Could this be the Gen4 Glock?
November 5th, 2009 | Business News Link | Posted by Rob Curtis
At AUSA, we tried to get a little news from Glock about their 4th generation pistol. The reps were all tight-lipped about the new features we might see when they unveil it at Shot in January. But, Richard over at gunsholstersandgear.com has pieced together a pretty good picture of what we can expect the Austrians might be doing to compete with Sig-Sauer, Smith & Wesson and Springfield. Richard based his findings on a combination of privileged sources, public documents and educated guesses.
Don’t get sucked to deep into the madness, though. Photos of a Gen3 RTF Glock (right) are getting posted on forums and blogs that are mistakenly labeling it the Gen4 pistol.
Gen 4 Glock: A Look at the New Features.
Oakley’s Elite Assault Boot Stomps Bad Guys, Wallets
October 29th, 2009 | Product Announcement | Posted by Rob Curtis
Leave it to Oakley to combine stainless steel and carbon fiber to make a fabric that can withstand a blowtorch. When they say the Elite Assault Boot is flame resistant, they mean it. Check out the intro video on the product page that shows a penny melting on the fabric. The stuff appears totally unimpressed by the heat.
Other features that come with the $500 price tag include a tread pattern specifically designed for stealth, puncture resistant sole. slash resistant upper and some high-grade leather to keep them from looking like a the 22nd century boots they so clearly are.
I’m thinking these may add something to your awesomely expensive Arc’teryx Veilance outfit (which is on sale now.)
USMC looking for new packs and body armor
October 28th, 2009 | Business News Contracts | Posted by Rob Curtis
The Marine Corps just announced a couple of RFIs. The first one, for Individual Load Bearing Equipment (ILBE), hit a couple weeks ago. The second, looking for new body armor, landed just this morning. Together, the two mean the Corps knows ILBE and body armor don’t work together; and they realize it’s time to fix it.
The industry day for the ILBE program will be held Jan 22, 2010 in Salt Lake City, presumably to take advantage of a large number of pack company’s presence at the Outdoor Retailer show. The body armor industry day will be in Las Vegas Jan 19, 2010 when body armor companies will converge at Shot Show.
The Marines are looking for process and material enhancements that have come to market since ILBE’s addoption 6 years ago that can make ILBE2 lighter, stronger and more adaptable than the current system. ILBE was brought in to rescue the Corps after the audacious design of the MOLLE system (pictured above) folded under the weight of it’s own complexity and fragility.
The other RFI is interesting because it shows the Corps is not only continuing, but accelerating its march away from the modular tactical vest (MTV) in it’s recognition that greater mobility equates to improved lethality in the infantry.
It looks like even their latest system, the improved scalable plate carrier (ISPC), isn’t cool enough for the Corps.One line of the solicitation in particular gives a clear indication of the Marine Corps’ intent: “MARCORSYSCOM is particularly interested in previously unexamined, lighter weight, and innovative armor solutions equaling or surpassing current performance standards.” Off the cuff, this makes me think of the Archangel body armor system. It might not be lighter, but it’s feels lighter, and it is innovative. Let’s hope the USMC realizes that armor and loadbearing equipment need to work together when these two programs get fielded.
Photo Caption: Marines from the 26th MEU load up their MOLLE packs as they head out on a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft & Personnel (TRAP) mission at Kandahar International Airport, 1/20/02. Photo: Rob Curtis
Camelbak Urban Assault Review
October 21st, 2009 | Cordon & Review | Posted by Phil Ewing
CamelBak’s “Urban Assault” backpack is a medium-sized bag designed for tactically minded city-dwellers who want to carry a lot of gear, a laptop, and water on their missions in the urban jungle.
If you don’t wear a tie to work every day — or you do, and you don’t mind looking like a college kid — this backpack can work as a great daily briefcase, especially if you’re commuting by train or bus. Pockets, sleeves and admin pouches secure loose papers, folders, pens and just about anything else, plus the dedicated laptop case is ideal for the expeditionary office drone. At 1850 cubic inches, it’s also large enough for a few gadgets or gym clothes.
If you’re getting ready to ship out to the sandbox, or looking for something to take on a hike across Death Valley, this may not be your first choice. The Urban Assault isn’t designed to accept CamelBak’s trademark suck-tube water pouches hydration bladder, instead setting aside two side pockets for its flip-up tube, Better Bottle water bottles.
Let’s take a closer look at the bag to see if it’s got what you’re looking for.
Cutting Edge Tactical Tomahawk Roundup
October 15th, 2009 | Cordon & Review | Posted by Rob Curtis
Clockwise from Bottom, RMJ, American Tomahawk, Sayoc Winkler, SOG
Referenced by the U.S. military back as far as 1757 in the 28 orders of Robert’s Rangers, the tomahawk has seen a resurgence in popularity as an effective weapon and a useful battlefield tool. They are decent breaching tools, outstanding weapons and are replacing knives as the last-ditch CQB weapon of choice by some of America’s elite forces.
While many are sold as breaching tools, this belies the ‘hawks best and bloodiest use. No other weapon of the same size can generate as much force with a short stroke in an enclosed space. Period. If a bad guy gets in your entry stack, you can’t shoot him without endangering your teammates; and a knife is a slow kill. If you really want to get someone off your teammate in a hurry, there’s nothing deadlier than the spike of a tomahawk to the head. Small and short might not look as cool, but they do the bloody job better than a knife in a confined space. Now, if you want to get through a wooden door, rake some glass or punch in a door lock, the longer handled tomahawks fit the bill.
Looking at the range of ‘hawks in today’s posts, you’ll see everything from budget-minded quality all the way up to exotic-looking designs. One of the keys to a tomahawk’s durability is the way the shaft is connected to the head. Nylon handles attached to steel heads will bend back into shape after a hit, but the head could eventually separate. Full tang designs mean the head and shaft are made from a single piece of material with no chance of head separation. Another factor to consider is the type of steel. Each of the ‘hawks below use different grades of steel and you get what you pay for in weight, durability and edge retention.
Sog Fusion Tactical Tomahawk
October 15th, 2009 | Cordon & Review Product Announcement | Posted by Rob Curtis
SOG Fusion Tactical Tomahawk $62.00
Some times it’s about the value. Manufactured overseas and based on the Vietnam Tomahawk, the SOG Fusion Tactical Tomahawk is an update of the battle axe optimized for breaching operations, excavation, obstacle removal, extraction, and other utility applications. The 420 stainless steel head is mounted to the fiberglass reinforced nylon handle with heavy-duty bolts and a steel ferrule for stability. Just under 16″ and 24 oz, the Fusion ‘hawk can get you though some tough spots without breaking the bank. Comes with a simple nylon sheath.
PRO: Value, no tears if 1st Sgt takes it away
CON: Two piece design, may come loose someday
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American Tomahawk LaGana Tactical Tomahawk (”VTAC”)
October 15th, 2009 | Cordon & Review | Posted by Rob Curtis
American Tomahawk LaGana Tactical Tomahawk (”VTAC”) $129.95
The LaGana Tactical Tomahawk is also based on the Vietnam era ‘hawk. Peter LaGana’s axe-head design has served the United States in every major conflict since the Vietnam War. AT’s update lightens the weight to 16 oz and adds an unbreakable Nylon handle and manufactures them in the US. The 1060 steel head is heat treated and weighted for throwing. The edge bevel is utility ground to retain its edge during breaching operations, so don’t expect it to pop the hair off your forearm. The included sheath will mount up to MOLLE gear for safe transport on your pack or vest. The army found them useful enough to make them standard equipment in the Stryker combat vehicle to support 3am door knocking ops.
PRO: Intermediate sized, wicked strong handle, light, USA made
CON: Two piece design, may come loose someday
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RMJ Tactical Shrike Hammer Forged Tomahawk
October 15th, 2009 | Cordon & Review | Posted by Rob Curtis
RMJ Tactical Shrike Hammer Forged Tomahawk $360.00
Stepping up to a hammer-forged chrome-moly 4140 steel RMJ Tactical has taken the tomahawk into the new millennium. Forging the entire axe from a single piece of steel covered by an electrically insulated grip give you two things. First, the head can’t fly off, and you’re protected when you accidentally hack through a power line while making entry into UBL’s cabana. The handle is ST801 Super Tuff Nylon overmolded onto the 8″ tang. The butt cap unscrews to reveal an enclosed sharpening stone. The long spike is designed for serious penetration and the heads narrow profile rakes glass with ease. The sleek head shape contains an extra cutting surface, called the beard, that is used on the pull stroke like a shroud cutter; a very nasty, appendage rending shroud cutter. The included bottom-eject Kydex scabbard works with PALS and holds the ‘hawk securely until you need it. It’s probably the most seriously engineered ‘hawk holster in the group.
PRO: Full tang (One piece) construction, several cutting surfaces, insulated grip, long reach, USA Made
CON: Big, impractical for IBA mounting
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Sayoc/Winkler R&D Hawk F/S
October 15th, 2009 | Cordon & Review | Posted by Rob Curtis
Sayoc/Winkler R&D Hawk F/S
$555 military/$840 civilian w/sheath
The R&D is the child of two tomahawk titans. Rafael Kayanan of Sayoc Tactical Group and Daniel Winkler, an accomplished bladesmith. This hand machined hawk is designed for combat and features 2 hand hold areas. A traditional grip at the end of the handle provides considerable swinging leverage and a second just under the head is ideal for close quarters work. This distinctive axe starts with 3/8″ 5160 steel and features a full tang that is skeletonized and tapered to maximize the weight, and impact force, at the head. The blade angle isn’t a typical utility axe grind. It’s a knife grind, optimized for damage.
This isn’t a breaching tool. The spike on the blade serves two purposes; its got looks to intimidate and it’s designed to cause maximum soft tissue damage on a slash. Pain is the point here. A slash with a razor sharp knife might not even register during an adrenaline fueled fight, while a rip with the jagged nastiness of the R&D F/S is going to get some attention. Overall length is just over 13″ with a weight of 1 lb 6 oz. Available with light curly maple, durable black Micarta or grippy recycled rubber scales.
PRO: Most deadly in close quarters, light and small enough to consider IBA carry, full tang construction, USA made, looks awesome in a deployment shadow box with your ear collection.
CON: Price, knife grind on blade makes edge a bit too delicate for breaching.
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Slo-Mo Bullet Porn
October 10th, 2009 | Off-Duty | Posted by Rob Curtis
One Meeelion frames-per-second. That’s a great way to watch bullets meeting steel, glass and gelatin.
My favorite scenes are around 1:20 where you get to see a the progression of damage as bullets hit plates at different angles and 2:01 where a bullet is disrupted mid-flight by a BB. The results are a little surprising.