 Springfield’s XD pistol has made quite a name for its self since its entrance into the market a few years ago. The original design can be attributed to a Croatian 9mm pistol created during the post Cold War era. Not many people took notice of it until Springfield acquired the design made some changes and re-designated it the XD. Soon after the XD began to come in various calibers and is now available in 9mm, .40 S&W, and .45 ACP. The XD has boasted many things over the years including the fact that it has gotten many Law Enforcement agencies to give up their Glocks and go to the XD.
Recently the XD line has gotten some new improvements and changes. This also leads to a new designation and so enters the XDm series. Now what does the “m” stand for? It depends on who you ask but the best answer that I have heard so far is match, which according to those who shoot it on a regular basis is the best description for the gun. This is new XDm model is also available in the above three mentioned calibers as well. |
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 One of the constant and on going debates with in the Tactical Medical community is how do you provide medical care to a team member that you cannot get to. The simple answer is you cant since you are not there with the team member. I have heard this over and over again and I respectfully disagree. If you have done your job as a Tactical Medical provider for your team then your team should have received several things that would allow you to do this. One is current and on going first aid training and hands on simulation, simulating if they are down, hurt and separated from the team. This should also include you being able to see them and talk them through lifesaving treatment on the radio. This should be practiced over and over again so the situation if and when it arrises is not new to either side and can be delt with accordingly with minimal time loss.
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 As humans we have a desire for information at our finger tips. A result of this and our advances in technology we have managed to shrink the world and make it smaller so to speak. Despite this however the world is still a big place and many areas are still in hospitable for us. Sometimes this is because of nature being what it is and other times it is of our own doing as humans. Those of us with less than normal jobs or just a sense of adventure and exploration seek these places out on a regular basis. I feel very safe in saying that one of the goals is to be able to travel to these places and bring back the information to share with the rest of our social network, job, or what have you. In order to do this you must make it back alive and in one piece. This is more of a challenge than it sounds like at times.
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 In the operational environments of today sometimes having “just a knife” is not enough. There are times and situations in which you need a little bit more. You may need a small wrench or screw driver, or perhaps a mini pry too. Try as we may a plain knife cannot accomplish all of this. We have all done it myself included, broken or bent knives trying to use them for things they were just not intended. I believe this inspired the first multi tools. Now almost every knife maker has their own version of the multi tool. |
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 Streamlight like many other flashlight companies has a reputation for great flashlights. Well what makes a great flashlight? The answer will vary depending on who you ask. It is my opinion that there is no perfect flashlight, only the perfect one for you. However the general factors that make a good one (aside from scuba lights) I have found are pretty standard. They have to be bright, though, at least water resistant, multi-function is preferable, and small. To get all of these features into a single light requires some out of the box thinking on the part of the manufacturer and design team. This is something that I have to say I have been very disappointed in until recently. |
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 For years there has been a quest for the perfect jungle bag. Unfortunately for those of us seeking this it does not exist yet. There are those bags that come close though. One of those is the Snugpak Jungle Bag. I have had the chance to try this bag out on a few occasions now and while I plan on doing more extended time testing I felt the need to put my initial opinion about it out there so to speak at this time. At this time I have tested this bag as a bivy over a sleeping bag
As I have tried different bags I have noticed that they have all struck me as being the same. They all seem to have the same features, same basic construction and materials just different names on the tags. My standards are more tough and strict than the “industry standards” and I would expect this to be true of anyone that has spent time in the field or other conditions. In typical Snugpak fashion they have been able to do this. So with that said it takes allot for me to feel like a manufacture has set itself apart from the rest. |
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 It is inevitable that the world changes. As the world changes so does political states, which in turn changes the face of combat. Combat in this country and outside of it is getting increasingly more dynamic and complicated. Criminals are now better trained (many by our own military), better armed, and increasingly more creative with their tactics. These changes demand that the weapons (the good guys use) change as well. Just a few of the requirements that new weapons must meet are lightweight, compact, easy to use, and also requires a new caliber bullet. This bullet needs to be effective but not overly effective like most standard rifle bullets. Thus enters FN Herstal’s FN P90 Submachine Gun and it seems to fit the bill to a “T”. |
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 Since the beginning of war itself delivering medical care even in its basic form to injured on the battlefield has been a challenge. As the face of war has changed so has the medical care. Medics can now provide life saving care to those wounded in a battle hundreds of miles from the nearest medical station, or even friendly territory. Combat medical care has undergone many changes and improvements in equipment and training. With these changes have come new challenges never thought of before, some have remained the same though. One of these universal challenges is how to get all your life saving equipment to those that need it on the battle field. Let’s face it sometimes you can’t land on the patient’s location with a helicopter or even drive up to them in any type of vehicle. Sometimes it has to be you on foot taking the care to the patient under fire and in the harshest conditions that man and nature can combine on a modern day battlefield. |
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 Let me start by saying that I have owned most of the top lights on the market. I have used the lights in everyday use, competition, to tactical scenarios. With that being said. I will tell you about a little known company that is working its way up in the LED flashlight market. Essential Gear also known as Egear. These guys have lights that look to take the market by storm, great design & durable. |
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