I frequently get correspondence from folks asking for my recommendation on various shooting related products. They are listed in no particular order. While recommending things can sometimes get one in trouble, enough questions come in for me to take a stab at it with the following caveat.
I have either personally used or reviewed (a) product(s) or service(s) from these sources and have been please with not only the product or service but also with the company, or I have received enough recommendations from others users to feel confident in them. Your mileage may vary and I make no warranty that all products or services from these sources will meet your approval. However, with those that I have used I am very sure that you will be just as pleased with as I have been. If you do have a problem, please deal directly with the company for resolution as I do not represent any of these firms. I would, however, like to know if you have any problems, or are dissatisfied. All these folks get get my vote for their products or services and the really exceptional ones who have consistently given exceptional service get "5 Flippers."
If you contact any one, please mention this site to them.
If you find a link that no longer works please email me by clicking here and let me know.
To see some non-firearms related companies that have provided service and support far above what one would expect, you can click here to view the list.
Leather Goods / Holsters, etc.
Andy Langlois Leather (http://www.shottist.com)
Andy makes some of the nicest rifle slings in town including Ching type and conventional rifle slings. The are very nicely made and finished of English saddle leather so they have some body to them and wear well. His prices are very reasonable and he stands behind his products. He is also the official source for the Jeff Cooper and Eric Ching sighting in targets.
If you are a graduate of API/Orange Gunsite or a course taught by Jeff Cooper (no exceptions) and can supply a copy of your certificate signed by Jeff you can get a substantial discount on his Ching slings. Tell him I sent you.
Andy is also in the process of resurrecting some of the old holster and accessory designs that are no longer being made. He currently is producing leather butt cuffs that are a copy of the old Sparks "Cold Comfort" design for rifle and shotguns. You can click here for a list of what's available now. Contact Andy for further details.
Andy can be reached at: andy (at) shottist (dot) com
CompTac http://www.comp-tac.com/
Call (281) 209-3040
Toll Free (866) 441-9157
The Concealment Shop (http://www.theconcealmentshop.com)
The Concealment Shop handles all manner of gear relating to concealed carry. I particularly like their AE Pistol Pack "fanny packs." Great customer support and service and reasonable prices. They can be reached at 800 444-7090, or via e-mail at info (at) theconcealmentshop (dot) com
Galco International (http://www.usgalco.com)
Galco is a commercial firm that makes an excellent line of holsters and accessories at reasonable prices. Their workmanship is top notch but be warned that as a major commercial firm not all of their designs are suitable for practical use within the modern technique as they market to "the masses." They can be reached at: 1.800.874.2526
Accessories
Recreational Software Inc. (http://www.shootingsoftware.com
)
RSI is the maker of the famous Shooting Lab software which superceded the old Gun Controller software, considered by many to be THE ballistics software. They are also a dealer for the CED Millennium chronograph system and scales, as well as being the sole source for the PreassureTrace units from High Speed Measurement. RSI will provide support to owners of the CED chronographs purchased elsewhere and will gladly talk your ear off about ballistics. If you call RSI to order please or order on line tell Jim that Fr. Frog referred you.
You can reach RSI & Jim at 928.634.8028 or by E-mail at info (at) shootingsoftware (dot) com.
LPS-Lagger Professional Services/Tactical &
Personal Security Supply (http://www.lpstactical.com)
If you are looking for a source for high quality accessories including such things as Sure Fire, Pro-Ears, Tac-Jac 2001, Blackhawk, Emerson and Cold Steel knives, ITT Night Vision, Beamhit training systems, GG&G products, AIM Point sighting systems, Trijicon, MPro7, Protective Optics Ballistic Eyewear, Swiss Tool, Peltor, Trigger Juster (adjustable hammer spring device for double action pistols), Giles Tactical Slings and Wilderness Products, McCormick magazines, and Benchmade knives (being phased out), LPS is the place you want to go to. They are professionals in every sense of the word. They treat their customers with honesty and integrity and will work with you to solve problems. They are open 7 days a week from 0600 hrs - 2100 hrs and are accessible via the Internet for sales. They can also be reached at 888.511.7322 or via Fax at 510.795.8680.
Medic Batteries (http://www.medicbatteries.com)
Medic batteries supplies a wide variety of name brand bulk packed specialty batteries at excellent prices, with free shipping on all lithium batteries. If you are looking for Lithium AA, 123, 1/3N, CR2, or the various CR20xx "coin" batteries for your red dot sights, this is the place. They can be reached at 1.800.479.6334 or at customerservice (at) medicbatteries(dot) com.
Reloading Equipment
Dillon Precision (http://www.dillonprecision.com)
Dillon is now probably the best known company in the reloading tool business. Their products are first rate, their prices are reasonable, and they stand behind their products 110% with a no-questions asked guarantee. Their catalog, The Blue Press, is a must have. They can be reached at: 800.762.3844
RCBS (http://www.rcbs.com)
RCBS is probably the largest manufacture of reloading dies in the world. If they don't have it they can make it. Their customer service and care are outstanding too. I recently wanted to change a powder measure over to a "small cavity" version and emailed them for info and prices on the parts. They replied that they were sending me the measuring screw for free and that I could order the rotor by calling the parts department at a cost of about $35. When I called them to order the part a very nice lady took my order and CC info and noted that I had been doing business with them for many years, for which she thanked me. When the part arrived, the invoice stated "no charge" and there was a hand written note thanking me for my business over all the years
Magma Engineering (http://www.magmaengineering.com)
Magma Engineering is best known for their line of commercial bullet casting machines, and molds, but they are also the current manufacturer of the old STAR bullet luber and sizer that is the gold standard of cast bullet sizing. If you own a STAR sizer and need parts, dies, etc., give them a call. Magma is a joy to deal with. Courteous, friendly, and knowledgeable people that go out of their way for customers. (Maybe the office cat keeps them in line.) They can be reached at 480.987.9008 or via mail at: PO Box 161, Queen Creek, AZ 85242-0161.
MTM Case-Gard (http://www.mtmcase-gard.com)
MTM is known for the line of plastic ammo boxes and shooting/reloading accesories. Their customer service is courteous and first rate and they stand 100% behind their products. They can be reached at MTM Molded products, 3370 Obco Court, Dayton, OH, 45414, telephone (973) 890-7461.
Click here for information on training
Gunsmithing, Parts, & Gunsmithing Equipment
Berryhill Custom, LLC (http://www.berryhillguns.com)
While they are not accepting any
more custom pistol work they make a line of really high quality after market
parts for the M1911 including the best original rowl type (ring) Commander
hammers I have seen in 20 years. They are made from tool steel, and
available in both blued and stainless. If you like the classic Commander hammer
this is the place. They also have the current (ugly, IMHO) "oval" style hammers and original format
(spur) hammers, extractors, sears, and other critical 1911 parts. Excellent prices and
honest shipping charges.
You can email Dave at db (at) berryhill (dot) com or call him at 903-482-5220 with any questions. Tell him I sent you.
Brownells (http://www.brownells.com)
What can I say. The source for parts and general shooting related stuff is Brownells. If you tinker or need tools, parts, or gunsmithing supplies you must have their catalog. They can be reached at: 800.741.0015. Super folks to deal with.
Mil-Comm Products (http://www.mil-comm.com/)
Mil-Comm is the maker of the TW25B line of lubricants. Founded in 1985 it is probably the best known line of high performance, extreme condition, firearms lubricants on the market and TW25B is the lube of choice for many US military firearms. Their products carry both NSN/ NATO stock numbers. TW25B is my lube of choice for everything and I highly recommend it for the Steyr Scout and SBS line of rifles. They are really great folks to deal with. You can call Gordon or Sylvia at (888) 947-3273 or by FAX at (201) 935-6059, or via email at the following address: sales (at) mil-comm (dot) com
SLIP 2000 (http://www.slip2000.com/)
SLIP is the maker of SLIP 2000 and SLIP EWL weapon lubes that are very popular with AR platform users and with many other firearms. SLIP EWL carries an NSN/NATO stock number. Good folks to deal with.
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Tripp Research (http://www.trippresearch.com)
The folks at Tripp Research are best known for their hard chroming and 1911 "Cobramag" magazines, which are getting very high marks from users. Their magazine bodies have a slightly different geometry and hold the top round a bit higher than the standard magazines for improved feeding with non-ball ammo. They also have an improved follower and spring (which is also available as a replacement kit for other magazine bodies). If you want the best magazines out there for your 1911 this is the place. Great folks to deal with! Virgil Tripp can be reached at 432.837.9445 or by email at info (at) trippresearch (dot) com
Vang Comp Systems
(https://www.vangcomp.com)
Hans Vang is known as "Mr. Shotgun" to tactical shotgun users. His alterations to the barrel consist of lengthening the forcing cone, back-boring the barrel, and adding compensating ports which improves accuracy, dramatically tightens patterns, reduced felt recoil and muzzle rise. Hans is a gentleman of the highest degree and his work is first rate. He also does general gunsmithing on tactical shotguns. Hans can be reached at 400 W. Butterfield Road, Chino Valley, AZ 86323-5613, by telephone at 928.636.8455, by fax at 928.636.1538, or by email at hans (at) vangcomp (dot) com.
Reloading Components
The choice of reloading components is best determined by what works best in your firearms. However, I do have a personal preference for bullets by Hornady for general use and primers by either Federal or Winchester. However, in the interest of completeness, below is a list of web sites for the major manufacturers of components. If I've missed anyone or if I have a bad link please send me the link by clicking here.
Accurate Powder http://www.accuratepowder.com/
Barnes Bullets http://www.barnesbullets.com/
Berger Bullets http://www.bergerbullets.com
Dynamit Nobel / RWS http://www.umarexusa.com
Federal http://www.federalcartridge.com
Hawk Bullets http://www.hawkbullets.com/
Hercules/Alliant Powder http://www.alliantpowder.com
Hogdon Powder http://hodgdon.com
Hornady Bullets http://www.hornady.com/
IMR Powder http://www.imrpowder.com
Norma Bullets http://www.norma.cc/sida/eng/index.html
Nosler Bullets http://www.nosler.com/
Remington http://www.remington.com
Sierra Bullets http://www.sierrabullets.com
Speer Bullets http://www.speer-bullets.com
Swift Bullets http://www.swiftbullets.com
Vihtavuori Powder http://www.vihtavuori.fi
Winchester http://www.winchester.com/
Western Powders http://www.ramshot.com/powders/
Woodleigh WeldCore Bullets http://www.woodleighbullets.com.au/
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I have either used or reviewed these products myself and have been please with not only the product but also with the companies, or I have received enough recommendations from others users to feel confident in them. Your mileage may vary but I am very sure that you will be just as pleased as I have been. However, if you do have problems don't call me, deal directly with the company as I do not represent these firms.
Updated 2010-03-27