Blue Force Gear Redi-Mod (review w/ pics)

AR/M4 AR General Discussion
1

In 1998 I purchased my first Boonie Packer Redi-Mag http://www.booniepacker.com from Bushmaster (In 1998 I got a majority of my AR15 related gear through the Bushmaster catalog). I was introduced to the Redi-Mag by some of our SWAT Officers who were using them at the time, and I had seen some competition shooters using them as well.

I used the Boonie Packer Redi-Mag on my primary AR for a couple years, to include going through SWAT school with it. I ended up removing the Redi-Mag due to the extra weight that it added. At the time I was running a 14.5” HBAR barrel with a Knights RAS, which added to the weight problem.

Over the last decade I have used and removed the Boonie Packer Redi-Mag a few times. The reason for getting rid of the Redi-Mag was a majority of the time when I deploy a rifle I’m wearing some type of load bearing gear due to my current assignment.

For several years I’ve recommended the Redi-Mag to numerous Patrol Officers and civilian shooters as a way to carry extra ammo for the AR15. Most of the time when a Patrol Officer rolls on a call where a long gun is needed, he’ll arrive on scene, retrieve the AR15 from the gun lock or the trunk of his cruiser, and head to the scene as quickly as possible.

Since the inception of our Patrol Rifle program 8 or so years ago I have never seen an Officer grab extra gear for a rifle (with the exception of some Officers will grab an extra magazine and stuff it in their back pocket). And in my entire career, I have never seen an Officer grab extra ammo or equipment for the shotgun. For most situations where a long gun is needed, it’s just grab the long gun and go. During hot calls or critical incidents, second count.

The Redi-Mag puts an extra loaded magazine on the gun, that is quick and easy to access, and the Officer doesn’t have to grab any extra gear. Most civilians and law enforcement officers don’t walk around with chest rigs or any kind of load bearing gear, the Redi-Mag is a convenient way to have readily accessible ammo on tap for the AR15.

Travis Haley, instructor for Magpul Dynamics www.magpuldynamics.com can be seen using a modified (light weight) Redi-Mag in this trailer to “The Art of the Tactical Carbine” DVD set at 1:52: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye30b3TL5wI&feature=related I have never been as fast or as fluid with the Redi-Mag as Travis, but with just a little practice magazine changes can become quite fast.

Larry Vickers can also be seen using a modified Redi-Mag (Blue Force Gear Redi-Mod) in this pic from a training class that I hosted in the fall of 2008:

The only complaint that I’ve had with the Redi-Mag is the extra weight that it adds to the gun. The first AR that I had a Redi-Mag on, (1998) was a 14.5” heavy barreled carbine with a Knights RAS, Knights Surefire light mount, and old school (all black aluminum) 9 volt Surefire weapons light, with Trijicon Reflex RX01 tritium sight. It was a heavy and cumbersome package.

Over the last several years, the push has been toward lighter carbines. 10 - 15 years ago, a majority of manufacturers offered heavy profile barrels, yet few offered lighter weight configurations. Today’s market is the exact opposite, most manufacturers offer lighter weight barrel configurations, but overall very few offer heavier profile barrels. Manufacturers of rail systems have tried to get their rail systems lighter. Optics have gotten smaller and more light weight. Weapon mounted lights have gotten smaller and lighter weight.

Like many other products on the market the Redi-Mag has gotten lighter. The folks at Blue Force Gear have taken the Boonie Packer Redi-Mag and cut off extra material not needed. The modification done by Blue Force Gear reduces the weight of the Redi-Mag by 25%. Blue Force Gear calls their modified version the “Redi-Mod”: http://www.blueforcegear.com/product.cfm?type=cat&cat_id=1&prod_id=91

After recently recommending the Redi-Mod to a colleague, he asked to check out mine before he spent the money on one. I was kind of embarrassed as a Firearms Instructor to recommend something to a peer and not have one on hand for people to put through the paces.

I ordered a Blue Force Gear Redi-Mod, once it arrived the first thing I did was I put it on the digital scale. Weight of the Redi-Mod was 6.8 oz. And just to give you a comparison, an EMPTY Magpul PMAG is 5.2oz. The finish on the Redi-Mod was nicer than what I remember the Boonie Packer Redi-Mags being. I installed it on a carbine and started practicing. It didn’t take long to get back into the groove, and the weight wasn’t bad either.

If you are looking for a way to carry extra ammo for your carbine the Redi-Mod is an option definitely worth looking at.

S/F,
Jeff

2

Jeff, on the Redi-Mod is the extra mag released when you press the mag release on the weapon or do you have to release it seperately? Can you use the bolt release with the Redi-Mod installed or is it best to use the charging handle to release the bolt?

Thanks,
Karl

3

I’ve been tossing the idea back and forth, I’d want one that worked like the GEN I with the MAGPUL BAD (whenever it comes out) weight has never been an issue to me, but the longest I’ve trained is about 4 hours straight just running drills.

Nice write up though, thanks for the info! Wonder if it could be made out of polymer in some areas to save even more weight.

4

Karl,

    Gen 1 Redi-Mags would drop both mags when you depressed the mag release button on the carbine.

     Gen 2 (which the Redi-Mod uses as it's base), when you depress the mag release on the carbine it only releases the magazine that is in the carbine.

  When you press the mag release, only the magazine in the carbine drops free.

  If you look at the pics on the back side of the Redi-Mod there is a lever.

 Assuming you are right handed.....You press the mag release button on the carbine with your right index finger - magazine drops free from the carbine.

 At the same time reaching up with your left hand, wrapping the fingers around the front side of the magazine that is in the Redi-Mod, this puts your thumb in the perfect position to push the Redi-Mod magazine release, the magazine is released from the Redi-Mod and you can then insert it in the carbine.

 Sounds more complicated than it is, but knowing this, watch Travis in the video (posted in the review) and you can see how it's done.


     In the pic below you can see the lever that has to be depressed to release the magazine from the Redi-Mod.  


      You can still use the bolt release.  If you look at the pics the top of the bolt release, is still exposed and you can still access it.  Just can't smack it with the palm of your hand like we were taught in the military.  The bottom of the mag catch button is covered by the Redi-Mod....if you look at the picture I posted above this paragraph, just above the lever that releases the magazine from the Redi-Mod, there is a button.  If you need to lock the bolt to the rear, instead of pressing the bottom of the bolt catch, you press the button on the Redi-Mod, which in turn, presses the bottom of the bolt catch.

      Like many things on the internet.....it's hard to explain, but easy to show someone.  Hopefully what is written above makes sense.

S/F,
Jeff

5

This review got me thinking again. Maybe I should give it a try. Anyhou, here’s another angle shot of how the Redi-Mod is manipulated. I don’t know, but. . .

http://s294.photobucket.com/albums/mm118/magpuldynamics08/?action=view&current=BADmp1.flv

6

I recently went through the same thing. I realty wanted to like it but just could not get the mag out easy and fast enough. BFG needs to make a gen 1 version and I’d get another one to try.

7

Only thing I dont like is the way I have to use my thumb instead of my palm to release the bolt. When Travis’ “BAD” hits the market it will definitely make the Redimag worth having, I will probably be taking mine off my rifle until that time.

8

Franklin, I know the feeling. I was unwilling to try the Redimag until I got a BAD. However, I now have two Redi-Mods from BFG and only one BAD. I’ve tried it both with and without the BAD, and while I certainly prefer it with, it’s functional and usable without it as well.

9

I’d like to see this as well. What Travis runs, IIRC, is actually a GenI that he modified himself to lighten it, and you can see this by the way he runs the gun in the photobucket video. So when you see the videos of him running the gun he has a double advantage in that he’s getting both mags free with one press AND he’s using the BAD. OK, three advantages, with the last one being that he’s Travis! :stuck_out_tongue:

10

I don’t think it would be hard to modify, just requires a steady hand with a cutting wheel, and then of course…properly finishing it would be necessary as well. Making it out of polymer would get even more kudos in m book if it still functioned the same and was as durable.

I wouldn’t want a Gen 2 though.

11

The Gen II has certain benefits as well. I’ve watched quite a few shooters dump their second mag right in the dirt when they ejected and weren’t ready to catch.

There are also issues of malfunction clearances. If you get a doublefeed, what do you do?

In theory, the Gen I has a feature where a light press on the button releases the first magazine, and a full press releases the second, but under stress trying to finagle this I could see a tendency to just mash the hell out of it and lose both mags.

the Gen II was developed for a reason. I’ll hold off posting that reason until I can get it from the horse’s mouth.

12

I briefly had a Gen I and sold it off because I didn’t like both mags dropping. I’m sure it’s king for absolute speed, but I tended to prevent the empty mag from dropping free in the process of grabbing the new mag. I’m sure it could be overcome with some practice/training but I’d like to try one of the Gen IIs. I’d give up a little bit of speed for some consistency (assuming the release didn’t give me fits in its own way).

Right now my setup is heavy enough I really don’t want to add the weight so I haven’t bothered picking one up to fiddle with.

13

Good points!

I think Im going to try to nab a used GEN 1 just for playing around with (cutting up) and then later on possibly a GEN 2. I can see the usefulness in both actually…for different reasons.

Gen 3 should have the ability to function either way :smiley:

14

Kaos, I had tried to find a used Gen 1 to do the same thing with and eventually just gave up and bought the BFG. I don’t think even Boonie Packer is selling the Gen I’s anymore.

15

They aren’t.

I see them pop up on TOS EE every now and again. I posted a WTB there which I’ve had luck with before on other parts.

Some of my recent EE exploits (all prices shipped)

Larue BUIS - $65
LMT M16 carrier - new - $90
BCM NIW Bolt - $50
Larue LT-606 and Surefire 9p - $100
“F” marked FSB - $5
Larue LT-129 - $100
Aimpoint CompML2 -LNIB - Traded romy G kit for it (paid $150 for a while ago)
ACE Skeleton stock - $40

I’ve done well thus far, so I keep on going, but generally will only buy quality stuff. I dont play around buying used UTG stuff etc.

16

If you stumble on an extra Gen 1 let me know. I think there were two versions, one with the bold hold open button and one without. I’d actually prefer the one without.

17

Will do, I called boonie packer about 5 minutes ago to see if they had any stored up and just werent listing them, but they’re gone. The hunt continues.

18

What is this Magpul bad that you speak of?

-DM-

19

BAD is “Battery Assist Device” a concept by Travis Haley. A few of us were lucky enough to get T&E pre-production examples from Travis and we have been running them for a couple of months.

Chromeluv showing you how it works

Travis using the BAD with Gen I Redimag

20

Thanks Rob. Area these going to be a Magpul or a Travis Haley Product, is there an idea of when the production units will be available?

-DM-