Innholdsfortegnelse for Issue - UN12 #23 i UN12

Welcome to the latest issue of UN12, and thank you for joining us for another solid installment. As you’ve come to expect, we’ve packed these pages with a mix of custom firearm builds, hard-use gear, and technical deep-dives that reflect how shooters, builders, and professionals are putting their equipment to work today. Inside, you’ll find a broad range of personalized firearms, each with its own purpose and direction. There’s an SBR built with a future-focused layout and look, and a night-fighting Global Ordnance Monolith carbine that pushes the boundaries of low-light performance. We also highlight a practical Remington 870 pump-action shotgun that’s been updated with Mesa Tactical hardware and accessories to turn it into a capable and modernized defensive tool. This issue carries a strong suppressor theme, anchored by a…

“These upgrades turn what was an occasional range gun into the rifle the owner now reaches for first.” What began as a factory SIG MCX Virtus Patrol is now a prime example of how personalization can transform a rifle into something far more capable than its stock configuration. For this shooter, the project wasn’t about chasing trends or stacking accessories—it was about building a carbine that better fit his needs as he committed to spending more time behind the MCX platform. Switching his Virtus from 300 BLK to 5.56x45mm made training more affordable and accessible, and that change alone sparked a deeper investment into understanding how the MCX handles, balances, and performs under different conditions. As he put more rounds through it, he identified areas that could be improved—grip, control,…

:: PCC using New Frontier billet receivers :: Chambered in 9mm with a 24+1 capacity :: Multicam Tropic Cerakote pattern by Chandler Tactical When you zoom out and look at the broader world of firearms—and more specifically, calibers—there are countless options for different real-world needs. But in the realm of pistol-caliber AR builds, 9mm remains the undisputed king. Its low cost, wide availability, broad selection of loads, and proven performance make it the go- to choice for military units, law enforcement, and civilian shooters alike. Combine that with the AR platform, which is arguably the easiest long gun for most people to shoot well, and you end up with something that’s not only controllable, but in many cases easier to run than a handgun. Add standard-capacity magazines, and the AR9…

RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY KEYSTONE, LLC NVG Lens Covers URL: rtkllc.com Having been around the tactical community as an end user and working in the defense industry (though now that it’s back to being the Department of War, should we be calling it the War Industry?), there are not a lot of “big ticket item” advances that really get me excited. Don’t get me wrong: There are usually a couple paradigm-shifting products every year that remind us that the big boys can still innovate. But most of the stuff I see is a variation of a theme. Maybe I’ve become a bit jaded over the past 27 years because I’ve seen a lot. By now I’ve come to appreciate the little things, because it’s the little things that make the biggest difference…

The sound suppressor landscape has changed dramatically over the past few years. What was once a niche accessory for specialized shooters has become essential equipment for anyone who values control, safety, and consistency on the range. Silencers, sound suppressors, hearing protection devices—whatever you call them—they all serve the same purpose. And yes, “silencer” remains a proper term, straight from the language of the original patent. As more manufacturers invest in new materials and engineering approaches, today’s suppressors offer measurable gains in sound reduction, flash mitigation, and overall shootability. One major factor driving their growing versatility is the widespread adoption of industry-standard HUB threading of 1.375x24 TPI (1-3/8˝×24). This shared pattern allows shooters to pair suppressors with mounts and muzzle devices from numerous companies, making it easier to settle on a…

I recently attended a precision rifle class with some friends of mine. This course gave me a chance to update a few things on my rifle and long-range shooting gear, and the opportunity to look at some new gear and put it all through its paces. It was a dynamic, field-based study that required some movement while carrying gear and everything else needed for the day, so overall weight mattered and the amount of gear carried was very important. I tend to overpack for most range trips, so this was an excellent exercise in being economical and leaving behind the things that were not necessary. I also took the time to evaluate some new ballistic apps and a fancy new piece of kit sent out by Maztech Industries. THE RIFLE…

: : Based on an Odin Works OTR-15 billet receiver set : : Hera Arms CQR Gen 2 furniture : : Chambered in 300 BLK When you sit down to design a custom firearm, where do you start? For me, the process always begins with two questions. First, what is the intended use of the firearm? Is it simply a showpiece that will live on a wall or in a safe, or is it something that will be used regularly as a duty weapon or part of an EDC rotation? This particular project—a 300 Blackout SBR—took more planning than many of the bespoke builds that have appeared in these pages over the years. You already know how much I enjoy 300 BLK, especially when paired with quality suppression. Once I…

Red dots on pistols were once something you saw only on competition guns or custom builds. The idea of carrying a handgun with an optic seemed unusual, even impractical, for anyone outside those circles. Fast-forward to today, and pistol red dots are a major part of modern shooting. Compact carry guns ship from the factory with optic-ready slides. Duty pistols across the country are being issued with red dots. And some of the smallest handguns on the market now support footprints for miniature optics that weigh barely more than a set of iron sights. The shift isn’t rooted in trend-chasing. Shooters are recognizing that a carefully chosen pistol optic can improve situational awareness, speed up sight alignment, and provide a clearer aiming point across a wider range of conditions. At…

“If you use a rifle or carbine for defensive purposes or for property protection, a suppressor might be a smart accessory to consider.” While the purpose of a firearm suppressor is singular in nature—to suppress the noise of a gunshot at the muzzle—the applications are far more multi-faceted. For hunters, suppressors minimize disturbance to surrounding game. For military snipers, they mask the shooter’s position to preserve the security of the mission. At competitive matches, they are a courtesy to both range officers and onlookers. Others still may choose to mount a suppressor on a carbine meant for home defense or property protection. If you do use a carbine for defensive purposes, a suppressor is a smart accessory to consider. Defensive situations have a habit of escalating quickly or materializing unexpectedly—making…

Here at UN12, we’re fortunate to have readers from all over the world. While we haven’t yet crossed any oceans to source material for our “Clone Correct” department, we do receive the occasional submission from states that aren’t exactly known for being firearm-friendly. Mike, a California-based collector, is one such reader. His arsenal is packed with AKs and ComBloc rarities—enough to make any Eastern Bloc enthusiast grin. But during a recent tour of his vault (which we hope to feature in full in a future issue), something unexpected stopped me in my tracks. Mounted high on his wall was a silhouette so iconic it’s unmistakable: a PKM. Seeing one inside California borders felt almost surreal. I had questions—and Mike was happy to talk. As many of our readers know, some…

Everyday-carry setups often reveal more about a person’s routines and priorities than the gear alone suggests. Some users lean toward compact essentials, while others build out a kit that’s ready for a wider range of unexpected tasks. In this issue, we break down two carry loads—each built with a different mindset, both offering smart ideas for anyone looking to refine their own EDC. “EDC setups reveal more about a person’s routine & priorities than the gear alone might suggest…” Premium EDC Items 47 BlackPoint Tactical FO3 Holster MSRP: From $105 URL: blackpointtactical.com Our 2¢: The FO3 is a slim concealed-carry holster with a stable footprint and excellent retention. For this setup, the metal clips were swapped out for BlackPoint’s optional plastic IWB clips to reduce weight and prevent belt wear.…

“Savior Equipment set out to design a purpose built bag for off-body carry that doesn’t necessarily look like a CCW product.” Savior Equipment’s new Obscura sling bag is the company’s latest entry into the discreet CCW-carry segment. Offered in two sizes—a 3L model suited for compact pistols and a 5L model sized for full-frame handguns—the Obscura arrives after more than three years of development and more than 30 prototypes. Savior set out to design a purpose-built bag for off-body carry that doesn’t look like a CCW product, and judging by our initial hands-on use, the result appears well-thought-out. The first impression is that the Obscura resembles a standard sling bag rather than a tactical pack. There are no exterior logos, no molle fields, and no overt design cues that might…

: : Lightweight platform for thermal/IR use : : One-piece Global Ordnance “Monolith Barrel” system : : Outfitted for no-light ranch protection Predator pressure has been growing across the country as human development spreads into areas that once served as safe habitat for coyotes and other nocturnal hunters. For ranchers, that shift has real consequences. When livestock start turning up injured, dead, or not at all, waiting for the problem to resolve itself isn’t an option. One rancher we spoke with decided that if he was going to handle predators on his sprawling property, he needed a rifle built specifically for nighttime work—something reliable, lightweight, and compatible with modern thermal and IR aiming systems. That search led him to the Global Ordnance Monolith, a rifle known as much for its…

: : Custom build based on Springfield Armory Echelon : : Incorporates factory Echelon slide & Sharps Bros. grip module : : Custom neon Cerakote “The design journey for this pistol began in the late ’80s and early ’90s… long before the firearm was even decided on.” If you’re old enough to remember the late ’80s and early ’90s, you probably remember the “jazzy” aesthetic—Wyld Styles graphics, neon graffiti, and bold party-color designs that showed up everywhere from roller rinks to videogame arcade cabinets. That’s where the design journey for this project began, long before I even settled on the firearm it would be applied to. If you’ve been following UN12 over the years, you already know how often inspiration for my builds comes from unexpected places: camo patterns, artists,…

: : Upgraded for low-light defense  : : Mesa Tactical components throughout : : SureFire IR capability for night use Abasic pump shotgun is still one of the most reliable tools for home defense. The Remington 870 has built its own reputation over decades of service in police cruisers, on military racks, and with civilians who need a dependable security plan. This particular 870 Tactical started life as a straightforward 12-gauge pump. It ran well enough out of the box, but the owner wanted something more capable for defending the home in varied lighting conditions and from different ready positions. By leaning on Mesa Tactical’s deep catalog of 870-specific upgrades and pairing them with a few key accessories from Fortis Manufacturing, SureFire, and Wilson Combat, the shotgun evolved into a…

: : Unique folding karambit design : : Crafted from 6AI4V titanium & 154CM steel : : Produced in limited quantities There’s a lot to consider when buying a knife, whether it’s your first or your tenth. Will it live in a collection, see daily carry, or get packed into a bugout or camping kit? From there, the rabbit hole gets deeper: fixed blade, folder, or OTF? Blade shape? Blade steel? Materials? Much of what we obsess over when choosing a knife is ground Steve Ryan has already covered in his designs. Ryan is a longtime industry veteran who began making knives in the mid-1980s while still in high school in central California. By the late ’80s he relocated to Long Beach for college and went to work in a…

Long days at the range or in the field tend to leave their mark. Whether it’s dust kicked up during training or sweat built up after a day of hiking, shooters and hunters often end their outings feeling less than fresh. That’s the problem Shower Pouch aims to solve. Shower Pouch is a large-format body wipe measuring roughly 2 feet by 1 foot. Unlike smaller wipes that require several sheets to get the job done, a single Shower Pouch is designed to clean your entire body. Its size makes it practical for decontaminating arms, legs, face, and torso without tearing through a handful of standard wipes. For those who run long field sessions, multi-day classes, or extended hunts, the ability to freshen up without access to running water can make…