The Manta Webbing Adapter from S&S Precision we mentioned during SHOT Show is now available for $14.95. The MWA allows you to mount your Manta Strobe to webbing such as MOLLE.
MissionX 6th Annual Warrior Competition
January 21st, 2014
The 6th Annual Warrior Competition is to be held in Amman, Jordan at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center (KASOTC) – a 25 square kilometer site which consists of over $200 million in cutting-edge training facilities, simulated battlefield effects, on-site lodging, dining, and a number of other support facilities. MissionX has been tasked with planning and executing the competitive events component of the event.
The goal of the Annual Warrior Competition is to build esprit de corps and strengthen coalitions among international SOF & Police forces partnered against terrorism. It facilitates sharing of best-practices, technology, and hardware, as well as providing a measurement for unit performance, and expose strengths and weaknesses in unit and individual skill sets.
The event is being held April 30 – May 5, 2014.
LWRCI’s 50 State Compliant Rifle Demonstrator
January 20th, 2014At SHOT Show, LWRCI showed me an interesting new carbine demonstrator. It looks like their standard IC-style carbine with a 10 round magazine peeking out from the mag well. But then I noticed that there is no magazine release.
Turns out, it features a 10 round, spring loaded, fixed magazine, you grasp the bottom of the magazine and pull until the bullet-shaped loading gate aligns. Then you can feed ammunition into the magazine to top it off. When you are done, you release the magazine and it automatically closes under spring pressure.
This is still a concept demonstrator and not yet ready for primetime but it’s good to see industry developing rifles for every segment of the market; even those who live in areas with restrictive gun laws. When the latest wave of legislation was proposed last year, I knew that someone would analyze the laws and begin to work on technologies that accommodate them, yet allow the user to continually top off the magazine and in a for factor we all know and love, the Stoner AR platform.
I was so impressed with the concept that, during SHOT Show, I mentioned this rifle when asked by others what I had seen that was cool. Many in industry were intrigued with the idea and supported the notion. In fact, I was so struck by the rifle that I uncharacteristically shot and posted a quick video on the demonstrator to the SSD Facebook page. However, I was quite dismayed by the reaction from the readers. I noticed industry fans liked the rifle. Many, disappointingly, were outraged by LWRCI’s development of the rifle which they felt was an act of capitulation to laws they don’t agree with. Some mentioned that LWRCI should spend their money on legal action, opposing prohibitive gun legislation. Apparently, they don’t realize how much money the firearms industry pours into organizations that lobby for your gun rights.
I cannot explain this upside down attitude that would rather leave citizens without guns, than offer them something that complies with these laws. The attitude reminds of a spoiled child who won’t accept something unless they get it the way they want it. I find it to be a defeatist attitude that eschews resistance via innovation in favoring hunkering down awaiting change via legislation or the court system, or worse yet, abandoning areas with restrictive gun laws altogether. Naturally, the issue must be confronted via the middle path, with a balance of adaption during periods of prohibition combined with legislative and legal actions including education, lobbying, and court challenges.
Whether you agree with their LWRCI’s actions on a philosophical level, you have to admit that it is an innovative approach and I hope that it spurs more innovation industry-wide.
TiKeY + TiPiK Lockpick Set On Massdrop
January 20th, 2014
For a limited time on Massdrop, you can purchase the TiKey + TiPiK Lockpick Set on Massdrop for 24% off MSRP. The TiKeY + TiPiK by Tactical Keychains is a package consisting of a billet grade 5 titanium key holder, the TiKeY, and a set of 7 lockpicks and 2 tension bars also made of grade 5 titanium, the TiPiK set.
www.massdrop.com/buy/tikey-tipik
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Massdrop is a crowd-based sales platform where users vote on commercial items to be featured on the site, based on a category such as ‘Espresso machine’ or ‘Tactical backpack’. Once voting narrows down to just one item, Massdrop contacts the manufacturer and looks to set up a ‘Massdrop’, which aims to offer bulk pricing to the masses while only requiring they buy one each. As true of a traditional bulk pricing model, the more items sold, the lower the price for all.
www.massdrop.com/home
Defoor MIL/LE Lead Climber Course
January 20th, 2014An offshoot from Defoor’s popular Urban Climber course, the restricted enrollment Lead Climber course is designed to teach students to be able to safely climb with considerations for tactical operations. Subjects taught include reduced racks, improvised belays and rappels, hauling gear, and more. Each student will leave the class able to safely lead a 5.6-5.8 climb.
All gear used for the course is available from Mission Ready Equipment.
SHOT Show – SureFire XVL2
January 20th, 2014We continue our SHOT Show coverage with something interesting from SureFire. For those of you unfamiliar with SureFire’s naming convention, the XVL2 uses a X-series body, a Vampire head that manually switches between white and IR light, as well as 2 lasers. In this case it’s IR & Visible Red but they are considering offering an IT & Green model once they nail down the final color for the X400 Green. Additionally, SureFire is is planning to offer this as both a restricted mil version as well as a civilian legal Class I version.
The XVL2 is a single cell 3v light so admittedly, it is only expected to throw 120 lumens for the light component and 100 mW for the laser. The lasers are slaved to one another so when you adjust one for zero, they both move.
As for switching, the unit boasts a top mounted Dome switch ala the PEQ-15 as well as a port for a Pressure switch. Additionally, SureFire will offer DG-style switches.
There is currently still no hard launch date for the XLV2 but the fact that it was in the new product showcase tell us that they do plan to release it this year.
You Never Know Where They’ll Show Up – SHOT Show Edition
January 20th, 2014
Monkeying around with Maxpedition’s Morgan Fay McClung. #KCRF
EOG’s New Chem Light Panel
January 20th, 2014
After years of requests, EOG has released the custom 12-chem light panel. Made from 1000D Cordura, the EOG chem light panel holds 12 regular or mini chem lights and attaches to PALS webbing on the front of a 3 mag pouch via 6 straps on the back. Available in MultiCam, Coyote, and SRT Black. Made in the USA – lifetime guarantee.
www.explosiveopsgear.citymax.com/catalog/item/6902025/10020346
