After 20 years on the front lines that left multiple gunshot and shrapnel wounds across his body, Master Sergeant Farmer reached a breaking point. While trying to rebuild his life, he rediscovered a gift from a friend that led him down an unexpected path to healing.
Presence of mind is hard to maintain. It takes diligence to live in the moment. In the wild, stripped down to one’s essentials, we become more mindful. Through this connection with nature, we can better understand ourselves, the world, and our place within it.
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. — The Marine Corps is equipping Marines with a new weapon, providing enhanced concealed carry capabilities at an accelerated rate and lower cost to the Corps.
Individual Weapons project officer Gunnery Sgt. Brian Nelson prepares to draw the M007 concealed carry weapon. The M007 offers enhanced concealed carry capabilities, which includes a smaller frame, ambidextrous slide stop lever and flared magazine well. Marine Corps Systems Command recently fielded the M007 to Marine and civilian CID agents and members of Helicopter Squadron One. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Jennifer Napier)
The Glock 19M–called the M007 by the Corps–replaces the M9 service pistol for personnel requiring a weapon that can be easily concealed.
The Marine Corps requires that all accredited Marine Corps Criminal Investigators, both civilian and military, be armed with a concealable pistol when on duty in civilian attire. This concealed weapon capability ensures those performing official duties–such as law enforcement or security personnel–are not readily identified as being armed.
“The M007 has a smaller frame and is easier to conceal, making it a natural selection to meet the Marine Corps’ conceal carry weapon requirement,” said Gunnery Sgt. Brian Nelson, Individual Weapons project officer at Marine Corps Systems Command.
In coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which adopted the weapon in 2016, the Corps fielded the M007 earlier this year to Marines and civilians in the Marine Corps Criminal Investigation Division, as well as members of Helicopter Squadron One–also known as Marine One.
Marine Corps Systems Command is equipping Marine and civilian CID agents and members of Helicopter Squadron One with the M007. The M007 offers enhanced concealed carry capabilities, which includes a smaller frame, ambidextrous slide stop lever and flared magazine well. The weapon’s smaller frame makes it easier to conceal, as demonstrated in the photo. (U.S. Marine Corps graphic)
Aside from concealability, the M007 has several physical improvements over its predecessor. The grip lacks finger grooves but has a textured frame, improving the ergonomics of the weapon and providing a consistently comfortable grip with traction for a wider range of users. The ambidextrous slide stop allows for both right- and left-handed use. The magazine release of the M007 can also be changed and the magazine well is flared, making the system easier to reload, said Nelson.
Collaboration between the product team at MCSC and the FBI played a key role in the Corps’ ability to hasten the otherwise lengthy acquisition process.
“The fielding of the M007 is an example of how we can streamline the acquisition process by reviewing another service or agency’s test data to see if it fits the Marine Corps’ need,” said Lt. Col. Paul Gillikin, Infantry Weapons team lead at MCSC. “We received the initial request for a new concealed carry weapon system in April 2016. By collaborating with the FBI, we were able to procure, establish sustainability plans and start fielding the weapon to Marines by May 2017.”
Typically, the acquisition process of a new weapons system–from the time the requirement is received by MCSC to the time the system is fielded to the fleet–takes months, if not years, to complete. By leveraging thorough test data performed by the FBI, MCSC’s team reduced their own testing time. The team also carefully planned to ensure the M007 is fully supported, sustainable, and meets all logistics and safety requirements, enabling MCSC to meet and deliver the concealed carry weapons systems Marines need in a relatively quick turnaround time, said Gillikin.
Program Manager Infantry Weapons, which falls under MCSC’s Ground Combat Element Systems portfolio, manages the concealed carry weapons program for the Marine Corps.
By Ashley Calingo, MCSC Office of Public Affairs and Communication
Mission Spec has released their second generation of the Essentials Plate Carrier as the Essentials Carrier 2 (EC2). This new version shares the ultra-light profile of its predecessor, the EOC. Weighing in at only 24.9 ounces and constructed from 1000D CORDURA (500D for MultiCam; Black, Arid, Tropic).
All of the great features of the EOC carry over to the new model. Abilities such as the independent height adjustment of the rear plate bag. A full uninterrupted PALS grid. Moisture wicking spacer mesh against the user’s body.
The list of updates includes; native support for industry standard chest rigs, dual tourniquet holders, dual pen/chem-light storage, cable and hydration routing options, rear light-pack hangers, and simulated PALS sewn into the new semi-elastic side straps for improved MOLLE pouch support.
The EC2 is fully compatible with other Mission Spec products such as the FlankSavers, ShoulderSavers (all versions), and other future products. Inserted armor (not included) is always kept at the highest possible position inside of the plate bags due to the EC2’s armor suspension system. Just like the EOC, all armor weight bypasses the CORDURA layer and is loaded directly onto the internal webbing structure.
The ShoulderSavers have also received improvements with the mk3 version and are available alongside the EC2. Improved cable and hydration management along with other tweaks make the ShoulderSavers much more useful to the user. The ShoulderSavers mk3 can be used with many other plate carriers as long as the shoulder straps are equal to or less than 2” in width.
Both items are available in the entire line of standard colors and patterns offered by Mission Spec. Custom colors and patterns along with other customizations are possible on a case by case basis. Contact Mission Spec if these services are needed. The EC2 and ShoulderSavers mk3 are 100% designed, tested, and manufactured in the United States with US sourced components and are Berry Compliant.
For the first time ever, Colt is releasing genuine M203 grenade launchers to the civilian market exclusively through ArmsUnlimited.com, Colt’s largest law enforcement distributor. You can now outfit your M16 or M4 rifle with the same grenade launcher that is carried by US and foreign military forces around the globe; WITHOUT the hassle of NFA paperwork. Everything about the Colt M203’s being offered is correct for the weapon system, they are built on the same line as the military M203s and are marked “LAUNCHER, GRENADE M203 40MM”, the important difference is they have never had 40mm barrels installed and left the Colt factory as Title 1 firearms. Instead of traditional 40mm barrel they come with 37mm barrels installed avoiding the NFA registry all together. As is the case with every firearm that leaves the Colt factory the 37mm M203s are serialized and must transfer through an FFL as a “firearm.” The same way a Mossberg “Shockwave,” for example, is classified.
Only 300 total, 150 of each barrel length are being made available and they will go live on November 15th 2017. This is a one time offering from Arms Unlimited & Colt, once they are sold out they will be gone for good!
Over the weekend, I attended the grand opening of Haley Strategic Partners new facility in Scottsdale, Arizona.
I really enjoyed the museum-like atmosphere of the showroom floor, which you can see in the photos above, courtesy of BCM and taken by Jon Chang of Echelon Software.
Speaking of Bravo Company, HSP gave away a Jack Carbine as a doorprize.
In addition to the new SureFire / HSP collaboration flashlight, there’s also a new chest rig on the way.
However, the big news is the implementation of HSP’s D7 training. The proper name is D7 powered by VirTra, a firearm and tactics training technology company also located in Phoenix, with systems emplaced worldwide. The VirTra V-300 and V-ST PRO system are the simulators powering the new D7 training experience.
The VirTra V-300 has multiple screens that offer a 300-degree view, which includes peripheral vision and modified live weapons to enhance the transferability of the training to real-life scenarios. An instructor interacts as the student progresses through the simulation, offering a customized experience based on the actions of the student. For instance, based on how a student uses verbal commands or deescalation techniques, the instructor can tailor the reactions of the simulation. Each simulation is based on a real world case study, offers multiple outcomes, and is portrayed by professional actors.
Any light setting can be recreated and proprietary flashlights, which can be programmed to throw the same amount of illumination as the student’s carry light, work like real flashlights, lighting up the portion of the screens the light is pointed at.
I’ve only ever used single screen shoot/no-shoot simulators in the past. The V-300 gave lots of room to move around and had my palms sweating by the end of the active shooter scenario. If you need something more to get the adrenaline racing, they offer a feedback mechanism that gives the student a jolt of electricity if he is hit by fire from the simulator’s adversaries.
Additionally, VirTra’s V-ST PRO system, is used to improve firearm draw, basic body movements, trigger control, grip and marksmanship. HSP’s system can simulate targets out to 300m, but a planned upgrade will double that distance in the near future. Target types can be changed on the fly, including dueling trees, and the system also offers immediate feedback of where rounds hit on the target, without having to head downrange to paste targets.
Both systems utilize the student’s pistol and carbine, swapping the barrel for a proprietary laser system. Weapon function, including recoil and sound, is created via a CO2-powered magazine. While it isn’t quite the same as the real thing, it offers a reassuring feel. The system not only allows the student to use his actual firearms, it can be programmed to introduce malfunctions requiring immediate action.
Training will be offered in 2 levels: Small Group two-day class or a Private 1-on-1 class, custom-tailored to the student.
In this video, Travis Haley gives an overview of the technology behind this new program.
This video gives a great overview by SPARTAN117GW; touring the showroom and offering a couple of sneak peeks of new products.
The HSP facility is located at:
16655 N. 90th Street,
Scottsdale, Arizona
“I usually shoot at Range 4 on weekends and remembered to bring the patch out this trip while I was testing a new 5.6CM gasser at 100, 300 and 600 and snapped a couple of pictures for you.”
Specifically designed for the long-range precision shooting matches, the High-Lux Phenom 5-30X is a first focal plane scope featuring the illuminated CW-3 reticle. Designed with the feedback and insight of professional competitive shooters and military-trained marksmen, the CW-3 is a mil radian-based reticle that enables quick ranging and holdovers. Available in both red and green illumination, the CW-3 is a first focal plane reticle – accurate at every magnification setting and allows the shooter to visibly trace the bullet’s path down range.
The 56mm objective lens and 34mm tube provides incredible light gathering ability for better sight picture resolution and clarity at dawn or dusk.
The quick locking, tool-less locking turrets prevent accidental windage or elevation adjustment and provide 12 mils of adjustment per turn of elevation. 1 full turn of windage allows moves the point of impact 6 mils right or left.
Precision Rifle Series competitors be advised, the Hi-Lux Phenom 5X-30X 56 FFP can give you the advantage to tear up the PRS circuit.
Hi-Lux Optics, based in Torrance, California designs and manufactures top-quality, feature-rich, rugged optics at affordable prices. Hi-Lux guarantees the workmanship and materials of their scopes for life because they’re rugged and reliable optics built for the demands of law enforcement, military, hunting and competitive shooting.
