FDE MagPods are set to be released sometime around the end of July. MagPod has also confirmed that they are currently developing a PMAG Gen M3 compatible version of the MagPod but there is no firm release information that they can share at this time.
Photo Credit: JJLEE
Echo Nine Three is now offering 12 exclusive rail covers from Custom Gun Rails Inc. The rail covers feature pop culture references, funny sayings, and even a toasting Mikhail Kalashnikov all rendered in full color. People who are up on their movie trivia will spot references from Tombstone, Blackhawk Down, Red Dawn (because, of course), and more. Check out all 12 at Echo Nine Three.
Who wouldn’t want Kalashnikov toasting them every time they looked at their rifle?!?!?
I have written about GWACS Armory CAV-15 Lower Receivers before. They are the only polymer AR-15 lowers that I have personally vetted over several years and a few thousand rounds. I own two of them and trust them in large part because they are designed around the strengths and weaknesses of polymer rather than just a normal lower rendered in plastic instead of aluminum. Are they for everyone and every purpose? Maybe not. Do they work as intended and take a massive amount of abuse? You bet. I believe they are very under-appreciated.
InRange TV (who you really should be watching regularly for their unique blend of firearm reviews, history, culture, and consistently solid content) posted a test a while ago that I shared on the JTT Facebook Page that showed them running over, shooting, and generally abusing a GWACS Armory CAV-15 Lower.
KE Arms recently sent me some press that shows what happened to that poor, abused CAV-15 Lower. You might think it was retired to trade show booth wall-hanger status or the dust bin. Not quite. Karl, one of the hosts of InRange TV is still using it. In fact, he is using quite effectively. The lower was recently used in conjunction with a KE Arms upper to win Trooper Division at the Independence Day Action Rifle Match and place 6/76 over all.
The upper/lower combo has affectionately been named Icarus which is very fitting. It certainly looks like it has been flying a bit too close to the sun. Both KE Arms and GWACS Armory are understandably proud of Karl’s accomplishment and their gear.
Archer Mfg has introduced a new shotgun package that has a back story and cause that are even better than its spec sheet. The Kanon 12ga is their tribute to a fallen teammate who was killed in Afghanistan while working as a security contractor. The name Kanon actually comes from the name of their fallen comrade’s explosive detection dog. A portion of the proceeds from all sales of this shotgun will go to a trust established for his daughter’s college education.
Like I said, the back story and cause are better than the specs, but that is really saying something because the specs are pretty darn good too. The Kanon starts life as a Remington 870P with an 18″ barrel with 2 round magazine extension. They are inspected and function checked before the Kanon package is applied which includes:
The Kanon starts at $1495 and will be available with several buttstock and foreend options. It is in the process of being added to the Archer Mfg website.
Pistol-Training.com has announced that The Gadget (or Gadget Striker Control Device as it is now known) will be brought to market via a crowdfunding campaign that will kick off on Friday. July 10. This will make the day of those who know what The Gadget is and understand its use. If you are scratching your head about what The Gadget is, read on.
Early prototype of The Gadget
The Gadget is a “striker control device” made for Glock pistols that is the result of collaboration between instructor Todd Green and a student of his, Tom Jones. It is a back plate for Glocks that is hinged at the top and protrudes in through the striker channel to contact the rear of the striker. Essentially, this creates a physical linkage between the shooter’s thumb and the striker that can help prevent accidental discharges of the firearm caused when a holster obstruction presses the trigger.
Why is this physical linkage important? There are two reasons. First, it allows the shooter to feel the movement of the striker. Second, it allows the shooter to block the movement of the striker. The shooter can place their thumb on the back plate and provide pressure while holstering their Glock in an effort to feel or, better yet, block accidental movement of the striker caused by an obstruction that presses the trigger as a handgun is pushed into the holster.
It works like this. The shooter places their thumb on The Gadget and provides pressure while holstering. If they feel any resistance while holstering or they feel the striker moving via The Gadget, they can withdraw the handgun and check for holster obstructions.
I can already hear people crying about additional safeties and unnecessary widgets. The Gadget is not a safety and this procedure of placing the thumb on the hammer of a handgun has been taught for decades with hammer fired handguns and handguns with protruding strikers. The Gadget simply makes the procedure viable for Glock shooters.
The Gadget is completely passive in how it functions. If you don’t provide thumb pressure, it does nothing to block striker movement. If its only moving part should happen to break off the host handgun, the Glock will continue to function as normal.
Stay tuned for additional details on the Gadget Striker Control Device crowdfunding effort.
