Last July, while on a promotional tour through France for Mission Impossible: Fallout, Tom Cruise paid an unplanned visit to the National Gendarmerie Intervention Group (GIGN) in Versailles. These photos from the GIGN’s Twitter account showcase Cruise on the range with GIGN operatives, shooting various weapons from their arsenal, including their primary weapon, the CZ Bren 2 equipped with the B.E. Meyers & Co. Modular Advanced Weapon Laser – Direct Action (MAWL®-DA).
The MAWL®-DA is the most end –user centric high powered NIR/VIS aiming and illumination laser available for individual weapons. It was designed from the ground up to provide improved ergonomics, interface, and performance for night fighters across the globe. After rigorous testing, the GIGN selected the MAWL®-DA as the superior choice for formal procurement and deployment within the unit.
Known for missions including counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, surveillance of national threats, protection of government officials, and targeting organized crime, it makes sense that the Mission Impossible star would want to meet with the elite unit that helped inspire the action in Fallout, and try their gear firsthand.
Tags: BE Meyers & Co
I had the fortune of training with French special forces in the past. They have made so many decisions no other countries follow, it is no wonder they have cant fight islamic terrorism properly. Its not that they are bad at what they are doing, their fitness levels are excellent, the people are extremely professional but their training methods sometimes seem to be taken directly out of Entertainer Zero’s playbook of gun-nastics. Also their choices in weapons, ammunition and tactics are highly questionable in my opinion.
They are much like the Israelies in a weird way. It works, which seems to justify it. But then again, many things work if done with enough determination.
Like a 7.62×39 CZ Bren short barrel?
Wow, I knew he was short but not THAT short!
Joking aside, I kinda get the desire for 7.62×39. It most likely fills the same role that .300blk (virtually unheard of outside the US, let’s not forget) would at a fraction of the cost. There’s a number of 7.62×39 loads that perform very well (I doubt they’re using Soviet surplus or Tula) while maintaining cost-effectiveness and increased effectiveness over 5.56 in the areas where they seem to think it matters.
Bren 2s and MAWLs are sweet, but the battery-powered ACOGs have me going all kinds of whut.
It’s harder to export, or ship, a tritium powered weapon sight, then it is a battery powered one.
Was that what you meant?
I’ve seen the LED ACOGs used elsewhere in Europe as well, so that makes a lot of sense. What I mostly meant, however, was the idea of using a 4x (I assume) fixed-power scope as a primary optic. It’s got the piggybacked red dot on top, but still seems odd in comparison to the many types of reflex/holographic sights that we see in common use by SWAT and LE in most places around the world
Keep in mind that they heavily rely on balistic visors on their helmets, making the red dot elevated position desirable, even if less optimal.
Instead of using a high rise mount, putting a magnified optic in between serves that purposes and brings another capability.
As for tritium based acog, believe it or not, it is impossible to import them in France, even if you are a counter terrorism, Tom Cruise movies inspiring unit…
Just curious, does anyone think the French adopt oddball weapons and tactics simply because no one else is using it? I get the feeling that the French are very proud of being French, and want to remain as unique as possible.
How about that Al Bundy pose with the revolver.