Review - Military Forums.co.uk

It is widely known that the military has always been a driving force in the development of technology. Many of today’s medical, mechanical and logistical advances that we now take for granted were first pioneered by the armed forces, and the resolution of conflict has routinely heralded a great advance in technological design and achievement.

But of course this relationship works both ways, and many civilian technologies can also be adapted for use by our service men and women. This is especially true of Online Forums, interactive web-based communities where members are free to share information, discuss ideas and events and generally speak with like-minded people, or those facing the same problems or decisions.

One of these new breed of social sites is the subject of this review, www.militaryforums.co.uk

How it works.

Mil Forums is, at heart, an on-line discussion board and meeting place aimed at giving service personnel a way to keep up to date with current world events, news and pertinent information related to their lives and jobs. It provides a database of articles written and compiled by members of the community, giving a wealth of information and advice on topics that matter. (There are currently over 300,000 articles listed!) Be it military procedure, changes in the laws, world news or even weapon and kit reviews, there is always something being posted that catches the eye.

The forum is layed out in a very user-friendly manner making navigation quick and easy.

One of the key benefits of forums like this is that they can be accessed from anywhere in the world (ISP permitting) and mean that those serving overseas can always keep in contact with the community. This means that a friendly word of advice or handy tip is never far away and can be of great comfort during long tours away from families and friends.

Features of the Forum

Military Forums is packed with a myriad of information, news and articles and at first the sheer amount of pages contained can be a bit overwhelming. However, the forum is broken down into sensible sections that cover the majority of topics likely to be needed.

The General category covers forum announcements, help and assistance in using the website’s features and a section of advertising for trusted retailers. It also provides an Introductions page where new members can say hi and get a feel for the community.

The News section covers politics, military history, charities and families. There are sub-boards devoted to discussing finances, military life, family issues and help for wounded soldiers. This section alone should prove invaluable, enabling community members to read first-hand accounts from those who’ve ‘been there before’. It provides great tips on things to avoid and common pitfalls, and as the information is coming direct from those who’ve lived through it, the credibility is certainly reassuring.

Topics range from current conflicts and politics, right through to computer gaming and charities. And practically everything in between...

The forum also features dedicated topics on individual branches of the armed forces, the Navy, Marines, Special Forces, Paras, RAF and Regulars are each represented and afforded their own section of the site to discuss matters more personal to themselves. There’s information on selection, what to expect from various units and locations, and of course pages of fitness guides, techniques and specialist info relating to specific divisions of the modern British Army.

Extras

However, there’s more to Mil Forum than simply talking. The site also features an extensive user-submitted picture library, review section and article database. There is an excellent search function enabling users to drill down on specific topics and, as always, a section for humorous tales, jokes and the morbid humour of modern conflict. They also run a successful affiliates program where shops or websites offering military discounts can let the community know of upcoming sales or new stock arrivals.

Closing

Mil Forums is a classic example of how modern technology has been used to enhance and develop our need for social interaction. The community that has built up over the last few years is a knowledgeable and friendly one; thousands of users who all have their own stories, advice and answers and are only too willing to pass on their experience to the next generation of service men and women. If you, or any of your family, is considering joining up, or are currently serving, then jump to http://www.militaryforums.co.uk/, register and have your say.

Chris Brown.

Review: Maxpedition Sitka Gearslinger

I think I'm developing an addiction to Maxpedition stuff I thought I'd do a review of my latest acquisition, the Maxpedition Sitka. I've called this a 'Bag' in the title but I suppose it could go by the names of Daysack, Gearslinger, Utility Bag, Bug-out-bag, you get the idea... The first thing I noticed was the colour. I went for the foliage green on this one and I have to say I really like it. It's a very natural grey-green and it doesn't look military at all. It certainly wouldn't look out of place round town.

I knew the webbing along the side would fit a small hatchet as I had seen this done on youtube but I was counting on it fitting my GB Small Forest Axe. Result! It fit's perfectly.

Now here's what makes the Sitka a bit different from other packs. The main load bearing strap is just that, a single well padded strap that goes over one shoulder. I must admit that I did have misgivings as to how comfortable this was going to be but I can tell you that after carrying it around on a walk we went on last week for about three hours that I suffered no ill effects. There is a thinner support strap that comes around the other side of the wearer's chest which holds the bag in place and does help to even out the load.

After a bit of fiddling with the adjustable buckles I found the bag to be actually very comfortable to wear. I think the trick is to wear the strap quite high up on the chest and keep everything nice and snug. There are also plenty of places on the strap to keep things close to hand. I've got a firesteel and pocket compass here but I have seen a knife stored here before.

If the strap arrangement makes the Sitka different then here is what I believe makes the Sitka brilliant. Once you unclip the buckle to the thin support strap (which incidentally has a whistle on it) then the whole pack can be spun around the wearer's body to the front. This means that the pack does not have to be taken off to access it's contents. It also means that the wearer can sit with their back against something quickly without having to remove the pack. The pouches' and the main compartment's zips are configured in such a way for this very purpose.

This is very useful when the wearer needs to constanting get in and out of vehicles. You don't have to completely remove the pack and swinging it around to the front means that you can sit comfortably in a car and still have access to the bag's multitude of compartments.

There is a pouch on the side for bottles, flasks etc. This is a 1 litre 32oz nalgene in the pic so you know it's big enough! there is plenty of room for a mug in there too if your bottle will fit inside one. This pic also shows that a lapplander folding saw will fit snugly in the webbing on the lower outside pouch secured by a lanyard to the 'Y' compression strap buckle.

The outside top pouch is very good for keeping your small items organised on the move or indeed in camp where I often misplace all the little bits of kit I'm using. This would fit quite a bit more than what I carrying here.

The lower pouch is also capable of holding more than what I'm showing here. It has a divider sleeve on each side and a security clip for keys etc.

Now to the main compartment. This is much bigger than at first seems possible somehow. I'm probably pushing it's capacity in this pic but I have got some large items here and I reckon a few small items could still be stuffed in. The zips closed easily anyway. There is another divider in this compartment and also some zipped mesh pockets which would come in very handy.

There s one more compartment which is situated on the very back or closest to the wearer's back. It is the full size of the pack and is designed for a hydration bag. There is a hole at the top to facilitate the drinking tube. The design works very well and could even possibly give Camelbak a run for it's money.

To say I'm impressed with this pack is a huge understatement. I thought I loved my Jumbo Versipack but the Sitka is so versatile and well-built that it has now triumpahntly been confirmed as my premier 'Bushcraft Bag'.

Author: Sean, BritishBlades.co.uk

The whole Maxpedition range is now available in the UK from First Tactical.

Review - Timex Expedition WS4

My first Timex watch is this Expedition WS4 ("wide screen," "4" sensors). That gives me some handicap as I am not able to compare the watch with other Timex models, but I like to think that instead I am able to evaluate the watch with a fresh perspective on the popular brand.

Timex is one of the most important watch brands in the world, and is certainly the king of US watch brands in terms of volume. The company has lots of sub-brands or departments, and they consider the "Timex Expedition" line to be its own mini entity. This watch is the result of some interesting development, and is one of the most appealing male watch designs that I've seen in a while. While the watch is unique looking, it is trying to be familiar. Let me explain. It basically strives to resemble that world of wrist-borne gadgets and instruments that we've been seeing in movies and video games for years... finally ready for us real people! The best part is that the Expedition WS4 is more than just looks, the user interface is genuinely well-designed to be easy to operate and useful. All this needs to be taken in consideration with the reasonable price of the watch, as well as it's pedigree.

The best watches to compare this with are the Casio Pathfinder watches (one of which I reviewed recently). The watches both share the desire to go outside and rough it, are products are large high volume companies,as well as offer a bevy of major functions that include:

• Time with full calendar


• Compass


• Altimeter


• Barometer (with mini-weather station readout)


• Thermometer


• Logs for all major functions


• Stopwatch


• Timer


• Alarm


• Two easy-view timezones
  

Aside from the major functions, there are lots of little functions included to enhance the user experience; chimes that can be turned on and off, a useful night mode for the Indiglo backlight, among lots of other features which are nice to have around. The best part is that the interface is friendly and relatively intuitive. If you recall, I praised the Casio Pathfinder watches for doing so much, but complained that you need to be well trained in learning how to use them all. Timex really put a lot of effort in the UI (user interface) design and it shows.

The biggest effect of that work was the large informative display screen. A lot of good information is just a glance away - rather than having to cycle through display screens. The default screen gives you the time in two ways (digital and [digital] analog), the temperature, the weather estimate (an image for sun, clouds, rain), and a switchable area that indicates the date and month, altimeter reading, or barometric pressure. Having this information right there is really helpful and nice to have. Timex has some graphics (sort of orange colored) on the back of the crystal that attempt to visually separate the areas on the LCD screen or add visuals. These aren't exactly necessary, but don't distract too much (though I wouldn't mind if most of it wasn't there), and add to the techie look of the watch.

The watch case is about 53mm wide and 40mm tall, while being 16mm thick. The textured rubber strap is a massive 30mm thick. The watch case itself is black IP (ion plated), or satin finished steel, for the front and rear between a plastic section where the buttons are located. Most of the colored buttons (olive green in this instance) are plastic. The rubber strap is quite snugly attached to the case with the now popular hex screws to help add style. The Expedition WS4 is available in 6 fun colors, which is a nice option.

Pictured is the all black model - which will no doubt be the major seller as it is the most neutral - but other color options are pretty nice looking (with yellow and orange being the loudest). You can almost think of these watches as being functional toys for adults - kids too, but around $200 might be a bit much for your 12 year old. While the strap is big and looks very tool-like, is comfortable and thin in depth. The buckle is thin and wide making it easy to strap on. Even on my less-than-giant hands, the instrument look of the watch is pretty neat looking. There are going to be a lot of people who are smitten by the accessible geek allure of this timepiece.

The more I wear the watch, the more it makes me feel like a character in a video game - in a good way though. This emotional attachment to men's pop culture is likely an intended side effect of the design, and is part of a genius marketing strategy by Timex. Most other Timex watches are pretty ho-hum, even though they are functional. Even if those watches had the large amount of functions that this Timex Expedition had, they wouldn't be nearly as desirable without the cleverly designed case and strap that encourage you to go out and make use of the clearly functional utility this watch offers. The watch isn't for everyone, but for those who love it, you know who you are. It is certainly a fun escape from 'average' watches that are out there.

Digging deeper into the functionality of the watch you'll continue to appreciate how nicely designed the operating system of the watch is. On-screen instructions are incredibly helpful, and absent in competitor watches. It is nice to have the watch say "Hold To Reset," while pressing a button to let you know how to use the function. This is very welcome indeed, and like I said, something you really don't see in most watches. I typically gloss over a lot of the functionality when it comes to the logging functions, but the included graph combined with the easy to use metrics makes it a breeze to use. Play with it for a bit and you'll know what I mean. You will however need to calibrate some of the functions yourself - but the instructions on doing this are pretty simple, so expect to sit down with the watch for an hour or so when you first get it to figure it out and go over all the settings and calibration. In addition to the user manual, Timex throws in a larger quick reference guide with lots of pictures that helps make using the Expedition WS4 watch as simple as possible.

Living with the Expedition WS4 watch is pretty easy. While big, it is relatively comfortable (the wrap around strap helps this greatly. . The watch is easy to read, and Timex's Indiglo illumination makes it easy to read in the dark. On the back of the watch is an easy to use battery replacement compartment - which uses CR2430 batteries that can be bought at most drugstores, meaning you don't need to visit a watch repair place to get a new battery. I believe that the crystal over the screen is mineral crystal, while the watch is water resistant to 50 meters.

Timex doesn't intend on the Expedition WS4 being a big investment for watch and outdoor enthusiasts. With a retail price of $199 it will be a no brainer for some people, and is roughly half the cost of some of the competition. I appreciate Timex's understanding many people in this generation need a bit more incentive to wear a watch. Plus, the generation I am speaking of (which includes myself) are part of what I can the "screen" generation. The concept is that a basic watch won't have a lot of perceived value over the clock on a cell phone (etc...), but adding functions and connecting with the familiarity of a "screened" device makes it a much more attractive proposition. The layout of the dial itself communicates a data rich approach that will appeal to people in the information age. Timex is showing that they can evolve with a watch like this - which is a good sign. The Timex Expedition WS4 is due for release right about now as you are reading this.

Review - Highlander TT Bergen

Highlander has recently made great efforts to ramp up their range of Brit military kit and one of the latest arrivals is their take on the traditional 'Bergen' - The Highlander TT Bergen.

The following review is featured on Aquire The Fire (http://www.aquirethefire.blogspot.com/), a camping and survialist blog.

Blurb from Highlander's website:
“These packs has [sic] been designed and tested in conjunction with the British soldiers that use them. We drop tested the fully loaded bags onto concrete from ten meters. Strategically placed bar-tacks provide exceptional construction strength. Infra Red Reduction treatment applied to the polyester Kodex fabric and Nylon webbing. Thick Polyurethane lamination adds unparalleled strength and makes the fabric highly waterproof. Designed to allow the easy attachment of accessories and kit.”

Now while I haven’t dropped my bergen from a two storey building to test its strength, I have used it enough to say something about it. Firstly, this bag is not waterproof. It's quite resistant to rain, and it takes a good three hours of torrential Peak District deluge to get through mine, but it will let the water in eventually. If this does happen, don’t expect it to dry too quickly, but this is why people use waterproof bags inside their bergens, or covers over them.

I took this picture of my nearly full bergen with a 2ltr bottle beside it to give you an idea of scale.

One big positive for this piece of kit is the comfort factor while carrying heavy loads. The shoulder straps are a bit wider and more padded than a number of civilian style packs I’ve seen, and it’s easily adjustable to get a good fit. The airmesh system does actually mean your back won’t get as sweaty as you’d expect, as the padding is thick and effectively works by keeping contact between back and bergen to a minimum. The waist strap is also chunky, and far wider than the thin little strips you often find on civi packs. This spreads the weight of what you’re carrying (it should be on your waist and not your shoulders/back) over a wider area, which makes it easier to haul loads.

A partial view of the airmesh system & some of the straps. Not a great picture, but it was 1am of the morning and I was tired. Lets just say the Arctic Circle was under 100 miles away.

All the adjustable parts and buckles are big, and therefore friendly to freezing cold hands, which is important for those using this right around the year. Airports have a reputation of chewing up and spitting out rucksacks, and the many straps on this bergen mean its vulnerable to being torn apart by a rogue conveyor belt. I bought a massive, thick bag to stick my bergen in when I fly, which means it will arrive in one piece. It can also help to hide your bergen if its in camo, as some people might think you’re some sort of redneck gun nut. If you’re going to certain countries though, I wouldn’t take anything that’s camo - unless you are actually taking part in a military coup, in which case you’ll probably be wanting it. I’ve seen this Bergen for between £70 and £90 which I think is reasonable. Also, I so far haven’t actually seen the olive version anywhere, but that’s probably because I’m not looking very hard.

I also bought the Source Hydration System (basically a camelback water carrier) that is designed to fit with this bergen. I fit mine to the side of the bergen, where a day sack would go, but it can go wherever you want really.

Conclusion: My overall recommendation on whether or not you want to buy this bergen will largely depend on the price you can buy it for. It will, 90% of the time, be cheaper than the “standard issue” bergen, but then if you’re a cadet it might be exactly what you are after. You should check, if you are buying online, whether the day sacks are included, as these can cost you £15 - £20 to get separately (mine came with them - and the yoke to stick them together). Essentially though, this is a very solid piece of kit that does its job very well, and if you can find it at the lower end of its price range, it offers insane value for money.

• Available Models: TT100 = Olive drab model. TT100C = DPM camo model
• Official Specs: 120 Litre capacity. (100L in the main bag, 10L each for the day sacks)
• 900D Cordura fabric.
• Two large zipped removable side pockets.
• Adjustable chest and waist stabilisers.
• Padded hip belt.
• Airmesh funnel back ventilation system.

Review: Gerber 'Suspension' Multitool

Review taken from: http://www.associatedcontent.com/, written by L. Spain.

Every hero and every citizen should own tools and have them readily available in an emergency. The Gerber Suspension Multitool packs a wide variety of commonly required tools into a tough little stainless steel package. According to the Gerber website, their Suspension multi-tool features needle-nose pliers, a wire cutter, a fine edge knife, a serrated edge knife, a saw, scissors, a cross point screwdriver, small and medium flat blade screwdrivers, a can opener, a bottle opener, and a lanyard hole. This multitool comes in a black ballistic nylon case that fits handily on your belt. The total package weighs about 9 ounces and is about the size of cell phone. The Gerber Suspension Multitool retails for about $80 or a little more if you buy optional attachments. It's a small price to pay for the ability to step in and save the day.

Over the past few weeks, I've tried to make a point of using my Gerber Multitool. The centrepiece of the Gerber Multitool has to be the needle-nose pliers and wire cutter. The stainless steel handles of the multitool fold back (much like a butterfly knife) to reveal a 2 1/4-inch pair of needle-nose pliers. They are cleverly spring-loaded to open automatically. For precision work, the front 3/4-inch of the pliers has the sharp point, flat plier surfaces, and fine serrations expected of any quality set of needle-nose pliers. For gripping odd-sized nuts and bolts, the next half inch back on the pliers opens into the slight oval of traditional pliers. Beyond the regular pliers, 3/8-inch of wire cutter is provided for clipping wires or stripping wires. In the hand, I found that the Gerber Suspension Multitool felt good. The handles are more substantial than traditional needle-nose pliers and are easier to grip. The spring-loaded opening mechanism also makes the pliers easy to reposition.

I was able to lightly test this Gerber Multitool on recent trips to the shooting range. On one range trip, the small flat blade screw drivers was just perfect for adjusting the tiny screw that drifts the rear sight right or left on my Ruger Single Six revolver. Later, the larger flat blade screwdriver on the Gerber Suspension Multitool proved useful in mounting a Bushnell scope on one of my .22-caliber rifles. At the range, I was able to zero the scope using the screwdriver blades to adjust the elevation and windage settings. Since space in the shooting lanes at my local range is pretty narrow, it was nice to have one handy tool that I could wear on my belt.

When I came home, I was able to use the small pair of scissors to cut gun cleaning patches down to an appropriate size for the small-bore rifle. The scissor blade provides only a half inch of cutting surface so it would be tough to cut a consistent straight line. However, it can be done. The multitool handle can be cupped in four fingers of one hand and the thumb can be used to repeatedly press down on one handle of the scissors. Alternatively, the handle can be flipped over and cupped in three fingers with the index finger being used to pull on the scissor handle as if it were a trigger. No matter how it is used, the small and slight appearing scissors can actually cut very well.

Sailors and boaters will also find the Gerber Suspension Multitool very useful. The stainless steel construction of this multitool should help it resist corrosion and the skeletonised frame should prevent moisture from being trapped within the tool. The lanyard hole is nearly a quarter inch in diameter and should accommodate substantial lines to tether this multitool to your person. When the lanyard hole attachment is extended, the tool still fits securely in its sheath. In a boating emergency, a user can deploy either the serrated blade or the fine point blade with one-hand. Both blades are of a drop-point design to protect the user by minimizing the damage from an unintended jab.

The weakest point on the Gerber Suspension Multitool is probably the "cross point screwdriver." It looks like a poor excuse for a Phillips-head screwdriver and appears to lack the girth needed to securely grip a Phillips-head screw. I was able to unscrew Phillips-head screws from the back of a desktop PC using this tool, but my grip was not very secure and the tool did slip out of the grooves a few times. This shortcoming could be overcome by the purchase of an extra accessory set for $20 to $30 that provides numerous tool heads that include a Phillips-head screwdriver head. It would be nice if the pouch for the Gerber Suspension Multitool had an extra pocket to accommodate these extra tools. I think my multitool may have come with these tool heads in a small rubber strip. However, if it did, these accessories were lost or buried someplace where they wouldn't get lost within a few short weeks of getting this multitool.

Overall, the Gerber Suspension Multitool is a great value for $80. This Gerber Multitool is rugged, substantial, compact, versatile and affordable. It is an attractive little tool that would make a good Christmas or Father's Day gift. It will make a great addition to any hero's utility belt.

Tasmanian Tiger 2009 Product Overview

First Tactical have been supplying Tasmanian Tiger clothing, gear and equipment for over a year now, and the range has grown consistently in quality and scope since they first launched back in 2002. For ’09 they have taken on-board comments and suggestions from retailers and end-users alike and refined their range once more, adding some excellent new items that will make a big difference to the tactical equipment market.

The emphasis with ‘Tassie’ kit has always been its functionality and they continue to manufacture some of the most adaptable and functional rucksacks and packs that we’ve ever seen. Buyers know about the Berghaus’s and the Karrimor’s but we believe TT rucksacks can rival anything currently on offer by these two market leaders.

Here we can see the Pathfinder, the Range Pack and the First Responder medical pack.

Their combat equipment too has received high praises from our customers in theatre and there are several new items available for 2009 that may just take your fancy.


The Ammunition Vest makes a great platform for combat missions and allows the wearer to tailor the configuration of pouches to best suit the wearer.

The MKII Chest Rig is one of our best-sellers and provides a lightweight, comfortable chest harness perfect for operating within vehicles. Standalone, the rig will accept any 250mm x 300mm Hard Armour Plates but can be worn easily over modern body armour.

The Vest Base is a completely versatile vest platform which will accept a full compliment of MOLLE-style pouches allowing for complete freedom of choice. ‘Gripper’ panels ensure the rifle butt remains steady when firing.

Not as widely appreciated as traditional MOLLE pouches, the Tasmanian Tiger versions should not be overlooked. The double-stack magazine pouches feature a ‘rip out’ bottom allowing the user easy access to magazines when lying in the prone position.

The latest additions to Tasmanian Tiger’s clothing range are the Nevada and Colorado combat jackets, both redesigned for ’09. The Nevada is a hardwearing Softshell with fleece lining and the Colorado is a lightweight yet warm Microfibre fleece.

Customers asked and TT answered, launching their own version of TAG’s Tactical Armband, a great device for storing maps, notes and documents when foraging around in a pack or pocket isn’t an option.

The MOLLE Dump Pouch is another must-have. Compatible with all modern vests and rigs, it makes stowing spent magazines quick and easy and rolls up when not required.

Make sure to check out the full range of Tasmanian Tiger products listed at First Tactical and take a look at the photos below showing their gear in action.

Review - Blackhawk SERPA Holster.

Original review taken from Borelli Consulting.

Regular readers know that I recently spent two weeks in New Orleans working on contract for Blackwater. One of the things I took with me was my own gunbelt. One of the things I wish I'd had on my gunbelt is the BlackHawk CQC Tactical SERPA Holster. I have reviewed the CQC SERPA holster in the past and was quite impressed with its versatility, strength and performance. BlackHawk has taken that same basic design, strengthened it even more, installed additional protection for the weapon, and mounted on a well-thought out thigh platform.

When I first discussed the Tactical SERPA with BlackHawk representatives - while it was still in the developmental stages in fact - I told them that one of my biggest discomforts with other very popular tactical holsters was the platform itself. I found most of them too stiff, which meant either my leg didn't fit into them or my leg didn't fill them. Either causes an issue with enough activity. Another platform I've grown comfortable with is very soft and didn't provide any method for adding a knife or magazine pouch to the platform itself. I was assured that both issues were being addressed in the CQC Tactical SERPA design and indeed, BlackHawk has addressed them well.

Briefly reviewed in the SHOT Show 2005 Review I did last January, the CQC SERPA Tactical Holster has found its way to my heart. I had to procure one not only for my Glock 19 duty weapon, but also for my Springfield Armory 1911 .45ACP, ah, other duty weapon. What I have found from wearing this holster is the following:

1) The "Y" attachment system that uses two leg hangers instead of one indeed makes for less stress on my hip and results in less torque on the holster platform itself when I'm sitting down.

2) The platform is stiff enough to support a secure feeling of the holster on my thigh, but it's pliable enough to conform to the shape of my thigh.

3) The straps, thinner on top and thicker on the bottom, provide a non-restrictive hold for the platform that can be moved if necessary, but doesn't move at inopportune times. When might it be necessary? When I climb into a truck to drive with this holster on, I can easily turn the holster / platform over onto the top of my thigh. That way I can get to the handgun without having to lift a hip to make room between the gun and the center console, etc.

4) The universal mounting system rails that can be attached to the platform either in front of, or behind (or both) the holster allow for carrying extra magazines, multitools, pistol lights, etc. right there on the platform. If you're going into a prisoner processing area and you have to unload into a secure box, just disconnect the holster from the belt hangers; unbuckle the two straps and put the whole thing in: holster, weapon, magazine(s), light, knife, etc. No need to even draw your weapon to make it secure. Isn't that a safer idea?

5) The double magazine pouch that BlackHawk makes for the CQC line fits several (if not all) of the MOD Folding Knives. Isn't that convenient.

So, I've worn the holster for awhile. I didn't have it with me in New Orleans but have worn it both before and after that adventure. The holster body itself is beefed up from the "normal" CQC holster. It's thicker and covers more of the weapon. There are still two retention devices incorporated: tension and the SERPA locking mechanism. The SERPA release is easy to manipulate and is specifically designed to index your trigger finger along your slide when you draw. I like that. My time wearing the holster showed it to be comfortable, secure and easily adjustable if necessary.

The current BlackHawk catalog shows the CQC SERPA Tactical Holster available in black, coyote (desert) tan and OD Green. Prices are listed at $119.95 in the catalog, but an online search found them listed for as low as $95 from various distributors. Add a couple magazine pouches or a light holder and for as little as $120 to $130 you can have a well-equipped tactical platform built. Need one for the other side? BlackHawk CQC makes them available too. In fact, those were specifically designed to accept the universal mounting system rails or MOLLE/STRIKE mountable pouches. That kind of versatility is appreciated when you're building a mission-specific kit.