SureFire X300U-A and X300U-B

SureFire is one of the top named brands on the market as far as weapon lights go. They have been around for ages and continuously improve on their products. I have personally been using both weapon lights and hand held flashlights from SureFire for the past 13 years and they are a brand that I trust, especially when it comes to life saving tools. There are many newer brands on the market right now, but I do not have personal knowledge or time behind the trigger with them to give proper information about them. 

The SureFire X300U is an amazing light. It offers 1000 lumens of LED generated output and 11,300 candela which will easily help light up your target. It also has ambidextrous switching for both momentary and constant light which you now understand how important that is with training. It does take batteries and runs on 2 CR123A batteries which has a 1.25 hour runtime. It weighs in at 1 pound so be aware of the extra weight that would be added to your firearm. Now the only difference with the X300U-A and the X300U-B, is the mounting system. The A version comes with 2 tabs on the side of the light that pull down to mount onto your rail and offer more of a “quick connect and disconnect.” The B version comes with a traditional side screw that you loosen and tighten when you are mounting it to your firearm. Personal preference does come into play here and certain mounting systems work better on different gun mounts. So look into them both to decide which option would be better for you. 

SureFire X400U Light and Laser Combo

This light itself offers the same qualities as the X300U, except it has a visible laser attached to it. If you have never used lasers before, there is a small learning curve with sighting in your laser as well as knowing the proper holds at different differences. But once you have that down, there are of course added benefits to having a laser for home defense or out on the range. For instance, in the event that you have a home invasion scenario, being able to have a visible laser can help with quick target acquisition without having to be down your sights. If it is at night and it is dark is your home, it can be very difficult and timely to acquire your iron sights and get on target. Having the ability to trigger your laser and put a dot on a target can be very effective. The SureFire X400U also comes with a toggle switch where you can set your device to having a light only, laser only, or both light and laser together. The light also has a purchasing option of having a red or green laser. I personally have this light on my pistols that do not have a Red Dot Optic which we will cover here below!

SureFire DG Pressure Switch

This is one of my favorite pieces of gear. As I stated before, I believe that weapon lights are a must. This pressure switch is a game changer for me. One of the downsides to pretty much every pistol light out there, is that it takes 2 hands on the weapon to operate. But what happens when you’re in a situation where you only have one hand available? That light becomes useless unless you toggle it to constant on which is also not a great option. The DG Switch is a perfect fix to this. It attaches to any “X” series of SureFire pistol lights. It’s a quick disconnect from the toggle switch and then adding on the new DG switch (which also provides the use of the same toggle options for your light) but then rides along the bottom of your trigger guard and to the front of your pistol grip. The light can then be activated by using your middle finger on your current shooting hand. This way, your light can be activated by just adding a little bit more pressure on your grip. So if you are ever in a situation where you have to shoot, or maneuver around your home with only one hand on your firearm, you can still use the momentary action of your light.

Pistol Optics

Optics aren’t for everyone. There are a lot of people out there that like to stick with traditional iron sights while shooting, and there’s nothing wrong with that at all. But for those who enjoy the change from iron sights to red dots, here are some added benefits. First, when it comes to target acquisition, being able to find a red dot, is going to be quicker (in my opinion and if you train with it) than using iron sights. Especially if you’re in the dark and in a high intense situation such as a home invasion. As stated above, when we were discussing lasers, if you don’t have high glow iron sights on your pistol, they are going to be extremely difficult to pick up in the dark, let alone having to line up your front and rear sights. A lot of red dots on the market today will have battery life that last up to a couple years staying constantly on. That means, you are able to leave your red dot on and in the case of a home invasion, it’s one less step you’ll have to do or think about when addressing the threat. There are also some options that will turn themselves off over a short period of time with no use, and have a motion detector and will automatically turn on when you pick up your firearm. A few things to keep in mind are having the ability to even attach a red dot. A lot of stock pistols are not equipped to be able to mount a red dot and will require you to get a new slide, or have your current one milled out for it, which will cost you extra on top of the optic itself. The good news is, pistol optics are very popular these days and more weapon manufactures give you the option of having optic mounts on newer models. Now there are a lot of options and brands when it comes to optics and a lot of it comes down to personal preference. Take some time to look at what works best for you, what is in your price range, and how well they hold up in aggressive situations. Below is just the one I use personally and recommend to all shooters. 

Howard Leight: Impact Sport Earmuffs

These are a great option as far as protection and cost go. They are an over the ear device that offer 22 decibel noise reduction and have a low profile which comes into play when you are shooting any type of long gun that requires you to have a proper cheek weld. Plus there is a huge advantage of having electronic ear protection at the range which is having the ability to talk to and hear other people around you without having to shout at one another, or if you are in a class and need to hear range commands without having to lift off the muffs. The Howard Leights come in a wide range of designs and colors but are a well functional and comfortable piece of equipment. They also offer come with an audio jack for those who like to connect to their phone or iPod and listen to music while they shoot.

3M Peltor TEP-200

There are many times when I am at the range when I don’t want to have bulky over the ear hearing protection on, especially if I am mainly shooting with my rifle. For these days, I prefer to have electronic in-ear hearing protection available. The 3M Peltor TEP-200’s are my personal go-to. With all the benefits of having electronic ear pro, I can still hear everything that’s going on around me while I shoot and have a 23 decibel noise reduction. But what’s great about in-ear devices is that it makes shooting with a long gun way more comfortable. No longer do I have to fight to find a good cheek weld on the butt-stock of my rifle before I’m able to acquire my sights and target. They are extremely light weight, and come with a portable charging case that is small enough to fit in your pocket. I personally use these more than I do any over the ear muffs. 

Gatorz Eyewear: 15% Off! | Click the link or use code: PERRY15

We can’t forget about our eyes. Unfortunately, we only get one pair, so make sure to take the best care. When it comes to eye protection, I only like to use the best. My top choice is Gatorz Eyewear. I have been using Gatorz for the past 13 years, all the way back when I was in the SEAL Teams training and operating overseas. You won’t find better quality and they offer many different styles for all types of faces, which is actually really important. Finding the best fit for your face is critical. Aside from styles, they also come with many different lens options from polarized to non, mirrored, clear and even transitional lenses that change from clear to dark when changing from indoors to outdoor environments. (They also fill prescription lenses). Their frames are made from strong aluminum and also come in different colors to fit your needs. They are made in the USA and have a life time warranty. 

We The People Holsters

Whether you’re at the range, or carrying on your person out in public, you need to have a great holster. Like everything else, they come in all shapes and sizes and are customizable to your own needs and likes. Finding a quality holster can be tough especially when so many are alike. One that stands out from the rest is We The People Holsters. They offer thousands of combinations that include inside the waistband, outside of the waistband, kydex, leather, and with and without pistol light options. So whatever your make and model that is your everyday carry, there’s a good chance they will have you covered. Whether you like a tactical look, or fun color patterns, they have over 20 design patterns for you to choose from. We The People Holsters are made in the USA and offer a life time warranty as well. 

Take 15% off your purchases with code Perry15 during your checkout!

Viktos

Having the proper gear is essential, and that goes beyond just training tools. Being prepared goes from range time to everyday wear. Having the ability to always be comfortable, but also functional, is why 95% of my attire is Viktos. Whether it’s for tactical use or casual wear, Viktos has become my trusted brand. Since 2019, I have been putting their clothing to the test and that’s everything from jackets, shirts, pants, shoes, boots, packs and anything else you can imagine. All of their clothing is uniquely designed to fit your needs of the day, including adaptations for the range. Best of all, their clothing is designed by veterans!

Take 15% off your purchases with the code PERRYFA during your checkout!