PMCI - May 2016

DEC 2015

CONTENTS 4 TRAINING: SIMGUN: Realistic training without the risk!

8 BOOK REVIEW: “Guerillas in the Mist”.

10 TRAINING: ACTIVE SHOOTER RESPONSE: We speak to EUSECA UK about how to deal with the dreaded “Active Shooter” scenario.

15 TRAINING: INDUSTRY UPDATE: Hutchy provides his usual wise words on hot topics within the PMC community 16 GEAR ON TEST: The PMCI Team make their recommendations on the latest gear to hit the market.

20 TACTICAL INNOVATION: Helikon-Tex are really pushing the boundaries ever forward in relation to tactical gear and clothing; we get together with them to check out their very latest kit!

26 MEET THE MANUFACTURER:We go behind the scenes with British brand “Bulldog” to check out their “bomber tough” tactical gear models.

30 ARMOUR UP! IWA 2016 gave the PMCI Team a chance to get hands on some stunning new helmet models from Armorsource; check out our findings!

35 TECH AND TOOLS: Need a camouflage solution for all hostile environments?

GEARSKIN can provide it with their latest technical developments.

38 SPECIAL REPORT: Bill the Editor brings us his take on what was on show in the tactical area of the 2016 IWA show in Nuremberg.

42 FIREARMS FOCUS: What do you get when you take a handgun from one of the best known names in the business and add some custom parts? Craig reports on something a bit special in the form of the Walther PPQ. 46 ARMOURY ANSWERS: Our newest contributor, Chalkster, gives some tips on how to get the very best from your contract-issued AK! 49 BOOK REVIEW: “Colt; An American Classic” 50 HEAD TO HEAD: This time our two tame contractors discuss how they prepare their primary weapon when they get “in-country”

Editor (UK): Bill Thomas Editor (International): Dan Eastes Graphic Design: Baz Thakur Publisher: Nigel Streeter PMCI Magazine is a digital-only publication, published bi-monthly and available FREE OF CHARGE via the PMCI app on the following platforms: Apple iOS, Android, Windows 8, and Windows Phone.

For more information visit our publishing partner: www.PocketMags.com PMCI can also be read online at: www.issuu.com Calibre Publishing Limited Wyche Innovation Centre, Walwyn Road, Upper Colwall, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6PL Tel: 01684 878 003 Web: www.pmcimagazine.com ©Calibre Publishing Limited 2014

Letter, idea or question?

52 INDUSTRY VACANCIES: Looking for work? Just check here.

Got something to say? A question for our

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Copyright © Calibre Publishing 2014. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the publisher in writing. The opinion of the writers do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. The Editors reserve the right to edit submissions prior to publication.

experts? An article or article idea? Drop us a

Thank you for downloading this Edition of PMCI, the FREE digital publication dedicated to PMC Operatives. PMCI is written by individuals with first hand knowledge and experience of the subject they write about - people like Col. Gerry Schumacher (USSF Ret.), author Simon Chambers and ex-TL Dan E, all of whom have an intimate understanding of what the role entails and the day to day challenges faced by PMCs.

to us on Twitter or Facebook.

PMCI will provide a platform to review and discuss the things to matter to all of us, such personal equipment, training, employment and lifestylestyle management - and these are also our core fundamentals. We hope you enjoy this Edition of PMCI and if you have any feedback or comments, or would like to contrubute to future issues, please let us know by email to: editor@pmcimagazine.com PHOTO CREDITS: Cover: HELIKON-TEX. Authors where applicable, Shutterstock.com, Istockphoto.com

line and let us know. Either email the editor (editor@pmcimagazine.com), write to us at the Calibre Publishing address above, or talk

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TRAINING:

SIMGUN

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TRAINING:

SIMGUN: TRAIN AS YOU FIGHT! Over the past couple of years I’ve been following the development of a superb tool that brings realism to any firearms training scenario; SIMGUN is a solution that not only brings such training to life but lets the users do so in perfect safety!

W

hen it comes to force of force training there are many ways to simulate making contact with an enemy; in the past organisations have used BBs, paintballs, blanks, simunitions and even hi-tech systems such as the multiple integrated laser engagement system, or MILES, as used by the U.S. military and other armed forces around the world, for training purposes.

Whilst actual projectiles do work in such scenarios they often require the user to wear bulky protective gear that they would not normally use which changes the training dynamic, and will usually mean using a different delivery platform or making modifications to their issued weapon. A laser system requires much less deviation in terms of the normal fighting load and primary weapon but up until relatively recently has been prohibitively expensive unless you’re on the government dollar. Laser simulators have been in use now for more than 30 years for tactical education, and for a number of years the technical possibilities have been changing rapidly.

Back in late 2014 I first came across a company that is working hard to change this situation. SIMGUN is a company from Austria that offers a Laser Dual Simulator (LDS) system which causes trainees to immediately feel the consequences of their actions. SIMGUN is highly precise, efficient, upgradable, uncomplicated to use and cost-efficient. SIMGUN offers immediate, clear, hit recognition with the highest precision.

SIMGUN is a one-stop solution for effective training with realistic engagement distances , exact hit detection and detailed evaluation models post-contact.

SIMGUN is not only a shooting simulator, it’s a complete addon system for any training scenario. It can be combined with real weapons or training weapons with equal effectiveness.

Inspired by training systems such as MILES, or those from Saab or Rheinmetall, SIMGUN is a professional tool, which was developed for both official and private use. SIMGUN increases experience. SIMGUN’s range and precision require trainees/ users to employ skills which are otherwise rarely used.

In the words of Patrick Riedesser, Director of SIMGUN: “From the beginning it was clear to us that we didn’t want SIMGUN to be limited to one particular weapon model. Therefore it was one of our aims to create a small, light and universally placeable add-on product. The training and simulation market offers us and the users the opportunity to employ numerous realistic models and to experience scenarios in different ways.”

COMPONENT SYSTEM

The SIMGUN system is made up of a number of component parts which are all specifically designed to work as a highly effective “whole”.

The Body Central Unit is the communication centre for the entire SIMGUN system, with a 360 degree hit field powered by 3 standard AA batteries or rechargeable batteries which are easily and cheaply sourced. It is in permanent wireless communication with the Head Unit and up to three Laser

The base station is connected to the computer via USB with radio link between the computer and the individual users. The high performance antennas provide a range of up to 10 kilometres to monitor the entire training area (subject to clear visibility).

BRINGING IT TOGETHER

Thanks to special laser technologies, SIMGUN can achieve a range of over 1,000 meters. The system can therefore be used for both CQB as well as situations where snipers are used. SIMGUN can be programmed flexibly: the integrated virtual life energy can be adjusted. The Directing Staff decide how many hits will cause a “fatality”.

The system can differentiate between head and body hits.

When a user is “killed”, it is registered via blinking LEDs, vibration on the vest and a beep. Additionally, the laser is turned off, and it is no longer possible to shoot. The blocking unit, an optional addon, can additionally turn off an electronic RIF (realistic imitation forearm or airsoft gun), in order to ensure even more realism if these are being used for training purposes.

SIMGUN does not require any annoying cables. All the system components are connected via a wireless system. It enables the use of more than one weapon per man and training session. Every user can deploy up to three laser units. These offer numerous settings, for example the virtual magazine size and firepower.

If RIFs are used in training, the blocking unit turns the weapon off when the magazine is empty. SIMGUN fits all modern weapons with a rail. The laser unit is easy and fast to attach to all Picantinnys and MIL-STD-1913 rails.

The system offers equipment made from high-quality materials, newest technologies and solutions. The team have

SIMGUN

You will need a SIMGUN Base Station for computer evaluation if you use the SIMGUN DS100 System. It records all events during a scenario (hits or kills) when in use. The data is then displayed on the computer using special software. This then produces a ranking list with diverse statistics. Additionally, further settings can be adjusted using the base station, which expands the possibilities for various training or scenario modes.

TRAINING:

Units. The Body Central Unit has an optimum fit and is adjustable in size. The strong Cordura on the outside and the comfortable net mesh on the inside are perfect materials as they are robust, as is required for an outdoor product, but provide sufficient comfort. It is easy to combine SIMGUN Body Central Unit with a tactical vest.

The SIMGUN Respawner is a small remote control device to refresh a user after they get eliminated. Just a short press of the button directly in front of the Body Central Unit sensor from the Respawner and you are back up and running. The Body Central Unit registers the respawning process with blinking LEDs. The Head Unit is permanently connected wirelessly to the Body Central Unit. It is very light and comfortable to wear. It fits on caps, hats and can even be used as a headband.

SIMGUN offers a longer version of the Head Unit with Velcro tapes on the inside for a soild hold when worn with helmets. The Head Unit detects headshots at a 360 degree angle. It shows a hit immediately so you can see where you hit your victim (body shot or head shot). The SIMGUN CAP was specially designed for use with the Head Unit. The easily-adjustable Velcro tapes ensure a perfect fit. The cap can be adjusted to fit all and is available in olive green and black.

The Laser Unit makes the decisive difference to other systems available on the market. It uses real infrared Laser technology which ensures precision that you not will find in other products.

Naturally, the Laser Unit is Laser Class I certified.

It is not dangerous for your eyes, even in combination with binoculars or optics. An integrated microphone detects the “bang” from your gun and triggers the laser. Of course, it is possible to adjust the sensitivity and in the case of particularly quiet weapons, it can be placed directly in the barrel using an extension device. The Laser Unit fits on all standard rail mounts and is easy to assemble.

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TRAINING:

SIMGUN

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created the system with a lot of passion in order to offer total perfection. All the equipment is developed and manufactured in Europe.

To recap on the system; • Laser shooting range of over 1,000m • Compatible with both real weapons with blank cartridges, as well as airsoft guns and paintball markers • Precise impact recognition and immediate switch off in case of a “kill“ • Adjustable virtual magazine size • Adjustable laser unit fire power • Virtual life energy system • Each user can use up to 3 different laser units (guns) SIMGUN is the first company worldwide that supplies the private market with such high-quality technology. Their products can be used for tactical training for professional users, for law enforcement officers, private security companies and bodyguards. The original laser unit has now been fully upgraded for even greater performance and functionality, and a new pistol laser unit is imminent.

The bottom line here is that SIMGUN truly is a one-stop solution for effective, realistic training.

For more information please visit www.simgun.com; Patrick and his team travel throughout Europe in order to showcase the SIMGUN system. If you are interested in SIMGUN, please get in touch with them directly using the email address office@ simgun.com

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BOOK REVIEW Guerillas in the mist

GUERILLAS IN THE MIST Whether you are going into battle or just want to learn how insurgents think, fight and survive, Guerrillas In The Mist will really give you the lowdown! In this world where understanding the insurgent is so vital, this book really delivers.

Open this book and travel to Switzerland, Saigon, Cuba’s Sierra Maestra and post-World War Two China where you will be the consummate student of clandestine warfare as practised by victorious guerrillas for thousands of years. Bob Newman, a former US Marine, leads novice and experienced combat soldier alike into the grim, violent world of guerrilla warfare.

Drawing examples from its rich history and applying proven concepts, techniques, principles of leadership, tactics, and operational art, plus his own global experience honed by years on the forward edge of the battle area, Newman teaches exactly what you must know to win on the battlefield as a guerrilla leader.

Learn every facet of the grim, violent world of guerrilla warfare: basic field craft; mines and booby traps; tunnel construction and strategy; ambushes; urban and nocturnal tactics; interrogation, indoctrination and exploitation; psyops; and more.

The author is quite obviously a master of his subject and uses not only the written word but black and white photographs and diagrams to really get his point across. Newman certainly doesn’t pull his punches!

If you really want an insight into what moulds and makes a guerrilla insurgent then this book should be a “must read”; from an academic study point of view it really is one of a kind, and in my opinions should be on every potential contractors reading list.

Gunnery Sergeant Bob Newman, USMC retired from the Corps after more than 20 years serving in associated reconnaissance, infantry, special operations and instructor roles. He served with the Corps in the Gulf War as an infantry unit leader, and spent three years as a SERE instructor at the fabled Navy SERE School in Maine. His final tour was as a warfighting instructor at the Maine Corps Staff NCO Academys’s Advanced Course aboard Camp Geiger.

Author: Robert K Brown Publisher: Paladin Press ISBN: 978-0-87364-944-5 Price: £20.00 paperback, fully illustrated

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TRAINING: ACTIVE SHOOTER

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SURVIVING AN ACTIVE SHOOTER EVENT It was whilst I was living in the USA that I first came across the term “Active Shooter”, and it’s a chilling phrase that has stuck in my mind ever since, even though I took the opportunity to train with local Law Enforcement officers in responding to such an event. Even though that involved the use of firearms it was still nerve wracking, and the thought of having to deal with such a scenario unarmed is almost unthinkable.

F

irst let’s analyse what the term “Active Shooter” actually means, and the scenario.

As defined by Wikipedia an Active Shooter is “an individual actively engaged in killing or attempting to kill people in a confined and populated area; in most cases, active shooters use firearms(s) and there is no pattern or method to their selection of victims. Most incidents occur at locations in which the killers find little impediment in pressing their attack. Locations are generally described as soft targets, that is, they carry limited security measures to protect members of the public. In most instances, shooters commit suicide, are shot by police, or surrender when confrontation with responding law enforcement becomes unavoidable.”

To look further into how to react to such an event I contacted Bartosz Zukowski, a Krav Maga, Close Protection, and Firearm Instructor who is also the Director of the European Security Academy UK (EUSECA UK). I was aware that he had recently run a course on this topic so asked him if he would be prepared to share details of his training with PMCI; this is what he had to tell me.

place you visit you should be aware of at least two exit routes (if they are available), and be able to proceed to them as quickly as possible in case of any danger. The worst thing you want to do is not be aware of your exit routes and end up in a dead end room or corridor with active shooter approaching. By evacuating I mean leave the scene ASAP, leaving all the belongings; on your way out, help the others to escape if possible and prevent people getting in (remember that people who don’t know the exit routes and are panicking may try to do unreasonable things). Evacuate regardless if the other people you meet on your way decide to follow. Bear in mind that when you leave the building armed response unit may be already there. Keep your hands visible and follow law enforcement instructions.

1. Be aware that an Active Shooter Scenario is going on!

Probably you’ll hear gunshots and you’d better be able to recognise them and not confuse them with any other noise. It’s good to know how they sound and for those who are using guns on the shooting range or come from military background it should be obvious; for those who know the sound of the rifle only from the movies it may be a problem. You’ll have a good chance to see people trying to escape the building in panic. If you combine those two factors you can be sure that we are dealing with AS situation. Ok, but what then? I know that active shooter is in the building what are the next steps.

TRAINING: ACTIVE SHOOTER

The Active Shooter problem has never been so real for us as it is today and I never thought that here in Europe we would need to worry about this. I always thought it’s more of a problem that people living in America might have to face, but the times have changed. Recent events in Europe have shown us that we are no longer safe no matter where we are and what we are doing. As a self- defence instructor I decided that it’s my duty to develop a training program for civilians to increase their chances of survival in case of active shooter events here in the UK. I’ve done many workshops here in the UK about a pistol/rifle armed attacker, but this one was completely different.

Due to the fact that UK is largely an unarmed society, we can’t carry a firearms here, tazers for self-defence are illegal and pepper spray is classified as an firearm and you can go to prison if you carry it, so I had to think about what we can do to survive an active shooter attack without being armed. You have to admit that an armed attacker with full auto AK47 from the illegal black market makes you scared if you think about fighting him with empty hands. Ok let me explain something to you; fighting the guy and disarming him was the last thing I’ve covered on the workshop. So what to do if we have an active shooter event going on in a shopping mall, office or a school and we are in the building?

Let’s start from the beginning. First of all you need to realise that we are dealing with the AS situation. How can we do it?

2. Evacuate.

Sounds very simple and in fact should be as long as you know the exit route and you have safe access to it. It’s very helpful in any situation to have a habit of scanning your environment, the places you are getting into on a daily basis. This means that every

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TRAINING: ACTIVE SHOOTER

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3. Hide yourself if evacuation is not possible If you can’t evac then find yourself a place where the active shooter is less likely to find you. The best idea would be to find a room which is lockable from the inside, but if it’s not try to place a heavy furniture against the door and lock it in any unconventional method you can only find at the time. Active shooters don’t want to spend lots of time trying to get into locked rooms; they are looking for a crowd, easily accessible places where they can shoot as many innocent people as possible. If you are trapped inside the room without possibility of moving out you should make sure that you turn off the lights and any electronic devices that create noise. Mute your phone as the last thing you want is your phone started to ring when the active shooter is nearby and you have taken all the steps to hide yourself. Make sure if possible you hide yourself behind large furniture if available. Try to call 999/911 if possible and do it only if this won’t compromise your position.

4. Fight This should be a last resort if any of the above is not possible.

Remember you are unarmed and active shooter probably has semi-auto assault rifle and sometimes even a back-up pistol. On the workshop we were talking about what we can do against a person armed with a rifle and willing to kill as many people as possible in a short period of time. The best option you can take to have the best chances of winning in this situation is to work in a team if possible. If you are locked or trapped in

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he will become confused, especially if the attacks are coming from a few directions at the same time. Once you get him down make sure you disarm him, search for other weapons he may be carrying and restrain him until law enforcement/response teams arrive.

When this is going to happen make sure you have no firearm in your hands and obey the police/responders orders.

Remember that those guys are also on a high adrenaline rush and they will be looking for person with a rifle. You don’t want to get shot by the law enforcement officer who may take you for an active shooter. Make sure you clearly state that you are a victim and show the police your hands. Drop all the items you may have at the time they arrive. Avoid screaming, making sudden movements, pointing and yelling. Try to stay calm as much as possible and proceed to the evacuation route they point out to you.

TRAINING: ACTIVE SHOOTER

the room as a group of people you need to take charge and build up a plan how to take the AS quickly whilst minimising the risk of getting shot. Remember he’s coming to kill you, not to demand money or any other valuables. If you don’t fight you’ll die, so there is nothing to lose to be honest. Your tactics of how to fight an AS will depend on your manpower/environment/equipment available. By manpower I mean how many people are willing to fight that you have with you. Environment; a toilet where there are not many common objects which can be used will be way different to a room full of furniture, chairs and electronic equipment which you can throw at the shooter.

Equipment means any object that you can throw at the active shooter causing damage, anything that you can use to hit him and anything that can be used to distract. Examples of this are chairs, medium size electronic equipment, objects with sharp edges, glass bottles, fire extinguishers and the like.

Always try to use the element of surprise. Remember that action is always faster than reaction. Set up two people just behind the corners of the door to the room you are locked in. As soon as active shooter gets in jump on him and try to redirect the barrel to the previously agreed direction to make sure if there is a negligent discharge nobody gets shot. Try to take him down using very basic takedown techniques like a tackle to the legs. Remember that under the high stress condition you’ll be left with only gross motor skills and only the simple solutions are going to work. Try to coordinate take down with at least two people (if available) throwing objects at the active shooter to distract him. His brain won’t process all this information and

Hopefully you will never have to apply any of these, but it’s better to be prepared for such an event which may never happen to you than be unprepared in the middle of an active shooter incident.

For further information on the training courses offered by EUSECA UK please do visit both www. kravmaga-midlands.com and www.euseca.co.uk

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I N D U S T R Y

UPDATE

WE KEEP WATCH SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO

Things change constantly and rapidly within the contracting industry so this month in the latest of a series of regular columns from Paul Hutchinson, MD of Associated Risks Group based in the UK, he takes a look at threat and risk assessment which is avoided at your peril!

CRITICAL REVIEW A critical review consists of identifying, summarizing and evaluating the ideas and information presented in the TRA. If during this review anyone decides that the TRA is not thorough enough then the TRA must be conducted again.

Communication is the process of transferring information from one source to another. Over years of experience I know that if something is to go wrong or has gone wrong, communication is usually the issue. Therefore the TRA will depend on how effectively it’s been communicated during all stages before, during and after.

The very first thing the TL should do is to review the protective security work the TL and the team will then commence an assessment on the physical layout of the operation by means of reconnaissance and scrutinising the previous TRA. The team’s considerations will be various but will include many things such as; the objective and necessary critical activities to ensure the task will run effectively. Times and dates, will personal be working alone and how will they be supervised correctly and efficiently.

Once the team are in agreement the Controls can be implemented and the task can begin. It is at this stage that every member of the team must continually conduct Dynamic Risk Assessments during the activity to identify any further threats.

INDUSTRY UPDATE

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Team Leader is responsible overall for ensuring that any Threat and Risk Assessment (TRA) is compiled accurately, recorded and updated. It is not their sole responsibility to conduct the TRA, as everyone has a responsibility to minimise risk, but, ensure that the team fully understands the assessment process and the TL utilise those with the necessary training, knowledge and experience to assist in the TRA process. They must also ensure that not only the individuals who have the knowledge to assist in the TRA, but all the operatives who carry out the task have the ability to propose and suggest any necessary actions with regards to the TRA and the entire operation, they must also ensure that the team have all the sufficient background information to enable them to base their decision on.

The TRA must obviously identify the level of threat, which lets them recognise and then implement controlled measures against the threat. The controlled measures must be based on good, safe working practise in order to reduce the risk. Consideration must be given to “Hold Points” anywhere in the task. Hold Points will be assigned where there is potentially a high consequence outcome which in turn requires a high degree of confidence that the defined controls are effective. This then establishes the Residual Risk, which is the risk that remains after the controlled measures have been identified and put into place. If this residual risk is acceptable, we can then carry on and document the TRA. When documenting the TRA it must be recorded onto a proforma report that describes the task, lists the all the task steps, explain the identified threat, distinguish those who may be harmed and the initial Risk Rating.

“The ability to predict and quantify a full menu of risks is the CSO’s highest mark of excellence.”

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GEAR ON TEST

VIPER “TITANIUM” CLOTHING RANGE

When it comes to new tactical gear VIPER continue to roll out both new designs and exciting, unique colours. PMCI got an early look at their latest “urban-inspired” Titanium grey clothing range.

“Urban Grey” has been one of those stories that just keeps going and going; the “grey” story really took off in 2012 when Arc’teryx LEAF launched their “Urban Wolf” line of clothing. In the ensuing years numerous tactical manufacturers have followed their lead and followed suit by developing their gear in tones of grey, and very recently we’ve been seeing “grey gear” being worn by some very special police and military units.

The latest player to enter this arena is UK-based VIPER with their initial range of TITANIUM products.

TITANIUM has really been chosen for urban and industrial areas, and it breaks with tradition and introduces a grey colour blend for modern, built-up environments. A new alternative to traditional blue or black, grey is less traditional and therefore a less recognisable as a “uniform”. TITANIUM provides a covert tonal shade for use in urban settings.

What VIPER have done is to look very closely at some key clothing pieces initially, and keep things ultra-low profile and pared back. Whilst all the features that you’d expect are present they’ve been added in a much more subtle way so as not to immediately scream out “tactical”.

The first item of clothing is a solid ballcap; the ELITE Baseball cap is a classic, no-nonsense design made from a mix of rip-stop tear resistant nylon and cotton. It has a front Velcro ID panel and simple Velcro side adjustment so one size fits most. Priced at just UK£9.50 this is a “nobrainer” of a brain cover!

Priced iro of UK£21.00 the VIPER Tactical T-Shirt is a great piece to wear next to the skin. It’s made from superheavyweight 220gsm cotton with a straightforward round neck and two upper sleeve pockets with Velcro. This is a great design, fits well and works extremely well in the summer months.

The Contractor Pants are the latest design to be launched in the VIPER trouser range and I have to say that they are a really super, well-thought out design; it’s one that works superbly well with the “covert” theme as the cut is very “civvy” with some very low profile pocketing. Made from rip-stop PolyCotton the pants feature two deep bellow cargo packets with inner felt lined utility compartments, two handwarmer pockets, and two rear seat pockets. The knee panel is fully reinforced with a compartment for a knee pad insert (you’ll need to buy these separately or make some yourself!). They also have a gusseted crotch and an elasticated waist panel on the rear for added comfort, a YKK zip fly with button, and drawstring tie bottoms. With a price-tag of UK£39.99 you get a lot of trouser for your money!

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Last but by no means least is the Tactical Elite Jacket; this is an established VIPER design, and I’ve been wearing a black version for some time now and it’s really stood up well to an awful lot of abuse! The Elite jacket is made from water resistant Micro-Shell material, offering maximum comfort on all but the very harshest of wet weather days, and there’s even a hood with an adjustable peak stashed away in the collar. There are three external pockets in the main body area of the jacket, two upper arm utility pockets with velcro patches, and a small zipped pocket on the lower left arm for ID cards or small map cards. The main closure is a strong two-way YKK zip, and there are also underarm zipped vents to you can regulate your core temperature effectively, and elasticated cuffs with velcro.

This really is a cracking jacket and costs £54.99 which is super value given the level of performance it provides!

I have to say that the new TITANIUM range features some of the best designs that I’ve ever seen from VIPER, and the grey colour that they’ve achieved is really very, very good indeed; I’d go as far as saying that in my opinion it’s one of the best grey tones on the market right now.

In addition to the extremely affordable clothing there are also pack models that are already available to go with it; I’m testing a couple of the models at the moment and will report back on those in due course. 2016 is shaping up to be another great year for VIPER; I for one can’t wait to see what they do next!

In the meantime to keep up to date with the new VIPER tactical products as they become available please visit www.viperkit.co.uk. You can also follow VIPER TACTICAL via their Facebook and Instagram pages which are regularly updated.

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PRODUCT REVIEW ARC’TERYX ATOM LT JACKET

GEAR ON TEST

Arc’teryx are sometimes viewed as a “Gucci” brand and deservedly so because everything they create, for either the civilian or military markets, benefits from the very best in terms of design, materials and construction and the Atom LT jacket is no exception. As part of their Law Enforcement Armed Forces (LEAF) range this is a specialist garment designed for a very focused end user.

It’s an exceptionally lightweight insulated mid layer that retains core warmth by blocking wind and trapping warm air next to the body and can also function as a wind resistant outer layer. An insulated hood adjusts to securely fit the head and face, and this is designed to follow side to side motion without obscuring peripheral vision.

Media ports inside the hand pockets allow for internal routing of communication cables. When worn under personal protection equipment, comfortable side panels of breathable, stretch fabric prevent overheating and provide ease of movement.

The Atom LT features Coreloft™ insulation which has a very high warmth-to-weight ratio and resists compacting, along with Polartec® Power Stretch® with Hardface® technology side panels which are highly breathable and have excellent stretch properties for added mobility.

The insulated hood has a single pull adjuster and articulation in the shoulders and elbows provides room for a full range of unrestricted motion. There are two large hand pockets with media ports and one internal chest pocket. A vertically routed hem draw cord minimizes interference with a duty or battle belt.

This is probably the most minimalist of the garments I’ve been testing this winter, but although it is indeed very light and packable it is really superbly warm. It’s not the cheapest option for insulated garments but given the materials used and the standard of construction I don’t find that at all strange; this is the “rolls royce” standard of the tactical clothing world! It’s also the choice of our dearly beloved “tactical athlete” so if you’re a fast mover then this is the one for you!

The Atom LT jacket costs UK£205.00 and our test model in Crocodile came from www.hueys. co.uk

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GEAR ON TEST

“DOLG” SLINGS FROM TACTICAL DECISIONS RUSSIA

Every so often you come across someone at a show that is giving a demonstration, and this is what brought the “DOLG” sling system to our attention; when you see a guy configuring one sling in many different ways in the blink of an eye it really does tend to leave a lasting impression!

The tactical weapons slingt system “DOLG” is a patented invention by Harlampova Vladimir, one of the founders of “Tactical Decisions (TD)” based in Moscow. The system offers a combination of the advantages of one-, two- and three-point sling systems, while avoiding their disadvantages.

This system of tactical weapon sling developed initially for AK platforms is the end product of vigorous testing and has undergone many improvements along the way. “DOLG” slings have been successfully tested with the Russian special units of the FSB, the Interior Ministry and Defense Ministry, and TD actually go as far as thanking the staff involved for their attention to the product and help with the work developing it!

These slings allow full freedom of action, speed of manipulation and comfort to transport a carbine, rifle or even an LMG. The two models of sling share the same unique principle and differ only in the design of the main body. TD use high quality materials and fittings: The main sling is made from nylon, monofilament sling girths and “podtyaga” tapes, frost-proof plastic accessories, Karabiner, and “podtyaga” ribbons sewn to provide a lownoise signature. All accessories are fully tested for tensile strength.

The “DOLG M2” is designed for use on light machineguns, sub-machine guns, and semi-automatic shotguns.

The “DOLG M2” is produced in three colours and in a standard format as each belt is extra-wide to allow for better disposition of weight, and a Karabiner, which allows you to install it on virtually any weapon.

The “DOLG M3” retains all the capabilities of the M2, and thanks to a design change the main part of the belt can also be converted to a two-point sling with adjustable length, or the a setup similar to that you’d see being used in a biathlon. The “DOLG M3” also comes with a set of soft expansion components; all this allows you to use this model with almost any weapon system including submachine guns , automatic, semi-automatic or pump-action shotguns, sniper rifles, machine guns, or even grenade launchers!

To recap, the Slings are made from high-quality, carefully selected and tested materials and accessories. The two models can be installed on virtually any weapon, where the front sling swivel is present. Universal sizing means the “DOLG” slings can be installed on almost any butt.

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A universal fitting kit may be needed to install the sling on non-AK models of weapon , as variants of the sling anchor points vary between platfoms, but TD have this in hand too as they offer this as an accessory. The slings are suitable for both right and left handed users, as long as the sling can be attached to the weapon from the correct side.

Installing the sling is straightforward. First you remove the extra hook provided. The adjustment strap hook or the adjustment strap itself should be set on the front swivel.

The rear sling loop is initially assembled the way it should be fitted to the head of the stock. If your weapon has a folding stock, the rear sling loop is fitted a little loosely, pulling the loop through the default swivel to prevent it from sliding along the stock.

If the stock of your weapon does not fold, the loop is fitted as tightly as possible. The strap should go through the buckle three times to secure the knot. To fold the stock, turn the rear sling loop carefully and ensure there are no buckles or seams on the place of folding (the sling should be above the receiver). The adjustment strap hook has an extra hook attached to it. The extra hook is not usually used in attaching the sling to the weapon. But it is necessary to use it instead of a loop, when the weapon has a rear sling mount for a hook where the stock is attached to the receiver.

Then you simply pull the adjustment buckle and the weapon slides along the sling. Use one hand to pull the adjustment strap downwards, raising the gun by the grip with the other hand. The sling does not slide across the user’s back, instead, the weapon moves along the sling.

Overall this is a very unique and unusual design for a sling system, but the bottom line is that IT WORKS, especially if you are using an AK variant! Once you’ve got used to it you may wonder why you’ve ever used anything else!

For more information on the “DOLG” sling system pay a visit to www.tdrussia.com where you can also watch some superb video of the manipulation demonstrations; I think you’ll be as impressed as I was!

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TASMANIAN TIGER PACKS AND CHEST RIG

GEAR ON TEST

If you’re looking for some rugged load-bearing and tactical gear look no further than German brand Tasmanian Tiger!

As a premium supplier of professional military and police equipment, all Tasmanian Tiger products are made of the very best quality fabrics and components with the best functionality. Their comprehensive development work is always based on the user’s specific needs and requirements. From prototype to series production, all products are manufactured in the company’s own production facilities. This ensures that a consistently high level of quality is maintained. Every step in the production process, from purchasing materials to manufacture to the final checks, is precisely defined and checked regularly by independent test centres to international standards.

Every product is checked before it leaves production and is given a serial number that is then stored in the company’s own database.

My first choice from them is a TT CHEST RIG MK II PC. A real quality chest rig made in 500D Cordura, it comes with four integrated magazine pouches and two utility pouches, and on top of that you can of course attach an infinite number of additional MOLLE compatible pouches to meet your own personal requirements. The four integrated magazine pouches with adjustable velcro flaps, can hold the majority of magazines currently in use, and the two utility pouches on the sides can each handle a one litre water bottle. The rig is designed with the option to carry ballistic side plates and is covered with MOLLE webbing for attaching extra pouches; Tasmanian Tiger offer an extensive range of different pouches to go with the rig.

There’s a large map pouch on the inside, a removable bib with a small document pouch on the inside, and the whole thing is lined with 3D mesh. The H-style shoulder straps feature quick release buckles on both ends, and there’s a generous amount of adjustment in both height and width.

In terms of packs Tasmanian Tiger offer an extensive range to cover all eventualities, but three specific models really caught my eye. The MKIII RAID is their flagship “gear lugger” and it’s a classic military backpack with their new V2 plus carrying system. It extends the application range and flexibility with a removable hip belt and the greater adjustability of the back length. The MISSION Pack constructed in 500D Cordura is at 37L a bit of a classic patrol pack with enough space for a few

days-worth of operational equipment. It offers a large main compartment, a large zipped compartment with an attaching point for a hydration bladder on the inside; an exit point for the hydration tube is found on the top, just beneath a sturdy carry handle. On the front is another large compartment with four antenna/cable ports, three open compartments, a zippered mesh pouch and a clip for keys. A flat compartment on the back with zips on the sides has yet more antenna/comms ports in both upper corners, and an even flatter zippered pouch on the back is great for storing for notes, maps, or even a notebook computer. Last but not least is a zipped compartment on the bottom which houses an OD Green rain cover.

The MISSION has acres of MOLLE webbing and some velcro patches for insignia on the outside.

The main compartment can be compressed with side straps for secure carriage of varying loads and there is a comfortably padded back with an internal support frame. The ergonomic shoulder straps are well padded and fully adjustable both at the top and bottom for a comfortable set-up. There’s a sternum strap with a neat emergency whistle buckle and a padded waist belt with two small zippered pouches, also fully removable. Last but by no means least, and again made in 500D Cordura, the ESSENTIAL pack is a small 6L all-round daypack. It features two compression straps around the whole pack, MOLLE panels on the back and side, a webbing carry handle, and comfortable yet nowprofile shoulder straps again featuring the sternum strap with an integrated emergency whistle buckle. The pack is simply one large compartment with a hydration blabber pocket, and makes a superb “grab bag”; the fact that it weighs just 480g is a bonus in itself!

Tasmanian Tiger are gradually making well-deserved in-roads into the UK, and all the models here are becoming more easily available from some quality stockists. All the packs and tactical gear are available in multiple colour options, including camouflaged versions so there’s something in the range to suit an environmental requirement.

Thus far in my testing I’ve been very impressed by the build-quality and attention to detail in all the models, and the comfort levels for all are very high indeed. If you are in the market for a new pack or chest rig then I would thoroughly recommend you check out http://en.tasmaniantiger.info where you’ll find further details of both the products themselves and stockist details.

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MEET THE MAKER: HELIKON

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HELIKON-TEX NEW LINES Helikon-Tex are one of those manufacturers that are constantly pushing the boundaries of garment and gear manufacture forward and 2016 saw the launch of their new Urban, Outdoor, and Range lines; these offer new designs and new fabrics and there is quite literally something there for everyone!

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H

elikon-Tex are by no means a newcomer to the tactical market as they were established in 1983. Initially their business activities were mainly concentrated with military surplus sales. However, changing trends and market demand in the mid-nineties set a new development direction; in 1999 they decided to start their own military and tactical clothing production.

Their ever-expanding range is proof that the decision was the correct one as they now offer full-spectrum lines of top quality combat uniforms, waterproof and windproof sets, fleece jackets, underwear and head gear. Their hefty catalogue also includes quality bags and backpacks, tactical belts, MOLLE system pouches and accessories, as well as camping and survival equipment. Widely used by law enforcement, security, and military personnel, along with outdoor enthusiasts HelikonTex clothing and kit has gained a thoroughly well-deserved reputation for quality and durability amongst users.

And I do count myself amongst that highly-satisfied user group as some nine years ago I purchased a great looking coyote tan Helikon-Tex fleece, the “Patriot”. The price at the time compared to similar garments coming out of the USA was very competitive and attractive; I remember thinking to myself “well, that’s a good price, if it last me a couple of years that’ll be great”. Fast forward to the present and the “Patriot”, although it is looking a little “battle-scarred” is still going strong. Now that to me is one hell of an investment and testimony to the longevity of Helikon-Tex garments!

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MEET THE MAKER: HELIKON

Since that initial purchase I’ve bought items from HelikonTex on numerous occasions and I am always keen to get “handson” when they drop something new into the marketplace. I’m lucky that I’ve got to know the family behind the brand, and that they keep me fully up to date with new releases, so when Jedrzej, the son of the founder, contacted me pre-IWA and told me I needed to come and see him at the show as they had “a few new pieces” you can bet your last buck that I was going to do exactly that!

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A STUNNING DISPLAY

Helikon-Tex always have a really top-notch stand at IWA each year, and 2016 proved no exception to that; it was simply jawdropping! Not only do they work with the best quality fabrics and components with strict quality control measures in place, but they also work with some unusual camouflage patterns which makes them quite unique. This however was not the only reason to see them this year though as the “few pieces” that had been teasingly mentioned to me turned out to be a number of complete new lines of products broken down into a number of categories, “Range Line, Outback Line, and Urban Line”.

These new lines show a new approach and a new structure.

Having gathered a task force of designers and professional consultants to complete their R&D team, Helikon-Tex were ready to launch a wholly fresh and complex project codenamed “HTX”. In their own words; “The whole of the HTX concept is based upon the ingenuity of design. We have once introduced our bestselling UTP pants as our own, home-grown concept, and with time it became evident that this is the way to follow. We are perfectly aware that in our world we have to transform and evolve, follow new challenges, revise old standards and never, ever settle for average.”

And from what I saw of the new products these are no empty words. Starting with the “Outback Line” this is HelikonTex’s technical clothing and accessories range concept. From base layers through all intermediate levels of insulation for both dynamic and static activities to outer layers including wind shirts, softshells, hardshells and Climashield parkas. There are both solid classics and new “light & fast” style designs.

The first new product is the Blizzard Softshell set; the jacket is a perfect light outer layer for most weather conditions. Durable DWR treatment, stretchable material and extra reinforcements combined with spacious cargo pockets give you a versatile softshell top with a military legacy and a solid feature set as you’d expect, and it’s a versatile outdoor garment, meant especially for inclement weather use when hiking or mountain climbing. The matching Blizzard Pants feature two types of softshell fabric (two and four-way stretch) which are designed in a way that combines mobility, durability and breathability of the set. True to its military origins they feature spacious cargo pockets, extra ventilation channels, lower leg reinforcements and shoelace hooks.

To complement the Blizzard outer layers there are also two new heavyweight fleece layering options to consider.

Remember that old USGI ECWCS fleece? It was and still is a favourite with many folks. 320 weight fleece gives you a lot of warmth and what Helikon-Tex have done is to create something with a similar feel and a few more practical features.

The Stratus has angled long zip chest pockets, mesh armpit ventilation, handy bicep pockets and tall standing collar.

It is meant to be simple yet effective design that can

be worn on its own or as a mid-layer. The Cumulus is a twin design to the Stratus heavy fleece; it shares the general pattern and reinforcements, but in this variant you’re getting a hooded jacket with spacious mesh inner pockets and simple hand warmer pockets.

It’s a simple, utilitarian and very wearable piece.

The “Urban Line” is the Helikon-Tex take on both the challenges and routines of a modern world, merging tactical, sporting and EDC elements into one. Pants, daypacks, and light casual garments are all oriented to give you sharp looks and enough space to hold all your daily stuff. Keep in mind that everybody is trying to keep “low profile” these days! Hoodies are almost everyone’s favourite easy wearing and casual looking design. With the Urban Tactical Hoodie (UTH) HelikonTex wanted to keep all that, plus get you some extra features, such as concealed bicep pockets, secure kangaroo pockets and inner pockets and wire routing channels that work well with full zip design. They also made sure that UTH fabric is at the same time soft, pleasant to wear and as durable as possible.

Keeping with the impression of “casual” the UTPs provide load bearing capabilities and comfort typical for strictly utilitarian constructions. Designed for Law Enforcement and Contractors, the Urban Tactical Pants enable you to carry all essential

so as to do them full justice, but the whilst the UTPs are a very popular range pants for many people, there were requests to make them even more comfortable and well suited for shooting sports, especially to introduce more stretch and reinforcements in critical areas. So Helikon-Tex have listened to this feedback and you can see all the ideas rolled into their new, dedicated range pants nicknamed the Hybrid Tactical Pants (HTP). This looks to be an absolutely cracking design providing a combination of both a great feature set and some cutting edge fabrics; this is a model that I’m definitely looking forward to testing!

AND MORE TO COME!

MEET THE MAKER: HELIKON

equipment around hip and thigh line.

A low-profile pocket setup keeps the EDC gear and ammo close to the body’s centre of gravity, which, combined with stretchable fabric, leads to fluent and quick tactical movements.

Furthermore, all these solutions provide a design which is an incredibly useful product for concealed carry tasks. The UTPs are available in three fabric options for hot and moderate climates as well. The Women’s UTPs are designed for female users and to specifically fit the female body shape. This design is based on the experience gathered from the original Urban Tactical Pants and they offer all the features available in the men’s version. Women’s UTPs are available in one length (L34) for individual adjustment, and there’s even an Urban Tactical Skirt to round out an impressive line here.

Sometimes easy looks can be misleading and the Covert Tactical Pants (CTP) are perfect everyday pants, as their appearance is definitely low-profile. At the same time they are feature laden; the pocket layout includes IWB sheaths for weapons, magazines or valuables, while the new six outer pocket design gives you more than enough space for EDC items. Wide belt loops stabilise belts and holsters while a combination of cut and pattering and stretchable fabric allow for great freedom of motion. The CTP’s will look equally good when worn with plain polo or with a casual hoodie!

Now I know that all the guys at Helikon-Tex are fellow shooting sports enthusiasts, so it’s no wonder that they wanted to create a “Range Line” with great clothing and gear for the range.

No matter if you’re IPSC competitor, a one-mile precision shooter or just a guy that shoots for a living Helikon-Tex have something new for you in stock. I’ll visit the new range of belts, gun bags, pouches and sniper-mats in the next issue of PMCI

As you can imagine it’s an incredibly complex feat for any brand, even one as well-respected and efficient as Helikon-Tex, to launch a whole new concept in one go, but this is the start of the rollout of the HTX project and it’s very impressive to say the least. In addition to the three new lines mentioned in this article in due course we’ll be seeing the further roll-out of the “Bushcraft, Patrol, and Medical” lines which means there’s much more goodness to come!

Once again, in their own words; “Naturally it is not going to happen all at once, we cannot bring you instant effects overnight, but be assured that Helikon-Tex’s evolution has started… and you are invited to experience its effects for yourselves.”

As I said earlier there are new equipment items that have also been launched and these are equally as impressive as the clothing. I’m always quite excited when Helikon-Tex bring new innovations to market, and luckily my relationship with them is a strong one; they have true faith in what they create they’re always prepared to submit products for evaluation and “put their money where their mouth is” so expect to see some more detailed reviews of the new gear over time. I look forward greatly to experiencing the next “evolution of Helikon-Tex”!

The new designs are loading up onto the Helikon-Tex website as they become available, so for more information on the individual pieces and to find stockist details where you are please do visit https:// helikon-tex.com

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CONTRACTOR PANTS

ELITE JACKET

ELITE BASEBALL HAT

TACTICAL T-SHIRT

n 6 Pocket, 2 with inner felt lined utility compartments

The Elite jacket is made from water resistant Micro-shell material, offering the user maximum comfort.

n Made from Nylon/Cotton

n Super heavyweight 220gsm cotton

n Re-enforced knee panel with knee pad compartment n Elasticated waist panel on rear for added comfort.

Material: Ripstop Polycotton

Material: Micro-Shell Sizes UK: S-XXL Colour: Titanium SRP: £59.95

n Rip-stop tear resistant n Front Velcro ID panel n Velcro size adjustment Sizes: One size fits most Colour: Titanium

n 2 sleeve pockets with velcro Sizes: S-XXXL Colour: Titanium SRP: £22.95

SRP: £9.95

Sizes: 28”- 42” Colour: Titanium SRP: £42.00

>GET THE

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE

TACTICAL

STOCKISTS / CATALOGUE

www.vipertactical.co.uk

MINI MODULAR PACK

LAZER GARRISON PACK

A multifunction load carrier which can be attached to a MOLLE or used independently. Can also serve a civilian with the day to day practicality and features such as convenient sized pouches, bladder holder and general size.

Mesh helmet hammock located on front with compression straps for adjustment

n n n n n n n n n

Size: 19 ltr (approx) Material: 600D Cordura Colour: Titanium SRP: £45.00

Lazer MOLLE Panels on front/sides Fully mesh vented back Internal Nylon hood closure 2 x Main compression straps Sternum strap with QR buckle Padded shoulder straps Elasticated rim on lid 1 x Grab handle Velcro ID panel

LAZER SHOULDER PACK

LAZER RECON PACK

A lightweight and conveniently sized shoulder pack, ideal as a travel/grab bag. Its exterior and internal pockets are capable of bearing most personal belongings and padded straps add the comfort factor.

With padded shoulder straps and foam Ventex back panel this makes a comfortable load carrier. The pack can be reduced using the compression straps or added to with the LAZER MOLLE attachment panels.

Size: 10 ltr (approx) Material: 600D Cordura

Size: 35 ltr (approx)

Size: 35 ltr (approx)

Colour: Titanium

Material: 600D Cordura

Material: 600D Cordura

SRP: £34.95

Colour: Titanium SRP: £45.00

Colour: Titanium SRP: £27.50

>GET THE

TACTICAL ADVANTAGE

TACTICAL

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MEET THE MAKER: BULLDOG

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MANUFACTURERS PROFILE - BULLDOG For this issue of PMCI we’re joined by contributor Leslie Lee who gives us the lowdown on some superb tactical gear from UK brand “BULLDOG TACTICAL GEAR”.

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D

uring my many visits to UKMC Pro in Southsea UK, I found that many of my purchases and interest was steered towards a brand of tactical equipment and clothing labelled “BULLDOG TACTICAL GEAR”. I later found out that it is designed and built based on demand by the numerous military personnel that buy from (what is probably) the South Coast’s leading military equipment retail showroom and online purchase facility.

Bulldog Tactical Gear (BTG) are manufacturers of modern Military and Police Equipment. A British brand, their mission and main aim is to provide battle-ready Military and Tactical equipment that does not cost you the earth. Working together with seasoned military professionals, BTG have tailored their pouches, tactical bags, belt kits, chest rigs and tactical equipment to be exactly the right kit you need when you find yourself up against the many dangers a modern professional may have to face.

So after many purchases of this brand over the years and the longevity of the quality of this gear, I felt it only appropriate to share my findings; now I am as sceptical as the next person when it comes to own brand products, whether it be lemonade or laxatives but be assured... be very assured, that BTG is in a class of its own simply because, for me, it ticks all the right boxes.

On a personal note, I purchased a pair of their top-of-therange tactical pants around three years ago, mainly because of the flexibility of the fit and okay, I’m no Damien Scott or Michael Stonebridge but they get worn an awful lot and there

is still not a single sign of wear and tear. Perhaps they are just a little faded due to washing but that’s to be expected so I for one am very pleased and at around £70 at the time, this was clearly money well spent.

All Bulldog clothing is a lightweight, durable Rip-Stop 65/35 PolyCotton blend and pre-washed to avoid shrinking. In addition, BGT use mil-spec double and triple stitch construction, YKK zips and Duraflex buckles.

Nylon Equipment (plate carriers, pouches, chest rigs, etc.) and of course bags are made from heavy duty but flexible 1000D Cordura Nylon, or 600D Cordura Nylon for some of the lighter bags. Again these pieces are furnished with YKK zips and Duraflex buckles, with a mil-spec triple stitch construction.

BULLDOG ELITE ECU2 COMBAT TROUSERS

These super comfortable trousers offer the perfect balance between quality, modern design and price. Complete with built-in knee pads, removable for when being washed and designed and built to a modern tactical layout with 4 pockets on the back and 2 smaller ones on the front. The following specifications should give you some idea what you can expect: • Made from a lightweight yet durable rip-stop 65/35 poly cotton blend.

• Pre-washed to avoid shrinking and fading (recommended wash at 0°) • Available in MTC Camo, Black, Olive Green or Coyote Tan • Built-in flexible rubber knee pads for protection in the field; sewn on to a neoprene base to provide high levels of comfort.

• 4-way stretch material offers total freedom of movement & increased levels of comfort • Located inside both thigh pockets are straps used to adjust the height that the knee pads sit at for a custom fit.

• Velcro adjusters on back to tighten or loosen the knee pads.

• Fits all leg lengths between 30 -32” inch • Modern 8 pocket design; 4 on rear, 2 on the front & 2 standard hand pockets.

• Large pockets located on back to aid freedom of movement.

• 2 smaller pockets on front to house smaller but important items that need to be kept easy to hand

• Padded waist belt for increased comfort when wearing a combat or MOLLE Belt.

• 4-Stretch material on lower back to increase freedom of movement and off superior comfort levels.

• Large belt loops to accommodate most combat Belts • Zippered fly with Velcro closure top • Built-In waterproof lining on the bottom of the legs act as gaiters when wearing boots.

• Textured rubber knee pads provide a non-slip stable base for various shooting stances.

• Gusseted crotch allows total freedom of movement, great for hand-to-hand combat or breaching.

• Mil-Spec double stitch construction with a double seat for durability.

With an outstanding overall specification and build quality, it is clear to see that these are made for professional use as they offer all the features and benefits of their rivals but at a fraction of the cost. Based on Bulldog’s original ECU Trousers but with a whole load of improvements, they are designed to provide a fast action combat trouser for tactical use by Military and certain Law Enforcement Units.

BULLDOG COBRA TACTICAL RIGGERS BELT, 1.75”

This 1.75” tactical belt is designed for Special Forces & Military use. Made using mil-spec nylon webbing it is ultra-lightweight yet highly durable. The new Cobra style buckle makes removing or putting on the belt a 2-second job, eliminating the need to constantly undo the Velcro and buckle. Simply use your forefinger and thumb to quickly release the buckle with the aid of two buttons; the green circle indicator confirms when the buckle is fully inserted and ready to go.

The Tactical Riggers Belt provides the ultimate in stability and will not lose tension even with heavy loads. With the double tension offered by the buckle and additional Velcro you can rest assured that it will not budge.

MEET THE MAKER: BULLDOG

Clearly, these products have had some serious testing before they are made available, with the end user in most cases being military, who’s lives could depend on their ability to use any piece of equipment fluently and without any compromise or failure in the process of dealing with some of the most bad-ass bad guys in the world.

The range of products is simply massive, so to give you some idea I have selected some of the more frequently used pieces to give you a general overview which should give you a fair and balanced perspective of what BGT has to offer but of course, like all retail products, I would urge you to drop in on their website for a better insight across the whole range.

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MEET THE MAKER: BULLDOG

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BULLDOG LMR CHEST RIG; LIGHTWEIGHT, VERSATILE, DURABLE!

The LMR Chest Rig is Bulldog’s brand new and vastly improved design. It can be worn with or without body armour. It provides mobility and freedom of movement over protection with only a front plate option. The LMR can also be worn over a non-MOLLE plate carrier to add tactical versatility, and it weighs in at only 995 grams!

Made from lightweight yet durable 1000 Denier Nylon which adds little weight to your load, it is curved to match the shape of your body. This makes for a comfortable fit but also makes the Bulldog LMR less restrictive than its rivals, providing a fast action rig that excels when surprise is the key to success.

It also has a low profile so can be concealed if required.

With integrated open-top bungee mag pouches the Bulldog LMR can hold 8 x M4 or AK47 magazines which are stored comfortably, securely and in the perfect position for a quick reload. Reinforced with tough Bulldog exclusive SKIN material to protect high wear areas where there is contact with the mags, also aids in holding the mags securely in place.

With 3 rows of MOLLE across both the top and bottom of the LMR Chest Rig, adding MOLLE pouches is a piece of cake.

Compatible with all MOLLE pouches with the option to attach extra mag pouches (if required) and / or utility pouches, dump pouch and much more.

The BTG LMR Chest Rig has a large pocket (actually, make that a HUGE pocket) behind the mag pouches with heavy duty zipper closure. Internal MOLLE for attaching MOLLE pouches which is great for storing documents, knife, multi-tool, light sticks, tactical light, even a pistol or other smaller items that are required easy to hand. It also houses the cord locks used to adjust the integrated mag pouches.

Utilising customer feedback and demand, this is one very well made battle belt and I can assure you that this is a seriously interesting and versatile piece of kit.

BULLDOG RIP AWAY MOLLE PANEL

Now this piece of equipment is probably one of the most practical items in the Military market that has potential in so many ways. The Bulldog Tear Away MOLLE Panel has really impressed me a lot! It enables the user to quickly and easily remove a pouch from your belt or other MOLLE gear. It’s great for the CMT Medic Pouch, Medic Utility pouch or just about any other type of pouch that you can fit on an area roughly the size of a typical admin pouch designated platform. It measures approximately 14 x 18 cm and consists of 5 x 3 rows of MOLLE. It has a reinforced pull handle in red for easy identification when needed and with a simple pull of the handle you can remove any pouch and lay it in front of you, or throw it to someone else.

BULLDOG MK2 MOLLE WEBBING SET

The new and improved version of Bulldog’s top selling MOLLE Webbing Set is a big step forward in performance with improved load stability with the addition of 2 extra points of attachment.

Now with a 6 Point system and an improved integral belt with Cobra Buckle to ensure that once set it will not budge.

A highly versatile piece of kit, the Yoke and MOLLE belt can be used together or individually. The padding can also be removed from the belt and the interior belt used as a standard combat belt if you choose to do so. Designed to be worn over the British standard issue plate carrier, it can form the base of a modern MOLLE webbing system with the addition of Bulldog MOLLE Pouches (also compatible with issue Osprey Pouches).

It is ultra-lightweight so it adds very little weight to your already heavy load and is durable as it is made from 1000 Denier Nylon. The MOLLE Yoke has a vented back panel to provide ventilation to aid in keeping you cool. A chest strap ensures a snug fit to your back and a 4-point connection between the yoke and belt ensures load stability and improves overall load balance.

The MOLLE Belt is made up of 3 sections of material instead of just the standard 1 piece design and this vastly improves the flexibility and offers you greater freedom of movement.

It moves more naturally with your body and causes less restriction – and it weighs in at only 900g in total.

So after an intensive study, microscopic scrutiny, personal experience and feedback from some individuals that I know that have bought and use Bulldog Tactical Gear regularly, I have to conclude that BTG is making a substantial difference… a difference that ultimately allows any user to buy a premium quality piece of gear at an affordable price and have the peace of mind that it won’t let him or her down any time soon!

For more information on the extensive BTG range please visit www.ukmcpro.co.uk; alternatively you can contact them direct via sales@ukmcpro.co.uk or give them a call on +44 (0) 2392 838800

MEET THE MAKER: BULLDOG

I was so impressed with this unique piece of kit that I bought one myself and now run around with a first aid kit on my back that would be the envy of most Paramedics!

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ARMORSOURCE

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ARMORSOURCE

NEXT GENERATION HELMET SYSTEMS

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IWA 2016 threw some real “curve-balls” at the PMCI team, and all of them were excellent!

Little did we know that at the show we’d be getting hands on some of the very latest highperformance helmet solutions from US market leader ArmorSource!

ArmorSource LLC is a leading manufacturer of ballistic helmets, advanced head protection products, and accessories. They offer innovative and unique solutions in head protection products by making the very best use of their expertise in the development and design of composite materials, coupled with years of ballistic product design experience.

ArmorSource was established in 2005 by ballistic-material ground breakers well-known in the global personal protection industry. The principals, Mr Yoav Kapah, Mr Don Blake, and Mr Larry Dickson brought their expertise, market knowledge, industry contacts, and the ability to deliver results exceeding stated requirements together to create a foundation for the largest ballistic helmet manufacturer in the United States and, possibly the world.

The company headquarters and production facility is located in Hebron, Ohio. Their 120,000 square foot facility is dedicated to the design, manufacture, and development of ballistic materials. Through this facility they were able to exceed expectations with their delivery of 35,000

HIGH PERFORMANCE PROTECTION

Increased protection in the past has usually meant piling on the weight to gain it, but as with all things, technical materials and components tend to change on an almost daily basis, and ArmorSource are obviously past masters in taking the very best that can be found!

When we saw some of their very latest helmet models in Germany what really struck all of us was the weight savings that have been made, not just without loss of protection, but in fact adding to it. If you take for example their LJD Aire model, it is the lightest ballistic helmet in the defence and law enforcement market. The LJD Aire reduces the weight of traditional helmets by more than 40% while exceeding the ballistic protection of the

Lightweight Advanced Combat Helmet. In a full coverage version, size L, the boltless helmet will weigh a mere 1.9 lbs/850g, compared to an equivalently sized Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH), which weighs 3.3 lbs/1.5kg. The LJD Aire possesses the ACH/ MICH geometry, and will be available in mid and high cut versions, offering standard or boltless siderails, standard or boltless retention, and customers’ choice of aftermarket products, including shrouds and brackets.

The ArmorSource LJD Sniper Helmet is the lightest version of the U.S. Army Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH / LWACH) designed for use by Military Troops; the High-Cut variant in size S/M weighs in at just 2.4 lbs/1.1kg! The LJD Sniper reduces the Areal Density of the traditional ACH helmet by more than 30% and the LW-ACH helmets by more than 15% while exceeding the ballistic protection of the Lightweight ACH. The LJD Sniper provides extremely high protection against a wide spectrum of small fragments as well as handgun bullets. It is extremely comfortable due to its new ergonomic design, lighter weight and flexible pad system and brings the market the newest ballistic technology available in the industry.

The AS-500 ACH (Advanced Combat Helmet) weighs in size M 3.1 lbs/1.4kg and is a solid, tried and tested head protection solution. The ACH is used by the U.S. Army and other military organizations worldwide. The AS-500 ACH helmet provides high protection against a wide spectrum of small fragments as well as handgun bullets, and has been battle-proven extensively in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is a classic design that is used and accepted by the U.S. Government and other military organisations worldwide.

At 2.29 lbs/1.04kg in size M the AS-501 Ultra Lightweight Ballistic Helmet is an innovative, solid and extremely comfortable solution for front line units and Special Forces. The AS-501 provides extremely high protection against a wide spectrum of small fragments as well as handgun bullets and is extremely comfortable due to its light weight and flexible pad system. It still utilises the classic ACH shape meaning that specialist users will blend easily into a larger force. There is also an Ultra Lightweight HIGH-CUT Ballistic Helmet for those who need this style and this reduces the weight even further to 1.874 lbs/0.85kg even when going up to size L!

ARMORSOURCE

Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT) helmets for the Foreign Military Sales effort in Afghanistan.

Their production group operates and maintains a wide variety of automated, semi-automated, and manual machinery in a streamlined production environment to produce our state-ofthe-art head protection systems. ArmorSource maintains a core labour force of approximately 100 employees with over 60% of that base dedicated to manufacturing operations and quality.

When required, they have the ability to surge from a single shift operation to three fulltime shifts, employing well over 200 individuals within the manufacturing and quality departments. At their peak, the manufacturing and quality headcount was nearly 250 individuals!

Their internal mantra is “Deliver what you promise and don’t promise what you can’t deliver.” In this vein, they embrace the mission to significantly enhance their products’ ballistic capabilities while preparing next generation products for release.

They are an ISO 9001:2008 registered organisation for the design and manufacture of ballistic helmets, a registration they were proud to receive in 2009 and still hold today. An important aspect of the research carried out is to closely follow worldwide risk and threat trends in order to collect information and data that will ultimately result in improved helmet designs with increased ballistic performance, greater stability, superior impact resistance, and long-term comfort.

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ARMORSOURCE

The ArmorSource AS-505 LWACH (Light Weight Advanced Combat Helmet) is a solid head protection solution. The LWACH is the newest military helmet designed for the U.S. Dept. of Defense, developed specifically to replace the older ACH styles used by the U.S. Army and other U.S. military forces. ArmorSource has become the first vendor of this new helmet style to the U.S. Army. The AS-505 LWACH helmet provides high protection against a wide spectrum of small fragments as well as handgun bullets, undergoes more extensive testing methods in order to improve the safety of the war fighter and at 2.81 lbs/1.27kg (size M) is also lighter than the ACH! Finally the AS-600 is a revolutionary lightweight rifleresistant/small arms enhanced High Protection Assault Helmet which has been designed for Special Forces, counter-terrorism units and front line troops. This innovative helmet incorporates advanced, high-performance ballistic materials into a proven, battle-tested Advanced Combat Helmet shape. The result is a highly modular ballistic helmet that delivers dramatically higher protection levels to the individual soldier. The AS-600 provides a significant increase in performance protection against fragments and small arms (in accordance with RP002, M80 NATO (2100 fps)) at approximately the same weight (3.1lbs/1.4kg M) as the current U.S. Military’s Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH).

ARMORSOURCE HAVE YOU COVERED!

At the end of the day, the quality built into their products is proven by the quality seen and the quality tested. They incorporate a wide variety of inspection techniques that are designed to validate that quality goals are being met. In a continuing effort to improve the quality and safety of head protection products, ArmorSource designed and built an on-site, state-of-the-art Ballistic Testing Lab, enabling convenient and

time-sensitive testing for fragment and small arms protection levels. Some of the testing lab features include: • Full complement of Safety Interlocks • State of the art Universal Receiver • Agilent 5331 Universal Counters • Oehler Photoelectric Lumiline Screens • Temperature/Humidity Controlled The ArmorSource ballistics lab was created to mirror the U.S. Army’s Aberdeen Proving Grounds lab as well as the standard requirements set for independent commercial labs. Their ballistic range provides a safe and controlled environment for testing hand guns, fragments (RCC, FSP – 2, 4 ,16, 64, 17 grain), and small arms (rifles).

In addition to the Ballistic Testing Lab, they have additional helmet testing capabilities that include physical and mechanical testing equipment and processes allowing them to produce optimal performance characteristics, such as, compression resistance, impact resistance, helmet stability, and other safety features. Some of the equipment includes: • Instron CRE Compression/Tension Machine • Cadex Testing System • Conditioned Test Chambers From the brief we received in Germany we also discovered that ArmorSource are also currently working on the following R&D projects: • ULWACH – Ultra-Lightweight Advanced Combat Helmet • Powered Helmet Accessories Platform (mounting system for helmet accessories) • Rifle Resistance Combat Helmet (Future Soldier Enhanced) • Hybrid Shell for BFS reduction, compression resistance, and impact resistance.

• Advanced Boltless harness technology • Trauma reduction management system • Next Generation full coverage head protection system (Head, Face, Neck, Nape) ArmorSource is proud to represent the U.S. Defense Industry throughout the world. In recent years, ArmorSource has made a significant international reputation for high quality ballistic helmet manufacturing and they now distribute throughout the world to areas such as Italy, Israel, Australia, Spain, and Mexico.

During this time, ArmorSource has sold more than 500,000 helmets, of which 60% were exported to countries all around the globe!

Whatever type of helmet solution you need ArmorSource really do have you covered; in addition to the models highlighted there are a further eight models in their line all certified to NIJ IIIA levels (where required). ArmorSource also offer a full range of Retention Systems, Harnesses, Suspension Systems and Accessories so that your chosen helmet can be set up just how you want it to be. Most of the models are available in Foliage Green, Olive Green, Black, Navy Blue, Tan and Coyote Brown although ArmorSource state that are happy to discuss camouflage patterns if necessary.

For more information on the individual helmet models and all the “add-ons” please visit www. armorsource.com, and our thanks go to the team

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WWW.PENCOTTCAMO.COM

Need a solution to make a single set of kit work in any environment? PMCI finds an effective and safe new camouflage product that lets you do this over and over again!

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ome of us are privileged to have been involved in the wide world of tactical gear for some considerable time, and as I’ve said in the past “time in” gives you the luxury of being able to build up a personal “gear locker” that allows you to handle a wide range of environmental settings, with different sets of camouflage clothing and gear to suit each.

Now I realise that for many of you out there, especially the relative newcomers, this is simply a luxury that you can’t afford so cheap and versatile solutions are always top of my list when it comes to digging out new products. Things don’t have to be “Max Gucci” when you’re just setting out on your tactical journey; they just need to work and to last.

Earlier this year I noticed a unique-looking new product online, and subsequently started talking to “John Skins” via social media, and it can just prove that when you use such methods of communication straightforwardly and politely then you really can hit absolute gold; it’s not all about BS and “trolls” if you use the internet wisely! John told me of an innovative product he was involved with called “GEARSKIN” which was essentially an adhesive-backed fabric that you could apply to just about anything! Given the softness of the fabric it’s easy to mould around even quite complex shapes such as holsters and magazines, and as the “skins” themselves

TECH AND TOOLS: Gearskin

GEARSKIN

are available in many different colours and popular camouflage patterns you can really set up your hardware to match your clothing.

So what is GEARSKIN and where has it come from?

GEARSKIN is an innovative self-adhesive fabric technology with outstanding features compliant with the highest military standards. GEARSKIN effectively offers you the potential to create a personalised solution for each and every situation.

GEARSKIN has undergone an extremely rigorous two year testing phase, improving its characteristics consistently after an array of lab analysis, destruction testing and field tests. By getting a huge amount of precise data the Croatian team behind this remarkable product were able to steer the development of GEARSKIN in the right direction and ended up with a highly innovative self-adhesive fabric with so many mind-blowing properties that its application is almost limitless! Its basic role is protecting and camouflaging firearms and military equipment, but the characteristics of the product make it suitable for many, many different uses. The product is entirely designed and manufactured in Europe using top quality materials, technology and knowledge.

The complete production process takes place in a factory in northern Croatia employing more than three hundred people with a one hundred and forty year background in the textile industry, making it one of the oldest in Europe.

Their traditions, expertise and knowledge of the technology in producing special purpose fabrics and materials have been forged over decades supplying many military and law enforcement clients, as well as clients ranging from the oil industry, railways, medical institutions and many more. All of the fabrics used in GEARSKIN production are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class II certified for all components and are completely safe for use in contact with the human skin and manufactured in compliance with all environmental standards. The OEKOTEX Standard 100 is an independent testing and certification system for all textile raw materials, along with intermediate

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and end products at all stages of production. OEKO-TEX testing for harmful substances always focuses on the actual use of the textile; the more intensive the skin contact of a product, the stricter the human ecological requirements are to be met.

TECH AND TOOLS: Gearskin

HIGH SPEC!

All of the materials used in the creation of GEARSKIN products are of the highest military specification which ensures its optimum performance in a wide range of applications ranging from military, law enforcement, outdoor activities, and of course, airsoft.

GEARSKIN is produced with high end Polyamide-Cotton fabric (Cordura®) and Nylon-Cotton fabric (NyCo). The SMART Adhesive is the second component of GEARSKIN that is critical in the application of the product; the adhesive is characterised by strong initial adhesion and slow ripening which means you can use GEARSKIN in the short term, remove it from the equipment item and save it on the transfer paper for reuse. Alternatively by leaving it on, GEARSKIN’s adhesive matures, adhering more strongly to the surface and providing a long term solution for the protection and camouflage of equipment.

You’ll recognise the strength of the adhesive from the very first touch, but in the short term it is easily removed from any surface without leaving any traces. If you want to keep the fabric permanently applied it’s enough to simply leave the fabric in place as the glue will slowly “mellow” and get a more powerful bond with the surface over time. This process can be accelerated by slightly heating the fabric. If after a prolonged use a sticky residue appears when the fabric is removed from the equipment item, it’s easy to clean it with ordinary edible oil or simply by using a piece of fabric which has already been removed; there’s a great bit of video on the GEARSKIN website that shows you how to do this.

GEARSKIN easily adapts to curves, adheres to various surfaces and has been tested in a wide range of field conditions. Some of its characteristics are water repellency, oil repellency, acid repellency, and it has an anti-soil treatment and a high resistance to wear and creasing. GEARSKIN eliminates the equipment “flare effect”, which further contributes to a full-spectrum concealment system, and it has excellent NIR properties which make it an efficient IR camouflage to aid in combatting night vision devices.

GETTING STUCK IN

Luckily enough I was able to meet with John and the GEARSKIN team at IWA earlier this year, and they were kind enough, and confident enough, to provide me with some test samples of their fabric technology in Multicam compatible “V-Camo”, which is a 50% cotton / 50% polyamide mix. It comes folded once in cellophane bag with an information leaflet containing all of the necessary information on the use of the product, and also contains information on the characteristics of the product as well as unique EAN code.

You can buy GEARSKIN in three sheet sizes, COMPACT which is 30cm x 30cm, REGULAR which is 60cm x 30cm, or EXTRA which is 105cm x 30cm, depending on the size of project you have in mind. If you’re really thinking of “super-sizing”, or doing a number of different projects then it’s probably worth contacting the team direct with your requirements. I returned

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“survival orange” paracord to tan and sprayed up the sheath, and although it was less “in your face” it still didn’t match up as well as I’d have liked with my camouflaged kit. The knife with the tan paracord is fine, but the sheath was going to get the GEARSKIN treatment, and after a bit of fiddling about to get things right the finished product was a million times better!

With that small project complete I set about doing something else a little more ambitious. I own a number of Kydex holsters custom made for me by a friend, and one of my absolute favourites is the model created to hold a SIG 226 with taclite attached which often travels overseas with me on training

TECH AND TOOLS: Gearskin

home with a couple of the COMPACT variety for the small projects I had in mind to test the product, along with an EXTRA which is heading off to a colleague for something we have in the pipeline.

To get the hang of the way that GEARSKIN worked I started off with a small project; I’ve had a Gerber Paracord Fixed Knife with a low volume sheath for some time now, and it’s one of my favourite little tools. When I first got it I changed the

trips. Once again I’ve often thought of spraying the Coyote Kydex up, but as that colour kind of worked for numerous sets of gear I never have. Given what it holds the holster is a mass of shapes, angles and contours, so getting a fabric laminated to it would previously have meant using insanely strong glue that would have held forever; again, not the end result I required.

With the “V-Camo” GEARSKIN though transforming the holster was, quite literally, a snip!

My first step was to thoroughly clean my well-used and abused holster to remove any crud that had got caught up in it over the years; I simply wiped it down thoroughly with some alcohol-wipes and left it for half an hour to ensure that any residue of this had evaporated. I then removed the screws that hold the belt-loops in place, along with the central tensioning screw, placing these aside safely.

Next up was to cut my piece of GEARSKIN roughly to size and lay it gently over the holster to ensure that I had sufficient overlap; if I was going to all this trouble I certainly didn’t want rough edges! Once I was happy that everything was good to go I simply started pressing the GEARSKIN gently around the shapes and contours of the holster.

Once I’d got the basic fit correct I put the screws loosely back in place, just using the tip of my scissors to pierce the fabric enough to let them pass through. Continuing to press the fabric down, moulding it as I went left me with a smooth, even surface; my final task was to carefully trim any errant fabric with a craft-knife and fully tighten the screws.

I have to say that the finished project is better than I could ever have hoped for given that this was really the first time I’d ever tried applying GEARSKIN, and the holster now matches seamlessly with the rest of my kit; it really is as simple as this to change bits of your gear! The thing I truly love about GEARSKIN though is that I can easily remove the fabric from the holster and go back to Coyote, or indeed use another of the GEARSKIN patterns to fit it together with another set of gear entirely, and then change it back to “V-Camo” when I need to.

A COMPACT 30cm x 30cm sheet of GEARSKINs “V-Camo” costs just €16.25(about £12.50 at the current exchange rate) which is nothing compared to the forty or fifty quid I would spend on a new holster, and I was able to cover the knife sheath from that one sheet too. If you use GEARSKIN not only will you be camouflaging your gear, but in my opinion there is simply no better way to protect it at the same time; there’s no pattern repetition, no seams, no odours, and the application can be done safely in the comfort of your own home. GEARSKIN grips to various types of surface, wood, plastic, metal, coatings, rubber; you name it, because they and now we have tested it.

I’m really pleased that I spoke politely to a fellow professional online, and it just goes to show that you never know where any conversation may take you. If you haven’t yet tried GEARSKIN and you want to re-colour a bit of kit then I would urge you to release your own inner gear-freak and give it a go!

For more information on GEARSKIN along with a great gallery of user-projects and “how to” videos do please visit www.gearskin.eu and check out their Facebook page for regular announcements and competitions.

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IWA TACTICAL GEAR REPORT

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IWA TACTICAL GEAR REPORT

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ALWAYS IN SEARCH OF THE LATEST TACTICAL GEAR, THIS MONTH BILL THE EDITOR REPORTS BACK FROM IWA 2016

By Trampas Swanson ON THE VERY BEST DEVELOPMENTS SEEN IN HALL 9!

HOT Show in Las Vegas, USA is probably the best known and biggest annual shooting show in the world, but “IWA”, as most of us refer to it, is fast establishing itself as the European SHOT. I don’t bother heading out to the USA every January these days as a) the majority of tactical brands now attend IWA showing the strength and growth of the market in Europe, and b) we have a superb team in the USA who search out the best stories anyway! Not only that, but with IWAs competitive pricing for exhibitors many of the stands in Germany are bigger, bolder, and better than in the USA, with some manufacturers well and truly pushing the boat out!

To give an idea of this IWA 2016 saw a combined total of 1,455 exhibitors, up from 1,338 in 2015, in nine exhibition halls ready to roll on the opening Friday; by the time the doors had closed on this year’s event on Monday afternoon, over 45,000 trade visitors from 120 different countries had visited manufacturers and distributors, viewed new products, attended meetings, and in many cases had placed orders before they left to go home to their own businesses.

Although I visit IWA each year to see what’s new and improved in relation to firearms and accessories, my task is also to hit the “Home of Tacticool” which has its very own showspace in Hall 9. This is where you’ll find all the “cool guy” clothing, footwear and gear and to say that what’s on show is jaw-dropping is a massive understatement.

All the gear that you’ll find is 100% “real deal” with many of the exhibitors staying on following Enforcetac which runs just prior to the main IWA event. Enforcetac is for the military

and police visitors and you’ll only get into those halls if you have a special pass and a justifiable reason to be there, so it’s great news for the personal tactical world that most of the manufacturers stick around.

As I’ve been involved in the gear world for some years visiting Hall 9 for me is like a big meeting of old friends and it’s always a real pleasure to catch up with folk that I correspond with year round face to face rather than at the end of a telephone line or in an email exchange. It’s also superb to be able to finally meet up with new people that I’ve worked

with and thank them for their input into, and their faith in, PMCI Magazine.

I’m very lucky indeed that many of the manufacturers work directly with me and in many cases when I ask for an appointment to meet with them at IWA I get a simple response which is just “No need for an appointment, just come see us and we’ll have time for you”. This to me shows that our reputation within the industry, even as a relatively new publication, is a solid one, and that people truly appreciate what we do in terms of gear reviews; we give honest and well-rounded reviews, and that’s what we’re known for, so without further ado I’ll crack on with the “gucciness”!

First up was a visit to my very good friends at UFPRO to check out what they had to show; their clothing is a personal favourite of mine and they are constantly adding new models in their range and refining existing ones. Everything they produce is absolute quality using the best designs, latest fabrics and components, and absolutely first rate manufacturing processes. New for 2016 was the new addition to their Striker combat range, the Stealth Smock. This design is a classic smock with a new twist, which will allow you to stow everything you need for a 24 -36 hour mission in it, without the need to carry an additional backpack or a chest rig. It has an integrated air permeable load-bearing system into the jacket, which fixes the pockets onto your hips and helps to distribute the weight evenly. There were also updates to their excellent Monsoon waterproof jackets, and their updated Striker XT Gen III combat pants and shirt, which should be available by the end of May. One of the biggest updates with the new generation of Striker XT pants is that the camouflage version is going to have the stretch panels in camouflage as well.

This was until now only the case with the Striker HT pants in MultiCam, where UF PRO combined the MultiCam NyCo fabric with the Schoeller dynamic stretch material in SloCam. I’m certainly

IWA TACTICAL GEAR REPORT

UNIFORMS, CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR

looking forward to getting my hands on some of the new models with reviews to follow.

Helikon-Tex are a major player at IWA each year, and 2016 was no different as they certainly had a LOT to show! Helikon are well-known as a manufacturer of a top quality combat uniforms, waterproof and windproof jackets, fleece jackets, underwear, headgear, and tactical gear and have been for some considerable time, but this year saw them offering a number of completely new lines which were very, very focused indeed. Broken down into a number of new categories, “Range Line, Outback Line, and Urban Line”, there were updates to some of their classic designs and new models such as the Stratus, Cumulus and Blizzard jackets, Blizzard, CTP and HTP pants, a great Hoodie, and even a tactical Skirt! In terms of the gear they had a number of new pouches and a superb range mat called the “Backblast”; all of the clothing and gear looked absolutely first rate and the new models are already beginning to filter into store as I write. You’ll see more detail on what Helikon-Tex have been up to in a separate, dedicated report in this issue.

As you’ll have seen from last months issue I’ve been working quite closely with the excellent people from Austrian brand Clawgear and had an invite from them to visit their stand as they were unveiling some new models to add to their already impressive lineup. The Operator Combat pant sets the focus on fit and versatility. In comparison to Clawgears excellent Raider MK.IV pant it has been pared back to the essentials of a mission pant. The Field Short has been especially designed for use in very hot conditions and closes the gap between comfort and functional capability in this area; these are spot on and would be ideal for wear in “base areas” during the summer in Europe or in hot weather climes. Clawgear also had some new firearms accessories for both the AK and the AUG which looked very tasty indeed and are well worth a quick mention!

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IWA TACTICAL GEAR REPORT

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Arc’teryx LEAF are SO worth a visit it’s untrue! Granted they are up with the best of them pricewise and you really need to be a serious user to justify the expense, but oh my lord their gear is sweet! They were showing off their new cold weather gear and as you’d expect from a brand whose parent company made their name in the world of mountaineering and back country skiing the new kit is built like a tank! The new Cold WX range consisting of jackets, pants, gloves and accessories is truly jaw-dropping, and the ASLCE DRYPACK 40 designed specifically for maritime operations is a true work of art. I’ll be reporting in more detail on all the new models in a future issue.

Rounding up the clothing side of things 5:11 once again had a great selection of new models, and the extension of their ladies range with more products than ever should certainly please all the female users out there. Tru-Spec had a number of new models as well but these were mainly variations on their tried and tested designs this year, and as always the Pentagon stand was well stocked up with goodies. A-TACS were busy pushing their latest iX camouflage pattern alongside their already well known AU and FG designs, but I was insanely pleased to see more and more of Hyde Definitions PenCott patterns just about everywhere; 2016 was truly their year and they deserve all the recognition they get!

Footwear was a little underwhelming this year as many of the manufacturers were sticking to their existing designs, but there were a few very nice additions in some key places. UK based Magnum were showing some prototype boots they’d been working on as a collaborative project. 5:11 had a great display of their new “Skyweight” and “Recon” ranges

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that look very good indeed. Lowa and Haix had a new colours for their most popular models, and Salomon had not only new colours, Burro and Sage Green, but also two new models that will be great for hot weather environments; The Jungle Ultra is a

new high-leg jungle boot which has been developed to perform in warm, wet areas, and the Speed Assault is essentially a midheight version of the popular Speedcross trainer which I live in.

TACTICAL GEAR

I’m always very, very proud when I visit IWA and see that one of the biggest stands in Hall 9 is that of our very good friends, UK-based Warrior Assault Systems. Regular readers of PMCI will know that I love their gear, and to see them “ruling the roost” is a great buzz. Their L-shaped stand dominates one corner of the hall and they quite literally show everything that they make, in

Although they have an absolutely great range of clothing, accessories, and footwear it’s their “nylon” gear that really got my interest. First Tactical are focused on providing the end user with gear that is specific to their requirements, guided by innovation and reliability. Their design process combines both advanced technical materials with state-of-the-art components.

First Tactical products are built to offer fully functional gear precisely created for professionals in the military, emergency and police services. It’s a range of great looking kit and I’m right in the midst of testing their Tactix patrol pack and thus far I’m very impressed; look forward to hearing more about First Tactical soon!

IT’S A WRAP!

So after two a half days of mayhem and many miles covered, IWA 2016 was finally a wrap, and to catalogue everything I saw would be an impossibility; I’ve concentrated here on the things that REALLY took my eye and I can only apologise to those that spent time with me that have been missed out this year.

To conclude this report I’m going to be unashamedly flagwaving for a moment as two more UK-based companies also deserve an “honourable mention”. Better known for their superb optics SHIELD PSD had a great stand really showcasing “Best of British”, and they even had a new singlepoint sling design which looks great. Although Thatchreed are based in Hall 6 given their crossover into field sports they did have a great stand with an area dedicated to their VIPER tactical gear and this could not be missed as they were launching their new “Titanium” grey tactical products at the show, more detail of which you’ll get in due course; as I write the container carrying the first of these products is being unloaded and stock is hitting the VIPER warehouse ready to be shipped to retailers!

Once again IWA 2016 proved to be a first-rate show; old friends were visited and new friends were made, and we can only thank everyone for all the time they spent with us. Thanks especially to Mike and the Brothers of the Tactical Beard Owners Club for allowing me to present a canvas of the February Issue cover to Instructor Zero at their annual IWA get-together, and for the beers and banter afterwards!

We’ve got reviews and stories lined up in abundance now, and with these in hand I can only tell you that you’ll see it all here first in PMCI!

IWA TACTICAL GEAR REPORT

pretty much every colourway they make it in and to say this is an impressive display would be doing them a huge injustice; it’s outstanding! All the Warrior gear has been fully tried and tested in the real world so you know you can rely on it; if you want a plate carrier, chest rig, holsters, pouches and packs then Warrior truly is a one-stop brand. It was also great to visit and get personally introduced to “SAS: Who Dares Wins” star Ant Middleton!

I’ll make a mention here of new kid on the block, First Tactical, who were exhibiting for the first time in Europe.

Tasmanian Tiger had a superb stand again this year, and as they are one of the gear brands that work with the PenCott patterns that have been used by the anti-poaching teams in Africa they are always high on my list to visit. 2016 was the first year that I’ve met with them directly and I have to say that being given the proper walk-through to their comprehensive range of tactical gear was a real treat; their new Tac Line is really impressive. Tasmanian Tiger work with the very best fabrics and components and all of their gear that I’ve tested has been superbly manufactured and really is 100% bomber tough! More of their kit is slowly getting into the dealers now and if I were you I’d give it a thoroughly good look over.

I noticed more this year of smaller companies that are doing very clever things when it comes to tactical gear and the guys from MD Textil were really playing a blinder. As well as their custom work they were showing some really superb looking tactical belts and slings, and their new split-front chest rig is a true stunner; the unusually effective magnetic buckles have to be seen to be believed. Sharing the same stand were Chakaw Kydex Holsters who were showcasing their new overt and covert carry options including the latest MKIII Exactor model. Whilst not directly making gear the team at Tactical Trim provide just about everything you would use in putting it together; this year they were showing some excellent new Fibrotex products as their “headline” that had been made up into concealment suits; this fabric technology was highly impressive.

Of course all the main brands were there to be seen and the likes of Direct Action, Tactical Tailor, TACWRK, Blackhawk!, Mystery Ranch, and Eberlstock also had some superb gear on display.

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FIREARMS: Walther PPQ

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WALTHER PPQ M2 9MM HANDGUN

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For this Issue Craig Reinolds from the PMCI USA Crew gets to grips not just with a superb handgun, but also with some custom parts that take performance to an all-new high!

must confess I was once happy with any over the counter handgun I could get into my hands to shoot. But I now have a major problem and that is over the last two years especially, I have been shooting and testing many custom guns, fitted with custom products and triggers.

I came back from Shot Show 2016 and was able to shoot and check out many high dollar custom handguns. It has been said that once you’ve had fine wine you can’t go back to the cheap stuff. So my first handgun review after such an exposure to the so-called fine wines of handguns is going to be tough, unless the name of the manufacturer is Walther.

Walther boast about their worldwide known company, their German engineering and state of the art designs, when you have been around for almost 130 years, you may have that right to boast such claims. They claim their performance design “is the art of harnessing the laws of physic into the palm of a shooter”. Also, it has been said that if you have a Walther firearm “it feels better, fits better and shoots better”. Lastly, the Walther handgun “is ergonomically engineered to be an extension of your hand”. Today I would like to take a look at a Walther product and see if it measures up to the company’s

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statements of excellence. For this issue I’m going to talk about the PPQ M2 9mm 5” from Walther.

overall length of 8.1”, which gave me an excellent sight radius.

The extended slide for this barrel was esthetically pleasing to the design of the firearm. If you normally carry a 4” or less handgun at first this 5” seemed to reach out and touch someone, but I grew to love the performance that little extra length gave me on the range. I was able to get a quicker sight acquisition and shooting the small steel at 25 plus yards was effortless.

A little history you may or may not know but I found interesting about Walther. Carl Walther and his son Fritz created their first semiautomatic pistol in 1908. Smith & Wesson had held the responsibility of distribution of Walther Firearms in the United States up until January 1, 2013 when the responsibility for Walther in the US transferred to Walther Arms, Inc. Walther and Smith & Wesson will still continue to have a working relationship as they share manufacturing duties for different lines of firearms.

Be sure to look them up online to find out many more interesting facts about the Walthers and their company’s history.

Back to the PPQ M2, I just can’t hold it back; I truly believe this handgun improved my shooting, not only in accuracy, but also in my follow up shots. You may say how could that be? Well I want to explain. First off to recap the trigger, it could be in the top five best triggers out of the box from the factory. This was a definite on improving first shot and follow up shots. The first shot was crisp and the reset impressive and with a little practice every shot was smooth and on target. I was getting a real kick out of hitting the small steel at distance. I also attribute that to not only the sights, but also the long radius between the sights.

Another factor I am sure is probably not an accident knowing the German engineering behind the PPQ M2, is the lines that run down the middle of the slide in between the front and rear sight. Those lines seemed to give me just a little more reference on aligning the sights on the follow up shots especially during double tap drills. Something so simple, to appear as a decorative feature, lines running between sights. Yet, functional increasing my speed during rapid fire drills. My hot rod handgun just became a dragster.

FIREARMS: Walther PPQ

Opening the case you find an extremely attractive handgun. It has an ergonomic, contoured and non-slip cross-directional grip.

The next two things I noticed was the large magazine release that can be switched for either right or left hand and the extended slide stop on both sides of the gun, which is made to operate with ease even with gloves on. Picking the handgun up I released one of the two 15 round magazines it comes with from the handgun. I grabbed the slide noticing the aggressive front and rear serrations and locked the slide back with ease.

Looking at the top of the slide I found 6 vent ports giving the slide a hot rod look. The gun being safe, I pulled and released the slide and felt the smooth crisp 5.6 lb. trigger. It did not feel like it even took 5 lbs. I held the trigger, cycled the slide and felt the reset. Wow, that was awesome right out of the box. They claim a short .4” travel, .1” reset and I can tell you this was pleasantly pleasing as I repeated the process several more times. It was hard to believe this was a factory trigger.

When I finally got through playing with the trigger, I went on to the sights that are three dot polymer sights with an adjustable windage on the rear sight. These are low profile sights cut to prevent snagging on clothing. The Walther PPQ M2 also has a picatinny rail under the barrel for lights and accessories.

This model has a Tenifer™ coating on the slide and the barrel; it is a striker fired pistol and has two-drop safeties and a firing pin block trigger safety. There are two addition back straps that are interchangeable for small, medium and large on the grip. The large has a beaver tail, but I found the medium was a perfect fit for me. The PPQ M2 also came with a lock, a speed loader, the usual paper work and book you normally find with most new handguns. The only negative first impression that I had was the slide had a slight rattle when shaken, but as we will soon discuss this did not affect the performance at all.

To get a full list of features and specifications on this Walther PPQ M2 go to http://www.waltherarms.com/handguns/ ppq/ppq-m2/. The Walther PPQ M2 comes in five different configuration and barrel lengths. They also come in either 9mm or .40mm. The 9mm I am testing has a 5” barrel and has an

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FIREARMS: Walther PPQ

The grip on this firearm was comfortable and I was able to get great hand placement every time I grabbed it. There was no slipping, as the PPQ M2 seemed to be glued to my hand. I know this also was a positive feature assisting me in improved performance during running my coarse of fire. When the PPQ was empty, it seemed a little front heavy with the 5” barrel, but loaded was a perfect balance. I know the barrel length and weight was another feature that was helping the shooting performance. It is like they thought of everything in perfect harmony as Walther designed this model. That little rattle was not an issue when the gun was loaded and during the firing of the firearm as it performed flawlessly, even running several brands of full metal jacket ammo through it.

So how does this Walther PPQ M2 stack up against the claims made by Walther?

• The PPQ M2 is a true breakthrough in ergonomics for selfdefense handguns. o Check • The sculpted grip meshes smoothly into the hand. o Check • The trigger is the finest ever on a polymer, striker-fired handgun. o Check • The styling is elegant and trim. o Check • Walther Performance Design™ “IS THE ART OF HARNESSING THE LAWS OF PHYSICS INTO THE PALM OF A SHOOTER.” o Check • A Walther feels better, fits better and shoots better. o Check • A Walther is ergonomically engineered to be an extension of your hand. o Check • Accuracy with a handgun begins with a better understanding of the human hand. o Check • A Walther is a statement of excellence. o Check • A fine handgun should be a work of sculpture. o Check I truly believe the Walther PPQ M2 9mm 5” met each of the design, engineering and performance claims made by Walther.

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I also think they have figured out the weak link in firearms shooting disciplines, the human and I think they have worked to correct his flaws by producing a better product. Don’t get me wrong you still have to spend the time and discipline to master the art of the handgun. But, Walther sure makes it easier with the PPQ M2.

Now just to add a cherry and whipped cream to the top of an already awesome handgun! We at SMG (Swanson Media Group) had the opportunity to get a custom trigger built just for the Walther PPQ M2; the Apex Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger for the Walther PPQ by Apex Tactical Specialties.

SLAP YO MOMMA!

It is true and life just went to a new level high. There is nothing better then shooting this combination firearm and trigger.

Wow, and for the price point a third less than what a lot of competition shooters would pay for the same performance. The Walther comes in around the $750 USD range and the Apex Trigger around $130 USD. Bam! That gives you a high performance handgun with a high performance trigger for under a $1,000 USD. That is a steal deal for the performance you get for your running and gunning needs. That Apex trigger has to be one of the best on the market today. Talk about a steel slapping machine this handgun and trigger combination has just set the bar for the competition.

Another feature on this awesome firearm is the take down buttons. These buttons make it a breeze to disassemble the PPQ M2 for cleaning. No struggling to get everything just right like some of the other manufactures designs. There is no combination difficult to remember, just clear the handgun, pull the trigger, slightly pull the slide to the rear, pull down on the comfortable buttons and remove the slide.

If you would like to get more information on the Walther PPQ M2 and the Apex trigger from Apex Tactical Specialties go to the following links:

http://www.waltherarms.com/handguns/ppq/ppq-m2/ https://www.apextactical.com/blog/index.php/randomapex/the-flat-faced-forward-set-trigger-for-the-walther-ppq/ I hope you too get to experience the fine wine of performance handguns, but remember, once you taste it, nothing else will do.

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ARMOURY

All photos Courtesy of AK47ChatterBox.com

ARMOURY ISSUES

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To tie in with “Head to Head” in this issue on receipt of a new weapon system when you arrive “in country” what are you going to look for? For this issue PMCI are proud to be joined by a new contributor and this article has kindly been submitted by serving military armourer, ‘Chalkster’.

ingo! You’re a happy man. You’ve got yourself a contract for a job overseas. The first of many boxes has just been ticked.

Taking into account the seemingly endless tasks of kit preparation and purchase, along with the countless hours of spreading your gear over every square inch of available floor space before packing, unpacking, then packing again. Until a few hours later when you’ll be doing it all over again! (we’ve all been there!). Your next biggest concern is yet to be seen. The issue of course is the weapon system you will soon be taking charge of.

Now clearly the scope for writing this article is vast, so to keep things simple we’re going to assume the likelihood that the weapon you’ll be receiving will be one of the many variants in the globally recognised AK family.

Hi. My name’s Chalkster. I’m a serving Military Armourer and I’m delighted to take this opportunity to write here for the PMCI Community. What I’ll be covering with you is the fundamentals of what to do on receipt of your weapon system on arrival in a new AO. It goes without saying that almost all you readers will most likely have a professional military or security forces

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background, so to that end, a significant degree of weapon handling experience will already be amongst your core skills.

Some of you out there may be familiar with just one generic weapon platform, where others may be “Wizards” with knowledge of a multitude of different makes and calibres. The important thing to always remember is recognising just how much you actually know! No one wants to be seen as a novice or inexperienced in any line of work, least of all PMC work, but if you boldly steam ahead pretending to be an expert, not only may you be found out by the wrong people, but you might also end up in a box!

So to the “Old & Bold” among you please consider this small article as a subtle refresher instead of an unwanted classroom lecture. Rather than approach the subject matter as if you were Day.1 Week.1 Recruits, I’ll pitch the key learning points with a realistic expectation of your existing knowledge.

“Okay; you’ve signed for it, here’s your weapon” says the man with the shades and questionable facial hair. “Look after it as if your life depends on it”. At this exact moment it’s time to get your game face on. A significant amount of information needs to be sought before you can realistically plan the duration of your contract and of course the potential likelihood of your needing to pull the trigger.

it’s unobstructed and burr free. Condition of the bolt face isn’t normally an area of concern but check it none the less.

Weapon Condition & Serviceability.

Firing Pin.

There’s always a possibility you may have worked for the company paying your wage on a previous tasking, so you might’ve used a similar or possibly the exact same weapon platform. This of course is a good start, as knowing who you’re dealing with from the outset can be of tremendous benefit. Unknown operations will leave you guessing as to what’ll happen next? Not good in an unfamiliar and potentially hostile environment.

You’ve taken ownership of your AK. What’s the immediate impression? Does it look complete? Are there any missing parts or other bits held on with tape? Take your time. Don’t just bag it and go. This could well be your only opportunity to exchange or possibly have armourer facilities to address a serious/potential fault.

Start at one end & methodically work from one end to the other. Then field strip the weapon and do the same process on its individual parts. Components such as the Gas Piston should be clean, rust free, without burring or dents & importantly straight!

So check for visual distortion along its length.

Return Spring.

Ensure this is clean, intact, rust free, without frays or obvious external surface damage. This is clearly a big player in weapon functionality, if it’s weak or in questionable condition do you have an opportunity to acquire a spare?

Bolt/Carrier.

Generally robust, but with all components don’t skip a good visual check, especially focusing around the all-important bolt assembly.

Extractor. Ejector. Locking Lugs.

Not forgetting the firing pin aperture; check it isn’t misshapen,

Roll on a flat surface to assess it is straight and true. Have a closeup look at the profile of the head. Damaged, rough surfaces can lead to punctured percussion caps on cartridges! Not welcome.

Is there an opportunity for a spare pin and spring? Why not look into local purchase prior to your arrival. Parts like these are cheap and can easily be kept in a wallet, pocket, a vehicle sun visor. You never know when you might just need it.

ARMOURY

Therefore, let’s try to break things down, into easy to follow bullet points.

Breech. Barrel. Muzzle.

Now this isn’t a topic to be discussed in a matter of a few sentences. Recognising acceptable serviceable component condition takes time and instruction, but you should all be very familiar with the basics. Something which looks like it’s been dragged out of a trawler-mans nets and is returning to nature is unacceptable. Corrosion and erosion are not only areas which affect serviceability and safe operation for the user, but ultimately concern efficiency and accuracy.

KEEPING THINGS ROLLING

Ensure adequate weapon cleaning materials such as barrel brushes, flannelette, pull-through cords/rods are available. Never presume anything. Don’t just expect someone to have everything

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laid out ready for you. This is your responsibility at the end of the day.

Investing in a good quality cleaning kit is as vital as your ammunition. Remember simple facts, if the weapon won’t fire you might as well throw stones!

A can of WD40 or similar water displacement maintenance spray will always be useful when it comes to weapon cleaning.

But let’s just stress that it’s for the purpose of cleaning ONLY and never an alternative for appropriate oils when it comes to weapon prep & lubrication.

ARMOURY

Magazines.

Historically overlooked, these are the means of feeding ammunition cleanly and unobstructed at high cyclic rates. Strip these down and as always be thorough in your inspections.

Obviously new issue is an ideal, but seldom a luxury you’ll encounter. As previously mentioned; Expect Anything & Presume Nothing.

If you have several magazines issued, strip them and lay them side by side. Chances are a difference in spring length will be all too apparent. If this is the case, gently pull the shorter springs to match the length of the longest example. Don’t pull from any points other than the spring platform and base ends in order to maintain a uniform spring profile.

There are numerous manufacturers out there and they all have subtle differences between them, so before you get busy with stretching platform springs make certain you’re looking at same make examples. Similar to springs on a vehicle suspension, they can all vary in rates and tensions.

As with all other components on the weapon system focus your attention on serviceable appearance. Time and again we must concentrate on the basics, namely free from damage, corrosion & ingress of dirt and debris. The important issue with mag bodies is to confirm that no damage, cracks or dents have occurred that could potentially affect the internal movement of the platform. The smallest external body dent can easily cause an internal restriction leading to an eventual stoppage.

Dependant on climate/environment, consider appropriate application of limited lubrication to moving parts. It’s your call.

Ammunition.

Come on guys, this one is fundamental. Condition, age and manufacturers origin are all important considerations. Ammo reliability is comparable to the fuel in your car. Quality varies significantly. The older it gets and more importantly its method of storage must be taken into account. If you’re fortunate to receive a recently made batch, box or tin and in good condition, chances are you’ll be avoiding complications. On the other hand, if you’ll be sourcing from unknown suppliers, maybe loose or of questionable origin? Be cautious. Tales of spiked ammo have been heard doing the rounds! No one likes an in your face breech explosion for breakfast.

Range time. Grouping and Zeroing.

Nothing will out-value the opportunity to get some trigger time under your belt prior to hitting the ground. Zeroing your weapon is critical if your life’s dependant on its efficient operation. Know your environment. What are the expected or perceived engagement ranges you’re most likely to encounter?

Are you city bound or in open country? Think about all aspects of weapon condition, is a well worn barrel going to consistently perform at distance shots or will you simply be making a noise and wasting your ammo!

If we estimate likely engagement distances between 20m-200m you can focus on achieving consistent grouping in the 100m ground. There’s no point in conjecture about the most efficient weapon, ammo grade and sighting system of choice for long reach targets. As highlighted from the outset we are assuming the use of an AK type weapon, so you can forget your Barretts and HK’s.

In what condition are the open sights fitted to your weapon?

Look at sight alignment, ease of movement during adjustment, but also the locking method. Adopting a firing position, what sight picture do you have before you? Make sure nothing’s distorted resulting from mistreatment or heavy use.

In summary, if we expect a serviceable weapon has been issued, in good working order and without below the surface faults which might progress towards failing gauging checks etc, leading to stoppages or even worse a catastrophic component failure. The key factor to overall functionality and ultimately to its reliability is none other than you, the end user!

Like most other things in life if you fail to maintain an item of equipment that by it’s very nature requires a degree of attention from the operator, then don’t expect that bit of kit to thank you for it. Daily cleaning doesn’t have to be a dirty subject to discuss around the dining table. If your weapon system is consistently accurate and dependable not only will you have pride in yourself and your good personal admin, but your colleagues to the side of you may also be thanking you, especially if they are the guys struggling with bad admin and stoppages.

Stay Safe wherever you find yourselves.

Chalkster

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COLT: AN AMERICAN CLASSIC During that time, Colt and the succession of firms that continue to bear the name have produced absolutely iconic revolvers and rifles that have done nothing less than shape the course of history. Among those are the first Colt Paterson revolver in 1836, the Colt Single Action Army of 1873 (popularly known as the Peacemaker and the “gun that won the West!), the M1911 pistol and the M16 assault rifle which was emblematic of the American military experience in Vietnam.

Today Colt are best known for the M4 Carbine, stalwart of every branch of the US military, the CQBP (Close Quarters Battle Pistol), and popular civilian models, such as the Colt Defense CM901 rifle and the Colt Match Target series.

Illustrated with more than 200 artworks and photographs and accompanied by exhaustive technical specifications, “Colt; An American Classic” is an expertly written account of firearms produced by one of the world’s best-known, easily recognised, and revered gun manufacturers.

Micheal E Haskew has been writing and researching military history topics for more than 25 years and his experience shines through in this super book. If you have any interest whatsoever in firearms and their development then this history of Colt should be sure to find a place in your reference library!

Author: Michael E Haskew Publisher: Amber Books ISBN: 978-1-78274-257-9 Price: £19.99 hardback, fully illustrated

BOOK REVIEW COLT: An American Classic

2016 marks the 181st anniversary of Colt’s first patent for a firearm with a revolving cylinder and the 161st anniversary of the enterprise originally named Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company!

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HEAD TO HEAD

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HEAD TO HEAD For this issue of PMCI we decided to ask our two semi-tame contractors who have worked “The Circuit”, one British and “New Skool” and one American and “Old School” the same question to see where there are similarities or disparities. This time my question to them both was the very same one as I asked our new Armourer, “What steps to you take to ensure your issued rifle or carbine is reliable and fit for purpose when you receive it?”

Rob S (USA) When I first get issued a personal weapon on a contract what steps do I take to set it up? I know this can be a popular question from many, especially in modern world of so many Gucci accessories and Barbie guns. My answer to this one will be spread out depending on what I get and where. In some African countries we could be given cash and told go find something local. This usually amounted to buying a half dozen firearms and a few dozen magazines to piece and part together to make one working gun and magazine set. In the more modern contracts you could be handed a rifle that was still in packaging and I have been given Glocks in a case with the seal still intact. But let me try to give a decent outline of what I would do with these creations or the average firearm issued or acquired.

The very first thing right out of being handed a firearm, I usually try and source good magazines as they never seemed to issue me enough. So much so many times I’d bring my own and/or have some overnighted to me at great personal expense. Especially in South East Asia and always in Central Africa back when. I like to have a personal stash of good magazines, a bag of more and my loaner bag for the other poor saps I work with. Yeah overkill to those who only care about themselves but hey these guys are protecting me too.

Now the gun itself; go find a good private table with a clean floor, yeah parts jump. I’ll disassemble and inspect everything about it I can. This will always piss off an issuing armourer but I don’t care who they are, I need to rely on this heater and it is going to be as right as I can get it. Luckily after a while you start to know what is rubbish and what can be made to do.

Now that we have had a looksee at the gun it is time, in most cases, to find all those parts, spare bits and alt toys that I need to repair, replace or upgrade. In some cases this is again buying several other firearms to recombine into a proper working single gun. But usually it is bartering with locals, other team mates (rare) or other companys teams, especially for optics. We all have preferences on how we like set up and running. I try to keep it simple, rifle, two point sling, red dot and working irons. High end details will get issued all our fun gear including NVG, IR lasers, lights, etc, but even then I like my stuff simple.

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So we are at the clean the living daylights out of it stage.

Boresnakes and flitz polish can do miracles, always take some with me. The boresnake and flitz polish have recovered many a bad barrel or inaccurate gun platform for me and others I’ve had to care for. It is a cheap and easy solution to grime, dirty barrel, some pitting and other things of that nature like sticky rails and firing pins that seem to just not move smoothly. Brake cleaner spray, which is available in way more shops than you would think, is another great product to speed the process. Go over bits that can be improved with whatever tools and such I have with or available or allowed. Get rid of the bad areas that lead to failures or inconsistency.

Lube; I prefer Froglube at the moment and bring it with me.

But even plain motor oil has been used. You need to know the platform and lube it accordingly. I’ve seen bone dry AKs and ARs that sprayed lube when shot. All I can say is, run different guns and learn them. Personal stuff is great at home, but the real world is something else.

And next we get to range time. Test fire and sight in, which occasionally includes out a hotel window then run down the hall to my own room and act like I know nothing. No I would never do that. Ha! I will get as much pre-work range with the platform as possible.

And last but not least, make sure to personal-mark it. I like to mark all my kit and gear but my magazines, and firearms get marked as well. Nothing like write on metal Sharpies to label and number or letter magazines, various kit and the gun.

I make sure everyone knows I have done this so there is no temptation. It works.

From issued guns to sourced platform, I find the more meticulous I can be at prepping my gear the more reliable it is.

Too often new guys just take what they get and say ok and not a thought. Not exactly the kind of guy I want on my teams and sure as hell I never hire those types.

HEAD TO HEAD

Richard S (UK) Having experienced both DoD and commercial contracting I found out that weapon control and issue would vary.

When on commercial contracts I found it very hard to set my weapon up the way I wanted it. This was due to the type of weapon issued and lack of armourers on site to assist. The last commercial contract I was on, I could not even get on a range to zero my weapon system. If anything the most I could do is a functionality check, make sure the firing pin was striking correctly and bore zeroing with a laser. Most of the time you’re thrown an AK and told to crack on, this can be very daunting at time’s especially if you do not have experience on foreign weapons.

DoD/Government contracts were quite different. Issue and testing of weapons was carried out in a military fashion and controlled, as it should be.

Whilst working on such contracts you would be issued a primary and secondary weapon system. You would be expected to pass a weapon-handling test and carry out a mandatory shooting test. Once you have completed your in theatre testing you would then move to your team.

It was during this period I would take time out to prepare my weapon system the way I wanted. The main part I would concentrate on would be my weapon optic. I mainly used an Aimpoint M4 with a X3 converter. This would allow me to have

the option of short and long-range engagements if needed. The reason I would go for an Aimpoint over EoTECH is down to clutter in the optic. What you see is what you get.

I would add rail covers to stop heat transfer; this would assist whilst in long engagements. To assist with comfort when firing or when on foot for long periods of time I would also fit a small RVG fore-grip.

For simplicity and comfort and to finish off I would fir the Magpul CTR buttstock. This would create a low profile on the weapon system but also allow easy access and movement of the buttstock.

The longer I spent on contract I went and purchased a 10 inch upper receiver from Knights Armament and fitter a Trot Industry Claymore muzzle brake. The upper would be fitted when running tasking’s in the main city area allowing my profile to remain small. The muzzle brake was fitted to reduce dust signature as it directed sound and blast forward not down. It also had a rugged edge so if the situation came about you could use it to smash a window or muzzle check an individual up close for self-defence.

For my secondary weapon system I would just re-paint my rear sight and fore sight for quicker acquisition. I did not see the need for fancy internal parts, as I had never training with such modifications.

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AKE Group

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Elite Maritime Protection Services

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International Maritime Security

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G4S Maritime

Janusian Risk Advisory Group

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Genesis Security Group http://genesissecurity.com/

Global Executive Outreach http://www.geo-ops.com/

Global Risk Security http://www.globalrisksecurity.co.uk/

Global Solace http://www.solaceglobal.com/

Global Strategies Group http://www.globalgroup.com/

Grail Security http://www.grail.co.za

Halliburton http://www.halliburton.com/en-USage

Halogen Security http://www.halogensecurity.com/

Hart Maritime http://www.hartsecurity.com

Hill & Associates http://www.hillassoc.com

HP TerraMarine International http://www.hpterramarine.com/

Kroll

MUSC

http://www.kroll.com/

http://www.sps-global.com

Longmoor Group

Naval Guards

http://www.longmoor-security.com

http://www.navalguards.com

Lotus Maritime Security

Neptune Security

http://www.lotusmaritime.com

http://www.neptunemaritimesecurity.com/

Lotus Projects

NNK Group

http://www.lpyemen.com

https://www.nnkcorporation.com

Maersk

NYA International

http://www.maersk.com/pages/default.aspx

http://www.nyainternational.com

Magregor Protection Services

Ocean Marshalls

http://macgregorprotectionservices.com

http://www.oceanmarshalls.com

March Security

Ocean Protective Services

www.marchsecurity.com

http://oceanprotectionservices.com

Maritime Risk International

Oceaneering International

http://www.maritimeriskinternational.com/

http://www.oceaneering.com/

Marsec

Olchon

http://www.marsec.eu.com

http://www.olchon.co.uk/

MAST

Olive Group

http://www.mast-commercial.com

http://www.olivegroup.com/

McRoberts Maritime Security

Orchid Security

http://www.mcrobertsmaritime.com/

http://www.orchid-office.com/

Merchant Maritime Warfare Centre

Oxberry Risk Strategies

http://www.mmwc.org/

http://www.oxberryrisk.com/maritime_services

Minimal Risk

Pilgrim Group

http://www.minimalrisk.co.uk/

http://www.pilgrimsgroup.com

MSS

Pilgrim Security

http://www.mss-uk.com

http://www.pilgrimsgroup.com

MTResolution

Pistris

http://www.mtresolution.com/

http://www.pistris.com/Index.html

54

Protect Asia Group

Securescot

http://www.protectasia.com/

http://www.securescot.com

PVI Ltd

Securewest International

http://www.pviltd.com/

http://www.securewest.com/

Raven Special Projects Ltd

Security Networking Events

http://www.ravenspecialprojects.com

http://snespecialprojects.com/

Red Cell Security

Security Networking Events

http://www.redcellsecurity.co.uk

http://snespecialprojects.com/

Redfour-MSS

Securoquest

http://www.redfour-group.com

http://www.securoquest.co.za

Saladin Security Group

Shield Risk Consulting

http://www.saladin-security.com/

http://www.shield.eu/services/maritime-security/

Saladin Security

Shipguard

http://www.saladin-security.com/

http://www.mss-uk.com

Salama Fikira

SMS

http://www.salamafikira.com/

www.specialistmarineservices.com

SMS

SPS

www.specialistmarineservices.com

http://www.sps-global.com

Tor International

Tactical Intel

http://www.torinternational.com/

http://www.tacticalintel.com/

Trojan Securities International

Thalassic

http://www.trojansecurities.com/

http://www.thalassic.co.uk/

Orchid Security

Tor International

http://www.orchid-office.com/

http://www.torinternational.com/

Blackstone Consultancy

Torcuss

http://www.blackstoneconsultancy.com/

http://www.torcuss.co.za/

Pilgrim Group

Triskle TSL

http://www.pilgrimsgroup.com/

http://www.triskelservices.com

Maritime Risk International

Triton Security

http://www.maritimeriskinternational.com/

http://www.tritoninternationalltd.com

International Maritime Security

Trojan Securities

http://www.intmarsec.co.uk/

http://www.trojansecurities.com

Raven Special Projects Ltd

Veritas International

http://www.ravenspecialprojects.com/

http://www.veritas-international.com/

Salamanca Risk Management http://www.salamancarm.com

Sea Marshalls Ltd UK http://www.seamarshals.com

SEAL http://www.sealsecurity.com/