I was invited into the tent at the ITW Nexus Advanced Products and Accessories booth to drink an Orange Crush and take a look at something new. The Grim-lite takes the popular Grimloc and adds a Streamlight Nano.
Next is the Tiki Buckle. Inspired by a well known gear guru (not me) the Tiki Buckle gives high horizontal and vertical strength to attaché webbing to MOLLE. It incorporates ITW’s patented wave technology in order to prevent slippage of the webbing.
But the coolest thing is the Rail-Loc. Obviously, this is the coolest thing to happen to side release buckles since they started making them in Ghillie-Tex. The Picatinny compatible Rail-Loc connects right unto your rail and tightens in place via a Phillips head bolt. Then, you can connect a standard 1″ SR male buckle into the Rail-Loc.
Tags: ITW Nexus APA, SHOT Show
That Tiki Buckle is pretty awesome. Any word on when they’ll make them available?
Also, what’s the laynard on the “Rail-Loc” for?
I think the lanyard is for the buckle, not the Rail Loc, although, I think the question is still valid for the buckle. Other than encouraging a straight pull, as opposed to just yanking the sling out of the Rail Loc, what does the lanyard do?
Maybe it’s just an accessory lanyard to hang stuff off the buckle
It makes it slightly easier to loosen webbing (when it’s not buckled to the Rail Loc); if you pull up on the lanyard the buckle rotates in relation to the webbing which can then slide through the buckle.
How did I miss the rail loc!?!? That’s definitely something they shouldhave pointed out. I really hope they wweren’t in the sample bins or I’ll kick myself all the way back to VA.
Is there an ETA on Grim lite?
Forgive me if I’m being obtuse, but what exactly am I supposed to be clipping to my rifle with a side release buckle? Is it strong enough to use as a sling mounting point?
Well, considering that the breaking point of ITW’s SR Buckles is around 225 pounds, I’m gonna say: “Yes it’s strong enough to act as a sling attachment point, but not so strong that it will hang you”
But then again, what do I know? Maybe you’re the type who rappels with his rifle like Bruce Willis in “Die Hard”.
I like it, it’s simple, provides a way to get out of the sling, and keeps the hardware from banging.
Now, back to the “Tiki”, when will it be shipping?
So THAT’S why they stopped calling you Brimming With Joy Misha. I wasn’t sure if a sling was even the intention or it was something else I was unaware of. Is the strength of the side release buckle based on its ability to resist being pulled open or it’s ability to not break when being torqued from the side, as would be the case if someone were pulling on the sling on the photo? Either way, probably won’t do it for me. In addition to the Die Hard style repelling I like to do, I also like to throw my sling over a rafter and do pull ups on my rifle all day long. 😉
Hmmmm interesting question, and one I shall have the geeks attend to on Tuesday. Honestly,we’ve only pulled them “in line” on the instrom.
But yes, I would be interested in the strength of the system in the manner you mentioned
Yeah, I was wondering the same thing. Plus, it’s one thing to have a side release buckle in the sling but I figure having it mounted right on the rail would be different. Imagine knocking your rifle on the edge of something and having it crack the sling mount.
And let’s not forget the pull ups; if it’s no good for pull ups and smashing terrorists in the face, it’s no good for Bruce Willis or me.
Tiki buckle has me excited as well….looks like the best way to attach a chest rig to armor. Would make cool man-jewelry too.
^That’s what I’m talking about
I understand, that they made Rail-Loc ambidextrous intentionally, but it also makes the pretty sharp “fork” of the male part of the buckle. “Old” surface-mount buckles are not ambidextrous (therefore, less universal) but “fork” is safely covered there.
The Grim light Nano should be in every E&E bag. Where can I buy one ?