Holsters can be as subjective as the guns that go in them. You might try five different holsters for your preferred pistol before finding one that is just right. I’ve been playing with holsters a lot lately, and today I wanted to share another one with you. Todays subject is the Gritr Gear Omni Holster.
Gritr makes a variety of different holster options in different configurations for various popular pistols. They also make additional support gear like range bags, weapon lights and even their own Red Dot Sights. Much of their lineup is available at affordable prices direct from Amazon.
The Gritr Gear Omni Holster
The Gritr Gear Omni Holster is a simple Kydex design, optimized to be configured however best fits your needs. It can be used as an IWB holster, or an OWB holster. It can be configured right or left handed, and is available for most popular handguns with or without optics cut.
For my purposes I figured a Glock pattern would be optimal, as I have various Glock 17 and Glock 19 clones that would allow some evaluation. You can order the Omni holster to accept popular weapon light options like the SF X-300 or SL TLR-7. The Omni holster also came with a belt mount, allowing you to attach it directly to your belt and adjust the angle as well.
The Omni comes with a concealment strut on one side that rides under your belt to help keep your pistol tucked when concealing. It is both reversible and removeable for different carry styles, but I saw no reason to take it off.
the adjustable belt attachment
Configuring the Gritr Omni Holster
I would end up using the Omni in various configurations because I can. Both inside the waist belt (IWB) and outside the waist belt (OWB). The single belt-clip can be adjusted for ride height, so you can customize where your pistol sits. It can also be swapped to the opposing side should you need a wrong-handed draw. The clip has a nice retaining lip to prevent you from pulling the holster out when drawing the gun.
note belt-clip and concealment strut
There are also tension screws that allow you to adjust the squeeze of the holster to increase retention as needed. There is no secondary retention, just the friction of the holster’s squeeze. We found that this was adequate for keeping pistols secure in the holster. During testing we tried various G17 and G19 sized pistols with great results.
We also tested the Omni on a typical gun belt, using a Safariland QLS fork for attachment. This was a great option as it allowed quick removal and install from various belts.
Shooting From the Omni Holster
Drawing a handgun from the Omni holster was slick, just as its designed to be. The holster give generous space for sights to avoid any occlusions, and the Kydex covers all the important parts. Drawing the pistols from the holster had very little resistance, making it quick to get on target. Especially from the OWB configuration, as I am used to retention holsters and having to grip a release. This was much faster, simply pulling the pistol out an presenting on target.
As typical, there is a touch more to consider when drawing from the IWB position. Lifting clothing and avoiding snags requires a little more diligence. I do like how the Omni covers up everything; trigger, ejection port and more are covered by the Kydex “ears” that come up the side of the slide. It also protects you skin from slide serrations and other parts of the pistol that might cause discomfort.
All the pistols I tested in the holster were G17 or G19 clones, and they had a similar feel. Only the differences in slide cuts seemed to change the resistance when drawing the pistol.
The ability to configure this holster makes it and easy choice. I could even see getting a couple of them for various purposes due to their low cost. Whether you want to mount them to your belt, or just tuck them under your shirt it is pretty straight forward. The various mounting holes also allow you easy alternative mounting solutions. Overall, the Gritr Gear Omni Holster offers an inexpensive option that can be applied easily to just about any carrying need. And getting one drop shipped to your door using your prime account makes it that much easier.
Scope mounts are a bit of a newer development, a step forward from traditional scope rings. One-piece scope mounts combine both the front and rear scope ring into a single solid piece. This makes a stronger and more rigid scope mounting system. Today we are looking at another scope mount, this one is the Anubis Defense The One Mount. Anubis Defense makes a variety of tactical shooting accessories typically related to optics and night vision mounting systems. Since I’m too poor to get into night vision I spend most of my time shooting under the sun. And since I do a lot of it, I figured I would see how their scope mount stands up to what I am used to.
The One Mount by Anubis Defense
The One Mount is machined of aluminum, using oversized steel fasteners. In a departure from common scope mounts, The One uses a six-bolt cap on the front ring, and a four-bolt cap on the back ring. It also uses a one-piece foot with four bolts to clamp onto your picatinny scope rail.
Inside the rings themselves, you will find a ribbed surface. This is also done by other scope mount manufacturers, I assume to improve the grip of the rings on the scope tube. I’ve never had a problem with a scope slipping in the rings when tightened properly, but I assume there is good reason.
Unboxing
The One Mount comes in a nice box lined with foam. As expected it also comes with two different Torx wrenches to tighten the fasteners properly. Torque specifications are engraved right into the side of the mount. This is to remove any doubt as to how tight they should be.
I also found a neat little addition in the box, a prism shaped piece of aluminum that you can feed through the triangle-shaped hole in the base of the mount. This can be used to level your scope in the mount by aligning with the flat bottom of the scope’s erector housing. This is a handy add-on and will work with most scopes.
Scope Mounting
I chose to mount my US Optics FDN25X in The One Mount, it would make the scope easy to get back onto my favorite rifle the Desert Tech SRS M2. The leveling prism was easy enough to use, and ensuring that my scope was plum in the mount. I torqued down the caps to the appropriate torque spec, and then mounting it to the picatinny rail of the rifle. The SRS M2 has 30 MOA cant built into the rail. The Anubis mount is available in a zero MOA and 20 MOA model. The zero cant model was perfect for this setup, but for extreme distances the 20 MOA cant model could compound the scope and rifle cant angles for 50 MOA total.
The large bolts that secure the foot of the mount give a very solid grip on the picatinny rail. And the one piece foot makes for easy and quick mounting, as well as moving between rifles.
Pros and Cons
First off; the Anubis mount is very affordable. Rivaling even mounts from reasonable house brands like Primary Arms, and significantly less expensive as base models from brands like Burris or Vortex. I was impressed with the The One Mount’s quality, as were various friends. Some assuming it was worth double if not more based simply on appearance.
high quality finish, and intuitive engraving indicating torque sequence and spec
The large fasteners make a very strong connection. I hate when scope mounting components use tiny fasteners that are easily stripped or broken. I also like the solid one-piece foot, as a guy who swaps optics very frequently it makes the process easier and fast.
If I could change anything about the Anubis mount it would be adding features to it. It seems it would have been pretty easy to incorporate a few added features for a slight increase in price. For example, I would like to see a bubble level added for those who use them. It also would greatly benefit from additional mounting locations, putting a few threaded holes in strategic places for adding things like scope levels, red dots, angle indicators, etc. Anubis does offer a diving board ring cap that you can add to your mount to add things like rangefinders and such.
Conclusion
If you are in the market for an affordable scope mount, I am quite confident The One Mount from Anubis Defense will securely hold your scope and give years of rugged service. After looking hard at some less expensive scope mount options I am convinced I would regret not spending just a little more for this one. And while there are costlier mounts, I think this mount would be an easy compromise versus spending two or three-hundred dollars. And still be quite happy with the results.
I grew up within a short drive of the original Browning factory where the man himself designed and built many of his masterpieces. In fact, I could see the factory from my hunting spots where many of today’s pictures were taken. I feel somewhat guilty for being less familiar with the brand and their products, but today I aim to change that. The Browning brand has long stood for quality and innovation, and today’s subject is a direct result of that process. The Browning X-Bolt has been around for over a decade, but the time has come for a new generation. Today we hit the range and field with the brand-new Browning X-Bolt 2, the next step in Browning’s bolt-action family.
Drawing from its predecessor the Browning A-Bolt; the X-Bolt rifle brought some more modern features while holding onto what was best from the A-Bolt’s design. I’ve had a few experiences with both over the years and was impressed with their attributes. The smooth action and short bolt throw of these rifles makes them pleasant to shoot. And with easy feeding they are always ready for action.
the tri-lug bolt and Sako style extractor of the X-Bolt 2
The release of the X-Bolt 2 brings an incredible diversity of products. As you scroll through the website there are too many options to mention. But rest assured there is a model for everyone’s taste. Whether it be walnut or polymer, steel or titanium, there is a stunning array of X-Bolt 2 options. You can get it with carbon fiber barrels, McMillan stocks, AICS magazine fed and many other options. The family of the X-Bolt 2 has an incredible host of applications for nearly any shooter.
Generational Changes
Evaluating the differences between the original X-Bolt and this new X-Bolt 2 gives some insight into what Browning designers were after. Some of the changes in the new X-Bolt went beyond simply different configurations.
replaceable grips, improved trigger, bedded action are all things to like about the X-Bolt 2
The X-Bolt 2 action at the heart of the rifle received a restructuring, adding material in various places to increase strength. Additional support of the bolt in its stroke to add an even smoother operation. Changing the bolt-knob for better purchase and adding flutes and other facets to bolt-body also helps improve the feel.
the tang-mounted safety is easy to reach with your thumb
Also new in this new generation X-Bolt is the DLX trigger, which has adjustable weight with no creep or overtravel. The composite Vari-Tech stock is also adjustable and handsomely finished with Browning’s Ovix camouflage. The soft Inflex recoil pad will help with heavier recoiling calibers. Perhaps one of my favorite improvements of the X-Bolt 2 is the belled muzzle. With industry standard thread pitches allowing you to install your favorite muzzle accoutrements. My previous experience with an X-Bolt required a thread adaptor to use my suppressor. That wouldn’t be a problem here. The X-Bolt 2 Speed SPR model we tested today also comes with a radial muzzle brake to reduce recoil.
Specifications
Action Length Short Action
Caliber 308 Win
Barrel Length 18″
Overall Length 38″
Length of Pull 13 5/8″ Adj
Drop at Comb 0″ Adj
Drop at Heel 1/10″ Adj
Weight 6 lbs 10 oz
Magazine Capacity 4
Twist Rate 10″
Barrel Finish Smoked Bronze Cerakote
Stock Finish Ovix
Receiver Finish Smoked Bronze Cerakote
Chamber Finish Polished
Barrel Material Steel
Barrel Contour Sporter SR
Stock Material Composite
Recoil Pad Inflex 1.25
Checkering Textured Grip Panels
Sling Swivel Studs Matte Blued
Receiver Material Steel
Trigger Finish Gold Plated
Bolt Slide Finish High Gloss
Magazine Type Detachable
Muzzle Threading 5/8 – 24 SR
Trigger Material Alloy
Trigger Guard Material Alloy
Trigger Guard Engraving Buck Mark in Gold
Floor Plate Material Composite
Drilled and Tapped for Scope Yes
MSRP $1,569.99
Configuring the X-Bolt 2
The Vari-Tech stock of the X-Bolt 2 Speed SPR can be adjusted for length of pull and comb-height. Neither of them is what I would call quick or field adjustable. Both processes are done using tools and taking off the rubber buttpad. This is a small concern considering that you don’t really need to adjust those things very often. It’s also a great feature that not many other rifles this style has. Using the scope and mount I did, the stock was perfect as it came from the factory.
Upon inspecting the X-Bolt 2 after disassembly, I was even more impressed. Aside from the adjustable buttstock, you can replace the rubberized grip from a sporter angle to a more vertical style grip. Pulling a screw from under the action they are easily swapped. I greatly preferred the vertical grip so it went in place for the duration of the test.
While apart I also noticed that there was a factory bedding job. This is a great way to improve the marriage of action and stock together, which generally helps accuracy. I also like the four-bolt attachment of the scope bases. Double what most scope bases use, for better connection.
Kitting Out the X-Bolt 2
I hunt the western deserts and mountains of the US, it can often be feast or famine when it comes to hunting. The Browning X-Bolt 2 Speed SPR seems to be made for just such country. Hunting these same mountains that John M. Browning himself used to traverse, I wanted to optimize the rifle that bears his name.
A rifle like this one deserves a good companion optic. I chose to install one of my recent acquisitions, a Vector Optics Continental 2-12×44. The Continental offers very bright and clear images, a sharp focus, and an excellent turret system that would shine for long-range shooting. Using a pair of Nightforce medium 34mm rings, I attached the scope to the bases.
With hunting ranges around here varying from 100 yards to as far as you dare, these features would match the performance of the X-Bolt 2. And together I expected to push the limits to see how effective this combination would be.
Support
Additionally, I would install a Harris SL bipod for supported shooting. There are many bipod options, but I keep coming back to the simple option that keeps working for me. For transporting the rifle I also installed a Quake Industries rubberized sling. This simple and lightweight option makes carrying a rifle in the backcountry comfortable. And its rubber exterior keeps it from slipping off your shoulder.
Suppressor
With light seen at the end of the NFA tunnel, suppressors have become a commanding presence. Few practices benefit from suppressors as much as hunting, and I am a bit of an enthusiast.
Installing my Banish Backcountry titanium suppressor would make this Browning a bit more polite. The lightweight would also keep the rifle easy to move through these high Rocky Mountains.
Ammunition
For a little variety, I brought a spread of ammo from different manufacturers. Two options from Hornady, the 155 Black ammunition, and the 150 grain American Whitetail. To mix it up, I also brought some Barnes VORTX 130 grain, as well as some DTM 175 grain Match.
Today we touch on a brilliant subject (sorry for the cheesy pun), that subject is weapon lights. These bright illuminating tools when used together with a firearm can give incredible dexterity when in potentially dangerous situations. I say that because the implication with weapon lights is that they are mainly used for shooting in the dark. An activity, that is not a typical sport shooting condition. Unless you consider defensive shooting a sport. Of course there are some sporting purposes where weapon lights can come in handy, but lets get into the beam of this topic; today’s subject is the Nightstick LGL-160-T Turbo weapon light.
The Nightstick LGL-160-T
Among the various lights made by Nightstick, the LGL-160-T is designed for long guns. Like other popular models the LGL-160-T can be mounted in a variety of ways, and can be used in conjunction with a remote pressure pad.
With 800 Lumens, the LGL-160-T gives a bright beam of white light. This can be very important when the moon is out, and you need to put a shot where it counts. You can use either dual CR123 batteries like most comparable units, or the single rechargeable 18650 LI-ion battery.
The impressive kit that comes with the light, includes various mounting options for both picatinny rail mounting and M-Lok mounting. There is also included brackets for offset 45-degree mounting. And a push-button end-cap can be used or a remote pressure switch pad. They even include a couple cable management blocks to help tie down the wires and pressure pad.
you can see how the cable block can be used to manage cables
Features and Specifications
Features
LED technology
Features both tail cap and 6″ Remote Pressure Switches
Momentary or constant-on function
Standard and offset Picatinny rail mounts
Sharp focused beam for distance illumination
Aircraft-grade 6061-T6 aluminum housing w/Type III hard-anodized finish
Beam distance rated at 632 meters
IP-X7 Waterproof
Impact & chemical resistant
Serialized for personal identification
2 CR123 batteries (included)
Specifications
High Lumens: 800
High Candela: 100,000
Drop Rating: 2 m
Water Rating: IP-X7 Waterproof
High Runtime (h): 2
Case Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum
Body Color: Black
Quantity of Batteries: 2
Package Contents: Weapon light with standard Picatinny mount w/thumb screw and tail cap switch, Remote pressure switch (6” cable), 45º offset Picatinny mount w/thumb screw, pressure switch rail mount, wire management clamp, (2) CR123 batteries, 2.5mm Allen wrench, Alcohol prep pad, Adhesive-backed Velcro mounting strip, Instruction manual
Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty
Dimensions
Length: 5.3 in (135 mm)
Width: 9 in (23 mm)
Depth: 0.9 in (23mm)
Weight: 6.3 oz (179 g)
Diameter: 0.9 in (23 mm)
Head Diameter: 1.4 in (36mm)
Mounting the Nightstick LGL-160
Using just the included tools, it was easy to mount the LGL-160-T in a variety of configurations on multiple firearms. I definitely prefer the M-Lok mounting system, as I don’t care for the large thumb-wheel of the picatinny mounts. For that matter, even on lower priced products these are unnecessary. And on expensive products they are unforgivable. The low-profile of the M-Lok mounts have far fewer snag points.
note pressure pad mounting system and cable block, as well as the stubby YHM Fat Cat suppressor
This is also where the tediousness of every person’s individual preference dictates how buttons are mounted and cables are run. Who am I to say whether one way is better than another? I suppose if it works for you then rock what you’ve got.
Shooting Illuminated
Shooting with the Nightstick LGL-160-T made me appreciate my mounting location even more. The two o’clock position on my rifle’s handguard positioned it perfectly to keep light obscured from my aiming eye. The Trijicon MRO kept any reflective light off the suppressor or handguard obscured.
My target area on the other hand was not obscured, the bright white light greatly improved identification of the target area. It also doubles as an aiming crutch. At closer distances the white circle of light was the same size as the view through my sight. This meant that I could simply put my target in the middle of the white circle and pull the trigger.
The remote pressure pad was nice for operating the light. It gives the choice between short bursts of illumination, or you can push the larger button and with a click you get sustained light. The pad can be mounted in a variety of ways using the M-Lok or picatinny options.
Pros and Cons
With an impressive beam of white light, the Nightstick LGL-160-T makes shooting in the dark much more detailed. The included mounting kit was a huge plus, allowing many different ways to mount and configure it. It also come in at a significantly lower price than some competitors, and a comparable price to others. You can also appreciate it being made in America by Texans. Many of these lights get pretty warm as they are used, and the Nightstick got about as warm as any other.
in pure darkness at approximately 80 yards, you can see the beam (left) of the Nightstick LGL-160-T compared to a popular competitor
The only thing I could counter all that with; no matter how customizable products like this are, you will always want just a little more. Whether it be a tiny amount of occlusion with handguards or other accessories, or almost lining up with a slot or mounting hole. But to be fair this is the case with any of these products. Manufacturers have to keep their products universal enough for as many configurations as possible. This may come at the cost of universal adaptability. The two different included pressure pad mounting options are fine, though I wish they could be a touch lower profile.
Having used the Nightstick LGL-160-T for a while now, I have been quite happy with it. I have several comparable lights from other manufacturers, and the Nightstick does everything they do. And the Nightstick comes with a great little kit of mounting options as well. With other options costing as much as three or four hundred dollars, the $195 dollar price of the Nightstick delivered next day from Amazon is pretty agreeable. I look forward to a bright future from behind this light.
Without a doubt the US sport optics market has been inundated over the last decade, with a plethora of manufacturers and importers. One of the many companies doing an impressive job at it is Vector Optics. I have had an opportunity to review a couple of the optics now, and I’ve been impressed. So today I bring you a fresh look at another riflescope, the Vector Optics Continental 6-36×56.
The Continental 6-36×56 Rifle Scope
Like the rest of the Continental strain, this one uses a 34mm main tube. The large 56mm objective lens is the standard for long-range precision optics. And the Continental comes with other features that have become the gold standard for precision shooting optics. Exposed adjustable turrets with 10 MRAD per turn, adjustable side focus/parallax, an illuminated milling reticle and more.
Specifications
Magnification
6-36x
Objective Lens Dia
56 mm
Focal Plane
First Focal Plane
Eye Relief
100 mm / 4.0 in
Lens Coating
Fully Multi-coated
Linear Field of View @ 100 yd
21.6 – 3.6 ft @ 100 yards
Linear Field of View @ 100 m
7.2 – 1.2 m @ 100 meters
Angular Field of View °
4.13 – 0.69 °
Reticle
VEC-MBR2
Tube Dia
34 mm
Side Focus
15 yards to Infinity
Click Value
1/10 MIL
Turret Function
Zero Stop, Turret Lock
Elevation Adjustment Range
≥ 31 MIL
Windage Adjustment Range
≥ 18 MIL
Diopter Compensation
-3 to +2
Illumination Setting
11 brightness settings, On/Off between each
Battery Type
CR2032
Waterproof
IP67
Fogproof
Nitrogen Filled
Shockproof
1000 G
Housing Material
6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy
Finish
Matte Black
Length
404 mm / 15.9 in
Weight
861 g / 30.4 oz
Items in the Package
User Manual, Plastic Wrench, Cleaning Cloth, Sunshade, Flip-up Caps, Spare Turret, 34mm Picatinny Rings, etc.
after many months of hard use and even some competition, the Continental continues to perform
Also like other Continental scopes, this one comes with some added value items as well. Things like a sun shade and Vector 34mm rings. While based on the price I suspect they are fairly simple rings, but they are perfectly suitable for this scope, and don’t look like the cheap throwaway option often included. The packaging also is high quality, giving a great impression.
Another nice thing included with the scope is an extra elevation turret. The second turret doesn’t include the zero stop feature, which allows a full sweep of the erector.
I chose to mount the Vector Continental in an Area 419 scope mount. Not that the rings weren’t suitable, I just like the Area 419 mount significantly more. With a snug fit, the Continental was then attached to my Desert Tech SRS M2. A rifle I use quite frequently.
Adjusting the mounting location to set the proper eye relief, gave a nice comfortable fit and clear image. I adjusted the diopter at the rear to get the best image of the reticle, and also added the sun shade. This is something I often do if for nothing else, to keep things away from the lenses of my scopes.
Zeroing the Scope and Zero-Stop function
My Desert Tech SRS M2 rifle has a 30 MOA cant built into the picatinny rail, this is by design to allow zeroing the scope closer to its mechanical zero. This required me to dial the elevation turret below its centerline.
the zero-stop system is easy to set and robust in design
The zero-stop feature is built into the elevation turret. It uses an indexable stop that also actuates an indicator pin on the top of the turret. When the turret is rotated past its first rotation (10 MRAD), a red pin pops up on the top of the turret. And when it is rotated past the second rotation (20 MRAD) the pin pops up a bit further exposing a silver ring under the red. This allows both a visual and tactile indication of which rotation of the scope you are on.
Since I had to zero the scope below its factory zero-stop setting, this required me to dial back the zero-stop. This is done by removing the elevation turret, and underneath there is a small pin that you push in, and then rotate against the indicated direction approximately the distance you need.
I could then boresight the scope and rifle per my traditional practice, prior to taking the rifle to the range for zeroing. Once the rifle was zeroed, I could reset the zero-stop feature. By again removing the turret, and rotating the inner ring (in the indicated direction) until the pin pops into its stop hole. And then set the turret back on the scope lining it up with zero.
Shooting with the Continental 6-36
I use my SRS for quite a bit of shooting, which makes it very familiar to me. Shooting the rifle with this Vector Optics scope would be an exercise in repetition. I’ve run a variety of very nice scopes on this rifle, so seeing how the Vector stood-in would be a good comparison.
My first shooting experience with this scope was shooting paper targets at a mere one-hundred yards. The impressively bright image through the scope made for some very easy shooting. Using the fine points of the reticle was great for precise placement of shots.
initiating the reticle illumination shows that only part of the reticle is illuminated. This helps avoid having too much light when looking into darkness
The majority of my shooting takes place in open country at high altitude in the Rocky Mountains. I do a lot of varmint hunting and long-range shooting, which would also make an excellent task to test the legs of this scope.
One of the benefits of using this rifle, is that I have some very established drop data. This allows close evaluation of the scope compared to others I’ve also used.
Vector Optics uses Schott lenses from Germany, which is likely responsible for the impressive clarity. Looking at small animals and other details even at long-distances gave very definitive identification. As well as spotting impacts, things like dirt flying and bullet splash were quickly identified through the scope.
Across the broad magnification range, the scope kept its clean image. As is typical, at maximum magnification the brightness of the scope is reduced somewhat. I have experienced this phenomenon with almost every scope I’ve used, it’s normal and simply something to be aware of. The beauty of these higher magnification scopes is that if you run them at slightly less than maximum power, they look fantastic and still have adequate zoom.
the magnification adjustment ring is smooth, with a 180 degree turn
I also noticed another anomaly that I have seen on some scopes; When using a canted scope base for long-range shooting, the scope’s erector is typically moved closer to its limit of travel. At the low end of the magnification spectrum, this can sometimes result in a crescent shaped shadow appearing along the top of the image. So far as I can tell it has no effect on performance, and isn’t visible when you zoom the scope in even a little bit.
installing the CR2032 lithium battery
Parallax Adjustment
Removing parallax from the image is done using the side focus turret. It is labeled for various distances and as usual they are more of a guide than an exact amount. I did notice that parallax balance was easy to achieve at nearly any distance I tried. This is an important feature for any rifle scope used for long-range shooting, if you are curious about why you should read all you need to know about parallax.
Turret Function & Tracking
One of my favorite features of the Continental scopes is the turrets. The turrets have ten MRAD of elevation per rotation, and are labeled with whole and 1/10 graduations. The turrets are locked using a push/pull feature, when pushed down they snap into a locked position. Pulling them up unlocked them allowing adjustments to be made.
Once the zero-stop feature had been engaged, the turret has a hard stop at zero. This allows you to dial your scope back to zero without even looking at it. The audible clicks also allow you to make small adjustments by simply feeling each click or hearing them.
the push/pull locking system is crisp and solid. The elevation turret is marked with numbers for three rotations.
After zeroing my rifle and setting the zero-stop, I found the Continental still had a total of nearly two-and-a-half turns of elevation. That is 28.5 MRAD of elevation, which is plenty for most long-range shooting scenarios. This is also in part because of my 30 MOA canted scope base.
Testing the values of the turret clicks closely matched the amounts measured with the reticle. Additionally, the known shooting DOPE for the cartridges I was shooting matched up in the Continental.
Reticle
Speaking on the reticle; the VEC-MBR2 reticle has a great deal of features. It uses what many have called a Christmas tree shape, because of the familiar shape of the holdover grid. While I am not as big a fan as other of this type of reticle, I can surely see its utility. With the ability to quickly hold-over your target, or measure corrections easily, this reticle gives you options. With a ranging bracket and several open spots with tiny center-dots it gives you precision where you want it.
Pros and Cons
There is a lot to like about this scope. If the bright imagery and clarity aren’t enough to get you excited, then robust turrets and their function should. This scope envelops most if not all of the popular features for long-range shooting and it still comes in well under the $1000 price point. With great included accessories and all these features the Vector Continental 6-36×56 is a great deal. And they come with a great repair or replace warranty that matches the standard for quality optics.
If there is a downside to these scopes, I suppose many would say it is it’s source. As Americans we like to buy products from our fellow compatriots, or at a minimum from our friendly allies. Vector Optics come from China, which might be reason enough not to buy them for some. If you don’t mind the spawn-point, you will find an affordable option with excellent performance. After months of use and comparing the scope to others like Kahles and Nightforce, the optical quality isn’t quite as good. But that is no surprise considering those optics cost four or five times more.
Concluding Thoughts
I have been very happy with this line of riflescopes, and I expect to keep them busy for years to come. It is very impressive how much value you get from these scopes, and it definitely has shown how the Asian optics manufacturers have upped their game. Had I not known where these scopes came from, and if they’d had the branding of a European scope, I might have believed they came from Germany or something. So if you have filet mignon taste, but a bowl of rice budget, you might find these scopes fit right into your shooting plans.
There are few bigger names in the holster business than Safariland. I was told by a friend years ago that its hard to go wrong with one of their holsters, after years and several holsters later I echo his opinion. Today I am bringing you something a little different, as most of my holsters are OWB style. Today we are looking at the Safariland Incog X IWB holster for concealed carry.
The Incog X holster is available in a variety of options. With four different color options with it’s Cordura wrap, and you can order it with or without the magazine caddy. Another option is right or left handed draw, for those who carry on the wrong side. You can of course choose between various popular weapon light compatibility, as well as pistol optic cuts. These varying options can change the price from $100 to $132.
Setup and Assembly
Opening the package, I found the typical Safariland presentation. The holster and side-car came with a plastic baggy with additional fasteners and other small parts. The holster can be used with ot without the side-car (magazine caddy), the extra screws are for different configurations.
As well there are different sized spacers to install on the concealment strut, the polymer extension on one end to enhance concealment. You can change the thickness of the strut spacer to engage with your belt, causing the ride of the holster to hug your body.
The belt loop clips allow for various belt sizes. And the mounting holes are slotted so you can adjust the ride-height. There are two screws accented by a red washers, one on the holster itself and one on the side-car. The red washer identifies it as the tension screw, which you can tighten or loosen to set holster retention to your taste.
The back side of the Incog X holster has a comfortable microfiber suede soft lining. This makes it less abrasive where it contacts your body and waistline. As maximizing comfort is important when carrying.
Concealed Carry with the Incog X Holster
IWB holsters definitely favor the slimmer folks out there. If you’ve got a bit of extra tummy, it can make these style of holster a little less comfortable. With that said, I was happy with how well the Incog X holster fit me, despite my dad-bod. I definitely wasn’t going to be able to sit down with it in the appendix position though.
As you can tell, this is not me in the picture. You can see how a trim person can easily tuck this whole combination
It was impressive how well my gun hid under a simple t-shirt when I did carry it appendix. I thought for sure my abdominal profile would have pushed the pistol print out more than it did.
you can see on this trim model, there is some printing. Oddly enough having a dad-bod helped cover up the print
The security of my pistol was outstanding in the Incog X holster. I typically carry on the back of my hip, it was pleasing to have this comfort and control using this holster. And having the side-car with an extra mag was icing on the cake, as I don’t always carry an extra mag when I carry.
I also used the PSA Dagger pistol during testing, it fit perfectly as well
Adjusting the tension on the holster pocket was easy, I was actually surprised at how much tension could be added. To the point of making it irritatingly secure. After a few tries I found a good level of retention, as well as the correct ride height and fit.
I tried various Glock style pistols in the Incog X, mainly my Ruger RXM, and a PSA Dagger compact. Both are G19 size pistols, and compatibility with all of them seemed great.
the side-car magazine caddy is convenient and sturdy
Pros and Cons
The negative aspects of the Incog X holster are much like other IWB holsters. Meaning that its application greatly depends on the build of the person wearing it. In my opinion, if you are a chubby fellow it might be a little more challenging to use.
On the plus side, the holster offers great comfort and portability of your CCW pistol. It keeps it secure and close, for those times when you might need it. High quality fasteners and materials come pretty standard with safariland products. The Incog X comes with all the things that has made Safariland product so desirable.
Last Words
With so many great options out there, you definitely have choices. The Safariland Incog X holster is certainly a good option in my opinion. It brings high quality and compatibility and to be honest a handsome look to your CCW holster. You owe it to yourself to give these holsters a look if you are shopping for one.
Precision rimfire rifles are possibly the most fun you can have outside the house, and they are getting better. I kinda skipped the rimfire rifles in my younger years when most people get good with them. Circling back to rimfire as an adult when you have adult money is more fun anyways. Today I am doing exactly that, and I look forward to sharing the experience with you. Today’s subject is the Savage B17 Precision rifle, a bolt-action .17 HMR in an MDT chassis from the factory.
I’ve played with these Savage rimfire rifles before, and when coupled with a good chassis and scope I was excited for some great results. I was expecting a squirrel-sniper, the next few days would show if I’d garner my quarry for stew.
The Savage B17 Precision
The B Series Precision rifles uses Savage’s unique rimfire action, unique in that the cocking piece rides in the bold-handle raceway. This results in a slightly longer action than some other models. I’ve always preferred the cleaner design that mimics centerfire actions, but this little Savage might change my mind.
The B series uses the very popular Accutrigger from Savage, something I again never cared for aesthetically but have no real problem with. On top of the action, you’ll find an included picatinny scope rail for easy mounting.
The rifle feeds from a curious polymer 10-round rotary magazine. The curious design uses a spring-tensioned rotor with cutouts for each round. The magazine has a spring loaded retention-clip at one end and is canted into the chassis to seat the mag. It is an interesting design, and I looked forward to putting it into action.
The MDT chassis definitely sets this rifle apart from its competition, MDT is one of the biggest names in chassis-guns and competition rifles. Bringing their engineering expertise to this little rimfire rifle could be a match made in heaven. With an adjustable buttstock and cheek-rest, you can make this rifle fit most shooters. The rigid chassis also has M-Lok slots up front for adding any of your favorite accessories.
Specifications
Savage B17 Precision
Caliber
17 HMR
Length
36.6 Inches
Weight
7.3 Pounds
Trigger
1.5-4 Pound Adjustable Accutrigger
Chassis
One-Piece Aluminum MDT
Length of Pull
12.75-13.75 Inches
Magazine
Detachable Rotary 10-round Polymer
Barrel Length
18-Inches
Barrel Twist Rate
1:9 Inches
Muzzle Threads
½-28 with thread protector
Finish
Black Matte
MSRP
$679
Range Ready
Prior to shooting, this little rifle would need a good scope. I happened to have a brand new Bushnell R5 6-18x50 which would make a great choice for the little rifle. The illuminated DOA-LRH800 reticle would allow a great many holdover points for the little .17 HMR cartridge. I mounted the scope using a one-inch scope mount, which might have been a touch high. But the adjustable comb of the rifle made short work of that issue.
I’d also add a couple other accessories, first would be a Harris bipod. I would be doing a lot of supported shooting, and its hard to beat a bipod for for that purpose. The last thing would be a suppressor, and for that I chose the SilencerCo Spectre II. It would take the M out of the HMR and make it a little more pleasant to shoot.
On the Range with the Savage B17
My initial trip with the Savage B17 would be to my local range. I’d brought along everything to get the rifle zeroed and tested, what I needed more of was self control due to range squirrels.
we also used the B17 for a prairie dog shoot, it was very effective
I sat down on the bench and started loading the curious magazines. Ten-rounds at a time would be fine for the kind of shooting I do. I boresighted the rifle to get it as close as possible to zero before shooting a shot. After making a correction or two, the rifle was shooting right where I aimed. I tested all three ammunition types, and it seemed the one that shot the best was the original Hornady 17 grain V-max.
Into the Rockies
After getting very comfortable with the B17, it was time to take it into my Rocky Mountain haunt to do some field shooting. And with any luck, get those squirrels that the .17 is just perfect for. Armed to the teeth and with my squirrel hound at my heels, we pursued the distant chirps of our prey.
I laid behind the rifle, the sharp sticks and grass of the parched summer ground dug into my skin. But that’s just part of the game, I watched through the bright Bushnell scope as an adult grey squirrel popped her head above the edge of a rock. The 103 yard distance and some switchy winds might make for a little challenge, but I was ready for it.
I’d zeroed the rifle at one-hundred yards, so I simply held a little bit into the wind coming up the canyon. With the reticle dot level with my target’s nose, I began pressing the trigger. The shot broke just like hundreds before it, perfectly clean release and the rifle barely moved as I focused through the scope. I watched as the bullet impacted the squirrel right through the nut processor and some hair and other material scattered in the breeze. It was simply too much fun not to repeat the process over and over.
The balance and feel of this rifle was fantastic in field shooting. I am used to heavier guns so the seven plus pounds felt light to me. Watching impacts through the scope as this rifle churned through ammo was as close to childhood bliss as I can imagine.
As my love affair with pistols has matured, it has been commensurate that holsters have become a bigger and bigger part of my inventory. There are so many different options out there it can often be hard to choose. I’ve become a bit of a fan of Safariland holsters, the style and quality fit my taste and needs. Perhaps knowing I am a fan, Safariland sent me one of their new Gravity holsters. Today I aim to share with you my experience with it.
The Gravity holster is a paddle style holster, using a polymer paddle as an anchor point underneath your belt. Like other paddle holsters, the Gravity can be put into place or removed without the need to remove or even loosen your belt.
There is a flexible hook feature to keep the holster affixed to your waistline during the draw. Removing the holster requires flexing the holster away from the paddle to allow the retension hook to pass the belt.
Like most Safariland holster, the Gravity is made from a polymer blend molded to fit your pistol. In this case a Glock 19 pattern that will fit a variety of my handguns. The holster pocket can be adjusted for tension by a clamping screw backed by a rubber stopper. Inside the pocket, you will find a suede liner to protect your pistol from rubbing on the steel fasteners. And on the exterior you will find the traditional Safariland Cordura wrapping, in whatever pattern you choose.
Wearing the Safariland Gravity Holster
The Gravity holster rides outside your belt, meaning you are either open carrying or covering it with a shirt or jacket. Due to my daily program I often carry openly, or at least with no concern for concealment. This allowed me to put the Gravity through vigorous daily use; driving in the truck, sitting in my office, walking around a busy shop, etc.
For the most part I used my Ruger RXM for the daily carry in the Safariland Gravity holster. The fit was perfect, and allowed excellent draw access which I often practice during my day. While you can carry the Gravity holster in various locations, the most obvious and comfortable for me was at the back of my right hip.
Adjusting the cant of the holster to best fit my draw angle was easy, using the provided Allen wrench. I had ordered the Gravity cut for pistol optics because that how I roll now. My RXM and several other G19 pattern clones fit and functioned great. There is no mechanical retention other than the squeeze of the polymer and tension screw, so keep that in mind.
Safariland Gravity Holster Features
Adjustable Cant
Fully covered trigger guard
Adjustable tension allows for customized draw resistance
Front sight clearance 13/32” (0.406”)
Accommodates any Safariland 3-hole pattern holster mount
Fits belt widths up to 1.75” (45mm)
IDPA and USPSA approved
Pros and Cons
I carried my pistols for the better part of two months using the Gravity, and have come up with what i think are some fair assessments. Having the ability to quickly put on and take off the holster was one of my favorite features. I did find that I frequently did have a bit of a challenge getting the hook over my belt and pants. While this might make for comedic gold when watched from a safe hearing distance, it was a touch irritating. However I would much rather it be secure and solid when attached with a little effort to remove, than to have it come off too easy. I also noticed that when wearing a shirt, there is the classic problem of getting shirt jammed into the holster when re-holstering. This is simply a part of concealed carry, and something you need to be aware of.
OWB holsters are far more prone to printing, which this one certainly could be depending on my fashion sense any particular day. But again, these are things you just deal with as a CCW enthusiast. It appears at printing that the Gravity is only available for right-hand draw, and I didn’t see a weaponlight option either.
Carrying a concealed weapon can involve a lot of compromises, and I think the Gravity Holster does a fine job of giving folks options. I’m a member of the clean plate guild, which means IWB holsters are often uncomfortable. The Gravity gives a very secure alternative that doesn’t require wearing a Mu’umu’u. It keeps my pistol right where I expect it to be, and has the adjustability to customize. It can even be mounted using the Safariland QLS system which I am also a big fan. All this in a holster that looks sharp and comes from a company with great service history.
Conclusion
I have enjoyed using the Gravity Holster the past few months, and I expect I will continue to enjoy it for years to come. Handguns and their holsters have become to me like my wife’s shoes. I often select a holster and firearm based on the days activities and wardrobe, having the Gravity holster is another excellent tool to have on my belt when carrying.
