Archive for September, 2014

Magpul Slings and all those rail attachments and push buttons and claws

Magpul SlingsIf it has a screw on it, it can come loose.   That’s why you see a lot more of the quick detail mounts on optics rather than screw on.   Loctite everything that has a screw and make sure you don’t over torque anything.    I personally mark all of the screw points with a blue marking pen so I can visually see what might be coming loose because I’ve had thousands of rounds through some of my carbines and after almost 10yrs of owning them, even though they have been very reliable, every tool has it’s failing point, and every mechanical part will wear out at some point.   Guns jam and things break in this industry and there are horror stories out there where Law Enforcement and Military deaths occurred while there jammed or broken firearms were discovered next to them.  In Vietnam there were serious issues with the M16 when it was first issue and the ammunition was the primary problem, do you really want to keep the cheap stuff around and think just because your Carbine runs with cheap ammo that your life should depend on it?

Properly mounting optics, flashlights and having extra batteries available are added insurance but don’t forget to check to make sure your stock is securely tightened down and if you are attaching sling attachements, make sure you are keeping an eye on them.   We try to keep the Magpul Slings in stock because it’s yet another one of those things that you need to know what you are buying and know how to attach it to your AR15 carbine before you go home and find out that you have the wrong sling attachments or it just doesn’t fit you right.   I lean heavily toward the Magpul MS3 and the Magpul MS4 due to the fact that the MS3 is a much better design over the previous MS2 which the MS2 Sling had material that frayed and the clamp wasn’t as sturdy.   Many of the stocks and quad rails we see now have QD attachment points so you don’t have to go out and buy another screw on device just to keep the sling where you want it and then have to wonder what that failing point is.  All these accessories that go on your firearm can be an asset but everyone of them needs to be put on right.

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Shirt Options, CCW, Law Enforcement and Uniform,Tru-Spec Shirts

TruSpec 1/4 Zip Combat ShirtsTruSpec ShirtsNot everyone gets into the tactical shirt wardrobe like I do, but usually at Law Enforcement Events or Conventions I dig a little deeper into what I don’t normally wear.   I have so many brands of clothing but as things wear out, I am very picky about what I replace them with.   It seems most of our EMS and Law Enforcement want something a little stiffer which is why so much of this industry is of a polyester cotton ripstop of various weights.   If you go for a 100% cotton shirt, get use to ironing your clothing, and the last thing most of our customers want to deal with is ironing so we cut a lot of those types of products out of our inventory.  I will tell you that since most of this market is going to be wanting lightweight, you definitely should consider checking out the Ultra Lightweight Field shirts and if you need a uniform looking shirt the Ultra Lightweight Uniform Shirts which are available in Black, Brown, Navy, OD Green and Khaki colors.

Airsoft is an exploding industry and even though I haven’t quite caught on to it, I see it trickling into the Law Enforcement Community even though you might be as likely to see a kid show  up in our store looking for Multicam Black Combat Shirts or the coming soon, TruSpec Shirts in A-Tacs patterns.  The TruSpec Camp Shirt is probable one of the better CCW Shirts because as a lightweight Summer carry shirt that is cut long and a little loose you might like this shirt just as a dress shirt and not piss off your wife for buying more G.I. Joe looking clothing.    Even though it’s a little early for cold weather clothing, it is just around the corner and the Tru-Spec Winter Combat shirts will be in stock in full force, especially after we had a shortage of Winter weight shirts after last years Artic Weather.   There are a ton of local Police Departments wearing this during training here in the Tri-State area and we expect to have a good selection here in October.   The Performance Polos have gotten very good reviews and even though they may be too lightweight for winter, throw a long sleeve one in just to get through a little more of the year.

 

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No disgrace in being a bench rest shooter

gun restsI remember some punk years ago that went off on me when I was shooting  my Mini 14 off a bench rest and how my gun was a piece of crap and that I had to learn how to properly use a sling.   Well, back then I took it because I always had the “student” mindset and not a “know it all” like some people in this Industry.   One of the best things taught to me was when someone told me that the best way to win a fight in combat is to be in a “good firing position”.    There are plenty of War stories where one guy had the upper hand, just because he was in the best position to lay down accurate gun fire.   Sure we need to train to shoot under stress and sometimes that means kneeling, standing or being prone, but using your backpack, bipod or anything else is no disgrace.

Reloading is a great way to learn ballistics and fine tune rounds to your firearm, you can see key holing and limits in what your barrel twist rate, and sometimes at different ranges.   The differences between penetration, fragmentation,  accuracy at different ranges all with the same firearm.   Shooting off the bench is more challenging but when you are trying to get accuracy, why make it more difficult.   You can always make your own bench rest from sandbags or pick up gun rests that are adjustable in elevation that make a differences as well as other options that can adjust to the stock size so you have virtually zero movement and only have to worry about properly squeezing the trigger.   Patience, not heating up the barrel, and watching the wind are sometimes as much fun as shooting an MP5 at water jugs.

 

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