Tactical Tailor Urban Operator Backpack Review

Posted on January 30, 2013 by Randall

I like gadgets and things in which to carry them.  Last year, I fairly assaulted SHOT Show 2012 wearing a Maxpedition Sitka in Khaki.   It was just too small for my burden then, and for 2013 I had since added a Canon DSLR.   Although a sling bag is easy to access, when filled with notebooks, pens, cameras, spare batteries, an iPad 2 and accessories, business cards, morale patches, product CD’s, press kits, Clif bars, water, Mil-Spec Monkey hoodie, and a daily burgeoning collection of swag (pirate booty), the distribution of weight in the oft-rotated bag could vex a loadmaster.  I needed a backpack.   Okay, another backpack.  Damn, I think my wife heard that.

When I saw the Tactical Tailor Urban Operator Pack, I though I was on to something.   I have a Maxpedition Falcon II, but at 3+ lbs empty, it starts out a bit much for the trade show floor.  I wanted to shed a pound or two where I could.  Even though the weight was not spec’ed on their website, Tactical Tailor’s bag looked more stripped down than my Falcon II:  fewer straps and layers of heavy nylon material.

Tactical Tailor added “Made in the USA” to its desirable attributes.  At an MSRP of $99.00, it was also a bargain.  But would the quality betray the price? Continue reading →

Posted in SHOT Show, Tactical Bags | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Shooting an IWI TAVOR at SHOT Show 2013

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Randall

The Israel Weapons Industries (formerly Israel Military Industries), in collaboration with the Israel Defense Forces, has a seventy year history of producing arms for a country in constant conflict.  IWI is the maker of such iconic names as UZI, GALIL, and Desert Eagle.  IWI US, Inc. will be bringing upcoming brands for assembly and sale to United States soil.  The TAVOR SAR is one of their exciting new offerings.

IWI had TAVORs to shoot at SHOT Show 2013 Media Day.  Yeah, baby.  IWI US’s General Manager Brad Howard gave us a tour of the TAVOR platform then we were able to toe the firing line.  Howard had told us that the bullpup design leads to a rear-balanced feel to the rifle that gives stability in one handed shooting if the operator needs to use his support hand for other tasks (say, dragging a buddy out of harm’s way).

I felt the 7 lbs. gun tucked in well to the shoulder and was predominantly supported by my right arm.  It added a good base in a tactical stance.  We had no trouble hitting a small 4″ flipper at about 25 yards, despite the huge reticle on the Meprolight sight, which pretty much obscured the little steel disk.

Bullpup rifles can suffer from mushy, imprecise triggers because of the lengthy connections used to bridge the distance from the trigger back to the firing mechanism.  TAVOR did not seem to have this Continue reading →

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Wha-a-a?

Posted on January 27, 2013 by Randall

Around 2130 hrs last night, I was standing beside the road with a sheep on a leash.  I did not see that one coming.

Some kids caught a ewe that had gotten loose from a nearby farm. (Must be a sheep witness protection program, because I didn’t even know it was there.)  I retrieved a dog leash from my trunk and kept the animal quiet until the owners arrived.  There were some strange looks from passing motorists.

I had seen a coyote earlier in my shift.   There was a strong possibility the nervous sheep had been chased by a pack of our local predators.

I have had dogs, cats, gators, horses, cows, monkeys, snakes, turtles, bats, and seagulls in custody, but never a sheep.

You never know what will happen when you go to work…

Randall

Posted in Humor | 2 Comments

TrackingPoint Update from SHOT Show 2013

Posted on January 26, 2013 by Randall

I was able to see the TrackingPoint Precision Guided Firearm in action firsthand at the SHOT Show Media Day. On the long range, I watched as a novice shooter got behind the Surgeon rifle and Networked Tracking Scope, then hit a 962 yard shot on his first attempt…uh, Wow!

TrackingPoint had an iPad streaming live video next to the .338 Lapua rifle. Bystanders were able to watch on the screen as the shooter “tagged” the distant piece of steel and then let the microprocessors work the dope. The Guided Trigger will only allow a shot to be fired when the scope and tagged target are optically aligned. The rifle operator moves the point of aim off the target then back on, which presumably allowed for the scope to work up its firing solution. When the reticle turned from blue to red, it was time to “Send it!”

The TrackingPoint system worked just as advertised. I was amazed at how easy it made the long-range shots look, especially in light of the 28° temperatures and steady-to-gusty wind values. This is currently Continue reading →

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DDupleks Kaviar 26L Frangible Shotgun Ammunition

Posted on January 23, 2013 by Randall

The Latvian gentlemen from DDupleks Ammunition were demonstrating their Kaviar 26L frangible shotgun “slug” at SHOT Show 2013 Media Day at the Range.  The 12 gauge round is designed to dump its energy into the immediate target without over-penetration.  The DDuplexs rep shot a water jug at 15 yards with the Kaviar.  A Kel-Tec KSG was used for the test.

This is from the DDupleks website:

Combined material shotgun slug for training and LE purposes. Slug expands and fragments only after hitting the target and provides energy transfer immediately without Continue reading →

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New Kahr CW380 Review

Posted on January 21, 2013 by Randall

At SHOT Show 2013 Media Day at the Range, I was able to shoot five small handguns that are new to the market for 2013.  My first was the latest “budget” offering from Kahr Arms, the CW380, designated the CW3833.

I may have said “budget,” but the Kahr CW380 still has all the important functional features that have made their pistols popular with shooters and ’carryers.  The 10.2 ounce micro-sized CW380 has a polymer frame with 4140 steel inserts, matte finished 416R stainless slide with bar-dot sights, “Safe Cam” DAO firing system, and quality fit and finish.

The C-series of Kahr handguns finds its lower price point by using conventional barrel rifling instead the P-series Lothar match grade rifling, changing the CW’s slide stop to MIM as an alternate to machined steel, engraved markings standing in for more expensive roll markings, having fewer machine operations to “melt” the CW slide, and shipping the CW with just one magazine.  If you can handle those details for a $230.00 reduction in MSRP from the P-series, then this is a Kahr for you.

I own a Kahr PM9.  I like it very much.  Had the CM9 been available when I went to the LGS, I may have walked out with a little more change in my coin purse.  The differences Kahr makes to the CM9 or CW380 do not decrease from the gun’s intended purpose for close range self defense, in my opinion.  The CW380 will get the job done just as Continue reading →

Posted in Concealed Carry, Firearms, Off Duty, SHOT Show | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

TASER International Introduces New X26P

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Randall

A TASER International press release announced the introduction of their latest Conducted Electrical Weapon, the new X26P. The X26P uses the company’s latest technological advances and design combined with familiar ergonomics from its popular predecessor, the X26.

New electronic architecture takes the X26P out of the analog era and into the digital one, like its sibling the X2. The old X26 used a gas tube spark gap and a fixed energy discharge, while the latest version moves to a solid state arc controller that measures and adjusts the electrical output.

Other improvements include extended battery life, increased logging of usage data, and an IPX2 rating for weatherproofing against rain and humidity (a bonus in Florida).

According to TASER founder and CEO Rick Smith, “The new X26P will feel familiar to many law enforcement officers, combining the form factor and cartridge from the original X26 with improved ergonomics, weatherproofing, and updated Smart technology features. Smart technology adds enhanced safety and performance, improved data and analytics together with superior quality, reliability and durability.”

The X26P is a single-shot device, using standard X26 cartridges, unlike the X2’s second shot capability. It bears a visual resemblance to the X2, while retaining the X26’s dimensions. Digital power magazines and TASER CAM will work on both Continue reading →

Posted in Taser, Technology | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Magpul VW Micro Bus with a Mini Gun

Posted on January 17, 2013 by Randall

This was cool.

Randall

Posted in Humor, SHOT Show | 4 Comments

SHOT Show 2013 Small Gun Round-Up

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Randall

At the SHOT Show 2013 Media Day at the Range, I was able to shoot a number of new small handguns meant for concealed carry self defense. The latest offerings from Kahr, Sig Sauer, Springfield Armory, and Ruger were loaded, locked, and let loose.

In the photos, you will notice the dusty guns. It was very windy and fine sand mixed with the usual post-firing gunk. As I have said before, these guns are shot by literally hundreds of media members during this single day of firearms torture. All the guns I used functioned perfectly as designed.

Continue reading →

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SHOT Show 2013 Media Day at the Range

Posted on January 15, 2013 by Randall

Not Tactical, but the new Winchester 1873 is damned fun in .357 Magnum

Today was the SHOT Show 2013 Media Day at the Range. It was about 28 degrees when we arrived in Boulder City with a steady 20 mph wind, gusting to 35. Why the weather report? It definitely affected both the guns and gunners. I saw at least one handgun negatively impacted by the freezing temps–think polymer changing its resilience. No, not a Glock.

The temperature variable and gusty wind also led to challenging conditions under which to evaluate the firearms. I know that my shivering and numbed hands definitely did not lead to steady sight pictures or clean trigger breaks.

All in all, there was substantial bitching about the wind chill, but few complaints about the guns or manufacturers. I will post some reviews of new CCF pieces, a tactical bull pup shotgun, an exotic bull pup rifle, innovative ammo, and cool accessories that will be coming out in the near future.

Tomorrow will start the show floor craziness. Can you both want to go to something and dread it at the same time? More to come…

Randall

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Thanks For Nothing

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Randall

To the baggage handler or TSA worker who stole My full flat ground Spyderco Delica from My luggage,

Use it in good health.

Sarcasm.

Randall

Posted in SHOT Show | 2 Comments

Poll By Sen. Bill Nelson

Posted on January 12, 2013 by Randall

Please cast a vote in the poll (right column) on the Senator’s page in support of the Second Amendment.

Randall

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TrackingPoint to Introduce Precision Guided Rifle Scopes

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Randall

The Consumer Electronics Show, one of Las Vegas’ biggest conventions, is happening this week.  At 140,000 attendees, CES is twice the size of the SHOT Show.  For all the myriad gadgets and electronic toys being shown at CES, I thought this was one interesting bit of technology with future law enforcement potential.

TrackingPoint, Inc. builds precision rifles in Austin, TX.  Their latest advance is the patent-pending Intelligent Digital Tracking Scope, a kind of Heads-Up Display for a rifle.  This advanced scope calculates a firing solution for the shooter, as it takes into account wind speed and direction, humidity, ballistic drop, parallax, incline and cant of the weapon, and other factors.  Once the target is designated, the ballistics calculator and tracking engine in the scope prepare the firing solution and adjust the reticle accordingly.

When the rifleman places the reticle on the properly designated targeting area, the trigger can be depressed for a precision guided shot.  It reminiscent of the fire-and-forget missile technology, without the magic bullet.

Streaming real-time Wi-Fi images can be sent from the rifle scope to an iPad or iPhone.  This would have great usefulness for intelligence gathering, a sniper’s predominant function.  Commanders back at the CP and team leaders in the field would be able to see what the snipers are seeing.

TrackingPoint will be introducing rifles this month (hopefully at SHOT).  The XS1 will be chambered in .338 Lapua and the XS2 and XS3 reportedly will be in .300 WinMag.

At $15,000 to $20,000 (estimated), this technology won’t be cheap, but does deliver some awesome new potential in both its application of lethal force and in gathering information.

Randall

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SHOT Show 2013 Begins Next Week

Posted on January 10, 2013 by Randall

The annual Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas runs from January 15 through 18.  Last year over 61,000 attendees descended upon the Sands Convention Center to view the wares of 1,600+ exhibitors.  I was one of 2,500 media members.  It is time for me to pack up the iPad, notebooks, and cameras to take my yearly sabbatical as journalist and not cop.

As usual, I am honored to join the great guys from BlueSheepdog.com and GunsHolstersandGear.com at the Big Show.  GHG is already running a truckload of 2013 pre-Show info here.

SHOT Show is an industry trade show hosted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation.  As this is a trade show, the general public is not invited.  Nothing is “for sale” and it is not what most would think of as a gun show.  This is where the commerce of the firearms and related industries is conducted.  Vendors woo merchants with their latest products.  Manufacturers entertain broadcast, print, and Internet media for exposure and advertising.  Monday’s Media Day at the Range in Boulder City is for the press to handle and test the latest weaponry.

SHOT Show floor 2012

Shooting a Kriss Vector .45ACP at Media Day at the Range 2011

Luxurious Office Space at Harrah's

I am very curious about what the mood will be both on the show floor and in the press room at SHOT in light of the recent “dialogue” about gun control in this country.  The firearms industry has been on a real high since, oh, about 2008 (go figure).  Can it continue?  How will threats of impending legislation affect what they are able to manufacture and what you will be able to legally purchase for defense and recreation?

As an aside, please find it in your time and wallet to support groups like the National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, Florida Carry, and other like-minded organizations that are working hard to protect our Second Amendment rights…

Randall

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U. S. Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Missouri Implied Consent Case

Posted on January 9, 2013 by Randall

The United States Supreme Court is hearing arguments today in a forcible blood draw case from DUI case Missouri vs. McNeely.  At issue, from the Supreme Court’s website:

“Whether a law enforcement officer may obtain a nonconsensual and warrantless blood sample from a drunk driver under the exigent circumstances exception to the Fourth Amendment warrant requirement based upon the natural dissipation of alcohol in the bloodstream.”

A majority opinion in the 1966 U.S. Supreme Court case Schmerber vs. California opened the door for a nonconsensual, warrantless blood draw when there are “special facts” involving a DUI suspect and a car crash.  This ruling allowed for officers to involuntarily have blood drawn in the exigency of the chemical dissipation of the suspect’s B.A.C. and the emergency investigation of a crash involving injuries.

No such circumstances were present when Missouri Highway Patrol Corporal Mark Winder pulled over Tyler McNeely for speeding.  McNeely was unsteady on his feet and failed field sobriety tests.  Cpl. Winder asked McNeely to consent to a breath test.  He refused.  Cpl. Winder then drove McNeely to a local hospital and requested a blood sample.  McNeely again refused.  Cpl. Winder told a lab technician to take McNeely’s blood.  That sample’s alcohol content was 0.154 percent, nearly twice Missouri’s legal limit.

At trial, Cpl. Winder stated he had read a journal article in which he learned that Missouri’s implied consent law changed in 2010 to conclude Continue reading →

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