To start with Fix It Sticks, a company known for modular firearms maintenance tools and torque limiters, has introduced the Field Toolkit for Glock pistols. The GLOCK is known as a nearly tool-free maintenance item. There are some areas of the design that require a specialized device; otherwise, it’s the things we add on to the pistol that need the help. In this kit, Fix It has provided the Fix It Sticks Front Sight tool, Magazine Base Plate Removal Tool, and Channel Liner Tool. In addition, the kit also includes the Fix It Sticks Ratcheting T-Handle, the Mini All-In-One Torque Driver and the most common bits necessary for properly mounting optics on handguns. The kit is contained in a compact, soft zippered carrying case with a molded low profile bit holder that is designed to hold any bit / accessory with a standard 1/4" Base, and any 8-32 threaded component. The kit easily fits in glove boxes, tool storage compartments, or range bags, and the kit is now available with an MSRP of $184.

In news, the two-man team from JP Enterprises claimed first place at the recent Burris Optics Team Challenge presented by Competition Dynamics. The team consisted of JP General Manager Adam Burt and Juan Valencia of the Minneapolis Police Department. This marked the first top placement for Burt and Valencia against a field of 36 teams.

It looks like Liberty Ammunition is going strong. A company known for lead free ammo with lines geared to defense and to hunting, “light for caliber” projectiles are a specialty in some calibers. High speed and light weight – what could go wrong? Well, lots of stuff could, but it seems they could have cracked the code for penetration with considerable wounding potential. I’ve shot their ammo before but not recently – it was consistent and functionally reliable. From 2014, I recovered the following report I did on their ammunition from that era: “I had Liberty Civil Defense Ammo (NON-LE) in .380 Auto, 9mm and .45 Auto. The loads were fired from 12 feet over a Shooting Chrony Beta Model (picked up from Brownells). The .45 Auto loads were fired from a GLOCK 30s, the .380 ACP was fired from a Ruger LCP/CT and the 9mm +P from my old service Glock 19 … The following results were noted -

Caliber Velocity

.45, 78 gr. 1,887 fps

.380, 50 gr. 1,397 fps

9mm+P 50 gr. 2,083 fps

“Nominal velocity in .45 is 1,900 feet-per-second, in the .380 is 1,500 fps and in 9mm +P is 2,000 fps. I’d say their packaging is correctly marked as to velocity of the rounds contained therein. “

I have a very little bit of current production and will be checking it for zero and velocities. In this era, having one more ammo manufacturer is a good thing. I’m glad to see they’re still in the game.

I recently received the AXIL GS Extreme 2.0 combination in-ear hearing protection/ear buds with Bluetooth connection for test and evaluation. A few things to note about these that are different from similar, competing products. First, there are separate controls on separate “control sticks.” The left controls the amplification of ambient sounds – on/off switch for this component alone. The right controls Bluetooth function. While I paired it with my phone, I don’t listen to music at the range – I have it for communication. You can use the rig for hearing protection only or use them as earbuds. The set comes with tips geared more to use as ear buds for music or phone calls.

The compression sound protection doesn’t “clip” all sounds at a loud report. Instead, it continues to amplify ambient noise while limiting the louder sounds to 85db … not sure how they do that. All that and they are rechargeable. Instructions are available here – and they bear examination. These devices are interesting and will take some getting used to. You can get them from AXIL or you can purchase SIG SAUER – branded GS Extreme ear pro online.

-- Rich Grassi