Alien Gear Releases Third Generation IWB Holster
As a follow-on to their original Cloak Tuck and Cloak Tuck 2.0 lines of holsters which we have previously reviewed, Idaho-based Alien Gear Holsters has announced the release of the next iteration of their inside-the-wasitband (IWB) holsters.
This latest iteration brings new materials to the holster line, as well as some improvements such as a steel insert covering the footprint of the pistol for durability while leaving the ends of the holster flexible enough to conform to your body.
Official release follows:
Alien Gear Holsters has revolutionized the concealed carry industry once again with their new and improved ‘Cloak Tuck’ 3.0 iwb concealed carry holster. Designed for even greater comfort and concealment, the ‘Cloak Tuck’ 3.0 features a lightweight design, soft neoprene fabric, ballistic nylon, and a stainless spring-steel core.
Alien Gear Holsters worked with a team of engineers to design the most technologically advanced concealed carry holsters on the planet. This new gun holster features better retention, enhanced flexibility and extreme comfort without sacrificing size or weight. The ‘Cloak Tuck’ 3.0 holster also exudes a durable design, allowing for long-term use without breakage. Continue reading
Get a Grip – How to Keep Your Pistol Under Control
A Review of TALON Grips on GLOCK and KelTec Pistols
As any pistol shooter knows, having the proper grip on your firearm is important. An improper hold can not only lead to missing your mark but can also allow the pistol to move around, requiring a grip adjustment between shots, slide bite on your hand, or even jams – the last thing you want if you ever need to use your firearm in a defensive situation.
The goal of providing a solid purchase on a handgun is nothing new. Wood grips with checkering or other texturing have been around nearly as long as modern handguns themselves and the evolution of polymer framed pistols has seen (often unsuccessful) changes in the molded texture of the factory grip. However, given the properties of the materials from which the frames are made, there is only so much grip that texture can provide, and it is often a compromise between grip and comfort while carrying or shooting. Continue reading
Pre-NRAAM Glock 43 Launch Party in Nashville
On the evening before opening day of the 2015 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Nashville, Tennessee – just weeks after the early rumors and official announcement – a small group of attendees was invited to the Nashville Armory for the official Glock 43 launch party. The GunLink team was among that group and we had a chance to see, handle, and shoot the new single-stack 9mm pistol before most people even see them show up at their gun shop. There isn’t much that can improve on shooting “free” ammo out of other people’s guns (and we took the opportunity to make two trips each through the firing queue with 3 mags on each round) – but being a brand-new pistol made it that much better.
To be honest, I wasn’t expecting to be impressed. On paper, the specs didn’t seem that ground breaking. It has roughly the same profile as a double-stack G26, albeit thinner, but with a significantly reduced capacity (6+1). The Glock representative at the event referred to it as basically a “Glock 26 Slim” (see the comparison below, left-to-right: G42, G43, G26) It is too big for pocket carry but too small for a high round count and, I thought, too small to be comfortable to shoot.
The G43 is a good example of why you cannot judge a book by its cover, or a pistol by its spec sheet. Continue reading
Grid Down Survival Guides Help Preppers Make Ready
Survival-minded readers will appreciate the latest series of books coming from Whitman Publishing’s Second Amendment Media: Grid Down Survival.
The Grid Down Survival Guides offer preparedness information that would be vital in many disaster situations although, as the name implies, they focus on a grid down scenario in which infrastructure fails and societal norms begin to collapse. Grid Down could be anything from minor disruptions in every day creature comforts to SHTF/TEOTWAWKI (s**t hitting the fan /the end of the world as we know it) and, in the spirit of “hope for the best but prepare for the worst,” the guide series puts a good deal of focus on the latter end of that spectrum. Such a scenario may sound far-fetched but, realistically, we could be one relatively minor disaster away from a grid-down situation at any moment.
Consider the devastating aftermath – both natural and man-made – when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. Consider the events that unfolded during the nationwide “protests” stemming from the situation in Ferguson, Missouri over the past year: violence, looting, burned buildings, national guard mobilization, police shootings, interstate highway shutdowns and more. Consider the fragility of our power grid in the scope of threats like the 2013 sniper attacks on California power stations, which knocked out 17 transformers that took over a month to repair, solar flares, or enemy attacks and the amount of time it would take to recover given the production capacity for power station equipment and the existing stock (or lack thereof) of replacement parts.
The “war on coal,” the fight against hydraulic fracturing (fracking), pushback against the Keystone XL Pipeline and other factors may even further imperil our energy infrastructure – even if only by causing increased economic strain on the industry and consumers. Crumbling bridges and non-existent “shovel ready” highway projects might show cracks in our transportation grid. With economic turmoil in the European market (Greek tragedy?), Russia tangling with Ukraine and annexing Crimea, Iranian nuke talks, conflict with the Norks over hacking allegations, and countless other examples of instability in the world, it just makes sense to be prepared. Continue reading
New Additions to AAC’s Line of Pistol, Rifle, and Rimfire Silencers
True to Mike Smith’s (somewhat brash, perhaps) letter earlier this year, Advanced Armament Corp. is not only still open for business with real, live employees, they are continuing to innovate and release new suppressors for centerfire pistols, rifles and rimfire firearms. We got a chance to see them at SHOT Show 2015 and they will be on display to the general public in booth 2033 at next month’s NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Nashville.
Among the new offerings are a couple of neat little pistol suppressors. Filling the void left by the popular-but-discontinued Ti-Rant 9 is the new Illusion 9 with a claimed 33db sound reduction. The Illusion 9’s offset bullet path allows the bulk of the suppressor to hang below the bore axis, freeing up the real estate above the axis to allow the use of factory sights instead of raised suppressor sights. The Illusion also incorporates AAC’s “Assured Semi Automatic Performance” (ASAP) booster which the company claims “ensures reliable pistol operation, allows for zero-shift adjustment, and provides for modularity to support multiple weapons platforms.” The Illusion has an MSRP of $800 and should be available this spring. Continue reading
N82 Tactical Introduces New Products, Including IWB Magazine Carriers
The 2015 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Nashville (open to all NRA members & family) are just around the corner and N8² Tactical (“Nate-Squared Tactical”) will be there in booth 957 to showcase their latest products, including additions to their line of comfortable single-clip IWB holsters and the all-new magazine carriers styled after the Pro model holsters.
Nate Beard and Nate Johnson (namesakes of the Nate² brand) have been making IWB holsters since they dreamed up the idea in 2009. Their suede backing, neoprene padding, and oil-tanned leather outer surface combine to protect your firearm while remaining imminently comfortable. The single-clip design allows them to be easily put on or taken off. The Original and Original Tuckable models, with their elastic firearm “pouches,” hold the firearm snugly while offering a degree of flexibility to carry other firearms of similar size. The Professional models are an upgrade that features a polycarbonate (PC) shell that offers a custom fit, additional protection, retention and an adjustable cant angle. The Pro model holsters are roughly the basis for one of their newest products which is sure to be a big hit. Continue reading
