If you think you may have an application for a thermal imager this is an excellent opportunity for you to do some creative pictography, check your home or cabin for heat leaks, or personal security using the iPhone 5 or 5s as a platform. FLIR (pronounced Flee er) has a thermal imager that cradles your iPhone and provides you with amazing capabilities in the 10 micron spectrum.
Houlding Firearms has just announced the Houlding G2L carbon fiber AR-15. The rifle weighs a mere 6 lbs. and comes with a Geissele SD-3G trigger and Houlding’s HPF Curse muzzle brake.
Detailed Specifications
FPS Russia did a very nice video featuring the Houlding HPF-Wraith
Black Creek, GA- August 19, 2014– Daniel Defense, engineering and manufacturing the world’s finest firearms, precision rail systems and accessories, today announced the “Build Your DDM4 Flyaway” Sweepstakes.
This is a great opportunity for one lucky person to experience Daniel Defense behind the scenes and assist in building a custom rifle. The sweepstakes, which runs August 18th through the end of the month, will provide the winner with round trip airfare to Savannah, a tour of both Daniel Defense manufacturing facilities, and a custom built DDM4 that he/she will help to build.
“We’re excited to fly a DD fan to Savannah for this opportunity of a lifetime,” shared Jordan Hunter, Director of Marketing for Daniel Defense. “Not only do they get to see our team at work—manufacturing the barrels, and rail systems, upper receivers and lowers— they’ll work hand-in-hand with one of our armorers to build their very own custom DDM4. This will be an experience they’ll never forget.”
Since the official launch of the custom builder in July 2012, thousands of customers have configured a multitude of different complete firearms and upper receiver groups. To throw your name in the hat for this prize package, visit the official sweepstakes page at http://danieldefense.com/registertowin/
About Daniel Defense
President and CEO, Marty Daniel founded Daniel Defense at the turn of the 21st century. From its humble beginnings as a start-up company, creating rails and accessories for the AR-15 platform in small batches, Daniel Defense has grown exponentially over the last decade, and is now known for its premium line of firearms and accessories. Now with two locations and a combined 137,000 square feet of available manufacturing space, Daniel Defense looks forward to continued growth, as well as the opportunity to better serve their customers.
For more information, visit www.danieldefense.com.
Blake Wheeler with K-Var and MSR distribution gives us a video overview of the new Arsenal SAM7R-66.
Shown with a Meprolight Meslas sniper scope/automatic ballistic computer.
This past July, at Eurosatory 2014, IWI introduced its new sniper rifle, the DAN 338 chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum.
DAN features a 31″ (787.4 mm) fluted, free-floating, barrel with a 1:10″ twist and a built-in muzzle break or optionally threaded to fit a suppressor. . The barrel is interchangeable without dedicated tools. The rifle is fed via a 10-round magazine with an ambidextrous magazine release and an ambidextrous safety.
The system is built on aluminium-alloy modular chassis that features full-length MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rails along the top and bottom of the receiver. The chassis allows for configurable side rails to be installed at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions. The rifle features a folding stock that is adjustable for length of pull and comb height with an adjustable cheek rest.
This rifle weighs 15.2 lbs. without magazine, optics, or mount and is some 50.4 inches long – which shortens to 40.6 inches with the stock folded.
Currently the DAN is offered only in the .338 chambering, but IWI suggests that it could be chambered in any other caliber as customers require.
It’s unlikely that DAN will be offered commercially until well into 2015 but it has the makings of an excellent precision / tactical sub-MOA rifle.
APO announced a technology demonstrator designated the .308K1. It is a precision tactical rifle designed in collaboration with Jim Gilliland of Shadow 6 Consulting. The concept is to produce an accurate, bolt operated, tactical rifle with a barrel shorter than 20 inches.
The APO .308K1 Tactical Rifle above is built on a X-Treme titanium short action receiver, Pinnacle Series 16.5″ 1-in-8 twist 5R 416RQ fluted stainless steel barrel, AAC Blackout 51T muzzle brake, and 762SD suppressor. The primary day optic is a Leupold Mark 6 3-18×44, Insight MRDS close combat optic on a return to zero GDI PROM-L scope mount. The base rifle weight is just over 11lbs. This is all built on Ashbury’s latest SABER RSA-A3 MOD-1 “K” model modular rifle chassis.
As of this writing, the .308K1 is not in production and still undergoing testing and evaluation; however, it would not surprise me in the least to see a production version by year end or Q1 2015. One thing is certain, I have never shot an Ashbury Precision rifle that has not been 1 MOA or better. On the occasions when I fired an APO rifle with Ruag SWISS P, groups have all been sub-minute with no vertical stringing whatsoever.
It’ll be interesting to see what the .308K1 will do first hand and APO’s production version of this rifle. Stay tuned for more details…
As we all know, gun cleaning is like baking Lasagna there are at least a million recipes all of which taste good, but some are just better than others. Once you find the one you like we tend to want to stick with it. With that illuminating observation, I’d like to turn you on to a line of products from Swab-its® that enhance weapon maintenance.
Swab-its® is a registered trademark of Super Brush LLC and they’ve been in business for 50 years plus. Before ever getting into the gun cleaning business, Super Brush LLC was making swabs for all kinds of industrial and medical applications. Back in the days when people wrote checks, banks processed those checks using MICR machines that required regular cleaning. Many of the service technicians used swabs from Super Brush LLC to perform that task. Well, Swab-its® has added a line of foam swabs designed to make gun cleaning more thorough and less tedious.
In a nut shell, Bore-tips® eliminate patches along with their lint and residual pieces of thread, etc. These foam swabs attach to your cleaning rod, are lint free and reusable. Using them is simple. Soak one swab in solvent, use another swab to mop out the bore, use a third and final swab to lubricate the bore. When you’re done wash them in warm soapy solution and your good until the next time. Bore-tips® are available for all calibers, including 12g.
What I like about this product is that I don’t need to keep a plastic bag full of different size patches and they leave no lint behind. It even works with the OTIS Technology cleaning systems that I’ve standardized on.
Even better in my estimation are Swab-it® Gun-tips™. I used to have to use a small flat blade screw driver, pocket knife or tooth brush to get into all of the nooks and crannies on a pistol slide, or the rails in an AR receiver, AK receiver, or what have, to remove grease and powder residue. That tedium is gone with Gun-tips™. You will love these swab. They not only work, but they are lint-free, washable and reusable.
LAS VEGAS, NV–Arsenal, Inc. is introducing the latest configuration of SAM7R modern sporting rifle with Picatinny Quad Rail Handguard System. Sold under the SKU SAM7R-66, the new configuration of SAM7R, as all other MSRs in this series, features Arsenal’s exclusive forged then milled receiver, original Bulgarian hammer forged chrome lined barrel, 14x1mm left-hand muzzle threads, removable muzzle brake, bayonet lug, US made mil-spec polymer stock set with stainless heat shield and cleaning kit compartment, and 800 meter rear sight leaf.
After successfully fulfilling military requirements, for the first time, the SAM7R is being made available to the public with Arsenal’s latest design Picatinny Quad Rail Handguard System. The PR-01 Picatinny Quad Rail Handguard System follows Arsenal’s legacy of quality and craftsmanship and provides superior platform for wide range of attachments, including optics, flash lights, lasers, forward grips, and other accessories of your choice.
The PR-01 Picatinny Quad Rail Handguard System was designed and manufactured to meet and exceed the following stringent military requirements:
This limited run of the SAM7R-66 rifle has an MSRP of $1,349 and is now available through dealers and retail outlets.
Learn more about this product, click here.
Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has received approval from New Zealand’s government to move ahead with a competitive tender process to purchase a COTS rifle to replace the Steyr AUGs currently in use. A total of 8,800 rifles will be purchased once the evaluation process is complete. The NZDF objective is to select a rifle that is more configurable than the current Steyr rifles. Mission adaptability, along with compatibility with modern optics to include thermal imagining and I2 optics is important to their decision.
Defence Minister Coleman states:
“The Steyr rifle has served the NZDF well for over 20 years and it has seen considerable operational use, but it is now reaching the end of its lifespan. Weapon technology has advanced considerably since the NZDF purchased the Steyr rifle in 1987.
“Modern rifles can be adapted to individual needs, maximising the effectiveness of the weapon. They can be fitted with a range of advanced day and night sights, and other specialised equipment. They can also be adjusted to suit different body sizes, and for the wearing of personal kit.
“NZDF personnel need a rifle that can be optimised for a range of situations. Operational experience in Afghanistan and Timor-Leste highlighted the importance of effectively identifying and engaging targets in various settings.
“The Steyr replacement is part of a wider personal weapons replacement programme. New light machine guns, combat shotguns and designated marksman rifles have been introduced to service. Future projects are also planned to look at the in-service pistol, sniper rifles, and grenade launchers.”
Request For Tender Text
Individual Weapon Capability Request for Tender
Details
Overview
This Request for Tender (RFT) is for the provision of contemporary individual weapons (IW), necessary training, and associated support to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF).
The Crown procured its current individual weapons in the late 1980s. The current individual weapons are currently 25 years old, have passed their economic life and their capability no longer meets operational needs.
To meet the needs of future operating environments, the IW Replacement Project requires a move from a closed architecture design to open architecture, to provide an IW that delivers modularity in capability.
Contact Officer for Requests for Tender enquiries
The Contact Officer for this RFT is:
Deborah Speller
Office Administrator
Acquisition Division
Ministry of Defence
P.O. Box 12703
Molesworth Street
Wellington 6144
New Zealand
Tel: +64 4 496 0626
Email: Deborah.Speller@defence.govt.nz
Tenderers must direct all questions regarding this RFT to the Contact Officer in writing. The Crown may change the Contract Officer at any time by notifying prospective or actual Tenderers of any such change by issuing a notice on GETS or directly in writing.
Tenderers submit questions or requests for clarification on the basis that the enquiry and responses may be circulated to all other Tenderers without disclosing the source of the inquiry (unless such disclosure is unavoidable) or revealing Commercial-in-Confidence Information or the substance of the proposed Tender.
All questions regarding this RFT must be submitted to the Contact Officer at least 10 Business Days before the Tender Closing Time. Enquiries received after 1600 hours New Zealand local time 2 October 2014 may not receive a response.
I found out about this device from a crowd funding source so I checked it out for my readers. The concept is not intuitive although no special skills are required to use it. In fact, the only things required are the GoTenna transceiver, a smart devices with Bluetooth support and the GoTenna app.
The idea is to provide point-to-point communications with another paired device in an area where there is no 2G, 3G or 4G coverage. GoTenn is a VHF transceiver front-end for your smart device.
GoTenna operates in a frequency spectrum the FCC designates as MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service), 151 Mhz – 154 Mhz. In that space there are five channels available to MURS communications devices as follows:
Because GoTenna is classified as an MURS device, there are no end-user or station licensing requirements and can be used by anyone in any age group.
GoTenna, uses anyone of these channels to transmit text messages and georeferenced information like GPS coordinates. GoTenna uses a proprietary r.f. net protocol that detects the least used channel then sends traffic on that channel to the receiving station. If someone steps on that frequency GoTenna handles the retransmission. GoTenna does not frequency hop it merely selects the least used channel prior to sending traffic.
All communications between GoTenna devices is encrypted end-to-end using 1024 bit asymmetrical encryption, RSA-1024, which is secure.
GoTenna are sold in pairs and can be preordered for $149.99 for late Fall delivery. Your card will be charged at the time of preorder.
Detailed Specifications
Friday is upon us once more. This is the day when we write about one or two things unrelated to guns and gear. Sometimes it’s our Top “n” List Where “n” Equals any Real or Imaginary Number, or Another True Story, but this week I’d like to dedicate our moment of frivolity to Robin Williams.
Like all of America, and indeed the world, I was flabbergasted by news of his suicide. I was unfamiliar with both his medical condition and personal struggles. As a San Franciscan, I had the opportunity to run into him, on Clement Street, on several occasions. I did not know him personally, but he always seemed pleasant not aloof as we exchanged smiles. In those days, I believe he had a home in Seacliff, but I couldn’t say with complete certainty.
My most memorable encounter with Robin Williams was on a Sunday evening while at Washington Square. I was a parishioner at St. Peter’s and St. Paul’s Church and on that day I was sitting on a park bench waiting for 6’o’clock Mass to roll around. As I waited, I saw Robin Williams walking towards me, dressed in a dark purple suit, accompanied by two thugs that looked like they were about to break out in a chorus of YMCA . I knew immediately, just by looking, this was no Jos. A. Bank, buy one get a dozen free dreck, modeled by a handful of idiots with delusions of grandeur. His threads were primo. Brother Robin was ragging uptown and styling! I thought about singing Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir but I was afraid Robin would break out into his Liberace repertoire. In addition to his Jewish jokes he had a sack full of gay routines that were amazing; never offensive, but always humorous. My ex-wife would sometimes see me sitting, laughing to myself, and she’d ask what I was laughing about? Sometimes it was something she had done; other times it was just me recalling something Robin Williams had done, or said, that I caught on TV the night before.
That was his contribution to my life; those lighthearted moments that by themselves are not necessarily inspirational but they made you feel good. I think that was his real gift to humanity, and his driving force. We will never know if his decision to leave this Earth was clinical or he simply looked around, saw so much suffering and pain in this world, and couldn’t deal with the reality that no matter how hard he tried to bring joy and laughter suffering could not be conquered.
With that, I extended my sincerest condolences to his family, along with my thanks for those moments of laughter that brought tears to my eyes, not from sorrow but from joy.
Rest In Peace Robin. Merci et bon voyage!
– Sal
The American Knife and Tool Institute has launched a revised version of its website with complete and legally accurate knife law information available at www.AKTI.org. The improved site features accurate information about laws that impact knife businesses and knife owners in every state.
“Making state knife laws available online to our members and easily accessible has been a priority for AKTI in the last year,” explained AKTI Executive Director Jan Billeb. “Ensuring that the information is complete and legally accurate has been our primary goal.”
Members of the organization are able to see knife law information for any state, while non-members can see quick legal facts about each state. The information was compiled and written by AKTI’s legislative consultant, Dan Lawson, a lawyer who has been involved in the knife industry for more than a decade. Topics include which knives are prohibited, which knives can be sold or manufactured, critical dimensions, major cities with ordinances and more.
The website also features news and action alerts; education on knife use for kids, the general public and law enforcement officers; popular resources like AKTI’s approved knife definitions and guide to traveling with knives; and a monthly fundraising auction that supports the organization’s ongoing legislative efforts. In addition, visitors to the site can buy or renew their memberships, give memberships as gifts and purchase AKTI merchandise online.
“Every year we see more and more people – both our members and the general public – looking for information about safe and legal knife use,” Billeb said. “Our website has been redesigned to make it even easier for visitors to learn more about all facets of knife use in the U.S.”
The new website is also responsive, meaning it will be easier to view for visitors on smart phones and other mobile devices. It can be accessed at www.AKTI.org.
These Islamists were celebrating a funeral for one of their fallen mujahidin when something went terribly wrong. It would appear the deceased was either booby trapped or still wearing his suicide vest.
Graphic Content
Tacprogear BLACK, Delray Beach, FL is offering the American-made Citadel™ Series of hard armor plates. These plates have been tested and certified to NIJ STD 0101.06 for the application of concealable body armor, external carriers, plate carriers and tactical body armor.
The NIJ Compliant Citadel™ Series is available in a multi-curve full-size (FS), SAPI/ESAPI (SE) and Shooter’s (SH) configurations in 8″x10″, 10″x12″ and the full range of SAPI sizes from XS through XL. Independently tested and certified single-curve plates are available in full-size side plates in 6″x6″, 6″x8″ and 7″x8″.
The Citadel™ 36 Series are Ultra-Lightweight hard body armor plates made from 100% polyethylene with a polyurea or 1000D Cordura protective cover. The Citadel™ 36 Series is one of the lightest weight NIJ compliant stand-alone level III plates on the market today.
The Citadel™ 32 Series are made from polyethylene and ceramic with a polyurea protective cover. The 32 series is a NIJ III Plus protection type plate with Special Threat Testing in accordance with an abbreviated and modified NIJ Standard 0101.06 and Tacprogear Testing Protocol.
The Citadel™ 30 Series are made from 100% polyethylene with a polyurea protective cover. The 30 series has also received Special Threat Testing and is NIJ III Plus tested.
All Tacprogear Citadel™ hard armor plates have been designed and manufactured to meet or exceed U.S. Military and National Institute of Justice performance standards. The Tacprogear advantage lies in their ability to develop products that provide protection against a wide array of threats with the need for reduced weight at the greatest value.
Product inquiries can be made on the site, by emailing sales@tacprogearblack.com or calling (561) 865-7279.
For a very short time and only while supplies last G-Code will be offering Kryptek Typhon on select products and in limited combination.
This is a close out run for the Typhon coatings that will not be offered again.
It is an actual fabric coating, permanently laminated to the outside of the molded Kydex shell. Using this method the holster inherits the genuine non reflective properties of the fabric not possible in printed or film coated plastics.
Get’em while you can …http://www.tacticalholsters.com/
Election season is upon us and we’d like to do our part to help get out the vote. Elections are won when citizens are engaged and present themselves at the polls to let their voices be heard loudly and clearly. The numerous elections and primaries being held around the country are pivotal in driving Pro Second Amendment local legislation and in the upcoming November National Election.
So, we want you to stay focused, stay engaged and make your voices heard. In addition to going to the polls, help others get their vote out. Americans need to regain confidence in the power of the vote. You can help do that!
NSSF, National Shooting Sports Foundation, has set up a web site to help you and others get registered and to keep you informed of elections and issues. To navigate there, click the GUNVOTE button.
Crimson Trace Offers Options for S&W’s Newest Pistol (Press Release)
(Wilsonville, OR)—Crimson Trace, America’s recognized leader in laser sighting systems and tactical lights for firearms, offers numerous rail mounted light and laser sight options for Smith & Wesson’s newly released M&P 22 Compact pistol. Anyone shopping for—or buying—one of these new semiautomatic pistols will want to also take the time to explore the many accessory options offered by Crimson Trace.
A top compact laser sight option to outfit Smith & Wesson’s new M&P 22 Compact pistol—or any firearm equipped with a standard Weaver or M1913 Picatinny rail—is the Crimson Trace Rail Master series. These very small and powerful units are offered with either red diodes, green diodes, Infrared or a bright 100-lumen LED light version. Along with Instant Activation for easy-to-operate tap-on and tap-off engagement, the units will save battery life and auto shut-off after five minutes of inactivity. Manufacturer suggested retail prices (MSRP) for Rail Masters begin at $159 for the CMR-202 light-only unit.
Also on the “to-be-considered” list for attachment on the new M&P 22 Compact pistol would be Crimson Trace’s latest rail mounted offering—the Rail Master Pro. This light and laser (green or red models) combo is lightweight, compact, easy to operate with Instant Activation™, and will securely attach to the pistol’s rail via Crimson Trace’s Secure Lock Technology™. Rail Master Pros also provide 100 lumens of bright LED light. This laser and light combo can be set to one of four preference modes: laser only, light only, laser and constant light, or laser and strobe light. Crimson Trace’s CMR-205 is the red laser model and the CMR-204 is the green laser model. The MSRP is $279 for the red unit and $379 for the green model.
Crimson Trace offer’s America’s firearms enthusiasts and self defense minded gun owners more than 160 options in laser sighting and tactical lighting—the most of any laser sight manufacturer. The company’s products are widely recognized for innovation, durability and reliable performance. For additional details, visit www.crimsontrace.com or call 800-442-2406. The company is based in Wilsonville, Oregon, and all Crimson Trace products are proudly Made in the USA.
SIG P938 ultra compact 9mm pistol is an exceptional alternative to many of its .380 ACP competitors. The P938 comes standard with a thumb safety and an all metal frame making it an ideal defensive pistol. However, going to the range and running through 100 or 150 rounds of 9mm ball is taxing not just on the wallet. As with all small frame firearms, felt recoil is more pronounced. So having a .22LR conversion kit for the P938 is the perfect solution. SIG has announced a promotion on its SIG P938 .22LR Conversion Kit.
Special promotional price: $279
More than 20% savings (MSRP: $352) includes:
TO ORDER Call: (866) 619-1128 or (603) 418-8102
If you can’t reach central Oregon to attend Crimson Trace’s Midnight 3-Gun Invitational that is now underway, a new FREE app (M3GI 2014) offers the next-best-thing—instant access to the action and scores. Attendees at the range will be uploading images from their phones and tablets and providing details on behind-the-scenes action.
“As the Midnight 3-Gun Invitational has grown from an ambitious idea to one of the most talked about events in the shooting sports industry, so has the way we support the event,” said Gary Killingsworth, Crimson Trace Digital Marketing Manager. “The M3GI mobile apps were created to help competitors and fans stay up to date on all the action. Since the M3GI takes place in the high desert – and at night – a mobile app is a great way to keep everyone up to speed as its happening. We’ve also focused plenty of energy on making sure the app is ‘social’ and allows competitors and media members to share images and social media posts to those who can’t be there.”
The M3GI 2014 App is in the Apple Store for iPhones, smartphones and iPad tablets, Google Play Store for Android smartphones and tablets and for Kindle Fire tablets through the Amazon App store. Visit www.m3gi.com and look on the left side of the page to be directed to the apps.
The M3GI 2014 App provides details on the schedule, match rules and info, details on the 40-plus sponsors, stages diagrams and details, and a range map with directions to the COSSA range. There is also a social media portal—Live Album—where visitors can see images posted by contestants, including the guns they’ll be shooting and details as they prep for the match. There will also be live Instagram, Facebook and Twitter feeds from the event to keep followers—and e-spectators—up to date.
The Midnight 3-Gun Invitational is underway in central Oregon. Additional details can also be found at http://www.m3gi.com.
Ed Brown Products, Inc. in collaboration with Krypteia Strategies, the civilian division of the highly respected Paratus Consulting Group, has introduced a limited edition 1911. This limited edition pistol is called the “Krypteia Edition”, pronounced “Cryp TIE ya”, and is built according to Krypteia Strategies specifications.
Krypteia Strategies works closely with current Military and Law Enforcement units to ensure that their training and skill sets are unmatched when they step foot on the battlefield. Krypteia gathered information, feedback and opinions from Tier 1 operational units in Military and Law Enforcement in order to help spec out a handgun that would outperform anything else on the market.
Krypteia Strategies has chosen the specs for this pistol based on the needs of the modern operator. Every part of this handgun is specifically designed to be utilized in today’s operational environments by today’s leading operators. Krypteia has taken the classic design of the 1911 and enhanced it with the options that matter most to the modern day operator. From the oversized magwell for faster, more consistent reloads, the aggressive Chainlink II pattern on the grip that is perfect for gloved or wet hands, and the front and rear serrated slide for press checks and hasty return to battery, this pistol has everything needed to be utilized in combat theaters around the globe.
Learn more about Krypteia Strategies.
Find Your Range is about getting out into the millions of acres of beautiful wilderness that this country has to offer, in hopes of discovering the ultimate shooting experience.
The poor guy who said the ISIS flag would be hanging over the White House literally has no idea what’s in store…
LaserLyte®, has announced a joint promotion with Taurus® featuring the LaserLyte® CM-MK4, dual laser for pistols and three popular Taurus® handguns. The innovative CM-MK4 handgun laser displays a ring of red laser dots surrounding the center aiming laser for quicker target acquisition and a better score rate. The LaserLyte® CM-MK4 is packaged with Taurus’ new PT840 in .40 S&W, the PT92 in 9mm and the Millennium G2.This combination is shipping now to distributors and is available through many big box stores such as Cabela’s, Bass Pro and Academy.
The LaserLyte CM-MK4 projects a ring of 8 red laser dots with one red laser dot in the center as the aiming laser. The circle grows at 1-inch per yard, approximately the same configuration as a shotgun aimed at a moving target. The red laser circular pattern gives the use the advantage of a wide field-of-view while keeping both eyes open for aiming. The advantages of the CM-MK4 are many, from learning the sight pattern of their Taurus personal defense pistol, to immediate and precise aiming when under threat to helping individuals with vision issues confidently return to the shooting sports.
Friday is upon us and this is usually the day of the week when we stray from reviewing gear and getting the word out about new product offerings from our industry partners to add a little fun to our Blog with a lite humor. We also present our thoughts on relevant issues that mainstream media may skew to one side or the other.
When ISIS began operations in Iraq we felt that the U.S. should do nothing and allow the situation to play itself out. We still feel that way. Why?
1. Iraq was never ours period. It belongs to Iran. The Al-Maliki government, principally Shea Muslims have a bad taste in their mouths for Sunni Muslims, and the population suffered the brunt of that ideology. In fact, one of several reasons Iran was able to circumvent sanctions was its Iraqi proxy and Shea Muslim affiliation.
2. The Al-Assad government in Syria also belongs to Iran and serves as a conduit for Iranian materiel and funding for Hezbollah. Although it is a marriage of convenience as opposed to a deeply rooted allegiance based on religion, or anything else for that matter.
3. Unlike the west, political ideology is not the driver for interrelationships in the region, it’s sectarian, Shea v. Sunni, and less so for Afghanistan and Pakistan where tribal relationships are the cement holding things together.
4. No action the United States can take will result in a political or ideological win. Supporting Shias would alienate the Sunnis, and vice versa.
5. Furthermore, in order to prevent a nuclear Iran, you need less sympathetic governments in Iraq and Syria. ISIS is that surrogate force to accomplish the task. If properly managed, transitional governments in Iraq and Syria will go a long way towards reducing state sponsored terrorism and a nuclear Iran.
6.There is an assumption that ISIS will establish a caliphate in Iraq and Syria, which I think is possible, but short-lived. The radical component of ISIS is like an opportunistic pathogen. It has taken advantage of an Iraqi government that disregarded a large segment of its people and a Syrian state in turmoil with Al-Assad’s foot on the throat of his people. Those are the conditions that created ISIS. However, those countries are beginning to produce antibodies. Iraqis and Syrians are sophisticated, educated and intelligent people which makes for very poor auger; therefore, it is unlikely that Islamic fundamentalism will thrive in those environments.
7. ISIS’s approach to conquest is bring minds in line with its goals through fear and intimidation. But, they do serve a purpose as distasteful as that may seem. To date, they remain an isolated regional problem. It is a dynamic that needs to be played out with U.S. involvement limited to humanitarian assistance and the appropriate level of overwatch.
IWI has just announced its highly anticipated online web store where consumers will be treated to products like Tavor® SAR 9mm Conversion Kit, Tavor® SAR Spare Parts, IWI Tavor® Tactical Combat Knife, Magazines, Accessories and Apparel. The site is up an running now and open for business.
Harrisburg, Pa. (August 2014) – IWI US, Inc., a subsidiary of Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) Ltd., today introduced the IWI US Online Web Store (www.iwi.us/Products), the easiest way to shop online for Tavor® SAR accessories, including the 9mm Conversion Kit and spare parts. The IWI US Online Web Store features easily searchable product categories with simple check out procedures. The highly anticipated online store also offers a wide selection of magazines, accessories and apparel.
“We are thrilled to have launched the IWI US Online Web Store,” remarked Michael Kassnar, VP of Sales and Marketing for IWI US. “This has been a long time coming and we’ve worked really hard to create something our fans would appreciate and find simple to navigate.”
The IWI US Online Web Store provides a host of accessories for the Tavor® SAR enthusiast, including the IWI Vertical Foregrip and Ergonomic Foregrip, the Foregrip Light Holder and Flashlight/Laser Holder, the Tavor® SAR Forearm Picatinny Rail and a Cleaning Kit. For the true fan, IWI US now offers a selection of hats, t-shirts, hoodies and performance polo’s for both men and women. The Web Store also features an IWI Tavor® Tactical Combat Knife manufactured in Pennsylvania by Guardian Tactical, in an impressive collaboration between the U.S. Protective Service and Andrew Buerk, Guardian Tactical’s chief designer, resulting in this exclusive design for IWI US. Additional items will be added to the Web Store in the coming months.
IWI USA www.iwi.us
TRU-SPEC®, a leading suppliers of uniforms and personal equipment to the military, law enforcement and public safety markets, announced their title as “Preferred Track Apparel Supplier” for the Atlanta 500, held Labor Day weekend at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, GA.
TRU-SPEC® and AMS have worked together to provide 24-7 Series® Pants and Performance Polos to AMS full time security staff, while also outfitting the rest of AMS’ full time staff in Performance Polos. Additionally, celebrity spokesperson, Sgt. R. Lee Ermey, USMC (Ret.), popularly known as “The Gunny,” will be on-hand at the official TRU-SPEC tent in the Fan Zone of the Atlanta Motor Speedway on both Saturday (8/30) and Sunday (8/31). He will be available for autographs, pictures and doing special appearances throughout the race weekend.
TRU-SPEC® will also be displaying their popular line of apparel at their tent in the Fan Zone. Visitors will be able to experience the comfort and fit of the 24-7 Series® apparel in the TRU-SPEC® dressing room.
The Grey Ghost JED Bail Out Bag is designed to be an all-in-one solution for getting out of trouble fast during vehicle operations. Whether going fully armored or low profile civilian style, the JED Bag is a perfect fit.
The Bail Out Bag is configured with plenty of room for whatever you might need to carry, with multiple interior mesh pockets, elastic loops for four 40mm rounds and a zipper that runs the full length of the bag for fast access to everything inside.
The outside of the bag has sections of loop material for attaching hook backed pouches like those from Orange Diamond Concealment, the Tactical Tailor Low-Vis line or other similar pouches from other manufacturers.
Despite rumors to the contrary, Grey Ghost Gear assures us that the JED was not named for the Clampett patriarch (though we like Buddy Ebsen as much as the next guy). No, JED stands for Jim Erwin Developed – and you may rest assured that Erwin’s time working for JSOC helped him design a badass bag.
With ammunition still in short supply and prices absurdly high it’s refreshing to see new product offerings that address the needs of most shooters – adequate supply of practice ammunition along with a high performance defensive load. HSM’s differentiator is that they are ballistically matched.
The HSM Double Duty combo pack contains 250 rounds of lower-cost ball ammunition and 50 rounds of self-defense ammunition, all economically packaged together in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP.
The 250 rounds of 9mm and .40 S&W practice loads use once-fired brass that’s been cleaned, tumbled and totally refurbished before factory reloading. The 50 rounds of premium self-defense loads use new brass and Hornady’s excellent XTP hollow-point bullet.
The .45 ACP loads also use the Hornady XTP hollow-point, and use new brass for both the practice and self-defense loads because it’s tough even for a factory to get enough once-fired .45 ACP brass.
The HSM Double Duty package gives gun owners a decent quantity of lower-cost practice ammunition, and a useable quantity of premium self-defense ammunition that are ballistically matched. That means that you can practice with the lower-cost ball (which also works fine for self defense) and the premium self-defense loads will go to the same point of impact.
Specifications / MSRP
HSM uses ultra-high-quality, copper-plated lead bullets for more economical, accurate practice/range rounds that will not lead barrels. In fact, an HSM copper-plated lead round looks, feels and fires no differently than a hardball round. The HSM copper-plated lead bullet also offers an additional benefit: It has expansion capability that a standard hardball round cannot match.
HSM Ammunition, Stevensville, MT 59870 www.TheHuntingShack.com
Crimson Trace is again hosting the world’s largest nighttime 3-Gun competition—the 3rd Annual Midnight 3-Gun Invitational (M3GI). If you’re not familiar with the competition here are some important facts:
For more details, visit: www.m3gi.com or call Crimson Trace at 800-442-2406.
Before you go out to buy a low priced entry level red dot optic for your AR, I’d like you to read my review of Bushnell’s AR TRS-25. In short, a high performance sight at an entry level price.
Read My Review:
This is the cockpit on the new Pilatus PC-24 displayed a la “Full Monty” with every piece of avionics available. It is absolutely amazing. Gone are the more manly rudder pedals with toe brake extensions. What is this world coming too gentlemen!
You can never get enough ISR in today’s battlespace. Large portions of military budgets are expended to improve ISR. The commercial space has not gone unnoticed by hardware and software developers and as a result consumers can develop their own Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities that as far back as 5 years would have turn the law enforcement community green with envy.
Later this month, I’ll introduce you to building your own capabilities using a smart device and S4 Gear’s ZOOM SVS Smartphone Digiscoping Mount. The mount isn’t perfect and there are areas where improvements are needed but overall it will get the ball rolling for you.
Capabilities are further enhanced when combined with time lapsed georeferenced imaging, and I’ll tell you about a couple of excellent apps that will do just that. Combining all of the individual attributes in a 3G environment and you have the makings of a rather formidable system.
Tacprogear BLACK, announced the all American-made Releasable Body Armor Vest (RBAV). The new vest design is based on the SPEAR/BALCS shaped platform with a full-coverage tactical cut protecting the upper torso from multiple ballistic threats (depending upon level of ballistic inserts utilized). The vest is compatible with an array of optional components, such as bicep, groin and throat and collar protection. The ambidextrous, quick-release mechanism is tucked under the throat access flap and is easily reached and deployed.
The RBAV system consists of a base vest assembly and outer shell base vest carrier with an optional ballistic insert set and one set of interchangeable left and right cummerbunds, one pair of removable side plate pockets, internal elastic belly-band, pair of revocable shoulder pads and the quick release cable. The system is fully adjustable for length and girth. A front admin/document pouch is built-in for easy access. Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) webbing is stitched on the front, back and cummerbunds of the RBAV to accommodate limited load bearing pouches. The Tacprogear BLACK RBAV system also includes a reinforced drag handle, integrated routing channels for cable management and fully adjustable placement of side plate pockets.
Tacprogear BLACK’s RBAV system is available in Coyote, MultiCam (OCP), Kryptek Mandrake™ and Black. Tacprogear manufactures the RBAV in their new facility in Miami, Florida as part of the BLACK line.
Product inquiries can be made on the site, by emailing sales@tacprogearblack.comor calling (561) 865-7279.
With the cost of an Aimpoint T-1 at nearly $700, it doesn’t hurt to look at possible substitutes that don’t give up much in the way of function or durability.
This month, I’ll be presenting a couple of options from strong companies with outstanding customer service that are well worth considering. The first up comes from the folks at Bushnell, the AR TRS-25; a lot of attention to detail went into this optic. I was very impressed with the small footprint, weight, zero retention and its look an feel. I think you’ll like it too, so catch my upcoming review and follow me on Twitter @Twobirdsflying to become a regular reader.
There are several SWAT Challenges around the country; they are a great venue for comradery and information exchange. It’s great to see company’s like IWI invest in the events, and we thank them for their participation. These officers are a talented and dedicated group of people.
Harrisburg, Pa. (July 2014) – IWI US, Inc., a subsidiary of Israel Weapon Industries (IWI) Ltd., is proud to announce a corporate sponsor partnership with Indiana SWAT Challenge, Inc. (ISC), a non-profit corporation based in Muncie, Indiana. Now, in its 13th year, the Indiana SWAT Challenge offers SWAT teams from across the country an opportunity to test and train in a unique military-style setting. Teams compete while sharpening their skills in real-world type scenarios. This year the Indiana SWAT Challenge, hosted by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, will be held at Camp Atterbury in Edinburgh, Indiana.
“The Indiana SWAT Challenge provides SWAT officers an ideal opportunity to experience the benefits of the TAVOR® SAR, especially its compact size, perfect for entry, enclosed interior spaces and for getting in and out of patrol cars,” Michael Kassnar, VP of Sales and Marketing for IWI US, commented. “We are proud to partner with an organization that provides officers with serious training and testing in an atmosphere of camaraderie and community support.”
“The partnership between ISC & IWI is an ideal match,” Tony Skinner, ISC President, added. “The SWAT Challenge brings over one hundred highly motivated SWAT officers to Indiana for the competition every year. This year they will be rewarded with the prospect of shooting the world’s most advanced rifle-the TAVOR® SAR. We are excited about providing this through our sponsor, IWI US, and introducing IWI US to the best tactical officers around. ISC’s expectations are for a long and successful partnership.”
The Indiana SWAT Challenge takes place September 3rd-6th, 2014. Members of the Delaware County Emergency Response Team staff the Challenge and do not participate.
More information on the event can be found at www.indianaswatchallenge.com.
Millett, has announced the release of three new tactical red dot sights. The new M-Force, M-Pulse and Speed Point red dot sights.
The M-Force features a 5 MOA red dot with a fully-coated fixed power optic for a bright sight picture and quick target acquisition. Constructed with a durable 30mm tube, the M-Force comes with flip-open scope caps and a one-piece, tool-free cantilever mount for optimum sight height and quick installation on AR rifles.
The high-quality, all-aluminum constructed M-Pulse features a self-adjusting 5 MOA red dot that illuminates in harmony with ambient light conditions. The sight, which includes a tool-free high rise mount ideal for AR platforms, activates once the sight cover is removed and offers versatility across a broad range of light conditions.
The entry level Speed Point works great as a single sighting system or in conjunction with other sights. Featuring fully-coated optics and a 5 MOA red dot, the Speed Point offers a bright sight picture and rapid target acquisition at a variety of ranges. It comes with high tactical rings for proper alignment on AR platforms.
The Millett red dot sights are prices at $90.95 for the Speed Point, $220.95 for the M-Force and $259.95 for the M-Pulse.
For more information visit www.millettsights.com or call 1-800-423-3537.
When I heard First Light USA was adding an entry level tactical lighting line, I was looking forward to seeing the concept firsthand. Entry level concepts often suggest that you may need to give up some of your requirements, so the decision revolves around a measure of what you are willing to compromise on. Not at all the case with the TORQ line. I was pleasantly surprised to see how generous First Light was with features and ergonomics. You give up the machined aluminum housing for an injection molded polymer but keep an IPX7 waterproof rating with huge number of features and modes; including an emergency beacon you can view here: video
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FOG HORN 