FirstSpear TV

Archive for December, 2017

A Sit Down with Carolina Arms Group Owner Mark McCoy and Pat McNamara on the New Blaze Ops Edition 1911

Tuesday, December 26th, 2017

Blaze Ops 1a

I had recently heard that there was a new 1911 in the works by the folks at Carolina Arms Group. They are known for building high quality custom 1911s and they teamed up with Pat McNamara on the project. Most SSD readers are already familiar with Pat McNamara from TMACS Inc and Combat Strength Training. I had the opportunity to speak with both Pat McNamara and Mark McCoy from Carolina Arms Group about their collaboration on what they call the “Blaze Ops” Edition pistol:

SSD: Mark, tell me a little about yourself.

Mark: I’m the CEO and Founder of Carolina Arms Group. Prior to starting CAG I served in the Navy from 1989 to 2009.

SSD: What did you do in the Navy?

Mark: I was in the Aviation sector in repair and quality.

SSD: When did you start Carolina Arms Group?

Mark: I had been in the firearms industry from the time I left the Navy in 2009. I wanted to come out with my own high quality custom 1911 so in 2012 I launched Carolina Arms Group. The first two models I introduced were the Trenton and TC45.

SSD: Your Company is located in NC. Why NC?

Mark: We searched the Carolinas for where we would settle down and call home. We selected Mooresville, North Carolina due to its diverse background in high speed machining and close proximity to Montgomery Community College in Troy, North Carolina. My goal was to blend both senior gunsmiths and the next generation of gunsmiths for the long term growth of custom 1911 building in the industry.

Blaze Ops 2aSSD: One of the first things I noticed on your 1911s was the company logo on the slide. What exactly is it?

Mark: Our logo has a deep meaning to us at Carolina Arms Group.  We named our logo the Carolina Arms Group Eagle “C”. The top of the logo is the American Bald Eagle which to us represents the strength, protection and freedoms that our Great Nation offers. The lower portion of the Eagle ”C” has the wing folded forward which represents the men and women that have died, that have served and continue to serve Our Great Nation that may still continue to offer us strength, protection and freedom. The name Carolina Arms Group pays homage to the Carolinas, our support of the second amendment, and that we are a highly skilled group of gunsmiths and machinists.

SSD: I gotta ask… why the 1911?

Mark: The 1911 model handgun is the American handgun of choice for many of our citizens and the most respected instructors. In my opinion, there is no better handgun that represents America. The 1911 has stood the test of time and has been designated by many authorities as the finest service pistol of all time. I was infatuated at a young age with the mechanics and design of the 1911. I carried a 1911 while I served in the U.S. Navy and currently carry one as my sidearm of choice today.

SSD: What sets your 1911s apart from the others on the market?

Mark: Every Carolina Arms Group 1911 is uniquely blended and handcrafted with the end-user in mind. We believe in quality over quantity. We take our time on each and every 1911 as if we are giving life to it. Our 1911’s are built one at a time with every part laser engraved to the serial number and crafted one at a time. It’s all about craftsmanship and reliability.

SSD: So why did you team up with Pat Mac for this new project of yours?

Mark: Because Pat is one of the best of the best in his field and he deserves the best firearms.

SSD: Mac, I’ve seen you running 1911s in the past. What attracted you to the Carolina Arms Group version?

Mac: I’ve got a friend (Jon) who works for CAG. He tagged me on social media to let me know what CAG was working on. I chatted with Mark shortly thereafter and expressed my interest in purchasing a 1911 in 9mm.

SSD: Which model did you get from CAG?

Mac: Their Trenton 9.

SSD: What was the thought process that went into the specific features of the Blaze Ops 1911?

Mac: It is essentially a replica of the 1911 I used while serving in USASOC.

SSD: Mark, what were your thoughts on the features Mac wanted for the Blaze Ops edition?

Mark: I think Pat nailed it with what he felt a 1911 should be equipped with. From the uniquely blended one piece arched main spring housing, extended mag release, cocking serrations, flat top slide, fiber optic front and rear sights and proprietary coating. The Blaze Ops edition is a well-balanced tactical handgun.

SSD: Mac, after you took delivery of the Blaze Ops pistol, what were your initial thoughts on it?

Mac: I became instantly enamored.

SSD: I saw that you ran the pistol in a recent class you taught at the Panteao facility in SC, then used the same pistol for your upcoming Sentinel video from Panteao. Now that you’ve been putting the pistol through the paces, what do you think of it now?

Mac: I shoot for a living and do not shoot much for pleasure. This gun has reignited my love for shooting.

SSD: That says a lot. I have to ask… people always comment on social media about the high prices for premium 1911s like the Blaze Ops version. What do you say to those folks?

Mac: Quality is never cheap but it is often bargained. Good isn’t cheap and cheap isn’t good. These guns are custom built with American steel and every part is made and numbered for that specific gun.

SSD: When will the Blaze Ops Edition be available for purchase?

Mark: We are taking orders now for it. There are only 25 being built and Mac has the first one, so there are 24 left. Of those, a handful are already pre-sold. We expect to start shipping them in February.

SSD: Gentlemen, thank you for taking the time out to talk about your project.

carolinaarmsgroup.com
tmacsinc.com
panteao.com

USMC Fields M38 Squad Designated Marksman Rifle

Tuesday, December 26th, 2017

ABA5C741-76E0-43ED-96B6-5D88AC1785BF

Back in May we told you that the US Marine Corps planned to field M27 Infantry Automatic Rifles Equipped with 3-9x scopes as Squad Designated Marksman Rifles. Apparently, work began not long after and units are now equipped with the rifle, designated as the M38. The Marines adopted the 5.56mm M27 in 2011 to replace the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon in the infantry squad. The M27 is manufactured by Heckler & Koch and is based on the HK416.

B9A284C6-2D86-48DD-A26B-9174DA1024B1

The optic actually used has been identified as the Leupold TS-30A2 Mark 4 MR/T 2.5-8x36mm with a tuned Mk262 77gr turret. Interestingly, the Marines are supposed to transition to the M855A1 round this year.

E2F7AD30-0DB0-4147-98D8-0C7C68C144AE

In these photos, Marines with 3rd Battalion 8th Marine Regiment fire the M38 Squad Designated Marksmanship Rifle during a live-fire weapons exercise at range F-18 on Camp Lejeune, NC, Dec. 8, 2017. Photos by LCpl Michaela R. Gregory.

The 2017 Magpul Block Leave Extravaganza Grand Prize Winner Is…

Tuesday, December 26th, 2017


Last week we hosted a great giveaway by our friends at Magpul. They gave away 15 sets of the following:

3 PMAG® GEN M3™ PMAGs
3 PMAG® 21 GL9™ PMAGs
1 PMAG® D-60™ AR/M4 PMAG
1 MS4® DUAL QD SLING GEN2
3 MAGPUL T-SHIRTs
1 MAGPUL™ TEJAS “EL ORIGINAL” GUN BELT
1 pair of MAGPUL CORE™ TECHNICAL GLOVEs
1 of each size MAGPUL DAKA POUCHES and DAKA WALLETs

One of those lucky 15 was randomly selected to win the bonus grand prize of one of each garment from the Spring ‘18 apparel line of clothing.

That lucky guy is Keenan Bowman.

Congratulations to Keenan and thank you to everyone who participated. A special thanks to Magpul for making this happen!

TYR Tactical Is An Official Sponsor Of SIG Range Day 2018

Tuesday, December 26th, 2017

Mobile Showroom & Innovate or Die® Tour Stop
Each year SIG SAUER welcomes over 1,500 invited guests to the Clark County Shooting Complex in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is an exclusive opportunity to test the latest SIG SAUER products and to get a closer look at how SIG SAUER is becoming the complete weapons systems provider, combining firearms with optics, silencers, ammunition, airguns, and accessories.

For the second year in a row, we are proud to announce that TYR Tactical® is an Official Sponsor of SIG Range Day 2018. Attendees will have the opportunity checkout the Innovate or Die® Tour and Mobile Showroom on January 21st – 22nd. This event is closed to the public.

What is the TYR Tactical® Innovate or Die® Tour & Mobile Showroom?
We understand that to create Mission-Adaptable Gear, one has to spend a tremendous amount of time and resources on R&D – making sure that the feel, comfort and ergonomics of our products are right for our customers. To better serve this mission we have created the TYR Tactical® Mobile Showroom. This completely custom 44’ trailer was designed to travel across the country so we can better show our complete breadth of products. For the first time customers will have a hands-on experiences with TYR Tactical® Pouches, Body Armor, Belts, Revere K9™ Products and Huron™ Clothing & Packs. They will also get a chance to view products before their release and provide feedback on existing products.

Tdi-Arms – New AKM-L Minimalist AK Lower Handguard

Tuesday, December 26th, 2017

Tdi-Arms AKM-L

6234265C-5CBA-4D05-99ED-78EB6A4AF5E8

The AK world is divided into two camps: PURISTS & MODERNISTS. Tdi-Arms wants to breach this gap by creating products in the true Kalashnikov way: Simple, Rugged and Functional.

BC0D0824-150E-4CE1-A81A-EA4507D662AE

The AKM-L Lower handguard has a non intrusive design that will look great on a modernized as well as classic wood variants, retaining the AK look without over ”bubbaing” it.

F11A495F-6D00-440D-A982-C4728A60414F

Made from T6160 aluminum with a left side QD socket, it fits perfectly with the Ultimak gas tube.

FEDF42D5-43C3-495A-B20F-7C7ACE21088B

The AKM-L is in production and will be available in just a few weeks.

Specs:

T6160 Aluminum

M-Lok attachment system

Weight: 100g

Equipped with a left side QD socket

FITS: All standard AK stamped receivers Saiga/Wasr/Arsenal

Does not fit: Milled receivers/Yugo/Vepr

MSRP: $99.00

The AKML will be available trough the Tdi-Arms
Website www.tdi-arms.com and trough their dealers.

To become a Tdi-Arms dealer please contact them at info@tdi-arms.biz / evgeny@tdi-arms.biz

Gunner’s Fact or Fiction: Semi vs. Automatic

Tuesday, December 26th, 2017

U.S. Marines, CWO5 Christian Wade, 2nd Marine Division Gunner, and Cpl Gerald Tredo, 3/6 infantryman, compare shot groups while firing on semi-automatic and full automatic at various distances on October 18, 2017 at Camp Lejeune. The intent is to provide guidelines on when it is most appropriate to use semi automatic and full automatic when suppressing an enemy. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Bethanie Ryan)

What Did You Get For Christmas?

Monday, December 25th, 2017

I received a Survival Knife by Law Tactical and Winkler Knives.

15D4F9D7-D3A8-435C-9F8B-2DB9DB109082

What did you get?

MATBOCK Monday – Reaper Hunting Vest

Monday, December 25th, 2017

Hunting Harness_2_600x600

MATBOCK and Reaper Outdoors are proud to announce the release of the Reaper Hunting Vest. Designed for the hunting enthusiast, it includes a Rhodesian style chest rig, main hunt pouch with integrated hand warmer, a large multi-purpose pouch, ideal for a small puffy layer, a small multi-purpose pouch for smaller items, a shear pouch, a thermacell pouch, and a dip can pouch. All of the pouches and chest rig are made with MATBOCK’s ghost and ghost lite materials and attach via their patent pending TAB system to make the system ultra lightweight, waterproof, and durable. The Hunt Vest Kit is available now in MultiCam and can be purchased as an entire kit or each part individually.

Kit Includes the following:
Rhodesian style chest rig
Main hunt pouch with integrated hand warmer
Large multi-purpose pouch
Small multi-purpose pouch
Shear pouch
Thermacell pouch
Dip can pouch

www.matbock.com/collections/hunting