XC3 Weaponlight

Archive for the ‘Guest Post’ Category

Brigantes Issue Essentials – Bolle Tactical Combat Ballistic Glasses  

Wednesday, April 8th, 2020

Each week we bring you products that should be on all military standard issue kit lists. This week it’s Bolle Tactical Comat Ballistic Glasses.

Bollé delivers the highest quality sunglasses and goggles for performance and protection.

Their latest generation of Combat hybrid ballistic glasses complies with STANAG 4296 and EN172 goggles with a unique modular system thanks to the continuous, easily replaceable lens in the versions clear, smoked glass and CSP and the combined headband / headband system (with or without foam).

Each pair of Bolle’s ballistic glasses have had their signature platinum treatment. This permanent coating applied on both surfaces makes then highly scratch resistant (1.4 cd/m²) , gives them high resistance to the most aggressive chemicals and slows the appearance of fogging. In any circumstances and at every moment, Platinum provides the highest safety for eyes.

The combat glasses’ revolutionary B-Flex technology offers unique flexibility. The B-FLEX nose bridge is light, flexible & adaptable in all directions. Due to the shape memory material, it fits in all directions and to all face shapes. 

In addition to this, the combat glasses are 99.9% UVA and UVB protection.

Bolle’s CSP (comfort sensitivity perception) coating, like ESP, is an effective solution for all activities that alternate exposure to bright light and low light, while also being suitable for extreme temperature environments. Ideal for cold and hot countries, from the Far East to Siberia. CSP technology to filter blue light is combined with the exclusive Platinum coating, to sustainably combat fogging and provide permanent visual comfort from a single pair of glasses.

Bolle Tactical’s combat glasses are a perfect fit for all elements of military exercise and deployment. Combining patented technology with comfort and durability means that they are the perfect solution for the military user in any weather condition or terrain.

For more information contact international@brigantes.com

For UK sales contact warrior@brigantes.com

USMC Begins Fielding Plate Carrier Gen III

Tuesday, April 7th, 2020

MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. —

The Marine Corps has begun fielding a next-generation protective vest that provides improved fit, form and function for Marines.

The Plate Carrier Generation III is a lightweight plate carrying system that guards against bullets and fragmentation when coupled with protective plates.

“This system protects Marines on the battlefield,” said Lt. Col. Andrew Konicki, the Program Manager for Infantry Combat Equipment at Marine Corps Systems Command. “The PC Gen. III is important because it is nearly 25-percent lighter than the legacy technology.”

The Marine Corps constantly looks for ways to lighten the load for Marines. PM ICE worked with industry to remove excess bulk from the legacy Plate Carrier, which was fielded in 2011. The elimination of excess material reduces the overall weight of the system and increases maneuverability, said Konicki.

“When you lighten the load, Marines can get to their destinations faster and they’re going to have more endurance, which increases their lethality,” said Konicki.

In 2016, MCSC conducted a study to analyze the components and effectiveness of a prototype version of the PC Gen. III. Marines tested both the legacy and prototype systems during various obstacle courses, including a 15-kilometer hike at a fixed pace.

The results of the study showed that participants completed the courses faster and appeared better  conditioned when using the newer technology. Marines’ mobility and ability to handle a weapon improved when using the PC Gen. III prototype, said Konicki.

“The PC Gen. III improves the Marines’ ability to shoot and move by eliminating excess bulk from the design, and cutting out the shoulders for a better rifle stock weld,” added Lt. Col. Bryan Leahy, Individual Armor Team lead in PM ICE.

Fits men and women

Another advantage of the PC Gen. III lies in its fit. MCSC increased the variation of sizes, enabling nearly 15,000 more Marines—both male and female—to fit into the system when compared with the legacy technology, said Konicki. The newer system fits closer to the body, increasing protection and decreasing the risk of injury due to improper fit.

The next-generation system is designed to fit individuals of all sizes and statures—from the 2nd percentile female Marine to the 98th percentile male Marine. A curvature in the associated protective plates accommodates chest and abdomen size without compromising protection.

“I think there’s a misconception that all females are small, and that’s not always true” said Konicki. “We conducted a study that found the smallest Marine is actually male.”

According to Konicki, during multiple user evaluations female Marines have said they prefer the newer technology to the legacy system because of its fit and mobility.

Infantry and infantry-like Marines will be the first to receive the PC Gen. III. The new vest body armor will then be fielded to supporting units. The program office expects the PC Gen III to reach Full Operational Capability by fiscal year 2023.

By Matt Gonzales, MCSC Office of Public Affairs and Communication | Marine Corps Systems Command

Forward Thinking Solutions Shares 3D Printer File For Valve Cover for 3M Masks

Monday, April 6th, 2020

We received this note from? Forward Thinking Solutions regarding their 3D Printer File For Valve Covers for 3M Masks.

The Cover-Inhalation Port, Gen 4 (CIP-Gen4) is a bayonet cap that will shut off one of the two inhalation ports on the 3M 6000 series half face respirators. Given current circumstances affecting the world, PPE, and especially respirators have quickly become high need items that are in limited supply. While there are better gas masks and tactical respirators, the 3M 6000 series half face respirators are extremely common and many people already own one in their workshop. Made from silicone, these 3M respirators are far more comfortable than the sharp-edged N95 Particulate Respirators we see cutting into the faces of the hard working health care specialists and first responders on the front lines of the pandemic. The 3M 6000 series masks are first and foremost designed for comfort, protection and breathability. But due to their dual filter cartridge design, they’re not ideal for someone who may need to shoulder a rifle. The mask’s filter cartridge on the shooter’s dominant side always impedes a natural presentation of the rifle’s optics.

The goal of the CIP was to block one of the two inhalation ports securely, while also being minimalist in profile. We certainly weren’t the first to conceive of an inhalation valve cover. 3M makes a port cover (part number 6880) but they are limited in availability. Others have put out their own versions of a 3D printable port cover, however many of the ones we‘ve seen are not as low profile as we desired.

The CIP-Gen4 is the forth revision of our current design and features:

• Knurled outer perimeter to aid in installation and removal

• Low profile design

• 3M filters are always sold in pairs. Using just one filter cartridge means you can make your filter cartridge supply last longer

• Inner plug* with an o-ring for additional sealing

*The CIP inner plug’s o-ring is optional. Once the CIP is locked down into the mask’s inhalation valve’s bayonet interface the flat bottom face of the CIP forms a seal with the inhalation gasket. The o-ring just provides a secondary seal and therefore additional protection (Note: the CIP’s o-ring is optional, but the orange OEM 3M inhalation-port-gasket ring MUST be used). O-ring size is dash 112 (we’ve been using nitrile o-rings, silicone are probably fine also). You can size up or down if you find the fit with the o-ring to be loose or too tight. We’ve seen slight tolerance variations on the 3M 6000 series mask over various years of production. 

FTS has uploaded the CIP’s 3D design on Thingiverse, free for anyone to download and 3D print. If someone doesn’t have a 3D printer they can have a 3rd party company like Shapeways 3D print it for them. When printing the CIP it is highly recommended it is printed using an antimicrobial filament. If printed with a filament material like PETG it’s recommended to wash it occasionally with soap+water (or just dunk it in alcohol) and then allow to dry to ensure any bacteria build up is eliminated. If 3D printed on a SLS type printer be aware that those printers leave considerable nylon dust in the recesses of the printed part and will require thorough cleaning to ensure that’s not particulate you’re inhaling. For obvious reasons, you shouldn’t print these with carbon fiber filament or any other material harmful if inhaled.

As with any PPE, you will need to test it throughly first each time prior to use to ensure an appropriate seal and function is present.

All our best to the first responders fighting hard everyday for the rest of us.

Thank you. Truly.

– Forward Thinking Solutions

MATBOCK Monday: MR Dry 2.0

Monday, April 6th, 2020

With Spring upon us you know what they say “April showers bring May Flowers.” This means wet and potentially damaged gear if you aren’t prepared.  Don’t worry, we got your back.  Literally, with the MR. DRY 2.0.

Whether you’re conducting water or land operations, the MR. Dry 2.0 is the perfect solution. Utilizing the Mystery Ranch NICE frame as the backbone (or any other external frame), the MR. Dry 2.0 offers unmatched versatility for everything from 3-day packs to expedition packs. With 3 different sizes and 3 different color options, it fully waterproofs your entire pack line and even incorporates an oral inflation valve for buoyancy control.

If the mission requires it, take the outer waterproof shells off and attach the Mystery Ranch NICE frame directly to the internal pack. The beauty of this seamless integration is that finally your internal pack can stay configured exactly the same way for any mission.

Watch the MR Dry 2.0 bags in action here:

Lastly, tune in today at 4:30 PM EST, MATBOCK will be going live to discuss the MR. DRY 2.0 and answer your questions!

www.matbock.com/products/mr-dry-2-0

SCUBAPRO Sunday – Roy Boehm (First SEAL) Birthday

Sunday, April 5th, 2020
 

Roy Boehm was born on April 9th, 1924. He served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He joined the US Navy in 1942 and was a hard hat diver and served in Pearl Harbor, working on the Arizona recovery bodies. In 1955 he went through UDT/ BUDs training. He then made the mistake of becoming an “O”  Roy received his commission in 1960. He was selected to help stand up the new Navy commandos that JFK had authorized speech in early 1961. Depending on what coast you were raised on in the Teams (East or West). You will say SEAL Team 2 was the first team( By 3 hours east coast ) or SEAL Team 1 (well because One comes before Two and they say they received their message first authorizing them to stand up) I say that because there is an ongoing debate on what SEAL team is the oldest and who is the first SEAL. Roy Boehm was the first OIC of SEAL Team Two. Commander Franklin Anderson was the first OIC of SEAL Team ONE (1966-1968). I have attached a couple of articles about Roy.

www.veterantributes.org

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Boehm

special-ops.org/2362/lcdr-roy-boehm-first-seal

SureFire Spotlight – SF3P Three-Prong Flash Hider

Saturday, April 4th, 2020

SureFire Spotlight videos are a high level rundown of specific products. This one focuses on the SF3P Three-Prong Flash Hider.

The advanced SureFire SF3P three-prong flash hider features a patent-pending design that greatly reduces muzzle flash—typically greater than 99%—when compared with a plain muzzle. Boasting robust tines built to withstand the rigors of combat, the SF3P also serves as a rock-solid mounting adapter for SureFire SOCOM Series Fast-Attach® suppressors.

www.surefire.com

FirstSpear Friday Focus – Exigent Circumstances Pack

Friday, April 3rd, 2020

Today we are getting a look at a FirstSpear classic, the ECP – Exigent Circumstances Pack.

Originally developed as an assault pack designed to quickly attach to many different platforms with supplied G-Hook straps or utilized as a stand-alone pack with low profile backpack straps. Features a removable beavertail style outer flap that is secured with shock cord and spacious enough to hold a helmet. Inside the flap you will find elastic daisy chain sized to hold flash bang and smoke grenades. Rear most pocket holds an included comfort pad or hydration bladder up to 3 liters as well as optional internal frame. The lightweight yet ultra sturdy construction has become a popular choice for those looking for a 1 day pack as well as gym or work bag.

In-Stock and shipping now in Black, Ranger Green, Coyote, MultiCam, and Manatee Grey. Like most FirstSpear products it is 100% Made in America with USA Materials.

www.first-spear.com/exigent-circumstance-pack-ecp-tm

MATBOCK Monday – Efforts to Help Supply Critical Medial Gear

Monday, March 30th, 2020

MATBOCK has taken an expeditionary portable chlorine machine and is putting it to work by bottling the chlorine into 3.25oz bottles. Additionally, they are working to hire Virginia Beach locals that are without work during this time to assist in the production.

The idea came from one of their employees, John Bottoms, who spent years traveling to over 30 countries assisting in disaster relief. Having spent time in austere locations battling Ebola, he knew exactly how to get us set up and running.

Simply mix one bottle with 32oz of COLD water and you will have a surface disinfectant or a hand sanitizer alternative. Sold as a 6 pack.

For every bottle you buy we will donate a bottle to a local hospital. If you’re a healthcare provider and need direct support, email orders@matbock.com

Order here: www.matbock.com/products/decon-surface