Product review - Aim Sports Carbine-length Quad Rail (2 piece)

I recently purchased this inexpensive quad rail system at a gun show so that I would have something on which to mount a vertical foregrip and flashlight.  I do not have a need for a quad rail system that would be worthy of an optic mount since I have a flat top (A3) style AR.  If I want to mount a scope or sight, I will mount it on the flat top portion of the picatinny rail.  Therefore, this rail system met my needs perfectly as it is inexpensive and sturdy.

The machining on the quad rail is not perfect, but I did not notice any glaring flaws or anything that would impact performance.  The other significant difference between this rail and a higher quality rail is the weight.  This rail has a bit of heft to it, but nothing terrible.  I compared my AR with rail, foregrip, and flashlight mounted to the same AR with standard handguard, and the weight difference was barely noticeable.  However, higher quality quad rails will be even lighter.

It was very easy to install.  The two pieces just fit in where the standard rail goes, using the delta ring.  Then the four screws are installed for a very solid fit.  After installation, there was no give or twist, exactly what you want in a handguard.

It is not free float (which is preferred), but then again, you get what you pay for.  Someday I will likely upgrade to a lighter free float quad rail, but for now, this makes the perfect starter quad rail (a decent free float rail will cost approximately $100).  This rail can be purchased from Amazon.com for approximately $45, so very reasonable.  It comes with the quad rail, screws and hex key, and rubber rail covers.  I think at this price point, it’s a great value, so this gets Straight’s thumbs up recommendation for a starter rail.

- Straight

The S&S Project Part 2

The lower is in!!!  Woohoo!!!  Guys, this lower receiver looks great!  Spike's Tactical has a tremendous product in their complete lower receiver (the link is not what Slarti ordered as they are not offering that option anymore [it was a temporary sale]).  The finish and detail on the machining are perfect, and they offer some other little touches (namely adding to the cool factor) that are great.  See the picture below:

Very cool Spike's logo on the buffer tube!  Now, of course, you'll never see that when the rifle is closed and working.  Nor does it add anything to the practicality or functionality of the lower.  However, the cool factor is still there and we all know how important it is to first work well, but then a close second is looking good while doing it!  Also notice the fire selector marks.  Behind the safety switch is a "full auto" marking (of course it isn't functional, but again, these are style points!).  Very, very cool.

As far as functionality goes, everything was well put together.  I did some brief trigger work and found it to be a nice, clean break.  All levers seemed to do what they were supposed to do (difficult to fully judge without putting rounds down range).  However, Slarti and I will be disassembling this just to put it back together, so more to follow on that front.

Now, why would we take apart a perfectly good lower and reassemble it?  Well, because we want to learn more about the gun.  That was the whole point of building one.  However, it was a better value to buy the complete lower than each part individually. 

That brings me to the cost factor.  With Slarti's permission, I am going to keep you up to date on the total cost of the assembly.  So far, with the lower, lower parts, grip, and buttstock, the total cost has been $287 ($250 for lower assembly, $12 for shipping, and $25 for FFL transfer fee).  Slarti is not going for the cheapest parts, but the best value.  So far, I think he's met that goal and this is going to be a great AR build.  Stay tuned....

- Straight

Product Review - ARS Dog Tag Knife

The following is my first guest review.  My friend Slarti (the one building the AR) knows far more about knives than me, so from time to time you may see a knife review slip in courtesy of him.  Here is his review of the Attack Rescue Survive Dog Tag Survival Knife.

From Slarti:

I purchased mine on Ebay from Cowboy Knife Sales out of Florida for $26.00 (free shipping- Kudos to Cowboy Knife Sales for quick shipping—I had it within three days after order.). Suggested MSRP on the site is $36.95 for the kit which includes the 440C stainless knife [the 'dog tag'] (titanium version also available, but sold separately), a ball chain, a rubber rim ring, a ferrocerium rod for fire starting, and a button compass.


My initial impression was favorable. The 440 stainless tag/blade is of a sufficient heaviness and thickness to be taken seriously as a blade. It has a chisel ground edge (single) which is sharp enough out of the package for most practical applications. It easily did a trace cut on the edge of a piece of paper, and had no difficulty with the few items tested (nylon rope, twine, and even a piece of 12 gauge wire I had laying nearby). Being 440 steel it should not be difficult to re-sharpen if dulled. The dog tag is also highly reflective and could be used as signaling device. Of course, it is fully engravable with the owner's information, and can also be lashed onto a stick using the holes to provide a functional "grip" in a survival situation.

The included ferrocerium rod worked great. It is the equivalent of what one finds on the edge of the magnesium fire starters. The button compass (made in China) was TREMENDOUSLY responsive, and I was impressed with its movement. I tested it against my Silva and it was dead on. It’s also cute as heck.

There was only one drawback. It was my impression when reading about the survival “set” that the dog tag knife, firestarting rod and button compass would all somehow be integrated into a small package to wear around one’s neck. This is not the case. The tag wears comfortably, but the rod and compass (if you carry them) have to be carried separately. They both conveniently fit into my wallet.

As a novelty, this is a hoot. As a survival tool, I would rather be with it than without it; however, I would not rely entirely on it if I were striking out into the Canadian wilderness on a hunting trip. As a defensive tool, I suppose if one yanked hard enough on the chain and were able to get the chain out and the blade free from the rubber grommet that it would also be better than having nothing.

Overall, I am pleased with the $26.00 I spent and would recommend this product at this price point.
 
Thanks for the review, Slarti!
 
- Straight

The S&S Project Part 1

One of my lifelong dreams is being fulfilled: I am going to help my good friend, Slarti, build an AR-15. While I love guns, I've never had the opportunity to build one from the ground up. Well, recently, Slarti contacted me and wanted me to help him research and build one.

From Slarti:

"I am a lifetime gun owner and user, but have never had much experience with AR's--much less BUILT one. So...I came up with the hairbrained scheme that I want to build one for various reasons. I am really pretty ignorant on the subject so I turned to Straight Shooter for help."

One of the benefits of the AR platform is that it is completely modular. So you can basically order parts as you are able to afford them, and put them together while you save for the next piece! That's Slarti's plan, so I am going to chronicle my attempts to help him with this AR-15 project. Hence, the Slarti & Straight Project (S&S).

The first piece to order is what they call the "lower receiver." This is the part that has the serial number on it and is regulated by the BATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms). When you buy the lower, you have purchased an "assault rifle," whether or not it has a barrel, trigger, grip, buttstock, etc. So it's one of the best parts to start with since you can get all the paperwork out of the way, and it’s not that expensive (typically $100-$200). It is also the only part that has to be shipped to an FFL dealer (basically your local gun store). The rest of the parts can be shipped straight to your home.

After some careful research, Slarti and I decided that the best price to value lower receiver was the Spike’s Tactical lower receiver. Not only was it an awesome-looking piece of equipment (Spike’s has one of the coolest roll marks ever! Love that spider!), but it was a tremendous value. In all of my research, I could not find one person who had something bad to say about their product. He ended up ordering the complete lower (with buttstock and lower parts [ie. trigger, grip, etc.]) since it was such an awesome deal. We plan to assemble it when received (if it’s already assembled, we will tear it apart and put it back together).

I know I’m looking forward to this adventure, and we will keep you posted on our progress, as well as reviews of the parts we order and use, so stay tuned! Next up will be the upper receiver and bolt group, but still much to research there as well as money to be saved. Until then….

- Straight

Get your mancard reissued!

I'm all about "free" here, especially when it comes to shooting!  So if you want an opportunity to win a Bushmaster AR-15 for *free*, head on over to this site.  Also, they have a very cool computer background for download (it's currently my desktop background of choice) that is absolutely free (no sweepstakes required).  Enjoy!

- Straight

Why you need your CWP (Concealed Weapons Permit)

This is a very sad story:  recently, here in the upstate of SC, an attorney was execued (shot by a gun held to his neck) while leaving work while his whole family looked on.  You can read the article here.  The story doesn't tell you that his family was watching from the car, but a friend of the family shared with me that that is sadly the case.

I realize that most of us are not attorneys with enemies, but the moral of the story is that you never know when someone will attack you and attempt to take your life.  This attorney was simply stopping by the office with his family when his attacker found him.  You need to be prepared!  I guarantee you that at least 99% of all crime victims were not expecting to be accosted when they left their house.  That is why preparation is needed.  Whenever feasible, you need to have your sidearm with you so that if anything should happen, you are ready to repel the attack and protect your family.  I can't imagine how devasted this victim's family must be to have watched him die....don't allow that to happen to you and your family.

Soon I'll be posting things to look for in a good CWP instructor.  Stay tuned.

- Straight

Follow-up on Make Your Own Sling

I ended up buying a kit from strapworks (the link I posted in the original "Make Your Own Sling") and putting together a three-point sling.  It turned out GREAT!  Here are some pictures of the way it worked out:

  

It was very easy from the "offside drop" (bottom left picture) carry position to bring it up to your shoulder for aiming.  You can also sling the rifle over your other shoulder (right picture) for a more "military patrol ready" position.  The top picture shows the switch to left shoulder from the offside drop position (all that needs to be done is unbuckle the frontmost buckle).  All in all, it's a great kit!  I'm very pleased for the approximately $12 cost.  Let me know if you have any questions about specifics of the setup.

Bulletproof clothing

Wow, there is some amazing technology out there! Thanks to my friend Andrew for pointing out this story to me. Be sure to watch the video on the page, it's a bit lengthy, but worth the time. How would you like to work for that guy?!

Check out the article here

Magpul DVD

For those of you who are not familiar with the brand name of Magpul, get ready for a life-changing experience. Magpul (www.magpul.com) has emerged as one of the best brands out there for AR accessories. Their stuff is reasonably priced, practical, and built to high quality specifications. Their pmag magazines for the AR-15 are the best out there (review coming soon).

They have also released several training DVDs for tactical use of firearms. It started with "Art of the Tactical Carbine" volumes 1 & 2, and now they are releasing a new DVD collection for handguns ("Art of the Dynamic Handgun"). I have pre-ordered it, so when it gets in and I have a chance to go through it, I will post a review, but it already looks like it should be some good stuff. It is available for purchase on the Magpul store website or your favorite online dealer for approximately $50. Check out the trailer they posted on youtube: