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Mystery Ranch Names SOCOM Pack Winner

Wednesday, February 4th, 2009

Mystery Ranch owner, chief designer, and head bottle washer Dana Gleason has christened the winner of the SOCOM pack (Recce Ruck category) competition the TactiPlane, seemingly in honor of its forbear the Terraplane (from Dana Design) which saw quite a bit of duty in the 90s on the back of some of America’s most elite commandos. In fact, there was a period of time before the UM-21 (aka Strap Master 2000) was fielded as a component of SPEAR BALCS that a militarized Terraplane was in the offing. But it was not to be. SOCOM would have to wait a full ten years to begin receiving a general issue pack from the genius of Dana Gleason.

The new TactiPlane incorporates Mystery Ranch Bolster Ventilation and Stability (BVS) system to stabilize the pack when worn over body armor and features a slimmed down lumbar pad. For old school fans of the original Terraplane, the long pockets on the back of the pack are present but a stuff sack style sleeping bag compartment offers an improvement over the zippered access.

Although details for a civilian release of the Coyote Brown TactiPlane are not yet available, Mystery Ranch offers an excellent family of packs that combine leading edge commercial load carrying technology adapted to designs inspired by close interaction with military customers.

For those customers with specialized requirements contact Mystery Ranch to discuss your needs. For all others check out Mystery Ranch online.

Tags: Mystery Ranch
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Granite Gear Tactical at SHOT Show

Thursday, January 29th, 2009

Granite Gear was well represented at SHOT Show. In addition to their current line of packs and pouches they unveiled a few new items. Additionally, Multicam was prominent in their line.

Lightweight stuff sacks in various sizes were displayed.

Granite Gear also unveiled their new IMAG Interlocking Magazine Pouch system. In addition to a PALS compatible backing, the pouches integrate a hinge style system to attach adjacent pouches to one another. A stiffened web “pin” is inserted into the interwoven loops of each pouch. The pouch’s flap closes with a tabbed closure system very similar to the one used on the M-14 magazine pouch of the M-1956 load carrying system except that the materials are modern.

Also on display was the Chief Patrol pack selected as the new Patrol Pack for SOCOM. The issue ruck will have a few changes from the stock item including changes in direction for zippers, improved hydration interfaces as well as other unspecified alterations.

The Granite Gear Tactical line is distributed by SMG Tactical.

Tags: Granite Gear
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CP Gear Launches New Website

Tuesday, January 27th, 2009

CP Gear by Wheeler has launched an entirely new website. They have also added three new colors to their line of CADPAT-TW and CADPAT-AR; Coyote, Universal Camouflage Pattern, and Multicam are now also available.

Check it out at www.cpgear.com.

Tags: CP Gear
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Down East at SHOT

Wednesday, January 21st, 2009

Down East are the geniuses behind such products as the FastMag, Snap Dragon buckle, and MOLLE Frame. Amid little fanfare they unveiled their latest incarnation of the FastMag at SHOT Show. As the prototype FastMag passed from hand to hand among gear aficionados, the inventors explained the evolutionary improvements over previous versions. The greatest improvement is the attachment mechanism. A thin, rubberized, PALS compatible strap has been integrated directly into the design and pulls over a tab to secure the pouch via tension. Additionally, they introduced the ability to shingle the FastMag with Tactical Tailor’s MALICE Clip. The pouches can be stacked on top of one another or in conjunction with soft pouches as seen below. Additionally, you will notice that the bungee is missing. Down East felt that it was superfluous and drove up cost. Instead they engineered holes into the design so that the user could integrate a bungee if they felt the need. The new design is still in the prototype phase but if past performance is any indicator, these should begin to be available soon.

To announce their new Direct Sales program, they also showed a version of their rucksack. In order to test their latest frame (DEI 1606) and suspension (in this case made by Eagle), Down East commissioned Log House Designs to manufacture a 2400 cu in pack. They are pleased to now offer limited numbers of these for sale in UCP and Multicam (available Late Jan 09) as well as civilian Black and Navy Blue. The pack is a simple top loader with ample PALS webbing to attach accessories and features a comfortable suspension.

For more information visit www.downeastinc.com.

Photos from Soldier Systems Daily, Down East Inc and Mil Spec Monkey.

Tags: Down East, Eagle Industries
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SHOT Show – Mystery Ranch

Thursday, January 15th, 2009

As usual, to get the real scoop on what the folks at Mystery Ranch are up to you have to catch them at a trade show. In fact, if you still aren’t sold on MR’s feature laden packs then all you have to do is try one on. If there is one common design element in the entire MR line it is functionality. The innovative designs have been refined over the years and the telescoping Futura Yoke ensures you have a custom fit no matter what you are wearing underneath the pack.

Mystery Ranch will be showing a new item at SHOT Show called the Medical Pallet. It is a velcro panel that fits inside the 3 Day Assault Pack. It is available with a variety of velcro based pouches in order to organize your equipment for rapid deployment.

Mystery Ranch is located in Booth Number 23244.

Tags: Mystery Ranch
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TAG Introduces Large Mountain Ruck at SHOT

Wednesday, January 14th, 2009

Large Mountain Ruck (Includes Straps, Kidney Pad and Frame)

TAGsÂ® Large Mountain Ruck is a reimagined version of the original mountain ruck. Designed to fit the ALICE frame it is crafted from 500d Cordura and lined with pack cloth. This combination allows the ruck to be lightweight and yet retain durability. The shoulder straps and kidney pad are contoured to improve fit. The three external general purpose pockets were designed to accommodate an issue H harness and lowering lines making this pack jumpable. The outside of the ruck features PALS webbing. To support hydration systems, the interior has two 100oz. bladder pouches ports for the drinking tube holes along the sides for on-the-move drinking. The lid of the ruck has an antenna port for radios with center mounted antennas and the radio pocket has been lowered slightly and enlarged to fit man pack radios. The TAGÂ® Mountain Ruck is Berry compliant and features a lifetime warranty.

Be sure to check out TAG’s entire new line up in Booth number 9484 at SHOT Show.

Picture from TAG.

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SOCOM Pack Program Winners – Update

Monday, December 22nd, 2008

While there still is no official announcement, Granite Gear and their partner Montgomery Marketing Inc have announced that they have captured at least some of the SOCOM Pack program. Two packs were out for competition and they have won the Patrol Pack category with their Chief Patrol and they will begin manufacturing within 60 days.

Mystery Ranch, long thought to be the leader in the large Recce Ruck category has won and will be offering a custom design based on their internal frame technology.

Congratulations to both Granite Tactical and Mystery Ranch!

The Granite Tactical Gear line is currently available from Extreme Outfitters. Mystery Ranch information can be accessed here.

Picture from Extreme Outfitters.

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PECOC Update

Sunday, November 30th, 2008

Recently some photos of PECOC trials webbing appeared on the net. MOD still has not settled on a camo scheme but the Hybrid Cam for load carriage seems to be catching on. In fact, as you will see in the photos, the actual nylon webbing is in the pattern and there are plans to offer camo buckles and Hypalon as well.

On the load carriage side, there are currently 14 MOLLE-style (yes, we said MOLLE) pouches associated with the PECOC program in addition to a new set of webbing, assault vest, patrol sack, rucksack (bergan), plate carrier, and armor vest. The armor vest has been slimmed down a bit from the current Osprey design in order to improve the agility of the wearer. However, an improved Osprey is in the works for use when there is a need to go in heavy.

One of the most interesting features on the assault vest is the use of Hypalon. This can be seen in the photo as Black surfaces. Non-skid has been in use for some time on the shoulders of vest in order to “lock” the buttstock in place. However, the concept’s application in PECOC goes one step further. Hypalon is also sewn to the underside of straps in order to provide improved purchase. Additionally, a large MOLLE grid is supplied in order to customize the vest.

Similar to the current Soldier 95 webbing, the new PECOC variant relies on a “Hippo” padded belt as a foundation. Added to this is a yoke with Hypalon patches on the shoulders and a family of pockets. One item still requires some additional development and that is the closure system for the pouches. Apparently, they are having difficulty establishing a consensus on which style is preferable.

Tags: DPM, PECOC
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