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Review: B5 Systems Bravo SOPMOD Stock

By on December 19, 2012 in Reviews, Tactical Gear

B5 Systems Bravo SOPMOD Installed

B5 Systems is one of those companies that you might not know a whole lot about right now… but you will. They are a manufacturing company that made a pretty big splash when they got the military contract to manufacture the Enhanced SOPMOD Buttstock and then subsequently brought it to the consumer market for half the cost of what it was available for previously.

They recently made an even bigger splash when their new stock, the Bravo SOPMOD Stock, was selected to be used on the HSP/BCM JACK Carbine. The Bravo is now showing up on dealer shelves and I was able to get my hands on one, along with an Enhanced SOPMOD, for review.

B5 Systems Bravo and Enhanced SOPMOD

Bravo and Enhanced SOPMOD Stocks (Bravo on left)

Overview

The form of the Bravo is rooted in the design of the original Enhanced SOPMOD Stock. The Enhanced SOPMOD Stock has battery storage tubes integrated into both sides of the stock. These battery storage tubes create a very distinctive cheek weld that is very comfortable and repeatable. However, many users probably don’t need the storage tubes so B5 created the Bravo to retain all of the best qualities of the Enhanced SOPMOD Stock without the battery tubes.

B5 Systems Bravo and Enhanced SOPMOD Cheek Weld

Note that the Bravo is slightly narrower than the Enhanced SOPMOD Stock

The Bravo retains the excellent cheek weld of the Enhanced SOPMOD Stock, though it is slightly narrower through this area of the stock. It also retains the easily removable rubber butt plate and rotation limited QD sling swivel socket. Apart from the slightly narrower profile, it also differs in that the butt of the stock is slightly more angled and the adjustment lever has been streamlined.  The Bravo stock is very nearly an Enhanced SOPMOD Stock without the battery tubes – and that is a very, very good thing.

B5 Systems Bravo and Enhanced SOPMOD Levers

The Bravo features a new streamlined adjustment lever.

Observations from Use

The Bravo is a classic case of “addition by subtraction.” The removal of the battery tubes has made this stock lighter in weight and considerably less expensive. Both of those are wins if you, like many users, don’t use or need the battery storage.

As I said earlier, the Bravo SOPMOD Stock retains the excellent cheek weld of the Enhanced SOPMOD Stock. I find the cheek weld on these stocks to not only be very comfortable but very repeatable.  It is comfortable because it contacts your face over a broader area. I find it more repeatable because it offers 2 index points instead of 1. The cheek weld area extends from my cheek bone down to an area on my jaw. I can feel or index the stock in both places which makes it easier to make sure I am placing my head consistently on the stock. This cheek weld is part of why the Enhanced SOPMOD is such a popular stock on light precision builds like RECCE and DMR carbines. Thankfully, the Bravo has the same great cheek weld.

B5 Systems Bravo and Enhanced SOPMOD Tube View

The Bravo lacks the battery storage compartments of the Enhanced SOPMOD Stock.

The SOPMOD Stocks from B5 (and the earlier LMT versions) have always had some of the best fit of any stocks. They tend to fit tightly on the receiver extension (buffer tube) but not so tight that they can’t be adjusted easily. In other words, the fit is usually perfect and the Bravo is no exception. It offers a rattle free fit that adjusts easily.

I have always liked the aggressively rounded butt pad on the SOPMOD stocks. It allows the carbine to be rolled up from a low ready position very easily. The butt pad on the Bravo is identical and interchangeable with the Enhanced SOPMOD Stock. However, the Bravo’s butt plate is slightly more angled than the Enhanced SOPMOD Stock. The slightly angled butt plate of the Bravo does seem to engage the shoulder pocket a bit more positively but this could be pretty subjective.

B5 Systems Bravo and Enhanced SOPMOD Butt Plate Angle

Note the slight angle on the Bravo butt plate.

The Bravo weighs 8.25 ounces which is 2 ounces less than the Enhanced SOPMOD Stock at 10.25 ounces. That makes the Bravo one of the lighter aftermarket stocks available while still being very feature rich. I think the Bravo has to be the new value leader when it comes to AR-15 stocks. For instance, the Magpul MOE Stock (and excellent stock and a good value in its own right) costs about the same and weighs exactly the same but lacks a QD sling swivel socket and doesn’t fit the receiver extension as well as the Bravo.

B5 Systems Bravo SOPMOD QD Swivel

Both the Bravo and the Enhanced SOPMOD Stocks have a rotation limited QD sling swivel socket.

Wrap Up

I am not sure that there is a better value in stocks than the Bravo. It offers nearly everything that shooters love about the Enhanced SOPMOD Stock including the great cheek weld, great receiver extension fit, QD sling swivel socket, and rubber butt pad. However, by removing the battery tubes, B5 Systems has made the Bravo lighter and less expensive than many of its competitors while offering a stock with more features. That is pretty tough to beat.

I suspect that given the price point of the Bravo, that you are going to see more and more manufacturers offering the Bravo as an OEM stock like HSP and BCM have done with the JACK Carbine. That will be a win for consumers because this is an excellent stock at a great price.

Check out the Bravo SOPMOD and Enhanced SOPMOD Stocks on B5Systems.com.

B5 Systems Bravo SOPMOD Pad

The butt pad is easily removable on both stocks.

Review: Proto Tactical Z-Comp

By on December 14, 2012 in Guns, Reviews, Tactical Gear

It seems like there is a new muzzle device for the AR-15 coming to market nearly every week. That seems crazy since you would think that there is only so much you can do with the available gasses that escape the muzzle of an AR. However, manufacturers continue to come up with new ways to vector the gasses and balance the performance of these devices.

The Holy Grail in this pursuit is a device that keeps the muzzle perfectly neutral without kicking you in the teeth with concussive blast. All of this leads us to one of the newest devices on the market – the Z-Comp from Proto Tactical. So, is the Z-Comp (nothing to do with Zombies, thank goodness) that long awaited perfect muzzle device? Read on.

Proto Tactical Z-Comp

Overview

The Z-Comp is a hardeded 4140 steel muzzle brake with a black oxide finish from Proto Tactical. It derives its name from the roughly “Z” shaped ports that are visible from the side of the device. It has 3 ports (on each side) and 3 internal chambers. The 2 most forward ports have several small forward facing ports in the leading wall of the chamber. The front of the device is angled sharply forward.

The Z-Comp installs like any other muzzle device. It comes with a crush washer for installation. Proto Tactical recommends torqueing the device to around 30 pounds. Proto Tactical thoughtfully machined a line in the top of the device that makes it easier to time the device visually.

Observations from Use

This isn’t the Holy Grail, but it is a really, really good muzzle device. When you look at it, you think it is going to be an ear drum wrecker, but I am glad to report that it is not. In fact, it is one of the mildest brakes that I have tried in terms of sound and concussion to those around the shooter. Every person that has seen it in action has been surprised by how relatively quiet it is.

It is certainly noisier than a flash suppressor, but it isn’t anywhere near as bad as most of the brakes on the market. It produces more of a push than a sharp crack or concussive feeling. The noise is deeper than it is sharp. Hopefully that makes sense. The point is that it is fairly easy on those around the shooter and there is no noticeable increase in sound at the shooter’s position when outdoors. If I have the choice, I wouldn’t want to use the Z-Comp or any other brake indoors.

The Z-Comp offers a tremendous amount of muzzle control. The muzzle stays very level and a skilled shooter should find that they are able to run the trigger very quickly without waiting for their aim to settle. This effectiveness of this device approaches and exceeds that of some dedicated competition style brakes that I have tried without all the noise.

Proto Tactical Z-Comp Muzzle

Recoil reduction is also impressive. The AR-15 doesn’t have a lot of recoil to begin with but Z-Comp does a great job of taming what little there is. Even with a loose hold on the carbnine, the Z-Comp just seems to anchor it in space. It does a great job of mitigating movement in all directions.

The closed bottom of the Z-Comp keeps ground signature to a minimum. You can certainly see things swirling around the brake but not to the extent of other brakes that I have tried.  This will usually go hand in hand with the concussiveness of the brake – less concussive brakes seem to kick up less dust and debris.

The Z-Comp isn’t a flame thrower but it is certainly not a flash suppressor either. Low light performance will have a lot to do with the ammo that you choose. I didn’t test it in the dark, but dusk performance was not as flashy as most brakes.

I put the device in the hands of a few other shooters and tried to keep a careful eye out for clues as to how well it was working for them. At one point, we were shooting 2/3rds size steel silhouette targets from about 35 to 40 yards. Even the rustiest shooters were able to get hits quickly. There would often be 2 or more pieces of brass still in the air as the shooter was getting their next hit and the performance just seemed to get better as the shooter learned how the brake was going to behave. Eventually, you get used to the fact that you don’t have to wait for the sights to settle and then you can really pick up the pace.

Proto Tactical Z-Comp Top Down

Wrap Up

Much of what makes a muzzle device good or bad to me comes down to how the makers balance the elements of performance that we look for in a muzzle device – muzzle control, recoil reduction, flash, and noise. This makes the process somewhat subjective because different people tend to place different values on the various elements based on their intended use or preferences. I can say that this is one of the best balanced devices that I have used. It offers an incredible amount of control without the overpowering noise that comes with devices that typically offer this much control.

The perfect muzzle brake hasn’t been made yet, but for me, the Z-Comp is as close as anything that I have tried. I hope that I am accurately portraying how impressed I am.

Check out the Z-Comp on ProtoTactical.com.

Battle Arms Development BAD-ASS-ST Gen. 2

By on December 6, 2012 in Guns

Battle Arms Development is getting ready to roll out several improvements to their BAD-ASS-ST (short throw). The new version will feature compatibility with the Wilson Combat TTU triggers and a 50 degree throw instead of the previous 45 degree throw.

Roger from Battle Arms Development explains the reasoning behind the change to a 50 degree throw:

When the detent is engaged in the selector’s detent holes, there’s a minor play, you can rotate the lever back and forth for a few degrees.  This play is unavoidable, for the detent to seat in the detent holes, the holes must be slightly larger than the detent itself.

On a 90 degree, standard throw selector, this movement is insignificant.  On a 45 degree selector, 2 to 3 degree of movement between SAFE and FIRE is far more noticeable.

The Gen. 2 version of the BAD-ASS-ST will still have the same “lawyer pin” to prevent these from being installed in standard AR-15 lowers.

Check out BattleArmsDevelopment.com.

Review: UCWRG Rifle Grip

By on November 19, 2012 in Guns, Tactical Gear

The way we hold our carbines has changed over the years but the gear been slower to adapt. Many users are squaring their bodies to the target, pushing their support hands out closer to the muzzle to gain more control and moving the carbine in toward their centerline while keeping the strong side arm tucked into their side. Longer hand guards have evolved to accommodate different support hand grips but less has been done to address the issues with strong hand positioning on the pistol grip in a “modern” stance.

We have only recently started to see a crop of pistol grips with a more vertical angle that takes stress off the wrist in this modern stance. The Umbrella Corporation Weapons Research Group (UCWRG) Rifle Grip is one of the most recent offerings of this type and it is the subject of this review.

Overview

The UCWRG Rifle Grip is a study in simplicity, but don’t be fooled, there is a lot going on here. There are no storage compartments, interchangeable cores or grip panels, and no texture. This is just a grip and that is a good thing.

The grip is made from polymer. The polymer that UCWRG chose feels very sturdy and appears to have a fair amount of glass reinforcement for durability (I stippled one of the test grips and it had the characteristic “crunch” of well reinforced polymer).

It appears that the grip has no texture at first glance, but when you have it in hand, you can feel the light pebble texture. It isn’t much, but it is there. UCWRG purposefully chose to leave this grip free of texture so the user can add their own. Future grips from UCWRG will have a more aggressive texture.

The main draw here is the ergonomic features which are simple and effective. This grip has a more vertical grip angle than most AR grips. It has various swells and ledges in strategic places that make it more hand filling than you might think by looking at it.

The UCWRG Rifle Grip comes with everything you need to install it – the grip and a quality grip screw with a Phillips screw.

I should also mention that UCWRG consulted with Magpul in the development of this grip. You can see the finger prints of Magpul all over this design, and, in many ways, it looks and feels like a cross between the Magpul MOE Grip and MOE K Grip.

Observations from Use

I am thrilled to see a Phillips screw versus the standard slotted screw. The internal drive Phillips screw makes keeping the driver on the screw easier and Phillips screwdrivers are easy to source just about anywhere. This is a small thing but it saves time and sanity.

If you find this grip to be too slick (many people will), you can easily add texture. UWCRG intended for you to do so. You can get as involved as you want to. It is easy to stretch a piece of bicycle tire inner tube for a quick and immediate improvement. The squared shape of the grip makes it easy to cut and fit adhesive grip tape. You can also do what I did and heat stipple the grip.

The sizing of the grip is spot on, at least for me. The grip manages to feel like it is fitting to your hand without resorting to pronounced palm swells or finger grooves. I especially like the well-executed, subtle thumb shelf that is molded into the sides.

It builds out behind the receiver a bit which helps move the trigger finger back and into a better position. This is nice because many of more vertical grips on the market are not very hand filling in this area. The part of the grip that extends up the lower receiver and interfaces with the web of your hand does force my hand a bit lower than I would prefer. It would be nice if this area of the grip was more tapered rather than remaining full thickness and which prevents the hand from going higher.

The UCWRG Rifle Grip is a full size grip in terms of length. This is not a short grip like other similar grips.

I installed these on 3 different carbines for testing. I have had some wrist injuries in the past and, as a result, I almost always come home from the range with a numb feeling in my hand when using most AR grips. This is from having my wrist cocked into an uncomfortable position while shooting a carbine in the stance described above. The wrist just isn’t meant to be held at the edges of its range of motion for extended periods of time (or at least my wrists aren’t). The UCWRG Rifle Grip is vertical enough that I haven’t had any numbness or discomfort during the entire time that I have used them. It is like magic.

Don’t think that this grip is no good for you because you don’t shoot in the described position. I also tested it in a more tradition bladed stance and found it more comfortable there too. Additionally, a few people with patrolling experience that tried the grip have commented on how much more comfortable it is to keep your hand on the grip when the carbine is hanging down in front of you on your sling like it might be when patrolling.

When I was explaining the grip to a friend, he wondered why he should consider this grip since he shoots a GLOCK, which has a more raked back grip angle, without issue. The difference lies in the angles of the arm when holding a rifle versus a handgun. The strong side elbow is much lower than the wrist when holding a rifle. This is what creates the off wrist angles. The wrist angles it takes to shoot a GLOCK effectively have nothing on what your wrist is doing when you contort it onto a rifle with a pistol grip.

Wrap Up

The UCWRG Rifle Grip has allowed me to spend a day at the range without pain in my wrists. I don’t know that your results will be as dramatic but I am sure that you will find the grip angle more comfortable than most AR grips. UCWRG Rifle Grip represents a simple, straight-forward approach to building a grip that offers plenty of flexibility. It offers a combination of price, hand filling design, and vertical orientation that you just can’t find anywhere else right now.

The UCWRG website is still under construction. Check out their Facebook Page. Rainier Arms has the UCWRG Rifle Grip in stock.

Review: THORNTAIL Offset Adaptive Light Mount from Haley Strategic Partners and Impact Weapons Components

By on November 1, 2012 in Flashlights, Guns, Reviews, Tactical Gear

The collaboration of Haley Strategic Partners (HSP) with Impact Weapons Components (IWC) has produced a string of a light mounts that are so well conceived that they leave you wondering how you got along without them. Well, here comes another – the THORNTAIL Offset Adaptive Light Mount.

The THORNTAIL Offset works on the SCAR 17 like it was made for it.

The 45 degree offset allows you to utilize lights like the INFORCE WML and Surefire X300 on an FN SCAR without being blocked by the front sight.

Overview

The THORNTAIL Offset is, in the simplest terms, a short section of 1913 rail that is offset at a 45 degree angle to the rail that it is mounted on but there is more going on here than just that. This offset rail does more than any other that I have seen.

This mount is designed to be used with weapon mounted lights like the INFORCE WML, Surefire X300, Streamlight TLR-1, and similar lights. It allows the user to place these lights in a more intuitive and easy to activate location than just being placed on the 3 or 9 o’clock rail.

It can be mounted in a variety of different ways. There are 5 tapped screw holes that allow you to attach the rail section pushed forward or back on the mount. This allows you to cantilever the rail section forward of whatever it is mounted on, much like the original Thorntail Light Mount. Not only can the rail be slid forward or back, it can also be mounted on either side of the rail.

The rail can be mounted forward to clear more rail space or effectively extend the length of your rail for light mounting purposes…

Or, it can be mounted back (or anywhere in between) to act as a simple offset mount.

Like all IWC products, the THORNTAIL Offset is machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and hard anodized for a durable, matte black finish. It weighs only .8 oz!

Observations from Use

I tried the THORNTAIL Offset on a variety of different weapons and with a variety of different lights. I tried an AK with Ultimak rail, various different locations on a AR railed hand guards, and an FN SCAR 17. I was able to test the following lights: INFORCE WML, Surefire X300, Streamlight TLR1, and Insight WX-150. I learned a lot about what weapons this rail is well suited for and which lights work best.

Regarding the lights, they all worked well except the Insight WX-150. The WX-150 has a split rocker switch that means that when the light is flipped upside down on the THORNTAIL Offset, both sides of the switch are constant on only when pressing down on the rocker. Down is the most intuitive way to press the switch so this makes momentary use difficult.  This is less than ideal. The Streamlight TLR would be well suited for a right-handed user but less ideal, though still workable, for a left handed user. The WML and X300 has switching arrangements that I ideally suited to this use.

FN SCAR 17 with Surefire X300

FN SCAR 17 with Streamlight TLR-1

The THORNTAIL Offset is magic on a SCAR or AR-15 but it is not suited to use on an AK with an Ultimak rail. It places the light in a position that crowds the sight picture too much. Ultimak users, this one is not for you.

SCAR users take note. If you want to use an INFORCE WML, Surefire X300, or similar light on your SCAR, you want this mount. You can place the THORNTAIL Offset on the top rail, butted right up to the front sight, and it will place the light perfectly for intuitive use. This position tucks the bezel of the light right up next to the front sight (when deployed) so that there is virtually no shadowing caused by the sight and the sight can be still be folded. The light placement is so nice in terms of its relationship to the front sight post and ergonomics, that it is as if the mount was made for the SCAR. It should be noted that I tried it on a SCAR 17 but I suspect it will work just as well on a SCAR 16.

The THORNTAIL Offset tucked every light we tried (including this INFORCE WML) close to the front sight on the SCAR 17. The fit was ideal.

Talk about a perfect fit! The front sight could still be folded with the light in this position.

The THORNTAIL Offset is also right at home on the railed hand guard of an AR. I tested it on the top rail and side rails where it is especially well suited. Lights like the WML and X300 can be mounted in the 12 o’clock position, directly on the top rail but some users prefer to have the light in a position that is closer to 10 or 11 o’clock which is essentially what the THORNTAIL Offset does. It works especially well on a side rail. It can be difficult to get your thumb down onto the switch of a light that is mounted on the side rail. The THORNTAIL Offset raises and angles the light so the switch falls perfectly under thumb. If you are using a WML, X300, or similar light on a side rail, this mount is a big improvement.

My sample of the THORNTAIL Offset has very sharp corners. It was a non-issue when a light was mounted on it since the light effectively shields the corners. I brought this up with IWC and they informed me that they were already aware of this and that the next product version would have chamfered corners.

I also noticed that, because of the unique way that the two parts of the mount bolt together, it can be a bit of a pain to get the screws started when the mount is not on a rail. Thankfully, the THORNTAIL Offset will come off the rail without the two sections completely detached. If you do have to detach the two parts, the screws can be started easily if you place both pieces on the rail and pinch them into position.

The THORNTAIL Offset works extremely well on the side rail of an AR-15 railed hand guard like this Daniel Defense 12.0 FSPM.

Wrap Up

The THORNTAIL Offset offers a nice ergonomic improvement for those who use lights like the WML, X300, TLR-1 and similar lights on long guns. SCAR owners will really appreciate how it places the light so perfectly. It is light weight, low profile, and cleverly designed to offer a ton of mounting options.

The THORNTAIL Offset is available from Haley Strategic Partners and Impact Weapons Components. Remember to use the discount code “triggerjerk” for 5% off at ImpactWeaponsComponents.com.

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