Category Archives: News

Desert Tactical Arms Rebranded to Desert Tech

Desert Tactical Arms announced today that they are rebranding their company to “Desert Tech”. The company cites the change as “essential to provide a global brand that unites the arms, ammunition, and training companies.” Desert Tactical Arms was founded in 2007. Since then, the company has grown to incorporate 55,000 acre training canter and has added in house ammunition manufacturing.

More information is available on the Desert Tech website.

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PCP Polymer Match Ammunition Limited Release

PCP AmmunitionPCP Ammunition is opening a “Limited Release” Signup for their brand new Match .308 Winchester polymer cased load.

I have used polymer 5.56mm ammunition in the past in training, but have always been left with a non-impression. The ammo worked most of the time and put holes in close range targets, however that was about the limit of my recollection.

“We are offering this limited release of production to a select number of consumers. We are limiting the production initially to allow for user feedback that validates our test results. PCP Ammunition and certified third party testing facilities have performed thousands of tests on this product and we are confident in its safety and performance. The ammunition is loaded to SAAMI specifications. We are extremely interested in the feedback of our first group of civilian consumers.”

According to a post on PCP Ammunition’s website this is the first time a high performance polymer .308 cartridge has been offered for commercial sale. While I cannot confirm the accuracy of this statement, I can say that I have never encountered a “match grade” polymer .308 load. If the information on the box pictured above is correct, it appears that the ammunition may be loaded with the excellent 175gr Sierra Match King bullet. If this is the case then there is a strong possibility that this load will be close to the military M118LR match. The M118LR is a popular load for long range .308 shooters.

If you would like to signup for the Limited Release, then check out PCP Ammunition’s website. We will be looking forward to getting our hands on some of this ammunition to verify accuracy and any advantage offered over traditional brass cases ammunition.

Strategic Armory Corp. Acquires McMillan Firearms

McMillan TAC-50 - http://www.mcmfamily.com
McMillan TAC-50 – http://www.mcmfamily.com

McMillan gained its start in the firearms world hand-laying fiberglass stocks in a garage at the McMillan family home. Forty years later it has expanded it’s business, supplying rifle stocks for some of the highest end custom and factory rifles in the world. Not satisfied to be a stock maker, McMillan diversified into building its own line of hunting and tactical rifles to include the far reaching TAC-50.

On Tuesday Strategic Armory Corp. announced that it had acquired McMillan Firearms Manufacturing, LLC. This places McMillan alongside Armalite, Surgeon Rifles, AWC Silencers and AWC Ammo. It will be interesting to see how SAC makes use of these companies across their product lines. I for one will be very interested to see if any of the Surgeon Rifles influence finds its way into McMillan products and vice-versa.

Ammoland.com reported Kelly and Ryan McMillan will be remaining onboard in a long term consulting capacity.

Sources say that McMillan’s stock manufacturing business will remain family owned and operated.

“Momentary” Glock Safety from Sure-Draw

Sure-Draw

From Sure-Draw’s Website:

Sure-Draw’s momentary safety device for Glocks provides the solution to a long-known problem – reducing the chance of negligent discharge.

This accessory appears to prevent the Glock trigger bar or connector from releasing the striker. It is not a traditional safety or selector. It looks to address the issue of negligent discharges during holstering.

I have long been against “hardware solutions” to “software problems”. I don’t like to put gadgets on guns to fix something that training should address. When holstering a weapon, your finger should be straight and off the trigger and your thumb should be on the back of the slide. Your holster should have been selected specifically for the weapon in question. If we are talking about a Glock, then there should be no straps or accessories that can fit into the trigger guard. If you have followed these guidelines then there is no need to add a safety to prevent a discharge.

If you are a nervous-nelly and you are uncomfortable handling a weapon without a safety, then don’t buy a Glock. I have carried Glocks for years in a professional capacity. I am a Glock Certified Armorer. I am all for innovation, but I feel this product may be a step backwards.

Sure-Draw lists a $29.99 sale price and First Quarter of 2014 availability.

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes!

This video just cropped up on youtube. Apparently this is a “prank” where a person dresses up like “Michael Myers” from the “Holloween” movies and then walks about in public with a realistic looking toy rifle. The goal appears to be to watch people run in terror.

I can see how this might appeal to the younger generation. It makes for an interesting video, mainly because you get to see how the public reacts to fear of serious bodily harm. This causes a problem for me though. This is not a closely monitored experiment. There don’t appear to be any safety controls in place. Lets assume that while they were performing this little stunt, one of the “victims” was legally carrying a concealed weapon. If you saw people running and screaming with a masked gunman behind them, what would you think? If you were placed in the position of being able to stop a mass-murder spree, would you fire the first shot? Would you wait to see if the gun was real? Continue reading Play stupid games, win stupid prizes!

Accuracy International discontinues production of the AE Series.

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The author shooting his AE MkII in competition at the 2013 Oregon Sniper Challenge.

Accuracy International announced the end of the AE series of rifles today on their website. Production will continue to the end of 2013, then no more.

The AE began life in 2001 as a lower cost alternative to the AW. The rifle was an answer to law enforcement agencies who wanted the advantages of the Accuracy International without all of the features required on the AW. Continue reading Accuracy International discontinues production of the AE Series.

Is Starbucks going Anti-Gun?

Guns and Coffee IMG_8505In an open letter from CEO Howard Schultz on Starbucks’ website, Shultz asks:

“…today we are respectfully requesting that customers no longer bring firearms into our stores or outdoor seating areas—even in states where “open carry” is permitted—unless they are authorized law enforcement personnel.”

Shultz cites growing tension between the pro and anti-gun groups as well as a long standing desire just to be left out of the argument. Continue reading Is Starbucks going Anti-Gun?

Rifle Range Directory

cropped-IMG_5180_1080.jpgWe get inundated with requests from fans about where they can go to shoot long range. In order to solve this problem we are asking for your help. If you know of a range that is suitable for precision rifle shooting, please leave a comment below or send us an email at 8541tactical2 at gmail dot com. The range doesn’t have to be “long range” but at least 100 yards would be nice. Please also include the maximum range you can shoot there and some contact information (website, phone number, etc.). If you see a range listed that is no longer in service or that their maximum range has changed, please also let us know. With your help we can make this a great resource! International Shooters, this is for you too! Please be as detailed as possible with your information. Continue reading Rifle Range Directory

Remember them well.

WTC_B&WAs you go about your day today please take a moment to remember those who died on this day twelve years ago. They didn’t realize they were at war. They didn’t realize someone hated them so badly that they were willing to commit mass murder in the name of a twisted religion. Some died sitting at their desks. Others died trying to save lives. Likely none realized that was their last day to live. Take a moment to tell your loved ones how much they mean to you. Go about your day with a vigilant eye. Remember that somewhere, someone is planning to kill Americans simply because we are.

We will NEVER Forget. We will fight.

2013 Oregon Sniper Challenge AAR Coming Soon

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John McQuay shooting the 100 Yard Hostage Drill at the 2013 Oregon Sniper Challenge.

Fear not. We are working on the After Action Report for the 2013 Oregon Sniper Challenge. It was a fantastic match. Since I was competing, I did not get a chance to shoot photos and videos like I had hoped. Thankfully Terry Doi was there with his camera to capture some great shots. We will be featuring some in our write up and video AAR.

Stay tuned!