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SMRT Direct Action Grip to Premier at SHOT Show 2018

Enhanced Tactical Arms, LLC, will be premiering the SMRT Direct Action Grip at SHOT Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, January 23–26, 2018. Demo units can be viewed at the KG Industries Display (Booth 20426). Augee Kim, ETA representative and contributor to the popular “Vickers Guide AR15” series of books, will be present between 12:00 and 2:45 PM daily to demonstrate employment techniques and answer questions about the SMRT Direct Action Grip. KG Industries team member Travis Pierce will also be available to answer questions throughout the day when Augee is not available. Any interested parties, including military, media, and dealers can also schedule private meetings or demonstrations by contacting the staff of Enhanced Tactical Arms at sales@etac-arms.com.

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Replica USSOCOM Colt M4A1 with Visual Augmentation System Accessories

The Sympathetic Movement Reduction Technique (SMRT) Direct Action Grip is a revolutionary AR15 pistol grip design which integrates a remote switch for activating a tactical light or laser that is easy to access and use, yet sufficiently recessed to prevent accidental light/laser discharges. The patented SMRT Direct Action Grip frees the shooter’s support hand while allowing ambidextrous activation of force multiplying devices. The SMRT Direct Action Grip uses existing pressure switches currently in US military inventories, which eliminates many of the risks and cost involved with wireless activation. The SMRT Direct Action Grip is constructed out of aircraft-grade aluminum and is compatible with most common MILSPEC pressure switches. The SMRT Direct Action Grip has been employed operationally by USASOC components, Special Forces Aviation, Air Force Pararescue, and civilian SWAT teams. It is compatible with any weapon that accepts an AR15, M4, or HK416 style grip. ETA will be collecting buyer information throughout SHOT Show and expects to take preorders in the spring.

SMRT Direct Action Grip Capabilities

• Gives AR15 and M4 users the ability to activate an accessory with their trigger hand
• Frees up the support hand, increasing efficiency in time-critical situations
• Allows the user to activate a secondary accessory simultaneously
• Provides a free hand for radio utilization or working dog control
• Increases capability while physically escorting or searching individuals
• Provides a free hand for Self-Aid/Buddy Care or casualty extraction
• Allows a user to open or secure doors during dynamic entry without sacrificing the ability to engage using force multipliers

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Replica HK416 with SMRT Direct Action Grip (with Maritime Finish)
Photo courtesy Augee Kim

SMRT Direct Action Grip Features

• Switch depth minimizes risk of inadvertent light or laser activation
• Employment of the inset switch does not disrupt shooter’s grasp on the weapon
• Grip profiling and geometry is designed to be consistent with modern service pistols to provide superior comfort and to improve consistency when operating different weapons
• Switch removal/replacement does not require an armorer, grip removal, or special tools
• Anti-skid pattern backstrap can be fitted with concealable IR glint tape
• Switch mount can carry marking strobes (IR or visual) or other electronics packages
• Available with a high traction composite maritime finish

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Replica GUU-5P (Cutaway to Show Visual Strobe Installation)

SMRT Direct Action Grip Technical Characteristics

• Compatible with most NSN pressure switches smaller than 3 x .8 x .2 inches
• 3.8 oz 6061 T6 aircraft aluminum body is five times stronger than plastic
• Available in MIL-STD 8625 anodize & KG Kote finishes and optimized for user-applied spray paint
• Operational mission-specific grip tape allows customization to meet user requirements
• Kit allows one handed weapon/laser activation with only a 4.2 oz increase in weight
• Based on “hands on throttle-and-stick” concept used in fighter aircraft
• Employs aerospace manufacturing techniques used in F-22 & F-35 fighters
• ITAR compliant (some features not available for civilian & foreign sales)

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SMRT Direct Action Grip Technical Features
Image courtesy Tactical Applications Group, LLC

The SMRT Direct Action Grip provides users with a one-of-a-kind capability, giving the individual a free hand in critical situations. It can improve speed and efficiency when executing small team tactics, provide the ability to conduct laser designation while operating communication systems, and improve tactical flexibility for dog handlers. Designed and manufactured by combat veterans, the SMRT Direct Action Grip has been employed in training, law enforcement, and combat operations. Any interested parties (including military, media, and dealers) can schedule private meetings or demonstrations by contacting Enhanced Tactical Arms via email at sales@etac-arms.com and are invited to see the demo units at the KG Industries Display throughout the week (Booth 20426).

© Copyright 2018 by Dr. Earl W. Burress, Jr. (Tactical Applications Group, LLC) & printed with permission by Soldier Systems. SMRT Direct Action Grip Patent Number US 8,752,321 B2.

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13 Responses to “SMRT Direct Action Grip to Premier at SHOT Show 2018”

  1. minn-kota says:

    Makes more sense than the company that “invented” light activation by simply resting your finger on your trigger.

    And they’ll no doubt have a SHOT booth this year, again.

  2. AbnMedOps says:

    Looks like it might be a pretty good item, but the description is a little flamboyant. I wonder if those “aerospace manufacturing techniques used in F-22 & F-35 fighters” are the same techniques used by Cessna and beer can manufacturers, ie: bending aluminum into shapes?

    • SSD says:

      You mean like those beer cans with integrated circuits?

    • Augee_ETAC says:

      We wish it was as simple as just bending aluminum! In order to capture the complex geometries involved in machining a pistol grip that is not only functional, but comfortable to hold, we needed to draw upon the experience of designers that were involved in the production of F-22 and F-35 components to produce the grips.

  3. Adun says:

    So with this you could either run a light or a laser PTT through the grip, but the other PTT would still have to be in a more traditional place correct correct?

    • Augee_ETAC says:

      Correct, the Direct Action Grip is currently only able to support a single device switch due to the requirement to use currently existing OEM remote switches within the pistol grip’s architecture. Future developments are being planned, but, pardon the pun, there is currently no ETA.

  4. BobCo says:

    I’ve used the grip. It’s fantastic. You have great retention on the weapon, it’s intuitive to use, and has an ergonomic fit in your palm. The aerospace techniques mentioned are human factor based. The idea is that you don’t have to adjust your hold to activate systems. Like a missile system on a fighter. I love this product. I can’t wait to pre-order.

  5. Kaja says:

    So, DG switch for rifle? Nice

  6. d says:

    Kill it with fire.

  7. Ross says:

    I don’t know, it seems like a lot of rigging and added equipment just to get your control on the pistol grip. Looks like an early 2000’s type of project that’s just now coming to light. Also, you would have to slightly move your hand to hit the pressure pad whether on the pic rail, or moved to the pistol grip. My cloud defensive pressure pad holder seems to work just fine with a lot less added junk. And the MAWL handeled it pretty eleganty as well.

    • Augee_ETAC says:

      There have certainly been some excellent developments in the remote switch market recently, however, the Direct Action Grip was designed to solve an entirely different problem than the other switches you mentioned. The main difference between the Direct Action Grip and other remote activation methods is that the Direct Action Grip allows for one-handed activation with the firing hand, giving the user a free support hand for other activities, including but not limited to climbing ladders, handling military working dogs, or using communications systems. We are obviously under no illusions that this a capability that every user will feel that they need—but there are already several user groups who’ve identified this capability as being “handy” to have. Regarding the “rigging,” the driving factors behind the grip’s design was to provide a drop-in solution that was compatible with already existing devices and accessories within an organization’s inventory that did not rely on proprietary devices, interfaces, or wireless activation that can be questionably reliable or not cost-effective, and that would not be rendered obsolete by future generations of devices. The AR-platform provides an addition challenge, as accessories are typically mounted to the handguard/upper receiver, while the pistol grip is located on the lower receiver, and designs such as the HK416/M27 also require handguard removal for regular maintenance, meaning that the remote switch needs to be easily disconnected without the use of tools, but maintain a low snag profile when in use. Routing accessories will be included with the grip kit, and can obviously also be customized by the user according to his or her personal preference.