Geiselle SD-3G trigger

Posted on March 20, 2013 by

When I first started out in 3-Gun, I thought I knew what trigger I liked in my AR. No pre-travel, no over-travel, and as light as possible while still feeling “crisp”. I had my JP Adjustable trigger set and loctited just like that, and man was it fast on close targets.

But when I started building my new 3-gun rifle from parts (most of which I already had from prize tables), I decided to roll the dice and try something new:

Geiselle’s SD-3G (or Super Dynamic 3-Gun) trigger is a flat-bowed version of their extremely popular Super 3-Gun trigger that now comes standard in 3-Gun rifles from Stag and Colt Competition. The idea behind it is that it’s a two-stage trigger with a short “first” stage no discernable “second” stage. As I’ve mentioned on this blog before, I like flat triggers, but that’s just personal preference.

I was initially skeptical of the whole idea of the trigger, but when I first tried it in my rifle, boy was I surprised! This thing is the smoothest trigger I’ve ever pulled, it feels like running an oiled stainless steel cylinder over a sheet of Swarovski glass. The “hybrid” 2-stage pull of the trigger is great when engaging the long-range rifle targets at some of the big 3-gun matches (I’ve shot some out to 600 yards), but because it’s so smooth and short I can still lay down splits that would make a SAW gunner blink.

Additionally, the hammer spring is strong enough that I have not had any issues setting off primers in M193 ball ammo, Hornady steel match, even old Russian TCW practice ammo. In fact, the only time I’ve had a hiccup with ignition is when using a .22 LR upper.

I still think the JP is a great trigger, but the SD-3G has knocked it down to 2nd place in my book, at least for 3-Gun competition.

Posted in 3-Gun, AR-15, Reviews | 5 Comments

Review: Taccom/Bearcave Machining 90º Cmore Mount

Posted on March 20, 2013 by

Fixed-barrel .22 pistols, such as Browning’s Buckmark or Ruger’s Mark-Whatever series, naturally lend themselves to the mounting of a scope or red-dot sight (RDS) atop the barrel/sight rib. New production Rugers even come with a rail for mounting said optics, not to mention Smith and Wesson’s excellent Performance Center Model 41 with an integrated picatinny atop the barrel:

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100 yard hits on a 6” plate were no problem with this gun. The guy shooting the Thompson/Center rifle seemed impressed though, since he was having trouble hitting it :-)

However, most if not all RDS mounts for these pistols position the optic pretty high above the bore-line. While the increased height-over-bore is generally not an issue, it does take some getting used to, though it may be considered good training for USPSA “Open” division competitors who use similar mounts on 2011-style pistols.

STI Trubor “GM” (or Grandmaster, named for competitors among the top 5% of all USPSA shooters). The Cmore sight is considerably higher than standard iron sights and takes some getting used to.

Additionally, at close distances, height-over-bore issues can place the impact of the bullet drastically lower than the aiming point of the sight (compared to an iron-sighted pistol).

Enter the Bearcave.

Continue reading →

Posted in Pistols, Reviews, Steel Challenge, Training | 2 Comments

A double-feed is usually easy enough to clear…

Posted on March 7, 2013 by

…unless it’s in a grenade launcher.  Then it goes kaboom.

It’s a bullpup, so that’s right up in your face too.

Apparently the 25mm grenade didn’t explode, but the propellent and primer were ignited. Basically just a bad detonation out-of-battery. But it does make me wonder what happens when you have a squib with a timed airburst grenade…

Posted in Military | Leave a comment

DIY Stippling: More than just burning dots!

Posted on March 7, 2013 by

For a while now, clever shooters have been “stippling” their plastic-y firearms and accessories to provide more traction when gripped. Generally this consists of repeatedly jamming a hot soldering iron into said plastic to dimple the surface of it. However, just because your stippling job is “D.I.Y.”, doesn’t mean it can’t look and feel just like a pricey professional job.

Typical “DIY” stippling job. Image from ITS Tactical

Continue reading →

Posted in Gunsmithing | 3 Comments

EOTech .300 AAC

Posted on January 18, 2013 by

EoTech’s new product for 2013 is an XPS-styled holographic sight with a special reticle for the .300 AAC Blackout/ .300 Whisper cartridge.

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Although the Blackout was not designed as a ‘suppressor’ cartridge, it is very popular in that role, mostly due to it’s development by Advanced Armament. The new EOtech has a reticle that gives a holdover for a 100 yard zero with supersonic ammo. The subsonic ammo (the quietest to use through a suppressor) holdover is etched onto the top housing for easy reference. Hold top dot at 50 yards, second dot at 150 yards.

IMG_9893With supersonic ammo, hold top dot at 100 yards, bottom dot at 300 yards. The new sight can be used with a magnifier as well, seen in shadow to the right of the EoTech. I used the sight, unmagnified, to make easy hits at 100 yards with supersonic ammo. Unfortunately no subsonic ammo was available to test at Media Day.

Posted in AR-15, SHOT show | Leave a comment

New Firebird Akdal products

Posted on January 18, 2013 by

Firebird Precision, who built the custom MKA 1919 shotgun I use in 3-Gun “Open” division, have released some new MKA products.

Tac-12 Aluminum MKA Lower Receiver

IMG_9962Probably the biggest new part is the Tac-12 aluminum lower (seen on the two guns in the middle of the photo above). This replaces the factory plastic lower with a heavier billet aluminum version. It will cost somewhere int the $300-400 range.

Instead of having to do a bunch of hacking to convert the shotgun for AR stocks and grips (and deal with 922r compliance), you buy an MKA, the furniture and new trigger, and bolt it all together. The new lower also comes with an enhanced feed ramp assembly (similar to that found in 9mm and .40 caliber pistols) to enhance reliability with higher-capacity magazines (10 and 15 rounders).

The extra mass of the lower is quite noticeable during recoil. It really helps take some of the edge off, and keeps the gun shooting flatter.

New Magazine Adapter

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Couples a five-round standard mag to a 12-round SGM Saiga-12 mag, cut off above the first “rib”. I’ve still got a few of these lying around from when I ran a Saiga (the dark days…). I believe the coupler costs around $40.00.

New Stock

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The new stock is a shorter “entry” length and, although it will fit an AR-15, is designed for a converted MKA. It is quite solid and has a thick Limbsaver recoil pad that really helps take the bite out of the MKA. I can’t remember the price but it is an option for a new custom MKA. Jim is also playing around with an oval pattern on the handguard to match the stock. The cutouts will have to be smaller for people with small fingers (which could be potentially lopped off by the piston if they got caught under the handguard).

New Camo

Firebird will have your custom shotgun hydroprinted in a camo pattern of your choice. A couple examples are the “Fiery-Bird”:

IMG_9961“Flames” pattern

King’s “Snow Shadow”:

IMG_9956And “Muddy Girl”

IMG_9955No word yet on pricing for the new camo finish. Currently most places offer it for around $200.00. I think it’d be cool in Barbed Wire:

 

Posted in 3-Gun, SHOT show, shotguns | Leave a comment

New American Pistolsmiths Guild Member: Daniel Batchelor

Posted on January 17, 2013 by

Daniel Batchelor, of Powder River Precision, has been accepted into the American Pistolsmiths Guild. Daniel is a great guy and has helped me a lot with gunsmithing projects and problems over the past year. He owns Powder River Precision and does the best Springfield XD work around!

IMG_0325The pair of custom pistols (Springfield XD(S) and XD(M) 5.25) that Daniel submitted to the Guild.

Congratulations, Daniel!

Posted in Gunsmithing | Leave a comment

Powder River Precision New Products

Posted on January 17, 2013 by

New this year from Powder River Precision:

IMG_0037Now making 1911s!

IMG_0035Skeletonized trigger kit (Sear and Striker Safety) for the XDM. Under 2 pounds with ease. The kits will come with an extra light sear spring and will be priced in line with their other kits.

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Sear Jig for the XD/XDM. For polishing the top flat and cuts the engagement surfaces. Price is $132.00. A block for 1911 sears will be available as well.

Posted in 1911, Gunsmithing, SHOT show | Leave a comment

Better photos of those PC 1911s

Posted on January 17, 2013 by

I took some photos of the Smith and Wesson Performance Center 1911s I shot at Media Day:

IMG_00161911 Carry Model. 

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Full Size

Posted in 1911, SHOT show | Leave a comment

The most popular product at the SHOT Show Media Day

Posted on January 16, 2013 by

IMG_9946Propane heater at the 5.11 Tactical booth.

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New this year from Aimpoint: Pretty Much Nuthin’

Posted on January 16, 2013 by

Spoke with a representative from Aimpoint out at Media Day. I asked him what was new, his response was “pretty much nothing”. They already make some of the most durable sights in the world, and they sell the crap out of them, so they’ve been focusing on meeting demand.

Apparently they’ve been so busy making PRO’s that they re-opened an old factory in Sweden that had been making military sights.

Posted in SHOT show | Leave a comment

Media Day Disappointments

Posted on January 16, 2013 by

This year’s Media Day at the Range was one of the coolest things I’ve been to in a long time. However, there were a few vendors (some of them very well established) who could do with some improvement in their handling of the media. This piece is offered only as a constructive criticism, ’cause I really can’t gripe about shooting up other people’s ammo in other people’s guns that I don’t have to clean.

First off, I think around 1200 members of various shooting media members registered for the Day at the Range. That means if you have a popular product, people will be there expecting to shoot it. However, quite a few vendors, namely Daniel Defense and Kel-Tec, had not nearly enough staff or product to deal with the crowd.

 

Even in a pre-Sandy Hook atmosphere, people think that a bullpup shotgun that holds 14 rounds in two tubes is freakin’ cool. And if you’re at a shooting range to demo product, media members will want to shoot it. So why, if you are Kel-Tec, would you only have one KSG? I saw one sitting on the table in their booth (or, more accurately, half-booth as they were sharing with DDupleks slugs). I would have loved to shoot it to be able to report that all the hype was totally correct, but as far as I am concerned it is still vaporware. Just like it has been to me since it first came out last year!

How Kel-Tec could Do It Right: 

Use the 3 Gun Nation Media Challenge as an example. Benelli graciously donated three M2 shotguns for us to use in the stage. All three were kept loaded so there was no wait time for us to load a tube. Compare to Kel-Tec who makes the KSG, and as far as I can tell only had ONE (!) shotgun at their booth. Now, you might say that Benelli can afford to bring three $2600 shotguns as they’re much bigger than Kel-Tec. I only saw two reps at their booth who could only handle so many people at a time. 

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Firebird Precision, gettin’ it done right. They shared a booth with RAAC (Akdal Importers)

Not necessarily. Firebird Precision, who as far as I know consists of three people (Jim, Nanci, and Kris Lambert) brought four of their $1900 custom MKA 1919 shotguns and plenty of magazines ($80 and some $140.00 magazines, I might add). They were all laid out on a table while Nanci could answer questions about the product. She, all by herself, answered product questions and let people shoot at the same time.

Ok, Daniel Defense had two new guns (and a sweet Polaris RZR) out at Media Day. Problem was, there were two guns, a whole empty bay, and four reps. While one of them was quite forthcoming and polite, he didn’t really have any product to show me! Both guns were on the line with a line of shooters waiting to shoot one! Having a pair or more of these guns would have allowed more media members to see what’s new and cool with DD.

IMG_9967Some super-cool integrally suppressed .300 Blk. I wouldn’t know, there were five people lined up to shoot it and I talked to the rep for five minutes while this guy mixed shooting and talking sales. There’s nothing wrong with that, I just didn’t have half an hour to kill waiting to shoot one gun.

How Daniel Defense could Do It Right:

IMG_9921Rob Leatham rippin’ up steel with an XD(M) 5.25

Look at Springfield Armory. They set up a line of tables and put one of each of their pistols out on them. While one rep (Rob “The Great One” Leatham) oversaw the line and did product demos, three of them loaded magazines and answered product questions. If you wanted to shoot something, grab a mag, shoot, then bring it back. I got to shoot an XD(S)-9, XD(S)-45, and EMP 9mm with no wait. I also confirmed that all three pistols are awesome, slim carry guns that are extremely shootable (even despite the .45′s muzzle flip).

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Springfield representatives capable of being helpful while loading magazines, proving that mouths and thumbs can work at the same time.

These are just a few examples of exhibitors I found helpful and un-helpful at Media Day. If you are a representative for either of these companies, please consider that I am not trying to bash you for being unhelpful. I’m just trying to say that you might get more for your marketing if you allow more hands-on with your products.

Posted in SHOT show | Leave a comment

USFA Zip .22

Posted on January 15, 2013 by

US Fire Arms, best known for their Colt-style Single Action Armies, has released a radically different take on the .22 pistol:

IMG_9892The “Zip” pistol feeds from a Ruger 10-22 magazine, and is made almost entirely from plastic, even the breechface (which is replaceable and will wear out after 5000-6000 rounds. I believe the only metal part is the 5” steel barrel.

The action is entirely internal, with only an “operation rod” to charge the pistol, and a rather clever “striker rod” protruding out the front. The Striker Rod will cycle the action to clear a malfunction, but won’t allow the bolt to go rearward enough to chamber another round, which is nice for clearing a double-feed. There is a top rail for mounting optics, as well as built-in iron sights (made of plastic).

Unfortunately, the Zip shown at their booth was extremely unreliable, as in I only got to shoot two rounds in a row without malfunction. The rep told me that the cold weather (30˚-ish) was causing the plastics to contract, causing failures to eject. My initial reaction was: “maybe use a better polymer?”. Glocks will work below zero. My guess is that the FTE’s were caused by weak ammo and a strong spring.

IMG_9890The idea behind the Zip is that it is a “modular” pistol, and can be mounted on and under stuff. You can buy a stock from USFA that will fit the Zip’s top rail and provide a large storage compartment as well as a magazine holder (where the magazine would be on a bullpup gun). You can also get a clamp to mount the Zip to a rail under, say, an AR. Of course, since it’s only got a 5” barrel, your Zip would have to be registered as an SBR, pay a $200 tax stamp and deal with all the hassle that entails.

The Zip’s top rail can also be replaced with a rib that accepts glock sights (leftmost accessory in the photo above). A barrel can be bought that is threaded for AR 15 muzzle devices and suppressors. It will accept Ruger BX-25 or Butler Creek 25 round “hot lips” mags in addition to the standard 10 rounder. Springs are available to run both High Velocity and Standard Velocity ammo.

The Zip will retail for $200.00. I don’t know what the other bits will cost.

Posted in Pistols, SHOT show | 8 Comments

S&W Media Day: Pt. II

Posted on January 14, 2013 by

Also at Smith and Wesson were the M&P C.O.R.E. and the new “Performance Center” Model 41.

Neither are really “new”, they were introduced a few months back, but this was the first time I’d seen them in the wild.

The C.O.R.E. (henceforth I will be doing away with the periods to save me typing) is a Performance Center model of the popular M&P service pistol. It is available in 9mm and .40 S&W, in both 4” and 5” barrel lengths.

Photo totally jacked from Modern Service Weapons because I didn’t get any “good” pictures of the CORE.

“CORE” stands for Competition Optics Ready Equipment. The slide is cut out for a miniature red-dot sight and it comes with mounting plates and screws for every popular model. The CORE has a Performance Center sear in it which broke cleanly at around 4 pounds.

The CORE has “back-up” iron sights that co-witness with most optics, however the Insight MRDS mounted to the gun I shot did not co-witness.

IMG_9871Zombie headshots were not difficult though. The ones in the forehead are mine.

Smith also had the new “Optics Ready” Performance Center Model 41 (semi-auto .22) out to shoot. The rib has a Bo-mar type adjustable sight on it, as well as a machined-in rail for mounting optics:

IMG_9878Retail on the new M41 is $1550.00. A lot for a .22 pistol, but it would be a dynamite setup for Tuesday Night Steel matches at SUPS. Model 41s have won Olympics, Steel Challenge World Champs, and (quoting the S&W rep I spoke to) “killed many a squirrel”. I effortlessly rang a 6” plate at 100 yards that had been set up for a new T/C rifle (that was completely uninteresting) using the above pistol.

Posted in Pistols, SHOT show | 3 Comments

Smith & Wesson at Media Day

Posted on January 14, 2013 by

New from Smith & Wesson:

IMG_9868

Yes, two more 1911s; these ones from Smith’s “Performance Center”. Both are .45 ACP, and both have had material removed from the slide to reduce overall weight as well as reciprocating mass during the firing cycle (thus reducing muzzle flip). Both feature Smith’s external extractor and a Performance Center action job, meaning the trigger breaks at precisely 4 pounds.

IMG_9867

The first is a full-size steel-frame Government-style. An extended magwell, Bo-mar style rear sight, G10 grips, 30 Line Per Inch frontstrap checkering, and a Briley barrel and bushing round it up to a price tag around $1500.00. It is approved for IDPA CDP division. It doesn’t come across in the crappy photos, but the grips are bright blue with a black checkered insert.

IMG_9868-001

The second 1911, a carry model, is a “Commander” sized gun built off of a scandium alloy frame. That means it’s light. The slide lightening and bobtail grip (again, not apparent in the photos, sorry) make it really light. The light weight does mean it flips more in recoil, but I did not find it unbearable. This gun also carries a $1500 MSRP and is IDPA CDP division approved.

I will try to get some better pics on the show floor tomorrow.

Posted in 1911, Pistols, SHOT show | 6 Comments

3-Gun Nation Media Challenge

Posted on January 14, 2013 by

At this year’s Media Day, members of the media got to compete in a multi-gun challenge put on by 3-Gun Nation, sponsored by Doublestar, Benelli, FNH USA, BLACKHAWK!, MGM Targets, Action Target, Kahles and Samson Manufacturing.

Anyone at Media Day with an actual Media badge was eligible to compete. The course was a short 15 round stage that fit into the standard (i.e. smallish) Media Day station. The small size did not stop writers not familiar with 3-gun from walking out with a massive grin on their face (even despite the bitter cold). I, being the holder of a media badge, shot the course and had a blast (and posted a not-so-bad time)!

Shooters started in front of a barricade with a Doublestar 3-Gun rifle loaded with three rounds. At the start signal, engaged three MGM Flash Targets at 100 yards.

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The empty rifle was abandoned on a table, then a short sprint to the Benelli M2 3-Gun.

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After engaging eight Auto-Resets, the shotgun was abandoned and the FNS-9 retrieved.Two rounds each on two BCC zone targets and the course was over.

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Writers were only given enough ammo to complete the course, so no make-up shots. Any misses added 1.5 seconds to the shooter’s time.

3-Gun Nation head honcho Chad Adams oversaw things, while pro shooters from Samson Manufacturing (Andrew Dreher), FNH USA (Dianna Liedorff) and Benelli (Taran Butler) as well as local 3-gun guru Pete Rensing assisted shooters and loaded the mags.

Dad and I were there to score the match using PractiScore. Scoring went smoothly and I await the official release of the scores!

Posted in 3-Gun, SHOT show | Leave a comment

SHOT Show 2013

Posted on January 14, 2013 by

As I pen this, I’m sitting on the 35th floor of the Treasure Island hotel/casino in Las Vegas, NV.

Dad and I both went to the Media Day at the Range at the Boulder City Gun Club. We arrived for the early morning session to assist in the 3 Gun Nation Media Challenge (more on that later). Temperatures were in the low 30′s, felt like negative 30′s. Quite cold and windy out there.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

10-8 Long Flat Trigger Review

Posted on January 9, 2013 by

Short Version: Well-made, flat face is nice, no pre-travel adjustment for raceguns. 

Longer Version: 

I’m a big fan of flat triggers in general, especially so in a 1911. There’s no “better” trigger shape or length, that’s just  my personal preference. There’s nothing quite like a 1.5# trigger job with a flat trigger for fast shooting.

IMG_9791

So when I got into SASS “Wild Bunch” shooting, I decided to try the 10-8 Performance “Long/Flat” trigger on my .45 (a Kimber Grand Raptor II). I had done a 2.5# trigger job (using the stock components and a lighter mainspring), and was looking forward to trying the 10-8 trigger. Hilton Yam, owner of 10-8, definitely knows his 1911s and makes some very well thought out products.

This trigger is no exception. It’s the most solid match-type trigger available, making it one less little 1911 part for the user to worry about. There’s nothing to break or come loose, just the aluminum trigger face, overtravel stop, and the stainless steel “bow”. This particular trigger is the standard “1911″ length (as opposed to the shorter A1 trigger) and has a flat face.

The trigger itself will likely require fitting right out of the bag. This is dependent on who made your 1911. Some require less fitting than others. All I had to do was remove some material on the top and bottom of the trigger.

The design of the trigger is such that once it is installed, you completely forget about it. While the trigger is adjustable for overtravel, there is no adjustment screw like that of a traditional 1911 “match” trigger. Adjustment is done upon installation by filing a permanently installed set-screw:

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 Unfortunately, because the trigger is designed to be bulletproof, there is no pre-travel adjustment. This is only a big deal in a competition gun, but that’s what I installed it in. The trigger does not have an excessive amount of pre-travel, especially for a “service” pistol or carry gun, but it’s a little more than I’d like for a Wild Bunch or USPSA gun (ideally, no pre-travel at all.)

I would not hesitate to use this trigger again on a carry 1911 or on a service pistol, but for a competition gun I would likely go with a Wilson Combat unit with a pre-travel adjustment. I do not plan on changing the trigger in the future though, because I can put up with the small amount of pre-travel in the 10-8.

The 10-8 Performance trigger is available in the Long/Flat version shown here, as well as a more traditional Long/Curved and 1911A1-style Short/Curved version. Brownells stocks the Long/Flat version as well. Price is $24.75 from both vendors. 10-8 also makes a similar trigger for the Springfield EMP.

Posted in 1911, Gunsmithing, Reviews | Leave a comment

Eberlestock G3 Phantom Pack Review

Posted on January 9, 2013 by

This Christmas, I unwrapped the best way to carry shooting gear that I have ever seen (short of a Polaris MRZR).

I’ve been looking for a better way to carry all my 3-Gun gear for a while now. A good backpack was at the top of my list of options, but most packs are “top-loading”. That means I’d have to go fishing to find anything at the bottom of the pack. When you’ve got lots of gear, that can be a problem.

Enter the Phantom:

It’s a “Sniper’s Pack”.  Snipers, apparently, have to carry quite a bit of gear over quite a bit of distance. They also really like having easy, instant access to any given bit of that gear once they take the pack off. For me, this was the one of the biggest selling points of the Phantom.

These Marine Scout/Snipers seem to like the Phantom. (Photo from the Eberlestock website)

But really, everything about the Phantom, top, bottom, left, right, fore, and aft, is its big selling point. The amount of attention to detail that went into the design of this pack is amazing! The Phantom is a rather large pack (as you can see in the above photo), but not an inch of space is wasted. Yet, at the same time, it doesn’t have 200 different compartments that you will wind up losing all your little bits of kit in.

The Phantom and all the 3-Gun gear that will go in it.

Most of the pack is devoted to a large “load bay” that is accessed through a door in the back of the pack. The load bay can be separated with a divider that velcroes into place. The top portion of the load bay also features a mesh compartment in the back that I use to hold paper targets.

The pack “door” sports plenty of PALS webbing (for MOLLE-type pouches). The load bay also has a 2-tall strip for smaller pouches. Note that all the zippers have a durable cord pull with a nice rubberized surface.

 The load bay is lined with elastic-topped pouches. The lower portion will fit rifle magazines (shown here with an AI .308 mag and an AR mag):

 Or a box of pistol ammo. 

The top section of the load bay has six pouches that will hold pistol and sub-gun mags. They also do a good job holding 100 round boxes of .22 or .17 HMR.

The exterior of the pack door has four columns of PALS webbing, velcro for a flag-sized patch, and a large open-top pocket. I mounted a Condor double “Stacked” mag pouch to the PALS and keep a tool kit in the pocket. This would also be a good spot for a small trauma kit.

The bear is for morale. (There’s actually a funny story behind that bear involving a reindeer and a cylinder base pin. No, really, there is.)

My toolkit hidden away in the pack door.

Above the load bay is a smaller pocket. My eye and ear pro live here.

 

Pockets for hydration bladders run the full length of the pack on both port and starboard sides. There are also pouches that run the full length of the pocket, for spotting scopes, tripods, etc.

There’s also PALS webbing all down the side, as well as a spot to stow a canteen. The canteen pouch will also hold 4 AR mags.

The hydration pocket is also a great spot to stash an AR upper. This 14.5″ upper with an EOtech is completely sheathed (but my 3-Gun AR upper with a 1.5-6x scope and Dueck offset sights fit as well)

Takedown-style firearms such as this Winchester 1897 or the new 10/22 Takedown fit well into the tripod pouch.

The right side of my Phantom sports a Condor shotgun scabbard attached to the webbing. It’s too short for my 22″ VersaMax but carbine-type rifles (such as my Uberti ’73 or a stock 10/22) will fit well. The Condor scabbard also won’t fit any shotgun with a sidesaddle. It will soon be replaced with an Eberlestock A2SS. Putting the scabbard on also means no access to the tripod pouch on that side.

And yes, I can fit all my gear for a SASS match in here. I do need to find a way to mount my cavalry saber though.

Compression straps along both sides of the pack keep it as compact as possible when loaded up. They also help secure the Condor scabbard.

The Phantom also has handles on the top, left, and right sides. They work well for carrying the pack over short distances, but they really come in handy when you have to take the pack off fully loaded. Just another example of the attention to detail Eberlestock put into this pack.

The carry handle is to the left. The barrel end of the ’97 is in the pouch this time.

One of the Phantom’s biggest features that I haven’t mentioned yet is that it also carries a rifle. Behind the pack itself is a removable ”Backscabbard” that will hold anything up to (and, I’ve read, including) a Barret M107. Unfortunately I did not have an M107 on hand for testing so I just used this Remington 700 (in a B&C stock with a bipod and AI 10rd. magazine). (If anyone at Barret is reading this, I would love to test one as long as you send plenty of ammo too).

The scabbard has a wide bottom which enables muzzle-up carry. Of course, carrying a 16″ AR is no problem. The bottom also folds up behind the pack to reduce it’s footprint when you aren’t carrying a rifle.

Stock collapsed, muzzle-up. (The flash hider is visible through the carry handle).

The backscabbard protects the exposed portion of the rifle with a clip-on hood:

The scabbard also has a zipper near the bottom. I don’t know what it’s for. Maybe I’m just not “sniper” enough. Seems like a nice zipper though.


The scabbard and the pack body are easily separated via two long zippers, four buckles, and four tabs, if for some reason you don’t want to be able to carry a rifle at any given time. Why you wouldn’t want to be able to carry a rifle is beyond me.

Yes, the harness and hip belt do transfer to the pack. Otherwise this feature would be completely pointless. Unfortunately the padding (which makes the Phantom extremely comfortable even when heavily loaded) doesn’t come off the backscabbard.

The last but not quite the least feature of the Phantom is it’s pull-out rain cover:

Keep your powder dry! (If I had a nickel for everytime someone explained the origin of that saying…)

The rain cover comes hooked into the pack, but is removable.

When the rain/dust storm passes, all you have to do is stuff the cover back into it’s pouch and zip it up. 

The G3 Phantom pack is available for $389.00 direct from Eberlestock. The MultiCam® version shown here is an additional $40.00. I rationalized that I might someday use this pack for hunting, but really it’s just what all the cool kids were wearing.

deaFASTafghanistan

These guys are so cool their faces have to be blurred. Also there’s a fire. Apparently only the guy on the left is concerned.

The Phantom also comes in Military Green, Coyote Tan, “Dry Earth”, Black, and Desert Tan. As of right now only Military Green, Dry Earth, and MultiCam are in stock.

Posted in 3-Gun, Cowboy Action Shooting, Reviews, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Safariland ELS review

Posted on March 26, 2012 by

Dad and I’ve been running Safariland ELS belt rigs for a couple months now. If you’re not familiar with ELS, it’s a very easy-on easy-off belt and accessory system. It’s grown very popular in 3-gun where a stage can be rifle, pistol, shotgun, or any combination of the three. It helps to be able to clip on six shotshell caddies for one stage. unclip them and put on a race holster and a couple pistol mag pouches for the next.

Scott Carnahan’s Tac-Optics ELS rig. “Um, excuse me, could anyone direct me to Helmand Province?”

Scott’s same belt, only rigged up for the Occupy Central Missouri rally.

My thoughts? Best thing to hit holsters since kydex. Especially for those of us who serve as Gear Monkeys for two or more people (“Hey Brian, I think I’d like to shoot Production at tomorrow’s match, then Single Stack down in Vegas on Sunday. And don’t forget Ironman is coming up”. You know who you are. /rant.) Also, pretty much all Kydex/injection molded (and there is a difference between the two) gear either will fit or can be made to fit on an ELS fork.

The only thing I don’t like about ELS is that ordering it can be a little confusing. For example, you want to have one belt and a bunch of receiver plated to use for everything. No big deal. But safariland standard holsters won’t fit an ELS fork, so you need a QLS fork and receiver on the rig. But you want to use a race holster like an 013 or CRspeed for Open Division. Those holsters fit an ELS fork. Solution? Blade-Tech holsters will fit an ELS fork. But when you’re ordering and you’ve got several Blade-Tech holsters (one for production, limited, single-stack, whatever) and a bunch of other Safariland holsters, you’ve got to keep track of them and make sure you get enough forks.

Also, as I mentioned in an earlier post, nobody ever has any ELS compatible .308 mag pouches in stock!

Posted in 3-Gun, Reviews, USPSA | 1 Comment