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New Magpul Stocks: ACS-L and STR

By: Rob Curtis

30-11-2011

UPDATE: It looks like Magpul’s new MS3 is breaking cover in photo form in this photo of the STR stock. A drawing of the sling has been on their site, but here’s the first actual look at the new hardware they made for the sling.

Magpul STR Stock Storage/Type Restricted Carbine Stock
The STR Carbine Stock is a drop-in replacement for M4type carbine stocks. The STR has improved cheek weld and two water resistant battery tubes on a reinforced polymer A-frame design. A shielded operation lever and a friction locking system prevent accidental adjustment and eliminate excessive stock movement. The STR incorporates two sling loops, left and right side QD sling mount locations and a replaceable rubber butt pad.

Drop-in replacement for the standard M4 stock (Mil-Spec and Commercial-Spec models available)
Two water resistant battery tubes that can be accessed by hand in any stock position (holds two CR123A or AA
batteries per side)
Reinforced polymer construction
A-frame design with improved cheek weld
Shorter and lighter than the ACS Stock
Shielded release latch and supplemental friction lock
Compatible with Magpul ASAP® and other receiver mount sling attachments
Reversible push-button QD sling mount
Replaceable butt-pad offers an anti-slip surface and increases impact protection
Retail $99, FDE, Black, OD Green and Foliage
Length, Stock: 7.30 in.
Weight: 0.77 lb./1.02 lb. w/Rec. Extension
Width, Maximum: 2.58 in.
LOP Adjustment Range: 3.25 in.
LOP, M4 Collapsed: 11.10 in.
LOP, M4 Extended: 14.35 in.

Magpul ACS-L Stock Adaptable Carbine Stock- Light
The ACS-L Stock is a drop-in replacement buttstock for M4-type carbines. A streamlined version of the ACS, the ACS-L utilizes the same storage compartment and cheek weld but removes the battery tubes for a slimmer, lighter package.

Sloping cheek weld provides a wide contact surface for user comfort
Shielded release latch prevents snagging and accidental operation
Supplemental friction lock minimizes excessive stock movement
Storage compartment in tail of stock with positive latching access door on right hand side
Compatible with Magpul ASAP and other receiver mount sling attachments
Single QD Swivel Sling Mount included to accept any push-button sling swivel
Replaceable butt-pad offers an anti-slip surface and increases impact protection
Retail $99, FDE, Black, OD Green and Foliage
Weight: 0.78 lb./1.02 lb. w/Rec. Extension
Length, Stock: 7.95 in.
Width, Maximum: 2.17 in.
LOP Adjustment Range: 3.25 in.
LOP, M4 Collapsed: 11.75 in.
LOP, M4 Extended: 15.00 in.

Outdoor Research FR Swoop Mitt Shells

By: Stickman

24-11-2011

Product Preview

Outdoor Research is a company better known for its commercial outdoor gear than it is for Military contracts, but that doesn’t change their use of cold weather outerwear making appearances in the right Military circles. The Outdoor Research FR Swoop Mitt Shell is an example of one of those products which fits a certain niche. This Swoop Mitt is three-fingered, and looks like a hybrid between a traditional mitten and glove, taking assets from each to create a level of warmth higher than traditional gloves, while giving better overall dexterity.

I think most people are familiar with fine motor skills, especially when it comes to important ones like trigger control. Heavy gloves make shooting a disaster in most cases, but thin gloves seem to work better for protecting skin from abrasion than actually keeping hands warm. The FR Swoop Mitt Shells cradle the thumb and index finger, while keeping the last three fingers together for warmth. This works well for generic tasks like grabbing items in which mittens would prove to be too cumbersome. However, this isn’t going to allow fine motor skills, and for this, the FR Swoop peels its largest section back allowing for fingers (either bare or with liners) to do whatever needs to be done. In addition to setting fingers free, the FR Swoop opening is large enough for the entire hand to go outside the opening. While this may seem strange, I will say its a lot easier to stay warm, not drop, or not lose an item if it never comes all the way off.

Outdoor Research points out the FR Swoop Mitt Shells are part of an overall system, including a liner, and was originally designed for flight crews. With its FR rating, Goretex and seam sealed layers, I can see why guys would want this. While I can think of fewer things colder than being at altitude up in the mountains in the back of a bird as a crew chief or gunner, I can think of my own time humping a belt fed and laying in the cold and snow for hours on end waiting for bad people. Yeah, the aircrews might get this before anyone else, but I can think of other MOSs that can use it as well.

I’ve started a long term review on these, and they work just the way the pictures show. However, they are so warm that I’ve found I need colder weather to really get a solid review up. Check back in another month or so, and I’ll let you know how they do when the weather gets extra nasty. Click the picture for specs from the manufacturer.

VERTX Smock: Hands on

By: Rob Curtis

12-11-2011

Photo Recon, Product Preview

Here’s an exclusive first look at the VERTX Smock. As a soft shell, this smock is the modern American embodiment of the WWII era British combat smock. In sentimental terms, think of the combat smock as the European equivalent of our M65 field jacket and you get an idea of the garment’s appeal.

It’s an distinctive piece that adds modern styling and function to a vintage design. I think this will be the first in a resurgent wave of combat smocks marketed in the States.

Features:
Vertx gave the smock a full cut so it can be worn over a chest rig or a plate carrier. It’s going to be a bit of a stretch to wear over full-on body armor, though. It’s designed for layering and wear in a broad spectrum of environments. That’s why it’s only insulation is in the fleece lined hood and handwarmer pockets. Lined pit zips keep debris out and prevent you from sticking your arm through an open pitzip when donning the smock. There’s adjusters at the waist and hem to keep out drafts, reenforced elbows, a removable hood, and big Canadian style buttons on the hand warmer pocket flaps and the hood attachment are functional but impart an old school look.

Triple Aught Design (TAD) Ranger Hoodie

By: Stickman

19-10-2011

Product Announcement, Product Preview

Triple Aught Design, better known to most of us as TAD, redesigned their “Ranger Hoodie” earlier this year. With the change in weather coming upon us, and our never ending search for quality items to review, we took this one on along with some other upcoming outwear reviews to let you all know what works and what doesn’t. Its never to early to start thinking of Christmas, and its never to soon to own quality gear.

The TAD Ranger Hoodie is made of DWR-treated Polartec WindPro, which makes it rated to stop four times more wind than other fleece. The DWR coating is a nice touch, but fleece is never going to be the first choice of anyone going out into wet weather. At least with a DWR treatment, short trips or light rain isn’t going to get you soaked. Up here in the Pacific North West, its coming into six months or so of rain, and our long term testing is going to really be putting this to the test. I have no doubt based on short term use that the Ranger Hoodie is great in chilly weather as a stand alone piece, but I think being up on Mount Rainier and out on the Carbon Glacier an outer shell is gong to be needed as well when the cold rain and snow kick in. I’m willing to try layering up and just using the Ranger Hoodie, but I’ll have a hard shell in my pack just case…

My initial thoughts on the TAD Ranger Hoodie is that someone really did their homework. The fit of the size large (in loden green) is almost like it was tailored for me. My extra long arms fit without any trouble, and the thumb holes make for a nice touch for if I’m doing a lot of reaching around and don’t want to sleeve riding up. Like most outerwear I own, this has pockets on the upper arm along with velcro. The upper pockets are well sized, and not placed to far to the rear, which is a pet peeve of mine. The chest pockets are fine, and along with the upper sleeve pockets both have media ports so your iPod won’t get cold or wet.

Consider this a brief overview and a thumbs up from a first look. This TAD Ranger Hoodie will hit the mountains in the next few days, and after we’ve spent enough time to really get to know it, we will let you know how it does. Click the picture to see the product specs as given by TAD.

AAC’s MPW “Honey Badger” don’t care…

By: Rob Curtis

15-10-2011

Product Preview

Advanced Armament Corp. debuted this little honey at AUSA. It’s a low vis carbine designed to bring the potency and range of the 300 BLK round into the workspace of the 9mm H&K MP5 and MP7. Those sub-machine guns run pretty quiet, but using a can AAC optimized for this platform, the Honey Badger (AACs internal nickname for the nasty little thing), hits 125db, dry. Not bad for a full power cartridge in a gun that has more can than barrel. There is a second version of the Multi-Purpose Weapon with a longer handguard that covers the can. A fine CQB assaulter’s weapon, the longer handguard offers more real estate up front for lights, lasers and the like.

The MPW runs an AR style lower and takes all standard AR mags. The buffer system was shortened and the lower modified to accept the custom, adjustable stock. At the moment there are only six of these guns in existence and judging from the appearance of #000006 they are all running hard to prove their place on the battlefield.

The MOHAWK combat helmet gives you MO power

By: Rob Curtis

13-10-2011

Photo Recon

The MOHAWK, or MOdular HArd Wired Kitted combat helmet concept, is a collaboration between Ceradyne armor systems and Wilcox Industries that brings the powered rail idea to the top of your head.

Seamless and boltless construction. No holes through the helmet means more structural integrity and fewer pathways for ballistic penetration.
Integrated & subdermal, multi-conductor wiring system powers head-born equipment with one battery source.
Built in NVG shroud with integral flashlight and flash memory based video recording system. Components of the Wilcox Mission Recording System will be laid directly in to the helmet’s ballistic material layers.

The only place the companies went too far on their new collaboration is forcing the name MoHaWK. into an acronym. I think calling it the “Mohawk” combat helmet would have been fine. I mean, the thing sits on your head, has a slightly raised strip down the middle and is made for combat. But, then again, services do run on Powerpoint and acronyms.

Smith & Wesson’s M&P4 is out, but not down

By: Rob Curtis

11-10-2011

Business News, Contracts, Product Preview

I caught sight of the new Smith & Wesson carbine on display Monday at AUSA. The flat dark earth-ish M&P4 stood out from S&W’s standard black rifles, the M&P15. I talked to David Holt, S&W’s VP of Military Programs who confirmed it was S&W’s entry into the U.S. Army’s individual carbine competition. He explained the company’s decision not to compete in the Army’s search for a new carbine, “the Army’s strategy moving forward makes it tough for us to commit.” He cited the program’s long acquisition timeline as one of the factors that made it difficult for Smith and Wesson to assume the risk of joining the carbine fray.

But, that doesn’t mean the M&P4 will be abandoned. They’ve put a lot of hours into the project and are very proud of the reliability improvement’s they’ve made over the M4 design. So, the carbine will likely end up for sale on the commercial LE/Gov market, though they’ve offered no timeline for its availability.

S&W has made some improvements to their M4 platform, namely adding a tougher surface finish, an improved bolt lug design, tougher bolt and bolt carrier group finish, a newly designed muzzle, as well as a few other upgrades that they aren’t ready to talk about, yet.

Of note, though, is the bolt carrier assembly. Smith & Wesson is competing it in the Army’s contract for an improved bolt carrier assembly kit.

Leatherman slims down for Glock

By: Rob Curtis

04-10-2011

Product Preview

What happens when you have millions of ARs owners and millions of Glock owners out there in the marketplace? Well, if you’re Leatherman, you please them both. Somebody at Leatherman must have been scratching their heads the same way a lot of you were when looking back and forth between the MUT’s onboard AR punch tool and that $8 Glock tool. Leatherman hasn’t confirmed the price, but I’m guessing it’ll be around $15. They are trying to get them ready for release at SHOT Show 2012.

Magpul iPhone 4 Field Case

By: Stickman

22-09-2011

Off-Duty, Product Announcement, Product Preview

Along with a few other newly released items, Magpul has dropped a new iPhone 4 Field Case onto the market. The main changes I see are the iPhone 4 screen is a little more protected by way of a lip which extends out a bit farther, and the texture is changed to wear ribbing along the back similar to the Magpul PMAG. The camera lens and flash area are rounded out a bit more as well. If you are looking for a phone case in Black, Flat Dark Earth, Foliage Green, OD Green, Pink or Orange, these cases are on sale now for $9.95.

Rainier Arms Mini Compensator – RMC

By: Stickman

20-09-2011

Photo Recon, Product Announcement, Product Preview

Rainier Arms has a “Mini Compensator” which they’ve just released onto the market, which they are calling the RMC (Rainier Mini Comp). This little guy has a single port, and is designed to be as short and light as possible while still working effectively as a compensator. The front end comes to four points, and should be effective in muzzle thumping zombies or whatever else you can think of hitting when you feel the need. These are on sale now both is a parkerized finish as shown below, and in a matte stainless steel.

Description:

Rainier Mini Compensator (RMC) is a small single port compensator designed to reduce weight while effectively reducing felt recoil. Equipped with 4 Personal deterrent prongs in the front for close encounters. A must have for the custom light AR build.

Specifications: