Forward Controls Design has released their new RBF (Recoil Buffer retainer, Forward controls). The RBF represents an improvement to a TDP spec buffer retainer pin. The pin portion is 10% thicker which will be of some comfort to those who have broken or bent buffer retainer pins in the past. It is machined from 17-4 stainless steel bar stock and heat treated.
Forward Controls Design views the RBF as cheap insurance.
When all the systems in an AR function properly, one could argue is that a reinforced buffer retainer isn’t necessary. We agree, except mix and match parts from different manufacturers and their varying adherence to TDP specs, tolerance staking is far from the exception. Many of us have had this inexpensive part break and toss its tip into the lower receiver, usually in the trigger group and cause a jam. RBF’s billet construction and reinforced tip aim to mitigate this, it could be viewed as cheap insurance, even if the way we make it is anything but cheap.
June 6th 1944 marks a very important day in world history, the Allied invasion of France during the second world war. The daring mission of Operation Overlord to establish a foothold along the Normandy coast would prove to be the largest amphibious invasions in history, and critical in freeing fortress Europe from the clutches of Nazi control.
This upcoming June is the 75th anniversary of the invasion, and precious few of the surviving veterans remain making this arguably one of the most important anniversaries to observe.
On the 75th Anniversary of D-Day, retired US Army Ranger and Special Forces Sergeant Major John “Shrek” McPhee will visit historic WWII sites with his brethren Rangers, to retrace the footsteps of the original Rangers and Paratroopers of that day.
At the end of this adventure, John will be re-enacting the D-day paratrooper jump with the Liberty Jump team.
When John started to plan this once in a lifetime trip, a lot of friends and students got excited, and wished they could go along. Obviously, we can’t all go but it got Shrek thinking. “Why not document the trip? Time is slipping away to hear about the exploits of our soldiers in their own words, and opportunities to have this many generations of Ranger in one place are nearly impossible.
John plans to film a full documentary showing the birthplace of the modern Rangers, and travel to Normandy to meet with Ranger Veterans from that day, the 2nd and 5th Ranger Battalion members that participated in the D-Day landings at Omaha Beach, Normandy, June 6, 1944. It was during the bitter fighting along the beaches that the Rangers gained their motto, “Rangers, lead the way!” as they conducted daring missions to include scaling the cliffs of Pointe Du Hoc, overlooking Omaha Beach, to destroy German gun emplacements trained on the beachhead.
With your help, we can bring this project to life. Your donation will go directly to the film production for this project. Hitting our goal for this project allows us to provide the plane tickets, lodging, production equipment, and documentary crew that will elevate the level of production and cinematic quality of this project. Please view the Gofundme page for additional information and updates!
About John “SHREK” McPhee:
Sergeant Major (ret) John McPhee AKA “The Sheriff of Baghdad” served a distinguished career in U.S. Army Special Operations for over 20 years, retiring in 2011. Better known for his call sign “SHREK”, John has spent his adult life in Special Operations and Special Mission Units. His career path was as follows: 1st Ranger Battalion, Special Forces (green beret), and Delta Force, and retired at the highest enlisted rank of Sergeant Major. He is well known for his training and gear company “Sheriff of Baghdad”, his unique online diagnostics training through GunfighterU.com and appearances in numerous television shows.
Gadsden Dynamics just turned their product line on its ear. They added a brand new modular plate carrier, the ALPC, and applied some updates to their entire line of chest rigs.
The ALPC is both modular and customizable. Its components are available a la carte so that the end user can build exactly what they need.
The “Front Base” is the key part of the ALPC’s modular design. This part is somewhat like a standard placcard or cummerbund flap in how it is affixed to the front plate pocket. It is available with a number of load carriage options and can easily be swapped. Additionally, Gadsden Dynamics will eventually offer completely custom configurations like they do for their chest rigs.
Additionally, Gadsden Dynamics has updated the harnesses on their entire line of chest rigs. They are now removable and come with everything you need to attach them to industry standard plate carrier attachments.
If you know about Martinez Tools, it is probably for the same reason that I do. You’ve been coveting one of their modular titanium hammers. Well, prepare yourself for that covetousness to go to the next level…
Martinez Tools is teasing a “tactical axe” head for the modular handles. It features a cutting bit and spiked. The head bolts directly to existing Martinez M1/M4 handles.
These are just a prototype at this time. Hopefully Martinez Tools brings them to market.
Hill People Gear just added three new color and fabric options to their product line. The Recon Kit Bag, Umlindi, and Palspocket are all sporting some new options.
