Archive | Tactical Handyman

Geissele Automatics Barrel Timing Shims

G&R Tactical is doing every AR-15 builder everywhere a great service. They managed to talk ALG Defense/Geissele Automatics into letting them sell their excellent barrel shims separately!

Barrel_Shims

If you have ever built an AR and had to struggle to get the proper torque setting on a barrel nut while also lining up the gas tube port, you know what a pain it can be. These shims allow you to time everything and more easily put that magic 40 lb ft of torque on the barrel nut. Now you can just say no to cheater bars! These shims work so well that I have installed an ALG Defense EMR to proper torque without a vise!

The shims will work with just about any barrel nut. They come with Geissele and ALG Defense hand guards already. Check them out at G&R Tactical.

Review: Gearward Compact Survival Cord

It was kind of hard to take the paracord out of my EDC bag and set it aside. I have been carrying it for years and it has come in handy numerous times. I suppose that, like most guys who like to be at least a little prepared, I was used to having paracord with me and it was going to take something pretty exceptional to displace it. In my case, that something exceptional was Compact Survival Cord from Gearward.

Gearward Compact Survival Cordage

Overview

Compact Survival Cord comes in 3 different configurations each wound on a special spool that is part of the success of this cordage. They are listed below from largest to smallest:

  • Small – 50 feet of 600lb break strength Technora line
  • Mini – 50 feet of 200lb break strength Kevlar line
  • Micro – 25 feet of 200lb break strength Kevlar line (sold in pack of 2)

The cord comes pre-wound on a plastic spool that has one hard plastic side and one flexible plastic side. The flexible part can be folded to open or close the spool. I’ll expand on this later in the review.

Observations from Use

All three sizes are FAR more compact than a comparable amount of paracord. This alone could have bumped paracord out of my EDC bag but there are even more advantages to explore.

The spool that this cordage comes on is part of the magic of this package. It makes it so easy to carry and work with this cord. As I mentioned above, it can be opened and closed via its flexible plastic side. This ensures that you have full access to the cord when you need it and that it doesn’t unravel in your bag when you aren’t using it. It can also be used to keep the working end accessible by closing the flexible side on the end of the cord. I really appreciate that when my hands are cold.

Gearward Compact Survival Cordage Closed Gearward Compact Survival Cordage Open Gearward Compact Survival Cordage Retained Working End

The “Small” size, which is the largest of the bunch, has the highest break strength of any of the cords that Gearward sells. The Technora line is half the diameter of paracord but stronger, more resistant to heat and other environmental factors, and lighter in weight. In spite of all that, it was the least useful to me in part due to its larger size. I don’t use the cord for many applications that really push its break strength so more cord in a smaller package is probably more useful to me. I would love to see Gearward offer a Kevlar cord option on this large spool size.

The Mini and Micro sizes are most useful to me. They are both extremely compact and both packed with 200lb break strength Kevlar cord. The Kevlar cord is extremely versatile. It can be unraveled readily into three separate strands, each with a break strength of around 60lb. These single strands are more than strong enough to serve as lashings in a survival shelter and well suited to be used in gear repairs if you also have a sewing needle in your kit. The Micro in particular is small enough to fit an Altoids tin style survival kit with plenty of room to spare for other items.

Gearward Compact Survival Cordage Scale

Wrap Up

This is a fine example of something that is greater than the sum of its parts. The spools are good. The cordage is good. Together, they are great. These are lightweight, compact, and extremely functional. It may be sacrilege to the cult of EDC but these might just stand a chance of bumping paracord from your bag.

Check out all 3 sizes of Compact Survival Cord at Gearward. Now available at Edge/Equipped.

The Tactical Handyman’s Toolbox: Tape

Every Tactical Handyman knows that a little duct tape, properly applied, can fix just about anything. However, every Tactical Handyman also knows that the one-size-fits-all solution isn’t always the best one. When it comes to tape, you can save yourself some headaches by keeping a few different types on hand.

Tactical Handymans Toolbox Tape

Duct tape is a good all-around tape that I find most useful for repairs or marking items. It is available in a number of colors including camo patterns from local big box stores. It even works as a replacement for medical tape in a pinch. No survival or EDC kit is complete without it. Its biggest strength is its versatility and availability but it deteriorates fairly quickly and leaves a lot of residue.

Masking tape is a must have in the Tactical Handyman’s tool box. It is great for its intended purpose, masking off painting projects. I use it to ensure that optics and sights don’t get painted when I paint a rifle. It is also perfect for use as a label if you are organizing gear. I typically write on it with a Sharpie or other permanent marker and find that the labels I make this way last pretty much indefinitely for indoor use. Its biggest strength is also its biggest weakness. It is designed to peel away easily. It also retains water and gets soggy fairly easily.

Electrical tape or vinyl tape is still widely used by Tactical Handymen everywhere but I have given up on it for everything but actual electrical projects. I have replaced it with Battle Systems Vinyl Tape, Coyote Brown. Battle’s Systems’ tape is heat resistant, stretchy, durable, and it bonds well enough. It also doesn’t leave a ton of residue or turn to goop in heat and humidity. It is excellent for strap management, silencing rattling gear, even providing some water resistance to containers, and more. I use it constantly.Battle Systems Vinyl Tape, Coyote Brown Webbing WrapBattle Systems Vinyl Tape, Coyote Brown on Tin

One of the best ways to improve your recoil control is to improve grip and one of the easiest ways to improve grip is the addition of some strategically placed grip tape. I really like 3M 7635NA Safety-Walk Tread Tape. It doesn’t shed much grit, stays put fairly well, and it comes is various handy sizes. I usually just get the 2″ wide roll. I use it on handgun grips, the top of the a handgun slide in front of the rear sight to aid in one hand manipulations, knife clips, and more.

Even good old “Scotch Tape” is handy to have on hand. My favorite use for it is as a diffuser and lens protector.

Of course there are other types of tapes that are handy to have around. What types of tape do you keep on hand and what are some applications for it?

The Tactical Handyman’s Toolbox: Thread Locking Compound

Listen to me, my children, as I pass down the wisdom of all the Tactical Handymen before me. When it comes to guns and gear – if it has threads, it gets Loctite (or a similar thread locking compound). The only exception is when the manufacturer says otherwise. Recoil can and will loosen threaded fasteners over time. Thread locking compound can prevent that from happening.

Most manufacturers color code their thread locking compound. The blue stuff is all you need for most applications, but if the part will be subjected to high heat, go with the red stuff or some other product intended for use with high heat.

Tactical Handymans Toolbox Thread Locker

Use thread locking compound on:

  • Optic mount screws
  • Flashlight mount screws
  • The set screws on your handgun sights
  • Sight adjustment set screws
  • Grip screws on your carbine
  • The screws that hold your holsters to their belt interface or shroud
  • Almost anything with threads that would ruin your day if it loosened
  • Seriously, use it – a lot

Don’t use thread locking compound on:

  • AR-15 receiver extensions/buffer tubes (these should be staked at the castle nut)
  • The nut on a Larue Tactical QD lever
  • Anything you need to be able to unscrew later
  • Anything that the manufacturer specifically states not to use thread locking compound

No one wants to deal with threaded fasteners that back out. At best, you will have to re-zero an optic costing your time and money. At worst, something could fail you at a critical time. Please go get some thread locking compound and add it to your toolbox.

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