The New iTWB

Costa Covers the Magpul MS3 Sling

December 16th, 2011

The Multi-Mission Sling System from Magpul is listed as coming soon, so we thought it would be a good time to remind you about what it’s all about. Here, Chris Costa discusses the various advantages and attributes of the Ms3.

For one, thing as you can see, they’ve developed purpose built hardware rather than the shackle previously used.

www.magpul.com

215 Gear Introducing Gloves – Updated

December 16th, 2011

215 Gear is introducing has introduced two new glove styles at 1800 EST today. Both feature loops at the cuff of the short gauntlet, suede palms and look to be FR. The only visible difference is that one style has reinforced knuckles and the other doesn’t.

From the website:

Designed as a medium weight, full featured glove for Special Operations use. Kevlar thread and base layer protect the Operator from cuts; as well as fire and heat protection up to 800°F. The ergonomic cut of this glove does not have long fingers or short thumbs, as many import gloves do. Split leather palms and reinforcements allow for maximum dexterity, while providing outstanding traction in wet conditions. The cuff stops at the wrist, for less heat retention, while adding an elastic cuff for noise reduction, while donning and doffing. We have gone a step further by adding a Zoombang™ pad across the knuckles, providing ultimate protection to the area while working. The polymer in Zoombang™ padding is also referred to as Shear Thickening Substance. The shear thickening property is one of the key attributes that allow the pads to react to energy the way they do, which is to stiffen in relation to the energy applied. The combined properties of the Polymer/Shear Thickening/Viseoelastic material, resulting in a new type of protection that will react to the environment around whatever it’s protecting. At rest, Zoombang™ will simply conform to the exact shape of whatever it is supporting. Add energy, in the form of shock, and the material will instantly stiffen. Low profile carabineer loop for hanging on kit. Available in Coyote.
Lifetime Warranty, Made in the U.S.A

www.215gear.com

KAC SHOT Show Teaser

December 16th, 2011

The SHOT Show teasers are starting early this year. Take for example this, from Knights Armament Corp.

“come see us at SHOT Show 2012, Sands Expo Level 2, in the Law Enforcement and Tactical Gear portions; Booth # 13372. Be the first to handle the latest in our weapon platforms, signature reduction devices and modular accessories.”

www.knightarmco.com

Official Update on US Army Camouflage Improvement Effort

December 16th, 2011

We just received this statement from Army PEO Soldier Spokesperson Debra Dawson:

“The Phase IV Camouflage Effort Award are tentatively scheduled to be announced during the second week of JAN 2012. Letters have been issued already to those offerors who did not make the competitive range for the effort.
Once the contract award is made, there will be a 10-day period in which any Protests to the contract award must be filed. Following that protest period, Army Contracting Command will officially release the names of the awardees.”

Thank you to PEO Soldier for keeping our readers up to date. This should make for a very interesting SHOT Show.

Army Camouflage Improvement Effort for Dummies

December 16th, 2011

Since we’re seeing a lot of internet chatter indicating that many are under the impression that the Army Camouflage Improvement Effort will immediately result in a singular “winner” and that the Army will immediately replace UCP, we though it would be a good idea to post a few facts in bullet format.

– Universal Camouflage Pattern is not performing as envisioned.

– The Army Camouflage Improvement Effort is a multi-phase project to improve the camouflage of its Soldiers. The Army is seeking a family of three camouflage patterns with identical geometry and tailored colorways for woodland, desert, and transitional environments with an optional fourth pattern to complement Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment.

– During the current phase industry and government families of patterns were evaluated using a picture-in-picture technique to identify the top four performing commercial submissions (allegedly up to 20 were submitted) and a single top government option. Additionally, a baseline consisting of OCP (MultiCam), MARPAT (Woodland and Desert), AOR (1&2) was also evaluated to determine the current level of camouflage performance afforded by these patterns. This performance metric is referred to as “baseline.”

– Soon, the US Army will announce the finalists consisting of four commercially developed families of patterns and one government developed family of patterns.

– These selected vendors will have their patterns printed on 50/50 NYCO and 500D Cordura fabric and turn this material over to the Army to have uniforms and OCIE manufactured for field trials.

– The Army will conduct field trials consisting of a variety of tests with actual maneuver elements to aid in determining the best camouflage option.

– The Army leadership has been briefed throughout this effort.

– We fully expect the remainder of this effort to take a minimum of 18 months based on the requirement to print fabric in completely new patterns, organize and conduct testing, analyze data and prepare courses of action including programming (finding) rock drills and brief the Army leadership.

– There is still no funding or guarantee that this effort will result in one of these patterns being fielded.

– However, we fully believe that UCP will be replaced. Whether it is with one of the Army Camouflage Improvement Effort family of patterns or another option remains to be seen.

BOTTOM LINE: Based on the effort’s current pace, do not look for a UCP replacement for at least 18 months with further delays likely.

SP901 Pricing

December 16th, 2011

The commercially available version of Colt’s new .308 rifle is the SP901 rather than CM901 (Colt Modular). It will go for a cool $2,129.00. What makes this rifle so special is that with a simple change of upper receivers, you can covert the 901 from .308 to .223. No other alterations to the rifle are required thanks to the 901’s innovative magwell.

Beyond 556 via The Firearm Blog

ODG Comments On Camo Improvement Effort

December 16th, 2011

“MOVE NOT UNLESS YOU SEE AN ADVANTAGE; USE NOT YOUR TROOPS UNLESS THERE IS SOMETHING TO BE GAINED; FIGHT NOT UNLESS THE POSITION IS CRITICAL. IF IT IS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE, MAKE A FORWARD MOVE; IF NOT,STAY WHERE YOU ARE. SITUATION DICTATES FORCE NEEDED TO OVERCOME YOUR ENEMY.”
-Sun Tzu

30 days until SHOT…more to follow…..

SKD Tactical Launches New Site

December 16th, 2011

SKD Tactical has updated their look and added a few new products as well.

www.skdtac.com