First Gear | Beretta; Streamlight and Sentry Tactical

by
posted on August 1, 2023
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
Beretta; Streamlight and Sentry Tactical
Photos: Peter Fountain

1. No-Rip Range Pants
Beretta has recently rolled out a line of women’s tactical wear, and if its Hook RipTech pants are any indication, they’ve thought through our needs pretty well. Between the durable two-way-stretch fabric and the internal flex elastic on the waistband, a full range of motion is ensured. Cargo pockets, pockets for extras like lip balm and pocket knives (reinforced, of course), tactical-belt compatible belt loops and kneepad slots round out the details. And, since they’ve designed them over several years with the input of a diverse group of women, they just fit better and look better than most options I’ve encountered. ($129.00; beretta.com)


2. Light Anywhere
The first thing I did with the Streamlight Syclone Jr. was attach it to my bedside safe using its magnetic base; next, I got a second one for my car. This tough little 3-inch, 5-ounce light has two LED light modes, one a bright white spot that goes up to 400 lumens and one a flood light with a color-correcting tone that goes up to 300 lumens. It has three settings (high, medium, low) for each mode. The Syclone Jr. swivels 360 degrees so you can easily aim it where you need it and it runs for two hours in either mode. It has a small stowable hook in case you can’t use the magnetic base to attach it and is USB-rechargeable and water-resistant. ($67.42; streamlight.com)


3. Tougher, Lighter Magazines
SENTRY Hexmag carbon-fiber magazines use a proprietary composite material that makes them lighter and yet tougher than comparable models. The hex print offers a good grip and the follower and floor plates are color-customizable with seven colors currently available, so you can color-code by caliber, gun or any other category you can think up—oh, and it’s extra easy to do so since the magazines allow tool-less disassembly. It’s available for a variety of rifle and handgun options with varying capacities from 10 to 30 rounds. (Prices vary from around $14.99 to $23.99; sentrytactical.com)

Latest

House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Jason Smith
House Committee on Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Jason Smith

The Greatest Second Amendment Victory in a Century

On July 4, 2025, Americans celebrated not only our nation’s independence, but also the restoration of our constitutional Second Amendment rights becoming unconstrained by burdensome and arbitrary fees.

Opening Salvo | More Evidence That Gun-Control Groups are Freaking Out

With the Trump administration’s law-and-order push showing America’s crime problem is clearly not the fault of lawfully armed citizens, gun-control groups are freaking out.

John Rich has a Song for Armed Citizens

John Rich's latest song is "The Righteous Hunter." It is a moving tune about standing up to stop those with evil intentions. It is a song for lawfully armed citizens.

This Department of Education Grant Could Change Things

The University of Wyoming’s Firearms Research Center has been awarded a nearly $1 million grant by the U.S. Department of Education to develop a nationwide program on the origins, meaning and implications of the Second Amendment.

From the Editor | Charlie Kirk Lived for Freedom

“Give me liberty, or give me death,” are the immortal words of Patrick Henry spoken on March 23, 1775, to the Second Virginia Convention in Richmond, Va. His impassioned words were a call to arms against British tyranny.  

Ninth Circuit to Revisit Background Checks on Ammo Case

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has granted rehearing en banc in Rhode v. Bonta—a case backed by the National Rifle Association and California Rifle and Pistol Association. 

Interests



Get the best of America's 1st Freedom delivered to your inbox.