Wiebad has introduced a Kestrel pouch. It’s a simple design, with a webbing loop at the rear for belt mounting and a Velcro closure on the flap as well as a 550 loop at the side to tie it down. Wiebad says they’ll introduce a PALS version if there’s enough interest. Offered in a wide variety of colors/patterns.
wiebad.mybigcommerce.com/kestrel-pouch
I’ve been waiting for Magpul to start shipping the Happy Claymore Bag but I didn’t expect them to offer a cool T-shirt as well. The Happy Claymore Bag is everything you wanted in a purpose built pouch and yes, you can still use as a shaving kit if you want.
The Happy Claymore Bag is a better solution to carry, emplace and recover M18A1 Claymore Mines.
After years of working on and with small teams that use these mines regularly, the Magpul staff decided that there had to be a more practical and efficient way to do it.
They ditched the wire reel, and drawing on their mountaineering and riverine experience decided on a design similar to a rope throw bag. The blasting cap and firing wire is routed through a large grommet on the bottom of the bag, then secured in the static free blasting cap pocket on the tarp. When stored, the tarp separates the firing wire from the firing device in the same pocket. The mine itself is stored in a separate pocket, along with a stake, grease pencil, and range card. Handy right?
All the humor without the explosive!
Looks like intrepid YouTube gun reviewer Mongo is having some issues with his Hoge Difense carbine.
This is brilliant!
See the entire series at www.youtube.com.
-Acquisition of Market Leader Provides Established Platform for Electro-Optics Business
-Smith & Wesson Establishes Fourth Division
-Closing Expected August 2016
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., July 25, 2016 — Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC), a leading manufacturer of firearms and a provider of quality accessory products for the shooting, hunting, and rugged outdoor enthusiast, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Crimson Trace Corporation (Crimson Trace), the industry leader in laser sighting systems and tactical lighting for firearms, for $95.0 million, subject to certain adjustments, utilizing cash on hand.
Crimson Trace has long been a key supplier of laser sighting systems for Smith & Wesson. For more than two decades, Crimson Trace has provided consumers, military units, and law enforcement officers around the globe with the world’s largest selection of award-winning laser sight and tactical light products. Crimson Trace offers more than 225 products and is widely recognized as the world’s leading brand of laser sights for firearms. Its award-winning innovations include the Lasergrips®, Laserguard®, and Rail Master® platforms. The company’s product line also includes the Defender Series®, Lightguard®, and its new LiNQ™ wireless activation system. Based in Wilsonville, Oregon, Crimson Trace operates from a 50,000 square foot , leased facility where it engineers and manufactures its products.
Crimson Trace was founded 22 years ago and has organically generated a ten year compound annual revenue growth rate in excess of 10%. The company maintains a product development team that has an established track record of launching high-quality, innovative laser sighting products. As a result, its products maintain a premium position with hundreds of independent retailers as well as large sporting goods retailers, including Cabela’s, MidwayUSA, Nation’s Best Sports, and internet retailer Optics Planet, Inc.
James Debney, Smith & Wesson President and Chief Executive Officer, said, “Crimson Trace provides us with an exceptional opportunity to acquire a thriving company that is completely aligned with our strategy to become a leader in the market for shooting, hunting, and rugged outdoor enthusiasts. As the undisputed leader in the market for laser sighting products, Crimson Trace serves as an ideal platform for our new Electro-Optics Division. Firearms purchasers frequently buy electro-optic accessories to enhance the capabilities and performance of their firearms. The growth that Crimson Trace has delivered is a testament to the high product quality and the robust product development capability that Lane Tobiassen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Crimson Trace, and his team have established. That capability, combined with Crimson Trace’s leadership position in the market for laser sights, provides a solid framework for organic and inorganic growth.”
Lane Tobiassen, who joined Crimson Trace in 2005, will serve as President of the new Electro-Optics Division of Smith & Wesson, and will report directly to Debney. The Crimson Trace management team and workforce, as well as its base of operations, will remain in Wilsonville, Oregon after the acquisition.
Tobiassen said, “It is a great honor to lead Crimson Trace into this exciting new chapter in our history by joining the Smith & Wesson team. Since 1994, we have designed and brought to market more than 225 products, all of which reflect the passion, dedication, and spirit of innovation of our design engineers, production workforce, customer service representatives, and marketing and sales professionals. As the new Electro-Optics Division of Smith & Wesson, we believe that our capabilities, combined with inorganic opportunities to acquire related technologies, will expand the reach of our existing market footprint. This makes us a great fit for Smith & Wesson, a legendary company with an iconic brand, world-class products, and markets that include consumer, law enforcement, and international channels. We look forward to offering consumers exceptional performance from two of the industry’s most trusted names.”
Smith & Wesson will purchase all of the outstanding stock of Crimson Trace for $95.0 million, using existing cash balances. Crimson Trace is being acquired from Crimson Trace Holdings, LLC, which is owned by private equity firms Peninsula Capital Partners, LLC and VergePointe Capital, LLC; Lewis Danielson, the founder and Chairman of the Board of Crimson Trace; a small group of minority members; and certain members of management.
Jeffrey D. Buchanan, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Smith & Wesson, stated, “As a result of our strong balance sheet, we intend to complete the purchase of Crimson Trace with cash on hand and we expect the transaction to close in three to six weeks. After the closing date, we expect the acquisition to be accretive to Smith & Wesson’s earnings per share in fiscal 2017. Due to its anticipated timing, the transaction is expected to have no impact on Smith & Wesson’s operational and financial results for the fiscal 2017 first quarter ending July 31, 2016. As of the date of signing, Crimson Trace’s trailing 12 month revenue was approximately $44.0 million, of which approximately 25% was revenue from Smith & Wesson and would be excluded from our consolidated revenue. The purchase price represents an estimated multiple of approximately 5.9x the trailing 12 month adjusted EBITDAS of Crimson Trace. We look forward to providing additional details following the close of the transaction.”
Cowen and Company, LLC is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Greenberg Traurig, LLP is acting as legal advisor to Smith & Wesson and its Board of Directors. Robert W. Baird & Co. is acting as exclusive financial advisor and K&L Gates LLP is acting as legal advisor to Crimson Trace and its owners.
The Mayflower R&C by Velocity Systems Pusher Back Panel is made to augment the Pusher Chest Rig. The design provides flexibility; it can be worn with a front plate, back panel with back plate, chest rig and back panel or just the pusher chest rig. The features and accessories include a plate pocket, 2-liter water bladder pouch, small molle panel for tools or pouches, medical pouch, envelope for a breacher tool, an extendable breacher bag, front plate sleeve, helmet carrier, horizontal rear magazine pouch and a jacket stash pocket. The Pusher Back Panel can hold up to a large plate. Color options: MultiCam and Coyote Brown All materials and workmanship are 100% made in the USA.
For more information, photos and to see a product demonstration video please visit our website www.velsyst.com or Velocity Systems/Mayflower R&C Facebook Page.
Robert DiLalla, team leader of the Infantry Combat Equipment Team at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center has been chosen as the recipient of the 2015 MG Harold “Harry” J. Greene Award for Innovation in the Individual-Civilian category for his work developing the Ballistic Combat Shirt. Named in honor of MG Greene, who served as senior commander at the Natick Soldier Systems Center, the award recognizes technological innovations that enhance Army readiness and Soldier performance.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker (center) holds the Ballistic Combat Shirt, which was invented by Robert DiLalla (far left), an engineer and currently the team leader of the Infantry Combat Equipment Team at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center. BG William E. Cole (far right), former commander of the Natick Soldier Systems Center and former commanding general of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, looks on. (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
DiLalla partnered with co-inventors Protect the Force, LLC for the BCS, which incorporates deltoid and thoracic protection, as well as improved neck protection into the Combat Shirt and is a component of Soldier Protection System.
Congratulations to Rob DiLalla!
To learn more, visit www.army.mil.
The Centuaro knife is a new design by Korean company RAIDOPS and produced in Viper, Italy. The Centuaro is a folding knife made of N690 steel, with a blade length of 3.66 inches, featuring a stone wash finish. The handle, roughly a half-inch thick, also features a stone wash finish. The Centuaro comes complete with a Cordura nylon storage pouch.
raidops-products.com/product/CENTAURO
Midwest Industries has a new handguard coming out for the AK family which will be available in M-LOK and KeyMod.
