We go all the way to the UK for the 2014 Hot Shots Calendar shoot and who do we run into but Griff from Combat Flip Flops? Good thing we did because he showed us two new models created especially for Edgar Brothers.
The men’s model on the left is the Pussy Galore and the ladies’ model is the Moneypenny.
Look for these Spring 2014.
Everyone knew that the tactical industry was bound to get smaller as the war winds down. At one point, business was almost too easy. It wasn’t just spearing fish in a barrel. If you had gear ready to deliver, the fish literally jumped into your boat. But those days are over. And, with them comes the inevitable. Companies are going to close. Others will change strategies and expectations and survive.
Yet, the are two additional stressors on industry that are avoidable, yet doing some serious damage. The first is sequestration. The Government and particular, the military, long industry’s largest single customer, isn’t buying much. Not for lack of need, but for lack of cash. And the blame for that lies with forces outside their control; politics. Reportedly, sequestration has caused the second stressor; the delay in announcing the US Army’s new family of camouflage patterns.
Many companies have figured out that they have to switch back to a pre-war, retail-based business model. But now, even that is fraught with problems. Normally, the purchase of many Soldier System items would fall back on the individual as the military itself stops buying. Individual service members would buy socks, boots, daypacks, eyepro, gloves, flashlights, knives, etc. with their own cash. Soldiers universally abhor the current issue Universal Camouflage Pattern and according to the Army itself, they don’t want it anymore either. But due to the delay Army’s in announcing new camo, Soldiers in particular are wont to spend money on anything lest they buy the wrong pattern. And this has many in industry worried.
The retail market isn’t the only side that is skittish over Army camouflage. For the Government, DLA has delayed several procurements in anticipation of a new camouflage. But even then, crunch time is coming for some commodities that will have to be purchased before the Army runs out. At the very least, Soldiers will need uniforms.
You see, no one wants to be left holding the bag, ie a huge inventory of fabric or finished goods in UCP. Already, it’s practically being given away in fire sales by vendors. Manufacturers are afraid to order fabric because they fear the few orders for UCP they have will be cancelled at any any moment as the client specifies delivery in the new pattern. As one industry insider put it, “the supply chain is getting crushed due to lack of orders on top of drawdown and sequestration.”
The longer the Army delays announcement of a new camouflage pattern, the more it hurts the industrial base it relies on. Additionally, the Army is forced to purchase clothing and equipment that will have to be abandoned after the switch. And finally, delays impact readiness. The American Soldier (as well as members of other services/organizations that must use Army camouflage) deserve to use effective camouflage.
I received this update from Legion Firearms last night and wanted to share it. I’m waiting on a rifle myself, I ordered right after SHOT Show. These issues aren’t limited to Legion Firearms. Everybody is feeling the limited availability of certain parts. The photos are of the LF4 MOD 1 and MOD 2 to give you an idea of some of the things they are doing to support demand.
In 1914 Ernest Shackleton was recruiting for what would eventually be called the Imperial Trans- Antarctic Expedition. His pitch included the following statement: “Officers wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages. Bitter cold. Long months of complete darkness. Constant danger. Safe return doubtful. Honor and recognition in case of success.”
Legion Firearms believes candor is a Good Thing, even if the facts aren’t particularly palatable. We want to put the best weapon possible in your hands, but we’ve been having trouble doing so. We’ve made mistakes, been hobbled by others’ mistakes and hampered by our suppliers’ constraints, but we’ve striven to rectify the former and are working to mitigate the latter.
Legion builds guns every day but Sunday. We shipped 15 rifles last week, 15 the week before and will ship at least that many this week. Our ability to produce a finished weapon is entirely dependent upon certain components—current demand and our exacting standards decrease.
To that end we’ve sourced new manufacturers and built new facilities. Hundreds of uppers, lowers and other parts will now be built in-house. Eventually we’ll own almost all production ourselves, but will remain limited by the limits of man hours worked and our quality control.
Availability for current backlogged orders: the LF-10D is not in stock; buyers are looking at a solid 8 weeks before they are. Unfortunately one of the major players bought up all 7.62 BCGs and they’re just now starting to trickle in. We encountered a similar problem with the LF-4. When FN shipped the CHF barrels to our supplier they sent carbine length rather than mid-length barrels. We’re acquiring CHF barrels from quality sources, but supply is limited. We’ve created the LF4 MOD1 and MOD2 by customer request to speed delivery times, but the LF-15C and LF-15D will still come sooner (though that may still be 12-14 weeks). Our barrel supplier’s factory was shuttered by a Land Reclamation act earlier this year, and though we’re receiving lots of barrels we’re keenly aware that we are way behind where we hoped we’d be.
“In a month or so we’ll literally have hundreds of parts coming off our own line,” says Adam Morehead, CEO of Legion Firearms. “We’ll be providing 15Ds and 15Cs in greater quantity than ever have before. The 15 Deltas particularly will be shipping in great numbers. There’ss just no way to build faster and maintain our level of consistent quality. Lead time for new orders is a solid 20 weeks.”
LF series rifles will remain available on a first come, first served basis. As hard as we’re working to catch up with demand, we would still urge those interested to order now and mitigate the delay. We appreciate your understanding.
Respectful regards,
The Staff of Legion Firearms
Even though Congress is telling the US military to get their act together regarding camouflage and combat uniforms, industry is recognizing the innovative Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (over 10 years on from its creation, mind you).
Established in 1979, the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists’ Millson Award recognizes an outstanding invention’s merits and its impact on the US textile, fiber, polymer and medical industries.
For the very first time, the award went to a government team for “Counter surveillance camouflage patterns for a variety of military environments.”
Receiving the award earlier this year on behalf of the Government were Lt Col Gabriel Patricio (Ret), Infantry Combat Equipment program manager, known as PM ICE, at Marine Corps Systems Command and GySgt John Heisterman, chief instructor, Scout Sniper School, Training and Education Command, both at Quantico along with scientists Luisa C. DeMorais, Deidre Townes, and Anabela Dugas from the Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center in Massachusetts.
In addition to the unique MARPAT camouflage, the AATC award committee also noted the MCCUU’s innovative layout as well as the incorporation of permethrin to fight insects.
Defense Logistics Support, Inc. (DLSI) announced that Allan Cameron has joined Defense Logistics Support, Inc. as a Partner, Board Member and Executive Board Chairman following his retirement from Thales USA, Inc. as President & CEO. He joined Thales in January 2005 leading the Naval Division of Thales, UK, and was appointed President & CEO of Thales, USA, Inc. in May of 2006 until his retirement. Under his leadership, Cameron spearheaded major transformation initiatives in the U.S. to ensure sustainable growth and allow Thales to maintain competitiveness in current markets. His forward thinking strategy led to four significant acquisitions in the U.S. which resulted in a diversified defense and security portfolio.
Prior to his appointment to Thales , Cameron had a two decade plus extensive and distinguished career with General Dynamics Corporation, serving in his last position with them as President of Bath Iron Works Corporation.
“Allan Cameron joining the DLSI Team is truly a blessing for the company”, said Trevor J. Kracker, President & CEO, Defense Logistics Support, INC. (DLSI). “Allan’s vast experience in the Aerospace and Defense field will give the DLSI team a competitive edge in the market place that we will need moving forward. DLSI will grow in several different areas it is currently exploring as a result of Allan’s experience. We look forward to working with and learning from Allan moving forward.”
Congratulations!
Emissive Energy Corp. is pleased to announce the addition of Abner Miranda to its INFORCE® brand sales staff. Mr. Miranda comes to INFROCE with six years in law enforcement and eight years as an independent writer for various firearms and law enforcement magazines. Aside from his skills as a writer and photographer, Mr. Miranda is also a tactical rifle instructor, an FBI trained Hostage Negotiator, a Spanish Interpreter, and an AR-15 designer / armorer. He also has experience in designing law-enforcement equipment and brings a critical eye that is specific to the needs of the everyday law enforcement officer.
Congratulations Abner!
TNVC just released this great promotional video produced by Panteao Productions featuring many of their products in action.
Visit www.tnvc.com and ‘Like” them on Facebok at www.facebook.com/tnvcinc
This just in from McMillan Group International‘s Facebook Page. McMillan had a heck of a time with Bank of America, prompting them to look for alternative means to handle their transactions.
McMillan Merchant Solutions, LLC
We are getting close. I have chosen a name, McMillan Merchant Solutions, LLC, have signed a contract with a processing company which is behind our industry 100%. As a matter of fact when I told them that I wanted to donate a percentage of my revenue to any number of industry and 2nd Amendment supporting organizations, they told me they will match me dollar for dollar. That indeed help me to trust that they all willing to put their money where their mouth is just as I am.
I will have a list of organization that I will be willing to donate to and I will let the customer suggest to whom I will make a donation.
I have NRA, NSSF, SCI and Dallas Safari Club. I would like some suggestions as to who else should be on the list. I am thinking we should have 6 choices but if there are more good choices than that, I will consider adding to the list.
Come on everyone, tell me who you would like to see on the list.
Tell them what you think here.
We recently recommended the Arc’teryx LEAF Talos LT Halfshell and we just got these photos from Haley Strategic Partners that give you some good all around shots of the Talos LT to help you get a better feel for it. As it turns out there are a whole lot of other great products in these photos like carbines from Bravo Company USA featuring parts from B5 Systems as well as armor carriers and pouches from Mayflower Research and Consulting along with holsters from G-Code. You may also notice a lot of Kryptek camouflage in these photos including some cool custom combat pants from Australia’s Platatac, not to mention some interesting gloves from Outdoor Research.
