SureFire

Archive for the ‘DIY’ Category

Seek Thermal Introduces Two New Series of Low Cost, High-Resolution OEM Thermal Cameras

Wednesday, December 18th, 2019

Integration of high-end thermal imaging technology made easier and more affordable with thenew Micro Core™ and Mosaic Core™ series

Santa Barbara, CA – December 10, 2019 – Seek Thermal, the company behind some of the most groundbreaking thermal imaging technology and products, today announced the introduction of its Micro Core and Mosaic Core series – a new range of OEM thermal cameras that can be integrated into products and services across several industries, delivering optimal performance in applications such as Test & Measurement, Security Surveillance, Public Safety, Outdoor Recreation, IoT and beyond. 

The Micro Core, an unmatched price-per-pixel thermal sensor in a market-leading size footprint, is designed for small form factor, low power and lightweight applications. Its high-resolution (200 x 150) and shutterless design allows for uninterrupted, accurate and reliable thermal imaging.Designed for performance and versatility, the Mosaic Core series is customizable for specific application and project needs, including different options for resolution (200 x 150 or 320 x 240), field of view, frame rate and more. 

Key features of the new offerings include:

High-Resolution Thermal Sensors – Choose a thermal camera with 30,000 or 76,800 temperature pixels for excellent image clarity and sensitivity

Low Power & Lightweight – Engineered to optimize performance with low power consumption, packaged in a small, lightweight design

Dual-Gain Smart Pixels – Each pixel automatically adjusts gain states to maximize resolution contrast when viewing hot and cold objects in the same scene

12 Micron Pixels – More resolution and temperature data packed into a physically tiny array enables small form factor applications and lower cost

Visible Light Camera Add-On – Software available for integrating a visible light camera to fuse thermal and visible images together for additional context

“We’re excited to bring the experience we’ve developed by manufacturing hundreds of thousands of thermal cameras, including OEM cores used by leading companies in a variety of industries, to this new family of products,” says Mike Muench, President & CEO, Seek Thermal. “Now, companies of any size can integrate high-end, high-resolution thermal imaging at competitive price points. This opens doors for the development of many new – and potentially revolutionary – applications and products.”

Development Starter Kits are available, which can be connected for simple, plug-and-play thermal imaging for a quick and easy start. Additionally, customers receive access to a Developer Portal with SDKs, APIs, support documentation and other important tools to ensure the success of any project.

Seek Thermal products and thermal cores are designed and manufactured in Santa Barbara, California with Global Components. For more information, visit: www.thermal.com/oem

Neo-Retro: The 21st Century AR-180

Monday, December 16th, 2019

Neo-Retro, via Brownells, Inc., Geissele Automatics, LLC, NoDak Spud, Law Tactical LLC, and Magpul Industries Corp.

Thanks to Brownells introducing an AR-180 upper receiver and Nodak offering the Spud NDS-1815 lower receiver, you can build your own AR-180 clone. This one was built by Frank Woods.

Components:

Brownells BRN-180 18.5″ barrel URG

Nodak Spud NDS-1815 lower receiver

LAW Tactical Gen 3-M folding stock adapter

Geissele Super LPK

Geissele SSA

Magpul Type 1 rail panels

Magpul Fixed Carbine Stock

Magpul MOE Grip

Magpul MS1 QDM sling

Magpul M-LOK QD socket

Troy Micro height M4 style BUIS

Tried to get it as close to the AR-180 I could in looks while also taking the newer architecture into account. I already had the stock and it looks damn near close enough to the original AR-180 stock while also being aesthetically in line with the M-LOK rail. The BUIS were chosen because they closest resembled the AR-180 iron sights in both height and appearance (yes, I know they’re backwards.)

I didn’t give it the Tiger Stripe layout treatment because I’m convinced Brownells has an AR-180 style AR15 grip (along the same lines as their AR10 and Retro A1 grips) in the works that they’re staying tight lipped about until SHOT. That’ll be the finishing touch on this otherwise quick turnaround of a Black Friday project.

-Frank Woods

80 Percent Arms Introduces GST-9 Ghost: First Truly Modular 80% Pistol Frame System

Friday, November 15th, 2019

Garden Grove, CA., (November 15, 2019) – 80 PERCENT ARMS, Inc., the nation’s largest manufacturer of 80% firearms, is proud of our history in challenging the status quo by releasing new products that have revolutionized the 80% lower industry. Today, we are continuing the tradition with the release of our new GST-9 Ghost: the world’s first truly modular 80% pistol frame system compatible with Glock® 19 platform components, as well as our patent-pending modular grips allow for easy conversion between compact and full size. We started by taking a close look at the famously reliable Glock® platform, diligently researched what was missing on the market today, then used our years of expertise manufacturing 80% firearms to develop the most shootable 80% pistol system from the ground up.

Based on extensive research and focus group testing, we also improved ergonomics by designing a contoured grip that improves comfort and helps tame recoil. The undercut trigger guard gives you a higher grip on the frame, thus lowering the bore-axis and reducing muzzle flip for faster, more accurate follow-up shots.

The GST-9 Ghost features several improvements over the time-tested Glock® platform, starting with the mating surface between the slide and frame. Frame rails have been extended three times their normal length for more repeatability, better accuracy, and controlled recoil impulse. Nickel plating improves reliability by reducing friction between moving parts in the harshest conditions, even after liquid lubricants have long since cooked off. 

The GST-9 is centered around one thing: you. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to your mission. That’s why we designed the GST-9 to allow every shooter to build a frame that is tailor-made for them. Whether it’s a compact or full-size grip, a streamlined magwell for carry or a flared magwell for competition, we give you options. Build the frame you want for your mission with the 80 Percent Arms GST-9 Ghost. 

Homebrew Blood Diamond Carbine by Frank Woods

Sunday, October 6th, 2019

I’ve been wanting to do a Blood Diamond CAR-15/XM177/GAU-5/whatever you’d call it for a long time now, and with Brownells, Inc. putting a bunch of parts I needed for it within reach via their Retro line, I was finally able to get to it.

There are some obvious inconsistencies between mine and the movie version (pics included for comparison,) primarily the light (I had extra M600Us laying around and didn’t feel like paying extra money for the lesser Surefire 660 light,) and the Teal Blue Bravo PDQ ambi bolt catch/release (because it’s 2019 and none of my USGI forged lowers don’t have one, for sake of consistency.)

I used Fulton Armory receivers since they make the A2 upper receiver with M4 feed ramps, and went with one of their lowers to have a matched set. Barrel is a Brownell’s Retro Series 10.3″ 1/7 twist, and the stock and A1 grip come from the Retro line also. I had the faux moderator laying in the parts bin for YEARS waiting for the other parts to come along, well before the Brownell’s Retro line existed.

Aimpoint is a PRO 2MOA that didn’t have a rifle to sit on, but since it looks externally the same as the OG Aimpoint CompM2, fuck it, why not. It sits on an ARMS #2 carry handle rail mount, in an Aimpoint SRW-L mount I procured with help from a friend.

I did my due diligence trying to replicate the patterning of the rattle can colors as they appeared on the movie gun itself, the side we could see anyway. Colors used were Aervoe Olive Drab, Field Drab, and a little bit of Marine Corps Green, and the Dark Brown was either Krylon or Rust-Oleum, I don’t remember which. I misted it with some ODG & MCG once the overall painting was finished. Since I couldn’t find OD Green camo form wrap in stock anywhere I went with olive drab USGI style duct tape to secure the light’s ST-07 switch to the rifle.

The Surefire M14 style light mount clamp had to be shaved down on the grinder wheel a bit to fit it through the slot in the FSB, and I didn’t need the M10 ring to secure the light since the integrated 1913 mount on the Scout body clamped onto the light mount’s rail perfectly.

Magazine is an old ass pre-ban USGI mag that has this cool patina to it. I went with a Magpul MS1 sling because the tension adjustment is second nature to me being that I’ve standardized on this sling otherwise. I *tried* to make it work with an R4 sling but unless I ONLY had the sling around my neck it just fuckin sucked because of the way the fabric would dig into my shoulder when the sling twisted.

I guess I can call this one the “Danny Archer.” Yah yah ?

How to Install a SureFire Warcomp

Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019

For those of you who’ve asked, SureFire answers.

The IKEA Day Pack

Friday, August 9th, 2019

My friend Dan Matsuda has been a gear designer for decades. He recently whipped up this day pack using an Ikea tote.

He previously created a pack from a rice bag. Check out the video.

Black Collar Announces Bolt Action Pistol Builder Kits

Wednesday, March 27th, 2019

Austin, TX (March 20, 2019) — Black Collar Arms is in production! Our Remington 700 short action-compatible Pork Sword Chassis will be shipping to customers next month. In the meantime we’re taking pre-orders (which, for a couple more weeks only, will come with a free Warfighter Tobacco cigar!) and have now made it even easier for our customers:

Announcing the Pork Sword Chassis Builder Kit!

Intended to provide most of the critical components for your pistol build project, we’ve bundled our 7075 aluminum chassis and 4-slot FARend with an SB Tactical FS1913 pistol brace and the pistol-length barrel of your choice. Then we’ve thrown in one of the best grips available for this size firearm, the ERGO Swift Grip, at no charge.

With factory stripped actions starting at around $300 and magazines around $28, a complete Pork Sword Chassis pistol is possible for just under a thousand dollars.

blackcollararms.com/product/pistol-build-kit

Four New Tools From Fix It Sticks

Thursday, January 17th, 2019

Chicago, IL- Fix It Sticks, the industry innovator of modular firearms maintenance tools and torque limiters has introduced a Universal Choke Tube Wrench, Knife Sharpener, Aimpoint Sight Bit and 3/8” Adjustment Wrench. These new items perfectly integrate with the Fix It Sticks tool system as well as perform as stand-alone products.

The Universal Choke Tube Wrench works on shotgun chokes from .410 to 10 gauge. Made from solid steel construction for durability, it has a flat design to reduce bulk and easily fit in any tool or maintenance kit. The Universal Choke Tube Wrench is now available with an MSRP of $10.00

To keep knives sharp and functioning a peak efficiency the new Fix It Sticks Knife Sharpener bit has both a carbide and ceramic V type sharpening inserts.  Both are set at 22.5 degrees for a 45 degree inclusive edge.  The Knife Sharpener is precision machined from steel, is available in February 2019 and has an MSRP of $22.00

To aid those using an Aimpoint, Fix It Sticks has introduced a bit specifically for the adjustment of these sights.  Made from a non-marring polymer, the bit has a two-prong design specifically to work with the windage and elevation adjustment knobs.  Available for shipment this February, the Aimpoint bit has an MSRP of $10.00

For scope mounts using a LaRue style release system, Fix It Sticks has introduced a 3/8” Adjustment Wrench bit to work with these quick release systems.  Made from solid steel, the 3/8” Adjustment Wrench will be available later this month.
MSRP is $10.00

Like all Fix It Stick bits, these new bits will work with any ¼” hex bit driver and of course the Fix It Sticks modular tool system.

store.fixitsticks.com