FirstSpear TV

Archive for the ‘weapons’ Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Caveat Emptor – Counterfeit FastMag Pistol

Tuesday, March 20th, 2012

Counterfeit FastMag™ Pistol have been popping up. We received this alert from ITW Military Products and wanted to share it.

ITW Military Products recently has been alerted by one of their loyal U.S. users about a new circulating KNOCKOFF of the ITW FastMag™ Pistol.

The ITW FastMag™ Pistol (released in 2011) is built from the same hi-strength, GhillieTEX™ IR reducing, anti-fragmentation polymer as the original FastMag™. The FMP reduces reloading time for the operator and can be mounted in the up or down position. The system eliminates the need for traditional top closures by using an enhanced urethane tension strap, providing a secure point of access. Also available in duty belt, the entire FastMag™ series is designed to ‘double-stack’ on all FastMag™ Gen. III & FastMag™ Heavy.

Unfortunately, fake knockoff versions of the FastMag pistol have been showing up on the radar that recently hit the States. While the two items seem almost identical, there are a few subtle details that will let you know you have a counterfeit. First and most noticeable, the name “FastMag” is NOT molded on the front of the counterfeit; however, the “FastMag” logo IS imprinted on the back attachment strap

Another noticeable feature is located on the back of the items (Image 2). While the ITW FastMag™ Pistol has “MADE IN USA” imprinted, the counterfeit has “MADE IN CHINA” imprinted. Other subtle features to the counterfeit are its slightly more matte finish and its flimsy rubber tension strap and attachment strap. ITW Military Products uses an enhanced urethane material for its tension strap and mounting system, the knockoff counterfeit is using a basic elastic rubber much like a rubber band. If the user can easily adjust the tension strap and/or easily stretch the mounting strap, you have yourself a knockoff counterfeit. One other easy way to tell if you are not using an OEM FastMag Pistol? Your magazines fall out!

Buyers Beware What You Order Online, AND be aware of WHERE you are purchasing your kit. If you buy from an authorized source, listed here: www.itwmilitaryproducts.com/content/list-distributors you won’t have to worry.

Tags:
Posted in Caveat Emptor, Load Carrying, weapons | Comments Off on Caveat Emptor – Counterfeit FastMag Pistol

Strike Industries Introduces Barrel Extension

Monday, March 19th, 2012

It’s really more of a shroud and it’s used by those who want to use short handguards along with longer barrels. It’s an aesthetic issue really. The down side to adding such extensions is that they prevent the use of a compensator. But, Strike Industries’ Cobra Series barrel extension overcomes this by removing the front cap. Then you can install any AR threaded compensator.

You can also apply the forthcoming S.I. FAT COMP which is specially designed with the same diameter as the Cobra barrel extension, allowing it to sit perfectly flush.

strikeindustries.com

Tags:
Posted in weapons | Comments Off on Strike Industries Introduces Barrel Extension

Hex Fluted Barrels

Friday, March 16th, 2012

Military.com’s KitUp! had an interesting article today on Legion Firearms‘ proprietary Hex Fluted barrels. If you are at all interested in the technology, go check out the article.

kitup.military.com

Tags: ,
Posted in weapons | Comments Off on Hex Fluted Barrels

BE Meyers Flash Hiders

Thursday, March 15th, 2012

There’s a lot of buzz about signature reduction, whether it’s multi-spectral camouflage for clothing and equipment or the noise and flash signature of small arms. To this end, BE Meyers has developed a family of flash hiders for 5.56 mm, 7.62 mm, and .50 caliber weapons. Bruce Westcoat, VP Business Development related to SSD, “BE Meyers flash hiders save lives. It’s simple; if the enemy can’t see you shooting at night they have nothing to shoot back at. That’s especially important if you’re manning a .50 cal or other machine gun that immediately draws return fire from the enemy.”

While often emulated, and sometimes even copied, BE Meyers flash hiders remain the pinnacle of the offset-prong style of flash hider. These flash hiders have been used extensively by US and coalition forces for years, and are the preferred flash hiders for the US as well as other nations Special Operations units. During testing by the US Special Operations Command to select a flash hider for procurement by the Rapid Equipping Force, in support Force Protection efforts in Afghanistan, the BE Meyers 5.56 mm flash hider was judged to be the best performing flash hider available.

In fact, over the past four years the US military has fielded more than 10,000 5.56 mm units. The REF order was for 4,050 alone. They’ve also purchased an additional 5,500+ 7.62 mm flash hiders and over 3,000 flash hiders in .50.

Flash suppression on the modern battlefield is a critical force protection issue as it removes the most obvious aim point for enemy return fire. It makes US forces less visible and reduces accurate enemy return fire. Additionally, it prevents loss of night vision, eliminates flash distortion of night vision devices, and allows the shooter to stay engaged instead of having to seek cover in expectation of immediate return fire.

The photos above show side-by-side comparisons of the BE Meyers flash hiders compared to the standard “bird cage” devices on a 5.56 weapon. The difference is remarkable. Additionally, the video at the beginning of the article demonstrates the flash hiders’ performance on 5.56 and 7.62 small arms as well as on an M2 .50 machine gun contrasted with standard configuration weapons featuring no flash suppression device. In each case, the standard devices show clear flash signatures, even when fired in very short bursts. The BE Meyers flash hiders show no visible flash signature. Most impressively, the .50 flash hider is equally effective in single round, short burst, and long burst scenarios, quelling the large and distinct flame signature of the M2. Further, the .50 flash hider attaches without the use of tools and is self-tightening. BE Meyers also makes flash hiders in other sizes and thread types to facilitate many non-US weapons.

During our research for this article, we spoke with Jeff Bradbury, BE Meyers Marketing Executive. He told SSD, Our flash hiders have been the first choice by US and allied Special Operations forces for years. They demand the best performance and we’ve delivered.” Extensively tested by DoD, BE Meyers flash hiders are designed and made in the USA. The difference that they make in reducing the visual signature of small arms is nothing short of amazing. But remember, these are flash hiders and are not designed as compensators. They aren’t going to control your muzzle climb. It’s a common misconception so don’t have any unrealistic expectations. If there is any criticism of the technology it’s that it isn’t out there in greater numbers.

For more information on BE Meyers flash hiders visit www.bemeyers.com. For unit and agency orders contact www.ADSinc.com/be-meyers.

Tags: ,
Posted in ADS, weapons | 4 Comments »

NavExFor – Stanley Vidmar

Tuesday, March 13th, 2012

20120313-113107.jpg

Regardless of service, armorers all suffer the same problem. Units get bigger and add more weapons but the armory never gets bigger. There’s only one solution; organize. Stanley Vidmar offers excellent storage solutions for everything from pistols to GAU-19s. They produce various sizes of rollout bins combined with inserts such as the universal cradle you see here that will hold a variety of small arms including M4 and shotgun. The cradle is rubber coated in order to protect the weapon.

20120313-113221.jpg

Stanley Vidmar combines steel cabinets with aluminum drawers which not only reduces weight but also passes spark and shock testing for use on maritime vessels.

In addition to small arms storage, Stanley Vidmar can help you organize virtually any commodity. If you need to store it, they’ve probably done it before.

www.stanleyvidmar.com

Tags: ,
Posted in weapons | Comments Off on NavExFor – Stanley Vidmar

SureFire Magazine Pockets

Tuesday, March 13th, 2012

High Capacity Magazine pockets are available directly from SureFire for both the 60 and 100 round variants but only in Coyote. Many have been asking for pockets in other colors so SureFire authorized FirstSpear (their manufacturer) to offer them. PALS compatible and available in Black, Khaki, Ranger Green, and MultiCam.

60 round pocket

100 round pocket

Tags: ,
Posted in Load Carrying, PALS, weapons | 5 Comments »

Sneak Peek – Vickers Tactical Glock Mag Base Plate

Tuesday, March 13th, 2012

Coming soon from Vickers Tactical, a replacement baseplate for the Glock. Notice the ridge that will allow you to strip a magazine from the well.

Tags: ,
Posted in weapons | 14 Comments »

Sneak Peek – Silynx Mini C4Grip

Monday, March 12th, 2012

Silynx Communications gave us a sneak peek of their new Mini C4Grip at SHOT Show. Designed at the request of a customer who was looking for a shorter version of the grip, Silynx produced this prototype.

The one thing you do unfortunately lose is the cool multi-tool that is stored in the full-size model. But, you maintain the all of the wireless controls for push-to-talk as well as for an ATPIAL and weapons light. Additionally, it accepts a SureFire light head.

www.silynxcom.com

Tags:
Posted in Comms, weapons | Comments Off on Sneak Peek – Silynx Mini C4Grip

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »