PMCI - May 2016

DEC 2015
2
CONTENTS
4 TRAINING: SIMGUN: Realistic training without the risk!
8 BOOK REVIEW: “Guerillas in the Mist”.
10 TRAINING: ACTIVE SHOOTER RESPONSE: We speak to EUSECA UK about
how to deal with the dreaded “Active Shooter” scenario.
15 TRAINING: INDUSTRY UPDATE: Hutchy provides his usual wise words
on hot topics within the PMC community
16 GEAR ON TEST: The PMCI Team make their recommendations on the
latest gear to hit the market.
20 TACTICAL INNOVATION: Helikon-Tex are really pushing the boundaries
ever forward in relation to tactical gear and clothing; we get together with
them to check out their very latest kit!
26 MEET THE MANUFACTURER:We go behind the scenes with British brand
“Bulldog” to check out their “bomber tough” tactical gear models.
30 ARMOUR UP! IWA 2016 gave the PMCI Team a chance to get hands on
some stunning new helmet models from Armorsource; check out our findings!
35 TECH AND TOOLS: Need a camouflage solution for all hostile environments?
GEARSKIN can provide it with their latest technical developments.
38 SPECIAL REPORT: Bill the Editor brings us his take on what was on show
in the tactical area of the 2016 IWA show in Nuremberg.
42 FIREARMS FOCUS: What do you get when you take a handgun from
one of the best known names in the business and add some custom
parts? Craig reports on something a bit special in the form of the Walther
PPQ.
46 ARMOURY ANSWERS: Our newest contributor, Chalkster, gives some tips
on how to get the very best from your contract-issued AK!
49 BOOK REVIEW: “Colt; An American Classic”
50 HEAD TO HEAD: This time our two tame contractors discuss how
they prepare their primary weapon when they get “in-country”
52 INDUSTRY VACANCIES: Looking for work? Just check here.
Copyright © Calibre Publishing 2014. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the express permission of the publisher
in writing. The opinion of the writers do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. The Editors
reserve the right to edit submissions prior to publication.
Thank you for downloading this Edition of PMCI, the FREE digital publication dedicated to PMC
Operatives. PMCI is written by individuals with first hand knowledge and experience of the subject
they write about - people like Col. Gerry Schumacher (USSF Ret.), author Simon Chambers
and ex-TL Dan E, all of whom have an intimate understanding of what the role entails and the day
to day challenges faced by PMCs.
PMCI will provide a platform to review and discuss the things to matter to all of us, such personal equipment,
training, employment and lifestylestyle management - and these are also our core fundamentals. We hope
you enjoy this Edition of PMCI and if you have any feedback or comments, or would like to contrubute to future
issues, please let us know by email to: editor@pmcimagazine.com
PHOTO CREDITS: Cover: HELIKON-TEX. Authors where applicable, Shutterstock.com, Istockphoto.com
Editor (UK): Bill Thomas
Editor (International): Dan Eastes
Graphic Design: Baz Thakur
Publisher: Nigel Streeter
PMCI Magazine is a digital-only publication,
published bi-monthly and available
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TRAINING: SIMGUN
TRAINING:
SIMGUN: TRAIN AS YOU FIGHT!
Over the past couple of years I’ve been following the development of a superb tool that brings realism
to any firearms training scenario; SIMGUN is a solution that not only brings such training to life but
lets the users do so in perfect safety!
When it comes to force of force training
there are many ways to simulate
making contact with an enemy; in
the past organisations have used BBs,
paintballs, blanks, simunitions and even
hi-tech systems such as the multiple
integrated laser engagement system, or
MILES, as used by the U.S. military and
other armed forces around the world, for
training purposes.
Whilst actual projectiles do work in such scenarios they
often require the user to wear bulky protective gear that they
would not normally use which changes the training dynamic,
and will usually mean using a different delivery platform or
making modifications to their issued weapon. A laser system
requires much less deviation in terms of the normal fighting
load and primary weapon but up until relatively recently has
been prohibitively expensive unless you’re on the government
dollar. Laser simulators have been in use now for more than
30 years for tactical education, and for a number of years the
technical possibilities have been changing rapidly.
Back in late 2014 I first came across a company that is
working hard to change this situation. SIMGUN is a company
from Austria that offers a Laser Dual Simulator (LDS) system
which causes trainees to immediately feel the consequences
of their actions. SIMGUN is highly precise, efficient, upgradable,
uncomplicated to use and cost-efficient. SIMGUN offers
immediate, clear, hit recognition with the highest precision.
SIMGUN is a one-stop solution for effective training with
realistic engagement distances , exact hit detection and
detailed evaluation models post-contact.
SIMGUN is not only a shooting simulator, it’s a complete addon
system for any training scenario. It can be combined with
real weapons or training weapons with equal effectiveness.
Inspired by training systems such as MILES, or those from
Saab or Rheinmetall, SIMGUN is a professional tool, which was
developed for both official and private use. SIMGUN increases
experience. SIMGUN’s range and precision require trainees/
users to employ skills which are otherwise rarely used.
In the words of Patrick Riedesser, Director of SIMGUN:
“From the beginning it was clear to us that we didn’t want
SIMGUN to be limited to one particular weapon model. Therefore
it was one of our aims to create a small, light and universally
placeable add-on product. The training and simulation market
offers us and the users the opportunity to employ numerous
realistic models and to experience scenarios in different ways.”
COMPONENT SYSTEM
The SIMGUN system is made up of a number of component
parts which are all specifically designed to work as a highly
effective “whole”.
The Body Central Unit is the communication centre for the
entire SIMGUN system, with a 360 degree hit field powered
by 3 standard AA batteries or rechargeable batteries which
are easily and cheaply sourced. It is in permanent wireless
communication with the Head Unit and up to three Laser
4

Units. The Body Central Unit has an optimum
fit and is adjustable in size. The strong Cordura
on the outside and the comfortable net mesh
on the inside are perfect materials as they are
robust, as is required for an outdoor product, but
provide sufficient comfort. It is easy to combine
SIMGUN Body Central Unit with a tactical vest.
The SIMGUN Respawner is a small remote
control device to refresh a user after they get
eliminated. Just a short press of the button
directly in front of the Body Central Unit sensor
from the Respawner and you are back up and
running. The Body Central Unit registers the
respawning process with blinking LEDs.
The Head Unit is permanently connected
wirelessly to the Body Central Unit. It is very
light and comfortable to wear. It fits on caps,
hats and can even be used as a headband.
SIMGUN offers a longer version of the Head
Unit with Velcro tapes on the inside for a soild
hold when worn with helmets. The Head Unit
detects headshots at a 360 degree angle. It
shows a hit immediately so you can see where
you hit your victim (body shot or head shot). The
SIMGUN CAP was specially designed for use with
the Head Unit. The easily-adjustable Velcro tapes
ensure a perfect fit. The cap can be adjusted to
fit all and is available in olive green and black.
The Laser Unit makes the decisive difference
to other systems available on the market. It uses
real infrared Laser technology which ensures
precision that you not will find in other products.
Naturally, the Laser Unit is Laser Class I certified.
It is not dangerous for your eyes, even in
combination with binoculars or optics. An integrated microphone
detects the “bang” from your gun and triggers the laser. Of
course, it is possible to adjust the sensitivity and in the case of
particularly quiet weapons, it can be placed directly in the barrel
using an extension device. The Laser Unit fits on all standard rail
mounts and is easy to assemble.
You will need a SIMGUN Base Station for computer evaluation
if you use the SIMGUN DS100 System. It records all events
during a scenario (hits or kills) when in use. The data is then
displayed on the computer using special software. This then
produces a ranking list with diverse statistics. Additionally,
further settings can be adjusted using the base station, which
expands the possibilities for various training or scenario modes.
The base station is connected to the computer via USB with
radio link between the computer and the individual users. The
high performance antennas provide a range of up to 10 kilometres
to monitor the entire training area (subject to clear visibility).
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
Thanks to special laser technologies, SIMGUN can achieve a range
of over 1,000 meters. The system can therefore be used for both
CQB as well as situations where snipers are used. SIMGUN can be
programmed flexibly: the integrated virtual life energy can be
adjusted. The Directing Staff decide how many hits will cause a
“fatality”.
The system can differentiate between head and body hits.
When a user is “killed”, it is registered via blinking LEDs, vibration
on the vest and a beep. Additionally, the laser is turned off, and it
is no longer possible to shoot. The blocking unit, an optional addon,
can additionally turn off an electronic RIF (realistic imitation
forearm or airsoft gun), in order to ensure even more realism if
these are being used for training purposes.
SIMGUN does not require any annoying cables. All the system
components are connected via a wireless system. It enables the
use of more than one weapon per man and training session. Every
user can deploy up to three laser units. These offer numerous
settings, for example the virtual magazine size and firepower.
If RIFs are used in training, the blocking unit turns the
weapon off when the magazine is empty. SIMGUN fits all modern
weapons with a rail. The laser unit is easy and fast to attach to all
Picantinnys and MIL-STD-1913 rails.
The system offers equipment made from high-quality
materials, newest technologies and solutions. The team have
TRAINING: SIMGUN
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6TRAINING: SIMGUN
created the system with a lot of passion in order to offer total
perfection. All the equipment is developed and manufactured
in Europe.
To recap on the system;
• Laser shooting range of over 1,000m
• Compatible with both real weapons with blank cartridges,
as well as airsoft guns and paintball markers
• Precise impact recognition and immediate switch off in case
of a “kill“
• Adjustable virtual magazine size
• Adjustable laser unit fire power
• Virtual life energy system
• Each user can use up to 3 different laser units (guns)
SIMGUN is the first company worldwide that supplies the
private market with such high-quality technology. Their
products can be used for tactical training for professional
users, for law enforcement officers, private security companies
and bodyguards. The original laser unit has now been fully
upgraded for even greater performance and functionality, and a
new pistol laser unit is imminent.
The bottom line here is that SIMGUN truly is a one-stop
solution for effective, realistic training.
For more information please visit www.simgun.com; Patrick
and his team travel throughout Europe in order to showcase
the SIMGUN system. If you are interested in SIMGUN, please
get in touch with them directly using the email address office@
simgun.com
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GUERILLAS
IN THE MIST
BOOK REVIEW Guerillas in the mist
Whether you are going into battle or just want to learn
how insurgents think, fight and survive, Guerrillas In The
Mist will really give you the lowdown! In this world where
understanding the insurgent is so vital, this book really
delivers.
Open this book and travel to Switzerland, Saigon, Cuba’s Sierra
Maestra and post-World War Two China where you will be the
consummate student of clandestine warfare as practised by
victorious guerrillas for thousands of years. Bob Newman, a
former US Marine, leads novice and experienced combat soldier
alike into the grim, violent world of guerrilla warfare.
Drawing examples from its rich history and applying proven
concepts, techniques, principles of leadership, tactics, and
operational art, plus his own global experience honed by years
on the forward edge of the battle area, Newman teaches exactly
what you must know to win on the battlefield as a guerrilla
leader.
Learn every facet of the grim, violent world of guerrilla warfare:
basic field craft; mines and booby traps; tunnel construction and
strategy; ambushes; urban and nocturnal tactics; interrogation,
indoctrination and exploitation; psyops; and more.
The author is quite obviously a master of his subject and uses
not only the written word but black and white photographs and
diagrams to really get his point across. Newman certainly doesn’t
pull his punches!
If you really want an insight into what moulds and makes a
guerrilla insurgent then this book should be a “must read”; from
an academic study point of view it really is one of a kind, and in
my opinions should be on every potential contractors reading list.
Gunnery Sergeant Bob Newman, USMC retired from the Corps
after more than 20 years serving in associated reconnaissance,
infantry, special operations and instructor roles. He served with
the Corps in the Gulf War as an infantry unit leader, and spent
three years as a SERE instructor at the fabled Navy SERE School
in Maine. His final tour was as a warfighting instructor at the
Maine Corps Staff NCO Academys’s Advanced Course aboard
Camp Geiger.
Author: Robert K Brown
Publisher: Paladin Press
ISBN: 978-0-87364-944-5
Price: £20.00 paperback, fully illustrated
8
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TRAINING: ACTIVE SHOOTER
SURVIVING AN ACTIVE SHOOTER EVENT
It was whilst I was living in the USA that I first came across the term “Active Shooter”, and it’s a
chilling phrase that has stuck in my mind ever since, even though I took the opportunity to train
with local Law Enforcement officers in responding to such an event. Even though that involved the
use of firearms it was still nerve wracking, and the thought of having to deal with such a scenario
unarmed is almost unthinkable.
First let’s analyse what the term “Active
Shooter” actually means, and the scenario.
As defined by Wikipedia an Active Shooter
is “an individual actively engaged in killing
or attempting to kill people in a confined
and populated area; in most cases, active
shooters use firearms(s) and there is no
pattern or method to their selection of
victims. Most incidents occur at locations
in which the killers find little impediment
in pressing their attack. Locations are
generally described as soft targets, that is,
they carry limited security measures to protect members of the
public. In most instances, shooters commit suicide, are shot by
police, or surrender when confrontation with responding law
enforcement becomes unavoidable.”
To look further into how to react to such an event I
contacted Bartosz Zukowski, a Krav Maga, Close Protection,
and Firearm Instructor who is also the Director of the European
Security Academy UK (EUSECA UK). I was aware that he had
recently run a course on this topic so asked him if he would be
prepared to share details of his training with PMCI; this is what
he had to tell me.
10

place you visit you should be aware of at least two exit routes (if
they are available), and be able to proceed to them as quickly
as possible in case of any danger. The worst thing you want to
do is not be aware of your exit routes and end up in a dead end
room or corridor with active shooter approaching. By evacuating
I mean leave the scene ASAP, leaving all the belongings; on
your way out, help the others to escape if possible and prevent
people getting in (remember that people who don’t know
the exit routes and are panicking may try to do unreasonable
things). Evacuate regardless if the other people you meet on
your way decide to follow. Bear in mind that when you leave the
building armed response unit may be already there. Keep your
hands visible and follow law enforcement instructions.
The Active Shooter problem has never been so real for us as it is
today and I never thought that here in Europe we would need
to worry about this. I always thought it’s more of a problem
that people living in America might have to face, but the times
have changed. Recent events in Europe have shown us that we
are no longer safe no matter where we are and what we are
doing. As a self- defence instructor I decided that it’s my duty to
develop a training program for civilians to increase their chances
of survival in case of active shooter events here in the UK. I’ve
done many workshops here in the UK about a pistol/rifle armed
attacker, but this one was completely different.
Due to the fact that UK is largely an unarmed society, we
can’t carry a firearms here, tazers for self-defence are illegal
and pepper spray is classified as an firearm and you can go to
prison if you carry it, so I had to think about what we can do
to survive an active shooter attack without being armed. You
have to admit that an armed attacker with full auto AK47 from
the illegal black market makes you scared if you think about
fighting him with empty hands. Ok let me explain something to
you; fighting the guy and disarming him was the last thing I’ve
covered on the workshop. So what to do if we have an active
shooter event going on in a shopping mall, office or a school and
we are in the building?
Let’s start from the beginning. First of all you need to realise
that we are dealing with the AS situation. How can we do it?
1. Be aware that an Active Shooter Scenario is going on!
Probably you’ll hear gunshots and you’d better be able to
recognise them and not confuse them with any other noise. It’s
good to know how they sound and for those who are using
guns on the shooting range or come from military background
it should be obvious; for those who know the sound of the rifle
only from the movies it may be a problem. You’ll have a good
chance to see people trying to escape the building in panic. If
you combine those two factors you can be sure that we are
dealing with AS situation. Ok, but what then? I know that active
shooter is in the building what are the next steps.
TRAINING: ACTIVE SHOOTER
2. Evacuate.
Sounds very simple and in fact should be as long as you know
the exit route and you have safe access to it. It’s very helpful in
any situation to have a habit of scanning your environment, the
places you are getting into on a daily basis. This means that every
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TRAINING: ACTIVE SHOOTER
3. Hide yourself if evacuation is not possible
If you can’t evac then find yourself a place where the active
shooter is less likely to find you. The best idea would be to
find a room which is lockable from the inside, but if it’s not try
to place a heavy furniture against the door and lock it in any
unconventional method you can only find at the time. Active
shooters don’t want to spend lots of time trying to get into
locked rooms; they are looking for a crowd, easily accessible
places where they can shoot as many innocent people as
possible. If you are trapped inside the room without possibility
of moving out you should make sure that you turn off the lights
and any electronic devices that create noise. Mute your phone
as the last thing you want is your phone started to ring when
the active shooter is nearby and you have taken all the steps
to hide yourself. Make sure if possible you hide yourself behind
large furniture if available. Try to call 999/911 if possible and
do it only if this won’t compromise your position.
4. Fight
This should be a last resort if any of the above is not possible.
Remember you are unarmed and active shooter probably
has semi-auto assault rifle and sometimes even a back-up
pistol. On the workshop we were talking about what we can do
against a person armed with a rifle and willing to kill as many
people as possible in a short period of time. The best option you
can take to have the best chances of winning in this situation
is to work in a team if possible. If you are locked or trapped in
12

the room as a group of people you need to take charge and build
up a plan how to take the AS quickly whilst minimising the risk of
getting shot. Remember he’s coming to kill you, not to demand
money or any other valuables. If you don’t fight you’ll die, so
there is nothing to lose to be honest. Your tactics of how to fight
an AS will depend on your manpower/environment/equipment
available. By manpower I mean how many people are willing to
fight that you have with you. Environment; a toilet where there
are not many common objects which can be
used will be way different to a room full of
furniture, chairs and electronic equipment
which you can throw at the shooter.
Equipment means any object
that you can throw at the active shooter
causing damage, anything that you
can use to hit him and anything that
can be used to distract. Examples of
this are chairs, medium size electronic
equipment, objects with sharp edges, glass
bottles, fire extinguishers and the like.
Always try to use the element of
surprise. Remember that action is always
faster than reaction. Set up two people just
behind the corners of the door to the room
you are locked in. As soon as active shooter
gets in jump on him and try to redirect the
barrel to the previously agreed direction to
make sure if there is a negligent discharge
nobody gets shot. Try to take him down using
very basic takedown techniques like a tackle
to the legs. Remember that under the high
stress condition you’ll be left with only gross
motor skills and only the simple solutions
are going to work. Try to coordinate take
down with at least two people (if available)
throwing objects at the active shooter to
distract him. His brain won’t process all this information and
he will become confused, especially if the attacks are coming
from a few directions at the same time. Once you get him down
make sure you disarm him, search for other weapons he may be
carrying and restrain him until law enforcement/response teams
arrive.
When this is going to happen make sure you have no
firearm in your hands and obey the police/responders orders.
Remember that those guys are also on a high adrenaline rush
and they will be looking for person with a rifle. You don’t want to
get shot by the law enforcement officer who may take you for an
active shooter. Make sure you clearly state that you are a victim
and show the police your hands. Drop all the items you may
have at the time they arrive. Avoid screaming, making sudden
movements, pointing and yelling. Try to stay calm as much as
possible and proceed to the evacuation route they point out to you.
Hopefully you will never have to apply any of these, but it’s better
to be prepared for such an event which may never happen to you
than be unprepared in the middle of an active shooter incident.
For further information on the training courses
offered by EUSECA UK please do visit both www.
kravmaga-midlands.com and www.euseca.co.uk
TRAINING: ACTIVE SHOOTER
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INDUSTRY
UPDATE WE
KEEP WATCH SO YOU DON’T HAVE TO
Things change constantly and rapidly within the contracting industry so this month in the latest
of a series of regular columns from Paul Hutchinson, MD of Associated Risks Group based in the
UK, he takes a look at threat and risk assessment which is avoided at your peril!
ATeam Leader is responsible overall for ensuring
that any Threat and Risk Assessment (TRA) is
compiled accurately, recorded and updated. It is
not their sole responsibility to conduct the TRA,
as everyone has a responsibility to minimise risk,
but, ensure that the team fully understands the
assessment process and the TL utilise those with
the necessary training, knowledge and experience
to assist in the TRA process. They must also ensure
that not only the individuals who have the knowledge to assist in
the TRA, but all the operatives who carry out the task have the
ability to propose and suggest any necessary actions with regards
to the TRA and the entire operation, they must also ensure that
the team have all the sufficient background information to enable
them to base their decision on.
The TRA must obviously identify the level of threat, which lets
them recognise and then implement controlled measures against
the threat. The controlled measures must be based on good, safe
working practise in order to reduce the risk. Consideration must
be given to “Hold Points” anywhere in the task. Hold Points
will be assigned where there is potentially a high consequence
outcome which in turn requires a high degree of confidence
that the defined controls are effective. This then establishes the
Residual Risk, which is the risk that remains after the controlled
measures have been identified and put into place. If this residual
risk is acceptable, we can then carry on and document the TRA.
When documenting the TRA it must be recorded onto a
proforma report that describes the task, lists the all the task
steps, explain the identified threat, distinguish those who may
be harmed and the initial Risk Rating.
CRITICAL REVIEW
A critical review consists of identifying, summarizing and
evaluating the ideas and information presented in the TRA. If
during this review anyone decides that the TRA is not thorough
enough then the TRA must be conducted again.
Communication is the process of transferring information from
one source to another. Over years of experience I know that if
something is to go wrong or has gone wrong, communication
is usually the issue. Therefore the TRA will depend on how
effectively it’s been communicated during all stages before,
during and after.
The very first thing the TL should do is to review the protective
security work the TL and the team will then commence an
assessment on the physical layout of the operation by means
of reconnaissance and scrutinising the previous TRA. The team’s
considerations will be various but will include many things such
as; the objective and necessary critical activities to ensure the
task will run effectively. Times and dates, will personal be working
alone and how will they be supervised correctly and efficiently.
Once the team are in agreement the Controls can be
implemented and the task can begin. It is at this stage that every
member of the team must continually conduct Dynamic Risk
Assessments during the activity to identify any further threats.
“The ability to predict and quantify a full menu of risks is the
CSO’s highest mark of excellence.”
INDUSTRY UPDATE
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GEAR ON TEST
16
VIPER “TITANIUM”
CLOTHING RANGE
When it comes to new tactical gear VIPER continue
to roll out both new designs and exciting, unique
colours. PMCI got an early look at their latest
“urban-inspired” Titanium grey clothing range.
“Urban Grey” has been one of those stories that just
keeps going and going; the “grey” story really took
off in 2012 when Arc’teryx LEAF launched their “Urban
Wolf” line of clothing. In the ensuing years numerous
tactical manufacturers have followed their lead and
followed suit by developing their gear in tones of grey,
and very recently we’ve been seeing “grey gear” being
worn by some very special police and military units.
The latest player to enter this arena is UK-based VIPER
with their initial range of TITANIUM products.
TITANIUM has really been chosen for urban and
industrial areas, and it breaks with tradition and
introduces a grey colour blend for modern, built-up
environments. A new alternative to traditional blue
or black, grey is less traditional and therefore a less
recognisable as a “uniform”. TITANIUM provides a covert
tonal shade for use in urban settings.
What VIPER have done is to look very closely at some
key clothing pieces initially, and keep things ultra-low
profile and pared back. Whilst all the features that you’d
expect are present they’ve been added in a much more
subtle way so as not to immediately scream out “tactical”.
The first item of clothing is a solid ballcap; the ELITE
Baseball cap is a classic, no-nonsense design made from
a mix of rip-stop tear resistant nylon and cotton. It has a
front Velcro ID panel and simple Velcro side adjustment
so one size fits most. Priced at just UK£9.50 this is a “nobrainer”
of a brain cover!
Priced iro of UK£21.00 the VIPER Tactical T-Shirt is a
great piece to wear next to the skin. It’s made from superheavyweight
220gsm cotton with a straightforward round
neck and two upper sleeve pockets with Velcro. This is a
great design, fits well and works extremely well in the
summer months.
The Contractor Pants are the latest design to be launched
in the VIPER trouser range and I have to say that they are
a really super, well-thought out design; it’s one that works
superbly well with the “covert” theme as the cut is very
“civvy” with some very low profile pocketing. Made from
rip-stop PolyCotton the pants feature two deep bellow
cargo packets with inner felt lined utility compartments,
two handwarmer pockets, and two rear seat pockets. The
knee panel is fully reinforced with a compartment for a
knee pad insert (you’ll need to buy these separately or
make some yourself!). They also have a gusseted crotch
and an elasticated waist panel on the rear for added
comfort, a YKK zip fly with button, and drawstring tie
bottoms. With a price-tag of UK£39.99 you get
a lot of trouser for your money!
Last but by no means least is the
Tactical Elite Jacket; this is an established
VIPER design, and I’ve been wearing a
black version for some time now and
it’s really stood up well to an awful
lot of abuse! The Elite jacket is made
from water resistant Micro-Shell
material, offering maximum comfort
on all but the very harshest of wet
weather days, and there’s even a
hood with an adjustable peak stashed away
in the collar. There are three external pockets in the main
body area of the jacket, two upper arm utility pockets
with velcro patches, and a small zipped pocket on the
lower left arm for ID cards or small map cards. The main
closure is a strong two-way YKK zip, and there are also
underarm zipped vents to you can regulate your core
temperature effectively, and elasticated cuffs with velcro.
This really is a cracking jacket and costs £54.99 which
is super value given the level of performance it provides!
I have to say that the new TITANIUM range features
some of the best designs that I’ve ever seen from VIPER,
and the grey colour that they’ve achieved is really very,
very good indeed; I’d go as far as saying that in my opinion
it’s one of the best grey tones on the market right now.
In addition to the extremely affordable clothing there
are also pack models that are already available to go with
it; I’m testing a couple of the models at the moment and
will report back on those in due course. 2016 is shaping
up to be another great year for VIPER; I for one can’t wait
to see what they do next!
In the meantime to keep up to date with the new VIPER
tactical products as they become available please visit
www.viperkit.co.uk. You can also follow VIPER TACTICAL via
their Facebook and Instagram pages which are regularly
updated.
pmcimagazine.com

PRODUCT REVIEW ARC’TERYX
ATOM LT JACKET
Arc’teryx are sometimes viewed as a “Gucci” brand and
deservedly so because everything they create, for either
the civilian or military markets, benefits from the very
best in terms of design, materials and construction and
the Atom LT jacket is no exception. As part of their Law
Enforcement Armed Forces (LEAF) range this is a specialist
garment designed for a very focused end user.
It’s an exceptionally lightweight insulated mid layer
that retains core warmth by blocking wind and trapping
warm air next to the body and can also function as a wind
resistant outer layer. An insulated hood adjusts to securely
fit the head and face, and this is designed to follow side
to side motion without obscuring peripheral vision.
Media ports inside the hand pockets allow for internal
routing of communication cables. When worn under
personal protection equipment, comfortable side panels of
breathable, stretch fabric prevent overheating and provide
ease of movement.
The Atom LT features Coreloft insulation which has a
very high warmth-to-weight ratio and resists compacting,
along with Polartec® Power Stretch® with Hardface®
technology side panels which are highly breathable and
have excellent stretch properties for added mobility.
The insulated hood has a single pull adjuster and
articulation in the shoulders and elbows provides room
for a full range of unrestricted motion. There are two large
hand pockets with media ports and one internal chest
pocket. A vertically routed hem draw cord minimizes
interference with a duty or battle belt.
This is probably the most minimalist of the garments
I’ve been testing this winter, but although it is indeed
very light and packable it is really superbly warm. It’s not
the cheapest option for insulated garments but given
the materials used and the standard of construction I
don’t find that at all strange; this is the “rolls royce”
standard of the tactical clothing world! It’s also the
choice of our dearly beloved “tactical athlete”
so if you’re a fast mover then this is the one
for you!
The Atom LT jacket costs UK£205.00 and our
test model in Crocodile came from www.hueys.
co.uk
GEAR ON TEST
pmcimagazine.com

GEAR ON TEST
“DOLG” SLINGS FROM TACTICAL
DECISIONS RUSSIA
Every so often you come across someone at a show that
is giving a demonstration, and this is what brought the
“DOLG” sling system to our attention; when you see
a guy configuring one sling in many different ways
in the blink of an eye it really does tend to leave a
lasting impression!
The tactical weapons slingt system “DOLG” is a
patented invention by Harlampova Vladimir, one of the
founders of “Tactical Decisions (TD)” based in Moscow. The
system offers a combination of the advantages of one-,
two- and three-point sling systems, while avoiding their
disadvantages.
This system of tactical weapon sling developed initially
for AK platforms is the end product of vigorous testing and
has undergone many improvements along the way. “DOLG”
slings have been successfully tested with the Russian
special units of the FSB, the Interior Ministry and Defense
Ministry, and TD actually go as far as thanking the staff
involved for their attention to the product and help with
the work developing it!
These slings allow full freedom of action, speed of
manipulation and comfort to transport a carbine, rifle or
even an LMG. The two models of sling share the same
unique principle and differ only in the design of the main
body. TD use high quality materials and fittings: The main
sling is made from nylon, monofilament sling girths
and “podtyaga” tapes, frost-proof plastic accessories,
Karabiner, and “podtyaga” ribbons sewn to provide a lownoise
signature. All accessories are fully tested for tensile
strength.
The “DOLG M2” is designed for use on light machineguns,
sub-machine guns, and semi-automatic shotguns.
The “DOLG M2” is produced in three colours and in a
standard format as each belt is extra-wide to allow for
better disposition of weight, and a Karabiner, which allows
you to install it on virtually any weapon.
The “DOLG M3” retains all the capabilities of the M2,
and thanks to a design change the main part of the belt
can also be converted to a two-point sling with adjustable
length, or the a setup similar to that you’d see being used
in a biathlon. The “DOLG M3” also comes with a set of
soft expansion components; all this allows you to use this
model with almost any weapon system including submachine
guns , automatic, semi-automatic or pump-action
shotguns, sniper rifles, machine guns, or even grenade
launchers!
To recap, the Slings are made from high-quality, carefully
selected and tested materials and accessories. The two
models can be installed on virtually any weapon, where
the front sling swivel is present. Universal sizing means
the “DOLG” slings can be installed on almost any butt.
A universal fitting kit may be needed to install the sling
on non-AK models of weapon , as variants of the sling
anchor points vary between platfoms, but TD have this in
hand too as they offer this as an accessory. The slings are
suitable for both right and left handed users, as long as the
sling can be attached to the weapon from the correct side.
Installing the sling is straightforward. First you remove
the extra hook provided. The adjustment strap hook or the
adjustment strap itself should be set on the front swivel.
The rear sling loop is initially assembled the way it
should be fitted to the head of the stock. If your weapon
has a folding stock, the rear sling loop is fitted a little
loosely, pulling the loop through the default swivel to
prevent it from sliding along the stock.
If the stock of your weapon does not fold, the loop is
fitted as tightly as possible. The strap should go through
the buckle three times to secure the knot. To fold the stock,
turn the rear sling loop carefully and ensure there are no
buckles or seams on the place of folding (the sling should
be above the receiver). The adjustment strap hook has an
extra hook attached to it. The extra hook is not usually used
in attaching the sling to the weapon. But it is necessary
to use it instead of a loop, when the weapon has a rear
sling mount for a hook where the stock is attached to the
receiver.
Then you simply pull the adjustment buckle and the
weapon slides along the sling. Use one hand to pull the
adjustment strap downwards, raising the gun by the grip
with the other hand. The sling does not slide across the
user’s back, instead, the weapon moves along the sling.
Overall this is a very unique and unusual design for
a sling system, but the bottom line is that IT WORKS,
especially if you are using an AK variant! Once you’ve got
used to it you may wonder why you’ve ever used anything else!
For more information on the “DOLG” sling system pay a
visit to www.tdrussia.com where you can also
watch some superb video of the manipulation
demonstrations; I think you’ll be as impressed
as I was!
18
pmcimagazine.com

TASMANIAN TIGER
PACKS AND CHEST RIG
If you’re looking for some rugged load-bearing and
tactical gear look no further than German brand
Tasmanian Tiger!
As a premium supplier of professional military and police
equipment, all Tasmanian Tiger products are made of the
very best quality fabrics and components with the best
functionality. Their comprehensive
development work is always based
on the user’s specific needs and
requirements. From prototype to
series production, all products are
manufactured in the company’s own
production facilities. This ensures that
a consistently high level of quality
is maintained. Every step in the
production process, from purchasing
materials to manufacture to the
final checks, is precisely defined and
checked regularly by independent test
centres to international standards.
Every product is checked before it
leaves production and is given a serial
number that is then stored in the
company’s own database.
My first choice from them is a TT CHEST RIG MK II PC.
A real quality chest rig made in 500D Cordura, it comes
with four integrated magazine pouches and two utility
pouches, and on top of that you can of course attach an
infinite number of additional MOLLE compatible pouches to
meet your own personal requirements. The four integrated
magazine pouches with adjustable velcro flaps, can hold
the majority of magazines currently in use, and the two
utility pouches on the sides can each handle a one litre
water bottle. The rig is designed with the option to carry
ballistic side plates and is covered with MOLLE webbing
for attaching extra pouches; Tasmanian Tiger offer an
extensive range of different pouches to go with the rig.
There’s a large map pouch on the inside, a removable
bib with a small document pouch on the inside, and the
whole thing is lined with 3D mesh. The H-style shoulder
straps feature quick release buckles on both ends, and
there’s a generous amount of adjustment in both height
and width.
In terms of packs Tasmanian Tiger offer an extensive
range to cover all eventualities, but three specific
models really caught my eye. The MKIII RAID is their
flagship “gear lugger” and it’s a classic military backpack
with their new V2 plus carrying system. It extends the
application range and flexibility with a removable hip
belt and the greater adjustability of the back length. The
MISSION Pack constructed in 500D Cordura is at 37L a
bit of a classic patrol pack with enough space for a few
days-worth of operational equipment. It offers a large
main compartment, a large zipped compartment with an
attaching point for a hydration bladder on the inside; an
exit point for the hydration tube is found on the top, just
beneath a sturdy carry handle. On the front is another
large compartment with four antenna/cable ports, three
open compartments, a zippered mesh pouch and a clip
for keys. A flat compartment on the back with zips on the
sides has yet more antenna/comms ports in both upper
corners, and an even flatter zippered pouch on the back
is great for storing for notes, maps, or
even a notebook computer. Last but
not least is a zipped compartment on
the bottom which houses an OD Green
rain cover.
The MISSION has acres of
MOLLE webbing and some velcro
patches for insignia on the outside.
The main compartment can be
compressed with side straps for
secure carriage of varying loads and
there is a comfortably padded back
with an internal support frame. The
ergonomic shoulder straps are well
padded and fully adjustable both at
the top and bottom for a comfortable
set-up. There’s a sternum strap with a
neat emergency whistle buckle and a
padded waist belt with two small zippered pouches, also
fully removable. Last but by no means least, and again
made in 500D Cordura, the ESSENTIAL pack is a small 6L
all-round daypack. It features two compression straps
around the whole pack, MOLLE panels on the back and
side, a webbing carry handle, and comfortable yet nowprofile
shoulder straps again featuring the sternum strap
with an integrated emergency whistle buckle. The pack is
simply one large compartment with a hydration blabber
pocket, and makes a superb “grab bag”; the fact that it
weighs just 480g is a bonus in itself!
Tasmanian Tiger are gradually making well-deserved
in-roads into the UK, and all the models here are becoming
more easily available from some quality stockists. All
the packs and tactical gear are available in multiple
colour options, including camouflaged versions so
there’s something in the range to suit an environmental
requirement.
Thus far in my testing I’ve been very impressed by the
build-quality and attention to detail in all the models,
and the comfort levels for all are very high indeed. If
you are in the market for a new pack or chest
rig then I would thoroughly recommend you
check out http://en.tasmaniantiger.info where
you’ll find further details of both the products
themselves and stockist details.
GEAR ON TEST
pmcimagazine.com

pmcimagazine.com
MEET THE MAKER: HELIKON
HELIKON-TEX NEW LINES
Helikon-Tex are one of those manufacturers that are constantly pushing the boundaries of garment
and gear manufacture forward and 2016 saw the launch of their new Urban, Outdoor, and Range lines;
these offer new designs and new fabrics and there is quite literally something there for everyone!
Helikon-Tex are by no means a newcomer to
the tactical market as they were established
in 1983. Initially their business activities
were mainly concentrated with military
surplus sales. However, changing trends and
market demand in the mid-nineties set a new
development direction; in 1999 they decided
to start their own military and tactical clothing
production.
Their ever-expanding range is proof that the decision was
the correct one as they now offer full-spectrum lines of top
quality combat uniforms, waterproof and windproof sets, fleece
jackets, underwear and head gear. Their hefty catalogue also
includes quality bags and backpacks, tactical belts, MOLLE
system pouches and accessories, as well as camping and
survival equipment. Widely used by law enforcement, security,
and military personnel, along with outdoor enthusiasts Helikon-
Tex clothing and kit has gained a thoroughly well-deserved
reputation for quality and durability amongst users.
And I do count myself amongst that highly-satisfied user
group as some nine years ago I purchased a great looking
coyote tan Helikon-Tex fleece, the “Patriot”. The price at the
time compared to similar garments coming out of the USA was
very competitive and attractive; I remember thinking to myself
“well, that’s a good price, if it last me a couple of years that’ll be
great”. Fast forward to the present and the “Patriot”, although
it is looking a little “battle-scarred” is still going strong. Now
that to me is one hell of an investment and testimony to the
longevity of Helikon-Tex garments!
20
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MEET THE MAKER: HELIKON
Since that initial purchase I’ve bought items from Helikon-
Tex on numerous occasions and I am always keen to get “handson”
when they drop something new into the marketplace. I’m
lucky that I’ve got to know the family behind the brand, and
that they keep me fully up to date with new releases, so when
Jedrzej, the son of the founder, contacted me pre-IWA and told
me I needed to come and see him at the show as they had “a
few new pieces” you can bet your last buck that I was going to
do exactly that!
A STUNNING DISPLAY
Helikon-Tex always have a really top-notch stand at IWA each
year, and 2016 proved no exception to that; it was simply jawdropping!
Not only do they work with the best quality fabrics
and components with strict quality control measures in place,
but they also work with some unusual camouflage patterns
which makes them quite unique. This however was not the
only reason to see them this year though as the “few pieces”
that had been teasingly mentioned to me turned out to be a
number of complete new lines of products broken down into a
number of categories, “Range Line, Outback Line, and Urban Line”.
These new lines show a new approach and a new structure.
Having gathered a task force of designers and professional
consultants to complete their R&D team, Helikon-Tex were
ready to launch a wholly fresh and complex project codenamed
“HTX”. In their own words;
“The whole of the HTX concept is based upon the ingenuity
of design. We have once introduced our bestselling UTP pants
as our own, home-grown concept, and with time it became
evident that this is the way to follow. We are perfectly aware
that in our world we have to transform and evolve, follow
new challenges, revise old standards and never, ever settle for
average.”
And from what I saw of the new products these are no
empty words. Starting with the “Outback Line” this is Helikon-
Tex’s technical clothing and accessories range concept. From
base layers through all intermediate levels of insulation for
both dynamic and static activities to outer layers including wind
shirts, softshells, hardshells and Climashield parkas. There are
both solid classics and new “light & fast” style designs.
The first new product is the Blizzard Softshell set; the jacket is
a perfect light outer layer for most weather conditions. Durable
DWR treatment, stretchable material and extra reinforcements
combined with spacious cargo pockets give you a versatile
softshell top with a military legacy and a solid feature set
as you’d expect, and it’s a versatile outdoor garment, meant
especially for inclement weather use when hiking or mountain
climbing. The matching Blizzard Pants feature two types of
softshell fabric (two and four-way stretch) which are designed
in a way that combines mobility, durability and breathability of
the set. True to its military origins they feature spacious cargo
pockets, extra ventilation channels, lower leg reinforcements
and shoelace hooks.
To complement the Blizzard outer layers there are also
two new heavyweight fleece layering options to consider.
Remember that old USGI ECWCS fleece? It was and still is a
favourite with many folks. 320 weight fleece gives you a
lot of warmth and what Helikon-Tex have done is to create
something with a similar feel and a few more practical features.
The Stratus has angled long zip chest pockets, mesh armpit
ventilation, handy bicep pockets and tall standing collar.
It is meant to be simple yet effective design that can
be worn on its own or as a
mid-layer. The Cumulus is a twin
design to the Stratus heavy fleece; it
shares the general pattern and reinforcements,
but in this variant you’re getting a hooded jacket with
spacious mesh inner pockets and simple hand warmer pockets.
It’s a simple, utilitarian and very wearable piece.
The “Urban Line” is the Helikon-Tex take on both the
challenges and routines of a modern world, merging tactical,
sporting and EDC elements into one. Pants, daypacks, and light
casual garments are all oriented to give you sharp looks and
enough space to hold all your daily stuff. Keep in mind that
everybody is trying to keep “low profile” these days! Hoodies
are almost everyone’s favourite easy wearing and casual
looking design. With the Urban Tactical Hoodie (UTH) Helikon-
Tex wanted to keep all that, plus get you some extra features,
such as concealed bicep pockets, secure kangaroo pockets and
inner pockets and wire routing channels that work well with
full zip design. They also made sure that UTH fabric is at the
same time soft, pleasant to wear and as durable as possible.
Keeping with the impression of “casual” the UTPs provide
load bearing capabilities and comfort typical for strictly utilitarian
constructions. Designed for Law Enforcement and Contractors,
the Urban Tactical Pants enable you to carry all essential
22

so as to do them full justice, but the whilst the UTPs are a very
popular range pants for many people, there were requests to
make them even more comfortable and well suited for shooting
sports, especially to introduce more stretch and reinforcements in
critical areas. So Helikon-Tex have listened to this feedback and
you can see all the ideas rolled into their new, dedicated range
pants nicknamed the Hybrid Tactical Pants (HTP). This looks to be
an absolutely cracking design providing a combination of both a
great feature set and some cutting edge fabrics; this is a model
that I’m definitely looking forward to testing!
equipment around
hip and thigh line.
A low-profile pocket
setup keeps the
EDC gear and ammo
close to the body’s
centre of gravity,
which, combined
with stretchable
fabric, leads to
fluent and quick
tactical movements.
Furthermore, all these solutions provide a design which is an
incredibly useful product for concealed carry tasks. The UTPs are
available in three fabric options for hot and moderate climates
as well. The Women’s UTPs are designed for female users and to
specifically fit the female body shape. This design is based on the
experience gathered from the original Urban Tactical Pants and
they offer all the features available in the men’s version. Women’s
UTPs are available in one length (L34) for individual adjustment,
and there’s even an Urban Tactical Skirt to round out an impressive
line here.
Sometimes easy looks can be misleading and the Covert
Tactical Pants (CTP) are perfect everyday pants, as their appearance
is definitely low-profile. At the same time they are feature laden;
the pocket layout includes IWB sheaths for weapons, magazines
or valuables, while the new six outer pocket design gives you
more than enough space for EDC items. Wide belt loops stabilise
belts and holsters while a combination of cut and pattering and
stretchable fabric allow for great freedom of motion. The CTP’s will
look equally good when worn with plain polo or with a casual hoodie!
Now I know that all the guys at Helikon-Tex are fellow
shooting sports enthusiasts, so it’s no wonder that they wanted to
create a “Range Line” with great clothing and gear for the range.
No matter if you’re IPSC competitor, a one-mile precision
shooter or just a guy that shoots for a living Helikon-Tex have
something new for you in stock. I’ll visit the new range of belts,
gun bags, pouches and sniper-mats in the next issue of PMCI
AND MORE TO COME!
As you can imagine it’s an incredibly complex feat for any
brand, even one as well-respected and efficient as Helikon-Tex,
to launch a whole new concept in one go, but this is the start
of the rollout of the HTX project and it’s very impressive to say
the least. In addition to the three new lines mentioned in this
article in due course we’ll be seeing the further roll-out of the
“Bushcraft, Patrol, and Medical” lines which means there’s much
more goodness to come!
Once again, in their own words;
“Naturally it is not going to happen all at once, we cannot bring
you instant effects overnight, but be assured that Helikon-Tex’s
evolution has started… and you are invited to experience its
effects for yourselves.”
As I said earlier there are new equipment items that have
also been launched and these are equally as impressive as
the clothing. I’m always quite
excited when Helikon-Tex bring
new innovations to market,
and luckily my relationship with
them is a strong one; they have
true faith in what they create
they’re always prepared to
submit products for evaluation
and “put their money where
their mouth is” so
expect to see some
more detailed reviews
of the new gear over
time. I look forward
greatly to experiencing
the next “evolution of
Helikon-Tex”!
The new designs
are loading up onto the
Helikon-Tex website as
they become available,
so for more information
on the individual pieces
and to find stockist
details where you are
please do visit https://
helikon-tex.com
MEET THE MAKER: HELIKON
pmcimagazine.com

CONTRACTOR
PANTS
ELITE
JACKET
ELITE
BASEBALL HAT
TACTICAL
T-SHIRT
n 6 Pocket, 2 with inner felt lined utility
compartments
n Re-enforced knee panel with knee pad
compartment
n Elasticated waist
panel on rear for
added comfort.
Material: Ripstop
Polycotton
Sizes: 28”- 42”
Colour: Titanium
SRP: £42.00
The Elite jacket is made from water
resistant Micro-shell material, offering
the user maximum comfort.
Material: Micro-Shell
Sizes UK: S-XXL
Colour: Titanium
SRP: £59.95
n Made from Nylon/Cotton
n Rip-stop tear resistant
n Front Velcro ID panel
n Velcro size adjustment
Sizes: One size fits most
Colour: Titanium
SRP: £9.95
n Super heavyweight
220gsm cotton
n 2 sleeve pockets with velcro
Sizes: S-XXXL
Colour: Titanium
SRP: £22.95
>GET THE
TACTICAL ADVANTAGE
TACTICAL
STOCKISTS / CATALOGUE
www.vipertactical.co.uk

MINI MODULAR
PACK
LAZER
GARRISON PACK
LAZER
SHOULDER PACK
LAZER
RECON PACK
A multifunction load carrier which
can be attached to a MOLLE or used
independently. Can also serve a civilian
with the day to day practicality and
features such as convenient sized
pouches, bladder holder and general size.
Mesh helmet hammock located on front
with compression straps for adjustment
Size: 19 ltr (approx)
Material: 600D Cordura
Colour: Titanium
SRP: £45.00
n Lazer MOLLE Panels on front/sides
n Fully mesh vented back
n Internal Nylon hood closure
n 2 x Main compression straps
n Sternum strap with QR buckle
n Padded shoulder straps
n Elasticated rim on lid
n 1 x Grab handle
n Velcro ID panel
Size: 35 ltr (approx)
Material: 600D
Cordura
Colour: Titanium
SRP: £27.50
A lightweight and conveniently sized
shoulder pack, ideal as a travel/grab
bag. Its exterior and internal pockets
are capable of bearing most personal
belongings and padded straps add the
comfort factor.
Size: 10 ltr (approx)
Material: 600D Cordura
Colour: Titanium
SRP: £34.95
With padded shoulder straps and
foam Ventex back panel this makes a
comfortable load carrier. The pack can be
reduced using the compression straps or
added to with the
LAZER MOLLE
attachment panels.
Size: 35 ltr (approx)
Material: 600D
Cordura
Colour: Titanium
SRP: £45.00
>GET THE
TACTICAL ADVANTAGE
TACTICAL
STOCKISTS / CATALOGUE
www.vipertactical.co.uk

pmcimagazine.com
MEET THE MAKER: BULLDOG
MANUFACTURERS PROFILE - BULLDOG
For this issue of PMCI we’re joined by contributor Leslie Lee who gives us the lowdown on some
superb tactical gear from UK brand “BULLDOG TACTICAL GEAR”.
During my many visits to UKMC Pro in Southsea
UK, I found that many of my purchases and
interest was steered towards a brand of
tactical equipment and clothing labelled
“BULLDOG TACTICAL GEAR”. I later found out
that it is designed and built based on demand
by the numerous military personnel that buy
from (what is probably) the South Coast’s
leading military equipment retail showroom
and online purchase facility.
Bulldog Tactical Gear (BTG) are manufacturers of modern
Military and Police Equipment. A British brand, their mission
and main aim is to provide battle-ready Military and Tactical
equipment that does not cost you the earth. Working together
with seasoned military professionals, BTG have tailored
their pouches, tactical bags, belt kits, chest rigs and tactical
equipment to be exactly the right kit you need when you find
yourself up against the many dangers a modern professional
may have to face.
So after many purchases of this brand over the years and
the longevity of the quality of this gear, I felt it only appropriate
to share my findings; now I am as sceptical as the next person
when it comes to own brand products, whether it be lemonade
or laxatives but be assured... be very assured, that BTG is in a
class of its own simply because, for me, it ticks all the right boxes.
On a personal note, I purchased a pair of their top-of-therange
tactical pants around three years ago, mainly because
of the flexibility of the fit and okay, I’m no Damien Scott or
Michael Stonebridge but they get worn an awful lot and there
is still not a single sign of wear and tear. Perhaps they are just
a little faded due to washing but that’s to be expected so I for
one am very pleased and at around £70 at the time, this was
clearly money well spent.
All Bulldog clothing is a lightweight, durable Rip-Stop
65/35 PolyCotton blend and pre-washed to avoid shrinking. In
addition, BGT use mil-spec double and triple stitch construction,
YKK zips and Duraflex buckles.
Nylon Equipment (plate carriers, pouches, chest rigs, etc.)
and of course bags are made from heavy duty but flexible
1000D Cordura Nylon, or 600D Cordura Nylon for some of the
lighter bags. Again these pieces are furnished with YKK zips and
Duraflex buckles, with a mil-spec triple stitch construction.
26

Clearly, these products have had some serious testing before
they are made available, with the end user in most cases being
military, who’s lives could depend on their ability to use any piece
of equipment fluently and without any compromise or failure in
the process of dealing with some of the most bad-ass bad guys
in the world.
The range of products is simply massive, so to give you some
idea I have selected some of the more frequently used pieces to
give you a general overview which should give you a fair and
balanced perspective of what BGT has to offer but of course, like
all retail products, I would urge you to drop in on their website for
a better insight across the whole range.
BULLDOG ELITE ECU2 COMBAT TROUSERS
These super comfortable trousers offer the perfect balance
between quality, modern design and price. Complete with built-in
knee pads, removable for when being washed and designed and
built to a modern tactical layout with 4 pockets on the back and 2
smaller ones on the front. The following specifications should give
you some idea what you can expect:
• Made from a lightweight yet durable rip-stop 65/35 poly cotton blend.
• Pre-washed to avoid shrinking and fading (recommended wash at 0°)
• Available in MTC Camo, Black, Olive Green or Coyote Tan
• Built-in flexible rubber knee pads for protection in the field;
sewn on to a neoprene base to provide high levels of comfort.
• 4-way stretch material offers total freedom of movement &
increased levels of comfort
• Located inside both thigh pockets are straps used to adjust the
height that the knee pads sit at for a custom fit.
• Velcro adjusters on back to tighten or loosen the knee pads.
• Fits all leg lengths between 30 -32” inch
• Modern 8 pocket design; 4 on rear, 2 on the front & 2 standard
hand pockets.
• Large pockets located on back to aid freedom of movement.
• 2 smaller pockets on front to house smaller but important items
that need to be kept easy to hand
• Padded waist belt for increased comfort when wearing a
combat or MOLLE Belt.
• 4-Stretch material on lower back to increase freedom of
movement and off superior comfort levels.
• Large belt loops to accommodate most combat Belts
• Zippered fly with Velcro closure top
• Built-In waterproof lining on the bottom of the legs act as
gaiters when wearing boots.
• Textured rubber knee pads provide a non-slip stable base for
various shooting stances.
• Gusseted crotch allows total freedom of movement, great for
hand-to-hand combat or breaching.
• Mil-Spec double stitch construction with a double seat for
durability.
With an outstanding overall specification and build quality, it is
clear to see that these are made for professional use as they
offer all the features and benefits of their rivals but at a fraction
of the cost. Based on Bulldog’s original ECU Trousers but with
a whole load of improvements, they are designed to provide
a fast action combat trouser for tactical use by Military and
certain Law Enforcement Units.
BULLDOG COBRA TACTICAL RIGGERS BELT, 1.75”
This 1.75” tactical belt is designed for Special Forces & Military
use. Made using mil-spec nylon webbing it is ultra-lightweight
yet highly durable. The new Cobra style buckle makes removing
or putting on the belt a 2-second job, eliminating the need
to constantly undo the Velcro and buckle. Simply use your
forefinger and thumb to quickly release the buckle with the aid
of two buttons; the green circle indicator confirms when the
buckle is fully inserted and ready to go.
The Tactical Riggers Belt provides the ultimate in stability
and will not lose tension even with heavy loads. With the
double tension offered by the buckle and additional Velcro you
can rest assured that it will not budge.
MEET THE MAKER: BULLDOG
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MEET THE MAKER: BULLDOG
BULLDOG LMR CHEST RIG; LIGHTWEIGHT,
VERSATILE, DURABLE!
The LMR Chest Rig is Bulldog’s brand new and vastly improved
design. It can be worn with or without body armour. It provides
mobility and freedom of movement over protection with only a
front plate option. The LMR can also be worn over a non-MOLLE
plate carrier to add tactical versatility, and it weighs in at only
995 grams!
Made from lightweight yet durable 1000 Denier Nylon
which adds little weight to your load, it is curved to match the
shape of your body. This makes for a comfortable fit but also
makes the Bulldog LMR less restrictive than its rivals, providing
a fast action rig that excels when surprise is the key to success.
It also has a low profile so can be concealed if required.
With integrated open-top bungee mag pouches the Bulldog
LMR can hold 8 x M4 or AK47 magazines which are stored
comfortably, securely and in the perfect position for a quick
reload. Reinforced with tough Bulldog exclusive SKIN material
to protect high wear areas where there is contact with the
mags, also aids in holding the mags securely in place.
With 3 rows of MOLLE across both the top and bottom of
the LMR Chest Rig, adding MOLLE pouches is a piece of cake.
Compatible with all MOLLE pouches with the option to attach
extra mag pouches (if required) and / or utility pouches, dump
pouch and much more.
The BTG LMR Chest Rig has a large pocket (actually, make that
a HUGE pocket) behind the mag pouches with heavy duty
zipper closure. Internal MOLLE for attaching MOLLE pouches
which is great for storing documents, knife, multi-tool, light
sticks, tactical light, even a pistol or other smaller items that
are required easy to hand. It also houses the cord locks used to
adjust the integrated mag pouches.
Utilising customer feedback and demand, this is one very
well made battle belt and I can assure you that this is a seriously
interesting and versatile piece of kit.
BULLDOG RIP AWAY MOLLE PANEL
Now this piece of equipment is probably one of the most
practical items in the Military market that has potential in so
many ways. The Bulldog Tear Away MOLLE Panel has really
impressed me a lot! It enables the user to quickly and easily
remove a pouch from your belt or other MOLLE gear. It’s great
for the CMT Medic Pouch, Medic Utility pouch or just about any
other type of pouch that you can fit on an area roughly the
size of a typical admin pouch designated platform. It measures
approximately 14 x 18 cm and consists of 5 x 3 rows of MOLLE.
It has a reinforced pull handle in red for easy identification
when needed and with a simple pull of the handle you can
remove any pouch and lay it in front of you, or throw it to
someone else.
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I was so impressed with this unique piece of kit that I bought one
myself and now run around with a first aid kit on my back that
would be the envy of most Paramedics!
BULLDOG MK2 MOLLE WEBBING SET
The new and improved version of Bulldog’s top selling MOLLE
Webbing Set is a big step forward in performance with improved
load stability with the addition of 2 extra points of attachment.
Now with a 6 Point system and an improved integral belt with
Cobra Buckle to ensure that once set it will not budge.
A highly versatile piece of kit, the Yoke and MOLLE belt can be
used together or individually. The padding can also be removed
from the belt and the interior belt used as a standard combat
belt if you choose to do so. Designed to be worn over the British
standard issue plate carrier, it can form the base of a modern
MOLLE webbing system with the addition of Bulldog MOLLE
Pouches (also compatible with issue Osprey Pouches).
It is ultra-lightweight so it adds very little weight to your
already heavy load and is durable as it is made from 1000 Denier
Nylon. The MOLLE Yoke has a vented back panel to provide
ventilation to aid in keeping you cool. A chest strap ensures a snug
fit to your back and a 4-point connection between the yoke and
belt ensures load stability and improves overall load balance.
The MOLLE Belt is made up of 3 sections of material instead
of just the standard 1 piece design and this vastly improves
the flexibility and offers you greater freedom of movement.
It moves more naturally with your body and causes less
restriction – and it weighs in at only 900g in total.
So after an intensive study, microscopic scrutiny, personal
experience and feedback from some individuals that I know
that have bought and use Bulldog Tactical Gear regularly, I
have to conclude that BTG is making a substantial difference…
a difference that ultimately allows any user to buy a premium
quality piece of gear at an affordable price and have the peace
of mind that it won’t let him or her down any time soon!
For more information on the extensive BTG range please
visit www.ukmcpro.co.uk; alternatively you can contact them
direct via sales@ukmcpro.co.uk or give them a call on +44 (0)
2392 838800
MEET THE MAKER: BULLDOG
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ARMORSOURCE
ARMORSOURCE
NEXT GENERATION HELMET SYSTEMS
IWA 2016 threw some real “curve-balls” at the
PMCI team, and all of them were excellent!
Little did we know that at the show we’d be
getting hands on some of the very latest highperformance
helmet solutions from US market
leader ArmorSource!
ArmorSource LLC is a leading manufacturer of ballistic helmets,
advanced head protection products, and accessories. They offer
innovative and unique solutions in head protection products by
making the very best use of their expertise in the development
and design of composite materials, coupled with years of
ballistic product design experience.
ArmorSource was established in 2005 by ballistic-material
ground breakers well-known in the global personal protection
industry. The principals, Mr Yoav Kapah, Mr Don Blake, and
Mr Larry Dickson brought their expertise, market knowledge,
industry contacts, and the ability to deliver results exceeding
stated requirements together to create a foundation for the
largest ballistic helmet manufacturer in the United States and,
possibly the world.
The company headquarters and production facility is
located in Hebron, Ohio. Their 120,000 square foot facility is
dedicated to the design, manufacture, and development of
ballistic materials. Through this facility they were able
to exceed expectations with their delivery of 35,000
30

Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT) helmets for
the Foreign Military Sales effort in Afghanistan.
Their production group operates and maintains a wide variety
of automated, semi-automated, and manual machinery in a
streamlined production environment to produce our state-ofthe-art
head protection systems. ArmorSource maintains a core
labour force of approximately 100 employees with over 60% of
that base dedicated to manufacturing operations and quality.
When required, they have the ability to surge from a single
shift operation to three fulltime shifts, employing well over 200
individuals within the manufacturing and quality departments. At
their peak, the manufacturing and quality headcount was nearly
250 individuals!
Their internal mantra is “Deliver what you promise and don’t
promise what you can’t deliver.” In this vein, they embrace
the mission to significantly enhance their products’ ballistic
capabilities while preparing next generation products for release.
They are an ISO 9001:2008 registered organisation for the
design and manufacture of ballistic helmets, a registration they
were proud to receive in 2009 and still hold today. An important
aspect of the research carried out is to closely follow worldwide
risk and threat trends in order to collect information and data that
will ultimately result in improved helmet designs with increased
ballistic performance, greater stability, superior impact resistance,
and long-term comfort.
HIGH PERFORMANCE PROTECTION
Increased protection in the past has usually meant piling on
the weight to gain it, but as with all things, technical materials
and components tend to change on an almost daily basis, and
ArmorSource are obviously past masters in taking the very best
that can be found!
When we saw some of their very latest helmet models in
Germany what really struck all of us was the weight savings that
have been made, not just without loss of protection, but in fact
adding to it. If you take for example their LJD Aire model, it is
the lightest ballistic helmet in the defence and law enforcement
market. The LJD Aire reduces the weight of traditional helmets
by more than 40% while exceeding the ballistic protection of the
Lightweight Advanced Combat Helmet. In a full coverage version,
size L, the boltless helmet will weigh a mere 1.9 lbs/850g,
compared to an equivalently sized Advanced Combat Helmet
(ACH), which weighs 3.3 lbs/1.5kg. The LJD Aire possesses the
ACH/ MICH geometry, and will be available in mid and high
cut versions, offering standard or boltless siderails, standard or
boltless retention, and customers’ choice of aftermarket products,
including shrouds and brackets.
The ArmorSource LJD Sniper Helmet is the lightest version of
the U.S. Army Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH / LWACH) designed
for use by Military Troops; the High-Cut variant in size S/M weighs
in at just 2.4 lbs/1.1kg! The LJD Sniper reduces the Areal Density
of the traditional ACH helmet by more than 30% and the LW-ACH
helmets by more than 15% while exceeding the ballistic protection
of the Lightweight ACH. The LJD Sniper provides extremely high
protection against a wide spectrum of small fragments as well
as handgun bullets. It is extremely comfortable due to its new
ergonomic design, lighter weight and flexible pad system and
brings the market the newest ballistic technology available in the
industry.
The AS-500 ACH (Advanced Combat Helmet) weighs in size
M 3.1 lbs/1.4kg and is a solid, tried and tested head protection
solution. The ACH is used by the U.S. Army and other military
organizations worldwide. The AS-500 ACH helmet provides high
protection against a wide spectrum of small fragments as well
as handgun bullets, and has been battle-proven extensively in
Iraq and Afghanistan. This is a classic design that is used and
accepted by the U.S. Government and other military organisations
worldwide.
At 2.29 lbs/1.04kg in size M the AS-501 Ultra Lightweight
Ballistic Helmet is an innovative, solid and extremely comfortable
solution for front line units and Special Forces. The AS-501
provides extremely high protection against a wide spectrum of
small fragments as well as handgun bullets and is extremely
comfortable due to its light weight and flexible pad system. It still
utilises the classic ACH shape meaning that specialist users will
blend easily into a larger force. There is also an Ultra Lightweight
HIGH-CUT Ballistic Helmet for those who need this style and this
reduces the weight even further to 1.874 lbs/0.85kg even when
going up to size L!
ARMORSOURCE
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ARMORSOURCE
The ArmorSource AS-505 LWACH (Light Weight Advanced Combat
Helmet) is a solid head protection solution. The LWACH is the
newest military helmet designed for the U.S. Dept. of Defense,
developed specifically to replace the older ACH styles used
by the U.S. Army and other U.S. military forces. ArmorSource
has become the first vendor of this new helmet style to the
U.S. Army. The AS-505 LWACH helmet provides high protection
against a wide spectrum of small fragments as well as handgun
bullets, undergoes more extensive testing methods in order to
improve the safety of the war fighter and at 2.81 lbs/1.27kg
(size M) is also lighter than the ACH!
Finally the AS-600 is a revolutionary lightweight rifleresistant/small
arms enhanced High Protection Assault Helmet
which has been designed for Special Forces, counter-terrorism
units and front line troops. This innovative helmet incorporates
advanced, high-performance ballistic materials into a proven,
battle-tested Advanced Combat Helmet shape. The result is
a highly modular ballistic helmet that delivers dramatically
higher protection levels to the individual soldier. The AS-600
provides a significant increase in performance protection
against fragments and small arms (in accordance with RP-
002, M80 NATO (2100 fps)) at approximately the same weight
(3.1lbs/1.4kg M) as the current U.S. Military’s Advanced Combat
Helmet (ACH).
ARMORSOURCE HAVE YOU COVERED!
At the end of the day, the quality built into their products
is proven by the quality seen and the quality tested. They
incorporate a wide variety of inspection techniques that are
designed to validate that quality goals are being met. In a
continuing effort to improve the quality and safety of head
protection products, ArmorSource designed and built an on-site,
state-of-the-art Ballistic Testing Lab, enabling convenient and
time-sensitive testing for fragment and small arms protection
levels. Some of the testing lab features include:
• Full complement of Safety Interlocks
• State of the art Universal Receiver
• Agilent 5331 Universal Counters
• Oehler Photoelectric Lumiline Screens
• Temperature/Humidity Controlled
The ArmorSource ballistics lab was created to mirror the U.S.
Army’s Aberdeen Proving Grounds lab as well as the standard
requirements set for independent commercial labs. Their
ballistic range provides a safe and controlled environment for
testing hand guns, fragments (RCC, FSP – 2, 4 ,16, 64, 17 grain),
and small arms (rifles).
In addition to the Ballistic Testing Lab, they have additional
helmet testing capabilities that include physical and mechanical
testing equipment and processes allowing them to produce
optimal performance characteristics, such as, compression
resistance, impact resistance, helmet stability, and other safety
features. Some of the equipment includes:
• Instron CRE Compression/Tension Machine
• Cadex Testing System
• Conditioned Test Chambers
From the brief we received in Germany we also discovered that
ArmorSource are also currently working on the following R&D
projects:
• ULWACH – Ultra-Lightweight Advanced Combat Helmet
• Powered Helmet Accessories Platform (mounting system for
helmet accessories)
• Rifle Resistance Combat Helmet (Future Soldier Enhanced)
• Hybrid Shell for BFS reduction, compression resistance, and
impact resistance.
• Advanced Boltless harness technology
• Trauma reduction management system
• Next Generation full coverage head protection system
(Head, Face, Neck, Nape)
ArmorSource is proud to represent the U.S. Defense Industry
throughout the world. In recent years, ArmorSource has made
a significant international reputation for high quality ballistic
helmet manufacturing and they now distribute throughout the
world to areas such as Italy, Israel, Australia, Spain, and Mexico.
During this time, ArmorSource has sold more than 500,000
helmets, of which 60% were exported to countries all around
the globe!
Whatever type of helmet solution you need ArmorSource
really do have you covered; in addition to the models
highlighted there are a further eight models in their line all
certified to NIJ IIIA levels (where required). ArmorSource also
offer a full range of Retention Systems, Harnesses, Suspension
Systems and Accessories so that your chosen helmet can be set
up just how you want it to be. Most of the models are available
in Foliage Green, Olive Green, Black, Navy Blue, Tan and Coyote
Brown although ArmorSource state that are happy to discuss
camouflage patterns if necessary.
For more information on the individual helmet
models and all the “add-ons” please visit www.
armorsource.com, and our thanks go to the team
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WWW.PENCOTTCAMO.COM

GEARSKIN
Need a solution to make a single set of kit work in
any environment? PMCI finds an effective and safe
new camouflage product that lets you do this over
and over again!
Some of us are privileged to have been
involved in the wide world of tactical gear
for some considerable time, and as I’ve said
in the past “time in” gives you the luxury of
being able to build up a personal “gear locker”
that allows you to handle a wide range of
environmental settings, with different sets of
camouflage clothing and gear to suit each.
Now I realise that for many of you out
there, especially the relative newcomers, this is simply a
luxury that you can’t afford so cheap and versatile solutions
are always top of my list when it comes to digging out new
products. Things don’t have to be “Max Gucci” when you’re
just setting out on your tactical journey; they just need to
work and to last.
Earlier this year I noticed a unique-looking new product
online, and subsequently started talking to “John Skins” via
social media, and it can just prove that when you use such
methods of communication straightforwardly and politely
then you really can hit absolute gold; it’s not all about BS
and “trolls” if you use the internet wisely! John told me of an
innovative product he was involved with called “GEARSKIN”
which was essentially an adhesive-backed fabric that you
could apply to just about anything! Given the softness of the
fabric it’s easy to mould around even quite complex shapes
such as holsters and magazines, and as the “skins” themselves
are available in many different colours and popular
camouflage patterns you can really set up your hardware to
match your clothing.
So what is GEARSKIN and where has it come from?
GEARSKIN is an innovative self-adhesive fabric technology
with outstanding features compliant with the highest military
standards. GEARSKIN effectively offers you the potential to
create a personalised solution for each and every situation.
GEARSKIN has undergone an extremely rigorous two
year testing phase, improving its characteristics consistently
after an array of lab analysis, destruction testing and field
tests. By getting a huge amount of precise data the Croatian
team behind this remarkable product were able to steer the
development of GEARSKIN in the right direction and ended
up with a highly innovative self-adhesive fabric with so
many mind-blowing properties that its application is almost
limitless! Its basic role is protecting and camouflaging firearms
and military equipment, but the characteristics of the product
make it suitable for many, many different uses. The product
is entirely designed and manufactured in Europe using top
quality materials, technology and knowledge.
The complete production process takes place in a factory in
northern Croatia employing more than three hundred people
with a one hundred and forty year background in the textile
industry, making it one of the oldest in Europe.
Their traditions, expertise and knowledge of the technology
in producing special purpose fabrics and materials have
been forged over decades supplying many military and law
enforcement clients, as well as clients ranging from the oil
industry, railways, medical institutions and many more. All of
the fabrics used in GEARSKIN production are OEKO-TEX Standard
100 Class II certified for all components and are completely
safe for use in contact with the human skin and manufactured
in compliance with all environmental standards. The OEKO-
TEX Standard 100 is an independent testing and certification
system for all textile raw materials, along with intermediate
TECH AND TOOLS: Gearskin
pmcimagazine.com

and end products at all stages of production. OEKO-TEX testing
for harmful substances always focuses on the actual use of
the textile; the more intensive the skin contact of a product,
the stricter the human ecological requirements are to be met.
TECH AND TOOLS: Gearskin
HIGH SPEC!
All of the materials used in the creation of GEARSKIN products
are of the highest military specification which ensures its
optimum performance in a wide range of applications ranging
from military, law enforcement, outdoor activities, and of
course, airsoft.
GEARSKIN is produced with high end Polyamide-Cotton
fabric (Cordura®) and Nylon-Cotton fabric (NyCo). The SMART
Adhesive is the second component of GEARSKIN that is critical
in the application of the product; the adhesive is characterised
by strong initial adhesion and slow ripening which means
you can use GEARSKIN in the short term, remove it from
the equipment item and save it on the transfer paper for
reuse. Alternatively by leaving it on, GEARSKIN’s adhesive
matures, adhering more strongly to the surface and providing
a long term solution for the protection and camouflage of
equipment.
You’ll recognise the strength of the adhesive from the very
first touch, but in the short term it is easily removed from
any surface without leaving any traces. If you want to keep
the fabric permanently applied it’s enough to simply leave
the fabric in place as the glue will slowly “mellow” and get a
more powerful bond with the surface over time. This process
can be accelerated by slightly heating the fabric. If after a
prolonged use a sticky residue appears when the fabric is
removed from the equipment item, it’s easy to clean it with
ordinary edible oil or simply by using a piece of fabric which
has already been removed; there’s a great bit of video on the
GEARSKIN website that shows you how to do this.
GEARSKIN easily adapts to curves, adheres to various
surfaces and has been tested in a wide range of field
conditions. Some of its characteristics are water repellency, oil
repellency, acid repellency, and it has an anti-soil treatment
and a high resistance to wear and creasing. GEARSKIN
eliminates the equipment “flare effect”, which further
contributes to a full-spectrum concealment system, and it
has excellent NIR properties which make it an efficient IR
camouflage to aid in combatting night vision devices.
GETTING STUCK IN
Luckily enough I was able to meet with John and the
GEARSKIN team at IWA earlier this year, and they were kind
enough, and confident enough, to provide me with some test
samples of their fabric technology in Multicam compatible
“V-Camo”, which is a 50% cotton / 50% polyamide mix. It
comes folded once in cellophane bag with an information
leaflet containing all of the necessary information on the
use of the product, and also contains information on the
characteristics of the product as well as unique EAN code.
You can buy GEARSKIN in three sheet sizes, COMPACT which
is 30cm x 30cm, REGULAR which is 60cm x 30cm, or EXTRA
which is 105cm x 30cm, depending on the size of project you
have in mind. If you’re really thinking of “super-sizing”, or
doing a number of different projects then it’s probably worth
contacting the team direct with your requirements. I returned
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home with a couple of the COMPACT variety for the small
projects I had in mind to test the product, along with an EXTRA
which is heading off to a colleague for something we have in
the pipeline.
To get the hang of the way that GEARSKIN worked I started
off with a small project; I’ve had a Gerber Paracord Fixed Knife
with a low volume sheath for some time now, and it’s one
of my favourite little tools. When I first got it I changed the
“survival orange” paracord to tan and sprayed up the sheath,
and although it was less “in your face” it still didn’t match up
as well as I’d have liked with my camouflaged kit. The knife
with the tan paracord is fine, but the sheath was going to
get the GEARSKIN treatment, and after a bit of fiddling about
to get things right the finished product was a million times
better!
With that small project complete I set about doing something
else a little more ambitious. I own a number of Kydex holsters
custom made for me by a friend, and one of my absolute
favourites is the model created to hold a SIG 226 with taclite
attached which often travels overseas with me on training
trips. Once again I’ve often thought of spraying the Coyote
Kydex up, but as that colour kind of worked for numerous sets
of gear I never have. Given what it holds the holster is a mass
of shapes, angles and contours, so getting a fabric laminated
to it would previously have meant using insanely strong glue
that would have held forever; again, not the end result I
required.
With the “V-Camo” GEARSKIN though transforming the
holster was, quite literally, a snip!
My first step was to thoroughly clean my well-used and
abused holster to remove any crud that had got caught up in it
over the years; I simply wiped it down thoroughly with some
alcohol-wipes and left it for half an hour to ensure that any
residue of this had evaporated. I then removed the screws that
hold the belt-loops in place, along with the central tensioning
screw, placing these aside safely.
Next up was to cut my piece of GEARSKIN roughly to size
and lay it gently over the holster to ensure that I had sufficient
overlap; if I was going to all this trouble I certainly didn’t want
rough edges! Once I was happy that everything was good to
go I simply started pressing the GEARSKIN gently around the
shapes and contours of the holster.
Once I’d got the basic fit correct I put the screws loosely
back in place, just using the tip of my scissors to pierce the
fabric enough to let them pass through. Continuing to press
the fabric down, moulding it as I went left me with a smooth,
even surface; my final task was to carefully trim any errant
fabric with a craft-knife and fully tighten the screws.
I have to say that the finished project is better than I could
ever have hoped for given that this was really the first time
I’d ever tried applying GEARSKIN, and the holster now matches
seamlessly with the rest of my kit; it really is as simple as
this to change bits of your gear! The thing I truly love about
GEARSKIN though is that I can easily remove the fabric from
the holster and go back to Coyote, or indeed use another of
the GEARSKIN patterns to fit it together with another set of
gear entirely, and then change it back to “V-Camo” when I
need to.
A COMPACT 30cm x 30cm sheet of GEARSKINs “V-Camo”
costs just €16.25(about £12.50 at the current exchange rate)
which is nothing compared to the forty or fifty quid I would
spend on a new holster, and I was able to cover the knife
sheath from that one sheet too. If you use GEARSKIN not
only will you be camouflaging your gear, but in my opinion
there is simply no better way to protect it at the same time;
there’s no pattern repetition, no seams, no odours, and the
application can be done safely in the comfort of your own
home. GEARSKIN grips to various types of surface, wood,
plastic, metal, coatings, rubber; you name it, because they
and now we have tested it.
I’m really pleased that I spoke politely to a fellow
professional online, and it just goes to show that you never
know where any conversation may take you. If you haven’t
yet tried GEARSKIN and you want to re-colour a bit of kit then I
would urge you to release your own inner gear-freak and give
it a go!
For more information on GEARSKIN along with a great
gallery of user-projects and “how to” videos do please visit
www.gearskin.eu and check out their Facebook page
for regular announcements and competitions.
TECH AND TOOLS: Gearskin
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IWA TACTICAL GEAR REPORT
IWA TACTICAL GEAR REPORT
ALWAYS IN SEARCH OF THE LATEST TACTICAL GEAR, THIS MONTH BILL THE EDITOR REPORTS BACK FROM IWA 2016
ON THE VERY BEST DEVELOPMENTS SEEN IN HALL 9!
By Trampas Swanson
SHOT Show in Las Vegas, USA is probably the
best known and biggest annual shooting show
in the world, but “IWA”, as most of us refer
to it, is fast establishing itself as the European
SHOT. I don’t bother heading out to the USA
every January these days as a) the majority of
tactical brands now attend IWA showing the
strength and growth of the market in Europe,
and b) we have a superb team in the USA who
search out the best stories anyway! Not only that, but with
IWAs competitive pricing for exhibitors many of the stands in
Germany are bigger, bolder, and better than in the USA, with
some manufacturers well and truly pushing the boat out!
To give an idea of this IWA 2016 saw a combined total of
1,455 exhibitors, up from 1,338 in 2015, in nine exhibition
halls ready to roll on the opening Friday; by the time the doors
had closed on this year’s event on Monday afternoon, over
45,000 trade visitors from 120 different countries had visited
manufacturers and distributors, viewed new products, attended
meetings, and in many cases had placed orders before they left
to go home to their own businesses.
Although I visit IWA each year to see what’s new and
improved in relation to firearms and accessories, my task is
also to hit the “Home of Tacticool” which has its very own
showspace in Hall 9. This is where you’ll find all the “cool guy”
clothing, footwear and gear and to say that what’s on show is
jaw-dropping is a massive understatement.
All the gear that you’ll find is 100% “real deal” with many
of the exhibitors staying on following Enforcetac which runs
just prior to the main IWA event. Enforcetac is for the military
and police visitors and you’ll only get into those halls if you
have a special pass and a justifiable reason to be there, so it’s
great news for the personal tactical world that most of the
manufacturers stick around.
As I’ve been involved in the gear world for some years
visiting Hall 9 for me is like a big meeting of old friends
and it’s always a real pleasure to catch up with folk that I
correspond with year round face to face rather than at the end
of a telephone line or in an email exchange. It’s also superb to
be able to finally meet up with new people that I’ve worked
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with and thank them for their input into, and their faith in, PMCI
Magazine.
I’m very lucky indeed that many of the manufacturers work
directly with me and in many cases when I ask for an appointment
to meet with them at IWA I get a simple response which is just
“No need for an appointment, just come see us and we’ll have
time for you”. This to me shows that our reputation within the
industry, even as a relatively new publication, is a solid one,
and that people truly appreciate what we do in terms of gear
reviews; we give honest and well-rounded reviews, and that’s
what we’re known for, so without further ado I’ll crack on with
the “gucciness”!
UNIFORMS, CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR
First up was a visit to my very good friends at UFPRO to check out
what they had to show; their clothing is a personal favourite of
mine and they are constantly adding new models in their range
and refining existing ones. Everything they produce is absolute
quality using the best designs, latest fabrics and components,
and absolutely first rate manufacturing processes. New for 2016
was the new addition to their Striker combat range, the Stealth
Smock. This design is a classic smock with a new twist, which
will allow you to stow everything you need for a 24 -36 hour
mission in it, without the need to carry an additional backpack
or a chest rig. It has an integrated air permeable load-bearing
system into the jacket, which fixes the pockets onto your hips
and helps to distribute the weight evenly. There were also
updates to their excellent Monsoon waterproof jackets, and their
updated Striker XT Gen III combat pants and shirt, which should
be available by the end of May. One of the biggest updates with
the new generation of Striker XT pants is that the camouflage
version is going to have the stretch panels in camouflage as well.
This was until now only the case with the Striker HT pants in
MultiCam, where UF PRO combined the MultiCam NyCo fabric with
the Schoeller dynamic stretch material in SloCam. I’m certainly
looking forward to getting my hands on some of the new models
with reviews to follow.
Helikon-Tex are a major player at IWA each year, and 2016
was no different as they certainly had a LOT to show! Helikon are
well-known as a manufacturer of a top quality combat uniforms,
waterproof and windproof jackets, fleece jackets, underwear,
headgear, and tactical gear and have been for some considerable
time, but this year saw them offering a number of completely
new lines which were very, very focused indeed. Broken down
into a number of new categories, “Range Line, Outback Line, and
Urban Line”, there were updates to some of their classic designs
and new models such as the Stratus, Cumulus and Blizzard jackets,
Blizzard, CTP and HTP pants, a great Hoodie, and even a tactical
Skirt! In terms of the gear they had a number of new pouches and
a superb range mat called the “Backblast”; all of the clothing and
gear looked absolutely first rate and the new models are already
beginning to filter into store as I write. You’ll see more detail on
what Helikon-Tex have been up to in a separate, dedicated report
in this issue.
As you’ll have seen from last months issue I’ve been working
quite closely with the excellent people from Austrian brand
Clawgear and had an invite from them to visit their stand as
they were unveiling some new models to add to their already
impressive lineup. The Operator Combat pant sets the focus on
fit and versatility. In comparison to Clawgears excellent Raider
MK.IV pant it has been pared back to the essentials of a mission
pant. The Field Short has been especially designed for use in
very hot conditions and closes the gap between comfort and
functional capability in this area; these are spot on and would
be ideal for wear in “base areas” during the summer in Europe
or in hot weather climes. Clawgear also had some new firearms
accessories for both the AK and the AUG which looked very tasty
indeed and are well worth a quick mention!
IWA TACTICAL GEAR REPORT
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IWA TACTICAL GEAR REPORT
Arc’teryx LEAF are SO worth a visit it’s untrue! Granted they
are up with the best of them pricewise and you really need to
be a serious user to justify the expense, but oh my lord their
gear is sweet! They were showing off their new cold weather
gear and as you’d expect from a brand whose parent company
made their name in the world of mountaineering and back
country skiing the new kit is built like a tank! The new Cold
WX range consisting of jackets, pants, gloves and accessories
is truly jaw-dropping, and the ASLCE DRYPACK 40 designed
specifically for maritime operations is a true work of art. I’ll be
reporting in more detail on all the new models in a future issue.
Rounding up the clothing side of things 5:11 once again
had a great selection of new models, and the extension of their
ladies range with more products than ever should certainly
please all the female users out there. Tru-Spec had a number
of new models as well but these were mainly variations on
their tried and tested designs this year, and as always the
Pentagon stand was well stocked up with goodies. A-TACS
were busy pushing their latest iX camouflage pattern alongside
their already well known AU and FG designs, but I was insanely
pleased to see more and more of Hyde Definitions PenCott
patterns just about everywhere; 2016 was truly their year and
they deserve all the recognition they get!
Footwear was a little underwhelming this year as many of
the manufacturers were sticking to their existing designs, but
there were a few very nice additions in some key places. UK
based Magnum were showing some prototype boots they’d
been working on as a collaborative project. 5:11 had a great
display of their new “Skyweight” and “Recon” ranges
that look very good indeed. Lowa and Haix had a new colours
for their most popular models, and Salomon had not only new
colours, Burro and Sage Green, but also two new models that
will be great for hot weather environments; The Jungle Ultra is a
new high-leg jungle boot which has been developed to perform
in warm, wet areas, and the Speed Assault is essentially a midheight
version of the popular Speedcross trainer which I live in.
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TACTICAL GEAR
I’m always very, very proud when I visit IWA and see that one
of the biggest stands in Hall 9 is that of our very good friends,
UK-based Warrior Assault Systems. Regular readers of PMCI will
know that I love their gear, and to see them “ruling the roost” is
a great buzz. Their L-shaped stand dominates one corner of the
hall and they quite literally show everything that they make, in
pretty much every colourway they make it in and to say this is
an impressive display would be doing them a huge injustice; it’s
outstanding! All the Warrior gear has been fully tried and tested in
the real world so you know you can rely on it; if you want a plate
carrier, chest rig, holsters, pouches and packs then Warrior truly
is a one-stop brand. It was also great to visit and get personally
introduced to “SAS: Who Dares Wins” star Ant Middleton!
I’ll make a mention here of new kid on the block, First Tactical,
who were exhibiting for the first time in Europe.
Although they have an absolutely great range of clothing,
accessories, and footwear it’s their “nylon” gear that really
got my interest. First Tactical are focused on providing the end
user with gear that is specific to their requirements, guided by
innovation and reliability. Their design process combines both
advanced technical materials with state-of-the-art components.
First Tactical products are built to offer fully functional gear
precisely created for professionals in the military, emergency and
police services. It’s a range of great looking kit and I’m right in
the midst of testing their Tactix patrol pack and thus far I’m very
impressed; look forward to hearing more about First Tactical soon!
Tasmanian Tiger had a superb stand again this year, and
as they are one of the gear brands that work with the PenCott
patterns that have been used by the anti-poaching teams in
Africa they are always high on my list to visit. 2016 was the
first year that I’ve met with them directly and I have to say that
being given the proper walk-through to their comprehensive
range of tactical gear was a real treat; their new Tac Line is really
impressive. Tasmanian Tiger work with the very best fabrics
and components and all of their gear that I’ve tested has been
superbly manufactured and really is 100% bomber tough! More
of their kit is slowly getting into the dealers now and if I were you
I’d give it a thoroughly good look over.
I noticed more this year of smaller companies that are doing
very clever things when it comes to tactical gear and the guys
from MD Textil were really playing a blinder. As well as their
custom work they were showing some really superb looking
tactical belts and slings, and their new split-front chest rig is a
true stunner; the unusually effective magnetic buckles have to
be seen to be believed. Sharing the same stand were Chakaw
Kydex Holsters who were showcasing their new overt and covert
carry options including the latest MKIII Exactor model. Whilst not
directly making gear the team at Tactical Trim provide just about
everything you would use in putting it together; this year they
were showing some excellent new Fibrotex products as their
“headline” that had been made up into concealment suits; this
fabric technology was highly impressive.
Of course all the main brands were there to be seen and the
likes of Direct Action, Tactical Tailor, TACWRK, Blackhawk!, Mystery
Ranch, and Eberlstock also had some superb gear on display.
IT’S A WRAP!
So after two a half days of mayhem and many miles covered,
IWA 2016 was finally a wrap, and to catalogue everything I saw
would be an impossibility; I’ve concentrated here on the things
that REALLY took my eye and I can only apologise to those that
spent time with me that have been missed out this year.
To conclude this report I’m going to be unashamedly flagwaving
for a moment as two more UK-based companies also
deserve an “honourable mention”. Better known for their superb
optics SHIELD PSD had a great stand really showcasing “Best of
British”, and they even had a new singlepoint sling design which
looks great. Although Thatchreed are based in Hall 6 given their
crossover into field sports they did have a great stand with an
area dedicated to their VIPER tactical gear and this could not be
missed as they were launching their new “Titanium” grey tactical
products at the show, more detail of which you’ll get in due
course; as I write the container carrying the first of these products
is being unloaded and stock is hitting the VIPER warehouse ready
to be shipped to retailers!
Once again IWA 2016 proved to be a first-rate show; old
friends were visited and new friends were made, and we can
only thank everyone for all the time they spent with us. Thanks
especially to Mike and the Brothers of the Tactical Beard Owners
Club for allowing me to present a canvas of the February Issue
cover to Instructor Zero at their annual IWA get-together, and for
the beers and banter afterwards!
We’ve got reviews and stories lined up in abundance
now, and with these in hand I can only tell you that you’ll
see it all here first in PMCI!
IWA TACTICAL GEAR REPORT
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FIREARMS: Walther PPQ
WALTHER PPQ M2 9MM HANDGUN
IFor this Issue Craig Reinolds from the PMCI USA Crew gets to grips not just with a superb handgun, but also
with some custom parts that take performance to an all-new high!
must confess I was once happy with any over statements of excellence. For this issue I’m going to talk about
the counter handgun I could get into my hands the PPQ M2 9mm 5” from Walther.
to shoot. But I now have a major problem and
that is over the last two years especially, I
have been shooting and testing many custom
guns, fitted with custom products and triggers.
I came back from Shot Show 2016 and was able
to shoot and check out many high dollar custom
handguns. It has been said that once you’ve had
fine wine you can’t go back to the cheap stuff. So my first
handgun review after such an exposure to the so-called fine
wines of handguns is going to be tough, unless the name of the
manufacturer is Walther.
Walther boast about their worldwide known company, their
German engineering and state of the art designs, when you
have been around for almost 130 years, you may have that
right to boast such claims. They claim their performance design
“is the art of harnessing the laws of physic into the palm of
a shooter”. Also, it has been said that if you have a Walther
firearm “it feels better, fits better and shoots better”. Lastly,
the Walther handgun “is ergonomically engineered to be an
extension of your hand”. Today I would like to take a look at
a Walther product and see if it measures up to the company’s
42

Opening the case you find an extremely attractive handgun. It
has an ergonomic, contoured and non-slip cross-directional grip.
The next two things I noticed was the large magazine release that
can be switched for either right or left hand and the extended
slide stop on both sides of the gun, which is made to operate with
ease even with gloves on. Picking the handgun up I released one
of the two 15 round magazines it comes with from the handgun. I
grabbed the slide noticing the aggressive front and rear serrations
and locked the slide back with ease.
Looking at the top of the slide I found 6 vent ports giving the
slide a hot rod look. The gun being safe, I pulled and released the
slide and felt the smooth crisp 5.6 lb. trigger. It did not feel like
it even took 5 lbs. I held the trigger, cycled the slide and felt the
reset. Wow, that was awesome right out of the box. They claim
a short .4” travel, .1” reset and I can tell you this was pleasantly
pleasing as I repeated the process several more times. It was hard
to believe this was a factory trigger.
When I finally got through playing with the trigger, I went
on to the sights that are three dot polymer sights with an
adjustable windage on the rear sight. These are low profile sights
cut to prevent snagging on clothing. The Walther PPQ M2 also
has a picatinny rail under the barrel for lights and accessories.
This model has a Tenifer coating on the slide and the barrel;
it is a striker fired pistol and has two-drop safeties and a firing
pin block trigger safety. There are two addition back straps that
are interchangeable for small, medium and large on the grip. The
large has a beaver tail, but I found the medium was a perfect fit
for me. The PPQ M2 also came with a lock, a speed loader, the
usual paper work and book you normally find with most new
handguns. The only negative first impression that I had was the
slide had a slight rattle when shaken, but as we will soon discuss
this did not affect the performance at all.
To get a full list of features and specifications on this Walther
PPQ M2 go to http://www.waltherarms.com/handguns/
ppq/ppq-m2/. The Walther PPQ M2 comes in five different
configuration and barrel lengths. They also come in either 9mm
or .40mm. The 9mm I am testing has a 5” barrel and has an
overall length of 8.1”, which gave me an excellent sight radius.
The extended slide for this barrel was esthetically pleasing to the
design of the firearm. If you normally carry a 4” or less handgun
at first this 5” seemed to reach out and touch someone, but I
grew to love the performance that little extra length gave me
on the range. I was able to get a quicker sight acquisition and
shooting the small steel at 25 plus yards was effortless.
A little history you may or may not know but I found
interesting about Walther. Carl Walther and his son Fritz created
their first semiautomatic pistol in 1908. Smith & Wesson had
held the responsibility of distribution of Walther Firearms in the
United States up until January 1, 2013 when the responsibility for
Walther in the US transferred to Walther Arms, Inc. Walther and
Smith & Wesson will still continue to have a working relationship
as they share manufacturing duties for different lines of firearms.
Be sure to look them up online to find out many more interesting
facts about the Walthers and their company’s history.
Back to the PPQ M2, I just can’t hold it back; I truly believe
this handgun improved my shooting, not only in accuracy, but
also in my follow up shots. You may say how could that be? Well
I want to explain. First off to recap the trigger, it could be in the
top five best triggers out of the box from the factory. This was
a definite on improving first shot and follow up shots. The first
shot was crisp and the reset impressive and with a little practice
every shot was smooth and on target. I was getting a real kick
out of hitting the small steel at distance. I also attribute that to
not only the sights, but also the long radius between the sights.
Another factor I am sure is probably not an accident knowing
the German engineering behind the PPQ M2, is the lines that
run down the middle of the slide in between the front and rear
sight. Those lines seemed to give me just a little more reference
on aligning the sights on the follow up shots especially during
double tap drills. Something so simple, to appear as a decorative
feature, lines running between sights. Yet, functional increasing
my speed during rapid fire drills. My hot rod handgun just became
a dragster.
FIREARMS: Walther PPQ
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FIREARMS: Walther PPQ
The grip on this firearm was comfortable and I was able to
get great hand placement every time I grabbed it. There was
no slipping, as the PPQ M2 seemed to be glued to my hand. I
know this also was a positive feature assisting me in improved
performance during running my coarse of fire. When the PPQ
was empty, it seemed a little front heavy with the 5” barrel,
but loaded was a perfect balance. I know the barrel length
and weight was another feature that was helping the shooting
performance. It is like they thought of everything in perfect
harmony as Walther designed this model. That little rattle was
not an issue when the gun was loaded and during the firing
of the firearm as it performed flawlessly, even running several
brands of full metal jacket ammo through it.
So how does this Walther PPQ M2 stack up against the claims
made by Walther?
• The PPQ M2 is a true breakthrough in ergonomics for selfdefense
handguns.
o Check
• The sculpted grip meshes smoothly into the hand.
o Check
• The trigger is the finest ever on a polymer, striker-fired
handgun.
o Check
• The styling is elegant and trim.
o Check
• Walther Performance Design “IS THE ART OF HARNESSING
THE LAWS OF PHYSICS INTO THE PALM OF A SHOOTER.”
o Check
• A Walther feels better, fits better and shoots better.
o Check
• A Walther is ergonomically engineered to be an extension
of your hand.
o Check
• Accuracy with a handgun begins with a better understanding
of the human hand.
o Check
• A Walther is a statement of excellence.
o Check
• A fine handgun should be a work of sculpture.
o Check
I truly believe the Walther PPQ M2 9mm 5” met each of the
design, engineering and performance claims made by Walther.
I also think they have figured out the weak link in firearms
shooting disciplines, the human and I think they have worked
to correct his flaws by producing a better product. Don’t get me
wrong you still have to spend the time and discipline to master
the art of the handgun. But, Walther sure makes it easier with
the PPQ M2.
Now just to add a cherry and whipped cream to the top of
an already awesome handgun! We at SMG (Swanson Media
Group) had the opportunity to get a custom trigger built just for
the Walther PPQ M2; the Apex Flat-Faced Forward Set Trigger
for the Walther PPQ by Apex Tactical Specialties.
SLAP YO MOMMA!
It is true and life just went to a new level high. There is nothing
better then shooting this combination firearm and trigger.
Wow, and for the price point a third less than what a lot of
competition shooters would pay for the same performance. The
Walther comes in around the $750 USD range and the Apex
Trigger around $130 USD. Bam!
That gives you a high performance handgun with a high
performance trigger for under a $1,000 USD. That is a steal
deal for the performance you get for your running and gunning
needs. That Apex trigger has to be one of the best on the market
today. Talk about a steel slapping machine this handgun and
trigger combination has just set the bar for the competition.
Another feature on this awesome firearm is the take down
buttons. These buttons make it a breeze to disassemble the
PPQ M2 for cleaning. No struggling to get everything just
right like some of the other manufactures designs. There is no
combination difficult to remember, just clear the handgun, pull
the trigger, slightly pull the slide to the rear, pull down on the
comfortable buttons and remove the slide.
If you would like to get more information on the Walther
PPQ M2 and the Apex trigger from Apex Tactical Specialties go
to the following links:
http://www.waltherarms.com/handguns/ppq/ppq-m2/
https://www.apextactical.com/blog/index.php/randomapex/the-flat-faced-forward-set-trigger-for-the-walther-ppq/
I hope you too get to experience the fine wine of performance
handguns, but remember, once you taste it, nothing else will
do.
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All photos Courtesy of AK47ChatterBox.com
ARMOURY
ARMOURY ISSUES
To tie in with “Head to Head” in this issue on receipt of a new weapon system when you arrive “in country”
what are you going to look for? For this issue PMCI are proud to be joined by a new contributor and this article
has kindly been submitted by serving military armourer, ‘Chalkster’.
Bingo! You’re a happy man. You’ve got yourself
a contract for a job overseas. The first of many
boxes has just been ticked.
Taking into account the seemingly endless
tasks of kit preparation and purchase, along
with the countless hours of spreading your
gear over every square inch of available floor
space before packing, unpacking, then packing
again. Until a few hours later when you’ll
be doing it all over again! (we’ve all been there!). Your next
biggest concern is yet to be seen. The issue of course is the
weapon system you will soon be taking charge of.
Now clearly the scope for writing this article is vast, so to
keep things simple we’re going to assume the likelihood that
the weapon you’ll be receiving will be one of the many variants
in the globally recognised AK family.
Hi. My name’s Chalkster. I’m a serving Military Armourer and
I’m delighted to take this opportunity to write here for the PMCI
Community. What I’ll be covering with you is the fundamentals
of what to do on receipt of your weapon system on arrival in a
new AO.
It goes without saying that almost all you readers will
most likely have a professional military or security forces
background, so to that end, a significant degree of weapon
handling experience will already be amongst your core skills.
Some of you out there may be familiar with just one
generic weapon platform, where others may be “Wizards” with
knowledge of a multitude of different makes and calibres. The
important thing to always remember is recognising just how
much you actually know! No one wants to be seen as a novice
or inexperienced in any line of work, least of all PMC work, but
if you boldly steam ahead pretending to be an expert, not only
may you be found out by the wrong people, but you might also
end up in a box!
So to the “Old & Bold” among you please consider this small
article as a subtle refresher instead of an unwanted classroom
lecture. Rather than approach the subject matter as if you were
Day.1 Week.1 Recruits, I’ll pitch the key learning points with a
realistic expectation of your existing knowledge.
“Okay; you’ve signed for it, here’s your weapon” says the
man with the shades and questionable facial hair. “Look after
it as if your life depends on it”. At this exact moment it’s time
to get your game face on. A significant amount of information
needs to be sought before you can realistically plan the duration
of your contract and of course the potential likelihood of your
needing to pull the trigger.
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Therefore, let’s try to break things down, into easy to follow
bullet points.
Weapon Condition & Serviceability.
There’s always a possibility you may have worked for the company
paying your wage on a previous tasking, so you might’ve used
a similar or possibly the exact same weapon platform. This of
course is a good start, as knowing who you’re dealing with from
the outset can be of tremendous benefit. Unknown operations
will leave you guessing as to what’ll happen next? Not good in
an unfamiliar and potentially hostile environment.
You’ve taken ownership of your AK. What’s the immediate
impression? Does it look complete? Are there any missing parts
or other bits held on with tape? Take your time. Don’t just bag it
and go. This could well be your only opportunity to exchange or
possibly have armourer facilities to address a serious/potential
fault.
Start at one end & methodically work from one end to the
other. Then field strip the weapon and do the same process on
its individual parts. Components such as the Gas Piston should be
clean, rust free, without burring or dents & importantly straight!
So check for visual distortion along its length.
Return Spring.
Ensure this is clean, intact, rust free, without frays or obvious
external surface damage. This is clearly a big player in weapon
functionality, if it’s weak or in questionable condition do you have
an opportunity to acquire a spare?
Bolt/Carrier.
Generally robust, but with all components don’t skip a good
visual check, especially focusing around the all-important bolt
assembly.
Extractor. Ejector. Locking Lugs.
Not forgetting the firing pin aperture; check it isn’t misshapen,
it’s unobstructed and burr free. Condition of the bolt face isn’t
normally an area of concern but check it none the less.
Firing Pin.
Roll on a flat surface to assess it is straight and true. Have a closeup
look at the profile of the head. Damaged, rough surfaces can
lead to punctured percussion caps on cartridges! Not welcome.
Is there an opportunity for a spare pin and spring? Why not look
into local purchase prior to your arrival. Parts like these are cheap
and can easily be kept in a wallet, pocket, a vehicle sun visor. You
never know when you might just need it.
Breech. Barrel. Muzzle.
Now this isn’t a topic to be discussed in a matter of a few
sentences. Recognising acceptable serviceable component
condition takes time and instruction, but you should all be very
familiar with the basics. Something which looks like it’s been
dragged out of a trawler-mans nets and is returning to nature
is unacceptable. Corrosion and erosion are not only areas which
affect serviceability and safe operation for the user, but ultimately
concern efficiency and accuracy.
KEEPING THINGS ROLLING
Ensure adequate weapon cleaning materials such as barrel
brushes, flannelette, pull-through cords/rods are available. Never
presume anything. Don’t just expect someone to have everything
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ARMOURY
laid out ready for you. This is your responsibility at the end of
the day.
Investing in a good quality cleaning kit is as vital as your
ammunition. Remember simple facts, if the weapon won’t fire
you might as well throw stones!
A can of WD40 or similar water displacement maintenance
spray will always be useful when it comes to weapon cleaning.
But let’s just stress that it’s for the purpose of cleaning ONLY
and never an alternative for appropriate oils when it comes to
weapon prep & lubrication.
Magazines.
Historically overlooked, these are the means of feeding
ammunition cleanly and unobstructed at high cyclic rates. Strip
these down and as always be thorough in your inspections.
Obviously new issue is an ideal, but seldom a luxury you’ll
encounter. As previously mentioned; Expect Anything &
Presume Nothing.
If you have several magazines issued, strip them and lay
them side by side. Chances are a difference in spring length will
be all too apparent. If this is the case, gently pull the shorter
springs to match the length of the longest example. Don’t pull
from any points other than the spring platform and base ends
in order to maintain a uniform spring profile.
There are numerous manufacturers out there and they all have
subtle differences between them, so before you get busy with
stretching platform springs make certain you’re looking at same
make examples. Similar to springs on a vehicle suspension,
they can all vary in rates and tensions.
As with all other components on the weapon system focus
your attention on serviceable appearance. Time and again we
must concentrate on the basics, namely free from damage,
corrosion & ingress of dirt and debris. The important issue with
mag bodies is to confirm that no damage, cracks or dents have
occurred that could potentially affect the internal movement
of the platform. The smallest external body dent can easily
cause an internal restriction leading to an eventual stoppage.
Dependant on climate/environment, consider appropriate
application of limited lubrication to moving parts. It’s your call.
Ammunition.
Come on guys, this one is fundamental. Condition, age and
manufacturers origin are all important considerations. Ammo
reliability is comparable to the fuel in your car. Quality varies
significantly. The older it gets and more importantly its method
of storage must be taken into account. If you’re fortunate to
receive a recently made batch, box or tin and in good condition,
chances are you’ll be avoiding complications. On the other
hand, if you’ll be sourcing from unknown suppliers, maybe
loose or of questionable origin? Be cautious. Tales of spiked
ammo have been heard doing the rounds! No one likes an in
your face breech explosion for breakfast.
Range time. Grouping and Zeroing.
Nothing will out-value the opportunity to get some trigger
time under your belt prior to hitting the ground. Zeroing
your weapon is critical if your life’s dependant on its efficient
operation. Know your environment. What are the expected or
perceived engagement ranges you’re most likely to encounter?
Are you city bound or in open country? Think about all
aspects of weapon condition, is a well worn barrel going to
consistently perform at distance shots or will you simply be
making a noise and wasting your ammo!
If we estimate likely engagement distances between
20m-200m you can focus on achieving consistent grouping in
the 100m ground. There’s no point in conjecture about the most
efficient weapon, ammo grade and sighting system of choice
for long reach targets. As highlighted from the outset we are
assuming the use of an AK type weapon, so you can forget your
Barretts and HK’s.
In what condition are the open sights fitted to your weapon?
Look at sight alignment, ease of movement during adjustment,
but also the locking method. Adopting a firing position, what
sight picture do you have before you? Make sure nothing’s
distorted resulting from mistreatment or heavy use.
In summary, if we expect a serviceable weapon has been
issued, in good working order and without below the surface
faults which might progress towards failing gauging checks etc,
leading to stoppages or even worse a catastrophic component
failure. The key factor to overall functionality and ultimately to
its reliability is none other than you, the end user!
Like most other things in life if you fail to maintain an
item of equipment that by it’s very nature requires a degree
of attention from the operator, then don’t expect that bit of kit
to thank you for it. Daily cleaning doesn’t have to be a dirty
subject to discuss around the dining table. If your weapon
system is consistently accurate and dependable not only will
you have pride in yourself and your good personal admin, but
your colleagues to the side of you may also be thanking you,
especially if they are the guys struggling with bad admin and
stoppages.
Stay Safe wherever you find yourselves.
Chalkster
48

COLT: AN AMERICAN CLASSIC
2016 marks the 181st anniversary of Colt’s first patent for a
firearm with a revolving cylinder and the 161st anniversary
of the enterprise originally named Colt’s Patent Firearms
Manufacturing Company!
During that time, Colt and the succession of firms that continue
to bear the name have produced absolutely iconic revolvers
and rifles that have done nothing less than shape the course
of history. Among those are the first Colt Paterson revolver in
1836, the Colt Single Action Army of 1873 (popularly known as
the Peacemaker and the “gun that won the West!), the M1911
pistol and the M16 assault rifle which was emblematic of the
American military experience in Vietnam.
Today Colt are best known for the M4 Carbine, stalwart of every
branch of the US military, the CQBP (Close Quarters Battle Pistol),
and popular civilian models, such as the Colt Defense CM901 rifle
and the Colt Match Target series.
Illustrated with more than 200 artworks and photographs and
accompanied by exhaustive technical specifications, “Colt; An
American Classic” is an expertly written account of firearms
produced by one of the world’s best-known, easily recognised,
and revered gun manufacturers.
Micheal E Haskew has been writing and researching military
history topics for more than 25 years and his experience shines
through in this super book. If you have any interest whatsoever
in firearms and their development then this history of Colt should
be sure to find a place in your reference library!
Author: Michael E Haskew
Publisher: Amber Books
ISBN: 978-1-78274-257-9
Price: £19.99 hardback, fully illustrated
BOOK REVIEW COLT: An American Classic
pmcimagazine.com

pmcimagazine.com
HEAD TO HEAD
HEAD TO HEAD
For this issue of PMCI we decided to ask our two semi-tame contractors who have worked “The
Circuit”, one British and “New Skool” and one American and “Old School” the same question to see
where there are similarities or disparities. This time my question to them both was the very same
one as I asked our new Armourer, “What steps to you take to ensure your issued rifle or carbine is
reliable and fit for purpose when you receive it?”
Rob S (USA)
When I first get issued a personal weapon on a contract what
steps do I take to set it up? I know this can be a popular
question from many, especially in modern world of so many
Gucci accessories and Barbie guns. My answer to this one
will be spread out depending on what I get and where. In
some African countries we could be given cash and told go
find something local. This usually amounted to buying a half
dozen firearms and a few dozen magazines to piece and part
together to make one working gun and magazine set. In the
more modern contracts you could be handed a rifle that was
still in packaging and I have been given Glocks in a case with
the seal still intact. But let me try to give a decent outline of
what I would do with these creations or the average firearm
issued or acquired.
The very first thing right out of being handed a firearm, I
usually try and source good magazines as they never seemed
to issue me enough. So much so many times I’d bring my
own and/or have some overnighted to me at great personal
expense. Especially in South East Asia and always in Central
Africa back when. I like to have a personal stash of good
magazines, a bag of more and my loaner bag for the other poor
saps I work with. Yeah overkill to those who only care about
themselves but hey these guys are protecting me too.
Now the gun itself; go find a good private table with a clean
floor, yeah parts jump. I’ll disassemble and inspect everything
about it I can. This will always piss off an issuing armourer but
I don’t care who they are, I need to rely on this heater and it is
going to be as right as I can get it. Luckily after a while you start
to know what is rubbish and what can be made to do.
Now that we have had a looksee at the gun it is time,
in most cases, to find all those parts, spare bits and alt toys
that I need to repair, replace or upgrade. In some cases this is
again buying several other firearms to recombine into a proper
working single gun. But usually it is bartering with locals,
other team mates (rare) or other companys teams, especially
for optics. We all have preferences on how we like set up and
running. I try to keep it simple, rifle, two point sling, red dot
and working irons. High end details will get issued all our fun
gear including NVG, IR lasers, lights, etc, but even then I like my
stuff simple.
So we are at the clean the living daylights out of it stage.
Boresnakes and flitz polish can do miracles, always take some
with me. The boresnake and flitz polish have recovered many
a bad barrel or inaccurate gun platform for me and others I’ve
had to care for. It is a cheap and easy solution to grime, dirty
barrel, some pitting and other things of that nature like sticky
rails and firing pins that seem to just not move smoothly. Brake
cleaner spray, which is available in way more shops than you
would think, is another great product to speed the process. Go
over bits that can be improved with whatever tools and such I
have with or available or allowed. Get rid of the bad areas that
lead to failures or inconsistency.
Lube; I prefer Froglube at the moment and bring it with me.
But even plain motor oil has been used. You need to know the
platform and lube it accordingly. I’ve seen bone dry AKs and ARs
that sprayed lube when shot. All I can say is, run different guns
and learn them. Personal stuff is great at home, but the real
world is something else.
And next we get to range time. Test fire and sight in, which
occasionally includes out a hotel window then run down the
hall to my own room and act like I know nothing. No I would
never do that. Ha! I will get as much pre-work range with the
platform as possible.
And last but not least, make sure to personal-mark it. I like
to mark all my kit and gear but my magazines, and firearms
get marked as well. Nothing like write on metal Sharpies to
label and number or letter magazines, various kit and the gun.
I make sure everyone knows I have done this so there is no
temptation. It works.
From issued guns to sourced platform, I find the more
meticulous I can be at prepping my gear the more reliable it is.
Too often new guys just take what they get and say ok and not
a thought. Not exactly the kind of guy I want on my teams and
sure as hell I never hire those types.
50

HEAD TO HEAD
Richard S (UK)
Having experienced both DoD and commercial contracting I found
out that weapon control and issue would vary.
When on commercial contracts I found it very hard to set my
weapon up the way I wanted it. This was due to the type of
weapon issued and lack of armourers on site to assist. The last
commercial contract I was on, I could not even get on a range
to zero my weapon system. If anything the most I could do is a
functionality check, make sure the firing pin was striking correctly
and bore zeroing with a laser. Most of the time you’re thrown
an AK and told to crack on, this can be very daunting at time’s
especially if you do not have experience on foreign weapons.
DoD/Government contracts were quite different. Issue and
testing of weapons was carried out in a military fashion and
controlled, as it should be.
Whilst working on such contracts you would be issued a
primary and secondary weapon system. You would be expected
to pass a weapon-handling test and carry out a mandatory
shooting test. Once you have completed your in theatre testing
you would then move to your team.
It was during this period I would take time out to prepare
my weapon system the way I wanted. The main part I would
concentrate on would be my weapon optic. I mainly used an
Aimpoint M4 with a X3 converter. This would allow me to have
the option of short and long-range engagements if needed. The
reason I would go for an Aimpoint over EoTECH is down to clutter
in the optic. What you see is what you get.
I would add rail covers to stop heat transfer; this would assist
whilst in long engagements. To assist with comfort when firing or
when on foot for long periods of time I would also fit a small RVG
fore-grip.
For simplicity and comfort and to finish off I would fir the
Magpul CTR buttstock. This would create a low profile on the
weapon system but also allow easy access and movement of the
buttstock.
The longer I spent on contract I went and purchased a 10 inch
upper receiver from Knights Armament and fitter a Trot Industry
Claymore muzzle brake. The upper would be fitted when running
tasking’s in the main city area allowing my profile to remain
small. The muzzle brake was fitted to reduce dust signature as it
directed sound and blast forward not down. It also had a rugged
edge so if the situation came about you could use it to smash a
window or muzzle check an individual up close for self-defence.
For my secondary weapon system I would just re-paint my
rear sight and fore sight for quicker acquisition. I did not see the
need for fancy internal parts, as I had never training with such
modifications.
pmcimagazine.com

Advanced Security Protection
http://www.advancedsecurityprotection.com/
AKE Group
http://www.akegroup.com/
Ambrey Risk
http://www.ambreyrisk.com
Antipirates.Org
http://www.antipirates.org/
APPDS
http://www.appds.co.uk/
Aquatic Marine Ltd
http://www.aquaticmarineltd.com
Protect Asia Group
http://www.protectasia.com/
Secopex
http://www.secopex.com/
Aspida
http://www.aspida.org/
Associated Risk Maritime Risk Management
http://www.associated-risks.com
Bancroft Maritime Security Solutions
http://www.maritimesecuritysolutions.co.uk
Bechtel Corporation
http://www.bechtel.com/
Black Pearl
http://www.blackpearlmaritimesecurity.com/
Blackstone Consultancy
http://www.blackstoneconsultancy.com;
Blue Hackle
http://www.bluehackle.com/
Blue Waters Partners Global
http://www.preparedex.com/
BP Global
http://www.bp.com/
Britam Defence
http://www.britamdefence.com/
British Maritime Solutions
http://britishmaritimesolutions.com
BW Offshore
http://www.bwoffshore.com/
Calibre International Security
http://www.calibre-international.com/
Chilport
http://www.chilport.co.uk/
Chiron Resources
http://www.chironresources.com
Clearwater Special Projects
http://www.bodyguarding.co.uk/
Control Risks
http://www.control-risks.com
Decatur Maritime Security
http://www.decaturms.com/
52

Drum Cussac
http://www.drum-cussac.com/Index.aspx
Dryad Maritime
http://www.dryadmaritime.com/
Edinburgh International
http://www.edinburghint.com/home/
Elite Maritime Protection Services
http://www.elitemaritimeprotection.com
EOS Risk Management
https://www.eosrisk.com/
Erus Maritime
http://www.erusrisk.com
Espada
http://www.espadaservices.com
Ex Military Recruitment
https://www.exmil.co.uk
Exploration Logistics Group
http://www.frontiermedex.com/
G4S Maritime
http://www.g4s.uk.com
Genesis Security Group
http://genesissecurity.com/
Global Executive Outreach
http://www.geo-ops.com/
Global Risk Security
http://www.globalrisksecurity.co.uk/
Global Solace
http://www.solaceglobal.com/
Global Strategies Group
http://www.globalgroup.com/
Grail Security
http://www.grail.co.za
Halliburton
http://www.halliburton.com/en-USage
Halogen Security
http://www.halogensecurity.com/
Hart Maritime
http://www.hartsecurity.com
Hill & Associates
http://www.hillassoc.com
HP TerraMarine International
http://www.hpterramarine.com/
Hudson Trident
http://hudsonanalytix.com
ICTS
http://www.icts.co.uk
IMSA Ltd
http://www.imsaltd.com/
International Executive Recruiting
http://www.iernetwork.com
International Maritime Security
http://www.intmarsec.co.uk
International Maritime Security
http://www.intmarsec.co.uk/
International Security Network
http://www.isn.eu.com
ISC Gulf
http://www.iscgulf.com/
ISSG Sea Marshalls
http://www.issg-seamarshals.com/
Janusian Risk Advisory Group
http://www.riskadvisory.net/

Kroll
http://www.kroll.com/
Longmoor Group
http://www.longmoor-security.com
Lotus Maritime Security
http://www.lotusmaritime.com
Lotus Projects
http://www.lpyemen.com
Maersk
http://www.maersk.com/pages/default.aspx
Magregor Protection Services
http://macgregorprotectionservices.com
March Security
www.marchsecurity.com
MUSC
http://www.sps-global.com
Naval Guards
http://www.navalguards.com
Neptune Security
http://www.neptunemaritimesecurity.com/
NNK Group
https://www.nnkcorporation.com
NYA International
http://www.nyainternational.com
Ocean Marshalls
http://www.oceanmarshalls.com
Ocean Protective Services
http://oceanprotectionservices.com
Maritime Risk International
http://www.maritimeriskinternational.com/
Marsec
http://www.marsec.eu.com
MAST
http://www.mast-commercial.com
McRoberts Maritime Security
http://www.mcrobertsmaritime.com/
Merchant Maritime Warfare Centre
http://www.mmwc.org/
Minimal Risk
http://www.minimalrisk.co.uk/
MSS
http://www.mss-uk.com
MTResolution
http://www.mtresolution.com/
Oceaneering International
http://www.oceaneering.com/
Olchon
http://www.olchon.co.uk/
Olive Group
http://www.olivegroup.com/
Orchid Security
http://www.orchid-office.com/
Oxberry Risk Strategies
http://www.oxberryrisk.com/maritime_services
Pilgrim Group
http://www.pilgrimsgroup.com
Pilgrim Security
http://www.pilgrimsgroup.com
Pistris
http://www.pistris.com/Index.html
54

Protect Asia Group
http://www.protectasia.com/
PVI Ltd
http://www.pviltd.com/
Raven Special Projects Ltd
http://www.ravenspecialprojects.com
Red Cell Security
http://www.redcellsecurity.co.uk
Redfour-MSS
http://www.redfour-group.com
Saladin Security Group
http://www.saladin-security.com/
Saladin Security
http://www.saladin-security.com/
Salama Fikira
http://www.salamafikira.com/
SMS
www.specialistmarineservices.com
Tor International
http://www.torinternational.com/
Trojan Securities International
http://www.trojansecurities.com/
Orchid Security
http://www.orchid-office.com/
Blackstone Consultancy
http://www.blackstoneconsultancy.com/
Pilgrim Group
http://www.pilgrimsgroup.com/
Maritime Risk International
http://www.maritimeriskinternational.com/
International Maritime Security
http://www.intmarsec.co.uk/
Raven Special Projects Ltd
http://www.ravenspecialprojects.com/
Salamanca Risk Management
http://www.salamancarm.com
Sea Marshalls Ltd UK
http://www.seamarshals.com
SEAL
http://www.sealsecurity.com/
Securescot
http://www.securescot.com
Securewest International
http://www.securewest.com/
Security Networking Events
http://snespecialprojects.com/
Security Networking Events
http://snespecialprojects.com/
Securoquest
http://www.securoquest.co.za
Shield Risk Consulting
http://www.shield.eu/services/maritime-security/
Shipguard
http://www.mss-uk.com
SMS
www.specialistmarineservices.com
SPS
http://www.sps-global.com
Tactical Intel
http://www.tacticalintel.com/
Thalassic
http://www.thalassic.co.uk/
Tor International
http://www.torinternational.com/
Torcuss
http://www.torcuss.co.za/
Triskle TSL
http://www.triskelservices.com
Triton Security
http://www.tritoninternationalltd.com
Trojan Securities
http://www.trojansecurities.com
Veritas International
http://www.veritas-international.com/