This is the upcoming Kraken suppressor from CGS Group. This .45 ACP silencer has an easy-to-remove shielded baffle stack made from 17-4PH Stainless Steel.
Sneak Peek – Kraken Suppressor from CGS Group
Friday, November 4th, 2016Vickers Guide AR-15 Volume 1
Friday, November 4th, 2016Last year’s Vickers Guide 1911 was such a great success that author Larry Vickers and Photographer James Rupley have followed it up with the AR-15 Volume 1. It combines high resolution color photography with accompanying historical commentary by Larry Vickers, Reed Knight, and other subject matter experts.
Richly illustrated, this volume will give you access to rare, collectible guns that have never been seen publicly before. Take for example, the Armalite AR-15 Serial Number 000001 seen on the cover.
This first Volume covers the AR-15 predecessors (AR-10 and earlier); features the first AR-15s ever produced (the first Armalite prototype; Armalite Serial Numbers 000001, 000002, 000003, 000004; Colt’s pre-production prototype Serial Number 000000; Colt’s first production Model 601 Serial Number 000100) and continues on through Vietnam, Panama and Somalia.
Author Larry Vickers had this to say,
Myself and my co-author James Rupley are very pleased on how well received the VickersGuide 1911 book was from our customers. However we felt that we could tweak the formula and approach just a bit to optimize the VickersGuide AR-15 volume one and two.
We are very excited with the result and I feel the AR-15 books will serve as a template for any future editions that we do. The rare AR style weapons in the first volume are sure to please any firearms enthusiast regardless if you own one AR-15 or one hundred.
They’ve just opened pre-ordering today, of Vickers Guide AR-15 Volume 1, with delivery just in time for the Black Rifle’s 60th Anniversary.
Although it’s the same price, size and general format as the 1911 book, they are offering Standard, Signature and Limited Edition versions. The Limited Edition is limited to 250 Books and includes a personalized message from LAV. Each book is numbered x of 250, with a limited edition book slipcase, and a signed and numbered print of Armalite AR-15 Serial Number 000001. 1911 Limited Edition Book customers will be able to have the same book number as long as they order before December 1.
Here’s a basic description of this book.
Born in 1957 in a small workshop in Hollywood, California and rushed into service for testing and assessment during war in Vietnam, the AR-15 has proven to be the most adaptable and longest lasting of all standard U.S. service rifles. Still in use today in the U.S. and around the world in the form of the M16, M4 and other variants, the AR-15 has defied attempts to replace it.
In this first volume of Vickers Guide: AR-15, Larry Vickers – renown special operations combat veteran, firearms instructor and small arms expert – revisits the earliest days of the AR-15, providing details of the rifles that influenced it as well as highlighting the features which were without precedent. Due to the longevity of the AR-15, many features and details of the earliest rifles have been lost to today’s enthusiasts, and it is therefore with great pride that we re-introduce these rifles and their beauty in form and function.
Featuring over 70 rifles, Vickers Guide: AR-15 (Volume 1) gives the reader a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse into some of the rarest and most historically unique rifles in the AR family. Through visits to private collections, Colt’s Manufacturing Company and the Institute of Military Technology at Knight’s Armament, Vickers Guide is able to present firearms that have simply never been available for view by the general public. Additionally, expert insight by C. Reed Knight, Jr., art by acclaimed military painter James Dietz, and replica builds with historical commentary by subject matter specialists make this Vickers Guide sequel a must-have for any serious firearms enthusiast.
Vickers Guide: AR-15 presents this highly curated collection of firearms in the AR family in never before seen detail on larger than life, wide format, full color prints in a linen covered hardback. Vickers Guide: AR-15 is the next best thing to having these exceptional collector’s grade rifles in your own personal collection.
Their access is amazing. I’m told Vickers did some value estimations of the rifles featured in the book, and the conservative estimates came out to a combined value of around $1.75 million.
Take a gander at this video preview of the book’s content.
If all this wasnt enough, their work isn’t finished. Volume 2 will release in Spring 2017 and continues the story of the AR-15 through to current day.
Order yours before they’re gone. I procrastinated in getting a 1911 Vickers Guide and almost missed out.
Massif – Caldera Windshirt
Friday, November 4th, 2016The Caldera Windshirt from Massif is an FR performance garment unlike anything else on the market. I’ve had one for several months. While it was a bit much for me during Virginia’s humid summers, now that Fall has arrived, it is an excellent garment. Don’t get me wrong, it’s surprisingly breathable, but this isn’t the kind of thing I’d wear during oppressive humidity. This is a studio shot of the Caldera Windshirt, but it shows how it is cut. It can be worn as an outer layer, or by itself.
The Caldera Wind Shirt is constructed from two different Massif fabrics.
The Battleskin fabric is used for the torso. It is durable, yet breathable and FR. Their SABA fabric used for the sleeves and upper chest, is a revolutionary new two-layer laminate system that combines proprietary FR processes with unique knit structures. Massif’s SABA fabric is lightweight, has extremely high breathability, and an advanced Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment, making it perfect for under armor applications and advanced layering systems. The proprietary knitted nylon face has an extremely smooth hand, adding to its next-to-skin comfort and enabling quiet operation.
The Caldera Windshirt has a similar construction to the Army Combat Shirt and can be worn with lightweight base layers, mid-weight base layers, or as a stand-alone garment for year round use.
It has a 1/4 Zip neck allows for easy donning and doffing, along with easy ventilation.
I like the flat seams used on the shoulders which cut down on chaffing.
In addition to internal mesh elbow pad pockets, the Caldera features shoulder pockets with mesh backers for ventilation, a pen pocket on the left forearm and adjustable wrist cuffs.
Finally, there are elastic thumb loops inside the cuffs. These stay out of the way, if you’re not using them.
Offered in MultiCam, sizes XS-XXXL.
www.massif.com/shop/new-for-2016/caldera-windshirt
FirstSpear Friday Focus – 1911 Magazine Base Pad
Friday, November 4th, 2016This week’s Friday Focus covers something completely different from FirstSpear. If you haven’t figured it out yet, FirstSpear loves the M1911A1. They’ve introduced this FirstSpear 1911 Magazine Base Pad and Chip McCormick 1911 Magazine combo. That’s right; the base pad comes installed on a Chip McCormick magazine.
It’s made from Aluminum and gives the base pad a little weight so magazines will free fall easily during a speed reload. The pad also features a hard anodized finish. Additionally, there are grips enhancements on bottom of the base pad to assist in firmly locking the magazine in place and the toe of Base Pad is dished out to aid in removal of a difficult magazine.
You’ll notice that the middle groove is quite pronounced. This accommodates the FirstSpear bungee cord speed tab.
Currently available for 1911 series pistols, look for more models to follow.
3M Subsidiary Wins Contracts for Two US Army Soldier Protection Programs
Friday, November 4th, 2016This is major news. The Integrated Head Protection System component of PEO Soldier’s next generation Personal Protective Equipment program called Soldier Protection System, has been in source selection quite awhile. Gentex and Revision also competed for this program. Congratulations to 3M Ceradyne!
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Nov. 1, 2016 – The U.S. Army has selected Ceradyne, Inc., a 3M company, as the awardee for two low-rate initial production (LRIP) contracts for next-generation helmet systems and hard body armor inserts as part of the Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS) and Vital Torso Protection (VTP) – Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts (ESAPI) components of the Soldier Protection System (SPS).
The Army designed the IHPS to give soldiers a lighter-weight ballistic helmet system that also provides passive hearing protection and increased blunt-impact performance. This helmet system includes numerous accessories, including a mandible, visor, night vision goggle attachment device, rails and modular ballistic applique. The contract awarded to Ceradyne is valued at over $7 million for the delivery of more than 5,300 IHPS helmet systems. Production is expected to start in 2017.
The VTP will equip soldiers with lighter-weight body armor inserts. The $36 million contract is for the production of more than 30,000 ESAPI, with production also expected to start in 2017. This VTP award is an addition to a previous $34 million award, for a total of $70 million on the VTP LRIP contract.
“We are honored to be the awardee of these prestigious contracts,” said Cheryl Ingstad, business manager, Advanced Ceramics Platform – Defense, 3M. “The SPS program represents the highest level of lightweight technology to date. Our focus from the onset has been to meet the Army’s stringent specifications for the SPS, and that will continue as we move into initial production. As a leading science company, 3M has deep expertise in advanced lightweight materials, which, combined with our proven production history, differentiates our defense offerings.”
The SPS will replace the Army’s current personal protective equipment (PPE) system. It is designed to defeat current threats while providing an overall weight reduction for soldiers compared to existing PPE. Both the IHPS and VTP began as research and development programs with multiple contenders.
Ceradyne has delivered more than 120,000 enhanced combat helmets (ECH) to the U.S. Army and Marine Corps since 2014. The ECH offers the highest protection level of any helmet in the U.S. Armed Forces inventory, even protecting against certain small arms threats. Ceradyne has also delivered more than 2 million hard body armor inserts to the U.S. Armed Forces to date.
For more information about soldier protection solutions provided by 3M, visit www.3M.com/Defense.
Extreme Outfitters – $75 Sleeping Bags!
Thursday, November 3rd, 2016
T-1 Sleeping Bags on sale for $75, while supplies last.
www.extremeoutfitters.us/tacticalassaultsystemst-1sleepingbag
Magpul – New Ballcaps
Thursday, November 3rd, 2016I got a chance to check these new caps out at Modern Day Marine/AUSA last month. I like the new designs, particularly the Culpepper Flag version, which features retro styling. They are an affordable way to keep the sun out of your eyes and show your support for Magpul.
Features:
-Updated sweat band with breathable fabric to keep you dry and comfortable
-Updated open mesh side and back panel to provide comfort and excellent breathability
-Adjustable snap back closure
-Mid Crown structure with Magpul interior taping for comfort and durability
-46% Cotton, 54% Polyester
-Eyelet vents
www.magpul.com/products/apparel-accessories/headwear
Steve “Yeti” Fisher Partners with Propper
Thursday, November 3rd, 2016St. Charles, MO — Propper International is proud to announce a partnership with Steve Fisher, internationally-renowned tactical trainer and owner of Sentinel Concepts, as a new brand ambassador.
“This is an exciting time for Propper as we continue to build on our commitment to the law enforcement and civilian tactical markets,” said John Negrau, Propper’s Director of E-Commerce. “Steve brings decades of real-world training experience and has a high standard for the gear and apparel he uses every day.”
Nicknamed “Yeti” by his students, Fisher has been the owner/lead instructor for Sentinel Concepts since 2014. He also is a contract instructor for numerous ranges in Michigan and has been a staff instructor for EAG Tactical for the past five years. Steve currently serves as a reserve officer with an agency in the southern United States as a firearms trainer for SWAT and patrol divisions.
“I’ve been a fan of Propper for a long time and began wearing their tactical gear before we even talked about formalizing anything,” Fisher said. “I recommend them to everyone who takes my classes, so it was just natural that we would start working together.”
