You can usually count on something inspired by Star Wars from Battle Arms Development and their display at the NRA Show in Indianapolis doesn’t disappoint with a few examples of Solo blaster designs.
Archive for April, 2023
Indy 23 – Battle Arms Development
Friday, April 14th, 2023Indy 23 – Beretta PMXs
Friday, April 14th, 2023The Beretta PMXs is a semi-auto version of the PMX subgun offered internationally to military and police forces. A polymer design, it operates via direct blow-back and features ambidextrous controlled and a threaded barrel.
They’ve even done up a version in a Tigerstripe pattern to match the limited edition A300 Ultimate Patrol Shotgun.
Indy 23 – Magpul Sun & Steel Performance Hoodies
Friday, April 14th, 2023
Magpul’s Sun & Steel Performance Hoodies are now available for sale. Offered in Tigerstripe, Grey, Blue Skull Camo and Hula Camo in sizes Small – 4XL they offer UPF 50 and are treated with brrr° Triple Chill Effect technology that combines cooling minerals, active wicking, and rapid drying to enhance dryness and comfort and reduce temperature.
magpul.com/magpul-sun-and-steel-performance-hoodie
Indy 23 – 152nd NRA Annual Meeting & Exhibits
Friday, April 14th, 2023
Promising “14 acres of Freedom” this year’s NRA Annual Meeting should be interesting. Held in Indianapolis, it runs through this Sunday.
DuPont Announces Kevlar EXO, a Groundbreaking Next-Generation Aramid Fiber
Friday, April 14th, 2023- Kevlar® EXO™ offers an unmatched combination of protection, lightness and flexibility
- Law enforcement officers and military personnel to be the first to experience the new fiber in soft body armor
WILMINGTON, Del., April 14, 2023 – DuPont (NYSE:DD) today unveiled Kevlar® EXO™ aramid fiber, the most significant aramid fiber innovation in over 50 years and an entirely new technology platform developed to serve endless applications where performance and protection is required in the midst of intense and demanding conditions. Life protection will be the first of many Kevlar® EXO™ use cases that will offer an unprecedented combination of lightness, flexibility and protection from an aramid fiber.
DuPont™ Kevlar® has long been the advanced material behind high-performing body armor that protects those who serve. Now, with body armor crafted using Kevlar® EXO™, military and law enforcement officers can experience previously unavailable levels of ballistic protection without compromising on mobility and comfort. With unmatched pliability, Kevlar® EXO™ contours to curves and body lines, providing a more body-inclusive solution while still offering maximum protection.
“We’ve spent over a decade developing, refining and perfecting Kevlar® EXO™, and the result is an industry-altering platform that has catapulted our life protection capabilities to a whole new level,” said Steven LaGanke, global business leader, DuPont Life Protection. “Developed and tested by leading materials experts at DuPont, Kevlar® EXO™ offers never-before-seen ballistic and thermal performance while also providing a flexible and lightweight solution that empowers users to operate at peak performance. Whether for military members, law enforcement officers, private security or emergency responders, pound for pound, Kevlar® EXO™ users can better manage energy output even during the most demanding physical tasks.”
First-of-its-kind Kevlar® EXO™ aramid fiber is incomparably better and more durable than even the highest-performing soft body armor materials available. Kevlar® EXO™ offers the following benefits:
- The highest ballistics performance among all aramid fibers without compromising on weight, enabling the best-in-class, lightest weight ballistics soft armor solutions available on the market today
- Peak flexibility, offering increased comfort and mobility, contouring to curves and body lines with less restriction for maximum defense, when paired with exceptional carrier design
- Inherently flame- and temperature-resistant; melt- and ignite-proof up to 500°C (932°F)
- Delivers the same level of protection after five years as it provides on day one
- Made in the USA at DuPont’s new manufacturing facility in Spruance, Virginia
- Endlessly customizable wearability for use case and body type
DuPont will debut Kevlar® EXO™ at the Best Ranger Competition (April 14-16, 2023), which brings together some of the United States military’s most talented soldiers to go head-to-head in a grueling competition that simulates the physical and mental challenges of combat. At this year’s competition, United States Army Rangers will be the first soldiers in the world to wear body armor vests made with Kevlar® EXO™, enabling them to experience peak flexibility and comfort as they conquer each challenge.
To learn more about Kevlar® EXO™ aramid fiber, visit www.KevlarEXO.com.
Nightforce Optics Introduces NEW MOA-XT Reticle
Friday, April 14th, 2023Orofino, ID, U.S. – (April 14, 2023) Nightforce Optics is excited to announce the latest in Minute of Angle (MOA) reticles, the MOA-XT. The MOA-XT is designed to provide the same shooting experience as Nightforce’s popular MIL-XT reticle.
Many MOA reticles lack common features of modern milliradian (MRAD) based reticles. The MOA-XT provides a grid of holdover points below the main stadia, allowing shooters to compensate for both windage and elevation. The floating center dot provides a fine aiming point for precise shots. The main stadia includes 1 MOA marks with labels every 2 MOA to ensure clear shooting references in hasty or stressful engagements. The grid consists of an array of horizontal dots that are broken up by a bold dot every 4 MOA for fast counting. Throughout the reticle, reference numbers are alternated in size to provide confidence and speed of engagement at any magnification. In combination, these features allow for faster long-range shooting and more precise holds.
“Over the last few years, improvements in the precision of hunting firearms and ammunition and the growth of shooting disciplines like NRL Hunter created a need for reticles with improved holdover shooting capability. Our goal was to give MOA shooters all the features required for these new shooting challenges, without switching to an MRAD reticle. The MOA-XT reticle brings the holdover capabilities and intuitive labeling of our most popular MRAD reticle for field shooting, the MIL-XT, while maintaining MOA graduations. .” said Chad Van Brunt, the Director of Marketing and Product Management for Nightforce Optics.
The MOA-XT reticle is Nightforce’s solution for hunters, competitors, and all shooters who require the versatility of a holdover-style reticle and prefer a minute of angle scope. Riflescopes are available in the following models.
– ATACRTM 7-35×56 F1
– ATACRTM 5-25×56 F1
– ATACRTM 4-20×50 F1
– ATACRTM 4-16×42 F1
– NX8TM 4-32×50 F1
– NX8TM 2.5-20×50 F1
For more information on the MOA-XT and other Nightforce Optics products, please visit
FirstSpear Friday Focus – Overrun Carriers
Friday, April 14th, 2023
This week, we’re highlighting overrun stock of some of our best selling carrier systems, Strandhögg™ V1 SAPI Cut, Sloucher, and the Ragnar Vest. These are limited stock items so pricing and quantity are available while supplies last.
The Strandhögg™ V1 SAPI Cut Plate Carrier takes its name from an old Norse Viking term for, a lightning raid, Strandhögg was one of the first formalized battle tactics to use covert infiltrators in advance of an actual raiding operation. This system can be worn with or without a soft armor panel depending on ballistic requirements, threat level and plates utilized. Using streamlined fit throughout, along with state of the art materials and production technology, you’ll find this carrier to be extremely comfortable without compromising durability and performance.
The Sloucher combines many of the most desirable features of both the Siege-R and the Sleeper. Stretch panels on the cummerbund and Tubes® closures keep the fit tight and allow for quick donning and doffing. The 6/12™ Pocket Attachment System provides a low profile. This carrier accepts front, back and side plates, SPEAR/BALCS cut soft armor (not included) and MASS accessories. The Sloucher provides the capability to support a full spectrum of operations.
Named for the intrepid explorer and cunning warrior Ragnar Lodbrok, the Ragnar Vest and its accessories are suited for a wide variety of roles and circumstances. The Ragnar Vest is covered in loop fabric and can be altered with different cummerbunds. Four special built-in pockets with retention tabs allow for storage of accessories based on situational requirements. This is a multi-mission vest with the flexibility to cover a variety of profiles.
Visit FirstSpear to find America’s premier tactical gear and equipment.
In Edelweiss Raid, the Competition Is Seriously Steep
Friday, April 14th, 2023
When a U.S. team competed in the international military mountaineering contest for the first time in 2019, it made history as the first team ever to finish the competition on its inaugural attempt, placing 13th out of 23 teams.
In two days, teams cover 40 kilometers (24.85 miles) of rugged Austrian Alps terrain with up to 14,000 feet of cumulative elevation gain, completing various military tasks at 12 stations in the process. They carry a litter with their equipment — both for challenges and in case of real casualty situations.
U.S. National Guard soldiers — most from Vermont, home of the Army Mountain Warfare School and the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) — returned to Austria earlier this year to compete in the biennial event. This time, the 16-member U.S. team competed in two groups. Both finished; one cracked the top 10.
“We all pretty much call it Type 2 Fun,” Connecticut National Guard Capt. Scott Stone, one of the U.S. competitors, said. “Which is basically … not ‘Ha ha, we’re all having a good time fun,’ but it’s one of things that once you’re done with it, it’s a really awesome experience.”
(Includes information from articles by Timothy Koster, Connecticut National Guard Public Affairs Office; and Army Capt. Mikel Arcovitch, Joint Force Headquarters – Vermont National Guard Public Affairs)
