CONCEALMENT 17 Noteworthy Gear from CONCEALMENT Issue 17 Recoil Staff Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More STUDIES AND OBSERVATIONS GROUP ULTRA XR sogknives.com BLADE MATERIAL: S35VN BLADE LENGTH: 2.8 inches OAL: 6.4 inches WEIGHT: 1.2 ounces MSRP: $139 Notes: At just under a quarter-inch thin and weighing barely more than an ounce, SOG’s Ultra XR is as much a deep-pocket folder as a money clip. Add the stylish carbon-fiber handles and the titanium nitride-coated blade in either understated black or the eye-catching gold you see here and you’ve got a next-generation gentleman’s knife. SOG kept the weight down with a frameless design that joins the carbon-fiber scales with spacers to form a rigid handle. The knife features SOG’s XR locking system that’s easily operated with a thumb and strong enough to withstand a Volkswagen’s worth of pressure before failing. Add premium, edge-holding S35VN steel and the Ultra is as much brawn as it is beauty. VZ GRIPS VZ NO.2 Tactical G-10 Pencils vzgrips.com COLORS: Blue, Gray, Red, Tan, Yellow LENGTH: 6 inches DIAMETER: 0.35 inch WEIGHT: 0.58 ounce MSRP: $39 Notes: Heading into a nonpermissive environment and want to bring a little backup? Check out VZ Grip’s latest stabby creation, the VZ No.2 Tactical G-10 Pencil. They’re cut from a solid chunk of G-10 and despite looking and feeling like a regular pencil, these things are nearly indestructible. And, according to VZ, these are damn near invisible in a metal detector. The only way to tell it’s not a real pencil is to write with it. While you won’t likely use one to further a writing career, magicians should take note; we heard of one enterprising joker using something similar in his Gotham city act to great effect. ELITE TACTICAL SYSTEMS ETS MAGS etsgroup.us FITS: GLOCKs, HKs, S&Ws, SIGs MSRP: $17-$27 Notes: Save a few bucks over the cost of factory mags and get a clear look at the kind and amount of ammo you’ve got loaded. ETS released a torrent of new magazines this past fall with 26 new models, including mags for the Sig P320, S&W Shield, S&W M&P, HK VP9 plus new 10mm and 45 ACP, and 40-round 9mm mags for the Glock platform. The new fits bring all of the standard ETS features along including chemical- resistant clear polymer bodies, flanges on the baseplates to aid in ripping flush-fit mags from a magazine well and removal from deep mag pouches and compatibility with OEM and other maker’s aftermarket baseplates. But one of the biggest draws is likely the large selection of 30 and 40 rounders for PCC competitors. LEO TAKEDOWN KIT FOR AR-15 RIFLES leotakedown.com FITS: Common and Mil-spec AR-15-style receivers and most free-float handguards WEIGHT: 12 ounces MSRP: $299 Notes: Clickety-click! Store your rifle in half the space by installing the LEO TakeDown on your AR. One side is a locking collar that screws to an AR upper receiver in place of a barrel nut; the other half, the coupling ring, slips over the barrel and plugs into the locking collar to retain the barrel in the upper’s barrel port. To attach or remove the barrel assembly from the upper, pull the spring-loaded, outer ring of the locking collar back to retract a set of bearings that lock onto detents in the coupling ring. The locking collar is threaded to accept any AR-15-sized barrel nut, so nearly any handguard can be used with the system. Handguards with rearward protrusions meant as anti-rotation measures don’t work with the kit unless they’re ground flush. You’ll have to pull the gas block from your barrel to install the TakeDown, but that seems like a small price to pay for the concealability gained with this system. XS SIGHTS RAM NIGHT SIGHTS xssights.com COLORS: Green, Orange COMPATIBILITY: Various models from FNH, Glock, Sig Sauer, Smith & Wesson, Springfield Armory MSRP: starting at $100 Notes: With all the fancy micro red-dots and weapon-mounted lights, it’s easy to forget about the importance of having solid iron sights for your handgun — especially in low-light situations. Enter the RAM Night Sights. Named after the “RadioActive Material” in its tritium, the steel sights have a blacked-out rear sight to increase contrast against the front sight, which features XS Sights’ trademarked Glow Dot technology that absorbs ambient light and glows in low light. The front sight is brighter than the rear tritium lamps, letting you focus on the downrange threat rather than the rear sights. Plus, the notch is 15-percent wider than the front sight, making it easier to see the front post in changing light conditions or while shooting on the move. PANGEA DESIGNS PICKPOCKET TORQ pangeadesigns.com MATERIAL: Titanium DIMENSIONS: 2.3 by 0.75 by 0.1 inches MSRP: $20 Notes: This odd object might look like a fossil, but it’s actually a modern (and handy) everyday-carry multi-tool. The Pickpocket Torq is a bottle opener and key fob with a built-in suspension clip, so you can hang it from your belt loop rather than have it sit in an uncomfortable pile with your keys at the bottom of your pocket. Plus, the skeletonized design houses an integrated hex wrench for use with 1/4-inch driver bits, furthering its EDC usefulness. This little gizmo from Pangea Designs is made out of titanium, which means that it’s crazy strong, incredibly lightweight (just 5 grams, or 0.18 ounce), and naturally resistant to rust and corrosion. Made in the USA. CAMELBAK SPARTA camelbak.com CAPACITY: 30L (2,012 cubic inches) COLORS: Black, Coyote, and MultiCam MSRP: Starting at $223 Notes: Let’s start by saying this pack isn’t designed specifically for a concealed carry weapon. But it is a top-quality daypack that excels in durability, functionality, and versatility. The four-zipper, full clamshell opening to the main compartment makes accessing your gear ridiculously easy. The front admin section comes with mesh pockets to help organize smaller items, like your wallet or smartphone. The laser-cut MOLLE panel doesn’t scream “tactical!” yet can secure more pouches if needed. For outdoor adventures, the Sparta’s zippered back panel houses a 100-ounce lumbar reservoir that lowers your center of gravity and increases stability. If that’s not enough, it’s loaded with user-friendly features — from a sternum strap and side-release buckles to an adjustable waist belt that stows when not in use. 5.11 TACTICAL BRAVO PANT 511tactical.com COLORS: Black, Peacoat, Ranger Green, Stone MATERIAL: 89-percent polyester, 11-percent elastane MSRP:$80 Notes: Our favorite kind of pants are the ones we can wear to the bar, the office, and, of course, the range; it means we have one less pair of trousers to buy. So, if you’re like us, you’ll like the Bravo Pant. At first glance they look like casual business wear, and they match great with sport coats, button-ups, and polo shirts. But upon closer inspection you’ll find two back yoke pockets for AR magazines and back knee articulation for great mobility. The lightweight fabric is a blend of polyester and elastane, giving you a snag-free pant with long-term durability and superior flexibility. The Bravo Pant also features a water-resistant finish — great for fending off rain or coffee stains. FIRST LITE MEN’S WICK SHORT SLEEVE CREW firstlite.com COLORS: Ash Grey, Black, Conifer, Dry Earth, First Lite Cipher, First Lite Fusion SIZES: Small through XXL MSRP: Starting at $65 Notes: It’s the tail end of spring for the Northern Hemisphere, so the weather might be a bit schizophrenic depending on where you live. It could be scorching during the day, but chilly at night. That’s why we like this First Lite crewneck T-shirt. It’s made of a wool/nylon blend that gives you all of wool’s benefits (anti-odor attributes, moisture wicking to keep you cool when it’s hot, and heat retention even when wet to keep you warm when it’s cold). Yet, it has none of wool’s downsides (the nylon reduces the itchiness while increasing durability). The Men’s Wick Short Sleeve Crew will perform perfectly either by itself or as a baselayer — regardless if you’re in a pub, at the range, or on a hunt. 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