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Sneak Peek – Handl Defense Submission for US Army Sub Compact Weapon Oportunity

Friday, August 24th, 2018

This is the Handl Defense submission for the US Army’s SCW Prototype Opportunity Notice. The US Army is giving up to six companies the chance to build a highly concealable Sub Compact Weapon system capable of engaging threat personnel with a high volume of lethal force while accurately firing at close range with minimal collateral damage. The weapon should be optimized for shooting 147 grain 9mm.

The Handl Defense SCW is under 15 inches when folded and weighs under 7 pounds. It can be easily stowed in an aviators kit bag, briefcase, or in vehicles.

The Handl Defense SCW weapon system allows for use of readily available 9mm pistol magazines. The Handl Defense SCW could be configured to unit organic pistol magazines. This would allow for lower cost implementation and the ability to share magazines under duress.

A Sig Sauer P320 conversion kit is under going development, and will be made available to DoD on their request. This would allow interoperability with the M17 pistol. Allowing cost benefits by minimizing proprietary system components.

This system leverages existing programs and their supply chains to provide unprecedented flexibility to DoD. Intended as a complete weapon, or if DoD chooses, as a removable conversion kit for M4s in the inventory. The end user can select a highly portable folding stock 5.55x45mm configuration with a donor M4 platform.

9mm ConfigurationThe Army’s requirement that the SCW is because the United States military operations take place worldwide and in all types of terrains as well as under every environmental condition. The Secretary of the Army and/or the Chief of Staff approves senior commanders and key personnel as High Risk Personnel (HRP). HRPs are authorized a Personal Security Detail (PSD), which are assigned to guard against outlined threats. To address this operational need, PSD military personnel require weapons with greater lethality than pistols that are more concealable than rifles. The ultimate objective of this program is to acquire a highly concealable Sub Compact Weapon (SCW) system capable of engaging threat personnel with a high volume of lethal force while accurately firing at close range with minimal collateral damage.

ADED490B-A396-4664-A51A-68978559A18C

5.56mm Configuration

Tags: Handl Defense
Posted in weapons | 11 Comments »

USMC Marksmanship Technology Demonstration 2018

Tuesday, August 14th, 2018

Each Fall, the Marine Corps Weapons Training Battalion hosts an opportunity for industry to show them what they’ve got cooking. This year’s Marksmanship Technology Demonstration will be held at Calvin A. Lloyd Range Complex, Weapons Training Battalion, Marine Corps Base Quantico from 26-27 September 2018. The MTD has been aligned with Modern Day Marine to take advantage of similar events.

MTD 2018 will focus on six technology areas:

1.      Small arms automated smart static targets
2.      Small arms automated smart mobile targets
3.      6.5mm, .260 Bolt/Gas Precision Rifles
4.      Simulation
5.      Integrated optics
6.      Small arms self-coaching and data tracking applications

Technology area number 3 is being requested for competition only with the Marine Corps Shooting Teams. (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)

The Marksmanship Technology Demonstration is not a tradeshow. During the two day demonstration, a team of assessors will collect data on system performance and will provide feedback on their observations of the technologies presented. Following the demonstration, promising technologies may be selected for extended user evaluations.

1. Automated Smart Static Target Systems

The Marine Corps is interested in a target system that can be installed on current standard Known/Unknown-Distance Ranges and equipment that provide immediate, accurate shot to shot feedback to shooters and coaches on the firing line. The Marine Corps is interested in target systems that meet the following specifications:
•· Able to accept variety of targets (i.e. CMP/NRA, IDPA, USPSA, Action)
•· Plot shots within a 2mm of accuracy, and capture the shot in a 6’x6′ window
•· Able to take in excess of 10,000 5.56mm impacts before requiring maintenance
•· Networked to record each shot and display on tablet/computer located on firing line
•· Able to support a 50 target frontage without interference from adjacent targets
•· Able to run off of shore or battery power for a minimum of 12 hours at full use. Optimal battery life in excess of 24 hours.
•· Function in all weather conditions (i.e. rain, snow, mist, fog)
•· System must be able to integrate with existing Marine Corps infrastructure, in order to ensure the original system may be used as a backup
•· Centralized data collection system

* Tablet/PDA

Automated target systems should come with tablets or communicate with personal electronic devices via website or App. The Marine Corps is interested in target systems that provide a tablet/PDA with the specifications of one or more of the following items:

Required Characteristics
•· Screen size shall be a minimum of 4 inches wide and 6 inches long
•· Man portable
•· Contain a rechargeable/removable battery
•· Will be visible in direct sunlight.
•· Capable of screen use with gloves.
•· Be contained in a replaceable shock and water resistant case.
•· Able to be connected with WiFi, Bluetooth, and with USB type cables.
•· Must meet MIL-STD 810G environmental/durability requirements

Desired Characteristics
•· Battery life in excess of 12 hours during continuous use with all functions enabled. Prefer 24 hours that function in weather temperatures from 0 degrees Fahrenheit to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
•· Display capable of being backlit for night use.
•· Able to be utilized in all weather conditions with wet hands and gloves.
•· Self-supported with provided viewing angles from 15 degrees to 90 degrees.
•· Drop resistant to 6 meters
•· Water proof (IP66K rating)

2. Autonomous / Smart Mobile Target Systems

The Marine Corps is interested in a target system that is a mobile, man sized 3-dimensional target that provides instant feedback to shooter and coach on a firing line. The Marine Corps is interested in a target system that meets the following specifications:
•· A 3-dimensional man-sized target
•· Able to move in any direction at variable /programmable speeds (2.5-10 mph)
•· Provides accurate, immediate shot location detection as well as a means to provide shot feedback to shooters and coaches at the shooter’s position.
•· A perimeter sensor system that could accurately depict misses around the target (6’x6′ example) that could be transmitted to a display located at the firing point for immediate coaching/shooter feedback.
•· The target should react (as programmed) to hits or misses.
•· The target could communicate with adjacent targets (Bluetooth example) and respond to each other to hits and misses (as programmed).
•· Ability to place two target types on one platform that could be “presented” to the shooter (hostile/non hostile example) as programmed.
•· The target could generate heat for thermal optics.
•· Able to take in excess of 10,000 300/7.62/5.56 mm round impacts before requiring maintenance
•· Maintenance cycle that needs to take in consideration hours/days of training required to support up to 22,000 shooters a year.
•· 10 hours sustained use before maintenance/recharging
•· Centralized data collection system
•· Ricochet resistant encapsulation

* Tablet/PDA

Automated target systems should come with tablets or communicate with personal electronic devices via website or app. The Marine Corps is interested in systems that meet the specifications of one or more of the following items:

3. 6.5mm, .260 Bolt/Gas Precision Rifles

The Marine Corps Shooting Team is interested in rifles that incorporate technologies that are applicable to national and international competition. The Marine Corps Shooting Team is interested in a rifle that is guided by the following specific requirements:

Required Characteristics
•· Bolt Action Rifle
o Chambered in .260 or 6.5 Creedmoor
o Minimum of .7 MOA accuracy
o 22 to 26 inch barrel, 1:8 twist
o Chassis system or stock with ability to adjust length of pull, cheek height, etc.
o Picatinny or M-LOK mounts for bipod
o Short Action
o Adjustable trigger pull or fixed match-grade trigger 1.5 lbs pull weight, 1 or 2 stage
o Able to take 5 or 10 round magazines
o Action must have reinforced bolt stop

•· Gas Precision Rifle
o Chambered in .260 or 6.5 Creedmoor
o Minimum of 1 MOA accuracy
o 18-24 inch barrel, 1:8 twist
o Adjustable gas system
o M-LOK or Picatinny free floated rail system
o Adjustable trigger pull or fixed match-grade trigger 1.5 lbs pull weight, 1 or 2 stage

Desired Characteristics

•· Bolt Action Rifle
o Action has 2 lug with 90 degree throw, or 3 lug with 60-75 degree throw.
•· Gas Precision Rifle
o Adjustable Mass/Recoil Management system

4. Simulation

The Marine Corps is interested in simulated range and training environments which incorporate technologies that are applicable to current and future battlefields. The Marine Corps is interested in simulations that are guided by the following specific requirements:

Required Characteristics
•· Wireless Augmented Reality (AR) ready, 3D/4D environment
•· System must link users to allow Marines to interact within virtual world from any location
•· Intuitive controls that Marine operators can utilize with little training
•· Able to quickly design and implement maps/environments at operator level for training, i.e. towns, cities, weather conditions, terrain.
•· Able to accurately simulate friendly/enemy personnel, ground vehicles, ships, aircraft.
•· Intuitive AI to allow for both flexible and scripted scenarios. Must react realistically to user inputs, i.e. user firing at enemy.
•· System must be able to accurately simulate ballistics of current inventory of ammunition utilized in service weapons, i.e. M855, M855A1, AA11, A363, A483 etc.
•· Train shooters in basic and advanced marksmanship principals.
•· Train shooters in target engagements and transition drills.
•· Must provide threat and target discrimination training.
•· 360 degree threat / Non-threat training scenarios.
•· Facility must be able to be retrofit into current Marine Corps facilities or be custom designed.
•· Laser shot detection should be within the 780NM range.
•· Setup shall take no longer than 7 days
•· Tear down shall take no longer than 7 days

Desired Characteristics
•· Projectors and monitors have the ability to mount in multiple locations (floor, ceiling or walls)
•· Customizable scenarios to enable the Marine Corps to adjust training with new mission requirements, as well as meet current TTP’s, METL’s, and POI’s.
•· Aid in cognitive and ocular development, situational awareness, and target identification.
•· Retain the ability to train a shooter in decision fidelity, perceptual acuity and situational awareness.
•· Have the ability to control ambient lighting to increase target clarity.
•· Incorporate weight training to induce stress, physical fatigue and mental fatigue.
•· Marine must be able to utilize assigned service weapon (i.e. M4, M16, IAR, M9, etc.) through a ‘drop kit’ or similar means to effect the simulation by cycling his weapon system with 75% realistic recoil.
•· 4D Virtual Reality: Marine can move on a pad 360 degrees and will move virtual character. All movement of weapon and body are accurately depicted within simulation via motion capture, cameras or like systems. Complete immersion.

5. Integrated Optics

The Marine Corps is interested in optics that incorporates technologies that are applicable to current and future battlefields. The Marine Corps is interested in upgrades that meet the specifications of the following items:

Required Characteristics
•· Magnification from 0/1-8 power to PID threats (presence of weapon) out to 600M, and engage threats in close proximity
•· Must possess large and forgiving eye box and extended eye relief
•· Included ambidextrous capable feature to rapidly adjust magnification with non-firing hand
•· Electronic fire control system that diagnosis range, weather, elevation, and lead for a moving target within 0.5 seconds (objective), 1 second (threshold) and places an accurate “aim point dot” or appropriate “aim point reference” for the shooter to place on the target and engage.
•o Target data to include range, and direction (degrees/mils) is displayed within the objective lens for shooter to observe.
•o Bluetooth or WIFI capability to link and communicate with tablets, and communication suites found at the squad and platoon level.
•· Etched/mechanical reticle feature for engaging moving threats out to 150M and rapid ranging feature that accounts for average width of human head and of shoulders as back up for system failure or battery loss.
•· Compatible with clip-on current night vision or thermal imaging devices (e.g. PVS-24A, PAS-27, etc.)
•· Low profile elevation turret or cap – turrets locking or capped to prevent inadvertent loss of zero in combat conditions
•· Scope must return to zero after removal
•· Center of reticle must have daylight bright illuminated dot for close quarter use at 0/1 power.
•· Should meet MIL-STD 810G environmental/durability requirements

Desired Characteristics
•· Scalable and modular to accept future digital feature set and new reticles
•· Potential low end setting as red dot sight (RDS)
•· Optimized for mounting height over rail at 1.54-1.93″
•· Squad level networking and target designation capability
•· Visually displayed point of impact cue (drawing information from laser rangefinder and ballistic solvers, integral and/or external)

6. Small arms self-coaching and data tracking applications

The Marine Corps is interested in applications and devices able to coach Marines in marksmanship. These tools should allow Marines to track ability throughout their career, while enabling the USMC trained coaches a tool to aid in instruction. The Marine Corps is interested in products that meet the specifications of one or more of the following items:

Required Characteristics
•· Portable in design
•· Contain a removable battery
•· Able to analyze errors in application of fundamentals of marksmanship
•· Wireless operation via Bluetooth or WIFI
•· Battery life a minimum of 4 hours
•· Works during dry fire, simulator, and live fire training.
•· Able to diagnose marksmanship errors via attachment or drop in kit that wirelessly reports to user/coach.
•· Allow user/coach/target system to make entries on a ‘digital data-book’ that records each shot.
•· Product provided with storage case and charger.
•· Must meet MIL-STD 810G environmental/durability requirements
•· Provides predictive analytics to judge shooters performance against known standards.
•· Ability to be used in dry and live fire
•· Provide analysis of data from known standards

Desired Characteristics
•· Battery life in excess of 12 hours during continuous use with all functions enabled. Prefer 24 hours.
•· Application should be able to be used on multiple OS (android or Macintosh)
•· Capable of being connected to wireless enabled devices via blue tooth connection
•· Able to be utilized in all weather conditions
•· Drop resistant to 6 meters
•· Water proof (IP66K rating)

Responses are requested no later than 20 August 2018.

A list of selected companies will be posted to www.trngcmd.marines.mil/MarksmanshipTechDemo in August.

Interested parties shouod visit www.fbo.gov for full details.

Posted in USMC, weapons | 1 Comment »

Dark Hour Defense – DARKLITE Magnesium M-LOK Handguards

Monday, August 13th, 2018

For immediate release – Glendale, OR – Dark Hour is excited to introduce another brand new product in their growing list of AR-15 components. Available immediately is the new DARKLITE Magnesium M-LOK Handguards.

The new DARKLITE handguards are available in 15 inch, 13.5 inch, 11.1 inch and 9.2 inch lengths and are made from a blended aluminum & magnesium alloy which yields an approximately 30% reduction in material weight compared to commonly used 6061 aluminum. To simply say these are “light weight” handguards is an understatement. The 15 inch model (without mounting hardware) weighs just 6.7 ounces!

Each DARKLITE handguard ships with a Super Aluminum 7068 barrel nut which is significantly harder and stronger than 7075 Aluminum. The Super Aluminum 7068 barrel nut weighs just 1.13 ounces and comes with a barrel nut wrench and installation screws.

The DARKLITE series of handguards are also affordable at a starting price of just $175.

For more information please go to www.DarkHourDefense.com, email us at service@darkhourdefense.com or give us a call at 541-832-3358.

Tags: Dark Hour Defense
Posted in Press Release, weapons | 2 Comments »

Remington Custom Shop Collaborates with SIXSITE Gear

Friday, August 10th, 2018

Sturgis, SD – The 700 SIXSITE Edition is an exciting collaboration between Remington and SIXSITE Gear.

The 700 SIXSITE is built to the exact specs with a blueprinted stainless 700 action complemented with a premium stainless barrel in the caliber of your choice. The barrel is button rifled and hand lapped to provide a mirror finish for increased accuracy. The barreled action is mated with a high-quality carbon fiber stock made by A.G. Composites which features a custom hand painted SIXSITE (RANA®) finish by Scalpel Arms. The pattern was developed by blending organic textures and digital elements, this results in an extremely versatile and innovative camouflage pattern. The rifle is fully bedded using Marine Tex which supplies a high strength bed with minimal shrinkage or expansion. This model comes with a threaded muzzle and thread protector, Badger Ordnance 20 MOA Scope Rail, Remington custom 40X trigger and BiPod Adapter. Check out the 700 SIXSITE here.

“We’re proud to collaborate with Remington Custom Shop to build one of the most versatile hunting rifles on the market,” SIXSITE founder, designer and veteran U.S. Navy SEAL Stephen Holley says. “Utilizing the best U.S.A. made components in the industry, including SIXSITE’s innovative, proprietary RANA® camo pattern, this limited-edition rifle is intentionally built to cover a variety of needs.”

Available in right and left-hand configurations.

To place your order call a Remington Custom Dealer or The Custom Center today.Remington Custom Center: 605-347-4686 or info@remingtoncustom.com

Tags: Remington Custom Shop, SIXSITE Gear
Posted in Camo, Press Release, weapons | 5 Comments »

Q – AR-10 Upper Receiver in 8.6CM

Thursday, August 9th, 2018

Q posted this photo to their InstaGram account and I’m intrigued.

They are teasing an upper reciever ~~for their Honeybadger carbine~~ in 8.6 Creedmoor.

Here’s some additional info:

8.6 Creedmoor is coming. It’s 300 Blackout’s big brother for .308 Win sized guns. Optimized for short barrels, just like 300BLK. Out of a 12” barrel, 8.6 Creedmoor matches the energy of .308 Win from a 16” barrel. The 8.6 Creedmoor subsonic is over 300 gr., and with a silencer equals the sound performance of most suppressed .22LR’s. You also get full mag capacity and no bolt change is required. Like 300BLK, 8.6 Creedmoor only requires a barrel swap from your .308 Win. Look for a pistol version of The Fix rifle, gas guns, and many others offered in this new caliber. It also works with .338 silencers…our new one is on the way.

Tags: Q
Posted in weapons | 12 Comments »

TYRANT DESIGNS CNC | Gen4 & Gen5 Glock Extended Magazine Release

Saturday, August 4th, 2018

Tyrant Designs CNC’s new Extended Magazine Release is finally something you can put your finger on. Manufactured for Gen4 & Gen5 Glocks the EMR sports a very grippy yet comfortable chevron pattern. Because the TD CNC engineers are always about attention to detail, they added a slight pocket design on the backside of the Glock mag release just for aesthetics. Great for both right handed and left handed operators, the Tyrant Designs Glock Extended Magazine Release retains all factory functionality but with crisper, easier and quicker magazine exchanges.

“We are very happy to announce the next step in our Glock components with our Extended Magazine Release for the Generation 4 & 5 Glock. We have gotten so much positive feedback from our awesome customers in regards to our Glock 43 EMRs. That feedback made us decide to continue with the known design language for our Gen4 & Gen5 components. As always we will continue to strive for innovation and are very thankful for our customers/fans.”

Shop the new Gen4 Gen5 Glock EMRs Now at WWW.TYRANTCNC.COM

Tags: Tyrant Designs CNC
Posted in Press Release, weapons | 3 Comments »

XTech Tactical Releases The MAG47 Polymer AK Magazine

Thursday, August 2nd, 2018

XTech Tactical Releases MAG47 The New US Gold Standard For AK MagazinesJuly 28, 2018 for immediate release

Mesa, AZ- XTech Tactical, LLC an innovative firearms accessory manufacturer brings the MAG47© to market. In April of 2017 a prior manufacturer closed its doors which led to the opportunity that came available in August of 2017 for the magazine redevelopment to begin.

The MAG47© is the most advanced, durable and reliable polymer magazine ever produced and is proudly Made in the USA, serving as 3 922r compliant parts. The magazine has a 30rd capacity and an MSRP of $28.95. The features include: exotic state of the art polymer composition, increased strength, a 17-7 stainless spring, 100% stainless steel reinforced feed lips, tool free assembly and disassembly, and updated lug geometry to optimize fit across the spectrum of AK style weapons.

The testing protocol was extensive, totally over 20,000 rounds without any magazine related failures. The protocol also included hundreds of drops, exposures to chemicals, climates, and abuse. The objective of the company was to not only make a strong consumer product, but to raise the bar for US polymer rifle magazines. “We had a very personal mission in this program to represent our country in making a product that not only was desirable to consumers, but shows the world that the US can produce an AK magazine in line with the greatest AK magazines ever made from countries like Bulgaria and Russia.” stated Jeremy Deadman, Director of Sales and Marketing. The XTech Tactical team worked closely with an Arizona based foreign weapons trainer, former law enforcement officer and AK enthusiast, Tom Cornelius. Deadman stated, “Tom was instrumental in every step of the MAG47© becoming what it is today. We are very excited to partner with Tom and look forward to working with him on this and future programs.”

Additional announcements from the company to follow including the release of their new XMAG®, an easy loading 30rd AR magazine.

Tags: XTech Tactical
Posted in Press Release, weapons | 5 Comments »

First Look – USSOCOM’s New Suppressed Upper Receiver Group (SURG) from SIG SAUER

Thursday, August 2nd, 2018

Late last week, the United States Special Operations Command announced they had awarded SIG SAUER a $49 million contract for Suppressed Upper Receiver Groups for the M4A1 weapon.

Here is the first photograph of the SURG in the wild. The SURG components are mounted to a generic AR-style lower receiver.

Based on the SOCOM requirement, SURG includes a 5.56mm NATO upper receiver group (URG) composed of upper receiver, barrel, operating system assembly and bolt/carrier assembly along with a sound suppressor (may be integral with barrel), operators manual and maintenance manual. In addition to the URG itself, candidate systems could include a folding stock if the operating system didn’t require use of the lower receiver extension, buffer and action spring.

As we can see here, SIG went a different direction than most and used an MCX piston driven upper with detachable suppressor and an MCX folding stock. As part of SURG, SOCOM will receive the folding stock and knuckle adapter for use with existing M4A1 lowers. The suppressor is covered with some sort of aramid-based mesh to protect the hand of the operator. When you get to the performance specs below, you’ll understand why this is so significant.

I’m now going to go over some of the requirements for SURG so you can see how SIG (and the other candidates) had to perform to win this solicitation.

SOCOM stipulated that SURG could be no more than 25.5 inches in length but that they preferred a system that was no more than 21.0 inches. The barrel has to be at least 11.5 inches in length and the weapon can’t weigh more than 7.0 pounds, but the preferred weight is just 4.5 pounds. It also needed to be Coyote 498 in color.

The real meat of the requirement is in the suppressor performance. First off, a SURG equipped M4A1 has to be optimized to fire the M855A1 and the MK318 MOD0 / MOD1 cartridges and be able to do so reliably for at least 1200 rounds without lubrication. Obviously, they also didn’t want anything that could vibrate loose. While the suppressor must be rebuildable, only one component of the suppressor has to be serialized but that part had to last the lifetime of an M4A1 lower receiver (125,000 rounds). The rebuildable components need to last at least 15,000 rounds but SOCOM further challenged industry to make them last for 20,000 rounds.

Additionally, a SURG equipped M4A1 shall not exceed 140 dB ten shot average sound pressure level at shooter’s ear during barrel life minimum (15,000 rounds).

In the past I’ve mentioned the so-called SOCOM suppressor torture or stress test. The SURG equipped M4A1 has to withstand at least 6 complete cycles of the firing schedule seen below below using MK318 MOD0 / MOD1 ammunition with SURG allowed cooling to 120°F after each cycle. However, SOCOM was hoping to complete 20 cycles.

The weapon firing MK318 MOD1 for 5 groups of 10 rounds each suppressed, has to average over the 5 groups no more than 1.50 MOA Extreme Spread (ES) beyond the ammunition Lot Acceptance Test (LAT) average ES at 300 yards. Also, it has to maintain a maximum ES Average of 1.50 MOA over LAT using MK318 MOD0 / MOD1 ammunition from 0 to 10,000 rounds fired.

In addition to that stress test, SURG has to prevent operator contact or sustained contact burns from the suppressor (or equivalent) through 1 layer of standard military duty uniform material after firing 210 rounds in 7 minutes at a rate of 1 round every 2 seconds ± 0.2 seconds. A contact burn will be defined as a peak temperature over 160°F in 1 second of contact. A sustained contact burn will be defined as a peak temperature over 160°F in 5 seconds of contact.

These stringent requirements, combining suppression, reliability, accuracy service life, and operator protection were very challenging for industry. It took three tries at bat for the SURG program to finally select a system. In the two earlier attempts, none of the systems could meet all of the program’s objectives. Kudos to SIG for putting together a winning system.

Tags: Sig Sauer
Posted in Advertiser, Contracts, SOF, Suppressors, weapons | 52 Comments »