In case you wonder why I sometimes tell readers to use the search function to read the archives when they ask a question, it’s because so much has been covered in those 10,290 posts that I just don’t feel like going over it again.
This Is Active Post #10291
February 9th, 2014Another One Bites The Dust – Front Magazine Closes Doors
February 9th, 2014After 16 years, British lad magazine Front has published its last issue.
Front had published many photos of the Hot Shots Calendar models who support our favorite UK charity, Help for Heroes . Front will be missed, we barely knew ye.
Corps Strength – Hump Day
February 8th, 2014
Here at the International School house we run different PT programs for almost every level of fitness. From BUDS, Dive school and Marine TBS prep to simple (easy) programs just to teach our students how to set up and run a basic PT program, and keep (try to) themselves in shape. From my observation of 100’s of these students over the last five years they have the biggest problem improving in two areas: swimming and humping a pack. Now I don’t teach swimming, we have a former Navy SEAL and a Dive Master that handle that training, and they can take a guy that can barley swim to what ever standard they need to pass (if the guy is motivated) pretty quickly. However, I oversee the 16 week PT program to prepare foreign officers to attend the Marine Officers Basic School in Quantico, Va. As you might guess the program is heavy on the basics: running, UBD, O course, and other combat fitness related tasks, but from all that the thing (as a group) they have the hardest time with is humping a pack, and we do a lot of it, as it’s a big thing at TBS. At least once a week we gear up and hit the trail, starting with about a 20lbs load for a mile or so and ending with a no shit 20 mile forced march with 50 plus lbs. The student’s hate it and it does suck, but humping always has.
Going back over many years of doing it, my experience tells me the only way to prepare for carrying a heavy combat load (especially up and down hills and/or in the heat) is to do it. While general PT programs and weight lifting does help, nothing will get you ready for a humping a pack, but humping pack. I have another TBS prep class starting this summer and I know I have to just grab my pack and get after it once a week to prepare myself. All the other PT I do won’t be enough. The upside is that when I add this weekly hike to my routine I always notice my running improves and so does my overall strength, which people like to call “Core” nowadays. It’s not really what you’d call fun, but I’m convinced that it has benefit for almost any PT program, especially if you’re in a job that bearing weight is a requirement, like a Firemen, SWAT cop or even a construction worker. In my book Corps Strength, I outline how to add these workouts into an overall fitness program. You don’t need actual combat gear. A good weight vest or military/civilian pack will do, and it’s pretty much mindless once you get out there. Good boots are must and you need to start out light, slow and short, gradually adding weight and distance to prevent injury. Plus it’s something that will get your ass outside of the gym for a change. Good luck.
Be Safe always, Good when you can.
Semper Fi
MGunz
Gunfighter Moment – Larry Vickers 
February 8th, 2014
‘Once in awhile go out and shoot some older small arms to get a sense of where we are today and how we got here. I highly recommend weapons such as the M1 Garand, FN FAL, G3 as well as bolt guns such as the K98k, Mosin Nagant and Lee-Enfield.
If you have never fired these you may be very surprised how well they perform at certain tasks – the Garand, FAL and Lee-Enfield in particular.
In handguns make sure you try a rack grade M1911A1, Luger, P38 and Browning Hi Power – all of them in as issued condition from WW II. It can be a real eye opening experience when you see just how much more user friendly modern handguns are.
All of this will give you a different perspective when you pick up your tricked out M4 and Glock – you likely won’t take things for granted when you see how far we have come.’
-Larry Vickers
Vickers Tactical Inc.
Host of TacTV
Larry Vickers of Vickers Tactical in a retired US Army 1st SFOD-Delta combat veteran with years of experience in the firearms industry as a combat marksmanship instructor and industry consultant. In recent years he has hosted tactical firearms related TV shows on the Sportsman Channel with the latest being TacTV of which Bravo Company is a presenting sponsor.Larry Vickers special operations background is one of the most unique in the industry today; he has been directly or indirectly involved in the some of the most significant special operations missions of the last quarter century. During Operation Just Cause he participated in Operation Acid Gambit – the rescue of Kurt Muse from Modelo Prison in Panama City, Panama. As a tactics and marksmanship instructor on active duty he helped train special operations personnel that later captured Saddam Hussein and eliminated his sons Uday and Qusay Hussein. In addition he was directly involved in the design and development of the HK416 for Tier One SOF use which was used by Naval Special Warfare personnel to kill Osama Bin Laden. Larry Vickers has developed various small arms accessories with the most notable being his signature sling manufactured by Blue Force Gear and Glock accessories made by Tangodown. In addition he has maintained strong relationships with premium companies within the tactical firearms industry such as BCM, Aimpoint, Black Hills Ammunition, Wilson Combat and Schmidt & Bender.
Larry Vickers travels the country conducting combat marksmanship classes for law abiding civilians, law enforcement and military and has partnered with Alias Training to coordinate classes to best meet the needs of the students attending the class.
Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn they offer some words of wisdom.
For All You Guys Who Think It’s a Good Idea to Copy My T-shirts
February 8th, 2014
Keep that in the back of your heads. And yeah, this one’s trademarked too. Coming soon….
Elzetta Drop-In Flood Light
February 7th, 2014
February 6, 2014 – Elzetta Design, LLC is pleased to announce a new Drop-In FLOOD Lens for its line of High Output Modular Flashlights. The FLOOD Lens harnesses the 650 or 900 lumens produced by an Elzetta Bravo or Charlie Modular Flashlight and disperses a wide rush of diffuse illumination. The unique beam pattern is unlike anything else on the market and delivers ultimate lighting for CQB/Home Defense applications. Like the Standard Lens, the FLOOD Lens is solid acrylic and 7/8-inch thick, providing unmatched durability and a “soft edge” that no reflector can replicate. Lenses can be changed in seconds simply by removing the Bezel Ring, swapping Lenses, and replacing the Bezel Ring.
Made in USA. For more information, visit www.ELZETTA.com.
FIREClean – Pat McNamara + KAC SR-16
February 7th, 2014It’s always fun to watch Pat McNamara at work and in the above video, he wields a custom 1911 to demonstrate a ‘turn and burn’ drill at 10, 15, and 20 yards. In the time leading up to the drill seen here, Pat put 2500 rounds through that same pistol, which was treated with FIREClean, cleaning it only just prior to the drill.
This bonus video shows the results of using FIREClean on a KAC 11.5″ select-fire SR-16 Direct-Impingement carbine. 3000 rounds of 5.56 ammunition were run through the gun, and it received no additional oiling or cleaning, only an initial treatment with FIREClean. All shots were suppressed, mostly fully-automatic fire.
Impressive? I think so.
Official Release – Army Awards Military Hardware & G-Code $49 Million for New Holster System
February 7th, 2014Right after Christmas we shared the Army’s announcement that they had awarded contracts to Military Hardware LLC and ADS Inc for the new Improved Modular Tactical Holster (IMTH) for the M9 pistol. The Military Hardware entry is a G-Code holster system consisting of the XST holster along with Duty Drop Leg, H-MAR adapter for vests and MOLLE belt mount. Although this article isn’t about them, and for those too lazy to read the original article, ADS is providing the Blackhawk! Serpa holster.
WILMINGTON, N.C., Feb. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Military Hardware llc announced today they received the U.S. Army’s primary IDIQ award to supply the new Improved Modular Tactical Holster (IMTH), a $49 million contract spanning 5-years. This watershed contract pitted two emerging small businesses against a multi-billion-dollar global aerospace and defense giant. The little guys won.
To win the award Military Hardware partnered with Edgeworks Manufacturing to provide the G-Code XST (Extreme Service Tactical) holster with four separate mounting platforms, exceeding the Army’s bid requirement. Both Military Hardware and Edgeworks are privately held small businesses located in Southeastern North Carolina.
Industry insiders credit Scott Evans, Founder and CEO of Edgeworks, as the original innovator of modular holster design. Military Hardware’s Founder and CEO, F. Scott Harry, said, “A decade ago when I saw the G-Code holster, I knew it was revolutionary. I wanted to be a part of the team that brought it to market.” They humbly credit the many Law Enforcement and Military personnel who have personally bought, used, inspired, and improved the products they offer.
Military Hardware specializes in marketing innovative small manufacturer’s products to the Department of Defense. They constantly collaborate with manufacturing partners and customers on product development. Retired Master Sergeant (USMC) Richard Cover, VP of Sales & Product Development for Military Hardware, is on a military base somewhere almost every day of the week and regularly brings ideas in from the field. Cover said, “We are all hands-on people. We work as a team and every person, from the factory floor to the front office, cares about what we do and who we do it for: the men and women of the U.S. Military.” It’s clearly this great dedication to the people wearing the gear that makes their products excel.
Mr. Harry also credits the North Carolina Military Business Center, a business development entity in the North Carolina Community College System. “I’ve worked with the NCMBC since it’s inception. Scott Dorney (Executive Director, NCMBC) has surrounded himself with knowledgeable people. Teresa Bouchonnet, in particular, has been indispensable to me.”
The IMTH can be purchased online at www.MilitaryHardware.US, by NSN through the Army’s procurement networks, and it will soon be available on GSAAdvantage.Gov. Contact Military Hardware for details.
