Archive | August, 2014

Bravo Company USA AR-15 Pistol Receiver Extension and Pistol Build News

I first told you that Bravo Company USA was testing the AR-15 pistol waters back in April. Now the fruits of that testing are starting to come to market. They just introduced a new receiver extension and you can expect complete AR pistols to be available within the next month! Hopefully those pistol builds will include plenty of enhanced lightweight barrel profile and KMR rail action.

BCM-Pistol-RE-2

The new receiver extension is fairly basic. It is just a straight tube machined from 7075T6 aluminum with hard anodized finish. The outside diameter is 1.2″ to work with the SB15 Arm Brace.

Check out the BCM PISTOL Receiver Extension (Buffer Tube) for AR15 Pistols.

BCM-URG-11LW-KMR10-2

Kies GenII Billet AR-15 Lower

I have never completely understood the draw of billet AR-15 lowers. I get that they have a certain cool factor which is worth something and I do appreciate that they typically have flared magazine wells. However, their higher price seems hard to justify given that there are less expensive forged lowers with similar features. Along came the Kies GenII Billet KR-15 Lower to change all that.

KIES-GENII-KR15LOWER-Multi-2

The KR-15 lowers from Kies Firearms has everything you expect from a billet lower including an aggressively flared magazine well and integrated, over-sized trigger guard. It is machined from a solid block of 7075 aluminum (many billet lowers are made from less costly 6065) and it even has checkering on the front of the magazine well just in case you ignore the laws of physics and still hold a carbine there. All of that is pretty impressive when you consider it costs less than $100!

$250 billet lowers aren’t all that interesting to me. $100 billet lowers certainly are.

You can check out the KR-15 lowers at Kies Firearms and Joe Bob Outfitters.

KIES-GENII-KR15LOWER-Multi-5

Target Impact Signal System

Have you ever shot with that guy who calls phantom hits on steel or the guy who is constantly saying you missed when you are sure you hit? I have. Now you can take the guess work out calling hits on steel with the Target Impact Signal System (TISS).

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The TISS consists of two main components: a camera flash and a “target box” which is a sensor that is placed on the back side of a steel target. The sensor registers hits on steel and triggers the camera flash so you have an unmistakable visual indicator when the target is struck. The TISS might just make an honest shooter out of some people I know!

The TISS is available in 3 different versions with varying capability and time restraints between flashes. Check out the TISS at TacStrike.

 

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.

The SHIELD Pouch from Phokus Research Group

I am a fan of Phokus Research Group’s Sons Trauma Kit. In the time since I reviewed it, they have created several other configurations including the SHIELD which is a compact, low-profile kit that can be readily concealed. It is even easier to carry and conceal with the introduction of the SHIELD Pouch.

The SHIELD Pouch is a concealable, belt-mounted carrier for the SHIELD Trauma Kit that is manufactured by First Spear for Phokus Research Group. Most of the pouch is made from a performance stretch material that serves to keep the pouch very slick and compact while retaining the contents. The SHIELD Trauma Kit rides in a pull out tray that can be accessed via pull tabs from either side of the pouch.

Check out Phokus Research Group.

PHOKUS Research Group SHIELD Pouch 1 PHOKUS Research Group SHIELD Pouch 2 PHOKUS Research Group SHIELD Pouch 3

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