FourSevens Maelstrom Regen MMR-X

The FourSevens MMR-X is another light in the family of quality products available from FourSevens. This platform is one of their larger offerings (though still pretty small for its level of light output) and is unique in the fact that it is rechargeable through a micro-USB cable. This would be an excellent duty-gear, truck, or nightstand light for nearly any consumer.

The MMR-X offers the ability to program the light from a series of 5 different options, including varying combinations of moonlight, low, high, max, strobe, beacon, and SOS. I found configuration 2 to fit my everyday needs best, allowing me to cycle between max and low depending on what I needed it for.

The MMR-X is powered by a proprietary 18650 lithium ion rechargeable battery; a non-FourSevens 18650 battery can be used, however certain features of the light are lost. At a replacement cost of $15 from FourSevens, there should be no need to use any other branded battery. For a multiuse rechargeable battery, I applaud FourSevens for not charging a ridiculous amount of money for a replacement. On max output the battery is listed to last 2 hours, although in testing I found it to last closer to 2.5 hours before seeing a significant reduction in brightness. From a full discharge, it took between 4-5 hours to recharge the flashlight to full capacity. A sealed micro-USB input is contained where the head meets the body and a small red or green light informs you of where your battery is at in the recharging process.

The light itself has a very nice fit and finish and has a nice aggressively scalloped bezel that can be used as an improvised striking tool if things got nasty; it would definitely leave a mark. For those who don’t want such an aggressive bezel, you are in luck because it also comes with a smooth bezel which easily screws on. In “burst” mode, the MMR-X powers out 800 lumens of light which is reduced to 400 lumens after 1 minute of continuous run time. In FourSevens fashion, the light comes with a few spare o-rings, a lanyard, and an alternate tail cap clicky and boot so the user can choose from a long click or a short click. Their 10 year no-hassle warranty also allows owners to rest assured they won’t need to spend any more of their hard-earned money on a replacement should anything go wrong.

The MMR-X is advertised to survive a 1 meter (3.2ft) drop which I feel is a little low. Under testing, the light survived a 3 meter (10ft.) fall on concrete. The light also survived an even larger fall at 6 meters (20ft.), but the battery did not. I can’t fault the battery for breaking at 20ft. because it is only advertised to 3ft., but I’d like to see more impact resistance in the future. It is certainly rugged enough for everyday use but having an extra 18650 battery around wouldn’t be a bad idea. The light performed well in water submersion tests, meaning that puddle and shallow lake drops won’t hurt this beast. It also operated properly after being subjected to freezing temperatures for 24 hours.

Overall this is an excellent light with various uses and the convenience of being rechargeable via any USB port. Replacement batteries, although proprietary (to use all functions of the light), are reasonably priced as well. In the future I’d like to see some ultra-impact survival lights from FourSevens, focused on the market of users who need a light to work no matter what they do to it. If FourSevens offered a fully potted model with some of their best features from their most popular flashlights, they would posture themselves to crush their competitors with functionality, reliability, and toughness.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: An extremely bright, user configurable, rechargeable light.

Target Market: Anyone who enjoys being able to see things in the dark.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

• Rechargeable 18650 lithium ion battery.
• 800 max lumens and 1 low lumen (moonlight).
• User programmable configuration of light options with the tail cap.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available? You can get any color, as long as it is black.

What others are saying? “There is nothing more capable or flexible on the market.  It is also a superior value, both because of the price and because of the rechargeable battery that is included.” –Everydaycommentary.com

Price point:

• MSRP = $100
• Retail = $83 plus free shipping at etoolscity.com

I need it now! Availability: In-stock and available through the manufacturer and multiple online retailers.

Our Rating:

+ Extremely bright emitter with great throw. + Micro-USB recharging feature is excellent. + User programmable format allows for customization. + Reasonably priced replacement batteries. + 10 year no-hassle warranty.

- Keep the manual so you can remember how to program the light. - Pocket clip would be an excellent option, especially to clip onto/into a bag or backpack. - Assembled in China with components from USA, China, and Malaysia.

Score 8.0 (Great)

Steve’s links: Firearmsradio.tv

FourSevens Atom AL

The FourSevens Atom AL is an ultra-compact every day carry (EDC) LED light with useful features and great value.  FourSevens is known for their ingenuity and quality products and the Atom AL is no different.  This light fits in the palm of your hand and is great for pocket, truck, or desk carry.

The Atom AL is advertised to run on CR123A batteries with 110 max lumens and 6 low lumens.  On low setting it can run for 40 hours and also runs for 3.5 hours on max.  It is also submersible down to 3 meters and can withstand an impact resistance of 1 meter for you clumsy types.  During a submersion test, the Atom AL continued to run with no issues when placed in a vat of water to simulate puddle or shallow lake water drops.  The light continued to run during the entire 30 minutes it was submersed for, and even heated the water for those of you who like to sip on warm water.  The light passed the 1 meter concrete drop test with no issues, and as a test of its limits it continued to work after a 6 meter (20ft) concrete drop test as well.  Its compact size and stout construction makes it like a bulldog of ultra-compact lights.  The manufacturer specifications don’t mention anything about operating temperatures, but 24 hours in a freezer didn’t stop this bulldog from shining like it would in normal temperatures.

The light is considered a “mule” meaning it has no mirrored reflector, resulting in a flood-like shallow and wide throw of light.  The area around the LED normally reserved for a reflector is coated with a glow in the dark substance, which is a unique feature allowing for quick locating if dropped or lost in the dark shortly after a recent use.  The beam has no “hot spot” and is useful in short and medium range distances.  The light has a low setting (6 lumens) and a high setting (110 lumens) accessible by twisting the light in one of two stages.  This simple user interface makes it easy to access either setting; this is a welcome change to some of FourSevens’ other more complex and sometimes confusing user interfaces.

The exterior is slightly “grippy” which allows for sweaty or cold hands to firmly grasp the light when twisting it on.  As a side note, out of the box the light was a little hard to twist with one-handed operation.  After cleaning the threads between the upper and lower portions of the light, it became much easier to operate.  The base of the light also contains a magnet allowing it to be affixed to any ferrous surface.  This magnet really comes into play during pocket carry because your car keys will stick to it, so just make sure you carry them in opposite pockets to avoid the hassle.  The magnet becomes the biggest benefit when the light is used in conjunction with the optional 360 degree headlamp kit available from FourSevens for only $15.  I tested this feature out as well and it makes for an excellent combination.  While wearing the headlamp and light combo kit might qualify you for the household geek of the year award, the convenience of the units together make the headlamp kit a must-have option.

The light comes from the factory with spare O-rings and a handy lanyard, which I think are nice touches.  Some people don’t like lights requiring more expensive CR123A batteries; these people are in luck because FourSevens also makes versions of this same light which handle AA, AAA, and CR2 batteries.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: An ultra-compact rugged everyday carry LED light that is barely bigger than the battery it contains.

Target Market: Anyone who enjoys being able to see things in the dark.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

• CR123A battery.
• 110 max lumens and 6 low lumens.
• Simple two stage user interface.
• Optional inexpensive headlamp kit available.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:  Matte Stainless Steel.

What others are saying?:   “The Atom AL is a remarkably tiny CR123A light.” – User “selfbuilt” on candlepowerforums.com provides a highly detailed technical review of the Atom AL.

Price point:

• MSRP = $40
• Retail = $35 at Amazon.com

I need it now! Availability: In-stock and available through the manufacturer and multiple online retailers.

Our Rating:

+ Extremely compact and rugged design. + Works well with optional inexpensive headlamp kit. + Simple user interface to access both low and high settings. + Extra O-rings and lanyard were a nice touch.

- Magnet in base has a tendency to stick to keys while utilizing pocket carry. - Lack of a reflector can make the light a little too “floody” for some users. - Assembled in China with components from USA, China, and Malaysia.

Score: 8.5

Steve’s links: Firearmsradio.tv

Safeguard Armor Stealth Body Armor

Safeguard Armor produces multiple types of body armor for civilian, police, and military applications.  Their Stealth body armor is considered to be their most concealable, lightweight, and durable version.  I was able to test and review their PP1 panel system with level II ballistic protection and level I edged blade protection.

Out of the box, the Safeguard Armor Stealth Body Armor is heavier than any other type of soft body armor I have worn, including panels with greater ballistic protection like level IIIA.  I attribute this to one of two things: either their ballistic protection material (Kevlar) is heaver and more dense, or their edged blade protection adds increased volume and weight to the system.  The edged blade protection is made up of what appears to be woven chainmail, which likely contributes to the added weight.  The panels are also thicker than competing panels which could take away from the concealability of the unit.

The vest carrier is made of Coolmax mesh which helps keep the user cooler in hot weather and hopefully also less sweaty.  Safeguard’s sizing chart also allows for multiple sizes to be purchased that fit most body types, without the hassle of having to be custom fit.  This saves time and money in the long run.  Their website also has nicely detailed measuring instructions so you can order your proper size the first time.  I would like to see Safeguard add small Velcro strips on the inside shoulders of the carrier which would allow for the panels themselves to be suspended within the carrier so they don’t slouch within the carrier with extended use.

The panel carrier goes on kind of like a t-shirt which is convenient, but it does not allow the user to adjust the height the panels ride at with shoulder straps.  To me this is an absolute necessity because if body armor is worn at the incorrect height it can be less effective at blocking shots to vital areas.  Additionally, the girth straps are only adjustable at the front which limits the amount of adjustability for particularly small or large girth individuals.  I’ve seen other carriers that allow for both custom shoulder and girth adjustments which allow for a much more “custom” fit.  Proper sizing is absolutely necessary to allow for maximum coverage for the front, back, and sides.

The cut of the front and rear panels allow for sufficient arm and shoulder movement which doesn’t interfere with fighting or shooting, which us a huge benefit.  The unit also comes with a large carrying bag sufficient in size to carry the armor and additional gear if necessary.  Too many times I’ve been issued body armor with a miniature bag that I can never figure out how to squeeze it back in.

The Safeguard Stealth as tested (level II ballistic/level I edge) costs $476.  If you don’t need edged weapon protection, I’d suggest either a level II or IIIA option which run $371 and $476 respectively.  For occasional or rare use, you really can’t beat this stuff for the price.  However for people who intend to use this on a daily basis (i.e. law enforcement or security officers), I’d recommend testing other brands with similar ballistic protection.  This way you can determin if the added cost of a lighter and less bulky armor would be worth it.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Concealable body armor capable of level II ballistic protection and level I edged blade protection.

Target Market: Civilians, security, and law enforcement.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

• Ballistic and edged blade protection.
• Coolmax vest carrier.
• Available spike protection.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:  Black or white concealable carrier.

What others are saying?:  “The SafeGuard Armor Stealth vest provides an excellent level of protection against the bullets it’s rated to stop as well as edged weapons. And it does so without any telltale signs that you’re wearing much at all under your shirt.” – Nick Leghorn,  The Truth About Guns

Price point:

• MSRP = $371 - $906 depending on levels of protection and size.
• Retail = $371 - $906 depending on levels of protection and size.

I need it now! Availability:  In-stock and available only through the manufacturer.

Our Rating:

+ Coolmax carrier helps with heat and sweat during hot summer months. + Large bag for transporting and storing your vest and some gear. + Front and back chest/shoulder cut allow excellent movement for fighting and shooting. + Available sizing appears to fit most body types without expensive custom manufacturing.

- Thicker and heavier than other models/competition available on the market. - No internal suspension to hold up vest panels inside of the carrier. - No shoulder adjustment straps and girth straps can limit adjustability.

Score:  7.0 Good

Steve’s links: Firearmsradio.tv

SEAL1 CLP

I met Dwight Settle, the managing director of Seal1 CLP while at SHOT Show 2014.  Dwight’s personally owned P226 was fully submerged in a fish tank of water to show the protecting properties of Seal1 CLP.  Dwight removed his Sig from the tank and whatever water didn’t sheet off, beaded on the surface; not a speck of rust on the entire gun, either.

I have to admit I was a little hesitant to hear about another all-in-one cleaning supply with claims of greatness.  I reluctantly began a conversation with Dwight about his products, expecting to hear outrageous claims of grandeur and knocks on his competitor’s products.  I was pleasantly surprised with how our conversation went and Dwight’s story.  Dwight's business partner Scott Lee was the original developer of a competing product but due to various circumstances, left the business to begin his own venture with Dwight.  Dwight has an extensive background working with firearms (to include military service as a S.E.A.L.) and has now dedicated his civilian career to developing quality firearms cleaning and lubrication products.  Dwight made realistic claims regarding the performance of his product and backed it up with various firearms at the show to prove results.

Long story short, Dwight has succeeded.  After returning from SHOT Show 2014, I used my samples of Seal1 to clean and lubricate my AR, M&P 9mm, and Sig P229.  I’ve run all of them on several occasions since application without cleaning them and haven’t had a single hiccup.  I’ve run the most rounds through my P229 (500 in one sitting, in addition to more rounds during other sittings) and the firearm performed flawlessly.  All of that is great, but here is the better part: cleanup was quick and easy.  I am fairly attentive to detail when I clean my firearms so I have been known to stay in the garage for 2+ hours cleaning just 1 handgun.  When using Seal1, my cleaning time was cut by over half, because I just wiped on, wiped off, and the part was clean.  Not having to clean then come back and lubricate was a huge timesaver.  I used standard bore patches and square cotton rags to clean all of the parts with the Seal1 paste I used.

Seal1 comes in a paste, liquid, aerosol can, and pretreated patch forms.  All perform the same so customers can pick whichever texture they prefer.  The three variations all serve the same purpose and function, with the paste being the original base product.  A carrying compound is added to the paste which makes the liquid version, which is also used in the aerosol sprayer.  The manufacturer recommends applying the product to a warm gun so it can soak in faster, but it isn’t absolutely necessary.  Once applied 2-3 times, full saturation will result and your gun will be properly “seasoned” for full strength lasting protection.  Even better, the more times it is used, the easier your gun becomes to clean.  Who can argue with that?  In addition, my understanding is this stuff usually doesn’t play well with petroleum based cleaning or lubrication products.  Once you make the decision to use Seal1, I’d recommend sticking with it and not rotating back and forth between Seal1 and a petroleum product.  I am pretty confident Seal1 won’t disappoint you, so I don’t think you’ll have a desire to switch to your old products anyways.

My only complaint is that Seal1 is not readily available in local stores, at least as far as I can tell.  Every trade show brings more and more retailers which is always good, so the best thing you can do is keep hounding your local gun shop to carry Seal1.  It is available on a handful of websites including Amazon, but the more the merrier as far as I am concerned.

I highly recommend Seal1 products.  After using Seal1, I rid my gun cleaning cabinet of all the horrible smelling cleaning products (Hoppes anyone?) because I simply don’t need them anymore.  No more kicking the family out of the area when cleaning guns...now my kids can pitch in and help for a change!

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:  A “green engineered” bio-based cleaner, lubricant, and protectant.

Target Market:  Anyone who uses firearms and likes to keep them properly cleaned and maintained.

FNBs (Features and Benefits of this product):

• Non-toxic
• Cleans carbon and other fouling with relative ease
• A nice smelling gun cleaner you can use without having to hold your breath

What options are available?:  Paste, liquid, aerosol and pre-soaked patches.

What others are saying?:

• Amazon customers give Seal1 all positive 5 star reviews.

Price Point:

• MSRP = 4oz paste: $9.95, 4oz liquid: $12.95, Complete Kit: $29.49
• Retail = 4oz paste: $9.95, 4oz liquid: $12.95, Complete Kit: $29.49 at Amazon.com

I need it now! Availability: Available at a handful of online locations.

Our Rating:

+ Fresh minty smell is a welcome change from caustic smelling alternatives. + Cleaning and lubing in one product saves at least 50% of your time. + Made 100% in the USA and Seal1 is a service-disabled veteran owned business.

-  Availability is limited to only a small handful of websites, including Amazon.

Score: 9.0

Steve’s links: firearmsradio.tv

Werkz Ltd. - Double Magazine Pouch

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a big fan of kydex holsters and mag pouches for concealed carry.  The owner of Werkz Ltd. (Shan) was recently interviewed by Greg during an episode of his Tactical Paradise podcast.  Werkz is a family owned and operated kydex accessory manufacturer with products that range from holsters to mag pouches and similar accessories.

I was able to get my hands on a few of their products but for now I’ll be reviewing their double and single mag pouches.  Theses pouches are made out of high quality kydex with a solid fit and finish.  The pouches are designed to fit specific models of magazines and offer nice snug retention even to fully loaded/weighted magazines.  While many magazines don’t “snap” into place (dependent on magazine build) users do know when they are fully seated in the pouch.  The double pouch is slightly curved to provide a snug fit along your beltline which increases concealability and comfort.  For added versatility, single mag pouches can be added to double mag pouches with provided Chicago Screws, allowing users to carry additional magazines when necessary.

Each pouch is made of two pieces of kydex molded together and secured to each other with rivets and Chicago Screws.  From there the edges are polished to a nice smooth finish that won’t catch any clothing fibers.  Belt loop sizes are available in both 1.5” and 1.75”, although I would bet most users would probably use the 1.5” option.  While the options I tested were all in black, multiple color configurations are available to suit everyone’s needs.  Werkz stands behind their products and offers a lifetime warranty on everything they sell.  If you break it under normal use (what really defines “normal” anyways?) they’ll repair or replace it free of charge.  Obviously these types of warranties are ideal; if a manufacturer doesn’t stand behind their product enough to warranty it for a lifetime, you should seriously reconsider who you are buying it from.  Through my conversations with Shan and personally using Werkz holsters, I can understand why he backs his products with such a strong warranty.

Werkz does have a small quantity of in-stock mag pouches but the large majority seem to be on a small two week backorder.  When compared to competitors of similar caliber, waiting two weeks for such a quality product is a no-brainer.  The cost is extremely reasonable as well.  If you have a custom need that doesn’t seem to be offered on their website, call or email Shan and he’ll find a way to fit your needs.  I ran a custom need by him myself (kydex to MOLLE attachment) and he was able to send me a prototype of something he had tried before.

It is safe to say that every new kydex holster and mag pouch I buy going forward will be from Werkz.  I understand this is a strong statement to make, but try one out and you’ll see why.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Ultra concealable and comfortable kydex magazine pouch (single and double).

Target Market: Concealed carriers, non-uniformed law enforcement officers, competition shooters.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

• Full kydex construction.
• Curved/contoured design for added concealment and comfort.
• Passive friction retention to hold magazine semi-secured.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?  Black, Flat Dark Earth, Desert Digicam, Forest Digicam

What others are saying?  “After shooting the Multi-Gun match with the holster I can say I’m highly impressed.” - The Weapon Kingpin

Price point:

• MSRP = $25 (single) / $35 (double)
• Retail = Same as MSRP

I need it now! Availability: Direct from the manufacturer's website.

Our Rating:

+ Detailed fit and finish. + Solid lifetime warranty. + Contoured design. + Made in the U.S.A.

- Belt loops could benefit from an angled design to aid with feeding belt.

Score: 9.0 (Amazing)

Steve’s links:

steve@firearmsradio.tv Firearms Radio Network

NcStar AR15 Golf Ball Launcher

It is pretty uncommon to catch a group of grown men giggling like school girls until you realize that they are launching golf balls over a 1/4 mile from an AR15.  I’ve never really been a fan of NcStar equipment so when I received this golf ball launcher as a gift, I was a little unsure of what to expect.  At almost 6” long and nearly 1lb in weight, its a pretty good sized attachment to an AR15.  The device itself seems to be well crafted and very sturdy.

It easily threads onto the barrel of most AR15’s after removal of the flash hider (or whatever muzzle device your AR15 sports).  Once hand-tightened to your barrel, you simply drop a golf ball into the muzzle end of your barrel and  load your AR15 with .223 or 5.56 blank rounds.  Keeping firearms safety rules in mind, aim the rifle in a safe direction and fire!  This device launches the loaded golf ball at least 1/4 mile so be sure your range has plenty of room and you are aware of what is beyond your intended target.  There were multiple times I lost the golf ball in the clouds when shooting them...they go f-a-a-a-a-r!!  From personal experience I can also tell you that golf balls can ricochet quite quickly if they hit a tree at the wrong angle, so make sure all personnel and parked trucks are a safe distance away.  I was fortunate enough to test this device on a large plot of land (several hundred acres) so make sure your facility can handle what this thing will deliver.  When shooting golf balls with blanks, not enough gas is delivered to the bolt to cycle the action of an AR15, so you have to manually cycle your action using your charging handle; not a big deal just a simple result of using blank rounds.

The golf ball launcher provides hours of fun, laughter, and amazement but please don’t confuse it for a toy.  This device can launch a golf ball at serious speeds that will at a minimum blow right through a piece of roofing tin.  This should never be shot at anything you don’t intend to kill, injure, or maim because that is exactly what it will do.  This isn’t anywhere near accurate so always make sure everything near your intended target is safe to shoot at.  It is also intended for use only with blank rounds, never live rounds.  Also be aware that blank rounds don’t mean quiet rounds.  The rounds are just as loud as normal .223/5.56 ammo so wear proper hearing and eye protection.

To be economical, I suggesting finding a local driving range that sells used golf balls or purchasing used golf balls online.  A friend suggested finding glow in the dark golf balls (used for night golf) and launching them after sunset.  As soon as I get a chance to head back out to my test property, I’ll be sure to invest in a few of these to see how they look being launched at night.  I never thought launching golf balls from an AR15 would be able to be topped, but maybe doing it at night will be even better.

Just to warn you though, your face muscles will cramp from all the laughter and smiling this golf ball launcher provides.  If launching a golf ball using this launcher doesn’t put a huge smile on your face, nothing will.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Launch golf balls at extreme distances.

Target Market: AR15 owners who like to change things up a little and have some fun.

FNBs: (Features & Benefits of this product)

•  1/2”X28 female threads

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:  Black

What others are saying?:  4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon reviews.

Price point:

MSRP = $29.99 Retail = $27.65 with free shipping Amazon Prime

I need it now! Availability:  Available and in-stock at multiple online retailers.

Our Rating:

+ Solid construction + Easy to use + Extremely effective at launching golf balls

- Made in China

Score: 9.0 (Amazing)

Steve’s links:

steve@firearmsradio.tv Firearms Radio Network

Smart Firearms SF3

By Steve Remy

One of the most dangerous things new and experienced shooters do, is draw their handgun from a holster and fire it at a target in a quick fashion.  Websites like YouTube are full of videos of beginners and experts shooting themselves during the holster draw and/or return process.  No matter how many times someone hears, “leave your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot”, it always seems to happen.  It's nearly impossible to critique yourself during the holstering process to be sure it never happens.  In the same fashion, unless someone is given the opportunity to train in a one-on-one environment, it is nearly impossible for an instructor to catch incidents of fingers being placed on the trigger before someone is ready to fire.

In walks the Smart Firearms SF3 training firearm.  The SF3 is a training device that gives near-immediate feedback to users who place their trigger finger on the trigger before they are ready to shoot.  When a user places their finger within the trigger guard and doesn't pull the trigger to shoot within about 3/4 of a second, the SF3 sounds a fairly loud alarm to notify the user and any instructors in the area that a violation has occurred.  The SF3 is also smart enough to wait a few fractions of a second before sounding an alarm.  This allows users to pull the trigger and “engage” their target without the alarm sounding.  When the user pulls the trigger, a “bang” sound is emitted from the device.  As with a real handgun, users are given two options of what to do when they draw their weapons: 1. Keep their finger indexed on the frame of the handgun, or 2. place their finger on the trigger and pull it to simulate firing the handgun.

 The SF3 mimics the shape and weight of a loaded Glock and fits holsters designed for the same.  I first tested the SF3 in a Safariland duty holster and the SF3 performed as designed.  I then tested the SF3 in a Galco leather concealed carry-type holster designed for concealment.  Within this holster the SF3 alarmed as if something within the holster was tripping the trigger guard sensor.  I retested the SF3 in a kydex concealment holster as well and it had the same problem alarming itself within the holster.  I attribute the false alarms to either an overly sensitive sensor, or the sensor design itself.  With the current design, even the slightest encroachment of anything (i.e. clothing, holster etc.) into the trigger guard seems to set it off.

 Overall I really like the concept of the SF3 as a training device for firearms instructors and law enforcement trainers to use in their classes.  Given the problems I had with the sensor, holster selection for the SF3 is likely key to make it operate as designed.  I’d like to see a redesign of the sensor in which it only alarms when something passes the midway point within the trigger guard, which would reduce incidents of accidental alarms.  I’d also like to see a removable magazine and a slide capable of manipulation so users could practice reloading drills too.  In addition to this, as nitpicky as it may sounds, I’d also like to see a more realistic trigger pull and trigger reset.  This may seem minor, but the more realistic a training tool performs, the more likely users are to fall back on their training with the device.  Another neat feature built into the device is the ability to turn off the sensor and use the gun strictly for dry fire practice. This is yet another reason why a more realistic trigger pull and reset is important.

 UPDATE: I spoke with the president of Smart Firearms (Mike Farrell) regarding the issues I had with the sensitivity of the sensor in concealment holsters.  Mike was extremely open and honest regarding the challenges they face with concealable holsters and their SF3.  Mike stated their target market at the present time was uniformed law enforcement officers and their training departments.  Typically these officers use holsters that have internal parts which don’t encroach within the trigger guard for retention.  This is why the sensor is designed the way it is.  There seems to be a compromise between sensor sensitivity and accurate performance.  Mike mentioned a multitude of variables that can affect the sensor from finger size to skin tone.  There is a fine line between dialing down sensitivity to reduce alarms in concealment holsters, and dialing it down too much which could miss actual trigger guard intrusions by users.

In the end, Mike admits that concealment holsters don’t work well with the SF3.   Which I can’t fault them for because their target market is presently uniformed law enforcement officers.  He indicated that Smart Firearms was in the process of redesigning certain attributes of the SF3 to make it more compatible with concealment holsters and non-LE users.  I’ll definitely keep my eye out for these redesigns because the potential target market of non-LE shooters has a lot to gain from a device like the SF3.  The training this device can reinforce is too good to limit to the LE community!

 Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:  A life-like handgun training device that demands safe firearms handling.

Target Market:  Uniformed law enforcement officers.

FNBs (Features & Benefits of this product):

• Durable design that can withstand the vigors of law enforcement training.
• Auditory warning when fingers intrude into the trigger guard without pulling the trigger.
• Ability to pull the trigger to simulate firing and engaging threats.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?:      Yellow

What others are saying?:  “The SF3 takes the training gun concept to a new level”  SinistralRifleman

Price point:

• MSRP = $349
• Retail = $349

I need it now! Availability:  Readily available online  at Smart Firearms.

Our Rating:

+ Sensor accurately picks up trigger guard intrusions. + User ability to engage targets by pulling the trigger without being “penalized” by an alarm. + Rugged design and bright training firearm color. + Dry fire mode availability. + Responsiveness of company representatives to product concerns.

-  Unrealistic trigger pull weight and reset. -  No removable magazine. -  Slide is unable to be manipulated. -  Although not their target market, incompatibility to concealment holsters is a little bit of a disappointment.

Score 8.0 (Great)

Steve’s links:

steve@firearmsradio.tv

Firearms Radio Network

XS Xpress Threat Interdiction Sights

By Steve Remy

These sights are primarily designed for shooters who compete in matches and need general accuracy at a maximum range of 25 yards. They are used to provide an alternative aiming platform when a magnified optic is mounted to the top rail of a rifle, considering magnification would make sub-25 yard shots difficult. The tritium front sight allows for sight acquisition in low light conditions which was a nice touch.

Out of the package these sights are built very solid and have a very nice fit and finish. XS also includes everything you need for a successful installation, except for a flathead screwdriver. This includes the sights themselves, a sight adjustment tool, a small allen wrench, a small tube of thread locker, and printed instructions. As instructed, I installed the sights to allow as long of a sight distance as possible between the front and rear sight.

Here is where things start to get ugly. By design these sights are very low profile which was the manufacturer’s effort to ensure they don’t snag on anything. The consequence to this design is that the sights rest extremely close to the bore of the rifle which doesn’t allow most people to use the sights without raising the buttstock nearly above their shoulder, thus losing their shoulder pocket and cheek weld. I tried every way of holding the rifle I could but I could never seem to easily acquire the sights and still have a decent backstop for the recoil of the rifle. I had five other experienced shooters attempt to use the sights and everyone provided the same feedback that they were too low profile for easy acquisition and use. Considering they didn’t work for me or any of the other five shooters, I would bet the majority of purchasers would be disappointed with these sights, unfortunately. A search of other reviews confirms that I was not in the minority of people who had these problems. I believe it would take a considerable amount of practice to effectively use these sights properly.

There is a little bit of silver lining to this dark cloud though, in the form of XS’ customer service. I phoned their customer service line to ask about the low profile design and ensure installation was done properly. First and foremost, I was never on hold waiting for my call to be answered; it was answered immediately by someone who knew what they were talking about. I spoke with an individual (name withheld to protect the innocent) who was courteous, friendly, and extremely helpful. He explained why the sights were designed to be low profile and admitted the sight design didn’t always work for everyone. He then proceeded to give me a laundry list of things I could do to try and make the sights work for me, which was much appreciated. He mentioned it would be helpful to break my cheek weld and bring the buttstock higher on my shoulder (which I had previously tried), and stated the low recoil of a .223/5.56 would allow for this. This tactic may work for some but it was still mighty uncomfortable for me. He also mentioned trying to roll the rifle to the 10 o’clock position instead of the 3 o’clock position they were mounted in. Having also tried this at the range, it was too awkward of a position for me, but it may work for others. The representative stated that XS had considered making a version of the sights with a higher profile so it could be used by more shooters, but admitted it wouldn’t be any time in the near future.

Overall these sights were a slight disappointment. XS’ good-willed attempt to build a low profile sight that doesn’t snag seems to have backfired somewhat by greatly limiting the number of shooters who can successfully contort themselves to use these sights. XS’ saving grace in this review was their awesome customer service who won’t leave you on hold and provides numerous potential solutions to your problems. If you absolutely must have these sights, at the very least purchase them from a place that has a good return policy in case they don’t work for you. These sights aren’t for me but I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase their other products based on their great customer service. It seems as though good customer service is hard to find these days so I must certainly give XS kudos for their success in this area.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: Angle mounted sights designed for CQB situations and 3-gun rifle competitions.

Target Market: Competitive shooters who have a magnified optic mounted at the 12 o’clock position.

FNBs: (Features & Benefits of this product)

• Low-profile design.
• Tritium front sight.
• Reversible for left and right handed shooters.
• Windage and elevation adjustments.

What other aesthetic options or finishes are available?  Aluminum construction with a matte black finish.

What others are saying?  2 out of 5 star overall reviews from Brownell’s customers.

Price point:

• MSRP = $150.00
• Retail = $135.00

I need it now! Availability: Available in-stock at most online retailers, including Brownells.

Our Rating: + Solid construction. + Easy installation. + Great packaging with all necessary tools. + Excellent customer service.

- Too low profile for most people’s shooting styles. - Price is too high for something that likely only works for a small minority of shooters.

Score: 6.5

Steve’s links: Contact Steve: steve@firearmsradio.tv Firearms Radio Network

Otis Ripcord

By Steve Remy

 For anyone who has ever wished for a better one-pass cleaning cord/cable, it seems as though your wish has been granted, courtesy of Otis Technology.  Otis recently introduced the Ripcord which is a molded rubberized core wrapped in Nomex and capped off on each end by female 8-32 standard threads.  Upon pulling it out of the packaging, you can tell right away that it has many features that competing cords do not.

To begin with the core construction, you stand a minimal chance of breaking this device mid-pull through your barrel.  I securely attached one end of the Ripcord to my workbench and gave it several violent tugs but was unable to break the Ripcord.  I have broken a few competing bore cleaning devices where the pull cord attaches the cleaning section, but there really are no worries about that happening with your Ripcord.  The one piece core is fairly stiff which aids in placing the cord into the breech of your barrel.  It also has a helix shape which according to Otis, engages rifling through the length of the barrel.

The Nomex construction allows you to clean a hot barrel without the material melting, not that I regularly clean hot barrels, but it is nice to know that I can run this through my firearm right before I leave the range so it is one less thing I need to do when I get home.  No more waiting for your firearm to cool down.  My favorite feature of the Ripcord is the ability to attach any 8-32 standard thread attachment to either end of the device.  Instead of soaking the fibers themselves in cleaning solution or oil, I can simply attach a patch holder to the end with a patch soaked in whatever cleaning solution or oil I choose.  I can also attach a bore brush to the end if the barrel was particularly dirty or needed an extra aggressive scrub after a day at the range.  This feature alone adds nearly unlimited versatility to the Ripcord.  In my opinion, this extends its service life since competing bore devices don’t give you the ability to change integrated bore brushes.

Pulling the Ripcord through the barrel requires a little bit of strength, which is good in my book because it means there is sufficient friction between the barrel and the Ripcord to clean the barrel as designed.  However, this is where my one bit of critical feedback lies.  I wish Otis would include one of their t-bar attachments with each Ripcord.  This would allow users with less than sufficient strength to still use the device by pulling on the t-bar instead of having to pull on the cord itself.  This addition would make the Ripcord a near-perfect bore cleaning device.

Overall, the Ripcord is a huge win for gun owners.  Its $14.99 MSRP is extremely reasonable and makes the decision to purchase one of these for each caliber of firearm you own an easy one.  Current available calibers are .22/.223/5.56, .308/7.63, .38/9mm, and .45.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame:  A convenient and effective one-pass bore cleaning device designed for easy breech-to-muzzle cleaning.

Target Market:  Convenience-minded people who like to clean their guns.

F&B’s:

• Helix shape.
• Nomex cleaning surface which is heat resistant to 700 degrees.
• 8-32 standard threaded ends for attachments.

What aesthetic options or finishes are available?  Each different caliber is color coded.

What others are saying?:

“Leave it to Otis R&D lab to build a better mousetrap or perhaps more accurately, reinvent the wheel.  If you’re thinking of buying an old fashioned bore snake, get this instead” -Rob Kay of Hawaii Reporter.

Price point:

• MSRP = $14.95
• Retail = $14.95

I need it now! Availability: Readily available at most firearm accessory retailer websites.  Available at Brownells with great service and quick shipping.

Our Rating: + Threaded ends for attaching accessories. + Durable core and Nomex cleaning surface. + Strong construction won’t break during cleaning. + Cost is very reasonable.

- Isn’t sold/packaged with a t-bar.

Score: 9.0

Steve’s Links:

steve@firearmsradio.tv

Gun Guy Radio

Firearms Radio Network

Heckler & Koch USP .40 Compact

By Steve Remy

 The H&K USP .40 Compact is a highly reliable gun that I would have no problem entrusting my protection to.  I fired nearly 2,000 rounds down the barrel of this pistol with zero malfunctions of any sort.  The ammo ranged from brass to steel case, and ball to hollow point.  This particular model being reviewed is considered to be a “variant 1” meaning it has a de-cocking lever that doubles as a safety. This H&K can be carried in double action (DA) with the safety on/off, or be carried in single action (SA, cocked and locked) with the safety on/off.  The pistol is fired in either DA/SA mode or SA only.  These features alone allow a multitude of user carry configurations that will meet most people’s personal carry preference.

The HK grips well and feels extremely comfortable when firing.  For added comfort and as a personal preference, I chose to add a slip-on finger groove grip.  The ambidextrous magazine release is a bar across the front strap where the trigger guard and the front strap meet.  It is easy to access without rotating your hand to a mag release button as many left handed shooters must do with non-ambidextrous mag releases.

The gun is easy to disassemble by pushing out the slide release lever and moving the slide forward off of the frame.  The recoil spring is self contained meaning the spring is held in place on the spring guide by a small c-clip.  This only becomes a problem when the c-clip mysteriously disappears during a trip to the range and the spring flies off the guide rod when you begin your cleaning process.  As you can tell, this happened to me about 1,500 rounds through the gun.  Here is where it gets somewhat grim.  HK’s customer service was pretty dismal when I called them about the problem and asked for a replacement c-clip.  My first call was to HK’s main customer service line where I was connected with someone who determined this particular part was out of stock and was unsure of when it would be available.  Being out of stock is understandable in some situations, so I called my area HK law enforcement rep to see if he had any available for purchase.  I spoke with him and he indicated he had a few and could spare a couple to send me free of charge.  After taking my name and shipping address, I didn’t receive anything or hear from him for a couple of weeks.  All subsequent phone calls and messages went unreturned.  In my book this was unacceptable.  Luckily the gun still functions flawlessly without the c-clip, but reassembly after cleaning is now a frustrating and somewhat comical experience.  It takes three hands but unfortunately I only have two, so I am constantly annoyed by their lack of responsiveness.

The HK shoots as accurate as any other well-made compact pistol on the market, especially in the sub 10 yard fighting range where must gun fights happen.  The controls are smooth and easily activated but the trigger could use some work considering this gun will cost most people nearly $900-$1,000 after taxes and FFL fees.  The trigger was jumpy out of the box and never seemed to smooth out during the 2,000 rounds fired.  For the price of the gun I would expect the trigger to be butter smooth, especially knowing the quality engineering that went into producing this gun.

Overall the USP compact is very reliable and backed by a company known for producing high quality firearms.  However, with the price point being nearly $1,000, one must consider the ability to purchase at least two other handguns with similar reliability and functionality for the same amount of money.  There is somewhat of a novelty in owning an HK and many people have purchased one for themselves as a commemorative-type gift.  Being somewhat of a pragmatist if I had $1,000 devoted to purchase another handgun, I might opt in the future to purchase multiple handguns instead of one HK; afterall, isn’t two always better than one?

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: A smaller framed pistol capable of reliable use and engineered for a 20,000 round service life.

Target Market: Concealed carry license holders, home defense, plain clothes law enforcement.

F&B's:

Key Features

• Polymer frame
• Polygonal bore profile
• Captive recoil spring
• Bobbed hammer
• Accessory rail
• Ambidextrous magazine release

Does it come in black?  Yes

What others are saying?:

• “After living with the USP compact on a daily basis for several months, I found it a fine example of modern pistol manufacture.” -R.K Campbell of GunWeek.com
• Guns.com Review

Price point:

• MSRP = $855.00
• Retail = $830.00

I need it now! Availability:  Readily available at most firearms retailers both online and in stores.  Available at BudsGunShop.com for a good price and quick shipping.

Our Rating:

+ Lightweight polymer frame that is easily concealable. + Proven reliable H&K engineering. + Great fit and finish. + Balances and grips nicely. + Easy to disassemble and clean; self-contained recoil spring aids in this.

- Slightly jumpy trigger pull. - Customer service and product/replacement part support is severely lacking. - Cost is within the higher range of pricing.

Score: 8.0

Steve’s Links:

Gun Guy Radio

Firearms Radio Network

Fobus Paddle Magazine Pouch

By Steve Remy

At first sight, it looks like a convenient mag pouch with a slip on/off paddle design.  Over the past two years, I have worn this mag holder for at least 5 days per week upwards of 10 hours per day; I can honestly say I don’t like it at all.  Considering most of my work involves wearing plain clothes, the paddle design is ideal because it slips on and off when needed.  The rubberized backing on the paddle also helps keep the pouch in place even during rigorous running, jumping, and fighting.  With that being said, the built-in passive retention the pouch provides to the magazines themselves is severely lacking.  At first everything felt great, but after a few months of usage, all retention went out the window and I was forced to modify the pouch with additional soft velcro to hug my magazines.  This only bought me a few more months of retention though, which was frustrating.

At that point, I called Fobus customer service who was happy to fulfill their lifetime no questions asked warranty.  They requested I send them my old pouch and promptly sent me a brand new replacement.  Problem solved, right?  Unfortunately, the same retention issue developed and I am in the “add more velcro” stage of ownership right now with my replacement.  Even with light physical activity I’ve lost one or both magazines on the pavement (luckily to be found quickly).  At least Fobus’ customer service was helpful and willing to replace their product; unfortunately I think the design in flawed in a few places.

The other rub (literally) I have with the pouch is two tabs that are molded into the top of the pouch where the paddle is riveted to the pouch itself.  If I am wearing an undershirt, these sharp tabs don’t typically bother me unless I am in the car for an extended period of time.  However, living in a climate that regularly reaches 100+ degree temperatures during the summer months, I don’t always wear an undershirt, which is where this pouch severely pains me.  It feels like I have two thumb tacks driven into waist at times, which works well for late nights on surveillance when I don’t want to fall asleep, at least.

Overall, this pouch is not designed for extended use or comfort.  With a retail price of $29.99, there are better paddle options out there.  I originally purchased this pouch because it was readily available at my local police supply store and inexpensive.  This one falls into the “should have spent more money on a better product” category.  I’ll soon be replacing this pouch as my primary plain-clothes mag pouch, hopefully with something that provides more retention and comfort, with a convenient paddle design as well.

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: A maintenance free injection molded polymer double magazine pouch.

Target Market: Concealed carry holders, executive protection professionals, and non-uniformed law enforcement officers.

FNBs (Features and Benefits):

Key Features:

• Injection molded polymer construction
• Rubberized paddle
• Passive retention.

Key Benefits:

• Convenient slip on/off paddle design
• Complete with an unconditional lifetime warranty.

Does it come in black? Yes, black is your only option.

What others are saying? Legion’s Fate Review

Price point:

• MSRP = $29.99
• Retail = $19.39 at Optics Planet

I need it now! Availability:  Available at multiple locations both online and in-store.

Our Rating:

+ Convenient paddle design with good on-pants retention. + Rubberized backing on paddle to help pouch stay in place all day even through vigorous activity. + No nonsense guarantee; if it breaks for any reason, they’ll repair or replace it for free, forever.

- Comfort is severely lacking. - Retention of magazines quickly reduces requiring additional modification to hold magazines in place. - Lack of concealability.

Score: 4.0 (Bad)

Steve’s links: GunGuyRadio.com FireArmsRadio.tv

Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22

By Steve Remy

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: A great way to shoot and spend time behind an AR platform rifle on a budget with .22LR ammo.

Target Market: Anyone who wants to learn the AR platform in a less intimidating form, shoot for less money, shoot a lighter weight rifle, or have some good clean fun.

FNBs: Key Features:

• Polymer upper and lower for reduced weight.
• Identical operating features of an AR15.
• Polymer magazine.
• Polymer quadrail handguard.

Key Benefits:

• Identical look, feel, and operation of an AR, without the weight.

Does it come in black? Yes, and a few other colors as well.

• Pink Platinum
• Realtree APG HD Camo
• Flat Dark Earth (MOE)
• OD Green (older models)

What others are saying? Gunblast.com review Monderno.com review

Price point:

• MSRP = $499 - $769 depending on configuration
• Retail = $448 at Budsgunshop.com

I need it now! Availability: Available at most any online retailer or local store.

Our Rating: +  Made in the U.S.A. +  Identical operating features of the AR +  Quadrail available from the factory +  Multiple color options to suit different personal tastes

-  Nearly 100% polymer, including the charging handle -  OD Green color is a little too green and not enough OD

Score: 8.5 (Great)

Steve’s links: GunGuyRadio.com FireArmsRadio.tv

This is a great .22LR rifle that fulfills its intended purpose.  It’s a great way to learn or practice on the AR platform without the expense of .223/5.56 ammo.  My only problem with the rifle is that it is all polymer and the feel of it just doesn’t sit right with me compared to an actual AR.  I realize it is a .22LR variation intended for a much different purpose than a non-polymer AR, but having become accustomed to actual ARs over the last 15 or so years, the feel and weight distribution will take me a little time to get used to.  I feel almost as if I am going to break the rifle if I get too rough with it…I won’t be hammering any nails, digging out stuck vehicles, or dragging this down any hallways during training because I just don’t know what I’ll end up doing to it.  I even feel as if I have to go easy on the charging handle because that too is polymer.  Oh well though, if anything breaks I’ll just send it back to S&W and hope their customer service takes care of the rest.

With all that being said, this will stay in the safe with the rest of my firearms for many, many years.  Its fun and inexpensive to shoot, nearly anyone from children to experts can shoot it accurately, and it has worked flawlessly so far for me.  Rest assured when they are old enough, this will be the first AR platform rifle my kiddos get to shoot with.  I’ve shot it with CCI mini-mags and other assorted .22LR ammo I could scrounge up and the rifle never had a single hiccup.  There is something very positive to be said about a .22LR rifle that can eat almost anything since most .22LRs are very picky about what they will and won’t shoot.

Overall I would buy this rifle again, which I may have to do once the kiddos start arguing over who gets to use what at the range.  I would also recommend it to any friends that were in the market for one.

Raven Concealment Systems Phantom Modular Holster

By Steve Remy

Firearms Insider Reviews - 8 Key Points

Claim to Fame: A highly concealable kydex holster designed to work with any style of clothing.

Target Market: Concealed carry holders, executive protection professionals, and non-uniformed law enforcement officers.

FNBs: (Features and Benefits) Key Features: Full kydex construction. Full-length body shield to help re-holstering. Same holster body can be used as either IWB or OWB. Passive retention with no need to manually depress anything to draw your weapon.

Key Benefits: Sleek holster that conceals your firearm extremely close to your body. Complete with an unconditional lifetime warranty.

Does it come in black? Yes, with one other optional color as well. Coyote Tan

What others are saying? USA Carry Review MDTS Training Review

Price point: MSRP = $84.99 - $94.99 depending on configuration (light or no light) Retail = $84.99 - $94.99 at RavenConcealment.com

I need it now! Availability: Holsters fitting 20 different handguns are available for shipment within 5 days of ordering.  If you need a holster for any other handgun, your wait time varies depending on the number of orders ahead of you.  Current wait time is not available on Raven’s website, unfortunately.

Our Rating: +  Made in the U.S.A. +  Durable construction +  No nonsense guarantee; if it breaks for any reason, they’ll repair or replace it for free, forever. +  Concealability is untouchable by any other holster I’ve owned or tried. +  The modular design allows it to work with all of Ranven’s accessories (mag holders, handcuff holders etc.)

-  Waiting to have my order made -  Price

Score: 9.0 (Amazing)

Steve’s links: GunGuyRadio.com FireArmsRadio.tv

This is the best concealment holster I have ever owned.  A fellow officer turned me on to Raven Concealment products several years ago and I have been extremely impressed.  I first purchased a Phantom holster in late 2010 to carry my duty weapon in a variety of situations, from courtroom suits to street-work jeans.  This holster is extremely durable and has served me well to date.

This holster holds your handgun so close to you that it takes a little getting used to.  With that being said, trying anything else after this makes you feel like your gun is overexposed and riding out about 3 feet away from your hip.  Having it rest so close to you starts to give you that warm and fuzzy reminder that you are one with your handgun and together you can defeat anything that threatens you or your loved ones.

On top of all of this, Raven Concealment has an unconditional lifetime warranty which literally says no matter how you break it, they’ll repair it or replace it for free.  Folks, guarantees don’t get any better than that.  The same officer that introduced me to Raven had an issue with his holster last year.  He was in an extended training environment for 3 weeks straight in which he was required to carry a red gun at all times while in training.  The dimensions of the red gun slightly exceeded that of his actual firearm, resulting in less than ideal retention for his duty weapon once training was over.  He simply called Raven, told them the problem, shipped them the holster and they repaired it no questions asked.  It was a simple and quick process.

Pricing and order lead time are the only slight bit of heartburn I have with this holster.  At $84.99, it ranks in the top percentage of pricing for holsters of similar design.  In addition to that, no one wants to wait to enjoy their new purchase.  When I first purchased mine, I waited nearly 6 months to receive it.  I believe the company has had significant growth since 2010 so at this point I hope their lead time has been reduced to something more reasonable.  I do like the fact that they now have “quick ship” items available for purchase, which are likely their top requested models, so the wait doesn’t affect all customers.  Moving back to price, once you consider this may be the very last holster you buy for your favorite gun, it really isn’t that bad.  I’ll never buy another concealment holster for my duty gun which means I’ll likely save money in the long run.

Overall, kydex concealment holsters don’t get any better than this, period.  If my department chooses to change duty guns, Raven Concealment will be my first stop to order a new holster.