High Ground Media, LLC

While often thought of for its AR and AK accessories, Magpul is one of the few manufactures that also produces furniture for the Mossberg 500/590 and Remington 870 shotgun platforms as well. This can be of great benefit for those who look to the shotgun as a solution (and less expensive) for home defense. For the purpose of this review the Mossberg 500/590 model was selected.

Released in 2011, the MOE M-LOK and SGA stock by Magpul Industries offers a number of improvements over stock Mossberg 500/590 hardware. These accessories continue to place Magpul innovation at the forefront of the firearms market, while improving the platform’s comfort and ergonomics.

MOE M-LOK Forend

The forend replacement is a direct drop-in replacement for the stock Mossberg forend that provides a number of number of innovative Magpul improvements. The M-LOK Forend has a reinforced polymer construction with M-LOK slots at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions for the direct attachment of corresponding accessories and rails.

The M-LOK forend itself has an extended length with front for greater hand positioning, and front/rear handstops to prevent over extension of the support hand.

The MOE M-LOK Forend is available in Black (featured), Stealth Grey, FDE, and Orange.

Product Link: https://magpul.com/moem-lokforend-mossberg590-590a1.html?mp_global_color=118

SGA Stock

Magpul offers a stock replacement for the Mossberg 500/590 that improves on the factory design by offering a number of ergonomic improvements and added features. The SGA Stock provides an adjustable length of pull in ½” increments, from 12.5” to 14.5” using a spacer to attain a more comfortable shouldering.

The grip of the SGA offers a blend between traditional fixed stock with a downward pistol-grip type approach. Sling loops are integrated on both the SGA’s sides and can accommodate a sling up to 1.25” in width.

At the rear of the SGA is an ambidextrous, recoil-reducing buttpad to mitigate impact.

The SGA Stock is available in Black (featured), Stealth Grey, FDE, and Orange.

Product Link: https://magpul.com/firearm-accessories/stocks/shotgun/sgastock-mossberg500-590-590a1.html?mp_global_color=118

Product Evaluation Scores:

• Cost – Average (3/5): With the M-LOK Forend ($29.95) and SGA Stock ($109.95), users will spend less on improving all of the shotgun’s furniture than most AR users will to upgrade just their rail. Made from the same polymer as its magazines, the M-LOK Forend and SGA Stock have sufficient material to validate the cost, specifically the stock that also includes additional Length of Pull (LOP) spacers for a comfortable shouldering. Generally, secondary online retailers will also offer discounts or holiday specials for both the M-LOK Forend and SGA Stock when sold as a set. Other companies like Hogue offer a similar rubberized forend ($22.95), and ATI does have a A2 stylized stock ($119.99), but these either echo the original minimalist design of the stock Mossberg hardware, or only have the minimal of materials necessary. Given that Magpul’s furniture falls in line with other market alternatives, this translates to it being adequately (or of average) cost.
• Comfort – Excellent (5/5): The M-LOK Forend was a definite improvement over the stock Mossberg design in that not only did the Magpul forend have hand stops at both front and back to prevent slippage when cycling, but the texture and dimensions filled the palm more appropriately. Likewise, the SGA Stock was both lightweight and had a padded buttstock that came with adjustable LOP spacers to attain the best comfort. In addition, the SGA Stock had the same approach angle in its grip as an A2 stylized pistol grip that made holding the overall weight of the shotgun (either in both hands or just by the stock) much more comfortable on the wrist than the traditional stock.
• Durability – Excellent (5/5): Both the M-LOK Forend and SGA Stock were made from Magpul’s durable polymer material and are single-piece designs, so there is little potential for the few frangible pieces (such as the sling loop) to become compromised. Several drop tests were performed on each unit prior to installation but aside from the few minor aesthetic surface scrapes (more to the rubberized buttpad), nothing that detracted from the hardware’s function was noted.
• Functionality – Good (4/5): Installation of the M-LOK Forend was extremely straightforward, thanks in large part to the included wrench that made removal of the stock hardware’s retention nut very easy. The forend also came with the appropriate spacers for either the Mossberg 500 or 590 model shotgun and ensured a tight fit with no excess movement after installation. Along both side of the forend are spacers for Magpul M-LOK rails that could add other accessories or weapon lights. When it came to the SGA Stock, installation was through a hide-slot in the upper grip and with an included threaded bolt. It was a little tight to use the included hex key, but afterwards the slot was easily covered with the included plug. The length of pull simply was adjusted by attaching or removing the included spacers to find the most comfortable fit. That’s it. Very simple and very functional, the M-LOK Forend and SGA Stock offer a very efficient and functional improvement over the 500’s stock furniture. It should be noted the SGA Stock does have additional accessories to increase the rise of the comb to accommodate even more comfort into its function for any shooter.
• Weight – Good (4/5): Individually, the M-LOK Forend (6.3 ounces) and SGA Stock (1.5lb or 24 ounces) were both very lightweight for the improved functionality added over the stock furniture. In addition, the added furniture did not imbalance the shotgun and in fact improved the overall feel of the shotgun as a single unit. The use of polymer as a base material aided in keeping the weight to an appropriate (or good) level given the volume involved. In comparison, the Hogue forend comes in at a surprising 1.75 pounds (or 28 ounces) while ATI’s A2-styled Shotforce stock was 1.86 pounds (or 29.76 ounces) and both demonstrate Magpul’s ability to save weight through its materials while sacrificing none of the functionality.

Overall Rating – Good (21/25)

I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via STL Shooting Enthusiasts, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.

The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the author. The views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.

One overlooked aspect of tactical training or operations on the objective is the respiratory health of those in harms way. Yet with the dust, carbonized metal and lead, smoke and more—those individuals can inhale a lot of harmful particulates (even in well ventilated training houses). Over time this can translate to harmful health risks. The TR2 by O2 Tactical is one of only a few to consider these risks and works to minimize its exposure to those who work in harm’s way.

Introduced in 2020, the TR2 is the second generation of tactical respirators by O2 Tactical and is made from a combination of formed soft-touch, medical grade silicone, shaped ABS plastic, and a central raspatory filter.

The harnessing system consists of a continuous two-part head band that has a lower elastic nylon material for support and comfort, and the upper rubberized head band for retention. As the lower is expanded, the upper is cinched and vice versa. Overall length for the head band is adjusted via slide buckles on the upper band near the front face mask.

The front face of the TR2 features a base, contoured layer of medical grade silicone that is designed to fit around the mouth and nose during dynamic movement, while still maintaining a low enough profile to accommodate eyewear. There is even sufficient material to accommodate a proper seal with facial hair.

As part of the front face is a clip-on attachment that houses the principal air filter. The main intent for this filter is to prevent the inhalation of aerosolized lead from discharged ammunition. The filter itself is made from a material that is effective up to 98.8% at 0.3 microns. This means it will stop any airborne particulates found in the lead from gunfire discharge or suppressor use, asbestos, lubricant mist, dust, dirt, carbon from wildfires, and some airborne pathogens. In late 2020, O2 Tactical submitted for certification of its TR2 filter as N95 rated. Editor’s Note: It is important to note to the reader, the TR2 filter is not currently rated to filter out the COVID-19 virus, which is 0.125 microns but still offers comparable protections as N95 or other face masks.

Below the filter clip-on is a removable tube that allows the TR2 to be compatible with various Invisio® headsets for microphone integration and team communications using the associated O2 Tactical accessory (sold separately).

The TR2 is only available in Black (featured), and is a one-size-fits-most.

Product Evaluation Scores:

• Cost – Good (4/5): At a list price of $225 the TR2 is the latest rendition of tactical respirators from O2 Tactical, and involves an air filtration system that provides freedom of airflow and respiratory safety to those training or operating in enclosed areas. While the focus of the TR2 is for those in a tactical setting, the product also has potential applicability for civilians amid the ongoing COVID era. The only market alternative to the TR2 would be the Special Operations Tactical Respirator – SOTR ($300) by OpsCore/Gentex. Thus from a price point; and for its more minimalist design, the TR2 is at a good value for its functionality.
• Comfort – Average (3/5): It took a little time to find the appropriate balance between expanding/cinching the TR2’s harness system that allowed for a good seal, and was still comfortable. The sliding buckles did provide a solid adjustment to the overall length of the harness without any slippage. The TR2 silicone had a comfortable contour around the mouth and nose, although felt unstable as the lower portion of the TR2’s design rests on the Mentolabial Crease (that spot between your lower lip and the chin) rather than extending down to enclose the entire chin. The result was a secure seal only as long as the wearer was not extending the jaw (such as to opening the mouth to talk or shout), but when maximum range of motion was applied, the mask would lose some of its seal and stability. It is recommended to O2 Tactical to address this in subsequent future designs so that the chin is enclosed and the overall mask maintains its seal for all range of motion. Airflow through the filter was easy and uninterrupted, even when conducting dynamic movements (sprints).
• Durability – Good (4/5): From a durability aspect, the main material in the TR2 was the medical grade silicone, which was both flexible and resistant to abrasion. This is the same material that is in military NBC masks and known for its resistance to oil, solvents, corrosion, and puncture. And similarly, the silicone material in the TR2 heavily attracted lint and other particulates, but that didn’t affect fit or seal. Separately, O2 Tactical detailed that the TR2’s filter was only good for an estimated 40hr of wear time. This was dependent on the atmosphere involved with dust and larger particulates obviously clogging the filter material quicker. A recent study of the TR2 also revealed that the respirator did survive drop testing of 120 times from a height of 1m without any damage to the unit, and the multi-fabric head harness had a lateral sheer strength between 20 and 30 pounds depending on the material tested. All of this far exceeds what the casual user would experience in training or in the field.
• Functionality – Average (3/5): Functionally, the TR2 provided an overall good flow of oxygen to the user, despite the intake passing through a filter and in an enclosed seal. Some minimal beading of moisture on the interior of the unit, and around the filer, was noted after an hour of continual and dynamic wear, but was to be expected and common with this type of device. Removal of the clip-on attachment at the face of the respirator, and replacing the filter was easy to do. However, re-attaching the filter/clip while wearing the mask was somewhat challenging as it relied on alignment of the retention clips that cannot be observed nor felt while wearing the mask. This resulted in several instances where it did not fully seat. This problem was easily resolved by simply removing the mask to remove/replace/reattach the components prior to time on the range or in operation (something that each filter’s 40 hour lifespan could easily handle). The minimalist profile of the mask did allow for comfortable wear of eyewear without fogging as well as shouldering a rifle, all while maintaining a proper seal. The one aspect of function that was concerning was the rigid plastic tab supporting the area of material over the bridge of the nose. This rigid piece did not contour/flex to the nose very well, and could potentially jab the wearer in the soft tissue of the face or around the eye if a frontal impact was experienced. It is recommended to O2 Tactical that if the overall area of silicone material were expanded, as discussed in the Comfort section above, this area of the nose could be thickened and not rely on a rigid plastic spur for structure. Other areas of recommended improvement would be alternative harness/mounting designs to allot for quick attach/detach and/or direct attachment to hook-and-loop panels of a helmet. As is, in its current design the TR2 can only be worn under a helmet or headwear, and can only be removed by first removing the headgear.
• Weight – Good (4/5): With an overall weight of 5.1 ounces (the filter alone accounting for 0.5 ounces) the TR2 was very lightweight and did not detract from the front of the face, nor pull excessively on the neck or muscles over time. Indeed, properly fitted the TR2 hung effortlessly. In contrast, the SOTR (16 ounces) is more than double the weight, but is due to the fact it is more encompassing of the face with a much larger air filer. Thus for its minimalist design and overall function, the TR2 has a good level of light overall weight for the consumer and within the market.

Overall Rating – Above Average (18/25)

Product Link: https://www.o2tactical.com/products/tr2-tactical-respirator-ii

I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via STL Shooting Enthusiasts, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.

The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the author. The views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.

Representing the next generation of illumination, the Marco by Blue Force Gear represents an evolution in personal marking during Period of Darkness. At a fraction the size of traditional “chemlights”, and in a compact dispenser, the Marco will help provide individual illumination in any environment.

In 2” ampules, each Marco light stick gives off as much lumen output as two previous 4” light sticks taped together. The light sticks, and their internal chambers, are specifically designed to prevent accidental activation/breakage. The available colors for the Marco light sticks include; Red, Green, and Blue.

The Marco Light Dispenser is an injection-molded, thermoplastic container that is spring-loaded and comes pre-loaded with 30 of the 2” Marco light ampoules. It is designed with an integrated break-point, for ease of one-handed deployment. The dispenser has the consistent dimensions of a traditional AR magazine, and can fit in any corresponding pouch. Alternatively, the Marco has different carrying pouches (sold separately) for either direct belt carry or as a MOLLE attachment.

It should be noted to keep the loaded Marco dispenser in its original packaging, as all chemlights (or the ability of the chemicals to generate light when mixed) deteriorate once exposed to ultra violet light. The overall dimensions of the Marco dispenser are 5.33”(H) x 2.33”(W) x 0.73”(D).

Featured in this review is the associated 10-Speed Belt Pouch Hangar for the Marco dispenser. It consists of a combination nylon webbing and military-grade elastic that, using the included slide-release buckle, allows the Marco dispenser to hang off a belt or other MOLLE webbing.

Product Evaluation Scores:

• Cost – Average (3/5): Each loaded Marco dispenser is $49.95 and comes preloaded with 30 light ampoules. In comparison, on the current market a 30-pack of 6” chem lights run approximately $40, but take up the space of a medium flat-rate shipping box and have no means of carrying (thus often why you see shooters weave it in between MOLLE webbing). In comparison, the cost of the Marco is equitable given what you gain in functionality over the larger, more traditional chemlights to mark self or feature.
• Durability – Good (4/5): The Marco dispenser is very robust, and took a good deal of hits. For the purpose of this review it was struck by an AR magazine ten times each time reloads were required to simulate what it would be like attached to tactical gear. The dispenser neither broke nor became marred, and continued to function as intended. The belt hanger was noted to sustain some surface fraying on the elastic cuff from being struck, similar to what was observed with the 10-Speed M4 Chest Rig that uses the same material, but none of which was detrimental to the overall function of the item.
• Functionality – Excellent (5/5): The ability of the Marco to give off the same amount of lumens as larger chemlights was noted and directly comparable, but not greater. While the output of lumens was the same, larger chemlights only appear to have more light output because they spread out that exothermic reaction over a larger surface area. The Marco did have the same 12-hour lumen output, but is designed for smaller, individual marking for use in nighttime operations (such as room clearance, trail marking, individual marking). The dispenser functioned well, and the integrated break point did as intended (although you can literally crack the chemlight in your hand just as easily). The spring-loaded aspect of the dispenser ensured each ampoule was under enough tension to be retained, but was still readily deployed. The fact you can reload the Marco dispenser with additional Marco ampoules (sold separately) means you can use the dispenser repeatedly translating to cost effectiveness. The belt-pouch hanger has a slide-release buckle that is secured to the belt via a hook-and-loop, that gave the MARCO ambidextrous functionality on any MOLLE webbing or belt side.
• Weight – Excellent (5/5): A fully loaded Marco dispenser weighed approximately 3.8 ounces, and when deducting the weight of the dispenser itself (which includes a steel spring) the weight of each light ampoule is measured in the range of very low grams. In comparison, the weight of 30 full-sized chemlights was almost two pounds, and still with no means of carrying or dispensing.

Overall Rating – Very Good (17/20)

Product Link: https://www.blueforcegear.com/MARCO

I am reviewing this product as a courtesy to the manufacturer and via STL Shooting Enthusiasts, so that I can evaluate it and provide my honest feedback. I am not bound by any written, verbal, or implied contract to give positive reviews. All views are my own, and based off my personal experience with the product.

The views and opinions expressed on this website are solely those of the author. The views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of the administrative staff, and/or any/all contributors to this site.