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Archive for January, 2017

SHOT Show 17 – SKELI X11

Wednesday, January 25th, 2017

Upon first glance, the SKELI X11 bears at least a passing resemblance to the earliest iterations of the Magpul Masada, and with its ambidextrous controls, gas piston operation, folding stock, and quick-change barrel system, it meets many of the design notes of the Masada as well. The X11 is a short stroke piston rifle weighing in at 6.8 lbs. unloaded, and features an aluminum frame, M-LOK forend, polymer grip, monolithic 1913 rail, and a 16″ 41V50 barrel with a 1:7 twist rate. Proposed quick-change barrel options include the standard 5.56, as well as .300 BLK, 6.8 SPC, and 6.5 Grendel. As a bonus, the X11 is designed to accept AR-15 trigger packs, giving purchasers a wide range of established trigger options if they pick one of these up.

As is implied in the image above, the X11 is compatible with STANAG magazines, and will ship with Lancer polymer mags.

skelico.com

Tags: SHOT Show, SKELI, Skelico
Posted in SHOT Show, weapons | 9 Comments »

SHOT Show 17 – Meprolight MOR

Tuesday, January 24th, 2017

The Mepro MOR is a multi-purpose reflex optic with integrated laser sight. LIke the M21, the MOR does feature a passive reflex system, which can be bolstered with a bright LED dot for use in low-light conditions.

The integrated laser sight is activated via a linked pressure switch, and provides users with either a red or green beam (separate models) to improve visual target indication.

The MOR can also be purchased with an IR laser, for laser use in a covert environment.

www.meprolight.com

Tags: Meprolight, SHOT Show
Posted in Optics, SHOT Show | Comments Off on SHOT Show 17 – Meprolight MOR

SHOT Show 17 – SIG 1911 Max

Tuesday, January 24th, 2017

During SIG SAUER’s Media Range Day, I got a chance to check to out the 1911 Max, a signature version of the 1911A1 for Team SIG’s Captain, pro-shooter and Guinness World Record holder Max Michel, Jr.

Offered in .40 S&W as well as the more traditional .45 Auto, this full size 1911 features a stainless steel frame and Nitron finish slide. These are built in the SIG Custom Shop where they install a Koenig Speed Hammer, EGW sear ans firing pin and a Dawson diver optic front sight and adjustable rear. It also incorporates a flat trigger and competition magwell along with Hogue custom G-10 Chainlink grips featuring Max Michel’s logo.

Available now from SIG.

www.sigsauer.com/store/1911-max-full-size

Tags: Max Michel, Sig Sauer
Posted in Advertiser, SHOT Show, weapons | 1 Comment »

SHOT Show 17 – Velocity Systems Overview

Tuesday, January 24th, 2017

In case you missed Velocity Systems at SHOT Show, here are five great new products. We’ll have more detailed articles on each one soon but I can tell you that if you already like the SCARAB LT, you’re going to love the SCARAB DLX.

The Placard Chest Rig Adapter is made with Helium Whisper and designed to turn their placards into a chest rig (attach placard to Chest Rig Adapter and clip into their H Harness using ITW Buckles).

The Tactical Back Panel was designed to be used in conjunction with any of their chest rigs. If the Plate Sleeve is used the kit can hold both front and back hard armor plates (Plate Sleeve and Chest Rigs sold separately). The panel includes an internal plate pocket and separate hydration bladder pocket.

The Mayflower Jungle Kit is designed to provide a load carriage solution for the hot, wet jungle environment. Features include an H-harness with removable padding, a sternum strap and pouch options. The pouches were designed around the amount and type of equipment usually needed for long duration jungle patrolling. All the pouches feature the Helium Whisper attachment system (zero water absorbency) and large diameter drain holes.

The 48 Hour Assault Pack Includes an integrated hydration bladder sleeve, small pocket for cell phone or PDA, PALS webbing on left exterior side, water bottle compression sleeve on right exterior side and an open top compression pocket on front.

The SCARAB™ DLX is Velocity Systems top of the line carrier in innovative technology and comfort. Weighing in at 1.6 lbs., the SCARAB ™ DLX is 20% lighter than the already ultra-light SCARAB ™ LT. The new design includes an interior frame built to put space between your body and the carrier for passive cooling and blunt trauma reduction. The revolutionary material used prevents the MOLLE capable triangles from long-term distortion or loss of shape. The ergonomically designed and adjustable padded shoulder straps articulate on a D-ring allowing them to sit correctly and comfortably on any user, regardless of neck width or shoulder broadness. The SCARAB™ DLX includes Integrated SwiftClip® buckles for rapid don/doff of auxiliary chest worn equipment (i.e. Chest Rigs and SwiftClip® Placards), and secure plate pockets that have Velcro® brand fasteners on the closure flap as well as on the interior plate strap.

All materials and workmanship are 100% made in the USA.

Tags: Velocity Systems
Posted in Advertiser, SHOT Show | 13 Comments »

SHOT Show 17 – ADS Inc / Raptor Products

Tuesday, January 24th, 2017

ADS Inc exhibited the Raptor Products Weapon Weapon Mounting and Display System at SHOT Show. What I like about this system is that it offers so many different options for securing weapons of various sizes. Raptor has come up with multiple fixtures to secure weapons via different weapon components.

In fact, they offer so many different options, each one would require its own article. Take for example the Picatinny mount. As the name implies, it grabs the weapon by the Picatinny Rail.

This video shows it in action.

Raptor has also developed an off-road Holster system for the GLOCK which will attach to an ATV’s rollbar.

Raptor Products are available for Unit and Agency orders from ADS Inc.

Tags: Raptor Products
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CDC Study: Use Suppressors To Reduce Noise Exposure

Tuesday, January 24th, 2017

The American Suppressor Association shared this press release with us. Anti-2A organizers have long wanted to use the Center for Disease Control and Prevention as source material to curtail gun rights. However, this report doesn’t follow their expected narrative.

The question of increased access to firearms Suppressors is indeed a public health question. Their implementation as a standard, over-the-counter device would not only help preserve the hearing of gun owners, but also their dogs used for hunting as well as nearby livestock and wildlife. Additionally, the use of suppressors would lower the profile of firearms ranges and lead to a decrease in spurious nuisance complaints.

Finally, with an increased market size, prices will come down and technological innovation will increase. Military and law enforcement will benefit from this boon, better protecting those serving, as well as the public.

With the reintroduction of the Duncan-Carter Hearing Protection Act, suppressors have been thrust to the forefront of the national political debate. According to many traditional gun control advocates, firearms are not loud enough to cause hearing damage. They make definitive statements, like this one from a recent LA Times article, that, “there’s no evidence of a public health issue associated with hearing loss from gunfire.”

To this end, they could not be more wrong.

In a study from 2011 entitled Noise and Lead Exposures at an Outdoor Firing Range – California, researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found the following (see page 5):

“THE ONLY POTENTIALLY EFFECTIVE NOISE CONTROL METHOD TO REDUCE STUDENTS’ OR INSTRUCTORS’ NOISE EXPOSURE FROM GUNFIRE IS THROUGH THE USE OF NOISE SUPPRESSORS THAT CAN BE ATTACHED TO THE END OF THE GUN BARREL. HOWEVER, SOME STATES DO NOT PERMIT CIVILIANS TO USE SUPPRESSORS ON FIREARMS.”

If you still don’t believe that hearing loss is a public health issue associated with gunfire, and that suppressors help hunters and recreational shooters reduce their exposure to dangerous noise levels, there is likely nothing that we can say that will change your mind. Just know that the correct term for your opinion is willful ignorance.

Full CDC Study: CDC Study – California Firing Ranges

Tags: American Suppressor Association
Posted in 2A, Press Release, Suppressors | 20 Comments »

SHOT Show 17 – Badger Ordnance

Tuesday, January 24th, 2017

Badger Ordnance continues to innovate in mounting solutions.

Badger Ordnance has several new offerings coming for the first quarter of 2017. First off is their new line of bipod mounts and bipod kits. This line started 2 years ago when an employee with Badger Ordnance made a low profile mount for his Harris bipod to direct attach to his AR-10. Based off his experiences instructing Snipers he’d seen and experienced several Harris mounting plates break or come loose when shooting off barricades.

The new Badger Ordnance Low Profile Harris Mount is designed to replace the current mounting plate and thumbscrew for Harris Engineering swivel style bipods. Made to have a slimmer profile than traditional bipod mounting options while having a much more robust interface to allow barricade braced shooting without fear of breaking the attachment system. Easily retrofit any Harris BRM-S bipod in just a few short minutes. Made from 7075 T6 Aluminum and Type lll Hard Coat Anodized for a lifetime of flawless function. Available for Magpul M-LOK, Picatinny, and Remington RACS style handguards.

Badger Ordnance has also worked alongside Harris to design an exclusive bipod with the leg extension buttons placed on the inside to avoid accidental extension when bracing the bipods against barricades. The mounts can be bought separately as a retrofit for current Harris designs or bought as a package with the new bipod legs.

Also new from Badger is a line of accessories to work in conjunction with their S.L.I.C.K. and other spotting scope integration kits. The Badger K4 and K5 mounts are made to hold any 4000 or 5000 series Kestrel weather meter to the 3 or 9 o’clock position of a picatinny rail. The Kestrel simply snaps in and is held firmly until needed. Made from 2200 series Polyamide and colored Light coyote.

Lastly Badger has released the SPF-60 Spotter Protective Filter- 60 mm Designed to work with the Leupold 12-40X60 Spotting scope (M151) and the Badger Ordnance SLICK spotting scope mount (P/N 306-94). Provides rugged protection to the objective lens as well as allowing reduced light transmission and reducing glare via the variable aperture “Catseye” feature. Cover indexes out of the way for full light transmission or for NV/Thermal integrationPic. Made from 6061 Aluminum, Type lll Milspec Hard coat anodized.

www.badgerordnance.com

Tags: Badger Ordnance
Posted in SHOT Show, Weapon Accessories | 6 Comments »

Falconhead Capital Alongside M3 Outdoor Investments Announce Acquisition Of Kwik Tek, Inc

Tuesday, January 24th, 2017

I’m often asked what BLACKHAWK! founder Mike Noell is up to. As you can see, he’s still out there, in the mix.

New York, NY (January 2017)- An investment group led by Falconhead Capital, LLC, a sports, leisure and lifestyle focused private equity firm, alongside M3 Outdoor Investments led by BLACKHAWK! founder and long term industry leader Michael Noell, today announced that it has acquired Kwik Tek, Inc. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Based in Colorado and founded in 1991, Kwik Tek, Inc. is a leading designer and supplier of outdoor branded products for the recreational watersports and winter sports markets. Its product line includes towables, inflatables, life jackets, wakeboards, kneeboards, snowshoes, trekking poles, snow sleds, pool floats, lounge items, and related accessories. Kwik Tek supplies products through their trusted consumer brands including Airhead, Sportsstuff, and Yukon Charlie’s. Aaron Kramer, founder, CEO and President of Kwik Tek said, “I am excited to be partnering with Falconhead Capital and M3 Outdoor. Their market expertise makes them the perfect partners to help ensure that even more people can enjoy our exciting products. The dedication and hard work of Kwik Tek’s employees have built our brands into what they are today. We look forward to building on our past successes and the opportunities that lay ahead.”

David S. Moross, Chairman and CEO of Falconhead Capital, added, “We are thrilled to announce this transaction and to partner with Aaron Kramer and Mike Noell to enhance the value of Kwik Tek for the benefit of all its stakeholders. Kwik Tek’s leadership team has done a tremendous job growing the Airhead, Sportsstuff, and Yukon Charlie’s brands all while developing a scalable multi-channel distribution footprint. Kwik Tek offers a strong platform to innovate and enhance its already exceptional brands. This will provide the foundation to accelerate growth and offer substantial upside through various paths of expansion.”

Investment banking firm Lazard Middle Market, LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Kwik Tek. The law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP served as legal counsel to Falconhead Capital. JPMorgan provided senior revolver financing for the transaction and LBC Credit Partners provided senior term financing.

Tags: Falconhead Capital Alongside M3 Outdoor Investments, Kwik Tek Inc, Mike Noell
Posted in Industry, Press Release | Comments Off on Falconhead Capital Alongside M3 Outdoor Investments Announce Acquisition Of Kwik Tek, Inc