Looks like waxed canvas is in this year. Blackhawk! has introduced a series of bags made from 10.10 oz Army Duck Martexin wax canvas. Offered in Earth and Slate colors, the Messenger, Satchel and Rucksack all incorporate hidden pistol compartments. There is also a matching accessory pouch which opens into a stretch nylon pocket for a water bottle or SSE use.
www.blackhawk.com
(They are already up under the what’s new category.)
Although the URL remains httpswww.facebook.com/girlswithguns18, late last night BLACKHAWK! Worked with FaceBook to regain control of their Facebook page. It was hacked yesterday and spammed thoroughly with NSFW images of women with guns. We are still insure who accomplished the hack but a similar act was recently committed against sister brand Bushnell. In recognition of the situation, BLACKHAWK! made this simple post.
Unfortunately, this hacking event cost BLACKHAWK! followers on Facebook which is now a rather expensive issue considering the spate of service changes at Facebook that have severely throttled the reach of business pages to their followers.
UPDATE: Not too long after this article was published, Blackhawk! regained control of their Facebook page and has issued the following statement:
Friends and Fans of BLACKHAWK!: earlier this week our page was hacked. We apologize for the inappropriate content that was posted to our page and may have appeared in your news feed. We have regained control now. Please know we’re working with Facebook to clean it up and take the necessary steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again. Thank you for your continued support. Please help us spread the word.
For roughly the past 12 hours, the official Blackhawk! Facebook page has been posting nothing but pictures of women posing with guns and other unrelated links. If you go through their post history, you’ll find that the last legitimate post was August 5th, after which there’s a huge dead zone until today’s shenanigans started. Interestingly enough, the current URL for the page is www.facebook.com/girlswithguns18.
What’s going on over there? Our money’s on a hacker, and that seems to be the general consensus in the comments. Here’s to hoping that Blackhawk! will take control of the situation soon.
You can check out the madness for yourself here, but be warned it’s a bit NSFW: Blackhawk! Facebook page.
Way back in December, 2012, the US Army released a pre-solicitation for a new Improved Modular Tactical Holster (IMTH) for the M9 pistol. The concept was to look for:
improvements to be made to the current Army Tactical Drop-Leg Configuration Holster System for the Army M9 specification Beretta 92F / 92FS pistol. The improvements sought are increased modularity including a drop-leg configuration, that can be quickly transferred to a hip configuration, as well as the capability to be worn/attached to current Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment (MOLLE), load carriage equipment such as rucksacks and the Tactical Assault Panel (TAP) or on individual body armor such as the Improved Outer Tactical Vest (IOTV) or the Solder Plate Carrier System (SPCS).
Just over a year later, on December 19th, 2013, Natick announced the winners. Interestingly, the Army split the award between ADS Inc ($24,288,000.00) and Military Hardware, LLC ($49,000,000.00).
As we understand it, ADS bid a Serpa system from Blackhawk, probably similar to what they successfully won the Marine Corps contract with. To be sure, the Serpa is popular and has been adopted by militarized all around the world.
Military Hardware on the other hand, offered a G-Code system that we have covered here on SSD in the past.
The Military Hardware/G-Code holster consists of the XST holster along with Duty Drop Leg, H-MAR adapter for vests and MOLLE belt mount. The Kydex XST features an two forms of retention; the Over the Top, Power Assisted, Retention Canopy as well as their Adjustable Pro-Safe Tensioning. It is also outfitted with G-Code’s RTI (Rapid Transition Interface) which allows the user to securely move their holster from mount to another.
According the the pre-solicitation the overall 5-year IDIQ contract would not exceed $49 Million and consist of 225,000 holsters. Considering the ceiling on the Military Hardware award meets this, we are unsure how the Army plans to leverage this contract vehicle. Doubly so as they bid entirely different systems from different manufacturers, featuring different retention mechanisms. However, based on the two award amounts, it looks as if the Army expects to purchase twice as many G-Codes as Serpas.
On a final note, earlier this year, US Air Force Security Forces opted out of using the Serpa and mandated the Safariland 6004/6005. Likewise, the 75th Ranger Regt as well as other SOF organizations also issue the Safariland holster.
The AAC blog clued us in on the new Blackhawk! Diversion Racquet Bag coming in 2013. Available in Black, Red or Blue, it accommodates full guns or uppers up to 29″ and accommodates an internal divider.
Escape the Wolf announces a partnership with Blackhawk! to distribute its new Zero Trace patented, Navy-SEAL designed data and tracking travel protection product line.
“Zero Trace will be featured in Blackhawk!’s new catalog, offering a wide range of markets access to the highest level of protection from data and identity theft and tracking for laptops, cell phones and other digital devices,” said Clinton Emerson, chief executive officer of Virginia Beach, VA-based Escape the Wolf.
Zero Trace products protect against the growing threat of digital crime as well as tracking by offering electromagnetic shielding blocks signals in and out with roughly 33dbm of attenuation. They also feature fail-proof closure, a critical aspect to ensure operational success.
The high-end Zero Trace product line, available in either black or gray, includes –
Escape the Wolf Zero Trace Cell Phone Pouch – For any size smartphone.
Escape the Wolf Zero Trace Laptop Briefcase – Computer compartment meets TSA requirements. Internal Zero Trace pouch accommodates an 18-inch computer.
Escape the Wolf Zero Trace Laptop Sleeve – Padded sleeve with easy in-out fits up to an 18-inch computer.
Escape the Wolf Zero Trace Messenger Bag – Computer compartment meets TSA requirements. External pouch on top flap for quick access to RFID credit cards, passport or cell phone. Internal pouch on top flap for more secure storage. Third, internal pouch accommodates an 18-inch computer.
Escape the Wolf Zero Trace Passport Pouch – Holds RFID passport, passport card and electronic driver’s licenses.
Escape the Wolf Zero Trace Utility Pouch – Cameras, GPS and digital devices.
Escape the Wolf provides preemptive, holistic travel risk mitigation solutions for global companies and government agencies. The company’s system of Total Awareness prepares the international professional traveler to identify, avoid and minimize the wide range of THREATs or wolves that exist worldwide. Escape the Wolf supports travelers with training seminars, executive consultations, eLearning, technology, and innovative travel products, including its Zero Trace digital device protection product line.
This video by BLACKHAWK! gives you a quick overview of the new products they unveiled at SHOT Show. Topics include women’s apparel, Sportster™ TraverseTrack™ Bipod, Bedside Holster, Day Planner Holster, Gideon™ Knives, and more. Cue the Serpa comments.
This isn’t the first time that Blackhawk! has recalled their SERPA holsters. Apparently, this time it’s the light bearing models made before 2011.
The issue is that some SERPA Level 3 Light Bearing Duty Holsters have broken away from the jacket slot (the interface between holster and belt) due to improper assembly caused by using excessive force, improper screws or missing screws. They are offering a free replacement holster.
Visit www.blackhawk.com and follow the directions.
