RE Factor Tactical’s Blasting Cap is now available in Black and Ranger Green. I have a Ranger Green Blasting Cap already and like it more than my tan one due to the way it fits. I am not sure if they changed the cut slightly or if there is just some variance in the hat but the new caps fit my big noggin noticeably better.
Check out the Blasting Cap at RE Factor Tactical.
The Ruger American Rifle Ranch is not a ranch on which Ruger breeds and grazes rifles (which is kind of disappointing). It is a new, compact, suppressor ready version of their American Rifle that is chambered in 5.56 or .300BLK.
I have never really had much desire to own a 5.56 chambered bolt-action rifle when there are so many fine semi-automatic ways to consume the cartridge but the American Rifle Ranch really pushes my buttons. I like the 16″ long, threaded barrel, the FDE stock, relatively light weight (6.1 lbs), and the 1 in 8″ twist. Knowing Ruger, the price will be right too.
Check out the Ruger American Rifle Ranch.
OC Tactical is offering a great deal on some special Multicam Mondo Patch Panels. They turned the Multicam pattern 90 degrees in order to use some Velcro material pieces that they had on hand. If you want a panel that will look better oriented vertically or you just don’t care about the pattern because you will cover it with patches, act fast. There are only 10 of these available at the reduced price and they won’t last.
The ROSCH Works TM-1 is a simple light mount with a ton of versatility built in. It’s simple in that it has a single screw and the bulk of it is machined from a single piece of steel. It’s versatile in that it can mount a light on a shotgun or AR-15 with gov’t profile barrel at just about any position “on the dial.”
The TM-1 Light Mount is designed to be mounted on AR-15s barrels or 12 gauge shotgun magazine tubes. I can hold flashlights that range in diameter from 0.987 – 1.003”.
The TM-1 shows ROSCH Works typical attention to detail.
I don’t typically comment on price, preferring instead to let you decide what something is worth. However, in this case, the price is one of selling points. The TM-1 costs just $30 + $5 for a shim set if you need them.
The TM-1s biggest strength is its versatility. First, it doesn’t require a special hand guard or rail to mount. It just clamps onto something that your firearm already has – the barrel or magazine tube. Second, it can be mounted to either AR-15s or most 12 gauge shotguns. Third, it can be mounted at just about any position. If you want it at 10:30 on the dial for your support hand thumb, you can do that. If you want it at 6:00 to it is in line with the bore, you can do that too.
ROSCH Works struck a good balance between making the TM-1 trim and lightweight but also confidence inspiring in terms of durability. It is a single, solid piece of steel and it feels like it yet is only weighs 1.5 ounces (2.1 with shims). I am fairly sure that you will break your flashlight long before you break the TM-1.
I tested the TM-1 in several positions on an AR-15 and then on a shotgun where it immediately found a permanent home. It works very well with the light positioned at roughly 10:30 on the dial, especially on a shotgun. In this position, you can rotate the mount so that the light is tucked as close as possible the hand guard or fore-end and then slide the light forward and back until it positioned perfectly for your support hand thumb.
On an AR-15, I like it best when it positions the light at 6:00 on the dial. This allows you to either use the sling swivel to activate the light by pressing it against your light’s tailcap or simply slide your index finger forward to activate. It also places the light in line with the bore which makes it easier to work around cover and barricades.
I tested the TM-1 with several lights. If you are looking for a bargain, the Surefire G2X fits perfectly and boasts over 300 lumens of output. The Surefire Fury also worked very well. The Elzetta ZFL-M60 makes for a bomb proof pair when coupled with the TM-1. ROSCH Works’ own stand-alone light, the WL1, makes for a bomb proof pairing that is also very lightweight. It will be available with an optional tailcap that supports the sling swivel method mentioned above.
The biggest downside to the TM-1 is that it mounts to the barrel and that may not work for some shooters. It probably doesn’t make a lot of sense to use the TM-1 on a free-floated AR-15 but, if you have a free-float rail you are probably in the market for a rail mounted light mount anyway. This is complete non-issue for those who intend to use it on a shotgun.
The TM-1 is simple, clever, durable, well made, lightweight, versatile, and affordable. It has found a permanent home on one of my shotguns thanks to its ability to be fine-tuned to the shooter and the specific firearm it is mounted on.
Check out the TM1 at ROSCH Works.
Disclosure: This product was provided to me by ROSCH Works, free of charge, for review.
It’s part vertical grip. It’s part hand stop. It’s part barricade device. It’s GripStop.
GripStop is a hard anodized aluminum forward grip that can be used on a number of different long guns. According to Lanco Tactical it was “designed by a former USMC combat veteran to fill the void between using a vertical grip and hand stop.” Basically, GripStop’s unique shape allows the user to vary the way they grip it and makes it ideal for use as a barricade stop or support for awkward shooting positions.
It is available in 2 different versions that cover most hand guard types. The original GripStop mounts via two bolts on 2 3/8” hole spacing and can be adapted to a number of different hand guards including most of the various “universal” free float tubes, KeyMod, and anything you are willing to drill the necessary holes in. It weighs 2 ounces
GripStop Mod 2 is a rail mounted version that can be mounted to any standard 1913 Picatinny rail. It weighs 3.1 ounces.
I have been using an original GripStop (from before the KeyMod compatibility was added) since around the time it was introduced. I like it so much that I also purchased GripStop Mod 2. Both have served me very well. While their attachment method differs, they are nearly the same functionally so this review can cover both.
The key to GripStop’s success is its unique shape. It should be obvious from the pictures but if you picture half of a skateboard half pipe turned upside done, you will have the basic shape. The leading edge of the curve is parallel with the bore and close to the hand guard while the trailing edge is perpendicular to the bore. This shape allows the user to adjust how the grip feels by sliding their hand forward and back.
If you prefer a “C Clamp”/thumb over grip like you might typically use with a handstop, you position your hand further forward on the GripStop, bringing your hand more in line with the hand guard.
If you prefer a thumb forward grip with a less flexed wrist position, you position your hand further back on the GripStop. This feels more like a typical thumbs forward grip with a vertical grip.
You may just find yourself somewhere in between and that is part of the strength of the GripStop. It supports just about any grip.
That way that you can vary your grip also has the benefit of allowing you to place GripStop just about anywhere on a rail or on a rail of just about any length. Hand stops and angled grips like Magpul’s AFG work best when mounted closer to the muzzle on longer rail because, in general, a thumb over grip will be more comfortable and provide more benefit with the support arm extended. GripStop can adapt to just about any position on the rail because you can adapt your grip to just about any angle.
Both versions of the GripStop have large ribs machined into the curved portion. These serve to enhance grip. They are large enough that they don’t feel sharp on your hand and the gaps between the ribs bite into barricades very well. You can plant the GripStop on a barricade and really lean your weight in behind it to control recoil.
The rear face of the GripStop is completely vertical (perpendicular to the bore). This allows you to hook it against a barricade and pull back with the strong to control recoil or to hook it on your forearm in awkward shooting positions like “brokeback prone.” The ability to hook the forearm or push against the forearm brings a lot recoil control and stability to these awkward field positions.
GripStop’s weight is a potential fly in the ointment for some users. At over 3 ounces, the GripStop Mod 2 weighs 3 times as much as a typical handstop. The direct connect GripStop weighs only 2 ounces but that is still more than a smaller handstop. I suppose there are a few ways to look at that. I have chosen to purchase one in spite of the weight because I appreciate the added functionality that comes with it. I think the functionality justifies the weight. You could also say that if you are using a quad rail instead of a more trim universal hand guard, you probably aren’t overly concerned with weight. Still, it would be nice to see some additional weight reduction efforts if possible.
GripStop bridges the gap between vertical grips and hand stops. It does a good job of offering the best of both along and a range of functionality that lies somewhere between the two. It is basically the chameleon of forward grips and should be able to fit anyone’s shooting style while also giving them some options that they may not have had before.
Check out the Lanco Tactical GripStop.
