Not long after our story on the Fireclean suit against bloggers Andrew Tuohy and Everett Baker, Vuurwaapen blog launched a fundraising page for their legal defense on the GoFundMe platform. The odd thing about this is that I’ve read the complaint and Fireclean isn’t suing for assault.
Those interested in donating should visit www.gofundme.com/spwt9qss.
The Pacific Northwest Pack Series began as a project to fulfil a solicitation for a suite of SOCOM packs. Our designs for this solicitation were brought about with input from actual SOF soldiers who took these packs to the field throughout the design process and brought back their impressions and recommendations for improvements. We took their advice back to our designers who then continually refined the packs until they met the exacting standards of these elite soldiers.
The Regiment pack is a larger rucksack, intended to carry heavy sustainment loads on patrol or reconnaissance. With a total capacity of over 5000 cubic inches, this bag is heavy duty, but at only 5.5 pounds, it is not heavy-weight. Our designers have worked hard to incorporate the most useful features you might need in a long range pack while not wasting your time with useless bells and whistles that only look good as bullet points.
All the standard features are here, like a reinforced carry handle, stainless drain holes on all the exterior pockets, RTO pass-through zipper and side compression straps. Beyond that, you will also find pass throughs on the side pockets for odd sized items like ski poles or shooting sticks, left and right side external zippers for cable or hydration pass through, separate zipper access to the main compartment, internal attachment points for our PRC-117G radio pouch, an air mesh map pocket inside the top flap and much more. The pack is also STRLLS and H harness compatible for airborne operations.
Along with this new line of packs, we’ve also introduced upgrades to our traditional straps and belt in the form of our Low Profile and Low Profile Adjustable Super Straps and Ergo Super Belt. These new designs add even more comfort along with added functionality and adjustability. The Regiment Pack is also available in a discounted kit form which includes the pack, our Fight Light MALICE Pack Frame, Low Profile Adjustable Super Straps and 34” Ergo Super Belt.
The NEW PATRIOT Plate Carrier is an ideal carrier for active shooter applications, Law Enforcement, and Military.
Based off the hugely successful Shellback Banshee Plate Carrier, the Patriot has just what you need in a plate carrier and nothing you don’t.
Lightweight, low profile, high quality, and still has great load carrying capacity.
Ideal gear for Law Enforcement patrol officers for use in High Threat active shooter situations, Multi-Assault Counter Terrorism Action Capabilities (MACTAC) and Counter Terrorism direct actions.
Removable Spacer Mesh shoulder pads with 3 strips allow you to run comms or hydration effortlessly over the shoulders.
The PATRIOT will also accept the Banshee soft armor package for the front and back as well as the Cummerbund.
USA Made – Full Berry Compliant Plate Carrier with Lifetime Warranty
Value and features at a great economical price. Ideal to outfit agencies officers with active shooter kits.
SKD is currently the ONLY dealer to have the Patriot Plate Carrier available.
Last September, social media was ablaze with multiple versions of a common theme, “Fireclean lubricant is Crisco”. The source of this buzz was an article on Vuurwapen blog by Andrew Tuohy, entitled “INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY OF FIRECLEAN AND CRISCO OILS” where he claimed to have had samples of Fireclean tested in order to determine if it was Crisco. At the time of the article, I was publicly critical of Tuohy’s methodology, relying on anonymous sources for lab tests.
The content was so popular it even spawned a second round of articles by Tuohy as well as blogger Everett Baker who claims to have conducted testing of his own that verified Tuohy’s assertions. To double down, Tuohy wrote an article where he claimed that a demonstration video of Fireclean by tactical trainer Larry Vickers was fraudulent. Interestingly, Tuohy initially published this article as “WHERE THERE’S SMOKE, THERE’S LIAR” but later changed it to “SEVERE PROBLEMS WITH VICKERS TACTICAL FIRECLEAN VIDEO”.
At the time, lots of people were quite entertained by the shenanigans. But not everyone was laughing. While most have moved on from the incident, Fireclean has not. In fact, last week they filed the first, in what we understand will be series of federal lawsuits, against Andrew Tuohy and Everett Baker. Suits against others are said to follow. According to this suit, Fireclean has suffered losses of $25,000 per month in sales since the round of articles. Seeing how they are in Northern Virginia, Fireclean has turned to Federal Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, the original ‘Rocket Docket’, for relief. Andrew Tuohy hails from Arizona and Everett Baker is from New Hampshire, according to his blog but Fireclean makes their case early on in the suit for a Virginia venue.
At the heart of this issue is whether the bloggers’ posts are protected by the First Amendment or if their actions were intentionally misleading. Fireclean alleges multiple counts of defamation against Tuohy and a single count against Baker as well as violation of the Virginia Business Conspiracy Act and Common Law Conspiracy. They are demanding a jury trial and compensatory damages, presumed damages for defamation, punitive damages in addition to court costs and attorney’s fees.
You can read the entire, 209 page suit here: Fireclean LLC v Tuohy and Baker. It’s quite extensive and in the document you can see that Fireclean does exactly what Tuohy and Baker didn’t, which was use a well known laboratory to analyze the product. Rather than rely on anonymous testing or tests performed by a college student, Fireclean obtained the services of Petro-Lubricant Testing Laboratories. Their testing is part of the suit, in exhibit R.
Whichever way this suit goes, it is one to watch because it is not only an attempt to hold firearms bloggers responsible for their content, but that it could have far reaching effects for blogging writ large as well as other social media content.
In closing, I would like to disclose that Vickers Tactical, who is not a party to this suit, but is mentioned, is an advertiser on SSD. While, Larry Vickers has endorsed Fireclean in the past, Fireclean is in no way associated with SSD.
It’s beyond rumor at this point. According to multiple sources familiar with various aspects of the program, H&K’s entry for the Compact Semi-Automatic Sniper System (CSASS) program was selected earlier this week for procurement by the United States Army. Other finalists were LMT and FNH USA.
The entry, named the G28E1, was displayed at SHOT Show in H&K’s booth. Interestingly, it incorporates an OSS Suppressor.
The program for this new, compact version of a 7.62 NATO gas gun finds its beginning in 2012 but the actual solicitation wasn’t until late 2014 with the goal being “improved reliability, improved accuracy, and improved ergonomics; reduced weight and length; advanced coatings; improved optics; reduced felt recoil; enhanced suppressor performance; enhanced modular rail capabilities; an improved bipod, trigger, pistol grip, and buttstock.” Since then, the candidates have been through a down select to further trim the field to three and numerous testing regimines.
According to documents obtained by SSD, the Army has been planning events around an ‘M-110E1’, referred to as an improved version of the M-110 which is more compact and lighter weight, leading us to believe that the CSASS will adopt this nomenclature.
PEO Soldier did not respond to our request for information regarding this award. No word yet on how many the Army plans to purchase or the Basis of Issue.
Here’s something you don’t see everyday, a pair of issue Coral Shoes by Converse, dating from Operation Desert Storm.
I’m curious, does anyone have any additional details on these?
Thanks Cool Arrow Kicker!
UPDATE: Here’s a photo from Travis at Mayflower of his Tan and Green pair from when he was on a dive team.
This is a release from SEALS Action Gear regarding their offering of UF PRO tactical apparel.
SEALS Action Gear is pleased to announce that we are now stocking the full range of UF PRO Tactical apparel. This European made, high quality clothing is second-to-none in construction, functionality and striking design; and includes the following key products:
Striker XT Combat Pants
The flagship of the range – the XT pants are setting new industry standards for operational uniforms.
Giving specialists a significant increase in usefulness and efficiency was the highest priority during the development of the Striker XT Combat Pants.
The stretch areas have been expanded and new and ergonomically perfected knee protection has been introduced. This is made using an intelligent combination of technologies that enable highly efficient protection of the knee and tibia areas without fitting the protection system with a Velcro strap.
The width-adjustable lower leg area enables the effective fixing of objects in the lower leg pocket, including during rapid movement.
The large side pocket with inner compartments can be accessed in two ways.
The stretch areas in the hip/buttocks area and above and below the knee protection are made of an extremely resilient Schoeller-dynamic stretch material.
Striker XT Combat Shirt
Based on the previous Striker Combat Shirt, some important components have been changed in the new XT model that considerably improves the wearing comfort and functionality.
In the torso area, the mix of polyester and merino wool offers extraordinary durability, wearing comfort and odor-inhibition.
The cut of the sleeve and the slide-in pockets have been ergonomically improved so that you will always land on the inserted elbow pads. Furthermore, this optimized cut allows users to pull up their sleeves comfortably for medical access.
An additional elastic ribbon in the underarm pocket offers better fixing for inserted equipment.
Delta Ace Jacket
This is THE jacket for extreme physical activities at very cold and windy climatic conditions.
For the worst possible outdoor conditions, the Delta AcE Plus jacket provides excellent comfort properties, maximum wind protection and water repellent thermal insulation.
Protection against cold wind is provided with a two layer nylon ripstop-PU membrane laminate lined with the 37.5™ micro fleece.
A significantly increased wear comfort is achieved by air/pac inserts in the shoulder and upper back areas.
UF PRO tactical clothing is available in a variety of colors and camouflage colors and can be viewed and purchased through SEALS Action Gear’s totally new website (note – all prices in CANADIAN dollars): www.sealsactiongear.com/collections/uf-pro
