Jerking the Trigger

Alternate Use for BFG Baton Belt Pouch

By Matt on March 3, 2016 in Reviews, Tactical Gear

I have come to like Blue Force Gear’s Belt Pouches quite a bit. They are the culmination of several of the technologies that BFG introduced to the tactical gear world and, because of their versatile design, I have found all kinds of unintended uses for them.

The Belt Pouches make use of their Helium Whisper backing which is laser cut ULTRAcomp material which keeps the weight to an absolute minimum while increasing durability. ULTRAcomp’s rubbery texture also serves to increase the retention of the pouch by increasing friction on the contents. The BFG Belt Pouches also utilize heavy duty elastic front panels known at BFG as Ten-Speed. These features combine to make a pouch that is low profile, lightweight, and that will hold just about anything you can wedge into them no matter how awkwardly shaped that item may be.

The BFG Baton Belt Pouch is designed to carry a collapsible baton but I have found that it fits many tourniquets like it was made for them. Some people try to do the same thing with pistol magazine pouches. That may work with some tourniquets but the additional height of the Baton Belt Pouch allow me to fold and stage a CAT the way I prefer and store it extremely securely. It takes a few minutes to cram it into the pouch and that is a good thing. It’s a tight fit. The pouch holds it tenaciously but a quick tug lets the TQ leap into your hand.

I have taken to keeping one staged just as you see in the picture above so that I can easily throw it on my belt when I go out to the range. Having your medical gear staged, accessible, and easy to don is the key to having it available when you need it.

Note: For the curious, the above picture is the kit I often use at the range. This kit is close to everything I need and it saves me time because I can wear it to and from the range under a covering garment so I don’t look like a ninja out in public. Pictured: BFG Baton Belt Pouch, BFG Belt Dump Pouch, LAG Tactical Battle Buddy

Jimmy Tarp’s Lightweight Backpacks for NICE and Duplex Frames

By Matt on March 3, 2016 in Tactical Gear

Looking for an affordable, lightweight bag for use on your Mystery Ranch NICE Frame or Kifaru Duplex Frame? Jimmy Tarp’s is known for their high quality but affordable lightweight shelters. Recently, they branched out into lightweight packs to include packs for the NICE and Duplex frames.

Neither the NICE Frame or Duplex Frame are known for being particularly lightweight but capable load bearing frames rarely are. You can keep weight to a minimum by using the frames with a lightweight bag. In the case of the NICE Frame, a Jimmy Tarp’s bag weighs just 15.5 ounces and can bring the total weight of your empty pack down to 5 pounds which is light for a frame this capable.

Don’t think that you have to give up durability or capacity to go that light. The bags vary in sized based on the frame they are made for but the Mystery Ranch version boasts 3580 cui of capacity. Jimmy Tarp’s makes the bags from 500D Cordura Nylon and Mara high strength thread so it should last longer than you.

There are several designs with varying features available. Prices vary but are generally under $130 a bag (frame not included). You best bet is visit the Jimmy Tarp’s Facebook page to peruse the options and then contact them with questions.

Now Available: Griffin Armament AR-15 Furniture

By Matt on March 2, 2016 in Guns

Griffin Armament’s line of AR-15 furniture is now available for purchase and is shipping. The line includes a Rail Shields, Extreme Condition Stock, and A3 Grip. All items are available in Black, FDE, Grey, and OD Green. I have had hands on all of these items though not for long.

The Rail Shields are M-LOK compatible “rail” covers that come in a set of four panels – 1 bottom panel with integral handstop, 1 alternate flat bottom panel, and 2 contoured side panels. All the panels feature a deep grid texture that enhances grip and looks pretty darn nice. This texture is also used on the A3 Grip.

The A3 Grip is going to be a hit. You can think of it as an improved version of the A2 grip with an overall shape that looks similar to the A2. Griffin Armament has removed the finger groove, made the grip angle more vertical (though not as drastically as some grips), and added their grid pattern texture. This is a very nice grip, especially for the price.

The Extreme Condition Stock (ECS) is competitively priced and offers a few unique features. Griffin Armament uses a massive stainless steel pin to lock the stock in place rather than the more common threaded pin. They also use stainless steel springs.

The adjustment lever design is very clever. If you depress it as you would any other stock of this type, it allows you to adjust it for length of pull. The end of the lever is split and the body of the stock itself prevents you from moving the lever any further than what is necessary to adjust it. In order to install or remove the stock, you have to squeeze the lever closer to the pivot. This allows it to travel further and provide the clearance necessary for the pin to go onto or come off of the back of the receiver extension. It is very easy to use.

The ECS has plenty of holes in the firm rubber butt plate and below the receiver extension channel that allow water to drain out should the rifle end up in the drink. This is designed for use with the Griffin Armament’s Maritime Receiver Extension which has holes that mate with the holes in the stock to allow water to drain freely from the rifle.

The rotation limited sling mounting socket on the ECS is extremely clever and unique as far as I can tell. Picture a washer molded into polymer and you have the idea. The QD sling swivel stud goes into the hole at the center and rotation is prevented by impressions molded in the stock. It doesn’t rotate at all. This set up is extremely lightweight, very simple, and seemingly very robust. I tested it with standard QD swivels, ALG Defense forged swivels, and the Blue Force Gear RED. All worked as intended.

Not only is the cost competitive, but the weight is too. It comes in at around 8.5 ounces.

Damn, Daniel… Boone

By Matt on March 2, 2016 in EDC

1776 United is making the shirts that had to be made.

Gunstruction: February 2016 User’s Choice Build

By Matt on March 2, 2016 in Guns

Gunstruction has released the February 2016 User’s Choice Build and, as usual, it’s an interesting one. If you aren’t familiar with the User’s Choice Build, it is a virtual AR-5 built from the most popular parts from the previous month in each category of Gunstruction’s virtual AR building inventory. Basically, these are the parts that Gunstruction users chose most frequently for their builds.

As you can see, Gunstruction users chose the EOTech XPS3-0 most frequently from the optics category. In fact, EOTech has been the optic of choice going all the way back to September 2015 (August 2015 was a Trijicon ACOG). This has happened in spite of the very public issues with EOTech sights. There is often a disconnect between the firearm related media and the firearm related consumer. That appears to be the case here.

It’s also interesting that this build is nearly identical to the January User’s Choice Build which has never happened in the time I have been tracking these builds.

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