The Invaluable Dump Pouch

If there is one piece of equipment that is overlooked, it is the dump pouch. This simple, yet potentially vital piece of gear adds a storage compartment to your person when cargo pockets just won't cut it.What is it good for you might ask? It is good for any number of applications whether it be on the range or in the field. It's not flashy, it's not sexy, but it is very effective for its purpose and it can make your life a whole lot easier when you least expect it. Here's how...

Let's say you are in the field. You have your hooch set up, you are feeling comfortable, then all of a sudden hell breaks loose and you have to evacuate your site fast! You don't have time to pack your ruck up, but fortunately for you, there's a dump pouch resting on your belt. You open it up and throw an MRE in there, along with extra mags and some 550 cord. With these items, you are prepared to survive a little while longer until help arrives. Without the dump pouch, you would be forced to carry any extra items in you hands. Not very effective for a hasty retreat. Of course, where you will probably find yourself using a dump pouch most is at the range. These little guys are handy for holding all your extra magazines so you don't have them clunking around in your cargo pockets.

All a dump pouch consists of is a pouch that can be rolled up and buckled so that fit on your belt without taking up much space. A lot of manufacturers make versions of this, but the most popular is Maxpedition's dump pouch. It's small when rolled up, so it won't get in the way of your movement, or get caught on branches if you have to negotiate brush. Should you need it, simply undo the velcro and the pouch will unroll. When the items are in the dump pouch you can secure it with the elastic strap at the top to keep the contents in. When you want to store it for later use, just roll it back up and redo the velcro tab.

You can find many more uses for a dump pouch when you start finding how annoying those extra odds and ends feel clunking around in your cargo pockets. Like I said before, they are not sexy, so don't expect to see these being worn in the next great action flick. For the real operator, however, you will find these to be an invaluable piece to your gear set up. If for nothing else than to have just in case you need to move locations quickly and don't have time to gather up all your gear. Stay safe out there!

Mounting the GoPro HD Hero2 on Your Rifle

I recently purchased the GoPro HD Hero 2 and my first thought was “How can I mount this on my rifle?” This was one of those wazoo ideas that popped into my head and I became dedicated to the idea. After doing a little research, I found a set up that would allow me to bring this idea to fruitation. Keep in mind that this set up is based on how I personally have my weapon set up.

For those who are not familiar with the GoPro Hero cameras, they are durable water proof cameras that can be mounted to almost anything you can imagine. They feature a wide angle lens that allows you to capture everything about your experience. If you choose to buy the HD Hero, you are limited to HD in a narrow angle and standard definition in wide angle, but if you get the HD Hero 2 you can capture both in HD.You can find numerous videos on YouTube of how people have used them to capture their extreme stunts. So how would one mount it to a rifle?

First and foremost I needed to find a mount. The first few searches I did only resulted in mounts for .22 rifles and they certainly would not hold up to the recoil of a higher caliber weapon. Then I came across StrikeMark, and found that they offer multiple forms of rails for the GoPro, even a pistol mount! I thought about it for a while before purchasing their standard picatinny mount. It was only $30, but I wanted to be sure that it would compliment the configuration I was imagining.

Next, I purchased an angled rail to offset the camera a little more. This way the camera wouldn't be in the way of transition drills and I would be able to capture more of the rifle. This is not a common part to come by and often it has to be found online. Just for kicks, I went to my local tac store to see if they had any, and to my surprise they did!

I went home, quickly mounted the camera to my AR and it gave a whole new look and feel to my rifle that was perfect for the CDI factor. Here is what it looked like...

The next day we hit the range and I was able to put it to the test. It worked EXCELLENTLY! I did notice that while the extra weight was only a little, it was still enough to cause me some adjustment. No biggie, because I intended this project to be for TRAINING PURPOSES ONLY! This was especially true because should you have to switch sides to shoot, the camera would be in the way of your vision if you keep both eyes open.

 

I definitely would not carry this set up into the field because it would be in the way more than anything. I would much rather have the NVG mount for the GoPro which attaches to most helmet shrouds (stay tuned for that post.) Also, and this is a personal opinion, if I get into a shootout I don't want it to be on video. For training purposes, however, it can serve a purpose to see where your barrel is pointing at which would be great for CQC training. If you are interested in a similar set up and have any questions, feel free to ask.

Survival Bracelets: What to Look For

A new trend in gear is the 550 cord survival bracelets. These are nifty little gadgets that can supply you with varying amounts of 550 cord if need any, and you never know when that might be. Before you go buying the coolest looking one though, take a moment to make sure you are getting the best quality for your buck.

First, take a look at how many different colors of cord is in the bracelet. If there multiple colors, it means that the cords are fused at some point and the integrity of the 550lbs test has been compromised. Instead, look for bracelets that are one color and made from one strand of 550 cord.

Don't pay extra for the buckle! Some companies make bracelets using stainless steel latches. While these are very secure, you could save yourself the money by purchasing one with a plastic buckle instead. Just make sure that the buckle is strong enough that you can't just pull it apart.

Make sure it the cord is made in the USA! Other countries like China make knock off versions of 550 cord, but American made paracord still requires it to withstand a 550lbs test. If it doesn't have this stamp of approval, don't waste your time or money.

Paracord bracelets are a very simple piece of gear that is always handy to have on hand. With a little practice, you can make your own. There are plenty of YouTube videos out there that tell you how, but if you are going to purchase one, follow these simple notes to ensure that you are getting a quality product.

You're Using Your Foregrip Wrong! Here's Why...

Nothing triggers my pet peeve nerve more than seeing someone on the firing line who looks like their are trying to strangle their foregrip. It is an all too common mistake that significantly reduces the effectiveness that having a foregrip can produce. I know many AR shooters who have foregrips on their weapon system and they utilize it in this manner. Before you start running a foregrip or before you continue teaching yourself bad habits, allow me to correct you...

The Correct Method:


First of all, the foregrip should be placed on the bottom of your weapon system (yes, sadly I have seen them mounted on the side) and they should be located as far forward to the tip of the barrel as possible. Now, instead of gripping it, use it as support for your lower three fingers on your support hand. If you have a swivel mount for your sling, you can create a nice nook for your thumb and forefinger if you have it placed just above the foregrip. You will notice that your hands are now in the same configuration as if you were shooting a pistol, just farther apart.





   

WRONG!





CORRECT



       

        CORRECT
           (reverse angle)

Why This is Correct:

If you grip the foregrip with the whole fist, you are doing little to improve your accuracy or stability. The fist grip creates a bend in your elbow that will be a focal point for the recoil and it will take longer for follow up shots. If the foregrip is located closer to the magazine well, the recoil will be hardly be reduced at all as there is much of the rifle that is uncontrolled. Although it may look cool having the foregrip farther back, the energy generated from your shot will cause your point of aim to be thrown off. Having your support hand in the position I have described will allow you to quickly attain your sight acquisition and manage the recoil as there is little left of the weapon that you do not have control of.

Now that you are fortified with the knowledge of the correct posture for utilizing the foregrip, you can correct your buddies and see for yourself how they will instantly improve on the firing line. Have fun training and shoot straight!

Faster Reloads with the Magpul B.A.D. Lever

You can clutter your AR with a plethora of gadgets that to help it function better, but what happens when your weapon runs dry and the fight still rages on? You have to get your weapon up and running and get back on the trigger. The time it takes to reload could be the difference between going home that day or taking a long dirt nap. A fast reload is the product of repetitive practice and drills, but the Magpul B.A.D. Lever has made this process slightly faster and can save the operator valuable seconds when they are needed the most. Those that run with the B.A.D. Lever have found it to be invaluable to their reload speeds and with a $30 price tag, it is one of the cheapest pieces of equipment you could add to your AR furniture.

The B.A.D. Lever allows for the operator to control the bolt release on the left hand side of the weapon with your trigger finger on the right. It takes minutes to install and as the name implies, it does this by utilizing a lever. When the weapon runs dry, the lever will lock out and once you insert a fresh mag, you can operate the B.A.D. Lever with a simple flick of the trigger finger. Unfortunately for you lefties out there, this product won't be of much use to you on a standard AR, but for righties, it is a godsend!

I started running with the B.A.D. Lever three years ago. Like any new piece of gear, mishaps were to be expected. I would sometimes hit the lever prematurely and send the bolt forward before my mag was set and would have to use the charging handle to reload. Over time and with practice, I began to enjoy the benefits of this device. On the firing line it became obvious how much faster it had made me when I compared myself to my teammates. Let me tell you, it's a good feeling when you are up and running while your buddy next to you is still fumbling to hit his bolt release!

The Magpul B.A.D. Lever is a simple and reliable product in a market that is otherwise cluttered with more complex pieces of gear. It's price makes it a must for anyone looking to speed up their reloads and get back in the fight. If you haven't tried the B.A.D. Lever yet, do yourself and your team a favor and test it out for yourself!