Hands-On with 7 Shooting Accessories (You Need)

Whether shooting for self-defense, hunting or just fun, the gun world pretty much requires accessories. Some of these items are tacticool junk, but quite a few shooting accessories make self-defense, concealed carry and range time better. 

If you carry a handgun, you need a holster. Those who go out at night have to have a way to see in the dark. If you go to the range, you need rests for rifles and hearing protection for every shot. There are a lot of choices available in these items; finding shooting accessories that truly work as promised isn’t always easy. Even the ones that work sometimes have issues or ways to be improved. Here are some thoughts on seven shooting accessories that I’ve been messing with for a while to see if the reality meets the hype. 

7 Shooting Accessories

Galco KingTuk Air Cloud Holster

I’ve long been an advocate of strong-side IWB. Over the years, I’ve carried in a wide variety of IWB holsters, from Alien Gear to CrossBreed, along with some smaller custom companies. I carried a Kimber Ultra Carry in a Milt Sparks VM-II for years. When I decided to go to a 9mm semi-auto, I ended up choosing the new Galco KingTuk Air Cloud for the holster. It is not perfect, but its close. 

The Air Cloud is a hybrid holster, using leather, Kydex, closed cell foam and what Galco calls Comfort Cloth on the inside against the body. The molded Kydex holds the gun securely, with a positive click on the trigger guard, while the perforated leather, foam and cloth combine to let in air, wick sweat and pad the hip. 

I’ve been carrying a Ruger RXM in the Air Cloud since before it was announced. I tried some other holsters for G19 clones, but kept going back to Galco. This holster is wide, with a full F.B.I. cant, a sweat guard and two adjustable belt attachments. The attachments keep the pistol in place. I’ve had it move a little, but only when doing hard, physical labor. The wide backing makes it extremely comfortable for all-day carry. I would, however, like to see the belt attachments become metal. In my hands, the plastic belt hooks have a good chance of breaking. 

Walker’s Disruptor Bluetooth Ear Buds

Early in my career, I got to meet Bob Walker. He was an extremely nice, down-to-earth guy; I was quite sad when he died way too young. Long before he did, he sent me one of the original Walker’s Game Ear. The concept was awesome and it prevented gun shots from damaging hearing. However, directional hearing was almost non-existent; I couldn’t tell the direction of a sound. This soured me for a while on affordable electronic hearing protection for hunting, though I used it at the range. Recently, I picked up a pair of the Walker’s Disruptor Bluetooth Ear Buds. 

While I’ve only hunted with the Disruptors once, I used them extensively around the house, on the mower and tractor, and running a chainsaw. I’ve also used them at the range during testing and training. Most of the Disruptor’s abilities are controlled by its App. However, like most Bluetooth devices, it has tap controls for some features. 

First, and foremost, the Disruptor ear buds provide hearing protection and directional sound detection. Whether it was a person talking or a bird gobbling, I locked in on the direction, immediately. Another excellent feature is that those of us with mild hearing loss can adjust the sound for individual ears in the Walker’s App. Other features controlled by the App include Listening Focus (360 or Front), Listening Modes and Ambient Volume. Users can even listen to music and take phone calls. I’ve been rocking out on the mower. 

I’ve had opportunities to use better and more comfortable electronic hearing protection, but it was more than five times the $199 Disruptor’s price tag. These ear buds are fairly comfortable, at least at first. After a few hours of use, especially on a hot day, they start to become less comfortable. The foam inserts are a little stiff and I would like to see more variations in sizes. I would, however, absolutely recommend these to anyone not wanting to spend more than a grand for hearing protection. 

Caldwell Tack Driver Shooting Rest

I’ve used a lot of different items as shooting rests, some of which were probably less than completely safe. I even once used a roll of paper towels laid over the hood of a truck to check the zero of a rifle with which a friend had just missed a deer. My favorite for sighting-in is the Lead Sled because it takes all the little factors out of the picture. Unfortunately, it is heavy, really heavy, and a bit of a pain to use regularly. It is also not cheap.

So, about a year ago, I ordered a Caldwell Tack Driver Shooting Rest. This nylon bag rest is light enough to carry but heavy enough to securely hold a rifle in one of crevices located on opposite ends. Each crevice is lined with non-slip material to help hold the rifle in recoil. It can even be purchased filled and unfilled, allowing shooters to put their own media fill in the bag. I bought the filled bag. 

I’ve used this shooting accessory to test rifles and handguns at both public ranges and my own personal shooting area. This included trying out some Armasight thermal optics in night shoots. Even with the heavy thermals on top, the Tack Driver held rifles secure. 

 Banish 46-V2 Suppressor 

Not everyone understands the benefits of suppressors (silencers), mostly due to Hollywood fiction. Those that do, however, don’t want to shoot without one. I’m in the latter camp. 

After purchasing suppressors for specific rifles, I decided I needed a multi-caliber for testing. I went with the Banish 46-V2. This user-serviceable suppressor can handle everything up to .45. This means it can handle .45-70 and everything underneath, including .338 Lapau. 

So far, I’ve used the Banish on a .300 PRC and the Springfield Kuna. I did have to pick up an adaptor to fit the 9mm pistol. The reduction in sound was unmistakable, even with hearing protection. In fact, I ran the Banish on the Kuna without ear plugs at my outdoor range for one series and it didn’t make the ears ring. The Banish reduced sound by about 30 dBs, putting it into the safe range. I wouldn’t recommend doing this regularly, but the suppressor really helps when required. 

So far I haven’t found anything I don’t like about the Banish 46-V2, other than processing and paperwork of being an NFA item. Hopefully, the Hearing Protection Act will pass, allowing these important shooting accessories to be purchased through a form 4473, like they should. 

Riton 1 Tactix ARD 2

When I started looking for an optic for the Springfield Kuna, I wanted something for fast, close-quarters work. the 9mm round might reach out a little ways, but it is not a long range gun. So I looked at a few red dots and ended up with the Riton 1 Tactix ARD 2. 

This 7.5-ounce optic easily mounts everywhere on a rail, as it has unlimited eye relief. I put it about the half-way point. It offers 60 MOA of adjustment of windage and elevation with 1 MOA per click. The Riton 1 Tactix ARD 2 comes with eight daylight illumination settings and one night vision-compatible setting. User can even choose between a 2 MOA dot or a 30 MOA circle with a center dot. For my purposes, I like the circle. 

Since I was setting this up for CQB, I sighted it at 25 yards from a bench on the Caldwell Tack Driver Shooting Rest. It only took a few minutes to create small groupings in the center of the target. From there, it made running drills fast and fun. 

The Riton works great for its purposes. It even runs up to 50,000 hours on a battery, but I would like one change. I would like to have at least a circle and dot reticle just in case the battery dies. It is a small thing, but Murphy seems to always be on my six. I don’t even know if that is possible with a red dot, but I would like it. 

NEXTORCH TA21 Compact Flashlight

I don’t like to go anywhere without a flashlight in my pocket. Over the years, I’ve used all kinds, from SureFire to Streamlight and Bushnell to the cheapos you buy at the box stores. Currently, I’m carrying a NEXTORCH TA21. 

At just under $100, the TA21 is fairly affordable, particularly considering the features. The TA21 comes with four settings—tactical, duty, lock and red. The tactical setting is truly interesting, as a light push of the rear activation button turns on the 1,300 lumen light, with a harder push turning it to strobe. The duty setting provides three levels of illumination with both momentary and full on capability. 

The TA21 also comes with a FR-1 Tactical Ring. This ring provides better retention, as well as a non-lethal option for defense. And it all runs on a 16340 rechargeable battery that is included, or a CR123A. The rechargeable battery runs the light full power until full depletion. My only complaint is it takes a full 10 to 12 hours to full charge. I swapped in a CR123A until while it was charging. 

Nexbelt

While any belt will hold a handgun, a good gun belt just works better. I’ve been using a Nexbelt for the last couple of years. This rachet belt comes in a wide variety of styles and materials to fit most people’s needs. It is even comes at 50 inches to be cut down to size, fitting almost anybody; add length for IWB carry. 

The Nexbelt is thick (3/16 inch) and wide (1.5 inch) enough to securely hold a concealed-carry rig secure in pretty much any situation. What is really nice, however, is that it can be easily loosened or tightened whenever needed. I often loosen mine when I’m driving and tighten it as I get out. And since it is adjustable in 1/4-inch increments, I can make it fit perfectly every time. 

I bought one in black and another in tan. I’m thinking about getting one for dress, so I’ll never have to wear a cheap, uncomfortable belt when carrying, or not carrying.