Even though the US Marine Corps Issues a sole source contract to purchase additional M27 Infantry Assault Rifles to German manufacturer Heckler & Koch last April, the service had to wait for funding. An H&K employee mentioned to me during last month’s SHOT Show that deliveries would begin now that funding is in place.

Today, H&K released these photos of M27s be prepped for shipment to the Marines from their warehouse in Georgia.

For those of you unfamiliar with the M27 IAR, it was first adopted by the Marines in 2010. Made in Germany, the IAR is based on the HK416, a piston driven 5.56mm rifle. The concept behind the IAR was to supplant the belt-fed M249 Squad Automatic Weapon in the Infantry Squad with the more compact box-fed design of the M27.

In 2017, the Corps decided to expand the M27’s role, with the plan of issuing it to all members of the rifle platoon. This decision of limited fielding, based on Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen Robert Neller’s saying, “All Marines are riflemen, but not all Marines are infantrymen,” resulted in the sole source contract awarded last year.

Unity Tactical created this graphic to illustrate how the height of their new FAST Micro Mount compares other common mount heights. The difference between FAST and 1.93 is essentially the difference between 1.93 and Lower 1/3rd.

When I see a post on social media about “testing” I have to laugh. Taking a product out in the back yard or to a local range and putting a magazine through it isn’t testing. Neither is coming up with some one-off scenario like shooting a helmet with a threat it wasn’t designed for. Those demonstrations are often entertaining, but testing must be repeatable.

Machine developed at the National Bureau of Standards to test the endurance of women’s shoes, Washington DC, 1945.

Cloud Defensive has been hard at work in 2018, bringing their American-made Optimized Weapon Light to life. With the OWL just now starting to ship after years of development, they are now announcing the release of two hand guards as well. One to compliment the OWL and the other to compliment their existing line of Light Control Systems (LCS) along with both Surefire/Streamlight lights and switches – including the Surefire SR-07 and DS-07 switches. Along with all IR lasers and associated switches. And yes, the new rails are shipping now.

Dubbed the Cloud Optimized Rail (COR), it offers something no other rail currently does: It works on integrating the rail system around the remote switching for the lights/lasers. So the most notable feature is a recessed channel for mounting those switches, which clears up Field-Of-View (FOV) and substantially aids ergonomic use of the now-recessed switching for lights/lasers. The recessed mounting slot also protects the switches as well.

With side walls that are .100 thick (thicker than almost everybody else) and type III “hard-coat” anodizing, the COR series is incredibly strong and handles heat well.

CORv1 (OWL version) weighs in at 9.35oz with the supplied and proven Bravo Company USA barrel nut assembly. So the weight is very light and lock-up is extremely rigid. CORv1 moves the OWL forward for optimal positioning of the switch and gives ample space behind the light for back-up sights to me mounted. The CORv1 also supports their Light Control System (LCS) for Surefire (LCSmk1). With that, you can mount your LCS into the recess at the front of the rail and then run any Surefire light at any position you desire.

CORv2 (LCS/Surefire/Streamlight/Laser version) clocks in at 9.15oz again with the BCM barrel nut assembly. The switch recess is moved further back on the CORv2 to allow room to mount a variety of items in front of the switch. Including the B.E. Meyers MAWL, an L3 PEQ-15/ATPIAL/ATPIAL-C or a Steiner DBAL-series laser. There is also plenty of room to mount fixed or folding back-up sights in front of the switching recess. The recess itself fully supports the Cloud’s Light Control System (LCS) for both the Surefire and Streamlight weapon lights. The recess is also large enough to support the Surefire SR-07 and DS-07 switches as well. So the CORv2 is the more modular of the two offerings.

Interestingly enough, a MAWL or DBAL can be mounted to the recessed position, moving the lasers themselves lower into the rail and then allowing you to run push-button weapon lights such as the Surefire or Streamlight in conjunction with that, should not choose to use a remote switch. So users do not even need to utilize Cloud Defensive lighting products to benefit from the CORv2.

With dedicated rail options for both the OWL and for the LCS/other switches/lights/lasers, the world now has two more rails to choose from.

Both COR rails are 9.55” in length to support both 10.3 and 10.5” barrels with longer barrels being compatible as well.

Both COR rails are full compatible with low-profile gas blocks in both carbine and pistol-length configurations on direct-impingement weapons. But do note the COR rails are not compatible with the piston-driven weapons.

And finally, both COR models feature two QD sling attachment points on each side of the rail as well.

In their own words “We absolutely do not want a one-size-fits-all rail system. The rail system should work around the equipment a user mounts to it. That means tailoring the fit of those systems to the rail and developing solutions for specific setups. There is no reason to avoid the creation of purpose-built rails that offer substantial improvement for individuals with specific set-ups or needs. We’re sick of giving up optimal light/laser control positioning and ideal ergonomics. Historically that battle has been fought with the lights/lasers themselves and those things have been forced to work around the existing rail systems. In doing so, the user gives up optimization in exchange for a higher level of modularity. But that’s not always the answer. We looked at it differently. We can either fight the engineering challenges of perpetually making these sighting/targeting systems smaller. Or we can do that and work the rails around them at the same time to achieve the best-possible interface. Being that we are a weapon light and accessory manufacturer, we have the unique ability to shape the rails around the accessories and lights that we are making. They then integrate seamlessly. So COR came to life out of necessity and it also offers people the ability to really improve their setups, even if they don’t utilize any of our other lighting products at all”.

The COR series is shipping now and has a price of $209.99 shipped at www.clouddefensive.com

OVERVIEW

The RAID-X (Ruggedized Aiming/Illumination Device) offers smaller, lighter and superior performance. Powered by one (1) CR123 3V battery, the RAID-X features a red or green visible laser, near infrared (NIR) laser, NIR room Illuminator and variable NIR illuminator all co-aligned with one windage and elevation adjustment.

In addition to size and weight reduction, the RAID-X boasts ultimate beam clarity and uniformity aiding in target identification and situational awareness. The RAID-X power settings for lasers and illuminators are totally adjustable on the fly to end users preference and can be fine tuned together or individually to set the desired brightness in each mode. Once the settings are chosen they are automatically saved and stored until further changes are made.

Ergonomically located controls allow for full ambidextrous operation and ease of use. The NIR illuminator focus wheel provides rapid adjustment of beam divergence for various distances and mission requirements. An easy to read OLED display provides key information/mode status with automatic or manual brightness control and can be completely covered to eliminate unwanted light signature via sliding display shroud.

The RAID-X securely mounts low-profile to 1913 style picatinny rails using two shock nuts, without interfering with optics or iron sights, providing improved laser bore sight retention. Rated for use on multiple weapon systems.

FEATURES & BENEFITS

– Red/green VIS laser, NIR laser and NIR room/variable illuminators

– Lasers/illuminators all co-aligned with one adjustment

– Five (5) selectable pulse modes on VIS/NIR lasers

– Precise beam clarity for optimal recognition/identification

– Illuminator wheel adjusts beam divergence from flood to spot

– Selectable low/high power laser and illuminator settings

– Multi-function buttons provide on the fly laser/illuminator power adjustment

– Remote port accepts common pigtail plug switches

– Mounts to 1913 style picatinny rails via 2 shock nuts

– OLED display provides key status information

See RAID-X in the Wilcox Industries Booth #8303 at SHOT Show.

Ruggedized Frames with Interchangeable Protective Lenses Designed for Elite Forces

Carbondale, PA, January 18, 2019. Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces, emergency responders, and industrial personnel will introduce the latest addition to its growing eyewear portfolio, Ops-Core Mk1™ Performance Protective Eyewear, at SHOT Show, January 22 – 25, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Manufactured in the USA, Mk1 eyewear was designed to meet the need for more ruggedized, mission configurable eyewear for elite forces.  To deliver this unique solution, Gentex Corporation leveraged their over 50 years of experience in high performance optics manufacturing, and the fundamental design principles of their Ops-Core® brand; modularity, scalability, and user-driven design.

“The introduction of the Ops-Core Mk1 Performance Protective Eyewear demonstrates our dedication to strengthening and expanding our tactical optics offering to meet the changing needs of elite defense, law enforcement and security forces,” said Tom Short, vice president ground systems, Gentex Corporation.  “Building on over a half century of experience in the design and manufacture of high performance optics for military aircrews and premium eyewear OEMs, Mk1 eyewear is an exciting new addition to our industry-leading line of Ops-Core helmet systems, communication headsets, and accessories all on display at SHOT Show.”

The durable aluminum metal frames are available in a variety of colors, with interchangeable lenses to support a wide range of mission needs, protecting the wearer’s vision and helping enhance and maintain their operational performance. Using the same lens technology as in their Gentex eye protection for pilots, current lens options for the Ops-Core Mk1 eyewear include clear, tint, clear and tint (dual lenses), laser dazzle, and high contrast; all manufactured at Gentex facilities in the U.S. and all tested in accordance with ANSI Z87.1. Future lens options will include Advanced Laser Eye Protection (ALEP), ballistic, and Advanced Variable Light Transmission (AVLT) technologies.

Also featured in the company’s booth at SHOT Show will be new and recently released Ops-Core products including the Ops-Core AMP™ Communication Headset, which provides 3D hear-through and advanced hearing protection in a mission configurable design; the Ops-Core FAST® SF Super High Cut Helmet, a high performance evolution of the Ops-Core FAST MT Super High Cut Helmet, with an 8% weight reduction; and the Ops-Core Special Operations Tactical Respirator, a low profile half mask respirator offering 99.97% particulate protection.

Visit Gentex Corporation in Law Enforcement Hall Booth #8109.  To learn more about the Ops-Core Mk1 Performance Protective Eyewear, go to www.gentexcorp.com/MK1.

Thanks for supporting SSD in 2018!

We hope 2018 was a great year for you and that 2019 will be even better!