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Archive | February, 2012

Echo Niner Camera Strap

By on February 29, 2012 in EDC, Tactical Gear

Last time I checked cameras still cost a whole mess of money. For some, their camera is also their livelihood. So why would anyone trust just any old camera strap to keep your camera around your neck? You shouldn’t.

Echo Niner (E9) makes what they call the E9 Camera Strap. If you spend much time around rifles and tactical gear you will recognize many of the materials used in these Camera Straps. They use 1.25″ heavy nylon sling webbing and then line it with rubberized grip enhancing material. There are 2 side release buckles that can be used to release the Camera Strap quickly or to create a shorter hand strap configuration. The E9 Camera Strap can be easily adjusted on the fly by just pulling the strap tail and the attachment points are constructed from MilSpec 5-50 Parachute Cord.

The E9 Camera Strap is built to withstand the rigors of combat photography. It can certainly stand up to a weekend warrior’s family trip to the zoo. Check out the E9 Camera Strap on ENiner.com.

New Minuteman MKII Custom Configurations from UW Gear

By on February 28, 2012 in Guns, Tactical Gear

UW Gear is making some changes to their Minuteman MKII Chest Rigs based on customer feedback, their own experiences, and drive to improve.

The base configuration of the Minuteman MKII has been changed from a 4 magazine set up, to a 3 magazine set up. This change obviously decreases the magazine capacity of the rig by one, but it makes the rig far more trim and compact. This is an especially welcome change for the AK version of the Minuteman MKII. The closer AK-47 mags are to your center line, the easier it is to manipulate the length and distinct curve of the magazines. More than anything else, this change is meant to increase comfort and better fit with the philosophy of simplicity that UW Gear preaches. The 4 mag version will still be available by request.

UW GEAR AK Minuteman MKII in PenCott Badlands

UW Gear is also allowing you to choose the final configuration of your chest rig based on your unique requirements. The amount of MOLLE webbing that is found on each side of the Minuteman MKII can be customized to fit your needs. You can choose 3, 2, or 0 columns of MOLLE webbing. If you need the slickest, trimmest, most compact chest rig that you can get, you can choose to have no MOLLE webbing at all. If you need the ability to mount a typical IFAK pouch, then the 3 column set up will work perfectly. If you just need the ability to mount a couple of compact pouches, then the 2 column rig is just what you need. These are the types of options that you can typically only find at a custom maker and are a big reason why I prefer to shop with smaller makers when I can.

Check out the AK Minuteman MKII and the AR Minuteman MKII on UWGear.com.

Stay tuned for a full review of the Minuteman MKII Chest Rig.

New AK Sling Adapters and Dual Mode Sling

By on February 27, 2012 in Guns, Tactical Gear

Echo Nine Three just expanded their line of first rate AK sling adapters and they have also introduced a clever new sling to go with the adapters.

When it comes to single point slings, the best place that they can be attached to the rifle is right at the rear of the receiver. This will maximize mobility while still allowing the rifle to hang in a muzzle down configuration. This also happens to be a great place to mount your rear sling attachment point for a 2 point sling for basically the same reason – maximum mobility.

Top, Left to Right: V1, V2, V3, V4 Bottom, Left to Right: V5, V5/AMD, V5/MU, V6

There are 4 new sling adapters: V5, V5/AMD, V5/MU, and V6. Each one is designed to work on a different rifle. The V5 is an ambidextrous sling adapter that will work with most underfolders with stamped receivers as well as with AK pistols. The V5/AMD and V5/MU are similar except they are designed to work with AMD rifles or Milled/Yugoslavian rifles respectively. The V6 is reversible and is designed to work with AKs that have milled receivers with fixed stocks. There are enough configurations to cover the vast majority of the AKs that are readily available.

Echo Nine Three Dual Mode Sling (DMS)

The new DMS (Dual Mode Sling) is one of the most clever convertible slings that I have seen in terms of how it transitions from 2 to 1 point configuration. Each end of the sling has an HK style snap hook sewn into place. There is a short lead section just behind the rear sling attachment point that is attached to a unique piece of custom hardware. This custom hardware is the key to the function of the DMS. It is basically a large metal “loop” that you can quickly clip the front attachment point to in order to transition to 1 point mode. It is unique because it is polygonal in shape which allows the sling parts to “lock” into place and lay flat on the wearer’s chest without bunching or rolling.

I have been working with the V1, V2, and V3 sling adapters for some time now and I can say that they are the best rear sling attachment options that are available on the AK. They work exceedingly well and given their simplicity, I have no doubt that these new adapters will work equally as well. The new DMS also looks like a winner. The custom hardware that is used really sets this sling apart.

The Echo93 sling mounts are available from Brownells. You can check out Echo93.com and the Echo Nine Three Facebook page for information.

Stay tuned to JTT for reviews of the V1, V2, and V3 sling adapters and a review of the Dual Mode Sling.

NukoTools Titanium GBi

By on February 25, 2012 in EDC, Reviews, Survival

Titanium makes just about anything better. That is scientific fact. It is certainly true with the NukoTools GBi.

You may remember the cute little GBi that I reviewed a while back. The old version was made from G-10 which is a very good material for this application given its light weight, non-magnetic nature, and extreme durability. This new version is made from an equally well suited material – titanium. Titanium is also very lightweight (though it is a bit heavier than the G-10), non magnetic, and extremely durable.

NukoTools Heat Colored Ti GBi (subject of this review)

If you read the previous review, you know that the GBi is a discreet self defense tool. It looks like a funny little smiley face but functions like a flesh tearing, bone bruising, eye gouging set of two finger “knuckles”. The new Ti version is about 1/4″ thick (slightly thinner than the original G-10 version) and features larger “eye” holes which improves the comfort and fit for me.

NukoTools has made a few versions of these. I have a heat colored version for review. The most recent versions have been stone washed and left raw or slightly heat colored. The heat coloring on my example is striking. It is mostly a very deep purple with some blue, green, and even orange in the right light. It gives this GBi a very distinctive look that is also completely unique from any other GBi. No two heat colored GBis will be alike.

Original NukoTools G-10 GBi (from the previous review)

The cuts on this earlier Ti version that I have are a bit rough in places. The eye holes are smoothed enough to be comfortable but the teeth cuts are a bit jagged in places (which isn’t really a bad thing considering their purpose). The newer stone washed versions have corrected this roughness.

The best thing about the GBi is just how discreet it really is. It isn’t unusual for people to comment about how cute my keychain is without ever realizing what it actually is. That is exactly how NukoTools intended it to be. This tool works.

Check out the NukoTools website or email nukotools@gmail.com for purchasing information. Be advised, these tools are handmade in small batches so they may not be available all the time.

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