NEW REVIEW: NOVEMBER 2004

by Chris Choat

BERETTA CX4 STORM RAILS FROM TACTICAL EXCELLENCE

Tactical Excellence, Inc. is now offering Accessory Mounting Rails for use on the Beretta Cx4 Storm. These rails are designed for use on the sides of the Cx4 Storm and are longer than the factory side rails. All Tactical Excellence rails are manufactured from 6061 aircraft grade aluminum alloy and anodized black. Screws are included with the new rails. The Cx4 Storm Accessory Mounting Rail allows the user to add lasers, flashlights or any other rail mountable accessory to your weapon. These rails will work with Beretta’s saddle mount for their lower rail. The Tactical Excellence rails are designed to use Knight’s manufacturing rail panels. These rails are used to cover any unused part of the rail and offer a more comfortable gripping surface. Tactical Excellence offers these panels in 8-rib length and can be cut down to the needed size. Tactical Excellence is now also offering trigger jobs for the Beretta Cx4 Storm. For more information on these as well as rails for the HK UMP/USC and other innovative products please, contact Tactical Excellence, Inc., Dept. SAR, 525 Carswell Ave., Unit F, Holly Hill, FL 32117. Phone: (386) 290-5664. They can be found on the web at www.tacticalexcellence.com.

CALDWELL LEAD SLED REST FROM BATTENFIELD TECHNOLOGIES

A new product from the Caldwell division of Battenfield Technologies will make those sighting-in sessions at the bench a pleasure, even with heavy recoiling firearms. The new Caldwell Lead Sled Rest is designed to absorb most of the recoil from your gun while sighting in, testing ammunition, or target shooting. The innovative, patent-pending design allows shooters to weigh the rest down with up to four bags of lead shot, sandbags, or other heavy material (not included). The amount of weight used can be adjusted to practically eliminate the recoil from even the largest rifles. The Lead Sled is also great for patterning turkey shotguns and slug guns. The Lead Sled’s sturdy steel frame incorporates an adjustable front rest that accepts a variety of different bags; along with a PAST recoil pad in the rear section. The back foot of the rest also adjusts in elevation for more precise sighting in. The ergonomic design makes it easy to use and the heavy-duty construction assures years of trouble-free service. The Caldwell Lead Sled can make your sighting in sessions faster and more productive by eliminating recoil and reducing your tendency to flinch when shooting big guns or heavy loads. Suggested retail price is $139.99. For more information, please contact Battenfield Technologies, Inc., Dept. SAR, 5885 W. Van Horn Tavern Road, P.O. Box 1035, Columbia, MO 65203. Phone: (573) 445-9200. You can visit them at their website at: www.battenfieldtechnologies.com.

TASCO INTRODUCES NEW RGP PROPOINT SIGHT

For 2004, Tasco introduces the new 1x26mm RGP ProPoint sight that gives shooters the choice of either red or green dots in one sight. The RGP ProPoint offers shooters the choice of either a 5 M.O.A. green or red dot. The green will be the choice of shooters during early morning or late afternoon when the light is low and you need a brighter dot. Shooters can also select the red dot for greater contrast and faster target acquisition. The compact, lightweight RGP ProPoint adds little bulk or weight to a rifle, shotgun or pistol. All Tasco ProPoint sights are built to last with rugged construction and quality optics. The RGP ProPoint uses lithium batteries for dependable performance on the range or in the field. The new sight is also covered by a Lifetime Limited Warranty. For more information on this, as well as the entire line of Tasco optics, please contact Tasco, Dept. SAR, 9200 Cody, Overland Park, KS 66214. Phone: (800) 423-3537. Their website can be located at www.tasco.com.

DIRTY BIRD TARGETS FROM BIRCHWOOD CASEY

The new Dirty Bird Splattering Targets from Birchwood Casey leave a white ring around each bullet hole, making shooting sessions fun and easy. The name comes from the splatter of white on the black background that appears upon bullet impact that gives the shooter instant shot recognition. These non-adhesive paper targets may be attached to any proper backstop, and then taken down to add notes and save them for future reference. There are several designs and sizes to choose from including Bull’s-eye targets in 3, 5.5, 8 and 12 inches. Sight-in targets 12×12 inches and Silhouette Targets 12×18 inches matching B24 specs. Dirty Bird targets are priced comparably to regular paper targets, yet have the added feature of changing color when you shoot them. For more information, contact Birchwood Laboratories, Inc., Dept, SAR, 7900 Fuller Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344. Phone: (952) 937-7928. Fax: (952) 937-7979. You can visit them at www.birchwoodcasey.com.

COLUMBIA RIVER KNIFE & TOOL INTRODUCES DESERT TACTICAL FOLDERS

The service men and women of the coalition forces in the Middle East and Afghanistan require cutting tools that can stand up to the harsh demands of the desert. The new Carson Desert Tactical Folders from Columbia River Knife & Tool have been developed specifically to blend into the desert environment. Two special M16 Zytel models feature super rigid InterFrame built with 420J2 stainless steel liners, threaded stainless steel back spacers, and Desert Camo pattern Zytel scales. Blades are non-reflective bead blast finished AUS 6M stainless steel. They blend and almost disappear in the desert.

M16-13ZM Military. This model features a 3.56-inch (9.0 cm) spear point blade and weighs only 3.5 oz. (99 g). It is ideal when weight and bulk must be kept to a minimum, and is usable in a variety of carry positions. It comes with a removable Teflon plated clothing/gear clip. M16-14ZSF Special Forces. These tactical SF models feature two Carson Flippers, resulting in a true hilt when the blade is opened. The Big Dog Zytel version has a 3.94-inch (10.0 cm) blade and full size handle with a pommel that is exceptionally powerful in tactical situations. Weight is a hefty 6.2 oz. (176 g). Each M16-14SF comes with two stainless steel Teflon-plated clothing/gear clips, extra screws and a Torx tool, allowing for four position carry options on belts or webbing with tip up, tip down, left or right.

M16-14D Desert Big Dog. This is an aluminum frame M16 with all the features or the M16 but in desert camo. The contoured handles of textured, 6061 T6 aluminum are hard-anodized Desert Tan. The 3.94-inch (10.0 cm) AUS 8 stainless steel blade, chosen for edge retention and durability, receives a highly corrosion resistant Desert Tan non-reflective titanium nitride coating. All models feature the patented Lake And Walker Knife Safety (LAWKS) that effectively turns the folders into fixed blades when actuated. One-hand opening and closing is quick and smooth, the result of precision tolerances and Teflon bearings at the blade pivot. The dual ambidextrous thumb studs with checkered surfaces provide instant access in any circumstance.

All blades have Combined Razor-Sharp and Triple-Point Serrated cutting edges. For more information, please contact Columbia River Knife & Tool (CRKT), Dept. SAR, 9720 S. Hillman Court, Suite 805, Wilsonville, OR 97070. Phone: (503) 685-5015. Fax: (503)682-9680. They can be located on the internet at www.crkt.com.

KOLPIN INTRODUCES ATV DUMP BOX

Kolpin Outdoors Inc., a leader in outdoor innovation, adds to its extensive list of ATV accessories with the innovative new ATV Dump Box. Combining operator convenience and hauling power, this ruggedly constructed, universal-fit box takes the hassle out of transporting large loads via ATVs. Measuring 37 3/4 x 42 3/4 x 10 1/2 inches, Kolpin’s Dump Box fits most brands of ATVs. This box attaches to the original ATV rear rack, allowing the box to be attached and detached in seconds. Durable double wall polypropylene construction and a full hinge metal frame make this accessory optimal for difficult hauling jobs. Operated by a secure latch handle, a powerful hydraulic lift allows for quick and easy emptying of heavy cargo such as gravel, dirt or firewood. Kolpin’s Dump Box makes quick work of multiple-trip tasks by offering a generous capacity of 5,775 cubic inches. For additional convenience, grooves run along the bottom of the box, channeling water and debris away from freight and rounded edges allow for easy cleanup. For more information on Kolpin’s new ATV Dump Box, or to request a catalog, contact Kolpin Outdoors Inc., Dept. SAR, 205 N. Depot Street, POB 107, Fox Lake, WI 53933. Phone: (920) 928-3118. Fax: (920) 928-3687. Their website is www.kolpin.com.

BF1 VINDICATOR FROM LAKESIDE GUNS

Lakeside Guns has added a new firearm to their famous lineup of rimfire belt-feds. The latest member of the Lakeside family is their first full-size production gun. The BF1 Vindicator is a belt-fed, semiautomatic carbine. At less than 8 pounds, it has a 16.25-inch barrel with an overall length of 35.5 inches. It utilizes a reloadable, 50-round cloth belt that is supplied with each rifle. The stock is currently made of walnut with a few others that may be available as options in the future. Accessories being designed include a belt box and brass catcher. Deliveries are expected to begin in September 2004 and the current retail price is $1,995.00. You can find more information about the BF1 Vindicator at their website at: www.lakesideguns.com or contacting them by phone at (920) 897-4682.