9x23mm/.38 TJ 1911 Pistol Concept: Better Solution than Kimber .45 ACP 1911 Pistol for USMC MARSOC/MCSOCOM Det 1 Unit?

by David Crane defrev (at) gmail (dot) com November 6, 2003 Last updated on 10/11/11. The 1911 pistol that Kimber is currently supplying to U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) MARSOC/Special Operations Command Detachment 1 operators, according to reports, differs from the Kimber Custom TLE/RL II in several key respects (The following information is, as yet, unconfirmed/unverified): 1) It utilizes Kimber's Series …

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Second Chance Body Armor Now Marketing Avon Tactical Respirators.

by David Crane According to reports, Second Chance Body Armor has introduced the Avon FM12 respirator and CT12 respirator into its tactical product line. This is an interesting development, as it appears to mark an expansion of focus by Second Chance, which, up to this point, has focused solely on… body armor design and production. It would appear Second Chance …

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SIG-Sauer 1911 Pistol Coming Soon to a Gun Store Near You.

by David Crane SIG-Sauer, a.k.a. SIGARMS, is going to be introducing a 1911 pistol in .45 caliber very soon. Rumor has it that the guns will be built on Caspian frames (and possibly even slides). This is supposed to include Caspian’s Recon frame. DefRev will research the situation and get as much info as we can. DefRev doesn’t have any …

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Joe Bonar, 1959-2003. Joe, We Will Miss You.

by David Crane I literally just found out about this. Joe Bonar was killed recently in a car accident that was, from reports we’ve heard, caused by another driver. Thank God Joe’s young son, who was in the car with him at the time, only suffered minor injuries, (again, according to reports). Joe was a master gunsmith, the top pistolsmith …

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5.11 Tactical Pants: Cargo Pants for Tactical Professionals.

by David Crane david@defensereview.com At last year’s SWAT Round-Up, I noticed that pretty much all the staff were wearing 5.11 Tactical Pants, and that these pants looked really good. I asked Mike Foreman, the Round-Up’s organizer and head honcho how he liked them, and he said they were great. Well that was enough for me. I’ve had three pairs of …

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Walker’s Game Ear Power Muffs **Quad** Active Electronic Hearing Protection

by David Crane **Note: This story contains links to previous DefRev stories that feature exclusive DefRev video footage of advanced tactical (select-fire) weaponry being fired.** I’ve been using these for almost a year now, and am extremely satisfied with them. Power Muffs Quad, made by Walker’s Game Ear, are both comfortable and highly effective for their intended use. They performed …

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Meet the New Cobb FA50(T) ”Fast Action” .50 BMG Sniper/Anti-Materiel Rifle.

by David Crane defrev at gmail dot com There’s a new .50 BMG sniper/anti-materiel rifle in town, and it’s called the Cobb FA50(T). The "FA" stands for "Fast Action". The "T" stands for "tactical". The following is an email letter DefRev received from Cobb Manufacturing, Inc. President, Skip Patel, on the Cobb FA50(T) Fast Action .50 BMG rifle: "Dear David, …

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Kimber Introduces Intregral Light/Laser

by David Crane Kimber appears to have copied the Caspian Integral Light/Laser Rail Mount with their new integrated "Tactical Rail". This, of course, is good news, as an integral rail is always preferable to a screwed-on rail. However an integral rail doesn’t solve the reported reliability problems caused by Kimber’s Series II Safety system, which the author believes can potentially …

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AcuFlex AF-1 Recoil Control System for Pre-Ban Rifles and Machine Guns.

by David Crane Almost forgot about this one: GPJ (Gary Paul Johnston) also reviewed the AcuFlex AF-1 side-folding, telescoping buttstock, which is manufactured by Inland Enterprises, Inc., a.k.a. the AcuFlex "Recoil Control System". The AcuFlex AF-1 Recoil Control System was invented by John Kimball as a recoil control/mitigation device for assault and battle rifles. It can be used on… the …

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Letter on Reliability of M60E4/MK43 Mod. O 7.62mm Machine Gun.

by David Crane One of DefRev’s members, "dewatters", has commented on our story below, "Demonstration Video: U.S. Ordnance M60E4/MK43 Mod. O 7.62mm Machine Gun", regarding the M60E4’s perceived reliability problems. The following is a copy of a document that was originally sent to DefRev’s editor-in-chief(yours truly) on 10/18/02 by Dale McClellan, Executive Vice President of Special Tactical Services (STS). It …

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Le Mas Ltd. Blended Metal Technology Ammo vs. ADS Transparent Armor: AFJI Video!

by David Crane david@defensereview.com For the last couple of years, Le Mas Ltd. has been pitting their "Blended Metal Technology" ammo (made specifically for them by RBCD Performance Plus, Inc.) against American Defense Systems, Inc. (ADS)/A.J. Piscitelli & Associates, Inc.’s "VistaSteel" bullet-resistant glass, which is manufactured for them by Cardinal LG. Both companies have been engaging in this match-up at …

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Armalite Mid-Length Carbine and A.R.M.S. Mid-Length S.I.R. System.

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Included in Gary Paul Johnston’s October 2003 "Soldier of Fortune" article is some great info on both the Armalite Mid-Length Carbine and A.R.M.S. Mid-Length S.I.R. System. The Armalite Mid-Length Carbine was designed specifically to overcome the long-known gas system-related problems associated with the standard M4/M4A1, problems that have been plaguing end-users for years. These include greatly …

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Surefire M4FA Suppressor/Silencer for your M4/M4A1 Carbine or CAR-15.

by David Crane Surefire, LLC has just come out with their M4FA suppressor/silencer. The suppressor was designed by Surefire’s "Director of Surefire Suppressors", Barry Dueck specifically for the M4/M4A1 Carbine. According to gunwriter Gary Paul Johnston (in the "Proving Ground" section of the October 2003 issue of "Soldier of Fortune"), "because of the special alloys used in its construction, the …

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Valtro 1998A1 1911 Pistol. ‘Near Custom’ Combat Gun.

by David Crane Last week, I had the very real pleasure of speaking with John Jardine of Jardine’s Custom Gunsmithing over the phone. That conversation was a real eye opener, as Jardine seems to really know his stuff regarding 1911 pistols and 1911 pistol components. The Valtro 1998A1 1911 .45 pistol is Jardine’s brainchild. According to Valtro USA’s website, the …

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