that can also be converted into a bipod or monopod configuration. I have used Vanguard camera tripods in the past and have generally found their quality to be acceptable which made me comfortable with dropping the coin on the Quest T62U.
The ranges that I shoot on are generally informal, meaning there are no shooting bays, shooting tables, or concrete walkways. Any infrastructure I need must be carried in. Just this afternoon I zeroed a rifle with 18″ of snow on the ground without having to lay down in the snow. It was the T62U that made that possible by letting me get very stable in a standing, kneeling, sitting, or crouching position.
I have used both the bipod/gunpod configuration and the monopod configuration but I generally use it as a tripod because that is the most stable. I can setup the tripod so a single leg projects forward, away from me, and then load into it with my rifle. That, coupled with a tight sling, allows me to get stable enough to put a solid zero on a rifle without having to wallow around in the snow.
The Quest T62U has held up well to about a week left outside leaning against a tree in the rain and snow during deer season. The legs adjust quickly, easily, and mostly silently. Once they are adjusted, they hold their adjustments even when you are loading into the tripod. The bipod and monopod configurations work well and don’t feel like an afterthought. It is lightweight and seems to be rugged enough for what my purposes. This has been an extremely useful addition to my range kit.
Shop around a bit if you are looking for one. I paid significantly less than MSRP.
I should also mention that Vanguard makes a product called the UNI-STICK that I am considering purchasing for use with the Quest T62U. It attaches to the lead leg and turns the tripod into a more formal but still easily packable rifle rest.
