FirstSpear

Author Archive

Gunfighter Moment – Larry Vickers

Saturday, January 21st, 2017

In the spirit of post-SHOT Show coverage, check out the series of videos Gunfighter Moment contributor Larry Vickers did for the Vickers Tactical YouTube channel, covering SHOT Show 2017.

You can check out the rest of the videos at the Vickers Tactical YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/VickersTacticalInc

SHOT Show 17 – Trijicon

Friday, January 20th, 2017

MRO Patrol

IMG_0105

So, how did Trijicon update the MRO with the new Patrol model? The major change for the Patrol is Trijicon added internal threading to the housing around the objective lens which allows users to mount a kill flash/Anti-Reflection Device and/or Objective Cover to the MRO, and they included an ocular lens cover. Trijicon also now offers a co-witness mount with a one-handed quick detach for the MRO.

IMG_0104

MGRS

IMG_0106

The Machine Gun Reflex sight is designed for medium and heavy machine guns, providing a wide 3″ x 2″ view window and 3 MOA/35 MOA reticle to increase probability of first-round hits. The MRGRS is made of 7075-T6 aluminum, is waterproof to 2m, and is powered by a single CR123A battery which can provide over 1000 hours of continuous use on setting 6 of 7 at 70F. The MGRS also has a 3x companion magnifier called, appropriately enough, the MGRS MAG, which interfaces directly onto the MGRS body.

IMG_0110

HD XR Night Sights

IMG_0101

Designed for a variety of contemporary pistol models, the HD XR Night Sights consist of a “U” notch rear with tritium lamps, and a front post with yellow or orange outline and tritium lamp. The front post on the HD XR sights is slimmer than the standard HD sights, promoting a larger field of view for improved target identification and engagement at longer distances. The steep hooked front surface of the rear notch is optimized for one-handed slide manipulation.

IMG_0102

www.trijicon.com

SHOT Show 17 – Benchmade Knives

Friday, January 20th, 2017

Ti Bali-Song

IMG_0166

The Bali-Song AKA the butterfly knife is a pretty iconic design, and Benchmade put their own spin on it with the Ti Bali-Song, manufacturing the handle out of sandblasted billet titanium and integrating a squeeze-activated magnetic latch. The blade, made of CPM-S30V steel, is shaped into the somewhat unique Wharncliffe style, unusual for a Bali-Song knife. Comes with a grey sheath.

BLK Rescue Hook

IMG_0169

The BLK Rescue Hook was originally designed for corrections officers, and is made of 440C stainless steel. The enlarged hook gap allows the tool to cut rope up to 1″ thick. Comes with an ambidextrous sheath with removable retention strap.

Infidel 10-Year Anniversary

IMG_0180

This variant of the Infidel commemorates 10 years of Benchmade’s flagship auto knife. The handle is made of 6061-T6 billet aluminum with a silver bright dip, while the blade is made of CPM-S30V stainless steel in a double-edge dagger style. The Infidel 10-Year also comes with an Infidel challenge coin.

Phaeton

IMG_0188

The Phaeton is a new spine-fire OTF knife designed as a semi-tactical EDC knife. The handle is made of 6061-T6 billet aluminum which is 4600 anodized in either Black or Flat Dark Earth. The drop-point style blade is made of CPM-S30V stainless steel, and the Phaeton also comes with a reversible deep-carry pocket clip.

www.benchmade.com

SHOT Show 17 – Jesse James Firearms Unlimited

Friday, January 20th, 2017

We’ll come right out and say it: Jesse James Firearms Unlimited is undoubtedly a boutique firearms manufacturer; they make weapons with flashy, cool designs, with or without intricate engraving, and attach high prices to said design. Given JJFU’s continued appearance at SHOT, and move to a bigger booth, this seems to be working quite well for them. And with that new booth, comes two new guns, the Stalin 12 and Califas Nomad.

Stalin-12

IMG_0074

The Stalin-12 is an AK-pattern shotgun in the same vein as the Russian Saiga-12 and Vepr-12, but made in the USA with a milled receiver in lieu of a stamped receiver, and an AR-esque selector switch. Reportedly, the Stalin-12 will MSRP at ~$7000, although a final price hasn’t been set, yet. There’s a great irony in seeing such a high price tag on a weapon named after a Communist dictator, to be sure.

Califas Nomad

IMG_0075

The Califas Nomad is a rifle built in the same vein as the ARES SCR, an AR-derivative rifle designed to be compliant in 2A-unfriendly states like New York and California, but with an unmistakable JJFU aesthetic. With a side charging handle, skeletonized forend, and fixed wood stock, the Califas Nomad is a neat looking piece, but it’s also gonna run you ~$3500.

www.jjfu.com

SHOT Show 17 – Gemtech Lunar -45

Thursday, January 19th, 2017

The Lunar-45 from Gemtech is a full-auto rated modular suppressor billed as “…the lightest and quietest modular 45 caliber silencer available that is able to be completely taken apart and cleaned.” Crafted from 7075 aluminum and titanium, the Lunar-45 can be configured into a 8.5″ long or 6.9″ short profile, and a variety of available mounting options will allow the Lunar-45 to be utilized with a multitude of weapons and calibers. The Lunar-45 features a high temperature black Cerakote finish, and comes with a .578-28 mount.

Gemtech tested the Lunar-45 mounted on a Dan Wesson Discretion 1911 using 230gr FMJ, and found when ran dry it produced a sound report of 129dB in the long configuration and 136dB in the short configuration. Solid numbers, and if real world results mimic performance found during testing, Genentech will have an excellent new product in their suppressor line.

gemtech.com/

SHOT Show 17 – SOG Knives Baton Multi-Tools

Thursday, January 19th, 2017

The new Baton multi-tool series from SOG consists of 4 minimalist profile multi-tools, about as thick as a marker and as long as a pencil for easy stowage into a pocket, pouch, or other container. Each tool in the series is named ‘Baton Q’, followed by a number (Q1 – Q4). The Q tools consist of handles made of aluminum (Q1 – 1060, Q2-4 – 6061-T6) and tools made of 5Cr15MoV steel, and depending on the model are designed for applications including office & personal, urban emergency, and basic and advanced wilderness.

This is a list of the tools included in each model Baton:

Baton Q1 – Spring assist scissors, pressurized ballpoint pen, bottle opener, medium flathead driver

Baton Q2 – Straight edge blade, LED flashlight, bottle opener, medium flathead driver

Baton Q3 – Pliers, gripper, soft wire cutter, straight blade, 3-sided file, Phillips driver, awl, chisel, can opener, small flathead driver, bottle opener, medium flathead driver, jewelry driver

Baton Q4 – Pliers, gripper, soft wire cutter, straight blade, 3-sided file, can opener, small flathead driver, bottle opener, medium flathead driver, magnetic ratchet driver, magnetic 12-piece hex bit kit

www.sogknives.com

SHOT Show 17 – MKEK MPT-76

Wednesday, January 18th, 2017

MKEK’s MPT-76 or National Infantry Rifle is a modular battle rifle designed to replace the G3 currently in service with the Turkish Armed Forces. Chambered for 7.62x51mm NATO, the MPT features a free-floating, cold hammer forged 16″ barrel with a 1:10 twist rate, and a short-stroke gas piston system. A bit of AR influence can be found in the MPT’s design, in regards to the forward assist, rearward charging handle, and selector switch; these later two components, along with the magazine release are also designed to be ambidextrous. The MPT also features a retractible buttstock; modular quad rail forend; folding front and rear sights; 20-round translucent polymer magazine; and grenade launcher and shotgun interfaces.

www.mkek.gov.tr/en

SHOT Show 17 – Hardened Arms LumaShark

Wednesday, January 18th, 2017

IMG_4474

The LumaShark is a free float handguard with dual integral CREE lights. The rail is constructed of 6061-T6 aluminum and is 12″ in length, with a monolithic top Picatinny rail, and M-LOK side and bottom slots. The 1150 lumen lights sit at the 6 o’clock position on the front end of the rail, and are activated via large, glove-friendly buttons. These buttons are pretty sensitive, so Hardened Arms also offers a more recessed button so accidental activation doesn’t occur during use. They run on CR123A batteries, which provide up to 1 hour of constant activation. As you can tell, the rail is rather wide, intentionally designed to allow clearance for a suppressor.

IMG_4476

The lights feature quick-change bulbs which can be removed via an included tool. Hardened Arms also offers an IR bulb and laser as replacement for the standard bulbs, as well as remote pressure pads. Hardened Arms’ developed the LumaShark principally for Military and LE sales, although it will be offered for general purchase as well.

www.hardenedarms.com