The shirt I am testing is a Desert Sage colored short-sleeved shirt fit for covert carry or regular off-duty wear.  The RD stands for “rapid deployment.”  It is styled like any other high end sporting shirt you might find at a retailer, but it some great bonus features.

The 5.4 oz ripstop cotton material is a nice compromise, having both a light weight and durability.  I think this shirt can go from either hot to chilly temperatures without complaint from the wearer.

It is cut generously, which is terrific for concealed firearms carry.  It does not have a breakaway side, like some firearms-intended shirts, but that is a function I am not fond of anyway.

I think your covert draw stroke should be universal regardless of whether you are wearing a jacket, vest, sweatshirt, or regular shirt.  Consistent practice here is important.  The cut of the Magnum RD shirt is just fine.

The back, chest, and underarms of the shirt have mesh venting to let some of the steam out.  The shirt closes smartly with stylish metal snaps that have an expensive look.  The entire appearance of the garment says “safari” or “fishing” to me.

There are accessory pockets at the chest and waist on both front sides of the shirt.  The left chest pocket is about 6 ½” wide X 6 ½” high and is zippered vertically.  The right is around 7 ½” wide by 6 ½” high and zippers horizontally.

Two flapped slip pockets ride unobtrusively on each side of the upper front waist and each are about 5” deep.  Finally, there is a hidden pocket at the nape of the neck inside the collar that can hide currency or a cuff key.

Features of the Magnum RD shirt include:

• 5.4 oz. 100% cotton ripstop
• ColorLock fabric dying process ensures garment color match
• EEMS (Escape & Evasion Money Stash) pocket inside rear collar
• Combat sharp collar design
• RSCS (Rapid Shed Closure System) non-shine all buttons
• MVBCS (Multi-Vented Body Cooling System) works with and without body armor (Patent Pending)
• Vertical access Nelson pocket on left chest with low profile zipper
• Drop stash pocket on right chest with low profile zipper
• ACEP (Ab Concealed Equipment Pocket) on 2 sides
• Notched side access points
• 6-Month No Fade Guarantee
• Magnum style #90098
• S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
• Available in Black, Mocha, Desert Sage, and Navy

I like the styling, material, and construction used in Magnum’s RD line of shirts.  They can be found online for between $45 and $55.

Randall is a twenty-four year sworn police officer in a mid-sized Florida police department.  He has been an FTO, K9 Handler, Detective, and SWAT Team Leader.  He is currently the K9 Unit Sergeant and department SWAT Coordinator.

This knife from Columbia River Knife and Tool (CRKT) is designed by Kit Carson. Kit Carson is famous in the knife building community for the quality of his knife designs. Carson retired as a Sergeant Major from the Army, and has been designing knives for over 30 years. He has been full-time in knife designing since 1993.

The M16-14ZSF is a progression of the CRKT M16 series of knives. There are several design features that stand out on this knife, but CRKT fans will see some similarities with other M16 knives as well. CRKT advertises this knife as Kit Carson’s “folding fixed blade”. This has a Desert Camo handle, but a similar knife (the M21-14ZSF) comes with a black handle. The overall weight of this knife is 6.4 oz. (6.3 oz. on the CRKT website). This knife really feels good in my hands, especially considering its size.

As you read you will find several differences in specifications for this knife. The reason for this is I’m comparing the CRKT packaging of this knife with information from the CRKT website. It is possible that since I purchased this knife on a military base that there are slight differences in the military version and the civilian model, though that is speculation on my part.

THE BLADE

According to the packaging the knife blade is made of AUS 8 stainless steel that has a non-reflective “bead blast” finish. The CRKT website says AUS 4 stainless steel. This is a sand blasted finish that makes the blade’s appearance unique, with a battleship gray appearance instead of shiny steel. The blade is a dual edge Tanto-style knife that also has the “Triple-Point” (TM) combination blade serrations at the base of the blade that are razor sharp. Although the blade is sharpened on both sides, there is a clearly heavier sharpening on the left side (inside for right-handed carry). This causes the blade to be mostly straight on the right side (outside for right-handed carry), with the blade tapering to that side.

According to the packaging the blade is 3.99” (101mm) in overall length, with one inch of serrations. The CRKT website says the blade is 3.875”. I measured mine with a paper-thin plastic ruler and found it to be 3 15/16” from the edge of the hilt to the tip of the tanto edge. Whatever the length, this makes the blade less than the 4” maximum legal length for pocket carry in most areas. Be sure to check the law in your local jurisdictions before you take the M16 out. The blade is 0.138” wide, or about 3.5 mm, and a 58-59 HRC (55-57 HRC on the website).

THE BLADE CATCHES

The blade also has two 0.25” cylindrical catches on the spine of the blade near the hilt, one on each side of the blade. Many knives have similar features that are used to assist in opening the blade. Although these catches have a criss-cross textured pattern, they really are not meant to assist in opening the blade. Although I was able to open the blade with these catches, the quick-assist levers are much easier to manipulate, and I would not recommend a user trying to use the catches to open the blade. These catches are there to stop the blade in the fully open position, as there are bilateral notches in the handle where the notches fit in to provide a strong block.

THE CARSON FLIPPERS

The blade also has two quick-assist levers at the base, for opening and closing the blade. The quick-assist levers, called “Carson Flippers” by CRKT, are about 0.5” long, and have a rough (gear teeth) texture at the tip for easy manipulation. These levers also have a 2mm hole drilled in the end should the owner want to attach a lanyard. When the blade is locked out these levers create a true hilt. CRKT advertises this knife for its “tactical” applications, so having a true hilt is a great benefit when the “dirty” work needs to be done. However, any thrusting type use of this knife will be greatly benefited as the true hilt made by the Carson Flippers will protect the user’s hands from slippage or accidental cutting.

THE HANDLE

The handle is 5.25” long and comes with the Desert Camo Zytel (R) scales. The handle has four large holes drilled in the center of the handle on the left side and three on the right side. In addition to providing a nice look, the holes provide a little extra grip when handling the knife. The M16-14ZSF comes with a stainless steel clip that has the same finish as the blade. The knife is designed for four different carry positions using the clip – blade down, blade up, right and left. CRKT does caution that this particular knife is not designed for tip up carry inside a pocket. That carry position should be done on exterior belts or other gear.

The holes are pre-drilled and the clip is attached with three small star-bit screws. To change positions the owner simply needs to take out the screws, move the clip to the new desired carry position holes, and re-screw the clip to the handle. My M16-14ZSF only had one clip, which was already attached when I bought the knife. The CRKT website advertises that the civilian models should come with two clips.

The interior of the handle is lined with 420J2 stainless steel and maintains the same sand-blasted finish as the rest of the metal on the knife. The pommel of the handle is slightly pointed and takes the shape of a short “J”. Though not specifically mentioned as a use, it appears sturdy enough that the pommel end could be used to break out windows or punch out other items in an emergency use.

THE BEARINGS

The CRKT M16-14ZSF knife comes with Teflon blade pivot bearings. The teflon coated bearings, when used in conjunction with the Carson Flippers, makes the opening of the blade so smooth that its almost like having a quick-assist opening mechanism on

the knife. There is also a very reassuring sound as the blade is being opened and locked into position that leaves no doubt about the knife’s readiness. These same bearings make closing the blade just as smooth. There is a slight catch to the blade at about 30 degrees of movement from locked out position. This is the final movement of the locking bar out of place, and also provides one last sensory warning to the user that the blade is closing. Once the stop lever is completely out of the way the blade closes with the slightest of effort.

THE SAFETIES

The M16-14ZSF has two safeties built into the knife’s mechanism. A feature that has become almost synonymous with folding knives, the M16-14ZSF has a tension locking bar on the inside of the handle. When the blade is fully extended the tension handle slides behind the blade preventing the blade from closing in most circumstances. This tension bar as gear teeth type serrations for sure manipulation. The M16-14ZSF goes further in safety design, however, by adding the patented “AutoLAWKS” safety to the knife. The AutoLAWKS is one of two patents that this knife holds, and provides one more assurance that in the locked out position the folding knife will perform as a fixed- blade knife. What the AutoLAWKS does is slide a blocking lever behind the tension lever lock when the blade is in the fully extended position. Now there is no chance that something might get caught on the tension lever and accidentally cause the knife to close.

To disable the AutoLAWKS safety there is a small lever on the right side of the knife that extends outward upon fully extending the blade. The lever is marked with a red dot. This lever will sit just behind the top Carson Flipper when the blade is fully open, to provide safety from the lever accidentally being engaged. To deactivate the AutoLAWKS the user pushes the small lever back, which removes the blocking lever from behind the tension lever inside the handle. While holding this small lever down, the user than can manipulate the sliding of the tension locking lever out of the way, making room for the blade to fold back into the closed position.

I have found that the easiest way for me to close the blade is to hold the M16-14ZSF in my right hand with the bottom facing up (so you can see inside the handle). I then extend my right pointer finger to the AutoLAWKS lever and pull it down. Now I can take my right thumb and push the tension lever out of the way of the blade at the same time as holding down the AutoLAWKS lever. Once this is accomplished I use my left hand to gently begin closing the blade, ensuring that my right thumb gets out of the way for final closing.

The added AutoLAWKS safety is a reassurance that the knife is truly locked open and I can be as tough as this knife was designed to be without worrying about accidental closure.

THE WARRANTY

CRKT offers a limited lifetime warranty on this knife that covers defects in materials or workmanship. That said, if the knife ever breaks or fails due to materials or

manufacturing defect, CRKT will replace the knife. This warranty if for life as long as you own the knife, but it will end if you sell or give away the knife, or if you modify the knife in some way. You are also responsible for maintaining your knife and failure to do so will void the warranty. CRKT stands behind their products and anyone who has investigated their selections knows that they make quality knives. As such, blade tip breakage or damage is not covered in the warranty, as the company has found that most breaks occur from using the knife for purposes other than what the knife was designed for – cutting.

PRICE

As I said, I “stole” a deal on a military base and got my knife for under $30. The CRKT website lists the MSRP for the M16-14ZSF at $69.99, but I’ve seen the knife advertised for as little at $40 on ebay.com. At either price you are getting an incredible knife with a full range of uses. I would highly recommend this knife for serious knife users, whether you’re in the field to hunt or play, or you are in the field “hunting” for terrorists in far away sand boxes. With its rather large size (9.25” long fully extended) I would think this might be a little much for a simple pocket knife’s normal uses, but having it in your vehicle for roadside assistance (know your laws for this type of carry) be a nice addition to your other tools on hand.

Aaron is a sergeant with a midwestern police department, where he serves as a trainer, supervisor and SWAT sniper. In addition to his broad tactical knowledge, Aaron has experience in DUI, DRE and undercover narcotics investigations.

The Diamondback DB9 is a polymer-framed pistol in 9 X 19mm that tugs at your pocket to the tune of only 11 ounces, unloaded. That is three to four fewer ounces than other lightweight 9mm pistols or most .38 cal. Airweight revolvers.

The DB9 is sized more like a gun throwing a .380 ACP downrange than the much more potent 9mm Parabellum. Its dimensions are a slim .80” in width, 5.6” in length, and 4” in height.

I found the DB9 to follow through on its promise to be an easily carried, reliable 9mm firearm for off-duty or secondary on-duty carry. And, it is Made in America.

This is a Diamondback airboat manufactured by the company prior to getting into the handgun business.

Contrary to Internet myth, Diamondback Firearms, LLC is not related to Kel-Tec CNC Industries and was not started up by disgruntled Kel-Tec employees from just up the road in Cocoa, FL.

Diamondback Firearms began life in 2009 as an offshoot of Diamondback Airboats, a Cocoa company that had been making boats for civilians, law enforcement, the Military, and rescue applications since 1989.

I was eager to shoot a DB9, as we were able to handle one in January at SHOT Show 2011, but not fire it. The gun displayed in their booth was a prototype. Still, I thought it felt very compact and very familiar.

What was noticeable about the DB9 was that it seemed like a slightly stretched version of Diamondback’s DB380. The elongated grip accounted for the longer case of the 9mm vs. the .380 ACP.

I purchased my test gun from B&H Gun Rack in Merritt Island, FL in July for much under $400.00. Since that time, my co-workers and I have shot over six hundred rounds of various 9mm ammunition through it.

I have owned two other pistols from the competing company in Cocoa and I have learned that guns of this fashion require a break-in period of at least several hundred rounds before they find their reliability for self-defense carry.

In the first 75 rounds of both Speer 124 grn TMJ and 124 grn GDHP’s, the gun experienced approximately 10 failures to feed. This happened mostly with the hollow points. After the first hundred rounds were sent downrange, it had no further feeding issues.

The remainder of the bullets I shot through the DB9 was all standard pressure 9mm from the ammo can. You know, random stuff that came from who (and when) knows where. The gun had no problems with mixed magazines of this ammunition.

The Diamondback DB9 arrives in a plastic case with a trigger cover and padlock. The owner’s manual recommends a 50-100 round break-in period and goes on to explain failures to feed, extract, and eject.

The DB9 is a striker-fired pistol and is double action only. There is a cut out at the right side of the chamber that serves as a loaded indicator window. There are scalloped serrations on the front and rear sides of the slide.

The polymer grip frame is checkered aggressively. I noticed that the texturing on the backstrap dug into the web of my hand during extended shooting. Since this is a self-defense gun, I thought it a testament to the positive hold it would provide under stress.

The trigger and magazine catch assembly are made of steel for durability. The metal, blued six round magazine is made in Italy and it features a slightly protruding front lip for stability.

Diamondback reports the trigger pull at 5 lbs. Richard’s DB9 had a 6 pound 9 ounce trigger pull. The action of the trigger is smooth and resets when fully let out like a DAO revolver.

In a sacrifice to overall width, the DB9 does not have a slide release or a slide lock. It will not lock back on the last round. This does not bother me, given the intent of the design to make it as small as possible.

This gun has real sights. They are white three dot, with a windage-adjustable rear. Like another popular polymer pistol maker, Diamondback’s factory sights are plastic. Trijicon sights are available for the DB9.

In range testing a few months ago, Richard and I went to a Central Florida outdoor range to shoot both our DB9’s (and a few other goodies). Richard’s gun functioned without a hiccup from round number one on. Mine was at about round three hundred and fired just fine.

At the time of this shoot, a Diamondback sales rep was stating on their forum that limited use of +P ammunition was okay in a DB9. Fair enough! Richard loaded up a magazine full of mixed 9mm +P loads and let ‘er rip. The gun cycled every round without incident.

This recently appeared on Diamondback’s DB9 web page: “Notice: Diamondback Firearms does not recommend using any 9mm Bullets above 124 gr or any Ammunition that is rated NATO, +P, +P+ or anything else that is higher than SAAMI Standard pressure 9mm. The DB9 is the smallest and lightest 9mm available on the market and was not designed for the abuse and damage that these rounds cause. Any use of non recommended ammunition in a Diamondback Firearms will void the warranty.”

Early in October, I shot the off-duty and secondary firearm qualification course at work, which is actually the State qualification course for on-duty handguns. I shot a better score with the DB9 than some officers did with their full sized Sig Sauer P226’s.

I won’t kid you, the recoil can smart after a while. This is a gun you have to hold on to for it to function properly. A poor grip or limp-wristing will have you practicing a malfunction drill.

To make a long story short, I think the affordable Diamondback DB9 provides above average firepower in a micro-pistol package.

Video of the Diamondback DB9 being fired with standard pressure and +P, +P+ ammunition:

Randall is a twenty-four year sworn police officer in a mid-sized Florida police department. He has been an FTO, K9 Handler, Detective, and SWAT Team Leader. He is currently the K9 Unit Sergeant and department SWAT Coordinator.

I put over 30 miles of hiking into a pair of 5.11 Coyote Taclite 6” Desert Boots while on an R&R trip to southern Utah. Intended as a desert tactical boot, the Taclites will serve well in most all mobile situations.

5.11 literature states the boots need no break-in period. To this, I can attest. They went from the box to trail with no aggravation. These hiking boots are extremely light, but have a substantial amount of suede leather in their outers for durability.

Some of the popular lightweight “boots” found on the market today are little more than glorified running shoes. I found the Taclites to have a more sturdy construction, with enough 1200D denier nylon for good ventilation, but not so much that they would snag or tear easily.

Some other features of the Taclites are an antibacterial and moisture wicking lining, “stay tied” sausage shaped laces, and an oil and slip resistant outsole with a fast roping control thread of harder polymer.

I hiked in Snow Canyon State Park, Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park with these boots. The traction on loose gravel, sandstone, slick rock, and mud was outstanding.

On one hike in Zion, we did 2300 feet of vertical elevation in four miles, one way. The Taclites were great going up, and also when descending. Sometimes a boot’s design can jam up your toes when going down on steep inclines. This was not the case with the 5.11’s.

When we were done on the trails, the boots looked the same as when they had arrived. A quick brush off of the outers, and the red mud and dirt came right off.

I picked up these boots for under $100.00 from an on-line retailer. All features considered, I think they are an excellent value for all terrain or tactical use footwear.

I will be writing a review of my black pair of 8” upper 5.11 Taclites for on-duty use, so stay tuned!

Randall is a twenty-four year police officer in Florida. He is notorious for boot abuse.

There are many patrol scenarios in which you would not want to use a flashlight to get a look around in the dark. A NV instrument can allow you to passively scan your area without giving away your presence.

I am testing an Equinox Gen 1 night vision monocular from Bushnell Outdoor Products that an average patrol officer or deputy can purchase, without spending thousands of dollars, and which provides the basic advantages of night-adapted sight.

From the approach to armed subject call, to surveillance, to large building and area searches, night vision’s usefulness is dictated by the ingenuity of the operator. The Equinox unit I have can serve an officer well in all these situations.

Night vision enhances a person’s visual capabilities through infrared (IR) technology. IR night vision instruments use an image intensifier tube to better amplify ambient light and light in the infrared spectrum for the human eye to process.

The more precise the image intensifier, the better the image clarity. Unfortunately, as the clarity increases, the price increases markedly.

There are different levels of night vision devices. The military and law enforcement SWAT typically use Generation 3 IR night vision. These are the state of the art NV goggles and monoculars you see mounted to ballistic helmets.

The basic version of night vision is Generation 1, which is of the type used in the Equinox. This is functional night vision that was cutting edge in the Vietnam-era Starlight scopes. It worked for them then, and it can work for you now.

For a comparison, the Gen 3 IR devices we have at my department cost in the $3500+ range. Gen 1 instruments can be bought at around $200-$400. The Bushnell Equinox Gen 1 can be purchased for under $200.00.

The Bushnell Equinox Gen 1 monocular I have was newly introduced to the market as of this summer. It is has a 2X optical magnification and a 28mm objective lens. It comes with a zippered nylon case.

The unit is rubber covered for impact resistance. In addition it conforms to IPX-4 requirements for water splash resistance: 5 minutes of 10 liters/min. water splashed in any direction on the device without harmful effect.

I confirmed this when I inadvertently left the Equinox outside and it got rained on. I had put it on the patio to let the lenses adjust to the Florida humidity then promptly forgot about it when I went to bed. It handled the thunderstorm, which much exceeded IPX-4, with no problem.

The Equinox has an IR illuminator mounted beside the objective lens. This illuminator is an IR “flashlight” that is not visible to the human eye, but is to the Equinox. It is adjustable for wide or narrow angle.

The Equinox’s outer case has a tripod mount, tethered lens cap, and a 2 ½” section of Picatinny rail for accessories. It has an on-off button for the optic and an on-off button for the illuminator. The Equinox is powered by one CR123 lithium battery.

Bushnell touts the Equinox’s Super Bright Gen 1 tube, which has a wide field of view and can operate in zero light conditions. The user sees traditional night vision green when there is ambient or IR light and a white night vision in absolute darkness.

I have used the Equinox Gen 1 for several months on Midnight Shift. At 9.2 oz’s. and 5.8” X 3.2” X 2.1,” it is easy to stow in a cargo pocket, load-bearing vest pouch, or bail-out bag. I even attached a break-away ball chain through a hole in its top rail so I could hang it around my neck.

I found that the Equinox is ruggedly built. The image quality is good, with some understanding of the technology. This is not a Gen 3 unit, so expecting that type of NV quality is not reasonable.

For its intended use, I felt the Equinox performed well. Because it has 2X magnification, my opinion is that it is best used when needing to scan around you from 5 yards to about 50 yards.

I used the Equinox in a few wooded areas. With the IR light on, it is very good at penetrating into the brush. In urban areas, I was able to see into the normally dark areas in the shadows of houses and under trees.

On some of our K9 calls, I used the Equinox so I could stay blacked out in my vehicle inside the perimeter and watch fence lines and footpaths. It is also handy for getting a look around the car to make sure the suspect is not hiding nearby.

I tried to take some photographs through the monocular, but, believe me, the photos are not as sharp as with the eye. Each image was taken in near total darkness, so I thought including a black reference picture was unnecessary.

I have added the Equinox as a tool in my bail-out vest. When used in the appropriate circumstances and with officer safety at the forefront, night vision aids like this can be incredibly useful.

And to answer your question…yes, they are super fun to play with.

Randall is a twenty-three year sworn police officer in a mid-sized Florida police department. He has been an FTO, K9 Handler, Detective, and SWAT Team Leader. He is currently the Midnight Shift K9 Sergeant and department SWAT Coordinator.

It wasn’t all that long ago that a white light on a gun was something only SWAT officers or SF troops had. Now the lights are affordable enough that many street cops and armed citizens are using them.

The Smith & Wesson Micro 90

The Smith & Wesson Micro 90 is a compact LED pistol light. The Micro 90 is designed with a universal mounting system that allows it to mate to virtually any modern pistol with an accessory rail.

The housing is made of plastic, and the unit is very lightweight. With a CR2 battery installed, the Micro 90 weighs only 1.4 ounces.

The S&W Micro 90 throws 90 lumens of light. There are other pistol lights on the market that are brighter, but 90 lumens is still very bright. By way of comparison, the original SureFire 6P was only good for 60 lumens.

The Micro 90 uses an LED for light generation which has three distinct advantages over traditional incandescent bulbs:

1. Lower Power Consumption – LEDs use less energy to achieve the same brightness as an incandescent bulb. This means a longer run time on a single set of batteries.

2. More Reliable – LEDs have a very long lifespan. Frankly, most owners will die of old age before their LED gives out. The LED in the Micro 90 is rated for 50,000 hours of continuous running. That’s almost six years of continuous running.

Additionally, LEDs tend to be more rugged. This means that the battering a light takes from being mounted to a gun is less likely to cause the light to break.

3. White Light – LEDs tend to have a “whiter” light than incandescent bulbs. Incandescent bulbs tend to throw a yellowish light, which may alter your perception of what you are seeing. Many users prefer the white color of a LED light.

The S&W pistol light has a constant on switch and ambidextrous momentary on switches. This allows you flexibility in how you operate.

The pistol light is weatherproof, not waterproof. This means you shouldn’t freak if it gets wet in a rainstorm. However, don’t submerge the light and expect it to keep running.

What’s In A Name?

Like many major companies, Smith & Wesson licenses its name to third party manufacturers to produce products that they otherwise would not. The Smith & Wesson knives, for example, are made by a third party under license. Such is the case for the Micro 90 pistol light.

PowerTech is the company behind the Smith & Wesson line of flashlights. In addition to the Micro 90, PowerTech makes traditional and tactical lights under the S&W name.

PowerTech is based in Tennessee, though the Micro 90 is made in China.

Attachment

I attached my S&W Micro 90 to my M&P 9mm pistol. I hoped the Smith & Wesson branded light would easily mount to the Smith & Wesson pistol. Fortunately it did, and without any difficulty.

Attaching the Micro 90 to a pistol is a straightforward process, requiring no handtools.

The Micro 90 has a bar running through the top of the light. All you do is push that out with your finger or pen, then slide the light onto the accessory rails of your pistol. Using the included diagram for proper alignment, you then push the bar back into position. Done.

It really was that simple, and I was concerned that the light would not be mounted securely. However, the light appeared firmly affixed. Subsequent range time would prove if the design worked or not.

General Impressions

The Micro 90 pistol light is a compact unit. It is entirely suitable for use on a concealed carry or other compact handgun.

The light thrown by the Micro 90 is bright, though it may not appear as bright or focused as some of the latest tactical flashlights. Five years ago, this light probably would have been one of the brightest options on the market. Today, it is merely respectable when compared to the top end SureFire and Streamlight options.

I found the light was plenty bright for clearing a darkened house. The beam does not have a tight focus, meaning the light is very good in small rooms, but falls off in larger rooms, hallways and outdoors.

The light is definitely bright enough to temporarily blind a subject at normal room lengths.

The Micro 90 is very light and I did not feel that it altered my aiming or movements.

The entire body of the pistil light is made of plastic, which I’m not sure would be as durable as metal. Of course, Glock proved plastic in gun design is quite durable and reliable. I found no problems with the durability of the S&W design.

Range Time

I took the M&P with the attached Micro 90 to the range twice during the past month. I shot standard pressure, +P and +P+ ammunition through the gun.

During all of the shooting, the Micro 90 pistol light stayed securely mounted on the gun. The bar did not back out and the light never loosened up.

The gun did not appear to shoot any differently while the light was attached. At ranges from three to 15 yards, the bullet impacts did not appear to be altered from the points of impact without the light attached.

I experienced no failures with the Micro 90 attached to the pistol. This is more likely a result of the gun’s design than the light’s, but it is important to mention. I did not have a Gen 3 Glock 22 to test to see if it would induce malfunctions as other light/ammunition combinations have reportedly done.

I did not experience any failure or problems with the Micro 90 either. The light worked just the same before the shooting days as it did afterward.

Final Thoughts

The Smith & Wesson Micro 90 pistol light is a quality light at a relatively inexpensive price. It is not as bright or ruggedly constructed as a SureFire X300, but it is about 1/3 the price.

The Micro 90 is a great addition to a concealed carry or off-duty gun due to its size and price. While I would prefer an X300 or Streamlight TLR-1s on my duty gun, I have no hesitation with using the Micro 90 on my off duty guns.

Special Note – BlueSheepdog.com is giving away a brand new Smith & Wesson Micro 90 pistol light to one of our readers. To enter your name in the drawing, go to our giveaway page and sign up for our free police training newsletter. The winner will be chosen on October 1, 2011.

Tuff Products manufactures nylon and leather goods for the military, law enforcement, and armed citizens. Tuff Product’s QuickStrips were mentioned on BlueSheepdog.com in a previous revolver reload article.

The Tacllet was designed by world-renowned firearms photographer and sport shooter Ichiro Nagata. Mr. Nagata has designed other items for Tuff, such as the 5 in Line and 8 in Line high capacity nylon magazine carriers.

I like the versatility the Tacllet possesses for making it “mission specific” to the day’s tasks. It can be lightly outfitted as a waist pack for a run to the store, or loaded down with emergency gear and rifle mags as a mini-bail out bag.

This carry-all’s most important function is for the concealed carry of and rapid access to a large caliber firearm. For this, it shines.

The Tacllet comes with loop Velcro in the main compartment to configure its slip holster to your particular firearm. It is roomy enough to carry my Sig Sauer P226 with inches to spare. I was also able to fit a 4” barreled Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolver inside. That makes the Tacllet cavernous.

The handle on the front of the pack allows you to pull a side pouch forward to fully access your handgun. This is Mr. Nagata demonstrating the Tacllet:

I ordered a Coyote Brown right-handed pack. The right outboard pouch has YKK zippered pockets inside and out for small items. The left outboard pouch has a drawstring mesh outside pocket and a loop Velcro-lined inside pocket for mounting hook-backed Velcro accessories.

Between the outboard pouches is a 4” sewn-in elastic sleeve that can hold a pen, Kubotan, or AA flashlight.

Behind the adjustable waist or shoulder belt is a wide slip pocket with three elastic loops, which can fit three AR-15-sized magazines. There is a large 10” x 6” YKK zippered pocket closest to the body for whatever gear you forgot to put in the rest of the storage.

Finally, there were five extra Velcro and elastic holders, with which to customize the bag, that were included in the package.

The Tacllet is sturdily constructed and Made in the USA. Retail prices run about twenty-five bucks under the $89.99 MSRP.

Look for a Tuff Products Tacllet to be an upcoming BlueSheepdog.com Give-Away item!

Randall is a twenty-three year sworn police officer in a mid-sized Florida police department. He has been an FTO, K9 Handler, Detective, and SWAT Team Leader. He is currently the Midnight Shift K9 Sergeant and department SWAT Coordinator.

Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 Review

In April, I reported that the Los Angeles, CA Police Department had approved the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 for back-up and off-duty carry.  BlueSheepdog.com obtained one for review, so here we go!

LAPD’s initial specifications for the gun called for a deactivation of the laser sight, which is an integral part of the receiver’s polymer frame.  In addition, their specs requested a removal of the left side safety lever.

The laser and safety lever are present on current guns, but a S&W representative told me that future production guns for the LAPD would eliminate these two features.

Unfortunately, the reworked Bodyguard did not exist at press time, so S&W sent us the current production gun.  To be fair, for testing we left the laser and safety alone.

The Gun

The Bodyguard 380 shipped in the dark blue cardboard box.  Inside, the gun was encased in a nice zippered nylon dayplanner-style case.  The interior of the case had elastic slip holders for the gun and a spare magazine.

The Bodyguard arrived with one steel-bodied six round magazine that has a slightly flared floor plate for added gripping surface.  The magazine has a bright orange follower for visibility.  Included in the box were the manual, test fired casing, and a gun padlock.

The Bodyguard 380 is a hammer-fired, double action only, .380 ACP semi-automatic pistol with a polymer lower frame and a stainless steel slide.  The slide is coated in black Melonite.  The left side of the gun has the takedown lever, slide stop lever, manual safety lever, and button magazine release.

For the record, the Insight Technology laser sits in line with the barrel and is activated by a gray button on either side of the frame.  The laser buttons cycle between “on,” “pulsing,” and “off.”

The frame of the gun is a matte polymer with stippled sections on the front, sides and rear of the grip.  I found the gun felt solid in the hand, especially with the lower lip jutting down on the magazine.  The front of the magazine lip also has the stippling.

The gun’s patridge sights are a serrated front ramp and a serrated square-notched rear sight.  Both front and rear sights are drift adjustable for windage.  The sights are designed to be smooth and snag-free.

The slide has a loaded chamber indicator that is a small window in the top of the slide/chamber junction.  This allows you to visually see the case rim of a chambered round.  The bullet casing can also been seen in a relief in the right side of the slide immediately in front of the extractor.

The Bodyguard has a 2.75” barrel.  The gun is 5.4” in length, 4.1” in height, and a very svelte 0.75” in width.  At 11.85 ozs., it is very light, yet retains enough weight and size that it does not handle like a toy.

A word about field stripping.  When I first went to break the gun down, I had trouble with the takedown lever.  It did not seem to rotate down as instructed in the manual.  I soon learned that the lever had a slight redesign not yet found in the manual.

Early production guns had a problem with the takedown lever coming loose during extended firing.  Smith & Wesson addressed this by changing the lever.  Now, instead of turning the lever 180 degrees counterclockwise, the lever turns 270 degrees in that direction for disassembly.

This also requires a bit of added force, so unless you have longshoreman’s hands, I suggest using a wood or plastic dowel to assist its movement.

Range Time

I shot the Bodyguard in two range venues:  SWAT training and at a local gun range.  The .380 ACP ammunition I fired included 90 grain Speer Gold Dot Hollow Point, 95 grain Speer Lawman Total Metal Jacket, and 95 grain Fiocchi Full Metal Jacket.

The first range run was predictable for a new semi-auto.  Initial shooting was punctuated with the expected hiccups.  The Bodyguard suffered its share of failures to feed and failures to eject.

The gun shot just below point of aim at 7 to 10 yards with all three rounds.  The Speer GDHP is my department mandated carry ammo.  I did not use the laser, though it could be seen in the bright daylight at 7 yards on the white portions of the targets.

The trigger pull of the Bodyguard is excruciatingly long.  The sear breaks at about 3/16^th of an inch before the trigger meets the frame.  I put the trigger pull between 8 and 10 pounds.  The hammer falls with a sharp snap.

Though I had zero ammunition failures, the Bodyguard’s hammer allows for a second strike capability should a primer not fire.

My next range experience with the Bodyguard 380 was much more favorable.  Though I had three failures to feed at the very beginning of the range session, the gun has come into reliability the more it has been fired.

Neither Richard, nor I, was in love with the long trigger pull, but I will say that for a close range combat weapon it is manageable.  Besides, this gun’s intended playing field is the street, not a sniper competition.

I got used to its heavy revolver-like trigger early into several hundred rounds.  By the time we were ready to get some barbeque for lunch, the gun was shooting flawlessly, even with mixed magazines of hollow point and hardball.

I have shot over four hundred rounds through this gun.  It has broken in nicely.  I like to have five hundred rounds through a gun like this before I will trust my life with it, but I don’t foresee a problem making this happen.

Summary

Despite that it was not yet proofed as a carry gun, I did tote the Bodyguard around as a back-up for several months.  Though similar to my Kel-Tec P3AT, the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard has an advanced feel, as if it were an evolution of the popular original polymer .380.

I cannot stress enough the proper break-in period of a firearm for self defense carry.  Had I not spent the time to shoot this gun into good function, like many other guns I’ve owned, I might have gotten rid of it prematurely.

The Bodyguard 380 offers a list of features not all found on comparable .380 guns; namely, second strike capability, real adjustable sights, a safety lever, a loaded chamber indicator, a slide stop lever, slide lock after the last round, and a built in laser.

Smith & Wesson achieved a price point of $399.00 MSRP for the Bodyguard 380, which is very reasonable considering how much gun you get for your money.

I like this gun.  With a holster, it is ideal for pocket carry.  I have shown the Bodyguard 380 to quite a few co-workers.  After taking a close look at it, many fellow cops have offered to buy it from me.  I think that says it all.

Randall is a twenty-three year sworn police officer in a mid-sized Florida police department.  He has been an FTO, K9 Handler, Detective, and SWAT Team Leader.  He is currently the Midnight Shift K9 Sergeant and department SWAT Coordinator.

Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 Review

Close up view of the Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380

Smith & Wesson Bodyguard 380 at the range

Review of Lasers for Defensive Handguns from the Armed Response training series.

The use of lasers in law enforcement is a point of controversy with many instructors and policy makers. While there are some rational arguments made against the use of a laser, there are many very good arguments that can be made for the use of a laser sighting device.

If you are considering adding a laser to your pistol, I suggest you take a look at Lasers for Defensive Handguns, a training video featuring Ralph Mroz from the Armed Response video training series.

The Video

Lasers for Defensive Handguns is a practical training video in which Mroz, a veteran firearms instructor, tackles the topic of using a laser aiming device on your handgun.

Mroz is a former law enforcement officer who has been involved in training and writing for many years. Mroz is also a former training director of the Police Officers Safety Association where he developed many video training programs for police officers.

In Lasers for Defensive Handguns, Mroz takes a reasoned, practical approach to the topic. Mroz does not avoid the arguments against lasers, rather he takes the objections head-on. For each objection, he offers his reasoned opinion on the argument without injecting spurious logic.

Mroz discusses the different type of lasers available (such as those from Crimson Trace, LaserMax and others) and offers the pros and cons of each type. Mroz anticipates possible problems with each design and offers suggestions on working with that design.

Mroz goes through a series of range drills and shows how the laser can really be of benefit, especially when shooting from imperfect positions. For example, when shooting from retention or when wounded, you may not be able to align the sights with your eyes. From these positions, your laser can still establish a good aim for your handgun.

Likewise, Mroz demonstrates shooting around cover with a laser. The demonstration clearly shows that there are times when the laser allows you to put rounds on target while exposing less of your head and body than with traditional aiming.

Lasers for Defensive Handguns was created for the armed citizen, but much of the information is directly applicable to the patrol officer.

One law enforcement-specific argument I have heard against the use of laser aiming devices on duty guns is the laser is indistinguishable from the lasers emitted from Tasers. The fear is that officer could mix-up aiming devices and inadvertently use deadly force when none is justified.

I call BS on that one, as an officer should only shoot a suspect if it is reasonable for him or her to use deadly force. The presence of a laser from a Taser on the suspect will not suddenly cause the officer with the pistol to use deadly force because he was confused about aiming devices.

Mroz addresses multiple lasers on a suspect in the video. Though he was not talking directly to police officers, his advise seems to apply just the same. If you and your partner both have a laser on the suspect and you are forced to shoot, does it really matter which laser is yours as long as both are on the suspect?

The Series

Lasers for Defensive Handguns is but one video in the Armed Response video training series. There are currently ten videos in the series, with three more in production right now.

Armed Response video program topics include fundamentals, tactics, drills, shoot/no-shot scenarios, use of white lights and less lethal tools like pepper spray.

All of the videos in the series come on DVD. Training tips and previews of the different DVDs are available on the Armed Response website.

Final Thoughts

Mroz does an excellent job in breaking down the topic and giving you a thorough understanding of laser aiming devices. The video is an excellent primer on the topic, and gives you the drills you need to build skill with whatever laser aiming device you might choose.

If you are interested in learning more about adding a laser to a firearm, I definitely recommend this video for your training library.

If you read the July BlueSheepdog Newsletter, you saw an article I wrote about Line of Duty Death Forms.  In the correspondence I received about the article, I encountered a unique source of information about the arrangements for LODD funerals.

Planning for the Unthinkable:  A Law Enforcement Funeral Planning Guide is a book written in 2010 by Los Angeles Police Department Sgt.II  John C. Cooley (ret.) and Donna Wade.  Cooley was the LAPD Funeral Coordinator for over ten years.  Wade was a reserve officer specialist on his staff.

The book outlines every conceivable contingency for line of duty and active officer funerals, from preparations, notifications, motorcades, and graveside protocols to multiple officer deaths, female officer deaths, and special religious considerations.

At 292 pages, I found the book to be exceptionally in-depth.  This unfortunately comes from the real life experiences of the authors in arranging actual police funerals.  This information is so important, the authors have arranged a discount for BlueSheepdog readers.

In the introduction, the authors write, “We wrote this guide to offer law enforcement agencies the tools and resources necessary to formulate a comprehensive funeral protocol before the need arises.

When tragedy strikes, the plan can be efficiently executed, even through the fog of grief, anger and confusion, because those implementing it will have prepared for their roles long in advance, when clearer minds prevailed.”

Sgt. Cooley is a Certified Bereavement Counselor.  He gives free workshops anywhere in the Country, with an agency(s) covering just his travel, lodging, and food.  Departments can split the costs for a seminar.

Sgt. Cooley and Ms. Wade strive to be a resource “24/7/365” for consultations in the event an agency experiences a line of duty death.   Sgt. Cooley can be reached at policefunerals@earthlink.net.  Ms. Wade’s email is donnajwade@gmail.com.  Sgt. Cooley’s website is www.policefunerals.com.

Planning for the Unthinkable is available as an ebook or a DVD.  The DVD contains the ebook, videos of funerals, customizable Word Documents of 17 specific funeral checklists, bereavement books mentioned in the book, and free updates.  I thought the checklists alone were a great resource.

The ebook sells for $197.00.  The DVD is available for $225.00.  The authors have graciously granted Blue Crew members a discount of $100.00 off of either format.  (Not a member?  Sign up today – this book discount alone pays for the membership!)

In reading the ebook material, I was saddened that these events could be delineated with such precision but I knew that the details were born of necessity, duty and honor.  I cannot recommend this book strongly enough.

I had several interesting email exchanges with Ms. Wade and I found her to be very knowledgeable and committed to helping the law enforcement community.  She feels the book can be especially helpful to small to mid-sized agencies that do not have a funeral coordinator or established protocols.

In one of the emails, she wrote, “Our aim is to make sure (departments) know how to plan and execute the most meaningful memorial possible, not only for the surviving family, but for the police family and community as well.”

Randall is a twenty-three year sworn police officer in a mid-sized Florida police department.  He has been an FTO, K9 Handler, Detective, and SWAT Team Leader.  He is currently the Midnight Shift K9 Sergeant and department SWAT Coordinator.

5.11 VTAC LBE Vest Review

I am not a fan of the bail-out bag.  Neither am I fond of showing up for the party without the proper favors.  As a crossover from SWAT, I really like the idea of a load-bearing vest for emergency patrol operations.

While the concept of the bail-out bag is great, my experience is that carrying the bag and accessing its contents are problematic.  Since the go-bag is worn over one shoulder, it dangles off to one side, normally your non-dominant side.

This can bring it into interference with your duty belt gear opposite your sidearm.  It also makes for a second strap tangling you up and applying opposing pressure to your neck when you have a rifle or shotgun slung to the other side.

A go-bag will ride at your seven or eight o’clock position, especially on the run, so getting things out of it requires added attention.  A load-bearing equipment MOLLE vest I tried from 5.11 Tactical solved these all problems.

I saw some of the 5.11 nylon gear at a local retailer and thought it looked well constructed and reasonably priced.  There were many choices for accessory pouches and carriers to customize a vest.

I ordered a black 5.11 VTAC LBE Vest and then selected the pouches I wanted specifically for a bail-out vest.  This vest will be grabbed out of the trunk and zipped on when the SHTF and more ammo and supplies are needed.

5.11 Tactical partnered with Viking Tactics and retired Special Forces Operator SGM Kyle Lamb in designing their VTAC line of gear, so there is much practical experience going into the products.

The VTAC LBE Vest is made with 1050 denier nylon and is extremely durable.  Quality YKK zippers are used and there is plenty of extra stitching to hold all seams securely.  The vest is hydration pack compatible and has a drag handle.

The MOLLE stitching is robust.  Multiple adjustment points, via buckles and Velcro, assist in a proper vest fit.  There are also Velcro loop areas on the left breast and back for Police or Sheriff identification patches.

The intent for this vest is to be ready to go during the shift.  I’ll be wearing a duty belt with my uniform, so I don’t want to duplicate items I already have on me.

The most important thing to me is more rifle ammunition.  A handgun is fine as personal protection, but a long gun lets you take the fight to the enemy.  I chose a stacked double magazine carrier with covers for holding four AR-15 mags.

All the 5.11 pouches attach securely to MOLLE webbing with 5.11’s Slickstick attachment system.  The Slickstick is stiff and weaves through the MOLLE on the vest easily.  To release, just unsnap and pull the fastener out.

I added just a single pistol magazine carrier, since I still have two mags on my belt.  For general items, I selected a 5.11 6.6 Pouch which measures 6” X 6” X 3 ½.”  That will hold safety glasses, gloves, paracord, a multi-tool, flashlight, combat shears, chalk, a black marker, revolver ammo, pen, and notepad.

For medical gear, I ordered their 6.6 Med Pouch, which is of the same dimensions as the 6.6 Pouch, but ½” thicker.  It has a subdued cross on it to signify medical gear.  Inside, I have a TraumaPak, a Tactical Medical Solutions SOF Tourniquet, and an energy bar.  I mounted this pouch on the left rear of the vest.

I recently reviewed the TraumaPak, which contains QuikClot, nitrile gloves, bandages, dressings, and duct tape.  It is packaged in a thick waterproof pack that doubles as a biohazard bag.

In setting up the vest, I placed the AR and pistol mags on the left front.  For a righty, this is the proper place for expeditious reloads.  At a dead run, I can perform a quick mag change for my rifle from this vest.  This ain’t happening with a bail-out bag swinging around.

An LBE vest spreads the weight of the load evenly across the shoulders.  Placement of the gear is static, so things are always exactly where you know to find them.  Negotiating obstacles is easier because the vest is low profile to the torso.

I could certainly load the VTAC LBE Vest up with more gear, but I think that defeats the purpose of having a vest such as this ready to roll.  I think it has the necessary items to win the fight and take care of business afterward until other assets arrive.

5.11 has a very user-friendly website at www.511tactical.com.  I used the site to view and compare the VTAC vest and accessories.

MSRP for the 5.11 vest and pouches I ordered would be around $160.  A little shopping can whittle that down. Most of the items I put in the vest were ones I had from a previous iteration of a bail-out bag.

Without a doubt, the 5.11 Tactical gear is rugged enough to survive real duty.  The contents of the vest are important, but they won’t be with you in the field if you don’t have a quality carrier.

Randall is a twenty-three year veteran officer of a mid-size Florida police department.  He served as a SWAT team officer for over 21 years, to include 12 years as a Team Leader. He is currently the Midnight Shift K9 Sergeant and department SWAT Coordinator.

First production began in March 2011.  I received one in May.  I have been carrying it on duty for two months and I am impressed with its features and durability.

Randall is a twenty-three year sworn police officer in a mid-sized Florida police department.  He has been an FTO, K9 Handler, Detective, and SWAT Team Leader.  He is currently the Midnight Shift K9 Sergeant and department SWAT Coordinator.

The author's Magnum Cobra boots he reviewed.

Over a month ago, I received a pair of Magnum boots to review.  The Magnum Boot Company is a branch of Hi-Tec Sports, which was founded in England in 1974.  Hi-Tec first came to light in the U.S. when they designed a black lightweight tactical boot for the F.B.I. in the early 1980’s.

This early boot was called the Hi-Tec Magnum.  Commercial sales began in 1983 and Hi-Tec expanded.  With many variations of the tactical boot being produced, Magnum became a stand-alone brand and separated from Hi-Tec Sports.

Hi-Tec Magnums were the first tactical boot authorized for uniform wear at my department around 1989.  I have worn many pairs of them over the years, and I was interested when I saw Magnum’s new website and current offerings.

I chose to test Magnum’s Cobra 8.0 WPI boot with a side-zipper.  I felt this boot had advanced features that showed a real evolution from the original Hi-Tecs.

The Cobra 8.0 is a leather and 900 denier nylon tactical boot with an aggressive outsole and a polishable toecap.  The boot is chemical and pathogen resistant through Magnum’s Ion-Mask technology.  The side zippers are quality YKK zips.  The entire boot is waterproof.

I wore this boot for over a month on duty, which for me is street patrol, SWAT incidents, K9 assistance calls, and K9 training.  Without a break-in, I started wearing the boots for about 11 hours on the first duty day.  They were comfortable and continue to be.

Since then, the Cobras have logged much time slogging in mud, gravel, high grass, wooded areas, and industrial areas.

The Magnum/P2i’s Ion-Mask treatment plasma bonds with the entire surface of the boot, giving it chemical and pathogen resistance and waterproofing.  As such, the boot is lightweight when wet because its hydrophobic coating repels water from the boot’s material.

We had an especially rainy June.  I discovered that the Cobras were indeed waterproof.  In general, I have found that waterproof boots can be uncomfortable because the same forces that keep the water out will keep the water (perspiration) in.  In addition, “sealed” boots can feel very hot inside.

This did not seem the case with the Magnum Cobras.  They were nearly as breathable as a standard boot, but had definite waterproof qualities in mud and water.  I did not suffer the same sweat build-up I have before with other waterproof boots.

I like the idea of the boots being pathogen resistant.  We step in blood and bodily fluids all the time, sometimes copious amounts.  It is comforting to have a protective barrier between these infectious liquids and your feet.

The Cobra’s tread was effective on any surface.  Last night, we had a bomb call where an oil change shop found a device under a car.  After a local E.O.D. team had disabled the device, I went down into the oil change pit with the evidence technicians to find bits and pieces.

While standing directly on oil was predictably slick, moving on to other surfaces proved stable.  The composite sole of the Cobras did not appear to “hold” the oil.  Some boots remain greasy for a while after exposure to commercial kitchen floors or oily places like this garage.  The Cobras did not.

Another feature I liked in this boot was the added tread which wraps up the toe of the shoe.  This is valuable for a K9 handler’s standard duty of humping fences.  The raised toe aids by grabbing into chain-link fencing and gripping wood stockade slats.  I climbed quite a few fences on training tracks and the boots worked well.

The fit and finish of the boot was very good.  After a bit of torture, the boots are still in great condition.  This boot has improvements and refinements over previous Magnums, but remains a value.  Though the MSRP is higher, the Cobra 8.0 WPI can be found for about a hundred dollars retail.

I recommend these boots and I will be wearing them on my next shift.

Randall is a twenty-three year sworn police officer in a mid-sized Florida police department.  He has been an FTO, K9 Handler, Detective and SWAT Team Leader.  He is currently the Midnight Shift K9 Sergeant and department SWAT Coordinator

Magnum Cobra Boot Review

The Hoyt flashlight is a tactical white light throwing a maximum of 155 lumens.  The torch will run for about 100 minutes at maximum brightness on two CR-123a batteries.

The HL-1 has multiple functions/modes including a seven lumen low level, the 155 lumen high level and several strobe levels.  Phil covers the full range of the Hoyt’s capabilities in his review.

One of the nice things about the Hoyt flashlight is batteries ARE included.  Not just two, either.  The HL-1 comes with four CR-123a batteries.

Over seven months ago, I ordered and received two Terralux LED replacements for my duty-issued Streamlight, Inc. Stinger. The standard Stinger incandescent flashlight puts out 90 lumens of light from a Xenon gas-filled bi-pin bulb for approximately 1.25 hours, according to Streamlight.

I was returning to Midnight Shift after a decade-long hiatus. I wanted a better, brighter flashlight, but as many older cops are inclined, I did not want to spend much (or any) money if I could help it. I have several department-issued Stingers, so I figured they could be a starting point.

Years ago, I had updated two AA Maglite Mini-Mags with replacement LED’s and red lenses for my SWAT gear. Light Emitting Diodes (LED’s) are not bulbs and have several key advantages over incandescent bulbs. LED’s have an increased light output and longer battery life when compared to their filament-bearing counterparts. Filaments generate heat, an enemy of electronic devices, which LED’s do not. LED’s draw less power, thus increasing battery life. Last, an LED is virtually unbreakable, where incandescents are more sensitive to impact and therefore more fragile.

I went shopping for LED replacement heads for my Stinger and was pleased to find a $34.00 product (M.S.R.P. $59.99) from a Terralux on-line retailer. The specs for the LED were 220 lumens with a two-hour run time, according to the manufacturer. This was twice the light output and nearly double the battery life over my existing torch.

Installation was accomplished by removing the old bezel, reflector, and bulb, then inserting the new LED and microchip board into the bi-pin bulb holes. Once you screw on the new bezel, you are finished.

I compared it to my unaltered Stinger. The original Stinger generates a yellowish light and has an adjustable beam, from flood to spot. The Terralux-improved Stinger threw a more pure white light with a very slight bluish hue. This is typical of LED-driven flashlights. I find this light to be more useful in building searches and general use, as the light is brighter and does not tend to distort visual perception.

The Terralux head is not adjustable from flood to spot, but it does throw very bright light in the center of the beam and provides good light in the periphery.

The Terralux head diameter is just slightly larger than the standard Stinger unit, but it still fits the issued traffic cone and open-topped belt sheath. My opinion is that the Streamlight Stinger, at 7.38 inches, is the very minimum size for a patrol flashlight. If you have ever tried to put a Surefire 6P or Streamlight Strion between your upper arm and torso while you write on a notepad or ticket book in the dark, you know what I mean. The Stinger is also an adequate size for traffic direction. Because of its length, aluminum construction, and 10 oz. weight, it can serve as an impact weapon if the need quickly arises.

After seven months of Midnight Shift abuse, the Terralux LED’s have worked without fail. They have been inadvertently drop-tested on a few occasions, but still function as installed. I had to charge my standard incandescent Stinger on a daily basis. With the LED upgrade, I charge my light once every one to two weeks, although I’ve gone three weeks and it’s as bright as ever. When the original Stinger, or any of my old full sized Maglites, was running low on juice, it would start emitting a slowly degrading yellowish beam. LED’s maintain consistent output until the power source is nearly depleted.

During many building searches, in over a decade of Midnight tours, I have witnessed officers struggle with nighttime searches using a fading, weak yellow flashlight. It is a severe compromise to officer safety. This is also true of Day Shift, where officers who rarely needed a flashlight were confronted with a dark building and a flashlight that went uncharged for many weeks. It is a technological and tactical advantage to have usable bright light on tap when your safety is on the line. The Terralux replacement LED was an economical and functional answer to my needs.

Randy is a twenty-three year veteran officer of a mid-size Florida police department.  He served as a SWAT team officer for 21 years, to include 12 years as a team leader.  His other duties included police K9 handler, FTO, and detective.  Currently serving as a midnight shift sergeant, he is also his department’s SWAT Coordinator.