Aquaterro

FN’s Series Of Modern Sporting Rifles Re-engineered For Enhanced Performance

December 13th, 2016

(McLean, Va. – Dec. 05, 2016) FN America, LLC announces the release of the next evolution of modern sporting rifles bearing the FN 15TM name and featuring the newly-designed FN handguard with M-LOK technology. The FN 15 Series will take on a streamlined, family approach and will feature updated models like the FN 15 DMR II and Tactical Carbine II in both 5.56x45mm and .300 AAC Blackout.


“The updates made to the FN 15 series focus heavily on the handguard,” said John Keppeler, senior vice president of commercial and law enforcement sales. “We evaluated handguard options on the market and decided that the next evolution of this line would need to outperform our customers’ expectations in terms of fit and finish as well as accuracy. We are confident that these new rifles will do just that.”

The FN handguard, constructed of 6061 aluminum, precisely locks to the upper receiver, over top of the barrel and barrel nut, using wedge locks tightened clockwise and anti-rotation pin preventing movement between rail and receiver. Finishing off the installation are two screws to bottom out in the barrel nut groove. Combined, the handguard’s alignment mechanism provides extreme rigidity and less deflection, ensuring that all mounted accessories will remain affixed without any shift in zero, despite pressures that may be applied during firing.

The new rifles and carbines will begin shipping to FN distributors this month and are expected to be available at retail at the end of the year. Manufacturer’s suggested retail values are as follows – FN 15 DMR II, $1,999; FN 15 Tactical Carbine II, $1,599; FN 15 Tactical Carbine .300 BLK II, $1,599.

For more information and full product specifications on the new FN 15 carbines and rifles, or other FN products, please visit us online at www.fnamerica.com.

Although this press release diesn’t mention it, this sounds a lot like the carbine they’ve working on with Hodge Defense Systems. It would be great to see a production version.

Christmas Is Coming Take 2

December 13th, 2016

These 80s-era waterguns from Entertech are super cool. Who had one?

Kit Badger – How To Insert An IV Catheter

December 12th, 2016

Kit Badger has produced a video on how to start an IV catheter.

So as to not steal their thunder, the video is at the link. However, I want to remind everyone that you should not practice medical procedures without proper training, particularly invasive procedures.  

kitbadger.com/inserting-an-iv-catheter

Fieldcraft Survival – Signal Whistle with Compass and Thermometer

December 12th, 2016

Fieldcraft Survival offers a 3-in-1 whistle which incorporates both a compass and thermometer.

I picked up one for myself as well as for each of my sons, who are in Scouts. Granted, it’s an emergency compass, but I used a button compass when I participated in Ridge Runner about 20 years ago, so it’s better than nothing.

If you’re looking for a low-cost Christmas gift or stocking stuffer, this is a really good idea.

www.fieldcraftsurvival.com/store/#!/Signal-Whistle-with-Compass-and-Thermometer

Kitanica Redesigns the Mark IV

December 12th, 2016

The Mark IV is Kitanica’s most iconic jacket. In fact, after a couple of appearances on ‘Mythbusters’ several years ago, the Mark IV is what brought the brand back from hibernation.

While the Mark IV continues to be made from 1000D Cordura and still incorprates the distinctive spine pad, it now accepts elbow pads as well.  Otherwise, there are small design changes here and there.

Like all Kitanica clothing, these are proudly Made in the USA. Offered in Ranger Green, sizes Medium-XXLarge.

www.kitanica.net/MARK-IV-p/001

USMC Mandates Woodland MCCUU For Year-Round Wear

December 12th, 2016

Last week, Gen Neller, Marine Commandant, issued ALMARS 038/16 which mandates year-round wear of the Woodland MARPAT version of the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform. While there are exceptions for commanders to continue to specify wear of the Desert variant based on the local environment, Marines will now swap between sleeves up or down on the same day the rest of the country switches back and forth from Daylight Savings Time.

This move makes me wonder if the Marines aren’t going to remove the Deserts from the Sea Bag and make them UIF gear.


USMC Photo by LCpl Caleb Maher – BAENGNYEONGDO, South Korea – U.S. Marines With Lima Company 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, 3rd Marine Regiment, train with Republic of Korea Marines During Korean Marine Exchange Program 16-15, Baengnyeongdo, South Korea, Oct. 3rd, 2016. KMEP offered realistic scenario training ensuring ROK-U.S. combined forces are trained and ready for urban warfare tactics. 

R 082123Z DEC 16
ALMAR 038/16
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC//
SUBJ//USMC SEASONAL UNIFORM GUIDANCE//
REF/A/MSGID: BNO 1020.3G//
REF/B/MSGID: MCO P1020.34G CH 1-5//
NARR/REF A IS H&S BN, HQMC, HENDERSON HALL UNIFORM REGULATIONS. REF B IS THE MARINE CORPS UNIFORM REGULATIONS.//
POC/LTCOL CISCO J. M./DMCS OPSO/TEL: COMM(703)614-2828//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. This ALMAR prescribes the seasonal uniform change and applies to all Marines and Navy personnel serving with Marine Corps units.
2. Effective immediately, the seasonal uniform changes are as prescribed below:
3. The seasonal uniform transitions will occur semi-annually on the weekend in the Fall and Spring concurrent with change to and from Daylight Saving Time (DST).
4. CONUS/OCONUS:
4.a. For all USMC Commands. During the winter season, the woodland MCCUU will be worn with sleeves down and the designated seasonal service uniform will be Service “B”. Upon transition to the summer season, effective with the move to DST, the woodland MCCUU will still be worn; however, sleeves will be rolled up and the designated season service uniform will be Service “C”.
4.b. OCONUS Commands/Bases/Units will differ to the policy/guidance as established by the their respective Marine Forces(MARFOR) Commander for their seasonal dress/uniform.
4.b.1. MARFOR Commanders, due to the breadth of their area of responsibility, are authorized to set policy/guidance that may vary throughout their region, to include the adjustment of dates of transition and the respective MCCUU for wear.
5. Exceptions:
5.a. MARFOR/MEF/Installation commanders may adjust the uniform for wear, from the dates established in this ALMAR within reason, to take into account seasonal weather patterns.
5.b. Commanders overseeing personnel in training (i.e. basic, MOS school, advanced MOS training) may set the MCCUU for wear as established by applicable order.
5.c. Commanders overseeing units/personnel in training for deployment may set the MCCUU for wear based on the mission requirements, and as deemed necessary to ensure effective pre-deployment training.
5.d. Units/personnel deployed will adhere to the policy/guidance as established by combatant commanders and the regional MARFOR commander.
6. Personnel serving in or visiting the National Capital Region will review reference (a), http:(slash slash)www.hqmc.marines.mil/dmcs, in its entirety to ensure compliance and uniformity of wear.
7. All other aspects of reference (b) apply.
8. Semper Fidelis, Robert B. Neller, General, U.S. Marine Corps, Commandant of the Marine Corps.//

Tatiana Whitlock Joins Propper Team

December 12th, 2016

tatiana-whitlock-by-firelance-media

St. Charles, MO — Propper International is proud to announce a partnership with defensive firearms instructor Tatiana Whitlock as a new brand ambassador.

“We are excited to be partnering with Tatiana as she joins our corps of ambassadors,” said John Negrau, Propper’s Director of E-Commerce. “Tatiana brings years of expertise in both firearms instruction and self-defense, and we are pleased she has joined the Propper team.”

Building on personal experience, Tatiana Whitlock formed her own firearms and defensive tactics training company based on the idea that training needs to go beyond the range and into everyday life. Today, she teaches men, women and youth to establish a real-world foundation of firearm skills, safety and situational awareness. A lifelong interest in martial arts resulted in the inevitable introduction to firearms as a means of self and home protection. She is a dedicated student as well as an instructor and travels across the country to train with top names in the industry.

“I’m really excited about becoming Propper’s first female ambassador,” Whitlock said. “Their new line of women’s products works really well with both law enforcement and civilian women who want flattering yet functional tactical apparel.”

###

About Tatiana Whitlock

Tatiana is a mother of two, a firearms instructor, an entrepreneur, writer and Maine Hunters TV Pro-Staffer and host of Trigger Time TV. Her career took a shift five years ago away from plastics manufacturing to pursue a passion for firearms, personal and home defense. She is a dedicated student as well as an instructor and travels the country to training with top names in the industry. She hunts, hikes and fishes Northern New England and is an active GoRuck participant and grad. Tatiana is an NRA BPI, RSO and Refuse to Be a Victim instructor.

www.propper.com/blog/tatiana-whitlock-ambassador

Thursday’s On Base Weapon Purchase Poll Results with a Demographic Bonus: Who and Where are the SSD DoD Readers Who Participated?

December 12th, 2016

Last week, SSD ran a poll covering purchase of privately owned firearms on DoD installations.

The results broke down as follows:

How difficult is it to purchase a firearm on your DoD installation?

1) Nothing more than a 4473, money, and DoD ID card with exchange privileges. However, I may have to produce a set of PCS orders to that state if I don’t have a driver’s license or other state ID to prove I’m a resident. 52% (106)

2) 4473 plus locally generated/invented forms from the garrsion or major command 8% (17)

3) 4473 with additional restrictions from the command in the form of approval memorandae required from Commanders 6% (13)

4) 4473 plus provost marshall or installation law enforcement authority for mandated registration. 6% (12)

5) My installation exchange or sportsman’s club does not sell firearms. 27% (54)

Roughly, 50 percent of respondents get no more grief than an off-post purchase, roughly a quarter don’t have the option of purchasing on post, and a quarter face varying levels of impediment on the part of the installation command or Exchange.

Total votes: 202 There were seven double votes from the same IP noted, so that makes for 195 truly unique votes. That’s a 97.5% integrity rate, meaning there was no obvious effort at “stuffing the ballot box” noted. It’s entirely possible two different people could’ve ended up on the same IP.


Our readership is worldwide and we did a quick cursory analysis:

We suspect the hits from Malaysia, the UAE, and Australia are probably satellite internet providers for deployed servicemenbers. The hits in the UK and Germany are near US forward basing locations. CONUS, heavy concentrations around Ft. Huachuca, AZ represent Army NETCOM (aka NIPR) votes and the large cluster in Kansas is default geographic center of the US to which many unmapped IPs default. We also noted we have a heavy active readership in the I-25 corridor from Fort Carson, CO to FE Warren AFB in Wyoming.

Thanks to everyone for the constructive comments and votes.

-Thulsa Doom