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Review: UW Gear Swamp Fox MKIII

By on September 11, 2014 in Reviews, Tactical Gear

I have spent the last several months getting to know the new, MKIII version of the SwampFox Chest Rig from UW Gear. When they first announced the MKIII version, UW Gear told me that this chest rig is more durable, lighter weight, more comfortable, and easier to produce than the MKII version. Those types of claims require some investigation, especially when they are messing with my favorite chest rig!

UW_Gear_Swamp_Fox_MKIII

Overview

The Swamp Fox MKIII is a chest rig that is available in specific versions for AR-15s, AK-74s, and AK-47s. The majority of the rig is constructed from 1000D Cordura nylon and is available in a wide array of colors and camo patterns.

It still retains much of what made the Minuteman MKII great:

  • The unique and functional pull tab flap closures are still intact though now they have a more compact, rounded shape.
  • The sewn in drainage gaps at the base of the magazine pouches are still there.
  • The webbing reinforcement of the magazine pouches is still there though now it has been beefed up.
  • The “H” harness is still well shaped and is now even more comfortable.
  • The rig can still be adjusted to ride very high without fear of buckles interfering with the buttstock of your carbine.

Some of the differences are noted about but other notables include:

  • All edges are now closed with binding tape rather than folded and sewn. This is probably the most significant change and the one that has streamlined the production process more than any other.
  • There are 2 columns and 3 rows of PALS webbing on the sides of the rig rather than the 3 columns that the standard MKII had.
  • The magazine pouch flaps are now reinforced with 1.5” webbing rather than an extra layer of Cordura.
  • The harness is constructed from a mix of 1000D Cordura and webbing with bounded edges. It is now slightly more flexible.
MKII on left, MKIII on right

MKII on left, MKIII on right

MKII on left, MKIII on right

MKII on left, MKIII on right

Observations from Use

As I said above, I was told this new rig would be more durable, lighter weight, more comfortable, and easier to produce than the MKII version. I’ll try to address each one of these claims from my perspective based on my use of the new MKIII version.

More Durable

It is a little hard to quantify this based on my use. I still haven’t even come remotely close to wearing out my Swamp Fox MKII. On paper, I believe it because of the addition of the webbing reinforcement inside the magazine pouch flaps and the bound edges. Both of these items add reinforcement at common failure points.

The rig still shows UW Gear’s typical overbuild quality. All webbing is box stitched where it joins the body of the rig. The PALS webbing is attached with large bar tacks. Just about every component of these rigs is made with multiple layers of something be it Cordura nylon, webbing, or binding tape.

MKII on left, MKIII on right

MKII on left, MKIII on right

Lighter Weight

The scale doesn’t lie! The MKIII weighs about 16.45 ounces, which is 2.1 ounces less than the MKII version. Much of weight was saved in the new construction method for the pouches and the harness and basically comes from replacing extraneous fabric with strategically located webbing.

More Comfortable

This is probably the claim that I was most curious about. The biggest reason that I like the MKII style chest rigs from UW Gear was because of the way they constructed the harness. They used multiple layers of Cordura and webbing to create a harness that was somewhat rigid but better able to flex and twist without the bunching and gaps you see in a padding harness. It was thin and supported weight very well.

The new harness is a bit less rigid. It is still thin. In fact, it is thinner. It still bears weight well, moves well with the wearer, and the bound edges are actually a bit more comfortable against your skin.

UW Gear also adds some detail here in how they shape the harness. The shoulder straps are set at an angle greater than 90 degrees to the horizontal strap that holds the H harness together. This allows it to sit more comfortably across your back and shoulders. This detail is still present in the MKIII version.

I guess I have to admit that it is more comfortable though I do miss a bit of the rigidity of the original harness.

MKIII on left, MKII on right

MKIII on left, MKII on right

MKIII on left, MKII on right

MKIII on left, MKII on right

Easier to Produce

This one is easy to prove. UW Gear is a small shop with a unique, well-made product. They operate with a permanent backlog but thanks to the streamlined production of the MKIII, they have reduced their lead times.

You can still expect to wait 3-5 months but that is an overall reduction from where they were and that lead-time is shrinking continually.

H-harness detail

H-harness detail

Wrap Up

The Swamp Fox MKIII is an improved version of an already great chest rig. If nothing else, it is a huge win for the user that UW Gear was able to increase durability and reduce weight. The streamlined construction will also allow them to keep costs in check.

This is a worthy successor.

Check out all of the new MKIII versions of your favorite gear at UW Gear.

Disclosure: This product was provided to me by UW Gear, free of charge, for review.

Review: Unity Tactical Direct-Mount VFG

By on September 10, 2014 in Guns

Slick (as in non-railed) “universal” free float hand guards have been on the market for years and have gained in popularity steadily – especially as slimmer, lighter weight versions become available. Initially, only rail sections were available to attach to these hand guards but eventually the market filled in with various other direct-attach accessories like sling mounts, hand stops, and light mounts. One common and useful accessory, the vertical grip, remained a strangely unfilled hole in the market until this year when Unity Tactical announced the availability of their Direct-Mount VFG.

Unity_Tactical_Direct-Mount_VFG_installed

Overview

The Direct-Mount VFG is a fairly straight forward piece of gear. It is a vertical grip that is designed to attach directly to slotted hand guards via a screw and nut. It also works with KeyMod and includes all the necessary hardware.

The VFG (vertical fore grip) itself is made of polymer and is lightly textured. It has a brass ferrule molded in for use with KeyMod hardware.

Its weight varies based on the hardware used, but it comes in at under 1.5 ounces. If you know how to use a vertical grip, that is 1.5 ounces well spent.

The top of the Direct-Mount VFG – as in the part that actually contacts the handguard when installed is very cleverly designed. If it was flat or slightly concave, it would only fit rails of certain shapes or diameters. Unity Tactical used two raised ridges (sort of like rails) to allow the Direct-Mount VFG to fit flush on a hand guard of any shape.

Unity_Tactical_Direct-Mount_VFG_parts

Observations from Use

I don’t own a rail with KeyMod on the bottom portion so I just tested the fit on a friend’s rail. It fit and worked well.

My main interest in the Direct-Mount VFG is for use with the various universal rails on the market. I tested it with the Troy Alpha Rail (and similar), ALG Defense EMR, Midwest Industries SS Gen 2, Parallax Tactical FFSSR, and even Magpul MOE Hand Guards. It fit all of them without modification. I have no reason to believe it wouldn’t fit just about universal rail unless the slots were too large or numerous for it to sit square on the hand guard.

The Direct-Mount VFG is very lightly textured. I would prefer a more aggressive texture but I suspect that Unity Tactical knows that guys who care about these things will just stipple it to suit their preference.

The length is what some manufacturers might call a “stubby” grip. You aren’t going to be able to place your entire hand on it in a “chicken choker” grip. However, it is long enough to be used with a thumb forward or thumb over grip. It is also long enough to provide plenty of surface area for stabilizing against a barricade or to push/pull against your forearm in positions that can benefit from this technique like the so-called “brokeback prone.”

Unity_Tactical_Direct-Mount_VFG_top Unity_Tactical_Direct-Mount_VFG_bottom

Wrap Up

The Direct-Mount VFG is just what I hoped it would be – affordable, simple, lightweight, and effective much like the rails it is designed to be mounted on. The market has waited a long time for this and it doesn’t disappoint.

Check out the Direct-Mount VFG at Unity Tactical.

Disclosure: This product was provided to me by Unity Tactical, free of charge, for review.

TOPS Knives Crow Hawke

By on September 9, 2014 in EDC, Knives

The Sparrow Hawke is one of the gems of the TOPS Knives line. It is small enough to EDC and large enough to dress out deer sized game. It can easily be carried as a neck knife or in your pocket and it all but disappears on your belt. TOPS Knives just introduced the Crow Hawke which is dimensionally identical to the Sparrow Hawke but features a new black coating and grippier black G-10 handle slabs with red spacers.

crh01

O/A Length: 5.0″
Cutting Edge: 2.0″
Blade: 1095 High Carbon Steel
Thickness: 1/8″
Blade Color: Black Traction Coating
Handle: Black Linen Micarta®
Sheath: Kydex With Snap Link
Weight: 1.8oz
Weight w/ Sheath: 2.9oz

Check out the Crow Hawke at TOPS Knives.

Sneaky Bags Nautilus

By on September 8, 2014 in EDC, Guns, Survival, Tactical Gear

The Nautilus Sling Bag from Sneaky Bags is now available. This is one of Sneaky Bags’ most discreet bags yet. It is designed to be used as an off body concealed carry bag but can also be used to transport smaller shoulder fired firearms.

SB-NAU-01-LoRes-500x500

The interior features a large loop covered PALS webbing field to offer the user an array of organization options without taking up the internal volume. It also has a zippered front slip pocket for smaller items. The rear of the bag has a concealed carry compartment that is accessible from either side and the shoulder strap can be configured for either right and left handed users.

Check out the Nautilus Sling Bag at Sneaky Bags.

RE Factor Tactical Adjustable Tactical Dog Leash

By on September 5, 2014 in EDC, Tactical Gear

Don’t be confused by the name. The new Adjustable Tactical Dog Leash isn’t just for tactical dogs. It’s chocked full of handy features that are just as useful for the regular guy as the go fast types.

  • It has a clever g-hook and loop length adjustment method which the handler can use to adjust the amount of freedom to roam the dog has. You can use it for the same reason.
  • The adjustable length system also allows the leash to be placed around your waist. Go fast types can use this as a running leash. You might use it to make your dog pull your out-of-shape behind up a hill.
  • It has a leather lined handle located part of the way down the leash. Go fast types can use this to take control of the dog and prevent it from biting off some creep’s head. You might use it prevent your dog from mounting the neighbor.

There you have it. You don’t have to have a tactical dog to have an Adjustable Tactical Dog Leash. Check it out at RE Factor Tactical.

DSC_9145__36575.1409283450.1280.1280 Leather_dog_leash__27026.1409609182.1280.1280

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