Category Archives: Ancillary gear

Accessories needed for shooting

T.Rex Arms Titan Holster

Ancillary gear, Product review, , , , , , , ,

Preface

One of my guilty pleasures is I collect holsters like women do shoes. I love having different holsters for different purposes. Today I am bringing you a new holster from a new to me brand; T.Rex Arms. T Rex Arms makes a variety of different holsters, perhaps I will try others based on this experience. I don’t suppose I’ll dabble in drama, just simply present the holster and my opinion of it. The holster we are looking at is the T.Rex Titan Holster, a level 2 retention holster built with duty in mind. Incorporating a Kydex fit with the locking retention of a mechanical lock. As an avid holster user, I would incorporate the Titan into my carry to see how it compares to my typical holsters.

the Titan matches perfectly with the popular QLS Fork attachment system

The T.Rex Arms Titan

The T.Rex Titan uses a typical folded Kydex design bolted together on one side. Essentially a polymer based taco with a built-in retention system that engages the ejection port of your pistol to lock it into the holster. The locking bar rocks within the holster and is actuated by a thumb-lever tucked neatly beside the grip area. The Titan is made for a wide variety of different pistols, and can incorporate different sized optics hoods to protect red dot sights.

here you can see the optics hood forward, and thumb placement for drawing

Using a common mounting pattern allows the Titan to use popular mounts like the Safariland QLS fork system. Included hardware also allows you to adjust the angle and ride of the holster on your belt.

Aside from ordering it customized to your pistol and weapon light combination, the Titan can also be had in various colors and patterns.

smooth draws come out nicely with the Shadow Systems DR920

T.Rex Arm Titan Features

  • Level 2 active retention
  • Large release button
  • Bind-resistant locking mechanism
  • Removable optic hood
  • Optic compatible
  • Modular mounting hole pattern
  • Heavy-duty .125″ Kydex construction
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • 60-day free returns

Carrying with the T.Rex Arms Titan

After installing the Safariland QLS fork to the Titan, it easily snapped onto my belt. This is very handy as the belt is already setup for my preferred ride and height. I had ordered the Titan to fit my Shadow Systems DR920, which is similar to a Glock 17. My experience with other holsters has allowed me to use different similar pistols in the same holster. I would soon find out if the Titan shared this compatibility.

the Titan does a great job of covering and protecting your pistol and optic

My DR 920 has a Surefire X300 weapon light, which was also incorporated to the custom Titan holster. The first time I dropped the pistol into the Titan, it slid nicely in and snapped shut. The Titan appears to be entirely made from polymers but for its fasteners. Even the retention lock spring is a polymer one. The ample space in the Titan’s optics hood gave plenty of room for the big window of the Gideon Optics Storm red dot.

Drawing from the Titan

After drawing the pistol from the Titan many times, it was quickly noted how comfortable the release button is. With a broader and flatter surface than many other holster release buttons it was easy to find and comfortable to press. This without giving up its cover directly behind the slide of the pistol when holstered.

The slippery surface of the Kydex makes the pistol very easy to pull once the release has been pressed. Friction against the pistol can be adjusted slightly with tightening of the screws that close the holster.

I also used the Titan with my Ruger RXM, another Glock clone that fit perfectly

I also found the Titan to be very easy to re-holster the pistol. Again, adjusting the friction for a perfect draw and re-holster is nice. The DR 920 would drop right in, and the lock would snap shut. All this with little to no rattling.

Reliability

There is little to go wrong with a device this simple, at least you would think so. That said there are things to keep your eyes on. T.Rex Arms offers blue loctite with their holsters, and I quickly found out why. Its important to ensure your screws are all thread-locked because they can easily come loose and come out. Which can be quite inconvenient.

I also found that the detent for the Titan’s optics hood wasn’t quite as grippy as I’d like, as it was frequently opened by simply brushing my strong arm by the holster. I suppose this would be an easy fix with a little heat.

Other than those things I found the Titan to be a great option to carry my pistols. Its open end allows debris and fuzz to fall free from the holster, without being too short and allowing access to your light or muzzle. My pistols were protected nicely, keeping both me and their finish safe.

Like many other holsters, the Titan is designed to retain the pistol as ordered. So if you ordered the Titan to work with a Surefire X300 as I did, don’t expect it to work without the X300 attached. The retention may not work if the pistol doesn’t have its light installed. Using both the DR920 it was ordered for as well as the Ruger RXM it held both pistols secure with the X300 installed.

Quality

As far as Kydex holster are concerned, the Titan is of fine quality construction. As compared to other popular brands I think it would stand toe to toe with most other options. One thing I really like about some others is a Cordura wrapping, it makes holsters just a little less noisy and friendlier when rubbing against seats, vehicles, and other things you will rub against. To be fair, the slick polymer exterior is also better for some things by not grabbing clothing and other things.

Value

Compared to many of the other level 2 retention, duty minded holsters, the Titan does offer a good value. Other brands can cost 20-30 dollars more, or cost twice as much depending on where you look. I think for the $135 asking price of the Titan, it offers great customization and compatibility.

My Verdict on the Titan

After carrying the Titan daily for a couple months now, I feel like it is a good option for those looking for a good retention OWB holster. With all kinds of choices you can surely find a Titan setup that matches what you are looking for. It gives a comfortable ride, while keeping my pistol secure and easily accessible at the very same time.

-CBM

Check out additional holster reviews here

olight, weapon light, PL X 1200, rechargeable,

Olight PL X 1200 Weapon Light

Ancillary gear, Product review, , ,

Preface

Weapon lights can be a lifesaving tool, as in the dark a firearm can only be so effective. Like anything in our world, there are varying levels of performance and quality with weapon lights. Today we are taking a look at a reasonably affordable option from the Olight Company. Some folks among us might look down on products made in China, and I suppose they have their reasons. I suppose we’d all prefer domestically manufactured defense products. But the world is changing fast, and we ignore potentially good products at our own detriment. Today our weapon light topic is the Olight PL X 1200. The PL X is a dual-beam rechargeable light built in a metal housing, it incorporates an adjustable recoil lug to integrate with the host weapon. Lets walk into the beam of this Olight to see what its all about.

Olight does a great job with packaging and presentation

The Olight PL X 1200

Keeping with the trend of Olight products, the PL X has an internal LiPo battery that doesn’t require service. this alone is a big make or break deal for some folks. Since I usually have more than one light mounted to more than one weapon on my nightstand, this isn’t a huge problem for me. The unit can be charged with the same USB-C cord you already have next to your bed to charge your phone.

the included tools with the PL X make it easy to customize and mount

Lighting up the darkness is done with either a dual emiting flood pattern, or a single beam spotlight. This allows you to quickly adapt to changing scenarios should you need to. There is a low-profile switch on the left side of the housing easily reached by a finger to switch between beams.

The Square shaped housing attaches to the host pistol suing a clamp. The clamp screw can be turned using a flat tipped screwdriver, a coin or something similar. You can feel as you tighten the screw that it has a built in detent that gives a ratcheting feeling as it is tightened. There is a recoil lug in the middle of the clamping area that allows you to customize where the light rests on your picatinny rail. This keeps the controls close to your finger.

Controls for the unit consist of two push-buttons on either side of the housing. Easily reached by both index fingers or weak side thumb. Lighting up the unit can be done momentarily by pushing and holding either button, and when released the beam shuts off. If you wish for sustained light, you can quickly push and release either button. It will stay lit until you repeat the quick press of either button. Pressing both buttons together gives you a strobe feature meant to blind an opponent.

Specifications

MSRP$119.99
Maximum floodlight output1,200 lumens
Maximum spotlight output900 lumens
Maximum light intensity22,500 candela
Maximum beam distance300 meters
Low floodlight output300 lumens
Low spotlight output200 lumens
Battery960 mAh lithium-ion polymer
ChargingUSB-C
Maximum runtime145 minutes
Mounting systemAdjustable, reversible rail lugs
Rail compatibilityPicatinny and compatible universal rails
ActivationAmbidextrous switches
Light modesFlood, spotlight, strobe
Construction6061 aluminum
FinishType III hard-anodized
Water resistanceIPX7
Drop resistance1.5 meters
Length2.48 inches
Weight3.07 oz.
Special featuresSelectable beam, anti-loosening ratchet mount
Country of manufactureChina

In Use

Since the PL X 1200 is fairly compact, I figured I would carry it on one of my many different carry pistols. And this month it happened to be the Taurus GX4 Compact in .380ACP, you can read more about the gun here. With the twist of a screwdriver and an Allen wrench, I got the PL X mounted and recoil lug adjusted for optimal fit. The weapon light is slightly wider than the pistol frame itself, but that is more about the pistol than the light. Its roughly the same width as most of my other weapon lights.

dual illumination sources, the two smaller lights illuminate together. The PL X 1200 spent most of its time on my Taurus GX4, you can read more about that pistol here

Carrying the pistol over the course of a month, in my home and a 2A friendly workplace gave plenty of opportunities to draw and present the pistol repeatedly. Allowing me plenty of chances to abruptly test the light in dark stairwells, hallways and warehouse space.

Illumination

My initial impression of the illumination gave me the impression the PL X wasn’t bright enough. But perhaps the battery wasn’t fully charged or maybe it wasn’t dark enough. As now it seems perfectly adequate when trying to light up a dark spot.

olight, pl x, weapon light,
in these two pictures, you can see the Olight PL X compared to a Streamlight TLR8 (with green laser). On the top image you can see the flood features of the PL X (left), and on the bottom you can see the spotlight feature.

Using the light in complete darkness in the forest or a vacant basement, it seemed to be more than enough light to identify threats. I do like the dual lighting option of either flood or spot, but it also gave me the challenge of deciding which I’d prefer.

Controls

The dual purpose controls are fantastic. You can illuminate the light with a button on either side. There is a sliding switch on the left side of the housing to select flood or spot lighting. Its a low profile switch that is unlikely to be moved inadvertently.

The push-buttons can also be used to execute multiple purposes. For example, if you push and hold either button, the light will illuminate until you let off. Whereas if you just push and release it, the light will stay on until the button is pressed again. If you push both buttons together you get the strobe feature to blind and confuse your opponent.

here you can see the Olight PL X 1200 mounted to my Shadow Systems DR920 pistol

I do like that it can be easily charged with the included cable, making it easy to keep the light fully charged.

Compatibility

With its interchangeable recoil lug, you can make the Olight PL X fit on a wide variety of pistols. It fits easily onto most any picatinny rail. It does slightly widen the overall grip of the pistol, which can cause complications with holster fitment.

I also used the Olight PL X on my Bear Creek Grizzly 101 pistol

Durability

As battery technology improves, so does the durability of devices that run on them. The PL X seems to have more than enough power for a weapon light unless you plan on using it as a night time navigation tool.

The housing and lenses seem as robust and durable as any other weapon light I have used. I know I have heard stories of battery failures and fires from similar products, but I expect like any high profile failure they get more attention.

Pros and Cons

I found there to be few downsides to the Olight PL X weapon light. If your light goes dead in a remote location, you cant just replace the batteries like other models. And as I mentioned it can make fitting certain holster options a problem. But the trade-offs are also pretty nice. Not having to buy expensive lithium batteries is handy, and having a easily rechargeable light with dual lighting sources for example. And the digital control options also make it very handy. I’m honestly quite surprised that big names in weapon lights haven’t adopted control options like those found in this light.

There are some custom Rounded Holsters made specifically to fit popular pistols outfitted with the Olight PL X. So keep that in mind. Also there is a green laser version of the PL X that incorporates a green laser sighting aid as well.

Conclusion

I quite like the PL X, and its street price around $120 makes it a fairly easy choice for many folks. It gives a great deal of lighting dexterity, with some great controls and power sourcing that wont cost a weeks pay. In a dark defensive scenario, I suppose any light is better than none. But the Olight PL X seems to give you an affordable great option for every day use.

-CBM

Check out other weapon light options here

Crickett LP Target Rifle Chassis by Layer Form Precision

Ancillary gear, , , ,

Introduction

We are always talking here about technology bringing us interesting new options in our shooting. And today is another one of those. 3D printing has made all kinds of new things possible, and its also brought a bunch of trash to the market as well. Today we are looking at something I think brings the affordability from 3D printing, while still offering a useful product. Today we dive into the rimfire world and the Crickett LP Target Rifle Chassis by Layer Form Precision. This is a 3D printed target rifle chassis made for the very popular Cricket rifles made by Keystone Sporting Arms. If you are looking to get something to improve the rifle for your shooting beginner, you might like this.

the Cricket rifle pictured also uses the Anechoic PipSqueak rimfire suppressor

The LP Target Rifle Chassis

The LP Target Rifle Chassis brings many of the great target chassis features into an affordable chassis for your young shooter. It can be ordered in a variety of different colors you can choose from. Starting at the rear, the chassis has all the major adjustments. An adjustable length of pull is a must have for kids, and you can easily adjust this chassis for nearly any kid big enough to shoot.

kids as little as 7-8 years old can handle this rifle well

Also you can adjust the butt angle and height, allowing you to customize the fit to little shoulders. And for those learning to use a rifle scope, there is also an adjustable comb height to get the best sight picture.

the fully adjustable buttstock of the chassis

The buttstock itself can be removed, allowing the rifle to be used as a bolt action pistol if you desire. And up front you can add either a picatinny section to attach a bipod, or there is even a larger extended picatinny/ARCA rail that can go up front.

Features

3D-printed polymer construction

Designed for Keystone Sporting Arms Crickett rifles

Adjustable length of pull

Adjustable buttstock height and angle

Adjustable cheekpiece height

Removable buttstock for bolt-action pistol configuration

Multiple color options

Optional Picatinny bipod mounting section

Optional extended Picatinny/ARCA front rail

Uses factory action screw for rifle attachment

Compatible with factory scope mounting rail

Starting price of $59.99

Also available for Savage Rascal and Winchester Xpert rifles

Interface

Crickett rifles are not particularly famous for their rigid stock to action connection. But the LFP Chassis uses the factory screw to attach the action to the chassis. A single screw goes up through the chassis and threads into the action. Not exactly what precision riflemen are used to, but it works good enough.

the Cricket rifle is held in by a single screw

For testing, I installed a Crickett EX17HMR that I bought for my son nearly two decades ago. This model came with a scope mounting rail, so I didn’t need to use the one that Layer Form Precision makes. Mounted to it was a small Simmons 3-9×40 scope, its been there for years taking many squirrels and Marmots. I also attached a Harris Bipod to the front of the chassis for front support.

the M-Lok forend can accept a variety of accessories

Shooting the LFP Chassis

I recruited one of my nephews to shoot the rifle, as he fit the perfect profile of a young shooter in need of such a product. And of course, like any little boy he was eager to get his hands on the rifle.

I’ve always liked the single shot safe operation of Cricket rifles. You can hand a child one round, and once fired you know its safe until you hand them another

Supported shooting was excellent, which came as no surprise. Because this rifle features a slightly heavier barrel than typical Cricketts, it was a bit much for him to hold up and shoot standing. Shooting the rifle suppressed with the Anechoic PipSqueak 22 suppressor also added a little length, but only 1.5 ounces. Suppressed shooting is well worth it with kids.

every budding marksman should keep his Pop-its in his pocket

As we sat down to shoot, we adjusted the length of pull to its shortest length which was just enough for PJ. The polymer construction of the chassis wasn’t as forgiving as a rubber butt pad, but these rifles don’t recoil either so its no big deal. Adjusting the comb so he could see through the scope cleanly was out next step.

This is one of those things that can make a bigger difference than people realize. A young shooter doesn’t necessarily know what a proper shooting position should feel like. If the rifle doesn’t fit, they’ll often compensate by moving their head or body into an awkward position.

Once those had been adjusted to fit him, PJ was comfortable behind the rifle and even looked as though his form was learned. But in fact it was just getting everything in the right spot that had made his form better.

Pros and Cons

Lets be frank as we discuss these pros and cons here. First of all, not every rifle that goes in this stock is going to be a sharpshooter. Its more about learning the proper way to hold, operate and shoot a rifle. Thats what many of these rifles made for children are for, and the LFP Chassis only enhances the experience. Particularly if you are trying to raise a PRS champion.

Does 3D printing have the same quality as other stocks? In a word; sorta. Obviously it is not as rigid as big-boy chassis, and sure there are plenty of molding marks and textures. But for the maybe few years that you child might be using this product I think it will stand up just fine. Don’t expect it is going to survive falling out of a moving vehicle or anything like that. But it is perfectly tough enough to stand up to a kid hauling around the woods chasing squirrels.

And it certainly will last long enough to serve its purpose as a learning tool for your youth shooter. Helping them to understand a proper cheek weld and eye relief. And certainly looks good too, giving your shooting protégé the feeling that they too have a precise rifle like Dad’s.

Value

To be fair, the starting price of $59.99 is a small one to pay for enhancing your kids learning experience. And giving a better training session is priceless, making your time and ammo better spent. There are other models for the Savage Rascal and the Winchester Xpert rifles as well. It wouldn’t surprise me if by the time you read this there are other options as well.

My Verdict

I think for the price this chassis is a slam-dunk. Most any child who is looking to shoot their youth rifle is going to have a better experience and fit when using this affordable little chassis. You can order one of these chassis directly from the Layer Form Precision website, go over there and give it a try.

-CBM

Check out another good option for young shooters here

Springfield Armory, prodigy, DS prodigy, 2011, 9mm, steiner, mps, red dot, surefire, x300, vampire,

Surefire X300V-B Vampire: A Weapon Light for Night Vision

Ancillary gear, Product review, , , ,

Introduction

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.

Springfield Armory, prodigy, DS prodigy, 2011, 9mm, steiner, mps, red dot, surefire, x300, vampire,
the X300 Vampire on its Springfield Armory Prodigy host, also sporting a Steiner MPS red dot

The X300V-B Vampire

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.

surefire, x300, vampire, control, dual source,

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.

surefire, x300, vampire, control, dual source, sig sauer, p320, x5, legion, yhm, yankee hill machine, nitro, 9mm, suppressor,

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.

night vision, ir illuminator, surefire X300V-B, vampire,
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.

night vision, ir illuminator, surefire X300V-B, vampire,

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.

night vision, ir illuminator, surefire X300V-B, 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.

night vision, ir illuminator, surefire X300V-B, vampire,
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 it 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.

the P320 X5 ready for the dark, with a Vortex Defender XL and YHM suppressor

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.

-CBM

Check out more weapon lights here

Taurus, TX9, gideon omega, nightstick, TWM-30-GL

Nightstick TWM-30-GL Weaponlight

Ancillary gear, Product review, , , ,

Illumination

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.

Continue Reading Here

interchangeable recoil lugs make customizing the fit on your pistol

My Girsan 2311 CMXX 9mm made an excellent host for the light

the TWM-30-GL has a similar profile to the Surefire X300, and will fit most of the same places
zeroing the laser is done using an Allen wrench

the laser will only line up with your point of aim at one distance, I chose a close distance where it would most likely be necessary

the TWM-30-GL fit nicely in my Safariland holsters made for the X300
The 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
  • US Patent(s) : 9713217
  • Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty

Dimensions

  • Length: 3.9 in (98 mm)
  • Width: 1.5 in (38 mm)
  • Depth: 1.5 in (38 mm)
  • Weight: 5.6 oz (159 g)
  • Head Diameter: 1.2 in (30 mm)
blackpoint, blackpoint tactical, holster, kydex, retention holster, dual retention, service pistol, duty holster, Slick duty holster, holster sitting on shooting bench with magazine and ammo

Locked in Retention: BlackPoint Tactical Slick Duty Holster

Ancillary gear, Product review, , , , , ,

Preface

Handgun holsters are a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine. I really enjoy having a selection of holsters to accompany my handguns, it diversifies the way I can carry them. Today’s topic is another new to me product, and one that competes with some of my favorite holsters. That holster is the BlackPoint Tactical Slick Duty Holster, a polymer duty-grade holster designed for the professional. The Slick duty holster provides both protection and retention for you chosen sidearm.

most of my testing was done using the Ruger RXM

The BlackPoint Tactical Slick Duty Holster

With a molded polymer design, the Slick holster has a perfect fit for whatever model pistol you have; as long as it is a Glock, P320 or Echelon. Only duty pistols need apply here. The Slick Duty holster uses two methods of retention, first is the adjustable friction. And the second is the auto-rotating hood, actuated by pressing the release button. The button itself is tucked away discreetly between the holster and your belt, and is very obscure to the onlooker.

disassembled to show the mounting options and QLS Fork

When released, the hood folds out of the way. For pistols with mounted optics, the hood covers both the optic and the back of the slide. The two-piece hood is very robust, giving great protection to both slide and optic. Its not even a little bit exposed.

Note: here you can see the hood release button

According to the manufacturer, this holster is the result of years of feedback on holster design. And after using it I can see exactly how good ideas were incorporated into this holster. Its also compatible with other very popular brands like Safariland, BladeTech, Blackhawk, and True North Concepts. Allowing you to seamlessly add this holster into your kit.

In the Field

As I unboxed the holster, I was quickly impressed with the robust rigidity of the design. This is not some flimsy quick mold, it is a strong .125″ Kydex molded holster. The holster can be purchased with several connection options, I chose the Safariland QLS fork option because that’s what my belts use. You can adjust the cant and ride height with the mounting screws, which are all installed with thread-locker to avoid coming loose.

the Blackpoint Tactical Slick Duty holster fit perfectly into my belt configuration

Mounting

The Slick Duty holster snapped right into my belt using the QLS system. After making a couple adjustments on the angle, everything felt right. I dropped my Ruger RXM pistol into the holster, and it was a perfect fit. I only slightly adjusted the friction screw, mostly to reduce any slop within the holster.

attaching the holster to the Safariland QLS mount

Compatibility

I used a variety of different Glock styled pistols with this holster. Mainly my Ruger RXM with both the full size G17 frame, and the compact G19 frame. I also tried my PSA Dagger which fit slightly tighter than the RXM. Several other Glock clone pistols also fit perfectly into the holster.

I was also pleased to see that Blackpoint had left open the end of the holster. Even including an opening for threaded barrels to nest neatly in the holster.

Other Glock clone pistols like the PSA Dagger also fit nicely

Quality

I already mentioned how well built this holster is, but lets get into more detail. The .125 inch thick Kydex is much tougher than most other Kydex holsters I’ve seen. And it is fastened with quality screws and rubber grommets. The hood that covers both the back of the slide and your optic is also quite tough, not just a little flip open cover like some others. I expect you would need a hammer or large pair of pliers to break or remove it.

The two-piece hood also features a little integrating tooth that keeps the two pieces locked together when closed. In a similar fashion, the attachment point for the holster is also reinforced and uses a variety of different screw hole patterns to allow various mounting solutions.

Durability

While I haven’t used this holster as long as many others, I have been immediately impressed with it. Wearing it on a belt all day, getting in and out of chairs, vehicles, ATV’s and such has quickly proven how tough and resistant this holster is. I fully expect it will last for years even with daily wear.

Pros and Cons

For a duty minded holster, I came up with few things to dislike about this holster. Using the QLS fork as I did makes it very easy to remove from your belt for comfort during longer drives. I really like how well it protects my optic from getting contaminated. Even riding ATV’s down muddy roads where everything got messy, my Vector Frenzy red dot stayed pristine. And though I’m glad it hasn’t happened yet, I would fully expect both my gun and holster to stay put even if drove off the steep embankment.

The quick release button is covert and out of sight mostly, but is still quick to blindly hit with my thumb. All while keeping a solid grip on the pistol. Furthermore, it is only a slightly different motion than what I’m used to with my Safariland holsters that I also use frequently.

Additional equipment seen here: my Lead Devil gunbelt and my WGE Razor hearing pro

My Conclusion

Holsters are as much about preferences as performance I suppose. After all, if you don’t like the way it fits or functions it can be annoying and even dangerous. The Blackpoint Tactical Slick Duty Holster is an excellent choice that is well worth your consideration. You will likely find, like I did, that it will meet your convenience, retention and durability requirements. With prices starting around $160 I think it is well worth the asking price, I may need to get another one that allows use with my Surefire X300…

-CBM

Check out more holster reviews here

walkers game ear, hearing protection, ppe, razor slim ear muffs, electronic ear protection,

Listen Up: Walkers Game Ear Razor Slim Ear Muffs

Ancillary gear, Product review, , ,

Introduction

Even inexpensive hearing protection is better than none. I went most of my shooting career using foamies, mainly because I wanted to spend my money on things besides ear protection. But times have changed, and I am the happy owner now of several good head sets to protect whats left of my hearing. Today we are going to take a look at one of the most affordable sets I have, the Walkers Game Ear Razor Slim Ear Muffs. These are battery powered ear muffs that amplify normal sounds so you can talk and listen to whats around you, without going deaf from gunfire.

blackpoint tacticanl, holster, Slick holster, ruger, rxm, 9mm, walkers game ear, razor slim muffs, hearing protection, drawing a pistol from the holster at a gun range,

The Razor Slim Ear Muffs

Walkers Game Ear Razor (WGE) Slim muffs are available in a surprising variety of color and even patterns. The use a wire-band spring to hold the two muffs together, padded to fit the top of your head. The unit is powered by two included AAA batteries.

walkers game ear, razor slim muffs, hearing protection, battery compartment, battery installation,

The muffs use dual omnidirectional microphones to pick up sounds from all directions, and their .02 second compression time means you’ll only hear safe levels of sound. Full range speakers are used in the muffs to provide clear sounds while you are shooting. This all results in a 23dB reduction in noise.

Bergara, premier action, custom rifle, 7mm PRC, pure precision, carbon fiber, osprey barrel, us optics, TXH 4-24x50, suppressed, cole-tac, walkers game ear, razor slim muffs,
the Razor Slim muffs kept down the noise while shooting my Custom 7PRC

Powering up the unit is done using a dial on the left side, you can simply roll it with the tip of your finger. It has definitive click when it reaches the off position, so you dont waste battery life. As you roll the dial it adjustes the volume. These also have WGE’s typical input jack, allowing you to add your own sounds to the mix. Or it can be used together with WGE’s walkie talkie attachment to enhance communication between people.

On the Range

In no time I was on the range, shooting both rifles and handguns. Even though I often shoot suppressed, the fact that other shooters don’t often requires me to wear hearing protection anyways.

With the Razor Slim muffs powered up, I could comfortably hear people talking around me on the firing line. Even little things like bouncing brass and footsteps on the dirt would come through. This gives you much better situational awareness while shooting, and that can be important around others.

Bersa, m2xi, 9mm, 2011, pistol, walkers game ear, razor slim muffs, holosun scs carry, surefire x300, shooting pistol at gun range with open valley and lake behind,
shooting handguns woth ear pro is a must, this Bersa M2Xi is a blast with the Holosun SCS and the Surefire X300

Wearing the muffs for an hour here and there during the course of my shooting gave a good impression. Some other muffs often give me a headache from squeezing too hard. The soft cups of these muffs felt fine, and even sealed up over the temple arms of my glasses well. To be sure they were comfy, I even wore them around the office for a few hours.

Pros and Cons

These muff are perfectly serviceable for most shooting purposes. Whether you shoot indoor or outdoors like me, they will keep you hearing safe from gunfire. I will say this, when shooting extra large guns like the 50BMG, you may want to double up by adding some foamies underneath the muffs. I love the various color patterns, allowing you to get your own custom look. Additionally it is much less likely to get your muffs mixed up with someone else’s. They fold up nicely, and fit easily into your shooting bag.

I am not sure if my demerits for these muffs are fair. I have several other pairs of hearing protection, but they are significantly more expensive. While the others might be more comfortable, and have added tech like bluetooth, that comes at a cost.

walkers game ear, razor slim muffs, power dial, volume dial, headphone jack, walkie talkie,

Whereas the WGE Razor Slim muffs are obviously meant to be more for the mainstream. If you need those additional features that come at a higher price point, you can certainly look at WGE Recon or Firemax muff sets.

walkers game ear, hearing protection, ppe, razor slim ear muffs, electronic ear protection,
drawing my Ruger RXM from the Blackpoint Tactical holster, you can read more about it here

Final Words

Unless you are some kind of professional shooter, these WGE Razor Slim muffs are more than enough hearing protection for most American shooting enthusiasts. And even if you are a professional shooter, they’d still probably work. I am going to make sure they are always in my shooting bag, in case I need them, or someone needs to borrow a set. With a street price under $60, its a small price to pay to keep your dirty shooting fingers out of your ears.

-CBM

Check out other hearing protection options here

Blackpoint Tactical, blackpoint, tactical, leather IWNG, holster, ccw, concealed carry, kydex, glock 19, glock 17, leather, ruger RXM, belt loops,

Comfortable Carry: Blackpoint Tactical Leather WING OWB Holster

Ancillary gear, Product review, , , ,

Preface

Holster options are as diverse as the spectrum of pistols they carry. And the different options that people use for carrying handguns can be quite subjective as well depending on the situation. Today we are looking at another new to me holster, like many modern holster designs this one has some unique design features. Our topic today is the Blackpoint Tactical Leather Wing OWB holster.

My Ruger RXM fit perfectly in the holster, note belt loops and their diameter

The Blackpoint Tactical Leather WING Holster

Blackpoint Tactical is an American company based in Georgia, with a focus on making holsters that are comfortable and concealable. They manufacture various different holsters but our focus today is on their Blackpoint Tactical Leather Wing OWB holster. It uses both traditional Kydex and as its name idicates, Leather Wings.

This dual material construction has its advantages. The traditional Kydex gives that perfect fit and retention, while the leather gives the durability and dexterity that handgunners have enjoyed since the beginning of carrying a gun. Extremely durable metal belt loops are attached using steel fasteners, the same ones are used to attach the leather to the Kydex as well. The leather wings give a natural flex-point for comfort when moving, sitting and other activities.

These holsters are available for a variety of popular pistols, mine is made for a Glock 17 pattern pistol. You can order the holsters molded for specific weapon light combinations, and since I usually use the Surefire X300 thats what I got.

When you order the holster you can specify much more. Different color patterns of both Kydex and leather can be specified for customization, as well as right or left-handed. You can also select a canted angle or straight depending on how you like to carry your gun. Different belt loops are also available, allowing you to fit whatever belt you plan on using.

Features

Leather Wings– Allow for ultimate comfort, reliability, and concealment by allowing the leather to curve naturally to the body.

Metal OWB Loops– Eliminates a common failure point on many OWB holsters.

Sweat Guard– Standard option that extends from top of holster between body and firearm. Protects gun by providing a sweat barrier from the body. Protects body from gun when holstering. Provides touch point for ease in holstering.

Cant Options– Available straight up and down or at a 15° forward cant.

OWB Concealable– The thin mounting profile of the holster allows for OWB concealment.

Thread Locker– Applied to all screws to prevent loosening over time.

Additional OWB Loops– Available in 2.00”, 1.75”, and 1.5”. Our adjustable loop is 1.75” and allows for adjustments in ride height.

OWB/IWB Conversion– All OWB holsters can be converted to IWB by removing the OWB loops from the back of the holster and attaching IWB loops to the front of the holster.

Wearing the Blackpoint Tactical Leather WING Holster

Over the course of several weeks of daily carry, I familiarized myself with the Lether Wing holster. My main pistol for carrying in the holster was a Ruger RXM. This pistol is also configurable using either a G19 sized grip or the G17 sized grip. I used both during my testing but as you might imagine the smaller grip was more concealable. I also used another Glock clone pistol, this one was the BCA Grizzly 9mm. A full size G17 clone.

Comfort and Fit

For this type of holster I prefer carrying behind my right hip. But I did try different variations both further towards the hip and further towards the back. As always with such things, this greatly depends on the comfort and preference of the person doing the carrying.

Blackpoint Tactical, blackpoint, tactical, leather IWNG, holster, ccw, concealed carry, kydex, glock 19, glock 17, leather, ruger RXM, drawing pistol from holster on belt,

The flexibility of the leather on this holster did make it a little more comfortable, allowing it to move just enough. I did notice when worn more towards my hip, the natural pivot point when sitting did cause a little pinching sensation. As clothing/holster flex when I sat, there was sometimes a little bit of a squeeze where I didn’t want it. This also could be related to my physical shape (more round than not), and will of course depend on yours. In the end I found it wasn’t a problem by moving the holster further around towards my back.

There is a Kydex “ear” that extends up to prevent the slide from riding against your clothes or skin. This is always a nice touch, especially for those of us who aren’t as slender as we once were.

Retention

The tight fitting Kydex kept my pistol secure in the holster. There is a definititve snap sensation when the pistol is seated or pulled from the holster. I wouldn’t call it a hard pull, it felt like just the right amount of retention to keep the pistol safely secured. Without making it hard to access. The retention varied obviously with different pistol designs. Friction alone should be plenty to keep a CCW pistol like this secured, and the clutch of the Kydex is just right in my opinion. Unless you plan on riding roller coasters or doing tuck and roll dismounts you shouldn’t have a problem.

Blackpoint Tactical, blackpoint, tactical, leather IWNG, holster, ccw, concealed carry, kydex, glock 19, glock 17, leather, ruger RXM, drawing from holster on pistol shooting range,
the Ruger RXM and Surefire X300 combination fit perfectly in the Blackpoint Tactical Leather Wing holster

Due to the two sided Kydex clam-shell design, there is a natural split at the bottom of the holster. Left open to prevent accumulation of debris and the dreaded CCW fuzz-ball. The gap is almost enough to even use my RXM with the threaded barrel installed. Even if I needed to trim it slightly it would still work.

Quality

Blackpoints build quality is great, with quality fasteners holding the whole thing together. The screws do not come loose, and there are strong rivets holding the individual pieces together. The nicely finished edges make it less likely to snag on clothing, or harsh against skin. And the handsome different patterns available allow you to match your holster to your style and tastes.

Pros and Cons

Almost all of my complaints when it comes to CCW issues stem from comfort and printing. Both of these issues should be reason enough for me to get in better shape, which should fix the issues. But as it pertains to this holster specifically, there is little to complain about.

Other Glock patterned pistols like this BCA Grizzly also fit nicely, even with large optics like the Gideon Omega

I mentioned the slight pinching issue I had, but I already mentioned how that can be remedied. I suppose the only other thing I would change about it if I could would be to make an option for thinner belt loops. I found there was just enough slop between my belt and holster loops to allow some movement. Not a big deal, but something I would prefer given the chance to change it.

Blackpoint Tactical, blackpoint, tactical, leather IWNG, holster, ccw, concealed carry, kydex, glock 19, glock 17, leather, ruger RXM,
My Ruger RXM 9mm fit perfectly with both large and small frames, you can read more about the Vector Optics Frenzy red dot here

This holster gives a very secure place for your CCW pistol. With great retention and placement, without giving up some dexterity in how you wear it. It also allows plenty of room for pistol mounted optics, like the Gideon Omega seen here.

Final Thoughts

As I mentioned at the beginning, a holster is a lot like a ladies purse; which one you use depends greatly on what you intend to put in it that day, what you are wearing for an outfit, and where you plan on going. I have found that this means you are bound to end up having various holsters for different occasions and activities. I have found that the Blackpoint Tactical Leather Wing OWB holster is a great asset to have in my inventory.

-CBM

Looking for more holsters? Click here to see other options