The guys at Cloud Defensive don’t want people to wait till Black Friday to save on their site…if you are signed up on their mailing list, you already know about this. To sign up for their mailing list:
“text “CLOUDDEFENSIVE” to phone number 42828 and sign up for our email list. We give them the discounts and we give them first-access to new products and product re-stocks as well.”
So if you’ve been waiting for a sale on Cloud Defensive goodies, use code: BLACKNOVEMBER at checkout for 25% off the entire order!
Sig Sauer P320 Compact with X-Compact frame, TLR7-A
I recently upgraded my P320 Compact with the newer X-Compact frame and it created a problem, the dust cover of the rail is a bit shorter. Making a full sized WML unable to mount.
I reached out to Streamlight and they sent me a TLR-7, one that isn’t quite out yet.
Streamlight will be updating their line of TLR-7 series of mini Weapon Mounted Lights with the addition of the TLR-7A.
Many people weren’t pleased with the position and function of the current model’s switches as it requires the user to break a high thumb forward grip to activate. Looks like Streamlight was listening.
They sent me an advanced copy of the TLR-7A with the low paddles. They’re a huge improvement over the current rubberized buttons. It is easy to manipulate, however I’d rather have the switches higher up. I told them that the switch needs to be the opposite and they gave me some good news, there will be a model with the high paddle buttons.
All of the other features will be the same as the current models.
The bad news…from what I understand, you will not be able to retrofit a current TLR-7 with these new switches, you’ll have to buy a new A model.
As for fitment, it comes with multiple key inserts and for the X-Compact frame, the 1913-3 works perfectly on it.
The release will be soon, I am waiting the high switches, which will be swappable with the low ones that I have.
Standby for more as I will update this as I get the high switches. The TLR-7 should be gtg with any number of other weapons, be it the SIG Copperhead or Glock 47. Only use in the field will prove things one way or the other.
In the meantime, here’s a quick overview video:
Update 10/22/19
Some more good news, I got in two kydex holsters that were molded with the existing TLR-7s and it fits the TLR-7A perfectly so you won’t need to buy new holsters if you’re switching over.
Fellow Gun Owning Californians, I have great news! I got you some discount codes for the AR Mag Lock and Freedom Follower. Use the corresponding codes to get 10% off your order. For more info on these products, use the links below.
You’ve been reading this for years (and thank you for that): Fifty Shades of FDE. Chances are if you’re one of our regulars, you know what FDE actually is, but some people do not. Let’s fix that.
FDE
Flat Dark Earth
FDE is the acronym for Flat Dark Earth. In simplest terms, it’s supposed to be a specific shade of earth-toned brown. Some people say it closely resembles some of the colors that can be seen in rural Afghanistan, which is probably why the guys at Breach-Bang-Clear call it “Mud Hut” or “Mud Hut Brown” when they’re trying to describe it.
We say “supposed to be” because as with any color in the tactical/gun industry, not everyone gets it right. Each letter in the acronym is indicative of something, i.e. “Flat” means it’s matte, with no shine.
A pistol in FDE and a distant cousin in black.
Cerakote (the actual company) defines FDE as a “…medium-dark, flat brown.” There are variations and gradations, of course, which is probably why they go on to clarify:
Notice: Flat Dark Earth (H-265) and MagPul Flat Dark Earth (H-267) are very similar in color and in some cases H-265 may be a closer match to MagPul’s OEM Flat Dark Earth color.
FDE is different (though varyingly close t0) a number of other colors. Some companies make up their own names, some use a generic term, others go by specific color codes defined with great specificity by DoD contract.
Field Drab, for instance, is Military Color Code 30118. Yes, Military Color Code is a thing. As in, Army Green = #4b5320.
There’s much, much more to this, and as you can tell by our publication’s title it’s something we have an interest in. Check back periodically, we’ll be updating this article a lot!
The Archon Type B is hitting stores and the hands of shooters. It’s been the source of much anticipation – now it’s here. Not in FDE (yet), but at least it’s here.
Archon Firearms describes the Archon B as their flagship pistol, saying, “…the Type B, features the ground-breaking AF-Speedlock technology. This new unique style of barrel lockup allows the firearm to sit lower in the hand providing the lowest bore axis of any current production pistol. The resulting effect is a completely different shooting experience.”
The weapon sports a number of features, including what is called the “AF-Speedlock.” It is this feature that gives the handgun its much-touted low bore axis. Other features include:
Match-grade traditionally rifled barrel coated in black nitride.
Three-stage recoil rod with uncaptured mainspring (for ease of service and tuning)
Inner-frame milled from billet steel featuring full-length rails.
Full metal, flat-faced, short reset trigger.
Integrated beavertail with featured contour to activate tendon in hand for better grip.
Oversized trigger guard for use with gloved fingers.
Fiber optic front sight with blacked-out rear cut from billet steel. The slide uses a standard Glock dovetail and front sight for ease of change if preferred.
Front and rear cocking serrations.
Integrated Picatinny rail for weapon attachments up front.
Metal magazine release that is easily reversible for left-handed shooters.
Innovative Grip Mapping texture designed to actively fight the direction the gun wants to rotate during recoil.
Integrated magwell.
Full metal magazine with baseplate designed for ergonomic loading with grid pattern for ease of marking.
The Type B is currently available with the following options:
Black Nitride Slide
PVD FDE Slide
Fiber Optic Target Sights
AFR8 Night Sights
It ships with the following items:
Four (4) Magazines
Malterra designed high-quality range bag made with 500D Nylon
Silver AF USA Permanent Marker (for marking magazines)
If you’re into miniature weapons for decoration, check out Goat Guns! They sent me two M4s in FDE. They are about a foot long in length at a 1:3 Scale. All the parts are die cast metal and the attention to detail is excellent. The rear A2 sight on the carry handle is adjustable, charging handle is functional as well as many other parts. Here is the link to the same M4s that I have:
OWL & CORv1
