HSP WML Weapon Light

I've had the HSP WML for about a month now and have been running in on a couple long guns.  Here's what I've found so far...

Pros:
-Cost.  The light can be had for around $120 shipped.
-Uses one 3V CR2 lithium battery.
-Easy on/off mounting.  Very secure once mounted
-It handles recoil well.  No issues on the 12ga pump shotguns
-Momentary on/off only.  I generally prefer simple on/off controls on defensive lights but this may be a "con" for some folks.
-200 lumen output
-Has two methods of preventing it from accidently being activated (1. twist the bezel or put up the hinge on the back of the light to prevent it from being hit by gear/ect...)
-Lightweight.  3oz with battery (includes mount)
-1.5 hour constant run time.
-Cost.  Comes in at around $109

Cons:
-Only comes in black (due to it being the strongest polymer)



Here's a video showing some day/night shooting, a comparison with a 104 lumen LED Maglite and a Surefire X300U, a deomonstration of the mounting system, and a discussion of the pros and cons of the light:

Underwood Ammo 357SIG Gold Dot Gel Test

Finished up the testing of the Underwood Ammo 125gr Gold Dot 357SIG round.  Here are the conditions and results. 

Test conditions: 
-Glock 22 with a G31 barrel
-Test rounds fired from 10 feet 
-"FBI spec" (Their term, not mine...) Clear Ballistics gel block
-4 layers of denim 

Results: 
-1558 FPS, 673 FT/LBS Energy
-17'' of penetration 

-Recovered weight: 124gr

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

Hornady TAP FPD 12 Gauge 00 Buckshot VersaTite Ballistics Gel Test

Just finished up the testing of the #00 Hornady TAP buckshot round.

Here are the conditions and results.

Test conditions:
-18.5'' Remington 870 barrel (no aftermarket chokes, as it comes from the factory)
-Test rounds fired from 10 feet
-FBI spec (their term) Clear Ballistics gel block
-4 layers of denim

Results:
-1429 fps average velocity
-17-25'' of penetration
Here's the video showing the test, the permanent cavity, and a discussion of the results:

How to Clean & Yubricate Your Smith & Wesson M&P Pistol

AK-47 (AKM) Muzzle Device Flash Test

I took a few AK muzzle devices out to the range at night to see how much muzzle flash each would produce with Golden Tiger 124gr FMJ ammo.   The muzzle devices were:

-Krebs Custom Birdcage
-Damage Industries Brake
-CNC Warrior 4 Piece
-Yankee Hill Phantom
-Tapco Slot Device
-K-Var "AK 74" Brake

Top two at reducing muzzle flash were the CNC Warrior and Yankee Hill Phantom.   The Krebs Birdcage wasn't too far behind....

Here's the video showing the results so you can see for yourself:

MWG IK-520 Bulgarian 40 Round AR Magazine

It seems the panic for AR mags is slowly dying down but a mag that's relatively new to the US market (I think I got mine at the end of 2011, maybe early 2012) is availible pretty consistently from a couple websites (Midway, mwgco.com, and others....).  Here's what I've found so far...

Pros:

-Reliable.  I've never had a malfunction using these mags.
-Available.  They're in stock and ready to ship.
-Designed Ivan Kolev (designed the SLR 106 mags for those that care about that kind of thing)
-Steel reinforced feed lips.  Lots of folks prefer this over the all polymer competitors. Me, I don't have a preference either way as both Lancer and PMags have been extremely reliable for me over the years and one uses metal, one doesn't...
-The ribbing gives a good positive grip on the mag when inserting it.
-They weigh 6 oz
-No issues with inserting when fully loaded and they drop free.

Cons:

-They're not going to fit in a lot of mag pouches.
-They call their follower a "stable, level follower" but I'd rather see an anti-tilt design personally.  Again, they've always been reliable but non anti-tilt followers just make me think of old school USGI mags... and not in a good way.
-Cost.  They're $25 which may not be too bad these days but deals can still be found on 30 rounders so the cost may be prohibitive for some.

Here's a video review where I do a little shooting, break down the magazine, compare it to a D&H mag (with Magpul follower), and discuss the pros and cons of the mags:

Battlecomp 1.0 Review

I finally broke down and dished out the cash for the Battlecomp 1.0 & I've been using it on a couple ARs for a few month now and here's what I've found:

Pros:
-Very good muzzle control during rapid fire strings.
-Minimal flash signature (see video for the night shooting).  Similar to A2; perhaps slighly more but not much.
-Minimal side blast. 
-Machined stainless steel with a black oxide finish.   It's holding up quite well.
-Crush washer included (it just annoys me when they're not...)
-Carbon doesn't seem to build up in any one spot on it so it requires minimal cleaning.

Cons:
-Cost.  It sells for around $120 +/- $15

Here's a video with some day and night shooting, a discussion of specs and my overall thoughts on the brake:

Sig Sauer Mosquito 22LR

22LR pistols and rifles are becoming more and more popular these days due to rising ammo cost and an increased interest in general preparedness.    Sig's 22LR pistol offering is the Mosquito and here's what I've found with it so far...

Pros: 
-Bottom line up front---cheap to shoot.  Who doesn't like that?
-Accurate.  The fixed barrel design lends itself to good accuracy. 
-Ergonomics.  It's a 90% scaled down P226 and many new shooters I've lent it out to like the smaller grip circumference.
-Many different finishes available
-3 dot adjustable sights 
-MIL/LE pricing is available
-With the exception of the slide mounted safety the controls mimic it's bigger brothers in the Sig line up making weapons manipulation drills applicable to the guns many would use in a real world environment.

Cons: 
-More complex to break down and maintain than some competitors (not bad by any means but I can see how some new shooters would be intimidated by it).
-10 round magazines standard
-Magazine cost
-Like many 22LR pistols, it seems to be somewhat picky about ammo.
-Magazine cost

Here's a video with some day & night shooting, disassembly/assembly of the pistol, and discussion of the pros/cons of the pistol.

Streamlight TLR-4 Laser/Light Combo

Lots of shooters out there think they need a laser and light for their defensive guns but don't want to break the bank to have that capability; that's the niche the Streamlight TLR-4 is trying to fill.   Here's what I've found in my testing.
Pros:
-Cost.  The light can be had for around $120 shipped.
-Uses one 3V CR2 lithium battery.
-Fits on most modern rail systems and has a couple different inserts for secure fitting
-It handles recoil well.  I've used the light on my G20 with hot ammo as well as on an AK with 0 issues from the recoil
-Toggle switch allows either laser only, light only, or both on function modes.
-110 lumen output.   It's a nice white light with a good peripheral cone.
-Relatively small (2.7'' long) which a lot of guys like for use on medium frame handguns (G19/P229/ect..).
-Lightweight.   Weighs 2.8oz with batteries.
-1.5 hour constant run time.
-Uses a common rocker system for both momentary on and constant on operation.
-Laser is windage/elevation adjustable for zeroing the laser.


Cons:
-It is secured with a clip (see video for explanation/demonstration) to mount to a rail.
-It's not as bright as some lights on the market.

Summary:

It's a good light for those on a budget that want a light they can depend on backed up by a good warranty should an issue ever arise.  Is it the brightest light on the market?  Nope.   But it's probably bright enough for most shooters needs and certainly bright enough to momentarily disorient an attacker if shined in their eyes.

Here's a video showing the light in use on several guns, a comparison with the 300 lumen TLR1 and a 104 lumen LED Maglite, followed by a demonstration of how it mounts and how to operate the light:

Mrgunsngear Meets Internet Commando!

Just having a little fun with some of the crazy comments I get from a few folks out there that would benefit from a little field experience instead of couch experience.......

Smith & Wesson Sigma 40 Review

Sigma pistols have a mixed record among the shooting public with many saying they're complete garbage while others saying they're a great bang for your buck.  Here's what I've found of them over the years as well as specifically the Sigma 40 
Pros: 
-Price.  These guns can be had for roughly $300 +- $50 even today
-Fairly accurate pistols.  In terms of inherent accuracy, this gun groups around 3'' at 25 yards with most defensive ammo (seems to like 165gr loads)

-Reliability.   I know some will (truthfully) report otherwise but every Sigma pistol I've laid my hands on has been very reliable.-Easy to maintain 
-Easy to field strip
-Good amount of aftermarket support
-14+1 capacity
-Smith & Wesson has excellent customer service 
-Requires very little cleaning/lubrication to run reliably 
-Ergonomic frame-Trigger has a positive reset

Cons: 
-Trigger.  This has been slightly improved in the newer "SD" models but the Sigma trigger is heavy (this one around 9lbs) and has an overly long reset point.
-The rail doesn't work with most modern lights/lasers.   There are adaptors (as shown in the video) available however.

All in all it's a decent gun for shooters looking to not spend a lot of money but still have a reliable platform.   Would it be my first choice?  No, but there are worse options out there in my opinion.

Here's a video with a little shooting, disassembly/assembly of the pistol, a size comparison with other guns, and a discussion of the pros and cons of the pistol.

Springfield Armory XD40 SC Review

XD pistols are somewhat controversial in the gun community; some love them while others feel they're not quite up to par with the other polymer wonders on the market today.  I'll try to take that on one pro and con at a time as well as cover the specifics to the gun that is the subject of the review here, the XD40 ....

Pros: 
-Price.  Before the current madness many base model XD pistols could be had for under $400
-Accurate.  I've owned many XD(s) over the years and they're as accurate as any of their competitors in my experience
-Easy to maintain 
-Easy to field strip
-Good amount of aftermarket support
-9+1 or 12+1 capacity 
-Springfield Armory has excellent customer service 
-Melonite finish
-Requires very little cleaning/lubrication to run reliably 
-Fully supported feed ramp
-Loaded chamber indicator for ease of low light chamber checks
-Has an accessory rail for lights/lasers/combo units
-Trigger has a positive reset

Cons: 
-Reliability.  As stated earlier, I've had several XD(s) and 2 needed to go back to SA for reliability issues.  This one has been flawless however
-Detail stripping is more work than many competitors and relies heavily on roll pins.  The striker retainer pin seems to have an unusually high failure rate which will deadline the gun if it fails when you lease want it to.
-The sights are machine pressed into the slide so if you want to replace them it's harder than most pistols.  Do-able for sure but easy it is not.
-The bore axis is high for a striker fired gun
-Relatively heavy.  The 40 SC comes in at 26oz unloaded vs 20oz for a G27

Here's a video with a little shooting, disassembly/assembly of the pistol, and a discussion of the pros and cons of the pistol.