Phantom Lights

The Zev Technologies Experience – Check-In

July 23rd, 2014

This is the first installment in a new series that shows you what it’s like to send your GLOCK in to Zev Technologies for some work. We recently shipped these Glocksmiths a new Gen 3 G17 and week by week, the folks at Zev will share photos and video of what they are doing to it. We’re not even sure what it will look like when they are done.

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The Pistol is received, inspected and placed into their tracking system.

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A work order is created and it takes its place in the cue.

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I can’t wait to see what they do next.

www.glockworx.com

MATBOCK – LIFT Ladder

July 23rd, 2014

LIFT Ladder_assembled

We’ve covered MATBOCK’s LIFT (Lightweight Integrated Field Transport) system in the past, including the LIFT Ladder, which has been finalized and is now available for purchase.

LIFT Ladder_packaged

Based around Combat Carbon Poles utilized by every product in the LIFT system, the LIFT Ladder is an attachment that turns the poles into a 7.5 ft fully rigid ladder with a 400 lbs carrying capacity for both scaling and bridging operations. Weighing just below 5 lbs when fully assembled, the Ladder attachment folds up compactly when not in use and can be stored in its own carrying case.

LIFT Ladder_packaged-2

Technical Specifications:

Material – Carbon Fiber / Spectra Cord
Total Weight: 4.975 Pounds
Weight without poles: 2.375 Pounds (2lbs 6 ounces)
Dimensions folded up (without poles): 3in x 3in x 12in

The below video demonstrates how the LIFT Ladder is set up.

www.matbock.com/collections/medical/products/lift-ladder

S&S Precision – Limited Edition Custom Long Boards

July 22nd, 2014

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S&S Precision has made up 25 custom long boards to sell to the public. They are made in the 757 and cost $327.57 each.

If you are interested in purchasing a board, you’ll have to call the shop directly at 757-453-6695 to place an order. Once they’re gone, they’re gone, so you’ll have to get one while you still can.

www.sandsprecision.com

Ares Armor Files Lawsuit Against ATF For Return Of Seized Property

July 22nd, 2014

Click to view .pdf
Return of Property

Ares Armor has filed a suit against the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for a return of property seized during the March 15th raid on Ares Armor’s Oceanside location. Approximately 5800 unfinished AR-15 polymer lowers were confiscated during the raid. Reportedly, the BAFTE missed their initial deadlines under the Civil Asset Forfeiture Reform Act, leading to the lawsuit. The entire suit can be read by clicking the image above.

aresarmor.com

Additional Information on the Salvo 12 Shotgun Suppressor from SilencerCo

July 22nd, 2014

Yesterday, SilencerCo released the Salvo 12 Shotgun Suppressor. It’s a single device that offers the user configurability based on use and preference. As you can see from the photo, you can set the Salvo 12 up in order to balance sound mitigation and weight. I had an opportunity to shoot this device and I can say, that it does perform as promised.

Salvo (3)

Timeline
The development team at SilencerCo has been working on shotgun products for some time now but about 6 months ago, the sales team asked for a specific capability and then the Salvo 12 went into full development.

Design
Let’s take a look at it in this video from SilencerCo to get the basics.

The serialized item is the back cap like on the Osprey, which is the least likely part to be damaged. As I alluded to earlier, the design is modular and scalable to the user’s needs. The Salvo 12 comes as a 12″ model but can be configured to a 10, 8 or even 6 inch version. This is because, due to ATF rules, a suppressor can be shortened but not lengthened. It is configured with the use of rods and connects to the shot gun via a Removable Choke System. The rods are readily commercially available and not designed specifically for the Salvo 12.

Removable Choke System
Here you can see the Removable Choke System attached to the gun and how the Salvo 12 connects to it.

Salvo (5)

It screws into place and is held tight with conical threads. Think of it as an adapter that has threads on either end. One end goes into the shotgun, attaching via the choke and on the other end, the suppressor itself screws on.

Salvo (1)

Why 12 ga?
The answer is pretty simple, 60% of shotgun ammunition purchased in the US is 12 ga. The others split the remaining 40% up fairly evenly with 20 ga slightly larger than the others. SilencerCo went after the largest segment of the shotgun market. As the product filters out to the buying public, they’ll keep their ears open and develop additional models as needed.

Salvo (2)

Ammunition Types
So far, SilencerCo has cleared the Salvo 12 for use with 3″ wadded slugs and all types of shot from 00 to No 9. The wadding clears the barrel during firing and I could see them falling as I shot clays yesterday.

Performance
In case you didn’t see it already, I shot this video yesterday. I didn’t turn down the audio. You can hear the steel in the background while I’m shooting. It works. The additional weight at the end isn’t horrible and you can easily still control your shotgun. One thing I noted was that the ladies who joined us for the demonstration had no problems firing a shotgun equipped with the Salvo 12. Even the ladies of small stature. Not only did it reduce noise but it also mitigated the recoil of the gun.

The advantages are obvious. Hunters will be able to go without ear pro and their dogs won’t suffer hearing loss. Follow up shots will also be a more viable option as game is less likely to be disturbed.

silencerco_salvo

This chart, provided by SilencerCo lays out suppressor weights and performance.

Future Developments
Aside from additional calibers, SilencerCo continues to work with various types of ammunition to ensure compatibility. They are also looking at breaching applications and think they are about 90 days out. They still have to configure barrels for testing and work on stand off devices.

Rifled barrels for hunting are also a priority and they are working toward a solution but technical challenges exist.

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They also mentioned that the MultiCam anodizing seen here could also be an option along with other patterns but this will depend on orders from their channel partners.

Price
A lot of people have been asking about price but I wasn’t sure if it was official yet, when I posted the initial story yesterday. It will be $1400 for the full Salvo 12 which includes the actual modular suppressor and removable choke system which you can see above. The removable choke system can also be purchased for $300 to accommodate other shotguns. For simplicity, it comes in packs of three with Full, Modified and Improved which are the most popular. At some point, SilencerCo will offer individual choke adapters. Until then, it’s the three pack.

Delivery
Look for the Salvo 12 to start shipping in September.

www.silencerco.com/salvo

Kryptek Liberty Bottle Works Bottles Now Available

July 22nd, 2014

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Kryptek is now offering Liberty Bottle Works bottles in their family of camouflage patterns through their web store. The Pontus, Typhon, Yeti, Mandrake, and Highlander patterns are all represented in bottle form, along with the Kryptek Hoplite logo. Liberty Bottle Works bottles are made from 100% recycled aluminum, are BPA free, and are made in America.

www.kryptekstore.com/Accessories-C8

New Instructor At Panteao Productions

July 22nd, 2014

Columbia, SC, July 21, 2014 – Panteao introduces the latest instructor in the Panteao lineup, Freddie Blish from Patriot Products AZ.

Freddie Blish is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Marine Corps, where he served 24 years. He has served multiple combat tours and deployed globally in operational, instructional and advisory capacities. His tours include Iraq, Africa, Korea, Thailand, and Latin America. After his retirement from the Marine Corps, he served as the Director of Military Business Development for Aimpoint, Inc, where he developed an intensive training program on their use by the US Army Regional Training Center firearms instructors, US Army Mountain Warfare School, USAF Para-Rescue, and I Marine Expeditionary Force Advisory Training Teams. He has also worked for LaRue Tactical, and as a private contractor handling high-risk clients domestically and overseas.

Freddie is an Adjunct Instructor at Gunsite Academy, Inc. He has been providing high quality instruction to Military, Law Enforcement and the Private sector for over to twenty years. He has also been a technical advisor pertaining to military optics for several television shows and movies.

Freddie continues to work in the firearms industry as the General Manager for The ROBAR Companies, Inc. He is also the owner and CEO of Patriot Products AZ, LLC, the manufacturer of the Combat Optic Tool and the Combat Optic Tool – Optimized.

Panteao just completed the first title with Freddie on combat optics and it’s now in post-production.

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Link to instructor page: http://panteaoproductions.com/instructors/freddie-blish

TacJobs – Level Designer At Red Storm Entertainment

July 22nd, 2014

This TacJobs is a bit different than what we’d usually post, however, Red Storm Entertainment is an excellent video game development studio that principally works on the Tom Clancy series games and works hard to make each game as authentic an experience as possible.


The Job:

The Level Designer collaborates with design, engineering, and art teams to create levels that fulfill the creative vision and desired gaming experiences. He/she also offers suggestions to optimize the use of the engine/tools to support development goals. He/she is responsible for game content creation that meets design requirements, validates gameplay mechanics and delivers on the desired player experience.

Responsibilities:

– Build and own vision for 3D experiences in game level creation tools

– Work with design leadership, and team to deliver desired results from conception through to final stages of polish

– Maintain communication with co-dev partners on level design guidelines and design vision

– Improve productivity working with Level Designers and Level Artists to identify and resolve technical issues, suggest solutions the find a balance between art and gameplay

– Utilize rapid prototyping to test feasibility of features/ideas/workflows

– Become an expert on the entire LD pipeline, scripting and all technical requirements, be able to solve issues that come up with workarounds and/or report to leads on blockers

– Work with engineering if necessary to develop new technologies, suggest solutions for issues/bugs/needed features to optimize pipelines for maximum quality and efficiency

– Report bugs, track/resolve issues, and prioritize needs.

Qualifications/Requirements:

– Minimum of 5 years game development experience and at least 2 AAA shipped console titles

– Xbox or PS3 optimization and debugging experience

– Ability to quickly learn content pipeline and toolset and become a subject matter expert.

– Experience with various engines, design production tools and level editing pipelines

– Multiplayer game design sensibilities

– Design pipeline/asset optimization skills

– Ability to adapt to changing workflows and tools

– Positive attitude, strong work ethic, and the ability to work in a highly collaborative team environment

– Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written

– Ability to anticipate, prioritize, and organize work to meet objectives

– Passion and enthusiasm for video games

Preferred:

– Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent experience preferred

– Experience working with more than one game engine

– Demonstrated skills in the basic fundamentals of programming/scripting

– Ability to identify and solve technical issues for tool development in game production

– Demonstrated skills using 3d scripting languages such as Lua, UnrealScript, Maxscript, or Python.

– Hands on experience with C++ and/or C#

Benefits:

– Onsite gym and Mind, Body, Spirit reimbursement program for activities that help you be a better version of yourself

– Food & Fun: Monday breakfast, Thursday meeting munchies & drinks, Surprise Snacks, Launch Parties, Monthly Years of Service Celebrations, Family Picnics, Sporting Events, Holiday Parties, the list goes on…

– Superior health, dental, vision packages with a substantial employer contribution for a healthy you, healthy family, and a healthy wallet.

– 401k match for that day you retire to your dream island…

– Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave for the day your family grows…

– Generous Vacation, Holiday and Sick time for those days you need to be away…

– Employee purchase program for Ubisoft titles for those days you want to play…

– Amazing coworkers, visionary leadership, and a work hard, play hard attitude that will make you want to stay…

About the area: Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and RTP Area (Research Triangle):

– Topping the charts in Best Places to Live, Work, & Play. If there is a list of Best, we are confident our area is in the top 10.

– Highly rated public school systems. Plus, 3 major universities.

– Beach to the East, Mountains to the West and Green spaces in between. Plenty of parks, paths & trails are intertwined in the cities. We even have a trail behind our studio!

– Sports: Whether you like to play or are a spectator – we’ve got you covered! The Mecca of the ACC, home to the Stanley Cup Champions The Carolina Hurricanes, AAA Baseball team The Durham Bulls, AA The Mudcats and so much more!

– Culture: Art, History, Music we have it all. 2 Performing Art Centers, 3 Music Amphitheaters, Iron Chefs, Food Trucks & so much more.

Submit your application here: https://www.ubisoftgroup.com/en-US/careers/search_for_jobs.aspx?LinkId=18804