The Battle Systems LLC MOS line of PVC patches is growing. We recently mentioned that they were offering the first of their 0300 series USMC MOS patches – the 0331 MOS Patch. Now, the 0311 USMC MOS Patch and 11B US Army MOS Patch are available.
Check out BattleSystemsLLC.com.
I have always said that someone should make an IFAK pouch that lays all of the first aid contents out side by side instead of stacking them. It would make for a much flatter pouch. Well, it turns out that S.O. Tech read my mind when they released the VIPER Flat IFAK Pouch.
The VIPER Flat IFAK Pouch is wider than most IFAK pouches but that allows it to be far thinner. It is designed to ride on the back of a battle belt, below the plate carrier. I think it could likely work very well mounted on a plate carrier itself especially on the sides where many people already mount their IFAK. It certainly wouldn’t be as bulky or in the way as a typical IFAK pouch mounted on a plate carrier.
The VIPER Flat IFAK Pouch is also very accessible. All of the IFAK kit items are placed in a tray that rides in a sleeve. The sleeve is what is actually mounted to your gear. The tray can be pulled out from either side which makes accessing a kit that is mounted on the back of your belt fairly easy.
This really looks like it could be a versatile alternative to the typical bulky IFAK pouch. The VIPER Flat IFAK Pouch might even open up some mounting possibilities that traditional IFAKs can’t provide. Check out the S.O. Tech VIPER Flat IFAK Pouch on SKDTAC.com.
When I build or assemble a rifle, I like to do it right. Nothing bugs me more than having to rig something or accept substandard performance out of a weapon because a certain accessory only partially accomplishes a purpose. This can be especially true when you are suppressing an AR-15. Suppressors are really starting to take off in popularity these days as more and more civilian shooters are willing to navigate the red tape that comes with enjoying the benefit of these tools.
The best, and most expensive, route to suppressor success with an AR-15 is to buy a rifle (or complete upper receiver) from a high end manufacturer that builds it from the ground up with a adjustable gas block (switch block). Aftermarket adjustable gas blocks of varying quality are available but may be difficult to fit or install. Also, most are of the less robust “clam shell” design (versus a pinned gas block) that only uses screws to tension the device around the barrel. Running a suppressed gun “wide open” (without an adjustable gas block) is certainly an option, but be prepared for the extra wear and tear and filth that comes with being over gassed.
Innovative Arms is now offering an adjustable (stripped) upper receiver for direct impingement AR-15’s through Palmetto State Armory. This eliminates the need for a switch block and allows proper function of the rifle in suppressed/unsuppressed mode by simply toggling a switch built into the upper receiver. Any AR-15 owner with a vise, block, and armorer’s wrench can theoretically simply swap upper receivers and have a no-compromise rifle that is suppressor ready. Other benefits include the ability to switch settings without risking burning your fingers and slowing the cyclic rate by about 100 rounds per minute. It is certainly an interesting development if it lives up to its manufacturer’s claims.
How cool is this? Spencer, over at SAR Global Tool (maker of the excellent ESS), is a bit of a renaissance man. He grinds cool knives, makes innovative search and rescue tools, and metal detects for historical objects. Now he and a friend have a blog called DUG (Discovered Under Ground) that chronicles their adventures in metal detecting and the stories are truly fascinating.
What are the odds that he will come across some survivalist’s cache of weapons? Now I wish I had time for another hobby.
Battle Arms Development is rolling out two new lever options for use with their Battle Arms Development Ambidextrous Safety Selector (BAD-ASS). The first of these two levers is the Short Crank.
The Short Crank is a shorter version of the Crank lever that we previously reviewed here on JTT. The Crank was specifically requested by end users and it mimics the old “start burst” selectors that some people still prefer. The Short Crank is fittingly named because it is basically just a shorter version of the Crank.
Those who like this style of selector now have the option of using the Crank on the thumb side of their selector and the Short Crank on the trigger finger side. The shorter overall length of the Short Crank helps prevent it from getting caught on your trigger finger as you move the selector between positions. However, it is not so short that it is difficult to manipulate.
Left to Right: Short, Short Crank, Crank
I can certainly understand the attraction with this type of selector. The raised “bump” at the end almost seems to act like a hinge or pivot point that allows the thumb to easily move the selector through the arc of its movement. I found it to be very easy to use. Many people seem to only contact the selector on the end where the bump is anyway.
If you are a fan of the old star burst style selectors, you are going love the Crank and Short Crank levers. Even if you haven’t ever handled a star burst selector, you may like the handling characteristics of these levers. The new Short Crank will be available on BattleArmsDevelopment.com soon.
