I think we can all agree that the zombie apocalypse will eventually happen. The signs are all there. Whether the cause of said apocalypse is a disease, extra-terrestrial, supernatural or some other currently unforeseen possibility, it'll likely happen. We've already written about customizing your gun for the zombie apocalypse, and we have natural disaster preparation kit videos, but there's a county in Ohio who has taken this looming threat far more seriously.

Today, Delaware County did a test run for their emergency responders in a zombie apocalypse. The fun of the event, and the fact that it was on Halloween, caused over 200 people to show up dressed up as zombies to help simulate the apocalypse.

While the official reason for the drill was to help train first responders on what to do in the event of a hazardous materials disaster, which would call for very similar necessary equipment to what is needed in a zombie outbreak, I believe it was a true test run for what happens when the dead walk.

The idea for the drill came from a May blog post on the official CDC website that warned of preparing for zombies, as good zombie preparation will get you prepared for most disasters. You need to have a plan, supplies such as food, water and medicine, and tools, such as a good multi-tool, like the Leatherman Wingman, which is super tough, compact, and features pliers, wire cutters, a combo knife and more.

I would add in a few other items, such as the ESS Remeber 9.11 Sunglasses, which should keep any hazardous materials out of

your eyes and help you stay on the move. A solid shotgun is always helpful, both for hunting food and protecting yourself from the flesh-eating undead, and I'd outfit my shotgun with a specialized Carlson Choke Tube. They'll give you a more consistent shot pattern that you can customize for the highest level of zombie-slaying performance.

Halloween may only be one day a year, but that doesn't mean you should stop being vigilant. Take precautions to get yourself ready for any disaster, including the zombie apocalypse.

The government is preparing for zombies. Are you?

Labels: carlson choke tubes, leatherman, zombies

Posted by brian.coughlin at 1:08 PM Read Article 0 comments

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Tactical Gear for Halloween!

As my favorite holiday, Halloween, is almost upon us, I thought I'd share some of the coolest stuff we have that would be great for some spooky dress-up fun.

Since putting together your Halloween costume is half the fun, we have a bunch of cool items for various costume ideas. If you want to look like a deranged prisoner who likes to try biting at victims, or possibly as a tamed zombie, I suggest using a Safariland Tranzport Hood. It was designed to protect guards and other prison officials from potentially dangerous prisoners. You could accessorize your outfit with a pair of handcuffs. If you want to add a little extra style you can use the Safariland Standard Chain Style Handcuff in Colors. A bright pink handcuff adds to the fun while still playing into the prisoner costume.

But if you're less inclined to go as a deranged criminal, you could try a

Monadnock 5120 Practice Suit. Designed to help police and military professionals practice self defense techniques without injuring their sparring partner, the Monadnock Practice Suit would be a perfect place to start for your Halloween costume. Personally, I think it would make a great base for a Ninja Turtles costume, but you could also make it work as part of a Sumo outfit, or even as a fat suit.

If you want a great mask for a ninja suit, or possible a scary clown costume, check out Zan Headgear. Their balacavas not only keep y

our face and neck warm in the winter, but they also have cool styles, such as the Zan Head Gear Cotton Balaclavas Black w/ Optional Graphics, which has designs printed on the face mask of a screaming skull, clown face, or totally black, which is ideal for a ninja outfit.

Obviously, you can find a ton amazing gear for a soldier costume, with authentic equipment that's used by military professionals around the world. I'd suggest going specific with a military uniform, such as a favorite character from Call of Duty or a war film. A good pair of gloves, a tactical vest, helmet, and a good pair of combat boots can really bring an ensemble together.

Once you have your cool new costume all set up, you're going to want to decorate your place for trick-or-treaters or a Halloween party. An amazing way to add a little scary fun to your place is by putting up some Champion VisiColor Zombie Targets on your walls, doors and windows. The various styles available make it look like a horde of undead monsters are breaking through your defenses. Combine this with cool military costumes and you can have a themed party, with your guests defending a stronghold against the zombie apocalypse. No doubt it'll be a party to remember.

Have some fun this Halloween. Just be sure to pick up the best gear for an outstanding costume from Tactical-Store!

Labels: halloween costume ideas, monadnock, safariland

Posted by brian.coughlin at 11:54 AM Read Article 0 comments

Friday, October 21, 2011

Joliet Firefighters could use Leica when Saving Lives

Just outside Chicago in Joliet, Il., firefighters have been doing some new training to help them save lives. The CART (Combined Area Response Team) tactical team is a specialized group of firefighters who help make sure structures are safe for other firefighters to go in and save lives.

As fires weaken structures, it is incredibly important to make sure the walls, ceiling and floors won't give out, else the firefighters may be hurt, injured or unable to help those they've come to save. While buildings have to go through a number of inspections to ensure they're capable of standing up to a certain degree of damage, no structure is entirely without weakness, so doing some work on the building during a fire can greatly help reduce the number of lives lost due to building collapse.

The Joliet Fire Department has local lumber yards on standby in case they need any extra wood for supports or reinforcements. But even with all the tools they have at their disposal, it's important to work quickly and effectively. Putting up a poor support in half the time doesn't cut it, and neither does putting up a strong support too late.

One construction tool that could help the CART Teams is the Leica Disto Roteo 35G Rotating Laser Range Finder. This laser rangefinder greatly minimizes the work that builders and construction workers have to do, as a single, quick setup allows for numerous accurate measurements. The rotating green laser is visible in most conditions, even bright daylight, when a red laser might be obscured, and as it spins 360 degrees you can make precise measurements all around the room, adding supports where necessary.

While the Leica 35G Roteo was designed for normal construction, it features a tough aluminum removable protective cage, and could be of great use to Firefighters everywhere who need to make quick improvements to a building's foundation and supports to help get people out safely. Check out Leica and other great brands at Tactical-Store!

Labels: firefighters, leica

Posted by brian.coughlin at 10:26 AM Read Article 0 comments

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The Army has a New Communications Devices for Their Vehicles - The Sidewinder!

One of the most important issues that soldiers have faced throughout the history of battle is communicating information as quickly and clearly as possible. Once, smoke signals and carrier pigeons were the norm. The first marathon was run to alert the Greeks of an impending attack.

Thankfully, we have better tech today. No one needs to run 26 miles to deliver the news. The US military has everything from satellite imagery and GPS devices to smart phone-like tools that can show everything from troop positions to nearby defensive positions and more. But with all the amazing tech used for communications and information relaying, there is still a drawback: cellular reception.

Yep, the US Government has been saying, "Can you hear me now?" In remote and underdeveloped parts of the world there aren't very many cell phone towers, and carrying a portable solution can be difficult. Soldiers have a lot of equipment, and the power needed to wirelessly transmit the amount of data needed adds extra batteries to already heavy packs. Because of this issue, General Dynamics has developed a new vehicle mounting system for the portable radio systems used by the military. It's called the Sidewinder Vehicle Mount.

Soldiers use the SRW (Soldier Radio Waveform) network, and the Sidewinder is both a mounted and portable radio that gives wireless network adaptability for soldiers. When attached to the vehicle, which has greater power than the included batteries, the Sidewinder has greater range and is faster. Some vehicles are not set up for the SRW network, so the Sidewinder will also add that function for vehicle operators.

Even better is that the system is two-thirds cheaper than other systems currently used!

While the Sidewinder system is still being evaluated by the Army, it appears to be a fantastic tactical solution to the age old communications problem.

We have some gear similar to what the Army uses, such as the Garmin Rhino 655t Handheld GPS, which combines a powerful GPS unit with a great 2-way radio. An included barometric altimeter and compass make the Rhino 665t a well rounded tool for getting where you need to be while staying constant communication with your allies. While it may not have quite the same range of functions that the General Dynamics Sidewinder currently has, the Garmin Rhino is a far more cost efficient solution for hunters and law enforcement professionals who want top quality.

Labels: new technology

Posted by brian.coughlin at 10:28 AM Read Article 0 comments

Friday, October 14, 2011

Make sure you're Prepare for the Worst with a Hurricane Preparation Kit

Intemperate weather can be extraordinarily devastating. Whether it be a hurricane, monsoon, typhoon, tornado or tropical storm, these forces of nature are impossible to avoid if you live in certain parts of the world and they can cause massive damage to your property and, if you're unprepared, to your own health and safety. While there's no way to ensure your safety in every situation, it is smart to put together an emergency kit that takes care of as many of your basic needs as possible when a storm is on the way.

There are a number of great items that you can find at Tactical Store. We also just produced a new video with a lot of advice on putting together a hurricane preparation kit. Definitely take a look at it because there's a bunch of awesome information on a wide variety of products. If you're planning on putting together your own hurricane preparation kit and want to find these items take a look beneath the video, where I've put a bunch of links to the product pages.

In order of appearance:

Streamlight Fire Vulcan (Hey, I talked about that in a post a few months ago! Check the Fire Vulcan Blog Post out too!)

Icon IRIX II Headlamp (Lightweight, Portable and great for a lot of situations)

Suunto A Series Compass

Gerber Suspension Multipliers 1471

QuikClot EHS First Aid Hemostatic Agent

QuikClot PetClot

Gerber Gator Axe II Combo w/ Saw

Gerber Gorge Folding Shovel

Maxpedition Jumbo Versipack Sling Pack

That's a lot of absolutely amazing items that are great for keeping your self safe during a hurricane!

And in addition to this video on putting together a hurricane kit we have also produced two more videos, one on blizzard preparation kits and the other on preparing a kit for any other epic event that you need to keep yourself safe during.

Labels: flashlights, hurricane preparation

Posted by brian.coughlin at 8:53 AM Read Article 0 comments

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Would you Pee on a Train?

Dutch National Railways is facing a problem at present. They've recently added some "short hop" trains that are only for short trips, but the trains don't have bathrooms. This is generally not a problem, since the train rides aren't terribly long, but in emergencies, such as a power outage, the trains could be between stations for between 3 and 4 hours. That's a long time to be holding it when you really have to go.

Because of the potential for serious issues that many people might have, Dutch National Railways has outfitted their trains with "pee bags." They're exactly what they sound like, although there is more design involved that simple a bag to... pee in. The bags feature a cup-like top and an absorbent material inside that turns any liquid into a gelatin-like mixture. After use, the bags can be sealed and thrown in the trash.

Many passengers are happy to have the option, although some don't like the idea of relieving themselves in any place that isn't a bathroom. It's understandable, but emergency situations call for emergency action.

We don't have the exact same kind of pee receptacle, but we did just add a new brand, Do-All Outdoors, to our store that has some great options. In addition to the other Do-All Outdoors hunting accessories such as the Do-All Outdoors Not Lost Reflective Trail Tacks, that you stick into trees along your hike and let you know which way you've come, and the Do-All Outdoors Steel Whitetail Sculpture, which adds some cool hunting style to your home, they also have the Do-All Outdoors Pee Pee Bottle.

Yep. It's a bottle that you pee in.

Just don't get it mixed up with your water bottle. The Pee Pee Bottle was designed mainly for hunters up in a tree stand who don't want their... stream to tip off game to their location. The bottle also seals tight, so you don't need to worry about the smell scaring off game. This Do-All Bottle can hold up to 26 ounces of fluid.

While I wouldn't bring mine with me on a train, I suppose if you were going to be riding the Dutch National Railways and didn't want to use the provided "pee bag" you could bring along your Do-All Outdoors Pee Pee Bottle and show the Dutch how it's done.

Be sure to check out our newest site GearExpert.com. We're going to have some great new content, including news and reviews on all sorts of awesome gear for hunting, tactical, camping purposes and more!

Labels: do-all outdoors, hunting, hunting accessories

Posted by brian.coughlin at 12:30 PM Read Article 0 comments

Friday, October 07, 2011

Shooting Bipods bring added Realism to Battlefield 3!

One of the most anticipated games this fall, Battlefield 3, is a military first person shooter that aims to take down the undisputed king of shooters, Call of Duty. Part of their strategy in making the best game possible is to add as many real life elements as possible to their battle simulator. Not only are many of the weapons standard issue, the tactics that players will need to employ will likewise be similar to those used by the United States military.

Of the new elements featured in the game is the ability to lay down in the prone position and set up a bipod to get increased accuracy while being harder to hit. This has long been a tactic in warfare. Any shooter can tell you that using a shooting rest will help improve your aim, since the rest is, as the name implies, at rest and not moving or shaking at all. Adding this ability will give players a greater ability to lay down covering fire from a distance, especially with higher caliber weapons that have

greater recoil.

Bipods are great for tactical situations, but they also give hunters a great advantage, and anyone who has used high power binoculars or a spotting scope for watching nature or the stars knows that using a bipod or tripod greatly improves the image you get from your optics. Even slight movements will distort an image, so stability is key.

If you want to outfit yourself with an amazing shooting rest, check out BOGgear Bipods. They have a number of different bipods for rifles, crossbows and pistols. They even have bipod accessories that add camouflage, such as the BOGgear Tripod/Bipod Camo Cover Green, which turns shooting bipods into portable ground blinds.

The BOGgear Tactical Series 3 Tall Tripod is a really sturdy rest that's highly versatile and delivers smooth transitioning from one position to another. The footing system is perfect for any terrain, so even if you're on a slippery surface it'll stay in place and keep your shots on target.

If you want another really versatile shooting rest that will work with most pistols, crossbows and AR-Style rifles, check out the BOGgear Precision Shooting Rest. It has extra handholds to accommodate different shooting styles and has a dual locking system for extra stability.

BOGgear is a new brand at Tactical Store, but their great products will undoubtedly make them a favorite for our customers. If, after playing a little Battlefield 3, you find yourself in need of a great tactical bipod, tripod or other shooting rest, make sure to check with us. We have the best at the best price.

Labels: bipod, boggear, video games

Posted by brian.coughlin at 10:17 AM Read Article 0 comments

Tuesday, October 04, 2011

Fort Campbell Helicopter Simulator keeps Soldiers Safe During Training

I just read an article about Fort Campbell's new Helicopter Simulator, which gives soldiers the ability to train for various tasks in a helicopter without ever leaving the ground. The Non-rated Crew Member Manned Module (NCM3) trains crews of UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters. Each of the crew members wears a device that looks similar to night vision, but is actually a virtual reality simulator that allows crew members to practice very specific tasks. Though the new system is independent of the pilot, who uses a separate simulator, the two can be connected so that both groups experience the same situations and have to work together to solve whatever problems arise.

Some of the situations the NCM3 simulates include thunderstorms, where the trainees will actually hear thunder and see lightning out of the windows, high wind, which affects the soldier's ability to aim the large gun in the helicopter, and fires and oil leaks in the helicopter. All of these are circumstances that soldiers need to be prepared for, but the simulations also serve to bring groups of soldiers togethe

r. They must learn to trust each other and act as a single unit, so that the speed of their performance is improved and they can handle whatever situation might come up in combat.

Training is ultimately a soldier's greatest tool, but to train effectively you need to have the right equipment. Soldiers today train with advanced technology such as GPS devices with built-in two-way radios, like the Garmin Rino 655t Handheld GPS, which has extensive maps preloaded, a digital camera with automatic geotagging on every photo, unit-to-unit texting, and positional reporting so a soldier can find his squad mates. All of this comes in a single device!

During training soldiers also need to protect themselves, so getting a good p

air of tactical goggles is really important. Dust, shrapnel and more is everywhere both in training and in the field, so makes sure to protect your eyes with the Revision Exoshield Extreme Low Profile Goggles, which provide a lightweight, tough option for dynamic missions where speed is necessary. They're so durable they can take a full on shotgun blast from 16 feet away! Revision makes a number of great tactical options for all sorts of applications, so if you're looking for a heavier goggle, check them out.

In addition to keeping safe, soldiers have a ton of equipment that they need to comfortably car

ry, so wearing combat apparel like the Propper TAC U Combat Shirt w/ External Elbow Pad Openings is a great idea. The TAC U Combat Shirt is perfect for any weather conditions, with multiple pockets on the sleeves for easy carry and access to equipment. The tactical shirt is extremely durable and will stand up to hard use well.

Regardless of the type of combat training you're engaged in, make sure you've properly equipped yourself. If you're going to be up in helicopters it's best to train with the NCM3 simulator, and if you're down on the ground make sure you can find your way, keep your eyes safe and comfortably carry everything with you.

Labels: new products, technology

Posted by brian.coughlin at 11:17 AM Read Article 0 comments