In addition to the new Tactician line of combat uniforms, Arc’teryx PRO will introduce a new kneepad which will fit in the kneepad pockets on their trousers.
Please note, the example I saw at SHOT Show was behind glass and the white dots you see are the overhead lights being reflected.
OTB Boots handed out some samples of their new Pirata series, a long anticipated update to the original Maritime Assault Boot from Altama, although designed by the same team that created this new line. The Pirata series consists of models: Pirata Elite (OTB / subsurface), Pirata Mid, and Pirata Low. This is the Pirata Low.
The outsole design and rubber compound are directly derived from OTB’s Abyss boot and the midsole boasts incorporates nearly an inch of advanced EVA cushioning. I can attest to the comfort for long walks.
Pirata boots feature a widened, stable fit, a slightly beveled heel for improved ground contact, and fast-rope guards on both the medial and lateral sides. An integrated Fusion Plate provides flexibility at the toe for natural movement while maintaining stiffness through the shank to support heavy rucks.
I ran into a couple of buddies on the last day of SHOT Show and noticed we were all wearing Pirata Low shoes. They are being offered in Black, Coyote, Ranger Green and MultiCam (missing).
Available soon from www.otbboots.co.
CARBONDALE, PA, January 26, 2026 – Gentex Corporation, a global leader in personal protection and situational awareness solutions for defense forces, emergency responders, and industrial personnel, announced today the launch of the newOps-Core AMP Helmet Rail Mount with Vent Mode for its industry-leading AMP Communications Headset. Designed and developed directly with end-user input, this enhanced productpreserves the trusted quality, form factor, adjustability, and durability of the original Helmet Rail Mount Kit while introducing enhanced airflow, comfort and stability.
The new AMP Helmet Rail Mount Kit with Vent Mode introduces a three-position system: Deployed, Vented, and Stowed. This configuration gives warfighters better control over comfort, ventilation, and communication capability in real time.
In the new Vent Mode position, the earcups shift slightly off the ears to improve airflow and relieve seal pressure while still allowing effective monitoring of communications. Importantly, Ops-Core Near Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) Earplugs remain fully engaged in Vent Mode, providing increased noise reduction while preserving clear communications and 3D Hear-Through when used with NFMI-enabled Ops-Core headsets.
“Our customers operate in the world’s most demanding environments, and their feedback is crucial for innovation,” said Peter Harbeck, Segment Director – SOF at Gentex Corporation. “The AMP Helmet Rail Mount Kit with Vent Mode is a direct result of listening to operators who needed a better way to manage heat and comfort without losing communications. We’ve kept the same rock-solid durability and adjustability of the original design while adding an essential enhancement.”
The new rail mount maintains the same familiar form factor, world-class durability and rugged performance as the original AMP Rail Mount. It is designed to offer increased stability during dynamic movements and remains fully compatible with Ops-Core NFMI Ear Plugs for double hearing protection. The AMP Rail Mount with Vent Mode is available in three colors: tan 499, black, and ranger green.
To learn more about the AMP Rail Mount with Vent Mode, click here.
During their Defense Range Day, SIG SAUER showed us a new variant of the OSCAR6 HDX PRO Spotting Scope equipped with a Mil Reticle.
This 20x fixed optic offers OmniScan™ Optical Image Stabilization Technology stabilization as well as diopter adjustment to accommodate individual vision.
In addition to a remote tape switch for the WARP laser there is a cage to mount the WARP above the optic.
The Weapons Attached Ranging Platform (WARP) SWIR uses 1550 nm SWIR wavelength (undetectable under NV) ranges 4,000 yd and includes environmental sensors and compass as well as embedded Applied Ballistics Elite software.
The new OSCAR6 will be available by the end of the year.
UNITY Tactical’s new FAST SideKar is the best product I saw at SHOT Show. It’s simple, straight forward design updates and improves the M240 Medium Machine Gun and other similar platforms.
This optic and laser riser-style mount adds additional Picatinny rail space to the feed tray cover and moves the laser away from the barrel which is known to cause heat and cable issues. Instead, the laser is still mounted on its side but back near the optic on a 9 o’clock M1913 rail next to the optic. This new location will help speed up zeroing due to a reduced offset. But don’t worry, the laser isn’t emitting right over the top of the barrel. It remains offset to the side and the beam won’t be directly affected by the heat coming off the top of the barrel or indirectiy due to expansion of the mount beside the barrel.
No more long remote tape switches and no more heat damage to the laser from hot barrels. Additionally, the laser is not in the way in the event you’ve got to wrestle with a barrel during a swap.
An added benefit is that the mount acts as a riser offering a bit of additional height to make it easier to gain a sight picture while wearing PPE.
Made from 7075-T6 Aluminum, the SideKar is Type III Hardcoat Anodized.
It is my understanding a version is under development for the M250.
Available now! A unit can buy these and put them right to work.
unitytactical.com/fast-Sidekar
Designed to the proposed Universal Carrier Attachment Standard (UCAS) standard, the new Assault Backpanel Mk2, MOLLE Backpanel, and Turtle-style Panel were on display at SHOT Show. All three feature a tool slot which facilitates self retrieval.
Here are a couple of pouches to be used with the MOLLE Backpanel.
Here’s a shot so you can see the attachment zippers.
No word on when they’ll hit the market.
EAGLEVILLE, PA, January 22, 2026 – Streamlight®Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting and weapon light/laser sighting devices, introduced the ProTac® Rail Mount 1L-X and the ProTac® 1L-X Pro, multi-fuel tactical lights with a compact design to fit short-barreled rifles, submachine guns, and carbines with limited rail space for both light and pressure pad. The new high-output lights, which also are available in USB configurations, deliver up to 850 lumens for extreme brightness. They will debut at SHOT Show 2026 in Las Vegas, where attendees can see them in person at Streamlight Booth #11468.
Lightweight and low profile, both feature a rugged, integrated rail clamp designed to rapidly and securely attach to guns with a MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny or M-LOK® rail system. The light-only models feature a standard push-button tail cap, providing ease of activation without a pressure pad. The Pro models also offer a Jack Cap® tail cap switch that provides dual operational redundancy, including push-button and remote pressure switch control, for the ultimate in flexibility.
The compact lights feature a smaller footprint profile for tight rail set ups (the light-only model is ideal for rifles where pressure pad space is extremely limited). Each light uses a lumen-focused beam optimized for short range clarity, delivering up to 850 lumens of blinding white light. The lights are powered by either one Streamlight SL-B9® protected lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack, or a single 3-volt CR123A lithium battery for use if the rechargeable cell is out of power.
“These multi-fuel weapon-mounted lights are the perfect solution for law enforcement, military and tactical users when using short-barreled lights in maneuvers under low-light conditions,” said Streamlight President Michael F. Dineen. “The Pro version features a Jack Cap tail switch that allows users to choose between using a push-button or remote pressure switch, depending on their preference. They are designed to deliver the ultimate in compact power for your rifle.”
Offering high, low and strobe settings, both lights feature a TEN-TAP® programmable switch that allows users to select one of three different programs: high/strobe (factory default); high only; or low/high.
On the high setting, the ProTac Rail Mount 1L-X USB and 1L-X Pro USB models deliver 850 lumens, 30,000 candela, and a run time of 30 minutes when using an SL-B9 battery; with a CR123A battery inserted, they provide 500 lumens, 18,000 candela and a 1.75-hour run time. On low, the lights offer up to 6.5 hours of run time,100 lumens and 3,400 candela depending on battery selection.
Both lights mount to a broad range of short-rail rifles and submachine guns, safely and securely by means of a one-handed snap on and tighten interface that permits users to keep their hands away from the gun muzzle.
The new models are fabricated from 6000 series machined aluminum with a black anodized finish and feature a high temperature, impact-resistant BOROFLOAT® glass lens. The ProTac Rail Mount 1L-X USB measures 4.64 inches long and weighs 5.12 ounces with a CR123A battery and 5.22 ounces with an SL-B9 rechargeable battery pack. The ProTac Rail Mount 1L-X Pro USB also is 4.64 inches in length, weighing 5.5 ounces with a CR123A battery and 5.6 ounces with the SL-B9 battery.
With the standard push-button switch installed, both lights are rated IP67 for waterproof operation to 1 meter for 30 minutes; when using the remote switch with the 1L-X Pro USB, the light is IP54 rated for water-resistant operation.
The ProTac Rail Mount 1L-X USB and the ProTac Rail Mount 1L-X have MSRPs of $190.00 and $181.00, respectively, while the ProTac Rail Mount 1L-X Pro USB and the ProTac Rail Mount 1L-X Pro have MSRPs of $221.00 and $212.00, respectively. All four models are backed by Streamlight’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.
EAGLEVILLE, PA, January 23, 2026 – Streamlight®, Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting and weapon light/laser sighting devices, introduced the ProTac® Rail Mount VIR PRO, a gun-mounted tactical light featuring up to 1,100 lumens of visible white light and an infrared (IR) LED. The new light is designed to securely fit all long guns with MIL-STD-1913 or M-LOK® and M-LOK compatible rails.
The ProTac Rail Mount VIR PRO enables users to easily toggle between bright white and IR light via the head-mounted switch, allowing first responders to illuminate a target for identification while remaining undetected. A built-in cutoff prevents accidental visible light activation while in IR mode, guaranteeing stealth and control.
The light’s Jack-Cap® tail cap switch provides switch redundancy, offering a choice between push-button or remote pressure switch operation. A TEN-TAP®programmable switch allows users to select one of three different programs: white light high only/IR high only (default); white light medium only/IR high-low; or white light low-high/IR low-high.
“The ProTac Rail Mount VIR PRO provides shooting enthusiasts, law enforcement personnel and tactical users alike with a flexible lighting tool that has both visible white light and IR illumination,” said Streamlight President Michael F. Dineen. “It’s an essential tool for both covert and overt operations.”
The new light is powered by two CR123A lithium batteries or a single Streamlight SL-B26 lithium ion USB rechargeable battery pack that recharges in five hours. Featuring high, medium and low settings, the white LED provides up to 1,100 lumens and 40,000 candela over a 400-meter beam distance on high and 120 lumens, 4,200 candela and a 130-meter beam distance on low. For IR lighting, the ProTac Rail Mount VIR Pro uses a 940nm IR LED, which emits 2,300mW on high and 600 mW on low.
Run times range from 1.5 hours (high) to 11 hours (low) when using CR123A batteries, and from 2 hours (high) to 14 hours (low) with the SL-B26 battery pack. The IR light runs up to 7.25 hours using CR123A batteries and up to 9 hours with the SL-B26 battery.
The ProTac Rail Mount VIR PRO has an ambidextrous momentary/steady on-off switch. Its rail clamp securely attaches to rifles, carbines, and submachine guns with a MIL-STD-1913 rail or with the included M-LOK mount, allowing for alternative mounting options to M-LOK and M-LOK compatible rail systems.
The light is constructed from 6000 Series machined aircraft aluminum, with a black anodized finish. It measures 5.65 inches in length and weighs 8.2 ounces with two CR123A batteries and 8.8 ounces with an SL-B26 rechargeable battery pack. The new light uses a high temperature, shock-mounted, impact-resistant BOROFLOAT® glass lens.
Featuring extensively live-fire tested construction, the ProTac Rail Mount VIR PRO is IPX7 rated for waterproof operation to 1 meter for 30 minutes with the standard push button switch installed. It is IPX4-rated for water-resistant operation when using the remote pressure switch. The ProTac RM VIR PRO has an MSRP of $400.00, while a USB version of the light has an MSRP of $418.00. Both come with Streamlight’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.
