SureFire

Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Klymit Inertia XL Sleeping Pad

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

It’s amazing how far this company has come in just a few years. It was scarcely two-and-a-half years ago that we had first met with Klymit in a side corner during OR. They pulled their first vest out of a pack and immediately sparked our interest. Last year we mentioned their Inertia X frame sleeping pad which combines a skeletonized design with Klymit’s signature NobleTek insulation which uses Argon gas.

While everyone loves the Inertia’s compact design and light weight, there were immediately two concerns. First, the color. No one in the military wanted to run around bad guy territory with a 6 foot long bright yellow signal panel. Second, the guys wanted something a little bigger. This is particularly an issue with side sleepers or those who must assume odd sleeping positions.

Based on this feedback along with some from the outdoor market, Klymit developed the Inertia XL. Here you can compare the size of the original model with the new Inertia XL which is a generous 76 inches long and over 24 inches wide. And, in spite of the significant increase in surface area, it still weighs in at less than 17 ounces. Additionally, you can see that Klymit offers it in Black which is better than Yellow but still, for tactical use, not quite as good as a Tan or light Green. Hopefully, we will see additional colors before it rolls out. If not, there’s always spray paint. Finally, Klymit has developed a dry air pump (not shown) that is a compact foot or hand operated bellows and makes it a bit easier to inflate the Inertia XL than oral inflation.

www.klymit.com

Kidnap & Rescue

Thursday, January 27th, 2011

For some K&R (Kidnap and Ransom) is just another insurance you purchase before you head overseas. For others, the K&R business is their way of life, working for companies that negotiate for, and secure the release of the those unfortunate enough to become victims.

Discovery Channel is launching a new 10 episode series on 29 January entitled, “Kidnap & Rescue” that serves as case studies of several incidents and their aftermath. They have enlisted the technical advice of Dan O’Shea. His credentials are impressive; CDR US Navy, former Team Three SEAL, and service as Coordinator, Hostage Working Group – US Embassy, Iraq). Due to his extensive experience in this world, the shows should be very good. The first episode of Kidnap & Rescue features HALO Corporation, a San Diego-based security firm founded by Brad Barker and his team of former SOF and Intelligence personnel. Together they work to provide security and humanitarian aid along the U.S./Mexico border. This episode tells the story of two kidnappings to which HALO responds.

Thanks to our industry friend who sent us the heads up. We’ll be watching.

To learn more visit www.discovery.com.

And They’re Off!

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011

This was the scene today as tens of thousands descended upon the Las Vegas Sands Convention Center to attend the 2011 SHOT Show. Overall, we felt that attendance was strong, everyone seemed upbeat, but true new product development, particularly for full firearms seemed lower that last year. Lots of incremental improvements but not a lot of new truly firearms from the big boys. We attribute this to a sluggish economy last year, accompanied by the burst of the assault weapons bubble which may have made industry a bit gun shy to invest in new products.

However, everybody else is knee deep in it. Look for lots of cool new products over the next few days.

An Arc’Teryx Rigger’s Belt?

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

You betcha. The new LEAF H150 Rigger’s Belt was premiered today at a Pre-SHOT Show event. The project actually goes back several years and finds its genesis in field expediency. Operators were purchasing the X350 Arc’teryx climbing harness and cutting the leg straps off to form a lightweight, formfitting gun belt. Some thought that since it was a climbing harness it would also suffice for use as a rigger’s belt. The harness is designed to work as a whole so unfortunately, when you alter the harness by removing the leg straps you shortchange your level of protection. Ever dedicated to the elite, whether athlete or military, Arc’teryx began work to engineer a dedicated rigger’s belt and the result is now available. Oddly enough, Arc’teryx itself started out with just climbing harnesses before becoming the outdoor titan of today. Obviously, they know a thing or two about the subject.

The H150 is touted as a “state-of-the-art gunner’s belt” and we couldn’t agree more. Like we said, they have been working on this for awhile and have invested heavily in producing an in-house test apparatus as well as certifications from outside labs. In fact, if you have a keen eye, you may have seen an early prototype in some of our photos here on SSD in the past.

Built with Arc’teryx’s Warp Strength® Technology (WST®), the hyper-light and improbably thin swami belt technology used in the construction of the company’s iconic climbing harnesses, the new Rigger’s Belt improves on the overall safety, comfort and performance of a traditional gunners belt. Warp Strength® Technology uniformly spreads the load across the entire belt, equally distributing weight and pressure from edge to edge, yet is stiff vertically to support holsters, sub-loads and pouches. The Rigger’s Belt is certified as a “belt for travel restraint” under the EN 358 Standard.


Combining WSTâ„¢ with a forged 7075 T6 aluminum anodized Self locking buckle results in a belt that is a scant 150 grams / 5.3 oz (size Med). The H150 is sized XS – XXL and available in Black, Crocodile, and MultiCam.

Additionally, LEAF will be unveiling the Wraith; their new overwhite solution. Consisting of four pieces, Wraith includes ultra lightweight, compressible tops and bottoms in White and Crocodile. The idea is to offer options so that the Operator can choose which garment to wear based on the environment so, a Crocodile top can be combined with a White bottom in the Alpine zone where Evergreens are present.

Visit booth #10525 to see the entire LEAF line. LEAF.arcteryx.com

S&S Precision Launches New Site

Monday, January 17th, 2011

When you looked at S&S Precision’s most recent catalog, you probably said to yourself, “This is awesome but their website is a little plain”. Well they agree and have launched a fantastic new site that brings the look and feel of that catalog to the web.

When you visit the site and click on the various category tabs make sure you use the slider bar below the first item to navigate right and left. All of the items from the catalog are there as well as a few new ones. Look for the guys at SHOT Show where they will be walking the halls.

www.sandsprecision.com

Genuine MultiCam ECWCS Gen III Finally Available Commercially

Saturday, January 15th, 2011

Tactical Distributors has just announced that they now have the genuine issue ECWCS Gen III system in stock and ready for delivery.

This seven level system was developed by the US Army in response to a requirement for a scalable extreme cold weather system for use in the arduous environment of Afghanistan. For more information on Gen III as well as its Fire Resistant cousin FREE be sure to read Environmental Clothing Systems.

To order visit www.tacticaldistributors.com. Also, be sure to visit them at SHOT Show in booth #26307.

Magpul iPhone Field Cases Now Shipping

Saturday, January 15th, 2011

One of the hottest products from last year’s SHOT Show is finally shipping; the iPhone Field Case. Magpul handed out prototypes but the fit and materials weren’t quite where they wanted them so they went back to the drawing board. Not only did they improve the prototype 3GS case but also added a special version for the iPhone 4.

Made from the same thermoplastic as the original Magpul loop, both cases feature PMAG-style ribs for added grip, snap-on design for easy installation and removal, and slides easily in and out of pockets. Offered in Black, Flat Dark Earth, and OD Green. The Executive Case is currently only offered in Black. The price on these things is amazing, just $9.95 and that is for a product made in the USA! Kudos to Magpul for building them here and for keeping the price down. Now all we need is a cover for the iPad.

To order visit www.Magpul.com.

Don’t forget to check Magpul’s new booth (#20263) out at SHOT Show.

New Shotgun Light Mount

Sunday, December 12th, 2010

Elzetta Design, LLC has just released their new ZSM Flashlight Mount for Tactical Shotguns. It fits the Remington 870, Mossberg 500/590, Benelli M4 and many other shotguns with at least 1-¾ inches of free space on the magazine tube. It can be attached to either side of the weapon and will accommodate any cylindrical flashlight from 0.70 to 1.05 inches in diameter. Naturally, Elzetta produces a flashlight that fits the mount (ZFL-M60 LED Flashlight with the optional flood lens) as well. We haven’t even laid hands on this one yet but it is offered at a great price and is not only Made in USA but also backed by a limited lifetime warranty.

www.ELZETTA.com