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Archive | September, 2012

New Thorntail Light Mount from Haley Strategic Partners and IWC

By on September 22, 2012 in Flashlights, Guns, Tactical Gear

The Thorntail series of light mounts from Haley Strategic Partners and Impact Weapons Components do what you expect a light mount to do – attach a light to your rifle. If that was all they did, they wouldn’t be nearly as successful as they have been. The Thorntail series of light mounts are about more than mounting lights, they are about solving problems.

Photo credit: Haley Strategic Partners

The newest addition to the Thorntail family is designed to place weapon lights like the INFORCE WML and various pistol lights in a more ergonomically advantageous position. It cantilever’s the light out to the side of the rail and angles it so that it falls directly under your thumb.

This new mount is not yet available but it should be on the HSP website and IWC website soon. Stay tuned for a full review. If you shop at the IWC website, be sure to use the coupon code “triggerjerk” for 5% off your order.

Review: ECHO NiNER Light Speed Camera Strap

By on September 21, 2012 in Reviews, Tactical Gear

I recently reviewed the ECHO NiNER Original Camera Strap. Today, we will be taking a look at the new Light Speed Camera Strap from ECHO NiNER (E9).

Overview

The Light Speed Camera Strap is the second camera strap offering from ECHO NiNER. Like the Original, the Light Speed is designed to stand up to the abuse that comes along with combat photography. E9 bills it as a simpler and more low profile alternative to the Original Camera Strap.

The Light Speed is made mostly from 1” webbing. The quick adjust “tail” portion of the strap is standard mil-spec flat webbing while the main portion of the sling is made from 1” tubular webbing. There is one side release buckle that serves as both the quick adjust for length and an emergency release should you need to free yourself from the strap.

In addition to the quick adjustment tail on the SRB mentioned above, the Light Speed features a tri-glide for additional adjustment. The result is a strap that is longer and more adjustable than the Original Camera Strap.

Like the Original Camera Strap, the Light Speed utilizes para-cord attachment points for durability.

Observations from Use

I love the Original Camera Strap from E9 but I might actually like the Light Speed a bit more. It is hard to put my finger on exactly why but the extra length and adjustability has a lot to do with it. What it lacks in features, it makes up for in focused simplicity and greater adjustability. It is a good trade-off.

The Light Speed has a minimum length of about 27” so it can be cinched against your body to prevent your camera from swinging around. Its maximum length is about 52” which means that there is plenty of room for wearing the sling across your shoulder instead of just around your neck, even if you are wearing some gear.

The dual adjustment points make harnessing that extra length very easy. I found that the tri-glide provides a lot of gross adjustment while the quick adjust tail can be used to fine tune the length on the fly. I adjusted my tri-glide so that the strap was long enough to allow me to wrap it over my shoulder with the quick adjust in the fully extended position. That way, I can quickly cinch the camera to me by pulling the quick adjust tail. The Light Speed lacks the tacky rubber grip strip of the Original, so it doesn’t lock down quite as tight but it does an admirable job.

The choice of tubular webbing is excellent for this strap for a few reasons. One, its edges are rolled so it doesn’t wear out your neck as it moves. Two, it is slick which makes it easy to maneuver the camera. Three, it is extremely durable. Wider straps are typically more comfortable than thin straps but the tubular webbing goes a long way toward making this a pretty comfortable strap.

Wrap Up

This is a great strap. It has plenty of adjustability, enough length to handle various gear configurations, and purposeful simplicity. It is rugged, reliable, and looks good. The Light Speed Camera Strap is a nice change up from the Original Camera Strap.

Check out ENiNER.com.

Stop Chasing Superman

By on September 21, 2012 in Tactics and Training

It has now been more than 3 months since we published an article called the Cult of Kiss. It generated a fair amount of discussion and I am still getting emails about it. Many of these emails are from readers sharing stories of someone who can utilize iron sights with the same proficiency as a red dot sight as if this somehow disproves the thrust of the article.

Interestingly, I have yet to receive an email from someone who can, themselves, use the iron sights to that level of proficiency. All of the emails so far have been about someone that the writer of the email knows of – often a competition shooter or high profile trainer (one talented trainer in particular has come up frequently).

Many have used these talented shooters as justification for their own use of iron sights but it seems to me that this whole situation points out a fundamental issue with many shooters… including myself. We tend to buy and configure gear based on what works for Superman rather than what is realistic for our own requirements/skill level.

That high profile trainer is a high profile trainer for a reason. They have the experience, skill level, and ability to practice enough to maintain the highest level of proficiency. Just because they can utilize iron sights to nearly the same effectiveness as a red dot sight does not mean that you can unless you build a similar level of experience, a similar skill set, and suddenly find yourself with the time to practice daily like it is your job.

The fact that a highly trained person who shoots for a living can utilize iron sights with red dot sight like efficiency is not a reason for you to stick with iron sights. In fact, it is the exact opposite. It shows what it takes to reach that level and unless you have the time to do what it takes, you would be better off using gear that works for you. None of you would council a father of 4 to buy an F1 race car when his needs would be better served with a mini-van. Yes, Sebastian Vettel can drive an F1 car with incredible success, but it simply does not fit the needs of a father of 4.

This issue extends beyond just iron sights and red dot optics. Well known trainer X uses open top magazine pouches but it may be that, given your requirements, closed pouches would be better. Competition shooter Y uses a certain technique on a barrier to great effect but that doesn’t mean it is valid for your situation. Military unit Z makes use of a certain type of sling but, given a realistic assessment of your needs, there may be better choices for you.

Don’t choose gear and techniques based on anyone’s requirements other than your own. You need to build your own filter to pass all of these ideas through to determine if they are valid for you. It is time that you and I quit chasing Superman.

Davis Tactical Solutions L.I.N.C.H. Cover

By on September 21, 2012 in Guns

There have been a handful of attempts to create drop-in left side charging handles for the AK and, for the most part, they have all been met with a lot of skepticism. I recently came across a new option that appears to have a lot going for it – the L.I.N.C.H. Cover from Davis Tactical Solutions (DTS).

The L.I.N.C.H. Cover starts with a Bulgarian top cover. DTS cuts a channel into the top cover and reinforces it.They fit an FN FAL folding charging handle with a charging pin to the track. They also add a detent to the charging handle so that it won’t fold under recoil.

There are 3 notable features of the L.I.N.C.H. Cover that show a lot of potential. The opening that is cut into the top cover is minimal compared to other designs which should minimize the potential for debris to enter the action. The charging handle does not reciprocate which is a positive for those who would rather not have a mass of steel hurtling toward their teeth. Finally, it is completely redundant so that if something goes wrong, the original right side charging handle is still completely functional.

This is the first left-side charging handle for the AK family of rifles to really pique my interest. If DTS comes out with a non-folding model, I will have a hard time resisting one.

Check out LastRoundHoldOpenAK47.com.

NavELite Ramps Up Global Distribution with Five New Distributors

By on September 20, 2012 in EDC, Survival, Tactical Gear

More news about the most anticipated compass in a long time from Laura Burgess Marketing and NavELite:

PALM HARBOR, FL (September 2012) –NavELite, a global provider of backlit magnetic compasses, proudly announces partnerships with several leading distributors of outdoor, military and law enforcement products. The distributors include: 215 Gear™, ADS, Inc., PLATATAC, Potomac River Group and SurvivIT. These distributors will carry NavELite’s wrist-worn, Backlit Magnetic Compass (BLMC) throughout their distribution centers to retailers worldwide.

The NavELite wrist-worn, Backlit Magnetic Compass was invented and patented by two Special Operation soldiers. Operations underscored the need for a reliable backlit compass for use when executing critical missions. It became apparent in the early stages of the Global War on Terror in Afghanistan when soldiers had to routinely reference cardinal directions for tasks such as Close Air Support (CAS), adjacent unit coordination, and SATCOM antenna orientation that the current equipment available did not meet the needs of the Special Operation soldier. The NavELite wrist-worn Backlit Magnetic Compass is a mission-enhancing piece of kit for the ground soldier; reducing nighttime operation signatures and adding to force protection. Thus, NavELite is pleased to offer this next generation, tactical, wrist-worn, magnetic compass for when survival counts

The wrist-worn Backlit Magnetic Compass from NavELite keeps correct magnetic orientation while providing an on-demand illuminated face to aid with orienteering and direction finding in low-light or no-light situations. This patented technology will allow soldiers in any military unit to acquire cardinal directions day and night with reduced night-time signature.

The NavELite BLMC can be purchased online at www.NavELite.com for a retail cost of $79.99. Dealers interested in carrying the NavELite BLMC may contact info@NavELite.com  for a Dealer Package and Application.

For the downloadable Press Release PDF, click here. For the downloadable image, click here.

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