We took Armasight’s Commander 640 thermal weapon sight and Warden 640 thermal monocular into a West Texas night hunt where game cams love to lie. The thermals did not. Here’s what impressed me, what annoyed me, and how the rig performed when hogs finally showed.
Brian McCombie (Writer)
A full-time writer, Brian’s work focuses on hunting and firearms, day and thermal optics, and other shooting gear. He’s been fortunate enough to hunt much of the USA and Canada. His favorite hunt is chasing Texas hogs at night using a suppressed rifle outfitted with a thermal scope.
Dream hunt: Alaskan brown bear.
He’s taken handgun self-defense courses and long-range rifle classes for hunters. Brian continues to dive deeply into the new technologies so much a part of today’s hunting and shooting experiences.
His top firearms include AR-15’s and AR-10’s, double-stack 1911’s, and lever actions.
Experience:
Full-time writer since 1994
Has used thermal optics for over a decade
Written hundreds of firearm reviews and hunting stories
Loves the tech: night vision, thermals, suppressors, apps, etc.
Favorite handgun caliber, 10MM AUTO!
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Girsan Witness 2311 BRAT OR: Carry More, Shoot Fast
Published: October 26, 2025 { 5 comments }Compact double-stack 1911 with a 3.4 inch barrel, 17+1 on board, and a crisp trigger. We ran the optics-ready BRAT with Shield’s OMSsc to see if this RMS-cut carry gun really delivers.
Ravin R470 Crossbow: Price, Specs, and 100 Yard Groups
Published: October 19, 2025 { 3 comments }More recently, Ravin debuted the R470E XK7 model featuring the company’s Electric Drive System that allows you to cock and de-cock the crossbow with the push of a button. The Ravin Electric Drive consists of a 12-volt battery and motor unit that can be easily detached for storage or to recharge.
The Bear Creek Arsenal AR-15 Complete 7.62×39 Rifle
Published: May 25, 2025 { 13 comments }The Bear Creek Arsenal’s new rifle is a hybrid of sorts: an AR-15 platform rifle chambered in the popular “AK-round.” It also features a side-charging handle.
The PX-5.7 Pistol from SDS Arms
Published: May 18, 2025 { 9 comments }I ran 150 rounds of 5.7x28mm ammunition through the Tisas PX-5.7 semi-automatic pistol. It proved itself a solid, reliable firearm during my shooting.
Meprolight MMX3 Micro Magnifier Review
Published: March 16, 2025 { 0 comments }What if distances are longer and/or the shooter’s vision isn’t what it used to be? That’s why Meprolight made the MMX3 Micro Magnifier!
Back to School: The 5.7 Fest and a 5.7x28mm Education
Published: March 1, 2025 { 5 comments }Day Two of the Fest also saw us shooting into clear ballistic gel. For the self-defense 5.7 rounds, 12- to 14-inches of penetration was about the average.
Kimber’s Stainless II 1911: One Classy Shooter
Published: November 17, 2024 { 7 comments }First, this is a high-quality 1911, chambered in .38 Super, and is very accurate. This reliable semi-automatic action sports a first-class trigger, fine sights, and many more positive features.
10MM Double Stack 1911 – EAA and Girsan’s New Hunter 10 Is Field Ready
Published: September 3, 2024 { 1 comment }The Witness2311 Hunter 10 is a solid choice for my handgun hunting of deer and hogs. I found a holster and many excellent 10MM ammo types to match up with the Hunter 10.
A Precise Red Dot: Shield’s Mini Sight Compact (RMSc)
Published: August 24, 2024 { 3 comments }I took several seconds to curse myself, then took a breath, realigned my red dot sight on my target, and shot once more.