Category Archives: Product review

Products and equipment

Holosun SCS Carry Red Dot

October 17, 2024Optics, Product reviewholosun, Red dot, rmsc, scs, scs carrycoldboremiracle

Preface

I’ve jumped into the red dot world with both feet at this point, and fully embraced optics ready handguns. This has resulted in a wide variety of red dots making their way into my collection, and today I am bringing another one to you. Today’s subject is the new Holosun SCS Carry red dot.

The SCS Carry Red Dot is a compact RMS-C sized red dot that will fit onto compatible footprints. Like other Holosun K optics, this red dot is ideal for compact carry guns. But this little unit has some additional features you’re going to like, as did I.

taurus TX 22, Holosun SCS carry red dot — the Holosun SCS Carry mounted to my Taurus TX 22 Toro

The Holosun SCS Carry Red Dot

The SCS (Solar Charging Sight) uses solar energy to power itself for an indefinite period of time. Perhaps in the dystopian future, in the fight against the machines, someone will find one of my old pistols discovering a curious green glow.

The SCS Carry has an internal rechargeable battery good for over 20,000 hours. And since it is constantly recharged by the solar cell on top of the unit, you can count on it outlasting your ammo supply. In addition to the power cell, the SCS uses multi-directional light sensors to adjust reticle brightness depending on ambient light.

holosun scs carry red dot — unboxing the SCS Carry, note tools and other fasteners included

Holosun is very popular for their reticle options, and this one is no different. The SCS comes with a 2 MOA dot and a 32 MOA circle around it. I like this pattern and have used it extensively in my Holosun 507 Comp red dot on another gun. This model also features an enclosed emitter for reliability, as well as a notched base to stand-in as a rear sight.

Other traditional Holosun red dot features are also incorporated, things like the 1X magnification, lens coatings, unlimited eye relief, and parallax free viewing.

Holosun SCS Specifications

OPTICAL SPECS

Reticle	2 MOA Dot & 32 MOA Circle
Light Wavelength	540nm
Reticle Color	Green
Parallax Free	Yes
Unlimited Eye Relief	Yes
Magnification	1x
Multi-Coatings	Yes

PHYSICAL SPECS

Window Size	0.90×0.63
Dimension (in)	1.6×0.98×0.95
Weight (oz)	1.05

MECHANICAL SPECS

Housing Material	7075 T6 Aluminum
Surface Finish	Anodize
Adjustment per Click	1.5 MOA
W&E Travel Range	±30 MOA

ENVIRONMENT SPECS

Storage Temperature	-40℃~70℃
Working Temperature	-30℃~60℃
Submersion	IPX8
Vibration	5000G

Assorted Models

Aside from the model shown here today, there are also other models of the SCS Carry. There is a non-enclosed emitter version that is less obtrusive and surely lighter. And there are also firearms specific models as well, with SCS Carry dots made to fit: Smith & Wesson, Walther, Sig Sauer, H&K, and CZ pistols respectively. These custom fitting sights likely reduce your need to use adaptor plates, and other mounting hardware. Both simplifying the install, as well as reducing the weight of your CCW handgun. The SCS family also incorporates Holosun’s Super LED technology, matching visual wavelengths of light best seen by most eyes.

holosun SCS Carry rds, taurus tx22, YHM Phantom 22

Mounting the Holosun SCS Carry

Mounting the SCS Carry was easy using the provided tools and fasteners. I chose my Taurus TX 22 Toro as a host for the SCS, mainly because it was available and needed a red dot. In addition to that situation, the TX 22 is an incredibly fun gun to shoot, you can read more about it here.

I lined up the reticle as best I could while torqueing down the mounting screws. This would help reduce the adjustment needed to zero the optic, and with a few clicks it co-witnessed perfectly with the iron sights. I could adjust it a little more once on the range. I also appreciated that they kept the base thin enough to still be able to see my iron sights through the optic.

After mounting, I took a moment to go through the operating instructions. Its convenient to not worry about brightness settings, and I was amazed at the instant adjustment of the auto-brightness controls.

Shooting the Holosun SCS Carry red dot

Once in my shooting spot, I started loading magazines to pour a fresh layer of lead on my targets. The bright green reticle of the SCS was easy to see even in the bright mid-day sun. After a couple adjustments, it was dead on. We spent the afternoon burning through ammo, and drawing down on targets.

holosun SCS caryy red dot, Taurus TX22 Toro, YHM Phantom 22 suppressor — the SCS Carry made a great companion to the TX22, as does the **YHM Phantom 22 suppressor**

I also keep that pistol close during hunting season. Its always nice to have a suppressed 22 handy for quietly dispatching pests without scaring away the elk and deer. It also gave me something to do around camp, plugging mice in the dark with a Surefire X300 weapon light attached to the pistol.

Shootability

I like the big-windowed red dots, so it was a little bit more restrictive using the smaller window of the SCS. That is of course to be expected with a smaller optic, it also requires you to be a little bit more judicious when presenting the pistol, making sure it’s lined up. The SCS Carry is ideal for a carry sized pistol, its width is similar to many compact guns, and its edges aren’t snaggy.

The enclosed emitter is nice, as it keeps debris from getting between the lens and the LED. I did notice a tiny bit of blur when shooting, though I’m not sure if it was due to looking through two pieces of glass or something else. I know most of these optics are supposed to be parallax free, but occasionally it feels like maybe they aren’t. Or perhaps my eyes are starting to go…

Either way, the SCS Carry was great for shooting. Always ready, always on.

Reliability

Which brings us to our next point, in all my shooting the SCS was fixed in its place. Never did I have the need to re-zero or adjust anything. Nor did I have any issues with the controls. Its simple, which I have on good authority is good for stupid’s like me.

Being exposed to freezing temps, vibrating for miles and miles on ATV’s didn’t slow down the SCS Carry. The only maintenance needed was to clean the front lens occasionally due to suppressed shooting.

holosun SCS Carry — the single button control of the Holosun SCS Carry

Accuracy

As I mentioned already, I never had to readjust the SCS Carry. It maintained zero throughout all this. While the recoil of the TX22 is not as significant as some of your spicy CCW 9mm pistols, it still endured lots of shooting. Maintaining zero is very important for all sights, but particularly for CCW sights.

Also I mentioned window size and my preferences. Training with what you are going to carry and shoot is probably more important than preferences. And shooting accurately with the Holosun SCS Carry was perfectly attainable with proper practice. The reticle details also gives you a few advantages as well.

The MRS from Holosun is a nice customizable feature, the Multiple Reticle System gives you options. You can select just the 2 MOA dot for more precise shooting, or you can use just the circle to bracket targets. Or a combination of the two if you choose.

holosun SCS Carry RDS, taurus tx22 — the enclosed emitter is nice in the weather

Value

There are untold hordes of red dot sights on the market now, making it very competitive. I can appreciate that Holosun’s Optics have maintained a great position of authority in that market. They continually push the boundaries, innovating and bringing new features and options. Basically they seem to be the ones to beat. The Holosun SCS Carry line of red dots are not the most affordable red dots made by Holosun, but I wouldn’t expect a dedicated CCW sight to be so. Sure you can get cheaper red dots, even from Holosun. But the feature-rich and maintenance-free SCS Carry is well worth the extra cheddar in my opinion. If you’re looking for a good sight for your CCW pistol, the street price between $350 and $400 for these is a great choice. It’s no surprise they have a “best rated” tag on Optics Planet.

holosun SCS Carry red dot, Taurus TX22, Yankee hill machine Phantom 22 suppressor

Pros and Cons

There was very little I could come up with that I didn’t like about the Holosun SCS Carry red dot. I’d mentioned earlier some possible blurriness, though I’m not sure if its me, dirty lenses, or something else. It was certainly not enough for me to worry about.

Everything else about the SCS Carry was great for me. I love the simple operation, never needing to worry if it’s on, or having to adjust the brightness when I go indoors or out. It fits a wide variety of guns, it’s emitter is enclosed for less cleaning and maintenance, and I like the bigger reticle. And it comes with most everything you need to mount and adjust it, adding to my collection of red dot mounting hardware and tools.

taurus tx 22 toro, holosun scs carry rds

Conclusion

If you haven’t gathered by now, I think Holosun has hit the target with this little optic. It gives great performance with no complications. It adds just enough to your CCW pistol to be beneficial and give you the upper hand when aiming. While shopping for your next pistol sight, consider the Holosun SCS Carry as a solid option. I’m not sure if this one will stay on my 22, or if I’ll move it over to my CZ P-10S.

-CBM

Bergara B14 Crest Carbon Rifle

October 12, 2024Product review, Shooting hardware308 win, b14, Bergara, crest carboncoldboremiracle

Introduction

Towards the end of summer every year, my attention turns towards hunting rifles. The excitement of hunting big game in the cold and often snowy mountains is an awesome adventure I look forward to every year. For me, one of the main focus points during hunting is on the rifles we rely on. Today I bring you a rifle worthy of these rugged Rocky Mountain hunts; the Bergara B14 Crest Carbon rifle, chambered in the very popular 308 Winchester.

The Crest Carbon rifle incorporates a great deal of Bergara’s technological advancements. And most of those features help make this rifle an exceptional hunting tool. Today we are going to take a deep dive into both the rifle and the mountains it was meant to traverse. We’ll see how the Crest Carbon rifle stands up to heavy use, long hikes, sharp shots, inclement weather and accurate field shooting.

The Bergara B14 Crest Carbon Rifle

There are new features to the Crest Carbon rifle, but it is still built around the very popular B14 action. Bergara has done a very good job perfecting the Remington 700 footprint through their B14. It incorporates nearly all the benefits, and brings additional features and quality to the most popular design in use today.

Additionally, Bergara’s Cure Carbon barrel is used in this rifle. The Cure Carbon is an advanced technological design that uses both carbon fiber wrapping as well as a stainless steel mesh to wick heat from the bore.

As if that wasn’t enough, the rifle uses Bergara’s own carbon fiber stock. The Crest Carbon rifle stock uses a carbon spine to maintain rigidity, surrounded by hand-laid carbon fiber. The lightweight stock is both handsome and effective, with dual sling studs up front as well as QD flush cups mounted in the key spots for your sling.

The rifle is available in a variety of calibers from .223 Remington up to 300WM, and barrels lengths vary from 20-inches up to 24-inches. Barrel lengths and twist are optimized for each of the various calibers, but all of them use AICS style magazines. They also use Bergara’s adjustable trigger which is a fine option in my experience.

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One of my kids used the Crest Carbon to take his second buck. In the whipping wind at 8000 feet, we put the sneak on this little buck. Closing the distance over steep terrain. With his rifle a top the tripod, he let one shot loose from the Bergara and put a DTM 175 gr 308 Round through the boiler room.

Packing out both the deer and the rest of our gear, it was nice to have such a lightweight rifle like the Crest Carbon.

Bergara crest carbon 308 win — the Crest Carbon rifle suppressed by the **Banish Buck 30 suppressor**

Bergara B14 Crest Carbon — the extremely popular **AICS magazine system** is a perfect fit for this rifle

If you like this rifle be sure to read more about carbon fiber firearms here

bergara b14 drest carbon — the Crest Carbon is a perfect companion for a big game hunt

group 308 win — A typical group from the rifle using **Hornady American Whitetail ammo**

Staccato XC: the Rule to Measure Exceptions

September 30, 2024pistols, Product review, Uncategorized9mm, staccato, staccato XCcoldboremiracle

Preface

Over the last few years, I have developed an affinity for pistols. To be specific, full-size tactical pistols. As this addiction has grown, I continued to adjust my sights on better and better options. Today I am bringing you a review of one of those amazing pistols, the Staccato XC 9mm pistol.

As I mentioned, my taste has matured. Partially in part to being exposed to many fantastic options. In my line of work, it is easy to be exposed to high quality firearms. My very first experience with a Staccato was a year or two ago, with a review of the Staccato P. I really liked that pistol, but all it really did was push me towards something even better. The Staccato XC is arguably at the top of the Staccato heap, which sits at the apex of 2011 pistols.

What is a 2011?

Staccato’s basic design is a modernized version of the OG 1911 pistol, with a widened grip allowing double stack 9mm cartridges to be used. After this complete redesign of the famous pistol, it makes perfect sense to rename it 2011. Basically a hundred years later, the title fits as a gun for the next century. Staccato popularized the 2011 trend, and it has been embraced by many other manufacturers. Big names like SpringField Armory and Wilson Combat have introduced 2011 models. Where before they only offered the 1911.

Why would you want a 2011 over a 1911 you might be asking? And if you are, you might be due for a prostate exam. The 1911 has seen incredible service life and action across the globe. The venerable 45 ACP cartridges it fires are heavy and lethal, so why would you abandon this design for something new?

An easy answer is that the 9mm Parabellum has basically won the popularity contest. I see no value getting into the weeds of cartridge arguments today, most shooters prefer the 9mm over the 45 ACP. And it’s easy to understand why, its far more affordable, offers more capacity in a given firearm, and is still quite useful in lethal and competitive fields.

These things considered, it seems the 2011 design was simply an eventuality waiting to happen. The popularity of the 1911, with all of its benefits, made an excellent candidate to customize and fill-out with a fat bottomed magazine brimming with 9mm cartridges.

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staccato xc 9mm pistol — the XC outfitted with a **Holsun 507 Comp** and **Surefire X300 Turbo**

The Staccato XC

Caliber: 9×19 mm 17+1 or 20+1 Capacity

Trigger: 2.5 lb

Barrel: 5.0” Island Comp

Weight: 37.56 oz Without optic & no magazine

Frame: Steel 4140 Steel – Billet Precision Machined

Recoil System: 5.0″ Tool less Dawson Precision® Tool Less Recoil System

Dimensions: 8.7” x 1.5” x 5.9” Width at grip is 1.3”

Magazine: Comes with 2 x 17 Round Magazines

staccato XC — I also shot the XC with a **Gideon Alpha RMR red dot**

staccato XC 9mm, sierra outdoor master 9mm, ammunition — **Sierra’s 115 grain HP** ammunition makes a great defensive option

The incredible compensator built into the front of the barrel greatly reduces muzzle rise, keeping the gun on target. You can even see the red dot all through the recoil most of the time.

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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.