9mm

Kel-Tec Sub 2000 Optic Mount head-to-head review between MCARBO and Midwest Industries

I had every intention of doing a killer head-to-head video between the Kel-Tec Sub 2000 folding optic mounts offerings from MCARBO and Midwest Industries. Then I realized that MCARBO president, Chris Nelson, already did that. In the video, the guys from MCARBO simultaneously demonstrate deploying their Sub 2000s from a backpack and presenting their rifles with each optic mount solution.

Honestly, how do I follow that up? As a disclaimer, I own a Kel-Tec Sub 2000 (Gen 2) in .40 cal and it has tons of MCARBO upgrades installed. Just because I’m an MCARBO fan doesn’t mean that I’m not open to a better solution for a known problem like having an optic on this weapon platform, so I initially took it with a grain of salt when I watched the video above. I figured the best thing for me to do was to get my hands on my own optic mounts from each company and try them out personally to see if the results were the same.

Before I get into my own experiences with these mounts, lets compare the manufacturer specifications for each product.

MCARBO Kel-Tec SUB 2000 Optic Mount

Rapid Deployment Feature
3 x Faster to Deploy your Red Dot than any other SUB 2000 Optic Mount Solution
Quickly Deploys in One Click Motion…Just Like your SUB-2000!
Picatinny Rail Top Plate to Mount Any Optic on your SUB-2000 Optic Mount!
Absolute Co-Witness
Voted Best Optic Mount Solution for the KEL-TEC SUB-2000!
Used by the KEL-TEC Shooting Team!
Holds Repeatable Accurate Zero…. Round after Round!
Rapidly Deploy your Red Dot Optic after Unfolding your SUB-2000
Functions on the Gen 2 Only – Right Handed Version for Now. (Lefty Coming Soon!)
Patent Pending!
Protected by the M*CARBO 100% Lifetime Guarantee
Made in the USA!
Fast Same Day Shipping!
CNC Machined 6061 Aircraft Grade Aluminum Optic Mount Assembly
Black Hard Coat Anodized Durable Premium Finish
Price: $149.95

Midwest Industries Gen2 SUB 2000 Mini Picatinny Rail Optic Mount

Small Piece of rail section allows the mounting of red dots like Bushnell TRS25
Made for mini red dots with out removable T1/T2 bases
Patent pending pivot design allows the gun to be folded as designed for compact storage
Constructed from 6061 aluminum hard coat anodized for a lifetime of service.
Includes all mounting hardware
Weight – 2.7 ounces
100% made in the U.S.A. with MI Lifetime Warranty
Price: $99.95

Let’s get the obvious out of the way. The price for the MCARBO offering is $50 more, so is it worth it? Yes, and here is why.

If you didn’t already gather from the video above, the Midwest Industries mount works but there are several extra steps (motions) involved with deploying it. The MCARBO mount literally requires one extra movement to push the mount into place, and a simple push of a button to move it out of the way. The action is smooth and incredibly easy. The Midwest Industries mount requires the pulling and twisting of the mount to get it out of the way so you can unfold the Sub-2000, then another pull and twist to put the optic in place for acquiring your target.

Next, let’s talk about the product quality. The Midwest Industries mount, as referenced by Chris Nelson in his video, does have some significant wiggle to it. While this weapon platform is not the exactly the most precise option out there, when you’re firing and your optic is moving around (even slightly) it isn’t going to help you.

Both mounts are made from anodized 6061 aluminum but there is a clear gap in quality betwen them. The MCARBO mount is tight and crisp in terms of functionality and quality while also being more visually pleasing. Weight is virtually identical between the two products, so that is not a factor.

At the end of the day, I’m all about paying a little extra for something that functions how I want it to. The MCARBO optic mount is exponentially more efficient to use, easy to assemble, and functional in terms of storing and deploying the optic. The contest between these two products yields a clear winner: MCARBO.

Wish I was kidding: Hi-Point set to release their new ‘Yeet Cannon’ later this year

HiPoint’s C9 9mm pistol is already a favorite among drug dealers and that fat guy you know that wears a load bearing vest to the grocery store. When I say that it’s a terrible pistol, I want to assure you that I’m not just jumping on the internet hate bandwagon. I actually bought an old C9 used (it still sits locked in an old tool box in my office to this day) in an effort to see if it was possible to have fun with a pistol I scooped up for less than a good bottle of whiskey.

And to be fair, I have had fun with this pistol… but really only in the ways you have fun re-watching a bad movie. My buddies and I still occasionally put our decent-to-good firearms down from time to time to take turns reveling in just how bad a pistol this old C9 really is. Rather than relaying it all to you anew, here’s a section from a review of the C9 I wrote for SOFREP years ago:

That is, of course, assuming the magazine stays in the gun, which in my experience is fairly unlikely. The magazine release isn’t in the way and it easy enough to avoid, but the weight of the magazine when fully loaded with eight rounds, combined with the recoil and jostling of occasionally actually firing, followed by me yelling “tap, rack, bang” at the pistol like it’s a lance corporal who works for me and trying to make it seat another one, almost always makes the magazine just…fall out of the pistol.”

From top to bottom: 1911 magazine, Hi-Point C9 magazine, Glock 19 magazine. Guess which one is so “heavy” it just falls out?

It’s not just unreliable though. It’s also heavy as hell. Despite being a single stack 9mm, this thing is bigger and heavier than my Glock 19x, thanks in no small part to how thick they had to make the cheap “pot metal” slide just to keep it from exploding. The result is a painfully bad shooter that often drops mags at random intervals but is heavy enough to use as a club if you’re so inclined.

Hi-Point can’t be deaf to the complaints of the shooting community, they just know their market. They aren’t going to compete with Glock or more expensive offerings from Sig and the like. Nor are they going to reshape their reputation with a new cheap pistol. Instead (and I think admirably), they chose to lean into how they’re perceived and left it up to the internet to decide what they’d call their newest C9.

And the internet didn’t disappoint. In the tradition of “Boaty McBoatface,” the online voters chose a seemingly silly name… that honestly is probably the most appropriate one that could have been chosen for a new Hi-Point: Yeet Cannon.

If you can’t wait to get your hands on a Yeet Cannon, they’ll be out later this year, but Hi-Point is already selling their old C9s with “Yeet Cannon” engraved on the slides just in case you’re the type of guy that would settle for an even crappier version of what’s sure to be a crappy gun. I’ll level with you, I actually think this was a good decision on behalf of Hi-Point. After all, here we are talking about them…

The OG C9 with Yeet Cannon engraving next to the new Yeet Cannon. (I’m embarrassed to have typed that sentence)

I’m no gun shamer and I’ve spent more than $200 on some pretty dumb things before, so if you’re jumping on the Yeet Cannon waiting list (either for ironic laughs or because you just like bad guns), I say good for you. Do what what makes you happy.

I’d just prefer you weren’t watching my back with it.

The Roni X Stab Gen 4- From Glock to PDW

The Roni kits have been around for a very long time, and they’ve become quite popular. The Stab variant is the stabilizer model that includes a pistol stabilizing brace. This, of course, prevents you from turning your Glock into an SBR (Short Barreled Rifle). The traditional Roni models are made in Israel and in Israel they don’t have special classifications for SBRs. This allows them to have actual stocks, but in the USA things are a little trickier. The Micro Roni Stab model is designed to allow the use of the Roni platform without having to get a tax stamp.

The Roni supports standard medium frame, full-sized and compact Glocks gen 3 through 5 with a few exceptions. This includes models with the reputed Fish gill design, as well as compensated models. Sadly they will not work with 80 lower receiver Glocks. Keep that in mind when purchasing. Large frame Glocks like the 10mm and 45 ACP will not work. The Micro Roni X Stab Gen 4 model has a side folding, low profile brace, a full-length scope rail, and side mounted Picatinny rails. Additionally, you can mount a spare mag holder to the front, but this will make your gun an AOW, so be cautious.

The newest generation of the Micro Roni Stab has a captive charging handle that cannot be removed. The Roni also has a triangular shaped barrel shroud that allows you to mount a compensator or the PMD window breaking CQB tool. The brace is now longer and easier to utilize. The ejection port is now larger to ensure proper ejection. You can also now access the pistol’s slide stop to make it easier to send the slide forward or lock it to the rear.

Roni Range Time

Tossing your Glock into the Micro Roni X Stab is quick and easy. It takes no time or any crazy tools. You’ll have to adjust the compensator to fit either full sized guns or compact guns and that’s it. The Roni X Stab Gen 4 turns your basic handgun into a PDW (Personal Defense Weapon) in about 10 seconds.

What does the Roni offer you?

First, it makes for a much more stable platform for long range shooting. You’ll be quicker and faster on target and more capable of making effective first shots. The extra space you have to grip the Micro Roni allows you to control it with greater ease. You can fire faster with less recoil and less muzzle rise. As far as effective range goes you can back off to 50 yards and make headshots with relative ease. With a standard Glock 17 I can hit a man-sized target at 50 yards, but making headshots isn’t in my wheelhouse.

Running reloads is easier as well. You have more control over the gun, and more than likely you are running extended magazines with the Micro Roni, so this makes reloads even faster. The Micro Roni X Stab’s charging handle is also placed to make it easier to release the slide and get the gun into action. There is also a hinged safety device that blocks the trigger. This is important because you can’t holster this gun and you need something between you and the trigger. Not only for your finger but to avoid the trigger getting caught on any foreign object.

The extra rail space ensures there is plenty of room to accessories, including optics. I attached a full sized, 30mm red dot sight to the Micro Roni. This gives me faster engagement speeds and a wider field of view. Additionally, the size mounted rails allow for the easy addition of flashlights. I tossed on a TLR 7 just for fun. It fits with ease and casts a quick clear beam.

What About Reliability?

This is the biggest question when it comes to these kits. Are they reliable? Do they ensure your Glock is still reliable? If installed correctly there are no issues in the reliability department. Well, at least as far as I’ve seen. I’ve run into zero issues with the Glock and Micro Roni combination in place. Installing the gun correctly is easy to do, and there is no real tricks to it. Just don’t be an idiot.

Why The Roni?

Why would you choose a Micro Roni Kit? Well, there are some benefits to these kits beyond a standard Glock and even beyond a dedicated PCC (Pistol Caliber Carbine). The first is ammo and magazine compatibility. Next, your training with the Glock’s ergonomics translates over into your use with it and Micro Roni kit. The Glock is also a very customizable weapon and you can keep the upgrades you’ve made to your Glock when you place it inside a Roni kit.

Overall the newest generation of the Roni kit is absolutely fantastic. It’s made a few welcome changes and increased in efficiency and reliability. The Roni X Stab Kit is an excellent non NFA method to turn your Glock pistol into a PDW. YRS Inc is the exclusive dealer for Roni kits in the United States, and provide the only official Roni kits on the market. Check them out here. They also have a wide variety of gear to upgrade your Roni kit. If you want your own Micro Roni X Stabilizer Generation 4, click the Hyperlink.

According to the President of CAA, they are the only authorized dealer of the Roni kits. There are a number of fakes floating around and it’s wise to buy the authorized models when dealing with guns.

Upgrading the Glock 19 | Shadow Systems Optics Ready Slide

The Glock 19 is one of the most popular modern pistols on the market. And for good reason. It’s simple design, cost to own, reliability, ease of maintenance and accuracy make it a no-brainer for thousands of owners and agencies alike. Although the pros outweigh the cons, the one thing a Glock isn’t is sexy. But who really cares, it was designed to do a job and do it well. For me, I like a little individuality. I add personal touches to my vehicles, so why not my firearms? There’s no reason the Glock 19 can’t be both functional AND sexy, right? This Texas based company can take your Glock from mundane to whatever your heart desires in no time with the Shadow Systems Optics Ready Slide.

The Gen 4 Glock 19 is also one of my two daily carry pistols. No, I don’t carry two pistols at the same time. In the cooler months, I’ll wear my G19 in a Bravo Concealment holster outside the waist belt and under a coat. In the summer months, I typically carry the slimmer fitting Sig P365. One of my only dislikes about the Glock pistols are the lack of front slide serrations. Shadow Systems offers several custom slides for the Glock 19 and 17 variations, from mild to wild. And all have front serrations which checked one of my boxes. So I decided to go with the Optics Ready Slide with RMR Cut. Shadow Systems Slides are 100% Made in the USA from U.S. sourced materials which checks another box.

This beauty is DLC coated for durability and offers several desirable features. Most noticeable are the two window cuts on the sides and pocket cuts atop the slide. Drastically reducing the weight of this 17-4 stainless steel sculpture by more than 2 ounces over the factory slide. Also of note are the aggressive serrations on the sides of the Optic Ready Slide. Precisely milled at a slight angle to help reduce draw friction from a holster, these serrations retain a cheese grater type profile. Offering the shooter exceptional traction on both the front and rear of the pistol during high-speed operation. Atop the Shadow Systems Optics Ready Slide is a cut out for the Trijicon RMR. While I use an RMR on my competition Glock 34, I may try it out on the Glock 19. But when not in use, Shadow Systems offers a matching slide plate to fill the cutout.

Shadow Systems Optics Ready Slide Includes:

Choose Gen3 or Gen4 compatible slide
Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) finish
Optic cut for Trijicon RMR
17-4 Stainless Steel Slide
Screws included
The slide is completely stripped and does not include Channel Liner
Compatible Gun Models: Gen 3 Glock 19, Gen 4 Glock 19
MSRP: ~~$469~~ $418

Shadow Systems offers a full line up of Glock related parts. From complete guns to the smallest of internal parts. As I work my way through modifying my Glock 19, Shadow Systems components will be a large part of the equation. I’ve already tested and reviewed their Match Barrel. The TiN coated barrel really looks sharp through the window cuts on the Optics Ready Slide. I also plan to try their Elite Trigger on this build. One thing to keep in mind that all the custom slides from Shadow Systems are stripped. So make sure to pick up a Slide Completion Kit. Up next will be an article on Glock frame modification so stay tuned.

*Images courtesy of the author

Sig Sauer P365 vs. Glock 43 | Size matters

Ever since the announcement of Sig’s new P365 micro compact pistol, I’ve eagerly anticipated its arrival. At SHOT Show, I had the pleasure of handling the pistol at the Sig Sauer booth but missed the opportunity to shoot it on Range Day. Apparently, Sig Sauer has their own range day and doesn’t participate in the Industry Day at the Range. Lesson learned. Luckily, my local gun shop set aside their first P365 arrival for me to purchase. I’ve been carrying the single stack Glock 43 since its arrival on the scene and it’s been a pleasure. Is the new Sig P365 going to replace my tried and true Glock? Due to the similarities of these two excellent pistols, I’m going to dive into the details a bit and describe the differences.

Specs* Glock 43 Sig P365

Length: 6.26″ 5.8″
Height: 4.25″ 4.3″
Width: 1.02″ 1.0″
Barrel Length: 3.39″ 3.1″
Capacity: 6 +1 Single Stack 10 +1 Double Stack
Sights: Polymer Day Sights XRAY3 Day/Night
MSRP: $499 $599

*Specifications taken from the manufacturers websites

Looking at the dimensional information above, you can’t deny these two pistols have a striking similarity. What sets them apart, in my opinion, are; capacity, sights and price. And don’t forget about trigger feel. There isn’t a metric for this category but I can tell you that the stock Sig trigger has a smoother pull and a cleaner break than the factory Glock trigger. In fact, more than half of my Glocks have aftermarket triggers because of this. Disclaimer: I own 6 Glocks and the P365 is my first Sig. Another glaring difference are the sights. Sig was kind enough to include a set of XRAY3 Day/Night sights. With the Glock, you get the standard $12 plastic sights. These are strong factors to consider when comparing the price difference of these micro-compact pistols.

Dimensionally speaking, the Sig measures 31/32″ at the mag well. Where the Glock measures 7/8″ in the same location. That tiny of a difference is what the Sig engineers exploited to fit a steel double stack magazine in the polymer grip. Resulting in a similarly sized pistol carrying 4 additional rounds of 9mm than the Glock 43. That being said, I still prefer how the Glock feels in my hand. Although dimensionally similar in width, the grip on the Glock is considerably larger front to rear, fitting my hand a little better. The Sig feels smaller and the grip angle is a bit more perpendicular to the slide as compared to the angle of the Glock 43.

The length of the two barrels are within .29″ of each other and I didn’t realize any measurable difference in the defensive type of shooting you’d do with these pistols. Let’s just say they aren’t target pistols. The Sig does mention in the literature that the chamber and barrel are +P rated. I noticed that the barrel wall on the Sig is a bit thicker than the Glock. But I’ve been shooting +P defensive ammunition in my Glock 43 for years now without issue. Both pistols include a flush fitting magazine as well as a magazine with a pinky extension. The extension does not add any additional capacity to the magazine. However, Sig sells a factory +2 extended magazine that I currently have on order. Allowing 12 rounds in the mag plus one in the chamber which is double the capacity of the Glock 43.

Final thoughts: Although the Glock feels a little more comfortable in my hand, I don’t believe that is a strong enough argument to not use the Sig as my new daily carry. As you can see in the short video below, there isn’t a substitute for capacity. Additionally, the trigger and night sights make the P365 a clear winner in my book. Sig has also incorporated a proprietary rail groove on the frame. Rumor has it that Sig Electro Optics is working on a light/laser combo. The only problem I have right now is finding a nice IWB holster for this new pistol. At the time of writing, neither Alien Gear or Bravo Concealment (my two favorites) offer one. But I did find one from Hazmat Holsters that I just ordered.

Feature image and photos by author

Spend More Time Shooting and Less Time Loading with MagPump Pro

The easiest way to load magazines

New to the lineup of products from MagPump is the MagPump Pro Series. The MagPump pro is capable of handling large capacity, high-frequency magazine loading for 9mm and AR-15 magazines.

The two new magazine loaders are a hybrid of the already trusted and loved MagPump models. The Pro offers a more robust finish with a lightweight polymer exterior married to strong, metal internal components that produce a reliable operation while loading hundreds of rounds in one sitting.

Easy to Use

Like its predecessors, the MagPump Pro is easy to use and eliminates hand fatigue. The MagPump saves you time when time equals money! It reduces loading time by more than 50 percent. Simply load the ammunition in the high-capacity hopper and let MagPump do its magic.

The pump-action lever self-sorts the ammunition and loads 30 rounds in less than 30 seconds.

More Time Shooting and Less Time Loading

I’ve been using the 9mm loader and the AR-15 loader for several weeks now. I love them both and don’t want to go back to loading magazines without them. I save a stupid amount of time by using them!

The other day I was doing ball and dummy training using ST Action Trainers and was able to dump them into the hopper with live rounds mixed in. No more predicting when I would come across a dummy round while training – the MagPump mixed it all up for me and I had no idea when I would encounter them!

I haven’t had any issues with fitment of my AR magazines of varying brands and condition. My 9mm MagPump has only been loading Glock magazines but it will also fit SIG, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory, CZ, and Ruger. You can also purchase additional single and double stack magazine retainers for most pistol models.

Lifetime Warranty

MagPump is backed by a lifetime, no-questions-asked guarantee.

Spend more time training and less time loading.

MSRP for the PRO Series loader is $249.99.

For more information about the PRO Series and all MagPump products, visit www.magpump.com

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