Archive | Reviews

First Look: Midwest Industries Gen2 SS-Series Panel Kit with Handstop

If you haven’t checked out the Midwest Industries Gen2 One Piece SS-Series Free Float Handguard (that is a mouth full), you are really missing out. I currently have two them and I like them quite a bit. They are lightweight, extremely slim (1.5″ outside diameter!), lack sharp edges, affordable, and accept of a variety of different accessories (the IWC 1.75″ MOUNT-N-SLOTs work fine in spite of the slight difference in diameter). But this isn’t a review of the handguard. It is a review of the new Panel Kits that Midwest Industries (MI) is offering for the handguard.

MI Gen2 SS Panel Kit

Overview

There are 2 different panel kits available that each come with 3 panels. One kit contains 3 “flat” panels while the other contains 2 flat panels and 1 panel with a built in handstop. I purchased the kit with the handstop.

The panels bolt directly to the handguard via 2 short steel screws per panel (provided). The screws mount to the threaded holes in the Gen2 One Piece SS-Series Free Float Handguard, rather than the slots so no backing plate is necessary. That makes installation a breeze. Just be sure to add a dab of thread locker to the screws.

Observations from Use

I haven’t had these that long, so this is really more of a first look than a full review. However, these are a pretty simple product and I am not sure that I have much more to learn about them from continued use.

The texture that MI molds into the panels is fairly effective. It isn’t quite as grippy as DIY stippling but it is more aggressive than most textures that you will find on molded plastic items. It provides enough grip that I am not in a hurry to stipple them myself and it works well with gloves.

The panels are fairly slim (only about 1/8″ thick). The Midwest Industries Gen2 One Piece SS-Series Free Float Handguard is slim enough that the little bit of extra diameter may actually improve the grip for some users.

MI Gen2 SS Panel Kit Handstop

The steel screws can transmit heat to the shooter’s hand. They never got even close to being uncomfortable, but they did feel warm. This probably isn’t going to be a big deal for you unless you are doing multiple mag dumps, but steel is a good conductor of heat. If your barrel and gas block start to really heat up, you will likely notice that the screws get a bit warm. This is probably more of an issue in theory than in practice. In fact, this is probably nit picking because the panels do make the handguard more comfortable overall when temperatures rise.

Since these panels mount to the various threaded holes on the handguard, you may find that you are pretty limited as to where you can place them. This is less of an issue with the flat panels but more of an issue with the handstop. It works great as a true handstop – mounted well forward to keep your hand from slipping off the front of the handguard. However, if you want to use it to pull against with a thumbs forward or thumb over style grip, you may feel a bit more limited. Thankfully, I was able to attach the panels in a location that worked well for me and I suspect that they will work fine for most users.

I really appreciate how easy these panels are to mount. You don’t need to remove the handguard and installation literally takes seconds.

I also really appreciate how economical these are in terms of cost and weight. Where else are you going to be able to get rail covers and a handstop for less than $15. The flat panels weigh just 11 grams including the screws and the handstop panels weigh only 14 grams including the screws (total of 36 grams for the entire handstop kit or 33 grams for the flat panel kit).

Wrap Up

Several manufacturers make these narrow, top rail only style handguards these days but very few of them have some kind of rail cover solution for them. It is nice to see MI addressing the issue for their own handguards. These panels represent a good value and they work very well. If you own a Gen2 SS-Series Free Float Handguard, these panel kits are money well spent.

You can purchase your own at MidwestindustriesInc.com.

Review: Blue Force Gear BELTminus

The load bearing belt concept behind BELTminus is not new but the execution certainly is. It is the latest iteration of Blue Force Gear’s MOLLEminus technology which seems to have near endless potential for application to tactical gear.

BFG BELTminus

Background

BELTminus harkens back to the belt and suspenders style load bearing equipment (LBE) that has been worn by warfighters for nearly as long as warfighters have had the need to carry gear to support their mission. In recent years, chest rigs have surpassed the LBEs in use but they have never completely replaced them because of the inherent advantages of the LBE in certain roles and environments. For instance, chest rigs cover the wearer’s chest which makes shedding excess body heat difficult while an LBE keeps the chest clear. Chest rigs also place the weight of their load on the shoulders while an effective LBE puts the majority of the weight on the hips which are far more efficient for bearing weight.

Overview

BELTminus was designed to be a simple, compact, lightweight load bearing rig. If you are familiar with LBEs, the BELTminus will feel like an old friend because it is true to the concept while still being thoroughly modernized.

If you have never used an LBE before, you can think of BELTminus as a sort of hybrid between a chest rig and a “battle belt.” It is like a chest rig in that it carries your second line gear like magazines, first aid, and similar items. It is also a bit like a battle belt in that it is worn low on the waist (I wear mine just above my pants belt) and it has storage capacity around nearly its entire circumference. It differs from a battle belt in that you probably will not mount your handgun on it and it is designed to be worn with the included suspenders.

BELTminus consists of 2 main components: the shoulder harness which is available in 2 versions (padded and low-profile) and the “belt.” Both components are mainly constructed of the laser cut ULTRAcomp laminate material that constitutes Blue Force Gear’s MOLLEminus technology.

BFG BELTminus ULTRAcomp

Close up of the slots and voids that are laser cut in the ULTRAcomp laminate material

Both shoulder harness options are made in the “H” pattern. I have been using the low profile harness which is similar to the one used on the RACKminus and SPLITminus chest rigs. It is constructed from ULTRAcomp with a mesh backing. The ULTRAcomp is laser cut with large voids to allow it to accept MOLLE compatible pouches or to be used for routing cables and hydration tubes. The harness is attached to the belt at 4 locations and can be adjusted for height at all four attachment points.

The belt component of BELTminus is laser cut from a single piece of ULTRAcomp. It is laser cut with the series of slots and voids that is typical of MOLLEminus gear. These slots and voids completely replace the need for a sewn on PALS webbing matrix. The result is a piece of gear that is much lighter than a traditionally constructed piece of gear can be and one that is more durable due to its near complete lack of seams/stitching. The amount of MOLLE real estate varies based on the size of BELTminus that the user chooses, but each size consists of a 2 row tall section on each side and a 3 row tall section on the back. The belt is closed with a side release buckle in the front and offers about 10” of adjustment range.

BELTminus is available in 5 sizes that cover waist sizes from 31” to 53”. Those numbers are actual measurements, not pants size. BFG obviously chose their sizing to make me feel good about myself because the size small fits me with plenty of room to grow and I could easily get into an extra small.

The low profile shoulder harness is thin, lightweight, and very breathable.

The low profile shoulder harness is thin, lightweight, and very breathable.

Observations from Use

It took me a while to get BELTminus adjusted to my liking. It really helps to load your belt with all the gear that you will typically carry. It is so lightweight on its own that you will not get a realistic idea of how it will fit when it is loaded down. For instance, when I tried adjusting it while empty, I found that when I loaded my magazines on the range the cross brace part of the “H” harness was riding on the back of my neck instead of between my shoulder blades like it should. You will really need some weight on the belt to strike the right balance between bearing the weight on the hips and the shoulders. I found that I can tighten or loosen the waist belt to transfer weight on or off the shoulders much like you would with a backpack. Transferring the weight periodically in this way may keep your more comfortable over longer periods.

There is plenty of adjustment available for height. I am about 6’ 2” with a long torso and, with the BELTminus adjusted to ride on my waist, I still have enough webbing left to just about double the length of the straps on the shoulder harness.  Thankfully, Blue Force Gear (BFG) thoughtfully provides a slim metal tri-glide on each shoulder harness strap that can be used to secure the loose ends of webbing. I suspect that most users will be able to trim a substantial amount of strap off the harness if they wish.

BFG BELTminus Strap Managment

These small metal tri-glides help keep all the excess webbing from getting out of hand.

You will want to work out early on in your time with BELTminus how you will carry a sidearm. BELTminus is not an ideal place to mount something like a handgun. It lacks the structure necessary for gun bearing duty. I left the right side of mine fairly open so as not to impede my draw stroke and used a dropped holster like a Safariland 6280 or 6004 attached to my pants belt or an overbelt worn below BELTminus. This set up worked without drama.

BELTminus is really designed to be worn on its own, not when you are wearing a chest rig or plate carrier. I tried it anyway and Blue Force Gear is right, it isn’t ideal. You end up with a mess of straps across your shoulders and chest. If you want a place to keep gear on your belt line while you wear a chest rig or plate carrier, get something without suspenders like a SOC-C Modular Padded Belt.

If you are used to using a battle belt, reloading from BELTminus will feel natural to you. If you aren’t used to going to the belt area for your reloads, you are in for a treat. The belt area is much faster and more natural to reload from than a chest rig.

If you choose your pouches carefully, BELTminus can be covert. I discovered this by accident during testing. I was on the range, packing up for the day and I threw my jacket on over my gear. It wasn’t long before I noticed that BELTminus completely disappeared under the jacket. This was due to a combination of factors. BELTminus is very, very thin on its own (about half the thickness of a dime). BFG’s Ten-Speed pouches are also extremely thin and they hold the magazines very close to the body. Additionally, the belt line is a very advantageous place to conceal bulky items thanks to the way clothes hang off our shoulders. BELTminus’ ability to be used as a concealment rig is phenomenal, especially in conjunction with Ten-Speed pouches. It is even more impressive when you realize that BELTminus is just as much at home carrying a heavy load in an overt manner than it is carrying a lighter load covertly. That is some serious versatility.

Believe it or not there is a Glock 17 magazine, Elzetta flashlight, 2 AR-15 Magazines, a dump pouch, a full IFAK with tourniquet, and room for more under that jacket.

Believe it or not there is a Glock 17 magazine, Elzetta flashlight, 2 AR-15 Magazines, a dump pouch, a full IFAK with tourniquet, and room for more under that jacket.

I experimented with several different configurations and basically found that as long as I put pouches where I was generally used to them being on my battle belt, I was happy. I eventually arrived at two favorite configurations. The first was to use BELTminus is more of a heavy load bearing role. This meant that I had as many as 4 Helium Whisper Double M4 Mag Pouches toward the front of the rig, a Ten-Speed Dump Pouch toward on the rear pushed slightly to my weak side, and a Trauma Kit NOW! on the rear pushed slightly to my strong side.

The second configuration that I liked was more of a light and slick set up. I placed a Ten-Speed Double Pistol Mag Pouch as far forward as possible on my weak side, a Ten-Speed Double M4 Mag Pouch just behind that, a Ten-Speed Dump Pouch mounted on the rear toward my weak side, and a Boo Boo Pouch or Small Utility Pouch on my strong side toward the front. This set up concealed well and was so light that I could wear it indefinitely.

Wrap Up

BELTminus’ military application seem evident to this non-military user. It allows high mobility and reduced stress from heat while still offering impressive load bearing capability. Its application to regular guys like me was less evident until I tried one. Its ability to be very covert really carves out a niche for BELTminus in the gray man’s gear bag. BELTminus is my favorite application of MOLLEminus yet.

Check out BELTminus on BlueForceGear.com.

Review: BCMGUNFIGHTER Compensator MOD 1

BCM is one of the few companies out there that, based on reputation alone, can get me over the initial skepticism that I usually have for a new product. So, when the BCMGUNFIGHTER Compensator was announced, I figured that the list of potential muzzle devices to replace the pinned A2X on my BCM 14.5” Mid-Length Carbine just got one device longer. Since the announcement, I have had the chance to put just under 250 rounds through a BCMGUNFIGHTER Compensator MOD 1. This review will outline my experience with it so far.

BCMGUNFIGHTER COMP MOD1 Top

Overview

BCM has marketed the BCMGUNFIGHTER Comp as a compensator for more serious use. It is designed to suppress flash, control muzzle rise and recoil, and do all of it without the tremendous over-pressure that some comps are plagued with. It is constructed from stainless steel. The MOD 1, which I was testing, is longer and comes pre-drilled for permanent installation to bring a 14.5” barrel up to 16” in length.

The BCMGUNFIGHTER Comp 6 large slots (3 on each side) that are oriented front to back. These slots work with a cone toward the front of the device to do much of the heavy lifting in terms of recoil and muzzle rise reduction.

BCMGUNFIGHTER COMP MOD1 Front

Observations from Use

It is inevitable that the BCM GUNFIGHTER Comp will be compared to the Battle Comp. Since so many people are already familiar with the performance of the Battle Comp, I will use it for a direct comparison throughout the review.

In terms of flash suppression, the BCM GUNFIGHTER Comp was solid… for a compensator. I tested it along side several devices with Prvi 75 grain .223 ammo, 55 grain Federal bulk pack .223, and some M855 62 grain 5.56. It suppressed flash on par or perhaps slightly better with the Battle Comp and was basically outperformed by dedicated flash suppressors. That sounds bad but it is actually quite good. This is a comp first and it happens to have adequate flash suppression capabilities.

Recoil Control was very good. I would say the Battle Comp outperforms it here very slightly. However, I also find recoil to be the most subjective parts of these tests. There just isn’t much to begin with and different shooters seem to deal with it differently. I found that it definitely has a discernible affect on the felt recoil.

BCMGUNFIGHTER COMP MOD1 Side

Muzzle rise reduction is what I was most concerned about and I wasn’t disappointed. The Battle Comp seems to push the muzzle down ever so slightly but I found that the BCMGUNFIGHTER Compensator was a bit more neutral to me. However, it is not quite as laterally stable as the Battle Comp – which is a big part of what makes the Battle Comp a great device to me. I found a tendency for the muzzle to move more left or right than up or down with the BCMGUNFIGHTER Comp. The movement was confined to a workable “wobble zone” that still allowed me to ride sights or reticle noticeably faster than I could with just a flash suppressor installed on the test carbine.

In terms of additional sound and overpressure, I was very pleased. You still would not want to put your face next to this comp but it wasn’t bad at all. I stood next to the BCMGUNFIGHTER Comp while the carbine it was installed on was being fired and it was quite bearable with hearing protection on. It didn’t have the sharp crack and chest rattling feeling that users of other compensators will no doubt be familiar with. If you have stood next to a Battle Comp and noticed how relatively (“relatively” being the key) mild the concussion is, the the BCMGUNFIGHTER Comp experience will be similar.

BCMGUNFIGHTER COMP MOD1 Pin Hole

Wrap Up

The BCMGUNFIGHTER Compensator MOD 1 compares favorably in most areas to the Battle Comp and manages to do so at a lower price point. It isn’t as rock steady as the Battle Comp but it doesn’t push the muzzle down as much either which I like. In terms of sound and flash suppression, they are very close.

Throughout the testing, I had this installed on a 16” barreled carbine that was just serving as the test mule. The ultimate goal was to find a device that I could commit to permanently attaching to a 14.5” carbine that I have. So, I think the ultimate statement that I can make as to how much I like the BCMGUNFIGHTER Compensator MOD 1 is to say that I will be boxing it up very shortly and sending it off to ADCO Firearms to be permanently attached to my carbine.

These have been hard to get recently but PredatorARMAMENT is where I got mine and they have been able to keep them in stock fairly regularly. Check out the BCMGUNFIGHTER Compensator MOD 1 at PredatorARMAMENT.

Review: White Sound Defense FOSSA-556

The White Sound Defense FOSSA-556 is one of the newest muzzle devices on the market. WSD claims that this device will decrease muzzle rise and recoil while still suppressing flash on par with some of the best flash suppressors on the market – all without the over-pressure issues that compensator/muzzle brakes typically process. It shows WSD’s typical flair for high end materials, high performance coatings, and innovative engineering, but does it do what it claims?

DSC_0051

Overview

The FOSSA-556 is a flash suppressor that also decreases muzzle rise and recoil. It is not a muzzle brake/compensator that also suppresses flash. That is a small, but important, distinction.

It is machined from 17-4PH stainless steel and then finished with a titanium aluminum nitride surface coating. The combination of the steel used and the coating should make it very corrosion resistant and resistant to the adherence of carbon.

The FOSSA-556 has three flash suppressor tines. The bottom one is the largest and takes up nearly 180 degrees of the FOSSA’556’s circumference. The top two tines are smaller and the gap between them is located at the top center of the device.  It uses a unique internal geometry and the orientation of the tines to mitigate muzzle rise and recoil.

Observations from Use

The most surprising thing to me is the FOSSA-556’s flash surpressing capabilities. Will at WSD told me it would be good but I was still surprised and impressed. This device suppresses flash on par with some of the best devices out there. It appears to outperform devices like the YHM Phantom (a very good device in its own right) and perform slightly better than the Smith Enterprise Vortex. I tested it with Prvi Partizan  75gr Match and Federal 55gr .223 bulk pack ammo through a 16” barrel (Spikes GMP upper) and there was little to no visible flash perpendicular to the shooter.

DSC_0024

There are only a handful of flash suppressors out there that will perform as well as this in terms of flash suppression but the FOSSA-556 also boasts some muzzle rise compensation and recoil reduction. It does this by means of the closed bottom and open top slot configuration along with some unique internal geometry. It works very well. I was expecting it to display a lot of downward pushing because of the open top slot, but it was surprisingly neutral. There was little in the way of downward movement or side deflection. I wouldn’t say it was as neutral as a PWS FSC556 or Surefire muzzle brake but it is very impressive for a device that is primarily a flash suppressor.

The FOSSA-556 is similar to the previously reviewed PWS Triad in that it is a flash suppressor that also controls muzzle climb and recoil. However, I found the FOSSA-556 to be more stable in terms of side to side movement during recoil and less likely to push the muzzle down than the Triad. Both are great devices and users will have to weigh the cost difference when deciding.

Perhaps most importantly, it manages to provide this muzzle rise mitigation with no extra concussive blast or perceived noise to the shooter or those around the shooter. I also noted that it had minimal ground signature thanks to the large bottom tine. It was similar to a Phantom with 5C2 in terms of ground signature.

White Sound Defense has engineered a clever fix for that annoying pitch fork like ringing that is so common with devices with long, uniform thickness tines like the FOSSA-556. I can’t go into too much detail here other than to say it works (there are patents pending). I never heard the FOSSA-556 ring even with electronic hearing protection in use. It is actually pretty interesting that is doesn’t ring because when it is off the carbine it rings readily but once installed, it is completely quiet.

The coating on this device has a really attractive dull gray look to it. It is a very good looking device. Normally, when I install a muzzle device, I try to be at least a little careful to keep as much of the finish intact as possible. I took no such precautions with FOSSA-556 so that I could test the durability of the coating. I would usually put a bit of grease or oil on the flats to protect the finish but I didn’t this time. The coating didn’t really hold up that well when faced with an adjustable wrench and no protection. It fared about as well as a black phosphate coating which is disappointing. The difference is that there is stainless steel underneath. It does however do a fairly good job of releasing carbon. The device wiped clean fairly easily with just a rag. White Sound Defense tells me that they are already have a solution for finish issue.

DSC_0010

Wrap Up

This device is really pretty amazing now that I have had a chance to put it through its paces. It is a very effective flash suppressor that also happens to provide an impressive degree of muzzle rise mitigation. It also manages to mitigate the downsides that typically plague other devices: pitch fork ringing and concussive side blast. The coating didn’t hold up as well as I would have hoped but on the whole, this is an impressive device.

You really should check out the FOSSA-556 at WhiteSoundDefense.com.

Disclosure: I received the FOSSA-556 from White Sound Defense, free of charge, for review.

Review: 3 Practical-Not-Tactical Flashlights for Less Than $16

Not all flashlights have to be tactical and not all of them have to be expensive. In this review, I’ll take a look at 3 different lights that offer more functionality and usefulness than their cost would indicate. None of the lights reviewed below cost more than $16 each.

Streamlight Microstream

Streamlight Microstream

The Streamlight Microstream is interesting to me because it seems to occupy the space between tactical lights and keychain lights. It is small enough to carry on a key chain but it has a very useable tail cap switch that lets it serve as a backup tactical light. At just over 1 ounce in weight, it can be comfortably carried as a backup to a larger light.

Streamlight says the Microstream puts out 28 lumens for 1.5 hours which is pretty decent for a single AAA light. You will likely still get useable light after 1.5 hours if you are stuck without a spare battery, but output will be greatly diminished by then. The Microstream will surprise you with how good 28 lumens can look. Streamlight did a great job sorting out the reflector on this light. It has a very useable beam profile with surprising throw for such a small light.

Streamlight Microstream Tailcap

The body of the Microstream is constructed from hard anodized aluminum. The switch is covered with a rubber boot and the lens is made from polycarbonate. Its clip has a two way clip that allows for bezel up or down carry. It is also handy for attaching the Microstream to the brim of our cap to serve as an improvised headlamp.

The only real issue that I have with this light is that the switches are fairly stiff. Momentary activation is easy enough, but if you have to click it on, it takes significant effort.

Princeton Tec AMP 1L

Princeton Tec Amp 1L

The Princeton Tec Amp 1L isn’t a tactical light but it is definitely a practical light. Like most Princeton Tec lights, it is made from plastic and very water resistant. It boasts 45 lumen output for 72 hours (72!) from 2 AAA batteries, a large loop for attaching it to your gear, and a built in bottle opener. That’s right. I said built in bottle opener.

Princeton Tec AMP 1L with Diffuser Cone

The Amp 1L is available in two different versions. The more commonly found version is just the light. There is also a version that comes with a white plastic cone that snaps onto the bezel that turns the Amp 1L into an area light. It works great and while the cone is available separately, it is cheaper to just seek out the combo package that includes the cone. I should note that my AMP 1L that came packaged with the cone didn’t have the bottle opener, but I think the current package lights now include the built in bottle opener.

This light is great for all kinds of outdoor pursuits. It is also a perfect addition to your BOB or power outage kits. It can be used to peer a fair distance down the trail and then, by attaching the diffuser cone, it makes a great lightweight lantern. This versatility along with its durability, run time, low cost ($10-12), and ability to remove the barriers between you and ice cold refreshment make the AMP 1L a great all-around light.

eGear SplashFlash

eGear SplashFlash

I recently posted about a deal that I found on the eGear SplashFlash and many of you conveyed to me that you were able to pick up several of them. Well, I hope you held onto your receipts because I have good news. The price has gone down to less than $2 a light and if you take in your receipt, they will adjust the price.

This light is a bargain and deserves to be on this list at its normal $8-10 price. The SplashFlash is about the size of a tube of chapstick and yet it has already replaced much larger lights for me. It runs off of a single AAA battery, features plastic construction with a large o-ring to make it submersible, and comes with a small carabiner. It has two modes of operation that are selected by twisting the bezel into the on position. The first time you turn it on, it will be in constant on mode. The second time will put the SplashFlash in SOS beacon mode.

What makes the SplashFlash special is a combination of 4 things: size, weight, run time, and its ability to replace much larger lights. I have already mentioned the size above, but, with the included carabiner, it weighs only about 1 ounce. It will run for 11 hours (I have actually seen more than 12 hours of useful light) on a single AAA and its frosted dome spreads its 25 lumens around the entire room. The result is a tiny light that weighs almost nothing, and can replace a lantern in your kit.

I always used to carry small battery powered lanterns when camping. The term “small” in the previous sentence is relative because the lanterns/area lights that I used before are about the same size and weight as 5 SplashFlash lights. These are a great addition to a BOB or emergency kit.

Wrap Up

There is room in any Trigger Jerk’s budget or backpack for lights like these!

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