Category Archives: Gear Reviews

Challenge Targets Stake-N-Shoot 8″ Popper Review

ChallengeTargets_20140313_T3i_005_1080_2I love steel targets. If you have read our blog or reviews for any amount of time, this should be apparent. When shooting steel close up with a handgun or carbine you get instant, gratifying feedback of the shot. There is no need to paste any shot holes between shooters and you don’t even have to paint them if you don’t want to. Long range rifle shooters benefit in a visual cue when the bullet splashes on the target face. This can be seen a much greater distances than a small shot hole in cardboard. If the shooter is unable to spot the impact of the bullet, they can generally hear the ring of the plate roll back from downrange.

This week we look at the Stake-N-Shoot 8″ Popper target from Challenge Targets. I came across the Stake-N-Shoot targets while browsing the MidwayUSA website. I contacted Challenge Targets and they were happy to send over one of their 8″ Stake-N-Shoot Poppers for us to review. The Stake-N-Shoot Popper is similar to other poppers on the market in that they are 3/8″ AR500 steel. The Challenge Targets are laser cut and have very clean edges. The 8″ Stake-N-Shoot popper is 20″ tall and 8″ wide. This size makes it a very versatile precision rifle target for 100-800 yard use. Continue reading Challenge Targets Stake-N-Shoot 8″ Popper Review

TAB Gear Silent Ammo Carrier (S.A.C.) Review

TAB Ammo SACOver the years I have used several different methods to carry ammo in the field. In the Marines we carried the issued cardboard cartons. Those were prone to being smashed and disintegrated when wet. During matches I carried the plastic ammo boxes used to store my reloads. These were cumbersome, heavy and the boxes are easily broken by impact. None of the methods of packing really added functionality to the shooting process. For this reason I was extremely excited when I saw the TAB Gear S.A.C. (Silent Ammo Carrier). Continue reading TAB Gear Silent Ammo Carrier (S.A.C.) Review

5.11 Thumb Drive Holster

5.11 Thumb DriveI just took delivery of a brand new Glock 17 Gen 4. Unfortunately, I didn’t have a holster to fit. Not being a patient lad, I dropped into our local “cop shop” to see what was hanging on the wall. Weaving my way by the bargain table, a holster caught my eye. Continue reading 5.11 Thumb Drive Holster

Hiperfire Hipertouch 24E Trigger Review

Hipertouch24E_20140106_T3i_009_1080AR15 triggers are a dime a dozen. I have lost count of how many different triggers I have shot. Single stage, two stage, standard GI style, the list goes on. It takes a lot to get me excited about a new AR trigger.

When I first came across the Hiperfire line of triggers I was intrigued. The trigger does not look like any other trigger on the market. I sent an email to Hiperfire and promptly got a reply from Terry Bender, the owner and designer. Terry was happy to call me to explain how the trigger functions and what distinguishes it from other AR triggers. A couple days later a brand new Hipertouch 24E showed up at our door.

Continue reading Hiperfire Hipertouch 24E Trigger Review

The Last Stand Review

I love shooting steel targets. Shooting steel gives you a visual and audible indication that your bullet connected. Unfortunately steel target systems are usually heavy and sometimes expensive. Last Stand LLC has a solution. The Last Stand is a set of two molded plastic brackets. When combined with six 1/2″ rebar rods made of Elgiloy Hastelloy B, they construct an A-frame swing set type target stand. The height of the a-frame can be adjusted by varying the length of rebar inserted through the bracket. This also allows a range of adjustment for angled ground. Continue reading The Last Stand Review

Leatherman Rail Review

Leatherman Rail_20131227_T3i_035_1080The Leatherman Tool Group makes some amazing tools for a wide variety of purposes. We recently reviewed the Leatherman MUT, a tool dedicated to the maintenance of the M16 series rifles. For those looking for a lighter, smaller and less expensive option for M16/M4/AR maintenance the Leatherman Rail may be the answer. Continue reading Leatherman Rail Review

Cerakote Firearms Coatings

XLR Evolution Chassis Cerakoted "Burnt Bronze"
XLR Evolution Chassis Cerakoted “Burnt Bronze”

A trip down any tactical rifle firing line is often like looking at a black and white photo. Black rifle after black rifle. Repeating over and over again. Some shooters are happy with their rifles just like they came out of the box. Others would like to add a little “personality” to theirs. When Cerakote Firearms Coatings contacted us, we jumped at the chance to add a little flair to one of our rifles.

The rifle we chose to send off to Cerakote was Sarah’s XLR Evolution equipped Remington 700. This rifle started life as a plain-jane 26″ ADL Varmint rifle. We had the barrel cut back and threaded by Suppressed Armament Systems. Then we added a JP Tactical Compesator to take recoil down a notch. This setup was a great shooting rifle, but the sea of black was just “blah”. Continue reading Cerakote Firearms Coatings

TacLites M600 Heavy Utility Flashlight Review

TacLites_20131213_T3i_008_1080The flashlight has been a core tool for Law Enforcement and Military personnel since it was first patented in 1899. Since then, the cardboard tube and bulky batteries have evolved into a countless number of designs. Some are cheaply made, disposable junk. Some are finely machined tools. The TacLites Flashlights fall into the latter category.

TacLites sent us one of their finely crafted M600 Heavy Utility Flashlights (HUF) to evaluate. The flashlight body is constructed of 6061 Aluminum and aggressively grooved to provide a sure grip. The body is 1″ diameter in order to fit many weapon mount options. Our test model was black anodized, but KG Guncoat finish is also available.

TacLites uses a “p60” style drop in LED module. This offers a wide variety of beam color and intensity options. Out test model came equipped with a Cree XM-L2 emitter and three power options (5%, 30%, 100%). At full power the light is rated at 800 Lumens.

While we don’t have any method to test the actual lumen output of a flashlight, I found that the TacLites M600 was the brightest of all of my handheld lights. The full-power setting easily illuminated 100-200 yard targets. Continue reading TacLites M600 Heavy Utility Flashlight Review

MDT LSS Remington 700 Chassis First Look

MDT LSSModular Driven Technologies recently sent us one of their new LSS Chassis Systems. The LSS is a very minimalist chassis that offers you the option to use your favorite AR15 pistol grip and adjustable buttstock. One of the most important features is that the LSS allows your Remington 700 short action rifle to accept Accuracy International AICS pattern magazines. Our initial impression is that the LSS is a very solid piece. Our factory Remington 700 Varmint rifle dropped right in.

Continue reading MDT LSS Remington 700 Chassis First Look