NcSTAR Mini Reflex Red Dot Sight

(Want to buy this red dot?  CLICK HERE TO BUY IT.)

Ok peeps - red dots.  Here's my take.  Unless you have a DMR-styled AEG or a sniper rifle that can really reach out to touch people, red dots are the best optic for airsoft.  They offer easy target acquisition, don't take a ton of work to get used to, and they don't use a ton of battery power. 

Today we are looking at this NcSTAR red dot from Airsoft Atlanta.  Cost-wise, this guy is on the lower end of red dots out there, coming in at only $49.99.  One cool thing about this guy - it's made for real steel i.e. it's made to be used on a gun with real recoil in real-life applications.  So you know it's made to take some abuse. 

As you can see, NcSTAR also includes their Lifetime Limited Warranty.  That means (and you can check out THIS VIDEO from Thumpy to prove my point) you can get it shot out, run it over, whatever - and if you send it back to them, they will REPLACE IT!  Now THAT is a deal.

Also included are these instructions on how it works, but don't worry - I'll tell you how to use it in this review.

You also get a cloth for cleaning the red dot, an extra battery, and 2 hex wrenches for attaching and adjusting.  Nice of them to toss in some extra 'kit' for free.

So here it is.  SUPER-compact, cover (plastic) included, and low profile.  The body of it is anodized aluminum so again - it's solid. 

  Check out the next picture of it in my hand.  Isn't it cute?

 Attaching it to your gun is simple.  If you look at my finger tip in the photo below, you can see one of the hex bolt.  Loosen two of them and you can put this on any 1913/Picitanny rail.  That said, this guy is very usable on a pistol as well as on a rifle. 

Turning it on is simple - move the switch in the back to the right, because that's where on is (heh, heh...).
 There is just one setting as far as brightness, but in general I don't bother changing my brightness levels much unless I am in a full-on, full-immersion, day-changing-to-night op, so you should be all set.

 When you want to adjust it for windage and elevation, just use the included hex wrench to adjust the bolts on the top (for elevation) and right side (for windage).  Simple enough.

Here's a look at it when it's "ON".  The dot is tiny but it's very easy to see (the picture doesn't do it justice).

I decided to put this guy on my KWA CQR.  Now it's worth noting that if you play with a full facemask, you may want to add a riser to your AEG. You don't have to, but it might be handy.  As I mentioned earlier, this guy is a low-profile red dot, so you should plan on putting it further out on your rail as compared to where you might put a holo sight or a set of scope rings.

 As you can see, I put it almost up to the delta ring on my M4.

Here's what it looks like on the M4 and on.

A few more pictures of it.

Overall, this guy is sweet.  Airsoft Atlanta does note that it is great for an MP7, and I'd agree.  MP9 would be great for this guy too.  This guy is solid (remember the excellent promise of replacement from NcSTAR), made for real steel guns, and will hold up.  If you have a rail on a pistol, this guy would be excellent.  If you want something low-profile for an AEG, this may be the one you are looking for.  Check out more over at Airsoft Atlanta - CLICK HERE.

- Carp    

Mechanix Gloves Review

(Want to buy these gloves NOW?  CLICK HERE!)

Let's talk gloves.  Useful in airsoft for: keeping hands warm in colder weather, protecting hands from BBs, protecting hands from falls (not that ANY of us have taken a digger while running in airsoft), and, of course, they are excellent for looking cool (come on, let's not lie - we all like to look tacti-cool).

Mechanix gloves were originally made for, well...mechanics.  But once other people saw how useful they could be, Mechanix gloves were all the rage.  In general, they are quite reasonably priced.  The ones you see in this review are available at Airsoft Atlanta for only $24.99, and they come in sizes Small to Extra Large.

Here are the details on these guys.  First, they are comfortable.  These are based on the original design, so they are made to provide safety, a little warmth, and also keep enough dexterity so you can use your hands effectively.  The palm is made of synthetic Clarino leather so it's pliable but also strong.  The top is made of stretch spandex - again offering comfort and cover.   

As you can see, they are compact enough to use while airsofting.  Your finger can fit into the trigger-guard no problem.  The pictures here are of a KWA CQR, so it's safe to say that for most M4s, you are good to go.  And since most AK and other airsoft 'rifles' are larger that this CQR, you should have no problem wearing these Mechanix gloves and shooting.   

When it comes to pistols, I took my smallest gas blow-back pistol (a WE Baby Hi-Capa) and they still worked.  It's certainly a tighter fit, but none the less - they work.

Would I recommend these?  Totally.  There are real operators (i.e. soldiers, contractors, etc.) who wear these, so yeah - I'd say they are safe enough for airsoft.  You can get gloves that cost less, but in the end, I think it's worth it to spend the money now for a pair of gloves that will last.  Mechanix gloves are used the world-over, and that's because they are well-made and long-lasting.  Check them out at Airosft Atlanta HERE. 

- Carp  

ICS Booth at Show Show 2103

Quite honestly, not a ton new at this year's Shot Show from ICS.  However, check back in a bit for an update on some new RIFLED M203 shells that give you more range and quite a few options...including a flashbang.  In the mean time, check out some more pics.

New from Umarex - Beretta ARX 160

Tired of just M4s?  Well, here's something that might float your boat.  Umarex is working on a new Beretta ARX 160.  What you see in these pictures is really just a shell of the future AEG.  It'll take M4 mags, it's got rails, it has a folding and extendable stock, and it.  Price will be around $300 for the metal version and then a 'sportline/competition/ version for around $175, give or take.  And FYI - looks like real licensing from Beretta.  Nice work, Umarex.  Release date: unknown.  

 

- Carp

A New Speedloader that works SO FAST!

I don't have all the details on this yet, but I spoke with some people who have had their hands on it.  Basically, you put an M4 mag in the well (top-right).  Then you pull back the 'loading chamber' and pour in a bottle of BBs (Elite Force recommended).

Then you basically 'pump' the front end down like a shotgun and it loads about 40 BBs into your mag.  So do the math: if you have a 120 round mid-cap, three pumps and it's done.

I'll talk with Elite Force/Umarex soon for more info.  Pretty sweet item though.

- Carp

Coming soon to Spartan Imports

 

OK let's be honest.  "Coming Soon" is a relative term when it comes to airsoft.  However, I spoke with a Spartan Imports rep and he said that these ones are in the process.  If you look, you will see that the logo says "Scorpion Force" but I was told that it's just place holder while they work out logo issues.  Anyhow, it's got the look of some of the stuff that Elite Force has made, and they are OEMed by Classic Army.  Pretty nice looking guns - a CQB and a field version with use-appropriate FPS.

- Carp