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Grey Ghost and Soldier Systems Daily Announce the Mother of All Giveaways

Thursday, June 8th, 2017

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Industry giants team up to host 14-days of incredible giveaways online

Lakewood, WA, June 8, 2017 – Two of the industry’s biggest entities, Solider Systems Daily and Grey Ghost, have teamed up to host the Mother of All Giveaways – a 14-day giveaway contest where new winners will be selected every day, beginning June 12th and going through June 26th, to receive products ranging from 100 boxes of Grey Ghost Precision Match Grade Ammo and Grey Ghost Gear Minimalist Plate Carriers, to a SSD Custom, Limited Edition .300 Blackout rifle.

“This industry is saturated with options,” stated Grey Ghost President, Casey Ingels.  “Realizing that our customers and followers have a multitude of avenues they could go for their news, firearms or soft good needs, we wanted to show our appreciation for those who chose and continue to choose both SSD and Grey Ghost.  We’re hoping that this contest helps express our gratitude to those who have been so loyal to us, and to those who are new to the game.”

With total prize inventory estimated to value over $50,000 in firearms, soft goods and accessories, SSD and Grey Ghost have truly devised a giveaway of epic proportions! The 5 Grand Prizes that will be given away on the last days of the event, two pistols and three rifles, each custom Cerakoted and outfitted with aftermarket parts and furniture to be true one-of-a-kind builds are guaranteed to make any gun owner smile from ear to ear. The 1st Grand Prize is a Limited Edition .300 Blackout Rifle, complete with an SSD custom paint job, numerous Magpul upgrades, Grey Ghost Gear sling and case, and a stack of match grade ammo to complete the package. The 2nd and 3rd Grand Prize Packages are also unique rifles, Cerakote finished with different Grey Ghost Precision motifs.

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As if those prizes weren’t incentive enough, the 4th and 5th Grand Prizes are custom GLOCK19 and GLOCK17 9mm pistols, each featuring the newly released Grey Ghost Precision Slides with custom Cerakoting, GGP match-grade barrels and CMC triggers. While there will only be one lucky winner for each Grand Prize, there are numerous prizes earlier throughout the giveaway that will make multiple winners very happy. A Grey Ghost Gear “Gunfighter” Kit is up for grabs, as well as 25 Apparition SBR Bags, 40 GGG Backpacks and 50 Grey Ghost Gear Minimalist Plate Carriers to be among the prizes.

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“This has got to be one of the biggest giveaways our industry has ever seen,” stated Eric Graves, Founder of Soldier Systems Daily. “ We are pulling out all the stops, in an effort to show our loyal followers and customers just how much they mean to us.”

The giveaway begins on Monday, June 12th, with new prizes being announced each day via SSD and GG social media, as well as to the email subscribers.

Applicants enter by visiting www.soldiersystems.net and opting-in to the Giveaway Email List. There will be a pop-up form, as well as a pinned post on the homepage. Opt-in points will also be on www.greyghostgear.com and www.greyghostprecision.com. After opting-in through any of the three sites, applicants must then verify their entry via the confirmation email they receive.

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Winner(s) will be randomly selected from a pool of participants who have opted-in to the Giveaway Email List via Soldier Systems’ website. The winner(s) of each prize will be announced the following day, along with the reveal of the new daily prize. So be sure to follow SSD and GG on social media each day to see if you are a winner, and if not, whats the next prize you still have a shot at winning. So if you’re hoping to win that SSD Custom rifle that will be the final Grand Prize, keep your eyes peeled for the winner to be announced  June 26th.

Each winner will be notified via e-mail, as well as announced via SSD and GG Facebook pages, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. Participants need to only enter once, and they are instantly eligible for 14 chances to win a prize, and each day the pot only gets sweeter!

For official guidelines and terms of eligibility, click HERE.

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About SSD

Soldier Systems Daily is the premier daily web publication covering the tactical industry. Government and Military Acquisition professionals, Industry leaders, and consumers alike rely on Soldier Systems Daily for its up-to-date reporting and in-depth analysis. No one else focuses on industry like Soldier Systems Daily and no one else publishes the sheer volume of information on a daily basis.

About GGP

Grey Ghost Precision produces weapon systems that are accurate, reliable, and attainable while ensuring that these platforms are ready for combat and will stand the rigors of hard use and perform with devastating results. The GGP team collectively has an extensive background in the military and in manufacturing. Rifle and pistol design specifications are directly influenced by a network of industry and shooting sports experts.

When customers include family and friends that use these rifles, pistols and accessories to protect themselves in dangerous environments, you are very serious about their safety and survival. GGP has zeroed in on quality and reliability to ensure that these platforms are ready for combat and will stand the rigors of hard use and perform with devastating results.

About GGG

Grey Ghost Gear provides the professional soldier and tactically minded civilian with the best, combat proven gear in the world. The gear designs have been continually combat tested and utilized in combat for over 10 years and is a direct result of the successes and failures in combat. The core principle of Grey Ghost’s research and development process is based on the lessons learned during real life combat operations. By constantly evolving gear to meet the needs of the modern Warfighter, the gear has become lighter, and form-fitting while offering the user more protection than other many other comparable manufacturers. GG Gear allows the user to move faster and fight harder than ever before; giving them the competitive edge they need to achieve their objective.

Ahern Group Law Enforcement Division Awarded Under Armour Tactical

Wednesday, June 7th, 2017

Fort Worth, TX (June 5, 2017) — Ahern Group announces the addition of Under Armour Tactical to its Law Enforcement Division. Solely targeting the LE marketplace, Ahern Group’s LE Division adds Under Armour to a list of manufacturers including CMMG, Armor Express and EOTECH.

Under Armour’s relentless pursuit of innovation is evident in the powerhouse brand’s tactical line, with design technologies that allow first responders and military to perform at their best.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Under Armour Tactical,” said Ahern Group Law Enforcement Director, James Miksch. “Under Armour’s passion for design innovation is unparalleled, and we look forward to working with this world class brand.”

Keep current with Ahern Group news on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and at www.aherngroupllc.com. For more on Under Armour visit www.uabiz.com.

ZEV Technologies Hires New VP Sales

Monday, June 5th, 2017

Oxnard, CA – May 30th 2017 – ZEV Technologies is excited to announce and welcome Mike Vargo as the new Vice President of Sales for ZEV Technologies.

Matt Ridenour, CEO of ZEV Technologies, shared, “We are very excited to welcome Mike to our growing team of professionals, Mike will lead the effort to expand ZEV’s distribution channels and continue to build our sales team.”

Mike Vargo commented that, “I am excited to join ZEV at this special time for the company. We have so many exciting products coming out in the next six months, and of course, our sales team can’t wait to begin representing our new line of rifle products.”

Mike is a graduate of The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, and a retired Army officer. He also has over 25 years of operations and sales leadership experience.

Mike comes to ZEV after serving as the Director of Sales Operations at COLT where he led communications with COLT’s distribution partners and was responsible for all sales planning and forecasting.

www.zevtechnologies.com

Stag Arms to Dramatically Increase Manufacturing and Distribution Footprint 

Friday, June 2nd, 2017

We are about to see some next-level manufacturing begin to enter the market from Connecticut gun maker Stag Arms – as the company has announced that it has been acquired by White Wolf Capital, LLC, a private investment firm that began operations in late 2011 and is focused on management buyouts, recapitalizations and investments in leading middle market companies in the Defense Industry and Manufacturing market segments.

With this acquisition, Stag will have access to a higher level of distribution and contracting vehicles through White Wolf, who have a strong history of building companies in the firearms, manufacturing and distribution lanes (to name a few).

Stag will also be able to expand their R&D capabilities through this new line of capital; developing new platforms and products with a higher degree of innovation and engineering for the end user.

Since its inception over a decade ago, Stag has remained at the forefront of innovation; first by offering 100% American made, left and right-handed MSR platforms, and then by designing new models and features based on customer recommendations.

Most recently, Stag’s team has been working overtime developing a new .308 and a new 9mm Carbine; further proving that the company maintains a forward thinking mindset to deliver the best possible products to their customers.

It’s thanks to their understanding and attention to their customers wants and needs, that they developed their left-handed platforms to use a mirror imaged upper receiver, and have the ejection port reversed for left-handed shooters. The safety selector control is also on the right side of the lower receiver, to ensure maximum capability.

Unlike many other “black gun” manufacturers, Stag truly stands behind their products and their customer service.

“One of the main reasons we were so excited about Stag, was largely in part because of their reputation with their customers,” stated Elie Azar, Managing Director of White Wolf. “We have always known Stag to maintain a foundation of reliable products and customer service, no matter what the situation.”

Stag Arms is known for its mil-spec quality. The products that come off the company’s assembly line are built to perform in virtually any given situation; from defensive to hunting, competitive and 3-Gun competitions. Further attesting they genuinely pay attention to each of their customer’s wants and needs.

The company quickly became a market leader and one of the largest MSR manufactures in the United States, with their model commonly known as the “Stag-15.” Their specialty models intended for 3-Gun competition and varmint rifles in .223 Rem., as well as chambering guns in .300 Blackout has kept them at the top of the market.

While the details of the transaction with White Wolf Capital have not been disclosed, Stag will now operate under a new FFL out of its New Britain, Conn., facility. And it’s with this new chapter that Stag will be able to manufacture newer and more innovative products to the industry, and dramatically expand their footprint with a fresh new Leadership and Management team.

White Wolf Capital is no stranger to the firearms industry, having previously acquired Aero Precision, Ballistic Advantage, VG6 Precision and Fall Machine, Co., to name a few.

Azar added, “We are very excited to add Stag to our portfolio of outstanding companies in the firearms industry. Stag is an iconic brand with a well-deserved reputation for product excellence and world-class customer service. We look forward to partnering with Stag’s strong management team and employees to grow the Company through new and innovative product offerings. In addition, we are delighted that Mark Malkowski, Stag’s founder, has agreed to remain engaged with the Company as a consultant. Mark’s deep knowledge of the industry will be invaluable as we build upon the excellent foundation that he put in place.”

Malkowski commented, “It is with great enthusiasm that I hand off ownership of Stag to the White Wolf team. I feel fortunate to be able to transition the business I started from scratch to a team that shares my philosophy and passion for the industry and who recognizes the exceptional capabilities of Stag’s dedicated employees.”

All of Stag’s rifles come with an industry leading lifetime transferable warranty and an infinite shot guarantee on the barrel.

This new opportunity with White Wolf Capital allows the company to continue providing their customers with the best products the industry has come to know and love. Over the last 13 years, Stag has offered high quality, low cost rifles, and this acquisition will only reinforce that dedication to providing extraordinary craftsmanship at a great price point. We can expect to see great things coming from Stag!

www.stagarms.com

Armor Express Launches Next-Generation Protective Solutions for the Global Fire and EMS Markets

Monday, May 22nd, 2017

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Armor Express launched its comprehensive offerings for first responders at the 2017 Fire Department Instructor’s Conference

CENTRAL LAKE, MI, May 22, 2017 – Central Lake Armor Express, Inc. (“Armor Express”), a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-performance body armor solutions, announced the expansion of its advanced ballistic systems, carriers, helmets, rifle plates and other related accessories to support the growing need for personal protection by Fire and EMS officers.

“This is a significant step in our commitment to broaden product and service reach to key sectors that rely on innovative body armor solutions certified to meet the most demanding requirements. Among these sectors are Fire and EMS where now, more than ever, firefighting, rescue and medical emergency personnel are facing increasingly dangerous environments and finding themselves in harm’s way,” stated Rex McGrath, Armor Express’ Channel Manager for Fire/EMS. “Building on our successes and lessons learned in Law Enforcement, we are actively investing in R&D and next-gen systems and technologies to bring to market the highest-performing, most versatile and comfortable ballistic armor that safeguard all first responders.”

Firefighters and EMTs have long been taught to operate at a safe distance from potentially violent incidents and await word from law enforcement that the area is secured. That paradigm is now shifting with the rise of active shooter/mass casualty incidents (AS/MCI), as seen with the Columbine High, Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook Elementary, San Bernardino Inland Regional Center and Orlando nightclub attacks, as well as the World Trade Center and Boston Marathon bombings. Sadly, we are all too aware of the headlines highlighting how much our emergency officers are at risk (Firefighter Shot, Killed in Maryland; Another Seriously Wounded; New York EMT Shot and Killed by Patient). With the entry into unsecured areas known as warm zones, more departments are looking closely at body armor to protect their officers. They recognize the growing need to provide the proper equipment and training to first responders who may face ballistic or explosive threats while needing to quickly triage, treat and extricate the wounded.

Armor Express is focusing its resources on U.S.-made solutions that offer the highest level of flexibility, mobility and stopping power that today’s firefighters and EMTs need. Considering that most jurisdictions do not supply all of their first responders with armor and that budgets are limited for purchasing equipment, the Company is collaborating closely with departments to meet their core requirements. Using guidelines like that of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Armor Express has developed packaged solutions for the head and body, including Level IIIA ballistic vests, special outer carriers, Level IV hard armor plates that are capable of withstanding rifle rounds (used in more than 25 percent of active shooter incidents), and Level IIIA ballistic helmets.

Multi-compliant Ballistic Armor Protects First Responders in the Line of Fire

Among the latest products demonstrated at FDIC this year Armor Express’ advanced ballistic systems certified to the most stringent standards, including the NIJ Standard-0101.06, FBI and DEA protocols, and special threats testing.

• The FMS™ IIIA is a strong choice for any first responder. This universal and cost-effective package is designed to be robust, offering extreme stopping power in an active shooter scenario. At the same time, the armor’s lightweight construction makes it comfortable for wearers.
• The Quantum™ IIIA is another strong ballistic system utilized by numerous federal law enforcement agencies and is ideal for firefighters and EMTs in need of a light, flexible, yet sturdy solution. It is uniquely certified to the Department of Defense’s standards for frag protection.
• The Vortex™ IIIA combines strength, comfort, and performance in a single package at an incredible value. This soft ballistic can stop some of the most advanced rounds. Flexible and pliable features balanced with lightweight qualities, make it great for both concealed and tactical usage.

Versatile Carriers Meet the Demands of Today’s Volatile Environments

Armor Express launched new and enhanced outer carriers

• The Outer Carrier System – Unified Violent Incident Response (OCS-UVIR) for Fire/EMS uses alpha sizing, making it adjustable to fit multiple officers. The UVIR offers 360-degree coverage with Level II or IIIA soft ballistic armor.
• For the first responder who never really knows what threat they might face, the Hardcore FE Carrier is ideal. The external carrier’s ‘one-size-fits-most’ feature keeps purchasing costs at bay and provides soft and hard armor options in a single shell. It enables more efficient movement for triage and victim extraction.
• The redesigned Med Vest is a comfortable external vest created specifically for emergency officers. This low-profile, side-opening solution includes high-vis reflective bands for safety in low light situations and can accommodate concealable armor panels. It also features an internal front plate pocket for hard armor protection.

Additionally, AE included a Rapid Base Plate Carrier which offers a simple and modular solution for any active shooter scenario, as well as the lightweight Laser Cut Plate Carrier (LCPC), designed to fit most hard armor plates for certified to low visibility special threats.

New Hard Armor Accessories Deliver Unparalleled Lightweight Protection

Armor Express has several innovative hard armor plates and helmets (both ballistic and non-ballistic), which bring an entirely new benchmark in protection of the head and body. These will be showcased at FDIC as well.

Plates:
Notably, the Company’s Harrier III+ SA Single Curve Plate is ideal for emergency officers who require modularity, protection and size options in one package. First responders can rapidly up-armor with this plate if there’s a rifle threat while remaining agile due to its low weight. A full line of other protective rifle plates is also available.

Helmets:
A helmet will complete the ballistic protective equipment kit, including the AEX10 PASGT and AEX25 ACH helmets which provide Level IIIA protection against handgun rounds. The AMP-1 E RTF helmet is also certified to protect against fragmentation and handgun Level IIIA threats while offering the flexibility, performance and comfort options for retention and padding that reinforce end-user confidence. In addition, the AMH-2 SAR (non-ballistic) helmet offers multi-impact protection for search and rescue applications.

For more information on Armor Express’ protective solutions for the FIRE and EMS markets, please visit bit.ly/AE_Fire_EMS.

McGrath continued, “We were very excited to debut Armor Express’ cutting-edge protective wear for the Fire/EMS community at FDIC 2017. Our team looks forward to engaging with customers and distribution partners to drive greater innovation in soft and hard armor systems that save lives. We have an incredible product lineup which features our strongest and lightest ballistic packages; most adaptable carriers; and hard armor solutions that deliver critical protection, performance and comfort benefits that agencies need and can afford. The public expects our firefighters and EMTs to help in a crucial time of need; the appropriate training with law enforcement as well as wearing body armor will help emergency responders to meet this expectation.”

About Armor Express
Armor Express is a leading manufacturer and distributor of high-performance body armor systems. Founded in 2005, the Company has grown to become one of the largest providers of soft and hard armor products and accessories, serving the domestic and Federal law enforcement market, U.S Military and America’s allies around the world. Through its strategic partnerships with technology innovators and its unwavering commitment to advance research & development, the Company’s customers benefit from state-of-the-art protective solutions and best-in-class service. For more information, please visit www.armorexpress.com.

AARDVARK and High Speed Gear Announce Technology Partnership and Addition Of HSGI TACO Pouches to Project 7

Wednesday, May 17th, 2017

La Verne, CA – AARDVARK today announced a technology partnership with High Speed Gear® (HSGI®) to incorporate HSGI’s® revolutionary TACO® pouches into Project 7®. A curated selection of HSGI® pouches specifically for Project 7® will be available effective immediately for incorporation with Project 7® armor.

“Featuring groundbreaking and patented technology, HSGI’s® TACO® pouches have taken the tactical market by storm” said AARDVARK’s CEO Jon Becker. “The TACO® pouches and HSGI® are a perfect fit for Project 7® because they represent the best our industry has to offer. Not only do they feature a unique design, they are intensely focused on increasing the capability, operational effectiveness, and safety of the operator.”

HSGI’s® Vice President of Sales and Operations, Bill Babboni stated, “We are extremely pleased to partner with AARDVARK and become a part of Project 7®. Project 7® represents the state of the art in tactical armor and is a perfect platform for our load bearing pouches and technologies. We are looking forward to our pouches being incorporated into Project 7® and to developing new solutions for our nation’s tactical operators through this new partnership.”

More details, as well as the entire list of HSGI® pouches available through Project 7® can be found at www.project7armor.com.

Caveat Emptor: Kinetic Development Group SIDELOK mount counterfeit alert

Wednesday, May 17th, 2017

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KDG has recently become aware of an emerging counterfeit concern, dominantly stemming from EBAY and similar online commerce sites. The counterfeits seem to be focusing on the Kinetic Development Group SIDELOK family of Optic mounts, but KDG is investigating possible forgeries of it’s other product lines as well. The first example to show up is an unlicensed copy of the Aimpoint Micro Lower 1/3 Co-witness mount, with the high likelihood of foreign origin. To make matters more confusing, it was being sold as a MRO mount. SIDELOK has a remarkable reputation for its return to absolute-zero technology, which the knock-off mounts do not replicate. KDG is concerned that it’s patented technology will have SIDELOK’s creditability diminished by the inferior forgeries, and will place the customer at a huge risk, beyond just being defrauded.

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The failure of any counterfeit optic mount on a service or personal defense weapon could be catastrophic for the user, and cost human life.

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KDG highly encourages all customers to purchase through reputable dealers, and trusted online sources. There are some key differences between the illegal copy and an Actual KDG T-1 Mount, listed below. If a SIDELOK mount, or any other KDG product appears suspect, please contact the company at info@kineticdg.com.

1) Different laser engraving. (no cage code, wrong product number on forgerty.)

2) Apparent mold/machine/tool marks throughout forgery

3) Wrong T-1 footprint. Wrong MRO footprint. Forgery missing interface recoil lug, shorter, squared base, mounting holes in wrong location,

4) Finish appears glossy and textured, as though painted instead of treated with milspec hard anodized finish like authentic KDG mounts.

5) Phillips head top plate screws are used in the counterfeit instead of Allen head screws. Mount may have a mix of screw types.

6) Secondary lock mechanism may not work at all.

7) Inability to hold zero or return to zero if removed.

8) Thinner recoil lug and absence of Ball detent

Spuhr Announces Forge Tactical As Brand Ambassadors

Monday, May 15th, 2017

Löddeköpinge, Sweden And Alliance, OH

Spuhr i Dalby AB, the international defense industry’s leading professional grade optic and accessory mounting solutions manufacturer, announced today the retention of John Chapman and John Spears, of Forge Tactical LLC, as Brand Ambassadors and Product Development consultants.

“I am excited to work with Chappy and John Spears,” said Hakan Spuhr, Founder and Innovator at Spuhr i Dalby AB. “Their level of application and technical expertise, combined with their ability to communicate directly with our end-users, makes Forge Tactical a natural fit for Spuhr.”

John Chapman, Director and Instructor at Forge Tactical, said “John Spears and I are honored to be trusted as Spuhr’s ambassadors to the end user community. Spuhr’s legendary innovation, quality, and application-centered design philosophy align perfectly with the principals upon which we founded Forge; and as long-time users of Spuhr products, we have absolute confidence in their ruggedness, precision and suitability for our military, law enforcement, self-defense and recreational shooting clients.”