Boston Strong or Boston Stupid?

In light of recent events, including the Boston bombing’s, and increased number of school shootings, Boston’s finest has decided that it is time for them to increase their arsenal with the addition of 33 AR15 rifles.

The only problem with this idea is that one man stands in their way. Mayor-elect Martin J. Walsh does not like AR15’s and feels that his police department doesn’t need them to keep the people of Boston safe. “Mayor-elect Walsh is opposed to the AR-15 rifles,” his spokeswoman Kathryn Norton said in a short statement yesterday. “Unless otherwise convinced by the Boston Police Department, he does not think they are necessary.”

The proposal is for 33 AR15’s coming in at the amount of $2,500 each. They would go to two specially trained officers in each of their 11 precincts. It has not been stated where the other 11 would end up. It would be safe to assume that each precinct would have one backup rifle.

According to Boston police spokesman Sgt. Mike McCarthy the rifles would be strictly regulated and would not be used during routine patrol. Use of the weapons could include an active-shooter incident, firing on a suspect from a distance and confronting a suspect wearing body armor.

Evidently Martin Walsh has not seen the footage from the North Hollywood shootout in 1997 where officers were outgunned and had to resort to a local gun store to acquire AR15’s to fight the gunmen who had much more superior firepower available. Then again maybe he knows he can rely on the heavy police presence that was evident during the manhunt for alleged Boston Bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.

Read the full story here.

Face Armor

Every once and a while a fad will hit the shooting community, the one I am talking about today has many names such as, tactical beard, face armor, combat beard, as well as a few other new names popping up every day. The ancient Greeks viewed beards as a sign of virility; Spartans even punished cowards by shaving off portions of their beard. Have you ever seen a picture of clean shaven Viking? I didn’t think so.

While some would argue that the origins of the modern tactical beard can be traced back to a Chris Costa, I believe it was a picture of a Green Beret, call sign “Cowboy” operating in Afghanistan in 2002. Many Special Forces operators would grow beards until their ban in 2010 to help build the trust of local elders in Afghanistan, in the civilian world the only tactical advantage that a beard offers is for dropping panties according to Matt Devito.

The disadvantage to those wearing a full set of face armor is that it may interfere with equipment such as gas masks, respirators as well as other medical equipment hence the military’s policy against facial hair. This is important to remember for those people that have gas masks as part of their preps. They will ultimately not be able to get a good seal on the mask.

Everyone wants the latest and greatest gear that SF is running. All you have to do is visit any forum or social media page and watch the pissing matches commence over gear. There is always the one guy that states “It’s what the SEALs use.” Face armor is just one thing closer to getting them to feel like they are real life SEALs. Just add thumb over bore shooting technique, rock tape, and they will be shooting better in no time.  

Who do you think has the best tactical beard?

New MultiCam Patterns

 Yesterday was a date that a lot of us have been watching for a while. MultiCam finally officially released photos of their new patterns, Arid, Tropic, Alpine, and Black. We leaked a photo a few days ago of the MultiCam black frog shirt a few days ago on our Facebook page and many people seemed intrigued.

While the original MultiCam pattern is known to be extremely versatile, MultiCam has decided to step their game up and build climate specific patterns. Personally I believe these are to be in direct competition to Kryptek on the commercial market, however MultiCam was recently awarded a contract by the Army to be their official camouflage pattern.

In a time when a lot of car manufacturers are going retro and simply updated older muscle car designs, such as the Challenger and Mustang; I feel this is exactly what MultiCam has done as their patterns are not much different than the camouflage that modern patterns such as UCP and MARPAT replaced.

Arid was designed to reduce the visual and IR signature in an open rocky desert environment. While it has a striking resemblance to the three color desert camouflage pattern that replaced the “chocolate chip” it has some green in it and pairs nicely with the original MultiCam pattern.

The Tropic pattern reminds me a lot of the rare ERDL uniforms during Vietnam. Unlike the ERDL the new Tropic pattern sports the MultiCam shapes that are more random and looks to be extremely effective in blending in the jungle environment.

Alpine is MulitCam’s new arctic or winter pattern. Like most winter camouflage, it is predominantly white with a few gray splotches ranging from light to dark. The MultiCam claims that it can be paired nicely with the original pattern however I don’t think that it would be a good idea to have winter camo in a snowy environment and an original MultiCam plate carrier on your person.

The last new pattern is MultiCam Black. The Black pattern was designed for law enforcement officers operating in high risk areas. The pattern is like no other I have seen before. MultiCam Black features black as the main color and has accent colors, ranging from sage green to gray. Originally I had heard that the black would only be available to LEO and military personnel, however it is available on their fabrics page for commercial use as well.

While the Arid, Tropic, and Alpine look to be great additions to the MultiCam family for military personel and civilians alike, I am not sold on the Black pattern. I feel that this will be about as useful as other black and urban camouflage patterns. What are your thoughts?

View the patterns here

Femme Fatale

When most people think of an AR15 owned by a female, they generally think the same thought, either pink furniture or a custom hydrographics or a cerakote job. Bryan at Average Gun Guy has vowed to change this in his latest product. Enter the Femme Fatale…

The Femme Fatale upper receiver that we tested, chambered in 5.56 has an MSRP of $950.00. It sports custom skull and crossbones free float handguards, heart shape fluted barrel, an ambidextrous charging handle, spiral shaped muzzle device and an Exo-treated BCG with buffer.

My first impressions of the upper was that it felt extremely well built, while it is not lightweight by any means it is not the heaviest upper I have handled either. The detail in the handguards really gives it a feminine feel while still allowing the “black rifle” look.

The fluting on the barrel was also very appealing as you could tell they were hearts however it was not too obvious as I would be embarrassed owning it.  

After gawking at the quality of craftsmanship on the parts and waiting for the weather to clear up it was time to hit the range. As the upper ships stock with no optics or flip up sights, we slapped it on a Stag lower receiver and added a Vortex Strike Fire to hit the range.

Once we got to the range it was time to sight in the optic, The first 2 or 3 shots rang out without a hiccup, after that the muzzle device had actually worked itself off of the threads. I put it back on and fired a few more shots only to have the same outcome. Luckily when I am testing products I carry extra gear on hand. 

The crush washer was replaced and muzzle device tightened back down only to have the same result as the muzzle device is round all the way around, hence not allowing it to be tightened with an armorers tool. I finally decided to switch it to an A2 to complete the testing.

After the A2 was installed it performed flawlessly. The accuracy was even impressive at 50 yards, with majority of the rounds of 62 grain XM193 American Eagle ammo fired landing inside the black of the NRA rifle target.  Of the 120 rounds fired through the Femme Fatale I experienced 0 malfunctions that impeded the use and effectiveness of the weapon.

In the end if you are or know a female that is serious about having a quality AR15 that doesn’t scream “I’m a girl” than the Femme Fatale is a great option. If the model still comes with the spiral device I would either add some Loctite, or replace it with a muzzle brake of your choice. While the price point is high for those looking to enter the market on a budget, this is by no means a low end budget rifle.

To purchase this upper receiver and to see Bryan’s other products visit them here

-Joe

JP Leather Works 1911 Holster

Mr. Joe Price from JP Leather Works recently sent us one of his 1911 holsters to test and evaluate. Joe began making leather goods earlier this year and we were excited to get our hands on one of his holsters. Joe's proud of his work and takes pride in the quality of his products.  They are hand cut from the hide and feature Joe's own custom patterns. He molds the leather to fit the firearm and each holster is hand sewn with double stitching. The leather is waxed and polished for ultimate protection.


Right out of the box I was super impressed with the overall quality and softness of the leather. It felt as if it had been fully broken in. We had opted for the Spartan design. The spartan pattern was stamped in the leather and burned to add color and character. The leather was beautiful and had a realistic wood grain look to it. So far so good, moving on...

The gun that would be calling the Spartan Holster it's new home was an Auto Ordnance 1911. The AO 1911 slid right into the holster with ease yet still very snug. It held the gun securely. To really test out how well the gun was secured I went for a little jog. The gun never moved and was very comfortable. Next was the vehicle test. Getting in and out of the truck the holster held the 1911 up tight to my body and didn't get caught up on anything. While driving I couldn't even tell I had a gun on my side. Joe really nailed the ergonomic aspect of this holster. Even though it's an outside the waist band holster it can easily be concealed with a jacket or longer shirt. The way the holster hugs your body reduces any bulk or bulging.

The last area that was tested was drawing the firearm from the holster. The design of this holster puts the firearm right where you want it and your hand goes right to it in a natural motion. The 1911 releases with ease and you are ready to rock.

In conclusion, I am extremely happy with the 1911 Spartan holster from JP Leather Works. It looks great and functions extremely well. It has become my new "go to" holster for the 1911.

For more information visit...
www.etsy.com/shop/jpleatherworks
jplworks@gmail.com

Law Tactical Gen 2 Folding Stock Adapter

If you have been following our Facebook and Instagram for a while it is no secret that I have been dropping pictures showing off the Law Tactical Gen 2 Folding Stock Adapter. I have had my eyes on them since I saw the first generation of their products featured online a few months ago. Being able to be used on any AR platform from .223 to .308, direct impingement or piston as well as full auto. Law Tactical has produced a game changer.

My first impressions when unboxing the adapter was that it was extremely well built weighing in at around 6 ounces; it does add slight weight to your rifle. Included in the package are very detailed instructions, the adapter, and a small package of Loctite.

What is not included are the hex keys needed for installation, however if you watch the installation video on YouTube they put together installation is much easier than using the instructions as part of the hinge needs to be taken apart for assembly.

Once the adapter was installed I couldn’t wait to get it to the range and test it out, although Mother Nature had other plans. Finally after a few weeks I was able to make it out for some testing. I had no plans to shoot the rifle while the stock was folded as it clearly states not to, and there is already a video posted of this and the destruction to the adapter afterwards. Installation has already been covered flawlessly by Law Tactical, so I decided to focus on the one question I had been asked the most; “Is the bolt carrier group exposed to dirt and debris when the stock is folded open?”

To answer the question the adapter comes with an adjustable steel bolt carrier extension that fits in the back of your BCG whether it is a 5.56 or .308. This extender allows the BCG to function normally with the added distance through the adapter while firing. It also prevents dirt from entering into the BCG.

To test the effectiveness of the bolt carrier extender as if you were exiting a vehicle with the adapter folded and dropped the weapon on the ground prior to firing. We have been getting hammered with rain lately and the ground was a sloppy sandy mess on the shooting lanes where the rifle was dropped. I then picked up some sandy soil and threw in the back.

The first shot I was a little nervous but it went off without a hitch, just a ton of smoke exiting the ejection port. Subsequential shots showed less and less smoke caused by the moisture of the soil exiting the rifle.

In the end the adapter performed flawless under the conditions of the test. 

I believe that this product is a must have for anyone owning an SBR. Even with a 16” barrel the Law Tactical folding stock adapter allowed me to conceal the rifle inside of my pack I take to the range.  From the crew of an aerial platform to the everyday citizen that can now easily conceal their rifle in their vehicle, Law Tactical brings to the market a product that is simple yet very useful.

Watch our test here

For more information visit Law Tactical here

MCS Holsters

Recently I put out the offer to have some more admins join the page.  I received a few emails and selected three new people. One of which is a full time firefighter and paramedic. I was extremely excited to have a paramedic on board to help with medical items. However, when he offered me a holster I happily agreed to his offer.

At this point I noticed his Instagram only had a few holsters on it, so I really couldn't judge the quality.  He asked what my carry gun was and if I wanted IWB or OWB. I told him and we continued to discuss other matters.

Fast forward about a week and I get a bubble mailer in the mailbox with no return address on it. I was not expecting what was inside. When I opened the package I was instantly blown away at the feel and look of this holster.

While the holster does have the look of the SIK peep show, Mike has started painting one eyelet as a way to set his apart.  I instantly fell in love with the two tone color pattern, especially the carbon fiber on red. As a former volunteer firefighter it reminds me of the firefighter “thin red line”.

All the edges of the holster are very smooth with no rough edges to be found. The belt loops look as if they are made out of kydex as well and fit easily on my 2” belt. They are also thick enough to accommodate most belt types.

Having a holster so detailed could be its Achilles heel. The only potential downfall that I have found is that the inside the trigger guard is indented. For some that want a smoother draw this may be an issue. Myself, coming from a Blackhawk Serpa OWB this does not bother me at all, and I kind of like the feel of it as it almost clicks when placing the weapon back in the holster. I have no doubt that my Glock will stay put while holstered due to this.  

Overall I really couldn’t be happier with my holster from Mike at MCS holsters. If you are looking for a great quality holster, that is affordable and the most important to me quick turnaround time look no further than MCS.

-Joe

https://www.facebook.com/MCSHolsters

http://instagram.com/alfiremedic1

S.O. Tech BQETC

I am blessed and privileged to know many good men who have served in our armed forces. I am thankful to each and every single one of them for their service and sacrifice. We have had many different conversations and we have talked about stories from the traumas they they saw. Being that I am a medic find those stories interesting because I don't see those kind of things every day. One of the stories did happen to deal with a trauma involving the use of  tourniquets. The use of a TQ saved the soldiers life.  

When I was given the opportunity to review this BLOCS Quick-Eject Tourniquet Carrier (BQETC) from S.O. Tech, I was really excited. No its not an exciting piece of tactical gear, but its gear that really makes a difference. It gives those in harms way a carry their tourniquets that does not involve any ghetto rigging. The TQ carrier shields the TQ from the elements to ensure that it works exactly when needed, and allow convenient access. The versatility is also a huge plus. If can be carried on a belt, vest or backpack very easily. It can be used one handed

As you can see, its very small, and no larger then a mag pouch. The tab at the top allows the user to open it one handed. It takes basically no space and is a great addition to any plate carrier. Gone are the days where guys zip tie, or rubber band their TQ's to their vests

The question:

Is it worth having? I will answer it this way. At this very second it is nestled right by my pistol mags on my vest and its not leaving any time soon. 

Tourniquet Choices

In light of a upcoming tourniquet holder review, I thought it was fitting to go over a couple tourniquet (TQ) choices. Of course with anything, there are dozens of different choices, but today I'm going to talk about the Composite Resources C-A-T, and the SOF Tactical Tourniquet. Both are excellent choices with is comes to deciding on a personal TQ.

Let's start by looking at the C-A-T.

Function: It is very basic and has a Velcro strap that is pulled tight and secured. The bar is then twisted until bleeding is stopped, and then the bar is inserted into the cradle. The Velcro strap is secured over the cradle to keep the bar from coming out. Now you write the time the TQ was applied. 

Ease of use: Since the function is very basic, is is very easy to use. There is nothing that you can really mess up. You can easily apply this TQ while simultaneously using a firearm in a defensive situation.  

Cons: Being that there is only a Velcro strap that secures the entire TQ, it can be easy to accidentally knock the Velcro lose.


Now lets take a look at the SOF Tactical TQ.

Function: At first glance this TQ seems pretty complicated, but after you play with it for a few minutes, it actually is pretty easy. It has no Velcro, and all the important pieces are made of metal. Once you cinch it tight you are good. It has a buckle with some teeth on it to keep the strap from coming lose once it is in place. You now twist the bar to the desired tightness, and then you have some triangle ears that you tuck either half of the bar into.You write the time at the end of the strap.

Ease of use: Since there are more moving parts this TQ can be more tricky....UNLESS YOU TRAIN WITH IT! It is fairly easy to use. My favorite feature of this TQ is that it has a screw that you can hand tighten to lock the buckle in place so the strap cannot come lose.

Cons: Being that this TQ has more moving parts, it does take a bit of concentration, and it could detract from your focus in a defensive situation.



So which one do I choose?
My personal TQ is the SOF Tactical Tourniquet. Whichever personal TQ you choose, remember to train with it. I don't want to have to spend 10 minutes figuring it our AFTER the SHTF.   

Fieldline Tactical

Yesterday, fellow reviewer Mike asked on his Instagram page, what bag would be good for an EDC bag. I immediately responded to this by tagging him in a few of the pictures I have posted on my feed. There is currently only one manufacturer of bags that I own. All six of these bags are made by Fieldline Tactical.

Five of the six bags are their “Alpha Ops Daypack”, and the other is the “Alpha Ops Internal Frame” pack. Why do I need five of the same pack you ask? Two are bug-out-bags in both my wife and my vehicle. One is my edc bag I carry all of my work stuff in, one for the range. The last one is just sitting in my closet.

We currently use the internal frame pack for hiking, while it is much heavier than your traditional “backpacker” pack it suits me for a few days at a time. By no means would I take it out for longer than a weekend as it is just too heavy for long haul trips. I do prefer it over the feather weight packs for its large variety of pouches on the outside of the pack as well as MOLLE webbing.

While we are on the subject of webbing, I will say that anyone who has hiked over tough terrain will tell you the less stuff on the outside of your pack shifting weight around the better it is. While the webbing is there for you to use, be cautious with what you chose to place on the outside.                                                  

For this blog entry I will focus mainly on showing off the features of the pack that I currently have setup for trips to the range.

All of the stitching on the pack, is double stitched, as well as the MOLLE is uniform unlike many inexpensive packs. The straps and back of the pack are also padded with memory foam type padding.  Fieldline even went as far as to place elastic pieces on the packs so that you will not your straps floating all around, as you can easily roll them up and slide them in just like on many GI packs. The bottom of the pack is a tougher Condura type material with four holes with metal eyelets.

On the very top of the pack, you will also find a compartment that is fleece lined. This is normally where I keep my cell phone, or sunglasses that I do not want to get scratched. There is also an elastic pouch that will fit anything from a can of soda, to a 32 oz Nalgene.

A little further down the front of the pack they placed another zipped compartment. The one on my range bag holds my Combat Application Tourniquet, trauma shears, and gloves. I put these on the outside so that they are easy to get to. I can don my gloves and start cutting or apply a TQ quickly without having to open the whole pack up. It also has a Velcro on the outside where I have a patch with my blood type on.

The larger zipper pouch features a patch panel, as well as many small compartments inside.  I these to store extra handgun magazines, boxes of ammo, tape, staples, markers, and any other small items that I may need while out on the range. I also like the two tether and hooks that are on the inside. I use these all the time to hook my keys on so I am not digging for them when I get off work at night in my EDC bag.

On the Inside of the main pouch it has two separate mesh zipper compartments where I keep medical gear as well. The top one I keep my 4x4’s, cling, gloves, and basic first aid items. The bottom compartment I have more gloves, quick clot gauze, H&H compressed gauzes, and an Israeli bandage.

The main compartment is very large and you can fit a wide variety of items. It also has a waterproof pouch to store a hydration bladder. The tube then can come out the top on either right or left side whichever you prefer.  

I have been using one as an EDC bag literally every day for over a year now, and have yet to have any tears, zippers break or any other malfunctions. The best part about this pack is it can be found, with their other packs in the sporting goods section of your local Wal-Mart for only $24.99. Last year they were $19.99 and I got two at the end of the year for only $15.99.

If you are on a budget looking for a good EDC bag, go bag, or anything else I would look no further than the Fieldline Tactical line of bags. For the price they simply can’t be beat.

To see more photos of the bag view our album here. 

WWT Basic Med Kit- The Uses

Hello All,

We are going to start doing a few posts about the medical side of our tactical world. As part of it we are going to start with some pretty basic introductions to medical treatment in the field for yourself and those around you. Eventually we will get into some more in depth stuff, but its always a good practice to review basic stuff. I realize that this might be a review for some of you, but for others this may be their first time seeing this stuff.

Recently we released our WWT Basic Med Kit that you can see here. Some may be interested in the kit, but are not familiar with what is in the kit, or are unsure how to use it. Again...bear with me....this is new to some people. I want to at least give you a rundown of some of the uses of the contents so that any fears can be dispelled. During any situation where the kit may be needed, help could be hours away, or not coming at all.

Here is what is in the kit:

2 Pairs Nitrile Gloves
2 H&H Compressed gauze
1 Pair of Traums Sheers
1 Israeli Bandage
1 Nasopharyngeal Airway



Lets start at the top.


Gloves
Why do we need gloves? In the world of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), we have a saying and it goes like this. 

"If its wet, warm, and NOT yours....DON'T TOUCH IT"

That's why we need gloves. People all around us have diseases we don't know about and its just best to shield ourselves from what they may have, and well as shield them from what we may have. Gloves keep all bodily fluids off of your hands. Now if your like me, you always have cuts and scrapes on your hands from working. Those cuts give a perfect pathway for diseases to enter your body. 

H&H Compressed Gauze
In a nutshell, this is a awesome tool to use in medical treatment. It can be wrapped around wounds, used as a tourniquet, used as a sling, or folded on top of itself and used to stop bleeding. It also is really great for off label uses as well. It can easily be cut into strips and used for knots. 

Trauma Sheers
Trauma sheers are probably one of the best utility cutters out there. They are really inexpensive, and they cut almost anything. I use them at work to cut trauma victims clothes off....(he he), and it will cut through rope, webbing, and small size cable. If the material is not extremely tough, you can cut it. 

Israeli bandange
This bandage is really awesome to use, and its really simple. You can use it to stop bleeding, as well as a tourniquet. The best part, is that it is made so that you can lock it in place once the proper pressure has been applied. Ever used an ace bandage and used those little mettle clip thingy's? They come off to easily. A regular roll of gauze also needs tape, or to be cut and tied off, and that usually requires a second person. The Israeli bandage is made for one person to use, and it stays in place. 

Start by following directions. Place letters on the wound with the funky looking clip to the right of the wound. Wrap around your arm once until you reach the clip. Feed the bandage into the clip and then wrap the opposite way in order to tighten the bandage. Continue to wrap into you reach the end. At the end you will find another clip that will allow the sides of the bandage to be tucked into it. BAM! Easy as pie. It will stay in place, and you can resume whatever you were doing. If it needs to be tightened, just repeat the process, and just apply more pressure. You can use the bandage on arms, lets, heads, torso's..just about anything thats bleeding.....well not ANYTHING, but you get the point. 

Nasopharyngeal Airway
Your probably thinking....."What the hell is that?"....well I shall explain. They look like a short, soft piece of hose. They are made to provide an avenue for air to move into someones lungs in the event that their mouth is no longer suitable due to injury.

It is inserted with the beveled side towards the middle of your nose. To do this you really need to have a little bit of lube, but in a pinch, spit works. They are pushed all the way into the nose and you will feel it in the back of your throat.

 Now....I was in paramedic school and some dumbass decided he would accept a bet to see if he could put it in his nose. Since I called him a dumbass, you can probably guess how it turned out. He bled like a stuck pig. This is only to be used if needed folks. 
There are different uses that you can probably come up with on your own if you were in some type of survival situation. 


That sums of the basic uses of the contents of the WWT Basic Med Kit. I hope some people have a little insight or clarification, and that this has been a good review for others. Remember, if you have any questions please don't be afraid to ask. Also if you need further assistance grasping a concept, please go to a local first-responder in your area and they should be happy to help. 






White Wolf Tactical LLC is not responsible for your actions while using this kit. ALWAYS seek professional training. Always remember to dial 911.




-Mike, Nationally Registered Paramedic

Open Carry: A time and place

As the great Sun Tzu once said, "All warfare is based on deception." So why are so many people obsessed with open carry as opposed to concealed? Recently it has seemed to be more of a political statement than anything else. We have to look no further than the recent open letter put out by Starbucks®

Once this letter hit the media it set off a firestorm in the 2A community. People were saying that Starbucks® was anti-gun, and no longer a supporter of the second amendment. Both of these statements could not be further from the truth. Starbucks® was merely tired of being in the middle of a political pissing match between the liberal left opposing the open carry allowed in their stores, and the AR15 toting, $2 bill spending patrons that were there to prove a point.

Another issue that open carry often creates is confusion in the law enforcement world. While in many states, including my own it is legal to open carry firearms without a permit. Here in Pennsylvania, that includes long guns. While this is perfectly legal I will not be walking down the street anytime soon with my AR15 or shotgun waiting for someone to call 911 so I can argue with the responding officer about the legality of the situation.

This has become a popular trend on YouTube® recently and is disappointing. While the subjects may not be breaking any laws the fact is that they are creating unwanted attention and tying up valuable police resources in some towns that may only have a few officers on call at a given time. Great you just proved to the YouTube® community that you are within your rights, and tied up 20 minutes of the police officers time for nothing.

Most members of law enforcement that I personally know are pro-gun; however are also pro-paycheck. Meaning they are not going to bust down your door at 3am for your 30 round magazines if you live in Maryland, but will respond to a man with a gun call and do their job.

Besides for states that laws make CCW impossible but OC is legal for those under 21 (Louisiana, Pennsylvania, etc.), I can’t find any other reasonable explanation to open carry a firearm in public. We have all seen that guy in public, open carrying just because he can. 

After moving from the anti-gun state of Maryland to Pennsylvania, I remember the first one I saw. He was probably 19-20 with a Kel-Tec in a nylon holster on his hip. Clearly this young man was open carrying to make a point as he hardly noticed me walking up behind him in the automotive aisle at Wal-Mart.

Now say I was someone set on robbing the place, and we were in a convenience store. I walk in notice this guy open carrying with no situational awareness at all. Who do you think is the first one on my list to go?  Just like I learned going through my firefighter/EMT courses, first thing you do is make sure the scene is safe. This goes for bad guys as well; nobody likes a dangerous work environment.

As I stated earlier, I do believe that open carry has its place. for instance whenever I am hiking along the Appalachian Trail I will open carry my Glock 19 as it is much easier and more comfortable in combination with a backpack, as opposed to in an IWB holster or storing my firearm inside of my backpack.

The reason that I carry on the AT is not to ward off hippies or backpackers, but honestly for four legged threats. My AT trips generally last a day so the area I travel I don’t see many two legged predators. The detention center that I work at fulltime is less than two miles from the AT and I have seen many smaller bear as well as had a co-worker hit one on her way home from work. Will my G19 stop a bear with Honady Critical Duty? Probably not, does it make me feel better? Absolutely it does.

In the end I feel like everything else that Open Carry has a time and place. That time and place is just not for political statements, or YouTube® videos. Be smart however you decide to carry, and if open carry is your only option, than do so. I’d rather open carry than not carry. 

facebook.com/whitewolftactical

whitewolftactical.com

WWT Basic Trauma Kit

When looking for a trauma kit we were blown away at the prices, so we decided to put together our own quality affordable trauma kit. There are two different models available, and currently come in a standard double M4 magazine pouch. Everything is packed in an easy to grab manner making donning the gloves extremely easy while not having to move around the rest of the kit.Colors currently available are; ATACs, MultiCam, Black, Coyote, OD Green. Manufactures may vary depending on the color.






The basic kit ($44.99)
2 Pair Black Nitrile Gloves
2 H&H Compressed Gauze
1 Israeli Bandage
1 NPA

The deluxe kit ($79.99)
2 Pair Black Nitrile Gloves
2 H&H Compressed Gauze
1 Israeli Bandage
1 NPA
1 C-A-T
1 Quick Clot Combat Gauze

You can find our video review of the kit below. 

G-Tac Plate Carrier

To answer all of your questions about this plate carrier I decided to put together a video.

Purchase at http://www.whitewolftactical.com/#!product/prd5/1102377771/g-tac-plate-carrier---multicam

WWT T-Shirts

(Screen Printing - Left, Flex Printing - Right)

As many of you that have been following us for a while know that we started off primarily with t shirts. We originally had our shirts screen printed at a local shop. The price was lower, however we were severely limited in designs as we had to pay per screen as well as sizes, shirt color etc. The first run of shirts went okay, only a few who wanted shirts did not get them.

Eventually people started asking for different designs and so we decided to outsource our printing and t shirt side of the business. We checked out a few different sites (Zazzle, Cafepress, etc.) and eventually settled on Spreadshirt. Spreadshirt.com offered us lower costs; therefore we were able to pass on the savings to you. Since the shirts are made up as they are ordered they are not sitting in a shop forever collecting scents.

The fact that they are made up as they are ordered also means that they are not screen printed like most t shirts. For our one and two color designs we utilize “flex printing”. Flex printing is a heat transfer vinyl. If you have ever seen the UnderArmour® t shirts they use the same technology for their logo. The benefits that I have found to flex printing are it is a sharper image versus the standard screen printing. I was worried about cracking in the logos over time however to date this has not happened with the shirts that I have been wearing for the past few months.

For our designs with more than three colors, the shirts are printed with digital direct technology. This process is often called direct to garment printing; it is a specialized process in which a giant inkjet printer prints the image on to the garment.  With DTG (direct to garment) printing the color of the shirt will sometimes bleed through like a screen printed design. This process also allows for multiple colors with not much more of a price jump compared to that of screen printing where you incur fees per screen.

If you have any questions feel free to contact us at the links below.

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G-Tac Sling

The bungee sling from G-Tac is constructed of a high quality nylon. This single point sling features quick release buckles that are also great quality. The only complaint that I have about these slings is that the carabiner is not the best that I have seen. However for an MSRP of under $20 this sling is unmatched at its price point. Available in, OD, Coyote, Black and MultiCam the G-Tac comes in any color scheme to match your rifle. The bungee is also very tight compared to others that I have seen around this price point. It secures my 10 lb rifle like a champ. I am picky with my gear and highly recommend this sling for your personal use as well, if you are looking for a quality affordable single point sling for your AR platform. You can purchase this sling in our shop as well as other G-Tac products that we will be reviewing shortly. We are currently one of the only carriers of their products.

To purchase this sling please visit:

http://www.whitewolftactical.com/#!slings/c1an3

Lantac-USA Dragon

Ever since Lantac-USA announced the introduction of the Dragon muzzle brake I have been anxiously waiting for its release. The short teaser video that was making its way around Facebook was nothing short of amazing. Once they opened up for dealer accounts I immediately jumped on board as I was sold from the short YouTube video. Every time I would share the video I would get flooded with questions about it through Facebook, and email. I figured the best way to answer questions was to test it out. After exchanging a few messages with my sales rep I received word that it was on its way. A few days later the little guy showed up on my doorstep.

Who is Lantac-USA?

Lantac-USA is a branch of Lanner Tactical, which manufactures AR’s and accessories in the United Kingdom. Lantac-USA parts are manufactured and assembled right here in the US, more specifically in Nevada.

First Impressions

When I first opened up the little box that the prototype came in I knew right away this was going to be a great compensator. Having four relief holes on top and three ports on each side, there is plenty of room for the gas to escape. The production run packaging will be in a clamshell and even contain a free trial tube of FrogLube as well as a crush washer. The muzzle brake was also individually serialized. Lantac informed me that this is for quality control purposes. Unfortunately there are no special requests for serial numbers.

Installation

Installation was a very simple. The hardest part of installing it was removing the A2 flash hider currently on my AR. Once that was off and a new crush washer was on the Dragon threaded very close to its final position hand tight and only required a slight turn with the armorers tool to align it correctly with the port holes, and logo directly on top.

Range Time

I was excited to finally get to the range after being delayed due to family being in town. Once I got to the range and had everything setup, I was a little nervous to fire the first shot. I am that person that drives down the road wondering if I turned the stove off even if I did not cook that day. After reassuring myself that everything was aligned and ready to go, I took aim. The first shot rang out and I immediately noticed three things. First, the sound was extremely loud compared to other brakes I have used in the past. The second thing was the amount of gas that is dissipated from the muzzle was nothing short of impressive. The last thing that I noticed was the fact that there was very limited muzzle rise and all the recoil was forced straight back through the center line of the carbine. As loud as it was, I instantly fell in love with it and had to keep going. Shooting in the afternoon I was a little upset that I would not see the fireballs that were evident in Lantac’s promo video. I quickly found out that was a bad assumption. Every few shots a ball of fire would blow out of it like a fire breathing Dragon (ironic, huh?).

After Action Report

After I finished up firing the three magazines that I had brought with me to the range, I did not want to stop shooting. Shooting the Dragon made me take my mind off of the high ammo prices and made it fun again. Recently my AR has just sat at home in the safe due to me not wanting to expend the ammunition that I keep on hand. I would highly recommend doubling up on ear protection especially when going to an indoor range. I feel that Lantac has delivered on their trailer video, with a very high quality piece of hardware. Overall I was very impressed and can’t wait to order one for my personal AR.

The compensators are due to ship in the coming weeks. The MSRP of the Dragon is $140 making it one of the more expensive brakes on the market. Currently you can preorder them on our website whitewolftactical.com. If you use coupon code “DRAGON” you will save $10 off your purchase of the muzzle brake.

YouTube review of the Dragon 

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Notch Gear Caps

Ever since I was a child and starting playing baseball at the age of 5, hats have been a part of my daily outfit. I am extremely picky when it comes to any kind of head wear and actually miss the Zephyr brand hats from the early 2000’s to me they were the best fitting and made hats available. Lately I have left empty handed during my visits to the hat store in the mall. Unless it is a “snap back” or flat billed ridiculous looking hat you won’t find anything. Even the New Era caps are not what they used to be. Since I am not a huge fan of the Velcro paneled “Operator” caps, recently I have been wearing a plain black flex fit cap I purchased off of Amazon. It is not bad, but not the best quality nor fitting cap.

This all changed a few months ago when Gear Whores Anonymous posted a photo of the Notch Gear cap. At first I was very skeptical and even commented on the photo saying how I was not really a fan of the way it looked. Yes, wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap is a pain but do I really need a hat designed for that? The owner of the company then replied to my comment and sent me a friend request on Facebook. I didn't think much more about the caps as my black one was working just fine. A few days later on I liked the Notch Gear page and would every once in a while check the site, add a hat to the cart then something else would catch my eye and I would abandon it.

Fast forward a few weeks and that all changed when I finally decided to give it a go and check it out. Anyone who has been following my Facebook fan page knows I love Kryptek. The Kryptek Highlander pattern was a no brainer for me. I was a little worried with the sizing however as I am normally between an S/M and an L/XL on flex fit caps. I decided to just go ahead and get the L/XL size. While the price point is higher than I like to spend on caps ($27.00 for the Kryptek), it is reasonable compared to other caps.

The hat showed up a few days later in a priority mail box. I was instantly shocked at the feel of the hat. It was the best quality cap I have purchased in a very long time if not ever. The pattern looked great, and the mesh back matches the Kryptek pattern extremely well. The elastic band is also extremely comfortable unlike a normal flex fit band. The “notch” is cut out of the bill to allow the user to wear sunglasses or safety glasses and still bend the bill as much as they would like without interfering. It is covered with a rubber piece that is stitched on and also matched the rest of the hat. The Notch logo is also placed on the front left and back right panels of the cap, in a coyote tan thread. Even the button on top is Kryptek.

The only downside that I have found to the cap is it is made in China however also mentions partially assembled here in the good ole USA. This is not enough of a deterrence for me however especially when most hats that I have ever purchased are all from Asian countries. Notch currently has a Kryptek Typhon cap in the works which I can’t wait to get my hands on. Overall this is the best cap I have ever owned and can’t wait to get more of them. No longer will I be annoyed by my bill and sunglasses feuding at the range. The Notch Gear cap has solved that problem with a simple yet innovative solution.

For more information visit them at:

NotchGear.com

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Bastion LLC Magplates

Recently I had the opportunity to get my hands on some mag plates from Bastion LLC. I had already ordered a slide plate for my Glock 19 so I jumped on this offer.

The mag plates are very easy to install in a matter of seconds. If you are unsure of how to install them, a simple search on YouTube will reveal more than enough videos to explain the installation. They are also made from metal as opposed to the stock plastic plate that comes on the magazines. While this does add a small amount of weight to the firearm I have noticed an improvement when using the KCI magazines that had a tendency not to drop out of the magazine well. With the added weight of the metal magazine base plate they now drop freely every time.

Bastion LLC has a wide variety of pre made designs for your Glock, XD, and M&P series magazine baseplates. The slide plates however are currently only available for Glock.  Bastion is now offering full color plates which I have only seen in photos and they look great. If you would like a custom image just email them on their website magplates.com (a setup fee may be charged). To avoid the setup charge I sent them over our logo in .eps ready for engraving.

The plates are laser engraved, revealing the metal underneath the anodized finish. While engraved they are still smooth to the touch. The finish, detail, and quality of engraving far exceeded the custom dust cover I had engraved for my AR-15 which had lines through the engraving.

For only $19.99 each ($22.95 for full color) you really can’t beat the price of the plates that add a custom look to your Glock. I have no complaints about these plates. They are sold at a great price and are shipped very fast with a decal included. Bastion will have a repeat customer in me as I long as I own Glock firearms.

For more information contact:

http://www.magplates.com

info@magplates.com

Facebook.com/magplates

@bastionllc on Instagram