GORE-TEX Defense Fabrics’ All Weather Integrated Clothing System

Arc’teryx Norvan 14 Assault Hydration Vest

August 23rd, 2017

Designed for use as a runner vest, complete with a built-in, roll-top pack, the Norvan 14 Hydration Vest from Arc’teryx will debut in Spring 2018. It weighs just 415 g / 14.6 oz and is made from Warpknit mesh. The vest integrates mesh pockets which keep your gear secure, yet allow one handed access. Additionally, it comes with a 2 liter Source Hydration bladder and features adjustable straps to keep your load under control.

Officially, it’s called the Norvan 14 Hydration Vest, but no sooner did I get it out of the packaging than I realized the two front mesh pockets would accept magazines. Consequently, I’m calling it the Norvan 14 Assault Vest, due to its Black color, the standard color for assault vests up through the 1990s.

Remember, these mesh pockets were intended for soft flasks or GPS devices, but I found that I could fit a single 30 rd AR mag or 2 x 30 rd MP5 magazines in either pocket.

Here you can see the roll-top detail of the 14 liter integrated pack. It’s not waterproof, but rather highly water resistant.

Look for the Norvan 14 next Spring.

www.arcteryx.com

MASF to Host Top Tier Speakers at Civilian Carry Mindset Seminar

August 23rd, 2017

Lovettsville, VA – Modern American Shooting & Firearms (MASF), a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Education Organization, focused on the premise that safety is learned though education and training, has announced they will be hosting their inaugural, Civilian Carry Mindset Seminar, August 26th, at the Lovettsville Game Protective Association, in Lovettsville, VA.

Attendees of the seminar will be able to interact with some of the industry’s top trainers and subject matter experts, to present topics ranging from mindset to daily concealed carry, law, justified shootings and much more!

Those in attendance will learn from six speakers, and a one-hour, open panel discussion at the conclusion of the day. Speakers include: VA Senator Dick Black (USMC Veteran), Loudoun County Sheriff Michael Chapman (Former DEA), Philip Van Cleave (VCDL), Brett Harnish (USMC Veteran currently Green Ops), Attorney Daniel L. Hawes (Virginia Legal Defense), Nathan Murr (USMC Veteran, currently Kinetic Developement Group), Rob Tackett (USMC Veteran, currently Critical Carry Firearms Training and TacStrike Steel Target Systems).

All attendees are eligible to be entered in multiple door prizes. Some of our sponsor donated items include XP-15 DELTA – 5.56 beautifully accessorized out by KDG, Trijicon MRO® – 2.0 MOA Adjustable Red Dot with Low Mount, TacStrike Steel, PMAG® D-60™ AR/M4 5.56X45MM NATO, Green Ops One Day Class, FPF Training One Day Class (John Murphy) and too much more to list!

For more information, and to enroll in the MASF Civilian Carry Mindset Seminar, visit here.

Team Rubicon Appoints Four New Members to Its Advisory Board

August 22nd, 2017

LOS ANGELES, (August 21, 2017) – Veteran-led disaster response organization Team Rubicon welcomes four members to its advisory board with the appointments of Andy Bessette, Gen. (ret) James Conway, Gregg Lemkau, and Jeff Smith.

“Our newest board members bring a broad range of experience from the finance, insurance, government, and military sectors,” said Jake Wood, Team Rubicon cofounder and CEO. “With nearly 50 disaster response operations under our belt in 2017 alone, these individuals will enhance and accelerate our efforts to build stronger communities through continued service.”

Andy Bessette is the executive vice president and chief administrative officer for Travelers. Bessette is responsible for operations from real estate to community relations as well as sports partnerships, including the company’s official marketing partnership with the PGA Tour. A member of the 1980 Olympic Team, he continues to support Olympic Committee activities. Bessette holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree from the University of Rhode Island.

Gen. (ret) James Conway was commissioned as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps after graduating from Southeast Missouri State University in 1969. During his 40-year career in the Marine Corps, Conway initially led the invasion of Iraq in 2003 with 90,000 troops under his command. During his second tour, he oversaw the Battle of Fallujah. Conway was the senior operations officer on the Joints Chiefs of Staff providing support as a military advisor to the Secretary of Defense, the National Security Council and the President. He also served as the 34th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps where he served as the senior uniformed Marine.

Gregg Lemkau is the co-head of global mergers and acquisitions for Goldman Sachs. He is a member of firm’s management committee, the investment banking division executive committee, and the investment banking division operating committee. He joined Goldman Sachs as an analyst in the mergers and acquisitions department in 1992. Lemkau was named managing director in 2001 and partner in 2002. He earned a Bachelor’s in Government and Economics from Dartmouth College in 1991.

Jeff Smith is the senior vice president of human resources for FedEx Ground. With over 20 years of strategic leadership in human resources and operational roles, he joined FedEx Ground in November of 2014 as vice president of human resources and was named senior vice president in June 2017. Jeff is a member of The Conference Board’s Chief Human Resources Officer Committee and served on the Client Advisory Board for Linkage – Women in Leadership. Jeff is an Army Veteran serving as a member of 5th Special Forces Group and as an Army Aviator with 1/147th Aviation Battalion of the Wisconsin National Guard. Jeff has a bachelor’s from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and a master’s from the University of Iowa.

U.S. Marine Corps veterans Jake Wood and William McNulty founded Team Rubicon in 2010 following the massive Haiti earthquake. The nonprofit organization has grown from eight volunteers to over 50,000 with over 200 operations under its belt, including responses to Superstorm Sandy, Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, and Hurricane Matthew.

www.TeamRubiconUSA.org

RCS Vanguard 2 – Available with Color Matched Overhook

August 22nd, 2017

Raven Concealment Systems is offering their Vanguard 2 Holster with color matched Overhook in Wolf Grey and Mil-Spec Coyote Brown.  For those of you unfamiliar with the Vanguard 2, it’s a minimalist IWB holster which only covers the trigger guard of your pistol.  The VG2 can also be used to guard the trigger of pistols inside of waist packs and other bags, with the VG2 tethered to the inside of the bag, as it will pull away from the pistol when drawn, remaining with the bag.

Available here.

Australia’s Diggerworks Studies Exoskeletons

August 22nd, 2017

Diggerworks is undertaking a feasibility study to determine the potential utility of a passive exoskeleton for ADF dismounted close combatants. The intended purpose of the systems is to transfer the weight burden of the soldiers’ carried equipment directly to the ground, helping the dismounted soldier arrive at their destination less fatigued and ready for battle.

As part of the exoskeleton trial, participants were fitted with a surrogate suit made of 3D printed plastic. The surrogate suit was fitted to ensure measurements were correct prior to manufacturing titanium suits.

img_3593.jpg

This looks to be the Mawashi UPRISE Tactical Exoskeleton we recently covered.

© Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence, Photo: CAPT Brendan Gilbert

OP Tactical Offering Altra Lone Peak 3.5 Mid Mesh

August 22nd, 2017

One of the biggest complaints I see in comments on posts about footwear is that they are too narrow. Jon at O P Tactical had mentioned to me his success with the Altra brand of shoe. I checked them out at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market and then bought a pair of Lone Peak 3.5 trail runners from REI.

Generally, if I’m on my feet all day walking, I wear a compression brace on my left knee. Wearing these, I didn’t need it.

I had to laugh at myself. They certainly offer a distinct aesthetic. I looked down and mentioned to my wife that they were shaped like the foot. Sure enough, right on the toe, it says “Foot Shape”.

At ORSM, I first encountered the Altra Lone Peak 3.5 Mid Mesh. The first thing that struck me was the Sand color.

Also, they are a Zero Drop shoe, which will be new for many.

Other features include the Gaiter Trap slots but I find them kind of superfluous, considering the shoe is mesh, so stuff is going to get in the toe box even if you’re wearing a gaiter.

As for the width of the toe box. This image compares them to Salomons.

O P Tactical also has them in Black.

I’ve already ordered a pair in Sand. Get yours at www.optactical.com/allope35midm.

SIG SAUER Launches MCX Rattler

August 22nd, 2017

I knew SIG had been working in a new, compact version of MCX. They’d been refining this design for awhile, having heard rumor of it overseas as far back as two years ago during DSEI. Later, after asking about it, I was shown developmental models. Today, it all becomes clear. SIG SAUER is launching the Rattler, the latest addition to the MCX family. I got a chance to speak briefly about the gun with Patrick Hanley, Rifle Product Manager at SIG.

The first question I asked him was about the name. I’d been hearing it float around for quite awhile and wondered where it came from. Apparently, after firing it on full-auto the first time, the designer said, “It really rattles your teeth when you fire it.” Considering the nickname of MCX, Rattler stuck.

Next, I asked him why they built it. Hanley answered, “Everything was designed to be as discrete and small as possible with this gun.” Quite simply, customers came to them and asked for a Subgun size weapon in 5.56mm or .300 BLK. This is the result of that work.

Initially, they leveraged the MCX short stroke piston design, but quickly found that the upper would have been longer than the 5.5″ barrel. Instead, they developed two separate gas systems, one for the .300 and a second for the 5.56.

The .300 gas system has two positions and can be used suppressed. The 5.56 is a plugged gas system to prevent valve corrosion. Unfortunately, it cannot be used with a suppressor; not at that length. However, swapping between calibers, is as simple as swapping barrels.

The stock was designed so that all controls can be manipulated with it closed and the weapon itself can be fired with the stock closed, making it a very compact package. Additionally, the Rattler’s upper receiver has no forward assist and their slick side deflector for spent cases.

SIG may have succeeded in creating the smallest production AR-style weapon in the world. It’s 16″ while folded and 23.5″ with the stock extended.

Based on these differences, the Rattler comes as a complete pistol (with SPB) or SBR. The barrels are not compatible with any other MCX upper, so SIG is offering dedicated Rattler Upper Receiver Kits which come with the AR lower adapter knuckle. The Rattler upper kit can be used with an MCX lower or AR lower, when used with the adapter knuckle.  For owners of Rattlers, barrel kits to swap calibers will be available so they don’t have to purchase complete URGs. 

The MCX Rattler launches today.

UPDATE: .300 Rattlers will ship next week and 5.56 in November. 

www.sigsauer.com/products/firearms/rifles/sig-mcx-virtus>

Knight’s Armament Company – Light Assault Machine Gun

August 22nd, 2017

Knight’s Armament Company has introduced their Light Assault Machine Gun. Chambered in 5.56mm NATO, it offers a low cyclic rate of 575-625 rounds per minute, and constant-recoil/spring run-out operation, making it more controllable than other similar machine guns, weighing nearly twice as much. The optic mounting rail is integral to the receiver, rather than the feed-tray cover, which signicantly improves consistency in optic mounting. These features, combined with the LAMG’s size and weight help it live up to its name. It’s designed specifically for use in the assault, rather than in a fixed position, sustained fire role. However, it does incorprate common machine gun features such as a quick-change barrel (including integrally suppressed barrel) and compatibility with M27 links.

Over the years, I’ve fired various versions of the Stoner-inspired 5.56mm KAC Light Machine Gun, but during May’s SOF Select event in Tampa, I got to check out a very close variant, on static display, of the Light Assault Machine Gun detailed below.

Designed specifically for use in the assault role, it weighs 3.9 kg / 8.9 lbs.  Here is a run down of the features:

1. 5.56mm 3-Prong Flash Eliminator: This improved design interferes with propellant gas combustion forward of the muzzle to significantly reduce flash signature. The flash hider’s unique 3-prong configuration does not ring when firing or struck. Integral Quick Detach Coupling mounting detents support KAC’s line of QDC sound suppressors for consistent and minimized point-of-impact shift.

2. Improved Handguard: Free-floats the barrel and gas system, ensuring improved accuracy and easy barrel replacement. Integrated MIL-STD-1913 mounting rails on the 12:00 and 6:00 for maximum strength, rigidity, and security for aiming devices or high-force accessories. Side M-Lok slots permit mounting of a wide array of accessories directly into the handguard, while reducing weight and increasing heat dissipation.

3. Barrel Release and Lock-Up Mechanism: Located at 12:00 on the receiver, it is protected from accidental activation. Unique retention design ensures accuracy and repeatability, but without compromising the ability to quickly replace a hot barrel.

4. Improved Receiver: Integral MIL-STD-1913 rail ensures aiming device precision. Made from weapon-grade aluminum, and milled to reduce unneeded material, the receiver is extremely lightweight, but with the strength needed to provide a lifetime of high-density fire.

5. Cocking Handle: Placed at the common position for light machine guns for ease of putting the weapon into the firing condition, or to clear a stoppage. Reversible to either side of the receiver to support either primary shoulder, provide the user with alternate manipulation options, and to reduce snag points based on carry position.

6. Ammunition Box Connection Point: Compatible with standard 5.56mm linked ammunition source connection hardware. Fully supports 200-round drums, 100-round reusable soft packs, and other alternate ammunition feed devices.

7. Trigger Pack: Machine gun-specific trigger components and safety bar. Improved hand position for trigger access without interference by safety button.

8. Modular Stock: The removable receiver end-plate allows the user to easily swap stocks. Any standard M4 stock can be used with the Mil-Std receiver extension. A fully collapsing solid stock allows the user to immediately pull the stock from a collapsed position, just longer than the receiver itself, to an extended position that supports accurate high-density fire. The folding stock option allows full manipulations and firing from a stowed position, and deploys to an adequate length of pull for comfortable traditional use. Below are a few Modular Stock options. As you can see by the stock designs, the LAMG will operate without a stock istalled but only a receiver end plate in place.

This is a close up of the Barrel Release.

The standard barrel is 15″ in length, hammer forged and chrome-lined, with a 1:7 twist. However, they also offer a lightweight, shortened barrel for use in confined spaces as well as a Dedicated Suppressed Barrel which integrates the suppressor to the barrel, allowing optimal operating pressure. This option is also shorter and lighter than adding a suppressor to a standard barrel due to the elimination of the flashhider and mounting components of the suppressor. Even in this configuration, the suppressor can be removed for routine maintenance.

KAC also offers their 5.56mm Machine Gun Suppressor for those who are looking for a modular option. It is a quck detach design with Inconel mount, which was designed specifically to work with the LAMG’s operating system.

Here’s a closer look at the handguard.

The LAMG will accept AR-style pistol grips, offering a certain degree of customization. You can also see the charging handle as well as the feedtray cover and the various techniques used to lighten the weapon such as the cutouts along the receiver and under the 1913 rail section.

Finally, KAC offers a 150-round Medium Capacity Drum. This hard-side drum can be used as support without the need to deploy a bipod. Raised belt feed control lips give greater protection to the belt to reduce snagging and ensure smooth feed of the belt from the drum to the feed-tray.

The KAC LAMG, coming soon, to a war zone near you.

www.knightarmco.com