Distinctive, Technical, Alpine Mid-Layer Hoodie, Made in the USA with US Polartec Fleece
Prometheus Design Werx releases their updated Beast Hoodie this Fall-Winter 2020. This year’s version features the last of the American-made Polartec® doubled faced Shearling ThermalPro® Retro Pile fleece. This technical material is a direct, modern descendant of the first pile fleece jackets first used by alpinists. This year’s Beast Hoodie is denser, has a tighter fabric knap, and heavier weight than 2019’s model. Features include PDW’s signature details of 4 zippered exterior pockets, 4 dummy cord anchor points, ports for media cables, 2 interior stash pockets, double reinforced elbows in 4-way All Terrain Cloth, structured draft resistant thumbhole cuffs, and M.L. hood with A.C. bill. The PDW Beast Hoodie is a distinct, durable, versatile, high-performance, technical mid-layer with a direct mountaineering lineage. Made in the USA.
The Beast Hoodie is a part of their Made in USA CORE-Line of products by Prometheus Design Werx. Available in Beowulf Brown, Ragnarök Black, and Fenrir Gray.
The Design and R&D Team at PDW states:
“For 2020, we again updated our highly popular mid-layer Beast Hoodie style with a US-made Polartec Shearling ThermalPro Retro Pile. Denser and heavier weight, this version of Polartec’s shearling fleece was a great match for this style. This type of pile fleece is a direct, modern descendant of the original pile fleece jackets made for alpinists and mountaineers at the dawn of modern outdoor apparel age where synthetic textiles were introduced into the market. (Just wanted for our readers to take note, that this is the last of US-made Polartec shearling fleece. PDW was one of the very few companies to actually purchase this US-made material from Polartec to use in our hoodie. We’re disappointed to see that because of lack of interest from other brands in purchasing US-made fleece, Polartec has cancelled this entire line of US-made shearling going forward. This is an outcome of economics, actual American consumer buying habits, and the lack of material demand based on costs. For folks who like to complain about how ‘expensive’ US-made goods can be, this is the often the consequence.) We’re glad we got in one final run of our Beast Hoodie using this US-made shearling fleece. These fleece hoodies are expertly made in our home state of California, USA and built for those who are self-reliant, make their own way, and the outsiders who thrive in the wilderness.”
The Beast Hoodie will be available in 3 colors for $198.00 on Wednesday, November 4th, 2020 at 12:00pm Pacific via their website, prometheusdesignwerx.com.
The terms training and practice are often interchanged, but in SureFire Field Notes 43, Northern Red’s Zack Harrison explains that training and practice are two distinctly different actions when it comes to being proficient in firearms and CQB tactics. “An example of that would be [when] you learn a new skill, such as ballistic breaching, and you’re unfamiliar with it,” Harrison explains. “So, you go to the training piece where you are seeking instruction on the weapon system and how to use it. When you’re seeking new information or to get better at a skill from an instructor, that’s training.”
Practice is when you take the newly acquired knowledge/skillsets and rehearse them on your own time to ingrain them flawlessly into your subconscious. “The practice piece is something we need to start investing time in as an individual,” Harrison says, adding that he likes to use the saying, “Practice makes permanent.” You’ll note that’s a deviation from the more recognizable “Practice makes perfect” idiom, and there’s a reason for it. Practicing new concepts can improve proficiency, but Harrison’s caveat points to the fact that you need to be properly trained before you practice it. “If you practice something the wrong way over, and over, and over again, you’re just going to get very efficient at doing it incorrectly,” Harrison says. “So, you need to take a good look at, ‘Hey, am I maximizing my time? Is what I’m doing leading me in the right direction? If not, you need to self-correct.”
The definition of training is, “the action of teaching a person or animal a particular skill or type of behavior.” Training involves learning of new skills, techniques, or concepts. Qualified instructors like those from Northern Red can provide everything from valuable techniques, tactics, and procedures, based on real-world experience, to training regimen recommendations for an intended mission set. Sadly, training is too often mistaken for practice with many students, including military and law enforcement professionals. The mistake is misinterpreting the occasional training they attend for practice when they need to take the knowledge from the training home and put time into practicing that.
Harrison’s philosophy is that practicing gets the body and the mind in sync so that your movements and actions become second nature. And once you’ve achieved that, you need to keep practicing to maintain the skillset. “The bottom line is that [with] skills you’re not particularly familiar with, as soon as you acquire them and you walk away from them, the moment you walk away from them they are starting to die,” Harrison said. “You need to constantly feed them. Pistol shooting is a perfect example. You should be picking that pistol up every single day, even if it is for 30 seconds to a minute. Be consistent with your training and your practice, do it the right way, and you’ll see the improvements.” This is especially important in the world of gunfighting, be it for SOF, LE, or average Americans who intend to defend themselves with a CCW. The more you practice to ingrain specific skillsets into your subconscious, the freer your mind will be to process the hyper-complicated scenarios that will likely unfold at the worst time possible.
In class, Harrison made the comparison to driving. Early in our driving careers, we often have a white knuckle grip on the wheel and are extremely focused on every detail. Minor distractions often result in a major disturbance or negative effect on the way you’re driving. Eventually, as you get more practice and seat time, you find yourself driving home via multiple freeway interchanges, changing lanes, adjusting the radio, adjusting the climate control, making phone calls, all the while constantly braking, accelerating, and avoiding collisions, through skills that are by now virtually automatic. That is the level of proficiency you should aim to achieve with whatever level of gunfighting you are pursuing, whether it is concealed carry draws and accuracy or CQB. Once that level of proficiency is available, your subconscious will handle the minutia of necessary actions leaving your mind free for high-level problem-solving. Training is not practice, and practice is not training. Neither one should be confused for the other.
About Zack Harrison:
Zack Harrison served for 10 years within the Special Operations community for the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was a member of Special Operations detachments and an instructor of U.S. Army Green Berets. Before enlisting in the military, Harrison was a history teacher and coach in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia. After being honorably discharged in 2014, he joined Northern Red, LLC.
About Northern Red:
Northern Red is U.S.-based, Service-Disable Veteran Owned Small Business that was founded in 2011 by former U.S. Army Special Operations Veterans and private-sector entrepreneurs. Based in Alton, Virginia, it provides clients with a wide spectrum of services, including the following programs of Instruction: Pistol/Carbine/Designated Marksmanship, Open Air/Small Unit Tactics, Close Quarters Battle, NVG/Laser Marksmanship and tactics, Low-Visibility Operations, Combatives, Team Leader/Planning courses, and Full Mission Profile/Joint Readiness Exercises. For more information, visit NorthernRedTraining.com.
About SureFire:
Since 1979, SureFire, LLC has been the leading manufacturer of suppressors, high-performance flashlights, weapon-mounted lights, and other tactical equipment for those who go in harm’s way or anyone who demands the ultimate in quality, innovation, and performance. SureFire illumination tools are used by more SWAT teams and elite special operations forces than any other brand. SureFire is an ISO 9001:2015-certified company. For more information, visit SUREFIRE.COM.
FORT SILL, Okla. –A basic combat training battery at Fort Sill is the first in the Army to get the new Army Service Green Service Uniform, a retro-style dress uniform modeled after the one worn by Gen. Dwight E. Eisenhower and other notables during World War II.
“Matter of fact, we’re the first Army training base to get the Army Green Service Uniform, which is pretty neat for obviously these Soldiers in training and obviously for the leadership,” 434th Field Artillery Command Sgt. Maj. Donald Harding said as nearly 200 trainees in A Battery, 1st Battalion, 79th Field Artillery waited outside the Vessey Hall Clothing Initial Issue Point (CIIP) Oct. 14 to receive the various components of their new uniforms.
Drill sergeants with 434th FA Brigade were issued their Army Green Service Uniforms the first week of September, during a three-night event at Military Clothing and Sales inside the PXtra.
Harding said he had nothing to do with the decision for Fort Sill to be the first to get new uniforms, as it came down from higher headquarters. He’s definitely proud that trainees here are first in line “because it brings back the tradition and the histories of the U.S. Army.”
The decision as to which battery here would get the uniforms was based on timing and the phase of training, Harding said. The brigade was given a date for the issue to take place, and it so happened that this battery was in week five of the second phase of their “2+8” training cycle.
“A basic combat training battery at Fort Sill is the first in the Army to get the new Army Green Service Uniform, a retro-style dress uniform modeled after the one worn by Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower and other notables during World War II.
So they’ll come through, they’ll get the sizing, and then they get the alterations done here at CIIP, and then they’ll come back here in about three weeks or so to receive the tailored uniform and turn it in to dry cleaning for the graduation week,” he said.
The senior enlisted man for 434th FA Brigade does not yet own a set himself, but expects to get one as battalion and brigade command teams are getting over to the store to buy the issue.
Luis Navas, chief of supply services for Fort Sill, said the uniform is a big deal in the Army right now – “they’ve been working toward this day for a long, long time. We have a lot of people from outside, in the Army, just looking at what we do, how we do it, the quality of the product, so we can improve from this point on.”
Each trainee is issued one free uniform. They get the jacket, pants, dress shirt, brown oxfords, matching socks, their rank, two T-shirts (one long-sleeve, the other short), ties, gloves, and the garrison cap. Female trainees were segregated from the males and taken to changing rooms upstairs to be fitted for their version of the Army Green Service Uniform.
Since the trainees get only one suit of dress clothes, everyone gets instructions on how to take care of their uniform and make it last for a long time.
Navas said basic training units run around 240 trainees, and he was told that 150-200 would be going through the CIIP for the Oct. 14 uniform issue.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – October 28, 2020 – Bushnell®, an industry leader in performance optics, has taken its professional-grade Elite Tactical compact spotting scope to an even higher level with the new 8-40x 60mm LMSS2.
The Elite Tactical LMSS2 combines compact elite-quality HD glass with a military-grade riflescope optical design. It builds on the original Lightweight Modular Spotting Scope (LMSS) with features including upgraded exterior lens coatings, updated HORUS reticle options and a power-change throw lever as well as other user control enhancements. Military personnel, law enforcement officers, competitive shooters and hunters can employ the LMSS2 to complement their Elite Tactical optics or other MIL-based riflescopes.
Ideal for training and competitive shooting that requires long-range target acquisition, the LMSS2’s key features include:
• ED Prime (HD) glass and fully multi-coated optics paired with ultra-wide-band coatings to allow for more light transmission in low-light situations, providing superior image brightness and color resolution
• Compact and lightweight HDOS system enables low-profile, lightweight construction without sacrificing resolution or contrast
• Aluminum alloy chassis construction is rugged and meets IXP7 waterproof standards; heavy-duty rubber overmold ensures that the glass and mechanical components are both secured and protected to maintain optical performance for years of use
• Bushnell’s exclusive EXO Barrier molecularly bonds to exterior lens surfaces and repels water, oil, fog, dust and debris so the user can see the target in any condition
• Throw Hammer PCR lever speeds up magnification changes and target engagements
The LMSS2 Elite Tactical is available with the H322 or the TREMOR4 spotting scope reticle. The H322 is designed as a companion to the H59 and H58 riflescope reticles, and is ideal for spotting with any MRAD-based riflescope reticle or where real-time measured targeting information is required. Its 0.2 milliradian (MRAD) Horus Grid and patented Rapid Range Bars make it well suited for those looking for robust wind and drop compensation, target range estimation and follow-up shot spotter communication capabilities. The TREMOR4 builds on the H322 and is designed as a companion to the TREMOR2, TREMOR3 or TREMOR5 riflescope reticles. It is also an exceptional reticle for spotting with any MRAD-based riflescope reticle. With its 0.2 mil Horus Grid and patented time of flight wind dots, it can be used with any ballistics and in any environmental conditions for excellent follow-up shot spotter communication capabilities.
With a minimum magnification of eight power – an ideal setting when employed with night vision – and a maximum of 40 power, the LMSS2 Elite Tactical is one of the most versatile premium spotting scopes on the market. It comes with a detachable (3 user selectable positions) picatinny rail, giving users the ability to quickly and easily mount red dot sights for faster target acquisition or laser rangefinders. An optional, third party rail kit designed as a direct-connect, OEM system further expands the scope’s accessory compatibility. Other features contributing to versatility, performance and ease of use include a twist-up eyecup, fast-focus diopter, integral ¼-20 tripod connection and bottom accessory rail connections.
The 8-40x 60mm LMSS2 Elite Tactical measures 12.7 inches in length and weighs 37 ounces without rail. Color is flat dark earth and black. Manufacturer’s suggested retail price is $1,749.99. Lens caps and cleaning cloth are included.
All Elite Tactical optics are covered by Bushnell’s Iron Clad Lifetime Warranty. For more information on the company’s full line of binoculars, spotting scopes and other optics, visit www.bushnell.com.
Longtime OR employee, Army veteran TJ Laynor to head Sales and Programs for a division that has seen $5 million in R+D and manufacturing facility investment over the last 2 years.
SEATTLE, Wash. (October 28, 2020) – After growing its manufacturing capacity dramatically by opening a new factory and increasing its onshore manufacturing jobs substantially over the last two years, Outdoor Research, Inc. (OR), a leader in the outdoor and tactical apparel industry, announced today it has promoted TJ Laynor to Vice President of Government and International Tactical Programs.
Laynor is a veteran of the Army who has worked for the Government/Tactical Division at Outdoor Research for a decade. In his new post, he will oversee sales and programs for the Government/Tactical and Medical PPE divisions. Outdoor Research has operated in the Government/Tactical arena for 30 years, building products for both elite units of the U.S. military and the tactical consumer market. Medical and PPE is an area into which OR expanded in 2020 with the onset of the COVID pandemic, investing in extensive new manufacturing equipment and technology to become a company that – since March – has built more than 6 million surgical, N95 and other face masks. OR also earned difficult-to-achieve FDA authorization and NIOSH certification for new products this year.
Contributing to its increased onshore manufacturing capabilities, over the last two years Outdoor Research has invested more than $5 million in improving R+D capabilities focused on these markets, including opening a second onshore factory in El Monte, California, while at the same time extensively modernizing and upgrading its manufacturing operation at its headquarters in Seattle, Washington. Outdoor Research has grown the number of jobs in its two U.S. manufacturing operations to more than 500 employees.
Prior to Outdoor Research, Laynor, who joined the U.S. Army in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, served in the military for nearly 10 years, completing a deployment in Afghanistan and two to Iraq. He and his wife, Dr. Samara Laynor met while deployed in Iraq. They have two children and reside in Tacoma, Washington.
“Whether in the mountains or the battlefield, the Outdoor Research brand has always been about solving problems and offering protection. And now we continue to grow with the addition of medical and PPE products,” Laynor said. “With the twists and turns that have come about through this year’s pandemic, this expansion aligns with the problem-solving vision of OR’s founder, Ron Gregg. I believe he would be proud of the unstoppable force that this team and this company has brought to bear in continuing to solve problems and provide the best protection available.”
Highly respected in the outdoor industry for developing functional solutions for extreme environments, Outdoor Research has a history of successfully leveraging the best commercial market technologies to serve the needs of the armed services and first responders. Over the past several years the company has conducted a comprehensive review of the U.S. supply chain and is in active development with textile mills and materials providers to expand and elevate the capabilities of products that are 100-percent American-made. That extensive innovation pipeline and network was crucial this past spring as the brand expanded into manufacturing surgical and N95 masks in a period of months.
“We’ve been investing in our Military/Tactical division and our onshore manufacturing capabilities over the last few years because we see the need to create critically needed, advanced products for the domestic market.” said Michelle Wardian, President of Outdoor Research. “The ability to respond quickly to rapidly evolving needs is paramount in the Military/Tactical arena, and we never could have imagined how much our domestic manufacturing experience would come into play in 2020 as the need for PPE made in the U.S.A. emerged. We are fortunate to have TJ’s highly credible experience continuing to guide our course forward.”
The Outdoor Research company mission is rooted in mountain environments. OR products are purpose-built to support the rigorous demands of our customers. Since 1981, Outdoor Research has engineered products to help outdoor adventurers respond to the challenges presented by the wild outdoors. OR’s decades of first-hand experience developing and manufacturing products that provide capability in uncompromising situations has provided the backdrop from which the military/tactical and medical/PPE teams were born. OR tactical products have been improved through cross-pollination from user groups, including the elite communities of military, law enforcement, and government agencies.
NEWINGTON, N.H., (October 28, 2020) – SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to announce the SIG SAUER Electro-Optics ROMEOZero has been awarded the 2020 NASGW POMA-Caliber Award for “Best New Optic.”
The NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards are a partnership between the National Association of Sporting Goods Wholesalers (NASGW) and the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) to recognize new and innovative products within the sporting goods industry. Products for the NASGW-POMA Caliber Awards are submitted by the manufacturers for the various product categories and are evaluated for uniqueness, market need, value of the product, ingenuity, and presentation.
“This is an exciting award for the ROMEOZero and underscores the new innovation that SIG SAUER Electro-Optics has brought to the concealed carry market,” said Andy York, President, SIG SAUER Electro-Optics. “With sub-compacts and red dot optics gaining unprecedented popularity for everyday carry, the ROMEOZero provides quick target acquisition that you can rely on at an affordable price.”
The SIG SAUER Electro-Optics ROMOEZero is a micro open reflex sight that’s optimized for everyday concealed carry like the P365XL, and pistols with slim slide profiles such as single stack 1911’s and sub-compact firearms. The sight features a ruggedized, WeaponsGrade™ textured polymer body and the Spectracoat™ HD Polymer lens system. The ROMEOZero is available in 3MOA or 6MOA and features eight daytime illumination settings, MOTAC™ (Motion Activated Illumination System), and a 10-year battery life.
The ROMEOZero is designed, engineered and assembled in the USA at SIG SAUER Electro-Optics facility located in Wilsonville, Oregon. The optic is available for purchase at retailers nationwide and online at the sigssauer.com webstore.
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WESTFIELD, Massachusetts – October 28, 2020 – Savage Arms is pleased to announce the addition of three new models to their venerable Stevens 320 shotgun lineup. These new thumbhole stock pump-actions provide control and versatility and offer a new option for fans of the classic Stevens design and will be available this holiday season.
“Our Stevens shotguns have proven to be very versatile for hunters and home defense,” Jessica Treglia, Sr. Brand Manager at Savage Arms, said. “And now we’re adding the thumbhole option to our 320 line with a new Turkey gun, and two different defensive shotguns. These shotguns are light, highly ergonomic, and built on the tested pump action that makes Stevens shotguns so reliable.”
The new 320 Thumbhole Security provides a new level of ergonomics to the tested 320 action. The 320 Security Thumbhole model combines a 18.5” barrel with a matte black forend and aggressive stock texturing. Each is available with either ghost ring sights or a traditional front bead sight. Both options are chambered in 12 gauge and 20 gauge.
320 Thumbhole Security Features
• Pump action shotgun with dual slide bars and rotary bolt
• 12 & 20 Gauge Options
• Matte black synthetic stock and forend
• Thumbhole stock with ambidextrous cheek riser and rugged grip textures
• Chrome alloy steel 18.5” matte black security barrel
• 3-inch chamber
• Swivel stud on stock and magazine cap
• Bottom-loading tube magazine (5+1 Capacity)
• Recoil pad
• Ghost Ring Sight or Front Bead Sight models available.
The reliable 320 pump action is now available in a thumbhole stock. The 320 Turkey also has an ambidextrous cheek riser. The olive drab stock and forend have built-in grip textures, and the receiver is drilled and tapped. It comes with an extended extra full turkey choke and adjustable fiberoptic sights. With its proven rotary bolt, and dual slide bars, the new 320 Turkey Thumbhole is ready to hunt.
320 Turkey Thumbhole Features
• Pump action shotgun with dual slide bars and rotary bolt
• 12 & 20 Gauge Options
• OD Green synthetic stock and forend
• Thumbhole stock with ambidextrous cheek riser and rugged grip textures
