Category Archives: Gear

RAVEN VANGUARD 2: 15 MONTHS LATER

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Left: Raven Concealment’s Vanguard 2 for Glock pistols. Right: A pre-production Vanguard 2 for M&P pistols.

Back at SHOT Show 2012, our friends at Raven Concealment unveiled the latest incarnation of their Vanguard Holster. For those not familiar, the original Vanguard was a minimalist holster design that eliminates the bulk of traditional holster designs, but still provides the safety of a holstered pistol. The original design was essentially just a trigger guard cover with a paracord lanyard to act as a static line. Continue reading →

Review- Sure Fire X300 Ultra Weapon Mounted Light

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Sure Fire X300 Ultra mounted on author’s duty Glock 35

I am a flashlight nerd.  I admit it.  I’d almost go to meetings like any other addiction if it was offered.  I am constantly on the hunt for the next biggest and brightest thing.  I’ve often stated that I am waiting around for the light to come out that has the same performance on the human body as to when the Germans looked into the Ark of the Covenant on Raiders of the Lost Ark.  Real old Testament stuff.

So when James Otto of Otto Firearms contacted me and stated he had the new Sure Fire X300 Ultra in stock finally, I broke out the plastic and one was on its way. Continue reading →

LIGHTEN UP, IT’S 2013

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Some of the lights/features mentioned, plus two Fenix models.

Trainers urge when you carry a gun, you should carry a light, day or night.  I agree and do.  (Many LEO’s and non-sworn professionals have a weapon light mounted on their handgun at all times.  As one who spent range time and money learning the “classic” handheld handgun light techniques, I leave weapon mounted light discussion to the more knowledgeable MSW contributors.  OK, I confess I do have one weapon light, a Surefire X300 Ultra, mounted on a rifle).    I respectfully offer here a long-term user’s observations on EDC lights, and in passing, some other illumination products I have found useful along the way. Continue reading →

Return To Where the Professionals Train

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It had been a long time since we had been to the SIG Sauer Academy.  Going on five or six years it seems.  Too long I guess.  Bruce and I rolled into the Academy on Thursday to check things out prior to the class we were teaching on Friday.  The first thing that struck us was the fact so much had changed in that time.  The Pro Shop was the big addition we noticed immediately.  In this day and age of going into gun shops and seeing bare shelves, it was really nice to go in and see the walls lined with Evil Black Rifles.  Did my heart good, actually.  We checked in and found out that we were going to be teaching on range three, and drove back to check it out.  We chatted to some familiar faces from a SIG centric Federal agency to find out that the SIG Academy was basically their home range.  Interesting, I thought. Continue reading →

DARK Angel Medical Kit and Training Review

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Your DARK can come in either MIL or CIV/LE depending on if you want QuickClot and a x-ray viewable strip or not. A statement of competency and export restrictions apply for all DARK products.

As we go about our daily activities many of us find ourselves in some pretty scary situations.  Places where, should we go down and need medical help, it could be a long way off.  Even worse, what if a team-mate, student or family member went down.  Would you be prepared to help.  Many of us seek out medical training because it is the responsible thing to do and let’s face it, feeling helpless sucks! Continue reading →

PIC OF THE DAY: URBAN SECURED CARRY

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Oakley Panel Pack (in “New Khaki”) with GunVault MicroVault

So, you have your urban gear backpacked and off you go on foot or public transportation.  What if you must go inside premises where you will be separated from your kit (for example, it will be stowed in a locker) and your concealed handgun can’t accompany you? Check out the GunVault MicroVault with Oakley Panel Pack.

You might even be able to deploy the wire cable lanyard that accompanies some lock boxes.  The above box has one.

Black Leather Is Always In Style

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Alessi DOJ-S

 

I know that many of us have made the switch to Kydex Holsters and support gear. And while Kydex certainly has it’s place, I for one still like the look and feel of quality leather holsters and accessories. While I’ve owned quality holsters from several makers, I’ve come to the conclusion that you’d be hard pressed to surpass the quality of Alessi Holsters. The workmanship fit finish and leather quality are second to none. While I own several Alessi products, in OWB, IWB, and Ankle Holsters, this review is focused on the DOJ-S. Continue reading →

Your Patrol Rifle: Cruiser Carry

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I first heard the term “Cruiser Carry” many moons ago when I was in the Academy.  “Cruiser Carry” at that time was used to describe the condition of our Remington 870’s when stored in our police cars.

Then came the Patrol rifle.  We in the firearms training community adapted “Cruiser Carry” to the rifle.  There are a few different versions of “cruiser carry” but here is what we currently teach around here. Continue reading →

Optics on an AK? Enter the RS Regulate AK-300 Mounting System

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RS-Regulate AK300 base with AKM mount and AImpoint Comp M3

RS Regulate AK Optics Mount
By Darryl Bolke

The AK-47 platform has made some huge inroads in the last decade as a more mainstream primary rifle system for many American shooters. It is also becoming one of those systems that you need to learn to run even if it is not your normal issued rifle for either military or L/E shooters. While the AK system is usually a robust and reliable rifle (especially in true military issued form rather than “assembled” rifles), it is lacking in many areas for efficient use. One of the biggest shortcomings of most AK’s is that they are essentially equipped with a rough pistol sighting system. Continue reading →

YOUR PATROL RIFLE (HOW TO SET IT UP)

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Patrol rifles are steadily becoming the mainstay of the modern police arsenal.  From time to time, the conversation of chosing a police patrol rifle comes up.  And some folks have some interesting thoughts on the modern police patrol rifle, and what should hang on it.  Folks have all kinds of ideas ranging from a full auto rifle chambered in a piston driven 6.8, to hanging on a 2-16 Nightforce scope, two lights, a PEQ, weather vane, Iphone attachment (let’s face it EVERYTHING revolves around ITunes these days), gerbil ball, bipod, monopod grip in case the bipod fails, a suppressor, one of those window hanger thingies to hold a Monster Absolute Zero,  and two Surefire 60 round magazines taped end to end for good measure. Continue reading →

Review: Talon Tactical Cobra Belt

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MSW’s model Sam shows off the Talon Tactical Cobra Belt!

If you’re like me, you’ve bought your share of belts. Like holsters, I have a bin full of belts that I’ve bought, worn once, and will likely never wear again. Some are too flimsy, others don’t fit quite right, and others are a pain to don and/or doff. Still others fray too easily, and don’t last long. Don’t get me wrong, there are quite a few good belts out there. For example, the Brass Monkey Performance Competition Belt is the centerpiece of my range gear and holds all of it together.

Continue reading →

CARBINE SLINGS: BATTLE OF THE 2-POINT SLINGS

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(top) Blue Force Gear’s Vickers Combat Applications Sling (VCAS), (bottom) Viking Tactics (VTAC) Padded Adjustable Sling

I am often asked what type of sling I prefer. That’s easy. I tell them that for the educated end-user, the Two Point Adjustable Sling is the answer. It requires a bit of training to realize its potential, but it really is a do-everything-acceptably-well sling. Larry Vickers’ article on sling selection is likely the best, well-reasoned article on sling selection I’ve seen. Once that is settled, the next question is, which sling should you choose?

The two most popular choices on the market: the Vickers Combat Applications Sling (VCAS) by Blue Force Gear, and the Viking Tactics sling. It is no surprise that the designers of both slings come from the same top tier military special operations unit. Both are of excellent quality, but have somewhat differing characteristics that may affect your choice in slings.

Continue reading →

Geissele Reaction Rod – Review

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The New GEISSELE Reaction Rod quickly and easily holds any AR type rifle chambered for the 5.56 x 45 cartridge.

I spend a lot of time behind my rifles, which means I spend a fair amount of time building, cleaning and maintaining my rifles.  Anything that I can find that has the potential to help make my life easier or that saves time, I am willing to give a try.  I read about the Geissele Reaction Rod and about how the AMU’s armorers were using something like it several months ago and had been waiting for it to be released ever since.  Santa was good to me and I have been working with this new tool for the past few weeks. Continue reading →

Helium Whisper™ / Split Minus – New Weights and Measures

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Blue Force Gear came onto the scene in 2004 and continues to find itself making gear and kit that is constantly pushing the extremes of what they can get out of ideas, materials and the ever changing market in tactical items.  From the Vickers Combat Application Sling to plate carriers and pouches that can house a proverbial village; if you are looking to hold magazines, armor, tourniquets or a can of Skoal, it is likely built by Blue Force Gear.

Continue reading →