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New SKD Exclusive: The PATRIOT Plate Carrier

March 31st, 2016

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.

www.skdtac.com

Posted in Advertiser, Armor, Press Release | Comments Off on New SKD Exclusive: The PATRIOT Plate Carrier

Fireclean LLC Sues Andrew Tuohy and Everett Baker for Defamation in Federal Court

March 31st, 2016

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.

Tags: Fireclean LLC
Posted in Industry | 127 Comments »

Rumor Has It Confirmed – H&K Wins CSASS

March 31st, 2016

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.

Tags: Heckler and Koch USA, OSS
Posted in Contracts, Rumor Mill, weapons | 51 Comments »

Converse Coral Shoes

March 31st, 2016

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.

Tags: Converse
Posted in Boots, History | 13 Comments »

SEALS Action Gear Team Briefing

March 30th, 2016

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

Posted in Clothing, International, Press Release | Comments Off on SEALS Action Gear Team Briefing

As Seen On Facebook

March 30th, 2016

Posted in Tactical Fashion Police | 53 Comments »

SPECOPS.PL Update For March 2016

March 30th, 2016

ULPC-3 Plate Carrier

SPECOPS.PL’s latest plate carrier, the ULPC-3, has now been publicly revealed, after a major delivery to a premiere Polish SF unit in December 2015. The ULPC-3 is SPECOPS’ ‘ultralight’ tactical plate carrier, which builds upon the basic ULPC-1 design.

Features:

-Integrated, load-bearing system, capable of attaching to abseiling harnesses or safety ropes.
-Integrated, removable, comfort-pad system for better thermal comfort
-Integrated IFF ID system available in visible and IR markings
-all 2X500D DuPont Cordura laminate construction, laser-cut.
-full MOLLE / PALS compatibility
-detachable SAPI side pouches
-Integrated extraction handle

MBS-3 Uniform

The MBS-3 uniform has now been delivered to a series of Army and Police units in Poland since its original reveal in August 2015. The MBS-3 uniform is also available in fire-retardant DEFENDER-M version.

The MBS-3 uniform is being offered in the full A-TACS family of camo patterns (MBS-3 is available in most patterns on request). A-TACS LE remains a popular choice for PL law-enforcement, while A-TACS AU and FG variants are gaining popularity. One prototype of the MBS-3 was made in A-TACS IX transitional pattern, and has generated much interest from various parties.

Equipped.pl wrote up an extensive overview of the MBS-3 uniform, which can be read at the following link: www.equipped.pl/specops-mundur-bojowy-specops-mbs-3

Individual customers can purchase the MBS-3 uniform at: www.sprzetmilitarny.pl

Also, for our Polish readers, there’s an article in the latest edition of FRAG OUT! tactical online magazine – soon in English – of SPECOPS.PL’s company history:

fragout.uberflip.com/i/654933-frag-out-magazine-09-pl/153

specops.pl

Tags: SPECOPS.PL
Posted in Clothing, International, Load Carrying | 2 Comments »

Musket-Fowler Training at Colonial Williamsburg

March 30th, 2016

One of the greatest advantages to living in America’s first region is the proximity to such historic sights as Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown. Why, just down the street from our home is the site of the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Great Bridge.

When Colonial Williamsburg recently announced that they’d begin offering livefire of flintlocks, it was something I was determined to experience. This week, I had my chance. Although it is Spring Break and quite crowded, I was able to get spots for me and one of my sons. There are four hour-long sessions and we turned up at the appointed time. A van took us to the nearby covered 25 yard range which was manned by four role-player instructors. They went over range safety, some basics about the operations of the weapons we would fire and then split us off into three two-man groups.

First, we fired the .75 Brown Bess Musket which would have been used by British troops throughout the latter half of the 18th century as well as by the Continental Army when available. However, these were supplemented later in the Revolutionary War with French arms. Although a .75 smoothbore, Soldiers fired .69 balls from it as they were quicker to load. The goal was high rates of volley fire followed by infantry advances with fixed bayonets to drive one’s enemy from the field. Naturally, that .69 ball in a .75 tube is going to bounce around as it goes down the barrel. With only a bayonet lug at the end of the barrel to use as a front sight, it was more point in the general direction of your foe and squeeze the trigger than a concerted aim.

Next up was the Fowling piece or “Fowler” which was the common hunting shotgun of the time. This 20 ga (.64) smoothbore was used to hunt birds, hence the name, and was most often loaded with shot. But when used for war by the Minute Men at Lexington and Concord, they fired a .64 ball. This was the common weapon of the militia.

We fire three rounds with each weapon as familiarization and then got to pick which type we wanted to use to fire an additional three rounds. I chose the Fowler as it seemed more accurate and actually incorprated a front sight (although no rear sight).

Of the nine shots total, I had a couple of misfires which were remedied by swapping out the flint, as well as a hangfire with a very slight delay between flash in the pan and firing of the projectile in the barrel. But don’t let that mislead you. The weapons were very well maintained. It’s just an example of the technology of the time and it certainly made me appreciate our modern arms.

While the experience wasn’t cheap, it was a blast and in addition to memories, you receive a certificate, your target and a pewter version of the .69 musket balls you use. It’s definitely worth doing, if you find yourself in Colonial Williamsburg.

Tags: Colonial Williamsburg
Posted in History | 14 Comments »