Category Archives: Weapon Modifications

Back Up Iron Sights: Do You Need Them?

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The MagPul MBUS front and rear sights are inexpensive and functional for almost all purposes.

There was a time when optics were not nearly as dependable as they are today. Nowadays, non-magnified sights such as the Aimpoint Comp M3, M4 and T-1 have battery lives more easily measured in years than hours. The durability of modern optics have also improved to the point where in hundreds of thousands of rounds fired downrange, I have yet to see an Aimpoint fail (though I have heard of it from trusted sources.) But, that does go to show that even though it happens, it is a fairly rare event. I have seen iron sights get damaged or knocked out of adjustment more often than an Aimpoint lose zero or stop working.

So, do back-up iron sights (BUIS) still have a place on your carbine? Over the past decade, despite the tedious process of zeroing the RDS and backup irons, I have yet to need to deploy them. Not to say I will never need them, but with the cost of many quality sights sets exceeding $200, outfitting every training gun I build can get expensive. I have had great success with the MagPul MBUS sights. They hold zero inside of 100 yards, and for a CQB gun they are an excellent choice. For a dedicated range gun, I may just go without the BUIS.

The point is this: examine the purpose for which the gun you are setting up, and don’t just accessorize based on what your friends on Facebook tell you. If you’re building a precision or 7.62 caliber rifle for extended ranges, perhaps a set of quality iron sights like the offset Knights or Troy Industries flip ups will be worth the additional cost. For most purposes, the Magpul MBUS is the most economical and functional solution. And don’t feel bad not running one at all on a range-only gun unless you have a specific training purpose for it.

REVIEW: TangoDown Glock Gen4 Magazine Catch

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TangoDown magazine catch for Gen4 Glocks. Inset: factory Glock mag catch for comparison.

Glocks are pretty much ready to go right out of the box, especially if you opted for a set of steel sights. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t improve on “Perfection.” After a set of 10-8 sights, one of my favorite modifications has been the Vickers Tactical magazine catch produced by TangoDown. They are available for the small and large frame guns, and are available for all generations of Glock pistols.

Looking at the Gen4 factory magazine catch, there is a pronounced sweet spot near the front of the magazine catch button, much like the Gen3 factory catches. The Gen4 magazine catch is wider, and not too hard to release, but there is room for some improvement. The Vickers/TangoDown catch widens the sweet spot and the serrations are placed near the rear of the catch to reduce the reach distance for the shooter’s thumb. The catch itself is made of the same robust material as the factory catch; no cheap, soft plastic here. A flat blade screwdriver and five minutes is all you’ll need to remove the old catch and install the new one.

Will this one accessory turn you into a ghetto gunfighter? No. But it may add a few percentage points to the consistency of your reloads (as it did mine), and in this game, I’ll take every point I can get.

SOURCE: TangoDown

PS. The catch is now available in the Glock factory black or tan/FDE color.

AR15/M4 Gas Block: The Simplest Option

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A common and popular modification to M4/AR15 platform these days is to install a narrow diameter tube style free-float rail (or any other long rail) system to replace the stock hand guards. If you are buying a new upper receiver, it is fairly simple to specify a low profile gas block. However, if you are starting with a service grade carbine like the excellent Colt 6920, you are going to have a standard A-frame type front sight base. What to do? Continue reading →

ROBAR/10-8/MSW GLOCK17-PART 3

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Robar/10-8/MSW/Glock 17 External Modifications.

This part of my review will feature the external modifications preformed by Robar on the project Glock 17. The modifications include refinishing the slide in PolyT2 Gunmetal Gray. Forward cocking serrations to match the factory rear serrations. Tri-Fit Backstrap System with 3 interchangeable backstraps. Rounded and textured triggerguard. High Grip Modification. Small Beavertail. Full Grip Texturing. Fitting a 10-8 Front Tritium Sight and a 10-8 .156 Rear Sight.

Continue reading →

ROBAR/10-8/MSW GLOCK17-PART 2

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NP3 Treated Internal Parts

Internal Parts before firing.

The first part of this series highlighted the overall modifications the ROBAR Company made to the project Glock 17. This installment will focus on the internal modifications and NP3 and PolyT2 treatments.

NP3 is an electroless nickel-based finish that co deposits teflon with the electroless nickel. NP3 treated parts require no lubrication, which gives dirt and carbon nothing wet or oily to stick too. Cleaning is less frequent, function is enhanced and the treated parts are virtually rustproof. When you do clean the firearm, you can basically wipe it clean with a dry paper towel. NP3 is a satin gray color similar to a matte stainless finish. Continue reading →

ROBAR/10-8/MSW GLOCK 17- PART 1

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My exposure to Glock Pistols began at a Vehicle Assault Tactics Course in 1992. The local Sheriffs Department had adopted the Glock 17 with +2 extensions, giving a total ammunition load of 20 rounds. During the “Let me try your gun and you can try mine” part of the class, I loaned my S&W 4506 (9 rounds in the gun) to a Deputy while I tried his Glock. While he suffered from “Caliber Envy” I was wondering if his Glock would ever run dry. At the time I was still in Blued Steel and Walnut mode. (Or at least Stainless Steel). And thought like many that “These things will never catch on.”

Fast forward to 1995 and I was responsible for selecting the Glock 22 .40 S&W for my Department. Six Glock Armorers Courses later, and it’s safe to say I’m firmly in the Glock side of the ledger. That being said, any reader of this site knows that I’m a fan of the 1911 as well as the S&W M&P.  As a Police Firearms Instructor and Head Instructor/Co Owner of a Firearms Training Business, I need to be more than familiar with a variety of weapons systems. Each one has its pro’s and con’s, and none of them is “perfect.”  As shooters, we all strive for “perfection” in our firearms. Perfection for one is not necessarily perfection for another. That being said, I believe I’ve found “Glock Perfection” for myself. While your preferences may differ from mine, I think the place to find “Glock Perfection” for yourself exists at ROBAR. Continue reading →

New Life For An Old Warrior

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While perusing the inventory at my local gun store, I discovered a used 1911. It consisted of a Caspian frame and a vintage Ithaca slide. The gun was completed with an assortment of vintage and modern small parts. The slide is a WWII era production with “P” Proof and Ordinance Marks. The Ithaca rollmarks were shallow and the slide had a few dings and had been arsenal refinished over the years.

Being that the slide and frame were mismatched, I decided to use it as the canvas for my first build. I had worked on 1911’s over the years, and I am a certified 1911 armorer, however this was going to be a first and would be done completely by hand. Files, Emery Cloth and the occasional Dremel tool would be the only tools used. I decided to make the pistol a Retro Build, keeping the classic lines while incorporating modern features into the pistol. My inspiration was actually Hilton’s Delta Build. (And I DO NOT compare my work to Hilton’s). Continue reading →

Photo Of The Day: Smith & Wesson Model 15-2

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During a recent Women’s Only Handgun Selection Seminar, I allowed the students to shoot my S&W Model 15-2. I decided to shoot it after the class, as I don’t often get the chance since I usually shoot and teach with semi auto pistols. It was a walk down memory lane so to speak, and also good to see that I could still run a wheel gun pretty well.

My introduction to the Model 15 was in 1977 upon entering the USAF Security Police. As it was the policy to issue a different weapon at each duty assignment, I had eight different Model 15’s over the years.  I was again issued a Model 15 when I joined my current department in 1988, carrying it until 1989 when we converted to semi auto pistols.

My fiance bought this one as a Christmas gift after I talked about having one as my first duty weapon. (She’s A Keeper).

Mine has the narrow grooved trigger and hammer spur. As I recall my Air Force issues had the wide target trigger and hammer spur. They had seen a lot of ammunition and some hard usage, but they always shot and were accurate, despite the appearance.

I installed a Wolff spring kit and polished the internals, as well as adding the Ahrends Cocobolo Retro Combat Stocks. I wish my duty guns had those modifications back in the day. It has some holster wear, but other than the spring kit and stocks, it’s original and in great shape.

I would compare the S&W Model 15 to the Glock 19 of today. Both fit the niche of a very effective fighting handgun without unnecessary weight or complication, and will get the job done as long as the user does his or her part. There was something about being armed with a revolver named “Combat Masterpiece”.

 

 

 

Building the “Do it All” Carbine Part II

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Marvin Pitts from Nefarious Arms did an amazing job on the barrel treatment

The heart of building my “Do it all” carbine is the barrel. In order to get what I was looking for in a very lightweight and handy carbine that carries and shoots like a light M4, but offers better penetration and performance than 5.56mm and hits like a light .308. I also wanted to avoid the many issues of a short-barreled 5.56mm or for that matter, a short .308 (excessive blast, recoil and accelerated wear). I was fortunate to locate the perfect person to get my new little carbine to where it has a near perfect level of length, weight, and balance. Continue reading →

D&L/Cominolli Glock safety

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As previously noted, I have long preferred having a manual safety on my pistol, as I have twice seen officers’ lives potentially saved when another person gained control of an officer’s pistol, but the engaged manual safety prevented the weapon from firing –I don’t like to think about the outcome if the pistols involved had been a Glock, Sig, XD, revolver, etc…. In the incidents I have witnessed the officers had NO way to mitigate the threat prior to losing the pistol, despite adequate training and good quality Safariland retention holsters. All the DT/retention techniques in the world do not help when an officer is on the ground unconscious/semi-conscious. A manual safety can give officers a brief respite to neutralize the suspect using disarming techniques, access back-up weapons, and allow cover officers the opportunity to react and engage. Continue reading →

Review: Geissele G2S Trigger

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Geissele’s new G2S trigger offers the same feel and function as their popular SSA trigger at a significant savings.

Readers of this site know by now that most of the contributors here are big fans of the Geissele High-Speed Triggers. A few weeks back, MSW writer Joe wrote a review of the Super Dynamic 3-Gun Trigger. And earlier this week, Scott Ballard reviewed the Super Tricon Trigger. The major downside to the Geissele trigger systems is that once you have one in your rifle, you want one in every one of your M4 rifles.  Continue reading →

Geissele Automatics – Super Tricon Trigger

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Every once in a while we have guest instructors come in to the Academy and teach their particular take on things.  It is a nice perk of the job to be able to meet many of them and hear what they have to say on the various topics we all deal with on a daily basis.  Several weeks back Jeff Gonzales of Trident Concepts stopped in to teach their Advanced Carbine class.  Other than having taken his class and met him a few times, I barely know Jeff, so I spend my time in the background listening to the conversation.  What came up during one lunch conversation was a discussion about AR platform rifle triggers and the new design TriCon had worked out with Geissele Automatics.  The Super TriCon Trigger. Continue reading →

Pic of the Day- The Tactically Practical

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The Glock 34/35 series of pistols are ideal for just about any role an end user may require.  They work well out of the box, with only a few minor changes needed to make them a little better.  Shown is one of my G34’s with one of the early Apex FRE prototypes, and a most excellent set of 10-8 tritium sights.  A man (or lady) can about rule the world with that setup.  It is no wonder why this series of pistols have became favorites of police officers and competitors alike.

Springs and Cycles and Wear…Oh Crap!

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Simple to find, easy to replace yet so often overlooked, magazine springs for shotguns are very often the cause of feeding issues in shotguns.

Operating on the assumption that modern shooters who care for their equipment keep track of their round counts, most of us track the lifespan of our wear and tear parts.  In this case springs will be the main focal point.  Have you ever counted how many springs are in your gun?  Ever consider how important each one is to the proper operation of your pistol, rifle or shotgun?  I know quite a few people who have never given it a single thought.  They just figure that if it still works, it must be good to go.  Scary thought process huh? Continue reading →