Friday, August 31, 2007
Buttstock Shell Holders
I almost always have a buttstock shell holder when I'm hunting with a slug gun or centerfire rifle. The shells are within easy grasp, and they are held securely and quietly with elastic or neoprene. It's one less thing you have to carry in your backpack or pocket and they are available in a flash. I usually leave three or four spaces empty for the shells when unload the gun. It beats having them rattle around and get dirty and dinged from hopping around in a coat pocket. I'll pick up a fresh GunMate neoprene version for this season. I usually cut a small hole in the bottom of it for the sling swivel, and over time the hole gets bigger. These are inexpensive products and well worth the ten bucks or so.
Posted by Steve L at 3:06 PM Read Article 1 comments 
Thursday, August 30, 2007
5.11 5-in-1 Jacket
5.11 clothing is made with quality in mind. Many of the products are triple-stitched. Some of the 5.11 shirts are the nicest I know of. I have some retired Columbia clothing that has been replaced with 5.11 products. The 5-in-1 jacket is top quality with an fleece inner jacket that can be worn without the durable outer shell, and you can even remove the sleeves for a comfortable vest. Many colors and sizes are readily available, and it's as good looking as it is functional. Once you own any 5.11 article of clothing you will be a convert, as I am.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
B-Square Mounts for Ruger Mini-14s
The Ruger Mini-14 has its lineage from the M1 rifle, and is a favorite gun because of its reliability and light weight. Ruger's fantastic mounting system is one of my favorites and is rock solid, but does not lend itself well to mounting objects to other than one inch or thirty millimeter scopes. With the B-Square Mini-14 mount installed you may now mount ACOGs or night vision scopes, or any other odd creature that won't fit in factory Ruger rings. The mount is high enough to allow the use of the gun's iron sights and is installed by replacing the bolt stop cover plate. It is a long rail and allows plenty of length even for installation of night vision scopes. It is rugged and secure and gives good service. The B-Square company itself is top quality, and their offerings are dependable and reasonably priced.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Lights for Power Outages
Here in the midwest we've been hammered with severe rains. I've never seen our rivers this high, and a lot of our towns have been declared disaster areas. The frozen food is ruined because of no power. Both the gas and the electric has been out for quite a while where I live. So we grill on our propane stove, sleep with the doors and windows open, and sip warm scotch while our burgers and chops cook. We flush our toilets with rain water and play pool under lantern light. You really find out what lights are worthwhile when they're needed for an extended period of time. Here's a lantern that should fit the bill for most in times like these. The Browning Black Ice LED lantern uses four D cell batteries and burns for days. Every house should have one. It pays for itself in one night's use.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Elite 3200 on Bushmaster A4
A customer asked what type of scope would be appropriate to mount on his Bushmaster A4. He said he would be using it for short to long range hunting for medium and small game and had about $200.00 to spend. In my opinion, one of the very best rifle scopes in that price range is the Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40. They are reliable and repeatable, and the Rain Guard coating actually works. Eye relief is adequate for most applications, certainly for smaller cartridges. The customer was advised to finish his purchase with Millett AR-15 rings that won't break the bank. This is a basic setup on a black gun that is useable from close to as far as you would like to shoot, and the equipment is top quality.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Millett Rings for Flattops
Millett, a great company to deal with and innovative thinkers has a set of rings for flattop rifles that won't break the bank, but yet are secure enough for the most demanding applications. They are of proper height for a good cheek weld and look good as well. They are among the least expensive high quality rings available to connect your rifle scope to your favorite black gun. They are of minimal weight, and like all the Millett Angle Loc rings they are windage adjustable, allowing your mounts to center your windage instead of moving your riflescope too far off center. Not a big deal, but it's there if you need it. At $25.95, these rings are a steal.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Motorola Two-Way Radios for Vacations
I've been using my Motorola Two-Way radios for vacations of all kinds. One way they're very useful is when there's one or more cars driving with you. They're perfect for communication on the road, to alert for a pit stop, check fuel levels, or even a Chinese fire drill. Amusement parks are easy places to get separated, and radios can easily help you find your way to a rendezvous. My Shirley and I use them while fishing in different areas, or even when I'm out hunting. The maximum distances specified are line of sight. Trees, buildings, and hilly areas decrease this distance. The batteries last what seems like forever if you're not chatting constantly. Great, inexpensive products that every household should have. Several Motorola models to choose from.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Scout Scopes on Scout Rifles
A customer asked me today if I thought a Burris 3-12 pistol scope would work on his M1A scout rifle. The answer is yes. The field of view at a higher power would make the scope and gun combination basically useless, though, unless you're sitting at a bench. The Scout rifles are designed for quick, two eye open target acquisition at shorter to medium ranges. Pistol scopes like the 3-12 Burris are extremely specialized optics and they take a lot of experience to be proficient with, let alone master. A better choice for his gun would be the Leupold Scout scope or the Burris Scout scope. Both are low powered and have a large field of view. They are expressly made for scout rifles such as the M1A. We sell a lot of these Scout scopes to operators overseas using Springfield Armory Scout rifles instead of black guns.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Surefire X200A Weaponlight
While the Streamlight TLR1 and TLR2 weaponlights are getting most of the traffic, another quality light that is available is the Surefire X200A. It's a bit smaller than the TLR series, and connects to your guns in the same simple manner. It offers 60 lumens of light with a 10 year shelf life out of the two 3 volt lithium batteries, and is waterproof down to 99 feet. Accessory tail cap switches are available with remote switches for various applications. Both Picatinny and Weaver adapters come with the flashlight to insure the best and most secure fit. This small light fits well and unobtrusively on long guns, and with the optional backplate with remote switch it should serve most applications exceedingly well without being clumsy or breaking the bank.
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Streamlight Key-Mate Flashlight Jetscream Whistle
A female friend of a friend that often bicycles alone was looking for a product to alert passersby to an accident in case she crashed. She's often alone on forest preserve trails, secluded and sequestered. The Streamlight Key-Mate Flashlight Jetscream Whistle is now a constant companion in her travels. This Streamlight item #72009 contains a whistle capable of 122 decibels, and does not have a pea, so it works when wet. It's virtually unbreakable. The light is a fantastic 4.3 lumen tiny light with a run time of 96 hours. It's small enough to clip to a zipper or buttonhole or hung on a lanyard without it getting in the way. It's perfect to throw in your fanny pack while hiking or carry on luggage while travelling. Any survival kit needs a whistle and flashlight among other things, and this Streamlight offering is an inexpensive great choice.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Pelican Carry On Protector Cases
One of the easiest ways to traverse an airport with luggage is to have wheels on it. The Pelican Carry On Protector case has two heavy duty wheels, and the durability and quality is apparent when you pull one of these cases. Very smooth and easy. The interior size is 19.75" x 11.00" x 7.60", and the outside diameter is such that it fits in an overhead compartment on a plane. You can stuff a lot of loot in this case, and get a fat person to sit on it to close it. You won't break it. The case is waterproof, and the telescoping handle is comfortable enough for long walks through terminals. The option of the Pelican padded divider is a nice option as shown.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Yukon NVMT 3x42 Riflescope Kit
The least expensive way to mount a night vision unit on a firearm is with the Yukon NVMT Riflescope Kit. The order number is 26041. The kit includes a 3x first generation night vision monocular without a reticle, a mount and a laser. Since the monocular does not have crosshairs or any aiming point, a adjustable red laser is utilized to determine point of impact. The mount affixes to a Weaver style or Picatinny rail, and the laser is securely held under the monocular, which is attatched via included screws. This system is accurate and works well. The monocular can be easily detatched and used as a hand held unit. It also comes with a carry case. The night vision monocular may also be reattached without loss of zero, since the laser is sighted in, not the monocular. A first generation rifle scope starts at quite a bit more money, and is not as versatile as this Yukon offering.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Mini 14 Weaver Base Adapter
Lots of Ruger Mini 14 owners have problems mounting their favorite optics with Weaver style clamps onto their gun, or most Rugers, for that matter. The Ruger mounting system is one of my favorites; well thought-out, strong and reliable, but unique in the way it attaches with the integral grooves in the barrel or receiver. How to slap on an EOTech, for instance? You can use the Burris Ruger to Weaver base adapter. They come in two pieces and affix to the factory ring grooves very solidly. Now you may install night vision equipment or anything with Weaver rings. The adapters for the Mini 14 are the same height, as opposed to a 77 or Super Redhawk which have different heights. These adapters make your Ruger more versatile than ever before.