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Archive for the ‘Concealed Carry’ Category

Getting Into Glock Mag Extensions

Sunday, November 5th, 2023

Magazine extensions, particularly Ergonomic Base Pads (EBP), are critical for those looking to improve their Glock’s capacity without compromising performance. These enhancements are essential in scenarios where reloading speed is key, such as competitive shooting or other more serious shooting scenarios.

Glock mag extension in use.

Balancing The Pros and The Cons

The primary goal of a magazine extension is to add ammunition without hindering the pistol’s handling. The best extensions offer additional rounds while preserving the firearm’s balance and ease of use, ensuring that the modification is beneficial, not burdensome.

Ergonomics and Concealability

Ergonomics play a significant role in the effectiveness of a magazine extension. It should offer a secure grip and integrate well with the shooter’s hand, all while maintaining the firearm’s concealability. The right design will feel like a natural part of the pistol, even with the larger mag size.

Magazine extensions like EBP are designed to optimize a Glock’s performance while aligning with the shooter’s preferences and needs. Choosing the right magazine extension, though, involves a thoughtful assessment of capacity and ergonomic design. You should always ensure anything you add to your kit enhances the shooting experience efficiently and comfortably.

An intelligent choice requires considering several factors:

  • Ergonomic Grip vs. Concealability: The extension should provide a better grip without detracting from the weapon’s concealability.
  • Model Compatibility: Check that the extension is suitable for various Glock models for versatility.
  • Build Quality: Opt for materials that promise durability without unnecessary bulk.
  • Reloading Performance: Look for designs that ensure swift and reliable magazine changes, especially under duress.

Enter The GripForce EBP

The GripForce EBP offers Glock enthusiasts a blend of functional enhancements and practical advantages. GripForce EBP offers Glock owners a combination of available enhancements and practical benefits.

GripForce EBP Design diagram.

The GripForce increases the magazine capacity by five additional rounds, which can be a significant factor for users requiring more ammunition. The design of the GripForce EBP includes an ergonomic grip surface, which aims to improve the user’s hold and comfort during use.

Capacity and Convenience

The magazine extension increases the capacity without adding excessive bulk to the firearm, allowing more rounds to be carried discreetly.

Ease of installation is a primary feature of the GripForce EBP, as it is designed to be attached without needing specialized tools or professional gunsmithing. The durability is also one of the major selling points; it also comes with a non-reflective finish, which some users might find suitable. This combination of increased capacity, ergonomic design, and accessible installation positions the GripForce EBP as a significant upgrade for the Glock platform. Certainly, it is a solid option to consider!

Two EBPs on concrete.

Upgrading Your Glock

Magazine extensions have become an essential consideration for Glock owners seeking additional ammunition capacity beyond what the standard magazine offers. When contemplating such upgrades, it is important to assess how they will affect the firearm’s balance, grip, and ease of carrying, ensuring that the handling qualities of the Glock are maintained or enhanced.

Compatibility is also a key factor; it is vital to ensure that the extension is specifically designed to fit your Glock model to avoid any potential fitting issues. Moreover, the build quality cannot be overlooked—the materials and construction must be robust enough to withstand the demands of regular use without compromising the structural integrity of the weapon.

For those in the market for a magazine extension, a thorough approach is recommended. This includes researching and potentially testing various models to ensure the chosen extension enhances the Glock’s performance without compromising its design. 

 

H.I.P.S. Concealment Pistol Pouch

Thursday, December 6th, 2012

Wilson Combat’s Hide In Plain Sight holster offers a concealable carry option that is built to look like a belt storage case. The holster rides high on the belt, offering optimal comfort when seated. It’s designed to fit on heavy gun belts up to 1.5″ via double belt slots. The main compartment, which seals with a two-way YKK zipper, has a Velcro holster that can be adjusted to fit a variety of compact pistols. A secondary pocket allows for storage of an additional magazine, flashlight, or other emergency item, while a third zippered front pocket can hold smaller items such as keys or an ink pen. The H.I.P.S. is constructed from 1000 denier Cordura nylon and is available in two color configurations, all black and black w/ gray front.

Wilson Combat – H.I.P.S. Concealment Pistol Pouch

New holster from 5.11 Tactical (IWB)

Sunday, May 20th, 2012

There’s a new IWB holster available from 5.11 Tactical. Details here.

Securing your real steel

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

A lot of TFB readers shoot real steel. Many of you are current or former military, a surprising number of you have concealed carry licenses (which we think is great, so we’re clear). One question that frequently arises is the issue of securing a weapon. One of the places we follow is the Personal Defense Network. Here’s a suggestion on their part for one security option.

Good Gear: a Graphic Demonstration

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

This is quite a selection of gear from the Mad Duo. Raven Concealment, 5.11 Tactical, LED Lenser, Darrel Ralph Knives, Tactical Tailor, Bravo 5, Legion Firearms, T.I.E. Tactical, Warrior Wound Care, I.C.E. Training, SAR Global Tools and of course…butter, 5-hour energy, B12 energy powder, butter from Kokomos, Tabasco, OC spray and miscellaneous other things (like used family planning devices).

Only at a Vegas SHOT Show eh?

Tactical Fanboy: Quite an eclectic mix of gear and...condiments?

SHOT Show 2012 – Hazard 4

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

Hazard 4 had an impressive showing of new bags, apparel, and accessories at this year’s SHOT Show.

Poncho Villa

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The Poncho Villa is made from a water-resistant, breathable softshell fabric with 100% waterproof seams throughout. It has large Velcro panels on the front and back for agency identification, as well as smaller panels on the shoulders and head-back. Large perimeter grommets allow the Villa to be hung as a tarp. A generous fit easily encompasses packs, bags, head wear, and other gear, and side snaps and a front to chin zipper allow the wearer to close the edges and neck in severe weather. The entire poncho fits into its own vented front pocket for storage.

Colors: Coyote/Black

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On a more serious note: Real Steel

Tuesday, December 6th, 2011

The BOLO Report, a blog catering to “law enforcement, military and high threat security professionals” just ran a piece on your weak hand draw, if you’re injured or impeded in some way. The article was written by one of the BOLO Report contributors who is a LEO and a competitive shooter, originally for the Women’s Tactical Association. If you’re someone who runs real steel, or has a CCW, or is one of our readership in the noble profession of arms, you might want to check it out.

Tactical Fanboy Gift Idea #141: Sure Shots Gear

Monday, November 28th, 2011

Like to shoot? Like girls? Like girls who like to shoot? Perhaps you’re a girl that likes to shoot? In the interest of open-mindedness, maybe you just like to dress like a girl who likes to shoot. Anyway, you should go look at the store recently set up by the Austin Sure Shots, an all-female shooting league in the Lone Star State. Yes, there are some shirts and hoodies in there suitable for males. You might also check them out, if you’re a female shooter in Texas. They train in a couple different locations, once a week, and they do more than just spend time on the range. They do IDPA, rifle work, tactical drills and concealed carry stuff, plus bring in SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) on things like post-shooting psychology, legal issues pursuant to shooting in self-defense, etc.

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Review of the Flashbang Bra Holster

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

Back in May we featured a video that showed a female shooter deploying a concealed pistol from a holster carried in her bra.

Remember the Flashbang Bra Holster? Well, Natalie of Girls Guide to Guns wrote a very nice, very candid review of said holster, hitting about every point we could think of that might count against it (being serious here, not making obligatory boob jokes yet). If you are a female shooter that carries concealed, you might very well want to look into this. We like this girl. She has a great sense of humor and obviously knows what she’s talking about.

To get this out of the way: no, you will not see any delightfully jiggly naughty bits if a girl goes to drag iron on you. Frankly, it that happens you may have something else entirely to worry about.

Here’s an excerpt:

“Another concern I had was whether the Flashbang would work with tight shirts.  Before using the holster I thought the expectation that I could hide a gun between the bazooms was completely unrealistic. There would have to be some give away, right? So I tested it. Boldly. After receiving a total of zero awkward comments from friends about that thing hiding in my rack, I concluded that I was in the clear. Boyfriend later confirmed that fact when I asked him specifically if he had noticed anything odd in the aforementioned location…Now that I had the visibility question answered, it was time for the trickiest of the concealed tests. I wanted to know if the gun would reveal it’s placement when I hugged someone. After eating lunch one day with my friend, Scott, I decided it was time to find out. As we said goodbye I intentionally gave him a big old full-frontal hug. “Did you feel it?” I asked. “Feel what?” he responded. Question answered. Thanks, Scott. Bless his heart, he’s probably still scratching his head about that one.

Some of our readers have inquired as to how these things work for my sidearm sisters who are a bit smaller chested than myself.  I wanted to be sure that my A and B cup friends don’t feel left out so I asked a B cup friend of mine to try it on and see what she thought. She had on a pretty fitted top and we were both impressed by the fact that the Flashbang was just as discreet on her as it is on me. Incidentally, who ever thought a firearms product test would include staring at eachother’s boobs? I can’t help but think that somewhere out there Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are finding this hilarious…”

Read the rest of the review.

Flashbang Bra Holster with a Ruger LCP