The X-FER from Armordillo Concealment is a compact, minimalist kydex holster that accommodates a weapon mounted light. There are other holsters that are similar on the market but few, if any, work with a weapon mounted light.
The holster is called the X-FER because it can be transferred to any handgun that will fit a weapon light. The holster actually locks onto the light instead of the handgun.
Check out the X-FER at ArmordilloConcealment.com.
When I first started shooting AKs, I thought folding stocks were just about as cool as a stock could be. Now that I have actually used several of them for years, I have come to realize that I have very little need for them. A stock that is adjustable for length of pull is far more useful to me. The best of both worlds may be an adjustable stock that compacts down nearly as small as a folding stock in the folding position.
The Nordic Components Compact Retractable Stock allows you to collapse your AK to a size that is nearly as short in overall length as an AK with a folding stock. It adds less bulk to the sides of the AK than a traditional folding stock in the folded position as well. Not only can be it be made extremely compact, but it also offers adjustable length of pull which is handy if you are going to use it in conjunction with armor.
I asked Tim at Nordic Components about the cheek weld since it appears to be quite low. He stated that he can still get a cheek weld but that it is quite low. I suspect that, like an under folding stock, you give up some comfort and ergonomics in favor of a more compact stock.
Check out the Compact Retractable Stock for the AK-47 from Nordic Components.
Most tactical gear makers choose a handful of fabrics to keep on hand so that they can keep their overhead low. This is usually just how things have to be and it is what I am used to when I work with a maker on a project. So, you can imagine my surprise when I came across OC Tactical’s Materials page which has 35 different colors and camo patterns listed and many of the 35 are available in a variety of weights including 330D, 500D, 725D, and 1000D!
I asked Mike for a 500 Denier PenCott Badlands Hearing Protection Cover. That is no problem for OC Tactical. He had the fabric on hand.
35 different colors and patterns sounds like a lot of choices because it is, but Mike tells me this list isn’t complete. He actually has more options than what are listed on his materials page! So if you want something made from 330D A-TACS AU, 500D PenCott Badlands, or even 500D Flecktarn, OC Tactical has it!
Check out the OC Tactical Materials page.
Apple users, fear not. Shellback Tactical didn’t forget you. They recently released their Android App and know their iPhone/iPad/iPod version is live. Check out the Shellback Tactical App on iTunes.
Rail mounted QD sling swivel sockets are one of the most common ways to mount a sling on an AR and, for the most part, these mounts are very similar. They sit directly on the rail and project the socket up so that it has enough depth to accept the swivel. The result is a sling mount that sticks a full inch from the rail with the swivel inserted. Impact Weapon Components (IWC) noticed this and saw it as an opportunity. They created the 45 Offset QD Rotation Limited 1913 Sling MOUNT-N-SLOT (which is a mouthful, so I’ll just refer to it as the Offset Sling MOUNT-N-SLOT) to a be a lower profile alternative to the typical QD sling mount.
The Offset Sling MOUNT-N-SLOT differs from regular QD sling mounts in that it places the socket to the side of the rail, angled at 45 degrees. This means that the depth of the socket can be placed into the empty space between rails, rather than built up on top of the rail. The result is a sling mount that sits nearly flush with the rail that it is attached to. It is lower profile than some rail covers.
It is machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and hard anodized for a durable, matte black finish. It has several stops machined into the socket to limit rotation. The design allows it to be able to be mounted on either the left or right side of most rails.
45 Offset Sling MOUNT-N-SLOT shown with a typical QD sling mount.
I am sure that some readers are going to question how the carbine hangs and handles with the sling mounting point offset the way it is. I found no discernable difference. Functionally, it works and operates just as well as any typical QD sling mount but with less bulk.
I tested the Offset Sling MOUNT-N-SLOT on several rails. It worked well on nearly everything I tried. The only exception was the rear 2/3rds Ultimak M1-B AK rail. There is a shoulder on these rails that interferes with the socket. It can be mounted on the front 1/3 of the Ultimak but I prefer to have my sling further back.
This is a good top rail sling mount which a good thing considering the proliferation of rails that are available with top rails only these days. Off set sling mounts like this make it possible for users to mount their sling, light, and front sight all on the top rail. So, unless you need a vertical grip or bipod, there may not be a need for any rail other than the top rail.
The 45 Offset Sling MOUNT-N-SLOT can be seen in the background. This image shows just how low profile it is.
45 Offset QD Rotation Limited 1913 Sling MOUNT-N-SLOT is just about as low profile as a QD sling swivel can be. IWC claims that it is the lowest profile QD sling mount available. I can’t verify that, but I can say it is easily the lowest profile QD sling mount that I have used by a longshot. I am very impressed with this mount.
Check out the 45 Offset QDRL 1913 Sling MOUNT-N-SLOT on ImpactWeaponsComponents.com. Remember to use the discount code “triggerjerk” for special pricing.
Disclosure: IWC provided this sling mount to me for review, free of charge.
