Last year, Andrew Bawidamann made a limited run of titanium pendants depicting his Archangel Michael symbol. Naturally, they were gone immediately but he’s just done a new run so if you’re interested, you’d best jump on it now.
Available in Medium and Large sizes.
www.bawidamann.com/shop/item/archangel-michael-titanium-pendant
On New Year’s Eve 2011, alone except for her infant son and scared for her life and the life of her child, 18 year old Sarah McKinley still had the composure to give her infant a bottle to keep him quiet and ask a dispatcher if it was okay to shoot an intruder if he entered her home before she did in fact shoot and kill him. She never had a mindset brief; she got it done just the same.
Mind-set
Noun
1. The ideas and attitudes with which a person approaches a situation, especially when these are seen as being difficult to alter
I’m often asked why I don’t put greater emphasis on mindset in the form of “mindset briefings” or what I like to call “popcorn pep-talks”. I call them that because in the end, they’re really mostly hot-air. The concept of having a proper mindset is crucial in not only a combative environment but literally anywhere that an individual wants to compete, excel and succeed. The desire to persevere, endure, survive and win is a requirement for success in all but the rarest of events that just by sheer chance end positively. That said, here is something to keep in mind with all these flamboyant diatribes about how “you need to be the guy that’s going to get it done” and save the day.
I’ve been a couple of places and done a couple of things and have served amongst the best our nation, two different services, and three different special units could produce. I have seen what a good mindset can do in a bad situation and how it sometimes is all that saves lives even when the odds are not in your favor. In those dark times of consequence it has never been a briefing that got a guy through. It has never been someone yelling over their shoulder that has gotten them through. It is simple and pretty easy to explain how they got the mindset needed to persevere and win. It was the culmination of decisions and actions long before the event.
Understand that nobody can convince you to do something that you can’t convince yourself to do first. Mindset is not a brief you get; it’s not a condition of thought that just “happens” to you over time. Mindset comes from the life you lead. Be candidly honest with yourself. Be under no illusions as to who you are and what you are willing to do. Sarah McKinley never got the briefing, but she had the mindset to fight, win and survive.
Mindset – stop talking about it and start living it.
– Mike Pannone
Mike Pannone retired from the Army’s premier assault force (1st SFOD-D) after an explosive breaching injury. A year after his retirement America was attacked on 9/11 and he returned to help serve his country as the head marksmanship instructor at the Federal Air Marshals training course and then moved to help stand up the FAMS Seattle field office. In 2003 he left the FAMS to serve as a PSD detail member and then a detail leader for the State Department during 2003 and 2004 in Baghdad and Tikrit.
In 2005 he served as a ground combat advisor of the Joint Counter IED Task Force and participated on combat operations with various units in Al Anbar province. Upon returning he gave IED awareness briefings to departing units and helped stand up a pre-Iraq surge rifle course with the Asymmetric Warfare Group as a lead instructor. With that experience as well as a career of special operations service in Marine Reconnaissance, Army Special Forces and JSOC to draw from he moved to the private sector teaching planning, leadership, marksmanship and tactics as well as authoring and co-authoring several books such as The M4 Handbook, AK Handbook and Tactical Pistol shooting. Mike also consults for several major rifle and accessory manufacturers to help them field the best possible equipment to the warfighter, law enforcement officer and upstanding civilian end user. He is considered a subject matter expert on the AR based Stoner platform in all its derivatives.
Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn they offer some words of wisdom.
Congrats to Fly On The Wall! Enjoy your retirement; you’ve earned it!
SIG Sauer was displaying some of their latest firearms, including the P320 striker fired pistol series, the MPX machine pistol, and the MCX carbine, which were available to shoot, which we did.
The MPX was the 9mm SBR variant with the telescoping stock, 8″ barrel, and SIG’s proprietary aluminum handguard. The controls are similar to an AR-15, although it utilizes a short stroke push-rod gas system. The familiarity of the controls makes it easy to adapt to, and it’s an accurate weapon with very little recoil.
The MCX was chambered for .300 BLK and was outfitted with the 9″ barrel and SIG SRD762 silencer, which made it a very quiet gun; with that can, earpro wasn’t really required. The handguard features KeyMod attachment slots, for the attachment of accessories such as a grip or light. Like the MCX, the MCX has AR-15-style controls, and a short stroke gas piston system.
It’s accurate, with very little noticeable recoil. Frankly, it’s a joy to shoot.
The P320 series consists of several sizes of polymer frame, striker fired pistols. All the models at the range day were chambered for 9mm, although chamberings for 357 SIG, .40 S&W, .45ACP are also available, depending on the model. The Sub-Compact model comes with double-stack magazines with a capacity of 12 rounds. The Carry and Medium Full are capable of holding 17 rounds, and the compact can carry 15. They come standard with SIGLITE Night Sights, and the grips are interchangeable.
The Carry was the most comfortable to shoot, although even the Sub-Compact was comfortable despite the smaller frame. The sights were quick to pick up, and the trigger was crisp on each model.
This clear HTC holster was placed among the SIG table; it’s always cool to see non-production demonstration models on display like this.
The Tactical K9 Harness is a harness made for canines in the 75-85 lbs. range. It features heavy duty mesh side walls, a 1000D Cordura spine with Lycra sides, and an additional, optional zip-in sizing panel which allows the harness to fit on larger, 100+ lbs. dogs.
The harness clicks in through 3 Cobra buckles and #10 YYK zipper, and has elastic binding around the shoulder and back for comfort. The harness also features a MOLLE webbing panel for pouches and/or a camera system, two reinforced handles, removable repel straps, and loops for strobes and lights.
The Tactical K9 Harness is available in Black and MultiCam.
The Ballistic Off-Body Bag or BOBB is a Progressive F.O.R.C.E. Concepts design for a “purpose-built shoulder bag of discreet non-tactical appearance”. This translates to a satchel-style, non-“tactical looking” bag that allows users to discretely carry a sidearm, accessories, and other equipment in scenarios when wearing concealing clothing would be impractical, such as when in gym clothes or in hot weather, or when not wearing pants with belt loops.
The BOBB quickly opens, revealing a holstered pistol and a large IFF panel, to which users can attach their ID or Credentials. The BOBB features Level IIIA ballistic panels which extends to both segments of the opened bag, offering 6″ x 18″ of armor coverage. The strap system can be adjusted to pull over both shoulders after it is deployed, so the bag, and by extension the armor, covers from the chest to the groin of the user. Behind the holster panel is a gear storage compartment for magazines, accessories, and other equipment.
The BOBB is manufactured by Velocity Systems, and the custom holster is manufactured by High Threat Concealment. It is available in a variety of colors, including Black, Gray, Forest Green, and Navy Blue, with custom colors upon request.
All of September, US Elite is giving a free gift for any qualifying Arc’teryx LEAF and/or Salomon Forces purchase. A new gift will be revealed every Thursday of September.
This week, purchase $500 worth of Arc’teryx LEAF and/or Salomon Forces and get an exclusive Limited Edition Custom Engraved U.S. Elite Ares Gear Enhanced Aegis Belt as a gift.
This promo runs through September 23rd.
Click either of the images above or the following link for qualifying items – www.us-elitegear.com – LEAF and Forces Promo
Yesterday, High Threat Concealment, ADS, and SIG Sauer held a range day at C2 Shooting Center. The event was fairly low-key and casual, but we still got to see a few new products while we were there.
HTC Reduced Capacity Blowout Kit
The Reduced Capacity Blowout Kit was born from requests for a lower-profile blowout pouch compared to HTC’s standard Blowout Kit. Coming in at 5.5″ x 5.5″ x 1″ compared to the standard Blowout Kit’s 6.5″ x 3.5″ x 1.5″, it is perfectly sized for a minimalist GSW / IFAK kit.
A couple of additional changes include the removal of the dual top-mounted tourniquet straps, which was replaced with an elastic retention sleeve on the bottom of the pouch, and the new carry strap system, which attaches to the exterior of the pouch, keeping the strap out of the way during carry while still making it easily accessible.
HTC IWB Pistol With Light Holster
HTC has developed an IWB holster for pistols with weapon lights. It features dual adjustable tension screws and an adjustable cant. The model shown to us at the range was for a Glock 19 with an InForce APL, although we were told that they will offer models that accommodate a variety of pistols and mounted lights.
The Holster can also be outfitted with various mounting options, such as the belt clip or IWB loops.
HTC IWB Pistol Magazine Holder
Continuing with the concealed carry theme, we were also shown this IWB Pistol Magazine Holder. It features dual adjustable tension screws, and ‘ambidextrous’ magazine insertion. The model shown was designed for a Glock magazine, although other pistol magazine models will be made available.
Evolution Holster
The Evolution Holster is a multi-function holster that comes as a kit, allowing the user to configure for OWB, IWB, or appendix carry, with or without cant. Below you can see the appendix carry configuration in action. These holsters are going to be issued as part of a recently awarded State Department contract.
