(+5 rating, 5 votes)
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At various times through the year solid accessories for existing equipment hit the market. Some are sent to AmericanCop by sponsors, supporters, or industry partners. Others I buy or are loaned to me in order to give an informed opinion. It is relatively easy to do a two- or three-part review of a firearm with an optic. Devoting an entire piece to ancillary yet necessary pieces of gear is more difficult. So, let’s look at the top accessories for now:
Gel Cups for Hearing Protection
ConcealedCarry.com gave me my first set of SoftSeal gel ear pads two years ago. I liked them enough that I bought another pair for a different set of Walker hearing protection.
ReadyUp’s gel- and memory-foam-filled cups. Significantly more comfortable!
Instead of a traditional single piece of foam covered by plastic, these are a combination of memory foam and silicon gel. They have two rings for the portion around the ears. With those rings and the internals, there is no gap caused by your eyewear. You are protecting your eyes when on the range, right?
Additionally, for me, these are a whole lot more comfortable when I’m on a range for multiple full-day classes.
Arca Pistol Rest
Close-up of the PRSS’s Arca Mount on top of a tripod for zeroing.
When trying to zero any of your optics, the more support you have, the easier the process can be. For my pistol-mounted optics, I started with a sandbag atop an ammo can while seated at a bench. Solid? Yes, but it doesn’t quite mimic your usual shooting platform or stance. After trying a couple of other options, each better than its predecessor and covered in these pages, I adopted a tripod I could raise up to my hands while standing.
Earlier this year, a friend pointed me to PR Shooting Solutions and their pistol rest . It is a two-piece 3D-printed brace that is very reminiscent of Ransom Rest’s multi-Cal mount. The base attaches to the tripod head, and your hands or a thin sandbag can go there. The front of your firearm’s frame fits into a cutout on the vertical portion. That part can be adjusted vertically and locked in place with two knurled screws.
Zeroing one of my M&P pistols using the Arca pistol rest on top of a tripod.
This is a solid space- and weight-saving option when traveling to teach classes where students need to confirm their zeroes.
ARO Holster Wrap
In addition to Safariland’s offerings, the ARO wrap is being made for Alien Gear’s Rapid Force holster.
As more equipment is foisted on end users, some are running out of space due to policy or preferences. This worsened with the widespread adoption of external vest carriers. All that leads to interest in other ways to attach those items to your existing equipment.
I have used metal attachment options and a self-locking polymer system to attach accessory pouches to my holsters. Each of those has been a non-flexible option, though.
Joe H sent me one of the ARO wraps. It is a flexible, woven polypropylene sheet. And it’s ambidextrous, which is always a plus. The design provides the user with multiple mounting options on the outside and the front of the holster.
Two views of the ARO holster wrap installed on a Safariland 6000 series with Tactical Tailor pouch – where I’d place my tourniquet holder.
There are models for Safariland’s 6000, 7000, and Vault series, as well as Alien Gear’s Rapid Force holsters. One caveat: it will not fit on Safariland’s 6354RDO models.
Thyrm Pocket Clip
The Switchback-3, alongside a knock-off design. Regardless, the visible difference in the ride height is accurate.
I use several Thyrm products, especially their battery holders and the replacement housing for my Zippo lighter. Their original Switchback had a large, solid plastic clip and finger ring. Low profile, they weren’t. A very solid offering for uniformed carry, but less so for plainclothes or off-duty use. Within the last 18 months or so, the plastic clip was replaced with a smaller wire version. It rides closer to the tail cap than the original, which means it sits lower in the pocket – nearly disappearing. From use in classes and practice, I have come to view it very favorably.
Two of the Swiychback-3 pocket clips, along with Thyrm’s zippo lighter housing! And a GloRhino locator.
They are available in black and tan, as well as navy, to blend in with denim jeans.
Dummy Rounds
Yes, I have talked about several of these before. While most dry manipulations do not require them, some do. Like reloading revolvers and shotguns.
A couple of the dummy round caliber options for ReadyUp, alongside a Model 19-3 from my old agency. It’s even counter-stamped for it.
One thing I’ll touch on first. There seems to be a trend towards weighted dummy rounds for dry practice. Proponents are saying the weight somehow makes your practice more relevant. I’d recommend avoiding them, given that ammunition manufacturers are loading live ammunition with coated, colored projectiles that may only be a shade or two from traditional dummy rounds. I want dummies that cannot be confused with live rounds.
ReadyUp has fielded a modified design. The colored insert starts in an open primer pocket and is solid out to the “projectiles” end. Given concerns from some European countries, the insert cannot be removed from the case.
They come in .380ACP, .38Special, 9mm, .40S&W, .45ACP plus 5.56mm NATO and .308Win.
Final Thought
I have had good experiences with these products. If they look like they will address your needs, I’d suggest getting them.
