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New AK Sling Adapters and Dual Mode Sling

By on February 27, 2012 in Guns, Tactical Gear

Echo Nine Three just expanded their line of first rate AK sling adapters and they have also introduced a clever new sling to go with the adapters.

When it comes to single point slings, the best place that they can be attached to the rifle is right at the rear of the receiver. This will maximize mobility while still allowing the rifle to hang in a muzzle down configuration. This also happens to be a great place to mount your rear sling attachment point for a 2 point sling for basically the same reason – maximum mobility.

Top, Left to Right: V1, V2, V3, V4 Bottom, Left to Right: V5, V5/AMD, V5/MU, V6

There are 4 new sling adapters: V5, V5/AMD, V5/MU, and V6. Each one is designed to work on a different rifle. The V5 is an ambidextrous sling adapter that will work with most underfolders with stamped receivers as well as with AK pistols. The V5/AMD and V5/MU are similar except they are designed to work with AMD rifles or Milled/Yugoslavian rifles respectively. The V6 is reversible and is designed to work with AKs that have milled receivers with fixed stocks. There are enough configurations to cover the vast majority of the AKs that are readily available.

Echo Nine Three Dual Mode Sling (DMS)

The new DMS (Dual Mode Sling) is one of the most clever convertible slings that I have seen in terms of how it transitions from 2 to 1 point configuration. Each end of the sling has an HK style snap hook sewn into place. There is a short lead section just behind the rear sling attachment point that is attached to a unique piece of custom hardware. This custom hardware is the key to the function of the DMS. It is basically a large metal “loop” that you can quickly clip the front attachment point to in order to transition to 1 point mode. It is unique because it is polygonal in shape which allows the sling parts to “lock” into place and lay flat on the wearer’s chest without bunching or rolling.

I have been working with the V1, V2, and V3 sling adapters for some time now and I can say that they are the best rear sling attachment options that are available on the AK. They work exceedingly well and given their simplicity, I have no doubt that these new adapters will work equally as well. The new DMS also looks like a winner. The custom hardware that is used really sets this sling apart.

The Echo93 sling mounts are available from Brownells. You can check out Echo93.com and the Echo Nine Three Facebook page for information.

Stay tuned to JTT for reviews of the V1, V2, and V3 sling adapters and a review of the Dual Mode Sling.

NukoTools Titanium GBi

By on February 25, 2012 in EDC, Reviews, Survival

Titanium makes just about anything better. That is scientific fact. It is certainly true with the NukoTools GBi.

You may remember the cute little GBi that I reviewed a while back. The old version was made from G-10 which is a very good material for this application given its light weight, non-magnetic nature, and extreme durability. This new version is made from an equally well suited material – titanium. Titanium is also very lightweight (though it is a bit heavier than the G-10), non magnetic, and extremely durable.

NukoTools Heat Colored Ti GBi (subject of this review)

If you read the previous review, you know that the GBi is a discreet self defense tool. It looks like a funny little smiley face but functions like a flesh tearing, bone bruising, eye gouging set of two finger “knuckles”. The new Ti version is about 1/4″ thick (slightly thinner than the original G-10 version) and features larger “eye” holes which improves the comfort and fit for me.

NukoTools has made a few versions of these. I have a heat colored version for review. The most recent versions have been stone washed and left raw or slightly heat colored. The heat coloring on my example is striking. It is mostly a very deep purple with some blue, green, and even orange in the right light. It gives this GBi a very distinctive look that is also completely unique from any other GBi. No two heat colored GBis will be alike.

Original NukoTools G-10 GBi (from the previous review)

The cuts on this earlier Ti version that I have are a bit rough in places. The eye holes are smoothed enough to be comfortable but the teeth cuts are a bit jagged in places (which isn’t really a bad thing considering their purpose). The newer stone washed versions have corrected this roughness.

The best thing about the GBi is just how discreet it really is. It isn’t unusual for people to comment about how cute my keychain is without ever realizing what it actually is. That is exactly how NukoTools intended it to be. This tool works.

Check out the NukoTools website or email nukotools@gmail.com for purchasing information. Be advised, these tools are handmade in small batches so they may not be available all the time.

Multitasker Series 2X

By on February 24, 2012 in EDC, Guns, Knives, Tactical Gear, Tactics and Training

I fell in love with the Multitasker Series 2 last year. Since I received it, I haven’t been to the range without it and I use it at home frequently when working on my ARs (and other things). I guess that I was so absorbed in my Series 2 that I forgot to mention that the Series 2X is now available.

The Multitasker Series 2X offers several great improvements over the Series 2. The most noticeable of which are the new larger and beefier jaws. The Series 2 had really fine teeth that were very grippy, but not necessarily the best for gripping items with large angular surfaces like large bolts. The Series 2X has teeth that would make a T-Rex jealous. These will definitely grip just about anything you can throw at them. The wire cutters have also been improved which is saying a lot because they were already pretty darn good.

The Series 2X also features a new pivot design. The Series 2 ball bearing pivot has been replaced with a self lubricating hybrid pivot design that is bull strong and very smooth.

The melonite coating of the Series 2 has been replaced with a more durable PVD or Titanium Nitride coating. This new coating will offer increased wear resistance versus the melonite treatment that was used originally.

Glock shooters will find the 2X to be more useful. It will come with a 3/32″ punch attachment that replaces the cleaning pick that was found on the Series 2 (except for the Brownells models which will still feature the cleaning pick). Many Glock shooters will know that a 3/32″ punch is basically the only tool needed to detail strip a Glock down to small parts.

The Series 2X is a worthy successor to the Series 2. Get all the latest Multitasker information at MultitaskerTools.com and at the Multitasker Tools Facebook Page. You can purchase your own Multitasker Series 2X from TacStrike.

You can also check out the earlier Series 2 at Brownells.

Gryphon M-10 Utility-Boot Knife from Cutlery Shoppe

By on February 24, 2012 in EDC, Knives, Survival

The Gryphon M-10 is generally considered to be one of the greatest compact self defense knives of all time. It is a true classic that for several years was unavailable for purchase unless you could find a used one. A few weeks ago, I was lamenting the M-10 that I lost years ago when a friend told me that they were being sold again by the Cutlery Shoppe.

Not only is the M-10 available once again, the Cutlery Shoppe has made this classic Bob Terzuola design better than ever. Previous versions utilized ATS-34 or AUS-8 steel (I had an ATS-34 version), both of which are fine steels for a knife like this. However, this new iteration features VG-10 steel which is easily my favorite stainless steel (and I don’t even really like stainless steels). VG-10 may be outclassed in edge retention by some modern super steels, but it is no slouch and it is extremely easy to sharpen. Like the original, the blade is 4″ long and 3/16″ thick.

The new version also features a DLC black finish on the blade to cut down on glare. It has been my experience that DLC is a great coating for knives if you have to have a coating. It holds up well to wear and isn’t as thick and pasty as some coatings.

The best thing about the new version is the sheath. Many people try to carry fixed blade self-defense knives only to be turned off by how difficult or uncomfortable they are to carry. Most knives comes with sheaths that are nothing more than an afterthought. The Gryphon M-10 comes with a concealex (kydex) sheath system designed my Mike Sastre of River City Sheaths that offers nearly endless configuration options. My favorite way to carry a knife like this is inside the waistband on my weak side with the handle in toward my center line. This allows easy access with either hand and translates well to handgun retention techniques. Many people are surprised at just how comfortable and easy it is to carry an 8″ long knife once they have experienced a decent sheath.

Thankfully, all of the M-10’s best features are intact. The grippy, well contoured zytel handle is still the same as the original. This handle is part of what makes the M-10 great. It locks the hand in place without favoring any one grip. It also features just enough of a double guard to keep your fingers off the blade without getting your way during certain types of cuts. The well designed blade is still intact as well. It may be 3/16″ thick but the aggressive grinds keep the blade feeling light and lively with a very acute tip.

If you spend just a few moments with one of these knives in your hand or on your belt, you will see why the Gryphon M-10 is so well regarded. I am thrilled that they are back on the market and hope to pick one up soon for a full review.

Check out the Gryphon M-10 on CutleryShoppe.com.

SpecOpShop SOU in PenCott Patterns

By on February 23, 2012 in Tactical Gear

The Hyde Definition PenCott Camouflage Patterns have interested me for some time now. Until recently, there were no US manufacturers that I knew of making uniform items in the PenCott Patterns. Thankfully, that isn’t the case any more.

SpecOpShop has introduced the PenCott Patterns as an option for their SOU (Special Ops Uniform). The SOU Shirt and Pant are available in PenCott GreenZone, Badlands, and Sandstorm in addition to their already wide array of colorways like Multicam, OD Green, Ranger Green, and more.

The SOU Shirt and Pant have a ton of end user driven features, some of which are customizable at the time of purchase. The SOU Shirt features a mandarin collar, slanted breast pockets that allow access when wearing a chest rig or plate carrier, buttons instead of Velcro in key locations, gusseted armpits, shoulder and forearm pockets, and more. The SOU Pant features an elastic waistband for comfort, reinforced flat bottom pockets for clip on pocket knives and flashlights, optional leg zippers for easy removal even while wearing boots, beefy 1″ wide belt loops, roomy rear pockets for storing spent magazines, and more. This is a seriously well thought out uniform set.

You can find much more information about the SOU Shirt and Pants at SpecOpShop.com.

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