FirstSpear TV

Archive for 2016

What Is A Shooter?

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016

Recently, I’ve started to see folks refer to themselves and others as “Shooters.” 

Although I kept my head down and feet and knees pumping during SHOT Show, every once in awhile I got to hear a few snippets from the herds of 5.11 clad bystanders that seem to gather in certain booths.  Every once in awhile I’d hear someone say “shooter” as I looked around in confusion.  Apparently, you’ve got to be a shooter to know what a shooter is and I am definitely outside the circle on this one.  I understand it’s even been used as an attempt to disparage me personally, as I’m not a “shooter” so therefore I have no idea what I’ve been talking about for the past seven years. Obviously, 21 years of military service and nine years in industry aren’t enough qualification to know right from wrong.  Perhaps that’s the issue.  It was military service and not shooter time.  But I digress.  

What exactly is this shooter phenomenon?

When I hear shooter, two things come to mind.  First, I see someone on the firing line at a range.  Second, it conjures up negative thoughts about active shooters, mercilessly preying on the innocent.  

So what exactly does this new terminology mean?  Is it the civilian equivalent of Operator?  Is it another example of the “everyone gets a trophy and cool title” culture?  Or, is it some obscure reference to a character in an Adam Sandler movie?

Discuss.

DSG Arms CDC HOLSTER

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016

DSG CDC Pocket_Pistols (1 of 10)

Compact Discreet Carry – New Pocket Pistol Models

Fort Worth, TX, – In a move to provide more options for concealed carry, Defense Solutions Group, Inc. has added three new models to the Compact Discreet Carry IWB Holster line-up: the Ruger LCP, Smith & Wesson M&P Shield and the M&P Bodyguard.

The DSG CDC Holsters, priced at $49 retail, are currently available for order in the new models as well as Glock 17, 19, 26, 42, 43, and Sig P229.

Feedback on the DSG CDC Holster has been strongly positive, with one reviewer stating “I had been using the DSG Alpha with J hooks for IWB carry.  That was a good solution – no issues – however, the CDC is even better, much better.  Carrying G26 (standard mag) I hardly notice it’s there — to the point where sometimes I reach back to make sure it’s still there.”

The CDC (Compact Discreet Carry) Holster was designed for low-profile all-day wear, with an adjustable cant for both appendix or behind the hip belt placement. The rubber-mounted belt clips are designed to easily slide onto standard size 1.5” or 1.75” belts, locking securely in place. The CDC Holster comes with an engineered sight channel for night sights, as well as adjustable weapon retention.

Features:

– Adjustable cant: upright/vertical for appendix OR forward for behind the hip
– Smooth kydex texture for comfortable carry
– Rubber mounted belt clip for easy on-and-off the belt
– Belt clip designed for secure retention through daily activities
– Adjustable weapon retention
– Engineered sight channel for night sights 
– Smooth draw

Models for the Sig Sauer P320C/P320 subcompact, and left-hand models for the Glock 17, 19, 26, 42, and Glock 43 are in the production plans for Spring 2016.

dsgarms.com

High Angle Solutions – DMM – Colors, Finishes and Customization

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016

Colors and Coatings:

DMM offers a range of color and coating options on alloy and steel products to aid environmental concealment and noise suppression. Further customization services, such as identification markings and bespoke sewn elements are also available to create a custom product specific to its end use.

Anodizing:

Anodizing is the standard coating process for use on DMM aluminium products. This process not only offers corrosion and wear resistance, but also allows for color to be used for aesthetics and identification, or, in the military environment, to aid with concealment.

By fine tuning the anodizing process they are able to offer a range of subdued colours in a matte finish. The anodizing process DMM uses conforms to BS EN ISO 7599:2010 Class AA10 sealed. This process will withstand the rigors of a 48 hour neutral salt spray as described in ISO 9227.

Their standard tactical color from 2016 is Matt Grey and the bulk of their products will be available stock in this color although some will be available stock in black. Other subdued colors are available subject to a minimum order quantity.

For a number of years black has been the color of choice for tactical metal hardwear, however, it is hardly the most appropriate color to blend into any background as it produces an almost perfect silhouette and as we know, black is not often found in nature so is easily picked up by the MK1 human eyeball as being out of place.

Black seems to have stemmed from the shock and awe hostage rescue environment, however, there are now far more groups within the military employing climbing to provide a tactical advantage in wilderness, urban and maritime environments, these operators require a more subtle approach. Matt grey provides a very dull solution in all of these environments, it is far more consistent in production to get a very matt finish on grey than with other colors.

Image 1 Matt Grey Alpha Light

Cerakote:

Cerakote is a ceramic based coating that has excellent wear, hardness, chemical resistance, abrasion resistance andcolor  consistency. Cerakote is available in a massive range of colors to suit the environment you are working in, it is also available in a reduced visual IR-signature detection version.

The main advantage of Cerakote for climbing equipment is the excellent color consistency and matt finish which allow the end user to specify colors which are impossible to achieve through anodizing.

Image 2 Cerakote Boa

PVC Coating:

Selected products are available with a PVC coating. The PVC provides a protective coating and more importantly reduces the sound signature in environments where sound suppression is a priority.

Image 3 PVC Coating

Custom Marking

Standard Markings:

All DMM metal products carry a unique serial number and any international certifications the product complies with. The unique serial number allows every single item to be individually traced back to its original date and order of production.

Image 4 Serial Identity

Unique Customization:

DMM are also able to offer custom laser etching in addition to the normal etching required by the standards. This can take the form of identification marks and numbers to aid internal administration, through to decorative markings such as unit insignia.

Image 5 Royal Marines Fly Axe

Sewn Product Customization:

DMM extend their customization options to sewn products where they can sew bespoke lengths of slings in a variety of technical Dynatec, nylon and polyester webbings that are suitable for safety critical environments.

Using the same traceability they apply to their metal products, all DMM sewn products have unique reference numbers, however DMM can also customise the labelling on sewn products such as slings, quickdraws and sewn terminations on rope with unit identity codes or reference numbers.

All DMM customisation options are subject to minimum order quantities.

dmmwales.com

High Angle Solutions is a weekly feature by DMM, CTOMS, and Atlas Devices.

EOTech Refund Update

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016

We’ve received similar reports from multiple sources so we feel comfortable sharing this info regarding refunds for EOTech Holographic Weapon Sights.

The refunds will be in the form of a check, processing has been outsourced due to so many returns, and the checks will be sent out within the next two weeks.  Also, there should be a phone number to deal specifically with return issues.  Once we have it, we’ll share it.  

ARG Tactical Is Looking For A New Helmet Name

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016

Passing this along for ARG Tactical.

ARG Tactical is coming out with a new helmet line. We are running a contest to give this new high cut helmet a name. If your name is selected, you will receive a new helmet in the color of your choice with rails, carbon fiber filled shroud, upgraded 4D Tactical Zero G Helmet Liner and the new Boa dial system. When submitting your entry, please do so via email so it is private. We don’t want anybody using the same name. Enter your name and reason behind the name to:

contest@argtactical.com

The helmet will be NIJ IIIA certified and will pass US MIL STD 662F for V50 fragmentation. Looking forward to all the entries.

Once a name is chosen, we will put out pictures of the kit and name the winner publicly.

Note to SSD Readers: Don’t post here.

Costa Ludis – Wilderness Survival/ORV Elements Theory 3 Day Course

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016

3-Day Wilderness Survival/ORV Elements Theory Description

Friday, June 17 – Sunday, June 19
2016

Wilderness Survival/ORV Elements Theory is designed to give students the necessary skills to become self-sufficient when things go wrong. Whether you are lost on a backpacking trip, have a breakdown in the middle of nowhere, or are involved in a full on Red Dawn situation you need to be able to make sure you can take care of yourself, and those with you, until help arrives.

This experience will allow you the hands-on opportunity to negotiate off road vehicles (ORV) and dirtbikes in different terrain and conditions. This course will show you how to triage and acquire your basic needs to stop a bad situation from becoming a tragedy.

For more information, and to sign up, visit www.costaludus.com – Wilderness Survival/ORV Elements Theory 3 Day Course.

Educational Opportunity

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016

An avid SSD reader is a military ethicist at the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra. On the 29th of February his MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) called ‘Military Ethics – An Introduction’ goes ‘live’ on the FutureLearn platform. It’s a free course, open to anyone, anywhere who is interested.

For more information on the course, please check out the webpage and intro video at www.futurelearn.com/courses/military-ethics.

Thanks Dr Baker!

Post SHOT Show Wrapup – Fab Defense Scorpus Adjustable Retention Mag Pouch

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016

 

The Scorpus magazine carrier offers eight levels of manually adjustable magazine retention. Slim and compact design for close carry incorprates an anti-rattle pressure tab for tight and secure fit. The Scorpus features fiberglass reinforced polymer composite construction. Available in Matte Black, OD or FDE, it comes with one belt loop and one paddle. The paddle features a 35 degree angle adjustment option. Offered for a variety of magazines.

www.fab-defense.com