Despite the article title, US Palm certainly makes more than just gear and parts for the AK platform, but our primary focus in this article will be showcasing a few of their AK specifics.

We’ll also be taking a look at two different plate carriers, the Defender MOLLE and the ASP-C (Air Save Plate Carrier) to see how they stack up. Our testing has encompassed the better part of a year and this comprehensive review is the result. There’s a couple of video overviews embedded into this article as well as detailed photos to go along with it.

US PALM

Primary Armament Logistical Manufacturing (US PALM) has been around for the better part of two years now and is focused on making US made products and accessories for the shooting and tactical industry.

Their innovative and much needed improvements to the AK platform are what originally drew us to them. This coupled with their craftsmanship (see below,) is why we have no hesitation in highly recommending their products.

AK Battle Grip

The US PALM AK Battle Grip is huge upgrade to the AK platform and one that was sorely needed. If you’re the owner of an AK, then you’ll know what you’re up against when it comes to the stock plastic or wood grips that stock AKs feature. Personally, my issue was the angle of the grip and the general lack of contouring that contributed to fighting with the stock grip all the time during reloads.

When my weak side had would come off the firearm to grab for another magazine I’d constantly fight to keep it where I wanted it. Not to say it was impossible to control, but I didn’t know what I was missing until I tried out the AK Battle Grip for the first time. It was drastically easier to manipulate the AK one-handed and led to not only being able to stabilize it easier, but ensure it stayed in the direction I wanted it to during mag changes.

The contour of the AK Battle Grip does exactly what US PALM says it does, it drives your hand up to ensure a positive grip. I’d also add that the increased circumference of the Battle Grip aids in stability.

A few of the US Palm accessories like this AK Battle Grip and their AR Grip are manufactured by Tango Down utilizing TD’s aerospace polymer. I say this also because if you’re familiar with Tango Down, you’ll notice their signature Dry-Lok plug in the bottom of the grip. This will enable you to store ear pro, batteries, etc. in the bottom without worry of it getting wet in a downpour.

Another winner with the AK Battle Grip is that it’s designed to fit nearly every AK variant out there, from 47s, 74s, AKMs and RPKs. They’re available in Black, Flat Dark Earth, Brown, Red Bakelite and weigh 5.8 ounces soaking wet.

AK30 Magazine

US Palm’s AK30 represents a significant improvement from other polymer AK mags on the market today. Produced by Tango Down from the same great aerospace polymer, the AK30 certainly gives traditional metal mags some steep competition.

While the AK30 still features a stainless steel internal cage to support the front and rear lugs, the use of polymer is now a proven material by Tango Down with their ARC magazines and by Magpul with their PMAGs. Like we were, you’re probably curious how the feed lips will hold up over repeated abuse.

So far we’ve put around two hundred rounds through the few we have and even dropped full mags repeatedly on their feed lips with no damage reported other than scratching. While further torture testing is certainly in order and coming, we’re very impressed with how they’re built.

The AK30 features a five sided box configuration with a bonded two piece body and one piece endcap that are molecularly bonded. While no disassembly is possible, US PALM states that it’s not necessary. The chrome silicone spring is heat treated, stress relieved and US Mil Spec corrosion resistant coated. Life expectancy for the spring is 100,000+ cycles.

The holes in the follower also allow the gunk and water to easily flow out during cleaning. We haven’t tested this feature, but it appears to function as described. I particularly like that the waffle-pattern body coupled with the ridged spines creates a positive grip during mag changes. More so than the metal mags, hands down.

The AK30 comes in 7.62 x 39 only and available in Black, Brown and Flat Dark Earth; each weighing approx. 7 ounces. Another great option for your existing metal mags is that US PALM is now offering an AK30 rebuild kit to replace the followers and springs with an upgrade to the same follower and spring used in the AK30.

Defender MOLLE and AK Mag Pouches

The Defender MOLLE plate carrier from US PALM is advertised as a complete system that can be easily donned in the middle of the night when you hear that noise that none of us are hoping to hear. We found this to be very accurate, as with the easy to secure straps and many configurations the Defender is available in, it’s certainly fast.

That’s not to say that other plate carriers aren’t also easy to don quickly, just to confirm that it is easy to put the Defender on in a hurry. This is thanks to the large 2″ wide webbing/velcro straps that overlap each other in the lower front of the carrier. Even if you get the straps twisted while you’re putting it on in a hurry they’ll still secure to the velcro enough to allow you to move out quickly.

The only potential that I see with storing this rig next to the bed ready to roll is that you’d have to leave the straps undone and hope that when you grabbed at it in a hurry they didn’t stick to one another and add to the confusion of the moment.

Shoulder strap adjustment is handled though 2″ wide webbing shoulder straps with full length velcro for adjusting to different sizes and shapes. Obviously if you’re tossing this on in the middle of the night, you’d already want to have these properly configured.

The Defender comes standard with a single front IIIa armor panel in the front and a second can be added for the back for a modest price. As prices change you’ll have to check the Website for current pricing, but this is a very cost effective way to have your own body armor at the ready. It will also accommodate plates if necessary, so it’s definitely versatile in that regard. Another thing that gives the Defender versatility is the MOLLE option on the particular Defender we’re reviewing.

As you’ll see in the photos we have this configured with a Triple Cell AK47 Pouch, but the possibilities for configuration on a MOLLE carrier are certainly endless. As mentioned earlier, US PALM also manufactures different versions of the Defender to allow you to have many choices in finding what’s right for you.

The Defender Handgun makes the most sense to me for most home defense use in the case of a home invasion, but if clearing the house with an AR like I would, the Defender AR-15 might make more sense. One last thing to note is the Defender MOLLE features a small 1″ loop strip on the front for attaching a name tape or the last word you want an intruder to read. I know I can think of some choice words for an embroidered name tag!

You can get the Defender MOLLE in 500D Cordura colorways of Black, Coyote, Ranger Green and Multicam with many different size configurations.

ASP-C Air Save Plate Carrier

While we don’t normally publish pricing in articles, I’m going to break our rules by saying that at $399.99 for a US made plate carrier and two Level IV stand-alone plates (US PALM rates at withstanding .308 AP rounds,) the Air Save Plate Carrier is a fantastic deal!

It may be a rectangular design and not contoured as traditional SAPI plates are, but I had no problem getting a good stock-shoulder weld wearing it. The complete package with plates is fairly heavy as far as plates go, weighing 17 lbs. but certainly not unmanageable.

A few features I really like about the ASP-C is the fact that the steel-ceramic composite plates have a rubber grommet around the exterior edge. While adding bulk and bringing them to 3/4″ thick, it’s nice if you set them down on a hard surface.

The 500D Cordura carrier is very nicely made with spacer mesh on the backside of the front, back and removable shoulder pads. The spacer mesh is padded as well which adds to the comfort of wearing 17 lbs. around. Shoulder straps adjust similar to the Defender, but are sewn in versus moving through a looploc like on that rig.

There’s a single row of PALS webbing sewn on each shoulder strap for attaching various accoutrements or pieces of flair if you work at Chachki’s. Plates get inserted though a velcro closure flap at the bottom of each panel, which features a webbing pull tab. The velcro is too strong to be able to use the pull tab as a stand-alone opening method and is more to aid in opening once you get your hand in there to break the hook.

The top two rows of PALS on each side of the carrier are loop covered for attaching identifiers, morale patches or even more flair! There is only one size that the ASP-C comes in, but it adjusts to all the body types we’ve tried the rig on. Lastly on adjustment the sides are secured with sewn webbing and an adjustable ITW Nexus SRB (slide release buckle) for quick release. There’s also a small elastic keeper to secure the loose webbing after adjustment.

The ASP-C is available in one size in either Black, Coyote, Ranger Green or Multicam. Again, we feel this is an incredible deal for Level IV rated plates and a carrier!

Here’s an additional video of US PALM firing different calibers at the ASP-C with Level IV plates:

Like most of us, I am constantly on the hunt for the “best” gear. Recently I’ve been going down that road in search of a good holster for every day concealed carry. I started with an outside-the-waistband (OWB) Phantom holster from Raven Concealment Holsters and carried it for years.

It’s a fabulous OWB holster, but, once I ordered the tuckable soft loops to convert it to an inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster, I found it less than satisfying. The rigid, all kydex, holster was fairly uncomfortable to carry IWB, especially when sitting for long periods of time, such as driving. I needed something different.

The next stop on my holster journey was the Crossbreed SuperTuck Deluxe. The SuperTuck is a dedicated IWB holster. It is a hybrid (or crossbeed) holster, consisting of a kydex holster shell attached to a large leather backer with two spring steel belt clips.

Options

The holsters are offered in both a black cowhide and a natural horsehide. The horsehide is more moisture resistant, which makes it better for humid climates and folks who sweat a lot — like me. As of this writing it looks like they can make these holsters for around 100 different handguns.

The other major option they offer is what they call the Combat Cut. This option is a cut down version of the leather backer. It can possibly increase the speed of your draw, at the cost of sacrificing some comfort.

Ordering

After some research I decided to go ahead and order a SuperTuck for my Glock 19. I ordered mine with the horsehide backer because I tend to sweat a little more than the average person. I elected not to get the Combat Cut, figuring that I could trim the leather later if I decided it needed it.

One of the bonuses of ordering it for the Glock 19 is that the kydex holster section is open on the bottom. This allows the holster to work with any of the 9mm or 40 caliber Glock frames, from the little 26/27 all the way up to the large 34/35.

When I ordered my holster there was a four to six week wait. Crossbreed is a small shop and each holster is custom made by hand.

Evaluation

My first thought when I got the holster in the mail was “Man, this is an ugly holster.” It really is just half a kydex holster attached to a big freaking slab of leather with some belt clips on it.

At first it just felt different. Not bad, not good, just different. Over the next several days I kept wearing the holster to give it a fair shake. It began to break in and mold itself to my body. Finally, after about a week of wear, the holster became exceptionally comfortable. I also found it to be excellent at concealing the firearm. During my all too brief time enjoying the Alaskan summer I spent several weeks in shorts and a t-shirt. My wife usually could not tell that I was carrying until she bumped into me just right and felt the gun.

Obviously, walking around with the holster was comfortable but I figured I would try the holster in a few other situations to see how it fared. I spend a lot of time with my family riding our bikes around town and figured this would be another good test of the SuperTuck. I also spent a lot of time driving around with the holster on.

The only issue I noticed was that occasionally when my torso was bent over (such as when getting in and out of the car, or riding the bike) the back clip would slip off of my belt. This isn’t catastrophic; the holster has always stayed in place. I just had to reach back and give it a small push back down onto my belt. Part of this could be caused by me wearing a fairly thick 1 1/2” riggers belt. When I wear it with a leather belt I never have this issue.

Tuckable

The Crossbreed Supertuck is also a tuckable holster, as indicated by its name. What this means is that you can actually tuck a shirt in around the holster. I regularly wear it with a tucked-in button-up shirt and it is nearly invisible. You do have to blouse you shirt just a little extra around the gun, but not enough to look unnatural.

Remember that tucking your shirt in over the holster will slow your draw down by a good bit and is going to take a little extra dry fire practice to get used to grabbing your shirt and pulling it up enough to untuck it from around your gun.

Comfort

The only thing I would change about my holster is that I might trim some of the excess leather off of the backer. The way it comes from the factory it holds the gun so close to your body that it can be slightly difficult to get your hand in between the leather backer and the gun to establish your grip. If I was to order another one I might go ahead and order it that way with the Combat Cut. As it stands, I do feel like mine has a little too much leather.

I think my trim job will be somewhere between the standard holster and the Combat Cut. One of the best features about the holster is the comfort, which allows it to be worn every day. I want to trim as much of the leather as possible without sacrificing any of this comfort I’ve grown accustom to.

Overall I’m very happy with my holster. I’m still wearing it every day, except for the occasional days when I feel like wearing my cowboy boots and my 1911. If you’re looking for a very comfortable, very concealable holster for your carry gun take a look at the Crossbreed SuperTuck Deluxe.

Editor’s Note: Rob is Active-Duty Air Force stationed in Alaska, a fellow Texan and ITS Plank Owner. Be sure to check out his blog at tacticaltexan.wordpress.com

Let me start this review by stating that I am a “Gear” guy. I love gear and guns and love to work on both. With that having been said, my good friend Eric S. asked me to use two of the SOE bungee slings on my agency long guns and I jumped at the chance.

The first is the 2 to 1 point and the second the standard 2 point. Both are adjustable for body armor and other gear.

I was familiar with S.O.E.‘s solid reputation and was hoping to hold on the the slings long enough for Eric to just forget I had them!

2 to 1

I started out placing the 2 to 1 sling on my 870 shotgun. The 870 I use is an agency weapon, but has some add-ons and is a little on the heavy side. I found that I liked the two point on the 870 for a few reasons.

First off, I like the way that it was adjustable and also had a quick-disconnect. This works well for me due to having to wear two different types of body armor, heavy tactical armor with plates and normal concealable armor in an external carrier. The heavier armor is slightly bulkier and being able to make the sling as loose as possible in the beginning to get it on over the armor speeds up the process of getting geared up.

I really only used the two point in the single point configuration a few times, just because it really did not offer anything new that I already had in the two point. This is likely only due to it being on a shotgun and the two attachments being very close together.

2 Point

I ran the standard two point on my AR15 and it performed as well as the 2 to 1. The sling I used didn’t have any of the optional adapters but it was easy to set up. Speaking of adapters you can buy a MASH hook, H&K, and standard adapter when you order your sling.

I like the H&K style myself and the H&K on the 2 to 1 sling is the best I’ve ever seen. The adaptors also come in the same colors as the slings.

Two Things to Consider

I only had two issues that were negative with the slings. The first of which is that during a dynamic entry on a search warrant, the shotgun became hung up on a standing lamp and sprung back towards me, at a very high speed. This shows that the bungee is very strong and can cause the weapon system to “snap back” on the operator in some situations, but in my case it could have been avoided by me controlling the shotgun better.

The second issue is that with the bungee the operator can not ”lock in” the sling and use it as a shooting aid. I don’t use slings in this manner, so it was never an issue. However, another detective that’s a smaller guy used the shotgun/sling and the bungee inside the sling, coupled with the heavy recoil of the 12 gauge caused some issues.

Materials

As far as the materials the sling is constructed from, they’re very high quality and the nylon is very thick and dense. It seems like you could rappel from Everest with it. They’re also made from genuine 1000 Denier Cordura Nylon and come in black, coyote, OD, and foliage.

Overall, I can say that I hope I can keep the slings, which is the best praise I can give a peice of gear.

Editor-in-Chief’s Note: Please join ITS Tactical in welcoming Chris Cartier as a contributor. He currently works as a Narcotics Detective with a large agency in Florida. He is a FTO, firearms instructor, and is a member of several tactical associations.

We first heard about Method Burn prior to the Shot Show this year and were able to catch up with them there to get hands on with their quality craftsmanship.

We’ve been kicking around a Method Burn stippled PMAG for the last few months and wanted to share our thoughts on the intense attention to detail that they deliver to the industry.

Stippling

Method Burn prides themselves on “burning tiny dots into things you love.” Who doesn’t love a cool company slogan like that? If you’ve never heard of polymer stippling before, it’s a newer technique to the industry where a soldering gun or wood burner is used to “burn” a pattern into the places your hands go on your firearm and firearm accessories.

The theory is that this gives you a better purchase on these high traffic areas and increase your ability to grip. Many swear by stippling and it’s definitely catching on with all the new firearms utilizing polymer frames.

This technique has been around longer in the industry in the 1911 world. From what we can tell, Gunsmiths have been custom stippling the metal frames of 1911′s with punches for much longer than the polymer stippling craze has been around.

Method Burn PMAG

We’ve been rotating in the Magpul PMAG we received from Method Burn into our range time for the past few months and can definitely tell that it provides a benefit in grip retention. Not only does it help the grip in the Texas heat with sweaty hands, it shines when using gloves. As you can imagine, leather gloves really create a nice purchase on the stippling during mag changes.

We like the location of the stippling on this PMAG as well, as it’s just on the raised rib areas of the polymer pattern. It’s just enough stippling, but not too much to be overbearing. The stippling can be done in numerous patterns, but this one in particular looks to be one of the best.

The most impressive part about the stippling that Method Burn churns out is the attention to detail, each dot almost seems to have been precisely positioned next to the prior one and you almost forget that the work is all done by hand!

Specialization

Method Burn provides texture for a wide range of weapon accessories, rail panels, vertical grips, magazines, shotgun forends, firearms and even custom work. Check out their impressive gallery online!

As of this article, their Website states that they don’t have their FFL yet, so if you need firearm stippling you’ll need to be local to Dallas, TX. Method Burn also offers a 10% discount for Military.

A Smith & Wesson .38 revolver and a pair of handcuffs were typically the only things carried on a police officer’s duty belt when the first Taser was being developed. Now a Taser is typically just one of seemingly dozens of gadgets hanging off a cop’s Sam Browne.

The Taser has earned a place on that belt due to its ability to quickly subdue combative criminals, while reducing the number of injuries and deaths to officers and suspects.

But, has the Taser been so successful that it has become a crutch for law enforcement officers? Are officers using the Taser when other force options are more appropriate?

What Is a Taser?

Taser is actually a company, not a model of product. TASER International was founded in 1993 and can trace its roots back to the late 60’s. Based in Scottsdale, AZ, they are the largest manufacturer of electromuscular incapacitation device (EID) weapons on the market.

Taser manufactures a variety of EID weapons including handgun-shaped devices and sabots deployed from shotguns. Probably the most common Taser model in police use is the X26, a one-shot, handheld unit typically carried in a belt holster.

The X26 and similar models work by launching two darts from a cartridge, out and away from each other at a slight angle. In ideal conditions, the darts pierce the skin of the suspect and a “shaped” electrical pulse flows through the wires, with the body of the suspect completing the circuit. As the electricity flows through the circuit, the muscles of the body react, typically locking out and becoming useless to the suspect.

The maximum range of a Taser varies depending on the cartridge used. Typical ranges are 21 to 25 feet. According to TASER International, EIDs have been used on humans more than 2 million times, with a little more than 1/2 of the times in training.

Taser as a Use of Force

The Taser is typically found in department use of force continuums somewhere below lethal force. Depending on the department, the use of a Taser may be very restricted, sometimes to the point of rendering the tool useless. Other agencies give officers greater latitude in deciding when to use the Taser.

When properly used, Tasers can reduce the numbers of injuries to both suspects and officers. A US Department of Justice report indicates that the use of a Taser reduced injuries by 60% when compared to other intermediate weapons. The company estimates that 5.4% of Taser uses prevent the use of deadly force by officers.

In my own jurisdiction, there is a consortium of mental health providers who have unequivocally endorsed the law enforcement use of Tasers. They strongly support the use of EIDs due to the greater ability of law enforcement to end violent encounters without resorting to deadly force.

I know that I have been on many scenes where the use of a Taser allowed officers to take a violent subject into custody without injury to anyone. Without a Taser, there would have likely been hospital or morgue trips on some of those calls.

Too Much of a Good Thing?

The problem with the Taser is its strong point: it works very well. Of course, I shouldn’t blame the problem on the tool. Rather, I should look at the users.

I’ve actually heard newer officers say that they won’t ever have to fight with subjects because they will just “Tase them.” They treat the Taser like a Star Trek phaser set to stun.

The problem is EIDs don’t work all the time. Sometimes they fail. Sometimes, due to distances, they are not a good choice. Sometimes a suspect will rush you without giving you a chance to pull out your Taser.

Tasers vs. Deadly Force

It appears that police officers are relying so much on the Taser that even in obvious lethal force encounters, the Taser is being used instead of a firearm.

I offer several cases:

In a rural Florida county, a deputy sheriff responded to a complaint about an emotionally disturbed man with a knife. The deputy, who was alone when he confronted the armed subject, deployed a Taser, which was ineffective.

The armed man then attacked the deputy, stabbing him several times. The deputy shot and killed the subject, avoiding death himself due to the knife being stopped by the deputy’s body armor.

In a Tennessee case, officers responded to a robbery in progress and were fired on by the suspect as he exited the building. One of the officers was hit.

As the suspect fled on foot, a responding sergeant struck the suspect with his car. The sergeant exited the vehicle, and deployed his Taser. It is believed the sergeant saw the suspect’s gun laying in the road, away from the suspect.

The Taser failed to incapacitate the suspect. The suspect pulled out a second gun and killed the sergeant.

In both of these cases, the law enforcement officers were clearly faced with deadly force situations. In the first, the deputy was alone and confronting an emotionally disturbed person who was agitated and armed with a knife. The deputy did not have a cover officer on scene.

In the second incident, we can only assume the sergeant believed the man was unarmed because one of the suspects firearms was laying some distance away. A Taser is a completely inappropriate tool in this scenario for the reasons clearly seen in hindsight.

The suspect was still in the commission of multiple violent felonies and continued to present a threat to officers and the public. The only correct response for a single officer confronting the subject is deadly force.

As with the first incident, the sergeant was acting alone, without a back up officer readily available.

Tasers Are Just One Tool

Tasers are not magic weapons that work all the time on every suspect. I have seen EIDs fail due to battery problems or the probes not making contact with the suspect. I also know of several cases (beyond the ones mentioned above) where the suspect was simply unaffected by the Taser.

The Taser is a good tool, but it is simply one more weapon we carry on out belts to help us deal with violent encounters. Use it when appropriate, but only when it is the reasonable choice.

In the above examples, a Taser may have been a good tool if other officers were on scene to provide cover with firearms. But in the circumstances illustrated, the Taser was a poor choice.

Do not neglect your “hands on” pepper spray and baton skills. Do not use a Taser when deadly force is called for and don’t use your Taser as a crutch.

Stay safe!

Richard is a Police Officer with a mid-sized department in the Tampa Bay area and also publishes the police training site, BlueSheepdog.com

If you haven’t heard the term “Tactical Pen” yet, you just have. While Tactical Pens have been hitting the mainstream tactical market for a few years now, today I’d like to address some of the myths behind them.

Not only why they can get you into trouble, but why an overpriced writing utensil simply isn’t necessary.

Metal-Bodied Pens

The most distinguishing feature of any Tactical Pen is its all-metal body, whether that’s stainless steel, aluminum or titanium. Other features often include a blunt end for use as a Kubotan in self-defense situations, sharp pointed end, or even a glass breaker tip.

Why have a pen at all for self defense? You certainly can’t always carry a gun, even if you have a license to carry concealed. You also can’t always carry a knife, which leaves you with what your mother gave you and your level of training. Will having an improvised weapon like a Tactical Pen improve your odds in a self defense situation? It definitely can’t hurt, but what can is carrying an overt Tactical Pen.

Let me pose this question to all those owners of Tactical Pens out there, do you really want everyone to know what you’re carrying? They’ve become too mainstream to not at least get a second look from someone; even if they might not know what it is, they’ll still wonder what that huge pen you’re using is.

Just as you don’t want your concealed carry weapon to print, why would you want to let the clerk (and those around you) know that you carry a tactical pen and “might” know how to use it?

Is a glass breaker handy to have on your pen? Possibly. More so if you’re frequently riding around in vehicles that aren’t yours and don’t have a glass breaker, like you should already have accessible in your vehicle. A metal belt buckle makes a good glass breaker too.

To address the Kubotan usage of a Tactical Pen for self-defense and pain compliance, I’ll argue that cost-effective metal-bodied pens can inflict the same amount of damage. Anyone familiar with Kubotan usage should also know that many everyday items can be improvised to act as a Kubotan, it doesn’t take a $100 Tactical Pen.

Legal Aspects of Tactical Pens

Something you should also take into consideration in carrying a Tactical Pen is the legal aspect. While it might not be illegal to carry a tactical pen, it would sure be harder to prove a case of self-defense when a lawyer is describing exhibit “A” as an impact weapon purpose-built to inflict pain. He’d have a much harder time convincing a jury that your office depot pen was purchased with that intention.

That’s the same way I feel about knives and their use in self-defense situations. You’re going to have a hard time convincing a jury that your aggressive-bladed knife with the skulls is pure utility. On the other hand, a Swiss Army Knife or CRKT folder is more convincible as a utility knife. I’m totally guilty of this one though as I carry an Emerson Commander with a skull clip!

There’s also something to be said about flying with a Tactical Pen. With TSA just looking for a reason, there’s the possibility you may not just get it confiscated (as they’re listed as prohibited), but get issued a criminal summons for carrying a concealed weapon like this guy.

Parker Jotter

Metal-bodied pens are nothing new in office supplies and I’ve been carrying a Stainless Steel Parker Jotter for the better part of 10 years. Yes, I’ve lost mine a few times, but buying a replacement at most office supply stores for $10.00 makes a hell of a lot more sense than replacing a Tactical Pen costing 5 to 10 times more than that.

Cost and the ability to use the Jotter as an improvised weapon isn’t the only benefit, they’re sturdy, strong and also write exceptionally well! I prefer to use the “fine” refill, as I feel it writes better, but that’s just personal preference. The “medium” cartridge that comes with it writes great as well. The refills are also less than $5.00.

Fisher Space Pens are also something to look into as well for a low-cost “tactical pen.” You can’t beat the ability to write in water, heat, cold, upside down and in 0 gravity environments, since most of you reading this commonly travel into space. I’m joking of course, I really do like Space Pens.

My hang-up with Fisher Space Pens is that they can be more expensive than a Parker Jotter and they’re not as readily available. I have been seeing them more and more in office supply stores, but it’s often the smaller sized Bullet or the Cap-o-Matic. I also feel they don’t write as nicely as the Jotter and often leave breaks in the lines. I’ve tried their “fine” refills too.

One of the things that drew me to the Parker Jotter is the clicker tailcap which I’ve found doesn’t get depressed easily like some others I’ve tried. I also personally like clickers because you don’t have to remove a cap to write with them.

Be careful though, as some clicker pens with weaker mechanisms will leak in your pocket from an accidental press. One last thing that I like about the Jotter is that it weighs half an ounce! Why some prefer a 4 lb. tactical pen weighing them down is beyond me.

What do you like to write with and do you carry a Tactical Pen?

Like most all of you out there, I have a box of holsters. It’s been growing larger year after year as I strive to not only find what works the best for me, but for what will accommodate me as I learn and grow as a shooter.

As my friend Doc from RSKTKR can attest, if your shooting isn’t constantly evolving, you’re stagnating. In my many talks with Doc about shooting, he mentioned a new KYDEX-smith out of Florida he’d been working with named Jason at JMC Custom Holsters. Before we get into the awesomeness that Jason is cranking out in Florida, let me elaborate on my KYDEX experience.

KYDEX and I have a love/hate relationship for the most part. Just when I think I’m getting used to running a KYDEX holster, I realize their shortcomings. For the most part for me this is due to the way they fit on my hip. I don’t know if it has anything to do with having “manly” hips, but I’ve found that all the KYDEX I’ve used up until this point does a horrible job of contouring to my hip. This is no matter if it’s ITW (Inside The Waistband) or OTB (Outside The Waistband).

This usually leads to me being overly paranoid about my weapon printing and going back to my SmartCarry Holster for Concealed Carry.

JMC Custom Holsters

While still skeptical about KYDEX, I contacted Jason at JMC Custom Holsters to inquire about availability and turnaround time. One thing that you might have already encountered when it comes to some Custom / Semi-Custom KYDEX-smiths is that they’re often hard to get ahold of. Jason was immediately going above and beyond in consulting with me to find out about my shooting style and what would work for me.

It’s my opinion that ITW holsters don’t necessarily provide the benefits they often tout, such as increased concealability. Not to mention they often more uncomfortable, but as a disclaimer I haven’t used a hybrid Leather/KYDEX holster yet, but it’s on my list to add to my box of holsters.

Getting Jason’s advice, we settled on the JMC Charlie Model OWB Holster to accommodate my Sig Sauer P226 with Surefire X200 Weapon Light. Additionally, I went with a Belt Slide Double Pistol Magazine Holder and a Belt Slide Single M4 Magazine Holder.

Charlie Model Holster

The first thing I noticed about the Charlie Model Holster, when it came in the mail around two months ago, was that it wasn’t as form fitting as some of the other KYDEX holsters I have. By form fitting I mean that you can’t see every little detail of your gun molded into the KYDEX. I’ll admit it made me curious about the retention level, but my concern was soon alleviated.

After I first put it on my Jones Tactical EveryDay Belt I realized that the contour around my hips was exactly what I’d been searching for in a OWB Holster. Not only did it contour perfectly, but the belt slide design pulled it in snugly to my waist. It’s also important to note that I wear the Charlie between the 4 and 5 o’clock position on my waist, which is just personal preference.

The retention level of the Charlie Model Holster is absolutely the precise amount of retention that I desire in a KYDEX holster. It can be turned upside down and shaken without releasing, yet draws easily under pressure. Something I’m dealing with however is an ever-so-slight hang up of my XS Big Dot front sight on the topmost front lip as I’m drawing my Sig. This has become easier and easier due to me removing a slight bit of material in that area with a Dremel Tool.

Some of the great things about KYDEX are that if you’re having an issue with fit you can use a Dremel, hair dryer or heat gun to tweak the Kydex. The downside is that you’re risking messing up the retention. I’d only recommend heating it up if you’re having issues with too tight of a fit. I haven’t had this issue at all with my Sig the JMC Charlie Model Holster.

One thing to also mention briefly to help enforce how easy it is to modify a KYDEX holster is that after receiving the JMC Charlie Model Holster, I upgraded my Sig P226 with a threaded barrel. I was able to pull out my Dremel and within a few minutes I had a cut out for the longer barrel that works perfectly and doesn’t hang up at all on the draw or holster.

Belt Slide Double Magazine Holder

I’ve run a double mag holder on my waist between the 10 and 11 o’clock position for a long time and gone through at least 3-4 different KYDEX versions as well as multiple Cordura pouches. While I like the Cordura pouches, I’ve run into issues with the retention while running. Most all of the KYDEX pistol mag holders don’t experience this issue, but what all of them seem to have is an issue biting into my Sig mags.

Lately I’ve been switching between factory Sig mags and Mec-Gar magazines, while I’m saving that comparison for a future article, factory Sig magazines have a small notch in them that’s been snagging on the lip of the KYDEX holster as I draw them. This isn’t a huge issue, but it has caused me to drop a couple of magazines performing emergency reloads.

I was relieved to notice that the JMC Belt Slide Double Magazine Holder didn’t bite my Sig mags at all. I attribute this to the semi-flared lip that seems to also help me out with faster mag draws. It may be all in my head, but it they do seem smoother and faster.

Again with the Double Magazine Holder it features the same Belt Slide design as the Charlie Model Holster which pulls the holder into my waist better and contours my hip better than any other KYDEX double mag holder I’ve used previously. The retention on the Double Magazine Holder is just the right amount as well.

Belt Slide Single Magazine Holder

As I’m always looking to mix things up and not stagnate with my shooting, I also picked up a single Belt Slide Single PMAG Magazine Holder. I’ve only been working with a single primary magazine holder since receiving this KYDEX order from Jason, but from what I’ve used of it so far it has its positives and negatives.

In terms of construction and function from JMC everything is great. As mentioned with the Sig holster and pistol magazine holders, this too contours excellently on my hip in the 3 o’clock position and the belt slide design pulls it in tightly. What I don’t particularly care for is having a large surface area sticking up from my waistband just asking to get caught on something.

I don’t feel there’s a place for running a primary magazine in this configuration if wearing full kit, but I can definitely see the benefits of this if working a detail, needing to keep your chest clear, or needing to stay as streamlined and discreet as possible with a primary weapon.

The configuration I ran with this holder was rounds forward, to stick to my typical index-finger-extended magazine draw style. I’m not a beer can gripper when it comes to drawing magazines and again this is just what works for me, your mileage may vary.

Accessories

Two other items Jason sent along for me to check out were the Business Card Holder and the Money Clip. I think both of these items are great and show his creativity with KYDEX. While there’s not much to them, they’re both made with the same .093 KYDEX as the Charlie Model Holster and the Belt Slide Magazine Holders.

I admit I’m not much of a money clip kind of guy, but it works great for carrying around ITS business cards! The Business Card Holder has also found a place on our shipping table to easily grab one to toss in every order through our store.

Notes and Availability

Something I feel I should mention is that the items I received from JMC Custom Holsters are not ever going to win first prize in a beauty contest, but I say that in the most positive way. Some of the edges are rough, but not to the touch or to the point that it takes away from the functionality of the product. Rather, these products from JMC perform incredibly despite aesthetics.

To me this is a non-issue, but I wanted to mention it as some people out there might feel that their gear needs to look perfect. The reality of it for me is that I hate brand new shiny gear and look forward to breaking it in as much as possible.

JMC Holsters currently offers all their products in .093 KYDEX available in the following colors/styles: Black, Coyote Brown, Carbon Fiber and Desert Digital Camo (as seen in this review). I’m thoroughly impressed with the craftsmanship and innovation coming out of JMC Custom Holsters and look forward to seeing what’s to come.

Stay tuned for a giveaway coming soon on ITS Tactical, as well as a Membership Discount from JMC Custom Holsters!

Photos and Video

For further information, check out the additional photos and YouTube video review below:

We wanted to bring your attention to a discreet product you may have not seen before.

LWRC International, who produces some of the finest piston guns around, has teamed up with Blue Force Gear to bring you an awesome guitar-shaped weapon case called the Ultimate Discreet Rifle Case. While we’ve seen this case previously, Matt P. tipped us off to a recent AAC Blog article with some great photos showing that a 16″ Carbine with AAC’s 8.625″ SPR/M4 suppressor fits perfectly in the case.

This is a fantastic way to transport your weapon to and from the range, while keeping your nosy neighbors assuming you’re loading up for your next gig.

Features

The Ultimate Discreet Rifle Case features two velcro backed straps on a full-length segmented molle strap to secure your weapon in infinite mounting possibilities and an external pouch for magazines, ammunition or optics.

Each case also features an LWRCI logo guitar, two carry handles and a shoulder strap. The case measures 38″ in overall length and is available in black and tan for $149.99 from LWRCI.com.

All photos copyright Advanced Armament Corp.

When the Gen4 Glock came out, the two big improvements were the adjustable backstrap for shooters with smaller hands and the dual recoil spring.

While my every day carry is a Gen3 RTF Glock 22, this was often the gun that most people hated. A couple excuses were that the serrations on the slide look like fish gills and the grip was too rough. The grip does feel a bit like 80 grit sand paper, but I’ve shot this gun in the rain with no slippage. For me the RTF is perfect because I know that my grip will not slip.

When the Gen4 Glock was released, my first reaction was that I had to try it, but wasn’t compelled to purchase it after I did. The grip wasn’t as rough as my current Glock and the back strap seemed more like a gimmick. I did however, really like the dual recoil spring. It was highly noticeable, reduced muzzle flip and allowed me to get back on target quicker.

So instead of making a $530 purchase to give up the things that I liked about my RTF to gain the dual recoil of the Gen4 I started looking around for a dual recoil spring. I finally located one at EFK Fire Dragon.

Construction

Just the construction of this new dual recoil spring yells “BUILT TO LAST!” The stainless steel construction and beefier outer spring makes the stock spring with the plastic body seem, well, wimpy.

Changing the spring is a breeze. Field strip the Glock, remove the factory spring and drop in the EFK. Because of the increased tension you’ll notice additional effort is required to slide lock the gun manually.

Testing

I’ve put about 5000 rounds through my Glock 22 using this spring and the quality is excellent. I would dare to say, better than what I tested with the Gen4. With me, I’m always a skeptic, so I’ve been doing a little social experiment to see it’s just me or the new spring is really awesome as I think it is.

Over the last few months I’ve been taking friends with me to the range. Because I have two separate Glock 22 pistols I give them the Gen3 Glock22 and never say anything about the spring. After firing a few clips about 100 rounds or so I switch with them. Letting them use my RTG2 with the dual recoil spring. Obviously the first thing they notice is the texture of the grip, which is when I start asking about other observations.

“What other things do you notice about the gun? In your opinion is the gun easier or more difficult to shoot?”

I would always get mixed reviews about the grip some liked it some didn’t. But everyone commented that the gun was easier to handle and that they could run the gun a lot faster than the first. So this points back to one of my original statements. Reduced recoil reduces muzzle flip and allows you to get back on target quicker.

So I would ask, “how much recoil difference do you think you experienced between the first gun and the last one?” I never got a response of less than 40% improvement.

So unless you just have to have the latest gear, save the money and buy a dual recoil spring from EFK for around $65 and reap the benefit.

Introduced just this morning over on AR15.com and via their mailing list, the LaRue Tactical VFZ (Vectored Force Zero) Mounting Solution provides a solution for those that don’t require the screaming fast quick-disconnect capability of traditional LaRue QD Mounts.

While still able to disconnect quickly via a 3/8″ wrench and retain the well known “Return to Zero” function LaRue is famous for, this is what some shooter’s have been waiting for.

Here’s Mark LaRue’s Top 7 Reasons for the VFZ:

1. For those folks that just refuse to come to grips with the fact that our LaRue lever mounts solved all the past issues widely known to plague lever mounts.
2. For those folks that don’t want levers no matter how good they are.
3. For those folks still wanting removable repeatability, but don’t mind carrying a small tool (3/8″ wrench) to do it with.
4. For those folks that want removable repeatability, but don’t care if it takes a little longer than the blink of an eye our LaRue lever takes.
5. For those folks never faced with removing or replacing their optic under no-light conditions (in the dark)
6. For those folks just not willing to pay for LaRue lever capability, but still want LaRue quality in a mount, that will still hold an incredible zero.
7. For those folks that have no intention of ever swapping their optic (but can in a pinch if their scope fogs in Alaska)

Coming soon from LaRue Tactical…