My Favorite 9mm Compact Pistols for Carry

July 26, 2026blog, pistolsCz, dagger, glock, glock 19, glock 43, M*P, P10, P365, psa, ruger, rxm, s&w, shieldcoldboremiracle

Purpose

Nine millimeter handguns have completely dominated much of the concealed carry market. That’s not to say there aren’t other great options, but 9mm seems to be what people are navigating towards. My blue-collar experience with firearms has taught me the value of a good CCW pistol that doesn’t leave you strapped for cash. Today I wanted to go over a handful of my favorite 9mm compact pistols for carry that I think are worth your consideration. Not everyone can afford to carry a CZ Shadow Compact or some wiz-bang H&K, so I tend to look at guns that I would buy or recommend to family and friends.

1791 Gunleather Ultra custom holster, PSA dagger, 9mm, ccw, concealed carry, drawing a pistol from a concealed holster, — picking a good holster is almost as important as picking the right gun, check out some of our holster reviews here

Seeking CCW Balance

When purchasing anything including guns, there is always a fine line to walk between what you want and what you can afford. When looking at CCW pistols there is yet another fine line to walk; size and weight vs. capacity. You can always find a smaller gun that is easier and more comfortable to conceal, but usually with lower ammunition capacity or diminished ballistic performance.

smith and wesson, smith & wesson, shield, shield plus, 9mm, ccw, carry pistol, draw, drawing a compact pistol from a concealed holster, — Once you decide on a CCW pistol, get really comfortable using it, practice often

As we go over CCW pistol options, we will inevitably be going back and forth between these two extremes. Trying to find balance between what we can afford, what we can comfortably tuck into a belt, without loosing enough capacity. Capacity of course being paramount in a defensive shooting situation, and always on your mind when selecting a pistol.

The Gold Standard

If you ask the question about whats the best 9mm compact, your going to hear the word Glock quite a bit. And there are good reasons for it, Glock makes several good compact pistols with years of solid performance. Does that make it the best option? Maybe not, but they are certainly worth looking at.

Glock 47 9mm, glock, glock 47, 9mm, g47,

Probably the best compact option from the Austrian manufacturer would be either the Glock 19 of one flavor or another, or the slimmer Glock 43. Both are compact models, but the G19 is more like a service sized compact. Whereas the G43 is more about overall concealment. Tucking the G43 is easier because of its slim design, though this comes at the cost of capacity being limited to 6-8 rounds.

glock, glock 43, 9mm, ccw, compact, vortex, vortex defender, red dot, holding pistol down to the side, — the Glock 43 MOS with the **Vortex Defender red dot** makes a very small CCW

The G19 on the other hand can easily handle 15-rounds before adding +1 or 2 floor plates. And with its slightly larger frame the G19 is a great shooting platform. The popularity of these two pistols has created a massive aftermarket support, giving countless options for accessories like holsters, weapon lights, sights and more. I prefer the G19 myself of these two, mainly because of the capacity thing.

Alchemist Clones

Manufacturing the gold standard from something less is a bit like ancient alchemy. The Glock clone market has exploded in recent years, giving countless additional variations of the famous Glock design. Not only do many of them compete well with the original, but they do it for the same or lower price.

PSA Dagger

psa, palmetto state armory, dagger, dagger pistol, 9mm, glock clone,

Starting at the bottom of the heap, PSA’s Dagger pistol has exploded in popularity. Available as a compact or subcompact, the Dagger is similar enough to the G19 to use nearly its entire aftermarket support. I’ve used a Dagger extensively and find them to be very affordable without giving up capacity or shootability. Some would argue their reliability, but in my experience they are a great buy for often under $300. To see our in-depth review of the Dagger click here.

Ruger RXM

Ruger’s RXM is actually a joint project with Magpul, and with two names like that you should be able to expect a good product. The RXM is a very close clone of the G19 again, but it hides an ability to change its stripes. With its modular frame you can swap between different sized frames creating your own version of a G19, 17, or 47. Or anything in between. The RXM gives great reliability while enjoying the same aftermarket support as the Glock pistols it mimics. I have carried the RXM extensively, and quite like its performance and fit. To see our in-depth review of the RXM click here.

MR920

Shadow System’s MR920 is another copy of the G19. But instead of just copying the Glock pattern, Shadow Systems intended to improve upon it. Trying to improve both the performance and aesthetics, the MR920 looks as good as it shoots.

And adding to the value, the company also offers a variety of different barrel options and other features allowing you to customize your carry pistol. Allowing optical sights and threaded barrels gives you more dexterity.

The Not Glocks

Other manufacturers have also presented their own popular pistol designs for the CCW market. For the most part they are all very similar to Glocks striker fired polymer frame design. After all, if the design works, why not run with it.

CZ P10S

The CZ P10S is a compact pistol that offers 12+1 capacity in a small optics ready pistol. I was very impressed with the performance of this pistol, and especially for the price. It can occasionally be had on PSA for under $400, which is a great deal considering its performance and heritage. The P10’s widespread use by civilians, law enforcement and some militaries give confidence that its design is both robust and here to stay. My only gripe with it is the need to buy an optics adaptor plate to run a red dot. To see our in-depth review of the CZ P10S click here.

Canik Mete MC9

Canik’s MC9 on the other hand, comes with its own selection of optics mounting plates for a variety of options. As well as different grip options, and a 15+1 capacity, all this for under $400 at times depending on configuration.

The MC9 brings its own style and design, while keeping with the design that has made all these pistols successful. It fits well in the hand, keeping just enough grip available to not feel undersized and still being compact enough to tuck. It shoots great and looks good at the same time, giving an affordable great performance. To see our in-depth review of the Canik METE MC9 click here.

Smith & Wesson Shield

The family of Smith & Wesson Shield pistols has a great variety of compact and comfortable carry pistols. I’ve carried the M&P Shield Plus a bit, and was very impressed with how slim it is, and how well it shoots with its ported barrel. Of course with such a small pistol you are going to give up some capacity. But this might be one of those I would choose for maximum concealment even at the cost of capacity.

Smith and wesson, smith & wesson, M&P, shield, 9mm, shield plus, ccw, carry, pistol,

There also seems to be a great variety in configurations and cost. Which gives you quite a few options to customize your carry. These pistols have great sights, and some direct mount red dot options. As well as manual safeties or not depending on what you want, all of these options can be used to enhance your daily carry. To see our in-depth review of the M&P Shield Plus click here.

Sig Sauer P365

We cant forget to include the P365 from Sig Sauer, a compact pistol built specifically for carrying. The P365 brings full-size capacity to a very small pistol, perhaps not quite as small as the G43 but almost.

sig sauer, sig p365, p365, xmacro, comp, compensator, compact, ccw, 9mm, holosun, 407k, streamlight TLr7, looking head on the shooter, — the Sig Sauer P365 XMacro Comp is a great pistol with both capacity and small footprint

The 17-round magazines fill almost the entirety of the grip, and yet they still managed to make an interchangeable backstrap to customize the fit. One of the great features of the P365 is that its not a P320… (pause for laughter). But seriously, it has an incredible spread of options including compensated barrels, and various other configurations. Too many to list here, but worth looking into. And even with so many options the P365 is not horribly expensive.

Much like the Hellcat coming next, the P365 really blurs the lines between compact pistols and big capacity. With reliable function, good trigger, and every option a CCW student could ask for.

Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro

Springfield Armory’s Hellcat Pro came to as an incredible value. It is impressively small considering its capacity. Like the P365 it seems to best combat the size/capacity balance for compact pistols. With 15 and 17-round magazine options, the Hellcat Pro brings near full-size capacity to a very small pistol. The only way I approve of increasing weight of a CCW pistol is by adding more ammo to it.

The Hellcat Pro brings a lot of firepower to a small pistol with good sights and an optics ready pistol. Smaller pistols often are a touch spicier and snappy, so be sure to try them first. And if you are one who likes manual safeties, the Hellcat has that option as well. Rounded out with a decent trigger and accessory rail, you could really do well with a Hellcat. To see our in-depth review of the SA Hellcat Pro click here.

How to Select Your Own CCW Pistol

Having evaluated all the options out there, you need to decide on your budget. As that will dictate which of the options are available to you. Once you’ve created a list of pistol options within your budget, you can start looking. A good fit for a pistol, is one that lines up as close as possible with your natural point. I love a gun that is already pointed at my target when I present it without even focusing hard. Some are better than others depending on your grip, so I would try various options before buying.

Safariland, safariland incog x, holster, iwb, owb, ccw, glock 19, ruger RXM, vortex defender, magpul, — Make sure you get a good holster for your pistol like this **Safariland IncogX**

After doing that, you can also see which of the options best aligns with your choice of accessories. What holster and sight options are available for it, and how you would prefer that selection went. And by the time you have evaluated all of these things, there should be at least a couple good stand-out options for you to choose from.

Concluding Thoughts

Hopefully you have found a few pieces of valuable information here. And armed with a little more information you are better suited to pick the best option for your protection. Remember that if you intend on defending life with a CCW weapon, its probably worth spending as much as you can afford for reliability.

Nearly any of the pistols mentioned here today would fit into one of my carry needs. And I would be happy carrying any one of them on any given day. Feel free to make your own recommendations in the comments below.

-CBM

Check out more pistol reviews here

Nightstick TWM-30-GL Weaponlight

July 24, 2026Ancillary gear, Product reviewLaser, light laser, nightstick, twm-30-gl, weaponlightcoldboremiracle

Illumination

Weapon lights are a recent development in firearms accessories. Once flashlight technology reached the ability to put high lumen power in something small enough to attach to a firearm, the stage was set. A natural combination of bringing light to your aim point was a guaranteed win for gun owners. Allowing defensive shooting in dark places to broaden your defense. Today we are looking at another weapon light option from the Nightstick company. This model is the Nightstick TWM-30-GL, which combines a 1200 lumen LED emitter with a visible green laser.

These two features together give you a bright beam of light on your target, coupled with a laser point to aid in aiming. We’ll put this weapon light under scrutiny to see just how it can enhance your shooting experience.

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interchangeable recoil lugs make customizing the fit on your pistol

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

the TWM-30-GL has a similar profile to the Surefire X300, and will fit most of the same places

zeroing the laser is done using an Allen wrench

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

the TWM-30-GL fit nicely in my **Safariland holsters** made for the X300

The **Taurus TX9** also made a good host for the Nightstick

Specifications

Flashlight Lumens: 1200
Multi-Function: Yes
High Lumens: 1200
Low Lumens: 1200
High Beam Distance (m): 218
High Candela: 11920
Drop Rating: 2 m
Water Rating: IP-67 Dustproof/Waterproof
High Runtime (h): 2.0
Strobe: Yes
Laser Color: Green
Light Source: LED
Serialized: Y
Case Material: 6061-T6 Aluminum
Body Color: Black
Quantity of Batteries: 2
Power Source: CR123
Package Contents: Light, 3 cross-rail inserts, 2 cross-rail mounting cap head screws, Allen wrench, 2 CR123 Lithium batteries
US Patent(s) : 9713217
Warranty: Limited Lifetime Warranty

Dimensions

Length: 3.9 in (98 mm)
Width: 1.5 in (38 mm)
Depth: 1.5 in (38 mm)
Weight: 5.6 oz (159 g)
Head Diameter: 1.2 in (30 mm)

Ruger American Gen 2 versus Howa Mini: A Tale of Two ARC’s

July 22, 2026blog6 ARC, 6mm ARC, american, american rifle, gen 2, gen II, howa, howa 1500, howa mini, legacy sports internations, m1500, mini action, ruger, ruger americancoldboremiracle

Purpose

As the popularity of the 6mm Advanced Rifle Cartridge (6 ARC) continues to grow, there are more and more firearms chambered in the cartridge. Two popular rifles that carry the 6 ARC chambering (among many others) are the Ruger American and the Howa Mini action rifles. Both are very popular and well built rifles, and today we will be putting the rifles side by side to see how they compare. These are the hard things I do for you, so that you can decide which one better suits your needs. Ruger American Gen 2 versus Howa Mini is a direct comparison of the two rifles, not just as 6 ARC rifles, but as platforms themselves. Both rifles are available in a huge variety of configurations and calibers, but since these two are almost direct comparisons it is a good place to take a look.

ruger, sturm ruger, ruger american, american rifle, gen 2, gen II, 6mm ARC, 6 ARC, YHM, Turbo 5.56, suppressor, turbo t2, Lucid Optics, MLX, Amend 2, shooting supported from tripod in the mountains, — most of my shooting with the Ruger American has bee using the **Banish Meateater suppressor**

Specifications

Lets start out with a direct comparison of some of the features. The Ruger is a newer design that incorporates many of the newest stylings and manufacturing techniques. While the Howa is a more traditional design, incorporating many of the best features learned from building rifles over the last fifty-years. Despite some of the differences they are still quite similar.

	Ruger American 6ARC	Howa Mini 6ARC
Barrel length	20-inch	20-Inch
Barrel Twist	1:7.7-inches	1:7.5-Inches
Capacity	10-Rounds (factory)	5-Rounds (factory)
Weight	6.5 Lbs	6.6 Lbs
Magazine System	AR-15 Style	Proprietary
Action Type	Three-lug Rotary bolt-action	Two-lug Rotary bolt-action
Extractor Type	Sliding Plate Extractor	M-16 Style Claw
Bolt Construction	One-piece Machined	One-piece Forged
Bolt Knob	5/16-24 interchangeable	Solid
Safety	3-position plus blade safety	3-position
Trigger	Adjustable single stage	Adjustable two-stage
Stock	Configurable Polymer	One-piece Polymer
Bedding System	Power Bedding V-block	Pillar-bedded
Muzzle Device	Radial Muzzle Brake ⅝-24	Thread Protector ⅝-24
Scope Mounting system	Proprietary Rail Included	2-Piece R700 Compatible
Overall Length	41.25-Inches	39.5-Inches
Length of Pull	12-13.75-inches	13.5-Inches
Finish	Cerakote	Matte Bluing

Howa Mini

The Howa Mini is a scaled down version of their popular M1500 short-action, the Mini version made to handle the smallest centerfire cartridge families. Basically cartridges that are made for an AR15 sized action like the .223 Remington, 300Blk, 350 Legend, the 6.5 Grendel and of course the 6 ARC seen here.

The Mini is fed from a proprietary magazine made by Howa, it is a polymer 5-round that hangs out the bottom of the stock. Releasing the magazine is done with a button at the front of the magwell, while capturing the magazine in your palm.

With its two-stage trigger, the Mini gives excellent control for the shooter when breaking the shot. Its three-position safety has a safe, safe load/unload, and a firing position. All this mounted via pillars in the hard molded stock.

Ruger American

The Ruger American also has some scaled down features, but its action remains the same as other short-action Americans. Ruger designed the American to be mass produced, using similar parts for as many models as possible. The magazine well of the stock is interchangeable, meaning you can simply swap it out for a different sized cartridge.

Additionally, the American stock incorporates the Power Bedding V-block system that directly mates with the action. And the stock can be configured depending on the shooter, with a separate removable spacer system to shorten length of pull. You can also order different comb-height spacers to get the best eye position behind the scope.

The American’s Marksman trigger is easily adjustable, and it also has a three-position safety just like the Howa. The difference is the American is tang mounted compared to the Howa’s right side of the tang location.

If you want to go to an aftermarket trigger, Rifle Basics makes one for the MIni and there are several options for the Ruger including a Timney and Jard Triggers.

ruger, sturm ruger, ruger american, american rifle, gen 2, gen II, 6mm ARC, 6 ARC, magazine, magwell, magazine adaptor, disassembly, — the Ruger uses an **AR15 style 6 ARC magazine**

Using a three-lug bolt on the American shortened the bolt lift for the rifle, making it fast to operate. The Ruger bolt is timed by its bolt-stop that also acts like a key, keeping the bolt stroking inline. As compared to the Mini that uses the bolt lugs against the bolt raceway for timing.

ruger, sturm ruger, ruger american, american rifle, gen 2, gen II, 6mm ARC, 6 ARC, action and trigger, boltface detail, — here you can see some of the inner workings of the American

The sliding Plate extractor of the Ruger snaps around rims of cartridges, and a plunger style ejector throws them out of the action when the bolt is opened. The M16 claw style extractor of the Mini has more leverage as it bites into the rim, but uses the same plunger style ejector.

ruger, sturm ruger, ruger american, american rifle, gen 2, gen II, 6mm ARC, 6 ARC, YHM, Turbo 5.56, suppressor, turbo t2, Lucid Optics, MLX, shooting from a tripod in the mountains, — Shooting the Ruger from my **Two Vets carbon fiber tripod**

On The Firing Line

I have shot both of these rifles extensively over the past few years, and both of them serve a great purpose in this caliber. Whether it be for hunting varmints or even lighter big game animals, both of these rifles would be an excellent choice. I have had the Howa Mini longer, so don’t be surprised that I have a little more insight on the rifle.

A fine selection of ammo from **Hornady**

Accuracy

On my first trip to the range with the rifles, I got a fairly similar result from both. I would shoot a couple of the production ammunition options from Hornady. The 105gr Black ammo, the 108gr Match ammo, as well as a few other handloaded options. Neither of them was super impressive with the factory ammunition choices, with the Howa averaging around MOA, and the Ruger as well. But once I switched over to my handloaded 105gr loads, things changed. Both of the rifles quickly tightened up with the new source, shooting well under MOA.

Feeding

Cycling the actions while on a bench at the range, I found out a lot about the magazine systems. The Ruger American uses AR15 magazines, which are metal. And though they feed fine, they are a little more sticky than the polymer lips of the Howa magazine. So both rifles fed without issue, but the Howa had a slightly smoother feel to it.

ruger, sturm ruger, ruger american, american rifle, gen 2, gen II, 6mm ARC, 6 ARC, YHM, Turbo 5.56, suppressor, turbo t2, Lucid Optics, MLX, bolt manipulation, — the Ruger American wears a **Lucid Optics 4.5-18×44 rifle scope**

Magazines

Conversely, the Howa magazine had its own detriments. For example, they aren’t particularly expensive and it shows. They work great but I’d be afraid that if I stepped on it they would break for sure. I’d love it if they were a bit more robust, and being as they are only five-round magazines, it seems like they should be shorter. Maybe not flush with the stock but at least less obtrusive than they are. Duramag makes a near flush fitting magazine specifically for the American you can see here.

the original setup for the Howa included the **Nikko Sterling scope** and **YHM R9 suppressor**

Triggers

Triggers on both rifles were great considering these rifles prices. I will readily admit that I did adjust both of them a little to improve the feel. But even in their stock configuration they feel fine. I love a good good 2-stage trigger, and the Mini’s 2-stage feels great to me.

If I had to pick, I like it a touch more than the American trigger. I also hate trigger blade safeties, I used to take them off my old Savage rifles back when I had them. Even so, the American trigger is perfectly fine. And after I adjusted it slightly I liked it even more, to the point I completely forgot about the the blade safety.

ruger, sturm ruger, ruger american, american rifle, gen 2, gen II, 6mm ARC, 6 ARC, YHM, Turbo 5.56, suppressor, turbo t2, Lucid Optics, MLX, Amend 2, — the mag release on the Ruger is a little bit of a reach for the trigger finger

Bolt Lift & Stroke

The shorter bolt-lift of the American seems preferable, and yet when doing most of my shooting I hardly noticed the difference. Its almost like you only notice it when you focus on it. This also depends on the rifle scope used with the rifle. If you put a large riflescope on either of these rifles, the shorter lift of the Ruger is less likely to cause occlusions with bolt or fingers when operating it. Whereas on the Howa, the bolt is much closer to the scope because of its longer lift.

howa, howa mini, 6 arc, 6mm arc, shooting prone — the Howa Mini has had the same **US Optics** scope on it for a few years now

Aftermarket

Support from the aftermarket is a big deal these days, and for that topic the Ruger wins. The American rifle has a host of aftermarket supporters making everything from triggers to bolt-knobs and chassis. While the Mini also has some support, it seems less prolific which makes sense. The Ruger American has been around longer, and Ruger is a massive stalwart in the industry. Howa is a lesser known brand, with perhaps a more traditional following that might be less likely to customize their rifle. That is of course changing nowadays.

Report Card

Instead of a typical pros and cons, I am choosing to give these two rifle a grade as compared to the other. To clarify, this report card is a direct comparison between only these two rifles. As they compare to each other, not against anything else which could be a big difference.

	Ruger American 6ARC	Howa Mini 6ARC
Accuracy	A-	A-
Shootability	A-	B+
Reliability	A	A
Ergonomics	A	B+
Value	B+	A-
Production Quality	A-	A-
Finish	A	B
Aftermarket Support	A	B+
Trigger Quality	A-	A
Action feel	B+	B+
Magazine System	B+	B+
Barrel Features	A	B+
Stock Configuration	A	B
Stock Feel	B+	A-
Average Grade	A-	B+

I was actually surprised myself when I looked at the report card between the two. Because I wouldn’t have thought there would be as much disparity even in my own findings. A great deal of the difference comes from the Ruger’s modularity and aftermarket support, which can be very subjective. As I mentioned I have more time with the Mini, and perhaps thats why I like it so much and defend its virtues.

howa, howa mini, 6 arc, 6mm ARC, deer hunting, mule deer, suppressed hunting, woman posing with a mule deer — the Howa Mini has been my wife’s hunting rifle for years now, you can read about it here

My Verdict

As you can tell by now, I like both of these rifles. I suggest that you go with whichever of the two you find more in line with your needs. For some it might just come down to brand preference. Both of them are capable of good accuracy, and both of them can be had in calibers other than 6 ARC as well. I myself suffer from terminal poly-gunism, and therefore cannot bring myself to eliminate a gun from my collection without at least a moderate disliking. Something neither of these rifles inspire in me.

Hopefully I have shed some additional light on these two rifles, enough to allow you to better choose one for yourself. Feel free to drop a comment or question, I’ll be happy to answer them.

-CBM

If you’d like to see both of these rifle reviewed individually, you can see them here:

Howa Mini 6 ARC

Ruger American 6 ARC

A New Classic: The Mueller Optics 8-32×44

July 20, 2026Optics, Product review8-32x44, mueller, mueller optics, rifle scope, scope, tacticalcoldboremiracle

Introduction

If you’ve been in the precision shooting game for a long time, you probably remember the old days when we dreamed about having something as simple as a scope with matching turrets and reticle. I remember wanting to build a custom long-range rifle, and put a true long-range scope on it. Today we are taking a look at a scope that embraces that traditional design. The Mueller Optics 8-32×44 tactical rifle scope with side focus matches what I wished for. Today we are going to see how this scope stacks up against its contemporary challengers.

Mueller Optics 8-32×44

This scope is built on a 30mm tube, using a 44mm objective lens. The slightly smaller objective allows closer mounting which some folks see as an advantage. It uses a four power zoom going from 8x all the way up to 32x. One of the key features of this scope is the side focus which believe it or not was not always as popular. We call them side focus, but that also incorporates parallax adjustment in the same feature. This allows the shooter to clarify the target detail while at the same time removing parallax from the view of the target. This is an important feature needing correction when shooting long-range.

Inside the Mueller 8-32 you will find a traditional MIL-dot reticle. The original “tactical” reticle, a MIL-dot reticle uses mil-radian graduations that the marksman can use for measuring distance, target sizes, as well as corrective movements when shooting at long-range.

mueller optics, mueller, tactical, 8-32x44, side focus, mil dot, mil-dot, reticle, mil-dot reticle against clear sky, — classic MIL-Dot reticle

The reticle is housed in an erector that uses 1/8 MOA turrets. That is a much finer graduation than what most scopes use today. Moving the reticle 1/8 MOA per click gives a total of 7.5 MOA of travel per rotation of the turret.

Fine knurling of the control surfaces make adjusting the scopes controls easy. And a diopter on the occular housing allows for fine reticle focus to give optimal clarity. The scope comes with a bikini cover, and a three-inch sun shade.

mueller optics, mueller, tactical, 8-32x44, side focus, mil dot, mil-dot, CVA, Cascade, cascade sb, turrets, — solid turrets and parallax adjustments made the scope easy to use

Specifications

Eye Relief	4.0″
Length	16.25″
Weight	26.0 oz.
Tube Size	30 mm
Color	Matte Black
Lenses	Fully Multi-Coated
Magnification	8 – 32 × power
Objective	44 mm
F.O.V.	9.3 – 2.5 feet @ 100 yards
Parallax	10 Yrd Min
Click Value	1/8 M.O.A.

I had chosen to mount the scope on a CVA Cascade SB 6.5 Creedmoor. Having used the rifle extensively for testing various scopes, and it would be a good host for this one as well. I attached the scope using a set of Vortex 30mm low rings. Even so the scope was a touch higher than I’d of liked for my cheek weld. So I also installed one of my Triad Tactical stock packs. It allows spacers to be added to increase comb height, and the comfortable fabric feels soft against your face.

mueller optics, mueller, tactical, 8-32x44, side focus, mil dot, mil-dot, CVA, Cascade, cascade sb,

With eye relief set, and scope leveled I torqued down the screws. With the rifle set firmly on my kitchen table, I removed the bolt and did a quick bore-sight job in preparation of the first range trip. Then I grabbed some ammo and the rest of my gear before heading to the firing line.

Continue Reading Here

mueller optics, mueller, tactical, 8-32x44, side focus, mil dot, mil-dot, CVA, Cascade, cascade sb, ammunition, — big thanks to Wideners Shooting Supply for supplying ammunition for this review

mueller optics, mueller, tactical, 8-32x44, side focus, mil dot, mil-dot, CVA, Cascade, cascade sb, adjusting turrets on shooting bench, — Zeroing the turrets after getting the point of impact right

picking out varmints with this scope is easy

I like the all metal construction, no rubber components here

mueller optics, mueller, tactical, 8-32x44, side focus, mil dot, mil-dot, CVA, Cascade, cascade sb, shooting rifle from shooting bench,

A BIG Statement from Performance Center: The Smith & Wesson 500 Revolver

July 18, 2026pistols, Product review460 S&W, 50 caliber, 500 S&W, performance center, revolver, smith & wesson, smith and wesson, X-Framecoldboremiracle

Introduction

Big wheel guns inspire many things in firearm enthusiasts. It might be historical yearning or just a desire for power in your hand. The smooth metallic clicking as a cylinder rolls cartridges into place is a soothing sound. Big revolvers have always been an American custom, and Smith & Wesson has been part of it for more than 170 years. Today we are taking a look at one of the S&W’s masterpieces, the mighty X-frame, built to carry the massive .500 S&W cartridge. The Smith & Wesson Performance Center Model S&W500 7.5-inch pistol is built for shooting its massive cartridges comfortably and accurately.

smith and wesson, x frame, 500S&W, 500, 50 caliber, performance center, loading,

I remember when these pistols and the cartridge came out, there was a bit of a frenzy over such a large cartridge. I don’t know why people seem to get so excited over 50 caliber firearms. It almost seems like there is some kind of dopamine released by saying “fifty-cal”. But the 500 S&W enjoys the very same level of excitement from gun people. I myself have managed to live for many decades without feeling the need to endure such palm punishment. But today on our readers behalf, I intend to shoot the big 500 so you can decide if it’s worth your time.

Finish Reading About the 500 S&W Here

smith and wesson, x frame, 500S&W, 500, 50 caliber, performance center, ammunition, double tap ammunition, — Some of the ammunition tested from **Double Tap Ammo**

smith and wesson, x frame, 500S&W, 500, 50 caliber, performance center, recoil, shooting the 500 S&W in the mountains, — recoil was impressive

smith and wesson, x frame, 500S&W, 500, 50 caliber, performance center, accuracy, target, — here you can see a three-shot group with the Double Tap Ammo (note dual projectiles)

Looking for something smaller? Check out the S&W 44 Magnum

Tokarev TT-12 Pro 12 Gauge Shotgun A First Look at AR-style Shotguns

July 16, 2026Product review, Shooting hardware12 gauge, ar style, shotgun, tokarev, tokarev usa, tt-12, tt-12 procoldboremiracle

Introduction

Years of experience have proven the AR style rifle to be heavily favored by American shooters. So it should come as no surprise that the design has made its way into even the shotgun market. Ergonomics and manual of arms that match your favorite rifle, can be particularly helpful when shooting competitively. Which is exactly what our subject today is about. We are taking a look at the Tokarev TT-12 Pro 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun.

Tokarev USA imports a variety of shotguns from you guessed it… Türkiye (pedantic emphasis added). Imported Turkish shotguns have flooded the us market in recent years. Seemingly endless copies and options are available in Turkey, as their shotgun market is quite robust. That coupled with favorable trade agreements with the United States thriving firearms market are a recipe for a surge in sales.

Finish Reading the Review Here

changing chokes on the TT-12 PRO

TT-12 Pro Specifications

Caliber	12 gauge (2-¾ – 3-inch)
Action	Gas piston operated semi-auto
Sights	Adjustable polymer M4 style over picatinny rail
Magazine Capacity	Comes with 5-round
Barrel Length	18.5- Inch
Choke Style	Benelli®/Mobil
Length	38-inches
Height	9-inches
Width	3-inches
Weight	8.6- pounds

Shooting the TT-12 PRO

After installing the polymer iron sights that came with the gun, I decided to add a red dot as well. I don’t use red dots much with shotguns, but with this one it seemed more fitting. For this purpose I used my Sig Sauer Romeo, it mounts easily to the pic rail and gave a good sight picture. I grabbed a few boxes of target ammo from Federal Champion as well as some from Rio Ammunition. While this shotgun might not seem like a bird hunting gun, I still wanted to grab a case of White Flyer clay targets and hand thrower just to see how we could connect with aerial targets.

lots of controls here, and all ambidextrous

Taking clays out of the sky quickly became common and incredibly fun

inserting and removing the magazine is a bit more intricate

Check out more autoloading shotgun HERE

Long-Range Hunting with the CVA Cascade LRH 25 Creedmoor

July 13, 2026Product review, Shooting hardware25 creedmoor, 25cm, BPI, cascade, conneticut valley arms, cva, long range hunter, LRHcoldboremiracle

Preface

CVA has been making firearms for longer than I’ve been around. I have had the luck to try several different CVA rifles and today I am excited to bring you yet another one. The Cascade line of rifles has quite a few different models, and among them you will find the Long-range Hunter model we are evaluating today. This one even has a bit of a fun twist as its chambered in what many of you might consider a new cartridge. Steep another cup of tea folks because I may wax heavily on this one; the CVA Cascade Long-Range Hunter in 25 Creedmoor.

The CVA Cascade LRH

Connecticut Valley Arms has long made muzzleloaders and other products, but when they came under the roof of BPI Outdoors things blossomed. The CVA Cascade is a bolt-action rifle series that uses a three-lug bolt timed and retained in the receiver by a keyed bolt-stop on the left side.

here you can see the 20 MOA scope rail and the bolt-stop/release

Several other custom action features are also incorporated, such as using popular trigger system like the Remington 700. Additionally the Cascade uses two receiver screws in front of and behind the magwell, in stead of the traditional tang-mounted rear screw. I am no stranger to the Cascade, you can see my other experiences here.

the bolt lift on the Cascade is short and smooth

These features help make the Cascade robust and smooth in its operation. The LRH model of the rifle also comes with a 20 MOA canted scope rail to maximize the elevation adjustment in your chosen riflescope. And in front of the action you will find a high quality barrel from CVA’s sister company Bergara. The muzzle is threaded and crowned with a radial muzzle brake to help reduce recoil.

the fluted 24-inch barrel is threaded 5/8-24 and comes with a thread protector as well

All this is mounted in a synthetic stock with a few features packed in as well. There is an adjustable comb in the buttstock, that can be quickly changed using only a thumbscrew. The length of pull can also be changed by adding or removing a spacer under the recoil pad.

adjusting comb height is quick and easy using the thumbwheel

Feeding the rifle is done using CVA’s proprietary polymer magazine. The magazine fits flush to the bottom of the stock, and is easily removed by pulling back on a recessed button at the front. Dropping the magazine into the palm of your hand.

the fantastic slippery magazine fed these brand new Sierra 135 Tipped Match Kings flawlessly

Specifications

Caliber	25 Creedmoor
Barrel Length	24-Inches
Barrel	#5 Contour Bergara fluted
Barrel twist rate	1:7.5-Inches
Capacity	4-Rounds
Weight	8.5 pounds
Muzzle	Radial Brake mounted on ⅝-24 TPI
Trigger	Adjustable 2-4 Pounds
Stock	Synthetic adjustable comb & LOP dual front sling studs
Finish	Cerakote
Scope Rail	20 MOA cant

Initial Impressions and Range Prep

Some of you know I played a small part in initial testing and development of the 25 Creedmoor. So I am quite fond of and familiar with the cartridge. So I pieced together some of my favorite handloads to test in this rifle.

the range ready Cascade LRH with my **Anechoic Anechox 35 suppressor**

I wanted a good scope for this project to ensure I could milk every bit of performance out of the rifle. For that purpose I selected my Kahles K318i, it has an immaculate view with robust and repeatable controls. I mounted the scope in a set of Area 419 34mm rings that were torqued down to the Cascade’s scope rail.

As I typically do, I’d throw on a Harris bipod for support. And I grabbed a couple different suppressors to see how they played together.

On the range

Against my will, I went to a public range for initial testing due to time constraints. It would serve me well to see which of my handloads it liked, and get a good solid zero. As well as get some good velocity numbers.

As it turns out, the Cascade shew an affinity for my favorite 25 Creedmoor load; the 131 Sierra Match King over H4350. I have a stack of 131’s, some of which used to be named the Blackjack 131 Ace. But thats another story…

had to let the kids shoot the Cascade as well, they might be hunting with it later this fall

I also tried my favorite 128 ELDX load that my other rifle loves, and some 134 ELDM’s and 135 Tipped Match Kings. The others show promise, but the 131 would work perfectly for now. At 2800 FPS it does fantastic.

getting velocity from the **Athlon Rangecraft Chronograph**

In the Field

After a solid range trip, getting enough action with the Cascade to consider the barrel semi broke-in. I decided to take the rifle into my usual haunts here in the high Rocky Mountains. The thin air at eight and nine-thousand feet are where the 131’s fly like a tiny cruise missile. And over the last decade I have sent many of them between these mountain peaks, taking Mule Deer, Marmots, Squirrels, and even Elk.

I prefer testing precision rifles up in this country, where distances are unlimited and situations are real. The Cascade Long-Range Hunter was made for it too, so it makes sense to test it thus.

Why 25?

Twenty-five caliber rifles are nothing new, but what makes the 25 Creedmoor stand out you might be asking. When the 131 bullet was originally released, it was cutting edge for the bore size. And it required a much faster twist than previous .257 bullets, with 7-7.5 twist becoming standard for it. The design pushed the 25CM ahead of its 6.5 sibling, at least by the numbers. With its high ballistic coefficient (BC) the 131 could be pushed faster than most any 6.5 bullet of comparable BC.

Sierra 131 match king, sierra 135 tipped match king, Hornady 134 ELDM, Hornady 128 ELDX, Hornady, hornady bullets, sierra bullets, sierra, 25 caliber, .257 bullets, long-range, high BC, ballistic coefficient, — Here is a collection of my favorite high BC 25-caliber bullets, Some Berger 133 and 135’s would round out the group

This made the 25CM flatter shooting, and harder hitting than most 6.5 Creedmoor options. Just as we expected, the competition saw this performance and looked to chase it. Other manufacturers like Berger and Hornady brought several of their own high BC .257 bullets to market. And now we all live in a world where 25-caliber rifles are not so antiquated.

30-06 springfield, 25 creedmoor, 131 sieraa match king, aics magazine, mdr magazine — a couple 25 Creedmoor cartridges next to a 30-06 for comparison

Hunting these same mountains every fall has given me the opportunity to use the 25 Creedmoor extensively. In fact the very first year after I had built one, we shot something like 4 Mule Deer and two cow elk. With typical distances being between three and six-hundred yards. The 131, like other Match King bullets I have used dropped them right in their tracks. It is a fantastic western hunting round.

using the rifle for my typical Marmot hunts was a good way to feel it out

Shootability

Lets start off with the action operation. I really like the three-lug design of the Cascade, the resulting bolt-lift is shorter and faster. The smooth stroke of the Cascade bolt reminds me of a fine custom action, it really does feel better than its price point.

Using a 700 style trigger means you can change and adjust it, but it feels just fine as it to be honest. The grip angle is nice, and I like the flat forend of the stock. Having the ability to adjust the comb height is a big bonus, I didn’t need to change spacers for length of pull. But its nice to know you can.

I like the flat-bottomed forend of the stock, allowing me to shoot off my **Two Vets Tripod** easily

I am torn on the magazine; On one hand, the Cascade polymer magazine is as smooth and functional as can be. My brass looks immaculate after shooting, without so much as a light scratch anywhere. On the other hand I might prefer the more common AICS style magazines for compatibility. The only complaint I could come up with on the mag is that it is a touch shorter inside than AICS mags.

Reliability

As I just mentioned, this rifle feeds like a dream from its magazine. The extractor is a sliding plate type on the bolt-face, and it works great. Its single plunger also does a fine job of tossing the brass free of the action.

There is very little to go wrong with this rifle, as with most good bolt action rifles. The only way it could be better I suppose it the old controlled round feeding of the past. But pretty much every modern design is a push feed one, and I am fine with it.

dual sling studs help keep the bipod out of you shoulder while hiking

I did find that some of my handloads ended up being slightly longer than the magazine would reliably cycle. It appears the chamber is throated long enough for these loads, but they wont feed properly from the mag due to their length. Obviously this is only an issue for those particular loads. Everything else ran great.

Accuracy

It took a few rounds for the barrel to settle down, and I tried a few different bullets to see what she liked. But in the end, the Cascade LRH did a fine job shooting accurately. Achieving 1/2 MOA groups was not a problem with my custom loads. These same loads have been used to take down a Mule Deer at distances so far away it might be considered reckless by some.

this rifle was built for long-range hunting

Shooting the Cascade LRH in the high country only confirmed my accurate estimation. Making repeatable hits on 1 MOA targets was easy, giving first round hits out to 750 yards on the first trip out. This of course due to some very solid dope I already had in my ballistic calculator.

Ergonomics

I mentioned the comfortable stock already, as well as the smooth bolt-manipulation. But I must says again it is very nice to have the adjustability of the comb, as I expect I will be testing other scopes on this rifle in the future. Also, if you were having a youth hunt with this rifle, it is very nice to be able to knock off some length on the butt stock.

additional backcountry testing using the **Banish Backcountry suppressor**

The texture of the stock also makes a nice surface for gripping, even when its wet. And carrying the rifle on a sling against your shoulder is made more comfortable because of the dual front sling-studs. Attaching a bipod to the front stud, keeps the bipod from digging into your shoulder while hiking.

Value

I must say I was surprised the Cascade LRH wasn’t priced a little higher. With an MSRP between $980 and $1,050 depending on caliber and configuration, I thought it is a pretty fair price. But street prices hover right around the $900 mark, which makes this rifle a great buy.

Its priced very similarly to the very popular Tikka T3, which many consider to be top notch for less expensive production precision guns. But the Cascade LRH offers more long-range friendly features you’ll pay extra for on the Tikka. Things like included muzzle brake, adjustable comb and LOP, and a 20 MOA scope rail. I’m not shitting on the Tikka here, just pointing differences out.

More Better

As if I didn’t already love this rifle, I decided to go for too much of a good thing. As much as I like the factory stock, the aftermarket does provide even better options. The Cascade recently received an upgrade using Grayboe’s UMC Flagstaff chassis system. The aluminum Universal Mini Chassis is cut to perfectly match the Cascade action. It can then be easily and quickly dropped into any one of Grayboe’s carbon fiber stocks.

grayboe, umc, stock, chassis, universal mini chassis, aluminum, bedding block, action, flagstaff, cole tac, suppressor cover, us optics, lrx, cva cascade, cva, cascade long-range hunter,

The Flagstaff is a hunting-style stock, allowing QD cup attachments for a sling and M-LOK on the forend for attaching a bipod and other accessories. It also incorporates an AICS magazine well, allowing countless magazine options to be used with the Cascade LRH. You can read all about the Grayboe UMC system here.

grayboe, umc, stock, chassis, universal mini chassis, aluminum, bedding block, action, core, cole tac, suppressor cover, us optics, lrx, cva cascade, cva, cascade long-range hunter, shooting from rocky cliff from a carbon fiber tripod, two vets tripod, — the CVA Cascade combined with the **Grayboe UMC Core stock**

Pros and Cons

Smooth reliable action	Longer loaded cartridges won’t fit in mag
Good magazine system
Accurate shooting
Adjustable stock
Included 20 MOA scope rail
Comes with muzzle brake and thread protector
Good adjustable trigger

25 creedmoor, 134 eldm, hornady, alpha munitions, — Alpha Munitions makes excellent brass for the 25 Creedmoor

Final Thoughts

The CVA Cascade Long-Range Hunter has turned out to be a fantastic little rifle. It functions great, it shoots great, it brings all the features that a long-range hunter is looking for. The fact that this one is chambered in one of my favorite cartridges is just icing on the cake. For what you pay for this rifle I think you get a fantastic little rifle.

-CBM

Vector Optics Paragon Micro Prism Magnifier Combo

July 3, 2026Optics, Product reviewmagnifier, micro prism, optic, paragon, sight, vector opticscoldboremiracle

Introduction

One of the most popular sighting configurations in use today, is the use of a Micro Prism and magnifier combo. Micro Prism’s are basically a compact scope with a reticle. Commonly they are used in similar situations as red dots, for shorter range firearms. These Micro Prisms give some shooters a more precise aim due to optical alignment issues. Folks with an astigmatism may have trouble defining a red dot aim point, whereas with a prism they can focus much better. The magnifier adds a level of optical magnification for additional precise placement on targets. This configuration is a bit newer to me, but I’ll walk you through my own experience as we test and evaluate the Vector Optics Paragon Micro Prism magnifier combo.

one of my test rifles, the **DS-25 6.5CM** seen here with my **Silencerco Omega 36M**

Vector Optics Paragon

Paragon Prism

Vector Optics makes a variety of different optical sights, including rifle scopes, red dots, and todays topic; the Paragon Micro Prism and magnifier. There are several different options including 1x, 3x, and 4x micro prisms. And they also make both a 3x and 5x magnifier to put behind the micro prism.

The Paragon Micro Prism uses two push-buttons to power up the reticle. You can power it up or down by holding the front button, while toggling brightness is done using either button. On the left side of the optic there is a battery housing for the CR3023 lithium cell, which makes it easy to change without messing up your zero.

on longer rifles like this 16-inch AR, the 3x magnifier allows shots well into a quarter mile

Zeroing the reticle is done using a windage and elevation adjustment screw on the top and right side of the optic. A small flat screwdriver works great for adjustments. At the rear of the optic you can adjust the diopter for best focus. This optic can be a standalone sight, giving you a simple 1x view of your target area.

Paragon Magnifier

Adding the Paragon 3x Magnifier to the Micro Prism gives you an additional magnified image of the target area. And it does this without interfering with the prism or point of impact. The magnifier comes with a spring loaded mount that allows you to quickly pop it out of the way should you wish to use the simple 1x of the prism sight. And just as quickly snap the 3x back into place should you need a closer look at the target.

Dark Storm Industries, DS-25, modern fighting rifle, MDR, 6.5 Creedmoor, short barreled rifle, sbr, vector optics, micro prism, magnifier, — simply pushing down on the button at the base of the magnifier allows it to swing 90 degrees out of the way

Vector’s spring-loaded mount has a small button on one side that when pushed, allows the magnifier to swing 90 degrees out of the way. In this position the magnifier is off to the side of your sight rail. Much like the prism, the magnifier is easily mounted on a picatinny rail using a small torx driver.

pushing the spring-loaded button to fold the magnifier out of the way

You might wonder why the magnifier has elevation and windage adjustments when it features not reticle inside. That is to allow you to center the magnifier over the reticle as seen through the prism optic in front of it. It also has an adjustable diopter at the rear to maximize focus and clarity.

Specifications

Specification	Paragon 1×18 MiCRO PRISM	Paragon 3×18 Mini Magnifier
Magnification	1x	3x
Objective Lens Diameter	18 mm	18 mm
Focal Plane	N/A	N/A
Exit Pupil	N/A	6.0 mm (0.24 in)
Eye Relief	95 mm (3.74 in)	67 mm (2.6 in)
Field of View	78.8 ft @ 100 yd (26.3 m @ 100 m)	7.4°
Lens/Optics Coating	Fully Multi-Coated	Fully Multi-Coated
Side Focus	100 yd	N/A
Click Value	1 MOA	N/A
Turret Function	N/A	N/A
Elevation Adjustment Range	>100 MOA	Yes
Windage Adjustment Range	>100 MOA	Yes
Elevation & Windage Adjustment	Separate adjustments	Yes
Diopter Compensation	-2 to +2	-2 to +2
Illumination	Red & Green; 8 Daylight, 2 Night Vision settings	N/A
Battery Type	CR2032 (not included)	N/A
Battery Life	N/A	N/A
Waterproof Rating	IP67	IP67
Fogproof	Nitrogen Filled	Nitrogen Filled
Shockproof	1000 G	1000 G
Housing Material	6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy	6061-T6 Aluminum Alloy
Finish	Black Matte	Black Matte
Mount	Picatinny clamp	Flip-to-Side Quick Release Picatinny Mount
Center Height	N/A	36 mm (1.4 in)
Length	60.6 mm (2.39 in)	70 mm (2.75 in)
Weight	178 g (6.28 oz)	215 g (7.6 oz)
Items Included	User Manual, Cleaning Cloth, Plastic Wrench, Riser Section, etc.	Riser Section, User Manual, Cleaning Cloth, Hex Key, etc.

Host Rifles and Mounting

I have used the Paragon combination on a couple different rifles, both being small frame AR style rifles. The first one is a custom rifle I put together with a 16-inch upper, and the second is the Dark Storm Industries DS-25 MFR. The latter is more of a fighting rifle setup, which tends to be the type of rifle this sight configuration is used for.

Finding the right eye relief is paramount for mounting these optics. Putting them in the right spot that allows you to use either the prism alone, or the prism seen through the magnifier. Once the right eye relief is found, I snugged the two optics down to the pic rail.

Adjusting the reticle in the prism, note similar adjustment screws on magnifier

I was immediately irritated with the misalignment of the reticle as seen through the magnifier. So in no time I adjusted the windage and elevation on the magnifier until the reticle of the prism was centered. I tested the swing-away feature of the magnifier a few times, and then I was ready to hit the range.

Shooting the Paragon Combination

I would end up shooting with the Paragon combo over the course of several range trips on both host rifles. I like the 1x power of the prism alone, it is fantastic for engaging targets that are not particularly far away. The same type of shooting you’d do with a red bot perhaps.

here you can see both the red and green reticle colors looking downrange. As you might imagine, it looks much better than the pictures show here

Engaging targets from 20 to 100-yards was very easily done, and allows the broad field of view. With head up and both eyes open, you can stay very aware of the target area and your own surroundings.

shooting the rifle with the Paragon Prism alone

Snapping the magnifier into position would instantly give you the 3x power to add more precision to your shooting. Picking out targets beyond 100-yards was surprisingly easy, and the 2 MOA center dot of the reticle was still small enough to make some pretty good hits as far away as three to four-hundred yards if you could hold steady enough.

Optical Clarity

Vector Optics’ products have proven to be very good optical quality in my experience. And the Paragon combo was no different. Flaws are a little less obvious on lower power optics, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Vector is manufacturing OE products for other brands you would consider better or higher quality.

Bright images with little aberration were easily focused using the adjustable diopter. The brightness levels of the reticle were suitable for indoors and bright sunny day shooting.

Reliability

I don’t see any reason to doubt the durability of the electronics inside the Paragon Micro Prism. Some might suggest that its foreign manufacture are reason alone to doubt it, and I’m open to that possibility. But other Vector products have stood up for me over the course of years, and continue to work great. So I am perhaps a little more lenient on this topic.

Fasteners and materials used appear to be more than adequate, as does the mechanical hinge mechanism and lock. It really does feel like a nice product, comparable to brands that are considered by some to be much better.

Usability

The push-buttons are low profile, and I expect they are less likely to be damaged when compared to a rotary rheostat knob like comparable optics. Adjusting brightness and color is quite easy using the buttons. And the side mounted battery cover it easy to grip as well.

The low profile adjustment screws are easy to get at with your screwdriver, and wont get caught on anything. And adjusting focus of one or both optics is easily done from the shooting position if needed. Having a circle dot reticle also gives you some dexterity in your aiming.

Value

With a combined MSRP of under $230 I find this combo to be a good value. If you are the kind of shooter who’s life hangs on your sights working, you might feel the need to spend more. But for a typical hobbyist or sport shooter, the Paragon Micro Prism and Magnifier would probably be fine for your purposes.

wolfpack armory, romulus, suppressor, silencer, 5.56 .223 rem, 3d printed, dmls, radial flow, low backpressure, AR15, quattro 15, vector optics, — this rifle uses a **Desert Tech Quattro 15** receiver and the WPA Romulus suppressor

Pros and Cons

Vector’s Paragon optics are pretty impressive considering their price. A comparable set from another manufacturer will easily cost double or more. I like the reticle, and its dual color illumination, the fine dot makes a precise aiming point. While the larger circle gives a fast bracket of the target when targets are close and your moving fast. The clear view and easy operation make it a great sight system. The only thing I wish they’d done was make it a compatible footprint with other popular brand optics like Trijicon so that you could use aftermarket systems like those from Unity Tactical.

with magnifier out of the way, the 1x prism is easily accessed

Conclusion

If you are looking for a prism/magnifier combo, I recommend you should at least look at these to see if they meet your purposes. There is a lot of money to be spent on comparable systems, and this might do everything you need for much less.