PMCI - July 2020

AUG2020

CONTENTS 4 GOOD GEAR FOR THE RANGE: READY TO GET BACK OUT AND HIT THE RANGE IN EARNEST BILL GETS HIS HANDS ON THE VERY LATEST SHOOT-SPECIFIC GEAR FROM POLISH SPECIALISTS HELIKON-TEX! 10 PROTECTION FOR THE SHOOTER: BEING A SHOOTER COMES WITH MANY RESPONSIBILITIES, AND TRAMPAS TAKES A CLOSE LOOK AT AN ORGANIZATION THAT WILL “HAVE YOUR SIX” IF TSHTF! 15 EDITORS COMMENT

Editor (UK): Bill Thomas

16 GEAR ON TEST: “GEAR FOR THE GOOD GUYS” COURTESY OF THE PMCI TEAM

Deputy Ed (USA): Trampas Swanson

20 GEAR: MAGPUL GLASSES: PMCI ARE PROUD TO HAVE A GUEST THIS MONTH IN THE FORM OF THE ONE AND ONLY VARG FREEBORN WHO GIVES HIS THOUGHTS ON A SET OF SHADES THOROUGHLY FIT FOR PURPOSE!

Graphic Design: Baz Thakur/

22 TACTICAL INNOVATION: SILENT POCKET WARY OF YOUR POSITION BEING REVEALED BY YOUR TRUSTED TECH? CLINT BRINGS A SOLUTION IN THE FORM OF THE SILENT POCKET

Cover pic: Tu Lam Personal collection

24 TACTICAL GEAR: IT’S A GREEN WORLD: BILL’S BEEN BUILDING A SET OF ALL-GREEN TRAINING GEAR FOR A WHILE AND NOW TELLS ALL! 28 KNIVES AND TOOLS: THE SPARTAN RONIN SHINTO: TRAMPAS HEADS ON BACK TO SPARTAN BLADES TO CHECK OUT THEIR LATEST MARVEL, A COLLABORATION WITH MARTIAL ARTIST AND FIREARM TACTICS TRAINER, TU LAM!

Deadshot Design Publisher: Nigel Streeter

PMCI magazine is a digital-only publication available FREE OF CHARGE via the PMCI App on a wide range of digital platforms, including iOS, Android and Windows. For more information, visit www.pocketmags. com and search “PMCI”.

32 KNIVES AND TOOLS: LEATHERMAN MUT: THIS TIME PMCI ARE JOINED BY A POTENTIAL “NEW RECRUIT”, JAMES MOORE, WHO BRINGS IN AN IN-DEPTH OVERVIEW OF HIS TRUSTED LEATHERMAN MUT TOOL.

PMC I c a n a l s o b e rea d o n l i n e at : www.issuu.com, www.magzter.com and www.readly.com

36 FIREARMS: SIG M17: CLINT HAS BEEN BUSY WITH HIS VERY OWN “HOMESCHOOLING” AS HE GIVES THE LOWDOWN ON THE SIG M17 “6MM TRAINER” BEFORE HEADING TO THE RANGE WITH THE REAL DEAL!

Calibre Publishing Limited

40 TOOLS OF THE TRADE: ENDOSNAKE BORESCOPE

Walwyn Road,

A TRUE HALLMARK OF THE WARRIOR IS HOW THEY PREPARE AND MAINTAIN THEIR WEAPONS FOR BATTLE, AND TRAMPAS TAKES A LOOK AT A DEVICE THAT BRINGS THIS MANTRA COMPLETELY UP TO DATE!

Upper Colwall,

43 BOOK REVIEW: “JUNGLE SOLDIER: THE TRUE STORY OF FREDDY SPENCER CHAPMAN”

WR13 6PL

44 SKILLS AND DRILLS: AFTER A BRIEF INTERLUDE DOING “OTHER THINGS” FORMER SOLDIER AND CONTRACTOR ANDY N REJOINS TO TALK ABOUT “PERISHABLE SKILLS” AND HOW TO MAINTAIN THEM. BOTH INNOVATION AND NEW DIRECTIONS IN DESIGN! 46 INDUSTRY VACANCIES LOOKING FOR WORK? JUST CHECK HERE.

Wyche Innovation Centre,

Malvern, Worcestershire, Tel: 01684 878 003 Web: www.pmcimagazine.com ©Calibre Publishing Limited 2019 Letter, idea or question?

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Editors reserve the right to edit submissions prior to publication.

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 - and all of whom have an intimate understanding of what the role entails and the day to day challenges faced by those working in this industry.

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

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HELIKON-TEX POLISH RANGE GEAR, GOOD TO GO! WHILST COVID-19 CONTINUES TO RAVAGE THE WORLD, IN MANY AREAS RANGES ARE REOPENING AND SHOOTERS ARE GETTING BACK TO THE BUSINESS OF TRAINING, AND FROM WHAT WE HEAR EVEN THOSE THAT ARE “LOCKED DOWN” ARE STILL HONING THE TOOLS IN THEIR “TACTICAL TOOLBOXES”! AS THE RANGE BECKONS AGAIN, BILL TAKES A CLOSE LOOK AT SOME NEW GEAR FROM OUR FRIENDS AT HELIKON-TEX THAT’S BOUND TO PLEASE SHOOTERS ANYWHERE. -BT-

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he “silent enemy” is still amongst us, and from what I can see it’s sadly showing no signs of going away

any time soon. People keep telling me about the “new normal”, but in many ways to me it seems to be the “old normal” with a mask on!

Don’t get me wrong, I totally understand that we must do the utmost, every day, to protect our families and the vulnerable amongst our communities, and by extension those unenlightened souls that refuse to see sense; do I wear a mask when I go to the supermarket? Yup, I do… it’s not some weird uber-conspiracy that by wearing a mask we are somehow contributing to the subjugation of humanity, simply a mark of common decency that we actually give a thought to the wider community around us and acknowledge the fact that there is a “silent killer” on the prowl.

Okay, rant over, and how does this fit into talking about rangetime you may rightly ask? To me it’s a simple jump; on the range we will wear “eyes and ears” and that’s just part of our protective shizzle that we take for granted, and in some instances we may even be wearing protective armour solutions to train effectively. Ranges and training facilities are thankfully opening up again around the globe, and “Personal Protective Equipment” is something that we, of anyone, should understand the value of, and our demands on that equipment are second nature, or should be!

We want to know that the equipment we wear is going to be 100% fit for purpose, and stay that way for some considerable time. Unlike those that are issued their gear, we have many choices from a dizzying array of suppliers out there; our gear is

not bought on the taxpayers dime, we pay for it ourselves and we need to spend our money wisely on kit that works, and will continue working for some considerable time. Let’s face it, if we need to wear any of our gear for real, “S” really has “HTF” and our lives may depend upon it!

For many of us thankfully that will never be the case, but the fact is that buying sub-standard gear based on low cost is not a good way forward. I’ve been guilty of this in the past myself, but have learned the error of my ways when packs straps have failed in the mountains, and cheap tarps have left me cold, wet and uncomfortable even in tropical rain forests!

Don’t buy cheap people, buy smart!

NEW RANGE SOLUTIONS!

This, of course, brings me onto the main meat of this article, and that’s to introduce some righteous new gear designed by shooters, for shooters, from our friends at Helikon-Tex over in Poland; I’m not going to make a comment about their brand and heritage as I’ve done that here in PMCI before, but I will say that when the guys at “H-Tex” introduce something new to me I will sit up and listen, as I’ve used gear from them for many years and have come to rely on the functionality, durability and dependability that it delivers!

At SHOT I was delighted to see that Helikon-Tex had a great stand, and along with their American-based arm and partners that the guys had come all the way from Poland to show off their wares to some of the most discerning and knowledgeable buyers you will find anywhere on the planet. My eyes were drawn to a number of mannequins on show that were obviously showcasing

Belt which is a solid 45 mm wide range belt (H-Tex offer more belts in their line…); a partially stiffened construction allows stable carry of a holster with a pistol, as well as additional magazine pouches, med kits, and admin pouches, and a loop lining allows you to combine the belt with an inner belt for stability during use. The belt is fastened with a genuine Cobra Nautic buckle; this buckle is not only resistant to salt, dust, and debris but is also much flatter than other Cobra buckles, therefore much more comfortable, even during prolonged use.

Whats more, the Nautic belt is a perfect choice for any modular belt sleeve, but Helikon-Tex have this covered with their own Modular Belt Sleeve It was designed as an additional sleeve for the main 45 mm Nautic Shooting Belt, but will also work with any other gun belts up to 45 mm wide. The sleeve is fully

HELIKON-TEX

complete sets of new shooter gear, and whilst the “bigwigs” were mucky-mucking I was giving everything a good poke!

Chatting with some of the outstanding LE/Mil guys that Helikon-Tex use both in their field-testing and product photoshoots they told me that the new gear was called the Competition Multigun Set and that it “enables you to multiply your potential by precisely adapting the equipment you carry to the task you plan to perform.”

The set is based on the minimalist Competition Multigun Rig platform. It’s numerous velcro panels, additional loops and compatibility with the MOLLE / PAS system will allow you to easily adjust the number and the character of the inserts used.

This will be greatly appreciated not only by sport shooters, but also by users who want reliable solutions with no fancy gimmicks. Competition shooting, especially MultiGun is getting more and more popular; during any match, success is based on many factors, as not only is your fitness important, but also your weapon and most importantly your gear. This is why Helikon-Tex have created a “multigun” set of gear; to make it as versatile as possible, they’ve based it on the gun belt with an additional, modular belt sleeve and the micro chest rig. All are fully scalable and configurable, so that you can create the exact platform that you need. Various pouches for .223 and .308 carbine magazines, numerous models of pistol magazine, dump pouch, first aid kit, they’ve got everything that can be useful on the range.

The Competition Multigun Rig platform which is one of the “keystones” of the system is made of hard-wearing Cordura 500D and is compatible with magazine inserts dependant of your chosen primary platform; there are two front utility pockets, two pistol mag pouches on the front and it’s MOLLE/ PALS compatible.

You also get a stable and adjustable H-Harness system, loops for hanging gloves and placing accessories, and the rear is partlined with velour for comfort and moisture management.

The second “keystone” is the Competition Nautic Shooting

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HELIKON-TEX

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padded with thick, durable EVA foam, so that you won’t feel any discomfort from your gun belt or sharp edges of the pouches.

On the surface there are laser cut modular platforms compatible with MOLLE/PALS system, and the platforms are divided into sections so that you are able to set up your belt as you like it.

On the sides there are two horizontal slits on the bottom for mounting hip holsters or drop leg panels. The sleeve is profiled and lined with mesh for comfort even during prolonged use, and four low profile paracord loops will allow mounting of a harness/ yoke if you wish.

To add to your belt, either with the Sleeve or without, helicon-Tex offer a great range of new pouches to mount on it such as the Rapid Pistol Pouch, Rapid Carbine Pouch, Utility Pouch, Med Pouch and Competition Dump Pouch. All

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items are again made of tough-as-old-boots 500D Cordura, so they’re going to stand up to range-abuse well! The pistol magazine pouch was designed to fit standard pistol magazines, and is partially stiffened to help with reindexing magazines.

The carbine pouch was designed to fit standard carbine/rifle magazine, including AR15 and AK47 magazines, and again is partially stiffened to help with reindexing magazines. The utility pouch was designed to hang under the Competition MultiGun Rig, but can also be used separately on the belt; this useful pouch has a large, zippered main compartment that will hold all your essentials, including ear and eye protection, multitool, and a small range first aid kit, and a loop panel on the front gives space for nametags and the like.

The Med kit pouch was designed mainly to work with the Competition Modular Belt Sleeve, but it can also be used separately on any modular platform or on the belt. The pouch has a two part construction; part one is an external, ambidextrous pouch and part two is a lightweight insert for your whole medical kit. Internal elastic loops will hold your essentials in place, while a stiffened, anti-slip puller will help you deploy your kit within seconds. External shock cord can compress the pouch or can be used to carry a tourniquet. The Med Kit can be carried vertically or horizontally. The Dump Pouch does what it says on the can; it was made specifically for dynamic shooting, and it will easily fit several carbine or pistol magazines. A stiffened, cord-adjustable collar makes it easy to place the magazines in stress situations.

The mesh bottom prevents accumulation of the sand and dirt in the main body, and the pouch is large enough to be also used as an improvised utility pouch for your ear protection, gloves, and what-nots. All the pouches are mountable via MOLLE/PALS system or can be mounted directly onto any belt up to 50 mm wide.

For many of you a great belt setup will give you all you need, but if you do find you need more versatility in your “main workspace” then the Competition Multigun Rig will provide exactly this! The basic rig gives you the two front utility pockets and two pistol magazine pouches on the front, but this is just the start of things!

Inside the Rig itself is a dedicated “insert pocket” and this is where things get properly cool in my opinion! You buy your rig, but then dependant on your setup or needs simply add the appropriate insert to “feed the beast” you’re working with!

Inserts come as a Triple Carbine (magazine) Insert, a Two Gun Insert (for the .308 fans out there), and a Competition Pistol (magazine) Insert; if this isn’t enough there’s even a neat little Pocket Pistol Insert!

In addition to all of these options you can also add the Carbine Wings Set which was designed to enlarge the MultiGun Rig capability to carry extra ammunition. The wings attach

HELIKON-TEX

MAKING THE MOST OF WORKSPACE!

directly to the velour on the back of the rig, and then the buckles from the rig go directly to the side webbing loops on the wings to make everything even more stable. The wings were designed to fit one carbine magazine each (will fit standard AR/AK magazine), and anti-slip interiors prevent mags from falling out.

I’ve got to admit that I totally adore modular systems, but to me Helikon-Tex have taken things to the next level by creating a complete suite of options to, quite literally, add to your “tactical toolbox”. By mixing and matching stabilised platforms with multiple mounting options, all of which are 100% designed to work together, you can tailor your rig to you, placing items where muscle memory will eventually lead you to flawless performance if you put the work in!

Once again Helikon-Tex have moved ahead of the times, completely embracing the “light is right” ideal, and by using the latest ideas, materials, and construction techniques provided us all with a set of gear that we can make our own, and benefit from accordingly. I am so glad that the ranges are open again, as I can’t wait to try this gear out in earnest, and rest assured that when I have I’ll be back to report on my findings!

For more information on the new COMPETITION setup and a whole host of other fabulous tactical and backcountry products do pay a visit to www.helikon-tex.com

USCCA FAMILY PROTECTION

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USCCA FAMILY PROTECTION

FIRST, THIS IS NOT A PAID ADVERTISEMENT BUT RATHER A REPORT ON ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF PERSONAL PROTECTION FOR THE ARMED PROFESSIONAL WHETHER YOU HAPPEN TO BE PART OF THE MILITARY, A PMC, A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, OR AN ARMED CIVILIAN!

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oo many times, protection is only associated with firearms and not the training and other fundamental components that surround it. It is time to change that narrative and become better personally protected home and abroad.

We as gun owners need to fully understand how entities like the USCCA and its parent company, Delta Defense can help give us a good piece of mind that in the event we must protect ourselves or a loved one. That someone will be in our corner to help us navigate the legal system and to not end up being punished civilly at a substantial financial loss or criminally by losing our valuable freedom because we chose to do what was needed to survive a violent encounter.

As a former Law Enforcement officer, I have seen firsthand how myself and others could quickly end up in the spotlight for merely doing our job correctly as trained. Regardless of how brave your actions are or at whatever considerable personal risk you managed to overcome to accomplish your mission, you are ALWAYS going to end up the bad guy in someone else’s story. Shoot an armed robber, mugger, or murderer and expect the family to sue because you injured or killed

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someone that they misjudged. Thankfully, during my days as a Sheriff’s SWAT team operator, we had entities such as Police Benevolent Association (PBA) and Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) to advocate for us inside and outside the courtroom to make sure justified law enforcement officers didn’t have to suffer from unjust and unethical criminal prosecution and civil action lawsuits.

After I retired, I went on to become a civilian firearms instructor and training counselor, responsible for not only training new and experienced shooters but other new instructors as well. Once I became certified through the National Rifle Association (NRA), I discovered a much younger organization, the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA).

Unlike the NRA’s sporting guns outlook, the USCCA’s training division was focused solely on what their name implies, concealed carry of a firearm with a curriculum designed to assist shooters at all skill levels. As an instructor, I appreciated the more up to date and personal defense focus of the USCCA. For me, this was not an either / or decision to choose between organizations. I am and will always be a Benefactor Life Member of the NRA. I appreciate their fight for our Second Amendment rights in political circles and all the excellent training they have established as the gold

TRAMPAS & GEORGIA TAJE - USCCA DELTA DEFENSE

will come if I have to defend myself from a home invasion in the middle of the night. Thankfully, the USCCA does.

I became a member of the USCCA as well as a range partner via our Swanson Training Group in January of this year. What I did not know until then was how much available training via streaming video and downloadable material each member of the USCCA had access to via their member’s only website. From the time I had discovered the USCCA’s membership benefits packages until the time I ultimately signed up, I researched dozens.

I quickly realized there were only three viable contenders in which roughly all things were almost entirely equal. Unlike the other two contenders, the USCCA offered the package I most wanted, a network of not only great attorneys but also a deep bench of highly respected firearms and self-defense instructors from across the country to educate people in and out of the classroom. With the membership package I signed up myself and my wife, Candace, who is also an instructor; we get regular online training opportunities and discounts from well-known partner companies. In the first three months alone, I ended up saving more money in discounts and training than what I paid for the membership for the entire year!

Since signing as a range partner, our company has been able to work with some of the great Delta Defense representatives such as Matt PreJean, who helps facilitate our training company, STG to teach in Las Vegas in addition to our home territory of Florida. Matt also looks after our Las Vegas STG Affiliate Instructor, Victoria Perez in helping her recruit students to her host training facility. Here in Florida, we have had the great pleasure of working with the blast of sunshine and praise that is, Georgia Taje operating in the Central Florida area. Aside from Delta Defense / USCCA, this “go-getter” volunteers to lead some amazing ladies of The Well Armed Woman, not for profit organization in her spare time, much like my wife Candace does. Over the past year, I have also been able to befriend other representatives across the country as well, such as Maria Julianna, in Tennessee. She has made herself into a national presence through social media to inspire others to keep pushing and training.

USCCA FAMILY PROTECTION

standard of sport shooting training. The USCCA offered more focused essential, concealed carry and home defense training for the types of new shooters and professionals coming into the gun-owning world that may not have grown up with the “old guard” NRA, hunting, and shooting skeet.

The USCCA’s roots lie as one of my favorite publications; Concealed Carry Magazine helmed by Founder Tim Schmidt, Executive Editor Kevin Michalowski, and the fantastic staff of editors, columnists and contributing writers. As they grow, training opportunities working with some of the best names in the country develop into being able to certify instructors and training counselors. At the heart of all of it, they wanted to make sure they could protect those who mattered most, the armed civilian. Delta Defense, the parent company to the USCCA, developed a membership program that would help with any expenses upfront and residual that may be incurred during a critical incident such as having to defend against an attacker.

Having had experience with how comforting it is to have this sort of support from an established company that not only believed in someone doing what’s right but that will be in your corner every step of the way, I understand how underrated and invaluable this could be for civilian concealed carry practitioners.

I’m not sure about you, but I don’t have an extra US$100,000 or more needed in upfront cost to deal with the legal fallout that

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DESIGNATED TRAINING GUNS

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Recently, my region of Florida received a new representative that has hit the ground running with our training group, Dan Tonto. Coming from years of experience in sales from other industries, Dan was very impressive from day one with his out of the box thinking and an eagerness to learn, train and promote the growth of every range partner he works with. That sort of selflessness and fresh thinking really got our team on their “A-game” to brainstorm how we can educate more people on the importance of having legal and financial protection for those who train hard every day to protect their families.

As Dan helped me learn more about the world of Delta Defense / USCCA protection to explain it to our students better, I, in turn, invited him and his wife to train with our STG team. We had a great time in class, along with our other students and even more so on the range. The first day working together with one on one, Dan showed off his skills by shooting a playing card in half at 10 feet. Game, set, match, Dan “Da Man” Tonto. I think it is safe to say, he grasped the fundamental concepts and represented the Delta Defense / USCCA team very well!

I have learned a lot in a short amount of time, things that I feel like I have taken for granted before working with Dan. Although I have been a member for over six months now, I feel even more confident in my family’s decision to take the plunge and become USCCA members. To best explain why the USCCA membership is so important to consider, I prefer to wrap this article with Dan’s own wise words.

“According to the FBI, in America, a violent crime happens every 26 seconds. Being prepared goes beyond defending yourself with a firearm. Are you prepared for the aftermath of a self-defense incident? When the police arrive, you WILL be questioned and detained, but there is also a very good chance that you WILL be ARRESTED! Do you have a criminal defense lawyer on speed dial? Do you have thousands of dollars to pay for your defense?”

Even if you are cleared of criminal wrongdoing, you can still face a civil suit, which can cost you tens of thousands of dollars and go on for years. These are the things that you need to think about as the owner of a legal firearm. Well, the USCCA (the United States Concealed Carry Association) has thought about these things. For as little as $22 a month, you can be protected both criminally and civilly (this includes attorney fees, court fees, private investigator fees, other ancillary fees, and civil damages). We have over 1100 attorneys in our network in all 50 states, and we are ready to

defend you when you are involved in a self-defense incident.

You protect your loved ones, and we protect you.”

To learn more about how to protect you and your loved ones, contact Dan Tonto for more information: dan.t@uscca.com or go to www.USCCA.com/remote and enter “Class Code” SWANSON to join.

The USCCA – “Born to Protect.”

VX BUCKLE UP GUN CARRIER BLACK / DARK COYOTE / GREEN / VCAM / SRP: £79.95

A LINE TO STAND BEHIND Opinions are like buttholes aren’t they… everyone has one!

When I sit down to plan another issue of PMCI and draw up the plan for contents with Trampas I do realise that what we are bringing you is based on our opinions; yes, they are opinions, but opinions based on hard, incontrovertible facts and hard-gained experience. Amongst the PMCI “team” we bring together kindred spirits with many years of front line military and LE experience, and people who are experts in a particular technical field, who are able to give their “opinion” from a position of understanding, and if not from total understanding, with the drive to find out what lies in the guts of any story we feature.

But all too often these days I find that “opinion” is driven not by understanding the true facts, but simply formed by what is presented to us and then perceived as “truth” by many. Let me, by way of example, illustrate my point by looking at the current “media coverage” of Law Enforcement officers (although this sadly seems to apply to those serving in the military and private security right now too).

It would appear from what we see in and on the “mainstream media” that all police and LE personnel are the living proof that evil does exist in this world, and that they are all totally intolerant to everything that doesn’t sit comfortably in their so-called “twisted worldview” (ie upholding the laws of our country).

Whilst I would be the first to admit that every calling has the occasional bad apple, why is it then that every single officer, both serving and prior-service, I happen to meet personally is a committed, solidly honest, compassionate, and let’s be frank, brave individual, many of whom I am proud to call “friend”.

What is it that I’m somehow missing? Yes I’ve seen the videos and listened to the “soundbites”, but in all honesty I see men

and women going about their duty to us, in many instances at great risk to their personal safety. It appears to me that duty, honour, courage, and uncommon fortitude are the norm for almost every officer that puts on the uniform and dedicates their life to “protecting and serving”… us.

Yes, mistakes do happen, and when mistakes are made there must be ramifications, but in an imperfect society can we expect those that “protect and serve” us to be perfect? Two things strike me here; the first is that old chestnut that “with great power comes great responsibility”, but the other is that “to err is to be human”.

Unless we wish to dehumanise those that stand between evil and our lives and freedoms it’s time in MY opinion, for everyone to form their own thoughts on those that stand in that “thin blue line”, and form their own opinion based on real facts, not on the trendy words of some talking head that spits vitriol just because that’s what pays their wages or pleases their “followers”.

Let us all stand firmly behind that line and support the officers as they deserve, with respect, dignity, and appreciation of their efforts. Please spare a moment in your day to thank your local officer for their service, and let them know you appreciate their efforts and sacrifice.

Until next time, heads on a swivel, and watch your six!

EDITORS COMMENT

EDITORS COMMENT

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GEAR ON TEST

MAGNUM SCORPION DESERT TAN BOOTS

As far as boots go.... Magnum has always been present in my adult life. Ever since joining the Royal Navy and being issued the basic leather High Leg Combat Boots (HLCB’s) I noticed several individuals wore light weight black Magnum boots, one of whom was the Petty Officer in charge of my section. After quizzing him as to why he could wear them instead of the issued HLCB’s, I learnt they were only issued to personnel that operated with the Royal Marine Commandos or other front line infantry units.

As I stomped around in the much heavier HLCB’s doing second line photography, I wanted nothing more than to go to a front line unit to get to where it mattered most in the media, to where the real news stories were taking place and history itself was being written. I started training to get myself there the only way I knew possible; completing the All Arms Course, a 10 week intense course that enables non commando personnel to qualify for the green beret or more to the point be able to work with Royal Marine Commando units in their world, on the front line.

However, whilst building myself up to be loaded onto the next All Arms Course, I was offered an opportunity to join a tri-service unit that was Army centric and designed to cover front line operations on behalf of the civilian press agencies that couldn’t get to out to embed with the front line units as they were either not willing to take civilians or it was deemed too risky. Naturally I jumped at the chance and ended up spending 5 years at the unit.

After joining the unit, I was hastily sent on numerous firearms, survival and basic soldiering courses, some Afghanistan (Op Herrick) specific and others Global, designed to arm me for varying environments the Ministry of Defence found themselves in. As a result of all these courses and tests not only did my shooting improve but I

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was given access to all the kit and equipment the modern infantry was entitled too, one item was of course my longawaited Magnum boots, although mine were in tan.

The official name of the boots is the Magnum Scorpion Desert Tan Boots. The British Forces introduced the boots to meet the requirement for a lightweight and athletic combat boot suitable for desert patrols and low-level operations, particularly for vehicle mounted troops, and based on the original Magnum Scorpion design. By the time I was issued my pair they were for Forward Operating Base use only. Meaning they were not for hours and hours on patrol or in combat as their ankle support is not as much as some of the actual combat boots. They are ideal for smaller operations or everyday footwear in these less than savoury places many of which are hot and humid.

I was issued my pair in 2010. Since then, they have been worn in countless countries from Afghanistan to Jamaica, Norway to many countries throughout Africa.

Since I emigrated to Australia, they became my everyday choice of footwear as they don’t get too hot and suit almost any situation, I find myself in. After my second deployment to Afghanistan I bought myself a pair from Military1st.co.uk as I thought that I would need to replace them. That hasn’t been the case and the pair I bought are still unused, waiting to replace my issued pair. The only repair I have had done is replacement of the heel column which had worn away from the constant flex the tall necked boot gets as you walk or run. The laces, sole and main body remain aesthetically acceptable for working in an office and comfortable enough for trekking through the outback.

The Magnum Scorpion Desert Tan Boots feature a Genuine desert suede upper, 1150 denier nylon side panels for ‘out-of-box’ comfort, Cambrelle and Breathe Right lining for breathability and comfort, a speed lacing system for quick fitting and removing and an Agion Antibacterial Treatment helps keep your feet fresh. The neck of the boot has a unique look, webbing style brace that wraps around your lower leg giving a small amount of support. Most of the support for the ankle is provided by the hardened suede rear portion of the boot. The overall weight of the boots are 1400g per pair, making them easy to run in or help avoid those aching feet at the end of a days skirmishing. The tread is as you would expect from a combat boot, so it would hold you firm as you push forward over most terrains.

Overall, I am impressed with the boots, more so with how tough they are. I have put mine through their paces and they are still going strong after 10 years and don’t look like they are ready for the bin. By now you can get yourself a pair on eBay for anything ranging from as little as UK£20 to UK£125. I look forward to seeing and testing other boots in the Magnum range.

TEMPLAR’S GEAR PISTOL MAGAZINE POUCH

GEAR ON TEST

Since the advent of the ground breaking TACO magazine pouch, we’ve seen many versions from a number of companies. Over the years we’ve seen and tried many different incarnations of the “TACO”, but here another new contributor, John T, gives us his overview of the latest to hang on his belt setup…

A few weeks back I received a “taco style” pouch made by the Polish company, Templar’s Gear. The outer packaging is simple, just a polythene self-sealing bag with clear labelling. In the current climate of recycling and not using unnecessary packaging, this is a good move as most people simply discard the packaging.

Once I got past the packaging, I had a very nice, cleanly and well-made pouch. The main part of the pouch is made from a laser cut laminate material. The stitching is clean and neat with no straggly ends. For the sides of the pouch Templar’s Gear have used a plastic U-shaped moulding through which the elastic shock cord passes and then on through the laser cut slots in order to provide an adjustable tension. This adjustability gives the user plenty of options as to how much tension/retention they wish to employ.

My usual go to is just as it was made and I don’t adjust it until well after my initial tests, if at all. I also prefer to have pouches without the elastic retention tab that goes over the base of the magazine to provide even more security. The tab to weave the pouch onto MOLLE loops is tucked inside the pouch when you get it. The pistol pouch requires one loop and two rows of MOLLE to fix securely to your vest or MOLLE belt.

The front of the pouch has slots cut to allow you to double stack pouches should you need to do this. My preference is to only single stack pouches to keep a lower profile.

My first consideration is how well can the pouch retain a fully loaded magazine before I fit the pouch to my vest or belt. I hold the pouch by the closed end and see how well it retains the magazine. I was able to get quite violent with the action and the magazine stayed in place, almost taunting me to go harder.

I then fitted pouches to both my FRV Tailoring “Shooters Belt” and my armour carrier. This was really simple and carried out very quickly. I then donned my belt kit and carried out a number of magazine draw and replace drills.

There was a good ‘grip’ on the magazine from the pouch but not too much that would hinder a clean and smooth draw.

My preferred method to replace the magazine is to place the back of the magazine on the rearward part of the mouth of the pouch. This gives me a good and positive feel that the magazine is in the correct place.

Pushing backwards slightly and rotating the magazine to a vertical position, it slips in smoothly. In practice and stressful situations this is important if you have to carry out a “reload with retention”.

The pouches I received were the TG-FMPDS-BL, single pistol pouch in black. They should be found retailing at £20 or under and when you compare that to the cost of the original HSGI Taco you save around £10 on each pouch. This is a really good price for a pouch that is, in my opinion, equal to the original ‘TACO’.

Templar’s Gear offer the pouch, and a lot of other products in a large range of camouflage and solid colours that will allow you to use their pouches on a large number of carriers and belts that are on the market.

I’m really looking forward to putting the pouches through their paces in practice sessions to come.

I’ve recently received a handful of Templar’s Gear laser cut pouches to test with my pistol and PCC magazines. The ones I received are black and I had selected the version without the elastic retention on the pouches. It is also possible to stack these pouches on top of each other, but my preference is to single stack them on my belt/carrier.

Firstly, when you open the packaging, you get a very neatly made and thought out pouch. The pouch resembles other types of pouches that use a front and back section which is interwoven with elastic cord to provide the tension to retain the magazine. The tab for weaving onto your MOLLE loops is tucked inside the pouch, so don’t have the thought of “damn, I didn’t order MALICE clips to go with them”. They are very easy to weave onto your gunfighter belt or vest/armour carrier and only require two rows in order to affix them securely. This is the same for the “Machine Pistol” pouch which is longer than the pistol version by approximately 1” (25mm).

First part of the retention test is to hold a pouch inverted with a fully loaded magazine inserted. I then see how much effort it takes to have the magazine come out. I was really impressed with how well the magazine was retained by the pouch, on the factory cord tension despite some quite violent shaking and movements. In the interests of making sure it wasn’t just one pouch that achieved this I checked a couple more as well and they all performed in the same way. The pouches were fitted to my vest and belt. The first thing I wanted to test was a simple draw from the pouch. This was smooth and I clearly felt the pouch ‘gripping’ the magazine.

Part two of the retention test included jumping up and down, also with twisting. The pouches performed well and this gave me plenty confidence that the magazine would have good overall retention. If I were younger and fitter then I may have tried a forward roll, but as we all know “they only roll in John Woo movies”.

The mouth of the pouch has plastic sides to assist in indexing the magazine onto the pouch before pushing it into the pouch.

I tried this a number of times, firstly looking where I was placing the mag and then “blind” by looking away while I put the mag into the pouch. This was easily achieved using both methods. I’m sure with more practice this will even be achievable in a “higher stress” situation. Part of my “drills” to practice with new pouches is “reload with retention” and to add a little more to it, this I carried out blindfold.

Fast Pistol Magazine Pouch, product TG-FMPDS-BL was UK£18 (approx.US$22.35) which is about a one third saving over the “TACO”. Templar’s Gear can supply these pouches in a number of camo and solid colour options.

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GEAR ON TEST

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WISPORT PACKS I recently looked at the Polish pack manufacturer WISPORT and found that they have not only a rich heritage, but are right at the tip of the spear, supplying elite units such as GROM with equipment that is both solid and dependable. To recap WISPORT have actually been making packs (as well as other items for the outdoor and hunting markets) since 1984 and certainly know their business!

Whilst they may not be so well-known in the UK and USA I think I can safely say that they have a “track record” for making good gear, one that the PMCI teams can personally attest to!

The “Sparrow 16 ”from WISPORT is the smallest of Sparrow backpack family and is the latest model; made of extremely durable 500D Cordura Nylon the main advantages of the Sparrow 16 backpack are removable, ergonomically shaped and lightly padded shoulder straps, a spacious hydration-compatible main compartment and multiple MOLLE attachment points.

The main compartment of Sparrow 16 comes with an internal hydration sleeve on the backside inner, a zippered pocket and multiple elastic loops for easy organisation. Additionally, above the sleeve pocket are a hook for the attachment of hydration system and a passage for the hydration hose or an antenna. The pack features a front compartment with zip closure, and multiple quick release buckles allow the backpack to be quickly dropped when required. The side compression straps allow the pack to be adapted to the size of carried kit and prevent it from shifting inside which may cause unnecessary noise, discomfort and disturbance to balance. On the front of the pack and side panels are multiple MOLLE strap attachments points, which allows for mounting various MOLLE accessories.

Moving up a notch to what I refer to as “Three Day” packs WISPORT have a whole heap of models in this important 30-50L capacity area, and my personal favourite of the bunch is the ZipperFox 40L. One of the more recent additions to WISPORTs line of military packs, the ZipperFox 40L was created as a modified,

slightly larger and more versatile, version of their Silverfox 30L model. Designed for medium duration trips or patrols, this new generation of single compartment tactical packs benefits from extremely lightweight and durable construction, high degrees of functionality and innovative technology.

The main feature of this unique pack is an inverted “U” shaped clamshell zip opening, which allows for quick and easy access to the main compartment from the top and both sides at the same time. Additionally the ZipperFox comes with re-designed Semi Adjustable System (SAS) Plus carrying system which now includes profiled straps, a removable buckled waist belt, rigid back construction and highly breathable padding. Thanks to the ergonomically profiled straps sewn in permanently, the pack provides excellent stability when carrying uneven or dynamic loads, which makes it an ideal choice for more challenging environments and activities.

The ZipperFox is fully hydration system compatible, with an easily accessible zippered hydration compartment, and is fully MOLLE compatible thanks to numerous webbing straps placed around the pack. This highly practical pack also comes with waterproof rain cover hidden inside the bottom compartment, side ski attachment straps (probably with other uses in the UK!) and multiple inner sleeves / zipped pockets for easy organization.

It represents a perfect storage/carry solution for anyone that needs to manage a larger load when the going gets tough!

With simple, well-thought-out packing solutions to full spectrum load-carrying hardware, WISPORT have the lot, and you can check everything out by simply visiting www.wisport. com.pl, and my sincere thanks go to www.military1st.co.uk for providing the test samples.

Since he retired from the active-duty military, Clint Steele has been on the hunt for the goldilocks of everyday carry bags. He’s been looking for a lowprofile bag, not to “tacticool” in nature, but capable of meeting his daily needs, whilst at the same time, maintaining the ability to keep special equipment on hand for when and if the need arises!

After several years of searching, not to mention the closet full of bags that I thought would be perfect, I think I may have finally found the one that I have been looking for, the Executive Protection Admin Bag from ZERT. The Executive Protection Admin Bag has been my everyday carry bag for almost a year now.

This excellent discreet war-bag was designed by a former U.S. Marine, current executive protection provider, and founder of ZERT (Zombie Eradication Response Team) Aaron Mauldin, who is known as XP001 by his ZERT team members. Aaron put his over 14 years of operational executive protection experience into the design of this pack. The Executive Protection Admin Bag is the answer if you are looking for a low-profile functional bag that can meet the needs of the professional security contractor the world over.

This teardrop-shaped sling bag measures approximately 16” by 12” with a single strap that runs crossbody from the lower left side of the body to over the right shoulder. The strap includes two pockets, one near the point where the strap sits on the left hip and one just above the center point of the wearer’s chest. The lower pocket is perfectly sized to fit a small battery charger or medical kit. The upper pouch is sized to fit a modern smartphone.

But can easily be used to store other items such as a tourniquet or as I have used it lately to hold two 21 round magazines for the SIG Sauer M-17 9mm Modular Handgun System pistol featured in this issue. As far as the actual pack itself, it consists of the large main pocket which measures the 16” by 12”. This main pocket has an internal divider which is covered in soft female

Velcro and attaches to the back of the pack. The Velcro allows the attachment of any of the millions of Velcro attached pouches or holsters currently on the market. Behind the divider sits a plastic insert, this insert helps the bag to maintain its shape, it also helps to provide the pack with some structure if it is being used to transport a firearm. Personally, it is in this section of the bag that I keep a Level IIIA soft body armor panel. Outside of the main pocket, the Executive Protection Admin Pouch has two additional pockets. At the top of the pack, there is a small zippered slash pocket that is perfect for keeping small items, such as a wallet or keys. Outside this small pocket are three webbing loops, the ideal place to put a carabiner to attach other objects too. Below the webbing loops is a larger outside pocket that is roughly half the height of the main pocket. The inside of the pouch has a two-inch-wide strip of elastic run down its center.

This elastic is attached to the bag at points approximately the width of an M4 magazine, providing a suitable platform from which to run any reloads for a primary weapon. Finally, located on the side of the bag opposite the zipper of the main pocket, there is a final pocket that runs the entire length of the bag and is meant to be unzipped when the main pocket needs to have more space. But I have found that it is the perfect place to store a thin jacket or extra water bottle.

All in all, I have found the Executive Protection Admin Bag to meet all the criteria needed in my search for the perfect my everyday carry bag. Its low-profile appearance and ability to blend into any location with attracting any undue attention, while at the same time, providing a purpose-built platform that can sustain any of my daily carry needs. I consider the time invested this year as being time well spent in really getting know capabilities of Executive Protection Admin Bag. Currently the Executive Protection Admin Bag is being manufactured for ZERT by Chase Tactical and is available in either black or Multicam black and retails for approximately USD 150.00 to find out more about the Executive Protection Admin Bag and other great products available from ZERT visit their website at https://zertnation.com

GEAR ON TEST

EXECUTIVE PROTECTION ADMIN BAG

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MAGPUL

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MAGPUL TERRAIN EYEWEAR PMCI is very pleased this time to welcome our good friend and fellow writer Varg Freeborn as a Guest Contributor; Varg is probably best known as a trainer and for his book “Violence of Mind”, but it turns out he’s also a pretty cool reviewer of the gear weall need too!

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’m pretty hard on eyewear. I live my life in the gym, on the shooting range, around the farm, around the horses, on the motorcycle, and in the forests of Central Florida so my eyepro takes a beating, to say the least.

Enter the Magpul Terrain eyewear.

Magpul is a company that I trust. They make the best AR mags in the industry, along with a multitude of other highly functional and aesthetically well-designed products for the military, law enforcement and civilians.

They are a world-class company that produces worldclass, rugged products for the toughest environments on the planet. When they got into eyewear, it was a nobrainer to check them out. My old Gas Cans were worn out (and played out) so I stepped up into the Magpul

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Terrain and, after 6 months of hard daily use, I could not be happier with these glasses.

Because of the nature of my activities and the climate that I live in, my sunglasses have to perform in several ways: UV protection from the Florida sun, ballistic impact protection on the range, around the farm and on the bike, scratch resistance and finish durability for everyday use, and finally they have to look good doing it! Magpul has not disappointed.

I opted for the bronze with blue mirror lenses. Bronze lenses offer the greatest flexibility between sunny and overcast days, which is great for a daily wear item.

The particular hues of the bronze lens provides greater clarity and depth perception, which makes it a perfect lens for known and unknown distance shooting, fishing and motorcycle riding; all activities that rely heavily on judging distance and seeing clearly to as far out as

The hands-down winner as my EDC, everyday wear set is the Magpul Terrain. The Magpul glasses are easily the most comfortable glasses I’ve worn. They are secure, even during vigorous activity, and are so comfortable you often don’t even feel them on your face. The Gatorz come in a close second for comfort, and the Oakley’s just feel clunky in comparison now. The best part is that after 6 months of daily wear including shooting, riding, working, hiking, being tossed on the seat of the truck, in the console, jammed in my ruck bag...after all this abuse there are not even visible scratches on the lenses.

I have no marketing allegiance to Magpul or any other company. I’ll wear the best glasses for the job. I don’t like changing glasses if I’m wearing different helmets or doing different jobs, so comfort and durability are the top concerns for me. While I do wear my Gatorz and Oakleys occasionally, catch me out and about at any given time and I will most likely be watching you through those blue mirrored Magpul Terrain lenses.

MAGPUL

possible. The contrast that brown gives to greens and blues makes them especially enjoyable to wear in Florida where the sun, the sky and the sea all come together for a beautiful scenery. The mirror finish reduces glare, lowering the strain on your eyes.

The Magpul lens and frame combination of the Terrain is ballistic rated to ANSI Z87+ and NATO MIL-PRF 32432 standards, meeting important high velocity impact protection and safety ratings. These are duty grade sunglasses, designed to fit well under helmets, ear protection and communications. That’s a lot of performance for glasses that have an MSRP of US$149.

But how do they stack up?

I have worn the Oakley Gas Cans for many years. When I finally lost that trusty pair of scratched up, finish-worn Gas Cans in a rental car while in Ohio teaching a force-on-force class at the Alliance Police Training Facility, I decided to see what was out there for eyewear. I ended up with three new pairs: Oakley GasCan, Gatorz Wraptor, and the Magpul Terrains, and I have had all three sets for the same 6 months.

So what was the verdict?

FARADAY SLEEVE

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FARADAY SLEEVE BY SILENT POCKET IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT PRIVACY IS DEAD, EVEN MORE SO SINCE THE WORLD-WIDE PANDEMIC THAT IS THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK. IT HAS BEEN COMMON KNOWLEDGE FOR YEARS THAT THE SMARTPHONE THAT HAS BECOME UBIQUITOUS IN THE MODERN AGE IS NOT ONLY CAPABLE OF MAKING CALLS, SENDING EMAILS, AND TAKING AN EXCELLENT PICTURE. IT IS ALSO BEING USED AS A SURVEILLANCE TOOL TRACKING OUR EVERY MOVE AS WE GO THROUGH OUR DAILY LIVES. -CS-

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ince COVID-19 stepped into our lives in the spring of 2020, it has become well-known that are movements are continuously being tracked and recorded. The 8 billion smartphones that are in use daily the world over emit the kind of data that our “well-meaning” governmental health authorities salivate over. The ability to know what cell phone was where and in the proximity of what other cell phone and when is a valuable data point during this world-wide health crisis.

It can be used to track the spread of this and any other natural assassins that are set loose on an unsuspecting world. But, beyond this “well-meaning” altruism, this same data can be used to track who is where, when by not so well-intended shadowy governmental agencies. The ability to make your digit footprints disappear and reappear at will is akin to the Indians tying leafy branches to their horse’s tails in those American westerns we all know and love. This technique would virtually erase their tracks, making it harder for those who would wish to track them.

We all know that one way to do this is to turn your phone off and remove the battery. Eliminating the power to the device and preventing it from registering on passing cell towers. But that is not always possible. I use an Apple iPhone, which has an internal sealed battery, making it impossible to remove the power supply from my phone. Even when the phone is placed in airplane mode or turned off, it is still possible to trace the movement of that phone. So, what is the solution to this problem?

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Back in January of this year. While in Las Vegas at the SHOT Show’s industry-only event. I had to opportunity to meet and speak with Aaron Zar, the Founder of a company named Silent Pocket. Silent Pocket manufacturers a whole line of products that can provide just that solution. In this issue of PMCI, we are going to take a quick look at Silent Pocket’s Faraday Sleeve for smartphones. These sleeves are the fastest and most secure way to make those digital footprints disappear and reappear at will. When the user’s device is placed inside one of these sleeves, it effectively blocks all cellular, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, RFID, NFC, EMR, EMF, and radiation being emitted from the device making the device virtually disappear from the digital space.

The Faraday Sleeve I received for review retails for US$59.95 and measures 7 ¼” by 4 ¼”, it easily fits my iPhone 11 with Mophie back-up battery case installed. I have had the opportunity to test and live with this Faraday Sleeve for about two months before writing this review, and the device has performed flawlessly. It has become a welcome addition to my everyday carry bag. It provides me with the ability to drop off the grid at a moment’s notice. As technology continues to evolve and our daily digital footprints grow, it is nice to have the peace of mind that I can shut off access to my whereabouts and remove myself from the digital landscape at will. If you are interested in obtaining your very own Faraday Sleeve for your smartphone or any of the other incredible products offered by Silent Pocket, check out their website https://silent-pocket.com/

‘Our Mission’ In 2018 it was identified that up to 20% of military personnel were suffering from mental health disorders such as PTSD CROPS Coffee was established as a way of supporting our troops past and present by donating all our profits to Veterans mental health charity Combat Stress Sometimes it’s all about the simple things in life and nothing makes you smile like a good cup of coffee to lift your sprits As a veteran own company, we are dedicated in supporting our troops, and would like to thank you for your support To purchase and support, visit

www.cropscoffee.com

IT’S A GREEN WORLD!

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IT’S A GREEN WORLD! Gear recommendations are all very well, but gear that’s been worn, tried, tested, and downright abused and comes back kicking and screaming for more certainly deserves a mention! In many of his pictures you’ll often see Bill in just simple, plain green, and his ongoing search for his perfect “green gear” continues, and he updates us now with his latest additions!

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lthough I spend a great deal of time working with gear that will make life easier for you I’m often asked what I use myself, and what goes into my selection process for clothing, footwear, gear and accessories. The simple answer to this is that I have a number of brands I’ve been using for years that work for me.

Please remember that I’ve been knocking around both the shooting and tactical gear scene for many moons, and time has really been on my side when it comes to my personal “gear locker”. Considerations for me though are always about the fitness for purpose of whatever bit of kit I’m looking at. If it’s boots they need to have great grip, and be comfortable and supportive. If it’s clothing it has to perform and by this I mean both the fabrics used to make it and the way it’s designed and put together. For load bearing gear it’s always toughness and modularity that come to the fore; I’m a real chest rig fan and although I have several models from different manufacturers, they’re all set up exactly the same so

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that what is carried sits in the same spot. Muscle memory is an important part of being slick in something as simple as a quick mag change, and knowing exactly what is where should become second nature.

My advice to you is to really find out what works for you and buy from brands that you trust; if you’ve not used a certain brand before then ask around as undoubtedly someone at your local range has, and knowing shooters they’ll be more than happy to tell you all about it!

FIRST LINE

IT’S A GREEN WORLD!

Now I’ve tried many different clothing brands over the years, but one that has become a firm favourite is Clawgear from Austria. I wanted to create a solid colour set of kit, and their RAL7013, or “Brown Grey” gear was, and is, very interesting. I contacted them from memory back in 2014 to see if I might test a few items and they kindly agreed to send a few key garments over to me, and this arrangement has continued to this day. This to me says an awful lot about any manufacturer; yes, Clawgear work with the very best in terms of fabrics, have amazingly high design and manufacturing standards, and offer an exemplary service, but would they come up with the goods? Many manufacturers claim what they do, but in many years of experience in this area I’ve learnt that few truly do; Clawgear though unequivocally do in every respect!

Before I go into the clothing itself you may be wondering what is “RAL7013” and why is this colour suddenly so popular?

In 1927 the German Reichs-Ausschuß für Lieferbedingungen und Gütesicherung (State Commission for Delivery Terms and Quality Assurance) invented a collection of standardised and numerically referenced colours which has been continually expanded from that day on. If you check out www.ralcolorchart.com and search for RAL7013 you’ll find it in the “Grey” palate; RAL provides a colour standard for all manufacturers to adhere to.

In the tactical world this colour works in a wide broad range of ways; although officially termed “Brown Grey”, in some lights it looks properly green, whilst in others it becomes more grey especially in low light settings. For professional end users the Brown Grey colour blends into a broad spectrum of environmental settings and can be perfectly combined with other block-colour or camouflage clothing or equipment. Brown Grey gear is becoming

increasingly popular because it works very effectively in all settings; it’s equally at home in towns and cities as it is in the backwoods, and if you look at images of either SWAT or HRT teams you’ll see a lot of “Ranger Green” which is broadly in the same palette, either as a standalone or mixed with black/tan gear. It’s a subtle and clever tone that allows the user to visually blend into their surroundings.

RAL7013 was until very recently though the colour predominantly used by the Austrian Armed Forces so it’s hardly surprising to see Clawgear, who are based in Steyr-Gleink, being at the forefront of this colour adoption. Clawgear are highly innovative in what they produce not just in terms of cutting edge design and their use of the most up to date fabrics but also in their choice of colour options.

The first garment I had from them was the Aviceda Fleece as a thermal layer; this lightweight mid-layer garment is still extremely comfortable to wear and the modern styling allows a full range of unrestricted movement. It’s made from a 100% polyester fleece fabric which looks and feels great, and high quality YKK zips are used throughout. The fleece itself is water repellent and breathes extremely well, making the Aviceda a superb layering piece. I especially like the low-profile hood which works perfectly in conjunction with a hard or softshell outer layer, effectively eliminating cold spots around the neckline. The Aviceda also benefits from two lower, mesh-lined handwarmer pockets, pockets on both upper arms with velcro patches for team/unit patches, and an inner pocket which allows routing for comms cables; the outer pockets are neatly trimmed with black fabric which gives the jacket a visually stunning appearance as well.

Weighing in at just 410g the Aviceda is easy to pack and takes up minimal space in a pack, so it’s absolutely ideal if you want to stow it away “just in case”. Overall it’s a superbly designed jacket made of high end fabrics and components, and the finish of it just oozes quality and attention to detail. If you’re in the market for a new performance fleece jacket in the very latest “tacticool” colour then I would thoroughly recommend you take a very close look at the Aviceda.

The second piece I had was the Melierax Hardshell Jacket; with some of the wettest winter months recorded in recent years the UK and Europe has provided the ultimate test for shell garments!

At just 430g the Melierax is a lightweight and versatile hardshell jacket engineered to protect you from wind, rain and snow. It’s been designed from the ground up to offer the very highest levels of protection in truly adverse weather conditions. The reduced infrared signature (NIR) makes this jacket applicable even for special operations use and the material selection was focused on rugged, lightweight performance fabrics and components with minimal pack size. The cut is modern and ergonomic and the design is excellent offering high levels of movement and mobility to work in harmony with the users body contours; if purchased over-sized it can even be worn over body armour!

The fabric choice is a durable nylon woven 3-layer rip stop fabric which also features a durable water repellent (DWR) coating. This wind blocking membrane offers high levels of waterproofness and breathability (10’000mm hydrostatic head/MVP 10’000g/m2/d) for optimal moisture management and has a comfortable backer on the inside. The jacket is fully seam sealed to prevent ingress of water and guarantees the best possible protection during use in demanding environments. All the outer zips are waterproof too, including pit zips which aid in mechanical venting and temperature regulation. The hood is fully adjustable and helmet compatible.

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IT’S A GREEN WORLD!

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Both sleeves feature a sleeve pocket and a hook & loop mounting panel for name tapes and unit/morale patches.

Large front pockets allow easy access even when wearing chest rigs or backpacks and there’s a neat inner pocket for keeping small essentials safe.

I’ve been using the Melierax on pretty much a daily basis now for a few years now and I have to report that the performance has indeed been excellent, even in the heaviest, wind driven downpours. Although the face fabric is light, soft and very quiet for a hardshell it’s also extremely durable; it’s been used regularly in the woods and I even had it covered in mud when I took a tumble on a wet, flinty chalk path on my local site (much to the amusement of the team!). When I got home and wiped it down it looked as good as new with absolutely no damage apparent.

The hood design is indeed first rate as once adjusted, whether you’re wearing a helmet or not, it moves with you when you turn your head. There are multiple adjustments so you can get the fit just the way you like it. The sleeve length is very good, with the fabric extending forward over the top of the hand; even if you’re not wearing gloves you can keep your hands dry and out of the wind simply by balling your fists. The hem dips backwards to the rear, giving good overall length, and the fit is 100% right in my opinion.

Under the Melierax I wear the Clawgear Operator Combat Shirt which was developed for one of their custom projects with a European Special Forces unit. Clawgear implemented the operator feedback and combined them with latest fabric developments and textile engineering methods. The result has been extensively field tested, further improved and subsequently issued to the unit. The shirt is an uncompromisingly designed combat-specific garment specially to be worn under body armour. Its Mil Spec NIR NYCO blend (50% polyamide, 50% cotton) and fire-retardant (FR) knit fabric (60% modacryl, 35% viscose, 5% elastane) combined

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with an anatomic fit provides great comfort and avoids pressure points. The sleeves and sleeve pockets have been completely new designed and feature articulated ergonomic design for even better comfort and mobility. Reinforced elbow areas can be equipped with removable elbow pads (available optionally). The deep zip collar is designed to be worn in different lengths for comfort and to prevent intrusion of dust, whilst the shoulder area is seamless to avoid pressure marks when wearing a backpack, plate carrier or chest rig. The FR knit fabric for torso also goes into the latest development stage with even better performance in terms of feel, moisture wicking and sweat absorbtion.

In terms of legwear I choose their Raider Mk.IV pant has which been designed to be simple and lightweight, featuring extremely useful features and offering the greatest possible comfort. They have an improved waist adjustment system with elastic components for better comfort and absorption of body movements. The pocket concept has been very well thought out indeed; cargo pockets have been extended with an additional compartment which is accessible from outside and holds a 30rd magazine for rapid access. Profound modifications apply to the knee area which is now equipped with a handy inward knee height adjustment. The modular knee pad compartment allows the use of a wide range of different knee pad inserts from different brands. Clawgear recommend the TRUST HP from D3O which features outstanding knee protection. The Raider Mk.IV Pant is made from a Polycotton blend (65% polyester, 35% cotton) which offers durability and the fit makes these pants suitable for all missions and everyday use as well. The belt area is optimised for rigger & safety belts as well as for suspenders. Front Pockets allow fast and easy access with gloves. Cargo Pockets provide a lot of space for your equipment and also include an extra zip-pocket. The inside knee area is equipped with Coolmax fabric to provide optimum sweat absorption. ‘YKK’ zippers and

‘Coats’ sewing threads have been used throughout, and all main seams are triple stitched for extra durability.

Clawgear are becoming far better known internationally and I can see why this is as what they produce is incredibly well thought out, beautifully designed with the user in mind, and impeccably put together using the best fabrics and components that last forever and a day! They really do offer a superb range of products which integrate superbly into a really wearable system, although conversely they are great as standalone pieces as well.

I would say that their dedication and adherence to incredibly high quality and service is really paying off for them; they’ve taken the more difficult path where others have taken the shortcut and their products really, really reflect this and are all the better for it.

LOADING UP!

excellent Rip Off Personal Medic Pouches, a front opening Admin Pouch, and a Cargo Pack with hydration compartment to my personal rig which pretty much covers all the bases.

I’ve been running my initial Multicam DCS setup for more years now than I care to remember, and even with regular and hard use in all types of environments the DCS has stood up exceptionally well and has provided top rate levels of comfort and functionality; this is a set of gear that comes with my complete recommendation!

I’ve really enjoyed building this set of gear over a few years and I’m pleased to report it has proved super-functional yet incredibly comfortable. I’ve gradually added more items to this particular set of gear such as a Clawgear Milvago heavierweight fleece and Rapax softshell jacket, some great belt kit from Direct Action (my now beloved and “go to” Mustang twopiece!), a couple of different size packs from Tasmanian Tiger and Direct Action, and when pennies allow I’ll be adding a Thunderbolt or Hurricane Hybrid Chest Rig, again from Direct Action to completely round out my options; after nearly six years of putting it together, of careful consideration and equally careful budgeting, this set of gear is FINALLY good to go!

For more information on the clothing please visit www. clawgear.com, and for the lowdown on the DCS head to www.warriorassaultsystems.com. Please also pay a visit to eu.directactiongear.com as the Polish “operators” are now offering some great gear in “Adaptive Green” that works perfectly too.

IT’S A GREEN WORLD!

Over the years I’ve been privileged enough to run a number of plate carriers and load carrying systems featuring integrated body armour protection, but one has become my personal favourite and that’s the DCS from UK based Warrior Assault Systems; this has become my default plate carrier design and the Ranger Green colour from WAS merges with the RAL7013 clothing perfectly.

The DCS (Dynamic Combat System) is a lightweight, low profile system which is rugged, yet ergonomically designed to provide exceptional comfort and functionality. Designed with direct input from active S.F. Operators the DCS is suitable for all types of operating environment and is available in a number of camouflage patterns, plain colours and platform specific configurations. As well as the Ranger Green version shown here with the WAS Open Top mag pouches, they also have closed top M4, G36 (which will carry 7.62mm mags) and AK specific setups available from stock. Fabrics and materials used are all top specification; 500D Cordura, MilSpec Webbing, UV and Mildew resistant nylon thread, and ITW military rated fixtures and fittings are used throughout. All the DCS variants are also US National Tactical Officers Association (NTOA) Certified, member tested and recommended.

The DCS can hold large size plates front and back, and has the ability to carry either “6 x 6” or “6 x 8” side plates. NEXUS N.I.J. Level 3a Front, Back and Side Armour can also be used with I.C.W. style Plates and for additional protection against I.E.D.s in the real world; medium dummy plates from J-Tac Custom fit perfectly for airsoft use though . The shoulders are fully adjustable and have an Emergency Release on one side which frees the left hand side shoulder section and allows you to remove the whole fully loaded, rig without having to remove a helmet if you’re wearing one. The Side sections of the DCS are fully adjustable for size and can be adjusted in less than fifteen seconds! 3D Spacer Mesh lining is used for comfort and allows body heat to move away from the body surface while assisting in air flow to provide cooling. Even when fully loaded and ready for bear this rig is extremely comfortable to wear for extended periods of time.

The DCS was developed to be worn in tandem with the WAS Frag Belt and their range of harnesses (I use one of their low profile MOLLE versions with their Universal Pistol Holster and Dump Pouch) which are sold separately and are also great value for money. You can purchase the DCS rigs on their own, or as a ready set up, complete system. The DCS DA 5.56mm (Direct Action) comes as standard with five Open Mag Pouches for 5.56mm Mags (inc PMAGs and EMAGs), and two Small Utility / Medic Pouches. I’ve added a large Utility Pouch, one of WAS’s

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SPARTAN BLADES: RONIN SHINTO

RONIN SHINTO By now, many of our readers are aware of the knife company elite professionals around the world are using, Spartan Blades, and their new venture joining forces with Ka-Bar to create Pineland Cutlery. Our reviews of their top-notch products over the years have introduced thousands of private contractors, military personnel, law enforcement and civilians alike to this company and their “built with intent” knives. -TS-

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ounded by two genuinely great Americans, Mark Carey, and Curtis Iovito, both gentlemen are retired US Army Special Forces snipers who have seen places most people cannot point out on a map, all in the name of freedom.

One of the many impressive things about the Spartan Blades crew is their ability to collaborate with a wealth of talent from outside designers to come up with the next generation of iconic blades.

People like Les George and the legend himself, Bill Harsey Jr have joined Mark and Curtis in the past to create blades like the Spartan-George Dagger, the Spartan-Harsey Difensa, the Spartan-Harsey Dagger reviewed recently here in PMCI Magazine and of course my daily carry fixed blade, the SpartanHarsey Tactical Trout.

Recently, Spartan Blades has teamed up with renowned martial artists and firearms tactics trainer, Tu Lam. The mission: To create a new take on the classic combat utility knife that serves as a well-balanced and functional fighting tool for the operator’s arsenal. This collaboration may be new, but the bond between these three men has deep roots from Mark, Curtis and Tu serving together during their time in Okinawa as members

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of the US Special Forces. To understand this new Spartan Ronin Shinto blade, we must first look at the man behind Ronin Tactics, who sat down to collaborate with Curtis Iovito in designing this modern production utility knife.

TU LAM: THE MAN BEHIND THE BLADE

What can be said of a man who devoted his life to the way of the warrior? As a retired, US Army Special Forces (Green Beret) assaulter after 23 devoted years to our country, Tu is one of the premier military, law enforcement and civilian firearms and hand to hand combat trainers in the county as the driving force behind of Ronin Tactics. In addition, Tu lends his talents as host of the History Channel’s hit television show, Forged and Fire: Knife or Death. Hell, Tu is even a playable character in the latest Call of Duty video game!

Tu Lam has spent deployments surviving harsh jungle environments such as the Philippines and parts of Africa learning how to adapt to his surroundings, the people within it and figuring out how to turn liabilities into assets. Tu is a softspoken warrior that seems to balance inner peace with a honed razor-sharp tactical mind that knows when to teach, when to

REBIRTH OF THE COMBAT UTILITY KNIFE

RONIN SHINTO SPECS Designers: Blade Length: Blade Thickness: Blade Steel: Blade Hardness: Blade Style: Coating: Earth) Handle Material: Sheath: Weight:

Tu Lam / Curtis Iovito 5 5/8” 3/16” CPM S35VN 58-60 HRC Fixed Re-Curve PVD – Tungsten DLC (Flat Black) or ZrN (Flat Dark Black CE Canvas Micarta® Lined Nylon MOLLE sheath or Kydex with Belt Loop 0.558 LBS

RONIN SHINTO TRAINER SPECS Designer(s): Blade Length: Blade Thickness: Blade Steel: Blade Style: Coating: Handle Material: Sheath: Weight:

Tu Lam / Curtis Iovito 5 1/2” 3/16” 6061 Aluminum Fixed Re-Curve Anodized Red Black Delrin NONE (Fits Nylon Sheath, NOT KYDEX) 0.280 LBS

SPARTAN BLADES: RONIN SHINTO

fight and when to let things pass. This can be seen in all aspects of his professional endeavors from videos, television shows and most importantly in how others in his circle such as Mark Carey and Curtis Iovito describe and speak of him. When I was tasked with reviewing the Spartan / Ronin Shinto, these were the hallmarks in which I expected the blade to live up to. As you will read further, I was not disappointed.

As a highly trained fighter first and foremost ahead of everything else Tu Lam’s success surrounds him with these days, he brings his knowledge, skills, and experience to creating the Ronin Shinto, a well-rounded utility / combat fighting knife. Shinto meaning, “The practice of establishing a connection between the ways of the old and the ways of the new.” The goal of this project’s design was to blend the old ways of fighting knife design with the modern needs of a combat utility knife.

This fixed blade knife features a defined re-curve design along its 5 5/8” edge. It features a deep choil between the tang and edge to allow the forefinger to guide the knife quickly on and off target with pinpoint precision as well as apply pressure closer to the blade edge when doing fine motor skill work. Weighing in at just over a half pound, the Ronin Shinto not only hacks and chops well, it also strikes quickly and handles reverse direction strikes without lag or slop. With a squared back to the blade with a thickness of 3/16”, this is knife was constructed to allow ease of striking ferro rods with ease for making fires. The recurve design allows for a direct application for deep hacking and cutting that a traditional straight edged utility knife cannot offer. Constructed of CPM-S35VN steel, each blade is double dipped in a cryogenic treatment and comes in at 58-60 HRC on the hardness scale. No cheap, brittle steel here!

The Shinto has a full tang design which is offered in two colors options, Tungsten DLC (Flat Black) and ZrN (Flat Dark Earth). Each finish is applied using an exceptionally durable and weather resistant PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating to ensure years of reliable service, even in the harshest environments. There are also two different materials to choose from for carry options. The first is Kydex and being a Nylon constructed sheath option. (Note, due to thickness between “live” blade grind angle and the trainer’s squared off, blunt edge, the Kydex sheath will not allow the trainer to be used interchangeably.) Those wishing to upgrade to a leather sheath, Spartan Blades does offer a gorgeous option similar to that of a traditional Ka-Bar style sheath sold separately on their website from Chattanooga Leather Works.

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SPARTAN BLADES: RONIN SHINTO

In skilled hands, the balance of the Ronin Shinto simply feels “right”. The balance point is located right at the integrated guard of the black Canvas Micarta scales. Unlike other designs of its size, when choking up on the finger choil, the Shinto handles more like a smaller CQB blade while still offering the utility of a traditional combat knife in whittling and craving. It can deliver amazingly fast yet deep cuts on target and allows for the hand to completely direct the knife and not the other way around.

Tu Lam has famously demonstrated in online videos how he anchors the sheath via 550 cord to his belt and carries the blade at an angle inside of the front of his pants. This closely resembles the front tucked carry of Samurai with their Katanas as Tu shows a fast-striking motion from the draw of the blade from its sheath. To return to the carry position, he simply sheaths the blade and returns the entire unit tucked back into his waistband. For my personal applications and training, the knife works best lashed to my battle belt or gun belt in a horizonal carry for better comfort and discreet draw.

FINAL THOUGHTS

The profile of the blade edge offers a handy design for feathering sticks for fires, splitting wrist-size wood for creating kindling for fires and sharpening larger branches for tent poles, stakes, and other needed items. Due to the heavy intended use construction, the rear of the blade is wide enough to provide a solid point for moderate batoning through thicker wood as well.

The added lanyard hole and 550 cord wrist loop was a welcome addition to the design when hacking on large pieces of wood. (If carrying solely for self-defense purposes, I would remove the lanyard for better hand to hand and grip transitions.)

Despite having a good texture to the scales, without a lanyard during labor intensive utility tasks, the knife over time could slip from your hand and fall into the underbrush if you

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were making camp in thick forest or deployed in a jungle setting. The overall feel of the blade however is hard to forget its combat fighting dual purpose when due to the comfort and ease of transitioning from various grip positions almost effortlessly as you would use it in fighting.

During my time working with the Ronin Shinto in my personal training and as a teaching aid in our classes, I have really come to enjoy the reach advantage it offers while still allowing for fast, close quarter movements. Its fast upon deployment and cuts deep. Every inch of the Ronin Shinto’s construction, from the ground up, is expertly designed as a hard use utility tool while still retaining the ability to be a well-rounded fighter.

Despite its utility application, I really like this knife more for its balance and handling as a self-defense tool. Through its daily tasks during testing and impressive ease in which the trainer and the live blade perform strikes and CQB work, I am reminded of a famous quote from another History Channel: Forged in Fire cast member, Doug Marcaida, “It will kill”.

Retailing for US$350, this blade falls in the Elite Grade series next to other famous Spartan collaboration blades featuring CPMS35VN steel. Its unique style and purpose-built design easily set it apart from the others in the series. The Ronin Shinto Trainer retails for US$120 and offers a true one to one scale ratio for safely working with the Shinto design. In my opinion, it is a “must have” if you are going to work with the “live” blade.

To learn more, visit www.SpartanBladesUSA.com and www.

RoninTactics.com for more information about the Spartan Ronin Shinto blade and the proper training needed to make full use of the blade’s design. Until next issue, keep your blade sharp and your mind deadly!

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Journey to Perfection

THE LEATHERMAN MUT

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THE LEATHERMAN MUT Leatherman has been a staple in my family for as long as I can remember. My father always had a standard Wave model on his hip he would flip open at a moment’s notice. After serving his time in the US Air Force, then later as Daytona Police Department, he honed his craft as a computer security specialist. Both on the job and at home, every tool on his Leatherman was put to use. I would join the Air Force as well, signing on with Security Forces and while at my first duty station I acquired my own, the Leatherman Mut, specifically. -JM-

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hat I knew about my father’s Leatherman was learned when I was gifted one as a hand-me-down just in time for the Boy Scouts. It has a standard pocket knife style set up. Each of the tools were carefully tucked away inside an arm of the multi-tool, flatly flushed side by side with a pair of pliers taking up the center. This is not the case with the Mut as it takes a more creative and elegant approach to its design.

While closed, it is approximately five inches in length, weighing eleven ounces and can slide into a pocket with a clip on one side to hold it in place. It has a retractable lock to hold the tool properly closed. Personally, I prefer this over the pouch on my belt when off duty. It does, however, come with a sand colored pouch that will not appear out of place on a standard multi-cam plate carrier.

The Mut maintains its compact attribute with creative compartmentalization. Within this multi-tool are a pair of pliers that hold traditional functions such as hardwire, standard wire cutting, and electrical crimping. This specific plier set also holds a cleaning rod/brush adapter housed

THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB!

There are a few versions of this, including the Mut EOD. Each one is priced in the US$145-165 range depending on which online store you look through. On the official website it has an average

rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. By comparison, the most expensive multi-tool on Leatherman’s website is US$274, the Collector’s Edition PST which has fourteen tools and the lowest is US$24, the Micra, a keychain with ten tools.

The Mut has sixteen. It is a tool I have used for nearly ten years and I would recommend to any firearm user. It is worth noting the Mut EOD has fifteen tools, and is not a version I have experience with. Though it does have a higher rating on Leatherman’s website for, roughly, the same price.

For law enforcement professionals, the belt cutter will prove useful in expeditiously exiting from your vehicle while under fire or other such emergency. Prior to a deployment or special duty assignment I had been issued a seat belt cutter, so having an extra on my Mut was hardly a bad thing. The hammer feature would prove equally useful for bashing through a windshield, to either remove yourself from an upturned vehicle or rescue someone else trapped in theirs.

For the civilian weapons user, the carbon scraper and disassembly punch will be worth the sticker price. During my service, the weapons I usually carried were the M4 Carbine and M9 Beretta. For my regular cleaning, especially after firing, I have used the carbon scraper to make short use of the steady accumulation of carbon on the tip of the M4 bolt after firing. I found it far more effective to slide the sharpened edge along the curving angles, slicing through and under the carbon buildup, than any tool the armory could provide.

It wasn’t common knowledge to know how to remove the M4 trigger assembly, so it was rarely done by me or my peers.

However, once I learned from one of the range instructors, using

THE LEATHERMAN MUT

on the outer side. Misplaced the T-bar handle for your cleaning rod? The pliers, as well as one side of the multi-tool, can hold the one end of a rifle cleaning rod. The entire tool can be used as an impromptu handle.

One leg of the multi-tool holds a stainless steel 420HC Combo Knife and saw, not unlike the standard Wave. Though with a Wave or otherwise similar multi-tool, there are a series of screwdriver heads that fit alongside the knives. There are a total of three attachments, each holding a head on either end. One of them is housed between the blades. The measurements for this are Torx #15 and Hex 7/64”. This and the others (which are Phillips #1-2 & 3/16” Screwdriver on one and Phillips #2 & 1/4” Screwdriver on the other) can be inserted into an opening on the tip of this leg to act as a screwdriver.

Both knives have a lock beneath them that clicks in place when fully opened. Push down on the lock and the blade can be sheathed again. The other leg holds the two Phillips screwdrivers, carefully tucked away in a conspicuous pocket next to a bronze in color carbon scraper and a stainless steel disassembly punch, more on those in a moment. At the end of this leg are a cutting hook, bottle opener that doubles as a carabiner and hard, flat end which can be used as a hammer. The edge of this hammer can also be used as a bolt override tool, to easily clear jams on an AR-15.

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THE LEATHERMAN MUT

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the disassembly punch for the lower receiver helped appease that OCD side of my head that demanded those hard to reach spots in the lower receiver be cleaned. There’s only so much that could be done with pipe cleaners or cleaning patches.

What is an additional benefit of this disassembly punch is: it can be unscrewed. While taking apart and removing the trigger assembly, I would hold the pieces’ place with the punch after using the hammer feature of the Mut to force out the rod holding it all in place.

Each leg of the Mut is thin enough to fit inside the bottom opening of a rifle’s pistol-grip. Say, for example, you’re taking your weapon to the range for some recoil therapy. You’re standing on the firing line and notice a looseness in the grip.

Whip out a Mut with a flick, attach one of the Phillips heads to tighten the grip and you’re back to firing, barely a feather ruffled.

Though for me, outside of the weapons cleaning, the most use my Mut received was during my deployment to Kandahar Airfield during the winter of 2015 to 2016. Every Friday night at the dining facility they served steak and crab legs. Very little of my day to day work included wire cutting or electrical crimping.

But the pliers brought just the right amount of pressure to crack a leg open while also being easy to clean afterwards.

With a total of six screwdriver heads, capable of being used on any such weapon, and the cleaning rod/brush adapter, makes the Mut a near total cleaning and weapons upkeep kit capable of fitting in your pocket. It has potentially lifesaving tools that can be used practically and easily in emergency situations.

Currently retailing for US$144.99 for a brand new Mut, I continue to use mine, still in as good of condition as it was when I first received it nearly ten years ago. It has practical applications for service members, emergency responders, and the average gun owner. Check out their website at www.leatherman.com for more information and available tools, including a twenty-five year warranty, and a complementary 3/8” wrench for applying or adjusting your weapon’s optic.

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SIG- SAUER P320 / M17

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SIG- SAUER P320 / M17 My fascination with firearms started as a byproduct of my love of history, specifically military history. One of the first firearms I owned was a Colt 1911A1. Yep, I started as one of those guys. Heck, I think most of us that grew up in the ‘80s watching the old black and white World War II movies, like “The Longest Day” about the allied invasion on D-Day, wanted one of those pistols! -CS-

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lash-forward about 40 years, my fascination with military sidearms continues. While I still love those heavy steel and wood firearms of yesteryear. Now, it is the latest and greatest that piques my interests. In that vein this issue, we look at the newest U.S. Army service pistol of choice, the SIG-Sauer M17.

The M17 came out of the infamous Modular Handgun System (MHS) trials seeking a replacement for the now-retired Beretta M-9 pistol. The MHS trails required the entries to provide a non-caliber specific pistol that had modular features (hence the name “Modular Handgun System”) that would allow for the adaptation of different fire control units, pistol grips, and different magazine options. The weapon was required to be able to fit different hand sizes and be able to mount accessories such as lights and lasers on a forward-mounted Picatinny rail system and be able to be operated with a sound suppressor mounted. Finally, the requirements also specified the pistol be finished in a non-reflective neutral color. In a past article, we looked at Glock’s entry into the MHS trials, the Glock 19X. Which is sometimes sarcastically referred to as the “Peanut Butter Glock.” This time, we are going to look at the entry that won the contract.

I first handled a sample of the M17 at the 2020 SHOT SHOW in Las Vegas, and I was immediately impressed. But, beyond its appearance, I was not expecting to like this gun as much as I now do. Why might you ask? Well, I have never been a big fan of SIG’s pistols. See, I am a left-handed shooter, and historically SIG has overlooked us, southpaws. Most of their designs feature the controls on the wrong side of the gun for us. I know it is rather petty, but it’s always been a turn off for me. I decided that I would go into this with an open mind and give the Army’s new service pistol a try. And, man, am I glad I did! Designed to take part in the Modular Handgun System trials, and it is for that reason that the M17 has ambidextrous thumb safety and slide release. The M17 is based on SIG’s successful striker-fired pistol, the P320.

SIG- SAUER P320 / M17

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

6MM TRAINER

In discussions with SIG about obtaining a test sample, we were informed that our request was going to be delayed a bit as SIG was pushing hard to supply the Army with their pistols. But, while waiting, they would provide us with one of the M17 6mm BB “airsoft trainer” pistols to check out. I had not used airsoft since my youth, and I figured it couldn’t hurt to give it a try. What I received except for the orange-tipped barrel was a perfect replica of the M17 service pistol. This 6mm version was the ideal way to get to know the M17. It gave me a chance to get to know some of the pistol’s little quirks. It is my opinion that this trainer provided me with a shortcut to the learning curve with the Army’s new

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SIG- SAUER P320 / M17

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service pistol. It was with the 6mm trainer version that I was able to get used to M17’s ambidextrous manual thumb safety.

I found that my thumb rides on it naturally when I assume a proper firing grip. Immediately in front of the thumb safety is the slide lock.

While I was concerned at first that the two controls were too close together and it might get confusing, I have had zero issues hitting the wrong button at the wrong times. It was because of the time that I spent with the 6mm version of the M17 that I was comfortable with our “real steel” version when it arrived.

The test sample SIG provided us is their civilian version of the M17, which is an exact duplicate of the Army’s new service pistol with a few minor exceptions. Most noticeably of which is the markings on the slide, instead of simply being marked as a P320. This pistol comes out marked SIG SAUER P320 / M17.

While it is worth mentioning, it has absolutely nothing to do with the operations of the firearms and quite frankly who cares what the slide says. It will do the job it is intended to do quite well. Other items of note about the appearance of the pistol are its coyote tan PVD coated stainless steel slide and black controls.

The P320 / M17 comes standard with SIG’s excellent SIGLITE front night sight and a removable night sight containing rear plate which allows the end-user to install a red-dot sight if so desired.

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The heart of the P320 / M17 is its innovative chassis system. This chassis system allows the trigger assembly to be moved to different frames and grip sizes or modules as SIG refers to them.

This modularity enables the individual shooter to customize their interface with the firearm. Legally, it is this chassis that is serialized and the “firearm” part of the P320 / M17 system.

Our test sample shipped in a plastic SIG case with one 17 round magazine and two 21 round magazines, owner’s manual, cable lock, and a yellow M17 morale patch.

SPECS

MODEL: CALIBER: MAGAZINES: SIGHTS: OVERALL LENGTH: OVERALL WIDTH: HEIGHT: BARREL LENGTH: WEIGHT (OZ): SIGHT RADIUS: ACCESSORY RAIL: TRIGGER ACTION: GRIP MODULE:

320F-9-P320 / M17-MS 9mm Luger (1) 17rd / (2) 21rd Steel Mags SIGLITE Front / Night Sight Rear Plate 8.0 in (203 mm) 1.6 in (41 mm) 5.5 in (139 mm) 4.7 in (119 mm) 29.6 oz (833 g) 6.6 in (168 mm) M1913 Striker fire Carry Polymer Medium

RANGE TIME

Taking the SIG P320 / M17 to the range the first time was enlightening. Having tons of time on other service pistols, including my uncomfortable intimacy with the venerable Beretta M9 that was my everyday companion on my last deployment to Afghanistan. I found the P320 / M17 to be an extremely comfortable pistol to shoot. This safety’s engagement is very positive and gives an excellent noticeable click when actuated. The trigger has a short take up ending at a very solid wall with a crisp break and quick reset. The accuracy is everything one would expect from a SIG firearm. At seven yards, I was consistently nailing the little 2” by 3” orange sticker I had placed on the target silhouette with ease. I was impressed with the clarity of SIGLITE sights and how easy it was to re-acquire a crisp sight picture for follow-up shots. After about 30 rounds or so, I started working through controlled double taps and then came to a few mag dumps fast enough to run dry quickly, but not too fast as to lose defensive accuracy.

Reliability was perfect, in that initial trip to the range the P320 / M17 digested approximately 300 rounds of 124 grain 9mm NATO from different manufacturers, included in the mix was about 60 rounds of SIG’s Elite Ball FMJ without a single hiccup.

FINAL THOUGHTS

When I receive a new pistol for a review, I want to live with the gun for several months before I pass judgment and document it for you, the readers of PMCI. What do I mean by that? Once I have completed my initial familiarization fire

and shoot the pistol for “qualification,” I immediately make it my EDC pistol for the duration of the test period. So, for the last several months, this has been my daily carry gun. While the P320 / M17 is a rather large pistol when using the right holsters, it disappears under a t-shirt, which let’s be honest here is the swampy terrain of North Florida is just the way we dress. Where the pistol excelled in carrying for me was tucked inside the waistband with a Survivor Creek Tactical holster in the appendix position. The weight kept the pistol positioned correctly, and I could access it in nearly any seated or standing position. Giving me a solid piece of mind knowing I would be fully prepared to react to an immediate threat situation with a reliable service pistol loaded with 17 rounds of 9mm goodness on tap.

With an MSRP of somewhere in the US$700-800 range, this might seem steep for a service pistol but consider several things first. Most service pistols retail around the US$500 – 600 price point before shooters commonly spend another US$500ish on average to enhance their gun. Frequent upgrades include smoothing out the trigger, adding better sights, adding an ambidextrous safety (if applicable), purchasing a third magazine, adding a mag well and changing out the typical factory black finish only to end up adding an additional USD 400 - 500 to their factory gun. Right out of the box, the P320 / M17 is the complete package. For this shooter, the SIG P320 / M17 is a highly capable and recommended handgun for everyday personal defense carry whether that’s on a battle belt or in a concealed carry holster. To find out more about the P320 / M17 and other great products from SIG SAUER, visit their website at https://www.sigsauer.com/ and discover the one that best fits your needs.

SIG- SAUER P320 / M17

BARREL MATERIAL: Carbon Steel SLIDE FINISH: Coyote PVD SLIDE MATERIAL: Stainless Steel

ENDOSNAKE BORESCOPE

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ENDOSNAKE BORESCOPE: THE NEXT GENERATION OF GUN CLEANING A true hallmark of a warrior from any time is in how they prepare and maintain their weapons for battle. The samurai of Japan, for example, were known for their ceremonial cleaning and preparation of their swords for battle. In our modern age of firearms, every Law Enforcement officer and military service member learns early on in basic training to regularly maintain and inspect their rifles, shotguns, and handguns for duty. It is not only good practice but has always seemed to be integrated into the warrior’s universal code. -TS-

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lthough the weapons have gotten more complex, it seems we have remained anchored to generational evolutions of the classic rod and patch tools spawned from the days of black powder. While there have been some helpful accessories and chemicals to help ensure gun owners can keep their tools up and running, we have always been limited with limited visual confirmation of the tight chambers, rifled barrels, and dark crevasses that make up a firearm’s critical internal mechanics. To attain a more in-depth visual assessment, it has always been difficult and expensive to inspect a rifle barrel’s lands and grooves for rifling wear and possible damages such as bulges and cracks. Thankfully, I came upon an online ad for a product a few months ago called the EndoSnake. This device puts a relatively inexpensive tool in the hands of firearm owners that offers a more thorough and helpful point of view.

This product is an endoscopic camera system (relax and

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unclench people, it’s for guns, not you!) that is 3.9 mm in diameter powered by a USB source, much like your battery packs or laptops. These products are offered in 3 ft, 6 ft and 12 ft lengths to fit in a handgun, long arms, cannons or even drains and pipes. The product is marketed as water and weatherproof as well as able to withstand most cleaning agents and clogged

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Alarm Action FTP Photo Technology Pinhole Sensor CMOS Dimensions(mm) 3.9 mm diameter / 3 ft, 6 ft & 12 ft lengths Power Supply(V) 5V DC via USB Camera 0.3 Megapixel Waterproof Level IP67 OS Windows Mobile OS Android / iOS Connectivity USB(Type C/A/2.0)/Wifi Special Features Waterproof & Weatherproof Audio Output 1CH BNC USB powered WiFi-enabled power source $29 WiFi box for Android, iPad and iPhone application www.endosnake.com

ENDOSNAKE IN ACTION

About a week after ordering the EndoSnake, it arrived at my office, ready for duty. As I unboxed the equipment, I was impressed by the compact hard cases each camera was packaged in as well as the WiFi power source. These kept cables untangled and protected from damage inside my range bag. While the battery pack charged via the supplied USB cord, I plugged the camera directly into my laptop. I accessed my camera feature on the computer and clicked on the camera option to see the EndoSnake display.

The six tiny LED lights surrounding the camera lens brightly illuminated the bore to my AR-15 and displayed crisp striations on the rifling left by previously fired ammunition. The 3.9mm cable moved quickly down the barrel as I was able to inspect the entire barrel length and into the chamber, starting from the muzzle end. I then inserted the camera into the rifle’s action to get a great look at the hard to see locking lugs locked forward of the chamber. It was a bit of a bruise to my ego that my seemingly perfect process for detailing an AR chamber missed on a couple of corners inside two of the notches. (Side note, the star cleaning tool from Otis Technology is worth its weight in gold to prevent this.)

What I like most about the EndoSnake’s 3.9mm size is that it equals roughly to a .15 caliber diameter. For my two lever actions and three bolt action rifles chambered in .17 caliber,

ENDOSNAKE BORESCOPE

pipes in your home. The tool is equipped with a pinhole fullcolor camera, which can be used to take still photos and videos. The camera is surrounded by six tiny little LED lights to illuminate even the darks of corners for the live feed video to provide essential details. After seeing the videos and promos online, I had to order one.

ENDOSNAKE BORESCOPE

pmcimagazine.com

this is the perfect tool to make sure these tiny bores are truly clean and in good shape. Due to the smaller size chamber and bore, it does not take as much to cause extremely fouling and malfunctions, such as squibs, as it does their larger counterparts.

It only takes one squib (round in which the cartridge pressures are not strong enough to send the projectile clear of the bore) to block the barrel well enough to cause a following fired round to cause a catastrophic failure. For the first time, I was able to see exactly how much wear and residue is left in the barrels after merely wiping them out with a BoreSnake from Hoppe’s. From now on, every time I shoot these rifles, they get a thorough cleaning before being put back in the gun safe.

The ability to capture clear images and even video of what I saw live to share on our website and social media outlets when discussing gun cleaning and repair has proved to be invaluable.

The EndoSnake even ships with a small assortment of tiny specialized tools, including a mirror, hook, and magnet.

During my initial test phase with the EndoSnake, all of these came into play from having to fish an expensive pen from the space between my huge desk and wall with the magnet to inspecting a clog in my bathroom drain and removing it with the specialized hook. The mirror, despite how small it appears to be, worked very well for seeing at right angles and into tight spaces inside lever-action rifles. The ability to run the EndoSnake via the WiFi box and view on my Samsung Galaxy Note phone was priceless. I captured great photos and videos to transfer and study on my larger screen computer as well as share with others.

FINAL THOUGHTS

While I enjoyed working with the EndoSnake on my firearms, I will say this product is not the “end all” of electronic borescopes.

The fixed lens of the EndoSnake allows for a limited range view,

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but it is workable for inspections. Slow and steady is the key.

The software was as easy to use as locating the camera on my laptop or app on my phone and began viewing. I was able to take clear photos and videos of everything I was working on.

Best of all, I could also use the longer corded camera to check clogged pipes and air vents in my home without having to pay a professional hundreds of dollars to diagnose issues.

The non-firearm usage ended up being just as crucial to my everyday life as the intended purpose of the product purchase.

Other devices on the market are much better for quicker precision work but start at $800 and quickly go from there.

The EndoSnake puts a complete functioning endoscope into the hands of folks like you and me for around US$100. I equate this to using Craftsman tools in my garage to work on household tasks and minor vehicle maintenance compared to a professional mechanic investing in Snap-On Tools that cost four and five times as much. The extra cost for the mechanic is years of much more hard use as tools of the trade than I would ever put on my Craftsman tools. The EndoSnake is the everyday shooter’s tool rather than the veteran gunsmith.

Retail price for the standard EndoSnake with 3.9 mm diameter and 3-foot cable length was US $49 as the current sale price at the time. The EndoSnake comes in other diameters and lengths as well. The additional units run US$53 for 6 feet and US$59 for 15 feet. Other diameter options for larger camera units aside from the standard 3.9 mm unit are 5.5 mm, 7 mm, and 8 mm. To find out more about the EndoSnake products, visit www.EndoSnake.com to find which fits your needs best.

For the price and usefulness of this product, I suggest buying two, one of your toolbox, and one to gift a family member or range buddy for their birthday or Christmas. Find out for yourself why I consider this, the product for the gun enthusiast on your list that is hard to shop for during the holidays!

PMCI

BOOK REVIEW JUNGLE SOLDIER: THE TRUE STORY OF FREDDY SPENCER CHAPMAN his first book for Quercus, was published in 2007 with “Jungle Soldier” following in 2009

Paperback: 320 pages Publisher: Quercus Publishing Plc; UK ed. edition (27 May 2010) Language: English ISBN-10: 1849162085 ISBN-13: 978-1849162081

BOOK REVIEW

I am always totally fascinated and intrigued by stories about individuals who rise above the norm in extreme situations, and “Jungle Soldier: The True Story of Freddy Spencer Chapman” is one of those books that draws you in and won’t let you go.

Arctic explorer, survival expert and naturalist Freddy Spencer Chapman was trapped behind enemy lines when the Japanese overran Malaya in 1942, and rather than just rolling over and accepting his fate, one of potentially harsh and cruel captivity, his response was to become “missing believed killed” and to begin a guerilla campaign of such lethal effectiveness that the Japanese deployed an entire regiment to hunt him down, believing that a 200-strong raiding force was responsible for the wholesale destruction of their convoys!

Brought up in a rural vicarage surrounded by fells, falcons and ferrets in the UK, Freddy Spencer Chapman acquired a deep love of nature and became ‘fascinated by danger’ during childhood.

Thirty years later, as an SOE-trained guerrilla soldier of exceptional ability and courage, the orphan boy would prove to be one of the British army’s deadliest agents. In 1941 Chapman was dispatched to Singapore to train British guerrillas for the coming war with Japan.

Setting out from Kuala Lumpur on 7 January 1942 on a mission to sabotage Japanese supply lines, he became a veritable oneman army. Following Japan’s invasion of Malaya and the fall of Singapore in February 1942, Chapman found himself stranded.

Under these most desperate of circumstances, the man dubbed the ‘the jungle Lawrence’ by Field Marshal Wavell showed his bloody-minded talent for survival.

Relentlessly hunted by the Japanese army, he was wounded and racked by tropical disease, his companions were killed, or captured and then beheaded. Cut off from friendly forces, his only shelter the deep jungle where Chapman held out for three years and five months although he was afflicted by typhus, scabies, pneumonia, blackwater fever, cerebral malaria, dengue fever and ulcers before finally being rescued and evacuated to Ceylon on 13 May 1945. Chapman returned to Malaya by parachute in August to take the Japanese surrender at Penang.

Jungle Soldier is a unique and remarkable account of superhuman bravery and resourcefulness in adversity, the story of one amazing individual who would never give up, and certainly never surrender!

Brian Moynahan was an award-winning foreign correspondent and European editor with the Sunday Times. “Forgotten Soldiers”,

SKILLS & DRILLS

pmcimagazine.com

SKILLS & DRILLS After a short hiatus we are pleased to announce the return of our good friend and valued PMCI contributor Andy N who shares the experience he has gained both in the UK military and “on the circuit” as he recommences with his usual wry take on the “Skills and Drills” that are invaluable to any shooter!!

T

he world can be a hostile place at the best of times, even more so now with the COVID-19 pandemic hitting us all. For some, in our line of work, our workload has increased, for others the contracts have almost all dried up. For me, my reduced workload has given me a chance to focus on my firearms skills.

I retired from the circuit almost 6 years ago now and have taken to running mini firearms skills seminars in the UK aimed at the security sector. I’ve always tried to push the boundaries and go that little bit further in gaining knowledge to pass on to others and to further better myself.

While I was looking through some old skills and drills programs, I realised there was so much that I have done in the past that I don’t work on now. Old skills and drills that have been, for me, time forgotten. So I dusted off my notes and headed for the range.

I must admit that, although I used to teach these drills in the past, I still had to concentrate on performing them when they should have really come to me as second nature. The truth is, although these drills were familiar to me, because I hadn’t practiced them, they had perished. So I decided now was the time to go back to basics and re-teach myself what I had forgotten!

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Along with Tyke, my co-instructor, we set about putting a program together that focuses on the basic fundamentals and marksmanship principals. To begin with we just shot a few plates and criticised each other’s shooting performance. This criticism confirmed that we needed to take a back seat from advanced shooting applications for a while and polish up the skills that we already had. The problem with being an instructor is that you don’t always get the chance to hone your own personal skills. Now we had the range to ourselves it was heads down, magazines in and rounds down range.

The first thing we did was to study the mechanics and history of each drill before we started to go through a dry fire session.

Understanding the mechanics of a firearms drill is one of the important elements of the drill working. If you understand how the drill works, you can understand how to fix it if it’s not going to plan. The history, for me, is further developing my knowledge and gives me an understanding of how and why the drill was invented and introduced in the first place.

Once we were happy with what we were doing we went on to run the drill live. I know all this may sound a bit boring but, to be honest, I quite enjoyed the few days we spent on the range relearning and redeveloping our lost skills. Once we had finished with the drills and skills we had in our program we went on

applicable or de-cock if using a double action handgun before setting the weapon back on to the table.

DRILL 2 RIFLE/CARBINE GRIP

This drill is the same as the handgun drill but with the rifle/carbine.

Place the unloaded rifle on the table next to you. Practice reaching for the weapon with the strong hand maintaining a solid grip on the pistol grip as you do so. Remember to place the index finger of the strong hand along the lower receiver above the trigger. Seat the butt of the stock into the shoulder with your check resting on the stock with the head in the upright position. At the same time bring the weak hand or support hand up to meet the weapon with whatever grip you prefer. Regardless of hand placement, the grip should be solid and strong with the weapon being pulled tight into your shoulder. Here the marksmanship principles come into play.

DRILL 1 HANDGUN GRIP

This is a very simple drill to perform. You will need your handgun, magazine, rounds, a target, a table and your eyes and ear protection.

If you wear body armour and other protective equipment then it’s

1 The position and hold must be firm enough to support the weapon.

Don’t let the weapon jump around when it is fired.

2 The weapon must point naturally at the target without any undue physical effort. Naturally point the weapon rather than physically force the weapon onto target.

SKILLS & DRILLS

to run further drills from the DRY FIRE TRAINING CARDS program.

These cards put a bit of a twist to our drills sessions that we found thoroughly enjoyable. Along with the MantisX training system we felt like we had a good package to work with. In just a couple of days study in the classroom and on the range we had re-learned so much and realised that every now and then you should go back to basics and keep what you have learned in the past before you lose it. And you can bet your ass that when the time comes the skills you lost are the very skills you needed.

Over the next few issues of PMCI I want to reintroduce some of the basic drills and skills for you to practice and enjoy. I’m going to focus on training with 6mm training platforms as this is a suitable platform for everyone to train in all areas, whether you’re at work, on the range or at home. I’m not going to go over all the usual safety considerations as these should be practiced whenever you have firearms in your hand; safety should never be a skill you have to relearn! I’m going to jump straight in with the drills themselves.

It’s up to you if you want to shoot at steel plates or card targets but for the 6mm training handgun we are going to work from a 6 meter firing point and for the rifle/carbine a 10 meter firing point.

3 Sight alignment i.e. aiming must be correct. Keep the head upright with the correct eye relief on your sights. always a good idea to train with what you will be working with.

Set the table at 6 meters from the target and place the handgun unloaded on it. Stand on the firing point with the table to your strong side. Practice reaching for the handgun and presenting it to the target with a correct 2 handed grip. Take your time to focus on hand placement making sure there are no visible gaps on the grip.

The web of the thumb on the strong hand should be high up into the tang with a solid 3 finger curl on the front strap. As always the index finger should be straight along the frame if you are not pulling the trigger. Your weak hand or support hand should be placed under the thumb of the strong hand with the thumb along the frame of the weapon. Be sure not to come into contact with the weapons slide. The grip itself should be strong with 360 degrees of equal pressure from both hands. Bring the gun up to the target. Confirm that the grip is correct and if so place the weapon back on the table and repeat until you can perform the drill without fault. If it’s not correct, identity the problem, readjust the grip, recognise how it feels in the hand then repeat the drill. It’s always a good idea to have a training partner with you to spot any mistakes you may make.

Once you a comfortable with this drill you can go from dry training to live training. Be sure to apply any safety catches if

Keep the elbows tucked in as you bring the weapon onto target.

Confirm that the grip is correct and if so place the weapon back on the table and repeat until you can perform the drill without fault.

If it’s not correct, identity the problem, readjust the grip, recognise how it feels in the hands then repeat the drill.

Once you a comfortable with this drill you can go from dry training to live training. Be sure to apply any safety catches if applicable before setting the weapon back on to the table.

As these 2 drills are all about grip, don’t worry at this point about stance, sight alignment, trigger squeeze etc. These are designed to concentrate on the grip alone. Go slow, concentrate on what you are doing and what you are trying to achieve. Remember that SLOW = SMOOTH = SPEED. If you go slow with your drills you will become more fluid or smooth with your actions this will then convert naturally to speed.

Above all remember to be safe at all times. Dry train first then move on to live drills only when you feel comfortable to do so.

And be honest to yourself. I’ll add more drills to this section of PMCI in the forthcoming issues, but until then STAY SAFE AND KEEP SHOOTING!

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

HP TerraMarine International

http://www.drum-cussac.com/Index.aspx

http://www.hpterramarine.com/

Dryad Maritime

Hudson Trident

http://www.dryadmaritime.com/

http://hudsonanalytix.com

Edinburgh International

ICTS

http://www.edinburghint.com/home/

http://www.icts.co.uk

Elite Maritime Protection Services

IMSA Ltd

http://www.elitemaritimeprotection.com

http://www.imsaltd.com/

EOS Risk Management

International Executive Recruiting

https://www.eosrisk.com/

http://www.iernetwork.com

Erus Maritime

International Maritime Security

http://www.erusrisk.com

http://www.intmarsec.co.uk

Espada

International Maritime Security

http://www.espadaservices.com

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

Ex Military Recruitment

International Security Network

https://www.exmil.co.uk

http://www.isn.eu.com

Exploration Logistics Group

ISC Gulf

http://www.frontiermedex.com/

http://www.iscgulf.com/

G4S Maritime

ISSG Sea Marshalls

http://www.g4s.uk.com

http://www.issg-seamarshals.com/

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

Janusian Risk Advisory Group

MTResolution

http://www.riskadvisory.net/

http://www.mtresolution.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

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Pistris

SEAL

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

http://www.sealsecurity.com/

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