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Review: JAVRAN HiViz tacStrips

By on November 7, 2012 in EDC, Reviews, Survival, Tactical Gear

There are times where maintaining visibility is a matter of convenience and then there are times when it is a matter of life and death. HiViz tacStrips from JAVRAN are all about being seen.

JAVRAN makes several different versions of the HiViz tacStrips. This review will deal with the Velcro backed version.

Overview

HiViz tacStrips are pretty simple. They are simply reflective material that has hook Velcro material sewn to the back. The concept may be simple but the execution and quality is better than any other similar product that I have seen, most of which rely on adhesives to attach the reflective material to the Velcro. JAVRAN folds the edges of the reflective material under before sewing on the Velcro. This results in a very clean edge that resists separation.

The best thing about the HiViz tacStrips may be the variety of sizes and colors that are offered. JAVRAN has sizes available to cover most of the common Velcro panel sizes commonly found on gear. They have 5×1” and 3×1” name tape sizes, 2×3” flag sizes, and more. Additionally, they will work with you for custom sizes. They are available in a growing number of colors including red, white, blue, orange, and green.

Observations from Use

I have tested and used these in a number of ways but my favorite use for them is as a gear marker. I just stick them on my backpack and then, if I am separated from the pack in the dark, it can be found easily with a flashlight.

I have also gotten into the habit of keeping one on the cap and chest rig/plate carrier that I wear when I am training. This allows me to remain visible to other students and the trainer during low light training. A reflective patch on your cap can also be a great safety measure if you are a road runner.

Different colors have varying levels of reflectivity. I was able to test white, blue, and red. I found that white was by far the brightest, followed by blue. Red reflects differently depending on the light it is reflecting. If it is reflecting a blue-white light source, it reflects very weakly. Light sources with warmer color temperatures reflect more strongly from the red material. If you use a lot of cool toned LED lights, you may find that red doesn’t reflect as much as you would like.

If you have an MPIL from Battle Systems LLC, you may want to pick up a HiViz tacStrip or two because they work great as a visible light reflector on the MPIL.

Wrap Up

There is nothing revolutionary here. HiViz tacStrips are just well-executed and their numerous size and color options, coupled with their quality, combine to make them better than anything similar that I have tried.

JAVRAN.com

Review: White Sound Defense Steel Guide Rod for GLOCK 19 Gen3

By on November 5, 2012 in Guns, Reviews

We have already reviewed the White Sound Defense Steel Guide Rod for the G17 and similar Gen3 GLOCK.  After that review, several readers wanted one that was sized for the G19. White Sound Defense (WSD) delivered.

Overview

The WSD Steel Guide Rod for the G19 shows all the typical care and thought that goes into other WSD products. For instance, the steel (4340) used for the guide rod is purposefully chosen to avoid the galling that can happen when you pair a stainless recoil spring with a stainless guide rod. The guide rod is then ferritic nitrocarburized, and then subjected to a post-nitriding oxidation treatment which makes it just as rust resistant as the GLOCK slide.

Like the G17 version, this guide rod extends slightly beyond the front of the slide. This slight protrusion acts as a stand-off that decreases the likelihood that the slide will be pressed out of battery from a contact shot. It is shaped to prevent snagging and interference with suppressors.

The guide rod also has a transverse hole which can be used in conjunction with an armorer’s tool or any other slim straight object (small screwdriver, paper clip, etc.) to wind the sling onto the guide rod for easy installation. This is a very clever feature that works like a charm.

Observations from Use

I paired the guide rod with one of WSD’s G19 recoil springs. I like using their springs because they match the OEM spring rate and I am hesitant to tinker too much something that works as well as my Glos. The springs show the same type of advanced thinking as the guide rod. You can read more about them on the WSD website.

There have been zero reliability problems. The G19 that I installed the guide rod and spring into had just 2100 completely trouble-free rounds through it. I put just over 600 rounds through it on 3 separate range trips with the new guide rod. I haven’t cleaned it in that time and I have had no reliability issues at all.

Many very serious shooters immediately change out the plastic recoil spring module on their GLOCKs as a reliability enhancement and there are good theoretical arguments for this. It would take an awful lot of shooting to actually quantify something like that. Whether or not the WSD Steel Guide Rod enhances reliability, I can’t say. However, I can say that I have never had a stoppage that could be attributed to either of the WSD guide rods that I have been using.

Several makers of aftermarket guide rods, including WSD, say that the additional weight of a metal guide rod will help reduce muzzle rise and thus improve shot-to-shot speed. I don’t really notice a difference and there is no real difference on a timer. Theoretically, it is true but it never really pans out for me in reality.

Wrap Up

In my mind, much of the justification for whether or not you need or want something like this will stem from how much importance you place on the stand-off feature or how much value you place on steel guide rods. If you believe there is a high likelihood that a gun-fight can happen in extremely close quarters, then this feature may be very valuable to you. However, if you carry your G19 or similar GLOCK with a weapon mounted light, then it may be unnecessary since the light’s bezel can act as a stand-off. If you are the type who always uses a metal guide rod, then I think the WSD Steel Guide Rod is probably the obvious choice. It gives you the steel guide rod that you are looking for, easier spring installation, the stand-off feature, and extreme corrosion resistance.

Check out WhiteSoundDefense.com.

Disclosure: White Sound Defense provided this guide rod, free of charge, for review.

Review: THORNTAIL Offset Adaptive Light Mount from Haley Strategic Partners and Impact Weapons Components

By on November 1, 2012 in Flashlights, Guns, Reviews, Tactical Gear

The collaboration of Haley Strategic Partners (HSP) with Impact Weapons Components (IWC) has produced a string of a light mounts that are so well conceived that they leave you wondering how you got along without them. Well, here comes another – the THORNTAIL Offset Adaptive Light Mount.

The THORNTAIL Offset works on the SCAR 17 like it was made for it.

The 45 degree offset allows you to utilize lights like the INFORCE WML and Surefire X300 on an FN SCAR without being blocked by the front sight.

Overview

The THORNTAIL Offset is, in the simplest terms, a short section of 1913 rail that is offset at a 45 degree angle to the rail that it is mounted on but there is more going on here than just that. This offset rail does more than any other that I have seen.

This mount is designed to be used with weapon mounted lights like the INFORCE WML, Surefire X300, Streamlight TLR-1, and similar lights. It allows the user to place these lights in a more intuitive and easy to activate location than just being placed on the 3 or 9 o’clock rail.

It can be mounted in a variety of different ways. There are 5 tapped screw holes that allow you to attach the rail section pushed forward or back on the mount. This allows you to cantilever the rail section forward of whatever it is mounted on, much like the original Thorntail Light Mount. Not only can the rail be slid forward or back, it can also be mounted on either side of the rail.

The rail can be mounted forward to clear more rail space or effectively extend the length of your rail for light mounting purposes…

Or, it can be mounted back (or anywhere in between) to act as a simple offset mount.

Like all IWC products, the THORNTAIL Offset is machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and hard anodized for a durable, matte black finish. It weighs only .8 oz!

Observations from Use

I tried the THORNTAIL Offset on a variety of different weapons and with a variety of different lights. I tried an AK with Ultimak rail, various different locations on a AR railed hand guards, and an FN SCAR 17. I was able to test the following lights: INFORCE WML, Surefire X300, Streamlight TLR1, and Insight WX-150. I learned a lot about what weapons this rail is well suited for and which lights work best.

Regarding the lights, they all worked well except the Insight WX-150. The WX-150 has a split rocker switch that means that when the light is flipped upside down on the THORNTAIL Offset, both sides of the switch are constant on only when pressing down on the rocker. Down is the most intuitive way to press the switch so this makes momentary use difficult.  This is less than ideal. The Streamlight TLR would be well suited for a right-handed user but less ideal, though still workable, for a left handed user. The WML and X300 has switching arrangements that I ideally suited to this use.

FN SCAR 17 with Surefire X300

FN SCAR 17 with Streamlight TLR-1

The THORNTAIL Offset is magic on a SCAR or AR-15 but it is not suited to use on an AK with an Ultimak rail. It places the light in a position that crowds the sight picture too much. Ultimak users, this one is not for you.

SCAR users take note. If you want to use an INFORCE WML, Surefire X300, or similar light on your SCAR, you want this mount. You can place the THORNTAIL Offset on the top rail, butted right up to the front sight, and it will place the light perfectly for intuitive use. This position tucks the bezel of the light right up next to the front sight (when deployed) so that there is virtually no shadowing caused by the sight and the sight can be still be folded. The light placement is so nice in terms of its relationship to the front sight post and ergonomics, that it is as if the mount was made for the SCAR. It should be noted that I tried it on a SCAR 17 but I suspect it will work just as well on a SCAR 16.

The THORNTAIL Offset tucked every light we tried (including this INFORCE WML) close to the front sight on the SCAR 17. The fit was ideal.

Talk about a perfect fit! The front sight could still be folded with the light in this position.

The THORNTAIL Offset is also right at home on the railed hand guard of an AR. I tested it on the top rail and side rails where it is especially well suited. Lights like the WML and X300 can be mounted in the 12 o’clock position, directly on the top rail but some users prefer to have the light in a position that is closer to 10 or 11 o’clock which is essentially what the THORNTAIL Offset does. It works especially well on a side rail. It can be difficult to get your thumb down onto the switch of a light that is mounted on the side rail. The THORNTAIL Offset raises and angles the light so the switch falls perfectly under thumb. If you are using a WML, X300, or similar light on a side rail, this mount is a big improvement.

My sample of the THORNTAIL Offset has very sharp corners. It was a non-issue when a light was mounted on it since the light effectively shields the corners. I brought this up with IWC and they informed me that they were already aware of this and that the next product version would have chamfered corners.

I also noticed that, because of the unique way that the two parts of the mount bolt together, it can be a bit of a pain to get the screws started when the mount is not on a rail. Thankfully, the THORNTAIL Offset will come off the rail without the two sections completely detached. If you do have to detach the two parts, the screws can be started easily if you place both pieces on the rail and pinch them into position.

The THORNTAIL Offset works extremely well on the side rail of an AR-15 railed hand guard like this Daniel Defense 12.0 FSPM.

Wrap Up

The THORNTAIL Offset offers a nice ergonomic improvement for those who use lights like the WML, X300, TLR-1 and similar lights on long guns. SCAR owners will really appreciate how it places the light so perfectly. It is light weight, low profile, and cleverly designed to offer a ton of mounting options.

The THORNTAIL Offset is available from Haley Strategic Partners and Impact Weapons Components. Remember to use the discount code “triggerjerk” for 5% off at ImpactWeaponsComponents.com.

Review: Huskey Mark II EWS Sling from Ares Armor

By on October 23, 2012 in Guns, Reviews, Tactical Gear

The Huskey Mark II EWS Sling from Ares Armor is the evolutionary offspring of the original Huskey Amentum Slider Sling. It has learned a useful new trick thanks to some custom hardware from Impact Weapons Components.

Overview

In many ways, the Huskey Mark II EWS Sling is similar to most 2 point slings but it is meant to be used in a specific way as a shooting aid. In order to accomplish this, Ares Armor recommends that the sling be mount as far forward as possible at the front and as far to the rear as possible at the rear.

Like the original Huskey Amentum Sling, the Huskey Mark II EWS Sling features a large, easy to use loop for its quick adjustment point. This loop is attached to the custom slider hardware that allows the sling to be cinched tightly against the body to let out enough to allow a transition to the opposite shoulder.

The range of adjustment with this new slider is incredible and it is surprisingly easy to use. To loosen the sling for a transition, you simply grab the loop and pull. To cinch it tight against your body, you pull the sling tail on the underside of the slider. There is a lever that you can press on the underside of the slider that releases the sling when it is cinched tight.

Other features include a color contrast adjustment loop that is easy to identify visually, padding for comfort, all metal hardware, and 1.25” webbing.

Observations from Use

I initially installed the Huskey Mark II EWS Sling the way Ares Armor typically shows it installed with the sling mounted just in front of your hand at the forward attachment point and as far to the rear as possible for the rear attachment point. While this worked well for stabilization, I found that it limited the range of motion making it difficult to move the carbine the way I like when reloading. After some experimentation, I found that placing the sling as far forward as possible but mounting the rear attachment point near the receiver offered nearly as much stability with increased range of motion.

If you find that you don’t care for the way Ares Armor prescribes the sling be used, it actually works really well as a normal quick-adjust type 2-point sling. The slider and the large loop are the keys to this. They offer quick and easy adjustment for shoulder transitions and making cinching easy should you need to secure the carbine against your body. Ares Armor and IWC really got the hardware right on this one.

I did find myself frustrated at times with the length adjustment of the Huskey Mark II EWS Sling. Much of the length adjustment is done at the rear attachment point which isn’t a big deal for an unpadded sling. However, this is a padded sling and adding length at the rear attachment point means that you are changing the position of the padded section of the sling. It is possible to end up with the padded portion of the sling on your back where it does you no good rather than sitting on your shoulder as it should be.

Wrap Up

The Huskey Mark II EWS Sling is designed to be used with a certain technique for stabilizing your carbine and it works as advertised when used this way. However, it is flexible enough to also be a very good quick adjust 2-point type sling. If you have to adjust the sling to be long enough to accommodate larger users or extra gear, you may find that the padded section is ineffective but on the whole, the sling is solid.

Check out the Huskey Mark II EWS Sling on AresArmor.com. Thank you to Impact Weapons Components for providing the sample to review.

Note: Unfortunately, I lost my pictures for this review after I already returned the sample. The images used are from Ares Armor.

Review: ECHO NiNER Mini Flat Pouch

By on October 15, 2012 in EDC, Reviews, Tactical Gear

The ECHO NiNER Mini Flat Pouch has a pretty appropriate name. It is small and basically flat, but that doesn’t really tell the whole story of what this little pouch does.

The E9 Mini Flat Pouch is sized perfectly sized to carry items like memory cards, remotes and more.

Overview

The E9 Mini Flat Pouch measures 3” x 2.5” when it is folded.  The front of the pouch is nearly completely covered with a loop Velcro panel and has a small zipper that allows access to the pouch. The Velcro allows the Mini Flat Pouch to serve as a patch/ID carrier (like a PRESS patch), while the pouch is the perfect size for spare memory cards, a small camera remote, spare cash, or similar sized items.

It has a tri-fold design that allows it to wrap around whatever you are attaching it to and secure with Velcro. The surfaces that engage whatever the Mini Flat Pouch are wrapped around are coated with the same grippy gel-like material that is used on the E9 Original Camera Strap. The material does a great job of preventing the pouch from sliding around even when it is mounted on slippery material like tubular webbing.

This rubber material helps lock the E9 Mini Flat Pouch in place on wherever you put it.

Observations from Use

This is a handy little pouch for an amateur photographer like me. It is great for keeping my camera remote and a couple of spare memory cards on hand while I am shooting a piece of gear for review. Keeping them in the Mini Flat Pouch like this means they stay attached to the camera and out of my pockets (and out of the washing machine when I forget to take them out of my pockets).

I kept the Mini Flat Pouch attached to a camera strap for most of the time that I have been reviewing it. The tri-fold, Velcro closure means I can move it easily between my cameras so it can be attached to whichever I am using at the time. I also found that it was very handy on a backpack strap which is where I kept it while I was attending a recent event.

The back of the pouch features the E9 logo.

The tri-fold design allows Mini Flat Pouch to lay very flat. It is hard to imagine that a pouch could have a lower profile than this. This low profile design makes it best suited to carrying mostly flat items. It won’t carry much in terms of volume but it carries everything I need it to carry.

It could be used to carry an extremely compact boo-boo or survival kit. The Mini Flat Pouch could easily handle a few meds, some adhesive bandages, antibiotic ointment packet, and similar items that you might find in a boo-boo kit. You could just as easily pack away a small ferro rod, water treatment tablets, button compass, and other useful survival items.

The only complaint that I have with the pouch is the zipper. It appears to be of high quality but the zipper pull jingles like a cheap bell when you move. I snipped off the metal zipper pull with wire cutters and replaced it with gutted para-cord to save my sanity.

The Mini Flat Pouch is right at home at a camera strap like this ECHO NiNER Light Speed Camera Strap.

Wrap Up

ECHO NiNER takes a simple pouch and dresses it up into something more useful with the addition of an ID/Patch carrier. The no-slip, tri-fold design makes it easy to attach to just about any strap and it really does a great job of staying out of your way even when mounted on your camera strap. I would like to see them get rid of the metal zipper pull.

Check out the ECHO NiNER Mini Flat Pouch on ENiNER.com.

Disclosure: ECHO NiNER sent me the Mini Flat Pouch for review, free of charge.

The Mini Flat Pouch can be attached to a variety of objects like this backpack strap.

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