Review: Small Stuff

I often have customers ask my thoughts on everything from gear and accessories to different AR-15 magazines, various brands or loads of ammo and of course guns themselves.  I’m just a small time guy and will always be the first to let you know I don’t have experience with something, but for the guns, knives and gear I have hands-on experience with I’m always more than happy to try and give a bit of a review.  In light of that, I’m going to start posting reviews and ramblings about whatever comes up during the week!

Our first lineup is random small stuff hanging around the shop that I’ve talked to customers about recently, or had questions about.  Spoilers: I like all of them.  Though I tend to only stock or use stuff I like, there WILL be negative reviews up here.  I’m not one to hold my tongue, as many folks know from my rants about one gun or another!

Stay tuned for the next reviews post, which will probably cover a few knives, cleaning supplies and maybe even something I don’t like!

Butler Creek MAGLula (Retail – $34.95)

If you haven’t heard of the MagLula by now, I’m not sure where you’ve been… these little devices have really taken root all over the shooting world!  It took me way too long to get around to grabbing one for myself, but now it never leaves the range bag.  It’s a fantastically simple and effective polymer contraption (the feed tongue is steel) that tames even the most stubborn magazine spring.  Two thumbs up from me, I recommend everyone get one of these as soon as possible.  (also available in “baby” for single stack or subcompact mags, and now in pink for the ladies)

A-Zoom Snap Caps (9mm, Retail – $12 for 5)

Another must-have for most gun owners is a handful of snap caps in your main go-to calibers.  Most brands are sufficient, but I prefer the machined solid A-Zoom snap caps personally.  For range use doing failure drills I might go with the bright orange Saf-T-Trainer and similar simply for visibility, though being relatively soft plastic they sometimes have issues with the rims pulling out.  While no modern firearms will get damaged by dry firing without a snap cap, I prefer snap caps over dummy ammo because often dummy rounds will set back into the case with repeated use.  Two thumbs up here, though Tipton and other brands make very good snap caps as well.

Magpul .223/5.56 Polymer Dummy Rounds (Retail – $4.95+ship from Magpul direct, 5-pack)

I’ve heard mixed reviews about these and decided to try them.  Seeing as they’re made of the same polymer as PMags and other Magpul gear, I figured they can’t be that bad… and they aren’t! I’ve been using them for dry practice on my Tavor and been very satisfied with them thus far.  I haven’t worn them out enough to see how they’ll hold up for longer term use, but after a few weeks of using them for dry practice, chambering the same five repeatedly hasn’t done much to them but scratch the plastic a little.  Apparently there’s a special edition 12-pack of these in bright orange that ships in a comical little deck of cards pack, but I’ve only found those online for over double normal price.  Two thumbs up, unless something changes with use!

Magpul MS3 Sling, claw hook type (Retail – $55-59 typically)

I’ve been struggling to come up with a good sling setup on the Tavor, because I’m so used to good old two point slings and so-called “African carry” on more traditional rifles.  I ordered the MS3 sling intending to get the QD plug variant, but the distributor sent the standard claw-hook type instead.  None the less, it’s a great sling and despite my aversion to paying over $30 for nylon webbing and plastic buckles I daresay it’s fully worth the price.  I like the claw hooks well enough, but hooking them to regular QD swivels doesn’t work as well as I’d hoped, which is why it’s for sale on the sidebar.  I intend to get the MS4 now, which has QD sockets on all the attachment points and should prove an excellent Tavor sling.  Again, two thumbs up but with the caveat that you should consider QD or no QD before buying!