Archive for October, 2011

Sale on Original Swat tactical boots

For the rest of the Month of October we are running a Promotion on Original Swat footwear.   These tactical boots are the best bang for the buck.   Last week we had a few customers walk in and ask us how much the boots were and they were shocked to find out that they were all less than $90.   With Original Swats 1yr warranty on all of the footwear, you really can take a step into them for a few months and if they do have issues, you can replace them.   We’ve sold hundreds of pairs of boots this year and have less than 1% return rate on them.   There is a very good selection of tactical boots and footwear from the ever growing company.

The Most popular boots that we sell are probable the lightest weight boots out there.   The Style 1232 air 9 inch side zip tactical boots have outstanding foot support.   For the month of October we have a $15 discount code : swat15off and that can be used on any Original Swat tactical boots or shoes.   Don’t forget the tactical boots for women also.   Water proof tactical boots for Swat teams, EMS and paramedics for less than $100.   You might even pick out something and use the discount code and get a great deal on tactical footwear.

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Here’s a review on tactical pants from someone that drives a lot

As previously mentioned there are a  ton of people out there that aren’t carrying firearms around with them that wear tactical pants.   One of my best friends actually is a carpenter and he uses them for work.    The Woolrich Elite style 44429 pants have knee pad inserts that you can use for a pretty long time and don’t get bulky or snag on  you because they are inside the pants not outide.   Cargo pants and front pockets are tactical pants can be very useful when you drive a lot and even the discontinued Woolrich Elite 4904 pants were really good for this because they had a lower ankle pocket.

Ankle carry is not a very convenient way of carrying a gun, but if you are on the road and drive a lot, it does have its advantages.   When  you have a seat belt on and it’s hard to move around, its good to know that getting to your Wallet or firearm in your tactical pants is easy.   Woolrich Elite pants use to be very difficult with their ID pocket but they removed the velcro and improved on the opening.   Right now I find the TruSpec 24/7 pants to be the most comfortable and easiest to work in pants, but I find the side knife pockets to be blocked whenever I have to carry a large size auto in a holster.

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Pocket placements on tactical pants

There are a bazillion types of tactical pants out there and the funny thing about it is we have a huge customer base that aren’t even in the Law Enforcement or Military Community.   Most Cops are stuck wearing uniforms and most of our customer base that actually buy tactical clothing, tactical shirts, tactical vests and gun gear usually know what they are looking for.   Recently we sold a ton of ballistic eyewear to an EMS department and several of the Doctors working in local hospitals also stopped in to buy tactical pants.   We explained to them what the pocket designs were for and they explained to us that they use them for holding surgical tools.’

There are  not a lot of people out there that can really make a good concealed carry pant.  Several have tried only to end up on the clearance section of LA Police gear as tactical pants.  Not all of the tactical pants are used for carrying AR15 gun magazines.   Some are for holding cell  phones and even the Woolrich Elite 44447 pants can hold a small lap top computer.  Most pocket designs are about preference although there are a few pants that are completely over thought out and all you end up doing is losing gear in them.   Some pocket locations can also become useless if you normally carry a holster in that location.  Leg holsters can also void the  use of some cargo pockets.

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Lightweight tactical pants not all that lightweight

There seems to be a really big difference in the fit and feel of Tru-Spec, Blackhawk, Woolrich Elite and the defunct Eotac lightweight pants.   We mostly sold the 100% cotton ripstop pants which is what so many people wanted, but there are draw backs to that material.   If you want lightweight pants, you really can’t get any lighter than the 100% rip stop, but they will shrink faster than others.   We have a ton of 5.11 tactical pants inbound and we’ll be doing even more comparisons between the far more popular 5.11 pants.

It seems that Blackhawk and Tru-Spec are  using a polyester blend for their tactical pants and although they do feel heavier and are not as breathable, they are seemingly a more durable and stain resistant tactical pants.  Much of the tactical clothing is about personal preference, are bodies are not shapped all the same so complaining about fit may vary from one style and person to another.  Blackhawk pants are probable a little tighter in the legs for most people and the Tru-Spec 24/7 lightweight pants are a little looser fit.

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Shoulder holsters, still a useful method of ccw?

You bet it is but don’t go to a Carbine Course and expect your firearm instructor to let you carry that way on a firing line.   There are a lot of really nice CCW shirts from 5.11 tactical and Woolrich Elite that can actually be quite useful if you are carrying a firearm in a shoulder holster.   There are many different types of shoulder holsters so don’t think everyone of them is going to make you look like a Miami Vice character.   Not all of them are going to cost you $100 either.  The one thing that seems to have changed though is a direction away from Vertical carry.

I’m not a big fan of standing in front of firearms and I do understand why should holsters are not allowed on many live firing training but they are still one of the most comfortable ways of carrying a large firearm.   Galco holsters are probable the highest prices shoulder holsters while Uncle Mike’s holster, Bulldog holsters and Elite Surival holsters are far less expensive.   The magazine holders are something that  you may have to think about because not everyone is going to want a 2 double stack magazines on them.  Sometimes that can be a bit too much tug and pull on your and your shoulders will know it.

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We want to hear from you

There are few tactical clothing companies that have really gained some traction in the tactical community and others have fallen off the face of the Earth.  Some were due to poor quality, bad designs or the economic problems of making clothing in foreign Countries were cotton prices have sky rocketed and that’s going to put a shot to the market.   Some companies seem to be more secure than others but we recently heard that some clothing manufacturers have raised prices almost $20 for a pair of pants.   Meanwhile, you can still get some 5.11 tactical pants for under $30.   I’m still amazed at the people that won’t pay more money for something that will hold up better thus making your money stretch out.

We were in this debate years ago when the tactical market exploded and competition was everywhere.  Since there have been cutbacks in military deployment and many of the private security contractors have left Iraq we have noticed a bit of a slow down, but it’s still up from a decade ago.   Woolrich Elite tactical pants are a few bucks more than some of the competitors but to this day it’s still one of the least complained about products we’ve sold.  Every once in awhile there are complaints about buttons falling off or tearing, but that’s all.   All clothing will shrink even if washed properly, we want to hear from you about what  you want us to stock and what you think about the situation in the tactical clothing industry.

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CCW holsters can become complicated are they worth the hassle?

We recently had a few guys being deployed to Afghanistan that were looking to get Molle vests but they heard about an Elite Survial quick detach one that is coming out.  These guys all knew what it was like to get into situations where you have so much stuff strapped on you that it can be life threatening if  you get snagged on something or need to drop the load and move somewhere.   It’s also a comfort thing to some degree because if you can take it off quickly you aren’t wasting time.   The same goes for getting the stuff on which is why quick release gear sells faster.   Shoulder holsters can be very comfortable to wear especially for large autos but they are hard to get in and out of.

When it comes to waking up everyday and putting on a gun, nobody that CCWs for a long time is going to want to spend extra time with the hassles of clip things here and there and make adjustments.   The Galco Kingtuk holsters are a good idea and more comfortable but for every day carry they are little bit of a hassle to get on and off every day.   I will say that I use them for social environments and not for work because of the comfort levels but thats something for the buyer to decide.   Galco glock holsters  and Galco 1911 holsters are outstanding leather holsters.

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Save money on larger quantities of gun cleaning supplies

Although we sell these gun cleaning kits and accessories to gun cleaning, everyone at Rogue Elite is a gun owner and a shooter.   We all started out with Hoppes gun cleaning kits that were 3 piece cleaning rods and all have our stories about how we had to air the house out because we spilled cleaning fluids on the floor.   Gun cleaning has gotten simpler although our amount of interest in cleaning may not have changed.   Hoppes bore snakes have made cleaning semi-auto guns like the Mini 14 or M1 Garand much easier due to the designs of the guns and that traditional cleaning rods might damage these.   The Otis gun cleaning kits are compact and portable and extremely versatile.

Mpro-7 gun cleaning spray bottles have really over taken Break Free products even though you are doing a 2 step cleaning plan.  The Breakfree CLP is a pretty darn good for gun cleaning supplies because its basically an all in one product, but it’s biggest drawback is that it does need to be shaken all the time and it does not last as long as the Mpro-7 gun oil the LPX.   You will be able to tell the difference when you cycle the slide on a firearm when you use the M-Pro7 gun oil.

 

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Washing clothing, does anyone read the labels?

I’ve gotten a ton of phone calls lately since so many people are looking to try out various styles of clothing that didn’t exist a few years ago.   The question I am constantly asked about when people look for the lightweight pants is clothing that doesn’t shrink.   We get tons of people thinking there are magical pants out there that never shrink and we have the answer for them.   Sure there are cheaper tactical clothing companies, but much of this has to do with how you wash and dry them.  I remember talking to a senior designer in the clothing industry that told me they had to run tests of some of their products after people were complaining they wouldn’t hold their colors.

Well, when you throw in fabric cleaner in your wash machine the brightens your clothing and you’ve just tossed in all of your black tactical pants and jacket, don’t expect them to remain black.  The same goes for washing and drying your tactical pants.  If you want your clothing to last longer, try washing them when they are really dirty, and hang dry them.   Most people I know don’t like to hang dry clothing because sometimes it may take days to dry.  I’m willing to bet that you can extend the life of your clothing by 30% of you take care of them.

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Looking for the best AR15 upper?

Well I’m not going to answer that question because it’s really a novice question.   If you want the best, it’s probable over priced for  what you can get out of it, but if that’s what you want, then buy it.  If you want to compare LWRC upper receivers and the guns to a Bushmaster XM15E2 there is an obvious quality difference between the firearms and one is a plinking competition firearm and the  other is not.   You may spend 2 to 3 times as much money and only if you are putting enormous numbers of rounds through them will you see the durability differences.   For a serious operator that is putting 10,000 rounds a year through his gun, you will have more life in an LWRC gun, but if you don’t have $1200 to spend, don’t get depressed.

If you want a combat worthy AR15, there is a lot you can do to make it more durable and prevent stoppages, and gun maintenance is only part of it.   The Spikes tactical uppers are our number one easy and well priced upgrade if you want a better firearm.  The parts are properly machined and staked and there are some pretty good Youtube videos of them operating well.   There have been many updgrades and improvements to bolt carrier groups and Spikes tactical is probable the best bang for the buck if you don’t have a lot of bucks.

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