FirstSpear TV

Support the Hearing Protection Act

February 4th, 2016

As SIG SAUER’s John Hollister says, “Do it for the children.”  The Hearing Protection Act of 2015 (H.R. 3799) would remove suppressors from the National Firearms Act.

Let your voice be heard, but not your firearms.

americansuppressorassociation.com/hearing-protection-act

Oakley SI – ALPHA Eco-System

February 4th, 2016

This video showcases Oakley’s new ALPHA Eco-System which debuted at SHOT Show.

Hoka One One – Tor Ultra Hi WP in Oxford Tan

February 4th, 2016

SSD friend Jon C ran across these TOR Ultra Hi WP in Oxford Tan from Hoka One One at Riverjacks in Southern Pines, near Fort Bragg. I’d seen them before at outdoor shops but they had this crazy flame paintjob which sent me running. The brand didn’t present itself as “tactical” so these were quite a surprise.

The TOR ULtra Hi WP incorprates this ultra thick Vibram MegaGrip outsole rubber combines with a midsole blend of EVA and RMAT material. Their design utilizes the Meta-Rocker geometry in the midsole which they say encourage forward movement. The upper is leather and nylon with eVent waterproofing.

Here’s a shot of the tread.

The boot is also offered in Black as well as civilian color schemes.

www.hokaoneone.com/mens-trail/tor-ultra-hi-wp

EOD Bomb Suit Half Marathon

February 4th, 2016

A Navy EOD tech is running a half marathon in Virginia Beach while wearing a EOD 9 bomb suit, helmet and all to solicit donations for the EOD Warrior foundation.

www.crowdrise.com/eodbombsuitmile/fundraiser/henrymurach

Renowned Veteran, Former Vietnam Prisoner Col Lee Ellis to Speak at RetroWeekend; Veterans to Receive Free Admission

February 4th, 2016

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – A retired Air Force colonel and award-winning author who served more than five years in Vietnam prison camps will speak in East Tennessee as part of RetroWeekend, an event taking place April 29 and 30 in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Colonel Lee Ellis will share stories of leadership and courage from the years he spent in Hanoi prisons after his fighter jet was shot down during the Vietnam War.

Ellis’ speech is part of RetroWeekend’s Veterans Appreciation Day, which will be held Fri., April 29. Individuals with proof of military service will receive free admission to Friday’s festivities, which include a running class taught by Olympian Jeff Galloway, workshops covering everything from financial planning to home brewing and live music from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s played by well-known tribute bands. Day passes for non-veterans cost $50, while tickets for the entire weekend start at $89. A portion of every registration fee will go to charitable organizations in the area.

After retiring from the Air Force, Ellis became a nationally recognized presenter and expert on the subjects of leadership, performance, team building, mentoring and career planning. He has spoken on CNN, CBS, C-SPAN, ABC and Fox News, and at hundreds of engagements in various industry sectors throughout the world. His book, Leading with Honor: Leadership Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton, won multiple international book awards and includes a foreword by Sen. John McCain, a fellow Vietnam prisoner of war.

Ellis says he is eager to present his message at RetroWeekend, an event dedicated to celebrating culture, music and memories from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s.

“I’m really excited about this event in every way: seeing the people there, hearing the music, visiting with old friends and people who aren’t friends but with whom I share a common bond,” Ellis said. ”I’m always honored to speak to veterans. When I look back at my [military] experience, many of those lessons fit right into life and leadership and impact us on a daily basis.”

RetroWeekend Executive Director Steve Hall says he is glad to offer veterans a free chance to listen to Ellis and participate in Friday’s events.

”When we think back on the memories we treasure, nothing is more valuable than the sacrifice our veterans have made on behalf of this great country,” Hall said. ”While we can never fully repay them, we are excited to give them free Friday admission as a token of our gratitude. We believe Col. Ellis’ dynamic speech will resonate with veterans and civilians alike.”

While Ellis’ Veterans Appreciation Discussion will be a highlight of the day, his speech is one of many events on Friday’s schedule. Galloway, a member of the 1972 U.S. Olympic team, will host a three-hour running school to teach participants how to get the most out of an injury-free training regimen. Other workshops will educate attendees on such diverse subjects as hiking, financial planning, dancing, elder law, biking, identity theft and home brewing.

Saturday’s events include more workshops and speakers, as well as an optional race that winds through Pigeon Forge for more than five miles. The race features a unique ”Run at the Front” format, which enables each competitor older than 40 to race exclusively against members of his or her age group.

Well-known television host Rudy Maxa will fascinate and inform those with a keen interest in travel on Saturday. Maxa, a travel journalist for numerous publications and television channels, will recount his global excursions and offer advice to ardent globetrotters and novice travelers.

Live music will play throughout Friday and Saturday’s festivities. Upbeat dance band Top Tier (Nashville, Tenn.) will perform Friday evening, and North America’s No. 1 tribute band, Woodie and the Longboards (Riverside, Calif.), will take the stage Saturday evening to perform consecutive 75-minute tributes to The Eagles’ Glenn Frey and The Beach Boys.

At least 10 percent of all registration fees will go to charities that serve the needs of the area, including Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Friends of the Smokies, Remote Area Medical and Wears Valley Ranch, among others. 
Dolly Parton’s brand new and exclusive DreamMore Resort serves as the host hotel for the weekend. Workshops and speeches will take place at LeConte Event Center.

To register or receive more information about RetroWeekend, visit: goretrorunning.com

Mechanix Wear – Limited Edition Whiteout M-Pact

February 4th, 2016

 

Limited to 175 pair.

Morgan Timing Systems – Dry-Fire ProTimer

February 3rd, 2016

I saw the Dry-Fire ProTimer at SHOT Show.  It was created by a Veteran of the 75th Ranger Regiment in order to facilitate dry fire practice with a pistol.  In particular, it’s very good at working on draw and presentation.  It utilizes a replacement barrel, training cartridge and timer app. One important note is that the training barrel won’t chamber a live round in the proper caliber (of course, smaller rounds will fit).  

The Dry Fire Pro-Timer training device (Patent pend. #) allows the user to receive immediate timing feedback when practicing shooting drills such as draw stroke, magazine changes, clearing malfunctions, and transitioning from a primary to secondary weapon system without having to fire live rounds. The recorded times are accurate down to one-thousandths of a second, and stored on a smartphone (through a downloadable App, included with purchase) enabling the user to compare speed and efficiency while utilizing different techniques and equipment.

www.morgantiming.com

What Is A Shooter?

February 3rd, 2016

Recently, I’ve started to see folks refer to themselves and others as “Shooters.” 

Although I kept my head down and feet and knees pumping during SHOT Show, every once in awhile I got to hear a few snippets from the herds of 5.11 clad bystanders that seem to gather in certain booths.  Every once in awhile I’d hear someone say “shooter” as I looked around in confusion.  Apparently, you’ve got to be a shooter to know what a shooter is and I am definitely outside the circle on this one.  I understand it’s even been used as an attempt to disparage me personally, as I’m not a “shooter” so therefore I have no idea what I’ve been talking about for the past seven years. Obviously, 21 years of military service and nine years in industry aren’t enough qualification to know right from wrong.  Perhaps that’s the issue.  It was military service and not shooter time.  But I digress.  

What exactly is this shooter phenomenon?

When I hear shooter, two things come to mind.  First, I see someone on the firing line at a range.  Second, it conjures up negative thoughts about active shooters, mercilessly preying on the innocent.  

So what exactly does this new terminology mean?  Is it the civilian equivalent of Operator?  Is it another example of the “everyone gets a trophy and cool title” culture?  Or, is it some obscure reference to a character in an Adam Sandler movie?

Discuss.