I've had a few posts over the last month or so talking about gun safety. The new law in Wisconsin permitting concealed carry has been a big deal here at Tactical Store, and we're constantly getting in new holsters and other duty gear, but one thing that's important, regardless of the holster you choose, is to stay smart, and stay safe. There are a number of factors to consider when keeping safety concious while handling a firearm.

First is to get the right holster for your gun. An improper fit can cause the gun to fall out or get jostled while in the holster and discharge. Obviously, sticking the gun in the waist of your pants is a bad idea too.

But even when you have the perfect holster, you need to be careful to keep your finger off the trigger while drawing or holstering you weapon. This can be difficult for beginners, especially if they don't properly respect the gun. The addition of various retention features, such as a thumb break or specific direction draw, makes drawing a holster properly more difficult.

Experience with firearms will greatly help most gun safety issues, but even experienced shooters, if they have a new and unfamiliar holster or if they are trying a new technique, can injure themselves. I just found this video of a guy experienced with firearms accidentally shooting himself in the leg while trying to draw his gun too quickly from a holster. Even with a good holster and years of experience, the shooter got careless and hurt. Fortunately his injuries were not too extensive, but he should never have been hurt in the first place.

Rather than compiling a complete list of safety tips for drawing a gun from a holster I'm just going to suggest taking a class at a good shooting range with a qualified instructor, because they can give you specific advice and evaluate your level of safety. But before you receive training, you should be sure to get a superb holster.

There are a lot of amazing tactical holsters. BlackHawk, Galco and Desantis are al

l world class for their style and function. Many of their holsters are currently in use by military and law enforcement professionals throughout the world. We actually just added a bunch of New Desantis Holsters, from compact concealed holsters like the Desantis Facilitator Black Holsters S&W 59-43, 59-44, 59-46, which has an instinctive trigger locking device and is made of tough and durable Kydex and glass reinforced nylon, to an undercover shoulder holster like the Desantis New York Undercover Shoulder Holster Rig for S&W Governor, which has a classic design and outstanding materials for a smooth draw and lasting comfort. And because they're made by Desantis you can rest assured that these holsters have top level craftsmanship, design and materials.

We have added more than just these two new Desantis Holsters to our store, so be sure to check them all out, and if you have questions about How to Break in a Leather Holster, watch our video over on Youtube. We'll have even more news and reviews over at GearExpert.com in the near future, so be sure to head over there periodically as well.

Labels: concealed holster, desantis, holster

Posted by brian.coughlin at 8:25 AM Read Article 0 comments

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Invisible Tanks? This isn't a James Bond Movie!

Technology advances at an incredible pace. And that pace is even greater when the technology is designed for military or tactical purposes. While some of the coolest stuff is top secret, every once in a while some new advancement is made public and really impresses. In just the last week or so it's been released that a new type of tank has been developed. And it's invisible.

The first thing I should mention is that these tanks are not invisible to the naked eye, but rather to thermal imaging. Tanks and military transports have long had some degree of camoflauge to conceal them from enemies. Because of the tough outer shell of a tank, there are very few portable weapons that can do any real damage to the vehicle. Since they're so well protected from ground strikes, the real danger for a tank come across is from above, or from remote electronic targeting systems. Many of these systems use thermal optics to spot tanks, which, because of their size and the tremendous power it takes to move them, have a distinct heat signature. A plane flying by overhead has very little trouble seeing tanks on the ground, even in the dark, so military engineers have designed a new tank is invisible to thermals.

Completely hiding heat is very difficult, especially with something as big as a tank, so the Adaptiv armor casing on these new tanks makes it look like something else, such as a car, truck or even livestock that is common to the area! Rather than seeing nothing at all, thermal imaging systems will see something common and disregard it. How cool is that?

The Adaptiv armored tanks have a number of preset heat signature patterns, but they can also act like a chameleon and adapt the thermal image to appear to be similar to a nearby object. So if there's a dumpster next to the tank, it can emulate that to targeting systems. You can see some pictures of the tank and the different thermal images over here. The full story has some additional details that are also worth checking out.

There's a part of me that feels like it should be a dumpster, and every time it moves little feet pop up from underneath and quickly walk it to its next stopping point. Like in a cartoon.

I know I've talked about thermal imaging systems from awesome brands like ATN and Insight Technology before, but think about all the different ways hunters, military and la

w enforcement professionals use to improve accuracy in dark conditions. For instance, take a look at the Premier Reticle rifle scopes. We have four different versions of their Heritage rifle scope series in our stores now. They all have magnification levels between 3x-15x, so they're really versatile, and and the construction is second to none.

The four versions break down into two groups: heavy and light. Yes, it's as obvious as it seems. The heavy versions weigh a bit more than the light versions. The added weight in the heavy versions makes them a little more durable, but that's not to say the light version is going to fall apart.

Each group comes with an illuminated reticle version and a non-illuminated reticle version. Check out the Premier Reticle Heritage 3-15x50mm LIGHT Tactical Rifle Scope with Illuminated Reticle. The illumination gives you a fantastic target reticle in any lighting situation. The quality of the lenses and optical coatings provide a really high level of light transmission, so you'll get a bright, clear image. If your target is visible to the naked eye, you'll be able to see it at greater magnification and have a spot on reticle. This scope won't be fooled by the thermal camoflauge of the Adaptiv Tank, but then you probably don't have a rifle capable of even denting the tank.

We have a ton of options for low light shooting and viewing. Whether you want the best night vision, thermal imaging, flashlights or more, check out Tactical Store. And for more news and reviews be sure to stop by GearExpert.com. We just launched the site and have some exciting stuff coming up!

Labels: new products, premier reticles, thermal imaging

Posted by brian.coughlin at 12:54 PM Read Article 0 comments

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Keep a Tactical Light Handy with one of These Awesome Lights!

We have a lot of great low light tactical solutions at Tactical Store. From super high tech night vision and thermal imaging to rifle scopes with illuminated reticles powered by fiber optics, we have the most advanced options to help you see in the dark. But while these are all great ways to operate in the dark, having a powerful tactical flashlight is the most reliably consistent and easiest way to see what you're doing.

I'll start with the Leapers UTG Long Range Spot Focus QD Weapon-mount & Handheld LED Flashlight. This powerful light features a 5 function LED light with 200 lumens of maximum output. The five functions are three levels of brightness, a strobe function and a signal function. The lamp for this Leapers light allows you to focus the beam for long distance viewing, with an effective illumination range up to 800 yards! But what makes this light really versatile is that it's great for both handheld use and for use as a weapon mounted light. It will fit on virtually any picatinny rail, and it has a quick detach lever so you can take it off your firearm quickly if you need to shed light somewhere that you don't want to point your gun. That's a lot of great features in a single package!

Another powerful flashlight with a focused spot and flood beam pattern is the Inova T1 LED Flashlight. This compact light is extremely durable, with a doublesided AR coating and Teflon seal on the optical system to protect against pressure, and an aerospace grade aluminum body with a knurling pattern for a better grip. The 123A Lithium Batteries that power the Inova T1 have a 10 year shelf life, so you'll get plenty of charges out of them before needing replacements. This tough, crush-proof, shockproof and waterproof tactical flashlight is a fantastic choice for when you need a light that's as tough as you are.

If yo

u're looking for a light that was specially designed to attach to a RIPR Integrated Powered Rail,you should check out the Laser Devices Forward Mounted Laser / Light for RIPR Rail. This low profile tactical LED light has an included laser sight for multiple shooting options. This is a great light for your rifle, especially if you need something versatile, tough and bright. Like the Inova T1, this Laser Devices light and laser sight is made of aerospace grade aluminum and is waterproof, so you can put it through its paces and it will come out working great.

High tech or low, make sure you have a great lighting solution to keep yourself safe and effective in the field, at home or in training. Also, be sure to check out GearExpert.com, as we're going to have some expert reviews soon on all sorts of gear, from flashlights and night vision to rifle scopes and binoculars.

Labels: inova, laser devices, leapers, tactical flashlight

Posted by brian.coughlin at 8:30 AM Read Article 0 comments

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

New Accessories to give you the Tactical Edge!

I'm going to come at you from all sides today with my blog post. There are a bunch of new tactical accessories and tools that just came into Tactical Store, and I want to give you a better idea of what we offer besides riflescopes, red dot sights and duty gear.

First up we have the Inova Ultraviolet LED Microlight, which is a fantastic tool for

aiding in detecting counterfeit bills, spotting leaks when doing auto repairs or investigating a crime scene. This LED Flashlight is extremely compact, and the included universal clip will allow you to attach it to your keys, purse, a zipper, bag or... well, whatever you need it to attach to.

Keeping with the compact tool idea, we also added the Victorinox Swiss Army SLIM DUO Flight -128 GB Flash Drive. There aren't very many flash drives with 128GB of memory that will so easily fit in your pocket. Much like the Inova LED Microlight, the Slim Duo Flight will attach to a keyring, and it provides a good, tough shell for keeping your info safe. There is also included data encryption so that your info doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

But lets say the wrong hands do come after you. A great self defense tool is a tactical baton, and a great way to improve the effectiveness of your baton is to add a cap. The ASP tactical baton accessories just added to our store are both stylish and functional. My personal favorite is the ASP Leverage Band Caps with Military and Law Logos. The ends sport a logo for a number of different agencies, such as the army, navy, sheriff, police or more. But the Leverage Band Cap also improves your ability to effectively use a baton, by giving the user a better grip and transferring the fulcrum of the baton to the pinky finger, which increases control and velocity.

Finally, we also added the Benchmaster Impact-22 Rolling Steel Target, which is perfect for practicing your shooting over and over again, with a target that changes position but doesn't need to be set up repeatedly. You can just toss out

this steel target and every time you shoot it the target will roll over, so it's suddenly in a different position. This is great for practicing your aim on targets in different places. Let's be honest, if you're out hunting it's rare that you get to shoot at game more than once in the same place. It's important to be able to change positions on the fly, and the Benchmaster Rolling Steel Target will help you do just that.

We're actually launching a new site soon that'll have expert reviews of many of our products, possibly even some of these, so in addition to checking back here at the Tactical Store Blog for the latest news also check out GearExpert.com. You'll be sure to find some great advice there.

Labels: asp, benchmaster, new products, swiss army knife, victorinox

Posted by brian.coughlin at 10:29 AM Read Article 0 comments

Thursday, September 15, 2011

New Insight Technology Thermal Imaging - And it's AWESOME

Okay, I have to admit I'm a bit giddy over the latest additions to Tactical-Store. We've had thermal imaging devices for a while now, and I've always felt it's pretty cool stuff, but the Insight Technology Thermal Imaging we just added is extra cool.

First up is the Insight Technology CNVD-T Clip On Night Vision Thermal Imaging Sight. It easily attaches to a weapon and will stand up to a lot of punishment, even in tough conditions.

The CNVD-T has a long detection range, and the built in 2X digital zoom will help you get in close for precise shots. While there is a reticle included, you can also mount this thermal imager in front of a day sight, such as a red dot sight, so it combines well with your other equipment for a serious advantage.

What's really great about using thermal imaging as your night vision instead of the customary light enhancing night vision is that thermal imaging is not affected by snow, rain, fog or smoke. Any of these can play havoc with normal night vision, but you'll still get a great image through a thermal imager from Insight Technology.

But if you're looking for even more functionality, we also added the Insight Technology CNVD-T2 Thermal Imaging Sight with Laser Pointer, which combines the amazing features of the CNVD-T, but adds in the ability to designate targets and take photos. And, as the name implies, it also has a laser pointer so that it'll help your aim in the day or night.

These are two of the best thermal imagers in the world. When you need to see in any condition, make sure to take a look at these sights from Insight Technology.

Labels: insight technology, thermal imaging

Posted by brian.coughlin at 2:30 PM Read Article 0 comments

Monday, September 12, 2011

GG&G Sling Thing - New Items Available Now!

GG&G has a short but successful history. They've been around for about 16 years and have gained a lot of experience manufacturing tactical accessories such as optical mounting systems, rails and combat slings. I wrote up a post a couple weeks ago about the GG&G 40MM Grenade Salt and Pepper Shakers, which are a neat little novelty item that we recently added to our store, but GG&G has also added some other cool products, namely their Sling Thing line.

As the name implies, the GG&G Sling Thing is a sling, or strap, mounting system for rifles and shotguns. There are a handful of different Sling Thing options available through Tactical-Store right now, such as the GG&G Dovetail Sling Thing, which enables the user to attach a sling to a tactical forearms, which have become very popular in the modern military. The hands free carry option that a good tactical sling provide give soldiers and hunters the ability to quickly switch from their main firearm to a sidearm. The Dovetail Sling Thing is a lightweight but tough

tactical sling mount that is perfect for most M16s or AR15s.

Another awesome option is the GG&G Quick Clip Sling Thing Attachment, which allows for the use of quick clips or snap hooks, enabling even faster sling attachment, which could be a lifesaver in the midst of a warzone. Still lightweight and easy to use, the Quick Clip Sling Thing Attachment is another awesome way to customize your rifle or shotgun.

If you want the best gun accessories you should definitely check out GG&G. They have a lot of great products that have been tested and meet their demanding standards.

Labels: GG and G, sling thing

Posted by brian.coughlin at 4:05 PM Read Article 0 comments

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Revision Vipertail Ballistic Sunglasses - Comfort, Style and Protection!

The Revision Vipertail Ballistic Sunglasses are civilian style safety sunglasses that provide an amazing degree of protection without losing comfort or style. You need to protect your eyes when out shooting or on the job, but looking cool is a nice added benefit.

You can look at the picture and see just how cool the Vipertail Sunglasses are, but there are some other things to know about these safety glasses. First, they were designed for superior fit, which means you'll have greater retention. No matter how good the glasses are, if they fall off your face they won't be helping at all, and since these glasses are intended for active use, it is especially important to make sure they fit.

These Revision Safety Glasses feature high impact protection, and they've been tested and perform at an incredibly high level. The Vipertails meet several safety standards, including MIL-PRF-31013, so you can be sure that they will keep your eyes safe.

In addition to their ability to protect your eyes, the Revision Vipertail Glasses also give you a great image. The lenses will not distort an image at all, and the smoke coloring of the glass makes them ideal for bright and sunny days. Lens coatings prevent scratches and add 100% UV protection.

You get full protection and a great style from the Revision Vipertail Ballistic Glasses, which are now available at Tactical-Store. It's a hard option to beat. Check them out today!

Labels: revision, shooting glasses

Posted by brian.coughlin at 8:56 AM Read Article 0 comments

Tuesday, September 06, 2011

The Latest Leupold Riflescopes are at Tactical-Store!

I'm going to take a momentary break from talking about gun safety and the Wisconsin Concealed Carry law and mention a few great new rifle scopes we just got in at Tactical Store. They're from one of our top brands, Leupold.

The Leupold VX-6 series of riflescopes will give you an idea of what Leupold is all about. They are computer designed to provide awesome performance that is incredibly repeatable and durable enough to withstand whatever you throw at it when you're out hunting. As the name implies, the VX-6 gives 6:1 Zoom ratio, which is ideal for most hunting situations. The magnification range gives you a wide field of view for close range shots or game that is moving around, and you can zoom in on game at a distance to get a precise shot in. You never know what's going to pop up when you're out hunting, so having the versatility of the Leupold VX-6 will keep you covered in every situation.

But I haven't mentioned brightness and clarity yet. The VX-6 features blackened lens edges, which helps draw light in rather than reflect it, and the more light that comes through the glass, the brighter the image you see. When you combine the blackened edges with Leupold's DiamondCoat 2 for great scratch resistance, clarity and light transmission, and you have unbelievable optics. And the coating is from edge to edge, so you get awesome clarity through every part of the scope, not just the middle.

Toughness is a feature in all Leupold Rifle Scopes, and the VX-6 is no different. While the DiamondCoat2 helps keep the glass scratch free, these scopes are also shockproof, waterproof and fog proof, so they'll take a beating when you're stomping through the woods and navigating streams to find the best game.

We have a couple different riflescope models in the VX-6 series, with some subtle, but important, differences. Size and reticle illumination mark the primary differences. The four models are the VX-6 1-6X24mm Riflescope, the VX-6 1-6X24mm Illuminated Reticle Riflescope, the VX-6 2-12X42mm Riflescope and the VX-6 2-12X42mm Illuminated Reticle Riflescope. Both of the illuminated reticle scopes feature a 30mm tube, which allows for greater adjustment range.

And don't worry about the quality of the illuminated reticles, as Leupold scopes don't bleed, so you'll always have a crisp clear reticle in all lighting conditions.

The differences in lens diameters equate to a different amount of light transmission. Bigger lenses provide brighter images

.

Regardless of which option you choose, the VX-6 will give you a fantastic option this hunting season. They are the latest rifle scopes to be added to our store, so you'll have the newest model if you get yours today!

Labels: leupold, riflescopes

Posted by brian.coughlin at 4:09 PM Read Article 0 comments

Friday, September 02, 2011

New Lockdown Options Now Available

I wrote a post the other day about gun safety and how laser sights can improve your shooting accuracy in dangerous situations. It's really important to always consider safety first when you're handling a firearm.

In addition to being smart and effective when handling a firearm, it's also of the utmost importance to be sure your gun is secure when you're away. A good gun safe is probably the best way to keep your gun out of the wrong hands. One of the premiere manufacturers of gun safes is Lockdown. They have an extensive line of gun vaults, from compact options for a pistol to larger multi-gun safes. Dependant on your needs, Lockdown will provide a great security solution.

Because they have such awesome quality, we just added a few new items from Lockdown. The first two are handgun vaults. The Lockdown Compact Handgun Vault and Lockdown Large Handgun Vault are both TSA approved, so they're an ideal choice for at home or on the road use. Based on their names, I'm betting you can guess the main difference between the two. The Compact Handgun Vault is smaller and lighter, and will accommodate most compact handguns and revolvers. The Large Handgun Vault gives you a bit more space and will accommodate most full-size handguns and revolvers with barrel lengths up to 4". Both options come with a heavy duty steel cable and have 18 gauge walls.

Another tool we just got in is the Lockdown Relative Humidity Reader Hygrometer. When you store your firearm in a safe moisture can build up and ruin the gun, with corrosion and rust turning your multiple-thousand dollar rifle into a worthless mess. To avoid this you need to have a good idea of the humidity

inside your safe. This Lockdown Hygrometer features large, easy-to-read numbers and a simple mounting system. You'll want to use the humidity reader in conjunction with a dehumidifier rod, so that any excess water is removed from the air in the vault.

Keeping your guns secure not only keeps others safe from potential harm, but it also keeps your expensive weaponry safe from damage. We're always adding cool new items to TacticalStore.com, and I'll keep posting the latest and greatest here on the TacticalStoreBlog, so check back often!

Labels: gun safe, lockdown

Posted by brian.coughlin at 10:32 AM Read Article 0 comments