PMCI - March 2021

MAR2021

CONTENTS 4 “DANGEROUS DRIVING”: PMCI IS DELIGHTED THIS ISSUE TO BE JOINED BY A NEW CONTRIBUTOR IN THE USA, AS JIM WENZEL BRINGS HIS EXPERIENCE TO THE WORLD OF DRIVING IN HIGH-STRESS, HIGH-RISK ENVIRONMENTS. 8 LVPO: VORTEX GEN III RAZOR 1-10X24: WHEN YOU NEED FOR AN OPTIC THAT CAN EASILY HANDLE BOTH CLOSE QUARTER COMBAT (CQC) AND MID-RANGE WORK, THIS IS THE REALM OF COMBAT DISTANCE AND SPECIFIC NEED IN WHICH THE LOW POWER VARIABLE OPTIC (LPVO) REIGNS AS KING! 16. GEAR ON TEST: “GEAR FOR THE GOOD GUYS” COURTESY OF THE PMCI TEAM 18 GEAR: CHOOSING THE RIGHT BOOT: FOOTWEAR IS ONE OF THE MOST OFTEN AN AREA THAT IS OVERLOOKED WHEN IT COMES TO PUTTING YOUR GEAR LOAD TOGETHER, SO BILL TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING THE RIGHT PAIR 22 GEAR: CHEST RIGS: NEED A LITTLE MORE LOAD-BEARING GEAR BEYOND YOUR PISTOL BELT? THEN A CHEST RIG COULD BE THE VERY THING AS PMCI LOOKS BACK INTO THE PAST AND BRINGS THINGS FULLY UP TO DATE! 26 TO COMPETE OR NOT?: HUTCHY REJOINS US THIS TIME TO ANSWER THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER COMPETITION SHOOTING WILL ACTUALLY PROVE BENEFICIAL IN THE TACTICAL SPHERE 28 KNIVES AND TOOLS: THE PILLAR: THE MOST COMMONLY DISCUSSED COMPROMISE FOR MANY GUN OWNERS IS AN EDGED WEAPON; IT’S VERY COMMON FOR GUN CARRIERS TO ALSO CARRY AN EDGED WEAPON EVERY DAY AND FOR A GOOD REASON, AS JIM ILLUSTRATES THROUGH THE PILLAR FROM SOG 32 FIREARMS: SIG SCORPION P320 AXG: OVER THE PAST SIX YEARS, THE HOTTEST PISTOL PLATFORM ON THE MARKET HAS CLEARLY BEEN THE P320 SERIES FROM SIG SAUER. FROM THE GROUND UP, THE AXG SCORPION HAS BEEN REDESIGNED BY THE SIG SAUER CUSTOM SHOP TO BE THE TOOL OF A PROFESSIONAL AS TRAMPAS DISCOVERS 36 FIREARMS: GLOCK 44 PMCI RANGE TEST: TRAMPAS ASKS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU CROSS THE HISTORY’S MOST POPULAR CALIBRE WITH THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR FIREARMS MANUFACTURER? ANSWER; YOU GET THE GLOCK MODEL 44 CHAMBERED IN .22 LR! 40 SKILLS AND DRILLS: RANGE TO GO!: ANDY N LETS US ALL INTO THE SECRETS BEHIND HIS GO-ANYWHERE RANGE IN A BAG. 42 6MM TRAINING: VEGAFORCECOMPANY TACTICAL CUSTOM 1911: BILL TAKES A LOOK AT A 6MM TRAINING TOOL THAT ABSOLUTELY OOZES QUALITY, AND WITH SOME SOUND “SWAT HERITAGE” BEHIND IT, IT’S A PISTOL THAT WILL BE A MUST HAVE FOR MANY COLLECTORS AND SHOOTERS ALIKE. 47 BOOK REVIEW: “RISK TAKER, SPY MAKER: TALES OF A CIA CASE OFFICER”; FROM TEENAGE PHOTOGRAPHER TO CLANDESTINE SERVICE IN OPERATIONS AROUND THE WORLD, THIS IS ONE HECK OF A READ! 50 INDUSTRY VACANCIES: LOOKING FOR WORK? JUST CHECK HERE.

Deputy Ed (USA): Trampas Swanson Graphic Design: Baz Thakur/ Deadshot Design Publisher: Nigel Streeter Cover pic: PMCI collection 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”.

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Thank you for downloading this Edition of PMCI, the FREE digital publication dedicated to PMC Operatives. PMCI is written by individuals with first-hand knowledge and experience of the subject they write about - 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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Editor (UK): Bill Thomas

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DANGEROUS DRIVING

DANGEROUS DRIVING! BEING THE “DESIGNATED DRIVER” ALWAYS CARRIES A RESPONSIBILITY FOR THOSE WHO RIDE WITH YOU, BUT WHEN THAT ROLE IS UNDERTAKEN IN A HIGH-STRESS, HIGH-RISK SETTING YOU ARE TAKING THE LIVES OF YOUR PASSENGERS LITERALLY INTO YOUR OWN HANDS, AND IT’S NOT A ROLE FOR THE FAINT OF HEART OR UNCOMMITTED! OUR NEWEST CONTRIBUTOR JIM WENZEL BRINGS HIS WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE TO PMCI TO TELL MORE…

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he ultimate goal is to not be in a situation where we are forced to respond to a threat, however in reality, there are going to be cases that cannot be avoided.

When faced with a threat, we want and need to respond effectively and survive. As professionals, we need to be committed to our training and continuously build upon our knowledge and skills needed to survive and protect a principal during routine and attack type situations.

For this article, I would like to take you through what it takes to become a Driver in the world of Private Security and Military Contracting. I have had the opportunity to instruct at various levels from the basic Law Enforcement Recruit at the training academy to the proving grounds in the Private Sector which has included training civilian contractors, Tier 1 Operators, and members of various Federal Agencies that were preparing to deploy overseas.

My aim is to provide some insight and overview into various components of this demanding role and to show it takes a lot more than just grabbing the keys and hopping behind the wheel.

Scenario: You have been tasked with being the Driver for your detail, the responsibility of the team’s safety has been placed squarely on your shoulders as you are the person that is required to get them from point A to B in a safe and efficient manner.

Which of the 2 drivers described below do you wish to be: Driver 1: Conducted pre-trip inspections of the vehicles, ensured that they are detail ready, conducted a proper travel plan analysis and mapped out the area of predictable travel. This driver also conducted some surveillance of the route and determined routes for contingencies.

Driver 2: Has been on many details throughout their tenure, delegated the responsibility of the pre-trip inspections to someone else although they will be the driver because they have seniority. Briefly looked over the travel plan and believes he has done this enough that he is ready to go.

What is tactical driving and what role does the driver play in it? In a brief summary, tactical driving is the combination of defensive and offensive driving, it is a skillset that is developed to help combat vehicular ambushes. The driver is an integral part of this solution as they hold the keys, figuratively and literally to the survival of the team they are transporting.

PLANS FAIL, PREPARATION DOES NOT

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The most common attacks occurring today by the primary terrorist organizations are of the remote control or standoff variety. The only way to defeat these attacks is to recognize pre-attack planning events such as surveillance. Which brings us to one of the many tasks that a driver should become familiar with and assist with since they will be the one in control of the vehicle.

Know where to look for surveillance, this is done by conducting a Travel Plan Analysis and An Area of Predictable Travel.

With the driver assisting in the planning of routes, conducting dry runs, we are increasing survivability of the team and then allows the driver to do their main job when in the vehicle which is to assess the situations you are coming up on, make quick decisions, stay in control of the vehicle and get to where you are going alive and in one piece.

The other occupants of the vehicle are responsible for whatever other tasks need to happen along the way. No matter what the other tasks are, the driver needs to stay focused on the task at hand and keep a 360-degree awareness of what ‘s going

This is just a small example of why preparation is key to any plan.

I have yet to see in my career any initial plan work out the way it was intended. There is always some small or large detail that needs to be added in order for the plan to work. Those details are your preparation. When you prepare, options present themselves, plans evolve, collaboration with the team takes place. Roles are assigned, objectives are set, and the mission goes on.

TECHNIQUES NOT TRICKS INCREASE SURVIVABILITY

If you have been in this industry long enough whether it’s military, private contracting, or law enforcement; you will come across some things that may seem great in theory however, they come up short in the real-world application aspect of it.

One of the most common issues that I have come across is the use of racing jargon and racing lines through corners. These tips and techniques are great for the racetrack and for all intents and purposes, that is where they need to stay. When it comes to tactical and high-speed driving, it must be taught and learned from the perspective that the driver will be using it on public roads.

It needs to be conveyed and understood that in real life, the risk of taking a corner at the limits of adhesion is not worth the few seconds saved or the lives of those you are entrusted with if the situation goes bad. Some key differences between the racetrack and operational driving are: Traffic will be coming in all directions on the roadway.

Blind corners mean that you have to stay in your own lane until it can be verified as safe.

The corners are not be monitored by racing officials.

There are many types of vehicles on the road that are different shapes, sizes, various speed of travel whereas in racing; the vehicles are the same types and traveling at similar speeds.

In an actual race, each driver has the same purpose and has similar training.

Apexes and braking reference points are not identified on public roads.

In real world application, other drivers are paying very little attention to the traffic situation, they are not perceiving your

DANGEROUS DRIVING

on around the vehicle and where it’s headed. The objective is to allow the driver to work the vehicle instinctively, which thereby not only facilitates the detection of surveillance, but also helps in the avoidance of crashes because during an emergency the driver’s attention is drawn away from the act of driving the vehicle. We want to instill the ability for the driver working the car to be on autopilot, which effectively helps keep the driver moving!

How do we become more instinctive and function at our peak potential?

For one, the driver should only use 80% of their abilities, which allows for effective stress management. The remaining unused 20% will account for all the unknowns that they will encounter.

Now let us go back to our two drivers we mentioned above and add some more pieces to our scenario in order to paint a full picture.

They both hop into their respective vehicles and head out of the compound start their route. As they approach an intersection, it is observed that there are several vehicles blocking the route and some unusual movement in the area. With our understanding of plans fail and preparation does not, which driver is better equipped to deal with this issue?

Driver 1: Having done the preparation work, is more relaxed in this situation as he/she developed several alternative options during their prep work. This preparation also allowed the driver to be more focused on their role, scanning their environment, picking out the anomalies of the area, and being able to observe the issue from a greater distance away, therefore allowing the driver to put a contingency option in place and avoid the potential threat encounter.

Now, Driver 2: They are not so fortunate in this same scenario.

For one, they did not have a plan to start with. They also did not check their vehicle and relied on someone else to do it. Driver 2 now has a vehicle issue that they are trying to diagnose, keeping them from scanning the environment. Before the driver realizes it, they are stuck in the chokepoint, unaware of the potential exits, this driver is now in a state of high stress as they scramble to seek out options to get the vehicle MOVING and off the X.

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DANGEROUS DRIVING

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speed, they are actually just interpreting your distance from them.

As drivers, preparation does not begin with the acceptance of the task, it starts way before that, and it starts with YOU! Therefore, the investment into yourself and training is paramount. We must understand that although racing can be exciting, simply put, most of the racing techniques do not apply to public roads. Learning and practicing the techniques that do count such as setting up for corners and where to focus your attention, as well as being smooth in the operation of the vehicle are key. When we learn evasive tactics, they need to be taught as a way to accomplish the one evasive tactic that works; MOVE! And not taught or used as tricks!

IF IT IS IN YOUR CONTROL, CONTROL IT!

We can control our preparation and we can control ourselves.

You should be setting the bar above the standard for yourself and not accept anything less from yourself. Put in the time and effort to become proficient at your role.

This means seeking out quality additional training when you have downtime, driving is a perishable skill just like firearms.

You do not go to the firearms range once in your career and say you’re proficient, right? Then do not accept that for your driver training either. There are plenty of reputable training facilities where you can learn vehicle dynamics and put yourself to the test of how well you can interpret the “Vehicle Language.” Seek out training with real-world application, do not just spend time on the race track!

Some things to make note of and mention as well are the

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personal components of being and becoming a driver in the industry. The better you know yourself, the easier it will be for you to understand your capabilities and limitations. For instance, key physiological components that could hinder your ability to perform at a high level or accurately read the vehicle language are: • • • • • • •

Fatigue- lowers visual efficiency and causes longer reaction time.

Faulty Hearing Inadequate Vision Medical Conditions Cardiovascular Conditions Epilepsy Diabetes

TOUCH AND KINESTHETIC SENSE

Each of those listed above individually or collectively will diminish your ability to be effective as a driver. You must make a note of these and understand how they can and will affect your ability to safely and efficiently drive your vehicle instinctively.

These are just the physiological aspects, when you then add in the limiting psychological factors that come along with them, well, as we have continuously said throughout this article, if you fail to prepare, you are preparing to fail. As drivers, we must also have our mindset dialed in, some of the negative contributing factors are: Attitude and Emotions (stress) can have a negative impact on driving by: • Diminishing the driver’s power of observation • Delays or distorts ability to interpret events

Reduces the power to assess and predict the actions of other drivers Produces faulty judgement and high risks decisions Reduces the driver’s ability to perform precisely timed skills Driving experience can have a psychological effect/impact Poor Driving record Lack of knowledge of good habits Taking chances Having an “at fault” accident on your record Having over confidence in your own ability Having High Risk Attitudes Impatience Self-Righteousness Preoccupation Ego

What I have listed above is within our control and we must take ownership of everything we can in order to get us to our peak performance levels. Over the years I have had the opportunity to interact with many types of individuals and I have found that the ones that recognize that they can always learn something fair better than the ones that feel that they have been there done that.

I will say that although they may have been there and done that, rarely have they seen and done it all. There two things in this world that can get you seriously hurt and killed in this world. Complacency and your Ego will stunt your personal and professional growth, write checks that your body cannot cash, or worse someone else gets hurt or killed because you allowed yourself to fall into this dangerous mind trap.

We saw complacency with Driver 2 in our scenario, a bad attitude and wrong mindset for the mission. Realizing this is key and then making the right decision, such as putting your

ego to the side and telling someone, that your head is not right.

You need to get over the stigma or the tough guy mentality. To truly succeed and be on your top-level game, you have to realize when you are off your game and seek the assistance to get you back. The ones that can do that are the true professionals, as you are putting the safety of others first before your ego.

You are also realizing that you are going through the motions and are not present in that environment, you have to be alert, focused, and above all, prepared!

I would like to thank you for taking the time to read this article; my goal is to at least get you thinking about what you are doing now. Even if you are not a driver, what role are you in, how do you prepare, what techniques do you consistently train to stay in the fight. If you are not training, this should provoke you to seek out training for any role, ensure it is applicable to your role and is conducted by a reputable group. In this world and industry, hope is not an operational plan! Prepare not just your vehicle or weapon, also prepare your mindset so that when evil knocks on the door you will be able to choose right mindset and the right weapon!

Stay safe, stay prepared!

DANGEROUS DRIVING

• • • • • • • • • • • • • •

OPTICS: VORTEX

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LVPO: VORTEX GEN III RAZOR 1-10X24

THE AR-15 PLATFORM IS UNDOUBTEDLY ONE OF THE MOST VERSATILE MODERN COMBAT RIFLE PLATFORMS IN THE WORLD FOR SHORT TO MEDIUM RANGES. WITH THAT COMES THE NEED FOR AN OPTIC THAT CAN EASILY HANDLE BOTH CLOSE QUARTER COMBAT (CQB) AND MID-RANGE WORK WITH LITTLE TO NO DOWN TIME IN ADJUSTING FIRE. SPEED ENGAGING A TARGET LIES SECOND ONLY TO THE ABILITY TO CLEARLY IDENTIFY WHAT IS AND IS NOT A THREAT TO BEGIN WITH. IT IS IN THIS REALM OF COMBAT DISTANCE AND SPECIFIC NEED IN WHICH THE LOW POWER VARIABLE OPTIC AKA LPVO REIGNS AS KING! - TS

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hile red dots are fast, they are limited by which the naked eye can see. They mostly lack proper reticles in which distance, leads and hold overs may be acquired. Additionally, the ability to see specific details about the target at mid-range distances is paramount.

While bulky precision optics can quickly weigh down combat rifles and limit mobility, the LPVO can still offer a wide field of visibility up close and with the flick of a dial, zoom in to provide the necessary details to determine if a shot should be made. This visibility must be available in a wide range of lighting situations to ensure pinpoint accurate shots.

Over the years, I have tried offerings from dozens of top name brands in the LPVO category and in the Spring of 2015, I finally went full time with the Vortex Razor Gen II 1-6x24 FFP on my “go to” AR-15 for training and teaching. The rocksolid, compact construction along with the First Focal Plane illuminated reticle allowed for fast handling and quick sight

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acquisition. It quickly proved to be an optic I would have confidently taken to any situation I faced during my days as a SWAT operator.

With about a decade of hard use on my S&W M&P V-Tacs edition AR-15, I decided in March of 2020 to build a new rifle from the ground up with our Swanson Training Group theme. I teamed up with some of the best names in the industry from RISE Armament, BCM, Ballistic Advantage and cap it all off with a special Cerakote finish from the wizard himself, Tucker Doyon of Savage Cerakote. When the project was wrapped up, it ran like a high-end performance machine. All it needed then was quality glass that would handle the wide range of distances and positions in which I teach students in our Urban Rifle courses.

Fortunately, just two months prior to completion of the project, Vortex Optics had announced the release of their Gen III version of the well proven Razor LPVO while I was attending SHOT SHOW in Las Vegas that January. As I read online about the new 1-10x24 mm variant, I grew more and more excited to give one a try. I reached out to Reuben

Aleckson over at Vortex Optics to request a sample to be sent over as soon as possible. Immediately afterwards, I hopped back online and ordered a new one-piece mount from my “go to” place for mounts, American Defense Manufacturing (www. admmfg.com ).

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

VORTEX GEN III RAZOR SPECS Magnification Objective Lens Diameter Eye Relief Field of View Tube Size Turret Style Adjustment Graduation Travel Per Rotation Max Elevation Adjustment Max Windage Adjustment Parallax Setting Length Weight MSRP

RANGE TIME

1-10x 24 mm 3.6 inches 116-11.7 ft @100 yds 34 mm Low Capped 1/4 MOA 25 MOA 120 MOA 120 MOA Fixed @150 yds 10.1 inches 21.5 oz US$2,899

Once the optic was mounted on the new rifle project, I proceeded to spend the rest of the year testing on indoor ranges in various lighting conditions as well as outdoor ranges at distances of 5 yards out to 500 yards in the Florida heat, fall rains and even

OPTICS: VORTEX

Less than a full week after my request was submitted, the new Vortex LPVO arrived at my office. Three days later, the mount finally arrived so I could begin to set everything up on the rifle. As I worked in the shop, I inspected everything from Blue Loctite on the screws to removing lint from the ocular lens. I was impressed that despite being a 1-10x power optic, the Gen III was still the same exact size and weight as my older Gen II 1-6X power scope.

Although Vortex kept the dimensions the same, the Gen III variant was upgraded from a 30mm tube found in the Gen II to a larger 34mm tube. This allows for greater internal adjustments.

The newer generation Razor offers a ¼ MOA adjustment graduation to replace the previous ½ MOA spec. This change allows for better fine tuning into targets at longer ranges during set up to dial the reticle in.

The capped windage and elevation turrets protect your rifle’s zero and leaves the reticle responsible for all “on the fly” adjustments based on your DOPE (Data On Previous Engagements). The illumination turret on the left-hand side is not capped due to it being the one variable that will constantly be adjusted for the ever-changing environment it will end up in. Although uncapped, this turret locks into place by pushing inward after adjustment.

For anyone who has either humped a rifle through the

elements or left it sitting on the shooting bench, you know very well, something or someone is going to monkey with your settings. Whether it’s a string of vines, underbrush branches or simply the A**hole admiring your setup at the range by ignorantly turning and twisting anything that will move, these caps are there to protect your hard work put into zeroing the rifle. While this optic does feature the L-Tec zero stop feature, it’s still nice to keep things where you wish them to be without the headache.

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OPTICS: VORTEX

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uncommonly cold 38 – 45 degree winter days while logging data. I traveled from large private property to well-known public ranges in Leesburg, St. Augustine and Jacksonville, FL to gather information and let others shoot this rifle set up and provide their cumulative thoughts for this article.

The optic features a very forgiving eye relief of 3 – 4 inches and eye box to keep the reticle appearing centered despite any offsetting gear that may keep the cheek weld off center.

This allows a wider range of shooters to get comfortable on the same rifle with little to zero scope shadow. It should be noted, the left turret is for illumination adjustments only with no parallax adjustment. Although this is a 10x power optic, Vortex designed the Gen III Razor as basically a range enhanced red dot, NOT a sniper rifle. For the average warfighter, some believe the concept of parallax amid battle and constantly evolving data would only further complicate things as a disadvantage rather than an intended advantage.

If parallax adjustment is that important to the shooter, Vortex offers a wide range of other optics for that.

By simply pulling the turret outward, the illuminated reticle is activated ON and OFF with every other brightness adjustment through the 11 brightness settings. This allows the optic to be quickly powered down and back up in the previous brightness setting; pushing the dial back in locks the selected setting in. Typically, due to the stiffness of the knob to pull for adjustment, I usually leave it fully extended rather than pull it out each time. (insert variant of “I don’t pull out” reference here, see existence of my kids as proof!)

Even against dark backdrops, the basic outline of black reticle alone stands out well at 1x power, just not as detailed and easy to find as when the magnification is zoomed in a

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bit more. With a twist of the illumination knob activates the crisp illuminated red dot surrounded by four small rectangles to life. The design of this illuminated portion of the reticle reminds me of a Simon Says electronic game I had as a kid.

The center dot offers a pinpoint 1 MOA focal point, while the four segmented sections deliver a 3 MOA interior circle and 4 MOA outer dimension for faster spot-on shooting.

LPVO manufacturers across the market have always been challenged to create an optic with the daylight brightness of a true red dot. In my opinion, Vortex has clearly succeeded.

The crystal-clear brightness settings and impressive life span stemming from a single 2032 flat battery just bring a whole new dimension to shooting with this optic. Even in the bright Florida sunlight, the illuminated reticle is quickly visible. (Fully bright day, 8 or 9 setting, low light, 3 or 4 setting) Over the past year, I have regularly run this rifle and even accidently left the optic ON overnight. Twelve months later, the reticle is just as bright as the day I unboxed it. The optic ships with a 24 mm screw on sunshade for the objective lens and works well against unwanted reflection issues during times when you must shoot straight into the sunlight. I have also used it several times during training while running the rifle in rainy conditions. Kudos to Vortex for going the extra mile!

Transitions with the wide field of view are extremely fast from target to target laterally across the range as well as distances moving further outward. With the flick of the Switchview throw lever that ships with the Gen III Razor, I could easily use the awesome EBR-9 MOA reticle that comes into view as the variable power increases. Using the ballistic data in the reticle, it can quickly be used to determine my

hold overs and increasingly see the targets more clearly. This becomes even more evident when switching from 55 grain ammunition at 1 – 300 yards over to 68 grain ammunition when pushing from 400 to 600 yards. Knowing how each round performs at specific distances empowers the shooter surgically drive rounds onto target using the graduated reticle.

FINAL THOUGHTS

OPTICS: VORTEX

As with many great products, you get what you pay for and the retail on the Razor Gen III 1-10x24 mm certainly sets the bar high at US$2899 (found on www.opticsplanet.com currently for US$1999) with another US$189 for a quality one-piece 34 mm mount. For most shooters like me, this quickly turns from a discussion about a simple purchase to that of making an investment in your training and your gear.

Question? Will spending over US$2000 in new glass and mount make you a better shooter?

Hard Answer: The fact is NO, it will not. What it WILL DO is give good shooters a great tool to be able to perform better with proper training with its easy-to-use features and superior clarity near and far. The first focal plane offers a consistent hold over and scale in which to work with quickly and efficiently, while the clear center red dot allows for fast acquisition with time is measured in the span of a knee jerk reaction.

Over the past year, the Razor Gen III has not only proven itself to be worthy of what the Razor models have come to represent but, in many ways, I feel it has even managed to raise the bar. The clarity, ease of use and performance have been second to none while seamlessly increasing the range in which it allows for operation. Despite some nay-sayers who are quick to say this may be overkill for the AR15 platform, I will remind them this is not just for the 5.56 caliber but the wide range of variants within the platform from .300 BLK, 6.8 SPC and the longer range 6.5 Grendel. For many variants of the AR10, I also highly recommend this optic due to its robust construction and 10 x range.

I believe the Gen III 1-10x24 optic would be a great choice for small unit teams, especially Law Enforcement patrol officers.

As a former SWAT sniper, let me say this, there is a far

greater need for well-trained patrol officers with LPVO equipped AR-15 platform rifles than there are specialized marksman units with thousands of dollars’ worth of custom-built sniper rifles and large, 25x power optics. This is NOT to say there isn’t a need for Law Enforcement snipers, but IF a small department budget had to choose between outfitting and training one sniper unit officer and rifle or a half dozen veteran patrol officers with LPVO equipped AR rifles, I would advise the latter.

Think about the process in which a SWAT sniper becomes involved in most situations. An incident is developing or currently happening to which someone calls 911 for help. Depending on the call, a patrol officer arrives on scene to assess the scene.

These officers are almost always the first to end up engaging a situation. Due to many having limited resources of a pistol, maybe a shotgun in the trunk or a simple red dot equipped AR / M4. Due to having limited visibility, basic rifle training and lack of variable visibility, they find themselves ill equipped to handle the situation and must call for SWAT and their sniper unit. Time has been lost and situations may have gotten worse during the interim. The trained patrol officer marksman easily become a first response force multiplier vital to a special purpose unit such as SWAT to either eliminate the threat prior to their arrival or simply be able to give greater details on the sitrep. If departments could not stretch the budget for the Gen III Razor, I would absolutely advise them to highly consider the Vortex Viper PST 1-6x24 option instead.

Overall, I firmly believe the day and age of the 10x Low Power Variable Optic is here to stay. Just as its predecessor did in 2015, the Razor Gen III 1-10x24 by Vortex Optics sets the current LPVO standard in the industry. I highly recommend this optic to professions and civilians alike who genuinely appreciate quality glass, robust construction, and innovative design. This optic is built like a tank and offers shooters a hard use optic that can depend on with failure is simply not an option. To learn more about the Gen III Razor and other Vortex products from red dots to spotting scopes, visit www. vortexoptics.com to select your next optic.

As always, Train Hard and Continue the Fight!

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IF NOT NOW, THEN WHEN? Once again I find myself in the hot seat as PMCI enters yet another exciting year, and the challenges that face the team internationally continue to be just that… challenging!

Whilst certain parts of the world are much freer when it comes to the ongoing global pandemic, the UK/Euro members of the team are still very much constrained by legal guidelines that tell us exactly what we can do or not, and whilst all of us fall very much into the “free-thinking, freedom-loving” category we also understand that these restrictions are for the greater good of all.

Does that mean we are inactive? Of course it doesn’t, as inactivity is anathema to us! Our entire ethos is about taking individual responsibility for our own actions, of having a “drive on” mentality that keeps us pushing forward when others might begin to fade, and the current situation is just another challenge for us to adapt to, and ultimately overcome!

It is true that our usual training regimes have undoubtedly needed to adapt; where I write in the UK we have been in “lockdown” it seems for ever and a day, but although I haven’t been able to travel to one of the many ranges I shoot at in “mainland Europe”, or indeed even to my usual Tuesday morning at my local shooting club, my “6mm Training” has picked up pace to ensure that my “muscle memory” doesn’t erode completely.

My little 10m “Short range” at home has never seen the use it has done in recent months, and in many ways this has kept me feeling good, and active, even in the hardest of times. I am lucky that I’ve survived my personal battle with the “Big C”, and even though I’m only in my mid-fifties I’ve already had my first shot of the vaccine due to that, so the future beckons like a bright new land, and I want to be on top of my game when that future reopens fully!

It’s all too easy when times get tough to not bother with your normal training routine, to think that because gyms and ranges are closed that you can take your foot off the gas a little, but my question stands, “if not now, then when?”

Now is the time that you need to engage your brain and do some serious “headwork” to come up with solutions to how you can train both mentally and physically; whilst I’ve continued with my stretching, weight routine, long walks with the hound, manipulations and short range drills I’ve also spent a lot of time reading, hopefully re-learning some skills that I haven’t used for a while, and also picking up a few new ones that I look forward to putting into practice when things open up again.

There’s an old saying that goes “don’t put off ‘til tomorrow what you can do today”, and now seems the perfect time to abide by that. Don’t think about training, do it. Don’t sit and let the “lockdown days” drift idly by, but prep your gear and learn something new.

Trust me, when all this is Covid-stuff is a memory you’ll be glad that you did something positive. Bring it on 2021!

EDITORS COMMENT

EDITORS COMMENT

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GEAR ON TEST

HELIKON-TEX GO TIGER!

Our friends over at Helikon-Tex in Poland have been teasing us for a little while that they will have a “new” camo pattern joining their extensive range, and finally they’ve let us know the details, and we’re overjoyed to see classic “Tigerstripe” appearing on a couple of models of clothing to get the ball rolling!

Most people will have an immediate connection with the family of Tigerstripe patterns due to its usage by Special Forces, SEALs, the ASAS, NZSAS, and the Ranger Recon teams in Vietnam, but in actual fact it was already in military usage WAY before that! The Vietnamese Marine Corps were already playing with the “VMX Experimental” pattern in the late 1950’s which is thought to have had a relationship with the French Indochina “Lizard” pattern, using as it did a virtually identical stripe configuration.

The “VMX” in turn was developed into the first “official” Tigerstripe pattern, the Vietnamese Marine Corps Sparse or “VMS” which was issue from mid-1959 onwards!

But as much as “Tiger” is a much-loved and revered historical pattern, it’s also one that is more than valid in the right environments today, and if we’re honest it’s a pattern that we dearly love! Whilst the pattern may not be “current” to us that’s not really the point, as the two models that Helikon-Tex have launched are the URBAN TACTICAL SHORTS and the URBAN TACTICAL PANTS, clothing designs that we’ve looked at before and rated very highly!

What makes the Urban Tactical Pants and Shorts so special?

The cut and pockets layout employed in these pants maintain civilian enough to wear every day, while retaining full functionality of combat pants, capable of supporting tactical essentials. Elastic Velcro-closed belt allows easy adjustment. Wide belt loops allow as wide as 50 mm belt,

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including all HTX tactical belts: EDC, UTL® or Cobras®.

Due to the clever layout of the pockets, equipment can be placed close to your centre mass, around the hips and waist. Front and rear pockets edges are reinforced to withstand constant use of light or knife clips. Two Velcroclosed front pockets are big enough to carry a smartphone – or even an AR/AK rifle magazine! The thigh pockets look flat, but thoughtful design allows pouches or wallets to be carried with ease. Bespoke internal pockets on the trousers allow fitting of Low Profile Protective Pads® if you need them.

We’ve worn the Urban Tactical Pants on the range and during training courses and they’re a great, hard-wearing and super-comfortable model, as well as being extremely durable and putting up with all manner of abuse! The feature set is solid without being too much, and all the pockets are usable in the very best way. We’ve not yet tried the shorter design, but with summer just around the corner these could be the very thing we need!

These are two very popular garments to get things started with their “old is the new new” range of clothing, and we sincerely hope that we’ll see more coming in this pattern from Helikon-Tex, as it looks like they are most definitely giving an old tiger some sharp, and cool-looking, new teeth!

NEW JACKETS FROM SNUGPAK As there is a slight glimmer of light appearing to show our route out of global lockdown we hope that outdoor training and range days can soon be thought of again, and as the weather is still “variable”, warm, windproof and water resistant outerwear is a must to keep you protected, and if you’re acting as a trainer or RO then it’s a positive necessity! What better to protect you than one of Snugpak’s new jackets?

We’ve worked with Snugpak a LOT over the years, and have huge respect for what they create, and as their gear is used, and much loved, by serving military personnel you can rely on Snugpak to get the job done each and every time!

GEAR ON TEST

One jacket that we’ve REALLY been keeping back because it is actually SO specialist is the SJ12 Reversible from our good friends at Snugpak! The SJ12 is Snugpak’s warmest jacket model, and one that in its standard fettle we’ve been very thankful for on cold range days and training courses, and to be honest it’s actually too warm if you’re doing much else than standing still! The reversible model is obviously designed for the likes of the Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre as one side is the traditional Snugpak OD, whilst the other is pure, snowy white! This is a UK-made insulated jacket, a technical jacket suitable for extreme winter alpine conditions, so the SJ12 is rated down to -20°C / -4°F and uses windproof and weather-resistant Paratex Micro outer fabric, whilst inside the exclusive-to-Snugpak Softie Premier insulation retains heat and can even work when wet. Lightweight and packable, with a stuff sack included, the SJ12 Reversible offers warmth, comfort and protection from the weather whenever you need it. If you’re planning a winter adventure or expedition, the SJ12 reversible is an outer layer jacket that will keep you warm and comfortable whatever conditions you may encounter!

Based on Snugpak’s best selling ‘Sleeka Elite’ jacket, the combination of the water-repellent Paratex outer material and the exclusive Softie® 100% polyester insulation, Snugpak has created a warm, breathable, windproof and lightweight jacket which provides excellent protection from the elements with a comfort rating of 0˚C. The Snugpak Arrowhead can be worn either as a cold-weather mid-layer or outerlayer garment and the brushed polyester lined neck warmer and insulated zip-off detachable hood adds valuable additional warmth, protection and versatility.

Other features include deep hand warmer style pockets, internal zipped pocket, hook and loop adjustable cuffs and handy zip pockets on the arm, chest. The jacket weighs 820g and is supplied in a handy stuff sack with mesh bottom for easy compact carrying. It is available in Olive, Black and Multicam colour options in unisex sizes S to XXL and will be in store in January.

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GEAR ON TEST 16

ALTBERG BOOTS As well as providing useful information from the shooting and tactical communities Hutchy is very much a user of gear, and knows what he likes and why, and this time he lets us in on his go-to boot model from UK bootmaker Altberg.

If you haven’t heard of Altberg in Richmond, North Yorkshire as a boot manufacturer then you must’ve been hiding under a rock!

The old Richmond shoe factory closed in 1989, 320 people were made redundant… it was a sad day. For the previous ten years it had been constantly on the news that ’Globalisation’ was the new way forward, and their type of ’low tech’ manufacturing was considered to be no longer desirable in England. The owners whole working life had been making shoes, and he had always enjoyed ‘making things’… so that’s how in 1989 Altberg was started, as a company is so passionate about their boots that it’s a testament to craftsmanship.

Now the founder said when he was 70-years-old why he wasn’t retiring, that he still hadn’t “made my best boot yet”, and to me that shows something very special!

The boots have a particular Altberg design and various styles such as the hot weather or cold weather boot, military style etcetera but I think the key element is the fact that this is one of the most established manufacturers in boots for over 30 years and yet they’ve never employed to salesperson!

But they haven’t sat on the morals, always look to advancing materials, they have always listened to their customers constructive feedback to alter the length of the ankle and or introduce quick drying materials, Gore-Tex, full waterproof seems, but have never slipped on quality.

Altberg’s legendary Sneeker Microlite is possibly the most lightweight, all leather military boot ever made. Developed in 1997 with input and help of serving soldiers based in Catterick

Garrison and other military bases around the UK, the input from many of the NCO’s involved in training and developing the skills and endurance of young recruits drove this development.

As bootmakers Altberg listened and tried to interpret their requirements.

The requirement was for a leather boot that was shock absorbing, lightweight with minimal moisture absorption, as on many tasks it was inevitable that they would get wet inside, so minimal weight gain when wet and fast drying were key requirements. The Sneeker Microlite has a high unlined leg and after more than 20 years it is still the first choice of many soldiers for training and everyday use.

Altberg recently introduced a new last as well; this is a foot mould/shape with a new design to help the heel grip and provide enhanced comfort along with a new material that prevents moisture retention further, which I have to say is ingenious! For me though their ability to listen to all constructive criticism is what makes Altberg my bootmaker of choice!

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

KIT: BOOTS

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FOOTWEAR CHOICES There are places where you can skimp and save a bit of money with your clothing and gear but, but having good footwear is not one of them as this should be a as fundamental a part of your range and training gear as your firearm! Choosing the wrong boots can make all the difference to having a superb day on the range, or going home early; Bill looks at making the right choice irrelevant of your budget!

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uring the course of my professional life I’ve been lucky enough to work directly with some of the best bootmakers in the business, both in relation to military/tactical models and those for outdoor adventures; for both end uses the requirements of the footwear will be broadly similar, and mainly to do with comfort, support, protection, and suitability for the intended terrain.

Most good bootmakers will have a range of models to cover every eventuality, from lightweight, quick drying boots for jungle environments, sturdy boots with great support for urban environments, and even thermal-lined waterproof versions for the deepest of winter months. One of the great things about how we train as civilians though is that we’re unlikely to be wearing our boots for more than a few hours straight on the range. Does this however mean you can save a few bucks by buying into cheap boots?

My answer to this would be an unequivocal and resounding “NO”, as not looking after your feet, or wearing badly fitting boots can have severe ramifications. Ask yourself for a moment,

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is for instance a boot designed for the deserts of the Middle East going to be the ideal model for the depths of winter? You may say “well, my desert boots are Gore-Tex lined so they’re waterproof, and I’m only wearing them for a short while so they’ll be fine”, but are you analysing this closely enough?

A good desert boot will inherently be made with less insulation than a winter, or indeed even a temperate model, so as much as a good waterproof technology will keep your feet dry the boot overall will leave you with cold feet, or worse, on a snowy morning. Cuff height may also differ, as in general a winter boot will have a higher cuff to keep out snow and spindrift; I was once in a situation where I stepped into a water-filled pothole deeper than the height of my desert boot cuff, and although they’re membrane-lined water does tend to get in through the big hole on the top where your foot goes in.

So why not just wear willies or gumboots? Well, two things here really; firstly wellies are pretty much always not going to be breathable, so although they will keep water out, and with specialist socks be warm, but they will also keep moisture in; someone once told me that we have more than 250,000 sweat glands in each foot, making them the most perspiring parts

of your body. Your body can produce as much as a pint of sweat per day per foot, and if you’re wearing wellies most of that will stay inside the boot! Secondly most basic wellies offer very little support.

You’ve also got to build into this equation that boot manufacturers make different outsole units for different conditions; this may not on the face of it be a major concern, but if the tread pattern of the outsole has been designed for warm, dry conditions how will it fare in wet grass or on wet-leaf covered concrete? Let me tell you… not very well at all, and you’re seriously asking for a slip which could lead to a turned ankle or worse.

WHAT MAKES A “GOOD TO GO” BOOT

KIT: BOOTS

In our “Hi-Speed, Lo-Drag” world, one of the most important things is your equipment, especially a good pair of boots. Boots for professionals need to stand up to wear for extended periods of time; although we as airsofters don’t particularly need this level of performance, having it is an absolute plus. When choosing a tactical boot, look for a style with superior support, lightweight and durable construction, comfort, and protection from the elements and rough terrain.

A good boot for training will also provide heightened traction in any tactical/range situation that you may face. The height, midsole, outsole, heel, and structure of the boot factor into its support level too. Ideal tactical boot components include a 6 to 8 inch height and a heavy-duty, yet flexible and lightweight sole to provide traction and grip both in and out of the woods. A good fit that doesn’t sacrifice comfort is crucial in choosing your boots.

The use of EVA foam materials guarantees lightweight, cushioned support in the midsole of your boots.

The best tactical boots are easy to put on and take off at the end

of the day. Many boots on the market feature fragile side zippers or complex lace-up closures, potential points of failure that are sensible to avoid. A good boot will feature a simple combination of eyelets and D-rings in the closure system, which allows for a personalised fit just by adjusting the lacing pressures.

Flexible and lightweight material construction is an essential component of a good tactical boot, specifically to protect you from the weather. A waterproof exterior or membrane is a crucial boot feature to keep you protected from the elements. By using breathable technologies waterproof boots prevent moisture from building up and potentially forming harmful bacteria and blisters, but also allow for perspiration to get out. For even greater protection in the winter months, look for boots that are both waterproof and insulated. Insulated linings keep warmth inside the boot so that you can stay comfortable and protected during cold weather games. We may all face a range of weather conditions on any site through the year, so don’t let your boots hold you back from getting outside to train and enjoy the environment!

When you talk about style and comfort, you should think about only good quality boots, as they are manufactured taking into account the best type of materials, construction, padding, cushioning and inner soles. Such boots provide great cushioning and support to your feet as well as avoiding any foot pain and discomfort that arises due to longevity of wearing; your best friend is a good quality tactical boot that provides you the best possible safety, comfort, durability, and flexibility over uneven and rough surfaces. Such boots are obviously made from the top quality materials that offer high performance and long-time comfort and safety for your feet.

To illustrate what I’m talking about, let’s look at some models that I use personally in more depth.

KIT: BOOTS

pmcimagazine.com LOWA ZEPHYR GTX

A few years back I found myself coming out of the winter months, looking forward to a spring without a pair of lightweight boots in the gear pile for general use. The thought of having to break in a new pair always fills me with dread as well, so I was extremely careful in my search for a new pair.

One model of boot that I found myself returning to time and again was the Zephyr from Lowa; I’d been using their full leather Mountain Boot for a while and it had performed, and continues to perform, exceptionally well. Having become something of a Lowa “fanboy” I decided that the Zephyr GTX could well be the replacement I was looking for, and since I got my very first pair they’ve proved to be excellent and have become a “fave” not just with me, but with a lot of professional users!

As part of Lowa’s Task Force range these boots are highly rated by both UK and US SF alike as a tactical lightweight desert boot. The Zephyr GTX fulfils the requirement for those operating in a lightweight role who require a Gore Tex lining.

They feature a slip lasted construction with an injected Lowa “Cross” sole; more of that in a bit. The upper is a clever combination of suede leather (1.4 - 1.6 mm) and Cordura, and a full Gore Tex VISION 3LY inner lining ensures waterproofness.

They weigh in at a meagre 1120g per pair, with a very supportive mid height cuff; the foot is held firmly in place courtesy of closed hook lacing.

The Zephyr also features Lowa’s innovative MONOWRAP® 2 sole unit construction with a firm 7/8 TPU stabilizer is the most stable and offers optimal traction and perfect support with its high-quality surface materials. The system features a PU heel stabiliser, a PU-Frame, an additional plastic stabiliser and the “Cross” outsole. The plastic stabiliser element features in all Lowa multi-functional footwear, improving ankle and joint stability and torsional rigidity.

I’ve continued to wear them on an almost daily basis, and have now subjected them to some pretty foul conditions; in all situations other than full, snow on the ground winter they have performed admirably. The Lowa Zephyr GTX is now available in a number of different colours for use with UK MTP or multicam types of uniform and clothing, but I have to say that given the sporty look of them in black/grey they look pretty sharp with a pair of cargos or even jeans too; expect to pay iro £130 for a pair from www.lowa.co.uk or most good stockists.

Beloved of units like the US Rangers, Merrell boots from their outdoor line are certainly worth a look if you’re running a “tactical athlete” set of range gear, and a trip to my local

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outdoor pursuits store showed me that Merrell definitely still have what it takes! I recently invested in a pair of ACCENTOR GORE-TEX MIDS for summer and indoor wear and they look the absolute business if you’re running fast and light.

With a waterproof inner to keep your feet dry and comfortable, the body has been designed so that water can’t get in, but moisture vapour can escape through the billions of pores in the Gore-Tex membrane. In addition, an Aegis antimicrobial, odour-fighting treatment keeps your feet fresh for longer. Humidity isn’t a problem in these breathable boots either, as a membrane keeps your feet dry and a large bellows tongue keeps debris away from the foot. When you encounter slippery patches after rainfall, you’ll be thankful for two features, a mid-length cut that adds ankle support, and a durable rubber outsole for better grip. For more on these super-light yet supportive boots please check out www.merrell.com.

My “EDC” boots of choice are the SHOCK FX from Bates; with a really cool outdoors look and a “mid-cut” cuff these are cracking looking boots, and come in three colourways to complement different uniform requirements, but in each case it would look just as good on a mountain trail or just out and about. I think that this will be a real winner as it most definitely sits in the “tacticool athlete” category, and having a waterproof and breathable membrane inside means it will perform in most weathers too. As well as benefitting from the Bates EPS system the SHOCK FX benefits from waterproof full grain leather and performance nylon upper with protective panels, a breathable waterproof membrane with moisture wicking lining to keep your feet dry, mesh tongue for added breathability, Bates anti-fatigue Endurance Performance System providing you all day comfort and flexibility. A multi terrain slip resistant rubber lug outsole, and a “Cement” construction providing you a lightweight and flexible platform. I wear these boots day in, day out whatever the weather, and they’ve become trusted partners for all my outdoor adventures come rain or shine; you can check them out online, or by visiting https://tactree.co.uk which is where mine came from.

As I mentioned earlier, last but by no means least are my “winter specials”, otherwise known as LOWA MOUNTIAN BOOTS! If you were to visit any army barracks in the UK I guarantee that you would find a high number of guys wearing LOWAs and one of the most sought after models has been the Mountain Boot to wear along with their MTP uniform. I’ve put a good number of miles under the soles of my LOWAs during the past few winters, and at no time did they feel anything other than sturdy and solid; the Vibram “Tsavo” sole unit has provided stability even on the worst days with a nice high cuff giving excellent support around the ankle.

The boots are made 2.4/2.4mm full grain leather which has moulded well to my foot and the Gore Tex Duracom inner has meant that my feet have stayed 100% dry even in deep, soft snow or extreme wet weather. Open hook lacing means that you can set up the fit of the boot just as you like it, and once you’ve found your “fit” then everything stays locked down and in place; the foot is anchored solidly in place with no movement or “sloppiness” that will cause blisters. The boots are available in UK 3 – 15 including half sizes. Overall this is one heck of a boot and I can see now why it has become the choice of the professional user. Whilst our lives may not depend on it, this is a fabulously well-made European boot, put together with the very best of everything.

MAX PERFORMANCE!

I’ve chosen the boots here not because they are the cheapest out there but because in my opinion they offer great value for money, and between them will have you covered all year round other than in mountainous areas in full winter and all will provide maximum performance for your money; for “true winter” you’ll need a more specialist mountain boot that is crampon compatible, and that’s a whole other ballgame!

Now do bear in mind that these boot models fit my particular foot-shape well and may not be so ideal for you, but I hope I’ve

given you an idea what to look for when you come to buy; when it comes to buying boots go to a specialist tactical boot fitter, or the top outdoor shops and outfitters will be able to offer a very good service in relation to precise fitting when it comes to the civilian models. If you’re after a dedicated military model then your local tactical store is the place to go.

Buy right, buy once even if you are “Daddy Bigbucks”, and if you’re usually broke like most shooters I know (including myself!) then getting it right first time is a bonus!

KIT: CHEST RIGS

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CHOOSING A CHEST RIG Whilst the current trend is for the majority to be wearing some form of plate carrier to train, Bill takes an “Old Skool” step back to look at chest rigs, be they canvas concoctions or thoroughly modern marvels of hi-tech nylon, and puts forward a case that this is a piece of gear that suits every need when it comes to load bearing!

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n my opinion a decent chest rig (indeed more than one!)

should have permanent residence in any self-respecting personal gear locker as I genuinely believe it’s one of the most useful bits of kit you’ll ever own! A chest rig will fulfil all that you need in terms of load carriage or simple gear-hauling; there really is a model that will suit both your budget.

Whilst it is currently popular to lug around a darn great plate carrier (even including plates if you’re “doing it right”!), and I’m as guilty as the next man for doing this, I’ve personally always been a huge fan of chest rigs; even if you’re in a situation where you need to use body armour (dubious really in a training scenario if you think about, unless it’s for “tacticool” points or that you really do wear one regularly for “work”) then a rig will allow you dump a lot of extraneous weight quickly and easily whilst keeping your plates in place. Over the years I’ve had numerous chest rigs as I find them comfortable to wear, and very easy to work with if the design is right; all of mine have served me very well indeed, and I will admit to having a bit of a collection of different models that I’ve built up over the years. My first ARKTIS rig is now well beyond the point of

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saving, and I’ve had rigs to try from some of the best companies in Europe and the USA, and frankly, I love ‘em all!

I’ve long been a fan of the US brand Tactical Assault Gear (TAG) which was set up by prior service USN SEAL Chris Osman, and one model to me still shows how “the rig” updated itself for what we need today; TAG were right in the game from the very beginnings of the “modern chest rig”, and as one of the first nylon gear companies to take up the then-new ATACS patterns they’ve got lots of experience working with different fabrics. Their gear has ALWAYS been really top notch, and the combination of a Phalanx Chest Rig and Combat Sustainment Pack has given me more than enough space to carry both a fighting load for my primary and a sustainment/survival load comfortably, and although they’ve been with me for quite some time, both items are still going strong.

I believe all of the above actually says a lot about how things have fundamentally changed; when I first started out most guys I knew used some form of belt-mounted load bearing gear, usually old military pattern as it was cheap and easily available. If, in those days, you wanted to look all “operator” (I don’t think that phrase even existed back then…) then you’d go

for a chest rig over your smock, in the UK usually a Webtex model, but if you were properly “into things”, then an ARKTIS. I was all set as I already had a classic ARKTIS rig that I’d bought from a Royal Marine, but in the years that followed the ante was upped as folk started appearing with rigs from the likes of BLACKHAWK! And then more esoteric models like the original LBT models. Movies like “Blackhawk Down” showed DELTA wearing BLACKHAWK! .223 Chest Rigs over PT body armour and sent things in a new direction, and soon the stores were awash with the setups that would become “Slicks” with the load bearing element worn separately to the armour carrier.

But even then the chest rig was nothing new! Many will rattle on about the Rhodesians being the “daddy” of the tactical chest

the Delta where such equipment kept magazines and ammunition clearer of the muck…

PICKING A STYLE

Suffice to say that the chest rig has been around in one form or another for some considerable time, and the choice of styles and load carrying options are now considerable. In my mind though you can break it down into three distinct areas; “Range Rigs” Chest rigs are really having a comeback moment when it comes to “training”; in the real world a “training rig” harks back to that DELTA setup where you wear it over, and in addition to, a low volume body armour vest (LVBAV) as it’s easy to get on and off when you’re on the range. An example here would be the Haley DC3 family or the Direct Action Hurricane Hybrid.

The “Recon Rig” The first style is one that I’m very fond of, and this will include the original “ChiCom”, in that the rig is designed to carry spare magazines and very little else. Often used in conjunction with a patrol pack “the recon rig” gives you immediate access to ammunition that could be restricted in a conventional belt position by the straps/belt of your pack. Although the “ChiCom” is the best example here more up-to-date designs are available from numerous manufacturers, and I have a couple of super split-front versions from US brands “Head On Tactical” and “Whiskey Two Four”.

“Fighting Rigs” Upping the load carrying aspect of the rig, the “Fighting” version takes its lead from the “recon and training” and then adds additional storage; a great example of this is the original ARKTIS, the LBT 1961, or coming up to date the Helikon-Tex Guardian and the Direct Action Thunderbolt. In this category I’ll also include the multitude of MOLLE platforms that can be configured to your liking.

LIGHT IS RIGHT!

KIT: CHEST RIGS

rig story, but in reality the “rig” has been somewhat of a staple throughout military history, often being worn by specialist units, or at the very least those that could be classed unconventional. If you look way back at pictures of pirates and Royal Navy Boarding Parties you’ll quite regularly see multiple black-powder one-shot pistols and numerous knives being carried across the chest, and of course the humble canvas/webbing rifle bandolier was also often worn “crosswise” to aid in accessing ammunition! WWI and II gives us images of bandoliers being worn across the chest by both allied and axis troops (the USMC even had the M1918 grenade vest!), and when you get into Vietnam an “in country chest rig” was fairly common practice, and it wasn’t just bandoliers that were used!

This was the heyday of the “ChiCom” rig for the Type 56/ AK47 rifle, and once folk cottoned on to how useful this bit of kit was certain units soon started using them too! Not only the “ChiCom” was used, but also the rig for the SKS rifle as 20 round magazines for the M16A1 fitted this perfectly! Soon certain units were fabricating their own “home-grown” rigs designed for the longer 30 round magazines, and the USN SEALs in particular were great fans of this style, often operating in the chest deep waters of

If you prefer to run “Light is Right” then a chest rig of some description is going to fit the bill perfectly; chest rigs are minimalist and lightweight, don’t overly restrict movement, and allow you to carry a good load of magazines. The Competition Multigun Rig platform from Helikon-Tex is one that I’ve been using a lot recently, one of the “keystones” of their new system and is made of hardwearing 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 part-lined with velour for comfort and moisture management. I’ve been wearing this rig for range sessions for a while now, and not only is it super-versatile between platforms, but also fits so snugly you almost forget you’re wearing it until you need to “bomb up”!

Going just a little heavier, the OneTigris Vulture still follows the “Light is Right” design concept, and is a minimalist model that’s just perfect for your regular range sessions or short skirmishes, and priced at around US$60 it’s not going to break the bank either!

Now you might think that for 60 bucks you would end up with something that’s not going to last, but this rig is a bit special.

Currently available in 500D Cordura Nylon Multicam fabric (I hope that they’ll do other plain colourways in due course) the Vulture

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KIT: CHEST RIGS

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benefits from solid construction throughout, along with genuine UTX Buckles and YKK Zippers; the price might be keen, but the components and build quality are great. There are four magazine pockets that will hold the majority of AR or AK-style magazines, along with two flapped pistol magazine/tool/flashlight pockets and a generous zipped admin pocket on the front; the admin pocket features a velcro patch for unit/names tapes, along with two further rows of MOLLE webbing for additional items should you desire to fit them. The main body of the rig has a full-width breathable mesh backer which is very comfortable, and the whole thing is topped off with a simple unpadded X-harness, a style I personally prefer as it doesn’t catch up as easily on lo-pro body armour if you’re wearing it.

be adjusted (think STANAG v AK), and exchangeable magazine/ handgun inserts can be rearranged swiftly and easily.

The Guardian has a universal, removable and adjustable Xor H-harness, channels on straps for wiring, antenna, hydration tubes, exchangeable inserts (included), double pistol magazine pouches, double rifle/carbine (AR/AK) magazine pouches and three fixed double rifle/carbine magazine pouches(AK/AR). There are height-adjustable magazine pouch flaps, two spacious cargo pockets (USGI canteen compatible) and multiple PALS/MOLLE panels for additional pouches / accessories. All in all it’s a well thought out bit of kit, and the bonus is that the lightly padded shoulder harness actually makes it comfortable for extended periods!

The Tasmanian Tiger Chest Rig MK II PC is another fave of mine; this is a real quality chest rig made in 500D Cordura, and it comes with four integrated magazine pouches and two utility pouches, and on top of that you can of course attach an infinite number of additional MOLLE compatible pouches to meet your own personal requirements. The four integrated magazine pouches with adjustable velcro flaps, can hold the majority of magazines currently in use (I use mine mostly with my “.308” AR magazines) although STANAG mags can wobble a little, and the two utility pouches on the sides can each handle a one litre water bottle. The rig is designed with the option to carry ballistic side plates and is covered with MOLLE webbing for attaching extra pouches; Tasmanian Tiger offer an extensive range of different pouches to go with the rig. There’s a large map pouch on the inside, a removable bib with a small document pouch on the inside, and the whole thing is lined with 3D mesh. The H-style shoulder straps feature quick release buckles on both ends, and there’s a generous amount of adjustment in both height and width.

LOADING FOR BEAR

The Helikon-Tex HTX Lines Project was created in 2016 as a whole new concept of product development within the company and they’ve been slowly but surely rolling it out since then. Initial concepts were turned into pre-production samples, the final versions of which are now available in stores worldwide. Their assets are the right people combining to create one of the most innovative design teams in the industry. The Guardian Chest Rig is a universal carry platform built to accommodate a basic ammunition load and personal equipment. Designed to work along with a backpack and belt kit, it can optimise the configuration of your “shoot gear”. Depending on the number and size of magazines the height of the fixed pouch flaps can

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My “go to” though is the Hurricane from the guys at Direct Action in Poland; so what makes the Hurricane so desirable in my eyes? Simply put it’s a low profile, adjustable rig made from lasercut laminated 500D Cordura so it’s tough enough to endure an awful lot of abuse. It has a softshell interior construction that makes it a comfortable rig to wear for extended periods of time.

This is a broad overview, but in essence boils the designs down to their essence. Super-light and basic, light yet versatile, and then full-on “I’m out for a rumble” style; basically the choice is yours!

I’ve listed a few of my personal favourites to give an idea of what you can be looking for if you’re in the market from your own rig, but as always be sure to “try before you buy” to make sure you get the one that fits right, and suits your style and needs best.

KIT: CHEST RIGS

The harness is well constructed and feels sturdy even when the rig is loaded up and it has a reinforced drag handle incorporated into the design, along with the ability to be attached to one of the Direct Action Body Armour systems. The “Hurricane” has nine PALS slots on the sides of the rig which are perfect for radio, medical, utility pockets and horizontal PALS slots under the ammo pouches for items such as tourniquets, pistol mag pouches and 40mm pouches so you aren’t just limited to the pouches on the rig itself should you wish to upgrade it. If you choose to run comms, the fixed pouches are a great size for most PRRs and the rig has routing channels to keep everything tidy and to prevent wires getting caught.

Not only is it comfortable and solidly put together but it comes as standard with integrated, adjustable magazine pouches with paracord retention that adjust to fit a combination of eight AR, four AK, or even four 7.62mm magazines. It also features a number of fixed external pouches for other essentials including two adjustable pouches, a sealed zipper pouch and a Velcro flap pouch for when you need to access items quickly. The harness is completely adjustable thanks to a secure harness design, and to keep the excess material tidy it has Velcro wraparound “tidys”. It has a split front- zipper design as well so you don’t need to adjust it every time you remove it which is very neat indeed. The Hurricane is available in Adaptive (foliage/ranger) Green, Black, Coyote Brown, MultiCam, Pencott Badlands, Pencott Greenzone and Urban Grey so there is a camo option for every environment. At €239 this isn’t the cheapest model of chest rig on the market by a long shot, but if you’re after excellent design along with superlative fabrics and workmanship then it’s really a bit of kit that you should seriously consider parting with cash for!

GALATI .50 BMG WEAPONS CASE

TO COMPETE OR NOT This time our good friend Paul Hutchinson, founder of ARG Associated Risks Group based in the UK, joins us to look at some considerations in answering the question as to whether completion shooting benefits you in the more tactical role. Paul is a former Police Officer and Firearms Instructor and has worked with some of the world’s elite forces; he also still works as a Security Consultant so we firmly believe that his advice will help you to discover current “best practice”.

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ver the years I’ve listened to many people argue over the use of Practical Pistol competition shooting training techniques in the real world of firearms training. I have to say if we can’t take the experience from the practical circuit and then use those basic skills in real-world, something is wrong.

Think of it like this, when you pick up a 1911 or a new gen Glock 17, they are both different pistols from different era’s. The reality of it is the way in which we engage the target, stance, grip and the sight picture we use, are the same. The way in which we manipulate the trigger has not changed. Some pistols have changed a little but not the way we use them (exceptions to red dot sights etc, as generally most of us are issued with factory weapons) The fundamental basics have never changed and Practical Pistol looks at how they can use those basics, combined with economy of movement, accuracy and speed to get the fastest time. Can we take a lesson or two? Can we learn from continuous progression mastering the art? Yes, we can.

Whenever I get on a range and I haven’t fired for some time, I like to go for my fastest, most accurate shots cold! No warm up, no practice....! I like to see where I am, my ability.

Because this cold shooting is a reflection on how I will be on the day of the race.

Then the better I am in practice, when it comes to a real world contact and I’m under the adrenaline rush, tunnel vision, auditory loss and everything else that we experience, means that a millisecond better and an inch more accurate might be the difference between success and failure, life or death!

Anyone in any sport at the top of their game will tell you the same thing, that the basics and practising the basics is the key to being successful.

Now my gripe is there is always someone trying to come up with a new “Gucci” way to shoot, the introduction of some YouTubers and glossy magazines and everything else in the world in which we consume everything and spend billions of £$.

This means that marketing campaigns and product placements are there to make you believe that this new fantastic bit of kit is gonna make you shoot better.

Well, no... Training will help you shoot better. The kit and equipment will help you maintain, carry, secure and conceal your firearm. That said some kit does give you a degree of confidence in knowing it’s a great bit of kit. But, I don’t know any piece of kit that can grip, draw, obtain a sight picture and manipulate the trigger squeeze. That bit is up to you.

Stay safe.

www.arg.uk.com

KNIVES: SOG PILLAR

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SOG PILLAR -

BY JIM WENZEL

Many gun people consider the edged weapon an obvious substitute for a firearm when a concealed handgun can’t be carried due to restrictions or other limitations. The concept of being armed usually revolves around having a firearm on your person. Those of us that commit to carrying a handgun on a daily basis realize that it is the best tool available for self-defence against a lethal threat that can be concealed on the body. For most in the gun community, anything short of a firearm is a poor compromise.

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he most commonly discussed compromise however, is an edged weapon. It is very common for gun carriers to also carry an edged weapon every day and for a good reason. There is a great deal of misconception related to the use of an edged weapon in selfdefence, and those who do indeed factor the edged weapon into their self-defence plan should think it through.

The edged weapon is an absolutely vital part of daily carry, and I say that with a strong conviction that if you don’t carry a blade, you are not prepared for the dangers of this world.

You are more likely to encounter a cutting task such as cutting something like a seatbelt to render aid to someone rather than the likelihood that you are to face the need to use an edged weapon to fend off an attacker. I am an absolute proponent of carrying an edged weapon as a must have in case the need arises.

I can tell you that the single most critical component of an edged weapon’s capability is missed by most: The ability to deploy the edged weapon quickly. If you are going to rely on an edged weapon for self-defence in any capacity the first priority you should set for yourself is the ability to get the knife out quickly.

As you might imagine, this is exponentially more difficult with a folding knife than a fixed blade, and it requires a significant amount of training and practice, which takes to the SOG Pillar. This fixed blade edged weapon is designed to meet and exceed the needs of the end user. It’s practical yet tactical and has the ability to be easily concealed and rapidly deployed for any situation that you may find yourself in.

ABOUT THE MAKER

SOG became the vision of a young designer by the name of Spencer Frazer, who in his apartment back in 1986 after seeing members of a highly classified US special ops unit,– known as MACV-SOG,- carrying a unique combat knife into the jungle on covert missions.

Frazer has said that it was started with a simple mission: to create innovative products that stand apart from the pack and then what began as a single knife tribute of the

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Coming from a military and law enforcement background, I have carried many varieties of knives and I currently carry a SOG Escape Knife with Seatbelt Cutter and Tungsten Glass Breaker as part of my EDC. So, when I was asked to take a look at the Pillar, I was eager and excited to see how it would perform.

The Pillar came in a nice and sturdy SOG presentation box.

Once I opened it, I was immediately drawn to the look and design of this knife. For a general purpose knife, it just looked solid. The Pillar is a fixed blade with a full tang, straight edge, and a clip point, when I picked it up it felt great in my hand and I quickly noticed the weight, coming in at a little over 7 ounces, it wasn’t too heavy or bulky. It is a well-balanced design and one that you can tell was built for the long haul. The Pillar comes with a Kydex sheath that is adjustable, low-profile, and has a locking mount.

Before I started any testing, I wanted to take a look at the blade steel type and blade hardness. The Pillar is made out of S35VN steel which is designed to hold up to long term use with little diminishment of quality. S35VN is still a relatively new steel

that was developed in 2009 as Crucible Industries’ attempt to improve on their previous top steel. S35VN steel is created using Crucible Particle Metal (CPM) technology, which evenly distributes carbides (the hard particles) in the blade, allowing the blade to retain a sharp and durable edge.

S35VN steel uses a finer grain structure than S30V and also includes small amounts of niobium (denoted by the “N” in S35VN). Niobium (Nb) is often used to enhance the strength of metals, which makes it ideal for products where strength is critical, such as rocket engines, jets and gas pipelines. S35VN’s rebalanced chemistry contributes to its improved sharpening ability and makes it more resistant to chipping. The finished S35VN steel is made of 1.4% carbon, 14% chromium, 3% vanadium, 2% molybdenum and 0.5% niobium. The S35VN steel has really caught my attention as it’s 145% better than 440C when measured against the sharpness scale.

The vanadium in the alloy works to create a fine grain structure that helps hold an edge. Niobium is even better than vanadium at keeping grain sizes small, so its addition to the alloy helps increase edge retention without giving up toughness or wear resistance. The addition of molybdenum increases the material’s strength to properly hold the edge.

Now onto the hardness of the blade, the Rockwell scale was co-created by Hugh and Stanley Rockwell in the early 20th century

KNIVES: SOG PILLAR

SOG Bowie for the special operations groups quickly turned into a full innovative line of tools that are highly regarded by Law enforcement specialists, military, hunters, outdoor enthusiasts, industrial professionals, and every day carry knife enthusiasts.

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KNIVES: SOG PILLAR

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to test the hardness of different materials. There are several different scales by which a material’s hardness is measured on, but blade steels are measured on the C scale. (HRC means Hardness on Rockwell scale C.) A low HRC number means the steel is softer and a higher number means it’s harder.

So let’s take a look at the Pillar using this scale, the company specifications state that the Pillar is a 59-61 on the HRC. On the Rockwell Hardness scale, CPM S35VN rates 58-61 HRC, which tells us that the Pillar is right on the mark with this steel for optimal temperament and use.

The canvas micarta handle is designed to fit the hand very comfortably and the slightly textured grip gives it a nice feel and sense of control while holding it in either hand. The blade has a nice sharp straight edge that can be a rare find when taking a knife straight out of the box and putting it to work.

SOG PILLAR SPECS

• USE: General Purpose • PRODUCT TYPE Fixed Blade • BLADE LENGTH 5.0 in • CUTTING EDGE 4.25 in • HANDLE LENGTH 4.92 in • OVERALL LENGTH 9.9 in • BLADE THICKNESS 0.16 in • HANDLE THICKNESS 0.65 in • WEIGHT 7.3 oz • FINISH Stone Wash with Machine Ground Edge • EDGE TYPE Straight • BLADE STEEL TYPE S35VN • BLADE HARDNESS 59-61 HRC • BLADE SHAPE Clip Point • BLADE GRIND Flat • SPINE TYPE Straight • HANDLE MATERIAL Canvas Micarta • HANDLE COLOR Black • SHEATH INCLUDED Yes • SHEATH COLOR Black • SHEATH ATTACHMENT TYPE Adjustable Low-Profile, Locking Mount • SHEATH MATERIAL Kydex • MSRP $189.95

TIME WITH THE BLADE

Over the past few months, I have carried the Pillar as an EDC. I carried it in several positions to check comfort and accessibility.

I found the low profile sheath to be very comfortable on the hip even with this medium sized, heavy duty type of blade.

After a few weeks of carrying it, I decided that I liked

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than most, I expected it to be a little difficult. If you’re new to sharpening blades, I would recommend starting this blade on a leather strop before attempting to use a block. This blade will not only sharpen well, it’s designed to take a beating and beyond.

The chromium is what gives steel its ability to resist corrosion, but it is less tough and wear resistant than other metals. CPM S35VN is made with 14% chromium to maximize stain resistance and corrosion without giving up too much toughness. The addition of molybdenum also helps to keep away corrosion, specifically the type that causes pitting in the steel. After these tests and leaving it out in the elements of North Florida, I haven’t seen any signs of corrosion which is a great sign for future owners of the Pillar.

Final Thoughts After spending over 3 months of regularly carrying the SOG Pillar, I have decided this variant is by far one my favourites. I really loved the aggressive look and feel of this blade. As I stated earlier, I have carried many types of blades for different jobs throughout my career and as an outdoorsman. SOG has really caught my eye over the years, after my Benchmade foldable broke years ago, I went to carrying the SOG on duty and it performed over and over again without a hiccup.

Having the opportunity to test the Pillar and seeing how it performed just continues to show that they are on top of their game. They also offer a lifetime warranty which is a nice thing to have in the back pocket when you invest in one of their blades.

Again, SOG has really accomplished something great with this blade. Its ability to perform really impressed me as it didn’t disappoint. The price point is about average in my opinion for blades of this caliber and is well worth the extra cents to have a quality blade added to your EDC that can accomplish many diverse tasks and can handle the rugged terrains one may encounter. This blade is built for the everyday outdoorsman to the knife fighter as this balanced and aggressive blade can most definitely be the difference maker in a violent encounter.

As always, train the mind, train the weapon. Hope is not an operational plan. Stay sharp and continue the fight!

KNIVES: SOG PILLAR

carrying it inverted and just to the rear of the hip. I found this to be the most comfortable and allowed me to easily draw the blade from a concealed manner with little overt movement. I’ll have a picture showing this attached to the article, this position gave me a nice sturdy grip and a smooth draw.

This is my first article knife review, so I sat and thought of how others would be using this blade, such as environmental factors, field uses etc. To test the blade’s sharpness, I went out to the wooded trail behind my residence and started using it to shave bark off several types of trees ranging from soft to hard woods. I did this to emulate finding what one would need to set up camp to make a fire, and make a shelter. I found this blade to be exceptional in its performance, as it was able to shave each type with minimal effort. I also used the clip point to work on hollowing out a piece of wood in which the tip kept its shape and sharpness. There wasn’t any chipping and rolling that I could see or feel. After this test, I then tested the edge retention by slicing a piece of 8x11.5 inch printer paper, the Pillar performed exceptionally well.

To account for some environmental factors, I added liquid soap and water to the handle to help give the feel of a blood soaked blade and handle that one could experience from using this blade to cut several types of game ranging from fowl to deer as well as inclement weather such as heavy rain. I wanted to see how the textured handle would perform. The Pillar also has a nice serrated part on the spine that is at the top portion of the handle, I found this as well as the textured grip to perform extremely well. The blade stayed tight in the hand with little to no slippage while performing tasks; using my thumb on the serrated spine while conducting cutting movements worked very well, as it kept the blade in place in my hand.

I then decided to place the blade in the freezer for a few hours in order to account for some winter type temperatures and then see how it would perform as well. The Pillar again performed better than I could anticipate.

The blade still looks new, no issues. I then spent some time on the sharpening block to see how this blade will take to the block. I found it somewhat easy to manage, being a harder steel

FIREARMS - SIG SCORPION P320 AXG

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SIG SCORPION P320 AXG Over the past six years, the hottest pistol platform on the market has clearly been the P320 series from SIG Sauer. Since making its debut in 2014, the development of the P320 design has visibly grown in leaps and bounds within the firearms community. Using a serialized chassis SIG refers to as the “fire control system”, the P320 series allows for a plethora of options that have traditionally limited most firearms.

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ach new model in the P320 series successfully builds off the previous one with new contours and styling in the attempts to develop the perfect mission specific pistol. As the world has watched SIG reshape the way we think about polymer platform, private gun owners, law enforcement and military groups have taken notice and began to start transitioning to the P320 and M17 variants.

Throughout last year, Clint Steele and I covered here in PMCI Magazine the comparison of standard 320 model with two of the newer variants. Clint discussed the Government issued M17 variant while I detailed the Gucci “bells and whistles” elite Legion model in one of the most enjoyable range sessions I have ever covered. Both of us not only pointed out the obvious pros of each pistol but honestly discussed the cons as well. Aside from different features, these pistols were all full-size competition and duty size pistols ready for action straight out of the box for the best performance possible in the polymer world.

While full-size frame pistols are most often thought of first, it is the mid-size frame that is in the most demand according to overall global sales. Over the past decade, the Glock model 19 has clearly proven this point by consistently leading all sales. Even as SIG inked the deal on one of the most lucrative military contracts in history at the end of

extensive modular pistol trials with their full-sized M17 P320 variant, a mid-sized model M18 was also requested as part of the deal. SIG is no stranger to producing both sizes to meet military contracts as proven in their huge success with

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Within a couple of weeks of my request, SIG had a sample of the P320 AXG delivered to the office. When the box arrived, I opened it up and pulled out a black Custom Works Case featuring dual briefcase style locks. Upon opening this impressive looking case, the pistol was nested neatly into its foam cut out with one 17 round magazine inserted. Surrounding the gun were two additional 17 round magazines, a certificate of authenticity, the usually legal paperwork along with owner’s manual and a beautiful SIG Custom Works challenge coin.

When I removed the pistol from the case, I first noticed the weight. While not as overtly hefty and barrel heavy as the

Legion variant, it did clearly feel heavier than its M18 polymer counterpart. When I indexed the pistol to full arm extension, it seems to balance well in my hand and brought the sights naturally to my eye line. The deep undercuts in the trigger guard and the slim Hogue G10 Piranha grip panels made the pistol feel as if it melted into my hand. Considering every P320 variant I held until then featured grips molded into the frame, the AXG Scorpion felt more like I was holding my Legion P229 hammer fired pistol.

The skeleton flat trigger not only looked good but featured the same smooth 6 lb trigger break and ridiculously short reset as my Legion P320. I am a huge fan of the 90-degree trigger break the flat trigger offers. As a firearms instructor, I have seen how it helps eliminate trigger slop in new shooters. During rapid fire, this aids in keeping the gun centered and on target much easier and faster.

One specific item I carefully inspected was the magazine well.

This area was smoothly beveled on all four sides to accept not only the standard 17 round magazines but the extended 21 round magazines with the larger base plates as well. These are usually not compatible with the standard P320 model but a huge plus in being able to do so with the Scorpion. The same magazines I regularly run with my Legion and M18 fit cleanly into the Scorpion with no issues. This is a “must” option for me with any potential carry gun as a ready reload. It was a huge understatement to say I was looking forward to many upcoming range trips to break this gun in and gather data.

FIREARMS - SIG SCORPION P320 AXG

variants of the P226 and P229 models. To date, SIG has close ties with the P320 platform with all four branches of the military.

The latest in the evolution of the P320 platform comes from the SIG custom shop in the form of the P320 AXG Scorpion model.

Unlike most traditional striker fired pistols; SIG decided to go a different route with this model. Building off the huge success of the Tungsten infused frame of the Legion model, SIG took it one step further by using an Alloy X-series Grip (AXG) frame. This all-metal frame is the backbone to a complete custom version of the mid-size P320 Carry model. With features usually only found in the company’s elite Legion series, this new variant coated with Flat Dark Earth (FDE) Cerakote is not only visually appealing to the professional world but sized to be comfortable and convenient to conceal for both the civilian and covert operations worlds. As soon as SIG introduced this new model in late 2020, I had a request filed to receive one of the first shipments for test and evaluation.

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FIREARMS - SIG SCORPION P320 AXG

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SIG SCORPION AXG P320 SPECS

CALIBER: 9mm Luger MAGS INCLUDED (3) 17rd Steel Mag SIGHTS X-RAY3 Day/Night Sights OVERALL LENGTH 7.4 in OVERALL WIDTH 1.3 in HEIGHT 5.5 in BARREL LENGTH 3.9 in WEIGHT 31.3 oz SIGHT RADIUS 5.8 in TRIGGER ACTION Striker Fire TRIGGER TYPE Skeletonized Flat Trigger GRIP MODULE Carry AXG BARREL MATERIAL Stainless Steel FRAME / SLIDE FINISH Flat Dark Earth MSRP $1129

RANGE TIME

Over the following few months, I taught several classes from Basic to Instructor level for both the USCCA and NRA as a Training Counselor. The SIG AXG Scorpion was shot by several fellow instructors, candidate instructors and new shooters alike from all around Florida and on the range in Las Vegas, Nevada as part of one of my courses. The feedback from varying levels of proficiency was amazing. Some items pointed out were the same regardless of skill level while shooters on the extreme ends of the spectrum did take notices of opposite items as well.

Indexing onto target and acquiring the sights quickly

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FINAL THOUGHTS

After spending over five months of regularly carrying and shooting the P320 AXG Scorpion, I have decided this variant is by far my favorite. I freely admit in previous articles, my first exposure to the original P320 design back in 2014 was a lukewarm first impression. Having carried Glock pistols since 1997 and throughout my law enforcement career, I had no intentions of moving away from the brand. Over the past

couple of years, our team of writers and Swanson Training Group instructors have had the opportunity to test and review all variants of the P320.

When the M17 was released, I began to evolve more towards the SIG series as Clint Steele and I put some long hours on the range in on learning the feel and accuracy of the newer designs. After following up with the X5 Legion, I was sold on the heavier feel for stability and superior overall accuracy the pistol offered over my “go to” Glock 17. As I pointed out in the PMCI review of the pistol, it was a great experience to shoot but with the side cut outs and Tungsten impregnated weight of the gun made it less than “optimal” for an everyday urban jungle carry gun.

With the P320 AXG Scorpion, I really enjoyed the weight of the aluminum alloy frame along with the crisp trigger break, and easy to see sights. The overall feel of the gun seems to balance in my hand. I daily carry the Scorpion in an Inside the Waistband holster custom built by John Phillips aka “The King of Kydex” from Survivor Creek Tactical. Loaded in the gun is the 17 round flush fit mag with an additional 21 round magazine held in place inside my front pocket by a NeoMag carrier. The hidden flared magwell make quick reloads with the extended capacity magazines smoothly second nature. These enhanced features of the new P320 Carry variant make for the perfect storm of stability, compact size, and magazine capacity.

Retailing around US$1129, this variant is approximately double the basic P320 pistol, but once you have an AXG Scorpion in your hands and shoot it for the first time, the difference is obvious. While it may not be the most cost-effective tool for the first-time shooter, that was never the intention of this variant of the pistol to begin with. From the ground up, the AXG Scorpion was redesigned by the SIG SAUER custom shop to be the tool of a professional. This gun is meant to help bridge the gap between many warriors who prefer the “real steel” feel of the SIG P229 versus those who cling to their Glock 19 pistols.

For more about the AXG Scorpion and other P320 variants, visit www.sigsauer.com and explore.

Until next issue, Train Hard and Continue the Fight!!

FIREARMS - SIG SCORPION P320 AXG

became second nature with the signature P320 grip angle and its X-RAY3 Day / Night sights. Everyone commented on how the gun simply felt natural in the hand. This was interesting to hear from the experience shooters who commonly shot a Glock with a more extreme grip angle. Some even commented that shooting as little as 50 rounds through the SIG made going back to their gun more difficult.

New shooters enjoyed the smoothness of the trigger that made a standard 6 lb pull feel as if it were only around 3 or 4 lbs. More experience shooters commented more on the extremely short reset rather than pull, with all comments being incredibly positive of the trigger overall. There were almost a dozen cases in which candidate instructors needing to qualify on the range struggled within a few points of scoring the needed points to pass with the pistols they brought to class. After a few dry practices with the SIG P320 version of the SIRT training pistol before using the SIG Scorpion to qualify, every shooter comfortably succeeded their goal on the second attempt. Regardless of age or gender, everyone shot better after shooting the SIG with left and right variances decreasing and less noticeable recoil anticipation than with their own guns.

Personally, the pistol balanced and shot like a cross between a P229 and P320, with all the best options the custom shop has to offer. My performance with the AXG versus the Legion that I took to Washington DC last year to qualify to become an NRA Training Counselor were nearly identical with the tie breaker going to faster first shot times from holster. By the time I cycled around to finally having a weekend off after five weeks, over 2000 rounds fired and over 5,000 miles traveled, the AXG Scorpion had well earned its place as my “go to” carry and range instruction gun.

FIREARMS - GLOCK 44

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GLOCK 44 REVIEW Question? What happens when you cross the history’s most popular caliber with the world’s most popular firearms manufacturer? Answer – You get the Glock model 44 chambered in .22 LR! For the diehard Glock fan base, this was a long-awaited platform shooters had been awaiting for decades! - TS

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hese shooters had to sit by the side as they watched companies such as S&W, SIG, Ruger, even Colt release or license .22 versions of their popular larger caliber handguns and rifles. Prior to late December, only option for running .22 LR on a Glock platform came in the form of a conversion unit from Tactical Solutions that was almost as expensive is the base model Glock it was meant to convert.

Finally, after much anticipation, the model 44 hit the market just as we moved into the year 2020 and Glock shooters rejoiced. I should know, because honestly, I was one of them.

After spending a half hour shooting a sample of the new pistol on the range during SHOT SHOW 2020, I immediately requested a sample for T&E as soon as I could. After a full year of working with the G44 on the range teaching classes and honing my own skills, the final report is in!

BEYOND PLINKING

As I write this article, the United States has crossed into a period

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of widespread ammunition shortages due to the growth of over 7.3 million new gun owners over the span of 2020. Major ammo manufacturers report in at anywhere for 12 – 14 months in backlogged orders. Unlike the common defensive calibers such as 9mm, .45, 5.56, it is still easier to find bulk quantities of .22 LR at affordable prices when in stock. Regardless of what brings shooters to the range, they all have a common need for affordable ammo and trigger time to have fun and grow their skillset.

The hot “buzz” term for all these new and traditional gun owners over the past two years has all been the same, Self Defense! Between media fearmongering, increased national violence and the rapid growth of powerhouse organizations such as the United Concealed Carry Association, people have flocked to firearms training. Professional firearms instructors have seen vast increases in Concealed Carry, Basic, Advanced firearms, Situational Awareness and First Aid courses. As an NRA and USCCA Training Counselor, I have not only taught hundreds of students during this span and before, but also been honored to help certify new firearms instructors as well. I have seen how

FIRST LOOK

When the package from Glock arrived at my office a few weeks

after sending in my request, it contained a standard black plastic Glock box with the G44 and an additional package containing an optional threaded barrel. Much to my dismay, the model 44 only ships with two 10 round magazines, unlike most other Glocks that come with three magazines. Also included are the standard Gen 4 style backstrap additions. The overall size of the frame and slide were that of a standard model 19 chambered in 9mm or its counterpart, the model 23 in .40 cal. With the Glock model G19 being the most popular model among civilian sales and second behind the full sized G17, the G44 is marketed to the largest possible audience.

While the dimensions are almost exact, the G44 comes in about 9 ounces lighter than its G19 counterpart. This is mainly due to the G44’s hybrid slide that incorporates a steel core breach block and rails wrapped in a lightweight polymer cover.

This keeps the slide light enough for the force of the .22 LR to reliably cycle the slide. Combined with a fluted chamber that allows for gas flow around the cartridge during firing to clear debris away, the action helps fight fast build up commonly associated with the tight tolerances of the .22 platform.

The G44 ships with the standard white dot front sight and white outlined “U” shaped and can be upgraded with any sights that will fit models such as the 19, 17, 34 or their corresponding models. This can closer replicate the larger firearm one may carry to training, duty or every day carry (EDC). The standard 5.5

FIREARMS - GLOCK 44

our Swanson Training Group (STG) methodology, techniques, and proper mindset along with the traditional training doctrine we teach has trickled down to the students of our former students and continued forward. As fellow PMCI writer, Clint Steele would say, “Forward, always forward!”.

The challenges of teaching students how to properly shoot lie in helping them learn proper stance, breathing, grip, sight picture / sight alignment, trigger control and follow through / recoil mitigation. Over my twenty years of helping law enforcement and civilian shooters become more efficient with firearms, I have noticed where the most learning occurs. In the classroom, the stance and grip can quickly be attained and practiced using training aids as simple as blue guns or ASP red guns, both which are simply gun shaped blocks of solid plastic.

To get true feedback from sight picture / sight alignment and trigger control, SIRT guns from www.NextLevelTraining.com or high end 6mm guns driven by green gas have proven to be faster to decrease learning curves. These greatly assist in getting students better focused on the fundamentals. However, when it comes to breathing, recoil mitigation and follow through, nothing can take the place of live fire. This is where the Glock model G44 comes in handy.

FIREARMS - GLOCK 44

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lb trigger felt like every “out of the box” Glock I have ever shot.

The flush fit ten round magazine loaded easily and dropped free cleanly. I immediately ordered three additional magazines to give me more training options in reloading without having to stop every two magazine changes to refill them.

The G44 also ships with four replaceable back straps to make the grip thicker as needed. Having smaller hands, I cannot say I have ever needed any of these additional molded straps, but I do have close friends who praise these options for their gorilla sized paws. While I am a huge advocate of the “adapt and overcome” philosophy of grip to hand ratio, I will admit it does make life so much nicer when the gun feels like it was custom made for you. Fortunately, grip felt great without any extra add-ons straight out of the box. I was looking forward to getting some rounds down range as soon as possible.

G44 SPECS

Caliber Overall Length Slide Length Width (Overall) Slide Width Height w/ Mag. Overall Sight Distance Trigger Travel Distance Magazine Capacity

ON THE RANGE

.22 LR 7.28 inch 6.85 inch 1.26 inch 1.00 inch 5.04 inch 6.02 inch 2.76 inch 10 rounds

To get different perspectives on the Glock 44, I invited fellow STG instructor and gun writer, Jim Wenzel and well-known holster maker, John Phillips aka the “King of Kydex” from Survivor Creek to lend a hand. Our team met early one morning at the Baldwin Pistol School owned by good friend, Tom Martin.

Over the next two hours, shooters ran various strings of fire and

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made their notes. The ultimate compliment to come from this initial session was simply, “It shoots like a Glock”. The pistol ran flawlessly and felt very natural to a group of guys who have spent the bulk of their shooting careers pulling Glock triggers.

As described in our review of the Elevated Silence .22 Swarm ( www.ElevatedSilence.com ) in our last issue of PMCI Magazine, the successful range day continued as we switched to running suppressed. There was little noticeable point of aim, point of impact shift even at the 25 yard mark. The diminutive suppressor beat “hands down” three other .22 caliber suppressors I had in our inventory. Using the shorted configuration of the Swarm performed flawlessly, delivering the same impressive accuracy with the threaded barrel as the standard nonthreaded Glock barrel showed unsuppressed. Both Suppressor and Mini Mag ammunition from CCI were used with only a difference of a ¼” in accuracy difference in the two. The suppressed ammunition grouped slightly lower than the full power variant. This range session made me really excited to introduce this pistol to my students at the range.

Rather than just having new shooters jump from running SIRT or 6mm guns in the classroom to live fire with their 9mm or .45 caliber pistols on the range, my STG instructors and I divide shooting into subcategories as well. Depending on the skill level of our students, we will work them from the SIRT and 6mm to a .22 caliber handgun in which all their basic fundamentals can be practiced over and over under the watchful eye of a qualified instructor. This offers our students all the major fundamentals while keeping cost and recoil low. In the past, I often used a Ruger MKIII and MKIV 22/45 pistol for initial live fire.

As many readers know, the Ruger Mark series of pistols are an ultra-reliable and accurate .22 option for new and seasoned shooters alike. With most of our students running Glock 9mm variants, the Glock 44 was quickly adapted and helped learning curves between .22 and larger calibers greatly decrease. Even

FIREARMS - GLOCK 44

more so than using the Ruger Mark pistols. Students moving from the feel of the factory Glock trigger and standard factory Glock sights of the G44 to the same of the G17 or G19 was a direct transfer of comfort and proficiency. Try as others may, nothing feels and performs like a Glock than another Glock.

During the test period, the G44 was shot over 1500 rounds.

Aside from the occasional shooter induced error and two noted failure to go into battery issues due to an extremely dirty chamber, the G44 has not regularly had any malfunctions.

During the test process, fellow instructor, Tom Martin spoke to me about an issue he had with his three G44 pistols. It seems Tom had been given some bad ammo in which produced above average chamber pressures. The results were ejectors constantly breaking and needing replaced before the problem was diagnosed. While this is a relatively simple fix, it still is not something you wish to regularly deal with. Since having this issue, Tom has reported zero issues afterwards.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Overall, I recommend the Glock model 44 for a myriad of reasons. As a long time fan of the innovative Ruger Mark series and the classic Browning Buckmark line of pistols, the one clear advantage the Glock offers over the others is the one to one ratio it shares with the Glock 19. (For those wondering, the G44 it will not interchange slides with its larger caliber cousin.)

From the new shooter to the tactical officer or GSSF competition shooter doing practice walk throughs with low budget live fire, this pistol has to capability to make you a better thinker, shooter and strategist if done correctly.

Retailing for US$430, the average market price found in the local gun shop is right round US$399. I recommend this pistol as a great training aid to many of the new NRA and USCCA Instructors I certify to begin their teaching endeavors. The accuracy, constant trigger pull, familiar size and weight make for a perfect combination for an affordable pistol for training.

With the rising cost of ammunition and lack of availability,

the Glock 44 offers one of the best options on the market to continue live fire training and to best educate others in the process.

Many will agree that the concept of a .22 caliber version of the most popular handgun platform was long overdue.

However, I applaud Glock for taking their time to get it right the first time. The best way to really appreciate G44 is to shoot one for yourself. Several ranges across the country offer them to rent prior to purchase. I highly recommend giving it a try. To find out more about this model and other Glock products, visit www.us.glock.com.

SKILLS & DRILLS

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MOBILE RANGE With our good friend and valued PMCI contributor Andy N back in the fold he continues to share the experience he has gained both in the UK military and “on the circuit” as he continues with his usual wry take on the “Skills and Drills, Kit and Kaboodle” that are invaluable to any shooter!!!

D

oing the rounds on the square ranges, whether it’s for personal gain or for defensive tactics can be a little laborious to say the least. Even the most sophisticated and high tech range can seem like a place of doom and gloom. But what if you find yourself on a range in the middle of nowhere and with few and slim resources? How would you go about setting up targets to practice those new and old skills?

In this issue of PMCI I want to introduce you to my portable or mobile range bag. I have three range bags; one for indoor training with minimal kit, a bag for outdoor training with almost everything I need for a full day on the range whatever the weather, and my mobile range bag.

There have been many times that I’ve had to improvise adapt and overcome during training sessions both on a purpose-built rage and in the middle of nowhere. It can be hard and frustrating at the best of times when you struggle to make do with only what you have to hand. So I decided to put together a bag with all that I need to build a range (well, targets system anyway). It may not be the best nor the prettiest of systems, but when you have absolutely nothing to hand this, to me, has proved a life saver.

Quite a few chaps who have had the privilege to use my mobile

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range bag have gone on to put one together for themselves.

My first task was to plan it to be portable enough to take on any deployment I may find myself on. Everything had to be compressed into a large sports hold-all which was not too cumbersome and heavy. This took lots of trial and error before I got just what I needed, but my final result was workable.

My first problem was the target stand. For this I used 35mm poly pipe the kind you find in a plumbers merchants or hardware store. I cut lengths of pipe to fit into the bag with T-joints and bends to construct the shape. I also added a couple of straight connections for when the pipe gets damaged, so I can make a quick repair. I use sticky tape to hold the paper target to the stand once constructed. As for the targets themselves I use basically whatever I can lay my hands on at the time. If it’s available, I will use a role of lining paper, the type that decorators use when papering a wall. This is cheap and easy to get hold of in most places. Once secured in place with your trusty sticky tape you are free to draw or spray paint wherever targets you want. The poly pipe structure is lightweight and very sturdy for what it is but it will need to be secured to the ground in order to stop it falling over in the wind. For this I have used rocks, sandbags and even filled the pipes with dirt from the ground before now. I’ve rarely had any issues with these methods.

SKILLS & DRILLS

As I am no Picasso, I decided to also produce some simple stencils to accompany the bag. On my home range we use stencils made from hardboard, however this was not an option in this case. I obtained some thin card and cutaway the desired size and shapes needed to make my target stencils; again not the best in the world but workable under the circumstances. I added tabs to the shapes so I could hold them up to the target paper and spray them with vehicle paint if it was to hand, failing that I could use a marker pen to draw around them. I also cut out some shoot/no shoot target stencils too. This gave me the opportunity to add target identification drills into the mix.

The other items that I have included are coloured marker pens, a roll of duck-tape (for hanging targets and repairs) some coloured sticky dots for patching up the target and a retractable blade. Once the target is constructed it’s easily moved around on the range if desired. I was able to transport four target stands in one hold-all including all the necessary kit needed to keep the range going. The lengths of the poly pipe depends on the type of targets you are going to use and also the size of the hold-all that you are going to use to transport it in.

As I said it’s not the best nor is it the most sophisticated setup, but it sure beats shooting at rocks in the middle of the desert!

Train hard, Fight easy; until next time...

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TRAINING: VFC 1911 TACTICAL CUSTOM

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TRAINING: VFC 1911 TACTICAL CUSTOM When it comes to “1911” 6mm training models right now it seems to be all about the fancy “tacticool” versions, and whilst that’s no bad thing it’s worth remembering that the original single stack “daddy” is still a great option for serious pistol shooters, and the latest tactical model from VegaForceCompany is as good as it gets from the box!

TRAINING: VFC 1911 TACTICAL CUSTOM

I

Although I seem to be spending a lot of time on the Short Range at the moment with the latest “6mm Training” models as I’m unable to travel out of the UK to shoot “real” due to the current C-19 restrictions, I have to admit that I do love a “classic” and there will always be a “1911A1” in my collection of replicas simply because, just as in the real world, it’s just a wonderful pistol to own and shoot!

Since it’s so versatile, the 1911 is a great gun for competition shooters, concealed carry or as a homedefence pistol, and of course it’s still the “secondary of choice” for some Tier 1 units. It could be said that modern pistol designs have made the 1911 obsolete in its role as a combat sidearm, but when it’s set up and running well, it’s one of the most accurate pistol out there, and the .45 ACP round certainly has all the power that you’ll ever need! Since it is a uniquely American design that was created by uber-gun-guru John Moses Browning and was used by US soldiers in conflict from WWI onwards, it also sits high and proud in American gun culture, and owning one for many is like getting the “gun nod” from John Wayne or Audie Murphy themselves!

But in a world of striker-fired polymer double-stack handguns, is the old warhorse still worthy of its reputation as a fighting pistol?

Some would argue that the undoubted reliability of modern pistol designs, and indeed the increased round count that they offer, makes the classic 1911 seem dated to say the least. Numerous shooting luminaries have commented that a “stock 1911”, even one from a well-reputed firearms manufacturer (let’s not forget that it’s not only Colt that make 1991’s these days!), needs significant work to turn it into a reliable combat pistol, but it would seem that there’s a model that was purpose-built for the modern “operator” to use as is from the get go, and that’s the Kimber Custom TLE II. For any self-respecting gun bunny the name of Kimber is one that they’ll know intimately! It’s acknowleged that Kimber Manufacturing (somewhat interestingly founded by an Australian!) based in Troy, Alabama creates some of the very best 1911 pistols out there, and virtually every critical component is manufactured inside the Kimber factory. LAPD SWAT chose Kimber, along with the United States Marines assigned to Special Operations Command (the MARSOC pistol, known as the Kimber ICQB (Interim Close Quarter Battle) MEU SOC), The U.S.A. Shooting Rapid Fire Pistol Team, and most recently, LAPD Special Investigation Section (SIS), and they all chose Kimber for the same reasons apparently, those of quality, dependability and accuracy.

As a volunteer unit within the LAPD formed in the 1960’s, the LAPD SWAT team was initially made up of officers who furnished much of their own equipment, including their own firearms. Not satisfied with the performance or capacity of the “police special” revolvers that were standard issue at the time, SWAT officers, many of them former military, requested and were ultimately allowed to carry 1911 .45 ACP semiautomatic pistols that they’d used, and trusted, in the armed forces; it’s rumoured that even before formal permission came for the SWAT officers to be issued a 1911 they

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TRAINING: VFC 1911 TACTICAL CUSTOM

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resorted to carrying police-armoury refurbished models that had been confiscated from criminals! While LAPD SWAT has become a “benchmark unit” since 1967, all those original 1911 pistols have worn out, even with regular repairs and replacement when available, so the decision to finally purchase new pistols was made in early 2002.

Of course there were some pretty harsh criteria from the officers that dealt with criminal activity at the sharpest of sharp ends, and first and foremost was reliability, that the pistol simply worked every time, all the time. The pistol had to be “combat accurate”, breaking four inch groupings with five shots at 25 yards. Following reliability and accuracy came stopping power, and the .45 ACP cartridge was just the ticket for that, a renowned and respected “man stopper”. Each pistol needed to have reliable safety devices, good sights, good ergonomics, and a great trigger.

The testing was rigorous, a gruelling two-years, and every aspect of the pistols was tested, retested, and evaluated.

Kimber have pretty much been a success story right from the introduction of the first models back in 1995. In the early 2000’s though Kimber struck it big when they won that contract for supplying LAPD SWAT, as the Kimber Custom II 1911 was selected against four other companies that competed against Kimber for the contract. The Kimber Custom II single-stack .45 1911 (5” Government Model) defeated all comers, and became the standard issue sidearm for LAPD SWAT operators, and for an LE contract, it was a big one, 160 guns to issue every operator with two pistols (more on that later). Each LAPD SWAT Kimber Custom II came with a reliability upgrade, match-grade barrel and trigger group, full-length guide rod, Meprolight tritium night sights, a checkered front strap, front and rear slide serrations (I remember reading at the time this was so the pistol could be cocked against the body or police car door if the officer was injured in one arm), and a matt-black oxide finish. Each pistol also displayed “LAPD SWAT” markings on the right side of the slide, and special serial numbers exclusive to the team.

44

CITY STREETS TO TRAINING RANGES

With the latest release from VegaForceCompany (VFC) in the form of their “1911 Tactical Custom” though I believe we’ll be seeing some happy replica collectors, especially given the popularity of the movie “SWAT” and the more recent TV show of the same name, and the replica is a lovely handgun in its own right, both to own and train with!

Although the main character in the original 1975 TV show, Lieutenant Dan “Hondo” Harrelson (played by veteran actor Steve Forrest) used a classic single-stack 1911A1, the movie of 2003 saw Sam Jackson step into the “L-Ts” role, and along with the other members of the squad including Jim Street (Colin Farrell), he carried the Kimber Custom TLE II, both with and without the Surefire 310R weapon light. The pistols were fitted with the 310R, distinguishable from the issued 610R by the minimal protrusion past the muzzle, probably due to the majority of the 610Rs and spare parts being earmarked by Surefire for the “real guys”!

Although the Custom TLE II was correctly replaced in the 2017 TV show with the modernised Kimber Custom TLE/RL II and TLR1 Streamlight combo, I’m actually kind of glad that VFC chose to base their latest GBB on the “Jackson” model to distinguish it further from the plethora of replica railed “MEU” styles and “railguns” out there, and it’s definitely a nod to that first-issued SWAT 1911 which I personally love.

The “1911 Tactical Custom”, just like the real deal, is a striking looking pistol! It aims to break a few moulds in both looks and performance, and to my mind it does both very well indeed!

The new pistol is beautifully finished in every respect, living up to the “Kimber” feel although thankfully VFC haven’t included trademarks; VFC are one of the 6mm companies that understand the licencing game well and hold a number of good ones, and to be frank I would have been slightly disappointed had they added spurious ones to this pistol model. I all honesty this 1911 doesn’t need any dodgy trades to help it sell, as it’s good enough, WAY good enough, without them; the VFC 1911 is totally unmarked,

the “two 1911” thing I mentioned earlier. At the time of issue each officer was actually issued with not one, but two Kimber Custom II .45 ACP pistols, one pre-fitted with a 610R; this was due to the fact that the original pistol was un-railed, and therefore needed modification to fit a light. Originally designed for the 1911 pistol

by John Matthews, President of SureFire, and Bob Webber, former LAPD SWAT armourer, the SureFire Classic 610R Tactical Pistol Light was used by LAPD SWAT for some twenty years, but is now sadly a discontinued model. Luckily for collectors, if you want to replicate the full “SWAT-package”, VFC have also released a super replica of this light, the V1911 TACTICAL ILLUMINATOR. This slides right on to a 1911 frame, locking on with a longer slide stop, allowing you to fit a taclite without the need for an accessory rail, although as per the original you will need to pre-mount it if you want this option, and you’ll need a light compatible holster.

With this particular base covered off I believe that VFC have another 6mm winner on their hands with the “1911 Tactical Custom”; it’s a quality gas-driven pistol that cycles hard and fast, and is able to put BBs on target time and again, and in a supercost-effective way! It absolutely oozes quality, and with the “SWAT heritage” behind it, it’s a pistol that will be a must have for many collectors and shooters alike. Irrelevant of whether you buy this pistol for training purposes, or just want a really, high-quality 1911 replica for your collection, you’ll be pleased that you bought one of these, and I believe it’s a model you’ll cherish for some considerable time to come!

My sincere thanks got to my good friend Ray at www.vegaforce.com for sending me this lovely pistol, and to Danny at uk.redwolfairsoft.com for facilitating delivery; check out either link for more information on the 1911 Tactical Custom, along with many other great models from VFC.

TRAINING: VFC 1911 TACTICAL CUSTOM

making it “a completely blank canvas for you to place your own custom markings on it”.

That said, the VFC is undoubtedly a replica of the Custom TLE II and just looks great; VFC have done a top job in replicating the matt-black oxide finish (Kimber use their own finishing known as KimPro on many of their specialist pistols) of the real thing, and all the components like the trigger, hammer, and outer barrel are finished silver. The pistol features both the checkered front strap, along with those all-important front and rear slide serrations, and clearly white-spot-marked front and rear sights that are easy to use.

In use this 1911 is all about smooth cycling, and all the positive ergonomics you would come to associate with the 1911 platform.

Technically speaking, internally the pistol features a revolutionary hop up design that allows you use the guide rod for adjustments, the GuideHop, and this can easily be done on the go if necessary, allowing for you to access the hop without removing the complete slide; all you need to do is hold the slide to the rear and turn the guide rod itself to increase or decrease the hop with series of “clicks” that you can both feel and hear, then release the slide forward to keep shooting! The pistol also comes with a 20BB magazine and is extremely gas efficient, but that’s something I’ve come to expect from VFC these days! Literally my only gripe with the entire pistol is the magazine floorplate, which is “bumper style” rather that flat plain… yup, that’s it!

VFC quote power output on green gas as iro 0.83 Joule/300fps for the 1911, and they’ve got this pretty right; I tested using NP 2.0 gas and .20g RZRs and through the chrono ended up with a variance between 299 and 302fps which is pretty tight! Admittedly this was on quite a cold morning, so I’m thinking that the pistol could be a little livelier, and even more consistent, in hot weather, but still happily within a safe and usable power margin. Accuracy on the 10m Short range was excellent, punching the 240x210mm steels consistently with no “flyers”, and even delivering hits to the 60x50mm “headspace” on the steels at 5m.

I’ve one more comment to make on the 1911 Tactical Custom before closing, and that’s about the Surefire 610R weaponlight, and

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Helikon-Tex®

SFU NEXT Pants® Mk2 Improved battlefield classics

• Two large hook & loop closed cargo pockets on the sides • Redesigned to fit better • Reinforcements on seat and knees

CHECK OUT NEW HELIKON-TEX® SFU NEXT PANTS® MKII

Journey to Perfection

PMCI

I'd like to take the time to introduce you to our model featured left, a friend of mine named Travis Partyka, affectionally known as 'Big Red', being 6'4" and 240lbs. He was the real deal, 2-14INF 10th MTN DIV Sniper, contractor and my friend.

Well remembered and sorely missed 27/6/84 - 24/01/21 RIP TP.

BOOK REVIEW

Baz, PMCI Team.

RISK TAKER, SPY MAKER: TALES OF A CIA CASE OFFICER

BOOK REVIEW

Sometimes you come across a factual story that reads just like a novel, and Risk Taker, Spy Maker: Tales of a CIA Case Officer by Barry Broman is one of them, and it’s a story that I personally found hard to put down!

Broman has led a remarkable life, and met some remarkable people along the way of his years at a Central Intelligence Agency case officer. He was a teenage photographer for the Associated Press in Southeast Asia, then a Marine Corps infantry officer in combat in Vietnam before spending a quarter century as a “head-hunter” with dozens of recruits for the Clandestine Service in operations around the world. A lifelong photographer and traveller, he has published many articles and books.

Broman received a BA in Political Science in 1967 followed by an MA in Southeast Asian Studies a year later. Immediately following his service in the Marine Corps, he was recruited by the CIA and spent his first posting in Cambodia at war. He was present at the fall of Phnom Penh in 1975, escaping just before the Khmer Rouge took power.

He subsequently served in other Asian postings, one in Europe, and one in the Western Hemisphere. During his career, Broman was twice a CIA chief of station, once a Deputy Chief of Station, and supervised an international para-military project in support of the Cambodian resistance to Vietnamese invaders. He was actively involved in several assignments in counter-narcotics operations in Southeast Asia including a major “bust” that yielded 551 kilograms of high-grade heroin from a major drug trafficker!

His “favourite agent” against a variety of “hard targets” was a fellow whose only demand was that his assignments be “life threatening”; he survived them all. At times, the memoir reads like a travel book with tales of visits to little-known and rarely seen places like the Naga Hills on the India-Burma border, the world-famous but off limits jade and ruby mines of Burma, and the isolated Banda Islands of Indonesia, the home of nutmeg.

The book is strengthened by many photos by the author. They include Marines in action in Vietnam, the ravages of war in Cambodia at war, and opium buyers forcing growers to sell in Burma. If you want to know more about changing times on a worldwide stage, of the evolution between real war and the “shadow war” and the part of one astonishing individual in all of it, then this is a “must read”.

Publisher : Casemate Publishers (15 Aug. 2020) Language : English Hardcover : 312 pages ISBN-10 : 1612008968 ISBN-13 : 978-1612008967

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Advanced Security Protection

Blackstone Consultancy

http://www.advancedsecurityprotection.com/

http://www.blackstoneconsultancy.com;

AKE Group

Blue Hackle

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Ambrey Risk

Blue Waters Partners Global

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http://www.preparedex.com/

Antipirates.Org

BP Global

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http://www.bp.com/

APPDS

Britam Defence

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Aquatic Marine Ltd

British Maritime Solutions

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Protect Asia Group

BW Offshore

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Secopex

Calibre International Security

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Aspida

Chilport

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Associated Risk Maritime Risk Management

Chiron Resources

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Bancroft Maritime Security Solutions

Clearwater Special Projects

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Bechtel Corporation

Control Risks

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Black Pearl

Decatur Maritime Security

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Drum Cussac

HP TerraMarine International

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Dryad Maritime

Hudson Trident

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Edinburgh International

ICTS

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Elite Maritime Protection Services

IMSA Ltd

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EOS Risk Management

International Executive Recruiting

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Erus Maritime

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Espada

International Maritime Security

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Ex Military Recruitment

International Security Network

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Exploration Logistics Group

ISC Gulf

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G4S Maritime

ISSG Sea Marshalls

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Genesis Security Group http://genesissecurity.com/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hart Maritime http://www.hartsecurity.com

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

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Janusian Risk Advisory Group

MTResolution

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Kroll

MUSC

http://www.kroll.com/

http://www.sps-global.com

Longmoor Group

Naval Guards

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Lotus Maritime Security

Neptune Security

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Lotus Projects

NNK Group

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Maersk

NYA International

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Magregor Protection Services

Ocean Marshalls

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March Security

Ocean Protective Services

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Maritime Risk International

Oceaneering International

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Marsec

Olchon

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MAST

Olive Group

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McRoberts Maritime Security

Orchid Security

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

Merchant Maritime Warfare Centre

Oxberry Risk Strategies

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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

Pistris

SEAL

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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