UN12 - 003 Magazine

AR-15 SPECIAL ISSUE U.S. $12.95

Featured Material

War Belt Setups Bill Geissele’s Beginnings • DIY: Hydro Dipping at Home • AR Platform BCG Buyer’s Guide • •

Included

UN12 x Aero Precision ATLAS R-ONE Patch UN0012 / CARTRIDGES FOR WEAPONS, INERT PROJECTILE or CARTRIDGES, SMALL ARMS —

Feature Firearm

Chambered in .224 Valkyrie 1,200+ Yard Precision Shooter

Transport of Dangerous Goods Ammunition, such as for rifles, handguns, shotguns, starter’s pistols and power tools that contain explosive material are dangerous goods listed under Class 1.4S. The information presented here is for the following UN numbers only:

Custom Cerakoted & Outfitted

Custom AR-15

APOD Valkyrie

ISSUE

UN12mag.com

003

D E TA I L O R I E N T E D KHX 1911S. AVA I L A B L E I N 9 M M A N D . 4 5 A C P L E A R N M O R E AT K I M B E R A M E R I C A . C O M

MADE IN AMERICA MADE IN A MERIC A

WHAT ALL GUNS SHOULD BE

TM

©2018, Kimber Mfg., Inc. All rights reserved. Information and specifications are for reference only and subject to change without notice.

(888) 243-4522 KIMBERAMERICA.COM

60 APOD Valkyrie Firearm Feature

UN12 Issue 003

Table of Contents 28

96

132

Geissele General Feature

AR Bolt Carrier Group Guide Buyer’s Guide

Stern Defense Mag-AD Magazine Adapters Product Review

34 Skull FUK-AR Firearm Feature

52 Baja Bound Outdoor Feature

70 War Belts General Feature

86 Danger Close Armament CZ P-10 C Firearm Feature

04

UN12 / Issue 003

106 Carbine Plus One Product Review

112

UN0012 / CARTRIDGES FOR WEAPONS, INERT PROJECTILE or CARTRIDGES, SMALL ARMS —

Custom DMK22C Firearm Feature

124 Personalized Knife Customization Feature

128 Wetwerks USA Customization Feature

DISCLAIMERS: UN12 is created for MATURE AUDIENCES and may include adult language and humor. PRICES shown are deemed accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change without notice. FIREARM SAFETY is paramount. Obey firearm safety rules at all times. UN12 assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information. The opinions expressed in each article is the opinion of its author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of UN12.

PERFECT RECOIL STABILITY REDIFINING THE PRS MARKET VG6PRECISION.COM

TOC

UN0012 / CARTRIDGES FOR WEAPONS, INERT PROJECTILE or CARTRIDGES, SMALL ARMS —

20 Every Day Carry

06

UN12 / Issue 003

Dept.

10

120

Editor’s Letter

Shoot This Drill

12

136

New Products

Influencers

16

137

Morale Patch

Guns of IG

44

138

Do It Yourself: Hydro Dipping At Home

Retailer Directory

44

120

003

DEPT.

Editor’s Letter

Transport of Dangerous Goods Ammunition, such as for rifles, handguns, shotguns, starter’s pistols and power tools that contain explosive material are dangerous goods listed under Class 1.4S. The information presented here is for the following UN numbers only: UN0012 / CARTRIDGES FOR WEAPONS, INERT PROJECTILE or CARTRIDGES, SMALL ARMS

—

Starting something new and completely from scratch

guide found in the second issue of UN12, our in-house

Publisher

is not an easy thing to do. This is true especially when

badass/gear geek Charles “Chip” Lasky gives us

Howard C Lim

you’re taking a different approach to what people are

guidance us on setting up War Belts and their related

used to seeing and bucking against established norms.

tools and accessories. No matter if you’re a civilian or

Editors

UN12’s unique look and approach to covering firearms

a trained professional, Chip’s insights make for a

The UN12 Creative Team

and related gear is built on a foundation of modern

worthy read.

design and quality photography, along with entertaining

As we mentioned, we’re all about the artistry and

and informational articles you’ll actually want to read—

craftsmanship of bespoke guns and equipment. To

and will enjoy reading. (We’re not just a pretty picture

that end, we visit Wetwerks USA to learn what drives

book, although it may look like that!)

their unique pistol slide designs. We also dip our toes into the world of custom knives

In our third issue, we’re stepping beyond what’s been done before and pushing forward with the UN12 way of doing things. If you’ve picked up our previous two issues, you’ll know that we love customized guns. In fact, the cover gun you see isn’t one carefully curated by a manufacturer to sell its wares. It’s a custom-built rifle

“We believe that enthusiasts drive the firearms world forward and we want to see what fellow gun fans are doing.”

that is privately owned by a

and examine an at-home

Technical Editor Michael Penhall

Creative Direction James Ho, Jerry Tsai

personalized blade based on a

Art Director

ZT Knives/Les George design.

James Ho

UN12 is a passion project.

We appreciate your support as we make a go at keeping print magazines alive with our smallbatch method of publication.

It is because we are small and passionate about what we do that we are able and willing to avoid cutting corners and

Contributors Martin Anders, Danny Chang, Steve Coulston, Jason Davis, DMG, Steve "Yeti" Fisher, Michael Grey, Charles Lasky, Victor Nguyen, Bryant Panyarachun, Dave Timm, TracerX, James York, zero7one

Special Thanks Aristotle Bartolome, John Hwang, Allison Lai, Jeff Lai, OC Armory, Rainier Arms

gun enthusiast. We believe that enthusiasts drive the

offer you high-quality printing and paper, as well as the

firearms world forward and we want to see what fellow

limited-run morale patch included with every issue.

Copy Editor

gun fans are doing with their gear. In this case, it’s a

This issue’s collaborative effort is between UN12, Aero

Frank Stroud

1,200-yard-and-beyond precision shooter chambered

Precision and Aprilla Design. The patch features an Aero

in .224 Valkyrie.

Precision rifle outfitted with their new ATLAS R-ONE

Advertising Sales

Also, join us as we support the creativity and

rail. As with all UN12 collab patches, it comes in two

Danny Chang

individuality of fellow enthusiasts by examining a

colorways, one more limited than the other but both

collection of customized guns that includes a dedicated

made in small quantities that will not be reissued.

.22LR AR-15 and an AR-15 pistol. As you may have

We’re always looking for individuals and innovators

noticed, this issue of UN12 is what we’re calling our

to feature. Whether it’s a gun you customized or a cool

AR-15 Special Issue. In addition to plenty of AR-15

piece of gear you created, we want to know about it.

feature material, we’ve also included an AR platform

Tag us @un12mag on Instagram if you have something

BCG buyer’s guide. And speaking of ARs, we sit down

you think UN12 readers would like to see. Join us as we

with renowned AR-15 trigger (not to mention other

build UN12 together. Sound off on what we got right or

components) maker Bill Geissele to get the inside story

what you think we could do better in this issue on our

of how he began making his famous triggers and what

Facebook page at: /un12mag.

Ad Coordinator Frank Stroud

10

UN12 / Issue 003

—The UN12 Creative Team

WORK. PLAY. LIVE. High-performance solutions for military, law enforcement, and citizens.

Dedicated to unstoppable reliability that saves lives.

Made in free America.

Printed in the USA

he’s been up to lately.

Continuing where we left off with the Plate Carrier

AD Space

003-2018

www.magpul.com ©2018 Magpul Industries Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Magpul holds a Trademark on all of its product names and logos. The chair is against the wall and John has a long moustache.

Stingerworx Emperor 556 – L2

DEPT.

New Products

The Emperor Series of suppressors is made for longevity in terms of modularity and survivability.

It can be configured from a standard suppressor to an over-the-barrel suppressor for those who prefer increased sound reduction. It measures 7.5 inches long and weighs only 12.8 ounces. To keep you in the fight, its baffle stack is replaceable in the event of a baffle strike and it retains the ability to swap out end caps and other yet-to-be-released accessories.

Rated for 5.56x45mm full auto on 10.5-inch or longer barrels. $999 stingerworx.com

Outdoor Research ActiveIce Spectrum Sun Gloves It doesn’t matter if space is at a premium; your light requirements still remain the same. Outdoor Research’s ActiveIce fabric uses xylitol crystals to cool you as the fabric wicks away sweat. These gloves protect your hands from the blazing sun and are suitable for the hot summer months and dry environments.

The fingerless design keeps your finger directly on the trigger for a precise feel.

The glove’s palms are covered with grip pads for extra traction. $25 outdoorresearch.com

Adventure Medical Kits Adventure First Aid 0.5 oz. Tin Be prepared at the range or for everyday life with a compact, go-anywhere first aid kit. The Adventure First Aid 0.5 oz. Tin contains basic first aid necessities to treat cuts, scrapes, insect bites and blisters in a portable, stylize, hingedlid tin case. We like the tin’s old school vintage look and feel. Always be ready by adding it to your backpack or your vehicle’s glovebox.

Primary Weapons Systems MK1 MOD 2-M Pistols

$8.50 adventuremedicalkits.com

This line of PWS MK1 MOD 2-M pistols has been updated for 2018. Featuring the PWS long-stroke piston system, these pistols offer PicLok free-float handguards, which allow users to mount either Picatinny or M-LOK accessories. The fully forged upper and lower receivers include a flared magwell and intergrated trigger guard minus the forward assist. MK1 MOD 2-M Pistols are available chambered in .223 Wylde, .300BLK and 7.62x39mm $1,850 primaryweapons.com

REI Co-op RFID Sleeves Stop those sneaky bastards from covertly stealing the information off your credit cards and passport with these RFID blocking sleeves. These RFID protectors are available as a pack of three sleeves for credit cards or a single sleeve for a passport. The material is thin, lightweight and fits easily in a wallet. The laminated foil material blocks identity thieves from scanning and accessing your personal data.

Starting at $7 REI.com

Petzl e+LITE It doesn’t matter if space is at a premium, your light requirements still remain the same. The Petzl e+LITE is an ultra-light, extremely compact headlamp that is capable of producing 50 lumens of brightness. It features both white and red light as well as a strobe function, comes with a handy carrying case and can be stored with its batteries installed for ten years. It’s perfect for an emergency kit, a backpack or for use as a backup headlamp. An emergency whistle is integrated in its elastic headband. $30 petzl.com

Zero Tolerance Knives 0462 Designed by Dmitry Sinkevich, the 0462 is equipped with a 3.75-inch upswept blade made of CPM 20CV. This type of steel is known for its hardness and corrosion resistance, along with toughness, wear resistance and excellent edge retention. Its eye-catching colored carbon fiber front scale features a deep red weave of color and its titanium reverse side features a stonewashed finish. $300 zt.kaiusaltd.com

James Madison Tactical BLACK OPS Single Stage Straight Drop In Trigger The JMT BLACK OPS single-stage trigger pack features a fast reset, a smooth, crisp, light trigger pull, and easy installation.

What more can you ask of a trigger? How about a 3.5- to 4.0-pound pull weight, a straight skeleton trigger for function and a rounded front trigger section for comfort?

The trigger is housed in JMT’s signature black anodized aluminum housing with laser etching. An anti-rotation pin kit is included. $100 jamesmadisontactical.com

12

UN12 / Issue 003

UN12mag.com

13

Vaultek Essential Series New from Vaultek are the Essential Series gun safes. Rugged construction is tough as nails with anti-pry internal hinges, shields and latches. They provide secure storage and quick access to your EDC and handgun via keypad and backup keys. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery lasts for 4+ months on a single charge, and it is offered in a variety of sizes from the sub-compact 10 Series to the full-size PRO Series. $125-270 vaulteksafe.com

Guncrafter Industries Hellcat X2 Guncrafter Industries is excited to jump into the the high-capacity pistol game with the release of the Hellcat X2. The X2 is available in government and commander sizes, comes loaded with options as standard, is hand-built in the USA and comes with the company’s unbeatable Lifetime Satisfaction Assurance.

From $3,895 guncrafterindustries.com/hellcat-x2

M-LOK™ is a trademark of Magpul Industries Corp.

Unity Tactical The Spark

• Very simple installation,

The Spark is a cost-effective personal identification light that weighs 0.7 ounces and attaches to any Velcro pile surface. It is activated and deactivated with a single press anywhere on the top of the unit. Once activated, Spark emits a red strobe light useful for identifying personnel in a variety of scenarios. It has myriad applications for military and LE operators as well as commercial hunters, hikers, travelers and industrial workers.

with easy to follow instructions

• Barrel nut and wrench included

• 4140 heat treated barrel nut • MIL-STD 1913 picatinny top rail • 6061 aluminum type 3 hard

$12 unitytactical.com

coat anodized

• Two integral anti-rotation QD sling sockets

• • • • • • •

Ballistic Concepts Ammunition Displays These incredible looking displays are perfect for use as teaching aids or decorations. Each patent-pending display is meticulously fitted together with specialized custom parts in order to maximize durability and visual impact. Each of the components—including the primer cup, anvil, cartridge case, gunpowder and bullet—has been expanded out along a central axis in their natural order to show how and where they fit together inside a cartridge of live ammunition. Many calibers are available. $40-250

Features our patented 4140 heat treated torque plate Super slim 1.5 inch outside and 1.3 inch inside diameter Available with optional titanium barrel nut and clamp screws Seven sides of M-LOK™ compatible slots One five slot M-LOK™ compatible rail included Fully dehorned and deburred 100% Made in U.S.A. with MI lifetime warranty

#MI-CRM7 #MI-CRM9.25 #MI-CRM9.5 #MI-CRM10.5 #MI-CRM12.625 #MI-CRM14 #MI-CRM15

7 inch overall length / 6.8 ounce installed weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Retail $149.95 9.25 inch overall length / 8.0 ounce installed weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Retail $159.95 9.5 inch overall length / 8.3 ounce installed weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Retail $159.95 10.5 inch overall length / 8.7 ounce installed weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Retail $169.95 12.625 inch overall length / 9.9 ounce installed weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Retail $189.95 14 inch overall length / 10.8 ounce installed weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Retail $194.95 15 inch overall length / 11.4 ounce installed weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Retail $199.95

IMPORTANT COMPATIBILITY NOTES: Due to the many different dimensions in BILLET UPPER RECEIVERS on the market, please contact your billet upper receiver manufacture to insure fit of this handguard. This handguard is compatible with forged upper receivers as well as the Midwest Industries billet upper receiver. NOT FOR USE ON GAS PISTON AR’s!

etsy.com/shop/BallisticConcepts

W292S4498 Hillside Rd, Waukesha, WI 53189 ◆ Tel: 262-896-6780, Fax: 262-896-6756 ◆ www.midwestindustriesinc.com 14

UN12 / Issue 003

DEPT.

Patch-03

Morale Bomb Text by JAMES YORK

UN12 x Aero Precision Text by MARTIN ANDERS Images courtesy of AERO PRECISION & APRILLA DESIGN GROUP

Images by MICHAEL GREY

M

orale patches have really taken hold of the firearms community,

T

he UN12 X Aero Precision ATLAS R-ONE

Lock Attachment System (ATLAS), is light in

morale patch comes in two limited

weight and offers an extremely small diameter

none moreso than those who are tactically

edition colorways, black and foliage. (Which one

for enhanced control. The main difference is that

minded, and haven’t let go for an instant.

did you get?) Made in conjunction with patch

you’ll find a full-length Picatinny rail along the

These Velcro-backed nuggets of witticism

experts Aprilla Design, the rifle depicted on this

top of the ATLAS R-ONE.

and clever design can sometimes be the

morale patch features Aero Precision’s newest

physical equivalent of the memes we view

handguard offering, the ATLAS R-ONE. Like the

For more information on the Aero Precision

through our smartphone screens—only

ATLAS S-ONE that came before it, the ATLAS

ATLAS R-ONE, visit aeroprecisionusa.com.

better, because you can wear them on your

R-ONE is also equipped with their Aero Taper

hook-and-loop equipped clothing, slap them directly on your gear, or, for many of us, collect and stick them on a wall-mounted patch panel.

The origins of morale patches are rooted in the military. They spread from there and now grace everything from truck headliners to volumes of “patch books.” The wallmounted patch panel pictured here is one that was sent to us

“Their Aero Taper Lock Attachment System (ATLAS), is light in weight and offers an extremely small diameter for enhanced control.”

by UN12 reader John P. He says of his collection: “My obsession for morale patches has grown over the years and my collection now spans four panels and a couple of full shoeboxes. When possible, I try to trade other collectors for ones that I want.” We see a few sought-after patches in his collection.

How does your collection compare?

UN12 is proud to fuel the fire that drives patch enthusiasts’ collections with our series of collaboration patches. Each issue of UN12 comes with a limited-run, very collectible morale patch. Each patch is available in limited quantities and each is offered in two color variants. Of those two, one colorway is scarcer than the other. Our latest morale patch was made in collaboration with Aero Precision. Read more about this special patch on the opposite page. [ UN12 ]

If you’d like to share your morale patch collection with us, tag us on Instagram @un12mag.

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S

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N

O

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N O W AVA I L A B L E AT AEROPRECISIONUSA.COM

Y

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R

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Every Day Carry I

t’s always interesting to see what

Every Day Carry / 07

01 Louis Vuitton Men’s Wallet Slender Wallet – Epi Leather MSRP: $525 us.louisvuitton.com

02 S.T. Dupont Brushed Palladium Lighter

06

MSRP: $949

07

st-dupont.com

03

02

01

Franck Muller Watch

someone’s EDC set up contains. One item that

Conquistador Chronograph King

may be crucial to one

MSRP: $19,999

person can be completely

franckmuller.com

neglected by another. Of

04

course, this variation in what gear one carries is a

Apple iPhone

part of what makes EDCs

iPhone X 256 GB

03

so interesting to look at.

MSRP: $1,150

Some like to have the

apple.com

right tool for the right job

05

and insist on carrying enough to tackle anything that comes their way, while

Half Face Blades

others keep it simple and

EDC Tonto – Griffon Industries

pare down their needs

MSRP: out of production

to as simple a set up as

halffaceblades.com

possible. Which items are most important to you? The

04

06

05

everyday carry ensembles featured in this department

09

contain a wide variety of pieces that appeal to people of differing requirements and tastes.

08

Cartier Pen Vintage Diabolo Platinum Plated Pinstripe Ballpoint MSRP: $599 cartier.com

07 Folwer Industries G19 Frame Work MSRP: $350 figuns.com Weaponlight: SureFire XC1-B MSRP: $299 surefire.com

08 SOG Baton Q3 – Black & Grey Anodized MSRP: $94 sogknives.com

09 SureFire G2X LE MSRP: $70 surefire.com

20

UN12 / Issue 003

UN12mag.com

21

07

Premium EDC Items

22

SOG Baton Q3

SureFire G2X LE

Franck Muller Watch

Black & Gray Anodized MSRP: $94 URL: sogknives.com Our 2¢: SOG’s Baton Q3 is one of if not the most elegant multitool designs we’ve encountered so far. Measuring 5.8 inches long when closed and weighing a scant 6 ounces, it features all the essential tools that classic multitools possess—minus the bulk. When open, it feels solid in the hand and provides plenty of confidence that it will handle business with ease.

MSRP: $70 URL: surefire.com Our 2¢: The polymer-bodied G2X series SureFire flashlights have been a part of many EDC setups over the years. The G2X LE model in particular was designed with law enforcement users in mind. The first click of its tail cap immediately activates a maximum 600-lumen output mode for quick access to perp-blinding light. Another quick click on the tail cap changes the output to a long-lasting and night-sightfriendly 15 lumens for extended work.

Conquistadore Chronograph King MSRP: $19,999 URL: franckmuller.com Our 2¢: Luxury wristwatch collectors and connoisseurs can immediately identify a Franck Muller watch even by just catching a quick glimpse from a long distance away. Their iconic look is a favorite of fine art appreciators and high-powered executives alike. The featured model features a stainless steel bracelet with concealed double folding clasp, screw-down crown, self-winding movement, date and chronograph functions.

Fowler Industries

S.T. Dupont

Half Face Blades

G19 Frame Work MSRP: $350 URL: figuns.com Our 2¢: If you love your Glock but wish it had all the bells and whistles such as professionally stippled 360-degree texture, a rounded double undercut and finger groove re-contouring, Fowler is your man. Fowler Industries can handle not only custom frame work for your Glock, but slide work and complete custom pistol builds as well.

Brushed Palladium Lighter MSRP: $949 URL: st-dupont.com Our 2¢: Once you hear the distinctive “cling” sound of a S.T. Dupont lighter opening, you’ll never forget it. This elegant lighter is famous for its heritage and clean lines and is perfect to accompany you on your daily activities—or just to nest amongst your cigar collection. S.T. Dupont lighters are handcrafted in France.

EDC Tanto - Griffon Industries MSRP: out of production URL: halffaceblades.com Our 2¢: Half Face Blades are handmade in small numbers for consumers who demand only the finest products. The Griffon Industries EDC Tanto featured here is no longer made, but other limited-edition blades are available directly from HFB. Founder Andrew Arrabito, Navy SEAL (ret.), prides himself on making high-quality “go-to” knives.

UN12 / Issue 003

1 5 0 0

L U M E N S

NEW

AMERICA’S BEACON OF FREEDOM WWW.SUREFIRE.COM

DEPT.

Every Day Carry / 08 05

06

07

01

02

08

03

04

09 10

01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

09

10

Lontect

Colt Firearms

Katsu

Thinksound

Timex

Ray-Ban

Fisher Space Pen

Duebel

KeeKom

Olight

iPhone 8 Case – Non Slip Wood

Colt Junior .25 ACP

Razor Pocket Folding Knife

Rain3 Wood In-Ear Headphone

iQ+ Move Metro

Aviator Classic

Bi-Fold Slim Wallet

MSRP: $70

MSRP: $90

MSRP: $200

MSRP: $153

Multifunctional Fire Starter Paracord Keychain

S Mini CU

MSRP: out of production

Bullet Space Pen, Gold Lacquered Brass

colt.com

everydaycarry.com

thinksound.com

timex.com

ray-ban.com

MSRP: $10 amazon.com

24

UN12 / Issue 003

MSRP: $26 spacepen.com

MSRP: $22 amazon.com

MSRP: $9

MSRP: $55 olightworld.com

keekom.com

UN12mag.com

25

08

Premium EDC Items Lontect iPhone 8 Case

Olight

Non Slip Wood MSRP: $10 URL: amazon.com Our 2¢: There’s nothing like the feel of wood.

This iPhone case is made of both real wood and a shock absorbing hybrid plastic-silicone material called TPU. Combining the soothing touch of wood with the protective properties of TPU allows this smartphone case to look as good as it functions. We especially like how its slightly raised edges protect the phone’s screen when it’s placed face down on a flat surface.

S Mini CU MSRP: $55 URL: olightworld.com Our 2¢: Copper is an eye-catching color, isn’t it? This classic, almost steampunklooking flashlight comes with a ring for keyring attachment and is sized perfectly for EDC use. Don’t let its diminutive size fool you—it’s capable of putting out up to 500 lumens of light while running off a single CR123A battery. Great looks, useful functionality, sign us up.

Katsu Razor

Pocket Folding Knife MSRP: $70 URL: everydaycarry.com Our 2¢: There’s just something special about Damascus-bladed knives. Measuring only 4.5 inches when folded and 7.5 inches when extended, this knife has a 3-inch Damascus steel blade and a Snakewood handle. This Japanese-style folder features a sharp blade and one-handed opening lever for quick blade deployment.

MODERN WARRIORS CHOOSE MODWALL

26

KeeKom

Colt Firearms

Timex iQ+ Move Metro

Fire Starter Paracord Keychain MSRP: $9 URL: keekom.com Our 2¢: What’s an EDC good for if you don’t have paracord stashed away someplace? In this case, the paracord itself is also stashing away another useful tool, a fire starter. The keychain is made up of quality MIL-C 5040 Type III paracord and is wound around a “Cryptocrystalline Quartz” flint rod for fire starting in any weather condition.

Colt Junior .25 ACP MSRP: out of production URL: colt.com Our 2¢: What’s not to like about this smallerthan-pocket-size pistol made by Colt? You may be thinking, .25 caliber? What’s that good for?

Don’t be so quick to judge. The .25 ACP, while small in size, can pack quite a wallop. We like the classic look—the main drawback being that as far as we know it’s no longer in production.

MSRP: $200 URL: timex.com Our 2¢: The simple look of this watch is what drew us to it. When we found out that it’s Bluetooth capable and is packed full of features such as an activity tracker that can connect to your smartphone via a Timex App, we were intrigued. A fourth hand on the dial tracks your daily steps, distance traveled and percentage to goal. It also features quickrelease straps so you can easily change its look.

UN12 / Issue 003

A Modular Display & Storage System

540.298.8906

tacticalwalls.com

FEATURE

Customization

Geissele Text by JASON DAVIS

Images by MICHAEL GREY & courtesy of

T

GEISSELE AUTOMATICS

o understand how the mind of Bill Geissele

almost every weekend and he needed to feed

works, you truly need to be in front of him.

his habit affordably while shooting at a local area

I’ve had to opportunity to meet him a couple of times, most recently at his Geissele Automatics

frequented near his childhood home.

At 15 years old, Bill found himself asking a

office in North Wales, Pennsylvania. His vast

neighbor if he had any work for him in his machine

knowledge of weapons is truly an amazing thing.

shop. This was a one-man shop and Bill was

An encyclopedic reference of all things weapon-

able to begin working with a man he still holds

related is engrained in his mind and, fortunately

in high regard as someone who gave him an

for us, he is able to translate that into the weapons

opportunity and taught him many lessons that

and weapon parts his company and team

he remembers to this day. Working in the shop,

manufactures.

Bill learned cleanliness, how to set up machines

Growing up in New Jersey, Bill started shooting

properly before working on them, how to read

at a young age with his siblings and his father.

drawings, and myriad other machinist methods of

What he also did at a young age was start to

working correctly with tools and dies. During this

work, and he started working to save money for

time, Bill also worked on another passion of his:

one of his first weapons, a side-by-side shotgun

motorcycles. He learned what it was like to turn

he bought at a local gun store. Continuing to

a wrench and solve problems with a toolbox and

work and save money, Bill was able to save for

a mindset that would help him figure out how to

reloading equipment, as he and his brother shot

keep engines running.

“An encyclopedic reference of all things weapon-related is engrained in his mind and he’s able to translate that into weapons and weapon parts.”

28

UN12 / Issue 003

UN12mag.com

29

Customization: Geissele Enjoying what he did as a machinist, Bill

was one thing that was lacking in shooting

needing another job. He loved what he

to obtain high scores and keep rounds

did as a machinist and this propelled him

in the X-ring. There were match triggers

on to a few different paths in engineering.

available at the time, but nothing that was

Shortly after high school and enrolling in

to his liking. Being an engineer and having a

a community college, Bill found himself

mechanically inclined mind, the idea for his

working in different types of mines and

new trigger came to him late one night while

on the massive pieces of equipment used

reading in bed.

therein.

Bill was single at the time and was

Geissele’s triggers are well-known throughout the shooting world.

“The opportunity to work in different areas of engineering and mechanics allowed Bill to think differently than some of his colleagues.”

scores at the top, he realized that the trigger

found himself finishing high school and

Little by little, Bill worked on a two-stage trigger system that would allow him a

able to work all over the world at different

consistent trigger press. With his drawings

mining operations with sometimes just

and connections with other machinists to

a day’s notice. He worked on machines

help him make the parts, Bill began building

that were as large as four- and five-story

triggers in the basement of his Pennsylvania

buildings, keeping them running and also

row house. Within a couple of months

diagnosing different problems as they

he had his first production High Speed

arose. From mines in South America to

National Match trigger, and in 2004 Geissele

countries on the Pacific Rim to some of the

Automatics was born.

coldest places in Russia, Bill’s passport

Going to matches at the time he launched

was stamped in many exotic locales.

his trigger, Bill began to garner attention

While he was working for mining

both on the shooting line and off. Of the

operations, Bill realized he wanted to finish

people who began to show interest in the

his schooling and he began working to

new Geissele Automatics trigger were

save money so he could finally finish his

a few shooters with connections to the

college education. After a rather long stint

Department of Defense. While at a match

in Russia, he came back to the United

one weekend, Bill was asked to show his

States and back to New Jersey to finish

trigger to the team captain of one of the

his engineering degree. With more than a decade of real-world experience, Bill flew through the engineering program at Rutgers. Having been on the ground working as an engineer and a machinist for mining operations, Bill took to finishing his education with an ease that other students lacking his experience couldn’t draw upon.

Geissele’s Upper Receiver Group-Improved (URG-I) In 2017 the Naval Surface Warfare

receiver group. Bill Geissele and his

SOCOM Modular Handguard coated

SureFire and made a deal to supply

Bill started working for the railways. Within

Center at Crane, Indiana, conducted

team set out to put their best efforts

in a proprietary Desert Dirt color. The

the four-prong WARCOMP to the

a matter of months he had engineered

a rather lengthy test on mid-length

forward to supply USASOC and the

Airborne Charging Handle and Barrel

URG-I. This is the first time this flash

solutions to a few items that had been

versus carbine-length gas systems

boots on the ground the best upper

Nut are also added to the parts kit. The

suppressor has been sold to someone

plaguing the industry for more than two

on 14.5-inch upper receiver groups.

possible to add to the M4A1s that

kit was a success and was adopted by

other than the DOD. The clone

decades. Again, his work experience and

The intent was to examine changes

were fatigued.

USASOC.

assembly also includes a Colt M4

his ability to bring fresh perspectives into

in reliability, precision, bolt speed

a new arena allowed for him to see things

and barrel erosion between the two

differently. He and his mind were not

different systems.

Once he was done with his education,

stuck in the proverbial box. Having had Bill Geissele stands next to a massive wooden reproduction of his SSF trigger.

The display is used for demonstration purposes.

Super Precision

The test consisted of taking six

For those who want to shoot an

upper receiver, Colt BCG and a Daniel

up with its solution: the Upper

upper that’s as close to military spec

Defense MK12 gas block. How’s that

Receiver Group - Improved (URG-I).

as you can get, Geissele just launched

for authentic? If you want to run one

The following items were sent to

and released its URG-I Complete,

of the most recent additions to United

Within short order, Geissele came

the opportunity to work in different areas

uppers and outfitting three with a

Crane, which builds the uppers for

Near Clone, 14.5-inch upper. To make

States military hardware to your setup,

of engineering and mechanics allowed

mid-length gas system and three

USASOC for evaluation. The URG-I

it even closer to the uppers found at

head to the Geissele website and

Bill to think differently than some of his

with a carbine-length gas system,

starts with the MK16 13.5-inch

USASOC, Geissele partnered with

check it out for yourself.

colleagues.

then putting them through a

While working the railways, Bill came to

12,600-round evaluation. Testing

realize a few things. He realized he wanted

was done with suppressors and

to start a family and he also understood

without, measurements of critical

that he had to be a good provider to a

areas were taken at specific intervals,

family if he was going to start one. It was

malfunctions were tracked. In the end

about that time in the early 2000s that he

it was determined that a 14.5-inch

began working on the idea of improving

CHF barrel and a mid-length gas

triggers. He figured if he was able to make

system would be best suited for

some extra money as a result of this

USASOC.

business, it would equate to more earnings to support his family.

Bill was a weekend match shooter and shot AR-15s in sanctioned competitions

When the information was made

01 The URG-I is coated in a color that’s proprietary to Geissele, called Desert Dirt.

02 The URG-I kit was adopted for use by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC).

available, Geissele Automatics saw an opportunity to add its name to a list of potential suppliers for the new upper

during his off time. In wanting to keep his

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UN12 / Issue 003

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31

Customization: Geissele DOD’s shooting teams. Weapon in hand, Bill introduced himself and began to discuss his trigger system. Liking the feel of the trigger, the team captain asked Bill one question: “What hammer spring are you using?” Bill replied, “An A1 hammer spring.” This is what the man wanted to hear and with that conversation a partnership began between Bill and the DOD. Geissele’s offerings started with triggers but now encompasses an entire line of components.

From the founding of Geissele Automatics in 2004, Bill kept making triggers in his basement while still working as an engineer. As demand for his triggers grew, he kept turning new versions out and working on other items that were requested by various DOD units. Eventually Bill quit his day job and moved Geissele Automatics into a dedicated shop in 2008.

In the past decade, Geissele Automatics has been tasked with developing items for myriad weapon systems, most notably the AR-15/M16 family of firearms. If you need to upgrade your weapon, you can exchange pretty much anything on it with a Geissele product. Their triggers are outstanding and are used within the Special Forces community on carbines employed in the field. That’s quite a

“Bill has come up with some of the most innovative and accurate additions to different weapon systems used throughout the world.”

testament to the engineering prowess of Bill Geissele and the entire crew at Geissele Automatics.

Bill has come up with some of the most innovative and accurate additions to different weapon systems used throughout the world, with a great amount of input from people with boots on the ground in places around the globe. Geissele Automatics has such a great relationship with units within the Department of Defense that they often collaborate on projects together. One of the most recent was Project Joy, a semi-automatic carbine chambered in .260 Remington that’s used by units in the Special Operations community. And the Bill Geissele story wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Upper Receiver Group - Improved, or URG-I. This upper is the first to see a midlength gas system and cold hammer forged barrel used widely with Special Operations Geissele Automatics often works on projects for units within the Department of Defense.

and the Department of Defense.

Bill Geissele will be the first to tell you that Geissele Automatics is not about Bill himself. Rather, it’s all about the Geissele team. This business would not be Geissele Automatics without the talented people from Pennsylvania and the area surrounding North Wales, which he says is what truly makes the company great. [ UN12 ]

For more about Bill Geissele and Geissele Automatics, visit: geissele.com.

32

UN12 / Issue 003

Skull FUK-AR

Feature

: : Dedicated 9mm pistol

: : First use of Strike Industries Viper PDW Pistol Brace/Stabilizer : : Many innovative parts

A Custom Built 9mm AR Pistol

Text by MARTIN ANDERS

Images by MICHAEL GREY

“Over-the-top builds are now common to see at SHOT Show, so this looker felt right at home.”

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UN12 / Issue 004

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35

Feature

W

hen you work at a firearms parts company and the company needs to build up a gun

to display at its booth for SHOT Show, what do you do? Do you do the “selfless” thing and donate one of your lower receivers to the cause and “allow” the company to built it up? Hell yes, of course you do!

Well, at least, that’s what Craven Moorehead did when he was given the chance to do the right thing for the company he works for.

The AR pistol that you see before you was displayed at the Strike Industries (SI) booth at the 2018 edition of SHOT Show. This eye-catching build, which was named “Skull FUK-AR” by its builders, was commissioned to showcase SI’s latest innovations in an eye-catching way. Over-the-top builds are now common

“Take an at home.

AR, dip it Chambered in 9mm, in a vat of the AR-15-based pistol was built as a equal parts collaborative effort creativity, amongst Moorehead’s fellow Strike Industries artistic employees. Together, talent and they collaborated on the build and built it out-ofusing SI’s latest parts the-box as well as parts and accessories from engineering industry partners. It and you helps to have friends in the industry, doesn’t it? have the When asked if Skull FUKthere was anything in particular he wanted us AR.” to see at SHOT Show, so this looker felt right

36

you have the Skull FUK-AR. On the surface, you’ll first notice the fine, custom distressed Cerakote finish that was executed by Blowndeadline Customs. True to form, the artistically applied ceramic coating not only looks good, but also protects the pistol’s surfaces from abrasion and corrosion and provides chemical resistance.

As good as they may be, looks are only skin deep. Pretty much every part used to build up the Skull FUK-AR is of the non-standard

to know about the build,

variety. That is to say that you won’t find the

Moorehead succinctly said, “The build speaks for

components that make up this pistol in your

itself, really...” One look at it and we’d have to agree.

run-of-the-mill AR. The more time we spent with

Take an AR, dip it in a vat of equal parts creativity,

the pistol, the more we realized just how innovative

artistic talent and out-of-the-box engineering and

each component, no matter how small, was.

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37

Feature

Take for instance the Angstadt Arms/Sharps Bros Jack lower receiver. The Sharps Bros series of sculpted lower receivers broke the mold when it was released a few years ago. The lower that Moorehead used is called the Jack9 and is a dedicated 9mm

“True to form, the artistically applied ceramic coating not only looks good, but also protects the pistol’s surfaces from abrasion and corrosion and provides chemical resistance.”

version of the Sharp Bros lower designed to feed from 9mm Glock magazines. The lower gets bonus

often would find these a big time saver and

points from us for including a last round bolt hold

frustration reducer.

open feature. The Jack9 is host to the proven CMC

Other SI parts that find their home in the lower

single-stage, drop-in flat trigger; if you’ve never

include an extended bolt catch and Strike Switch

used one before, you don’t know the slice of trigger

safety selector levers for increased control. Drop-in

heaven you’re missing out on. Do yourself a favor

trigger packs such as the CMC unit can sometimes

and try one out as soon as you can.

benefit from anti-rotational or anti-walk pins to keep

Completing the Jack9 receiver is what seems like

them in position. A set of SI AR-15 anti-walk pins

is the entire catalog of SI lower receiver parts. The

prevents them from backing out under fire or harsh

most notable of the lower parts include SI’s AR-15

use. Like with many of SI’s parts, ease of installation

Shift Pins. These little morsels of innovative design

was built into the pins as well. They do not require

replace standard takedown pins and differ from

any tools to install or disassemble and lack small

their boring cousins by improving the methods of

screws so there is no worry about them backing out

installation and uninstallation. With the standard pins, one would need to play chicken with

or becoming lost.

For shooter

detent pins under pressure of springs and the

control, Moorehead

use of 15 fingers. The Shift Pins make the

opted for SI’s new

installation process as easy as turning a

for 2018 Viper

key in a door lock. It’s probably best to see

PDW Pistol Brace/

them in action in a video online. People

Stabilizer. The

that swap out their lower’s components

Viper PDW Pistol

01 The upper houses a Glock and Colt compatible Angstadt Arms 9mm BCG and Strike Industries Latchless Charging Handle.

02 The optic is a 6.5 MOA Trijicon RM02 LED.

03 The Sidewinder BUIS can be used as traditional iron sights as well as 45-degree offset sights.

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UN12 / Issue 004

1

Glock 18 Magazine

Originally developed

2

for use with a select-fire variant of the Glock 17 called the Glock 18, the factory-extended Glock magazines had a capacity of 33 rounds and became popular with shooters for both plinking and competition events. In recent times, the popularity of Glock magazine compatible pistol-caliber carbines and pistols have become a perfect match for these extended mags. Elite Tactical Systems Group’s 31-round translucent body magazines allow for easy ammo count viewing, are made of a polymer that won’t crack when dropped and just plain look cool. Who says you can’t have useful function with an appealing form?

3

01 02 Translucent body allows easy ammo viewing

ETS Glock 18 9mm 31 Rd. Mag $22 etsgroup.us

03 31-round extended capacity

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39

Feature

“As good as they may be, looks are only skin deep. Pretty much every part used to build up the Skull FUK-AR is of the non-standard variety.”

Brace/Stabilizer is based on SI’s Viper PDW stock.

When compressed, the ultra-compact PDW system allows for superb maneuverability in close quarters.

At the press of a button, the Viper’s arms deploy to full extension to give the user increased stability. The included proprietary buffer system was engineered to provide reliability while still using standard-size bolt carriers. The buffer is supplied with a flat wire spring that increases bolt load despite its compact size.

Moorehead points out that the Viper brace is his favorite part of the pistol, adding, “This was technically the very first functional prototype of the pistol version of the Viper.”

Moving to the top half of the pistol, you will find a dedicated pistol-caliber Angstadt Arms slick side upper receiver that is machined with a pistol-sized

mount and REX riser. The set of Sidewinder BUIS

ejection port and no forward assist or dust cover. The

found fore and aft of the upper receiver takes SI’s

upper receiver houses a Glock and Colt compatible

brand of innovation and design expertise and

Angstadt Arms 9mm BCG

applies it to something as seemingly simple as a

and Strike Industries Latchless Charging Handle

set of folding iron sights. Offering the ultimate in

and ISO Tabs. The charging handle has no moving

flexibility, the low-profile Sidewinder sights can be

parts so there is no pinching of fingers or looking (or

used as traditional iron sights and also as right- or

feeling) for the latch to rack back. Interchangeable

left-flipping 45-degree offset sights. Mount them in

ISO tabs are used to help customize the charging

one position and flip them up or to whichever side

handle’s ears to fit your exact size and color

you need. We don’t think they’re needed for a pistol

requirements.

build like this, but they would be great on a rifle

A Ballistic Advantage 4.5-inch 9mm barrel was installed on the front end of the upper. An SI Oppressor concussion reduction device peeps

with limited BUIS clearance due to larger, more powerful scopes.

Looks can be deceiving. As impressively artistic

out the end of a 7-inch-long, M-LOK compatible

as this build might be, its functionality and hidden

SI Strikerail. The Oppressor redirects overpressure

innovations are as practical as any other build that

produced by aggressive brakes and compensators,

you might come across. It may be true that the

which is a welcome feature on a weapon this short.

Skull FUK-AR isn’t a completely practical build, but

For aiming purposes, Moorehead and his team

that wasn’t the point. Moorehead and his Strike

selected both a red dot optic and a set of backup

Industries crew set out to build a conversation piece

iron sights. A 6.5 MOA Trijicon RM02 LED sight sits

featuring new and innovative components, and it

on top of the upper in a SI REX Reflex Exoskeleton

looks like they succeeded. [ UN12 ]

40

UN12 / Issue 004

01 The Viper PDW brace deploys its arms to full extension at the simple press of a button.

1

02 The innovative Viper PDW brace mechanism seen from below.

03 The Ballistic Advantage 4.5-inch barrel is shrouded with a 7-inch SI Strikerail and tipped with an SI Oppressor.

2 3

UN12mag.com

41

UN12

E X P L O D E D VIEW

Skull FUK-AR

Specifications: Caliber: 9x19mm Length: 21.5-24.5 in.

Barrel: Ballistic Advantage 4.5” Barrel Weight w/o magazine: 6 lbs., 14.7 oz.

Featured Accessories: Optic: Trijicon RM02 Optic Mount: Strike Industries REX Reflex ExoSkeleton & REX Riser Upper Reciver: Angstadt Arms Upper Receiver Lower Receiver: Angstadt Arms/ Sharps Bros Jack Lower Receiver Handguard: Strike Industries Strikerail, 7”

Brace: Strike Industries Viper PDW Pistol Brace/ Stabilizer Magazine: ETS Glock 18 9mm Magazine Coating: Cerakote by Blowndeadline Parts & Accessories: Angstadt Arms 9mm BCG, Strike Industries Latchless Charging Handle + ISO Tabs, Strike Industries Sidewinder BUIS, Strike Industries Mini King Comp MK9, Strike Industries Oppressor, Strike Industries Link CFG Curved Foregrip, CMC Single Stage Drop-In Flat Trigger, Strike Industries Extended Bolt Catch, Strike Industries AR-15 Shift Pins, Strike Industries Strike Switch, Strike Industries Enhanced Pistol Grip, Strike Industries AR15 Anti Walk Pins

About the owner: Name: Craven Moorehead Occupation: Assistant Janitor, Strike Industries Special Thanks: Garret aka “Johnny Bravo,” Albert aka “TallBoyPinoy,” Strike Industries, Blowndeadline, Trijicon, CMC Triggers, Ballistic Advantage

42

UN12 / Issue 004

UN0012 / CARTRIDGES FOR WEAPONS, INERT PROJECTILE or CARTRIDGES, SMALL ARMS —

“The more time we spent with the pistol, the more we realized just how innovative each component, no matter how small, was.”

DEPT.

Do It Yourself

Text by MARTIN ANDERS Images by MICHAEL GREY

Hydro Dipping at Home I

have to admit that black guns, or guns of

sheet of film to be permanently applied to three-

any single color for that matter, while

dimensional objects.

classic and timeless, can be a bit stale to the

companies that do an outsanding job to which

time of unprecedented aesthetic creativity in the

you can send your stuff to to get dipped, but

firearms world. One only need to fire up

if you’re like me, you like to do things yourself.

extra aerosol

Instagram or any number of other social

There’s a sense of accomplishment one feels

activator and

platforms to see the wide array of custom looks

when tackling a job yourself, especially if it’s a

cans of paint. A

that guns are now finished in.

job you’ve never done before. In this DIY article,

few days later, my

I’ll take you through my first hydro dipping

kit arrived.

One of my favorite things to do during

The first thing you’ll

whatever downtime I have is to work on my

experience. Read along to see what I did right

guns. Regardless of whether I’m installing

and what I didn’t. It’s best to learn from your

want to do is to do your

a new accessory that I want to try or simply

(and other people’s) mistakes!

research and read all the

performing simple cleaning and maintenance

The first step was to hit the Internet to

instructions that come

after a trip to the range, getting my hands dirty

order up some hydro dipping supplies.

with each of the products.

while working on my guns is one of life’s sweet

After looking around for a website that sold

The kit from hydrodip.com

pleasures. After drooling over some of the guns

authentic MultiCam patterned film, I found

comes with clear step-by-

on IG, I do however sometimes wish that I had

a website called hydrodip.com. Not only

step instructions on how to

the ability to push my customizing abilities up

did they have both official MultiCam and

successfully hydro dip just about

a couple of notches and be able to perform

MultiCam Black hydrographic film, they sold

anything that you can get wet or

custom services that many people would send

hydro dip kits that come with everything you

paint.

their guns out to professionals to do.

need to do the job.

Aside from Cerakoting and other similar

44

There are professional hydro dipping

eyes at times. Lucky for us we’re living during a

Before I go on, I’d like to clarify that this

Be aware that this guide is meant as an overview of the process and is

What’s Needed

• Preprinted water transfer film

• Mask

• Film activator

• Gloves

• Primer paint

• Scouring pad

• Base coat paint

• Tack cloth

• Clear coat paint

• Masking tape

coatings, I don’t think there’s any other firearms

company is not affiliated with this article and

not meant to be detailed step-by-step

coating process that looks as good and is as

is not a promotional sponsor. I simply found

instructions. In the following, we dipped

protective as hydro dipping. Hydro dipping, also

them a good source for hydro dip supplies and

a magazine in a carbon fiber design as an

Disclaimer: Always take safety precautions when working with tools or other

known under many other names such as water

thought I’d pass on this info along. I ordered

example, but there probably hundreds of

dangerous goods. This DIY should be done at your own risk. Verify your results

transfer printing or hydrographics, is a process

up a kit along with some extras such as a roll of

other designs out there you can choose from.

with a certified gunsmith prior to using the final product.

that allows for designs that are printed onto a

MultiCam and MultiCam Black as well as some

Now enough talk—let’s get dipping!

UN12 / Issue 003

UN12mag.com

45

DIY: Hydro-Dripping at Home

Start

01 Preperation A durable hydro dip job first requires a durable paint job. As with any rattle can paint job, we degreased, washed and dried the items, then scuffed up the parts prior to hitting them with primer. Use masking tape to tape off anything that you don’t want painted or dipped.

03 Base Coat Different films have different levels of transparency. This can be a benefit if you want to customize your look a bit more. If you want a blue-toned carbon fiber, for example, you can spray blue as a base coat and choose a slightly more transparent film. In our case, we went with the recommended paints for each of the patterned films.

46

UN12 / Issue 003

02 Primer After making sure the items were clean and free of lint, we sprayed them with primer and left them to dry. We can’t be sure if the primer that came with the kit we purchased is really different from regular primer, but we did notice that it went on very smoothly.

04 Measure and Cut Like wrapping a gift, you’ll want to measure and cut enough film to cover the entire part. Think three-dimensionally and leave room for thick sections and other protrusions and shapes. You’ll want to make relief cuts to allow the film to properly wrap around the item.

tailhook

DIY: Hydro-Dripping at Home

pistol brace

05 Tape the Film As the film is placed on top of water, it will become very delicate to deal with as it soaks. To keep the film’s shape intact and make it more manageable to work with, you’ll want to create a tape frame around its edges. A complete tape-frame worked best for us, so don’t leave any un-taped gaps. Masking tape was good enough for the small parts we dipped, but we hear that duct tape is better for the larger sheets used to dip large items.

07 Film Placement The film has a sticky side and a nonsticky side. You’ll want to carefully and gently place the film with the sticky side down facing the water. Do not submerge the film; allow it to float on the surface of the water. To determine which side of the film is sticky, wet your fingers and hold both sides of the film for a few seconds. It will become apparent which side is the sticky side.

06 Water & Container You’ll want to use a water container that can accommodate enough water to completely submerge the item with ample room around all sides so you can move the item around. Be aware of water displacement when the item is dunked. Fill the container with water that’s about 90° to 100° F. If you use your bathtub, be aware that excess film can stain it, so make sure it’s lined.

Tailhook Mod I

08 Activator This is a critical part of the process.

The aerosol activator spray gives off very strong-smelling, undoubtedly unhealthy fumes, so be aware of this when you choose where to hydro dip.

Generously spray the activator on the film. There’s plenty more detail to this process so please make sure you read the instructions before tackling this step.

GEAR HEAD WORKS IS PROUD TO OFFER OUR NEW TAILHOOK PISTOL BRACES.

Tailhook Mod I

Tailhook Mod II

09 Dip Prior to dipping the item, it’s a good idea to test the film has sufficiently transformed into a syrupy goo before moving forward.

Again, read the detailed instructions on how to determine the optimum dipping window. Basically, you want the film to be gooey to the touch. We found that slowly lowering the item into the film provided us with the best results for coverage, but this probably varies depending on the item being coated and other factors.

48

UN12 / Issue 003

These braces give the shooter ultimate control over their AR pistol by utilizing a fold down shelf that “hooks” under the shooter’s forearm to counter balance muzzle weight.

10 Review & Rinse If all went well, you can now bask in the glory of your newly dipped item. The item will be sticky and slimy to the touch just after dipping, so be careful not to touch it. After waiting about a minute, you can gently rinse your item off under cold water to get the slime off prior to spraying it with a protective clear coat.

Tailhook Mod II

For more info on our products check us out at www.gearheadworks.com

Follow us:

gearheadworks.com

DIY: Hydro-Dripping at Home

11 Clear & Complete After the item is completely dry, spray it with a protective clear top coat. You can choose from matte or a gloss coats depending on what look you’re going for. If you want extra protection, several clear coats can be sprayed on but make sure you let each coat dry before spraying the next one.

BOTTOM LINE Compared to other customizing processes that I’ve tried, I’d say that hydro dipping isn’t hard, but requires finesse and a good deal of experience to pull off well. I did make a couple of mistakes along the way but learned from them pretty quickly.

Overall, it’s fun and rather addicting. This was my first time working with hydro dip

Finish

and it certainly won’t be the last. Now, what should I dip next? [ UN12 ]

Made a Mistake?

WHEN THINGS DON’T GO AS PLANNED

50

UN12 / Issue 003

On the left is my second try

perfect conditions and plenty of

at hydro dipping and on the

experience in working with water

right is my first. Not a pretty

transfer film. I quickly realized that if

sight. I’m not going to sugar

I found a mistake immediately after

coat it—there are a ton of

dipping, I could spray activator

things that can go wrong when

directly on the item and manually

hydro dipping. If the water

remove the film and undercoats of

temperature isn’t just right or

paint and primer and try again. It’s a

there’s too little activator or too

messy process, but it was doable.

much activator or if water gets

It’s probably best to practice on

onto the film… yeah, a lot of

a chunk of wood or other scrap

factors to look out for. Getting

before dipping something of value,

professional results will require

just in case.

Feature

: : Built for long-range plinking : : Original Cerakote scheme by Nevada Cerakote : : Chambered in .224 Valkyrie

APOD Valkyrie

Text by JAMES YORK Images by MICHAEL GREY

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UN12 / Issue 003

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61

Feature

F

or those of us who have been around the block

real. The round is pretty much a 6.8 SPC necked down to

a few more times than we’d like to admit (read:

.224 caliber and is billed as the first 1,300-yard capable,

old), we tend to be a bit jaded by all the newfangled stuff

supersonic AR-15-sized cartridge. Federal states that

that’s marketed our way. With everything being billed as

Valkyrie’s bullet can slice through air with less wind drift

new-and-improved this or better-than-ever that, it’s hard

and bullet drop than any other round in its class. Its

to wade through the sales claims to see just what is worth

laser-beam capabilities are attributed in part to a long and

giving our attention to.

aerodynamic projectile that helps maintain supersonic

We long ago stopped looking for that miracle cartridge

speeds longer than comparable bullets. The longer the

that promised to give you both laser-beam accuracy and

bullet stays supersonic, the more predictable its accuracy.

range coupled with low recoil characteristics. After reading

On top of all this, the recoil is said to be only half of

about miracle rounds for well over a decade only to be

comparable rounds, too.

disappointed in our experiences with them, we finally

02

That was all Paxton Clark, the owner of the rifle you see

learned our lesson, dove deeper into the .308 Winchester

here, needed to hear. Already an AR-15 fan, he didn’t need

hole and never came up for air. We may be late to the party,

much to get him to begin another build. The promise of a

but early last year we finally went out with a buddy to try

precision long-range AR-15 that could give larger caliber

out his 6.5mm Creedmoor rifle.

guns a run for their money was allure enough to get him

Wow. Color us impressed. It did everything promised. We were so captivated by the performance of this round that we soon found ourselves proud owners of our very own Creedmoor-chambered rifle. You can imagine our surprise when we caught wind of yet another miracle cartridge

01

“Federal Ammunition debuted its .224 Valkyrie cartridge less than a year ago to much fanfare and anticipation.

From all indications, the hype is very much real.”

released not long ago that promised to come close to Creedmoor performance, but is contained in a compact .223 Remington-ish sized package.

Federal Ammunition debuted its .224 Valkyrie cartridge less than a year ago to much fanfare and anticipation. By all indication, the hype is very much

01 Nevada Cerakote provided the four-color coating scheme, called APOD Elemntz.

02 The 15-inch Aero Precision ATLAS S-One handguard provides a multitude of M-LOK attachment points.

62

UN12 / Issue 003

UN12mag.com

63

Feature

“The promise of a precision longrange AR-15 that could give larger caliber guns a run for their money was enough allure to get him going.”

01

01

02

The .224 Valkyrie’s size allows for long-range performance in a lightweight, compact rifle when compared to its larger caliber brethren.

02 Forward stabilization is provided by a UTG Recon Flex bipod.

coated it in a scheme that they call “APOD

assembling the rifle and took over six hours to do it

he could take out to between 500 and 1,200 yards for

been big on the color or coating craze that’s hit

Elemntz.” Their original pattern features four colors,

when it usually would’ve been done in less than two

general plinking. Since the Valkyrie is capable of distances

the AR world hard. So for this build he decided to

which in Paxton’s case include Gold, Sniper Gray,

further than that, his goal seemed reasonably obtainable.

go in a different visual direction than he was used to.

Patriot Brown and Graphite Black. Nevada Cerakote points

build it right without scratching anything before it was even

Paxton adds: “From day one when the .224 Valkyrie

going. Paxton’s goal for this build was to create a rifle that

UN12 / Issue 003

hours,” he says. “I wanted to really take my time and

He explains: “This was the first ever full rifle that I had

out that the APOD Elemntz scheme can be done in any

assembled. That said, I’m not going to baby it. I do plan on

round was announced, my curiosity ran wild. An AR-15

completely custom-painted from head to toe. I sent the

color combo. Paxton now calls his rifle the APOD Valkyrie.

taking it out and having lots of fun with it.”

style rifle shooting a round that can go out to 1,200 yards

components out to Nevada Cerakote to get coated. I

He points out, “I was nervous about dedicating a scope to

The rifle is based on an Aero Precision M4E1 receiver

and beyond? Get out of here. 6.5 Creedmoor has been a

wasn’t sure what sort of scheme I wanted, but I did know

a rifle forever with a very specific paint job, but super happy

set with a rifle-length gas Ballistic Advantage 18-inch SPR

recent passion of mine, but with the Valkyrie being a lighter

I wanted it to be some sort of camouflage. I left it in their

with how it came out.”

fluted stainless barrel in .224 Valkyrie. “The barrel fluting

weight rifle with cheaper ammo and with its recoil being

capable hands and just said ‘surprise me.’”

lighter than 5.56/.223, what’s not to be excited about?”

64

Most of Paxton’s rifles are black. He hasn’t

What came back blew Paxton away. Nevada Cerakote

He told us about the assembly process after the parts came back from coating. “I was super nervous about

looks awesome,” Paxton says. “Taking into account its light weight and great performance, I would build all my

UN12mag.com

65

Feature

01 AUTHENTIC DESIGN UPGRADE YOUR BUILD WITH A BA HANSON BARREL

rifles with if I had the means.” A 6.8 SPC/.224 Valkyrie specific bolt carrier group, also made by Ballistic Advantage, was selected to complete the system. Up front you’ll find a VG6 Gamma 556 EX muzzle brake with a VG6 Cage Device attached to it.

The 15-inch AR-15 ATLAS S-One handguard is made by Aero Precision and is covered in M-LOK attachment points. The ATLAS S-One is one of Paxton’s favorite parts of the rifle. “It’s slim, lightweight and has a continuous top Picatinny rail,” he says. “I like the minimalist design, ease of installation and no extra useless stuff. It perfectly matches how I envision this

Gunfighter Mod 4 charging handle.

The lower half receives the same treatment as the

build should be.” To help stabilize the rifle, he chose

top half, with plenty of quality parts to be found. An

to go with a UTG Recon Flex M-LOK bipod. It mounts

interesting piece is the MagnetoSpeed grip. It houses a

directly to the sides of the handguard and gives him 5.7

monopod module that can be deployed at the push of a

to 8 inches of adjustability. For BCG manipulation he

button to help stabilize long-range shots. Paxton chose

chose to go with another one of his favorites, a BCM

this grip set up for its modularity, its functionality and because it was something new and different.

01

02

The optic of choice is a Bushnell Elite Tactical DMR-II 3.5-21x50mm riflescope.

The stock is an adjustable Luth-AR MBA-3.

The rifle is equipped with one of our favorite triggers, a drop-in Timney AR Targa 2-stage. It is a perfect choice for this rifle’s intended use. At the rear you’ll find a Luth-AR MBA-3 carbine stock, which, with its many adjustment points, is a preferred stock for many precision shooters. Other parts that caught our attention for not only their enhanced function but nice looks

02

BALLISTICADVANTAGE.COM 66

UN12 / Issue 003

Feature

JULY 28-29 01

2018

02 include bolt and magazine catches made by Forward Controls Design and a Rainier Arms 45-degree selector switch. We thought

01

the High Speed Arms Valkyrie Tactical skull-shaped

Assisting Paxton to accurately target steel gongs at 1,200 yards is a Bushnell Elite Tactical DMR-II

magazine release was a nice detail as well.

To maintain reliability, Paxton chose to install a

3.5-21x50mm scope. The feature-rich optic is

The trigger is a dropin Timney AR Targa 2-stage unit.

Geissele Super 42 braided wire buffer spring and

equipped with Bushnell’s ThrowHammer Lever.

buffer set. The uniquely designed spring uses three

This built-in cattail throw lever makes magnification

02

independent strands of wire. The idea behind these wires

changes as quick as a flick of a finger and without any

is for them to act as a harmonic damper and energy

excess parts to buy. When asked why he chose this

MagnetoSpeed’s grip houses optional modules such as this monopod that deploys at the push of a button.

absorber that displaces excess energy by allowing the

particular scope to go with, he replies, “Personally I

springs to flex separately from one another. This is said

can’t think of many better options for what you get

to decrease the possibility of spring failure and increase

for the price you pay. The lifetime warranty is a plus

reliability.

when investing in a scope.” The scope sits snugly

02

.224 Valkyrie Chronograph Results

01

04 03

Paxton took his 18-inch-barreled APOD Valkyrie rifle to get chronograph readings for four different Federal Valkyrie loads. He used a MagnetoSpeed V3 Ballistic Chronograph to gather the results.

Unlike older, unwieldy, multi-piece chronographs, the lightweight and streamlined MagnetoSpeed V3 ballistic chronograph kit attaches directly to the gun and can be used on barrels and suppressors from a half inch to two inches in diameter.

68

UN12 / Issue 003

01

02

03

04

FUSION 224 VALKYRIE FUSION SOFT POINT (90 GR.)

AMERICAN EAGLE 224 VALKYRIE TOTAL METAL JACKET (75 GR.)

FEDERAL PREMIUM 224 VALKYRIE NOSLER BALLISTIC TIP (60 GR.)

Listed: 2,491 @ 100 yards

Listed: 2,731 @ 100 yards

Listed: 2,930 @ 100 yards

FEDERAL PREMIUM 224 VALKYRIE SIERRA MATCHKING BOATTAIL HOLLOW POINT (90 GR.)

Max FPS: 2,522

Max FPS: 2,855

Max FPS: 3,105

Min FPS: 2,475

Min FPS: 2,779

Min FPS: 3,079

Avg FPS: 2,495

Avg FPS: 2,817

Avg FPS: 3,089

Listed: 2,542 @ 100 yards Max FPS: 2,563 Min FPS: 2,463 Avg FPS: 2,529

UN12

E X P L O D E D VIEW

Paxton’s APOD Valkyrie Caliber: .224 Valkyrie Length: 36-39 in.

Barrel: Ballistic Advantage 18” .224 Valkyrie SPR Fluted Stainless Steel Weight w/o magazine: 11 lbs., 3 oz.

Featured Accessories: Optic: Bushnell Elite Tactical DMR II 3.5-21x 50mm

Optic Mount: Bobro Engineering Dual Lever Precision Optic Mount 34mm Rings / 20 MOA Upper Receiver: Aero Precision M4E1 Threaded Receiver Set Lower Receiver: Aero Precision M4E1 Threaded Receiver Set Handguard: Aero Precision AR15 ATLAS S-One M-LOK Handguard 15” Stock: Luth-AR MBA-3 Carbine Buttstock

“Since the assembly of the rifle, Paxton has taken it out more times than he expected he would. Shooting at ranges past 1,000 yards isn’t something new to him, but it is new to him in a package as compact as his APOD Valkyrie.”

Magazine: C-Products Finish: Cerakote by Nevada Cerakote

Since the assembly of the rifle, Paxton has taken it out more times than he expected he would. Shooting at ranges past 1,000 yards isn’t something new to him, but it is new to him in a package as compact as his APOD Valkyrie. He’s usually lugging around his Creedmoor rifle or other, heavier models, and finds that the Valkyrieequipped AR-15 to be much easier to handle and transport. He also appreciates that the ammunition is priced at about a dollar a round, and is much lighter to hump to his preferred shooting spot.

As for shooting impressions, he says that the accuracy from 100 yards out to 1,200, when taking into account the light recoil and lightweight package, is something that he hasn’t experienced before in a long-range rifle. Is he glad he built it? Paxton says, “You

in a Bobro Engineering Dual Lever Precision Optic

bet I am. You know I’m already looking at converting

Mount. The mount’s rings are sized at 34mm in order to

another one of my 5.56 guns to .224 Valkyrie, right? And

accommodate for the scope’s tube and feature a built-

it probably won’t be plain black either.”

in 20 MOA cant to help the scope reach out further.

[ UN12 ]

Parts & Accessories: BCM MCMR Rail Panel Kit, BCM Picatinny Rail Section 3”, Ballistic Advantage 6.8 SPC/.224 Valkyrie BCG, VG6 Gamma 556 EX, VG6 Cage Device, BCM BCMGUNFIGHTER Charging Handle Mod 4, Strike Industries AR Aluminum Ultimate Dust Cover, Forward Controls Design LDFA, UTG Recon Flex M-LOK Bipod, Timney Triggers AR Targa 2-Stage Long Trigger, KNS Precision Gen II Pins, Strike Industries Advanced Receiver Extension, Geissele Automatics Super 42 Braided Wire Buffer Spring and Buffer Combo, High Speed Arms Valkyrie Tactical Skull Magazine Release, MagnetoSpeed Grip, MagnetoSpeed Monopod, Forward Controls Design ABC/R V2, Forward Controls Design EMR-A, Forward Controls Design CNF, LWRCi Ambi QD Sling Mount, Rainer Arms Selector Switch

About the owner: Name: Paxton Clark Occupation: Accountant

UN0012 / CARTRIDGES FOR WEAPONS, INERT PROJECTILE or CARTRIDGES, SMALL ARMS —

70

UN12 / Issue 003

Special Thanks: Brian D., Stephen D., Jeff C., Russ B., Garrett K., Chris E., Paul B., Roger W., Ivan D., Ari B., Heather L., Gordon G., Mom, Dad and big sister Taylor.

FEATURE

elts have long been a primary

you can fight), a tourniquet (so you

my pistol on my person at all times.

element in the warfighter’s

can stop the bleeding), and your

Beyond it being a life-saving tool, it

and law enforcement professional’s

radio PTT or mic (so you can tell

provides me with a readily available

load-bearing system. Long before

others what happened and where

weapon of the shooty variety,

plate carriers, armor carriers, LBVs

you are). Those are your primary

regardless of the condition of my

and chest rigs, men ran towards the

fighting items while everything else

second line gear.

sound of gunfire with their combat

is tertiary.

B

War Belts : : Three mission-driven tactical belt setups for varying scenarios : : Belt and attached gear, what, how and why : : Each belt equipped to work seamlessly with the Plate Carriers examined in Issue 002

01

load around the waist. Things have

explanation of gear layout: First

all times for much the same reason

years, and then rapidly progressed

Line Gear (gear that is carried on

as the pistol: because it is there to

in the past 20.

your person in pockets or on a

save my life. While most gunfighters

belt), Second Line Gear (gear that is

have transitioned from chest-

Carrier article in UN12 Issue 002.

carried on a plate/armor carrier, in

mounted pistols to belts, there are

In it, I told you not to freak out and

a chest rig or LBV), and Third Line

still plenty of folks on both sides of

that I was leaving certain things off

Gear (gear that is carried in a pack

the fence for IFAKS: belt or plate

the carriers because I’d get to them

or ruck). This explanation still holds

carrier. My philosophy is based on a

in this issue. I’m a man of my word.

true today. We will be covering the

few principals.

If you didn’t see last issue, shame

belt portion of First Line Gear.

This article is tied to the Plate

I like to define First Line Gear as

the inset images of the carriers.

stuff that should always be on your

need to have very fast ambidextrous

These articles are not gear reviews

person. There should be a place

access to. And I want it to always

or buyer’s guides. I’m simply talking

for everything and everything in its

be on my person. Placement is

about what I use, why I use it, and

place. You may be a slob in every

incredibly important. Like the

why I set it up this way. I do not

other aspect of your life. But when

pistol, if I have to go to my IFAK,

work for any of these companies,

it comes to gunfighting and the

something has gone wrong and it is

nor do I receive any sort of financial

gear you wear to the event, your

suddenly the most important thing

or material profit from them. These

shit better be squared away. As a

in my world for me to lay hands on.

tactical gear problems that don’t

smaller (what Pat Rogers would call

with the fanny pack is that it must

exist. You need to be very picky

“Warrior Size”) individual, I need

be kept with your gear at all times

about what you are going to carry

to interrogate every piece of gear I

(clip it through your belt or sling)

on your person. What seems like a

carry. With less real estate, I need

when not worn. Otherwise it could

great idea in the team room or while

to make sure I’m not overloading

be forgotten during a hasty kit-up.

surfing the web may end up being

myself. But this is true for larger

hazardous in practice.

guys too. You don’t ever know how

also like to keep my pistol reloads

There’s a metric shit-ton of brands and options for the professional gunfighter’s belt. We have seen all sorts of ideas and fads come and go, come back, maybe stay or go again in the past 20 years alone. There is literally a pouch for every item you could possibly carry, and a solution to every tactical gear Text by CHARLES “CHIP” LASKY

problem you could possibly face.

Images by JERRY TSAI

Hell, there are even solutions to

UN12 / Issue 003

are there to be used by your buddy when they get to you. But in the

applications.

72

“We have seen

IFAKs can be used for self-aid or

all sorts of ideas and fads come and go, come back, maybe stay or go again in the past 20 years alone.”

use in best practice for tactical

case of the former, It is imperative that I be able to reach it easily with either hand, because one hand/arm may be in-op. By placing it at the small of my back, I can reach it with either hand, while still wearing a pack, and it is always on me.

I’m also a fan of the fanny pack as an IFAK. Not only can it be rotated around front or back—it gives me an option when the belt has other mission-critical kit. My only caution

Beyond the pistol and IFAK, I

long you’ll be gone or how much

on my belt. Seeing as the #1 issue

exactly how you should lay out your

ground your feet will need to cover

you have with a gun not working

gear. Specialized roles, missions

once you step off. I don’t care how

will probably be magazine-related,

and tasks will require specialized

big you are; excess gear will impede

having a source for secondary

gear. I’m providing a base

your ability to get the job done. But

mags on the same platform as the

philosophy on how to set up the

if you gotta carry it, do so smartly.

gun just makes sense. If I’m walking

This article is not meant to tell you

03

While my IFAK is not something I can use to fight, it’s still something I

on you. Find a copy, or reference

believe to be the best gear for

War Belts

Next is the IFAK (Individual First Aid Kit). I want this on my person at

incrementally improved over the

pages literally represent what I

02

A lot of us heard the old

There are two main elements I

around base with just the belt, or

I base my gear around the three

like to ensure are on my belt: my

remove my carrier in the field for

tenets of gunfighting: Shoot, Move,

pistol and my IFAK. My reasoning

some reason, I will still have gas for

Communicate. I offer that there

revolves around a simple idea: By

my pistol. From a law enforcement

are three things you need to have

placing these items on my belt, I

perspective, SWAT officers will be

immediate access to in a gunfight,

am ensuring they are always on me.

used to going to the belt for pistol

and readily available on the front

Sounds simple, right? The pistol is

reloads during patrol work, so

of your plate carrier: ammo (so

a bit of a no-brainer. I want to keep

replicating gear setup is ideal.

basic load. Your mileage may vary.

UN12mag.com

73

Belt Kit 01

Feature

Plate Carrier a fraction of the size and weight. They

SSE may yield actionable intel that has

also are the size of my belt loops, so

us moving to a secondary target for a

whatever combat yoga position I find

hasty hit, the exfil plan may go to shit

myself in, I can have much more bend

and we find ourselves walking out ten

capability.

Ultimate Rigger’s Belt. “Ultimate” is

my waist is just as mobile as the one

a pretty bold statement, but well-

on my torso.

earned. I’ve been using 215 Gear attest to their quality and attention

like a good idea at the time: tall stiff

to detail. Not all rigger’s belts are

belts with plenty of PALS webbing to

created equal. They are usually stiff,

attach every pouch in the catalog. The

double-layer belts with a substrate

options were endless. Then I tried to

and cast metal D-Ring. The D-Ring is

do stuff while wearing the belt. Well, I

meant to be used as an anchor point

couldn’t bend at the waist as much. I

for Personal Retention Lanyards so

couldn’t sit in a vehicle without the belt

you don’t fall out of helos. It can also be used as a hasty anchor point for repelling or extraction rig. The D-Ring is what initially drove me to the 215 Gear Rigger’s Belts many moons ago.

Traditional rigger’s belts were built with a cast metal D-Ring to which my retention lanyard would clip via carabiner. Off the bird, the other end of the lanyard would either get clipped on a belt loop or fed into a pocket (whatever I had time for). But the metal clinking on metal was a no-go due to noise discipline. 215 Gear came out with their sewn-in attachment points on rigger’s belts and immediately caught my attention. I placed an order and have been using the same belt ever since. Noise discipline is

is the latest in the line and features

throat. Not ideal.

an upgrade to their legacy belts in the form of mini-PALS webbing. It

layout of the corresponding belts. I’ve

Just when I thought I was going to

allows me to attach pouches directly

spent many years refining placement

get away from a war belt and go back

to the belt without needing a war

of kit to ensure I get the most economy

to a simple rigger’s belt, I saw these.

belt cover. While the layout of the

of weight and mobility. As I am a right-

What? A belt that can carry my gear

PALS is truncated, it is every bit as

handed shooter, you’ll notice pistol

and provide IIIA protection? Yep! The

functional. One of the things I really

holsters set up for right-handed draw,

cycle started all over, except now

like about 215’s mini PALS is that their

reload mag pouches on the opposite

I’d added weight to lug around more

webbing is a bit thicker than others’.

side and IFAKs on the rear. This theme

armor. Just like deciding what gear to

At ¾ inch, it provides more support to

will be carried across the belt platforms

take with you into the field, you need

mounted pouches and their contents.

you see here, with various small

to interrogate the platform on which

The system uses an inner/outer belt

changes here and there depending on

you intend to carry it. The mission

setup—perfect for easy don/doff.

the mission requirement.

drives the gear train, but you should

This belt kit is set up to work with

component for operators, both on and off the target. While the mission may be to hit a specific target, you never know

Every pouch needs to be thoughtfully and purposefully placed for the mission.

paramount in the field.

pushing my plate carrier up into my Then came the ballistic blast belts.

You will notice a central theme to the

Mission Unit operator. Mobility is a key

Back

The 215 Gear Ultimate Rigger’s Belt

BELT KIT 01

the Assaulter Kit for a military Special

This carrier was set up for a military SOF operator conducting direct-action missions in mainly urban areas.

Rigger’s Belts for a long time and will

Giant War Belt arena. Hell, it seemed

“After several years and many dollars, I finally decided to move back to something smaller and lighter. Standard rigger’s belts can carry things just as well as giant war belts.”

ASSAULTER

This belt kit is built on the 215 Gear

So I want to make sure the platform on

Like everyone else, I jumped into the

Try to keep the front of the belt as uncluttered as possible to aid in mobility and flexibility.

You can’t bend at the waist with a bunch of gear jabbing you in your gut.

UN12 / Issue 003

things just as well as giant war belts at

end up chasing squirters on foot. The

klicks. Stranger things have happened.

Front

74

how the situation will develop. I may

Fanny pack The Emdom Recon Waist Bag is the toughest, most versatile fanny pack you can take to war.

As far as I’m concerned, there are

find the proper balance of function and

two types of duty holsters: Safariland

mobility.

and everyone else. I love me some

After several years and many

kydex pancake holsters for range

dollars, I finally decided to move back

work and CCW, but duty use requires

to something smaller and lighter.

a minimum level 2 retention system.

Standard rigger’s belts can carry

Yup, I said it. Try jumping or doing

Side Fanny packs worn independently of the belt can be easy moved by the wearer throughout the mission—from front to back, for example.

UN12mag.com

75

Feature

08

01

03

04 08 05

06

02 07

“My legs are my pistons that power me to wherever I need to go. I do not want ANYTHING restricting them. Watching dudes run with drop leg holsters and gas mask bags reminds me of young Forrest Gump running with braces on his legs.”

01

04

07

215 Gear Operator’s Retention Lanyard Frog Zero

Crye Precision 5.56/7.62/MBITR Pouch

02

05

Safariland ALS 6354DO 2832 Holster with S&S Precision Holster Extender GRT

Cyalume Milspec 4” Chemlights on Nite-Ize Locking S-Biner

LBT-9008 Modular Frag Grenade Pouch

03 LBT-6038 Front Pull 9mm Magazine Pouch

06

08 215 Gear Ultimate Rigger’s Belt

REVAC Tactical EXO System

significance of this system.

that is smaller and easier to operate

front and the red is behind. So, if I pull

ability to feed my pistol and rifle from my

Inside

one-handed than a traditional carabiner.

from my crotch, it’s a green light. If I pull

belt (in addition to the three rifle mags

Beyond that is a bundle of green 4-inch

from my ass, it’s a red light. No way to

on my plate carrier) and a frag to party.

an IFAK. If I’m set up with the EXO, I

The EXO was originally designed for firefighters that needed a quick escape system from burning buildings. Assaulters share the same mission requirement. If your egress is blocked by fire or rubble, you’re going out the window or off the roof.

Cyalume Chemlights hanging from

mess that up in the dark! Next to that is

Assuming I have a mag in the rifle, this

can’t fit an IFAK on the belt too. So I’m

gutted 550 cord, tied in a square knot,

a double pistol mag pouch with flaps. I

load makes me very combat effective

carrying it in the Emdom Recon Waist

from a Nite-Ize #4 locking S-Biner. The

jumped on the bandwagon of open-top

even if I take my plate carrier off.

Bag. That’s a fancy, tactical name for

over the past 20 years. I hate strapping

locking part is key. Many a chemlight

pistol mag pouches for a while… until I

Last is the Tactical EXO from REVAC.

Glock19 with Unity Tactical ATOM Slide,

things to my legs. My legs are my

bundle has been lost to the wilds

lost a mag. Guys, secondary retention

This is a mission-specific item that may

more modular and a little more rugged

Trijicon RMR06, and Surefire X300 light.

pistons that power me to wherever I

over the years. These little locking

of essential gear is absolutely critical.

or may not be carried. If the hit is going

than the standard fanny pack. In this

The weapon is secured in a Safariland

need to go. I do not want ANYTHING

S-Biners are the best. The chems can

Right behind that is a Crye Precision

to take place in an urban setting that

case I’m actually going to wear it with

ALS 6354DO 2832 holster.

restricting them. Watching dudes run

be deployed by simply pulling them

5.56/7.62/MBITR Pouch. I’m actually

takes us into a multi-story building, the

the pouch in front of me. No need to

with drop leg holsters and gas mask

off the 550 cord. The chems are taped

using a standard MOLLE pouch to

EXO is something I want with me. The

spin it around to access the contents.

level 2 holster presentation on the

bags reminds me of young Forrest

halfway with 100mph tape to reduce

carry another rifle mag here. The reason

Tactical EXO is an individual evacuation

IFAKs are items that can get away from

market. It is attached to the belt with

Gump running with braces on his legs.

their glow. Professionals are trained

is because it gives me a flap-cover

system. It’s essentially a 100-foot rope

us. There is a major balance that needs

to look for chems and every team has

for security. It also rides lower, so it

with a self-breaking system to control

to be struck in building one. IFAKs are

high angle work with a simple level 1

motion. The Extender GRT has multiple

retention kydex holster. If your pistol is

drop heights that can be configured on

still there at the end of the op, you are

the fly. It is also stiff enough to keep the

lucky. Safariland’s holsters are battle-

holster exactly where I want it without

proven and available for almost every

the need for a leg strap. It is a testament

mid- and full-size pistol, I’ve been using

to the innovation of warfighter gear

them for almost two decades. I carry a

The ALS holster allows for the fastest

the S&S Precision Gear Retention Track

On the left side of my belt is the

The last thing I’m going to carry is

a fanny pack. But this pack is a little

Belt Adapter and Holster Extender GRT.

sewn-in anchor point with a 215 Gear

their SOP for what different colors

won’t put the bottom of the mag into

descent. This same ingenious system

designed to be used by you, or by a

This holster attachment system allows

Operator’s Retention Lanyard Frog

mean. Taping them keeps them from

the bottom of my plate carrier when I

limits the amount of force transferred

buddy on you. They should have the

me to control the holster drop distance.

Zero. One side of the lanyard is looped

glowing too much. I purposely lay out

bend. Right beyond that is a London

to me if I fall. As someone who has

proper materials and enough of them to

This is critical to ensuring a smooth

through the anchor point with a girth

my chemlight bundles so I know what

Bridge Trading Frag Pouch for a single

made several trips off rooftops—one

stop bleeding and start the breathing.

presentation with the most economy of

hitch. The other side has a Frog fitting

I am throwing. The green bundle is up

grenade. So munitions-wise, I have the

of them badly—I will fully attest to the

They are not field surgical kits.

76

UN12 / Issue 003

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Belt Kit 02

Feature

Plate Carrier if using a looped-through lanyard

(MRB). I bought an MRB when they

configuration like the aforementioned

first came out and have been using it

215 Gear Operator Safety Lanyard.

ever since. I like it because it gives me

Nylon on metal makes no noise.

The holster is the same Safariland

the useless fluff that adds size and

ALS 6354DO-2832 described above.

weight. I am not a fan of traditional war

It fits a Glock19 with Unity Tactical

belt designs because they have been

ATOM Slide/Trijicon RMR06 and

too commercialized by manufacturers.

Surefire X300 Light. It’s 2018 folks—

Rather than focus on the operator,

we put optics on our pistols for the

companies are trying to accommodate

same reason we put them on our rifles.

every weekend warrior with an

The holster is attached using the same

AR. I get it: capitalism. We need to

hardware from S&S Precision for the

step back and recognize that the

same reasons mentioned. The only

professional end user is the priority.

difference is the belt clip. Since the

But that discussion is for a whole other

previous belt was an actual Rigger’s

bottle of bourbon.

Belt and the MRB has a MOLLE

The MRB is about as clean as it gets for war belts. I really appreciate the inner/outer belt system. The Velcro

SWAT

This carrier is designed for a SWAT entry to a barricaded location where the suspect is armed.

sleeve, I used the Gear Retention Track Webbing Adapter instead.

The opposite side of the belt

attachment between the two keeps

features my marking system in the

my MRB in place without the need

form of a Blue Force Gear MARCO. The MARCO is one of the best

“Basically, if you aren’t using a Velcro inner/ outer belt system by now, you need to rectify that real quick. You can thank me later.”

I always use belts with genuine Austri Alpin Cobra Buckles. It’s the best damn load-bearing buckle available.

innovations to chemlight marking.

Teams have different SOPs for marking and a lot of arguments arise from best practices with chemlights. Just because you cleared a space and marked it with a green chemlight clear after giving it up. The chemlight it can help hastily mark areas you’ve been through. I like using chems for marking areas that been cleared by the dog. But I will still treat that area as hostile during the back clear.

The MARCO system is a magazine feeding device that pushes proprietary

BELT KIT 02

a callout. Basically, if you aren’t using a

2-inch chems up into my hand. They

This belt kit is designed to work with

Velcro inner/outer belt system by now,

are easily cracked upon extraction

the First Spear Siege-R Optimized

you need to correct that—quickly. You

and flung in a single motion. I love

Armor Carrier setup from the last

can thank me later.

the lumen output of the smaller size.

The whole reason we tape our 4-inch

for a domestic law enforcement

belt inside (the MOLLE sleeve is the

chems is to reduce the amount of

SWAT callout where a “heavy

part that Velcros to the inner belt worn

glow. Chemlights are for marking,

entry” to a structure is needed.

through your belt loops). The sleeved

not campfires. And I can carry a ton

Law Enforcement has a tough job.

belt secures the MRB around the

more 2-inch chems in a MARCO for

Their ROE constrains their actions on

waist. But it’s a cheap place-holder.

less space than a bundle of ten 4-inch

the objective much more than military

The MRB is actually designed to work

chems on 550 cord.

SOF units. LE’s job is to preserve life

with user-supplied rigger’s belts. I have

My pistol mags are kept in an

with an emphasis on taking life as a last

personal experience with plastic side-

Emdom USA MM 6o4 Multi-Pistol

resort. But breaching the house of an

more auxiliary armor components than

release buckles breaking under stress,

Magazine Pouch. Emdom is one of

emotionally disturbed person where

the other setups. By nature it is going to

so I would not recommend using

those small nylon companies that

they cannot fire unless fired upon, or

be more restrictive for movement. That

the included one. I’ve done just that

makes really innovative gear, but could

witnessing an imminent threat to a

needs to be taken into account for the

and replaced the included belt with a

stand to advertise it so dudes know

civilian or hostage, is no joke. For these

belt setup. You still don’t want to be the

London Bridge Trading Rigger’s Belt

to buy it. The 6o4 is a great pouch for

instances, I actually advocate armoring

Stay Puft Marshmallow Man coming

w/ Cobra Buckle. LBT makes killer kit.

versatility. It can hold any number of

up. The carrier setup in last issue shows

through the door.

While the metal D-Ring is not ideal, it

single or double-stack mags. At full

Rather than go with a ballistic blast belt, I use a lightweight, more mobile

Placing the IFAK at the small of the back keeps it within reach of either hand, but out of the way of gear needed to prosecute the threat.

isn’t going to pull security for you. But

ensuring a very quick donning of kit for

The MRB comes with a sleeved

Back

doesn’t mean you don’t have to re-

for pesky keepers or suspenders,

issue. The carrier and belt are built

UN12 / Issue 003

is perfectly fine for lanyard attachment

Crye Precision Modular Rigger’s Belt

the functionality of a war belt without

Front

78

system. This belt kit is built on the

Side Gas Masks aren’t always needed, so they should be carried in a QD bag.

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79

Feature

08

07

02

03

05

09 06

01

01

04

07

Blue Force Gear MARCO Mini Chemlight Dispenser

Crye Precision GP Pouch 11x6x4

Crye Precision Modular Rigger’s Belt (cover only – inner belt replaced)

02

capacity, it can actually hold up to four double stacks. Personally, I carry two

05

Emdom USA MM 6o4 Pistol Magazine Pouch

LBT-9022B-T Modular Small Blow-Out Kit Pouch

03

06

ATS Tactical Tall Single M4 Mag Pouch

Safariland ALS 6354DO 2832 Holster with S&S Precision Holster Extender GRT

pistol reloads. This pouch also gives me

08 London Bridge Rigger’s Belt with Cobra Buckle

09 Crye Precision MRB Inner Belt

the option to run a closed or open top.

Again, I’m a closed-top retention guy, having learned lessons the hard way.

Beyond that is an ATS Tactical TallSingle M4 Mag Pouch. This gives me one more rifle mag without sacrificing a ton of size and weight. The pouch is mounted low so the mag won’t interfere with the bottom of the plate carrier.

Low-ride pouches are also easier for extracting mags while wearing up-armor components such as the bicep covers on the corresponding

big and bulky, catch on

GP Pouch 11x6x4 as

plate carrier. If I was only wearing a

environmental obstructions,

a mask carrier. It holds

belt, I’d probably opt for something

and generally get in the

most masks on the

that puts the mag higher so I can attain

way. While you certainly

market, including my

a fast “beer-can” grip. But all of these

need to have it, it may not be

components need to work together as

something you need to carry all

a system.

the time. For this reason, I keep

Sandwiched between the mag

Avon M53. What I really like is that the shock cord web keeps the bag flat when the mask is not in it. Even with a mask

mask bags on QR platforms. Certain

“My IFAK is I’m running around with a giant pouch designed for one flopping all over my leg. No thanks. thing and one The Crye pouch is augmented with a Drop Leg Mount Kit. Yeah I know: I hate thing only: to drop legs. But, gas masks don’t give save my life. It’s many options. Wearing it on the back interferes with packs and sitting in the not something BearCat. that looks Last is the IFAK. Before proceeding, I want to explain a philosophy. My IFAK cool. It’s not a is designed for one thing and one thing tactical fashiononly: to save my life. It’s not something that looks cool. It’s not a tactical of-the-month fashion-of-the-month statement. It statement.” contains items that, God forbid I need of whether it’s full or not. That means

04

to TCCC refresher training in the past

you can carry or feature miniaturized

12 months, you need to rectify that right

contents. Nobody ever wished they

now. If you carry a gun for a living and

had miniaturized S-rolled gauze when

don’t carry an IFAK, see above.

wrist-deep packing a wound. If you’ve

An IFAK is not designed to be a

never done it, you’d be surprised how

field surgery kit. That doesn’t mean it

much gauze is required to sufficiently

should stripped down so much that it’s

pack a GSW. Depending on the entry

useless. I’m not writing an article about

and exit, you can easily go through

IFAKs. I’m not a current or former 18D

more than one full-size roll. Now what

or Corpsman. But, I have used IFAKs on

if there’s multiple GSWs in the patient?

teammates to stop bleeding and keep

What if you’ve got a 6x6 laceration? Not

them alive in a drama. Lately, there has

all battlefield wounds are from bullets

been a trend of mini or micro IFAKs. I

and frag. If your only option is to carry a

guess something is better than nothing,

mini IFAK, it’s better than nothing. But

but you need to understand why you

understand their intent and analyze your

are carrying it. Mini IFAKs are great for

risk. My IFAK is kept in a Ziploc bag

pouches is the anchor point for a gas

actions on the objective will cause the

entry teams should have them in case

inside, the shock cord removes any

them, are going to slow my death until

materials and my team and I have the

responsible citizens on a hike or patrol

inside an LBT 9022B-T-IFAK. This is one

mask bag. If you are SWAT, you’re

mask bag to be a liability. If chemical

the decision to insert chemical rounds

slack in the material. Most mask bags

someone more qualified with more

proper training to implement them. If

officers on the beat. But if you are

of my favorite IFAK pouches because

carrying a gas mask. But do you

agents are not being deployed, I don’t

is made.

have a substrate that stiffens the bag,

toys shows up to save my life. It can

you carry an IFAK and don’t know how

military or SWAT, you better have a full-

of its ability to mount at the small of my

need to carry it all the time? They are

want to lug the mask around. Crisis

creating a gaping opening regardless

only do that if stocked with appropriate

to use every item in it or have not been

size IFAK. Mini IFAKs limit the materials

back and be accessed with either hand.

80

UN12 / Issue 003

I’m a fan of using the Crye Precision

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81

Belt Kit 03

Feature

Plate Carrier ISR

This lightweight carrier is designed for mobility in the field.

Front

Back

Holsters with secondary retention are must in the field. Losing your pistol due to lack of retention is hazardous to your health and your spot on the team.

Packs and Rucks need to be kept in consideration for recce/ISR missions. Pouches on the back of the belt should be as small and flat as possible to avoid interference.

BELT KIT 03

and rucks. In fact, it’s not uncommon to

This belt kit was assembled to work in

remove or even forego plates at altitude

conjunction with the recce-style plate

due to the toll the extra weight takes on

carrier in the last issue. That setup was

our bodies. That fact alone is reason

built for a long range ISR mission for

enough to ensure my belt kit has the

military SOF, with a focus on minimalist/

ability to feed my guns and provide life-

lightweight layout. ISR (Intelligence,

saving material in my IFAK.

Surveillance, Reconnaissance) missions generally require multiple days

lightweight belt kit. The same Safariland

in the field in an austere environment,

ALS holster for my pistol, attached with

with QRF being hours away. Operators

the same S&S Precision hardware. I

carry all the gear they need to sustain

don’t mean for this to be redundant.

themselves during that time.

But as professionals, we tend to find

Operating conditions can include just

82

UN12 / Issue 003

Similar themes are seen in this

something that works and stick with

“Your attention should be focused on the threat while being able to lay hands on any piece of kit without looking.

I drill this information into students’ heads because it is so important.”

attention should be focused on the

rather than three quarters. While I

threat while being able to lay hands on

want the added stiffness in a belt for

any piece of kit without looking. I drill

assault work, recon calls for shaving

this information into students’ heads

as many ounces as possible off my

because it is so important. The best

kit. I’m willing to give up some of the

litmus test is to put on all your gear, go

features I love in the Ultimate Rigger’s

to a pitch-black room, and practice

Belt for what I gain in mobility in the

retrieving items. If you can find them in

Raze. Either belt is satisfactory for

the dark without looking, you can find

either mission, but they each have little

them during the day.

nuances that make them a little better

The belt is a Viking Tactics VTAC

for certain jobs in my opinion. Like the

Raze Belt. It’s a lightweight rigger’s

previous belts, the Raze features a

belt with cobra buckle, sewn anchor

Velcro inner/outer belt configuration.

point and PALS loops for attaching

The support-hand side of the belt

modular pouches directly to the

has two Blue Force Gear Single Mag

It’s important that you become

belt. I chose this belt based on the

Pouches. Like I said, I prefer to carry

up all my rigs for different missions with

intimately familiar with the layout and

mission. Compared to the above

two pistol reloads. The BFG pouches

gear. Even so-called lightweight gear

the same good-to-go hardware. Not

tactile feel of your gear. When you need

215 Gear Ultimate Rigger’s Belt, the

are some of the lightest weight/rugged

gets heavy after miles of walking hostile

only does this give me peace of mind, it

to retrieve something from a pouch or

Raze is lighter and not as stiff. The

products on the market. Covered

terrain. This is compounded by altitude

also provides familiar tactile response.

pocket in the dark, you can’t see it. Your

PALS webbing is a half inch wide

retention pouches are especially

about anything, but are usually non-

it. If I find a new widget that works, I’ll

urban. For that reason, mobility is at the

usually buy several of them so I can set

forefront of my mind when choosing

Side Having an anchor point for a lanyard on the belt is always a good thing. But lanyards should not be dangling from them during long-range maneuvers— one less thing to snag on terrain.

UN12mag.com

83

Feature

06

07

01

02

03

04

01 2x Blue Force Gear Single Pistol Mag Pouches

“In the event I doff the plate carrier due to terrain, I will put an extra mag in this pouch, giving me more gas for my rifle. While I don’t want to overload myself with ammo at the cost of mobility, I’ve also never said ‘I wish I had less ammo for this gunfight.’”

03

medic and friend. It’s what I’ve carried for years, YMMV. • (1x) 6” Bandage (Israeli) • (1x) CAT Tourniquet (carried on front of Plate Carrier) • (1x) S Gauze • (1x) Decompression Catheter • (1x) Nasopharyngeal Airway w/ Lube • (2x) HALO Chest Seal • (1x) Vaseline Gauze • (1x) Mini Roll Duct Tape • (1x) Pair Gloves • (1x) Alcohol wipes • (1x) Iodine Wipes • (2x) Large Safety Pins

UN12 / Issue 003

LBT-9022B-T Modular Small Blow-Out Kit Pouch

VTAC RAZE Belt

06

Blue Force Gear Single Frag Pouch

This kit was actually spec’ed out by a former Special Forces

07

Safariland ALS 6354DO 2832 Holster with S&S Precision Holster Extender

Emdom USA M4 Double Mag Pouch

Everyone builds theirs differently, but I keep the following in mine.

04

05

02

What is in an IFAK?

84

05

VTAC RAZE Inner Belt

important in fieldwork. Foliage will pick

the wire. A second frag pouch is on the

was assembled assuming it would

last issue are the results of years of

your pockets more effectively than you

plate carrier. But again: the carrier may

be thrown over a duty uniform, so the

experience. I have found certain layouts

might expect. Make sure everything

come off at some point. If things that

officer would already be wearing his

to work exceptionally well for me,

is secured. Next is my rifle ammo

go “bang” are good in a fight, things

or her duty belt. Setting up a duty belt

my team and my students. They can

pouch. This is an Emdom M4 Double

that go “boom” are better. The pouch

requires a different model than tactical

transfer across multiple platforms and

Mag Pouch. With the three mags in

features a side-release buckle closure

operations, and requires input from

missions. As always, make sure you can

my plate carrier, I will only keep one

rather than Velcro for extra security (it’s

someone more familiar with day-to-day

work your gear in the dark. If you can

in this pouch. But in the event I doff

holding a bomb, after all).

law enforcement patrol work.

easily lay hands on items at night, you

the plate carrier due to terrain, I will

Finally, I round out this belt with the

Belt kits should work homogenously

can do it during the day.

put an extra mag in this pouch, giving

LBT 9022B-T-IFAK. When properly

with plate carriers. There are a lot of

me more gas for my rifle. While I don’t

loaded, this is one of the most low-

very cool designs to choose from. But

want to overload myself with ammo

profile, full-size IFAKs on the market. It’s

everyone is different and has different

at the cost of mobility, I’ve also never

my favorite design and what I’ve been

mission requirements. If you are

While users of this gear will most likely

said “I wish I had less ammo for this

using for years.

building your war kit, you need to make

undergo constant training in the art of

sure everything you choose works

gun fighting, some of this kit requires specialty training. There are many

gunfight.” This pouch holds one or

Specialty Training

CONCLUSION

together and that the final product

the industrial-strength elastic. Next is

Last issue, I showed a fourth plate

is the sum of its parts. If certain gear

good courses available to armed

a Blue Force Gear Single Frag Pouch.

carrier setup designed for law

is hampering your access to other

professionals. Do your research and

I always want to have at least one frag

enforcement officers responding to a

gear, you need to figure out a different

sign yourself up.

on my person at all times when outside

terrorist or crisis incident. That carrier

solution. This article and the one from

[ UN12 ]

two mags with equal retention from

UN12mag.com

85

Feature

Danger Close Armament

UN0012 / CARTRIDGES FOR WEAPONS, INERT PROJECTILE or CARTRIDGES, SMALL ARMS —

: : Customized by Danger Close Armament : : Chambered in 9x19mm Text by DAVE TIMM Images by TracerX

86

UN12 / Issue 003

: : Available as complete gun or customize your own

UN12mag.com

87

Feature

UN0012 / CARTRIDGES FOR WEAPONS, INERT PROJECTILE or CARTRIDGES, SMALL ARMS —

“Danger Close offers customers several customization options to enhance not only performance but aesthetics as well.”

hen one looks to enhance a factory handgun

its own, the CZ offers plenty of great features directly

story about handgun manipulation

there are often conflicting opinions to sort

out of the box—but that doesn’t mean things can’t

with front serrations, but the short

through. These opinions are usually based on the

be improved upon. Danger Close offers customers

version is that I am a fan of front serrations.

perceived benefits, cost, quality of work and mindset

several customization options to enhance not only

The added top serrations are placed in alignment

behind the modifications. The reality is quality

performance but aesthetics as well.

with the factory serrations and are executed so well

W

enhancement that improves the performance of a

were perfect. The added serrations give a very positive

custom lower 1/3rd co-witness iron sights and an

grip when manipulating the slide, when conducting a

customizing company Danger Close Armament (DCA)

INFORCE APLc compact light. The whole package

status check or when used for one-handed clearances

at Triggrcon 2017, I was immediately impressed

was lightweight and well balanced for a mid-size

if needed. The slide was refinished after machining

with the customizer’s attention to detail and level of

handgun of this configuration. I carried this gun in an

with a very durable and clean AlTiN (aluminum titanium

craftsmanship. The Danger Close modified handguns I

off-duty role for a short time with a locally made Kydex

nitride) coating. Several other available services offered

handled showed a level of execution that is among the

inside-the-waistband holster. Even with the light and

best I have seen. When the opportunity to check out

optic, the gun carried well and wasn’t uncomfortable or

the CZ Signature Build arose, I immediately said yes. It

overly heavy.

When I was first handed a gun serviced by firearm

has been a handgun I was looking forward to shooting since I first handled it.

88

you’d swear they were factory. Their angle and depth

The customized sample we spent time with came equipped with a Trijicon Type 2 RMR with DCA’s

pistol can often be a wise investment.

The real focus of this enhanced P-10 C is on the work that was done to the frame and slide. Starting with the

01 One main focus of the enhanced P-10 C is work that was performed on the frame and slide.

include a sprayed finish; this, again, shows the level of dedication to quality by DCA. Where I spent some significant time admiring this gun was on the grip and texturing. Out of the box, the P-10 C is a comfortable gun to handle. The grip angle,

The featured gun you see before you started out

slide, DCA added top serrations that perfectly matched

width and lack of finger grooves all make for a nice

as a factory stock CZ P-10 C chambered in 9mm. On

the factory front serrations. I could easily write another

grip. With some slight re-shaping and the application of

UN12 / Issue 003

01

UN12mag.com

89

Feature

DCA’s proprietary “Brain” texture stippling with recessed borders, we have what really amounts to a work of UN0012 / CARTRIDGES FOR WEAPONS, INERT PROJECTILE or CARTRIDGES, SMALL ARMS —

art. The particular gun I received also had a Cerakote finish that offered some contrast and a unique look.

The texture and borders are so well done that the frame looks like it came that way from the factory.

As someone who has stippled and re-textured a few guns with decent results, I can appreciate quality work when I see it. The time and precision required to make an excellent stippling job come to life are not known by a lot

01

of people. Many think just taking a heated iron and going to the grip is all you need, but that simply is not the case.

Making straight, smooth borders that follow the factory lines of the handgun don’t come by chance or luck.

While borders aren’t necessary for a good grip, they offer a look of distinction from the grip pad and the rest of the frame. The borders show a commitment to not just adding texture but truly enhancing the appearance and presentation of the work done.

The stippling texture is also very well done. The surface offers a good amount of friction without being overly sharp. I am a firm believer that having a good friction grip on a handgun is an under-emphasized critical point. Having a pattern on the grip that increases friction between the gun and the shooter’s hand makes recoil management and tracking your sights more effortless. Competent shooters know that the more surface of the grip they can engage with their hands, the better. There also is a balance of surface texture and comfort that must be maintained with a carry gun.

While one may prefer aggressive skateboard tape on

ranged from

a competition gun, that same surface could prove

115-grain FMJ,

uncomfortable while carrying the gun for extended

124-grain duty loads,

periods and would most likely tear up concealment

147-grain duty loads and

garments.

pressures from subsonic to +P.

Danger Close’s Brain pattern not only looks good, but

get a good, solid grip on the gun and

body. Additionally, I didn’t notice any wear or damage to

present it with ease. Picking up the dot

my clothing. I liked the irregular pattern and appearance

of the RMR and making hits on steel out to

of the surface. I am not one to prioritize fashion over

50 yards was an easy process. I fired my favorite

function, but some of the stippling patterns and options

skill assessment drills with the gun and found I shot this as

available clearly market appearance over performance

well as any of my other handguns. I did not need any time

and can look out of place on a gun like this. This pattern

to adjust and get acquainted with this pistol; it felt very

just plain works well and looks good too. As noted

natural in the hand and in presentation. Shooting it was

with the other work, the level of dedication did not go

just plain enjoyable, recoil was pleasant and I was always

unnoticed to me. It takes time, skill and experience to

disappointed when I ran out of rounds.

make a good pattern. There were no sharp peaks and

In addition to the enhancements visible from the

overall the stippling was some of the best I’ve seen. As

outside, Danger Close Armament also offers internal

I stated before, the impression I get with the pattern is

services as well. Some P-10 users have complained of

geared towards a working gun that is meant to be used.

issues regarding the factory magazine release; DCA’s

This fits the bill nicely.

magazine release service resolves any issues. In my

When I got the gun to the range, I found the action

90

The gun’s size allows you to

offered traction in my hands and carried well against my

experience, use of the magazine release was as one

cycled smoothly and the trigger was pleasant. I ran

would expect. Polishing the feed ramp of the barrel, action

a variety of rounds through the gun over the course

enhancements and HB Industries trigger upgrades are

of a few range sessions. I fired approximately 600

also available options. I like how they give the customer

rounds of various factory ball and duty loads. The CZ’s

options; it gives you the opportunity to choose only

performance was boringly reliable, it fed and fired

what enhancements are important to you. Oftentimes

everything I tried and had no stoppages. Ammunition

gunsmiths will only offer packages without the possibility

UN12 / Issue 003

01 DCA’s signature Brain pattern stippling offers a grippy, ergonomic texture that also happens to look great.

“The top serrations added are placed in alignment with the factory serrations and are executed so well you’d swear they were factory.”

UN12mag.com

91

Feature

01

UN0012 / CARTRIDGES FOR WEAPONS, INERT PROJECTILE or CARTRIDGES, SMALL ARMS —

for substitutions. It’s an all-or-nothing deal. This can be costly, and can force some buyers to accept services that aren’t needed nor wanted.

The evaluation gun seen here is outfitted with all the bells and whistles of Danger Close’s complete package, called the Signature Build. It is available as a complete gun from DCA or you can choose to send a CZ you

easily be one of

already own to them to work on. To be clear, CZ owners

them.

aren’t the only ones who can take advantage of DCA’s

Ultimately,

services. Owners of other other popular handguns are

the choice is

welcome to their customization services too. Most slide

up to you on

and frame services can be ordered a la carte. While it’s

enhancing a

usually beneficial to package services together since it

firearm of your

can save on shipping and transfer fees, if policy, budget

own and whether

or other restrictions exist you can enhance your pistol at

or not the cost

your own pace.

provides a good

I’ve used the word “enhance” often in this article

92

02

return of investment.

and I think it is the most appropriate term to use when

Danger Close

speaking of the work and services done on this pistol.

Armament’s service prices

The reality is that enhancing a tool that you’d use to

vary for slide and frame work and

protect yourself or loved ones allows you to use it better.

complete CZ Signature handguns start

This is a good thing as long as the work doesn’t impair

at $925 as of the time or writing. When I

the pistol’s safety mechanisms and reliability. There are

look at the quality of work performed, the details

countless firearms being carried on patrol, in harm’s way

and overall end result, I am impressed. This particular

and protecting good people, that have been enhanced

handgun is an excellent example of quality work, and

and are being carried with confidence. The Danger

based on customer feedback this is what DCA does.

Close Armament CZ P-10 C is something that could

[ UN12 ]

UN12 / Issue 003

01 02 DCA offers options to add onto the P-10 C build such as this Trijicon Type 2 RMR.

01

03

Sight picture is enhanced with DCA’s custom lower 1/3rd cowitness iron sights.

Weapon lights such as this INFORCE APLc are also an available addon option.

03 UN12mag.com

93

UN12

E X P L O D E D VIEW

Danger Close Armament

CZ P-10 C Specifications: Caliber: 9x19mm Magazine Capacity: 15+1 Barrel Length: 4.02 in.

Height: 5.2 in.

Overall Length: 7.3 in.

Width: 1.26 in.

Weight Unloaded: 1 lb. 10 oz.

Finish: AlTiN and Cerakote MSRP: starting at $1,025 URL: danger-close-armament. myshopify.com

Featured Accessories: Trijicon Type 2 RMR Danger Close Armament Custom Lower 1/3rd CoWitness Iron Sights INFORCE APLc Pistol Light

Customize Yours Do you own a CZ P-10?

Instead of buying another gun you already have, you can send your P-10 in for Danger Close Armament to work their magic. See danger-close-armament. myshopify.com for more details.

94

UN12 / Issue 003

UN0012 / CARTRIDGES FOR WEAPONS, INERT PROJECTILE or CARTRIDGES, SMALL ARMS —

BUYER’S GUIDE

Bolt Carrier Group

AR BCG Guide Text by MARTIN ANDERS Images by MICHAEL GREY

A

s you have undoubtedly noticed

Some AR shooters prefer certain BCGs

by now, every single part of the

for functionality reasons such as tuning

AR platform has been redesigned,

for less recoil or a faster shooting gun.

reworked and reinvented to ad infinitum.

Others may just like the look of a certain

Perhaps this is one of the reasons why

BCG. The beauty of it is that now AR

the rifle and its variants have been so

users have more choices than ever

popular with gun enthusiasts over the

before.

decades. Its modularity is infinite and the customization possibilities are endless.

While every part on the AR is important

The following guide includes close to 40 BCGs in a wide selection of calibers, but believe us when we say that there

to its function, the Bolt Carrier Group

are many more models out there. Some

(BCG) is perhaps the hardest working

of the BCGs in this guide are the latest in

component in the system. The major

cutting-edge innovation and some are old

parts of the BCG include the bolt, bolt

classics. Take a look to see which ones

carrier and firing pin, which along with

pique your interest.

its smaller parts contribute to a smooth shooting, accurate and dependable firearm.

Back in the day, there weren’t many BCG options available for AR owners.

You basically had them in your choice of parkerized or phosphate coated and in semi- or full-auto configurations.

Nowadays they can be had in every sort of high-tech coating in a rainbow of colors, profiles, calibers and weights.

UN0012 / CARTRIDGES FOR WEAPONS, INERT PROJECTILE or CARTRIDGES, SMALL ARMS —

96

UN12 / Issue 003

“While every part on the AR is important to its function, the Bolt Carrier Group (BCG) is perhaps the hardest working component in the system.”

UN12mag.com

97

01 Make: Bravo Company USA Model: BCM Bolt Carrier Group (MPI) – Auto Finish: Parkerized MSRP: $169 URL: bravocompanyusa.com

5.56 223

03

02 Make: Noveske Model: RCA 5.56 Black Nitride Bolt Carrier Group - M16 Finish: Black Nitride MSRP: $195 URL: noveske.com

5.56 300

223

Make: V Seven Weapon Systems Model: V Seven Titanium BCG Finish: Nickel Boron MSRP: $359 URL: vsevenweaponsystems.com

5.56 300

223

5.56mm /.223 Rem / 300 BLK

98

UN12 / Issue 003

08

09

10

Make: Phase 5 Weapon Systems

Make: Bootleg Inc.

Make: Shooting Innovations

Make: Shooting Innovations

Model: M16 BCG-EN

Model: Bootleg Four Position Adjustable Carrier

Model: LMB - Low Mass BCG

Model: LMB - Low Mass BCG

Finish: Black Phosphate

Finish: Electroless Nickel Plated

Details: 4 Setting Adjustable Vent System

Finish: Red

Finish: Silver

MSRP: $439

MSRP: $140

MSRP: $140

MSRP: $180

MSRP: $170

MSRP: $170

URL: 2a-arms.com

URL: phase5wsi.com

URL: phase5wsi.com

URL: bootleginc.com

URL: shootinginnovationsllc.com

URL: shootinginnovationsllc.com

5.56

5.56

05

06

Make: 2A Armament

Make: 2A Armament

Model: AR15 Titanium Regulated Bolt Carrier

Model: AR15 Titanium Regulated Bolt Carrier

Make: Phase 5 Weapon Systems

Finish: Ion Bond Black

Finish: Bead Blast Matte

MSRP: $439 URL: 2a-arms.com

5.56 300

07

04

223

300

223

300

Model: BCG-M16

223

5.56 300

223

5.56 300

223

5.56 300

223

5.56 300

223

300

5.56mm /.223 Rem / 300 BLK

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11 Make: Iron City Rifleworks Model: Eclipse Enhanced (BCG) G2 Competition

12

13

Make: Iron City Rifleworks

Make: F-1 Firearms

Model: EVO S1 Drop-In

Finish: Eclipse (PVD)

Finish: NiB (EXO)

MSRP: $290

MSRP: $240

URL: ironcityrifleworks.com

URL: ironcityrifleworks.com

5.56 223

5.56 300

223

Model: 5.56 Durabolt Rose Gold Finish: Rose Gold (PVD) TICN

Make: F-1 Firearms Model: 5.56 low Mass Durabolt DLC Finish: DLC (CVD)

MSRP: $325

MSRP: $375

URL: f-1firearms.com

URL: f-1firearms.com

5.56 300

14

223

5.56 300

5.56mm /.223 Rem / 300 BLK

223

15

16

17

18

Make: Young Manufacturing

Make: Young Manufacturing

Make: Young Manufacturing

Make: Stag Arms

Model: YM SLC Super Light Carrier Complete

Model: National Match Bolt Carrier Group - LEFT HAND Semi-Auto

Model: National Match Bolt Carrier Group - LEFT HAND Full Auto

Finish: Chrome

Finish: Chrome

Finish: Manganese Phosphate

MSRP: $245

MSRP: $245

MSRP: $160

URL: rainierarms.com

URL: rainierarms.com

URL: stagarms.com

Finish: Chrome MSRP: $239 URL: youngmanufacturing.net

5.56 300

223

300

Model: 5.56/.223 LeftHanded Bolt Carrier Assembly

19

20

Make: Lantac USA

Make: Adams Arms

Model: Enhanced BCG Full Auto Style

Model: VDI LifeCoat DI Integral Low Mass BCG

Finish: NiB (UCT EXO)

Finish: LifeCoat treatment

MSRP: $285

MSRP: $250

URL: lantac-usa.com

URL: adamsarms.net

LH

223

LH

223

LH

223

5.56

5.56

300

5.56

300

5.56

300

223

UN12 / Issue 003

300

223

300

5.56mm /.223 Rem / 300 BLK

LH

100

5.56

LH hand icon indicates BCGs designed specifically for left-handed use

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101

23

24

Make: JP Enterprises

Make: Iron City Rifleworks

Make: Iron City Rifleworks

Model: JP Enhanced 9mm AR Bolt

Model: Redmohawk 9mm PCG

Model: Redmohawk 9mm PCG

Model: AR 22LR Conversion Bolt Carrier

Details: 416SS construction

Finish: C4V

Finish: Eclipse (PVD)

Details: 8620 Steel

MSRP: $250

MSRP: $250

Details: AR-5 drop-in conversion to .22LR

MSRP: $184

MSRP: $260

URL: leadstararms.com

URL: jprifles.com

URL: ironcityrifleworks.com

URL: ironcityrifleworks.com

23

21 Make: Lead Star Arms Model: 9mm PCC BCG

9

9

9

25 Make: 2A Armament

102

UN12 / Issue 003

27

Make: Quarter Circle 10

Make: Quarter Circle 10

Model: .45 ACP Glock Style Bolt Assembly

Model: 9MM Universal Bolt Assembly

Model: Faxon Gen 2 9mm PCC Blowback Full-Mass BCG

Make: Faxon Firearms

Finish: QPQ Nitride treated

Finish: QPQ Nitride treated

Finish: Salt Bath Nitride

MSRP: $272

MSRP: $265

MSRP: $235

MSRP: $165

URL: 2a-arms.com

URL: quartercircle10.com

URL: quartercircle10.com

URL: faxonfirearms.com

9 .22

9mm

28

26

.45

9

9

.22 LR / .45 ACP / 9mm

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103

31

32

23

Make: F-1 Firearms

Make: V Seven Weapon Systems

Make: JP Enterprises

Make: JP Enterprises

Model: 7.62 DuraBolt Rose Gold

Model: V Seven Titanium BCG 308DPMS/SR-25 Finish: Nickel Boron

Model: JP Full Mass Operating System BCG w/ High Pressure EnhancedBolt

Finish: DLC (CVD)

Finish: Rose Gold (PVD) TICN

Model: JP Variable Mass Operating System BCG w/ High Pressure EnhancedBolt Finish: QPQ Black

Finish: QPQ Black

MSRP: $375

MSRP: $375

MSRP: $521

MSRP: $481

URL: f-1firearms.com

URL: f-1firearms.com

URL: jprifles.com

URL: jprifles.com

30

29 Make: F-1 Firearms Model: 7.62 DuraBolt Black (DLC)

MSRP: $459 URL: vsevenweaponsystems.com

35

34 Make: Iron City Rifleworks Model: EVO S1 Drop-In BCG 458SOCOM Finish: EVO (NiB) MSRP: $260 URL: ironcityrifleworks. com

.458

36

37

Make: KAK Industry

Make: Rise Armament

Model: LR-308 BCG Double Ejector

Model: .308 Bolt Carrier Group

Finish: Nitride

Finish: Black Nitride

Finish: Black Phosphated

MSRP: $130

MSRP: $180

MSRP: $269

MSRP: $290

URL: stagarms.com

URL: kakindustry.com

URL: risearmament.com

URL: rainierarms.com

Make: Stag Arms Model: .224 Valkyrie/6.8 SPC II Bolt Carrier Assembly Finish: Manganese Phosphate

38 Make: DPMS Model: DPMS 308 BCG

.224

6.8

.308

.308

.308

.308

.308

7.62

7.62

7.62

7.62

7.62

.308 Win / 7.62mm

104

UN12 / Issue 003

.308

.308

.308

7.62

7.62

7.62

.458 SOCOM /.224 Valkyrie / 6.8 SPC II / .308 Win / 7.62mm

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105

FEATURE

Product Review : : Soft-shooting AR-based pistol : : Unique-length gas system : : Created for reliable suppressed & unsuppressed shooting

Arsenal Democracy Text by STEVE COULSTON Images by ZERO7ONE & STEVE COULSTON

nnovation in what seems like an

Democracy offers a variety of services and

One,” referring to its unique gas system,

already saturated black gun market is

products to include innovative long guns,

which is approximately one inch longer than

becoming harder to come by these days. No

handguns and parts for the discerning

a standard carbine-length system found on

sir, arriving at the largest firearms convention

shooter or warfighter. While some of the parts

the traditional M4 and M4 clones. More on

of the year with a new color option for your

used in their firearms are sourced from other

that later. The CPO features ambidextrous

three-year-old pistol or rifle doesn’t cut it.

manufacturers, the majority of components,

controls. This includes Arsenal Democracy’s

There has to be more, so firearms companies

including major assemblies, are machined

own AMR (Ambidextrous Magazine Release

need to figure it out or they will slowly regress

and fabricated in their Freeport, Florida, shop.

Assembly) and F-117 Ambidextrous Selector

and die while others pick up the reins. Think

Calling their weapons “Life Support Systems”

Switch. Also included is an ambidextrous

outside the box and move forward.

means Arsenal Democracy employees

charging handle specifically made to Arsenal

I

While the legacy operating system of the AR-15 has basically remained the same since its inception, it has been fine-tuned over the decades. Manipulating materials, barrel lengths, twist rates, gas port sizes, buffer springs/weights, round size, muzzle devices and gas system length all have an impact on what kind of shooting experience will be had with America’s favorite rifle to love (or hate, depending on which way you roll).

Dave Pavlick is an innovator. He has to be. In his previous line of work, if you didn’t innovate, adapt and overcome, you or

106

UN12 / Issue 003

Democracy specifications.

The upper and lower receivers are all made

by Arsenal Democracy from billet 7075T6 aircraft-grade aluminum. As would be expected, the aesthetics of the upper and lower feature the legacy Arsenal Democracy elongated and beveled magazine well and the sleek, sloping lines of their forward assist housing. The trigger is the tried-and-true, and wicked fast, flat-faced Geissele Super Dynamic SD-C. The rail is of their own making, comes in at 10.75 inches on the CPO, and features the MLOK attachment

someone else on the team gets hurt or dies.

take their jobs very seriously. They pride

system with integral anti-rotation QD

Spending multiple combat tours as a Green

themselves as being veteran owned and

attachment points. These are all the same

Beret in the Army’s 7th Special Forces Group,

operated and being 100% American-made.

standard components that can be found on

he saw first-hand how well, and how poorly,

Carbine Plus One

“Firearms companies need to evolve, or they will regress and die while others pick up the reins.”

In the spirit of full transparency, this author

their AD-16 series of rifles. It almost feels

his issued M4 carbine performed in some of

was one of the original purchasers of their

strange calling these high quality parts

the harshest environments on Earth. Taking

first rifle offering, as well as an owner of their

“standard.” The barrel and gas system

those lessons learned on the battlefield, he

original Blackside Glock pistol conversions.

combination are unique.

would go on into civilian life and create a

Because of those early positive experiences

new firearms company, Arsenal Democracy.

with the young company, it only seemed

was working on a project that had specific

His goal is to “wring out the last tidbits of

natural to keep tabs on how they continued to

requirements for an upper receiver that

technological advances out of the M4.”

progress and develop.

would run reliably both suppressed and

Pavlick has worked for the past five years trying to do just that and more. Arsenal

One of their new offerings for 2018 is the CPO. CPO is an acronym for “Carbine Plus

The backstory: Over a year ago Pavlick

unsuppressed. This project was known as SURG (Suppressed Upper Receiver Group).

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107

Product Review: Arsenal Democracy Carbine Plus One

04

UN0012 / CARTRIDGES FOR WEAPONS, INERT PROJECTILE or CARTRIDGES, SMALL ARMS —

OPTIC Mercon Optics MK1 1-6x, American Defense Mfg. mount

01 ARM BRACE

05

Gear Head Works Tailhook Mod2

GAS SYSTEM “Carbine Plus One”— 8.5-inch gas tube

02 RECEIVERS Billet 7075-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum

07 BARREL 5.56 NATO, 11.5 inches, 1:7 twist

08 SUPPRESSOR

03

Crux titanium, 5.56mm

MAGWELL Proprietary design, elongated and beveled

06 FOREGRIP Magpul AFG positions support hand high on bore centerline

back into the shooter’s face. Too little dwell

carrier groups, neither of which can be found

carbine-plus-one gas tube. The standard

gas system was overly gassy, especially

time can result in a short stroke where there

on the CPO.

carbine gas tube is approximately 7.5 inches

running the weapon suppressed and full auto,

is not enough gas to cycle the weapon fully,

Fast forward a year and Pavlick used the

in length, so the “plus one” bumps it to 8.5

which started affecting performance.

ejecting the spent round and/or feeding the

lessons learned developing the SURG project

inches long. The result was a soft-shooting

a thing now thanks to those supposedly in the know. We digress.

Regardless, the CPO was designed to do

work. As of SHOT Show 2018 they plan to

next live round. This is a delicate balance,

to create a firearm for those who wanted to

AR that can be had in either a pistol or SBR

can on it almost tricks it to thinking it has even

also offer the CPO in .300 Blackout with a

looking at different gas systems, gas port sizes

especially when shooting suppressed, wherein

shoot both suppressed and unsuppressed

configuration and will weigh in at around 6.2

more dwell time, so it actually shoots smoother

10.5-inch barrel. Pavlick cautioned against

and barrel lengths. He jumped from a carbine

the suppressor creates more blowback.

while maintaining the shorter length of a short-

pounds, depending on which stock or pistol

with the can on than off.” He goes on to

going much shorter primarily due to the lack of

length to a mid-length system, but found that

Blowback that, if not mitigated, fouls up the

barreled rifle or pistol. Thus the CPO was born.

brace is used for the configuration.

compare shooting the 11.5 CPO suppressed

real estate (or rail estate, if you will) on the top

there wasn’t enough dwell time on an 11.5-

internals more quickly and ends up, again, in

to shooting a 16-inch AR-15 suppressed.

rail, as shorter rails reduce the ability to mount

inch barrel with a mid-length gas system. Too

the shooter’s face. There are ways to reduce

difference between a carbine length and mid-

it doesn’t feel like a normal 11.5. It doesn’t

Pavlick wanted to make sure his latest brain

the back-up iron sights, lights and lasers often

much dwell time and you get an over-gassed

this effect while shooting suppressed through

length gas tube settling on a reduced gas port

feel like a 10.5. Unsuppressed it feels pretty

child worked suppressed, unsuppressed, fully

used by shooters.

gun, which will beat up the internals of the

advancement in suppressor technology, as

size, a custom 11.5-inch barrel and 1:8 twist

close to your typical 14.5. It has about an extra

automatic and semi-automatic, as well as the

firearm, rip rims off cases and feed gasses

well as with adjustable gas blocks and bolt

rate, chambered in .223 Wylde with a custom

2.5 inches of dwell time, so when you put the

now-popular full-semi-automatic. Yes, that’s

Because of these issues Pavlick started

108

UN12

He found that using a typical carbine-length

“The standard carbine gas tube is approximately 7.5 inches long, so the ‘plus one’ bumps it to 8.5 on the CPO.”

UN12 / Issue 003

For the CPO project, Pavlick split the

According to Pavlick: “When you shoot this,

The test sample we received was the pistol

version. Instead of a stock it featured the

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109

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

UN0012 / CARTRIDGES FOR WEAPONS, INERT PROJECTILE or CARTRIDGES, SMALL ARMS —

Steve Coulston is a former United States Naval Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (SWCC), NRA Life Member and has been a firearms enthusiast for more than 30 years. He is a writer and photographer focused on the testing and evaluation of new products and has a natural gift for breaking things. He resides in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and children and enjoys shooting sports and spending time in the great outdoors.

Gear Head Works Tailhook Mod2 which is a

with a 1:7 5.56 barrel instead of a 1:8 .223

unique arm brace with five adjustable length-

Wylde barrel. This was due to the fact that

of- pull positions to accommodate all sizes

our test pistol was pulled from a separate

of shooters. The Tailhook features a hook

production run for another project. Pavlick

that unlatches and hooks under the shooter’s

states that, while the .223 Wylde variant is

forearm and will support the pistol very easily one-handed, without any straps like other

“The majority of our shooting was done suppressed; blowback was minimal due to the unique gas system.”

group measured ¼ of an inch at 100 yards.

accept such heresy.” To

Well, we were actually working on a five-round

each his own, but Pavlick isn’t

string, but we threw the last two, which opened

losing any sleep over it.

the group to one inch. The trigger in the CPO

Shooting the CPO is a blast regardless of

day at the range was a crisp winter Pacific

is built for speed, but even still the produced

how you shoot it. Unsuppressed it points muy

more accurate, the 5.56 package was specific

Northwest day hovering in the high 40s with

groups with the 55-grain Rainier Munition

rapido. The majority of the shooting was done

to the special project submittal package

little to no wind. The CPO coupled with the

was impressive. Keep in mind the CPO has

suppressed with our titanium Crux suppressor.

braces on the market. It is very comfortable to

requirements they were working on. In order

Aimpoint and Rainier Munitions ammo put out

an 11.5-inch barrel. One thing is certain—it

There was a slight noticeable shift in forward

shoot off-hand, two-handed or from the cheek

to get us the pistol more quickly, they pulled

acceptable groups off the bench and prone

shoots better than we do.

weight, but it was minimal thanks to the

weld position. The Tailhook was specifically

from the 5.56 run as it was readily available at

at 50 yards, with the best groups fitting inside

There were zero malfunctions shooting

lightweight suppressor. Blowback was also

selected by us due to its unique features and 7

the time.

a quarter. Not bad for zero magnification and

suppressed or unsuppressed, with 90% of

minimal due to the unique gas port size and

aging eyes.

the rounds fired suppressed. The only issue

the carbine plus-one gas tube length.

Once our pistol was in hand we grabbed

is not typically offered with the CPO. The KAK

500 rounds of .223 55-grain Rainier Munitions

For the next session we went to a variable-

we had was with bulkier magazines fitting into

The CPO is currently in production but is

Shockwave or Maxim PDW brace will be

ammunition and slapped on the first available

magnification optic by Mercon Optics. Mercon

the mag well. We used a variety of magazines

currently offered as an “off the menu thing”

offered standard.

optic we had on hand, which happened to be

is a newcomer into the optics market with

throughout the testing and found that some

an Aimpoint PRO in a ZRO Delta mount. First

their first offering called the MK1. The MK1

fit easily, some fit very snug, and some didn’t

is a 1-6x magnification in a 30mm aluminum

fit at all. Those that easily fit are the Magpul

housing that comes in around 18 ounces

PMAG, USGI type steel/aluminum magazines,

without the mount. The reticle is calibrated for

Mission First Tactical, Hexmag, and it’s

5.56 and is located in the second focal plane.

assumed other standard magazines with a

The reticle has 11 illumination settings with an

more traditional, slimmer profile will also fit.

quickly flares out. It should be stated that most

$40, while the Maxim PDW brace will tack

off switch between each illumination setting.

Those that fit snuggly and required effort to

drum mags will not work with the CPO or other

on another $220. All other pistol brace types

Eye relief is generous at 3.5 inches. The optic

seat and strip out (but still functioned) are the

AD-16 rifles due to the shape of the magazine

should be negotiated directly.

was securely mounted in an American Defense

Lancer AWC, ETS and IWI. Those magazines

well. Just something to keep in mind. When the

[ UN12 ]

Manufacturing mount.

that did not fit/seat in the magazine well are

issue of drum mag and Surefire mag fitment

the Surefire 60/100 mags, Tapco and other

was brought up, Pavlick cheerfully exclaimed,

For more on Arsenal Democracy and the CPO,

bulkier magazines where the magazine body

“Luckily the magwell on the AD-16 will not

visit their website: arsenaldemocracy.us

Zeroing the optic was pretty straight forward and the results were good. Our best three-shot

UN12 / Issue 003

UN12

ounce weight. It should be stated the Tailhook

Another thing to note is that our CPO came

110

UN1

Product Review: Arsenal Democracy: Carbine Plus One

according to Pavlick as it is not listed on their website… yet. Orders can be placed by calling Arsenal Democracy directly. The CPO rifle will run approximately $2,150, which is the same price as their AD-16 rifle. The pistol can be had with a KAK Shockwave for an additional

UN12mag.com

111

Feature

“Even though ammo prices have dropped in recent years, Scott was looking for a way to lower his cost of shooting, especially when he is shooting purely for recreation.”

: : Based on a Defiance DMK22C : : Chambered in .22LR : : Hydro-dipped in MultiCam Black

Text by MARTIN ANDERS Images by JERRY TSAI

Custom DMK22C 112

UN12 / Issue 003

UN12mag.com

113

Feature

I

t was about seven or eight years ago that Scott became enamored with shooting at night, and with

night vision devices in general. One of his old friends had

especially when he’s shooting purely for recreation. A couple

come back from deployment and introduced him to night

times a year he heads out for camping with the buddies or

shooting. Scott, like many others, had really only shot during

at times with his extended family. Like himself, some of his

daylight hours. Or even if he did shoot at night, it was at a

family members enjoy plinking, and doing it with his 5.56mm

well-lit range. One trip to a non-lit range one evening with his

carbines was costing him more than he wanted to spend.

buddy changed all that.

That’s when he decided a .22LR carbine would be a good

At the time, Scott’s friend had recently purchased a PVS-14 night vision monocle and an infrared (IR) laser unit and took

investment.

After looking around for AR-15-esque .22LR carbines,

him out to the range to sight in the laser that he had mounted

he realized there wasn’t

to his carbine. Scott had never used a night vision device or IR

one available that met

laser prior to that outing but was instantly blown away by what

his requirements. They

he experienced. After that night, Scott wanted to build a night

were either replicas that

vision setup of his own.

simply looked like an

Fast forward to current day. Scott has his own PVS-14 unit

114

Even though ammo prices have dropped in recent years, Scott was looking for a way to lower his cost of shooting,

AR-15 or actual ARs

along with a bunch of night vision gear that one usually ends

that were converted to

up buying when you dive into the night vision pool. “Yeah,

run .22LR. He figured

night vision gear isn’t cheap,” he says. “But if you want to do

that the replicas didn’t

it right, you’ve got to just buy once and cry once.” Over the

give him the real AR-15

years he’s taken his share of low-light and no-light tactical

controls and functionality

classes and has even competed in white light matches at the

that he wanted, and AR

local range. Along the way he built a night vision carbine. The

conversions can be finicky

5.56mm NATO chambered carbine is his go-to rifle when he

with the many types of

goes shooting at night.

.22LR ammo that are out

UN12 / Issue 003

“One of the major reasons he jumped on the DMK22 was that it readily takes AR-15 accessories. To that end, he stripped off everything but the lower receiver and started over.”

there. He wanted a dedicated system that feels like his

one that he built for night vision shooting. It was fitted with

other ARs but one that could run on almost any variation of

some cool guy gear and hydrodipped in MultiCam Black

.22LR ammo.

camouflage. (For more on that rifle, see the accompanying

Scott recalls: “I probably looked around for a year or two for

sidebar.) Although the .22LR isn’t intended to be used for low/

the perfect .22LR carbine, but I didn’t see any that I liked until

no-light shooting, he decided he wanted to customize the

one day a couple of years ago. I remember seeing a YouTube

DMK22C in its likeness anyway.

video where someone reviewed the Defiance DMK22C. It

One of the major reasons he jumped on the DMK22 was

seemed like what I was looking for. It used most of the same

that it readily takes AR-15 accessories. To that end, he

types of upgradeable control parts that a real AR-15 does,

stripped off everything but the lower receiver and started over.

has features such as bolt hold-open on an empty mag and

The factory upper receiver was replaced with a VLTOR MUR.

reportedly eats up any kind of .22LR you feed it.” He had to

The MUR receiver he chose to use doesn’t have a forward

investigate the DMK22C further. After visiting a dealer, he

assist, although the DMK22C’s bolt is capable of using one.

decided to take it on as a fun project to build up.

One of his favorite carbines to shoot and to look at is the

The bolt assembly is factory stock, but the barrel isn’t. He replaced the standard 16.5-inch length barrel with a Ruger

1 2 3 01

Defiance polymer BUIS are mounted to the upper’s top rail.

02 The optic is an Aimpoint T-1 red dot mounted on a Knight’s Armament Aimpoint micro mount.

03 The front BUIS is reversemounted to accommodate the SureFire M300C’s mounting points.

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Feature

2 3

10/22 barrel from Beyer Barrels, which is also 16.5 inches long. Yes, you read that right—the DMK22C accepts 10/22 barrels. Its barrel sleeve is unique in that it can be transferred to just about any barrel made for 10/22 for instant installation on any AR-15 upper receiver. Because Beyer barrels can be customized at the time they are ordered, he requested his Ultralight fluted to lighten it even more.

Completing the upper receiver is a V Seven Magnesium Hyper-Light M-LOK handguard in 13.5-inch length. The V Seven rail is made of a blend of aluminum and magnesium, which results in it weighing a scant 5.2 ounces. At the tip you’ll find a Phase 5 littleBOY Hex Brake. He found that the littleBOY was large enough to cover up some of the length of the 16.5-inch barrel and its 0.920 girth. The combination looks just right if you ask us.

The upper is outfitted with some top-tier accessories, including a set of G10 rail panels and an aluminum hand stop made by RailScales. The RailScales Karve is billed as a

Scott’s Low/No-Light Carbine The Defiance DMK22C featured in the article is

handguard and

based loosely on Scott’s low/no-light carbine.

a BCM barrel that

Outfitted with a DBAL-A2 and night vision

was dimpled by Adco

capable Aimpoint Micro T-1 red dot, he built this

Firearms to reduce weight

5.56 NATO carbine to run at night vision tactical

and for faster cooling.

classes.

A Knight’s Armament

The upper is comprised of a VLTOR MUR1A receiver with Knight’s Armament URX 3.1

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to a minimum. A Unity Tactical TAPS remote switch controls the rail-mounted SureFire M600V Scout Light, which is switchable

bi-directional stop because it is reversible for pull- or push-

1

pistol grip and Knight’s Armament trigger guard.

support grip styles. The honeycomb textured RailScales are

Also present for its looks is a Smoke Composites lightweight

aggressive, but Scott is fine with them even without gloves.

castle nut. It helps hold a V Seven Titanium QD endplate in place

He says he likes the aggressive non-slip grip. Unlike .22LR

and is attached to the Defiance Mil-Spec Bravo stock. Scott points

caliber AR clones, the DMK22C is capable of taking full-sized

out that the original SOPMOD stock is his all-time favorite, but he

charging handles. Scott made sure he installed one of his

wanted to keep this build light. So he went with what is in his opinion

favorites, the BCM Gunfighter Mod 5.

the next best thing.

The lower receiver is outfitted with an ambi-safety selector

In order to mimic the look of his other rifle, Scott sent the upper

switch made by Battle Arms Development and a Rise

and lower receivers, handguard, grip and buttstock to Stealth

Armament RA-434 single-stage drop-in trigger was installed.

Hydrographics in Kalispell, Montana, for a proper MultiCam Black

The RA-434 drops the pull weight down to about 3.5 pounds

dip job. Scott points out that he specifically wanted real MultiCam

5.56mm QDC 3-Prong Flash

from the stock trigger’s 6 pounds. The trigger is secured by

Black film to be used and not a lookalike knock-off. He finally found

Eliminator muzzle device helps keep flash

an older set of KNS non-rotating hammer and trigger pins.

Stealth Hydrographics, which uses licensed MultiCam film. He

Finishing up the lower are a Mission First Tactical EPG16

reports: “Sometimes sending your parts out to a place you found

between white and infrared light and provides plenty of either when required.

01 The fluted Beyer barrel terminates in a Phase 5 littleBOY Hex Brake.

02 The lower features a Battle Arms ambi safety selector and Rise Armament twostage trigger.

03 A BCM Gunfighter Mod 5 charging handle interfaces seamlessly with the BCG.

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Feature

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E X P L O D E D VIEW

Custom Defiance DMK22C

online can be a questionable proposition. That said, the staff at Stealth were great. They kept me informed throughout the process and had my parts back to me a lot quicker than I anticipated.”

Caliber: .22LR

Topping off the build are a few high quality and essential accessories to help Scott get the most out of his Defiance DMK22C. A set of Defiance polymer sights act as backups for a Knight’s Armament mounted Aimpoint T-1 red dot optic.

Mounted up front is a SureFire M300C MiniScout weaponlight

Length: 32.25-35.5 in.

Barrel: 16.5” Beyer Barrels Ultralight 10/22 Fluted Barrel Weight w/o Magazine: 5 lbs., 11 oz.

in a SureFire RM45 offset mount.

For a plinker, this is one decked-out .22LR carbine. When asked if he thought some of the upgrades were a bit overkill for a .22LR build, he grins and says, “I may get carried away with decking out my builds, but I have as much fun building them as I do shooting them, so it’s all good.” We can’t fault him there. [ UN12 ]

Featured Accessories: Optic: Aimpoint Micro T-1 Optic Mount: Knight’s Armament Aimpoint Micro Mount Upper Reciver: VLTOR MUR-1S Lower Receiver: Defiance DMK .22 Handguard: V Seven Magnesium Hyper Light 13.5” Stock: B5 Systems SOPMOD Bravo Magazine: Defiance Coating: MultiCam Black hydrodip by Stealth Hydrographics

: : For more on the base gun that this custom build was based on: Defiance DMK22C MSRP: $700 (unmodified) kriss-usa.com

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Parts & Accessories: Phase 5 littleBOY Hex Brake, Defiance Polymer BUIS, SureFire M300C, SureFire RM45 Mount, RailScales Honeycomb RailScales, RailScales Krave Hand Stop, BCM Gunfighter Mod 5 Charging Handle, Battle Arms Development BAD-ASS AmbiSafety Selector, KNS NonRotating Pins, Knights Arm Co. Trigger Guard, Mission First Tactical EPG16 Pistol Grip, V Seven Titanium QD Endplate, Smoke Composites Lightweight Castle Nut

About the Owner: Name: Scott D. Occupation: Geologist Special Thanks: Faye, Punch, Gary, Simon, Spencer and the Family

“Scott points out that he specifically wanted real MultiCam Black film to be used and not a lookalike knock-off.”

UN0012 / CARTRIDGES FOR WEAPONS, INERT PROJECTILE or CARTRIDGES, SMALL ARMS —

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119

DEPT.

Competition & Training

A

s with everything else in life,

years. Yeti believes in basing his classes

doing anything well boils down to

on each individual student’s goals,

getting the fundamentals down pat. This

abilities, skills and even their own

includes shooting. Your shooting stance,

mistakes to empower them to become

grip on the weapon, trigger control, aim

better, more efficient shooters and

and even your breathing are all factors

effective weapon manipulators.

that can affect your shot. Training and

fundamental shooting skills, Yeti

fundamentals become second nature.

shares his 4 Cones Drill with us. The

Steve “Yeti” Fisher, owner and

Shoot This Drill

Pushing the importance of

practice are important in making these

4 Cones Drill not only helps sharpen

lead instructor of Sentinel Concepts,

basic shooting fundamentals, but also

has been training shooters of all

improves rapid target engagement and

backgrounds and skill levels for 20

teaches shooters to trust their sights.

Total Shots: 30 Range Equipment: • 2 steel targets (Yeti recommends MGM B/C zone targets) • 4 cones (or anything that can be used to mark positions at the range) Shooter Equipment: • Enough pistol magazines to carry a total of 30 rounds • (1) 30-round carbine magazine • Shot timer

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR Steve Fisher, owner of Sentinel Concepts, has been a firearms student and instructor for 20 years.

He has worked for NTFT and Magpul Dynamics and was an assistant instructor for Pat Rogers at EAG Tactical, as well as other programs. Steve is a current industry consultant for various firearms, optics and

Text by JOHN SCOTT

AND STEVE “YETI” FISHER

components manufacturers.

Illustrations by CHARLES LASKY

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121 121

Competition & Training THE SETUP

RUNNING THE 4 CONES DRILL

DRILL VARIATIONS

Place the steel targets to

Using either pistol or carbine, start at

To change it up, the shooter can instead

the left and right limits of

either the left or right outside cone. On the

engage the closest piece of steel first, then

the range at approximately

timer, the shooter draws and engages the

the opposite-side steel.

20 to 30 yards apart.

opposite-side steel with one round, then

Rotate the targets inward

engages the same-side steel with one

students, shooters start at each outside

toward the center of the

round. Hit or miss, the shooter moves to the

cone at the same time, shooting the same

range. Place one cone

next cone closest and repeats the process,

drill, bypassing each other at the middle

matching each piece of

and then the next, moving all the way across

cones (or wherever they cross paths) while

steel at 15 to 25 yards up-

the range to the opposite side.

maintaining a one-meter muzzle rule and

range for pistol or 50 to 100

The shooter then repeats this drill in the

4 Cones Drill

In more advanced classes with competent

20-30 Yards

alternate muzzle positions to clear the

yards for carbine. Midway

opposite direction, shooting one round at

second person and any other students or

between the up-range

each piece of steel at each position, hit or

spectators. Yeti uses this variation of the 4

cones, place two cones

miss, then moving to the next cone. Repeat

Cones Drill more when he is training Police

approximately four feet

until 30 rounds are expended, with as many

SRT/SWAT members, as well as to drill white

apart.

magazine changes as necessary.

light use in low- to no-light training.

BE AWARE Working on your shooting skills, whether you’re running this drill or another, is important to skill building and practical familiarization with your gun. But remember, the focus must be on safe weapons handling. Aggressive movement, fast acceleration and deceleration, uneven terrain, increased heart rate and weapon transitions across larger spaces all contribute to greatly

2

increased information processing. Be aware of your surroundings and other shooters. Stay safe.

15-25 Yards

(50-100 Yards Carbine)

“Your shooting stance, grip on the weapon, trigger control, aim and even your breathing, are all factors that can affect your shot.

Training and practice are important in making these fundamentals become second nature.�

1

2

1

4 Feet

X

X

X +

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123

FEATURE

Customization

: : Based on Zero Tolerance Knives 0920 : : Personalized at home : : Originally designed by Les George

Personalized Knife Text by DANNY CHANG Images by MICHAEL GREY

ike guns or even cars, knives are often-

of it to be bland and badly in need of some

times personalized by their owners

style. For those who may not be familiar

to better reflect their personality, practical

with George, he’s a sought-after custom

requirements and sense of style. The knife

knifemaker whose handmade blades can

that you see here was not personalized by a

fetch hundreds if not thousands of dollars

professional knifemaker in a pro workshop,

per piece.

L

but by its owner, Joseph, and a couple of his friends in his buddy’s garage.

The original knife, a Zero Tolerance model

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UN12 // Issue Issue 003 003 UN12

Hand-making knives is a time-consuming and laborious endeavor and popular knifemakers are well known to have long

0920, was finished in an all-silver color with

backlogs of orders for their wares. In fact,

black hardware. While Joseph loved the Les

some of these wait times stretch into multiple

George-designed knife, he found the color

years. To alleviate some of the wait time,

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121

Customization: Knives

Specs Zero Tolerance Knives Model: 0920 MSRP: $300

07

URL: zt.kaiusaltd.com

02

Designer: Les George (georgeknives.net)

The hardware has been heat-treated to add color.

The handles are crafted from exotic titanium.

Zero Tolerance x Les George

01 Joseph anodized the handles himself with guidance from YouTube.

03 The gold-colored clip contrasts nicely with the blue anodizing.

Since 2006, Zero Tolerance Knives has been crafting hard-use knives for use by professionals in the military and law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical personnel. Proudly

04

“There is a learning curve to getting it right, and it’s especially steep when working on a $300 knife.”

making all their knives in Tualatin, Oregon,

collaborate with famed knifemakers to help make

blue that you see in the pictures.”

the company also works with sought-after knifemakers on collaborative design efforts. The

knife was all-black already, but sometimes I like

knife featured here is a personalized version of

on George’s Harpy line of blades, the 0920 is more

a little bling on my gear. Nothing garish, but I was

the Les George-designed ZT 0920. As one of

affordable, and more importantly available to be

looking to add some color in a tasteful way. Heat

Zero Tolerance’s partners, George was sought

purchased without the wait. They are, however,

can transform the color of metal, so I decided to

out for his approach to knives and knifemaking.

still made in limited quantities, albeit in greater

apply flame from a torch to the hardware to get

numbers than George’s handmade knives.

it to have a rainbow effect. The knife was easily

decade and served as a senior explosive

disassembled for torching.

ordnance disposal technician. He was trained

As mentioned earlier, Joseph loved the 0920, but

“If you examine the large piece of hardware at its

Les George was a U.S. Marine for over a

in skills such as explosive dynamic entry,

friends, he went ahead and personalized it using

base, where the blade meets the handle, you’ll see

advanced access and disablement, improvised

tools his friend had in his garage. We’ll let Joseph

the finish on it started to pit. That was due to my

explosives and devices, weapons of mass

take it from here and explain what work he and his

inexperience and the application of too much heat

destruction, close-quarters combat and others.

friends applied to the knife in his own words.

for too long. There is a learning curve to getting

From George’s bio: “As an EOD team leader

The Blade: “My favorite part of a blade is its

it right and it’s especially steep when working on

in Iraq, I oversaw over 300 EOD responses and

jimping, and George Design already did it to the

a $300 knife! The rest of the hardware came out

over 100 improvised explosive devices where

stock knife. I was thinking about sending the blade

pretty well.”

rendered safe. All of these experiences have

out to get laser engraving done, but I wasn’t sure

A friend braided 550 paracord to loop through the laynyard hole

Hardware: “The hardware that came on the

public. The 0920 is just one of these knives. Based

wished it had more personality. With the help of his

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power and watch them turn to the perfect shade of

their designs available en masse to the general

He considered modifying the blad, but in the end kept it stock.

122 126

large-scale knife manufacturers sometimes

Belt Clip: “I thought about installing one of those

given me a unique view of how I think knives and

if the serial number on the blade made it more

custom belt clips that seem to be popular with

limited or not and I didn’t want to risk losing it.

the custom knife guys right now, but the one that

This is a CPM 20V steel blade and I didn’t want to

comes on the knife is a yellow-gold color I think

been fortunate enough to have worked with

risk messing the blade up with adding serrations,

complemented the blue of the handles very well. I

and learned from some of the best knifemakers

which would be the only thing left that would make

also like the ZT logo and wanted to keep that too.

in the world. The maker most responsible for

it different than the way it came.”

If you look at the original all-silver colored knife on

my progression is Stan Fujisaka of Kaneohe,

ZT’s website, you can barely tell the belt clip is gold

Hawaii. I had been making knives for several

since it blends too much with the silver.”

years before I met Stan, but he opened the door

Titanium Handles: “This was the main thing I wanted to change. The all-silver stock look was so

tools should be designed, made and used.

“I began making knives in 1992 and have

boring for a knife with a $300 retail price tag. Since

Lanyard: “Les George designed the knife with

to a new level of knifemaking for me and shared

the handles are titanium, it made it easy to anodize

a lanyard hole in it, so naturally I had to use it. My

his considerable knowledge with me freely. I will

to a different color using a power source and some

friend braided 550 paracord in gray for added

continue to refine my craft and to build on all that

household chemicals. Believe it or not, I learned

functionality. In the knife enthusiast world, I’ve seen

I have learned so far.”

how to anodize metal solely by watching YouTube

some crazy braid designs and it’s a very real thing.

videos. After practicing on a few scraps of metal,

This braid looks clean and is very strong.”

I dipped the titanium handles in, hooked up the

[ UN12 ]

For more about Les George and his knives, visit his website at georgeknives.net.

UN12mag.com UN12mag.com

123 127

FEATURE

Customization

Wetwerks USA Text & Images by JERRY TSAI

O

ne of the guiding mantras that Eric

that he might have helped them out a little too

Valdes, founder of Wetwerks USA,

well—to his benefit.

keeps in mind when he’s designing his

Dialing it back yet a few more years before

custom pistol slide cuts is “simple is better.”

Wetwerks became a thing, you would have

Focusing exclusively on handgun slide

found Valdes knee-deep in cars, helming

customization, Wetwerks has made quite

the R&D department for a major aftermarket

a name for itself in the pistol customization

high-performance automotive parts and

community.

accessories company. He designed

Known for their cool, modern look,

everything from fuel rails to manifolds and

Wetwerks’ customized slides are popular

beyond. In such a looks-driven market, he

with shooters of all types as well as custom

knew that he needed to design parts that not

gun collectors. The Southern California-

are only functional, but look cool as well.

based company was officially founded in

Valdes adds: “Back when I ran the R&D

2015 after Valdes found himself in a position

department, I made parts look good. Because

to start the company due to high demand

when you spend money on something, your

for his creations. He modestly points out

first impression of that part when you open

that he never intended to start up a gun

the box sets the tone from there on out.

customization company; he only wanted to

Customers open up that box and they want

help some of his friends out. You could say

to be excited. You want them to be happy and

“Customers open up that box and they want to be excited. You want them to be happy and satisfied about their purchase.”

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121 129

Customization: Wetworks USA satisfied about their purchase. The worst thing you can do to a customer is to deliver something subpar.”

Armed with years of practical design and machining experience, Valdes eventually decided to strike out on his own. He opened up a machine shop to take on CNC-based design and machine work. One day one of his buddies, who is a law enforcement officer, came to him with a slide that had been poorly machined by someone else. He asked Valdes if he could somehow fix the other machinist’s mistakes. Always up for creative challenges, he took on the job. The result was a nice-looking slide that satisfied his friend enough to show it to his regular gunsmith.

Said gunsmith was so impressed by the custom work he commissioned Valdes to do more. Soon the jobs were flowing in to the point where he needed to dedicate more time to the gun side of his business. Wetwerks USA was born. While not a full-service FFL customizer, Wetwerks is a machine shop whose sole focus is turning your pistol slide into a functional piece of art at a reasonable price. They can also have slides finished in any number of finishes, from custom Cerakote jobs to various metal treatments. Slide work typically varies in the $400 to $500 range, which can be more affordable than others.

Valdes enjoys seeing customers come back

“My work was more aesthetic than tactical.

Some of the stuff I did had a purpose, but a lot of what I did was just to make the gun look cool.”

to get multiple pistols worked on as opposed to only being able to afford one. He attributes his business’s pricing model to lessons learned from his father, who was a machinist in the aerospace industry. He learned early on that pure designers often design things in a way that make machining them difficult or very expensive to do. With that in mind, Valdes makes sure that all of his designs look good and function perfectly, but are also easy to machine. Less time on the CNC means savings for the customer.

When asked what put his company on the map, Valdes quickly pointed out that the company’s Step one is designing modifications in a CAD program.

Wetworks USA

Cobra Kut was a breakout sensation. Material on the front of the slide is removed to form what resembles a cobra’s hood. He first applied that cut to a Springfield XD and has since adapted it to Smith & Wesson M&Ps and Glocks as well.

Valdes expands upon his style: “I have a different eye for cuts. I wasn’t copying what everyone else was doing. It was a simpler time when I started, when most pistol mods were for tactical use. My work was more aesthetic than tactical. Some of the stuff I did had a purpose,

Step two is where the magic is put into practice: the CNC mill.

but a lot of what I did was just to make the gun look cool. You can have all that tactical stuff, but you still want it to look aesthetically pleasing.”

That said, he stresses that his modified slides are made to function flawlessly as well as look good. [ UN12 ]

For more on Wetwerks USA, visit their website at wetwerksusa.com and follow them on Instagram at @wetwerksusa.

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Product Review

: : Compatible with Glock, M&P and Beretta magazines : : Fits any Mil-Spec AR-15 lower

Mag-AD Magazine Adapter

: : Ergonomic magazine release button

Text by MARTIN ANDERS Images by MICHAEL GREY

S

o you want to lob pistol-caliber

allow them accept Glock magazines. This is

projectiles from your AR but don’t want

where Stern Defense steps in.

to have to buy a dedicated lower receiver

In an attempt to perfect their magazine

in order to do so? No sweat. As you might

adapter, Stern took a look at what worked,

already be aware, there are plenty of magazine

what didn’t and what could use improvement.

well adapters available on the market designed

The Mag-AD series of magazine adapters was

to help convert your .223 Remington/5.56

born. After being able to handle and use the

NATO AR-15 magwell to one sized perfectly for

Mag-AD, it occurred to us that Stern didn’t

accepting pistol-caliber magazines.

set out to simply improve magazine adapters,

Over the years we’ve messed around with

caliber AR shooters. The fact that your pistol

“The fact that your pistol and carbine can feed the same ammunition from the same source is a desirable trait to many for obvious reasons.”

and carbine can feed the same ammunition

but wanted to make all the other adapters that

from the same source is a desirable trait to

came before obsolete.

our fair share of different AR-15 pistol-caliber magazine adapters and found some of them to be garbage. But many of them are more than adequate at performing the job that they were designed to do, which is getting pistolcaliber ammunition to feed reliably in an AR-15 platform rifle. Most if not all of those adapters, however, used Colt-pattern or modified Uzi magazines. While not exactly endangered species, Colt and Uzi mags aren’t commonly found in most gun owners’ magazine collections, either.

In more recent times, ARs that feed off of Glock magazines have become much more common and universally embraced by pistol-

many for obvious reasons.

When Glock magazine capable ARs were

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UN12 / Issue 003

Unlike most of the mag adapters that we’ve seen before, the Mag-AD checks all

first introduced, they required dedicated

the boxes. Other adapters we’ve used in the

lower receivers. Since then, companies have

past have required bolt catch removal or other

released magazine adapters that can be

partial disassembly of the lower receiver for

installed in a standard AR-15’s magwell to

installation. The Mag-AD on the other hand

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133

Product Review: Stern Defense UN0012 / CARTRIDGES FOR WEAPONS, INERT PROJECTILE or CARTRIDGES, SMALL ARMS —

If you want to switch back to having access

requiring only two Allen keys to screw in three

piece that helps secure the adapter so that an

to your regular magwell, you can uninstall

setscrews. In fact, we were able to install the

inadvertent push of the lower receiver’s mag

the adapter by simply loosening the larger

adapter in about a minute tops. Two smaller

release button doesn’t dump the adapter out.

setscrew and then pressing the mag release

setscrews help with the positioning of the

The adapter works with any standard Mil-Spec

button to release it like you would when

adapter inside the magwell, while the largest of

lower receiver.

ejecting a magazine. The adapter is made in the USA and is constructed from hard-coat anodized Type III 6061-T6 aircraft-grade aluminum. We found the machine work to be clean with nice finished edges and no evidence of machining marks. The Mag-AD’s feed ramp has been thoughtfully 4140 NiB coated to help bullets feed smoothly.

In addition to its easy and solid installation, there are three more attributes that we absolutely love about the Mag-AD. The first is that it features a no-hassle last round bolt hold open feature. We’ve had to tangle with other pistol carbine builds in the past where getting the bolt to lock back on an empty mag was all trial and error. In our experience with the MagAD, the mag locked back reliably without any need for tuning the mag ejector.

Another factor that stood out was its wellplaced magazine release. The release button is located on the bottom of the right side of the adapter at a perfect distance to your trigger

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UN12 / Issue 003

AD that accept Smith & Wesson 9mm and .40 caliber and Beretta 92 9mm magazines as well. Being M&P fans, we rejoiced in being able to use our existing M&P mags with our 9mm AR-15.

In order to use the Mag-AD, a pistol-caliber upper is required. Stern points out that the adapter requires your choice of a 9mm or .40 caliber barrel and a compatible Glock cut-style bolt. For those who have a Colt style bolt, you can send it out to Stern to get it cut.

We had the chance to use both the Glock and M&P versions of the Mag-AD with a wide selection of magazines from different manufacturers and generations. Each of

finger. The ergonomic mag release is pushed

the magazines we used worked and we

forward to release a magazine and has a solid,

detected only minimal play in the fit of certain

positive feel to it. Of course, this is from the

magazines.

viewpoint of a right-handed shooter. Lefties

Overall, we were extremely pleased with the

: : For more on Stern Defense Mag-AD magazine adapters:

or those shooting with their off hand would

design, feel, function and look of the Mag-AD.

probably need to use their right hand to eject

If Stern wants to make this the be-all, end-all

Stern Mag-AD

the magazine.

adapter, we think an ambidextrous solution

MSRP: $180-$187 getstern.com

As mentioned earlier, the Mag-AD is made

would be a great addition to an already feature-

to accept Glock magazines, specifically 9mm

packed unit. But as it stands now, it looks as

and .40 caliber magazines of all generations.

if Stern may have produced the magazine

We’re pleased to mention that Stern went the

adapter to beat.

extra mile and also made versions of the Mag-

[ UN12 ]

UN12

the three setscrews tightens an internal wedge

UN12

is not permanent and is simple to install,

“After being able to handle and use the MagAD, it occurred to us that Stern didn’t set out to simply improve magazine adapters, but wanted to make all the other adapters that came before it obsolete.”

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135

DEPT.

Key Influencers Visionaries that drive trends and influence not only fellow enthusiasts, but companies as well, often garner thousands of followers based on which images they share. The following featured influencers have built up a good reputation for their expertise, style, knowledge or opinions in the gun space. But what makes them so interesting? Let’s find out.

RACHEL @rachelbee333

A few IG accounts that we found to be follow-worthy

Hailing from the great state of Georgia, Rachel is a lifelong shooter and firearms enthusiast. She has built up an audience

@branabllyr

@cal_tenn

@deadfootarms

@edc_reveal

@etchedordnance

@johnny_2a_hoel

@scaarat

@statementdefense

of more than 175,000 followers on Instagram by posting all manners of gun pictures and the many other hijinks that she gets into. Rachel proudly displays her love for shooting events

INSTA-03

and her penchant for historical weapons on her IG account; be sure to follow her to keep up.

Name/Handle:

Rachel Bee/ Rapidfire Rachel Location:

Atlanta, Georgia Job:

Bartender by day, dinosaur hunter by night. In my spare time I also manage event coordinating for local restaurants.

Who:

I’m a lifelong shooter and firearms enthusiast.

Georgia born and raised with a passion for shooting sports and love of historical weapons!

Trend:

The normalization of suppressors; they've gone from something everyone thought was illegal to something a large

number of gun owners have and use.

you get from steel.

Lame:

.22LR conversion kit for the 1919A4

The crazy boom of longrange niche calibers.

Favorite:

Lately I’ve been all about the BREN LMG. Caliber:

.45-70 Paper or Steel:

I love the instant feedback

Last Purchase:

Style:

Classic wood furniture.

Why:

To share my adventures at various shooting events and document my journey through different shooting sports!

MATT @fridgeoperator Matt is an avid competition shooter and hunter. He started his Instagram account in college and in under two years has built up an audience of over 36,000 followers.

“I love having genuine conversations with my followers and people all across Instagram. I think it’s a really important tool everyone in the community can use to get together and talk about firearms along with the lifestyle.”

Trend: Name/Handle:

Matt-FridgeOperator

People buying high quality gear and learning how to use it through training.

Location:

Lame:

Grand Rapids, Michigan Job:

Special Education Teacher Who:

Thrill seeker who loves the outdoors, firearms and helping people learn along the way.

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UN12 / Issue 003

Zombie Edition everything.

Favorite:

I’ve been loving my Mk 12 Mod 0.

Caliber:

9mm

Paper or Steel:

Steel all the way.

Popular IG tags to follow:

Last Purchase:

Sig Sauer Rattler Style:

I love functional upgrades that serve a purpose.

#pewpew #instaguns

Why:

I share my passion and love for firearms with my followers. I put out the best possible content while giving people a screenshot of daily life for a law-abiding gun owner.

@tommybuilt

Win glory for yourself and your collection and gain

#gun

hoards of IG followers. Tag

#2a

if you’d like a chance for your

#gunsdaily

future issue of UN12.

us with the hashtag #un12ig IG account to be featured in a

UN12mag.com

137

RETAIL DIRECTORY

UN12 is a specialty magazine that is printed in limited quantities and is not available everywhere. Find your copy at these select retailers before it sells out.

CA

LA

Kings River Coatings 2491 Avenue 400 Kingsburg, CA 93631 Tel: (559) 246-6426 URL: yooying.com/kingsrivercoatings

Iron Sights Weaponary Woodland Trace Ct. Sorrento, LA 70778 Tel: (833) 476-6486 URL: facebook.com/ironsightswpn/

OC Armory 23012 Del Lago Dr., Suite B Laguna Hills, CA 92653 Tel: (949) 768-5189 URL: ocarmory.com Rifle Gear 18065 Mount Shay St. Fountain Valley, CA 92708 Tel: (949) 209-6413 URL: riflegear.com Tactical Pro Shop 3503 W. Burbank Blvd.

Burbank, CA 91505 Tel: (818) 468-7837 URL: tacticalproshop.com

CO Danger Close Armament 6801 S. Emporia St #102 Greenwood Village, CO 80112 Tel: (720) 638-6572 URL: dangerclosearmament.com

NH 2A Tactical 99 Tolend Road Barrington, NH 03825 Tel: (978) 833-1215 URL: 2atacticalnh.com

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UN12 / Issue 003

NW Safe Company 830 Cole St. Enumclaw, WA 98022 Tel: (360) 825-5953 URL: nwsafe.com

NV

Pantel Tactical 16926 116th Ave SE Renton, WA 98058 Tel: (425) 282-4186 URL: panteltactical.com

New Frontier Armory 150 E. Centennial Pkwy., Suite #110 N. Las Vegas, NV 89084 Tel: (702) 479-1470 URL: newfrontierarmory.com

Rainier Arms 2504 Auburn Way N Auburn, WA 98002 Tel: (253) 218-2999 URL: rainierarms.com

TX Custom Defense Firearms 1911 E. Rancier Ave. Killeen, TX 76541 Tel: (408) 597-4867 URL: customdefensefirearms.com Rifle Gear 6101 Windhaven Pkwy., Suite 145 Plano, TX 75093 Tel: (972) 292-7678 URL: riflegear.com

Rehv Arms 27623 Covington Way SE #2 Covington, WA 98042 Tel: (253) 630-5900 URL: rehvarms.com

INTERNATIONAL RETAILERS

CANADA Canadian Tactical Cowboy Supplies URL: ctcsupplies.ca

BELGIUM DTS-Armory Tel: +31475202153 URL: dts-armory.com

NETHERLANDS DTS-Armory Tel: +31475202153 URL: dts-armory.com

ONLINE RETAILERS rainerarms.com UN12mag.com

WA Grey Ghost Gear 2916th 107th St. South Lakewood, WA 98499 Tel: (253) 984-7854 URL: greyghostgear.com

If you are a retailer that would like to carry UN12 in your store, contact us at: retailer@un12mag.com

sigsauer.com

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