Tactical Fanboy
Tactical Tailor
Home Categories TacticalFanboy Archives Email

Archive for 2012

The Sharp Dressed Shooter

Monday, April 2nd, 2012

Reprinted here courtesy of the Gear Locker. Go check them out if you haven’t already.

You may of heard of ZZ Top’s song, “Sharp Dressed Man”.  When a box arrived from Tactical Distributors, that was the song that popped into my head.  Inside the box, we had enough goodies to outfit a shooter for the field, the range, a game, or day of training.  We received a pair of Vertx pants, TD’s very own Shooter’s Shirt, and Multicam Under Armor Heat Gear Shirt, and the Black Palm Syndicate FlexFit hat in Multicam.

To start the review, we are going to look at Tactical Distributor’s Shooter Shirt with Velcro.  When I say this shirt is soft, it is an under statement. TD went with 100% Pima Cotton and it feels great when the weather gets warm.  A nice side benefit is they put a 4 inch x 3 inch section of Velcro for your favorite morale , ID, or name patch.  Another nice feature is no tag in the back of the neck. It is printed into the shirt.  And the seams are taped, so you don’t feel them as go through out your day.

When you head the range or the field, and want to stand out a bit, wear one of these and people will take a second look.  They currently come in Black Heather, Coyote Tan, and Olive Brown in sizes Small to XXL.

 

Left Side Velcro

 

Shooter Shirt in Tan

 

We don’t need to stinkin tags

 

Next out of the box were a pair of Vertx Pants .  I have been a HUGE fan of Vertx pants for a while now. They are in my top 5  of pants. One of the reasons that I like them so much is they do not look “Tactical”. If you had a scale from 1 to 10. I would say these are 3 or a 4, where a pair of 5.11 or LA Police Gear tactical pants would be a 8 or a 9.  I have actually worn these on Fridays in my office and no one made a note of them.  So, that is a great side benefit for those readers that need to use them to work in, and blend into the crowd.

The pants are very comfortable to wear, and that is in part to the materials used.  Vertx uses “Advantage Stretch”, which is 98% cotton and 2% lycra.  Couple that with articulated hip, and knees, gusset crotch, and a comfort waistband, and you can live in these pants for hours at a time.  Running, bounding, crouching is very comfortible in these pants. They fit well of 6 inch and 8 inch tall boots.

The other features that I like about them are the pockets. They are not baggy, and until you put items into them, stay flat against the sides of your legs. That is a nice touch, as it keeps the “tactical” look toned down a bit.  And for the back pockets, each one has a flap to help keep your wallet, ID, or documents in the pocket and not slip out if you are in a vehicle.

Vertx Tactical pants come in Tan, Kahki, and Olive Drab.  And sizes from 30×30 to 40×36

 

Vertx Pants

 

Articulated Knee

 

The RH Pocket has a inner pocket with a zipper. Great for small items.

Next out of the box, we have the Multicam Shirt from Under Armor.  It is made from their Heat Gear material and ArmourBlock Anti-odor technology.  The shirt is going to be a great addition to the summer kit.  This shirt will keep you cool on the field or the range.

Notice the UA logo on the shirt is muted

 

UA’s Logo

And finally, Tactical Distributor put into the box  the Black Palm Syndicate FelxFit hat in Multicam.  The hat is a “one size fits most” with the Flexfit soft-shell material.  It is designed to be worn all day, and you can sport your favorite moral patch on the front.  On the side, is the BPS logo.  It is a great item to top off that “Tacticool” Look.  The hat comes in two sizes, Small/Medium and Large/XL.

Black Palm Syndicate’s logo

 

FlexFit allows the hat to adjust to your head

 

I highly recommend you head over to Tactical Distribtor’s website. They have a ton of items of dozens of manufacturers and their shipping is by the far the fastest in the industry. And, don’t forget, they have some of the best customer service in the industry.

Eric Out!

Gratuitous hawt tattooed chick

Monday, April 2nd, 2012

Osprey Publishing’s awesome new Monopoly set

Sunday, April 1st, 2012

This is the Osprey Monopoly you have heard about complete with description. (Now if they’d just do a version of Risk or Stratego.)

For nearly the last two years, we’ve kept the development of Osprey Monopoly a closely guarded secret, but we just can’t contain the excitement any longer!

Coming later this year, we’ll be releasing a limited-edition run of 1,000 sets. Along with the our exclusive Osprey board, featuring some of our greatest books, you also get our special decks of ‘Chance’ and ‘Ammo Chest’ cards, plastic bunker and fortress pieces to fortify your properties, and a set of our metal game tokens (there’s no hat, but there is a Humvee!).

While the game mostly follows the traditional Monopoly rules of moving around the board, buying properties and building on them, we have included a few special rules that make for a slightly more ‘explosive’ game. But I don’t want to give too much away.

Keep your eye on the blog for a chance to pre-order this limited-edition set, and be the envy of all your friends.

www.ospreypublishing.com/blog/Osprey_Monopoly

This article appeared first on Soldier Systems Daily.

Epic Everywhere Camouflage Pattern

Sunday, April 1st, 2012

Better Camo has released a new pattern of camouflage that is guaranteed to replace all of their previous patterns; in fact, it will probably replace everyone else’s camouflage. They say it’s ‘one new pattern to rule them all.’ (Not sure if it will find them or in the darkness bind them.) The ECP Everywhere Camouflage Pattern is guaranteed to work everywhere. There will be no need for multiple cammie patterns in gear and uniforms henceforth, no matter what the operational environment.

Rumor has it USSOCOM, JSOC and Ninja Force 17 are all looking at this pattern. One thing is for sure; we have never had a camo pattern like this available before.

We will soon be publishing T&E results by Magnum Tuggs and Airborne Willie. Stand by.

 

New NatGeo show that blows Shark Week away

Sunday, April 1st, 2012

Wicked Tuna. That’s right, Wicked Tuna. It’s going to be epic. Watch the video preview.

Ultimate Tactical Doorkicking Slippers

Sunday, April 1st, 2012

Getcha a pair of these.

 

 

 

Impact Weapons Components Tactical Rehydration

Sunday, April 1st, 2012

Impact Weapons Components has announced the release of their new TRC – Tactical Refreshment Carrier, a convenient rail-mounted rifle accessory that eleminates PFD (Premature Fluid Discharge). Another signature IWC product (IWC has many, and they’re good), the TRC is designed to meet the needs of Civilians, LEO’s, Neighborhood Watch or rifle/carbine Students attending certain celebrity trainers classes who are unable or unwilling to set their beverage down. [You know the type; many of us have trained with metrotacticals. Some of us ARE metrotaticals.]

Premature fluid discharge is eliminated, thanks to the TRC Dynamic Unidirectional Proximity Engagement System. The Dynamic Unidirectional Proximity Engagement System isIWC’s Pat. Pending mounting solution which securely holds beverage level while on the range, out hunting or on a Stakeout. Polymer construction is ultra-lightweight and easy to clean. Price: $12.95. Place you order now! Shipments begin April 1, 2012.

Real gunfighters can feel the wind on their knees: 5.11’s Tactical Duty Kilt

Sunday, April 1st, 2012

You know why bagpipers march back and forth while they play? To get away from the music! So, here’s the new 5.11 Tactical “Tactical Kilt.” Endorsed by Kyle Lamb and Scruffy Wallace of the Drop Kick Murphys. There can be only one!

As Soldier Systems said, well played 5.11, well played…

www.511tactical.com/Tactical-Duty-Kilt

Ultimate weapon of doorkickery

Sunday, April 1st, 2012

The personal CQB Sniper Weapon System of the man who founded HoTac (HoTac CQBSWS). “Real world tools borne from real world experience.” Or, as the most dangerous H0-Tac graduates are won’t to say after the harrowing conclusion of their most desperate missions: Oderint dum metuant, nunc est bibendum; Nil desperandum, nemo saltat sobrius.

Check back on Tactical Fanboy later this week for video of Airborne Willie and Magnum Tubbs using this at the shoot house.

The ultimate in ballistic badassery: HoTac CQBSWS, also available with laser/light combo, suppressor, horizontal foregrip and bayonet.

Hat tip to those steely-eyed bastards at Spartan for spotting this bad boy at the semi-private wet works shooting range at that secret snake-eater facility none of us are allowed to talk about.

The Avengers: Samurai Version

Sunday, April 1st, 2012

Just kidding. It’s not a samurai version, but you have to admit it sounds pretty kewl in Japanese. Plus we get a better look at some of the alien invasion, a couple new shots of Hawkeye…gotta like it…and dig that helicarrier.

Please, don’t let them screw this up. Please.

BK-3B Bottleneck

Saturday, March 31st, 2012

The BK-3B Bottleneck is a collaborative effort between Mantis Knives and Hawk Designs of Idaho City, ID. This unique butterfly-style knife features a 2″ modified tanto edge blade machined from 400 series stainless steel. The handle, also machined from 400 series stainless steel, has a latch lock with integrated handle springs. The Bottleneck also includes a functioning bottle opener when folded and a pocket clip for easy carry.

Mantis Knives – BK-3B Bottleneck

Gratuitous hot girl with gun

Friday, March 30th, 2012

Two of ’em, actually.

Koei Infantry Mask

Friday, March 30th, 2012

There’s a new style of Airsoft mask available to protect that pretty face. It looks pretty cool, if you’re going for the Man In The Iron Mask or Samurai look (or just have a dungeon fetish). I can definitely see this being something guys paint up in cammie patterns or something intimidating.

Now if they’d just make one that would provide true ballistic protection we’d be good to go. The Koei Tactical Infantry Face Shield comes in black or tan. It will fit most helmets and goggle styles and is rated to withstand up to 650fps bb impact at “standard distance” (whatever that is).

You can find the mask here.

More fun to look at, but possibly less effective.

TAD Gear Jacket Review

Friday, March 30th, 2012

Long-time loyal Tactical Fanboy reader and snarky peanut-gallery commentator Red Two Alpha has posted a review of his TAD Gear jacket over on Kit Up! I figured I would send you thataway, if you’re like me and you’re a gear whore. Read the article.

Red 2 Alpha on the range in a TAD Gear Spectre.

Life’s not fair, even if you beat up hippies

Friday, March 30th, 2012

Gratuitous hot girl with gun (and tattoos)

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

Tactical Fanboy: Hot chicks with guns...nom nom nom.

Plague Town: Getting the zombies right

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

Dana Fredsti has written a zombiepocalypse novel. She wanted to get it right.

Tactical Fanboy: Check out "Plague Town" on Under the Radar

“..So I enlisted (pun intended) expert help.  Rather than try and explain the type of things I asked, here’s a good example of an actual question sent to Staff Sergeant Phillip McSorley (who also read several scenes for me to check for accuracy and realism): Oh Military Expert Person! I am writing a scene where a group of soldiers are going to a mountain rest stop to clean it (zombies, doncha know). It’s from the perspective of one guy, a lieutenant, and I have no idea of what tactics they’d use… who goes in first, do they really say things like “Charlie Tango Donut, over!” … Do they send in pairs? I’m thinking this is a small group (would there be a specific number?) and again, while it’s military, they don’t have to be specifically army or marine or air force as their specific job is taking care of zombie outbreaks. And yes, I realize this sounds totally lame… but I swear the book isn’t!”

If you like zombies and you like Army of Darkness chances are you’re going to like Plague Town.

Read the entire article on Under the Radar.

Zombie-fightin’ with NODs.

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

When you’re talking true nightvision vs. thermal, which is more effective vs. zombies? Will walking corpses maintain heat signature substantially different than their surroundings, and if so will it be sufficient to identify them in a fight? These are the questions that keep me up late at night…that and wondering where Carl is.  This video is US Night Vision Gen III Night Vision & Thermal Imaging Video Shot In HD On iPhone 4S. PVS-14 / PVS-7 Camera Systems. Follow ’em on Facebook.

Oh, and yes, I am using an old term. When I was a boot, any sort of night vision/thermal device was referred to as a NOD (Night Optical Device).

Two Slave Coasts

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

Check this out, it’s an interesting look at things largely forgotten today.

“On two side of the Atlantic ocean, there stand two reminders – one well-known, the other not – of one of the darkest periods of human history: the slave trade. Elmina Fort in Ghana is where millions slaves were held in captivity before being shipped off to the Americas; on the other side of the ocean, some 5443 kilometres away,there is a rocky trail built by slaves that leads away from a quiet cove on Brazil’s Ilha Grande, where slave ships landed. Mark Eveleigh takes a look into their dark past, and how they stand today…”

Read the full story here.

Skyrim Hoarders, on A&E

Thursday, March 29th, 2012

Yggdrassil must perform an intervention on this poor thief, with the help of the thief’s housecarl. Poor bastard. He’s got a problem, but the first step is admitting it.

Tactical Fanboy new hire

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012

Tactical Fanboy, on behalf of SolSys Group and freedom and hot-chick loving Coalition Gunfighters everywhere, is proud to announce it has added another writer to the staff of the TFB eee-light team of doorkickin’ bloggers. We are happy to introduce Willie Airborne. Willie comes highly recommend by both RE Factor Tactical, who was kind enough to refer him to us, by Brian Montgomery of WT Tactical and Magnum Tuggs (who apparently served with him in some of the most dangerous swamps within a half an hour of Galliano, LA; sources indicate they went through some “real serious shit” together). Willie is a highly decorated combat veteran, a graduate of several advanced Ho-Tac courses and . He will be writing beginning sometime in April, if his male modeling gig with Brian is wrapped up in time. Please extend Willie Airborne a warm Tactical Fanboy welcome.

“God loves the infantry and God loves Airborne Willie.”

 

Awesome photography work looking into other worlds

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

Jason Florio was one of the last photographers to photograph Ahmed Shad Massoud, the anti-Taliban “Lion of Panjshir” (شیر پنجشیر) in August 2001 before Massoud was assassinated b Al Qaeda on September 9TH 2001. He was at the foot of the World Trade Center on September 11TH as it came down. He’s taken incredible photos around the world. One of his more recent stories was a a 930 klick expedition at the foot of The Gambia, West Africa, to produce a series of portraits of a African chiefs. He was given a fellowship of the Royal Geographical Society in London for that work. Visit his website to check out Jason Florio’s on-line gallery.

This is a video collection of some of that work.

 

Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Co-op Walkthrough

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

Check out this video walkthrough of a Co-op mission in the upcoming Ghost Recon: Future Soldier. Come for the invisible camouflage, stay for the awesome gameplay.

Ghost Recon: Future Soldier drops May 22, 2012.

Ghost Recon: Future Soldier Official Page

Warrior Labs T&E Project Started

Monday, March 26th, 2012

Just an FYI, Warrior Labs is about to do a mixed-product T&E project. They’ve ordered from High Speed Gear, Inc., Off The Grid Concepts LLC and SHELLBACK TACTICAL to organize a “grab and go battle belt and plate carrier.” Review and photos will be forthcoming. You can follow Warrior Laboratories on Facebook or on line.

Gratuitous hot gamer chick

Monday, March 26th, 2012

Hat tip to 1MOA Solutions! Looks like she even has her finger forward of the trigger guard, not that I was looking at her fingers.