Jake S. from United States, NC Public Profile

This barrel is phenomenal. I purchased the 8.3 BA Hanson in .300 BLK and am exceptionally happy. Despite what the description says for that product the barrel is QPQ finished. A low-profile, pinned gas block was included. I had to buy the gas tube and roll pin separately, but the performance you will get at this price point cannot be beat. For years I exclusively bought Rainier Arms Ultramatch barrels (these are Shilen blanks that Rainier Arms cuts to their desired profile) until I bought a BA barrel due to budget restrictions. I will never go back. The 10.5" barrel I bought then performed as well as my other Rainier Arms barrels at literally half the cost. This is the main reason I bought a BA Hanson barrel this time. This barrel when using Barnes VOR-TX ammunition produces groups that you just have to see to believe. I also have it installed on a registered SBR in PDW configuration with the BCM Polished Nickel Trigger which is essentially just a refined Mil-Spec trigger, so it isn't like I'm talking about the results I got from my tricked out competition rifle with the Geissele SSA-E. Seriously, you should buy this barrel. Or don't so that it will be in-stock when I have the money to buy another one.

BCM KMR handguards are my go to system. I have four of these handguards in different lengths. Not only are they lightweight, but the hand-feel is second to none. The only reason I bought the KeyMod version this time instead of the MLOK one at the same price was that I already had all the attachments I wanted to put on it in KeyMod. As those break or no longer become available, I will phase out the KMRs for MCMRs. For the average user or gun typically stored in a safe the KeyMod is perfectly adequate. Not superior. Not necessarily lacking. Just adequate. Knowing that, if you have not yet bought into one system of attachment or the other, go with the MLOK version of this rail by BCM. USSOCOM is adopting the MLOK system (not this handguard specifically, just to be clear and honest) and the rest of combat arms throughout DoD is likely soon to follow. All this really means is that you can probably expect KeyMod products to transition to MLOK (just like BCM did with the MCMR). Just my advice. If you really want this version instead, then by all means buy it. You will not be disappointed with the quality of the product.

I have used Trijicon products for years and have never been disappointed. The ruggedness of the RMR is well documented and the limitations of the Dual Illumination model is as well. Having used similar style optics prior to this purchase I was well aware of the shortcomings. If you are not aware, these models have a tendency to wash out in transitional environments, most noticeably when in a darker area and aiming out towards a brighter area. The fix for this is simple, if using these on an M-4/AR-15 you just leave your backup irons in the upright position. In this manner when the reticle gets washed out, you just transition to the iron sights and continue to engage like normal. Problem solved. The same applies for use on a pistol or "tactical" shotgun. If you plan to use this on a firearm that does not allow for use of backup, then this may not work well for that application in the widest array of situations and you may want to consider picking up one of the battery powered models.

I bought these in anticipation for a deployment to a region with "moon dust" sand dunes but ended up going somewhere with rocky crags and dense urban environments. I wore these all the same and was thoroughly impressed. For years I exclusively wore Merrell boots, but these have convinced me to jump ship to Salomon. The only thing negative I can say is already well documented: they perform questionably well on wet surfaces, especially hard ones like tile, asphalt, and concrete. If you are aware of this and walk with caution on such surfaces, then they are fine. That being said, walking gingerly does not lend itself well to "assaulting". Due to the flimsy heel cup, I would also not recommend these for wear under loads greater than what one typically wears during urban operations. Other than that, I found them to be comfortable for daily wear whether stuck behind a computer, out on the range training, or during operations.

Years of using Leupold scopes, rangefinders, and rings has solidified my opinion that you cannot really go wrong with their products. While sometimes more expensive than their competitors, Leupold offerings always do exactly what they advertise and for years to come. I bought these rings for a Trijicon 3-9 AccuPoint scope with a 1" tube. Despite what the packaging and other reviewers stated, I thought I might be able to just slip them on the scope without manipulating the rings. I was wrong. The rings have to be bent slightly outward before they will attach, but once fastened down they will not budge. Some people see this as an inconvenience, but I see it as a design feature. Leupold is thoughtful enough to explain all of this on the insert that comes in the package and even has a diagram just in case you are not certain. They also include the necessary torx key which is quite nice. I should probably also mention that I bought these for a .308 WIN bolt action rifle and that they function perfectly under at least that much recoil.