FirstSpear displayed their wares with GSS Gear, their latest retailer.
They displayed numerous products including the Combat Anorak, which is one of my favorite FirstSpear pieces.
They also displayed the Siege-R. They have made some light changes to the design in order to improve the vest’s ability to fall away from the body once the Tubes are cut away. We caught them during set up so this example doesn’t have the armor mounted.
High Capacity Magazine pockets are available directly from SureFire for both the 60 and 100 round variants but only in Coyote. Many have been asking for pockets in other colors so SureFire authorized FirstSpear (their manufacturer) to offer them. PALS compatible and available in Black, Khaki, Ranger Green, and MultiCam.
Gone are the days when you just throw a helmet on your head. Most are wearing accessories with/on their helmet such as NODs, earpro or a light (or two), some are using HEADS, others strobes, fewer still O2 masks, and so on. Nothing probably illustrates the concept more than this photo from Smith Optics Elite Division. We’ve had readers claim that this is ridiculous and that guys aren’t wearing this much on their helmets, but they are, and more.
We’ve also had some specific questions about what is mounted on this helmet. The Regulator Boogie Goggles from Smith integrate directly with the Ops-Core helmet’s Accessory Rail Connector. They’ll be available from Smith once the glasses are released.
For the cover, we went to Orion Design Group, the originator of the photo for some backstory and this is what they sent us…
Once again we were tapped on the shoulder by our industry affiliates, who have been getting inundated with info requests on our helmet cover, so we decided to step away from the range and the drawing board for a few minutes to update everyone out there in cyber space. We are proud to announce one of many collaboration design projects with FirstSpear, our version of First Spear’s “Hybrid Cover”. Now you might ask yourself WTF is a hybrid anyway? Well simply put, a hybrid is any piece of gear made out of two or more different textiles (fabrics) to support the functionality of the design. In this case 520E (tweave) and mesh. First Spear’s design team which is top shelf and is stacked with years of Industry and end user experience recognized that helmet covers made of NyCo just plain suck. They fit the helmet sloppy and wear out quickly, so FirstSpear built theirs from a 520E tweave which accomplishes a few things. First being that it’s a four way stretch it hugs the helmet and fits great. Second tweave is way more abrasion resistant than NyCo so it’ll last longer. Thirdly, because it’s DWR treated it will shed precipitation and dry out way faster if you spend some nights in the rain and snow. Since we work hand in hand with SOF units and we design our “Man Prey” line specifically for them we approached First Spear and added some end user features, specific printed Quiet Loop placement for IFF and flat elastic tie down points for cable routing along with an ANVS 6/9 NOD counter weight/battery pack pouch. These covers will be available for the Ops-Core FAST and Maritime cut helmets, in a variety of patterns including our own. To pre-order, or for any questions please send an email to brian@odg-usa.com. To all those who go in harms way thank you for service, and to our fans thanks for your patronage and patience the website will be up late spring……”CHOOSE YOUR PREY!”
Ops-Core FAST Helmets are showing up all over the place, but up until now there haven’t been any covers for them. Time was, guys didn’t think they needed a cover and were more than satisfied with just painting them. Now, they’ve come to the realization that covers aid with camouflage (particularly when wet) as well as noise discipline. Additionally, as FAST helmets can be had in a variety of finishes, a helmet cover is a low cost way to modify the helmet’s camouflage without destroying the finish or purchasing an additional helmet.
FirstSpear currently offers two styles of helmet covers for the Ops-Core family of FAST Helmets. In both cases, the design is the same and it’s more a matter of material choices.
The Helmet Cover was introduced at SHOT Show and already units are ordering them. It’s made from four-way stretch material to conform to the helmet’s lines.
FirstSpear has also just introduced the Helmet Cover – Hybrid. This cover utilizes a combination of mesh and four-way stretch material. This gives a different look and is more accommodating for those who want to add garnish or local vegetation to enhance camouflage.
FirstSpear covers are manufactured from Mil-Spec materials in Black, Ranger Green, Coyote, MultiCam and White. They incorporate color matched Velcro strips across the crown and around the rear of the helmet to attach strobes, ID and other IFF systems. Additionally, the covers are cut high enough to accommodate the Accessory Rail Connector and also feature cutout for NVG mounts. The covers are easy to attach and work in a similar manner to the ACH cover via dual-sided Velcro strips that are trapped in between the helmet and pads.
FirstSpear offers these covers to accommodate both FAST Ballistic and Maritime cut helmets. Covers for other helmets can be custom created. Contact FirstSpear for details.
Orion Design Group informed us that the winner of the SHOT Show scavenger hunt is Frank Johnston. He is the the lucky winner of a FirstSpear ECP pack in Lupus (Transitional) pattern. I have an ECP and it is a great assault pack suitable for every day carry for many. I hope Frank gets a lot of good use out of his.
Last night, an industry party sponsored by Elite Defense, FirstSpear, Insight Technologies, Smith Optics Elite Division, and Magnum raised funds for Higher Ground (a program of Sun Valley Adaptive Sports). Higher Ground provides a multidisciplinary approach to the long-term healing, restoration, and rehabilitation of wounded veterans with TBI/PTSD
The event was attended by many industry professionals along with members of the profession of arms. They were treated to hors d’oeuvres and there was much catching up amongst old friends.
A sumptuous raffle prize table was overflowing with highly sought after tactical products from a variety of vendors. At the end of the night, there were a lot of pleased revelers.
Except us, we didn’t win anything. But that SMG Lee did. He won two prizes. If you know where he lives, you know what to do…say, “Congrats!”
With helmets and their accessories costing more and more it’s no surprise that someone would come with a purpose built bag. FirstSpear’s Helmet Hut accommodates a helmet in a padded compartment and also has zippered storage for goggles, mounts, lights, NVGs and other gear.
Check it out in booth #27411.
When we were at Occupy the Range yesterday Gear Scout’s Rob Curtis tried out FirstSpear’s new Tubes technology.
Check out his report here.
