Tag: reviews

There are two reasons why I am writing this article: 1. To explain what I've learned about Arc'teryx LEAF gear after wearing it very often for a year 2. To post photos of myself wearing said gear. When I first saw how much Arc'teryx stuff cost, I was incredulous. How could this be? A six-hundred-dollar jacket? Three hundred bucks for a pair of pants? Now, a year or so on, I'm sold on their products. Before I go any farther, I should also mention that most of my experience is… Read More

I've been using Elzetta lights for several years and have found them to be extremely impressive. In this video, I discuss the features that set them apart from other lights.

On this blog, I have done plenty of gear reviews. These reviews are most often based on extensive use of the item, in various climates or locations. Today I came to the realization that I haven't reviewed some of the gear that I've been using for the longest period of time, and this review is one step towards changing that. Unfortunately, in this case, the Magnum boots I'm reviewing have been discontinued. I therefore won't be spending too much time on individual features, but rather how they were manufactured and… Read More

I have been using the Spike's Tactical SAR rails for quite some time, and although they are extremely light, they do not seem to give up any strength or durability. However, I have several problems with the way they were designed and manufactured. Spike's Tactical provided both of these rails for review, as well as some of the rifles seen in the video. This video is a modification of the "new video format" I tested a few months ago.

After putting quite a bit of 5.45 and 5.56 through the Rainier XTC over the last 9 months, I feel pretty confident in saying that it's the best muzzle compensator value on the market.

I was recently loaned this Smith & Wesson 1911 for a review, and have spent the last few weeks inspecting, carrying, and shooting it. I came away with one big reservation, but overall, a positive opinion of the pistol. It - and the other E series 1911s from S&W, all of which cost less than this tricked-out model - should bring some much-needed quality competition to the factory production 1911 market. Also, please read Hilton Yam's review of a similar pistol, which goes into more detail, and comes from the… Read More

In my experience, most people who are looking to buy AR-15s do so because they want something that looks like what the military uses. Most of these people then buy 14.5" or 16" M4 type rifles, regardless of what they actually need or have a use for. I have a variety of ARs, and several have 20" barrels and collapsible stocks. They're great shooters and would fit the needs of a lot of civilian shooters (uh-oh, I said it) much better than an M4. But they don't look as cool,… Read More

I was recently loaned a Blue Force Gear Six Pack Bandolier by Deliberate Dynamics and have been spending a significant amount of time with it. Similar in design to the BFG TenSpeed line of products which sacrifice long-term durability for significant weight, cost, and size savings, the bandolier lists for $43.95 and is designed to hold six M4 type magazines in its elastic pockets. It has a shoulder strap and a waist strap, both of which are constructed from thin webbing. This piece of gear defines minimalism. It naturally hangs… Read More

As many who read my blog know, I like Spike's Tactical. Granted, they've given me a lot of stuff - but it's all looked at with a critical eye, and I don't often find things to complain about. With the SAR rails, however, I did. Spike's sent me two SAR rails, a 12" and a 9". They're very light - the 9" weighs under 10 ounces - and I like the titanium barrel nut that makes installation very easy. They have 4 QD sockets for sling swivels, and the width… Read More

Many thanks to Rainier Arms for providing me with this billet receiver set. I assembled the rifle as my version of an M16A5 prototype - an upgraded M16, if you will. More to come on that.