Winter Jackets and carrying gear
I’ve gotten the questions numerous times about what kind of jacket is best for winter carry. I’m not one to suggest that carrying a firearm in an outwear jacket is a good idea. There are expensive jackets out there where you can carry a gun and retain it in the jacket, but weight distribution is almost always an issue. Sometimes people need to realize that winter carry isn’t going to be as easy as summer carry because cold environments are going to mean big jackets or multiple layers of clothing.
One new option that may help you in your search for a spring/fall/winter carry option is the new Eotac Field Jacket, this is a very military looking jackets, but has a tactical jacket look that is a great thing to wear over layers of winter clothing. The Eotac Field Jacket is not a very heavy jacket even though it may look like it. The Field Jacket has multiple pockets for knives, flashlights, cell phones, pepper spray and spare magazines. The field jacket does not hang very lowe on the waiste so it may not be good for some ways of carrying, but even if this jacekt is zipped up, the front of the jacket is cut in a manor where reaching under and retrieving a firearm from a should holster or belt holster is not that difficult.
There area a lot of good upgrades one can do to a firearm, a fighting rifle should be customized to fit an operator. Advanced Technology makes some quick and easy upgrades for your shotgun or carbine that can give you better grip or balance. Shotgun shell holders on the buttstock or riding side saddle is a practical tactical upgrade you can do on your remington 870. The fiberforce stock for the MAK90 is a way to legally get around some firearm bans and are a big step up compared to the stupid thumbhole stocks. Attach a rifle sling that fits yoru purpose from Blue Force Gear, they come in 1 point, 2 point and 3 point attachements. Minor firearm modifications make need to be done to attache rifle slings, but do some research on various rifle sling configurations to see what works for you.
You’ve heard that word before, but this time we actually have something that is tactical, useful, warm and makes concealed carry easier in the winter months. There are plenty of half-zip sweatshirts out there, you see them at Cabela’s or your local outdoor sporting goods store, but all of them make carrying a little more difficult in cold weather. Wearing slightly over-sized T-Shirts make carrying easier, but after putting on more than 2 layers of clothing, carrying IWB or OWB becomes dangerously cumbersome.
The Style 702 womens operator grade lightweight pants will be made of the same 100% cotton ripstop material that the men’s pants are made of, the stitching and durability are the same, but the buck stops there, or should we say doe? The pocket designs are unique to the womens pants and nothing like anything Eotac has out. The front pockets will easily accomodate pocket holsters, the two additional wallet type pockets can hold ID or even something as large as a pistol magazine. The pant legs are slightly tapered for a better look while still allowing access to an ankle holster or being worn with boots. These pants will be available in late Winter and will come in Black, Khaki, Navy blue and OD Green.
The Eotac zip up shirt is also very popular amongst firearm instructors because the back is mesh lined vented bi-swing which provides you with freedom of movement and maximum air flow. Many of our customers that work on the training courses like the ability to zip it down just because it gets hot. The front left pocket has a pen pocket as well as the left shoulder sleeve. On the long sleeve 402 version you can roll up and button the sleeves is it is warming up on you. If you are a firearm instructor this is the shirt you should have in your closet.
Woolrich entered the tactical apparel market several years ago, as well as Blackhawk gear, Proper and Tru-spec. Most of these clothing companies have good aspects, but recently we’ve seen another Tactical apparel company making very well designed clothing. Eotac is the short version of the Elite Operator Tactical clothing line. Their tactical clothing line has been on the market for barely a year, and some products only a few months, but the design and durability seem to be putting them in the heavy hitter category. The 201 Operator Grade Pants have the best designed ACU tactical pant on the market.
A few years ago Woolrich Elite launched their line of tactical apparel with the help of Backyard Outfitter, but after an internal squabble Fernando Coelho split off from the company and launched his own tactical apparel line named Eotac. I noticed a few people mention that most of the Eotac apparel looks like Phase II of the Woolrich Elite line, but there have been some major innovations. We’ve seen some of the new products coming out in 2010 and there seems to be some pretty aggressive steps in the tactical apparel and concealed carry market with the new Eotac line.