F-Troop
03-23-2005, 10:57 PM
Okay, let me start off by stating that I have a couple of AR-15’s. My favorite is a Bushmaster HBAR, which I use in CMP matches. I also have a Bushmaster XM15E2S. I have a few AK’s I’ve built which I shoot for fun.
When Mako Security asked for volunteers to test some of their products I thought they might be interested in having us review some of their AK or Galil accessories. I was pleasantly surprised when a package of AR accessories came via FEDEX.
If anyone has the desire to make their AR into a tactical rifle, you should take a long hard look at some of the items I’ll review. I’ll break this into two separate reviews to make digesting the information easier. Here’s what we’ll look at this time.
Suggested Retail Price
Mako Security TSWB Telescopic Stock. $79.95
Mako Security Tactical Ergonomic Grip. $25.00
Mako Security Tactical Magazine Clip. $19.99
Mako Security Tactical Sling. $18.00
Mako Security TSWB Telescopic Stock.
The stock is, as the name states, telescopic. Now that it is legal in most states, the stock is a welcome addition to the tactical tool bag. It comes complete with a removable rubber butt pad and an internal chamber to hold two AA batteries for tactical spares. It comes equipped with a slot for a sling.
I thought that replacing my pre-ban collapsible XM15E2S stock would be easy. Removing the factory stock was a snap. Replacing it with the Mako Security (Mako) stock required a bit of fitting. The Bushmaster buffer tube made for a snug fit. I actually used a dowel and emery cloth to open the stock inside diameter slightly. With a bit of fitting and a spritz of Break Free CLP, the stock slipped on and worked well. The stock is not made for fixed stock models like the HBAR or SP1. I expect that no fitting will be needed with other manufacturers’ AR’s which can take a telescopic stock.
The rubber butt pad was a neat feature that prevents the butt from slipping on the shoulder. That was an improvement over the factory stock. In addition the Mako stock is beefier. It has a thicker tube, lightened by diagonal molded ‘cuts.’ Overall it looks great. In comparison, the factory stock feels thinner and less robust. Oh yeah, the battery compartment is accessible under the rubber butt pad. Another nice feature is a button that keeps the bottom of the butt pad in place; the top peels away to expose the battery compartment. With this stock, one won’t have to worry about the pad slipping off in the boonies and getting lost. The Mako telescopic stock is a valuable replacement for the factory telescopic stock.
Mako Security Tactical Ergonomic Grip.
I rather like the standard pistol grip on the AR. After all, I have added AR style US grips to some AK’s I’ve built to boost the US parts count. The molded plastic Mako ergonomic pistol grip is amazingly comfortable. My hands are not small and the molded finger grips give a comforting, secure feel. In addition there is a back strap that follows the contours of the AR lower receiver. This feature cushions the hand even more for better control and more comfort when firing.
The grip was easy to install. The directions state that you use a slotted screwdriver to remove the old grip. Mine used an Allen wrench. Removal and installation was no big deal and took less than five minutes. The results were remarkable.
Coupled with the telescopic stock, my XM15E2S looked pretty professional. I have to say that converting appropriate AR models to tactical rifles is really easy. Without a lot of mechanical knowledge one can really improve the feel and function of your rifle.
Mako Security Tactical Magazine Clip (TMC).
I have to admit, I don’t know a lot about the tactical use of AR’s. I say that because I mostly target shoot and rely on the safety. In a tactical situation, law enforcement personnel want a higher degree of safety and certainty than target shooting demands. As a result, Mako designed their TMC. It is a black plastic composite with two ‘ends.’ One fits a standard magazine, the other fits into the magazine well.
That’s right, it allows law enforcement personnel to patrol with an unloaded rifle. It is clear to others in the tactical team that the magazine is not in the magazine well. However, at a moment’s notice, the officer, hit the magazine release to drop the TMC out of the well, and insert the loaded magazine ready for use. The company advises users to load an issue magazine with the cartridges facing out. In that case the magazine, still held by the TMC can be quickly reversed into the magazine well. The process takes a few seconds and with practice is smooth. When you really need to be sure that the team is safe, the TMC insures that.
I tried a variety of AR magazines and all worked well. The new evaluation TMC was not ‘broken in’ and US aluminum magazines were a little snug – but only a little. The TMC will not hold an Israeli Orlite black plastic magazine in the proper position because of its protruding floorplate.
Mako Security Tactical Sling.
This item came without instructions. It is a 1 ¼” black nylon sling with two attachments and an adjusting buckle. One end attaches to the stock, the other to the front sling swivel. There is nice attention to detail. Since sound is the enemy of stealth.
There is a nylon loop that can be attached to the front sling swivel. The loop muffles any sound the swivel might make. The loop is attached to a short piece of sling attached to a quick detachable clip. The other end of the sling terminates in a metal clip that is surrounded by a black nylon covering. It is easy to attach to a sling swivel. It also makes hardly any sound when moving. At least this is one way to use the sling and it works.
Israeli police and security forces use this tactical sling to conceal their rifles. To do so they can open the quick detachable clip and hang the rifle from a shoulder, under a coat and rotate it quickly when needed in the direction of danger.
I found the sling to be comfortable, longer and beefier than the issue M-16 sling. In fact, it would work for target shooting, although probably not as well as our expensive leather target slings.
Overall evaluation
I reviewed only four of the several items Mako Security sells. Overall I was impressed by their quality and reasonable cost. They concentrate on a narrow niche, the tactical equipment market. Interestingly, their long behind the scenes experience with security has helped them create a series of really useful accessories. They work well and don’t take a gunsmith to install.
If you want to create a tactical AR, the four accessories I reviewed briefly will cost less than $150. For that money you’ll get increased value. You’ll also get some looks and questions at the range.
I’ll review some other items in my quest to build a tactical AR.
When Mako Security asked for volunteers to test some of their products I thought they might be interested in having us review some of their AK or Galil accessories. I was pleasantly surprised when a package of AR accessories came via FEDEX.
If anyone has the desire to make their AR into a tactical rifle, you should take a long hard look at some of the items I’ll review. I’ll break this into two separate reviews to make digesting the information easier. Here’s what we’ll look at this time.
Suggested Retail Price
Mako Security TSWB Telescopic Stock. $79.95
Mako Security Tactical Ergonomic Grip. $25.00
Mako Security Tactical Magazine Clip. $19.99
Mako Security Tactical Sling. $18.00
Mako Security TSWB Telescopic Stock.
The stock is, as the name states, telescopic. Now that it is legal in most states, the stock is a welcome addition to the tactical tool bag. It comes complete with a removable rubber butt pad and an internal chamber to hold two AA batteries for tactical spares. It comes equipped with a slot for a sling.
I thought that replacing my pre-ban collapsible XM15E2S stock would be easy. Removing the factory stock was a snap. Replacing it with the Mako Security (Mako) stock required a bit of fitting. The Bushmaster buffer tube made for a snug fit. I actually used a dowel and emery cloth to open the stock inside diameter slightly. With a bit of fitting and a spritz of Break Free CLP, the stock slipped on and worked well. The stock is not made for fixed stock models like the HBAR or SP1. I expect that no fitting will be needed with other manufacturers’ AR’s which can take a telescopic stock.
The rubber butt pad was a neat feature that prevents the butt from slipping on the shoulder. That was an improvement over the factory stock. In addition the Mako stock is beefier. It has a thicker tube, lightened by diagonal molded ‘cuts.’ Overall it looks great. In comparison, the factory stock feels thinner and less robust. Oh yeah, the battery compartment is accessible under the rubber butt pad. Another nice feature is a button that keeps the bottom of the butt pad in place; the top peels away to expose the battery compartment. With this stock, one won’t have to worry about the pad slipping off in the boonies and getting lost. The Mako telescopic stock is a valuable replacement for the factory telescopic stock.
Mako Security Tactical Ergonomic Grip.
I rather like the standard pistol grip on the AR. After all, I have added AR style US grips to some AK’s I’ve built to boost the US parts count. The molded plastic Mako ergonomic pistol grip is amazingly comfortable. My hands are not small and the molded finger grips give a comforting, secure feel. In addition there is a back strap that follows the contours of the AR lower receiver. This feature cushions the hand even more for better control and more comfort when firing.
The grip was easy to install. The directions state that you use a slotted screwdriver to remove the old grip. Mine used an Allen wrench. Removal and installation was no big deal and took less than five minutes. The results were remarkable.
Coupled with the telescopic stock, my XM15E2S looked pretty professional. I have to say that converting appropriate AR models to tactical rifles is really easy. Without a lot of mechanical knowledge one can really improve the feel and function of your rifle.
Mako Security Tactical Magazine Clip (TMC).
I have to admit, I don’t know a lot about the tactical use of AR’s. I say that because I mostly target shoot and rely on the safety. In a tactical situation, law enforcement personnel want a higher degree of safety and certainty than target shooting demands. As a result, Mako designed their TMC. It is a black plastic composite with two ‘ends.’ One fits a standard magazine, the other fits into the magazine well.
That’s right, it allows law enforcement personnel to patrol with an unloaded rifle. It is clear to others in the tactical team that the magazine is not in the magazine well. However, at a moment’s notice, the officer, hit the magazine release to drop the TMC out of the well, and insert the loaded magazine ready for use. The company advises users to load an issue magazine with the cartridges facing out. In that case the magazine, still held by the TMC can be quickly reversed into the magazine well. The process takes a few seconds and with practice is smooth. When you really need to be sure that the team is safe, the TMC insures that.
I tried a variety of AR magazines and all worked well. The new evaluation TMC was not ‘broken in’ and US aluminum magazines were a little snug – but only a little. The TMC will not hold an Israeli Orlite black plastic magazine in the proper position because of its protruding floorplate.
Mako Security Tactical Sling.
This item came without instructions. It is a 1 ¼” black nylon sling with two attachments and an adjusting buckle. One end attaches to the stock, the other to the front sling swivel. There is nice attention to detail. Since sound is the enemy of stealth.
There is a nylon loop that can be attached to the front sling swivel. The loop muffles any sound the swivel might make. The loop is attached to a short piece of sling attached to a quick detachable clip. The other end of the sling terminates in a metal clip that is surrounded by a black nylon covering. It is easy to attach to a sling swivel. It also makes hardly any sound when moving. At least this is one way to use the sling and it works.
Israeli police and security forces use this tactical sling to conceal their rifles. To do so they can open the quick detachable clip and hang the rifle from a shoulder, under a coat and rotate it quickly when needed in the direction of danger.
I found the sling to be comfortable, longer and beefier than the issue M-16 sling. In fact, it would work for target shooting, although probably not as well as our expensive leather target slings.
Overall evaluation
I reviewed only four of the several items Mako Security sells. Overall I was impressed by their quality and reasonable cost. They concentrate on a narrow niche, the tactical equipment market. Interestingly, their long behind the scenes experience with security has helped them create a series of really useful accessories. They work well and don’t take a gunsmith to install.
If you want to create a tactical AR, the four accessories I reviewed briefly will cost less than $150. For that money you’ll get increased value. You’ll also get some looks and questions at the range.
I’ll review some other items in my quest to build a tactical AR.