Author: 53gr
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British Tactical MPMP – Adaptability from the Isles
We usually think of the British Isles as a place of tradition, but the family-owned company British Tactical is developing some interesting and innovative products. Their flagship piece of piece of kit is called the Multi-Purpose MOLLE Platform, or MPMP for short. It is designed to be used in several different configurations. You can wear it as…
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3 Surplus European Backpacks You’ve Probably Never Used – But Should
If you’re looking for an alternative to the standard ALICE Medium backpack, you might want to consider European military surplus packs. They range in price from moderate to extremely cheap. Let’s look at three of the most commonly available, the German Kampfrucksack, the large Austrian ALICE-type bag, and the Polish Leopard-pattern rucksack.
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7 Utility Pouches for Your Consideration
If you’re going out to the square range for some super-cool tactical operator operations, you probably only need your rifle, handgun, plate carrier and sunglasses. However, if you’re going to go hiking, zombie-hunting, or even do decent training, you’ll need to carry along some basic necessities. How will you carry them? Backpacks are fine, but…
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Surplus 5.45x39mm: 7N6 – You Should Have Stocked Up
Introduction For the purposes of this article we compared the commercial M855 loading for the 5.56mm to the 1980s Russian 7N6 5.45x39mm surplus round. Both rounds were evaluated out of 16 inch barrels, as that is the most common option to the civilian rifleman. Both the AR-15 carbine in 5.45 and commercial AK-74 variants use…
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5 Unique Battle Belts for Your Consideration
A battle belt is the modern equivalent of a soldier’s webbing. It’s a great platform for mounting your gear. You can carry water, rations, a first aid kit, magazines and a sidearm on this wonderful piece of kit. It can be light or heavy. Battle Belts can be worn with or without suspenders. The suspenders could…
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Graphic Results from live-fire 7N6 Surplus 5.45x39mm rounds – video included
In previous articles, I’ve examined the cost benefit of shooting 7n6 surplus instead of commercial M855 5.56x45mm. In this follow-up article, we will examine the various characteristics of the 7N6 surplus round that lend themselves to Serious Social Purposes. Both rounds were evaluated out of 16 inch barrels, as that is the most common option to…
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Osprey MK4 Armor Carrier
If you’re in the market for a plate carrier, you have a lot of choices in today’s market. For those who want a great package on a shoestring budget, I heartily recommend the Osprey Mk4 plate carrier. I first saw the Osprey line of body armor in Basrah, Iraq. At the time I was sent…
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Zastava CZ999 Compact 9mm pistol
Unless you’re a connoisseur of Eastern-European weapons, you’ve probably never heard of the Zastava CZ999 Compact pistol. So out of all the pistols in the world, why did I choose this to replace my HK USP 9mm? I’ve had excellent experiences with a wide range of firearms made by the Serbian company Zastava. As stated in…
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Fenix LD20 Light
Let’s talk about the Fenix LD20 light. I’m a huge fan of equipment that runs on AA batteries. Yes, CR123s are smaller and more powerful, but I can’t get them at my local gas station, can you? While I stock batteries, In the event that there’s a major disaster, I want to be able to…
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Blue Force Gear Helium Whisper – MOLLE Attachment Evolution
After the slight trouble I ran into with the Ten-Speed mag pouches on the BELTminus, I went with a different design. However, I was quite impressed with both the strength and the lightweight nature of the Ten-Speed products. Feeling that they simply needed a firm platform, I placed them on my old Spartan II armor…
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Specter Gear MOLLE / PALS Compatible SIG P226 / P220 Modular Tactical Holster
As I’ve mentioned before, the SIG P226 is my favorite handgun. It’s as reliable as a Swiss watch and as enduring as the marathon runner. It fits well in my hand, especially the slide release, which is much further back on the slide than other pistols. I’ve tried to find a suitable replacement for the…
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Ontario Knife Company Kukri Knife
I’m a huge fan of the Nepali khukuri (more commonly spelled kukri). I’m also a fan of my Ontario Knife Company Air Force Survival Knife. Knowing OKC to be a good company, I contacted them about their version of the kukri. Soon, an OKC Kukri Knife arrived on my doorstep sharp and ready for use. The…
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Bates Tactical Sport Composite Toe Side Zip Boots
I first learned the value of a good pair of boots when working long shifts in outdoor security. Standing on pavement and concrete for hours on end is tough on feet. Doing it in the blistering heat or freezing cold is even more unpleasant. See, I started an article with a personal story that had…
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BELTminus by Blue Force Gear
As I spend more time carrying my gear in the woods, I find myself drawn to a belt-and-suspenders type of setup. There’s a place for chest rigs, but bulging pouches stuffed with magazines (and everything else under the sun) can be a drag. The weight slows you down, saps your strength and reminds you how…
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Ballistic Advantage 14.5″ Lightweight Middy
When Ballistic Advantage sent me their 14.5 inch mid-length Tactical Government profile barrel in 5.45x39mm, I thought I’d found the perfect AR-15 carbine barrel for cheap ammo usage. I was wrong. Though that barrel was shorter than 16 inch, it was the same weight as a government profile, 28 ounces. Yes, it had better handling.…