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FirstSpear Friday Focus – OEM Partner Series HuntRedi

Friday, February 14th, 2020

Today we have another edition of the FirstSpear OEM Partner series taking a closer look at an all new company FirstSpear manufacturers private label equipment for.

Today we are getting the first look at HuntRedi and the debut of their Flush Redi Series – Deviate Upland Vest. Available for pre-order very soon, subscribe to mailing list on link below.  

Why/How did HuntRedi begin?

During an annual South Dakota road trip to chase pheasants, we found ourselves frustrated with the lack of high-quality upland hunting gear providing extreme durability and high strength-to-weight ratio while also offering a level of configurability that would meet our personal preferences. The upland market simply seemed stuck in the past and after lengthy discussion with many “what if we could…” statements, the foundation for Hunt Redi was hatched and we were off to the races.

Why was the Hunt Redi Upland Series created?

As we discussed the various features we wanted in upland gear, it became apparent both of us had a lot of personal preferences that would not be easy to achieve without a high level of configurability. After noteworthy market research, we realized it was a common complaint with one reviewer loving gear with Velcro closure, another reviewer was frustrated because they didn’t like Velcro and preferred buckles, etc. So, we set out to find a platform that would provide an extremely solid foundation yet also meet our high configurability requirement.?

There are options for private label manufacturing all around the world, how did you find us and why did you ultimately choose FirstSpear OEM manufacturing?

Our first requirement was Made in the USA so that ruled out any offshore options. Upland bird hunting is an endeavor that exposes gear to extreme conditions and harsh cover throughout all regions of the United States, not to mention across the globe. As a result, we were really focused on extreme durability that would hold up to aspen thickets in the Northwoods, plantations in the South, hardwoods throughout the Midwest, Texas / Oklahoma brush, deserts of the Southwest, and chukar hills of the northwest. Upland hunting is also a sport of constant pursuit unlike many other types of hunting so weight reduction for long days in the field was critical. When you combine our functional and strategic requirements, FirstSpear seemed like a perfect fit.

We made contact with the OEM group after being referred by someone that previously worked with FirstSpear. The “small business” personalities we were met with from the start combined with the innovative technologies being leveraged to make gear for battlefields all over the world were a tremendous fit for what were trying to accomplish at Hunt Redi. We’ve not looked back and are extremely excited to bring the tip of the spear to the hunting industry!

Why was Made in the USA important to the brand?

It was simply never a question for both of us, we were unwavering in our commitment in US made products from the start. Putting aside that we simply wanted to support US companies / workers for a moment, we’ve both had long term careers in the tech industry and we believe success boils down to building long term partnerships, focusing on quality, and providing products we are proud to use. We believe focusing on USA made gear provides us with the best opportunity to achieve our personal goals.

Any new products on the horizon between HuntRedi and FirstSpear?

100%…a good college buddy of ours used to always say, “the man with the most tools wins”…we’re just getting started. In fact, we’ve got a few items already in the works with the FirstSpear team and more on the short list. We’ll see you all in the field.

Deviate Upland Vest Specs:

Weight: 1lb 10.3 ounces + 10.8 ounces (regular belt) / 11.6 ounces (large belt)

NOTE: additional accessories will adjust weight based on selections

Size:

Regular Belt

34” L x 4.5” H x ¾” D

Large Belt

37” L x 4.5” H x ¾” D

Color: Blaze Orange / Coyote

Hunter Orange Exposure: 225.5 square inches

Closure: Side Release Buckle

FirstSpear® 6/12™ Laser Fused Modular Platform Technology attachment system

FirstSpear® 6/12™ Laser Fused Pocket Technology

FirstSpear® 6/9™ Modular Pocket Technology

Backward compatible with standard MOLLE/PALS

Up to 50% reduction in weight & significantly less bulk

Hill People Gear inspired yoke harness

Material: 500 denier Cordura

Designed, Sourced, and Handcrafted in the USA by FirstSpear®

www.first-spear.com

www.huntredi.com

OpsCore Introduces Modular Bungee Shroud ANVIS Mounting Plate

Thursday, February 13th, 2020

At SHOT Show Gentex exhibited their new Ops-Core Modular Bungee Shroud ANVIS Mounting Plate for those of you using goggles with ANVIS mounts.

SureFire Field Notes Ep 54: Injured Shooter Carbine with Will Petty

Wednesday, February 12th, 2020

In this episode, Will Petty of Centrifuge Training LLC discusses techniques for injured shooters while running a carbine.

William Petty began his Law Enforcement career in 2003 in Albuquerque, NM. While there he served as a Firearms Instructor, an Emergency Response Team member and was also a member of the department’s shooting team.  In 2011, Petty relocated to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates where he worked as a Counter Terrorism Instructor with the Critical National Infrastructure Authority. In 2013 (to present) he returned to the U.S. and resumed law enforcement with his department in Texas. While there he worked patrol and ran the firearms programs for several large regional Police academies. He has and continues to run contract courses establishing various programs and in-service material for major local, state and federal departments in the US and Canada.

centrifugetraining.com

www.surefire.com

XGO – Extreme Hot Weather Combat Shirt

Tuesday, February 11th, 2020

Utilizing the same Air Commando technology as their baselayers, XGO’s Extreme Hot Weather Combat Shirt features both knit torso as well as cape and arms unlike others on the market which use woven fabrics for the cape and arms. There are also stretch woven elbow patches.

The Air Commando material offers FR protection as well as Acclimate Dry moisture management and AG47 Silver anti-microbial. Additionally, the torso has UPF 23+ with the sleeves at UPF 25+. The sleeve and cape fabric is a Modacrylic and FR Rayon blend, paired with a no melt no drip Tan torso. The zippers are also FR and the Velcro patches on the sleeves are time matched. Flat seam construction avoids chaffing.

Offered in MultiCam and Tan 499 sizes XS-3XL.

CORE Survival Updates HEL-STAR 6

Tuesday, February 11th, 2020

CORE Survival has updated the HEL-STAR 6 marker light with a new case design. It’s much more streamlined and much less likely to catch on anything. Below, you can see the updated case in front of the previous version.

Otherwise, the features remain the same.

TacJobs – SureFire Seeks Design Engineer, Suppressor and Weapons

Tuesday, February 11th, 2020

Design Engineer, Suppressor and Weapons

Job Type: Full Time
Location: Fountain Valley, Ca

Job Description:
This position performs engineering activities on assigned new and sustaining projects to comply with schedules and technical requirements, as well as engineering practices. Assists Engineering Team in the concept to market development of Suppressors, Weapons Systems and other associated products. Supports Suppressors and Weapons Division Design, Engineering and Testing functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Develops complete product designs, CAD databases, SolidWorks models and drawing packages in accordance with SureFire standards.
Prepares product or system layout and detailed drawings and schematics using SolidWorks, for presentation to Engineering Management.
Manages Controlled Data in accordance with company PDM system policies and engineering best practices.
Researches applicable technology related to processing techniques, materials, properties and limitations, which may affect feasibility, cost and potential for production.
Responsible for DFM and production readiness analysis.
Devise and carry out testing protocols to validate design parameters.
Responsible for prototyping, testing and refining new designs to achieve the best possible performance in the most efficient manner.
Analyzes competitive products to ensure new product designs exceed current marketed products.
Works with cross functional team members, as well as internal and external suppliers, to meet product development guidelines.
Confers with R&D team to clarify, or resolve, problems during the design and development process to ensure that design specifications meet existing engineering requirements.
Interfaces with the Product Manager and other Engineers to ensure effective execution of engineering project timelines.
Compiles and analyzes operational, test and research data using Microsoft Excel to establish performance standards for newly designed, or modified, equipment or products.
Plans experimental test programs utilizing existing data from previous testing procedures in order to improve upon design testing methods within engineering.
Support sustaining engineering efforts by analytically determining failure modes and implementing design changes to product failure susceptibility.

Requirements:
Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering and/or up to 6 years relevant work experience
Submit annual COE registration to the State of California.
Experience in the development of firearms is desired.
Industrial Design experience.
Experience in CAD (Solidworks), CAM experience is a plus.
Experience with small arms design and function
Knowledge of small arms manufacturing methods

For more information, visit www.surefire.com/jobposting Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply online to jobs@surefire.com

RE Factor x MMI Textiles x SSD Limited Edition MultiCam Hoody Raises Funds For Support A Soldier

Tuesday, February 11th, 2020

We have teamed up with RE Factor Tactical and MMI Textiles to offer a limited edition Fleece Hoody in MultiCam to raise funds for Support a Soldier, non-profit, 501c3, that uses generous donations of American patriots to purchase equipment needed by troops deployed to combat theaters. RE Factor Tactical is donating 100% of the net proceeds of this limited run item to support this great cause.

Each hoodie features an embroidered logo of both of SSD and Support A Soldier on either lower sleeve.

These athletic cut hoodies are Made in the USA from premium fleece by Rhonda Valles.

Available at www.refactortactical.com/products/support-a-soldier-x-ssd-x-reft-collab-charity-hoodie.

SCUBAPRO SUNDAY – APNEA Snorkel

Sunday, February 9th, 2020

There are two schools of thought when it comes to carrying a snorkel when you dive in the civilian world, and I guess in the military world also. It is to carry or not carry a snorkel. You are taught to have one to save air when you are close to the surface for whatever reason so you can use it and not the air in your tank. When I first started diving in the teams, you had to have a snorkel on us. We would get issues a cheap old school “J” type one with the big orange stickers on it you had to peel off and then you would have to cut a couple of inches off of it and keep with you in case you had to work around piers or whatever so you could save O2. Well, I never used it and stopped carrying it as soon as I could. But that doesn’t mean I would have never used it or could have; I choose not to have it.

Like everything else in the world, technology is growing and growing. Once a problem is fixed, companies move onto the next one. So, the issues associated with the old “J” snorkel have been fixed; that is not to say that companies still do not make them have them; they are still around. But now there are all kinds of snorkels out there. There are several different types of snorkels Classic (J type), Simi-dry, Dry, and Flexible, to name a few.  

So why carry a snorkel? A snorkel helps on the surface when you are in rough water. You can keep your head in the water and not drink as much seawater when you are just floating waiting to be extracted. It is also useful when you are working in the water waiting for a helo pick up, and you are under its rotor wash, or when you are doing a K duck or a swamp duck. It is also helpful to have when you jumped into the water, and you have to undo some of your parachute lines that might be tanged in your fins or whatever.  It makes it easier to breathe on the surface without lifting your head out of the water if you have to swim to a boat or shore for some reason.  

Diving in the military is different than as a civilian as you would never leave your snorkel hanging on your mask during a dive. This is why we would cut it down a little so that we could tuck it away or you would hang it off the bottom of your LAR V with heavy rubber bands. But with today’s technology, most companies have one that you can roll-up.  For SCUBAPRO, it is the Apnea Snorkel, it was launched in 2015 for Apnea divers and won the SCUBALAB’s 2015 best buy.  

The SCUBAPRO Apnea Snorkel is a foldable freediving snorkel design. Made from a soft and flexible non-toxic silicone, SCUBAPRO Apnea Snorkel easily attaches to your mask strap when being used. When not needed, it can be rolled up and stowed away in a pocket. When it’s time to do some more stuff on the surface, it pops right back into shape. The Apnea’s upper barrel can be removed if you prefer to use a shorter pipe. Without question, this is an easy-to-use and very versatile surface breather. Functional yet straightforward traditional “J” Snorkel design. No valves that can leak. Snorkel is specifically for spearfishing and free diving. The contoured shape of the silicone mouthpiece and the air tube has been ergonomically designed to follow the profile of the spear fisherman’s face to reduce its visibility significantly during the dive. This flexibility is also advantageous when around piers or rocks.