Phantom Lights

Archive for the ‘Advertiser’ Category

GORE-TEX Brand Celebrates 50 Years of Innovation

Sunday, May 31st, 2026

When you say “waterproof breathable”, you immediately think of the company that created the category, GORE-TEX. This month, it celebrates its 50th anniversary of keeping us dry.

During a recent visit to WL Gore & Co’s headquarters in Delaware I had a chance to get a look at the history of this iconic brand. One of the most amazing pieces in their archive is this prototype garment which was worn during a camping trip by Founder Bill Gore’s family.

This no-frills parka design even features taped seams and led to the first crop of commercial GORE-TEX products including the Early Winters mountaineering tent. This was followed immediately with multiple clothing options.

Footwear wasn’t far behind and by 1979 GORE-TEX lined running shoes by Brooks had hit the market followed quickly by boots from Danner.

While my first encounter with GORE-TEX was in 1986 with a pair Danner Ft Lewis Boots and experimental Extended Cold Weather Clothing System (ECWCS), the first military use of a GORE-TEX product was almost a decade earlier in 1978 when a Marine Corps officer wore this Marmot Mountain Works jacket on a rotation to the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in California.

The color wasn’t right, but the material worked and within a few years Special Operations Forces were wearing commercial items to increase their operational capabilities. Take for example this lightweight 2-layer GORE-TEX ensemble in Woodland camouflage from the archives.

Today, GORE-TEX brand continues to innovate and you’ll find their products all over the battlefield including on this tethered drone which relies on a GORE brand cable offering both power and data transmission.

To learn more on this amazing history, visit www.gore-tex.com/about/50-years.

2026 Wilcox Industries Catalog

Saturday, May 30th, 2026

You’re going to want to download this one.

wilcoxind.com/backend/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Wilcox-Product-Catalog

Rampart Range Day 26 – Ravelin Jacket from Mustang Survival

Friday, May 29th, 2026

Mustang Survival is introducing a new Waterproof Breathable Jacket intended for LE duty.

It features two large chest pockets, two internal pockets, a stowable hood, and full length underarm two-way zippers which allow you to expose your holster.

Based on concerns that water might still penetrate the waterproof Aquaguard zipper, the flap behind the zipper features a gutter to prevent any water getting in.

Mustang Survival products are available for agency and unit purchase in Canada from Rampart.

Rampart Range Day 26 – Colt C27 Grenade Launcher

Friday, May 29th, 2026

In conjunction with the new C25 General Purpose Carbine and C26 Full Spectrum Rifles displayed by Colt Canada at Rampart Range Day, they showed the latest upgrade to their EAGLE 40mm grenade launcher which is to be designated as the C27 by the Canadian military.

Seen above in its stand alone configuration with stock and optics rail, it can also be fitted to the 6 o’clock position on Picatinny rail equipped rifles with recoil lugs. It is held secured to the rail via the two captured pins.

Already in limited service with the Canadian Armed Forces, it has replaced the M203. This side opener features a double action trigger allowing the shooter to immediately mitigate a misfire without opening the breech to re-cock the weapon.

It features fully ambitious controls and the barrel can be configured to open to the left or the right.

Ghost Robotics Exhibits Production Manipulator Arm for Vision 60 QUGV

Friday, May 29th, 2026

Just a year ago I showed you the new Manipulator Arm accessory for the Vision 60 Quadraped Unmanned Ground Vehicle which is often referred to as a “Robotic Dog.” During this week’s visit to Canada I ran across an updated version.

The version I originally showed you was a production prototype and in the ensuing year Ghost Robotics has made a couple of small improvements and transitioned into serial production. According to company representatives, most of what is happening now are software improvements.

As before, the Arm offers seamless integration with 6 Degrees of Freedom and will extend up to 1 meter. Despite 25 lbs of gripping force, with cameras in the pincers and force feedback, it won’t crush what it’s holding unless you want it crushed.

In Canada, Ghost Robotics systems are available through Millbrook Tactical.

FirstSpear Friday Focus: Multimag Rapid-Adjust Pocket

Friday, May 29th, 2026

The MULTIMAG RAPID-ADJUST™ POCKET was built for those who need gear that adapts on the fly. Thanks to patented retention hardware and the Boa® Fit System, you can quickly dial in precise retention for rifle mags, pistol mags, and other essential items without digging through a pile of inserts like it’s a yard sale. It’s fast, secure, and ready to run straight out of the box.

Built with ultralight 6/9™ construction, the MULTIMAG RAPID-ADJUST™ POCKET weighs just over 2 ounces while maintaining the durability demanded in operational environments. The low-profile design keeps your kit streamlined without sacrificing retention or reload speed. The optional MOLDED SPEED TAB KIT is available for those who want to tamp down retention even further. Add a pistol SPEED RELOAD INSERT KIT, and it can securely run dual pistol mags while still delivering fast, consistent access when things get loud.

Fully compatible with MOLLE/PALS platforms, this pouch integrates seamlessly into existing loadouts without forcing you to rebuild your entire kit. Lightweight, adaptable, and mission-ready, the MULTIMAG RAPID-ADJUST™ POCKET is built for professionals who expect their gear to perform every time.

To request an estimate click image above or visit First-Spear.com/Request-For-Estimate. FirstSpear is the premier source for cutting-edge tactical gear for military, law enforcement and those who train. For more information visit First-Spear.com.

P320 Case Dismissed in Massachusetts Federal Court

Thursday, May 28th, 2026

On the heels of Colorado court dismissal, Massachusetts plaintiff voluntarily withdraws federal case after SIG SAUER shows the firearm cannot discharge without a trigger pull

NEWINGTON, N.H., (May 28, 2026) – SIG SAUER, an industry-leading manufacturer of cutting-edge firearms, optics, and ammunition, announced today that after nearly five years of litigation the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts officially entered an Order on May 28, 2026, dismissing with prejudice the Ahern v. Sig Sauer Inc. case. The plaintiff, Mr. Thomas Ahern, abandoned his claims on the eve of trial and after years of discovery with SIG SAUER again establishing that the P320 could not discharge without a trigger pull. The case was dismissed without any settlement or payment.

“We’re pleased with this voluntary dismissal. It is further recognition of SIG SAUER showing the P320 cannot discharge without a trigger pull, as established by SIG SAUER testing and multiple independent third-party analysis, including in this case testing conducted by the Boston Police Department Firearms Analysis Unit,” said Aloke Chakravarty, counsel for SIG SAUER. “This outcome marks SIG SAUER’s nearly 20th case dismissal to date, and we are proud to continue to defend the P320 and the industry-leading technology behind it.”

The plaintiff initially claimed the P320, issued by his then-employer, Cambridge Police Department, discharged in his hand without a trigger pull when he pulled it out of his security holster in an enclosed van on May 19, 2019, surrounded by numerous fellow officers. The Cambridge Police Department investigated the incident and determined that Mr. Ahern’s handling of the weapon violated numerous departmental rules and caused the gun to discharge in the rear of the van.

The Cambridge Police Department also sent the P320 to the Boston Police Department’s Firearms Analysis Unit as part of its investigation. Its testing of the P320 led to the conclusion that “based on functional tests and test firing, [the SIG P320 pistol] is NOT susceptible to an accidental discharge.” (capitalization emphasis included in the official report).

The P320 is among the most tested, proven, and successful handguns in the world. It is an innovative striker-fired pistol which has been selected as the handgun of choice following rigorous testing by the U.S. military and a number of other countries, including Canada, Switzerland, and Australia, as well as by elite law enforcement and federal agencies. It cannot under any circumstance discharge without a trigger pull—a fact which has repeatedly been verified through testing by SIG SAUER, handgun experts (including plaintiff’s experts), and independent labs. 

On May 26, 2026, SIG SAUER announced another P320 case dismissal from Colorado federal court. For more information and accurate facts about the P320, please visit www.sigsauer.com/p320-truth.

For more information on SIG SAUER, please visit sigsauer.com

Crucial Concealment Expands Popular Universal Light Line with New Universal Light OWB Holster

Thursday, May 28th, 2026

ALPHARETTA, GA, May 28, 2026 – Crucial Concealment, a High SpeedGear Products Group brand, proudly announces the release of the new Universal Light OWB Holster, the latest expansion of the company’s highly successful Universal Light holster series. Building on the widespread popularity of the Universal Light IWB Holster, the new OWB model delivers the same innovative multi-fit capability and patent-pending retention technology in a versatile outside-the-waistband platform designed for range use, training, and everyday carry.

The Universal Light OWB Holster utilizes Crucial Concealment’s patent-pending Retention Shim™ system, allowing users to configure a single holster to securely fit a wide variety of pistols equipped with popular weapon lights. The system was designed to eliminate the limitations of traditional firearm-specific holsters while maintaining the secure retention, consistency, and performance demanded by serious shooters.

“The Universal Light platform has quickly become one of the most popular products in our lineup,” said Tyler Johnson, Vice President of Finance and Sales. “Shooters wanted the same versatility and performance of the IWB model in an OWB configuration, and this new holster answers that demand with the adaptability, value, and performance customers expect from Crucial Concealment products.”

Like its IWB counterpart, the Universal Light OWB Holster is built around specific weapon light families rather than firearm models, enabling compatibility across numerous handgun platforms when paired with supported lights. Current light compatibility includes:

• Streamlight TLR-7 Series

• Streamlight TLR-1 / TLR-1 HL

• Surefire X300 Ultra / Turbo Series

Constructed from rugged KYDEX®, the Universal Light OWB Holster features:

• Patent-pending Retention Shim™ technology

• Adjustable retention

• Adjustable ride height and cant

• Optic-ready design

• Low-profile OWB configuration

• Durable American-made construction

The Universal Light series was developed to address the growing demand for adaptable holster solutions as more shooters adopt pistol-mounted optics and weapon lights across multiple handgun platforms. By indexing retention around the weapon light and utilizing Crucial Concealment’s adjustable shim system, users can maintain a secure fit without requiring multiple firearm-specific holsters. The new Universal Light OWB Holster is available now through authorized dealers, distributors and directly from Crucial Concealment.

For more information about the Crucial Concealment Universal OWB, please visit:
crucialconcealment.com/product/universal-light-owb-holster