That’s the big guy himself, Dana Gleason, off to do Mystery Ranch business in exotic locales.
You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up
April 12th, 2017SilencerCo – Jason Schauble to President
April 11th, 2017I guess the cat is out of the bag. Jason Schauble has assumed the role of President at SilencerCo.
If you’re unfamiliar with his name, he’s a former Marine, former Remington (AAC) executive and former CEO at TrackingPoint. Lately, he’s been the Chief Revenue Officer at SilencerCo.
Word is that CEO Josh Waldron and President Jonathon Shults are still involved with the business but less so, and concentrating more on investor relations.
MG Trombitas Takes Command as Chairman, Green Beret Foundation
April 11th, 2017
SAN ANTONIO, April 6, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The GBF Board of Directors has elected retired Green Beret and Special Operations Commander, Maj. Gen. Simeon Trombitas as Chairman.
Upon assuming this position, General Trombitas pointed out that “The challenges we face to ensure support of the Green Beret community are enormous. Today U.S. Special Forces have the highest per-capita casualty rate of any unit in the Special Operations Forces. Although U.S. Army involvement in the 15-year ongoing ground wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has decreased, the worldwide demand for Green Berets is on the rise. I’ve been working in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Our guys are engaged all over the world. The Green Berets’ resolve to support this country is unparalleled. I am honored to have this opportunity to serve our Green Berets through the GBF.”
Jennifer Paquette, GBF Executive Director, commented that the Foundation will greatly benefit from the General’s leadership “at this critical time for Special Operations and Special Forces. The intellect, leadership, and commitment that characterized his distinguished career as an active duty officer will now directly impact our Foundation. With General Trombitas, we will meet the current challenges our community faces.”
Major General Simeon G. Trombitas graduated from the United States Military Academy (West Point) in 1978. He began his active duty career in the 2nd Armored Division and went on to serve three tours with 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). His other Commands included Assistant Deputy Director for Operations of United States Army Special Operations Command and Commander, U.S. Army Garrison, 7th Infantry Division. The General’s duty assignments as a general officer were as Commanding General of Special Operations Command, Korea, Iraq National Counter-Terrorism Force Transition Team during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Special Assistant to the Commanding General, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, and Commanding General of United States Army South. His final position upon retirement in 2015 was Senior Defense Official / Defense Attache? at U.S. Embassy, Mexico.
LEO Survival Story Using No Lies Blade Techniques
April 11th, 2017Recently we published a Whiskey5 article on NLB Tactical. Understandably, some readers were skeptical as few people outside of a relatively small circle have heard of this company. But, they’ve been training the Detroit Police, as well as others, for years, so when I saw this testimonial, I thought it was worth a share.
This is amazing story of officer survival from an EDP Emotionally Disturbed Person call. Please read and share! This story will have you on the edge of your seat and very proud of those who serve us.
To : Whom it may concern
From: Police Officer Edward A. Pawlowski III
Detroit Police Department
While attending the Detroit Police Academy in 2016, I received a knife defense class designed by NLB Tactical / No Lie Blades. Little did I know that within a year of this class, I would use what I learned to save not only my life, but the life of one of my fellow officers…
The class itself was very easy to pick up. It taught various ways a knife can be used against you, and several easy movements to defend each attack. The class also had a realistic set of scenarios of surprise knife attacks by academy staff, headed by Corporal Hunt of the Detroit Police Department, that helped the class apply the techniques to real life situations. Now on to where it helped me…
Shortly after the New Year in 2017, I was dispatched to a run on the south end of the 10th precinct in Detroit. The only details we had on the run was that we had a suicidal female who kicked her roommate out and she was threatening to blow up her house. Once we arrived on scene, I made contact with the female from the porch of her residence, because she had barricaded herself inside of her house. I advised her multiple times that we just wanted to get her some help and we were not there to hurt her. She began screaming that the only way we’d get her to a hospital was to “shoot her in the head and drag her out of the house dead”. Multiple back-up units arrived.
Once more officers were on the porch, the door began to open slightly and officers slowly approached the open door. The woman then lunged out the door, stopped only by her own barricade and swung a pair of open scissors at another officer, just missing his face. At that point another officer tried getting into a window behind her, and she came running to that window, swinging the scissors at the other officer, just missing his midsection. Pepper spray was used multiple times, with no effect on her.
Finally, officers were able to distract her long enough at the door, that my partner was able to enter the house and grab onto the woman. I entered next, just in time to see the woman attempting to stab my partner in his back with the scissors. The training from my class just kicked in without thought. I was able to approach the two struggling, deflect the arm of the female away without getting cut and without my partner getting stabbed. We were then able to get the female to the ground, pin her arm down, get her to drop the knife, and get her into handcuffs with no injuries to her or the officers involved.
During that situation, I was able to just act without thinking and defuse the situation, without having to resort to deadly force and without anyone getting hurt. And I have the training I received to thank for that. With just the short, one day of training I received designed by NLB Tactical / No Lie Blades, defending that knife attack was almost like an instinct for me. I wish I was able to get more training designed by them, because I can only imagine how many other situations they can better prepare me for.
So, I would like to say thank you to NLB Tactical / No Lie Blades for the training course they designed. For not only preparing me for the altercation, but for saving my life and the life of my partner that day. And I look forward to the day another round of their training makes it to my area, because I will be first in line to receive it.
Sincerely,
Police Officer Edward A. Pawlowski III
Detroit Police Department
NLB Tactical can be found online at
Websites nlbtactical.com
Websites nolieblades.com
Facebook www.facebook.com/nolieblades
Phone 610.442.5539
email info@nolieblades.com
You can also acquire NLB training services on GSA through their Prime vendor partnership with MJL-Enterprises at www.mjl-enterprises.com/tactical-training.
US Secret Service Issues Pre-solicitation For New Carbine
April 11th, 2017This week, the Department of Homeland Security’s United States Secret Service issued a pre-solicitation for a new rifle in 5.56x45mm. There are no set asides and they anticipate an open bid process with a contract award for a five year IDIQ.
The United States Secret Service has a requirement for 5.56 x 45mm rifle, equipped with full- and semi-automatic firing capability. USSS seeks to establish a single-award Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle for a period of five (5) years. The Draft Statement of Requirements is attached as reference for potential offerors and is subject to change at the time of solicitation posting. This Presolicitation notice is associated with a Request for Information notice posted March 11, 2016. The anticipated award will be made in Fiscal Year 2018.
The weapon itself is pretty straight forward. They want an ambidextrous carbine. Interestingly, they will only accept Magpul PMAGs as magazines. Additionally, testing will be conducted while wearing Mechanix Wear Vent gloves.
According to the notice:
The weapon shall be operable, without modification or alteration, by a right or left-handed user, firing with the right or left hand, depending on handedness.
All external metal parts of the weapon shall have a dark subdued, rust/corrosion resistant finish. The finish shall be unaffected by commercially available gun cleaning solvents, such as Simple Green, used in heated ultrasonic cleaning tanks. Flaking, peeling, blotching, etc. of the finish is unacceptable.
The weapon shall be chambered in accordance with current U.S. Military specifications for 5.56 x 45mm, and function with assorted ammunition ranging in weight from 55 to 77 grains (to include all common SAAMI-spec and Mil-Spec ammunition) as well as frangible ammunition.
Dimensional Requirements:
Height (no taller than, sights folded, w/o accessories or magazine) 8.5 inches
Weight (no heavier than, w/o accessories) 7.5 pounds
O/A Length (no longer than, w/stock fully extended) 34 inches
Barrel length (min – max) 10-12 inches
Rifling (5.56) 1 turn 7” inch twist RH
Operating System.
The weapon shall utilize a direct-impingement gas-operated system or a short- stroke gas piston system.
Barrel.
The barrel shall have a minimum service life of 15,000 rounds.
Barrel service life is defined as a not exceeding 5 Minutes-of-Angle (MOA) and exhibiting no more than 125 ft/sec decrease in velocity (in accordance with USSS velocity testing procedures), with observance of offeror’s submitted maintenance protocols.
The barrel shall be free of cracks, seams, and other injurious defects and the bore and chamber shall be free of pockets, rings, bulges, and other deformations. The bore and chamber shall be chromium plated, or of equivalent corrosion resistance. Any coating in the chamber and bore shall be free of nodules, flaking, pits, stripping, anode burrs and evidence of etched base steel. Burrs and sharp edges shall be removed from the chamber edges, and bolt locking lugs.
The muzzle of the barrel should bear a thread size of 1?2” x 28 tpi, with shoulder geometry of
90 deg.
The muzzle should be equipped with a flash hider device, installed with shims as necessary.
Crush washers are not acceptable.
Mode of Fire. The weapon shall be selective fire, i.e. semi-automatic and full automatic. A “burst limiter” in the full-automatic mode is not acceptable.
Fire Selector.
The fire control selector shall be ambidextrous in design, and be a single lever paddle mounted on the side of the receiver, adjacent to the rear pistol grip, thereby not requiring the shooter to significantly break their firing grip when actuating.
The fire control selector shall be a rotary type and shall have three positions; safe, semi- automatic and automatic and shall rotate manually without binding from one position to another when the hammer is cocked. The selector shall remain in place in each position by a perceptible spring detent load until manually reset.
Trigger.
With the hammer cocked, when the selector is placed in the “SAFE” position, it shall prevent the trigger from releasing the hammer so that the weapon is incapable of being fired.
When the selector is placed in the “SEMI AUTOMATIC” position, it shall have a disconnect, so that the weapon is capable of semi-automatic fire only (one shot with each pull of the trigger).
When the selector is placed in the “AUTO” position, the weapon shall be capable of automatic fire (continuous firing until the trigger is released or all cartridges are expended) at a rate of no less than 600, and no greater than 900, rounds-per- minute, while utilizing M193 ammunition.
The trigger shall hold the hammer in the cocked position until the trigger is pulled. After partial or complete trigger pull, the trigger shall return to its normal forward positions (cocked and uncocked) under spring action.
The trigger pull shall not measure less than 4.0 pounds, nor more than 6.5 pounds, regardless if the fire selector is set on semi or full-automatic fire.
The trigger configuration shall be two-stage with no adjustment screws or set screws.
The trigger shall have a smooth face, cannot be wider than the trigger guard, and shall be the only control inside the area enclosed by the trigger guard. Any other controls (bolt catch/release, magazine/catch release, etc.) inside the area enclosed by the trigger guard are not acceptable.
While utilizing gloves, the trigger shall not pinch the trigger finger between the trigger and the side of the receiver or between the trigger and the inside bottom of the trigger guard. Any manipulation/modification to the trigger guard to meet this requirement is not acceptable.
Charging Handle.
The charging handle shall be situated in the upper receiver. The charging handle shall not reciprocate with the bolt when the weapon is fired. The charging handle shall be capable of being operated with one hand while the shooters other hand is grasping the pistol grip or forend grip.
Bolt Hold-Open Device.
The rifle shall be equipped with a magazine activated bolt hold open device. The bolt hold open device shall also be capable of being activated manually by the operator. When the bolt hold open device is activated by the magazine follower and the magazine is subsequently removed, the bolt shall remain in the rear or open position. When the bolt is in the rear or open position and a full magazine is inserted, the bolt shall remain in the rear or open position until the operator manually activates the bolt release. When the bolt catch is released, the bolt shall return to the battery position. Upon release, the bolt shall strip a round from the loaded magazine and load it into the chamber.
Magazine.
The weapon magazine well shall be compatible with the standard NATO STANAG 30 round M16 series magazine (NSN 1005-01-561-7200) and the Magpul PMAG 30 AR/M4, 5.56×45 Magazine (NSN 1005-01-628-5106 and NSN 1005-01-615-5169).
Only the Magpul PMAG 30 AR/M4, 5.56×45 Magazine (NSN 1005-01-615-5169; Mfr Part # MAG556) will be acceptable for solicitation submission and subsequent testing.
The magazine release shall securely retain the magazine in the magazine well. The magazine (whether empty or full) shall fall free from the magazine well once the magazine release button is activated without any further operator assistance. The magazine release button shall be spring loaded and the design of the receiver shall provide some shielding against inadvertent activation when placed against standard USSS uniform and/or body armor. The activation of the magazine release button shall be accomplished with minimum effort by the operator with only one hand.
The magazine should reliably feed all types of ammunition utilized in the USSS Evaluation and Testing protocols.
Magazines shall contain an anti-tilt follower that shall be able to activate the weapon’s bolt hold open device after the last round in the magazine is fired.
The magazine shall be capable of being inserted directly into the magazine well by the operator with one hand, and without any “rocking” type motion.
Lower Receiver.
The lower receiver shall have a permanently affixed plate, label, or laser- etching, displaying a QR code or barcode, readable via commercially-available optical reader. This code shall be embedded with information specific to the host firearm, including (but not limited to) make, model/variant, and unique serial number.
Upper Receiver.
The weapon shall be equipped with a Mil-Std-1913 Picatinny attachment rail on the top of the receiver for mounting of optics, iron sights, lasers, etc.
Forend/Handguard.
The weapon shall have a modular free-floating handguard assembly measuring no less than 9.0 inches of functional/configurable railspace (measured along the 6:00 o’clock position of the rail).
The handguard assembly shall have the ability to attach Mil-Std-1913 Picatinny rail segment along the length of the handguard at the 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 o’clock positions simultaneously. The manufacturer shall provide a sufficient quantity of rail segments to cover the length of the handguard at the 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 o’clock positions simultaneously. Handguards with permanently attached Mil-Std 1913 Picatinny railssections the length of the handguard at the 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 o’clock positions shall also be considered.
When assembled to the weapon, the upper most rail of the free-floating handguard assembly shall align and be at the same height as the rail on the receiver. A one piece receiver/handguard assembly is acceptable as long as the barrel is free-floating, the above rail positioning interfaces are present, and handguard portion meets the minimum length requirement detailed in Section 2.
Pistol Grip.
The rear pistol grip shall be securely attached to the lower portion of the receiver and shall not interfere with the operation of the selector lever. If applicable to the submission, vendor shall provide interchangeable rear pistol grip adapters (backstraps).
Butt-Stock.
The butt stock shall be quickly adjustable for length of pull without the use of any tools. The butt stock shall have, at minimum total of four positions, including fully extended and fully collapsed.
Backup Sights.
When utilized, the front/rear ‘backup’ sights shall be viewable through an Aimpoint Model T2 while mounted on a suitable optic-specific commercially available sight mount.
The front sight shall be a folding locking type, capable of being locked in both the up and down positions (lever lock, friction lock, spring detent, etc.). The front sight shall be located at the front of the weapon either on top of the gas block or at the end of the rail on the hand guard. The front sight shall be a post profile type, adjustable for elevation as part of operator zeroing procedures. The profile of the sighting portion of the post shall be .050 to .075 inches in thickness. At no time shall the sight unlock from its position as a result of firing the weapon.
The rear sight shall be a folding locking type, capable of being locked in both the up and down positions (lever lock, friction lock, spring detent etc.). The rear sight shall be an aperture type, adjustable for windage and elevation as part of operator zeroing procedures. At no time shall the sight unlock from its position as a result of firing the weapon.
Sling Mount.
The weapon shall be supplied with means to mount a sling to, at minimum, the rear area of the receiver and the handguard, via quick-detach sling swivel. All sling mounting/attachment points will be required to be rotation-limited (4-position) quick-detach cups, to allow interface with quick-detach push button swivels.
For full details visit www.fbo.gov.
Sneak Peek – Shadow Carry and Thread Optic Ready Pistols
April 11th, 2017
Coming soon from Shadow Gunworks are the Shadow Carry and Threaded Barrel, Optic Ready Pistols. Their Glockish design is reminiscent of a G19.
TYR Tuesday – Huron 40L (Top Loading & Front) Allegiance Assaulters Sustainment Pack
April 11th, 2017
The Huron™ 40L (Top Loading & Front) Allegiance Assaulters Sustainment Pack is low profile as well as extremely versatile with exceptionally advanced attributes. It’s constructed with 500d Cordura® and high abrasion resistant 4-way stretch Tweave. The addition of a front beavertail keeps the front of the pack slick which prevents snagging in dense vegetation while also providing an additional load carriage option. The beaver tail is secured using low profile G-Hooks. The top front features a zipper opening for a full length pocket for additional storage. The sides of the pack are slick with the exception of 2 Tweave zippered pockets that lay flat and provide additional storage as well as two adjustable canteen pockets. Internally, the ALG040 has a small utility mesh pouch for storing smaller items as well as a hydration or communications pouch location on the internal back of the pack.
The pack utilizes the Huron™ PLUMA™ Load Carriage 20” Angled Frame. It is constructed with carbon fiber and aluminum. This makes the PLUMA™ Frame not only extremely strong and durable but as light as a feather at 1.0 lbs. Its strength-to- weight ratio is unmatched in today’s military market.
DESIGN FEATURES:
• Two Adjustable Canteen Pockets
• One The Huron™ Jungle Lower Back Mesh Pocket gives the user the option to increase the overall capacity without adding excess weight to the pack. Attaches to the Huron™ PLUMA™ Load Carriage Frame via low profile hook and loop.
• Removable Tweave Beavertail
• Flush Removable Pack Cap with Internal Mesh Pocket
• 11” Zippers for TYR Tactical® Standard Assaulters Zip On Platforms or Huron™ DAAP Direct Action Assaulters Pack attachment
• Huron™ PLUMA™ Load Carriage Frame – 20” Angled
• Two, External, Full Length Side Pockets
• Two, Internal, Full Length Mesh Pockets
• Carry Handle
• Yoke Load Levelers adjust the pack vertically and horizontally which assists in reducing fatigue.
• Antimicrobial/FR Treated Padded Spacer Mesh is used on the internal portions of the pack for comfort and moister wicking.
• Side Compression Straps change the overall capacity of the pack when areas are not in use.
• Pull-Forward Adjustable Belt Assembly
• Top Loading: Items are packed vertically with access to the main compartment at the top of the pack. Closure: Roll-Top with Three 1” Buckles
• Front Loading: Items are packed horizontally with the aid of Internal Compression Straps. The main compartment can be accessed from the front of the pack. Closure: Two Heavy Duty #10 Zippers
• Sized: Small/Medium & Large/XLarge
• Wt.: 6.35 lbs
• Dim.: 20.5” H x 11.5” W x 9.75” D
www.tyrtactical.com/products/details/new-featured-products/huron-allegiance-pack
Grey Ghost Precision – Grim Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor
April 11th, 2017I had the pleasure of spending last week with several brands at the High Bar Homestead near Gillette, Wyoming along with several other writers. This facility is amazing, with a variety of range, from 25 out to 2000 yds.
The rifles were all from Grey Ghost Precision. I’ve owned a GGP S-series Heavy rifle in .308 since they first came out and it’s been a reliable companion on several hog hunts as well as for range trips, so you can say I’m a fan of the brand. Their receiver sets are manufactured from 7075-T651 aluminum billets to their specs by Mega Arms and True Black Type III Mil Spec Hard Coat Anodized. The builds are excellent.
GGP brought rifles in .223, .300 and .308 but what caught my eye was the new Grim in 6.5 Creedmoor.
While I checked them all out in turn, I found myself going back to the 6.5, regardless of the range we were on at the time. It was a dream to shoot. The recoil was a push, while I felt that the .308 S-series Heavy had a stronger recoil. The accuracy was amazing, making it a snap to score hits out to 1000 yds, even in winds. I could easily shoot a full 20 round magazine on steel at 800 yds and hear that comforting ping after each shot. After one of these events, a friend said, “Good shooting, Eric” but I had to admit to him that it was the rifle and not me. It shot so well that any misses were definitely on me and while I did indeed miss a few, that gun was a laser out to 800 yds. It almost took the fun out of it…almost.
The lower is ambidextrous with ambi safety, magazine and bolt release, but left-side only catch. The Grim is outfitted with a 16” hand KeyMod or M-Lok handguard and comes stock with a curved or flat face CMC 2-stage 2lb set/2lb release, but users can choose an optional Geissele SSA-E for a slight upcharge. The stock is the Magpul Gen 3 PRS. All excellent components, but I think some of the magic in this gun is the 22” Proof Research stainless barrel with 1/8 Twist. You’ll notice in the images that the barrel isn’t coated and that’s because during testing they found it affected the performance of the rifle. It also has a slightly longer rifle Length gas system, with an extra 2” long, paired with a Superlative Arms Adjustable Gas Block.
If you’re already shooting a 6.5 Creedmoor bolt gun like I am, and are looking for a reliable gas gun to pair with it, I suggest you check out the Grey Ghost Precision Grim. If you already own a GGP S-series Heavy, I understand they’ll be introducing a 6.5 Creed upper receiver group soon.
