Gear Reviews

If you shoot a lot most likely you buy your .223/5.56 ammo in bulk, as military surplus or overruns. Often this ammo comes on stripper clips, and in the metal box with the ammo is usually a couple magazine guides for those stripper clips. Theoretically you can slip the guide onto your magazine and simply slip the clip of ammunition into the top, then slide them in.

How many ways do you need to get into a safe? Keys, key fobs, bracelets, key pads… anything you’d like. And they all work fast. Hornady’s RAPiD Safe has taken the bedside safe to the next level, offering fast access in a variety of entry styles. And all are fast.

Haven’t started preparations for the fall? Now’s the time. The deer are gorging on grass, and you need to see where they are. The StealthCam P12 can help. This affordable game cam shoots day or night, and can take video or stills. Check out our review.

Big companies that make thousands of holsters can afford perfect stamps that crank out flawless basket-weave. The hand stamp process is much more cumbersome and requires a maker to stamp each individual section of the weave. I’ve yet to see a flawless piece of hand-stamped leather, and these human touches are often the sign that it isn’t mass produced. This week we’re looking at the craftsmanship of Leather Creek Holsters, and we like their personal touch.

The Nikon P223 4-12×40 is a purpose built scope meant to handle the specific needs of long range AR shooter. The scope is designed around 55 grain, polymer tipped, .223 bullets. It is the longest of the Nikon AR scopes, and sets up some ambitious goals for the modern sporting rifle platform. But the price is right.

The Eclipse Straight Drop Ambi Holster, from Blade Tech, is about as good as it gets. This holster has OWB loops for those times when comfort and/or cover are easy. With a few simple steps, the holster can be changed into an IWB holster. In this way, one holster will satisfy both needs.

There aren’t many 300 AAC Blackout specific optics on the market and I can guess why. Imagine trying to design a reticle that can accommodate the incredible variety of ballistic performance of that round. With 300 Blackout ammunition and reloading, there is no “standard” ballistic performance profile. What can you do?

Bianchi has a new holster that is pushing the limits of traditional leather. The 126 Assent is a light brown holster made from smooth grained leather, but it has a twist. The 126 is a leather shell that’s lined with thermo-molded plastic that feels like really thin Kydex. The result is a traditional look with more modern functionality.

While the Bushnell LRHS is labeled as a “tactical hunter” it has all the right features for a scope that’s meant to go the distance, whether that be on a hunting rifle, semi auto, or precision bolt gun. I was fortunate enough to get one of these scopes for testing and I put it through its paces at the range and in competition.