RE Factor Tactical was exhibiting in the Quantico Tactical booth and gave us a sneak peek of their upcoming helmet cover.
It’s a combination of mesh and four way stretch softshell material.
It has a couple of unique features. for instance, the side Velcro can be pulled down in order to route cables behind it.
The rear pocket will accommodate a battery case and when opened comes with counterweight material.
SureFire’s new Advanced Rifle Operating Core is a system consisting of an enhanced Bolt Carrier Group, Barrel Extension, Buffer and Spring.
Because AROC requires a new Barrel Extension, they’ve also developed a Drop-In BCG called the Optimized Bolt Carrier. It includes Buffer and Spring. Although it’s not fully optimized like AROC, it is backward compatible with existing Mil-Spec AR pattern rifles.
Below, you can see (top to bottom) the AROC, OBC and standard AR BCGs.
The AROC Bolt offers 30% longer bolt lugs. Naturally, this means it requires a longer Barrel Extension. This was done to eliminate bolt lug breakage.
Additionally, the Buffer is longer than the Mil-Spec version. The H8S comes with AROC and is 8 oz. The 2 oz H2S comes with the OBC. The included Action Spring offers additional tension.
Regardless of which SureFire BCG, the Gas Key features a single screw which SureFire’s Barry Dueck related is stronger than the standard two screw model.
The BCG features an internal weight which is spring loaded in both directions. This, along with the other elements, combine to offer additional travel time. This also affects the angle from the bolt to the feed ramp. With a standard M4, the angle is 52 Deg. For an M16A4, it’s 45 Deg. But with AROC, it’s 37 Deg.
When the Bolt is at the end of its stroke while using a Mil-Spec BCG, it takes 28 milliseconds for the bolt to travel back into battery. With AROC, it’s 38 milliseconds. That slight difference is signifigant, especially when firing full auto or suppressed, or both.
On the range, AROC was demonstrated successfully with both Piston and Direct Impingement rifles. Although we previewed a version of this at 2016 SOFIC, SureFire has been working with suppliers to bring the cost down signifigantly from the initial estimates. At this point, Bolt Carrier Groups are a commodity item. Prices are so low that even specialized versions, such as this, have to be price competitive as possible.
No word yet in when this will be released commercially.
New for Fall 2017, San Francisco based specialty adventure products company Prometheus Design Werx debuts their EDC Pant in their popular 4-way stretch Guide Cloth. This is their high standard in a performance, technical, plain front, every day wear, utility trail to street pant. The EDC Pant is PDW’s non-cargo pant style with a clean tailored fit, designed for today’s active EDC user in mind. A total of 11 pockets to stash and organize as little or as many EDC items in a streamlined, clean and tailored design. Pocket Clip Docks™ , dual no-twist custom made delta rings for keychain-carabiner clip points and double layer articulated knees round out these pant’s features. Produced with industrial grade triple needle stitching on all major seams. Cut and sewn in California, USA.
The EDC Pant will be an evergreen seasonal style for Prometheus Design Werx. They will be available in their proprietary Guide Cloth in Dark Arid Earth and Wolf Gray.
The Design and R&D Team at PDW states:
“We wanted to create a highly versatile and easily worn pant style, that we would wear every day on and off the grid. The single most noted feature of our EDC apparel series is the impressive stretch and comfort of our proprietary Guide Cloth. This is not a mass volume, compromised, lowest common denominator product. No corners were cut, no corporate budgeting committees to answer to, we stuck to the intelligent features we wanted, and custom made the best in class materials to make this pant. You will not find superfluous details or unnecessary affectations in outcome of our design process in crafting these pants. Each feature and component serves a purpose for utility, versatility, movement, and comfort. The industrial grade construction was a bit overkill, but hell, our office is a metal shop. These pants are cut and sewn locally in CA with skilled labor being paid a living wage. The EDC Pant will probably be the most comfortable, good looking, feature rich pant you’ll have in your apparel line up.”
The PDW EDC Pant in Guide Cloth will be available for purchase in two colors on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at 12:00 noon PDT via their website, prometheusdesignwerx.com.
This year Pro-Shot Products is celebrating their 35th anniversary. They are a family owned business, located in Illinois, who make weapon cleaning products.
Pro-Shot Products has some innovate stuff, like their locking handles for their cleaning rods.
While they are very big in the commercial market, they’ve just recently began to sell in military channels. They are available through ADS Inc for unit and agency orders and have already begun to ship cleaning supplies to a variety of customers.
Yesterday, we showed you the Super Night Owl Suppressor from Geissele Automatics, but that was just the icing on this cake. What Bill Geissele and his team have served up, is a complete family of rifles called the Very longrange Semi Automatic Sniper System and developed internally under codename JG06. The project started as a single weapon for a special requirement, but it quickly morphed into a family of rifles in .260, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 7.62 NATO.
In late May, I saw Bill at the NDIA Armaments Conference where I jokingly asked him when he was going to take all of those parts he’s developed, and put together a full rifle. It didn’t take him long. They began development on July 1st and completed the weapon just eight weeks later. The result is a weapon weighing 12.3 lbs without a magazine or optic, and is just shy of 43″ with the stock collapsed. As you can see, it’s offered in Coyote 498 anodizing.
You’ll look at it and know that it’s a Stoner pattern weapon, but when you look at the breadth of enhancements, it’s obvious Geissele Automatics has been studying the AR family of weapons, in order to improve what are considered standard design features. In particular, they’ve concentrated on reliability, and there are multiple components with Durable Solid Lubricant by Nano-Composite Coating. Like for instance, the Bolt and Gas Rings feature Nanoweapon coating.
The Geissele DNA is also evident throughout this custom design, whether it’s tried and true Geissele parts, or new fabrications specific to this build. For instance, you’ll notice a Maritime Bolt Catch, but it is crafted from billet and has been modified to fit the VSASS. However, the Super Charging Handle is stock.
While we won’t be looking at the internals, here are a few features. The Bolt Carrier features axial stability enhancements and has a raised gas key, for improved wear. Additionally, they strengthened the upper receiver for improved stiffness near the lengthened Barrel Extension and added a hardened steel Cam race. This is important because the Cam Pin is crafted from a Cobalt alloy which would result in increased wear on a standard Upper Receiver.
The M-LOK compatible Super Modular Rail is super stiff and made from 6061-T6 aluminum. It’s got a full length Picatinny rail along the top and is machined within .005″ flatness. There’s some extra Geissele magic in how the rail attaches with the Upper, like the 2.4″ Barrel Nut. Interestingly, the VSASS Upper Receiver is slightly taller than standard models. Conversely, the Lower Receiver incorporates an enlarged Magwell and oversized Trigger Guard. Both are machined from billet 7075-T6 aluminum.
VSASS relies on the two-stage SSA-E trigger, which is around 3.5 lbs. While there’s an aluminum Buffer plate, the QD insert is steel. In addition to caliber choice, the customer may also specify barrel length (18″, 20″ or 22″), although the .260 VSASS pictured here has a 22″ Bartlein Stainless Steel barrel.
Thankfully, the magwell accepts M110 magazines. Another thing on the rifle that isn’t Geissele, is the B5 Systems SOPMOD Stock. It’s joined by the standard issue Pistol Grip. Many companies provide USGI Pistol Grips because they are inexpensive and it’s one of the most often replaced parts, even on military weapons.
In addition to the full VSASS rifle, they’ve also developed a M110 Capability Enhancement Package. Essentially, it’s an Upper Receiver Group which can be fitted to a customer’s existing M110. In addition to the URG, the M110 CEP comes with a .308 version of a Super 42 Buffer and braided wire Buffer Spring kit as well as an SSA-E Trigger.
You may notice that the top front of the rail is cut back on the 7.62 rifle. This is for an adjustable gas block they developed for VSASS. However, they’ve found these are running well without it. Granted, these rifles are tuned for specific ammo, but the Adjustable Gas Block is there for those who require it.
I had the chance to put a couple of magazines through it yesterday and it shot well. I’ve gone to demonstration ranges where weapons jammed, failed to feed, or exhibited other malfunctions, but not with these rifles. There were three different VSASS and all of them ran like tops, with a constant line of those waiting to get their chance. After all, how could you turn down shooting a weapon with laser-like accuracy? The targets were steel at 600m and the range was live the entire time, so we can’t share any target data with you. However, the steel was falling. The .260 was extremely accurate, even in yesterday’s windy conditions.
The Super Night Owl Suppressor is made from Titanium and specific to VSASS. Bill told me he is not getting into the Suppressor business, but rather that this was a requirement for this weapon. It’s a screw on Suppressor and the serialized shroud comes off the core for maintenance.
There’s a final surprise on this build. This is also the first look at the new Vanguard mount for range finders.
It features a separate cap under the range finder mount portion, so you can take off the diving board without losing zero. There are also screws underneath for added stability. In case you are wondering, that’s the Steiner M5Xi 3-15 in Tan.
VSASS is currently only for government clients. Right now, demand is very high for their products and it was developed for a very specific purpose. However, I expect we’ll eventually see a commercial rifle from Geissele Automatics, even if it’s not this one.
POOLER, Ga., Sept. 15, 2017 – As the designer and manufacturer of the world’s finest weapon slings and tactical equipment, Blue Force Gear is preparing to showcase two of its most popular products at the NTOA Tactical Operations Conference & Trade Show in Phoenix, Arizona. From Sept. 24-29 at the Sheraton Grand Phoenix, show attendees will be able to see firsthand why the MicroTKN!™ and MARCO® are the two newest must-have products in tactical operations.
The MicroTKN! is the smallest version of the Trauma Kit NOW!™ and is designed to hold essential lifesaving medical supplies in a small, easy-to-carry pack that takes up minimal space and carries a low profile. Blue Force Gear’s goal with the MicroTKN! is to change the mindset of everyday carry to include trauma care, keeping tactical operators prepared for even the most drastic of situations. The kit comes in three options: basic, advanced and unfilled.
With the MARCO marking stick dispenser, Blue Force Gear has revolutionized room clearing in tactical operations with a more efficient, effective and compact way to carry marking lights. Users save critical time during preparation during pre-mission tasks by not having to unwrap, tape, and bundle chem sticks. The dispenser design makes it simple for users – simply open the Mylar package with the pre-loaded dispenser, insert the MARCO dispenser inside of the belt or MOLLE holster and proceed with the mission. The design provides a low profile and prevents the accidental activation of a chem stick, which can cause unwanted light.
Product demonstrations and seminars for the MicroTKN! and MARCO will be available at the Blue Force Gear booth number 811. Attendees will also have the chance to learn from educational courses and try interactive exhibits during the expo.
“We’re dedicated to providing the best tactical gear possible to law enforcement nationwide,” said Ashley Burnsed, CEO of Blue Force Gear. “The NTOA conference is a great opportunity to meet with our customers and we’re looking forward to showing them some of our next-generation gear from 2017.”
Find Blue Force Gear’s new products and current lineup at booth number 811.
