Received my first subscription issue today

IZinterrogator · May 21, 2005, 06:26 PM

Denny and Rich, thanks for the articles in this month's issue. I had been wanting a Kimber TLE/RL II for awhile, but after reading the article on the Kimber Warrior, I have decided to put that on my "to-buy" list instead. Same goes for the ACOG. I had wanted a TA31F, but now that I know that the BDC on the TA31RCO-A4 is calibrated for a 20" barrel, I'm going to go shopping for one of those instead. I also enjoyed the article on bayonets. Despite being an Army guy, I took both a personally-owned M7 and a personally-owned M10 (with the EGA on the handle) with me to the sandbox instead of drawing that POS M9 bayonet out of the arms room.

Just out of curiousity, have you or are you going to review the VTAC Mk I sling that Blackhawk offers? I had a Blackhawk sling when I left, but traded it for a VTAC after three months. Just wondering if others have the same high opinion of it that I do.

Also liked Brent Wheat's article in Street Smarts. It reaffirmed that I wasn't crazy for being accepting of the fact that I could die when I was in the sandbox and concentrating on the job at hand instead. Quite a few people over there not doing that.

Anyway, thanks again for the great issue.

Denny Hansen · May 22, 2005, 12:24 PM

IZ-

We appreciate the kind words, however, you and the all the rest of the guys in the sandbox are the ones who thanks are owed to. Since S.W.A.T. supports the willing, we have articles on what is happening over there coming up, including one on civilian contractors and one on the humanitarian projects the troops are involved with.

The Kimber Warrior is indeed a great pistol, and I prefer it to the TLE/RL since I personally like the original Browning-designed operating system. To further complicate your purchase decision, be advised that Kimber has just released the Desert Warrior; same pistol but finished in tan Kim-Pro finish.

We have not reviewed the VTAC individually, but look for it to be included in rifle reviews in the future.

Denny

Christopher II · May 22, 2005, 07:51 PM

I tried out a VTAC sling on a friends AR this afternoon. Two of them have already been ordered for my own ARs. It's pretty rare that I go head over heels for a piece of hardware like I just did...

Also, it was truly a delight to see Claire Wolfe writing for SWAT.

Keep up the good work, guys.

- Chris

Matis · May 22, 2005, 10:07 PM

OK, that's it, I can't stand it any longer!

I pride myself on being a cheap guy and $30 something a year subscription AIN'T cheap.

It's all your fault, IZinterrogator. I'm subscribing.

And thanks, IZ for going to the sandbox so that the rest of us can enjoy the blessings of living in this country. I hope you and the others stay safe.

matis

Edit: Hey, it's only $26.95! I'm sending a money order.

IZinterrogator · May 23, 2005, 04:36 PM

Quote:

be advised that Kimber has just released the Desert Warrior; same pistol but finished in tan Kim-Pro finish.

Oh, that is just wrong. It meshes perfectly with some other projects I have in mind. I wonder how much extra that will be...

Quote:

we have articles on what is happening over there coming up, including one on civilian contractors and one on the humanitarian projects the troops are involved with.

Thanks for pointing out the bright side of our work, Denny. Is Erick going to write the contractor article from a first-person perspective?

IZHUMINTER · May 23, 2005, 05:35 PM

Quote:

be advised that Kimber has just released the Desert Warrior; same pistol but finished in tan Kim-Pro finish.

Oh, that is just wrong. It meshes perfectly with some other projects I have in mind. I wonder how much extra that will be...

My thoughts exactly. I'd love to know how much more...especially after what I just heard clarifying the Personally Owned Weapons policies for the CENTCOM AOR.

Next time I go, I'm taking a .45, or at least something other than an M9 if I have to take a 9mm.

Denny Hansen · May 23, 2005, 06:18 PM

Unknown on the cost of the Desert Warrior, but I doubt it will be much (if any) more costly.

IZinterrogator-
Erick is with a CA National Guard Infantry unit. He'll be writing the article on the humanitarian projects, as well as one that has to do with the selection and training of the Short Range Marksmanship and Squad Designated Marksman (SDM) program. James Yeager of Tactical Response will be writing the contractor piece. All three will be written from first hand experiences. (James is just recently back, Erick is still in-theatre.)

I plan on dedicating all three articles to fallen comrades that Erick and James served with.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

Denny

IZinterrogator · May 24, 2005, 12:30 AM

Sorry Erick, thought you were there as a contractor this time. Glad to hear you are dressing in three fashionable shades of desert these days.

If you need any MOLLE pouches or anything like that, I have a ton of Blackhawk STRIKE gear sitting in a duffel bag in my kitchen right now that I won't need for about another 18-24 months. Keep your head down.

sjstill · May 24, 2005, 12:20 PM

Matis wrote: I pride myself on being a cheap guy and $30 something a year subscription AIN'T cheap.

Its kind like that credit card commercial - SWAT Magazine - 30.00/year.

The information inside - priceless!

IZHUMINTER · May 30, 2005, 10:39 PM

Quote:

To further complicate your purchase decision, be advised that Kimber has just released the Desert Warrior; same pistol but finished in tan Kim-Pro finish.

I still haven't seen the press release, although Kimber did confirm it over the phone with me...and here is a picture:
http://216.219.239.217/%7Eadmin26/1/1/1%202016.jpg

IZinterrogator · July 14, 2005, 05:18 PM

Well, the Desert Warrior has been paid for and is on order, and the custom grips for it are already here. Hopefully I'll have it in my hands in mid-August so I can post pics.

Thanks for the heads-up, Denny. After handling the regular Warrior quite a bit in the last few weeks, I'm sure glad you talked me out of a thousand bucks.

Denny Hansen · July 15, 2005, 05:17 PM

Glad I could help!

IZinterrogator · September 17, 2005, 02:04 PM

I added some customized Slimline OG Alumagrips to it, plus some Wilson Combat magazines, of course. What do you think?

Denny Hansen · September 17, 2005, 05:16 PM

Very nice, IZ.

I was able to restore my orignal Warrior that was "lost" when my house burned down. We raised several firearms from the ashes, and there will be an article titled Operation Phoenix that will appear (with a lot of before and after photos) in the December issue.

Denny

IZinterrogator · September 18, 2005, 01:30 AM

Don't hate because there isn't room in an infantryman's rucksack for a coffeemaker, laptop, and Playstation, Erick. Come to the dark side and embrace the Humvee power inverter like I have.

Denny, glad to hear about your Warrior. Did the aluminum-framed guns make it through the restoration okay, or just the steel ones? I always wondered about the fire-resistance of one vs. the other.

Eghad · September 18, 2005, 09:23 AM

a pimp gun to go with those pimpin Cav Hats....lol

jes kiddin.....

nice one

Denny Hansen · September 18, 2005, 10:23 AM

IZ-
I was able to save an AR upper and lower. Even with steel, one can quickly reach the point of diminishing returns with heat treat, tempering cost of new internals, etc. The article will focus on the fact that it can be done, but not necessarily that it should be attempted.

Denny

IZinterrogator · September 18, 2005, 11:12 AM

Quote:

a pimp gun to go with those pimpin Cav Hats....lol

Yer damn right.

IZHUMINTER · September 18, 2005, 11:20 AM

Did you swap out the trigger? Mine came with a matte aluminum speed trigger (3-holes). Yours is obviously different...

IZinterrogator · September 18, 2005, 12:44 PM

Nope, that's the trigger that came on the gun.

May 21, 2005, 06:26 PM	#1
IZinterrogator Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2004 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ Posts: 2,457	Received my first subscription issue today Denny and Rich, thanks for the articles in this month's issue. I had been wanting a Kimber TLE/RL II for awhile, but after reading the article on the Kimber Warrior, I have decided to put that on my "to-buy" list instead. Same goes for the ACOG. I had wanted a TA31F, but now that I know that the BDC on the TA31RCO-A4 is calibrated for a 20" barrel, I'm going to go shopping for one of those instead. I also enjoyed the article on bayonets. Despite being an Army guy, I took both a personally-owned M7 and a personally-owned M10 (with the EGA on the handle) with me to the sandbox instead of drawing that POS M9 bayonet out of the arms room. Just out of curiousity, have you or are you going to review the VTAC Mk I sling that Blackhawk offers? I had a Blackhawk sling when I left, but traded it for a VTAC after three months. Just wondering if others have the same high opinion of it that I do. Also liked Brent Wheat's article in Street Smarts. It reaffirmed that I wasn't crazy for being accepting of the fact that I could die when I was in the sandbox and concentrating on the job at hand instead. Quite a few people over there not doing that. Anyway, thanks again for the great issue. __________________ "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!” - Samuel Adams Last edited by IZinterrogator; May 23, 2005 at 12:20 AM.

May 22, 2005, 12:24 PM	#2
Denny Hansen Staff Emeritus Join Date: June 29, 2001 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ Posts: 2,422	IZ- We appreciate the kind words, however, you and the all the rest of the guys in the sandbox are the ones who thanks are owed to. Since S.W.A.T. supports the willing, we have articles on what is happening over there coming up, including one on civilian contractors and one on the humanitarian projects the troops are involved with. The Kimber Warrior is indeed a great pistol, and I prefer it to the TLE/RL since I personally like the original Browning-designed operating system. To further complicate your purchase decision, be advised that Kimber has just released the Desert Warrior; same pistol but finished in tan Kim-Pro finish. We have not reviewed the VTAC individually, but look for it to be included in rifle reviews in the future. Denny __________________ S.W.A.T. Magazine Weapons, Training and Tactics for the Real World Join us at TFL or at AR15.com or on Facebook

May 22, 2005, 07:51 PM	#3
Christopher II Senior Member Join Date: November 22, 1999 Location: Germantown, MD Posts: 2,349	I tried out a VTAC sling on a friends AR this afternoon. Two of them have already been ordered for my own ARs. It's pretty rare that I go head over heels for a piece of hardware like I just did... Also, it was truly a delight to see Claire Wolfe writing for SWAT. Keep up the good work, guys. - Chris __________________ "There is no worse tyranny than to force a man to pay for what he does not want merely because you think it would be good for him." – Robert Heinlein "Contrary to popular belief, your vote does not matter, and you cannot make a difference." - Bob Murphy, "Picking Neither of Two Evils" My PGP Public Key

May 22, 2005, 10:07 PM	#4
Matis Member Join Date: September 9, 2002 Location: Used to live in the USA; now find myself in the twilight zone. Posts: 87	OK, that's it, I can't stand it any longer! I pride myself on being a cheap guy and $30 something a year subscription AIN'T cheap. It's all your fault, IZinterrogator. I'm subscribing. And thanks, IZ for going to the sandbox so that the rest of us can enjoy the blessings of living in this country. I hope you and the others stay safe. matis Edit: Hey, it's only $26.95! I'm sending a money order. __________________ Si vis pacem, para bellum. "In ourselves our safety must be sought. By our own right hand it must be wrought." --Wm Wordsworth

May 23, 2005, 06:18 PM	#7
Denny Hansen Staff Emeritus Join Date: June 29, 2001 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ Posts: 2,422	Unknown on the cost of the Desert Warrior, but I doubt it will be much (if any) more costly. IZinterrogator- Erick is with a CA National Guard Infantry unit. He'll be writing the article on the humanitarian projects, as well as one that has to do with the selection and training of the Short Range Marksmanship and Squad Designated Marksman (SDM) program. James Yeager of Tactical Response will be writing the contractor piece. All three will be written from first hand experiences. (James is just recently back, Erick is still in-theatre.) I plan on dedicating all three articles to fallen comrades that Erick and James served with. WE WILL NEVER FORGET! Denny __________________ S.W.A.T. Magazine Weapons, Training and Tactics for the Real World Join us at TFL or at AR15.com or on Facebook

May 24, 2005, 12:30 AM	#8
IZinterrogator Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2004 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ Posts: 2,457	Sorry Erick, thought you were there as a contractor this time. Glad to hear you are dressing in three fashionable shades of desert these days. If you need any MOLLE pouches or anything like that, I have a ton of Blackhawk STRIKE gear sitting in a duffel bag in my kitchen right now that I won't need for about another 18-24 months. Keep your head down. __________________ "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!” - Samuel Adams

May 24, 2005, 12:20 PM	#9
sjstill Senior Member Join Date: August 18, 2004 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 108	Matis wrote: I pride myself on being a cheap guy and $30 something a year subscription AIN'T cheap. Its kind like that credit card commercial - SWAT Magazine - 30.00/year. The information inside - priceless! __________________ My name is Steve, and I'm a Glockaholic. The primary target is what we call the thoracic triangle. Shots to this area tend to make people FDGB (“fall down go boom”).

July 14, 2005, 05:18 PM	#11
IZinterrogator Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2004 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ Posts: 2,457	Well, the Desert Warrior has been paid for and is on order, and the custom grips for it are already here. Hopefully I'll have it in my hands in mid-August so I can post pics. Thanks for the heads-up, Denny. After handling the regular Warrior quite a bit in the last few weeks, I'm sure glad you talked me out of a thousand bucks. __________________ "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!” - Samuel Adams

July 15, 2005, 05:17 PM	#12
Denny Hansen Staff Emeritus Join Date: June 29, 2001 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ Posts: 2,422	Glad I could help! __________________ S.W.A.T. Magazine Weapons, Training and Tactics for the Real World Join us at TFL or at AR15.com or on Facebook

September 17, 2005, 05:16 PM	#14
Denny Hansen Staff Emeritus Join Date: June 29, 2001 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ Posts: 2,422	Very nice, IZ. I was able to restore my orignal Warrior that was "lost" when my house burned down. We raised several firearms from the ashes, and there will be an article titled Operation Phoenix that will appear (with a lot of before and after photos) in the December issue. Denny __________________ S.W.A.T. Magazine Weapons, Training and Tactics for the Real World Join us at TFL or at AR15.com or on Facebook

September 18, 2005, 01:30 AM	#15
IZinterrogator Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2004 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ Posts: 2,457	Don't hate because there isn't room in an infantryman's rucksack for a coffeemaker, laptop, and Playstation, Erick. Come to the dark side and embrace the Humvee power inverter like I have. Denny, glad to hear about your Warrior. Did the aluminum-framed guns make it through the restoration okay, or just the steel ones? I always wondered about the fire-resistance of one vs. the other. __________________ "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!” - Samuel Adams

September 18, 2005, 09:23 AM	#16
Eghad Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 6,231	a pimp gun to go with those pimpin Cav Hats....lol jes kiddin..... nice one __________________ Have a nice day at the range NRA Life Member

September 18, 2005, 10:23 AM	#17
Denny Hansen Staff Emeritus Join Date: June 29, 2001 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ Posts: 2,422	IZ- I was able to save an AR upper and lower. Even with steel, one can quickly reach the point of diminishing returns with heat treat, tempering cost of new internals, etc. The article will focus on the fact that it can be done, but not necessarily that it should be attempted. Denny __________________ S.W.A.T. Magazine Weapons, Training and Tactics for the Real World Join us at TFL or at AR15.com or on Facebook

September 18, 2005, 11:20 AM	#19
IZHUMINTER Senior Member Join Date: May 6, 2005 Location: Darmstadt Posts: 240	Did you swap out the trigger? Mine came with a matte aluminum speed trigger (3-holes). Yours is obviously different... __________________ "Certainly there is no hunting like the hunting of man and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never really care for anything else thereafter." -Ernest Hemingway, On The Blue Water: A Gulf Stream Letter

September 18, 2005, 12:44 PM	#20
IZinterrogator Senior Member Join Date: November 8, 2004 Location: Prescott Valley, AZ Posts: 2,457	Nope, that's the trigger that came on the gun. __________________ "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom, go from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!” - Samuel Adams