Table Of ContentYour One-Stop Resource for Tactical Gear T TTHE AGUN DCIGESTT® BOIOCK OF AL GEAR
H
E
G
U
N
From fi rearms and knives B
OD
to fl ashlights and vests, and OIG
everything in between, The KE
S
Gun Digest® Book of Tactical OT
F ®
Gear gives you full details on T
the hottest tactical gear on the
A
market right now.
C
You’ll fi nd:
• Reviews and listings T
for the hottest tactical
I
fi rearms on the market
C
•
An in-depth overview of
optics including night A
vision
• Listings for the latest in tactical knives, L
with an introduction by former Green
Beret, J.M. Ayres G
•
A complete listing of boots, vests, knives,
clothing and other gear E
Whether you’re in law enforcement, the A
military or into civilian personal defense, this
R
book has just what you’ve been looking for.
About the Authors
Dan Shideler is the editor for Gun Digest®,
Standard Catalog of® Firearms, Modern
Gun Values and many other titles. He has
S
contributed articles to Gun Digest® Magazine, h
i
American Rifl eman and a number of other d
e All the Latest in Optics,
shooting enthusiast publications. Derrek Sigler is the editor of Guns Illustrated
l
e
and several other titles. He has been involved with the shooting sports for over r Body Armor, Knives,
20 years. /
S Flashlights, Clothing
i
US $24.99 g
Z2251 (CAN $27.50) l and More
ISBN-13: 978-0-89689-684-0 e
ISBN-10: 0-89689-684-6 r
Gun Digest® Books 52499
UPC An imprint of F+W Media, Inc. AN Dan Shideler
www.gundigestbooks.com E
0 FnL1 04 0120 01 JUYrVyBQdWJsaWNhdGlvbnMsIEluYyAo 02 SW9sYSBkaXZpc2lvbikPR3JlZ29yeSBL 03 cnVlZ2VyAEf93oQEMTAuNAI4MAExBVVQ 04 Qy1BDDA3NDk2MjAwNjg0NAA= 74962 00684 4 9 FnL1 04 0124 01 JUYrVyBQdWJsaWNhdGlvbnMsIEluYyAo 02 SW9sYSBkaXZpc2lvbikPR3JlZ29yeSBL 03 cnVlZ2VyAEf97vcEMTAuNAI4MAExBkVB 04 Ti0xMw05NzgwODk2ODk2ODQwAA== 780896 896840 & Derrek Sigler
ZZ22225511__FFUULLLLCCVVRR..iinndddd 11 1100//66//0088 1111::5599::5522 AAMM
TTHE AGUN DCIGESTT® BOIOCK OF AL GEAR
Dan Shideler & Derrek Sigler
FRONTMATER.indd 1 10/7/08 9:53:16 AM
©2008 Krause Publications
Published by
Gun Digest® Books
An imprint of F+W Media, Inc.
www.gundigestbooks.com
Our toll-free number to place an order or obtain
a free catalog is (800) 258-0929.
All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or trans-
mitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photo-
copy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without per-
mission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief
passages in a critical article or review to be printed in a magazine or newspa-
per, or electronically transmitted on radio, television, or the Internet.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2008925110
ISBN-13: 978-0-89689-684-0
ISBN-10: 0-89689-684-6
Designed by Tom Nelsen
Edited by Dan Shideler & Derrek Sigler
Printed in the United States of America
FRONTMATER.indd 2 10/7/08 9:53:16 AM
OTHER GUN DIGEST® & KRAUSE TITLES
STANDARD CATALOG OF® FIREARMS
GUN DIGEST®
GUNS ILLUSTRATED
STANDARD CATALOG OF® MILITARY FIREARMS
STANDARD CATALOG OF® SMITH & WESSON
STANDARD CATALOG OF® COLT FIREARMS
STANDARD CATALOG OF® REMINGTON FIREARMS
STANDARD CATALOG OF® WINCHESTER FIREARMS
THE GUN DIGEST® BOOK OF THE
AR-15 VOLUME 1
THE GUN DIGEST® BOOK OF THE
AR-15 VOLUME 2
THE GUN DIGEST® BOOK OF RUGER
PISTOLS & REVOLVERS
THE GUN DIGEST® BOOK OF THE GLOCK
THE GUN DIGEST® BOOK OF RIMFIRE RIFLES
ASSEMBLY/DISASSEMBLY
THE GUN DIGEST® BOOK OF AUTOMATIC PISTOLS
ASSEMBLY/DISASSEMBLY
THE GUN DIGEST® BOOK OF TACTICAL WEAPONS
ASSEMBLY/DISASSEMBLY
FLAYDERMAN’S GUIDE TO ANTIQUE FIREARMS
AND THEIR VALUES
FRONTMATER.indd 3 10/7/08 9:53:19 AM
Contents
Introduction ...........................................................................6
Tactical Knives: Introduction
by Jim Morgan Ayres ........7
Columbia River Knife and Tool MAK-1 Knife and
Extrik-8-R System: Realistic Tools for the
SWAT Mission by Scott W. Wagner ..................................19
Tactical Knives Product Directory ...............................23
Tactical Optics: Introduction by Editors of Gun Digest® ...46
Tactical Optics Product Directory ................................51
Trijicon Accupoint Scopes by Scott W. Wagner ................56
Tactical Lights: Introduction by Editors of Gun Digest® ...64
Pentagonlight Molle Light: Micro
Utility/Backup Light Promises Great Potential
by Scott W. Wagner ...........................................................66
Tactical Lights Product Directory ................................69
Tactical Firearms: Introduction
by Editors of Gun Digest®............................................................82
The 1911 As a Tactical Pistol by Robert Campbell ............84
A Tale of Three .45’s (Make That Five…)
by Derrek Sigler .................................................................90
The AR-24 by Dave Morelli ................................................94
Tactical Handguns Product Directory .........................96
Gear Gallery Color Section ...............................................121
Armalite’s Super S.A.S.S.: A Semi-Auto
Sniper System That Rocks by Dave Morelli .....................145
FRONTMATER.indd 4 10/7/08 9:53:19 AM
CONTENTS 5
Tactical Rifl es Product Directory ...............................150
Vang Comp System Improves the
Remington 870 by Rich Grassi .......................................173
Tactical Shotguns Product Directory ........................179
Tactical Gear Introduction
by Editors of Gun Digest® .........................................................185
Tactical Gear Product Directory .................................187
Tactical Electronics Introduction
by Editors of Gun Digest® .........................................................226
Little Giant Tactical Ladders and Patriot
3 Ladder Shields: Rising to the Occasion
by Scott W. Wagner .........................................................228
Tactical Electronics Product Directory ....................233
Index .....................................................................................252
FRONTMATER.indd 5 10/7/08 9:53:32 AM
6
Introduction
Welcome to The Gun Digest® Book of Tactical Gear.
Without a doubt, tactical gear is the fastest-growing segment of the sporting goods market.
But is it entirely accurate to call tactical gear a subset of sporting goods? Perhaps not.
Within what we might call the sporting goods market, tactical gear has traditionally been con-
sidered a red-haired stepchild; to mix metaphors, neither fi sh nor fowl. For years, tactical gear
manufacturers were not allowed to exhibit their goods at the nation’s largest shooting-oriented
trade show, the Shooting, Hunting & Outdoor Trades (SHOT) Show. This has changed in recent
years – changed so much, in fact, that tactical gear is now probably the single largest segment
of the SHOT Show.
What contributed to this dramatic reversal? Without a doubt, the largest single contributing
factor was the 9/11 attacks. On that cold, clear morning, America’s awareness of tactical mat-
ters reached a new peak, one from which it has not even begun to retreat. With the subsequent
founding of the Department of Homeland Security, and the grant money it distributed to law
enforcement agencies large and small across the country, tactical was suddenly “in.” This trend
was reinforced even further by our military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, where the divid-
ing line between “tactical” and “military” became blurred.
It’s a truism in the outdoors industry that where the government and armed services go, the
civilian market soon follows. In the fi rearms industry, for example, AR-15 style rifl es became
fashionable, even for purely sporting purposes. Tactical knives and optics experienced a huge
surge in popularity, even among those who themselves never got closer to actual tactical situa-
tions than the nightly news broadcast.
Another truism of the outdoors industry, however, is that equipment manufacturers are no
dummies, and they were quick to realize that most tactical gear is of a “crossover” nature that
gives it legitimate sporting or civilian application. To cite a humble example, there is actually
such a thing as tactical underwear. It wicks body moisture and provides comfort at extremely
high and extremely low ambient temperatures. A police sniper would no doubt appreciate these
qualities, but then again so would the November deer hunter. Thus these “crossover” tactical
products fi nd homes among the military, law enforcement, and civilian communities.
In this book, we have attempted to provide a sampling of the tactical gear that is available
on today’s market. We have not attempted to be complete because of the staggering amount
of tactical products that are introduced literally every week. We have, however, provided man-
ufacturer’s suggested retail or street pricing where available, but please be aware that this in-
formation is provided for comparison purposes only. Note also that the prices cited herein were
accurate at the time the data was collected but might not stay that way. The tactical gear market
is a very dynamic one.
Note also that some of the items appearing in this book are not available for civilian sales, and
for reasons that appear to us to be pretty good. Bulletproof body armor, for example, is generally
not available for civilian purchase for reasons that we hope are apparent.
If this book gives the reader a new awareness of the breadth of the tactical gear market, then
it wil have succeeded in its purpose. Enjoy!
Dan Shideler & Derrek Sigler,
Editors
FRONTMATER.indd 6 10/7/08 9:53:33 AM
TacI NtT iR cO DaU lC TKI O nN TiOfes
B Y J A M E S M O R G A N A Y R E S
Note: We are delighted to start off the Tactical Knives section of this book
with an essay by Jim Ayres. Mr. Ayres’s experience speaks for itself, and we
think that his comments deserve consideration. We think you’ll agree.
“What is a tactical knife?” A friend asked me that cut your way out of a car sinking in a river, or as an
question the other day and I had a hard time an- emergency weapon, sort of a combination utility,
swering him. I checked two dictionaries and found survival and emergency weapon.
these defi nitions: In some ways this is nothing new. For centuries
there have been knives that served these functions.
tac·ti·cal adj
What differs somewhat today is that we have de-
1. relating to or involving tactics
2. done or made for the purpose of trying to achieve signs focused on better fulfi lling all those functions
an immediate or short-term aim in one package and that will fi t into our daily lives
3. showing skillful planning in order to accomplish
more comfortably than, say, a Roman Gladius, or a
something
4. used or made to support limited military operations machete, which is a multifunctional blade (maybe a
5. undertaken or for use in support of other military little long to be called a knife) and certainly tactical.
and naval operations
If we go back to, say, the Paleolithic or even the
tactical:
Neolithic we can see… Uh, no that’s too far back.
Of, relating to, or using tactics
Of, relating to, used in, or involving military or
naval operations that are smaller, closer to base,
and of less long-term signifi cance than strategic
operations.
Carried out in support of military or naval operations:
tactical bombing.
Characterized by adroitness, ingenuity, or skill.
So, are we talking about knives that are used in
support of military operations, or those that can be
characterized as having the qualities of adroitness,
ingenuity, or at least having features that would
support such qualities? Possibly. Maybe. Sort of.
I fi rst heard the term some years ago and have
given the matter considerable thought. Although in
a pinch any knife can be used for anything (we’ve
all seen broken tips, proof that sharp points don’t
make for good screwdrivers) I would say that in
general what we today consider a tactical knife dif-
fers from ordinary knives in that it is designed to
be used in extreme situations. For, say, wilderness
survival or to rip through a locked fi re door, or to
Knife Introduction.indd 7 10/6/08 12:35:45 PM
8 TACTICAL GEAR
The Roman’s had… hmm no, still too far back. OK and war was fought according to “lines” of enemy
let’s start with the modern world, say, the early six- or friendly occupation. That started to change in
ties, a period that served as the foundation and WWII, in small deadly and effective actions in the
testing ground for the concepts behind the tactical Pacifi c Theatre and in the European Theater. By
knives of today. Vietnam it was clear that unconventional warfare
The impetus for the development of the tactical would be the most effective method of engaging a
knife concept came from the changing needs of dispersed and elusive enemy.
the individual solider, particularly of the paratroop- All this meant that we were going to rely on small
er, who by the nature of his mission started work unit warfare, and that individual soldier had a high-
surrounded by the enemy, and especially the un- er likelihood of being separated from their units. In
conventional soldier whose mission was to combat addition they would need to operate for extended
guerillas by in effect becoming a guerilla. This mis- periods in small groups with no support or contact
sion required him to work in small units, in some with their supply chain. Therefore, the survival knife
cases alone, with no support from the “tail” that concept began to loom large. The idea behind the
provides the necessities of life and battle to line survival knife was that in one relatively compact
soldiers. tool/weapon, that could be carried at all times, the
In both instances, the paratrooper and the un- soldier would have a tool/weapon that would allow
conventional soldier, the knife was seen as a weap- them to rip their way out of a downed helicopter,
on of last resort, a daily all purpose tool, and if build shelters, make primitive (and silent) food get-
totally cut off, a survival knife. In the past, infantry- ting tools, traps, bows, spears, etc, and serve as a
men were in close contact with a long supply chain silent emergency weapon. The knife had to be rea-
Knife Introduction.indd 8 10/6/08 12:36:08 PM
INTRODUCTION TO TACTICAL KNIVES 9
sonably compact or it would not be carried; troops
will discard anything that’s not useful. It had to have
day-to-day utility for the same reason. Specialized
edged weapons were seldom used and often dis-
carded. It had to be sturdy. It had to be maintain-
able under fi eld conditions.
The military supply chain gave little attention to
knives for the troops; battles were not fought with
edged weapons and hadn’t been for over a century.
This was true but failed to take into consideration
the fact that individual soldiers are not as concerned
about the big picture as they are their own survival.
Every combat soldier can visualize a hand-to-hand
fi ght to the death wherein an edged weapon might
well save his or her life. The soldiers aren’t wrong to
do so. Even in today’s high tech warfare with bat-
teries for various electronic devices weighing down
rucksacks, blades can and do save lives.
Back then the Marines had their KaBar and the
Army had bayonets. But the issue bayonets were
of soft steel to withstand impact and virtually use-
less as utility knives. A few soldiers got their hands
on KaBars and that was fi ne as far as it went. But
it didn’t go far enough for the needs of a new kind
of solider. What was a paratrooper or an unconven-
tional soldier to do? We bought our own knives.
I was at Smoke Bomb Hill (the home of Special
Forces, the Green Berets) in the early sixties when
these requirements were being defi ned. I also
served with the 82nd Airborne Division during the
same period. In our group we bought virtually every
commercial knife available. All fell short on one way
or another. We learned that there was nothing be- the race with its wasp waisted dagger, but that knife
ing currently manufactured commercially that met was modeled on the Sykes-Fairbarin dagger, a kill-
all of our needs in one package. Machetes were ing knife but not a utility or survival knife and so it
terrifi c tools for the tropics (awesomely destructive had few takers, except among those who were im-
weapons also) but too large to carry at all times. pressed by it’s looks. The general run of commercial
The Scandinavian knives were good cutters but too hunting knives failed in one respect or another: they
weak to pry with and lacked hand guards, which are broke too easily, or didn’t take or hold a good edge,
needed if the knife is to used as a weapon. or the designs were for skinning with upswept trail-
The KaBar was a pretty good utility knife and not ing points, in some cases all of the above.
a bad weapon, but the ones we used bent easily During this period of relentless testing the Randall
and had a tendency to break at the tang-blade inter- emerged as the knife. Randall knives were made in
section. Buck knives of that era were tempered very a semi-custom shop with a few highly skilled work-
hard and would hold an edge. But they broke with ers and operated by one man, W.D. “Bo” Randall.
very little sideways pressure. Gerber got a horse in Randall’s knives had gained acclaim during WWII
Knife Introduction.indd 9 10/6/08 12:36:09 PM
