pistol

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Fusion XF-Pro

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Fusion Firearms

XF Pro Review

  I am a huge fan of new, feature rich, handguns at an affordable price. When I say new, I don’t mean just another Glock clone or Sig remake. Fusion Firearms has brought out a new compact handgun that is packed with features. It is the Fusion XF-Pro 9mm. They were gracious enough to send the Black and Bronze version out for this review.

  When you first see the Fusion XF-Pro, you notice a bunch of things. First is that they designed it to be an all metal handgun and the machining on the outside is just perfect. Next you notice the aluminum grip panels it uses. It came with the bronze camo ones installed and an extra set of all black grip panels. More important is that the XF-Pro uses common Glock magazines. It comes with 2 in the box. After that, you notice that it is optics compatible and comes with the plates you need. There is also a cleaning kit and some empty brass test shells in the box.

  The Fusion XF-Pro’s frame is made from aluminum. This gives the compact pistol some weight. It weighs in at 33.4 ounces with an optic and empty magazine, or around 31 without an optic. The XF-Pro’s frame design looks like a CZ-75 and a Glock had a kid. The backstrap dips in at the top, like a CZ-75. But then the grip kind of resembles a Glock. Both the front and rear backstrap have some curved lines on them for grip. It runs a large squared trigger guard with some texture lines on the front. Then there is a 3 slot picatinny rail for mounting lights or whatever. The magazine button is raised and only on the left side. The grip panels have small golf ball style dimples. Probably the coolest feature of the XF-Pro is the machined in thumb rest on the left side of the frame. At least if you are right handed, because on the right side of the frame is some indexing texture for your trigger finger, not another thumb rest. 

  Fusion did a nice job of designing the slide on the XF-Pro. It has front and rear angled serrations. These serrations look good, plus they are useful. I would personally like them cut a little deeper. That way you can grip them better if your hands are wet or muddy. The top of the slide has a cut out for a ported barrel. Fusion sells a ported barrel for the XF-Pro, if you want some extra recoil mitigation. On each side of the port cutout is also some very aggressive texture. This is so you can get some grip, if you need to rack the slide on a table or barricade. The XF-Pro slide also has some side window cuts that allow you to see the bronze Gen 4 Glock compatible fluted barrel. Both the barrel and slide have a Tennifer finish.  

  As we move back on the slide, you will find a cutout for mounting optics. Fusion uses a plate system for the XF-Pro. It comes with 2 plates. One is for an RMR footprint optic. The other is for Truglo, Docter, Meopta, Insight, or Vortex footprints. I would like to see a RMSc plate, but since there is an included RMR one, I don't need it. I mounted the new Primary Arms RS-10R and one of their Classic series to the XF-Pro. Both mounted up easily with the supplied RMR plate. The optics sit really high with the plate. Even slightly higher than the slide. This makes it so that back up iron sights will not work with an optic, even suppressor height ones. However, even if you could get high enough sights, the XF-Pro uses 2 different types. The rear sight uses a Glock dovetail and the front uses a Novak dovetail. Fusion, please make them compatible with both a front and rear set from something that matches. Maybe a Sig or Springfield cut if you want to keep a front dovetail.

  Trigger pull is important to some people, I am one of those. The Fusion XF-Pro has a decent trigger for a striker fired handgun. It is a flat face style with a little hook at the end. It also uses a trigger safety. Both of these make it function, and look, very much like a Glock trigger, but better. It has a long take up stroke that is a little grainy. But after the initial take up, the trigger hits a short wall that breaks pretty clean. Reset on the trigger is pretty good. You can shoot the trigger from reset if you like, and that shortens the pull a bunch. My sample has a 4.75 pound pull. It started out around 5 pounds but works its way down a little. In all, it is a pretty decent trigger. To go along with the trigger is a striker indicator on the rear of the slide. A nice touch to let you know that the firearm is ready to fire.

  Performance on the XF-Pro is decent. I really liked shooting the pistol. The all metal construction just shoots so nice. I have only had one problem with feeding and I fed it various different types of ammunition. That one malfunction was a stovepipe malfunction, with cheap 124 gr ball ammo, and that was in the first 50 rounds. The gun seems to run just about anything I put in it. After that, it has gone another 900 without any problems. The thumb rest really helps get a good grip to help reduce some muzzle rise. Having the texture on the other side lets you know when your finger is not on the trigger. However, I do have a few complaints about the XF-Pro. When mounting an optic, it just sits too high above the slide. Does it affect anything? Not really, but it is hard to pick up the dot because of this. Next is that the grips are a little slick and could use more texture. Since it comes with 2 sets, I would like one of them to have a more aggressive texture. The XF-Pro also has a “tail” on the back of the grip frame. This tail makes some mag extensions not work in the gun. Lucky for us, all the extended Glock style magazines work. Another problem with the XF-Pro is that there isn’t any holster compatibility. It needs a special holster because of the thumb rest sticking out on the left side. Before I put the optic on the XF-Pro, I found the iron sights to be very useful. The serrated blacked out rear and white dot front worked well. Another feature I really like is the magazine release button. It is extended and makes dropping mags super easy. Thus making reloads quick. The Fusion XF-Pro is a fun gun to shoot.

  The Fusion Firearms XF-Pro is a nice sporty compact handgun. It has a lot of nice features that you will only find in higher priced handguns. Coming in at $550 makes it a good deal. Using Glock magazines and a few Glock parts makes it a win for anyone that already has Glocks, and if you don’t, the magazines are cheap. If you are in the market for a new handgun, I would check out the Fusion XF-Pro and see what you think.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Newly designed, aluminum framed, pistol that takes Glock magazines

Target Market:

Anyone wanting a compact pistol

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Caliber: 9MM

  • Magazine Compatibility: Glock magazines

  • Construction: All bar-stock materials, precision CNC machined

  • Barrel: 4" fluted Glock Gen 4 compatible, Tennifer finish

  • Sights: Fixed combat sights, optic-ready with RMR and others  included

  • Trigger: Competition flat-face, one-piece steel milled

  • Grip: Interchangeable panels, Bronze Camo & Black included, aluminum & poly construction

  • Frame: Aluminum with tactical rail, Sure Grip checkering, Thumb rest, hard coat finish

  • Slide: Pro Serrations, Pro Window Cuts, Tennifer Finish

  • Recoil System: Full metal, Glock Gen 4&5 compatible

  • Overall Length: 7.29 inches

  • Weight: 26.5 oz / 1.66 lbs

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Black or Chrome

What others are saying?:

Christopher at fusionfirearms.com

Excellent pistol

This pistol is awesome. Received today and went straight to the range to shoot some freedom seeds. 200 rounds and smooth as butter. Only critique I have is wishing this came with a magwell like the XP pro did!

Link to other reviews:

Gammage on YouTube   

GB Guns  

Price point:

MSRP = $549.99

Retail = $500.00

I need it now! Availability:

Palmetto State Armory or Guns.com

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • All Metal

  • Shoots nice

  • Takes Glock magazines and barrels

  • Thumb rest

  • Trigger pull

  • Comes with optic plated

Cons:

  • Not ambidextrous

  • Optics sit extremely high

  • Slick grips

  • Holster compatibility 

Score: 7.50 Good

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Timber Creek Sig P320 Grip Module

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Timber Creek

P320 Grip Module Review

  Timber Creek Outdoors manufactures a ton of nice aftermarket parts. Their new Full size P320 grip module falls nicely into this category. As with most Timber Creek (TC) products, they come in all the fancy colors. I decided to go pretty plain, on the one they sent, and chose Tungsten as the color. 

  I had been looking at aluminum grip modules for the P320. So when Timber Creek came out with one, I definitely wanted to try it out. The metal grip modules just make the P320 feel and shoot differently. I opted for the “Full” size grip module. Timber Creek also has the “Pro” version and a “Carry” version. 

  The Full size TC P320 frame is what you would expect. It is a full length frame. So the dust cover and pic rail extend out to the end of a full length P320 slide. It also has a full length grip. So full size 17 round magazines are the minimum. The Sig 21 rounders also fit and look good in the TC grip module. 

  Continuing on with the TC grip module, we have the grip itself. The grip is slightly wider than a factory medium size Sig grip module. The TC measures 1.25 inches wide. However, it has some subtle grid style texture on the sides of the grip. On the frontstrap are some horizontal lines. Then on the backstrap, there is a frag pattern. I can definitely feel the frag pattern when gripping the pistol. The TC grip module also has a huge undercut trigger guard. The trigger guard also has an extra undercut in it so one can get your support hand up higher. There are also some small lines on the front of the trigger guard for indexing. The huge undercut is one of my favorite features on the TC P320 grip. Lastly, TC machined in a pretty decent mag funnel inside the grip. I might have done it a little larger, as there is some more material that could be taken off. But either way, reloads are pretty easy with the TC grip module. 

  One advantage, or disadvantage, the Timber Creek P320 grip module has is its weight. It weighs in at 6 ounces more than a factory Sig grip module, or the Wilson Combat one I have. This weight helps reduce muzzle rise and recoil. Since my full size P320 is not a carry gun, I like the added weight. 

  Installation on the TC grip module is fairly straight forward. It installs just like any P320 grip module. Empty the firearm, drop the magazine, remove the slide, Remove the slide stop, lift the front of the fire control unit (FCU) up, and remove the FCU. Installation with the new Timber Creek grip module is just the reverse order. It really is that easy to install your new TC grip module. 

  Overall I thought Timber Creek did a nice job on the full size P320 grip module. I still shoot the Sig better than a bunch of other pistols. The grip module didn't seem to affect the shoot ability. It did seem to cut a little muzzle flip so I could get back on target faster. This was expected with the little bit of added weight. The grip module is a little larger than the factory medium size ones so the TC grip module didn't fit my hand as well. Nothing against it, just my small hands. I was a little disappointed in the lack of texture, the grip still seemed to move around a little. I would like more, or at least a sharper, texture. That Undercut trigger guard really lets you get a high grip on the pistol which really helps with a P320. The magwell does help with finding where to put those reloads. Quick mag changes were super easy. Now a quick FYI, the TC grip module does not come with a mag release. So you will have to take your old one out, or just buy a larger aftermarket one. Even with those few complaints, I really like what TC did with their P320 grip module. 

  If you are looking into getting an aluminum P320 grip module, the Timber Creek one might be worth taking a look at. After all, you can get it in all the pretty colors, even purple. The grip module is very well machined, in house, at Timber Creek's facility in Springfield, Oregon. Definitely try to get your hands on one and see if it is right for you. You can check the “Pro” version out on TC's website. The “Carry” and “Full” size ones are not on their website just yet. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Aluminum Sig P320 grip module

Target Market:

P320 users that want a metal framed pistol

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Aircraft grade aluminum 

  • Full size P320 grip module 

  • Available in 10 colors 

  • Undercut trigger guard

  • Textured frame

  • Full length picatinny rail

  • Made in USA 

  • Lifetime warranty 

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Carry and Competition grip modules, all in a ton of colors

What others are saying?:

Nothing much found

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found as of publishing

Price point:

MSRP = $449.95

Retail = $350 ish

I need it now! Availability: 

Optics Planet or AT3 Tactical

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Weight

  • Color options

  • Undercut trigger guard

  • Full length pic rail

  • Made in USA

Cons:

  • Slightly larger grip size

  • Does not come with mag release

  • Not very aggressive texture

  • Manufacturer's website lacks specifications 

Score: 8.00 Great

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Hi-Point 995P

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Hi-Point 995P

Pistol Review

  Hi-Point firearms has come out with a new pistol. At least that is what it is technically called. I like to call it a pistol caliber pistol (PCP) since it is similar to a pistol caliber carbine (PCC). This new pistol is their 995P. The 995P is a pistol version of the Hi-Point 995 carbine, hence the “P” at the end. One could technically call it a large frame pistol.

  The new Hi-Point 995P looks a lot like its bigger brother, the 995. The major differences are a shorter barrel. Now at 13.25 inches instead of the carbines 16 inches. The 995P is also threaded ½-28 to accept a 9mm muzzle device or a suppressor. Since it is now a pistol, they cut off the stock and replaced it with a picatinny rail adapter. So it looks like a short carbine, but is really a pistol.

  A little more on the new picatinny rail adapter on the 995P. This rear pic rail can be used for mounting various pistol braces, or at least ones that attach to these types of rails. Built into the pic rail is a QD socket. This lets you put a sling on it and do the old school mp5 sling pushout for stability. I initially installed a Strike Industries dual folding brace. It worked fine, but because of where Hi-Point had to put the pic rail, the length of pull with the brace was too long. Fear not, Hi-Point thought about this and you can remove the pic rail by taking a screw out and unscrewing it. Underneath this pic rail are some AR15 buffer tube threads. This allows you to attach any buffer tube and pistol brace you want. I ended up with an SBA3 brace since they are adjustable for length. Having the ability for both brace mounting options, on the 995P, is a very smart idea.

  Now, even some more on the pistol itself. The Hi-Point 995P comes with a plastic handguard that has a pic rail mounted on the bottom. It will look familiar if you have ever seen any of the other Hi-Point carbines. The sights also look familiar. It has a ghost ring rear with a hooded, fiber optic front post. The rear sight is a whole system that can be removed from the receiver's top rail. I removed the sight and added in a red dot. First I had an old Tasco PDP on it, with an airsoft periscope behind it. This was really just because it was a Hi-Point and I needed some InstaGram street cred. The 995P did end up with a Holosun after that. I use the red dot on a standard height AR riser and it puts it at about the right height for everyday use. 

  On the 995P, ammunition is fed through the 10 round magazines. These magazines worked fine for me. Hi-Point also sent some of the Red Ball 20 round magazines. Surprisingly they worked well also. The magazines are fed through the pistol grip of the 995P, just like most pistols. The pistol grip does not excite me as it doesn’t fit my hand very well. But Hi-Points aren’t known for their ergonomics.

  The blow back operation of the 995P helps make it super simple to use. There is a left side charging handle that reciprocates. This handle also can be used to lock the bolt back by pushing it in toward the receiver, but only when the bolt is pulled toward the rear. The 995P will also lock back on an empty magazine. After the bolt locks back on that empty magazine, you must first drop the magazine, insert a new one or don’t, and then pull back on the bolt handle to release the bolt.

  After having reviewed Hi-Point’s 3095 carbine, I expected the 995P to be just as fun. I was correct. The 995 is so much fun to shoot and it is accurate too. There is very little recoil, probably due to its weight being around 6 pounds. The iron sights are pretty good and super easy to use. However, a red dot makes the 995P even better. I ran a ton of rounds through the 995P without any problems. From 115 grains up to 147 grains. It just chugged along, but I kind of expected that. Having the ability to use whatever type of pistol brace you want is also a huge win for the 995P. Or, just hook a single point sling on it and use it that way. I even put my subgun suppressor on it. Yes, it is quiet with subsonic ammo. The 995P just ate it all without complaints. It really is just a fun range “pistol”. If you wanted a cheap short barrelled rifle, you could pay the $200 tax stamp and throw a stock on it. You would still only be out around $500 total. 

  If you are in the market for a “large” frame pistol, the Hi-Point 995P might be just what you are looking for. It is inexpensive and a whole lot of fun. The brace mounting system is top notch and gives you endless possibilities. But really, my favorite part about the Hi-Point 995P is how much fun it is just plinking at the range. To check it out, head over to Hi-Point.

  

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Large frame 9mm pistol with “options”

Target Market:

Anyone wanting a less expensive 9mm pistol caliber pistol

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Barrel length: 13.25" Standard

  • Back Plate: Accepts standard buffer tube

  • Rear Picatinny Rail

  • Weight: 6.1 LBS.

  • Capacity: 10-round mag standard

  • Overall length: 20.75"

  • Rear Sights: Ghost Ring Aperture

  • Finish: Black powder coat

  • Front Sights: HiViz light pipes fiber optics

  • Threaded ½-28 with thread protector 

  • Lifetime warranty 

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

.45acp or 10mm

What others are saying?:

Nothing found as of publishing

Link to other reviews:

Athlon Outdoors

Price point:

MSRP = $379.00

Retail = Around $300    

I need it now! Availability:

Guns.com, KYGUNCO, or your local gun shop

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Configurable

  • Picatinny and buffer tube options

  • Short length

  • Made in USA

  • Price

Cons:

  • Trigger pull 

  • Ergonomics

  • 10 round capacity magazines

Score: 7.50 Good

Favorite Link:  Hi Point 3095 review  

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ZRODelta ZRO FKS-9

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ZRO FKS-9 Review

  When I first heard about the Zro Delta FKS-9, I was intrigued. Mainly because it is a Gen3 Glock 19 clone for $400. The name also made me laugh “Zro Fks 9”, you get the point. The FKS-9 also had “upgrades” that should make it better than a G19. Which is probably why you are here reading this. So let’s get started.

  As mentioned, the FKS-9 is essentially a G19. It is the same size and uses the same parts, or at least Glock gen 3 parts. What that means to you is that Gen 3 Glock triggers, sights, barrels, slides, and magazines will work with the FKS-9. The only part that is not Gen 3 compatible is the reversible Gen 4 magazine release button. In my experience, it will also fit in my G19 and G17 Holsters.

  The frame on the ZRO FKS-9 is where the real differences are. To start with, it has excellent texture on the pistol grip. It is not too harsh, but still gives a good grip when firing. There are no interchangeable backstraps with this one. All you get is a molded in curved style. This grip seems to fit various size hands comfortably, except maybe some smaller ones. The extended beavertail and double undercut trigger guard help the FKS-9 to fit those larger hands without much trouble or slide bite. Instead of a picatinny rail at the front, Zro Delta decided to go with the standard Glock light rail. This is fine since there are plenty of lights out there that will fit it. My favorite part of the frame is the “Control Ledges” that are above the front of the trigger guard. These ledges do two things: they give you a reference point to index your trigger finger when not shooting, and they give you a spot to rest your support hand thumb, thus helping to dampen muzzle flip. These ledges actually have a textured ledge to them. This ledge extends out from the frame about 1/16th of an inch to give you some real bite with your thumbs. The magwell is ever so slightly beveled to help with reloads. Lastly, the frame also has a 18 degree grip angle instead of the Glock's 22 degree angle. This grip angle makes it point better for most people. 

  Up top of the ZRO FKS-9 is a nice looking slide. It is made from 416 stainless steel and then  black nitride plated. The slide has no identifying marks on it. Instead, the 4 inch match grade barrel is marked with the ZRO logo. There are front and rear angled slide serrations. These are cut nicely and give it a good grip, even with gloved or wet hands. On top sits a set of 3-dot steel sights. These sights are usable, even if they are pretty plain. Inside the slide sits a one piece style recoil spring assembly that rides on a stainless rod. The rest of the parts are just normal gen 3 slide parts. All this makes the FKS-9 shoot pretty accurately.

One of the actual failures

  Now it is time for my relationship with the ZRO FKS-9. The pistol doesn’t live up to its name. Yes, I really like the grip angle, even though the pistol felt a little bit snappy to me. It also carries nicely in a holster. The texture didn’t kill my skin while carrying, a bonus I would say. Now the bad. I had a lot of stove pipe failures, like 2 in the first 50 rounds, then about 1 every 150 rounds past that for a total of 6 in the 750 rounds I shot. I even used 4 different types of magazines on separate trips out, as well as various types and brands of ammunition. The front sight also came loose at the 280 round mark. Luckily I noticed it before it went flying downrange. I then loctited it in and didn’t have any problems with it coming loose after that. The trigger pull weight also came in at 6.25 pounds after breaking it in. I know it is a Glock trigger, but I was hoping for the stated 5.5 pounds. I would have also liked the base model to come with an optic cut and a few more magazines. The FKS-9 didn’t live up to the quality that I expected from Zro Delta.

  The best thing about the Zro Delta FKS-9 is its name. And from the problems I had, maybe they don’t give any. The pistol has some good things going for it, I just think they need to refine their quality control a bit. Then the ZRO FKS-9 might be something that will compare to the pistol it copies. Either way, if you want to check out the ZRO FKS-9, you can head over to Zro Delta and take a look at it.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Decently priced G19 clone with 1911 grip angle

Target Market:

Those wanting a Glock compatible G19 size pistol for less than the price of a Glock

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Caliber: 9x19mm

  • Advanced Polymer Frame and Handle

  • Reversible Ambidextrous Magazine Release

  • Improved 18-degree Grip Angle

  • 416 Stainless Steel slide

  • 4140 Precision Match Barrel, 4”

  • 15 Round Capacity,  1 Magpul magazine included

  • Sights: White Dot Rear/Front

  • Trigger Pull: 5.5lb

  • Width: 1.25”

  • Weight: 21.5 oz

  • Enhanced Beavertail

  • Double-undercut Trigger Guard

  • Control Ledge above trigger guard

  • Glock® Gen3 compatible

  • Made in USA

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

RMR cut or Plate System

What others are saying?:

Not much found as of publishing

Link to other reviews:

Athlon Outdoors    

RTT: Guns & Gear on YouTube

Price point:

MSRP = $399.99

Retail = $350.00

I need it now! Availability:

ZRODelta or your local gun shop

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • The NAME

  • Grip texture

  • Uses Gen 3 Glock parts

  • Magazine well

  • Undercut Trigger Guard

  • Beavertail

Cons:

  • Trigger pull is a little stiff

  • Random stovepipe failures 

  • Base option should come with RMR cut

  • Front sight came loose

Score: 6.00 Okay

Rost Martin RM1C

Ammo supplied by Target Barn

  A new pistol manufacturer is in town and they hit the streets hard. They are Rost Martin, and if you have not heard of them, you soon will. As of writing, their premier offering is the Rost Martin RM1C pistol in 9mm. The RM1C is a compact pistol, think G19 size for reference. This pistol comes packed with features at an affordable price. Let us find out what makes the RM1C so good.

  This new Rost Martin compact pistol comes ready to go. In the box with the RM1C are 2 magazines. One is a flush fit 15 round magazine. The second one is a 17 round extended one. Both have steel bodies. The 17 round looks like the 15 round magazine but with just a +2 extension. Extra magazines are only $24.50! Yeah, $25 bucks a piece for extra mags. Thank you Rost Martin for making affordable steel magazines. Also in the box is a plate to mount a RMR footprint optic. Plates for different foot print optics are available on the Rost Martin website. Lastly, there are 2 extra backstraps. A small and large one. The RM1C comes equipped with the medium size backstrap. The medium sized one seemed to fit a lot of different sized hands, mine included. 

  Now that we are off to a good start, I will start with the top side of the RM1C, the slide. The slide is constructed from nitrocarburized steel and has a deep black Tenifer finish. On top are non-glare serrations cut from the front to back. These are there to help reduce glare off of the top of the slide. They probably helped and I did not notice any distracting glare when shooting the RM1C. Another quick mention is that the RM1C is cut for Rost Martin’s optic plate. It comes with a plastic cover plate installed. The cover plate also has those non-glare serrations. I used the supplied RMR plate to mount an optic. Rost Martin’s optic plate centers up on a raised boss and locks into the slide at the rear. This system works out well. I have not had any problems with the RMR mounting plate or system. Also on the top are the iron sights. The factory sights are a front post with a white dot, and a serrated U-notch rear. The sights work, but I thought they were a little small and hard to pick up quickly. However, both front and rear sights are dovetailed in using a Springfield XD sight cut. So I proceeded to mount a set of suppressor height sights from XS sights. On the side of the slide are deeply cut, front and rear, slide serrations. These slide serrations work extremely well and look even better. Around the back of the slide is the end cover plate. It is also serrated to reduce glare. More important is that in the center of the back plate is a red safety indicator that tells you when the striker is in the firing position. It is basically the end of the striker, but it is still a nice feature. 

  It is time to get into the RM1C’s frame or grip. The frame comes in 3 different colors: Black, Stone Gray, and FDE. I chose the Stone Gray color. Probably the most notable factor of the frame is its grip texture. I just call it a sand paper texture, but Rost Martin calls it “Responsive Grip Texturing” or RGT for short. The RGT is a “proprietary graduated laser stippling designed to respond, or “grip back,” to the amount of grip pressure exerted by the shooter for an incredibly secure yet comfortable fit”. The texture feels smoothish at first, but as you use the gun, it becomes apparent that it gives you a better grip than you initially thought. I liked the grip texture of the RM1C. Rost Martin also textured the front sides of the frame, just above the trigger guard, where one would rest their thumbs. Rost Martin also designed the RM1C to have a large trigger guard. I really like this for a defensive handgun since one never knows when it might be needed, and you might have gloves on. Next feature is a front picatinny rail for mounting lights or whatever. I’m glad it is a standard pic rail and not some proprietary one. One of my favorite things about the RM1C’s frame is its width. It has a very thin profile. But unlike some “thin” pistols, the ergonomics of the Rost Martin are fantastic. The RM1C is noticeably thinner than a G19 or my Polymer80 19’s. The pistol is super comfortable in the hand.

  I would be remiss if I did not mention the trigger. The Rost Martin RM1C has one of the best striker fired triggers I have felt in a while. It has a short smooth take up, a little under ¼ inch. Followed by a crisp 5 pound break. With very little overtravel. The reset is forceful and tactile. This trigger makes the RM1C easy to shoot. Rost Martin uses a flat faced trigger design to give the user a good feel. Yes, the trigger still has that common flipper safety in the center, but it isn’t very noticeable. Especially since the face of the trigger is pretty wide. When I first saw the RM1C, I didn’t know what to think about the trigger, at least visually. But after using it, I almost immediately started liking it. I really like the overall trigger feel of the RM1C.

  The RM1C is a full ambidextrous (ambi) firearm. When I say full ambi, I actually mean full ambi. The slide release is located on both sides of the frame. It is also in a great location. Not back enough that you will inadvertently hold it down, but not too far forward to where you can not reach it easily. I like the slide release position. The magazine release is also full ambi. Not reversible like other manufacturers that claim “ambi”. Just push either side to drop the magazine free. This magazine release is kind of a teardrop shape. It is also radiused so that it doesn’t snag on anything. I would like an option for a slightly raised version, but the stock magazine release functions flawlessly.

  I have been using the Rost Martin a lot. It has over 1000 rounds of various 9mm ammunition through it. Including 700 rounds supplied by Target Barn - 500 rounds of American Eagle 115 grain and 200 rounds of PMC 124 grain. All of the Target Barn supplied ammo ran flawlessly. As did the various 300 plus rounds of cheap ammo I fed it. I also ran a magazine of some old Speer Gold Dot +P’s I had lying around. The RM1C ate up every ammo I fed it to include: 115’s, 124’s, 147’s, and even some 165 grain subsonics. Did I mention that I also didn’t clean the gun? Yeah, there is that. I also only oiled the gun initially when it came out of the box. I guess I should go clean and oil the RM1C now. The pistol had about 450 rounds through it before I mounted up a red dot. All the rest were with a red dot mounted to the slide. 

  I just recently started carrying the RM1C around. Mainly because I did not have a good inside the waistband holster. That changed thanks to Werkz holsters. The RM1C carries really nice. It doesn’t feel as heavy as my glockish 19’s. Plus the rounded corners of the RM1C really smooth out its outline. Especially under just a T-shirt. There are plenty of good holster makers making RM1C holsters. Rost Martin even listed 3 or 4 when the pistol first came out. It is always nice when a new manufacturer has holster support from day 1.

  The RM1C is a fantastic pistol. I really like shooting it. The performance has been astonishing. I always try to run review items in some sort of shooting match, if I can. So I ran the RM1C in a steel challenge match before I put an optic on it. This is when I realized that I didn’t like the small sights. Of course, the RM1C ran the match without any hiccups, which I can’t say about the shooter. When shooting the RM1C, it feels good. Recoil is controllable and the grip texture doesn’t seem to be overly aggressive. In fact, some may say it needs more texture. But since I think the RM1C is a “do all” pistol, which includes carry, I really like the grip texture. Everything on the RM1C exudes quality. It has top notch machining on the slide. The frame doesn’t have any molding marks. It is just a beautiful pistol. I also got usable accuracy out of the RM1C. At 25 yards, off hand, I would get around 3-4 inch 5 shot groups. It did not seem to care what ammo I ran through it either, the groups all seemed about the same. If you put it in a rest, I would bet the accuracy would be fantastic. If you have not figured it out by now, the Rost Martin RM1C is a great pistol right out of the box.

  Rost Martin is going to be making waves in the handgun market. Their entry into the handgun market is a solid buy. The RM1C will only set you back about $450 dollars, which is really a fantastic deal for all the features you get. The RM1C has holster support and with its standard picatinny rail, will take almost any light you decide to install on it. If you are looking for a pistol that hits above its price range, definitely take a look at the Rost Martin RM1C. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Compact 9mm handgun with a decent feature set

Target Market:

Concealed carry, Home Defense, Target shooting, Personal Protection, or anyone just wanting a compact handgun

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • GRIP WIDTH: 1.1"

  • LENGTH: 7.1"

  • SLIDE: Nitrocarburized steel slide

  • BARREL: 4" hammer forged in 9mm

  • SIGHTS: Rear: Black serrated Front: White dot - Springfield XD/XDM compatible 

  • MAGAZINES: (1) 15 - Round (1) 17 - Round

  • WEIGHT: 21.1 oz. with flush mag 21.5 oz. with extended mag

  • TRIGGER: 5 pounds, Double Action Striker (DAS)

  • HEIGHT: 5.0" with flush mag 5.5" with extended mag

  • Optics ready, RMR optics plate included with the gun - other plates available through the website

  • 3 Back Straps included

  • Ambidextrous Magazine release and slide stop 

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Black or Flat Dark Earth

What others are saying?:

TODD K at Guns.com  

Excellent value and quality

Excellent value and quality, I would highly recommend this firearm. You can't find another pistol in this price range that's the same quality and has the same features.

Link to other reviews:

Chris from the 740  

RTT: Guns & Gear   

GunsandAmmo.com   

Price point:

MSRP = $459.00

Retail = Around $400    

I need it now! Availability:

Guns.com

gun.deals

or your local FFL

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Trigger

  • Ergonomics

  • Full ambidextrous

  • Comes Optics Ready

  • Flawless performance

Cons:

  • Small Iron sights

Score: 8.50 Great

Favorite Link:  Viridian RFX 35 review 

Foxtrot Mike - Mike15 gen 2

200 rounds of ammunition was supplied by Target Barn for the review

  AR pistols have become very commonplace. Foxtrot Mike has designed their pistols and rifles to be a little different, but in a good way. They use an integrated bufferless recoil system in their Gen II AR’s. Foxtrot Mike sent me a 12.5 inch Mike-15 pistol with a few added in options. So let’s get into what advantages this Mike-15 has to offer.

  When you first look at the Mike-15 Gen II, it looks very AR15ish. That is because most of it is. The lower receiver is Foxtrot Mike’s standard AR15 billet lower. But installed in the lower is a rear picatinny mount that also doubles as the bolt stop. The upper receiver system is where the difference is. Yes, it uses a standard AR barrel assembly and is still direct impingement. Because the Mike-15 is a bufferless system, the bolt carrier is different. As is the self contained recoil system that is placed above the bolt carrier, not behind like in a standard AR. This does make the upper about a quarter inch taller than your standard AR. The Mike-15 also uses a forward charging handle. All of these work very well together.

  As mentioned, the Foxtrot Mike, Mike-15 lower receiver is billet. This means that it is machined from a solid block of aluminum, not from a forging. This allows Foxtrot Mike to add in some different features. One of those is an oversized built-in trigger guard. This guard also has a slot in the bottom of it. I don’t know if it is for weight savings, or if it is for something else, but it looks nice. Foxtrot Mike also machines in a radiused 3 dimensional magazine well. This is a pretty nice feature to aid in reloading the rifle/pistol, even if you can see a few light machine marks in the magwell. Some other advanced features are: a screw in bolt catch pin, threaded and set screwed spring for the rear takedown pin, a ball detent for the safety with a set screw to hold it in (normal style spring and detent work also), and a screw for tightening the upper to lower fit. This Mike-15 also came with an upgraded Hiperfire trigger and an ambidextrous safety selector. The safety selector came as a 90 degree throw, but can be switched to a 45 degree, which I did as I like short throw safety levers. The optional Hiperfire Eclipse trigger is fantastic and has a pull weight of 2.5 pounds. The Hiperfire is not listed as an option on the website, but contact them and they will let you know how much extra it adds to the price. I also have a stripped Mike-15 lower for a different project, this is partly why I know about all those extras. I should also mention that the rear picatinny rail installs into the buffer tube threads and has the recoil bumper attached in it. It also has a QD slot at the bottom of the rail, so if a brace is not attached, a sling can be.

  The Upper receiver of the Foxtrot Mike is really where the huge differences are in this pistol, and their rifles. To start with, the upper receiver contains the recoil system. It is housed above the bolt. This recoil system consists of a dual spring and guide rod. The guide rod also goes through the top part of the bolt carrier. This allows the bolt carrier to push against the recoil system. The Mike-15 then uses a standard AR bolt assembly, but not a standard carrier. Because of this system, the receiver is about a ¼ inch taller than a normal AR’s receiver. The extra ¼ inch can make optics sit a little higher. This doesn’t cause any problems on the pistol version, but on a rifle, your optic may need a slightly lower mount. Foxtrot’s upper receiver does not have a forward assist, but does have a shell deflector. The Mike-15 gen II still uses a gas impingement system, so no differences over a standard AR in that respect. Except that the gas block is pinned, not set screwed or clamped. Foxtrot Mike then installs a 4150 barrel. This one is 12.5 inches with a mid length gas system. Because of the higher receiver height, a M-Lok rail that matches the height of the upper is installed. This handguard measures 11.75 inches, so it comes up flush with the muzzle brake. Depending on the rifle or pistol you order, the handguard length will vary. Lastly, Foxtrot Mike put a nice little 4 port compensator on this pistol. The comp works better than I was expecting it to.

  Operation of the Mike-15 gen II is a little different then a standard AR15. Instead of using a rear charging handle, Foxtrot Mike designed a forward charging handle that is in the upper part of the handguard. The charging handle is basically in the part of the handguard that is taller, so it doesn’t affect the M-Lok slots or get in the way. You can set this charging handle up to be either right or left charging. The charging handle DOES NOT reciprocate. However, it can be angled either slightly up, or slightly down, depending on how you have it configured. It comes curved up on the left side of the firearm. A folding lever is also available from Foxtrot Mike. The folding lever folds out of the way against the upper, for a more streamlined charging handle.

  Maintenance on the Mike-15 gen II is also a little different. Because of the self contained recoil system, you can not just pull the bolt out like a standard AR. On the top rear of the upper, there is a little square plug with a hole in it, located where the charging handle on a regular AR would be. One must use a small punch, or something, and push down the recoil spring assembly. Then slide the plug down. Watch out for lift off of that spring, as it can go flying. Then just pull the recoil spring assembly out, tip the gun back, and the bolt carrier should slide right out. All the other maintenance stuff is pretty similar to what a standard AR is.

  The Mike-15 pistols come in a variety of options. Some of those are barrel length and different colors. These pistols can be had in the picatinny rail version. Meaning they only have the pic rail on the rear of the receiver. Or you can get them with a folding SBA3 brace. I'd opt for the folder. The Mike-15 12.5 inch they sent me had an A3 Tactical folding brace with an A3 Steady Brace. These braces are top tier and work great. Plus they are super lightweight. If you want one of these as an add-on to your Mike-15, just ask Foxtrot Mike Products to see what they can do for you. The A3 brace folds to the left side of the Mike-15. Because the Mike-15 uses the forward charging handle, the brace does not get in the way of manipulating the firearm. Yes, of course the Mike-15 will fire while the brace is folded because of the self contained recoil system. 

  The Mike-15 that they sent was pretty solid. I’ve run a bunch of bill drills with it, along with other stuff. Target Barn supplied some 5.56 to help with the review: 100rds of Winchester 5.56 55gr M193 and 100rds of PMC 5.56 55gr. The Mike-15 currently has over 500 rounds through it. I did run into a problem with the recoil system after around 150 rounds. The springs were binding up and wouldn’t allow the bolt to go rearward all the way. I contacted Foxtrot Mike and they sent the “new” style buffer springs and guide rod. I literally had them the next day! Somehow the “old” style guide rod had been installed in this Mike-15. It has run flat out since with zero malfunctions since the initial problem. During my conversation with Foxtrot Mike, they also told me that they have a buffer tube spacer that plugs the buffer tube in case you want to run the Gen II uppers on a standard AR. They sent me one, so I tried it. The Gen II Mike-15 upper ran fine on a standard AR lower with that buffer tube spacer. One thing to mention is that the Mike-15 uses a different manual of arms, kind of. Because of the forward charging handle, one needs to readjust a little. Is this a bad thing? I don’t think so, but I thought it needed mentioning. When it comes to that manual of arms, the Mike-15 also seems to take a little more muscle power to manually cycle the bolt. Probably a non-issue for most. Watch a short clip of how it runs HERE.

  There are a few aspects of the Mike-15 that I really like. The first is the folding brace. I really liked this addition. One, because it folds and makes the Mike-15 really compact. Two, because it has M-lok slots in the arm. Having M-lok allows me to install a QD socket so I can run a sling easily. The next aspect I like is the weight. It weighs 5.6 pounds on my scale, and that is with the Lucid E7 blue-dot optic and the brace. When it comes to performance, the Mike-15 can hold its own. Being only a 12.5 inch barrel, I do shoot it slightly slower than a 16 inch barreled AR, but it is still fast. The Hiperfire trigger helps with the speed also. It is a very nice trigger upgrade. Lastly, I really like the self contained buffer system as it makes the Mike-15 pistol something you can shoot with the brace folded. I’d say the performance of the Mike-15 is above par for the price you pay.

  Foxtrot Mike designs their products for the everyday user. You get a high quality product for not a ton of cash. The Mike-15 Gen II pistols start at $699 MSRP and work their way up from there, depending on options of course. If you are looking for a truly foldable ARish pistol or rifle, the quality you get from Foxtrot Mike is top notch. You can check them out over at fm-products.com.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Bufferless AR style rifle or pistol

Target Market:

Those wanting a non conventional AR that has the advantage of not having a buffer tube.

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • CALIBER: .223 WYLDE

  • OPERATING SYSTEM: DIRECT IMPINGEMENT

  • BARREL LENGTH: 12.5"

  • BARREL TWIST: 1:8

  • BARREL MATERIAL: 41V50 PREMIUM MATCH GRADE 41v50 BARREL, VACUUM STRESS RELIEVED, MELONITE COATED WITH A BURNISHED CHAMBER

  • GAS SYSTEM: MIDLENGTH

  • GAS BLOCK: 0.625" NON-ADJUSTABLE

  • UPPER RECEIVER: BILLET AIRCRAFT ALUMINUM TYPE III HARD BLACK ANODIZING 

  • LOWER RECEIVER:  BILLET AIRCRAFT ALUMINUM TYPE III HARD BLACK ANODIZING 

  • HANDGUARD: 11.75" M-LOK FREE FLOAT TYPE III HARD BLACK ANODIZING

  • CHARGING HANDLE: 4 POSITION NON-RECIPROCATING FRONT CHARGING HANDLE

  • PISTOL GRIP: THRIL

  • BUFFER LESS  

  • LENGTH (INCHES): 22"

  • WEIGHT (LBS): 4.7 without brace or optic

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Various lengths, rifle options, etc.

What others are saying?:

5 out 5 stars at Brownells - yes it’s for the rifle version, but it is still close   

One of my favorites

I purchased the 16" as well as the 11.5" pistol version. I shot the 16" primarily and was able to zero at 100y and hit targets at 500y without issue. A bit more fine tuning with my scope could yield a bit more in its capability. Some things to note about the rifle: I had some issues with the first round in a magazine going into battery and having light primer strikes that were rectified through break-in. After a couple magazines, I had zero errors. The biggest issue I had was getting proper eye level with my sight. Be aware the Zhukov stock and the folding, mounting system sits 0.25" lower than a standard AR. You may have to buy the $15 0.25 Magpul AK Riser to get the proper eye line. I paired my 30mm LVPO with a low mount, cantilever scope mount. In all, it only cost an additional $50, but I wish there were a way to have the stock sit at the same level as a buffer tube would. This is information I wish had been noted in reviews/videos before purchasing the rifle. Am I happy with my FM-15?Yes, it's probably my favorite AR long gun. Would the sight-line information have changed my decision to buy? Maybe, but ultimately I'm happy to own such a unique rifle. Time will tell if I enjoy the pistol length version as much as the 16".Though, I do hope Foxtrot Mike develops a 300BLK, short barreled upper of the same style.

Link to other reviews:

Tiberious Gib on YouTube   

Pew Pew Tactical   

Price point:

MSRP = $699.00 +

As tested = Approximately $1125

Retail = Same

I need it now! Availability:

Foxtrot Mike or Brownells

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Lightweight

  • Folding brace

  • Self contained recoil system

  • Pinned gas block

  • 3D magwell

Cons:

  • Manual of Arms is slightly different 

  • Harder to charge the firearm when compared to an AR

Score:  8.00 Great

Favorite Link:  Gforce Arms Rapture review

GForce Arms Rapture

  I recently ran across the GForce Arms GF9 Rapture handgun. I was intrigued by this new micro-compact handgun as it has a bunch of Glock parts compatibility. So much so that I contacted GForce Arms about getting one for review. As you can figure out, GForce sent out a Rapture to do a full review on. The Rapture surprised me with all its features, especially that it can be found for around $350.

G43 on top of Rapture for size comparison. Rapture grip frame is about 1/2” longer with no magazines inserted. Picture is not a perfect representation

  The Rapture is a small 9mm handgun aimed at the carry market. For comparison, it is roughly the same size as a Sig P365X. So it technically fits into the “Micro Compact” size description. The Rapture’s grip frame is larger front to rear, so it feels good in the hand, at least mine. The Rapture is still very narrow, coming in at 1.12” total. It runs a 3.25” barrel for a total length of 6.6”. The main difference in the GForce Rapture is that it has a bunch of parts compatibility with the G26. Including working in G26 holsters.

  GForce Arms put a lot of work into designing the Rapture. For the polymer frame, they gave it a great usable sandpaper type texture. This texture is on the front, sides, and rear backstrap. It is also toward the front of the frame where you would rest your trigger finger or thumb. Speaking of the backstrap, the Rapture comes with 4 different ones. A 0° that comes installed on the Rapture, then a 2°, 4°, and a 6°. These options help the pistol to fit any hand size, from small to large. On the rear of the Rapture is a beavertail to help lessen the chance of slide bite. GForce Arms kept it on the smaller side, I believe, to keep the pistol compact. It still functions as expected. The grip also has some slight indents where your trigger finger and thumb rest. This aids in getting a proper trigger pull for those with smaller fingers. It also helps with hitting the large magazine release. Being fairly large, the mag release size is nice and very useful. Helping to get rid of that awful Glock knuckle, is a slightly undercut trigger guard. One of the few flaws I found with the Rapture is the lack of a rail at the front of the pistol. But, it also wouldn’t fit in standard G26 holsters if it had one. Lastly, there is a thin slide release. Amazingly, the slide release was way easier to use then I expected it to be.

  When GForce Arms says the Rapture is “heavy in glock compatibility”, it is. All of the internal parts are gen 3 Glock compatible, and some of the external ones. So if you want to change out the barrel, trigger, trigger bar, slide, end plate, and sights, you can. Just use any of the readily available gen 3 aftermarket parts. 

  The trigger in the Rapture is decent. It starts with a flat face with a little hook on the end. Yes, there’s the little safety inside the trigger. The flipper safety seemed a bit strong, but it didn’t keep the trigger from being pulled, so it works fine. I do like the little hook on the end of the trigger. It helps a little bit to keep my finger from sliding all the way down and rubbing against the inside of the trigger guard. Trigger pull is decent, for these types of striker fired pistols. The Rapture’s trigger does have a decent break, not mushy like some gen 3 triggers are. Trigger pull weight was 5.5 lbs on my trigger pull gauge. I thought the weight was decent for a carry gun. Besides, if you want it lighter, there are plenty of parts on the market to make it anyway you want.

  Sitting on top of the GForce Rapture’s frame, is a fantastic slide. Yes, the slide looks kind of blocky, until you get a good look at it. It has front and rear angled cocking serrations, These are fairly deep cut, not overly sharp, and slightly deeper at the top. These serrations work extremely well. They blend into the frame nicely and look good. Inside the slide is a nondescript barrel and dual recoil spring system. Back on top of the slide are metal fiber optic iron sights. The front is red, and the back are green, both feature anti-glare serrations. The Rapture uses standard Glock sights, a big plus if you want to change them out for higher profile ones. Why would you want higher profile sights? Because the Rapture comes cut for optics! But it doesn’t stop there. The Raptures slide is cut directly for both the RMR and RMSc (sheild) footprints. GForce Arms also includes locator pins to use with either optics. These pins also help minimize optic movement under recoil. A nice optic cover plate comes installed if you don’t wish to mount an optic on the Rapture.

  I ordered up a kydex holster for the Rapture. Once it showed up, I began carrying the Rapture on and off. The gun carries nicely with an IWB holster. Being that the Rapture is not big, that helped. Probably what helped the most is the thinness of the Rapture. One thing I noticed while carrying the Rapture was how the magazine's pinky extension stuck out more than I liked. GForce doesn’t have an option for a magazine without the pinky extension. So I proceeded to dremel off the extension on one of the magazines, making it flush fit. This helped a lot in how noticeable the pistol was under just a T-shirt. I thought the sandpaper texture might cause some discomfort when carrying. To my surprise, the texture didn’t feel bad against my skin. It is only a little bit noticeable to me. The Rapture makes a decent carry gun.

Modified flush fit magazine

  The Rapture comes with 2 magazines. I would have liked to see it come with 3. But since the Rapture can be found for under $350, that didn’t hurt me too bad. Plus, extra magazines are only $25. Both the magazines sent with the Rapture are steel and hold 12 rounds each. Both have that aforementioned pinky extension. The Rapture magazines are proprietary. Also not a deal breaker for me. Remember, P365 mags are proprietary also. I have had zero problems with the Rapture magazines. 

  Shooting the Rapture was a pleasure. The first thing I noticed was that it didn’t have as much felt recoil. Or at least less than I was expecting from a pistol this size. I shot it with the fiber optic sights. Those sights are really easy to pick up and fairly fast. I then proceeded to mount an optic up top. I used the RMR cut option and installed a Swampfox Liberty. With this combo, the factory iron sights just peek above the optic. You can still use them as back up irons, but just barely. I ran all different weights of 9mm through the Rapture, with both the irons and an optic. The only problem I ran into was some factory reloaded ammo that wouldn’t go into battery. Not the Rapture’s fault because all the factory new ammunition I used ran flawlessly. So I would say the Rapture has more of a match chamber. In fact, the pistol ran flawlessly with zero malfunctions through about 750 rounds. No, I didn’t clean it either. I didn’t run an accuracy test on the Rapture, but I did run a dot torture with it at 5 yds. The Rapture performed well, I didn’t. I also set up my A-Zone steel at 50 yds. The Rapture didn’t have any problems reliably ringing it. So I’d say it’s more accurate then I am. When shooting and manipulating the Rapture, I also noticed that it doesn’t have any sharp edges on it, at least if you don’t count the front sight. Overall, the Rapture exceeded what I was expecting

  I really hope the GForce Arms Rapture stays around. It is a very well made, American, micro compact pistol. Plus it is affordable, hitting the streets at under $350. It has 12 round capacity, is thin, has lots of Glock compatibility, comes with 4 backstraps, and can mount any of the common red dot optics. I feel you can’t go wrong with the Rapture. Check it out at GForce Arms or your local dealer.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Sub-Compact handgun with a lot of Glock compatibility

Target Market:

Those wanting a quality micro-compact firearm at a decent price

Features, Benefits, and Specifications of this product:

  • Caliber: 9mm Luger

  • Capacity: 12+1

  • Comes with 2 Magazines

  • Frame Material: Textured Glass Filled Polymer

  • Comes with 4 Backstraps: 0°, 2°, 4°, & 6°

  • Optic Cut for RMR or RMSc footprints

  • Sights: Fiber Optic - Red Front / Green Rear 

  • Barrel Length: 3.25"

  • Trigger: Flat Face with hook

  • Weight: 22.5oz with empty magazine

  • Width (Overall): 1.12”

  • Height: 4.7” without magazine

  • Length (Overall): 6.62” 

  • Highly Glock Compatible, most parts are interchangeable 

  • Uses Glock sights

  • Comes with carry case that’s cut for optics

  • Made in USA

  • Assembled and tested in Reno, NV

  • Lifetime Warranty 

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Flat Dark Earth 

What others are saying?:

Nothing found as of publishing`

Link to other reviews:

Outdoor News America

Price point:

MSRP = $379.00

Retail = $329.00 at Global Ordnance or Guns.com 

I need it now! Availability:

Global Ordnance, Guns.com, or your local FFL

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Price

  • Glock compatibility

  • Optic cut with pins

  • Fiber Optic steel sights

  • Backstraps

  • Large mag release button

Cons:

  • No accessory rail

  • No flush fit magazines

Score: 8.00 Great

Favorite Link:  SwampFox Liberty Review   

Lone Wolf Dusk 19

Ammo for this review was sponsored by our friends over at

Target Barn

  Lone Wolf Arms has been making Glock compatible handguns for years now. They recently introduced their Dusk 19 handgun. The Dusk is their newest generation of pistols with a ton of great features added in. The Dusk 19 line has a bunch of different options, from a “stock” style pistol to threaded barrels with suppressor height night sights. Lone Wolf also has various color options for the Dusk 19. They sent out one with a FDE slide and ⅓ co witness sights for us to review. 

   When I say the Dusk 19 is Glock compatible, here’s what I mean. The Dusk 19 is compatible with G19 parts, and therefore, uses those styles of parts. But, it is definitely NOT a G19. Yes, the size is similar, but that is about it. The Dusk 19 specs are below in the Features & Benefits section, so you can read them there. However, there are some interesting features of the Dusk 19. It uses a Gen 4 magazine release. This gives it the ability to be reversed from side to side. So if you’re a lefty, Lone Wolf has you covered. The Dusk 19 also has Glock Gen 3 parts compatibility. It also uses G19 magazines. I used a variety of mags, including the 2 KCI mags that came with the pistol. They all functioned flawlessly in the Dusk 19. Lone Wolf also gave the Dusk a 19° grip angle. I’m a big fan of the 19° grip angle, as the pistol points really well for me. In addition to the grip angle, the Dusk also includes both a curved and a straight backstrap. I left the smaller, flat one on the pistol as my hands are not giant. If you need to mount accessories up front, the Dusk 19 has a standard picatinny rail. This makes it more compatible with various lights, as well as other accessories. 

  Lone Wolf took the most common aftermarket frame upgrades and included them on the Dusk 19. Not just a few, either, but a whole bunch. The first thing I noticed about the Dusk 19 was its aggressive texture. I love aggressive texture, mostly, and the Dusk 19 did not disappoint. This texture is everywhere. Both on the grip panels, the front of the grip, and on the 2 backstraps. It is also on the frame where you would rest your thumb or trigger finger. I really like this aspect for the ability to “feel” where your trigger finger is when not shooting. A note about those 2 backstraps, they have a place for a spare 2032 battery built into them. That way you can always have a spare battery for your optic. The Dusk 19 also received a decent beavertail to help with that annoying slide bite. The grip has a built-in magwell, not a huge one, but better than not having one. Lone Wolf also put a pretty good size undercut in the trigger guard to help you get a higher grip. Mounted up top the frame is a slightly extended slide release. It's not one of those that sticks way out, but it gives just enough to easily use. Lastly, the Dusk 19’s grip, as a whole, feels very compact in the hand. This grip is fairly short front to back, and not very wide. It even fits smaller hands pretty easily. Lone wolf did a great job designing the Dusk 19’s frame.

  Features still abound on the top side of the Dusk 19 too. The slide has front and rear manipulation serrations. These serrations are deep enough and sharp enough to use in any condition mother nature might throw your way. There’s a textured cover plate. The texture on the plate probably helps reduce glare, if nothing else, it looks good. Moving to the sights, the Dusk 19 has Night Fision ⅓ co-witness irons. The front sight is tritium and has a green ring around it. The rear is blacked out with serrations. In daylight, the green ring helps to focus your front eye on the sight. I really like the Night Fision sights, they work well. Now for the kicker, the Dusk 19 comes cut for mounting a reflex sight with a RMR footprint. I like that Lone Wolf is using an “Industry Standard” footprint for optics and not using a plate system. From the factory, it has a cover plate installed that blends nicely to the slide. Moving up front, the Dusk’s frame also has a spacer in it that can be removed. This spacer is for those that want to run a gen 4 recoil system and slide. There's zero reason to do anything with it on this complete pistol. The fit and finish of the Dusk's slide is fantastic. It is nicely machined everywhere. It also fits the frame fairly tightly. This is not something I usually say about stock Glock pistols. This slide to frame fit will also help in the accuracy department. Hand cycling the slide is smooth like butter. The PVD coating on the slide should give it a long life span, not to mention that it looks great! 

  The only functional part left to talk about is the trigger. The Dusk 19 sports a flat trigger. This flat trigger is radiused on the edges, but not a lot. Therefore the trigger’s face has a lot of flatness to it. Lone Wolf also put a decent, wider than normal, trigger safety. The trigger safety is FDE to match the slide, while the trigger is black. It's sharp looking. The trigger safety also operates super easy, so you don't really even notice it. When I tested the trigger's pull weight, it came in at 5 lbs out of the box. After 1000 rds, it's about 4.5 lbs now. It has a decent trigger pull too, for a glock style trigger. There is very little stacking and it has a clean break. A notable nice feature of the flat trigger is that it breaks at approximately 90°. I was pretty happy with the Dusk 19's overall trigger performance. 

  As with everything, nothing is perfect. I did have a few minor things happen during testing. Most of the testing was done with 124g CCI Blazer Brass 9mm supplied by Target Barn. Around the 250 round mark, I had a stovepipe. No big deal. Then around the 900 mark, I had another one. This second one I attributed to the gun being dirty, since I hadn't cleaned it at all. The trigger also started getting gritty around 900 rds. So I decided the gun needed cleaning. After that, it ran fine again. I ended up running about 7 different types, and bullet weights, of 9mm through the Dusk 19. All of the ammo was brass cased. It functioned great with all the different ammunition types. I figure that only having 2 out of 1000 problems says a lot about how good the Dusk 19 is. 

  I really used the Dusk 19, no easy days for it. It went to a Steel Challenge match and ran better than the shooter, with iron sights. The aggressive grip really lets you get a hold on the gun and helps with managing recoil. Since it fits in G19 holsters, I had plenty on hand to use. I used an OWB for Steel and some drills. Then I install a red dot at the 500 rd mark. Gun still ran great. I ran some training drills using an IWB holster. Then I proceeded to shoot some Dot Torture drills. This gives me an idea how accurate the gun is, and how well I do at speed. Well, the Dusk 19 is pretty accurate, from what I saw. The decent trigger pull also allowed me to get some fairly quick, accurate shots. The Dusk's grip angle also makes it easy for me to pick up the red dot. The gun just shoots great and feels really good in my hands. 

  I also carried the Dusk 19. It carries and hides nicely. But that grip texture can get to your skin after a full day. That's the only flaw I found with the texture. But I'd rather have a decent grip texture, than have a smooth texture that feels nice on the skin. As mentioned, since it fits G19 holsters, your options are endless. Some of the previous Dot Torture drills were done from a IWB carry holster. I have no problem carrying the Dusk 19 since it is a reliable firearm. 

  If you are looking for a pistol that has a bunch of upgrades already done, the Lone Wolf Dusk 19 could be it. Yes it costs a little more than a stock G19, but you don't have to spend money on upgrading it. So you save in the long run. It functions great, has night sights, and just feels good in the hands. It really is a kind of “do all” handgun. Head over to Lone Wolf Arms if you want to check out the Dusk 19.

Firearms Insider Reviews - Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Compact pistol with lots of options built in

Target Market:

Those wanting a factory compact handgun with included upgrades

Features & Benefits of this product:

  • Reflex Sight Ready (RMR cut) with DUSK optic cover plate included

  • Interchangeable flat & rounded backstraps with 2032 spare battery holder

  • 19° grip angle

  • Stainless steel PVD coated barrel with DUSK profile

  • Flat trigger

  • Undercut trigger guard

  • Front & rear serrations for ease of chambering and press check

  • OAL: 6.95" 

  • Barrel Length: 3.90”

  • Height (without sights): 4.61" 

  • Non-Threaded Barrel Height (with sights): 4.94"

  • Upper Width: 1.00" 

  • Lower Width: 1.14" 

  • Magwell Width: 1.23" 

  • Weight (without magazine): 19.8/oz. 

  • Caliber: 9x19

  • LWA Nitride SS Guide Rod & End Cap

  • LWA Reversible Magazine Release Button 

  • LWA Extended Slide Stop Release 

  • LWA Extended Takedown Lever

  • Night Fision lower ⅓ sights: tritium front, serrated rear

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

There are a bunch of styles available - https://lonewolfdist.com/firearms/complete-pistols/dusk-19/

What others are saying?:

5/5 stars at LoneWolfArms

An Excellent pistol

The Dusk 19 really elevates Lone Wolf. Likely the most ergonomic frame out there, flawless performance. The trigger is carry-appropriate,

Link to other reviews:

The Truth About Guns review

Price point:

MSRP = $649.95 - $699.95

Retail = Approx $600

I need it now! Availability:

Lone Wolf Arms or your local Dealer

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Ergonomics

  • RMR cut

  • Comes with decent night sights

  • Glock compatibility

  • Grip size

Cons:

  • Couple of malfunctions over 1000 rounds

  • Texture can be rough when carrying

Score: 8.00 Great

Virtual Shot - Pistol

  Virtual Shot has come out with their multi platform dry fire mount. I previously reviewed the original mount and app here: Virtual Shot Review. So I won’t be covering much on the APP or rifle parts of it. The new Virtual Shot mount has pistol and scope style mounting platforms that give it even more usability. I’m mainly going to focus on the pistol mount.

  The Virtual Shot shot mount has been upgraded from the original. The mount now has a stouter mounting stem. This stem is the base part in which you can mount the picatinny, pistol, or scope adapters to. When I say stouter, the mounts are now more robust than the original. The stem is also where you mount your phone. The actual phone mounting is way better than the original. It also accepts larger phone sizes. This new phone clamp also holds the phone better than the original Virtual Shot mount. The mount also uses thumb screws to adjust everything. All of this makes a better mounting system for your dry fire practice.

   To change the mounts, Virtual Shot includes a screwdriver and some other parts. Essentially you unscrew that stem system and install whichever mount you want to use. The picatinny adapter is used for both the pistol and AR style mount. It just gets flipped over and mounted differently. For the pistol, there is also an angle mount that extends the phone mount past your muzzle, and then hooks to your pistol's front rail. If using it on a rifle scope, the new ring style scope mount is used to install on the ocular eyepiece of your scope. This sets the phone in front of your scope, so you can use the Virtual Shot system just like you would your normal scope, well kind of. It is still slightly different from shooting in real life, but nothing major.

  Now it’s time to get into the pistol mount and what it does. Since the Virtual Shot is a system, of course you have to mount it to a pistol. The app asks all kinds of questions to make sure everything is unloaded and safe. I used the pistol mount on a Lone Wolf framed pistol, so a Glockish style handgun. Part of the reason I did this is because I used a TTrigger dry fire magazine. The TTrigger mag is currently only made for Glock style pistols. The TTrigger mag allows for the trigger to reset continually on the pistol it is installed on. The TTrigger mag also makes a clicking sound every time the trigger is pressed, think dog clicker trainer. Your phone picks up the clicking sound, so the Virtual Shot app knows you're firing a shot. If you are using other pistol platforms, a DryFire magazine does the same thing. Now, the Virtual Shot app did have a few problems always picking up the sound. Did it cause problems? Not really, because most of the time you can just re-pull the trigger. It did make the “Pistol Competition” harder for me since it had moving targets. Virtual Shot recommends the DryFire mag, so it may work better with the app then the TTrigger mag. If you happen to have an airsoft or pellet pistol that uses some sort of propellant, the mount will also work with those, unloaded of course. Virtual Shot includes a blast diverter to divert that muzzle blast gas away from your phone. Overall I was happy with how the TTrigger mag worked with the Virtual Shot system. After all, it’s way better than just old school dry fire.

  There are some new items in the app. Most of these apply to the new pistol stuff. There are pistol training videos and competitions. All the other aspects of the app will now allow you to use the pistol. As one can expect, the training videos are just exactly what they say, training videos. The Competition section is pretty cool. Every month Virtual Shot has some sort of competition in this section. Sometimes it’s rifle, sometimes it’s pistol, you get the idea. But what is cool about this section, is that you play for actual prizes! You compete with other people using the app. I did get 2nd or 3rd once with the pistol. Since I received the Virtual Shot stuff for free, I didn’t feel right getting a prize, I think I may have talked them out of it. I will mention that it took me forever to get the score I got. But don’t fret, it takes your highest score no matter how many times you try. It really is pretty cool testing your skills against other people from around the world.

  When using the pistol in the Virtual Shot app, there are different sight options. These different sighting options haven’t changed, but some of them are more rifle’ish. There is still a red dot, circle dot, crosshair, AR style front sight, etc. All of these can be sized up or down. I tended to use the circle dot or just plain red dot. You can also move them around the screen. This movement allows you to line the sighting system up with your sights. If you are using an actual red dot, just line the apps dot up inside your dot, as you are looking through it. I used an iron sighted pistol. So I lined the red dot, in the app, up with my sights, then turned it to super small. This allowed me to use the iron sights. I will say that I quickly went to the circle dot and used it instead of my pistol's iron sights. It would be nice if they had a pistol front sight, similar to the AR one, to use in the app. But, the way I did it worked fine. 

  The new mounting systems from Virtual Shot is far better than the original one. Yes, the app still has all the great features it previously did in my original review. The new “play with friends” and “competitions” are the only real new app features, and they are pretty neat. Having the ability to play the “mini games” and “challenges” with a pistol brings a whole new aspect to the Virtual Shot system. If you are looking for something different to help you with your dry fire practice, look into the Virtual Shot system.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Dry fire training aid

Target Market:

Those who want a unique dry fire experience 

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • New mounting system for phone

  • Pistol mount option

  • Scope mount option

  • Effective bullet drop and wind drift

  • Customizable ranges

  • 100+ shooting levels

  • Mini games

  • Practice ranges

  • Shooting analytics

  • Video Shooting courses

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None

What others are saying?:

Nothing really found on just the pistol portions of the app

Link to other reviews:

TFB review of original Virtual Shot

Price point:

MSRP = $149.00

TTrigger mag as used - $104.99

I need it now! Availability:

Virtual Shot

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Great dry fire training aid

  • New mount is nice

  • Scope mount ring

  • Better picatinny mount

  • Pistol mount

  • Can be used on airsoft pistols

Cons:

  • Doesn’t always pick up clicks from dry fire magazines

  • Apps auto reset is a little slow

Score: 7.50 Good

Favorite Link:  Original Virtual Shot Review 

Strike Industries Dual Folding Adapter

  Strike Industries recently brought out their Dual Folding Adapter. It is a unique folding stock, or brace, for mounting on a picatinny rail, hence the “adapter” part of the name. From pistols to rifles, the Dual Folding Adapter (DFA) has a variety of uses. 

  The Dual Folding Adapter comes with everything needed for multiple mounting options. It comes in the box set up to be used as a pistol brace. Also in the box is a buttplate. The buttplate is to use the DFA on a rifle or registered Short Barrel Rifle (SBR). Do not put the buttplate on the DFA while it’s on a pistol. The buttplate also has a rubber buttpad attached to it. To mount the DFA to anything, you need a firearm with a rear vertical picatinny rail. Then you just slide it on the pic rail, insert the screws, and tighten it down. The stabilizer has a QD socket at the top rear, for use with a single point sling. This lets you put pressure against the sling, to help stabilize the pistol. The buttplate is pretty explanatory for a rifle. The buttplate also has 2 QD’s, one on either side, for mounting a sling. To switch between the buttplate and the stabilizer, there is a torx head screw that goes through the end of either one of them, and screws into the strut.

  Now for the best part. The Strike Industries Dual Folding Adapter folds both ways! There are 2 buttons on the top, by the picatinny rail mount. These buttons unlock the DFA so it can fold. If looking at it like you hold a pistol or rifle, push the left button down, into its recess, and the DFA  can then be folded to the right. Or, push the right button and it can be folded to the left. The DFA has a slight 3 degree downward angle, when folded. This is to help clear ejection ports, so that a rifle can still be fired with the DFA folded. To unfold the DFA, you have to push up slightly and then pivot the DFA out to lock it in the unfolded position. If you push up by the stabilizer or buttplate, nothing happens. You have to push up closer to the hinged portion, or the DFA won’t unfold. I like how this worked because you aren’t accidentally unfolding the DFA. It is also really easy and quick to unfold the DFA. Just push up a little with your thumb and you are in business. There is a small price to pay for the ability to fold both directions. That comes in the way of the picatinny rail mount and folding mechanism. The folding mechanism is 2” wide, so it is the widest part on the whole DFA. One typically mounts the DFA up by the firearms receiver, so it’s not as bad as it sounds. 

  Other than the folding point, the Dual Folding Adapter is quite slim. The strut on the DFA extends rearward from the folding mechanism, it has some lightening cuts and is only about ½” wide. The whole DFA weighs under 10 ounces, so it’s not heavy at all. Total length on the DFA is about 9.25”. In the folded position it adds, a tiny bit over, an inch to your firearm. If, for some reason, you want to take the DFA off, you can push both the buttons and slide it off of the picatinny mount. Why, I am not sure, because it folds. Strike Industries also sent me out their Cheek Riser. This is for using the DFA as a rifle stock. The cheek riser clamps on through 2 holes in the strut. It has 3 height positions. The cheek riser makes the strut much more comfortable to lay your cheek against. Plus those height adjustments let you get your eye in the right spot for your optics. I was impressed with how comfortable and useful this little piece of polymer was.

  The Dual Folding Adapter was used mainly on a Strike Modular Chassis. So it was used in the pistol stabilizer configuration. I was pleasantly surprised at how well the DFA stabilizer brace worked for me. It rested nicely against my arm and really did help stabilize the pistol. There is a tiny bit of up down movement in the whole system, but it’s less than some M4 stocks, so no complaints about stability. Speaking of stability, Strike Industries has little rubber bumpers that go inside the DFA to help with lockup and cushion the impact of that lockup. I ended up using the thickest ones provided, as they gave the best feel and tightness. I probably have opened and closed the DFA more than I should have. It’s kind of a fidget spinner for firearms. 

  If you happen to be in the market for a folding stock or brace, why not let it fold both ways. The Strike Industries Dual Folding Adapter does just that. It makes an excellent stock, as it is sturdy, and it really shines as a foldable brace. Strike Industries has really stepped up their accessory game in the last few years, The Dual Folding Adapter is definitely one to check out.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Dual Folding stock or brace

Target Market:

Those wanting a folding stock

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Pre Assembled as stabilizer and includes a separate stock rear piece for rifle or registered Short-Barrel Rifle (SBR)

  • Patented Picatinny dual folding adapter with intuitive unfolding system

  • Folds left or right anytime without flipping or reconfiguring hinge

  • Adds [Stabilizer] 9.24" (234.64mm) or [Stock] 9.18” (233.14mm) to overall weapon length

  • Adds 1.02” (26.00mm) to overall weapon length in folded position

  • Positive lock in the folded position, included rubber pads for folding adapter indentation to adjust desired locking tension when fully deployed

  • Pull up on bar near hinge and back for quick deployment when folded

  • 3-degree down tilt to help prevent interference with ejection port when folded to right side

  • Mounts directly to 1913 Picatinny interface with 2 built-in locking lugs

  • Single rear QD [Stabilizer] and ambidextrous QD sling mounting points [Stock]

  • Rubber anti-slip buttpad [Stock]

  • Steel hinge with 6061-T6 Aluminum base, adapter & strut

  • Lightweight at under 10 ounces

  • Modular system with interchangeable parts sold separately

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None

What others are saying?:

Nothing found

Link to other reviews:

The Firearm Blog  

Price point:

MSRP = $219.95

Cheek Riser = $31.95

Retail = $199.95 at Brownells   

I need it now! Availability:

Strike Industries or Brownells

Our Rating: 

Pros:

  • Folds both ways

  • Switchable between rifle and pistol options

  • Easily deployed

  • QD points

  • Lightweight

Cons:

  • Wide picatinny rail folding mount

Score: 8.00 Great

Favorite Link:  JSD Supply

Viridian RFX 35

  Viridian Weapon Tech recently came out with a few pistol mounted green dots. Keeping in Viridian fashion, they only do green, hence the green dot and not a red. All of their green dots have the same features, they just are different sizes with different mounting footprints. They sent out the RFX 35 for me to try out, It uses the RMR footprint and has a huge viewing window.

  In the current pistol mounted dot sight market, there are a bunch of important features the sights should have. The RFX 35 has most of these. First, it has an industry standard footprint, a RMR in the 35’s case. Next, I feel it should have some auto on feature. Viridian’s RFX 35 checks this box as it has their “instant-on” technology. What this does for you is turn the green dot on, when any slight movement is detected. The RFX 35 turns off and into this mode after approximately 2 minutes of being stationary. The last option I think these small dot sights should have, is night vision compatibility. I don’t use this feature, but I feel it is worth having. The RFX’s lowest 2 settings are NV compatible. 

  One of my favorite things about the RFX 35 green dot is its window size. The viewing window is quite large, measuring in at 22x26 mm. This is essentially a 1 mm shorter, and 1 mm wider than its commonly known competitor, the SRO. The window is also very rounded in shape, with a flat spot near the bottom. This means that no matter what you are doing, the green dot in the RFX is super easy to pick up. It also makes transitioning from target to target faster since the target comes into the viewing window sooner. I found it extremely fast to use on my Sig P320.  

  As previously mentioned, the RFX 35 uses a green dot. Viridian uses a 3 MOA dot size for the RFX. I thought the dot size was very useful. Not too large to cover up close targets, but small enough to be used, when accuracy is needed, on those 50 yard targets. Most people tend to see the green dot better than a red one. For me, I get less of that “bloom” effect with green, that is due to my astigmatism. The RFX 35 uses a “+” and “-” to adjust brightness. The “+” is on the left side, and the “-” is on the right side. I like this layout as you don’t accidentally push the wrong button. There are 10 total brightness adjustments, 8 are daylight and the other 2 are NV. The green dot is easily visible in bright sunlight on the highest setting. To adjust the green dot for windage and elevation, there is a supplied allen wrench. It adjusts in 1 MOA “clicks”, except it doesn’t have clicks, just the turn screws. This doesn’t hurt the functionality, I just prefer clicks to make adjustments easier for me. 

  Another advantage to the RFX 35 is its extremely low profile. This little green dot sits lower than any of the other RMR footprints sights I own. Part of the reason it sits so low in the slide, is that it has a bottom mount battery. No side or top load battery here. I prefer to not have a bottom load battery, as I don’t like to remove things to change batteries. Is this a deal breaker? No, it’s just a slight inconvenience every couple of years when it needs to be changed. With a 30,000 hr battery life, it’s not like you have to change it all the time. 

  In the end, I am really liking the Viridian RFX 35. The green dot is crystal clear and is easily picked up with my eye. The window's viewing size is fantastic. Plus, it has that industry standard mounting footprint. The RFX 35 has been a really good sight for me. If you are looking at a large window reflex sight to mount on a handgun slide, or possibly a rifle, the Viridian RFX 35 may just be the ticket. Check it out, along with the other RFX series sights, at Veridian’s website.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Large window green dot sight for RMR footprint pistols

Target Market:

Carry, Competition, Training, and anything else

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • 3 MOA Green Dot

  • 22x26 mm viewing window

  • RMR Mounting Footprint

  • Picatinny mount included

  • Auto shut off and INSTANT- ON technology

  • 30,000 + hours battery life at brightness level 5

  • 6061-T6 aluminum body

  • Designed from the ground up to ensure clarity, solid function, and rapid target acquisition

  • Designed to fit full size handguns, shotguns, and rifles

  • 8 Visible & 2 Night Vision Brightness Settings

  • WEIGHT: 1.0 oz

  • WARRANTY: 7 years

  • AUTO OFF: 2 minutes

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Other RFX series

What others are saying?:

4/5 stars on Amazon

Pretty nice if you get it on sale

500 rounds through my pistol with this dot and it went from being a safe toy to my EDC. I got the 35 and it turned my pistol into an entire new machine. Easier to sight in than my holosun, and over $100 less. Will be getting the 15 for my smaller pistol and ditching the holosun 507k I have on it. The green dot is super easy to see. Honestly surprised how much better I like it over my holosun.

Was honestly surprised by the dot. I expected it to be crap after seeing the glass fell out of both the reviews I watched. Ended up being a great purchase. My only gripes are the fact it has to be removed to replace the battery and that it's kind of difficult to remove the wrench used to adjust. Would be so much better if they used the same style screws as pretty much every other big-name dot to adjust. I never have an allen wrench on me, but I always have some kind of small device that can be used as a flat head.

Link to other reviews:

Terribly Tactical Youtube 

Shooting Sports USA  

Price point:

MSRP = $289.00

Retail = $202.95 on Amazon

I need it now! Availability:

Viridian or Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Large window size

  • RMR pattern footprint

  • Clear dot

  • 3 MOA dot size

Cons:

  • Bottom load battery

  • No click adjustments

Score: 8.50 Great

Favorite Link:  Midwest Firearm Solutions

Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 10MM

Written by: Rusty Odom

1MM MORE PLEASE

  As maybe you can tell this article is about my review of the new S&W MP 2.0 10MM. Now that's a mouth full, but with Smith & Wesson you sometimes need a secret decoder ring to find out what gun you have. If you want to know more about the S&W decoder ring, check out the Handgun Radio podcast. These guys do a fabulous job getting you through the number codes of Smith.

  So let's begin with how it was received, when I showed up to my trusty FFL I got the generic cardboard box that most all of my S&W’s come in. I was not impressed by the packaging at all. Unlike when I have picked up my Sig’s, Caniks’ and even Glock’s they have all been in a hard plastic box that will double as a range box. Inside you had your typical owner’s manual, paperwork, gun lock and of course the pistol and two 15 round magazines. There are also several different palm swell back straps to fit most anyone's hand. There was also a bag filled with numerous optic mounting plates labeled with numbers. If you’re mounting an optic you will have to use the instruction manual and know what your optic’s footprint is to find the right plate. The particular model I bought has a SKU#13388, it is the 4.6” barrel, manual thumb safety and optics ready.

  Starting with the frame and working my way up I am going to give you a brief description. On the grip, where the magazine goes in, you will notice a cutout on both sides for easy stripping of the magazine if a failure happens. There is a takedown tool tucked neatly in the handle. Just rotate it and it comes right out. This also lets you change the backstrap panels out if you need to adjust for hand size. The stippling on the grip is nice and tacky, it is different from any other firearm I have and definitely felt good. The trigger guard is not square like a lot of other pistols, it is a little blocky, but has a nice round edge for the larger hand people to get a nice high grip. It has a nice undercut at the area where the trigger guard and grip come together. This helps out with the old “Glock knuckle” I get on my Glocks. Moving up the frame you will notice a 1911 style thumb safety, I would have not initially bought this model with a thumb safety but, that is all they had with the longer barrel length I wanted. The safety is ambidextrous and easy to get to and is not in the way. If you are a 1911 shooter you will feel right at home. It is tactile and has a nice sound when engaged and disengaged. The slide release is nice and tucked in with a raised fence around it. You might think of it like most AR lowers that have their controls tucked in. The frame also has an accessory rail at the end to accommodate your chosen gadgets.

  The slide has nice cutout scallops on the rear for easy gripping. The front of the slide also has a nice cutout, if you're a press checker you should like them as well. They all should be easy to grab with gloves on. The pistol comes with nice suppressor height sights that also make co-witnessing with a dot optic nice. The only concern I have with the optic cutout is the plastic plates for mounting your optic on. I would like to think there was a lot of R&D that went into it so that the plastic doesn't give and let the optic come loose and smack you in the forehead. I mounted a green dot optic from Swampfox, it is their Justice optic, I also put their Ironside Shield on it to protect the optic. This did raise the optic up a bit so the sights are just a little below the dot. 

  The takedown lever is fairly easy to use, but I would read the instructions before attempting it. Smith & Wesson has two different ways to do this procedure. Follow all normal safety procedures, lock the slide back, rotate the lever downwards. From this point you can use the disassembly tool located in the grip to push the sear down, then you can just pull the slide off. The other option is to rotate the lever down, let the slide go forward and then pull the trigger like a lot of other striker fired autos. The slide will then just come off the end. Reassembly is the same procedure just in reverse. 

Now let's get to the specs and then what I like and dislike about it.

  • Height : 5.6”

  • Length: 7.9”

  • Weight: 29.6 oz

  • Width: 1.3”

  So as you can see the specs are not too far off than any other full size striker fired handgun on the market. The pistol feels great in the hands, it has a natural pointability, the stippling is nice and stays in the hands. The sights are awesome, nice and tall and easy to pick up. I mentioned the thumb safety already. Now let us talk about the trigger. I have read other reviews and watched youtube videos about the new 10MM. I so wanted my trigger to not be, well mush on my finger. I dried fired my pistol for a week before I sent the first round down range, I practiced trying to find the reset and take up, just like I do on all firearms. Plain and simple, the trigger stinks, it is bad, it is like squeezing a french fry with your finger on the edge of the table. It just fell apart. There was no audible reset and barely a feel for it as well. Take up was ok then it just went mush. I want to say this is the first M&P I own, so I can't compare it to others. The other ones I have fired all had replacement triggers in them. So my solution to this problem was to dry fire some more. I did it everyday for about a month, so now I know where it is going to fall apart. 

  The shootability of the pistol is great despite the trigger, I handed it off to my 14 year old daughter and she ran it like a 9mm. The look on her face when she turned around was great, she could have caught flies in her mouth. I loaded the mags with Freedom Munitions 180gr FMJ, and shot about 300 rounds. The pistol ran great, it never missed a beat. Then I loaded up some Underwood 180gr bonded jacketed hollow points…….. This is where it was different, there was a big difference in recoil, it was still very comfortable and manageable. You could tell you had a hold of a hand cannon. This is where the memories of shooting my 44 mags flashed back, except I had 15 rounds of thunder in my hands. I had so many thoughts rushing through my mind, how many hogs can I take at once, can I double tap a deer at 50 yards, the bear won't have a chance once it is treed, lord have mercy if someone breaks into my house with this beast next to the bed. Lets just say if you have ever fired a center fired magnum revolver and liked it, you are going to love this. I love it so much I think I am going to name this pistol. I will take suggestions, just find me on Instagram @6gundaddy and let me know what a good name should be. Oh back to the review, once I started shooting the trigger issue went away. It is still bad, but you forget about it. I just trained around it. I think it goes with any firearm, that if you know the manual of arms, its strengths and weaknesses, and train with it, you will be just fine. Do I think Smith & Wesson should have put a better trigger in it? YES I do! With the technology that is out there today and so many aftermarket triggers, it could be better, but it is what it is. If everything was perfect I would not be writing this article.

  To end the review, I am giving this pistol a above average review, as you can tell I do not like the trigger or packaging, but that is just my personal opinion. It is going to be my primary hunting firearm for running hogs, black bears and deer in southeast Tennessee. I have always liked the challenge of hunting with a handgun. I do it every year, I swap out between my Blackhawk .357 and my Ruger Security 6 .357. With proper ammunition and training I think this pistol will fit into that notch that a lot of guys are arguing about online, the old 45 ACP or the 9MM. I just say let's split the difference, forget about the 40 S&W and call the 10mm the new big boy on the block in auto loaders. I see why there is a cult following for this caliber, it is fun, recoil is fun but not too bad, it can play a multi role of self defense, critter control on the farm or backpack hunting. This caliber will not let you down. 

Just a few side notes, if you buy one, you do not have to hunt for holsters, The frame size is the same as the S&W MP 45. So that is a plus unlike a lot of other new firearms on the market. The safety, it can be removed and you can order a safety block plug that fills the gap of where the lever was. I did do this one to mine because safety levers on striker fired pistols are not needed in my opinion. You can order the plugs for just a few dollars from just about anywhere.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Bigger than a 9mm

Badder than the 45 ACP

Blows the 40 S&W out of the water

Cult like following

Target Market:

Dedicated reloaders

People wanting something with magnum like power in an auto loader

Hunters

EDC

Those who like recoil

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product): 

Reliable

Easy to shoot

Holsters are the same as the M&P 45

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Compact version for CCW

10 round version for communist states

A version without a external safety 

What others are saying?:

Low bore axis

Smooth round contour

Grip texture is great

Link to other reviews:

Outdoor Life

Hammer Striker

Price point:

On par for most comparable striker fired pistols from a big company

From $599 to $665

I need it now! Availability:

Brownells

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • A quality product from the UA

  • 10mm ammo is available

  • 15 round magazines

  • Great sight

  • Grips are excellent

  • Optic ready

Cons:

  • Trigger is bad

  • Packaging with mine could have been better

  • Unsure of the optic mounting plates at this time

Score: 7.00 Good


LaserMax CenterFire Laser for the Ruger LC9, LC9S, LC380, and EC9S

Written by: Rich S.


I would start by saying if you have ever been to Houston Texas in the summer, you’ll understand this more than others. Houston is a humid and oppressively hot city most of the year and a full size or even some compact carry pistols just don’t conceal well under the shorts and t-shirt required to deal with the heat. You see I am not a large fellow, so size matters (That one's for Zane). For me my sweaty summer day EDC is the Ruger ec9s micro 9mm.

I really liked this little gun; you’re not going to be knocking down prairie dogs at 50 yards, but it’ll do the job at 10-20 yards. The sights on the Ruger are milled into the slide and boast the same black color as the rest of the firearm. I can tell you that it did become apparent very quickly in a dark parking lot with a target in dark clothing that I could not pick up the front sights. As I said earlier, I like the size and have become proficient with this little guy but after this incident things needed to change.

  I sought out a few options to remedy the issue from rolling with my Sig on my hip to searching for a replacement to fill the role of “board shorts gun”. I settled on finding an option that would allow me to keep the micro 9 size and weight I like so much but allow me to easily acquire a target in an off platform firing position. What I found was the LaserMax CenterFire.

This product is made specifically to fit the contours of the Ruger micro line of pistols and once installed looks like a factory accessory! Its red laser has simple adjustments, is easy to install and has an ergonomic on/off button on each side. 

I have been using this little laser for over 18 months and have about 5,500 rounds through the gun with it attached. The Lasermax has held zero even with the beating it has taken as an everyday carry on a sometimes-sweaty dude. It’s made of a tough nylon material with an ambidextrous on/off button and fully adjustable windage and elevation. The centerfire laser weighs in at 1oz and a 4-hour battery life and a 5-year warranty. You can buy direct from Lasermax for an MSRP or $129 or pick one up on Amazon for around $90.00 - $100.00. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Laser for Ruger line of pistols

Target Market:

Anyone with a Ruger LC9, LC9S, LC380, and EC9S looking to add a laser for dryfire practice or everyday carry

 FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Compact design

  • Ambidextrous on/off button

  • Fully adjustable windage and elevation

  • Rugged design 

  • Weight: 1oz

  • Dimensions:3.5”x1.5”x.75”

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None 

What others are saying?:

4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon

Link to other reviews:

LaserMax CenterFire Laser (Red) CF-LC9 Review

Price point:

MSRP = $129.99

Retail = $100 on Amazon

I need it now! Availability:

LaserMax or Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  •  Fits like a factory installed accessory

  •  Ergonomic design

  •  Ambidextrous 

  •  Price

Cons:

  •  Niche product

  •  Battery accessibility 

Score: 7.5 Good - for what it is 

 Favorite Link:  (Ruger LCP and LC9 with LaserMax Centerfire Laser  (Love the infomercial voice!) 

Timney Alpha Competition Glock Trigger

  Timney is well known for their rifle triggers, so when they first came out with the Alpha Competition Glock trigger, I was definitely intrigued. All the hype said it was similar to a single action, but with a Glock twist. Once I had it in hand, that description was pretty spot on. 

  Installation of the Alpha trigger is pretty straight forward. Everything needed comes in the box, as one would expect. If you are not comfortable with the trigger install, take it to a reputable gunsmith. A nice set of paper instructions is included. I like paper instructions. I can set them on the workbench to look at them, unlike on-line instructions. There are two differences in the trigger install over a standard style trigger. The first is the trigger receiver. This goes inside the pistol's trigger housing and locks in place with a screw. A different trigger return spring is also used. This is an “L” shaped spring that installs on the left side of the trigger. This style of spring also allows the trigger to fully reset forward, even if the striker has not been reset.

  Enough about the install, let’s get into the trigger itself. Say goodbye to the factory plastic trigger, the Timney Alpha is made from anodized aluminum. The trigger shoe is a flat face design and anodized black. It is also chamfered on each side of the face. This leads to a very comfortable feel of the trigger shoe. The slightly wider trigger safety, anodized in red, also has a unique feature. Besides sticking out a little more than some trigger safeties, it is slightly curved outward. Why? I am not sure, but it seems to not pinch my finger like a factory trigger does. Once depressed, it still sits flush with the trigger shoe. To also smooth everything out, it comes with a nickel teflon coated trigger bar and sear.

   The Timney Apha Competition trigger is the best feeling, Glock style, trigger I currently have. The trigger pull breaks at 3 lbs, consistently. And that’s with a “drop in” trigger. The initial take up is around 0.200”. This is adjustable through a set screw at the top of the trigger. I have it adjusted as far in as possible while still allowing the trigger safety to function properly. Then you come up against that wonderful wall. Which then takes around 0.100” to pull through. Then about 0.075” over travel, which is not adjustable. The reset is very tactile. No mushy resets with the Alpha Competition trigger. So the feel is - take up, wall, crisp clean trigger break, slight overtravel, reset. Since the striker is fully cocked back with the Timney trigger, that is why it has such a short trigger break. Essentially taking the “Safe Action” to a safe “single action”. 

  I have the Timney in a full size Polymer 80 with a compensator and red dot. Which is perfect for this competition trigger, I would not recommend this trigger for a duty or carry gun. But Timney specifically calls it a “Competition” trigger, and that is probably why. 

  This Alpha Competition trigger shoots and feels fantastic. When shooting the pistol, I don’t even notice the initial take up, it is that smooth. The 3lb pull and crisp break allow for fast accurate shot placement. The great reset allows me to get faster follow up shots and split times. The trigger is almost everything I want in a competition trigger. My only complaint would be that the initial take up is too long. Other than that, this thing is a great trigger upgrade for your “Glock” style pistol.

  Timney did a bang up job with the Alpha Competition Glock Trigger. They essentially made a drop in single action style trigger for competition use. The price is great at $150 for a drop in trigger system. It has great features and will probably make your pistol shoot great. I’m definitely going to recommend the Timney trigger to anyone who asks about a Glock competition trigger upgrade.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Complete 3 lb trigger system for Glock pistols

Target Market:

Competition shooters

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Teflon nickel (NP3) - trigger bar and sear (this process virtually eliminates friction, allowing for an extremely smooth feel) 

  • Crisp trigger break

  • Straight aluminum trigger with safety blade (anodized)

  • Uses all stock Glock parts and springs

  • COMPATIBLE WITH STOCK GLOCK PISTOLS.

  • FITS GEN 3: G17, G17L, G19, G22, G24, G23, G34, G35

  • GEN 4: G17, G19, G22, G23, G34, G35

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

For Gen 5 Glocks

What others are saying?:

5 Stars at Brownells

GREAT TRIGGER!

I just got this trigger in and put it in my G19, and it was good enough that I felt like I needed to get on here and write my first review. It breaks exactly at 3 pounds, and it feels way better than any of my other upgraded triggers. Very smooth and clean break. Install is a little different than the others, but it took me less than 5 minutes (they included tools). This trigger is definitely the way I'll be going for all my builds from now on. 100% recommend

Link to other reviews:

Tactical Considerations on Youtube

Price point:

MSRP = $149.99

Retail = $149.95 at Brownell’s or Primary Arms

I need it now! Availability:

Timney, Brownells, or Primary Arms

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Drop-in

  • Trigger pull weight of 3 lbs

  • Crisp trigger break

  • Great trigger reset

  • Price

  • Flat face trigger shoe

Cons:

  • Too much take up

  • No option for carry/duty gun

Score: 9.00 Amazing

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Favorite Link:  Matador Arms

XS Minimalist Night Sights

  XS sights released their new Minimalist night sights a few months back. If you haven’t noticed, I am a big fan of their standard style night sights, these are no different. The new Minimalist sights are just that, minimal. The name, however, does not give the sights justice, as they are really much more than minimalist.

  XS calls these sights Minimalist because only the front sight has tritium. Tritium is the isotope that causes the dot, in the center of the sight, to glow. The rear sight does not have any tritium, it is a basic style, squared notch, rear sight. I’ll discuss the front and rear sights separately to keep things simple.

  The front sight on the XS Minimalist series is really where all the super cool stuff happens. As noted, it holds the tritium so that a dot on the front sight can glow in low, or no light. But XS also put an orange ring of photoluminescence around the tritium dot. This does two things. One, it makes for a great front sight during regular daytime. But two, because it has XS’s “Ember Glow Dot” - photoluminescent, it glows if you hit it with a flashlight. The Ember Glow Dot can also help in situations where a regular tritium only dot will wash out.

Normal - Daytime

After shining flashlight on sight - Daytime

Low Light

  The rear sight, on the XS Minimalist, is not as fancy as the front, but it still has a lot of features. The most notable, is the serrations. These are tiny lines cut horizontally on the face of the rear sight. The serrations cut down on ambient light glare, as well as flashlight glare. This makes it easier to pick up, and see, the front sight. It is also slightly angled downward to help with glare. The other end of the rear sight is squared off to aid in one handed slide manipulations. As initially noted, the rear sight is your standard square notch style.

Total darkness - front sight after “Ember Glow” charged up slightly

  The XS Minimalist sights work very well. They worked perfectly on the G43 I mounted them on. The standard post front and square rear is just how I like them. When sighting down them, there is a little bit of light between the edges of the rear and the front sight, just like I prefer. Basically, I get a really good sight picture during the day and during low light. During the day, that orange dot draws your eye straight to it, making target transitions easier, at least they were for me. During low light, you can see the tritium dot glowing green, and it’s pretty bright. Of course, in darkness, all you see is the green dot, which is why you need some sort of light to identify your target. If using a handheld light, it is really easy to light up the Ember Glow Dot, just with the spill from the light. Then you have that glow around the tritium glow, so kind of the best of both low light sighting systems. Since some sort of light is always needed, the blacked out rear doesn’t cause any sort of problem for me. If you are unsure about it, XS makes plenty of other style night sights. But let’s face it, most of our shooting is done in some sort of light. The Minimalist’s are not available in a taller version for use with red dot sights, but after all, they kind of hint to it in the name,

  Installation of the Minimalist sights is straightforward. Just push or tap out the old rear and unscrew the old front. Put some of the supplied threadlocker on both front and rear sights. Since they are made from steel, just push in the rear with a punch or sight pusher. Set the front sight in, and then tighten the screw to specification. Then wipe off the excess thread locker and let sit. Then take it to the range and go shoot.

  So if you're in the market for a simple night sight option, the XS Minimalist’s might be it. I even like them as just standard sights. The price is good, they are made in the USA, and they come with a “no questions asked” warranty. The warranty is so good, that I lost a front sight once, and they sent me a new one. So definitely go check out the XS Sights product lines. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Minimalist Night Sights

Target Market:

Those wanting only a tritium dot on the front sight

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Tritium Powered Front Sight

  • Bright orange High-Contrast Front Sight

  • Ember Glow Dot - Photoluminescent dot absorb ambient light and glows in low light

  • Serrated anti-glare rear sight

  • Blacked-out Rear sight

  • Rear Sight Overhang and slight angle- Reduces rear sight glare in bright light for greater sight definition

  • Rear Sight Ledge for ease of use

  • Thread locker included

  • CNC Steel

  • Fits standard holster options

  • Made in USA

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None, but plenty of other Night Sight options

What others are saying?:

5 stars on Amazon

 Quality at a reasonable price

Quality Sights at a fraction of the price. These sights are the best sights I’ve seen under 100 dollars.

Link to other reviews:

Mr GunsnGear youtube

Price point:

MSRP = $59.99

Retail = $59.99 on Amazon

I need it now! Availability:

Amazon or XS sights

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Photoluminecent dot

  • Serrated rear sight

  • Squared off front, of rear sight, for easier manipulation

  • Price

  • Made in USA

Cons:

  • Front sight width can be too wide for some people

  • No taller option for use with red dot sights (at least in the Minimalist version)

Score: 8.50 Great

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Favorite Link:  Walker NERO

GunSkins

  Being curious, I had to try out some of the GunSkins vinyl wraps. I am always one that likes to tinker with firearms. So, the GunSkins were right up my alley. The skins are a vinyl wrap, similar to what one might “wrap” a vehicle in. These wraps come in almost any pattern or print one can imagine.

  When I inquired about an AR15 skin, I was also encouraged to get a pistol skin. Since GunSkins was sending me the products for free, I didn’t say no. They recommended I install the pistol skin first. Maybe to increase my learning curve, or maybe to just have me try both out. Either way, that’s exactly what I did. The pistol skin is “Proveil Victory”, which is an American flag pattern. I opted for the “Prym1 Black Out” skin for the AR.

  Installation is not particularly hard, but it does take patience. To install the skin, you will need a few items. These include: A heat gun or blow dryer, a razor knife with lots of extra blade, some kind of squeegee (I used an old credit card), a way to degrease the firearm (I used non-chlorinated brake cleaner), and a piece of foam to aid in pressing the vinyl into crevasses. If you decide to take on installing a GunSkins, definitely go watch their install videos.

Before trimming

After trimming

  Patience is needed as the install takes a bit of time. In the GunSkins kit, are the pre-cut vinyl pieces, and some generic pieces. For a pistol slide, for instance, peel the “slide” piece off, and then lay it down on one side of your slide. Press it down, then stretch it slightly to fit the non-flat surfaces. Add a tiny bit of heat (from the heat gun) to stretch it around. DON’T use too much heat, or the vinyl can split and melt. After a little practice, you will know how much heat to use to “pull” the skin around hard to reach places, like sights. I used a little too much heat going around the rail section of the pistol, so I know what can happen. In the pistol slide case, you just then work the material around the slide with heat when needed. Going around the sights was probably the hardest part. Just take your time and maybe have the install video handy to keep looking at. When everything is where it is supposed to be, then you can trim the extra off with a sharp hobby knife. Sharp is the key point, which is why having a bunch of sharp blades handy is key. Doing the frame is similar, it just takes even more time.

  The AR skin is more complicated, but only because it has more pre-cut parts. Since I have the tools, I removed the freefloat handguard to make it a little easier. One of the good things in the AR skin, is the pre-cut pic rail pieces. I used this on the 15” handguard. It worked well. There is not enough rail section vinyl to do the rail and the receiver, but that was okay for me. Especially since the vinyl adds some material to the rails. This makes accessories not fit properly all of the time. Since I was mounting a red dot on this rifle, not having enough to cover the receiver, worked out well. The skin went on much better than the pistol. Probably because I had done the pistol first. Or, more likely, because I knew that it was a time consuming project. 

  The GunSkins look good. Even if you have minor wrinkles or screw ups, they can only be seen close up. Trust me, neither the pistol or AR I did came out perfect. The camouflage style patterns don’t show the flaws as much as some other patterns, imagine that. I do have a few dislikes about the GunSkins. They make the grip extremely slick. It’s not as big of a problem on the AR grip, but is a nogo for me on the pistol. The skin is also pulling up around the beavertail section on the pistol. I tried to reheat it and press it down, but it keeps coming up. On the pistol skin, kydex holster wear is a problem. Especially around the trigger guard, at least for me. There is also a little wear around the rear of the ejection port, but not near as bad. The AR, on the other hand, doesn’t get put in a holster, so it has worn extremely well. The GunSkins are a good quality vinyl, not cheap thin stuff, so they also help protect the firearm. 

Grip strap and beavertail area not sticking

  For something like a hunting rifle, the GunSkins may be just the ticket. Since the skins come in so many different camouflage patterns, choosing the right one for your environment is easy. Having the ability to inexpensively throw some camo on your rifle for that once in a lifetime hunting trip, priceless. The skins will also help protect the rifle in the elements, either from scratches or rain and snow. When you return, you can leave the skin on, or just peel it off and have your firearm back to original.

  GunSkins might be a good option. Especially if you're like me, and like to experiment with different firearm accessories, this is a good way for you to put some flair on your firearm. Installation takes time, but isn’t difficult. There are so many different options to pick from, it might actually take longer to decide which pattern, than to complete the install. Go check out the GunSkins website, maybe they have the pattern you are looking for.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Do it yourself vinyl wraps for firearms

Target Market:

Those wanting a protective pattern for their firearms

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Multiple Patterns

  • Pre-cut shapes

  • Stretches into and around odd shapes

  • Removable 

  • Waterproof non-reflective matte finish

  • Made in USA

  • Lifetime warranty 

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

GunSkins Patterns

What others are saying?:

PISTOL:

4 / 5 stars on Amazon

Makes grips very slick.

First , it is much more difficult to apply correctly the first time than the manufacturers video

Leads you to believe. Maybe by the 5th or 6th one you could do it fairly easily, not the first one, not difficult just more so that it first appears. It looks great on the gun , would be great for a display, but it makes it much more difficult to rack as it has a slick finish, same for grips, makes them slick. I put this on my Glock 43, my EDC, not sure I will keep it on, have to go to the range and see. Maybe will

put one on that’s not for EDC.

They don’t emphasize you need a VERY sharp blade to trim it easily, it’s pretty tough material.

They also don’t emphasize about not trimming too close to the mag release, be generous or it makes it sticky, mag doesn’t drop, trimming has to really be fine tuned. You also have to trim both sides of the release button( both grip sides) to prevent sticking.

RIFLE:

4 / 5 stars on Amazon

Take your time!!

This is an extremely well made vinyl wrap for your AR. Take your time and make sure you have plenty of extra blades. Watch the videos on YouTube for installation instructions. It doesn’t hold up well to bumps and usage but it does protect the original finish underneath. Take your time and use a piece of egg crate foam to press into small crevasses.

Link to other reviews:

Gear-Report

Price point:

MSRP =

Retail = Same price on Amazon

I need it now! Availability:

GunSkins or Amazon

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Multiple patterns available

  • Protects firearm finish

  • Looks nice

  • Quality Vinyl, not the cheap thin stuff

  • Pre-cut for hard to do places (rails, safety, mag release, etc)

Cons:

  • Makes firearm slick

  • Lengthy installation time

  • Holster wear

  • Stretched parts don’t stick as well

Score:

Rifle - 7.00 Good

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Pistol - 5.50 Mediocre

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Favorite Link:  Gun & Gear Cult   

Strike Industries Mass Driver Comp

  Strike Industries recently released a compensator for Glock style pistols. It is called the “Mass Driver”. The compensator system is 50 state legal and available for Gen3 or Gen 4 style G19’s and G17’s. The Mass Driver comp I received is for a Gen 3 17. I installed it on a custom Polymer 80 PF940V2 (G17 size) pistol. The Mass Driver system is pretty unique in its application.

  Strike Industries did everyone a favor by offering the Mass Driver comp as 50 state legal. To do this, it does not use a threaded barrel. Instead the Mass Driver uses a special guide rod assembly and springs. I won’t go into installation, but Strike Industries does have a nice video of it. The guide rod assembly is what ties the whole compensator and springs together. It also keeps the compensator from twisting side to side too much. On my particular sample, the Mass Driver rests against the muzzle end of the slide. It does wear the finish a little on the slide where the compensator meets the front edge. The inside of the Mass Driver is beveled, I am assuming this is to square it up with whatever slide you use it with. For instance, I am not using it with a factory Glock slide and it functions and looks just fine. This system also allows for these modifications to not be permanent.

  A unique feature of the Mass Driver comp comes from the dual spring system. Part of the reason the compensator is called the Mass Driver, is because it actually drives the compensator forward under firing. As the bullet exits through the compensator, it “drives” the compensator forward. Then the recoil causes the slide to move backwards. Of course the Mass Driver also has ports to let muzzle gasses escape upwards and sideways, thus helping to reduce even more recoil. Because of the “counter recoil” system, it feels different when shooting the pistol, definitely not a bad thing. It is really hard to explain the recoil impulse. It is less than a non compensated pistol, of course. But it is different then a standard compensated pistol also. For me, it feels really soft, akin to shooting a 22 magnum pistol. The Mass Driver comp really does make the gun shoot more comfortably.

Looking Through Comp

  The Mass Driver comp performed well for me. I had a 30-50% reduction in recoil, according to the Mantis X10. It is a definite reduction in recoil for me. Split times for me were about 0.10 seconds faster with the Mass Driver installed. This data was with 115 grain FMJ’s, so shooting hotter loads may actually help with even more recoil reduction. I did notice that every once in a while, the first shot would not always shoot to point of aim. I am guessing that the Mass Driver comp didn’t seat against the muzzle correctly when hand cycling the pistol. Causing the recoil gases to be expended at a different angle. It wasn’t enough to prevent me from ringing 10” steel plates at 15 yards, but was noticeable on paper. I did run some 124 grain FMJ’s through it also without any problems. In all the rounds through the comp, I have had very few malfunctions. Actually, I have only had 2 failure to eject’s with my least favorite 9mm. There were more when other people shot it, but in my opinion, they didn’t have a good enough grip on the handgun, so not a Mass Driver fault, more of a public service announcement. 

  I do believe that Strike Industries made the Mass Driver comp for post apocalyptic movies. This compensator looks like it should come straight out of a Mad Max movie. It is that sexy. But along with sex appeal, it has function. The Mass Driver is the same width as a standard Glock slide, it does add about 1 ⅝” in length to the pistol. Meaning it does have the ability to fit in most open bottom holsters. I tried it in 3 different open bottom holsters, and it fits in all 3. The comp just sticks out the end. 

  I am really glad that Strike Industries came out with an effective 50 state legal compensator. It really does do everything a compensator should do, at a price that is even far less than some screw on comps. It performed better than I expected for a non-threaded compensator. If you live in one of those not-so-free states, or just want a decent compensator, definitely go give the Mass Driver a look. 

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

50 state legal Glock compensator

Target Market:

Those wanting a compensator without needing a threaded barrel

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • No threaded barrel needed

  • Counter recoil design, as the slide moves back the comp moves forward to reduce felt recoil

  • 50 State Legal

  • CNC machined

  • No permanent modification of weapon required

  • Compatible with most open-bottom holsters

  • 1.675”L  x 1.030” W x 1.430” H

  • All installation hardware included

  • Manganese Phosphate finish

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

Gen 4

What others are saying?:

James @ Primary Arms 5/5 stars

AMAZING COMP

This Comp is AMAZING! Works way better than comps that cost twice as much. I have about 700 rounds through it so far and no issues yet. Shoots incredibly flat, and looks awesome. Only issue is that its corners are slightly larger than the glock slide frame, so it makes it a tight fit into and particularly out of holsters where the comp gets pulled forward as you draw the pistol. No functional problem, but slightly annoying

Link to other reviews:

TFB TV

Price point:

MSRP = $89.95

Retail = $79.99 at Primary Arms

I need it now! Availability:

Strike Industries or Primary Arms

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Recoil reduction

  • Inexpensive

  • Fits in many holsters

  • No permanent modifications to firearm 

  • 50 state legal

Cons:

  • First shot is off

  • Slide wear

Score: 8.00 Great

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Favorite Link:   Gun and Gear Cult


Guntec Micro Breach pistol brace

 Guntec USA has a new pistol brace kit out. Yes, everyone has a pistol brace kit out now. But does the complete kit cost $69.95? Yeah, that’s what I said. I have found that Guntec parts are of good quality, especially for the price. The Micro Breach pistol brace falls into this category also.

  The Micro Breach is a blade style brace. A blade style brace has a triangle piece that sticks down from the AR buffer tube. By doing this, one is able to rest the brace against your forearm for support. There is also a slot in the angled piece. The slot can be used for a sling or to put a strap through, so you can affix it to your forearm. It is made from a Zytel polymer, so it should hold up to most gun maintenance supplies. It is also ATF approved.

  Since this brace is in a kit, it comes with everything needed for installation, minus the buffer tube wrench. Buffer tube, check. Spring and buffer, yep. Castle nut, uh huh. End plate with sling attachment, of course. Even the wrench to tighten down the brace to the buffer tube! 

Viewed from top of rifle

  Guntec’s brace is also adjustable. It is not as easy to adjust as a positional stock, but acceptable for a pistol brace. Just find the position that works best for you. Then tighten down the 2 bolts with the wrench provided. The 2 bolts essentially tighten down a clamp around the buffer tube. This system worked well and the brace has never moved on the buffer tube.

  The Micro Breach works okay. As a pistol brace, it falls short. It is not very comfortable to rest against your forearm or when strapped to your forearm. It has a decent look to it and is very sturdy. Now, if you were to accidentally put the pistol up to your shoulder (not legal advice), it makes a great substitution for a stock. Since the brace comes with everything, It would be a great way to shoot an AR build until your Short Barrelled Rifle (SBR) tax stamp comes back. The metal parts in the kit are decent quality, as I would expect from Guntec. If something were to happen to the kit, Guntec has you covered with their lifetime warranty

  The Micro Breach pistol brace might be an option for you. Especially if you are looking at it as an economical, get you through until your SBR paperwork comes back, option. Guntec also makes the brace kit for pistol caliber carbines. So if you are looking into a pistol brace, go give Guntec a look. They have always treated me well and make good products.



Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Pistol Brace for AR15 pistols

Target Market:

Builders or those wanting a pistol brace for better control

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Adjustable length

  • ATF approved

  • Low profile

  • Complete kit, includes:

    • Buffer tube

    • Castle nut

    • Single point end plate

    • Recoil spring

    • 3 oz Buffer

    • Brace

  • Brace Length - 6.25”

  • 5 ounces, complete kit is 12 ounces

  • T6 aluminum for buffer tube

  • Brace is Zytel polymer composite

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

9mm version

What others are saying?:

Nothing found 

Link to other reviews:

Nothing found

Price point:

MSRP = $69.95

I need it now! Availability:

Guntec USA

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Price

  • Complete kit

  • Locks down tight

Cons:

  • Not comfortable to use

  • Hard to strap to forearm

Score: 6.50 Okay

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Favorite Link:   Walker Defense Research











Fowler Industries Gen 5 Glock Trigger

Written by Zane M.

If you listen to the podcast then you probably are aware that I’m a fan of flat faced triggers in my glocks. You also are probably aware that I think the stock gen5 triggers are much better than previous generations of Glock triggers. So much so that I had no intention of replacing my oem trigger in my gen5 Glock 19.

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Then Fowler industries sent me their zero trigger. With low expectations and little enthusiasm I installed the trigger in my g19, as I’m the only reviewer with a gen5 glock apparently. I was pleasantly surprised.

Installation was simple, like all Glock drop in triggers, and took just a few seconds to get it in there. The first thing I did was check that the trigger didn’t compromise safety. After checking the ledge and cruciform engagement (technical terms?) everything appeared to be good so I dropped it and hammered it a few times to see if I could get the trigger to trip. I could not. So it passed test one.

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Next up is feel, the trigger feels great and as a fan of flat faces triggers I really like this one. The sides are cut at angels so the trigger feels rounded and is comfortable for a variety of finger placements. Despite popular belief there isn’t a single spot everyone should place their finger on the trigger. While all flat faced triggers work fine when using the pad of your finger, they can be less comfortable with less or more finger on the trigger. Depending on your hand size and reach this could be important.  While it’s hard to convey over text it really feels good.

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On to the trigger pull. The trigger is just slightly more smooth than the oem trigger. This is to be expected since they use an oem trigger bar that’s been polished. They recommend using an oem -connector and stock all other parts and springs. I ran the trigger with a few different connectors and I always (like all my other triggers) come back to the stock 5.5lbs connector. You could get the same smoothness but putting several thousands rounds through the gun but you’d still have a plastic curved shoe.

If you want a 1911 like trigger, this isn’t the trigger for you but none of the drop safe options I’ve tried are either. If your looking for an better feel on the trigger, this might be it.

FIREARMS INSIDER REVIEWS - 8 KEY POINTS

CLAIM TO FAME:

Flat faced aluminum gen 5 trigger

TARGET MARKET:

Anyone looking for a better trigger show for glock

FNBS (FEATURES & BENEFITS OF THIS PRODUCT):

  • Provides a better contact surface for the trigger finger

  • Smooths out the trigger travel.

  • Removes unnecessary take up or pre travel without compromising safety.

  • Looks cool(if that matters to you)

WHAT OTHER AESTHETIC OPTIONS OR FINISHES ARE AVAILABLE?

  • “Spider-Man edition”

  • Red

  • Blue

  • Green

Website isn’t super easy to navigate, most of these are options I found on other companies’ sites

What others are saying:

They seem to like it but I only found video reviews

Price point:

MSRP - $145.00

I need it now availability:

Shootingsurplus

Fowler Industries

Our Rating:

    Pros:

  • Improved feel

  • Pre-travel removed

  • Smooth

    Cons:

  • Price

Score 8.5 Great

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Write here…




XTech Pistol Training Gloves

 XTech Tactical has come out with their Pistol Training Gloves or PTG for short. We talked about these, when they first came out, on Episode 199 of the podcast. These gloves are basically shooting gloves with hook and loop sewn on to the fingers. After the episode, I contacted XTech and they sent me a pair for review.

 The PTG’s can be had in 4 sizes. XS, S, M, and L. They have a sizing chart on the PTG page. My size was a medium, and they actually fit me decently. If you have really large hands and want these, I think you might be out of luck. But for the rest of us, they can be had for $29.95. Which really isn’t a bad price for helping to learn proper shooting form. They are decent as regular shooting gloves also.

 I’ll go a little into what and how these gloves work. First off, they are blue in color, and only blue. But really for what they are for, color doesn’t really matter. Next up, the have an elastic cuff with a hook & loop strap to snug them on your wrist. Now comes the hook & loop on the fingers. It is on all of them except the index finger. On the inside, or where the pads of your fingers are, is a small pad of the soft loop portion of the hook & loop. On the outside of the fingers and thumb, where your second knuckle is, is where the hook portion is sewn onto the gloves. What this does is enable the shooter to wrap the support hand around the shooting hand by connecting the hook & loop pads. Thus teaching where to place the fingers. You might think that it would be hard to release the grip, but it isn’t, it is not very grippy hook & loop. Because they are made to teach a Thumb Forward grip, there are also pads on the thumbs to aid in placing them in the correct place also.

 I have been shooting with these for some time now. They have held up fairly well. I like them because they aren’t as thick and bulky as some shooting gloves. The synthetic leather palms give good feel. The stretchy backing also flexes to give good fit. They have vented fingers, but all gloves are warm to me during the summer. I have had friends try them out also. Most of them could see the benefits of using them for teaching. Some even seemed intrigued. I even had my daughter put them on as I explained what they did, She didn’t have any trouble lining the pads up to get a proper grip.

 There is a decent video on the XTech site discussing the PTG’s. As one can guess, these are a training aid. Because of this, they aren’t for everyone. Plus you need different sizes for different hand sizes, so a trainer may want to buy more than one size.

 I found the Pistol Training Gloves to do what they are said to do. They help teach where to put those fingers. XTech seems to have done a decent job creating them. So if you think they might be something to help yourself or others, go check out Xtech and their PTG’s

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:

Gloves to help new pistol shooters with proper finger placement

Target Market:

New pistol shooters and Firearms Trainers

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

  • Designed for “Thumb Forward” grip

  • Promotes Muscle Memory

  • Ambidextrous Design

  • Hook and Loop Fasteners

  • Durable Synthetic Leather

  • Stretchable Polyester

  • Ventilated Fingers

  • Available in different sizes

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?

None

What others are saying?:

Nothing found

Link to other reviews:

None found

Price point:

MSRP = $29.95

I need it now! Availability:

XTech Tactical

Our Rating:

Pros:

  • Teaches Thumb Forward grip

  • Comfortable

  • Sizing chart seems to work well

  • Just enough hook & loop to help with grip

Cons:

  • No XL or XXL sizes

  • May have to buy more than one pair

Score: 7.5 Good

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Favorite Link:   AR15 Podcast

 

 



 

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