Used to be, the Marines got all of the Army’s hand me downs. Times are tough and the budget situation is bleak. What with UCP being used as a background image for Marine Corps Systems Command’s website, makes you wonder.
CMC Triggers Fires Back
May 23rd, 2016Every trade show there’s industry gossip going around and the NRA Annual Meeting was no different. This time it was hate for CMC triggers and Mossberg for suing pretty much anyone that makes a drop in AR trigger. Drop in triggers are pre-assembled packages that can be inserted into an AR-style lower receiver and, after inserting the pins into place, offer an enhanced trigger over the Mil-SPEC model. The enhanced trigger and ease of use have made drop ins quite popular because they can be user installed with little to no difficulty.
As I understand it, the story goes that Mossberg bought the rights to the Chip McCormick (CMC, Chip McCormick, see where this is going?) patent, US 7,293,385 B2, a while back, and now Mossberg is on a tear, suing companies that they allege have violated their intellectual property rights. But, everyone is blaming CMC Triggers Corp.
According to a story on The Firearm Blog, these companies have been named in suits by Mossberg:
- Black Rain
- DOA Arms
- Tactical Fire Control
- Battle Tested Equipment
- Patriot Ordnance Factory
- RISE Armaments
- T Vehr Manufacturing
- Elftmann Gun Products
On Saturday evening, CMC Trigger Corp President Jack R Biegel issued this statement:
CMC Triggers is a Christian company, privately held and not owned by O.F. Mossberg or anyone else.
We pay our bills when they’re due including our royalty responsibility to O.F. Mossberg.
Fair competition in the market place is only fair if the playing field is level.
We proudly stand with them in their pursuit of what is right in regard to all the companies that infringe on their Patent.
Shame on anyone that would spin negatively O.F. Mossberg exercising their right under law to collect royalties.
Jack R Biegel, Pres. CMC Triggers Corp.
I have to say, I agree with him. IP ownership is IP ownership and we support those that protect what is their’s. What make some uncomfortable about this situation is that Mossberg bought the patent rather than creating a design themselves. Regardless, I don’t see how that nullifies their ownership of the IP. Whether they came up with it on their own, bought it for manufacturing use, or just purchased it as an investment opportunity, it has value and they should be allowed to reap the rewards of that investment. Besides, most often in these cases, the IP owner is looking to ensure they are being paid for use of their IP. Most of these are settled before they even go to trial.
This will work itself, one way or another.
Now on Kickstarter – The Pretzel Pillow
May 23rd, 2016
It looks like some form of restraint but the Pretzel Pillow is designed to offer comfortable sleep while sitting. It supports your head, neck and arms. Think airline seat where access to the armrest is nonexistent thanks to your rotund seat mate.
www.kickstarter.com/projects/1377148211/pretzel-pillow-fall-asleep-in-any-seat
NRA – Weather Wool ShirtJac
May 22nd, 2016It was great to see Weather Wool on hand at NRA. I’m a big fan of wool and they make a very robust product. Offered in their mid and full weight fabrics, the ShirtJac incorprates two chest pockets as well as slotted buttons. The cuffs are a little long so you can pull your hands inside if needed but the dual button cuff has enough adjustment so that it won’t bother those with shorter arms. Additionally, the bottom hem can be tucked in if needed.
Available in sizes XXSmall – 5Xlarge in colors Black, Drab, Duff and Lynx.
NRA – Barrel Blok
May 22nd, 2016Barrel Blok is a firearms safety device, designed to allow the use of standard firearms in close quarter training situations such as grappling and arrest procedures. It is inserted into the chamber and out through the barrel and completely blocks the chamber. Additionally, there is a cap for the magazine so that no rounds can be inserted.
Although the Barrel Blok comes in a long length, the plastic, flexible rod construction is intended to extend 1/2″ past the end of the barrel once fully seated in the chamber. The user clips the end of the Barrel Blok based on the firearm it is used with. This length allows it to be used with most any holster. The high visibility orange color also makes it easy to verify by instructors as well as other trainees that the barrel is blocked.
Additionally, the device has other features that facilitate realistic training. It is designed to engage the pistol’s extractor so the slide must be sufficiently racked and the material works as a firing pin strike face.
They’ve also just launched a version for rifles.
The design is the same, it’s longer to accommodate the increased barrel length, although, it’s important to mention that Barrel Bloks are not one-size-fits-all. Rather, they are offered in different calibers do that you get a sealed chamber. In the image below, the Barrel Blok is not seated completely.
NRA – Mountainhouse Now Offering Military Issue LRP Ration Components
May 22nd, 2016
I found out during the NRA Annual Meeting that Mountainhouse is now offering the freezdried Long Range Patrol ration components they make for the military to commercial customers. There are currently seven entrees available and these differ from their commercially available freeze dried offerings in a couple of ways. First off, the military rations have about twice the amount of protein. There’s the packaging. They are vacuum packed but there’s no oxygen absorber so they are only guaranteed for three years.
They are very popular due to their lightweight and compact form factor so if it’s not in stock, check back.
www.mountainhouse.com/m/category/military
Blast From The Past – Camofax
May 22nd, 2016Who else remembers the Camofax ads from Soldier of Fortune magazine?
SSD Saturday Night Movie, “A Game For Vultures”
May 22nd, 2016We haven’t run one of these classic military movies for some time so I thought this would be a great way to get back into the groove.
