SIG SAUER - Never Settle

First Tactical – Hard Knuckle Glove

March 1st, 2016

Hard Knuckle Glove

First Tactical’s Hard Knuckle Glove is designed as a reliable, durable tactical glove. It is constructed of goatskin and a midweight, snagproof stretch woven material. The knuckle designed is isolated and hidden, allowing independent knuckle splay and rotation. Additional features include reinforced neoprene padding and TouchPoint fingertip design.

First Tactical’s Hard Knuckle Glove is available in Men’s sizes, in Black.

www.firsttactical.com

GIBBZ Arms Modular Attachment (GAMA) Goes After Magpul’s M-Lok Patent

March 1st, 2016

During SHOT Show there were murmurs about a looming patent confrontation between Gibbz Arms and Magpul. It seems that Gibbz Arms had developed an accessory attachment system for firearms that they were about to release under the name of GAMA, for GIBBZ Arms Modular Attachment. Below are the components of GAMA.

 

Granted, Gibbz hasn’t publicly used the word ‘Magpul’ but the primary similar design to what we see here is M-Lok. There is also the Manticore Arms ARC LOK system so perhaps Gibbz Arms is going after them as well.  But regardless, Magpul M-LOK has been mentioned to me more than once in connection with this move by Gibbz Arms.

Yesterday, Gibbz not only formally announced the product, but we are told they also started sending out notices to licensees of Magpul’s M-Lok attachment system. Below is an example. No word yet on whether they’ve contacted Magpul or Manticore Arms directly as well.

Gibbz is looking for its own licensees and at this point, we don’t know what the terms of that license looks like. However, we do know that licensees of M-Lok don’t pay any fees and that they entered into their agreements with Magpul in good faith. It will be interesting to see how recipients of these letters react.


(Click to download PDF)

This is the Gibbz patent application.  Don’t let the dates lull you into just dismissing this off hand.  Although you notice a filing date of 21 September, 2015 and a publication date of 14 January, 2016, it’s a continuation of an application filed 26 January, 2013. And therein lies the rub. Who did what, when, and what are the claims? It sounds like Gibbz Arms and the companies with similar systems already on the street are going to have to work this one out.

 

(Click to download PDF)

Update: Below are PDFs of the original patent drawings for the GAMA System from 2013, as well as the revised drawings from 2015. Click the images to view the full document.

Original – 2013

Original

Revised – 2015

Revised

US Elite Quick Guide to the Velocity Systems Scarab LT Plate Carrier

March 1st, 2016

 

This is a cool graphic that wraps up the features of the Velocity Systems Scarab LT.  The shoulder straps on the Scarab LT are really cool and accommodate a wide variety of shoulder shapes thanks to the D-ring attachment.

Available in Black, Coyote, Ranger Green, Wolf Grey and MultiCam.  Carrier size corresponds with plate size.

www.us-elitegear.com/velocity-systems-scarab-light-plate-carrier

1947 LLC Announces Partnership With Tacticaltrim

March 1st, 2016

  3/1/161947, LLC located in Portsmouth, RI USA is pleased to announce a partnership with Tacticaltrim of Berlin Germany.

Tacticaltrim is licensed by 1947, LLC to offer the suite of MULTICAM® fabrics & webbings to EU and EMEA countries. Tacticaltrim will assist EU and EMEA companies with fabric procurement FOB Germany. By handling duties, credit terms, VATS and transportation costs, Tacticaltrim will make the ordering process more efficient for companies located in the before mentioned regions.

Companies are free to contact 1947, LLC directly with pricing, fabric inquiries or any information regarding the MULTICAM® pattern. The Tacticaltrim partnership does not refrain companies from buying directly from 1947, LLC however Tacticaltrim will streamline the purchasing process for EU/EMEA clients.

The MULTICAM® hang-tag and sew-in labels will be fulfilled by Tacticaltrim for these purchase orders.

Please stop by Booth 9-305 at the IWA Outdoor Classic to say hello March 4th – 7th.

39th Annual Airborne Awards Festival

March 1st, 2016

The 39th Annual Awards Festival is scheduled for April 13-16, 2016. This Festival serves active duty and retired airborne soldiers of all services. It serves to extend the brotherhood of the airborne ethos.

Airborne Awards Festival

Click to view .pdf

The Internet Claims Another Victim – ‘Soldier of Fortune’ Magazine To Cease Hard Copy Publication, Go Digital Only

March 1st, 2016

According to the Wall Street Journal, Soldier of Fortune magazine is ceasing publication of the hard copy edition and going digital-only beginning with the April 2016 issue which should hit newsstands soon.  Publisher Robert K Brown, LTC (USAR, Ret) is 83 now and putting together a monthly magazine is no joke.  While I don’t blame him, it’s sad to see it go.  I’m hoping they’ll improve their online presence.  I’d like to keep up but their site needs some work.

 

Quite frankly, I am bummed. I grew up with Soldier of Fortune; literally. Although I didn’t read the magazine from the very first issue, I started reading it in 1978, after it had been around for a few years.  I still read printed magazines, including SOF.  Perhaps I feel like I’m being forced to consider my own mortality.  When you’ve seen something since you were a kid, it’s kind of a shocker to see it go.  SOF has had its ups and downs over the years but it was a magazine written by some guys who had been-there-done-that and definitely influenced more than one generation over its 40 year run.  What are your memories?

In the future, Soldier of Fortune’s content will be found at www.sofmag.com.

Blue Ridge Mountain Sports Closes Its Doors

March 1st, 2016

Blue Ridge Mountain Sports has been our go-to outdoor store for years. It’s sad to see them go. Mission Ready Equipment has closed as well.

We’ll miss you!

New 2016 Barnes VOR-TX Ammunition and Component Offerings

March 1st, 2016

Mona, UT – Barnes Bullets, LLC (“Barnes”) the leader in bullet innovation and performance, is adding three loads to the VOR-TX ammunition lineup and new 300AAC Blackout and 450 Bushmaster components for handloaders.

The VOR-TX line extensions will bring three new loads to the Barnes VOR-TX family – A 308 Win. load featuring the proven 130 grain TTSX bullet, a 300 Winchester Magnum load with a new 190 grain LRX bullet, optimized for long range performance, and finally, a 35 Whelen load featuring the field-proven Barnes TTSX 200 grain projectile.

For handloaders, Barnes will now offer the 300 AAC BLK 120 grain TAC-TX BT bullet, previously only available in VOR-TX ammunition. Also available for the first time, Barnes will offer a 275 grain TSX FB bullet specifically designed for 450 Bushmaster platforms. Both of these components offer the discerning handloader the opportunity to fine-tune and optimize their 300 AAC Blackout and 450 Bushmaster ammunition.

barnesbullets.com