Category Archives: Product review

Products and equipment

Apex Optics Atom Red Dot

September 28, 2024Optics, Product review, Uncategorizedapex optics, atom, Red dotcoldboremiracle

Preface

Apex Optics is a relatively new manufacturer in the optics market, with their roots planted firmly in the mountains of Alberta Canada the company has aggressively pursued the firearms market worldwide. I was introduced to Apex Optics with their Rival precision rifle scope, and I’ve been shooting with it for about a year now. Having experienced great performance from their product, I embraced the opportunity to try another. Today I bring you my impression of the Apex Optics Atom red dot, a compact reflex sight.

The Apex Optics Atom

The RMR footprint is a very popular style, and the Atom utilizes this footprint for its universally accepted popularity. Using a battery to power it’s Smart-Light auto adjust reticle for up to 50,000 hours. With a structure made from aluminium, the light and robust Atom is made to last. Incorporating as much technology as possible was done by adding their 7-layer lens coating as well as incorporating motion sensing electronics to power up the unit with any activity.

Whats in the Box

In the box comers the Atom red dot, as well as a picatinny rail mount should you chose to mount it to a carbine or other type of weapon. There also came three different screw sets to help you with options for mounting on different firearms. There also came the typical literature and lens cloth, the manual came with a great deal of information on how to configure, adjust and mount the Atom. And of course it came with a custom tool that helps get the right fit to both mount and adjust the Atom. In addition to whats included, the Atom also has the ability to install a hood (available separately) that encloses the red dot. Protecting it from dirt and debris.

Specifications

Footprint: RMR
Magnification: 1X
Wind/elevation range: 100moa
Eye Relief: Unlimited
Battery Type: CR1632 3V
Reticle: Apex MRX reticle
Shockproof Rating: 1500G
Dimensions: 46x31x26mm
Operating Temp: -30C to +60C
Weight: 31 Grams
Brightness settings: 10 (plus Auto)
Battery life: 50,000 hrs at setting 4

Apex Optics atom red dot installation — Installing the Atom, note battery compartment

Installing the Atom red dot

I decided to install the Atom on my BCA Grizzly, a Glock 17 clone with a slide cut for the RMR footprint. This would make it easy, and using the provided screws and a couple drops of blue Loctite it was done quickly. When mounting red dots I always try and ensure as I bolt them down to the slide that they are as close to lining up with the iron sights as possible. This practice reduces the need to adjust the reticle much after install.

On the Range

Once I’d done that, it was time to head to my shooting spot to test them. With quite a few boxes of Trailforger 9mm ammo, I wanted to have good time while testing this little dot. The first thing I had to decide was how I wanted to configure the reticle. The MRX reticle is a circle dot style reticle, you can select between the 2MOA dot alone, the 34MOA circle alone, or the two features together if you like. I ended up mostly using the circle, its small enough that I would basically just bracket whatever it was I wanted to hit and squeeze the trigger. More precise shooting could be done using the 2MOA dot.

Adjusting the reticle and brightness is all done using the two buttons on the left side of the Atom. As well as set the Smart-Light feature. The lowest two settings are designed for night vision use, which is pretty typical. I also noted that the manual mentioned something I see on most red dots, it is recommended to not use the dot on the highest brightness settings unless it is warranted. The highest brightness settings often cause a glare and whats called “reticle blooming”. Reticle blooming is when the reticle becomes so bright that it looses it definition and makes aiming harder. This affects all red dots in my experience, which I usually use on the lowest setting that is clearly visible while shooting.

A nice look at the generous window of the Atom red dot

The Atom was very nice to shoot with. The brightness was more than enough for midday shooting, and it allowed me to accurately hit my targets. I have recently gotten used to the extra-large window of some other red dots, so it took a minute to get used to the slightly smaller window of the Atom. Once I’d familiarized myself with it though, I really liked the less obtrusive window size. I feel like I’d like to put this on my CCW pistol for confident shooting.

While the lower housing of the Atom was a touch too thick to allow the use of my iron sights, I was still able to use them by using the “look through” method. Basically pretending the obstructed front sight isn’t obstructed 😅. These sights are pretty low profile, so any slightly taller sights would be useable through the Atom red dot.

The significant travel of the reticle mechanism in the Atom is very nice, should you need to make big adjustments to zero. Luckily I didn’t for this purpose, but I was happy to see there was so much adjustment available as other red dots I have only offer a third of the movement range.

Pros and Cons

Lets talk about the pros and cons of the Atom. First of all, keep in mind that I am used to quite a variety of different red dots.

I like the size of the Atom for the RMR footprint, I like that it has a rounded top with fewer corners to snag on things. Despite being smaller than many of my other red dot windows, I still feel like it is big enough to be very useful.

The reticle options is where it really shines, as we all love having options. I like that you can select the various circle or dot options, and the motion activation and auto-brightness are a fantastic options to have.

The fit and finish of the Atom is outstanding. The tight fit of all the parts and fasteners make for a very professional presentation. As do the packaging and included accessories.

If I had to change something on the Atom it would probably be this; I like the reticle options, but I wish there was like a 40, 50, or 60 MOA option as well. I am ready to accept that this is simply my personal preference though. I wish I’d gotten one of the Weather Shield hoods for the optic as well, to see how it works and if it inhibits function at all.

While I have no reason to suspect any failure, I was surprised that the battery compartment is secured only by a friction detent. Part of me wants to think a screw or other mechanical method of securing would be better. But in all my shooting, I cannot think of a scenario where it could be knocked out. So I think its fair to say my concern is misplaced.

Last Words

Much like my previous experience with Apex Optics, the Atom has left me with a great impression. There are so many options out there for red dots these days, so standing out from the crowd is a challenge. I think the Atom offers some great features, there are others that offer similar performance for less, but they don’t stack up as well. And those who’s features exceed these, are priced above and even well beyond what the Atom costs.

While I like my dollars to stay in America, I’d rather send them to Canada than China or some other sweat shop. Especially when there are better options like these made in Japan where there is a higher quality standard. If you find yourself looking at the Apex Optics Atom red dot, I think you will enjoy shooting with it and feel satisfied with your purchase.

-CBM

Shop all Apex Optics Here

Holosun 507 Comp Red Dot

September 19, 2024Optics, Product review507 comp, holosun, Red dot, staccatocoldboremiracle

Introduction

My recent descent into the joy of hand-gunning has given me many opportunities to try new things. One of them is checking out many new red dot options, and it has been a great journey. Today’s topic is a result of my search for a good red dot to put on my Staccato XC pistol. One of the many options I tried during that process is the very popular Holosun 507 Comp red dot.

staccato XC 9mm, Holosun 507 Comp — not a bad looking setup with the **Surefire X300 Turbo**

The 507 Comp is a big windowed beauty, it seems to share some feature with other 507 models but its obviously larger. These types of red dots are optimized for competitive style shooting which I find to be very fun. Lets get into this neat little optic.

The Holosun 507 Comp Red Dot

Specifications:

Window Size: 1.1×0.87
Dimension (in): 1.8×1.3×1.3
Weight (oz): 1.7
Reticle: 2 MOA Dot & 8/20/32 MOA Circle
Reticle Color: Red or Green model
Parallax Free: Yes
Battery Type: CR1632
Battery Life: 50000 hours
Brightness Setting: 6 Day Light & 2 Night Vision
Housing Material: 7075 T6 Aluminum
Surface Finish: Anodize
Adj. per Click: 1 MOA

Included in the Box

T10 L Key
User Manual
CR1632 Battery
Lens Cloth
Mounting screw assortment

As I cracked open the box from Holosun, I was greeted by the typical accessories. I was happy to see that the Comp had come with a few different screw sets for different mounting situations. Though my Staccato had come with a specific 507 Comp screw set. The included tool was very handy for installing and adjusting the optic.

The 507 Comp also uses Holosun’s shake awake technology, which you can set to turn the unit on with movement. It will also power down after a set time of inactivity. Adjusting this feature and the brightness levels can all be done using the two + and – buttons on the left side. On the opposing side you’ll find the typical Holosun screw affixed battery door. I also notice that compared to other XL sized red dots the 507 Comp footprint was more universal than some others.

Using the appropriate optics mounting plate and screws, the 507 Comp dropped perfectly onto the XC’s slide. The back end of the red dot’s housing is thin enough that I can still see both front and rear sights through the window of the 507, which was also a nice addition. I adjusted the reticle to match the sights before heading to the range.

Rangetime

Initially my adjustments were pretty close, but I decided to refine it slightly to make sure I was hitting my point of aim. I spent a while going through the various reticle options to see what I liked. It’s really quite interesting how the different options present themselves. I like the dot with the largest ring, it seems to help in target bracketing and still gives the precise shot placement of the fine dot. That said I could see somebody using the circles instead for fast shooting up close.

Another reason I couldn’t have anticipated liking the large circle dot reticle was it’s utility at distance. Shooting the Staccato XC at distances like 100 yards is doable, and the bottom edge of the circle made a perfect holdover point for such distances.

I did notice, as did others who picked it up, that the reticle of the 507 Comp seemed a bit fuzzy. But after some comparison I think it was simply because we were looking at things up close. For example, looking across my desk at the wall the reticle seemed fuzzy. But when looking at a wall 20-feet away it was perfectly clear. And the same was true outside on the range, so I think perhaps there might be a slight parallax issue.

holosun 507 comp, staccato XC, safariland ALS — the **Staccato XC** and Holosun 507 Comp fit perfectly into the **Safariland ALS Holster**

The various brightness setting were very visible even in the high heat of full noon sun out in this desert. I like being able to adjust the intensity of the reticle, and keep it low at night when its dark.

Pros and Cons

With such a large window, red dots like the 507 comp give you a huge field of view. This makes it very quick to find the target in the window. Additionally the larger reticle of the Comp gives you more to see, something to pick up on visually if you don’t immediately see the dot when presenting the pistol. This can of course be changed to fit your needs as your skill level varies.

The ability to change the reticle to fit your preference is a huge advantage in itself. Something I expect we’ll see quite a few other optics manufacturers adopting soon. The fact that this unit can be ordered in either red or green is also a nice option for those shopping.

According to the manual, the 507 Comp only has 30 MOA of travel for both windage and elevation. I didn’t find this to be a problem, and I had no issues zeroing the optic.

There are those out there who think it’s a shame to put a Chinese made red dot on such a fine pistol as the 2011. I will admit that I also second guessed the proposition, but followed through my plan based on a few good points made by fellow shooters. I was initially thinking of putting something like a Trijicon SRO or RMR HD red dot on the gun, despite having a significantly higher price and wait time. But many friends and associates pointed out that many of the popular domestic manufacturers don’t seem to innovate their dots like Holosun does. I was also told that its not if I’ll break an SRO but when. I guess I’ll continue to shoot with this one, while looking for additional good options to outfit my guns.

Shop all Holosun products here

As far as problems with the 507 Comp, I could only say a few things. The aforementioned fuzzy reticle turned out to be a very small issue, and one I don’t even notice or care about now. I also had the battery cover screw come out and get lost. But to their credit Holosun CS was quick to respond and sent me a replacement as fast as I could have hoped.

Last Words

Having spent some time with this optic, and shot a great many rounds with it I am quite happy with my purchase. I wouldn’t say that its the greatest option out there, but it certainly fits my modest purposes very well. Due to the popularity of this red dot, I’d say that I am not the only one who thinks its a good option.

In the world of big window red dot’s, there are lots of great options. The 507 Comp offers nearly everything the competition models do and more. It provides adaptability in a robust and proven design. And it cost’s less than half of what some comparable units. That doesn’t mean I wont be trying those models out though, so stay tuned for more. In fact, if you like the Holosun 507 Comp, check out my comparison against the Vortex Defender XL.

-CBM

holosun, vortex, staccato, shadow system

Sig Sauer P320 AXG Legion 9mm Pistol

September 17, 2024pistols, Product reviewaxg, Legion, P320, sig, sig sauercoldboremiracle

Preface

I remember the day I was first infected, it was before the turn of the century at a tightly packed local gun shop in Salt Lake City Utah. It was the day I picked up my first P-series pistol from Sig Sauer. I walked out of that shop carrying a Sig P239 compact, but it was just the beginning of my love affair with them. I’ve since enjoyed 220’s, 226’s, 229’s and of course the very popular P320. Today I bring you another variant of the popular striker fired pistol; the Sig Sauer P320 AXG Legion.

The AXG Legion is a slight departure from the rest of the P320 family, in that it uses an aluminum grip module. While this may seem counterintuitive, it is dead sexy and reminds me of the impure thoughts the P226 once inspired in me. Apart from its non-polymer grip module, the AXG Legion also incorporated a ported slide to compensate for muzzle-rise. It does this while maintaining the same footprint and familiarity of the popular M17 variant of the P320. Additionally, like most modern pistols the AXG Legion comes optics ready for your favorite red dot.

Sig Sauer P320 AXG Legion

P320 AXG LEGION FEATURES:

Length: 8.2 Inches
Width: 1.6 Inches
Height: 5.5 inches
Barrel Length: 3.9 Inches
Weight: 36.1 Ounces
Sight Radius: 5.9 Inches
Two Port Slide Integrated Expansion Chamber for recoil mitigation
Optic Ready Slide with enhanced serrations
AXG Grip Module with installed Magwell and Hogue Custom G10 Grips
X Flat Skeletonized Trigger
XRay3 Day/Night Sights
(3) 21rd or (3) 10rd Steel Magazines
Romeo Pro footprint

Like most P320 pistols the AXG Legion has a suite of features that make it both adaptably modern, as well as historically rugged. (insert your “gun goes off” jokes here). Things like a picatinny accessory rail and night sights will make the gun familiar to those familiar with tactical pistols. And more modern features like the optics ready slide and muzzle compensator will impress even those who nerd out over such things.

The added weight of the AXG aluminum grip module makes the gun feel very potent, as well as keeping it pretty mild under recoil. It really feels like you’ve got a hold of something when you pick it up. The very same P320 trigger pack drops into the frame, like every other P320 pistol. Additionally the AXG comes with a flared aluminum magazine well, and some handsome grips that give it a pretty classy look.

The flat trigger feels nice and looks sharp as well, and the pistol uses the longer full-size 17 and up magazines. It comes with three of the larger 21-round magazines, and I had more from my P320 X5 Legion which uses the same.

Lastly, the model tested here today also came with the Romeo X red dot already installed. This is very convenient, particularly because I’ve become a bit of a red dot hound and am always looking for more.

sig sauer p320 — note the perfect optics cut allowing the rear sight usage

Shooting the P320 AXG Legion

After securing a shipment of Trailforger ammunition from MWLP, I headed up to my shooting spot. It wasn’t long before I was stuffing twenty-one rounds at a time into the magazines. I mostly shot 115 grain ammo, but I also shot a few boxes of 124 grain ammo.

I also took advantage of the opportunity to use my newest Safariland ALS holster, crisp AF with an Arctic Multicam cordura wrap. I also installed my Surefire X300 weapon-light, as it completes the ensemble.

sig sauer p320 axg legion, Safariland ALS holster — The Safariland ALS holster is my first choice most of the time

You may not believe this, but the AXG shoots very much like the rest of the P320 family. Of course the major thing that stands out is the muzzle compensator. The added weight of the grip module bundled with the compensator made this gun shoot smooth. Muzzle rise was significantly better with the dual port comp up front. I haven’t shot the Spectre Comp version of the P320, but others have told me that the AXG Legion is a flatter shooter. Perhaps I’ll get to try them both together someday soon.

safariland ALS holster, sig sauer p320 — the Legion pistol fit perfectly into my **Safariland ALS holster** (note tactical flip flops)

As is, I found the AXG Legion to be very flat shooting. It was fast and fun to transition from one target to another punching each one smoothly and often twice.

As an unrepentant Sig-ophile the controls to this pistol were just like coming home. Though occasionally I feel myself reaching for the de-cock lever 😜. The feel of the pistol is fantastic, and though I felt fine shooting with the stock trigger part of me wanted to see how well it could be improved.

Reloading the pistol was also as familiar as mom’s Sunday dinner. The flared magwell made it easy, allowing me to plow through far too much ammo.

Accuracy from the AXG Legion was as expected, by that I mean everything I aimed at could be hit as long as I didn’t pull the shot. The kind of shots you would do with a pistol were easily made, and accurate enough to be very deadly.

During the course of shooting the pistol, we had no malfunctions. Ejection was very predictable and well clear of the gun. Cycling cartridges was also flawless, and the gun always locked open when the magazine went empty.

Pros and Cons

Remember what I said at the top of this piece, I’m a big fan of P-series pistols. So keep that in mind. First off this pistol is just handsome, it has the classic Sig look that first caught my eye years ago. And it shoots as good as it looks, chewing through ammo of all kinds. And since the P320 is so universally used, its aftermarket support is likely only eclipsed by the Glock family.

All the extra features make this a definite step up from many of the standard P320 models. And of course that comes at a cost, so it may not be in your budget range. It also weighs a bit more than it’s siblings, six ounces more than the M18 model for example. This can be a good or bad thing depending on what you’re looking for.

I think the P320 AXG Legion stands up to its price point, though that can be very subjective. Even so it might not be for beginners. Maybe you prefer the lower bore axis of other pistol designs, or maybe you like hammers.

Last Words on the AXG Legion

I really enjoy this pistol, it has everything a Sig fan could like. And even if you’re not a Sig fan there is much to like about it. Sure, it might be a bit much to bite off for a first time pistol enthusiast. But it brings more features, and it performs outstanding. You get all the familiarity and aftermarket support of the P-series, as well as some advanced enhancements.

If you too find yourself looking for a full-size tactical pistol, I can strongly recommend this one. It is incredibly fun to shoot, reliable and accurate. The included Romeo X makes the deal even better. It’s a big step away from my old P239 that started this infatuation, but in a good way. Either way, I don’t see my affinity for P-series pistols going away any time soon.

-CBM

Check out more classic Sig Sauer pistols here

Athlon Optics TALOS BTR GEN2 10×42 riflescope

September 14, 2024Optics, Product reviewathlon optics, athlon talos, taloscoldboremiracle

Preface

Once upon a time, it was a very common sight to see a fixed power scope on a rifle. Whether it was a 4x Weaver on a hunting rifle, or a 10x scope on a sniper rifle. Variable power scopes are more of a modern development, but has it replaced the need for those old fixed power scopes? I’ve never used a fixed scope much, not since my first air rifle as a child anyways. But today we are going to take a look at one, the Athlon Optics Talos BTR Gen 2 10×42 riflescope.

Fixed power riflescopes have simpler design and construction, and many argue they have superior durability and optical quality due to no moving parts inside. There is no doubt they are simpler, but do the advantages of a fixed power scope make it worth having over a variable?

athlon talos 10x42 — the freshly opened box, shown with everything included with purchase

The Athlon Optics Talos

The Talos line offers a variety of scopes, including a compact 1.5-5 model, several 3-12 scopes, 4-16’s and 6-24 models too. There is a model for most practical uses out there, as well as today’s 10X model.

Specifications

MAGNIFICATION: 10x

OBJ. LENS DIAMETER: 42 mm

TUBE DIAMETER: 30 mm

EYE RELIEF: 3.6″

FOV @ 100 YDS: 11.5 ft

PARALLAX ADJUSTMENT: 10 y

CLICK VALUE: .1 MIL

LENGTH: 13.3″

WEIGHT: 24.6 oz

Simple is one way to describe the Talos 10X, without a magnification ring on the ocular lens the only controls are on the erector housing. You’ve got a tall elevation turret on top, and a slightly smaller windage turret on one side. And of course the parallax/focus on the opposing side.

The whole thing is built on a 30mm tube, which is a great size for a straight ten riflescope. A 30mm tube gives plenty of room for internal mechanical movement, but its also small enough to keep weight down. Up front, the scope has a 42mm objective lens. Which is fairly compact for a tactical style riflescope, which also keeps the weight down as well as keep the scope closer to the rifle’s bore.

The Turrets themselves are 6 MIL turrets, which is not bad but I prefer larger turrets like 10 or 15 MIL. But to be fair to this scope, at this price point 6 MIL turrets are common and perfectly serviceable.

Athlon optics Talos — setting the zero-stop on the elevation turret

Inside the scope you will find the APRS2A reticle, a pretty simple design compared to many these days. And I am ok with that to be honest, as some of them can get way too busy. The reticle features a mostly open center with a tiny dot at the crosshair intersection. Reticle subtensions show both whole MIL and 2/10’s hash marks, with the even MIL’s being labeled. As I mentioned, its pretty simple, and yet has most everything you’ll need for most shots.

Athlon Talos 10x42 APRS2A reticle — the APRS2A reticle detail

Mounting the Athlon Talos 10×42

I chose to mount the scope to a Bergara HMR carbon chambered in 6.5CM. Not only would it be a good test of the scope, but would also serve as a good hunting rifle this season. I mounted the scope using a pair of Burris rings attached to a Nightforce 20 MOA scope base. Everything lined up great, so I put a bipod on the rifle and boresighted it on my kitchen table. All that was left was to pack up some ammo and range gear so we could go shoot.

athlon talos 10x42, bergara hmr — the Athlon Talos mounted to my **Bergara HMR Carbon**

Into the Rockies

I really enjoy the outdoors, and there is no better place to put my gear to the test than these beautiful Rocky Mountains that surround me. So I loaded my gear onto the ATV and headed up into the high country.

The first task was getting the Talos zeroed, which was easily done in a few minutes at 100 yads. Generally I use variable power scopes, and when zeroing them I tend to do so at close to max power. I did notice as I zeroed the scope that my eyes kept telling me to zoom it in more, which of course wasn’t possible.

athlon talos 10x42, bergara hmr carbon — most shooting was done using a **Banish suppressor**

After zeroing the scope, I slipped the turrets back to zero by loosening the Allen screws around the turret knobs. Later I would also set the zero-stop, an internal feature underneath the elevation turret. Zero-stops are a fantastic feature that make the turret stop rotating at a zero that you can adjust to your needs. This prevents you from loosing track of which rotation of the turret you are on. This is also one of the reasons I prefer 10-15 MIL turrets, as they are easier to keep track of.

Field Shooting

With the scope zeroed, it was time to have fun. Shooting a few groups with the rifle I wanted to see how well I could group with the straight 10x scope. While looking at the target I often wanted more power, and yet the edge to edge clarity of the image was immaculate. There is a simplicity to this design that has some allure.

Then I moved to the open country around me, I spent some time doing my typical long-range training routine. you can read more about that here if you’d like to try it yourself. I would pick out various targets across canyons and draws, small stones in open soil areas so I can see impacts. Adjusting the elevation for different distances using the Talos turret, I found the clicks are audible and tactile. Making small adjustments while looking through the scope was easy and accurate.

Since I didn’t have a magnification ring to adjust, I found myself paying a lot more attention to the parallax adjustment. Which kept my target view very clear and defined. I also noticed that the parallax was great for focusing on pretty close targets, making it a good choice for one of my squirrel guns.

Particularly when it came to the further shots, I kept reaching for the magnification ring to zoom in. I hadn’t realized how often I do so until the option wasn’t there. Another peculiar thing I noticed was that I frequently felt better about my shots when they broke, and I think this is the reason; When you zoom a scope in, you get more detail and better view of your target, but zooming in also magnifies your movements. By not having the extra magnification, my own movements and ability to steady the rifle were less obvious to me. I wish I could say that made me shoot better, but I think my overall score would have been about the same.

Pros and Cons

The Athlon Talos 10×42 is honestly the first straight power scope I’ve used in this application, so keep that in mind. But if we could somehow go back in time and offer this scope to the Coldboremiracle from 2002, I would have jumped at the chance. And with street prices well under $400 I would have bought several without even questioning. The turrets and reticle alone would have justified it to me.

This Athlon Talos is very comparable to the other Athlon optics I’ve used as far as quality and clarity, and that is a good thing. It comes with some great features and accessories like a sunshade too. In my experience the reticle and turrets track very well and the focus is great. Because I come from a time where scopes like this one would have cost two or three times more, I am blown away you can get such a scope for such a competitive price. It brings simplicity and quality most shooters could use.

With all that said, I still think I prefer my variables. For example, my Athlon Heras 6-24 does everything this does, and I can adjust the power however I wish. I could probably do most anything with the Talos I needed to do, but I would prefer a variable. While this is my personal experience, you might find the straight 10X to be just right. I know plenty of folks like straight 12X’s or even 16X’s, but for me its a little specialist.

Last Thoughts

You might be from a time before mine, where straight 10’s were all the rage, or you might be more of a variable scope fan. Lucky for both of us, there are plenty of great options these days. Athlon Optics has impressed me with their quality, price and performance.

There is certainly an argument you could make for simple construction and reliability. And I would certainly listen to the argument. But modern manufacturing seems to have closed the gap in such a way as to be of much less importance.

To be perfectly honest I had nearly forgotten straight power scopes existed, but this Talos is a refreshing modernized scope. And if you find yourself looking for a straight-power scope I can strongly recommend this one, especially if you are on a tight budget. This scope in particular is probably going to find its way onto one of my rimfire rifles, where it will do a great job harvesting varmints.

-CBM

Check out more riflescope evaluations here

Yankee Hill Machine Turbo T3

September 12, 2024Product review, suppressorst2, t3, Turbo, yankee hill machine, YHMcoldboremiracle

Introduction

My first 5.56 can was a Yankee Hill Machine Turbo, and having used it heavily over the last few years I have become quite fond of it. Working across various rifle platforms and even various calibers it has earned a safe place in my suppressor lineup. So today I bring you a new version of the Turbo, the Yankee Hill Machine Turbo T3. To see if this new unit stands up the great performance of its predecessor.

desert tech Quattro 15, eotech vudu, yhm turbo t2

The YHM Turbo T3

The Turbo T3 is a the latest in the development of the Turbo line of suppressors. Preceded by the T2, with which it shares a great deal of features. With an upgrade in baffle design, the T3 added some additional porting to the internal baffles that reduced backpressure to the host firearm. Other than that the T2 and T3 are about the same thing.

Both use the same hub mounting system, which allows the user to change the mounting configuration. You can use either a direct thread cap of various different thread pitches, or other options. I really like using the Phantom QD system, as I have a variety of muzzle devices that my various YHM suppressors can mount to. Both models also use inconel for a blast baffle which is significantly more resistant to erosion.

desert tech wlvrn, us optics txh, yhm turbo t3 suppressor — the YHM Turbo in the wild, seen here shooting prairie dogs on my **Desert Tech WLVRN**

The muzzle of the T3 has a couple port facets that I assume are made to add additional turbulence as gas escapes. Together with several other tiny scallop cuts it gives a handsome finished look to the Turbos. At the breach end of the suppressor you will also find some tool engagement cuts to allow you to tighten or loosen the mounting hub of your choice. Turbos come with a couple tools as well that allow you to do this service.

The whole thing is finished with a black Cerakote finish for durability and a non-reflective finish. My older Turbo has been repainted at least once, not because the finish isn’t durable but because I am a little hard on them. So in an act of some vanity I repaint them every so often to keep up my drip.

Specifications

Caliber: 5.56mm
Weight: 12.8 oz. w/adapter
Length: 5.59”/6.5” w/adapter
Diameter: 1.5625”
Construction: 17-4 Ph SS/Inconel 718 Blast Baffle
Mount: Phantom 1/2” x 28 Q.D. HUB adapter
Decibel Rating: 134 dB
Minimum Barrel Lengths:
5.56 NATO: 10” Minimum barrel length.
Full Auto Rated

Shooting the Turbo T3

Both the T2 and T3 models fit snugly to my mounts, which made it easy to run back and forth between a few different rifles. One of the rifles I tested it on was a pretty standard Aero Precision 16″ direct impingement rifle, as well as my Desert Tech WLVRN which is a 20″ piston gun.

quattro 15 AR15 yhm turbo t3 — the YHM Turbo did great on this **Aero Precision** concoction, **read more about it here**

The larger AR rifle ran like a champ, and sounded fantastic. Accuracy from the rifle suffered no degradation while suppressed, in fact it might have been better. Dedicated 5.56 cans like this one seem to always sound so good to me. The sharpness of the report removed entirely leaving only a pleasant hiss. On the downside however, I did notice a larger gas exhaust from the ejection port. This was expected as it is pretty stereotypical when shooting suppressed, and as long as its done outside it doesn’t bother me at all. For the record most of my shooting is done outside.

When shooting the new Turbo on my WLVRN rifle, I was able to use the adjustable gas valve to lower the flow of gas coming back. Additionally, since this little bullpup uses a piston there is less gas coming out of the ejection port, which is nice since it’s next to your face. While it was a little better than on my AR, it was still a touch more noticeable gas than unsuppressed. Again I’ll stress the point, this is pretty common with suppressed shooting. Some designs have improved gas flow designs to reduce backpressure, and they are somewhat better in my opinion but still its not perfect.

desert tech wlvrn, yankee hill machine Turbo T3 — the Turbo made an excellent match with my Desert Tech WLVRN, read more about the rifle here

I took the Turbo along for a prairie dog hunt a few weeks ago, attached to the WLVRN. It definitely seemed to help the accuracy during that hunt, as we scattered the little varmints all over the desert. Shooting my rifle next to my buddies we all got an earful from each can. The noise from the Turbo T3 compared to a YHM Turbo K and a SiCo Omega 30 was excellent. We were all shooting .223 rifles, and it was hard to tell which was the better sounding can, at least without professional testing equipment.

yhm turbo t3 suppressor — the Turbo is easy on and easy off with the QD mounting system

My Recommendation

If you are looking to get into a 5.56 suppressor, there are a million options to choose from at this point. In my opinion, the YHM Turbo series is a great line of suppressors. They provide excellent sound suppression, and quality construction for a very affordable price. Whether you choose to go with the Turbo T2, the Turbo T3, or the shorter Turbo K, I think you will be happy with your purchase. These suppressors are built for durability, I have not been easy on them. I have even shot limited amounts of full-auto through them, limited because I am not a rich man. And I expect unless you are a rich guy with pallets of ammo and machine guns, these suppressors will last you a lifetime.

-CBM

Holosun 507 Comp VS. Vortex Defender XL

August 31, 2024Optics, Product reviewholosun, holosun 507 comp, Vortex, vortex defender xlcoldboremiracle

Purpose

I love me some good red dots for my pistols, and I’m always looking for more and better ones. In a quest to find a good dot for my Staccato XC 9mm pistol, I tried both the Holosun 507 Comp and the Vortex Defender XL. I figured while evaluating them individually, I might as well compare them head to head. So in today’s versus, I bring you the Holosun 507 Comp VS. Vortex Defender XL.

These two red dots fall into the “large category”, like many others they are ideal for competition shooting. The oversized window allows a larger field of view, making it easier to find and aim at your target.

Footprints

Initially I had hoped these two optics would have the same footprint, but as it turns out the Defender XL is an Deltapoint footprint and the Holosun is an RMR. The Defender XL wouldn’t go on my Staccato without an adaptor plate unfortunately, so instead I mounted it to another pistol I have shot extensively: the Shadow Systems DR920. Conversely, the 507 Comp would fit on the Staccato using the provided mounting plate and screws.

Vortex Optics Defender XL red dot — the Defender XL comes with an impressive host of accessories

Having the two optics mounted on separate pistols would also allow me to shoot through both of them in succession. So I figured for purposes of comparing the two I’d keep them that way.

I definitely have to give Vortex points for their presentation. The Holosun did come with a tool and a couple different screw sets, but the Defender XL came with quite an inventory. It seemed like at least a dozen different screw sets of differing length and thread pitches and the tools to install them. As well as a picatinny rail mount that allowed me to mount it to my Panzer M4 shotgun. It also included a Glock MOS mounting plate. These little extras are incredibly convenient to have, and an incredible value ad for the Vortex Defender XL.

vortex defender xl, panzer m4 — the Defender XL came with a picatinny rail mount which made it very adaptable for different uses

Comparisons

vortex defender XL vs. holosun 507 comp dimensions

Both of these optics offer some advantages, and only you can evaluate which of the two will fit your needs. For example, I wanted the big window option from both of them, but that increases the weight. There are plenty of things you could do to go back and forth between them, I like the CR2023 battery mainly because I have so many optics that already use it. But I also wanted the reticle variation of the Holosun which uses the CR1632 cell.

note: battery compartment of the Defender XL

You too will have to battle out in your mind which of the two feature set’s you’d like to play with. Both designs use a battery compartment that doesn’t require removing the sight from the pistol, so they are already ahead of the very popular Trijicon RMR. In fact, while were on the subject; Both of these use a great battery containment system.

The Defender uses a hatch that looks like something off a tiny scale submarine. The hatch is opened by first pushing in a tiny detent pin, followed by pressing a textured button on the right side. This took a second to figure out, as you must add a touch of down pressure on the hatch while pushing the release button for it to open.

The Holosun uses the tried and true Holosun design with a screw holding the battery compartment shut. A fine design no doubt, but requiring thread-locker as I found out. My screw came out while shooting, requiring the dreaded call to customer service. They were however very prompt, and got me a replacement as fast as I could have expected.

Reticle

Let’s face it, you’re here for the same reason I am. How bout them reticle’s you might say? I wanted the Holosun because I wanted to experience the reticle options. This is the one feature where the Holosun leaves the Defender behind. The Defender has two dot options in two colors as long as they are both the same shade of red. The Holosun can be bought as a red unit, or green. In addition the Holosun reticle can be user changed with the hold of a button. Holding down the – button for a second or two causes the reticle to jump from one configuration to another. Allowing you to select a 2 MOA dot with either an 8 MOA, 24 MOA, or 32 MOA circle around it. You can also select the circles without the dot, allowing you to circle the target while shooting.

While shooting between the two optics, I asked a friend which of the two options he liked. He said he kind of preferred the single dot of the Defender, as the circles obscured the target. But once I shew him the unfettered dot of the 507 Comp, he quickly changed his mind to that option.

The Defender offers significantly more movement in the reticle, with as much as 120 MOA in elevation. This would make it ideal for weapons you are trying to co-witness with other optics like a riflescope. In my experience most RDS cut handguns don’t need much movement to line up with iron sights. That said I had zero issues zeroing both sights.

Clarity

I’ve heard others complain about Vortex red dots and the dot dispersing on the glass. I think I know what they are talking about, as sometimes I see the dot flare up. Particularly when on a brighter setting. I have noticed this effect on both of my Vortex defender red dots, but I will also say it really hasn’t bothered me that much. Perhaps others have experienced worse.

Upon first looking through the Holosun, both myself and others noticed a little bit of a blurry reticle as well. But upon closer inspection, it seems to be like a parallax issue. We saw this when trying to focus on something very close, like within a meter or two. But once we got outside, and started looking at targets that were a little further away it was significantly clearer to the eye.

I guess I will say this about the reticle clarity of both units, I found them both to be very serviceable. And if they both had the same reticle options it would be much harder to chose.

Controls

Modern controls are available for both units. The Defender incorporates a smart system that you can configure to auto shut down after inactivity for a certain time. You can also configure it to stay on, and you can even lockout the buttons to avoid accidental changes to your settings.

adjusting the brightness of the Vortex Defender XL

The 507 Comp’s system is perhaps a little more simple. Using Holosun red dot’s popular shake awake system makes it easy to configure the dot to be always ready. And the simple adjustment of the reticle is also an easy feature.

While both systems have their good points I think I prefer the Holosun. It’s a little easier to understand and operate, which is good if you too were one of the kids who ate glue as a child.

Shooting the Vortex Defender XL vs. Holosun 507 Comp

Shooting with these two dots I was kind of surprised how much they were alike. What I mean is that despite their many differences, once you are pointing them at targets the differences seem to fade. For shooting at longer distances, I found the smaller 2 MOA dot of the Holosun to be easier to pinpoint the target. But to be fair, the larger dot of the Defender was faster to get on target. And for comparison the circle-dot reticle options of the 507 are just as fast.

The large windows of both units were great for finding the targets, and adjusting the reticle for conditions made them both very useful for putting hits down.

the Staccato with its 507 Comp and **Surefire X300 Turbo**

My Opinion

These two optics are competitively priced, often within 20-30 dollars of each other. Evaluating the two of them has led me to draw the following conclusion; If you like circle dot reticles, or the ability to adjust the reticle configuration. Then the Holosun 507 Comp is for you. If you like a simple dot then it becomes a more challenging decision. I think the Defender XL is a great value, especially with all the extras. And if it had a varied reticle option like the 507 it would win this competition. As much as I like both of them though, I think the 507 Comp will stay on the Staccato for now. And the Defender XL will stay right where it is too, as these two pistols get the most use at my house. If I was mounting them on a carbine, the Defender XL seems to have a better feature set.

Hopefully we’ve helped you see the value in choosing either of these two red dots. Let us know what you think of them, and what you’d like to see next.

-CBM

Read about more optics and red dot options here

My Quattro 15: An Abominable Little Lead Pump

August 25, 2024Product review, Shooting hardwareDesert tech, quattro, quattro 15, quattro-15coldboremiracle

Preface

I have always been a big rifle shooter, but my practice has changed somewhat over the past few decades. As a much younger man, I was a big fan of guns that made lots of noise, and shot lots of bullets. Accuracy through volume was the the way back then, until I learned what accuracy could actually be. I seem to have completed the circle however, and have once again returned to guns that run ammo like peaches through a Labrador. Today I bring something a little different to you all, a little lead pump based off of the Quattro 15.

quattro 15 receiver — Left-side of the ambidextrous Quattro 15, note QD cup at rear

Defensive weapons or PDW’s as they are often called, are mostly small carbine or sub-machine-gun styled weapons. SBR’s are common for this purpose, but unfortunately require negotiating your rights with tyrants at the Federal level. In a situation where you need a firearm for defensive purposes, a compact controllable weapon you can shoulder sure beats your daily carry. That is basically what I had in mind with todays project.

The Quattro 15

The Quattro 15 is a purpose built lower receiver for AR 15 style rifles. The receiver is built around the QM53 magazine, which is a quad-stacked fifty-three round magazine. The whole purpose of the Quattro was to create a reliable quad stack magazine that can drop right into standard equipment. The 53-round mags are the same length as 30rnd P-mags, and drop perfectly into double mag pouches.

plate carrier, quattro 15 magazines — The QM53 magazines fit perfectly in your favorite double mag pouch like these **HSG Tacos**

Having 53 rounds between reloads in a defensive position sure sounds better than 30, especially if the magazine in the gun is all you’ve got. You can also use standard capacity magazines by snapping in an OE adaptor to the magwell.

quattro 15, qm53 magazine — **QM53 magazine** detail, note ambidextrous bolt-release

Other than that, the Quattro 15 is just like every other ambidextrous AR lower receiver. Your favorite safety, trigger, grips and such will all fit. And the ambidextrous mag button and bolt release will make it easier to operate for all.

Upper receiver

After loading my favorite parts into the Quattro receiver, it was time to mate it to an upper. For that I chose the CMMG Dissent MK4 upper, which uses a 6.5 inch 5.56 barrel. The Dissent uses a buffer system contained within the upper receiver, which is ideal for a gun you want to keep small. I chose it because it would allow me to forgo the use of a buffer tube and the related parts. The ultra short barrel would seriously cut short the velocity of the rifle, but there is a give and take with this type of firearm.

The Dissent uses a forward charging handle located at the front of the handguard. This is another operational advantage over other styles of receiver, as your support hand rides with the charging handle nearly captured by your fingers. And since it doesn’t reciprocate, your support hand is always in the right spot to operate the rifle action.

banish speed K suppressor — left-side charging handle works as a thumb-rest

Using the Dissent upper required fitting CMMG’s buffer-tube plug to the Quattro receiver. This also allowed me to put a picatinny rail on the back of the receiver, which would allow me to install a buttstock.

The Zhukov

The Magpul Zhukov stock fit perfectly into my idea for this rifle, but it would require using the Haga Defense 1913 rail adaptor. This little feature would allow us to fold the stock to the side and cut the size of the rifle nearly in half. The Zhukov is adjustable in length with the press of a button.

Matching the Zhukov buttstock, I mounted a MOE vertical grip to the handguard, which made for a very nice and comfortable grip of the rifle.

desert tech Quattro 15, trijicon MRO, banish speed k — the **Trijicon MRO** makes a great sight option

Sights and Suppressor

All that was left was a good sighting option and a suppressor. For that I chose a Trijicon MRO, with a cantilever mount that made it a perfect match for the stock height. The MRO is easily zeroed and allows full view of the target and surrounding area with no magnification.

For a suppressor I installed the Silencer Central Banish Speed K. The Speed K is a full inconel suppressor built for heavy use. It uses a controlled flow design, with a ventilated fourth baffle. This results in reduce back pressure on semi-automatic rifles, as well as excellent sound suppression for its size. And at only four-inches long, it doesn’t add much to your PDW.

Shooting the Quattro

Shootability

As you might imagine, a PDW type rifle isn’t really meant for shooting beyond ones immediate area. That’s why I didn’t feel bad using such a short barrel. And for shots inside 100 yards or so, there is plenty of velocity to do what I need.

The compact package was incredibly easy to maneuver with its compact size. It is easily stowed in a backpack, especially with the stock folded. One thing I wish was that the Zhukov folded both ways, as I would prefer it on the left side of the rifle. While the rifle can be fired with the stock folded, it’s possible to have an issue after the first shot due to the stock blocking the ejection port. This is with the stock at its shortest configuration, which I preferred.

quattro 15, trijicon MRO, banish speed k suppressor — The **Silencer Central Banish Speed K suppressor** kept things to a dull roar

With an oversized grip on this little rifle I felt it was much easier to manipulate one-handedly. A smaller less-sticky grip might make it a little tougher to wield. The foregrip is comfortably used as a stop for your hand, sort of half on the handguard and half on the down-grip. This positions your support hand perfectly on the charging handle for easy operation of the rifle.

Recoil of course is miniscule, and its easy to keep the rifle on target. And with the impressive capacity you can bury your targets with one shot after another.

Reliability

I’ve yet to have any malfunctions while shooting this little rifle. But I have had issues unloading the magazine, which is curious. Perhaps the jarring activity of the rifle going off keeps everything moving properly when it unloads in the gun.

With such a short barrel, adding a suppressor does create quite a backflow of gas. The Banish Speed K is a “controlled flow” design, which is supposed to help reduce backpressure. And it might, but there is still enough gas to make you cough if you’re not in a ventilated area when sustained shooting.

I’m not sure how to interpret this, it is likely that a PDW will be used indoors. And excessive gas to the face isn’t ideal in any place but worse indoors. But shooting loud in confined spaces isn’t exactly fun either, and suppressed shooting seems like a better proposition when trying to gain a tactical advantage. So maybe the rifle would do better in certain situations without the suppressor.

Accuracy

Accuracy from this little package is not surprising. I mean shooting IPSC targets inside 100 yds was easy, and it got easier the closer they were. While I wouldn’t go as far as to say accuracy isn’t needed at PDW ranges, its certainly not as important as long-range precision rifles.

That said I think the accuracy of this little rifle is more than adequate for the intended purposes. Shooting soda cans off a fence from 100 yards is good enough for me, and allows a level of proficiency needed for most gun owners.

Value

Since I pieced this unit together, its hard to put an exact price on it. But using quality parts was high on my list of priorities. The result has proven to be a very reliable PDW style rifle, and being such I would consider it a valuable rifle. When considering the value of a tool that could mean the difference between life or death, folks tend to spend their money a little more liberally. And considering all this I feel like this little project is well worth the money spent.

Also, as Americans we love tinkering with our firearms, AR’s in particular. The likelihood that this rifle ever be used on a two-way range is slim, especially if I play it safe. In my opinion if a threat is close enough to need this rifle for defense, I’ve failed already. So at a minimum this has been a great exercise in fun.

banish speed K — Testing ammunition provided by **MWLP Trailforger**, check em out!

Final Words

You may or may not see a value in a project like this one, that is entirely up to you. For me it is just a fun project with a purpose, and one I thought some folks might enjoy coming along with me for the ride. Hopefully if you’ve made it this far you have found some inspiration for your own projects. Leave us a comment below if you’ve got any ideas or criticisms that might be helpful.

-CBM

Read about my other Quattro 15 project here

Panzer Arms M4 Shotgun

August 22, 2024Product review, Shooting hardware12 gauge, m4, m4 shotgun, panzer armscoldboremiracle

Introduction

Tactical shotguns are a vibrant part of the black-gun market, the incredibly popular and venerable Benelli M4 made the genre of firearms famous. Today we will review a fresh clone of the M4, this one manufactured by Panzer Arms. The Panzer M4 offers all the same features as the original M4, but at a more modest price point.

Specifications

Caliber	12 gauge
Action	Semi-Automatic
Chamber	3-inch
Barrel Length	18.5 inches
Sights	Ghost ring standard sights
Capacity	5+1
Optics Mounting	Picatinny optics rail

Gun Background

Panzer firearms are manufactured like many others in Turkey. The manufacturers of these arms have been making rifles and shotguns for nearly fifty years. The low cost of manufacturing firearms like these overseas has created a large market of imported arms.

Panzer has made a variety of shotguns for the US market. A surprisingly diverse family of 12 gauge shotguns that could fit nearly any collection. There are AR style shotguns that use the AR manual of arms and detachable box magazines. And for those that love the Kalashnikov design, there are also AK Twelve models that incorporate the AK functions you are familiar with. They even offer their own 20-round drum magazine for the AK Twelve, and Panzer ammo to go with it. There are even bullpup 12gauge models for all those like me who suffer from a bullish fever.

Panzer Arms are imported to the US by PW Arms out of Washington. And in true PW Arms fashion, they engrave the guns so as to be legible to most satellites and orbiting craft. Panzers are sold all over the country through various dealers, as well as big outfits like Palmetto State Armory.

Gun Features

It’s an M4 clone- need I say more?
Simple and reliable dual gas piston driven operating system- reliable well tested system
Included Ghost Ring sights- ready to shoot out of the box
Optics Ready picatinny rail- for adding your favorite optical sight
Included Weapon Light mounting bridge- to add your preferred weapon light
Comes with set of three chokes

Additional Models

There are other models of the Panzer M4. Most of them are simply variations in finishes and stock options. There is a marine version with black polymer stock and pistol grip, with a nickel plated finish. As well as a standard M4 model with a black finish and pistol grip with either a traditional polymer fixed buttstock, or a skeleton adjustable buttstock. Today’s example uses a walnut stock with the disruptive gray finish.

Panzer M4 Review

I am no stranger to shooting shotguns, but my experience has always been for sport and hunting purposes. Tactical shotguns are used in a slightly different application; instead of applying a volume of shot to increase the likelihood of hitting a moving airborne target, tactical shotguns use the power and shot volume to remove matter from the immediate vicinity of its user. Whether its door hinges, sheetrock, or an uninvited torso, shotguns are great at creating voids where there wasn’t before.

Shootability

Panzer’s M4 copy brings all the familiar functions of modern semi-automatic shotguns. The controls are all very familiar and easy to operate well. This made it easy to pick up and get right to shooting. An 18.5-inch barrel makes the gun very easy to maneuver quickly, fast to point and faster to shoot.

I found the walnut stock to fit my grip and hold very well. If anything I felt like my trigger finger was a touch short for ideal actuating of the trigger. But I quickly got used to it. The oversized safety made it easy to put the gun into fire mode in a hurry.

I’ve not shot many tactical shotguns, so the ghost ring sights were a little new to me. But I can see why they are popular with these types of guns. They are quick to get on target, and don’t obscure your view much. I also shot the M4 with the new Vortex Defender XL red dot, which was also very nice. The big window and bright dot made it easy to make things disappear downrange.

Reliability

According to what I’ve heard, it’s recommended to run the M4 on heavier loads for the first bit to help break in the gun. So it didn’t surprise me when a few of the light trap loads I tried didn’t cycle the gun. While I dont think you’ll need to run 3-inch magnums to get the gun to operate reliably, it’s probably fair to assume a defensive tactical shotgun will run on heavier loads.

Panzer Arms M4 12 gauge — I added a **Vortex Defender XL red dot**

The only malfunctions I experienced during testing were under-operation of the action, resulting in a half-ejected hull. These few malfunctions were all with Fiocchi Field Dynamics 1 0z loads. Other similar loads didn’t have these issues, so I think it’s fair to assume the problem was ammo compatibility.

Again I’ll stress, for a tactical shotgun like this, you would much more likely be running higher velocity buckshot rounds like Winchester SuperX or Hornady Critical Defense.

The Panzer M4 uses the reliable operating system perfected by Benelli. Dual gas pistons drive the bolt carrier for rugged durability.

Ergonomics

Panzer’s M4 incorporates traditional shotgun ergonomics on this model. The other models also give you the adaptability of pistol grips and adjustable stocks. All of these options are sure to give you an option you like and can shoot well.

I found the Panzer M4 to be very easy and comfortable as is. The sights lined up well with my eye and natural comb height. With the red dot installed it was just a touch high, but that’s more about the optic mounting than the gun.

panzer arms M4 — with or without a red dot sight, the M4 lined up quickly with targets

One of the very interesting things about the M4 is the ability to swap the charging handle to the left side of the receiver. This is very convenient for those who prefer charging on the left side. And makes the gun more adaptable by more people. The only thing I would change on the Panzer M4 would be to make the bolt-release button a little larger.

Accuracy

Accuracy with shotguns is a bit misleading, as ammunition types and compatibility can vary greatly. If I had some slugs it would be a bit more relevant to this subject, but the traditional shotgun pattern was more than adequate. The M4 comes with three different chokes that allow you to adjust the gun’s patterning to best fit your needs.

Shooting the M4 at distances where shotguns are useful, I found it to be very easy to hit what you wanted. That’s what makes shotguns so good for close defensive tactics. And it is pretty clear that this gun is a great option for quickly making big holes in things within its range.

Panzer arms — Notice receiver cut for left side charging handle, and dual gas pistons

Value

A quick search through vendors shows that the Benelli M4 can be had for anywhere between $1500 and $2000. Contrast that with the $500 cost of the Panzer M4 as we tested it today. If the Panzer M4 retains the reliability of the gun it was cloned after, I think it would be hard to argue it wasn’t an incredible value.

Panzer M4 Pros & Cons

There is quite a bit about the Panzer M4 shotgun to like. There are a couple things I would change about it though. There is a single sling connection point up front. It is a sling loop attachment, but it isn’t solid. It is simply held around the mag-tube with a snap-ring, which makes me feel like it would rattle a lot both when in use and not. The other end of the sling simply has no-where to attach to the butstock. There is no sling swivel or place to attach one on the back of the stock.

Pros

Very affordable- ⅓ the cost of its parent firearm
Very attractive- handsome coatings and wood
Optics Ready- picatinny optics rail for easy mourning of your optic
Included sights- handsome and very functional ghost ring sights included
Reversible charging handle- for left hand operation
Includes weapon light bridge- for easy mounting of your light

Cons

Prefers heavy loads- at least for breaking in
Sling mounting- includes front sling loop but nothing at the back

Panzer M4 Report Card

Shootability (A) No surprise that an M4 clone is easy and fun to shoot

Reliability (B+) Function is great, the break-in and need for heavier loads is a small drawback

Accuracy (A-) It’s a shotgun, if you can’t hit your target, don’t blame the M4

Value (A+) Compared to its parent, this thing is a steal!

Preferred Ammunition

I used a variety of Fiocchi ammunition, Field Dynamics and Shooting dynamics. Other than the few issues I mentioned above it all ran excellent. The 2.75 loads all worked well, and are great for practice, but if you are going to use this gun for defensive shooting I’d probably use something else.

For dangerous situations I would use something like the Hornady Critical Defense or the Federal Premium Personal Defense.

Panzer Upgrades and Accessories

This shotgun works great as it comes from the factory, but I would certainly recommend a few upgrades. I really enjoyed shooting the gun with the Vortex Defender XL red dot. It makes an excellent addition to the M4.

A sling would also be a nice addition to this gun, if only it had a rear sling swivel…

But you can always add one, and the other models of the Panzer M4 have rear sling connection points. Something simple like this Spectre Gear Raptor would work.

Final Thoughts

Do yourself a favor if you are looking for a defensive shotgun, have a look at one of these Panzer M4 models. They are refreshingly affordable, and feel fantastic, and come with the features you’d expect from a costlier firearm.