THE MACBROZ BLOG

The Springfield Armory Echelon is already one of the more impressive striker-fired pistols on the market. Out of the box, it brings a lot to the table with its modular design, solid ergonomics, aggressive grip texture, optics-ready system, and overall shootability. Springfield clearly designed the Echelon to compete in a crowded space, and in a lot of ways, they nailed it. But like most factory pistols, there is always room for improvement. For me, one of the biggest areas wh

Some builds start with a plan. Others start because Brownells has the right parts at the right time and suddenly you’re convincing yourself that this is “basically a practical purchase.” That is pretty much how my Aero Precision EPC-9 pistol caliber carbine came together. I picked up the complete Aero Precision EPC-9 upper and lower from Brownells, then decided to take the setup in a different direction. Originally, the EPC-9 had more of a full-size PCC feel, but I wanted som

There are certain upgrades that do not seem like a big deal until you actually use them. An AR grip is one of those parts. It is easy to overlook because it is not as exciting as an optic, trigger, barrel, or light setup, but once you find a grip that really fits how you shoot, it changes the way the whole rifle feels. That is where the Die Free Co. Kung Fu Grip comes in. This grip has quickly become my new go-to grip for my rifles and PCCs, and the best part is you can find

When it comes to rifle bags and range gear, I’m always looking for something that makes range days easier without being overly complicated. I want solid protection, useful storage, comfortable carry options, and a design that does not scream “tactical” everywhere I go. That is exactly why I’ve been enjoying the Savior Equipment Specialist Covert Single Rifle Case, which you can find at Brownells. For the title, I’m calling it the Savior Covert Bag because that is honestly how

The Canik METE MC9 Prime is one of those pistols that makes you stop and ask a pretty simple question: How much performance can you realistically pack into a carry-sized gun? After spending time with it, my answer is pretty straightforward: a lot. The METE MC9 Prime brings together a strong trigger, good ergonomics, solid capacity, night sights, an optic-ready setup, and a ported barrel/slide system in a package that feels very capable for concealed carry. It is not perfect,

Darius and I recently represented MacBroz at the All American Gun Slinger League Night, and this match gave me a lot to think about. The night started strong. I felt good, I was moving well, and overall, things were trending in the right direction. But then came the final stage. And that one stage had me questioning everything. My performance. My mindset. My consistency. My stage execution. And yes, even whether I should keep running the Staccato or go back to the M&P platfor

There are some things you buy because you are curious. There are other things you buy because you know there is probably a lesson hiding inside the bad decision. This Temu “SRO” was a little bit of both. I bought an optic from Temu that was advertised as an SRO. It looked like an SRO. It felt like an SRO. At first glance, you could see why someone might think they found a crazy deal. But once I got hands on with it, the quality just was not there. And during a range session,

For years, the Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 has been one of my most trusted do-it-all handgun platforms. It has filled a lot of roles for me well, and for a long time it was the option I kept coming back to. But over the last six months, I have spent a lot more time in the 2011 ecosystem, especially with my Staccato C2, and that has definitely started to shift my attention. This post is really about that question. Has my recent time with the Staccato C2 changed how I look at the M&

There is a lot of gear in this space that looks good on a product page but does not stay in the rotation once range days get long. The Savior Equipment Apollo Electronic Sound Suppressors are not that. These have become my go-to over-the-ear option, and the biggest reason is simple: the gel ear pads. Between the comfort, the seal, and the all-day wearability, these are the earmuffs I keep reaching for when it is time to load up and head to the range. What the Apollo ear pro b