I stopped at the FLIR booth here at 2012 SHOT Show and checked out one of their Scout PS24 imagers. This model is an entry level device, but it has terrific tactical potential.

The PS24 has a color LCD viewfinder display that can be toggled through White Hot, Black Hot, and multiple Red/White Hot palettes. Okay, I’ll come right out and say it: I think thermal imagers are ridiculously cool. Yeah, I had a stupid grin while I pointed the thing around at passersby.

The unit makes a very effective general search tool. There is no magnification enhancement on this model, which is just right for area checking because it has a wide field of view of 24′ x 18′. FLIR touts the thermal detection range for the PS24 at 320 meters for a man-sized target of 1.8m x 0.5m.

I took a few photos through the PS24 around the show floor. The images were much clearer to the naked eye. It is interesting to note that had they been taken in pitch darkness, the imagery would be exactly the same. Wow.

Ruggedized and weather-tight, the FLIR Scout housing has a grippy exterior feel. The unit runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. FLIR Rep Marco Goes told me the battery has a 5+ hour life under continuous use on a single charge. A PS24 weighs 12 ounces. It has a USB port to connect the unit for software upgrades.

The hunting model, which is OD and black, has a small white LED utility light on the front. The law enforcement version will likely have a small red laser for aiming purposes. Goes said the L.E. unit will have an all-black housing and the Maritime version will be yellow.

The MSRP for the PS24 is $1999.00. According to Goes, this will probably be the same price for the entry level law enforcement model, which is scheduled for release in several months.

Ed. note:  The imagery provided by the FLIR unit is much sharper than what is depicted in these photos.  Due to the way the camera captures the light, a degree of “ghosting” and blurriness affected the quality of the photos.  The FLIR images are very sharp and clear.

Randall is a twenty-four year sworn police officer in Florida. He is his department’s K9 Sergeant and SWAT Team Coordinator.

Essentially, this product is a pair of sunglasses with a built-in video recorder.

The camera records at 720×480 resolution at up to 35 fps, with about four hours of video fitting onto a single 4 GB MicroSD card.  The recorder is rechargeable via USB, and will run up to five hours on one charge.  Yes, it records audio with the video.  So, it is perfect for recording field interviews and the like.

I’ll be testing these on duty and in training.  I think that they will offer an awesome “first person” view of some of the training we are working on.  As I use the glasses over the coming weeks, I’ll post video samples here on the site.

The SWATSCOPE is a hand held tactical sniper periscope that extends 22 1/2″ above the operator and provides a safe view of hostile territory with a 4X to 9X zoom lens. The aluminum body of the scope is sheathed in 4 mil removable 3M CamoClad material that is flat black. The optics consist of high quality glass prisms and lenses.

Some kind of magic goes on inside the angled tubes of this SWATSCOPE that keeps the image viewed through the eyepiece at the proper upright orientation to the user, no matter how the unit is rotated! It can even be turned 90 degrees to look around a corner and be viewed normally without adjustment. This makes for canting one’s head or trying to decipher a sideways image unnecessary.

As for other features, there is a belt or utility hook on the left side of the unit to temporarily free up the user’s hands when necessary. The SWATSCOPE can be fitted to a tripod or monopod by using the threaded mount in the handle.

The upper prism is protected by anodized aluminum guards, which are threaded for an optional anti reflection device. There is an attachment point for a flashlight or IR illuminator on the head. The basic SWATSCOPE comes equipped with an aluminum hard case and a black MOLLE compatible soft nylon carry case.

Weighing 20.6 oz, the scope is 17.62″ retracted and 28.125″ fully extended. Its field of view is 9.5 degrees at 4X and 5.0 degrees at 9X. The MSRP for the basic kit is only $349.00.

An upgraded scout sniper periscope kit has all the same features of the basic kit with the additions of desert camo 3M covering, tan soft case, a PVS-14 adapter clamp, and included anti reflection device. The upgraded kit has an MSRP of $600.00.

I tested out both the basic and upgraded units at the SHOT Show floor. It provided very stable imagery over the booth dividers. Long range viewing was very clear, as you could see through doorways between three large conference areas. I was even able to snap a few images at the eyepiece with my digital camera.

This isn’t your grade school version of the two mirrors and a milk carton periscope. The SWATSCOPE has an NSN and is used by the Military, federal agencies, and law enforcement. With its rotating image and zoom power, it is, in my opinion, a very nice covert surveillance tool.

Ask around and the officers that rarely, if ever, have sought treatment for back problems will tell you the same thing: invest in a good pair of boots. Regardless of where you purchase them, cost is sometimes, if not always, a factor in our decision of what to buy. There are many manufacturers of good, quality footwear and of course, prices vary.

The footwear can range from $40-$110+ depending on the manufacturer and the quality of the boot. Think about it this way: Would you rather spend $1,500 on a used vehicle and then pay $6,000 or more to your local mechanic during the remaining life of the car, or pay $12,000 and not have to worry about repair costs for quite a few years with proper maintenance?

I completely understand that sometimes we can afford to drop $80-$110 on a pair of boots (especially with what we get paid these days) but I rationalized it to myself this way: I can spend $80 on the boots or I can spend $40 on the boots and then all the costs associated with going to the chiropractor and/or Primary Care Physician as a result of the pain? I chose the former.

If there is no way that you can afford the cost for the new boots at this time, there are still things that you can do. These can include buying some gel inserts ($6-$10) from your local discount store (they work great!) all the way to being extremely nice to your spouse and hope you get a foot rub at some point.

The best advice that I can give you is the following:

1. Ask around your facility/work area and see what boots fellow coworkers recommend.
2. Figure out your budget and invest in a good pair of boots early on once you can afford it.

If you take care of your feet, they are bound to take care of you.

Bryan Avila started working as a Police Officer in 1994 while attending Norwich University in Northfield, VT. In 1999 he began working for the Vermont Dept of Corrections while still working as a Part-Time Police Officer. In 2007 he left public service until 2009 when he began working for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He is currently a Correctional Training Instructor- Sergeant of Correctional Officers, at the TDCJ Region I Training Academy located in Huntsville, TX. And yes, he did marry again…

Ed. Note:  Bryan owns the Dydrostorm web store and is a sponsor of the Blue Crew.  He offers a substantial discount and free shipping to qualified orders made by Blue Crew members.

Like I said, colors and sizes are limited, but if they have what you want, it is an amazing deal.  FYI – LA Police Gear is not an advertiser and I don’t make any money if you buy anything from them.  It is just a good deal that I figured I would pass along.

This vest is build specifically for the officer or operator who needs to take aboard a large payload of shotgun shells. Previously, I told you how I felt about the police shotgun in today’s patrol environment and it was favorable.

A shotgun is also a valuable tool in a SWAT situation. The shotgun is undoubtedly the most devastating close quarter weapon that can be wielded by a team member. In some agencies, the shotgun is employed to facilitate door breaching.

Using purpose-specific frangible shotgun rounds, an officer can quickly shoot out door hinges or locks to gain entry to a structure. This is a high liability pursuit with much training and practice mandatory.

Both the patrolman and the tactical officer will find comfort in having a staggering 56 rounds of shotgun power available in an Uncle Mike’s Shot Gunner’s Vest.

This load-bearing vest is made from high quality nylon. Its key features are four large flapped pockets, which have individual elastic loops for shotgun shells. Each pocket can hold up to 14 rounds.

The pocket covers are held down with Velcro and have a small removable colored tab that can be affixed. The tabs come in red and yellow and are intended to identify lethal and less lethal rounds, respectively. More on this in a moment.

There are padded non-skid panels at each shoulder to grab the butt of a long gun. Two utility pockets ride above the shotgun bomb bays. The back of the vest supports a drag handle and full MOLLE webbing.

The Shot Gunner’s Vest is hydration bladder compatible and the vest will fit a 72” girth. A generous amount of buckles and straps assist the center zipper in providing a good fit.

I covered the virtues of a bail-out vest in a previous article, and this Shot Gunner’s Vest can be a boon to those who do not have access to a long rifle. If I had to charge into a man-with-a-gun call armed with the standard 870, this vest would give me the extra rounds necessary to stay in the fight.

Though not that commonly seen, a third use for a vest of this type would be for a gasman, or grenadier, to carry 12 ga. OC or CS ferret rounds. We have used these types of gas-delivering munitions from perimeter positions into rooms or vehicles on SWAT calls.

My thought on the red and yellow tabs: I do not feel that less lethal impact and lethal ammunition should be mixed, ever. End of story. An officer issued a less lethal shotgun should not even have a standard shotgun or its shells in his car. There are too many opportunities for an accident or negligence in this configuration.

I can see a patrol officer using the tabs to mark pouches for buckshot and slugs, however. A breacher or gasman might also tab the pockets between breaching rounds, gas rounds, and standard ammunition, too, so this function is not all bad.

Since I have a load-bearing vest outfitted for my duty AR-15, I loaned this Uncle Mike’s shotgun vest to another officer for a long-term test. I’ll check back with you to let you know what he filled it with. He seemed thrilled when he first examined it, so I’m betting he likes it.

Randall is a twenty-four year sworn police officer in a mid-sized Florida police department. He has been an FTO, K9 Handler, Detective, and SWAT Team Leader. He is currently the K9 Unit Sergeant and department SWAT Coordinator.

Deputy Chief Halligan (right) and his invention.

Police officers and deputy sheriffs are rarely firefighters, and yet in our lifesaving capacity we need some of the same skills. A mastery of the fire rescue Halligan bar is essential in today’s specialized law enforcement work.

FDNY Deputy Chief Hugh A. Halligan invented the Halligan bar in 1948, and it still bears his name. Halligan’s original bar was a single piece of drop forged 4140 steel, about 30” long, and approximately 8 ½ lbs.

A cross between the FDNY’s Kelly tool and Claw tool, the Halligan bar was lighter and much more versatile. The Halligan bar has become universal in fire rescue service and can be found on fire trucks all around the world.

Law enforcement began using the Halligan tool in SWAT operations decades ago, although, lacking a historical perspective, we have mistakenly called it a “halogen” tool or a “hooligan” tool (this name being derogatory in fire departments).

Well used old school Halligan.

The Halligan bar’s working parts consist of a fork on one end and a pick and adz at right angles on the other end. The adz is the curved blade that is derived from a woodworking shaper.

While a 30 pound door ram can solve most police problems with an inward swinging residential or commercial door, the Halligan bar and sledgehammer are needed to work an outward opening door.

Typically, to work an outward opening door, the Halligan tool operator places the adz in the doorjamb just above or below the lock(s). The hammer operator drives the adz into the frame. At this point, the Halligan tool is rotated slightly downward to spread the door and frame and the tool is then pulled away to open the door.

This entire operation is unfortunately done right in front of the door. If not accomplished with Speed, Aggression, and Surprise, the result may be unfriendly fire toward the operators. Officer safety demands this maneuver be practiced endlessly. By everyone on the Team.

In other uses, the adz can be used to shear off door handles and deadlocks, the fork can be used for general prying, and the pick can either punch out a deadlock or lever open a padlock. The Halligan is great for a window break-and-rake.

There are more uses and nuances to this tool than I can possibly describe here. This vast versatility has led the Halligan bar design to be basically unchanged in its sixty years of carry.

K-Tool Co. Pro-Bar 30 used by FDNY and NYPD (gray background).

We have found it invaluable to have our SWAT medics, who are certified firefighter/paramedics, perform as instructors on SWAT training days involving forcible entry. Prior to this practice, we did not fully appreciate the subtleties of using any of the entry tools or techniques.

Original Halligan Signature bars are no longer manufactured, but rumor has it that some are still in use at the FDNY. A similar bar, the K-Tool Company Pro-Bar 30, has been used by both the FDNY and NYPD for the last 30 years.

If you do not have a Halligan bar for entries, consult with your local fire department guys before you purchase one (there are differences), obtain the proper training, and perform repetitions.

Randall is a twenty-four year veteran officer of a mid-size Florida police department. He served as a SWAT team officer for over 21 years, to include 12 years as a Team Leader. He is currently the K9 Unit Sergeant and department SWAT Coordinator.

I put over 30 miles of hiking into a pair of 5.11 Coyote Taclite 6” Desert Boots while on an R&R trip to southern Utah. Intended as a desert tactical boot, the Taclites will serve well in most all mobile situations.

5.11 literature states the boots need no break-in period. To this, I can attest. They went from the box to trail with no aggravation. These hiking boots are extremely light, but have a substantial amount of suede leather in their outers for durability.

Some of the popular lightweight “boots” found on the market today are little more than glorified running shoes. I found the Taclites to have a more sturdy construction, with enough 1200D denier nylon for good ventilation, but not so much that they would snag or tear easily.

Some other features of the Taclites are an antibacterial and moisture wicking lining, “stay tied” sausage shaped laces, and an oil and slip resistant outsole with a fast roping control thread of harder polymer.

I hiked in Snow Canyon State Park, Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park with these boots. The traction on loose gravel, sandstone, slick rock, and mud was outstanding.

On one hike in Zion, we did 2300 feet of vertical elevation in four miles, one way. The Taclites were great going up, and also when descending. Sometimes a boot’s design can jam up your toes when going down on steep inclines. This was not the case with the 5.11’s.

When we were done on the trails, the boots looked the same as when they had arrived. A quick brush off of the outers, and the red mud and dirt came right off.

I picked up these boots for under $100.00 from an on-line retailer. All features considered, I think they are an excellent value for all terrain or tactical use footwear.

I will be writing a review of my black pair of 8” upper 5.11 Taclites for on-duty use, so stay tuned!

Randall is a twenty-four year police officer in Florida. He is notorious for boot abuse.

There are many patrol scenarios in which you would not want to use a flashlight to get a look around in the dark. A NV instrument can allow you to passively scan your area without giving away your presence.

I am testing an Equinox Gen 1 night vision monocular from Bushnell Outdoor Products that an average patrol officer or deputy can purchase, without spending thousands of dollars, and which provides the basic advantages of night-adapted sight.

From the approach to armed subject call, to surveillance, to large building and area searches, night vision’s usefulness is dictated by the ingenuity of the operator. The Equinox unit I have can serve an officer well in all these situations.

Night vision enhances a person’s visual capabilities through infrared (IR) technology. IR night vision instruments use an image intensifier tube to better amplify ambient light and light in the infrared spectrum for the human eye to process.

The more precise the image intensifier, the better the image clarity. Unfortunately, as the clarity increases, the price increases markedly.

There are different levels of night vision devices. The military and law enforcement SWAT typically use Generation 3 IR night vision. These are the state of the art NV goggles and monoculars you see mounted to ballistic helmets.

The basic version of night vision is Generation 1, which is of the type used in the Equinox. This is functional night vision that was cutting edge in the Vietnam-era Starlight scopes. It worked for them then, and it can work for you now.

For a comparison, the Gen 3 IR devices we have at my department cost in the $3500+ range. Gen 1 instruments can be bought at around $200-$400. The Bushnell Equinox Gen 1 can be purchased for under $200.00.

The Bushnell Equinox Gen 1 monocular I have was newly introduced to the market as of this summer. It is has a 2X optical magnification and a 28mm objective lens. It comes with a zippered nylon case.

The unit is rubber covered for impact resistance. In addition it conforms to IPX-4 requirements for water splash resistance: 5 minutes of 10 liters/min. water splashed in any direction on the device without harmful effect.

I confirmed this when I inadvertently left the Equinox outside and it got rained on. I had put it on the patio to let the lenses adjust to the Florida humidity then promptly forgot about it when I went to bed. It handled the thunderstorm, which much exceeded IPX-4, with no problem.

The Equinox has an IR illuminator mounted beside the objective lens. This illuminator is an IR “flashlight” that is not visible to the human eye, but is to the Equinox. It is adjustable for wide or narrow angle.

The Equinox’s outer case has a tripod mount, tethered lens cap, and a 2 ½” section of Picatinny rail for accessories. It has an on-off button for the optic and an on-off button for the illuminator. The Equinox is powered by one CR123 lithium battery.

Bushnell touts the Equinox’s Super Bright Gen 1 tube, which has a wide field of view and can operate in zero light conditions. The user sees traditional night vision green when there is ambient or IR light and a white night vision in absolute darkness.

I have used the Equinox Gen 1 for several months on Midnight Shift. At 9.2 oz’s. and 5.8” X 3.2” X 2.1,” it is easy to stow in a cargo pocket, load-bearing vest pouch, or bail-out bag. I even attached a break-away ball chain through a hole in its top rail so I could hang it around my neck.

I found that the Equinox is ruggedly built. The image quality is good, with some understanding of the technology. This is not a Gen 3 unit, so expecting that type of NV quality is not reasonable.

For its intended use, I felt the Equinox performed well. Because it has 2X magnification, my opinion is that it is best used when needing to scan around you from 5 yards to about 50 yards.

I used the Equinox in a few wooded areas. With the IR light on, it is very good at penetrating into the brush. In urban areas, I was able to see into the normally dark areas in the shadows of houses and under trees.

On some of our K9 calls, I used the Equinox so I could stay blacked out in my vehicle inside the perimeter and watch fence lines and footpaths. It is also handy for getting a look around the car to make sure the suspect is not hiding nearby.

I tried to take some photographs through the monocular, but, believe me, the photos are not as sharp as with the eye. Each image was taken in near total darkness, so I thought including a black reference picture was unnecessary.

I have added the Equinox as a tool in my bail-out vest. When used in the appropriate circumstances and with officer safety at the forefront, night vision aids like this can be incredibly useful.

And to answer your question…yes, they are super fun to play with.

Randall is a twenty-three year sworn police officer in a mid-sized Florida police department. He has been an FTO, K9 Handler, Detective, and SWAT Team Leader. He is currently the Midnight Shift K9 Sergeant and department SWAT Coordinator.

Tuff Products manufactures nylon and leather goods for the military, law enforcement, and armed citizens. Tuff Product’s QuickStrips were mentioned on BlueSheepdog.com in a previous revolver reload article.

The Tacllet was designed by world-renowned firearms photographer and sport shooter Ichiro Nagata. Mr. Nagata has designed other items for Tuff, such as the 5 in Line and 8 in Line high capacity nylon magazine carriers.

I like the versatility the Tacllet possesses for making it “mission specific” to the day’s tasks. It can be lightly outfitted as a waist pack for a run to the store, or loaded down with emergency gear and rifle mags as a mini-bail out bag.

This carry-all’s most important function is for the concealed carry of and rapid access to a large caliber firearm. For this, it shines.

The Tacllet comes with loop Velcro in the main compartment to configure its slip holster to your particular firearm. It is roomy enough to carry my Sig Sauer P226 with inches to spare. I was also able to fit a 4” barreled Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolver inside. That makes the Tacllet cavernous.

The handle on the front of the pack allows you to pull a side pouch forward to fully access your handgun. This is Mr. Nagata demonstrating the Tacllet:

I ordered a Coyote Brown right-handed pack. The right outboard pouch has YKK zippered pockets inside and out for small items. The left outboard pouch has a drawstring mesh outside pocket and a loop Velcro-lined inside pocket for mounting hook-backed Velcro accessories.

Between the outboard pouches is a 4” sewn-in elastic sleeve that can hold a pen, Kubotan, or AA flashlight.

Behind the adjustable waist or shoulder belt is a wide slip pocket with three elastic loops, which can fit three AR-15-sized magazines. There is a large 10” x 6” YKK zippered pocket closest to the body for whatever gear you forgot to put in the rest of the storage.

Finally, there were five extra Velcro and elastic holders, with which to customize the bag, that were included in the package.

The Tacllet is sturdily constructed and Made in the USA. Retail prices run about twenty-five bucks under the $89.99 MSRP.

Look for a Tuff Products Tacllet to be an upcoming BlueSheepdog.com Give-Away item!

Randall is a twenty-three year sworn police officer in a mid-sized Florida police department. He has been an FTO, K9 Handler, Detective, and SWAT Team Leader. He is currently the Midnight Shift K9 Sergeant and department SWAT Coordinator.

Smith & Wesson Micro 90 Pistol Light

Want a new pistol light for your duty gun or concealed carry piece?  BlueSheepdog.com is giving away a brand new Smith & Wesson Micro 90 pistol light.

The S&W Micro 90 is a 90-lumen LED white light designed to mount on the accessory rail of most handguns.  Compared to other pistol lights, the Micro 90 is smaller than many.  This allows you to mount it onto your off duty/CCW handgun without adding too much bulk.

The Micro 90 uses a single CR2 lithium battery which powers the light for more than two hours continuously.  A battery is even included with the light.

The LED lamp is very durable, which means that it is unlikely to break during firing of the handgun.  Older-style incandescent lights may break during repeated firing.

The Micro 90 features:

• Slide-In UniBAR: designed to fit most models of hand guns with standard accessory rails – no tools needed
• 90 lumens
• Weight: 1.4 oz
• Water Resistant:  The Micro 90 is weatherproof, but not waterproof.  Complete immersion may cause failure.
• Momentary & Constant On
• Ambidextrous: designed for ease of use by either hand.
• Battery: CR2 Lithium (included)
• Run-Time on High: 2+ Hours Continual Run Time
• MSRP – $99.50

How do you win the Micro 90 pistol light?  Easy:  Go to the pistol light giveaway page and follow the rules!

5.11 VTAC LBE Vest Review

I am not a fan of the bail-out bag.  Neither am I fond of showing up for the party without the proper favors.  As a crossover from SWAT, I really like the idea of a load-bearing vest for emergency patrol operations.

While the concept of the bail-out bag is great, my experience is that carrying the bag and accessing its contents are problematic.  Since the go-bag is worn over one shoulder, it dangles off to one side, normally your non-dominant side.

This can bring it into interference with your duty belt gear opposite your sidearm.  It also makes for a second strap tangling you up and applying opposing pressure to your neck when you have a rifle or shotgun slung to the other side.

A go-bag will ride at your seven or eight o’clock position, especially on the run, so getting things out of it requires added attention.  A load-bearing equipment MOLLE vest I tried from 5.11 Tactical solved these all problems.

I saw some of the 5.11 nylon gear at a local retailer and thought it looked well constructed and reasonably priced.  There were many choices for accessory pouches and carriers to customize a vest.

I ordered a black 5.11 VTAC LBE Vest and then selected the pouches I wanted specifically for a bail-out vest.  This vest will be grabbed out of the trunk and zipped on when the SHTF and more ammo and supplies are needed.

5.11 Tactical partnered with Viking Tactics and retired Special Forces Operator SGM Kyle Lamb in designing their VTAC line of gear, so there is much practical experience going into the products.

The VTAC LBE Vest is made with 1050 denier nylon and is extremely durable.  Quality YKK zippers are used and there is plenty of extra stitching to hold all seams securely.  The vest is hydration pack compatible and has a drag handle.

The MOLLE stitching is robust.  Multiple adjustment points, via buckles and Velcro, assist in a proper vest fit.  There are also Velcro loop areas on the left breast and back for Police or Sheriff identification patches.

The intent for this vest is to be ready to go during the shift.  I’ll be wearing a duty belt with my uniform, so I don’t want to duplicate items I already have on me.

The most important thing to me is more rifle ammunition.  A handgun is fine as personal protection, but a long gun lets you take the fight to the enemy.  I chose a stacked double magazine carrier with covers for holding four AR-15 mags.

All the 5.11 pouches attach securely to MOLLE webbing with 5.11’s Slickstick attachment system.  The Slickstick is stiff and weaves through the MOLLE on the vest easily.  To release, just unsnap and pull the fastener out.

I added just a single pistol magazine carrier, since I still have two mags on my belt.  For general items, I selected a 5.11 6.6 Pouch which measures 6” X 6” X 3 ½.”  That will hold safety glasses, gloves, paracord, a multi-tool, flashlight, combat shears, chalk, a black marker, revolver ammo, pen, and notepad.

For medical gear, I ordered their 6.6 Med Pouch, which is of the same dimensions as the 6.6 Pouch, but ½” thicker.  It has a subdued cross on it to signify medical gear.  Inside, I have a TraumaPak, a Tactical Medical Solutions SOF Tourniquet, and an energy bar.  I mounted this pouch on the left rear of the vest.

I recently reviewed the TraumaPak, which contains QuikClot, nitrile gloves, bandages, dressings, and duct tape.  It is packaged in a thick waterproof pack that doubles as a biohazard bag.

In setting up the vest, I placed the AR and pistol mags on the left front.  For a righty, this is the proper place for expeditious reloads.  At a dead run, I can perform a quick mag change for my rifle from this vest.  This ain’t happening with a bail-out bag swinging around.

An LBE vest spreads the weight of the load evenly across the shoulders.  Placement of the gear is static, so things are always exactly where you know to find them.  Negotiating obstacles is easier because the vest is low profile to the torso.

I could certainly load the VTAC LBE Vest up with more gear, but I think that defeats the purpose of having a vest such as this ready to roll.  I think it has the necessary items to win the fight and take care of business afterward until other assets arrive.

5.11 has a very user-friendly website at www.511tactical.com.  I used the site to view and compare the VTAC vest and accessories.

MSRP for the 5.11 vest and pouches I ordered would be around $160.  A little shopping can whittle that down. Most of the items I put in the vest were ones I had from a previous iteration of a bail-out bag.

Without a doubt, the 5.11 Tactical gear is rugged enough to survive real duty.  The contents of the vest are important, but they won’t be with you in the field if you don’t have a quality carrier.

Randall is a twenty-three year veteran officer of a mid-size Florida police department.  He served as a SWAT team officer for over 21 years, to include 12 years as a Team Leader. He is currently the Midnight Shift K9 Sergeant and department SWAT Coordinator.

Magnum Boot Giveaway

The good folks over at Magnum Boots have partnered with BlueSheepdog to giveaway a new pair of the Magnum Cobra 8.0 SZ WPi boots.  These are the same boots that Randall spoke very highly of in his recent review (Magnum Cobra 8.0 Boot Review).

These Magnum boots are waterproof and resistant to both chemicals and pathogens.  Even though they polish up nicely, they are built for performance.  Make sure you check out Randall’s review if you haven’t already read it.

The winner will be randomly selected on September 1 from our training newsletter subscribers.  If you are a current subscriber, you are already entered to win.  If you are not yet subscribed, no problem.  Drop your e-mail address into the form below and you will be registered.  Our free police training newsletter is filled with unique content that is not published here or anywhere else.

Also, make sure you thank the folks at Magnum by visiting their blog, following them on Twitter and liking their Facebook page.  The company has been a long-time supporter of the law enforcement market – longer than most of us have been on the job.  They don’t have to do anything like this, but they have stepped up with a great product for someone to win.

More information on the Magnum Boots Giveaway

The author's Magnum Cobra boots he reviewed.

Over a month ago, I received a pair of Magnum boots to review.  The Magnum Boot Company is a branch of Hi-Tec Sports, which was founded in England in 1974.  Hi-Tec first came to light in the U.S. when they designed a black lightweight tactical boot for the F.B.I. in the early 1980’s.

This early boot was called the Hi-Tec Magnum.  Commercial sales began in 1983 and Hi-Tec expanded.  With many variations of the tactical boot being produced, Magnum became a stand-alone brand and separated from Hi-Tec Sports.

Hi-Tec Magnums were the first tactical boot authorized for uniform wear at my department around 1989.  I have worn many pairs of them over the years, and I was interested when I saw Magnum’s new website and current offerings.

I chose to test Magnum’s Cobra 8.0 WPI boot with a side-zipper.  I felt this boot had advanced features that showed a real evolution from the original Hi-Tecs.

The Cobra 8.0 is a leather and 900 denier nylon tactical boot with an aggressive outsole and a polishable toecap.  The boot is chemical and pathogen resistant through Magnum’s Ion-Mask technology.  The side zippers are quality YKK zips.  The entire boot is waterproof.

I wore this boot for over a month on duty, which for me is street patrol, SWAT incidents, K9 assistance calls, and K9 training.  Without a break-in, I started wearing the boots for about 11 hours on the first duty day.  They were comfortable and continue to be.

Since then, the Cobras have logged much time slogging in mud, gravel, high grass, wooded areas, and industrial areas.

The Magnum/P2i’s Ion-Mask treatment plasma bonds with the entire surface of the boot, giving it chemical and pathogen resistance and waterproofing.  As such, the boot is lightweight when wet because its hydrophobic coating repels water from the boot’s material.

We had an especially rainy June.  I discovered that the Cobras were indeed waterproof.  In general, I have found that waterproof boots can be uncomfortable because the same forces that keep the water out will keep the water (perspiration) in.  In addition, “sealed” boots can feel very hot inside.

This did not seem the case with the Magnum Cobras.  They were nearly as breathable as a standard boot, but had definite waterproof qualities in mud and water.  I did not suffer the same sweat build-up I have before with other waterproof boots.

I like the idea of the boots being pathogen resistant.  We step in blood and bodily fluids all the time, sometimes copious amounts.  It is comforting to have a protective barrier between these infectious liquids and your feet.

The Cobra’s tread was effective on any surface.  Last night, we had a bomb call where an oil change shop found a device under a car.  After a local E.O.D. team had disabled the device, I went down into the oil change pit with the evidence technicians to find bits and pieces.

While standing directly on oil was predictably slick, moving on to other surfaces proved stable.  The composite sole of the Cobras did not appear to “hold” the oil.  Some boots remain greasy for a while after exposure to commercial kitchen floors or oily places like this garage.  The Cobras did not.

Another feature I liked in this boot was the added tread which wraps up the toe of the shoe.  This is valuable for a K9 handler’s standard duty of humping fences.  The raised toe aids by grabbing into chain-link fencing and gripping wood stockade slats.  I climbed quite a few fences on training tracks and the boots worked well.

The fit and finish of the boot was very good.  After a bit of torture, the boots are still in great condition.  This boot has improvements and refinements over previous Magnums, but remains a value.  Though the MSRP is higher, the Cobra 8.0 WPI can be found for about a hundred dollars retail.

I recommend these boots and I will be wearing them on my next shift.

Randall is a twenty-three year sworn police officer in a mid-sized Florida police department.  He has been an FTO, K9 Handler, Detective and SWAT Team Leader.  He is currently the Midnight Shift K9 Sergeant and department SWAT Coordinator

Magnum Cobra Boot Review

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