DIY Heat Reflective Survival Tarp Shelter

In this first video of a four part series, I show a Do It Yourself project to create a tarp shelter that will reflect and retain more warmth back to you should you find yourself in a cold weather survival scenario.

Using simple, inexpensive items you can make a compact weight efficient tarp shelter that will help retain heat more effectively than your typical tarp shelter.

Stay tuned for the rest of this series which will cover:
-Braiding a Ridgeline from 550 Paracord
-Setting up your ridgeline with a Taut-Line Hitch
-Setting up your Tarp Shelter

Magpul Core MBUS Pro Offset Sights

Magpul Pro Offset Sights In The Field Review

In this video I review the new Magpul MBUS Pro Offset sights. These are high quality, durable sights designed for use as back up sights should your primary optic go down or you encounter a close range target, too close to quickly engage with your primary magnified optic.

The sights are made of durable melonited steel, with positive detent lockup when deployed. You can easily zero these sights with tool-less adjustments for both windage and elevation. The low profile design makes this compatible with most rifle configurations. The sight sits at the standard height over bore for the AR platform.

The rear sight features a folding aperture to increase peep size for close range targets, or decrease for more accurate aiming should your magnified optic go down.

The sight can easily be attached to the picatinny rail with a 7/64” hex wrench, but one is not provided with the sight.

Both sights pop down during transport and storage, and can easily be deployed one handed.

MSRP Rear-$105/Front-$85/Set $190, $160 street price (as of 1/15)
There are many aftermarket options for offset or “canted” sights, all across the price spectrum. The magpul sights are high quality and are in the neighborhood of other high end sights like the Griffin Armament fail safe sights. A few months ago I tested a lower end pair during a competition and I was pleased with concept, but the quality wasn’t up to my standards. I was in the market for a pair and when I saw the magpul release I knew I found what I was looking for.

After thorough testing in both range practice and "for fun/training" competitions, I am very impressed with the MBUS Pro Offset sights. They are reasonably priced, work as intended, and are exactly what I have come to expect from Magpul. I strongly recommend these to anyone looking for a pair of canted or offset iron sights.

DIY Bow Riser Paracord Grip

To compliment my recent review of the Spectre II Compact Take-Down bow by Xpectre Inc., in this video I whip a parcord handle on to the bow's riser both above and below the arrow rest. While I'm not left handed, this gives me two lengths of paracord already attached to the bow should I truly find myself in a survival situation. It makes shooting the bow more comfortable as well, which allows for better accuracy when it counts.

Spectre II Take Down Survival Bow Review

In this video, I review the Spectre II Compact Take Down Survival Bow made by Xpectre Inc.

This bow is the 35 pound draw weight model, which is sufficient for taking game sized up to white tail deer. Another benefit of the lower draw weight is the ability to practice longer before fatigue compared to other heavier draw weight bows. This is crucial for a beginner, experienced in bow hunting, and would also be beneficial were you in a true survival situation in that the lighter draw weight will be easier to manipulate and control were you truly in a fatigued, survival situation. For me, the lower draw weight of this bow compliments my heavier hunting bows well, because I can practice instinctive shooting at a much lower draw weight and practice that much longer before fatigue.

The bow is constructed of a fiberglass riser and composite limbs. The bow can be easily strung without a bow stringer or any tools, making it extremely field expedient to assemble. It does come with a Dacron string, but unfortunately the arrows provided did not nock on the string, nor would my customer built arrows. So I replaced the string with a 14 strand Flemish twist bowstring. The string as an actual length of 50" should you choose to replace it as I did. CAUTION - That is actual length, not AMO.

The bow was very accurate out of the box at distances within 20 yards. Having only shot it a few times, I can tell you with practice this is a legitimate tool that could be used for medium game, but this bow really shines in smaller game where you'll be able to get closer to the quarry.

This bow is extremely light weight, at only 1 pound 12 ounces when strung. The provided case, 4 arrows, and bow when taken down have an extremely small footprint allowing for easy transport and storage, and is light at 2 pounds 3 ounces.

All in all, for under $100 (replacement string included) this is a perfect bow to compliment your preparedness plans and I intend to include this in my Get Home Bag.

Saiga 12 MD Arms 20 Round Drum Magazine Fitting

In this video I show a quick DIY mod in order to properly fit the MD Arms 20 round drum magazine in to your Saiga 12 semi-automatic shotgun.

http://www.mdarms.com/index.php?main_...

The MD Arms 20 round 12 gauge drum magazine is designed for use with the Russian Saiga 12 semi-automatic shotgun. It is a reliable magazine which significantly increase firepower of the 12 gauge shotgun compared to standard single stack magazines. 20 rounds of 12 gauge in a semi-auto platform gives the Saiga 12 significant advantage over other semi-auto and pump shotguns in action/sport shooting.

Due to the tolerance in the construction of the Saiga 12, the magazine may not fit "out of the box" and may require slight modification. In about 50% of Saigas, the drum magazine should fit without modification. MD Arms wisely errs on the side of caution, making the magazine with slightly more material. Otherwise, the other 50% of users would have a loose fitting magazine which can impact reliable cycling and feeding of 12 gauge shells. This video provides detailed step by step instructions in HD 1080p to ensure you get the proper fit with your MD Arms 20 round drum magazine.

OPMOD Tacpack 3.0 Gear Giveaway! by NoMoreOp4

GEAR GIVEAWAY! READ BELOW ON HOW TO ENTER!

In order to enter this giveaway you must do the following:
1-Subscribe or be a subscriber to NoMoreOp4.
2-Follow the annotation or below link to the review of this item.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhWf-...
3-Comment on how you would use this item in your own application.


That’s it! I will allow at least a week to go by before picking a winner to give folks time to enter. The best comment will win the pack and a free NoMoreOp4 Channel Patch. The second best comment will win a patch only.

Stay tuned next week for another gear giveaway, details to follow on how to purchase NoMoreOp4 Channel Patches directly.

STAY SAFE!

Gerber Gator 2.0 Combo Axe/Saw Review

In this video I review the Gerber Gator 2.0 Combo Axe/saw.

Here are some found manufacturer descriptions:
-This item features a rugged forged steel head that retains blade edge
-The longer gator grip handle results in greater striking force and maximized grip
-Glass-filled nylon handle is extremely rugged yet lightweight
-Overall length: 15.16-inches
-Includes ballistic nylon sheath
-Axe:
Overall Length: 15.60"
Blade Length: 2.70"
Weight: 26 oz.
Head: Forged Steel
Handle: Gator-Grip
-Saw:
Overall Length: 10.24"
Blade Length: 6.10"
Weight: 2.40 oz.


This is the second version, there was a shorter version that was popular so gerber came out with a longer version which gives better striking force, end result the axe does more of the work saving you energy. I was very surprised by this chopping ability of this relatively small and light weight axe.

I see this as a light to medium duty (and that does not carry a negative connotation – just design intention) tool. Perfect for the day trip/overnighter, and light to medium wood processing requirements. Excels at debris clearing, and is also the perfect size and weight for a hunter to clear shooting lanes etc. It combines the abilities of chopping in sawing into one tool that's half the weight it would usually require with a standard size axe and saw.

OPMOD Tacpack 3.0 In The Field Review

In this video review we discuss OpticsPlanet.com's OPMOD (Optics Planet Modification) Tacpack 3.0

This was provided to me for testing and review directly by Optics Planet. I agree to assist in these reviews on the understanding that my review will be true and if I find the product to be of substandard quality, I will not post it. That was certainly not the case here as I was extremely impressed with the quality and design of this pack. At an entry level price point of less than $40 (as of Fall 2014) you will be hard pressed to find a pack that offers this many features.

Katadyn Hiker Pro Review

In this video I show the Katadyn Hiker Pro water filter in use and then finalize the review with an in-depth table top analysis. If you are in the market for a water filter, you need to add this filter as a serious contender. The Katadyn, pronounced "CAT-UH-DINE" Hiker Pro is designed with the ultra-light backpacker in mind, but works well for the general woodsmen, survivalist or bush crafter just the same.

The filter purifies to 0.3 microns which removes bacteria and cysts to protect you from dangerous micro-organisms like Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Amoebic dysentery and the like. It does not filter for viruses, but unless you plan to use this in a third world country, you likely are not in an area where water-borne viruses are a problem. One such virus is Hepatitis A.

For most individuals this filter will be more than sufficient in allowing you to collect and safely consume water directly from its source without requiring the time and fire to meet the need to boil, or to use chemicals or tablets and compromise the great taste of a natural mountain stream or spring.

Below are a summary of the Katadyn Hiker Pro's specs:
-Includes a field maintenance kit with cleanable filter protector to extend the cartridge life in challenging conditions
-Approximately 48 strokes per min. provide 1 liter of clean drinking water
-Quick-connect fittings permit easy installation and removal of input and output hoses; hoses also connect directly to hydration reservoirs with 0.25 in. drink tubes
-Filter physically removes particles, protozoa and bacteria down to 0.3 microns in size, including giardia, salmonella, cryptosporidia and others
-Glass-fiber element is pleated for increased surface area to handle silt and muddy water
-Activated-carbon core adsorbs chemicals and pesticides to improve taste of water
-To clean filter protector, simply swish it in the water
-Pre-filter at hose inlet filters to 150 microns, removing larger contaminants before they reach the main filter to increase its life span
-Ergonomic pump handle is comfortable and easy to pump
-Includes a carry sack and bottle adapter that fits most water bottles
-Approx. 11 ounces
-6.5x3” with 36” hose

Magpul BAD Lever Install and Review

In this simple video I show how to install the Magpul BAD (Battery Assist Device) Lever on to your AR-15. I also discuss and show its use and effectiveness during high speed bolt manipulation while keeping your shooting hand in what Magpul calls the "fire control" position. At the end of the video I do show some shooting and using the BAD Lever.

Be sure to check out the preview at the end of the video to see what next week's video will be!