ODIN Works KMod Handguard Part 1

I recently had the opportunity to get my hands on the ODIN Works KMod 15.5" Handguard to install on the SpartanTC AR, as I have said in other reviews before I appreciate the quality that ODIN Works has been putting out there. So I figured that I would write down some of my thoughts on it before I do the installation on the rifle next week.

The KMod is the same quality that I have come to expect from ODIN, the overall finish and craftsmanship are great.Weighing in at 8.75 ounces (just the handguard) this is one of the lightest handguards I have come across in the 15.5" length. Even though it is a very lightweight handguard it does not feel like it is something that will break or bend easily like some of the other handguards that are out there.

                           

Being that it is .5" longer than the majority of the handguards that are currently on the market, it should sit right at the crush washer for the muzzle device once it is installed.

                       

                       

The barrel nut and mounting system for the handguard is a bit different than what I have seen from other companies before, however it seems like it will make it much easier for making sure that the gas tube hole is lined up properly. The use of the gas tube rod is pretty cool.

                      

                     

I am looking forward to getting this handguard installed and getting some range time with it. Make sure to check back for more info and reviews on the ODIN Works KMod Handguard in the near future.

Quick Look: B.E. Meyers 249F Flash Hider

Soon we will be doing some dusk/night shooting to test out a variety of muzzle devices. 

The B.E. Meyers 249F was recommended by a few friends who have had prior experience with the flash hider, and after doing some research on it I was intrigued for sure. Thankfully the awesome people at B.E. Meyers were more than willing to help us get some hands on time with the hider, to which we are very grateful. 

Here is the info directly from their website.

The B.E. Meyers 249 Series Flash Hider fits to your 5.56 mm rifle, and is lightweight at only 2.5 oz. Our flash hiders virtually eliminate muzzle flash, preserving night vision while firing, preventing enemy detection of friendly positions and is easy and quick to install. Different models are available for compatibility with a variety of other weapons and silencers, and are available to military, police and law enforcement.

To say we are looking forward to doing some night shooting, and testing to see just how well this flash hider works is an understatement. 

As I said at the beginning of this post we will be testing a variety of muzzle devices, some to see just how much flash they eliminate and others to see just how big a fireball they breath. We look forward to sharing the results and videos with you.

Post Range Initial Thoughts on Infidel Body Armor

This past weekend we took the Infidel Body Armor Level III plate out to the range to see just how well it would actually hold up to the same abuse we put the EnGarde Armor plates through.

Before anyone jumps to conclusions on the results of the video below, I feel I need to post on here what NIJ Level III standards are. The distance for NIJ Testing is 50 feet, and the distance we shot the rifle rounds at was 25 yards, so well over the standard testing distance.

NIJ LEVEL III:

(High-powered rifle). This armor, normally of hard or semirigid construction, protects against 7.62mm full-metal jacketed bullets (US military designation M80) with nominal masses of 9.7 g (150 gr.) impacting at a velocity of 838 m/s (2,750 ft/s) or less. It also provides protection against threats such as 223 Remington (5.56mm FMJ), 30 Carbine FMJ, and 12-gauge rifled slug, as well as Level I through IIIA threats. Level III body armor is clearly intended only for tactical situations when the threat warrants such protection, such as barricade confrontations involving sporting rifles.

The rounds used in our testing are noted in the video before each shot is taken. No AP ammo was used in the shooting.

XM855 is NOT Armor Piercing, nor is it a factory second round. It is an enhanced barrier penetration round, not Armor Piercing. While XM855 is not used in NIJ testing there have been plenty of videos out on the Internet showing AR500 steel and AR500 Armor Plates will stop XM855. This video by Military Arms Channel is one of those examples.

Overall I was happy with the results we saw against the handgun rounds, shotgun round, XM193, 7.62x39 (FMJ and HP), 7.62x54R (FMJ).

However I was surprised that the XM193 results ended up being what they were.

Strike Industries Mega Fin

I have used the Strike Industries Mega Fin for 2 range sessions since installation and I have nothing but good things to say about it. The "Mega Fins" inside near the receiver act as heat syncs and help dissipate the heat from firing. (It's very difficult to get a picture once installed)

The heptagonal shape coupled with the raised lines that run parallel to the rail make for a solid gripping surface as well as great looks.

 The mounting is simple and straight forward. Once the barrel nut is indexed properly (refer to Travis' post) it mounts with ease. The indexing slot on the top rail actually slides on either side of the upper receivers rail for a perfect and easy index. Since the fins are at the rear of the hand guard, you have to install the gas block and gas tube after it is mounted. 

There are a TON of places you can mount the Strike Industries accessory rails thanks to the keymod system, including on a 45 degree angle on both left and right sides as well as top and bottom. No more after market 45 rails! 

(Above: Magpul AFG mounted, soon I will have a light on a 45)

With me being 6'3" and a wingspan of nearly 7 feet, I can really appreciate the 15" hand guard. 

If you are a person that likes a faux suppressor barrel shroud/shoulder thing that goes up, this hand guard will not accommodate such accessories that are larger than the inside diameter of the rail at 1 3/8". Also be aware that some bull barrels might not fit due to the mega fins.

 

Weight: 12”: 7.6 oz  12.5”: 8oz  15”: 9oz

 

Package include

• 1 x Manual
• 1 x Mega fins handguard rail
• 1 x Barrel nut
• 6 x Barrel nut washer
• 1 x Barrel nut tool
• 7 x Screws
• 1 x Allen wrench 

 

Features

• Supremely Light weight: 7”: 5 oz 9”:5.8 oz 10”6.4 oz 11”: 7 oz 12”: 7.6 oz 12.5”: 8oz 15”: 9oz
• Ergonomically crafted
• Full 7 angled Heptagonal Keymod system
• Mega Fins heat transfer dispersal technology
• 7” 9” 10” 11” 12” 12.5” 15” rail lengths
• 1913 Continuous Top Rail

Available in Black, FDE and Urban Grey. 

-ShipLane

Strike Industries J-Comp Part 2

So at the end of the last post on the J-Comp I stated that I wasn't sold on it enough to leave it on the rifle or even change some of the other rifles over to it.

Well this past range trip I installed it on the SpartanTC Reviews Windham Weaponry AR so we could do some rapid firing with it. I really wanted to see just how well it kept muzzle rise down while firing as fast as possible and remaining in control of the rifle.

In the video you can see there are 3 different shooters, who each hold the rifle differently and use different stances. Even while shooting quickly all 3 remain in control of the rifle.

The J-Comp is really well balanced, it does not cause the muzzle to be forced down with each shot like some of the other compensators out there. Instead it feels like it keeps the barrel from going either direction, giving it a very controllable feeling. Another thing that I really appreciated about the J-Comp was that unlike some of the other comps we have tested, it doesn't beat you to death with concussive force. Also shooting under the cover at the range it doesn't bounce sound all around.

Just wanted to give an updated thoughts post after taking it out yesterday. There will be more testing and videos to come on this one.

Strike Industries Mega Fins Handguard

Today we installed the Strike Industries Mega Fins Handguard onto Lane's M&P15. Out of all the Handguards I have installed and removed over the past year and a half, this was one of the easy ones, however it still required some tricks to get it completely installed. 

The barrel nut installation is straight forward but it does require some "light" adjustments to get the holes lined up for installing the Handguard onto it. So make sure you start in the lower end of the torque settings to leave room for adjustment. 

The other part that required some thinking was installing the gas block, since the Mega Fins has "fins" that act as heat syncs you have to install the gas block after the Handguard has already been installed. Not hard to do, but with a 15" Handguard it does lead to coming up with a way to reach far enough in to hammer the block back and into its place.

We will be doing some shooting with it today at the range and I am sure Lane will be posting up some of his initial thoughts later tonight or tomorrow. 

Warrior Assault Systems DCS Plate Carrier Deal

Our friends over at Chase Tactical are running a special today on the Warrior Assault Systems DCS Plate Carrier. I have heard nothing but great things about the products that are made by Warrior Assault Systems.

Follow the link below for the deal.

http://chasetactical.com/product.aspx?id=185