PMCI - February 2017

pmcimagazine.com
LTT - FIRST TACTICAL
At the bottom of the pack were three really neat features
I had not seen on any other tactical pack. First there were four
loops for attaching a bed roll or compression straps. A small
compartment for storing a rain fly is located in the center.
Saving the best for last, the top and bottom of the pack have
a pass through tunnel First Tactical calls their “Hook and Hang
Thru” system for carrying a full size First Tactical rifle bag!
By unzipping the top and bottom access ports, the user can
simply pull the rifle back through and use its hooks to secure
it to the Molle loops.
PACK SPECS
•Main compartment 12” L x 18.5” H x 8” D / 30.5cm L x 46.0cm H
x 20.3cm D
•Top Front Catch Pocket 9.75” L x 4.5” H x 1” D / 24.8cm L x 11.4cm
H x 2.5cm D
•Admin Pocket 10.5” L x 13.5” H x 2” D / 26.7cm L x 34.4cm H x
5.1cm D
•Approx. Capacity 2200 cubic inches / 36 liters
•Weight 3.3 lbs. / 1.5 kg
•Pockets: 5 external, 3 internal
•1000D water resistant nylon
•YKK® zippers
•Duraflex® hardware
36” Rifle Sleeve
As previously mentioned, the First Tactical series of rifle
sleeves will easily work with the Specialist 1 Day Pack for a
very inconspicuous manner of carrying a full size rifle. For
the summer review, I used the shortest of the rifle sleeves
offered measuring 36 inches in length. This allowed for easily
carrying a 16” barrel AR-15 rifle with fully collapsed stock.
While at first this rifle sleeve looks very unassuming and plain
on the outside, it actually offers a wide range of possibilities
for use.
Along the right side of the case, there are three rows of
hook and loop attachments located on the outside for any ID
patches or name tape you wish to add. The small compression
straps are located along the top to keep the case snug to
the rifle inside and covered with elastic to keep everything
quiet. The reinforced handles kept them from sagging and
digging into my hands when transporting to the range. Even
the zippers were well thought out with overlapping sliders
with oversized holes for use with a small pad lock. Zipping
and unzipping the case was fast and easy using the pull tabs
attached to the sliders. Along the back, the case featured
loops for connecting the previously mentioned Hook and
Hang system as well as a loop at the end of the case for using
it as an improvised drag bag.
The wide 180 degree case opening gave full access to the
interior for storing and retrieval of the rifle. The first thing you
will notice once the case is open is a compression molded
barrel mount held in place with more hook and loop Molle
loops that run the entire length of the left side interior. This
compression molded mount helps prevent the tip of the rifle’s
barrel from bulging through the case. Aside from stopping
the barrel from unwanted movement, it provides rigidity for
the case’s overall. For some reason, if the end user did not
like this feature, it can be quickly removed.
On the opposite side, there is a name tag while along
the bottom is a large hook and look area for Velcro backed
pouches and accessories to attach. When zipped back closed
around the rifle, the rifle sleeve offers a very narrow and easy
to store package with no “flop” or sag when carrying to and
from the range. During the test period, I often went out in
public with the rifle sleeve attached into the Specialist 1 Day
pack without the slightest odd look when checking into a
hotel or event. This was unique due to the attention I get any
time I carry a military styled pack with visible Molle loops
and standard tactical colors like Coyote, OD Green or even
sometimes just plain black. This ability to move in and out of
the public eye unnoticed with a full day’s load out is a great
advantage over the rest of my gear to say the least.
RIFLE CASE SPECS
•38” L x 10.5” H x 1.5” D / 96.5cm L x 26.7cm H x 3.8cm D
•Approx. Capacity 600 cubic inches / 9.8 liters
•Weight 1.65 lbs. / 0.75 kg
•500D nylon
•10mm closed cell foam
•YKK® zipper
•Duraflex® hardware
FINAL THOUGHTS
At the end of the day, the Specialist 1 Day Pack and Rifle
Sleeve I tested from First Tactical offered very well thought
out designs that made the extremely difficult journey of
moving from good looking ideas in the drawing room to
successes in the real world. My time getting to learn from
Corey Nycoluk really opened my eyes to a new generation
of tactical gear that leaves other industry names in the
category of “tacti-cool”. First Tactical gear is quickly gaining
the reputation simply as “Tools that do their damn job well!”
by the real professionals that depend on their products with
their lives. As the company grows larger with the expansion
of new products, I am very eager to see what the future holds
for this creative and innovative company. For learn more,
check them out at www.firsttactical.com.
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