BCM Gunfighter Compensator Mod 0

The BCM Gunfighter Compensator Mod O has been out for a while now and I've had it for a few months; here's what I've found.

Pros:
-The dimensions match up with the standard bird cage so suppressors that use the A2 will work on this.    As will blank firing adaptors.
-Helps with muzzle rise vs the A2
-No where near as much side blast as side ported brakes/comps
-Stainless steel construction.
-This is the standard size (Mod 0) but the Mod 1 is available to be used on 14.5'' pinned barrels to comply with NFA laws
-Retails for $90 +/- $10
-Less flash signature than standard side ported comps

Cons:
-Not as much muzzle movement reduction as the Battlecomp (but it costs less than the Battlecomp).   The recoil impulse feels like the gun wants to move a little right or left rather than up or back.

Here's a review with some day and night shooting, a side by side comparison of the flash signature with the Battlecomp, and a discussion of the pros and cons of the comp:

HK Translucent AR-15 Polymer Magazine Review

I did a little shooting with the H&K translucent mag and here's my initial impressions:

Pros:
-0 issues at all
-Both steel & brass case ammo feed flawlessly
-Bolt locks open on last round
-Good texturing on mag body
-They look good
-Did well when dropped on their feed lips on concrete repeatedly (see video)
-Disassembles easily

Cons:
-Price.  These are coming to market at $20/ea
-Thicker than other mags, may be an issue in double mag pouch set-ups.

Here's the review with a bunch of shooting, a discussion of the pros/cons, disassembly, and a drop test:

Inforce APL Light Revew

I've been using my APL for a while now, here's what I've found...

Pros:

-Cost.  The light can be had for around $100

-The activation paddles are very easy to activate and ambidextrous

-Uses relatively common CR123 battery

-Mounts easily

-Comes with two mounting brackets---universal and 1913

-200 C4 LED output.   It's a nice white light with a good peripheral cone.

-O ring sealed

-Lightweight.   Weighs 2.8oz.

Cons:

-It's not as bright as some lights on the market but brightness isn't an end all, be all on a weapon light.

-1.5hr runtime (but only uses 1 battery vs. 2 for most weapon lights.

Here's a review of the light with a side by side comparison with some other weapon lights at night, some shooting, and a discussion of the pros and cons:

S&W Shield Defensive Ammo Test

There are lots of debates out there about what ammo to use in the new breed of short barreled 9mm guns.  So, I brought a few loads to test from my S&W Shield 9mm.  Here's what I found:

Test conditions: 
-S&W Shield with a 3.1'' barrel

-Test rounds fired from 10 feet 
-"FBI spec" (Their term, not mine...) Clear Ballistics gel block
 

Results:

Remington UMC 115gr JHP

-1065 FPS/292 FT/LBS energy

-18.5'' of penetration

Winchester Ranger 115gr JHP

-989 FPS/250 FT/LBS energy

-16'' of penetration

Federal HST 124gr JHP

-990 FPS/270 FT/LBS energy

-13.5'' penetration

Federal HST 124gr JHP +p

-1071 FPS/316 FT/LBS energy

-12'' of penetration

Speer Gold Dot 124gr +p

-1176 FPS/382 FT/LBS energy

-15.5'' penetration

Brown Bear 115gr FMJ (since some folks say you need FMJ out of these guns for 'adequate' penetration)

-1046 FPS/279 FT/LBS energy

-26'' of penetration

To see the test, the results, and the actual expansion of the round when I pulled them out of the gel block check out the video test below:

Here's the video showing the test, the permanent cavity, both shots into the gel, and a discussion of the results:

Magpul 40 Round PMag Review

I've been using these mags for a couple weeks now and here's a quick rundown of the new 40 round Gen M3 PMag from Magpul...

Pros:

-100% reliable in all of my riles thus far.

-Compatible with HK 416, SCAR 16, SA80, MK 16, Tavor, ect...

-According to Magpul, more durable than Gen2 MOE PMags

-Same marking system as all Gen M3 PMags

-40 rounds is obviously cooler than 30 rounds

-Compatible with the Maglink

Cons:

-Firing from the prone

-They're tough to find currently

-Currently only out in black

Here's a video review with some shooting, a couple drop tests while loaded, and a discussion/demonstration of the pros and cons:

Golden Tiger 7.62x39 FMJ Gel Test

Finished up the testing of the Golden Tiger 7.62x39 124gr FMJBT round.  Here are the conditions and results. 

Test conditions: 
-16'' SGL21

-Test rounds fired from 15 feet 
-"FBI spec" (Their term, not mine...) Clear Ballistics gel block
 

Chrono Data: 

-2367 feet per second

-1542 foot pounds of energy 

Results:

-1st shot tumbled out of the 2nd gel block

-2nd shot stopped at 29.5''

-Good tumbling can be seen along the wound track

Here's the video showing the test, the permanent cavity, both shots into the gel, and a discussion of the results:

Federal 5.56 Mod0 62gr Mod0 SOST Gel Test

Finished up the testing of the Federal 5.56 62gr Mod0 OTM SOST round.  Here are the conditions and results. 

Test conditions: 
-16'' CHF PSA barrel

-Test rounds fired from 15 feet 
-"FBI spec" (Their term, not mine...) Clear Ballistics gel block
 

Chrono Data: 

-2997 feet per second

-1235 foot pounds of energy 

Results:

-1st shot passed through 32'' of gel

-2nd shot stopped at 32''

-Fragmentation occurred along the way

Here's the video showing the test, the permanent cavity, both shots into the gel, and a discussion of the results: