As we move toward the best time of year – for some of us -- it’s time to take a look at some of gear items currently being used for range excursions and general carry.
For target organization, I noticed that MidwayUSA was advertising the Range Target Case by PRO-SHOT. I have a “target tub” that I carried to the range pretty routinely. Moving from a mid-size SUV to a smaller vehicle, I was interested in a better way to keep my targets sorted and available for transport without having to strap a tub to the roof.
Jamming paper targets into a range bag is no better. This target organizer is 20 inches in length, 15 inches in width, and 2.5 inches in depth, as the website noted. I found the zipper closures to be very solid unlike the light, plastic zips you see on some bags these days. Having this folio-type carrier keeps targets dry during drizzle (this already happened), keeps them from flying away in the Kansas breeze and – being sorted by size – helps me get just the target I need for the next string of fire.
Reasonably priced, with very quick shipping from MidwayUSA, the Range Target case has a shoulder strap and a Velcro field on the front so you can personalize the bag, if that’s to your tastes.
For targets, I’ve moved into working on my bullseye shooting. Most people can wear themselves out on the B-8, but it’s the target for timed-and rapid-fire stages shot at 25 yards if you’re trying to compare your skills with those of other shooters. I tried to revisit my youth recently, recalling when I got to compete on an agency team in the late 1970s. They didn’t have the “long line” for bullseye at that range, but had a solid 25-yard range for us to use. Instead of the required B-6 for the slow fire stage, always fired at fifty yards, KPOA made sure we had the 25-yard slow fire analog target, the B-16.
I found that National Target Company still provides the “Official NRA Target, B-16, 25 Yard Slow Fire Pistol, Black Center.” I got a supply of those to work on my miserable slow fire skills. The 10.5" x 12" target, printed on heavy stock, has a shaded portion – the “bullseye” – at 5 5/16", the same size as the B-8. The trouble is that the scoring circles are skinnier.
If you’re wondering why I bother, it’s because it’s a handgun game that doesn’t require lots of running about, with fast shooting. I can shoot fast, if you don’t mind me missing.
I find I shoot better when I focus on precision. Speed comes with technique.
While we’re at it, skills can be (marginally) enhanced by gear and the most commonly attempted fix today is optics, particularly on handguns.
With the rush to optics across all sectors of the firearms industry, one would expect a rise in the sale of torque drivers. With the fine threads, short screws and competing materials (steel and aluminum), seating fasteners with the proper amount of torque – and no more – is important.
While I have some great screwdriver sets, I’m short of a firearms-appropriate torque driver. The Real Avid Smart Drive 90 is a gunsmithing set with a magnetic bit holder, rubber grip, jeweler's spin top and 360° LED light, as well as 87 bits for firearms. I have it.
They now sell the Smart-Torq & Driver Master Set – adding an adjustable torque wrench -- with a range from 10 to 70 inch-lbs and precise 1 inch-lb increments. Instead of going that route, I’m looking at their Smart-Torq set. With its 12-bit set (a bit of redundancy), the ‘Force Assist’ – a short driver that fits into the side of the Smart-Torq to aid in breaking a fastener loose, it includes the torque wrench. And it comes in at $80, somewhat lower cost than the whole Smart-Torq & Driver Master Set.
As I’m happy with the Smart Drive product – and other Real Avid tools – this is the direction I’m heading.
For firearms cleaning, I’ll be looking at their cleaning kits. Called the “Gun Boss Pro” line, I’m most interested in the Handgun Cleaning Kit and Precision Cleaning Tools. The second kit has the brush, picks, scrapers and an oil application brush, which is a good idea. There’s a Universal Kit and one for the AR-15 as well. The gun cleaning kits have their durable, “kickstand” cases, each item snapped into the kit, with just about everything you need.
Finally, in working with the new Springfield Armory optics-enabled 1911s, I used holsters from Galco and Simply Rugged holsters. While the Concealable 2.0 from Galco is a very classy holster, the other holsters used got the coverage.
That’s not fair. The Concealable, even in version 1.0, is outstanding. The holster features two-piece “pancake” style construction with the back component flat and unmolded to fit more closely to the body. The front part of the holster is detail molded, providing security and good looks.
With a “mild” forward cant, you can take a full firing grip on the holstered handgun – essential for efficient draw – and it helps cover the gun butt. The 2.0 is cut low for speed of draw and to allow the carry of pistol-mounted optics. A ‘sweat guard’ keeps the gun protected from perspiration.
— Rich Grassi