Insight Technologies Integrated Sighting Module (Visible Laser)



The ISM-v is a truly innovative red dot sight. just to look at the features is to breath out a 'wow'. It boasts:

° Co-aligned Aiming Laser and Red Dot
° Mounts to any MIL-STD-1913 Rail
° 1.7 MOA Dot size with negligible Parallax
° Variable Power Selections for Lighting Conditions
° 7 daytime brightness settings
° 5 nighttime brightness settings, compatible with night vision devices
° Operates on One 3-Volt Lithium Battery
° 1500 hours battery life for red dot
° 8 hours continues on red dot & laser use
° Less Than 10 oz.

The glass was clean and clear, the fine 1.7 moa dot is very forgiving to aging eyes and the ISM held its zero thru thick and thin with aplomb despite my best efforts to dislodge it or cause it to lose its zero. I have to admit, when I first saw it, I groaned. The ISM-v is made from the same polymer material as the Insight PEQ-2 which has a habit of getting itself knocked off of the top of many a rifle in the sandbox. However, after consulting with a source from within the Special Forces Community (thank you), I got an insight (no pun) into improvements that were made to the system to improve its durability. Battery life for the red dot itself is very good, maybe not 10,000hrs yet, but 1500 is very admirable and I've left it on several times, run the laser a fair amount and I'm still on the original battery that Insight provided with no loss of performance. I really have no issues with the ISM-v in the big scheme of things. I wish it used a separate battery for the laser and that they had a rail mounted tape switch, but those are preferences and not dislikes.

I was able during competition to hit targets consistently (when I did my part) with the ISM-v out to 425 yards. For a 1x red dot, that's pretty impressive, considering that every other person competing was running a 3x or better scope against the that ISM-v. Insight has done their homework and it really shows in this piece of equipment.

Magpul Industries CTR Stock, Magpuls, MIAD Grip and Rail Covers

Its hard to say more good about Magpuls products, time and time again, they stand up to everything I throw at them. I've had a grand total of 1 Magpul tear. In the dozens (hundreds?) that I have one failure. That's pretty damn admirable. I found that the CTR was a bit overwhelmed by the recoil of the M14. Admittedly it was designed for a much smaller weapon, so I really can't complain. I'm considering getting one of Magpul's rubber pads and seeing if that helps. Other than that, everything worked as stated, first time, every time. Can't ask for much more than that.

CTR Carbine Stock
The patent-pending Compact/Type Restricted (CTR) is a drop-in replacement for the standard M4 stock body. Designed for stability, the CTR utilizes a shielded operation lever and a friction locking system that secures the stock to the buffer tube for zero movement.

• Friction locking system that eliminates all stock movement
• Sloping cheek weld for improved user interface
• Ambidextrous sling mounts for QD, 1.25" loops, and lanyard hole
• Side mounting slots for cheek risers
• LOP Adjust= 3.3 inch
• Weight: .0785 pounds without rubber butt-pad or spacer butt-pad
• Collapsed Length: 7.2" without rubber butt-pad or spacer butt-pad
• Extended Length: 10.5" without rubber butt-pad or spacer butt-pad

MIAD - Misson ADaptable AR15/M16 Grip Basic Kit

The Magpul Mission Adaptable Grip (MIAD) is a drop in replacement for the pistol grip on the M16/M4/Ar15 series of rifles. It features removable and replaceable front and rear panels for a custom fit over multiple hand sizes.Grip features improved ergonimics and positive rough texture on both sides and rear backstraps. Features a removable inner core that allows for storage (3 round plug included) Custom storage of batteries (waterproof) or bolt/firing pin is available with optional cores. The basic Kit includes 3 size backstraps (s,m,l), 2 frontstraps, 3 round core plug, installation hardware.

• Aggressive no-slip texture
• Small (B1), medium (B2), and large (B3) back-straps
• A1 and A2 style front-straps
• Three-round 5.56 NATO storage core
• Weight: .190-0.260 pounds

Ladder Rail Protectors

• Provides a very low profile grip
• Protects the operator from sharp rail edges
• Protects unmounted rail areas from damage
• Prevents damage to gear, such as rappelling ropes, that may be abraded or cut by uncovered rail sections
• The Santoprene covers provide a rubbery surface for improved weapon control
• Easily cut for custom fitting. Each protector covers 17 slots of rail

Magpuls

When installed on the base of a rifle or subgun magazine, the Magpul provides unsurpassed speed and controllability
during high stress, tactical magazine changes.

• Durable thermoplastic loop with recessed rough gripping surface
• Quick and easy installation and removal
• Patented design based upon the tried and true para-cord loops and duct-tape tabs currently in use with special
warfare units worldwide

Streamlight Super Tac Flashlight and Vertical Foregrip w/ Rail

To be honest, the first thing that went thru my mind when I saw the Super Tac light at SHOT was "Holy Cow, it looks
like a tacticool ice cream cone.". Then I saw its beam. Even under the bright Sodium lights inside the convention center, the Super Tac could throw. This is the Nolan Ryan of flashlights. Even across the building it's beam was less than 3 feet at 25 yards. Considering the competition, the Super Tac has a lot going for it. Most 9v lights top out around 125 lumens. With the Super Tac you get 135 lumens on tap from only 2 3v batteries. So not only does the light weight less, you get the advantage of a unbreakable LED to boot. The only real issue I had wasn't with the light, it was with the VFG. There are 2 small steel pins that align the two halves. These pins aren't locked into
place and are easily lost when changing or installing the VFG. A minor issue, but one that could sideline the installation of the grip.

Super Tac™ Flashlight


° Up to 30,000 peak beam candlepower
° C4 LED is 3X brighter than a Super high-flux LED
° 135 Lumens
° Runtime: up to 3.5 hours
° Machined Aluminum
° Length: 6.62 inches (16.81 cm)
° Weight: 7.1 oz (200 g)
° Extended Warranty
° Two 3 Volt CR123A Batteries (included)
° Holster Included

Streamlight Vertical Grip w/ Rail





° 6061 Aircraft Grade Aluminum
° CNC Machined
° Rail-Grabber
° Type II Class 3 Hard Black Anodized
° Mounts To Any Picatinny / Weaver Rail
° O-Ring Sealed Waterproof compartment
° Vertical & Horizontal Ribs For Secure Grip
° 2.5 Inch Picatinny Mounting Rail
° 5 Holes On Rail For Tie down
° Ultra Light Weight Only 6.5oz
° Lifetime Warranty



I also came up with a version that I tailored a bit more for the DMR role. By switching a few items, VFG, stock, adding a magnifier for the optic, I did the weapon equivalent of 'changing gears'. I took off the Streamlight VFG/Light combo and went back to the GripPod with its VFG/Bipod combination, switched from the Magpul CTR to the Lewis Machine and Tool SOPMOD stock and finally adding a LaRue Tactical "Po Boy" magnifier.

Lewis Machine & Tool SOPMOD Stock

I'm not going to recover the GripPod since I spoke at length about it last time. So that leaves two major items. First up the LMT SOPMOD; and unless you've been living under a tactical rock, the SOPMOD is probably one of the most popular aftermarket stocks out there with good reason. The stock has several key points:

° Improved cheek weld for better shooting position
° Watertight battery storage compartments.
° Padded buttplate reduces felt recoil and provides no-slip surface against web gear and body armor. (this is a HUGE deal with a M14)
° LMT is the sole provider of the SOPMOD Buttstock to the US Special Ops Command, US Army, US Navy, US Air Force,
US Marine Corps and other government agencies and bureaus

And now since its available in Flat Dark Earth, the options just keep on coming. I've had three SOPMOD stocks on my rifles over the years and never managed to break or cause one to fail. The cheekweld is super and the pad really helps manage the M14's recoil. Its heavier than a lot of other stocks, so there's a tradeoff, but for an application like a DMR M14, its almost a requirement.

Checkmate Industries M14 Magazines



Most people don't know this, but there's only ONE company that makes USGI spec M14 magazines and that company is Checkmate Industries. I haven't understood in the last several years, while the market has been flooded with 30+ dollar counterfeit M14 magazines from overseas why people didn't simply buy REAL M14 magazines for less than 25.00 each from Checkmate distributors. Oh well, all you can do is lead a horse to water as it were.

Checkmate, despite having a strong business in all kinds of magazines (they're the official M1A magazine supplier to Springfield Armory) Checkmate hasn't been content to rest on their past successes. They've recently introduced a new line of 25rd M14/M1A magazines and a 20rd stainless steel model. I've used these new magazines and they've done really well, no failures of any sort. The only gripe I have is that the stainless steel ones can be slick as all get out in your hands without a Magpul on them. They will slip right out of a nylon pouch if your retention system isn't 100% good to go. Conversely, they don't hang at all when pulling them out either.

If you're going to get magazines for your M14, get Checkmate Industry brand mags. They don't cost anymore and they'll save you a world of headaches.

LaRue Tactical "Poor Boy" Magnifier



The last item is the LaRue Tactical "Poor Boy" magnifier. This was designed for a variety of red dot sights such as the ISM-v, Aimpoint M2 and EOTech HWS to extend their capabilities without the 400.00+ price tag of the Aimpoint or EOTech magnifier. Based on the 2.5 power Hensoldt magnifiers that were surplus off of German military anti-tank systems. LaRue had them refurbished by scrubbing off the tank buster reticle and then having magnifier purged and reassembled. You get the pivot mount and magnifier for a bit more than 1/2 of what an Aimpoint/EOTech magnifier would cost to your door. And the system works great on an AR. But... not so well on the M14. Because of the age of the magnifier, optical technology was a lot more primitive back when these were designed. So the 1" eye relief,
while ok on a low recoil AR was simply too close to the eye on the hard recoil M14. If you're looking for a black eye, then this is your combo. Don't get me wrong, its a great combo, just not an ideal magnifier on heavy recoil rifle. So my search for the 'perfect' magnified optic continues.

Whew. Thanks for sticking thru a really long write up. The rifle is getting there, the MCS has really advanced the platform and if I can get a magnified optic for the DMR role, I'll be pretty happy, but that friends, is another review on another day!