Ballistic Magazine
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
      • Semi-Automatic Rifles
      • Bolt Action
      • Lever Action
    • Shotguns
    • Specialty Guns
    • Airguns
    • Custom Guns
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
    • Rifle Ammo
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
    • Suppressors
  • Gear
    • Knives
    • Gun Storage
  • Lifestyle
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range
    • Pop Culture
      • Podcasts
      • People
      • Rides
    • Concealed Carry
    • Survival
    • Training
  • News
  • VIDEOS
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Ballistic Magazine
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
      • Semi-Automatic Rifles
      • Bolt Action
      • Lever Action
    • Shotguns
    • Specialty Guns
    • Airguns
    • Custom Guns
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
    • Rifle Ammo
  • Accessories
    • Optics & Sights
    • Suppressors
  • Gear
    • Knives
    • Gun Storage
  • Lifestyle
    • Sport Shooting
      • Hunting
    • Precision Shooting/Long Range
    • Pop Culture
      • Podcasts
      • People
      • Rides
    • Concealed Carry
    • Survival
    • Training
  • News
  • VIDEOS
  • Subscribe
No Result
View All Result
Ballistic Magazine
No Result
View All Result
 
ENTER TO WIN > Free Gun Friday for your chance to WIN the SIG Sauer P320 AXG Legion and Black Hills HoneyBadger Ammo

Badass Man Purse: Say Hello to the TAC2 ‘Ultimate Man Bag’ AR Pistol

Robert A. Sadowski by Robert A. Sadowski
March 25, 2022
in Guns, Handguns
0
Badass Man Purse: Say Hello to the TAC2 ‘Ultimate Man Bag’ AR Pistol

"When the stuff hits the fan, you have a reliable, accurate AR pistol that assembles in seconds and will help you fight back to safety."

0
SHARES
275
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
“When the stuff hits the fan, you have a reliable, accurate AR pistol that assembles in seconds and will help you fight back to safety.”








The new normal is not the junkie in the parking garage with a switchblade—though they still exist. Rather, it’s an organized attack consisting of one or several assailants wielding long arms and backup handguns. In this era of self-rescue, do you really think the subcompact .380 ACP tucked in your pocket will compete against rifle-caliber bullets? Is it really enough gun? If you’re wise, you would realize that a .380 is a getaway gun used to get yourself and others out of a situation and to safety. It’s not what you want in a running gunfight.

Suppose for a moment that you’re in a sprawling mall trapped between the hip clothing store and a card shop, and that smell of cinnamon buns is mixing with burnt gunpowder. Or you’re at work and that popping noise coming from the shop floor is not from a forklift. You never know when evil will visit, and any gun is better than no gun in those situations. Some guns are better.

“Firepower” and “discreet” are not words typically used in the same description. Firepower implies a large weapon, and discreet means small and inconspicuous. They do not necessarily go together—until you look at the TAC2 “Ultimate Man Bag” AR pistol. Within seconds, you can go from a victim at a shopping mall to a protector with enough firepower to fight back. The TAC2 brings AR-15 style to a new level of compactness. It carries a takedown AR-15 pistol in a bag that’s smaller than a standard laptop computer carrying case. The bag looks like an ordinary man purse, but in less than a minute, you can have a fully functional AR-15 pistol at the ready.

Light Fighter

The TAC2 system is lightweight. The pistol weighs just 6 pounds unloaded. The lower receiver is made of molded polymer by Tennessee Arms Company. And the lower receiver’s controls, including the safety selector, magazine release and bolt release, are all mil-spec and in standard AR-15 locations. The triggerguard is oversized to accommodate shooters wearing gloves. Plus, the magazine well is funneled, so inserting a magazine is simple and slick. I used Parkerized steel magazines during the testing, and they were extremely fast in the polymer magazine well.

  • RELATED STORY: Compact Thunder – Top 15 Next-Gen AR Pistols

The extension tube on the lower receiver uses a Law Tactical Folding Stock Adapter. Press a button and the tube folds to the left side of the pistol. To extend the tube, just pivot it back and it locks in place. The extension must be locked in the open position for the pistol to operate. The pistol grip is a polymer folding grip from FAB Defense. Press a button on the left side of the grip and it folds up so it’s flush with the magazine well and does not stick down past it. Rotate it down and it locks into position with a snap. The grip feels good—more hand-filling and comfortable than a standard A2-style grip.

The upper receiver is made of forged aluminum, and it doesn’t have a forward assist or dust cover to help save weight. The upper is also a flattop design with a Picatinny rail for mounting optics. A red-dot or reflex sight would be a good choice for the TAC2 pistol. The handguard is a lightweight carbon-fiber tube. The barrel is short—just 6 inches—with an A2-style muzzle device. The muzzle protrudes about an inch from the end of the tube when assembled.

What make the TAC2 so concealable and covert is the way the pistol assembles and disassembles. The TAC2 uses a proprietary lug attached to the barrel that does two things. First, it makes sure the gas tube is properly aligned. The Achilles’ heel of many takedown direct-impingement weapons is the gas tube. It’s fragile and can be easily bent. The lug in the TAC2 has a notch where the gas tube can rest. The second job for the lug is to properly align the barrel in the upper receiver. Two posts at 3 and 9 o’clock align with a modified barrel nut. This ensures the barrel and gas tube mate to the upper receiver at the same time every time the pistol is re-assembled. The carbon-fiber handguard tube slides over the barrel assembly and screws onto the barrel nut on the upper, and it draws the barreled gas tube in so it’s tight with no wiggle and the bolt carrier group engages with the chamber of the barrel. It’s really a simple setup. I like the fact that the upper and lower receivers are already attached so there’s no need to mess with the takedown pins.

It took me about 10 seconds to assemble the parts in the bag to form an operating pistol. Assembly begins by snapping back the extension tube on the mated upper and lower. Lock back the bolt carrier group and insert the barrel assembly. Slide the tube over the barrel and screw it down. Load a magazine and send the bolt carrier group forward. You’re good to go.

TAC2 Range Work

I mated the TAC2 with a Meprolight Tru-Dot red-dot sight with a 1.8-MOA reticle. Any small red dot is a good choice for the TAC2 pistol, but I’ve come to appreciate the Tru-Dot because it offers rapid target acquisitions with both eyes open, and it’s made with an aluminum body and tough polymer frame around the large viewing window. I’ve accidentally dropped it a few times, but it still works without any issues. Power is supplied by one AA battery, which provides thousands of hours of run time. An auto shutoff also helps conserve power—a good thing if you’re forgetful and don’t turn the sight off after use. The red-dot reticle has four brightness settings that you can adjust via a textured knob. The unit clamps down onto a Picatinny rail via an integral quick-detach mount. The sight adds about 10.5 ounces and takes up 4.5 inches of rail space, but it still fits in the Man Bag. The Tru-Dot was at the exact height needed for an AR-15.

My ammunition for the range testing included an assortment of cartridges with various bullet weights and types, and different case materials. I used some Federal Fusion ammo loaded with a 62-grain soft-point bullets for a factory-rated muzzle velocity of 3,000 fps. Naturally, a 6-inch-barreled AR-15 will produce a lot less muzzle velocity than one with a 16-inch barrel. And, as the data shows, the TAC2 delivered less velocity, which I expected. I also used Hornady Steel Match rounds with 55-grain hollow-point bullets and steel cases. The Aguila load I tested uses 62-grain FMJ bullets and brass cases like the 62-grain Federal Fusion load.

Using a rest, I got some impressive five-shot groups at 25 yards. On average, all of the ammo produced groups ranging from about 0.5 to 0.75 inches—plenty accurate. But that was using a rest, with controlled breathing and slow fire. Later, I torqued up the speed to see how the TAC2 performed.

I like to fire AR-15 pistols resting my cheek on the extension tube, as if I’m firing it like a rifle. Of course, I have to make sure not to use the extension like a stock, so it never rests against my shoulder. At 25 yards, the target was easy to acquire using the Meprolight Tru-Dot sight. With both eyes open, the rectangular rears lens looked like a wide-screen TV. It offered plenty of field of view, and it was easy to locate the 1.8-MOA dot on the target. The TAC2 did what I asked of it.

  • RELATED STORY: 12 of the Best 300 Blackout AR Pistols On the Market

The trigger is a single-stage unit with almost no creep. The pull, weighing about 5 pounds, was crisp and well suited for self-defense. Had the pistol been heavier, it would have been too hard to shoot accurately. Any lighter and it might become a liability. The muzzle blast was loud, but the recoil was easy to control. I found the TAC2 easy to shoot accurately and fast.

I like to think of the TAC2 system as more of a satchel than a man bag. Actually, I can carry the TAC2 in a knapsack, briefcase, messenger bag or whatever bag you typically carry during the day. I did, and no one was aware I was carrying an AR-15 pistol with two fully loaded 30-round magazines. Compared to my normal everyday-carry gun, the TAC2 offers a lot of firepower. But rest assured, when the stuff hits the fan, you have a reliable, accurate AR pistol that assembles in seconds and will help you fight back to safety.

Caliber: 5.56mm NATO

Barrel: 6 inches

OA Length: 24 inches

Weight: 6 pounds (empty)

Grip: FAB Defense folding

Sights: None

Action: Direct impingement semi-auto

Finish: Matte black

Capacity: 30+1

MSRP: $1,495

For more information, visit the TAC2 website.

This article was originally published in ‘Ballistic’ Summer 2017. 

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

RELATED POSTS

Colt Anaconda revolver 2021, 6 inch barrel, 44 magnum, left

VIDEO: Shooting the Colt Anaconda in .44 Magnum!

Best Glock Trigger Upgrades, Glock triggers

Best Aftermarket Glock Triggers [2023]

The Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro now comes in Desert FDE.

UPDATED: Springfield Armory Hellcat Pro Adds Desert FDE Variant

The Walter WMP impressed during shooting at Athlon Outdoors Rendezvous.

Shooting the Walther WMP With 15+ Rounds of .22 Magnum Punch

Load More

WATCH NOW: Night Shooter | Season 2

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

Ballistic's Best Reader's Choice Winners

Winners Announced: Ballistic’s Best Readers’ Choice 2022

The votes are in! We've counted the ballots, and we're excited and impressed by you, the...

Read more

TRENDING

The Smith & Wesson FPC seen with 23-round magazines.

Smith & Wesson M&P FPC: An S&W Folding, 9mm PCC is Here!

All the best new handguns seen at SHOT Show 2023.

New for 2023: The 21 Best New Handguns Seen at SHOT Show

All the comments in the S&W M&P FPC response.

M&P FPC: The Most Ridiculous Comments on S&W’s New Folder

Clearing Corners Gunsite Academy lead

10 Key Tips to Clearing Corners That May Save Your Ass

PICK A CATEGORY

TRAINING & TACTICS SPOTLIGHT

How to survive growing road rage on American streets.

Road Rage Rules: Life-Saving Advice for Today’s Road Warriors

Most Americans, looking at the overall mood of the country, exhibit less patience than ever before. It began long before...

SHOWCASE: TRAINING AND TACTICS

Clearing Corners Gunsite Academy lead

10 Key Tips to Clearing Corners That May Save Your Ass

Chris Hemsworth learns box breathing and other challenges in Limitless.

Use Box Breathing Like Chris Hemsworth to Calm Down & Make The Shot

zeroing in rifles and pistols

Zeroing Rifles & Pistols: Getting to & Maintaining Zeroed Sights

European Mount, DIY Euro Mount, Hunting, lead

How to Make a European Mount in 6 Steps

Team SIG Sauer's Lena Miculek fires a P365 and debates .380 vs 9mm.

VIDEO: SIG Sauer’s Lena Miculek Debates .380 Vs 9mm for Defense

The August-September 2022 issue of Ballistic Magazine is all about long-range.

The Ballistic Long-Range Precision Issue Bringing Long-Range Fire!

Cross-Eye Dominant Shooting, pistol

The Guide to Cross-Eye Dominant Shooting

Get in the game and shoot a 3-gun competition.

Competition 101: Preparing for Your First 3-Gun Competition

AMMO SPOTLIGHT

Shooting the Hornady 7mm PRC suggests it will be a great big-game round.

TESTED: Shooting the New Hornady 7mm PRC Rifle Cartridge

The rumor has become fact: Hornady has expanded its Precision Rifle Cartridge family to 7mm. During the recent Athlon Outdoors...

site logo
The Premier Firearms & Survival Magazine

Tactical

  • tactical-life.com

Magazines

  • Tactical Life
  • The Complete Book of Reloading
  • Guns of the Old West

Facebook

  • Tactical-Life Facebook
  • Guns of the Old West Facebook

Twitter

  • Tactical-Life Twitter

Self Defense

  • PersonalDefenseWorld.com

Magazines

  • Personal Defense World
  • Combat Handguns

Facebook

  • Personal Defense World Facebook
  • Combat Handguns

Twitter

  • Personal Defense World Twitter

Shooting Lifestyle

  • BallisticMag.com

Magazines

  • Ballistic Magazine

Facebook

  • Ballistic Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Ballistic Magazine Twitter

Alpha Lifestyle

  • SkillsetMag.com

Magazines

  • Skillset

Facebook

  • Skillset Magazine Facebook

Twitter

  • Skillset Magazine Twitter

Instagram

  • Skillset Magazine Instagram
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms Of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • Guns
    • View All Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
      • Semi-Automatic Rifles
      • Bolt Action
      • Lever Action
    • Shotguns
    • Specialty Guns
    • Custom Guns
  • Ammo
    • Handgun Ammo
    • Rifle Ammo
  • Accessories
    • Suppressors
  • Gear
    • View All Gear
    • Knives
    • Gun Storage
  • Lifestyle
    • View All Lifestyle
    • Training
    • Survival
    • Pop Culture
      • People
      • Podcasts
      • Rides
  • Videos
  • More
    • Free Gun Friday Sweeps
    • Sweepstakes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
  • News

© 2023 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.