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Review: Spartan-15 Enhanced Billet Lower Receiver

By 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…

Joe Bob Outfitters Spartan 15

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.

Joe Bob Outfitters Spartan 15 Rollmark Joe Bob Outfitters Spartan 15 Pictogram

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.

Joe Bob Outfitters Spartan 15 Bolt Catch Joe Bob Outfitters Spartan 15 Threaded Detent

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.

Joe Bob Outfitters Spartan 15 Magwell Joe Bob Outfitters Spartan 15 Low Shelf Joe Bob Outfitters Spartan 15 Grip Area

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 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.

Law Tactical AR Folding Stock Adapter Installed

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.

Law Tactical AR Folding Stock Adapter Folded

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.

Law Tactical AR Folding Stock Adapter Bottom with QD Socket

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.

Law Tactical AR Folding Stock Adapter Latch Side Law Tactical AR Folding Stock Adapter Hinge SideLaw Tactical AR Folding Stock Adapter Top

Review: ROSCH Works TM-1

By on September 13, 2014 in Flashlights, Guns, Reviews

The ROSCH Works TM-1 is a simple light mount with a ton of versatility built in. It’s simple in that it has a single screw and the bulk of it is machined from a single piece of steel. It’s versatile in that it can mount a light on a shotgun or AR-15 with gov’t profile barrel at just about any position “on the dial.”

ROSCH_Works_TM1

Overview

The TM-1 Light Mount is designed to be mounted on AR-15s barrels or 12 gauge shotgun magazine tubes. I can hold flashlights that range in diameter from 0.987 – 1.003”.

The TM-1 shows ROSCH Works typical attention to detail.

  • It is cleverly machined from a single piece of stainless steel and requires a single screw to secure the light in the mount and the mount on the barrel (or magazine tube).
  • The stainless alloy was specifically chosen to reduce the transfer of heat from the barrel to the mount. They actually tested it with 400 rounds of full auto fire and found that it was still comfortable to touch while the barrel was smoking.
  • It uses a 2 piece shim set to clamp on AR-15 barrels (.741” gov’t profile or .750” gas block diameter depending on the shims) so that it can be installed without removing the muzzle device. The TM-1 will mount on a shotgun magazine tube without the need for the shims.

I don’t typically comment on price, preferring instead to let you decide what something is worth. However, in this case, the price is one of selling points. The TM-1 costs just $30 + $5 for a shim set if you need them.

ROSCH_Works_TM1_2

Observations from Use

The TM-1s biggest strength is its versatility. First, it doesn’t require a special hand guard or rail to mount. It just clamps onto something that your firearm already has – the barrel or magazine tube. Second, it can be mounted to either AR-15s or most 12 gauge shotguns. Third, it can be mounted at just about any position. If you want it at 10:30 on the dial for your support hand thumb, you can do that. If you want it at 6:00 to it is in line with the bore, you can do that too.

ROSCH Works struck a good balance between making the TM-1 trim and lightweight but also confidence inspiring in terms of durability. It is a single, solid piece of steel and it feels like it yet is only weighs 1.5 ounces (2.1 with shims). I am fairly sure that you will break your flashlight long before you break the TM-1.

I tested the TM-1 in several positions on an AR-15 and then on a shotgun where it immediately found a permanent home. It works very well with the light positioned at roughly 10:30 on the dial, especially on a shotgun. In this position, you can rotate the mount so that the light is tucked as close as possible the hand guard or fore-end and then slide the light forward and back until it positioned perfectly for your support hand thumb.

On an AR-15, I like it best when it positions the light at 6:00 on the dial. This allows you to either use the sling swivel to activate the light by pressing it against your light’s tailcap or simply slide your index finger forward to activate. It also places the light in line with the bore which makes it easier to work around cover and barricades.

ROSCH_Works_TM1_3

I tested the TM-1 with several lights. If you are looking for a bargain, the Surefire G2X fits perfectly and boasts over 300 lumens of output. The Surefire Fury also worked very well. The Elzetta ZFL-M60 makes for a bomb proof pair when coupled with the TM-1. ROSCH Works’ own stand-alone light, the WL1, makes for a bomb proof pairing that is also very lightweight. It will be available with an optional tailcap that supports the sling swivel method mentioned above.

The biggest downside to the TM-1 is that it mounts to the barrel and that may not work for some shooters. It probably doesn’t make a lot of sense to use the TM-1 on a free-floated AR-15 but, if you have a free-float rail you are probably in the market for a rail mounted light mount anyway. This is complete non-issue for those who intend to use it on a shotgun.

Wrap Up

The TM-1 is simple, clever, durable, well made, lightweight, versatile, and affordable. It has found a permanent home on one of my shotguns thanks to its ability to be fine-tuned to the shooter and the specific firearm it is mounted on.

Check out the TM1 at ROSCH Works.

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

Review: Lanco Tactical GripStop

By on September 12, 2014 in Guns, Reviews

It’s part vertical grip. It’s part hand stop. It’s part barricade device. It’s GripStop.

Lanco_Tactical_GripStop_Mod1_side

Overview

GripStop is a hard anodized aluminum forward grip that can be used on a number of different long guns. According to Lanco Tactical it was “designed by a former USMC combat veteran to fill the void between using a vertical grip and hand stop.” Basically, GripStop’s unique shape allows the user to vary the way they grip it and makes it ideal for use as a barricade stop or support for awkward shooting positions.

It is available in 2 different versions that cover most hand guard types. The original GripStop mounts via two bolts on 2 3/8” hole spacing and can be adapted to a number of different hand guards including most of the various “universal” free float tubes, KeyMod, and anything you are willing to drill the necessary holes in. It weighs 2 ounces

GripStop Mod 2 is a rail mounted version that can be mounted to any standard 1913 Picatinny rail. It weighs 3.1 ounces.

Lanco_Tactical_GripStop_Mod1_bottom

Observations from Use

I have been using an original GripStop (from before the KeyMod compatibility was added) since around the time it was introduced. I like it so much that I also purchased GripStop Mod 2. Both have served me very well. While their attachment method differs, they are nearly the same functionally so this review can cover both.

The key to GripStop’s success is its unique shape. It should be obvious from the pictures but if you picture half of a skateboard half pipe turned upside done, you will have the basic shape. The leading edge of the curve is parallel with the bore and close to the hand guard while the trailing edge is perpendicular to the bore. This shape allows the user to adjust how the grip feels by sliding their hand forward and back.

If you prefer a “C Clamp”/thumb over grip like you might typically use with a handstop, you position your hand further forward on the GripStop, bringing your hand more in line with the hand guard.

If you prefer a thumb forward grip with a less flexed wrist position, you position your hand further back on the GripStop. This feels more like a typical thumbs forward grip with a vertical grip.

You may just find yourself somewhere in between and that is part of the strength of the GripStop. It supports just about any grip.

Lanco_Tactical_GripStop_Mod2_side

That way that you can vary your grip also has the benefit of allowing you to place GripStop just about anywhere on a rail or on a rail of just about any length. Hand stops and angled grips like Magpul’s AFG work best when mounted closer to the muzzle on longer rail because, in general, a thumb over grip will be more comfortable and provide more benefit with the support arm extended. GripStop can adapt to just about any position on the rail because you can adapt your grip to just about any angle.

Both versions of the GripStop have large ribs machined into the curved portion. These serve to enhance grip. They are large enough that they don’t feel sharp on your hand and the gaps between the ribs bite into barricades very well. You can plant the GripStop on a barricade and really lean your weight in behind it to control recoil.

The rear face of the GripStop is completely vertical (perpendicular to the bore). This allows you to hook it against a barricade and pull back with the strong to control recoil or to hook it on your forearm in awkward shooting positions like “brokeback prone.” The ability to hook the forearm or push against the forearm brings a lot recoil control and stability to these awkward field positions.

GripStop’s weight is a potential fly in the ointment for some users. At over 3 ounces, the GripStop Mod 2 weighs 3 times as much as a typical handstop. The direct connect GripStop weighs only 2 ounces but that is still more than a smaller handstop. I suppose there are a few ways to look at that. I have chosen to purchase one in spite of the weight because I appreciate the added functionality that comes with it. I think the functionality justifies the weight. You could also say that if you are using a quad rail instead of a more trim universal hand guard, you probably aren’t overly concerned with weight. Still, it would be nice to see some additional weight reduction efforts if possible.

Lanco_Tactical_GripStop_Mod2_bottom

Wrap Up

GripStop bridges the gap between vertical grips and hand stops. It does a good job of offering the best of both along and a range of functionality that lies somewhere between the two. It is basically the chameleon of forward grips and should be able to fit anyone’s shooting style while also giving them some options that they may not have had before.

Check out the Lanco Tactical GripStop.

Review: UW Gear Swamp Fox MKIII

By on September 11, 2014 in Reviews, Tactical Gear

I have spent the last several months getting to know the new, MKIII version of the SwampFox Chest Rig from UW Gear. When they first announced the MKIII version, UW Gear told me that this chest rig is more durable, lighter weight, more comfortable, and easier to produce than the MKII version. Those types of claims require some investigation, especially when they are messing with my favorite chest rig!

UW_Gear_Swamp_Fox_MKIII

Overview

The Swamp Fox MKIII is a chest rig that is available in specific versions for AR-15s, AK-74s, and AK-47s. The majority of the rig is constructed from 1000D Cordura nylon and is available in a wide array of colors and camo patterns.

It still retains much of what made the Minuteman MKII great:

  • The unique and functional pull tab flap closures are still intact though now they have a more compact, rounded shape.
  • The sewn in drainage gaps at the base of the magazine pouches are still there.
  • The webbing reinforcement of the magazine pouches is still there though now it has been beefed up.
  • The “H” harness is still well shaped and is now even more comfortable.
  • The rig can still be adjusted to ride very high without fear of buckles interfering with the buttstock of your carbine.

Some of the differences are noted about but other notables include:

  • All edges are now closed with binding tape rather than folded and sewn. This is probably the most significant change and the one that has streamlined the production process more than any other.
  • There are 2 columns and 3 rows of PALS webbing on the sides of the rig rather than the 3 columns that the standard MKII had.
  • The magazine pouch flaps are now reinforced with 1.5” webbing rather than an extra layer of Cordura.
  • The harness is constructed from a mix of 1000D Cordura and webbing with bounded edges. It is now slightly more flexible.
MKII on left, MKIII on right

MKII on left, MKIII on right

MKII on left, MKIII on right

MKII on left, MKIII on right

Observations from Use

As I said above, I was told this new rig would be more durable, lighter weight, more comfortable, and easier to produce than the MKII version. I’ll try to address each one of these claims from my perspective based on my use of the new MKIII version.

More Durable

It is a little hard to quantify this based on my use. I still haven’t even come remotely close to wearing out my Swamp Fox MKII. On paper, I believe it because of the addition of the webbing reinforcement inside the magazine pouch flaps and the bound edges. Both of these items add reinforcement at common failure points.

The rig still shows UW Gear’s typical overbuild quality. All webbing is box stitched where it joins the body of the rig. The PALS webbing is attached with large bar tacks. Just about every component of these rigs is made with multiple layers of something be it Cordura nylon, webbing, or binding tape.

MKII on left, MKIII on right

MKII on left, MKIII on right

Lighter Weight

The scale doesn’t lie! The MKIII weighs about 16.45 ounces, which is 2.1 ounces less than the MKII version. Much of weight was saved in the new construction method for the pouches and the harness and basically comes from replacing extraneous fabric with strategically located webbing.

More Comfortable

This is probably the claim that I was most curious about. The biggest reason that I like the MKII style chest rigs from UW Gear was because of the way they constructed the harness. They used multiple layers of Cordura and webbing to create a harness that was somewhat rigid but better able to flex and twist without the bunching and gaps you see in a padding harness. It was thin and supported weight very well.

The new harness is a bit less rigid. It is still thin. In fact, it is thinner. It still bears weight well, moves well with the wearer, and the bound edges are actually a bit more comfortable against your skin.

UW Gear also adds some detail here in how they shape the harness. The shoulder straps are set at an angle greater than 90 degrees to the horizontal strap that holds the H harness together. This allows it to sit more comfortably across your back and shoulders. This detail is still present in the MKIII version.

I guess I have to admit that it is more comfortable though I do miss a bit of the rigidity of the original harness.

MKIII on left, MKII on right

MKIII on left, MKII on right

MKIII on left, MKII on right

MKIII on left, MKII on right

Easier to Produce

This one is easy to prove. UW Gear is a small shop with a unique, well-made product. They operate with a permanent backlog but thanks to the streamlined production of the MKIII, they have reduced their lead times.

You can still expect to wait 3-5 months but that is an overall reduction from where they were and that lead-time is shrinking continually.

H-harness detail

H-harness detail

Wrap Up

The Swamp Fox MKIII is an improved version of an already great chest rig. If nothing else, it is a huge win for the user that UW Gear was able to increase durability and reduce weight. The streamlined construction will also allow them to keep costs in check.

This is a worthy successor.

Check out all of the new MKIII versions of your favorite gear at UW Gear.

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

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