XC3 Weaponlight

Virginia Repeals One Gun Per Month Law

February 29th, 2012

Yesterday, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell (R), signed into a law a repeal of the Commonwealth’s one handgun per month restriction. Although it won’t go into effect until 1 July, I haven’t figured out who it is really going to affect. The easy way around the restriction was to have a valid Concealed Carry Permit which allows you to purchase multiple handguns per month. They aren’t hard to get, so long as you are qualified. The only people the law really hurt were those who wouldn’t get a permit.

Already, those in the business of gun control (aka fear mongerers) are saying that is is going to result in widespread bloodshed.

But thats why the the law was enacted almost 20 years ago in the first place. It was to satisfy New York and other states who claimed that the weapons used by their criminals were purchased in Virginia. And, that was a ridiculous reason, to restrict the rights of Virginians because those in other states can’t control themselves. So, in some ways, a wrong’s been set right.

Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?

February 29th, 2012

M Pale Neuf Millimetre

February 29th, 2012

For some reason I just remembered that when I was in Haiti back in the mid-90s, Haitians would often ask me if I spoke Creole. I was one of the few ‘blan-yo’ who spoke their language and word would get around. Sometimes, folks would come slinking around looking for a handout or to try and run a scam. When I smelled a rat, I’d answer their query, “Pale ou Kreyole?” with, “M pale neuf millimetre,” or “I speak nine millimeter.” between that and a drop of the hand to the sidearm, it would usually got them turned in the other direction.

LBT’s New Website Works Even When Mobile

February 28th, 2012

lbtinc.com

PVS14 iPhone Adapter Available Through BHI

February 28th, 2012

Blackheart International was set up just around the corner from US Night Vision at SHOT Show. Looks like they saw the PVS14 iPhone Adapter we wrote about.

I still think this was one of the best things that came out of SHOT Show this year. The concept is pretty simple and combines the strengths of night vision and digital imagery. The adapter connects the AN/PVS14 to an iPhone. You can use your preferred digital photography app to capture and manipulate stills and full motion video. Then, it’s as simple as transmitting the data via SMS or email.

www.bhigear.com

Custom Dog Tag Battle Mug

February 28th, 2012

I’m a big fan of Battle Mugs. In fact, I gave one to my oldest son to commemorate his commissioning. The Battle Mug is a big freakin’ beer mug crafted from a solid billet of aluminum. It integrates vertical Picatinny rails at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock positions that accept the standard removable M4 carry handle as well as aiming devices.

They recently made a custom Battle Mug with a recessed space for a dog tag and now they are considering offering a “dog tag mug” in addition to the standard Battle Mug (*the downside is you lose the ability to add a serial number or engraving on this version). They want to know which you would prefer? Original? Dog Tag version? To let them know your opinion, visit their facebook page.

Caveat Emptor – Knock-off DDR Knives

February 28th, 2012

In another case study in unethical behavior and theft, people in China and possibly elsewhere are making cheap, substandard copies of Darrel Ralph Designs Gunhammer. They have been seen on eBay and in some shops in Afghanistan.

A knock-off of DDR's Gunhammer. Be aware they're out there.

DDR says, “We’ve been trying to get these people to stop [but] they don’t care about intellectual property theft and they won’t respond to any communication. We filled out their [eBay’s] ridiculous forms and submitted them, but it was just a waste of time.”

Though the knives look and feel cheap, unless you know what to look for you might be gulled into putting money into one of these thieves’ pockets. First of all, no DDR knife is going to be sold for $10. Second, they look and feel cheaply made (they are typically much lighter than the real thing) and third, there are some cosmetic differences (including the placement of the name and initials). They know some of them are being made in China (having traced the first fakes to one ordered by a customer in Singapore) and possibly also Pakistan.

A beautiful example of a real DDR gunhammer.

DDR went on, “Unfortunately, there is not a thing we can do about it except flip them the bird. The cost of stopping them is extreme [and even then it wouldn’t be a permanent resolution]…there is no protection at all.”

DDR’s genuine work is on his website and Facebook page. Oh, and if you’re interested, DDR now has a knife blog.

-DR

No Soldier Systems APBI This Year?

February 28th, 2012

We were getting lots of questions from folks in industry asking us if we had heard anything about this year’s Soldier Systems Advanced Planning Brief for Industry. We hadn’t, and we hadn’t seen any announcements on Fed Biz Opps so we sent an inquiry to PEO Soldier but they never answered back. However, we’ve consulted with enough industry sources that we feel confident telling you that there isn’t going to be an APBI this year. It’s almost like cancelling Christmas for some folks.

The Soldier Systems APBI was a unique gathering. It brought together Acquisition professionals representing all four services, USSOCOM, and DHS with industry reps from the entire supply chain. No other DoD commodity group could boast this kind of interaction. What’s more, it didn’t cost an arm and a leg to participate so you’d see a lot of smaller firms there as well. I’d hazard a guess that more business was conducted over the two days in the lobby of that get together than at any other time throughout the year.

Sure, there are lots of other meetings throughout the year, but they are smaller and parochial in nature. For example, the footwear producers will meet, and maybe the printers or the armor folks. But generally, they are talking amongst themselves and often at an industry day where they are in direct competition. The APBI was the one time a year where everyone was in it together and critical to the health of the industry.

With an abrupt change in leadership at the PM-ICE the week before last and an upcoming change of command at PEO-Soldier this is the perfect time to ‘rally the troops.’ Hopefully, someone will step up and be able to recreate the magic that was the Soldier Systems APBI in a non-parochial venue.