PMCI OCTOBER 2020

OCT2020
CONTENTS
4 “SPOTTING DANGER BEFORE IT SPOTS YOU”
PMCI GETS DOWN TO THE NITTY-GRITTY OF SITUATIONAL AWARENESS AS WE TALK
DIRECT TO THE AUTHOR, US ARMY VETERAN, FORMER CORRECTIONS OFFICER, US
FEDERAL AIR MARSHAL, TRAINER AND CEO OF Q-SERIES, LLC, GARY QUESENBERRY!
10 FIREARMS SECURITY ON THE MOVE: CONSOLE VAULT
TRAMPAS TAKES A CLOSE LOOK AT CONSOLE VAULT, A VEHICULAR SAFE STORAGE
SOLUTION FOR THOSE ON THE MOVE
15 EDITORS COMMENT
16 GEAR ON TEST: “GEAR FOR THE GOOD GUYS” COURTESY OF THE PMCI TEAM
20 GEAR: TACTICAL FLEECE: AS THE TEMPERATURES BEGIN TO FALL BILL WARPS UP
WITH AN IN-DEPTH REPORT ON THE BENEFIT OF THE “TACTICAL FLEECE”
22 TACTICAL INNOVATION: ATTACKSENSE UPDATE: CONTINUING HIS COVERAGE OF
GOOD PRACTICE WHEN TRAINING SAFELY AT HOME, BILL BRINGS IN AN UPDATE ON THE
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS FROM ATTACKSENSE SMART TARGETS
24 TRAINING TOOLS: REALISTIC TARGET COMPANY: ANALYSING REALISTIC TARGETS
FOR REAL TIME DECISION MAKING AND ACTION!
30 KNIVES AND TOOLS: MICROTECH SCARAB: ORIGINALLY DESIGNED FOR THE US NAVY
SEALS, TRAMPAS FINALLY GETS TO GRIPS WITH THE ELUSIVE MICROTECH QD SCARAB!
34 FIREARMS: RUGER 5.7: IN 2019, RUGER FIREARMS THREW THE GUN INDUSTRY
FOR A LOOP BY ANNOUNCING A NEW SEMI-AUTO PISTOL CHAMBERED IN 5.7X28MM
SO THIS TIME PMCI GETS TO THE RANGE TO FIND OUT WHAT ALL THE CHATTER IS ABOUT
38 OPTICS: UH-1 GEN II HOLOGRAPHIC SIGHT: TRAMPAS TAKES A LOOK AT THE
“URBAN RIFLE” AND IN ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY VORTEX’S NEWEST
RELEASE, THE GEN II UPDATE OF THE AMG UH-1 AND WHY HE’S HAVE NOW SWITCHED
OVER TO IT
42 SKILLS AND DRILLS: HAMMERED PAIRS AND FAILURE TO STOP: FORMER
CONTRACTOR ANDY N CONTINUES WITH HIS USUAL WRY TAKE ON THE “SKILLS AND
DRILLS” THAT ARE INVALUABLE TO ANY SHOOTER
44 6MM TRAINING: UMAREX GLOCK 17 GEN 4: IF YOU’RE GOING TO TRAIN WITH
WHAT YOU CARRY THEN BILL SUGGESTS THAT IF YOU CARRY A GLOCK, YOU SHOULD
TRAIN WITH A GLOCK!
48 TRAINING: CHOOSING YOUR PROVIDER: THIS TIME PMCI ARE PLEASED TO
WELCOME NEW CONTRIBUTOR PAUL FROM ARG IN THE UK WHO BRINGS SOME TIPS
WHEN IT COMES TO CHOOSING YOUR TRAINING PROVIDER
49 BOOK REVIEW: “CALL SIGN CHAOS” IS A CLEAR ACCOUNT OF LEARNING HOW TO
LEAD IN A CHAOTIC WORLD, BY GENERAL JIM MATTIS
50 INDUSTRY VACANCIES: LOOKING FOR WORK? JUST CHECK HERE.
Copyright © Calibre Publishing 2020. All rights are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the
express permission of the publisher in writing. The opinion of the writers do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. The
Editors reserve the right to edit submissions prior to publication.
Thank you for downloading this Edition of PMCI, the FREE digital publication dedicated to PMC Operatives. PMCI is written by
individuals with first-hand knowledge and experience of the subject they write about - and all of whom have an intimate
understanding of what the role entails and the day to day challenges faced by those working in this industry.
PMCI will provide a platform to review and discuss the things to matter to all of us, such personal equipment, training, employment
and lifestylestyle management - and these are also our core fundamentals. We hope you enjoy this Edition of PMCI and if you have
any feedback or comments, or would like to contrubute to future issues, please let us know by email to: editor@pmcimagazine.com
Editor (UK): Bill Thomas
Deputy Ed (USA): Trampas Swanson
Graphic Design: Baz Thakur/
Deadshot Design
Publisher: Nigel Streeter
Cover pic: Courtesy Gary Quesenberry
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2

T E L L T H E T I M E ,
A L L T H E T I M E .
Tr i t i u m i l l u m i n a t e d w a t c h e s
t h a t s t ay v i s i b l e a l l n i g h t .
E xc l u s i vely av a i l a b l e o n l i n e
W W W. N I T E WATC H E S .C O M

SPOTTING DANGER
SPOTTING DANGER
WITH GARY QUESENBERRY
OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST TWENTY YEARS, TRAMPAS HAS WORKED IN AND AROUND LAW
ENFORCEMENT ON THE LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LEVELS THROUGH VARIOUS TASK FORCES
BEFORE TRANSITIONING TO THE FIREARMS AND TRAINING INDUSTRIES. HIS TRAVELS HAVE LED
HIM AROUND THE USA TO MEET SOME AMAZING PEOPLE AND LEARN MANY VALUABLE LIFESAVING
SKILLS. OF THESE SKILLS, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TO LEARN AND PASS ALONG TO FAMILY,
FRIENDS AND STUDENTS IS THAT OF SITUATIONAL AWARENESS. SO IMPORTANT IN FACT, PMCI
DECIDED TO INVITE A SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT TO JOIN US AND DISCUSS HIS NEW BOOK
ON THE TOPIC! - TS.
While knowing how to proficiently handle a
firearm, razor sharp blade or throw hands
like a cage fighter are great skills to have, we
don’t use any of these abilities to nearly any
fraction of the frequency of which we either
consciously or subconsciously use our inborn
senses and abilities. To the untrained, it may
simply be accredited as a “gut feeling” or
“women’s intuition” but for the trained, it is
called Situational Awareness and we recognize
at some level what an imperative part of our daily survival skills
it makes up. Regardless of label, the truth is, everyone can stand
to get better and mostly importantly, fully understand WHY this is
important to do so.
Recently a book titled, “SPOTTING DANGER BEFORE IT SPOTS
YOU” by Gary Quesenberry was published in which it fearlessly
tackles the tough topic of Situational Awareness. Two things drove
me to immediately purchase this book. First, this is a difficult topic
that can easily lend itself to become victim to the slippery slope
of a writer’s ego and opinion rather than hard fact. Secondly, I was
familiar with the author, Gary Quesenberry, and his background.
Some of you may remember Gary as the cool as ice, level
headed contestant on Season 3 of Top Shot which aired on the
History Channel. Gary made such an impression with the fans and
producers; he was invited back onto the show in Season 5 as an All-
Star contestant. What you may not know is that Gary Quesenberry
is a US Army Veteran, former Corrections Officer and current US
Federal Air Marshal, trainer and CEO of Q-Series, LLC.
After reading the book, not only was I happy to see the author
avoided easy to fail opinionated pitfalls, but basically just provided
readers with a simple, easy to follow textbook for situational
awareness. Not only did Quesenberry go well beyond courses such
as the NRA’s Refuse to be a Victim concept but he went well in
depth with WHY understanding this topic and HOW its applicable
to everyone on the planet as well. Very few people could write a
book this rich in information with the vast experience, wisdom,
and humbleness of Gary Quesenberry. Not for one second during
my time reading this book or the second time going back through
it with a highlighter and making notes did I feel any sense of ego
from the author. Quesenberry was spot on with citing other great
works available on the topic and managed to tie the information
together smoother and easier than the others for the average
reader to learn and identify with the material.
Having met and spoken with Gary several times over the years
about Law Enforcement, Top Shot and mutual friends from the
show, I decided to reach out and ask him to join us to discuss his
book and the subject matter at hand. Despite being in the midst
of retirement from the US Air Marshal Service and expanding his

current and future training ventures, Gary gladly accepted the
invitation to stop in and speak with us.
THE CONVERSATION
PMCI: Gary, welcome to PMCI Magazine and thank you for
joining us to discuss such a valuable topic for civilians and
armed professionals alike. Let’s start by discussing, what is
your personal definition of situational awareness and how did
it prompt you to write SPOTTING DANGER BEFORE IT SPOTS YOU?
Quesenberry: My personal definition of situational awareness
is simple, it’s the ability to identify and process environmental
cues to accurately predict the actions of others. Real situational
awareness goes quite a bit deeper than just keeping your back
against the wall and watching exits. It involves equal measures
of comprehension, planning, and intuition.
I wrote Spotting Danger Before It Spots You because in my
line of work. I see people every day with their heads buried in
their phones, headphones in, completely cut off from the world
around them. It’s a dangerous state to be in and I wanted to take
what I had learned as a Federal Air Marshal and pass that along
to the general population to help them to be more aware of the
dangers that surround them.
PMCI: The book is broken down into three phases, could you
briefly explain these?
Quesenberry: Absolutely! The book is broken down into three
equally important phases of learning.
Phase one: Understand the threat
Real situational awareness requires a shift in perspective. It’s not
enough to just walk around in a state of hyper-vigilance, thinking
that nothing within your line of sight will go unnoticed. You have
to be able to see yourself and others from the perspective of a
predator. This isn’t easy for a lot of people. For the most part,
we all want to see the best in others, and the fact that someone
else could possibly view us as a target of opportunity is hard
to imagine. The unfortunate truth is that there are predators
among us, and unless we can change the way we think, we may
be walking around looking like easy prey without even knowing
it. Phase one points those predatory behaviors out and teaches
you how to recognize them in others.
Phase two: Build your situational awareness
This is where we get into the mechanics of situational
awareness. We discuss things like Coopers colors and the levels
of awareness. The OODA loop and the reactionary gap as well as
discuss tips and techniques for the best way to position yourself
in any given situation so that you optimize your chances of a
safe escape from a violent encounter.
Phase Three: Develop Personal Defenses
Once you’re familiar with the basics of awareness, you can
see that when it comes to the threat of a violent attack, being
proactive is a much better option than being reactive. Knowing
what to look for and how to interpret what you see, gives you
more time to develop a plan of action should the need arise. In
its simplest terms, there are four basic options when it comes
to self-preservation: avoidance, escape, de-escalation, and
confrontation. These are the issues we tackle in Phase three.
PMCI: One key aspect of understanding the threat comes in
clearly defining two types of predators lurking among our society
both foreign and abroad. Could you share with our readers how
they differ?
Quesenberry: Sure. Predatory people can be broken down into
SPOTTING DANGER
pmcimagazine.com

pmcimagazine.com
6SPOTTING DANGER
two basic groups, resource predators and process predators. It’s
very important to understand the two basic types of predators
and how they differ. A resource predator is looking for tangible
items, be it cash, jewelry, or even your shoes. They’ve decided
that they need something and that they’re going to take it
from you. Predators in this category include your basic mugger,
pickpocket or burglar. In some cases, if a resource predator
confronts you and you just give them the thing they want,
they go away. The process predator, on the other hand, is much
different. The process predator isn’t interested in your watch or
wallet; they get off on the act of violence itself. This category of
predator includes the likes of rapists and murderers. They are
dangerous, and you should avoid them at all costs because if
they can get the upper hand, they will hurt you!
PMCI: What factors have you discovered over the years primarily
drive predators to commit crimes?
Quesenberry: Motivations between the two categories of
predators can vary, but violent behavior is primarily driven by
one of four things, money, ego, territory, and emotion.
Money – Like it or not, money is a consideration in almost
every aspect of our lives. Commonly, it’s the lack of money that
drives people to commit irrational acts. In the absence of money,
desperation can creep in, and people will go to any length to
satisfy their needs. According to the Bureau of Justice, more than
eighteen percent of inmates in federal prisons committed their
crimes to get money for drugs. Alcohol, drugs, sex, you name it,
if there is a need for it, you can guarantee that money is what
gets it. For some people, when money is unavailable, crime is a
reasonable alternative.
Ego – On the surface, this one seems to be a little less
common, but we all have egos, it’s the part of us that feels the
need to be special. People will go to extremes to protect that
feeling because it feeds their self-image, which can lead them
into some pretty dangerous situations. We all like to think that
no matter what the threat may be, we will be the ones rushing
headlong into danger and saving the day, but that isn’t always
the best option. My book is about your personal safety and how
the early detection and avoidance of danger is the best way to
ensure the wellbeing of you and those you love. Overinflated
egos can often lead to bad decision-making and unnecessary
confrontation.
Territory – Humans are territorial creatures and will fight to
protect what they consider to be theirs. An entirely peaceful,
law-abiding citizen can become incredibly violent when they
feel that something within their territory has been threatened.
A person’s home is their territory. When a mother takes her
children to the park, that area becomes an extension of her
territory, and she will protect it viciously from anyone who she
feels poses a danger to her children. The same goes for criminals.
They survey their surroundings and stake claims on everything
from street corners to door stoops. They become aggressive and
often violent when they feel their territory is being encroached
upon. To avoid all this, it’s important that you become familiar
with the places you frequent and aware of any areas where your
presence may cause problems.
Emotion – Violence is frequently driven by emotion. From
jealous spouses to disgruntled employees and bullied teenagers,
violent crimes such as mass shootings are often triggered by
emotional responses. The level of emotion attached to
religious beliefs has served as the primary influence
behind acts of terrorism and the recruitment of others to
extremist causes. Emotion is an incredibly powerful force, and
it can be very unpredictable. Violence that is compelled by
emotion tends to be excessively punishing.
Regardless of the motivating factors behind crime, the end
result is always the same for the victim. The shock, emotional
trauma, and physical damages that are suffered during an act of
violence can resonate with the victims for years after the event.
For this reason, it’s crucial that you have a good understanding
of situational awareness and how it plays a role in your personal
safety.
PMCI: What are some simple ways for people to be able to look
at their environment through the eyes of a predator?
Quesenberry: In my book I give simple practical exercise at the
end of each chapter to help you develop the skills you need
to complete each phase. Here’s one I’ll share with you to help
you think more like a predator and see yourself from their
perspective.
Randomly pick someone out in a crowd. Using what you’ve
learned in chapter one, evaluate them based on what I call the
seven-second PROD. Follow the steps below to identify someone
who lacks proper defenses, and could be the potential target of
an attack.
Step one: PERCEPTION. Evaluate the person’s body
language, posture and walking patterns to establish your initial
perception of them. Do they appear to be unaware and timid,
or confident and alert? If they are confident and alert, move

on to another person
in the crowd. If they
appear to be unaware
and timid, move on to
step two.
Step two: RISK.
Evaluate the risk
involved. Does this
person pose a risk to
your safety? Do they
look like they would
put up a fight or raise
an alarm if attacked?
Are they with a
group? If the answer
to either of these
questions was yes,
move on to another
person and start over.
If the answer was no,
move to step three.
Step three:
OBSERVABLE VALUE. Does this person have any observable signs
of value such as a smartphone, backpack, laptop, headphones,
expensive sunglasses or purse? If they don’t, move to another
person and start over. If they do, move on to step four.
Step Four: DEFENSES. Does this person display any visible
signs of defenses? Do they look strong and capable? Are they
alert to their surrounding and unlikely to allow an unwanted
approach? If so, move on to another person and start over. If
they display no outward signs of defenses, congratulations!
You’ve found your target.
This is a simple observational exercise that increases your
awareness of how others move through and interact with their
environments. The more you practice it, the faster the process
occurs and in time will take only a matter of seconds to conduct.
By identifying those people who could be a potential victim, you
also become more aware of your personal patterns of behavior
and can more readily correct the weaknesses in your own
defenses.
PMCI: For those who come to the harsh realization they are a bit
more of a “soft” target than they realized, what are some things
they can practice to “get hard”?
Quesenberry: It’s all really about perception. How do you think
other people view you? Do you come across as outgoing and
independent, or are you more introverted and shy? How others
perceive us has everything to do with the way we are treated,
and it is a key element in how criminals target their victims.
You don’t have to be a black belt in Ju-Jitsu or even carry a gun.
There’s a whole section in my book that covers how simply
lifting your head up and walking with confidence can be enough
to turn potential attackers away from you.
PMCI: When out and about in our daily environments, what are
some key items to pay close attention to our surroundings and
those who inhabit them?
Quesenberry: One. Get your head out of your phone and pay
attention to your surroundings. Once you do that, you’ll be
amazed at the way you see people acting. The best advice I can
give is to always look out for the pre-incident indicators that
people will display before the commit a violent act. These “preincident
indicators” can be applied universally regardless of
race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. They’re identifiable
patterns of behavior that we all adhere to, and they dictate where
your focus should be when you’re dialing into your surroundings.
They include things like Hidden hands, Inexplicable presence,
Target glancing, Sudden change of movement, Inappropriate
clothing, Seeking a position of advantage, Impeding your
movement, Unsolicited attempts at conversation...
I cover each of these in great detail in my book.
PMCI: Gary, I want to thank you for joining us at PMCI and sharing
your wealth of knowledge and experience. Before we wrap, can
you offer our readers some advice on how to tie all this great
information together to help strengthen our overall awareness
abilities and strengthen your defenses?
Quesenberry: It’s been my pleasure and I’ll leave you with this:
Situational awareness is a lot like dieting. To do it right, requires
you to commit to a lifestyle change. My advice is to read the
book. Put your phone away when you’re out in public and pay
attention to your surroundings. These three simple steps will
automatically change the way you are perceived and go a long
way in preserving your wellbeing.
FINAL THOUGHTS
To wrap up this feature, I wanted to share a few final thoughts
on our guest, Gary Quesenberry, and his book. For those
fortunate enough to have meet or got to know him, Gary is
the consummate quiet professional, who carries himself with
confidence, offers polite and friendly southern hospitality
conversation to those he knows. During his time on the television
show, TOP SHOT featured on the History Channel, the contestants
were made to not only compete but live together in one house
for over six weeks. This was done in hopes of stirring the typical
reality TV shot drama that normally happens when you get
“strangers picked to live in a house and have their lives taped to
find out what happens when things stop being polite and start
being real.” Through two seasons, Gary showed viewers a level
of maturity, compassion, leadership, and honor that few have
done before or since.
When I think about the
top picks for books to help
people understand the dangers
around us and improve our
mindset and abilities, there
are traditionally four, now five
books I highly recommend.
These include: “The Gift of Fear”
Gavin deBecker. “Left of Bang:
How the Marine Corps’ Hunter
Program Can Save Your Life” by
Patrick Van Horne and Jason A.
Riley, “On Killing” by Lt. Colonel Dave Grossman, “Violence of
Mind” Varg Freeborn and now, “Spotting Danger Before It Spots
You” by Gary Quesenberry. For more about Gary, his company
Q-Series, LLC and this book and future releases, visit www.
GaryQuesenberry.com and www.QSeriesLLC.com . Until next
time folks, keep your head on a swivel and stay deadly my
friends!
SPOTTING DANGER

pmcimagazine.com
TECH: CONSOLE VAULT
CONSOLE VAULT
AS AN AVID PRACTITIONER OF LEGALLY CARRYING A CONCEALED FIREARM EVERY DAY AND TEACHING OTHERS
TO DO THE SAME THROUGH THE TRAINING COURSES OUR COMPANY OFFERS, TRAMPAS IS CONSTANTLY
AWARE OF AREAS IN WHICH HE CANNOT POSSESS A FIREARM, AND LOOKS TO FIND A SOLUTION FOR THOSE
MOMENTS WHEN HE NEEDS TO SECURE HIS “TOOLS” WHEN MOBILE. - TS
My lifestyle often requires me to stop in at
the post office, escort my kids to school
or accompany my whole family inside
other “Gun Free Zones” such as theme
parks that prohibit other perceived
weapons as well such as pocket knives
or multi-tools. During travel, some states
such as Maryland may not recognize my
Florida concealed carry credentials, thus
requiring my firearm to be fully secured
in some fashion to not be in violation of their laws.
Over the years, I have looked at several different options
to be able to secure my firearms and other tools safely when
needed inside my vehicle without drawing attention to it,
the goal to be readily accessible, discreet, and secure from
my kids or anyone else from being able to gain unauthorized
access. The Liberty vault safe was my first option due to its
steel construction and low profile to fit under my driver’s seat.
The drawback to this option for me was the keyed lock
was so to access and the box would slide out from under the
seat if I had to hit the brakes hard in traffic. (Living in Florida,
this is a regular thing!) The safe held one medium sized pistol
and not much else. I could not argue for security however, it
was attached to the seat post by a thick braided coated cable.
I decided after a few months to upgrade to the Rapid
Vehicle Gun Safe from Hornady. This had all the bells and
whistles it seems. The biometric sensor quickly opened the
safe door beside my interior console and offered a secure
steel body mounted upright in Chevy Suburban. The major
drawback to this option was being constantly asked about the
safe. This meant, it was extremely visible and stuck out like a
sore thumb from the average vehicle interior.
Fortunately, before giving up all hope of security and
discreetly storing my firearm or spare firearm for road trips,
I stumbled across www.consolevault.com online. I entered
my vehicle information and the answer to all my problems
seemed to be quickly answered. The company, Console Vault
offers professionally constructed personal safes that specially
fit many cars, trucks and even motorcycles based on the
specific make and model. These vaults are constructed of
heavy duty 12 gauge steel with a triple guard locking system
offered with keyed, 3 and 4 digit combo locks options. I
10

immediately ordered one for my Suburban
and within a week, it arrived.
The first thing I noticed as I removed
the vault from its packaging was the very
noticeable heft of it. The shape of safe
mimicked the inside of my console perfectly
and offered a spot on the top facing of the
vault to relocate my USB plug originally
located on the back wall inside the console.
The instructions seemed very straightforward
and only required the use of a Phillips head
screwdriver for the two mounting screws for
the vault and two smaller screws for the USB
mount.
Due to the Console Vault arriving only
minutes before I needed to leave to pick up
my kids from school, I decided to take it with
me. My typical afternoon outside of the office
during the week includes a 45 minute wait
parked in the parent’s pick up line at school
in which I jockey for a fast pick up and quick
egress from the road raged soccer moms
operating minivans by arriving early and
staking out my parking spot up front. This
daily downtime is normally spent returning
emails, making calls to vendors for review
products and managing schedules for our onstaff
firearms instructors. This day however,
I spent about ten minutes reviewing the
instructions to verify they were indeed as
simple as they appeared.
I opened the console between my front
seats and located two mounting screws in
the bottom. I removed both and then used
the screw driver to pop the USB port free
of the inside wall. I then dropped the steel
safe unit into the console and positioned
it to line up with the two holes in the floor. Using two long
screws provide with the kit, I secured the safe into the console
floor. I then placed the steel facing plate down on top as it fit
like a glove with the contour of the console top and sealed the
double-sided adhesive strips tightly.
Using two smaller screws provided with the kit, I mounted
the USB port into its new, easier to access position. Within ten
minutes, the Suburban was now equipped with a highly discreet
secure steel vault equipped with a 3 digit combination lock.
Once quickly unlocked, the heavy duty access door springs open
ready for action with the simple twist of a knob.
When I arrived home with the kids, I was quite pleased with
the way everything mounted and operated. As I discussed with
my wife, Candace, later that evening, I am happy to not only
have a secure, out of view place to lock up my carry gun when
needed but to also offer our family a secure third firearm and
spare magazine storage area. Since Candace and I both carry
concealed daily, we often like to keep extra magazines or a
larger firearm option such as a full sized Glock 19 or SIG P320
in the console for backup during long trips away from a readily
available rifle, shotgun or PDW.
Retailing around US$269, the console vault is not the
cheapest option I have tried, but it certainly is the best one
I have found thus far. The make and model specific design
reduces slop and overall generic feeling the other options gave
with their universal fit and finish. The Console Vault is clearly a
professional’s choice in its clean lines and styling. This product
goes well beyond giving our family that piece of mind and
feeling of safety and security in what matters most. I highly
recommend the Console Vault as serious consideration for
anyone needing a well-built vehicle security option
and recommend it as one of our Top Five Gear On
Review Products of the Year.
TECH: CONSOLE VAULT
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HEADS ON A SWIVEL, STILL GOOD TO GO!
Just when it seems like we’ve seen the very worst that 2020 can
throw at us, the situation changes yet again and we’re thrown
another curveball to wrap our already-aching heads around!
It seems to me that 2020 is a year of challenge, and year that
just keeps on throwing up new problems seemingly at random,
as if to see how we can deal with them, dig in, and still drive
on. If it’s not having to deal with a global pandemic and all the
randomness that this appears to generate from the “powers-thatbe”,
it’s from people taking to the streets for seemingly whatever
reason appears to enrage them at any given moment in time.
Fuelled by hate-speak both in the mainstream press, and
most certainly on open-to-every-nut social media platforms, folk
seem to be rising up to make their views heard, no matter how
unjustified and ridiculous those views may be. There are some
arguments that have a grounding in reality and truth, and I for one
say that the truth should never be hidden from view, no matter
how unpalatable that truth should be, but it would appear that
half-truths and downright lies are the order of the day.
To coin an old adage it’s not that I don’t care about politics,
because I believe you must care to have a view on where things
truly stand, I just don’t rightly care for politicians! Whilst I am
certain that there are many honourable people out there who
stand for election based on their strongly-held beliefs, their
altruism, and their desire to see the lot of the common man or
woman improve, these days it would seem that it’s all about
talking heads, soundbytes, and barely cogent arguments to prove
fallacious points.
But this my friends is the system that we live in, where we
uphold the laws, and in fact the morals, of what we have voted
for. We may not get our “politician of choice” running things, but
EDITORS
COMMENT
such is a diplomatic society, and we get to vote again and make
our “one small voice” heard if we don’t like what we’re seeing.
We have choice, perhaps not every moment of every day as we
would truly wish, but still we have it.
Let’s remember for a moment that we have pride in our
respective countries, in the fact that we have freedoms to enjoy,
and that there are those out there that put their lives on the line
each and every day so that this freedom may continue. I have
friends in the military, and I have friends in the police, and they
don’t always like what they are asked to do on a personal basis
sometimes, but they go ahead and carry out their sworn duties
to uphold law, and make life that bit safer for all of the rest of us.
Let us not forget that we have all placed our vote, and will get
to do so again. Let us not place the burden of doing the right thing
in the harshest of settings just on the shoulders of those we pay
to do so, as that’s just a (if you’ll pardon the huge and deliberate
pun) cop out.
As always I urge you to take responsibility for your own actions,
to stop for a moment before you act in anger, frustration or fear,
to take stock of the situation before you as a whole and then act
accordingly with fairness, tolerance, and calm-headedness.
Do not rise to the bait of the hate-mongers and those that
would wish to see the world burn; keep your head firmly on a
swivel, and let’s move things on for the better as right-thinking
people the world over.
Until next time, watch your six, and keep safe wherever you are!
EDITORS COMMENT

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GEAR ON TEST
CIVILIAN LAB GRAYMAN PILLBOX
HARDSHELL DAYPACK
If you need to carry photographic equipment as a part
of your “day job” then it’s always good to look at what
the pros are using, and if you want something that’s
fit for purpose but that doesn’t immediately scream
“tactical” then gear from Civilian Lab might be just
what you’re looking for!
Civilian Lab is the parent company of HAZARD 4 and has
many years of experience manufacturing top quality
outdoor adventure, extreme sport, and travel gear in
innovative configurations and form factors. It’s had
countless users asking over those years for tactical and
professional versions of that gear.
The “rumour mill” has it that a number of their customers
have snipped off the iconic orange Civilian® tags and
brought their products into professional field use and the
combat arena. Whether at FBI headquarters in Quantico
Virginia, a medevac helicopter service in the American
Midwest, Iraq, or aboard an Airforce spy plane, Hazard 4®
DNA has served there. Civilian Lab is the line that gives
their response to the wishes of the selfless few putting
themselves on the line as a daily part of their job, and
extensively incorporates their input.
The GRAYMAN PILLBOX HARDSHELL DAYPACK is a new type
of tactical EDC backpack with revolutionary modular design
and lightweight build, and has been purpose-made for
keeping valuable electronics and gear safe and to prevent
against damage from within and without.
The front of the bag is made of a thermoformed front shell
with external HardPoint double grommets for attaching
bungee cords, carabiners, lights and other HardPoint items.
The camera compartment can fit any mirrorless or APS-C
system and comes with internal soft lining, and movable
padded dividers in various sizes to adjust it to your needs.
The front clamshell zip opening compartment features
administration organiser panel with various sleeve pockets,
a hook-and-loop field with MOLLE system, internal padded
sleeve compartment for laptop, hook-and-loop gusset
system to attach the shell to the bag and inner loop lining
on the shell for additional gear or pouches. The bag also
comes with CCW compartment with two-way zip opening
and soft lining material. MOLLE attachments points on
both sides of the pack can be used to attach additional
pouches or gear.
On the back of the pack there are padded and ergonomic
shoulder straps with attachment points, quick release
buckles and hook-and-loop hydration hose holder, an
adjustable and removable chest strap with quick release
buckle, adjustable and removable waist strap with lockable
quick release buckle and ergonomically padded back
panel to provide an excellent breathability and comfort
of wearing.
This well thought backpack using some of the very latest
“design-tweaks” and newest technologies in a durable and
sturdy build is a perfect EDC carrying solution, especially
if you carry cameras and lenses, but the versatility of it
makes it also useful as a daily-use bag. It is perfect not
only photography professionals but also for those that
appreciate something a bit different, but something that’s
designed to protect your
equipment whilst serving
you all day long, and all
year round.
Check out mote items from
the Civilian Lab range by
visiting www.military1st.
co.uk
16

HAZARD 4 HEAVY WATER DIVER
TITANIUM TRITIUM WATCH
We’ve long been fans of the unique designs that have
come from the HAZARD 4 brand, and it looks like
they’re breaking new ground again with a selection
of high-quality, high-performance watches; with a
couple of qualified divers in the PMCI team this is right
up our alley!
represents great value for any serious adventure lover!
Check out the entire HAZARD 4 line by visiting www.
hazard4.com, and our thanks to www.military1st.co.uk for
bringing this great piece of equipment to our attention!
With water resistance of up to 300 meters and highly visible
3D military stencil-cut numerals, the Heavy Water Diver
Titanium Tritium (HWDT) Watch from HAZARD 4 comes with
hypoallergenic titanium case, scratch-resistant sapphire
crystal glass and custom T.P.R. band.
Additionally, this highly unique action watch features
self-contained ever glow tritium-vial lamps which are selfpowered
and don’t require charging. Continuous glow (night
or day) is achieved by combining hydrogen-3 gas (tritium/
H3), glass tubes, and phosphors into self-contained minilamps
which don’t fade overnight and are feather-light.
Arriving in an extremely neat military-grade thermoformed
Coyote case (which we can see numerous other uses for!)
with brown dial, black and brown bezel, black hands and
graphics the HWDT offers self-contained everglow tritiumvial
lamps with green hours and hands, yellow noon, and a
green bezel. There’s a GMT daylight ring with an additional
hand for tracking second time zone, and a daylight ring and
additional hand for tracking a second time zone.
Set I a light, strong, and hypoallergenic titanium case,
there’s an aggressively knurled unidirectional bezel with
tritium marker in “12” porthole, scratch-resistant A.R.
sapphire crystal glass, and a crystal interior with anti-reflective
coating.
The watch offers scratch resistant machined bezel markers,
and has a high water resistance feature set with a screw-down
case-back and crown. The large, highly visible, 3D military
stencil-cut numerals with integral 24-hour military time scale
marry up with boldly styled, broad, super legible hands to
make everything easy on the eye for those moments when
you just need to grab a quick glance at your “time expired”.
With user-service fast-change strap screw-in pins the rubber
straps have a clever moisture wicking map texture, relief
trench and multiple buckle holes
• Case diameter: 50mm
• Case thickness: 15mm
• Strap horn width: 24mm
• Depth rating: 300m/990’
• Movement: Ronda 515 Quartz
• Date window position: at 4 o’clock
• Case material: Titanium (Bead-Blast)
• Manufacturing: Swiss Movement
• Weight: 110g
GEAR ON TEST
Overall this is exactly the kind of thing we’ve come to expect
from HAZARD 4 a thoroughly neat package that shows their
quirky yet innovative design style in one tough package that’s
designed to perform in the most adverse of conditions! With
technology usually used only for critical applications, the
Heavy Water Diver Titanium Tritium Watch from Hazard 4
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GEAR ON TEST
INFORCE WMLX WHITE – GEN 2
Once upon a time a weapon mounted light (WML) stuck out
from the rail of your rifle or carbine, and as those of you
that have used one in earnest they are all too easy to snag
on clothing, equipment, and external obstacles even when
used effectively. INFORCE have been making their name for
their more ergonomic WML designs, so we’ve taken a look
at the Gen 2 WMLx…
We’ve writen quite a lot of words about “no light/ low light”
training in PMCI, so as you mat guess we’re always looking for
new solutions when it comes to “getting game on” effectively
in these conditions. The INFORCE brand of products is distributed
in over 40 countries and is currently used by every branch of
the U.S. Military and the majority of federal law enforcement
agencies, and their stated mission is:
“To design, manufacture and deliver products of superior
quality, performance and value for every mission, task and
theatre of operation.”
Recently we’ve had the chance to really get to grips with the
latest models from relative newcomer INFORCE, and we’re really
liking their WMLx White – Gen 2 due to its sleek design, ease
of mounting, and ease of operation. The WMLx White – Gen 2
sets the standard for balancing output, reliability, and value in
a compact white-light capability for your rifle or carbine.
Extensively proven amidst prolonged rapid firing, rough
handling, and harsh conditions, it is a match for adversity in any
situation.
You can really turn night into day out to mid-range targets with
800 lumens of concentrated white light, synced to your press of
a button, with enough “gas in the tank” for up to two hours of
continuous output with a single set of two lithium batteries.
Press, click, and double click between momentary, constant,
and strobe functions. Flip a switch and simplify to momentaryonly,
or twist and secure into lockout mode, it’s all there, quite
literally at your fingertips, and once you’ve mastered the
techniques it’s simplicity itself yo toggle between modes, and the
thing that we most like about the WMLx is that’s it’s super-fast
to lock onto your primary platform without the need for tools
thanks to a clever “locking bar” mechanism that simply clamps
onto your chosen rail position, locks securely in place, and stays
put until YOU decide to remove it! The light also sits snug to the
rail, minimising those potential snags and catches, and if you
decide to run it OTB it stays incredibly close to the bore, although
if you run it behind even a folded BUIS you may get minimal
“shadowing”.
Overall this a great addition to your “no light/low light” box
of tricks, and at under 3oz/85g you can carry it with virtually no
weight penalty; it’s even “wallet-friendly” compared to some of
its competitors so there’s no reason not to give one a try!
Please do check out https://inforce-mil.com for more
information on this model and others in the line, and ours came
from www.tactical-kit.co.uk
18

5.11 XPRT®
3.0 WATERPROOF 6” BOOT
We’re keeping a little with our them of “low key” gear
on test this time with a look at the latest version of the
XPRT boot from industry giant 5.11, and a new colour
that will look at home whether you wear them on the
range or on the street!
We have already talked in the past about the 5.11 XPRT boots,
and very nice they are too! The XPRT 2.0 boots that we looked
at a while back combine the best features of high-performance
European hiking boots with elite tactical boots, with features such
as a padded neoprene ankle, durable ripstop nylon frame, a BI-FIT
insole that provides lightweight, sturdy comfort, and an eVent®
membrane which makes the boots waterproof and breathable.
As 5.11 like to tell us though “a tactical shift can take you
just about anywhere”, and this is why you need a boot that will
blend in, that looks great a performs even better whether you’re
wearing tactical pants or just your favourite blue jeans! But even
in the most undemanding of situations you still need footwear
that’s built for anything you might throw at it, and that’s why
you need an outsole that grips everywhere, like on wet or dry
surfaces, along with a footbed that helps reduce fatigue.
The XPRT® 3.0 delivers that and more. Aggressive
performance is assured in this athletic-style boot that features
a polishable, full-grain waterproof leather, and an eVent®
waterproof breathable and blood borne pathogen resistant
membrane; Bill used to work direct with eVent in a “past life”
and has bored us all stupid with his “factoids” on its benefits,
but suffice to say eVent technology is designed to perform at
the very highest levels of breathability which makes it a perfect
choice for footwear!
The XPRT’s are also built on a Vibram® Ananasi outsole with
the Vibram Megagrip for traction on all sorts of terrain, and an
OrthoLite imperial foodbed adds moisture wicking properties and
long lasting comfort. The XPRT® 3.0 also features a Ghillie lacing
system with 5.11s sausage laces that keep the fit locked in.
All XPRT boots are NTOA Tested so you can be sure of their
worth, comfort and durability, and the XPRT 3.0 delivers that and
more. Whilst the boots benefit from all the great technologies at
5.11s disposal, the fact of the matter is that they fit and perform
splendidly, and with the new “Cognac” brown colour look pretty
spot-on too!
You can check out the full 5.11 range at www.511tactical.com,
and they’re available at www.tactree.co.uk if you’re in the UK.
GEAR ON TEST
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KIT: TACTICAL FLEECES
KIT: TACTICAL FLEECES
Although they are nothing new, one of the most-overlooked bits of kit in our “tactical wardrobe” is the fleece, but
it’s actually one of the most versatile garments that you can own, both for training and for general use! As we head
into the colder months of the year Bill takes a look at some of the models he’s been using and abusing and brings
us the benefit of his years of use and technical garment knowledge!
It’s a common misconception that when the temperature
plummets, wearing the thickest clothing possible is
the ideal solution, but in reality most technical users,
including shooters like you and I, can benefit from a
variation on a layered clothing system. I’ve covered the
system itself in some detail in the past, but this time
I’d like to focus your thinking on one garment that is
often overlooked when it comes to “Gucci” shells and
softshells, and that’s the fleece.
As shooters, like other outdoor users, we are often
exposed to challenging weather conditions and thus need
performance clothing. A fleece jacket or pullover is an incredibly
useful and versatile garment because it provides insulation and
can be worn either as an outer layer (in dry weather) or as a
mid-layer under a shell layer (in wet or snowy weather).
Fleeces are very comfortable to wear, quick-drying, moisturewicking
and breathable. Due to these qualities, they are perfect
for wearing directly over a base-layer as a mid-layer. They also
provide good warmth even if they get exposed to moisture
(high humidity, rain etc.) and are less expensive than many
other insulated garments.
If you like, think of a fleece like a technical string vest! A fleece
by its very nature has a very open structure, and this means that
when worn underneath an outer shell garment air is trapped in
the “holes” and quickly warms up. These microscopic “holes”
also allows moisture vapour to pass easily within your clothing
system, transferring moisture away from your wicking baselayer,
through the fleece mid-layer, to the breathable shell-layer
where it can be dispersed, aiding massively to your overall
comfort and performance.
Sometimes simply called “the insulation layer”, the midlayer
provides warmth. Usually a mid-layer is either a fleece
or an insulated jacket. Like a base- layer, a mid-layer should be
breathable and able to retain heat; many insulated jackets will
help to keep you warm, but suffer badly in the breathability
stakes once you’re doing anything other than standing still. A
mid-layer is worn directly over a base layer when the base-layer
alone can’t provide sufficient warmth. The main function of a
mid-layer is to provide thermal insulation; mid-layers include
fleece jackets, fleece sweaters, wool sweaters, down jackets
and jackets with synthetic insulation. Fleece fabric though is
typically very breathable and comfortable to wear all day long; it
20

also absorbs very little moisture (less than 0.4% in its own weight,
unlike down!), dries very fast and efficiently wicks moisture away
from the skin. Some fleece fabrics include stretch fibres to increase
mobility.
Fleece garments are usually made of polyester fleece which is
a soft and comfortable fabric that comes in different “weights”,
normally from 100g/m2 to 300g/m2. Different “weights” offer
different levels of insulation; for example a jacket made of fleece
with a density of 100 g/m2 will be less warm than a jacket made
of fleece with a density of 300 g/m2. When it comes to finishes,
one of the recent trends is to use a grid pattern, and it is a fact
that fleece fabrics with a grid pattern (back to the string vest!) are
better at trapping the body-warmed air and thus provide a better
warmth-to-weight ratio.
It’s important to understand that different “weights” of fleece
can have a profound effect on your comfort too; too thick and you’ll
start to overheat, too thin and you’ll still feel cold! As a rule of
thumb I tend to go for “mid-weight” (iro 200g/m2) fleeces unless
I’m heading somewhere super-cold as these do tend to provide a
great balance of heat-retention against comfort. I actually own a
“family” of fleece garments from different manufacturers though,
as style and cut variations can add to the performance of the fleece
fabric itself.
BANG FOR BUCK!
Now it may surprise many of you that one of my most favourite
fleece garments, one that I wear almost every day, and that I’m
actually wearing as I write, is the Tactical Fleece Hoody from good
old VIPER in the UK; constructed of a lightweight and durable fleece
it’s the absolutely perfect mid-layer, and although it does sport
KIT: TACTICAL FLEECES

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KIT: TACTICAL FLEECES
velcro on both arms it’s very low-key. It’s quite close fitting,
which is technically correct to maximise breathability, but the
hood and “kangaroo” pocket means that you can really warm
yourself up easily.
VIPER though have been quietly busy during the “lockdown”
period, and the new STORM and ARMOUR Hoodies are both
made from a new VIPER fabric, that although not strictly
a “fleece”, looks like it will wear well, basically a 300gm
polyester bonded Ribtech fabric with a polyester brushed
lining. The Armour Hoodie is a great choice for those who are
looking for a versatile sweatshirt, and it works really great
when worn on its own or as a under layer when the weather
is less forgiving. The hood can be adjusted using drawstring
and the front pocket is a handy storage. To keep you warm
and cosy the hoodie is lined with 300gms polyester bonded
Ribtech fleece.
using heat treated hook and loop patches on both shoulders.
The STORM hoody is a different beast, with the addition of
polyester 5od peached contrast fabric in key areas. With a full
zip this has a far more “technical” fit than the ARMOUR, and
is the perfect mid-layer garment for wearing beneath a shell
jacket when the weather turns really bad!
One of my personal favourites though when it comes to
“mid-weight” fleece jackets is probably the Aviceda from
Clawgear. Although this design has been in their range for
a while, this lightweight mid-layer garment is extremely
comfortable to wear and the styling allows a full range of
unrestricted movement. It’s made from a 100% polyester
fleece fabric which looks and feels great, and high quality YKK
zips are used throughout. The fleece itself is water repellent
and breathes extremely well, making the Aviceda a superb
layering piece.
I especially like the low-profile hood which works perfectly
in conjunction with a hard or softshell outer layer, effectively
eliminating cold spots around the neckline.
The Aviceda also benefits from two lower, mesh-lined
handwarmer pockets, pockets on both upper arms with velcro
patches for team/unit patches, and an inner pocket which
allows routing for comms cables; the outer pockets are neatly
trimmed with black fabric which gives the jacket a visually
stunning appearance as well. Weighing in at just 410g the
Aviceda is easy to pack and takes up minimal space in a pack,
so it’s absolutely ideal if you want to stow it away “just in
case”. Overall it’s a superbly designed jacket made of high end
fabrics and components, and the finish of it just oozes quality
and attention to detail.
The adjustable elasticated cuffs with thumbholes will help
with temperature control. You can create a personalised look
WINTER WEIGHT!
A “heavy” fleece garment is just the thing for when it gets
REALLY cold, but I use that term only because the garments in
question are “heavier” than their mid-weight counterparts! By
way of illustration the Clawgear Milvago MKII hooded jacket
weighs in at just 750g, and offers a whole heap of warmth!
Clawgear have really worked their “technical knowledge
magic” of fit and function into the Milvago; this heavier-weight
22

fleece mid-layer garment is again extremely comfortable to wear,
and styled with a dynamic tactical end user in mind.
The Milvago also benefits from two lower fully-lined handwarmer
pockets, pockets on both upper arms with velcro patches for team/
unit patches, and an inner pocket which allows routing for comms
cables; the outer pockets are very low profile which gives the jacket
a visually stunning appearance as well. Like the lighter-weight
Aviceda the Milvago is water repellent and breathes well; for me
the hood is a great addition, and it works amazingly well as a liner
beneath an outer shell garment, giving seamless coverage up and
over the neck.
If you want to look at the “grid” style of fleece though then Helikon-
Tex are real masters when it comes to fleece products and I’ve had
one of their heavyweight hooded Patriot jackets in my gear locker
for over TEN years now and it’s still wearable!
They offer a fabulous selection of performance fleece products
in various weights within their range so you can custom tailor your
gear to your own performance level or task.
The Alpha Hoodie Jacket is a superb example. This fleece jacket
is warm, comfortable and a part of Helikon’s Urban line.
It’s an enhanced version of the Alpha Tactical Grid Fleece and
now features a hood with chin guard and a strong full-front YKK
zipper, which can be fastened high around the neck.
It also has a zip chest pocket with a comms port inside, two
lower zip pockets and an elastic drawstring with cord locks on
both sides sewn into the waistband. The cuffs are elasticated, tight
enough to keep the arms from riding up, but not as tight as to be
uncomfortable. The majority of the sewn seams are flat-locked
there are zero abrasion points. The front face of the jacket is also
mesh lined, adding to the overall insulative properties and giving
some degree of wind protection.
The fit of the all the fleeces featured here is quite technical,
all of them fitting snugly to avoid creating cold “dead air spaces”
when you wear them as part of a layering system. I’m normally an
XL in jackets and in all the garments I’ve described sizing is spot
on. If however you are still carrying a few extra pounds you might
consider going up one size!
Excellent fleece garments are easy to find in good retailers (both
dedicated tactical and good outdoor stores and outfitters), and
having a couple of different weights to choose from is certainly
worth your investment. All the models I’ve quoted in this article are
available in solid block colours which means they are just as
wearable for daily use as they are in a range setting, and if you
look after them they’ll give you great service for years to come!
KIT: TACTICAL FLEECES
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ATTACKSENSE UPDATE
ATTACKSENSE UPDATE – PEER TO PEER TRAINING
If you’re a regular reader of PMCI then you’ll know that some of the contributors, especially those
in the UK where access to live fire training is limited, have been making good use of their “6mm”
tools to keep their skills and drills up to date with the AttackSense Samrt target System, and now
it looks like things are getting even more interesting with live peer to peer “ranking data” available!
-BT
Earlier this month I had the great opportunity to have
both Neil and Rob, the guys behind the exceptional
AttackSense Smart Target training system, on site
at one of our shoots and I’m pleased to report that
they had a lot of updates to give us in relation to
the system, how it’s been faring after long-term
operation and also how they aim to improve things
further!
Our own system has been running flat-out for some considerable
time now, and we’ve been able to give feedback to the guys
in areas we feel could be improved for longevity and durability
(such as physical protection to the batteries that live on the rear
of the individual targets) and they really do open their ears to
what we are able to tell them. It strikes me that they are 100%
in this for the “long haul” and not just another “here today,
gone tomorrow” training system.
It would appear that we are truly blessed at the moment
when it comes to safe, use-at-home training systems, and
as this long-drawn-out-summer staggers towards its socially
24

distanced end, it has proved the absolute importance of systems
that we can use safely and effectively at home with limited space
(and that can be transferred to a larger training workspace later),
systems that allow us to keep our all-important training focused
and regular.
Training is something that should never stop, as even shortterm
lapses will eat into our hard won ability and proficiency, and
I have to admit that having a (temporary it would appear) lull in
the meeting safety guidelines here in the UK allowed some of us
to finally get together in person again to train as a group… okay, it
was elbow bumps rather than “man hugs”, and back slaps rather
than high-fives when we got together, but at least we were all out
and training as a group again; the sun shone, much BS was traded,
and we all just enjoyed one another’s company as the gun belts
went on again.
One of the high points on the day, where we’d set up our
existing AttackSense system anyway, was the introduction by Neil
of two new target types, a Dual Zone (see Andy’s “Skills and Drills”
article this this issue on what this type of target is so important)
setup, and a massively challenging 120x120mm “small” target
that really keeps you on your toes! This of course is in addition that
that main setup, and to recap for newcomers, AttackSense is an
electronic target system designed for 6mm and Simunition rounds,
providing an exciting new way to practise skills and compete with
friends using non-lethal ammunition. The smart targets connect
wirelessly to the AttackSense Commander app, creating varied
training simulations and competitive multi-shooter opportunities.
It’s a reactive target system that’s versatile, easy to use and
provides an immersive training environment in a wide variety
of uses. Targets work wirelessly across a large area and connect
to an app that lets shooters act out a variety of target practise,
competitive shooting and multi-shooter scenarios. Users can
initiate a variety of pre-built single shooter, multiple shooter and
team rounds, or design complex custom scenarios to complement
a training programme. Actionable statistics allows shooters of
all abilities to identify points of weakness and improve on their
shooting skills and other disciplines.
Available in multiple form factors and with a variety of
installation options, AttackSense targets can be used indoors or
outdoors in any environment, and up to an area up to 1000 square
meters and 65 individual targets, with up to 128 shots per round.
Different types of round provide a variety of training scenarios
and rounds are fully customisable for any types of ability and
deployment. The bolt-action mode allows for reload times to be
built in for sniper rifles and other single shot platforms. Shooters
can compete individually with automatic shooter ranking, or
compete head to head with shooting gallery and duelling tree
modes. Wirelessly upgradable and with frequent updates, targets
are future-proofed and deliver a great return on investment.
NEXT GEN “PEER TO PEER”
The app already provides immediate feedback of hits including
missed targets and reaction times, along with “good guy” actions
that simulate friendly targets to keep you switched on. Shooter
enrolment and round history provides improvement tracking and
competitive analysis. As the smart target system has really taken
off in the UK and Europe as a “competitive” system, Neil and
Rob have worked further on this side too, and now AttackSense
enables viewing of leader-boards, personal improvement and run
history from anywhere, with their enhanced ShooterID app.
This new addition enables shooters to view previous runs,
performance gains and current leader-board positions in their
own AttackSense ShooterID app. Range operators can now enrol
in AttackSense’s cloud services for free, allowing information to
be uploaded centrally and enabling features that benefit both
shooters and range operators.
NEIL TOLD ME:
“Feedback on social media and at events we’ve attended frequently
points to shooters wanting to track their performance and keep
tabs on their current leader-board positions away from the range,
and this latest improvement now makes that possible.
We know our interactive digital displays when used at sites
and ranges have a big impact on engaging shooters waiting
for their turn, and this extends the competitive atmosphere out
beyond their time on the range”.
ATTACKSENSE UPDATE
pmcimagazine.com

pmcimagazine.com
ATTACKSENSE UPDATE
ShooterID is AttackSense’s mechanism for quickly enrolling
shooters into a range, using QR codes that uniquely identify a
shooter across any AttackSense system. ShooterID codes can be
generated by the range operator or by shooters themselves in the
ShooterID app.
The new system works through range operators enrolling into
AttackSense’s ShooterID portal, which sets up a secure connection
between the range and AttackSense’s cloud services. Ranges that
aren’t always connected to the Internet can still use the system
as data is stored locally and pushed to the service when the
tablet running the AttackSense Commander app is periodically
connected to an Internet network.
With this first release shooters can view and diagnose previous
shoots, view their relative leader-board positions and track their
improvement over time through the AttackSense ShooterID app,
available now on Android and shortly on IOS. Shooters can view
visits to every AttackSense system, so as more ranges enrol into
the system shooters will see their improvements over multiple
sites in a single view. AttackSense plans to grow this capability
over time with more exciting features that will develop inter-site
competitive frameworks and improved performance diagnostics.
In competitive practical shooting tournaments, scoring is
often laborious, time consuming and leads to downtime on the
range. ShooterID can simplify the registration process, negate
scoring complexity and errors, and provide real-time visibility of
participant rankings leading to faster paced and more engaging
competitions.
The benefits for range operators are significant; competition
amongst shooters not only leads to more range time but also
encourages shooters to improve in order to climb the ranks. For
more formal training environments, the AttackSense ShooterID
portal enables Range Officers to review performance and diagnose
all aspects of a single run away from the range, allowing more
in-depth analysis without tying up range time.
Of course there is also a benefit when it comes to training
with your regular crew, as long as everyone has access to the
same target setup, and to me this is where the “peer to peer”
really starts to enter the picture! With access now to “relative
leader-board positions” amongst your training group you can
now see, and track, improvements against those whose opinion
matters to you, and potentially this could be done in “real time”
across multiple physical shooting locations, even with a trainer
online to talk you through your mistakes!
I’ve yet to discuss this aspect fully with Neil and Rob, but you
can bet your bottom dollar that I shall be; heck, I could even go
head to head with Trampas and the US crew at last… from the
UK… and see how my “at home training” really
stacks up in reality!
For more information visit www.attacksense.
com, or for existing AttackSense system owners,
visit shooterid.attacksense.com to enrol.
26

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Journey to Perfection

REALISTIC TARGETS
28
CHANGING THE TRAINING DYNAMIC
WITH THE REALISTIC TARGET COMPANY
Throughout my law enforcement career, the
standard training for our department, as with
many agencies across our state, consisted of
a static range with a solid color (black, blue, or
green) human silhouette known as a B-27 target.
It was only during my regular training as part of
the SWAT team away from the patrol, upper brass,
and investigations personnel in which things were
a bit more “dynamic”. Items such as movement, team building
skills and working angles came into play. Sadly, we were still
limited to the standard B-27 target, even after I first became
part of the Sniper Unit. Fortunately, during one of the many
“sniper” schools the Sheriff’s Office training division were able
to send my unit to, I discovered the Realistic Target Company.
The Realistic Target Company is owned by a veteran and
former sworn law enforcement officer who is aware, firsthand,
of the demands placed on Law Enforcement. The company has
been in business since 1985. At the time of my Law Enforcement
service, the Realistic Target Company was very well known in
the tactical precision world for developing a detailed human
target at almost a 1 to 1 scale.
These targets featured male and female subjects holding
either a handgun, rifle or other object with the ability to cover
up the weapon to make “no-shoot” targets as well. Some
targets even featured two figures, one being a hostage with an
assailant standing behind her with only a limited field of view
for a critical mass shot into the body or head. For inexperienced
officers who have never had a human in their sights before,
peering through a optic and seeing human face with their eyes
feeling as if they are staring back at you can be quite the load
on the human psyche. Being able to set that aside in training
to better perform the task at hand in the real world to save
someone’s life offers a great value.
Heckler and Kock even had a special target made for mass
production by the Realistic Target Company that featured both
the human threat image as well as several smaller precision
targets surrounding the main image. These additional targets
were approximately 3” in diameter featuring circle, square,
triangle and diamond shapes in varying colors to test a shooters
speed and accuracy. These targets added value in breaking
shooter’s tunnel vision as well. In the Law Enforcement
training community and elite Military circles, these targets also
transitioned well to submachine guns and handguns.
After retirement, I became a civilian firearms trainer
certified as an Instructor for the NRA and as both an Instructor
and Training Counselor for the USCCA through our Swanson
Training Group.
I enjoyed working with the public and those special shooters
that became regular students for more advanced classes. When
it came time to start teaching recreational shooters how to
transfer marksmanship and sport shooting over to self-defense
training, I wanted to find targets to help them grasp the reality

of what they were training to fight. At first, I selected true, photo
realistic targets from several companies to help students overcome
the mental stress of having to aim at a real image of another human
being. The problem I discovered was most photo realistic images
were blurry or had a bit too much detail for students to focus on their
training goals.
After a year or so, I decided to research to see if the Realistic
Target Company was still in business. To my joy, the company was
not only still making artist renditions of human targets but had
several new ones available for sale as well. The color and detail in
these targets were much richer and captured the shooter’s eye closer
to the way a real-life human target would rather than a distorted
photo imagine. The first time I used the targets on a dark range for
a night fighting class using only flashlights, I even had one student
briefly succumb to the emotional fear of the image appearing from
the darkness on its approach towards her. An hour later, that student
was able to use the target and training to work her way through one
of her biggest fears in life. That moment was proof these targets
worked and could change lives.
Over the past five years, the Realistic Targets have proven to
be a true game changer time and time again during training. The
overlays portray everything from the subjects holding cameras and
cell phones to knives and Molotov cocktails to force students to
use their observation and reaction skills accordingly as the targets
present themselves via turning and approaching targets as well as
when students move through shoot houses using live fire, UTM and
6mm trainers. Being able to see the human threats clearly on the
move helps get the students’ adrenaline following to induce the
stress of real time decision making and action.
Targets average about US$0.66 each and can be
ordered in large bulk quantities to reduce the individual
target pricing significantly. To find out more about these
products, visit www.RealisticTarget.com for your future
training needs. Until next issue, Train Hard. Continue the
Fight!
REALISTIC TARGETS
pmcimagazine.com

pmcimagazine.com
MICROTECH KNIVES: SCARAB
MICROTECH SCARAB
In the knife community, there is perhaps nothing more captivating than the “SWWWICK” sound of an
automatic knife. Whether it’s the classic linage of the stiletto switchblade from our favorite gangster
movies or if it’s the mystique of being banned in several states, the automatic knife remains on the top
of every blade fan’s “must have list”. -TS
On top of this list is the crème de la crème
of automatics in the form of the out the
front opening (OTF) knife. These blades are
often cloned by cheap Chinese companies
that could never hold a candle to the
craftsmanship and precision that goes into
building a reliable OTF knife. One name in
the industry seems to constantly rise to the
top of this category with each high quality
model made is Microtech.
This Pennsylvania based company also has a second base
of operations in North Carolina as well, which is a testament
to its rapid growth since Microtech’s official start in Florida
back in 1994. Almost right out the gate, Microtech seemed
to have their sights set on the special warfare community
who would benefit greatly from their products.
In 2007, Microtech even established a sister company,
Microtech Small Arms Research (MSAR), which engineered
the original STG-5.56 rifle. The creation of this company
would mark Microtech as becoming the first knife company
to create its own firearms division. Year after year to date,
new designs, color and blade options have rolled out of the
Microtech factories to continue their hold on the top of the
knife industry mountain. At the summit of this mountain lies
the best of the best in the form of the Microtech Scarab. As
with anything labeled “the best” in a given category, these
blades are usually hard to come by and accompanied by
30

a hefty price tag compared to other blades. This being said, of
course, I had to find one for review!
Originally designed for the US Navy SEALs as an all-purpose
duty knife that would be the first automatic knife to reliably
open past the 30M mark underwater, the Scarab seemed to be
only available at first in very limited availably. Its connection to
such an elite group and its limited production only added to its
attraction to die hard blade collectors. Due to Microtech being as
elusive to contact directly as their blades are to come by in stores
for purchase, my quest to review one of these Tier 1 blades has
taken almost a full year to complete. Ever since attending Blade
Show 2017 in Atlanta, I attempted to email and call Microtech
marketing numerous times only to deal with condescending and
very skeptical white collar suits, who obviously aren’t the people
who these blades are designed for. Not to be one who lets people
influence my opinions on products, I pushed onward without the
direct assistance of Microtech in order to bring our readers one of
the best names in the industry to read about. With the help of a
good friend, Preston Mishikaiwa over at Recon Rifles in Orange
Park, Florida, I was finally able to obtain a sample. Once Preston
worked his magic, I had a Microtech QD Scarab in my hands in just
a matter of a few short weeks.
FIRST LOOK
During my time researching the Microtech Scarab, I was amazed
to discover just how many variations there were for this model.
This particular knife seemed to offer every option in the book
including color choice, blade finish, serrations, blade shape, and
everything else you could imagine! The exact model I was able to
obtain through Recon Rifles is listed as the Microtech QD Scarab
178-11 AP S/E Apocalyptic Serrated Auto. This is one hell of a title
for a pocket carry blade only 8.35” fully open. Aside from a slight
grade of steel difference used for the blade, the only change from
the original Navy version and the 178-11 version I had on hand
was the lack of a tritium dot on each slide of the side mounted
action button. Normally reserved for applications such as night
sights on firearms, the addition of this tritium insert on the Navy
version would be beneficial for finding the action button in the
deep dark waters. Since I am not a deep sea diver, don’t like the
thought of being eaten by sharks and too old to join the Navy, I
will gladly settle for the lack of this feature on my test sample.
So what makes this knife so special? To begin with, let’s look
at the way the action operates. By being listed as dual action, this
means, when you press the side mounted action button forward,
the blade launches forward into place in the blink of an eye via
a high tension spring. When you pull the action button rearward,
the blade retracts equally as fast by a second spring. Due to its
design, at no time is either spring remaining under full tension,
which greatly increases reliability and the overall lifespan of the knife.
The tip down carry design is facilitated by a full hardened
spring tempered stainless steel ambidextrous mounted pocket
clip held in place by a carbide glass breaker on the end. Not only
does this dull pointed device work well on glass, it could also
work well for pressure point strikes in a self-defense situation.
The sure grip machined 6061 T6 aircraft aluminum handle has
a skateboard tape style traction that works great in controlling
the knife even in the wettest environments.
The most noticeable feature of the blade is the non-reflective,
durable Apocalyptic finish built to endure the harshest hot, cold,
dirt and water environments. Normally, along the left side of the
blade, the Microtech logo and its unique serial number can be
clearly found. On this particular sample, it was so blurry due to the
heavy blade finish; it was nearly impossible to make out. I briefly
even questioned if this could be a high quality knock off but ruled
that out once I was able to confirm the valid number. If you were
only interested in this knife as a safe queen or collectable, this
would not be the best option available on the market for a “show
pony”. Every aspect of the Scarab is built for extreme use and
carry.
SPECS
Overall Length open: 8.35”
Length Closed: 4.8”
Blade Length: 3.5”
Blade Material: S30V
Blade Grind: Flat
Blade Shape: Drop Point, Partially Serrated Edge
Handle Material: Machined 6061 T6 Aircraft Aluminum
Weight: 3.6 oz.
Carry: Tip down via a spring tempered stainless steel ambidextrous
mounting clip.
Action: Dual Action, Quick Deployment, Thumb Slide Activated
WHY CARRY DAILY?
For this section, I’d like to address the elephant in the room
usually caused when discussing this next subject. I often get
asked why I even carry a knife every day. Two reasons which
make picking the right knife absolutely imperative immediately
come to mind without writing my first book. The first is the fact
I was born and raised in the south, where I was taught by my
Grandpa and my Dad, if a man has his pants on; he should at the
very least have a good knife in his pocket. The usefulness of a
quality knife has come into play almost every day since I was 7
years old and started carrying one. With peeling apples, cutting
out tangles in fishing line, cutting price tags off the wife’s new
purchases and slicing open packages, the tasks seem to never
end when carrying a knife. I often give grown men a cross look
when someone has to ask me to borrow a knife because I am
perplexed as to why they don’t have one of their own. Five years
ago, Grandpa passed away, but the lessons he taught about me
about life and the responsibilities as a man in today’s world still
remain and will continue to last the rest of my life.
Secondly, for a good chunk of my adult life, I served as a
Deputy Sheriff in my former home state of North Carolina. Every
day I would notice civilian’s eyes drift to my right side where my
firearm rode religiously yet never paid a second look at the large
folding knife clipped to my left pocket. Through hours and hours
of training, I studied the mistakes made by my brothers and
sisters in blue who were sadly killed in the line of duty. Often, it
was due to being overpowered and having their firearm stripped
from their holster with only the ability to grapple for everything
they had in them to attempt to stop this from happening. As
I attended various training, I learned the importance of having
a reliable, razor sharp knife accessible via the opposite had
from my gun side to be able to deploy and use to cut away any
attempt at gaining access to my firearm. Several times in real
world situations, brief attempts were quickly resolved when they
heard the “SWWWICK” sound of my left hand deploying a blade
headed straight for a vital part of their anatomy. Thankfully, no
serious blood had to be shed and I always made it home in one piece.
Lessons learned on duty strongly carried over into my civilian
life after the badge just as the one’s learned from my time prior
to LE service.
DAILY CARRY OBSERVATIONS
For the past two years, I have carried the Microtech Scarab as
part of my daily carry knife. For the abundance of folks I have
seen posting in online forums lately, this consists of carefully
MICROTECH KNIVES: SCARAB
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MICROTECH KNIVES: SCARAB
carrying the knife around clipped inside an empty pocket and
only deploying it for adult “show and tell” with friends. Sadly
for my test sample, this had no chance of being the case. This
Scarab shared duty being carried in a front left pocket opposite
of my concealed carry pistol on my right side. It battled space
with my wallet (thanks to the insistence of my chiropractor)
and various loose coins.
The only major complaint about this handy auto-blade
is the tension in which must be applied to the action button
in order to deploy and especially retract the blade. Set to be
stiff by the factory in order to “lawyer proof” its product, the
amount of pressure required is a bit more than it should be for
deployment and absolutely stupid hard in order to retract the
blade. Out of every 10 people who wanted to try the Scarab
and experience the classic “SWWWICK” sound of the super-fast
blade deployment, 9 of those folks needed to either use two
hands to pull the action button back in order to close the knife,
or could not do so at all!!
I find this absolutely ridiculous. I contacted Microtech about
this issue with a resounding “oh well, that’s how they all are”
type attitude. Upon further research concerning this issue and
Microtech’s less than stellar customer service (minus the lady
who answers the phone at the front desk, she’s super friendly
and polite), it seems the poor attitude and rough action button
are both common factors. Over the testing period, I cannot say
the button got any easier mechanically, but my thumbs did
get functionally strong enough to open and close the blade
quickly with either hand in a matter of weeks. This is a failure
in knife economics but a strange positive in functional strength
training. Once this was worked out, it ceased to be a second
thought from then on and nice to know someone else couldn’t
easily use my own knife against me.
With this issue brought to light, what makes this blade so
great? First, unlike most OTF blades I have tried in the past,
the Scarab locked up super tight and had zero “wiggle” to the
blade when deployed. Everything about this knife’s design is
credit to the precision and quality materials that went into
building it. The balance and control over the Scarab is incredibly
comfortable and gives the user the confidence to really bear
down on a cut. The razor sharp edge made quick work of daily
tasks such as slicing cardboard backers while teaching at the
range, cutting 550 paracord for tie downs and other random
chores. I found myself using the knife more and more as time
went on. Over the past couple of years carrying it, I have cut
several materials that normally quickly dull the edges of my
past carry blades. While the edge needed to be sharpened
a year ago, the blade and mechanics have held rock solid.
Thanks to the edge master himself, Simon Michael at Atavistic
Edgeworks, I am still able to shave the hair off my arm with the
Scarab’s edge despite a year’s worth of hard use.
FINAL THOUGHTS
To spare an extra 2000 words on the T&E process, I will go
ahead and boil it down to the end results. With a retail price
ranging from US$570-$603, finding the model perfect for you
at the price you are comfortable paying seems to be a lot like
buying a car. This feature will cost “X” while this feature will
run “Y” on top of the base US$500+ price. This comes extremely
close to the cost of the HK VP9 or Glock model 19 pistol I have
in my daily carry rotation! I will again state if you are just a
knife collector that wants a pretty “safe queen”, this is NOT
your knife. For those of us that train hard and care dearly about
what we carry for use with everyday tasks and realize those
tools may be the very items needed to defend our life and the
lives of our loved ones, this blade is a rock solid choice.
When it comes to my tools, it is far less of a concern about
price as it is what will work every time and work well. This
should always be the case. If you can’t afford a top quality tool,
save up and make it a priority to obtain them at some point.
Does someone need to spend US$600 on an OFT auto-blade?
No, but if having this particular style knife is important to you,
it is more than worth it to carry a simple, high quality pocket
knife until you can afford a Microtech Scarab. Once the
Microtech and I had time to “mesh”, I found it to be a
boost of confidence in my pocket each day knowing I
had one of the best options available on the market.
As for their customer service and executive staff, I
hope that others have better luck than I did and can
enjoy owning a high quality knife.
32

www.arg.uk.com

pmcimagazine.com
FIREARMS - RUGER-57
RUGER-57
Late December of 2019, Ruger Firearms threw the gun industry for a loop by announcing a new semi-auto
pistol chambered in 5.7x28mm aptly named the Ruger-57. This nearly 30 year old cartridge, commonly
perceived to be pertinent only to a niche market, was suddenly, the main topic of conversation! -TS
The puzzling announcement came mere weeks using the same cartridge. FN Herstal with the 50 round
before heading into the annual industry only loadout of the P90 and their newly created Five-seveN
event, SHOT SHOW in Las Vegas, NV. Naturally, pistol boasting 20 round magazine capacity. The P90 offered
several questions came to mind regarding a full-auto package capable of using supersonic ammunition
ammunition availability, price point and overall to defend common IIIA ballistic soft armor while still being
design. When the PMCI team landed boots on
the ground in Las Vegas in January, Ruger’s new
pistol was on the top of the priority list to check
out in person.
To understand the pistol, you must first understand why the
5.7x28mm was designed to begin with. The 5.7 (pronounced
Five-Seven) was created to offer a viable anti-personnel
round that would be softer recoiling and flatter shooting
than most pistol calibers to be used in not only handguns,
but personal defense weapons (PDW) and submachine
carbines.
Through a collaboration with Fabrique Nationale Herstal
(FN) the Five-seveN pistol and P90 submachine carbine (PS90
civilian variant) were created to employ the bottled necked
.224 40 grain bullet driven in the 5.7x28mm cartridge. The
unique looking top loading bullpup design offered 50 round
magazine capacity in a tight, compact package that would
make any operators working in and around vehicles, close
quarter protection agents or security force specialists take
notice.
During the United Nations weapons trials, the
specifications called for a carbine and pistol to be created
34

able to cycle subsonic ammunition with a suppressor for much
quieter clandestine operations. (Subsonic ammunition is not
commercially available in the United States) Not only was the UN
sold on what they saw, in the years shortly afterwards, the United
States Secret Service and over three dozen other military, law
enforcement agencies and task forces around the globe jumped
on board.
As with many military weapons, the “trickle down” effect of
civilian sales soon followed and for a span of a few years, the
FN pistol and rifle combinations were quite popular among elite
collectors and shooters who favor exotic designs of all things NOT
the AR or AK platform. My personal journey with the 5.7 cartridge
came in 2009 while I was still an active duty SWAT sniper for a
Sheriff’s office in eastern North Carolina. I purchased a FN PS90
upon the suggestion of a close friend and fellow Deputy Sheriff,
who was always on the forefront of new shooting tech. I was
so impressed with the magazine capacity, accuracy, and lack of
recoil, I followed up by purchasing the FN Five-seveN pistol a few
months later.
As impressed with the PS90 as I was, the companion pistol
fell short of expectations. After owning the gun for over six
months, I quickly sketched out everything I did not care for with
the pistol. The Five-seveN’s grip felt too thick due to needing to
accommodate the 20 round magazine containing the longer than
normal pistol round. Bore offset felt uncomfortable during recoil
causing an exaggerated muzzles flip. Finally, the trigger pull, and
trigger reset left much to be desired with a “spongey” over travel.
Naturally, this was the primary drive behind having some many
questions and quite honestly, doubts when Ruger announced
their new handgun.
FIREARMS - RUGER-57
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pmcimagazine.com
FIREARMS - RUGER-57
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
Arriving in Las Vegas, our team only had to wait less than 24
hours until our NSSF Industry Day at the Range event began.
As I deboarded the bus at the range with our team, I
walked straight to the Ruger booth and asked to get to work
learning about Ruger-57 pistol. As the Ruger representative
loaded up several 20 round magazines for me to work through,
we discussed the overall design of the new gun.
Immediately I could feel the grip was far different than that
of my old FN Five-seveN pistol. To explain it best, it was like
going from a boxy feeling Glock to the slim grips of a 1911.
Front to rear, the grip securely held the 20 magazine in place
but did not take up all of my hand when holding it. The pistol
seemed to point on target easily and offered a comfortable
angle. Looking down the gun, I saw a vivid green fiber optic
front sight that contrasted perfectly against the blacked out rear
adjustable sights. Steel targets started at 5 yards and worked
out to 25 yards with center mass hits as fast as I could fire the
gun. I moved to the adjoining range and continued getting hits
on the 100 yards torso shaped steel. The Ruger-57 shot as flat
as a laser pistol! I immediately submitted a request to have a
media sample sent to our office for a more in-depth inspection
after the show.
RUGER-57 SPECS
Model: 16401
Caliber:
5.7x28mm
Barrel: 4.94”
Twist: 1:9
Total Length: 8.65”
Action:
Delayed Blowback
Sights:
Adjustable
Muzzle Velocity:
2780 ft/s
MSRP: $799
RANGE TIME
Approximately two weeks after SHOT SHOW, a Ruger-57 arrived
at my office from the manufacturer. The gun shipped in a large
plastic hard case along with two steel 20 round magazines. As I
handled the unloaded pistol in my office, details from my initial
look weeks earlier were more noticeable. The textured grip
felt good in my hands. The trigger guard undercut allowed for
my hand nest high on the grip comfortably as I switched from
supported and unsupported grip. The ambidextrous controls
were easy to reach and extremely comfortable to use during
dry firing.
Eager to spend some quality time shooting the Ruger-57
again, I packed up my gear with a half dozen boxes of 40 grain
ammunition from American Eagle and FN then heading to my
36

local range. Once I arrived at On Target Sports in Orange Park,
the time quickly passed breaking in the pistol. My favorite
aspect of shooting the Ruger-57 is the minimum recoil and
extreme controllability of the pistol. The previously mentioned
green fiber optic front sight quickly came into sight after each
shot allowing for rapid follow up shots.
A key aspect for that came from the crisp breaking trigger.
If I had a negative to point out during any of the test period, it
would be the trigger reset felt approximately 30% longer than
that of my SIG 320 trigger. Despite having small / medium size
hands, I did not have any problem running the gun quickly and
accurately. Keep in mind, despite appearing to be a striker-fired
pistol, it is NOT. My first instinct was to compare the trigger
pull to that of my SIG 320 or a Glock 34, which are both lighter
striker-fired guns. When comparing to other hammer fired
pistols, the Ruger is head and shoulders above everything but
the HK P30. Compared to my original experience with the FN
Five-seveN pistol, the Ruger-57 is still a great improvement.
Quick not to mention for those who finish their reloading
cycle with thumbing the slide lock lever, this is not your gun.
The slide lock does its job perfectly to lock back the slide
after the last round is fired or if you manually lock it back
without the magazine inserted. However, releasing the slide
entails pulling the slide rearward and releasing as intended.
In attempting to simply “thumb” the lever downward with the
strong hand grip, it is very stiff and requires a good bit of force.
Keep it simple and focus on gross motor skills, there will be
zero issues.
The intangibles the Ruger-57 offers is in the overall profile
of the gun; the beveled front of the slide and frame help ease
in smooth reholstering to help guide the gun into place. The
height over bore ratio of the Ruger vs the FN variant is much
lower, making recoil much more manageable and in line with
the forearm. Between the previously mentioned undercut in
the trigger guard for the higher grip and the slight protrusion in
the front of the trigger guard to anchor the index finger of my
support hand, it allowed for a much flatter shooting platform.
This will come into play even more once optics are installed
for a later review.
At the end of the day, I learned the Ruger-57 was not quite
a simple “no tool” needed pistol to break down and clean. As
with many pistols, you must empty the magazine, then lock
the slide to the rear first. Then as you rotate the take down
lever downward, it must be punched out from right to left from
the frame. In many attempts, I failed to do so with just my
fingertip and wiggling the lever out. I simply used the floor
plate of the magazine to achieve my goal, but in my opinion at
least, negates it from being a true, “no tool” necessary gun at
that point.
FINAL THOUGHTS
To wrap this feature, it boils down to hard facts. The Ruger-57
pistol is simply fun to shoot. Its accurate and has an impressive
range producing impressive groups. Is it a viable combat pistol?
It is in my opinion the Ruger is a much better option that of
the FN Five-seveN pistol selected by many of the world’s elite
agencies and military groups. The Ruger topped the FN design
in overall feel, control, accuracy, recoil mitigation and speed of
follow up shots.
Fair warning before falling in love with this round or the
firearms revolving around it, this is not the cheapest caliber
on the market. I have seen pricing per box of 50 range from
US$15.99 to as high as US$34.99 depending on the market
at the time. On the plus side, if you are looking to pair up a
modern day pistol and subgun together for high volume of fire
without being heavily weighted down in your bugout or duty
gear, the Ruger-57 and FN PS90 are a great choice. With 50
rounds in the subgun and 20 rounds in the Ruger, this puts your
immediate loadout at 70 rounds of available firepower before
even discussing spare magazines for either!
I decided to even poll other shooters who own or have
owned and shoot both the Ruger-57 and FN Five-seveN
extensively The Ruger was an overwhelming group choice
among many members of the FN P90 & PS90 online “chat”
group. Kyle Crooks, a member who graciously provided the side
by side comparison photos, summed it up well in his thoughts.
I and two of my fellow shooters on the range all shot them
(Ruger-57 & FN Five-seveN) side by side and everyone really
likes the Ruger as much if not a little more than the FN. I guess
I would say the weight of the metal Ruger just feels better
built than the polymer FN. Both shoot great though.” I feel this
statement from Kyle is a strong testament to the “X” factors
the Ruger-57 provides over the FN pistol. I agree with Kyle, the
Ruger simply feels better in addition to the raw data gained in
comparison.
Retailing for US$799, the Ruger-57 retailed pre-COVID
demand for around $699, practically half the cost of an original
FN Five-seveN design. Unfortunately, recent Ruger-57 pistol
sales in a high gun demand market have been selling for
over $1000 on the secondary market. Still, much less than a
FN variant can be found. Nothing against all the hard work
and cutting-edge success FN has had during their time, it is my
opinion that the Ruger-57 is the future of the 5.7x24mm pistol
platform. I have even briefly tested a short barrel rifle produced
by Diamondback Firearms that uses the Ruger-57 magazines to
run 5.7 through the AR platform.
More on the optics ready aspect of the Ruger-57 as well as a
threaded barrel direct from the manufacturer to come soon. This
will include developing information on dedicated suppressors
coming from well respected brands in our industry.
To learn more about current Ruger products,
visit www.Ruger.com as well as continue to sign
onto PMCI Magazine for future information to
come about this platform. I promise, you will not
want to miss our follow up issue coming in 2021!
FIREARMS - RUGER-57

pmcimagazine.com
VORTEX OPTICS
VORTEX OPTICS: UH-1 GEN II
HOLOGRAPHIC SIGHT
As former military and law enforcement operators, now professional firearms instructors, some of the
PMCI staff are often asked about their personal choices in products such as rifles, everyday carry pistols
and optics. A hot topic lately comes in the form of personal choice in “Urban Rifle” optics. -TS-
Many readers may have seen several
appearances of one of my AR-15 carbines
chambered in 5.56mm. The Sons of
Liberty Gun Works build easy to spot
with its good looking MultiCam Cerakote
finish done by Blown Deadline Custom.
What many have emailed to ask over
the past year or so has been the Vortex
Optics AMG UH-1 holographic sight. In this
article, we will discuss that optic as well as Vortex’s newest
release, the Gen II update of the AMG UH-1 and why I have now
switched over to it. First, let us take a few moments to discuss
just what the “Urban Rifle” stigma is and why it is necessary to
understand its proper application.
The term “Urban Rifle” seems to be an ambiguous
reference within the gun community with arguments as
to which firearms fall into that category and what the true
application of this platform is for. As defined by gun guru, Clint
Smith of the prestigious firearms training institute, Thunder
Ranch, it more so relates to intended distance for training and
practical use rather than platform used. According to Smith, an
urban rifle is preferably (but not limited to) any magazine fed,
easily maneuverable iron sighted rifle which may be enhanced
with low-powered or red dot optics in which distances used
38

VORTEX OPTICS
will take into account common urban environments. Distances
to consider the most are across the room, down the hall, across
the house, across the front yard or across a parking lot. Training
can range from 3 yards to 300 yards for extreme maximum but
mainly, the majority of the shots will fall in the 3 yard to 100
– 150 yard range. Unlike many 16” to 20” barreled battle rifles
in which 50 and 100 yard zeros are based, Urban Rifle barrels
are often 16” or under, set to a 25 yard zero. There rifles may
include many short barreled rifles outside the AR-15 platform
such as the AK-47 in the Krinkov configuration, the FN P90 /
PS90 and even pistol caliber platforms such as the MP5 / MP5K
configurations to name a few.
To make Urban Rifles faster to put into action under a wider
range of lighting, quality optics can help greatly when properly
employed. Low-powered optics tend to work well in offering a
variable range of use but lack a true zero magnification at the
bottom of the spectrum. This can cause depth perception on
targets at close quarter distances to become skewed. Quality
red dots and holographic optics truly prevail in this area. The
target and true range perception are a direct 1 to 1 as seen with
the non-dominant eye when shooting.
For years, the EOTech brand of holographic sights reined
supreme in offering a wide field of view, durable optic housing,
and a unique circular reticle with a center dot. A few years
ago, issues with thermal drift at extreme temperatures rocked
EOTech’s contract and commercial sales left wary customers
looking for a new optics supplier. Prolonged exposure under
negative 40 degrees and over 120 degrees would cause the
unit’s sight to be off as much as 6” – 12” inches off center at
100 yards. This extreme drift could cause a complete miss on a
human size target at such a relatively short distance. Due to the
thousands of EOTech users being sent back in for full refunds, I
remember being amazed there were evidently that many folks
shooting in the Artic and Sahara-like environments outside of
military applications.
Vortex Optics was quick to hit the market with a viable
alternative for those not looking for a single red dot optic such
as an Aimpoint called the AMG UH-1 holographic sight. I admit,
I was very skeptical to the intentions of the optics release given
the timing of it all. Was this a rushed design to profit on EOTech’s
stumble or a truly new direction for the Vortex product line?
According to Vortex, this design had been in the works for
years to offer a more diverse product to their customers but
with the timing of EOTech’s troubles gave cause to invest more
heavily in the UH-1’s completion. Having used several models
of EOTech’s for years, I can honestly say the AMG UH-1 was a
better overall product. Unlike the EOTech with its plastic housing
and metal cage guard, the UH-1’s all metal construction, sleeker
design and easier to use controls all make for a much better
product.

pmcimagazine.com
VORTEX OPTICS
AMG UH-1 GEN II FIRST LOOK
To further solidify its intentions to remain in the holographic
sight market, Vortex Optics introduced a Gen II version of the
AMG UH-1 optic earlier this year. Unlike the Gen I, the Gen II
did not offer a rechargeable option but did provide a muchneeded
Night Vision compatibility for operators running NODs.
Fortunately, Vortex readily sent over a sample of the Gen II
UH-1 for examination and testing.
Once the unit arrived at my office, I noticed the new, subdued
all black box the Gen II was packaged in. No longer did Vortex
Optics run the “Razor” title in conjunction with the AMG series
brand. Upon removing the optic from the box, it appeared to be
roughly the same size as the older model, measuring 3.9” long
and 2.7” tall. According to the Vortex Optics website, the total
unit only weighed in at 11 oz.
Switching out the Gen I AMG UH-1 with the newer Gen II, did not
require any tools and was completed in less than five minutes.
The both optics incorporate a simple tension adjustable throw
lever to mount and unmount the unit. The new Gen II version
was just as easy with the throw of a lever to tightly secure
it into place. I installed the CR123 battery that was supplied
with the unit and we were in business; using the right side
adjustment screws which offer 100 minutes of angle of range
in both the windage and elevation. Less than 48 hours after its
arrival, the new sight was mounted and, on the range, to begin
an intense three month range evaluation.
UH-1 Gen II Specs
Mount Type:
Magnification:
Dot Color:
Dot Size:
Eye Relief:
Adjustment Graduation:
Max Elevation Adjustment:
Max Windage Adjustment:
Parallax Setting:
Length:
Weight:
Weaver/Picatinny
1x
Bright Red
1 MOA
Unlimited
1/2 MOA
100 MOA
100 MOA
Parallax Free
3.9 inches
11.0 oz
RANGE TIME
In true Urban Rifle fashion, my rifle was equipped with a set of
Magpul flip up iron sights which were able to 1/3 co-witness
with the optic’s reticle. Bore sighting off of the established iron
sight data only took a few clicks up and to the left from the
factory setting. By bore sighting the UH-1 ahead of time greatly
reduced my time getting the rifle zeroed at 25 yards down to
a matter of two strings of five shots resulting in a need for a
minimal amount of adjustments during live fire. With ½ minute
40

of angle adjustments, sighting in at 25 yards would allow for
1/8” clicks at that distance in order to fine tune my zero.
As I worked my way through targets beginning at 5 yards, I
was able to use the triangle located in the bottom of the reticle
to reduce my height over bore hold over and put shots dead on
to Point of Aim / Point of Impact (POA/POI) at 10 yards running
drills from the low ready to snap shooting center mass. As I
moved out to 8” inch plates and reduced torso targets at 25 and
30 yards, I noticed the reticle appeared clearer to me than the
previous generation. This observation however will vary from
person to person as each person’s eyes may adapted to the
reticle differently depending on if the shooter has any sort of
astigmatism and if so, to what degree. Due to this and other
factors, the cold hard truth is that red dots and holographic
sights are not for everyone.
Two main benefits of the UH-1 reticle over standard red dots
aside from the bottom triangle for CQB are the ring surrounding
the center dot and the points on each side of the ring. For fast
acquisition onto large targets at close distance, you can “circle”
your target and fire quickly. The UH-1 reticle makes shooting on
the move easier by simply focusing on the ring circling the vital
zone on the target, while clearly being able to see and identify
each target as I travel. As for moving targets such as the
running man targets, the points on each side are proportional
to the center 1 MOA dot to track and side to side movement
and deliver consistent and accurate fire.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, my experience with the Gen II AMG UH-1 was enjoyable.
Having spent almost two full years with the Gen I version, I
was immediately comfortable with
the platform and continue currently
with running the newer version on my
rifle. I found the optic to be incredibly
comfortable with running with both
eyes open due to the slightly larger
sight window than the original design.
This also made for teaching new
shooters to do the same much easier.
The Gen II offers 15 daylight settings to find the perfect
balance of brightness and target visibility while also delivering
night vision users 4 separate settings for optimal usage as well.
I hope to see be able to run the whole system with night vision
this fall with some special projects on the upcoming schedule.
With a listed MSRP of US$799, I was pleased to see larger
online retailers offering the Gen II units between US$499 and
US$550. The comfortable height over bore ratio in relation
to my cheek weld felt natural each time I mounted the gun
and allowed for effortless consistency to aid in accuracy. This
is not something easily found at any price point from what I
have found. I feel that the UH-1 is a great competitor in the
holographic sight market and delivers a lot of high-end options
for a great mid-range price. As compared to the red dot market,
the lack of noticeable parallax is well worth stepping up to the
holographic sight market with the UH-1.
To learn more about the Gen II UH-1 and other
great Vortex products, visit www.VortexOptics.com
and find one that best fits your needs. Until next
issue, Train Hard and Continue the Fight!
VORTEX OPTICS

pmcimagazine.com
SKILLS & DRILLS
SKILLS & DRILLS
With our good friend and valued PMCI contributor Andy N fully back in the fold, he shares the experience he
has gained both in the UK military and “on the circuit” as he continues with his usual wry take on the “Skills
and Drills” that are invaluable to any shooter!!!
Over the next few issues of PMCI I want to share
with you some of the drills that I like to work
in my own time, and also revive some of the
forgotten old school drills from bygone days
that still have a place in your skill tank. A lot of
these drills are basic drills that we should have
done at the very beginning of our career, so they
shouldn’t be too alien. I want to start off with
two simple drills in this issue with the first being
the hammered pairs drill followed by the infamous Mozambique
drill.
HAMMERED PAIRS
Remember if it’s worth shooting, it’s worth shooting twice.
Hammered pairs, double tap, or accelerated pairs is a drill that
should be practiced whenever on the range. To lay down a good
solid pair you need good trigger control, trigger reset and sight
alignment and sight picture. This drill isn’t hard or complicated
it’s just something that should be practiced in case you need that
immediate second shot. Getting to know your sights and how the
trigger feels during reset is key to this drill.
Any target will do for this however I tend to use a 2” circle from
7 yards when shooting handguns, and a further distance for long
guns. Taking my time to verify my fundamentals, stance, grip etc,
I place several strings of pairs on target. Gaining a sight picture
then squeezing the trigger to the rear for the first shot.
As the muzzle comes back to target on recoil, release the
trigger until you feel the sear reset. You should be able to feel
this in your finger even with gloves on. As soon as the muzzle
stabilizes, gain a second sight picture and squeeze off the second
round. Again as the muzzle comes to rest on recoil reset the
trigger again and gain your third sight picture to finish the drill.
This gives me conformation that what I’m doing is right. Once
I am happy with my results and all feels well I will start the drill
from the holster and slowly speed up the firing sequence. It’s
good to push yourself but not too hard, remember this is a drill to
confirm your actions are good.
MOZAMBIQUE DRILL
The Mozambique drill, also known as the failure to stop drill,
is most probably the most known of the shooting skills but in
common knowledge it’s history is little known. The drill requires
the shooter to fire two shots to the chest with a follow up shot to
42

the head. But where did this drill originate and by whom?
We can give thanks for the Mozambique drill to Mike Rousseau,
a Rhodesian mercenary fighting in the Mozambican war of
independence 1946 - 1974. Legend has it that Rousseau rounded
a corner while fighting at Lourenco airport (now modern day
Maputo) and came face to face with a Frelimo guerrilla armed with
an AK47 rifle at around 7 yards. Rousseau instinctively brought his
Browning HP35 handgun up to bear and placed hammered pairs
into the thoracic cavity of his foe. Realising that his adversary was
still advancing towards him Rousseau took a third shot at his head.
The round entered the base of the guerrilla’s neck and severed the
spinal cord.
While talking to Geoff Cooper, founder of Gunsight academy,
Rousseau recalled his story which was then incorporated into the
curriculum at Gunsight as the Mozambique drill in the late 70’s.
In 1980 Larry Mudgett and John Helms of the Los Angeles Police
Department SWAT attended a course at Gunsight and gained
permission to teach the Mozambique drill to the LAPD. With concerns
that the word “Mozambique” might cause racist overtones, Mudgett
and Helms renamed the drill “Failure to Stop Drill”.
This is a simple drill to do that I do with both rifle and pistol. I’m
working these drills with 6mm training platforms in mind as this will
enable you to train almost anywhere you want from in the field to
at home in your back yard.
You will require a target, any anatomy target or IDPA practice
target will do, and of course your weapon and eyes and ear
protection. If you wear body armour as part of your uniform or issue
kit then it’s a good idea that you wear this as it’s almost certainly
what you will be wearing if the lead is coming your way.
Set the target at approximately the same height as you at 7
yards from your firing point. As this is all about training, this is
your opportunity to take things slow and concentrate on all the
fundamentals so you can get things right. Forget speed at this point.
Concentrate on the fundamentals and getting fluid in the drill.
Speed will come with time. On cue bring the weapon up to the
target, acquire a sight picture on the thoracic cavity of the target
and fire hammered pairs (double tap) into the target.
Immediately bring the front sight up to the octal cranial cavity
and acquire a third sight picture. Fire one precise shot into the head.
If all’s gone to plan you should have three well placed holes in the
target. In reality your adversary should have gone to ground and
you should have followed them down with your muzzle.
Practice this drill over again until you can do it without thinking.
Practice dry fire first, paying attention to all the fundamentals and
safety before going on to live fire. That’s all there is to
the Mozambique drill. Get those first two rounds into
the chest as quickly as you can to slow the target down
and take time to get that head shot in as precisely as
possible.
Until next time, keep safe, and keep training!
SKILLS & DRILLS
pmcimagazine.com

pmcimagazine.com
TRAINING: 6MM GLOCK
6MM TRAINING – SAFE TRAINING WITH GLOCK
Even when it comes to “6mm Training” there are moments when only “the real thing” will do, and although
there are many pistols out there that will do the job, when it comes to training with a Glock, why not just
train with a Glock? Bill gets hands on with a righteous 6mm replica in the form of the officially licenced Glock
17 Gen 4 from Umarex. -BT-
it comes to training we talk an When
awful lot about how repetition and the
construction of a “muscle memory” can
help us to become a better, safer, more
controlled, and ultimately more effective
shooter and although I do try to crosstrain
with multiple firearm platforms,
when it comes to my personal choice I
am pretty much a foreswarn “Glock/AR man”.
I do have a love for the big .306/7.62mm rifles, but I guess that
just harkens back to my formative years when for me “7.62 was
king” and the L1A1 SLR was our “long” of choice; if truth be told
though my rifle-shooting days started with the venerable SMLE
in .303, so I’m a believer in those big-boy rounds, something
that led me to becoming a fan of the AK in 7.62x39! That said,
.223/5.56mm has become pretty much “de riguer” these days
when it comes to carbines, so these days that’s good enough for me.
But time, and the popularity of certain rounds, waxes and
wains and for me there has only really ever been one single
calibre of personal choice for handguns, and that’s 9mm! Now
I know that might not gain me many fans amongst certain
parts of the US shooting fraternity, so I will admit to a bit of a
failing when it comes to Kimbers and STI “1911” models, but I
44

started shooting handgun in earnest using the 9×19mm Parabellum
Browning Hi Power so again, it’s kind of stuck with me; I’m not
saying for a moment that I haven’t tried other calibres and found
them efficacious, but I’m “comfortable” with 9mm and have spent
many happy hours (and no small amount of money!) sending those
rounds downrange.
During my time in living in the USA I was a bit like a kid in a
candy store as I was able to try pretty much anything on offer at
my regular range, and I was able to shoot a couple of times a week
with civilian, LE and military friends. However, although I DID indeed
“try” many different models of handgun in varying calibres, when
it came to attending training courses I inevitably ended up with a
9mm Glock 17 in my holster.
The Glock 17 has been my personal handgun of choice for many
years now, and given the chance I would always choose one both
for “muscle memory” reasons, and the fact that I know it to be a
reliable tool that will serve all my needs as long as I maintain it
correctly, and I KNOW that I am not alone in believing this! Fact is
that the Glock, and pointedly the 17, is one of the most popular
handguns in the world, beloved of both civilians and professional
users, and although there are many fancy-schmancy upgrades
available most folk I know keep theirs thoroughly well-maintained,
yet also thoroughly stock.
SAFE 6MM TRAINING
Now one of the main reasons I and the PMCI crew have stressed
when it comes to the benefit of training with a “6MM” (airsoft if
you must) model is that they are (relatively) safe; yes, they still fire
a projectile, albeit a 6mm BB, at a low, non-lethal muzzle velocity
and that’s why we always advocate at least eye protection when
you’re training on the range, and urge you to consider higher levels
of protection if you’re embarking on any force-on-force scenario, but
with the proper safety precautions in place you’re not going to do
any more damage than a nasty wee welt on exposed skin.
The benefit is in the fact that you can train virtually anywhere
using smart target systems and dry-fire, at any time. You don’t need
to book a slot on the range, and you certainly don’t need to spend
hundreds of bucks to get into a daily training regimen if you so
desire; some “cool guy” shooting glasses, a bottle of BBs and some
gas and you’re pretty much good to go!
But, and this is a BIG BUT, what if your safe training platform
bears zero resemblance to the firearm that you carry every day?
Whilst in my mind any form of training is beneficial, would you not
prefer to train with the pistol you actually own?
Enter, stage right, the Glock 17 Gen 4 gas blowback pistol from
Umarex!
Now we all know the story of Glock, but the story of Umarex
themselves is equally interesting! Ever since its establishment
in 1972, Umarex has been pushing towards new horizons. Its
founders, Wulf-Heinz Pflaumer and Franz Wonisch, had a strong
entrepreneurial spirit and set themselves ambitious goals. Together
with more than 850 dedicated employees and partners in Germany
and abroad, they achieved their objectives, and of that there is no
doubt!
Today the company is managed by the second generation of
managing partners, Eyck Pflaumer and Martin Wonisch, and millions
of people enjoy shooting with guns that can be bought over the
counter. Umarex has created a world of adventure for sport shooters,
recreational shooters and hunters, and its high-performance models
permit training under highly realistic conditions.
Umarex Sportwaffen GmbH & Co. KG are based in Germany, but
in 2006 the North American subsidiary of Umarex, Umarex USA,
was created after acquisition of the American marketers of the
RWS brand (formerly part of Dynamit Nobel), which they continue
to market. Umarex USA markets Umarex replicas under license
from various firearm brands that include Beretta, Browning, Colt,
Hammerli, H&K, Makarov, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, UZI, Walther and
most importantly for this article, Glock.
6MM GLOCK; OFFICIAL!
Now I was reading very recently (thanks to AmmoLand.com) that
Glock have now won a six-year legal battle in the USA to protect
both their trademarks and their “trade dress” against cloning in the
airsoft world. This comes as no surprise to me whatsoever as we
are now seeing more and more firearms manufacturers taking their
business “in house”, and I do to some extent at least put this down
to the fact that more and more of us are using the “6mm option”
for training, and owners of real firearms expect their “replica” do be
every bit as good as their “real”.
Firearm manufacturers do what they do best, and that’s making,
marketing, and selling firearms. They are not known for making
“airsoft guns” for good reason, it’s not been their market, or has
it? Yes, it has and the smart “early adopter” industry money has
already gone down the licencing route. “Licenced” replicas may
sometimes cost a little more than the unbranded “clone” models
TRAINING: 6MM GLOCK
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pmcimagazine.com
TRAINING: 6MM GLOCK
(in some cases considerably more!), and to date we have in
honesty seen sub-par items made under licence, not all of them
for sure, but some. Again, it’s my opinion, but if we are paying
for something that is more expensive surely we should be able to
have an expectation too of at least solid performance!
The Glock replicas created by Umarex have always been good,
but the latest generation has really moved things forward again!
After years without an official “6mm” option licensed by Glock,
Umarex finally sealed the deal and subsequently assigned Vega
Force Company (VFC) to manufacture pistols for the brand; regular
readers will know that we rate VFC training platforms highly, so
this to us is very good news!
To quote my friend Steve T who has done some “deep
digging” on this particular story already:
“VFC could have simply chosen to add those all-important
trades and ramp up production on their existing models but by all
accounts, the results were altogether better from the get-go. I’ve
owned a number of VFC pistols over the years and they’ve always
been “OK”. Way better than the lowest common denominator, but
still a tier below the premiere league. But since being founded in
2004, VFC has continually improved its offerings. Strictly in terms
of VFC’s Glock offerings, the consensus is that while earlier models
were accurate but not entirely effective, the latest models have
matched the company’s ambitions for its “gas AR” range.”
The Umarex licenced Glock 17 stacks up against the real
deal pretty well; the Gen 4 series comes with a frame that is
the full size or “Duty” model with a 17 round magazine capacity,
weighing in at 705g unloaded, with an overall length of 202mm
(7.95 inches).
The Modular Back Strap design of the GLOCK 17 Gen 4 allows
you to change it out its grip to add comfort and control, regardless
of your hand size. The surface of the frame features the new Gen4
rough textured profile, and a reversible enlarged magazine catch,
changeable at user level accommodates left and right-handed
operators. The “trainer” version mimics everything well, weighing
in at 659g unloaded and coming in at exactly 202mm. Just like
the real thing it comes with interchangeable backstraps, a slightly
textured slide, and an oversized mag release!
Since VFC started working with Umarex they have taken every
best possible advantage with the licence, and who could blame
them? To the left of the slide is engraved not only the Glock logo,
but also “17 Gen 4”, “Austria” and “9×19”. The right of the slide
carries a serial number that matches the one on the ejection
port.
Unlike copycat versions, you’ll also find the Glock logo to
the bottom left of the grip, while the right side reads “Officially
46

licensed product of Glock”. One neat touch we particularly like is
that the butt of the magazine also shows the Glock logo; to recharge
with gas, you’ll need to press in a small button in the magazine
baseplate to slide it forwards, revealing the gas fill valve. It might
sound like a pain, but not only does it help make the pistol look
even more real, it also only takes a second or two to achieve.
DOWNRANGE
I’ve been running the Glock 17 on NUPROL 2.0 “green bottle gas”
and to date I’ve had no major issues with consistency of power,
and the magazines are really standing up to being hammered on
a regular basis, with no leaks apparent. The action of the pistol has
been lubed after each range session, and retains the smoothness
that it had when it first arrived with me; in fact, if anything the
action cycles even more efficiently now than it did as new, and it
was pretty smooth in the first place… it just goes to prove that even
the very best models need a little time and some use to “bed in”.
Externally the finish is standing up well to going in and out of
my Kydex Customs holster, and although there’s some very slight
wear on the muzzle end and around the ejection port this is to be
expected as Kydex is pretty unforgiving to finishes, and the blocky
slide of the Glock is not exactly “rounded”!
In terms of continued performance I’ve now logged in excess of
3000 RZR. 20g, .25g, and .30g BBs through the pistol; thus far it is
still performing as new at 10m on steels and on the Attack Sense
Smart Target System, with solid accuracy at that distance, the realistic
maximum distance I would usually expect to use a “secondary” at.
The Glock has registered highest at 0.92 Joule/315fps on a .20g
RZR, settling in at 0.86 Joule/305fps and staying there. I’ve found
that now it has settled in it does like .30g RZRs as its regular fodder,
and again, this is most certainly the weight I am now using.
Umarex offer a whole host of models under their licence with
Glock, and all of them are worth a look if you use something
other than the 17. Once again though this particular training pistol
is proving to be a “keeper”, so if you’re a real Glock owner/user
looking for a long-term, dependable “6mm training
friend” then the Umarex Glock 17 Gen 4 should most
definitely be on your list to try. It looks right, feels right,
and shoots right; what more do you need?
My thanks again go to Steve T for his invaluable input
to this article, and to Scott at www.landwarriorairsoft.
com for providing this pistol for long-term evaluation.
TRAINING: 6MM GLOCK
pmcimagazine.com

pmcimagazine.com
WHICH TRAINING PROVIDER
WHICH TRAINING PROVIDER
Choosing a training provider can be a difficult choice, and this time our good friend Paul Hutchinson, founder of
ARG Associated Risks Group based in the UK, joins us to look at some considerations in answering this question.
Paul is a former Police Officer and Firearms Instructor and has
worked with some of the world’s elite forces; he also still works
as a Security Consultant so we firmly believe that his advice will
help you to discover a training provider that offers current “best
practice”.
Choosing a training provider (TP) can be a difficult choice, a
question often asked on social media sites such as LinkedIn. For
me, when you are looking for a training provider there are two
main points:
1: Do your due diligence.
2: Establish which is the best course for you, at your level (and
be honest).
Make sure you do your own due diligence; not only look at
student testimonials on the TP website, but also look at former
students social media and what they have to say about the course
facilities, content, equipment and credibility of the instructors.
Recommendations are a strong indicator but don’t be fooled.
Have a look at what facilities they have. But most of all, what
exactly is being taught…! This is probably the most difficult aspect;
over the years I’ve witnessed some horrific training practices
across the globe. If we think of it like this, the basics are always
the best. It’s what we revert to when we are under pressure
(gross motor skills) and yet if you look at YouTube and other social
media sites, you’ll see training providers showing clips of Gucci,
new world training practices, and people believe it’s the answer.
No.... The answer is in the basics… if you can’t successfully hit the
target each and every time on the range, under no pressure and
where the rounds are only going one way. Then in the contact,
in which you are probably on the back foot.. it’s simply not going
to work. Especially, if you’re only or primary weapon is a pistol.
Kit and equipment does change some of our tactics but generally
it doesn’t change your shooting ability. With this in mind, ensure
that you are fully comprehensive and consistent in hitting the
target each and every time.
So, it’s generally about two things when you assess your ability,
Speed & Accuracy, normally at this point people choose one
over the other. Wrong, neither one is more important then the
other. As fellow trainer and three time IPSC European Handgun
Champion Bob Dunkley would always say,
“It’s no good being the fastest one around the skills house, if you
haven’t hit shit.. Nor being the most accurate, but taking a century
to do it.”
Both are just as important as the other and that means getting
the basics right and then practice. So before you book yourself
on an advanced course, make sure you have all
the basics covered. Do you’re due diligence and be
honest about your current ability.
Stay safe.
48

PMCI
BOOK REVIEW
CALL SIGN CHAOS:
LEARNING TO LEAD
There are some leaders in the world that just can’t be ignored,
and indeed should never be ignored, and for me with 44 years in
the Marine Corps, James Norman Mattis is certainly right up there
with the best of them! Whilst I don’t care a jot about “politicking”
this man has been a leader of other men in the crucible, and
when he has something to say I tend to listen.
“Call Sign Chaos” is a clear account of learning how to lead in
a chaotic world, by General Jim Mattis, former American SecDef
and one of the most formidable strategic thinkers of our time, and
Bing West, a former assistant secretary of defense and combat
Marine.
“Call Sign Chaos” is the account of Jim Mattis’s storied career,
from wide-ranging leadership roles in three wars to ultimately
commanding a quarter of a million troops across the Middle East.
Along the way, Mattis recounts his foundational experiences as
a leader, extracting the lessons he has learned about the nature
of warfighting and peacemaking, the importance of allies, and
the strategic dilemmas, and short-sighted thinking, now facing
national leaders. He makes it specifically clear why America must
return to a strategic footing so as not to continue winning battles
but fighting inconclusive wars.
Mattis divides his book into three parts: Direct Leadership,
Executive Leadership, and Strategic Leadership. In the first part,
Mattis recalls his early experiences leading Marines into battle,
when he knew his troops as well as his own brothers. In the
second part, he explores what it means to command thousands
of troops and how to adapt your leadership style to ensure your
intent is understood by your most junior troops so that they
can own their mission. In the third part, Mattis describes the
challenges and techniques of leadership at the strategic level,
where military leaders reconcile war’s grim realities with political
leaders’ human aspirations, where complexity reigns and the
consequences of imprudence are severe, even catastrophic.
“Call Sign Chaos” is a memoir of a life of warfighting and
lifelong learning, following along as Mattis rises from Marine
recruit to four-star general. It is a journey about learning to lead
and a story about how he, through constant study and action,
developed a unique leadership philosophy, one relevant to us all.
Jim Mattis is a Pacific Northwest native who served more than
four decades as a Marine infantry officer. Following two years as
the Secretary of Defense, he returned to the Northwest and is now
the Davies Family Distinguished Fellow at the Hoover Institution
at Stanford University.
Bing West has written ten books about combat. He served as a
Marine grunt in Vietnam and later as an assistant secretary of
defense in the Reagan administration. He has been on hundreds
of patrols in Iraq and Afghanistan, including many operations with
General Mattis. He is a member of the Military History Working
Group at the Hoover Institution. He lives with his wife, Betsy, in
Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Newport, Rhode Island.
Hardcover : 320 pages
ISBN-10 : 0812996836
ISBN-13 : 978-0812996838
Publisher : Random House; Illustrated Edition (3 Sept. 2019)
BOOK REVIEW
pmcimagazine.com

Advanced Security Protection
http://www.advancedsecurityprotection.com/
AKE Group
http://www.akegroup.com/
Ambrey Risk
http://www.ambreyrisk.com
Antipirates.Org
http://www.antipirates.org/
APPDS
http://www.appds.co.uk/
Aquatic Marine Ltd
http://www.aquaticmarineltd.com
Protect Asia Group
http://www.protectasia.com/
Secopex
http://www.secopex.com/
Aspida
http://www.aspida.org/
Associated Risk Maritime Risk Management
http://www.associated-risks.com
Bancroft Maritime Security Solutions
http://www.maritimesecuritysolutions.co.uk
Bechtel Corporation
http://www.bechtel.com/
Black Pearl
http://www.blackpearlmaritimesecurity.com/
Blackstone Consultancy
http://www.blackstoneconsultancy.com;
Blue Hackle
http://www.bluehackle.com/
Blue Waters Partners Global
http://www.preparedex.com/
BP Global
http://www.bp.com/
Britam Defence
http://www.britamdefence.com/
British Maritime Solutions
http://britishmaritimesolutions.com
BW Offshore
http://www.bwoffshore.com/
Calibre International Security
http://www.calibre-international.com/
Chilport
http://www.chilport.co.uk/
Chiron Resources
http://www.chironresources.com
Clearwater Special Projects
http://www.bodyguarding.co.uk/
Control Risks
http://www.control-risks.com
Decatur Maritime Security
http://www.decaturms.com/
50

Drum Cussac
http://www.drum-cussac.com/Index.aspx
Dryad Maritime
http://www.dryadmaritime.com/
Edinburgh International
http://www.edinburghint.com/home/
Elite Maritime Protection Services
http://www.elitemaritimeprotection.com
EOS Risk Management
https://www.eosrisk.com/
Erus Maritime
http://www.erusrisk.com
Espada
http://www.espadaservices.com
Ex Military Recruitment
https://www.exmil.co.uk
Exploration Logistics Group
http://www.frontiermedex.com/
G4S Maritime
http://www.g4s.uk.com
Genesis Security Group
http://genesissecurity.com/
Global Executive Outreach
http://www.geo-ops.com/
Global Risk Security
http://www.globalrisksecurity.
co.uk/
Global Solace
http://www.solaceglobal.com/
Global Strategies Group
http://www.globalgroup.com/
Grail Security
http://www.grail.co.za
Halliburton
http://www.halliburton.com/en-USage
Halogen Security
http://www.halogensecurity.com/
Hart Maritime
http://www.hartsecurity.com
Hill & Associates
http://www.hillassoc.com
HP TerraMarine International
http://www.hpterramarine.com/
Hudson Trident
http://hudsonanalytix.com
ICTS
http://www.icts.co.uk
IMSA Ltd
http://www.imsaltd.com/
International Executive Recruiting
http://www.iernetwork.com
International Maritime Security
http://www.intmarsec.co.uk
International Maritime Security
http://www.intmarsec.co.uk/
International Security Network
http://www.isn.eu.com
ISC Gulf
http://www.iscgulf.com/
ISSG Sea Marshalls
http://www.issg-seamarshals.com/

Janusian Risk Advisory Group
http://www.riskadvisory.net/
Kroll
http://www.kroll.com/
Longmoor Group
http://www.longmoor-security.com
Lotus Maritime Security
http://www.lotusmaritime.com
Lotus Projects
http://www.lpyemen.com
Maersk
http://www.maersk.com/pages/default.aspx
Magregor Protection Services
http://macgregorprotectionservices.com
MTResolution
http://www.mtresolution.com/
MUSC
http://www.sps-global.com
Naval Guards
http://www.navalguards.com
Neptune Security
http://www.neptunemaritimesecurity.com/
NNK Group
https://www.nnkcorporation.com
NYA International
http://www.nyainternational.com
Ocean Marshalls
http://www.oceanmarshalls.com
March Security
www.marchsecurity.com
Maritime Risk International
http://www.maritimeriskinternational.com/
Marsec
http://www.marsec.eu.com
MAST
http://www.mast-commercial.com
McRoberts Maritime Security
http://www.mcrobertsmaritime.com/
Merchant Maritime Warfare Centre
http://www.mmwc.org/
Minimal Risk
http://www.minimalrisk.co.uk/
MSS
http://www.mss-uk.com
Ocean Protective Services
http://oceanprotectionservices.com
Oceaneering International
http://www.oceaneering.com/
Olchon
http://www.olchon.co.uk/
Olive Group
http://www.olivegroup.com/
Orchid Security
http://www.orchid-office.com/
Oxberry Risk Strategies
http://www.oxberryrisk.com/maritime_services
Pilgrim Group
http://www.pilgrimsgroup.com
Pilgrim Security
http://www.pilgrimsgroup.com
52

Pistris
http://www.pistris.com/Index.html
Protect Asia Group
http://www.protectasia.com/
PVI Ltd
http://www.pviltd.com/
Raven Special Projects Ltd
http://www.ravenspecialprojects.com
Red Cell Security
http://www.redcellsecurity.co.uk
Redfour-MSS
http://www.redfour-group.com
Saladin Security Group
http://www.saladin-security.com/
Saladin Security
http://www.saladin-security.com/
Salama Fikira
http://www.salamafikira.com/
SMS
www.specialistmarineservices.com
Tor International
http://www.torinternational.com/
Trojan Securities International
http://www.trojansecurities.com/
Orchid Security
http://www.orchid-office.com/
Blackstone Consultancy
http://www.blackstoneconsultancy.com/
Pilgrim Group
http://www.pilgrimsgroup.com/
Maritime Risk International
http://www.maritimeriskinternational.com/
International Maritime Security
http://www.intmarsec.co.uk/
Raven Special Projects Ltd
http://www.ravenspecialprojects.com/
Salamanca Risk Management
http://www.salamancarm.com
Sea Marshalls Ltd UK
http://www.seamarshals.com
SEAL
http://www.sealsecurity.com/
Securescot
http://www.securescot.com
Securewest International
http://www.securewest.com/
Security Networking Events
http://snespecialprojects.com/
Security Networking Events
http://snespecialprojects.com/
Securoquest
http://www.securoquest.co.za
Shield Risk Consulting
http://www.shield.eu/services/maritime-security/
Shipguard
http://www.mss-uk.com
SMS
www.specialistmarineservices.com
SPS
http://www.sps-global.com
Tactical Intel
http://www.tacticalintel.com/
Thalassic
http://www.thalassic.co.uk/
Tor International
http://www.torinternational.com/
Torcuss
http://www.torcuss.co.za/
Triskle TSL
http://www.triskelservices.com
Triton Security
http://www.tritoninternationalltd.com
Trojan Securities
http://www.trojansecurities.com
Veritas International
http://www.veritas-international.com/