Pretty much as we expected, BCE was overrun with SHOT Show goers interested in BCE’s wares. You’ve probably heard of them before (we ran an article on their 2.0 a while back), but if not the simple explanation is this: BattleComp built something that combines flash suppression and recoil compensation into one piece (and yes, you can put a suppressor on there). The result, when fired, frequently results in what is referred to as “BattleComp Tourette Syndromeâ€. Nobody seems to expect just how well it will work, so there is always a sudden blast of profane admiration after shooting it.
Here’s a video of MilSpec Monkey shooting a weapon with the BattleComp mounted (part of the time one-handed, to show just how much it tames the recoil).
Here’s an M4 on full auto using a BattleComp.
Here’s another.
Don’t think that’s cool? Go to the BattleComp Facebook page. There’s a video embedded there of someone running an M249 SAW with a BattleComp attached and check out the lack of muzzle climb. Seriously. Go check it out. If that doesn’t impress you, not much will.
I like dogs. I like veterans. I like organizations that legitimately support injured or troubled veterans. So I love Paws and Stripes and thoroughly enjoyed my time with Jim Stanek and his service dog Sarge (both of whom you may have seen previously with Jim’s wife and Paws and Stripes co-founder Lindsay on Oprah’s ‘Ultimate Favorite Things’ episode, which they were nominated to attend by a Paws and Stripes veteran’s wife.)
Paws and Stripes was founded to pair service dogs with physically or emotionally injured veterans at no cost to the veteran. As good a service as that is, what makes it even more interesting is the source of the dogs “enlisted†for the canine therapy working dog program: they come from animal shelters, and in many cases could have been euthanized if not selected for service.
Al veterans are given the opportunity to select their own service dog, though the founder of Stars and Stripes jokes that it’s often the canines who make the selection. Selected canines are evaluated by Paws and Stripes trainers before being brought into the program—the veterans themselves enter an equipment contract to complete the training.
Jim Stanek and Sarge of Paws and Stripes
Veterans train with the dog and trainer throughout the program to strengthen their bond, to increase the understanding of the dog’s capabilities and to provide therapy. It also increases the veterans understanding about the canine’s instinct, natural pack tendency and so on. It takes approximately six months for Paws and Stripes to complete a training cycle.
As Paws and Stripes says, “Many organizations have a strict curriculum for their service dogs, requiring they learn the basic 86 commands associated with service dogs. Our enrollees, however, are not blind, deaf or paralyzed. They have unique disabilities that generate unique daily symptoms, so the dogs are trained custom to the veteran.â€
Often the simple presence and actions of a service dog mitigates or even prevents the onset of an anxiety, PTSD or similar episode the veteran might otherwise suffer. They have been trained to sense the onset of psychiatric disorders and will ground the individual or even bring them back from an episode by licking the veteran’s face, pawing or barking. As might be expected, they are very solicitous of their veteran’s needs and welfare, and will even assist or seek help for an incapacitated handler.
Right now the organization is looking for help from people with the right backgrounds. Support can include directed funds, general funds, expertise, gear for an auction, whatever. Right now they are in desperate need of a bookkeeper and a grantwriter. They Staneks and their friends are overtaxed as far as time goes now, though they are driven to succeed and don’t appear to take much time off.
“How can I rest now with these guys coming back with this hanging over my head?†Jim said during our interview. “This program can make a difference, and those guys deserve the help. I can’t slack off.â€
Watching the interaction between he and Sarge (a polite young lady of labrador, pit, pug, Catahoula and who knows what other mix), it was clear how well mannered, intuitive and helpful she was
They’re working on an auction now and have been talking to several big name companies to help out (including Larue, LWRC, Hornaday, Troy, Doublestar and several others). During SHOT the guys at Predator Tactical gave up a four thousand dollar custom 1911 pistol for auction and started the bidding out at $3,000 to raise money for Paws and Stripes.
Jim Stanek and the winner of the Predator Tactical pistol provided to auction for Paws and Stripes. Bidding started at $3k.
German boot manufacturer has unveiled a Sage Green version of the popular Zephyr mid after requests from the USAF PJ community. Starting Spring, it will be available exclusively from AFMO with a full 8″ following later in the year along with more wide spread availability.
A lot of departments rely on bicycles for urban patrol. In fact, the Las Vegas strip is rife with them. To this end, Safariland has teamed All Terrain Bike specialists Kona to produce the new Patrol Bike 29er. Bike riders will know that the “29er” designation comes from the tire size. One feature that is cool is the sloping tube that makes it easier to mount and dismount.
H&K displayed an example of the new German Army automatic Sniper rifle, the G28. Intended for use in the rifle squad, it was developed as a replacement for the G3 DMR. Although there was a G27 model which was a 417, the Bundeswehr went ahead with the G28 which is based on the 417 but with a steel receiver. This, combined with the full length forend brings it in at a little over 16 lbs. Unfortunately, the rail sections do not extend all the way to the end of the forend.
The stock is a bit different than the 417s in both style and function. The integral cheek riser is adjustable and will reciprocate when you charge the rifle. Additionally, the action is very smooth and it was simple to charge. Interestingly, while the safety is ambidextrous and the upper receiver integrates grooves on both sides to lock the charging handle in place, the weapons comes with two charging handles, a left and right to accommodate all shooters. The buttplate is also adjustable for length of pull.
The dust cover is plastic.
One interesting feature of the scope is the T1 mount.
H&K informed us that the are currently no plans to import the G28. However, there are a few of the accessories They’d probably like to see brought in for integration into the 417.
You can’t deny that the Mossberg 500/590 series of shotguns are popular for both tactical as well as recreational pursuits. At SHOT Show 2012, Mossberg unveiled their new flex system that allows 11 models of shotguns to interchange furniture. This allows the shooter to configure his shotgun for a variety of uses.
The key to the system is the Tool-less Locking System which consists of a series of three connectors to quickly swap out stocks, forends and recoil pads.
Both of these configurations are the same shotgun and the changes were made in less than a minute.
US Night Vision showed us an adapter that connects the AN/PVS14 to an iPhone. Manufactured form aircraft aluminum, it slides right onto the phone and features a view hole and threads that screw into the threads on the 14. Once the iPhone is in camera mode you can take full advantage of the features of the camera app, including zoom and image stabilization. Then, sharing photos and video is as simple as SMS or email.
Models are also already available dor the Galaxy and Casio Commando but look for additional Droid and Blackberry options soon.
This is literally one of the coolest things we have seen all week.
Here is list of the items that will be carried in the upcoming Eagle stocking program:
Multi-Mission Armor Carrier
Multipurpose Chest Rig with Ammo Pouches
Multipurpose Chest Rig
MCIRAS
FB Style Single Mag Pouch
Yote Pack
Hand Warmer Sleeve
Escape and Evade System
FB Style single M4 Mag pouch
3-Day Assault Pack
Medical First Aid Pouch
Utility Pouch
One liter Nalgene/Canteen Pouch
Operators Gun Belt
Operators Gun Belt Pad
