TYR Tactical

Archive for the ‘weapons’ Category

The Zombies Are Coming!

Monday, November 1st, 2010

Zombie Targets - Frans‘Tis the season to hunt zombies. Billed as “The only target that will eat your brains”, many will find these entertaining and a nice diversion from standard targets. In addition to the numerous different versions of zombie figures offered by the manufacturer, Law Enforcement Targets has six different color versions including the dreaded Frans – Nazi Zombie. Each target is 25″ x 35″ and printed on 60 lbs paper. Competition-style target zones are included on the torso and brain but cannot be seen from a distance.

They are available, aptly enough, from www.zombietargets.net. Look for the new Clown Zombie.

Level Peaks Delivers EMAGs to UK MoD

Friday, October 29th, 2010

In September, Hereford, UK based Level Peaks Associates won the contract to exclusively supply the UK MoD with the MagLevelâ„¢ Magpul EMAGâ„¢ (Export Magazine) for their SA 80A2 rifles. Level Peaks has already delivered the first consignment of 250,000 of the EMAG and is poised to deliver an additional One Million to fulfill the contract.

As part of the UK MoD’s ongoing efforts to reduce the weight carried by the Infantry Soldier, the introduction of the new EMAG is a significant step. The 30 round, 5.56mm EMAG was designed by Magpul specifically for NATO-pattern rifles (M4/C8, M16/C7, SA80, HK 416, etc.). It features a slim, rib-less, anti-snag profile and the front-to-back and side-to-side dimensions have been adjusted from the PKAG to ensure compatibility with as many STANAG 4179 weapons as possible, including most non-Mil-Spec AR15 rifles.

Level Peaks Associates were able to supply the EMAG as a rapidly manufactured and cost effective alternative to in-service metal magazines, offering substantial life cycle cost savings and placing a reduced logistic burden on the Operation HERRICK supply chain. The EMAG is over 40% lighter than the in-service HK steel magazine and represents over a 1kg reduction in combat loads for the British Soldier. Additionally, polymer magazines do not suffer from rust degradation, crushing damage, or dust and sand ingress. Since polymer does not clog, troops do need not clean every round before loading them into the magazine. This potentially reduces the time taken to reload magazines in dust and sand environments.

www.LevelPeaks.com

www.Magpul.com

Mk 777 – An American RPG Launcher

Thursday, October 28th, 2010

Although it’s as common as the cold in parts overseas, the RPG-7 has seen little use by American forces. That is, until recently. Nine years of engagement with an enemy (and quite a few allies) that use the RPG as a standard weapon have driven us to use it for training, threat assessment, and in some cases, employment. The standard launcher is adequate, and generally well constructed but they made millions of the things, and some are noticeably better than others. So naturally, good old American ingenuity stuck its nose into the issue in the form of Airtronic USA, Inc. In fact, Airtronic recently was awarded a contract as the sole supplier of RPG launchers to the US military. Their launcher, dubbed the Mk 777 takes the classic RPG launcher and improves upon it. The name coming from its weight, 7.77 lbs.

What’s not to like about it? It comes in a variety of colors including Black, Tan, and MultiCam, it incorporates 1913 rails and is manufactured from lightweight, modern materials. The rails allow you to employ newer sighting systems and other accessories such as vertical grips and shoulder stocks. Additionally, you will notice that the grip is an M4 pistol grip which US troops will be accustomed to.

www.airtronic.net

Learn More About the XM25

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

Kit Up! sourced some excellent marketing footage of the ATK/HK XM25 Counter Defilade Engagement System in action. As we posted earlier this month, a small number of XM25s are headed downrange to spank some Taliban ass. Go check out the video and see why the Taliban should just give up now while there’s still hope.

FN’s New HAMR

Wednesday, October 27th, 2010

FNH USA has released the Heat Adaptive Modular Rifle (HAMR) at AUSA. Based on the FN SCAR 16 platform, the system was a contender for the USMC’s Infantry Automatic Rifle but lost out to the HK M27 which is based on the 416. FN claims that the HAMR is accurate to 1 MOA but did not differentiate if this was from an open or closed bolt. Additionally, FNH has announced that the HAMR boasts a controllable 650 rpm rate of fire.

So exactly what makes the HAMR unique? The capability presented is best described by FN’s own press release, “FN HAMR initially fires from the closed bolt in either semi-automatic or full-automatic modes. For added safety during sustained fire situations, the FN HAMR automatically transitions into open-bolt operation in both semi-automatic and full-automatic modes before reaching the cook-off temperature of the chambered cartridge. Once the chamber temperature has dropped to a safe level, the FN HAMR automatically transitions back to closed-bolt mode. These transitions between closed-bolt and open-bolt modes are thermally regulated by the FN HAMR and occur without any manual intervention by the operator.”

Ambitious, but it seems as though there is a certain amount of technical risk here. Whether the mechanism that transitions the weapon’s operating system from Closed to Open bolt is electrical or mechanical like the thermostat in your car’s cooling system, it is just one more thing to go wrong. However, the SCAR itself is the most tested rifle in the US military’s history and it is doubtful that FN would have brought the HAMR to market if it wasn’t ready for prime time. We will be interested to see how they went about managing the operating system.

We understand that the IAR candidate had a heat sink built into the design so the HAMR’s stated weight of 11.2 lbs is also of interest but this includes a Grip Pod. On a final note, as it is being offered as a full-auto weapon for military and LE use, the average shooter will never have access to the HAMR. However, we are glad to see that the technology is being commercialized in one form or another.

www.fnhusa.com

Colt CM901 Photos

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

At AUSA we were able to take a few snaps of the Colt Defense Multi-Caliber CM901 Modular Carbine.

BHI Handguards Now Available

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

Previously only available on their BHI-15 rifles, the Handguards are now offered in Carbine, Mid, and Rifle lengths. Blackheart brings up a pretty valid point. The average Picatinny rail has up to 40″ of rail space. Do you really need that much? BHI is betting that you don’t and has developed a handguard that allows you to incorporate small section of 1913 rail where you need it.

Their lightweight handguard is manufactured from MIL-SPEC Hard Anodized Aluminum and features mounting slots at the 45°, 90°, 135° and 180° positions as well as four sling swivel attachment points. Additionally, the handguard is knurled in order to maintain your grip.

www.BHIgear.com

Spanish Airborne Brigade Adopts Eberlestock Pack

Monday, October 25th, 2010

The Spanish Army adopted the Eberlestock Phantom for their Airborne Brigade and so can you. For a slight upcharge you can purchase the Phantom in the new Spanish Desert pattern.

This mid-sized pack features removable shoulder straps and bag from the patented Backscabbardâ„¢, which can then be combined with the top-cover to make a drag bag. The Phantom is a front-loader, with two rings of various-sized tuck-pockets lining its interior, MOLLE racks inside and out, and a fold-down shelf that can be used to divide the main compartment into upper and lower chambers. It will carry two 3-liter hydration kits, mounted in side pockets, and/or two 2-liter bladders in sleeves between the side pockets and the main pack. Includes the pack and scabbard combination, removable butt-cover, and pull-out G1RC rain cover.

www.eberlestock.com