Carbine

What’s the best Home-Defense carbine for the new gun owner?

Let’s face it, there are more than enough articles detailing rifle setup or reviews of home defense carbines With the ever-growing list of friends, family, and acquaintances that have little to no shooting experience, they tend to ask the same typical questions:

“What’s the best rifle I can buy?”

“Can’t I just go cheap?”

“I know what you’re saying, but I really like that tiny Sig P290. Can’t I just go with that? A rifle seems like a bit much”

“Can’t I just build it? It looks easy on YouTube.”

“Can you show me how to set it up?”

“I don’t know about LMT, I’ve heard Rock Rivers’ are just as good on this blog.”

I’ve seen varying reactions from the staff at your average gun shop. Some people are helpful, some get annoyed, others exploit a new buyer for the sake of an easy sale, and the absolute worst is the staff member who seizes the opportunity to belittle you. While some folks come to me lacking maturity in their line of questioning, I always provide the best and simplest advice I can give. There’s nothing to lose here, and if someone decides to bet their life on your recommendation, I really hope you gave them a real answer based upon a combination of real experience and some research. This article is my recommendation to a new buyer interested in protecting their home. With that, I’m keeping much of the information in this article basic.

When writing this article, I chose two carbine length multipurpose rifles, tailored slightly towards close quarters battle (CQB). The first question is “why carbine length? Don’t we have better options with respect to short barreled rifles (SBR) and AR pistols?” Yes, there are better options, but I have no desire to deal with SBR laws when traveling across state lines. I have even less of a desire to deal with how the BATF chooses to interpret the legality of an AR pistol on any random day of the week. Furthermore, a 16-inch barreled AR-15 will handle a close quarters fight just fine. You may be hesitant as a new shooter to approach the concept of an AR-15 style rifle over a pistol, so let’s assess the “why” — My main driving factors for choosing an AR-15 style rifle are: high-capacity, maneuverability, dependability, and accuracy.

Now, let’s get into the weapons. I chose two different models from two different manufacturers.

Rifle1: Daniel Defense M4 V11 in 5.56mm with 16inch barrel (Pictured on Top)

Rifle2: BCM RECCE 16 in 5.56mm with 16inch barrel (Pictured Below)

Here’s why I chose these manufacturers, quality parts, quality labor, quality control. Take whatever stance you want, but Daniel Defense and Bravo Company Manufacturing are known for this. Am I saying you’ll never get a bad gun off the line? Nope. I’m saying that you are far more likely to get a dependable weapon out of the box. If there is a defect, both companies take their customer service seriously, and will make it right.

All those points aside, if you decide to make a rifle your duty or home protection weapon, and it has yet to be fired, you’re a moron. Never bet on an unproven piece of life saving gear. Do not get caught up in the “it’s mil spec so it’s basically the same” mindset. That “mil spec means it’s good to go” argument is the equivalent of saying, “to build a house all you need is a roof.” The extra steps these companies take before shipping a weapon are leaps and bounds above other manufacturers, and that is why I chose them.

Now, there are plenty of other manufacturers that make quality AR platforms such as LMT, Colt, Triarc Systems, LWRC, LaRue Tactical, Knights Armament Co, etc. and they are top notch. Even during my service in the military I bet my life on Colt for years, so please do not think I am stating these other manufacturers are unworthy for duty or home defense. On the other hand, if you are considering building a rifle (I recommend that for more experienced individuals), do not make your first home defense rifle a build. I’ve seen it all when it comes to builds. Build your first and make sure it runs — Clint Smith would agree with me. With that noted, let’s move on.

Weapons System Overview:

Rifle1: Daniel Defense M4 V11 in 5.56mm.

Barrel- Cold Hammer Forged, government profile 1:7 twist, Chrome Moly Vanadium Steel

Rail- Keymod 15inch

Gas system- Mid-Length

Gas block- Low profile pinned

Muzzle Device- Daniel Defense Flash Suppressor

Rifle2: BCM RECCE 16 in 5.56mm.

Barrel- Cold Hammer Forged, government profile 1:7 twist, MIL-B-11595E Chrome Moly Steel

Rail- Keymod 15inch

Gas system- Mid-Length

Gas block- Low profile dimpled with set screws

Muzzle Device- BCM Mod 0 Compensator

I can get into further detail, but I’m not a damn brochure, look the rest up yourself.

The barrel- Both rifles are government profile and cold hammer forged, a solid decision with respect to durability. There are some who would urge you to seek lightweight barrels, but I like versatility. There are also days where training is high round count and long in duration; I have no interest in sacrificing accuracy, or increasing the level of heat on my handguard if that can be mitigated with a slightly heavier barrel. In fact, I am also a big fan of the heavier SOCOM profile barrels as they handle a higher volume of fire. Bottom line, I like a workhorse that I can depend on.

Moving onto gas systems- I’m a pretty big proponent of the mid-length gas system on a 16 inch barrel. It allows greater dwell time and creates a far smoother recoil impulse than a carbine length gas system. During training sessions, I believe you’ll find recoil management a tad more manageable than a “snappy” carbine length system during a rapid string of fire.

Gas blocks- Pinned or dimpled with set screws? Honestly, if done right it doesn’t matter. However, if done wrong the weapon won’t run. This is an area where a quality manufacturer is important. Over the years, I have had plenty of friends shoot their personal weapons in a course side by side with me, and some lesser manufacturers have been known to cut corners in this area. I’ve seen some of those guns run like sewing machines, then one day, not function…. All due to poor gas block installation or cheap materials.

Muzzle device- The muzzle device in both systems work just fine, but they are nothing to write home about. The Daniel Defense Flash suppressor works as intended, it dissipates muzzle flash, and helps direct recoil where it needs to go. The BCM Mod 0 Compensator does neither task very well. It does an okay job of flash suppression, and an okay job of compensation. If you are thinking of installing a large muzzle brake on your home protection weapon to aid in recoil management, don’t. The muzzle flash, combined with the deafening noise will be a less than pleasant experience should you have to fight with your rifle indoors.

Regarding Rails- both work fine, Keymod or MLOK, I really don’t care. It does not impact my ability to shoot well, and the systems are durable. If I were to pick from the two manufacturers, I prefer the BCM rail system. It’s lighter, and the lockup is simplistic but tough. For you gear-nazis, MLOK accessories will have greater longevity with respect to accessory availability, and it is a more durable system than keymod.

Last, but not least, Bolt Carrier Groups (BCGs)- There’s a ton of options out there, so I’ll say it like this, get yourself a full auto BCG. The AR-15 was designed to run with the full auto BCG. There are better options, but a Mil-spec, carpenter 158 steel, high pressure tested, magnetic particle inspected, heat treated and shot peened, with properly torqued and staked gas key screws are essential to reliable operation. The Daniel Defense and BCM BCGs are a fantastic example of a perfectly executed Mil-spec BCG; however, the BCM BCG has become the “gold standard” throughout the shooting community. You would not be wrong with either choice.

Rifle Setups:

Rifle1- Daniel Defense M4 V11 (Pictured on Top)

Optic- EOTECH EXPS 3-2 (Tan)

Iron Sights- Daniel Defense fixed iron sights

Foregrip- Strike Industries SI LINK angled foregrip

Light Source- Arisaka Defense 300 series with Surefire SR07 pressure switch

Buttstock- BCM Gunfighter SOPMOD Stock

Other- Magpul PMAG Coupler

Rifle2: BCM RECCE 16 (Pictured Below)

Optic- Trijicon MRO

Iron Sights- Daniel Defense fixed iron sights

Foregrip- Strike Industries SI LINK angled foregrip

Light Source- Arisaka Defense 300 series with Surefire SR07 pressure switch

Buttstock- BCM Gunfighter SOPMOD Stock

Other- Magpul PMAG Coupler

Kit for your setup are where some folks tend to skimp once they purchase a quality rifle, sometimes…. They skimp even if their rifle is garbage. But here’s the takeaway, positive target ID, a fast-reliable optic, and a weapon that feels instinctive to operate are just as important. If it looks cool, but works sometimes, or is not user-friendly, move on.

Optics: The EOTECH EXPS series- are great close quarters optics, practically parallax free (not totally), large window that promotes situational awareness, and ideal donut style reticle make it a force to be reckoned with. Now, I am fully prepared for all my EOTECH haters to crawl out from the rock they are hiding under screaming things like “thermal drift!” In my experience, all the EXPS models I’ve run work great. Even the one I used during my time in Special Operations through parachuting, climbing, rucking, FAST roping, and extended shooting sessions during extreme cold weather (the polar vortex of 2015), I’ve had no issues. My biggest complaint is battery life, 1000 Hours. You do not want to be in a position where you go to turn on your optic in the middle of the night only to see a big fat nothing. I always play it safe and change my batteries every 3 months.

Moving on to the Trijicon MRO- the thing is bomb proof, parallax is a bit rough on this optic, but I haven’t found that to be an issue. In stark contrast, the battery life is amazing at a whopping 5 years in constant on. What is very hard to beat, is the price. If you wait for an online sale, you can roll out the door with one for approximately $375.

Iron sights- It’s like this, yea, it’s more money to spend; on the other hand, batteries and electronics fail. Iron sights are a constant you can count on, so buy them. Light Source- Arisaka Defense makes solid kit, and the 300 series are cost effective and reliable. They are also relatively small, light-weight, and take up very little real-estate on your rail system. Add a surefire pressure switch and you’re in business.

Flashlights are a non-negotiable item, if you can’t identify what’s in front of you, you are combat ineffective. BCM Gunfighter SOPMOD stock- Highly durable (I’ve drop tested their stocks before at 20+FT…. they hold up), with a fantastic cheek-weld. The BCM SOPMOD stock makes reflexive shooting just a tad more instinctive. Strike Industries Angled foregrip- I just like them, no other reason, find what works for you. Their slim profile allows me to get a solid grip around the rail system, and the forward notch aids the shooter in keeping the rifle pinned to your shoulder with ease. Lastly, the Magpul PMAG coupler- “What’s better than one thirty round magazine?” Two thirty round magazines mounted side-by-side. I can’t predict the future, but 60 rounds of 5.56mm in your home defense rifle should be more than enough to end most engagements. I’m not saying 60 rounds are all you’ll ever need, but I am saying that the odds are in your favor.

Lastly, all the top-notch gear in the world does not make an effective combat shooter. I know plenty of businessmen that own expensive firearms they don’t know how to run. If you plan to invest in a home defense weapon, then plan to invest regular money in constant training. You owe it to everyone as a responsible gun owner, you owe it to your family, the innocent neighbors across the street, and most of all, yourself. Even if you’re not a combat shooter, you need to train like one. The whole reason you are making this purchase is if something “might” happen. Well, if something “might” happen, then training is the other 50% percent of that dangerous hypothetical.

About the Author: Jonathan Fietkau is a former SOTACC from 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, and a graduate of the Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course (SFAUCC). He is a combat veteran of Iraq, and other theaters of operation, with previous service in the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions.

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.

Suppressing the AR-15: The Good and Bad

I pulled the trigger on my MK18 with a surefire suppressor mounted and looked back at Jason, an active duty military police officer, “That’s actually still kind of loud” he exclaimed while replacing his Peltor headset onto his ears. And it was. An AR-15 chambered in 5.56 is never particularly quiet due to a variety of factors. However, if you are considering a suppressor for your AR-15 we should be candid about what it entails and what to look for.

There are three main sound sources made by an AR-15 when a round is discharged; the muzzle blast, the sound of the supersonic slug breaking the sound barrier and the mechanical noise of the weapon cycling after each shot. A suppressor aims to quiet the sound of the muzzle blast by trapping the expanding gasses from the end of the muzzle and allowing them to cool and decelerate in a series of chambers. In this way, the decibel level is reduced. However, regardless of this the 5.56×45 is a loud round even when suppressed because the round is breaking the sound barrier which creates a sonic boom.

So how quiet can you expect your AR-15 to be with a suppressor? It’s a hard question to answer and depends on barrel length, ammunition and the suppressor being used. In general, a 16 inch AR-15 firing standard M193 produces a decibel level of around 167 dB give or take depending on environmental conditions. Averaging out a couple of the leading suppressors in the industry you see an average noise level of around 136 db with a suppressor attached. Which is a significant reduction. For comparison’s sake an unsuppressed 22lr rifle typically falls in the 130 dB range.

An AR-15 can be made quieter by firing sub-sonic ammunition however, the AR-15 will not cycle properly. There are several great calibers out there available for the AR-15 platform that allows the use of sub-sonic ammunition along with reliable functioning. Many choose to stick with 5.56×45 for ammo availability, familiarity and commonality among several other weapons that they may own. For the purpose of this article, we will primarily concern ourselves with suppressing the AR-15 in 5.56.

Chasing Those Decibels

Some try to buy suppressors based soley on the decibel level produced. However, there are several other things to consider when it comes to sound. Tone is the relative pitch and strength of the sound that the suppressor produces. I’ve found that tone can make a suppressor with a higher decibel level sound quieter. The Surefire SOCOM556 RC gives on average a decibel level of 139 dB. This is louder than many competitors on the market however I’ve found the tone to be deep and pleasing. If you have the chance listen to different suppressors at local matches or shoots. If this is not possible, try searching on many of the dedicated suppressor forums that dot the internet. Many people will be able to comment on the tone of a certain suppressor and whether they like it or not. Understand that it is the internet however.

Daniel Defense MK18 with Surefire SOCOM556-RC suppressor mounted.

Length and Weight

Size matters. Add a 6-inch suppressor to the end of your 16-inch barrel and you now have a 20 inch plus barrel. Although these suppressors typically weigh in at 1 pound, it is a pound at the very end of your rifle and that weight will quickly add up. The shorter your suppressor becomes the less effective it becomes at sound suppression. The lighter it becomes the less it can handle heat. There are trade-offs to made everywhere. You need to determine what type of shooting you’re going to be doing and precisely what you need from your suppressor.

Gas blowback

A suppressor traps a lot of gas. It also increases the dwell time at your gas port. All of this leads to an excess amount of gas coming your way and exiting around the charging handle to sting your eyes. There are several fixes available. An adjustable gas block will allow you to adjust the amount of gas being tapped off from the barrel thus eliminating much of the excess gas. Gemtech makes a suppressed bolt carrier group which can vent the excess gas out the side of the carrier. Finally, there is charging handles that are made to deal with excess gas from suppressors or conversely you can use Permatex RTV (a silicon sealant) to close the gap between the charging handle and the upper receiver to disallow the excess gas from reaching your face. Some suppressor manufacturers add an expansion chamber or an internal venting system to help reduce back pressure and when used in combination with the above products can make for a pleasurable shooting experience.

Them suppressors get hot

Each successive shot is going to raise the temperature of the suppressor fairly quickly. There are a variety of factors that come into play but some information puts that number at around 7-10 degrees Fahrenheit each round fired. A 30 round magazine would then increase the temperature by over 240 degrees Fahrenheit. Suppressors can get hot enough during a course of fire that if you transition to your sidearm and let your rifle hang down and it touches your pants, it could burn a hole straight through them. Many companies tell you to limit your strings of fire. If my memory serves me correct several different suppressor manuals state that strings of fire of over 90 rounds should not be attempted. If you use a suppressor, I’d recommend a good pair of heat resistant gloves. If your aim is long-range shooting be aware that as the suppressor gets hot those waves of heat will rise and could distort the view of your target through the optic. This can be mitigated to some extent by the use of a suppressor cover.

A good mount is vital. Also, automotive anti-seize on the threads helps quite a bit as well.

Mount it

One of the often overlooked aspects of a suppressor is the mount. Why is a mount important? It could be the difference between a good day of shooting or a terrible day in which a poorly aligned suppressor leads to a 5.56 slug striking a suppressor baffle or the endcap of the silencer. It could also be the difference between your suppressor freezing hard to your muzzle device or coming off easily. There are many mounting options out there. Make sure you do your research and pick one which has a reputation for strength and ease of use. A quick word of advice, no matter how good the mount is I would advise putting a small amount of automotive anti-seize lubricant on the threads or lock up location.

Increased bolt carrier velocity

If you don’t manage your excess gas you’re going to have an increase in the velocity of the bolt carrier group. Many individuals control this by added a heavier buffer to their rifle in order to slow it down. A popular option is to utilize the Vltor A5 recoil system which in a nutshell uses a rifle length spring along with a special buffer. On most rifles, the standard weight buffer (A5H0) will work fine, although you can toy with a slightly heavier buffer in order to fine tune your rifle. On over-gassed rifles, such as the Daniel Defense Mk18, I’ve opted for a specialty heavyweight 6.8 oz buffer to calm the vicious speed that occurs when a suppressor is mounted to an already over-gassed system.

What good is my suppressor then?

Almost complete reduction of flash for night shooting. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to fire a rifle at night you can appreciate the amount of flash that is made. A suppressor (depending on make and model) will eliminate most of that. This makes shooting with night vision goggles an absolute pleasure as they are not getting washed out constantly by the muzzle blast. It obviously has it’s uses in a tactical environment as well. An enemy unable to pinpoint your location due to the reduced flash could, in some cases, be the difference between life and death.

Further, a suppressor helps reduce felt recoil due to the added weight at the muzzle as well as the reduction in speed of the propellant gasses. I’ve also found that the quiet report and lack of muzzle flash aids in rapid strings of fire or target transition. On average my timed drills are somewhat faster than without a suppressor even though my rifle weighs more and feels unwieldy.

Finally and perhaps most importantly, when a suppressor is paired with ear pro you protect your hearing even better. Hearing damage is cumulative gentlemen, and investing in a suppressor when you’re younger could perhaps help mitigate hearing damage later in life. For those who already engage in shouting matches due to loss of hearing, a suppressor could help preserve what you have left.

What motivates many to buy a suppressor is the combination of noise reduction, muzzle flash reduction, recoil reduction and protection of their hearing long-term. There are drawbacks when suppressing the AR-15 however I strongly feel that the pros outweigh the cons. A suppressor is an investment. Buy once, cry once has never been truer.

Kyle Defoor on lubing your M4 carbine during training

I took a student’s carbine that was completely dry and showed how I lube an M4 without taking anything apart by dropping oil in the bolt carrier exhaust ports then firing 5-7 rounds. Obviously, this is mostly used in training although some have used it for real. This will lube the necessary parts of the DI M4 system without putting oil where it doesn’t need to be or having oil dripping onto the top of the magazine. Been doing it for years.

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*Photo courtesy of Defoor Proformance Facebook page

The Pistol Caliber Carbine chest rig By Beez Combat Systems

The Pistol caliber carbine market seems to be growing yearly with more options on the market than ever before. PCCs is a broad term and covers both rifles like the Ruger PCC and pistols like the Scorpion and they’ve never been more popular than now. The market for quality tactical kit to accommodate PCCs is quite small, but Beez Combat Systems is forcing it to grow. Their PCC Chest Rig is a modern and well-made piece of gear for those who love the PCC.

Are you Down With PCC?

Pistol caliber carbines and what are essentially SMG lites utilize long, but thin magazines and they need magazine carriers designed for them. Most pistol pouches are way too small to hold long boi magazines, and these guns need dedicated magazine pouches. The Beez Combat Systems PCC Chest Rig gives you for dedicated pouches that are designed to function with 30/32 round magazines.

According to Beez these pouches are compatible with Glock 9mm 33rd Magazine, M&P 9mm 33rd Magazine (ProMag), Beretta 9mm 32rd Magazine, Ruger 9mm 32rd Magazine, Springfield 9mm 32rd Magazine, CZ Scorpion 30rd mags, PGS hybrid CZ Scorpion mags, MP5, Sten, SIG MPX 9MM 30RD, KRISS Mags .45, 10mm and 9mm.

I can say from experience they fit CZ Scorpion magazines, Glock extended, and Colt SMG magazines. This is great because I own guns that take Glock mags, Scorpion mags, and my next 80 lower receiver build will be a Colt SMG. The PCC Rig comes with removable flaps, and the model I’m running is the “Grid” models. This is a laser cut Grid that accommodates any MOLLE/Pals webbing pouches and accessories. This laser cut webbing is very low profile and easy to use. Behind the pouches, you have a full-length kangaroo pouch.

The strap design is brilliant. Over the shoulder is 2 inches of webbing to add accessories and to support the weight of 4 fully loaded magazines. The straps are all fully adjustable and form an H harness for greater support and comfort. You also have a waist strap around the back of the kit that adjustable and quick and easy to remove.

The PCC Chest rig in Use.

The first thing I did with the PCC Chest rig was getting it adjusted to fit my body type. I’m a big dude, 6 feet and four inches and 280 pounds. it took all of five minutes to get the rig right for me. Once adjusted properly I donned it and grabbed my Scorpion rifle and 5 mags.

I wanted to practice doing some reload drills dry and slow. I wanted to learn the kit before going live. This is important because this is the test of fit and function, and ensures a live fire session is as safe as it can be. I ran dry fire drills with both the flaps and without the flaps. This dry fire practice made me tighten a few things down and served its purpose well.

I also wanted to see how the rig handled under heavier, non-static use. I decided hell, let’s wear it and workout. I wanted to see how well the adjustments held and how well the kit functioned with some movement and stress put on it.

With 4 mags in place, I ran some sprints, flipped tires, did box jumps and a kettlebell workout. Excuse the pics as it was later in the evening when I worked out. The magazines staid in place without issue.

The rig conformed and moved with my body and did cause chafing or pain in any way. It remained comfortable throughout the wide variety of movements and situations I put myself in.

Range Time Pain Time

Finally, it was time to hit the range. I took a few hundred 9mm rounds and plenty of mags and worked a lot of reload drills. Holy hell did I need the practice! It was rough at first and I was clumsy when trying to go fast.

The kit does place the magazines in a way where I can easily reach all four at any time. The placement right under the chest ensures both left and right-handed users will no issues reaching the magazines. The PCC Chest rig does eat my CZ magazines and leaves very little uncovered. This ensures they are retained, but makes me wish I had a Ranger plate on my Scorpion magazine. If they were cut just an inch lower I feel they’d be easier to retrieve.

I tested the kit with both flaps and without. The flaps add maybe a quarter of a second. They are wide, long, and easy to grab and defeat. Admittedly I prefer a flaps off approach. This is just quicker and more intuitive to me.

Reloading from the kit is quick and it does hold the mags in place very well even when the flaps are not in place. The Beez Combat Systems PCC Chest rig is comfortable and easy to adjust, as well as remove and don.

Final Thoughts

The PCC Chest Rig and its Grid Systems allow for a ton of customization and you can add pouches and kit to your heart’s content. I like to run it decently slick because the overall design makes it very low profile. It’s easy to hide under a jacket and conceals very well. You can keep a low profile if you are in the profession of arms.

This blends in the compact firepower an SMG offers. Organizations like the DEA and Secret Service do prefer a low profile approach in many of their tasks. The Army just approved the B&T mini-sub gun for low profile VIP protection duties kits like this certainly have their place.

Make no mistake, the Beez Combat Systems PCC Chest Rig is a professional piece of gear.

Tips for cleaning and maintaining your AR-15

Kyle Defoor’s teaching methodology is second to none. He takes what he learned as an assaulter in the SEAL Teams and breaks it down for us to learn. There are a lot of instructors out there and videos on YouTube explaining how to clean and maintain your carbine rifle, but how reputable are they? Kyle is one of those guys that walks the walk and talks the talk. Take a look at the following video to see what Kyle recommends for cleaning and maintenance of the AR15 platform.

“Any oil right into those two holes and it will work. This is the best way to lube while completely loaded as well. After shooting approximately 5-6 rounds the lube will be spread to all the internal parts properly.” – Kyle Defoor

*Featured image courtesy of Defoor Proformance Facebook page