Tag Archives | Impact Weapon Components

Review: 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide from Impact Weapon Components

The best ideas and the best execution lead to the simplest, most useful gear.

The 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide is a new product from Impact Weapon Components (IWC) that blurs the line between 1 and 2 point slings. It is a simple and inexpensive addition to the sling that you already own that will allow you to quickly and easily transition from a 2 point to a 1 point sling. It is essentially a tri-glide that is designed to accept the most common sling attachment devices like QD swivels, HK Snap Hooks, and Mash Hooks. This is one clever and versatile little widget.

On Slings

In order to understand how this product works and why it exists, you must first understand the strengths and weaknesses of the various types of slings on the market. There are 3 main types of “tactical” slings (slings that keep the rifle in front of the user): single point (1 point), 2 point, and 3 point. We will mostly be discussing 1 point and 2 point slings.

A 1 point sling is so called because it only attaches to the rifle at a single point. They work best if this point is right at the rear of the lower receiver using an end plate like the SLAP or Daniel Defense Burnsed Loop. The sling has a loop that wraps over the strong side shoulder of the shooter, around the back and then under the weak side arm. The 1 point sling has advantage of allowing the rifle to transition quickly and easily to either the strong or weak side shoulder with no adjustments. They also tend to allow the shooter to move to any shooting position without adjustment (like standing to prone). The main weakness of the 1 point sling is that it allows the muzzle to swing like a pendulum if the user has to take their hands off of it.

2 points slings attach to the rifle at 2 points; one at the front of the rifle and one at the rear. I prefer to place both of these points as close to the receiver as possible. The further that these points are apart the more stable, but less maneuverable the rifle will be. Mounting the sling close to the receiver at the front and back allows for a great range of motion with the rifle which is useful during reloads and malfunction clearance. The strengths of a 2 point sling configured this way is good range of motion and better muzzle control. As dynamic as a properly configured 2 point sling can be, it still can’t match a 1 point for range of motion.

The 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide allows the user to reconfigure their sling as a 1 point or 2 point on the fly to deal with the specific set of problems that they are facing. That simply means that the 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide allows the user to make their sling behave like a 1 point when extra maneuverability is required or a 2 point when they need some extra stability. The user is able to leverage the best of both sling types.

There have been slings that offer this functionality before like the Military Moron designed Emdom Gunslinger and then the Magpul MS-2 sling but the 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide brings this functionality to the sling that you already own and no other sling or device will allow you to use QD swivels.

The IWC 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide works best if the rear sling point is at the rear of the receiver.

The 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide turns an excellent 2 point sling like the VTAC into an equally excellent 1 point sling.

Details

The 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide is machined from 6061-T6 aluminum and is Mil-Spec Hard Anodized black. It is essentially an aluminum tri-glide with the addition of a small loop. This loop is where the magic happens. The loop is machined to accept a push button QD swivel which is perfect because many people are already using these are their front sling attachment point. However, the loop is also purposely machined a little shallower than the full depth of the QD swivel to allow for the use of HK style Snap Hooks and ITW Mash Hooks.

The QD swivel attaches easily.

ITW Mash Hooks work equally well.

Fit and Finish

There isn’t much to discuss in the way of fit and finish. It finely machined with no sharp corners that are going to shred your sling. The hard anodized finish is very durable and should stay intact for a long time. The logo is cleanly etched and very low profile. It is basically every bit as good as I have come to expect from IWC.

The logo is etched in a fairly low profile location.

Set Up

The 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide will work best with 2 point slings that are mounted at the rear of the receiver like I discussed above. The point of the device is to turn a 2 point sling into a 1 point sling so it is best of the rear sling mounting point is in the same position that a 1 point sling would use. This is my preferred location for mounting my slings already so I did not need to change my set up.

The 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide is threaded onto the sling at the rear attachment point. I used a VTAC sling for this evaluation. The VTAC sling comes with 2 plastic tri-glides at the rear of the sling so I placed the 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide in between the two provided plastic tri-glides. Placing it between the tri-glides is not necessary, in fact, you could replace one of the plastic ones with the 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide.

This shows a standard 1" plastic tri-glide for comparison.

Install the 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide at the rear of the sling like you would any other tri-glide. Installation is simple.

In Use

The beauty of the 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide is just how easy it is to transition from 2 point to 1 point, and back again. While controlling the rifle with the strong hand, the user simply grasps the front sling attachment point (a push button QD swivel in my case) with the weak hand, disconnects it from the front attachment point, and then inserts it into the 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide. It is extremely simple and can be done with just one hand.

I was impressed at how quiet the 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide is due to its use of push button QD swivels. Similar slings use metal hardware like d-rings as for the attachment point. These can rattle when moving. The push button QD swivels are basically silent.

I found that the 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide worked very well with the VTAC sling. The VTAC sling makes fine tuning the fit of the sling easy after transitioning to a 1 point configuration. It also makes it easy to use as a shooting aid in 2 point mode by tightening up the sling against your arm for more stability.

I found it to work well with the Gear Sector 2 Point sling which uses tubular webbing. The tubular webbing makes this sling very comfortable but I was concerned that the extra thickness would prevent its use with the 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide but that wasn’t the case. It was a bit tight since the Gear Sector sling has a side release buckle at the rear but I was able to fit everything and function was perfect.

I also used it with the Emdom Gunslinger. The Gunslinger has a steel d-ring that already allows it to transition from 2 point to 1 point with the use of a Mash Hook or Snap Hook. However, I rarely use Mash Hooks or Snap Hooks, so I actually preferred the Gunslinger with the 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide in place so I could use my preferred QD swivels.

Basically, it works perfectly with all three slings that I had on hand to test. All three used different types of 1″ webbing. All three laid very flat and comfortably on the chest when in 1 point configuration. Based on what I’ve seen, this should work with any sling that has 1″ webbing. The 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide is currently made to work with slings that use 1″ webbing at the attachment points. If demand is high enough for this model, IWC will make them in larger sizes to work slings like the Blue Force Gear VCAS. The VCAS is my favorite sling so I hope that IWC is able to make that happen.

The only down side that I could find is that, if your sling is mounted at the rear of the receiver, it can occasionally slip in between your cheek and the stock. I found that by mounting the 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide with the loop part facing away from the rifle that it was less noticeable. I have been running my slings this way for years so I am used to the feeling of an occasional tri-glide or side release buckle getting under my cheek. This will be a non-issue for most users but you may need to take it into consideration when deciding if the 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide is right for you.

The 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide is relatively low profile when mounted.

The beauty of this system is being able to use common push button QD swivels.

The Verdict

Push button QD swivels are ubiquitous at this point. Many hand guards even have integral mounting points for these handy devices. Now IWC has given us a way to use these QD swivels to quickly and easily transform a sling from 2 point to 1 point and back again. Even if you don’t use QD swivels you can still use the 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide with other common attachment points like Snap Hooks and Mash Hooks. That is some serious versatility.

The 2 To 1 Point Tri-Glide will be available soon from Impact Weapon Components.

This product was provided to be by Impact Weapon Components.

Remember to use the coupon code “triggerjerk” at checkout to receive 5% discount at IWC.

Review: Weapon Control Mount-N-Slot from Impact Weapon Components

The Weapon Control Mount-N-Slot is one of the newest additions to the Mount-N-Slot line from Impact Weapon Components. As you might gather from the name, the Weapon Control Mount-N-Slot is designed to enhance your control of you carbine. It is essentially a very trim and well designed hand stop.

The Mount-N-Slot experience starts with the innovative packaging. The Weapon Control is on the left.

Details, Fit, and Finish

The Weapon Control Mount-N-Slot is well machined from aluminum. It is compact and lightweight. The black hard anodized finish is evenly applied and is attractive as it is durable. Great care has been taken to remove all sharp corners from the Weapon Control Mount-N-Slot. This is key for a piece of gear that is designed to have a hand pressed tightly against it for prolonged periods of time.

Like the OCP Sling Mount-N-Slot that I wrote about yesterday, the Weapon Control Mount-N-Slot uses a single screw and threaded washer to attach to the hand guards. It also has two tabs that fit tightly into the slot to prevent unwanted rotation. It is a very simple and sturdy configuration.

The finish and machining on Mount-N-Slots is flawless, even on the back where it will never be seen. Notice the tabs that prevent unwanted rotation.

On Vertical Grips and Hand Stops

Vertical grips have been with us for many years and, used correctly, they can be tremendous aids in weapon control. Many users no longer hold vertical grips like a hammer, with the thumb wrapped around the grip. These users will typically place the hand on the front of the vertical grip, or even in front of the vertical grip on the hand guard, with the thumb forward (like the support hand on a handgun). This grip has lead some shooters to question whether a full grip is even necessary which led to the popularity of short or “stubby” vertical grips. This smaller-is-better-trend has continued with the growing popularity of hand stops.

A hand stop serves essentially the same function as a vertical grip. It promotes consistent support hand placement and gives the support hand something to pull against. By pulling against the vertical grip or hand stop, the shooter can more effectively control the muzzle of the carbine. Controlling the muzzle leads to faster follow up shots as muzzle rise is controlled and being able to drive the carbine from target to target more efficiently. So, in this sense, a hand stop is essentially being used as a minimalist vertical grip.

This is the definition of "simple and effective."

In Use

Does it work? Yes. It definitely works.

I am a vertical grip user and the Weapon Control Mount-N-Slot really impressed me. I was able to generate all of the tension that I am used to generating with a vertical grip except with a much smaller, lighter piece of gear. I wrapped my hand around the Magpul MOE hand guards in front of the Weapon Control Mount-N-Slot and then, with a nearly straight support arm, pulled the carbine back into my shoulder. Just like with a vertical grip, follow up shots come quickly and driving between targets is quick.

The thumb forward grip allowed me to keep my weapon light in the same location as I do with a vertical grip (10-11 o’clock on the hand guard from the shooter’s point of view). In this position, the light falls naturally under the thumb. The Weapon Control Mount-N-Slot works very well with a light in this configuration.

I noticed that, since the Weapon Control Mount-N-Slot is much smaller than my typical vertical grip, it was easier to shoot from rests. You have to be conscious of where you place the hand guard when you are using a vertical grip and shooting from a rest like a sand bag when sighting in or using an improvised rest like a low wall. The smaller hand stop just doesn’t get in the way as much.

The Weapon Control Mount-N-Slot gives the shooter something to pull against when supporting the rifle.

Conclusion

The Weapon Control Mount-N-Slot is a simple piece of gear that can really increase the function of a carbine by increasing the amount of control the shooter has over the carbine. With training, this simple piece of gear can really help you improve your shooting.

The Weapon Control Mount-N-Slot is available for the Magpul MOE Hand Guards, Bushmaster ACR, and slotted free float tubes with an outside diameter of 1.75″ or 2.00″.

Remember to use the coupon code “triggerjerk” at checkout to receive 5% discount at IWC.

wordpress hit counter

Impact Weapon Components OCP Sling Mount-N-Slot

This will be the first of two posts about some of the newest Mount-N-Slots from Impact Weapon Components – the OCP Sling Mount-N-Slot and the Weapon Control Mount-N-Slot. Today, I’ll be writing about the OCP Sling Mount-N-Slot.

The Mount-N-Slot experience starts with the innovative packaging. The OCP is on the right.

Fit and Finish

The OCP Sling Mount-N-Slot is as well finished as every other Mount-N-Slot that has passed through my hands. The machining is flawless, even on the back of the mount where no one will see it. The hard anodized finished is evenly applied and looks great. You won’t find a sharp edge anywhere because great care has been taken to radius the corners. The quality shows when you look at the details.

The OCP Sling Mount-N-Slot is angled to increase functionality.

Similar

The OCP Sling Mount-N-Slot looks and feels like an evolution of the Snap Hook Mount-N-Slot. Both mounts work very well with HK style snap hooks and, my preference, the ITW Mash Hook. So, while they are somewhat similar, they each have some unique features.

But Different

First, the OCP mounts differently. It mounts via single screw and threaded plate while the Snap Hook Mount-N-Slot uses two screws. The OCP also has two tabs that fit tightly into the slot to prevent it from rotating.

Second, the OCP is angled so that it is higher on the loop side and lower on the non loop side. This angle is what makes the OCP unique. The angle presents the loop in such a way that makes it easier to attach the sling. This works well with slings like the Magpul MS2 and the Emdom Gunslinger that offer the ability to quickly transition from single point to two point configuration. The OCP helps you leverage all of that functionality as efficiently as possible. The angle also makes the front of the mount more snag-free.

The OCP Sling Mount-N-Slot works perfectly with the excellent ITW Mash Hooks.

How to Choose

So how do you decide between the Snap Hook Mount-N-Slot or the OCP Mount-N-Slot? It basically comes down to mounting options. The Snap Hook Mount-N-Slot can be oriented so that the loop faces in up, down, forward, and back. The OCP can only be mounted so that it faces forward or back. So, if you need more mounting options the Snap Hook Mount-N-Slot is for you. If you need the lowest profile option, you need the OCP Sling Mount-N-Slot.

Conclusion

The OCP Sling Mount-N-Slot is a very slick addition to the Mount-N-Slot line. It is snag-free, efficient, and it just works. Who would have thought that the addition of a simple angle could make such a difference. mnn

The OCP Sling Mount-N-Slot is available for the Magpul MOE Hand Guards, Bushmaster ACR, and slotted free float tubes with an outside diameter of 1.75″ or 2.00″.

I would like to thank Impact Weapon Components for providing the OCP Sling Mount-N-Slot for review.

Remember to use the coupon code “triggerjerk” at checkout to receive 5% discount at IWC.

The back of the OCP has two tabs that fit tightly into the slot and prevents the OCP from spinning. The OCP is on the left.

wordpress hit counter

Weapon Control Mount-N-Slot

Impact Weapon Components continues to expand their Mount-N-Slot line of accessories with the addition of the Weapon Control Mount-N-Slot. The Weapon Control Mount-N-Slot is essentially a hand stop that is designed to attach directly to the hand guard, without the need for a rail. Hand stops have become extremely popular lately as an alternative to a vertical forward grip.

The Weapon Control Mount-N-Slot will be available in three different versions – for the MOE, for 2″ diameter tubular hand guards like the JP/VTAC, and for 1.75″ diameter tubular hand guards like the Troy TRX Extreme.

You can visit the Impact Weapon Components’ Industry Forum on AR15.com for more information. While you are there, check out all the new Mount-N-Slots that were released last weekend. Check out the Weapon Control MOUNT-N-SLOT on ImpactWeaponsComponents.com. Remember to use the discount code “triggerjerk” for 5% off at ImpactWeaponsComponents.com.

wordpress hit counter

Tactical Handyman: No Slot? No Problem!

Don't let the lack of a pre-made slot keep you from mounting your Mount-N-Slot where you need it.

When it comes to attaching Impact Weapon Component’s Mount-N-Slot hardware, don’t limit yourself to only the places that you have a pre-made slot. The flat sides of the Magpul MOE Hand Guards make attaching a Mount-N-Slot in a custom location an easy task.

In this installment of the Tactical Handyman, we will mount a Mount-N-Slot Rotation Limited QD Sling on midlength Magpul MOE Hand Guards. The midlength MOE Hand Guards lack slots on the sides close to the receiver which is a shame because this is an optimal place to mount a sling swivel.

The midlength MOE Hand Guards lack slots on the rear sides. This is where we will attach the Mount-N-Slot.

Materials:

  • Mount-N-Slot of your choice
  • Magpul MOE Hand Guards
  • Drill with 7/32″ bit
  • Ruler (with long straight edge)
  • Pencil
  • Awl (optional but can be useful for cleaning up or slightly enlarging the drill holes, a Swiss Army Knife works great)

Measure carefully and mark your two drill locations as outlined in steps 3 through 5 below.

Procedure:

  1. Check that your Ar-15 is unloaded by removing the magazine and then visually inspecting the chamber. Once you have completed this, check it again. Remove all ammunition from your work space.
  2. Remove the MOE Hand Guards from your AR-15.
  3. Use your ruler and pencil to draw a line that runs through the center of the slots, parallel to the bore. NOTE: The results of steps 3-5 are shown in the picture above.
  4. Mark the drill hole closest to the delta ring on the line taking care to place it in such a way that the Mount-N-Slot can lay flat when mounted.
  5. Mark your second drill hole by measuring 11/16″ from your first hole. The two mounting points on a Mount-N-Slot Rotation Limited QD Sling are about 11/16″ center to center. You will have to measure any other Mount-N-Slot you may be using.
  6. Drill both holes using a 7/32″ drill bit.
  7. Clean up the holes as necessary with an awl or small sharp knife.
  8. Attach the Mount-N-Slot per manufacturer instructions using the two newly drilled holes instead of a slot.

This is a simple project with a big pay off in increased functionality. Mounting the sling in this location improves the range of motion you will have with the AR slung and keeps the hand guard well clear so you have plenty of room to hold it with your support hand.

Remember to use the coupon code “triggerjerk” at checkout to receive 5% discount at IWC.

wordpress hit counter

Powered by WordPress. Designed by Woo Themes