Air Weight EDC Carbine: 2A Armament Balios and Ti RBC

By

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August 30, 2018

5lbs.

That’s all.

This 10.5″ Mk18 esk AR-15 pistol weighs in at 5lbs.

To anyone who is under the belief carrying an AR pistol is generally any lighter than carrying an AR rifle. It generally isn’t, not much.

Chopping around 6 inches of barrel off, or in whatever configuration you finalize the carbine, is still very close to the original weight. Getting a 7-9lb service rifle down to 5lbs takes serious effort.

2A Armament succeeded with their Balios Lite.

I am not a weight obsessed individual, my carry gun is alloy not polymer. But taking an 8lb rig down by almost 40% while leaving it functioning the way I want is impressive, not obsessive. With most configurations of light, sights, and CQB optic the rig will remain under 6lbs.

This was a build. 2A does pistols and SBR’s too, pick your own adventure.

The Balios Lite is a 7075-T6 CNC’d down to 6.6 oz. I seriously thought the box was empty when I picked it up. The bolt catch uses a threaded system so no hammer and punch on this build. Everything else uses standard parts.

A Mil-Spec LPK and an H2 buffer (good for 10.5″ gas guns) rounded the package out without getting fancy(er). Different trigger, safety, and grip all in good time.

The upper came completed and test fired by 2A Armament.

A Balios Lite Gen 2 10.5″ with M-LOK handguard. Titanium gas block and T3 Ti Muzzle Comensator, 1/7 twist 4150 QPQ Nitride barrel, BCM Gunfighter charging handle. It foregoes the forward assist to streamline the upper further.

It’s a high class setup for a pistol.

One of the heaviest items on or in the AR is the bolt carrier group. I dropped their Titanium Regulated Bolt Carrier inside, swapping their standard mass out, and shaved even more weight out.

It is always a pleasure to see proper staking. One detail that enrages me on cheaper BCG’s is garbage staking above all else.

On top of being lighter the RBC has an extra trick, you can adjust the gas flow through the key to fine tune it for your load or suppressor set up. I’m not doing anything special with the gun at the moment so I left the gas key maxed. Reliability > All.

Braces like the SBA3 have been the final cheat code in the NFA:SBR/Pistol battle with it mating to a standard mil-spec receiver extension. Finishing the carbine with this on the back and an M-LOK QD allows me to run a favored 2-point sling, consistent with my other carbines.

Test fire time didn’t involve sights. Just 150 rounds to test cycling, recoil impulse, and gas efficiency.

The T3 muzzle device does a great job of keeping the gun flat. Felt recoil is just what I expected on an AR, light, manageable, and just a touch more than longer guns.

Even with an open gas key the blowback coming out of the 10.5″ gun was easily acceptable. Fine tuning it for a suppressor will be a nice feature to minimize the overpressure gassing me in the face. Fine tuned function.

Adding a micro dot optic, a Sig Sauer Romeo 5 in this case, and a set of MBUS sent it back out for more reliability and accuracy testing.

Off the support it was grouping at around an inch to an inch-and-a-half at 50 yards with a 2 MOA dot. No stoppages on the M193 IMI ball, Federal XM193, M855, Wolf Gold 55gr, and Winchester White Box 55gr.

The 2A Balios Lite blends the established aspects of AR reliability with a drastic enough weight reduction that it is well worth the notice. The material selection is top quality and 2A’s attention to detail shows in the fit and finish of each part.

When the ounces count the 2A Armament Balios-Lite delivers without compromising on the top tier reliability you expect from premium designed parts. They did not opt for flash over function.

2A Armament, nicely done.

A “GIRLY GIRL’S” TAKE ON THE GEN II IWB/POCKET REMORA HOLSTER

By

A Girl and a Gun

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August 29, 2018

This review of the new generation Remora low-profile, no-clip, IWB holster is coming strictly from a female perspective, and I’ve been as open and honest as possible in giving these holsters a fair shake. I’m more of a “girly girl,” so some women may have a completely different take. As with all holsters, it’s what works for the individual.

I was looking forward to receiving my Remora holster in the mail, and unpacked it with much optimism. I was surprised to find not one, but two of the Series 5 holsters, as well as a magazine holder! I received the Remora Artemis Low Profile No-clip IWB Holster Series 5MP, and the 5 MP-SS (with sweat shield) for my S&W M&P Shield .45. I also received the Single Magazine holder. I was a little confused at the time, but soon realized that there is a significant difference between the two holsters.

My husband is a fan of this type of holster, although I never saw the draw (no pun intended). After examining the Remora holsters, I was really impressed with the products themselves, as they were obviously well made, had precise stitching, and screamed “quality!” They were both very light weight, were made of a textured, pliable, no slip material, and the inside contained a plush, padded lining.

These are both low profile/pocket, no-clip, in the waistband holsters (IWB). The “no-clip” part of the holster had me very skeptical. After all, I’m a girl, a short one at that, and at 5’1”, I’m also very short waisted. I carry cross draw, and have tried many different holsters. These were low profile, and I was pleased that I wasn’t tortured by a holster that jabbed me in the ribs when I bent over or sat down. Likewise, it didn’t fall down inside my pants, as the non-slip binding is just that.

As a female, there are many things to take into consideration. Most of my friends and I don’t wear belts with our pants and capris, and in fact, most pants these days are made of some sort of thin, stretchy material, so retention is certainly an issue. That said, most of my pants are petite, have no pockets, or don’t have deep pockets, so the “pocket” part didn’t work at all.

When wearing with a pair of stretchy jeans and a regular blouse, it worked great, and was pretty hard to see. The only issue was going to the restroom. If I had buttons, then I had to completely remove the holster (with the gun in it), and find a way to hold the firearm with one hand and do the rest of my business with the other hand! I did end up putting it under my arm while fastening my pants, but I wasn’t quite sure how to gracefully handle that situation. The pull on, no button leggings were easier, as I was able to trap it.

Because I work from home I wear yoga pants a lot. I also work out, so this is a pretty big part of my wardrobe. I found that both holsters did stay put when sitting or standing, but if I was more active, they moved around a lot. They worked better with tight yoga or workout pants. I also wear shorts, usually something like the Eddie Bauer Guide Pro Collection which is a two way stretch nylon/spandex material. They stay well, with only little movement, without a belt.

I don’t wear many dresses, but on the rare occasion I prefer to carry off-body. I have a concealed carry purse, and haven’t been very happy with the little “halfie” holster they had in the pocket because it didn’t cover the trigger guard to my liking, so I substituted that with my 5 MP holster and it worked really well.

I was very surprised that I liked the 5MP-SS version the best because of the sweat shield. I don’t always wear an undershirt when carrying, so having the butt of my gun up against my skin was irritating, so the higher back of the sweat shield was great. It is still low profile, but has an added bonus of covering the back of the slide and keeping the firearm off my skin. It is super comfortable, and the non-irritating, smooth material doesn’t rub, poke, or pinch, and it offered amazing concealment.

The material and design of these Remora holsters definitely changed my mind with regards to this type of holster. They are pretty amazing, well made, easy to use, offer comfort, and safety. The magazine holder did its job well and was small enough for me to put in my pocket. There are certainly times when these holsters will absolutely fit the bill!

Barb Miller is a certified pistol instructor and AG & AG chapter facilitator in Centennial, CO.

SOURCE ARTICLE: https://www.agirlandagun.org/a-girly-girls-take-on-the-gen-ii-iwb-pocket-remora-holster/

Short Barrel Lengths

By

Keith Finch

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August 29, 2018

What is the optimum barrel length on a SBR/Pistol set up?

Mike/GarandThumb has a few thoughts on the topic. Despite the proliferation of 10.5″ Mk18 semi-clones there are upsides and downsides to each barrel length.

14.5″ is a very good length for an SBR, but you aren’t changing very much from a conventional rifle or even legally leaving conventional rifle status depending on configuration/permanent muzzle device.

10.5″ is a more maneuverable length but you are losing velocity and changing up your gas systems.

8.5″ is a incredibly compact size and has the greatest advantages on that front but it trades the most on velocity and several other compromises.

I own 20″, 16″, 14.5″, 10.5″, and 8.5″. All are accurate 5.56 carbines. The one that gets picked has largely to do with which aspect is most relevant to the job at hand (muzzle velocity, optics, suppressor compatibility, etc.)

The “Why” of Learning to Hunt

By

Dr LateBloomer

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August 28, 2018

I’ve been thinking about the word “why” a lot lately.

Specifically, I’ve been thinking about “Why am I putting myself through all this?”, in regards to learning to hunt. Although the learning part is a good piece of it, and learning new things/skills has always fascinated me, I have to admit that there has been a good bit of trouble and effort expended in this new endeavor – especially in trying to do it mostly by myself.

Sometimes I get tired and discouraged. I’ve put at least 2500 miles on the car in the last 6 months or so, and spent hundreds of dollars on various hunting paraphernalia in an effort to learn what I’m supposed to do, or in hopes of being more successful at what I’ve already tried to do. Trying to understand my own motivations is helpful to me when I’m tired or in a slump.

So here, in no particular order, are my navel-gazing motivational “Whys” for this season.

Maybe they’ll motivate you too :-)

Sense of Accomplishment

I think my first and foremost motivation is looking for that sense of personal accomplishment. The setting of a goal and working toward it has been a major motivating factor in my life. Killing one’s first deer is an experience that twelve year olds accomplish every year, but is one which I have yet to achieve. I would like to have that experience before I die. At age 55, my clock is ticking.

Connection to the Land and Nature

I enjoy the outdoors and I have had an interesting time watching the seasons change the appearance and environment of the the property which supports these animals. The change from snow-covered landscape in March to cherry tree blossoms in May to high weeds and ticks in summer has been an interesting transition to observe. I’m hoping the metamorphosis to autumn will be just as fascinating. Watching these changes has helped me better understand the cycle of nature and life, and how the landscape affects the behavior patterns of the wildlife that lives there.

The writer captured by her own cam while hiking the property in March.

The writer captured in a different location on the same property in July.

Tradition

Then there is the sense of tradition in which I want to participate. I want to help perpetuate a way of life that seems to be dying out among the younger generation. There is a connection to my ancestors that I’m trying to access by doing this – especially by doing it on family land. I’ve started learning how to home-can fruits and vegetables as my multiple great-grandmothers did, and I want to kill my own game as my multiple great-grandfathers did. It’s helping me to appreciate their past struggles and realize how “easy” life is now.

“Earning” My Food

This is a bit of an odd one, but there seems to be a sense of satisfaction for me in eating vegetables and herbs I have grown myself from seed, and baking and canning apples from a tree I planted myself. I don’t get that feeling from purchasing the same items at the grocery store. It feels more like I “earned” that food if I grew it myself instead of just swiping a debit card for it. There is a similar satisfaction when I prepare and eat pheasant I have shot myself, though I know that those birds were raised and released – they weren’t truly “wild” game. Cooking a recent meal composed of such a pheasant I shot and cleaned myself last fall, served with corn on the cob I grew in my yard, gave me an inordinate amount of pride of accomplishment.

Being able to cook my own backstrap or venison chili from a deer I took myself would give me immense additional personal satisfaction and expand my sense of being able to “take care of my own self”. It would mean that I am not “entirely” dependent upon a vast network of food distribution. I will have earned that meat “by the sweat of my brow”. Don’t get me wrong – I’m still a soft suburbanite, and I know it. But being able to provide some of my own food for the table gives me some small sense of “control” in a chaotic world, and brings me back to those traditions I referenced above.

Archery deer season starts the end of September. I bought a crossbow the other year but it has yet to be shot at anything other than a target block for practice. We’ll see if this year will be any different. There is also a Marlin 30-30 for later in the season. I did receive my doe license in the mail, so even if there isn’t a set of antlers on my wall by December, I sure hope there will at least be some meat in my freezer.

IWI Academy Tavor II: The Bullpup School Redux

By

Keith Finch

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August 27, 2018

After cutting my teeth on training for the year with Tavor I, I couldn’t just let it sit.

With IWI Academy tiering the training into 3 levels I needed to look into the next as quickly as I could. I wanted more trigger time.

So the first weekend it was available I set my Jeep to cruise back to Alliance, OH.

Level II Tavor Operator’s Course

Another morning back in the classroom. This time with Tom Alibrando, IWI’s man at the top when it comes to running these rifles. His input has been instrumental in the current and future development of these rifles and their manual of arms.

I did have one request for Tom before coming to the course. My wish was granted…

IWI is working hard to bring the Micro Tavor to market here in the U.S. The minuscule carbine is less than 23″ muzzle to stock… but 13″ of that is cold hammer forged barrel. This means that it, unlike the vast majority of SBR’s and AR pistols, retains the devastating velocity needed out of a 5.56 to make it effective.

In a 300BLK this will mean it has a barrel longer than the rounds optimum design length (12″) resulting in no lost performance and a small velocity gain over the blueprint SBR format AAC started with. Since the rifles are already in 300BLK its not a leap in logic to assume IWI is looking at making their SBR’s in the round also. That is not confirmed though.

And o… sadly no definitive time on SBR’s in the wild. But they’re on my speed dial and when I know so will you. As of this writing only two domestic models exist. The one I shot (with perfect reliability) and Tom’s.

The only modification we made from factory was to throw the longer X95 butt pad onto the rifle. Why? I’m six feet tall, and if Tom’s shorter frame likes longer length of pull on the stock then it’s an absolute necessity for me. Tom’s idea, and he was right on the money. The fit was perfect.

The morning opened much quicker in Tavor II than in I. Tom greeted us all and the small course got down to business.

“My name is Tom Alibrando, and I hate bullpups.”

The next hour was spent on why the Tavor, and specifically the X95, broke with that attitude. The reliable and compact little ergonomic design is a more than worthy competitor in the 21st century field of carbines. The only one that paces the FN SCAR and H&K 416 series in my opinion.

After a safety brief that went over the rules, assigned medics, and pointed out our air med landing site, we loaded rifles and the range went hot.

If one word can sum up what Tavor II teaches it is this…

Move

Movement was the name of the game. Unlike Tavor I, Tavor II doesn’t keep you in one spot to shoot. Where Tavor I covers fundamental applications specific to the rifle, II covers using them mobile and under more duress.

Only a few drills were actually on a timer but the expectation of running forward, backward, moving laterally, and changing to more stable and advantageous kneeling and prone positions was do it quickly.

“This is a fighting class. We’re not learning to run the gun anymore we’re learning to fight the gun.” Tom admonished us.

Round counts were high, 3-8 shots in a string and a short drill was a full magazine, most were multiple mags. Reloads were all on your own, not structured into specific places, it was an organic means of shooting and engagement.

Only hits count, we shot a lot of steel for the feedback. Distances ranging from 50 yards to 300.

After lunch on the first day we got into some handgun work.

3 mags without the rifles to quickly sweep some cobwebs off and then it was onto transitioning.

It’s nearly a full second faster to get to your pistol than it is to reload a rifle under most circumstances so a stopped primary is most easily remedied by pulling your secondary.

Just as important, we covered properly returning to that primary, with a fully ready secondary that only gets put away under conditions safe to do so.

NOTE: This isn’t a team tactics class, we’re still on and focusing on individual fighting skills. Are team tactics cool? Sure are. Are they practical for a home defender, concealed carrier, or patrol officer on their own? Nope. At minimum not until individual actions are at a sufficient level of proficiency.

Barricades came next. Two methods for employing barricades. Cover method and support method.

Basically you as the shooter need to make a very quick decision on whether or not that object is more useful to you helping you support the rifle or keeping it between you and the threat as much as possible. We shot both methods.

And to anyone asking yes that is me, a right handed incredibly right side dominant shooter, firing a right hand configuration X95 off of my left shoulder. No brass didn’t get up in my face or blister my chin.

The X95 is capable of being fired with ease off hand. Being mindful of where you place your face in the same manner you’d keep your arm out of the way of ejection and you’re fine. Plus in the event you need it, a bouncing case ejected toward your chin will be your last priority.

Tavor II concludes with a 300 point qualification shoot. We ran it 3 times and my high was a 279. Not where I want it but not bad.

Running, malfunction clearance, position changes, shooting on the move, and sidearm transition were all part of the 60 shot course which closed a distance from 100 to 3 yards.

We were all hot, sweat drenched, and happy overall with our results.

Then Tom opened the back hatch of his truck…

Out came a Tavor 7. We trucked back to the 300 yard line to wind down the afternoon with some .308/7.62 NATO goodness. IWI should be shipping the first run of the 7’s very shortly.

The X95 SBR makes a bold statement of its utility when pressed at distance. At 200 yards it was ringing steel with authority. My Galil ACE, as fine a firearm as it is, can’t break the laws of physics. The 8.5″ barrel could accurately send a 55gr 5.56 to the target, but the ring was barely audible. The 13″ X95 retains speed, and speed is essential in 5.56 terminal effectiveness.

Oh and for anyone curious about the 7.62×39 Galil ACE…

The thing is ridiculously accurate.

In Review

Tavor II implements training towards using the X95 and SAR as a fighting rifle. The course design and execution by IWI Academy improves a student’s ability to use any rifle effectively but it highlights some of the design advantages of the Tavor series to great effect.

Tavor I and II are high value for any shooter, bullpup fan or not, and IWI is happy to furnish you a carbine to run.

I left exhausted and well pleased.

I am greatly looking forward to III.

Book a course, get shooting.

Gun-Friendly Healthcare at 2ADoc.com

By

Dr LateBloomer

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August 27, 2018

Have you ever been frustrated (or outraged) by your physician’s invasive questions about your firearms? Have you ever hemmed and hawed with trying to explain to a physician what your health needs are WITHOUT mentioning your firearms? Ever feel like you should have your blood lead level checked without explaining why? Have you wished for an eye doctor who could adjust your bifocals to suit your front sight? How about finding a shoulder surgeon or physical therapist who understands your shotgunning needs? Or maybe you just want to have your yearly check-up without the political prying?

With Organized Medicine’s blatant anti-gun bias, dealing with the medical community at all can be a challenge, let alone finding a doc who can meet your specific firearms-related health needs.

Doctors for Responsible Gun Ownership is working on a solution to your problem. DRGO is a project of the Second Amendment Foundation and is an organization of 2A-supportive physicians and allied health professionals who believe that firearms are NOT a public health issue.

DRGO has started a gun-friendly medical referral service called 2ADoc.com. This is a private directory, accessible only by DRGO. Being listed is voluntary. (Application form is available on the website) The physician or allied health professional’s information is not publicly published, and is only accessible by DRGO in order to make a requested referral.

The advantage to health professionals is that they may be able to increase their patient base while better serving their community.

The advantage to potential patients is all of what was mentioned previously, plus they may end up with healthcare that they can actually relax with, not feel so guarded, and thus receive better care. They may even be able to swap shooting or hunting stories in the bargain. (Request form is available on the website)

There are some caveats. There is no guarantee that the database has someone listed in the area requested. There is also no guarantee that any listed providers would be in the requestee’s insurance network. But the more professionals who sign up, the greater a patient’s chances of finding the healthcare they are looking for.

If your own doc is gun-friendly, encourage him or her to sign up and share this around. The more docs (and PAs and NPs and PTs etc) who sign up, the greater the chances of other people finding a doc in their coverage plan. The more health professionals who participate, the more the entire shooting community benefits. FAQ here.

Four Brothers: FN’s Rifle Line

By

Keith Finch

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August 24, 2018

I surveyed my long guns the other day…

FN Rifles dominate my ownership for very good reason.

I’ve owned and moved on from a number of firearms, a magnitude more than I have kept. My brand loyalty is a very ‘what have you done for me lately’ inquiry biased on if a company is pacing practical technological development.

‘Is there a better product for what I want it to do?’ is a question that parallels ‘Have I tried that tech yet?’

I am not a ‘Gun Collector’ nearly as much as I like good tools.

While there is a great deal to say for subjective preference (I’m still a firm ACOG fan and no RDS nor LPVO has supplanted that) and fad tech (RIP Ammo, rotating quad rail, etc.) is a constant item to be on the lookout for, there are certain places where stability has been firmly planted.

Every single one of my conventional long guns is made by Fabrique Nationale Herstal. It might be a bias. But it is one based on experience. FN America makes fine rifles and I’ve loved shooting them since the first.

In 2007, in a training camp in San Diego, California, I was handed an FN rifle and drilled in its use. That well worn gun, bluing so old it was purple, barrel nearly polished shiny with handling, had me dropping targets 500 yards away with iron sights. An FN made M16A2, worn, torn, and rattling with use, did exactly as I needed it to.

A few years later, in the West African Sahara, training with local military forces I still had an FN. The M16A4. The rifle continued to do exactly what I asked it. I took care of it and it took care of me. We exposed the locals to the rifles, reliable precision tools that we shot hard, cleaned, and shot again. We expended more rounds in a day of training than many of them had seen or will see in a 20 year military career.

Our FN M16’s and M4’s, even used and abused by the uncaring Marine hands who just want to be released from duty, did work when called on.

A term popular in this industry is the ‘Go to War Rifle’. What’s your go to war rifle? The rifle you grab when the proverbial ‘shit hits the fan’.

For myself, and millions of veterans, this was literally our go to war rifle. FN made our M16 or M4, our SAW, our M240. They delivered our tools of the trade and have for decades, and they work.

Anecdotes and sales propaganda for other platforms exist in all spaces military and commercial but FN delivers, and they are damn proud of it.

FN makes my ‘Go to War’ rifles.

This is not a disparage on other platforms of high quality. This isn’t to say I wouldn’t or haven’t had other rifles in my hands occupying that role, I have. It is to account that FN has held the space the longest, the most consistently, and with uncompromising longterm dependability.

These 4 brothers are a foundation. They represent a baseline of past and current excellence, and they do so in a field of good contenders.

I’m very transient in my tastes when it comes to firearms. I love trying the new tech configurations and seeing what engineering has come out with next. Yet these 4, in many ways, represent the old tech right along with the new. The M16, while incrementally improved, is a standard from 1969 and it’s last major update was 1998 with the A4. The SCAR is nearing a decade in service. These are the very essence of evolution over revolution.

The FN SCAR17

Representing, still, an unparalleled leap in battle rifle technology that blended in service standard ergonomics and SOCOM requested features with a tremendous reliability leap and excellent accuracy the 17 was and is my ‘dream rifle’.

The 8lb 7.62×51 delivery system has represented my concept of a jack-of-all-trades rifle in a field that thrives on specialization. While the field is now well stocked with good .308’s none of them hit all the brackets the SCAR17 can, they’re always lacking somewhere.

The “Not an M16” comes from a discussion I had where an individual vehemently and angrily argued with me the M16 was a completely different weapon than an AR15. The difference, if I may be so bold, is entirely academic. This is an M16A4, its components are that of the M16A4’s TDP minus a 3 round burst trigger. One different part group does not an “entirely different” weapon make. If it barks like an M16, looks like an M16, and gets made out of M16 parts I can order by NSN… it’s an M16… minus the terrible 3-round burst trigger.

The FN15 Collector Series M16A4

The M16A4 is my rifle.

I, like many Marines, have an affinity for the reliable rifle that transcends the base features of the two decades old warhorse. This particular model has a technical data package (TDP) from after I left service (the ambi-safety and new rear sight) and the Corps. has moved combat arms development forward by integrating the M4 and M27 into place for the mobility and acknowledgment of reality in urban combat. But that M16…

Side note: It’s actually heavier than the SCAR17

This is still my rifle and I would without hesitation grab it for a fight. Put a correct RCO on it and I will be happily at home but I’m considering trying an LPVO with it.

The liberties I have taken were an upgraded charging handle and ditching the flimsy and overpriced vertical grip that Knight’s Armament came up with back in the day from toy plastic for a Bravo Company short VFG, my preferred.

The FN15 Tactical Carbine (FDE, P-LOK)

Leap the M16A4 forward two decades and here we have the FN15 Tactical Carbine. M-LOK compatible handguard on a freefloating cold hammer forged barrel with B5 systems providing the more updated ergonomics around the stock and grip. I modify all my firearms so adding a Geissele SSP, Noveske STS, and BCM ambi charging handle completed the package along with your choice of optic and sights.

I didn’t own a conventional AR15 any longer until I picked this up, along with the M16A4. It’s a full pound more svelte than it’s A4 older sibling.

The SCAR16

The rifle of the 4 I actually picked up with the greatest reluctance.

I didn’t feel the 16 offered anything that a rifle like the Tactical Carbine or even the M16A4 didn’t.

I was wrong.

I picked it up because I didn’t have a conventional 5.56 at the time and the SCAR17 was easily my favorite rifle. I was just matching ergonomics instead of picking, in my mind, a superior rifle. The longer I’ve shot it and the more I use the 16 the more it cements itself as my favorite 5.56 carbine alongside the 17 holding the top spot overall.

It also happens to inhabit a wonderful niche in my EDC. But I’ll cover that in it’s own review.

Happy FN Friday everyone

Enjoy your weekend!

The Burris FastFire 3 – Affordable and Modular

By

Travis Pike

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August 23, 2018

Miniature red dots are becoming a major part of the market. Optics are like any other technology, they get smaller as technology gets smaller. Minature red dots have gotten to the point where they can be mounted to handguns with very little additional bulk and weight. The FastFire series was one of the pioneers on these mini red dots and the FastFire 3 is the latest in the FastFire series. I’ve gotten one recently and decided to take it for a spin.

Inside the FastFire 3

The FastFire 3 could be considered the budget option for miniature red dots. It’s affordable, buts it not cheaply made or unreliable. The FastFire is a well-made optic that just happens to be significantly cheaper than models from Trijicon or Leupold. It’s not a duty grade optic like the Trijicon or Leupold, but an affordable model for competition and even home defense.

The FastFire 3 has an MSRP of $299.00, but the street price is significantly lower. I picked mine up for less than $150.00 locally. The FastFire 3 weighs only .9 ounces and is only 1.9 inches long. Since the FastFire is a popular series of optics it does have a common footprint and guns like the Glock MOS series include a specialized mounting plate for the Burris.

The FastFire 3 also comes with a Picatinny adapter for use on long guns. Additionally, there is a large protective shade that fits over the weapon when mounted to long guns. It’s see through and provides a higher level of protection from bumps and drops. This shade is too large for a handgun but perfect for long guns. You also get a battery, attachment screws, a Torx wrench, and instructions.

Features

The FastFire 3 has three different brightness modes and an automatic adjustment mode. The automatic mode works surprisingly well and does adjust very quickly to the environment around you. The manual settings are all triggered by the simple press of a button and three settings have been adequate for both dim and bright environments.

There is an auto-off feature that will shut the optic off after 8 hours. One of the best features is the top of unit battery access. No need to remove your FastFire 3 to swap the battery out. This is quite handy once the optic is Loc-Tited down to a mounting system.

On the Range

Shooting with a red dot on a handgun has become a bit of an addiction with me. Its so much fun, especially to really reach out and touch a target with relative ease at 50 yards. The FastFire 3 is easy to mount to my Glock 17 MOS and its small size and light weight make it a natural handgun fit.

The red dot reticle is very crisp with very little washout. The reticle is easy to see and even in the brightness of the Florida sun, I could pick it up with ease. The highest setting is perfect for a bright day, and the automatic mode does its job well. As an experiment, I simply kept a sight picture as I transitioned from indoors to outdoors. The Fastfire 3 never failed to effectively illuminate the dot.

I transitioned to the FastFire to its picatinny mount with the protective shade onto a KPOS Scout and found it to be an excellent little optic for SMG sized weapons. It worked for acquiring a quick sight picture and for accurately putting rounds downrange.

For a real test, I moved it to the Mossberg Shockwave. This little powerhouse of a shotgun has a vicious recoil impulse and I wanted to see just what the FastFire 3 could take. Some of these optics have an interesting issue with harsh recoil.

The recoil can actually affect the connection to the battery and turn the optic off for a brief second. I loaded up some buckshot, stretched my shoulders and got it. The low profile nature of the optic made it a solid fit on the Shockwave. Luckily, the optic withstood the recoil without any interruption of service.

Red Dot Benefits

On each platform, I saw an increase in not only accuracy, but the ability to transition between targets was faster and more effective. Red dots also reduce the time it takes to go from a ready position to an on target position. The FastFire 3 simply makes shooting faster and straighter easier.

Modularity

Burris has a lot of support for the FastFire 3 and his support has lead the Fastfire to become a modular, do all optic. Burris, of course, has Picatinny mounts, but they also offer mounts for guns without rails. This includes the Marlin 336 lever gun, the Super Blackhawk Hunter, and mounts for semi-auto guns that replace the rear sight.

On top of that, they offer a nice Picatinny rail with two wings on the side to provide extra protection to the optic. There is also a mount that allows you to mount the Fastfire 3 to a magnified optic as a backup.

Lastly, my favorite is the SpeadBead mount. This mounts between a shotgun’s stock and receiver and allows you to mount a FastFire is a very low manner. It replaces the need for a bead sight with a red dot, and this system isn’t dependent on your gun to be drilled and tapped for optics to function.

Overall the FastFire 3 is the perfect beginner’s miniature RDS. It’s strong enough to resist recoil and typical abuse, but priced low enough for the entry market. Its modular nature allows you to swap it from gun to gun with ease and if you don’t mind re-zeroing and mounting you can have one optic for many purposes.

The FastFire 3 is a rock solid optic and a great overall choice. It won’t be the choice of police and soldiers but for most of us its more than enough.

Wednesday on the Work Bench: Routine Maintenance

By

Keith Finch

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August 22, 2018

I’ve been slamming the training circuit and encouraging everyone to join all summer. But we a quick detour.

Are you cleaning and maintaining your firearms?

How often?

I advocate three types of maintenance: routine, cyclical, and event preparation.

Routine

Routine is for firearms in consistent or constant use. Your EDC’s and home defense guns as well as the ones going to the range once a month or more.

Routine involves a daily inspection and then taking care of issues as they are identified. You will check the firearm and its supporting equipment.

Do the checks as you equip your carry hardware for the day. When you’re press checking your pistol do a spot check for wear and corrosion. Check the levels of dust and other detritus on the gun and holster and if it looks to be getting heavy, strip and quickly clean and wipe down your gun and holster. This will take a few minutes at most.

Additionally function test your knives, lights, seals on medical equipment. Note anything that needs attention and give it that attention before the end of the day.

Weekly in my routine I’ll clear the guns and run a function check, even if I haven’t seen any other cleaning issues requiring attention. This increases the overall attention and can highlight details that may be missed by introducing a variance into the routine.

Cyclical

Cyclical maintenance is for firearms out of routine use. The hunting rifle or shotgun that emerges once a year for the season or guns in long term storage.

Monthly, quarterly, or biannual checks depending on the environment the firearms are stored in are recommended to assess and correct faults.

In more humid environments more frequent checks are necessary, humidity is the bane of firearms. Spaces and safes with superior climate control will keep firearms far better maintained.

It’s easiest to set these checks by the calendar. I use the solstice and equinox dates, they’re easily remembered due to their conjunction with other events of the calendar.

Be aware this will likely take a much longer piece of your time and involve a deeper cleaning of the firearm.

Event Preparation

Complete PCC’s and PCI’s on your equipment, clean it, inspect it, check tightness, optics, gear, function check, etc.

Prior to any scheduled training, qualification, competition, or even just an event where the firearm will see heavy use (IE: Demonstration) the firearm and all of its supporting equipment should see a full cleaning, inspection, function check, and a live zero check (yes, go shoot the clean gun a couple times to be sure it is 100% functioning).

The last thing you want to be concerned about is troubleshooting and unjanking your gun and gear when your attention should be on the event. A couple hours of work in the days preceding the event will pay off in your total focus and participation.

And in case you need a little help…

Video instructions all over the internet to help

The SAS Sling Method – For Stockless Shooting

By

Travis Pike

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August 22, 2018

IMG_20180820_192513.488 — Burris With the Hood

When I was 14 I decided I was going to join the Marines, at that point my life changed or at least part of it did.

I began consuming military fiction, and non-fiction and Tom Clancy made his way to the top of the pile. The original Rainbow Six was a favorite, and that is where I first learned about the SAS Sling Method. Albeit they didn’t call it that, Mr. Clancy simply described a way of shooting an SMG without a stock and it was something I always kept with me. Later, I learned of the Iranian Hostage crisis and saw some photos of the men involved.

It was around this time the SAS Sling Method entered my vocabulary. If you ever look at the few photos of the SAS making entry during the Hostage crisis, you’ll notice they are rocking MP5s with massive top mounted lights, three-point slings and collapsed stocks. In extreme close quarters, it appeared these men preferred to keep the guns close and ready and relied on sling tension over a stock to control these guns. Plus they were wearing gas masks, and a cheek weld is near impossible with such a big mask on. The SAS Sling Method is just that. The use of sling tension when you don’t have a stock, or for whatever reason can’t use a stock. This technique is based around 9mm SMGs, like the MP5K and other stockless SMGS. It’s moved to AR and AK pistols, and it’s not designed for these heavier harder recoiling guns.

Inside the SAS Sling Method

How well could something like this work? I imagine the SAS does what they are doing when it comes to CQB, but I couldn’t just imagine it. Instead, I went out and tried it. It’s very simple to do.

You need a sling and a stockless gun. I used a Glock 17 mounted into a KPOS Scout shell with the stock removed. It has a rear sling point and is a perfect stockless SMG Stand in. Of course, I mounted an optic and white light, because why the hell not? Of course, I needed a happy stick too.

So for the sling, I tried two. A standard FAB Defense single point sling and a half holster half single point sling known as the Desantis DSD rig. The DSD rig is a combination shoulder rig and SMG sling point. It’s a neat system, and one I figured was very appropriate for this weapon and design.

Hitting the Range

Once you are connected to the sling, you want to push the weapon out in front of you and create tension in the sling. If it’s too loose, the SAS Sling Method simply won’t work. You need to adjust the sling to create tension.

Punch the weapon outwards and assume a good firing grip. I held mine like a standard pistol, but a forward grip would be a welcome, albeit illegal addition without NFA paperwork. I take a slightly modified isosceles stance with my feet shoulder width apart elbows locked or nearly locked.

I fired the little KPOS/Glock set up without the sling to get a decent measure of the effectiveness of the technique. I noticed a massive difference in recoil and muzzle rise. The single point sling worked okay, but I noticed the biggest difference with the Desantis DSD rig. The FastFire 3’s red dot didn’t even move as I pulled the trigger. rapid fire was an absolute breeze.

The Technique is highly effective and if you have something stock or braceless I would certainly say give the SAS Sling Method a try.

The Robinson Armament XCR-M, Part 1. SCAR Killer?

By

Mike Westra

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August 21, 2018

As we mature we tend to make better informed life decisions. We base them more on sound research instead of spur of the moment feelings. This shows true in my search for the ultimate 308 rifle. Several years ago I was asked “If I could only have one gun what would I choose?”

It took me a while to come up with my answer. Being a Glock fan boy, most would assume I would choose a Glock, however they would be wrong.

My choice was the SCAR 17. Why the SCAR 17? It has the capability to handle up close situations, and still take game at long distances. It is light, very maneuverable and it is chambered in the very available .308WIN

If you asked me that same question today my answer would be a little different. Since I was a kid I have been interested in long range shooting. I spent summers with my grandfather. We went shooting at least once every week. His friends would have him load up some rounds for their guns, we would take them to the range where I would shoot them. Grandpa and I would go back to the reloading bench, tweak the load and head back to the range for more trigger time.

I became obsessed with accuracy at long distance. I am a highly competitive person and thought maybe I could test my skills against others. I started looking into the Professional Rifle Series. I tinkered with building a couple rifles. I built a rifle for a friend out of a Remington 700 action that could equal any other competitors rifle. For my own personal use I struggled with what I should build for myself to compete with.

A few months ago a close friend suggested I should take a look at what Robinson Armament Co has to offer. I had never heard of them, so I checked all of my local gun stores. No one carried their rifles. While at the range I took note of what others were shooting, no Robinson Armament. I asked my buddy again if he was sure it was Robinson Armament he was referring me to.

He pointed me to the internet and explained they had built a rifle for the military’s modular rifle competition that resulted in the SCAR. I had a computer in front of me, so I wasted no time drooling over the options Robinson Armament’s website offered.

Robinson Armament is a small firearms manufacturer based in Utah . They have a handful of dealers around the country, but after shopping on their website I realized it would be easier to order what I want directly from them.

I am glad the more mature me was placing the order, so I could get exactly what I needed. Taking a look through their website I was able to build my rifle without any hassle. I choose it chambered in .308 win, barrel length 18.6″ heavy profile, and an olive drab and black finish.

While waiting for my rifle to arrive I watched every video and written review I could find. The reviews were older and pretty mixed. From what I gathered I could expect a rifle that was very capable of shooting a 1” group at 100 yards. One reviewer said it may not like the cheaper ammunition but worked great with most other ammo. Based on the customer service reviews I have no problem spending a few thousand on their rifle sight unseen. Guns are manufactured by machines and humans and it is natural to have a hiccup every now and then. It’s the response of the company that matters most.

My plan for this rifle was to set it up as a designated marksman rifle capable of engaging various targets out to 800 yards. The Precision Rifle Series has a gas gun series with a tactical division. If this gun can consistently achieve 1″ or better groups at 100 yards, I will put it to the test on the competition circuit. Looking through the equipment used by the competitors mine would be the only Robinson Arms used in the tactical division. Most of the rifles are GA Precision, Seekins, and a few competitors shoot LWRC, some pretty stiff competition.

Before I invest in top tier optics, extra mags, ammunition and match fee’s I have some pretty tough tests that I want to run the gun trough. Basically, I want to make sure it would perform accurately and flawlessly in real world conditions, rain, heat, cold, wet, dirty, and dry.

I have had numerous new firearms, I typically don’t bother with break in procedures, but this gun is different. I want the upmost reliability and accuracy possible. I need it to engage targets at the muzzle and all the way out to 800 yards without the need to take follow-up shots. I also need it to run 200 to 300 shots consistently without being cleaned.

Everyone you talk to has advice on the best way to break in a barrel. The break-in procedure you want to use depends on the purpose of the gun. Are you building a bench rest gun, a hunting gun, or a designated marksman rifle that must engage multiple targets quickly in any environment? For my break-in procedure I turned to YouTube.

TiborasaurusRex has an great set of videos on his channel dedicated specifically to long range shooting. He specialized in the type of shooting I will be doing. He consistently gets first round hits out to and over 1800 meters. Robinson Arms also has a recommended break-in procedure for the bolt and gas system which will also be adhered to.

It took about 7 weeks for my Robinson Armament XCR-M to arrive. I wasted no time in picking it up from Southwick’s Guns in Plainwell, MI. The gun came packaged in a hard case. The owner’s manual is a small very detailed book. Before I even touched the rifle I read it in its entirety. I made sure all the parts were there including the 6.5 Creedmoor barrel I ordered just in case I may want to shoot in the open class.

The first task was to tear down the gun and give it a good cleaning and make sure it was properly lubricated.

This was the easiest rifle to disassemble. No pushing on the pins like an AR-15, no trying to push in a button while lifting off a cheap metal cover like an AK. No, it was just simply pushing a button. The piston system pulls right out leaving easy access to the chamber. The Robinson XCR-M looks like a cross between an AR-15, AK-47 and an FAL. They took the best parts of each design and put it into this gun.

The XCR-M is heavier than the SCAR, it is an all metal gun. Solidly built, it has an adjustable length butt stock that locks in place and folds out of the way. The upper is completely one piece so you have plenty of uninterrupted available rail space for whatever optics you choose to install. I ordered mine with the M-LOK upper as I already have several M-LOK accessories.

Not knowing exactly how this gun would perform I was reluctant to put a lot of money into optics and a mount, so I went with an excellent quality scope that I could get my hands on cheap. The SWFA Super Sniper with a fixed 20x magnification. Not ideal for competition due to small field of view but perfect for seeing what accuracy the rifle was capable of. I also installed a Harris bi-pod to keep it steady. The rings I had were not quite tall enough to mount the scope, so I had to go with a riser until my new permanent mount arrived.

With everything installed this gun looks impressive . It feels like you’re looking at a Ferrari. Sleek, smooth, and ready to do work. I think I could stare at it all day.

I picked up several different brands of ammunition to test. A good friend and competitive shooter Ben Harrington gave me a couple boxes of ammo, a shooting mat, and the shooting bags he used in competition. Ben has competed in the long-range precision discipline and has since moved on to tearing it up in the pistol shooting world. His tips and equipment will make it easier to get the best possible groups that my Robinson Armament XCR-M is capable of.

My first impressions… this gun is AWESOME. It feels good, the bolt is the smoothest I have ever felt on a semi auto, it has a long sleek profile, easy to clean and it fits me like a glove. Now the only question is how does it shoot? Will it meet my expectations? Is it worth the money? We will find out soon.

Self Defense Carbine’s: Ammunition

By

Keith Finch

-

August 20, 2018

What is your choice when it comes to self defense rifle ammunition? Why?

Was it handed to you at a gun store? The guy or gal recommended it from behind the counter and you took their offered suggestion. Do they have the knowledge base necessary to know?

As with all things, seek the greater knowledge base and make an informed decision.

For 9mm, both handgun and carbine, I use 124gr and up hollow point ammunition. I’ve used Hornady’s Critical Duty, Sig Sauer’s JHP’s, and my personal preference is Federal HSP’s in the 147gr variety.

Why? There is enough data from multiple sources saying the ammo will do as I ask it too… probably.

All ammunition is a gamble! Remember that.

It’s hoping that the myriad of crazy situational and environmental factors align in such a way that the round performs as advertised it will when it was shot in a controlled environment.

All considered, for general use I would recommend the following. Please note these are ammunition types that can be met by several brands and deal with 5.56/.223

Soft Point or OTM 69-77gr – Mk. 262, Hornady SBR HD, Black Hills OTM, etc. Heavier rounds at high velocity will deal well terminally and usually consistently, all things considered. They have less trouble with intermediate barriers but don’t pose a tremendous over penetration threat either. These also tend to perform well out of shorter barrel platforms with 1:7 and 1:8 rifling twists, increasingly popular defensive carbines. They have excellent performance out of conventional barrel lengths of 14.5″-20″ which result in higher velocities and better terminal effects.

Speed is the .223/5.56’s greatest wounding effect. Choose a rifle accordingly. The downside to these ammunition choices is generally cost/availability.

While I don’t recommend putting a price limit on your life, that doesn’t change the amount sitting in anyone person’s checking account. These rounds aren’t inexpensive and they won’t be on as many shelves in quantity where they are available. Shop online for the best prices but be prepared to buy in bulk to do so.

M193 – Dropping to a 55gr steals almost 1/3rd of the mass available to a 5.56/.223 round. This isn’t ideal but it is, economically and availability wise, easier to sustain. M193 clone loads of 55gr FMJ lead core projectiles are readily available and easily bought for under .30 cents a round at present. Terminally these rounds frag to a high degree when encountering a target and that makes them useful. This is especially true close to the target.

A caution though. Be aware of ALL of the known effects of the ammunition you choose. M193 is a good round, and available, but when used on intermediate barriers it really likes to frag. It practically explodes when it hits vehicle glass, not just deflecting. This requires a shooter to adapt their engagement to what their round is going to do and be even more ready to change target area or fire follow up shots to get a positive effect on target.

More data below from Sage Dynamics.

Regardless of the ro und you choose, understand what it is going to do.

For instance, I recommend against M855/SS109 if you can get M193 instead. The M855’s mild steel core and construction alters the wounding and penetration capabilities (especially considering over penetration) further from ideal defensively. Yes it is a proven lethal round. Yes it is a NATO military round. And yes it can defeat certain classes of armor by design. But how likely are you to face an armored opposition that has armor vulnerable to M855 but not M193? Compare that to a likely unarmored threat needing a more general engagement in an environment where M855 may be a greater liability. There’s a reason officers don’t load patrol rifles with M855 and that the construction of Mk. 318 and M855A1 is so drastically different from M855.

At the end of the day a loaded rifle trumps an empty one in a fight, load Wolf/Tula if you have to. But have a care for your tools and their capabilities and plan your loadout to effect.

Sunday Sermon: Hands Kill

By

Keith Finch

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August 19, 2018

Threat scanning is a crucial part of awareness. Being aware of who and what is around you and what threat or potential threat they pose.

But how are you judging this?

Mostly, nonverbal communication. You’re watching people and their body language to gauge whether or not they’re preparing themselves for violence.

You’re looking for someone’s behavior outside the baseline, that range of behavior normal for your location.

You know what normal behavior is at your favorite spot for breakfast, at the beach, in the grocery store, etc. So when someone is acting outside the normal range of accepted behavior what are you going to do?

Step 1. Watch their hands.

Step 2. Keep watching their hands.

Step 3. Remain at a respectful enough distance so that whatever is in their hands or their hands themselves can’t engage you without you reacting.

Step 4. Watch. Their. Hands.

Regardless of how else you engage with a person or persons, verbally or physically, you must maintain visual awareness of any advantage they attempt to grab onto.

Hands vanishing into pockets, under shirts, or into waistlines are all ‘not good’ indicators in an escalating situation. Equally hands grabbing a bottle or bar stool. The probability that a gun, knife, bludgeon, or other injurious instrument is about to enter the situation is getting higher. Even clenching fists are an indicator that you are going to have to make quick decisions to avoid and minimize injury.

Talk them down.

Move.

Fight.

Ultimately, the more time you can give yourself and anyone under your protection through your observations will aid in the success of your reaction. An extra second to say something to deescalate. An extra step or two worth of distance, almost universally your friend, to put you at advantage. An extra moment to clear your holster.

Watch the hands.

Useless Deer Hunting Tips

By

Dr LateBloomer

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August 17, 2018

I’m a newbie deer hunter who has not yet been successful. This year I want to try harder, so in addition to using a game camera I’ve been reading up on more tips and advice.

I’m just here to say that from my perspective a lot of this “advice” is completely useless to me.

A few examples:

One online article says that this particular expert hunter uses 26 trail cameras. Yes – Twenty. Six. Uhhhhh, let’s just say that this is NOT in the freaking budget, okay guys?

The same piece says that this same expert surrounds each scrape he finds with 3 to 5 tree stands. Are you freaking kidding me? Not only is that not in the budget either, but I also don’t have a small army of hunting elves to set all this stuff up for me. Just wrestling with a pop-up blind by myself was giving me conniptions. It’s good nobody was watching and the trail cam wasn’t set up yet, I don’t need that kind of blackmail fodder floating around out there.

Here’s another clue – I drive a Subaru. I don’t have an F-3whatever truck with trailer to haul a lifelike faux tree stump blind out to the site. The best I can do is sitting my butt up against an actual tree stump.

To top all of that off, I’m afraid of heights. I’ve looked, but I have not yet seen a single tree stand for sale that is under the height of Oh-My-Gawd. My idea of a comfortable tree stand has four walls, a roof and an elevator, okay? There is not a single way in hades that yours truly is going to install and use a tree stand all by herself. Yet the hunting tips articles are chock-full of tree stand advice. Here’s another clue – How about no? Can I use an upstairs bedroom window instead?

Then there are the scent-control suggestions. The choices are dizzying. Do I want to smell like “nothing”? Or do I want to smell like apples? Or dirt? Or acorns? I didn’t even know that acorns had a smell. Maybe they’re making that up so that they can sell me distilled water in a camo squeeze bottle, and then snicker at the newb.

There are also apparently scents that come from actual deer. I don’t think I want to know how they go about collecting the various gland scents. Of course I eat steak without wanting to know anything about cow insemination either. I know enough gross things about people, I don’t need to know about glandular animal details too.

How about camo? What pattern is “best”? Apparently the pattern the tip-giver is shilling for at the moment. I’ve seen the photo ads with the guy standing up with the bow at full draw, dressed in head-to-toe camo that all matches and blends perfectly with the tree he’s in. But here’s the thing – I can’t afford three or four sets of camo to match every season and environment. It’s just not going to happen. I’ve got what I’ve got – marketing be damned.

Here’s a final thought on all of that.

I know that my grandfather hunted in decades-old unwashed red wool plaid that likely smelled of cigarettes, bacon grease and outhouse.

Do they sell that scent in a bottle? Just curious.

Perhaps I’ll stick with the “smell like nothing spray”, throw a few apples in my pockets and call it good. But I’ve still gotta set up a ground blind. Anybody know where I can get a good deal on a set of hunting elves?