Gear / Tools
Posted: August 18, 2010
Posted: August 12, 2010
- SureFire Shot Timer - FREE - This will replace your $100.00 shot timer!
- Topo Maps - $7.99 - download free 1:240000 USGS maps of all the US.
- Ballistic - $9.99 to $19.99 - Uses extremely accurate JBM calcs.
Posted: August 11, 2010
I have previously owned PCHs that were crafted by Lou for my Glock 17 and 1911 handguns, so when I changed my CCW to a Sig Sauer P228, I knew that another PCH would be in order as I consider it the best IWB design ever made.
I feel pretty confident making that claim as I had collected a fair amount of IWB holsters in the never ending quest for the perfect EDC setup before finding the PCH. For me, the PCH is head and shoulders above the rest as Lou himself made it.
As many reading this likely already know, Lou Alessi passed from this world on February 21, 2009. He will be greatly missed not only for his great gun leather but also because he was just a great down to earth guy that truly cared about his customers.
This review is of the PCH model as his successors are now making it though, so from here on out when referencing my experiences with holsters made by Lou himself, I will refer to it as the "Original PCH" and the current rendition I received last week as the Current PCH.
Posted: June 07, 2010
I had this scope for a short time and for the price you can not get more bang for the buck! This is an image and .PSD (Photoshop) file of a cheat sheet I used for my rifle stock. Thought some might find it helpful.
dms-cheat_sheet.psd
dms-cheat_sheet.psdPosted: March 01, 2010
While I have access to a lathe which would make the process fast and clean on a normal barrel, I find that ribbed barrels are easier done the old fashion way with a hacksaw, files and patience. What follows is the procedure I used to shorten a 28" Remington 870 barrel to 18.5" for a co-worker who wanted something shorter to use as a home defense gun.
Posted: February 01, 2010
Posted: November 06, 2009
After finishing my AR15 build with a MagPul MOE stock I discovered that I really prefer a shorter Length of Pull (LOP) than either the H&K A2 stock or my Choate side folder would give me. My Ar15 stock rides on the second notch of the six position stock and gives a LOP of 12.5 inches, allowing for a squared-up stance. This is pretty close to the 12" LOP I have on my Remington 870 shotgun which has a Hogue Youth Stock on it, but nowhere near the 14" LOP (standard BTW) that most fixed stocks tend to run on shotguns and carbines.
Until this modification I was going from 12.5" LOP on my AR15 & 12.0" on the Remy 870 to the standard 14" LOP on the H&K A2 stock. While I can't feel the difference between the 12.0"-12.5" LOP, I can definitely feel the shift in position that the 14" LOP that the A2 stock creates. I also notice the tendency to not get up close to the rear sight when using the side folder due to the lack of cheek-weld. By shortening the side-folder I was able to cure that problem also, as the shorter LOP puts your nose right on the back of the receiver as though you were in a "Nose-2-Charging Handle" position on the AR platform.
Choate does have a Tactical Folding Stock out that allows for a shorter LOP and is probably the best bank for buck on a side folder, but I had an old Choate already and didn't want to spend another $150.00+ that and try to unload my current stock at a loss for their "stubby" stock so the following is my solution for a "stubby" stock on my MP5 clone.
Until this modification I was going from 12.5" LOP on my AR15 & 12.0" on the Remy 870 to the standard 14" LOP on the H&K A2 stock. While I can't feel the difference between the 12.0"-12.5" LOP, I can definitely feel the shift in position that the 14" LOP that the A2 stock creates. I also notice the tendency to not get up close to the rear sight when using the side folder due to the lack of cheek-weld. By shortening the side-folder I was able to cure that problem also, as the shorter LOP puts your nose right on the back of the receiver as though you were in a "Nose-2-Charging Handle" position on the AR platform.
Choate does have a Tactical Folding Stock out that allows for a shorter LOP and is probably the best bank for buck on a side folder, but I had an old Choate already and didn't want to spend another $150.00+ that and try to unload my current stock at a loss for their "stubby" stock so the following is my solution for a "stubby" stock on my MP5 clone.
Posted: October 11, 2009
I've had this SKD Universial chest harness for sometime now and still think they are the best bang for the buck when it comes to factory made chest rigs, but as with all things it can be improved with minor modification. My view of "better" is embodied in the changes you see here.
None of the mods are hard and can be done on your wife's sewing machine (thanks Honey!) as the material is very easy to sew. For thread and how to sew the basic "box-stitch" see my article on the 1/2 point sling.
For reference the image below is how the chest rig came from www.skdtac.com
and how it ended up after my mods...
The rig weighs 10lbs with the following:
None of the mods are hard and can be done on your wife's sewing machine (thanks Honey!) as the material is very easy to sew. For thread and how to sew the basic "box-stitch" see my article on the 1/2 point sling.
For reference the image below is how the chest rig came from www.skdtac.com
and how it ended up after my mods...
Load Out
The rig weighs 10lbs with the following:
- (4) Pmags w/ 30 rounds each
- (2) Glock 17 mags w/16 rounds each
- (1) Surefire 6P with Malkoff M60W insert
- (1) SOG multi-tool
- (1) EOD Breacher bar
- (1) SWAT-T / EMT shears
Posted: September 11, 2009
My sling use on carbines went through the following progression.
Each sling has its strong and weak points but of those three designs I found the VTAC to be the best compromise. Still, there is nothing like a dedicated single point sling for easy weapons manipulations so my solution was to...
- Specter 3pt sling
- Bungee single point sling
- Adjustable 2pt VTAC sling
Each sling has its strong and weak points but of those three designs I found the VTAC to be the best compromise. Still, there is nothing like a dedicated single point sling for easy weapons manipulations so my solution was to...