If you are a handyman or outdoorsman of any capacity, then this one is for you. I have spent most of my life enjoying the wild country of the west, and doing so at night requires light. Flashlights are a must have necessity for outdoorsman and hunters, and today I am bringing you one of my latest favorites. Our topic today is the Olight Oclip 2, a battery powered variable output light that is compact, powerful and ready to move with you.
as is usual with Olight, a very nice packaging and instructions are included
The Oclip 2 is a rechargeable compact light source, with an articulating robust clip from whence it draws its name. In addition to the articulating clip, the the head of the light also is articulating. Between the two motions, you can clamp the Oclip 2 to most anything, and point light wherever you might need it.
The multi output head has a flood, spot and red/UV emitter. this allows you again to customize the light to your specific needs. The base of the Oclip is magnetic, which in typical Olight fashion help attach it to a charging base. And the Oclip 2 comes with a charging base that affixes to the light itself. The two pieces together are still smaller than many other flashlight options.
the Oclip 2 attached to its charging base
Specifications
Feature
Specification
Light sources
White floodlight, white spotlight, red light, UV light
I have used the Oclip 2 for several months now, and during my hunting season every day. The strong clip of the Oclip allows you to easily attach it to your shirt collar, backpack straps, or the brim of your hat. The large clip gets a good bite of whatever you attach it to, and holds on well enough to stay put. For example, attached to the brim of my hat, and riding miles through rough terrain on ATV’s didn’t phase it a bit. Staying put and pointed right where I set it.
I very frequently use the Oclip 2 as a headlamp, attached just like this to my hat
Around camp it was also very helpful. When set in flood mode I found it perfect to illuminate directly in front of me while gathering firewood or cooking over the fire. The spotlight feature gives additional brightness at distance for investingating creepy sounds in the dark of the forest. And while I hiked miles through dark forest moving to my hunting spot, the red illumination was perfect for keeping a low profile until the sun arrived.
USB-C charging jack is also built in, so you can charge it without the base.
The small selector can be rotated on the side of the body, there are three positions to use the flood, spot, and red features. Pushing and holding the button will cycle the light through various brightness settings until you get to the one you prefer. And the flexible emitter head can be folded out to aim the light as you desire.
red illumination prevents wiping out your night vision
Also while working inside the toolbox of my truck, looking for things was easy by sticking the magnetic base of the Oclip to the side of the tool box. The same could be done working under the hood of the truck, and while changing a tire on my trailer in the darkness. The strong magnet held tight to the trailer frame keeping our work area lit up while we changed a tire.
he magnetic base also allows you to use it for working on the car, or fixing plumbing under the kitchen sink
The battery life on the Oclip 2 is impressive, I have yet to run it dead yet. I keep it charged during the day, and then use it for several hours during the dark hours of the day.
the Oclip 2 sticks neatly to the frame of my trailer when we had to change a spare in the dark
My Verdict
The Olight Oclip 2 is a FANTASTIC tool to keep in your vehicle. When you need it, you will be so glad to have it. I found that during the weeks of my hunting season, it was the only light I needed. Despite having others, I kept using the Oclip 2 out of convenience. If you do any of the activities I mentioned, or something similar, you will likely love this little light source.
If you’ve followed me for long, you’ve probably seen me using the Wolfpack Armory Romulus 556 suppressor. The Romulus uses a reduced backpressure radial flow design that is specifically helpful for gas operated semi-automatics. Today I bring you Romulus’ big brother, the Remus 30 caliber, which is essentially a scaled up version for larger caliber arms. The Wolfpack Armory Remus 30 suppressor incorporates grade 5 titanium and Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) more commonly called 3D printed construction. This allows the elaborate and effective design of these two suppressors.
Having used the Romulus all summer long, I have become a huge fan of its performance. It was only a matter of time before I would have to step up and get the Remus to go with it.
the Remus 30 (left) and its smaller sibling the Romulus 5.56 (right)
Wolfpack Armory’s Remus 30
I mentioned that the Remus 30 is of a DMLS design, which unfortunately means you cant really see what it looks like inside unless you want to split it. But what you can see is interesting, especially when combined with it other features.
the curious muzzle design of the Remus 30, and the hub compatible breech end (right)
Printing the Remus from 6AL-4V Titanium gives it some very appreciable qualities. It weighs only 11-ounces as a result, which is less than its smaller sibling (made from Inconel). This version of titanium uses alloys of aluminum and vanadium to increase its strength and resistance. All of these features are great for a rifle suppressor, especially one you plan on carrying for any amount of time.
Not a Wolfpack Armory suppressor, but to show you how interesting the technology has made design
A fascinating design can be done using the DMLS technology, but looks are only cool so long as they improve performance in this game. The interesting facets of the muzzle on the Remus are designed to reduce both flash and report from the host. Curious shapes and vent holes direct gas flow in disruptive paths to slow its escape. And the tiny sections of holes around the outer edge of the Remus also allow gas to escape.
the Remus 30 comes with wrenches to tighten and remove hub mounts
As with any cutting edge suppressor, the Remus 30 uses the industry standard 1.375 x 24 hub threads. This means that you can completely customize the way the Remus attaches to the host firearm. It comes with their own Nighthowler muzzle brake and Plan B compatible hub, which again broadens your options.
I couldn’t wait to get the Remus into my rotation. I obviously couldn’t use the Romulus on my larger calibers, so when the Remus showed up I was quick to deploy it with various rifle hosts. The very first was on an 11.5-inch Desert Tech WLVRN chambered in 300Blk. The large size of the Remus, and it various ports made the Blackout sound fantastic. And even with the short 11.5-inch barrel we detected no flash .
I would also use the Remus on a couple bolt-action hunting rifles. The first one a Bergara Premier Canyon chambered in 308 Winchester. And the second was my custom Bergara Premier carbon cannon chambered in 7mm PRC. Having first checked with WPA armory about maximum cartridge recommendations, to which they said a 300WM or smaller should be fine. Both rifles sounded fantastic with the Remus in place, and its compact size and weight would be handy while hiking through the Rocky Mountains.
And because the Remus is optimized for gas operated semi-autos, I also put it to good use on a SCAR 17S DMR rifle. As well as my Desert Tech WLVRN, both rifles being chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor.
Over the course of a couple months, I would shoot through the Remus on various occasions. Indoors and outdoors and in various different scenarios, mainly it was during the testing of the various firearms mentioned and getting them ready for hunting season. Different atmospheric conditions offered interesting results, as the warm and dry desert contrasts against cold and damp air at nine-thousand feet ASL. Like other DMLS suppressors I have, the Remus made an interesting shower of sparks at the beginning. A suppressor made from titanium powder is bound to have some residual left inside, making an interesting show until they are all consumed in the heat.
Sound Suppression
Part of the curious design of the WPA Remus 30 is it interesting front end. Departing from the traditional simple hole in the end cap, the Remus uses a variety of escape ports. The center hole is obviously designed for the bullet to emerge, but further geometries around it add turbulence to the exiting gases. Causing variations in flow of the gas volume as it escapes adding restrictions in its overall speed.
Additionally, with its multi-port end cap, the Remus allows various different flows of gas to escape at the same time. Watching these gas flows captured on camera shows different streams perhaps even colliding as they escape the Remus. The resulting sound is a much lower pitch than traditional suppressors. Instead of a sharp hiss when fired, there is a slightly lower frequency. Almost like a regular suppressor was placed under a pillow or something when fired.
Recoil and Signature Reduction
Adding a suppressor usually helps reduce recoil on a given firearm. The Remus adds both some weight, and reduction in escaping gas pressure. This helps reduce recoil felt by the shooter and helps keep the host rifle steady on the target area. The Remus gave a noticeable reduction in recoil on all hosts tested.
With its diffused pressure profile, the Remus also is less likely to give you away. Most of the time we use suppressors for anonymity, and spreading the suppressor exhaust over a wider area makes dust and other debris less likely to show disturbance.
Gas Blowback
One of the major design features of the Remus, is its reduced backpressure. The internal design of the suppressor uses rotational geometry to spin the gas flow bringing it to a lower speed before exiting. Traditional baffles have a little more of a hard pushback with one wall of resistance after another. By allowing the gas pressure more room to expand in the can while still reducing its exit speed, the Remus forces less gas back into the action. the golden calf of semi-auto suppression is not having ANY backflow of gas into the action of the host. I have found its near impossible to stop it from happening, but reducing it is a valiant effort. The Remus does a better job than most
Accuracy
Adding weight and reducing movement of the rifle is usually a good thing when it comes to accuracy. And I found that the accuracy of my rifles was not negatively affected by the use of the Remus. If anything, it seemed the rifles shot better with the moderating presence of the Remus 30.
recoil was significantly reduced by the suppressor
Modularity
The WPA Remus uses the standard 1.375 -24 hub pattern, which allows you to mount it however you see fit. The Plan B Nighthowler mount that came with the Remus is great, but I also used a direct thread 5/8-24 threaded hub. This modularity allows you to install the Remus on nearly any caliber compatible host. Whether it be a 5.56 AR15 or a 300WM hunting rifle.
With an MSRP of $1049, the Remus isn’t exactly a beginner’s can. With incredible growth of the suppressor market at hand, there are all kinds of cheaper options out there. But what the Remus offers is worth consideration. It has a great sound reduction, and does an excellent job hushing gas guns without making them filthy. It uses cunning modern design that both looks cool and functions very well. And it is covered by a lifetime warranty, which is important with not only suppressors but particularly DMLS cans which I expect are exceptionally hard or even impossible to repair.
Pros and Cons
Low Backpressure design
I need a .33 Caliber version
Lightweight Titanium construction
Compatible with 300WM or smaller cartridges
Modular Hub mounting system
Includes Nighthowler Plan B mount
Excellent Sound reduction
Included Assembly tools
Great Lifetime Warranty
My Verdict on the Wolfpack Armory Remus 30
I consider myself a pretty big suppressor enthusiast, I’ve tried quite a few different types and designs. DMLS suppressors appear to be the future of suppressors, and the Wolfpack Armory Remus is at the front of the pack for sure. Its hard to keep up with all the latest new things, but I expect the simplicity of creating new designs will soon start eclipsing everything we know.
The Remus is a perfect example of cutting edge technology. Its manufacturing process and design bring the price down for flow designs that were a unreachable for engineers of the recent past. This design gives a fantastic sounding report, with a lightweight presentation, and all the mounting options we have become accustomed to. If you have a household full of 30-caliber and less rifles, particularly if they are semi-auto, then the Remus 30 would be an excellent choice. And the icing on the cake is that the Remus costs at least several hundred dollars less than competitors cans like the Flow, Cat, and Velos. If that appeals to you, give the boys at Wolfpack Armory a call. Tell them I sent you, word of mouth means a lot in our degraded world.
Apparently I’m not the only one who enjoys the affordable plinking of the pistol caliber carbine (PCC). It seems like countless new and differing models pop up often to join long-time popular carbines like the CZ Scorpion and the Stribog SP9A3. It should come as little surprise then that economy brands also follow the trend. Today we are taking a look at one of those options; the Panzer USA HAN9, a nine-millimeter “pistol” that like many others is an obvious nod to adding a pistol brace to avoid the despotic NFA.
Panzer Arms USA imports a great variety of firearms from you guessed it, Türkiye. Most of their offerings are various shotguns, but the HAN 9 is a 9mm pistol that incorporates some interesting features.
The Panzer Arms HAN 9
The Panzer HAN 9 came to me new in the box, with a few accessories and magazines. The HAN 9 uses a typical blowback action, that uses a large bolt or bolt carrier to keep the action closed long enough for the bullet to escape. A captured recoil spring assembly rides behind the bolt within the square tubular receiver. Both are secured with an abutted plate secured by two take-down pins that fits neatly in the back of the receiver. There is also a section of picatinny rail on the back-plate to add a pistol-brace or stock if that the way you want to go.
As the sea of riflescopes deepens around us, it can often be challenging to know what to pick. It seems every time I open my Instagram there is a new optics company trying to get my attention and money. And because I am both a humanitarian and a rifle-junkie, I chose to take a leap for you the reader to put eyes on all of them to gain insight for prospective buyers. Today we are looking through the brand new Zero Tech Trace X 5-25×50 riflescope. Building off of the companies Trace line of scopes, the Trace X line offers all the popular features that zealous riflemen are after.
unboxing the Trace X
I’ve been using this scope now for four months, in anticipation of its official release to the market. It fits nicely into my collection of precision rifle optics, and should therefore get a good comparison to its peers. With production facilities in both Japan and China, there are Zero Tech scopes in the premium quality tier as well as more affordable options.
here you can see the illumination control button centered in the parallax turret
Zero Tech has been around since 2018, which might not sound like a long time. Though the company maintains that their team has decades in the optic market, design and engineering. Originating in Australia, Zero tech has spread quickly across the rapidly advancing optics market to include North America, Europe and Africa. They manufacture scopes, binoculars, spotting scopes and smaller sights like red dots.
The Zero Tech Trace X 5-25×50
The Trace X scope is built on a 34mm tube, which has become the preferred option for precision shooting aficionados. With a 50mm objective lens up front, and a 5x variable zoom the Trace X also has the power to compress great detail into your view.
I like the all metal construction, with no rubber or plastic features to get damaged. The magnification ring has a removable throw-lever, with two different mounting locations to avoid occlusions with bolt handles and fingers. There is a metal locking ring on the ocular adjustment diopter, to allow you to lock the focus which is a nice touch.
here you can see both the locking ring and the two throw lever mounting locations
On the erector housing you’ll find the typical trio of turrets. Up top there is a 10-MIL elevation turret marked with 1/10 MRAD marks. Loosening the two Allen screws allows you to remove the turret cap, exposing the zero-stop underneath. It is a very robust aluminum ring that can be zeroed at any location. The elevation turret itself has 33 MRAD of elevation in three turns of the turret.
setting the Zero Tech zero-stop
On the right side you’ll find a capped windage turret, it too has 10MRAD per turn, but is labeled 5R or 5L depending which direction you turn it. I like having the windage capped, as I rarely dial windage outside of zeroing. Opposite the windage turret there is a battery housing and push-button control for the reticle illumination. This is stacked on top of the parallax focus adjustment in a clean seamless look which is nice.
a broad range of focus makes for great clarification
Initially I planned on mounting the Trace X to my Desert Tech SRS M2. This is one of my favorite rifles, and it is boringly accurate and repeatable. Which is an excellent host when testing a scope. The SRS M2 uses a 30 MOA canted scope rail, to that I attached a set of Vortex rings that gave me perfect height for mounting the Zero Tech scope.
the windage turret can be run exposed or covered by the cap
Once mounted, I did a little bit of looking through the scope. My first thought was that its quite bright, and clarity was also very good. Changing magnification as I looked over the details of trees and other landscape details gave a general positive impression.
Shooting the Zero Tech Trace X
Over the course of several weeks and various trips to the range and into the mountains, we put the Trace X through its paces. We do a lot of shooting in these mountains, chasing squirrels and Marmots at high altitude and often long-range. Miles of open country covered in trees and brush also give excellent opportunities to view and engage targets through the Zero Tech scope.
glassing targets from elevation supported by the Two Vets Tripod
My SRS kitted out with the 6 GT barrel is one of my most reliable and predictable barrels. Which would make a very solid test platform, as I’ve got years of hard dope from shooting with many other high quality scopes.
My first trip would be a to rifle range, to get a solid zero and test some of the tracking and zero-stop. Most of that work was done at 100 yards, where I would shoot groups and make sure everything was buckled down. After I felt confident that I could drop bullets through other bullet holes with the Trace X, it was time to hit the real world range.
In the field
Luck would have it that I would be able to test quite a variety of conditions due to some odd summer weather patterns. Not only was I able to read mirage through the triple digit heat of summer, but I’d also get to shoot through clouds and rain. Even some frozen precipitation would hit us at nine-thousand feet. And later still the haze of distant wildfires would test the sharpness of the Trace X lenses.
Some of these conditions would closely represent a typical day of deer or elk hunting in these mountains. And I like seeing how my equipment stands up in less than ideal weather.
Optical Clarity
Zero Tech uses Schott lenses which are famous for high quality image transfer. My initial impression was very positive, the image was bright and the details crisp. Whether looking at the ragged edges of bullet holes in paper, or the hair of small animals rustling in the breeze.
the RMG-H reticle as seen at low and high power
The focus/parallax has a broad sweep of adjustment, which made it easy to find the best image when focusing. Shooting the scope in early morning light as the sun rises, as well as the aforementioned clouds and smokey skies proved the Trace X’s lens quality look to me. Those of us who have been around scopes for a long time can certainly appreciate the optical performance compared to the price. We once paid two or three times the cost for scopes that offered less than this one. But as I mentioned, the sea of scopes continues to rise and competition is making a performance like this more affordable.
picking out Marmots from across a canyon as I typically do but this time using the Trace X
Reticle
Reticles can be very subjective to the shooter. I think the RMG-H reticle gives a great balance of subtensions without clogging the view within the scope. For those that prefer the Christmas tree style reticles you might prefer the RMG 2 or RMG 3 reticle.
Elevation is marked at half and whole MIL’s, numbered from 1 to 10. While the windage is subtended in .2 MIL and .5 MIL for the first 3 MIL’s and then switches to whole and half MIL’s out to 8 MIL’s. The windage is numbered even only. The open center with a dot makes for a perfectly fine aim point without cluttering the area.
Parallax and Focus
Removing parallax from your target image is easily done with the long parallax adjustment on the Trace X. Making images easily analyzed by the eye. Getting a sharp focus of both the reticle and the target can be done nicely using the Trace X’s controls. And that sharp focus makes the scope an excellent tool for precise shooting.
Repeatability
Over the course of this past summer, I’ve been able to work the knobs of this scope repeatedly. Swapping it from one rifle to another, zeroing and re-zeroing, setting the zero-stop. All this the scope does very well, staying set and tracking true. Regardless of the conditions, it went right along with whatever shooting activity I had planned for the day. Riding along on bumpy dirt roads for miles on the back of ATV’s caused no problem for the Trace X.
Value
With an MSRP of $899, I expect the Trace X will find a following among shooters looking for value coupled with performance. The Trace X falls right into that meaty bit of the optics market with great performance to cost ratio. With all the competition, this scope has its work cut out, but it has the pedigree to do very well.
Pros and Cons
Zero Tech’s Trace X has a great set of lenses, which produces sharp images. Even in the triple digit heat of summer, I was very pleased with my ability to pick out prairie dogs through the mirage. Strong turrets with crisp clicks and a solid zero-stop make it a great choice for dialing corrections. The broad parallax adjustment gives great alignment of reticle and target, giving marksman with taste little to complain about.
The only issue I had on occasion, was the push-button illumination. While transporting a rifle in a soft case, the illumination had been turned on. I am not sure if it was me accidentally pushing the button when loading the gun into the case, or if it got bumped during transport. Either way, I was surprised to find my reticle blazing red once I got on the firing line.
My Verdict on the Trace X 5-25×50
I’ve spent several months now playing with the Trace X, and putting it to good use in the various shooting applications I enjoy. Its given the opportunity to see how this scope stands up to the many others that I often use. Perhaps the most obvious thing I’ve learned during that time is how the optics world is changing. One used to have to spend a great deal of money for a reliable precision optic with features like these. The Zero Tech Trace X is a great example of how that is no longer the case, you can get a great riflescope for a reasonable price. And you can still get the features like great optical quality, reliable tracking, great reticle, zero-stop and more. It really does make it hard to justify spending a thousand or two dollars. I expect this trend will continue, and we will see additional great optics coming from manufacturers like Zero tech.
I’ve been around the firearms market for all of my adult life, and its been very refreshing to see some brands turn their ship around. While I’ve seen both the good and bad, as well as even some ships sinking outright. Today we are looking at one of the happy stories. Taurus firearms had been considered sort of a bargain product, and their performance would sometimes leave much to be desired. It seems at least to me that Taurus USA has turned a page, as I have now had four new products from the manufacturer that have surpassed my expectations. Despite my good experiences, they still maintain a very affordable price. Today I bring you one of them, a review of the Taurus USA GX4 pistol, chambered in .380ACP.
range ready
The Taurus GX4
The Taurus USA GX4 seems to follow the same pattern as several other polymer framed striker fired pistols made in their Bainbridge Georgia facility. Besides the GX4, I have also recently reviewed the GX2, and the TX9 pistols. All of them have some commonality, such as divorced frame and trigger/sear pack. I expect this helps keep manufacturing the pistols cost down, and in some cases allows you to change the frame and swapping in the trigger/sear pack.
the disassembled GX4
Additional modularity is incorporated into the GX4 design, using an interchangeable grip backstrap. Allowing you to customize your grip feel. Also like the others, the GX4 is optics ready using Taurus’ Optics Ready Option (T.O.R.O). This allows drop in fit for Holosun K series and similar optics, which I was sure to do.
Other neat little features like a loaded chamber indicator, accessory rail for weapon lights, and 15-round capacity make it handy for a concealed carry enthusiast. I was also intrigued as they left as many things as possible out, like a manual safety, and even a disassembly lever. Making the frame of the GX4 less obstructive with fewer things to snag while drawing.
the takedown lever was omitted from the GX4
Specifications
Feature
Specification
Caliber
.380 ACP / .380 Auto
Action
Striker-fired
Capacity
15+1 rounds
Barrel Length
3.70 inches
Overall Length
6.56 inches
Width
1.0 inch
Height
5.16 inches
Weight
21 oz., unloaded
Frame
Polymer
Backstraps
3 interchangeable
Trigger
Flat-faced, serrated
Front Sight
Fixed white-dot
Rear Sight
Fully adjustable
Optic Ready
Yes
Optic Cut
T.O.R.O., Holosun K-series footprint
Accessory Rail
MIL-STD-1913
Magazines
2 × 15-round
Slide Finish
Gas nitride
Barrel Finish
Satin black DLC
MSRP
$340.99
Unboxing and Setup
Lifting the GX4 from its polymer case, I felt that familiar grip texture like my other Taurus pistols. My immediate impression was that the grip felt a little square, something I could remedy to some degree changing the backstrap. This was easily done by pushing out a pin and lifting the backstrap from the bottom.
changing out the different backstrap options
With the GX4 came two 15-round steel magazines made by magazine giant Mec-Gar, which gives a nice sense of confidence. Because this pistol is a .380 Auto, there is a small spacer at the rear of the magazine to space the cartridges forward.
note the small spacer that sits behind cartridges in the magazine
I decided to mount both a red dot and for some purposes a weapon light. Removing the two screws that hold the polymer optics footprint cover, I found a clean spot to mount my Nutrek Optics Blade red dot sight. The rear sight has a very slight occlusion with the red dot housing, which required a tiny bit of Dremeling to allow it. I don’t cast that at the feet of either Taurus or Nutrek, sometimes things are a bit different. But after that it mounted perfectly using the two anchor pins in the slide, and the included screws. I expect the issue depends on the red dot used. For carrying in the dark, I would also use the Streamlight TLR-8 light laser combo.
All that was left was getting a few boxes of ammunition. for that I grab a few boxes from Winchester, Fiocchi, and PMC featuring 90 and 95-grain bullets. This is actually the first .380 I’ve ever owned, so I was interested in the old power discussion about whether the little 90’s would do when it mattered.
On the Range with the Taurus GX4
My testing of the GX4 would involve carrying the pistol daily between various range trips of my own as well as with my kids. All my children grew up shooting the Taurus TX22 which has been a home run of a product, so when they see another Taurus they just assume it will be the same way.
the kids had a great time shooting the GX4
Shootability
I got used to grip of the GX4 pretty quick, the squareness feeling I mentioned didn’t seem to affect my shooting or opinion of the gun. I initially thought I would prefer the GX4 in 9mm versus the .380, and the jury is still out on that at the moment. But one thing is for sure, my kids and wife all found the GX4 much easier to operate than other compact 9mm pistols with their stiff recoil springs. The GX4’s spring is surprisingly soft.
The trigger safety is simple and effective, and the trigger feel overall is good. Predictable breaks without too many jumps or bumps in the pull. Shooting with my red dot gave a great sight picture without loosing the factory sights.
I did find with a full mag you need to make sure the mag is well seated, as it fell out on us more than once for not being seated fully.
Reliability
We had no malfunctions during testing of the Taurus GX4. The only concern I had was that it seemed a little weak on ejection, throwing brass right at you feet almost. But it never skipped a beat.
Recoil from the .380 ACP was very mild
Disassembling the Taurus GX4 does require either a tool or some improvisation. Since there is no take-down lever, you’ll need either a screwdriver or something similar to rotate the take-down cam. Not a big deal but needs to be said.
I also noticed that the pistol incorporates a magazine safety. Locking out the trigger unless the magazine is seated. I understand some folks like these safety features, for me I think I’d rather not have it. But to each as they desire.
Accuracy
A good CCW pistol needs to hit where you aim, and I didn’t seem to have any trouble hitting my targets. Typical groups from 10-yards averaged around 2-3 inches. Nothing to win any competitions or anything, but suitable for many purposes.
A typical 5-shot group from 10 yards
The factory iron sight that come on the GX4 are adjustable for both elevation and windage. The rear is a serrated type to reduce reflection, and the front is a simple white dot.
Ergonomics
I already mentioned the convertible grip of the GX4, but I hadn’t mentioned the undercut trigger-guard. And there is also a single finger rib on the front, and the whole grip area features a nice texture similar to a sandpaper feel.
the GX4 felt great in my hand
The magazine release is fairly small, and low profile. But I had no issue finding and pressing it during reloads. This is nice to prevent accidentally releasing the mag while carrying or manipulating it. Releasing the slide was a touch stiffer than I expected but not bad.
here you can see the loaded chamber indicator on top of the slide
Value
Again I feel a bit crazy saying this, but for as little as $260 you can get into one of the Taurus GX4 pistols. And I must say it feels like a good buy to me. It shoots well, cycles without issue, and is just plain fun to shoot. For the 9mm version you will pay a little bit more, but I am quite happy with the price to performance ratio of the Taurus GX4.
Pros and Cons
Very affordable
Red dot fitment on footprint
No malfunctions experienced
Magazine safety (maybe its just me)
Configurable grip
Simplified controls
15-round capacity
Optics ready
Loaded chamber indicator
Adjustable sights
So should you buy a Taurus GX4?
When compared to other pistols like the S&W Bodyguard or the Ruger LCP Max, the GX4 has a little competition. While it is significantly cheaper than the Bodyguard or the Glock 42, it is very comparable in price to the LCP Max. However, the GX4 offers better capacity than all the others mentioned. And to be honest, I like the looks of the GX4 better than the LCP by a hefty margin.
The Taurus GX4 .380 offers a step-up in capacity over most compact .380ACP pistols. And it both shoots and handles well, allowing smaller framed individuals an easily operated option. Its also a blast to shoot, so if you are looking for all that in a .380 pistol, you should consider this one.
With as much activity as there currently is in the suppressor market, it should come as no surprise that manufacturers are trying different things. Today am bringing you one of those. Anechoic has been making suppressors for several years now, and I’ve had the good fortune to use several of their products. One of their newest models is the Fibonacci 9mm suppressor, a compact and lightweight suppressor made from titanium and aluminum using new technologies. Its an interesting suppressor to say the least, but lets dive straight into the Anechoic Fibonacci 9mm suppressor.
The Anechoic Fibonacci 9mm
Why the interesting name you might ask? I suspect the design of the suppressor follows the popular mathematical sequence, or maybe they were simply fans of the famous mathematician. Either way, it sounds cool so we’ll run with it.
fresh out of the box, and disassembled with provided tools
The Fibonacci 9mm came to me with very little information due to its recent release. But I did know that it only weighed an alarmingly three ounces, less than a deck of cards. I guess you could say I was excited to see how such a thing could be done. And once I opened the box it made sense. The Fibonacci uses the same size body as Anechoic’s rimfire 22 suppressors. And inside the tube you will find an amazing core printed from titanium. The incredibly intricate core has the appearance of a roll of fencing that has been shrunk to the size of a cigar.
the Fibonacci core is a very curious design, printed from titanium
In addition to the 9mm muzzle port, the Fibonacci incorporates a series of tiny holes around the tube towards the muzzle end. In an effort to start venting pressure I assume.
The core is sandwiched between the front and rear caps of the tube, both of which are threaded into the tube. Like other Anechoic cans, the Fibonacci comes with tools to disassemble the silencer. It is threaded 1/2-28 on the hub to allow attachment to various host firearms. The Fibonacci is designed to be used without a booster, which does limit its application. According to the manufacturer, the Fibonacci can be used booster-less on some pistols provided they meet some parameters.
Specifications
Manufacturer
Anechoic
Model
Fibonacci 9 Ti
Caliber
9mm
Maximum Chambering
9mm
Material
Titanium
Length
6.1 inches
Diameter
1.6 inches
Weight
3 ounces
Sound Reduction
26 dB
Mount
Direct thread
Thread
1/2-28
Booster
Not required under prescribed host conditions
Construction
3D-printed DMLS titanium core
Finish Options
Black, FDE, or raw/in-the-white
MSRP
$548
Shooting with the Anechoic Fibonacci
As I mentioned, the manufacturer has some pretty rigid conditions for the Fibonacci to work on slide action pistols. Using things like high pressure ammo, removing mass from the slide (red dots) and so on. Initially I tried a couple different pistols, and as expected they did not cycle because they were not meeting the conditions outlined by Anechoic.
It didn’t take long for me to lose interest in trying to get additional pistols to work, so instead I decided I might just use the Fibonacci for my pistol caliber carbines (PCC) instead. Because those firearms are less affected by a suppressor, and I needed a can for my PCC’s anyways.
the configuration with my Ruger RXM did not work, would probably have to drop the red dot, and run 147grain ammo
For that purpose, I threaded the impossibly lightweight Fibonacci onto my new Taurus RPC. A roller-delayed 9mm PCC. Shooting a few rounds through it to see how they got along show some very interesting patterns. Likely caused by some remaining titanium dust within the core, the Fibonacci sent a radial flower of sparks out through the tube vents, making a very interesting and just plain cool shot. The sounds was a touch more than I expected, but I guess a 9mm suppressor that is the same size and weight as a 22 rimfire suppressor is going to be a bit louder.
Additionally I used the Fibonacci on another PCC, the Panzer USA HAN 9. The HAN 9 is a blowback operated gun, which I expected to also be a touch louder than the RPC. And I was right, because the blowback actions open sooner there is a bit more noise.
Sound Suppression
Minimalist suppressors often has less sound suppression. One thing I find with people after they buy their first suppressors, they often start picking more specialist suppressors. And a minimalist suppressor (shorter or smaller) with its slightly less effective sound suppression is a bit of a luxury item.
With such a tiny size, and incredibly light construction, I wasn’t surprised that the Fibonacci was a bit louder than other options. It was more than adequate for outdoor shooting without ear protection, but it wasn’t as quiet as my other 9mm options.
Perhaps I’m at that point where I can justify the luxury of specific cans that are not as effective?Either way, if it was the only 9mm suppression you had, it might be enough. I am also curious as to whether or not shooting something like a subsonic 300Blk through the can would be sufficiently quiet.
Recoil
Because the Fibonacci is so small, the effect on recoil is minimal. As a matter of fact, it is so insignificant you wouldn’t even know its there if you couldn’t see it. But there is also a downside I guess since the Fibonacci doesn’t have a booster. The lack of a booster makes it difficult for slide action pistols to open and cycle. Using heavy loads is required to work them according to the manufacturer, something I was unable to replicate.
Blowback and roller-delayed carbines on the other hand worked fantastic. Since they have fixed barrels. The same way fix-barreled pistols work well with it. That is an important thing to know going in with this suppressor.
no booster
Accuracy
As 9mm firearms aren’t exactly sharpshooting ones, I couldn’t really tell if the Fibonacci enhanced or reduced accuracy of the test guns. Normally suppressor add enough weight to help settle down the host, making better shooting possible. But of course the Fibonacci weighs next to nothing, so that is a moot point.
Value
With an MSRP of $548, the Fibonacci is not what I would call an entry level suppressor. There are plenty of other 9mm suppressors for hundreds less, but as I’ve mentioned several times now, the Fibonacci sets itself apart. It stands alone in weight class, which alone would justify its price. But its also very specific in its functioning parameters, requiring a very specific setup to function. These attributes make the Fibonacci a limited use suppressor in my mind, as most other suppressors will function on most typical hosts.
With that in mind, I would say the Fibonacci is a great suppressor for those looking for specialty application. If you are looking for your very first 9mm suppressor for your slide operated pistol, you might find it challenging. Whereas if you understand what is required to use it, or the conditions where it works great you will be very happy with it.
Pros and Cons
Incredibly light weight
Will not cycle with all pistols
Compact size
Not the quietest suppressor out there
Doesn’t require booster*
Handsome looks
Full disassembly for service
Handsome Cerakote finish
*booster not required when used with prescribed host conditions
Should you buy the Anechoic Fibonacci 9mm?
If you haven’t figured out yet, I think the Anechoic Fibonacci 9mm suppressor is a very cool suppressor for those willing to work with it. I will most likely keep using the Fibonacci on my PCC’s where it performs flawlessly regardless of host. Its unlikely I will use it often with pistols mainly since I usually shoot lightweight 9mm ammo on optics ready pistols which it doesn’t play well with. But if you are looking for the lightest, most compact option, you need to look at this one.
Taurus USA continues to charge horns first into additional firearms markets in an interesting way. I have been impressed with several of their recent additions, and am certainly interested with the growing variety of their offerings. Taurus has long been a pistol manufacturer, but in the last few years they have brought everything from a hunting rifle to their very own cartridge (the .38 TPC). So I shouldn’t have been surprised when they brought out the new Taurus RPC 9mm, a roller-delayed pistol caliber carbine (PCC). It’s sold as a pistol, but we all know that these “pistols” are meant as a way to negotiate around the NFA SBR baloney.
The RPC incorporates a great variety of features and with that classic Taurus price tag it can be quite appealing to those who enjoy the cheap plinking of a 9mm PCC. There are few guns that don’t interest me, so I am excited to bring you my presentation of the Taurus RPC today.
The Taurus RPC PCC
The RPC came to me after I had already seen it in your typical firearms media. My first impression was; how about that, a Taurus PCC. That was before i had picked it up of course, and before I found out it uses a tried an true roller-delay operating system. I actually seek out new products because I enjoy forming my own opinion without anyone else’s input.
the disassembled Taurus RPC
Besides its rollers, the RPC also incorporates an AR15 style pistol grip. Which is handy should you wish to change it. A full-length picatinny rail runs the length of the receiver crest, and a small M-Lok compatible handguard extends around the small portion of barrel beyond the trunnion. The barrel itself can be swapped out using a locking cam.
Ambidextrous controls including a last-round bolt-catch and safety are handy for the left-handed. And the charging handle can be swapped from one side to the other. Perhaps somewhat controversially, the RPC uses its own 32-round polymer magazines. Many other PCC’s are designed around existing magazine designs, but there are pros and cons to each. A folding Strike Industries pistol brace comes installed on the back, which I found to be quite suitable for a stock .
here you can see the details of the trigger and sear components
I was excited to see how this little “handgun” worked and performed. So it didn’t take me long to get it to the range after receiving it.
Specifications
Caliber
9mm Luger
Action
Roller-delayed blowback
Capacity
32 rounds
Barrel Length
4.5″
Barrel Thread
1/2×28
Barrel System
Quick-change
Receiver
Aluminum
Fire-Control Housing
Polymer
Controls
Fully ambidextrous
Safety
Ambidextrous
Charging Handle
Forward-mounted, non-reciprocating, reversible
Trigger
Single-stage, flat-faced
Grip
AR-15-compatible, soft rubber overmold
Handguard
M-LOK-compatible
Top Rail
Full-length M1913 Picatinny
Rear Rail
Picatinny rail section
Sling Attachment
Three QD sling points
Standard Magazine
32-round proprietary magazine
Other Magazine Options
20- and 10-round
Brace
Folding Strike Industries FSA stabilizing brace available
Weight, Without Brace
72.3 oz.
Weight, With Brace
78.7 oz.
Length, Without Brace
12.2″
Length, With Brace Extended
21″
Unboxing and Setup
Taurus packages the RPC in a cardboard box, that comes with the typical literature, action lock, and extra magazine. i pulled the gun from the box, and was immediately surprised by both the weight and size of the RPC. It was significantly lighter than I expected, and smaller too. Many blowback PCC’s are quite heavy due to their massive bolts required for the operation. The RPC clearly doesn’t need that with its roller system.
Initial thoughts went like this; The rubberized grip felt fantastic, giving excellent purchase on the gun. The magazines slip in nicely and lock-up tight, and all the controls felt perfectly serviceable. The one thing I did not like was how stiff the charging handle was. Without shouldering the brace it was borderline uncomfortable to pull the charging handle back.
The short barrel was threaded 1/2-28, and included a petite thread protector complete with a built-in O-ring to keep it secure when tight. I was eager to remove it, and get a suppressor and other accessories onto the RPC.
I installed a Vector Optics Paragon 1x prism on the top rail, it gives a nice clear view of targets and has both red and green illumination when needed. Up front I would install the brand new Anechoic Fibonacci 9mm suppressor, and extremely light and simple suppressor. Its meager 3 ounces would be barely noticeable on the already lightweight Taurus RPC.
On the Range with the Taurus RPC
Shooting the RPC was at the top of my list, but before I’d even made it to the range, I found something I could improve. Upon disassembling the RPC out of curiosity regarding its operation, I found that part of the reason it was so hard to charge was because it needed some lube. The charging block that pushes the bolt carrier back is a short piece, that is torqued in its raceway when pulled on. Adding some light gun grease greatly improved the feel.
Once on the range, I ran a few shots through the gun, just to see how everything felt. No issues at all, so I proceeded to zero the Paragon prism to better my hit ratio. After which I ran several magazines through the RPC’s 32-round magazines. It locks back nicely after the last round is fired, and closes neatly with the bolt-catch just like an AR15 would.
Reliability
In my testing so far, I have only had one malfunction. It was a stovepipe kind of jam that was easily cleared by pulling the magazine and running the charging handle. Other than that the RPC has been flawless in its consumption of ammunition. I don’t know if the malfunction was ammo related or not, but its worth mentioning.
The roller delay operating system of the RPC is refreshing. I am used to various blowback designs like the CZ Scorpion, which while reliable and fun but also heavier and more jolting in its operation. The roller delay doesn’t require such a heavy bolt carrier, which also results in less inertia as parts oscillate within the receiver.
Accuracy
Accuracy isn’t usually a huge factor with PCC’s. But still, I was quite happy with the accuracy from the RPC. A hundred yards is really pushing the utility of such a firearm, but I was surprised just how useful the RPC was even at that range. Hitting soda-can sized targets at 100 yards is certainly doable, and great fun when using the RPC.
Ergonomics
Aside from the initial stiff charging handle issue, the rest of the controls were fantastic. The bolt-catch was flawless and easy to use. I really liked that you can reach the right side bolt-catch with your trigger finger, allowing you to lock the action open before the magazine goes dry. The dual safety levers, allow a typical thumb-off and index finger-on function.
Gripping the small RPC was easy with the rubberized grip, and the small handguard was enough room to comfortably control the pistol. There is barely enough room to add a downgrip if you wanted to go that way. I found that due to the light weight of the RPC I didn’t need any more grip.
Shootability
I mentioned how the Taurus RPC was easy to hit targets with, and that is in part because it is designed well and feels good in the hands. The trigger feels great, and the gun points fantastic, due in part to its small size and short barrel.
Value
Despite being higher price than I had initially expected, the Taurus RPC is still cheaper than many other 9mm PCC options. The closest competitors I would say are the Stribog SPA9A3 and the Springfield Armory Kuna. Both of which cost more than the RPC by hundreds, but they also have established durability records as well.
I think the RPC is a great place to start you PCC journey, and its price point reflects that. And even without comparing it to others, the features that the RPC offers are a good value.
If you are in the market for a pistol caliber carbine, there are many options on the market now. The Taurus RPC brings a great balance of advanced features like ambi controls and roller-delay operating system without going ham on the price. I have found it to be a very fun little firearm, and one that young and new shooters can learn the basics of handling a gun properly very well. As always, I would recommend trying one before you buy it if you can. But I think the RPC is a great option, and another step in the right direction for Taurus TSA.
Steiner has been manufacturing high quality optics since shortly after the most recent world war. Built in Germany for decades, Steiner has become well known for their high quality binoculars and in more recent times their rifle scopes. After some modern partnerships, Steiner has also started manufacturing some of their products here in the US. I have always been happy with the Steiner products I’ve used, which led me to our topic today; the Steiner Optics H6Xi 2-12x42mm riflescope. The H6Xi line is focused on hunters, particularly those that take their shooting very seriously.
Besides the 2-12 we are looking at today, Steiner also makes a 3-18 and 5-30 version of the H6Xi line. Which gives hunters an excellent option to chose regardless of their magnification preference.
The Steiner Optics H6Xi 2-12×42
As it is built for the hunting public, it comes as no surprise that the Steiner H6Xi comes on a 30mm tube. This tube size has become basically the standard, and its ideal for hunters as it offers great size for internal travel and lens structures. And it does this without weighing as much as 34mm scopes likely would.
With its 42mm objective, the little Steiner can be kept closer to the barrel. And again the weight of a 42mm objective will be lower than a 50mm. Some of the more interesting features are the first focal plane reticle, and a single rotation elevation turret. It definitely gives the vibes of a scope meant for hard and heavy hunting while keeping things simple as possible at the same time.
Here you can see the smaller elevation turret has replaced the larger exposed only turret, and the cap that covers it
Additionally, the turrets of the Steiner H6Xi are configurable. The windage turret come with a cap, but obviously could be left open if you like. It also came with an extra undersized elevation turret that can replace the standard one, as well as a cap that will cover the smaller elevation turret. So you can run this scope completely exposed turrets, or completely covered. Another handy included accessory is a throw lever that you can install for faster magnification adjustment. The H6Xi can be had in either MRAD or MOA, with associated reticles.
Specifications
Magnification
2-12x
Objective Lens
42mm
Tube Diameter
30mm
Focal Plane
First Focal Plane (FFP)
Reticle
STR MIL
Illumination
Rotary dial
Illumination Levels
11 brightness levels with off positions
Field of View
55–8.5 ft. @ 100 yards
Eye Relief
3.85–3.52 in.
Exit Pupil
9.8–3.8mm
Diopter Adjustment
+2 to -3
Parallax Adjustment
Side focus
Parallax Range
25 yards to infinity
Click Value — MHR
0.25 MOA
Elevation Range — MHR
70 MOA
Windage Range — MHR
70 MOA
Click Value — STR MIL
0.1 MRAD
Elevation Range — STR MIL
20 MRAD
Windage Range — STR MIL
20 MRAD
Light Transmission
92%
Glass
HD glass
Construction
6061-T6 aerospace-grade aluminum
Waterproof / Fogproof
Yes
Shockproof
Yes
Nitrogen Filled
Yes
Operating Temperature
-13°F to +145°F
Battery
CR2032
Length
11.8 in.
Weight
23.2 oz.
Country of Assembly
USA
Warranty
Steiner Heritage™ Warranty
Unboxing and Mounting the H6Xi
As usual with Steiner products, the H6Xi came in a nice white box with a few accessories. Quality packaging always gives me a warm fuzzy feeling, knowing the product got here in one piece.
I lifted the scope from the box, and inventoried its contents. The extra turret and cap I mentioned, as well as the throw lever. There was also a set of flip caps to protect the lenses, as well as a battery and some documentation.
the included throw lever can be used with a short or long lever
I’d also gotten some of Steiner’s H-Series 30mm rings, which would be perfect for mounting the scope on its first host rifle; the Seekins Havak PH3. The rings fit perfectly onto the 20 MOA canted picatinny rails on the rifles receiver. It was then time to level the scope and torque down the rings carefully. One thing I did notice is that the front portion of the tube between the erector and the objective is pretty small. This made it a touch sensitive to where the rings could go, but for this rifle it was perfect.
With the scope mounted, I spent a good deal of time just looking through it and getting a fell for it. Low magnification scopes like this usually look pretty good, as the magnification doesn’t show off flaws as much. But the Steiner H6Xi with its HD lenses looks particularly good. According to Steiner, the scope has a 92% light transmission which makes the image quite bright.
I quickly found several things about the scope that I quite like. Among those was the locking ring for the diopter at the back. I really dislike it when you put a scope up to find it slightly out of focus, because the diopter got rubbed against a pack or something causing it to turn slightly. The locking ring on the H6Xi prevents that from happening. The low profile of the turrets is also nice, to help avoid snagging on hunting gear. And the whole thing has that Steiner quality feel to it.
Shooting in the Field
Our first trip out with the Steiner Optics H6Xi 2-12 was to a rifle range, to get a solid zero and check some tracking performance. Bore sighting the scope was easy, and in no time we were on paper shooting groups. The 7mm PRC Havak shoots quite well, which made it a good host to test the functions of the Steiner.
Later we would take the rifle into the high country of the Rocky Mountains to evaluate its performance in the exact kind of places where it would be used for hunting. Looking across deep canyons and valleys, picking out small details and targets is a great way to get comfortable with a scope.
Optical Clarity
The HD lenses of the Steiner H6Xi make a great looking image through the scope. Across various scenarios we inspected all kinds of things through the scope. Full sunshine, rainy and cloudy days, as well as early morning during sunrise. I found the Steiner to provide a great image of my targets, and clear presentation of the area around the target as well.
as usual, it is challenging to get a good representation through a camera lens, but you get the idea
Reliability
With it simplistic function, the H6Xi doesn’t have a lot to go wrong. The ability to run both turrets either exposed or capped can remove the possibility of inadvertent turret movement if thats a concern for you. And its single turn elevation will prevent you from ever getting lost in the turns. The 180 degree throw of the magnification ring requires only one motion to adjust. And the throw lever makes it fast and easy to do as well. I also mentioned the lock ring for the diopter to prevent that from being turned accidentally which I wish other scopes of mine had.
The only thing I was a bit concerned with was the reticle illumination. The knob to change the brightness settings of the reticle has lower friction than I would like. I could see it possibly getting turned accidentally, resulting in a dead battery.
Accuracy
Again I’ll mention the simplicity of the H6Xi, a single turn elevation turret means there are fewer things to go wrong. And with 12MRAD of elevation on the single turn, you’ve got enough to cover most shots that hunters will make. For example at my density altitude; The 7 PRC test rifle we used for this review only needs about 8 MRAD to reach a 1,000 yards.
The repeatability of this little scope made it an excellent candidate for a precision hunting rifle. It always returned properly to its zero setting, and it tracks true to its indicated reading.
the open country of the Rockies looks beautiful through the Steiner lenses
Value
The Steiner H6Xi is not an entry level scope for sure. Its MSRP is just over sixteen-hundred dollars, which might scare some folks off. The street price for this scope is usually between $1100 and $1300 depending on where you look. While that is better than sixteen-hundred, it is still enough to cause some to think hard about the scope. Steiner optics come with not just a warranty, they come with some rugged prestige as well.
You can find other 2-12 power scopes, probably some that are even comparable to this one for less. But we all have our tastes, and preferences. And if my choice is between German parts assembled in Colorado and something made in Asia, I’ll take the Steiner every time. “Nothing escapes you” is their slogan, and one many people trust in.
Pros and Cons
Great Image Quality- HD lenses
Low Friction Illumination Control- easy on
Robust Construction- built like a Steiner
Smaller Mounting Real Estate on Tube
Simple Design- fewer things to go wrong
Configurable Turrets- capped or not, your choice
Throw-Lever Included- for enhanced control
Locking Controls- stay where you want them
First Focal Plane- for fast shots and corrections
Not Particularly Heavy
Great Parallax Adjustment- fine tuned focus
American Made- the assembly part anyways
here you can see the limited illumination of the STR Reticle at 12X left, and 2X right
Conclusion
I have quickly grown quite fond of this little Steiner, it packs a lot of quality into a compact scope without weighing a ton. Its excellent for its purpose which is a precision hunting scope, giving hunters a sharp image with clean parallax adjustment. And simple hold-over operations that will allow for perfect shot placement at extended shooting ranges.
