Weapon lights are a very valuable accessory that can sometimes make the difference between life and death. Being able to see a threat is a must have in the dark, and Surefire has illuminated the path becoming the gold standard of weapon lights. Today we are taking a look at one of their models that exemplifies their quality; the Surefire X300 Vampire weapon light. The X300V-B is a dual spectrum weapon mounted illuminator, the Vampire designation is both chilling and applicable.
What do they mean dual spectrum? The Vampire has options to produce both visible while light from its LED source, as well as IR illumination. Infrared light is not visible to the human eye, so IR illuminators are often used by law enforcement and military for covert operations. IR is perfectly visible when using night vision, it looks just like any other flashlight. Whereas visible light from a typical weapon light would blind the night vision.
You can select which type of light the Vampire produces by simply twisting the emitter housing to the preferred light source. Then, like any X300 you can power it up either momentarily by pushing the ambi switch, or permanently by toggling the switch.
Again like other X300’s, the Vampire is powered by two CR123 lithium cells. Giving you a couple hours of working time in the dark to find your prey. With the same footprint as other X300 models and the same mounting options, your Vampire will fit neatly into your holsters and other accessories. Surefire also makes IR illuminators for rifles, you can see those here.
Specifications
HIGH OUTPUT 350 lumens IR OUTPUT 120mW / 860 nm PEAK BEAM INTENSITY 11,500 candela BATTERIES Two 123A lithium (incl.) SWITCHING Ambidextrous push / toggle HIGH OUTPUT 350 lumens HIGH RUNTIME 2.5 hours IR OUTPUT 120 milliWatts / 860 nm IR RUNTIME 16.75 hours DISTANCE 214 meters CONSTRUCTION Aluminum FINISH Mil-Spec Hard Anodized LENGTH 4.0 in (10.0 cm) WEIGHT w/ BATTERIES 4.0 oz (113 g) BEZEL DIAMETER 1.06 in (2.7 cm) WATERPROOF IPX7
Shooting with the X300 Vampire
Obviously, to truly test the Vampire, I would need to shoot in the dark. I’ve shot in the dark plenty of times using my other X300 weapon lights, but this would require at least one tube’s worth of night vision.
At first, I compared the Vampire’s output with my other X300’s for the visible light. Which definitely show a difference. I assume that the Vampire has a lower candela rating than standard X300’s because of the complications of dual light sources. The Vampire uses the same lens to focus both the visible light and the infrared beams.
taken in urban darkness, tree approximately 40yds
So while the visible light of the Vampire is less than what I’m used to, there is a good reason for it. And even though it has a lower candela rating, it is still very useful in the dark.
Into Complete Darkness
Then it was time to turn out all the lights, and fire up the non-visible units. This is where the Vampire’s namesake makes sense, as there is a creepy feeling slinking around the darkness where only you can see.
The IR beam of light from the X300 Vampire was very bright in the green glow of night vision. And for all practical purposes, it looks just like a flashlight in the dark. The difference of course is that only you can see it, while your potential prey is completely unaware as they sit blindly in the darkness. Blood coursing through their veins in the earie green light of the Vampire.
inside building in total darkness, door approximately 7yds
Its a good idea to learn the functions of the Vampire before the lights go out. Turning the bezel of the light the wrong direction could give you visible light when you wanted IR light. That is not a good situation when you are trying to be sneaky.
Pros and Cons
While the X300 family is the gold standard of weapon lights, I am a little frustrated with its control panel. It works great as designed, but I wish they would update it. There are many other copies of the X300 that have better controls, allowing button lockouts, strobe features, and more. I wish Surefire would update the X300’s to do the same.
complete indoor darkness, looking through building
Also if you’ll allow me another, I am not a big fan of the Rail-Lock System. While does work, and is quick for install or removal of the light, I’ve had several of them that fit loose. Resulting in a little slop, allowing the light to rattle slightly. I much prefer the clamping style attachment that you can cinch down on the accessory rail.
Enough complaining already, as I still love the Surefire X300 lights. The Vampire like its non-blood-sucking siblings is built very well, and looks as good as it performs. You can tell they put a lot of work into designing and building these lights, and their function shows it well.
My Verdict
Should you get a Vampire? Well, if you don’t use night vision at least occasionally, it’s probably nothing more than an expensive cool looking accessory. But for some people thats all that matters. If you do use night vision occasionally or even frequently, then its a slam dunk. I would absolutely get an X300 Vampire as it will make your nights brighter and feel a little less creepy. And if you use night vision often, I wouldn’t even consider the standard weapon lights over the Vampire.
As suppressors continue to become a part of normal use, competition is driving costs down and features up. That competition is leaving no area of the suppressor market threads unturned. One of the different suppressor markets is the big-bore group. ELR and similar rifles using large cartridges like the Cheytac’s, Barrett’s and Hellfire’s are particularly expensive to suppress. Entry level suppressors for these sized rifles start around 1500-dollars and go up to over 5000-dollars for the more fancy ones. Today we are reviewing a new offering from a company that has been in the business for some time. Elite Iron has been making suppressors and big bore cans long before the suppressor craze began. Our subject today is one of their newer offerings; the Elite Iron Asset suppressor, a configurable big bore suppressor available in .375, .408 or .416 bore sizes.
The Elite Iron Asset Suppressor
No stranger to suppression, the folks at Elite Iron have been cranking suppressors out of Montana for over twenty years. In more recent years they started manufacturing big bore cans like their Alpha 50 suppressor.
As the suppressor market has grown massively over the last two or three years, options and customization have increased with it. New unheard of companies and old names alike have offered so many new models and options that its tough to keep up. That is where the Asset comes in.
the Asset with its simple end-cap installed
Suppressors in general have become incredibly adaptable to different purposes. Whether it be the industry standard hub mounting system, or the multi-caliber craze. Big bore suppressors being a little more expensive and specialist, are a little slower to change I suppose. But the Elite Iron Asset brings all of that into a big bore can. The Asset has two stages that can be used or removed, as well as a muzzle that can be configured with a plain end-cap or a two-port muzzle brake. This in addition to the interchangeable threaded mounting hub.
Specifications
Caliber Rating
.375/.408/.416 caliber
Compatible Cartridges
.300 Norma Magnum through .416 Barrett
Construction
Titanium, 7075 aluminum, and heat-treated 4140 steel
The Asset can be configured in various ways to best fit the application. I find it is a pretty large suppressor for something like a 300NM, and therefor it could likely be used in its shortest configuration if you are looking for minimal addition to the profile. Or if you are going for maximum suppression, both stages of the suppressor can be used. And the user indexable muzzle brake can be added for additional recoil mitigation. All this for an American made price comparable to many 338 sized suppressors. If the Asset sounded good, I thought this would be an unstoppable combination.
installing the muzzle brake on the Asset, the included thread protector is a nice touch
Mounting the Asset can be done by selecting one of the many thread options available from Elite Iron. As well as several Cerakote color options including: Black, Burnt Bronze, FDE, Glacier Forge, and OD Green.
Inside the box, I found the semi-disassembled Asset with a manual, tools, and the Elite Iron velvet sock to safely protect it. With such a surprising amount of options to configure, I evaluated each piece. I completed the assembly using both stages of the main can, and added the muzzle brake to the end to get the whole ensemble. They even included a threaded aluminum cap to protect the threads of whichever component you aren’t using.
The hook spanner wrench included can be used to tighten either of the splined rings used to attach hubs or stages to each end of the suppressor body. It is also used to tighten the locking ring when timing the muzzle brake to the firearm. Not shown is the secondary tool clamping wrench tool.
The Host Rifle
To test the Elite Iron Asset, I had only one choice; the Desert Tech HTI chambered in .408 Cheytac. The HTI is a compact platform in a bullpup configuration, it incorporates a multi-caliber option allowing the user to quickly change between calibers like .375CT, .408CT, .416B, and .50BMG. The Asset would be a perfect companion for all of those less the 50.
The model tested today has the .408 bore, which wouldn’t work for the .416 Barrett, but would for the 375 and 408 Cheytac models. And to be honest thats all that personally interests me, as I don’t care for 50’s.
With the M22x1.5 thread hub in the Asset, it was a perfect fit for the HTI’s barrel threads. After snapping the suppressor against the barrel, I visually aligned the muzzle brake before tightening the locking ring to secure it. Then it was time to just step back and take in how sexy this whole thing was.
Initial Shots
Just to get an idea of how the different configurations sounded, we ran the suppressor a few rounds in each of its stages. Short with no brake, short with brake, long with no brake, and long with brake. As you might imagine, the long configuration gave the best sound suppression.
Even in an indoor range, I found it to be tolerable without hearing protection. Though it may or may not be a bit quieter without the brake. But that of course increased the felt recoil slightly.
The shorter configuration was a touch too loud for me indoors, but was perfectly fine in the open country where it is likely to be used. And in the open, it sounded amazing. When hearing the report of the 408 Cheytac from as close as 20 yards downrange from the muzzle it didn’t sound much different than a suppressed 5.56 or .308. For a real test in the field, we would take the whole kit into the dry deserts of the west and stretch it out.
Modularity
I mentioned the different stages you can use to configure the suppressor. These are to adapt to suppression and recoil mitigation requirements. On the breach end of the suppressor you will find a different design than most of the hub system suppressors. The first stage of the Asset is a mono-core design, and the mounting threads are actually part of of a blast chamber that threads onto the back of the mono-core.
So to change the thread pitch, you would remove the rear cap (called encapsulator ring in manual) with the tool. Then pull the entire mono-core out the back, and unthread the rearmost portion of it. You could then change it to a different thread pitch part, threading it back onto the core. Then reinstall the core and tighten the ring again. This is an interesting design, and one I expect to be a bit more stout than a simple hub that threads into the back of the suppressor.
Sound Suppression
A precision rifle like the HTI or any other chambered thusly would likely be used for either extreme distances or for crushing targets at closer ranges. Either of those scenarios could be enhanced by the anonymity of sound suppression. From modest distances like 800-yards, the impact of the bullet striking targets was just as loud as the shot from the rifle when heard from 100-200 yards away.
It really didn’t give the impression you were shooting such a large cartridge when you heard it go off. The Asset made the report of the rifle sound much more like any typical suppressed rifle shot. This to me is a huge advantage over previous versions of suppressors for this rifle. In the open and arid desert we had no use for hearing protection while shooting this rifle.
Since I am but a humble rifle junkie, I do not have the expensive testing equipment to show dB readings. But Elite Iron does have them listed on their website, so I will share them here:
167 dB* without a suppressor
1st stage with end cap 24 dB*
1st and 2nd stage with end cap 31 dB*
1st stage with muzzle break 22 dB*
1st and 2nd stage with muzzle break 30 dB*
Recoil Reduction
In the very first shots while testing the difference between the muzzle brake and a plain end cap it became very obvious. The muzzle brake was very effective at reducing felt recoil. While the HTI in 375 or 408 isn’t particularly heavy recoil, it was even more modest with the Asset and its brake. I would compare the recoil to something like an average hunting rifle, something I could shoot all day (provided I had thousands of dollars to spend on ammo).
I expect the recoil reduction is perhaps a little more noticeable on larger cartridges like the .416 Barrett. Also, if you are trying to maximize the compact nature of your rifle, you can run the shorter configuration while incurring a little more felt recoil. The impact shift of the Asset seemed to have minimal horizontal shift, favoring to the right. It also seemed to be repeatable as advertised by Elite Iron, which is a big deal for those who know.
Durability
One question I have often asked myself is how durable all these modular suppressor designs are. After all, the more sub-assemblies and threaded together parts there are, the more there is to go wrong. I have made peace with the fact that it is simply worth the trouble of keeping an extra eye on all this, to get the modularity I crave. I think it would be a good idea to put indexing marks on every stage of the suppressor to be able to visually see if something begins to come loose. Something as simple as a paint pen witness mark. As I can’t fathom the gut-wrenching scene of part or all of this can going downrange.
The threads of each piece seem more than adequate for engagement. And the locking rings give good purchase to tighten them properly.
The Titanium and aluminum construction give the Asset its incredibly lightweight feel. I expect testing from the manufacturer would show the suppressor to endure years of shooting. Our initial shots did show a few sparky fireworks coming from the muzzle, which I have seen many times with titanium cans. This went away with additional use, as later when I watched there was no sparks shown at all. This is likely just titanium particles being ignited under the high temperature and heat of the. shots.
one of the very first shots from the Asset
Weight
So many of the big bore cans feel like an artillery shell. I totally understand overbuilding suppressors for these massive cartridges, but it seems like technology and suppressor design has shown it not be so necessary.
I was very impressed with how light the Asset was, considering the firearms it is destined to yoke. And even with its light weight, it still did an excellent job at taming all the pressure and volume of gas expelled.
Value
I must admit, I was partially stunned when I saw the price of the Elite Iron Asset. Many of us are used to seeing price points in the 1500-1900 dollar range for even magnum cartridge ratings like 338LM or 300NM. Albeit with some bells and whistles.
With all the modularity of the Asset, I would have expected it to handily clear the two-thousand dollar mark. It wouldn’t have surprised me if the price had been $2500. So when I saw the MSRP of only $1795 I was impressed. There is an incredible amount of big bore dexterity in the Asset’s application, for the price of can that is only a tax stamp or two away from suppressors folks are using on their 8.6Blk hog rifles.
Pros and Cons
Very Reasonable Price
Many Potential Parts to Loosen
Modular Design
Maybe Some Titanium Sparks at first
Various Caliber Compatible
Lightweight for Size
Great Recoil Reduction
Various Color options
Made in America
Broad Threading Options
Excellent Sounds Reduction
Elite Iron also makes the Revolution bipod seen on the rifle here
My Verdict
If I was in the market for a .375, .408 or .416 suppressor, I would be furious with myself had I not tested this one before buying another. Those who shoot big cartridges like these are fewer than most shooting enthusiasts. But those that know a little bit about it can understand the value of a great suppressor. And those that don’t understand the value are the kind of people who don’t care about prices at all.
I think the Elite Iron Asset is exactly that, a fantastic asset for a big bore rifleman or ELR enthusiast. And a big step ahead of previous Elite Iron big bore suppressors.
Big manufacturers like Sig Sauer offer a great variety of products, sometimes they knock it out of the park, and sometimes they don’t. But today we are taking a look at one of their popular and successful designs. The Sig P365 came out some years ago, with a new perspective on compact pistols. Since its release the P365 family has grown into more like an ant colony of models filled with different sizes, feature sets and so many variants it can be hard to keep up. Todays topic is the Sig Sauer P365 XMacro Comp, an integrally compensated version of the polymer framed pistol. With any luck, I hope to extol the benefits of this pistol to help those curious about it.
The P365
As I mentioned, there are far too many models for me to discuss here. But its also a topic worth going a little deeper into the colony to show a little daylight. There are different sized models, different calibers, state compliant models and more. I’ve put together some of the basic variations here, just to give you an idea. In case the model I am showing you today isn’t exactly what you are looking for.
the compact grip of the P365 fits all sizes of hands
Model
Barrel
Grip
Capacity
Notes
P365
3.1″
Short
10+1
Original micro-compact
P365-380
3.1″
Short
10+1
.380 ACP version
P365 SAS
3.1″
Short
10+1
Flush sights, anti-snag design
P365X
3.1″
XL grip
12+1
Short slide, longer grip
P365XL
3.7″
XL grip
12+1
Longer slide and barrel
P365 XL Spectre Comp
3.1″ compensated
XL grip
12+1
Integrated compensator
P365 Spectre Comp
3.1″ compensated
Macro grip
17+1
Premium Spectre series
P365 XMacro
3.1″ comp / 3.7″
Macro grip
17+1
Full-size grip, slim frame
P365 AXG Legion
3.1″ compensated
Aluminum AXG
17+1
Metal-frame premium model
P365 Fuse
4.3″
Macro grip
21+1
Largest P365 variant
P365 ROSE
Various
Various
Varies
Lena Miculek collaboration
P365 Luxe 380
3.1″ comp
AXG
10+1
Premium .380 model
P365 DH3
3.7″
Macro
17+1
Daniel Horner competition-inspired model
The P365 XMacro
Among the P365’s, the XMacro models bring more a full-size feature set to a very small handgun. Despite its narrow frame, the magazines carry 17-rounds. Which is pretty impressive for such a small gun. As a Sig-o-phile, I have long carried pistols from the manufacturer. And the P239 that I carried for nearly two decades is a little bigger and only holds 8-rounds.
LEFT: different backstrap options RIGHT: the integral compensator built into the slide
And if that wasn’t enough, the XMacro also incorporates an interchangeable backstrap system to help customize the grip to the shooter. The overall grip is surprisingly spacious and at the same time feels pretty petite.
the compensator keeps the pistol from climbing under recoil
Up top, the slide of the XMacro Comp model is optics cut to install a red dot. Fitting the RMSc footprint gives you a variety of optical sight options to install on the pistol. And at the front of the slide you will find the integral compensator. By directing muzzle blast pressure upwards, the muzzle rise is neutralized keeping the gun closer to on target for the next shot.
An accessory pic rail is located under the front of the slide, for adding a weapon light. This is a great thing to have for a CCW pistol which the P365 is meant for. And of course, like another popular Sig pistol we hear a lot about these days, the P365 has an interchangeable grip frame. The serialized part of the pistol is a removable trigger/sear pack that you can swap among a great variety of factory and aftermarket options. These are available in an impressive variety of patterns, colors, and even materials.
Specifications
Specification
P365 XMacro Comp
Caliber
9×19mm
Action
Striker-fired, short recoil
Barrel Length
3.1 in (79 mm)
Overall Length
6.6 in (168 mm)
Overall Height
5.2 in (132 mm)
Overall Width
1.1 in (28 mm)
Weight (with magazine)
21.5 oz (610 g)
Sight Radius
5.1 in
Magazine Capacity
17+1
Frame Material
Polymer XMacro grip module
Slide Material
Stainless steel, Nitron finish
Barrel Material
Carbon steel
Trigger
Flat-faced XSeries trigger
Sights
XRAY3 day/night sights
Optics Ready
Yes (RMSc / ROMEOZero footprint)
Accessory Rail
Standard 1913 Picatinny
Backstraps
Small, Medium, Large (interchangeable)
Manual Safety
Available on select models
Included Magazines
Two 17-round steel magazines
17-round magazines are impressive for this size pisol
With the basics covered, I figured it was time to outfit this pistol and get it on the range. I’m a big fan of red dots on pistols, so the P365 would get a Holosun 407. And because why not, I installed a Streamlight TLR7 weapon light. The two factory 17-round magazines would do just fine for my purposes, so I grabbed some ammunition to fill them up.
Shooting the P365 XMacro
Shooting the P365 was done during various trips to the range, both indoor and outdoor. We would shoot a variety of ammunition from Federal Champion, PMC, Remington, Winchester and Magtech. Mostly 115 grain ammunition was used but we did fire some 147 grain ammo as well. All shooting was done in the configuration seen, with the Holosun red dot and the Streamlight in place. This was done because that is how I would carry it and wanted to shoot it the same way.
here you can see the effect of the compensator, pushing down on the muzzle
Shootability
The thin grip of the P365 is easy to grab as well as tuck into clothing. It almost feels too small to me, perhaps I’m just used to gripping thicker frames. But this would be great for someone who has smaller hands, allowing a better purchase on the gun.
Trigger pull on this pistol is just what you’d want for a CCW pistol. Its neither light nor particularly short. But it feels pretty clean, with a defined reset and predictable break. We had not trouble keeping shots on target at 7 and 12 yards.
the Holosun 407k and Streamlight TLR7 were excellent companions to the P365
With the comped barrel, the XMacro was pretty good at staying on target. Small pistols like this in 9mm tend to be a little spicier when recoiling, the integral compensator does a good job at combatting that tendency.
Ergonomics
I mentioned the grip being almost too small for my taste, but you can adjust the grip changing out the different backstraps on the grip module. This allows you to customize the feel of the grip to your taste.
the grip feels good and comfortable in the hand
Sig’s P365 feels good in the hand, and even though I feel like this gun is a little small for my personal taste it is perfectly functional for me. There is adequate room for both hands to engage and operate the controls of the gun. And the different grip frames you can interchange increase your ability to fit.
Reaching all the controls was easy, and they are very serviceable. I was concerned the slide release might be a bit tough, but it was fine. The mag release is clean, dropping the magazine free with little effort.
the stripped P365 and its component
Accuracy
I mentioned we had not trouble keeping on target at typical CCW defense distances. At 10 yards I found I could keep groups under a couple inches. This is of course under controlled conditions, and I would expect under a stressful situation that would open up.
a typical group from 10-yards
But for general CCW purposes I think the XMacro is perfectly adequate in the accuracy department. Hopefully I never have to find out.
Reliability
We experienced no malfunctions while shooting the P365. Feeding and ejecting rounds went perfectly. I did notice one thing that was slightly irritating though, with the magazine loaded to the full 17-rounds, it sometimes was a challenge to seat in the pistol. It only slightly concerns me as the resistance isn’t something I’d want to deal with in a stressful shooting scenario. But certainly worth noting, perhaps I’d just load 16 for carry. Which is still ahead of many other CCW pistols.
control surfaces were great for operating the pistol
Value
I see P365 pistols all over for as little as $499, which is pretty reasonable. The XMacro models on the other hand are going to cost a bit more. Prices between seven and eight-hundred dollars for the model we tested today are more likely what you’d pay. That isn’t unreasonable in my opinion. The added ammo capacity of the P365 is great, but incorporating the compensator is another increase in both value and performance. So if you can get into a P365 XMacro for $800 or less I think you are doing well.
the Sig P365 chewed through everything we fed it
Pros and Cons
As my gun collection increases with age, I find a tendency to have a firearm for every life situation I might encounter. And the P365 seems like one I would want to carry for a situation where needing it is likely.
the P365 gives a big presentation in a small package
It shoots well, and allows me to get hits on targets without much effort. It has the accessory options that I look for in a handgun and the capacity to give you a good chance in a defensive scenario. Its customizable will being still pretty uniform as handguns go. And unlike its P320 sibling, the P365 has a pretty good record of service. There isn’t much to say against the pistol, other than the small gripes I mentioned above.
Conclusion
The Sig Sauer P365 XMacro has spread like wildfire, and not just because of Sig’s massive marketing campaigns. People really seem to like the gun, and the way they can customize it to their tastes. Despite being mistreated like all Sig Sauer customers, I still find myself pulled to many of their firearms. The P365 is one of those, it is fun to shoot and very useful in your hands. Like any good gun, with the right training it can become your most trusted tool in life.
Nine millimeter handguns have completely dominated much of the concealed carry market. That’s not to say there aren’t other great options, but 9mm seems to be what people are navigating towards. My blue-collar experience with firearms has taught me the value of a good CCW pistol that doesn’t leave you strapped for cash. Today I wanted to go over a handful of my favorite 9mm compact pistols for carry that I think are worth your consideration. Not everyone can afford to carry a CZ Shadow Compact or some wiz-bang H&K, so I tend to look at guns that I would buy or recommend to family and friends.
When purchasing anything including guns, there is always a fine line to walk between what you want and what you can afford. When looking at CCW pistols there is yet another fine line to walk; size and weight vs. capacity. You can always find a smaller gun that is easier and more comfortable to conceal, but usually with lower ammunition capacity or diminished ballistic performance.
Once you decide on a CCW pistol, get really comfortable using it, practice often
As we go over CCW pistol options, we will inevitably be going back and forth between these two extremes. Trying to find balance between what we can afford, what we can comfortably tuck into a belt, without loosing enough capacity. Capacity of course being paramount in a defensive shooting situation, and always on your mind when selecting a pistol.
The Gold Standard
If you ask the question about whats the best 9mm compact, your going to hear the word Glock quite a bit. And there are good reasons for it, Glock makes several good compact pistols with years of solid performance. Does that make it the best option? Maybe not, but they are certainly worth looking at.
Probably the best compact option from the Austrian manufacturer would be either the Glock 19 of one flavor or another, or the slimmer Glock 43. Both are compact models, but the G19 is more like a service sized compact. Whereas the G43 is more about overall concealment. Tucking the G43 is easier because of its slim design, though this comes at the cost of capacity being limited to 6-8 rounds.
The G19 on the other hand can easily handle 15-rounds before adding +1 or 2 floor plates. And with its slightly larger frame the G19 is a great shooting platform. The popularity of these two pistols has created a massive aftermarket support, giving countless options for accessories like holsters, weapon lights, sights and more. I prefer the G19 myself of these two, mainly because of the capacity thing.
Alchemist Clones
Manufacturing the gold standard from something less is a bit like ancient alchemy. The Glock clone market has exploded in recent years, giving countless additional variations of the famous Glock design. Not only do many of them compete well with the original, but they do it for the same or lower price.
PSA Dagger
Starting at the bottom of the heap, PSA’s Dagger pistol has exploded in popularity. Available as a compact or subcompact, the Dagger is similar enough to the G19 to use nearly its entire aftermarket support. I’ve used a Dagger extensively and find them to be very affordable without giving up capacity or shootability. Some would argue their reliability, but in my experience they are a great buy for often under $300. To see our in-depth review of the Dagger click here.
Ruger RXM
Ruger’s RXM is actually a joint project with Magpul, and with two names like that you should be able to expect a good product. The RXM is a very close clone of the G19 again, but it hides an ability to change its stripes. With its modular frame you can swap between different sized frames creating your own version of a G19, 17, or 47. Or anything in between. The RXM gives great reliability while enjoying the same aftermarket support as the Glock pistols it mimics. I have carried the RXM extensively, and quite like its performance and fit. To see our in-depth review of the RXM click here.
Shadow System’s MR920 is another copy of the G19. But instead of just copying the Glock pattern, Shadow Systems intended to improve upon it. Trying to improve both the performance and aesthetics, the MR920 looks as good as it shoots.
And adding to the value, the company also offers a variety of different barrel options and other features allowing you to customize your carry pistol. Allowing optical sights and threaded barrels gives you more dexterity.
The Not Glocks
Other manufacturers have also presented their own popular pistol designs for the CCW market. For the most part they are all very similar to Glocks striker fired polymer frame design. After all, if the design works, why not run with it.
CZ P10S
inserting the 12-round magazine
The CZ P10S is a compact pistol that offers 12+1 capacity in a small optics ready pistol. I was very impressed with the performance of this pistol, and especially for the price. It can occasionally be had on PSA for under $400, which is a great deal considering its performance and heritage. The P10’s widespread use by civilians, law enforcement and some militaries give confidence that its design is both robust and here to stay. My only gripe with it is the need to buy an optics adaptor plate to run a red dot. To see our in-depth review of the CZ P10S click here.
Canik Mete MC9
Canik’s MC9 on the other hand, comes with its own selection of optics mounting plates for a variety of options. As well as different grip options, and a 15+1 capacity, all this for under $400 at times depending on configuration.
The MC9 brings its own style and design, while keeping with the design that has made all these pistols successful. It fits well in the hand, keeping just enough grip available to not feel undersized and still being compact enough to tuck. It shoots great and looks good at the same time, giving an affordable great performance. To see our in-depth review of the Canik METE MC9 click here.
Smith & Wesson Shield
The family of Smith & Wesson Shield pistols has a great variety of compact and comfortable carry pistols. I’ve carried the M&P Shield Plus a bit, and was very impressed with how slim it is, and how well it shoots with its ported barrel. Of course with such a small pistol you are going to give up some capacity. But this might be one of those I would choose for maximum concealment even at the cost of capacity.
There also seems to be a great variety in configurations and cost. Which gives you quite a few options to customize your carry. These pistols have great sights, and some direct mount red dot options. As well as manual safeties or not depending on what you want, all of these options can be used to enhance your daily carry. To see our in-depth review of the M&P Shield Plus click here.
Sig Sauer P365
We cant forget to include the P365 from Sig Sauer, a compact pistol built specifically for carrying. The P365 brings full-size capacity to a very small pistol, perhaps not quite as small as the G43 but almost.
the Sig Sauer P365 XMacro Comp is a great pistol with both capacity and small footprint
The 17-round magazines fill almost the entirety of the grip, and yet they still managed to make an interchangeable backstrap to customize the fit. One of the great features of the P365 is that its not a P320… (pause for laughter). But seriously, it has an incredible spread of options including compensated barrels, and various other configurations. Too many to list here, but worth looking into. And even with so many options the P365 is not horribly expensive.
Much like the Hellcat coming next, the P365 really blurs the lines between compact pistols and big capacity. With reliable function, good trigger, and every option a CCW student could ask for.
Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro
Springfield Armory’s Hellcat Pro came to as an incredible value. It is impressively small considering its capacity. Like the P365 it seems to best combat the size/capacity balance for compact pistols. With 15 and 17-round magazine options, the Hellcat Pro brings near full-size capacity to a very small pistol. The only way I approve of increasing weight of a CCW pistol is by adding more ammo to it.
The Hellcat Pro brings a lot of firepower to a small pistol with good sights and an optics ready pistol. Smaller pistols often are a touch spicier and snappy, so be sure to try them first. And if you are one who likes manual safeties, the Hellcat has that option as well. Rounded out with a decent trigger and accessory rail, you could really do well with a Hellcat. To see our in-depth review of the SA Hellcat Pro click here.
How to Select Your Own CCW Pistol
Having evaluated all the options out there, you need to decide on your budget. As that will dictate which of the options are available to you. Once you’ve created a list of pistol options within your budget, you can start looking. A good fit for a pistol, is one that lines up as close as possible with your natural point. I love a gun that is already pointed at my target when I present it without even focusing hard. Some are better than others depending on your grip, so I would try various options before buying.
Make sure you get a good holster for your pistol like this Safariland IncogX
After doing that, you can also see which of the options best aligns with your choice of accessories. What holster and sight options are available for it, and how you would prefer that selection went. And by the time you have evaluated all of these things, there should be at least a couple good stand-out options for you to choose from.
Concluding Thoughts
Hopefully you have found a few pieces of valuable information here. And armed with a little more information you are better suited to pick the best option for your protection. Remember that if you intend on defending life with a CCW weapon, its probably worth spending as much as you can afford for reliability.
Nearly any of the pistols mentioned here today would fit into one of my carry needs. And I would be happy carrying any one of them on any given day. Feel free to make your own recommendations in the comments below.
Weapon lights are a recent development in firearms accessories. Once flashlight technology reached the ability to put high lumen power in something small enough to attach to a firearm, the stage was set. A natural combination of bringing light to your aim point was a guaranteed win for gun owners. Allowing defensive shooting in dark places to broaden your defense. Today we are looking at another weapon light option from the Nightstick company. This model is the Nightstick TWM-30-GL, which combines a 1200 lumen LED emitter with a visible green laser.
These two features together give you a bright beam of light on your target, coupled with a laser point to aid in aiming. We’ll put this weapon light under scrutiny to see just how it can enhance your shooting experience.
interchangeable recoil lugs make customizing the fit on your pistolMy Girsan 2311 CMXX 9mm made an excellent host for the lightthe TWM-30-GL has a similar profile to the Surefire X300, and will fit most of the same placeszeroing the laser is done using an Allen wrenchthe laser will only line up with your point of aim at one distance, I chose a close distance where it would most likely be necessarythe TWM-30-GL fit nicely in my Safariland holsters made for the X300The Taurus TX9 also made a good host for the Nightstick
Specifications
Flashlight Lumens: 1200
Multi-Function: Yes
High Lumens: 1200
Low Lumens: 1200
High Beam Distance (m): 218
High Candela: 11920
Drop Rating: 2 m
Water Rating: IP-67 Dustproof/Waterproof
High Runtime (h): 2.0
Strobe: Yes
Laser Color: Green
Light Source: LED
Serialized: Y
Case Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum
Body Color: Black
Quantity of Batteries: 2
Power Source: CR123
Package Contents: Light, 3 cross-rail inserts, 2 cross-rail mounting cap head screws, Allen wrench, 2 CR123 Lithium batteries
As the popularity of the 6mm Advanced Rifle Cartridge (6 ARC) continues to grow, there are more and more firearms chambered in the cartridge. Two popular rifles that carry the 6 ARC chambering (among many others) are the Ruger American and the Howa Mini action rifles. Both are very popular and well built rifles, and today we will be putting the rifles side by side to see how they compare. These are the hard things I do for you, so that you can decide which one better suits your needs. Ruger American Gen 2 versus Howa Mini is a direct comparison of the two rifles, not just as 6 ARC rifles, but as platforms themselves. Both rifles are available in a huge variety of configurations and calibers, but since these two are almost direct comparisons it is a good place to take a look.
Lets start out with a direct comparison of some of the features. The Ruger is a newer design that incorporates many of the newest stylings and manufacturing techniques. While the Howa is a more traditional design, incorporating many of the best features learned from building rifles over the last fifty-years. Despite some of the differences they are still quite similar.
Ruger American 6ARC
Howa Mini 6ARC
Barrel length
20-inch
20-Inch
Barrel Twist
1:7.7-inches
1:7.5-Inches
Capacity
10-Rounds (factory)
5-Rounds (factory)
Weight
6.5 Lbs
6.6 Lbs
Magazine System
AR-15 Style
Proprietary
Action Type
Three-lug Rotary bolt-action
Two-lug Rotary bolt-action
Extractor Type
Sliding Plate Extractor
M-16 Style Claw
Bolt Construction
One-piece Machined
One-piece Forged
Bolt Knob
5/16-24 interchangeable
Solid
Safety
3-position plus blade safety
3-position
Trigger
Adjustable single stage
Adjustable two-stage
Stock
Configurable Polymer
One-piece Polymer
Bedding System
Power Bedding V-block
Pillar-bedded
Muzzle Device
Radial Muzzle Brake ⅝-24
Thread Protector ⅝-24
Scope Mounting system
Proprietary Rail Included
2-Piece R700 Compatible
Overall Length
41.25-Inches
39.5-Inches
Length of Pull
12-13.75-inches
13.5-Inches
Finish
Cerakote
Matte Bluing
Howa Mini
The Howa Mini is a scaled down version of their popular M1500 short-action, the Mini version made to handle the smallest centerfire cartridge families. Basically cartridges that are made for an AR15 sized action like the .223 Remington, 300Blk, 350 Legend, the 6.5 Grendel and of course the 6 ARC seen here.
The Mini is fed from a proprietary magazine made by Howa, it is a polymer 5-round that hangs out the bottom of the stock. Releasing the magazine is done with a button at the front of the magwell, while capturing the magazine in your palm.
With its two-stage trigger, the Mini gives excellent control for the shooter when breaking the shot. Its three-position safety has a safe, safe load/unload, and a firing position. All this mounted via pillars in the hard molded stock.
Ruger American
The Ruger American also has some scaled down features, but its action remains the same as other short-action Americans. Ruger designed the American to be mass produced, using similar parts for as many models as possible. The magazine well of the stock is interchangeable, meaning you can simply swap it out for a different sized cartridge.
Additionally, the American stock incorporates the Power Bedding V-block system that directly mates with the action. And the stock can be configured depending on the shooter, with a separate removable spacer system to shorten length of pull. You can also order different comb-height spacers to get the best eye position behind the scope.
The American’s Marksman trigger is easily adjustable, and it also has a three-position safety just like the Howa. The difference is the American is tang mounted compared to the Howa’s right side of the tang location.
Using a three-lug bolt on the American shortened the bolt lift for the rifle, making it fast to operate. The Ruger bolt is timed by its bolt-stop that also acts like a key, keeping the bolt stroking inline. As compared to the Mini that uses the bolt lugs against the bolt raceway for timing.
here you can see some of the inner workings of the American
The sliding Plate extractor of the Ruger snaps around rims of cartridges, and a plunger style ejector throws them out of the action when the bolt is opened. The M16 claw style extractor of the Mini has more leverage as it bites into the rim, but uses the same plunger style ejector.
I have shot both of these rifles extensively over the past few years, and both of them serve a great purpose in this caliber. Whether it be for hunting varmints or even lighter big game animals, both of these rifles would be an excellent choice. I have had the Howa Mini longer, so don’t be surprised that I have a little more insight on the rifle.
On my first trip to the range with the rifles, I got a fairly similar result from both. I would shoot a couple of the production ammunition options from Hornady. The 105gr Black ammo, the 108gr Match ammo, as well as a few other handloaded options. Neither of them was super impressive with the factory ammunition choices, with the Howa averaging around MOA, and the Ruger as well. But once I switched over to my handloaded 105gr loads, things changed. Both of the rifles quickly tightened up with the new source, shooting well under MOA.
Here are a couple examples of typical good groups from both rifles
Feeding
Cycling the actions while on a bench at the range, I found out a lot about the magazine systems. The Ruger American uses AR15 magazines, which are metal. And though they feed fine, they are a little more sticky than the polymer lips of the Howa magazine. So both rifles fed without issue, but the Howa had a slightly smoother feel to it.
Conversely, the Howa magazine had its own detriments. For example, they aren’t particularly expensive and it shows. They work great but I’d be afraid that if I stepped on it they would break for sure. I’d love it if they were a bit more robust, and being as they are only five-round magazines, it seems like they should be shorter. Maybe not flush with the stock but at least less obtrusive than they are. Duramag makes a near flush fitting magazine specifically for the American you can see here.
Triggers on both rifles were great considering these rifles prices. I will readily admit that I did adjust both of them a little to improve the feel. But even in their stock configuration they feel fine. I love a good good 2-stage trigger, and the Mini’s 2-stage feels great to me.
If I had to pick, I like it a touch more than the American trigger. I also hate trigger blade safeties, I used to take them off my old Savage rifles back when I had them. Even so, the American trigger is perfectly fine. And after I adjusted it slightly I liked it even more, to the point I completely forgot about the the blade safety.
the mag release on the Ruger is a little bit of a reach for the trigger finger
Bolt Lift & Stroke
The shorter bolt-lift of the American seems preferable, and yet when doing most of my shooting I hardly noticed the difference. Its almost like you only notice it when you focus on it. This also depends on the rifle scope used with the rifle. If you put a large riflescope on either of these rifles, the shorter lift of the Ruger is less likely to cause occlusions with bolt or fingers when operating it. Whereas on the Howa, the bolt is much closer to the scope because of its longer lift.
the Howa Mini has had the same US Optics scope on it for a few years now
Aftermarket
Support from the aftermarket is a big deal these days, and for that topic the Ruger wins. The American rifle has a host of aftermarket supporters making everything from triggers to bolt-knobs and chassis. While the Mini also has some support, it seems less prolific which makes sense. The Ruger American has been around longer, and Ruger is a massive stalwart in the industry. Howa is a lesser known brand, with perhaps a more traditional following that might be less likely to customize their rifle. That is of course changing nowadays.
Report Card
Instead of a typical pros and cons, I am choosing to give these two rifle a grade as compared to the other. To clarify, this report card is a direct comparison between only these two rifles. As they compare to each other, not against anything else which could be a big difference.
Ruger American 6ARC
Howa Mini 6ARC
Accuracy
A-
A-
Shootability
A-
B+
Reliability
A
A
Ergonomics
A
B+
Value
B+
A-
Production Quality
A-
A-
Finish
A
B
Aftermarket Support
A
B+
Trigger Quality
A-
A
Action feel
B+
B+
Magazine System
B+
B+
Barrel Features
A
B+
Stock Configuration
A
B
Stock Feel
B+
A-
Average Grade
A-
B+
I was actually surprised myself when I looked at the report card between the two. Because I wouldn’t have thought there would be as much disparity even in my own findings. A great deal of the difference comes from the Ruger’s modularity and aftermarket support, which can be very subjective. As I mentioned I have more time with the Mini, and perhaps thats why I like it so much and defend its virtues.
the Howa Mini has been my wife’s hunting rifle for years now, you can read about it here
My Verdict
As you can tell by now, I like both of these rifles. I suggest that you go with whichever of the two you find more in line with your needs. For some it might just come down to brand preference. Both of them are capable of good accuracy, and both of them can be had in calibers other than 6 ARC as well. I myself suffer from terminal poly-gunism, and therefore cannot bring myself to eliminate a gun from my collection without at least a moderate disliking. Something neither of these rifles inspire in me.
Hopefully I have shed some additional light on these two rifles, enough to allow you to better choose one for yourself. Feel free to drop a comment or question, I’ll be happy to answer them.
-CBM
If you’d like to see both of these rifle reviewed individually, you can see them here:
If you’ve been in the precision shooting game for a long time, you probably remember the old days when we dreamed about having something as simple as a scope with matching turrets and reticle. I remember wanting to build a custom long-range rifle, and put a true long-range scope on it. Today we are taking a look at a scope that embraces that traditional design. The Mueller Optics 8-32×44 tactical rifle scope with side focus matches what I wished for. Today we are going to see how this scope stacks up against its contemporary challengers.
fresh out of the box
Mueller Optics 8-32×44
This scope is built on a 30mm tube, using a 44mm objective lens. The slightly smaller objective allows closer mounting which some folks see as an advantage. It uses a four power zoom going from 8x all the way up to 32x. One of the key features of this scope is the side focus which believe it or not was not always as popular. We call them side focus, but that also incorporates parallax adjustment in the same feature. This allows the shooter to clarify the target detail while at the same time removing parallax from the view of the target. This is an important feature needing correction when shooting long-range.
Inside the Mueller 8-32 you will find a traditional MIL-dot reticle. The original “tactical” reticle, a MIL-dot reticle uses mil-radian graduations that the marksman can use for measuring distance, target sizes, as well as corrective movements when shooting at long-range.
classic MIL-Dot reticle
The reticle is housed in an erector that uses 1/8 MOA turrets. That is a much finer graduation than what most scopes use today. Moving the reticle 1/8 MOA per click gives a total of 7.5 MOA of travel per rotation of the turret.
Fine knurling of the control surfaces make adjusting the scopes controls easy. And a diopter on the occular housing allows for fine reticle focus to give optimal clarity. The scope comes with a bikini cover, and a three-inch sun shade.
solid turrets and parallax adjustments made the scope easy to use
I had chosen to mount the scope on a CVA Cascade SB 6.5 Creedmoor. Having used the rifle extensively for testing various scopes, and it would be a good host for this one as well. I attached the scope using a set of Vortex 30mm low rings. Even so the scope was a touch higher than I’d of liked for my cheek weld. So I also installed one of my Triad Tactical stock packs. It allows spacers to be added to increase comb height, and the comfortable fabric feels soft against your face.
With eye relief set, and scope leveled I torqued down the screws. With the rifle set firmly on my kitchen table, I removed the bolt and did a quick bore-sight job in preparation of the first range trip. Then I grabbed some ammo and the rest of my gear before heading to the firing line.
big thanks to Wideners Shooting Supply for supplying ammunition for this reviewZeroing the turrets after getting the point of impact rightpicking out varmints with this scope is easyI like the all metal construction, no rubber components here
Big wheel guns inspire many things in firearm enthusiasts. It might be historical yearning or just a desire for power in your hand. The smooth metallic clicking as a cylinder rolls cartridges into place is a soothing sound. Big revolvers have always been an American custom, and Smith & Wesson has been part of it for more than 170 years. Today we are taking a look at one of the S&W’s masterpieces, the mighty X-frame, built to carry the massive .500 S&W cartridge. The Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model S&W500 7.5-inch pistol is built for shooting its massive cartridges comfortably and accurately.
I remember when these pistols and the cartridge came out, there was a bit of a frenzy over such a large cartridge. I don’t know why people seem to get so excited over 50 caliber firearms. It almost seems like there is some kind of dopamine released by saying “fifty-cal”. But the 500 S&W enjoys the very same level of excitement from gun people. I myself have managed to live for many decades without feeling the need to endure such palm punishment. But today on our readers behalf, I intend to shoot the big 500 so you can decide if it’s worth your time.
Some of the ammunition tested from Double Tap Ammorecoil was impressivehere you can see a three-shot group with the Double Tap Ammo (note dual projectiles)
Looking for something smaller? Check out the S&W 44 Magnum
