XC3 Weaponlight

Archive for 2013

Princeton Tec Switch-MPLS

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

The Switch-MPLS has been around for awhile now but I still think it makes a great helmet light. It is designed as a unique personal light with a dual-LED head on a flexi-neck platform. In addition to allowing you to point the light where you need it, the Switch-MPLS always turns on in the low mode of these specialty colors; a 2 second press of the large push button activates the bright white or red LED mode for better illumination. Also available are specialty LED colors including Red, IR, Blue, and Green and high output colors, White and Red.

princetontec.com/switch-mpls

My Visit to Blue Force Gear

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

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I stopped by Blue Force Gear the other day to check out the CHAPSminus. The prototype was already enroute to a field trial. But, they did tell me about some really cool stuff coming soon. Just you wait and see. In the meantime, enjoy this awesome signage from their warehouse.

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www.BlueForceGear.com

Sneak Peek – American Kami’s Next Project

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

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This picture was taken immediately after machining of the new Super Colubris. The harpoon tanto and recurve don’t have names yet.

Steel on these is CPM S35VN. The Super Colubris is around 10.5” OAL with 6” of blade. Harpoon tanto and recurve are each around 10” with 5” of blade.

These should be going off to Heat Treat next week along with the next batch of Maniaxe heads. Can’t wait to see the finished items.

americankami.com

FirstSpear Montana Pouch

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

FS Montana Pouch

Looking for a pouch that will affix your Garmin Montana Series GPS (600, 650 or 650T) to your armor vest? Then the Montana Pouch from FirstSpear is the one for you. It is designed to allow you to utilize the Montana GPS without having to remove it from the pocket. It fit top center on Plate Carriers, while still allowing enough space for your magazine pockets.

FS montana pouch

The Montana Pouch also incorporates 6/9 technology which is a new PALS-style attachment system which holds the pouch closer to the platform than traditional MOLLE and also features weight savings.

www.first-spear.com

UK-Based PPSS Group Developing ‘Dual Protection Body Armour’ – Seeks Your Assistance

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

UK-based PPSS Group is now in the process of developing a new high performance ‘Dual Protection Body Armour’ designed to offer both, NIJ Level IIIA ballistic protection as well as NIJ Level I stab protection. Their schedule is quite aggressive, aimed at launching the armor late summer.

In order to gauge those properties potential customers are looking for, Robert Kaiser, CEO of PPSS Group, decided to use a customer survey as part of their research and development. To take the survey visit www.ppss-group.com/survey.html.

Robert Kaiser states: “We wanted frontlines professional to help us better understand what they really want and need. What is their priority when considering body armour?”

The survey offers all participants to score a number of criteria, all which might be perceived as equal important to the manufacturer, but not necessary by the end consumer.

“Some security officers might feel that a low weight is their top criteria when looking to purchase body armour. However, another law enforcement officer might feel strongly about the cost and another paramedic could feel that the level of stab and needle protection is the key.” Robert Kaiser continues.

“For us this project is once again not about designing, developing and manufacturing the body armour which allows to make the highest possible profit margin, but rather a body armour that will be perceived as the best by those who will wear them,” he concludes.

www.ppss-group.com

US Cav Files Chapter 11

Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013

Long before the Tactical Bubble, US Cavalry dominated the military outfitting business. As a kid in the early 80s I remember my father bringing home the Cav Store catalog from the orderly room and looking in awe at all of the cool stuff for sale. Over the years it grew and grew into an empire, at one point featuring storefronts outside of several military posts in addition to the strong catalog business. US Cav has changed hands since Randy Acton was at the helm and it always seemed to me that as the war went on, they became less effective at running the business. Maybe it was because it was too retail oriented at first and then didn’t go all in once the military wholesale market boomed. At any rate, as we understand it, US Cavalry Store, Inc, and its parent, Cavalry Security Group, LLC, have filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy petitions in the Western District of Kentucky. It’s too bad because that retail market where Soldiers will be purchasing much of their own kit is coming back, and fast.

Turns out, Cavalry Security Group, LLC loss is ERMC’s gain as we understand that they have made an offer to purchase the company (out of Chapter 11) and keep it intact. Soldiers will still have their Cav Store catalog and website but it sounds like the vendors who supplied them might be just a little nervous.

Haley Strategic Darkness Solutions

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013

Travis Haley talks lights. It’s a great primer on tactical lighting concentrating on various popular lights and how they perform.

www.haleystrategic.com

Et Tu Connecticut?

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2013

We’ve all heard about the Second Amendment infringing legislation recently passed in New York and Colorado. Now, our friends in Connecticut are facing an equally frightening threat to their Constitutional Right to bear arms. Tomorrow, lawmakers will vote on a Emergency Certification Bill (E-Cert) which fast tracks the bill through the legislative process.

If passed into law, this bill will –

-Bans nearly all commonly owned firearms used for self-defense, arbitrarily adding more than 100 new firearms to the gun ban list.
-Bans the sale, purchase and transfer of magazines capable of holding more than ten rounds of ammunition.
-Creates a magazine registration scheme.
-Requires an eligibility certificate for the purchase of any rifle or shotgun that mandates a training course, fingerprinting and a voluntary/involuntary mental health admissions check.
-Requires an eligibility certificate and a background check to purchase ammunition.
-Criminalizes the private transfer of a firearm.

To read everything included in this legislation currently at the Connecticut state house, visit nraila.org/media/11152847/press-conference-material-4-1-13.pdf and visit the NRA ILA for ways to help stop this legislation.