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TacStrike

By on August 3, 2011 in Guns, Tactical Gear, Tactics and Training

TacStrike has a lot to offer serious shooters. They offer innovative steel targets, a very cool gear consignment service, and even high end training through their affiliation with Pat Goodale of Practical Firearms Training (PFT).

Targets

The thing that drew me to TacStrike originally was their 1/4 Scale Steel Target System. I know from experience that shooting steel can take your training to the next level. It allows you to be much more efficient on the range than if you are shooting paper. Paper requires pasting, replacement, and gear like staplers and tape. Steel targets can be set up quickly and can take round after round without maintenance during your range time.

The 1/4 Scale Target System is one of the most training friendly and versatile steel targets that I have seen (which is exactly what you would expect from a target designed with Pat Goodale and PFT). It is compact and can be moved by just one person. The target is made from AR 540 steel and it floats in the frame which allows it to soak up the impact of round after round. The 1/4 size silhouette target forces the shooter to concentrate on getting a hit unlike many larger steel targets which are too forgiving of marginal hits. The vertical post that holds the target up is armored to protect it from damage. Everything about this target is well thought out, including the base which can also accept 1×2 or 2×2 boards for use with paper targets.

Gear Consignment

TacStrike also offers a service that I am sure many busy shooters will appreciate – gear consignment. So what do you do when you have a bunch of gear that you don’t use anymore? Well, you could hit the classified section of an online forum and spend your time taking pictures, answering goofy questions from goober after goober, getting low-balled, and standing in line at the post office… or you can just send the gear to TacStrike. They will take pictures, list the gear on their site, handle the shipping, and then cut you a check when your gear sells. Now that is convenient. Of course, since this is a consignment service, that means you can also find some great deals on other people’s unneeded gear. That is a win-win.

Be sure to check out TacStrike’s Youtube channel for videos of their targets in action and their Facebook page for updates on the latest consignment gear.

TOP SHOT 3

By on August 3, 2011 in Other

I have to admit that I really like TOP SHOT. I didn’t really know much about until I came across it on Netflix a few months ago and watched the first episode of the first season. I think I finished the rest of the season in about 2 days.

We are now on the brink of the 3rd season of TOP SHOT. The season premier will run on History Tuesday, August 9th at 10PM/9PM central time. I was contacted by the folks at History and they passed along this information about the coming season:

HISTORY’s hit competition show is back with a gauntlet of all new extreme challenges and eager marksmen ready for a shot at greatness.  16 competitors chosen from across the country vie for the $100,000 prize and the title of TOP SHOT.  A national revolver champion, two homeland security agents, a former Navy SEAL, firearms instructors, a restaurant owner and a camp director must demonstrate their skill using the most diverse weapons, from state-of-the-art firearms to rocks.  This season also stars some of the biggest weapons ever featured on TOP SHOT such as the Gatling and Hotchkiss Mountain Guns.  Colby Donaldson returns as host for the competition that takes a page from history.

The 14 marksmen and two markswomen were carefully selected from thousands of applicants to participate in this season of TOP SHOT. The contestants include a national revolver champion, two homeland security agents (who also happen to be close friends), a former Navy SEAL, two cops, a nurse and several firearms instructors. Two of the contestants, a restaurant owner and Christian camp director, are self-taught.

The shooters will have to display mastery of weapons from all eras of human history, from the most primitive (rocks) to the most sophisticated tactical firearms. Contestants will employ some of the biggest munitions ever featured on TOP SHOT, including the Gatling gun, the Hotchkiss mountain gun and the CornerShot. In addition, they must endure extreme physical tests to stay in the game. High-speed HD cameras capture the skillful execution of each test in extreme slow-motion.

The premiere of season three begins with a gauntlet of extreme challenges. 16 marksmen immediately pair off and duel with one of the world’s biggest handguns. Teams are then divided into winners and losers before facing off in a surprise military challenge. In the elimination challenge, two competitors get the ride of their life on a horse-drawn stagecoach as they shoot to stay in the competition.

You can head over to the TOP SHOT Facebook page or the TOP SHOT website to keep up with all the latest news about the show.

Disclosure: I was contacted by HISTORY and provided with information for this post.

Eberlestock A2MP MultiPack

By on August 2, 2011 in Survival, Tactical Gear

The A2MP MultiPack from Eberlestock looks like a very versatile pouch. It has a ton of pockets and can be carried several different ways.

The A2MP MultiPack features 10 different pockets! There are internal slip pockets, mesh see through pockets, a zip up main compartment, and a some smaller exterior pockets. You should have no problem organizing a ton of small items in the A2MP.

The carry methods are as varied as the pockets. It can be used as a chest pack in conjunction with your backpack. In this configuration it allows you to carry items that you want immediately accessible without having to remove your pack. It can also be attached to MOLLE webbing. It would make a heck of an organizer pouch for a pack that lacked a lot of internal organization. You can also mount the A2MP to just about any strap which opens up possibilities like a waist pouch or even attaching a shoulder strap.

You can find much more information and pictures on the Eberlestock website.

Tactical Handyman: Magpul RVG Mod

By on August 1, 2011 in Guns, Tactical Handyman

Magpul’s RVG (and MVG) has proven to be a tremendous value in the crowded market of vertical grips. It offers a solid, durable, and relatively lightweight way to really get a grip on your rifle. It is long enough that it can be used with a full grip (hammer grip) but savvy users will find that it is well shaped to work with the thumb break or thumbs forward grip. However, when it is used in this method, it is much larger than it needs to be.

This installment of The Tactical Handyman is nothing earth shattering, but it is useful. We will be taking a look at some modifications to the MVG and RVG that will make these vertical grips better suited to a thumb break or hand stop style grip, increase grip, and save a little bit of weight in the process.

Tools:

  1. Cutting implement that is suitable for plastic (a hacksaw or hacksaw blade works great, a rotary tool could also work)
  2. Pencil
  3. Sandpaper in various grits
  4. Rotary tool (optional)
  5. Stippling gear (optional)

Procedure:

Our goal is just to shorten the grip to remove any length and weight that we aren’t using. You will be tailoring it to how you grip the rifle. If you are using it as a handstop and most of your hand is actually gripping the hand guards then you can take a ton off the grip. If you are using a pure thumbs forward grip, you may want to leave most of the MVG intact. Your grip will dictate how much is removed.

The procedure is simple. As with any project, remove all ammunition from the area that you are working in. Check that your carbine is unloaded. Double check that it is unloaded and then check it again. You can’t check too many times. Then…

  1. Study how you grip the rifle. Present it several times and as you do, mark the lowest point on the grip that your hand is contacting with your pencil. You will want to do this several times and at full speed to really get a good idea of where to start cutting.
  2. Plan the cut. Once you have decided on a pencil mark to use for your cut, consider adding about 1/8″ to account for sanding later or just to give yourself some room on the grip. I decided that I would cut my RVG at a diagonal since I only contact the front of the grip. You will want to plan your cut now because it will be too late after you start cutting.
  3. Make the cut! You can remove the grip and put it in a vice if you like. This would be the safest thing to do, especially if you are using a power cutting tool. I using a hacksaw blade so I just kept the RVG mounted. I wrapped one end of the blade in tape so I could grip it and I liked the control and flexibility that this method gave me. You can use the grooves on the front of the RVG to align your cutting tool.
  4. Clean up your cut. Use your rotary tool if you have one or your sandpaper to clean up the sharp edges where you made your cut. I rounded the edges fairly aggressively. Finish the clean up with the finest grain sand paper that you have.
  5. Stipple the grip. This step is optional. After step 4 you will have a functional grip but you can really increase its function with some quick and dirty work with your soldering iron. If you need help you can check out my article on stippling gear.

I am not the first one to do this modification and, like I said, it isn’t really earth shattering but it is functional. I think the stippling really enhances the functionality of this mod so I strongly encourage you to give it a try.

Krebs Custom Customer Service

By on July 30, 2011 in Guns

I recently ordered a couple of parts from Krebs Custom to complete a project that I have been working on. I received the parts very quickly but one of the parts was incorrect. It was a very small difference but it rendered the part unusable to me.

Every AK needs a Krebs Custom Enhanced Selector.

I was unable to call Krebs at the time so I sent a quick email to point out the problem. Gina from Krebs Custom replied to my email within an hour and said that the new part would be sent to me and that I would be refunded some of the purchase price to cover my return shipping of the incorrect part. I have had several companies expect me to return their mistakes on my dime before and yet Krebs covered my shipping without me even having to ask. They just made it right.

I received the correct part today, less than 48 hours from when I brought the problem to their attention. Included in the box was a $5 bill – no waiting on a credit card refund or having to deposit a check. Someone actually sent me cash to cover my return shipping. Talk about painless. They just couldn’t have made it any easier.

If the true test of a company is how they handle problems when they do occur, then Krebs Custom gets an A+. Thank you Gina and Krebs Custom.

If you need innovative and well made AK parts that are backed by people who take your satisfaction seriously, then check out Krebs Custom.

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