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Remington Purchases Advanced Armament Corporation

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

Remington announced yesterday that they have purchased the assets of Advanced Armament Corporation, a firm specializing in suppressor manufacturing. Remington serves as the lead company of the Freedom Group and in turn is owned by Cerberus Capital Management.

Recently, Remington has introduced new tactical products including the Modular Sniper Rifle (MSR) as well as the Adaptive Combat Rifle (ACR) licensed from Magpul Industries and co-produced with fellow Freedom Group company Bushmaster. There have also been rumblings of a forthcoming Remington 1911 pistol. Remington has been courting AAC for some time and there has been a great deal of speculation in industry of an impending sale. Access to AAC’s suppressor technology gives the Freedom Group a leg up on much of the competition who must partner with outside companies to integrate such capabilities with their own products. Now, firearms and suppressors will be developed within the same family of companies.

Media reports indicate that Remington/Freedom Group have no intention of replacing AACâ€™s executive staff. Apparently, AAC will report to Remingtonâ€™s Military Products Division, but current leadership will remain in place. On Monday evening AAC posted on their blog that they were excited about the purchase, would be moving to a larger facility soon, and would benefit from increased R&D funding.

AAC can be found on the web at www.advanced-armament.com. Remington is found at www.remington.com.

Tags: AAC, Remington
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Why Marines Don’t Have the PMAG

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

During last week’s Modern Day Marine trade show at Quantico, I was perusing the items on display at the PM-ICE Marine Enhancement Program table. The program is great. Get new, innovative tools into the hands of Marines quickly without all of the red tape involved in a formal program. There has to be a valid need and the item has to be Government/Commercial Off-The-Shelf. Lastly, it needs to actually work.

Sitting on the table was a PMAG and someone asked the contractor behind the desk of these had been adopted for use by the Corps. “No” came the reply, “They wouldn’t fit in the issue magazine pouches”. Instead, according to the former Marine manning the booth, the Magpul magazine follower (enhanced self-leveling follower) was chosen as a suitable solution for 30 round magazine woes.

Oddly enough, rumor has it that the PMAG was recently granted an NSN and is being local purchased by the bushel by deploying Army units. The PMAG was also fielded as part of the lightweight equipment demonstration currently wrapping up in Afghanistan. Apparently they fit in Army magazine pouches. Who knew? Maybe the Marines could get in on that mag pouch action. No wait, they did, but then they…oh never mind.

Tags: Magpul
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Modern Day Marine Round Up

Monday, October 5th, 2009

There were a lot of great products at last week’s Modern Day Marine expo at Quantico, Virginia.

Wilcox Industries showed their new interface for the Ops-Core mount.

Speaking of Ops-Core, they debuted several new products available in early 2010. This eye shield was actually developed a couple of years ago but placed on hold while they refined the FAST technology for a military customer. The lens slides up and down on a track located inside the shell. It will replace the front brow pad inside the helmet as a unit and is ready to go awaiting production of the actual clear shield which will be manufactured by Oakley.

The Smith Optics Elite Division crew was on hand.

Australian firm Global Safety Solutions & Management PTY LTD exhibited their new wet weather laminate material. It is used in the current Australian issue foul weather clothing system.

Inert Products, LLC displayed a wide variety of training aids including the M4 “rubber duck” as well as other inert training aids.

Benchmade Knives showed a set of their HK signature knives packed inside a pistol case. The combo pack includes a 20-Tools-in-One mutli-tool, LED light, and Ally knife.

Tags: Modern Day Marine, Ops-Core
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Oh the Irony…

Sunday, October 4th, 2009

Last week the Army awarded Colt Defense, LLC., West Hartford, Conn. a $32,143,048 firm-fixed-price contract for M240B machine guns. The guns will be manufactured in Hartford, Conn., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2015. Bid solicitation was open to firms in the U.S. and Canada with two bids received. TACOM-RI, CCTA-AR-SA, Rock Island, Ill., is the contracting activity (W56HZV-09-D-0175).

So now to the irony part. Almost 20 years ago FNH USA, US subsidiary of the manufacturer of the MAG-58 (aka M240) was given a contract to produce the M16A2 which had been the solid purview of Colt since the end of the Viet Nam war. Now, Colt will be producing the M240 based on a venerable Belgian FN design dating back to the 1950s. In fact just the day before the M240 announcement, the Army awarded FNH yet another $9,933,440 firm-fixed-price contract for a quantity of 15,521 M16A4 rifles.

I guess turn-about is fair play.

Tags: Colt Defense LLC
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FAS Bag from NEMO

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

The FAS (Full Action, Sealed) Bag from NEMO Special Operations Shelters is designed as a semi-disposable water-proof weapon bag that maintains the ability to put the weapon into action from inside the bag.

The FAS Bag was designed to accommodate a suppressor equipped weapon and has heat resistant panels at the suppressor and ejection port. Additionally, the bag comes with a no-slip Hypalon shoulder strap. The shoulder strap is also used to tighten the bag around the weapon in order to secure excess material. A newly released version features a clear window for an ATPIAL equipped weapon. NEMO suggests that users practice extensively with the weapon in order to gain confidence with it before placing it into action. The weapon remains dry via a roll top closure that is secured with a side-release buckle.

Bags are currently available for the MP7 (shown) and M4 carbine. The FAS Bags are available from ADS.

Tags: Nemo
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Bobro Standard Vertical Grip

Sunday, September 27th, 2009

For those of you running a vertical fore grip, Bobro offers a unique take on the device. It attaches via a system called the SACL (Self Aligning Compression Lock). Basically you align the grip at a 45 degree offset from the portion of the rail where you want to attach the grip. Loosen the compression lock a couple of turns, slide it into place and twist. Then you tighten the compression lock to keep it in place. A major advantage to this style of attachment is that you can attach it anywhere along the rail without having to remove any accessories already in place.

The SACL portion is machined from a polymer (Delrin). The fasteners and index pin are phosphated to Mil Spec STD 171. While the grip was not designed for the waterproof storage, items can be stowed inside the central core. Additionally, it is not rail sensitive, meaning it can be installed on any rail built to Mil-Std 1913.

The Bobro grip is available in two lengths; standard and shorty. Available from SKD Tactical at under MSRP.

Tags: Bobro, SKD Tactical
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Magpul to Release Adaptable Carbine/Storage Stock

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

Magpul will soon release the Mil-Spec Version of the ACSâ„¢ Carbine Stock. Designed to fit a Mil-Spec Receiver Extension (buffer) Tube, the ACSâ„¢ takes storage to a whole new level. In addition to dual, rear accessible, water-resistant battery storage tubes, it also features an integral storage compartment in the butt of the stock. The streamlined shape shields the release latch to prevent accidental activation. This is backed up by a power lock mechanism which relies on a chrome-silicon spring to avert auto-collapse failure by resisting spring relaxation.

The ACSâ„¢ features two sling mounts; the mid point of the stock accepts optional QD sling mounts (up to 1.5â€ push-button swivels) and the rear has a 1″ sling loop. The ACSâ„¢ comes standard with a rubber butt-pad which gives positive shoulder purchase to prevent slippage even with body armor or modular gear however the Enhanced Butt Pad will also fit this stock.

For more info visit www.magpul.com.

Tags: Magpul
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AAC’s Silencer Shoot

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Photo Ted Tae

Advanced Armament Corporation was kind enough invite Soldier Systems Daily to attend the 2009 Silencer Shoot. Despite rainy weather the event was well attended and offered a rare opportunity for enthusiasts to fire suppressed as well as full auto weapons.

Photo AAC

The Wounded Warrior Project was a big part of the Shoot’s activities and proceeds from the raffles were donated to the cause.

Photo AAC

Attorney David Goldman gave a great presentation on NFA trusts during the Seminar held Friday evening. After hearing him speak I suggest that anyone who has a trust not specifically written to comply with the National Firearms Act take a look at his services.

Photo Ted Tae

AAC had their full line of suppressors on hand including the new Ti-RANT. Constructed of Grade 9 Titanium, heat treated 17-4 PH stainless steel, and high strength hard coat anodized 7075-T6 aluminum alloy, the Ti-RANT integrates AAC’s A.S.A.P. System (Assured Semi Automatic Performance).

Photo Ted Tae

Additionally, several vendors were on hand to display their wares in the vendor tent. Attendees had an opportunity to see the latest from a long list of suppressor and firearm producers as well as a few of our favorite soft good manufacturers. Arc’teryx displayed their entire line of LEAF products and had a couple of under the table samples of their new line coming out this Winter. Sorry, no sneak peeks; yet.

Photo Ted Tae

Triple Aught Designs had a great booth and was well represented by Mack and Dan. In addition to several of their new garments, they had a prototype of the upcoming Gryphon glove. They have put a lot of work into these and should be available this Fall.

Soldier Systems Daily would like to thank AAC for their hospitality as well as all of the vendors who took time to speak with us. You will be seeing future articles based on several of these products. Finally, a big thanks to Monster who provided free drinks through out the day.

Tags: Advanced Armament Corp, Arc'teryx, Monster, TAD Gear
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