Palmetto State Armory Freedom Experiment

Prices have been dropping for a while on AR parts largely thanks to Palmetto State Armory. Since their online presence, prices for AR parts have taken a steady decline. Forged upper receivers that once cost north of $100 can sometimes be had for $40 during sale events. Lowers that once cost $100 now sell for $50 for a blem; $60 for 1st quality when on sale.

So imagine my surprise when I found PSA offering a 16" mid-length upper with a melonite lightweight barrel and MOE handguards at the princely sum of $199. It's not that I need another upper, but for the price it was really hard to walk away. It's not the fanciest upper ever, but assuming everything runs, it is quite functional as to weight and barrel finish. The lightweight profile places the balance of the rifle further back towards the stock and gives a faster and smoother swing when engaging moving targets. The melonite finish protects the barrel steel from corrosion better than most mainstream firearms finishes as well as provide surface hardening.


I'm not the most fond of the FREEDOM laser engraved on the barrel, but I really can't complain at $199. For less than the price of some entry level barrels, I have an entire upper sans BCG and charging handle. The upper comes assembled with a front sight pin assembly, A2 flash hider, crush washer, forward assist, dust cover, MOE mid-length handguards, and of course the useless sling loop on the bottom of the front sight base. I'm really not sure why anyone puts the USGI sling loops on front sight bases anymore.

You might notice that the upper is a slightly purple color. Although the upper was not listed as a blem, the color is off slightly. Again, I'm really not complaining at this price point; just making an observation. The upper is a standard flat top upper with M4 feed ramps and no T markings of any kind. Pure functionality and nothing extra. Everything appears to be assembled as it should be. The front sight base is pinned with two taper pins and appears to be aligned properly according to my finely calibrated eyeball. The forward assist is of the round style without a cross pin to secure the end cap from the shaft.
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The front sight base is F-marked and is of the proper height to co-witness with back up iron sights and red dot optics. The gas tube is of the standard unfinished stainless steel variety mated to a triangular handguard cap. There's really not much special about the upper other than the low price point. I didn't observe any burrs or tool marks in or around the barrel. In fact, the finish on the barrel is surprisingly nice.

 

The only con to the upper is the upper receiver itself. There are a few artifacts from either rough handling or the forging process pinged into the exterior of the left side of the upper receiver wall. This was obviously there prior to the anodizing process as all of the dents and bumps have been anodized over. There is also some finish that has worn through to bare metal at the rear takedown lug. This was probably from the assembly process. None of the noted cosmetic issues affect functioning, not even the purple tint of the upper.

I'll post an update once I procure a BCG and charging handle. So far I'm pretty impressed by the value this upper provides. No missing parts and everything looks assembled the way it should be. 

Safariland GLS Holsters

Safariland GLS holsters

History

I first came across the Safariland GLS holster in 2014. At the time, holsters were firearm model specific. These holsters were wrapped and  molded using a Kydex-like material. Customary with previous Safariland offerings, the holsters featured a suede-like lining. Unfortunately over long term use, the liner material will collect dust as well as moisture. As the holsters got more use, the liner material started to apply more friction to the firearm and hinder the drawing effort. After approximately a year of constant use, I've had to apply silicone sprays to reduce the friction caused by the liner material.  I was living and using the holster in a hostile environment where summers were triple digits and winters were negative double digits. The dust and sand in the area were extremely fine and to top it all off, I lived off a gravel road that was more dirt/dust than gravel. Windless days were far and few between and 15-25 MPH winds were commonplace.  Each draw would force sand, dust, and whatever else further into the liner.

In 2015, Safariland released the Pro-fit version of the GLS holster. Safariland thankfully did away with the suede lining as well as now using a completely different construction method. The new Pro-fit models use an injection molded shell that is then folded and screwed together unlike the molded wrap around construction seen in the previous versions of the GLS holster. The material used for the holster is a very slick plastic. It feels lightweight, but durable.

Function

The new Pro-fit holster is also adjustable for multiple models of handguns. In order to accommodate fitting multiple handguns in a single holster design, Safariland incorporates an adjustable screw that raises or lowers a shelf that pushes against the bottom of the dust cover. The top of the firearm then pushes against the sides of the sight channels in the holster. In effect, the pistol now rides on three points of contact sans the GLS retention mechanism.

Also different in the Pro-fit models is a 1.5" belt loop high ride option. This belt slide is more comfortable than the tried and trued 567BL Injection Molded Belt Loop. The high ride belt slide is curved to fit normal human torsos and doesn't need to bend under the tension of a belt to conform. This means you won't have to cinch your belt as tight to stabilize your firearm.

The curved high ride belt slide is on the left and the older belt slide is on the right on a 1st generation GLS holster.

Thoughts

Use

By removal of the liner from the previous GLS holsters, I've had no problems with either moisture or dust collection. The slick polymer body coupled with limited surface contact between the firearm and holster creates a smoother draw than the original GLS holsters. There is no sticky liner to foul the draw or collect moisture and fine sand.

As a long term user of ALS holsters, I believe the GLS is much easier to reach proficiency with. The ALS takes a some practice before mastering the motions required for a smooth, hangup-free draw. This is especially true when users are required to add additional layers of security such as a rotating hood or ALS guard (the latter being preferred). The GLS system only requires the user to execute a proper firing grip to deactivate the retention device. The middle finger of the drawing hand naturally and effortlessly depresses the GLS button inward towards the firearm. There is no extra motion to deactivate the GLS retention mechanism other than completing a full firing grip.

Security

The GLS does offer speed and ease of use at the expense of security. The ALS line of holsters can arguably be the defacto standard by which duty holsters are measured. These holsters are built to satisfy litigious administrative staff while attempting to keep the burden of use to a minimum for rank and file users. Security hoods, chop guards, and ALS guards are all available as security enhancements in a duty holster. Safariland also offers the ALS system on a plain Jane belt/paddle model with just the ALS thumb release.

The GLS offers no enhanced security options. The only retention mechanism on the GLS holster is the GLS button.

Concealability

Unfortunately, ALS holsters are not very concealable despite what the marketing folks at Safariland may say (they are listed under concealment holsters).  Trying to conceal an ALS holster is akin to trying to conceal a first generation insulin pump. The GLS holsters while still not terribly concealable, are flatter and lighter than their ALS counterparts. During colder months, the GLS conceals well enough under a jacket or sports coat.

Bonus

An added bonus with the Pro-fit holsters is the nice Allen key affixed to a universal T-handle that comes in each package. It fits the mounting screws as well as the adjustment screw in the bottom of the holster. Gone are the days of cursing a rounded Allen wrench or screw cap because the tool wasn't square with the socket.