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Archive for July, 2009

OR Summer Market Part II

Friday, July 24th, 2009

Equipped to Survive

Doug Ritter from Equipped to Survive showed me a sample of his new micro light. It weighs ounces and can easily be clipped to key chains and zipper pulls. The light will be available soon through Adventure Medical Kits.

Mountain Khaki

Mountain Khaki began showing the new Snake River line which consists of a short, pant, and pant with zip-off leg in both men’s and women’s sizing. It is their first foray into synthetics. The UVA/UVB SPF 50+, 100% nylon garments are lightweight and designed to dry quickly. Look for them in early 2010.

Surefire

Last year we unveiled the Saint headlamp and this year we have photos of the new Minimus Saint. Oddly enough, the Minimus will reach the market before the Saint and you should begin to see them within five weeks.

The Minimus Saint can be created from a Saint with a few simple mods which include removing the battery pack and cable. The Minimus runs on a single 123A and provides 0-110 lumens at a lightweight 3.3 ounces. There is an SOS preset for the lamp and the amount of illumination is controlled by a potentiometer. For more info visit www.surefire.com.

Tags: Surefire
Posted in Clothing, Lights, Outdoor Retailer | Comments Off on OR Summer Market Part II

Insight Technologies Mini Red Dot Sight

Friday, July 24th, 2009

The Mini Red Dot Sight is available with 3.5 MOA or 7.0 MOA dot size and is easily adjustable for elevation or windage with 1 MOA positive click adjustments. It also features an auto adjusting dot intensity but offers the shooter a manual dot intensity adjustment with four (4) brightness settings. Waterproof to two atmospheres (66 feet) for two hours, meets all other MIL-STD 810G environmental requirements.

The MRDS is available in Black and FDE. For more info visit Insight Technologies online.

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US Canteen

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

We always find a gem tucked away in a corner at OR. This year we ran across newcomer US Canteen. Inspired the M1910 canteen and cover, their new line of Surgical Steel metal canteens won’t retain nasty flavors.

While there are several different carriers available on the website, the canteens themselves are also for sale. A single wall 24 oz model as well as a 12 oz double wall canteen designed to keep your beverage cool for up to eight hours. Both styles are available in Brushed and Polished models. The cap features a plastic stopper and brass chain. We haven’t seen a quality steel canteen like this since the issue production lines were shut down in the 60s.

For more information visit www.uscanteen.com.

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Outdoor Retailer Summer Market

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

For the next few days we are going to share some information from the OR Summer Market 2009. To kick it off we wanted to share this picture of ADS rep Bill Gassett hamming it up at Deuter’s booth.

Most of the usual suspects were on hand as well.

S.O. Tech has a booth that seems a little off the beaten path but it didn’t deter them releasing their new Adventure Pack System based on their successful Mission Pack System. In addition to the current tactical panels they have developed several specifically for the civilian market and these can easily be transitioned back over for tactical use by those who require more discreet capabilities. Additionally, S.O. Tech debuted their new K9 patch to add to their ever growing family of tactical symbology.

Eagle’s booth was very streamlined and focused primarily on the Waterpoint line was well as several of the new garments they have in production. Word is that the Waterpoint line will be expanding in the future.

Arc’teryx has some great new clothing coming soon on both the LEAF and commercial side. Look for a full report soon. Shown are the Freelance Jacket and Raider Pant. Unfortunately, these two items from the commercial line won’t be available until Spring 2010.

Tags: ADS, Arc'teryx, Deuter, Eagle Industries, S.O. Tech
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M203 Grips

Thursday, July 23rd, 2009

U.S. Tactical Supply offers a line of M203 grips for those that want a similar feel to their standard M16/M4 with rail and foregrip. There are currently three models; Battery handle, Classic Handle, and Tactical Handle. Additionally, they offer a Tactical Light Module with optional Mandrel. All three handles attach to the M203 by clamping around the barrel. No tools are needed. The locking ratchet system works by turning the handle which closes the clamps around the M203 40mm barrel and locks the grip. The locking system is disengaged by pushing a button.

This photo shows a comparison of the various grips to an issue foregrip. (l-r Tactical, Classic, Battery)

The M203 grips are manufactured by RM Equipment, Inc. and CNC machined from Dupont Delrin Â® that combines acetal resin and thermo-elastomers. What is even more interesting is that the grips can also be configured for use directly on a MilStd 1913 rail by swapping out the clamp for the Rail Grip.

U.S. Tactical Supply has information on the entire line of M203 grips on their website and they offer the grips on their GSA schedule.

Tags: M203
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Drop Zone Recce Smock

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

Like their website says, “What’s old is new again”. Smocks? What can I say? I love them. I’ve been wearing them since I traded a poncho liner for an SAS smock on an exercise in Belgium in 89. We’ve never had anything like them here in the US. The closest we can claim comes from our northern neighbors; Canada, where Drop Zone has embraced the concept and taken it to the next level with their Recce Smock.

There are a lot of features here. A full multitude of pockets and a generous cut allow for layering.

Sized in Small through XX-Large, the Recce Smock is generously cut. It is available in a multitude of colors including: CadPatâ„¢ Tw, CadPatâ„¢ Ar, Multicamâ„¢, Tan, Olive Drab, Police Navy Blue, and Swat Black. Additionally, special patterns such as UCP can be produced by special order. This is an attractive option, especially for those downrange as it can still be a little bit of the wild west for outer garments as the Army comes to grips with providing sufficient foul weather garments in UCP.

To order, contact Drop Zone.

Tags: Drop Zone, Multicam, Smock
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Chest Rig Armor Interface Kit

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

Ever wanted to attach your chest rig directly to your armor but wanted to to be able to get it off quickly?

Down Range Gear can help you do just that. Providing more of a service than a product, according the the owner of Down Range Gear, they work directly with the customer to develop a custom product. The goal is to identify the equipment used and deliver a set of buckles customized for the combination of vest and rig along with instructions on how to set it up but just as importantly, how to use it. Using the four to six points of attachment found on most chest rigs they anchor compatible buckles directly to the vest in order to support attachment of the chest rig.

Customer participation is necessary to make the process work and pictures of the vest and the chest rig are almost always required to determine the best course of action. Further customer interaction and input is solicited through the build process in order to ensure a custom fit. With the myriad possible vest and chest rig combinations, there is no definite, single system and end user preference figures heavily in the final product.

Lastly, no matter what happens, Down Range Gear makes every effort to:
1. Not have the customer send any equipment in.
2. Not permanently alter either piece of equipment and ensure the chest rig can continue to be used with the harness as originally designed.
3. Ensure the anchor points and mating solution are easily understood, can be installed by the user and modified or repaired in field conditions.

Turnaround time is typically an astounding two to three days on a project. Only small design houses can provide service like this and it is imperative that we support them whenever possible. For more information on this service as well as the full line of Down Range Gear products, visit them on the web.

Tags: Down Range Gear
Posted in Armor, PALS | Comments Off on Chest Rig Armor Interface Kit

Two Things I Never Thought I’d See

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

Although they share a name, one is a modern take on an old idea and the other is well, just plain different.

The Pistol Bayonet from LaserLyte in conjunction with Ka-Bar knives evokes memories of childhood visits to museums featuring such oddities as muzzle loading pistols festooned with saber-style blades under the barrel. Pistols have been sporting rails for quite awhile now so I guess it was really only a matter of time before someone attached a blade. The 2.75 inch blade fits on medium to large pistols with rails and slides on and off with the press of two buttons. It features a Black Teflon coated carbon steel blade and comes with polymer sheath.

Delta Assault Technologies, Inc. has introduced the Delta Bayonnette. Attach to the business end of a long arm, this non-lethal device stuns with 500,000 volts of electricity (you have to enunciate each syllable of that word when you are talking 500,000 volts). Consisting of a foregrip that attaches to any Picatinny/Weaver style rail and a DAT stun muzzle brake, it is designed to fit primarily M4-style weapons. Yes, those probes sticking off the end of the muzzle brake are the shock barbs. Please note: The product may not be legal in all localities.

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Posted in Black Rifle, Knives, weapons, WTF? | Comments Off on Two Things I Never Thought I’d See