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Review: J Dewey Field Kit for AR-15/M-16 in .223/5.56

By on September 3, 2012 in Guns, Reviews, Tactical Gear

I was recently given the opportunity to check out some items from J Dewey, who you probably know for their high quality cleaning rods. The items were excellent, but, in the review, I mentioned that I have a pretty informal approach to cleaning my ARs. J Dewey took that as an opportunity to provide me with their AR-15 Field Kit which they said was a better match for the way I do things.

Overview

The AR Field Kit is basically just what it sounds like. It is just about everything you need to keep your AR clean in the field. The kit contains 10 items:

  • Pouch with belt loop
  • Bottle of FP-10 CLP
  • Chamber rod
  • Nylon coated steel cable (30”)
  • Cotton bore patches
  • Chamber brush
  • Bore brush
  • Stuck case remover
  • Brass scraper
  • Pick

Observations from Use

My contact at J Dewey was right, this does fit my cleaning style (if there is such a thing) more closely. While some guys seem to roll into a class with an entire tackle box full of cleaning gear, I could easily get by with just this kit which is barely larger than a deck of playing cards.

The cleaning cable is pretty clever. It features a patch loop at one end and a threaded end for accepting various accessories. There is a large, heavy duty plastic bead that can be slid from one end of the cable to the other to be used as a handle for pulling the cable through the bore. The steel cable itself seems quite sturdy and it has the same tough protective coating that J Dewey uses on their cleaning rods which, in my experience, holds up very well.

The fact that the kit includes several properly sized cotton patches is a very nice detail. Often, patches included in generic cleaning kits require trimming but the ones included in this kit are sized for the relatively small bore of the AR. They pull through easily.

The chamber rod is pretty straight forward and I think I actually like it better than a much more elaborate one that I own. It breaks down into the 2 sections for easy transport and it has a large T-handle that makes turning even a tight, new chamber brush easy. The chamber brush has held up well to use. Cheap ones tend to collapse and become fairly useless in just a couple of uses.

Even after you drain the last drops of the FP-10 CLP, you will want to keep the bottle for refilling. It is a handy size bottle of good quality that works well with the kit. Mine has been bounced around, crushed, and generally disregarded without any leakage.

The bore obstruction remover is nearly useless for me. It is basically just a long section of brass that can be attached to the cable in order to protect the threads. It won’t replace a break down cleaning rod (which I always carry somewhere on my gear) for tapping out stuck cases that fail to extract. I removed mine from the kit since I carry a cleaning rod for the same purpose.

I rarely do much scraping or picking but a brass scraper and pick are included. Their utility is somewhat limited given that that really isn’t anything to attach them to that can stand in as a proper tool handle. The chamber rod is the closest thing to a useful handle. They work in the field but they certainly won’t replace dedicated tools at home.

The carrying case that contains this kit is not quite bomb-proof, but it isn’t going to fall apart on you any time soon either. The belt loop is basically useless for me since I will carry the kit in a backpack or pouch most of the time. The pouch provides quick access to all the contents and can be repacked fairly easily without regard to fitting everything back in the exact same way it came from the factory. I appreciate that.

Wrap Up

J Dewey was right. This is a better fit for the way I tend to clean. This kit is compact, lightweight, and useful. It provides bare-bones cleaning essentials that get the job done in the field or between training days in a course.

Check out the J Dewey Field Kit for AR-15/M-16 in .223/5.56.

Disclosure: This kit was provided to me by J Dewey, free of charge, for review.

Review: Mission First Tactical BATTLELINK Utility Low Profile Stock, ENGAGE Pistol Grip, and REACT Short Vertical Grip

By on August 29, 2012 in Guns, Reviews, Tactical Gear

I was recently asked by Mission First Tactical (MFT) to review some of their gear. MFT, or at least their name, is relatively new to the scene and their designs are fairly unique so I jumped at the chance. I was sent several items, but this review will deal specifically with the AR-15 items that I received:  the BATTLELINK Utility Low Profile Stock, ENGAGE Pistol Grip, and REACT Short Vertical Grip.

The BATTLELINK Utility Low Profile Stock, ENGAGE Pistol Grip, and REACT Short Vertical Grip look right at home on an AR-15.

There are features and traits that all 3 items share and I will address those first before addressing each item individually.

Overview

One of the first things that I do when I receive a new plastic item to evaluate is a, admittedly subjective, cheapness test. We have all seen the difference between chintzy, cheap plastics and uber durable, confidence-inspiring plastics. The difference is often apparent just with visual inspection and some handling. I am happy to report that the MFT items do not have a cheap feel at all. In fact, they are quite the opposite. The materials feel sturdy and are finished nicely. MFT states that they actually worked closely with DuPont plastics to choose a polymer that would be well suited to this application and that (subjectively) seems apparent.

The quality feel of the plastic used in the construction of these items does contribute to overall excellent fit and finish. The items lack sharp mold lines. The grip panels fit nicely. The stock fits tightly on the receiver extension (buffer tube). Storage caps fit tightly and latches feel secure. The overall fit and finish is quite good.

All three items that are the subjects of this review have on board storage. Typically, storage options on grips and stocks seem like an after-thought or a way to fill space. The storage spacers on these MFT items all have well designed access systems (very solid rubber caps in the case of the 2 grips and a clever hinged butt plate in the case of the stock) that offer secure retention and some actually organization potential. The organization comes in the form of modular foam inserts that can be configured to quiet and secure various contents like batteries. The foam inserts utilize a simple system of para-cord and cord-ends to allow easy removal of the inserts. These are some of the most useful storage spaces that I have ever seen on accessories like this.

The REACT Vertical Grip has storage space that is actually useful.

The storage space in the BATTLELINK stocks is cavernous.

The ENGAGE Grip has plenty of space for spare batteries or other small items.

Both the REACT Short Vertical Grip and ENGAGE Pistol Grip have the same texturing. It is molded into the grip but it appears very similar to custom heat stippling. Unfortunately, it is not nearly as aggressive as custom stippling. The texture is sufficient but feels soft in a way. I wouldn’t call them slippery but I would definitely prefer more aggressive texture. However, I understand that texture is probably one of the decisions that manufacturers like MFT agonize over since they ultimately have to sell their products to a broad range of people with a broad range of preferences. In MFT’s favor, they did apply the texture all the way around the grips on every surface which few companies do.

The texture on the MFT accessories looks great but I wish it was a bit more aggressive.

BATTLELINK Utility Low Profile Stock

I am just going to say up front that I really, really like this stock. After spending some time with it, I think my appreciation for the stock has grown out of 3 main factors: the overall length of the stock, the shape of the butt plate, and the useful storage. It also manages to offer a lot of functionality without weighing a ton at just 8.75 ounces.

The overall length of the stock is a bit longer than what you may be used to. The result is a stock that I can leave in the first position and have it fit me with or without a plate carrier. This is the only stock that I have tried where this is true. Typically, I have to switch between the first and second positions depending on whether or not I am wearing a plate carrier.

The rear of the stock offers several sling attachment points and a butt plate that is well shaped to support pivoting the rifle up from low ready.

The shape of the butt plate is a small and seemingly insignificant detail, but in this case, it makes a difference. Many stocks on the market are basically just flat which generally works pretty well. However, the BATTLELINK stocks have a small section of the butt plate that angles away from the shooter. This creates a natural hinge point for when you move from low ready to acquiring your target. This small angled section lets you keep good contact between your stock and your chest, even when you are still in the low ready position. It is subtle but effective.

The storage in this stock is actually useful, which is more than you can say for most stock storage compartments. Its usefulness comes from the fact that it is easy to access while still being secure and because the well-designed foam inserts let you keep everything rattle-free and organized. I have carried small bottles of oil, spare batteries, a bore snake, ear plugs, and various combinations of these items. The buttons that you have to push down to open the compartment are large and textured enough to be very easy to use, even with thick gloves. The compartment is made weather/splash resistant with a rubber gasket but I am not sure I would trust it for prolonged submersion.

The front QD sling swivel socket is well placed.

The BATTLELINK Stocks also have some of the more useful sling attachment points that I have seen. In most cases, I prefer to mount my sling as close to the rear of the receiver as possible. The BATTLELINK Stocks have a QD sling swivel near the front of the stock which is very close to where I prefer it. I don’t use it but it is close enough to serve as a backup in the event that my regular sling mount is somehow rendered inoperable. It also has QD swivels at the rear of the stock for those who prefer to mount their slings further back.

The storage compartment latch is easy to operate, even with gloved hands.

ENGAGE Pistol Grip

The ENGAGE Pistol Grip offers interchangeable front and back strap functionality like some other popular grips on the market. It comes with 6 different inserts (3 for the front strap and 3 for the back strap) that offer various options to the user. The inserts fit the grip very well with no sharp overlaps or gaps. They are secured to the grip with a plastic pin that can easily be installed and removed with a punch. Extra pins are provided.

There are small, medium, and large back strap inserts that allow you to adjust the size of the grip. The back strap inserts are designed to increase the diameter of the grip where it sits in your palm but not affect the trigger finger. This makes the largest back strap panel feel somewhat unnatural to me since I prefer to the grip built up at least a little bit under my trigger finger. The small and medium back strap inserts feel much more natural. If you have large hands or long fingers, this grip may feel a little strange to you but preferences like this are hard to quantify.

You have plenty of options with the ENGAGE Pistol Grip.

The front strap inserts are excellent. There is a basic plain insert, a single finger groove insert, and a fully finger grooved panel. When I have the option, I generally prefer a plain front strap but the single finger groove insert is so well executed that I find myself drawn to it. The finger groove isn’t as pronounced as the groove on an A2 grip. It is more of a gentle swell that just seems to provide an extra measure of control.

The ENGAGE Pistol Grip is a solid grip. I love the front straps but wish that the back straps built up more behind the trigger. As I mentioned before, I also wish the texture was more aggressive. If you have small to medium hands, you will probably love this grip. If you have larger hands, it is hard to guess how you will feel about it.

REACT Short Vertical Grip

If you prefer a thumb break or thumb over method of using a vertical grip, then you will get along just fine with the REACT Short Vertical Grip. It is very well shaped to support these techniques. It should also work fine for those who still hold vertical grips like hammers.

In spite of the name, there is plenty of room for me to fit my entire hand on the REACT Short Vertical Grip. I think it could be quite a bit shorter and still be functional. I could shorten it myself but I would lose some of structures at the bottom of the grip that retain the storage compartment cap. I like this vertical grip so much, that I am hoping that MFT will release a model that is shorter by about an inch.

The REACT Vertical Grip is one of the best that I have used.

This vertical grip is secured to the rail via a cross bolt that holds a large clamping section to the rail. The steel cross bolt threads into a steel nut that is molded into the clamping section. That is a nice touch for durability.

As mentioned above, I wish the texture was more aggressive but at least it is applied all the way around the grip. The REACT Short Vertical Grip isn’t all that short but it is an excellent vertical grip. It is comfortable with a variety of different techniques and seems very sturdy.

Wrap Up

On the whole, I found the Mission First Tactical accessories to be of very good quality with unique, functional features. The few nits that I could pick with the items are all personal preferences that pose no problem to the overall functionality of the items. I am especially impressed with the BATTLELINK stocks. Check out the BATTLELINK Utility Low Profile Stock, ENGAGE Pistol Grip, and REACT Short Vertical Grip all on MissionFirstTactical.com.

Disclosure: These items were provided to me by Mission First Tactical, free of charge, for review.

Review: Strike Industries Guardian Muzzle Guard

By on August 10, 2012 in Guns, Reviews, Tactical Gear

I have tried for years to get into the habit of using muzzle caps on my ARs, but it seems that I often unintentionally shoot through them or leave them on the range. When I first saw the Guardian Muzzle Cap from Strike Industries, I thought it might be a solution to at least half of my problems with muzzle caps.

Overview

Guardian Muzzle Caps are fairly simple devices. They are made from a single piece of flexible, rubber-like material. The cap part is ridged and flared to give you a good grip when you need to remove it. The muzzle end of the cap is also noticeably thinner than other parts of the cap to provide shoot-through capability. There is a retainer ring extends out from the cap and sits loosely on the barrel. The ring allows you to remove the cap but keep the muzzle cap hanging from your barrel for future use.

Observations from Use

I used the Guardian Muzzle Cap much like I would a normal black plastic muzzle cap with one exception. Instead of removing it completely, I just left it hanging from the barrel. It sounds like a small difference but I haven’t lost track of one yet and I can’t say that about my other muzzle caps.

The Guardian Muzzle Cap fits extremely tightly. In fact, it is probably too tight. They do loosen up a bit over time and, like any other muzzle caps, they benefit from a couple of drops of lube. They fit tightly enough that they require some effort to remove which means they often come flying all the way off the barrel in your hand. Then you have to put it back on to hang it from the barrel. That can be a little annoying.

If you don’t like how the Guardian hangs from your barrel, you can wedge it somewhere out of the way.

The hanging Guardian Muzzle Cap really doesn’t seem to get in the way as much as you might think. In fact, because it is so flexible, I found that it can be tucked into the front sight base to secure it. You don’t need to leave it flapping in the breeze. Just be careful that you don’t wedge it between the barrel and your free float hand guard (or anything mounted on your free float hand guard like a flashlight) as this will change your zero.

If you have an SBR, Dissipator, or any other configuration where there isn’t much barrel in front of the front sight base, the Guardian may not work perfectly. It is flexible enough to fit on shorter barrels but it might not be ideal.

This dissipator upper has enough barrel in front of the front sight base to utilize the Guardian.

Wrap Up

The Guardian Muzzle Guard solves a problem for me. I haven’t lost one yet. It certainly does what it is intended to do. Check out the Guardian Muzzle Guard on StrikeIndustries.com.

Disclosure: The Guardian Muzzle Guards were provided to me free of charge for review by Strike Industries.

Review: Universal Wire Loop with Push Button Socket – Coyote Brown

By on August 2, 2012 in Guns, Reviews, Tactical Gear

I am a big fan of the Blue Force Gear UWL (Universal Wire Loop). It is just so useful to mounting slings to platforms that are generally difficult to mount slings on. I keep one in my parts box so that I always have one on hand.

Blue Force Gear (BFG) recently introduced a new version of the UWL, the UWL with Push Button Socket, which has a socket for use with push-button QD sing swivels in addition to the sling loop. They have also introduced the UWL in a good looking new Flat Dark Earth color.

Overview

The new UWL consists of two main components: a coated steel cable and a machined aluminum sling loop/push button socket. The steel cable is attached in such a way that it forms a loop. This allows you to turn any attachment point on a longarm into a full size sling attachment point or even attach a sling completely independent of a dedicated attachment point.

There are numerous inventive ways that the UWL can be used. If you are a lefty and an AK shooter, the UWL can be attached to the front sling loop on the AK handguard and passed in between the barrel and gas tube to create a lefty friendly sling mounting point. I have used them to quickly add a sling to AR-15s but wrapping them around the delta ring or the buffer tube. They are one of the best rear sling mounting options for the FN SCAR. The possibilities are nearly endless.

The addition of the push button socket accomplishes a couple of things. First, it adds to the versatility of the UWL by allowing it to accept an additional type of sling connection. Second, it adds the new functionality of allowing to transition from a 2 point sling to a single point sling when the UWL is used as your rear sling attachment point.

Observations from Use

I tried the UWL with Push Button Socket on two rifles during testing: a fairly standard AKM and a borrowed FN SCAR 17. The UWL was well suited to both.

The AK was equipped with both the V2 and V3 sling plates from Echo Nine Three. The use of the Echo93 Sling Plates, allowed the UWL to be used as either a front or rear attachment point. The combination of the Echo Nine Three Sling Plates with the UWL as a rear attachment point worked very well. It positions the sling mounting point right where I like it (the rear of the receiver) and eliminates the need for a snap hook. If your AK happens to have a front rail with a push button QD sling mount on it, the UWL in conjunction with an Echo93 sling plate would also provide the ability to turn your 2 point sling into a single point sling.

The UWL seems like it was made for the FN SCAR rifles. The original UWL is a very common sight as the rear sling attachment point for SCAR shooters. It works extremely well with small loop that FN provided to attaching slings. If the original UWL was a good solution for SCAR shooters, the new UWL with Push Button Socket is a great solution due to the additional convertible single point sling functionality.

Like my original UWLs, this new version has a very robust finish that really hasn’t shown any use at all. The coating on the cable is extremely durable and keeps finish wear on your firearm to a minimum. The aluminum part of the UWL is well machined with rounded edges that are easy on the sling.

The push button socket is not rotation limited. I know many people have strong preferences for rotation limited sockets but I generally don’t. For this application, a rotation limited socket really wouldn’t make much of a difference since the UWL itself can tend to twist a bit.

Wrap Up

The UWL with Push Button Socket looks great in its new color (FDE), has additional functionality versus the already great original UWL, and is still just as useful for solving sling mounting problems. Some users may balk at the lack of rotation limiters in the push button socket but they really wouldn’t make much of a difference in this application as they do in others. This gear deserves a space in your tool box.

Review: GearPods Survival Pro

By on July 30, 2012 in EDC, Reviews, Survival, Tactical Gear

When it comes to pre-assembled survival kits, the contents don’t seem to vary much from one kit to the next. Many kits use the same components from the same vendors or at least similar components. It is often the container itself that differentiates one kit from another. However, the GearPods Survival Pro is one kit that differentiates itself by its container and contents.

The GearPods container system is versatile, unique, and innovative.

The caps allow you to terminate a module, join modules to make a longer module, or join them as separate modules.

Overview

The bread and butter of GearPods is their innovative container design. The GearPods containers are translucent plastic tubes in various lengths that are capped at both ends. The caps can be end caps or couplers (open or closed style) that allow multiple tubes to be connected together. This tube form factor allows the GearPods to be carried like a water bottle and they can even function as a water bottle in a survival situation.

The Survival Pro kit is one of GearPods pre-assembled kits.  It comes with the container and several items packed inside that cover a variety of survival needs:

  • Navigation
  • Signaling
  • Fire starting
  • Water purification
  • Food gathering
  • Food preparation
  • Equipment repair

Removing the top reveals the cap on the cooking cup.

The Survival Pro kit contains two modules: the cup and the stove.

What’s Inside?

The list of items that the GearPods Survival Pro contains is extensive. There are many standard items that are survival kit mainstays and a handful of very innovative items that you won’t find anywhere else.

  • GearPods CookMug: Compact 4.0” anodized aluminum cooking mug/pot with snap-in lid
  • GearPods Stove: Solid fuel stove with windshield
  • Esbit® solid fuel tablets (2)
  • Rescue Flash™ signal mirror – 2″x3″ signal mirror with retro-reflective targeting, protective film, plastic sleeve and instructions
  • Fox40 Micro Safety™ – loud emergency whistle for signaling distress and communicating location
  • Spark-Lite™ – dependable, one-handed fire starter
  • Tinder-Quik™ (4) – weatherproof waterproof tinder that burns 1-2 minutes
  • NATO “Storm” Matches (10) – vacuum sealed, NATO-approved waterproof and windproof matches with striker
  • 20mm Liquid-filled button compass – simple navigation tool
  • Mini-LED flashlight – small keychain-type flashlight with rugged case and battery with 24+ hours of continuous use
  • Folding saw – light- to medium-use saw blade constructed of 18TPI steel for cutting wood and metal, and housed in a rugged handle
  • Folding knife – light- to medium- use knife with stainless steel razor blade and rugged handle
  • Katadyn Micropur-1 Water Tablets (6) – 1 tablet per 1 liter (33.8 fl oz) of water; effective against viruses, bacteria, guardia and cryptosporidium
  • Sterile, self-standing water bag (36 fl oz) – for pre-treatment water capture and storage
  • Heavy duty needle – for repairing clothes and gear
  • Heavy duty thread (50ft reel, 10 lbs BS) – for repairs and emergency line for fishing
  • Safety pins (2) – 2″ – for repairs, first aid or even improvised hooks for food procurement
  • Wire (8ft) – 0.02″ stainless steel wire, non-magnetic – use for repairs and snares
  • Braided nylon cord (25ft, 70lbs BS) – many uses including securing gear and building shelters
  • Fishing kit – 4 hooks, 2 split-shots and 1 snap swivel
  • Duct tape (2″x30″ 9mm) – many uses from first aid to repair
  • Weatherproof stationery – 2”x3” (4) – keeping logs, leaving messages, drawing maps
  • Pencil (with protective cap) – use with weatherproof stationery
  • Fresnel Lens (2″x3″) – redundant fire starting method
  • Waterproof and tearproof instructions – with illustrations (PDF)
  • Stuff Sac – with drawcord and fastener (2)

Cup module and contents

Stove module and contents

Observations from Use

I won’t talk about every item in depth. Much of what is contained in this kit are items that are already proven performers. GearPods has done a great job of sourcing quality components for this kit but the parts that really shine are the parts that they designed themselves.

The Survival Pro kit comes with a small cooking set that GearPods designed to fit their containers. The design of the cook set is ingenious. It consists of a small stove, a cup that nests into the stove top, and a windscreen. The stove is designed to work with fuel tablets like those from Esbit and has three legs that can be spread out to stabilize the whole unit. The cup has a heat resistant fabric ring at the top which makes it a bit easier to handle when it is hot and a concave bottom which helps catch and hold the heat from the stove.

The cook set can boil water fairly quickly, which isn’t really surprising since it is a relatively small cup. The set up and take down is very easy. The windscreen can be rolled tightly and inserted into the cup for storage but you should take some care when storing it because it will scratch and scuff the anodization on the cup. The fabric on the cup won’t make it possible to handle a cup full of boiling water but it does make it possible to handle the cup sooner than you would be able to without some protection from the heat.

The Survival Pro comes with an instruction sheet that contains valuable information like general survival tips and information about items in the kit. It is printed on a material that feels like Tyvek. That may seem like a small thing but it shows just how clever the folks at GearPods are. Tyvek is extremely difficult to tear and basically water-proof. Those are desirable attributes for something that may have to be used in adverse conditions.

Cup on stove

Many of the items in the kit allow for one handed use in the event of an injury. The Spark-Lite fire starter can be used with just one hand without much trouble. Additionally, the kit includes a rescue Flash signal mirror that has a retro-reflective aiming reticle which allows it to be used one handed (some mirrors require a second hand to aim).

The kit doesn’t include any shelter specific items but it does include items that can be used in shelter construction (cordage). An A-frame style shelter can be built without any tools or cordage if the right materials are present. You may want to consider supplementing the kit with a GearPods Shelter unit or at least carrying something like an emergency blanket/bivy, poncho, tarp, or similar item.

The kit itself is very efficiently packed. You will want to take note of how things are packed when you are using the various components or you may have some difficulty packing the contents. I played around with different configurations and there is some leeway with how you pack the kit but a little bit of care goes a long way. GearPods thoughtfully provided two small stuff sacks that hold every component of the kit except the cook set. These bags let you keep the kit components together and organized even if you are using the cookset.

Cup, stove, and wind screen

The kit contains some redundancy (the good kind). There are multiple ways of starting a fire, multiple ways of food gathering, multiple ways to purify water, and multiple repair items. Redundancy can be a very good thing in a survival kit. Take the fire starters for instance, you will likely find that the Tinder-Quik are a very easy and reliable fire-starting method. However, in situations when you have direct sunlight, you will want to use the Fresnel lens in order to conserve the Tinder-Quik tabs and matches. The redundant items allow you to conserve resources by choosing the tool for the job.

The kit itself is very easy to carry. It fits in most water bottle pouches or rides fairly unobtrusively in your pack. You can even add another small container module and it will still fit in most water bottle pouches. GearPods sent me an additional small module so I could see how the connectors work and I found that it was great for storing natural tinder that I foraged (something you may want to do immediately once you realize you are in a survival situation).

Wrap Up

The GearPods is a well-stocked kit with a good mix of innovative original components and proven standard components. Its water bottle-ish form factor is unique and functional. The cook set’s design is ingenious in how it fits the container format while still retaining a lot of functionality. Between the container and the contents, this is easily one of the most innovative survival kits on the market. Check out the Survival Pro on GearPods.com.

Disclosure: This kit was provided to me free of charge by GearPods as a “thank you” for mentioning their products on JTT.

 

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