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S&J Hardware Detachable Shotshell Carrier Pouch MKIII

By on June 9, 2014 in Guns, Tactical Gear

I have really seen the light when it comes to hook backed, elastic loop side saddles/shot shell cards for shotguns. They just offer so many more ammo management capabilities with less weight and lower cost.

One of their biggest advantages is the ability to remove and replace them quickly as they become depleted. That sounds good but you still have to work out how you will carry the spares. You have options like sticking a spare or two the loop field on your plate carrier or chest rig(if it has one). You could also carry the cards in AR-15 magazine pouches which works reasonably well. However, if you want a dedicated solution, you might consider something like the new Detachable Shotshell Carrier Pouch MKIII (DSC) from S&J Hardware.

DSC Pouch

The DSC is a pouch that is purpose built to carry 3 (included) shotgun cards. One of the cards is carried on the front of the pouch where it is always ready. You can think of that one as a speed reload in a sense. The other two are secured inside the pouch. The pouch is closed via a zipper and it features a large pull tab on the top so that it can be ripped open easily with one hand. It is MOLLE compatible with a footprint that is basically the same as a standard M4 magazine pouch.

This looks like a very well thought out solution and a heck of a deal considering it comes with 3 shell cards. Check out the S&J Hardware Detachable Shotshell Carrier Pouch MKIII.

Strike Industries EMP

By on June 9, 2014 in Guns

Strike Industries (SI) just unleashed an EMP. Don’t worry though, I’m not talking about the survivalist’s wet dream type of EMP. I’m talking about their new Extended Magazine Plate.

The SI EMP is a drop-in replacement for the standard baseplate on a Magpul Gen M2 PMAGs (a version for Gen M3 PMAGs is in the works). It adds 2 rounds of capacity, some additional gripping surface, and is designed to be a stable platform when using the magazine as a monopod.

The SI EMPs are available individually and in packs of 3.5_1_18

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Review: OC Tactical HP2 Hearing Protection Cover

By on June 9, 2014 in Tactical Gear, Tactics and Training

I have been using OC Tactical’s earlier version of the Hearing Protection Cover for years and I am very partial to it. My Sordin electronic hearing protection has a permanently attached, leather-like headband cover on it that turns kind of slimy if you wear it on a hot day, so I have always covered it up with a cover from OC Tactical. My original cover is durable, comfortable, breaths well, and you can take it off to clean it. Like I said, I have grown partial to it. So, when I heard that OC Tactical was coming out with a new version that was easier for them to manufacture but a better overall product, I was skeptical. I mean, I trust Mike at OC Tactical to make great gear but… I really like my old cover.

Overview

The HP2 Hearing Protection Cover is made from Cordura Nylon with a foam backed Dri-Lex mesh liner. It made to be wrapped around the headband and secured along its entire length with hook and loop material. There is a handy loop sewn into one side of the cover that allows you to secure your hearing protection to your gear via a carabineer or similar device. OC Tactical offers an optional section of color matched loop to secure name tapes for a small fee.

OC Tactical HP2

Observations from Use

The fit is better on the new HP2 than the previous version of the hearing protection covers. It lays flatter and seems to be a bit more forgiving to install without feeling like there is too much extra material. Not only does it fit my Sordins with the non-removable, leatherish cover still in place, it also fits bare Sordin headbands and the budget friendly Howard Leight Impact Sport head set.

It also feel thinner overall than the original without any loss in comfort. I have a large noggin and, without some padding, my Sordins will start get uncomfortable on the crown of my head. OC Tactical’s covers have always been a suitable fix for that. The new HP2 is just as comfortable but with a bit less bulk which means it works better under a helmet (not that I ever have much reason to wear one, but you might). That is a win-win.

My HP2 has a loop made from shock cord. OC Tactical found that sometimes the sewing machine’s needle would pierce and break the inner elastic strands in the shock cord which weakens it. They have since changed to a paracord loop. I like that kind of retro-testing and attention to detail.

OC Tactical HP2 Loop

Considering everything I said above, I would say my initial skepticism was misplaced. I actually prefer the HP2 to the old version but I haven’t even covered the best part of the new design. It has been streamlined so that it costs less and is almost always in stock! If you have one of the older ones, you know it could take a while for OC Tactical to work through their waiting list. They made thousands and thousands of these covers. Now, with the new product HP2, they are available right this minute for less money. Progress!

Wrap Up

The HP2 is a better cover than the original at a lower cost and with immediate availability. That is hard to hate. Check out the OC Tactical HP2 Hearing Protection Cover.

OC Tactical HP2 Open Outside OC Tactical HP2 Open Inside

Wilson Combat Lo-Profile (Single) Lever Safety / De-Cocker for the Beretta 92/96

By on June 7, 2014 in Guns

The Beretta 92/96 series of handguns has enjoyed a hard earned reputation for reliability. I owned a beat up police trade-in 92F for years that I upgraded with several parts from Ernest Langdon that really made the gun sing. It served me all and I still regret selling it. My biggest gripe with it at the time was the slide mounted safety which was too easily bumped into the safe position when manipulating the slide in common ways. I trained around it but in the end, it was just easier to standardize on a different handgun.

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Ernest Langdon is still working on Berettas though now he is doing it through Wilson Combat. One of their initial product releases deals specifically with the issue I mentioned above. The Wilson Combat Custom Carry Lo-Profile (Single) Lever Safety is a single sided lever (not ambidextrous like the factory part) and features a lower profile lever. By removing the lever on the right side of the gun and making the left side lever lower in profile, the risk of inadvertently activating the safety is reduced. A safety lever like this has been a long time coming. I wish this was around when I still had my 92F.

Check out the Wilson Combat Custom Carry Lo-Profile (Single) Lever Safety.

13.7″ Barrels and BE Meyers 249F at Weapon Outfitters

By on June 7, 2014 in Guns

A handful of manufacturers have made 13.7″ AR-15 barrels for several years now. They have been predominantly used with a permanently attached Noveske KX3 Pig Brake to bring the total length to a non-NFA 16.1″ but that configuration never appealed to me due to the weight of the KX3.

weapon outfitters 13.7

Weapon Outfitters has found that the excellent BE Meyers 249F flash suppressor is long enough to fill the same role as the KX3 but it weighs significantly less and is one of the few flash suppressors out there that can come close to taming the flash on a short barrel. This configuration has a lot of potential for a compact, lightweight AR-15 build.

Weapon Outfitters offers the barrels separately or they can build a custom upper for you.

 

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