Custom Gear Report

Had enough MREs to hold you over until the next millennium?

Recently, Dale at Wise Food Storage sent me a meal to try:  A dehydrated and freeze dried, 2 serving, Creamy chicken pasta.  Directions are simple, open, remove dry packet, add hot water and reseal.  In 12 minutes (plus 2 more to let it thicken up) you have a nice meal .

You might imagine that this is a standard backpacking meal.  I would agree. It was easy to make; and really quite tasty.  I will admit that when it is first poured from the package it seems more like a soup than pasta dish; let it stand for the 2 minutes like the directions say, and it thickens up.  It sure beat bricks of noodles with a little packet of bullion (you all know what I am talking about).

Wise Food Storage also handles larger orders and quantities of food, if you are trying to stock up for a major catastrophe, or feed the whole team.  Take a look at them.  They have good chow and will work with you to meet your needs.

It was delicious food, and actually enough for two meals.

Give Dale Kunkel a call (801-677-1067).

http://www.wisefoodstorage.com/

Ken Dood

The SWAT-Tourniquet is a fairly new piece of medical equipment and would make a great addition to an IFAK or larger sized First Aid Kit.  The best way to describe it is a very large I.V. tourniquet.  The name comes from directions for use; ‘Stretch-Wrap-And-Tuck Tourniquet’.  It measures about 3”x4”x1” in the package and unrolls to 4”x57.  Each SWAT-T comes with a pair of black Nitrile gloves and directions printed on the package as well as the actual bandage.

There are diamonds and ovals printed on the tourniquet that will distort to squares and circles if the band is stretched far/tight enough to serve as a tourniquet.  The secondary function of the bandage is as a pressure dressing if wrapped over gauze.  The SWAT-T can also be used as a sling or to immobilize a joint, much like you would use an ace wrap.

The SWAT-T is simple to use and, like the CAT, and can be applied one handed.  It has many advantages over the CAT, the biggest of which is the fact that the SWAT-T can be used to treat so many other injuries.  It is also much lighter than the CAT and, at under $10 for the tourniquet and about $20 for the MOLLE or belt carry, SWAT-T holder and tourniquet combo, it is much more economical.  The holder is available in most of the standard colors (Black, OD, ACU, Desert Tan and, Multicam).

The SWAT-T is available from a number of sources www.swattourniquet.com lists several links to dealers.

Ken Dood

Back in mid September we had a product announcement about the Zulu Mega Admin Pouch. We’ve just been informed by Zulu they have released an updated version of the pouch. The updates were based on user feedback from the field and include:

• Loop surface in place of the vinyl pocket so the user can swap out either a folding vinyl map sleeve that can fit paper up to 8.5×11 or other hook backed accessories available from various manufacturers.
• 2x D-rings placed inside the pouch and a webbing loop placed at the end of the GPS pocket flap for dummy cording.
• Now offering multiple colors: Coyote Brown, Multicam, and UCP

To adapt to the new loop surface area Zulu will be offering several panel variants specifically for the Mega Admin.

The pouch can be purchase here: http://zulunylongear.com/megaadmin.htm

The other day we briefly mentioned the Zulu Mega Admin Pouch in my brief rundown on Zulu Nylon Gear.

Joel the owner of Zulu sent me some more detail on the pouch and figured we’d do a product spotlight. Not having seen one in person myself I think Joel can describe it best.

This pouch is a mix between admin designs and larger GP pouches. It was designed with the intent to be used by the combat leader to carry admin gear. This could be anything from GPS/personal radio, pens, notebook, index cards, 9 line/etc cards, maps, photos, markers, small tools, etc. There are also elastic loops on the outside for two chemlights and one on the bottom for a tourniquet. The idea is that you mount in on your chest so that when you unzip it, the front lays out like a mini ‘desk,’ held up by an adjustable 550 cord drawstring. There is a clear vinyl map pocket that can be viewed ‘hands free’ so that you can reference info while operating a radio, etc.

The design also happens to work great as a general organizer. All the elastic loops and pockets are great for arranging smaller bits and electronics. You can mount it on your pack as a great way to keep all the small stuff easily accessible.

The pouch is MOLLE compatible, I’d recommend using 4 long MALICE clips to attach it. It measures about 9″ across and 6″ high. Depth varies on how much you have in it, but is generally around an inch.

Looks like a great piece of kit especially for combat leaders. Zulu incorporates many of the standard features one looks for in an admin pouch along with their own unique twist.

A couple other tactical gear related sites have already done hands on reviews, check out or friends comments at ITS Tactical and Mil Spec Monkey.

You can pick the pouch up direct from Zuly Nylon Gear’s website: http://zulunylongear.com/megaadmin.html

Pics provided by Zulu Nylon Gear.

Jerry, from Olongapo Outfitters has put together a very simple yet functional “Grab and Go” ammo bandolier. He’s made several different versions for everything from your traditional M4/M16 to an M1 Garand. Price Range is $40-$50 depending on configuration.

At initial glace this reminds me of a modern day version of a cartridge box or shot pouch and powder horn that would hang behind a minuteman’s door ready to be thrown over his shoulder on the way out of the house. Some more current applications might be by a soldier’s bed side, a patrolman’s trunk or behind the door of a prepared citizen.

Jerry is a Veteran of the USMC and served as an 0311, aka Infantry Rifleman for those of you not in the know. So it goes without saying he understands the quality needed for hard use tactical gear, as he has said to me “durability is key”. Jerry tells me he uses all mil-spec materials and construction techniques and stands behind his gear 100%.

If you are interested in contacting Olongapo Outfitters you can do so at the following email address jerryd1235[AT]gmail.com

He is putting a couple together for us to do a formal review but until then here are some pics.

[album: http://www.customgearreport.com/main/images/gryene/]