Combat In Cities – Berlin
August 7th, 2018Largest Outdoor Shooting Range in CA
August 6th, 2018Los Angeles, California, 8/1/2018 -The State of
California has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country. Despite this, the California shooting industry continues to grow. One such example of this is the newly opened California Tactical Academy, a 1500-acre playground for all things shooting related.
The California Tactical Academy is the brainchild of Al Evan, CEO of Security Pro USA who saw the need to test tactical products in a challenging environment. Security Pro is a leader in the industry, providing gear designed to protect the people who protect us.
Mr. Evan related that finding the space in such a central and convenient location was quite difficult. The location was previously owned by a family trust and used for primarily sport shooting. Mr. Evan had the idea for the facility several years ago but could not locate a suitable property. It was only after considerable searching that a suitable property became available. It worked out better than anyone expected.
California Tactical Academy has quickly grown to include all aspects of firearms use, including sport use, and defensive firearms training. Currently there is no other facility in the state of California that offers the same full service as California Tactical Academy.
In addition to being a sport shooting facility for civilians, Mr. Evan wants to build California Tactical Academy to accommodate government agencies looking for a place to train and evaluate new security technologies.
Located in Piru, California Tactical Academy is accessed off of Highway 126 and is convenient for people traveling from as far north as Bakersfield and as far south as San Diego. Because of the unique range settings, it has become a popular destination for many shooters.
The facility itself has ranges out to 1000 yards, ten times the length of a football field. This is very unusual in Southern California and particularly for a place as accessible as California Shooting Academy. Shooters can shoot from both specially designed benches and various other positions such as prone, which mimic some of the positions the military’s long-range snipers use.
For those new to shooting, California Tactical Academy has many well reviewed classes and are currently expanding their lineup. Classes range from basic classes for beginners in rifle and handgun shooting, to advanced classes for the defensive shooters and target shooters. These classes are taught by such experts as former SWAT cops, former Navy SEALS, and world champion targets shooters.
California Tactical Academy hosts a wide range of shooting competitions including events where the shooters use guns, equipment, and clothing from the old west. The facility also hosts action shooting events where the competitors race the clock to see who can shoot the fastest with the best accuracy. These events include obstacles that shooters must negotiate such as barricades and building facades. California, despite its strict gun laws, has one of the largest contingents of action shooters in the world. These competitions are well attended and it is not uncommon to see more than 80 competitors in a single match. Many of these competitors are women who seek an outlet where then can become more comfortable with firearms in a safe and supportive environment.
Another unique characteristic of California Tactical Academy is ability to rent or sale firearms. The range will rent you a weapon if you want to experience shooting either in general, or a specific gun. The rental will include a Safety Officer who will show you how the gun works and how to use it safely. If you decide you like a particular gun, California Tactical Academy also sells guns. It can be a one stop shopping experience which can include private training for those who prefer more of a one-on-one experience.
While all this is great for the civilian shooting population in California, Mr. Evan is quite clear on his vision. California Tactical Academy will be a place to help train and equip those who go in harm’s way to protect us. To this end, California Tactical Academy will be made available for equipment manufactures and vendors to showcase their products. This allows government and private agencies to see what the latest technologies and tactics are. In addition, California Tactical Academy is putting the finishing touches on a shoot house where tactical teams can train using force on force for building entries.
California Tactical Academy can be found on the web at californiatacticalacademy.com. Visit their website for more information.
Kit Badger – ESD Sling by Edgar Sherman Design
August 6th, 2018
Kit Badger took a look at the ESD Sling by Edgar Sherman Design. Here’s his video.
To read the rest of his review, visit kitbadger.com/esd-sling-by-edgar-sherman-design.
Max Talk Monday
August 6th, 2018This is the initial installment of ‘Max Talk Monday’ which shares select episodes from a series of instructional videos. Max Velocity Tactical (MVT) has established a reputation on the leading edge of tactical live fire and force on force training. MVT is dedicated to developing and training tactical excellence at the individual and team level.
In ‘Max Talk 031: How To React To Enemy Contact’ Max discusses the context and realities of coming under effective fire, and the training and strategies for how to best react to it. This includes live fire demo of the various techniques, and training progression.
Max is a tactical trainer and author, a lifelong professional soldier with extensive military experience. He served with British Special Operations Forces, both enlisted and as a commissioned officer; a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Max served on numerous operational deployments, and also served as a recruit instructor. Max spent five years serving as a paramilitary contractor in both Iraq and Afghanistan; the latter two years working for the British Government in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Website: Max Velocity Tactical
YouTube: Max Velocity Tactical
SureFire Shipping NEW 1,000 Lumen X300U!
August 6th, 2018
Fountain Valley, CA—SureFire, LLC, manufacturer of the world’s finest—and most innovative—illumination tools and tactical products, is proud to announce the launch of the all-new 1,000 lumen X300U-A and X300U-B. With tens of thousands of units sold to military and law enforcement world-wide, the SureFire X300 Ultra is the finest duty-grade handgun weaponlight available today. The X300U, features 1,000 lumens of stunning white light focused by a Total Internal Reflection (TIR) lens to produce a tight beam with extended reach and significant surround light for peripheral vision. Activating the X300U is done via ambidextrous switching located at the rear of body, providing one-finger control — press the switch on either side for momentary-on activation, flip up or down for constant-on activation. Optional DG grip switches (for handguns) permit the X300U to be activated with one hand, without altering your grip on your weapon.
To learn more, visit: www.surefire.com/illumination/weaponlights/handgun/x300u-b-weaponlight
Introducing Rock Face, A Clothing Brand Specializing In Performance FR Under Layers
August 6th, 2018In order to tell you about clothing brand Rock Face, I’ve got to first tell you about their parent company, Coville.
Founded in the heart of the Carolinas, Coville is an amalgamation of three companies. Up until the 1980s, the region was known as textile country and even today, it’s home to much of what little we have left of the industry. Coville remains an instrumental component in the Berry compliant supply chain.
Founded in 1976 by Henry Jordan, much of Coville’s company’s assets, now owned by a private, family interest, come from its later purchase of Alandale Knitting, which itself was founded by Alan Gutschmit in 1966. Gutschmit was a veritable genius in the knitting game, amassing 13 patents for machinery which remain the standard, even today. Founded in 1975, Carolina Apparel Group rounds out Coville’s capability as their cut and sew facility. Together, they work on each other’s strengths.
All together, these three companies bring over 125 years of experience in the textile industry. What’s more, they are all located with 30 miles of one another, offering a vertically integrated company with expertise in material and product development, fabric knitting, and garment construction.
But Coville is not an island. It works closely with as many as 20 other vendors and suppliers in the area to provide Made in USA materials, value added services, and finished goods.
Don Trexler, CEO of Coville, related that their suppliers are critical to their success. In particular, he mentioned yarn producers Pharr Yarns, Shuford Mills, Parkdake Mills, Beal Manufacturing and Frontier Yarns as well as fabric finishers Gentry Mills and Southfork Industries, as key affiliates. With these suppliers so close by, issues can be fixed very quickly and wait times and transportation costs are cut.
Rock Face was founded in 2003 as a long underwear brand for sale in such outlets as JC Penney and Tractor Supply Co. At around the same time, Coville started manufacturing performance FR garments for the US military in response to the threat of IEDs to our deployed troops. Not long ago, they decided to expand Rock Face’s offerings by leveraging the lifesaving technologies they’d developed over the past 15 years. Additionally, these new products result in brand focus on the tactical market’s military and law enforcement end user.
While Coville provides various services to other companies in the textile industry, including the production of finished goods, the concentration of Rock Face on the tactical customer was an instrumental part of Trexler’s strategy to maintain a more consistent demand on Coville’s various capabilities, keeping machines running and employees on the job. Scott Wilson expanded on this, “We are a manufacturer that has a brand.”
Rock Face offers both FR and Performance garments, bringing design and materials to the equation. They have control over the comfort and properties of their garments. For instance, they integrate moisture wicking and odor control into the fabric and can tweak the level of air permeability and how quickly it will dry. All of that adds up to sustained comfort. Trexler said, “It’s a superior product from a hand and construction standpoint. On top of that, Rock Face offers a lower price point.”
Don Trexler related that he also wanted to recognize key players at Coville who have made Rock Face happen, Scott Willis, Nicole Vineyard, Morgan Richardson, and Tyler Henson.
Now that I’ve explained what makes Rock Face tick, on to the product. They offer two distinct lines which share garment design and an emphasis on performance characteristics. The difference is that the Flame Resistant line adds FR properties to the mix.
• 4.5-ounce climaGuardTM fabric blend
• Innovative Spinning Technology
• New fiber blend creates an athletic fit with high stretch & recovery
Layer 2 – All Season
• 5.5-ounce climaGuard fabric blend
• Innovative Spinning Technology
Layer 3 – Insulative
• 8.5-ounce climaGuardTM fabric
• Innovative Spinning Technology
Layer 4 – Fleece
• 10-ounce climaGuardTM fabric blend
• Innovative Spinning Technology
• 5-ounce climaGuard fabric blend
• New fiber blend creates an athletic fit with stretch & recovery
Cold Weather
• 6.5 ounce fabric blend
• French Terry construction offers ultimate insulation values
• Pick Resistant due to nylon facing
• 4-Way High Stretch & Recovery
All of the garments are constructed with true flat seams to ensure comfort. These high-density seams also last longer. Additionally, everything is available in sizes XS-3X meaning it will support a full uniform program. Across the board, everything from the fiber to the packaging is Made in the USA!
Both lines share a color palette consisting of Sand, Tan 499, Coyote, Black, Navy, Foliage Green and Marine Olive Drab. Additionally, they will provide custom colors upon request. Naturally, minimums apply. Don’t take this color card as gospel. I’ve seen the garments in person and Coville works diligently with dye houses to match industry standards.
Since soft launching the line at SHOT Show, several military and LE Agencies have adopted Rock Face products. Even now, Rock Face is expanding their availability to military customers, with placement in LCI stores on 40 military bases.
Feel free to contact Nvineyard@rockfaceusa.com or learn more at rockfaceusa.com
Remembering Extortion 17
August 6th, 2018
You Never Stop Being A Paratrooper
August 5th, 2018Some of you know this man. He has been a Paratrooper for a long time.
A U.S. Army Paratrooper practices Sustained Airborne Training during Leapfest 2018 at the University of Rhode Island in West Kingston, R.I., Aug. 1, 2018. Leapfest is the largest, longest-standing, international static line parachute training event and competition hosted by the 56th Troop Command, Rhode Island Army National Guard, to promote high level technical training and esprit de corps within the International Airborne community. Over 300 Paratroopers from nine different countries are participating this year. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Justin P. Morelli)
