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Blue Force Gear Helium Whisper

By on October 14, 2011 in Tactical Gear

Blue Force Gear (BFG) is already known as an innovator within the realm of tactical gear but their next product line has the potential to fundamentally change what we think we know about tactical gear.

BFG embarked on Project Helium Whisper in order to deliver durable gear that is very light weight. The key to the extreme weight reduction is the technology that BFG uses to build the pouches. The backings on these pouches are CNC-laser cut from a single piece of extremely lightweight and strong material. By cutting the backings from a single piece, many of the challenges associated with producing (alignment and assembly) a typical MOLLE backing are eliminated. Even the markings are laser etched into the material so that the additional weight of a tag is unnecessary. The results are pouches that weigh as little as 50% of what current issued MOLLE pouches weigh.

The BFG Helium Whisper line has the potential to be nothing less than revolutionary in terms of construction and weight reduction. This is definitely something that you will want to keep your eyes on.

heliumwhisper-flyer01

Stag Arms 3G

By on October 13, 2011 in Guns

3-Gun competition, especially the rifle component, has really taken off recently. It was really only a matter of time before manufacturers began to tailor products specifically to this market. Stag Arms is the first production AR-15 manufacturer that I have seen market a new AR-15 specifically to 3-Gun competitors.

The new Stag Arms 3G has many features that are popular with 3-Gun competitors. the difference is that they come standard on the rifle instead of as custom additions. These features include a 18″ stainless steel fluted heavy barrel with a 1 in 8″ twist. The barrel also features a 5.56 chamber, rifle length gas system, and it is threaded for a muzzle device.

The rifle also features a Samson Evolution free float hand guard, Geissele Super 3-Gun Trigger, Magpul ACS stock, and Magpul MOE pistol grip. This is a very well appointed rifle. Users can also add an optional set of Dueck Defense Rapid Transition Sights.

The rifle component of 3-Gun can be a fairly practical form of rifle completion. It often involves solving scenarios with targets anywhere from contact distance to several hundred yards. It has served as a breeding ground for many practical techniques and pieces of gear that have found their way into the military/law enforcement realms. So, it should come as no surprise that this rifle has the potential to be useful for more than just competition. It actually looks like it could be a great semi-precision or hunting set up in addition to its obvious role as a 3-Gun rifle. In fact, if you think about it, 3-Gun rifles like the 3G are not all that different from the military SPR concept.

You can find more information at the Stag Arms website.

Ares Armor Aspis Plate Carrier

By on October 12, 2011 in Tactical Gear

The new Aspis Plate Carrier from Ares Armor is designed to do just two things – carry plates and accept MOLLE pouches. That is all any plate carrier really has to do. Any extra material that would complicate or hinder these two functions has been stripped away, leaving just a compact, lightweight, and functional piece of gear.

Many lightweight carriers on the market now use 500D nylon to achieve their light weight. The Aspis is made from 1000D nylon yet it still manages to weigh less (less than 2.5 pounds) than some plate carriers made from 500D nylon. The side of the plate pockets that faces the user is lined with spacer mesh for comfort.

The external cummerbund is removable and has the ability to add soft armor. It consists of two sections tied together with shock cord which allows some flex for comfort. There is also an adjustable internal cummerbund that is not removable. The internal cummerbund utilizes side release buckles for quick donning and doffing.

Fitting it’s spartan design, the Aspis shoulder straps are not padded but there will be optional shoulder pads available. There will also be an optional 3 magazines insert for the kangaroo pouch and the Aspis will work with Ares Armor’s Plate Carrier Silencer. Additional features include a drag handle on the rear plate pocket and hook material covered webbing on the top of the front and back plate pockets.

I am glad to see more options like this coming to market. As a non-military and non-law enforcement shooter, a simple carrier like the Aspis makes a lot of sense. It allows the user to carry everything they might need for a carbine course without the extra bulk or cost of more complicated plate carriers.

The new Aspis Plate Carrier from Ares Armor is now available for pre-order from Ares Armor at a discounted price. It can also be pre-ordered from PredatorARMAMENT who will have versions with Multicam and A-TACS camo matched webbing.

Patch Collecting: Bourne Ultimatum CRI Patch

By on October 11, 2011 in Patch Collecting, Tactical Gear

I am always on the lookout for patches that are low profile. Even if my favorite model of handgun is the Deathbringer 5000, I don’t necessarily want a patch on my office bag that advertises that fact. Sometimes a subtle patch, like this this Bourne Ultimatum CRI Patch, is best. You get to enjoy your patch collection without advertising to the world that you are a part time ninja.

If you are familiar with the Bourne series of movies, specifically Bourne Ultimatum, you will know that the CIA has a front business called Controlled Resources International or CRi in the film. The logo for CRi is visible briefly in the movie. This is where Usual Suspect Network user jhyphen got the inspiration for the patch.

There have been at least two runs of this patch. The first had black text on a gray background. The most recent run has gray text on a black background. Sadly, I believe all of these patches are now sold but there may be plans for another run. If they become available, I will let you know.

Review: SEREPICK Executive Kit

By on October 10, 2011 in EDC, Reviews, Survival

The Bogota Entry Tools and Bogota Titan Entry Tools are not only some of my favorite pieces of gear that I have ever reviewed but they are also the most popular pieces of gear that I have ever reviewed in terms of page loads. Once you actually use them, it is easy to see why they are so popular. They work extremely well. These Bogota Entry Tools allow someone with no lock-picking experience to bypass locks with just a little practice.

The new SEREPICK Executive Kit pairs the Bogota Entry Tools with 2 handcuff shims, a diamond wire blade, and a svelte case to create a very attractive, very simple, and very effective set of E&E tools. All of these tools are extremely simple to use and very effective. In this review we will take a look at each of the components individually.

Bogota Titan Entry Tools

The Executive Kit comes with the Bogota Titan Entry Tools. The “Titan” in the name indicates that these are crafted from titanium. Since I have already reviewed these before, I will just hit some of the high points. Please refer to the full reviews of the Bogota Entry Tools and Bogota Titan Entry Tools for more detail.

The Bogota Titan Entry Tools are well suited to this set due to their titanium construction. Titanium is a fitting material for a set that is designed to be so elegant. Titanium is non-ferrous which makes these tools very difficult to detect on their own (the handcuff shims and diamond wire blade are ferrous so they may be easier to detect). The extreme corrosion resistance of Ti makes it well suited to a kit that will be carried often and used little. The Bogota Titan Entry Tools are the heart of this kit.

Handcuff Shims

If you have never used handcuff shims, you will be in for a wake up call. They can be used to open nearly any set of handcuffs unless they are double locked. They are extremely effective and extremely easy to use. In fact, they are easy enough to use that, with just a little practice, they can be used behind your back.

The shims are made from spring steel so, while they are extremely small and thin, they are fairly tough. I used the same shim to open cuffs over and over again with no deformation or damage to the shim at all. The spring steel also provides the right amount of rigidity and flex that is needed to force and finesse the shim into the ratchet mechanism of the cuffs. Other handcuff shims that I have used have not held up nearly as well as these from SEREPICK.

To use the handcuff shims, you must first know which side of the cuffs has the ratchet mechanism. This can be determined by touch or visually by locating the key hole or ratchet teeth on the swing arm. The ratchet mechanism will be on the same side as these items. Then it is a matter of simply inserting the shim in between the swing arm and the ratchet mechanism to disengage the teeth. Once the shim is in place, the cuffs will fall open.

Diamond Wire Blade

The 70mm diamond wire blade is a very interesting and versatile addition to the kit. It is probably the easiest piece of the kit to use but it also requires the most patience. It is just what it sounds like – a piece of fairly rigid wire that is impregnated with diamond dust. The result is a tiny blade that can be used to saw through anything that is less hard than diamond, which is just about everything.

I used the diamond for a number of tasks to get a feel for its capabilities. I used it to do the initial opening of a an AK-47 rear sight before switching to wider file to finish the job. It worked quite well for this, much like the diamond jewelers file that I typically use for the task. I also decided to cut through a hardened steel 1/8″ hex wrench with a timer running. It took about 25 minutes to get about halfway through and just under 50 minutes to get to the point that it was compromised enough to bend and break.

That is a long time, but this is a last ditch item. It is actually quite impressive that a short piece of wire and some diamond dust can cut through hardened steel. The applications for this are nearly endless.

SEREPICK Executive Case

The case itself is really impressive. It really sets this kit apart as a classy item that is worthy of its “executive” moniker.

It is made from bicast leather and features 3 cells – one cell for each tool. The tools are retained by a flap that tucks into a band to close. The flap is tapered to make it easy to tuck into the band.

Conclusion

The SEREPICK Executive Kit can get you out of ugly situations and looks good in the process. It builds on the capabilities of the Bogota Entry Toolset with two additional tools that are equally as effective and simple to use. It is so slim, small, light, and cool that it would be at home in anyone’s briefcase, EDC bag, or E&E kit.

Check out the SEREPICK Executive Kit on the SEREPICK website.

Disclosure: The item was provided to me by SEREPICK, free of charge, for review.

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