Protact by Haartz

Archive for January, 2025

IC MKII Model Makes Its Debut at SHOT Show, Industry Day at the Range

Sunday, January 19th, 2025

Cambridge, Maryland (January 13, 2025) – LWRCI announces the next evolution of their renowned Individual carbine family with the introduction of the IC-MKI.

Featured updates to the product line include the updated design of the upper receiver and the adoption of the M-LOK® mounting system for the handguard. The two position, adjustable gas block was updated to a paddle style and is now located inside the rail, easily accessed to select suppressed or unsuppressed. Directly descended from rifles developed by LWRCI™, the IC-MKII delivers the same defining features and quality manufacturing, customers rely on from LWRCI™.

“Building on the popularity and widespread adoption of the M-LOK® mounting system, we wanted to bring this innovation to our customers. To accommodate the handguard over our piston system, we completely redesigned the upper receiver to provide the necessary space for the operating system. Our goal was to ensure strength and reliability—qualities our customers have come to expect from LWRCI™. We are confident the ICMKII will deliver on those expectations.” said David Ridley, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

The LWRCI™ proprietary Short-stroke Gas Piston operating system delivers unmatched reliability in extreme conditions and is easy to maintain. The MKII features include a monoforge, one-piece upper receiver The ICMKII is still manufactured with industry leading fully ambidextrous operating controls including the bolt catch, bolt release, magazine release and safety selector, as well as the charging handle. All controls can easily be accessed and utilized on either side of the entire IC line. The ICMKII retains the LWRCI™ signature cold hammer forged spiral fluted barrel, nickel boron coated bolt carrier, LWRCI™ Skirmish™ BUIS, and LWRCI™ compact stock and pistol grip.

The new IC-MKII model is available in both SBR / NFA, pistol and rifle length barrel configurations of 10.5” 12.7”, 14.7”, 16.1”. Available colors are black anodized, tungsten grey, flat dark earth, patriot brown and OD green Cerakote®.

Based in Cambridge, Maryland, LWRC International is a designer and manufacturer of high performance firearms. Its mission is to deliver absolute reliability, consistent accuracy and extreme durability in its products. Through innovative design, engineering excellence, cutting edge manufacturing processes, and materials technologies; LWRCI™ products are built to perform and exceed end user expectations. 

Mountainsmith EVO Series at SHOT Show

Sunday, January 19th, 2025

 

In 1979, Mountainsmith was founded on the need to build durable gear that could withstand the rigors of extended trips into the Rocky Mountain backcountry. This unwavering spirit, drive, and determination continues to fuel our mission today. We dedicate ourselves to designing, testing, and refining outdoor gear that genuinely ‘Goes Where You Go’. Join our diverse community of weekend warriors, global adventurers, outdoor professionals, and everyone in between, united by a shared passion for outdoor exploration and embracing life on the trail.

Our new Mountainsmith EVO series represents the evolution of over 40 years of passion for wilderness exploration and epic backcountry pursuits. Designed with superior durability, function-first design, and all day comfort in mind, this gear is built for the demanding outdoor missions that take you both on the trail and beyond.

SHOT Show® attendees will be able to talk with our sales and design teamabout retail product assortments, sales programs, agency partnerships and custom builds.

Come see us at SHOT SHOW® 2025:

BOOTH 40350

Fire Support: A Veteran’s Guide to Health, Healing, and Life Beyond Service

Sunday, January 19th, 2025

Discover the Essential Guide to Veteran Wellness with “Fire Support: A Veteran’s Guide to Health, Healing, and Life Beyond Service”

Are you a veteran looking to navigate the complex landscape of health, healing, and life after service? Look no further than “Fire Support,” by Erik Lawrence, your go-to resource for both conventional and holistic health solutions.

What You’ll Find Inside:

– Alphabetically Organized Entries:** Dive into any topic from A to Z, whether it’s understanding PTSD, exploring alternative therapies, or managing physical health. Each entry stands alone, offering you immediate, targeted guidance without the need to read the book cover-to-cover.

– Comprehensive Appendices:

  – Support Organizations: Connect with groups dedicated to veterans’ well-being.

  – Health Considerations: Insights into both physical and mental health tailored for veterans.

  – Alternative Health: Explore a range of holistic treatments and practices.

  – Healing Steps: Practical advice from a trauma/re-entry counselor on starting your healing journey.

  – Nutrition and Fitness: Special diets, recipes, and 20 fitness rules designed for those over 40 to keep you in top shape.

  – Further Reading: A curated list of additional resources for deeper exploration.

Book Details:

– Format: Paperback

– Size: 7”x10”

– Pages: 310

– ISBN: 978-1-961989-20-7

Whether you’re battling the invisible wounds of service or looking to enhance your physical health, “Fire Support” is designed as your personal field manual for thriving in civilian life. Use it like a dictionary or encyclopedia—find your topic, get your answers, and reclaim your health and vitality.

Order Your Copy Today at vssbooks.com and take the first step towards a healthier, more fulfilling life beyond service.

Erik Lawrence’s “Fire Support” – Because every veteran deserves the support to heal and thrive.

Murray Road Debuts Pathfinders Series: Mitch Kezar

Sunday, January 19th, 2025

CHARLESTON, S.C. – January 16, 2025 – The Murray Road Agency, a leading agency in the outdoor industry and related verticals, is proud to release the first installment of Pathfinders. This original series is non-sequential and highlights true pioneers in the outdoor space. It is not funded by clients/brands or otherwise sponsored. It solely focuses on people and their stories because they need to be told.

Pathfinders starts off featuring renowned photographer, videographer, outdoorsman and content pioneer Mitch Kezar. Anyone who has followed the outdoor industry for the last 40 plus years probably knows his name and may have even met him. If they don’t know him by name, they’ve seen his work. Kezar’s talent is one-of-a-generation and his portfolio spans countless brands, publications, mediums, industries and verticals. Murray Road is honored to release the first Pathfinders piece featuring this true titan of his craft.  

Kezar was born and raised in the farm country of northwestern Minnesota. He hunted, fished, farmed and did anything and everything outdoors. He also took to photography at a very young age. After high school he served in the military as a United States Air Force photojournalist before his entry into mainstream photojournalism that would lead him to work for major newspapers and media outlets across the United States. His experiences and accomplishments in the field are too infinite to begin to cover. He quickly ascended to leadership positions and built an amazing body of work along the way.  

Kezar was then able to combine his passion and skill for photography and storytelling with his other passions and skills—hunting, fishing and the great outdoors as he began working in the outdoor industry as a photographer and writer. Over the next several decades he established himself as a true leader and his work has graced covers and brought life to words, brands, products, campaigns, headlines, news events and more. He has completely wowed audiences and readers across the world each time.  

“To see Mitch’s photography and videography is to see true artwork that is unparalleled,” said Murray Road President and CEO Tim Brandt. “But to be lucky enough to work alongside Mitch is just different. Mitch is the most polished professional and is as talented as anyone to ever hold a camera to their eye. But his grit, determination, humility, vision and personality shine as bright and as prominent as even his best work. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s as accomplished as any outdoorsman, loves a good glass of scotch and is up for any challenge.”  

“Professionally, Mitch is so much more than a photographer. He is truly one of the great storytellers of our generation. To see him work and deliver the final product can only be described as witnessing greatness. We are honored and humbled to try and capture even a fraction of this essence and his impact in our short piece.” 

This episode of Pathfinders takes on the tough task of trying to frame Kezar as a man and as a professional — his work, his legacy, his family and his current projects — for the average viewer. The finished piece will never do justice to his past and present accomplishments and bodies of work, but it does give the audience a personal view into the man who has done so much.  

Despite all of his professional success, Kezar is also one of the finest examples of a father, grandfather, brother, son, teammate, military veteran and general advocate as one can ever come across. Kezar raised two sons who have each put together military special forces careers of over 20 years. Kezar is also a proud grandfather. His impact on the industry has been and continues to be revolutionary, but his impact on his family, friends, co-workers and colleagues surpasses that as well.  

The full episode featuring Kezar is available now at the Murray Road Agency YouTube channel. Future Pathfinders releases will also be seen here. Clips, teasers, behind-the-scenes and other content from the Kezar piece and other Pathfinders efforts will also be available on Murray Road social media channels and website.  

Come See Spartan Precision at SHOT Show 2025

Saturday, January 18th, 2025


Spartan Precision will be displaying their revolutionary bipod and tripod systems in booth #14538 during SHOT Show 2025.  Swing by and see their highly adaptable, TAA compliant, defense line with Quantico Tactical during the show.

EOTECH Vudu 3-9×32 SFP

Saturday, January 18th, 2025

At just 6.8″ in length the new EOTECH Vudu 3-9×32 SFP is a super short variable power optic.

It is fog, water, and shock resistant, with capped ¼ MOA turrets and a second focal plane design. An illuminated reticle with 10 brightness settings runs up to 300 hours on a CR2032 battery and its integrated base is compatible with mini-ACOG mounts. For added versatility, a version with a ring mount and EFLX™ sight allows non-magnified targeting, mountable at the top or 45-degree angles for dynamic use.

Available this quarter.

www.eotechinc.com/eotech-vudu-3-9×32-sfp

OTTE Gear Seeks Minority Partner

Saturday, January 18th, 2025

Visit with OTTE Gear during this coming week’s SHOT Show in Las Vegas to explore this exciting opportunity. Email govsales@ottegear.com to set up a meeting.

American Suppressor Association Issues Statement of Support for Hearing Protection Act Reintroduction

Saturday, January 18th, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the American Suppressor Association (ASA), issued a statement of support for the introduction of the Hearing Protection Act for the 119th Congress by U.S. Representative Ben Cline. 

“The Hearing Protection Act is the epitome of commonsense legislation. Law-abiding citizens should not have to pay a tax to protect their hearing when they exercise their Second Amendment rights,” said Knox Williams, President and Executive Director of ASA. “The American Suppressor Association applauds Rep. Cline for his leadership and willingness to fight for the rights of gunowners across the United States. We look forward to continuing productive conversations with members of Congress and the incoming administration to ensure the best policy outcomes for the suppressor industry and entire gun-owning community.”

The Hearing Protection Act would remove suppressors from the burdensome requirements of the National Firearms Act (NFA) and require purchasers to pass an instant NICS check, the same background check used during the sale of long guns. This change will make it is easier for law-abiding hunters and sportsmen to access these hearing safety devices. Congressman Cline’s bill is an enhanced version of the HPA introduced in every Congress for the last decade. The legislation includes a technical change intended to clarify which part of a suppressor must be marked with a serial number. 

Background

Suppressors have been federally regulated since the passage of the National Firearms Act of 1934. 

In order to purchase a suppressor, prospective buyers must live in a state where suppressors are legal, send in an application including fingerprints and passport photos to the ATF, pay a $200 transfer tax, notify their local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO), and wait an indeterminate amount of time for ATF to process the application.

Using the same science as car mufflers, suppressors help reduce noise pollution, allowing hunters and recreational shooters to be good neighbors and good stewards of the environment. 

Often referred to as “silencers,” suppressors are widely misunderstood by the public due to this misnomer. A suppressor only reduces the sound level of a gunshot to 110-120 decibels, about as loud as a jackhammer or ambulance siren.

Private suppressor ownership is currently legal in 42 states, and hunting with a suppressor is legal in 41 states.

For more information on the Hearing Protection Act and the American Suppressor Association, visit americansuppressorassociation.com.