Tactical Tailor

Archive for the ‘DIY’ Category

Blue Force Gear Shows You How To Sling Your AK

Wednesday, July 14th, 2021

If you own one of multiple AK clones, Blue Force Gear has laid out a comprehensive how-to guide on slinging your rifle.

For example, the AKM will require a Vickers Sling with Uloop Hardware. They not only tell you how to rig the sling, but also offer links to the right parts. This one is pretty straightforward, but several are more involved and they have photos to help guide you through the process.

?www.blueforcegear.com/articles/post/AK-sling-news-post

TacHacker – Helmet Assault Ghillie

Saturday, July 10th, 2021

TNVC’s Augee Kim recently shared his Helmet Assault Ghillie DIY project on social media. Here it is, in case you missed it.

Recent little project of mine that I’m calling the “Helmet Assault Ghillie,” or “HAG.”

Inspired by WWII-era “net” helmet covers, I wanted a quick and easy way to attach and remove camouflage scrim to a helmet, while still retaining full functionality of critical components like the helmet rails/rail-mounted accessories, Core Survival Hel-Star 6 IFF strobes, external power connectors, retention systems, etc.

The base is a 550 cord net secured to the helmet using shock cord and clipped on to the helmet clips included with the Ops-Core Step-In Visor (the kit actually includes all the needed clips—two long ones for Super High Cut configuration rails as well as two short ones for High Cut/XP configuration rails, I just installed both), to which I used jute twine to tie on manufactured camouflage net as well as cut strips of Multicam mesh material, but you could also tie or tuck any foliage, burlap, or other material to it as well.

The final product gives me full function (including being able to change batteries in the external battery pack by unhooking the back of the HAG) of all my helmet-mounted systems, while, in my opinion, effectively breaking up the outline of the helmet and providing effective (and matching—tacti-fashion is important too) additional camouflage that is non-permanent, and quick and easy to attach and remove.

Red Dawn Camo Stencil Pack

Friday, June 4th, 2021

Vinyl Weapons Stickers’ Red Dawn Russian Camo Stencil Pack will allow you to recreate the pattern from that iconic movie.

Winter Is Come Revitalize Your Durable Water Repellent

Saturday, November 21st, 2020

It’s well past that time of year again. We originally published this article in February of 2010 but seeing as the weather is getting cold and times are tough we republish it each year. We know you pay a lot for your clothing and equipment and it is just as important to maintain it, as it is your firearm.

It looks like it’s going to be a LONG winter. During a recent shooting class I attended it started raining day one and by the middle of the second day it looked like a blizzard. Most of my fellow shooters were wearing waterproof breathable outerwear and several began to feel clammy and then damp the longer each day progressed. A couple of guys were wearing issue Gen I ECWCS parkas. Probably not the best garment available as Gore long ago decided that the basic design could not meet their “Guaranteed to Keep You Dry” standards. Of course these jackets were old. More than anything, they needed some maintenance.

The key to any modern outerwear is its Durable Water Repellent (DWR). There are quite a few treatments available and different manufacturers have their favorites but they are usually are based on flouropolymers. These are PTFE molecules that are applied to the surface and cured at high heat to make them adhere better and increase performance and have a fluorine atom at one end which is highly hydrophobic. Heat causes them to align themselves with their flourines exposed. Water tries to move away from the flourines resulting in beading. This allows the water to roll off without wetting the fabric. Interestingly, Quarpel (Quartermaster Repellent) was one of the first DWRs and used to treat field jackets and other military clothing items.

Since most of us can’t run out and purchase a new jacket every time this happens I thought it would be a good idea to share a few tips with you that will not only revitalize your garment’s DWR treatment but also extend the life of your clothing.

DWR treatments work best when they are clean. I realize this seems counter to what you think is right since a DWR generally lasts about 25 washings and tactical garments get quite a beating in the field, but you need to wash your clothing. The first thing is to avoid using liquid detergents as well as fabric softeners. Additionally, avoid optical brighteners as they are not good for DWR or IR treatments. There are wash in treatments you can purchase as well as spray on options to help renew your clothing’s DWR. However, wash in treatments may affect the breathability of your membrane. One of the best spray solutions available is Revivex from McNett and it is what I have used in the past. It also serves as a stain repellent. Revivex can also be applied to garments that never had DWR in the first place so if you have hunting or field clothing that you find yourself wearing in inclement weather regularly you may want to give it a once over. If you use a spray treatment be sure to evenly coat your garment while it is still damp after washing and to pay special attention to any seams.

There are two additional ways you can put some life back into your DWR. One is to put the garment in a conventional dryer on warm and the other is to iron it on low heat. If water fails to bead up on the surface of your garment you will need to retreat.

This video by Arc’teryx gives you some pointers.

No matter which method you choose, proper maintenance of your foul weather clothing’s DWR will help keep you warm and dry and extend the life of your equipment.

SIG SAUER Launches Custom Works P320 FCU and Studio

Thursday, November 19th, 2020

SIG SAUER P320 Fire Control Units are now available. The heart of the pistol, these serialized parts can be combined with a myriad of factory OEM and after market parts from a variety of partners to create a truly custom pistol, with simple hand tools. There’s no need to involve a gunsmith. You can do it all on your own.

Now you can build your dream pistol from the ground up. The Custom Works FCU lets you create like never before. Countless options, endless possibilities.

The 320 Design Studio is a virtual space where you can check out how different components will look on your dream P320.

“Gunsmith Tools, Cutters & Gauges – A Primer” is Now Available

Thursday, August 20th, 2020

The fourth book in the Gunsmithing Student Handbook series, containing over 100 years of knowledge, is now available in paperback or eBook for all students of gunsmithing.

Kalispell, Mont. (August 2020) – Fred Zeglin, gunsmith, teacher, and writer, worked with the makers of gunsmithing tools, reamers, headspace gauges, and much more to create “Gunsmith Tools, Cutters & Gauges – A Primer,” the fourth book in the Gunsmithing Student Handbook Series. It contains a wealth of knowledge about how and why gunsmithing tools are designed and manufactured as they are. Many folks getting into gunsmithing, either professionally or as a hobby, need this jump start about the available tooling and the basics of its use. The book is out now and available on Amazon or from www.4drentals.com.

Consider that the information in this primer is assembled from the writings of people who best know these tools, including the manufacturers who make them. The school of hard knocks takes a long time to teach valuable lessons and this book can save you years and introduce you to some tools and concepts you were unaware of. Even old timers will pick up some valuable information; don’t continue through life believing “Wives’ Tales” when you can have facts.

Each book in the series provides a highly detailed and technical explanation of the subject at hand in a way that any gun lover will be able to understand. Other titles in the series include “Chambering Rifles for Accuracy,” “Chambering for Ackley Cartridges,” and “Understanding Headspace for Firearms.” These titles dovetail nicely with the new book as the subjects are all connected.

This is an old-fashioned primer filled with modern information about gunsmithing tools. Merriam-Webster defines a primer as “a small introductory book or a short informative piece of writing.” Teaching you how these tools are designed and made will make you more efficient and profitable as a gunsmith.

Zeglin commented, “People who have decades of experience with a job and it’s tools have a ‘curse of knowledge.’ In short, they have no idea how much of what they know needs to be explained to people with less experience. Even the terminology that we use requires defining. I think this book is a huge step toward breaking that curse.”

“Gunsmith Tools, Cutters & Gauges – A Primer” is ISBN-13: 978-0-9831598-6-5. The price of the book is $12.95 for paperback. The softcover measure 5.50” x 8.5” and contains 75 Pages. The eBook version is available on Amazon. eBook Version is ISBN-13: 978-0-9831598-7-2.

Roll Your Own – SIG SAUER Offering Stand Alone P320 Custom Works Fire Control Unit

Tuesday, July 28th, 2020

For decades you’ve been able to assemble your own M1911A1 and over the past few years, DIY gunsmiths have assembled Glock clones. Now, SIG SAUER is entering the fray with stand alone P320 Custom Works Fire Control Unit.

This serialized item contains the trigger assembly and is essentially the firearm, so unlike so-called 80% firearms, you’ll need to transfer the FCU through an FFL, but once you get it, you can build a completely custom version of the P320.

This is going to unleash a flood of aftermarket P320 parts. Already, ZEV has released some items and the B&T Universal Service Weapon for the P320 has been out for awhile.

The natural follow-on to this is customization of DoD’s new arsenal of M17/18 Modular Handgun Systems like this version mocked up by SIG as a concept demonstrator.

6″ MultiCam Loop Now Available from MMI Textiles

Tuesday, July 21st, 2020

MMI Textiles can now provide Printed MultiCam Velcro Brand Woven Loop (A-A-55126) available in widths: 3/4″, 1″, 1.5″, 2″, 3″, 4″, 5″, 6″. MultiCam Printed Loop has been a part of their Printed Narrow Fabrics line since 2016, but they didn’t have the capability to print on wider loop than 5″ – until now.

This in the USA/Berry Compliant loop is offered in MultiCam® Classic, MultiCam Arid, MultiCam Black, MultiCam Tropic, and MultiCam Alpine.

www.mmitextiles.com/blog/post/now-available-6-multicam-loop