Tag Archive | Tactical Equipment

The LWPC is designed with maximum versatility and speed in mind. The ability to conceal this plate carrier allows the operator to maximize the effectiveness of this platform even in uncertain environments where low-profile is the number one priority. The possibility to unzip a Jacket and attach a placard with all the mission specific equipment really makes the transition from low-profile to high-profile just a matter of seconds. The ability to change configuration in a brief period of time allows the end user to quickly adapt to the specific situation as the environment changes. The biggest feature of this plate carrier, aside from its incredible light weight, is the versatility and modularity provided by the SwiftClips. Velocity Systems and MayflowerRC have, for a long time, believed in the concept of a modular armor and load bearing system that shared the same support structure. For many years we have seen great redundancy in the operators’ equipment; a popular set-up used to be a standard chest rig worn on top of a low profile armor carrier. At the time the only alternative to this system was the bulky PALs webbing/MOLLE plate carrier (which required a lot of time to reconfigure pouch by pouch) but it would not provide the ability to quickly change set-up (from 5.56 to 7.62 or to mission specific role) like the chest rig and plate carrier combination.

To this need Velocity Systems and Mayflower RC have responded with modular placards and chest rigs that would provide the operator with the comfort of a single piece of equipment while having the versatility of multiple pre-configured modular set-ups.

In our opinion, there is a substantial difference in the set-up of this product in the various applications of agencies and civilian use.

For a military or agency type of application this product would be suited for some sort of low-profile operation in which the operator would be required to constantly wear armor, comms and, perhaps, a medical kit. The low-profile nature of the carrier would quite possibly be unnoticed but would offer protection and the ability to attach a fully equipped chest rig placard within seconds.

As for the civilian use, we think that this system could offer much more versatility that a standard MOLLE vest. The use in a civilian application would, hopefully, be for a shorter period of time and it would not require the user to wear comms and med kit on a closer level. In an event in which the civilian should respond with armor the medical kit and radio would probably store within the placard itself. The MOLLE version allows to carry 6×6” armor side plates and offers 6 columns of PALS webbing attachment.

This is why we find the MOLLE version of the cummerbunds more suitable for low-profile operations and the elastic (lighter and slicker) cummerbunds for civilian use. Off course, the interchangeability of them will allow the user to configure it to the mission requirements. The low profile nature of the elastic cummerbunds would also allow a concealed carry citizen to use his/her inside the waistband holster at the three o’clock position without any interference with the plate carrier itself.

The lower half of the front of the plate carrier is covered with loop Velcro, stitched right into the front flap. On the sides of the upper portion are the two SwiftClips, which can be removed. There is a low-profile admin pouch, also stitched with a loop Velcro panel. If you happen to have the Multicam version of this plate carrier, as we do, the “admin” and back loop Velcro panels visible from the outside are matched with the camo pattern.

It was a pleasant surprise to see that this Light Weight plate carrier has all of the features of “Standard” plate carriers. Often times, due to the weight reduction, companies tend to “lighten” the adjustability and user-configurability, not Velocity Systems and Mayflower R&C. The cummerbunds can be adjusted both from the front and from back panel. For primary fitting, it is possible to regulate on the back panel the position of the cummerbund, the end of which is provided with both hook and loop Velcro on each side; this ensures the stability and the overall ruggedness of the product. For field adjustment (or secondary adjustment), it is possible to fit the size by lifting the dedicated front panel. On the market it is usually is rare to see two fully spec’d adjustment points on such a lightweight platform.

The top straps are also adjustable, allowing fitting the perfect height of the plate carrier (on a side note, please stop wearing your plate carriers low, you know who we are talking about…). The top strap is provided with a cushioned sleeve, for load bearing comfort and cable routing. We only wrote cable and not hydration tube routing on purpose, this plate carrier is meant to be lightweight and therefore used in atypical (or asymmetrical warfare) type of scenarios such as urban and low-profile application in which there should not be the need of “field” requirements like continuous hydration on the move. If the possibly of attaching a panel or an hydration bladder is an important characteristic we suggest checking out the other plate carriers from Velocity Systems and Mayflower R&C like the SCARAB.

Both the stitching and the material used are impressive. The attention to details and the well thought design differentiate this product from a market full of plate carriers that have become almost a commodity without any peculiar feature. Velocity Systems uses 500-denier Cordura fabric for the outer layers; this provides high mechanical properties while still maintaining a low-weight discipline.

Velocity Systems and Mayflower R&C proudly use materials and workmanship that are 100% made in the USA.

For more information, please visit: VelSyst.com

June 10, 2016

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Blue Force Gear: Pistol Belt Pouches | Review

Blue Force Gear is well known for quite possibly the most low profile PALS-Webbing / MOLLE pouches on the market. They have put together two incredibly thin and durable materials: the military grade elastic and the ULTRAcomp laminate. The combination of these two fabrics created the well-known Ten-Speed pouches. After the great success with the MOLLE platform, Blue Force Gear has decided to apply this technology to the belt pouch. For many years, leather and Kydex were the two only material utilized in belt pouches, the only problem with these was the bulkiness and impossibility to have them “collapsed” against the body when not in use. Although Kydex remains a good option for more overt applications, the Blue Force Gear belt pouches are suited for more covert applications for both military and civilian use.

The belt-mounted line of pouches are designed specifically for:

rifle mags (low rise and high rise pouches available)
pistol mags
handcuffs
dump pouches
pepper spray
batons

These products serve three different category of users simultaneously: Military personnel, LE officers and concealed carry civilians.

For this article, we had the chance to test the pistol mag pouch in the two configurations: single mag
and double mag. These two mag pouches are designed to be quickly and easily accessible, even under
stress. They work with both single and double stack magazine. The high quality elastic material allows
to switch between double stack and single stack mags without losing any retention capability.

Although fast speed reloads are ideal for this type of pouch, tactical reloads are also possible with just a
little practice. The main feature of this system is that once you extract the content, the pouch collapses
on it-self reducing any extra bulk. In our opinion, this feature is ideal for EDC and CCW.

For everyday carry purposes we have found that this pouch is incredibly useful not only for pistol mags
but also for multi-tools, battery racks and flashlights.

For CCW we usually like to carry appendix or 3 o’clock (both IWB and OWB). For appendix carry the use
of a mag caddy is quite comfortable, but when carrying at the 3 o’clock position having an IWB Kydex
mag caddy at the 9 o’clock is pretty uncomfortable.
This is why we now have decided to go with the Blue Force Gear mag pouch Outside the Waist Band.

These mag pouches also work perfectly in conjunction with a plate carrier or a chest rig. They are easily
accessible also with the Blue Force Gear Trauma Kit NOW! placed right on top; both in the loading and
unloading processes.

In order to attach to the belt these pouches utilize a very versatile hook and loop system. This allows the pouch to be mounted to classic leather or tactical nylon belts of up to 2″ in width. The pouch can also be easily detached from the belt without having to take the whole system off. Attaching the pouch to the belt doesn’t require much time or effort, making it a valid option for extra emergency mags stored elsewhere. For example we always carry the single pouch on the belt with an extra Glock 19 mag, but if needed, within seconds, we can mount, to the belt, the double pouch with two Glock 17 mags that we keep in an EDC backpack.

As for all Blue Force Gear products the quality of construction, stitching and material is outstanding. The are constantly providing clever products that bring more efficiency and are lightweight, the belt pouches are the proof.

For more information on the belt-mounted line of pouches please visit: BlueForceGear.com

June 1, 2016

in Gear, Reviews

Steiner Optics: T824 Tactical Binoculars | Review

Steiner Optics is one of the most reputable optics companies on the market; they have been manufacturing some of the finest glasses for decades. With great attention to quality and detail, Steiner stands behind their product with extensive field-testing and quality control.

In many situations, being able to see beyond the human eye capability is key for planning and decision-making. Even if we have great-magnified optics mounted on rifles and carbines it’s not always possible to point them in any direction; especially in urban environments, where a long weapon may not be available and the binocular may be the only vision enhancement available.

Other than in surveillance and navigation, a compact 8 x binocular could be used for many other defensive tasks. From a civilian point of view, items like the Steiner T824 could be easily

carried in a EDC backpack or sling and it could be very helpful in dangerous contingencies. In an active shooter situation occurring in a public location, after having deployed the concealed carry weapon and having assessed the situation (and the distance from the shooter), a compact binocular could be utilized to provide precious intel on suspect to the first responders and the authorities.

The Steiner T824 is one of the most rugged binoculars on the market. The body is entirely covered with a rubber mold for shock absorption, while the N2 filled lenses proved waterproofness and antifogging. Quality of sight and toughness are just mandatory when dealing with companies like Steiner.

The most impressive feature of the T824 was the size of the whole product. Keeping in mind all the features that we have listed above this product is incredibly small; and furthermore easily deployable to many different situations and environments.

In the world of optics you often have to finder a compromise between size (lightweight and compact) and optical performance; the Steiner T824 provides a crystal clear 8x image in one of the smallest and lightest binocular system on the market.

The ruggedness and quality of the T824 is exceptional; after more than six months of hard everyday use it does not show any sign of weakness or failure. The rubberized coating makes this optic is almost indestructible, it has fallen several times from various heights and it did not break or scratch. The N2 filled optics are very effective against fogging, even during high intensity activities (in both freezing winter and humid summer) they keep a crystal clear transparency.

On the range this compact pair of tactical binoculars have showed to be more useful than we thought. When you are working on carbines and handguns on a flat range, you usually tend to leave the spotting scope at home; unless you are focusing on specific long-range shooting sessions. The Steiner T824 are compact and lightweight enough to be always included in your range bag and they can be very useful for some quick check on the target without having the whole range going cold.

The Steiner T824 is the smallest model (in both price and dimensions) of the line of tactical binocular. The Tactical series of Steiner binoculars include optics from 8 x 24 up to 10 x 42, available either with or without reticle.

For more information, please visit the Steiner Optics website

February 11, 2016

in Gear, SHOT Show 2016
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ShotShow2016: Blue Force Gear

Last year we published a brief article about the release of the Dapper Organizer kit from Blue Force Gear: urbansurvivorblog.com/2015/10/23/blue-force-gear-dapper-kit/

Here are some picture of it from Shot Show 2016.

The Dapper Organization mainly revolves around the Jedburgh pack. This medium-small sized pack is very discreet and well thought. It comes in different color variants: black, coyote brown, od green, multicam and wolf with an MSRP of $ 140.

The inside of the pack is almost completely covered with loop-Velcro which allows it to be extremely versatile and customizable by the user. Blue Force Gear offers a very wide line of accessory for this platform (or any other pack with loop velcro) both for tactical and everyday applications.

After the wide success of the Ten-Speed MOLLE pouches Blue Force Gear has decided to expand this technology to the belt system, and we are very glad to see it. This relatively new line is dedicate both to covert and overt shooters that like to run a minimalist belt system.

The latest innovation in sling-attachment technology is the U-loop. It allows the sling to be attached to virtually any weapon system out there (even the more exotic ones) with a silent and reliable system. Forget tools and screws because the U-loop doesn’t require much effort to be attached/detached, it’s a quick one hand operation.

BFG has now expanded the color lineup to the new Multicam patterns Arid and Tropic.

January 31, 2016

in SHOT Show 2016, Shows, Weapons
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ShotShow2016: M+M Industries

One of the most innovative products displayed at Shot Show, this year, came from M+M industries. The American AK manufacturer is now presenting on the market the next step in the evolution of the Kalashnikov’s design. We haven’t had the chance to shoot this rifle yet, but form an engineering point of view it seems to be very promising, with increased reliability, accuracy and attachment options.

The M10, the previous version of this rifle, was sent to more the 250 experts in 2015 for a field test. Now, the M+M engineers have made some minor changes and adjustments based on the feedback they have received. This platform will be available in 7.62 x 39mm.

The difference between this product and other US-manufactured AK platforms is that instead of jamming an AK mag into an AR15 (we have seen these atrocities way to much at the show this year) or just rebuilding the AK with almost the same processes used in Soviet Russia in the 50s they have adapted the Kalash concept to the production systems of the 21st century. New technologies, like for example 3-axes CNC machining, allow the production of fewer but more complicated components, reducing slacks and weak points. This is a lighter, easier to maintain, more accurate and more reliable system that still fires the 7.62 x 39 round.

As you can see from the image below these are the components of the two weapon systems, on the right is the standard-design AK and the left is the new M+M model 10X.

We really can’t wait to get our hands on one of these rifles.

For more information please visit M+M Website.

January 29, 2016

in Gear, SHOT Show 2016, Shows
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ShotShow2016: SureFire

This year at ShotShow SureFire has released an interesting new multi functional product: the FirePack 1500. This product attaches to the users smartphone and is connected to it via wireless comms. This allows to utilize the Firepack both as a 1500 lumen flashlight and as a flash for you smartphone camera, all through the app installed on the phone. It could also be use as an external battery to charge your phone.

The other EDC new product from SureFire is the Sidekick. This keychain-attached compact flashlight is able to deliver up to 300 lumen and will cycle through three brightness settings with the use a single button. The Sidekick will also come with a retractable string for secure use.

Two very interesting product of the EDC line are the Titan and Titan Plus.

Surefire has extended the product line with the Intellibeam technology to the Fury, Lawman and Scout lights.

As for weapon-mounted light there will be more models with the capability of White-IR LED.

The product that has revolutionized the market of CCW weapon-mounted lights is the XC-1. This light is mainly designed for weapon with a size similar to the Glock 19. At the show it was mounted on a 1911 from Wilson Combat, not too sure about that.

The X-300 Ultra has now the mounting interface of the X-400 and has been powered up to 600 Lumens.

January 27, 2016

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ShotShow2016: Trijicon

This year at they Shot Show booth Trijicon had some very interesting new products, that they have released during the past few months. The main new product is the MRO or Miniature Rifle Optic. This Red Dot sight is based on the production of the ACOG (the great success of this company), in fact we were told that it shares many tools and machines during the manufacturing process; this in our book is synonym of great quality and toughness, just like the bigger brother ACOG.

The MRO differentiates from the other tubular-red dot sight on the market with its unique design. Instead of having only one cylinder, that creates too much tunnel vision, this sight utilizes two, enlarging the viewing area and enhancing the situational awareness. The sight also features a very smart design regarding the windage and elevation adjustments, the controls are caps-free and they are surface-flush allowing an easy access without any sort of accidental change.

At the show Trijicon has released also the VCOG with a green reticle. The reason behind the green reticle is that is more effective on the user’s eye, allowing to dim down the LED intensity, this double the battery life. The VCOG features a first focal plane reticle with bullet drop compensation. The alluminum-alloy housing is rugged and it doesn’t require any ring mount.

The other product that we were very pleased to see was the back-sight pistol mount for the RMR. This base-plate interfaces with the back-sight of the handgun allowing the user to adopt an RMR without drilling or CNC machining the slide.

January 26, 2016

in Gear, SHOT Show 2016, Shows
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ShotShow2016: TNVC

Tactical Night Vision Company is the most reputable night/thermal vision company on the market. They are truly experts on the matter, here is part of our experience at their booth. Enjoy

This is the new M-TEK Flux Carbon helmet. It features M-Lok rails, Wilcox L4 Shroud and a new shape for enhanced protection and comfort.

Here is their line of weapon mounted visors, both thermal and night vision. Above is their new weapon mounted dual-switch that works with 1913 rails and Keymod or M-Lok sections.