Category Archives: Ancillary gear

Accessories needed for shooting

Rokstad Tauron Carbon Fiber Tripod

November 16, 2025Ancillary gear, Product reviewcarbon fiber, rokstad, shooting tripod, tauron, Tripod, vector opticscoldboremiracle

Introduction

Tripods have become a big part of shooting activities. Whether it is for building a support position for your rifle, or positioning support optics, tripods are a fantastic accessory. I have had the good fortune to use a variety of different tripods of various types and situations. This has opened my eyes to the value of a good tripod, in the right situation. Today I am bringing you a review of another tripod, built specifically for shooting sports. This tripod comes from the folks at Vector Optics, but it is a sub-brand. The Rokstad Tauron carbon fiber tripod is of heavy duty construction, with extendable carbon fiber locking legs. Using the tripod together with Rokstad’s 56mm ball-head gives you impressive mounting and manipulation.

Having arrived right before hunting season would give me a great opportunity to put this tripod to work. Using the Rokstad tripod to support both firearms, spotting scopes, and other items. Over the next couple months, I would use the tripod on the range, out in the deserts and in the high frozen country of the Rocky Mountains.

rokstad, vector optics, tripod, carbon fiber, nikon, fieldscope, Nikon Monarch 82ED-A Fieldscope — my **Nikon Monarch 82m Fieldscope** mounted in the Rokstad tripod

Rokstad Tauron Specifications

Leg Sections	4
Leg Locks	Twist
Folded Length	56 cm / 22.05 in
Maximum Height	169 cm / 66.54 in
Main Tube Diameter	34 mm
Max Load	35 kg / 77 lbs
Tube Material	Carbon Fiber
Angle Adjustments	Yes
Feet Tripod Spike	Yes
Weight	2.12 kg / 74.78 oz
Items in the Package	Storage Bag and Hex Keys

Much thought went into the design of this tripod, adding some clever features. And at the exact same time, the tripod is a simple device. With four extendable sectioned legs, it is a very tall tripod, one could put a sheet around it and use it as a rain shelter.

Attaching a ball head or other device on top of the tripod is done using either a 1/4 threaded stud, or a 3/8 threaded stud. The cunning design has a spring loaded stud, that allows you to pull out the one you want to use, while the other stud collapses inside.

Vector Optics, Rokstad, tripod, carbon fiber, shooting tripod, ball head,

The lightweight carbon fiber legs are very stiff and strong, the rubberized twist-locking rings allow fast deployment. At the bottom end of the legs there are rubber feet, the feet can be twisted up revealing steel spikes for better traction. Additionally, the legs lock in three different angles, allowing you many options for configuring the tripod.

Vector Optics, Rokstad, tripod, carbon fiber, shooting tripod, ball head, feet, spike,

With its robust construction, the Tauron Tripod can hold up to 77lbs on top. Which is more than I would ever plan on putting there. Rokstad offers a 38mm and 56mm ball head to mount on the Tauron tripod, I selected the 56mm.

Rokstad 56mm Ball Head

The ball head itself is also built well, with a nice finish and look all around. The ball head features 360 degree rotation, and also includes the typical 90 degree drop notch that allows you to hit extreme angles.

On top of the ball, there is a dual clamp that is tightened by a thumb-screw. The clamp itself is designed to hold both ARCA rail systems as well as picatinny rail systems. This will allow you to mount a variety of firearms and other items to the tripod.

Vector Optics, Rokstad, tripod, carbon fiber, shooting tripod, ball head, nikon, fieldscope,

Controls on the ball head are very easy to operate. There is a smaller tension knob that controls the resistance when panning the ball head. And the larger knob adjusts the clamping resistance on the ball itself, the knob has various numbers showing the resistance setting. Interestingly, these controls typically add resistance as you tighten the knob. But on this ball head, the resistance as you tighten the knob doesn’t seem to increase with commensurate resistance on the ball. This allow easy manipulation of the ball head with less effort.

The ball head comes with a small rubberized section of ARCA that can be used to attach a rifle, spotting scope or other device to quickly attach to the tripod.

Vector Optics, Rokstad, tripod, carbon fiber, shooting tripod, ball head, custom 10/22, primary arms, glx, 22lr, .22lr, suppressed, spectre 2, — shooting from the Tauron tripod was steady and comfortable, seen here my custom 10/22 with the **Primary Arms GLx 3-18 scope** and **Silencerco Spectre 22 suppresso**r

In the Field with the Rokstad Tauron Tripod

Whether on the range, out in the desert, or high in the Rocky Mountains chasing mule deer, this tripod was a fantastic tool. I used it for supporting my spotting optics, my camera, rifles and other items.

rokstad, vector optics, tripod, carbon fiber, nikon, fieldscope, sig sauer, kilo 10k, — the Rokstad Tauron is extremely stable for glassing with these **Sig Sauer Kilo 10k Binos**

I found the controls of the tripod and ball head to be very easy and intuitive to operate. While the tripod is very light compared to non-carbon fiber options, but I didn’t often choose to pack it along during hunts. This size of tripod is great for short walks and or range operations. It isn’t often I would take this or any comparable tripod on long hikes through rough country.

Vector Optics, Rokstad, tripod, carbon fiber, shooting tripod, ball head, maven optics, spotting scope, compact, CS 1A 15-45x,

Using both the rubber feet and the spike s underneath the tripod made a very sturdy structure. Making an excellent platform to shoot from, as well as watching target animals. I did notice occasionally the rubber feet would rattle loose, which would expose the spikes. This isn’t a big deal, as the rubber feet are captured and cannot fall off when loose, but it was a slight inconvenience at times.

Locking the legs in their various positions was quick and easy using the locking lugs, I did find that I like other designs slightly better. Because the locks can be pulled from the front or pushed out from the back. The Rokstad design can only be pulled from the front, this is a minor issue that you likely would miss unless you were used the something else.

Quality

One of the concerns many folks have about foreign built products is the level of quality in construction. I have been quite impressed with the quality of other Vector Optics products, so it came as no surprise that I was also pleased with the Rokstad sub-brand as well. The finish on this tripod is great, the carbon fiber has an excellent build. All the machine work is done well, and there is even a touch of style to it.

rokstad, vector optics, tripod, carbon fiber, nikon, fieldscope, desert tech, srs m2, continental, — if that rifle looks familiar its because my **Desert Tech SRS M2** is wearing the Vector Optics 6-36×56 scope, its mounted in an **Area 419 scope mount**, and on top you can see the **US Optics RISE red dot**.

The controls are crisp and strong, you definitely feel like you can push against this tripod. By that I mean both physically and against its stops. The leg extension locks are very tight, and don’t require heavy torquing to lock the extensions in place. Same with the leg angle locks. And the ball head controls are very tactile allowing sharp control of friction settings.

Usability

I found the Tauron tripod to be every bit as comfortable to use as other tripods I’ve used. The rubberized leg extension locks are quick and easy to use, and deploying the legs of the tripod is quick and smooth. The articulation of the legs allows me to get into most any setup with this tripod, giving excellent support.

Articulating the ball head took a moment to get used to, but once I’d figured it out I quite liked it. Being able to lock both ARCA rails and picatinny rails was a great benefit. Two of the three legs have a foam grip area for comfortably carrying the tripod. Which is especially nice in extreme cold weather.

Value

Rokstad’s Tauron tripod is definitely less expensive than some of the competition. Even compared to some other tripods built overseas, it is still much more affordable. There is obviously good reason behind this, we all know there is no free lunch. While it is lighter than some comparable tripods, it is far from the lightest. It has great features and controls despite others having some better options. But all this should come as no surprise for a tripod that cost only four hundred and fifty dollars (at time of publication). Many of the comparable tripods cost double or triple what this one costs. I am sure I am not the only one who often will take the affordability over a slight advantage in performance.

Pros and Cons

I found very few things to hate on the Rokstad Tauron tripod. It was comfortable and easy to operate, and the controls were intuitive and easy to figure out. The product is well-built giving great stability for either observation optics or firearms. All the control surfaces have textured grip, and the sticky rubber grip areas make short work of extending the legs.

If I had to change something about this tripod, it would probably be the following; I’d love to put it on a diet. It’s not like a boat anchor or anything, but it could be lighter. That could be said for most comparable tripods as well, so keep that in mind. I’d also like it if they vented the legs, the air pressure built when extending or collapsing the legs does create some resistance that could be neutralized by venting the interior of the legs.

rokstad, vector optics, tripod, carbon fiber, nikon, fieldscope, desert tech, srs m2, — Here you can see the extended leg-locks that allows a hard stop for each leg

Also, I really like the dual clamp on the ball head, but I wish it had a lever to tension the clamp instead of a thumbscrew. Thumbscrews are a little less tactile for tensioning such a clamp, especially in the cold. And lastly, the tripod came with a very handy and well made carry bag, complete with a shoulder strap and such. Unfortunately they made the bag too small to use with the ball head installed, which is a massive drawback. I will likely never use the bag now, as I’m not likely ever going to be removing the ball head while transporting the Tauron.

Final Thoughts

Overall I think the Tauron is a great little tripod, meaning I think most folks out there would at minimum find it adequate if not better. If you are new to carbon fiber shooting tripods, I think this will work great for you. And if you have a collection of them as I do, this will fit in to it just fine.

rokstad, vector optics, tripod, carbon fiber, nikon, fieldscope, remington 700, .260 remington, us optics, — here you can see CBM Junior’s rifle mounted in the tripod via the pic rail up front

Rokstad’s Tauron tripod gives great quality and features at a price well below much of the competition. Like it or not, the price is likely due to its overseas construction. If you are looking for a great little tripod to put in your shooting gear, this one is worth looking at.

-CBM

Testing the Olight Ark Pro Lite Flashlight

November 15, 2025Ancillary gear, Product reviewark, ark pro, flashlight, Laser, LED, light, olightcoldboremiracle

Intro

Flashlight technology continues to improve, LED technology and batteries made from lithium and various electrode types have greatly improved many product lines. The days of oversized lights running on alkaline cells are long gone, replaced by ever smaller and brighter options. Today we are looking at one of those products, the Olight Ark Pro Lite flashlight. The Ark pro is a very compact multi-purpose light with various features making it very handy for a daily use tool. With rechargeable battery that comes with multiple charging options, and shift-on-the-fly controls giving the user a focused beam, a flooding beam, and even a UV option. Additionally there is a green laser pointer built into the unit. All his in a handsome little light you can have delivered on your Amazon Prime account for $100.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, charging port — here you can see the USB-C charging port open, as well as the coltrol panel

Unboxing the Ark Pro Flashlight

As I opened the Olight Ark Pro, it was a little reminiscent of Apple products. Nice packaging with intuitive directions built-in as the packaging opened further. As is typical with Lithium powered products, there are various warning stickers on the product. As well as others that indicate operational features. A charging cable is also included that uses the typical Olight magnet affixed charging port. As well as a card listing the various models of Ark Pro and the functions of the controls and how you can customize them.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, — the laser pointer located centrally

The light itself feels very robust, its heavier than I anticipated which often gives the feeling of added value. The controls are very simple, and tactile with clicks and smooth movements. I hate to bring it back to Apple product’s but it almost feels similar to the older ipod’s before touch screens were incorporated.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, gun belt, safariland, holster, — the Olight Ark Pro fits nicely on a gun belt without cluttering things up too much between my **Safariland holster** and **CRKT Knife**

Olight Ark Pro Features

The solid construction of the Ark Pro gives a strong feeling of rugged quality. The construction also includes a strong dual belt-clip for carrying the light a variety of ways. And the compact slender size makes it easy to carry all the time, much like a pocket knife. And the dual-charging options give you a variety of choices to keep it powered up. And the magnet base that attaches one of the two charging methods also doubles as a hands-free mounting option.

Adjusting the brightness is done by holding down the power button. The Ark Pro cycles through different brightness levels until the button is released.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, mechanic, engine, — as one who frequents the underside of automotive hoods, I find the Ark Pro very handy for quick and easy lighting. Its magnetic base holds it tightly against the hood of vehicles

This light would be a great tool for maintenance and auto technicians, its quick operation and go-everywhere size is great for small places. The Ark Pro includes both a flood-style LED light, and a sharper spot-style LED light. And the UV light is great for identifying leaking systems like coolant or refrigerant dyes. And the laser pointer would also come in handy for pointing out locations to others without needing to get hands-on.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, flood, spot, — showing the two different LED’s emittance, above is the flood light, and below is the spot light. Both seen in pure darkness approximately 10 feet from wall

Real Use

This is not necessarily a light to take the place of a high lumen light you might need in a defensive situation. Though it is way better than no flashlight, it is more useful at distances inside 15-20 feet. On its highest setting it can be useful a bit further. Its comfortable to carry, making it easy to have with you anytime and anywhere.

It is fantastic during camping trips, easily keeping small areas lit. As well as intense light in small areas. It would be a great tool to keep on a tool or gun-belt, as a general all-purpose flashlight.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, EDC, EDC Dump, shadow systems, dr920, ruko, — the Ark Pro fits in perfectly with other EDC items like my **Shadow Systems DR920**

I’ve heard plenty of community lore about Olight products. Often what I hear is negative, but this is my first experience with any of their products. So I can only comment on what I have experience with. I have used other branded lights from popular manufacturers, and up to this point I’ve never had any issues with any of them. I look forward to keeping this Olight Ark Pro in my daily use to see how it stands up against its competition.

olight, ark pro, flashlight, laser, ultra violet, uv, belt, gun belt, — the Ark Pro Lite fits perfectly onto a gun-belt

Conclusion

I think the Olight Ark Pro will fill a great spot in my tool collection. Whether it be working on my car in the driveway, or searching for blood in the dark forest as the sun sets. It has a great set of features, and the simple operation make it a slam dunk for a general purpose flashlight. You can order yours direct through your Amazon account here.

-CBM

Nightstick TCM-10-GL Laser Weapon Light

November 14, 2025Ancillary gear, Product reviewccw, nightstick, pistol light, tcm-10-gl, weapon light, weaponlightcoldboremiracle

Preface

Sometimes you can’t get enough of some things, good weapon lights are definitely one of those. And today I am bringing you another weapon light option, this one also incorporates a green aiming laser. The Nightstick TCM-10-GL is a pistol mounted 650 lumen weapon light that runs on a single CR123 battery. This compact unit is optimal for mounting to your CCW pistol due to its small size and narrow footprint. Let’s get into the beam of this product and see if its worth the price.

the TCM-10-GL has been at home on my **Ruger RXM** for several months now

Nightstick Lighting

I’ve gotten other Nightstick Lighting products before, and you can read about them here. The Texas based company bring a wide variety of lighting products, often at a great price when compared to other brands.

Part of the reason Nightstick products are more affordable I expect, is because of the old made in China sticker on the box. But despite some folks disliking that, there are definitely some advantages to the brand worth looking at. Nightstick seems to incorporate more modern controls on their products, with digital control buttons and advanced features. They also seem to fit into the places of more popular brands, with compatibility into holsters and such.

A limited lifetime warranty is included with this product, which covers defects on things like the housing, lenses and LED’s. Other parts like batteries, control buttons and other electrical components are covered for a period of two years by the warranty.

Unboxing the Nightstick TCM-10-GL

nightstick, weapon light, TCM-10, TCM-10-GL, laser, light,

Specifications

High Lumens: 650
High Beam Distance (m): 136
High Candela: 4,612
Drop Rating: 2 m
Water Rating: IP-X7 Waterproof
High Runtime (h): 2.0
Strobe: Yes
Laser Color: Green
Switch Function: Momentary or constant-on
Light Source: LED
Serialized: Y
Case Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum
Body Color: Black
Quantity of Batteries: 1
Power Source: CR123
Package Contents: Light, five modular rail inserts, 2 spare Allen screws, 1.5mm Allen wrench, (1) CR123 battery
US Patent(s) : 9713217
Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty

Dimensions

Length: 2.5 in (63.5 mm)
Width: 1.1 in (30 mm)
Depth: 1.6 in (42 mm)
Weight: 2.5 oz (70 g)

Mounting and Shooting with the TCM-10-GL

Like other Nightstick weapon lights, the TCM-10 comes with a selection of indexable recoil lugs to engage a variety of host weapons. These recoil lugs engage the picatinny rail under the muzzle of your handgun, and the ability to interchange them for proper alignment is great. Not only is it nice to be able to change them, but the manner in which they are affixed by screws is also very nice. The process allows you to align the weapon light to best fit your taste and holster selection.

Shooting is much more comfortable with my **Safariland Liberator** ear protection

The thumbwheel allows you to use fingers to attach the light, but you will likely need a small coin or screwdriver to tighten the clamp that holds the light to the pistol. Once attached, you can adjust the laser aim to co-witness with other sights or in my case with the Vortex Defender red dot. The laser aim point is adjusted using windage and elevation screws on the housing.

nightstick, weapon light, TCM-10, TCM-10-GL, laser, light, Ruger, Ruger RXM, RXM, 9mm, — adjusting the laser aimpoint after installing the TCM-10-GL on the **Ruger RXM pistol**

With the light mounted and laser zeroed, it was time to head to the range. The added weight of a weapon light up front does help with keeping muzzle’s down, but the added light and laser aiming aid would be be even more valuable.

here you can see the red dot of the **Defender** and the green dot of the laser stacked on the aimpoint, nicely illuminated by the 650 Lumen TCM-10

Controls

Using just the two control button on the TCM-10, you can change up the operation. You can select one of three options, light only, laser only, and light and laser together. Users can also lockout the light, by holding both buttons down for three seconds. This will put the unit in battery lockout mode until you undo it.

the textured buttons sit on either side of the trigger guard

I really like the controls on these Nightstick weapon lights. The momentary buttons give better control than even some of the more popular units from more well known manufacturers. If momentary operation is desired, you simply push and hold one of the buttons, and when you release it the unit shuts off. But if you are anticipating a longer need for light, you can tap the button and it will stay on until shut off by the user.

Quality

Like other Nightstick weapon lights I’ve used, the TCM-10-GL is well made. Almost all construction is of metal, save for the rubberized buttons. Quality fasteners with Allen screws are far superior to older designs. And the clamp is far better than many of the camming style clamps typically used by lower cost weapon light units.

Bright white light from the LED makes for a very nice view, and the high intensity laser is very sharp. The two beams together make a fantastic combination for engaging shots in low light.

Value

Nightstick’s TCM-10-GL is more affordable than some of the more popular branded items like the TLR-8. I have both and like them both, but if money was dictating my purchase, the Nightstick would win at roughly 50$ less. There are even cheaper units available from other brands, but their reputation is far from stellar.

Final Thoughts

Once again, I feel that the Nightstick TCM-10-GL is a fantastic option for a more affordable light laser combo for your CCW. Its compact size will fit into most CCW holster options, and is less likely to snag with its soft edges. It gives great lighting and targeting with its beams, and the quality controls give you customization. All this with common battery usage, and deliverable next day with your Amazon account. All this sounds like a win to me, and I look forward to piercing the dark with this light into the future. I will update this in the future as more experience with the product develops.

-CBM

nightstick, weapon light, TCM-10, TCM-10-GL, laser, light, CZ, CZ P10, p10s, CZ P10S, — the TCM-10-GL was also a perfect fit for the CZ P10S

Nightstick TWM-30-T Weaponlight

September 9, 2025Ancillary gear, Product reviewnightstick, pistol, pistol light, twm-30-T, weapon light, x300coldboremiracle

Introduction

I love a good pistol and light combination, especially matched with a good red dot. Such being the case I am always looking for additional light options. Several of my full size pistols use the popular SF X300, but when I spotted today’s subject I expected it would drop right in place of the X300. Today we are looking at another weapon light from Nightstick, this one is the Nightstick TWM-30-T weaponlight for handguns.

Nightstick weaponlight, Nightstick, TWM-30-T, pistol, shadow systems, dr920,

The TWM-30-T has a very similar presentation, with two CR123 batteries side by side. Mounted by a picatinny clamp to the accessory rail of most handguns, it comes with multiple spaced anchor plates to adjust where the light rides on the pistol. Adding features to the controls also gives the Nightstick unit a leg up over competitors.

Specifications

66,000 candela
Enhanced single-motion switches
User-selectable battery safe and strobe modes
Momentary or constant-on flashlight
Sharp focused beam for distance illumination
Aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminum housing
Type III hard anodized finish
Beam distance rated at 514 meters
IP-67 Waterproof
Impact & chemical resistant
Serialized for personal identification
2 CR123 batteries (included)
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Multi-Function: Yes
High Lumens: 900
High Beam Distance (m): 514
High Candela: 66,000
Drop Rating: 2 m
Water Rating: IP-67 Dustproof/Waterproof
High Runtime (h): 1
Strobe: Yes
Light Source: LED
Serialized: Y
Case Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum
Body Color: Black
Quantity of Batteries: 2
Power Source: CR123
Package Contents: Light, 4 cross-rail inserts, 2 cross-rail mounting cap head screws, Allen wrench, 2 CR123 Lithium batteries
US Patent(s) : 9713217
Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty
Length: 3.5 in (89 mm)
Width: 1.5 in (38 mm)
Depth: 1.5 in (38 mm)
Weight: 4.5 oz (127 g)
Head Diameter: 1.2 in (30 mm)

In the Box

When you receive the Nightstick TWM-30-T, everything you need is in the box. There are batteries, tools, and a couple mounting solutions to customize how it rides on your pistol. An owners manual also comes tucked in so you can read up on it.

Nightstick weaponlight, Nightstick, TWM-30-T, pistol,

I really appreciated the fasteners that hold everything in place. Part of me dislikes having life saving equipment “snap on” or snap closed for example. I like that the battery compartment is secured by a screw, as is the the picatinny anchor. The light comes with four different options that you can change out to see where the light best fits on your pic-rail. I found it very convenient to remove the screw and just sit the various anchor plates in place until one of them lines up where you want it.

Programming Controls

The controls of this light are very handy, and easy to remember and understand. I found them to be way ahead of the competition I mentioned earlier. Most lights have a temporary illumination option as well as a full-on setting. The Nightstick TWM-30-T control module gives those settings and more.

Using both buttons in unison, you can press and hold to code in functions like a complete lockout to conserve battery. Or you can engage a strobe feature allowing the user to have a steady beam on command, or a strobe function to blind an opponent.

Nightstick weaponlight, Nightstick, TWM-30-T, pistol, surefire, x300t, — As you can see, the TWM-30-T is a touch shorter than the X-300 Turbo

Perhaps my favorite function is the temporary-on feature. If you push and hold either button, the light will stay on until you release it. Whereas if you simply push and release either button the light stays on. Once you’ve figured our all the functions its very easy to cycle through the functions and get the performance you want.

Compatibility

I found it was very easy to fit the TWM-30-T to a variety of handguns, using the different anchor plate wasn’t always necessary but it was helpful now and then. It seemed perfectly compatible with all my Glock clones, as well as my X5 Legion P320, as well as my Staccato XC.

Nightstick weaponlight, Nightstick, TWM-30-T, pistol, glock, ruger, rxm, staccato XC, shadow systems dr920, sig sauer, p320 X5, Legion, — Here you can see how the Nightstick fit on several popular pistols (clockwise from top left) the **Shadow Systems** DR920, the **Staccato XC**, the **Sig Sauer P320 X5 Legion**, and the Ruger RXM

Aside from fitting all the pistols (which was expected) the TWM-30-T also fit easily into all of my holsters. This was an incredibly welcome convenience, as I love my holsters. The Nightstick is also a little more compact than other popular competitor’s lights, which might be helpful in some scenarios.

Shooting in the Dark

Thankfully I don’t need to shoot in the dark often, but it’s always something to be prepared for. More than anything I spent a lot of time shooting at dusk as the sun went down. To see how the controls functioned in real time while drawing my pistols.

Nightstick weaponlight, Nightstick, TWM-30-T, pistol, surefire, x300, turbo, — for comparison, here are the two beams seen at approximately 15-yards

In the interest of comparison, I did put the beam of the TWM-30-T against others to see how it looks at night time in pure darkness. The 900 lumens of the Nightstick looked great in the darkness.

Pros and Cons

In favor of the Nightstick TWM-30-T, there is much to say. Being able to order it directly off of Amazon for the price of $139 is almost reason enough in my opinion to get one. The fantastic programmable control makes it a smarter choice than some others. And the final blow that would make this a slam dunk is its compatibility with so many guns and holsters. With so many great things going for it, the fact that it is produced in Texas by Americans is simply icing on the cake. (Edit: it would seem they are manufactured overseas for the Texas based company)

I really couldn’t come up with something about this light that was bad. It mounts better than many others, its controls are better and can all be done with a single finger. I guess the only thing that would make it better would be to incorporate a laser without changing the external dimensions. But I guess I’m reaching there.

Nightstick weaponlight, Nightstick, TWM-30-T, pistol, Vortex defender XL, sig sauer, p320, x5, legion, — the Nightstick made a perfect companion to the X5 with it’s **Vortex Defender XL**

Conclusion

I was very happy to find another weapon light with such great compatibility. Something I could use across various pistol and holster combination. Even more pleasing was finding how much I liked about this light in particular. Whether you are simply looking for a light for your CCW, or something for a duty pistol this is a great option. I suppose if the National Tactical Officer Association endorses and recommends these lights, they are good enough for me. If you also fall in that category with me, then give one of these a try. You can order the Nightstick TWM-30-T right here and have it shipped right to your door.

-CBM

Gritr Gear Tactical Range Bag

September 7, 2025Ancillary gear, Product reviewbag, gear bag, gritr, gritr gear, gritr gear tacitcal range bag, range bagcoldboremiracle

Introduction

We all love little items that make our hobby easier to practice, and today I am bringing you another one. Gritr Gear makes a variety of shooting accessories that are both affordable and high quality. Today I am sharing my experience with Gritr Gear’s Tactical Range Bag, a sure way to better organize and transport your shooting accessories. The Tactical range bag has a variety of features that will help you keep your range gear clean and organized with durable construction built to last.

gritr gear, gritr tactical range bag, range bag,

Construction

Gritr Gear’s range bag is made from 500D nylon material that is durable and light. The bag is stitched and reinforced where it counts and uses heavy duty dual zippers for closure. Aside from the exterior of the bag, the interior uses various materials to optimise its use. The pouches are lined with a soft fleece like material to protect your pistols and other accessories from scratches.

Apart from the various pouches and pockets for organizing your stuff, the bag also features various Molle panels within to allow you to add or change the internal design. I was very pleased to find a removable hard panel that you can either use or remove to add strength and rigidity to the main bag compartment.

Bag in a Bag?

The Tactical Range Bag also features various sub-assemblies. you will find inside the main compartment a smaller tote that can be used to carry and quickly remove everything from the main compartment. The inner tote has two zippered pockets on each side, again lined with fleece to protect your gear. Zippers use reinforced pull-tethers making it easy to use with gloves.

And if that wasn’t enough, there is also an even smaller bag within, like a set of nesting dolls. The smaller bag is lined inside with pockets and a zippered mesh pouch. One could use it as a tool pouch or safety gear like hearing protection and such, though it is labeled as a QD IFAK.

gritr gear, gritr tactical range bag, range bag, IFAK — the interior of the IFAK pouch

Aside from the diverse pocket offerings, there is an impressive amount of velcro surfaces on nearly every side of the bags. This comes in handy for folks who love to spice up their presentation with patches and logos.

Exterior

The bag is available in various colors, I chose M81 Woodland camo for obvious reasons. Other colors like black, FDE, Green as well as a retro 80’s pastel on black pattern in case you want to make a statement.

Covering the top of the main compartment is a large velcro lined dual zipper lid. Strong zippers slide easily making it quick to open and close the bag sigle-handedly.

Carrying the bag is easy using the large nylon loop carrying handles, or you can use the large padded shoulder strap that clips onto each end. Gritr even went as far putting hard rubber feet on the bottom of the bag, to prevent the bottom of the bag from wearing out. This would come in handy riding in the bed of my pickup for miles up bumpy dirt roads.

Quality

My very first impression and one that has stuck with this bag is the overall quality. Within minutes of opening the bag I was impressed with how well it was made. All the different materials feel strong and durable. The stitching and material connections are very nice, a stark contrast from the cheap discount bags you’ll often find on the accessory shelf at retailers.

I have other range bags that while useful, have quickly degraded. Loosing their rigidity and quality feel. I am hard on gear, likely using it more often than most, and typically with little care. That’s not to gloat, simply an explanation on how gear gets used around here. This Gritr Bag looks like it will be here for a long time, and I have already made it my main range bag due to its great construction.

Get Your Own Gritr Gear Range Bag

Not only does this great bag bring value and order to your shooting, but you can get it for as little as $114 currently with your Amazon Prime account. Delivered faster than some people can draw. Not only that, it comes with a lifetime warranty.

There is more to see about this bag than there is to say. I can imagine if you are like me, you’d rather just get your hands on it and start digging through to see if it fits your needs. That being the case, I’m going to give you my best virtual scrutiny with a variety of pictures. Hopefully this will help you decide if it meets you standards.

Conclusion

I’ll leave you with a few more images in hopes that you can evaluate the bag. But I can confidently say this; it is an excellent buy, and surely the best range bag I have. I can’t imagine someone regretting having purchased it.

Thanks for following along, I hope you’ve found something useful here. let me know if you have any questions or recommendations.

-CBM

Gritr Gear Omni Holster

August 16, 2025Ancillary gear, Product reviewglock, gritr, gritr gear, holster, kydex, omni, omni holstercoldboremiracle

Preface

Holsters can be as subjective as the guns that go in them. You might try five different holsters for your preferred pistol before finding one that is just right. I’ve been playing with holsters a lot lately, and today I wanted to share another one with you. Todays subject is the Gritr Gear Omni Holster.

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Gritr makes a variety of different holster options in different configurations for various popular pistols. They also make additional support gear like range bags, weapon lights and even their own Red Dot Sights. Much of their lineup is available at affordable prices direct from Amazon.

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The Gritr Gear Omni Holster

The Gritr Gear Omni Holster is a simple Kydex design, optimized to be configured however best fits your needs. It can be used as an IWB holster, or an OWB holster. It can be configured right or left handed, and is available for most popular handguns with or without optics cut.

For my purposes I figured a Glock pattern would be optimal, as I have various Glock 17 and Glock 19 clones that would allow some evaluation. You can order the Omni holster to accept popular weapon light options like the SF X-300 or SL TLR-7. The Omni holster also came with a belt mount, allowing you to attach it directly to your belt and adjust the angle as well.

The Omni comes with a concealment strut on one side that rides under your belt to help keep your pistol tucked when concealing. It is both reversible and removeable for different carry styles, but I saw no reason to take it off.

Configuring the Gritr Omni Holster

I would end up using the Omni in various configurations because I can. Both inside the waist belt (IWB) and outside the waist belt (OWB). The single belt-clip can be adjusted for ride height, so you can customize where your pistol sits. It can also be swapped to the opposing side should you need a wrong-handed draw. The clip has a nice retaining lip to prevent you from pulling the holster out when drawing the gun.

gritr, gritr gear, omni, omni holster, kydex, holster, iwb, owb, ccw, glock 19, glock 17, Ruger RXM, vortex Defender, red dot — note belt-clip and concealment strut

There are also tension screws that allow you to adjust the squeeze of the holster to increase retention as needed. There is no secondary retention, just the friction of the holster’s squeeze. We found that this was adequate for keeping pistols secure in the holster. During testing we tried various G17 and G19 sized pistols with great results.

We also tested the Omni on a typical gun belt, using a Safariland QLS fork for attachment. This was a great option as it allowed quick removal and install from various belts.

gritr, gritr gear, omni, omni holster, kydex, holster, iwb, owb, ccw, glock 19, glock 17, shadow systems, dr 920,

Shooting From the Omni Holster

Drawing a handgun from the Omni holster was slick, just as its designed to be. The holster give generous space for sights to avoid any occlusions, and the Kydex covers all the important parts. Drawing the pistols from the holster had very little resistance, making it quick to get on target. Especially from the OWB configuration, as I am used to retention holsters and having to grip a release. This was much faster, simply pulling the pistol out an presenting on target.

As typical, there is a touch more to consider when drawing from the IWB position. Lifting clothing and avoiding snags requires a little more diligence. I do like how the Omni covers up everything; trigger, ejection port and more are covered by the Kydex “ears” that come up the side of the slide. It also protects you skin from slide serrations and other parts of the pistol that might cause discomfort.

All the pistols I tested in the holster were G17 or G19 clones, and they had a similar feel. Only the differences in slide cuts seemed to change the resistance when drawing the pistol.

Final Thoughts

The ability to configure this holster makes it and easy choice. I could even see getting a couple of them for various purposes due to their low cost. Whether you want to mount them to your belt, or just tuck them under your shirt it is pretty straight forward. The various mounting holes also allow you easy alternative mounting solutions. Overall, the Gritr Gear Omni Holster offers an inexpensive option that can be applied easily to just about any carrying need. And getting one drop shipped to your door using your prime account makes it that much easier.

-CBM

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The Nightstick LGL-160-T Weapon Light

August 10, 2025Ancillary gear, Product reviewflashlight, LED, LGL-160, nightstick, weapon lightcoldboremiracle

Preface

Today we touch on a brilliant subject (sorry for the cheesy pun), that subject is weapon lights. These bright illuminating tools when used together with a firearm can give incredible dexterity when in potentially dangerous situations. I say that because the implication with weapon lights is that they are mainly used for shooting in the dark. An activity, that is not a typical sport shooting condition. Unless you consider defensive shooting a sport. Of course there are some sporting purposes where weapon lights can come in handy, but lets get into the beam of this topic; today’s subject is the Nightstick LGL-160-T Turbo weapon light.

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The Nightstick LGL-160-T

Among the various lights made by Nightstick, the LGL-160-T is designed for long guns. Like other popular models the LGL-160-T can be mounted in a variety of ways, and can be used in conjunction with a remote pressure pad.

With 800 Lumens, the LGL-160-T gives a bright beam of white light. This can be very important when the moon is out, and you need to put a shot where it counts. You can use either dual CR123 batteries like most comparable units, or the single rechargeable 18650 LI-ion battery.

The impressive kit that comes with the light, includes various mounting options for both picatinny rail mounting and M-Lok mounting. There is also included brackets for offset 45-degree mounting. And a push-button end-cap can be used or a remote pressure switch pad. They even include a couple cable management blocks to help tie down the wires and pressure pad.

Nightstick, nightstick weapon light, LGL-160, AR-15, Aero precision, yhm Fat cat, suppressor, remote switch, pressure pad — you can see how the cable block can be used to manage cables

Features and Specifications

Features

LED technology
Features both tail cap and 6″ Remote Pressure Switches
Momentary or constant-on function
Standard and offset Picatinny rail mounts
Sharp focused beam for distance illumination
Aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminum housing w/Type III hard-anodized finish
Beam distance rated at 632 meters
IP-X7 Waterproof
Impact & chemical resistant
Serialized for personal identification
2 CR123 batteries (included)

Specifications

High Lumens: 800
High Candela: 100,000
Drop Rating: 2 m
Water Rating: IP-X7 Waterproof
High Runtime (h): 2
Case Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum
Body Color: Black
Quantity of Batteries: 2
Package Contents: Weapon light with standard Picatinny mount w/thumb screw and tail cap switch, Remote pressure switch (6” cable), 45º offset Picatinny mount w/thumb screw, pressure switch rail mount, wire management clamp, (2) CR123 batteries, 2.5mm Allen wrench, Alcohol prep pad, Adhesive-backed Velcro mounting strip, Instruction manual
Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty

Dimensions

Length: 5.3 in (135 mm)
Width: 9 in (23 mm)
Depth: 0.9 in (23mm)
Weight: 6.3 oz (179 g)
Diameter: 0.9 in (23 mm)
Head Diameter: 1.4 in (36mm)

Mounting the Nightstick LGL-160

Using just the included tools, it was easy to mount the LGL-160-T in a variety of configurations on multiple firearms. I definitely prefer the M-Lok mounting system, as I don’t care for the large thumb-wheel of the picatinny mounts. For that matter, even on lower priced products these are unnecessary. And on expensive products they are unforgivable. The low-profile of the M-Lok mounts have far fewer snag points.

Nightstick, nightstick weapon light, LGL-160, AR-15, Aero precision, yhm Fat cat, suppressor, — note pressure pad mounting system and cable block, as well as the stubby **YHM Fat Cat suppressor**

This is also where the tediousness of every person’s individual preference dictates how buttons are mounted and cables are run. Who am I to say whether one way is better than another? I suppose if it works for you then rock what you’ve got.

Shooting Illuminated

Shooting with the Nightstick LGL-160-T made me appreciate my mounting location even more. The two o’clock position on my rifle’s handguard positioned it perfectly to keep light obscured from my aiming eye. The Trijicon MRO kept any reflective light off the suppressor or handguard obscured.

My target area on the other hand was not obscured, the bright white light greatly improved identification of the target area. It also doubles as an aiming crutch. At closer distances the white circle of light was the same size as the view through my sight. This meant that I could simply put my target in the middle of the white circle and pull the trigger.

The remote pressure pad was nice for operating the light. It gives the choice between short bursts of illumination, or you can push the larger button and with a click you get sustained light. The pad can be mounted in a variety of ways using the M-Lok or picatinny options.

Nightstick, nightstick weapon light, LGL-160

Pros and Cons

With an impressive beam of white light, the Nightstick LGL-160-T makes shooting in the dark much more detailed. The included mounting kit was a huge plus, allowing many different ways to mount and configure it. It also come in at a significantly lower price than some competitors, and a comparable price to others. You can also appreciate it being made in America by Texans. Many of these lights get pretty warm as they are used, and the Nightstick got about as warm as any other.

nightstick, lgl-160-t, weapon light, — in pure darkness at approximately 80 yards, you can see the beam (left) of the Nightstick LGL-160-T compared to a popular competitor

The only thing I could counter all that with; no matter how customizable products like this are, you will always want just a little more. Whether it be a tiny amount of occlusion with handguards or other accessories, or almost lining up with a slot or mounting hole. But to be fair this is the case with any of these products. Manufacturers have to keep their products universal enough for as many configurations as possible. This may come at the cost of universal adaptability. The two different included pressure pad mounting options are fine, though I wish they could be a touch lower profile.

Final Thoughts

Having used the Nightstick LGL-160-T for a while now, I have been quite happy with it. I have several comparable lights from other manufacturers, and the Nightstick does everything they do. And the Nightstick comes with a great little kit of mounting options as well. With other options costing as much as three or four hundred dollars, the $195 dollar price of the Nightstick delivered next day from Amazon is pretty agreeable. I look forward to a bright future from behind this light.

-CBM

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Safariland Incog X Holster

August 6, 2025Ancillary gear, Product reviewccw, ccw holster, glock 19, incog x, iwb, owb, safariland, safariland holstercoldboremiracle

Preface

There are few bigger names in the holster business than Safariland. I was told by a friend years ago that its hard to go wrong with one of their holsters, after years and several holsters later I echo his opinion. Today I am bringing you something a little different, as most of my holsters are OWB style. Today we are looking at the Safariland Incog X IWB holster for concealed carry.

Options

The Incog X holster is available in a variety of options. With four different color options with it’s Cordura wrap, and you can order it with or without the magazine caddy. Another option is right or left handed draw, for those who carry on the wrong side. You can of course choose between various popular weapon light compatibility, as well as pistol optic cuts. These varying options can change the price from $100 to $132.

Setup and Assembly

Opening the package, I found the typical Safariland presentation. The holster and side-car came with a plastic baggy with additional fasteners and other small parts. The holster can be used with ot without the side-car (magazine caddy), the extra screws are for different configurations.

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As well there are different sized spacers to install on the concealment strut, the polymer extension on one end to enhance concealment. You can change the thickness of the strut spacer to engage with your belt, causing the ride of the holster to hug your body.

The belt loop clips allow for various belt sizes. And the mounting holes are slotted so you can adjust the ride-height. There are two screws accented by a red washers, one on the holster itself and one on the side-car. The red washer identifies it as the tension screw, which you can tighten or loosen to set holster retention to your taste.

The back side of the Incog X holster has a comfortable microfiber suede soft lining. This makes it less abrasive where it contacts your body and waistline. As maximizing comfort is important when carrying.

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Concealed Carry with the Incog X Holster

IWB holsters definitely favor the slimmer folks out there. If you’ve got a bit of extra tummy, it can make these style of holster a little less comfortable. With that said, I was happy with how well the Incog X holster fit me, despite my dad-bod. I definitely wasn’t going to be able to sit down with it in the appendix position though.

It was impressive how well my gun hid under a simple t-shirt when I did carry it appendix. I thought for sure my abdominal profile would have pushed the pistol print out more than it did.

The security of my pistol was outstanding in the Incog X holster. I typically carry on the back of my hip, it was pleasing to have this comfort and control using this holster. And having the side-car with an extra mag was icing on the cake, as I don’t always carry an extra mag when I carry.

Safariland, safariland incog x, holster, iwb, owb, ccw, glock 19, Palmetto state armory, psa, dagger, 9mm — I also used the **PSA Dagger pistol** during testing, it fit perfectly as well

Adjusting the tension on the holster pocket was easy, I was actually surprised at how much tension could be added. To the point of making it irritatingly secure. After a few tries I found a good level of retention, as well as the correct ride height and fit.

I tried various Glock style pistols in the Incog X, mainly my Ruger RXM, and a PSA Dagger compact. Both are G19 size pistols, and compatibility with all of them seemed great.

Pros and Cons

The negative aspects of the Incog X holster are much like other IWB holsters. Meaning that its application greatly depends on the build of the person wearing it. In my opinion, if you are a chubby fellow it might be a little more challenging to use.

On the plus side, the holster offers great comfort and portability of your CCW pistol. It keeps it secure and close, for those times when you might need it. High quality fasteners and materials come pretty standard with safariland products. The Incog X comes with all the things that has made Safariland product so desirable.

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Last Words

With so many great options out there, you definitely have choices. The Safariland Incog X holster is certainly a good option in my opinion. It brings high quality and compatibility and to be honest a handsome look to your CCW holster. You owe it to yourself to give these holsters a look if you are shopping for one.