It’s been almost a year to the day since we introduced you to V-lite. At this year’s SHOT Show they introduced the Manta Strobe. A lot of work has gone into this piece of equipment. It velcros to the helmet and the chassis is smooth without any sharp edges to catch on equipment, obstacles, or shroud lines. Additionally, the base is slightly curved to follow the profile of the helmet. What’s more, it’s about half the size of an MS-2000. It is both a visible Green light and IR strobe and does not require a filter. Rather, by simultaneously depressing both side buttons the output is changed. Finally, the on/off switch features vibrating feedback to let you know it is on.
We got quite a few requests asking for a better photo of The Manta so here you go.
What started out as a design exercise has turned into a practical work of art. Magpul designers took a Buell 1125R sport bike and decided to keep the parts they loved which included the fuel body, engine, swing arm and frame and develop new parts to complement the design. After Buell shut down last year the project took on the moniker ‘Ronin’ to pay homage to the Samurai warrior without a master.
They developed a new four bar linkage, mono-shock, airbox, and radiator with some sick running light accents.
They knew the project would raise a lot of interest so Magpul set up a website specifically for the project. Visit MagpulRonin.com for all of the inside scoop.
Sponsored by AAC, Remington, Bushmaster, Crye Precision, Magpul, Maxim Magazine, and Patron Tequila, last night’s party was held at the Voodoo lounge, high atop the Rio. Someone slipped us a little taste of festivities.
I have it on good authority that Reed Knight was rocking out to the smooth sounds of MiniKISS singing appropriately enough, “Love Gun.” Who would have known? Also on hand were 18 of Maxim magazine’s finest. Sorry folks, no incriminating evidence there. What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
Just in time for SHOT Show, Magpul launches their new website. You can also sign up to download the 2010 catalog. And yes, it’s true, Magpul IS making a cover for the iPhone. At $9.95, these are gonna sell like hot cakes.
FNH USA has added the Tactical model to their lineup. Originally developed for the U.S. Joint Combat Pistol Program the FNP-45 Tactical offers the standard FNP-45 ACP performance plus a host of unique features. The 5.3” stainless steel barrel has a threaded muzzle to accept a sound suppressor or compensator and features an integrated mil Std 1913 rail.
The pistol features ambidextrous magazine and slide releases. Additionally, the backstrap is modular and can be swapped out. The sights are configured with a green dot front post and yellow rear dots in order to ensure proper sight alignment in the dark. Both the frame and slide are finished in Flat Dark Earth. The stainless steel slide also accommodates mounting bases for optional red dot electronic sights. Each FNP-45 Tactical comes with three 15-round magazines as well as an Eagle tactical soft case.
The pistol will be on display in the FNH USA booth #13060 at SHOT Show.
Archangel Armor will be displaying their Internal Frame Load Bearing Armor (IFLBA) with numerous partners throughout SHOT Show. Additionally, they will conduct demonstrations and be available for questions and answers at the Source One Distributors booth. Archangel just completed a load study with the North Carolina State Ergonomics Lab and will conduct a formal release of this data after SHOT Show.
If you are thinking that Wiley X has boring styles you are thinking wrong. They are launching the new Black Ops line at SHOT Show (booth #20220) and this is nothing like they have done before. The lineup features 8 new frame styles. I was able to preview 3 of those styles and the wrap around Revolvrs are not only comfortable and good looking, they have become my daily wear sunglasses. Check out www.wileyx.com/blackops for information as it becomes available.
Blackheart international will be handing out free copies of the premier issue of “The Blackheart Sentinel”. This newspaper-style quarterly features articles on Blackheart International’s products, services provided by Mid-Atlantic Training Resources, as well as other articles of interest to the tactical community. Issue 1 will feature some surprises in particular including new products for the RPG as well as an in-depth look at Blackheart’s new line of custom BHI-15s.
TAG’s Shellback Tactical division is set release six new products at SHOT Show including a new Cobra Buckle riggers belt that is said to be priced lower than anyone in the industry.
They are also unveiling the BANSHEE but all they will release is the name. I can’t wait to see what it is. Stop by the TAG booth #25411 at SHOT and see for yourself.
From the get go, EOTAC wanted to do a knife to complement their clothing styles so they went to knife making legend Ernest Emerson to produce the EOG-1 (Elite operator Grade). Emerson designed a custom blade design crafted from 154CM premium Stainless Tool Steel hardened to 57 Rockwell with a partial serration. The EOG-1 also features G10 scales and Titanium liner lock.
The production knife will only be available with the partially serrated blade like the Black variant above. The A-TACS version below is a prototype shown so that you can see how it will look with the camo finish. The knife will be available only through EOTAC and select EOTAC dealers and quantities will be limited. It will be offered in Black, Khaki, OD Green, and A-TACS.
EOTAC has a whole slew of new stuff coming for SHOT in booth #11456. Hopefully, we will be able to give you a couple of more sneak peeks before the show kicks off.
Colt, perennial manufacturer of the M16/M4 family of small arms as well as a line of quality Law Enforcement and civilian versions is launching a new division at SHOT Show. Colt Tactical will focus on bringing Colt firearms to the masses in a new way. Their new website to launch during SHOT show is very interactive and will allow the customer to order his rifle online and have it shipped directly to his FFL holder. Expect to see a few new variants to coincide with the launch of this new venture. In addition to complete rifles we are hoping that you will be able to purchase complete upper and lower assemblies as well as parts.
If you are in the market for a Mil Spec gun, Colt is the place to get it. Like they say; “There’s quality and there’s Colt quality.” Look for www.coltactical.com to launch soon and don’t forget to visit Colt at SHOT Show in booth #12629.
One of my favorite annual events is picking up my 2010 Blackheart International calendars at SHOT Show and getting it personalized for one of my sons. Of course, mine goes to my son. At least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
So when you are at SHOT Show this year be sure to stop by booth #20040 and pick up one for a “friend” and an extra one for a friend or relative who couldn’t make it. For those of you who won’t be at SHOT Show this year you can order a copy from www.BHIgear.com.
Outdoor clothing producer, Sitka Gear has updated their site to include the products released at SHOT show earlier this year. Of particular note are the additions to their Necessities line which include the Traverse Balaclava, Stormfront Gaiter, Bomber belt, as well as the Jetstream Hat, Beanie, and Gloves (seen below).
In addition to several solid colors and hunting patterns, Sitka was one of the first companies to incorporate W.L Gore’s Optifade pattern.
To check out their entire line visit them on the web.
Down East unveiled its newest generation three FASTmag at SHOT Show ‘09.
As with eariler generations, the new FASTmag is being produced by ITW, but this newest iteration is being offered in two variants. One version is designed specifically to be used with MOLLE, and the other features a slider bar to allow belt attachment. Additionally, a new attachment system has been incorporated into the design and allowances made to stack FASTmags on one another or with MOLLE attachments including MALICE clips. They are currently in production by ITW and available for order. Look for more in-depth coverage later this week.
A combination of high tech fabrics and design features not found in other hunting brands garnered Sitka a “Field and Stream Best of the Best Award” for 2008. At SHOT Show they unveiled new designs.
One product that caught my eye is their softshell Celsius Vest. Unfortunately there don’t seem to be many options for decent tactical softshell vests but the Celsius looks like a good balance between simplicity and performance..
While commercial camo patterns might not fit your use, aside from the currently available Realtree AP and Mothwing Mountain Mimicry, they also offer most styles in solid colors and often at a lower price point than their camo offerings.
Designed as a replacement for the issue PVS 14 rhino arm adapter, the Dual Dovetail Adapter attaches to the PVS 14 and allows it to connect to any mount accepting a dove tail style socket such as the PVS 15, 18, and 21. It features a shut off mechanism, moisture resistant construction to prevent electrical shorts, and flips around to accommodate right or left eye use. I checked it out at SHOT Show. Good stuff.
Eye Tactical unveiled their Universal Helmet Mount at SHOT Show in Orlando.
Designed to mount to the rear bolts on a PASGT or MICH style helmet (separate models), the UHM features 27 points to mount a wide variety of ancillary items to the helmet. For a couple of ideas, check out the picture. The UHM is manufactured from a high impact polymer and available in Black, Foliage, and Coyote.
It almost seemed like the proverbial fish out of water, a mannequin in tactical diver dress amid a veritable sea of guns and camouflage. Nestled between OTB Boots and Watershed MTP, the Rapid Diver Tactical 2.0 system from Zeagle offers a compact diving rig to the tactical community. While it is much more than just an emergency diving rig, it is well suited to that task. It is lightweight and features a small chest mounted bottle to make it easier to navigate tight spaces. Additionally, the tank can be refilled from other tanks. The design was optimized for rapid donning and fits a wide variety of body sizes. The BC also integrates MOLLE webbing. It is an excellent option for use as a back up rig or for operations where dive capabilities may be needed for emergencies.
Granite Gear was well represented at SHOT Show. In addition to their current line of packs and pouches they unveiled a few new items. Additionally, Multicam was prominent in their line.
Lightweight stuff sacks in various sizes were displayed.
Granite Gear also unveiled their new IMAG Interlocking Magazine Pouch system. In addition to a PALS compatible backing, the pouches integrate a hinge style system to attach adjacent pouches to one another. A stiffened web “pin” is inserted into the interwoven loops of each pouch. The pouch’s flap closes with a tabbed closure system very similar to the one used on the M-14 magazine pouch of the M-1956 load carrying system except that the materials are modern.
Also on display was the Chief Patrol pack selected as the new Patrol Pack for SOCOM. The issue ruck will have a few changes from the stock item including changes in direction for zippers, improved hydration interfaces as well as other unspecified alterations.
The Granite Gear Tactical line is distributed by SMG Tactical.
The Multi-Use Rail and Light Mount (MURLM) from Tactical Night Vision Company was designed to integrate a mini red dot (MRD) and a flashlight into a single mount.
TNVC used the following design guidelines when developing the MURLM.
1. To eliminate the “chin welds” of MRD’s mounted high at the 12 o’clock positions and enable the shooter to
maintain a low profile and a solid platform especially while shooting on the move.
2. To offset an MRD at an optimum angle that would only require a very small rifle cant or “look-over” while
maintaining the same cheek weld and could also be used while employing a gas mask. (Specifically the M53).
3. Combine this mounting solution with a lightweight flashlight to avoid separate mounts on a weapon.
4. The flashlight portion of the mount needed to be offset for VG wrap-around activation and also incorporate a very
fast and strong QD system that a user could hand hold light weight lights (i.e. G2’s) and/or attach and remove a
light from the weapon in very short order.
5. The ring system of the light needed to be low profile to transition to a hand hold fighting light if needed that was
easily removed from the weapon.
The MURLM mounts to any Mil Std 1913 rail via a hex screw hard mounting solution which includes a recoil lug for maintaining zero of any optic mounted. 1” variable sized low profile light ring with a proprietary quick detach system. This system uses a small tab release system that releases light from the front of the MURLM.
We took a look at the mount at SHOT Show and it is fantastic. Many other attendees were able to get a hands on feel for the MURLM in the Aimpoint booth where it sported a T-1.
The MURLM is available directly from TVNC. They also have some great deals on packages including Sure Fire lights and Aimpoint T-1s.
Can you imagine owning a light that was designed to hand down to your grand children? Tired of buying batteries? Weary of requiring multiple lights due to charging cycles? If your answer to any of these questions was “yes”, then you need to take a look at 5.11 Tactical’s latest product unveiled at the recent SHOT Show in Orlando.
The Light for Life was developed in conjunction with IVUS Energy Innovations, the makers of Flashpoint™ Power Technology. Utilizing a revolutionary design the Light for Life relies on three ultra capacitors rather than traditional batteries. The capacitors are rated for 50,000 charge/discharge cycles (a charge a day for more than 135 years) with virtually no degradation.
One of the most amazing points about the light is that it charges in 90 seconds. This means, it can be recharged virtually anywhere power is available.
The lamp consists of three LEDs rated for over 50,000 hours (40 hours a week for over 24 years) and features three outputs:
-90 lumens for 90 minutes and then 25 lumens for 30 additional minutes
-270 lumens for 30 minutes dropping to 25 lumens for an additional 30 minutes
-Strobe
The Light for Life will float and is waterproof to 3 meters.
The Light for Life flashlight is unlike anything we’ve seen in or out of the tactical industry. At $169.99 it’s a steal. After all, with stats like that, it’s designed to outlast you. The only downside is that they aren’t available until the end of May. The light will come with a charger and belt ring.
In addition to Magpul’s veritable plethora of upcoming black rifle accouterments, Magpul Dynamics debuted their new Ambidextrous Sling Adapter Plate (ASAP) and Multi Mission Sling System (MS2).
The ASAP is an innovative sling plate that allows the sling to swivel a full 270 degrees to facilitate transitions from right to left hand.
The MS2 is an adaptable sling that can be used as a single or two point point sling. It features an innovative buckle to quickly facilitate the conversion. The MS2 attaches to the ASAP with a snap shackle and the new buckle connects to a ring on the sling for single point carry or to a forthcoming rail mounted sling attachment point for a two point style.
