Other Gear & Gadgets

I’ve had the opportunity to try out the new Vectronix Vector X, from Vectronix Shooting Solutions (VECSS). This is a premium laser rangefinder binocular, available in a variety of magnifications and configurations, with an ecosystem of gadgets and ballistics applications to predict and improve the chances of hitting at long range. It’s really nice to see a focus on the civilian consumer market segment, and this kind of product is highly welcome.

KommandoStore has taken the wraps off new-production tactical web gear that’s based on an old special-forces design—and to help with production, they’ve teamed up with the veteran long-range patroller who built the first examples. The Niemoller Rig is a relic of old conflicts fought by the South African military, but the principles behind its design still apply to people looking for practical, rugged tactical gear today.

Pearson Industries is a knife brand known for unconventional designs and tongue-in-cheek marketing. Now the company is bringing the same out-of-the-box thinking to the world of firearm accessories with the AccuDog Group Reducer.

In this video, James Reeves is giving you an exclusive look at the 5.11 Stache Sneaker—designed with James' input to deliver everyday performance. From the hidden stash pocket to the Vibram outsole, this sneaker is made for those who demand function without sacrificing style. Here’s why it’s the ultimate crossover between EDC, travelwear, and streetwear. Also, Subscribestar, Patreon, and Playeur supporters get 10% off - code provided at the respective sites.

Are you an avid cigar smoker and a firearms aficionado? Well, then a company called Stogie Mag has the perfect accessory for you – a rifle magazine-shaped humidor! Not only it’s shaped like a magazine but also constructed and functions like one (the cigars are loaded and unloaded like cartridges). The Stogie Mag humidor can hold six cigars with dimensions of up to 5.25x50. The humidifier pack is located inside the follower and the Stogie Mag comes with a sealing top cover.

Hornady is all about getting you on target, whether it’s selling you factory-loaded ammo, or the components and equipment to load your own—and instructions to help you do so. But if you’re shooting at long ranges, how do you know if you’ve actually hit the target, especially if you don’t have a spotter to help? They’ve got a solution for that problem too. Enter the Hornady HIT Target Impact Indicator!

Franklin Armory has released a new AR binary trigger called AR-ELITE. The main difference of the new trigger from other Franklin Armory binary triggers for AR-style rifles is that it has interchangeable trigger bows and comes with a straight and curved bow. The new AR-ELITE trigger has the same MSRP as the fixed bow binary trigger models (AR-S1 and AR-C1) and will replace them in the company’s catalog.

A gun really isn’t all that helpful in your daily life if you don’t have a good holster, and a good gun belt to hold it all on. Ever since the invention of the handgun, holsters and belts have played an important role in helping their users efficiently carry their firearms, and allow them to have near-instant access to them should the need arise.

Sebastian Unger is a good friend of mine and one I’ve had the rare opportunity to meet in person to talk about some of his designs - most notably the OpenTop 11/22. Sebastian recently came to me with yet another project he’s recently started working on. In a move that would make even the most seasoned gunsmiths shake their heads in bewilderment, our favorite Austrian man, tired of receiving his shotgun's punishing recoil, has decided enough is enough. Rather than suffer one more bruised shoulder, Sebastian has taken matters into his own hands and engineered a recoil-reducing stock that promises to tame even the most brutal of slug loads. Because when life gives you recoil, you build a better stock right?

In the world of guns and gear, we often talk about the latest and greatest when it comes to the newest gun products but we talk little about protecting our guns when there are some very clever ways of adding layers of security to your firearms when you’re not around. For the last 6 months or so I have been trying out and testing the Simtek StealthALERT motion detector in my gun safe and after some time with the sensor, I can confidently say I have enough info to bring you guys my thoughts. Let’s take a closer look at the Simtek StealthALERT System.

Luke (  @BallisticAviation  ) is back at GunCon 2024 to talk with Stephen from Kinetic Development Group about their cutting-edge QD and M-LOK rail systems for virtually every firearm accessory out there. The KDG series of rails are compatible with most of the SCAR series of rifles and completely eliminate the Picatinny sections at the 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions and replace them with a smooth and uniform mounting surface. KDG also produces return-to-zero QD optic mounts, and QD M-LOK mounts for other accessories like flashlights, bipods, grips, and even GoPro action cameras.

Kopfjäger introduces a new tripod shooting mount called the Mag Series. According to Kopfjäger, attaching the Mag Series to your firearm is easy, thanks to its user-friendly design. Just place the steel ball of the mount onto the magnetic adapter to secure the Kopfjäger Mag. When you need to detach your firearm, simply tilt it to the left or right.

This is a review of the KST1000 Shot Timer by Kestrel Ballistics. When Kestrel is mentioned as a company, most people think of their weather and wind meters. Rightly so (and we’re going to review one of those soon enough), but they also make an excellent shot timer that is designed and made in the USA.

Garmin’s Xero C1 chronograph is the hottest chrono on the market, but Annex Defense is making it even better. The new rubber protective case adds an additional layer of insurance around these $600 pocket chronographs. Let’s look at the available models.

Good evening everyone and welcome back to TFB’s Silencer Saturday brought to you by Yankee Hill Machine, manufacturers of the brand new YHM 338 Bad Larry Suppressor. Today’s episode is a continuation of our basic knowledge series that pulls back the curtain on sound science for suppressor lovers and the physical properties of making gunshots quieter. Let’s take a look.

Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we took a look at optimal versus practical carry guns. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to click the link here to give it a read. This week, I wanted to look at a topic that often times comes up more in the summer months which is carrying off body in carry bags. With the explosion in options for carry bags on the market today, is it a good idea to carry your gun in a bag? Let’s take a closer look if carry bags are a good option.

In the world of rifle accessories, the amount of products available today is nearly endless. With multiple versions of every product out there, it’s important to know what you want and what some quality options are in each category. Regarding Back Up Iron Sights (BUIS) there are typically a few variations of folding or fixed sights. Some will say offset should be in a variant but typically those fold as well. For people just getting into shooting, they oftentimes don’t know what to look for or what they want when it comes to iron sights. Let’s take a closer look at the breakdown on back up iron sights.

Garmin made some real shockwaves when it introduced the Xero C1 Pro Chronograph. It fits the advanced technology of a radar chronograph into a handy little pocket-sized tool with a simple setup and operation. Let’s see if it lives up to the hype.

A while back, Leapers reached out to the crew at The Firearm Blog and asked if anybody would be interested in reviewing one of their new 1-8 LPVOs. I was particularly intrigued by this, as I was not aware that Leapers/Integrix was creating military spec optics, and I thought that they only made scopes for airsoft guns or pellet rifles. I have already done a first impressions piece on the INTEGRIX IX8 1-8X28 LPVO that you can read here. I will be briefly going over the specs here so if you want more of that information, check out the first impressions piece.

Photo Of The Day and we’re having a peek at Watchtower Firearms and their Type HSP-H rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor. For the old-fashioned, it’s also available in .308 Win. You’re looking at Nina Roger’s Limited Edition, mostly used for wild boar. The Cerakote is a matte finish to blend with different landscapes and environments.

Photo Of The Day – Photography is a powerful medium that allows individuals to freeze moments in time, capturing the essence of emotions, stories, and the beauty that surrounds us. Taking great photos is not merely about owning an expensive camera; it’s an art form that requires a blend of technical skill, creativity, and a keen eye for detail.

If you’ve ever seen a cult classic movie “Red Dawn” (obviously I am talking about the 1984 version, not the 2012 remake), you probably remember that all Soviet soldiers were equipped with authentic Kalashnikov rifles. But the guns they were using were not, in fact, Soviet, they were Egyptian AKs. 16 years ago TFB published a post about it when one of the original “Red Dawn AKs” was sold at an auction.

When it comes to revolvers, Smith & Wesson is one of the names associated with quality revolvers but as semi-autos are taking over more and more of the market, I have a few of their various revolver models, but never dove into any of the 686 variants and decided to dive into a new model and give it a proper shakedown. Brownells had a 3″ 686 Plus model on sale and I decided to snag it for this review. Let’s take a closer look at the Smith & Wesson 686 Plus Deluxe.

Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we discussed the importance of training with your carry gun every day. If you happened to miss that article be sure to click the link here to check it out. This week, I wanted to talk about another great way to improve your skills and have another option to sharpen your shooting abilities and have fun. Competitions not only allow you to practice with your exact carry setup but also allow you to have fun and add stress in a safe environment. Let’s take a closer look at how competition improves carrying concealed.

Welcome back to another edition of Concealed Carry Corner. Last week, we talked about small semi-auto pistols versus revolvers and the benefits of both systems. If you happened to miss that article, be sure to check it out by clicking the link here. This week, I want to talk about a topic we all know but rarely address when it comes to actually training with your carry gun. Of course, people go out and shoot at the range but most times it’s everything but the gun they carry daily. Although it’s probably one of the most important items to practice with, most of us pick full-size options instead of training with our actual everyday carry gun. Let’s take a closer look at training with your carry gun.

Mounting and moving optics around is a very common thing for a gun writer. I am always on the lookout for new scopes and mounts to use in reviews. When the opportunity to review the Anubis Defense “The One” scope mount came around, I jumped at the chance. 

At EnforceTac 2024, James Reeves highlights a new product from the Austrian company Black Trident: a high-quality, low-visibility plate carrier made in Europe. This innovative gear is designed for discreet yet effective protection, catering to the needs of professionals seeking reliability without compromising concealability. Stay tuned to our IWA/Enforce Tac 2024 playlist for further insights into cutting-edge tactical equipment.

One of the most interesting product launches at the recent IWA exhibition in Germany was Vectronix Shooting Solutions as a new business unit of Safran Vectronix, and their new VECTOR X rangefinding binoculars in 8×42, 10×42 and 12×42. I think that regardless if you use it for hunting, extreme long-range shooting or long-range shooting competitions its features are going to be appreciated, like MRAD reticles, D-Pad control, heads-up Applied Ballistics Elite calculations on an active-matrix OLED display and a laser that shoots longer than almost any caliber. There are also new RADICAL X binoculars with MRAD reticles.

Good morning TFBTV fans. This post serves as a friendly reminder that you have a small window of time remaining to enter the TFB and 5.11 ENFORCE TAC and IWA Sweepstakes. Prizes included in the potential $2,500 haul include backpacks, bags, and pants. Lots and lots of pants that are luckily available in a wide variety of sizes, not just the James Reeves euro-trash skinny. Details, instructions, and rules can be found at the link below.

Photo Of The Day: I had my revelation about ten years ago, when will you have yours? That’s when I started learning about night vision and thermals, and it’s an ongoing journey. Back then everything I wanted was way too expensive – or couldn’t be sold to mortals – and the thermals I could (barely) afford were too bad to use. That’s another story today, the resolution keeps increasing and the sensitivity as well.  Holt Works Photography took these images for us to enjoy. Please make sure you follow him on his socials.