Table of contents for Issue - UN12 #16 in UN12

Inspiration for firearms customization can sprout from any number of sources. Sometimes it’s from one of your favorite movies or TV shows, or perhaps inspiration strikes when you’re out shooting with some friends. What inspired your latest build? In this issue of UN12, we take a look a several guns that found creative roots in everything from the desire to return to tactical training classes all the way to a pair of collectible Nike sneakers. Didn’t we say inspiration could come from just about anywhere? UN12 is all about innovation and creativity. To that end, we’re proud to help fellow enthusiasts show off their latest custom creations. Join us as we check out the latest in guns and gear modification for both upgraded function and enhanced aesthetics. In this issue,…

One thing to remember about life is that you never know what’s going to happen. Have you ever found yourself in a certain situation that you didn’t expect to be in when you woke up that morning? Whether it’s performing an unexpected repair or traveling to an area that you did not expect to go to that day, daily life is good at springing up surprises. The one thing you can control is how you prepare for these surprises. That’s why its crucial to be prepared with a useful EDC setup. In this edition of Every Day Carry, we take a look at two purposeful EDC setups. Let’s take a closer look at them. 01 Casio G-Shock GLS8900AR-1 MSRP: $130 URL: casio.com 02 Mil-Spec Monkey Mini Mod-D Carabiner MkII MSRP:…

CoopXgear Steadfast E.D.C. Pack MSRP: $75 URL: coopxgear.co Our 2¢: We’ve been using our CoopXgear Steadfast E.D.C. Pack for quite a few years now and it’s still our go to mini-pack for EDC carry. CoopXgear worked with numerous designers to create a small, compact and rugged pack. The Steadfast is designed to hold and organize your everyday carry tools and equipment in an simple manner that makes functional sense. The interior of the pouch is made with hook material and comes with universal loop inserts that are designed to be custom configured for your EDC gear and needs. 5.11 Outpost Chrono MSRP: $120 URL: 511tactical.com Our 2¢: 5.11’s Outpost Chrono provides precision timekeeping with a tonal tactical appearance. It features a 44mm stainless steel case with an IP coating and…

How did we go from a red-dotless pistol society to one that seemingly tops the slides of every pistol out there? We remember a time when mini and micro red dots were relegated to competition only and using one outside the world of race guns was routinely mocked. For the record, we’re big fans of red dots on everything from handguns to crossbows. They make targeting quicker, easier, more accurate—just point and shoot. We’re glad that mini and micro red dots have been adopted by pretty much all genres of shooting nowadays. The last frontier for these optics to conquer may be black powder, but we’re game to see a blunderbuss rocking a red dot. Because… why not? “Mini and micro red dots have been adopted by pretty much all…

A lot has been said about “mindset” in our community. In fact, so much has been said that common understanding of the term scarcely resembles the actual definition. It’s almost become a cliché, like calling something “tactical.” The Merriam-Webster definition of mindset is: 1. A mental attitude or inclination. 2. A fixed state of mind. We are not born with a mindset. Sure, there are certain primal urges, needs, wants, to which we are naturally inclined. We can be genetically predisposed towards certain hereditary traits. But our mindset is something that is shaped by experiences, outside stimuli, environment, and lessons learned. Mindset can be individual, societal, or even cultural. Mindset drives our perception and response to the world around us. But what many in our community define as “mindset” might…

“The rifle, first assembled more than 10 years ago, had held up well, but some of its parts were dated by today’s standards.” Time flies, it really does. It seems the older you get, the quicker the days, months, and years seem to speed by. The owner of this AR-15 can attest to this unfortunate fact. Richard Wilson recently decided to take up shooting again after stepping away from the activity for about a decade. Why would he stop shooting for that long? We’ll let him explain. “Why did I step away from shooting and training? Life, man, life,” Wilson says. “I was a big-time tactical class guy back around 2009 through 2012. I took local classes and even traveled to other states to take classes from the popular trainers…

Carrying a knife on oneself on the daily is as important as making sure you have your wallet, keys, and smartphone in your pocket before you walk out the door. These essential tools allow us to not only go about our daily business efficiently, but reflect our personal style as well. Each one of these EDC pieces is chosen by its user to reflect their utilitarian needs and can also show off a person’s individuality. Does your phone live in a rugged impact-resistant case or does it reside in a simple leather-wrapped case instead? Although every item in an EDC setup can act as a reflection of its owner’s taste and lifestyle, we’d say that the knife is speaks the most about its owner and is the centerpiece to one’s…

CA Evike 2801 W. Mission Rd. Alhambra, CA 91803 Tel: (626) 407-0561 URL: evike.com Evike 1400 W. 4th St. #2 Antioch, CA 94509 Tel: (925) 237-2560 URL: evike.com Rifle Supply 16291 Gothard St. Huntington Beach, CA 92647 Tel: (714) 841-1480 URL: riflesupply.com KS Rainier Arms Firearms Academy 2831 N Greenwich Rd, Wichita, Kansas 67226 Tel: (253) 218-4974 URL: rainierarmsfa.com MI FiringLine Guns 33000 Ford Road Westland, MI 48185 Tel: (734) 326-7320 URL: firinglineguns.com NV New Frontier Armory 150 E. Centennial Pkwy, Suite #110 N. Las Vegas, NV 89084 Tel: (702) 479-1470 URL: newfrontierarmory.com NH Wicked Weaponry 21 Londonderry Turnpike Hooksett, NH 03106 Tel: (603) 232-0621 URL: wickedweaponryusa.com TX Evike 100 Cypresswood Dr. #1302 Spring, TX 77388 Tel: (281) 771-3126 URL: evike.com WA Northwest Safe Spokane 8710 E Appleway Blvd Spokane…

iRay USA RICO ALPHA The Rico Alpha is the culmination of decades of user feedback, research, development, and American engineering all embedded in a thermal weapon sight that’s purpose-built for the discerning nighttime hunter. From the Autoloading Guarded Power Connector (AGPC) to the battery latch, the RQD Quick Release Mount, to the ultra-rigid housing with Tactile Ridge Positioning and Single Finger Focus (SFF) design, the Alpha was developed by hunters for hunters and absolute performance in every way. Additional features include image and video capture, multiple dynamic reticles, a stadiametric rangefinder, and wireless connectivity. To top all that off, the Alpha is proudly designed, machined, assembled, and serviced in the great state of Texas. $6,999 irayusa.com Gatorz Eyewear ANSI Z87.1 MILSPEC BALLISTIC SPECTER Handcrafted from aerospace-grade aluminum in Yuma, Arizona,…

Mil-Spec Monkey Mini Mod-D Carabiner MkII MSRP: $7 URL: milspecmonkey.com Our 2¢: Mil-Spec Monkey’s updated carabiner comes in a useful 3.5 x 2-inch size making it great for EDC use and as a backup carabiner. Its great for securing everyday objects such as sets of keys but is also a load bearing capable carabiner if case you end up having to do some high speed tasks. It is offered in a range of colors with stamped markings. 5.11 Rapid PL 1AA MSRP: $35 URL: 511tactical.com Our 2¢: We love flashlights and can never have enough of them. This affordable unit by 5.11 is perfect to use as a back up for first responders or as a primary for everyday carry. The compact but powerful multi-fuel compatible light is powered by…

Buttstock Victor Company Titan22 Precision Rimfire Stock MSRP: From $170 The Titan22 is made from industrial-grade fiberglass resin for superior rigidity, strength, and durability. The stock features the “Anchor Lock System,” which secures the receiver to aircraft-grade hardened aluminum bedding in the front and rear of the action for maximum accuracy. The highly rigid fiberglass composite gives up almost no flex, which makes it an excellent platform for precision shooting. Bolt Volquartsen Competition Bolt MSRP: $278 This CNC-machined bolt features Volquartsen’s hardened and tuned extractor for consistent positive extraction. It also includes the company’s round titanium firing pin that eliminates unnecessary movement found on most 10/22 firing pins. Head spacing is held to exact dimensions, eliminating the need to have your factory bolt reworked. Trigger Volquartsen TG2000 Trigger Group MSRP:…

If you saw my crate of Polish AK-47s in UN12 Issue 013, you can probably tell that I have a thing for the AK platform. I really love building them. There is something about taking the parts, actually drilling and riveting them together, and ending up with a functional (usually) firearm that is so rewarding. I have built well over a hundred AKs for myself, for customers, and for friends, but there are times when even I know I’m in over my head. De-milling, grinding, drilling, and squishing rivets are all pretty doable. Even the occasional barrel population (with the right tools) is something anyone can be taught to accomplish. Welding, however, is a different story. That brings us to the latest firearm to be presented in the Clone Life…

“Like other PCCs (and rifles) built around the Berserker series receivers, this one is a Nick Kurzawski design.” Like almost anything else, the term personal defense weapon (PDW) might mean different things to different people. In the broadest semantic sense, a sharp stick might be regarded as a “personal defense weapon.” I can hear Grandpa now: PDW? What the hell’s a PDW? In my day we just called ’em guns. For our purposes we accept the more general definition, centered around a concept developed by NATO in the 1980s: a compact firearm offering more impressive ballistic performance than a traditional pistol or sub-machine gun. So while among experts a PCC may not be technically considered a PDW because of the ammunition it shoots, for others a super-short shorty like this…

If you’ve been around ARs for even a little while, there’s a good chance that you also have one that started out as a single discarded part taken from another AR that you had modified. Like so many other AR-pattern carbines before it, this is how the AR-9 featured here began life. Call it a Franken-build or a melting pot of AR goodness. Jay Thompson, owner of this custom build, doesn’t mind any name you throw at it. He’s been assembling ARs for quite a few years now as a hobby and this is one of his latest creations. He tells us how it came to be. “I’ve always been into modifying anything I get my hands on,” Thompson says. “When I was little, I added LED lighting into my…

Might this be the one holster to rule them all? SureFire’s MasterFire System is one of the best and most seemingly overlooked holster systems we’ve come across. If that sounds like a bold statement, you probably won’t think so after you’ve spent time with it as we have. If you’re not familiar with the MasterFire System, allow us to give you a brief overview. It comprises SureFire’s ecosystem of weaponlights and holsters that allow you to essentially own a single holster for any railed pistol that you have. Forget buying a holster for every one of your pistols. It also provides Level 3 retention and can instantaneously activate your weaponlight or laser automatically when drawing your weapon. SureFire’s latest MasterFire Pro Rapid Deploy Holster incorporates improvements over the previous model…

I designed the Button Man to give shooters a low-round-count, low light-engagement drill that involved both carbine and handgun as well as lateral movement, weapons manipulation, and use of cover. It is easily modified from low-light to no-light environments. Target ranges are also flexible, and freedom exists to shoot with fewer rounds if times are tough. This is a mechanics-heavy drill designed to build shooter proficiency with white light or laser systems while also working transitions and reloads when visibility is compromised. We want to make sure that shooters are deactivating weapon-mounted lights (or lasers) during transitions and reloads while properly employing white light during engagements. No “Bat Signals” in the sky on a reload, and no spotlight on the operator’s feet when he transitions to handgun. “This is designed…

Stickers. We love stickers. They’re not only fun to slap on your gear, but also useful to mark what’s yours. Stick ’em on your laptop, water bottle, rifle hard case, smartphone, and anything else you deem fun-worthy or that you need to mark personal identifiers on. We introduced sticker sheets in UN12 three issues ago and during that time we’ve collaborated with a selection of industry partners in creating stickers that have proved to be a hit with our readers. Our latest collab sticker sheet, which can be found on the last page of this print issue, is with Aero Precision, makers of quality ARs and components. Aero Precision is already well known in the firearms world for their groundbreaking line of AR-15s, AR-308s, 9mm caliber ARs, and quality components…

01 CoopXgear Steadfast E.D.C. Pack MSRP: $75 URL: coopxgear.com 02 Benchmade Triage Family MSRP: $225 URL: benchmade.com 03 Streamlight Sylus Pro Penlight MSRP: $25 URL: streamlight.com 04 Gerber EVO Multi Plier (out of production) URL: gerbergear.com 05 Emergency Foil Mylar Blanket MSRP: $7 (pack of 3) URL: amazon.com 06 HART Outdoor Day Hike First-Aid Kit MSRP: $14 URL: rei.com 07 5.11 Outpost Chrono MSRP: $120 URL: 511tactical.com 08 Crucial Concealment Covert IWB MSRP: $66 URL: crucialconcealment.com Offer: Get 10% Off & Free Shipping with Coupon Code UN12 09 SOG Aegis AT Tanto—Rescue Red & Indigo MSRP: $95 URL: sogknives.com 10 Princeton Tec Snap Solo MSRP: $35 URL: princetontec.com MSRP: $ 50 / 128GB URL: princetontec.com…

Anyone with any sort of creative impulse will know that inspiration can come from just about anywhere or anything. That’s true of any creative endeavor, and firearms customization is no exception. In this case, as it happens, the bolt of creative lightning, so to speak, came from a pair of shoes. The AR build pictured here is another example of a Jay Canter/Violent Art Firearms signature build. Regular readers will know the name. In addition to being an ace lens man for UN12, Canter has provided a consistent stream of quality builds that have made their way into these pages, manufacturer displays, and marketing materials for a variety of outlets. We remember him telling us early on he takes inspiration from any number of sources, from cars to pop culture…

When it comes to timepieces, there may be no other brand that can top Rolex in terms of precision timekeeping, excellence in design, fine craftsmanship, and the prestigious cachet that it affords its owner. It is this combination of factors, plus others, that has kept Rolex a sought-after brand for generations. Every Rolex wristwatch is designed and crafted with the utmost care and deliberateness. Many Rolexes are made for specific tasks, and the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Milgauss is no exception. The Milgauss is an anti-magnetic watch that was originally created in 1956. It was developed for engineers, technicians, and scientists who worked in burgeoning fields of science that oftentimes exposed them to magnetic fields in their working environments. These fields would affect their watches, throwing off any kind of precise…

Whether you’re looking for more rail space while running a PEQ15 or require a front sight that won’t let you down, Midwest Industries (MI) has a solution that fits both requirements to a tee. MI’s PEQ15 Fixed Front Sight was developed in cooperation with Defense Solutions Group, Inc. to provide a front sight that conforms with the shape of a PEQ15 laser device while taking up only a single Picatinny rail slot. Designed for use on AR-15/M4/M16 rifles and other continuous-top-rail platforms, the fixed iron sight is contoured to work with full-power AN/PEQ15 as well as commercial PEQ15 laser devices. The sight is made in America out of billet machined T6 6061 aluminum. To protect its surface for decades of use, it is also Type 3 hardcoat anodized. The fixed…

Being able to see in the dark is one thing, but being able to see heat signatures is something else entirely. I’ve used night vision for a few years now, mostly using a TNV/PVS-14 unit, and I’ve got to say that I absolutely love it. Being able to see clearly and pick out targets in the pitch black of night gives you superhuman capabilities. How can that ability be topped? Thermal optics allow the user to see beyond what night vision can offer. Night vision uses what little amounts of ambient light that exist, be it light from the moon or from a distant street lamp, and amplifies it so we can see. Thermal imaging works by using infrared sensors to detect the temperatures of objects. The result is a…

We can’t speak for everyone, but we here at UN12 are for the most part a simple folk. If it produces copious amounts of light, heat, and sound, we’re all about it. That’s why, beyond being firearms enthusiasts, many of us gravitate toward things like automobiles, power tools, machinery and gadgets of all types, especially if the object in question has a carefully defined, very pointed purpose. If there’s a certain element of danger involved, so much the better. Of course, that’s only part of the equation. We also like beautiful things. There’s the beauty of engineering, the art of taking inanimate objects and manipulating them into an interdependent ecosystem that produces a singular purpose. But we are also into aesthetics—carefully curated patterns and coloration for an element of customization…

Unity Tactical has been championing tall optic mounts that offer a higher-than-standard 2.26-inch optical centerline height. Called FAST mounts by the company, subscribers to Unity Tactical’s tall mounts say that the heads-up shooting provides a quicker sight picture than standard height mounts. It’s also said that a 2.26-inch optical centerline height provides faster and easier reticle acquisition while wearing electronic ear protection and communications headsets, night vision goggles, and gas masks. A 2.26-inch optical centerline promotes a heads-up posture, which removes the need to slouch behind your optic. This posture also helps users maintain a neutral spine position that’s more comfortable while wearing helmets, plate carriers, and other heavy gear. Unity Tactical’s FAST FTC Magnifier Mount is built from 7075-T6 aluminum and is Type III hardcoat anodized in black or…