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Boy Scout* Gear Round Up – Bushnell Bear Grylls 8X25 Compact Binocular

Sunday, November 3rd, 2013

There’s a wide variety of survival tools for the outdoorsman currently available in the market, including knives, flashlights, belts, etc. We purchased a small variety of survival tools, and put them to the test with our own weekend warriors, our three Boy Scouts. The rules were simple. They could select any of the products that wanted but had to write about their impressions.

Each week, we’ll feature a new product review written by one of the Scouts.

BG Binos

  • Magnification X Obj Lens: 8x 25mm
  • Close Focus (ft/m): 14 / 4.6
  • Lens Coating: Multi
  • Field of View ft@1000yds / m@ 1000m: 360 / 120
  • Adapt to Tripod: No
  • Eyecups: Twist-Up
  • Eye Relief: 13.5
  • Focus System: Center
  • Exit Pupil (mm): 3.2
  • Prism Glass: BaK-4
  • Water/Fog Proof: Yes
  • Prism System: Roof
  • Weight (oz/g): 10.2 / 290
  • Size Class: Compact
  • I like these binoculars because they’re waterproof and shock resistant. I can take them with me in a lot of environments and they still work. It’s also nice that they’re compact, so I can fit them in my pack with the rest of my gear and still have space left to store other items.

    www.amazon.com/Bushnell-Compact-Waterproof-Fogproof-Binoculars/dp/B00AMPJPHM

    *These reviews are in no way sponsored by the Boy Scouts of America.

    Lancer Tactical – GPNVG-18 Dummy Review

    Wednesday, October 23rd, 2013

    SONY DSC

    Lancer Airsoft’s GPNVG-18 Dummy is a non-functional replica of the L-3 Warrior Systems GPNVG-18, perhaps best known for its use by Seal Team Six in the flim Zero Dark Thirty. This particular model comes standard with clear and blue replacement lenses, dummy ANVIS cable, and dummy remote battery pack.

    As far as replicas go, Lancer Tactical really hit it out of the park with their GPNVG-18 Dummy. The detail of this product is high: the Dummy is the proper size, features accurate accessories, and proper markings; There are identification stickers that come with the dummy that can be used to add further detail. The unit is made from sturdy plastic, and the non-functioning power button is made from a spongy foam-like material. Dials on either side of the eye pieces can be used to adjust their spacing.

    The Dummy NVG is fairly lightweight, including the faux battery pack, so it’s not likely to cause any additional strain if mounted to a helmet. The replaceable lenses are a nice addition that adds a bit of customization to the unit. Please note that actually looking through the lenses is slightly disorienting, the lenses are convex (images appear upside down and reversed), so it’s best used as an accessory or for non-serious play.

    If you happen to be looking for a replica GPNVG-18 to add that extra bit of detail to your kit, for role-playing purposes, or just because they’re cool looking, then you can’t go wrong with Lancer Tactical’s GPNVG-18 Dummy.

    One last thing to note: For the purposes of the photography, I mounted the dummy GPNVG-18 on a Wilcox L4 G24 NVG mount. Although the dummy NVG did fit, it wasn’t completely secure to the mount and had the potential to slip off. Lancer Tactical offers their own L4 G24 NVG mount built for airsoft use that should better accommodate the dummy NVG.

    The Lancer Tactical GPNVG-18 Dummy shown above is in Tan, although a Black model is also available.

    www.airsplat.com/items/AC-APP-CA-737T.htm

    This review was brought to you by Airsplat, Your Unbeatable Airsoft Store. Airsplat offers up to $60 off, no sales tax, free shipping, free upgrades, and much more! Check out their website at: Airsplat.com.

    Gerber Gear Round Up – Bear Grylls Compact Multi-Tool

    Sunday, October 20th, 2013

    Gerber gear offers a selection of knives, flashlights, belts, and other survival tools for the outdoorsman. We purchased a small variety of Gerber survival tools, and put them to the test with our own weekend warriors, our three Boy Scouts. The rules were simple. They could select any of the products that wanted but had to write about their impressions.

    Each week, we’ll feature a new Gerber product review written by one of the Scouts.

    Multi Tool

    The Bear Grylls compact multi-tool features ten components:

  • Wire Cutters
  • Serrated Knife
  • Fine Edge Knife
  • Small flat driver
  • Lanyard ring
  • Tweezers
  • Needle Nose Pliers
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Medium flat driver
  • Bottle opener
  • It’s lightweight and compact, perfect for fitting on a keychain or in a pocket. External components and nail nicks allow for easy access to tools.

    I like the variety of tools present on this multi-tool. The nail nicks make them easier to get out. Having a lanyard ring on the tool is good because it can be kept on a keyring or secured to other gear. I also like the small size, but at the same time that makes it a bit harder to find if you misplace it.

    www.gerbergear.com/Survival/Tools/Survival-Series-Compact-Multi-Tool_31-000750

    Gerber Gear Round Up – Bear Grylls Scout Essentials Kit

    Sunday, October 13th, 2013

    Gerber gear offers a selection of knives, flashlights, belts, and other survival tools for the outdoorsman. We purchased a small variety of Gerber survival tools, and put them to the test with our own weekend warriors, our three Boy Scouts. The rules were simple. They could select any of the products that wanted but had to write about their impressions.

    Each week, we’ll feature a new Gerber product review written by one of the Scouts.

    BGScoutEssentials

    The Bear Grylls Scout Essentials Kit is a polypropylene case that doubles as a water capturing device, filled with these survival essential items:

  • Waterproof Matches
  • Compact Scout Knife
  • First Aid Kit
  • LED Micro Torch Light
  • Button Compass
  • The kit also contains a Priorities of Survival Guide.

    I like this kit because everything in it is useful when outdoors. The basic first aid kit would be good for treating minor injuries, and having a knife and light with you is always useful. The matches and compass would also serve well in a survival situation. I also like how the case also has use as a water catcher.

    www.gerbergear.com/Survival/Gear/Bear-Grylls-Scout-Essentials-Kit_31-001078

    Lancer Tactical – MOLLE Chest Rig Review

    Friday, October 11th, 2013

    SONY DSC

    Lancer Tactical’s MOLLE Chest Rig is constructed from 600 Denier Polyester material. It features front, back, and sides PALS webbing for the attachment of pouches and other MOLLE compatible equipment. Adjustable shoulder straps, also featuring PALS webbing, have side adjusters and quick release buckles. The Adjustable waist strap has Velcro flaps and quick release buckles. The vest comes with four integrated AR-15 magazine pouches with bungie retention straps, as well as two integrated multi-purpose pouches with bungie retention straps. A hydration compartment with Velcro panel on the flap fits up to a 2.5L bladder, and a mesh compartment interior pocket allows for additional storage. The MOLLE Chest Rig is adjustable from medium to large size.

    The Lancer Tactical MOLLE Chest Rig is a customizable piece of Airsoft kit can fill a wide variety of purposes thanks to the volume of PALS webbing present on the rig. The rig is comfortable and easily adjustable, and the Velcro straps included to retain excess webbing is a nice addition. The integrated AR-15 pouches each fit one (1) STANAG model magazine with the two multi-purpose pouches good for a light, mutlitool, or, in a pinch, a pistol magazine. One feature not mentioned on the product detail is a carrying handle that is retained to the rig thanks to a strip of hook and loop; this is a nice feature that helps keep the carrying handle from getting snagged or otherwise tampered with. Overall, Lancer Tactical’s MOLLE Chest Rig is a functional rig that, thanks to is modularity, can fulfill virtually any purpose the user wants it to.

    The Lancer Tactical MOLLE Chest Rig shown above is in MARPAT, although it’s also available in ACU, Black, OD Green, and Tan.

    www.airsplat.com/categories/AC-APP-CA-309.htm

    This review was brought to you by Airsplat, Your Unbeatable Airsoft Store. Airsplat offers up to $60 off, no sales tax, free shipping, free upgrades, and much more! Check out their website at: Airsplat.com.

    Gerber Gear Round Up – Bear Grylls Fire Starter

    Sunday, October 6th, 2013

    Gerber gear offers a selection of knives, flashlights, belts, and other survival tools for the outdoorsman. We purchased a small variety of Gerber survival tools, and put them to the test with our own weekend warriors, our three Boy Scouts. The rules were simple. They could select any of the products that wanted but had to write about their impressions.

    Each week, we’ll feature a new Gerber product review written by one of the Scouts.

    BG Fire Starter

    The Bear Grylls Fire Starter is compact and features a ferrocerium rod and metal striker. The laynard has an integrated emergency whistle. It comes with a waterproof storage compartment for tinder. Also included are land to air rescue and SOS instructions printed onto the tool for quick reference.

    I like the fire starter because it’s compact and has a lanyard so I can keep it around my wrist or tie it to my gear for quick access. The waterproof compartment is useful for keeping tinder around, and the whole fire starter seals together tight. The whistle is nice for emergency situations, as are the quick reference survival instructions.

    www.gerbergear.com/Survival/Gear/Survival-Series-Fire-Starter_31-000699

    By Titus Graves

    Call Of Duty Mega Bloks – Mini Review

    Thursday, October 3rd, 2013

    IMG_1626

    We purchased and constructed the Chopper Strike, RIB Beach Assault, and Mountain Recon Call of Duty Mega Bloks sets. The three sets were fairly easy to put together, although the Chopper Strike set was missing a couple of critical parts and required some workarounds to build up. The “super poseable micro action figures” are also a bit of a pain to snap together, and they come loose easily when handled, especially at the torso/leg joint. It’s pretty cool, however, how detailed they can be, with all the gear options they can be equipped with. Also, the faux-M4s the figures come with can swap magazines, stocks, and barrels, and can be further accessorized with scopes and suppressors.

    Overall, I would have preferred the sets had more of a LEGO-level quality to them, given they are Mega Bloks brand, but if you like your building block sets with a more military oriented focus, then these aren’t a bad option.

    www.megabloks.com/en-us/shop/construction-toys/call-of-duty/?view=list

    Gerber Gear Round Up – GDC Zip Blade

    Sunday, September 29th, 2013

    Gerber gear offers a selection of knives, flashlights, belts, and other survival tools for the outdoorsman. We purchased a small variety of Gerber survival tools, and put them to the test with our own weekend warriors, our three Boy Scouts. The rules were simple. They could select any of the products that wanted but had to write about their impressions.

    Each week, we’ll feature a new Gerber product review written by one of the Scouts.

    GDC Zip Blade

    The Gerber Gear GDC (Gerber Daily Carry) Zip Blade features a 7CR17 steel blade with a length of .68″. A frame lock mechanism locks the blade into place when deployed. The body of the Zip Blade is made of 3CR13 steel. The zipper attachment features a clip for quick removal.

    I like the GDC Zip Blade because it feels solid. The blade is small but useful, and comes out easily enough. The frame lock isn’t too tough to push down when I needed to store the blade. I also liked the clip because I could remove the zip quickly if I needed the blade. I think it works best as a backup if you already have a bigger knife with you.

    www.gerbergear.com/Essentials/Knives/Zip-Blade_31-001742

    By Isiah Tubbs

    Gerber Gear Round Up – Bear Grylls Survial Bracelet

    Sunday, September 22nd, 2013

    Gerber gear offers a selection of knives, flashlights, belts, and other survival tools for the outdoorsman. We purchased a small variety of Gerber survival tools, and put them to the test with our own weekend warriors, our three Boy Scouts. The rules were simple. They could select any of the products that wanted but had to write about their impressions.

    Each week, we’ll feature a new Gerber product review written by one of the Scouts.

    Bear Grylls Survival Bracelet

    The Bear Grylls Survival Bracelet features 12 feet of paracord for survival situations. Designed as one-size-fits-most, it has a one-hand size adjustment. It also has an emergency whistle.

    This survival bracelet is nice because it has 12 feet of paracord you can unwind in emergency situations. Both the bright orange color of some of the cord and the emergency whistle could be useful in case a rescue is needed. I also like how you can adjust the bracelet to fit most people. One nice feature is an elastic band on the bracelet that holds the whistle when you don’t need it.

    www.gerbergear.com/Survival/Gear/Survival-Bracelet_31-001773

    By Eli Tubbs

    Gerber Gear Round Up – Bear Grylls Survival Lanyard

    Sunday, September 15th, 2013

    Gerber gear offers a selection of knives, flashlights, belts, and other survival tools for the outdoorsman. We purchased a small variety of Gerber survival tools, and put them to the test with our own weekend warriors, our three Boy Scouts. The rules were simple. They could select any of the products that wanted but had to write about their impressions.

    Each week, we’ll feature a new Gerber product review written by one of the Scouts.

    Survival Lanyard

    The Bear Grylls Survival Lanyard has six feet of paracord and an emergency whistle. It easily attaches to packs, keychains, etc.

    I like how you can attach it to your gear to take it with you on trips. Having paracord is good because it is a very useful survival tool. I also like the emergency whistle and the orange color, because both make this lanyard a bit helpful for rescue purposes. I don’t like how it only has six feet of paracord.

    www.gerbergear.com/Survival/Gear/Survival-Lanyard_31-001788

    Gerber Gear Round Up – Bear Grylls Compact Compass

    Sunday, September 8th, 2013

    Gerber gear offers a selection of knives, flashlights, belts, and other survival tools for the outdoorsman. We purchased a small variety of Gerber survival tools, and put them to the test with our own weekend warriors, our three Boy Scouts. The rules were simple. They could select any of the products that wanted but had to write about their impressions.

    Each week, we’ll feature a new Gerber product review written by one of the Scouts.

    Bear Grylls Compact Compass

    The Bear Grylls Compact Compass is a small survival compass. It has a convenient zipper pull lanyard that allows for attachment to a jacket zipper or key chain. The body is made from a durable plastic.

    I think the Compact Compass is great. It is light, durable, and convenient. I kept it attached to my jacket zipper so I could find my proper heading any time I needed. One thing I don’t like about it is you can’t use it in the dark very well because the compass face doesn’t glow.

    www.gerbergear.com/Survival/Gear/Compact-Compass_31-001777

    Gerber Gear Round Up – Bear Grylls Intense Torch Flashlight

    Sunday, September 1st, 2013

    Gerber gear offers a selection of knives, flashlights, belts, and other survival tools for the outdoorsman. We purchased a small variety of Gerber survival tools, and put them to the test with our own weekend warriors, our three Boy Scouts. The rules were simple. They could select any of the products that wanted but had to write about their impressions.

    Each week, we’ll feature a new Gerber product review written by one of the Scouts.

    Intense Torch Flashlight

    The Bear Grylls Intense Torch Flashlight has a durable anodized aluminum body with rubber overmold for comfort and easy grip in any condition. The tri-sided design wont’ let it roll on flat surfaces. It’s waterproof up to 1 meter for a period of 30 minutes. The weight of the flashlight with batteries installed is 5 oz. Shines up to 89 meters. The output and run time is as follows:

    High – 140 lumens/1hr 30min
    Medium – 35 lumens/8hr 35min
    Low – 15 lumens/17hr

    It also has a built-in SOS message beam that flashes SOS code at 140 lumens.

    I like the Intense Torch flashlight because it’s great for my camping trips as well as around the house. The bright orange makes it easier to find and the run time is great. I do not like the low setting, however because I found the beam too weak when I used it at that setting. Everything else is awesome overall.

    www.gerbergear.com/Survival/Lights/Intense-Torch_31-001794

    Gerber Gear Round Up – Bear Grylls Survival Belt

    Sunday, August 25th, 2013

    Gerber gear offers a selection of knives, flashlights, belts, and other survival tools for the outdoorsman. We purchased a small variety of Gerber survival tools, and put them to the test with our own weekend warriors, our three Boy Scouts. The rules were simple. They could select any of the products that wanted but had to write about their impressions.

    Each week, we’ll feature a new Gerber product review written by one of the Scouts.

    IMG_1512

    The Bear Grylls Survival Belt has a secret compartment on the belt buckle that you twist counter-clockwise revealing the following tools:

    -Snare Wire
    -Fishing Line
    -Fishing Hook
    -Snap Swivels
    -Weights
    -Signaling Mirror

    The back of the belt buckle reveals a mini screwdriver with flathead and Philips tips. Also on the interior of the belt is a zippered compartment.

    I like almost everything about this belt. I love the fishing line, fishing hook, snare wire, snap swivels, weights, and how the signaling mirror is located on the back of the cap. Also, it’s easy to tighten and loosen. What I dislike about it is the mini screwdriver is really hard to get out and the zipper pocket being on the inside instead of the outside. Overall, the belt is worth having in survival scenarios.

    www.gerbergear.com/Survival/Gear/Bear-Grylls-Survival-Belt_31-001771

    First Thoughts on the FNS Striker-fired Pistol

    Tuesday, May 29th, 2012
    Reprinted here from The Tactical Wire.
    By Rick Staples

    The FNS is a 9mm, striker-fired, 17-shot pistol.

    Right after the 2012 SHOT Show I received a call from a friend about a new striker fired handgun. He directed me to OMB GUNS in Olathe Kansas. It was there that I got my hands on the new FNS striker fired 9mm pistol.

    First impressions mean a lot, even in the gun business. I picked it up handled it, and bought it.

    Since I have owned the FNS I have now put a little over 400 rounds through it. There have been no stoppages of any kind with every brand of ammo I have shot through it.

    I really wanted to like the trigger on this pistol, but I don’t. On my copy the trigger breaks at 5 pounds 13 ounces, for all intents and purposes, 6 pounds, within the spec in the FNS owner’s manual (range from 5.5 to 7.7 pounds). This does not mean that a person cannot LEARN this trigger. I was able to manage it. A really light trigger is a BAD thing to have on an issue law enforcement pistol. In 35 plus years in law enforcement I held a bunch of folks at “gun-point”. When your heart rate is about 180 and that front sight looks like it is attached to a paint mixer you don’t want a light trigger. With all that said, I think the trigger could be brought down to just under 5 pounds and be a bit more manageable.

    The FNS 9 ships in a lockable plastic box with three-magazines.

    I really like everything else. The gun comes in a really decent lockable plastic box with three magazines. The manual is easy to read with good photos. There is a small lock and two interchangeable backstraps, basically a small and a large.

    The pistols controls are ambidextrous; the slide stop, safety, and magazine release are located on both sides of the pistol. The ambidextrous controls will assist in streamlining training for agencies.

    The pistol is very reliable. It has really good sights; mine is equipped with the factory night sights. The front sight is approximately .130 inches wide by .20 inches tall. The rear sight has a notch approximately .135 inches wide. The rear sight has a “U” shape to the bottom edge. On my pistol the front sight tritium element fits perfectly in that groove and lines up with the rear sight elements. The night sights on my pistol are made by Trijicon.

    The magazines are made of metal and have a capacity of 17 rounds in 9mm. The metal magazines are slim making the grip slim. Seventeen rounds of 9×19 allow for less manipulation under dire circumstances.

    The main controls (magazine release button, slide release, thumb safety) are ambidextrous, a good thing for agency issue).

    I like the fact the FNS has a manual safety, it provides options. Keep the safety ON while loading and unloading. The safety does NOT block the slide when it is on. My rule is that I will not carry any handgun “off-body” (in a portfolio or briefcase) unless it is DA/SA or equipped with a manual safety. The safety is small, but workable. It operates like a conventional 1911 safety. There is a red dot for those that are vision dependent to indicate the pistol is OFF-SAFE. Like most modern striker fired pistols the FNS has a drop safety and a hinged trigger safety.

    I contacted Neil Davies, of Hornady ammunition, at the NRA show and asked about his company’s latest Critical Duty load for the 9mm Parabellum cartridge. He advised that he would ship some out. The ammo arrived and off to the range I went with the FNS and five different loads.

    Even with the heavy trigger I was able to turn in some VERY respectable groups.

    AMMO Velocity best 5 shot group

    Hornady 124 gr. TAP FPD 1108 fps 2.2 inches
    Hornady 135 gr. Critical Duty 1010 fps 2.3 inches
    Hornady 135+P Critical Duty 1092 fps 2.4 inches
    Remington 115gr. Ball FMJ 1114 fps 2.7 inches
    Winchester 127+p+ Ranger 1221 fps 2.1 inches

    These were the best of five, 5-shot groups fired with the ammo. I shot from a stable sandbag rest. Several of the groups had four shot clusters that were in the one inch plus range with the fifth kicking it open to two inches. The range was 25 yards.

    All of the ammo fed without a single problem. The Winchester Ranger load is a real screamer and street reports attest to its effectiveness. I haven’t shot the 135 grain Hornady ammo into any ballistic gel, but my guess is that it will perform.

    I think the FNS would make a great issue sidearm for law enforcement. It would appear that the folks at FNH have listened to the law enforcement consumers and have responded. It is well made (made in the USA by the way) and above all reliable. I haven’t seen an armorer’s manual yet. My guess is that it is pretty simple on the inside. Field stripping the pistol is straightforward and explained well in the owner’s manual.

    I’d like a better trigger. Still, it shoots well, it is reliable, and it has great sights. I think it will make a great stock service contender for IDPA competition. It would make a great pistol for the licensed CCW license holder. It’s ready to go.

    Rick Staples served 35 years, 5 months and 29 days in law enforcement with a mid-sized city police department. He served in patrol, investigations, warrant service, SWAT, fugitive apprehension and training. His last eight years were spent at the Regional Police Academy as a full time trainer. He has been a “gun-guy” for over 46 years. He started his career in 1973, the “blue steel guns and wooden clubs” era, as he puts it.

    S&W M&P Shield: a Review from Texas Gun Talk

    Monday, May 28th, 2012

     

    The S&W M&P Shield is one of the hottest and newest pistols on the market as of this article. Available in 9mm or .40 S&W, it’s a continuation of the Military & Police series from Smith and Wesson.

    Stats
    Manufacturer: Smith & Wesson
    Model: M&P9 Shield
    Price: $449 MSRP
    Caliber: 9mm Luger (9×19)
    Capacity: 7 or 8 Rounds 1.5 Stack Magazine
    Firing Action: Striker Fired Light Double Action
    Trigger: 6.5# Pull Weight
    Safeties: Trigger Snag Safety, Plunger Style Drop Safety, and External Safety
    Extractor: External Claw
    Materials: Polymer Frame, Melonite Coated Stainless Steel Slide and Barrel

    The M&P Shield comes with two magazines, a flush fitting 7 round magazine and an extended 8 round magazine for those with larger hands. Even with the shorter magazine I can get a full grip on the gun which is a commonality with the M&P lineup; like the M&P9c. The backstraps, however, are not removable. This no doubt was part of the reasoning for lowering the price point of the Shield.

    The pistol features an 18 degree grip angle which many people will feel at home with since it falls between the 1911 and the Glock grip angles. The Shield is also incredibly light, albeit a bit top heavy, which is expected of a polymer pistol. Being a lightweight handgun means it’s that much easier to carry on a daily basis, especially for women who carry in their purses. This handgun appears to have been marketed heavily towards women and newer shooters. The overall dimensions are better suited to women’s hands than the M&P9c and the gun is only available with an external safety. A note on the safety, it’s pretty much worthless. It is inset into the frame to avoid snagging, but that means it’s hard to find and work under stress. I highly recommend carrying this handgun with the safety OFF.

    Here’s the Shield compared to my Glock 19 2nd Gen. It has a shorter slide length, but the grip length is nearly the same. The width of the pistol is considerably thinner than my Glock.

    For another comparison, this is the Shield compared to a full sized 1911. The 1911 is bigger in every way except in slide width, as one would expect.

    Side by Side, M&P Shield, STI Trojan 5.0 (1911), and Glock 19.

    Width comparison of the M&P Shield, Glock 19, and STI Trojan (1911). The Glock is supposed to measure 28mm, but the actual frame is wider. I used calibrated calipers to measure the widths.

    The M&P Shield features a Melonite coated stainless steel slide and barrel, a polymer frame, and a unique “1.5” stack magazine. It’s not quite a double stack, but it’s staggered considerably more than a single stack. The recoil assembly is a double spring system over a steel guide rod. In smaller pistols the dual rate helps to provide adequate slide velocity to aid extraction while providing sufficient spring rate to chamber the next round and prevent accelerated frame wear. Many people find that these dual rate assemblies help reduce felt recoil.

    Typically holster manufacturers are a few steps behind gun makers, but this was not the case for Comp-Tac. They had a model out on the market nearly immediately. A good holster, such as this CTAC from Comp-Tac, makes the M&P Shield disappear and easy to carry. Even compared to my Glock 19 this thing is a cakewalk to carry, and my girlfriend loves it. (It’s her EDC)

    So how does it shoot?

    The gun shoots really well. Compared to other popular offerings such as the Walther PPS, Kahr CW9, and Ruger LC9 it does a great job of mitigating recoil impulse. The trigger takes some getting used to with the silly snag safety, but conditioning yourself to position your finger on the bottom of the trigger and/or getting an aftermarket model that converts it to a Glock blade style would remedy this. The pull weight is supposed to be 6.5#s but I feel this particular gun is running about the 5# – 5.5# range.

    The sights are nice, easy to line-up and track, but after some mileage the front sight is going to be duller than the rears and that’s going to distract your eyes away from the front sight. Just a downside to 3-dot systems, but you could always black out the rears.

    Accuracy is great, it’ll hold a 1″ group at 7 yards all day if I do my job correctly. Typically the gun is physically capable of supreme accuracy, but the short sight radius tends to make the longer shot dispersion increase with a human behind it. The light weight also makes the gun a bit less accurate with a human behind it, dropping the pull weight would help immensely, but I wouldn’t really recommend it for a carry gun. Especially with the vague feel of the OEM M&P trigger.

    I had bought this gun for my girlfriend to carry, but I find myself wanting to steal it or get one of my own. It’s a really great little pistol, and I’m not even a big fan of small guns.

    Original article on Texas Gun Talk.

    ‘Ghost Recon: Future Soldier’ Xbox 360 Pro Gamepad Review

    Tuesday, April 17th, 2012

    Mad Catz has created another excellent third-party controller in the ‘Ghost Recon: Future Soldier’ PrecisionAIM Pro Gamepad. Decked out in ‘Future Soldier’ imagery with backlit analogue stick modules and “non slip pistol grips”, the Pro Gamepad is as great looking as it is functional. The quick fire triggers are very responsive, as is the d-pad and face buttons, while the sticks offer a degree of accuracy not found in the standard 360 pad. This can be further assisted by activating the PrecisionAIM feature, which slows down on-screen movement for more precise shots.

    XL combat buttons on the rear of the pad can be programmed via selector switches (found above the buttons) to function as either face buttons (right combat button) or directions on the d-pad (left combat button). This feature was developed in conjunction with the Ghost Recon development team to best work for use with Future Soldier, although it’s more than useful enough for a wide variety of games. Finally, it features a 3ft braided cable, so no batteries required.

    Pricing is in the $40-50 range, so it’s around the same cost as a wireless 1st party controller. Despite this, the controller is a worthy edition to any gamer’s collection of peripherals, if only because it boast a number of noticeable improvements over the vanilla 360 pad. Plus, it just looks pretty damn cool.

    Ghost Recon: Future Soldier drops May 22, 2012 (June 12, 2012 for PC)

    The Sharp Dressed Shooter

    Monday, April 2nd, 2012

    Reprinted here courtesy of the Gear Locker. Go check them out if you haven’t already.

    You may of heard of ZZ Top’s song, “Sharp Dressed Man”.  When a box arrived from Tactical Distributors, that was the song that popped into my head.  Inside the box, we had enough goodies to outfit a shooter for the field, the range, a game, or day of training.  We received a pair of Vertx pants, TD’s very own Shooter’s Shirt, and Multicam Under Armor Heat Gear Shirt, and the Black Palm Syndicate FlexFit hat in Multicam.

    To start the review, we are going to look at Tactical Distributor’s Shooter Shirt with Velcro.  When I say this shirt is soft, it is an under statement. TD went with 100% Pima Cotton and it feels great when the weather gets warm.  A nice side benefit is they put a 4 inch x 3 inch section of Velcro for your favorite morale , ID, or name patch.  Another nice feature is no tag in the back of the neck. It is printed into the shirt.  And the seams are taped, so you don’t feel them as go through out your day.

    When you head the range or the field, and want to stand out a bit, wear one of these and people will take a second look.  They currently come in Black Heather, Coyote Tan, and Olive Brown in sizes Small to XXL.

     

    Left Side Velcro

     

    Shooter Shirt in Tan

     

    We don’t need to stinkin tags

     

    Next out of the box were a pair of Vertx Pants .  I have been a HUGE fan of Vertx pants for a while now. They are in my top 5  of pants. One of the reasons that I like them so much is they do not look “Tactical”. If you had a scale from 1 to 10. I would say these are 3 or a 4, where a pair of 5.11 or LA Police Gear tactical pants would be a 8 or a 9.  I have actually worn these on Fridays in my office and no one made a note of them.  So, that is a great side benefit for those readers that need to use them to work in, and blend into the crowd.

    The pants are very comfortable to wear, and that is in part to the materials used.  Vertx uses “Advantage Stretch”, which is 98% cotton and 2% lycra.  Couple that with articulated hip, and knees, gusset crotch, and a comfort waistband, and you can live in these pants for hours at a time.  Running, bounding, crouching is very comfortible in these pants. They fit well of 6 inch and 8 inch tall boots.

    The other features that I like about them are the pockets. They are not baggy, and until you put items into them, stay flat against the sides of your legs. That is a nice touch, as it keeps the “tactical” look toned down a bit.  And for the back pockets, each one has a flap to help keep your wallet, ID, or documents in the pocket and not slip out if you are in a vehicle.

    Vertx Tactical pants come in Tan, Kahki, and Olive Drab.  And sizes from 30×30 to 40×36

     

    Vertx Pants

     

    Articulated Knee

     

    The RH Pocket has a inner pocket with a zipper. Great for small items.

    Next out of the box, we have the Multicam Shirt from Under Armor.  It is made from their Heat Gear material and ArmourBlock Anti-odor technology.  The shirt is going to be a great addition to the summer kit.  This shirt will keep you cool on the field or the range.

    Notice the UA logo on the shirt is muted

     

    UA’s Logo

    And finally, Tactical Distributor put into the box  the Black Palm Syndicate FelxFit hat in Multicam.  The hat is a “one size fits most” with the Flexfit soft-shell material.  It is designed to be worn all day, and you can sport your favorite moral patch on the front.  On the side, is the BPS logo.  It is a great item to top off that “Tacticool” Look.  The hat comes in two sizes, Small/Medium and Large/XL.

    Black Palm Syndicate’s logo

     

    FlexFit allows the hat to adjust to your head

     

    I highly recommend you head over to Tactical Distribtor’s website. They have a ton of items of dozens of manufacturers and their shipping is by the far the fastest in the industry. And, don’t forget, they have some of the best customer service in the industry.

    Eric Out!

    Morale Patch of the Week: Warrior Labs

    Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

    Warrior Laboratories is a gear review site that covers gear in such varied categories as Vests and Plate Carriers, K-9 Gear and Sharp and Pointy Things. (I enjoy the latter category most, largely because of the name.) The staff of Warrior Laboratories appear to be law enforcement, with a strong background in tactical operations, K9 operations, firearms instruction and (off duty) outdoor pursuits. You might check ’em out.

    In the meantime, I’m grooving on this new PVC patch they released, courtesy of Combat Swag. In addition to their website you can find Warrior Laboratories on Facebook.

    Hat tip to BOLO Report.

    Real Steel Blu-ray reviewed over on UTR

    Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

    Under the Radar ran a review by the Mad Duo today, covering the recent extended Blu-ray version of Real Steel. Not sure why they’re doing more there and on other sites than their own, but if you haven’t seen that movie (or even if you have) you might get a laugh out of the write-up. Or not.

    Tell you one thing they’re right about for sure. Having some of those robots cammied up and equipped for a mission with USSOCOM would be a bad ass sequel.

    Read the review.

    The Mad Duo reviews Real Steel on Under the Radar.

     

    Recoil Magazine: Nice New Read

    Tuesday, January 17th, 2012

    Tactical Fanboy staffers met Jerry Tsai today at the SHOT media range day. Mr. Tsai is the editor of the new RECOIL magazine which looks very nice. That might at first evoke some skepticism. Another firearm-related magazine? Is this another example of gun-and-knife-centric tactiporn? The short answer is no, it’s not – this first issue is really nice, and we’re looking forward to future issues. This won’t be your standard magazine. It isn’t aimed at cops or SWAT guys or grunts. It essentially celebrates what it calls the “gun lifestyle” and it does a pretty damn good job of it. This isn’t directed specifically at folks who use the gear on the job every day. As the editor says, “…a magazine that encompasses modern firearm lifestyle and embodies many elements of our industry: guns, gear, technology, shooting sports, training, outdoor life and personal defense.”

    Some examples of the content:

    Mesa Tactical’s Benelli M4 (The Founder of One of the Most Progressive Shotgun Accessory Companies Outfits His Personal Shotgun)

    Night Vision 101 (See What Goes Bump in the Night) A primer on how NODs work.

    Bugout Truck (Escape the End of the World or Just the Daily Grind) Whether you’re fleeing a natural disaster or an all-out zombie infestation, a properly setup truck can provide the key to survival.

    Watch Buyer’s Guide (Rugged Watches That Keep Much More Than Time)

    Tactical Firearms Training and Redback One (What can you expect? Why should you give it a try?)

    That’s only a very limited look at what’s in this magazine…there’s a lot more. Right now the website doesn’t appear to be working (it’s listed as http://www.recoilweb.com). That may be temporary, we’re unsure, but check on it periodically. We really think it’ll be worth your time.

     

    Voodoo Tactical’s “Matrix” Pack

    Thursday, December 1st, 2011

    MilSim Event (we reported on their upcoming Reindeer Games a while back) did a review of the Voodoo Matrix pack. Now, what’s interesting about this review is the guy doing the synopsis isn’t just a MilSim enthusiast. He’s a

    Voodoo Tactical Matrix Pack


    former grunt and current LEO. Check it out.

    Weekly Movie Review: Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes – Sponsored by Tactical Distributors

    Saturday, August 6th, 2011

    *WARNING: SOME SPOILERS MAY BE FOUND THROUGHOUT*

    First off, I’d like to say I didn’t have high hopes for this movie. Mainly because it takes a huge steaming chimp poo over existing PotA canon i.e. it’s a reboot *groan*. But, since I’ve had enough of Jason Bateman and Ryan Reynolds for one Summer, and since I can’t find a theater close enough playing ‘The Devil’s Double’, this was the only logical choice. Surprisingly, it was a pretty good.

    The story’s nothing we haven’t seen before in the science fiction genre: well meaning scientist (James Franco) creates a wonder drug that ends up having horrible consequences. In this case, it ends up leading to every ape in San Francisco gaining above human intelligence, having a revolution of sorts and escaping into what I believe is the Muir Woods, an ancient red wood forest outside San Fran, to live and propagate until they eventually rule the world. Sure, there’s plenty of happenings on in between, but I just summed up everything: Man’s bid to play God is the folly that leads to his downfall. So what makes this worth watching?

    The special effects. Things explode, windows break, apes get shot at, helicopters come crashing down, iron fence bars are thrown as spears, ect. The CGI is also above decent. I stop short of calling it amazing, mainly because about half the time I could tell that main chimp Caesar (Andy Serkis) was computer generated. However, the motion capture work more than carries these moments of digital weakness, along with the other apes, who also look great. The realistically moving primates really are one of the movie’s strong points.

    So, as far as reboots go, it’s not a bad film. The special effects go beyond the story, which isn’t nearly as improbable as I originally thought, but you’ll have to see it to understand what I mean. I give it 4/5 Fanboys.

    Friday Movie Review: Horrible Bosses – Sponsored by Tactical Distributors

    Friday, July 8th, 2011

    Every Friday I’ll be moseying on down to the local picture show to view the latest theatrical releases. This way, when you’re doing some weekend planning, you’ll know whether to catch a good flick or to take your hard-earned money somewhere else. This week’s movie is Horrible Bosses.

    **Spoilers Ahead**

    Horrible Bosses stars Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, and Charlie Day as Nick Hendricks, Kurt Buckman, and Dale Arbus, three lifelong friends who hate their bosses. They spend their evenings drinking, eating out and discussing the latest mistreatment they’ve suffered at the hands of a superior. These offenses, coupled with some alcoholic influence, eventually lead the trio to consider killing their bosses as the best solution to their problems.

    A lot of the comedy stems from the mishaps the friends endure while trying to accomplish their ultimate goals. A fairly amusing example of this is when the friends are gathering information in the home of Buckman’s boss, Bobby Pellitt (Colin Farrell) and happen upon his cocaine stash. Hendricks and Arbus accidentally inhale some of the cocaine after knocking it over, while Buckman was in his boss’ bathroom, rubbing a toothbrush and somehow dental floss, among other items, in his ass crack. Even moments like this, however, rarely elicited more than a few seconds of laughter from myself. A lot more of the movie was spent chuckling, especially during Dr. Julia Harris’ (Jennifer Aniston) explicit sexual harassment of Day’s character.

    Excellent performances from Kevin Spacey, playing Dave Harken and Jamie Foxx, playing Dean “M***********” Jones, add to the humor of the movie, as does the interactions of the three friends. All the actors really manage to mesh well and play off each other’s strengths, which adds value to the film, even if the plot, which really seems to exist as a framework for the humor, doesn’t necessarily manage to accomplish the same thing.

    Bottom line: If you’re not nearly as desensitized of sophomoric humor as I am, then its quite possible you’ll enjoy yourself a whole lot. For everyone else, especially those with younger family members, Zookeeper just came out.

    Black Powder Red Earth: Part 1

    Monday, June 27th, 2011

    I just got a hold of an advanced review copy of the new ‘Black Powder Red Earth’ graphic novel. Since I enjoyed the Facebook game, I was eager to read through it and see how good it actually was. I’m happy to say it does the property justice.

    “Black Powder Red Earth: Part 1” by Jon Chang, Kane Smith and Josh Taylor takes place in a near future Iraq, 2019 to be exact. The story follows the actions of a PMC operating in the area of New Basrah, Basran. Their actions primarily include the capturing of high-value targets, negotiations with government officials, and information gathering. Showing the wide range of operations undertaken by these individuals definitely adds to the believability of the story. From earlier dealings with Echelon Software, I know a good amount of research and cooperation with actual operators went into making the story closer to reality then most other fiction dealing with this subject matter, and it shows.

    Complementing the story is the art, which is done in a somewhat gritty style that matches the setting and mood perfectly. The coloring, to be expected considering the setting, is heavy in earthy tones. Variants of brown and tan are found in almost every panel, although more vibrant colors are also represented from clothing, cars, vegetation, and of course people. Characters are also outlined with a fairly thick border, which gives them a more pronounced appearance. There is also plenty of detail to be found, especially in the background of many panels. No scene feels lacking visually.

    In short, I recommend giving this graphic novel a look. It’s a fine addition to the Black Powder Red Earth universe, and I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment to see how the story develops. It’s definitely one of the better new IPs to come out as of late.

    The hardcover of “Black Powder Red Earth: Part 1” will be available later this year.

    Echelon Software

    Monster Black Ice

    Friday, May 20th, 2011

    Always on the prowl for new energy drinks, I came across a flavor of Monster I haven’t tried yet. Monster Black Ice is part of the Extra Strength Nitrous Technology line, and is the first in the line to have zero calories or sugar. Surprisingly, the drink is lacking in that “diet” taste, and is pleasantly smooth, with a nice bite. I had a hard time locking down the flavor, but I’d best describe it as berry-ish, almost like a punch. Although Nitrous Super Dry is still my go to Monster, I find this to be an excellent alternative, so give it a shot.