World of Firepower - January February 2018

BCM RS IGHTE F N U G INSERT

ADVANCED

FIRST LOOK

MAXIM DEFENSE MD-415 UPPER

100+ SHOW & GO GLOCK PARTS

VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 1

RETRO BUILD

ASSEMBLING ANM16CLONE

KEEPING IT KURZ OUT OF THE WILDERNESS DESERT TECH MDR

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74470 01506 ENGAGED MEDIA INC.

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,FZ.PE JT IFSF 5.

AccuPoint TR24G • Trijicon 1-4x24 Riflescope $1,020.00

KeyMod™ is the tactical industry’s new modular standard!

Defense • American RECON X Scope Mount $189.95

Diamondhead • BCM Folding Rear Sight ®

Diamondhead • BCM Folding Front Sight ®

$99.00

$119.00

KMR-A15 KeyMod Rail • BCM Handguard 15 Inch $199.95 ®

KMSM • BCMGUNFIGHTER™ KeyMod QD Sling Mount $17.95

• BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Stock $55.95

$89.95

Low Profile • BCM Gas Block $44.95 ®

• BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Vertical Grip Mod 3 $18.95

• BCMGUNFIGHTER™ QD End Plate $16.95 Ranger • GEARWARD Band 20-Pak $10.00

• BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Compensator Mod 0

BCM® A2X Flash Suppressor $34.95

• BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Grip Mod 0 $29.95 B5 Systems SOPMOD Bravo Stock $58.00

BCMGUNFIGHTER™

KeyMod 1-Inch Ring Light Mount

®

BCM KMR-A KeyMod Free Float Rail Handguards

For 1” diameter lights $39.95

Same as the fantastic original KMR Handguards but machined from aircraft aluminum!

Blue Force Gear VCAS Sling $45.00

BCM BCM BCM BCM

BCM PNT™ Trigger Assembly ®

9 Inch KMR-A9 . .

10 Inch KMR-A10 13 Inch KMR-A13 15 Inch KMR-A15

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$176.95 $179.95 $189.95 $199.95

BCMGUNFIGHTER™

KeyMod Modular Scout Light Mount

For SureFire Scout Light $39.95

BCMGUNFIGHTER™

Polished – Nickel – Teflon $59.95

PWS DI KeyMod Rail Handguard

Free float KeyMod rail for AR15/M4 pattern rifles.

Wilson Combat Tactical Trigger

PWS DI 12 Inch Rail . . . . . . . . . . . . $249.95 PWS DI 15 Inch Rail . . . . . . . . . . . . $249.95

PWS KeyMod Polymer Bipod Adapter $23.95

$269.95

Inforce WML-HSP

$119.00

Daniel Defense SLiM Rail Handguard

Slim, Light, Modular KeyMod free float handguard.

Trijicon TA31RCO-M4 ACOG 4x32

DD SLiM Rail 12.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $265.00 DD SLiM Rail 15.0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $265.00

Daniel Defense KeyMod Bipod Adapter

$1,422.05

$47.00

Aimpoint PRO Patrol Rifle Optic

$424.00

Daniel Defense KeyMod 1 O’Clock Offset Rail Assembly $39.00

KeyMod Modular Light Mount

For 1913 mounted lights $39.95

Arisaka Inline KeyMod Scout Mount $34.00 Arisaka Ring KeyMod 1” Light Mount $44.00

Thorntail KeyMod Offset Adaptive Light Mounts Thorntail 1.030 Mount . . . $70.00 Thorntail M3M6 1913 Mount . . . . $50.00

Arson Machine Company KeyMod Light Mounts Scout M600 Mount . . . . . . . $48.00 1” Ring Mount . . $44.00

All pricing is subject to change without notice. Please see our website for current pricing.

Hartland, WI U.S.A. / Toll Free: 1-877-BRAVO CO (1-877-272-8626) / Fax: 262-367-0989 / BravoCompanyMFG.com

TM

KeyMod is here!

Industries • Midwest Folding Front Sight $79.95

• BattleComp 1.5 $155.00 1913 • BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Modular Light Mount, KeyMod $39.95

Industries • Midwest ERS BUIS $93.95

Micro H-1 2 MOA • Aimpoint with LRP Mount $709.00

Ranger • GEARWARD Band 20-Pak $10.00

• BCMGUNFIGHTER™ KMSM KeyMod QD Sling Mount $17.95

• BCMGUNFIGHTER™ QD End Plate $16.95

KMR-A13 KeyMod Rail • BCM Handguard 13 Inch $189.95 ®

KAG • BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Kinesthetic Angled Grip, KeyMod $18.95

KeyMod™ is the tactical industry’s new modular standard!

•

• BCM PNT™ ®

TangoDown ARC MK2 30 Round Mag $14.95

Trigger $59.95

PWS FSC556 Tactical Compensator $98.95

• BCM

®

BCMGUNFIGHTER™

• BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Stock $55.95 • BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Grip Mod 3 $17.95

Polymer Trigger Guard $6.95

Vltor Carbine EMOD Stock

Comp Mod 0 - 556

Threaded 1/2x28 for 5.56 AR15 platform

$89.95

$119.65

Comp Mod 1 - 556 Threaded 1/2x28 for 5.56 AR15 platform

$94.95

IWC KeyMod QD RL Sling Mount

Accepts heavy duty or standard QD swivels $17.00

VTAC MK2 Wide Sling $44.95

™

BCMGUNFIGHTER Enhanced Lower Parts Kit BCMGUNFIGHTER™ VG MOD 3 With BCM PNT™ Trigger Assembly, BCM ®

IWC KeyMod Hand Stop Mount-N-Slot design $34.95

BCM® KeyMod Picatinny Rail Sections Mil-Std 1913 rails, Nylon Rails available in Black, FDE and Foliage Green.

Nylon Rail, 3 Inch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.95 Nylon Rail, 4 Inch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11.95 Nylon Rail, 5.5 Inch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $14.95 Aluminum Rail, 3 Inch, Black . . . . . . . $19.95 Aluminum Rail, 4 Inch, Black . . . . . . . $24.95 Aluminum Rail, 5.5 Inch, Black . . . . . $29.95

PWS KeyMod Picatinny Rail Polymer Rail, 5 Slot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11.95 Aluminum Rail, 5 Slot . . . . . . . . . . . . $28.95

®

Mod 3 Grip, BCM® Trigger Guard, and MilSpec hardware kit.

BCMGUNFIGHTER™ ELPK, semi-auto . .$99.95

BCMGUNFIGHTER™ KAG

Kinesthetic Angled Grip

Uses biomechanically efficient forward rake, with small profile textured front and back for positive engagement. Impact resistant polymers, in Black, Flat Dark Earth, Foliage Green and Wolf Gray.

KAG-KM, KeyMod Version . . . . . . . . $18.95 KAG-1913, Picatinny Rail Version . . . . $19.95

Low-profile length for increased mobility and decreased “snag”.

Made in the U.S.A. from impact resistant polymers, available in Black, Flat Dark Earth, Foliage Green, Wolf Gray.

VG-KM-MOD-3, KeyMod Version . . . . . . . $18.95 VG-1913-MOD-3, Picatinny Version . . . . . $19.95

Aimpoint Comp M4S

Red dot sight, fully NVD compatible, with QRP2 Picatinny Rail Mount

$846.00

EOTech HOLOgraphic

Weapon Sights

BCM KeyMod Rail Panel Kits ®

5.5 Inch Rail Panels, in Black, Flat Dark Earth, Foliage Green, Wolf Gray - 5-Pack . . . . $9.95

Model 512 $429.00 Model 552 $529.00

All pricing is subject to change without notice. Please see our website for current pricing.

Hartland, WI U.S.A. / Toll Free: 1-877-BRAVO CO (1-877-272-8626) / Fax: 262-367-0989 / BravoCompanyMFG.com

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

COVER STORY 44 keeping it kurz Modding and shooting the Heckler & Koch SP5K

FEATURES 14 Into the Rabbit Hole

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A close look at the Maxim Defense Industries MD-415 AR upper

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22 Out of the Wilderness The Desert Tech MDR bullpup hits the consumer market at long last

36 Schwag Master Branded gear and accessories for any firearms enthusiast

58 Home on the Range Touring High Bar Homestead, a shooting enthusiast’s paradise

66 Glock Buyer’s Guide Parts and accessories for the perennial law enforcement sidearm

90 retro builds: M16

96

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Our take on cloning the famed infantry service weapon

96 Natural Selection Wilson Combat’s EDC9 and the evolution of the venerable 1911

110 Fitting It All In Testing the limits of the Cannae Pro Gear Triplex Acies 3 Gun Bag

departments 06 First Words 08 Uncovered 10 Reload 12 Dual Blades 120 Pocket Dump 126 Ground Zero 128 Five 130 Last Shot

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on THE COVER Subject: Heckler & Koch SP5K Photography: Jerry Tsai | Designer: Nadezda Sverdlova

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Ready... aim...

Welcome to another issue of World of Firepower, and the first issue of 2018.

Looking back, 2017 was a blur filled with great guns, great gear, and great shooting experiences. As we go to press we are already gearing up for SHOT Show 2018.

WoF editors and contributors will be out in force absorbing all the latest and greatest offerings from the all the industry’s major players and we’ll be bringing you in-depth coverage as these products become available.

Speaking of the latest and greatest, in this issue we bring you reviews on not just one but two highly anticipated releases that have both been quite a while in the making: Desert Tech’s MDR bullpup rifle, which enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating since 2014, and Heckler & Koch’s SP5K, the latest consumer iteration of the venerable MP5 that has been decades in the making. Check them both out on pages 22 and 44, respectively.

In preparation for SHOT 2018, we have assembled a buyer’s guide chock full of upgrades and enhancements for the ubiquitous Glock platform. Glocks might be considered the Chevy small blocks of the firearms world, there is so much available for them, and we had to be painfully judicious in our selection of what to show you in our admittedly limited print space.

There is simply not enough paper available to give a complete rundown of all the great stuff that’s out there for consumption. Check it all out starting on page 66.

Elsewhere in this issue, we take a very special trip to Wyoming to attend the christening of a spanking-new shooting retreat: High Bar Homestead. Situated on

the grounds of the old SureFire Training Academy, High Bar was conceived and built as an all-inclusive getaway that marries first-class accommodations with more than a dozen shooting ranges for rifles, pistols, shotguns and tactical scenarios.

In addition to touring the Homestead, being pampered in the lap of luxury, and sampling the lion’s share of range activities, we were also able to sample products from Grey Ghost Precision, Hornady, Leupold, Silencerco, and TNVC. To be perfectly honest, we were spoiled rotten and we’re already scheming for a way to return. Check out our review starting on page 60.

And last, yes, we admit—we may have a gear problem. Specifically, a problem with toting all our stuff to the range. If you’re reading these pages, chances are good that you have the same problem. We received a new range tote from Cannae Pro Gear to help us better cope with said problem: the Triplex Acies 3 Gun Bag. This wonder of engineering allows us to easily stow three long guns (or two long guns and a mess of pistols) and incorporates myriad stowage features that allow us to stash a ton of necessary extras like magazines, ear pro, rangefinders, and anything else that might be sorely missed were it not with us at the range. Have a look at our findings on page 110.

All things considered, 2018 looks to be another very promising year in the world of firepower. Hit us up on social media to say hi, and let us know what you like or what you might like to see in these pages. And as we said, we’ll be pounding the pavement at SHOT the third week of January. Maybe we’ll see you there.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2018 VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 1 EDITORIAL Jason Mulroney Director of Content John Scott Technical Editor Kelly Nomura Executive Managing Editor Karl Funke Managing Editor Amelia Earl Editorial Assistant DESIGN Katia Sverdlova Nadia Sverdlova

Design Director Art Director

CONTRIBUTORS 5.11 Tactical, Danny Chang, Steve Coulston, Don Edwards, Jordan Hunter, Tim Kennedy, Ellis Lehner, Mike Penhall, Mike Searson, OC Armory, John Scott, John Teator, Chris Tran, TracerX ADVERTISING Gabe Frimmel (714) 200-1930 Casey Clifford (714) 200-1982 Mark Pack (714) 200-1939 Charles Dorr (714) 200-1931 John Bartulin (866) 866-5146 ext. 2746 John Cabral Gennifer Merriday Eric Gomez OPERATIONS Robert Short Parveen Kumar Shailesh Khandelwal Alex Mendoza Melinda Magde Victoria Van Vlear

Ad Sales Director gfrimmel@engagedmediainc.com Senior Account Executive Senior Account Executive Account Executive Account Executive Advertising Design Advertising Traffic Coordinator Advertising Traffic Coordinator

IT Manager Newsstand and Circulation Analyst Subscriptions Manager Administrative Assistant Project Manager Intern Program Manager

EDITORIAL, PRODUCTION & SALES OFFICE 17890 Sky Park Circle, Suite 250, Irvine, CA 92614 (714) 939-9991 • Fax: (800) 249-7761 www.facebook.com/worldoffirepower www.facebook.com/eembybeckett WORLD OF FIREPOWER (ISSN 2332-0281) is published bimonthly six times per year (January/February, March/April, May/June, July/August, September/October, November/December) by Engaged Media Inc., LLC, 17890 Sky Park Circle, Suite 250, Irvine, CA 92614.

POSTMASTER: SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO WORLD OF FIREPOWER C/O ENGAGED MEDIA INC, VSI, INC. 905 KENT ST., LIBERTY, MO 64068. © 2017 by Engaged Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

CUSTOMER SERVICE Engaged Media, Inc. 17890 Sky Park Circle, Suite 250. Irvine, CA 92614 Subscriptions, Address Changes, Renewals, Missing or Damaged Copies (800) 764-6278 (239) 653-0225 Foreign Inquiries subscriptions@engagedmediainc.com customerservice@engagedmediainc.com Back Issues: www.engagedmediamags.com Letters to Editor, New Products, or to Contribute a Story or Photo djeffrey@engagedmediainc.com SUBSCRIPTION RATES $21.95/1 year, $34.95/2 years. Outside the U.S., add $26.00 per year payable in U.S. funds. Single copy price is $8.99.

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This magazine is purchased by the buyer with the understanding that information presented is from various sources from which there can be no warranty or responsibility by Engaged Media Inc., as to the legality, completeness or technical accuracy.

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WORLD OF FIREPOWER

02.

Radix One Slim Wallet radixproducts.com $15

01.

Bรถker Plus Tactical Pen Black bokerusa.com $34

03.

Crashtag Mini crashtag.me $30

04.

Liong Mah Designs Xenobit liongmah.com

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

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05.

SureFire Aviator-BL surefire.com $299

06.

Customized Heckler & Koch SP5K Read about it on page 44

07.

Inforce APL (Gen2) Inforce-mil.com

08.

Glock 19 Gen 3 us.glock.com $599

10.

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Q Series Stealth Glock Standard qseriesllc.com $40

Magpul PMAG 15 GL9 magpul.com $16

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

01. HIGH SPEED ARMS / VT SKULL MAGAZINE RELEASE

02. ULTICLIP / ULTICLIP XL

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03. OLIGHT/ PL-MINI VALKYRIE

This drop-in Valkyrie Tactical Skull Magazine Release (SMR) is CNC-machined from 6061-T6 aluminum billet, offering both an aesthetic upgrade and a functional enhancement for your AR. Vertical grooves machined into the face allow for positive grip and positive engagement even in adverse conditions.

Ulticlip XL is the world’s first multi-tool holster clip and locking steel belt loop. No longer do you have to choose between a holster clip or belt loop; with Ulticlip XL you can have both. The locking belt loop is designed for 1.5” belts and allows the user to carry a holster, knife sheath or accessory Inside the Waist Band (IWB) or Outside the Waist Band (OWB).

MSRP: $25 URL: HIGHSPEEDARMS.COM

MSRP: $15 URL: ULTICLIP.COM

MSRP: $80 URL: OLIGHTSTORE.COM

04. MIDWEST INDUSTRIES / MPX 14” HANDGUARD M-LOK

05. MAXIM DEFENSE / CQB STOCK FOR SIG MPX

06. MAGNETOSPEED /T1000 TARGET HIT INDICATOR

MI’s 14” MPX Handguard’s ergonomic shape is designed to improve the feel and handling of your MPX with easy, no-gunsmith installation. It has a width of 2.06” and internal diameter 1.8” and weighs just 12.1 ounces. It is constructed of 6061 aluminum and hard-coat anodized for a lifetime of service. Includes one five-slot M-LOK compatible rail section.

Maxim Defense’s popular CQB Stocks are available for your SIG MPX. Built with the same functionality and durability as Maxim’s CQB Stock for AR-15, your MPX finally has a CQB stock option. Solid attachment, quick deployment, built-in sling mount, and 5 positions of adjustment make this the perfect choice for your MPX. It comes with a QD sling mount installed and ships with a D-Ring sling mount as well.

The T1000 is a rugged target hit indicator with a weatherproof enclosure and long battery life that lights up when it detects a hit. It is mounted to the back side of AR500 steel targets 10 inches in width or greater. Its flexible rubber reflector is designed to withstand many impacts before needing to be replaced. It has multiple operating modes to best suit your shooting situation.

MSRP: $170 URL: MIDWESTINDUSTRIESINC.COM

MSRP: $360 URL: MAXIMDEFENSE.COM

07. RECON RINGS / MEN'S TACTICAL COLLECTION Recon Rings men’s rings are designed for the tactical operator in all of us. This collection includes all four rings, which come in four colors. Pick the ring that best matches your load-out and change it whenever you need to adapt to your environment.

MSRP: $80 URL: RECONRINGS.COM

08. CONDOR ELITE / FAIL SAFE PACK

At only two ounces, the PL-MINI Valkyrie pistol light has an output of 400 lumens and length of 2.41 inches. Its short length precludes the light from surpassing the barrel of a standard compact pistol for maximum concealability. It also includes Olight’s signature magnetic rechargeable system.

MSRP: $150 URL: MAGNETOSPEED.COM

09. Q-SERIES / STEALTH SIG P320

The Condor Elite Fail Safe blends function and style. Its streamlined design allows users to blend into urban surroundings. With strategically placed hidden pockets to keep all your gear organized, this double-duty assault pack will keep you mobile, comfortable, and efficient on the most rigorous missions, or on your weekend adventures.

Q-Series STEALTH Holsters feature tough injection-molded construction and are durable, ambidextrous, low-profile and tuckable. Positive retention on both the gun and the waistline keeps everything exactly where you need it. For use on all SIG P320, P320-X and P250 full-size, carry and compact models chambered in 9mm and above.

Not compatible with sub-compact models.

MSRP: $109 URL: CONDOR-ELITE.COM

MSRP: $40 URL: QSERIESLLC.COM

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D blade length 3.75 INCHES

L blade finish STONEWASH & MACHINE SATIN FINISH

blade material CPM 20CV blade edge PLAIN, FLAT GRIND blade thickness 0.156 INCHES

ZT KNIVES 0850 The result of a collaboration between Dmitry Sinkevich and Todd Rexford, the 0850 features a CPM 20CV stainless steel blade with a two-tone, stonewash-and-satin finish.

The 0850 opens manually using a decorative aluminum thumb stud with clear anodizing. The thumb stud is echoed by a unique aluminum backspacer that has been turned and sculpted, then also clear anodized. The handles that surround this unusual backspacer are built from carbon fiber composite material that maintains the benefits of carbon while enabling it to take color—in this case, a deep blue.

closed length 4.95 INCHES

Style SUB-FRAME LOCK

ZT.KAIUSALTD.COM

$400 handle material CARBON FIBER COMPOSITE

overall length 8.7 INCHES

overall weight 4.3 OZ.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

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L ACTI S

blade length 3.50 INCHES

blade finish HANDRUB FLATS-BELT FINISH GRIND

Style BOLSTER LOCK blade edge PLAIN blade material CPM S35VN blade thickness 0.160 INCHES

closed length 4.4 INCHES

LIONG MAH DESIGNS G.S.D. Liong Mah Designs’ G.S.D. made a capable folding knife that Gets S*** Done. Its compact size makes it easy to carry and its multiple opening methods allow for quick deployment of the blade. The blade itself is made of CPM S35VN stainless steel with a handrub flats-belt finish grind.

It has a spear point with an ambidextrous low-profile flipper opener. The G.S.D. comes in Version One-Bling (shown), which has a wired wheel finish frame, backspacer, and clip with carbon-fiber scales. Other color options are available.

The pocket clip is interchangeable with an included clip plate.

handle material TITANIUM & CARBON FIBER

LIONGMAH.COM

$425

overall length 7.75 INCHES

overall weight 4.2 OZ.

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Into the Rabbit Hole

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

s

An Advanced Look at the Maxim Defense Industries MD-415 Upper T EXT & I M AG ES BY J OHN S COT T

Maxim Defense’s MD-415 R-DI upper assembly is made for AR-15 platform rifles and is the first complete upper release for the company.

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ometimes you’ll lock onto something that piques your interest, whether it's a firearm platform or even a single accessory, and it’ll start you down the path of discovering other new things that you haven’t encountered before. Thanks to the internet, new discoveries are found quite often nowadays.

We jumped into a rabbit hole a couple of years ago when we discovered the world of personal defense weapon (PDW) stocks and a company called Maxim Defense Industries.

When PDW-style stocks hit the market and became a popular trend a few years back, one stock rose to the top and became a

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— Squad Leader MODEL

SIZE

GRIP

CALIBER

Selected by the U.S. Army for both conventional and Special Operations Forces. The P320 platform is the basis for the M17 Modular Handgun System (MHS).

"""! !

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and is chambered in 5.56x Yes, the same FN that brought you fa vorites like the SCAR 17S and M249 SAW. The barrel that sits inside the MD-415 is actually machinegun-grade and chromelined for ease of cleaning and longevity of life. Its 1/9 twist rate can stabilize a variety of bullets in both 5.56mm and .223 Remington calibers. As good as that sounds, we haven’t even gotten to the best part yet.

The upper receiver incorporates a slick nickel boron-coated enhanced bolt carrier group for reliable functioning.

According to Maxim, the commercial version of the MD415 will be kept as close to the dot-gov version as possible.

System. Maxim’s shorthand for this system is R-DI. ystem that is its soul. Yes, we ulating. Unlike most other AR-15s, where the amount of gas return you get is limited by the barrel’s gas port size, or if you’re lucky, by an add-on adjustable gas block, the MD-415 features a built-in system called the Maxim Regulated Direct Impingement Gas

The R-DI allows the shooter to fine-tune the weapon’s gas system with the simple pull and twist of a self-locking knob found at the gas block of the upper. It features four gas adjustments, which include (in order of least amount of gas return to most) Off, Suppressed, Standard and Adverse. Piston-driv-

“The designers and engineers at Maxim are constantly looking for different, better ways to do things.”

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you come to expect from Maxim Defense. We added a SureFire flash hider to the upper so we could test its suppressed functionality. With a SureFire SOCOM762-RC2 suppressor attached, it also shot without so much as a hiccup.

The adjustability helped us run a variety of ammunition and kept us from eating too much spent gas.

Being able to regulate gas right out of the box in a DI gun is great if you’re fortunate enough to run suppressed. It also works well if you need to fine-tune your gun for differently powered ammunition as well. The look and feel of this upper receiver is everything we would expect from the innovative company. If you’re already a fan of Maxim’s PDW stocks, you’ll definitely want to take a good close look at the MD-415 R-ID upper. If Maxim Defense Industries is new to you, welcome to the rabbit hole. Your journey is just beginning.

“regulating gas is great for suppressed, or for differently powered ammunition.”

Maxim says that the commercial version will be kept pretty much identical to the dot-gov version as possible.

How much will this fine piece of machinery run you? We wondered the same thing. Unfortunately, at the time of this article’s printing, the MSRP was still not determined. We were fortunate enough to be some of the first to get a test piece and wanted to show it to you as soon as we could. Check Maxim’s website to see if a price has since been released.

During our time with the upper, it performed flawlessly and oozed innovation and style that

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Wil

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

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THE DESERT TECH MDR REACHES THE CONSUMER MARKET AT LONG LAST T EXT BY ST EV E COUL STO N / P H OTOS BY T RAC E R X

Out of the derness

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F

inally. After years of prototypes, hype, teaser pics and promises, Utah-based Desert Tech has made good and delivered the new bullpup rifle everyone has been waiting for. The Desert Tech Micro Dynamic Rifle (MDR) is now available. No really, it is. We promise… seriously. Ok, just read on.

Our coverage of the MDR began during SHOT Show 2014 when it was simply a plastic 3D print. The concept was promising. In short, it is a compact bullpup rifle capable of begin configured in multiple calibers that can be changed out quickly with a new innovative left- or right-side forward eject.

In December 2014 Desert Tech invited a group of gun industry media partners out to their testing facility to get a feel for the working MDR prototypes. During our brief visit, it was evident they had come a long way with the project. The .308 variant was up and running; however, the 5.56 conversion was down most of the time.

The biggest challenge was the forward ejection feature. Neither caliber variant was playing nice with the ejection port; it had to be removed from the test rifles for them to function. The trip was productive and all parties involved came away with valuable information and expectations for the MDR. It became evident at SHOT 2015 that Desert Tech was taking our input seriously, but the rifle was still far from the eager consumer market.

It wasn’t until SHOT Show 2016 that we could get a solid update on the rifle’s

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

progress. We spoke to Desert Tech’s lead engineer and he explained the complexities of the problematic bullpup design and the challenges the team was facing. To move the project along, Desert Tech brought on a new engineering team, which reworked the MDR for constructability and reliability.

We discussed the MDR features, like caliber conversion, forward eject, magazine release, and so on. The bullpup would also need to meet NATO test procedures and would need to pass a 50,000-round test prior to release.

They even began taking orders. Optimistic!

Second quarter of 2016 was the promised release date.

That year came and went without a debut.

The release date was pushed further and further back. Customers began to get frustrated and understandably so. We spoke to Nicholas Young, President of Desert Tech, about the delay and he shared his customer’s frustration. However, he was insistent

The 26.2-inch rifle balanced well and pointed easily. We assumed the 5.56 version would be extremely tame.

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the rifle had to be 100% before releasing it to the public. Desert Tech didn’t want to rush the rifle into production only to have major issues with it later.

As SHOT Show 2017 approached, it was finally announced that the MDR would be launched at a private indoor range event.

Have you ever shot a rifle at an indoor range? Pro tip: Don’t, unless it’s suppressed.

The MDR at the event was configured for .308 and… unsuppressed. It was not fun to shoot due to the massive concussion and reverberation within the indoor range. This was a brief shoot that consisted of two mags of ten rounds apiece. Not much to form an opinion, but at least it was something.

Bullpup type rifles are complex to design and build.

The MDR was no exception.

“After years of teasers, desert tech has delivered its bullpup rifle.”

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The 26.2-inch rifle balanced well and pointed easily. The trigger press felt decent and the .308 recoil was stout but manageable.

We assumed the 5.56 version would be extremely tame. After the shoot, we made plans to get an MDR for a future test and evaluation. We would have to wait until fall of 2017 to get that opportunity.

The rifle we received for evaluation was the production model of the MDR. By that time the MDR was being shipped to dealers and a few had been seen in the wild. Gun writers like yours truly were given the opportunity to get a week or two of time on the long-anticipated bullpup. With great excitement, we got our rifle all set up and hit the range.

For our testing, we used two optics. The first was the Leupold ER/T 8.5-25 mounted in a

Upon inspection, we were pleased to see the MDR maintained all its ambidextrous controls.

“The trigger press felt decent and the .308 recoil was stout but manageable.”

ZRODelta M4 mount. This would be used for accuracy testing. The second optic was the rugged Trijicon VCOG 1-6, which would be well suited for the compact rifle up close and at medium distances. We also fitted the rifle with Rainier Arms FDE BUIS, a CRUX ARK30 sound suppressor, Magpul FDE M-LOK AFG, Arisaka/Malkoff 300 Series light and an assortment of magazines and ammunition.

Upon inspection, we were pleased to see the MDR maintained all its ambidextrous controls. The magazine release is easily reached with either firing hand and located just in front of the trigger where you’d expect it to be. A third release is found in front of the magazine well, allowing the shooter to use either hand to release and strip the mag. The short-throw safety is easily manipulated on either side of the rifle and the

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“It is a compact bullpup rifle capable of being configured in multiple calibers that can be changed out quickly.”

We fitted the rifle with Rainier Arm FDE BUIS, Magpul FDE M-LOK AFG, Arisaka/Malkoff 300 Series light.

A Rainier Arms rear BUIS is mounted to the MDR’s top rail.

Thanks to the forward eject feature, even if the shooter shares the same side as the ejection port the spent brass is sent forward of the shooter’s face.

bolt release is directly behind the magwell, lending itself to seamless loading of the magazine while at the same time dropping the bolt to chamber a round. The rifle can also be chambered using the non-reciprocating charging handle on either side which can be locked to the rear similar to the HK MP5. There is also a storage compartment in the pistol grip, which is also removable, potentially lending itself to aftermarket grips.

Ejection sides can be easily swapped from right to left, but honestly it’s not necessary.

Thanks to the forward eject feature, even if the shooter shares the same side as the ejection port the spent brass is sent forward of the shooter’s face. This is achieved by a mechanism within the opposite port insert that will push the case into and down the ejection port on the opposite side during the extraction cycle. When the bolt heads back home, it pushes the spent round down the ejection port where it is held in place by a spring-tensioned claw. Once the cycle is repeated and another spent case enters the ejection port, the first spent brass is spit out the front. If the shooter does desire to switch sides the ports are easily removed and swapped without tools. No left-hand/ right-hand bolt needed. Bottom line, the MDR is a rifle that can be shot and manipu-

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“Bottom line, the MDR is a rifle that can be shot and manipulated a number of ways.”

lated a number o , variety of shooting styles.

At the range we ran it through its paces.

The trigger was somewhat gritty but broke at a consistent 4.5 to 4.75 lbs. on our Wheeler pull scale. We cycled .308 Freedom Munitions 155-grain, .308 Federal Fusion 155-grain and 7.62x51 Aguila 150-grain. The best 5-shot groupings averaged approximately 1 MOA between all rounds. We used a variety of magazines including the PMAG, Lancer L7AWM, and the new Hexmag .308.

All the mags tested were patterned after the SR-25 mag. We also had a X-Product 50-round drum, but it wouldn’t seat in the MDR and was not used.

There are three settings on the gas block: Normal, Suppressed and Adverse. We kept the rifle on normal, even during the suppressed shots, the reason being we didn’t have the appropriate tool on hand to loosen the handguard tensioning screws. The handguard must be removed to adjust the gas block that is tucked under the rear of the handguard. It would be nice if the MDR had an access port that allowed gas block adjustments without

having to remov the suppressed shots over-gassed the rifle on the normal setting. Having one’s face so close to the ejection port during suppressed shooting resulted in mouthfuls of gas, which was less than pleasant.

During both suppressed and unsuppressed operation there were some malfunctions.

First was a failure to eject, likely due to the over-gassing. It appeared the brass would over-expand to the point that it got stuck in the forward eject port, leading to a stoppage. As mentioned, the MDR ejection ports can be easily removed and reversed so we simply removed the forward ejection port and continued firing.

There was also an issue with the safety.

After the last round was fired and the bolt locked to the rear, the safety could be rotated 180 degrees. Odd for sure, but it didn’t cause any real problems. There was a failure to feed the last round with one run through the Hexmag using Aguila ammo, as well as a few light primer strikes with the

We fitted a CRUX ARK30 sound suppressor to the barrel, and we used two optics, a Leupold ER/T 8.5-25 mounted in a ZRODelta M4 mount for accuracy testing and a Trijicon VCOG 1-6 up close and at medium distances.

Aguila and P session shooting unsuppressed (again, on the normal gas setting). It was during that time while shooting Freedom Munition rounds that we had a failure to feed. Upon closer inspection the malfunction was caused by a stuck round in the chamber.

The rim had been torn off by the extractor and the fired brass remained and had to be removed with a cleaning rod after the rifle was deemed safe. We would be lying if we didn’t say we were a bit disappointed, but we can’t say whether this was due to the MDR or the reman ammunition we were using. We would like to give the MDR the benefit of the doubt on this one.

After that session, we contacted Desert Tech and told them about our experience.

They immediately sent us a new rifle to use and we sent the first one back. Desert Tech later told us they didn’t find any issues with the MDR and were able to shoot

— Mechanic MODEL

SIZE

GRIP

CALIBER

The P320 is fueled by innovation and driven by performance.

The modularity of the Nitron Full-Size gives you the ability to

!!!

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“the best group we managed was 1 MOA. Most were wider, but we’re confident that was due to our ability and not the MDR.”

There are three settings on the gas block—Normal, Suppressed and Adverse—but we kept the rifle on normal, even during the suppressed shots, the reason being we didn’t have the appropriate tool on hand to loosen the handguard.

it without malfunctions, which leads us to believe that it was an ammunition issue.

The safety over-rotation was due to the safety detent moving ever so slightly during recoil. When the last round was fired, the shooter’s thumb pressed down on the safety caused it to over rotate. They replaced the detent, fixing the issue.

Along with the new rifle Desert Tech included some 149-grain 7.62x51 American Eagle and their own heavier 175-grain .308 Desert Tech Premium ammo. They have a 0.5 MOA guarantee on their ammo, and sure enough we did achieve 0.5 MOA on the new rifle with a three-round string using the heavier ammunition. The best 5-round group we managed was 1 MOA. Most of the groups were wider than 1 MOA, but we’re confident that was due to our abilities (or lack thereof) and not the MDR. It should be noted that when the suppressor heated up the mirage off the CRUX played hell with viewing the target through the long Leupold. The trigger on the new rifle was much smoother, with a cleaner 4-pound break. Desert Tech told us the second rifle was well-used and broken in, while the first was fairly new. There were not any ejection issues this time and the safety selector over-rotation was gone. We only had one malfunction, which unfortunately was another stuck case in the chamber. This time the culprit was a 155 Federal Premium Fusion. MDR or ammunition issue?

We can’t say for sure.

We put the MDR next to our inhouse SCAR 17 SBR with a 12-inch barrel and its stock collapsed all the way. The MDR was still shorter, more accurate, and doesn’t require a tax stamp to own.

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ergonomics and ambidextrous options on the MDR are more user-friendly and it has a non-reciprocating charging handle, unlike the SCAR. The SCAR 17 recoil impulse feels a bit less than the MDR; however the MDR’s ability to change barrels, ejection sides and calibers is much easier than other bullpups currently on the market. It’s also easier to field strip and clean.

“the cost is comparable to a scar 17 and the mdr gives you a lot of flexibility.”

Overall, we enjoyed our time with the MDR despite the issues we experienced. While not exactly lightweight, the majority of its heft is at the rear so it handles well. It is nice and compact, even with a 16-inch 1:10 barrel. For comparison, we put it next to our in-house SCAR 17 SBR with a 12-inch barrel and the stock collapsed all the way.

The MDR was still shorter, more accurate, and doesn’t require a tax stamp to own. The

While not exactly lightweight, the majority of the MDR’s heft is at the rear so it handles well.

There is a lot of potential here. Is it worth the $2,500 price tag for the tested .308?

That’s something the consumer will need to decide, but the cost is comparable to a SCAR 17 and the MDR gives you a lot of gun and flexibility. You can also purchase caliber conversion kits and other accessories separately at additional cost. The Desert Tech Micro Dynamic Rifle is still in its infancy and it will take some time to see how this baby grows and develops. But one thing is for sure.

After all those years, the MDR is finally here.

Welcome to the family, little guy. Now get to work and show us what you got.

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BRANDED ACCESSORIES FOR THE GUN ENTHUSIAST T EXT & P H OTOS BY J O H N T E ATO R

Schwa Master T

here’s little doubt that you have a favorite gun, or two, or three.

If you’re like us, you probably even have a few favorite firearms or accessory brands you’re a fan of. Maybe it’s the product, or maybe it’s the way a particular company conveys itself that we identify with. Whatever the reason, we gun guys and gals have many options on how to say to the world that we are proud firearms enthusiasts.

In this guide, we take a look at the often looked-over sections of a company’s catalog or website—the schwag department. To be honest, we really like items emblazoned with the logos of the brands we avidly follow, especially when the items themselves are as cool as the primary products that the company makes. Let’s take a look at a few of the hottest branded items that we’ve been missing out on.

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Aero Precision To Pew or Not to Pew T-Shirt Size: M-XXXL Features: 100% combed ring-spun cotton, tear-away label, laundered for reduced shrinkage aeroprecisionusa.com $20

Guntec USA Guntec USA Retro “Garage Style�

Metal Sign Features: Vintage auto style sign, tin construction w/ pre-drilled holes guntecusa.com $20

Bushnell Deluxe Binocular Harness Features: For binoculars/ rangefinders/light cameras; elastic straps disperse weight on shoulders and torso bushnell.com $19

Seekins Precision Aged Billet Brew Crew Sizes: S-XXXL Features: Crew neck, 100% combined cotton blend seekinsprecision.com $17

5.11 Tactical Survivor Rugged Powerbank Colors: Black, Coyote, OD Green Features: 10,050 mah capacity, built-in LED light, 6-ft. drop protection (shown with optional USB cable) 511Tactical.com $65

Sharps Bros.

Exceptional Firearms T-Shirt (Black) Size: S-XXXL Features: 50/50 blend, athletic cut, artwork from Stay the Course Industries sharpsbros.com $17

Tops Knives Tops Tribal Art Tee Sizes: M-XXXL Features: 100% cotton, tribal art design topsknives.Com $20

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Combined with 100 years of experience and Nikon’s lifetime No Fault Policy, this is the riflescope you can trust to deliver every shot with confidence. Four models available.

All Nikon trademarks are the property of Nikon Corporation.

— Specialized glass-etched reticles with matched turrets for long-range dialing — Ultra-rugged, aircraft grade aluminum 30mm main body — Illuminated Reticle models feature 10 brightness levels with intermittent off

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Use BLACK mounts for total precision.

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Ruger Canvas Boat Tote Features: Large front pocket, 20” long straps, 100% natural cotton, Dimensions: 16.5x13x4” ruger.com $14

Ruger Allen Chandler Backpack Features: Ballistic Endura fabric, cool mesh back pad, padded shoulder straps, adjustable sternum strap, hydration compatible Dimensions: 19x12.5x7” ruger.com $70

Lyman Range Kit—Pistol Starter Set Calibers: .45/.40/.44, .380/9mm/.38/.357 Features: All the basic accessories to get started in pistol shooting; bag constructed of 600D nylon Dimensions: 15.7x8.85x10.23” lymanproducts.com $40

SIG Sauer SIG Electronic Hearing Protection Features: Noise reduction of 23 db, sound-activated compression of 0.02 seconds, 2 AAA batteries sigsauer.com $70

SureFire SF Flexfit Cap Colors: Black, gray Sizes: S/M, L/XL Features: Sizepanel cap, Flexfit polyurethane spandex; S/M=6 3/4”7 1/4” hat size, L/XL= 7 1/8”7 5/8” hat size surefire.com $25

Wilson Combat 30-oz. Stainless Steel Tumbler Features: Double wall, 18/8 stainless steel; keeps contents hot for 8 hours or cold for 16 hours wilsoncombat.com $35

Ruger Thermal Bottle Features: 17 oz. capacity, double wall, 18/8 stainless steel ruger.com $27

CMMG Tactical Bacon, 9-oz. can Features: 54 slices of fully cooked, ready-toeat bacon; 9 oz. net weight cmmginc.com $22

Caracal Ball Cap Features: Includes free PVC patch, one size fits all caracalusa.com $17

Midwest Industries Blue and White Trucker Mesh Hat midwestindustriesinc.com $15

Advanced ergonomic shape improves the feel and handling of your SIG MCX/MPX Lightweight, rugged construction of 6061 aluminum, hard coat anodized for a lifetime of service Heat treated 4140 retaining clip with phosphate finish Easy no gunsmith installation Includes one five slot M-LOK™ compatible rail section Patent Pending 100% made in the U.S.A., MI Lifetime Warranty

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25 Inch, 5.0 oz .5 10 CX I-M #M MI Sig MCX 8. . . , 6.9 oz . . ch In .5 10 CX 12 MI Sig M . .#MI-MCX .5 Inch, 8.5 oz . . .5 12 CX M g MI Si . . .#MI-MCX15

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andguard MI Sig MPLXheigHht 2.6” / Internal Diameter 1.8” Width 2.06” / OA

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Grey Ghost Precision Don’t Be Cunty Men’s Shirt Size: S-XXL Features: Also available in women’s shirt; 50% cotton/50% polyester greyghostprecision.com $23

Precision Relex Made In The USA T-Shirt Size: M-XXL Features: 100% cotton, pre-shrunk for ideal size and fit precisionreflex.com Starting at $10

G-Code Bang Box Colors: Black, Coyote Tan, Desert Digital, Gray, Multicam, OD Green, Woodland Features: Small multipurpose transportable storage device, ammo box, velcro strip on outside for caliber patches Approximate round count by caliber: 9mm=300/.40 cal=200/ .45 ACP=150/5.56=200/5.45=200/.50 cal=10 tacticalholsters.com starting at $25

U.S. Optics USO Logo T-Shirt Size: S-XXL usoptics.com $22

Q-Series Trucker Cap Colors: Black, green, red white and blue Features: Fully adjustable with mesh back qseriesllc.com $22

Utiliclip Vintage Logo T-Shirt, Antique Denim Size: S-XXL Features: Soft cotton/ polyester blend, fabric laundered, satin label ulticlip.com $15

— Producer MODEL

SIZE

GRIP

CALIBER

The P320 is fueled by innovation and driven by performance.

dependability in a technologically advanced handgun.

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

45

keeping it kurz Heckler & Koch SP5K T EX T & P H OTOS BY J O H N S COT T

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I

t only takes a split second to recognize the iconic lines of the MP5. One quick glimpse and you already know what it is. That’s how famous this gun is. Introduced in 1964, Heckler & Koch’s MP5 “machinepistole,” or submachine gun, is among the most famous modern-era firearms.

The MP5 has been a workhorse for special operations and other military and law enforcement units worldwide for more than 50 years. To put that in perspective, the year that the MP5 was introduced saw LBJ

in the Oval Office and the Beatles make their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Since then, its variants have been seen action in all types of scenarios. It’s even been featured on the big (and little) screen for decades. As popular as the firearm is, it’s hard to believe that a variant hasn’t been available to the civilian market in the States for over two decades.

With more than half a million MP5s and variants sold worldwide, it boggles the mind why “the rest of us” were left without an official HK model until 2016.

In 1989, HK released a pistol version of the MP5 called the SP89. It was basically a semi-auto version of the MP5K, which is

The SP5K is essentially a modernized version of the SP89, which was in turn a pistol version of the venerable MP5.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

47

a pistol, is meant ecall the look and feel of the original mp5k.”

a pistol version of the MP5. The MP5K is a shortened MP5, with the K standing for Kurz—or “short” in German. It was originally developed for use in confined spaces and is suited for personal defense and other sometimes-clandestine operations.

SP5K picking up a couple of more modern features over the SP89 pistol. The newly introduced SP5K carries on these traits and adds some new ones too.

The MP5K was a shortened MP5; the new SP5K carries many of its signature traits and adds some new ones to the mix.

Updated Favorite

MP5K & SP89

years for our next chance to get our hands on one.

The civilian version SP89 was imported for only four short years and was made unavailable for civilian purchase due to the 1994 Crime Bill. From then on, HK fans everywhere were forced to buy their SP89 or MP5 variant on the secondary market or buy a clone. Count yourself lucky if you picked one up back then. For the rest of us, we would have to wait another twenty-plus

Unlike other MP5s, the MP5K and SP89 do not have shoulder stocks and have end caps covering the back of the receiver. The bolts and receivers were shortened at the rear as well, making them remarkably short. The same goes with the SP5K. It is essentially a modernized version of the SP89 as both are semi-auto versions of the MP5K with the

Designed and manufactured as a pistol for the civilian market, the SP5K is meant to recall the look and feel of the MP5K. (Spoiler alert, it does this in spades.) The SP5K is manufactured completely in HK’s Oberndorf factory in southwest Germany and features the same cold-hammer-forged barrel used on the MP5K, ensuring a service life of tens of thousands of rounds.

New to the SP5K are ambidextrous safety levers as well as a removable Picatinny rail for optics mounting. The handguard is also different from the other models. It was

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“the SP5K features HK’s robust roller-delayed blowback system.”

«

specifications Heckler & Koch SP5K CALIBER: 9X19MM

made more ergonomic with added finger protection from the muzzle. With a gun this short, believe us that it’s a welcome addition. HK includes a hooded front sight as well as an adjustable drum-style rear diopter sight for targeting. For those who shoot with red dots, the aforementioned top rail is a useful new feature.

The SP5K features HK’s proven and robust roller-delayed blowback system for reliable functioning. We’ve been told that in order for HK to import the SP5K as a pistol, certain “fun” features had to be curtailed.

Enthusiasts looking to replicate an MP5 may be dismayed to find that the 4.5-inch barrel is both non-threaded and non-three-lug, which means that suppressors and other muzzle devices cannot be mounted to it in stock form. The good news, however, is that the barrel mounts the same as an MP5K’s,

so a compatible off-the-shelf threaded or lugged barrel can be pressed in by a gunsmith.

The MP5K also features a button magazine release similar to other HK firearms and other popular guns such as the AR-15. Again, those looking to reproduce a certain look or function of another MP5 variant can add a paddle release with help from a gunsmith.

CAPAICTY: 30 OR 10 ROUNDS LENGTH: 13.9 INCHES HEIGHT: 8.66 INCHES BARREL LENGTH: 4.53 INCHES SIGHT RADIUS: 10.2 INCHES WEIGHT: 4 POUNDS, 3 OUNCES MSRP: $2,699 URL: HK-USA.COM

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Form 1 For those who are planning to take the SP5K into NFA territory, you can fill out a Form 1 and turn your pistol into an SBR. After it’s been SBR’d, the world of stocks is your oyster, so to speak, as any stock that would fit an MP5K will fit the SP5K as well.

Because we enjoy SBRs—who doesn’t?— we hit up Adam Webber over at HK Parts (hkparts.net) for some guidance on how to bring our SBR’d SP5K up to speed. He sent us a host of goodies including an HK Parts three-lug barrel and paddle release upgrade kit to get us started on turning the SP5K into more of a MP5K-PDW build.

The U.S.-made barrel is milled to the latest specs of the MP5K-N barrel. Its three-lugged and threaded muzzle gives us the ability to mount suppressors.

“it may have taken 20-plus years, but it was worth the wait.”

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“to import the SP5K as a pistol, certain ‘fun’ features had to be curtailed.”

This is what we started with.

The SP5K you receive from the factory features ambidextrous safety levers and a quick detach optic mount, which are new additions compared to previous incarnations.

It also comes with an ultra-compact, unthreaded, non-three-lug coldhammer-forged barrel as seen above.

HK-type firearms for decades. The work was quickly and expertly performed and we had a tracking number within only a few short days. We eagerly anticipated the SP5K’s return to add on a host of other accessories that we gathered for the build.

We turned to the experts at RDTS Manufacturing (rdts.com) for the installation of the new three-lug barrel and paddle magazine release. RDTS is a NFA Class II manufacturer and has been handling aftermarket mods on

After receiving the gun back, we added an HK Parts enhanced and contoured cocking handle. The cocking handle offers twice the grabbing area for charging the firearm and is made from solid steel billet. This U.S.made part is 922R-compliant. As cliché as it might be, we had no excuse not to do the

“HK slap” to charge the gun now. It may be cliché, but it is fun.

In order to fit a flashlight and foregrip, we opted to replace the new SP5K’s handguard with an M-LOK style forend, also made by HK Parts. The 3.25-inch handguard is made of billet aluminum, is a simple drop-in replacement, and has a very solid lock-up.

We attached a SureFire M300 Mini Scout Light via an Arisaka Inline Scout Mount M-LOK mount, as well as BCM’s new M-LOK BCMGUNFIGHTER-Vertical-Grip for greater forward control.

Some of our shooters are used to a lower cheekweld position on the gun than the stock HK optic mount afforded. Although this was a point that was not agreed upon by all, we went ahead and replaced the excellent factory mount with an equally useful MFI Ultra Low Profile Red Dot Mount anyway. The mount interfaced with our Vortex Razor red dot perfectly. We found the Razor reflex sight to be clear, compact, and durable during our time with it.

For quicker reloads we also installed an HK Parts extended magazine that attached to the paddle release. Giving the finger an oversized release to push reduces user error and helps guarantee that the magazine drops free every

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time you press it. Ow guns will be glad to know that the release will fit other paddle-release-style rifles like the HK G3 and AK-47.

Last but not least on our mission to SBR the SP5K was the addition of an HK Parts PDW Telescoping Stock. This five-position adjustable stock is made in the USA and is probably the lowest-profile stock ever produced for the MP5 family. Unlike other stocks made for MP5K-type weapons, this stock collapses instead of folds. It can be set in five positions and features stainless steel nitride-coated rails, a secure steel locking mechanism and a 7075 hard-anodized aluminum body.

Let the Good Times Roll We handled the SP5K in as many configurations as we could. First, we had it in its unadulterated state as a pistol. In this form, it

was at its most compact and easily handled, even single-handed. The 10.2-inch sight radius gave us a nice accuracy advantage over traditional pistols. The pistol weighs 4.2 pounds, so it can be a handful to keep stable after a while.

An included bungee cord sling is used to not only sling the SP5K when it’s not in use, but to help stabilize shots when it is. Simply wear it as you would a single-point sling, pull the gun forward, and use its “stretch” to help stabilize the weapon and reduce fatigue while shooting. It’s brilliant really. We didn’t have the opportunity to try the SP5K with pistol braces, but we imagine they would make great additions to the package.

“For those planning on NFA territory, you can fill out a Form 1 and turn your pistol into an SBR.”

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It goes without saying that we had a ton of fun using the SP5K in SBR form. We configured it in a few ways, including with a folding stock and stock MP5K handguard as well as in the full-blown, decked-out, aftermarket build described above. We were left smiling with every shot. But what got us even more smiles was still to come.

It was then that we were presented with a SureFire SF Ryder 9-MP5 Suppressor to

attached to the three-lug barrel tip. As if the day couldn’t get any better! The SF Ryder is specifically made for use with HK MP5-style three-lug attachments. The stainless-steel-constructed suppressor quickly attaches by way of SureFire’s Fast-Attach twist collar. It is designed for sub-machine gun use, which means it performed with our semi-auto fire with utter impunity.

We attached the suppressor and went to

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

After installing our three-lug barrel and paddle magazine release, we added an HK Parts cocking handle and M-LOK forend, MFI Ultra Low Profile Red Dot Mount, and PDW telescopic stock.

town. It is easily disassembled for cleaning and SureFire claims that it does not affect bullet performance or increase point of impact/point of aim. Each of our shooters was able to hit targets from a few yards

57

“the sp5k is very intuitive to use, even for shooters unfamiliar with the MP5 platform.” out to about 100 yards with ease. The SP5K is intuitive to use and didn’t require much getting use to, even for shooters that were unfamiliar with the MP5 platform. The muffled shot that the SF Ryder provided was a welcome sound to our ears.

Worth the Wait We’re going straight out say that we’re beyond pleased that HK has brought the

MP5 platform back to our shores. It might have taken more than 20 years, but it was worth the wait. The ultra-compact SP5K is a proven firearm that is also a hoot to shoot, satisfying to collect, and just as fun to modify and configure. If we had the ability, we’d buy a few of them to make our own “HK Grey Room” at home. (If you don’t know what that is, look it up online.) One can always dream!

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Home on the Range HIGH BAR HOMESTEAD: A SHOOTER’S PARADISE T EXT & P HOTOS BY C HR I S T RAN

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

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R

ecently, World of Firepower was invited to attend an exclusive media-only event at High Bar Homestead in April, 2017. Nine other media and press personnel and I attended a three-day production that showcased some new and outstanding products from Grey Ghost Precision, Hornady Manufacturing, Leupold Optics, SilencerCo, and Tactical Night Vision Company.

Being a very small fish in a big pond of “who’s who” in the firearms industry, and an average shooter at best (more on that later), I have never experienced such rockstar treatment at a press event in my short time as a writer.

I owe the experience to the graciousness of event sponsor TNVC and the total experience package offered by the Homestead.

Once the event was over, I had an opportunity to speak with Kelsy Gonzales, one of the staff members at High Bar Homestead, who provided me with some background and context of what the High Bar Homestead experience truly is. Before we delve into the event itself, let’s put the company into context.

Chris Tran (CT): How did High Bar Homestead (HBH) come to be?

Kelsy Gonzales (KG): My friend and hunting buddy Drake Clark had been looking for land in Wyoming for the past 10 years. He wanted a place for his family to escape to on the weekends and to call home in his later years.

In April of 2016 Drake settled on a 250-acre spread that had previously been the old SureFire small arms training academy. Drake was looking for someone to manage the property full-time; that's where I come in. Shortly after closing the deal and moving into the property, we realized there was a business opportunity.

I wanted to share the land with people who would truly appreciate not only the scenery and firearms perspective but the opportunity to partake in an all-inclusive venue that required little to no headache in business/ pleasure logistics.

High Bar Homestead offers all the comforts of home and breathtaking scenery.

“a 250-acre spread that was once the Surefire training academy.” group of guys looking to do a bachelor party, we provide a turnkey solution.

Second, provide a variety of firearms-related activities. So often today ranges are fairly bland, flat and mundane. Our dozen-plus ranges and close to 1,000 steel targets allow customers to access a variety of shooting opportunities. This includes a 2,000-yard range, paintball and Simunitions shoot house, submachinegun and pistol courses, natural terrain precision ranges, shoot tower, 1,000-yard known distance, and a 1.5-mile walking course with over 100 targets. We only offer one flat range with more than 30 target stands. Everything else is steel and very unique.

CT: Does HBH have a target market? What is unique about HBH that sets it apart from other locations? Are there other sites that compare to or rival what HBH has to offer?

KG: Our target market consists of two major groups. Firearms industry professionals looking to host media events, sales meetings, VIP retreats, marketing video and photo shoots, matches, product launches and employee training. Private groups for events such as family reunions, weddings, bachelor/bachelorette parties, and “man-cations.”

CT: Can you explain your overall mission philosophy?

CT: Being that HBH is a destination experience for shooters, can you describe the benefits offered for shooters or companies who sign up for the HBH experience?

We’ve built a venue that offers so much more than other “stay where you play” ranges.

From the comfy memory foam mattresses to the top-notch food, you feel like you're on vacation every minute. Variety is king from a firearms perspective. We control the variables we can control and that's always the first priority.

KG: The answer is twofold. First, offer a secluded location with all-inclusive services from ground transportation to and from the airport, top-notch food, amazing lodging, a dozen-plus ranges, and access to the entire property via on-site off-road vehicles. Whether our customers are firearms industry professionals or a

KG: I've mentioned several already. The all-inclusive price, 40 miles north of Gillette, means [we’re] close to the airport and town but far enough away to be very private. The new lodge accommodates groups of up to 30. Not your boring old ranges, with significant variety, scenery beyond beauty and a first-rate staff.

No doubt there are other ranges out there that offer similar services. I'd be hard pressed to believe any would embrace the spirit of the West while offering a totally unique experience the way we do. We are looking to expand business to the off-road vehicle manufacturers and enthusiasts in 2018. The

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goal being to offer both four- and two-wheel off-road courses with all the site lodging, food and transport as well.

More than a dozen ranges including rifle, pistol, and shotgun are available to High Bar Homestead guests.

CT: I was amazed at the diversity of ranges, shooting stations, and experiences available for our group. There were several stations that we didn’t even get to despite the multi-day event.

Can you give us a rundown of the stations and courses of fire available?

KG: There’s more than a dozen ranges, and I could talk about them all day.

Precision Ranges: Quigley’s Rig: This is an 1,800- and 2,000-yard range marked by a 1961 GMC 2 ½-ton flatbed.

The shooting positions consist of several prone locations and spotter positions in the rear of the truck. There is an elevation increase of 300 feet from the shooting location to impact zone [for] both the 1,800- and 2,000-yard man sized targets.

1,000-yard known distance: This shooting position consists of five ’50s and ’60s farm trucks, two 1953 Chevys, a 1969 Dodge, and two 1959 Fords—all of which have two shooting benches in the beds. The trucks have had additional stabilization to create a solid foundation. Handcrafted stairs lead to the back of each truck for ease of entry. The range has impact zones and multiple steel targets in hundred-yard increments out to 1,000 yards.

This range allows for the shooter to remove the majority of the variables in understanding data for their rifle. It is by far a crowd favorite.

The Roost: This 40-foot shoot tower looks down upon a field of 20 steel targets at distances between 200 and 250 yards.

Pistol Johnny’s Boneyard: Named after John Noveske, this range is a roughly 1.5-mile single-track trail. It’s not for the faint of heart.

With more than 100 steel targets and varying

Which one would you grab first?

Carbine ranges Dixon’s Outlook: This is a natural terrain range that sits atop the high point at High Bar. With 20+ steel targets, the shooter can engage targets out to 600 yards with both high- and low-angle engagements across the valley.

There are multiple shooter positions in both the prone, kneeling and standing position with support in addition to benches.

Diamond Cabaret: Near the top of one of the taller foothills, DC offers high- and low-angle shooting at more than 20 steel targets out to 500 yards. Shooter positions consist of multiple prone areas.

White’s Hill: Set at the base of a small knoll and nestled amongst the Pondarosa pine. This shaded area is a crowd favorite with multiple shooter positions and close to 30 steel targets at ranges from 200 to 500+ yards.

The author takes aim at the 1,000-yard known distance rifle range.

terrain throughout, the shooter can expect to engage targets anywhere between 15 and 150 yards. The Boneyard starts near Johnny’s Bone Shack, a memorial to John Noveske set in a sage brush prairie. Once the shooter makes his way up into the draw, the terrain changes into lush green forest fed by a natural spring. Past the spring, the terrain changes to thick forested foothills.

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Hogan’s Alley: This is a fast-paced, high-target range. Set in a 3-acre stand of 10-year-old Pondarosa, this range is littered with steel targets. The shooter moves down the center, engaging steel targets on the left and right.

The Shoot House: This 20-room Simunitions and paintball shoot house includes a movie theater, classroom, and bus-entry scenarios.

There are also several vehicles that add to the offering. The external walls of the shoot house are live-fire capable. There are dozens of targets that allow shooters to run the outside perimeter, where they will find half-IPSC drop targets.

Shotgun Ranges Dayl’s Draw: This is a fun course set at the bottom of a 200-yard draw that sits subsurface to the rest of the property, and is lush with hawthorne bushes and plum trees. The shooter will run down a single-track trail and engage falling steel targets along the way.

The Homestead coddles its guests in the lap of luxury.

Puller’s Point: This range allows for shooting carbine or shotgun. A mix of steel targets can be engaged with a carbine out to 200+ yards.

Near the shooting position there’s also a clay throwing station for trap and skeet.

100-yard Flat Range: This is the only flat range on the property. At 150 yards wide and with dozens of target stands and steel targets, this hundred-yard flat range can host 40 shooters at once.

CT: Is there anything else you would want readers to know about HBH before they book a shooting experience?

KG: We at High Bar strive to address every need of our customer prior to their arrival.

There are a few things that our customers will be responsible for: air transportation to the Campbell County airport, firearms, and ammunition. Everything else is taken care of by us.

Whether you’re a firearms industry professional looking for a venue to host your next event, or a regular Joe looking for a guy’s weekend away, we provide a turnkey solution.

When Gonzales described High Bar Homestead as a “turnkey solution,” he wasn’t joking. Everything is taken care of. Once I de-boarded my plane and got my luggage, I boarded a chartered bus for the guests and company reps. Once at the Homestead, we were greeted by the HBH staff, given an

Grey Ghost Precision, Hornady Manufacturing, Leupold Optics, SilencerCo, and Tactical Night Vision Company offered product to shoot and test at the event.

orientation of the 100% brand-new lodge (Gonzales later told me that the staff was literally cleaning up construction residue and sweeping sawdust up the morning of), found our bunks, and had the rest of the day to socialize, settle in, admire the grandiose views, and eat some wonderfully homecooked food.

The staff was professional, attentive but not overbearing, and very clear in their desire

for us to feel at home and relax. I felt more like I was at a friend’s getaway cabin rather than at a high-end media event, right down to the “Whatever is available in the fridge is yours” comments.

The evening culminated in presentations from each of the companies present: Grey Ghost, Leupold Optics, Tactical Night Vision Company, Hornady Manufacturing, and Silencerco.

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On Day Two, we awoke for breakfast, a safety briefing, and short presentations from each company on the products they wished to showcase. The weather was beautiful—crisp, cold, clear, and the morning sun offered a bit of warmth as it rose in the sky. We spent the morning shooting on the 1000-yard known distance range. One of my favorite ranges of the event, our shooting platforms were in the beds of the ’50s and ’60s-era trucks. The truck beds provided a stable, slightly elevated shooting platform with sturdy, comfortable benches and plenty of space to move around.

Grey Ghost Precision rifles in .308, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 300BLK were plentiful, and those platforms in conjunction with Hornady ammo and crystal-clear Leupold glass made for a great time.

Tactical Night Vision Company on night vision fundamentals, we bundled up and headed out for night vision shooting, led by Chip Lasky and Don Edwards. Both former SF operators, they led us through an awesome familiarization course of no-light fire that let us all experience the capabilities of TNVC’s products, and an opportunity to experience the superiority of B.E. Meyer’s MAWL platform. It’s safe to say that for all of us with limited experience under NV, the exposure was quite literally eye-opening.

After a lunch break, we broke up into two shooter groups for the afternoon and had a chance to alternate between Johnny’s Bone Yard walking pistol course and an awesome Hogan’s Alley course of fire. Silencerco’s Maxim 9, a full-auto MP5, and Grey Ghost Precision’s new Glock slide platforms were the stars of the show.

Day Three was our final full day of events, and we all loaded into Polaris Quad Runners and traversed up and through the rolling hills and multiple acres of HBH to the Diamond Cabaret and Dixon’s Outlook precision courses. Shooting prone at no less that 450 yards, we got to enjoy the precision, accuracy, and reliability of Grey Ghost Precision’s rifle platforms, and many of us started to test our own skills at distance.

After dinner break and a presentation from

After a couple hours, we expended all the ammo for the night and headed back to the lodge to thaw out, have an adult beverage or two, and settled into the amazingly comfortable beds.

What better way to spend the week with your friends than on a tactical outing on the range?

After a lunch break, the second half of the daylight hours left were spent at Puller’s Point, The Roost (a 40-foot tower), and White’s Hill Precision Course. The highlight for me was getting solid shots on steel at 100 yards with Grey Ghost Precision’s Glock slide platforms. Those pistols seriously perform. I was also notably impressed with the coordination, professionalism and laid-back attitude of all the HBH staff.

They were extraordinarily accommodating and shooter safety was always at the forefront.

As darkness fell on that final night, we headed back in for an indulgent steak dinner, and then we were back to the 1,000-yard known distance range, perched atop truck beds to shoot using clip-on NV setups. This was a first for me, having never used dedicated clip-on NV scopes before. Ringing steel at 750 yards in total darkness was an amazing experience. If an average shooter like myself could accomplish that, I can’t imagine the terror of being on the receiving end of such mechanical capabilities for enemy combatants facing trained Special Forces operators. Truly awesome.

“a shooter’s paradise, with more range setups than you could hope for.”

High Bar Homestead is truly a destination venue and an all-inclusive turnkey solution.

Wyoming’s beauty is one thing, yet matched by the modern yet cozy accommodations that HBH has created. It truly is a shooter’s paradise with more diversity in courses of fire and range setups than one could hope for. There were several ranges we didn’t experience (the one with school buses and room structures, for example) and I’m trying to scheme a way to get back to them.

The view from the top of Dixon’s Cabaret, a rocky outlook nested among Ponderosa pine.

Whether it be for tactical training, enthusiast shooting, precision courses (such as the recent Cabela’s/MagPul CORE shoot), corporate getaways or family events, High Bar Homestead is a shooter’s dream come true. Currently, I’m dreaming of Wyoming.

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Upgrades Galore Glock Parts Buyer’s Guide T EXT & I M AG ES BY J OHN S COT T

I

f you ask Glock about what parts they’d recommend you swap out on one of their pistols to improve its performance, they’d quickly reply that it’s a platform that is already perfect. No need to touch it.

That may or may not be so; it really depends on the individual shooter.

What we’ve noticed is that aftermarket support for Glock’s pistols is absolutely enormous. In automotive terms, the selec-

tion of upgrades you can buy for a Glock is as numerous as that of Jeep’s JK Wrangler.

If you ask any number of shooters the same question, they’ll quickly point to a number of aftermarket accessories such as an extended magazine release or trigger connector. In this guide, we delve head first into the world of Glock parts. While there are plenty of other parts that we didn’t have the space for, this guide covers many of the highlights and standouts in a crowded field.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

Barrels 01

AGENCY ARMS AVAILABLE: STOCK LENGTH, FLUTED AND THREADED. GEN: 1-4 MSRP: STARTING AT $170 URL: AGENCYARMS.COM

02

03

ALPHAWOLF

BY LONE WOLF DISTRIBUTORS

DOUBLE DIAMOND

BY GLOCKSTORE

AVAILABLE: STOCK AND EXTENDED LENGTH, FLUTED, CONVERSIONS, SIGNATURE SERIES FLUSH CUT AND THREADED.

AVAILABLE: STOCK AND EXTENDED LENGTH, CONVERSIONS, PORTED AND THREADED.

GEN: 1-4

GEN: 1-4

MSRP: STARTING AT $120 URL: LONEWOLFDIST.COM

MSRP: STARTING AT $130 URL: GLOCKSTORE.COM

04

05

06

GREY GHOST PRECISION

KKM PRECISION

SHADOW SYSTEMS

AVAILABLE: STOCK LENGTH FOR 17 & 19 BARRELS.

AVAILABLE: STOCK AND EXTENDED LENGTH, COMPENSATOR, CONVERSIONS, PORTED AND THREADED.

AVAILABLE: STOCK AND EXTENDED LENGTH, DIMPLED, FLUTED AND THREADED.

GEN: 1-5

GEN: 1-4

MSRP: STARTING AT $165

MSRP: STARTING AT $179

URL: KKMPRECISION.COM

URL: SHADOWSYSTEMSCORP.COM

GEN: 3-4 MSRP: STARTING AT $180 URL: GREYGHOSTPRECISION.COM

Buffers 07

08

09

VELOCITY ARMS

WILSON COMBAT

AVAILABLE: STOCK LENGTH, FLUTED AND THREADED.

AVAILABLE: STOCK LENGTH AND THREADED.

STRIKE INDUSTRIES SI SHOCK BUFFER FOR GLOCK

GEN: 3-5

GEN: 1-4

FITMENT: 17, 17L, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 24C, 31, 32, 37

MSRP: STARTING AT $210

MSRP: STARTING AT $190

GEN: 1-3

URL: VELOCITYARMS.COM

URL: WILSONCOMBAT.COM

MSRP: $10 URL: STRIKEINDUSTRIES.COM

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buffers 10

Compensators 11

12

WILSON COMBAT SHOK-BUFF RECOIL BUFFER FOR GLOCK

ALPHAWOLF BY LONE WOLF DISTRIBUTORS COMPENSATOR

DOUBLE DIAMOND BY GLOCKSTORE COMPENSATOR

FITMENT: 17/17L/18/19/20/21/22/23/24/24C/31/32

AVAILABLE: ALUMINUM, BLACK ANODIZED

FITMENT: 9MM 1/2-28, .40 S&W 9/16-24, .45 ACP .578-28

GEN: 1-3

FITMENT: 9MM, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, .45 ACP, 10MM, .460 ROWLAND

MSRP: STARTING AT $90

MSRP: $10 URL: WILSONCOMBAT.COM

MSRP: STARTING AT $50

AVAILABLE: BLACK, STAINLESS STEEL

URL: GLOCKSTORE.COM

URL: LONEWOLFDIST.COM

Firing Pins 13

14

15

KE ARMS ENHANCED COMP (TWO PORTS)

STRIKE INDUSTRIES G4 SLIDECOMP

GLOCKSTORE TITANIUM SKELETONIZED STRIKER

AVAILABLE: SHORT THREADS 0.259”, LONG THREADS 0.510”

AVAILABLE: COMPACT: 19, 23, 32 / STANDARD 17, 22, 31

FITMENT: SMALL 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37 / LARGE: 20, 20SF, 21, 21SF, 29, 29SF, 30, 30S, 30SF, 36, 40, 41

FITMENT: 1/2-28 MSRP: $80 URL: KEARMS.COM

16

FITMENT: GEN 4 MSRP: $80 URL: STRIKEINDUSTRIES.COM

17

MSRP: $80 URL: GLOCKSTORE.COM

18

LIGHTNING STRIKE PRODUCTS TITANIUM STRICKER FOR GLOCK PISTOLS

LONE WOLF DISTRIBUTORS LIGHTWEIGHT FIRING PIN

STRIKE INDUSTRIES STRIKER SPRING PACK FOR GLOCK

FITMENT: SMALL 9, 40, 357, LARGE 10, 45

INCLUDES: 4-LB, 4.5-LB, 5-LB, 6-LB SPRINGS

FITMENT: SMALL: 17, 17L, 18, 19, 22, 23, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39 / LARGE: 20, 21, 29, 30, 36

MSRP: $50

FITMENT: ALL EXCEPT 42, 43

URL: LONEWOLFDIST.COM

GEN: 1-5

MSRP: $100 URL: LSPI.COM

MSRP: $14 URL: STRIKEINDUSTRIES.COM

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

Guide Rods and Recoil springs 19

ADVANCE DYNAMIC RMS GEN4 GLOCK GUIDE ROD FITMENT: 34,35,40,41 GEN: GEN4 MSRP: $50 URL: ADVANCE-DYNAMIC.COM

20

GLOCKSTORE AVAILABLE: CAPTURED, UNCAPTURED, STAINLESS STEEL AND TUNGSTEN GEN: 1-5 MSRP: STARTING AT $50 URL: GLOCKSTORE.COM

21

JENTRA PLUG COMPETITION GUIDE ROD KIT FOR GEN4 PISTOLS FITMENT: 17,34,35 GEN: 4 MSRP: $40 URL: JENTRAPLUG.COM

Slides 22

LONE WOLF DISTRIBUTORS AVAILABLE: CAPTURED, UNCAPTURED, STAINLESS STEEL, TITANIUM AND TUNGSTEN

23

ALPHAWOLF BY LONE WOLF DISTRIBUTORS

24

GLOCKSTORE AVAILABLE: VARIOUS CUTS, SERRATED AND VORTEX VIPER

GEN: 1-4, GEN5 19 ONLY

AVAILABLE: BLANK, OEM, TRIJICON RMR CUT, SERRATED AND SIGNATURE SERIES

MSRP: STARTING AT $15

FITMENT: 17, 19, 22, 34

GEN: 3-4

URL: LONEWOLFDIST.COM

GEN: 3-4

MSRP: STARTING AT $475

MSRP: STARTING AT $210

URL: GLOCKSTORE.COM

FITMENT: 17, 19, 22, 23, 34, 35

URL: LONEWOLFDIST.COM

25

26

27

GREY GHOST PRECISION

KE ARMS

SHADOW SYSTEMS

AVAILABLE: V1, V2 WITH AND WITHOUT TRIJICON RMR CUT

AVAILABLE: BLANK, VARIOUS CUTS, SERRATED AND TRIJICON RMR CUT

AVAILABLE: VARIOUS CUTS, SERRATED AND TRIJICON RMR CUT

FITMENT: 17, 19, 34

FITMENT: 17,19

GEN: 3-4

GEN: 3

MSRP: STARTING AT $289

MSRP: STARTING AT $389

URL: KEARMS.COM

URL: SHADOWSYSTEMSCORP.COM

FITMENT: 17, 19 GEN: 3-4 MSRP: $399 URL: GREYGHOSTPRECISION.COM

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Slides 28

UNITYTACTICAL / ATOM SLIDE

Slide Plates 29

30

GLOCKSTORE

LONE WOLF DISTRIBUTORS

FITMENT: 17, 19, 22, 23

AVAILABLE: VARIOUS COLORS, CUSTOM DESIGNS, PLAIN AND SERRATED

FITMENT: 3D, CHROME, VARIOUS COLORS, CUSTOM DESIGNS AND SERRATED

GEN: 3-4

FITMENT: ALL INCLUDING 42, 43

AVAILABLE: ALL INCLUDING 42, 43

MSRP: $500 (ADAPTER $52)

GEN: 1-5

GEN: 1-4

URL: UNITYTACTICAL.COM

MSRP: STARTING AT $15

MSRP: STARTING AT $10

URL: GLOCKSTORE.COM

URL: LONEWOLFDIST.COM

(SHOWN W/ OPTIONAL RED DOT ADAPTER)

Slide Rackers 31

32

33

STRIKE INDUSTRIES SLIDE COVER PLATE

WICKED GRIPS GLOCK READ SLIDE PLATE 3D SPARTAN

CHAMBERMAX TA-1

AVAILABLE: V1 AND V2

AVAILABLE: BLACK, BURNT BRONZE, STAINLESS STEEL AND TUNGSTEN

FITMENT: 17, 17L, 19, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35

FITMENT: ALL EXCEPT 42, 43

MSRP: $40

FITMENT: ALL INCLUDING 42, 43 GEN: 1-4 MSRP: STARTING AT $23 URL: STRIKEINDUSTRIES.COM

34

GLOCKSTORE AVAILABLE: AMBIDEXTROUS, LONGHORN, SHORT HORN, LEFT HAND, RIGHT HAND AND NO HORN FITMENT: ALL INCLUDING 42, 43 GEN: 3-4 MSRP: $50 URL: GLOCKSTORE.COM

GEN: 1-4 MSRP: $65

GEN: 1-4 URL: CHAMBERMAX.US

URL: WICKEDGRIPS.COM

35

36

RECOVER TACTICAL GLOCK CHARGING HANDLE

SPRINGER PRECISION EZ SLIDE RACKER

FITMENT: 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 35, 43

AVAILABLE: CARRY/DUTY AND COMPETITION

GEN: 3-4

FITMENT: ALL INCLUDING 43, EXCEPT 42

MSRP: 15

GEN: 3-4

URL: RECOVERTACTICAL.COM

MSRP: $35 URL: SPRINGERPRECISION.COM

SURVIVAL IS

MANDATORY

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• LL-807G • LL-807

FOR ALL CURRENT OFFERS & PROMOTIONS VISIT CRIMSONTRACEOFFERS.COM/FIREPOWER

crimsontrace.com

800-442-2406

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Connectors 37

Frame Devices 38

GHOST

TARAN TACTICAL INNOVATIONS

AVAILABLE: 3.3 LB, 3.5 LB, 4.5 LB, 5.0 LB

AVAILABLE: 3.25 LB

FITMENT: ALL INCLUDING 42, 43

FITMENT: ALL INCLUDING 42, 43

GEN: 1-5

GEN: 1-5

MSRP: STARTING AT $10

MSRP: STARTING AT $25

URL: GHOSTINC.COM

URL: TARANTACTICALINNOVATIONS.COM

39

DARKHOUR DEFENSE GSOD (GLOCK STAND OFF DEVICE) NOTES: ALLOWS DISCHARGE IF PRESSED AGAINST A SOLID OBJET. MITIGATES RECOIL W/ EXTRA WEIGHT AVAILABLE: BLACK, CLEAR ANODIZED FITMENT: FULL-SIZED AND MID-SIZED FRAMES MSRP: $109 URL: DARKHOURDEFENSE.COM

Grips 40

41

42

JENTRA PLUG / THE JENTRA WEIGHT

PACHMAYR / TACTICAL GRIP GLOVES

TALON GRIPS / GRIPS FOR GLOCK

NOTES: STABILIZE PISTOL DURING THE RECOIL CYCLE W/ EXTRA WEIGHT

NOTES: DESIGNED FOR EACH MODE, VENTILATED SIDE PANELS, CONTOURED, FLEXIBLE ULTRA-SOFT RUBBER

NOTES: VARIOUS TEXTURES, SPECIFIC FOR FIREARM, LOW PROFILE ADDS MINIMAL SIZE, EASY TO INSTALL

AVAILABLE: 6.7-7 OZ IN BLACK MATTE FINISH

FITMENT: COMPACTS, FULL-SIZED AND SUBCOMPACT FRAMES

FITMENT: ALL INCLUDING 42, 43

FITMENT: FRAME RAIL MSRP: $55 URL: JENTRAPLUG.COM

GEN: 1-4 MSRP: $14 URL: PACHMAYR.COM

Grip Plugs

GEN: 1-5 MSRP: $18 URL: TALONGUNGRIPS.COM

Magazine Releases

43

44

45

JENTRA PLUG / THE PLUG

TANGO DOWN / VICKERS TACTICAL GRIP PLUG TAKEDOWN TOOL

AGENCY ARMS EXTENDED MAGAZINE RELEASE

NOTES: STAINLESS STEEL TAKEDOWN TOOL STOWED IN PISTOL GRIP CAVITY

NOTES: 3/64” LONGER, 6061 ALUMINUM

NOTES: CLOSE THE OPEN CAVITY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GRIP, NOT ALLOWING DEBRIS TO ENTER FITMENT: 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 41, 42, 43 GEN: 1-5 MSRP: $6 URL: JENTRAPLUG.COM

FITMENT: 17, 19, 22, 23, 31, 32, 34, 35 GEN: 3-5 MSRP: $13 URL: TANGODOWN.COM

AVAILABLE: LEFT AND RIGHT HAND VERSIONS FOR GEN4 FITMENT: ALL EXCEPT WIDE AND SINGLE STACK FRAMES GEN: 3-4 MSRP: $40 URL: AGENCYARMS.COM

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Magazine Releases 46

BASTION EXTENDED MAG RELEASE FOR GLOCK NOTES: 0.10” LONGER, T6 ALUMINUM AVAILABLE: BLACK, SILVER FITMENT: 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39 GEN: 1-5 MSRP: $25 URL: BASTIONGEAR.COM

47

48

GHOST

GLOCKSTORE

NOTES: EMR EXTENDED, EXTENDED, EXTENDED TACTICAL, LOW-PRO EXTENDED, MINI EXTENDED, TAC EXTENDED AND X-RELEASE AVAILABLE: BLACK, ORANGE

NOTES: ALUMINUM, CHECKERED EXTENDED, RECTANGULAR ALUMINUM EXTENDED AND TEAR DROP EXTENDED AVAILABLE: VARIOUS COLORS

FITMENT: SMALL/MEDIUM/LARGE FRAME INCLUDING 42, 43

FITMENT: 17, 18, 19, 20, 20SF, 21, 21SF, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 29SF, 30, 30SF, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 40, 41

GEN: 1-5

GEN: 3-5 INCLUDING 42, 43

MSRP: $13

MSRP: $30

URL: GHOSTINC.COM

URL:GLOCKSTORE.COM

49

50

LONE WOLF DISTRIBUTORS

RAINIER ARMS / MARS (MAGAZINE ADVANCED RELEASE SYSTEM)

TANGO DOWN / VICKERS TACTICAL EXTENDED MAGAZINE CATCH

FITMENT: 9MM, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, .45 ACP, 10MM

NOTES: AMBIDEXTROUS, T6 ALUMINUM

GEN: 3

AVAILABLE: BLACK, GREY, RED

NOTES: BASED ON FITMENT OVERALL LENGTH .900”-1.31” SAME MATERIAL AS OEM FACTORY

MSRP: $3

FITMENT: 9MM, .40 S&W, .357 SIG

URL: LONEWOLFDIST.COM

GEN: 1-5

NOTES: EXTENDED, ROUND

MSRP: $60 URL:RAINIERARMS.COM

51

FITMENT: 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30, 30S, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 42, 43 GEN: 1-5 MSRP: STARTING AT $17 URL: TANGODOWN.COM

Magwells 52

53

AGENCY ARMS

KE ARMS

NOTES: DESIGNED FOR DUTY OR CARRY. 6061 ALUMINUM, MIL-A-8625 TYPE 3 HARD ANODIZED

NOTES: BOTH COMPETITION AND CARRY VERSIONS AVAILABLE. AIRCRAFT GRADE ALUMINUM THEN TYPE 3 HARD COAT ANODIZED

FITMENT: 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 31, 32, 34, 35, 38 GEN: 3-4 MSRP: $110 URL: AGENCYARMS.COM

FITMENT: 17, 19, 22, 23 GEN: 3 MSRP: $70 URL: KEARMS.COM

54

GLOCKSTORE / BIG MOUTH ALUMINUM MAGWELL w/ BRASS INSERT NOTES: WITH OPTIONAL 3-4 OZ. BRASS INSERT, ALUMINUM FITMENT: 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 31, 32, 34, 35, 40, 41 GEN: 3-4 MSRP: STARTING AT $90 URL: GLOCKSTORE.COM

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76

WORLD OF FIREPOWER

Magwells 55

56

57

MAGPUL / GL ENHANCED MAGWELL

TARAN TACTICAL INNOVATIONS

VELOCITY ARMS

NOTES: COMPATIBLE WITH MOST AFTERMARKET MAGAZINE FLOOR PLATES AND EXTENSIONS

NOTES: BOTH COMPETITION AND CARRY VERSIONS AVAILABLE. ALUMINUM

NOTES: ANODIZED ALUMINUM

FITMENT: 17, 17L, 22, 24, 31, 34, 35, 37

AVAILABLE: FLAT BLACK, COYOTE BRONZE, FLAT GRAY

GEN: 3-4

FITMENT: MOST COMPACT AND FULL-SIZED FRAMES

MSRP: $25

GEN: 2-5

URL: MAGPUL.COM

MSRP: $90 URL: TARANTACTICALINNOVATIONS.COM

AVAILABLE: BLACK, FDE, GRAY, GOLD, RED FITMENT: 17, 19 GEN: 2-3 MSRP: $95 URL: VELOCITYARMS.COM

Pin Kits 58

FOWLER INDUSTRIES / EGPS (ENHANCED GLOCK PIN SET)

59

60

GLOCKSTORE /STAINLESS STEEL PIN KIT

JENTRA PLUG / BLING PINS

NOTES: CNC MACHINED TO FIT PERFECTLY

NOTES: STAINLESS STEEL

NOTES: DIMPLED RECEIVER PINS

FITMENT: ALL EXCLUDING 36, 42, 43

AVAILABLE: POLISHED

AVAILABLE: BLACK

GEN: 3-4

FITMENT: 17, 19, 21, 26

FITMENT: ALL EXCLUDING 42, 43

MSRP: STARTING AT $20

GEN: 1-4

GEN: 1-4

URL: GLOCKSTORE.COM

MSRP: $22

MSRP: $20

URL: JENTRAPLUG.COM

URL: FIGUNS.COM

Slide Locks 61

62

63

STRIKE INDUSTRIES / ENHANCED PIN KIT

BASTION / EXTENDED STAINLESS STEEL SLIDE LOCK LEVER

GLOCKSTORE / EXTENDED PRECISION SLIDE LOCK

NOTES: ANTI-WALK LOCKING BLOCK PIN

AVAILABLE: SILVER

AVAILABLE: BLACK, GOLD, SILVER

FITMENT: STANDARD, 36, 42, 43

FITMENT: ALL EXCLUDING 36, 42

FITMENT: ALL EXCLUDING 36

GEN: 1-5

GEN: 1-5

MSRP: STARTING AT $15

MSRP: STARTING AT $15

URL: BASTIONGEAR.COM

URL: GLOCKSTORE.COM

GEN: 1-3 MSRP: $10 URL: STRIKEINDUSTRIES.COM

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WORLD OF FIREPOWER

Slide Locks 64

JENTRA PLUG / TAK LOK NOTES: EXTENDED

Slide Stop Levers 65

LONE WOLF DISTRIBUTORS EXT SLIDE LOCK LEVER

AVAILABLE: BLACK

NOTES: 30.01 MM IN LENGTH VS. OEM 28.37 MM

FITMENT: ALL EXCLUDING 36

AVAILABLE: BLACK, CHROME

GEN: 1-5

FITMENT: ALL EXCLUDING 36, 42, 43

MSRP: $11

GEN: 1-5

URL: JENTRAPLUG.COM

MSRP: $10 URL: LONEWOLFDIST.COM

66

GHOST NOTES: BULLET, BULLET EXTENDED, BULLET FORWARD, EXTENDED FITMENT: 17 (3 PIN), 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43 GEN: 1-4 MSRP: $15 URL: GHOSTINC.COM

Triggers 67

68

69

LONE WOLF DISTRIBUTORS EXTENDED SLIDE STOP

TANGO DOWN / VICKERS TACTICAL SLIDE STOP

AGENCY ARMS / DROP-IN TRIGGERS

FITMENT: ALL 3 PIN INCLUDING 36

AVAILABLE: 4130 CHROME-MOLY STEEL

GEN: 1-4

FITMENT: 17, 17L, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 41, 42, 43

MSRP: $13 URL: LONEWOLFDIST.COM

70

NOTES: ALUMINUM FLAT SHOE, POLISHED TRIGGER BAR, COMES WITH 3.5 LB CONNECTOR AVAILABLE: BLACK OR GRAY TRIGGER SHOE FITMENT: 9MM, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, .45 ACP, 10MM, 42, 43

GEN: 1-4

GEN: 1-4

MSRP: $20

MSRP: STARTING AT $160

URL: TANGODOWN.COM

URL: AGENCYARMS.COM

71

72

APEX TACTICAL

LONE WOLF DISTRIBUTORS

OVERWATCH PRECISION

NOTES: ACTION ENHANCEMENT KIT, TRIGGER & TRIGGER BAR, THIN BLUE LINE SERIES

NOTES: PRO PICK TRIGGER KIT, ULTIMATE ADJUSTABLE TRIGGER, ULTIMATE ADJUSTABLE TRIGGER SAFETY LEVER

NOTES: BLUE LINE, DAT, FALX, TAC, TAC SPECIAL EDITION

FITMENT: 17, 17L, 19, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39

AVAILABLE: OVER SEVERAL COLORS TO CHOOSE FROM

GEN: 1-5

FITMENT: 9MM, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, .45 ACP, 10MM, 20, 21, 29, 30SF, 42, 43

MSRP: STARTING AT $80

GEN: 1-4

URL: APEXTACTICAL.COM

MSRP: STARTING AT $36 URL: LONEWOLFDIST.COM

AVAILABLE: TOO MANY TO LIST INCLUDING BLUE LINE, SPECIAL EDITION SUPER LIMITED AND OTHERS FITMENT: ALL MODELS GEN: 1-5 MSRP: STARTING AT $115 URL: OVERWATCHPRECISION.COM

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Triggers 73

PYRAMID TRIGGER by GLOCKSTORE FITMENT: 17, 17L, 19, 20, 20SF, 21, 21SF, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 29SF, 30, 30S, 30SF, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42 GEN: 1-4 MSRP: $140 URL: GLOCKSTORE.COM

74

75

SHADOW SYSTEMS SHADOW SYSTEM ELITE TRIGGER

VELOCITYARMS

NOTES: FLAT-FACED TRIGGER DESIGN. FOR DAILY CARRY AND HARD-USE DUTY.

AVAILABLE: BLACK/GRAY, FDE/BLACK, GOLD/BLACK, GRAY/ BLACK, RED/BLACK

AVAILABLE: BLACK/BLACK

FITMENT: 17, 19

FITMENT: 9MM, .40 S&W, .357 SIG

GEN: 3-4

GEN: 3-4

MSRP: $126

MSRP: $112

URL: VELOCITYARMS.COM

NOTES: ANODIZED ALUMINUM

URL: SHADOWSYSTEMS.COM

Red Dot Mounts 76

DUECK DEFENSE /RED DOT BACKUP

77

78

SPRINGER PRECISION/DOETAIL MOUNT STRIKE INDUSTRIES /G.U.M. UNIVERSAL (OPTICS) MOUNT FOR GLOCK

AVAILABLE: BURRIS FASTFIRE, DOCTER, JP JPOINT, LEUPOD DELTAPOINT, TRIJICON RMR, VORTEX VENOM/VIPER

NOTES: ALUMINUM, HARD ANODIZED, POLYMER TIPPED SET SCREWS

FITMENT: FACTORY REAR SIGHT DOVETAIL

AVAILABLE: BURRIS FASTFIRE, C-MORE RTS2, DOCTER, VORTEX VENOM/VIPER

NOTES: 6 SET SCREWS, 6, 8, 10MM SCREWS INCLUDED TO FIT AND SECURE MOST POPULAR OPTICS PLUS FOR RMR

FITMENT: FACTORY REAR SIGHT DOVETAIL

AVAILABLE: BURRIS FASTFIRE, DOCTER, EOTECH MRDS, LEUPOLD DELTAPOINT, TRIJICON RMR, VORTEX VENOM/ VIPER

GEN: 1-4 MSRP: STARTING AT $130 URL: DUECKDEFENSE.COM

GEN: 1-4 MSRP: $45 URL: SPRINGERPRECISION.COM

Sights 79

GEN: 1-4 MSRP: $50 URL: STRIKEINDUSTRIES.COM

80

81

10-8 PERFORMANCE

AMERIGLO

GUN PRO / DELTA 1 SIGHTS

NOTES: FRONT, REAR, FIBER OPTIC, MOS, NIGHT, OPTIC, SUPPRESSOR, TRITIUM

NOTES: FRONT, REAR, 2 DOT, CAP LE, CLAW, DEFOOR TACTICAL, FIBER OPTIC, GHOST RING, HACKATHRON, HD, I-DOT, NIGHT, SUPPRESSOR, TARGET, TRITIUM, UC

NOTES: OPEN SIGHT PICTURE, SINGLE POINT ALIGNMENT

AVAILABLE: FRONT (.215”-.350” HEIGHT), REAR (.140”-.156” NOTCH WIDTH) FITMENT: ALL INCLUDING 42, 43 GEN: 1-5 MSRP: $32 FRONT, $49 REAR URL: 10-8PERFORMANCE.COM

AVAILABLE: FRONT (.090”-.140” WIDTH), REAR (.140”-.180” NOTCH WIDTH) FITMENT: ALL INCLUDING 42, 43 GEN: 1-5 MSRP: STARTING AT $28 FRONT, $10 REAR, $35 SET URL: AMERIGLO.COM

FITMENT: ALL EXCLUDING 42, 43 GEN: 1-5 MSRP: $89 URL: GUNPRO.US

82

WORLD OF FIREPOWER

Sights 82

83

DUECK DEFENSE

HEINIE SPECIALTY PRODUCTS

NOTES: FRONT, REAR, 2-DOT, FIBER OPTIC, FIXED, HD, NIGHT, SUPPRESSOR, TRITIUM

NOTES: FRONT, REAR, FIBER OPTIC, MOS, NIGHT, TRITIUM,

AVAILABLE: FRONT (.215”-.350” HEIGHT), REAR (.145”-.180” NOTCH WIDTH) FITMENT: ALL INCLUDING 42,43 GEN: 1-5 MSRP: STARTING AT $50 REAR, $84 SETS URL: DUECKDEFENSE.COM

AVAILABLE: FRONT (.125”-.156” WIDTH), REAR (.125”-.156” NOTCH WIDTH) FITMENT: ALL INCLUDING 42, 43

84

TARAN TACTICAL INNOVATIONS TTI ULTIMATE FIBER OPTIC SIGHTS SET NOTES: DESIGNED BY TARANG BUTLER AND ROBERT VOGEL FOR OPTIMUM SIGHT PICTURE AND BRIGHTEST FIBER OPTIC FRONT SIGHT POSSIBLE

GEN: 1-5

AVAILABLE: FRONT (.235” HEIGHT), REAR (.125” NOTCH WIDTH)

MSRP: STARTING AT $35 FRONT, $44 REAR, $65 SETS

FITMENT: 17, 17L, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 34, 35

URL: HEINIE.COM

GEN: 1-5 MSRP: $85 URL: TARANTACTICALINNOVATIONS.COM

85

86

TRIJICON

TRUGLO

VIKING TACTICS

NOTES: FRONT, REAR, BRIGHT & TOUGH, HD, HD XR, NIGHT, SUPPRESSOR

NOTES: FRONT, REAR, FIBER OPTIC, HIGH SET, LOW SET, NIGHT, TRITIUM FITMENT: ALL INCLUDING MOS, 42, 43 GEN: 1-5 MSRP: STARTING AT $76 SET URL: TRUGLO.COM

NOTES: FRONT, REAR, FIBER OPTIC, NIGHT, STEEL AVAILABLE: FRONT (.263” HEIGHT), REAR (.145” NOTCH WIDTH) FITMENT: ALL EXCLUDING 42, 43 GEN: 1-5 MSRP: STARTING AT $65 SET URL: VIKINGTACTICS.COM

AVAILABLE: FRONT (.203”-.418” HEIGHT), REAR (.135”-.169” NOTCH WIDTH) FITMENT: ALL INCLUDING 42, 43 GEN: 1-5 MSRP: STARTING AT $99 FRONT, $125 SET

87

URL: TRIJICON.COM

88

89

90

WARREN TACTICAL

sevigny performance

wilson combat / vickers elite

NOTES: FRONT, REAR, FIBER OPTIC, GUNSMITH, NIGHT, PLAIN, TRITIUM AVAILABLE: FRONT (.185”-.245” HEIGHT), REAR (.150” NOTCH WIDTH) FITMENT: ALL INCLUDING 42, 43 GEN: 1-5 MSRP: STARTING AT $26 FRONT, $39 REAR, $60 SET URL: WARRENTACTICAL.COM

NOTES: FRONT, REAR, CARRY, COMPETITION, FIBER OPTIC NIGHT, PLAIN, TRITIUM AVAILABLE: FRONT (.215”-.245” HEIGHT), REAR (.120”-.150” NOTCH WIDTH) FITMENT: ALL INCLUDING 42, 43 GEN: 1-5 MSRP: STARTING AT $28 FRONT, $39 REAR, $60 SET URL: SEVIGNYPERFORMANCE.COM

NOTES: FRONT, REAR, BATTLESIGHT, SNAG FREE, FIBER OPTIC, GOLD BEAD, NIGHT, TRITIUM AVAILABLE: FRONT (.200”-.245” HEIGHT), REAR (.145” NOTCH WIDTH) AVAILABLE: ALL INCLUDING 42, 43 GEN: 1-5 MSRP: STARTING AT $25 FRONT, $50 REAR URL: WILSONCOMBAT.COM

84

WORLD OF FIREPOWER

Sights 91

Magazines 92

93

XS SIGHTS

ELITE TACTICAL SYSTEMS

HEXMAG

NOTES: FRONT, REAR, DXT BIG DOT, NIGHT, SUPPRESSOR, TRIJICON RMR, TRITIUM

NOTES: POLYMER TRANSLUCENT BODY, COMPATIBLE W/ OEM AND AFTERMARKET FLOOR PLATES, CREEP RESISTANT, EASY DISASSEMBLY, LIFETIME WARRANTY

NOTES: POLYHEX2 ADVANCED COMPOSITE, INCORPORATES THE ICONIC HEXTURE DESIGN PATTERN. RAISED RIBBING ON FRONT OF MAGAZINE, TOOL-LESS BASEPLATE, INTEGRATED HEXMAG HEXID COLORED IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM, 4-17 ROUND LOAD INDICATOR

FITMENT: ALL INCLUDING 42,43 GEN: 1-5 MSRP: STARTING AT $92 FRONT, $50 REAR, $135 SET URL: XSSIGHTS.COM

ROUNDS: 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 19, 22, 24, 27, 30, 31 FITMENT: 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 26, 27, 42, 43, PCC GEN: 3-5 MSRP: STARTING AT $17 URL: ETSGROUP.US

ROUNDS: 17 FITMENT: 17, 17C, 17L, 19, 26, 34, PCC GEN: 3-5 MSRP: STARTING AT $16 URL: HEXMAG.COM

Magazine Accessories 94

MAGPUL SPEEDPLATE

95

PACHMAYR / MAG SLEEVES

FITMENT: OEM, NOT COMPATIBLE WITH MAGPUL GL9

NOTES: ADAPTS 29, 30 MAGAZINES TO 20, 21 FRAMES; ADAPTS 26, 27 MAGAZINES TO 19, 23 FRAMES; ADAPTS 26, 27 MAGAZINES TO 17, 22 FRAMES; ADAPTS 19, 23, 32 MAGAZINES TO 17,22,31 FRAMES

MSRP: $15

FITMENT: 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 31

URL: MAGPUL.COM

MSRP: STARTING AT $12

NOTES: BLACK, 3 PACK

URL: PACHMAYR.COM

96

RECOVER TACTICAL MAGAZINE CLIP NOTES: ALLOWS MULTIPLE CARRYING OPTIONS WITHOUT THE NEED FOR A POUCH, 43 W/ FINGER EXTENSION FITMENT: 17, 19, 21, 43 MSRP: STARTING AT $10 URL: RECOVERTACTICAL.COM

Magazine Extensions 97

98

99

X-GRIP / MAG ADAPTER

ARREDONDO ACCESSORIES

NOTES: ADAPTS 17, 22, 31 MAGAZINES TO 19, 23, 32 FRAME; ADAPTS 19, 23, 32 MAGAZINES TO 26, 27, 33 FRAME; ADAPTS 17, 22, 31 MAGAZINES TO 26, 27, 33 FRAME; ADAPTS 20,21 MAGAZINES TO 29, 30 FRAME

ADDITIONAL CAPACITY: VARIOUS + ROUNDS FOR OEM, +5 FOR MAGPUL PMAG

CONCEALED CONCEPT WEAPONRY MAG EXTENDER

FITMENT: 19, 22, 23, 26, 27, 27C, 29, 30, 33 MSRP: $13 URL: X-GRIPS.COM

FITMENT: 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, MAGPUL PMAG 15, 17 MSRP: STARTING AT $15 URL: ARREDONDOACCESSORIES.COM

ADDITIONAL CAPACITY: +2 FITMENT: 26 & 27 GEN4, 42, 43 MSRP: $31 URL: CC-MFG.COM

86

WORLD OF FIREPOWER

Magazine Extensions 100

KE ARMS MAGAZINE EXTENSION ADDITIONAL CAPACITY: +2 17, 22, 34, 35, 43, +4 22, 35, +5 17, 34 FITMENT: 17, 22, 34, 35, 43 MSRP: STARTING AT $25

101

PACHMAYR CAPACITY: 7 ROUNDS FOR 39; 10 ROUNDS FOR 27, 33; 11 ROUNDS FOR 27, 33; 12 ROUNDS FOR 26 FITMENT: 26, 27, 33, 39, 42, 43 MSRP: STARTING AT $9 URL: PACHMAYR.COM

URL: KEARMS.COM

102

STRIKE INDUSTRIES SI ENHANCED MAGAZINE PLATE FOR GLOCK 43 (G43 E.M.P.) ADDITIONAL CAPACITY: +2 FITMENT: 43 MSRP: $12 URL: STRIKEINDUSTRIES.COM

Magazine Floor Plate 103

104

105

TARAN TACTICAL INNOVATIONS BASE PAD KIT

10-8 PERFORMANCE GLOCK MAGAZINE BASE PAD

GLOCKSTORE CUSTOM BASE PLATE FOR GLOCKS

ADDITIONAL CAPACITY: +2/3 OR +4/5 FOR 19, 23, +1,2 OR 3 FOR 42, 43, +4 FOR .45 ACP

COLORS: BLACK, GLOCK DARK EARTH (GDE)

COLORS: VARIOUS DESIGNS

FITMENT: 9MM, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, .45 GAP. NOT COMPATIBLE WITH NON-METAL LINED GEN1 AND 26,27 WHERE THE MAGAZINE BASE PAD HAS TO FIT IN A RECESS IN THE FRAME.

FITMENT: 17, 17L, 19, 20, 20SF, 21, 21SF, 22, 23, 26, 27, 29, 29SF, 30, 30SF, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41

FITMENT: 19, 23, 42, 43, .45 ACP MSRP: STARTING AT $29 URL: TARANTACTICALINNOVATIONS.COM

MSRP: $4 EACH

MSRP: STARTING AT $25 EACH URL: GLOCKSTORE.COM

URL: 10-8PERFORMANCE.COM

106

107

108

GLOCKSTORE / HEAVY EXTENDED ALUMINUM MAGAZINE BASE PLATE

MAGPUL PMAG FLOOR PLATE

SPRINGER PRECISION GLOCK 9/40 EZ +.25” BASE PADS

COLORS: BLACK, BLUE, GOLD, PINK, RED, SILVER

COLOR: SAND. ALSO CAN BE DYED TO NEARLY ANY COLOR USING READILY AVAILABLE COMMERCIAL DYES

COLORS: BLACK, BLUE, RED, RAW ALUMINUM

FITMENT: 9MM, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, .45 ACP, 10MM MSRP: $30 EACH URL: GLOCKSTORE.COM

FITMENT: PMAG GL9

FITMENT: 9MM, .40 S&W

MSRP: $10 5 PACK

MSRP: STARTING AT $19 EACH OR $16 FOR QUANTITIES OF 6 OR MORE

URL: MAGPUL.COM

URL: SPRINGERPRECISION.COM

INTRODUCING THE NEW

AR-15 CAPABILITIES IN AN IDEAL CQB-STYLE PLATFORM. Pure SAINT™ AR-15 design and performance, now in pistol form. Chambered in 5.56 with M-Lok Free Float handguard, forward blast diverter, Type III hard-anodized receiver, Accu-Tite™ tension system, Melonite® coated bolt carrier group, pinned gas block, crisp nickel-boron coated trigger, and a Magpul 30-round mag for serious capacity. Measuring in at just under 27”, it’s a fast-handling machine delivering high precision in a compact platform.

WWW.SPRINGFIELD-ARMORY.COM

88

WORLD OF FIREPOWER

Magazine Floor Plate 109

VELOCITY ARMS COLORS: BLACK, FDE, GOLD, GRAY, RED FITMENT: 17, 19 MSRP: $32 URL: VELOCITYARMS.COM

110

TANGO DOWN VICKERS TACTICAL MAGAZINE FLOOR PLATES COLORS: BLACK, BLUE, GLOCK BATTLEFIELD GREEN, GLOCK GRAY, GLOCK TAN, ORANGE FITMENT: 9MM, .40 S&W, .357 SIG, .45 ACP, 10MM, 42.

NOT COMPATIBLE WITH EARLY GEN1 NON-METAL LINED MAGAZINES MSRP: STARTING AT $19 5 PACK

Conversion Kits 111

LONE WOLF DISTRIBUTORS NOTES: TO INSTALL 17 SLIDE ON 19 FRAME PARTS: ALPHAWOLF BARREL M/19L 4.49” 9MM, LWD SLIDE ADAPTER (GEN3 TO GEN3, GEN3 TO GEN4 OR GEN4 TO GEN4), LWD GUIDE ROD, ISMI SPRINGS RECOIL SPRING GEN: 3 OR 4 MSRP: STARTING AT $219 URL: LONEWOLFDIST.COM

Tools 112

113

114

GUNCRAFTER INDUSTRIES .50GI DROP-IN CONVERSION FOR GLOCK PISTOLS

TACTICAL SOLITIONS TSG-22 GLOCK CONVERSIONS

ADVANCE DYNAMIC GTX GLOCK ARMORER TOOL v2.0

NOTES: CONVERTS 17 AND 19 FRAMES TO .22 LR

NOTES: CONVERTS LARGE FRAME GLOCKS TO .50GI

FITMENT: 17, 19, 22, 23

FINISHES: MELONITE, STAINLESS

GEN: 1-4, DOES NOT FIT GEN 5

FITMENT: 20, 21, 40, 41 FRAMES

MSRP: STARTING AT $380

TOOLS: VERSION 2.0 NOW HAS FIRING PIN HOLDER TO EASILY CHANGE FIRING PIN SPRING OR SPRING CUPS, TAKEDOWN PUNCH, PLIERS W/ INTEGRATED WIRE CUTTERS, FILING TOOL, SERRATED BLADE, FLAT HEAD SCREWDRIVER, G10 GRIPS, COLD BEVERAGE OPENER

GEN: 1-4

URL: TACTICALSOL.COM

MSRP: $600

MSRP: $70 URL: ADVANCE-DYNAMIC.COM

URL: GUNCRAFTERINDUSTRIES.COM

115

BROWNELLS SIGHT INSTALLTION TOoL FOR GLOCK NOTES: SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED TO INSTALL, ADJUST AND REMOVE ALL MODELS OF TRIJICON GLOCK SIGHTS WITHOUT DAMAGE TOOLS: HEAVY-DUTY REAR SIGHT MOVER, FRONT SIGHT NUT DRIVER THAT FITS ALL MODELS OF AFTERMARKET FRONT SIGHTS MSRP: $130 URL: BROWNELLS.COM

116

LONE WOLF DISTRIBUTORS NOTES: COMPLETE GLOCK REFERENCE GUIDE, LWD 4 IN 1 ARMORERS TOOL, LWD TACTICAL ARMORERS TOOL TOOLS: 4 IN 1 FEATURES 3/32 PIN PUNCH, FLAT HEAD SCREWDRIVER, 3/16 NUT DRIVER, BRUSH. SPYDERCO KNIFE FEATURES FOLDING 3/32 PUNCH MSRP: $20 BOOK, $22 4 IN 1, $75 KNIFE URL: LONEWOLFDIST.COM

117

STRIKE INDUSTIRES ALL IN ONE TOOL FOR GLOCK (A.I.O.) TOOLS: PUNCH, FRONT SIGHT REMOVAL TOOL, BASE PLATE REMOVAL KEY MSRP: $25 URL: STRIKEINDUSTRIES.COM

NEW

HYDE STRETCH PANTS HYDE LT ( 5oz.) AND HYDE ( 7oz.) PANTS OFFER THE ULTIMATE IN LIGHTWEIGHT & DURABILITY

CONTOUR WAISTBAND VaporCore™, powered by 37.5® technology allowing optimum fit and comfort

DISCREET & FUNCTIONAL POCKETS Discreet dump pocket on right side for phones, magazines or other essential gear

HIDDEN UTILITY POCKET Small, hidden utility pocket on the bottom of inside cuffs

BUY NOW AT

vertx.com

90

WORLD OF FIREPOWER

Evolution of the 9mm 1911 comes to fruition with Wilson Combat’s EDC9 Professional Model T E X T & P H OTOS BY MIK E SEAR SO N

Natural Selection

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

91

92

WORLD OF FIREPOWER

“wilson combat’s EDC9 professional is as modern as it gets in a 1911, plus chambering in a caliber that may seem like heresy to some.”

E

arlier this year, Wilson Combat unleashed a few new 1911 models in 9mm. As a dinosaur who still shoots and enjoys 1911s, I gave them a passing glance. After all, every disciple of John Moses Browning’s greatest invention knows that the only proper chambering for the 1911 pistol is .45 ACP. Yet, even the dinosaurs had to evolve… or go extinct. As time goes by, firearms evolve. There are many manufacturers whose lines include various model numbers followed by a dash and another number denoting the generation, which means enhancements were made and/or flaws were fixed.

Consider that the Colt Single Action Army revolver at one time required the shooter to

use a screwdriver to remove the cylinder pin. This was replaced by a push-pin and the only people who complain about it were not alive when this transition took place. Long story short: Most firearms designs will evolve over time, often for the better.

This has happened with the 1911 platform more than most people think. There was the original 1911, followed by the 1911-A1 then distinguished by the Series 70, Series 80 and even Series 90.

However, there has been a lot more than that in a pistol that was as customizable as a Chevy small block engine was to gearheads, and Wilson Combat’s EDC9 Compact is running with just about everything as modern as you can get in a 1911 plus

Wilson Combat’s EDC9 Professional is one of a series of four pistols put out by the company that incorporates the “Enhanced Reliability System” (ERS).

chambering in a caliber that will seem like heresy to some: 9mm Parabellum.

The EDC9 Professional is one of a series of four pistols put out by the company that incorporates its “Enhanced Reliability System” (ERS).

It all starts with a match-grade, 4-inch, stainless steel cone-type barrel, which means that there is no barrel bushing.

This is a feature most shooters beyond the die-hard 1911 purists will like.

The barrel is fluted and has a flush-cut reverse crown. The chamber is externally fluted as well, which gives an extremely nice look to the pistol. More important is that it is a single-lug design, which enhances slide velocity, reduces cycling friction, and improves reliability with regard to feeding different

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

that some 1911 connoisseurs loathe, but we like them and have them on most of our own 1911 pistols. In fact, the sole exception is a U.S. Property marked pistol built in 1917 for use in the first World War. Sometimes you have to change with the times.

types of ammunition.

The extractor is a spring-loaded external type. Purists hate these, and admittedly when they first started appearing so did this author. But external extractors have come a long way since then and a true student of the 1911, or any firearm for that matter, should recognize that improvements such as these reflect the evolution of design.

Wilson went with a full-length guide rod on this one as well. This is yet another point

The EDC9’s slide is checkered fore and aft with the X-TAC treatment.

A low mass, Tri-Top slide profile allows for reduced muzzle flip and enhanced cycling.

Additionally, the slide is checkered fore and aft with the X-TAC treatment. Typically we’re not fans of front cocking serrations, but found them attractive and highly useful

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on the EDC9. Wilson has applied this treatment to the pistol’s front strap too, as well as on the bobtail-style mainspring housing.

The front sight is rugged, user-replaceable and fiber optic. We have grown to find these superior to Tritium sights in that they are usable during the day and glow bright at night when used in conjunction with either a handheld or pistol-mounted high-intensity flashlight. The rear sights are adjustable and we can hear the purists cry out again in anguish, but the fact remains that adjustable sights on 1911 pistols are far more robust than they were in the 1940s and ’50s when the only

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“Wilson combat has been the catalyst for much of the 1911’s evolution.”

alternatives were a Micro Sight or a S&W N-Frame revolver sight mounted on old slab sides.

A peculiar aspect we noticed was the removal of the frame rails around the magazine opening. This was done to further reduce friction and promote function in adverse shooting environments.

Wilson Combat has been the catalyst for much of the evolution of the 1911. We’ve been running their parts on our own 1911s for close to 30 years and we’re most impressed with the Bullet Proof series of parts, which are all over the EDC9 Professional. This includes the magazine well, beavertail grip safety, hammer, ambidextrous thumb safety and magazine release.

Each of these parts is CNC-machined from a tool steel billet and is guaranteed forever.

Last, the grips are Wilson’s patented G10 aggressive Starburst versions with pewter medallions secured by old-school slotted screws. As much as we like the look of hex head grip screws, you cannot go wrong with traditional slotted screws for ease of takedown. The grips have a groove that allows ready access to the magazine release button.

Magazines Speaking of magazines, Wilson Combat was

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at the fore for the .45 and these uses. How 1911 magaz failure on 1911s chambered in this round, Bill Wilson and his team designed a new one from the ground up.

Improving the design of the magazine shell was the first step, followed by re-designing the follower to prevent tip-down misfeeds, and a new type of music wire springs to keep it all running—a feat that could only be accomplished by a shop with more than

new one.

Shooting this pistol was like attaining Nirvana. We found the mid-length trigger to break consistently at 3 ½ pounds. The full-sized grip frame feels comfortable and rock solid when you present from the holster. Recoil was virtually non-existent and the only drawback to shooting 9mm out of a 1911 was 47-year-old eyes not seeing those big 0.455” diameter holes open up on our target at 25 yards.

• 115-grain +P Pinnacle using Barnes TAC bullets • 147-grain Bill Wilson Signature Match ammunition Every round fed flawlessly and maintained the accuracy we have come to expect from shooting a Wilson Combat pistol. The rounds are loaded to maximum overall length to aid in feeding with a custom 1911 in 9mm,

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wilson combat edc9 professional CALIBER: 9MM MAGAZINE CAPACITY: 9 ROUNDS BARREL LENGTH: 4 INCHES OVERALL LENGTH: 7.6 INCHES SIGHT RADIUS: 5.6 INCHES HEIGHT: 5.1 INCHES WIDTH: 1.3 INCHES WEIGHT EMPTY: 38 OUNCES WEIGHT LOADED: 42 OUNCES ACCURACY GUARANTEE: 1.5 INCHES AT 25 YARDS $3,695 URL: WILSONCOMBAT.COM

so performance with regard to feeding as well as safe pressure levels may not be the same for other types of 9mm pistols. This is especially the case with compact 9mm pistols that use an unsupported chamber.

The Mini WING uses as little material as possible to safely secure the pistol while maintaining comfort.

Our initial shots were hitting low and to the left, and once we realized this we corrected quickly and the ragged 9-shot strings let us know we were working it properly every time we dropped a magazine.

un to annoy your pets, but we never thought much of this feature, personally.

Every Pistol Needs a Light

Holstering

After attending several courses dedicated to low-light shooting with LMS Defense over the years, we learned something. Night sights are almost useless at night and they can only be used during limited hours if you need to identify your target.

Adding a flashlight to your handgun changes the holster options quite a bit and often means going the custom or semi-custom route, as well as mostly going OWB. Well, the point of this pistol

Instead of opting for “night sights on every defensive pistol” we opted for a flashlight on every pistol, and the Wilson Combat EDC9 Professional sports that ever-important rail on which to mount one.

We selected Streamlight’s TLR-1S because it is rugged as well as affordable and after plunking down more than $3,000 for the EDC9 Professional, your wallet will appreciate it. Virtually indestructible, the Streamlight TLR-1S Tactical Light is lithium-powered and boasts 300 lumens in a compact package. It comes with a set of keys to adapt to almost any rail system and it quickly and securely mounts to your handgun. Controls

i supposed to be for everyday carry, and one of our tenets is to have a light mounted on every pistol we use for defensive work because bad things mostly happen at night.

We opt for a flashlight on every pistol and the Wilson Combat EDC9 Professional sports that ever-important rail on which to mount one.

The last time we checked, it was not 1873 and we were not fighting banditos with a pistol on each hip. Concealed means concealed in our neck of the woods, so we had to find a comfortable IWB-type holster that

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“the Wilson combat edc9 shoots well, carries well, and runs like the finely tuned machine that it is.” could work with a mounted light. We found the answer to that problem with BlackPoint Tactical’s Mini Wing.

«

attention to detail

Wilson Combat is a brand that needs no introduction. Known the world over for immaculately crafted pistols, their attention to detail could be considered legendary.

From its countersunk slide stop to the heavy machine chamfer on the bottom of the slide, Wilson Combat assures the EDC9 Professional measures up to the demands of even the most discriminating shooters.

With so many enhancements available for the 1911 platform, Wilson Combat chose to pack plenty of the most sought-after features in the EDC9 Professional. Let’s examine a few key features up close.

01. The trigger has a medium length pad and a crisp pull of 3.5-4.5 pounds.

02. The front end features a fluted barrel and enhanced frame rails.

01

02

03. The stainless steel tri-top slide is fitted with an external extractor.

This holster was developed in collaboration with law enforcement officers working plainclothes or undercover. As mentioned, there aren’t a whole lot of IWB-type holsters on the market that can accommodate a pistol with a mounted light in a comfortable manner.

The Mini WING solves this by using as little material as possible to safely secure the pistol while maintaining comfort.

We carried the pistol with light attached in the Mini WING for a couple of weeks with one notable exception. Rather than using the holster’s belt mounting clips, we tried an aftermarket accessory called the Ulticlip.

Ulticlips are aftermarket accessories that make you go, “Why haven’t I found these sooner?” The minimalist profile completely makes the appearance of holster loops vanish, but it’s the retention that impresses. You could use these on

03

04. The 4-inch stainless cone barrel is tipped with a flush-cut reverse crown.

Simply beautiful.

05. The EDC9 Professional comes with Wilson Combat’s Tactical Adjustable Battlesight and Fiber Optic Front Sight installed.

04

05

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“the wilson combat EDC9 Professional is probably the greatest 1911 chambered in 9mm.”

your pants without a belt in many cases, especially with a lightweight pistol. Simply replace your screw-on holster loops or clips with a set of these and the bear-trap level of strength in the Ulticlip secures the clips to your belt like a steel clamp.

Final thoughts The Wilson Combat EDC9 Professional is probably the greatest 1911 chambered in 9mm. It shoots well, carries well, and runs like the well-tuned machine that it is. We found no further room for improvement.

Times change and opinions change. Advances in ammunition manufacturing have proven the 9mm every bit the equal of a .40 S&W or a .45 ACP in almost every shooting situation. Some of the top competitive shooters are running 1911s in 9mm and their numbers increase every month. The FBI is moving back to the 9mm round after 30 years because of these changes as well.

If the mantra is evolve or go extinct, we’ll go that route, too. It’s obviously working out for the 1911.

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etro Builds: M16

ASSEMBLING AN M16 CLONE T EXT & P HOTOS BY J OHN T EATOR

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

T

As America’s frontline combat rifle for the past 50-plus years, the M16 is not only iconic, but still serves as one of the workhorses of today’s military. Versions of it first saw combat in the jungles of Vietnam and are currently employed in the War on Terror throughout the globe. Regardless of how accurate you want your clone to be, the many versions of the M16 that exist can make taking on such a clone project an overwhelming proposition.

he prevailing trend of cloning current and past military firearms is still going strong. While some simply wish to duplicate a rifle that they were once issued while in the service, other enthusiasts are on a mission to clone them for their own personal collections. With so many rifle clone build options around, it’s hard to choose which project to tackle.

In recent issues of World of Firepower we’ve assembled two clones and we’re going for our third in the series in this issue. If you’ve missed out on the previous issues, locate our back issues to see how our Mk12 and M4 clones turned out. In this installment, we tackle the wide, and deep, world of the M16.

Where shall we begin? We’ll start off by say-

The M16 is not only iconic, but still serves as one of the workhorses of our military today.

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ing this article is not meant to be a primer on the quintessential M16 build. For that, you’ll probably need a telephone-book-thick guide and a Master’s degree in M16 history.

If you want to get into the smallest details and include long out-of-production parts on your build, don’t let us stop you. By all means, read up on the subject and hunt for all the vintage parts you’d like.

For the purposes of this article, we will assemble an M16 clone with off-the-shelf parts that are currently widely available.

Perhaps you might even already have what you need to start your build lying around in a spare parts bin.

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“To complete the look, we installed a retro furniture set.”

01

01. Both the M16A1 upper and lower receivers offered by Brownells are made of Nodak Spud forgings and machined

by Brownells to exacting detail.

02. As seen here, the M16A1 uses a teardrop shaped forward assist, an upper without a shell deflector and a lower that is contoured differently from more common A2 version lower receivers.

02

03 03. Eagle-eyed enthusiasts will notice that the A1’s front sight base is contoured differently from the ones found on later models.

04. The M16A1’s carry handle incorporates an early version of the M16’s rear sight.

We began our build by first deciding which model M16 we wanted to replicate. With so much history, this is an important decision to make before ordering a single part. We decided to go with the earlier M16A1 variation. The M16A1 saw extensive use in Vietman and was the standard service rifle for the U.S. military well into the mid-’80s.

The M16A1 can be visually identified by its triangular handguards, buttstock without the cleaning kit storage compartment, a threepronged flash suppressor and select fire capability. Our clone will duplicate the above minus the full-auto fire feature.

A1 Lower 04

05 05. If you want to go with a more modern clone, BCM makes a complete M16A4 upper receiver group that is ready to slap on your lower.

06. A flat top receiver and detachable carry handle can be found on modern M16A4 models.

To save a few bucks, we based our build on a Brownells M16A1 BRN-16A1 blemished receiver. These are called cosmetically blemished by Brownells because the Safe and Fire markings are engraved on both sides while the original only had them on one. For buffs of detail and authenticity, the BRN-16A1 helps duplicate an often-overlooked detail that many M16A1 clones miss: It features the proper M16A1 front takedown lug profile and profile surrounding the receiver extension. Almost all forged lower receivers currently produced feature the A2 takedown profile, which is incorrect for M16A1 clone builds.

A1 Upper 06

We mated the lower to a Brownells M16A1 upper receiver. Like the lower, the upper is made

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

by Brownells in conjunction with Nodak Spud to match the features of the original M16A1 receiver. Made to replicate the M16A1, this upper duplicates the original’s profile perfectly. As with the original, the reproduction is made with no shell deflector and its A1 rear sight housing and carry handle feature proper contours.

A quality preproduction barrel was installed in our upper assembly. The Brownells Retro A1 rifle-length barrel assembly is chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO, is chrome-lined, and has a 1/12 twist. The 4150 chrome-moly steel 20-inch barrel is finished in black phosphate and is magnetic particle tested.

Other final details added to complete the upper include a 3-prong A1-style flash hider as well as an A1 rear sight assembly, both made

by Luth-AR. We also installed a teardrop-style forward assist made by DPMS as these style assists were used on the original M16A1s.

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To begin our build, we used a Brownells M16A1 BRN-16A1 lower and a Brownells M16A1 upper.

To complete the look, we installed a retro furniture set, also made by Brownells. The M16A1 style buttstock, handguard and pistol grip are modeled off of original components, so authenticity is almost spot-on. We say almost because Brownells changes some areas due to modern manufacturing methods or to help avoid counterfeiting concerns. The furniture sets are available in different colors for those looking to build faithful reproductions of rare variants. We chose black since it is proper for our M16A1 clone.

We didn’t go overboard with the details of

j p p y to sink deeper into it, there are plenty of small details that you can delve into. We completed our A1 build with a modern bolt carrier group (BCG) and charging handle by Brownells. The M16 profile BCG is black nitride treated for reliably smooth operation and easy cleaning.

Future Generations A part of the fun of the AR-15 platform, other than shooting it of course, is to outfit it in different ways. Now that we had our A1 configuration completed, we looked into what it would take to form our rifle into other M16 variants.

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you need to start your build in a spare parts bin.”

From our research, the M16A2, which was developed at the request of the U.S. Marine Corps from combat experience gained in Vietnam, uses a slightly different upper receiver that features a new rear sight and brass deflector, round-style handguards. It also has an updated pistol grip, flash hider, forward assist and a buttstock that has a storage compartment for a cleaning kit. A2-style parts are quite common even today. We imagine you probably have a few of these parts already.

Those with super-sharp observation skills will also notice that the front sight base and lower receiver’s takedown area are also contoured differently. We obtained many of the parts to reconfigure our A1 build to A2 from Del-Ton. A proper A2 build will also switch out the barrel. The A2’s profile and twist rate are different, with the rate going from the A1’s 1/12 to 1/7. The real M16A2 also switched its alternate firing mode to burst, from the A1’s full-auto, but that doesn’t affect our semi-auto-only clone build.

The M16A3 is a slightly modified version of the M16A2 that was used by the U.S. Navy SEALs and other units. The main difference

same rail that is issued to the real M16A4 and is perfect for a clone build.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as sourcing and assembling a clone build piece by piece.

being that it featured the M16A1’s full-auto mode trigger group instead of the A2’s burst firing mode. For the purposes of clone building, the A2 can stand in for the A3. If you’re going for an even more authentic look, perhaps the firing mode can be laser etched to match the original’s markings.

We set out to build a simple M16A1 clone and were able to do it relatively easily thanks to the many companies that are now supporting the retro build movement. We made a conscious effort to avoid going into the never-ending road of minutely detailed variations and came out unscathed. If you want to take your build to another level, there are resources online that can take your clone build there.

Today’s military-issued M16 is the M16A4. The most notable difference of the A4 is its fully railed flat-top upper receiver with detachable carry handle as well as its railed handguard.

We obtained an upper from BCM and fitted it with a Knights Armament Company (KAC) M5 Rifle RAS Forend Assembly. The KAC M5 is the

Armed with components to cobble together A2, A3 and A4 variants, we’re now tempted to build out three more M16 clones. As a gun fan—especially an AR fan—you may know how it is. But with so many projects to get going, we’re already conjuring up our next clone build.

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Cannae Pro Gear Triplex Acies 3 Gun Bag $150 CANNAEPROGEAR.COM

Fitting it All CANNAE PRO GEAR TRIPLEX ACIES 3 GUN BAG T E X T & I MAGE S BY JOH N SCOTT

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

W

hen you head to the shooting range for a day of fun, do you find yourself toting more bags than you wish you had to? We find that visits to the range oftentimes require us to bring more gear than our bags can fit. Whether it’s a long gun that’s a few inches too long for our rifle bag or a couple of magazines and a pair of eye pro that are just thrown in loosely, it can

be a challenge to find a single bag that can accommodate everything you’ve got.

With the Triplex Acies, Cannae sought out to create a bag that is capable of unrivaled flexibility and adaptability.

Cannae Pro Gear’s Triplex Acies 3 Gun Bag may look like a traditional rifle bag from the outside, but a closer inspection will reveal that it is so much more. Named after the ancient

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The Triplex Acies is constructed of durable 500D Cordura nylon and incorporates robust Duraflex buckles.

was one of the most flexible and adaptable formations on the battlefield. Like the famed Roman battle formation, Cannae sought to create a bag that is capable of unrivaled flexibility and adaptability.

Constructed of wear-resistant 500D Cordura nylon and robust Duraflex buckles, it is evident that the bag is well put together and made of nothing but quality components. Its lockable YKK zippers are built to zip smoothly and not bind anywhere along their tracks. After all, nobody likes a stuck zipper.

Although the bag is called a “3 Gun” bag, undoubtedly named with the shooting sport in mind, the Triplex Acies in fact comfortably fits four guns, two of the long variety and two pistols. If you’re like us (we like to get our money’s worth), you can probably go beyond its design parameters and cram another few pistols in as well.

The large compartment completely unzips, allowing for a generous, wide-open space that fits two long guns with a removable padded

divider dividing the space. The entire interior is padded and well protected from impacts.

One side of one of the compartments features a concealable zippered extension that unfurls to reveal another 12 inches of length, giving you nearly 60 inches of overall length for extra-long rifles or shotguns.

The front of the case is designed with two large zippered compartments, a smaller padded fleece-lined compartment for sen-

er range essentials such as a range finder and shot timer. Both compartments have 48 MOLLE mounting points sewn in for the attachment of

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optional pouches, and the right-side compartment has a loop field to display your favorite morale patches or other hook-backed gear.

One of the large zippered compartments is made to hold two pistols and eight pistol magazines. The section is divided in half, with one side lined with loop material for the attachment of hook-backed accessories such as a storage holster. The other side fits eight pistol magazines in secure elastic-topped pockets. The second large zippered compartment manages to swallow up four rifle magazines and also has a flap-covered storage pocket suitable for smaller gear including tools and cleaning supplies.

Externally, the Triplex Acies has a few carrying options. For longer treks, or if you need to keep your hands free, full-sized—and comfortable,

we might add—backpack straps conceal within its backside. Deploy them when you need them or stuff them when you don’t. The bag also comes with a removable padded shoulder sling that can be attached in several ways to help you carry a balanced load. Two of our favorite features include top and bottom grab

Although it’s billed as a “3 Gun” bag, the Triplex Acies in fact comfortably fits up to four guns and a whole lot of auxiliary gear like magazines, ear pro, a range finder, tools, and more.

drag handles that make dragging the bag out of the bed of a truck much easier, and its compression straps help keep your gear in place.

After using the Triplex Acies for a couple of range trips, it was clear to us that with this bag we were able to cut down on how many bags

“the triplex acies is named after one of the most adaptable formations used by the roman legions.”

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The Triplex Acies comfortably fits in a hardcase when extra protection is required.

e bag weighs just der 5 pounds mpty and is large ough to accept e longest riles in r collection, with other 12 inches spare in its pandable barrel mpartment.

o take to the range. It swallowed ur guns and gear and showed no kness at its stress points. With loaded it is a heavy load to lug, ected when you stuff a large bag, many grab handles and straps it o handle than expected. riplex Acies measures 44 inches g, s high, and 13.5 inches wide.

It weighs just under 5 pounds empty and is large enough to accept the longest rifles in our collection with another 12 inches to spare in its expandable barrel compartment, an impressive feat.

Considering its utility, flexibility, adaptability, quality build, thoughtful design, and an MSRP of only $150, we’d qualify this bag as a terrific bargain. The Triplex Acies is rich in features, both inside and out; we look forward to taking it to some classes and competitions to see how it holds up over time.

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JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

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GROUND ZERO was like a candy store. We had all been preparing for this moment; we were at the top of our game, and for most of us it was why we were there. We were told to plan for sustained fighting for up to three days without resupply or relief, so we packed accordingly. We were overpacked, but ready.

TEXT BY DON EDWAR DS

W

e loaded out for the operation at Lawson Army Airfield in Ft. Benning, Georgia. Conveniently for us, this was our home base so we didn’t need to move until right before we headed out. When we did arrive, we saw some of our 2/75 brothers who had been living on the airfield in tents for a couple of days.

Loading magazines and rucks still seems like a surreal experience to this day. Tons of pallets of ammo and ordnance were brought to us. It was so much more than the standard infantryman’s basic load. We were told to take all we needed. Man, it

We flew all night the night of December 19.

Our ToT (Time on Target) was supposed to be 0100 the next day. We were tired from the days of preparation, planning, packing, and rehearsing the mission. Most of the Rangers on the bird had no trouble sleeping—at least I didn’t. One of the gifts of an infantryman is the ability to sleep anywhere at any time with no notice, and Rangers are no exception. Couple that with being tired and the familiar hum of the C-130 and I could hardly stay awake. Besides, I knew a long night was ahead of us.

Looking down at the ALICE pack attached between my legs I considered all the ammo and supplies inside. At the time, I constantly wondered if it was enough. Looking back

now, I had no need for half of it. My LBE already had a double basic load of ammo.

Inside the ruck was a fully loaded vest of 40mm rounds for the M203, some spare frags, enough extra 203 rounds to refill the vest, another couple bandoliers of ammo.

Assorted smoke grenades, signal flares and M118 ammo for the M-24 SWS that would meet up with me later on the ground.

Additionally, several blocks of C4 and all the fixings for a possible follow-on mission.

As we got closer to Rio Hato Airfield, our DZ, the jumpmasters (JM) helped us put on and rig our rucks. We took off just wearing our harnesses, no inflight rigging but a partial rig 2 hours out. At some point, a 5-gallon water can was passed around.

Rangers were using it to take a piss. We left Georgia in December and we knew we were going to the jungle, so with Guns N' Roses in our heads we’d hydrated accordingly and now it was time to let some out.

By the time the jump commands were

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2018

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OBJECTIVES MISSION Airfield Seizure TEAM 2nd PLT B/3/75 LOCATION Rio Hato, Panama TIME OF DAY Aft rnoon

through and the first jumper was by, we couldn’t wait to get the he of that bird. The JM went out and followed, and I had the hardest o shock of my entire career as a pa Even though I probably tried to e the four points of performance w the air, there was no time. The ca open, and I immediately saw gre red tracers randomly going every was exhilarated and nervous and to get on the ground where I had chance; the ground came up to m The jump altitude was supposed AGL. I found out later it was cons lower. No time to get the rucksac lowered, I guess I’ll ride it in. Tha had the hardest landing of my ca stars and thought I was knocked the obligatory check of all body p make sure I wasn’t injured I start out of the harness as fast as I cou As I was getting my gear togeth untangled from the harness, Joe, my fire teammates, came over to

Eddie, you OK?” I told him yeah but my ruck was too damn heavy and I needed help standing. We had a chuckle as he helped me up and we moved toward the highway that bisected the airfield. One of our platoon’s missions was to clear out any fences that may have kept the C-141s from landing.

Some guys had jumped with quickie saws in their rucks for this purpose, and all that C4 in my pack was the contingency plan. I was hoping to use it up, as it was pretty heavy.

Along the way we gathered up some more Rangers. On the way to the highway there was a lot of shooting. We got down and almost started returning fire. I could tell it was some other Rangers shooting but couldn’t tell what they were shooting at. It turns out someone ran the blocking position on the other side of the airfield before Alpha Company had it set in, and some other guys from our platoon were crossing the road when he came at them. Once that was dealt with, we continued to the road.

We linked up with the Company XO, our

and his up for the t Lawson ld in Ft. eorgia. they into

former Platoon Leader, who was already almost done dragging the fence all away.

It was just some rotten wooden posts and some rusty barbed wire. Damn, what am I going to do with all this C4?

After a long, sleepless night we began to move forward of our position. Someone from a small block building was taking shots at the lead squad. The Squad leader, SSG Gary Barnard, called for the little birds on station overhead. The first run went on the wrong building. The second run was tragically directed on the lead squad, and second squad was shredded. SSG Barnard died of his wounds; PFC Roy Brown was dead where he lay in the prone. Bill and PK were fighting for their lives and I thank God that they are still with us today.

In the corner of some foreign field we got what we wished for. We wanted to taste blood. Unfortunately, it was our own. Now I tell young soldiers who are looking for a fight: “Be careful what you wish for, because you might get it.”

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SIGHT PICTURE Either with iron sights, a red dot, or a magnified optic, you need to know how to use your sights properly.

Getting the correct sight picture is essential to accurate shooting. For a notch-and-post setup found on irons, the rear sight should be fuzzy, the target should be slightly fuzzy, and the front sight should be crystal clear. For a red dot or magnified optic, focus your eyes on the target and allow the reticle to be slightly fuzzy.

SIGHT ALIGNMENT For a notch-and-post sight setup, all you have to do is put the post in line with the top of the notch and put an equal amount of space of light on either side. Most notch-andpost sights will have dots to line up or a line and a dot to help with vertical alignment. On a red dot or magnified optic the reticle will vary depending on model, but generally you want to center it as much as possible.

TRIGGER CONTROL This is one of the most difficult fundamentals to master, especially if you started with bad shooting habits. Sight picture, sight alignment, and even the recoil of the gun are mental; trigger control is the only truly physical part of shooting a gun. Everyone, including a grand master shooter, has an innate aversion to sharp, loud noises, which is exactly what a firearm produces. Two steps to practice at the range are to take the slack out of the trigger before actually breaking the shot and to press the trigger directly to the rear as smoothly as you can.

FOLLOW THROUGH No different from swinging a baseball bat or a golf club— all you have to do is to make sure you hold the shooting position for a half second after the bullet fires from the gun. Holding the position is important because mentally your mind will try to make you drop the pistol or move the pistol while you’re pulling the trigger. Two steps to remove any bad habits are to keep the sights aligned with your intended target after you take your shot, and a controlled release of the trigger back to the forward rest point without losing hold of it.

PISTOL SHOOTING FUNDAMENTALS

BREATHING CONTROL Breathing control can vary depending on the type of shooting you’re doing—mainly with respect to distance.

If you are trying to either shoot your best grouping or shoot at longer distances, the amount your chest moves while you’re breathing can affect your shot by as much as an inch. Holding your breath while pulling the trigger can be the simplest fix. You can hold your breath on the way in or all the way out—whatever’s most comfortable for you. One way to go about breath control is to inhale normally, exhale half of your breath, and hold it until you break the shot. This way your muscles aren’t working to hold in too much air.

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WORLD OF FIREPOWER

LAST SHOT STRONGER, FASTER, BETTER

My workouts are usually take about 1 hour, and follow this structure: warm-up, strength training, and then aerobic (lower heart rate, easy cardio) or metabolic (wind sprints, high-intensity training) conditioning.

TE X T BY TIM KENNEDY / PHOTO BY 5. 1 1 TAC T I CAL

W

hen approaching a workout, the first thing you have to explain is the purpose for why you train. You can shape your body so you look cool, or strong or big—but for most functional fitness athletes, we undertake training to make us better at the real world. I think, “How does that help me become a better version of myself?” For me, it’s about making me ready—making me bigger, faster, stronger, and harder to kill.

Generally, my workout looks something like this: Warm Up: 100-meter jog with some shoulder dislocates with PVC pipes to help stretch out the upper body while warming up the lower body. Then 5 rounds of push-ups and 10 rounds of push-ups

Strength Training: 15 rounds of jumping squats with a weight.

Metabolic Conditioning: Sprinting 100 meters, 3 rounds of 5 minutes for a total of a 15-minute workout, 1 minute break between each round.

We do a lot of body weight and mental toughness workouts. Grabbing a weight, lying down, and standing back up. Doing it for 5 minutes isn’t bad. Ten minutes is slightly more difficult.

But doing it for 30 minutes is super tough. It seems simple at first, but becomes very difficult over time. For something basic to become tough, you have to not only physically put in the time, but also mentally push yourself to commit to the repetition beyond the point of exhaustion.

The importance of feeling pain during a workout is huge. I’m profoundly against steroids— feeling the pain and the suffering is what drives you to be stronger and faster.

The beauty of strength training is you can use pretty much anything as resistance. My everyday standby is my weighted 5.11 TacTec Plate Carrier, but in a pinch, you can use a sandbag, dumbbell, barbell, a suitcase if you're traveling, even another person. You can vary the reps depending on the amount of weight you have. To get stronger, you use more weight and low reps, with more rest in between.

Using lighter weights and higher reps with less rest in between will produce a leaner build.

I am incredibly strong, but equally fast. People often look at my build and can’t imagine how I run a 5-minute mile. The variety of my training really does allow me to transcend fitness stereotypes.

MARS G E AR .C O M USE CODE: wfp2017

MG SPECTRE 20L PACK SIZE

18”h X 12”w x 7.5”d

volume

20 Liters

» Laser cut MOLLE panel for modular attachments » 3.5”W x 2”H loop panel for ID or morale patch » Reinforced double layer grab handle » Main compartment with two mesh pockets » Hydration compatible up to 2.5L bladder (sold separately) » Removable 1.5” wide waist belt » Padded airflow back panel promotes ventilation

INTRODUCTORY PRICE

MG VULCAN TAC. PANTS » Poly/cotton ripstop fabric » 12 strategically placed pockets » Smart sized pockets for gadgets and mags » Articulated knee & gusseted crotch » Drawstring leg ties » Elastic waistband