by David Crane david@defensereview.com DefenseReview just got a chance to evaluate the very first issue of "Special Operations Report: Inside the World of Police and Military Tactical Units". The copy we received is the SOFEX 2004 Special Edition, with a hi-res pic of two Jordanian Counterterrorist Battalion 71 (CTB-71) operators on the cover. Upon reviewing the magazine, I will say …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com I started noticing advertisements about this school cropping up in several firearms publications, around a month ago. Valhalla Training Center, LLC is currently billing its curriculum as "the most progressive reality-based training on the planet." Big words. To use an even bigger word to describe that kind of language (for instance, if I were pedantic, which …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Our previous article on the Wilson Combat/Scattergun Technologies UT-15 Urban Tactical Rifle/Carbine provided a heads-up on, and rundown of, Rich Grassi’s article from the September 2004 issue of Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement (GWLE). Click here to read it (our article about his article). Guns Magazine also recently published a pretty thorough article on the …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com The Wilson Combat UT-15 Urban Tactical Rifle/Carbine (with free-float, ventilated Quad Rail aluminum handguard) just received a rave review by Rich Grassi in the September 2004 issue of Guns & Weapons for Law Enforcement (GWLE). Mr. Grassi had some help in reviewing the Wilson UT-15 Urban Tactical carbine from Rob Child (SWAT operator, armorer, and firearms …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Speaking of high quality tactical gear, DefRev has received two 5.11 Tactical Shirts (one beige, on O.D. green) for T&E. We haven’t had a chance to wear them around yet, but the quality of these shirts is quite evident, just from handling and inspecting them. These shirts appear to be really well put together. The 5.11 …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com MAXPEDITION is definitely a company to watch. These guys are making some really great stuff right now, and I can’t tell you how impressed I was with what I saw and handled at the MAXPEDITION booth at TREXPO West 2004. Well, maybe I can: I was extremely impressed. This was some of the best-made tactical nylon …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com Tactical Design Labs (TDL) was at TREXPO West 2004 introducing and demonstrating their unique LEO (law enforcement officer) duty holster, called "The Professional Real Performance Duty Holster". What sets The Professional Real Performance Duty Holster apart from other duty holsters is its unique (and I’m assuming, patented) retention system that’s at once super-secure, yet still permissive …

by Gabe Suarez Suarez International SO here we are mid-year. It is amazing how quickly the time goes by. Between the last newsletter and now we have taught six classes in places as different as Elko, Nevada and Battle Creek, Michigan. We’ve worked with Federal folks as well as members of the Norwegian marinjeagerkommado. I will be posting debriefings on …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com DefRev’s previous article on G-Code Kydex tactical holsters by Edge-Works Manufacturing was published in late September, 2002. It was titled "Looking for a Kydex Holster for Tactical Use or CCW? It’s G-Code Time." The article mentioned Edge-Works’/G-Code’s excellent REAC Ready Rig and SOC Rig, both of which are tactical thigh rigs, made from Kydex. The SOC …

by David Crane david@defensereview.com DefRev’s previous article on te 6.8x43mm SPC (Special Purpose Cartridge), a.k.a. "6.8mm Remington SPC", was titled "6.8x43mm Round for Urban Warfare CQB and Short-to-Medium-Range Sniping." The 6.8x43mm SPC (Special Purpose Cartridge) was developed with the help of the U.S. Army Special Forces community (specifically, the U.S. Army’s 5th Special Forces Group) to create a significantly superior …