One project I’ve been spending some time on over the past couple months is rehousing my Glock 17 (registered pre-MD-ban SBR) into a B&T USW-G chassis. This has been a bit of a saga, but I think I’ve got the full picture now to share.
Continue reading A few thoughts on the B&T USW-GCategory Archives: Reviews
Upgrading the Masada Slim to the Elite grip
To be totally honest, I’ve been waaaay too busy to shoot much lately. Between family commitments and other events to be revealed this year, I just haven’t had much time to get out there and get at it. I’m hoping that I’ll have this resolved by the end of the year, but for now, I’m suffering through a real shooting drought.
However, when the “back in stock” email for the Masada Slim Elite grip came floating through my inbox, I just knew I had a project to do. Now that it’s after Passover, I found time to do a quick grip swap with my Masada Slim. You’ll recall it from my review, where I found it to be a reliable micro-compact that took common mags and had somewhat mediocre iron sights.
Well, IWI released an “Elite” version that fixed a few problems with it, and nicely enough, the grip module is fully backwards-compatible with the original Slim’s FCU… time for an upgrade.
Continue reading Upgrading the Masada Slim to the Elite grip
SMSLaser HFXC Review
You may recall that I reviewed the SMSLaser XK68-IR in a previous post. The XK68-IR was an interesting attempt at converting a budget white light device to IR, and while it overall missed the mark, it was a good enough try that I felt SMSLaser had some promise and was a company worth watching.
Well, fast forward a year from the review, and SMSLaser has sent me a new device to test and evaluate: the HFXC. The HFXC is a 4-in-1 device that combines a white light, IR light, IR aiming laser, and visible aiming laser. You don’t really see a lot of 4-in-1s that are popular because they tend to do something badly (generally the illuminator(s)). As you’re going to find out, SMSLaser did their homework in a big way on this device, and I think it’s going to surprise you.
Continue reading SMSLaser HFXC Review
Some thoughts on the Tavor 7
I bought an IWI Tavor 7 with 20″ barrel a few months ago. It was one of those embarrassing “this bid on Gunbroker could never win” moments, but I have to admit, I was sort of happy I did. I was an early adopter of the US version of the Tavor SAR, and it continues to be one of my favorite oddball rifles. I’ve been shooting it a bit lately, and the Tavor 7 feels like an upgraded version of the the original Tavor, and seems like the rifle the X95 should have been.
Continue reading Some thoughts on the Tavor 7
JV Innovations SBR Review
I recently procured an InfiRay RH25 (probably the last big purchase I’ll be making for a while!), and it’s a fantastic jack-of-all-trades thermal device for $3500. It can handle the following functionality:
- Clip-On
- Weapon Sight
- Helmet-Mount
- Handheld
Personally, I bought it for the hand-held and clip-on functionality, albeit the possibility of helmet-mounting it does appeal for the future. Even though you can use the included dedicated weapon mount for getting it on a rifle, this basically makes the RH25 unusable for handheld and helmet-mount use cases. The preference by the user community is to install a dovetail-style adapter (similar to what you’d use with binocular night vision) to the RH25 so it can quickly be detached and used in different functions. While the dovetail adds a touch of size and weight, it’s negligible.
Continue reading JV Innovations SBR Review
Using the Covert Optics HS1 as a thermal sight
A while back, Covert Optics had a blowout sale on the Thermx HS1 thermal handheld scanner. The HS1 is no great shakes in terms of thermal performance – 160×120 resolution, 4x magnification, and a 9hz refresh rate. However, at $100-$200, it was a way of getting some thermal capability at a very low price, which is nothing to sneer at, and also takes RCR123As, which is very handy.
One of the neater capabilities that the HS1 has is the ability to be used as a thermal sight with a reticle. The adjustments are extremely coarse due to the low resolution of the screen – a bit over half an inch per digital “click” at 10yds – so it’s a pistol range solution at best. But its small size also lends itself to that application.
My initial thought was to use it with a 1911, but I was unable to figure out a suitable fixed mounting solution. I then realized I had a spare 22/45 upper, and that this would be a pretty good host for this optic. I bought an inexpensive 30mm low profile mount off Amazon, but any cheap 30mm ring would probably work.
Besides turning the reticle option in the menu, picking your favorite, and zeroing it (I used a laser boresighter), you want to go into the sleep menu and disable dimming and sleep. The HS1 has what I assume is a mediocre-to-bad NETD sensitivity, and you don’t want your sight going any darker than it has to. Similarly, make sure brightness is high.
When I took it out to the range on a summer day recently, I had mixed results. It did seem to maintain zero, but it was really hard to spot the steel due to the poor NETD. Similarly, even when I slapped some toe warmers on the steel, it didn’t do much to improve visibility because the ambient temperature was so high. I suspect I would have better results in the winter. The poor refresh rate was problematic, but not a deal breaker unless you’re looking for a really high performance solution.
All in all, it was an interesting experiment, but I suspect that this is a case where the raw technical limits of the HS1 (screen resolution, thermal resolution, and NETD) conspire against it a little too much. As a handheld solution, though, it’s really quite convenient and useful, and might make a solid addition to a bug out bag or a plate carrier.
BUL Cherokee Compact Gen3 Review
It’s a fact: I am a sucker for a good Israeli pistol. I’m sure when my kids are dividing up my collection and trying to figure out why the heck I own some guns, they’re going to wonder why I just had to have all three generations of the Cherokee Compact. The answer is curiosity, mostly.
If you’re curious about what I thought of the Cherokee Compact gen3, read on…
Continue reading BUL Cherokee Compact Gen3 Review
RovyVon GL4 Pro Review
I’ve been off the night shooting circuit for a couple months due to work and family priorities, but I have finally been able to get back out and shooting recently – and I still love it!
I have been somewhat vocal in my questioning the utility of IR lasers and illuminators on handguns with reflex sights, but readily admit that they are quite a lot of fun to use. Further, if your reflex sight does down or comes loose, the lasers do provide a backup aiming method. Thus, even though I don’t necessarily think they’re a must-have, I’d still recommend them for anyone doing a lot of night vision shooting.
However, giving up your white light is not a great solution, either – so the preference would be a device that could combine both VIS and IR needs into one package. Surefire has this in the form of the XVL2-IRC, which is $1200. RovyVon, an EDC flashlight manufacturer, has come out with a close (but not exact) copy for $300 called the GL4 Pro. I’ve finally had time to test it, and I’d love to tell you what I think.
Continue reading RovyVon GL4 Pro Review
BUL Cherokee Mini Gen 1 Review
While the blog has certainly branched out in terms of what it covers, I remain very interested in Israeli guns. One of the interesting parts of covering this subject area is discovering when things you didn’t think existed… actually exist.
In this case, the gun in question is the BUL Cherokee “Mini” Gen 1, which I acquired off a very popular auction site. You’ll recall from previous discussion that there are actually multiple generations of the Cherokee, with the first generation being a fairly straightforward licensed copy of the Tanfoglio Force polymer pistol. What sets apart the Cherokee Mini from the Cherokee and Cherokee Compact is the use of a compact (but not subcompact!) frame.
Read on for some more details.
Continue reading BUL Cherokee Mini Gen 1 Review
Tippmann M4-22 RCR Review
A thing I struggle with is the balance between cost and training. 22lr is really good for some things. Gun handling, transitions practice, ready-ups, long-range-at-short-range, etc. I spend a large part of my year shooting 22lr with the kids on a regular basis. A hundred rounds of 22lr is a bit over five bucks (at current prices). A hundred rounds of 223 is more like $25 (if I reload it).
I shoot a fair bit of outlaw falling steel, and a gun with a reliable high-cap magazine would be terrifically useful for that. Given that I have an M4-22 Elite, being able to use my mags with it would also be great. Enter the Tippmann M4-22 RCR.
Continue reading Tippmann M4-22 RCR Review
The Hebrew Hammer 