TangoDown® Inc.
is pleased to announce the latest addition to the lineup – the Vickers
Tactical™ Slide Stop for GLOCK® 43X and 48 (VTSS-004). When GLOCK® expanded their single stack line,
we extensively tested our existing slide stop for the G42/G43 models to
evaluate compatibility. Therefore, the
VTSS-004 has an uprated return spring to accommodate the increased slide mass
of the G48 for consistent reliability. The
thumb pad is reshaped with deep serrations which allows for easy manipulation
even while wearing gloves. If you love
the Vickers Tactical™ Slide Stops on your other GLOCK® firearms, you’re sure to
love this one too.
Aberdeen, NC– (May 2019)Quantico Tactical® is proud to announce that e-Tint, LLC will be exhibiting with them at the
2019 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC), booth #1811. E-Tint’s CTRL® line is the ONLY actively tinting eye protection
APPROVED on the APEL.
CTRL® is the first-ever battlefield-ready, electronically
controllable eyewear – now approved for the Army’s Authorized Protective
Eyewear List (APEL). Combining ballistic lenses with e-Tint’s Electronic
Tint-on-DemandTM technology, CTRL® is designed to enhance tactical capability
and provide protection by enabling automatic switching when lighting conditions
shift (for example, moving from outdoor sunshine into a dark building). By
switching tint manually
(on/off button) or automatically (hands-free) to adjust to any environment
instantly (0.1 sec), soldiers are not required to remove
their sunglasses, and their eyes remain protected at all times.
Originally developed for strategic military application in
partnership with the Air Force, Navy, and Army, CTRL® eyewear offers speed and control: instant tine change with a simple press
of a button, or in a hands-free mode that can be adjusted to users’ preference.
With a built-in light sensor which can be programmed to exact needs, these
goggles and spectacles are the Next Gen solutions for today’s warriors to
eliminate the need to lift their goggle or spectacle, or mechanically change
the lens, which leaves eyes unprotected in dangerous, fast-paced situations.
Using expertise in liquid crystal photonics and optics, e-Tint’s
early award-winning light-reactive visors for the United States Air Force was tailored
to produce eyewear that meets or exceeds the Army’s exacting MIL Spec
standards, including: stringent
ballistic and impact requirements ANSI z87.1 for use in military and tactical
operations; high quality (ANSI z80.3) optics; anti-fog and 100% UV blocking.
Equipped with a ‘fail-safe’ mechanism to ensure your safety – in the event of a
loss of power, the lens will automatically go clear.
Other features
include: adjustable features (nose piece, strap, arms) to allow for a
comfortable and customized fit, threshold adjustment to enable tailoring of the
point at which system tints interchangeable lenses (e-Tint and clear) for
greater flexibility, and an optional prescription lens mount.
Stop by Quantico Tactical
Booth #1811, at SOFIC 2019, to learn more about e-Tint® and their incredible
eyewear. If unable to visit at SOFIC,
contact a Quantico Tactical representative at GovtOps@QuanticoTactical.com.
About Quantico Tactical:
Quantico Tactical®
is a leading supplier of operational Equipment to the Military, Federal
Agencies, State/Local LEO, and Private Security. Whether you are using MIPRs/MILSTRIP to
purchase off our DLA Tailored Logistics Support contracts for Special
Operational Equipment and Fire & Emergency Services Equipment, or buying
off our GSA Contract, we are committed to on-time delivery, offering the best
value for your money and making your procurement easy and enjoyable. Most of Quantico Tactical’s team, from the
Founder/CEO to the newest team members, are Veterans or family members of
Veterans. As such, they understand that
delivering timely and correct solutions to those called to protect and serve
our nation is vital to mission success.
E-Tint, LLC is
the company behind CTRL®, the world’s fastest high performance,
electronically tinting eyewear and visors. Designed for United States military
use, e-Tint’s technology is now available in eyewear, goggles, and visors for
soldiers and civilians who require precision optics every step of the way.
Using research,
development, and testing by the award-winning advanced physics team in
AlphaMicron’s laboratories, e-Tint brings cutting-edge science to bear on
modern eyewear. Leveraging proprietary liquid crystal technology, CTRL®
is the world’s fastest transitional eyewear, bar none. A single lens will
transform from light to dark, or dark to light, in less than 0.1 seconds.
To learn more about
e-Tint® and CTRL® please contact sales@e-tintproducts.com,
call (877) 451-5937 or visit uswww.e-tintproducts.com.
Using research, development, and testing by the award-winning advanced physics team in AlphaMicron’s laboratories, e-Tint brings cutting-edge science to bear on modern eyewear. Leveraging proprietary liquid crystal technology, CTRL® is the world’s fastest transitional eyewear, bar none. A single lens will transform from light to dark, or dark to light, in less than 0.1 seconds.
To learn more about e-Tint® and CTRL® please contact sales@e-tintproducts.com, call (877) 451-5937 or visit uswww.e-tintproducts.com.
The Nightstick TCM-550XL is relatively new to the weapon light market but it is from a maker that has been making first responder lights for a long time. Let’s dive right into the review to see how it stacks up.
Overview
The TCM-550XL is a compact weapon light from Nightstick, a division of Bayco Products. It is about 2.5″ long, just over 1″ wide, and just over 1″ tall – a size that allows it to sit well inside the footprint of a typical double stack handgun like a Glock.
It boasts 550 lumen output and uses a collimating lens to produce a beam with a relatively wide hotspot. The runtime for this single CR123A light is published as 2.5 hours.
The main body of the TCM-550XL is machined from 6061 aluminum with a polymer back plate. It weighs in at 2.5 ounces. Other highlights include a paddle style switch and lock out bezel.
Observations from Use
I typically shy away from direct product comparisons in these reviews but in this case it feels unavoidable. The TCM-550XL is similar in size, shape, and execution of at least two features (the lockout bezel and rail clamp) to the Streamlight TLR-7. However, I feel that the TCM-550XL actually has a major advantage over the TLR-7 in that its paddle style switch is MUCH easier to operate and it is brighter with better tint than my TLR-7.
Speaking of the switch, it offers constant/momentary operation. The user interface should feel familiar as it has become somewhat standard across many tactical lights – quick press for constant, long press for momentary. This is a system that works fairly well with just a bit of practice.
This brings us to my first criticism of this light. It turns on instantly but there is a delay in turning off, almost as if the light is deciding whether it should stay on or turn off based on your input. It is just a moment (not even a second) but it is noticeable when running drills. Apart from that delay, the switch is actually very impressive. This is a very compact light but the well designed switch operates as easily as a full size light.
The lockout bezel works well though the detent that indicates the light is locked out can be a little difficult to feel on my example. It is still a thoughtful feature and there are markings on the bezel to indicate where the lockout exists.
The beam profile is very good. It has a wide hotspot with plenty of spill. The TCM-550XL balances throw and spill very well for a compact light. Those 550 lumens do a good job is filling a room with light or extending the range at which you can ID a target outdoors.
I am very impressed with this light. It has standout ergonomics among compact lights, a compact footprint, and good output for a single CR123A light. It has a lot of potential but it shares the same stumbling block to that potential as any new weapon light – lack of holster support. This light has what it takes to be a great CCW light but as of right now, it will be hard to find a holster for it. Safariland has this light listed in their holster finder but all of the compatible holsters are more suited for duty carry, not CCW.
Wrap Up
The TCM-550XL has the size, weight, output, and ergonomics that I look for in compact weapon light. The switch in particular stands out among a lot of compact weapon lights. It ticks all the boxes but until there is holster support, it will be hard for it to reach its full potential.
The new Muzzle Pad from Dark Star Gear is soft wedge for use with kydex holsters. It is designed to aid in comfort by cushioned the lower edges of the holster that can dig into the wearer and concealment by pushing the grip of the handgun into the wearer.
Soft wedges are not new. There are number of ways to improvise them and there are other purpose built wedges available. The ergonomic tear drop shape of the muzzle pad and availability of two different firmness levels makes the Muzzle Pad unique.
Wilde Custom Gear is working directly with Fostech to develop a pouch for Origin 12 drum magazines. The pouch protects both the front of the drum and the feed tower via a flap that clips in place over the tower. Two side retention straps ensure the drum stays securely in place.
These pouches are not available yet. They are expected to be released soon on both Wilde Custom Gear’s website and the Fostech website.
