TakeAimTV - Blog

10/12/2022

Vedder ProDraw OWB Paddle Holster Review

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I have been testing the Vedder ProDraw™ OWB Paddle Holster. First lets talk about what situations you would use a paddle holster in. I personally would use it for concealed carry under a coat, range use, or in the outdoors, hunting or fishing. I would not use it for open carry in crowded public places where someone could grab my holster and try to remove it from me. For open carry I would prefer a level 2 retention holster and something with belt loops for more security. Thats enough about the why, lets get into the features of this holster. Starting with the paddle it self is is polymer with a rubber grip texture that goes against your pants.

The cant can be adjusted 15degrees forward or backwards. I never had the paddle come loose or the holster come off while testing. The paddle has a wedge design making putting it on easy but unwanted removal much more difficult. The lower part of ther paddle helps keep the pistol vertical and can be used to push on to remove the holster from your waist.

The kydex it self is well made and very solid. This holster also features adjustable retention giving u full control over the draw resistance. Similar to their other OWB holsters this model features a large sight chanal to fit larger sights and a open muzzle end design to allow for threaded barrels and help prevent the build up of dirt and other obstructions.
If you are looking to conceal this holster you may find it more difficult then their Light draw holster because it does not sit as close to the body. You could conceal this with a coat or loose hoodie but thats about it.

As mention in past reviews this is made in the U.S.A. and Vedder offers a 30 day return policy so if you dont like it send it back.
So overal this is a well built holster. As mentioned before I will use this at the range or in the outdoors and the fact it goes on and off easy is the added bonus of a paddle holster. Now if you would prefer a option that secures to the belt more then check out our review of the vedder Lightdraw OWB holster. I have tested a few different vedder holsters and I have been extremely satisfied with the build quality and have come to trust them to properly hold my pistols.

Full Review video below:

9/30/2022

Stopbox Stike Truck Gun Safe Review

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Are you looking for a pistol safe for your truck or SUV then this review is for you?
We are reviewing the Stopbox Strike Pistol safe. This safe is designed to go in-between the seat of your vehicle and center console. It has quick release you hit with your leg when the safe is unlocked.

If you want to prevent quick access you simply lock the safe with the included key to disable the quick release and lock the box. No drilling is needed to secure it to the vehicle. You use the included locking cable to lock it to a solid part of the truck. You do need to buy your own padlock for that.

Now the neat thing about this safe is that when you hit the quick release knob it deploys your pistol within reach for quick access.
It can fit compact and full size handguns. It does not fit most weapon mounted lights, extended magazines or some pistols with optics.

The safe is made from anodized alluminum and steel.
Personally I would only use this if I had to go into a place where I could absolutely not carry my pistol. But for day to day use I wouldnt use it much. Also I'm not a big fan of storing guns in my car even in lock boxes due to the fact the a person with enough time and want could probably steal or break into just about anything.

But sadly NY just passed some insane laws restricting where people can carry so for those who plan on complying with those new laws this could work for them.
My other concern was accidental deployment when unlocked. I did a few roadtrips where I drove for 6 plus hours and never accidentally deployed it. But this could be a big problem during a traffic stop. So if you are going to run this make sure you are very cognizant of its presents during those moments and keep your leg away from it.

As always whens it comes to stuff like this I would recommend dry fire drills with it. Get use to the way it deploys and how to engage someone from the safe with out flagging yourself.
I would recommend carrying your gun on person as much as possible. You never know if you may be ripped from your vehicle and need that gun.

So in my opinion this is a well built product that could be very useful for those looking to store a gun in the car and is a much better option then just hiding your gun under a seat or putting it in the glove box. The safe is made in the USA and come with a 30day satisfaction guarantee. For the full review click the link below.

9/30/2022

Tyrant Designs Glock I.T.T.S. Trigger Review

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Looking to upgrade your Glock trigger then check out this review. We tested the Tyrant designs I.T.T.S. Trigger for the Glock. Also known as the Improved Tyrant Trigger System. Specificaly on my glock 48.

5% off all products with promo code welcome5! tyrantcnc.com

My main reason for wanting to upgrade my Glock trigger was because I'm not a big fan of the round face on the OEM Glock trigger. This trigger offers a flat face but still has a slight curve to shape to your finger. I found my finger was settling nicely to the same spot each time I placed my finger on the trigger. Consistency
is everything in the world of shooting.

This trigger also boasts superior resets. They do this by using a 30% power spring.
The trigger pre travel will remain the same for the most part because I am using the OEM trigger, bar. The break is very solid leading into the reset. With that reset You can feel the trigger pushing your finger out slightly faster. This makes it so you can get ready for your follow up shots faster.

To me thats a added bonus. During the install you will notice that they use set screws instead of pins. Making install and maintenance easier. The the set screws, safety blade and power spring are all made with stainless steel. This product is made in the USA, has a 30 day return policy and has a lifetime warranty.

So will this trigger improve your pistols performance. I say yes! Now will it make you a better shooter. No… well no if you dont train with it. Becoming a better shooter comes from perfect practice not part upgrades. For around $75 this is a good upgrade IMO. For the full video review and install click the video below.

8/31/2022

Vedder LightDraw OWB Holster Review

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When the temperatures start to drop some of us like to transition to carrying OWB (Outside the waistband). A big factor I look at when it comes to OWB holsters is can you conceal it. So I decided to test the Vedder LightDraw™ OWB holster.

The holster had 0 issues securing the pistol. The draw is as smooth as you want it to be thanks to the adjustable retention.
I ordered this holster for my glock 48 and it does conceal well with my typical cooler weather apparel such as button down shirts, hoodies and jackets. If you want to conceal with this holster with a tight tee shirt you may have to consider a smaller pistol then what I am using.

This is a kydex holster that secures to your belt via polymer belt clips. As you will see the clips are angled to make the holster hug your body aiding its ability to be concealed.
You have the option to use pancake clips or their standard belt clips. The pancake clips bring the holster closer to the body.
Right off the bat I noticed how solid the kydex feels. Not only did it not overally flex under pressure but could even handle me racking my slide on it.

For those running larger sights on your pistol they did make this holster with a wide sight chanel giving you room for sights up to 10mm tall.
The kydex wraps around both sides of the pistol and full covers your trigger gaurd for added safety. It also features a sweat shield giving you a small barrier between your pistol and those love handles.

It also features an opening at the muzzle to allow dirt and debris to fall free as well as makes room for a threaded barrels. I live in N.Y., behind tyrannical lines, so I wouldnt know much about threaded barrels to comment more on that.
Each holster is custom made for your pistol and options such as light or RMR/ red dot optics.
So over all I really like this holster. It hugs the body tight and its made extremely well. Also the fact its made in the U.S.A. is always a plus. Vedder also has a 30 day return policy so if you dont like it send it back.

Click below for Full Review Video:

7/14/2022

RTS Tactical Advanced Sleek 2.0 Plate Carrier Review

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We had the pleasure of reviewing RTS Tactical's Advanced Sleek 2.0 Plate Carrier. In this day in age body armor is not only an essential tool for LEO, military and security but also for civilian use. Situations that could call for body armor for civilian use could range from finding your self amongst civil unrest or in the middle of a active threat situation.

RTS designed the sleek 2.0 carrier to give you the added protection of holding front and back 10x12 plates but it offers a low profile look giving it the ability to be concealed. With the villianizion in many states agaisnt those who chose to protect them selves by wearing body armor, the added ability to be able to conceal it is a bonus.

Enough about the reason lets talk about the features.
This carrier can hold 10x12 Level IIIA soft plates, level III, level III+ steel and Level IV Ceramic plates in the front and rear. The carrier I tested has Level III+ steel plates.

The carrier is very streamlined. If you remove the padded covers for the shoulder strap it makes it even easier to conceal. The padded shoulder straps are also a nice touch for long wears.

My carrier weighed in at 16lbs and with that in mind it was still pretty comfortable to wear. It is made with 8mm thick closed cell EVA foam. The shell is constructed of advanced stretch Cordua Nylon. The materials are tear, scuff and abrasion resistant. The carrier is also water repellant. The build quality seems solid.

On range day we did a lot of moving and shooting drills some included shooting from prone in dirt and grass and the carrier still looked clean after. Also the carrier really hugged my body when I was on the move.

All in all I think this is a solid carrier and I would encourage all to be prepared for anything and having the option to conceal it is a bonus for civilians or covert operators.

For more information watch our full review video below.

If you are looking to purchase this carrier or looking for more information please click on the links below.
Plate carrier with level III+ Plates
or
Plate Carrier Only

Full disclaimer RTS tactical did send me this carrier for this review but it does not effect what I have to say about it.

6/21/2022

Talon Grips Review

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Are you not satisfied with the grip texture on your pistol? Well this affordable solution may be for you. Introducing the Pro Grip tape by Talon grips. For those who are not familiar with Talon Grips they make a stick on tape that is similar to skateboard tape that improves the grip texture on your pistol.

I've owned my Smith & Wesson M&P Shield for many years now and I was never truly satisfied with its grip texture. It's a smooth polymer with some kind of grip texture but it's definitely not an aggressive texture so if your hands get wet or sweaty it can make griping your pistol more difficult. Talons Pro Grip is a crossover between the rubber grip and their granular grip.

A great feature with these grips is that they are laser-cut to line up with the design of your pistol. The attention to detail is really impressive I was worried it would look like cheap tape on my gun but the design is precise and it fits perfectly. The ProGrip is mainly black with a hint of red flakes. My first impression when I was doing dry fire drills with my pistol was that this grip really works it's a great step up compared to the original polymer grip that came with my pistol. I feel like it really helped me get a firm purchase on the grip during the draw cycle.

I was also really surprised it does not irritate my skin. I was expecting that the rougher texture was going to scratch up my skin after a long day of concealed carrying and I would return home after a long day of carrying this pistol on a long day and there would be no irritation on my skin. Talon grips are %100 made in the USA! For more information on Talon Grips watch my full review and install video.

5/31/2022

Ruger LCP II Review

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Is that a pistol in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
The Ruger LCP II is available in .380 and .22 caliber. It's often referred to as a pocket pistol and it's a great option for when concealment is a must. Let's start with the .380, the .380 features a polymer frame and steel slide with both front and rear slide serrations. The serrations are easy to grip making racking the slide a breeze. The front of the slide is tapered making holstering your pistol easier. To the rear of the slide you see a recessed single action hammer. The fixed steel sights do not have any dots or visible markings but can be acquired in good light.

The magazine release does protrude nicely making it easy to access with your thumb and get yourself back into the fight with a fresh magazine. Unfortunately the mag release is not reversible, sorry left-handed shooters. The trigger is polymer with a safety mechanism in the center that can prevent the trigger from firing when snaged. The trigger pull has a little pre travel but when you hit the wall it offers a nice clean break. The reset is at the wall with a nice audible click so you know exactly when to pull the trigger again. There's no thumb safety option on the .380 and the .380 does include a pocket holster.

This would be great as a training tool if you own the .380. They feel the same obviously except for felt recoil. The recoil is heavier on the .380. But it would get you the basic mechanics of knowing how shooting that gun works. .380 ammo isn't the cheapest so being able to save money with .22 ammo and get range time in is a win, win.

Honestly I enjoyed shooting both these pistols Many complain that small pistols can be painful to shoot but I really didn't think that was the case. I think if you you're shooting with a proper grip they're both easy shooters. If you are in the market for a small pistol then these may be the ones for you.

Moving down to the grip you'll notice stippling on the front, rear, and the sides of the grip. For me personally it grips pretty well when using the extended mag. The .380 comes with a 6+1 round magazine with the option of a either flush baseplate or an extended pinkie baseplate. Ruger does have an optional 7+1 round magazine that extends the grip even further making it easier to shoot.

The .22 model is very similar in design and size compared to the .380 with some micro differences. One of the bigger difference with the .22 is the slide features new cocking ears and a lighter recoil spring making it easier to rack the slide. The .22 gives the option of a thumb safety. The barrel is stainless steel. The 10 round magazine that's included with the .22 does have a slightly different baseplate than the .380. The .22 does have a magazine disconnect, meaning you cannot fire the pistol without a magazine inserted. The .22 also comes with a speedloader.

If there's one thing I would change about this pistol would be the front sight. It's just a flat black sight post and it's not the easiest to acquire in low-light situations. Now I understand that this gun is designed for up close and personal defense were aiming is not going to be a major factor but to me personally I would like to be ready for almost anything.

2/24/2020

Recon Medical Tourniquet Review

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I want to talk to you about a product that’s inception dates back centuries and may save a life. Im talking about tourniquets(TQ).
We recently tested a tourniquet by Recon Medical. It's becoming more and more common to see people carrying Tourniquets in the field or on the range. Some do it because it’s tacticool and some do it knowing that it's a life saving tool that is useful for stopping major limb bleeds.

Not all tourniquets are created equal some are cheap nockoffs, some look great but just don’t work. The most common tourniquet I have seen is the CAT style tourniquet with the Velcro strap and windlass used to crank down the pressure to restrict the blood flow in a limb that is rapidly losing blood.
Years ago when I was in the market for a TQ I came across Recon medicals Gen 3 TQ.

I like the idea of the aluminum windless vs the plastic I have seen in other brands. It also had a lower price point. After seeing some torture videos where the average break strength was around 750lbs. I was impressed. Other notable differences are their thumb-hole that can assist with tightening down the Velcro strap when it is bloody or wet.

"If you are going to navigate through the world we live in there is a high degree of likelihood that you or somebody else is going to need some kind of medical treatment at some point in time." says combat veteran/ Firearm Instructor Patrick Kimbal
"The degree of likelihood that we are going to need medical is way higher then the degree of likelihood that we will need to access our hand gun and use that."

I personally have a few of these TQ's. I carry one on my person on a regular basis, another in my truck, and one on my range bag. Freak accidents happen all the time and being prepared can save your life.

"Its one thing to have the tools and to practice, but its another thing to get expert advice and seek training" explains Patrick.

If you are going to carry one of these you need to know how to use it. Applying a tourniquet is not fun and it’s going to be uncomfortable for yourself or the person you are applying it too. So you owe it to your self to learn how to apply a TQ properly from a professional.

The tourniquet we tested was Recon Medicals Gen 4 model. The Gen 4 features a new molded over aluminum design that is stronger and will perform better in extreme heat, cold, rain, or underwater application. I have seen them do break strength testing and it and it held to about 1500lbs.

After countless testing and drills with this TQ I am confident it will function as advertised if the time came to use it.
A person can bleed out in less then 5 minutes from a arterial bleed. I urge you to invest in your life and carry a Tourniquet.
www.ReconMedical.com
For more details check out our full review video below.

1/7/2020

Dont get caught with your pants down

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I want to talk about one of the most overlooked accessory in a pistol carrier's arsenal. THE BELT!

Yeah you heard me, your belt! This is one of those things most people new to carrying don't think about nor do they want to spend money on. People tend to go to Sears, well not Sears, maybe walmart and buy a standard dress belt and think they are good to go. But then that same person will be on the internet complaining that their holster sags or doesn't stay clipped to their belt right and blames the holster. News flash, this isn't a holster issue it's your belt.

I made this same mistake at first. The thing was I didnt want to wear some tactical looking belt on a daily basis or especially if I tucked my shirt in. A few years ago I ordered a steel core Bigfoot Gun Belt and it changed my world.

The difference is night and day compared to a standard belt. The rigid steel core keeps the belt from flexing under the weight of the gun and also makes the belt stronger so it doesn't stretch over time. I own 3 of them now and the original one I bought years ago is still holding strong and looks great.

The thing I liked about these belts is that they look like normal belts and can be worn with dress cloths or jean's without attracting attention to yourself. I'm not dissing the tacticool belts. I'm sure they are strong and work as advertised but they are just not my style for everyday use. On the range sure.

The belts are made with English bridle leather, heavy duty stitching and triple edge finished. This belt comes in 1.5 inch 14oz with or without steel core, 18oz with steel core and a new slim 1.25inch steel core dress belt. I find the 14oz steel core is just the right thickness to fit the belt loops of Jean's, shorts and most of my dress pants.

Let's say you order a belt and you dont like it or its it's the wrong size. Just send it back. You have a 7 day test drive to send it back for full refund. They even say if you dont like the taste of it. Don't believe me, look on their website. They also have a "legendary" 1 year warranty as they call it that covers any kind of defects as long as you dont drill holes or something into the belt.

If you are still using a junky belt then stop and give Bigfoot Gun Belts a try. As I said I've purchased one myself and fell in love with it. These are my go to belts even on the few days a year I dont carry.
Full review below.

For more information on Bigfoot Gun Belts check out their website www.GunBelts.com

1/3/2020

Home Defense Reimagined

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I have been testing a product that may answer the age old question. How do you carry a spare magazine for home defense?

Every firearm instructor I've worked with a training video I've watched has stressed the importance of carrying a spare magazine(mag). Not just for reloading but for clearing malfunctions and the handful of other things that could go wrong when the shit hits the fan.

But scenario time. Your at home in bed in your birthday suit or favorite PJs and all of a sudden ISIS kicks in your door or the local scumbag home invader. You grab your gun and go. But what about that spare mag? Is it back in your nightstand. Do you hold it and comprise your grip. Most guys don't sleep in full kits or carry spare mags in their elastic of their boxers.

What if I told you there is a device that can hold a spare mag, knife, flashlight, Tourniquet or your favorite snack for home use. Oh, I forgot to mention it goes on instantly. That's right a snap bracelet for grownups. This is the WristMag by SnapTech.

Its designed with two heavyweight elastic magazine loops that are capable of handling any mag from 9mm to 45acp in single or double stack and most speed loaders for revolvers. The magazines are held securely with nonslip neoprene pads. This isn't the same plastic snapbraclet from the 90's. It is constructed with 10 steel springs. After the snap the velcro secures the wrist mag firmly. Once its snapped to your arm it's not going anywhere till your remove it.

I love how it's not just for mags and it's pretty universal. I keep a spare mag and Tourniquet on mine. The WristMag rests on my nightstand ready to deploy. No more fumbling around in the dark trying to get a mag out of my edc holster in the dark. It's also peace of mind knowing I have a Tourniquet on my person just incase.

Disclaimer this is not for concealed carry or open carry. Its strictly designed with home defense in mind.

If it isn't obvious by now I'll just say it, yes I I recommend this product. Stop waiting just order one. SnapTech is not paying me to say this. It's just that great.
www.SnapTechUSA.com
To see this in action check out my full review video at the link below.