TacSol Paclite - Tandemkross Kraken First Look

[tdogg]

Well my Tandemkross Kraken frame arrived.  I also got my Tactical Solution Paclite Barrel/Receiver as well.  I'm building a Steel Challenge 22 for my son to shoot (and me on occasion!).  I put together a short video for a first look at the components.  I think it is going to be a much better option over my Mark II stainless bull barrel.

First Glance Notes:
The package is really light, like less than half of my Bull Mark II
The blue is much better in person than in the online pictures
The grip angle is much better
The trigger shoe is somewhat aggressive
There is some extra pre and overtravel on the trigger but it isn't bad (not TSO short and crisp)
The Kraken controls are tight and will need some time to time to break in
The Paclite upper fit is very tight and the Kraken setscrew that locks the frame to the upper works well
It really needs a fiber optic front sight (on order)

https://rumble.com/v125gbg-tandemkross-kraken.html

I hope to shoot it tomorrow.  I will put a few brands I have on hand through it and see how it runs.

Cheers,
Toby

[Earl Keese]

Nice gun, looking foward to the range report.

[tdogg]

Took it out today.   The gun ran great out of the box.  It is a little small for my hands but my 12yr old ran it great.   He still can't reach the mag release with his strong hand but generally you don't reload on the clock in steel challenge so it shouldn't effect his shooting.

I had 1 stove pipe, 1 failure to feed,  and 1 dud (hit it twice with no ignition).  I did have a number of issues when I had my 4yr shoot it but he could not reach the trigger and wasn't really able to hold on to it.   I had to help him hold it and let him pull the trigger and it ran better that way.   He had a blast and was a big help picking up brass afterwards.

I ran four different brands through it.  I have the most federal automatch so after testing the others,  ran it mostly.   The stove pipe was Blazer and I'm not sure sure why that happened.   The failure to feed was most likely a magazine issue as it didn't even strip off the top round at all (chamber was empty but it was the automatch).

My only gripe is the mag base on the mark iv magazines.   There is this shelf at the front that can get pinched in the frame when seating the magazine.   It's a stupid design and I'm going to look for thicker magazine bases for the ruger mags.   I drew blood seating the magazine once and pinched the crap out of my hand another time.

Here is the target from the first ten groups shot.   It was all shot at ten yards.  The Winchester super x looked the most consistent but it is probably 20 yrs old at least.



Took a video of the first shots:

https://rumble.com/v129g42-first-range-day-paclite-kraken.html

It's going to be a winner for my son.   He is already shooting it well right away.   I think with some practice,  he will do well with it.

Cheers,
Toby

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[AZ_CZ]

This is a very cool project! Been shooting a Mark I Target for 46 years. Hope your son shoots this even longer!

[simplemann]

Tandemkross is a great company with great products and people..

[newageroman]

Man, that blue is nice - Thanks for posting on Rumble! I'm sure your little man will have a blast running it. If you haven't tried one of those "Ultimate clip loaders" you should get one they are slick.

I like almost everything about the Kraken. The trigger is a bit sharp edged, I like the Vol trigger shape better so I'm running it. The mag release button is round and plastic, I wish it was metal I may try making one from aluminum or brass. The hive grip is good, but I may change it later on, for now its getting ran.

If your cheap and a glutton for punishment I think you can build the lower yourself and save $50. They didn't have assembled lower option when I got mine late last year.

If anyone is interested, here is another review of the Kraken on Rumble:
https://rumble.com/vudm67-ruger-mk4-scoped-black-grand-mamba-.22-pistol.html

If you want a high end 22 pistol build with tons of options/barrels/upgrades, this is the way - IMO.

[tdogg]

Yeah,  when I started looking it was an assemble your own from a parts kit option.    It seems they have dropped that and now offer the frame only and it complete/assembled?  I would have opted for the build your own.

I recieved the fiber optic front sight today and installed it.   This will help acquire the front sight when on the clock.   It is the same height as the OEM black variant.   I got it straight from tactical solutions and it's the low version.  Will have to go back out and re zero it.




Cleaned it after the initial range trip and it was super easy to clean.   The bore must be very smooth.  After maybe 250 rds it took 6 patches after a light brush scrub to clean?  I wish my TSO's were that easy!

Cheers,
Toby

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[newageroman]

sweet!
Also props for the 3D printed charging handle, that is cool!

Pics of my oldie blue Vol Mk3 frame with LLV 6" barrel. I do miss that pistol. It ran funny though. sold it for $800 to fund a family beach trip. I was 22 less for about 5 yrs then got a slabside and it started again.

https://brassbucket.net/wp-content/uploads/rightSideNcase.jpg
https://brassbucket.net/wp-content/uploads/leftSide2.jpg
https://brassbucket.net/wp-content/uploads/rightSideWeb.jpg