Kifaru will debuting several new packs at SHOT Show including the Xing (pronounced zing) seen here.
Features:
– 22″ stays.
– 500d Cordura
– 16″ tall front panel vs 12″ for the Xray
– New contoured top pocket on the top lid
There are several other models on the way as well. All of the packs are pre-production prototypes and will not go into production until after SHOT Show. Full details can be found here: www.kifaruforums.net
BHI has announced that Tom Kivlehan is coming on board as their Master Gunsmith and Firearms Manufacturing Project Manage. I’ve known Tom since his H&K days. Congrats!
Blackheart International is pleased to announce that Thomas Kivlehan, Jr. (USMC retired) has joined the BHI team in the role of Master Gunsmith and Firearms Manufacturing Project Manager for the company’s firearms division. Kivlehan’s decades of experience in firearms manufacturing, research and development, machining skills, NATO and foreign weapons expertise, and his years working with some of the top firearms manufacturers in the industry will be called upon as BHI launches its expansion phase of light arms development and production.
Kivlehan has logged 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he has served as a Rifleman, Small Arms Repairman, Ordnance/Logistics Chief, Maintenance Chief, Small Arms Instructor, and worked in the Rifle Team Equipment Shop in Quantico. After leaving the Corps, Kivlehan worked as a USMC System Command liaison to various firearms manufacturers. In the private industry arena, Kivlehan has held various consultant, gunsmith, machinist, instructor and R&D positions with such names as H&K, Armalite, Kimber, FNH and U.S. Repeating Arms. Some career highlights include Kivlehan’s work on the USMC M40A3 Sniper Rifle, M14 Designated Marksman Rifle (DMR), M82A1 Barrett .50 caliberSASR, MEUSOC .45 caliber pistol, competition and tactical M16A2/M4 rifles/carbines. On the commercial side, Kivlehan was a Law Enforcement Armorer Instructor for Armalite, assisted in R&D, testing and production of the K22 and 84M rifles for Kimber, served as Program Manager of the HK416 rifle and 40mm Grenade Machine Gun for H&K Defense, fabricated the first FNH USA Special Police Rifle (SPR) and assisted in the development of the first FNH Tactical Shotgun. In addition, Kivlehan has built numerous custom sniper rifles (bolt action and M1A/M14), 1911-style pistols, revolvers and shotguns.
“With Tom joining the BHI team,” says Blackheart International COO Travis Ernst, “we will be able to continue to provide expert level gunsmithing, as well as develop new and innovative enhancements to our current firearms lineup. Tom brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will enable us to continue to provide the quality and expertise that our customers expect from BHI. Tom’s background will also be instrumental in Blackheart International Training’s upcoming military and law-enforcement armorer courses for foreign weapons, ARs and pistols, so our clients should stay tuned for upcoming course offerings.” In addition to heading up BHI’s manufacturing of premium AR-15 rifles, AR57 rifles and specialized AK rifles, Kivlehan will manage the company’s gunsmithing service operation, which includes rebarreling, pillar bedding, custom machining and action blueprinting for bolt-action rifles, and trigger work, sight installation, guide rod upgrades, custom modifications and general service for pistols and revolvers. Finally, Kivlehan will apply his precision long-range rifle manufacturing experience to providing BHI customers with the most accurate customized bolt-action rifles available anywhere.
[NOTE: Tom will be at the SHOT show in Las Vegas next week. Stop by the BHI booth (#20214) and talk to him about your custom firearms or armorer instruction needs.]
It is my understanding that General McChrystal was never shy about his feelings regarding private ownership of firearms during his time in the military, sharing them regularly with subordinates. Interestingly, on the very day his book. “My Share of the Task” is released he chooses to go on NBC and share his position regarding private ownership of military-style weapons. While he has often impressed me with his ability to organize various elements to accomplish difficult tasks, he is by no means a friend of the Second Amendment. I suppose it’s probably good that he made his feelings public. It will allow both supporters and detractors to view him from a somewhat different perspective.
Elite Defense offers this new hire announcement.
More good news of out the Elite Defense camp; we are proud to announce hiring Nicholas (Nic) Smith as the Sales Manager for Canada, South America and the Pacific Rim. Nic is a US Army veteran serving for over 8 years, all of which was in 1st /75th Ranger Regiment at Hunter Army Air Field in Savannah, GA. His extensive product knowledge hedged with his real world experience will bring a great addition to the sales force of Elite Defense.
Nic has spent time as a Sniper Section Leader, Squad leader and also managed JSOC’s training program for the Afghanistan Special Forces as a civilian. “I have known Nic for several years now and I’m excited to bring him on board with us here at Elite. He brings a high energy level and a plethora of experience that we can all gain knowledge from,” said Brett Westcott the Vice President of Business Development and Marketing.
Visit Elite Defense in Booth # 27411 during SHOT Show.
In memory of John Noveske, Geissele Automatics is doing a special run of their popular SSF triggers. There will be a limited run of 100 triggers, each with its own number. They will be available at SHOT this year at our booth #15159 and I expect them to go FAST. All proceeds will be donated to The Noveske Family. Graphics by TenPound Monkey.
Magpul Dynamics sent us this announcement. With ammo prices going through the roof, when you can even find it, training ammo is going to be an issue. Magpul Dynamics is adapting to the reality of the situation.
In an effort to make training more accessible in these times of increased prices and reduced availability, Magpul Dynamics has updated their pricing structure, round counts, and acceptable calibers for the 2013 training year.
Effective immediately, all three-day classes are reduced to $600 per student, and two-day classes are reduced to $450 per student. In addition, the curriculum has been revised for all pistol/carbine courses based on the changes occurring over the past year to allow for maximum training value at a slightly reduced round count. Also, we are temporarily allowing the use of pistol-caliber carbines and 22LR AR-15 pattern training rifles in the carbine classes. Please understand that there are many drawbacks to training with 22LR as opposed to normal rifle platforms, but significant training value will still exist. We expect a full return to allowing rifle-caliber rounds only in the future as the ammunition supply catches up with current demand and ammunition prices return to a reasonable level. However, we understand the financial burden placed on students with the current state of the economy and the rapid rise in retail pricing in the ammunition industry. We firmly believe in the value of quality firearms training and are committed to providing quality products and services at a fair price.
Duane, Steve, Caylen, and Jon
SOTech asked us to bass this note-
the Birthday party turned into a deployment farewell party for LTC Dave (leaving his name and unit out for OPSEC). After spending 6 months with us as our new Director of Operations he got mobed for 8 months!
Lucky Gunner has undertaken a very impressive look at Brass vs Steel cased ammo for the M4-style carbine. They did a great job of mitigating variables and recording data. So much so, that this report is going to tell you a lot more than whether steel or brass cased ammo is preferable. I don’t know if they intended to from the outset, but they’ve provided the shooting community with a much larger look at several brands of ammunition and how they perform and affect the carbine.
It’s well laid out, in an easy-to-read format with plenty of photos, videos, and graphs. But there’s no point in me extracting tidbits of data from their report to provide here as it’s a rather vast resource that I’m sure gunners and manufacturers will reference for some time to come. It’s well worth a full read. No, I take that back. This is a must read if you are serious about the carbine.
I am very impressed. Well done gentlemen.
www.luckygunner.com/labs/brass-vs-steel-cased-ammo
