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Heat Stippling – Not Just for Handguns

By on March 31, 2011 in Guns, Tactical Handyman

Heat stippling is nothing new. Everyone with a wood burner and Glock has improved their grip by adding some extra texture. Stippling works great on handguns, but can long guns benefit from stippling? They certainly can!

My first adventure in heat stippling a long gun came as an attempt to solve a problem with my AK47s. I typically run my AR-15s with a vertical grip or hand stop. This allows me to use my support hand to pull the AR back into my shoulder and control the muzzle. The vertical grip or handstop is basically just something to pull against. I wanted to be able to run my AK-47s the same way, but I was unwilling to spend the money for a quality rail system and vertical grip for a weapon that is not my “go-to”.

I needed a way to generate a lot of grip so that the AK could be pulled back into my shoulder in the manner that I prefer, so I broke out the wood burner. After a few minutes of work, I had a small area of the polymer lower hand guard  stippled. I took the rifle to the range and I was thrilled with how it performed – so thrilled that I stippled even more of the hand guard when I returned home. I also stippled my second AK.

The extra grip generated by the stippling really aids in driving the AK. I was able to pull the rifle aggressively into my shoulder with less effort which helped keep the muzzle level during fast strings of fire. It isn’t a perfect replacement for a vertical grip but, for me, it has basically the same effect.

AR-15s can benefit from stippling as well. I applied some texture to an AR-15 that I have set up with Magpul MOE hand guards and an IWC Weapon Control MOUNT-N-SLOT. The result is excellent. The grip is positive and aggressive without being overly harsh. I find that I am able to lock my hand into place and really drive the gun. It also works great with gloves which is very nice in the winter.

I am certainly not the first person to heat stipple a long gun but it is far less common than heat stippled handguns. I hope this post encourages you to try your hand at stippling. You might just find that it solves a problem for you, too.

Insight Technology M3 LED

By on March 30, 2011 in Flashlights, Guns

The Insight Technology M3 was one of the first affordable and readily available weapon mounted lights. Its tough, light weight polymer construction and 60 lumen output were state of the art at the time. However, as LED technology progressed, the M3’s performance was eclipsed. Now, Insight Technology has given the venerable M3 a new lease on life.

The Insight Technology M3 LED features the same polymer construction as the original M3. The only real difference is the head. Where the original M3 had an incandescent bulb, the new M3 LED features a 125 lumen LED. The original M3 ran for only an hour but the new M3 LED runs for 3 hours. The new LED head offers twice the output and twice the run time.

The M3 LED is available in black or tan. I have seen some retailers listing just the LED heads for sale to those who want to upgrade their current M3. There is also an updated M3X LED available.

Review: Battle Arms Development – Ambidextrous Safety Selector Cerakote

By on March 28, 2011 in Guns, Reviews

The FDE Cerakote is a perfect match with Magpul's FDE (shown with a PMAG).

I recently received a Battle Arms Development – Ambidextrous Safety Selector Cerakote (BAD-ASS Cerakote) in Flat Dark Earth (FDE). I have already reviewed the regular version of the BAD-ASS and, since the only difference with this new version is the Cerakote, this will be more of a mini-review. Please reference the original BAD-ASS review for more detail.

 

The BAD-ASS Cerakote features all the great functionality of the original BAD-ASS with the additional functionality of Cerakote. Cerakote is a coating that has excellent corrosion resistance properties and is extremely wear-resistant. Even the screws are completely coated to ensure that every part of the BAD-ASS receives the full benefits Cerakote’s of corrosion resistance. As an additional benefit, Cerakote is available in a number of attractive colors. Battle Arms Development is offering the BAD-ASS in either FDE, OD Green, or Gunmetal Gray.

The best news is that, functionally, these perform exactly the same as the original BAD-ASS. The levers are still well designed and easy to operate. It still moves crisply from safe to fire and vice versa. Everything you have come to expect from the BAD-ASS is here with the addition of Cerakote. The term “icing on the cake” seems to fit very well.

You can check out the Battle Arms Development webstore for more details.

Disclosure: Battle Arms Development provided the BAD-ASS Cerakote to me, free of charge, for this review.

FDE shown on a black reciever

FDE shown on Krylon Tan with a green overspray

TM QD Rotation Limited Sling MOUNT-N-SLOT from IWC

By on March 24, 2011 in Guns

Impact Weapons Components really has their finger on the pulse of AR-15 shooters. Their latest product, the TM QD Rotation Limited Sling MOUNT-N-SLOT, will solve some sling mounting problems for those who prefer (or who are required to use) the standard hand guards, users of Magpul MOE Hand Guards, and Bushmaster ACR users.

The TM QD Rotation Limited Sling MOUNT-N-SLOT mounts to the cooling holes in the top of the hand guards via two screws. It extends to the side and down in order to place a QD sling swivel receptacle in a useful position. The user can mount it anywhere along the top of the rail but, in my opinion, it will really shine when it is mounted as near to the upper receiver as possible.

The TM QD Rotation Limited Sling MOUNT-N-SLOT will work especially well as the front attachment point for a sling using the truly impressive 2 to 1 Point Triglide.

Remember to use the coupon code “triggerjerk” at checkout to receive 5% discount at IWC.

Lancer Systems L5AWM Magazines for the AR-15

By on March 22, 2011 in Guns

Lancer Systems‘ new L5 Advanced Warfighter Magazine (L5AWM) has a very attractive combination of features.These magazines were announced just prior to SHOT Show 2011 and are now reaching dealer’s shelves.

The body of the L5AWM is made from polymer. This allows them to be made in a variety of opaque and translucent colors. It also allows an aggressive grip texture to be molded into the body of the mag.

The feed lips are made from a single wrap-around piece of steel that is permanently bonded to the body of the magazine. This makes the feed lips extremely durable. Typically, transparent plastics are too brittle to be used in magazines which causes the feed lips to break over time but this is a non-issue due to the L5AWM’s steel feed lips. The steel is PTFE coated for corrosion resistance.

The L5AWMs also feature an interior that curves continuously unlike typical aluminum USGI magazines which transition from curved to straight where they enter the magazine well. This promotes improved feeding reliability. This feature has been seen before on the venerable PMAG and it should be a welcome addition to any highly evolved Ar-15 magazine.

As with any quality AR-15 magazine, they feature an anti-tilt follower. The translucent versions also feature round count markings to help you estimate how rounds remain in the magazine at a glance. The L5AWM has all the hallmarks of an excellent magazine.

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