FirstSpear

Archive for the ‘Load Carrying’ Category

SHOT Show Means New Belt Pouches from Blue Force Gear

Wednesday, January 14th, 2015

Blue Force Gear sent us this release to give you a glimpse of some of the new products they will be unveiling at SHOT Show.

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When we set out to design the perfect low profile belt pouch line for our elite military and law enforcement customers, we immediately turned to our combat proven Helium Whisper and Ten-Speed products for inspiration. With nearly a decade of daily combat use, the Ten-Speed line especially has established itself as the industry standard in ultra-lightweight, lightning fast magazine pouches. Using state of the art materials like ULTRAcomp laminate and Ten-Speed elastic, these new belt pouches are perfectly suited for use on a dress belt for undercover work or on a riggers belt or other duty belt for overt roles on the streets or down range.

Included in the initial pouch suite launch are the following; Single M4 High Mount, Single M4 Low Mount, Single Pistol, Double Pistol, Hand Cuff, Collapsible Baton, OC Spray, and Micro Trauma Kit. This comprehensive line promises to address the needs of those that want a durable, low-profile load carriage system, but not in a MOLLE compatible format.

We are accepting dealer orders now and they will be available direct from our website in early February. Be sure to come by and check them out in person while at SHOT Show in Booth #31209.

High Rise M4 Belt Pouch


Low Rise M4 Belt Pouch


Low Rise Pistol Belt Pouch


Cuff Belt Pouch

www.BlueForceGear.com

Maker Monday – S&S Precision Plate Frame Pouches & Accessories

Monday, January 12th, 2015

Pouches

The S&S Precision Plate Frame Pouch Ensemble has quickly evolved since the Plate Frame’s debut in 2012. For S&S Precision, it’s requirements driven design and these pouches were specifically created to fit the needs of PlateFrame users. There’s nothing extraneous here. Everything is functional with a minimalist approach to take up as little space as possible on the PlateFrame and hold weight to a minimum. But this doesn’t mean that these pouches are flimsy. To the contrary, S&S Precision has been working with the user community to offer items that will stand up to abuse in a variety of environments.

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Let’s take a look at what’s currently available.

-Three Mag Pouch Enhanced With Bungee
Holds three 5.56 Magazines
Bungee retention with S&S Precision Pull Tabs

-Fragmentation Grenade pouch
Silent Pull Closure

-Double 5.56 and 9mm Pouch
Fits two 5.56 magazines and two 9mm magazines.
Bungee retention with Two S&S Precision Pull Tabs and two Velcro Straps

-Administrative Pouch
Velcro attached so patch can be applied

-Tourniquet Retention System

-Breaching Quiver
Single Linear Explosive Charge Carrier

-Radio Pouch
AN/PRC-148 or AN/PRC-152 Carrier

Pouches4

-Side Plate Pouch, (pair)
Ballistic side Plate Pouch

-Two Magazine Pouch
Holds two 5.56 Magazines

-Three Magazine Pouch
Holds three 5.56 Magazines

-Smoke Grenade Pouch
Holds one Smoke Grenade

-Enhanced Three Magazine Pouch w/Flaps
Attaches to the front of the Plate Frame
Holds three 5.56 Magazines

www.sandsprecision.com

Shellback Tactical – The Banshee 2.0 Is Coming

Sunday, January 11th, 2015

Banshee 2.0

Shellback Tactical will soon release a new version of the Banshee plate carrier, the Banshee 2.0. It will incorporate advanced materials, and will be priced similar to the current Banshee. The Banshee 2.0 will not take the place of the original Banshee, and will rather be an addition to Shellback’s product line. Shellback Tactical will reveal the Banshee 2.0 at SHOT Show 2015. They’ll also be debuting other new products, including the PATRIOT Plate Carrier and a backpack.

www.shellbacktactical.com

Three New Products From National Molding

Friday, January 9th, 2015

National Molding has announced three new products: two new buckles which work with their release systems, offering increased break strength and durability along with illuminating any metal hardware from the cable retention assembly, and they require no tools for assembly. The third product is the Groovy Pop Lock, a new spin on an older product which has grooved surfaces for ease of use with gloved or wet hands. Additionally, the gripping strength has been increased to avoid any creeping. The full details can be read below:

1″ HD Male CR

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1.5″ HD Male CR

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Groovy Pop Lock

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nationalmolding.com

New Belt and Harness Systems from CTOMS

Monday, January 5th, 2015

CTOMS had a lot to show me during last month’s SOMSA conference. In addition to the Temba Pack, Pulley, and SlimmerLine IFAK they also showed us their line of Belt and Harness Systems.

M2/G2 Systems

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-The desire was to build a lighter and more versatile belt and harness system than the current large buckle and large webbing.
-They started with AustriAlpin designing a 1” buckle where the release tabs were flush with the frame for added safety. CTOMS also switched to their new ‘Pro’ design which claims a redesign with a lower likelihood of inadvertently only securing one side.

Chassis

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-CTOMS belts start with what they call the Chassis.
-This is an adjustable one-size-fits-most carrier for two belt options.
-The chassis fits into most trouser belt loops.
-Hypalon belt loops retain the inner belt.

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M2 Inner Belt:

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-This is a similar design to their old M-Harness belt with a non-adjustable quick release in the center and a ladder lock adjuster slightly offset. This allows conversion into their patented M2-Harness system.

M2 Leg Loops (seen above):

-These are an improvement to the original design.
-Integrated leg loop padding.
-Lighter 1” webbing.
-Field replaceable shock cord for rear leg loop support straps.

G2 Inner Belt:

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-This is simply 1” tubular nylon with end user’s choice of dual adjust ITW SR buckle, or a dual adjust Cobra Buckle. Also available is their dual adjust, but not quick release, Belay Loop Assembly.
-The Belay Loop Assembly can be worn just like a non-quick release riggers belt, but instead of a metal V-ring, it has a soft bely loop clip in point. That belay loop can be slowed in its belay loop keeper to prevent inadvertent snags.

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G2 Leg Loops (seen above):

-Shares most design features of the M2 System, but compatible with the CTOMS Belay Loop Assembly.
-This turns your G2 Belt into a traditional style climber’s harness with a belay loop.

T2 Harness:

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-2nd generation Turtle Harness
-More comfortable and less likely to stress the stitching on the plate carrier.
-Similar configuration to the M2 System for ease of donning and doffing.
-Integrates into any PALS based plate carrier without interfering or crushing contents of pouches – goes under pouches but over armor.
-Connects to the M2 or G2 Harnesses via the Leg Loops.
-Rapidly adjusts for comfort depending on if the user is walking, in the aircraft or about to go on the hoist.
-Full Class 3 with new over the shoulder straps.

ctoms.ca/Mission-Essential-Equipment/Belts-Harnesses-and-Accessories

FirstSpear Friday Focus – New FS Strandhögg Front Panels

Friday, January 2nd, 2015

In this week’s FirstSpear Friday Focus we are going to take a look at the new replacement front panels for the popular Strandhögg Plate Carrier which make it even more customizable than before. It’s important to mention right up front that there are two variants of the Strandhögg Plate Carrier; MBAV cut and SAPI cut. There are two new Front Panels so it’s important that you not only specify which style of Front Panel you want but also which type of armor you are using.

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In addition to attaching via patented Tubes connectors, both styles continue to offer the same padding and ventilation features of the standard Strandhögg Plate Carrier. The photo below gives you a side view.

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AK Front Panel

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The first Front Panel for the Strandhögg Plate Carrier is the the AK Purpose Built model. Additionally, it will fit the FS AAC Plate Carrier. Built with the same padding and ventilation features found in its modular brother this front panel features sewn on pockets accommodating 3 single 30 round magazines for the AK47 or 74 series rifles, secured with elastic cord and FS Speed Tabs. A 6/12 modular pocket attachment field is found above the magazines for utilizing 6/12, 6/9 or MOLLE style pockets. This panel will be available for purchase 1 February 2015 for SPEAR/SAPI Cut Plates in sizes M, L & XL as well as the popular MBAV Cut in sizes S/M, L/XL & XXL in MultiCam, Coyote, Ranger Green, and Black.

Modular Wing Front Panel

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The second Front Panel incorporates Modular Wings which give you some additional real estate for pouches on your vest. The panel incorporates a left and right wing with a 6/12 Pocket Attachment Field that allows you to select how you want to use the space back behind your Tubes/Cummerbund. Like the AK Panel, this version also integrates the padding and ventilation of the FS Strandhögg Plate Carrier. This panel will be available for purchase 1 February 2015 for SPEAR/SAPI Cut Plates in sizes S, M, L & XL as well as the popular MBAV Cut in sizes S/M, L/XL & XXL in MultiCam, Coyote, Ranger Green, and Black.

www.first-spear.com

Mayflower RC – Multi-Purpose Patrol Vest

Wednesday, December 31st, 2014

MPPV 2

Mayflower’s Multi-Purpose Patrol Vest (MPPV) is designed for patrolling situations where armor isn’t required. Resembling a hybrid of a chest rig and older-style LBV, the MPPV features a front center zip for ease of doffing and donning and a mesh back panel sized for up to a 3-liter water bladder. I realize that chest rigs and vest-style yokes have been combined before so don’t bore me with commenting with a long list of other examples.

The MPPV is fully adjustable via ITW G-hooks and shock cord. The MPPV has 4 integrated magazine pouches sized to fit up to eight 5.56 magazines or four 7.62×51 mags; two of these pouches feature small frontward GP pockets sized for small items such as a compass or GPS (great for patrolling!). The side GP pouches are sized to carry 32oz Nalgene bottles or smaller items, and feature PALS webbing on the front and sides for additional pouches and other PALS-compatible accessories. Also included on the harness and back panel of the MPPV is an abundance of one-wrap Velcro for cable management.

MPPV 1

The MPPV uses ULTRAcomp laminate extensively throughout the vest to decrease weight and increase durability. This also helps mitigate water absorption in wet weather.

The Multi-Purpose Patrol Vest is available now in MultiCam and Coyote Brown.

www.mayflower-rc.org/store/7034/111/Multi-Purpose-Patrol-Vest

Limitless Gear – OPFOR Magazine Carrier

Tuesday, December 30th, 2014

LG OPFOR

Limitless Gear’s OPFOR Magazine Carrier is a magazine holster designed for AR-15 magazines. It features a lidless Positive Magazine Retention (PMR) system, which locks the magazine in place and allows for quick removal by applying a ‘twist and pull’ motion to the magazine. This eliminates the need for flaps or bungee cords for retention, and allows the user to mount their magazines in standard or inverted orientations. The OPFOR also features the Rapidly Scalable Equipment Ensemble (RSEE), which allows the user to mount and dismount the carrier from 2×2 PALS surfaces in seconds. Additionally, the OPFOR has attachment slots for stacking multiple OPFORs in a single configuration.

Available in Coyote Brown. Made in the USA from US materials.

Available for purchase at Shellback Tactical – www.shellbacktactical.com/opfor-magazine-carrier-limitless-gear.aspx