FirstSpear

Archive for the ‘Load Carrying’ Category

Shadow Tech, LLC – Kestrel ATI Wind Wrap

Tuesday, October 25th, 2016

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Click to view Kestrel ATI Wind Wrap spec sheet

Shadow Tech, LLC, best known for the Hog Saddle, has released a brand new product, The Kestrel ATI Wind Wrap. A good wind meter is an invaluable tool when precision shooting. In that regard, the Kestrel ATI Wind Wrap is an extremely useful accessory, as it serves as a retention device that allows the user to mount their Kestrel wind meter to a rifle sling, tri/bipod leg, or MALICE clip for immediate usage. The ATI Wind Wrap utilizes a soft mount which eliminates the effect rifle recoil has on a Kestrel’s internal electronics. Additionally, the Wind Wrap is made of Hypalon fabric, lined internally with a “special grippy material” which maintains grip in oily or wet conditions.

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The Kestrel ATI Wind Wrap is 100% American made and Berry Compliant. Best of all, it’s officially approved by Kestrel themselves.

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The ATI Wind Wrap is being produced in two models: Kestrel 4500 – available at the time of writing, and Kestrel 5700 – available November 7th, both in Coyote Brown.

stores.hogsaddle.com/kestrel-ati-wind-wrap-1

Max Velocity Tactical – 3X Special Forces Rig

Friday, October 21st, 2016

This new rig from Max Velocity Tactical came about after training an SF team at their facility in June (hence the 3X name, which is the team’s nickname).

Features:

-Accommodates up to 2 AN/PRC 152 radios, which are often very uncomfortably jammed up under a cummerbund against the ribs. This Team’s 18E does not allow radio carriage on the back, which has become pretty common becuase he wants the operator to be able to get at the radio.  Don’t carry 2 radios? Use the space for extra mags.

-Carries 4 mags in kydex inserts on the front of the body, vice Plate Carriers which often allow only space for 3 mag pouches.

-Ability to attach it to a PC with a PC attachment kit (sold separately), wear it over a PC using the supplied H-Harness, or wear it standalone in ‘recce mode.’


-No use of velcro / hook and loop. Even the available admin pouches use a tuck tab method for silent opening and closing.

Offered in MultiCam and Coyote.

store.maxvelocitytactical.com

Armageddon Gear – Range Utility Bag

Wednesday, October 19th, 2016


The product description for Armageddon Gear’s RUB is pretty funny.

We are not really sure what this bag is good for, but we got tired of George Gardner asking us to make it. So here it is. We’re sure you can figure it out. The obvious answer is to keep your loaded ammo on one side and then put your empties on the other side as you shoot ’em up. There are a million options, we’re sure.

Regardless, it’s a pretty good idea and proudly made in the USA of Mil-Spec materials. The RUB features the Armageddon Gear Lifetime Warranty and is available in Coyote or MultiCam.


www.armageddongear.com/Range-Utility-Bag-RUB

Protech Tactical Debuts First Tactical Carrier With FirstSpear Technology

Wednesday, October 19th, 2016

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Popular Shift 360 Plate Rack System now available with expanded options

Jacksonville, Fla. – Safariland, a recognized leader in the tactical armor market, today announced the release of the PROTECH® Tactical Shift 360™ Scalable Plate Rack System as its first platform to encompass the FirstSpear® Tubes™ closure system.

Utilizing advanced technologies from industry-leading armor brands, PROTECH Tactical and FirstSpear, the Shift 360 plate rack is a high-speed carrier system representing PROTECH Tactical’s fastest and most dynamic scalable plate rack offering. The system starts as a basic plate rack carrier with the ability to transition into a fully loaded tactical system for a multitude of mission specifications.

FirstSpear Tubes modernize the armor carrier closure system, enhancing the ease of donning and doffing the Shift 360 carrier with a quick up or down single hand function. The simple motion for attaching or detaching the system capitalizes on the user’s muscle memory, ideal for stressful or high-speed scenarios. This lightweight closure system ensures the cummerbund is always positioned in the same location, which is vital for proper ballistic coverage, and mitigates the risk of misalignment and incorrect attachment.

“The Shift 360 meets the requirements of patrol and tactical law enforcement officers who need to transition from routine activities to high-threat situations in a matter of seconds,” said Director of Tactical Armor Brian Santimauro. “Facing increased occurrences of scenarios evolving into active shooter, hostage or terrorist situations, law enforcement officers can have confidence that the Shift 360 will outfit them for any situation.”

“The Shift 360 system was put to the test with a variety of law enforcement teams, providing PROTECH Tactical with vital feedback to make it one of the most sought after scalable plate racks on the market,” added Santimauro. Beyond the FirstSpear technology, the Shift 360 plate rack incorporates other recently updated design elements, which elevate the functionality of the system, such as a cummerbund attachment, ballistics insertions and reinforced support. The Shift 360 AWS is available with all three closure system options – FirstSpear Tubes, single-point Quick-Release, and Velcro® closure.

“Protective technology is in our name,” said Todd Mackler, vice president of Armor. “This isn’t restricted to the ballistics and hard armor components that are inserted into our carriers. It also pertains to the carriers themselves with efficient designs and detailed components that we test, evaluate and integrate into our systems.”

Safariland introduced a new a-la-carte ordering system for 2016, which allows teams and individual users to configure the Shift 360 plate rack to meet their specific needs, including a full array of ballistic and non-ballistic accessory garments. The PROTECH Tactical Shift 360 is available for ordering with Type II and IIIA ballistic packages, as well as color options based on the load-bearing configuration. Integrated FirstSpear 6/12™ Platform & Pocket Technologies and Traditional Modular Webbing are due out at the end of 2016. More information on the Shift 360 Scalable Plate Rack system is available here:

www.safariland.com/products/body-armor/tactical-body-armor-and-gear/tactical-carriers/plate-racks/shift-360-advanced-webless-system-%E2%80%93-firstspear-tubes-SHIFT_360_FS_M_V

Rhodesians Didn’t Invent The Chest Rig

Wednesday, October 19th, 2016

In a recent post about Intellectual Property, a commenter mentioned that the US had stolen the chest rig from the Rhodesians. Well, I can assure you, that is not the case. We stole it from the same place they did, the Chicoms.  For you youngsters, or anyone who slept through the Cold War, that’s short for Chinese Communists, the same folks you’re buying your TVs from these days.

The US use of chest rigs took a slightly different route than the Rhodesians although the reasons were similar. We started using them during the Viet Nam war, mainly by Special Operations Forces, like the US Navy SEAL seen above. For many, it was simply a means to look like the enemy. Others carried AK-47s and the Chicom Chest Rig was the only means to carry the 30 round magazines with its distinct curve.

For the most part, the US got out of the chest rig business after the war. However, UKSF used them and there was some cross pollination with US SOF over the years. US issue chest rigs, although limited at the time, go back to the 80s, and continue today.

By the time the ‘Rhodesian’ was issued via SPEAR there was already a long history of the US use of chest rigs.

Raven Concealment Systems – Copia Magazine Carrier

Tuesday, October 11th, 2016

The Copia is an injection-molded pistol magazine carrier, developed to fulfill a government contract requirement for an ambidextrous magazine carrier that would accept magazines from multiple handgun models. They are now available for retail consumers.

Inspired by our original Kydex modular magazine carrier design, the new Copia carriers feature:

– Funneled mouth for easy magazine insertion

– Unique cavity and adjustable retention design allows the Copia to accommodate double-stack (both steel and polymer) magazines from over 100 different models of handguns chambered in 9/40/357, (including Glock, Sig, Beretta, FN, etc). Adjustable retention also allows magazines to be inserted facing forward or rearward.

– Short and tall body variants (short have a smaller profile and only work with three of our modular belt attachments, and tall are compatible with all of our IWB and OWB modular belt attachments)

– Body-hugging contour is more concealable and enhances comfort

– Available in single or double configuration, but additional units can be joined together to make larger configurations

Singles are $39.99, and doubles are $74.99. They are in stock and shipping now from RCS and RCS dealers.

www.ravenconcealment.com

AUSA – Mayflower Jungle Rig from Velocity Systems

Wednesday, October 5th, 2016

Velocity Systems continues to refine their Mayflower Jungle Rig. Those of you familiar with pre-GWOT British load carriage systems, particularly those used by British SF, will recognize the design inspiration at work. For example, a bungee is routed through the pouches in order to reduce bounce.

Below, you can see the pad. While it’s stiffened, it has spacer mesh and ventilation holes cut in the stiffener. Additionally, you can see the use of Blue Force Gear’s Helium Whisper.

Material selection was very important. The ULTRAcomp fabric is stiff enough to give the pouch and lid body so that the rig doesn’t flop around, despite its light weight. This construction also makes it easier to insert magazines. The Mayflower Jungle Rig offers both 2 x 7.62 magazine and 3 x 5.56 magazine pouches. In addition to Velcro closures, they’ve also incorporated Side-Release buckles for use during mobility, maritime and air operations on the magazine and GP pouches.

This photo gives you a different perspective of the pouch construction. The ULTRAcomp wraps around bottom of the pouch. There are also drain holes in the bottom of the pouches.

The sides of the Magazine Pouches feature PALS webbing for the attachment of grenade or other pouches. Although it’s not specifically addressed in this article, there’s also a Grenade Pouch which will hold the M67. It can also be used for a compass or other items.

The GP Pouch is quite versatile. The pouch has a skirt to keep debris out and will hold jackets up to Arc’teryx Atom LT in size or the Velocity Systems Basha with bungees and pins. The GP pouch is also sized to accept several models of canteens including the Nalgene 32 oz, 44 pattern (or later) water bottle, and Canadian cold weather model. It will also accept the British two-piece mess tin.

While the shoulder straps are low profile for wear under packs and armor, they’ve introduced removable padded sections.

Considering the amount of carrying capacity, it’s extremely lightweight. I didn’t get to weigh it, but it was obvious when I picked it up. Much of this is due to the materials used in its construction.

No release date yet. They are still working a few components such as a 40mm pouch which integrates with the shoulder straps.

www.velsyst.com

AUSA – Team Wendy Transit Pack by Mystery Ranch

Monday, October 3rd, 2016

This is a sneak peek of a cool new helmet storage and transport bag from Team Wendy who partnered with Mystery Ranch.

The bag is operationally focused with stowable shoulder straps and PALS for those who want to attach it directly to a vest or other bag.


Inside are two modular zippered accessory pockets as well as a larger drawstring bag for NODs which can be nestled in the shell of the helmet for additional protection. The interior of the Transit Pack is Velcro loop which is not only soft against your kit but also allows the pouches to be attached wherever you want.


Look for the Team Wendy Transit Pack by Mystery Ranch at SHOT Show.