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When you get right down to it, criticism of Bravo Company MFG products comes from people who simply don't understand what makes a quality AR for hard use, and have to resort to calling BCM fans "kool aid drinkers" in lieu of any real criticism. Well, I'm here to tell you that those people are right. The BCM kool aid is popular. That's because BCM is renowned for producing some of the highest quality, most functional AR-15 uppers in the business. If gravitating towards the best product on the market… Read More

It's taken several millenia, but Vltor finally has a web store, located at www.vltorstore.com/, and you can order items directly from them online. They have a great law enforcement/military discount, too, so be sure to take advantage of that if you're eligible. Don't forget that Bravo Company has the original Modstock on sale for $50, and Rainier Arms has the new IMod for $95 (cheaper if you're LE/Mil).

I'll come right out and admit that I am a big fan of aftermarket muzzle devices. The PWS FSC556 is great for reducing muzzle rise (while not creating huge fireballs like other muzzle brakes/compensators), and the AAC Blackout and Smith Vortex do a fantastic job of reducing/eliminating muzzle flash visible to the naked eye. However, this doesn't mean that the ubiquitous A2 flash hider is completely useless. It does actually reduce muzzle rise slightly, compared to, say, the AAC Blackout, as I noticed recently while switching between the two for… Read More

Unfortunately, the topic of "unwanted firearm discharges" comes up quite often online, either when a news story about such an incident is being discussed, or when a member of a firearm-related forum has an "insert word here" discharge. The topic can be contentious and is riddled with half truths and misunderstandings. I'm not claiming to be the final source of information on the topic, but I do believe that I have a well-grounded opinion. Now, some people say that there's no such thing as an accidental discharge, and others say… Read More

A Definition Accuracy can be subjective. For example, if I said that I had a pretty accurate rifle, but did not clarify that statement, one listener might think that I had a rifle that could shoot .5 MOA (1 MOA = 1.047" at 100 yards), while another might think that I had a rifle that could shoot 2 MOA. The first guy might think that I based my statement on a single three shot group. The second might think that I fired ten shots. Which person would be right? Well,… Read More

Due to the introduction of the IMod, Bravo Company is clearing out the "old" Vltor Modstocks for $50 apiece. Considering that you normally see used versions for $75, that's a very good deal. At this price, it's cheaper than the Magpul MOE, but has storage for batteries and also has a QD socket for a sling swivel. They're available in FDE and Black here.

Most AR-15 enthusiasts, especially those who spend time online, are familiar with "the chart" - a document comparing M4 type carbines from various manufacturers via a number of features. These features are generally checked or unchecked, and weapons that check more boxes on "the chart" enjoy a higher reputation than those that do not. For the most part, I agree with that assessment. I would certainly rather have a "chart checker" than a weapon related to an M4 carbine in appearance only, especially considering the rapidly closing price gap between… Read More

I feel that a comparison such as this has been due for quite some time. Both companies have provided me with T&E rifles, and it is only fair to my readers that I give my honest impressions of each product as they relate to one another. If you don't have a whole lot of time, there is a summary at the bottom. The Market There are, of course, dozens of AR-15 manufacturers, and for the most part, the majority of them turn out decent, functional rifles. By "functional" I mean… Read More

We've been bombarded with a variety of coatings and platings over the past few years, most of which are called "proprietary" and given a cool name. In reality, there aren't a whole lot of finishes or metal treatments out there. Many are just variations on a theme, such as all the derivatives of nitrocarburization and nickel plating. Nickel boron is related to electroless nickel plating and electroless nickel with teflon (also known as Robar's NP3) with regard to the plating process. Nickel boron is reported to provide "permanent dry lubricity".… Read More

Because I'm seething with rage at the moment, I won't write very much, other than that fake tourniquets, manufactured in China, are apparently finding their way into the hands of American servicemen overseas. These fake tourniquets cannot be used to control bleeding and have reportedly contributed to at least one fatality. They are intended to be indistinguishable (to the casual observer) from real CAT tourniquets currently in use. A PDF file of the differences between the two tourniquets can be found here. Please forward it to anyone you know who… Read More