Archive | Reviews

Mini-CQB Weapon Light from Elzetta and Impact Weapons Components

By Matt on January 20, 2015 in Flashlights, Guns, Reviews

I see it time and time again. When innovators find a way to work together, they can do greater things than they could have done alone. The brand new Mini-CQB weapon light from Elzetta and Impact Weapons Components (IWC) is a prime example of that.

A Perfect Marriage

Think about the potential of a partnership like this for a moment. Just a few short years ago there was only one widespread system for attaching accessories to rails (Picatinny rail) and LEDs were just starting to produce “tactical” level lighting at about 60-80 lumens. Now we have M-LOK and KeyMod jockeying for position with Picatinny rail and lights that can output over 300 lumens from a single CR123A battery. How do you keep up with those kinds of constantly evolving technologies? You bring together an industry leader in lighting with an industry leader in direct-connect mounting to create not just a light but a concept.

I call it a concept because, in a way, this is bigger than just a light. Both IWC and Elzetta are known for a modular approach. That sort of approach is evident in this light. Elzetta’s modular approach means that this light comes to market complete with a full suite of tailcaps that offer various functions (momentary only, clickie, strobe, high-low, and tape switches) and the ability to easily change the beam pattern to suit your needs using the available lenses. If a new attachment technology comes to market or you just decide to go another direction with your own collection, IWC’s modular mounting systems can adapt. Basically, this partnership and modular approach allow the light to scale with the state-of-the-art.

Overview of the Mini-CQB Weapon Light – Lighting Components

Internally, the Mini-CQB isn’t much different from an Elzetta Alpha. It uses a Cree XP-G2 emitter behind a solid acrylic lens to produce a balanced beam 315 lumens worth of light. It runs at near full output for about 50 minutes before it drops out of regulation and provides a long additional runtime of diminishing light.

The beam profile appears square up close but rounds out and blends at distance to provide a very wide and evenly distributed hotspot. I had no problem illuminating objects at 50 yards with enough light to identify them. Elzetta uses a lens instead of a reflector to provide a very wide beam with no hard edge.

Like all Elzetta lights, the electronics are fully potted. That means that once the light engine is built, the entire assembly is filled with epoxy and allowed to cure. This creates a completely water proof and shock proof module without a single moving piece. This is the key to Elzetta’s extreme shock and water resistance.

The light is machined from 6061-T6 aluminum. You can watch a recent video from Elzetta that shows just how deep in the weeds they go on material selection. The light is hard anodized for durability and to provide a low glare finish.

Overview of the Mini-CQB Weapon Light – Mounting Components

The mounting components of this light have IWC’s finger prints all over it. The light body has a lug that is design to accept mounts that are not unlike IWC’s previous cantilevered/offset mounts. This allows it to accept a mount that is completely ambidextrous and specific to Picatinny rails or a KML mount that works with KeyMod or M-LOK slots…

That’s right. I said it works with either KeyMod or M-LOK. This mount marks the debut of a new KML mount design that IWC has created that will work with both KeyMod and M-LOK! It is basically a new nut design coupled with permanent lugs on the mount that allow KML accessories to mount to either system. This should not be lost in the announcement of a new light. IWC has figured out how to create a mount that works across both systems. You can expect a full suite of KML mounts to hit the market soon.

The Picatinny Rail attachment is straight forward. It works much like any other offset mount you have used and will be especially familiar with you have used IWC’s other offset mounts. The KML mount is something completely new. The fixed mount portion has lugs that fit in either KeyMod or M-LOK slots. The nut is designed to mount within the larger back portion of the KeyMod slot or, you simply remove the nut and turn it over to work with M-LOK slots in the typical way. You can view a PDF version of the instructions here.

General Specs and Observations from Use

I have had this light in hand for a few days now so I am hardly qualified to give a full review. Consider this as more of an initial impression. I have, however, already spent quite a bit of time behind it in preparation for this article and, in a sense, the light components of the Mini-CQB are already vetted since it is the Elzetta Alpha internally.

The light weighs 4.7 ounces with the KML mount (4.7 ounces is the official weight from Elzetta and IWC but my scale reads 4.5 ounces) . The rail mount version is lighter at 4.5 ounces. It is about 4″ long with the momentary only switch installed. The length will vary based on the tailcap used. This is a very compact light.

I tested the light on M-LOK slots where it mounts like any other M-LOK item. There were no surprises. I also tested it on KeyMod slots. Mounting the KML to KeyMod slots is easy but slightly different from a regular KeyMod mount. The KML system mounts in the rear part of the KeyMod slot which is the larger diameter, circular portion. The key to mounting it properly is to ensure that the nuts lock into the lugs on the back of the mount when you tighten them. You only need to do it once and you will have the hang of it. Instructions will be provided with production versions. I was able to figure it out without instructions so you know it can’t be that hard.

Once the light is in place, it doesn’t go anywhere. In fact, I found the KML nuts to be more secure than standard KeyMod nuts which I have found can loosen without thread locker. I saw no such loosening during my testing.

The Mini-CQB sits relatively close to the rail and falls comfortably under thumb when you need to activate it. The edges on the mount are all rounded which is nice because offset mounts often come into contact with the shooter’s support hand due to their placement. The mount also allows the light to cantilever forward of the rail which lets you run it out a bit closer to the muzzle and clears out space on your hand guard.

315 lumens is a lot of light. Even with the VERY broad beam profile of this light, I was able to identify objects 50 yards away. It works very well indoors thanks to the broad beam and can be pressed out to 75 yards by virtue of its output. If you shine the Mini-CQB at a white wall, you will see a squarish central beam shape. This rounds out and fills in at distance. I never really get wrapped around an axle about beam shape.

Elzetta always seems to get the color temperature right. The center of the beam is a nice milky white. There are no blue or green tints until you get to the edges.

I think it is very cool that this light comes to market with such a complete suite of tailcaps by virtue of its complete compatibility with the Elzetta modular series of components. I currently have the momentary only tailcap but I will likely switch it a clickie eventually. I like to have an easy to access constant on option and Elzetta makes the best clickies that I have used.

Wrap Up

This light is the result of two companies at the top of their game. It represents a modular approach to an extent that is nearly unprecedented. It may not be the lightest option in terms of weight but that isn’t what you expect from an Elzetta light. You expect to be be able to drive nails with it and drop it out of helicopters.

There were no surprises during the testing and the light has done everything Elzetta and IWC say it will so far. In fact, I think they are being conservative with some of their specs. I am extremely impressed not only with the light but with the entire idea of two companies, American through and through, coming together in a way that makes so much sense and has so much potential.

You will likely see the Mini-CQB all over the SHOT Show on various Geissele and BCM rails. IWC will be on hand all week in the Elzetta booth (#20601) helping to show off the light.

Additional Information

Expected MSRP:

Rail mount version – $205
KML version – $230
KML M-LOK / KeyMod mount only – $30
1913 Rail Mount only – $20

These will be eligible for the Jerking the Trigger discount at Impact Weapons Components. Just use code “triggerjerk” at checkout. This code works on all IWC products on their website.

See additional reviews and information at AR15News.com and the 47 Images Photography Facebook page.

Review: Smith & Bradley Sans-13

By Matt on December 22, 2014 in EDC, Reviews, Tactical Gear

I have spent the last several months wearing a Smith & Bradley Sans-13 Tactical Watch. In that time, it has been through the wringer and it performed well.

The Sans-13 ticks all the checkboxes that I like in a watch. I can’t afford fancy watches and the activities that I take part in generally don’t lend themselves to fancy watches any way. I tend to favor tough watches or what some people call “tool watches” – the kind of watch that you aren’t afraid to wear.

Built to Last

I have found that, if a watch is going to break, it will break most commonly in one of three places: the crown, where the strap meets the case, or the movement. Knowing this, I generally shop for watches that address these potential failure points and that is what drew me to the Sans-13.

The Sans-13 systematically addresses each of the above failure points. Their case design incorporates a large integral fence design that nearly completely shields the crown from impact. Even when the crown is unscrewed for adjustment, the fence is large enough to protect it. This is a must have on a daily use watch in my experience and that is doubly true for a watch billed as “tactical”.

I have yet to meet the spring bar (the little spring loaded bars that retain a watch strap between the lugs) that I couldn’t break so I was glad to see that Smith & Bradley did away with them for the Sans-13. They have been replaced with solid pins that actually screw into the lugs. You need a tiny jewelers screw driver to remove and replace them but you need special tools to work with spring bars too and you should rarely have to deal with them. With some types of straps, like NATO style webbing straps, you will never have to remove them.

Finally, Smith & Bradley builds these watches with a Ronda 6003.D, 4 Jewel Swiss Quartz movement. The 6003.D movement isn’t going to turn heads like some movements but it is proven, robust, and accurate. It is a very good choice for a watch like this and a quality Swiss movement like this puts it ahead of much of the competition in terms of quality.

In the time that I wore this watch, I split and stacked nearly 6 cords of wood among other things. I use a maul and splitting axe to split so you can bet that this watch took some significant impact and vibration. It came through better than my elbows which are still sore. This is a durable watch.

Great Lume

Smith & Bradley nailed the lume on this watch. Their lume is a little bit unique in that it appears to be contained in small vials rather than painted on.

I have a simple test for paint style lume. If I can give it a quick hit of light from a flashlight before bed and then still be able read it in the dark after a full night of sleep with dark adjusted eyes, I am happy. That is really all you can expect from lume. The Sans-13 easily passes that test.

If you need a brighter solution, you’ll need to go to tritium. Watches with tritium markers are generally brighter than I prefer for the first few years. Not because I am concerned baddies will see me as dynamically enter the refrigerator at night but because I just don’t care for the obnoxious glow in a dark room. Give me a watch with functional, high quality lume any day.

The Sans-13 has markers on all three hands, at each hour on the face, and a single large marker on the timing bezel.

Other High Notes

I like my watches large but not obnoxiously so. The 43mm case on the Sans-13 is just right. It means that the face is large enough to read and timing bezel is large enough to use.

Speaking of the timing bezel, it is well designed and executed. The clicks are positive and the bezel is easy enough to turn even with gloves. That is a strong positive for me since I actually use the timing bezel all the time.

I have also been impressed with how new the Sans-13 still looks after several months of wear. The 316L stainless steel case is black PVD coated. PVD holds up extremely well to normal use. It also benefits from an anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal which is extremely hard and difficult to scratch.

Previously, the Sans-13 shipped with a silicone strap which I generally don’t care for. I was happy to see that they currently ship with a NATO style strap (or at least mine did) that appears to be of very good quality. Some NATO straps are straight up junk but this one has held up very well.

What Could Be Better

There are a few things that I wish were a bit better. First, it would be nice if the second hand lined up a bit better with the markings. As it is now, it is close but the second hand sort of splits the markings on the face. While this isn’t an overly expensive watch, it isn’t cheap either. I suspect that this example is not typical of most Sans-13s. In fact, a friend purchased one and his lines up perfectly.

The second item is preference. I wish the face was a bit less busy. The S&B logo is relatively understated but it could probably be smaller. I like the 24 hour markings but when you add it all up, it just looks a bit busy. Don’t get me wrong, it is still readable and it is still a very attractive watch. I just think it could be a bit less cluttered.

Price

I don’t normally address price unless it is integral to the draw of the product. In this case, I can already hear some of you complaining about the price of this watch and that is okay. You probably aren’t the market for it anyway. Not everyone needs or appreciates a watch like this.

In terms of movement, quality of the case and crystal, quality of the lume, and durability features, it actually compares very well to other competing “tactical” watches. In fact, I have owned watches from a well known maker that is probably the largest competition for a watch like this and I won’t own another. They broke far easier than their reputation would indicate. The Sans-13 actually offers you some strong value in the form of a solid Swiss movement and a good quality case.

Overall

I can’t speak to the tactical merit of the Sans-13 since that would be out of my lane. I can say that it has shrugged off recoil at the shooting range and impact while splitting wood. It is handsome enough to wear to church and it seems like it will stay that way for a long time. The design has specifically mitigated the 3 most common ways I have seen watches break. It may not be inexpensive but it is a solid watch with some very nice attention to detail in the design.

Review: TOPS Knives Baja 3.0

By Matt on October 29, 2014 in EDC, Knives, Reviews

The TOPS Knives Baja 3.0 has a size complex. It is small enough to be pocketable but it boasts a blade larger than you would expect.

Overview

The Baja 3.0 is a TOPS Knives creation through and through. They often follow a simple formula and get great results. That formula is quality 1095 steel + micarta slab handles + solid heat treat + usable sheath = great knife. This one doesn’t stray far and that is a good thing.

Steel: 1095 carbon steel
Thickness: 1/8″
Blade length: 3″
Overall length: 6 1/4″
Blade shape: Drop point
Primary grind: Full height flat grind
Scales: Green canvas micarta
Coating: Tan traction coating
Sheath: Leather pouch style sheath (can be worn vertically or horizontally)

Observations from Use

The Baja 3.0 is comfortable to hold and use. The handle is lightly contoured and the scales are flat but grooved for texture. The butt of the knife is turned down a bit and this curve rests nicely on the ring finger. Some users will be able to get all four fingers on the grip.

TOPS Knives added jimping on the spine and the self guard area. The spine jimping is well placed and provides grip during cuts that require you to back the blade with your thumb. I could do without the jimping on the self guard but it isn’t so aggressive that it is uncomfortable.

The first thing that jumped out at me when I unwrapped the Baja 3.0 is just how much cutting edge is packed into a relatively small knife. It is just 6 1/4″ long and 3″ of that is blade. When measured from tip to handle scale (instead of the plunge line), it is actually more like 3 1/4″ of blade with 3″ of handle. That is a lot of blade for a knife in this size range.

There are times when I am glad it has that much blade but I often find myself wishing it was 1/4″ – 1/2″ shorter. That would leave plenty of edge for an EDC fixed blade and make this knife just a bit more compact overall. Maybe a Baja 2.5 is in the works!

Back in the day, you could expect a thick edge from TOPS Knives. Their edges were bomb proof but they didn’t always cut so well. This little Baja 3.0 is just the opposite. It has a very tall flat grind and distal taper that results in very aggressive cutter with a fine point. TOPS Knives turns the point down just a bit to keep it strong. This knife came to me shaving sharp (literally, I always check on my arm hair) and it graduated to laser status without much work on a strop. The combination of flat grind, carbon steel, and good edge geometry almost always creates a solid cutter that is easy to maintain. That is definitely the case here with the Baja 3.0.

The sheath is of good quality. The leather is fairly thick and it has double stitched construction. It is ambidextrous in design and holds the knife securely. There is some kind of insert in the bottom of the sheath to protect from pushing the knife through. In addition to belt carry, the rounded shape lends itself well to back pocket carry. While the sheath is well made, I do find myself wishing that the Baja 3.0 came with one of TOPS Knives Kydex sheaths with metal clip. They are a little smaller on the belt and I like how easy their metal clips are to place on the belt. This is purely a preference and I suspect that many users will prefer the leather.

Normally, I don’t really care what a knife looks like as long as it works. The Baja 3.0 certainly works but I think it could be a lot more attractive without the brass crosshead screw that is used in the handle construction. It is a tiny nit to pick but it just looks out of place.

The size of this knife allows it to work well for a variety of tasks. This is a true general purpose knife. It may not be the right tool for every cutting job, but it is rarely the wrong tool. It is great as an EDC fixed blade due to its compact size and more than enough blade for opening boxes, cutting strings, and other typical tasks that an EDC knife must perform. It would also make a good hunting knife. I prefer a more compact knife for dressing game up to whitetail deer size and the Baja 3.0 is ideal for that. Surprisingly, it is pretty handy in the kitchen as well. The blade is offset from the handle quite a bit allowing the user to get close to the cutting board.

Wrap Up

The Baja 3.0 is a solid offering that stacks up well with other similar EDCable fixed blades. I find myself wishing the blade was a bit shorter at times and the crosshead screw is a bit off putting but these are small nits to pick. It cuts like a laser thanks to a tall flat grind paired with 1/8″ stock. The handle is comfortable and offers plenty of purchase. The sheath is usable and well made. It is just a very solid, ready-to-use package.

More often than not, you’ll find mine tucked into my back pocket.

Diclosure: This product was sent to me by the manufacturer, free of charge, for review.

Review: Spartan-15 Enhanced Billet Lower Receiver

By Matt on October 23, 2014 in Guns, Reviews

Joe Bob Outfitters’ Spartan-15 Enhanced Billet Lower Receiver is one of the most affordable billet lowers on the market but is it worth even a smaller premium over a forged lower? That is the kind of question that everyone has to answer for themselves but for me, it is. Here’s why…

Overview

As you can probably surmise from the name, the Spartan-15 starts life as a solid billet of 7075-T6 aluminum, not a forging. It has a black hard anodized finish and a Spartan helmet/Molon Labe roll mark. The trigger guard is integrated and oversized. Other custom touches include a threaded bolt catch pin, a captured rear take-down pin detent, and an upper receiver tensioning screw.

The Spartan-15 is also marked and notched to work with Battle Arms Development’s short throw selectors.

Observations from Use

The Spartan-15 accepted the White Oak Armament parts kit that I installed without issue. Magazines drop free easily without excess wobble. It appears to be dimensionally correct.

The fit and finish are excellent. The quality of the machining is quite good and the finish is a very nice, dark, even black. The finish appears different than other hard anodized finishes likely due to a different surface preparation. It has a sort of frosted (hopefully that makes sense) appearance that is very attractive. The Spartan helmet marking and Molon Labe roll mark both look nice without being over the top. The pictogram selector markings look great too.

I probably won’t use the upper receiver tensioning screw. I just prefer to avoid them and I don’t mind a little play between the upper and lower. The captured rear take-down pin detent is just neat. It makes installing the castle nut and end plate a breeze. The thread in bolt catch pin is VERY convenient. Installing the bolt catch roll pin is probably the worst part of building a normal lower but this couldn’t be easier. This is a great feature. Remember to use a bit of thread locking compound to ensure it doesn’t back out. I didn’t have an issue with the screw backing out but applying thread locker would be cheap insurance.

You can tell that care was taken to round many of the edges and remove sharp corners. However, the corners around the trigger guard are left fairly intact which is a little disappointing. They aren’t going to cut you but if there is one place that a chamfered edge makes sense, it is there.

The magazine well is also a little disappointing. It is very good dimensionally and it is well finished inside but it has very little flaring at the opening. A flared magazine well is often one of the hallmarks of a billet lower but the Spartan-15 is only flared about as much as a forged lower. Yes, it works but there was room for improvement here.

I saved the best part for last. The lower is designed to accept Battle Arms Development’s Short Throw selectors without modification. There is a small notch on the selection hole to allow the pin to slip in without having to grind it down and the selector markings are designed to work with 45 and 90 degree selectors. At $129 retail, this is the most affordable lower available that accepts these excellent selectors without modification and that is a huge plus for me.

Wrap Up

The Spartan-15 Lower is very attractive, dimensionally correct, and offers some very convenient features. It is likely the most affordable lower on the market that will accept the Battle Arms Development Short Throw Selectors. The magazine well is flared enough but could have been flared more and I wish the edges around the trigger guard were broken just a bit more.

Obviously, the Spartan-15 Lower costs more than a forged lower but it also offers more functionality. As with anything, you will have to decide if the features are worth it to you. I find it to be a good value based almost on the short throw selector compatibility alone. Throw in solid quality, convenience features, with some good looks and I think you have a winner.

Disclosure: I received this product from the manufacturer, free of charge, for review.

AR Pistols and the Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter Gen. 3

By Matt on October 14, 2014 in Guns, Reviews

At this point, several reviews of Law Tactical’s AR Folding Stock Adapter Gen 3 (AFSA) have been written. I’ll give you the short version before launching into the crux of this article. It is beefier than ever. It is easy to install (read the instructions). It operates smoothly and had no effect on the reliability of the two host guns that I tried. It just works.

Now, on to what this article is really about… The AFSA makes sense for any carbine that you want to reduce the overall length for storage/transport/concealment purposes. It is great for making longer precision builds more discreetly storable. It is great for making short barreled rifles and PDR builds even more concealable. But, it really shines when used on an AR pistol.

The AR pistol is enjoying a massive increase in popularity. That popularity is the result of several factors like the extended wait times on NFA approvals that many experienced earlier this year, availability of quality AR pistol parts, strange concealed carry laws in some states, the prohibition of short barreled rifles in some states, and the introduction of the SB15 AR Pistol Brace. Many shooters have begun to see the utility of the AR pistol in a PDW-ish role. It is that PDW role and the unique considerations that come with shouldering an AR pistol that make the AFSA shine.

The AR Folding Stock Adapter makes your AR pistol long where you need it and short where you want it.

Long Where You Need It

If you intend to shoulder your AR pistol you will have to contend with a typically very short length of pull. Many AR pistol receiver extension and brace set ups are as short as or barely longer than a standard carbine receiver extension alone. This is too short for many shooters so they are left using spacers, finding a longer receiver extension, or using other methods to increase the length of pull. This is less than ideal when you are trying to build your AR pistol to be as compact as possible and you can’t install an adjustable stock.

Enter the AFSA. It adds about 1.5″ to the length of pull which is similar to adjusting the stock about 2 positions on a 6 position carbine receiver extension. If you like a shorter length of pull, you can use the AFSA coupled with a quality pistol receiver extension like the one from Spike’s Tactical. If you prefer a longer length of pull, you can use a KAK Industries or MI receiver extension. Either way, the AFSA provides just a bit of the increase length of pull that AR pistol shooter are after.

In addition to the benefits of additional length of pull, that extra 1.5″ of OAL length can help ensure you reach 26″ overall so that you can use a vertical grip. You can read more about the rules surrounding vertical grips on pistols in JTT’s previous post on AR Pistol Misconceptions.

Short Where You Want It

Adding length is great from a shootability standpoint but if your intent was to put together a PDW type build, it is counterproductive since PDWs need to be as compact as possible while still being fast into action. You could split the AR pistol into its upper and lower receivers to make it more compact for storage and transport but that doesn’t meet the fast into action requirement.

Enter the AFSA. With the AFSA in the folded position, the AR pistol is less than 1″ longer than the upper alone. That means that you can keep your AR pistol assembled and have a package that is barely longer than if you broke it into its upper and lower components. The best part is, that the receiver extension can easily be swung into position while the pistol is coming to bear making it extremely fast into action.

Wrap Up

I can’t say that the AFSA is necessary but it has strong benefits that mitigate a common AR pistol issue and enhance a potential use for the AR pistol. The Law Tactical AR Folding Stock Adapter just makes sense for AR pistol shooters.

Disclosure: This product was provided to me by ROSCH Works, free of charge, for review.

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Archive | Reviews

A Perfect Marriage

Overview of the Mini-CQB Weapon Light – Lighting Components

Overview of the Mini-CQB Weapon Light – Mounting Components

General Specs and Observations from Use

Wrap Up

Additional Information

Built to Last

Great Lume

Other High Notes

What Could Be Better

Price

Overall

Overview

Observations from Use

Wrap Up

Overview

Observations from Use

Wrap Up

Long Where You Need It

Short Where You Want It

Wrap Up