SEPT 2015
CONTENTS
4 LEVEL 4 URBAN TRAINING COURSE We get the updated scoop from Ben at CROPS on their very latest accredited training course! 8 BOOK REVIEW “Preparing To Survive”. 10 SHIP SHAPE Bill the Ed joins Associated Risks Group to sample their Maritime Firearms Competency Course 15 INDUSTRY UPDATE Hutchy picks another hot topic in the world of the Private Military Contractor 16 GEAR FOR THE GOOD GUYS The PMCI Team make their recommendations on the latest gear to hit the market! 18 BOOK REVIEW “Born Fearless” 20 PMCI GETS TECHY! Understanding Technical Fabrics; We Kick the Myths into Touch! 24 CAMOUFLAGE AND CONCEALMENT Looking for an innovative family of camouflage patterns designed by a man at the sharp end? We look at Landcamo from Brane T Cervek. 26 TACTICAL INNOVATION Subtle yet Effective Armour solutions from Red Eagle 28 MEET THE MAUNFACTURER This month we take a long hard look at UF PRO! 33 FIREARMS SPOTLIGHT Trampas sets up his carry Glock to achieve real “perfection” 36 TECH AND TOOLS New PMCI Contributor Craig gets to grips with a great Knife and Sheath combo from L T Wright! 38 FIREARMS MAINTENANCE Remingtons RLE Universal 4-Gun Cleaning System 40 HEAD TO HEAD Looking to break into the world of the PMC? We talk to “Rob and Rich” to get their insights on what it really takes! 42 INDUSTRY VACANCIES Looking for work? Just check here.
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
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.
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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.
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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: UFPRO. Authors where applicable, Shutterstock.com, Istockphoto.com
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Editor (UK): Bill Thomas
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TRAINING:
CROPS
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TRAINING:
CROPS LEVEL 4 URBAN SURVEILLANCE COURSE It’s 2300hrs on an overcast Saturday night in September, and the students on the CROPS Level 4 Urban Surveillance Operators Course are deployed onto the ground to conduct a live technical tracker placement, and their target vehicle is parked in a semi-rural location. The students move their overwatch team into an outer cordon position, with a QRF vehicle ready in case it all goes wrong.
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he deployment pair conduct their final communications check before stepping off, the plan to insert across the fields towards the gable end of the targets property, using the tall hedge line to conceal their movements, the Number 2 continually scanning the target area with NVG’s ensuring no movement is seen; as they reach the property boundaries they roll down their balaclavas, don their black latex gloves and boot covers before going on plot to execute their mission. Minutes later, the code word is heard over the net indicating the placement has been a success, and that phase two of the surveillance mission is now set for tomorrow morning... Commercial surveillance is one of the largest growing industries both in the United Kingdom (and indeed worldwide), and is been conducted by hundreds of individual’s at all different levels across the country. PMCI have been closely following the company known as ‘CROPS’ as they progress within this industry and more so their delivery of intense training packages, this small but highly professional company are taking covert commercial surveillance to another level! Having spoken to Ben, the “top man”, in person, PMCI discovered a whole lot more about their set-up.
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PMCI: So Ben, tell our readers more about your Urban Surveillance Course, where it started, and what makes it different to all the others? CROPS: Before we start, let me make it known that conducting surveillance alone is never ideal, we do not condone it, and should always where possible be deterred. However, in the commercial arena this practise is 9 out of 10 times the norm, and takes place far too often. It’s our role to make sure students leaving CROPS are competent lone operators. Having taken our time, and with our real life surveillance experiences, we have been able to develop an Urban Surveillance Operators Course like no other on today’s market. This refreshed course is well overdue, giving the current syllabus taught by the old and bold providers a good kick up the ass. We pride ourselves on being the ‘new generation’ of surveillance training provider who still, unlike many, conduct over 250hrs of live surveillance tasking’s each and every month. It’s these current and every day experiences we encounter on the live surveillance that we filter back into our courses. Our instructors come from military and police surveillance backgrounds; this gives them a good grounding in the commercial arena. However, our course like previously mentioned is very different from others. We haven’t done what others have, and ripped off the old ‘Type W’ course delivered to operators working in Northern Ireland, our course concentrates on the ‘commercial tactics’ of working in pairs and alone.
PMCI: I guess anyone wishing to learn more about these bullet pointed headings should sign up for a course? CROPS: 100%, we always tell our students that they have invested money in bettering themselves, why give that new found knowledge which they have paid for, away for free! PMCI: Ben, so where are your courses held and in which part of the country? CROPS: We have a purpose built training facility in which we deliver all of our training, our large classroom is home to walls filled with surveillance information covering both Urban and Rural tactics. We provide lunch on all of our courses as well as the usual refreshments. The minute students walk through our door they know they’ve made the right choice! Our facility is set within 200 acres of private farm land just south of the midlands, this making us ideally positioned for students traveling from both far north and south of the UK. We are out of view to prying eyes and can conduct our training discreetly and professionally at all times. PMCI: Do you hold open days? CROPS: No, We don’t believe in smoke and mirrors, or aggressive sales tactics. Should anyone wish to visit us, they just need to email and arrange a date. We are happy to show people what we have to offer in real time. PMCI: So is your Urban Surveillance Course open to anyone? And if I was to do one, how many students would be on the course with me?
CROPS
The more specialised subject that we deliver are: • Defendable space and extreme dead ground within • Subjects magic box and avenues of movement • Methodology and the understanding of nonaggressive perspective • Architecture and how it effects the mission planning • Technical surveillance deployments such as concealed camera platforms within vehicles and the latest methods to vehicle tracking (no more magnets for us!)
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PMCI: Ben, what makes CROPS different from the rest? You mentioned your course contains specialist contents not delivered by others, can you tell us more? CROPS: Of course, we have to teach the foundation stuff like foot follows, the only difference is that we concentrate more on operating in pairs and alone, and with the ability to gather covert video footage at the same time. Our mobile tactics are again adapted to the environment our students will find themselves operating in; commercial surveillance is very different to that conducted by law enforcement and the military, we know this first hand when they arrive at the school on day one. Like we say to all of our students, working in a 3 man team or above is very rare! If they can complete the given tasks over the period of the course, alone, and without compromise, they have the making of a good commercial surveillance operative.
CROPS: The course is open, although saying that, we do hold the right to refuse individuals onto our courses if we believe something is amiss; we are not reckless and happy to train just anyone, we must be sensible. Of late we are finding most of our students are from the military resettlement scheme ELCAS or from overseas countries who are wanting to learn from us, our commercial skills. We are also training other closed communities in these commercial tactics, which are very different, and in some cases undetectable to regularly training individuals conducting a counter role. Failing to understand the non-conventional tactics we teach in the commercial world could enable the ‘unwanted’ to remain undetected! Our ideal class size is 4 students with a maximum of 6, this ensures our students receive the best quality instruction throughout their time with us. We are not a factory churning out hundreds of ill trained individuals into this arena every year. I have heard of some providers running class sizes of 15 with only 2 instructors! Crazy, absolutely mind blowing when you consider that, the student to instructor time must be non-existent. I fully understand that a business is there to make money, and a part of that is our aim too, but for us at CROPS, it’s about our brand name and introducing quality trained individuals into the arena, not crap! PMCI: So Ben, tell me. After completing the course, and should I have passed, is it recognised in the industry? CROPS: YES. Students completing our course, and achieving a pass will receive the Level 4 Award in Covert Urban Surveillance Operations, our course is not just an attendance one, if students fail to meet the grade, they fail the course.
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TRAINING:
CROPS
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A lot of people get drawn into thinking the higher the course level, the better it is. This is very wrong, it’s us the provider who chooses the level of our course, you could have a two providers offering a level 4 course, one delivering very out of date practises, or the other like us, who are still operational offering the most current of tactics. I would always suggest contacting the provider and ask them questions. The other trap used is the offer of employment to everyone who completes their course, total rubbish, and only used to get people through the door. PMCI: So Ben, before we wrap this up, is there anything else you want to tell us? CROPS: I think I’ve said what I needed to, so here’s a student testimony from our last course, I think it’s important for your readers to hear about us from their angle.
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TESTIMONY: I arrived at the CROPS urban surveillance course with a 30 year background of law enforcement and mostly in a surveillance role, I thought that I had a good knowledge of covert techniques and the gathering of evidence. What I had not appreciated was the different applications of this within a commercial environment. The CROPS Urban Surveillance Course fully addressed this, and helped me understand the reasons behind the different methodology used. The course was well structured with a good split of classroom and exercises to practice and refine new skills, the course culminating in a ‘live time’ exercise which required the application of all the skills and techniques taught through the week. Make no mistake, there is a certain degree of pressure but this in itself leads to a more realistic training environment. The instructors all had personal experience of working
within the commercial sector and their invaluable knowledge, coupled with honest and sometimes critical feedback helped me to pass my Level 4 Award, opening up new employment opportunities. PMCI: If after reading this feature, you would like to know more, or just have a chat with the CROPS team, or Ben himself, please see the details below. Qualification gained: Level 4 Award in Covert Urban Surveillance Operations Provider: CROPS Website: www.crops.uk.com Email: info@crops.uk.com Duration: 7 days Cost: £1854.00
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BOOK REVIEW Preparing to survive
“SAS AND ELITE FORCES GUIDE: PREPARING TO SURVIVE” Natural disasters that kill thousands, and possibly even millions of people, have occurred throughout history. Tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, big freezes and pandemics; all have wrought destruction and devastation. It’s often the case though that people, and in some cases even the emergency services and the authorities themselves, are woefully ill prepared. “SAS and Elite Forces Guide: Preparing to Survive” teaches you how to be ready and ensure that if disaster does strike you can manage the crisis calmly and effectively. The guide covers pretty much every eventuality: preparing for severe weather, securing your home, installing a power supply, digging a bunker, stockpiling food and survival cooking, finding water outdoors, using your car as a mobile base, and hunting, fishing and foraging. It goes further too, looking to surviving in the modern day urban setting. It looks at how to approach troops in a Martial Law setting, how to identify threats, self defence techniques, and making your own weapons. There is also a really good section on emergency first aid, and how to cope with injuries, viruses and diseases. Written, as is the norm with these super little books, in easy to understand steps and accompanied by more than 150 black and white illustrations “SAS and Elite Forces: Preparing to Survive” is presented in a compact pocketbook format that is easily carried with you. It could be the difference between surviving… or not! Chris McNab is an experienced specialist in survival techniques. He has published over 20 books, a number of them available in the same pocketbook format as this one. Chris is based in Wales, and provides instructional courses on wilderness hunting techniques. Author: Chris McNab Publisher: Amber Books ISBN: 978-0762782826 Price: £12.50 Paperback , fully illustrated
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TRAINING: ARG MARITIME FIREARMS
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ARG MARITIME FIREARMS COMPETENCY COURSE It’s not often that you get the chance to train with one of the UKs’ top shooting instructors, but thanks to the Paul Hutchinson and the team at ARG and their Maritime Firearms Competency Course run by Bob Dunkley that’s exactly what a a colleague and I had the opportunity to do!
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he Associated Risks Group provides high quality training in security risk management and associated topics. ARG Ltd is an independent, global risk consultancy; many clients across the UK seek their support to manage their security related issues such as executive or corporate protection on a temporary or permanent basis. As part of their remit they also offer firearms competency courses.
All the shooting courses ARG offer have been developed by one of the UK’s leading experts in firearms training, Bob Dunkley. Bob has massive experience teaching military, police and civilian enthusiast shooters around the world. He has been a shooting instructor to for nigh on 30 years. He is a 15 times British Champion, 3 Times European Champion, 3 times runner up European Champion and holder of 4 World Titles at three gun matches. He is one of only 5 World Masters at combat shooting, so his credentials are absolutely impeccable! ARG training is based at their Tall Trees facility in the North East of the UK, which is purpose built and has 2 indoor ranges, an outdoor 80 meter range, a hostile environment training area, the “Sand Pit,” a main classroom, two training areas and
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GEAR UP When I first spoke to Paul I was somewhat jaded in relation to other companies allegedly offering high end practical/tactical shooting courses, but as I spoke to people and researched what ARG were all about, a very positive picture started coming together. ARG courses were well respected and the comments I heard were all good, especially in relation to their firearms training. I’ve been on a few formal training courses in my time, so I
DOWNRANGE And without further ado it was straight onto the indoor 25m range. This is bright and airy (supplemented by extraction fans) and divided into four individual shooting lanes. A safe area to the rear was where everyone went to “bomb up” and rest between exercises. First off was an absolutely thorough briefing from Bob. He worked us through the operation of the Smith and the optics, stressing at all times that safety and gun security, along with situational awareness were paramount at all times; when you have a detail of four guys all firing together you really need to know where your muzzle is pointing! Bob started us right from the very basics, explaining in detail both full and flash sight pictures. There was a full explanation of
TRAINING: ARG MARITIME FIREARMS
a driving circuit. They also have a well stocked shop selling equipment, a coffee bar, and barbecue area. The facility also has 12 acres of woodland. ARG Directing Staff are former UK military personnel or former police officers with vast amounts of proven experience in the field of security and firearms. The ARG range facilities are purpose built, with indoor and outdoor ranges, which are licenced under UK legislation. Their shooting courses allow you to use live ammunition in the UK, and to receive expert tuition from the UKs’ leading firearms instructors which means that the skills and drills taught are current and best practice. Currently ARG offer three shooting courses.
asked a colleague to accompany me on the long trip north. By his own admission he had no formal firearms training and limited firearms experience so I felt his view would be fresher than mine. Upon arrival at the impressive Tall Trees facility Paul introduced us to Bob and the other six course participants; these comprised of two regular local shooters, two serving members of the UK military, and two other serving contractors who wanted to brush up on their “tactical toolbox”. Paul explained to me that the course is not really designed for “first timers”, but for those that wish to refresh and improve their rifle skills. So far ARG have run over 25 of these courses and they are always full! Kit was then issued; each course participant was provided with the all important “eyes and ears”, a CRYE battle belt with magazine pouches, dump pouches and singlepoint slings, and a Smith & Wesson M&P15 carbine chambered in .22LR with a red dot reflex sight. Obviously due to current UK firearms legislation the .22LR is used so that proper semi auto training may be carried out; the Smith though is an excellent weapon for this purpose as it mimics its full bore “big brother” in all respects, so all the drills are transferable should you go and shoot larger calibres on task.
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TRAINING: ARG MARITIME FIREARMS
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trigger finger bias, and instruction in manipulating the rifle in line with the bore, which he told us helped to achieve full control of the gun making use of the bodys’ mechanical advantage. He then went on to brief us on the difference between point of aim and point of impact at differing distances. He told us that we would not be learning target shooting, but would concentrate on grouping shots centre mass on the target; it soon became apparent that the course was not about target shooting, but about shooting tactically with a rifle or carbine, safely, and whilst on the move!
Even though Bob is the main man when it comes to the ARG firearms courses, Paul himself is no slouch having served on a high level police Firearms Team! He showed us how to find the reset point on the trigger, and how to bring that into play with our follow up shots, and then from that point on everything was shot with pairs! The morning session concluded with drills on stoppages and magazine changes, with the emphasis on retaining empty magazines as you would need to in a maritime environment on board a moving ship. And then we broke for a well earned lunch. I always find it incredible that you can meet a bunch of shooters for the first time and after only a few hours everyone bonds into a group; lunch break was filled with a lot of discussion and a good deal of friendly banter, led in the main by Bob and Paul themselves! FIRE AND MOVEMENT! After lunch it was really time to start putting our newly polished skills into action! We did a quick recap on stoppages and magazine changes, and then the game was really on. In
Then it was on to drills. Each exercise was first explained and demonstrated by Bob or Paul, and then we would practice this with rifles unloaded before going to live fire. First off was single shot at differing distances to illustrate practically the changes in point of aim/impact that he had explained earlier. This moved on from static to turning targets very swiftly. Old style shooting positions were ironed out by Bob teaching us to make use of a more modern, body armour friendly “face on” stance. When he was happy with our progress, Bob then moved us on to controlled or accelerated pairs. Once upon a time I would have referred to this as a “double tap”, but Paul explained that the old “DT” relies on two shots on a single sight picture; this means that although the first shot will be on target, the follow up does not necessarily go to the same aim point.
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our four man details we were taught to move safely to a firing point, then move back again. Bob set up multiple firing points down the range which we moved to and from, taking our two shots per point from different positions. This part of the course is VERY dynamic, and the “building blocks” from earlier in the day really come into focus. After
OVERVIEW At the end of the day the ARG Firearms Competency Course is a pass or fail affair, and on this occasion we all passed and were awarded our certificates! My colleague really summed the whole thing up for me when
he emailed me the following morning: “I thoroughly enjoyed the whole day, and even though we were running around inside a range with loaded weapons, I felt safer than I have at some commercial “shooting experience” days when there’s a RO with his hand on your shoulder at all times. Since I have no formal training experience and only limited firearms experience, I was overjoyed. A perfect balance between confidence-inspiring instruction/guidance and freedom to learn at one’s own rate, without being “chewed out” by an overbearing instructor. Consumate and confident professionalism on Bob and Pauls part!” A huge “thanks” to both Bob and Paul for having us, and to all the course participants for making it such a great day. If the course we attended was in any way indicative of the standards of ARG training in general then I have to put my neck on the line and say that if you go and train with them your money will be very, very well spent.
TRAINING: ARG MARITIME FIREARMS
running these drills for a couple of hours it was then time for a wee competition; this was run individually so the pressure was really on to perform! The final competition consisted of moving downrange between four firing points. At each point we took two shots onto each of three turning targets, before moving forward to the next point and repeating. Once the front point was reached we then moved back uprange repeating the exercise. Sound simple? Absolutely not! Not only were we moving and firing, but Bob was scrutinizing us the whole time to ensure that our muzzle security and safety were 100% spot on. He also threw a wee “fudge factor” into the exercise by having us load two magazines, one with 20 rounds and one with 16 rounds; he then muddled them up so we didn’t know which was which. At some point we knew we’d have to perform a magazine change, but we didn’t have a clue when! Suffice to say that everyone came through with flying colours, with a couple of the guys even performing pretty flawless stoppage drills as well as the magazine change; the Smiths performed superbly all day with very few issues at all given the number of rounds that went downrange.
For more information on the courses offered by ARG Ltd visit their website www.associatedrisksgroup.com
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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 first of a series of regular columns we’re very pleased indeed to have Paul Hutchinson, MD of Associated Risks Group based in the UK, join us to keep everyone updated on legal issues.
more efficient, but just as safe. Don’t get me wrong I believe in safety just as much as anyone, but if you teach drills correctly and progressively then the safety is present. A number of years ago I was asked to teach a joint Close Protection and Firearms Course in France and then the firearms module in a former Soviet Union country, which will remain nameless. During the Close Protection module in France, the week before the firearms element, I was informed by a student that the last cohort were arrested by the Intelligence Service for using “a weapon of war” needless to say the firearms module didn’t go ahead as planned. My point being is that because someone advertises a firearms course on a website, it doesn’t mean it’s legal. It’s your job to ensure that you do not break the law of that country. You must ensure you do your own due diligence before you commit to a course or training company. On an operational note, what you must also consider isn’t just the International law but the local or state law. The USA is an example of this, with each state having different laws on training with, owning and carrying a weapon. Trust and Integrity is key in our industry, but before you go on the ground on an operation or before you book a course, be prepared to conduct some lengthy due diligence. Ring the training companies and ask lots of questions, don’t be afraid to ask.
INDUSTRY UPDATE
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ow I don’t wish to sound like Rod Gilbert ranting on Tog ratings but I guess I’m passionate about Firearms Training. So if I come across that way, well, so be it. I’m often asked if there’s such a thing as an international firearms licence for the security and risk management industry or is there a course that you can attend that will give you the qualification to hold a licence in any country….well, the answer is simply “No” I explained in the May edition of PMCI that every country has its own laws on who can possess, carry and use a firearm, and these laws are there to protect the citizens of that country and identify those that are deemed responsible to own a firearm. What’s interesting is how a number of training companies across the world are marketing their own courses, remarking on how they have the only level 4 firearms course or their course is accredited with this and that organisation. The key element is to ensure the training you receive is realistic and legal. So here comes the rant..! I’ve witnessed too many so called “Firearms Instructors” teaching Firearms courses that are designed around shooting on a range and not in the real world. Applying a safety catch during a speed load, just to be safe! My point being you wouldn’t do it in a contact, why would you do it on a training day, surly ensuring your finger is out of the trigger housing is not only
Stay safe
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GEAR ON TEST L
GEAR ON TEST
5.11 DIABLO HOODIE
ooking for something casual yet effective to wear when it turns chillier on the range or just looking for something to chill in? 5:11 Tactical has just the thing! For many years US brand 5:11 Tactical have provided comfortable, durable and functional tactical clothing, footwear and gear and they are constantly adding to what is already a very comprehensive range. As well as providing traditionally styled tactical clothing they have more recently developed out into more casual areas with fleeces and shirts that would be equally at home at the bar as on the range. Keeping with the more relaxed vibe, a real favourite of mine amongst the new pieces in the clothing line is the Diablo Hoodie. Made from 100% anti-pilling 5.9 oz brushed Polyester fleece, the Diablo features a classic kangaroo-style hand warmer pocket at the front, large protective hood with integrated adjustable draw cord, a zip utility pocket on left sleeve for additional storage, and a Velcro patch on upper right sleeve for your team or morale patches. The Diablo Hoodie has tonal contrast stitching and subtle badging which gives it a great look. The Diablo features genuine YKK zippers for extra durability. Thanks to its reinforced pockets and weather resistant construction, the Diablo offers excellent freedom of movement with superb protection against the wind, rain, and weather. It’s a super piece of clothing to wear, light yet very durable. As a layering piece it’s a great mid-layer garment as although the cut is reasonably generous it’s still snug enough to wear over a base layer and under a shell garment if things turn really unpleasant. I’ve been putting it through its paces during my range testing sessions and thus far it’s standing up well to all I can throw at it! The Diablo Hoodie is available in Fatigue (olive), Storm Grey, Tundra, and Cobalt Blue and Military1st have them at UK£47.70 which is a great price for the quality of the materials, design, and attention to detail. If you’re in the market for something more casual for those cooler days then you should give the Diablo your fullest consideration. For more information and to purchase please visit www. military1st.co.uk
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GREY GHOST LIGHTWEIGHT ASSAULT PACKS
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GEAR ON TEST
rey Ghost Gear is a US based manufacturer of tactical gear that has been slowly but surely making a name for itself worldwide. I first came across the brand when a good friend of mine from Canada showed up at IWA 2014 sporting a rather nifty looking little day pack in PenCott GreenZone. He had already owned it for a while and swore by the design and quality of construction, so when I saw that Tactical Kit had started to stock them in the UK it was a bit of a no-brainer to add one to the “gear locker”. On their website Grey Ghost Gear tell us: “Grey Ghost Gear is a Service Connected Disabled Veteran owned manufacturer of Tactical Equipment for the individual operator. We remain relevant to the customer by being in constant contact with military front line users and first responders. Their feedback is the most important aspect in price point, gear design, and manufacturing. We specialize in utilizing new fabrics and emerging camouflage patterns to ensure that our customer is afforded cutting edge designs and construction. Grey Ghost Gear realizes that we have the best customers in the world, with the most important job in the world.” Once again then the kit used by those at the “sharp end” has been made available for us to use, and the quality shows no compromise for the general tactical user. The Lightweight Assault Pack (LAP) has been created specially to meet real world special operations weight requirements. It features a large main compartment as well as a side entry front pocket lined with loop material, modular webbing for attaching additional pouches and padded shoulder straps that stow away when not in use. Designed to attach directly to modular vests or larger packs the LAP comes with all the attachment hardware you need. It has heavy-duty zips throughout, sternum strap, grab handle, loop material for patches and a 3L hydration pocket, while being 30% lighter than other comparable packs. It’s available in 500D Cordura Nylon or LiteLok Material dependant on the colour or camo pattern; 500D Cordura Nylon packs are available in Coyote Brown, MultiCam, Kryptek Highlander, Kryptek Mandrake, Kryptek Typhon, Kryptek Yeti, PenCott BadLands, PenCott GreenZone and LiteLok packs are available in MultiCam. 500D Cordura® Nylon is a strong abrasion resistant lightweight fabric that will not show up in low light environments, and it features a water resistant coating on the back side of the fabric and a water repellant on the face. LiteLok® Material is about 30% lighter than 500D Cordura® Nylon while still maintaining outstanding abrasion resistance. It has a double layer design that is less visible in low light environments and water resistant up to 127cm.
Coming in at the 20L capacity mark the LAP is the ideal size for daily use and given the quality of fabrics and construction the asking price of UK£84.95 seems very reasonable indeed. It’s a great little design to live with and I for one am looking forward to seeing a lot more from Grey Ghost Gear. To pick up your own Lightweight Assault Pack and to check out other models in the range please pay a visit to www.greyghostgear.com and to purchase in the UK head to www.tacticalkit.co.uk
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OPS-UR TACTICAL GEN 2 DIRECT ACTION SHIRT AND INTEGRATED BATTLE PANTS
GEAR ON TEST
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always love finding new suppliers of top quality gear and www.hueys.co.uk really fits into that category; for those of you who have not yet discovered HUEYs you really, really should go and take a look as they carry a high end range of tactical brands, some of which are pretty unique like OPS UR-Tactical. Optimal Performance Systems (OPS) was established in 2005 and rapidly developed into a well-known tactical gear brand. They dedicate their efforts to innovation, the designs and the functionality of their products; all their gear is made of genuine, high quality materials to ensure durability and protection for the end user. The OPS Gen 2 Improved Direct Action Shirt is available in a number of colour and camo options and has an RRP of UK£78.75; it has a body area made from cotton jersey knit material resulting in more comfort. The under arm area of the features an elastic material, which again provides a better fit for the dynamic user; the shirt also has a high zip collar which is ideal for a little protection from the elements and helps minimise chafing under a plate carrier. The forearm has a low profile pocket with zip on both sides, and upper arm pockets with large velcro panels for patches and IDs provide extra storage. There are shaped elbows which are reinforced with 500D CORDURA and accept moulded / removable elbow pads which are included. As with the shirt sleeves the matching OPS Integrated Battle Pants 3D are made from sturdy 50/50 NYCO Ripstop. They are a little more expensive, coming in at UK£125.50 but boy, do you get a lot for your money! In terms of pocketing you get slash front and rear pocket for easy access, Two besom pockets for small or flat items, two accessory pockets with cover next to the besom pocket for multi-tools, pistol mags or flash lights and two large slash pleated bellows cargo pockets with a velcro flap closure. Fully shaped knees accept moulded knee pads which are included, with double sided Velcro and elastic adjusters that offer more comfort when tightening the knee pads and increases mobility. There’s also an adjustment strap for the height of knee pad. The lower leg of the is a single piece cutting, so there’s only one stitching edge on the lower leg providing a better fit and more comfort for the user. Overall these are beautifully featured and put together and when combined with the Direct Action Shirt offers a durable and highly dynamic uniform option.
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The OPS range includes a great collection of clothing, equipment and accessories, many of the items at surprisingly keen prices for the fabrics used and the obvious attention to detail that goes into the construction so do go and check out their gear and let HUEYS know that PMCI sent you!
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SALOMON SPEEDCROSS 3 FORCES
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support to the ankle. Weighing in at a miserly 325g per shoe in UK size 9 they are also truly feather light which takes a lot of strain off the foot and the lower leg. The Speedcross 3 Forces come in a subdued black/ grey colour combination which works very well with most tactical gear, and are available in UK sizes 7-12, including half sizes. They retail for UK£100.00 and for that you are getting a lot of shoe for your money, that’s for sure. If you fancy yourself as a bit of a “tactical athlete” or just want a great pair of performance shoes then you really should try the Speedcross 3 Forces model. For more information on the Speedcross 3, along with the other models in the Salomon Forces line then please visit http://online.edgarbrothers.com
GEAR ON TEST
ll too often I hear the phrase “tactical athlete” bandied about and many of you out there must be scratching your heads and wondering what on earth this means! In a nutshell it’s a catch all phrase that encompasses the current trend for clothing, footwear and gear to be lightweight, dynamic and ergonomic; with their 50+ year heritage in making outdoor performance footwear Salomon should know all about this! I’ve mainly been looking at their full boots specifically designed for military and tactical use, but there is always a place in any manufacturers range for an out and out “training” shoe, and the Speedcross 3 as a low cut design fulfils this brief spectacularly well. Developed from an already tried and tested design in Salomon’s athletic line this iconic running shoe is what brought hi-speed to the trails! Light, fast, and featuring a super precise fit, the Speedcross 3 can provide the ultimate grip in any conditions. Off road or “trail” shoes offer increased outsole traction and uppers with toe bumpers along with reinforced stitching for more durability. The foot often sits in the shoe slightly lower to the ground than usual for stability and responsiveness. “Trail” shoes also usually have less cushioning than a road running shoe because they’re designed for softer surfaces. That’s not to say though that they are any less fully featured as the Speedcross 3 is full of Salomon’s very latest technology. An Ortholite sockliner combines a specific foam insole with an EVA heel cup. Ortholite foam creates a cooler, drier, healthier, better cushioned environment under the foot. It will not break down or lose effectiveness over time, and it features recycled tire content to protect the environment. The EVA heel cups allows for better heel support and added cushioning, and Salomon’s Sensifit system works to cradle the foot providing a precise and secure fit. The Quicklace system offers a minimalistic and strong lace for one-pull tightening, and this tucks away into its own small tongue pocket to keep everything tidy and snag free, these really are “easy-on, easy-off.” The outsole is a mud and snow non-marking Contagrip unit which has some very aggressive lugs; these give superb traction on even the very loosest surface underfoot, and the antidebris mesh used throughout keeps the loose stuff out. I’ve been wearing the Speedcross 3 shoes on a daily basis for over a month now, and although they were immediately comfortable straight from the box the fit and feel has just got better and better as the Ortholite insole has shaped to my foot. They’ve been run out in sand, mud, wet clay and chalk, and gravel and have never felt anything less than 100% positive; although they are a “low cut” shoe the cuff is well padded and gives excellent
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GEAR ON TEST
VORTEX SPITFIRE PRISM SCOPES ny regular reader of my reviews will know that I rate optics from Wisconsin, USA based manufacturer Vortex very highly; be it a straightforward, well-priced red dot or a top of the line magnified optic, everything they make oozes quality and is backed up by an absolute gem of a warranty. When you’re spending good money on a piece of glass you want to know it’s going to be with you for a considerable time, and the fact that Vortex offer their “VIP Warranty” which effectively says they will “repair or replace your Vortex product in the event it becomes damaged or defective at no charge to you. It doesn’t matter how it happened, whose fault it was, or where you purchased it” means that your outlay is well protected. I recently had a chance to take a closer look at their excellent Spitfire Prism Scopes; designed specifically for the AR platform (although they are equally at home on any railed platform), the Spitfires combine an impressive array of high-performance features into rugged, ultra-compact packages. When fast target acquisition in close to medium range shooting situations is a priority, the Spitfires excel. Laced with advanced features, the sophisticated prismbased design allows for a more compact optical system without sacrificing optical quality. Selectable red/green illuminated reticles with five intensity levels to match specific conditions, are etched directly on the prism to assure consistent point-of-aim at all times, regardless of whether or not illumination is engaged. The 1x and 3x magnification Spitfires benefit from a design that delivers a sharp image and allows for unique reticle designs; the DRT (Dual Ring Tactical) red/green reticle used is etched directly on the prism. They also have multiple anti-reflective coatings on all air-to-glass surfaces to increase light transmission. Both sights have a single-piece chassis which is compact and lightweight, but which is also fully shockproof; the rugged construction withstands both recoil and impact, and they are hard anodized with a durable low-glare matt finish. O-ring seals prevent moisture, dust and debris from penetrating for reliable performance in all environments, and nitrogen gas purging delivers fogproof, waterproof performance. The sights come mounted at a lower 1/3 co-witness height of 40.4 mm from the optic centre to base surface, but by simply removing the mount riser you can lower things to a 30 mm mounted height. Adjustable brightness capability provides five levels of intensity with red and green illumination settings, and typical battery life is 250 hours at maximum brightness and 3,000 hours at minimum brightness setting.
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In the box you get two Picatinny Rails, a 2mm Hex Wrench, a 3mm Hex Wrench, a CR2032 battery and Flip Caps so you have essentially everything you need from word go. The Spitfires are extremely easy to set up and once zeroed are quick to come on target; all in all these are tough reliable sights and great value for money. The Spitfires are on sale in the UK at UK£236.99 for the 1x and UK£277.00 for the 3x and if you’re in the market for a new rail mounted sight then I thoroughly recommend you check them out! For more information on this and the other sights in the Vortex Optics lineup, along with stockist details please visit www.vortexoptics.com and for UK trade enquiries please contact bparsons@ vortexoptics.com.
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SNUGPACK SUBDIVIDE
The upper compartment zips open into a C shape to allow larger items to be loaded into it. It also has an easy-access, organisation section that’s great for holding items like pens, mobile phones, chargers, passports and other essential items you need quickly. They’ve also added straps to all four sides of the SUBDIVIDE to allow it to be compressed, reducing space when it’s not full. If you’re planning a weekend away, a business trip, or going somewhere a little more adventurous, the SUBDIVIDE makes packing and travelling so much easier. Available in Black and priced at UK£79.95 the SUBDIVIDE offers a total of 90 litres capacity and weighs in at 3200g; the outer is tough as old boots 600D with a 100% polyester lining giving good water resistance. Overall this is a really great gear hauler and Snugpak have once again proved that when they set their mind to creating the right gear for us they do it right every time! For more information, stockist details, and to check out the other new models in the Snugpak line please visit www.snugpak.com
GEAR ON TEST
really enjoy travelling around the UK and even heading overseas for range days or related training courses, and in fact the back end of this year is shaping up to be quite exciting as I have a CQB course in Belgium to attend run by my friends at Project GECKO. This of course means humping a lot of gear around; for the CQB course I’m going to need clothing, footwear, equipment and tactical gear. I’ll be driving out to attend the course so I need something that’s going to be compact and lightweight yet give me enough storage space for all the things I’ll need to take with me; it also needs to be relatively inconspicuous as for the CQB course I need to take a couple of training weapons with me so I don’t want something that’s going to scream “gun case”. At last I believe I’ve found my perfect travelling companion in the new line of gear haulers from Snugpak. Best known for their sleeping systems and clothing, Snugpak now have a pretty tidy line of bags, rucs, and gear bags available; I’ve used their other gear for years and trust the quality completely so I was extremely pleased to see the SUBDIVIDE come up on their website which resulted in an almost immediate order! When the bag arrived I was very happy indeed. The SUBDIVIDE ROLLER is their most versatile carry all yet. It features two main compartments plus an organiser section, and quickly converts from a bag to a roller, with durable wheels and a retractable handle, when you need it. The lower compartment is roomy, with a heavy duty base to protect your belongings and is perfect if you need to transport a carbine or two discretely and safely as the comfortably shaped zip pullers can easily be secured with a lock. It has straps to secure items down plus useful zip pockets on the underside of the upper compartment.
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BOOK REVIEW Born Fearless
BORN FEARLESS “Hard eyes stare out of massive beards, their faces marked by scars of battle. With these guys their webbing looks as if it belongs to them, rather than it’s been hung on a pair of reluctant shoulders. There’s not a word been said to us, but the ante has clearly been upped. There’s a dark and sinister feeling in the air. It doesn’t take a genius to figure it’s about to kick off.” When I first received “Born Fearless” I thought to myself “Oh no, here we go again, yet another book about The Circuit”, but as I delved in it soon became apparent that this book was a very different beast than many that have preceded it. Written with great intelligence, wry black humour, and a great pace I was drawn ever deeper into the world inhabited by the author. “Big Phil” Campion is a forty three year old veteran of military operations in just about every conflict-prone corner of the world, as a soldier in the regular Armed Forces, an elite SAS operator, and as a gun for hire. From hostage extraction in Baghdad to anti-pirate protection in Somalia, couriering £50 million in diamonds to Abu Dhabi and deniable ops in Afghanistan, Phil Campion is one of the most experienced and sought after private security operatives o have worked The Circuit. In his time Phil has passed both Parachute Regiment and Commando selection, and served as a key member of the elite SAS Sabre Squadrons; he’s frankly a bit of a legend. And it’s his experiences around the globe that make this book such a wild and entertaining ride as Phils approach to danger in utterly considered; whilst others run headlong in to harms way, Phil is always considering how to deal with matters calmly and professionally. When it does “kick off” though he’s as ready as anyone to get stuck in! From playing chicken with a suicide bomber in backstreet Kabul, to taking on pirates with his bare hands, this is true life action packed drama at its very best; as Andy McNab puts it “One of the best first-hand accounts of life in combat ever written.”
Author: Phil Campion Publisher: Quercus ISBN: 978-0-85738-378-5 Price: £7.99 paperback with photographic section
“Born Fearless” offers brutally frank and frequently unsettling insights into the murky world of the modern mercenary and in my opinion is one of the best books yet penned on the subject. Phil was there right from the very start, and his observations should certainly be read by anyone who is leaving the Armed Forces today and considering moving into the private sector.
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TECH talk
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UNDERSTANDING TECHNICAL FABRICS Pictures Courtesy of UF PRO and Project GECKO
When we review clothing products we talk a lot about their performance and technicality; is this all just clever “marketeering” or is there some genuine basis in cold hard fact and science? This month we get down to basics as ‘Beardy’ Bill Thomas debunks some fabric myths. So, what are we really talking about when we use the phrase “technical fabrics”? Basically we are looking at fabric technologies with a very specific end use in mind that balance the three key areas of waterproofness (read general weatherproofness), breathability and durability. I’ll use the well-known GORE-TEX products as an example here as they really are a market leader and Gore are continually developing new, ground breaking fabric technologies to meet the needs of their Brand partners; you only have to look in our “Gear on Test” section each month to see examples of this! Breaking it down W L Gore and Associates use two main forms of construction in their garments, Two and Three Layer (although there are other specific constructions in their massive portfolio). Two Layer construction essentially means that their ePTFE (expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene) membrane is attached directly to an outer face fabric with a loose lining; Three Layer construction means that the face fabric, membrane and inner lining fabric are all bonded together. Many prefer the Three Layer construction as it’s is easier to get on and off as a loose mesh liner can sometimes snag on gear. Different seam tapes (to ensure seams are 100% waterproof and do not let water in through stitch holes) are used in the different constructions; Two Layer seam sealing tape is applied to the GORE-TEX membrane directly, whilst in Three Layer the sealing takes place over the inner lining fabric. Seam sealing is an art form in itself!
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Keeping the Weather at Bay Let’s take a look first at waterproofness and how technical fabrics achieve this. The GORE-TEX membrane is the heart of all their excellent products. It contains over 9 billion microscopic pores per square inch. These pores are 20,000 times smaller than a water droplet, but 700 times larger than a water vapor molecule, which makes the membrane durably waterproof, while allowing perspiration (moisture as a vapour) to escape from the inside. An oleophobic, or oil-hating, substance is integrated into the membrane, preventing the penetration of body oils, insect repellents and the like. Simply put imagine an elephant, a mousehole and an ant! The mousehole is the microscopic pore in the membrane, the ant is a water vapour molecule and the elephant a water droplet; it’s pretty easy to see that although the ant can escape through the mousehole with ease, there is NO WAY that you could push the elephant through it without breaking the wall down! In garment terms that would mean tearing a ruddy great hole in your jacket! So, water cannot penetrate the membrane, or can it? Logic dictates that eventually any fabric technology can be pushed to a point of failure and this can be tested; in this case the applicable British Standard is ‘BS EN 343:2003 Protective Clothing. Protection against Rain’. The Standard describes the tests that should be carried out to ascertain a garment’s level of waterproofness and sets out the performance standards that items carrying this description should meet. A Test House would carry out these tests in order
to ascertain the garment’s ability to keep out water. This is measured in PSI (pounds per square inch) or Hydrostatic Head. Hydrostatic Head is measured in mm and pressure is measured in pounds per square inch. The Hydrostatic Head is determined by a test whereby a fabric is held taut underneath a sealed tube of water 1 inch in diameter. Over 24 hours it is observed to see how many millimetres of water the fabric can withstand before it leaks through. When the fabric begins to seep water, the “height” in millimetres is noted. This is known as the fabric’s ‘hydrostatic head’ which literally means: Hydro - Water, Static - Not moving, Head - Height. The PSI relates to the amount of water pressure that a garment can withstand both from the pressure within the garment (the wearer) and the external conditions (the weather). To be 100% waterproof, the British Standards of 3 PSI has to be met, which means that a fabric can withhold 1500mm of water pressure. Pressure is not just as simple as the pressure of a rain storm, simply moving a garment when it is worn will exert pressure on the fabric. Let’s put this in perspective though; if you were to sit on a wet, flat surface the mean pressure you generate is around 10,000mm! If you were kneeling in a firing position then the point of the knee generates 15-17,000mm of pressure (smaller surface area, greater pressure) so let’s face it, a minimum legal rating of 1500mm just does not do the job. It does begin to explain though how a garment can be legally classed as “waterproof”, but in reality it really isn’t. Back to GORE-TEX; what’s the hydrostatic head I hear you ask? Simple one this, as all GORE-TEX products have a MINIMUM testing level of 28,000mm… that’s right, 28 metres! Put another way I’ve seen top end GORE-TEX fabrics tested at over 70 PSI and not leak until they quite literally explode! Belt and braces time here folks.
balancing act. Behind it all is a law of nature, the Law of Partial Pressures. This law states that moisture as a vapour will naturally move from a warm, high pressure environment to a cooler low pressure one. If we are keeping a well balanced temperature inside our clothing system then on a foul weather day moisture will move away from our skin through the pores in our clothing and escape to the outside. Sometimes we call this the “Temperature Gradient” as it sounds like moisture vapour is moving “down” from hot to cold. So does a breathable fabric technology work in a rain forest? Yes is the answer, but due to the temperature inside the garment and outside the garment being more in equilibrium the transfer rate will obviously slow down. We all know we can work with Ma Nature, but never beat her! This of course is also subject to testing; many methods can be used here to establish a Moisture Vapour Transmission Rate (MVTR) or a Resistance to Evaporative Transmission (RET) figure. Of the two I prefer an RET figure as it just plain makes more sense to me. Skin is 100% breathable and has an RET of Zero. As soon as you cover it though you build up a resistance that slows down the rate at which moisture can be transmitted away; the thicker the barrier the more resistance and the slower the transmission. In essence this means that as you cover the skin with layers your system becomes less breathable so we will always be looking for technical fabrics with as low an RET figure as possible. In some cases the clever folks at Gore have got the RET figure well down into single figures, especially on their bespoke technologies and the GORE-TEX 3 Layer Pro garments. They’ve developed a completely new and innovative lining fabric here called a Micro Grid Backer which is thinner, but more durable, than the industry standard linings available elsewhere. Thinner, less resistance, right?
Getting the Balance Right!
Keeping you Comfortable Comfort is a relative thing, but if you’re too hot, that can lead to heat exhaustion; too cold, hypothermia. Controlling the micro-climate inside your clothing system helps to prevent either. The body regulates itself effectively; as activity levels increase you sweat and the evaporation of this moisture helps to cool the skin. If moisture is not allowed to move away you will become “uncomfortable” inside your clothing system. We’ll get properly into the layering system in a future article. Letting moisture escape from the system is a tricky
The third and final part of the precarious balancing act is putting this membrane technology together in a garment with a lining fabric and an outer face fabric that will ensure long term durability whilst not degrading performance. These fabrics are chosen with extreme care and tested for all kinds of heat, cold, flex and abrasion. The tests are carried out both by Gore themselves and also independently. So, with our GORE-TEX fabrics in place we have exceptionally durable garments which have at least a 28+ metre hydrostatic head and which can sit right at the very top of the of the “Extremely Breathable” category. They are put together under minute scrutiny by Gores many Brand partners from the very latest and finest face and lining fabrics. The fact of the matter is that many people find GORE-TEX garments expensive but at the risk of being blunt they must have no real conception of what is going on behind the scenes! When you’re paying for a GORE-TEX garment you’re getting “Formula 1” levels of performance and that doesn’t come cheap. Of course, you can always buy a cheap “hatchback” but if your life may end up depending on the performance of your clothing system we have to ask the question “how much is too expensive”?
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MISSION PACK Capacity: Material: Colours: Dimensions:
38.5 litres (approx) 600D Cordura V-Cam, Coyote, Green, Black 52 x 24 x 32 cm
Internal hydration sleeve Ventex system back panel Adjustable hip pad/harness Padded shoulder straps and sternum strap with QR buckles MOLLE webbing attachments located on exterior pouches including D-Rings Multiple compression straps Hydration/coms outlet Side carry handle 2 x V-Lock 1 x D-Lock SRP £84.95
RANGER PACK Capacity: Material: Colours: Dimensions:
>GET THE
TACTICAL ADVANTAGE
36.5 litres (approx) 600D Cordura V-Cam, Coyote, Green, Black 46 x 33 x 26 cm
Multiple compression straps 4 point, Ventex system back panel Padded shoulder straps and sternum strap with QR buckles MOLLE webbing attachments located on exterior pouches including D-Rings Side carry handle Internal hydration sleeve Internal retaining straps/bungees Felt lined exterior utility pouches Hydration/coms outlet 2 x Velcro ID panels 2 x V-Lock 1 x D-Lock SRP £84.95
IN ALL AVAILABLE BLACK , OLIVE GREEN & E T O Y O C , M A -C V
LOGUE S / FREE CATA FOR STOCKIST 0327 74 4 TEL 0123
RECON EXTRA PACK Capacity: Material: Colours: Dimensions:
20 litres (approx) 600D Cordura V-Cam, Coyote, Green, Black 45 x 22 x 20 cm
Internal hydration sleeve Internal retaining straps/bungees Felt lined exterior utility pouches Hydration/coms outlet Multiple compression straps 4 point, Ventex system back panel Padded shoulder straps and sternum strap with QR buckles Grab carry handle MOLLE webbing attachments located on exterior pouches including D-Rings 2 x Velcro ID panels, 2 x V-Lock, 1 x D-Lock
SRP £54.95
TACTICAL
MIDI PACK Capacity: Material: Colours: Dimensions:
22 litres (approx) 600D Cordura V-Cam, Coyote, Green, Black 43 x 23 x 26 cm
Internal hydration sleeve Padded shoulder straps and sternum strap with QR buckles 2 x side stow pouches Internal Nylon utility sleeves Mesh back Compression straps MOLLE webbing attachments located on exterior pouches including D-Rings 2 x V-Lock 1 x D-Lock
SRP £45.00
MINI MODULAR PACK Capacity: Material: Colours: Dimensions:
19.5 litres (approx) 600D Cordura V-Cam, Coyote, Green, Black 42 x 23 x 34 cm
Mesh helmet hammock located on front with compression straps for adjustment Internal hydration sleeve 2 x External side pouches Hydration/coms outlet Padded shoulder straps and sternum strap with QR buckles Multiple compression straps MOLLE webbing attachments located on exterior pouches including D-Rings Compatible with Plate Carrier 1 x Large Velcro ID panel 2 x V-Lock, 1 x D-Lock
SRP £45.00
ONE DAY MODULAR PACK Capacity: Material: Colours: Dimensions:
13.5 litres (approx) 600D Cordura V-Cam, Coyote, Green, Black 19 x 20 x 43 cm
Hydration/coms outlet Multiple compression straps Internal mesh pocket to accommodate hydration bladder Shoulder straps with QR buckles. MOLLE webbing attachments located on exterior pouches including D-Rings Compatible with Plate Carrier 1 x Large Velcro ID panels. 2 x V-Lock 1 x D-Lock
SRP £26.50
SHOULDER PACK Capacity: Material: Colours: Dimensions:
10 litres (approx) 600D Cordura V-Cam, Coyote, Green, Black 31 x 20 x 16 cm
Retaining straps/bungees Exterior utility pouches. Mesh back panel. Shoulder straps with QR buckle. MOLLE webbing attachments located on exterior pouches including D-Rings. 2 x Velcro ID panels. 2 x V-Lock 1 x D-Lock
SRP £29.95
SPECIAL OPS POUCH Capacity: Material: Colours: Dimensions:
5.5 litres (approx) 600D Cordura V-Cam, Coyote, Green, Black 20 x 15 x 18 cm
MOLLE webbing attachments located on exterior front External mag/phone pouch Sectional internals Fold out compartment Removable shoulder carry strap Compatible with Plate Carrier 1 x Large Velcro ID panel 2 x V-Lock, 1 x D-Lock
LAND CAMO
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LANDCAMO For some years it’s been my great pleasure to be in communication with Brane T Cervek, the man behind the striking and innovative family of Landcamo camouflage patterns. Brane’s story has been one of sheer persistence in bringing his first rate offerings to the table. Brane T. Cervek is the leader and instructor of SSFN – SCHOOL OF SURVIVAL FROM NATURE – SPECIAL FORCES TRAINING, and has been working professionally for 25 years, initially in the military field and more recently with the civilian market. His journey with camouflage & concealment started with the experiences he had surviving and working in dangerous places around the world. All of the patterns he has created are based on the knowledge and experience that he gained during a lifetime of adventure. Thanks to the initiative of the Australian government’s organization “Department for Aboriginal Affairs, South Australia” he visited and researched the culture and life of native people of Australia. For two years he lived among the native Aborigines and was the first European to be adopted by the tribes Ngarinyin, Wororra, Wunambul in the Kimberleys WA. He also carried out all the demanding survival tests in the wilderness to be awarded the certificate “Certified Nature Survival Instructor”. As the only representative of this kind in Europe, he has used his knowledge and experience around the
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world and in Slovenia to train military Special Forces, Paratroopers, Reconnaissance units and Combat pilots. He now cooperates with this type of unit in the Slovenian army and trains them for most demanding missions in all geographical areas (Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon and Chad). So, one heck of an individual in our book. But no new camouflage pattern just “arrives”, and in Branes’ own words; “LandCamo was the idea, LandCamo was the dream, Landcamo is the blood and callouses on my hands and feet… and LandCamo is the proud and mysterious WOLF.”
From an initial concept to creating a whole family of camouflage patterns takes both time and dedication, but one thing is universal; it’s the diversity of shapes from the natural environment, the “order in chaos”that drives the concept. You can’t see them, but they define the rules of concealment and tactical invisibility; they “DECEIVE THE VISIBLE” and they are everywhere. These are the basics and source elements of LandCamo camouflage patterns. From the first printed fabric going forward Brane knew this was the key, and Landcamo worked like no other pattern on the field. Initial pictures immediately got huge attention from all over the world, and many doubters thought it was just some clever CGI work, but this was far from the truth and it was pure realisation of the initial concept combined with first-hand knowledge and experience in the field. \ Landcamo has all the ingredients to work better than many other “catch all” patterns, because it adheres very closely to the idea of working WITH nature. Brane personally oversaw development and worked on solving problems which occurred during the process of field trials until he was content that the family had been perfected; having worked with him over time I have been witness to the fact that he was not going to release anything to market that didn’t work. The final patterns form the ABD family, covering the whole aspect of different environments ABD/SERE is for arid middle eastern environments, ABD/GORA for mountain warfare, ABD/ALPINE
Although there have been several manufacturers who have worked with Brane on a small, bespoke scale I hope to see more take up of the patterns in the future. They are certainly very unique, and with the right manufacturing partner I’m certain that Branes’ persistence and investment of both time and money will pay off for himIt has been a real honour to speak with Brane, and finally seeing his great patterns made up into a full family of uniform pieces is very exciting indeed; our thanks go out to him for allowing us to make use of some excellent photography of the gear in use.
LAND CAMO
for Winter, ABD/JAGER for tropical and green areas, and rounding out the story there is ABD/MAMMUT which works perfectly in mixed environments that predominantly green and dry. Each of the patterns is perfectly suited to its intended environment, and are very, very effective.
For more information Brane can be contacted direct at ssfn.sere@ gmail.com
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GEAR ON TEST: RED EAGLE
RED EAGLE PROTECTIVE VESTS
forces use ceramic plates which have the down-side of them being extremely heavy which leads to a lack of flexibility. This in turn makes it more difficult to move in the field and sometimes negates the purpose of the user being more protected. To stop handgun bullets Red Eagle use protective plates and elastic components made of special fabrics, such as
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ed Eagle is a relatively new player in the tactical business with their main focus on professional high end tactical textile products. The founders of Red Eagle come with the right background from the Israeli Defense Forces with years of hands on experience, sweat and blood. Red Eagle offers tailor-made solutions for varying threat levels whilst maintaining the highest manufacturing levels in strict adherence to ISO 9001 international standards. Their goal is to harness the cutting edge of technology to create quality ergonomic products, products that can save lives, and bring them to the market at the right price. Red Eagle is active globally, and their products are sold in the defence/LE markets and as of now they are starting to go more and more actively into the civilian market by collaborating with dealers and a brand new web-shop. Red Eagle offers a line of protective vests, the result of a long and expensive development process in collaboration with another Israeli company that managed to develop unique armoured plates made from Aramid fibres and Polyethylene. Up until now and in relation to the U.S. standard of the Ministry of Justice (NIJ Standard – 0101.06) protection shields have been divided into two main groups; one group falls under the category of ‘Soft Armour’ while the other falls under the category of ‘Hard Armour’ whilst each category has several sub categories and levels of protection in relation to various weapons.
PROTECTION LEVELS For example, in the ‘Soft Armour’ category you will find protection levels II- IIIA which represents protection against bullets projected from firearms like the .375” Magnum, 9mm and .44” Magnum with muzzle velocity of 352 m/s to 448 m/s; the top of this category will protect against most pistols and SMG’s. In the ‘Hard Armour’ category you will find protection levels III- IV which represents protection against bullets projected from 7.62mm and 5.56mm calibre firearms with muzzle velocity of 710m/s to 955m/s; this kind of fire will come from an assault rifle or a light machine gun. Now, to stop 7.62mm assault rifle projectiles, defence
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• • • • • •
7.62x25mm SC and FMJ at 520 m/s from 5 metres 9x19mm Luger SJ,SC and FMJ at 375 m/s from 5 metres S1/G blade at 24 Joules (Anti-stab) SC = Steel Core FMJ = Full Metal Jacket SJ = Steel Jacket
CONCEALABLE OPTIONS Red Eagle offers their lightweight and flexible ballistic panels in several types of tactical and concealable clothing options:
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Tactical vest Windbreaker (sports jacket) Flight jacket Low profile concealable vest designed to be worn under the clothing Tuxedo
All products maintain a very low weight of less than 3kg and come with a 5 year warranty for the ballistic plates. All products are available in any of the soft armour protection levels IIA, II & IIIA with or without the anti-stab add-on panel. The upper tier protection level is currently restricted for the civilian market to be sold by the company exclusively to military and police forces around the world. Red Eagle products are manufactured and tested in accordance with the quality assurance standards of military specifications around the world, and adhere to the strict ISO9001 standards, giving them global recognition for high quality, product durability and reliability. To sum things up, unfortunately the more unique developments by Red Eagle are not available for sale to the private sector, (we did understand from the management of the company that perhaps in the near future this restriction will change), there is no doubt that these are high quality products, being lightweight, flexible and comfortable while in motion and at the same time attaining high body-area coverage, which make them suitable for a wide range of uses. For that Red Eagle gets a big thumbs-up from PMCI. Red Eagle Military-Grade body armour is available www. redeagle-bodyarmor.com.
GEAR ON TEST: RED EAGLE
high density Polyethylene and Aramid fibre which are fairly light and flexible components allowing more comfort and maneuverability for the wearer. In light of the ever increasing demand of numerous defence and police forces around the world for lightweight and flexible (non-ceramic) Bullet Proof Vests offering intermediate levels of protection that can stop a 7.62x25mm Tokarev round with a muzzle velocity of up to 520m/s (that’s very common in eastern-block pistols and SMG’s) Red Eagle brought their expertise and abilities to bear on the problem and succeeded after a long development process to meet these and additional requirements thus defining a new level of protection which is higher than IIIA, which is the highest of the soft armour levels but still lower than III . The ability to offer such protection in a flexible lightweight vest is a huge achievement by Red Eagle. According to independant test results presented by them, this special and lightweight ballistic panel is able to protect against the following specific threats:
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GEAR ON TEST: UFPRO
UF PRO; TACTICAL TECHNOLOGY AT ITS BEST!
ust when you think you’ve covered off many of the top manufacturers of tactical clothing and equipment another one suddenly pops up on the radar! So it was that my endless trawling of the tactical clothing reports brought Slovenian UF PRO fully to my attention. UF PRO are a company pushing the boundaries of design and technology to the very edge of the envelope! UF PROs parent company Uni & Forma was set up in 1997 with the vision to make high performance garment systems for demanding professional end users. UF PRO is the brand name chosen for the garments designed for and used by both military and law enforcement special operations units, where they are appreciated for their comfort, performance, and durability. The team at UF PRO certainly know what goes into a great garment, not only in terms of innovative design and practical functionality, but also in terms of high technology, and high performance fabrics. Through strategic alliances with other companies such as W L Gore & Associates, Schoeller, Carinthia (G Loft), D30, and Cocona they have access to many of the finest fabric technologies available to the tactical user on the market. Not only that, but they are constantly developing their own technologies and design elements which are of direct benefit to the user. Their FLEXZONE,
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HYBRIDDESIGN, HOOD/HARNESS and AIR/PAC innovations bring a unique twist to many of their garment models, a twist you just won’t find anywhere else! More on this later… The team at UF PRO work on the premise that their garments provide the interface between the wearer and the environment in which they are worn, and that cut, materials, workmanship and even colour can make a huge difference. This is a mindset that they share with many of the top manufacturers out there, and one that they continually develop forward. They firmly believe that an in depth understanding of the wearers needs and the environment that they are operating in is essential to making excellent clothing. To this end the team at UF PRO work very closely indeed with the end user to ensure that what they provide in a total clothing system is going to 100% fit for purpose, and not let the operator in the field down in any way, at any time. Again, this shows a totally comprehensive understanding of design, technology, and build quality in everything that UF PRO do. For them it’s is all about the end user, so whenever a new design comes into their comprehensive range you can be assured it has been through a lengthy test process to get there! In addition to completely understanding design and technology it must also be said that UF PRO really know what they are on about in relation to effective camouflage patterns; yes, they work with the traditional block colours, but they also work with cutting edge patterns that give their kit really unique feel. They have started working with some of the PenCott patterns, but they also work with the Multicam and the new Slovenian SloCam pattern. When developing their new combat uniforms the Slovenian military also came to the conclusion that it was time to adopt a new disruptive
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GEAR ON TEST: UFPRO
pattern to better show their consolidation with NATO and their changing role amongst the international peace keeping forces. The old Slovenian disruptive pattern was dark in comparison with that now used by other NATO partners, so the decision was made to go for a lighter “multi terrain” pattern; as well as being more effective in different environments it also gave the Slovenian soldiers and operators the opportunity to “mix and match” with equipment from other countries. The appeal, however, goes wider, in that one of the German SF Police units ranked SloCam as favourite for their new Sniper Suit! To this end UF Pro have adopted SloCam as the pattern of choice for their entire Striker Battle Dress System, a decision which in their own words “offers todays tactical operator the option to choose a unique camouflage system for a wide range of operational environments”. If camouflage is not appropriate for your AO though, they do offer most garments in plain block colours including their own, superbly effective “Brown Grey”. All of which is very interesting but how do UF PRO take these lofty principles and deliver to the user on the ground? Quite simply they combine all the elements of comfort, durability, and performance and deliver them all in one seamless package. Starting with their superb flagship Monsoon Smallpac waterproof shell jacket and trouser they show that they mean business from the very outset. This is a fully specified and featured 2.5 and 3 Layer Gore Tex suit that offers the user full protection from even the worst of the elements, be it rain, sleet, or snow. This a suit designed for the professional, but unlike other manufacturers UF PRO have not loaded the price up to make if off putting
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GEAR ON TEST: UFPRO
to potential buyers. They’ve kept the price sensible, but without cutting any corners. With the Monsoon Striker suit you really getting huge value for money with the very top levels of performance. The suit also benefits from some of their own in house innovations; the design incorporates their own HOOD/ HARNESS system. The trousers are also fully specified with long length side zips that allow them to be put on and taken off without removing boots. One layer down and we have the excellent Striker XT Combat Jacket and Trouser. Whilst they are not up to the fully weatherproof specification of the Monsoon suit, they are not designed to be, instead offering an air permeable NyCo knit as the durable face fabric. These are designed for temperate operations but feature some incredible innovations in design in relation to their pocketing and other features. The Combat Jacket and Trousers are designed to be worn as an outer layer, and are bomber tough to take all that any operating environment might throw at them. Recently arrived with us for the colder months is the excellent AcE Sweater from UF PROs Delta clothing system, and this looks like an ideal bit of kit for training during the colder months of the year. The Delta System has been designed from the ground up to offer a modular set of clothing to both protect from the elements and give comfort during physical activities. The overall system is rated down to – 20C and comprises the fully specified Delta Eagle Soft Shell Jacket, the Delta AcE Sweater, and the Winter Combat Shirt. UF PRO are masters of mixing different clothing technologies to achieve a goal and nowhere is this more apparent than in the AcE Sweater where they have put several different components into one very effective package to provide a top that is perfectly at home in extremely cold conditions, and during tough outdoor activities. Whilst the concept of this type of garment has been around for some considerable time I have to say that I have never seen it so well achieved before. The designers have looked specifically at which parts of the body suffer most from wind chill and have protected the arms with 110g/m high insulation G-LOFT and a windproof, water repellent ripstop fabric. The face of the sweater is an ePTFE soft shell fabric whilst under the arms and the back is an extremely breathable, and comfortable, COCONA microfleece. Now that the weather has finally turned we’ve been able to get the AcE out onto the range, and although we haven’t had it down to minus 20 yet, it has performed brilliantly so far on damp, windy, chilly mornings. This is going to become a firm favourite in the clothing setup for sure! Of course no modern day tactical clothing system would be complete without an under armour Combat Shirt, and the UF PRO Striker XT version fills that gap admirably. With a yolk and sleeves in various camouflage patterns and block colours the shirt offers both Tan and Olive main body
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areas to allow for changes in AO. In addition to this and the features you would expect in any decent combat shirt, the Striker XT version also benefits from the AIR/PAC inserts along with additional elbow pockets to accommodate D30 Trio Mid protectors. There are Striker trouser models to complement the Combat Shirt, and most recently UF PRO have launched the Striker HT hot weather model to help keep you cool when it gets hot but still deliver the same levels of performance we’ve come to expect from them. For greater wear comfort in high temperatures, the Striker HT Combat Pants offer a new and unique air circulation system. Simply open the zippers in the groin area and the knee protector pocket, and you will experience immediate cooling thanks to increased air circulation and ventilation. The Striker HT combat pants can also be upgraded with two different knee protectors. The UF PRO Flex- Protectors offer reliable and comfortable protection against impacts and additional cushioning while kneeling. The Solid Protectors offer protection against penetration of sharp objects. Both layers are protected with a CORDURA® face fabric which provides extreme abrasion resistance. The Striker HT Combat Pants are equipped with a total of 14 pockets. The big side pockets provide horizontal and vertical access to the main cargo area and inner compartments. The attached gear pocket can be easily secured with a quiet, plastic reinforced tab. The small gear pocket in the upper thigh area provides storage for smaller items like a knife, light, or a spare magazine. The spacious lower leg pocket can be tightened with a draw cord and vertical zipper. Adding in a good boonie and tactical ballcap the Striker System really does have all the bases covered. Buying into this system would really have you covered all year round and let you operate in each and every environment you might encounter. At present UF PRO garments are available direct and you’ll find even more information about the kit itself, the technologies, and how to order via their slick and easy to navigate website. All prices are in Euros, but conversion online will let you know what you’re paying, although at the time of writing more UF PRO gear is becoming available in the UK thanks to www.hueys.com. PMCI look forward greatly to trying more of UF PROs excellent kit, and of course we’ll report back fully when we have! To buy, or for further detailed information on all UF PRO garments please visit www.ufpro.si.
PERFECTING THE DAILY CONCEALED CARRY GLOCK Having carried a Glock during his time as an LEO, and subsequently as his concealed carry handgun of choice, this month Trampas Swanson looks at how even “perfection” can be improved. Law Enforcement service carrying a Glock on and off duty every day, I can attest to this personally, but the Glock is far from where my shopping stops when it comes to my daily concealed carry pistol. Let’s take a look at some key factors in upgrading an already great gun to make it even better.
GETTING SIGHTED IN First, the factory Glock sights are basically the “bare bones” cheapest thing Glock can put on a pistol and have it still perform well out of the box. Its white outlined “U” shaped rear sight and large white dot front sight are cumbersome to acquire quickly and with pin point precision. Recently, I upgraded my daily carry pistol from a Gen 3 to a Gen 4 Glock 19 chambered in 9mm. The new generation’s interchangeable grip back straps, wider magazine release and more aggressive grip surface were new options I preferred over my old pistol. Before I even pulled my new favorite Glock out of the box, I had ordered a great set of TRUGLO night sights to replace the factory set. I regularly choose TRUGLO because of their reliability and reputation for strong, steel sights, which I have used in both Law Enforcement and in the private sector teaching firearms classes. I have found over the years, their night sights can last up to 3 years longer than most of TRUGLO’s competitors. For my daily carry G19 9mm, I chose TRUGLO’s new TFX night sights. These sights offer the best of both worlds combining green fiber optic sights for great presentation for daytime use and even in most low light situations with Tritium inserts to give you a soft but quick sight acquisition in the dark. The body of the front and rear sights are a bit longer than factory sights, but sit very low in height for a great snag-free design. Retailing at around US$175 before installation, these are not the cheapest option on the market, but you seriously get what you pay for in an area where your life may depend on it. In the past six months of running these sights on my daily carry, I can honestly say they are the best product currently available on the market for anyone carrying a concealed carry weapon.
TRIGGER UPGRADE A common complaint with the Glock is the trigger. While there is a great advantage to a double action only system due to its consistent trigger pull, the “lawyer safe” 5.5 pound trigger is a slightly heavy for new shooters and smaller hands. Normally this is a quick fix by using a trigger kit and new disconnector by Ghost Inc. This is a simple drop-in replacement kit that is recommended by the manufacturer to be installed by a certified Glock Armourer. As it turns out, I have been certified for the past 10 years and feel this task is safe for most anyone, who can follow simple directions to install using only a small punch. This kit contains a small plunger spring, trigger spring, disconnector
FIREARMS PERFECTING THE GLOCK
E
ver since Gaston Glock’s “wonder 9” model 17 was introduced to the US market in 1986, the Glock pistol series has mesmerised shooters from all walks of life in a way rarely seen since the days of the Colt .45 Peacemaker. This polymer and steel trendsetter has been the basis of urban myth, controversy and ultimately, legend. The Glock has managed to transcend the shooting range and into shooting culture itself. You can’t turn on the television these days without seeing a Glock being used in a nightly TV show or movie. Musicians are even literally singing its praises in their songs mentioning Glock firearms. This is not a fluke by any means. Over the years, the Glock reputation and presence among military and over 70% of US police forces has helped civilians trust carrying their pistols. Unlike other companies who produce rifles, shotguns as well as handguns, Glock does one thing in multiple calibres and does it so well; their tag line is “Glock Perfection”. With the understanding that nothing is perfect, the Glock does make a very strong case for being the ultimate duty weapon with its high capacity magazines, easy to use controls and rock solid reliability in less than friendly environments. After 11 years of
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and two choices in firing pin springs, a reduced power and an increased power spring. Given the fact that most Glocks are a bit on the lighter side for primer strikes, I opt for a slight reduction in the weight decrease by going with the heavier spring over the reduced power or factory spring. With everything installed in under 5 minutes, the felt trigger pull goes from just under 6lbs to around 3.8lbs to 4lbs. This may not seem like a huge reduction, but it goes a long way in helping new shooters not to jerk the trigger when shooting as well as once you have been on the range training for a couple of hours, it may be the difference in your rounds starting to dip low as forearm strength weakens and trigger finger muscles get tight.
GUIDE RODS AND BARRELS If I were still carrying my Generation 3 instead of 4, I would also suggest switching to a stainless steel guide rod and spring from Lone Wolf. For years, Lone Wolf has been producing top notch springs, guide rods, threaded and replacement barrels for Glock pistols among others. For my sidearm used during teaching pistol courses, I utilise a Gen 4 Glock 17 for its higher magazine capacity and longer sight radius. One of the best aftermarket items I run on this weapon is the Lone Wolf stainless steel threaded barrel for use with various suppressors as well as a wider range of ammunition such as reloads and lead projectiles that are a huge “No-No” in factory Glock barrels. Despite the great benefit of the Lone Wolf products, I still run the factory Gen 4 guide rod and springs. For the new generation of pistols, Glock seemed to have taken a cue from Lone Wolf and made things right with their dual captive guide rod and spring combination that is now a factory supplied feature.
COMBATING RUST Since this is a topic about concealed carry firearms, I would be remiss in not mentioning the effect daily carry may have on a firearms finish. While most of this is purely cosmetic, rust can cause internal issues as well if allowed to permeate through the exterior.
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Carrying my Glock close to the body every day, while living in sunny Florida is often roughly the equivalent of tossing your pistol in the ocean once a week due to the constant heat and humidity that consume ¾ of the year. To prevent long term damage, I have taken a few steps to prohibit rust on my personal self-defense tool. First, I reached out to the great folks at FAIL ZERO with whom I had worked with in the past reviewing their awesome AR-15 bolt carrier group coated with a Nickel Boron finish. As I learned from my time with them, FAIL ZERO was one of the innovators of the Nickel Boron coating of pistol slides and frames. This finish is much harder and resilient to moisture and the salt content found in human sweat. A lot of fishermen I know who spend time armed on their boats out in the ocean choose to have their guns coated to protect against the rough sea water abuse. With an average cost of approximately US$150 each, FAIL ZERO will Nickel Boron coat your slide and barrel with your choice of muted or high polished finish. The low friction tendency of Nickel Boron parts interacting with each other causes the slide to feel much easier to rack and the action to run much smoother as the finish wears into the parts. I train with my carry weapon on a weekly basis and the G19 action has only felt better and better as time goes on. Secondly, I condition all the metal parts of my pistol, especially the inside of my barrel with Modern Spartan Systems Accuracy Oil. Some people will read that last statement and gasp at the thought of oiling the inside of pistol’s barrel, but with this new product I found at SHOT SHOW, there are distinct advantages. Not only is this Accuracy Oil great on providing a “dry to the touch” lubrication on metal on metal contact points, but it is unaffected by heat, reduces maintenance cost, speeds up cleaning time and actually improves accuracy and performance of the firearm. I have been using this oil and its sister product, Carbon Buster on several of my firearms over the past six months including my daily carry. Between the two products, the pores of the metal which gather carbon and debris seal tight as you clean to provide a smoother surface over time for the bullet to travel, which
increases speed, spin and in the end, accuracy. The biggest noticeable difference comes in less build up around the firing pin hole in the breach and on the feed ramp to keep the Glock running smoother, longer during prolonged range activities. At around US$12 per 2 ounce bottle, it’s a small fee to pay to ensure the longevity of a tool I plan on keeping around for a long time to come.
COMFORTABLE CARRY
LIGHTS, LASERS AND HYPER DRIVE During this article, there are two items in which I have purposely not mentioned and before you research the editor’s email address to write in and demand my head on a stick displayed in the town square, read slowly and take in what I am about to say speaking from experience. The first of these items is that of a flash light. While there are tons of reasons why a pistol mounted light is a wonderful option; depending on the purpose it serves, but for every day carry, there are things to consider. Firstly, they are bulky and uncomfortable to carry concealed. This often leads to the previously mentioned sin of getting fed up with the discomfort and leaving your CCW at home. If you are like me, there is enough of “you” in the pants already to have to share with anything but your gun. Most rail mounted lights add more weight both in itself and the specialised holster you will require to safely carry it. Secondly, if you are in a low light situation and wish to explore what you perceive as a threat, you will have the tendency to muzzle sweep everything you do not wish to shoot in search of what you may need to engage. This has been documented hundreds of times as to leading to house pets, children, neighbors and responding law enforcement offers accidently startling the firearm light user and inadvertently discharging a round in their direction. A better suggestion would be to pocket or belt-carry a Streamlight or Surefire light independently from your CCW and utilize the Harris method when it’s time to engage a true threat.
FINAL THOUGHTS
FIREARMS PERFECTING THE GLOCK
One overlooked area of a great carry gun whether it’s a Glock or not, is what holster you choose to actually carry the pistol. If you can’t carry your CCW comfortably, in a readily accessible manner and decide to leave it home, it’s useless regardless of how great it is. As an avid fan of carrying inside the waist band just behind the hip, I choose a kydex holster by T-Rex holsters after sampling approximately two dozen holsters prior to it. This IWB holster is a simple, straight drop holster with a wide belt clip and narrow profile. I have worn it both with my former CCW and current one with ideal comfort and reassurance of retention. I have inadvertently fallen wearing this rig as well as rolled around on the ground playing with my infant daughter with not so much as a wiggle of the holstered firearm. When I draw from cover, the process is always a crisp, quick motion with very little tug or resistance as I clear the holster. Re-holstering is simple due to the rigidity of the kydex construction and I enjoy how comfortable it sits slightly above the belt line. Starting at around US$60, these are well-made products by an avid combat shooter who understands the needs of a serious gun owner. As a side note, I chose to go with kydex mostly because, while I have always loved the concept of leather holsters and have carried several of them for years, they are simply not very practical in the area of the country I live in. If you live in a predominately colder area, you make want to look into rigs by companies like Savoy Leather and Galco holsters for premier IWB holster options that will last for years to come.
Lasers, the new fad in the everyday carry sales industry and not my first choice to have on my firearm. Noticed I said sales industry and not actually carry. First, lasers are a two way street. While they work great for seeing where your muzzle is pointing, they are also great for giving your threat a great location of their target in low light to shoot at. Most shooters I have seen using a laser have a little red dot hopping all around a target getting them caught up on where the dot is when should be their number one focus should be the front sight and sight picture. It’s been my experience that while the battery life in these glowing little wonders is relatively long, they die at the worst possible time. Two times this has personally come true for me, once giving a live fire demo as part of my former SWAT team to a VIP presentation and once while teaching a class to a ladies not for profit shooting group who were interested in the new items on the market to aid in self-defense. If it wasn’t for the use of back up iron sights, I would have seriously looked foolish, which is still better than dead if I had relied on them in a combat situation. For these reasons alone, I prefer to leave the laser blasters to Han Solo.
If you have followed this article and decided to add any or all of these upgrades, you have made a good deal of investment your daily carry firearm, but the most important investment you can every make is to properly train. Try to get away from the square range mindset and challenge yourself to shoot in various positions, over and around various barricades and practice reloading on the move using cover and not just concealment. Regardless if it’s a stock Glock, upgraded Glock or not a Glock at all, no firearm will become a magic wand of shooting experience and mastery. To grow your skills as a well-rounded shooter, you need to train in as many scenarios with as many different types of firearms as possible. You never know when you may have to rely on someone else’s firearm for protection if you are caught up in a mass attack happening at a large public area such as a church, mall or school and your own firearm is damaged or out of ammo. In choosing to carry a tool of great power such as a personal firearm, you owe it to yourself, your tool, the guy next to you and the general public to be as effective and safe as possible. Remember, if you’re not part of the solution, you are just another part of the problem. Train Hard and Finish the Fight!
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LT WRIGHT HANDCRAFTED KNIVES (GNS)
TECH AND TOOLS
GO NO SHOW /DWX SHEATH DWX (DEEP WOODS XPLORER)
THIS MONTH we are pleased to welcome a new contributor to PMCI; Craig Reinolds spent some years in the military, then law enforcement before finding a career in Fire Rescue, where he recently retired as a fire fighter/ engineer/ paramedic. He has been an avid outdoorsmen, hunter, tactical and sport gun enthusiast for 30 years. This last year he has been field testing firearms, tactical gear and equipment for SMG in the USA, specialising in exposing weakness and/or maximizing practical uses of every piece of gear that would be added to your kit. I want to share my thoughts on the LT Wright Handcrafted Knives, specifically the GNS scandi grind knife. When I opened the box and looked at this knife, I was in front of my editor and had to put it away. I was so blown away by this beautiful piece of artwork that I held in my hand. I had to wait until I could let the reality of what I was holding sink in. When I got back to my office, I re-opened the box, pulled the knife out of the sheath and let it tell me a story. The GNS was a masterpiece of handcrafted o1 tool steel. It was an example of professional craftsmanship. In relating the knife world to cars, this was a stripped down racing version of a Ferrari. The knife was clean, polished, sharp and the lines elegant but crisp. The GNS specifications are as follows.
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• Steel - 01 tool steel • Scandi Grind with a secondary micro convex • Overall Length 9.5” • Handle Length 5” • Blade Length 4.5” • Sharpened Edge 4.25” • Thickness 1/8” • 90 degree spine • Full tang • Tapered, contoured and bead blasted green scales. • Scales mechanically and chemically attached • Spear point • Lanyard hole in handle • Price listed for US$155 on the web site. It includes a standard open top, dangler design leather sheath. It has a loop for a fire steel rod Now that we have the technicalities over lets back to this high performance knife.
RAZOR SHARP! The GNS is probably the sharpest knife out of the box I have seen. The handle is pristine and the knife well balanced. The 90-degree spine is crisp and sharp. This was not a knife I wanted to test; it was a knife I wanted to display. The handle fit well in the hand. With the rounded pommel this knife could comfortably be held in different positions, depending on the task required.
My GNS came with a DWX (Deep Woods Xplorer) sheath. I must admit the sheath intrigued me but at first glance it did not seem to match the knife. The GNS seemed sleek and fast in design and the DWX sheath gaudy and slow. As you will soon understand though, the DWX has a purpose and place in the woods as it was designed. I quickly changed my mind about this sheath it is like a 4x4 truck delivering the GNS to the track.
PLANNED FOR PURPOSE Using the GNS brought me an acute awareness that I have the right tool for the job. This knife was made for the woodsman and any bushcrafting task was made easier by having the GNS knife. Not having this knife was like trying to pull nails with a sledgehammer, I have now discovered a new skill level using the GNS. The GNS is sharp and it does not dull easy. The 01 tool steel and grind make it very durable. The spine is flat out amazing. It is like having a planner built into your knife. Scraping shavings for making a fire or sparking a fire steel the 90 degree spine does what it was made to do. If you are making a piece of woodcraft, talk about planning the wood before you sand is unbelievable.
The DWX sheath appears to be made out of a high quality leather and kydex combination design. The DWX has a belt loop in the leather portion and the kydex form fitted to your knife is firmly attached to the leather. The DWX has a built in ceramic rod for sharpening/honing your knife. The Ceramic rod can be removed if you so desire. There is also a loop for a 3/16 standard fire steel to fit in. You may also like the fact that with a little ingenuity this sheath can be configured in either right or left hand carry design. There is another surprise on the DWX and that is it has a built in sliding lock for the knife. When the lock is engaged you are not getting it out. This is great for those heavy brush situations or acrobatics whatever you are into; your knife will be secure. From a tactical standpoint the bad guy does not get the knife when the lock is on. The kydex is so well fitted to the knife there is a positive click into place when you holster your knife and you don’t really even need the lock in most working conditions. The DWX impressed me as I made it part of my EDC (every day carry) to see what it was made of. Right off the bat, it was not even like I was wearing a belt loop mounted sheath. The quality of the leather and design of the sheath was almost like wearing a dangler. The ceramic rod was a nice feature as you could just give
The spear point worked great when processing firewood. The tip of the GNS is extremely pointed, sharp and durable. It was no problem drilling or making a purchase point during skinning. The scales are also a work of art but very practical with the GNS. The small rounded pommel reminded me of the old school night stick I carried back in the day. In the right hands applied to pressure points this could be devastating to an opponent. I don’t think this was part of the design, but trust me it would work well for you tactical guys. The GNS lives up to its name for sure. The Go No Show (GNS) was an interesting name and I had to contact LT Wright Handcrafted Knives to get the answer on how it came about. I got more than the answer from my inquiry. Mike responded promptly via their website contact form, which told me they are 100% on customer care and service. This of course is why they rank where they do in the knife industry. Back to the name, Mike shared they were talking about designs during lunch one day and the wanted a no frills, down to the bare-bone high performance bushcraft knife. To sum it up they wanted to make a knife made to GO and not for Show. I agree this is a sleek, no frills, and performance knife but, the craftsmanship and materials still make it a beauty in my book. There is no doubt that after using the GNS any product you get from LT Wright will be a winner.
TECH AND TOOLS
a couple of swipes and your blade edge was clean and sharp. For those who like to load your sheath down with accessories there are plenty of options with the DWX. The only negative with the DWX was shortly I lost the screw that holds the belt loop. So, that needs to be thread locked before use. I definitely would recommend this sheath and the name is a perfect reflection of what it is made for, Deep Woods Exploring.
For more information on the GNS knife and DWX sheath and for dealer contacts please visit www.ltwrightknives.com
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FIREARMS: MAINTENANCE
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REMINGTON LAW ENFORCEMENT UNIVERSAL 4-GUN CARE SYSTEM WITH REM SQUEEG-EK The Remington Bore Squeeg-E’s revolutionary design has avid shooters both civilian and professional alike changing their gun maintenance regimen. New shooters are also rapidly adopting it for its effectiveness and ease of use. In sizes to cover almost any rifle, shotgun or pistol, the rod or cable attached pull-through bore cleaner eliminates the need for ineffective bore patches and cotton mops by ensuring a mirror-clean chamber and barrel in just one pass. Made from modern polymers, Squeeg-E forms a tight fit seal, the baffles flexing just enough to make contact with the bottom of the lands and grooves to strip out harmful fouling that you’ve broken up with your bore cleaner and brush. Best used in conjunction with Rem Bronze Bore Brushes and Rem All In Bore Cleaner, Squeeg-E pulls fouling debris in front of the seal, providing unparalleled cleaning ability and significantly reducing the amount of time needed to clean out the barrel. Cleanup is also made easier, simply rinse with soap and water and it’s ready for reuse. Founded on the revolutionary Rem Squeeg-E that cleans any size barrel in one pass without patches, saving time, money and eliminating hazardous waste, the Remington Law Enforcement (RLE) Rem Squeeg-E 4-Gun Care System is a universal kit tailored specifically to the needs of professional users.
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Rem Squeeg-Es and matching bronze bore brushes come in all key rifle, handgun, and shotgun calibers (.22/.223 Cal/5.56mm, .308 Cal/7.62mm, .357/.380/.38 Cal/9mm, 10mm/.40 Cal, .44/.45, 12/16 GA), along with three lengths of coated Rem Flex Rods that won’t mar or scratch your barrel (12, 26, and 39 inch) in addition to Remington’s patented Fast Snap T-Handle that makes cable pulls efficient and secure. System also contains Remington’s industry-leading chemicals including a 2 oz. Rem Oil, 2 oz. Rem Action Cleaner, and .5 oz. Rem All In, a water-based, high-performance all-in-one bore cleaner that removes carbon, plastic, copper and lead deposits while remaining safe for long term firearm care. The system also comes with cleaning tools including a bolt takedown tool, two large cleaning brushes, and a Multi-Tool which incorporates a carbon pick, scraper, and pin punch, in addition to ten AR-specific tools and bits. Most importantly, the kit’s bore brushes thread directly onto the Multi-Tool handle to clean revolver chambers, or handgun barrels when the extension rod is added. The extension rod also works with the included AR chamber brush to reach past the upper receiver to more easily clean tough to reach spaces. Conveniently packed in a heavy-duty, black, water-resistant, canvas range bag with a handle, shoulder strap and 12” x 28” Rem Pad, sized to fold up in the front compartment, and Velcro to the front panel, making it easy to remove and wash. Velcro loop on bag’s top makes it easy to customise with any unit or identification patch, along with windowed ID holder on back panel. RRP on the RLE Kit is US$89.95; please visit www. shopremingtoncountry.com for stockist details.
‘Stand-by’ ‘Stand-by’ Level 4 Covert Urban Surveillance Operators Course (Blue Skills)
Setting the training standards in the commercial arena
HEAD TO HEAD
pmcimagazine.com
HEAD TO HEAD For this issue of PMCI we decided to ask our two tame contractors who have worked “The Circuit”, one British and “new skool” and one American and “Old Skool” the same question to see where there are similarities or disparities. This time my question to them both was “What equipment and kit do you take with you when you deploy on a contract?”
Rob S (USA) The easy answer is I always carry less than I want but more than I should. But I’ll assume that isn’t the real desired answer. Let me start with what I carry on my body no matter whether I’m deployed in country, out of country or even in combat. The usual base of keys on paracord lanyard, microlight, Gerber Shard, single dog tag with name/ email, and usb drive heavy coded with some info I feel I may need but isn’t going to ruin me if hacked. Next a RF Blocker (sleeved) wallet with ID, cash and CC of some sort, be it minimal Id because of region as well disposable credit cards or my full set of copies of passports, permits, drivers licenses etc. I should note this can be expanded into a neck ID wallet for some regions. I have a variety of micro tac lights I may carry in my pocket but most likely a low cost Cree Zoom 18650/AA light; you should see a pattern of stuff I use that is less costly but does the job. Then there is the cell phone(s), likely a dual sim model that has been nano waterproof coated. I carry in pocket a patrol officers pocket trauma kit, which consists of a swat T-Tourniquet, Z pack bandage, duct tape and gloves in a vacuum package. Of course this is location dependent. I will always try to have on me a good folding knife or two and/or a multitool. Top these personal items with a Tac pen and notepad. Funny enough the Tac pen I use was a gift and is the original one from a good 5 years now although with new Fisher space pen internals. Knives, well I break, loan and lose those so it varies on legalities to option I can find. Similar with the multitool, most times a less costly model for the same reasons as knives, although I always keep my knives sharp and my tool refined. I will in addition carry my sunglasses (always polycard polarized style), a pair of ear protectors such as Surefire EP3, small container of splenda tablets, and a sweat cloth. I do carry a base pistol and two spare magazines when I can. Those being a Glock 26 with the 10 round mag and a glock 17 Xgrip sleeved magazine both loaded with Hornady TAP as allowed. Holsters are dependent on dress code, in suit Alien Gear behind hip often, concealed deep may be a Cellpal
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holster and if casual a iwb Apendix version I have. Backup ultra hideable is a NAA Blackwidow loaded with Hornady FTX Critical Defense 22 mag. At this point it always depends on a security detail, in suit, or in tac kit, or even alt work like anti poaching or personnel recovery which can mean full on kit including nods plus, which could be a book of details on what and why, so I’ll just rough in a few bits here. I do try to keep a bag or day pack with me. Typical extra ammo, big torch and batteries, flexi cuffs, always water with purifier tablets, and some food in there, a full blow out kit with boo boo bag too. Spare clothes, quick dry skivvy gear, cell/battery charger set, local maps and compass as well pictograph translator sheets, rain and or dust gear. A sanitation kit, you know, toilet paper, wipes and sanitizer. Most of all, the inflatable pillow and backside cushion. And now we get into the fun stuff, what do I always on most all assignments when deployed in naughty areas carry. I deploy with... almost nothing. I tend to work for employers who arrange for your actual kit to be there for you. I can request specifics such as an AK or chest rig but what I get given will almost always be not what I really desire and therefore I can’t list it. I know many of the modern guys get to travel with all their goodies but it just wasn’t like that in the older days in the places we worked and even today limits can be tough. So Barter items are really what you take. Money is king but any item that they don’t have in that area but desire is big plus.
After spending 4 years working within the security industry, conducting hostile environment type missions, it was all trial and error with regards to equipment and was definitely personal preference. It also depends on the type of contract you are going on to, for example when on DoD contracts in Iraq & Afghanistan the client & contract required you to wear full PPE. Including helmet, body armour and tan coloured clothing. When working on embassy or commercial contracts I found the visual posture would be lowered, and on some occasions you would be required to wear suits. Prior to deploying you would genuinely receive joining or admin instructions explaining what you are required to take with you and also what you would be issued upon arrival on to contract. After about 1 year of contracting and experiencing both DoD & commercial tasking’s I tried to adopt a load out that would suit both roles should I have to move jobs/companies. The equipment I would genially deploy with would be: • Crye Precision Field Pants & Shirt x3. • Plate Carrier (without armour) for flying. • Chest Rig (Personal preference) & low profile plate carrier. • Ammo & utility pouches. • Basic med kit & IFAC. • Weapon sling. • Pistol holster and magazine pouch. • GPS. • Mapping (if available). • Grab Bag/Day sack.
• • •
HEAD TO HEAD
Richard S (UK)
Gloves & Ballistic Glasses. Suitable footwear Warm jacket for winter deployments (especially in Afghanistan).
Personal Admin: • Passport & contract documentation. • Money (upto $1000) for emergencies. • Local pay as you go phone (extra credit). • Personal mobile phone. • Laptop (hard drive with movies). • Ipod. • Kindle. • 3 sets of civilians, including one set of smart casuals. • PT equipment. • BB Cap. • Watch. • Wash kit & shower footwear. Any other pieces of equipment would be supplied by the contracting company you will be working for. Most companies these days will issue a uniform or company shirts to create a professional look. I found local markets and shops reliable both in Iraq & Afghanistan, in particular when contracting in Afghanistan I would rely on the American PX for the majority of my administrational items, making my bags lighter for travelling or allowing me to carry other mission essential equipment. Equipment layout images courtesy of Project GECKO.
pmcimagazine.com
Advanced Security Protection
Blackstone Consultancy
http://www.advancedsecurityprotection.com/
http://www.blackstoneconsultancy.com;
AKE Group
Blue Hackle
http://www.akegroup.com/
http://www.bluehackle.com/
Ambrey Risk
Blue Waters Partners Global
http://www.ambreyrisk.com
http://www.preparedex.com/
Antipirates.Org
BP Global
http://www.antipirates.org/
http://www.bp.com/
APPDS
Britam Defence
http://www.appds.co.uk/
http://www.britamdefence.com/
Aquatic Marine Ltd
British Maritime Solutions
http://www.aquaticmarineltd.com
http://britishmaritimesolutions.com
Protect Asia Group
BW Offshore
http://www.protectasia.com/
http://www.bwoffshore.com/
Secopex
Calibre International Security
http://www.secopex.com/
http://www.calibre-international.com/
Aspida
Chilport
http://www.aspida.org/
http://www.chilport.co.uk/
Associated Risk Maritime Risk Management
Chiron Resources
http://www.associated-risks.com
http://www.chironresources.com
Bancroft Maritime Security Solutions
Clearwater Special Projects
http://www.maritimesecuritysolutions.co.uk
http://www.bodyguarding.co.uk/
Bechtel Corporation
Control Risks
http://www.bechtel.com/
http://www.control-risks.com
Black Pearl
Decatur Maritime Security
http://www.blackpearlmaritimesecurity.com/
http://www.decaturms.com/
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Drum Cussac
Hudson Trident
http://www.drum-cussac.com/Index.aspx
http://hudsonanalytix.com
Dryad Maritime
ICTS
http://www.dryadmaritime.com/
http://www.icts.co.uk
Edinburgh International
IMSA Ltd
http://www.edinburghint.com/home/
http://www.imsaltd.com/
Elite Maritime Protection Services
International Executive Recruiting
http://www.elitemaritimeprotection.com
http://www.iernetwork.com
EOS Risk Management
International Maritime Security
https://www.eosrisk.com/
http://www.intmarsec.co.uk
Erus Maritime
International Maritime Security
http://www.erusrisk.com
http://www.intmarsec.co.uk/
Espada
International Security Network
http://www.espadaservices.com
http://www.isn.eu.com
Ex Military Recruitment
ISC Gulf
https://www.exmil.co.uk
http://www.iscgulf.com/
Exploration Logistics Group
ISSG Sea Marshalls
http://www.frontiermedex.com/
http://www.issg-seamarshals.com/
G4S Maritime
Janusian Risk Advisory Group
http://www.g4s.uk.com
http://www.riskadvisory.net/
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
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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/
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