The Range Reviews: YHM Black Diamond Specter XL Upper

© 2010 Albert A Rasch and
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles
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I had the opportunity this weekend to handle and work with the latest AR15 upper from Yankee Hill Machine Co: the Black Diamond Specter XL.

YHM Black Diamond Specter XL

I don't normally handle or even use the AR platform very frequently, but after the 2009 SHOT Show, I was determined to refamiliarize myself with the AR15 and its many derivatives. I spent some time with the fellows at YHM, discussing the production, advancements, and accessories for the AR platform.

Upon receiving the Black Diamond Specter XL, I was pleased to see a very smooth, black matte finish with no variations on the upper and the free floating four rail forearm. The machining is exceptional, clean and crisp with no burrs or hooks. Assembly was done by someone who cares, not a mark, scratch, or ding anywhere. The rifle upper had a definite lean, aggressive look to it with the rails, flattop, and jagged flash hider.

Some of the features include:

* Mil. Spec. Forged 7075-T6 Aluminum YHM Flat Top Upper Receiver
* "T" Marked Upper Receiver
* Forward Assist
* Mil. Spec. Bolt Carrier Assembly
* 16" Chrome-Moly Vanadium Steel Barrel, Heat Treated to RC 25-32
* Chambered in 5.56 N.A.T.O., Chrome-Lined with either a 1:9" or 1:7" Twist

*Total Weight: 4.8 Pounds

The nice thing about buying a complete upper is that most everything you need is included.

* YHM Phantom 5C2 Flash Hider / Compensator (YHM-28-5C2)
* YHM Rifle Length Diamond Handguard (YHM-9635-DX)
* YHM Forearm Endcap (YHM-9484-B)
* YHM Low Profile Gas Block (YHM-9383)
* YHM Forearm Mounted Flip Front Sight (QDS)
* YHM Flip Rear Sight (QDS)

You can put it on a lower, put a magazine in it, sight it in, and fire away to your hearts content.

Forearm End Cap

The Diamond Series forearm (YHM-9635-DX) is free floating. No amount of reasonable pressure on my part could get the forearm to touch the barrel. The top rail is extended so that there is no gap between the receiver and the forearm and the rails are marked for accessory locations. Anti-rotation screws are used to prevent loosening and insure a secure installation. The tube is made of 6061-T6 aluminum and is hardcoated to military specifications. The forearm end cap provides protection for the end of your YHM forearm. It does not interfere with the free floating of your barrel and helps keep out debris. I'll be doing a separate post just on the forearm itself in the future.

Phantom 5C2 Comp/Flash Suppressor

At the business end of the rifle sits the Phantom 5C2 Comp/Flash Suppressor. (YHM-28-5C2) The popular Phantom Flash Suppressor has been redesigned by YHM to work as a muzzle compensator while maintaining the excellent flash hiding capabilities of the previous model. This five port design has no downward facing port which helps eliminate dust problems when shooting in the prone position. Notice the aggressive V cuts at the end for the occasional mano a mano!

In order to mount a full length rail system to a carbine length barrel, a low profile short gas block has been installed. The (YHM-9383) is mounted by the use of two set screws and is manufactured from high quality steel and finished with a mil. spec. phosphate coating.

The new Quick Deploy Sight System features an automatic deploy system. Pushing a button on the side of the sight base deploys the sight.

QDS Rear Sight deployed

QDS Front Sight folded

QDS Front Sight deployed

Both front and rear sights lock positively in the folded and deployed positions and are made from aircraft quality aluminum and hardcoated to military specifications. The rear sight is adjustable for windage and features dual apertures. The front adjusts for elevation and is a standard post. I found the sights to be at an excellent height allowing me to pick them up instantaneously. The larger aperture worked best for my eyesight, as the smaller blurred the target.

I'll be working with the YHM some more over the weekend. So far I am impressed with the fit and finish of the upper, and the thought put into the engineering of the product. Next week it will be going out to the range for a full workout. If the quality I see is indicative, the range tryouts should be a breeze.

YHM Yankee Hill Machine Co.
YHM-7820 Black Diamond Specter XL Top End
MSRP $865.00


Best Regards,
Albert A Rasch
Member: Shindand Tent Club
Member: Hunting Sportsmen of the United States HSUS (Let 'em sue me.)
The Hunt Continues...

Though he spends most of his time writing and keeping the world safe for democracy, Albert was actually a student of biology. Really. But after a stint as a lab tech performing repetitious and mind-numbing processes that a trained capuchin monkey could do better, he never returned to the field. Rather he became a bartender. As he once said, "Hell, I was feeding mice all sorts of concoctions. At the club I did the same thing; except I got paid a lot better, and the rats where bigger." He has followed the science of QDM for many years, and fancies himself an aficionado. If you have any questions, or just want to get more information, reach him via TheRaschOutdoorChronicles(at)MSN(dot)com.

Hunting in NebraskaNebraska Hunting CompanyCupidFish.comScott Croner

Hunting in NebraskaYo-Yos for Troops!Nebraska Hunting CompanyMark OsterholtScott Croner

The Range Reviews: Update Darn Tough Vermont Boot Sock

My friends,

This morning I received the following email from Andy Linnevers of Darn Tough Vermont:

Hello Albert,

It was great meeting you at the SHOT show. Thank you for taking the time to include the detailed coverage about our products on your blog. It is clear that you are passionate about the industry and appreciate products of high quality. I have one piece of good news for your readers. I think they will be please to hear that our Boot Socks retail for $20. We will have an over the calf full cushion version that will retail for $22...

Thanks again for your kind words regarding our brand.
Andy Linnevers

Besides the fact that Andy recognizes the quality of my prose, he, and by extension Darn Tough, have a commitment to the customer that is unparalleled. I did not write or call Andy to tell him I was reviewing Darn Tough products. He found it on his own, hours after I posted it! If that is not paying attention to your customers, I don't know what is.

Once again I heartily recommend Darn Tough Vermont socks. Not only do the make a darn good sock, and are an all American company, but they serve the customer 100%!

Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Hunt Continues...

Florida Felons Report: Killing Protected Birds

Another example of wanton destruction. I am going to follow this one very closely and help see that the book is thrown at them.

FWC arrests 7 suspected of shooting, killing protected birds

February 19, 2009
Contact: Gabriella B. Ferraro, 772-215-9459

"Simply by being in the right place at the right time Tuesday evening, officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) were able to arrest a group of people suspected of shooting and killing protected birds.

Officer Dan Stermen was on routine patrol of Curcie Grade and County Road 92 in Collier County, when he heard gunfire coming from the direction of a bird rookery. As he got closer, he observed birds flying erratically and some falling from the sky. Stermen called for backup and waited near some cars that were parked on a peninsula leading to a lake. The area is marked "no trespassing."

Three men returned to their car in a boat. Officers saw firearms in the boat. Zachary J. Mato (DOB 8/16/86) and Cullen M. Shaughnessy (DOB 8/5/86), both of Marco Island, and Joseph W. Gursky (DOB 3/25/86) of Hillsdale, N.Y., were charged with felony trespass with a firearm and booked into Collier County Jail.

Four other people on the island were on foot and were ferried back to land. Keith G. Lisa (DOB 3/1/77) of North Bergen, N.J., Alexander B. Wilhelm (DOB 9/14/84) of Annapolis, Md., Mark L. McClure (DOB 12/15/85) of Osprey, Fla. and Stephanie M. Meads (DOB 7/11/85) of Naples, were charged with misdemeanor trespassing and booked into the jail.

Officers collected 21 dead birds at the scene. The birds had been shot. Some of the birds are classified as "species of special concern," which means they are protected under state law. Some of the protected birds found at the scene included white ibis and blue heron.

Some of the other birds found shot to death included tree swallows and cormorants. These birds are protected under the federal Migratory Bird Treaty act.

"In my 27 years as an officer, I've never seen people deliberately shoot and kill birds and just leave them for dead," said FWC Lt. Wayne Maahs. "This is truly a heinous act."

Additional charges are pending."

Best Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Rasch Outdoor Chronicles: Best Boar Hunting Calibers Part I

The Range Reviews: Darn Tough Vermont Boot Sock

© 2009 Albert A Rasch



"My family has been knitting socks for three generations; for the last 30 years, here in the Green mountains of Vermont. We pride ourselves on the quality of our product and our commitment to making it local."

Ric Cabot
President Darn Tough Vermont

From the same city that my Alma Mater, Norwich University, is from, comes Cabot Hosiery Mills. Over twenty five years ago, third generation sock man Ric Cabot and his family open up a hosiery mill in Northfield Vermont, and began making socks. It is still family owned and operated. Just over a year ago all of their experience and expertise culminated in new line of socks: the Darn Tough Vermont.

Chris and Andy of Darn Tough Vermont

While at the 2009 Shot Show I met Chris Moon and Andy Linnevers the representatives of Darn Tough Vermont. They graciously gave me a set of In Country Series Hike/Trek Boot Sock Cushions socks. I liked them immediately. Dense and resilient, they had the feel of a well made sock that could take abuse and still protect the feet. But the proof is in the wearing.

Darn Tough!

I have worn them as often as possible, at least three times per week for the last two months while hiking, walking, shopping, and bicycling. They have good, high density cushioning on the soles of the feet, and are neither too thick, where it compresses the foot in the shoe, nor so sparse that the cushioning flattens out by the end of the day. The heel and toe are reinforced and it has knit-in-place elastic support around the arch. (You can almost feel that while wearing it. It's like a light support around the instep.) The stitching at the toe is called ring toe construction, and is done for a comfortable invisible seam. Many other socks have that overlapping stitch that will rub you raw. Not the Darn Tough Vermont 1403, their seam is imperceptible. The sock is ribbed above the ankle to insure a proper fit around the ankle and calf that won’t slip or slide down.

They are remarkably durable. They have no shiny wear spots, the cushioning does not seem or feel like it is flattening. The dye is colorfast and has not faded. When turned inside out there are no fuzzies or balls of fiber, and there are no pulled thread either. The elasticity is as new throughout the sock from toe to calf.

This particular sock’s blend is 67% shrink treated Merino wool, 29% Nylon, and 4% Lycra. The wool makes it extremely breathable, and it is not itchy because it is a fine grade of wool. It also dries quickly and is antibacterial! The nylon lends anti-abrasion properties to the sock while the Lycra gives it stretch. The blend wicks moisture up and away from the foot, keeping your feet as dry as possible in the footwear you have on. Darn Tough has another blend called CoolMax which is 100% synthetic.

Sizes available in men’s are medium, 6-8.5; large, 9-11.5; and x-large 12+. Ladies have small, 4-6.5; medium, 7-9.5; and large, 10-12.5. I have a 9.5 to 10 size foot, and the large I received fit perfectly.

Something that everyone should know is how very important it is that a sock is properly fitted to both the foot and shoe it will be in. When purchasing footwear, always try them on with the socks you are going to wear. Avoid any footwear that pinches you, has pressure points, or fits sloppily. No matter how good a sock you have on, ill fitted shoes will never fit or feel right. Worse yet it may damage your feet. Footwear should be snug, but not constricting. There should be no bunching, wrinkles, or folds in your socks. Your toes should have a little breathing room, and your laces should not cut into your foot, or cut off your circulation. Failure to follow this will result in sore, tired, and blistered feet.

In my opinion these socks are a great addition to the serious outdoorsman's wardrobe. While the street price of $39.99 may be a little high for some, it fits well, feels great, works, and actually looks pretty darn good. With a lifetime guarantee you can rest assured that the folks in Northfield stand behind their socks.

"If our All Weather Performance Socks aren't the most comfortable and durable socks you've ever owned, return them for your money back."

Ric Cabot

And remember, it is made here, in the USA!!!

Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Hunt Continues...

Compound Bow Recall: Bow Tech Archery

Breaking News.

Bow Tech Archery of Eugene, Oregon, is voluntarily recalling approximately 8,000 of its "The General" compound bows. The limbs may unexpectedly break, sending bits and pieces of the bow in all directions.

All the details, including free repair, are available at this web site:

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Be safe out there!

Regards,
Albert A Rasch
The Hunt Continues...