All posts tagged Blackhawk Gear

Training with new gear and being consistent

There is no debate about firearms safety, you either follow the rules or you will have an accident.   The problem with fireams training is everyone has an off day, not everyone wakes up in the morning and is at 100% mentally there.  Everyone trips or falls at some point, every slips on the ice they didn’t see and not everyone can think straight until they’ve had their cup of joe. I’ve seen more accidents with Glocks than any other sidearm, but I would say that Glocks are the most reliable firearm I’ve seen at training courses.

One thing that I have seen happen with gun owners, is they juggle firearms around too much.  It really is not a good idea to switch up your holsters and firearms too often because mental lapses can occur.  This seems to be the problem people are having with the Blackhawk Serpa holsters that are getting on the news.  If you don’t use this holster all the time, you may have a problem keeping your hand in the same spot and you’re more prone to curling your finger and causing an ND.  I very much like the retention design and the strength of the holsters, but I would not let a novice shooter start out with  one.

Top

Beretta 92 vs 1911 and locking holsters

There has absolutely been a trend away from handguns with manual safeties for a very long time, but for some reason somebody is always trying to put one back on them.   The Springfield XD is probable the latest handgun that has a grip safety, but that still won’t cause you to not fire if you are are reckless.  Most negligent discharges occur when holstering firearms and if your hand is pushing down, which it mostly likely is, you still might set off the gun.  And now you have played your hands into Glock ownership.

The nice think about Sigs and Beretta firearms is decocking them after shooting and having a not so much safety, but just a heavier trigger which is somewhat of a buffer to prevent negligent discharges during holster ect.   The Beretta 92FS or M9 has a safety, but carrying with the safety off is far safer than carrying a 1911 with the safety off, the Blackhawk Serpa holsters seem to be a very good combination for the Beretta 92 handgun and the carrying them with the safety off gives you the above mentioned heavy first trigger pull and you won’t have to fumble a thumb safety then have to release the holster, and then get to the trigger.

Top

Something to think about when buying a rifle case

One thing people tend to forget about when they are packing up all of their guns and gear for a shooting match is how heavy everything gets when you load up all of the pockets.   I’d say that about 90% of assault rifle cases I own have stowed and empty rifle magazines and people forget there is a difference between 5 empty Pmags in a gun case and a rifle case with 150 rds of 5.56 ammo.   Especially if you have using 75gr ammunition.   I learned the lesson about ammo weight when I went to a gun show and tried to leave with a thousand rounds of 7.62×39 ammunition and 1000rds of .223.   It was impossible for me to carry it and I learned to appreciate the 5.56 ammunition.

When it comes to choosing a rifle case for a battle rifle, I think it’s really a good idea to consider a drag bag.   That gun is heavy enough and even the designer of the FAL knew that it would be more comfortable to carry that gun with a carry handle than over your shoulder at times.   When it comes to carry 15-20lbs or more, you really gotta carry on your back.    Gun cases may come with a strap, but a drag bag is meant to be thrown over both shoulders.   I have a really nice rifle/drag bag from Elite Survival Systems and use it for my DMR configured DSarms FAL STG 58.

Top

Unconventional thought in defensive situations

I think most people expect to read about firearms, knives and pepper spray when it comes to using weapons in a defensive situations, but we can’t for get to think  about ways of using our body in situations to get away, or restrain an individual.   I’ve shown many people how to take a firearm away from someone, but that is only for people that have the confidence to do so.  I remember a few years ago there were was a lot of buzz about how easy it was to take apart a Beretta 92FS pistol and disarm someone who wielded it.   Well, it is easy to do that, but it’s even easier to drop a magazine on a Glock and pull the trigger on it and then it’s basically disarmed as well.

Verbal defense is probable the most important training that a shooter can employ.  I’ve taught people how to build confidence that they will know how to shout down an attack or trick a home invader to retreat, just by yelling “I have a gun”.  Knowing how to use every sharp edge of your firearm and your Blackhawk holsters even the magazine holders as blunt objects should give you things to think about when in a crisis situation.   Lots of firearms and tactical gear and accessories can be used for jabbing or bashing.

Top

Paddle holsters and CCW

This is an area that can cause much debate in the CCW world because if you are concealing a firearm in a paddle holster you are almost always going to have to wear a vest or a long coat, not all environments can tolerate a jacket, and most jackets are either not going to be long enough or they will make you sweat, just in for concealing a firearm in this manor.  I really like the Blackhawk Serpa holsters, but they do extend a little further out on the body that something like a Don Hume Jit holster which is flat up against a belt.

Firearm retention in a holster is important for LEO and people carrying open carry, but not so much for CCW.  Yes you may get in a scuffle and have a firearm fly out of a  holster, but the Blackhawk holsters make get a little difficult to release if you are not in a good position, there are always methods and tactics that people should train with and trying a  holster out in an adverse position is something  you should try doing.  Try pulling the firearm laying on  your side, or in the seated position and you’ll know what I mean.   If you are sitting down, you’ll realize how odd it will feel and how high you’ll have to left your shoulder to clear it.

Top

Breaking down doors may mean it’s time to wear gloves

My favorite part of these competitions is see who packed there gear the best.   I remember all of the arguing about which gun was better and which calibers were better in a firefight, but in reality, the guy that can supress his enemy will eventually be able to overcome them.  There’s always the 6’5″ 220lb guy that shows up with a battle rifle and is able to pull off the task, but he’s rarely in the top scorers in the close quarters fights.  Nobody want to get hit with any caliber bullet and putting more bullets in a target is better than the mythological one shot stopper rounds.

Last weekend we attended a Zombie shoot here in New York State where competitors from around the Country showed up for this fun event.   I enjoy going to these events because not only do we get a more diverse crowd of people there, it’s basically a live fire gun show and I got to use my tactical gloves on the firing line.   You can witness just about any type of optic for long range shooting or close quarters combat and get to watch the competitors challenge there skills and weaponry. At some of the faster paced or group competitions, another issue arose. Every other guy had an issue with hot brass flying down his shirt or burned his hand on hot brass or a hot firearm.  Now we’re getting to another realty of why it’s a good idea to pack the right gear and inlude a good pair of tactical gloves.

 

Top

Observations in training and gear

Blackhawk HolstersI was at yet another Carbine training course last week and while I was originally invited to watch the intstructor teach the class and give him feedback on his tactics and speaking skils, I was always keeping a eye open for how well his students were performing.   Like many of the previous classes I sat in on, students showed up with various qualities of keep and shooting skills.   To this day it kinda cracks me up to see some guy with an iron sight AK show up and shoot with guys shooting Match grade ARs, but sometimes I’m impressed with their abilities.

Like many things in this world, it’s not about the gear, it’s about the person, but there are situations where durability and design are going to give you that extra 10% in efficeincy that will give you an edge.    There seems to be a shift away from thumbbreak holsters ever since the Blackhawk Holsters came out.   I’ll admit first and formost, there is very little difference between using your thumb to  open a holster up and using your index finger to realease a handgun, but one way may work better for you over the other.   I’d recommend against using any kind of retention holster for conceal carry, but for duty holsters or training, get a holster that will hold your gun in place while you’re hanging upside down.

Top

Keeping sidearms clear of your Carbine

Blackhawk HolstersThere seems to be a big transition in the Law Enforcement community to leg holsters.   Its kind of funny how the old western look disappeared for a few decades but now it’s back again.  If we all road around on horses we’d probable agree that carrying a sidearm on a leg holster is appropriate and its not just for the cool Han Solo look.

Blackhawk Holsters are one of my favorite options, Primarily the Serpa holsters.  The Omega is a less expensive and more versatile when it comes to using different guns, but if you already have a favorite, you’ll want to stick with a holster that works for just that gun.   Whenever you are carrying a Carbine, and you are carrying a sidearm, carrying it in any position other than a leg holster can be a liability, especially when a sling is being used.   I’ve seen many novice operators show up on a training day and end up tangling their slings with a paddle holster or OWB holster.   The Blackhawk Tactical holsters will lock your gun in place and be below the waiste to give you more manueverability.

Top

Do you really need that on a vest?

Tactical VestsThat is the question an Operator may ask themselves while out in the field.   There are a lot of so called tactical vests on the market, and there are also several military surplus assault vests, too.  Sometimes some of these are good for something, but not always in the best condition or won’t go very well with your present line of tactical clothing.   GMG Global Military Gear makes a nice tactical vest that has the ability to retain a sidearm on the front pocket as well as hold several pistol magazines and carbine magazines.
Another extremely popular tactical vest design is one made out of a cotton canvas  design.  You may have seen something similar from 5.11, SigTac or Woolrich Elite.   The tactical apparel clothing company called Eotac has the Style 101 Tactical Vest.  The hook and loop carbine magazine designs are for magazines  with magpuls which gives it the edge over it’s competitors.  If you want to be creative with the use of the pockets, you’ll have plenty of versatility.  The pockets can be used for retaining flashlights, knives, cell phones, spare pistol magazines ect.  Their are also napolean pockets that can hold a small frame revolver or semi-auto.

Top

201 Tactical Pants Review

Tactical PantsWoolrich 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.

5.11 Tactical has long been the market leader for tactical apparel and clothing.   Ever since Sept 11th and the beginning of the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan the demand for non-military style clothing has increased.   Deployments in these regions includes and enormous number of security forces from private companies.   Since the early part of the decade we have seen the emergence of several tactical pants and tactical clothing.  We’ve also seen a few fizzle and fade away.

 

All critical seams are double-needle stitched and bar-tacked at stress points. The Action Waist has side elastic panels for freedom of movement and easily accommodates an inside the waistband holster.  The leg pocket designs are better designed than some of the other variants on the market.   The matching leg strap is a big issue for those concerned about having contrast in clothing out on the field.  While opinions about fit and finish are always subjective, the pocket designs on the Eotac Tactical Pants are are well thought out.   Having the ability to load 6 AR15 or M16 30rd magazines into your pants and still have the ability to move about without any restriction is impressive.  The 100% ripstop design makes this almost unneccesary to worry about some fancy tactical vest which those in warm climates can appreciate.

Top
1 2 Page 1 of 2