Archive for 2012
Gratuitous Hot Chick with Gun (well, ammo)
Friday, January 27th, 2012Best Ranger: Clarification
Friday, January 27th, 2012Yesterday we ran an article about Best Ranger. I did a poor job of explaining the issue of Big Army’s limitations supporting the Best Ranger Competition. This is my fault, not the NCOs we spoke to about it and I apologize for the vague wording. The fact is, Best Ranger IS supported by Big Army, but regulations prevent certain things from being funded by them (such as prizes, some of the dinners and hospitality stuff, etc.) I apologize for the apparent inaccuracy and will work diligently to avoid anything that could be misinterpreted, misunderstood or is out and out wrong in the future!
Please still consider supporting Best Ranger. You can get the details by calling l Ms. Bryant at 706-718-9520 or e-mailing her at CandyssBryant@gmail.com.
TANSTAAFL
Rangers from 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan.
SHOT Show 2012: The Body Specs “Pistol” EyePro
Friday, January 27th, 2012As you might have expected, there were a number of sunglasses, goggles and other types of eyepro at SHOT. Body Specs had several on display, but the most interesting were the Pistol model. They’re a fairly high impact wrap style eye-pro, hard coated for scratch resistance and all the usual tacti-goggle-glass features.
The cool thing about them, however, was the adjustability feature. The lenses are capable of telescoping out and panascoping up and down (angling), allowing you to adjust for length (fit from your face) and the cant of the goggles themselves. Whether you’re one of those good looking guys make everything look good or one of those big mongoloid types with a huge forehead, you can fine tune the fit. Cant them down so they don’t bump your eyebrows, adjust if so they aren’t molested by the front of your helmet, the lighting or your shooting position. If you prefer an adjustment from when you’re got a helmet on versus when it’s off, easily done (same as if you prefer a modification from standing to prone).
The nosepiece has a wide contact area, doesn’t seem to slip at all, and supports an Rx insert if you need corrective lenses, and they have some new specialized purple or brown lenses made for competitive shooters.
One question we’d have would be how frequently you can adjust them before they begin to wear down. Upon first try, they have sufficient resistance but in fairness we’d have to ask long term would they start slipping on their own? It would be impossible to say without putting them through field trials, but at first glance and a quick “try-on” they feel pretty good. In any case, they only run $40 retail, which is pretty inexpensive compared to some of the Gucci military goggles and better known eyepro. Might be worth taking a crack at it.
Bod Specs is a woman-, veteran-owned business based in Grass Valley, CA. You can call 530-268-8882 or e-mail the owner directly at Anna@bodyspecs.com. They do have a distributor on the GSA Schedule if you need one.
The Pistol comes with smoke and clear lenses, retention lanyard and a semi-rigid carry case you can attach to your gear should you be so inclined. Oh, and the Pistol has an NSN:
4240-01-526-9637. More at the Body Specs website.
US PALM does feminine protection
Friday, January 27th, 2012
This load-bearing kit redefines feminine protection.
Thanks to US PALM for sharing this on their Facebook page and feel free to go LIKE ’em. Then tell ’em Tactical Fanboy sent you.
Hat tip to the Mad Duo for letting us know.
Steel Flame on rails
Thursday, January 26th, 2012Yesterday Tactical Fanboy’s TANSTAAFL ran an article about what looked like a rail-mounted skull, something we picked up from keeping an eye on those Hos at Spartan Imports. I did some checking and that comes from Steel Flame. The website is www.steelflame.com. The guy behind that site is a master jeweler named Derrick Obatake who does some really cool work (you’ve seen some of his stuff in movies like the Expendables). Actually, calling it cool is a bit of an understatement. Bad ass might be a better word for it. Check him out on Facebook too.
Tactical Fanboy: Steel Flame Custom Darkness Clips on Emerson Karambits.
Tactical Fanboy: Virtus Dagger medallion on the set of Expendables 2
Tactical Fanboy: Another Virtus Dagger medallion on the set of Expendables 2.
SHOT Show 2012: Rangers Lead the Way (Ranger Thursday)
Thursday, January 26th, 2012Edit: I apparently didn’t write this terribly well, so some of the part about supporting the Best Ranger contest didn’t come across the right way (that’s my fault, not the NCOs we talked to). Best Ranger IS supported by Big Army, but regulations prevent certain things from being funded by them (such as prizes, some of the dinners and hospitality stuff, etc.) I apologize for the apparent inaccuracy and will work diligently to avoid anything that could be misinterpreted, misunderstood or is out and out wrong in the future! TANSTAAFL
______________________________________________________________________________
A couple of us had the privilege and pleasure of spending some time with instructors from the RTB (Ranger Training Brigade) while we were at SHOT. If all goes well we’re going to be periodically sharing some Ranger news with you. (Only stuff that’s either open source material or cleared hot by their PAO, so we’re clear.) Now, you may not be aware of it, but yesterday was a pretty big day in US Army Ranger history. Yesterday, the 25th, was the anniversary of the “Abrams Charter” of 1974. That’s the directive by General Creighton Abrams (you may recall they named a big vehicle after him) instructing the Army to activate the first battalion sized Ranger unit since World War II. US Army Forces Command HQ command then published General Orders 127 , which stood up 1ST Battalion (Ranger) 75th Infantry. General Abrams believed that the Army would be improved as a whole by the inclusion of permanent Rangers within its ranks (in no small part due to the diffusion of leadership and fighting ability throughout its ranks as Ranger qualified Soldiers slowly spread into other units).
The Abrams Charter said: “The Battalion is to be an elite, light and the most proficient infantry in the world. A Battalion that can do things with its hands and weapons better than anyone. The Battalion will contain no ‘hoodlums or brigands’ and if the Battalion is formed from such persons it will be disbanded. Wherever the Battalion goes, it must be apparent that it is the best.”
You may be one of the many people who’ve watched the Best Ranger competition. We’re going to delve into that competition in the future, discuss its development and goals and whatnot, but we’d like to throw in a quick plug on its behalf – though the competition is supported by Big Army, there are a number of constraints that prevent Big Army from assisting with ancillary expenses (like dinners, prizes, etc.). There are a number of reasons why, but essentially those ancillary needs are all taken care of with the support of benefactors. If you are interested in supporting Best Ranger, we urge you to contact them and help out. (Here are the current 2012 supporters: feel free to join their ranks.) If you are interested in supporting the Best Ranger Competition, call Ms. Bryant at 706-718-9520 or e-mail her at CandyssBryant@gmail.com.
More on that to follow.
2/75 Rangers in Afghanistan just a couple of months ago.
In the meantime, read a historical piece about the Abrams Charter from the War College, if you’re interested in learning more. This is a pre-GWOT study on leadership practices within the Ranger Regiment. It’s an interesting read.
Episode One of Best Ranger 2011:
The 75th Ranger Regiment Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters Company conducted a water jump in September:
SHOT Follow-up: Blue Force Gear’s Itty Bitty Dump Pouch
Thursday, January 26th, 2012Soldier Systems ran an article about Blue Force Gear and their new Helium Whisper kit, including a really nice little dump pouch that you could damn near tuck into a handcuff case or your pocket (were you so inclined). This is some video we took at SHOT of Blue Force Brittney (smart, capable, a great shot and pretty too…what’s not to like?) discussing the dump pouch (spent mag pouch, whatever; when I was growing up it was just a dump pouch). Check it out and maybe getcha one.
If you’re not already doing so, you should follow Blue Force Brittney and Blue Force Gear Spotted on Facebook. You can also check out Blue Force Gear on line.
Doitnowmove.
Blue Force Brittney on the range.
SHOT Show 2102: Weird Rail-Mounted Stuff
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012Sometimes you need more than just combat effective gear and the more obvious accessories. Sometimes you need rail-mounted awesomeness that makes acts as a force multiplier by virtue only of being awesomely awesome and tacticool. How about a rail mounted skull? It increases the range of a black rifle by an average of 17.4%, if will decrease the spread of an iron sights shot group to about half what it was (at the hundred), and if you ever run dry or suffer a malfunction you can flip the rifle around sideways and scare the hell out of whomever you’ve been shooting at (though with a skull on there it’s pretty hard to imagine you’d have missed in the first place).
TFB: A rail-mounted skull is the appropriately deadly accessory for any "true" warrior.
Now if they’d just make bullets that whistled or screamed while they hurtle through the air. You know, like some of the old Samurai arrows, or a Stuka. Hat tip to (and picture, and smart-assed tone)courtesy of Andrew at Spartan Imports.
SHOT Show 2012: Paws and Stripes
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012There were several service dogs in evidence at SHOT Show, not surprisingly. Soldier Systems caught up with the director of one organization that helps provide them at no cost to the veteran: and recruits the dogs from animal shelters! Read the article about Paws and Stripes, if you would, and consider supporting them. At a minimum go like their Facebook page and help spread the word!
Elsewhere at SHOT: Predator Intelligence on a Booth Babe’s Personal Rifle
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012Do you follow Predator Intelligence? Pretty good commentary on there, including some Booth Babes that know how to shoot.
SHOT Show 2012: Winners of the Spartan Imports/Dalton Fury Raffle
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012As you may be aware, Spartan Imports ran a raffle at SHOT Show to raise money for Stand by the Wounded and to help promote Dalton Fury’s new Delta Force novel Black Site. Their booth had customized airsoft guns that replicated exactly what Dalton carried in the Battle of Tora Bora in Afghanistan, where he was the ground Delta Force commander – cool thing was, Dalton and some of his teammates turned up to sign the weapons! Anyway, they sold quite a few raffle tickets for those 5 advanced copies (Spartan Imports and Elite Defense thanks all who supported the effort) and Tactical Fanboy would like to congratulate the winners (among whom was the CEO of Tango Down).
Congratulations! Thanks for supporting a good cause. Now go order a copy of the book, cuz it’s pretty damn good.
Here are some pictures of the weapons they signed:
SHOT Show 2012: Morale Patch of the Week (Sneak look from MilSpec Monkey)
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012Tactical Fanboy is going to begin a Morale Patch of the Week feature (and we’re open to suggestions, if you know of one or if your company has one it wants featured). This week is the new Good Guy patch from the guy who is pretty much the progenitor of the whole widespread morale patch phenomenon. Yeah, others did it, sure there were unit patches and unique patches before. but nothing like the Monkey has done it. (If you weren’t aware, “suck factor”, “Persian Gulf Highway Patrol” and “Hajji Don’t Surf” were available in Saudi Arabia during Southern Watch and in South Korea at least since the mid-90s, and so-called unofficial patches abounded during the Vietnam War, but it’s the MilSpec Monkey who turned it into a military and airsoft meme; not that there aren’t lots of other cool patch makers out there now). Anyway, this is the Good Guy patch featured on a Maxpedition Larkspur (held up by one of the the Maxpedition HMFsIC himself). It has good color, is well constructed and great physical features. Watch for it soon on MilSpecMonkey.com!
Have an idea for a morale patch you want featured or think would look good? E-mail TAANSTAFL here via the standard Tactical Fanboy comms with a facebook link, a couple pictures and some background.
Tactical Fanboy: the MSM Good Guy PatchCan you blame him for smiling? He's showing off the new MilSpec Monkey Patch! (Now he needs to ship the eeee-light team of fightin' bloggers here at TFB a couple of those in some kind of weird furriner camo no one recognizes, so we can feel special.)
By the way, don’t know who MilSpec Monkey is? You been living under a rock? Here’s a picture of DJ Monkey Boy testing out a BCE on his rifle, training to lay some hate down on those that might deserve it.
Interesting Chinese Military Training
Tuesday, January 24th, 2012Check out these Chinese troops putting their skills on display. The thing we found most particularly interesting was the hot potato exercise involving high explosives.
SHOT 2012: Bawidamann Shenanigans
Monday, January 23rd, 2012Andrew Bawidamann advises via Tumblr that he’s got this “Chuck Mawhinney Sniper Girl” original for sale (he’s been selling a few originals, and they go fast).
Buy ya one here. Andrew Bawidamann’s website is here and his Facebook here if you want to keep an eye on those as well.
This is a picture of the inestimable Bawidamann at the Multitasker booth.
SHOT 2012: Anti-Zombie Chainsaw Pic Rail Attachment
Monday, January 23rd, 2012Finally, someone has developed a rail-attach chainsaw for anti-zombie work. Frankly, it’s overdue, so kudos to Doublestar for finally getting it done. Known as the Zombie X (for Zombie Exterminator), Doublestar had this display out for those of you preparing for the Zombiepocalypse at the Doublestar Booth. This thing has a separate power/activation and a battery at the butt of the Kalash it mounts to (it will also mount to an AR, though it might be a little much weight to add to an M249). The chainsaw is fully functional and has its own EOTech sight (there’s a separate optic for the rifle itself). No word as to whether they’ve considered replacing the EOTech with one of those lasers you see on fancy saws at the hardware stores (you know, the ones that show where the cut line is).
Doublestar Chainsaw Attachment and Kalashnikov. Pic by Gamma Nine.
Keep in mind if you do use a chainsaw during a zombiepocalyptic event, you must wear a full face mask, not just eye pro. You think a money shot in the dirty movies is gross? Try avoiding the infection (and vomiting) sure to follow when you get a face full of zombie gore after carving it into pieces.
Currently the Zombie-X is not for sale. This prototype was built for FEMA, Homeland Security Zombie Division and the SHOT Show only. If you actually want one, you’ll need to contact Doublestar. Hopefully the production models (since they build the full rifle in addition to the chainsaw pic-rail attachment) will come with a BattleComp.
Picture courtesy of Gamma Nine (which is worth checking out on its own).
SHOT 2012 Brains: the new zombie magazine
Monday, January 23rd, 2012There were a lot of new zombie products at SHOT 2012. Maybe too much. Optics, bullets, t-shirts. Pretty much everything but real zombies (unless you count some of the dumbasses displaying a shocking lack of range safety out at the Media Day on the Range).
Anyway, a couple of guys checking out the new zombie Eotech and another guy looking at some new zombie targets (article coming up shortly on those) mentioned this new Brains magazine, so we checked it out. Visually, it’s not as easy to read as we’d like, and it’s certainly no Recoil, but it’s surprisingly well done.
This is what the table of contents looks like:
Tactical Fanboy: Brains Magazine
They also have a zombie centerfold:
Tactical Fanboy: the Brains Magazine Centerfold
The Brains magazine website is here. There is also a Brains magazine facebook page.
SHOT Show 2012: Hot Leaf Camo
Monday, January 23rd, 2012Hot Leaf Camo was at SHOT showing off stylish women’s hunting cam they say is the “hottest thing to happen to hunting since women”! They’re trying to garner enough support to get their camo into stores. They don’t actually have a product you can buy yet, they’re looking for women who do hunt and might want a “cute & stylish” but functionally effective camouflage to get behind ’em and help make that happen.
BLEND IN. STAND OUT.™
Check out the Hot Leaf website or go like ’em on Facebook to learn more and help support ’em.
Tippmann U.S. Army Camping Equipment
Monday, January 23rd, 2012
Along with their U.S. Army licensed paintball markers, Tippmann also has a line of U.S. Army licensed camping equipment. The two models seen above are the:
Basic Training tent
– 68d 600mm polyester construction
– U.S. Army branded zipper pulls
– 300D Carry Bag
– ACU Camo trim
– Glove Dry waterproof system
– internal storage pockets and gear loft
It measures 80″x50″x38″ with 28 sq. ft. of interior space.
Bravo sleeping bag
– 68d 600mm polyester outer shell and liner with a 3lbs solid polyester fiber filler
– Rated up to 40F
– Hood system w/ draw cord
– Hanging tab and elastic straps for two storage options
– Full length wrap around zipper
– ThermAir insulation
– 185T polyester carry bag
It measures 34″x78″ and fits up to 6’4″.
http://www.usarmycamping.com/
Star Wars Uncut: Director’s Cut
Sunday, January 22nd, 2012First, take the beloved classic ‘Star Wars: A New Hope’. Next, cut it up into 15 second increments. Then, have a bunch of fans choose the clip of their choice, and refilm it in any style of their choosing. Finally, splice the fan-clips together into a complete movie and show it on the internet. That’s the idea behind Star Wars Uncut: Director’s Cut.
You can watch it on YouTube.
http://www.starwarsuncut.com/
Booth Babes Of Las Vegas
Saturday, January 21st, 2012
If the many thinly-veiled threats directed at myself through email, phone calls, and the flaming bags of poo at my doorstep are any indication, this article has been a long time coming.
SHOT Show 2012 – Chris Costa Action Figure
Saturday, January 21st, 2012
I spied this pair of Chris Costa action figures hanging around the Nighthawk Custom booth. He comes equipped with an Arc’teryx beanie and pant, Costa Ludis long-sleeve t-shirt, custom Nighthawk 1911, and other real-world gear. Also, notice how the figure sitting on his imprisoned twin’s plastic case is rocking MultiCam pants and boots. A limited variant, perhaps?
http://www.nighthawkcustom.com/
http://caltekonline.com/index.php
http://costaludus.com/
SHOT Show 2012 – Leupold VX-R Zombie Riflescope
Friday, January 20th, 2012
Leupold is the latest company to jump into the Zombie market with their VX-R Zombie Riflescope. Based around the VX-R Patrol Scope, the VX-R Zombie has a few unique features that cater to its namesake. For starters, the power on switch is green, along with the scope’s illumination dot. The scope caps feature Zombie imagery on the inside, and the two included BDC dials are designed specifically for use with .223 REM and .308 WIN Hornady Zombie Max ammunition. The VX-R Zombie will retail for $599 with a limited production run.
http://www.leupold.com/
SHOT Show 2012 – Defenses Tactiques Specialisees
Thursday, January 19th, 2012
DTS is one of the first companies who’s products I wrote about, so I had a personal obligation to see what they had to offer at this year’s SHOT Show. It turns out they’ve added more than a few new items to their line of training weaponry, including a butcher knife, kitchen knife, fireplace poker, and two color variants of a campfire hatchet, in brown and red. Additionally, they’ve finalized the design for the broken wine bottle from the prototype seen last year.
DTS Tools are designed to mimic many of the improvised weapons that LEOs can possibly face in the line of duty. They are built with a polymer insert designed to minimize impact and enhance safety and are surrounded by a lightweight, high quality, impact resistant rubber exterior, rated for temperatures ranging from -13F to 125F.
Good Gear: a Graphic Demonstration
Thursday, January 19th, 2012This is quite a selection of gear from the Mad Duo. Raven Concealment, 5.11 Tactical, LED Lenser, Darrel Ralph Knives, Tactical Tailor, Bravo 5, Legion Firearms, T.I.E. Tactical, Warrior Wound Care, I.C.E. Training, SAR Global Tools and of course…butter, 5-hour energy, B12 energy powder, butter from Kokomos, Tabasco, OC spray and miscellaneous other things (like used family planning devices).
Only at a Vegas SHOT Show eh?
Tactical Fanboy: Quite an eclectic mix of gear and...condiments?
SHOT Show 2012 – Wilderness Dreams
Wednesday, January 18th, 2012
I knew as I passed this company’s booth at SHOT that it would be among the highest levels of irresponsibility for me to not write something about them, right? Anyway, Wilderness Dreams sells lingerie, nightwear, and swimwear in three camouflage colors: Pink, Snow, and Mossy Oak Break Up. Seen above is the Baby Doll Set in Pink. They also have a smaller line, only three items so far, of menswear in Mossy Oak Break Up.
