Instructor J.D. Potynsky’s background includes service on an ODA in 3rd Special Forces Group at Ft Bragg, Program Manager and Country Manager in Iraq for a 200 man Private Security Contract, and time as Director of Training for TigerSwan before founding Northern Red.
This is a two day pistol and carbine gunfighting course and everyone I’ve talked to speaks highly of the course and instructor. He usually has a buddy or two along to help with run courses and they will be some of the best shooters out there. You will definitely get your money’s worth. Contact support@greygrouptraining for specifics.
While this course runs several times per year, the next iteration is 3 and 4 December at Trigger Time in Carthage, NC.
Whether you look forward to it or barricade yourself in your home, Black Friday is coming. The beauty of the internet is that you can avoid the crowds and still get in on some great deals.
They’re all at this link, and some are already in play!
Back in April Isaac Cheuk Hang Tse and his office manager, Pao Sheng Yang were charged with manufacturing and selling a counterfeit mark and possession of an assault weapon. Specifically, they were selling counterfeit EOTech sights.
Now, there’s been some justice in this case. According to an EOTech press release –
A Southern California businessman and his office manager have pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit (EOTech) high-tech rifle sights over the Internet. Orange County prosecutors say 65-year-old Isaac Cheuk Hang Tse, a co-owner of Anaheim-based Field Sports, and 34-year-old Pao Sheng Yang pleaded guilty Tuesday to selling counterfeit goods and possessing an assault weapon, both misdemeanors.They were initially charged with felonies. City News Service says Tse was sentenced to 60 days in jail and he was placed on three years’ probation. Yang got 90 days in jail and three years’ probation.Prosecutors say Field Sports manufactured and advertised about 700 counterfeit gun sights and 200 magnifier systems for sale online. EOTech is the United States-based corporation that has the copyright on the manufacture and sale of the sights and magnifiers.
Originally developed for a Government customer, the Squadron Smock is evolved from traditional British designs. FirstSpear sat down with their customers and integrated the features they required for use under combat conditions. These smocks remain one of the most prized possessions of the men who were issued them.
Features
-Hood and Torso lined with gridded fleece
-Hood accommodates helmets
-Hood features drawstring and rear adjustment
-Hood Brim incorporates wire stiffener
-Scrim/Camo attachment points along hood, upper back and waist
-Velcro patches for ID on upper back and bicep pockets
-Removable padding in Cordura reinforced elbows
-2-Way Pit Zips for ventilation
-Pen pockets on both lower sleeves
-Drawstring waist
-Drawstring hem
-2-way Main zipper (closed with Velcro strips as well as Slotted Buttons)
-Snap closure at bottom of main zipper
-Drawstrings feature captive barrel locks for one-handed adjustment
Pockets
Amazingly, the Squadron Smock features a total of 18 pockets!
Here is the breakdown:
2 x Bicep Pockets with Velcro for ID
2 x Cargo Chest Pockets
4 x Cargo Pockets Along Skirt
2 x Zip Closure Exterior Napoleon Pockets
2 x Zip Closure Interior Napoleon Pockets
1 x Exterior Poacher Pocket
3 x Interior Flat Mesh Pockets
2 x Zip Closure Gridded Fleece Lined Handwarmer Pockets
There is an ingenuous pass through at the main zipper flap that allows you to access the left interior Napoleon pocket without opening the main zip. Additionally, there are three flat mesh pockets along the inside of the skirt to store flat items or those that need to be next kept to the body.
Cargo pockets are bellows design and feature drain holes as well as slotted button closures, interior D-rings and tacked corners with pass troughs for dummy cords. Additionally, the pocket flaps are the fold over style for positive closure and Cargo pockets also incorporate drain holes. Additionally, the Cargo and Poacher pockets as well as the main zipper flap rely on large Slotted Buttons which can be handled when wearing gloves or mittens. When paired with slightly undersized buttonholes, it means you won’t have a pocket fly open while in a helo or vehicle. Additionally, the Slotted Buttons are properly attached meaning there isn’t too much play in the ribbon and the buttons have room to slide which helps avoid rips.
Materials
The shell fabric on the Squadron Smock is 330 denier by 3-ply 70 denier Taslanized nylon with Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish. Additionally, it integrates a gridded fleece lining, 330D Cordura elbow reinforcements as well as mesh interior pockets along the skirt. All fasteners are US Mil-Spec from ITW Military Products and zippers from YKK.
General Impressions
Although I haven’t had a lot of experience with this particular smock (just 4 days), I’ve had years of experiences with smocks from a variety of origins. The Squadron Smock is excellent. Due to its construction it is admittedly a 3-season garment. With the fleece lining I feel it would be too warm for warm weather use. However, the fabric is very breathable, has a comfortable hand and feels like Cotton even though it isn’t.
The hood has plenty of room to go over your helmet when needed and features a wired brim. This keeps it stiff so it won’t sag into your eyes and can be formed when needed to form the opening during extreme weather. The hood also has a Velcro adjustment at the rear as well as attachment points for camouflage material that extend down the back of the Smock. Additionally, there is a Velcro patch for ID badges.
I really like the inclusion of Pit Zips. This will help with venting if worn during dismounted patrols. Additionally, the smaller bicep pockets are a welcome relief. They aren’t big enough to overload or have gear flailing around inside.
The Squadron Smock is absolutely built for combat, but…it looks good doing it. Even with all of its features, in the Coyote color, it doesn’t scream military. In a solid color, it looks like a high end, foreign jacket. You’re not going to be the grey man wearing it, simply because it is so feature laden, but you won’t necessarily be made for a guy with a gun.
If I were to change anything it would be to make the pen pockets slightly wider to accommodate larger pens. Additionally, the handwarmer pockets aren’t the deepest or easiest to use. However, considering the overall geometry of the Smock, it would be difficult to alter them without affecting other features.
I recommend the FirstSpear Squadron Smock if you are looking for a cold weather, fully feature laden, combat jacket.
Available for pre-order in Black, Coyote, and MultiCam sizes Small – 2XLarge. Look for deliveries beginning 1 December, 2011.
In conjunction with AmericanSnipers.org, 31 Souls Project has created 3 custom AR-15s for raffle with all the proceeds going to the Special Operations Support Fun created by Arc’ Teryx.. The 31 Souls Project was created in the wake of August 6th, 2011 tragedy when we lost 31 soldiers when their helicopter was shot down over Afghanistan. Joint Forces Enterprises in association with WW Guns and Black Widow Armament as well as many other participants have joined forces to raise money for the families of these fallen heroes.
The rifle model is a 14.5″ Mid-Length Carbine featuring the AR15.com Billet Lower paired with a Ranier Arms Billet Upper. All of the parts are from great companies including: BCM Mod 4 Charging Handle, Illiana Armory 14.5″ Stainless Fluted Barrel, (1:7 Twist with Iliana Armory Lo-Pro Gas Block), Daniel Defense 12″ Lite Rail, Battlecomp 1.5, Troy Industries BUIS (LWRC Marked), Surefire Mini Scout Light with Gear Sector Offset Scout Light Mount, EoTech 551, Gear Sector Handstop and Sling, Magpul Pmags, and a Black Widow Armament NoMar Plate.
Additionally, the prize comes with Contour HD Camera (with mounts), Multitasker Series 2, Arc’Teryx MultiCam Combat Jacket and H150 Riggers Belt, Rudy Project Genetyk kit (shooting glasses), Haley Strategic Adaptive Carbine DVD, Trojan Tactical Kydex Double Mag Pouch, Bradley Custom Concealment Gift Certificate $150.00, ITS Tactical ETA Kit and Tourniquet and a Starlight Case.
The Official 31 SOULS PROJECT partners list is impressive indeed: AR15.com, Daniel Defense, Troy Industries, Loess Hills Tactical, Black Widow Armament, Battlecomp, Young Manufacturing, Ranier Arms, Northwest Tactical, Illiana Armory, DoubleStar Corp., Contour, MA Parts Inc., Haley Strategic Partners, Bradley Custom Concealment, Trojan Tactical, Gear Sector, ITS Tactical, Rudy Project North America, Multitasker Tools, Arc’Teryx LEAF, Simple Survival, Starlight Cases, Aaron Hard, WW Guns. Thanks to all of those companies for stepping up!
Tickets for the raffle are on sale now and the rifle and prize pack will be on display at the AmericanSnipers.org SHOT Show booth. The drawing will be held on the last day of SHOT!
Network Ten joins Australia’s elite SAS, Commandos and Incident Response Regiment in this WORLD EXCLUSIVE documentary event. For the first time ever Chris Masters is embedded with Australia’s Special Forces in Afghanistan.
Premiere: 7:30PM Monday 28th November 2011 on Network Ten
*** Warning contains coarse language ****
This looks absolutely incredible. Too bad we don’t have access to Australian programming here in the US. Hopefully, they’ll post it online. ten.com.au
This report from the British Forces Broadcast Service shows how much the equipment of the British Soldier has changed after 10 years of fighting. The difference is striking.
