In an age where everything has to be “Tactical”, GPS gets to the point (although the company does have some “tactical” themed lines”). The company was founded by a Trap and Skeet shooter who simply needed a better way to carry range equipment back and forth. What I’ve always liked about the company is their vision to make a shooting bag tailored for a shooters needs. Different pockets purely made for magazines, cleaning rod holders, separate ammunition storage compartments, etc… A range bag really needs this sort of design input because of the peculiar things needed during a training session. Such as the fact that the bag needs to support a large amount of weight (such as firearms and ammunition). But at the same time, you’re not going to be running through an obstacle course with the equipment.

Lyman has released a number of new products this year, but we’ll only be able to get to a few of them that really stand out. First off is the company’s new reloading line, branded in bright orange. In order of weight, they are the Brass Smith Ideal C-Frame Press, the Brass Smith Victory Single Stage Press, and the Brass Smith All-American 8 Turret Press.

As much as I love my silencers, I still end up wearing some sort of hearing protection when shooting. Without rehashing a topic we’ve discussed multiple times in the past, hearing-safe doesn’t always mean no hearing protection required. As a general rule, using subsonic ammo in many hosts can mean dropping the muffs or plugs. Supersonic ammo, on the other hand almost always requires additional protection – much like a trip to Bangkok in the 80’s. Today, we will take a look at the M31 EARMOR electronic hearing protection from OPSMEN.

Trigger Point Technology is a small company in California that has integrated visible and IR light and aiming lasers into controls on the magazine well and trigger of the AR platform.

One issue that tactical gear makers have is trying to make their products blend in and looking anything other than tactical. Hazard 4 has been making the standard tan cases and gear for a number of years now but has finally jumped into the low-vis scene by creating their Civilian Lab brand. Essentially they are making their standard equipment but making it look more at home in a Starbucks coffee shop than any of their previous (and still being produced) tan gear.

Accu-Tac is a California-based company that has been in the bipod business for a couple years now. They brought two models of their aluminum bipods to SHOT 2018 this year, the Long Range model and the F-Class model. The F-Class model has a Quick Detach Picatinny rail section that is connected to the bipod. Unlike a Harris or Versa-Pod design with the QD “tit” that hangs on the Picatinny rail, these Accu-Tac bipods completely come off the rail.

When it comes to typical range shooting and training, almost nothing beats the ring of a steel target when that bullet hits it’s mark. So while punching paper for those clover leaf groups is cool, practicing techniques like body armor drills is much more useful with proper steel. I started doing my research on quality target kits about six months ago and came up with a few solutions: today we take a look at the Complete Target Solutions – AKA CTS Targets – ABC ZONE AR500 Silhouette.

In today’s episode, we follow Miles to Shot Show 2018 at the Surefire booth.

During the SHOT Show 2018, two European companies announced their plans of importing new polymer AR-15 magazines to the US market. One of these companies is the German Schmeisser and the second one is a Croatian company called POB.

In today’s episode, we follow Miles to Shot Show 2018 to the High Threat Concealment booth.

In today’s episode, we follow Miles to Shot Show 2018 at the PWS booth.

The Ryker FIST Grip is a new take on Picatinny mounted forward grips. Instead of being mounted at the 6 o’clock position like virtually every other forward grip on the market, the RYKER is designed to be mounted at the 3 or 9 o’clock of any firearm that has Picatinny rails on the handguards. Interestingly this includes pump-action shotguns with Picatinny equipped shotgun forends. The grip can be altered for a left or right-handed configuration by simply disassembling it and reversing the direction of the grip placement on the Picatinny rail adaptor.

As society continues to slip towards a life filled with the expectation that everything we need will be provided to us by someone else, the concept of ‘every day carry’ is falling by the wayside. I was taught from an early age, like many of you, that carrying a knife with you at all times was a necessity. Not because we believed a time would come that a situation would require slicing ninjas with a Buck folder, but because easy access to tools makes you less dependent on others. Much like the EDC knife, a proper flashlight should be required kit for the modern independent man or woman. Today, the SUREFIRE Tactician E2T-MV gets a quick TFB evaluation as a daily carry light.

At SHOT Show 2018, Wayne at NightForce walks us through the new NX8 product family, beginning with the NX8 1-8×24 F1 and exists as an extension of the NXS family and NF’s military heritage. It is a first focal-plane optic, is 8.75″ long and 17 ounces.

Miles starts by examining the Cadex M2 Cradle Mount, designed for the Browning M2. On inspection of the mount we see the zero gravity capability and the ease of use provided for manipulating the Browning M2. On top of the Browning we notice the Cadex Kolos mount integrating a recoil mitigation system and a powered ballistic reticle optic. As Miles moves to the Sheep Dog Rifle, Rob Furlong discusses the calibers offered in the new actions as well as the new chassis offered for 2018.

In today’s episode, we follow Miles to Shot Show 2018 and visit the Safariland booth to look at some new holster offerings for 2018.

When BulletSafe first launched it’s sub-$300 Level IIIA bullet proof vest several years ago, I was completely onboard. In fact, we’ve carried the BulletSafe line in our store for years.

Aero Precision had some interesting products for 2018. The company is working on a new line of compensators for 9mm, 5.56, and 7.62 rifles. These have a number of unique features such as the ability to slide a gas block over them while installed. They also have a titanium suppressor which wil MSRP for under $1000.
A very special thanks to BROWNELL’S – check out their new Retro line here:

In today’s episode, we follow Miles to Shot Show 2018 Media Day at the Range and visit the Lewis Machine and Tool (LMT) booth.

There were a wide variety of new AR-15 parts and accessories at SHOT this year. One manufacturer who always seems to have something new in AR-15 accessories is Strike Industries (SI). The guys at SI gave TFB a look at some of the new parts and accessories they’re bringing to market this year.

In today’s episode, we follow Miles to Shot Show 2018 Media Day at the Range and visit the Unique AR booth.

In today’s episode, we follow Miles to Shot Show 2018 Media Day at the Range and visit Ben with Ellison Dynamic Concepts.

SB Tactical has joined the rest of the industry at SHOT Show with their first booth. Ok it wasn’t really a booth, it was a kiosk in the NEXT area just outside the Press Room. These NEXT kiosks are for companies looking to get a booth at SHOT Show. There is a 5 year waiting period and this is one way to get your foot in the door.

You may be familiar with MagnetoSpeed from their bayonet style chronograph that uses magnetic fields to measure bullet velocities. Well last year they came out with a clever upgrade for steel targets. Their T1000 is a small pipe with a clear reflector sticking out the side. The tube houses the accelerometer and a bank of LEDs. You simply velcro it to he back of a steel target and when the target is hit, the T1000 LEDs flash. The LEDs are inside the housing but the clear reflector acts like a periscope and projects the LEDs up and over the edge of the steel target. The T1000 is fully rolled out and have a slight update in the board with regards to microphone positioning and sensitivity. They have also tweaked the programming for the miss detection.

ETS is best known for their translucent Glock magazines. Last year they came out with their CAM Loader magazine loader. I reviewed the CAM Loader last year. They have addressed one of the issues I had with the CAM Loader. The probem is that it only worked with 9mm and .40S&W double stack magazines. It could work with single stack mags but it does not work with other calibers. Well now they are making new CAM loaders in .45ACP and .380ACP.

Last time I saw UM tactical was over a year ago at the 2016 October Big 3 East Media event. Well they have finalized their integrally suppressed SS9 9mm AR. An integrally suppressed AR is not usually interesting as there are plenty of other versions out on the market. But what if I told you you could shoot super AND sub sonic ammo out of this gun? The iconic integrally suppressed MP5SD is the benchmark for such guns and yet it is not a good idea to shoot sub sonic ammo. According to Brian, founder and owner of UM Tactical, he tested it against a Gemtech with sub sonic loads and the SS9 was quieter. The suppressor is user serviceable but unfortunately it is detachable just like the MP5SD so the SS9 is a two stamp gun. This one has a 6.75″ barrel. MSRP on the SS9 is $2800. They do offer the upper separately.

Building on the success of the MAWL DA, B.E. Meyers shows us the new and enhanced MAWL C1+ at SHOT Show 2018.

At SHOT Show 2018 we stop by the Doublestar booth to see what’s new. Nick, Director of Special Operations, takes us through some new products including the aluminum Strongarm pistol brace.

Medical gear and ballistic nylon is not always the most exciting products to come out of the SHOT Show, but when it comes to life saving supplies and EDC transport, Blue Force Gear is on point. Announcing a larger version of their Jedburgh backpack – the Tracer Pack – BFG added more volume to an already feature-rich setup. Compatible with all the Dapper velcro system pouches and containers, users are able to setup their Tracer Pack as their daily mission requires. Estimated to be released in March, the Tracer Pack will most likely be priced a bit higher than its smaller kin which runs $140. Dapper accessories run from $11 to $36 depending on the model.

Named after the legendary Texas Rangers, the DSG Arms Ranger Rack was developed to support vehicle-based law enforcement operations manage available gear under stress. As with most officers, spare magazines are usually spread out between a duty bag and swimming around in vehicle door pockets. The problem with this setup is that in the event of an active shooter, vehicle operation or intense response to an ongoing threat, hunting for a spare mag can take valuable seconds away from the fight. DSG developed the Ranger Rack to securely hold reloads on the outside of a door pocket. As an added bonus, the whole kit can be easily relocated to a go bag, or individual carriers easily removed to a belt or pocket. The Ranger Rack starts at $49 with full kits priced at $139.