PMCI - March 2019

MARCH 2019

CONTENTS 4 PMCI HITS VEGAS!: SHOT SHOW IS ONE OF A KIND! TRAMPAS AND THE PMCI USA CREW WERE ON HAND TO EXPERIENCE ALL THAT’S NEW AND IMPROVED IN “SIN CITY” AND NOW LAND THIS YEARS REPORT! 10 SPECIAL REPORT: “MAD MIKE” HOARE: THE LEGEND BILL RECENTLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH THE SON OF “MAD MIKE” HOARE

Editor (UK): Bill Thomas

AND BRINGS YOU NOT ONLY THE STORY BUT AN EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT FROM THE NEW BOOK

Deputy Ed (USA): Trampas Swanson

ON THIS LEGENDARY MERCENARY COMMANDER

Graphic Design: Baz Thakur/ Havoc Design

11 EDITORS COMMENT

Publisher: Nigel Streeter

14 GEAR ON TEST: “GEAR FOR THE GOOD GUYS” BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE PMCI TEAM 18 TACTICAL INNOVATION: THERMAL LAYERS: NEED WARM GEAR FOR THOSE COLD RANGE

PMCI magazine is a digital-only publication available FREE OF CHARGE via the PMCI

DAYS? PMCI RECOMMENDS THEIR FAVOURITES

App on a wide range of digital platforms,

22 TECH: FLIR , NVGS AND THERMAL IMAGERS ARE JUST FOR THE MILITARY, RIGHT? WRONG,

including iOS, Android and Windows. For

AS WE CHECK OUT THE LATEST FROM FLIR

more information, visit www.pocketmags. com and search “PMCI”.

26 TECH: TACTICAL WALLS CLOCK: NEED TO KEEP A FIREARM SAFELY STORED WHILST IN PLAIN VIEW AND EASY REACH? WE BRING YOU THE TACTICAL WALLS CLOCK! 28 FIREARMS: SIG LEGION P938: SMALL BUT ON SO DEADLY! TRAMPAS GETS ROUNDS DOWN WITH THE SIG LEGION P938

PMC I c a n a l s o b e rea d o n l i n e at : www.issuu.com, www.magzter.com and www.readly.com

32 FIREARMS: AK, FRIEND OR FOE?: “CALL SIGN LUNCH BOX” CHECKS IN AGAIN WITH

Calibre Publishing Limited

A UNIQUE VIEW ON THE VENERABLE KALASHNIKOV

Wyche Innovation Centre,

36 SPECIAL REPORT: ROGER ECKSTINE INTERVIEW: TRAMPAS CHEWS THE FAT WITH SHOOTER, WRITER AND GURU OF ALL THINGS RELATING TO COMBAT KNIVES, ROGER ECKSTINE

Walwyn Road, Upper Colwall, Malvern,

40 TRAINING: CROWS NGO ANTI-POACHING: PMCI’S GETS THE LOWDOWN FROM THE

Worcestershire,

“GUYS ON THE JOB” AND FINDS OUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AN ANTI-POACHING TRAINER

WR13 6PL

AND RANGER IN AFRICA 44 SKILLS AND DRILLS: CONTINUATION TRAINING: ANDY GETS TO GRIPS WITH GETTING

Tel: 01684 878 003 Web: www.pmcimagazine.com

OLDER AND MAKING SURE YOUR TRAINING PROGRAM KEEPS YOU UP TO SCRATCH 50 BOOK REVIEW: “AFTER COMBAT: TRUE WAR STORIES FROM IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN”

©Calibre Publishing Limited 2019 Letter, idea or question?

56 INDUSTRY VACANCIES: LOOKING FOR WORK? JUST CHECK HERE. Copyright © Calibre Publishing 2019. 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

experts? An article or article idea? Drop us a

express permission of the publisher in writing. The opinion of the writers do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher. The

line and let us know. Either email the editor

Editors reserve the right to edit submissions prior to publication.

(editor@pmcimagazine.com), write to us at

Thank you for downloading this Edition of PMCI, the FREE digital publication dedicated to PMC Operatives. PMCI is written by

the Calibre Publishing address above, or talk

individuals with first-hand knowledge and experience of the subject they write about - and all of whom have an intimate

to us on Twitter or Facebook.

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

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Got something to say? A question for our

SHOT SHOW 2019

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Once a year, thousands of firearms manufacturers, federal firearms licensed dealers, Law Enforcement agency representatives and private military contracting companies descend upon a thriving oasis in the Nevada desert nicknamed “Sin City” or otherwise known as Las Vegas. The event, which draws all the attention from the firearms community, is the largest “Industry Only” trade show known worldwide as SHOT SHOW and once again Trampas and the US-based team were there to bring their report on all that’s “new and improved”!

A

t SHOT (for Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show) Show just about every firearms,

ammunition and gear company on the market displays their wares over five days of festivities and excitement. The week includes an exclusive range day held at the Boulder City Rifle and Pistol Club on Monday followed by four days of multiple level indoor exhibition inside the massive Sands Convention Centre. This event offers miles of great industry people with thousands of new products to discover. As always, the PMCI team was there to cover the week’s action and bring our readers the highlights.

BOOTS ON THE GROUND, VEGAS!

The Swanson Media Group team, which most of our readers knows makes up a strong portion of the PMCI USA staff, rolled into Las Vegas on Sunday around noon to get settled into hotels and unpack. That night, everyone gathered for an evening of preplanning our attack on the week over a massive carnivorous dinner. At this point, everyone was given their assignments and had a chance to enjoy the close-knit brotherhood we share.

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RANGE DAY

The next morning would start just before 0700 HRS to board the complementary bus to take writers, photographers and videographers a half hour away to the range in Boulder City for the day. As the PMCI team off loaded and split into “fire teams” to cover the 1.2-mile-wide events on the range, we had a brief team huddle to remind everyone to be safe and focus on our mission at hand. Spirits were high and the fun was ready to begin!

Over the next eight hours, the team got hands on experience with several new models of handguns, suppressors, full-auto machine guns and even went long with sniper rifles out to 800 meters. Take it from a one very proud Deputy Editor, the PMCI team really impressed the vendors with their depth of knowledge and skill sets when handling firearms. Aside from shooting the

latest guns coming to market, the team even enjoyed a lighthearted knife and axe throwing competition at the Buck Knives booth where several walked away winning a new Buck knife.

When everyone needed to recharge their energy, most opted for a wide array of some of the area’s best food trucks that were inside the gated event, while some decided to tempt fate by sneaking past the Jack Links Sasquatch to obtain all the free beef jerky one could snack upon. As our videographer, Doc discovered after being throttled by the furry sentry, sometimes you must fight to eat!

Some of the highlights of this day came in the form of getting to shoot the new Springfield 1911 TRP pistols chambered in 10mm, running an AK 47 quietly getting hits on reduced torso sized steel thanks to OSS Suppressors and of course, watching the range burn down at the mercy of a 7.62 calibre electric M134 machine gun by Profense, LLC. Several items of interest the PMCI team came away with notes to watch in the future were Mossberg’s new MC1sc compact pistol and the two new dual tone ten shot capacity offerings from Glock with the models 43X and 48, all chambered in 9mm. Stay tuned for full in-depth reports on those coming this spring.

PRODUCT EDUCATION

The next four days would be spent spanning four different floors of the Sands Convention Centre in a variety of rooms spanning from the size of a large retail store to Super Walmart. As our “fire teams” consisting of one writer and one cameraman or videographer flanked the rooms to not only capture the sights and sounds of the show for our readers and social media followers, each team met with product marketing executives and discussed loan agreements to get firsthand experience throughout the year

SHOT SHOW 2019

Making the trip were a couple of new faces to our team as well as our regular roster. PMCI writer, “Call Sign Lunch Box” fresh from an overseas assignment was in attendance as usual alongside long-time photographer and “King of Kydex”, John Phillips and outdoor writer, Jared Peltz. SHOT SHOW rookies this year were new team members, Doc Burger and Jerry Moody, both excited and eager to capture the sights and sounds of the event via video and photos. Once the show doors officially opened on Tuesday, we caught up with UK PMCI contributor (and our “tactical padawan”), Kelly Hardwick. This year would start off with an “ace in the hole” having PMCI writer, Clint Steele monitoring comms from Florida providing information, schedules, locations and updating social media. While Clint couldn’t make the trip this year, he still managed to be a valuable member of the Vegas team. Look for his boots, along with those of our Editor Bill, to be on Vegas soil beside us in 2020!

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SHOT SHOW 2019

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with the latest firearms, gear and accessories. This event helps propel a good portion of our reviews for the year.

Companies such as Torrent Suppressors get to discuss in person with the PMCI writers what goes into their products and the logic behind specific products being released. Too often, the intent for a “game changing” product can be lost in a review due to lack of product education and understanding between the company and the person reviewing it. This is what separates professional writers with “real world” experience such as our great PMCI staff from the YouTube know-it-alls and “table top” bloggers. There are four companies that really stand out head and shoulders above others in the industry when it comes to product education. I feel these companies should be quickly acknowledged for all their hard work and hospitality during what can be a long and gruelling week of business.

The first is the aforementioned Torrent Suppressors (www. torrentsuppressors.com) with their new Orthrus series. Clover, Trey and the rest of the crew do an amazing job welcoming everyone to their booth and even host legendary US Navy SEAL and bestselling author, Richard “Dick” Marcinko. As you may of have already read in past issues, this company’s goal of providing top of the line suppressors for the “everyday working man’s budget” has been really taking off over the past year.

Look for much more in-depth reviews of their products coming soon to PMCI. Next, Linda Kennedy and staff with LOKSAK (www.loksak. com). For those who may not be operators familiar with her products, LOKSAK may appear to be just fabric or plastic bags.

For those with a keen eye, these various lines of product can save lives and important information due to the quality and technology involved in what the untrained eye misses.

Linda, the owner is the epitome of timeless energy, old school hustle and astounding intelligence in regards to everything from technology in the fields of biohazard materials and covert operations. If you know your stuff and don’t try

to fake what you don’t know, Linda and her team are one of the friendliest and family-oriented businesses you will ever meet.

Cross her and odds are, you’ll be sleeping with the fishes off the coast of some third world country by tomorrow.

Look for Call Sign Lunch Box to bring further details about these products later this year.

One company coming soon to PMCI Magazine in reviews is Elevated Silence, LLC (www.elevatedsilence.com). The owner, Jim Hood has a line of suppressors that is nothing short of impressive for the use in special operations as well as civilian recreation. Over the past couple of years, Jim and his company have been researching the market and developing two key topics of focus. The first is an integrally suppressed barrel for the vastly popular Ruger 10/22 .22 rifle platform. This rifle is whisper level quiet for eliminating lighting or other assets that hinder SWAT / Military or Contractor operations. The second is a multi-platform suppressor that can cover a wide range of CQB or long-range long arms with a quick detach feature and zero impact shift.

Wrapping up this nod to the hard-working hustlers of innovation is a company new this year to exhibiting at SHOT SHOW by the name of EVERSAFE (www.eversafetech.com).

Lunch Box is credited with this find as he wandered the aisle of a new one day only exhibition space located on the fifth level of the Sands Convention Centre held on Wednesday during SHOT SHOW. After speaking with the company’s owner, Hugh McLean about what appeared to simply be a generic backpack, Lunch Box reported back during our mid-day meeting that he had discovered what he labelled a “game changer” in the covert operations market. Eager to see what was so special about the bag pictured on his phone while discussing this product, I cancelled my afternoon itinerary and headed up to the EVERSAFE booth.

Upon my arrival, I was met by Hugh and given a warm reception and full explanation of his product. Basically, this

unassuming bag is far more than meets the eye. Constructed of a proprietary Kevlar based material, the backpack is highly slash resistant and virtually impenetrable with bare hands alone.

Coated cables leading to built-in combination locks secure not only the bag’s contents but the bag itself to anything you wish to simply wrap the cable lined padded straps around and lock it down. I could immediately see where both civilian and operations communities could benefit from products like this. Not to go too far into detail with this bag at this time, I will mention to expect a full review this year from Lunch Box after training in the field and working aboard.

WALKING THE FLOOR

SHOT SHOW 2019

Throughout the SHOT SHOW floor, showgoers could walk through booths looking at huge displays of firearms and get “hands on” to thoroughly inspect them. Some products would be available within a few weeks, others you would need a small country and a stack of legal paperwork to purchase. The large companies such as Vista Outdoor, Glock, Smith & Wesson, Vortex Optics and others really showed the wide range of their marketing budget, while smaller companies fared well with their 8’ x 10’ spaces and grass roots hospitality.

Four days of the impressive finds from the floor came from our team’s joint efforts such as the afore mentioned EVERSAFE pack.

FEISOL / CRETAC with their carbon fibre rifle tripod for sniper / tactical marksmen applications was very impressive with its weight load capacity exceeding 60 pounds while remaining super lightweight compared to my old rigs from my days as a SWAT sniper. What used to be a two-person job to set up a final firing point can now quickly be done by one. ASP’s new line of batons and flash lights both offer new features I wish I had during my career as well. For the AR-15 armourers, Real Avid offered a complete line of great products for cleanly and correctly building up stripped lowers and quickly changing out parts with a great line of profession tools while Aero Precision had just about everything under the sun you would need for parts.

Daniel Defense broke from the norm this year with a new Delta 5 bolt action precision rifle to go along with last year’s release of their line of suppressors. Colt turned heads releasing their 1980’s classic “King Cobra” 4-inch barrel .38 calibre revolver. SIG Sauer’s new short barrelled rifle, the MCX Canebrake Rattler chambered in .300 BLK really seemed to be drawing a lot of attention as well alongside of their new competition ready pistol carbine MPX PCC chambered in 9mm. In true Magpul fashion, just when you think they manufacture just about everything gun accessory

you could think of, they prove you wrong. This year, it was the announcement of MP5 magazines, handguards and even trigger control housings, all of which will not only be for sell individually but as standard load out on Palmetto State Armory’s new MP5 clone due for release later this year as well.

Wheels Up As the week wrapped up, it was time to relax on Friday night and enjoy one last evening with team members. Saturday morning would see the crew either hit the open road or fly out to waiting families to recover from miles of walking, lingering “SHOT SHOW flu” or simply lack of sleep from enjoying the Las Vegas nightlife while still making 0600 HR alarm calls. Excited to get back on the range and start testing new products, the flight home gave me time to reflect on a few “X factors” that make SHOT SHOW such an enjoyable experience.

What is often overlooked when walking through is one of the hallmarks of the SHOT SHOW, its high level of safety and professionalism. Everyone is well versed in their products, friendly and careful in watching for accidents waiting to happen. Not only are the booths filled with sales representatives, but many also have company executives on hand to listen to industry feedback directly on products and discuss design ideas and future innovation.

I have seen first-hand how these things are not overlooked and come to fruition in later model releases of both firearms and gear.

Saving the best for last, one of the biggest experiences of SHOT SHOW each year isn’t the guns, lights, lasers or lasted tactical gear, it’s the people. Great folks like David Hein at 5.11, Jim and Karen Fuller of Rifle Dynamics and many others who have been in this industry for years become close friends who truly wish to help each other secede and follow one another throughout the year via social media. It becomes what I can come to call our “Vegas Family” and really makes a long, hard week of intense work become fun both on the show floor and through several “After Parties” and events during the evenings. If you have never been to SHOT SHOW and are eligible to attend (see requirements at www.shotshow.com ), I highly suggest attending and finding out first-hand how amazing this event truly is.

As great as this year was, I can already tell that next year will be HUGE for 2020 with more of the PMCI team including our fearless leader Bill Pryce-Thomas making the trip across the pond to join us with his boots on the ground as well! You won’t want to miss a single issue this year leading up to this big event as we are set to continue you bringing you only the best in product reviews, technology and training features. Stay tuned and until next time, Train Hard and Continue the Fight!

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“MAD MIKE” HOARE: THE LEGEND

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“MAD MIKE” HOARE: THE LEGEND At PMCI we realise that in some circles military contractors are still viewed as “guns for hire”, or more simply put, mercenaries, former soldiers that will put their lives on the line for cold, hard cash.

But is this a bad thing when they not only fight for the money, as virtually every professional soldier does, but for ideals as well? Bill looks to the story of “Mad Mike” Hoare who turns 100 years old in March 2019, to take this further.

The question of the “mercenary soldier” will no doubt vex minds far more learned than my own, but history can show many examples where the “paid and professional soldier” fought not on behalf of their country of birth, but for an ideal that they truly believed in. The days of the “gentleman adventurer” may be gone now, but I believe it is still a reason why good men and women may take up arms against a foe in distant lands.

I am certainly not naive enough to realise that some are truly “just in it for the money”, but many that leave the military and search for “what comes next” have spent their formative lives defending an ideal (whether that is country, creed, or just simply the guy next to them), and with a different mindset and a set of specialist non-transferable skills decide, like “Ronin”, they must seek to follow the warrior path but without a specific master; it’s their beliefs, morals, and ideals that drives them to put themselves in harm’s way to protect others.

It was my great honour to be contacted by Chris Hoare, the son of a man that you could say history has dealt harshly with in some circles, but that in my mind epitomises that “gentleman adventurer” of a different age, a man who would find a welcome amongst the modern day warrior that fights for pay; “Mad Mike Hoare”.

Later Hoare and his mercenaries worked in concert with Belgian paratroopers, Cuban exile pilots, and CIA-hired mercenaries who attempted to save 1,600 civilians in Stanleyville from the Simba rebels in “Operation Dragon Rouge”. This operation saved many lives, and Mike was later promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in the Armée Nationale Congolaise and 5 Commando expanded into a two-battalion force. Hoare commanded 5 Commando from July 1964 to November 1965.

Speaking on the conflict, he said, “I had wanted nothing so much as to have 5 Commando known as an integral part of the ANC, a 5 Commando destined to strike a blow to rid the Congo of the greatest cancer the world has ever known; the creeping, insidious disease of communism.”

Later Mike was technical advisor to the film The Wild Geese, which starred Richard Burton playing the Mike Hoare character. In 1981 though, Mike led 50 ‘Frothblowers’ in a bid to depose the socialist government of the Seychelles. Things went wrong and soon Mike was to spend three years in jail for hijacking a Boeing 707 before being granted an amnesty.

A CELEBRATION OF A LIFE WELL-LIVED

“Mad Mike” Hoare: The Legend” is a new book by Chris Hoare on his father. On the celebration of his 100th year, Mike will receive a letter of congratulation from the President of Ireland. A big afternoon party is planned for 17 March 2019 in Durban. Ex-5 Commando men from Johannesburg, Cape Town and other parts of South Africa will be there to honour their former commanding officer; everyone attending the party will be asked to make a short speech to show their respect to Mike, and whisky will be served when the sun is thought to have gone below the yardarm.

The biography on the legendary ‘Mad Mike’ Hoare was written by his son, Chris, a journalist, who had unique access to his father’s life story and consequently was able to separate the man from the myth, and we’d like to thank Chris for agreeing to let us run this excerpt from it here in PMCI.

“MAD MIKE” HOARE: THE LEGEND

Thomas Michael “Mad Mike” Hoare was born on 17th March 1919, and is a British-Irish mercenary leader best known for his military activities in Africa and his attempt to conduct a coup d’état in the Seychelles. The epithet “Mad” Mike originates from broadcasts by East German radio during the fighting in the Congo in the 1960s.

They would precede their commentary with “The mad bloodhound, Mike Hoare”.

Mike was born into a tough Irish seafaring family in Calcutta, and was dumped at a good public school in England at the age of eight where he spent many holidays in the care of a teacher who had fought in the Anglo-Boer War of 1900/1 and who infused Mike with military fervour. At the outbreak of WWII Mike joined the London Irish Rifles, serving as an officer in India and Burma, often being cited as the ‘best bloody soldier in the British Army’. He was demobbed as a Major after seeing action at Kohima, and qualified in London as a chartered accountant before emigrating to South Africa.

Many have asked, “How does an accountant end up living this kind of life?” And there are many elements in the answer including genes, nurture, luck, gifting, blarney, and what Mike called “a double dose of spirit of adventure”.

Going rogue, he started living dangerously to get more out of life, including trans-Africa motorbike trips, blue water sailing, exploring remote areas, and leading safaris. While running safaris across the Kalahari Desert to the Okavango delta in the then Bechuanaland, he met Donald Rickard, a CIA agent. They became best friends, and Rickard infused Mike with an anticommunist fervour and put Mike’s hand up when America and Belgium decided to fund a mercenary army in the Congo. Mike led two separate mercenary groups during the Congo Crisis; in 1964, Congolese Prime Minister Moïse Tshombe hired Major Mike Hoare to lead a military unit called 5 Commando, Armée Nationale Congolaise (5 Commando ANC) made up of some 300 men, most of whom were from South Africa. The unit’s mission was to fight a revolt known as the “Simba Rebellion”.

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“MAD MIKE” HOARE: THE LEGEND

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We pick up the action in the Congo in late 1964…

After Stanleyville, Mike was asked to lead raids behind rebel lines in the area to rescue nuns and priests, both black and white, who had been taken hostage and were literally being raped or slaughtered, or both. Such rescues were beyond his original brief, but he felt his units could not just stand by. The eventual number of priests and nuns rescued by 5 Commando is generally held to be about 2000. This was surely Mike’s finest hour.

‘I was personally involved in every one of the rescue raids (in the Stanleyville area). They were very dicey little operations, how we got them out. I led the men through enemy territory.

At one mission we freed about 100 nuns. They had been treated badly, wooooo woo woo woo, bastards huh? You can imagine how they (the rebels) treated the women.’

On one of the rescue raids, Mike copped a bullet across the forehead, and I remember how this incident brought home to our family the risk that Mike was taking, including the immense repercussions if Mike were to be killed. But Mike himself made light of it while also milking the situation. One of the officers, Tom Courtney, later said, ‘The wound was protected by the famous plaster which will go down in history as the longestserving plaster of all time. Still, the press loved it.’

One of the mercenaries who took part in several rescues was Gary Michell, resident in Cumbria, UK, in 2008. He saw himself at the time as ‘not a particularly adventurous person, just a normal person who enjoyed the military way of life’. He had served in the Rhodesian Light Infantry, and also got his wings as a Para. ‘Once, in 55 Commando, we rescued about 30 nuns and priests, but there was one priest who stood on the steps and refused to leave. He said, “God put me here and God will take me away”. I said “Okay, He sent me to get you”, and I knocked him down and two other men picked him up and put him in the truck. Mike was NOT impressed; he said hitting him was not right – after all, he was a priest!’

One of the long-serving mercenaries, Lt Tom Courtney of 53 Commando, summed it all up, saying that in his opinion, ‘Mike was a professional soldier; he knew very well how to lead and command respect; everyone I’ve met who served with him felt they were part of a fighting commando, unlike Peters and Schroeder whose men and myself felt we were part of a barroom brawl.’

Meanwhile, although 5 Commando had saved the lives of probably 2000 innocent hostages, and had liberated vast areas of the country from Simba control, they continued to attract a bad press.

The preconceived notions of Anthony Mockler, who was sent to the Congo at the end of 1964 as an ‘apprehensive’ special correspondent for The Guardian newspaper, would be typical.

As he says in his book: ‘At The Guardian the general view was that mercenaries ... were the dregs of Europe – hired killers. The reason for my apprehension was that my assignment was to track down the leader of the mercenaries, the hired killer par excellence, “Mad Mike” Hoare.

‘It came therefore as something of an anti-climax when I discovered that “Mad Mike” Hoare was staying in Room 534 of the Hotel Leopold II where I was myself installed. His physical appearance came as an even greater shock. He bore no resemblance at all to a hired killer or a dreg from a gutter.

He was short, dapper and very neatly turned out in light khaki with a major’s crown on his epaulettes. He wore a beret but he carried an attaché case, not a weapon. He resembled a British officer from a good regiment, though possibly politer and more courteous than most of that class. He appeared to be in no way insane.

‘That evening he took me out for a drink in a bar on Boulevard 30 Juin. He drank orange juice himself. ... He talked of his crusade against communism and told me how in order to instil the regimental spirit he insisted on church parade and football matches every Sunday for the “volunteers” ... of 5 Commando.’

commander-in-chief trembled with cold. After all, he was no longer so young. Some soldiers persuaded him to put at least his shoes, trousers and socks near the fire to dry.

‘In the flickering of the flames I saw his sleeping face beside me. There was something innocent and wise about him, like an elderly child. Why this slim man, who could lead a comfortable life in the paradise city of Durban, with his pretty blonde wife, and among valued friends, came here to march through the night and the storm is incomprehensible. He could have led the operation comfortably, as did the high Belgian officers, from a headquarters far behind the lines, or at least from a comfortable vehicle or wellequipped quarters in abandoned villas.

‘But he did not do this. He was always out in front and showed less mercy to himself than to his soldiers. Perhaps it was because this wild band of adventurers, drinkers and similar ilk loved him, although he often treated them like dogs. To the Belgians he was a mystery and magnificent.’

The book was first published by Partners in Publishing in 2018.

It is an authoritative work of 320 pages and includes 200 references, an index, seven maps and a family tree. In addition it has 89 photographs on an extra 28 pages. The ISBN number is 9780620798617 and the recommended retail price is £20, and it’s available from all good book retailers.

A DIFFERENT WORLD

Whilst Mike’s story, as admirably told by Chris, relates to a very specific moment in time, in a place both geographically and physically removed from many of today’s conflict zones, I am certain that it’s one that will resonate with many of you whose

“MAD MIKE” HOARE: THE LEGEND

By 31 December 1964, Mike had had enough of the horror and wanted no more of the ‘damnable country’. But Mobutu made all sorts of promises, and on 3 January Mike flew to Durban for two weeks’ leave and to consider his options.

‘Then,’ Mike said, ‘Horton (a CIA officer in South Africa) phoned.

He did not like me, and had rapped me on the knuckles for writing to him on an earlier occasion as a result of my contact with Don Rickard. Now I was well known, and he said he had something terribly important to discuss with me, and kindly asked me to put an evening aside. He came to Durban and took Phyllis and I out to dinner. I told him I had had enough (of the Congo). He said, “God, no, no, no, we must change all this. We need you.”

‘Three days later, he came back to me. He said, “I have been told to tell you you can name your price. We need you today. You may need us one day”. Those were his exact words. I asked for $10 000 which was nothing really. I agreed to go back. They kept their side and I kept mine. They produced aircraft, fast boats, etc.

That’s what made it possible for me to do it all.’

The Americans regarded the Congo as the key domino in central Africa; they feared that if the Congo fell to the Soviet Union, its many neighbours would also become vulnerable. As the CIA’s station chief in Leopoldville, Larry Devlin, later wrote, this would give the Soviets an ‘extraordinary power base in Africa. Control of the Congo would also give the Soviet Union a near monopoly on the production of cobalt, a critical mineral used in missiles and many other weapons systems, since the Congo and the USSR were the world’s main suppliers of the mineral. Such a scenario would put the United States’ own weapons and space programs at a severe disadvantage.’ Clearly, the stakes were too high for the Americans.

Now it was time for action again. Mike called his campaign to take the key towns to the north Operation White Giant – after the rebel jungle-drummers who referred to 5 Commando as the ‘White Giants’. We see the pirate in Mike when we read in Congo Mercenary, ‘Once more I was faced with the apparently insoluble problem of transport. I had gathered every available vehicle from far and wide and lined them up on the barrack square. They were a sorry sight. I paraded the men. “Gentlemen,” I said, “there lies your transport for the campaign. (Get those) vehicles ready to fight and travel a distance of 1000 kilometres. Beg, borrow or steal, but get them on the road. The alternative is marching, carrying everything on your backs!”’

About 250 men from 5 Commando struck out from Bunia on 15 March 1965. North of Mahagi, Mike led a force of 120 of his men plus ‘The Black Watch’ (100 guides and scouts from a nearby town) on foot from Ambesi to Aru, a distance of some 50 km. Their twin targets were the important town of Aru and the nearby Esebi mission which was now a rebel training centre.

Hans Germani recalled how that night, the column advanced on foot. ‘Hoare was in his best mood as “nothing is as nice as a good march”. Then, the sky opened. A wall of water fell down on us. In pouring rain we ran into a village, but the rebels had fled.

We pressed into the abandoned houses. Everything was dripping wet. Hoare allowed three hours’ rest. The freezing men fell to the ground as if dead and slept soundly.

‘A few started a fire and somehow we found we had a large pot of hot tea. “One recognises a good English troop,” the lieutenantcolonel proclaimed, “by the speed with which it manages to make hot tea under the most difficult conditions”.

‘We lay on the ground side by side. The thoroughly soaked

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“MAD MIKE” HOARE: THE LEGEND

experiences are from a different era and a different theatre of fighting. Recently I read this poem, posted by our very own “Call Sign Lunch Box” on his personal social media page, which seemed very apt: “These, in the day when heaven was falling, The hour when earth’s foundations fled, Followed their mercenary calling And took their wages and are dead.

Their shoulders held the sky suspended; They stood, and earth’s foundations stay; What God abandoned, these defended, And saved the sum of things for pay.”

‘Epitaph on an Army of Mercenaries’ A. E. Housman This is a poem in praise of the ‘Old Contemptibles’, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) of 1914, the professional British army that was sent to France at the end of that year to fight against the Germans. At the beginning of the war, Britain had a small professional army made up of those “paid to fight”, rather than the massive armies of conscripts that made up the German, French and Russian forces. This meant that on the outbreak of war, the average member of the BEF was better trained than his foe (famously, at the Battle of Mons, the retreating

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BEF’s rifle firing rate was so fast that German troops thought they were facing machine guns!), but he was also massively outnumbered. German propaganda called the professionals of the British Army “mercenaries” as an obvious insult.

All that Mike Hoare did was to take that grand tradition forward, with a commitment to his ideals, strength of will and spirit, sheer martial professionalism, and a certain unique flair. Both in the Congo and later in the Seychelles he stood up for what he personally believed in and for the men under his command. As Mike himself has often commented “the use of mercenary soldiers was only justifiable if they were employed by a democratically elected government.” It is difficult for us to comprehend what this meant at the time, but again I believe that many of you who read this will find some resonance between the “mercenary” experience of the 1960’s and the lot of the “military contractor” as it is today. Where “justifiably employed”, when taking a paid contract to do a specific job, and when putting life and limb on the line for something you believe in, it’s just a matter of wording, isn’t?

To conclude I’d once again like to thank Chris Hoare for sharing his father’s story with PMCI and all of us at the magazine will certainly be raising a glass to “Mad Mike” on the 17th March; we will not see his like again.

EDITORS COMMENT

“Good to go” is a phrase I hear a lot within the PMCI team, and

That trust is not just founded on physical proximity as I’m based

it’s one that I use a lot myself. What do we actually mean when

in the UK, whilst Trampas is in the USA. Yes, we’ve been on the

we use it though, what is the substance behind it?

range together (not anywhere enough!) and hit SHOT as a double-

“Good to go” can mean a myriad of different things when we

act, and yes, we exchange notes on almost a daily basis, but he

use it. If we have all our kit, firearms and ammunition ready in

is physically removed by an ocean and several thousand miles.

our range bags and gun cases then we’re “good to go” for the

What makes us a good team then? It’s good old-fashioned

range, for testing, evaluation and skills development. The same

respect and trust. We share the ideals of honesty and integrity,

will apply if we’re heading to a show as pens, notebooks, laptops,

we both believe in the freedom of speech and expression, and we

tablets, phones, and other comms devices will be squared away

both hold the right to bear arms right next to our beating hearts.

in our packs or bags.

We respect those around us that work hard and play hard,

Physically we will say we’re “good to go” when we’re not

and who above all are honest and forthright to the core. We love

carrying any injuries, or feeling fatigued. Ranges sessions, testing

innovators, and hate those that try to make a fast buck out of

gear in the boonies, and even covering miles in a convention

someone else.

centre can play havoc on your joints, and late nights attending

Through these shared values we have learnt to trust one

presentations and functions puts even more stress on your body.

another, and our respective geographically-based teams are purely

We’ll even use “good to go” about our mental state, indicating

an extension of that same trust; if Trampas tells me that someone

that everything else has been put on hold until the task in hand

is “good to go” I simply don’t question his judgement.

is complete, and that we are focused on what lies ahead.

The same applies to those that we work with, our friends and

When I speak to one of the PMCI team about a task or a

partners in the industry; those we trust will get our attention every

potential article and they tell me that they are “good to go” I

day of the week, and we’ll work to further their aims as well as

know completely that the task will be completed, or that they

our own. Trampas and the PMCI USA team have returned from

have everything for the article in hand. Bottom line is that if I ask

Vegas tired yet excited by the year ahead, and as the PMCI UK

Trampas for something and he tells me that he’s “good to go” I

crew get ready for IWA in Nuremberg we’re “cocked

know that he’s 100% on it; it’s a trust that has developed over

and locked” to get the job done.

good years now, and that trust extends to all the “staffers” and

So, is PMCI “good to go” for 2019? You can bet your

contributors that are involved with this publication.

bottom dollar that it is.

EDITORS COMMENT

GOOD TO GO!

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CLAWGEAR MILVAGO MKII FLEECE HOODY

GEAR ON TEST

Winter is a great time for us to try out fleece garments, putting them through their paces so you don’t have to!

Bill takes a look at the latest version of the Milvago Hoody from Clawgear.

Earlier today I happened to visit a friend who loves the winter months every bit as much as I do, and given that we had a snowfall recently (as I write) there was a lot for us to chuckle about! I love the feeling of being outdoors when it’s crisp and cold, and if you’ve got the right gear then you can be completely comfortable in any environment, including when the thermometer falls!

One of the key ingredients to any layered clothing system is what you use as your “mid layer”, the thermal bit that sits between your next to skin base and the shell which actually protects you from the elements.

Understanding exactly what is needed and when is the sign of a great clothing manufacturer, and as Clawgear are based in Steyr-Gleink, Austria they understand a bit (just a bit!) about how a clothing system should go together to become a valid, year-round solution. They are highly innovative in what they produce not just in terms of cutting edge design and their use of the most up to date fabrics but also in their choice of colour options.

Clawgear have worked their “knowledge magic” into their entire range of tactical clothing and recently they sent me one of their Milvago MKII fleece garments to trial.

This heavier-weight fleece mid-layer garment is extremely comfortable to wear and the modern styling allows a full range of unrestricted movement. Both the outer and inner materials have been specially selected to ensure robustness and to optimise comfort. The fleece itself is water repellent and breathes extremely well, making the Milvago a superb layering piece, but one that can also be worn on its own in drier cold conditions. 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 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.

Weighing in at 750g the Milvago is easy to pack and takes up minimal space in a pack given its warmth to weight ratio, 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. If you’re in the market for a new performance fleece jacket in the very

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latest “tacticool” colour and style then I would thoroughly recommend you take a very close look at the Milvago MKII Claw Gear is currently available direct from the manufacturer although I’m led to believe that it will soon be more generally available in the UK and further afield.

The Milvago MKII costs €86.90 and is available in RAL 7013, Black, and Solid Rock (grey) in sizes small to XXL. For more information please visit www.clawgear.com

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DIRECT ACTION MUSTANG BELT SYSTEM We all get set in our ways, don’t we? Over the years when it has come to sturdy and reliable pistol belts there’s been a constant debate as to what works best, but the latest offering from Direct Action in Poland offers a whole heap of choice as Bill has discovered.

flat, feather-light accessory to keep your pants up and your working equipment belt where you’d expect it to be. The ultra-thin profile of the trouser belt effectively eliminates “buckle over buckle” discomfort and can be worn all day long.

Made of heavy duty tubular webbing, proprietary laminate, and lined with Velcro loop the Mustang Rescue/ Gun belt is bartack-reinforced in stress points, stiffened to carry the weight of holsters and magazine pouches and secures with a certified AustriAlpin Cobra buckle. There’s an anchor point for carabiner / lanyard / tether next to the buckle, and this is compatible with FROG buckle or shackles. It’s Velcro-loop lined on the inside so that it mates perfectly with the inner trouser belt, so you can have all your range-ready kit pre-mounted and be good to go within seconds. As Direct Action say: “As sleek as its famous namesake, our MUSTANG tapered gun belt is lightweight, slim and rigid. It can be worn alone as a trouser belt, or as a duty belt in combination with the matching inner belt, or together with the MOSQUITO modular belt sleeve.”

Simply put the Mustang two-piece system gives you all the versatility and performance you need, backed up with rock-solid fabrics and components, and superlative craftsmanship. I’ve worn my personal setup regularly and already given it some serious abuse and thus far it’s been nothing but exemplary. In fact I’m so impressed that I’ve just ordered the slightly wider Warhawk outer belt from my friends at Scott Country in the UK along with a spare inner!

For more information on Direct Action please do visit eu.directactiongear.com for Europe and us.directactiongear. com for the USA. If you’re in the UK and want to check the gear out then go direct to www.scottcountry.co.uk

GEAR ON TEST

In the UK it’s always hard to get any semblance of good handgun training in, and as much as we may work with “blue guns”, “yellow guns”, replicas and training systems to keep our skills and drills up to scratch, there’s no real substitute for the “real deal”.

This of course means travelling overseas to get some range time, and we’re blessed at PMCI to have some outstanding training partners in the USA, in Eastern Europe, and even further afield. When I’m travelling to attend a course this means hauling my personal kit with me, so there are two very distinct things that I look for when I’m buying my own gear. First it must be as light and packable as possible so as not to take up too much space in my luggage, and secondly it needs to be built like a tank as obviously I can’t just pop home for a backup!

For years I’ve been wearing the same bulky yet wellpadded “battlebelt” setup, which gives great comfort and the ability to “bolt on” a Kydex holster (I own a few for different handgun models), a micro dump-pouch, a couple of magazine pouches, FAK, and a field knife. In addition to a minimal chest-rig (a Direct Action Hurricane Hybrid these days if you must know!) and a lo-profile, lo-vis plate carrier that has been me set for most training eventualities.

Over the past few years though I’ve noticed more and more of my colleagues moving to slimmer belts, often in the form of a two-piece system of inner and outer belt.

I remember these from my practical pistol days as a lad, but upon researching further I saw that many well-reputed tactical gear companies were using the same system.

At the IWA Show in 2017 I spoke at length to the guys at Direct Action, and sure enough they were offering some belt systems along these lines. As the old “battlebelt” was beginning to show its age (much like its owner!) I decided to phase in a new system before I was forced to, and the Mustang inner and outer belt system really took my fancy, especially as it comes In PenCott GreenZone!

The lo-profile Mustang inner belt works simply as a trouser belt and as a stabiliser for both the Mustang and Warhawk outer belts. As it attaches to the inner Velcro loop panels of those belts, it prevents ride-up during dynamic movement or when drawing a pistol from a holster. With this belt in place there’s no need to use suspenders or a drop leg panel in order to achieve a secure pistol draw.

Made out of proprietary laminate and Velcro this is simply a

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HELIKON TEX WOMEN’S URBAN TACTICAL PANTS

GEAR ON TEST

The Women’s Urban Tactical Pants (or UTP) from Helikon Tex are the sister pant to their well-known unisex UTP, but are specifically designed to fit the female shape, but how do they stack up? Kelly tells more…

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When I opened the packaging and got my hands on these ladies-specific (hurrah!) tactical pants, I was actually very impressed with the feel of the material, it doesn’t feel or look cheap despite their affordable price point; it has a little stretch to it and is a durable 2 way rip stop blend fabric - perfect for the field/range.

Looking at the overall construction of the garment, it is solid and with this I threw them on so let’s check out the fit. So as we know, these are designed specifically to fit the anatomy of the female form and have a classic jean neck shape to prevent the trousers from slipping down. I am very happy with the fit although with these trousers it is really important to measure your body and check the sizing before ordering! In mens/unisex combat trousers I usually wear a 28” waist/32” leg and majority of the time they do the trick, but as these are an extremely fitted pair of trousers I had to measure my waist and hips to make sure I had the correct size. I’m a size 8/10 in most jeans/ trousers depending on the brand and worked out my size to be a 30” waist.

They are comfy and not too restrictive despite their tight fit. After putting these through their paces with squats, running during my daily fitness routine for most activities, especially for range days the size is perfect however if I were to wear these for more physically demanding tasks I would probably opt for a size bigger because I like my trousers to be a little looser to enable a better range of movement especially when I’m crawling under/climbing over or through obstacles.

The trousers are very fitted around the waist, hips, buttocks and thigh areas and loosen up around the knees.

The length of the trousers is 34” no matter what size you opt for and this is to give the user greater freedom in choosing their leg length - just fold them up and you’re good to go. I for one quite like the long leg.

They feature an elasticated waist and zip/velcro fastening which gives them a little movement around the waist and keeps them securely fastened. There are 7 wide belt loops which are perfect for loadout belts for holsters, mags etc. I feel pretty confident when I say that it is unlikely that you would need a belt to keep them up. They also come equipped with 12 pockets - two front pockets with strengthened edges, two wide back pockets, two slim back pockets for accessories, two angled internal waistband pockets, two zipped thigh cargo pockets and two velcro thigh pockets.

Although I think the amount of pockets is exceptionally useful and they do enhance the overall aesthetics of the trousers, I only really used the zipped/velcro and the waistband pockets. I liked the security of the fastened pockets and my iPhone fitted well in the waistband pockets. They come in 5 colours - shadow, black, denim blue, khaki and olive drab; I opted for the shadow grey colour as I’m really loving that shade at the minute. From www.military1st.co.uk the shadow colourway is UK£53.00 with free shipping which is a little more pricey than the unisex trouser option but cheaper than other brands who also offer ladies cuts. For the quality of the construction, material and fit, I feel the price is justified and affordable.

Overall, I found it very hard to dislike anything about these trousers.

For more information and to check out more in the ever-expanding Helikon-Tex range please do visit www. military1st.co.uk in the UK, and www.helikon-tex.com where you’ll also find current prices in UK£, US$ and Euros.

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Patented Lazer Cut System

TACTICAL

The new Viper Tactical Lazer Cut Molle System is a lightweight and innovative platform that allows the user to customize and alter to their operational needs.

Using the most advanced manufacturing techniques, the Lazer Cut System is based on our strongest 600D Cordura which is cut out on the latest laser flatbed machines. It is then reinforced with tough, yet lightweight, webbing sewn onto the reverse side, adding strength and durability, making for a compact, lightweight and hard-wearing platform.

Taking any Lazer Cut System product as a platform, a totally unique operational tailored setup can easily be achieved by simply adding or reducing compatible pouches and equipment.

Our Lazer Cut System is compatible with other Molle/Modular systems. patent number: GB2491624

LAZER RECON PACK Capacity: 35ltr (approx) Material: 600D Cordura Dimensions cms: 45 x 25 x 33 Colours: V-Cam, Coyote, Green, Black Internal hydration sleeve Multiple compression straps Padded Ventex back and straps Waist strap Grab carry handle Velcro ID panel 2 x V-Lock 1 x D-Lock srp: ÂŁ45.00

LAZER SPECIAL OPS PACK Capacity: 45ltr (approx) Material: 600D Cordura Dimensions cms: 51 x 40 x 24 Colours: V-Cam, Coyote, Green, Black 3 zipped compartments Hydration system pocket Multiple compression straps Quick release belt strap Velcro ID panel 2 x V-Lock, 1 x D-Lock srp: ÂŁ59.95

IN ALL AVAILABLE BLACK , OLIVE GREEN & TE YO CO , V-CAM

TICAL ADVANTAGE

>GET THE TAC

KIT: THERMALS

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WARM ON THE RANGE! The colder months of the year are a great time to check out gear specifically for keeping snug when the temperature plummets and the sleet and snow drive in! Bill has been testing a number of garments suitable for just this and now brings in his findings...

I

n the last issue pf PMCI I took a look at how to set up a shell system that will allow you to stay warm, dry and comfortable during a day of training, but as the days grow lighter and warmer at last I’m going to look at one very specific item that every shooter should own and that’s a warm, insulated jacket for use when cooling down on the range after a solid training session.

I actually feel that this is a crucial piece of gear to own for two main reasons. Firstly, after a hard mornings work you’re going to have built up a head of steam but when you’re out on a basic site with no heated facilities (in some cases you’ll be operating from the back of the car!) it’s very, very easy to chill down quickly when you stop. This leads to quick discomfort and on a cold, snowy winters range day I’ve seen many guys leave at lunchtime as they’ve become too chilled to continue.

Secondly, sadly for me in the UK it’s often not the cold, pretty white stuff falling from the sky that we need to contend with but rain and sleet; if you’ve ever stood on an exposed range with horizontal sleet driving in you’ll totally get why I find an insulated jacket to be and indispensable bit of kit!

In the winter months if you really need to push up the insulation levels of your mid-layer then it’s seriously worth considering some form of lightweight lofted garment. Once upon a time everyone would have been

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saying “get a down jacket”, and in certain conditions I’d thoroughly agree with that. These days though I pretty much always go for a synthetic fill rather than down; synthetics retain a high percentage of their insulative properties even when wet whereas when down gets wet it will stay wet and will actually try to use your own core body heat to dry itself resulting in you being even colder!

Another benefit of a synthetic fill is that you can also compress it, and leave it compressed for extended periods of time without causing any damage to its structure. Most of the jackets will come with a compression or stuff sac which can be used to minimise its size making it easier to store and carry with you.

Hypothermia is not something to be taken lightly and let’s face it, you really don’t want to be “that guy” who causes a problem for everyone due to lack of forethought and preparation. I know, I really do, that you could easily look at this and say that an insulated jacket is just another piece of kit to buy; another expensive item of clothing that won’t get used that much. In fact once you own such a garment I think you’ll be shocked actually how much you do use it!

All the “big names” out there will offer one if not more insulated jackets in their clothing range and depending on your budget then shopping around will get you something in your price range. Although camouflage insulated jackets are available think about where you’ll

be wearing it. If you buy a simple block colour rather than camo then you’re also going to end up with something you can wear every day which makes it even better value for money.

With all that said, and after extensive testing over the winter months, here are my “six of the best” for the range; keep warm, keep switched on, and above all else, keep training whatever “Ma Nature” may throw at you!

KIT: THERMALS

Snugpak SJ9 Jacket (UK£139.95) www.snugpak.com/military Snugpak, the leading British sleeping bag manufacturer, has built upon the success of its best known insulated jacket, the Softie, to bring an inspired new innovation to its clothing collection.

The new generation of insulated jackets from Snugpak are British made in the company’s factory in West Yorkshire, and are manufactured using its exclusive Softie Premier insulation.

The warmest jacket in the collection is the SJ9, which uses Softie 9 Insulation. It features a full time insulated hood, which can be rolled down and secured in place when not in use, and Snugpak’s Softie® Premier insulation for ultimate warmth, making it ideal for extreme winter conditions or when stationary for long periods of time. Hem draw cords mean you can snug it in to retain warmth, elasticated cuffs form a great seal when wearing gloves, and there are two deep hand warmer pockets as well. Down the sides of the jacket is a unique panel of baffles which holds the insulation exactly where it’s needed; Snugpak have obviously looked to their sleeping bag range and taken inspiration from there, and it works very well indeed.

The SJ9 is available in olive, military black, MultiCam and A-TACS camo, and features Velcro on the arms for unit or morale patches. I’ve been really pleased to have this model on test and it’s fast proving to be a “keeper”. Over the winter months I was able to try it in various conditions and, especially when the temperature plummeted it really performed! If you’re looking for a really great winter jacket that is absolutely perfect for wear onhe range and elsewhere then I’d urge you to take a really close look at the SJ9 as it comes with my thorough recommendation.

Snugpak MML6 Softie Smock (UK£199.95) w w w. s n u g p a k . co m / military One of the things with range training is that you do spend a fair amount of time in a cold, static position; you might be a t t e n d i n g a t ra i n i n g briefing first thing in the morning or breaking for lunch, but it’s a rarity to find a heated range isn’t it? For years I’ve always had an original Snugpak “Softie” jacket in the back of the car for just such times, for when you want a bit of instant warmth.

Now Snugpak have really upped the ante though, taking things to an entirely new level! Developed by Snugpak with input from professional navigators, mountain leaders, climbing instructors, meteorological staff, and military personnel, the new functional Military Mountain Leader Smock has been created to support the user in a diverse range of operational environments, especially when exposed to extreme cold weather.

As a part of Snugpak’s new “VENTURE” range the MML6 Softie Smock is the flagship garment. It’s a tri-layer garment and uses both Paratex Micro as a face fabric, and an internal Softie Premier fill, encapsulated with a Paratex Light lining. Designed to provide excellent thermal protection against the cold the MML6 is rated -5C to -10C; it also provides a high degree of wind protection. The MML6 Softie Smock is lighter than normal expedition style jackets, and uses water resistant YKK zips, making it ideal when size and weight need to be kept to an absolute minimum.

It is ideally worn with a variety of base layers, such as the Snugpak 2nd Skinz Coolmax base layer, to move moisture away from the skin, keeping you dry and regulating core temperature in extremes of cold.

The quick drying, Paratex Micro 100% nylon material has a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish. Water repellency can be maintained with a cool tumble dry after washing and periodic re-treatment with suitable after care products, such as Nikwax and Grangers. The MML6 Softie Smock will keep you dry in a short, light shower, giving you time to find a safe place to stop and put on more effective waterproof layers. The MML6 Softie Smock can

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KIT: THERMALS

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also be worn under waterproof membrane hard shells in severe weather, still allowing easy access to your essential equipment.

Whilst not exactly cheap at UK£199.95 the MML6 Softie Smock should be viewed as a long term investment, especially if you act as a RO as well as shooting; whilst trainees can easily head back inside to warm up a RO needs to be out at all times that any training is in progress. The MML6 easily lets you do this so in my mind is an invaluable addition to your kit locker.

Wild Things Tactical Low Loft Jacket (UK£139.95) www. tactical-kit.co.uk US manufacturer Wild Things Tactical (WTT) have taken a bit of a back seat recently which is a sad thing, as they really understand layering systems; working with the ultimate in breathable technologies they understand the “heat dump” and this was taken into account with their system from the word go; enter stage right the WTT Low Loft Jacket!

For many moons in winter climbing circles it’s been quite the norm to carry what is known as a “belay vest or jacket” in the top of your ruc. Once upon a time this would have been just a simple down vest but as technologies have moved on, most garments of this type make use of a synthetic fill which retains insulative properties even when wet. The idea is a simple one; when you’re climbing you are kicking out serious amounts of moisture (sweat) and heat so you need something über breathable. When you stop, set your stance and prepare to belay for your partner you’re going to be immobile and body heat will dissipate fast. By throwing on an insulating garment over everything else you retain warmth in your system, which in turn lets you stay switched on and alert.

In the Wild Things Tactical Low Loft the body of the jacket is made of 70 denier textured nylon fabric, keeping the weight of the garment down without reducing protection from the elements. The nylon rip stop lining is quilted to 2oz PrimaLoft synthetic insulation, keeping you warm without the bulk. Hand warmer pockets are sewn directly into the

seam for a clean-finished look. It also features abrasion resistant panels from the elbow to the cuff; these are extremely durable with plenty of stretch, and this styling will allow you to get down on your elbows frequently without wearing through the sleeve. Bicep pockets have 7″ zippers for secure storage. The shoulder seams are eliminated to reduce chafing, and the dropped tail covers the back even when kneeling. The back portion of the jackets hem is elasticated to enhance fit and to prevent core-chilling wind from coming up through the hem.

Weighing in at a meagre 510g/18oz the Low Loft is really not going to add a huge amount to a winter load, and it crushes down small so as not to take up space in the top of your ruc. Its light weight might make you think it’s not going to give you the insulation your need, but the PrimaLoft is so effective you’ll be amazed at how warm this jacket gets.

Add this over the top of your hard-shell and gear (ensure you buy a size large enough to do this!) when you come to rest in cold conditions, and you’re going to stay more comfortable and therefore more alert. For this reason alone the WTT Low Loft Jacket gets my complete recommendation if you can still find one!

Carinthia MIG 2.0 Jacket (UK£220.00) www.heinnie. com When it comes to cold weather performance one brand that’s caught my eye over the past couple of years, but that I’ve not had a chance to try until recently is Carinthia. For over 60 years Carinthia, a trademark of the Gold Eck Textile Corporation, has devoted itself to insulation technology using both natural as well as synthetic fibres for use in most extreme conditions.

For the last 25 years, they have concentrated on the development of Technical Polyester Insulation for demanding conditions. Their aim? To achieve maximum efficiency with an optimal warmth to weight ratio for specialist end users.

If you’re at all interested in performance clothing and gear then you’ll probably be no stranger to the Carinthia brand; at shows I always make a point of stopping at their stand to check out their latest offerings and I’m rarely disappointed!

Thanks to www.heinnie.com Carinthia products are now a whole lot easier to get hold of in the UK. The G-LOFT MIG

(Medium Insulation Garment) 2.0 Jacket is the one I’ve been testing this year, a real “flagship” garment that offers really superb performance.

The MIG features a fixed lined hood with elastic draw-cords, adjustable in two directions, a two-way front zipper (all outside zippers are water-repellent), and elasticated cuffs.

There are two spacious lined and insulated front pockets and one inner pocket, two pockets on the upper sleeves with a velcro patch for insignia, and one pocket on the lower sleeve.

The jacket also has arm pit zips for ventilation.

This jacket is a cracker; it’s multifunctional but not overly bulky (650g in size M). The outer shell fabric is the excellent Gore Windstopper, with the G-LOFT insulation inside which maintains 85% of its warmth even when wet!

Helikon-Tex Level 7 Jacket (UK£139.00) www.military1st.co.uk Heikon-Tex (now fullylaunched in the USA!) a re we l l k n ow n f o r providing solid, well priced garments, and being Polish they know just a little about cold weather performance!

The new Level 7 model is a lightweight winter jacket which provides insulation and protection against frost, wind and light rain. Washable Climashield Apex fill material prevents heat loss, enhances moisture transfer from the body and provides thermal insulation and ultimate warmth. Two chest pockets are lined with fleece to provide protection from extreme cold weather.

The hood can be easily adjusted without removing hands from the chest pockets via two drawstrings located there.

The Level 7 Jacket features the two large external chest pockets, lined with fleece, with inner sleeve pockets, D-rings with elastic straps, YKK zippers and hood drawstrings. Two additional interior bellows pockets made of elasticated mesh are ideal for drying damp gloves and keeping water bottles from freezing on snow days. There is a fully adjustable helmet compatible hood, hidden inside the collar with a two-way zip and ergonomic pull-tabs, and both the inner side of the hood and the collar are lined with soft fleece.

There is a bottom drawstring for cinching everything in snugly and velcro adjustable cuffs prevent heat loss in that area. A well thought-out and neatly designed thermal strip along the two-way front YKK zipper provides better insulation from the cold, and the jacket is rounded out with an upper sleeve velcro panel on each arm.

As with all things Helikon-Tex this is a super jacket that has all the features you’ll ever need along with great cold, wetweather performance. It’s also very well priced which means you get a lot of “bang for your buck” and these reasons alone earn it a place in our recommendations!

KIT: THERMALS

Arc ’teryx Atom LT Jacket (UK£149.00) www.tacticalkit.co.uk Arc’teryx are often viewed as a “Gucci” brand and deservedly so because everything they create, for either the civilian or military markets, benefits from the very best in terms of design, materials and construction and the Atom LT jacket is no exception! It’s an exceptionally lightweight insulated mid layer that retains core warmth by blocking wind and trapping warm air next to the body and can also function as a wind resistant outer layer.

An insulated hood adjusts to securely fit the head and face, and this is designed to follow side to side motion without obscuring peripheral vision. Media ports inside the hand pockets allow for internal routing of communication cables. When worn under personal protection equipment, comfortable side panels of breathable, stretch fabric prevent overheating and provide ease of movement.

The Atom LT features Coreloft™ insulation which has a very high warmth-to-weight ratio and resists compacting, Polartec® Power Stretch® with Hardface® technology side panels which are highly breathable and have excellent stretch mobility. The insulated hood has a single pull adjuster and articulation in the shoulders and elbows provides room for a full range of unrestricted motion. There are two large hand pockets with media ports to allow for internal routing of communications cables and one internal chest pocket. A vertically routed hem draw cord minimizes interference with a duty or battle belt.

This is probably the most minimalist of the garments I’ve chosen, but although it is indeed very light and packable it is really superbly warm! This is the choice of our dearly beloved “tactical athlete” so if you’re a fast mover then this is the one for you!

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TAC GEAR - FLIR

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FLIR BREACH: NIGHT INTO DAY… Do you want to be able to spot potential threats in deep concealment or the dead of night?

Guest contributor Tom does so when he had the opportunity to exclusively review the only FLIR Breach unit in the UK, he jumped at the chance.

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LIR were established in 1978 to pioneer the development of high-performance, low-cost infrared (thermal) imaging systems.

The FLIR Breach is a Thermal Imaging Monocular.

Thermal imaging systems detect the infrared energy (heat) that is emitted by all people, objects and materials. Infrared cameras allow the user to see in total darkness, adverse weather and through such air pollutants as smoke and haze. It’s a professional level piece of equipment that has been built for law enforcement and rescue services and already in use with French SF. Though this does mean that it comes with a professional price tag of over £2,000, however, finance is available through Scott Country International who kindly provided the unit for testing.

It features FLIR’s new Boson core and fast image processing compared to other thermal imagers. It weighs only 7.4 ounces (210 grams) and while it can be concealed in a pocket or pouch, most users will want to mount it to a helmet. Camera savvy users will be pleased to know that the Breach features include onboard recording of pictures and video. In addition it has seven different colour palettes for fast detection of threats day or night.

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FLIR Breach PTQ136 SPECIFICATIONS Weight 210 g (0.46 lbs) Size 139 × 70 × 49 mm (5.5 × 2.7 × 1.9 in) Colour (housing) Black Country of Origin USA Refresh Rate 60 Hz Lens system 9.1 mm; F/1.04 Optical magnification 1× Field of View (H x V) 24° × 19° Digital Zoom 1× - 4 Focusing Range 0.25 m to infinity Eye Relief 16 mm Display Quad-VGA (1280 x 960) FLCOS Internal memory Up to 1,000 images and 2.5 hours of video on internal memory Temperature Imaging Modes (Image Palettes) White Hot, Black Hot, Rainbow HC, Ironbow, Sepia, Artic, Outdoor Alert Interfacing: USB-C Connector Power In; Video out; Video and image files transfer Power:Battery Type One CR123A 3V Lithium battery Battery Life (Operating) Up to 90 minutes at 20°C USB Power

Environmental: Operating Temperature Range -20°C to +50°C (-4°F to +122°F) Storage Temperature Range -40°C to +60°C (-40°F to +140°F)

SPOTTING

SHOOTING

When you are using a Thermal Vision Monocular it can be difficult to fire a weapon accurately. Unlike with Night Vision, you can’t use your red dot on a very low setting as the optic can’t see through the glass effectively. Alternatively, NV users mount Infra-red lasers on their weapons and simply use those to aim but this isn’t an option with thermal as the laser wouldn’t heat the target (or the air) up enough to be visible.

NIGHT AND DAY

One major difference between the FLIR Breach and an NV unit, such as the popular PVS14, is that the thermal is usable in both full daylight and pitch black. This makes it more versatile than a NV device, which should only be used in low light or in the dark with an additional illuminator. At the extreme engagement ranges it can be difficult to identify targets so if this is important for your task, it would be a good idea to also use a white light for positive identification. This might also help if you needed to snap shoot under stress.

As most training scenarios are played out in variable light conditions using just one eye for your optic can be a good idea. For example, I’ve seen many users with binocular NV not realising that they are lit up by the ambient conditions and thinking that their equipment has made them invisible. Having one eye viewing an image and the other adjusted to the night has many advantages.

Compared to just stumbling around in the dark the FLIR Breach makes a huge difference and you can safely navigate a pitch-black room with a little practise. In an open area you would have the advantage over a user with NV as they would be visible from further away.

TAC GEAR - FLIR

The FLIR Breach is best used for its intended purpose, which is spotting and finding targets. It can do this way beyond normal engagement distances and at ranges up to 1km, depending what palette you have it set on and what the background temperature is. Although an often-overused expression, this really is a complete game changer when it comes to hunting threats in dense undergrowth or hiding in foliage. During testing I was able to easily see possible and potential threats hiding way inside a treeline or deep within shadow. You’d need to copy Arnie in Predator and keep smearing yourself with cold mud to stay hidden! Plus, due to the nature of thermal optics, you can do this at midnight or midday! The FLIR Breach could be the ultimate anti-sniper/antimarksman device… You can see from our pictures that our test subjects found it almost impossible to stay hidden.

The best option I found was to mount the FLIR Breach over my non-dominant eye and use my dominant eye to aim and fire my weapon conventionally. In anything other than pitch black I was able to identify the area in which they were located and aim accurately. With training and practise this process would be faster and easier.

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TAC GEAR - FLIR

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COLOUR PALETTES

The FLIR Breach can operate in multiple different modes to aid spotting and identification of targets: White Hot - Identification and detail Outdoor Alert - Adverse Weather Rainbow - Targets hiding in cover (also good for

pretending to be predator) Sepia - Maritime Operations Artic - Cold Weather Black Hot - Warm Weather Ironbow - CQB and cover We found the most useful colour palettes were White Hot and Ironbow, though Rainbow was the most fun as you could make clicking noises and pretend you’re a Predator…

SET UP

We attached the FLIR Breach to my training helmet using the mount (also supplied by Scott Country). As my shroud isn’t 100% reliable so I also used a lanyard to ensure that if I knocked the optic off the helmet it would still remain attached. This is advisable even if you have a rock-solid shroud as “Mr Murphy” does tend to come out to play at the most inopportune moments, doesn’t he?.

The FLIR Breach only weighs 210g but does pull down the front of your helmet, so it’s a good idea to run a counterweight pouch on the back of the helmet to even out the balance and comfort. You could use this to carry extra batteries or a powerpack attached to the Breach via a USB-C cable. For testing I just used the bungie system I have attached but for anything more I would want to protect this better.

Due to the cost of the FLIR Breach it may be worth considering using an actual Ops-Core or Team Wendy Helmet. If I was to buy one for my own use I would swap the shroud on my current helmet out for a better one, as I’ve already done this with the straps and pad system! I found that I had to wear my helmet much tighter than I normally would to stop the optic moving

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around on my head and maintain good vision through the Breach.

Scott Country International also supplied a helmet mount, which is sold separately. It is also made by FLIR and is designed specifically for the FLIR Micro Rail attachment system. It features a full range of adjustments which allowed me to position the Breach over my eye in the correct location. The optic itself has a good eye relief meaning that it can be positioned in front of your eye protection. None of the team had a problem using the FLIR, though if you are a glasses wearer with bulky goggles it might be worth trying before you buy as we haven’t been able to check this!

The FLIR Breach doesn’t use the same mounting system as the very common PVS14 NV monocular so if you already have a set up and want to add the Breach to your arsenal then you’ll need a new mount or, at the very least, an adaptor. Check with Scott Country to see what options they have.

AT THE END OF THE DAY

I was very sorry to have to send the FLIR Breach back after my initial testing. I have thoroughly enjoyed using it and although I didn’t have time to use it in a full training environment, I can only imagine the possibilities.

Just as with getting into serious Night Vision equipment, thermal is a game changer and fundamentally influences the way you react to external stimuli. Unlike NV thermal can be used night and day - and that’s why I’m giving serious thought to getting a FLIR Breach of my own…

Thanks to Scott Country International for the review sample. If you are interested pop over to their website and check them out. www.scottcountry.co.uk

KIT: TACTICAL WALLS 1410M CLOCK

TACTICAL WALLS 1410M CLOCK It is often true that when you want to hide something, the best place to do so is in plain sight. This is especially true if what you wish to hide is an item such as a firearm that you wish to keep readily available in case of an emergency. Trampas brings a solution that’s fits perfectly in any home!

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ince 2013, the folks at Tactical Walls have built a successful business producing furniture and home decor to aid in such tasks while doing so safely and securely. This family owned and operated business, based in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia produces products that are proudly manufactured in the United States. Every product is hand-crafted, using mostly U.S. sourced materials, whenever possible. The company’s goal is to make products that are simple to install, are easy to use, and offer discrete storage solutions for every room.

This summer, my family and I purchased a new home about an hour from where we had lived for the past seven years here in Florida. With the addition of two daughters over that time period, we needed to expand our space by finding a larger house. With the new place came a huge foyer located at the front door area. As with any neighbourhood setting, the possibility of strangers coming to the door is always present. With the new house being on the main thoroughfare leading through the neighbourhood, the possibility of door to door salespeople and other visitors is even more heightened. While our family considers ourselves to be very welcoming and hospitable, we do however fully prepare and train for the worst-case scenarios.

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In these preparations, having accessible firearms in safe, secure locations is part of our plan of action. With no convenient place to mount a gun case or discreet gun cabinet, I turned to Tactical Walls for a solution.

What I found was a beautiful large round shaped clock with Roman numerals designed to covertly store a handgun with room for plenty of extra magazines. This product was listed on the company’s website as the “Tactical Walls 1410M Clock”.

With a diameter of 22” the clock was large enough to not look out of place in its intended location. Constructed of ABS plastic and finished with a faux wood grain (optional black), it complemented the canvas print clock face perfectly. By pressing into the 12 o’clock position, the clock face pops outward and quickly tears from the Velcro securing it to the clock body to reveal the hidden 14” x 10” compartment used for securing firearms, tasers, knives or any other items the end user wishes to conceal. (NOTE: The clock face does NOT lock, so please consult your local laws before storing a firearm in it.)

The clock fitted perfect with the existing decor my wife, Candace had picked out for the foyer. By the time the clock arrived, and we finally settled into the new home, the Christmas season was upon us. Once Candace decided where to mount the Tactical Walls clock on the wall, it was easily

1410M Clock Specs Width Height Depth Max Weight Load Hidden compartment MSRP (Standard options) MSRP (Custom face) Power Source

22″ 22″ 3.5″ 10 lb.

14″ W x 10″ H $129.00 $239.00 1 AA battery

The magnets included with the 1410 clock are strong, VERY strong. It took a good amount of strength to separate the two magnets apart from each other in order to mount them inside the hidden storage area. At first, I mounted them in the centre in which they held a Glock pistol and extra magazine with no issue of all. I playfully referred to the product as a “Glock in the box” afterwards. Over the next day or two, I noticed the clock hands not moving to display the correct time. When I removed the clock face and began to research the issue, I noticed the clock hands had moved. Somehow, the magnets located in the center of the clock held the hands from being able to move. After replacing them with two adhesive backed magnets from Strong Like Bull (slbmagnets.com) the problem was solved. These bottle cap shaped magnets are strong enough to hold a full-size loaded pistol, spare magazine or even a good-sized fixed blade knife. For the current load out stored in the clock, I switched up to a HK VP9, a spare magazine, Surefire flashlight and fixed blade fighting knife from my friends over at Skallywag Tactical. Needless to say, the new magnets did the trick!

Overall, I loved everything about this clock. The design, concept and quick accessibility give me a secure peace of mind knowing this product is in our home to help protect my family. I really liked the fact that the clock could be mounted anywhere in the house without need of being near an outlet plug in for power. The

clock operates on a single AA battery and runs very quietly. As an important side note, unlike similar items I have tried in the past from other manufacturers, the Tactical Walls clock has kept correct time ever since the magnets were relocated and the time being reset.

While this was a great product to use, it must be noted that a key piece of the home defence puzzle is having the proper training and safety measures to go along a well-made product. My wife and I are both firearms instructors and our kids have been taught early on about firearms safety and proper firearms procedures. Our family has regularly practiced emergency plans ranging from home intruders to fire drills. Although the kids are still young, the more they know and train, the safer they will ultimately be as they get older.

As for the clock, I recommend this product for those looking to fill a security niche in their home and intend on using the Tactical Walls products for their intended purposes. With a MRSP of US$129.00 for the clock with standard factory options, this is not a cheap piece of Chinese plastic. The 1410M is very well made and professional in appearance for home or office use. If you regularly train and have a viable security plan, it is well worth spending the money on premium products like this clock. It DOES make a difference when it matters.

KIT: TACTICAL WALLS 1410M CLOCK

installed minutes afterwards with the correct time set. Using the four supplied mounting screws the clock was anchored to a wall stud strong enough to hold much more than the suggested 10 lb. max payload. As we stood back to admire the Christmas decorations and newly designed foyer, for a moment, I completely forgot the clock was meant to be for gun storage.

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FIREARMS: SIG SAUER LEGION P938

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SIG SAUER LEGION P938 Trampas is back this issue to review another addition to SIG SAUER’s elite LEGION series with an upgraded version of their vastly popular pocket pistol, the model P938. Previously, he discussed the new Legion P238 and its origins based on the Colt Mustang design. Now, following up, this article will briefly cover how the P938 design came to be and why both men and women around the worldy are choosing it as one of the most popular concealed carry pistols on the market today.

I

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n 2009, three years after SIG’s initial success with the P238’s release, they followed up on customer demand for a 9 mm version by releasing the P938.

While the design was the same, it varied in overall specs by being slightly longer, wider and heavier to facilitate the longer and more powerful 9mm cartridge. The P938’s sales were so strong, SIG included it in a number of following specialised series such as the Nitron, Nightmare, Scorpion and even one version in which the slide finish appeared to have a rainbow shimmer. Now, SIG follows up all their success with inclusion in their most elite series to date, the Legion program.

For those of you who aren’t familiar with SIG’s Legion line of products, here is a quick recap. Basically, the Legion program is SIG’s new series of proven designs in their catalogue that have been reworked and upgraded based on years of feedback from shooters. This program is just as much about the lifestyle as it is the high-quality firearms within it. When you purchase a Legion product, you are eligible for Legion membership perks such as exclusive branded holsters, knives, shirts, hats and other gear from some of the industry’s top manufacturers all sporting the iconic Legion chevron.

During last year’s SHOT SHOW I first saw a sample of the Legion version of the P938. The grey Cerakote finish and attractive G-10 grips with inlaid signature chevron emblem made a clean, professional looking package. I was interested in seeing firsthand how the new series had upgraded the gun inside and out, so I arranged to have a sample sent for testing once production began. Finally, in December the Legion P938 arrived at our FFL holder, Legion Defense Industries for review.

When I first opened the iconic plastic SIG SAUER hardcase, the 938 was nested in the upper left side while the three magazines were stacked on top of each other on the lower right side along with the obligatory paperwork and propaganda all firearms ship with. As I removed the pistol from the case, I was reminded the difference between an all metal constructed firearm such as the SIG versus my daily carry polymer framed Glock 42. The grip filled my hand fully unlike the smaller P238 and felt well balanced overall.

I was pleased to see the addition of SIG’s X-ray day / night sights on this pistol. As I have reviewed many handguns in this category over the years, sights have often been lacking to say the least. The X-ray sights have been a proven duty capable option on many of SIG’s full-size guns including my personal Legion model 226. Compare them to the standard white plastic “U” shaped sights of a Glock model 43 or the notch cut into the frame of a Colt Mustang along with the small bump meant to be a front sight and the P938 sights win hands down straight out of the box.

The addition of a true ambidextrous safety was also a huge

FIREARMS: SIG SAUER LEGION P938

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

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FIREARMS: SIG SAUER LEGION P938

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plus. With small pistols such as the P938, they are often used in the role of back up guns for law enforcement and wellprepared citizens alike. Having the ability to disengage the safety from the weak side as well as strong side could mean the difference between life and death to someone having to deploy it. I often incorporate weak hand shooting drills into to my regular shooting routine and really appreciated SIG’s consideration for adding this feature.

The more I inspected the pistol after unboxing it, the more anxious I was to get started on the range. As I scheduled my first range day for testing, I field stripped the P938 and wiped the excess packing oil out of the barrel and from the action to protect against any factory obstructions or debris. After reassembly and function testing the pistol, I gathered a few boxes of Winchester, Remington, Hornady and SIG branded ammo as I prepared for my trip.

LEGION P938 SPECS CALIBRE: ACTION TYPE: FRAME SIZE: GRIP TYPE: FRAME FINISH: FRAME MATERIAL: SLIDE FINISH: SLIDE MATERIAL: BARREL MATERIAL: MAGAZINE CAPACITY TRIGGER: TRIGGER TYPE: BARREL LENGTH: OVERALL LENGTH: OVERALL WIDTH: HEIGHT: WEIGHT:

RANGE TIME

9mm Luger Semi-Auto Micro-Compact Custom Legion Gray Alloy Legion Gray Stainless Steel Carbon Steel 7 Rounds SAO Flat 3 in 5.9 in 1.1 in 4.3 in 17oz

During my first range session, I had fellow SMG writer, Jerry Moody and his wife, Stephanie join me in the test session. Jerry

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being a firearms instructor and often training with his wife as well as her own extensive background would offer more unbiased thoughts on the P938. As I loaded up the magazines, we each took turns shooting a series of three magazines equally 21 rounds before switching shooters. Since having recently completed testing on the Legion 238 in .380 ACP, our combined learning curve for the P938’s trigger pull and trigger reset was very minimal.

The three of us commented on a couple of different occasions throughout the day about how visible the sights were despite how bright the Florida sun light was. The gun naturally pointed on target for a very quick sight alignment and sight picture. The gun was comfortable to shoot despite the recoil being noticeably increased from its .380 counterpart in the P238. Stephanie was the first of many to comment how easy the slide racked a live round into chamber. This is a huge selling point for a lot of women on the market today giving them the confidence needed to keep the gun up and running under duress.

The pistol experienced two stoppages during the first day’s

FINAL THOUGHTS

As this review winds down, my finial thoughts offer full disclosure. My initial concerns based on appearances alone about the P938 were it would possibly be too heavy, too small

and not very controllable thus affecting accuracy on the range due to its size and calibre. Much to my delight, I was wrong on all points. Shooting the P938 wasn’t even remotely close to the experience of shooting most guns in the pocket pistol category.

Usually, the frames are undersized even for medium to small hands which causes unwanted movement and constant regripping. This pistol felt more like shooting a compact frame pistol with just the overhanging grip and the last inch of its barrel shortened. As with all the SIG products I have tested in the past, the P928 proved to live up to company’s reputation for top notch accuracy.

With a MSRP of around US$900, this may seem steep for a small pistol, but consider several factors first. Most micro-sized 9 mm pistols on the market retail for around the US$400 - $500 price point, before shooters commonly spend another US$500 on average to enhance their gun. Common upgrades include smoothing out the trigger, add better sights (if applicable), purchase a third magazine, add a magwell and change out from the boring factory black finish at only end up with still just a US$400 - $500 gun. After spending quality time with the Legion 938 pistol, customers may initially spend a couple hundred dollars more than the base model but end up with custom shop quality for far less than custom prices. Right out of the box, the Legion pistol is the complete package. Other than even more magazines, I could not think how SIG could further improve the gun.

As I’ve often said, pistols specifically designed for CCW are typically built to be carried often but not shot regularly due to heavy recoil, but this is not the case for the P938. It is a true shooter and proven performer.

For this shooter, the SIG Legion P938 is a highly capable and recommended handgun for everyday personal defence carry. To find out more about the Legion P938 and other great products from SIG SAUER, go to www.1800GunsAndAmmo.com

FIREARMS: SIG SAUER LEGION P938

testing. It appeared the slide would not lock back after the last shot in the magazine was fired each time Stephanie shot. Upon further inspection, it was discovered to be user error by having the thumb of her support hand under the slide stop when shooting. This accidently pushed up on stop and caused it to stop the slide in place. By changing her grip and placing her support thump on top of the slide stop, the gun continued to run flawlessly without any further trouble. This is a very common mistake due to the hands being much larger in proportion to the smaller frame gun than compared to a full-size pistol like Stephanie’s daily carry 1911 chambered in 10 mm.

The next range session would come later in the week as my wife, Candace and I would teach a class for The Well Armed Woman Shooting Chapters group we volunteer as certified NRA and USCCA instructors to lead each month. The night was broken into two educational parts. The first being an hour in the classroom discussing the history and function of both the P238 and P938 models before moving on the second part of the evening on the range running drills with both pistols. As the ladies moved from one shooting lane running rounds through the P238 and then on to the P938, I surveyed their opinions on the guns. Firearm experience among the ladies varied from relatively new shooters to weekend competition shooters with the average age of the group being around 50 years old.

Some of the initial comments focused on two features, the first being the crisp, clear X-ray day / night sights and how easy they were to acquire quickly for follow up shots. Most shooters in the group wore some sort of glasses for corrected vision and everyone had only positive things to say about the sights overall. The second common remark regarded the ease in which the slide was to rack a round into the chamber. During our time as instructors, Candace and I have often seen new shooters with either a lack of overall strength or some medical issue such as arthritis prevent them from being able to charge their brand-new firearm into battery. Everyone in the class could cycle the slide with no problems at all and post impressive shot groups afterwards.

Later in the test period, I returned to the range with another fellow writer, Clint Steele, and we’ll bring you his finding in the next issue of PMCI. Upon our meeting at the range though, Clint introduced me to a neat little multi-purpose Kydex holster from a local company named Panther Concealment (www. pantherconcealment.com) built specifically for the P938 pistol with a reversible belt clip. The holster was constructed to allow the clip to be switched for right- or left-handed use for inside the waistband carry with a straight drop / zero cant. Due to the short 3 inch barrel, the P938 allowed for comfortable carry practically 360 degrees around the body. What separates this combo from others on the market is the size allows for the gun to almost disappear from detection while still being large enough to provide a full master grip and speedy draw onto target. From the draw to shots fired, the gun and holster covered all three “must haves” in a carry gun package. It was very controllable, accurate and comfortable carrying in all positions for extended periods of time. Both Clint and I agreed the Legion P938 was a formidable consideration for the dedicated concealed carry enthusiast.

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FIREARMS: THE AK-47 - YOUR FRIEND OR FOE

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AK 47 Rarely has a weapons system had an impact on the cultures and ideas of man as has the AK-47. The AK-47 has even been embellished as a symbol of state as is the case in Mozambique whose tricolour flag depicts the AK-47 in crossed arms with a hoe set against the background of a star and book. While Mozambique is the poster child of State failure and oppression, they seem to have captured the eternal struggle of man in part with their choice of symbols. Call Sign Lunchbox tells more...

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ith our hands, we can choose to create or destroy and the implements of the hoe and AK-47 reflect those instinctual drives in representational motive. The AK-47 can be the implement of destruction or revolution. It can maintain order or destroy it. It is used in the hands of both the freedom fighter today as

well as the oppressor.

So, herein lies the disturbing truth many in modern society eschew in a clamour of ignorance or outright refusal; violence itself is a central and active ingredient in change.

Violence is so much a part of our fibre and DNA that many look to purely ignore it despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Thus, the AK-47 sits in our psyche as both liberator and destroyer. It’s a tool to be mastered and respected, whose use can bring good or ill in the echo of a muzzle flash.

The AK-47 represents to many our shared behaviour, our legacy of violence and change. Think deeply on violence.

Look to the AK-47 and learn its lessons and parts in history.

Coming to an understanding of the characteristic role the AK-47 plays in the triumphs and tragedies of mankind is

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unavoidable in the profession of arms. Believe in peace as you may, but power does come from the barrel of a gun as Mao Tse Tung avows.

Always remember, order demands violence, and if taken too far, order becomes tyranny and the AK47 will be seen in the hands of Partisans and Revolutionaries alike no matter the side or conflict that surfaces. The AK47 in all its millions of copies, evolutions, and brands has become the undying symbol of both the tyrannical and the revolutionary. It is found in the hands of fighters on all sides and is a tool that is unavoidable in the 21st century battle space we occupy.

Private Military Contractors (PMC) would do well to master it’s manual of arms and know it’s capabilities and limitations because it is a near certainty that the AK47 will be fielded against him and even more likely to be used by himself and his teams in many conflict areas around the globe.

The AK47 is a lethal platform and companion to any user who takes fire and manoeuver seriously. The 7.62x39mm round possesses all the adequate accuracy and energy transfer needed in an assault rifle platform. Additional equipment options abound for the AK and its more modern version the AKM. One can field a wide array of accessories including grenade launchers like the GP-25 and GP-30 as

SOME THOUGHTS ON THE AK ITSELF

A milled AK can weigh close to 9.5 Lbs. A more modern AKM with a stamped receiver will weigh in at just under 7 Lbs. It may seem a trite difference, but not when you are carrying it all day, day after day.

The AK’s cyclic rate of fire hovers around 400 rounds per minute and will tend to climb high and to the left as the PMC unleashes sustained fire from the contents of any magazine or drum.

The AK is a relatively compact weapons system whose overall length for most models is about 34 inches. The barrel length may vary from the standard 16.3 inches affecting the muzzle velocity of the round as well.

While the rear sight graduation of the AK-47 can be set out to 1000 Meters, it’s combat effective range for most area and point targets is 400 Meters and in.

A special note should be made concerning the AK’s magazine devices. The standard steel magazine is hefty and robust. They are heavy as hell to drag along with you, but few other others

FIREARMS: THE AK-47 - YOUR FRIEND OR FOE

well as red dot sight systems just like many other assault rifle choices that crowd the market. The AK can be aptly dressed as needed for the PMC and his intended employment and mission set.

I have seen more AK-47 Rifles fielded by parties in conflict on three continents from 2003 to 2019 than any other service rifle.

All sides know its value and respect it’s results. The AK-47 design has staying power and will remain so for many years to come. it is a lethal weapons system with a long track record. It is available.

It is as common in most battle spaces as the air we breathe.

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FIREARMS: THE AK-47 - YOUR FRIEND OR FOE

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can boast of a more sturdy or reliable magazine. My suggestion to fellow PMCs, carry four or five mags on you then pack your ditch bag full of spares. Balance how many you carry to your mission set.

I have carried and deployed the AK47 in several countries and instances of combat and gleaned a few insights I would like to mention here: 1. It is an assault rifle not a battle rifle. Treat it accordingly.

The AK-47 has its lateral left and right where it works efficiently and where it reaches its limits. While being .30 calibre, it is still a weapon chambered in a cartridge of intermediate size and does not possess the ballistic qualities that the 7.62x51mm or 7.62R have in abundance. This being said, it is still a very effective weapon to deploy within most engagement distances, and is capable of defeating many composite pieces of cover in the battle space, and still will retain its lethality on the intended target.

In the urban sprawl and streets of Iraq, a good deal of the engagements I took part in and witnessed with the AK platform reflect much of what anyone could continue expect to see visited in future engagements: Contacts upon entry into rooms and corridors, street to street fights amongst windows, building exits, vehicles and debris, to drive-bys, and in some instances from ditches and copses of trees to standing structures and courtyard walls. Near all of these facets of contact ranged from 0-300 meters. In all of this, I can attest that the AK-47 performed gladly within its ranges of intended use. Start creeping outside of this kind of engagement distance and you

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will have a differing experience. The 7.62x39mm cartridge, like many other .30 calibre intermediates, drops energy fast, so be forewarned.

2. The AK-47 magazine well and loading procedures of the magazine can be limiting or demanding under stress. Under normal circumstances like the one-way range in training, the AK-47 can be leisurely loaded with little interruption to the cadence of training and instruction. However, fatigue and stress play a central role in every mission and in combat and have an inevitable effect on any manual of arms conducted under such conditions. The AK-47 is not immune to this effect because you are not immune to the effects of fatigue and stress.

To efficiently load the AK platform, the PMC must remove the spent magazine and replace it with a freshly loaded one.

Sounds easy in theory, but here is where it gets interesting.

You remove the spent magazine and grab the next one (depending on the reloading technique you use) only to find the new magazine hung up on the mag pouch because your available or issue gear was built to be ‘universal’ or for M4 mags and not the large and robust AK-47 magazine you use.

Stress sets in. You are under fire and now wrestling to free your loaded mag from your battle rattle when you should be solving problems and taking names. Worse, if you have jammed two mags into an Ill fitted pouch, your reloading may end up spilling the second mag onto the deck. I have experienced both of these hurdles and cursed circumstances each time.

Fortunately today, you can limit such drama with improved pouches bought commercially. However, if you end up in similar

FIREARMS: THE AK-47 - YOUR FRIEND OR FOE

circumstances to mine, here is the big secret - SLOW DOWN. Be deliberate, keep your eyes on the changing circumstances of the battlefield, and make a smooth reloading, UNRUSHED. If you do otherwise, it will be a gap in your actions the enemy can and will exploit.

3. Maintain your AK platform religiously. We all know the cliches about how robust the AK-47 is that it is near a mantra of many who deploy it. The ‘you can bury it in mud for 10 years and it still runs’ adages have a ring of truth, but would you risk your life and your teammate’s lives and depend on any weapons system that was not maintained by choice? Like with any machine with moving parts, it takes care and maintenance to keep it efficiently running. Do so and do not avoid detailing your weapon.

In parting, I want you, the reader, to take on board that the AK-47 is an old design, but a trusted one. Yes, there are plenty of newer and more refined tools out there, but economics combined with ergonomics means you will without a doubt be handling or meeting the AK-47 in one of its forms in any corner of the world.

Embrace it. It will be your friend or foe.

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SPECIAL: ROGER ECKSTINE: GUN & BLADE GURU

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ROGER ECKSTINE: INTERVIEW In life there are just items that are meant to be together, like peanut butter and jelly, salt and pepper, in this case, guns and knives. In most cases you usually have gun experts with little real experience with knives or blade experts that may not necessarily be shooters, but this time Trampas talks to Roger Eckstine who’s an acknowledged expert in both!

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ew years back during a NRA Annual Meeting in Atlanta, I had the pleasure of meeting a man who is both an accomplished shooter, writer and guru of all things relating to combat knives, Roger Eckstine. Typically, when someone wishes to accentuate other person’s knowledge on the topic, they will use the figurative term, “He wrote the book on…”. In Roger’s case, he literally DID among other publications as well including the top of home defense and home defense firearms.

Roger Eckstine is easily one of the most prolific writers of indepth tests and evaluations of firearms and knives to emerge over the past 25 years. A multiple award-winning author with 4 titles to his credit his Shooter’s Bible Guide to Home Defense has been lauded as the first great book of its kind written for the 21st century. Currently on staff with both Gun Tests and KNIFE Magazine, Roger has facilitated numerous innovations in training and equipment for both the police and civilian markets. Roger Eckstine’s mission is the advancement of anticrime preparedness at home and in the work place.

Roger: I carry a concealed handgun on my right-side hip or in a shoulder holster; Either way it is primarily available to my right hand. Therefore, I carry a knife on my left or “weak” side to defend a gun takeaway. I carry a second knife that is typically more utilitarian in nature with serrated edge. I find that serrated edge knives will cut even after hard usage that will dull a typical plain edge. The reason to split the assignment of a work knife and a fighting or tactical knife is in the course of say, opening a box not only am I using the knife better suited to the chore, but my fighting knife stays concealed. Or, at least it is safely retained in its proper ready position. The same goes for when I’m not carrying a gun. But I might have two fighting knives (one for each hand) and still have a work knife.

PMCI: For your standards, what sort of criteria does a knife and its manufacturer need to meet in order to be considered a great blade?

Roger: The blade should be hard enough to maintain a sharp edge but not so hard that it can’t be sharpened or maintained without special equipment. The handle should not be slippery when wet. The handle or the contour of the blade itself should offer more than one grip. If the knife is drawn with a reverse grip the pinky finger should not be in danger of being cut. Feel of the grip should be informative. Meaning, if I pick it up in the dark, I should be able to perceive when the cutting edge is facing up or down. Also, during thrust into soft material or tissue I want to know if the blade is going to travel off center.

Travel is okay, just so long as the flow is consistent and remains predictable.

PMCI: Of all the blades you have tested and carried over the years, what is your favorite style or manufacturer?

Roger: For a weak side folder carry I prefer the pocket clip

SPECIAL: ROGER ECKSTINE: GUN & BLADE GURU

Since meeting Roger years ago, he has become not only a great industry mentor but good friend as well. Recently, I asked Roger to join us for a PMCI Magazine interview and share his thoughts on the industry, how he got started and other topics to give our readers closer insight on a man that will one day reflected on as one of the best of the good ones. In typical Roger flair and fashion, he was ready to go from the start with a signature Texas swagger and glint in his eye!

PMCI: Roger, welcome to PMCI Magazine and thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to join us today. Please start with sharing with our readers a little about your back ground and how you came to be a gun and knife writer.

Roger: Knives and guns have for me never really been separate. Our dad had us playing mumble-ty peg and shooting a CO2 BB gun in the backyard by the time I was 5. My brother was about 3 years older, so I got to do whatever he got to do probably sooner than I would have otherwise. The game was usually played with folding knives, but my father hated slipjoints (he had a nasty scar from where he almost lost a finger to a Boy Scout knife closing unexpectedly). Lock blade knives weren’t around yet so we began with a screwdriver for safety’s sake. Some time later there was a shortage of steak knives in the house. We had a pistol, I think it was a Daisy, and when my dad wanted to make things interesting the target was a halfdollar coin. Winning the dented coin was a thrill. One day my dad brought home a miniature cannon. It didn’t actually have a chamber we could load with projectiles, but it was loud. I doubt we could get away with firing it in a suburban street these days, but it was great fun and we were the envy of our friends.

PMCI: In your opinion, what is the main importance of carrying a good blade every day?

SPECIAL: ROGER ECKSTINE: GUN & BLADE GURU

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alongside the hinge pin, so the blade is tip down. That lets me draw the knife to a spine pick position. For a strong side carry folder, the knife has to like being opened using the thumb. But an alternate drive like the Emerson Wave can be really handy, especially during rescue situations where space is limited.

Regarding fixed blades I am more comfortable carrying the knife concealed. I still like edge forward/reverse grip especially if it’s placed on the belt just behind a spare magazine pouch.

But no matter which side a fixed blade is belt carried I prefer a medium to high ride, so it is comfortable to sit down. This usually means a custom-made sheath with the knife turned slightly outward, so it doesn’t rub on my rib cage. As far as brands go, your small, deep pocket work knife can range from a traditional Case to a small-serrated Cold Steel. With so many choices it might break down to which you can open and close with one hand. Overall, Emerson, Spyderco and some of the smaller shops favored by spec-ops guys like Grayman, would be my first place to look.

PMCI: What does your Every Day Carry (EDC) include?

Roger: I favor a Springfield Armory XDM compact 9mm.

In terms of knives I carry a combat folder with 3.5 - 4 inch blade plus a small locking folder with serrated edge blade. I also carry a RATS tourniquet, a small packet of Celox and about 5 tablets of aspirin. Believe it or not the aspirin has been the most valuable lifesaver. In the last 12 months alone I’ve used it to revive 2 dogs from stroke and according to the ER doc that admitted me for a heart attack downing aspirin before I collapsed was what saved my own life.

PMCI: Roger, we are certainly glad you made it through your medical emergency and now healthy enough to continue writing more books! Can you please share with our readers what inspired you to write your books?

Roger: When you write a magazine article it’s usually to evaluate a single product or offer a technique. When someone asks you to write a book it’s a chance to stretch out and make a huge statement. In the case of The Shooter’s Bible Guide to Knives (followed by The Shooter’s Bible Guide to Home Defense) it was the publisher’s first attempt at books other than the Shooter’s Bible Guide to Firearms. That Jay Cassell at Skyhorse Publishing was able to give me free rein to redefine the brand was most inspiring.

PMCI: Favorite home defense platform? Rifle, shotgun, handgun? Briefly why?

Roger: Shot-gunning can be pretty tough on the body so I try not to think about how much I miss trapshooting, which for me is the ultimate quick-draw game. Overall the rifle is the most effective and versatile but let’s face it, the handgun is the firearm you’re most likely to have with you when you need it. I think you owe it to yourself to put in the most training with the handgun above all.

PMCI: Roger, being a respected elder statesman in both the firearms and knife communities, do you mind sharing your opinion on what dangers they both face?

Roger: The obvious answer is elect pro-gun, pro-personal responsibility leaders to government. I’ve had Democratic/ Socialist supporters actually tell me “we pay the taxes and it’s the government’s job is to take care of us”. I think it follows that such reasoning separates you from the responsibility of defending your life or the lives of others. As if a private citizen is inherently incapable or innately irresponsible. From what I’ve

seen the right to carry potentially deadly weapons has made individuals more responsible, not more reckless as the antigunners would have you believe.

PMCI: what steps the industry could take to be stronger?

Roger: Its been said that shares of Sturm Ruger have outperformed the price of gold. The annual Shooting Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT SHOW) continues to expand exponentially. When people buy guns and ammo, they are voting with their dollars. Even the 10-round limit that is being addressed by offerings such as the Glock 48 and Sig 365 wherein the overall package is imminently concealable. So long as the makers continue to offer better ways to carry concealed and promote responsible ownership the firearms industry will continue to be a force both financially and politically.

PMCI: Moving forward into 2019, what sort of projects do you have lined up for the future?

Roger: Based primarily on my book “Watch Your Back, How to Avoid the Most Dangerous Moments in Daily Life”, I’m seeing an increasing demand for speaking engagements that offer specific protocol to protect employees that are overexposed, such as Real Estate agents. Road rage, carjacking and home invasion are other hot topics.

PMCI: Roger, I again want to thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. I know you are regularly on the road all year long and carry your EDC religiously, so before we close out, could you offer any advice for the professional and civilian alike who carry a firearm daily while out and about in this crazy modern society?

Roger: Practice safe handling for you will need to control your weapons in peace thousands of times more than in “war”.

Holster carefully and remember it is not only the reverse but also the reflection of your draw stroke. Bear in mind that every time you touch a firearm or knife you are training yourself. If every shot hits something, then every shot is a bullseye. Just make sure you have the right target.

During the times I am fortunate enough to spend with Roger Eckstine, he always has a warm, friendly southern charm and while retaining a consummate professional demeanour.

My generation may have missed getting to know Col. Cooper and others of that era, but I am thankful to be able to have Roger as a friend and mentor during this generation. If you appreciate a straight shooter who will always be honest, damn your ego or not, I suggest learning more about Roger Eckstine and his work through his books and

ANTI-POACHING WITH CROW NGO

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ANTI-POACHING WITH CROW NGO PMCI is proud to stand with all the men and women who head out to “terra incognita” to use their hard-earned military and associated skills in one of the most demanding of settings, Africa. Whilst the mainline press tell their stories from a thinly-disguised political standpoint, here at PMCI we’re more interested in the personal stories of those that make a stand to protect endangered species and ways of life that are being fast-eroded.

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s Editor of PMCI I am always delighted to hear from those that are “operational”, and given the magazine’s personal connection to Africa the “anti-poaching message” is one that we endorse in every way possible. I was therefore extremely pleased to be contacted by the team at CROW NGO and after some back and forth felt that their story needed to be told.

CROW consists of a team of skilled volunteers, experienced operators, trainers and instructors with a wide field of expertise in remote/tactical medical support, armed and unarmed tactical combat and several skills useful to indigenous Rangers (such as fire management, tracking, survival, air-assault operations and so on). As an educational Non-profit NGO, CROWs main tasks are to educate the public on biodiversity conservation and to support both private and government parks in the fight against poaching by providing 100% free of charge training, mentoring, equipment and trained international volunteers.

All the team are volunteers who donate their time and money to protect our planet: each one with different background and experience, but each one offering his or her unique insights on conservation and specific skillset to the parks in need. Those

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In the words of the CROW NGO team “The battle to protect endangered species is the purest of all, no one will thank you, but it makes the difference whether the next generations will be able to see elephants, rhinos, lions, cheetahs, pangolins, gorillas, snow leopards, and many, many others.”

The high demand of wildlife parts from Asia is the primary cause of the current slaughter. On one side are a few good and brave warriors (both armed and unarmed), on the other criminal syndicates ruled by merciless businessmen. The corruption levels in the developing Countries (where most of the biodiversity of our planet still exists) is so high that poaching syndicates get stronger every day, making the battle even more one-side-weigthed.

The CROW team aim to re-balance the odds in favour of the locals by offering free training for Rangers and APUs (Anti-Poaching Units) provided by professional instructors with military background and private security experience in medium and high risk areas. The training is focused on Rangers actual needs and includes updated remote/tactical medicine procedures and tactical (both armed and unarmed) skills. Support also includes: • Free risk assessment of the park and development of effective solutions to prevent wildlife crime.

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Free personnel evaluation and selection service.

Reception of material useful for the APU (Anti-Poaching Unit) to carry out their tasks.

Free deployment of skilled volunteering Rangers from overseas to increase boots on the ground with screened and reliable personnel.

Free conservation biology projects provided by our research team and supported by European Universities.

BASICS AND FUNDAMENTALS

As I commented in my opening statement though, as lofty as the goals of any organisation are it comes down ultimately to those in the “blood and mud”. I was very impressed by the background of CROW NGO, not just in terms of the efforts they have made to ensure that their operations are legally and morally grounded, but it was their willingness to engage that really endeared them to me.

Quite rightly many of those operating in anti-poaching operations are wary of telling their personal stories to a publication, even a targeted one like PMCI. This is where the “back and forth” comes in as it’s my job as a journalist to ensure that the story told is the correct one, not one that is diluted by some form of “political agenda”. To this end I was able to speak directly with the “guys at the sharp end” who were kindly eventually willing to answer my questions.

First up is Andy, CROW Executive Director and Instructor, and my question to him was “What motivated you to use your skills to train local rangers, and what does this entail on a daily basis?”

In 2007 very few people in the world were aware of Poaching and the social, economic and cultural ramifications of wildlife trafficking; having both a military mindset and a background in science, I had a hint of the complexity and the importance of protecting our Planet’s biodiversity for the future of humankind: a deep passion for wildlife did the rest.

The first thing I realised, when I was volunteering as a Ranger, was that the skillset learned in the Army and as a Security Contractor in the Middle East wasn’t specific enough for my new mission. So I humbly started from scratch again, retraining myself with a focus on Anti-Poaching operations: human tracking, animal behaviour,

ANTI-POACHING WITH CROW NGO

“stepping up” are prior Military\Law Enforcement personnel, EMTs and Security Contractors but also Firefighters, Biologists and Doctors.

Their mission is to establish and train both Park Rangers and International Volunteers to a set the highest standards in the skills necessary to support and supplement anti-poaching and conservation efforts worldwide: a professional approach by specialised professionals is required to improve the terrible situation.

By creating a pool of professionals with tested and effective Standard Operational Procedures, the CROW NGO team are able to adapt and tailor solutions to parks all over the world.

“The first such element is training; with over one third of rangers (38 per cent) indicating that the training they first received was inadequate to prepare them for the realities of their job. These findings clearly call for an urgent review and modification of ranger curricula, many of which are almost surely highly outdated and inadequate for the challenges faced by today’s rangers.”

Life on the Frontline, WWF Report 2018

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ANTI-POACHING WITH CROW NGO

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conservation biology, tactical and remote medicine (including endemic diseases), adapting my SOPs to different environments and tasks, almost always with no operational support.

It took me years before I considered myself experienced enough to teach others what I learned, often the hard way: in fact, a Conservation Ranger has the knowledge of the environment of a Game Ranger, the practical attitude of a Security Operator, the mindset of a Soldier and the flexibility of a Cop. My personal experience as an instructor matches what has been stated by WWF in 2018: “almost 40% of the rangers worldwide indicate that the training received is outdated and inadequate to prepare them for the realities of their job.�

Teaching old, ineffective procedures put Rangers lives at risk: they need professional support to fight wildlife traffickers and the criminal\terrorist organizations behind them. We found out that the training is often provided by inexperienced, outdated or unprofessional trainers due to budget limitations: this is why CROW support programs (involving volunteers, researchers, training and materials) are charge-free to all national and private parks.

Our courses are targeted on a specific field of application, such as Medical and Tactical (both armed and unarmed) training, or on the basics (sometimes including applicants selection as well): we focus on practical skills and standard operative procedures tailored

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on real needs and based on our experience. Adaptivity, creativity and strategic thinking are required to develop effective solutions.

A typical training day starts at 6AM, PT first, followed by the topic of the day until 6PM: we always try to make good use of daylight,

opportunity to acquire some useful skills for a ranger. Fortunately, my work grants me a small margin of freedom, which is essential for me to spend time on missions at the parks and reserves that need to receive support staff or training. Having the means and the necessary time, I therefore feel morally obliged to make my contribution. Every saved animal, every poacher assured to justice and every trained local Ranger are small steps to safeguard a world that risks disappearing forever.

One of the positive aspects of a Ranger’s working day is that rarely will one day be the same as the next. Sometimes you work during the day, other times at night, others still the “day” lasts 36 hours or more. The Rangers in service live 24 hours a day together as a family. A family that wakes up often before dawn, has a breakfast rich in protein and is preparing to face a day of work made of long walks and long waits posted listening to the search for poachers.

Comfort is certainly not a prerogative of available accommodation.

We often share limited spaces and services reduced to a minimum. The work of the Ranger has no timetable, it is always in service. We must keep our eyes and ears always open, ready to catch every signal. Only in this way is it possible to move safely in the bush.

Only in this way is it possible to maximize the chances of catching the clues that will lead to the capture of poachers.

Having the possibility of preventing injustice and not doing so makes us guilty of what happened.

It has been a privilege for me to learn the stories direct from the mouths of those brave individuals that put themselves in “harm’s way” to protect the beauty and diversity of our planet for future generations, and let’s face it, wars have been fought for less noble causes! I’ll conclude by saying a huge “thank you” to all at CROW NGO that made this article possible, and close with the words of Andy, CROW. Executive Director and Instructor; “There is a WAR in Africa between Poachers and Rangers. On one side nearly endless resources coming from Far East, on the other the mere will to protect wildlife. WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?” For more information about the works and programs offered please do visit www.crowngo.org and show them your support.

ANTI-POACHING WITH CROW NGO

unless we’re running a night operations course, and to avoid the hottest hours of the day to prevent heatstroke, dehydration and loss of attention.

It’s a tiring, repetitive job, fighting against the odds and without proper political support: but we have seen paradisiac places and met amazing people, we have lived an adventurous life full of meaning.

Nothing touches our souls more than knowing we’re fighting a good War, one of the very few.

Of course the view of the “trainer” id sadly often not the story repeated by the “trainee” and it’s important to all at PMCI that we really get to the bottom of things. To this end I asked if we might speak direct to one of the Rangers that had worked with CROW NGO to get his “take” on the reality of things. I asked Musa, one of the local Rangers “What motivated you to take on such an important yet potentially dangerous role, and what does your working day look like? “ I can’t imagine myself spending a life in an office, I love practical activities and nature, so when I had the chance to attend the Ranger Course held by CROW at Mbuluzi Game Reserve for free, I had no doubts.

The training was tough, only 30% of the 45 students succeeding, but I made it and I got hired the very same day of the final test of the Course.

I cannot disclose any details regarding our routine for security reasons, but I can say that our APU (Anti-Poaching Unit) is active 24X7, patrolling and setting up observation posts day and night: it’s a hard and demanding job, but it’s my pride, my passion and I’m very happy to be a Conservation Ranger.

Simone, a CROW Certified Ranger went on to tell me this when I asked the question “What led you to take on your vital role as a Ranger?””

Poaching is a vile and unforgivable act, accomplished for the sole purpose of getting rich quickly, regardless of the damage caused to biodiversity. The victims are not only the defenceless animals that fall under the blows of unscrupulous criminals, but they are also the puppies that will remain orphans, the puppies that will never be born and the seriously damaged family groups.

Destroying biodiversity means creating a poorer future for the next generations, poor in economic terms and poor in moral terms.

Over the years, partly by passion, then by necessity, I had the

SKILLS & DRILLS

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CONTINUATION TRAINING This time Andy takes a moment for reflection on the things he wishes he’d known, and now sets out to embrace as he winds down from his operational time. Focussing not just on the physical aspects of how “to stay in the fight” but also some all-important mental considerations.

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t wasn’t long ago that I decided to take the plunge and retire from active service. I’ve been in the military and PMC role for nearly 30 years now and my wife has begun starting to tell me that I am now the wrong shape and wrong age to carry on in this line of work. I’ve loved working the circuit, the people I’ve met, and the contracts I’ve taken, but most of all I’ve loved the lifestyle.

Now that I’m in my “old-age”, I’ve decided to carry on teaching others so they can live the experiences and lifestyle that I’ve had. Now that I’ve kicked off my boots and hung up my body armour, I find civilian life a little boring. I’ve taken it upon myself to live as much of the past as possible and carry on training the way I have before. I’ve noticed I’m a little slower on the draw and not as strong as I was in the gym, but that’s not going to stop me from trying to be the best that I can at the age that I am.

As we all know, as with most things in life, shooting skills and drills are perishable. That is to say, if you don’t practice and keep on top of things you will soon lose the ability to perform to the best of your ability, and in our game that’s what counts. I know I’ll never take on another contract, but that’s not going to stop me from hitting the range and running the skills and drills

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that I have always loved to do in my past.

Now the words that I write are not intended to persuade you to hit retirement, they are intended to give you a heads up on how important it is for us to carry on building ourselves fitter and stronger during times of rest. There have been many times in between contracts that I’ve had a period of rest. I’ve always taken this time to rethink my training program and learn to develop new skills as well as keeping up-to-date, and speed, with the ones I already possess.

Working the circuit kicks up a whole host of challenges, but when these challenges end, life seems to get a little bit tedious. Hitting the range, for me, has always brought forward challenges, and this is something I’ve always loved to do, and I have decided that range time will now consist of pushing myself just as much as I did when I was younger.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Long gone is the day of “point, pull, bang, drop”!

Both research and development now play a major part in modern day “gun foo”. In the ever-changing world of tactics, you need to be on the ball all the time. It’s not enough to rely on old school time proven skills and drills that you learnt on day one of your training. The way people think and the

RANGE TIME

I live my life day to day with the late great Geoff Cooper in my back pocket. His treat awareness pyramid has been with me a long time and I find myself constantly looking, searching, expecting things to happen. This is now something that I can’t shake. It’s a part of my life. What I can’t do all the time is shoot.

This is where range time plays a massive part in our success as a private contractor. It’s not always possible to hit the range, time, finance, and travel, but there are other alternatives. Home training is a great way forward. There are many aids to training that you can accommodate. SIRT and Dry Fire Training Cards along with the MantisX Firearms Training System have been a godsend to me in the past. Even rubber training guns such as the ASP brand have paid for themselves many times over.

Range time is also a good way of getting your kit admin sorted out too. Train on the range with the kit you intend to use at work. This can give you a great idea as to what works and what needs to be sorted out before deployment. I just hate it when it all kicks off and you realise “if only I had put this there and added this to that, it would have made things a lot easier”. Too late on the two way range. Range time is not only for keeping your hand in with a firearm, it’s also time to experiment and work out how to make things simple.

TEAM TRAINING

Every second I got to train, I did. Mostly it was on my own. A few minutes here, an hour there, soon got me up to speed with what I needed to know and do. It’s also important to train as a group, especially if you are new to a team or someone else joins you.

Team training sessions are the time to iron out differences and make sure that you are all singing from the same song sheet.

Don’t you just hate it when you give an order and the reply comes back as “What?” instead of “Roger That”. Getting to know your teammates is a vital part to mission success. One of the best ways to get to know your teammates is to study them in a social environment. You can get to know what the person is like not just the Warrior. How they react to other situations other than in a high stress environment.

I once had to spend several hours in a car with a colleague that was very arrogant when we were moving but became very irritated and jittery when we stopped at VCP’s and gas stops. All talk and no action. Not what you want on a long trip. If I had known how painful the journey was going to be I would have ridden in another vehicle.

SKILLS & DRILLS

way people fight is forever changing and it is up to you to meet these changes and make a difference. Many lessons are learned through history, and it is this type of study that enables us to push forward and develop new skills to make things both easier, and manageable, for the warrior that has to face the enemy.

Hitting a few training courses won’t cut it here. I’ve found myself, a few times, in a sticky situation when my training has, thankfully, taken over; however, there have been times when the status quo has changed and I’ve had to start thinking for myself rather than have my training think for me.

Take time to throw a spanner in the works when it comes to training. Don’t just rely on skills and drills that other people have invented. Think outside the box, use unorthodox positions and thinking and improvise adapt and overcome any and all possibilities should you ever find yourself in a firefight.

Research recent history of battles and skirmishes, find out what has worked and what has failed during tactical situations and learn from these. It’s not only firepower that you should be researching. There has been a dramatic change in medical procedures on the battlefield too. If you aren’t already qualified then I strongly recommend that you put yourself forward and sign up to a CMT course. Unfortunately, sometimes we have to take lives in our line of work but our ultimate goal is to preserve life, so qualifying as a CMT is just as important as learning how to protect others with a firearm.

QUALIFIERS

Rangetime for me has always been fun. I know for some people it can be laborious and a pain in the ass, but I have always found it to be a challenge and a chance to not only push the boundaries of my shooting but enhance my skill set. One way I have found that helps my Firearms skills development is to shoot qualification shoots from such agencies as F.B.I. C.I.A and A.T.F. to name but a few. These standards have been set to enable respective agents to meet the high level of skill excepted of them. It’s also a good way to measure your own personal development.

Take time out of your day to push yourself harder, not only physically but mentally too. Remember, work hard fight easy.

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PMCI

BOOK REVIEW

BOOK REVIEW

BOOK REVIEW AFTER COMBAT: TRUE WAR STORIES FROM IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN

Approximately 2.5 million men and women have deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in the service of the U.S. War on Terror. Marian Eide and Michael Gibler have collected and compiled personal combat accounts from some of these war veterans.

In modern warfare no deployment meets the expectations laid down by stories of Appomattox, Ypres, Iwo Jima, or Tet. Stuck behind a desk or the wheel of a truck, many of today’s veterans feel they haven’t even been to war though they may have listened to mortars in the night or dodged improvised explosive devices during the day. When a drone is needed to verify a target’s death or bullets are sprayed like grass seed, military offensives can lack the immediacy that comes with direct contact.

“After Combat” bridges the gap between sensationalised media and reality by telling war’s unvarnished stories. Participating soldiers, sailors, marines, and air force personnel (retired, on leave, or at the beginning of military careers) describe combat in the ways they believe it should be understood. In this collection of interviews, veterans speak anonymously with pride about their own strengths and accomplishments, with gratitude for friendships and adventures, and also with shame, regret, and grief, while braving controversy, misunderstanding, and sanction.

In the accounts of these veterans, Eide and Gibler seek to present what Vietnam veteran and writer Tim O’Brien calls a “true war story”, one without obvious purpose or moral imputation and independent of civilian logic, propaganda goals, and even peacetime convention.

“In After Combat Marian Eide and Michael Gibler capture the true essence of our generation’s defenders of freedom. From the warrior perspective After Combat highlights the emotion, the sacrifice, the anguish, and, most important, the heart of what it means to serve in combat. Once again we witness the selfless sacrifice of our nation’s greatest treasure: her sons and daughters, as they tell their stories of their time in the ‘crucible of fire.’ Where do we find men and women of such courage, patriotism, and selflessness?” Lt. Gen. Frank Wiercinski, U.S Army (Ret.) “After Combat paints a picture of the messy aspects of war and their aftermath on veterans, their families, their friends, and their personal and professional lives. There are no ordinary stories of the men and women who are deployed to fight our nation’s

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wars. America is fortunate to have those who volunteer to wear the cloth of our country. A must-read if you care about America and its military men and women.” Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, U.S. Army (Ret.) Author: Marian Eide and Michael Gibler Hardcover: 280 pages (also available for Kindle) Publisher: Potomac Books, Inc. Language: English ISBN-10: 1640120238 ISBN-13: 978-1640120235

Advanced Security Protection

Blackstone Consultancy

http://www.advancedsecurityprotection.com/

http://www.blackstoneconsultancy.com;

AKE Group

Blue Hackle

http://www.akegroup.com/

http://www.bluehackle.com/

Ambrey Risk

Blue Waters Partners Global

http://www.ambreyrisk.com

http://www.preparedex.com/

Antipirates.Org

BP Global

http://www.antipirates.org/

http://www.bp.com/

APPDS

Britam Defence

http://www.appds.co.uk/

http://www.britamdefence.com/

Aquatic Marine Ltd

British Maritime Solutions

http://www.aquaticmarineltd.com

http://britishmaritimesolutions.com

Protect Asia Group

BW Offshore

http://www.protectasia.com/

http://www.bwoffshore.com/

Secopex

Calibre International Security

http://www.secopex.com/

http://www.calibre-international.com/

Aspida

Chilport

http://www.aspida.org/

http://www.chilport.co.uk/

Associated Risk Maritime Risk Management

Chiron Resources

http://www.associated-risks.com

http://www.chironresources.com

Bancroft Maritime Security Solutions

Clearwater Special Projects

http://www.maritimesecuritysolutions.co.uk

http://www.bodyguarding.co.uk/

Bechtel Corporation

Control Risks

http://www.bechtel.com/

http://www.control-risks.com

Black Pearl

Decatur Maritime Security

http://www.blackpearlmaritimesecurity.com/

http://www.decaturms.com/

48

Drum Cussac

HP TerraMarine International

http://www.drum-cussac.com/Index.aspx

http://www.hpterramarine.com/

Dryad Maritime

Hudson Trident

http://www.dryadmaritime.com/

http://hudsonanalytix.com

Edinburgh International

ICTS

http://www.edinburghint.com/home/

http://www.icts.co.uk

Elite Maritime Protection Services

IMSA Ltd

http://www.elitemaritimeprotection.com

http://www.imsaltd.com/

EOS Risk Management

International Executive Recruiting

https://www.eosrisk.com/

http://www.iernetwork.com

Erus Maritime

International Maritime Security

http://www.erusrisk.com

http://www.intmarsec.co.uk

Espada

International Maritime Security

http://www.espadaservices.com

http://www.intmarsec.co.uk/

Ex Military Recruitment

International Security Network

https://www.exmil.co.uk

http://www.isn.eu.com

Exploration Logistics Group

ISC Gulf

http://www.frontiermedex.com/

http://www.iscgulf.com/

G4S Maritime

ISSG Sea Marshalls

http://www.g4s.uk.com

http://www.issg-seamarshals.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

50

Janusian Risk Advisory Group

MTResolution

http://www.riskadvisory.net/

http://www.mtresolution.com/

Kroll

MUSC

http://www.kroll.com/

http://www.sps-global.com

Longmoor Group

Naval Guards

http://www.longmoor-security.com

http://www.navalguards.com

Lotus Maritime Security

Neptune Security

http://www.lotusmaritime.com

http://www.neptunemaritimesecurity.com/

Lotus Projects

NNK Group

http://www.lpyemen.com

https://www.nnkcorporation.com

Maersk

NYA International

http://www.maersk.com/pages/default.aspx

http://www.nyainternational.com

Magregor Protection Services

Ocean Marshalls

http://macgregorprotectionservices.com

http://www.oceanmarshalls.com

March Security

Ocean Protective Services

www.marchsecurity.com

http://oceanprotectionservices.com

Maritime Risk International

Oceaneering International

http://www.maritimeriskinternational.com/

http://www.oceaneering.com/

Marsec

Olchon

http://www.marsec.eu.com

http://www.olchon.co.uk/

MAST

Olive Group

http://www.mast-commercial.com

http://www.olivegroup.com/

McRoberts Maritime Security

Orchid Security

http://www.mcrobertsmaritime.com/

http://www.orchid-office.com/

Merchant Maritime Warfare Centre

Oxberry Risk Strategies

http://www.mmwc.org/

http://www.oxberryrisk.com/maritime_services

Minimal Risk

Pilgrim Group

http://www.minimalrisk.co.uk/

http://www.pilgrimsgroup.com

MSS

Pilgrim Security

http://www.mss-uk.com

http://www.pilgrimsgroup.com

Pistris

SEAL

http://www.pistris.com/Index.html

http://www.sealsecurity.com/

Protect Asia Group

Securescot

http://www.protectasia.com/

http://www.securescot.com

PVI Ltd

Securewest International

http://www.pviltd.com/

http://www.securewest.com/

Raven Special Projects Ltd

Security Networking Events

http://www.ravenspecialprojects.com

http://snespecialprojects.com/

Red Cell Security

Security Networking Events

http://www.redcellsecurity.co.uk

http://snespecialprojects.com/

Redfour-MSS

Securoquest

http://www.redfour-group.com

http://www.securoquest.co.za

Saladin Security Group

Shield Risk Consulting

http://www.saladin-security.com/

http://www.shield.eu/services/maritime-security/

Saladin Security

Shipguard

http://www.saladin-security.com/

http://www.mss-uk.com

Salama Fikira

SMS

http://www.salamafikira.com/

www.specialistmarineservices.com

SMS

SPS

www.specialistmarineservices.com

http://www.sps-global.com

Tor International

Tactical Intel

http://www.torinternational.com/

http://www.tacticalintel.com/

Trojan Securities International

Thalassic

http://www.trojansecurities.com/

http://www.thalassic.co.uk/

Orchid Security

Tor International

http://www.orchid-office.com/

http://www.torinternational.com/

Blackstone Consultancy

Torcuss

http://www.blackstoneconsultancy.com/

http://www.torcuss.co.za/

Pilgrim Group

Triskle TSL

http://www.pilgrimsgroup.com/

http://www.triskelservices.com

Maritime Risk International

Triton Security

http://www.maritimeriskinternational.com/

http://www.tritoninternationalltd.com

International Maritime Security

Trojan Securities

http://www.intmarsec.co.uk/

http://www.trojansecurities.com

Raven Special Projects Ltd

Veritas International

http://www.ravenspecialprojects.com/

http://www.veritas-international.com/

Salamanca Risk Management http://www.salamancarm.com

Sea Marshalls Ltd UK http://www.seamarshals.com

COVERT BOOT n Durable slip/oil resistant outsole n Suede/Cordura upper n Leather finish on Achillies and collar n Non metallic 7 stage eyelet lace fit

TACTCIAL ADVANTAGE

n Padded internals/tongue for added comfort n Heat treated Viper logo on ankle and rear BROWN

BLACK

TITANIUM

SRP: £49.95

vipertactical.co.uk