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| Training Minute: Use of Cover Watch lead Tiger Valley instructor T.J. Pilling demonstrate the principles of the use of cover. Click here. Gear Check: Checking vs. Testing There is a world of difference between casually checking your equipment for proper operation and properly testing it in real-world conditions. We saw a significant demonstration of this principal during a "Beat the Heat" match at Tiger Valley this past summer. During the event, about one in five participants suffered equipment failures of some sort. Most of the failures were with low-light equipment that had been "checked" but not "tested". Sights came lose, weapons mounted lights were flung off by the force of recoil, and lights suffered internal failures. These problems generally occurred after only a handful of rounds had been fired. The failures were not limited to discount-store garbage that has no business being on a firearm, but included high-end, well regarded manufacturers as well. Even if you have limited opportunities to do nighttime training, slap your new light on your rifle when heading to the range next time to make sure it survives the experience, even if the shooting is during daylight hours. Use some creativity if necessary, but make sure your critical gear is tested, not just checked. Upcoming Competition: 3-Gun Match All who make it down to November's 3-Gun Match at Tiger Valley will find a fast moving, high-round count event covering 9 different courses of fire. Arrive at 7:30 AM with your weapons, safety gear, 300 rounds of pistol, 300 carbine, and 75 shotgun. To watch a video of a previous event click here. For match details, click here. Class Wrap Up: 5-Day Precision Rifle Tiger Valley conducted up a 5-day precision rifle class that ran October 1th to the 5th, instructed by T.J. Pilling and John Tilliman. For an after action report from some of the attendees, click here. For those unfamiliar with these instructors, information on their backgrounds can be found here and here. Equipment Spotlight AR Mag Pouches from Triad Tactical - "M4 Flop Top" Triad Tactical has released their own line of magazine pouches that are suitable for use in the tactical as well as the competition environment. Made of 1000D Cordura with heavy grade elastic, these pouches are ideal for attaching to belts, as well as any platform that accepts MOLLE pouches. The pouches are designed somewhat like the Eagle Industries FB-style pouches with a front folding flap, but that is where the similarity ends. The retention flap is narrower than the FB-type, but is just as secure. The elastic has just enough give built into it that it will fit both standard magazines as well as magazines with Magpuls and Ranger plates. The retention flap attaches to a strip of Velcro on the top rear of the pouch and as a readily accessible pull tab to release it. The placement of the Velcro, coupled with the fact that when attached, the pouch will stand off from the belt makes securing the strap simple and quick. Once the tab is released, the tension in the retaining strap makes it fall naturally to a Velcro securing square on the front of the pouch. We found that retention is not an issue with the Triad pouch due to a second elastic retention strap that keeps a constant tension on the magazine body when it is in the pouch. Even when attached upside-down or in the prone position, the magazine stays in the pouch. The elastic in the test pouches was tensioned nicely and holds the pouch open when the magazine is removed, making reinserting a snap. Unlike some securing systems that use a plastic liner inside the pouch that can be difficult to “break”, retrieval of the magazine from the Triad Tactical pouch is smooth and fast. The pouch uses MALICE clips for attachment. With four channels on the back of the pouch, either long or short clips can be used. When using small clips, the pouch sits very securely on a 2” duty belt. Unlike other most other open-top pouches, the Triad pouch gives the user plenty of magazine to grab onto, unlike some other more common designs. When performing rapid magazine changes, this is a must-have feature. Additionally, the use of the elastic strap retention system allows the use faster access from a secured position than traditional bungee cord pouches. The Triad Tactical pouches are available in a variety of colors suitable for most every user. We don't always realize that a better mousetrap can be invented until we see one in action, and Triad's pouch is just such a device. Devoid of any silliness, the pouch simply works great. Highly recommended. Upcoming Events November
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Tiger Valley LLC.
Range Address: Hwy 84 at Joe Russell Rd. | Prairie Hill, TX 76678
Mailing Address: 6309 Scottsboro Ln. | Garland, TX 75044
Cell: (972)977-9512 | Office/Fax: (972)530-6510