Mossberg Maverick 88 Security 12gauge

February 12, 2026Product review, Shooting hardware12 gauge, maverick, maverick 88, mossberg, securitycoldboremiracle

Introduction

Among the many popular entry level shotguns you will find the venerable Mossberg Maverick 88. Maverick is a subsidiary of O.F. Mossberg, The brand offers lower cost firearms than the parent company, giving a more affordable option to many. Today we are looking at the Maverick 88 Security model, we will review the gun and see how it measures up to our expectations.

mossberg, maverick, maverick 88, 12 gauge, security — Fresh out of the box!

Mossberg Maverick 88 Specifications

Gauge	12-Gauge
Action Type	Pump-Action
Chamber	3-inch
Barrel Length	20-inch
Finish	Blued
Choke	Cylinder Bore
Capacity	7+1
Length	41-inches
Length of Pull	14.5-inches
Sight	Single Bead
Stock Material	Synthetic Black Polymer
Weight	6.5 Pounds

Mossberg Maverick 88 History

The 88 comes from the year 1988 when it started production. Copying the design of Mossberg’s model 500, the Maverick 88 shares a great deal of parts with it. Mossberg design goes back much further than the fabulous 1980’s, all the way to the company’s founding in 1919. Based in Connecticut, the O.F. Mossberg company manufactured a variety of firearms and parts over the many years. Including during the war periods making parts for firearms beyond their own.

During the post-war period, Mossberg made a big name for itself manufacturing various shotguns. This included new designs such as bolt-action and lever action shotguns. It was during this time the incredibly successful Model 500 was released. Since 1962 the Model 500 has been a stalwart in the lineup of pump-action shotguns, arguably a rival against the extremely popular Remington 870. With more models sold over a shorter period of time.

mossberg, maverick, maverick 88, 12 gauge, security, stock, trigger guard, — the compact Maverick 88 was quick to get on target

In more recent history during my own lifetime, Mossberg has rekindled their production of rifles. They have manufactured both lever-action rifles as well as bolt-action rifles like the very popular Mossberg Patriot line of rifles. But true to their shotgun roots, they also in recent decades brought the Model 930 semi-auto shotgun to market as well. It’s all quite the pedigree for Mossberg, and an American legacy I hope continues on.

Maverick 88 Features

Pump-Action- reliable and simple operation for everyday use
7+1 or 5+1 capacity- high capacity tube magazine for defensive situations
Compatible with Model 500- Allowing users to use the huge aftermarket support
Compact size- the short length and weight makes it very portable
Three-Inch Chamber- to accept a wide variety of ammunition
Improved Cylinder Barrel- Simple barrel with versatile shot pattern

note controls around trigger guard

Additional Maverick 88 Models

The Maverick 88 is available in a variety of models, in both 12 and 20-gauge. And there are also 6 and 8-shot magazine lengths though it appears the barrels aren’t interchangeable between the 6-round and 8-round models.

mossberg, maverick, maverick 88, 12 gauge, security, stock, trigger guard, muzzle, magazine tube, — muzzle details, including the front sling stud

Various patterns are available across the different models as well, with camouflage and other colored synthetic stocks. There is also a folding stock security and slug-gun models.

Mossberg Maverick 88 Review

As a copy of the Mossberg 500, I was expecting the Maverick 88 to be both reliable and familiar. There is plenty of other data on the 88, in fact it has been tested and even tortured extensively over the last few decades. All this to say, I expected the Maverick to perform well.

My experience shooting the Maverick involved a variety of typical shotgun drills. We shot some airborne clays, as well as stationary targets. Both on the range and in the field the Maverick was fun and easy to enjoy.

Shootability

The Maverick 88’s controls are simple and easy. The cross block safety is at the front of the trigger guard, and the action release is just behind it. Both are easily reached with the trigger finger. Out of the box the Maverick was a touch stiffer than I expected, but it didn’t take long to get it broken in.

mossberg, maverick, maverick 88, 12 gauge, security, stock, trigger guard, youth,

The compact size of the 88 made it easy to handle and get on target, even for some of the kids. The same could be said for the light weight of the Maverick. Airborne targets proved to be slightly harder than I was used to, probably because I am used to looking down a rib. The shorter barrel made the Maverick seem louder than the other guns we were shooting, but I expect that is just from the shooter’s perspective.

Reliability

There is a huge spread of millions of Mavericks in circulation, I don’t expect it is due to poor function. On our first trip out, we shot nearly half a case of ammo through the Maverick 88, both Winchester and Remington 1-⅛ ounce loads. Everything shot equally well, and we had zero malfunctions of any kind. Loading the gun through the ejection port singly or feeding from the mag the gun worked flawlessly. I did shoot just a few 3-inch loads that I had, and they also cycled fine.

mossberg, maverick, maverick 88, 12 gauge, security, stock, trigger guard, disassembly,

Accuracy

Accuracy with shotguns is more about patterns than groups. The fixed choke of the barrel as an improved cylinder took away some ability to customize patterns. But this is mainly a defensive shotgun, which is less likely to be used for bird hunting or other typical shotgun practices. The standard versions of the Maverick 88 are sure to use the standard interchangeable choke like the Mossberg 500. So it’s not entirely surprising or unreasonable. We did use some heavier loads, with bigger shot like one would use in a defensive situation. And at inside-the-house ranges they were quite potent, putting all the BB’s into what would be a defensive target. God help those on the other end of a shotgun.

Ergonomics

The simple stock of the Maverick is comfortable and useful, there’s not a lot of frills involved. The rubber recoil pad does well reducing the felt recoil, but there’s not much else to it. The foregrip has an easy texture to hold on to with deep grooves. Though I think I would prefer something slightly less aggressive.The brass bead on top of the muzzle was easy to find with my cheek on the stock.

Value

The Maverick 88 offers exceptional value. The market for sub-four-hundred dollar shotguns is filled with a wide variety of options, and the Maverick is quite a contender with its price.The MSRP is only $290, and can often be had for much less. I’m surprised you can even make a gun for that cheap, much less make any money on it.

Not only is the Maverick low-cost, it still has the decade tested and proven design that churns through shotshells. This makes the Maverick a strong option for those looking to spend less, but still want a shotgun they can rely on and use heavily.

mossberg, maverick, maverick 88, 12 gauge, security, stock, trigger guard, trap, clays,

Pros and Cons

I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised by some of the finished parts and coating of the Maverick based on its price. You know you are looking at a low cost shotgun, and that’s not to knock the Maverick. But you know what you got when it comes to cost.

That said, the gun just works, as designed and it does it well, cycling through box after box of ammunition. Its simple and reliable function promise years of service. Disassembling the Maverick 88 after shooting was quite simple, and it helped give good insight to how the gun is both made and assembled. The steel stamped and machined parts all looked uniform and good quality.

Report Card

Shootability (B+) Its simple and straight to the point, not a lot of embellishments

Reliability (A) Its a pump shotgun, it either works or is broken

Accuracy (A-) For defensive use, its great (not really a bird gun)

Ergonomics (B+) Very simple, not much to play with or adjust

Value (A) Hard to beat this for a defensive shotgun

mossberg, maverick, maverick 88, 12 gauge, security, stock, trigger guard, ammo,

Preferred Ammunition

We shot a variety of Remington Gun Club and Winchester trap loads through the Maverick. As a defensive shotgun you are more likely to shoot defensive loads like Fiocchi Defense Dynamics or Hornady Black, both using buckshot. But the Maverick seemed to chew through everything we put in it.

Upgrades and Accessories

A defensive shotgun like the Maverick 88 should probably have a good sling to keep it close. The front and rear sling mounting studs allow you to use just about any one you’d like. One like this Specter Gear 2-point sling might be perfect.

Another popular accessory for defensive shotguns is an extra shell holder. This six round shell holder from GG&G appears to be quite nice, but there are other more affordable options.

Last Thoughts on the Mossberg Maverick 88

Whether used as a defense weapon or as just a recreational shotgun, the Maverick 88 is a handy and fun little gun to shoot. It is quite reliable, and inexpensive to boot. It’s easily customized with aftermarket support for both the 88 and its Mossberg 500 relative. With so many of them out there, you can rest assured that it will be around for a while too.

-CBM

In the Field with the EAA Balikli Blue Label Over Under 12-gauge Shotgun

February 10, 2026Product review, Shooting hardware12 gauge, balikli, blue label, eaa, european american armory, over under, shotguncoldboremiracle

Preface

Admittedly I am more of a rifle junkie than a shotgun enthusiast, but I can appreciate a good shotgun when I need it. I grew up hunting waterfowl and upland game in the western US, and for the most part I could do everything I needed with any of the classic pump-shotguns. But with time, and more mature tastes, I’ve broadened my inventory of shotguns. Over under shotguns carry a little more attitude, they bring a little more class to the game. Almost like K-cans, sports cars, and expensive glasses, they tend to be more of a luxury item. You can do anything with an autoloader or pump-gun, but it takes a touch of shooter’s vanity to give up capacity and reloadability with an over under. In today’s review, we are taking a look at a new over under option from European American Arms, the EAA Balikli Blue Label over under shotgun.

European American Arms

EAA Corp is a firearm supplier that specializes in getting quality firearms at affordable prices. The company prides itself on importing firearms that are more about quality function than looks. This obviously has an appeal to many Americans who only care about putting holes through the X and meat on their table.

we tested the shotgun with a variety of ammo from **Remington** and **Winchester**

Browsing the lineup of EAA firearms you will find some very familiar looking firearms. This appears to be in part because EAA sources firearms very similar if not cloned from popular guns made by the best manufacturers. You’ll find models with great similarities to popular firearms made by companies like Beretta, Browning, and others.

By importing products like these from EAA’s european and other partners, American gun owners can get a great price on a firearm comparable to much more expensive names.

The Balikli Blue Label Shotgun

Turkey is famous for making shotguns, so it came as no surprise that EAA’s Balikli shotguns come from Turkish factories. The Balikli Blue Label over under is built in the very typical design, with a break-action and single trigger. The set of barrels are cut 28-inches long in the 12 gauge model, and bored for chokes at the muzzle. Its vented rib also features a fiber optic orange bead at the front to aid in aiming.

The stock is fashioned from walnut, another famous Turkish export. The Balikli Blue Label shotgun is more of an affordable option than typical over under guns, so the walnut is a little more mainstream. The checkered walnut is matched to a handsomely engraved aluminum receiver. The mechanical single trigger fires both barrels, and the safety functions like most over under guns, allowing you to preselect which barrel fires first.

Specifications

EAA Balikli Blue Level Over Under Shotgun
Finish	Walnut / Black
Caliber	12-Gauge
Capacity	2 Rounds
Barrel Length	28-inch (12g) 26-inch (28g, 20g, .410)
Length of pull	14.5-inches
Overall Length	45-inches
Weight	6.35-pounds
Included Chokes	Skeet, Imp Cyl, Mod, Imp Mod, Full

the assortment of **Mobile chokes** were easy to change with the included tool

Shooting the Blue Label

Our first outing with the Blue Label was into the ice cold Rocky Mountains. The kids and I ventured into the snow with a box of clays and some Fiocchi 1oz target loads. Perhaps a little different than a typical trap trip, but we enjoy the hand-thrown clays. Shooting the light loads in these open mountains barely even justified ear protection. We all had fun figuring out the lead to break the clays, and the seemingly antiquated process of opening the action to reload.

Quality

Break-action shotguns are almost as simple as you can get, which should make it pretty easy to manufacture. I guess what I mean is this simple design lends itself to be made right. During all of our testing, I never found any kind of malfunction or problem.

While this shotgun isn’t meant to be some high-grade beauty like many other over under shotguns, it is well made. The wood is finished handsomely and everything fits nicely without gaps or edges. The checkering while simple, is clean and grippy. And the rubber recoil pad softens the felt recoil while shooting.

The receiver finish looks like a bead-blasted finish, with a pheasant motif engraved as is typical. Smooth controls with robust lock-up came as no surprise due to the simple design. I guess if you are the guy who shoots Perazzi or Guerini you’d probably notice more difference than I. But for the average American shotgunner, this gun’s fit and function were as good as you could expect for this price. You can tell its a sub $500 gun from Turkey, and that’s fine by me.

Shootability

I do like the shorter feel of under over style shotguns. Since they don’t have an action designed to cycle shells from a magazine, and are basically a chamber and breach, you get a shorter length than a similar barreled pump or auto. Swinging the 28-inch barrels was very natural, and the textured rib and fiber optic bead looked excellent when chasing clays through the sky.

The light weight of the Balikli Blue Label make it easy to carry around. I’d love to take it on a pheasant or chukar hunt, but at this point in the year It’ll have to be ducks or geese. Even our youngest boy had no problem handling the feel and recoil from this gun.

EAA, european american arms, balikli, blue label, shotgun, 12 gauge, over under, youth, kids, trap, — the kids had a great time throwing clays for each other

Reliability

It’s hard to come up with something much more reliable than a break action. There are so few parts to malfunction, and the simple operation is nearly impossible to screw up. I know other over under shotguns have spring ejectors to pop spent shells from the chamber. The Balikli Blue Label pushes the spent shells out of the chamber, making them easy to grab, but it doesn’t eject them clear.

EAA, european american arms, balikli, blue label, shotgun, 12 gauge, over under, o/u, ejector, — smoke rises from the chamber

EAA, european american arms, balikli, blue label, shotgun, 12 gauge, over under, o/u, — the compact package in its box

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Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen II 1-6 LPVO

February 8, 2026Optics, Product review1-6x24, gen II, lpvo, razor, razor HD, Vortex, vortex opticscoldboremiracle

Introduction

If you’ve followed me for very long, you know I have a soft spot for low power variable optics (LPVO). I use them quite a bit, and have dug deep into the subject many times. Part of the allure for me with great LPVO’s is the ability for rapid close engagement with carbine sized rifles. Without giving up the accuracy these same guns can use at greater distances. So, as I continue my quest to play with all the good LPVO’s out there, I bring you today’s subject; the Vortex Optics Razor HD Gen II 1-6 riflescope.

The Vortex Razor HD Gen II 1-6

Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last few decades, you know who Vortex O p tics is. The company has become a dominant force in the optics industry, well known for excellent customer service and listening to what shooters want. I guess its fair to say Vortex offers a lot of inexpensive products as well (like I said, they listen to their customers). But in my experience the higher end products like the Razor line are fantastic professional grade optics. So it was with anticipation that I opened the box of the Vortex Razor HD Gen II 1-6.

vortex optics, razor, 1-6x24, lpvo, riflescope,

As is typical with Vortex products, the scope came in nice packaging and included the typical stickers, manual and tools. Because I had it handy, I decide to mount the scope in a 34mm Primary Arms cantilever scope mount for testing. This would allow proper eye relief on a variety of host rifles.

Specifications

Magnification	1-6x
Objective Lens Diameter	24 mm
Focal Plane	Second Focal Plane
Reticle	VMR-2 (MRAD)
Eye Relief	4.0″
Field of View	115.2′ – 20.5′ @ 100 yds
Turret Style	Capped
Tube Size	30mm
Adjustment Graduation	.2 MRAD
Travel Per Rotation	20 MRAD
Max Elevation Adjustment	43 MRAD
Max Windage Adjustment	43 MRAD
Parallax Setting	100 yds.
Length	10.1″
Weight	21.5 oz

My initial handling of the scope was quick. It wasn’t as heavy as I’d expected, like other Razors I’d handled before. The finish and textures were perfect, so I lifted it to my eye to get that first look. As I expected, the Razor has an immaculate image. Sharp detail and contrast is what makes these Razor HD scopes so desirable.

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Controls

A cursory investigation of the controls felt good, the power ring being easy to adjust quickly between one and six-power. I was slightly surprised that Vortex hadn’t incorporated a throw lever attachment, but they do offer an attachable Switchview throw -lever you can add. The illumination control is also a little fancier than others. The rheostat knob must be pulled out slightly to allow it to turn and ignite the reticle inside. Pulling the knob out also exposes the white background of numeration labels for various power settings.

Vortex optics, razor HD, 1-6, vortex razor, illumination, illuminated reticle, desert tech, MDRX, WLVRN,

The 20 MRAD turrets certainly give plenty of travel should you choose to use them such. Inside the scope, the second focal plane VMR-2 reticle gives some fairly course MRAD subtensions. This is fine in my opinion as it gives you all you’ll likely need for the effective range of a carbine. Whole MRAD marks are shown with only the very center of the reticle illuminated, and the marks are accurate when used at the full six-power.

Vortex optics, razor HD, 1-6, vortex razor, reticle, illumination, VMR-2, vmr2 reticle, — as always, images through the scope are far better than pictures can show

Shooting with the Vortex Razor HD Gen II 1-6

For testing purposes, I used the Razor HD on two different carbines. The first one is my OG Desert Tech MDRX chambered in 308 Winchester, and the other is an AR15 I put together using various parts (read about that here). The Razor made an excellent scope choice for both of these rifles, as they are both accurate enough to take advantage of the scopes range. Shooting these two rifles both on and off the range would give a good feel for how well the Razor HD is for engaging different targets.

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It was quick to zero the Razor HD using the turrets for a perfect zero at about 75 yards. From there we switched it up, shooting various different targets at differing ranges.

Optical Clarity

As I mentioned, the Razor HD lenses offer a fantastic viewing experience. Both in the open country of the mountains and on the range I found the image to be above average quality. At 1X the Razor gave a broad field of view, making it very fast for moving between close targets. And zoomed in to 6X it gave more than adequate presentation for making sharp shots at distances well beyond six-hundred yards.

huxwrx, flow, flow 5.56, flow 7.62, huxwrx safety company, ar15, quattro, vortex razor, — my **Quattro-15** AR with the Razor and **Huxwrx Flow 5.56**

The parallax adjustment allowed excellent focus of the reticle against targets, leaving me with a sharp holdover for distance. And the bright dot in the center was fantastic for use like a red dot at low power.

Mechanical Function

I definitely need to get the throw lever for this scope, as I want something to grab onto to switch magnification. I do like the level of resistance on the mag-ring, it is frustrating when they are too stiff to turn quickly. The locking function of the illumination is great to prevent accidental rotation of the knob. Nothing worse than turning on your reticle only to find a dead battery. It’s also easy to keep it in the off-position between two brightness settings so you don’t have to search for the one you want.

The turrets on the Razor HD are capped which makes it easy to not worry about them while maneuvering. Underneath the caps the low-profile turrets are easy to turn with just fingers, and their audible click of .2 MRAD can be both felt and heard. I am used to .1 MRAD clicks, but for a scope like this I get why they went with .2. The courser scale is fast to make adjustments, and scopes like this are less likely to be used in a precision shooting scenario. Where a 1/4 of an inch on target one way or another is not a big deal.

Durability

Vortex Razors have a pretty good history of standing up to abuse, much more abuse in fact than I like to give. I love packing my guns all over these mountains, where the worst abuse they usually get is lots of turret twisting. But a scope like this one I am far less likely to adjust the turrets often. Far more likely it will get slung and rubbed against a pack while hiking, maybe smacked on a rock in a hasty pursuit. I have every confidence this scope is prepared for far harsher abuse than what myself or typical gun owners will sustain. And the famous warranty that Vortex owners love to to tout, is always there for you. A warranty that likely had a large influence on the entire industry to follow.

Pros and Cons

As long as you have the understanding of the scope’s application, I don’t think theres anything wrong with this scope. Or at least anything you can knit-pick on it. I like FFP scopes, but I totally get why this one isn’t, and it works just the way it is.

It has an excellent optical quality, robust construction with great features. There is very little about this scope I would change but for personal preferences and reticle details. All these features do come at some cost however, as none of the Razors come cheap. With a current street price around $1300, the Razor is roughly double many other good LPVO options. I only bring this up because I have several other 1-6 scopes that I quite like that are significantly less.

Vortex optics, razor HD, 1-6, vortex razor, illumination, illuminated reticle, desert tech, MDRX, WLVRN, Huxwrx, flow 7.62, — My Desert Tech MDRX with the Razor and the **Huxwrx Flow 7.62 suppressor**

Final Verdict

I have never picked up a Vortex Razor and thought “this won’t do”. On the contrary I feel like every Vortex Razor I’ve ever used has been great, and at best all I could complain about was a reticle option or cursed MOA turrets or something like that. The Vortex Razor HD 1-6 is another great option for those looking for a quality LPVO. If you are considering dropping some serious money on an LPVO, make sure to at least look at one of these.

-CBM

Check out more LPVO reviews here

Huxwrx Flow Suppressors; My Experience

February 7, 2026Product review, suppressorsflow, flow 5.56, flow 7.62, flow through, huxwrx, oss, silencer, suppressorcoldboremiracle

Preface

I’ve been lucky enough to be in the business of shooting for quite a while. Many years ago now I visited the production facility of Huxwrx Safety Company, at the time know as OSS. I remember looking at their cunning designs centered around the technology of suppression. Theirs was the first of many “flow through” designed suppressors I would see. Flow though means that instead of layers of baffles stacked on eachother, these suppressors would capture and channel high pressure gas through a series of what appear to be stationary fan blades. The result would be a greatly slowed escape of gas, which reduces the signature of a shot. Today I am presenting to you my impression of some of Huxwrx newer designs, the Huxwrx Flow suppressors.

huxwrx, flow, flow 5.56, flow 7.62, huxwrx safety company, packaging — a brand new **Huxwrx Flow 7.62**

The Huxwrx Flow Suppressor

These suppressors broke the mold, in more ways than one. They neither function like traditional suppressors nor are they built the same way. I mentioned the high-pressure gas deconstruction that takes place in the fan-like interior of these cans, but they are also built using a more modern technology. 3D metal printing has taken over many manufacturing needs, but to be more accurate these suppressors are made using Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS). Very precise lasers connect within a bed of fine metal powder, fusing the particles into a solid structure. This technology has many impressive attributes, but perhaps the most important when it comes to suppressors is the ability to fuse metal into solid one-piece shapes that would be near impossible to machine.

huxwrx, flow, flow 5.56, flow 7.62, huxwrx safety company, — from the breech end, you can see the curious design of the Flow suppressors

Flow suppressors are mounted using one of Huxwrx muzzle devices that can also double as either a flash-hider or muzzle brake when the suppressor is absent. Another interesting part of the Flow design is to use the gas pressure passing through, to turn the suppressor against its threads. Basically tightening the suppressor onto its mount with every shot.

huxwrx, flow, flow 5.56, flow 7.62, huxwrx safety company, muzzle device, suppressor mount, muzzle brake, — these two cans with a **Huxwrx Brake** and **flash hider**

But the real juice here is about back pressure. From the beginning of the company, the idea behind these suppressors was to reduce back pressure in semi-automatic firearms. For both health reasons and cleanliness of the firearm, keeping spent propellant fumes out of your face and firearm is important to many shooters. The Flow Suppressor design is meant to reduce back pressure to make the shooting experience more pleasant for the shooter. It does all this while reducing the volume of muzzle-blasts and keeping muzzle flash to a minimum.

huxwrx, flow, flow 5.56, huxwrx safety company, desert tech, WLVRN, micron, mdrx, — the 5.56 Flow mounted on my **Desert Tech Micron 5.56**

My Experience Shooting the Flow

All that sounds great, and surely comes across as a good marketing ploy. But this is something I wanted to see for myself. And over the course of a few years I would get familiar with them. Huxwrx makes both a stainless and titanium flow 5.56 model, I tested the 17-4 stainless model. The 30-caliber model (7.62mm I guess) is made from titanium. Both suppressors seem to have a similar construction, and both are threaded left-handed onto their muzzle devices.

The one-piece design and slightly rough texture gives these suppressors a different feel for sure. I have shot them on various different rifles, but mainly on my Desert Tech WLVRN semi-auto rifles. One of the other positive traits of these suppressors is said to be that you needn’t adjust the gas-block on your rifle when using a Flow suppressor. I have found this to be true, my rifles seemed to work fine with the Flow suppressors using the same gas setting as unsuppressed operation.

Sound

Reducing the signature of a muzzle blast is the top priority of most suppressors. And the Flow series seems to do that well, changing not just the booming blast from the muzzle, but it seems they also lower the frequency of the noise you do hear. Turning the sound into a “thud” instead of the hiss I am used to hearing.

huxwrx, flow, flow 5.56, flow 7.62, huxwrx safety company, desert tech, mdrx, wlvrn, 308 winchester,

And while do find them to suppress the noise sufficiently, it does seem like they are a touch louder than some of my other cans. I have only my ear to judge, as I am not extremely concerned with actual numbers. Basically if I can comfortably shoot with a suppressor with no hearing protection, that’s good enough for me. I also noticed there was a bit of a ping-sound coming from the can with each shot. As I understand it I am not the only one to experience this phenomenon.

Cleanliness

I did notice also over the course of various shooting outings that my guns do seem to run cleaner with the flow suppressors. This came as no surprise as the overall amount of gas coming back into the receiver is reduced. The carbon mixed with lubricants that is one of the largest detractors to suppressed shooting can be greatly reduced by using these style of suppressors.

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Much like other suppressors that mount to a muzzle device, I like to frequently remove them to ensure carbon buildup is not causing a locking of the suppressor to its brake.

Value and Convenience

There many great reasons to use these suppressors aside from what I have mentioned so far. Let’s talk about a couple things that may be considered a detractor; New technology is almost always going to cost you more. The flow series of suppressors does cost more than many traditionally designed and produced suppressors. As more manufacturers in the suppressor industry follow the DMLS path, I expect the cost will come down both because of the technological development. And also in no small part due to market demands and competition. Bottom line is you pay extra to be on the edge of tech, whether it become the next best thing, or a complete failure. For at least this shooter, the jury is still out on whether I wish to pay this particular premium. As the majority of my suppressor collection remains the traditional baffled design.

You can purchase Huxwrx Suppressors at Silencer Central

My Opinion

If you are in the market for a suppressor, you are currently living through a golden age. Spoiled for choices in suppression means you can be pretty picky. Huxwrx suppressors certainly offer some advantages, and only you can decide if the juice I’ve outlined here is worth the squeeze on your wallet. Some just like to push the envelope and be different, and if you like to support companies who do that this might be your can.

-CBM

Shell Shock Ultimate Eyes and Ears Combo pack

February 4, 2026Ancillary gear, Product reviewbluetooth, EXO Pro, eye protection, glasses, hearing protection, shell shock, shell shock protection, Switchcoldboremiracle

Preface

It would be foolish of someone who shoots often, to not take proper precautions for their safety. When I was younger, I didn’t think about it much and looking back I sure wish that I had. Protecting eyes and ears while shooting has never been more easy, with technology and materials giving us many options. Today I am bringing you my opinion of another one of those options. Shell Shock Protection is a manufacturer of safety equipment for shooters, and today I present to you their Shell Shock Ultimate Eyes and Ears Combo. Just like it sounds, this kit comes with everything you need for shooting protection.

shell shock protection, eyes & ears combo, hearing protection, headphones, eye protection, glasses, eye pro, ruger rxm, — we did quite a bit of shooting with the **Ruger RXM**, you can read more about it here

Shell Shock Ultimate Eyes and Ears Combo

The Shell Shock kit comes with a set of their EXO PRO Bluetooth Earmuff’s and a pair of Switch Ballistic Glasses. These items come with a few additional accessories in a tidy little soft-case lined with foam and enclosed by a zipper.

shell shock protection, eyes & ears combo, hearing protection, headphones, eye protection, glasses, eye pro,

The EXO PRO Bluetooth Earmuff

Pulling the EXO Pro muffs from the case, I was happy to see they use a gel cup for comfort. My other headsets also have this feature so I was both aware of and pleased by it. The ear cups fold out from the wire headband making them compact to stow and quick to deploy. The headset came with a set of AAA batteries and an AUX cord for plumbing in audio to the headset.

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In addition to the dual omnidirectional microphones, the EXO Pro also has a Bluetooth connection feature. This allows you to connect your phone or other device to the headset to listen to music or in my case a conference call while sitting on a shooting bench. There are two individual volume knobs to adjust the BT volume and the ambient sounds.

shell shock protection, eyes & ears combo, hearing protection, headphones, eye protection, glasses, eye pro, controls

Switch Ballistic Glasses

The Switch Ballistic Glasses come with two lenses, a shaded one for bright sunny days, and a clear lens for indoors. The lenses can be switched out of the frame by unlocking two levers on each side of the frame before swapping the lens. There is also a handy protective cinch-close carry liner to protect the glasses from being scratched or damaged.

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The lenses are coated to prevent fogging, and of course they are rated Z87 for protection against flying debris that could damage your eyesight.

On the Range

As I shoot pretty often, it wasn’t long before I put the kit to use. Both indoor shooting and out door shooting would be involved. I typically shoot suppressed, which arguably doesn’t often require hearing protection. But I like to shoot handguns unsuppressed, and you definitely want ears for that.

I found the headset to fit just fine, and the gel cups felt soft against my face. One of the nice things about the gel cups is that they easily form around the temple arms of the glasses. I dislike when a headset crushes the temple arms of my glasses causing discomfort of the ear. The gel cups balanced the pressure against your head without pressing too hard, and still making a good seal.

The dual microphone pickups on the EXO Pro do a great job of picking up the sound around you, and blocking out what you don’t want to hear. I did notice that there seemed to be a bit higher frequency of sound picked up by the microphones, making it sound slightly more shrill sounding than I’d anticipated. Of course I had to fire up the BT receiver on the EXO Pro, so I could listen to my jams while I shot.

With the Switch Ballistic Glasses on, I found something that is typical of personal protective equipment. Not everybody’s face is the same, and I found that the glasses rode a smidge high on my nose for my taste. Requiring me to keep them further out on my nose, this leaves a little more gap than I’d like around the eyes. I think I can correct the issue by altering the removeable nose-pad some. Either way, glasses always fit depending on how your face is built. The lenses were nice, and the dark lens wasn’t as dark as many of my other sunglasses which made it easy to find targets. Switching out the lenses was quick and easy, though I am afraid I’d be more likely to lose one of them. Perhaps I should just get another frame.

Finding pistol sights and red dots through the lenses was easy, and it does feel good to have something between my eyes and all the bullet spall and debris flying around the range.

Pros and Cons

I mentioned the fit of the glasses not being perfect for my face, but that’s just life when you look like I do. It certainly wasn’t a big deal. On the EXO Pro headset I felt just a slight let-down. I’d expected the dual mics to give better awareness of sound direction. I also had hoped they had a rechargeable internal battery option. But to be fair the battery life is pretty good, so maybe I’ll just keep a couple AAA batteries in my shooting bag.

On the positive side, the headset does a great job of protecting your ears from the noise of shooting. They are comfortable even after several hours, and I love the Bluetooth option. For the street price of around $135 dollars, I think these are a pretty solid buy.

Conclusion

If you are ready to step up to a set of electronic ears, or just need another set of protective equipment to keep in your vehicle this would be a good option. It comes in a handy case ready for the range making it a slam-dunk for shooters on the move.

-CBM

Looking for more hearing protection? Click here.

Testing the Leupold Mark 5 3.6-18X44

February 3, 2026Optics, Product review3.6-18x44, leupold, leupold optics, mark 5coldboremiracle

Preface

Over many years I have had a variety of different Leupold optics, for a long time I had several of the old Mark 4 scopes. I have always been a fan of Leupold’s brand you could say, so I am excited to bring you a review of one of their more recent scopes. Today’s subject is the Leupold Mark 5 3.6-18X44 riflescope. The Mark 5 line of scopes promises high-quality imagery, with professional grade optics, and built with quality in the USA. Leupold has kept a finger on the pulse of professional and precision shooters alike, so it comes as no surprise to see them often in both arenas of shooting.

leupold optics, leupold, mark 5, mkV, 3.6-18x44, mark 5HD, desert tech, srs Carbon SD, two vets tripod, — shooting the rifle from my **Two Vets** **Carbon Fiber Tripod**

This particular model of the Mark 5 line, is one of two more compact models. The Mark 5 2-10X and 3.6-18X are both smaller objective scopes, with shorter overall lengths. This while retaining all the same Mark 5 long-range features, and with a lighter weight. Making them ideal for smaller precision rifles and tactical carbines.

The Leupold Mark 5 3.6-18X44

I have wanted one of these for some time, I think they would be fantastic on one of my hunting rifles. The Mark 5 low profile turret system offers three revolutions of the 10.5 MIL turret. Locking the turret is done using the Zero-lock feature, this requires pushing the button to release the turret from zero.

Left: here you can see the lock button (depressed) and rotation indicator . Right: you can see the coil that guides the locking pin and rotation indicator

Being built on a 35mm tube is a small but significant difference. It does reduce mounting options but I suppose it might give some travel advantage. The physical dimensions of this scope are impressively compact, and it is also much lighter than similar scopes. This is one of fewer modern scopes I’ve had that don’t feature an illuminated reticle, which likely also keeps the weight down.

The magnification ring also features a removable throw lever, to aid in quickly transitioning from one setting to another. Taking it off is handy for when it interferes with bolt manipulation.

Specifications

Adjustable Parallax	Side Focus
BDC Dial Included	No
Custom Dial System (CDS)	No
Daylight Bright Illumination	No
Elevation Adjustment Type	M5C3
Electronic Reticle Level	No
Illuminated Reticle	No
Locking Dial	Yes
Magnification Type	Variable
Motion Sensor Technology (MST)	No
Nightvision Compatible Illumination	No
Reticle Focal Plane	First Focal Plane
Revolution Indicator	Yes
Reticle	FFP PR-1MIL
Rezero Type	Set Screw
Reticle Type	First Focal Plane
Adjustable Objective	No
Windage Adjustment Type	Capped
Weight (oz)	26
Elevation Adjustment Value per Click	0.1Mil
Elevation Adjustment Range (MOA)	100
Elevation Adjustment Range (MIL)	29
Elevation Adjustment Range (cm @ 100m)	291
Elevation Adjustment Per Revolution	10.5 MIL
Elevation Dial Travel Limit	30MIL
Windage Adjustment Value per Click	0.1Mil
Windage Adjustment Range (MOA)	80
Windage Adjustment Range (MIL)	23
Windage Adjustment Range (cm @ 100m)	233
Windage Adjustment Per Revolution	10 MIL
Magnification Max	18
Magnification Min	3.6
Objective Lens Diameter (mm)	44
Linear FOV Low Mag (ft@100yds)	28.3
Linear FOV High Mag (ft@100yds)	5.8
Angular FOV Low Mag (Degrees)	5.4
Angular FOV High Mag (Degrees)	1.1
Eye Relief Low Mag (in)	3.5
Eye Relief High Mag (in)	3.8
Minimum Parallax-Free Distance (yd)	50

Mounting the Mark 5

Due to the 35mm tube of the Leupold Mark 5, it was necessary to use a 35mm mount. Leupold offers a 35mm mount that works great for this. There are other 35mm ring options, but this was an easy button so that’s the way I went.

leupold optics, leupold, mark 5, mkV, 3.6-18x44, mark 5HD,

With the scope mounted and level, I set to zeroing the rifle. The first host for this scope was the brand new Desert Tech SRS Carbon SD rifle, chambered in 308 Winchester. On the rifle range it was a quick job of adjusting the Leupold to match the rifles point of impact. I was a little thrown off by the witness mark of the windage turret, located higher than the typical centerline of the tube.

I fired several rounds to confirm zero and see how the scope and rifle worked together. During this process I found my first flaw with this scope, I am not a big fan of the Tremor reticles . Maybe I am the flaw, but I just don’t like all the dots and such. Chalk it up to personal preference, but I would have picked a different reticle. Looking at my 100 and 200 yard targets I could easily make out great detail through the sharp image of the Mark 5.

leupold optics, leupold, mark 5, mkV, 3.6-18x44, mark 5HD, tikka, t3x, krg, bravo, — additional testing was done on my custom Tikka 25 Creedmoor

On the Firing Line

I am not a big fan of public ranges, and if you find me there it’s usually more labor than love. So my next trips out with the Leupold Mark 5 were into the frozen Rocky Mountains and the dry winter ranges of the desert. This would give me more opportunity to scour the distant ridges through the scope. Allowing me to evaluate clarity and other qualities.

The bright environment made for excellent target identification. I practiced my typical routine of picking out targets, usually small rocks protruding from the snow. Snow makes a great indicator when the light is just right, sometimes you can even see bullet holes from great distances.

Dialing the elevation turret for various target distances put me in touch with its function pretty quick. I like the locking zero, and the rotation indicator feature lets you know where you’re at in the numbers. The clicks on these turrets are crisp and easy to count. I mentioned my reticle preference, but the Tremor obviously gives plenty of use for holding wind corrections.

Optical Clarity

I have always liked the look through Leupold scopes, and this one was no chump. Great detail and crisp imagery made this scope very useful in this big country. One of the reasons this scope is so appealing is because it is one of few good scopes that are this compact. The 44mm objective keeps this scope low, and its short length and light-weight make it optimal for a sharp-shooting mountain gun. Together with the SRS SD this scope would make an excellent night-vision or thermal combination. Despite the smaller objective and proportions this scope’s HD lenses still gives a great impression of downrange detail. That said I do feel like some of the 50 and 56mm scopes do look better. Its a trade-off.

Controls

I really like mid-range variable scopes, the 3.6-18 power is a very useful range in my opinion. The power ring of the Mark 5 is smooth and fairly easy to turn, I wouldn’t say too easy but it is close. The removable throw-lever is handy if you need it, and removable if you don’t.

I found the optical focus features of this scope to be very helpful as eyes begin to show their age. Both the ocular adjustment, and the parallax turret gave very fine adjustment, making those images pop.

leupold optics, leupold, mark 5, mkV, 3.6-18x44, mark 5HD, desert tech, srs Carbon SD, — my Desert Tech SRS SD rifle also uses an **Area 419 ARCA rail** and **Atlas Bipod**

The curious design of the elevation turret is both effective and functional. The coiled path underneath keeps the rotation indicator accurate, and the scope was always on zero when left there. With a total of 29 MRAD in elevation adjustment, there’s not many shots where you’ll need to hold over with the Tremor reticle. But its nice to have the option if you’re that kind of shooter.

leupold optics, leupold, mark 5, mkV, 3.6-18x44, mark 5HD, turrets — here you can see the unorthodox windage witness mark

The capped windage turret I thought was going to bug me, but it ended up not being an issue at all. I found it really wasn’t worth the risk of having it exposed, and I didn’t need to use it much.

Value

There are a few other competitors scopes that closely mimic the features of this one. Most of them are 30mm tube though, and they are also about half the cost. As a rampant 3-18 power enthusiast I have a variety of them in my collection, and this one is definitely at the top of the price points. That means it has big shoes to fill, and I expect Leupold is up to it.

Having been chosen for the main optical sight for the US Army’s M110 sniper rifle is certainly a feather in their cap. Leupold claims the scope was designed with input from elite shooters, a claim I take at face value since I wasn’t asked…

At the end of the day I feel this scope while expensive can certainly justify its heritage. Military use isn’t necessarily the golden ticket that so many manufacturers portray it to be. But it definitely does mean something, and brings value to both the brand and the scope.

Pros and Cons

As I mentioned already, this scope is very light considering its features. It is also quite compact and optimal for use with other optical tools like clip-on thermals and night-vision. Its sharp imagery and easy to operate controls make it a slam dunk if you want such a scope. I suppose the only downside to this scope is its cost, with a street price around $2300.00 it might be a stretch for some shooters. And if you want illumination which might be necessary if you plan on using it with night-vision it’ll cost you another 350 clams.

Last Words

Few other optics in this category enjoy such heritage. So it should come as no surprise that if you want the top dog in the short and small game, you’re gonna pay for it. Luckily with Leupold you get more than just a good scope, you get the name behind it and the warranty and customer service that comes with it. Scopes like this make me wish I hadn’t sold off all my old Mark IV’s, even if just for the nostalgia.

-CBM

Practice with the Mantis Titan X Dry Fire Training Pistol

February 2, 2026Electronics and Tech, pistols, Product reviewdry fire, mantis, mantis titan x, mantis x, titan, trainingcoldboremiracle

Introduction

Mantis is a firearms training tool manufacturer, the Illinois company manufactures a variety of differing products all designed to help gun owners improve their skills. Today we are taking a look at one of those products, the Mantis Titan X. Like other Mantis products, the Titan X uses both technology and props to help you sharpen your practice. By adding some technology to dry firing and some structure to training, Mantis offers a great value in practice and savings in ammunition.

mantis, titan x, glock, model 701, training pistol, dry fire, magazine

Mantis Background

The Titan X is a polymer training pistol that can be had in various copies of popular pistols like the Glock 19 used here today. The pistol has onboard electronics to monitor the movements and trigger manipulation by the user. This and other data is sent by bluetooth to your phone, where the Mantis app analyzes and gives you feedback on every aspect of your draw, presentation, and trigger pulls. The whole idea is to perfect dry-fire training, and improve your handling.

mantis, titan x, glock, model 701, training pistol, dry fire, — the Titan fir perfectly into my **Safariland Holsters**

This is the trend with Mantis products; using their technology to give excruciating detail of firearms handling. Giving you the ability to watch your own movements and replay every trigger pull. Additionally, the Titan X has an adjustable laser that fires when the trigger breaks, illuminating the “impact” of your shot. This alone is extremely helpful in dry fire practice.

Mantis Features

The Titan X comes in a padded soft-case, with the instructions, charging cable and two magazines for reloading drills. As a copy of Glock pistols, it can accept your favorite weapon lights and lasers. And it has an optics cut to accept RMR and RMSc red dots on top of its immovable slide.

mantis, titan x, glock, model 701, training pistol, dry fire, optic, red dot, optics cut, rmr, rmsc, — the Titan is optics ready for your RMR and RMSc red dots

The weighted magazines offer a realistic feel and fit to the whole ensemble. It really feels just like a Glock in your hand, and sure to fit in your holsters just like your live fire pistol.

The Mantis App was free to download, and very simple to connect to the Titan X. Charging the Titan X pistol is done using a micro USB cable that plugs in where the chamber would be (if it had one). There is a single button on top of the chamber used for syncing the pistol and other operations.

mantis, titan x, glock, model 701, training pistol, dry fire, app, mantis x app, — the Mantis X app gives you feedback on your trigger finger movement, and how it moves the pistol upon firing

The Titan’s internal sensor can tell exactly what direction the pistol is pointed. It can tell where the gun is aimed and any movement between shots, as well as trigger inputs. This is all recorded and can be replayed in real time or slow motion so you can see your overtravel on the target, as well as the movements you put in while pulling the trigger. You can even watch live as you shoot with the gun to see all the right and wrong inputs you are doing. Or have a partner watch on your phone and give you coaching.

Other Mantis Products

Other products from Mantis are in a similar style of training but offer different use cases. The Mantis X system is a phone based app training module that uses a sensor attached to your firearm. It gives feedback on handling and aiming while using your actual firearm. The X2 version of the product is designed for use as dry fire practice only. Adding live fire to the training is done with the X3 version, which allows the same drills and skill practice while running live ammunition on the range.

The Mantis 10X version combines all features of the X series products, and maximizes your ability to train both on the range and at home. And not just handguns either, it can be used with long-guns and even archery tackle.

The Mantis Laser Academy is another training module, again using your phone and other props in addition to a laser cartridge chambered in your gun to practice shooting. Its quick and easy setup allows you time on the trigger of your favorite gun without leaving home and saving ammunition costs along the way.

The Mantis Blackbeard system is a product you install on your AR15 rifle, it allows you to dry fire the rifle without having to recharge the rifle every shot. The Blackbeard resets the trigger for you, and its optional laser also gives you a witness of the impact from each trigger pull. This helps build handling skill and again saves ammo costs. There is another model called the BlackbeardX that combines the Blackbeard system with the MantisX technology giving you the best of both.

Mantis Titan X Review

I dry fire a LOT, ask anyone who knows or works with me. I am always practicing my draw from holsters, and presentation of whatever gun I happen to be carrying that day. Up until now, the only feedback I could give myself was based on the sights location when the trigger breaks. Watching to see where my red dot is on my point of aim as the striker snaps, as I’d imagine many of you do as well.

The Titan X is perfect for this practice as it adds something you can’t do with a real firearm, at least not safely. The laser impact on your aimpoint serves the same purpose as a bullet when you shoot. After all; shooting is simply a process of aligning sights, cleanly breaking the trigger, seeing the impact and adjusting accordingly for the next shot. The Titan X allows you to do all those things without ear protection, without leaving home, and most importantly without blowing through your ammo stash.

mantis, titan x, glock, model 701, training pistol, dry fire, case

Operation

With the Titan X you can practice with the pistol, complete with your favorite accessories such as red dots, weapon lights, holsters and such. And execute the same training by drawing, aligning the sights, and breaking the trigger. Seeing the laser as the impact gives you the exact same ability to analyze your sight alignment, trigger pull and more. The only thing missing is the recoil and noise. Add to that the data record captured by the Mantis app, that allows you to analyze every aspect of your shooting and trigger pull. Additionally, the laser is far more consistent than even quality ammo can be. That translates to better training because your gun is literally a laser beam, and the “hits” will be more valuable because you are removing the anomaly of variations in ammunition. Sim guns, rubber bullet guns, and even airsoft can offer some of the same training aspects, but some of those are semi-destructive to your home decor. And none of them are as accurate as the laser.

Shooting the pistol right out of the box I found it immediately useful. Seeing the laser “impact” right where the sights lined up gives you that immediate feedback much like a bullet does. I had no reason to adjust the laser out of the box as it lined up great with the sights.

But because I usually shoot with a red dot it wasn’t long before I decided to install one. For that purpose I went with an easy choice, the Gideon Optics Alpha red dot. Its RMR footprint which would make it easy to attach. At that point you could either adjust the red dot to match the laser impact. Or vice versa adjusting the laser with an Allen wrench to match the red dot.

In Business

With the sight mounted and everything lined up, I got busy shooting the Titan X. The very best part of this product is you can train at home in your pj’s if thats what you desire. I found a spot in the house with roughly 8-10 yards from a wall. Then got to work making my way through the various drills included in the Mantis app.

Following the training regimen in the Mantis app, I found a variety of drills that were both fun and educational. Drawing from both CCW holsters and OBW holsters gave good insight to my draw and first shots after. The realistic weight and feel of the Titan made it very natural. It should have come as no surprise to me how much better you can focus on your trigger control when it isn’t covered up by noise and recoil. And if you add to that the impressive after analysis with the app you can really quickly find what you need to improve on. The Titan gives you the ability to really shoot without burning up ammunition. This gives you much better insight on what happens before the bullet leaves the muzzle.

It only gives you analysis after the fact, so don’t expect the Mantis Titan to make any corrections to your execution (it’s not a training wheels). You will still have to do everything but load magazines. So don’t count on the Titan to correct your finger placement or grip angle, you will still need to know the fundamentals. What it will do is show you if your finger placement is causing you to pull one direction or another.

Lessons Learned

The more I used the Titan, the more holes I found in my shooting. And if nothing else, the Titan did an excellent job showing me what I’m doing wrong. So I know what to work on. Much like an honest friend, the Mantis Titan will tell you what you suck at. No sugar coating here, just the straight truth of how your handling flows. And the Mantis app keeps a history of your training, so you can go back and see how you’ve improved over time.

Obviously there is never any danger with the Titan, as it cannot be loaded. This also makes it very useful for training. Whether you are at home, in the office, or elsewhere you don’t have to worry about office pops. Which is a concern with dry firing your regular pistol. The bright red color also gives the impression of a training pistol. I doubt it would keep an unlearned cop from turning you into a deadly training story.

The Mantis X App

Not only does the app come with a list of various popular drills, but additionally several courses of training. They are set up in progressive sections, finishing one with a high enough score opens the next. You can create a profile, and the app will track your progress and scores.

mantis, titan x, glock, model 701, training pistol, dry fire, app,

Much like a video game you can configure the drills depending on skill level. With difficulty levels of beginner, intermediate, advanced, and even a custom setting.

The drills have a shot timer built in that signals you to fire just like at the range. And you can adjust the delay to your liking as well.

The app helps you analyze your own handling of the pistol. Giving you times from the holster to breaking the trigger, and your time between shots etc. You can watch every draw and watch the muzzle tracking as you do, and every trigger pull is also shown allowing you to see what needs work. What it doesn’t do is give you a target, anything you choose can be an aimpoint. The Titan tracks the aimpoint based on where you shoot. You could quite literally set up targets in your house and run drills on them. There is really a lot more to the app than I can go over here, but I found it to be very helpful in analyzing my shooting.

Mantis Titan X Pros and Cons

There is very little I can judge against the Titan based on its purpose. It does what I expected it to do, even better than I thought it would. I didn’t really think I would like a training pistol this much, the immediate feedback of my shooting really blew my mind. I suppose if I had to say something I’d like improved on the pistol it might be this; I would like it if the slide was operational, even though it’s not really necessary. I’d like it for the reloading drills, so you could actually operate the slide lock and such. The adjustment screws for the laser were slightly janky. I never did figure out exactly which size Allen wrench I used to adjust it, but I made it work. The battery life lasts longer than expected which means you can get a lot of trigger time on the gun.

As it is there are a few different pistol models of the Titan. Mantis is also taking what appears to be suggestions on their website. I expect they are looking to see what the next most popular model is that should be produced.

Mantis Titan X Report Card

Shootability (A) it feels like every other Glock 19 clone you’ve handled and shot

Reliability (B+) I seems like the laser wandered slightly with use, but the laser never didn’t go bang

Ergonomics (B+) Gen5 Glock feel, no finger grooves and undercut trigger guard

Accuracy (A) The laser can’t miss when you aim properly

Value (A) For the amount of training the Titan is an exceptional value

mantis, titan x, glock, model 701, training pistol, dry fire, surefire x300, gideon alpha — the Titan worked great with the **Gideon Optics Alpha red dot** and **Surefire X300 weapon light**

Mantis Titan X FAQ’s

How realistic is the trigger?

I found the trigger to feel very comparable to the Glock and Glock clone pistols that the Titan is designed to mimic. The take up and snap of the trigger feels close enough that if blindfolded I would likely not distinguish it from any other random Glock copy.

Does the slide move on the Titan?

The slide of the Titan is fixed, and not meant to move as far as I can tell. There is no need to operate the pistol slide anyways, as all operations are done without it.

Is it compatible with standard holsters?

In my experience, the Titan fit perfectly in my various collection of Glock 19/17 holsters. Several different Safariland ALS holsters, as well as the IncogX and Gravity holsters.

How do the smart magazines work?

The Titan senses the magazine when seated, which is used during various reloading drills. I also found that standard Glock magazines will fit in the Titan as well for additional training.

Accessories for the Mantis

I used several accessories together with the Mantis Titan X, for starters a Gideon Optics Alpha red dot. I also used my Surefire X300 weapon light because I wanted to run the gun from my Safariland holsters. And the Titan X fits perfectly with the holster and light combo.

mantis, titan x, glock, model 701, training pistol, dry fire, safariland, holster

It’s nice that the Titan X uses the popular RMR and RMSc footprint, and since the gun doesn’t recoil you needn’t worry about it shifting on the base plate. And using the Titan together with my holsters that I use every day make drawing practice more valuable. And reloads can be performed using the mag-caddy’s on my gun-belt.

Final Thoughts

For the asking price of $199 I think the Mantis Titan X is a great deal. Sure you can argue that you can get something like a PSA Dagger for just $50 more. But the Titan X will save you far more in ammunition and practice. That is where the value comes in, the Titan X costs only a bit more than a case of ammo for training. And you can certainly argue that you’ll get more training out of the Titan. It gives you all the ability of safe dry fire and nearly live fire practice, with exceptional analysis of your practice with the Mantis app. I was a bit skeptical of this kind of product when I first saw it, but it only took a few moments to see what a great asset it can become.

-CBM

VEEKTOMX Portable Charger

January 14, 2026Electronics and Tech, Product reviewveektomx, VEEKTOMX Portable Chargercoldboremiracle

The VEEKTOMX charger is a compact battery pack that has several different built-in cables. The various cables allow you to charge the unit, as well as connect to various different devices to charge them.

The VEEKTOMX power pack also incorporates a small screen indicating its readiness and power level. You can use USB, USB-C, Micro USB and Apple Lightning cables to charge most small portable electronics. One of the cables does double duty as a wrist strap.

This power pack has 9 layers of protections with various overcharge and heating protection features. It is TSA friendly according to the manufacturer, which I assume means you can take it on planes. The 10,000 mAh charger can charge your phone, camera, or other device quickly and on the go.

VEEKTOMX Portable Charger Built-in Cables,10000mAh Power Bank — the Screen indicates power bank charge status

My Experience

I’ve been using the VEEKTOMX charger for several months now. I’ve taken it on planes, to keep my phone charged. I’ve carried it in my backpack into the frozen Rocky Mountains to keep my camera and thermal scopes charged up. It has been very handy, allowing me to keep my electronics in peak condition. For the $30 that it costs, I think this is a great lightweight power bank to keep with your equipment. Whether it be hunting, hiking or just to keep a speaker powered up while ice fishing in my Ice Tent, I think its a great option.