Indholdsfortegnelse for May - June 2017 i Tactical Life

Tactical Weapons magazine and its online partner, tactical-life.com, have more than 10 years under their col lective belt. We owe much of that staying power to you, our readers. We thank you for engaging with us daily, and for picking up this latest issue. Please keep the feedback coming our way by emailing us at editdesk@athlonoutdoors.com. Now for a bit of history: More than 11 years ago, Tactical Weapons started its mission as a special annual publication fully dedicated to bigger-than-life content on Barrett firearms. The premier issue, titled Barrett’s Tactical Weapons, brought readers the latest on Barrett’s decisive .50-caliber firepower—the sort of warfighter weaponry that truly holds up to the “game-changing” moniker. In that spirit, we strive to continue to hold up our end of the bargain when it…

The jihadi tossed one more furtive glance up and around, searching the skies for American drones. The infidels seemed to have a limitless supply of the cursed things, and they could end an ISIS fighter’s life in an instant. He felt the throaty rumble of the powerful diesel engines as the American convey inched its way up the shattered roadway. His lips began to move of their own accord as he softly repeated to himself, “God is great, God is great, God is great…” His right hand tightened around the pistol grip of his Romanian AKM. His left thumb hovered over the detonator to his suicide vest. When the noise of the MRAP vehicle sounded like it was close enough, he sucked in one last deep breath and pivoted around…

Few things stand out more in my shooting life than the first time I ran an HK MP5. I was a patrol cop working for an urban department. I spent a lot of time training with my pistol and shotgun but had no designs on making the SWAT team. As a father and husband, the callouts and additional training were incompatible with my responsibilities at home. Still, I had an opportunity to shoot with some of the SWAT officers and become familiar with the weapons they carried. The idea was that I might need to employ, or simply make safe, one of their guns on the scene of an incident. The SWAT sergeant who handed me his MP5 explained the basics of the gun and instructed me to “let ’er…

W ith such a wide spectrum of guns, it’s sometimes difficult to classify one type as being iconic. However, that rare air is often reserved for the submachine gun, and even within that category one rises above the rest—the integrally suppressed submachine gun. The king in that class is the Heckler & Kock MP5SD. For decades, this submachine gun was the cornerstone of counter-terrorism units throughout the world. Easily recognized by even rookie gun aficionados, the MP5SD is the gold standard for full-auto-capable, pistolcaliber weapons. For many reasons, this gun has gone largely unchallenged. But that has changed, as Desert Design & Development, or D3, has introduced what it believes to be a superior integrally suppressed submachine gun. Say hello to the D3-9SD. SHORT & SWEET Dubbed the “ultimate urban…

Mention precision rifles, and most of us will immediately think of a factorycustomized AR or bolt-action rifle that weighs 11 to 13 pounds with a scope. These rifles often have excellent accuracy and equally “excellent” prices, starting at about $900 for a basic bolt gun and easily topping $2,500. Add a $2,000 scope and a few accessories, and the cost is higher than many law enforcement agencies will pay. Long-range hunters also have problems with these big, heavy bolt guns. Whether you sit in a blind overlooking an Eastern beanfield or hunt in the high mountain country of the West, you’ll want a rugged rifle that doesn’t weigh a ton. It didn’t take too many hours for my arms to get weary carrying a full-sized sporter in Arizona or holding…

As the battlefield has changed and weapon technology improved, the U.S. Army decided to enhance its precision rifle options. In 2012, the U.S. Army made a formal request to remanufacture the current M110 rifle into the Compact Semi- Automatic Sniper System (CSASS). The plan was to create a rifle that would be shorter and lighter than the M110 without sacrificing accuracy. The Army formally requested proposals for the CSASS in June 2014. The new rifle had to be Flat Dark Earth colored, weigh less than 9 pounds with a 16-inch barrel and a 36-inch overall length, and include a sling, a sound suppressor, soft and hard transport cases, magazine pouches, a cleaning kit and a 4-15X day optic shorter than 13.5 inches and weighing less than 2.5 pounds with a…

IT IS TOUGHER than you might think to design a firearm magazine from scratch. The Hexmag actually began as a 3D printing exercise. 3D printers lay down layers of polymer material as controlled by a computer program to easily .manufacture complex shapes. So long as the proper materials are employed, the resulting components can be robust and remarkably intricate. Current Hexmag magazine bodies are built from a robust fiber-reinforced polymer material that will outlive you. A uniform hexagonal pattern covers the magazine body to enhance your purchase when rushed or wet. The Hexmag sports anti-tilt followers that prevent the types of geometryinduced failures so common with early iterations of M16 magazines. Heat-treated 17-7PH stainless steel springs allow for fully loaded mags to be stored for long periods of time. Plenty…

Most of us love to pull for the “home team.” This is true in sports and business. As such, I have been a fan of Daniel Defense for many years. In fact, I’m fortunate enough to live within driving distance, and I’ve visited the company’s production and assembly plants in both Georgia and South Carolina. The history of the company is quite remarkable. The short version: Marty Daniel started the company with one product that he submitted to the Department of Defense for consideration. That first product was a simple sling adaptor for the M16/M4. Daniel Defense went on to design a Rail Interface System (RIS) to meet a United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) request. Over 15 years later, Daniel Defense is still delivering RIS II rails to USSOCOM…

Lately, manufacturers have introduced many interesting ideas to convert handguns into pistolcaliber carbines via adding a stock. That’s not new, with examples dating back more than 100 years. Examples occurred in the early 1900s, with the Broomhandle Mauser and more. During the Cold War, machine pistols such as the Beretta 93R, Stechkin and HK VP70 had provisions for adding stocks to take advantage of the stability, controllability and accuracy offered by firing from the shoulder. That trend seemed to wane as submachine guns and short-barreled AR/AK rifles were perfected and rose to the forefront. MAXIMIZE YOUR SIDEARM: Some scoff at the idea of a pistol-caliber carbine, claiming a rifle or shotgun is a superior long arm. You must view any stock chassis through the lens of how to best maximize…

In 1867, the British War Office adopted the Eley- Boxer metallic centerfire cartridge case in the Enfield Pattern 1853 rifles, which were converted to Snider-Enfield breechloaders based on Jacob Snider’s design. In America, Springfield Model 1861 muzzleloaders were converted to breechloaders based on Erskine Allin’s design, creating the Model 1865. While there have been great improvements in metallurgy, cartridge and firearm design, general-issue rifles and machine guns have been using metallic cartridges ever since. Metallic cases contain, protect and hold the components in proper place during carry, chambering and firing. They help seal the chamber during firing, then act as a heat sink, removing some heat from the chamber during ejection. The downside is the container often weighs about as much as the active components it contains. However, attempts to…

1 TROY SOCC CHARGING HANDLES In an attempt to streamline operation and improve a shooter’s ability to manipulate their gun in stressful situations, Troy recently introduced its new SOCC Charging Handles. The latches for Troy’s SOCC charging handles are constructed from hardened steel for enhanced durability and reliability under a variety of conditions. Troy is currently offering both ambidextrous/enhanced and standard versions of the charging handles to help you take your AR to the next level. (worldoftroy.com) 2 BOOBY TRAP BRAS Booby Trap Bras, one of the foremost makers of self-defense activewear for women, was founded by a woman who was attacked while out for a jog. The company’s founder, Jennifer Cutrona, is adamant about providing high-quality activewear for women that helps them enjoy an active lifestyle without sacrificing their safety. Each…

FOSTECH ORIGIN 12 The semi-auto Fostech Origin 12 introduced a few years ago is now being offered as a short-barreled NFA shotgun and as a non-NFA version. Both have 10.67-inch barrels and are 26 inches long, but the NFA version has a sidefolding stock, and the non-NFA has an arm brace. Fostech shotguns are among the most unusual tactical shotguns and use an adjustable long-stroke gas piston operating system based on the AK-47. The gas adjustments are easily made by turning a knob on the gas block, providing reliable cycling with various loads, from target rounds to magnums. These shotguns use detachable box mags (a five-round mag is included, with eight- and 10-round versions available) or 20- and 30-round drums. The base model Origin 12 has a quick-change 18-inch barrel…

For Brian Abbot, the chief designer at Empty Shell, the XM556 was a daunting undertaking. The XM214 was an earlier bigbudget attempt at building a 5.56mm electric Gatling gun undertaken by General Electric. Using this stagnant concept as inspiration, Brian then started with a clean piece of paper. He recently told me, “After years of no real production or interest, I decided to bring a 5.56mm gun to the market redesigned from the ground up. I have always taken on things I’ve been told won’t work, concepts no one wants or especially stuff I’m told can’t be done. To me there isn’t a reason to quit on a project—there is always a solution. Getting stuck and figuring out a solution is just part of the process. I’ve been working on…

American Tactical Mil-Sport Carbine American Tactical starts this 9mm carbine build with a lower CNC-machined from a billet of aluminum and matches it to a forged upper. The company adds a nitrided 16-inch barrel that is threaded and fitted with a flash suppressor. A free-floating KeyMod handguard allows for the addition of virtually any rifle accessory. On the tail end, American Tactical opted for the popular Super-Stoc, designed by famed instructor and holster- maker Bill Rogers. The Mil-Sport Carbine feeds from Glock-pattern magazines. (americantactical.us; 800-290-0065) SPECIFICATIONS Beretta Cx4 Storm Few companies can match the futuristic styling of the Cx4 Storm. Likewise, few can match the quality of this Beretta build. Designed to meet the needs of all shooters, the safety, charging handle and even case ejection can be changed to…

I first tested the Fab Defense KPOS G1 in 2009. The KPOS comes in two versions, but I prefer the G1 for reasons I’ll cover later. During my first experience with the KPOS carbine adapter for pistols, I found it capable, light, concealable and handy. However, at every turn, I argued that it couldn’t stand up to an AR-15. Because of that, I marginalized it. Admittedly, I was being an AR snob. But that was 2009. ARs were rising in popularity, and our nation was enjoying a burgeoning firearms industry. Recently, I picked up the KPOS again because I’d gone full circle fighting the limitations of AR-15s and personal-defense weapons, including size, weight, cost, proprietary parts and specialty ammunition. UNDERCOVER COMPANION For me, one of the biggest reasons for owning…

When the name Remington enters the conversation regarding rifles, a tone of seriousness ensues. Known for its quality and accuracy, Remington has built a reputation around the world as a producer of gold-standard rifles. With the bar set this high, it is always of major interest when a new rifle emerges from the craftsmen at Remington. The latest one to hit the bench is the R10. Many tactical writers these days would say the R10 is an AR-platform “tack driver.” It delivers a heavyweight punch in a lightweight platform without sacrificing accuracy or durability. The rifle design was conceptualized, redesigned and optimized to create one of the best 7.62mm NATO platforms available. Primarily built for the military and law enforcement markets, the R10 provides a versatile and reliable weapon for…

It has taken a few years, but the popularity of the 300 Blackout is starting to settle. As the initial hype has faded and ammunition availability increased, its practical value has become more evident. That process is common in the firearms industry, but it’s more intense today thanks to social media and the immediacy of the news cycle. Items billed as “earth-shattering” and “groundbreaking” come down to earth eventually. Many disappear, but others find their niche after being proven through testing, evaluation and honest use. Many new car tridges have experienced this, and the 300 Blackout is the latest. The 300 BLK does some things incredibly well. It is currently one of the best choices for suppressed short-barreled ARs. With few exceptions, suppressing barrels shorter than 10 inches in 5.56mm…

2007 THE DEBUT Early printed prototype PMAG 20 Magpul employee Drake Clark’s “Truck Video” gave the customer a glimpse of PMAG durability by driving over it with no loss of function The first 10,000 mags molded Production PMAG 30 release Molded prototype TMAG PMAG deployed by U.S. special operation forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2008 DEVELOPMENT PMAG 30 color variants 1,000,000 PMAGs sold Early printed prototype M REV PMAG 30 First military inquiry into HK416 compatibility. A unique mag well to accommodate the SA80 blank-firing magazine prohibits full insertion of the original PMAG. A small quantity of PMAGs are modified by Magpul designers as a proof of concept. Production PMAG 20 release Early printed prototype PMAG 40 2009 ACCEPTANCE Quad Mag prototype, 60-round capacity Production EMAG release and NSWDG adoption…

The Holy Grail for anyone who has invested time and energy pursuing training is finding a methodology that answers the quest for greater effectiveness. The “Train the Trainer” seminar hosted by IDF Lt. Col. Mikey Hartman and Command Arms Accessories (CAA) that I recently attended is such an experience. I knew something special was afoot when I pulled into the Altair Training Solutions facility where the event was held. Founded in 2012, Altair’s main campus consists of a 1,150-acre Regional Training Facility (RTF) deep in the southwestern Florida Everglades. The RTF was a highsecurity prison before being taken over by Altair. The facility includes 60 buildings with more than 360,000 square feet of space, including a gym, several dining facilities, a 20,000-square-foot headquarters, a four-bedroom house, six three-bedroom duplexes, two…

According to most definitions, armor is anything that can be used as a protective covering. It’s a defensive tool that has and can save lives. Unfortunately, recent anti-law enforcement political rhetoric has turned the term “armor” and law enforcement’s need to use it into a cause de celeb for those whose political agenda lines up with chants of “Pigs in a blanket, fry ’em like bacon.” That misguided political activism has emboldened some to target and attempt to kill law enforcement officers. Since January 1, 2016, law enforcement fatalities have seen a record 129-percent increase, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. That included an attack by a self-proclaimed ISIS disciple in Philadelphia who attempted to kill Philadelphia Police Officer Jessie Hartnett. Thankfully, the officer was saved by his body armor.…

As with anything else, the shooting industry goes through different phases with regard to the popularity of certain types of products. Whether it’s 1911s, ARs or striker-fired pistols, once something has taken hold in the shooting community, the firearms industry is always ready to accommodate people’s tastes. One of the most popular types of firearms today is the precision rifle in its various forms, calibers and price tags. Precision rifle-shooting competitions have become incredibly popular among the masses. Some rigs can require the shooter to take out a second mortgage to get the very best, but for many, that’s really not an option. Thankfully, there are several manufacturers that have started producing precision rifles that are relatively more affordable and, thus, more accessible to a wider range of shooters. Savage…

I’ve always held a fascination for the possibilities of future technology. Watching a massive Star Destroyer crawl across the screen during the opening credits of Star Wars captured my imagination as a child. Of course, the technology of Star Wars is obviously more fantasy then reality, but it still pushes the boundaries of our creativity. Science-fiction writers such as Robert Heinlein (Starship Troopers) and directors like James Cameron (Aliens) are attributed with not only producing great entertainment, but also inspiring future generations of defense researchers. Cameron’s Aliens shows the more practical side of warfare in the future than films like Star Wars or Star Trek. In his 1986 classic, the film highlights the failed rescue attempt made by a platoon of space marines (who pose a striking resemblance to Vietnam-era…

“As a matter of fact, all o f the shotguns easily kept all nine pellets within a standard 19-inch-wide target at 75 feet.” Many people have false impressions about shotguns based on gunplay in Hollywood movies. There’s so much misinformation, it doesn’t seem to want to go away. I remember the Howard Hawks Western El Dorado starring John Wayne and co-starring a young James Caan as “Mississippi.” John Wayne’s character, Cole Thornton, attempts to aid Mississippi by giving him shooting lessons, only to find his skills deplorable. Thornton takes Mississippi to “The Swede,” where he buys a sawed-off, doublebarreled shotgun as a holstered sidearm. In one memorable shootout from the movie, a desperado is taking off down a street when Mississippi lets loose with his scattergun. Although he misses the…

“Various aspects of the G1 were thankfully passed to the G2, including a cowling for suppressor use, a removable front flash suppressor and a folding stock with a rubber buttpad. ¢ ” Although the G2 is a bit larger than the G1, it’s still far more concealable than most personal- defense weapons and comes way under budget, too. One of the major changes was the addition of an AR-15-style charging handle. The centrally placed charging handle takes the replacement of the slide takedown plate out of the equation. That saves time and removes the potential loss of Glock OEM parts from the equation. Also, the frame-integrated charging handle is spring-loaded, so it always returns to a locked position. Various aspects of the G1 were thankfully passed to the G2, including…

The R10 is distinct from the R10 CSASS in that the CSASS has a manual gas regulator to optimize performance with a suppressor, and it is indeed intended to serve as a sniper rifle. While the CSASS did not win the Army’s contract, it should be available for other users towards the end of calendar year 2017. The R10, intended primarily to serve as a duty patrol carbine, did indeed win the FBI/DEA .308 Carbine competition in 2015. As you can see, its bloodlines more than make it suitable for most sniper/marksman missions out to 600 meters. The FBI deliveries began in 2016, and the DEA’s just commenced in 2017. Additionally, as a point of differentiation between other .308 semi-auto guns, we use the same barrel on the R10 as…

for more than half a century, some variation of the M16 has accompanied American military personnel on their missions around the globe. The original M16 was revolutionary in its use of polymer furniture, aluminum receivers and tiny but fast 5.56mm NATO cartridges. Military small arms haven’t been the same since. In the world of combat weapons, it is frequently not the rifle itself that is the long pole in the tent when it comes to reliability. A gun is a mechanical contrivance and will only function at the rate and reliability of its weakest component. If a gun’s ammunition feeding system is flawed, then the whole system fails. It was the Armalite AR-10 in 7.62mm NATO that eventually led to the M16. The AR-10 incorporated the directimpingement operating system of…

Beta C-Mags If more is better, then the 100-round Beta Company C-Mag must be the top of the heap. Introduced in 1987, the polymer Beta C-Mag carries 100 rounds in a twin-drum design that protrudes no farther beneath the host weapon than a comparable 30-round magazine. The C-Mag is in use by the U.S. military and has its own National Stock Number. Now available in 9mm, 5.56mm NATO and 7.62mm NATO for a variety of tactical platforms, the Beta C-Mag offers exceptional firepower in a remarkably compact package. Optional transparent backplates allow you to keep track of ammunition remaining at a glance. (betaco.com; 800-669-2382) C Products Defense C Products Defense (CPD) manufactures a wide assortment of magazines for a variety of modern weapons in a vast array of calibers. Offering…

It’s rare that you get time to spend time with the inventor of an optic—even rarer that the inventor has real-world, end-user experience. Mikey Hartman and the Hartman MH1 reflex sight bring together all of these components in a duty-ready package. SEEING RED: The MH1 is an advanced tactical red-dot-style sight. Hartman wanted to make sure his experience was applied in the MH1. It has the largest field of view of any red-dot sight. This greatly improves target acquisition and situational awareness in day or night scenarios. The MH1 has a centered red dot and uses a reticle that helps maintain the weapon on a vertical plane for more accurate shooting via balancing lines at 3 and 9 o’clock. Unique functions, such as a USB charging port and an unheard-of…

In 1991, Brain Searcy was on a desolate section of the appalachian trail facing the trial of his life. the final phase of “selection” for delta force was a 40-mile ruck march over the rough mountainous terrain. fifiithout knowing the time requirements, the candidate had to hit multiple rffff points while carrying a 45-pound rucksack plus a 7-pound rifle. the rule was “don’t be late and don’t be light!” fifiithin the community, it is known as “the long walk.” Searcy enlisted in the u.s. army reserves while in high school and attended basic training and airborne school between his junior and senior years. he had six military jumps before his 18th birthday. he then volunteered for special forces and graduated from the “q” course at the age of 19. searcy…

Congratulations to the U.S. Army National Guard Warrior Training Center, which placed fourth at the 2016 U.S. Army International Sniper Competition at Fort Benning in 2016. This sniper team was using two Savage Stealth .308 rifles topped with Bushnell HDMR scopes. The competition had approximately 45 various teams from the U.S. military, law enforcement and the international sniper community. One special item to note is that the majority of the sniper competition teams are highly funded and well-equipped U.S. and international special forces or special operations units as compared to the National Guard units. The Savage Arms and Drake Associates team should be very proud of this accomplishment, as once again the U.S. Army National Guard yielded excellent results fielding a consumer-affordable $1,200 precision rifle. The team was up against…

My affinity for the Galil SAR began almost two decades ago while I was looking for a reliable 5.56mm rifle with a short barrel for entry duties. Most of the short-barreled ARs I tested were unreliable. Newer piston-driven models had promise but were anything but dependable. The first two I tested failed in less than a month, so I couldn’t trust them. The choices then were nothing like those of today, but my part-time job at a local gun store helped. Assisting with sales of weapons for SWAT teams let me try various rifles. Hecker & Koch started to introduce polymer-chassis guns, and the G36C and G36K looked promising. But after melting a couple of handguards, I figured those guns were not quite ready for prime time. My HK53 was…