All posts by moondog

Tom "Moondog" DelMundo is a former NYC Creative Director.
Product Reviews, Shooting Sports

Quick-Fill Speed Loader

QuickFill are speed loading ammo tubes made for tube-fed semi-auto rifles, like a Marlin 60.  These will hold 22LR, 22 short cartridges. Quick-Fill also makes a version for 22 magnums and 17HMR cartridges. And a Big-Boy version that fit .38 special, 357, 44 magnum, 45 long-colt, and 41 magnum centerfire lever-action carbines. Cheaper per tube than doing it yourself (I tried and it ended up costing me like $6 per tube and about 20min of construction time), so it’s worth it to me to just buy these.

PRODUCT LINK
22LR: https://amzn.to/3igcjGf
22mag/17HMR: https://amzn.to/2M7k3hV
BigBoy: https://amzn.to/3aHD9n7

How it works is very simple. You open up the stopper end and load in 15 rounds of 22LR ammo. You load them in with the bullet end first. This is so when you empty them into your rifle’s mag-tube, they slide out, rim end first, and are oriented in the correct position in the tube. It fits into your mag-tube like your brass follower tube. You insert, tilt it and the rounds slide it.

Starting from an empty mag-tube with the inner follower tube removed. We’ll pop off the end and load it. About 5 seconds. Compare that with loading a round at a time. About 2-3 seconds per round. 45 seconds may not seem like a long time. But if you’re at a range that charges by the hour, time is money. And I’d rather use those saved minutes shooting rather than loading. But that’s me. 

One downside some have with these tubes is is that they are too long to fit into an ammo can. So don’t. Because they’re roughly the same dimensions as your mag-tube, they’ll fit comfortably nestled next to your rifle in your rifle case or bag. As long as it’s legal in your area to transport ammo in the same container as your firearm. It’s not a magazine, it’s a storage tube.

Another criticism folks have is that the tube is very light and thin to fit inside your mag-tube, so it’s not very strong. A single tube could easily bend or break. But there’s strength in numbers. Bundle a couple together with a rubber band or even tape and suddenly a fragile tube becomes a robust bundle.

Airsoft, Product Reviews, Shooting Sports

OLight PL-Mini 2 Valkyrie

There’s a lot to like about this mini tac light. It’s as bright or brighter than some full-sized weapon lights but don’t stick out awkwardly post the muzzle. Speaking of full-sized lights, I found out that the magnetic charger is not compatible with the Olight PL-PRO. So don’t lose the charger or you’re going to have to order another one from Olight. That’s the one main downside with this light, I kinda wish it was USB-C instead.

Overall there’s a lot I like about this light: it’s bright, weighs next to nothing on my pistol, and is easy to manipulate and activate. It’s a lot better than my XC-1. Its closest competitor is the Klarus GL-1 which is about as small, has an adjustable length mounting system, is also 600 lumens but also has a strobe mode. I know some real-life Operators hate strobe (for valid reasons), so if you want a non-strobe compact weapon light go with Valkerie Mini. 

Product Link
Amazon https://amzn.to/3q3GwLl

Specification

  • Output: 600 LM~60 LM
  • Max Runtime: 1hr 50min  
  • Light Source: CW LED
  • Body Material: AL6061-T6 aluminum alloy
  • Dimensions:
  • Length: 2.07 in /52.5 mm
  • Width: 1.26 in / 32 mm
  • Height: 1.28 in / 32.5 mm
  • Weight: 2.57 oz/ 73g
  • Battery Source: Built-in LiPoly Battery
  • Waterproof: IPX6
  • Impact Resistance(m):1 meters
Product Reviews

Bomaker 100″ Portable Projector Screen

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The pandemic isolation has forced us to get creative with our entertainment. This giant 100-inch portable projection screen turns any living room or backyard into a movie theatre. If you own a projector, a good quality projector screen versus a plain white wall is a night and day improvement in color intensity, brightness, and clarity.

PRODUCT LINKS
Screen https://amzn.to/3bdkocF
Projector https://amzn.to/3qf1yGG

Shooting Sports

CMMG Bravo AR 22LR Conversion Kit & Accuracy Test


The CMMG Bravo allows you to quickly and easily convert your 5.56mm chambered AR to fire inexpensive 22LR cartridges, without having to change your barrel or receiver. All for the price of a premium Bolt-Carrier group. 

Installation is simple. Pop out your receiver pin and removing your existing AR bolt and install the Bravo like a Bolt Carrier group. If you need to learn how to take out your Bolt Carrier Group. Swap out your existing bolt for the Bravo and you’re done. Next just load the Bravo mags with the 22LR of your choice. The mags are physically the same size and shape as a 30rnd AR magazine and will fit in your magwell or pouches. 

We’re trying out 3 popular 22 brands and see how they perform and their accuracy with 3” targets at 50yrds. Setting up 3” targets at 50yrds, the first step was finding a new zero which was going to be different than with a 556 cartridge. I had to re-adjust my scope about 4 Mil lower and a Mil or two to the left. 

I started the test with my most reliable ammo: CCI Mini-Mags 36 grain Copper Plated Hollow Points

CCI 
Mini-Mag 
36gr CPHP
1260fps

Like many, CCI is my go-to benchmark. It’s the most expensive ammo in this test but not by much. With better than average accuracy and reliability, it is the only mass-market ammo that consistently and reliably performs in both my rifles and pistols. 

Next, I tried Federal AutoMatch. 

Federal 
AutoMatch 
40gr LRN
1200fps

The only Lead Round Nose bullet in this test. Another reason I included AutoMatch is that Federal originally designed this cartridge function better in AR-style 22 rifles. Ironically, the one failure to fire that occurred in this test, occurred with Automatch. It didn’t appear to be a light strike. And the round fired after rotating it 90º. 

Finally, I tried Aguila Super Extra High Velocity, a 40gr Copper Plated round nose. 

Aguila
Super Extra HV
40gr CPRN
1255fps

Aquila Super Extra is my everyday ammo for my other 22 rifles. It provides excellent performance for value with the lowest Cost-Per-Round of the three ammo tested.  Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a strong enough pop to cycle reliably many pistols.

In a 10 round average, CCI came out with the tightest groups. Aguila came in 2nd, and Federal Auto Match came in distant 3rd. But all three are good plinking rounds depending on the size of your plates at 25 to 50yrds. 

CCI Mini-Mags
Group Size: 3.3MOA

Federal AutoMatch
Group Size: 6.38MOA

Aguila Super Extra
Group Size: 4.65MOA

But at 100yrds it’s a different story. Due to the faster twist rate of an AR barrel, 22’s start to tumble off and shots were landing all over the place especially the Federal AutoMatch. So I recommend sticking to 50yrds. 

CONCLUSIONS

Here’s some things you should be aware of. Using the Bravo leaves more fouling in your AR because 22 rimfire is dirtier round than 556 and it’s a blowback design. After using the Bravo, firing your regular 5.56 rounds will automatically clean out your gas tube. They also recommend using copper-plated rounds like the CCI Mini-Mag and Aguila Super Extra HV to reduce lead fouling in your barrel. The Bravo functions better with a light film of lubricant. I experienced some failures to feed initially because I fired it bone dry out of the box.   

Taking a closer look we see how the Bravo functions by separating into two parts. The back half of the bolt blows back. The 22 cartridge feeds into an inner chamber in the front section and the bullet fires out through the tip which is shaped like a 556 cartridge, and designed to fit in your AR’s barrel chamber. 

Due to this split design, the bolt hold-open paddle in your AR will not work nor will the forward assist. But your charging handle work normally. The current version of the Bravo magazines features a last-round bolt open.

So first the negatives. Accuracy. For the price, you could buy a Marlin 60 which is a far more accurate 22LR rifle. A Bravo converted AR is not going to be as accurate as your AR is normally because of the barrel twist the slightly smaller bullet diameter. But on the plus side, it’s decent plinking 50yrds. 

You’ll be able to practice and train with your existing AR with all of its accessories that you’re used to, the grip, optics, etc. The best reason to get a Bravo is the cost benefits shooting 22. Granted, as we saw with recent events, during an ammo panic, 22 can be hard to get. It’s still easier to find 22LR than 556 and it’s still far, far cheaper even with jacked up panic prices. 

And if you got something out of this video, please share this review on your favorite forum, blog, or on social media. 

BUY

10rnd Bravo (CA, NY Compliant): https://tidd.ly/3Ib6WcX

Gadgets, Product Reviews, Social

Sokani Tiny Wireless Mic Fail

I bought this Sokani UHF Wireless Lavalier transmitter set after reading a number of positive reviews presenting it as a cheaper alternative to the similar Rode Wireless Go. I am experiencing intermittent and random sound glitches. I’m sharing my experiences in hopes to find out if other owners have experienced similar issues.

I contacted Amazon and they send me another unit and it too has the same sound drop-off glitch. With two identical units, I proceeded to rule out the cables and mic as the causes through a process of elimination. But in the end, I believe that BOTH units sent are defective. Asll the more reason to stay away from this brand.

PRODUCT LINK https://amzn.to/3nT3nYu

ATTEMPTS TO TROUBLESHOOT

• I fully charged both units before using them.

• I used the default Gain that was set on the units the first time I used them.

• The transmitter and the receiver were never more than 4m away from each-other while recording.

• I used the lav mics included in the set and also tried another brand of lav mic.

• I tested the lav mics directly connected to my camera but did not experience any drop out.

• I tried yelling directly into the mics but the sound did not cut off so the drop-out is not Peak triggered.