In this issue

As we approach the end of yet another tough year the team at PMCI are as always looking forward and continue to embrace the armed lifestyle that we all hold so dear!
In this issue we look to both the past, with an excellent interview with Robert Redfeather on “Apache Knifefighting” and get on the range with the venerable Uzi, and to the future as we tackle red dot handgun sights and some of the very latest training tools to hit the market.
Along with our usual focus-points on “guns n’ gear” and some serious attitude, PMCI is ready to evolve further and we're fully prepped to hit the New Year ahead!

GEAR ON TEST

If you’re training, on the range, or indeed in need of a fine partner to carry all your EDC items, then sometimes a small pack can be the answer! We’ve been trying out the latest version of one of our favourite designs, and find that it still meets our needs as well as ever.

8 mins

FIVE YEARS STRONG!

AT PMCI WE PREFER TO CONCENTRATE ON BRINGING YOU THE MOST INSIGHTFUL AND VALUABLE INFORMATION WE CAN IN EACH AND EVERY ISSUE, CONCENTRATING ON PRODUCTS AND PROVIDERS THAT WILL GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO TRAIN AND PLAN EFFECTIVELY RATHER THAN BLOWING OUR OWN TRUMPETS! HOWEVER, WE’VE JUST REACHED A MILESTONE THAT WE FEEL IT’S RIGHT TO SHOUT ABOUT, AS THE EDITORIAL TEAM HITS THE FIVE YEAR MARK! BILL AND TRAMPAS GIVE THEIR THOUGHTS ON THOSE FIVE YEARS, AND WHERE THEY’RE HEADING NEXT…

7 mins

Spotting Danger With Gary Quesenberry

Over the course of the past twenty years, trampas has worked in and around law enforcement on the local, state, and federal levels through various task forces before transitioning to the firearms and training industries. His travels have led him around the usa to meet some amazing people and learn many valuable lifesaving skills. Of these skills, one of the most important to learn and pass along to family, friends and students is that of situational awareness. So important in fact, pmci decided to invite a special subject matter expert to join us and discuss his new book on the topic! - ts.

10+ mins

RUGER-57

Late December of 2019, Ruger Firearms threw the gun industry for a loop by announcing a new semi-auto pistol chambered in 5.7x28mm aptly named the Ruger-57. This nearly 30-year-old cartridge, commonly perceived to be pertinent only to a niche market, was suddenly, the main topic of conversation! -TS

8 mins

KIT: TACTICAL FLEECES

Although they are nothing new, one of the most overlooked bits of kit in our “tactical wardrobe” is the fleece, but it’s actually one of the most versatile garments that you can own, both for training and for general use! As we head into the colder months of the year Bill takes a look at some of the models he’s been using and abusing and brings us the benefit of his years of use and technical garment knowledge!

7 mins

MICROTECH SCARAB

In the knife community, there is perhaps nothing more captivating than the “SWWWICK” sound of an automatic knife. Whether it’s the classic linage of the stiletto switchblade from our favorite gangster movies or if it’s the mystique of being banned in several states, the automatic knife remains on the top of every blade fan’s “must have list”. -TS

10 mins

ATTACKSENSE UPDATE – PEER TO PEER TRAINING

If you’re a regular reader of PMCI then you’ll know that some of the contributors, especially those in the UK where access to live fire training is limited, have been making good use of their “6mm” tools to keep their skills and drills up to date with the AttackSense Smart target System, and now it looks like things are getting even more interesting with live peer to peer “ranking data” available! -BT

6 mins

CONSOLE VAULT

AS AN AVID PRACTITIONER OF LEGALLY CARRYING A CONCEALED FIREARM EVERY DAY AND TEACHING OTHERS TO DO THE SAME THROUGH THE TRAINING COURSES OUR COMPANY OFFERS, TRAMPAS IS CONSTANTLY AWARE OF AREAS IN WHICH HE CANNOT POSSESS A FIREARM, AND LOOKS TO FIND A SOLUTION FOR THOSE MOMENTS WHEN HE NEEDS TO SECURE HIS “TOOLS” WHEN MOBILE. - TS

4 mins

CHANGING THE TRAINING DYNAMIC WITH THE REALISTIC TARGET COMPANY

Throughout my law enforcement career, the standard training for our department, as with many agencies across our state, consisted of a static range with a solid color (black, blue, or green) human silhouette known as a B-27 target. It was only during my regular training as part of the SWAT team away from the patrol, upper brass, and investigations personnel in which things were a bit more “dynamic”.

3 mins

SKILLS & DRILLS

With our good friend and valued PMCI contributor Andy N fully back in the fold, he shares the experience he has gained both in the UK military and “on the circuit” as he continues with his usual wry take on the “Skills and Drills” that are invaluable to any shooter!!!

4 mins

6MM TRAINING – SAFE TRAINING WITH GLOCK

Even when it comes to “6mm Training” there are moments when only “the real thing” will do, and although there are many pistols out there that will do the job, when it comes to training with a Glock, why not just train with a Glock? Bill gets hands on with a righteous 6mm replica in the form of the officially licenced Glock 17 Gen 4 from Umarex. -BT-

9 mins

VORTEX OPTICS: UH-1 GEN II HOLOGRAPHIC SIGHT

As former military and law enforcement operators, now professional firearms instructors, some of the PMCI staff are often asked about their personal choices in products such as rifles, everyday carry pistols and optics. A hot topic lately comes in the form of personal choice in “Urban Rifle” optics. -TS-

7 mins

IT'S A GREEN WORLD!

Gear recommendations are all very well, but gear that’s been worn, tried, tested, and downright abused and comes back kicking and screaming for more certainly deserves a mention! In many of his pictures you’ll often see Bill in just simple, plain green, and his ongoing search for his perfect “green gear” continues, and he updates us now with his latest additions!

10+ mins

SKILLS & DRILLS

After a short hiatus we are pleased to announce the return of our good friend and valued PMCI contributor Andy N who shares the experience he has gained both in the UK military and “on the circuit” as he recommences with his usual wry take on the “Skills and Drills” that are invaluable to any shooter!!

6 mins

POLISH RANGE GEAR, GOOD TO GO!

WHILST COVID-19 CONTINUES TO RAVAGE THE WORLD, IN MANY AREAS RANGES ARE REOPENING AND SHOOTERS ARE GETTING BACK TO THE BUSINESS OF TRAINING, AND FROM WHAT WE HEAR EVEN THOSE THAT ARE “LOCKED DOWN” ARE STILL HONING THE TOOLS IN THEIR “TACTICAL TOOLBOXES”! AS THE RANGE BECKONS AGAIN, BILL TAKES A CLOSE LOOK AT SOME NEW GEAR FROM OUR FRIENDS AT HELIKON-TEX THAT’S BOUND TO PLEASE SHOOTERS ANYWHERE. -BT-

8 mins

SPARTAN BLADES: RONIN SHINTO

By now, many of our readers are aware of the knife company elite professionals around the world are using, Spartan Blades, and their new venture joining forces with Ka-Bar to create Pineland Cutlery. Our reviews of their top-notch products over the years have introduced thousands of private contractors, military personnel, law enforcement and civilians alike to this company and their “built with intent” knives. -TS

7 mins

THE LEATHERMAN MUT

Leatherman has been a staple in my family for as long as I can remember. My father always had a standard Wave model on his hip he would flip open at a moment’s notice. After serving his time in the US Air Force, then later as Daytona Police Department, he honed his craft as a computer security specialist. Both on the job and at home, every tool on his Leatherman was put to use. I would join the Air Force as well, signing on with Security Forces and while at my first duty station I acquired my own, the Leatherman Mut, specifically. -JM-

5 mins

SIG- SAUER P320 / M17

My fascination with firearms started as a byproduct of my love of history, specifically military history. One of the first firearms I owned was a Colt 1911A1. Yep, I started as one of those guys. Heck, I think most of us that grew up in the ‘80s watching the old black and white World War II movies, like “The Longest Day” about the allied invasion on D-Day, wanted one of those pistols! -CS-

6 mins

MAGPUL TERRAIN EYEWEAR

PMCI is very pleased this time to welcome our good friend and fellow writer Varg Freeborn as a Guest Contributor; Varg is probably best known as a trainer and for his book “Violence of Mind”, but it turns out he’s also a pretty cool reviewer of the gear weall need too!

3 mins

MAGNUM SCORPION DESERT TAN

As far as boots go.... Magnum has always been present in my adult life. Ever since joining the Royal Navy and being issued the basic leather High Leg Combat Boots (HLCB’s), I noticed several individuals wore lightweight black Magnum boots, one of whom was the Petty Officer in charge of my section.

3 mins

ENDOSNAKE BORESCOPE: THE NEXT GENERATION OF GUN CLEANING

A true hallmark of a warrior from any time is in how they prepare and maintain their weapons for battle. The samurai of Japan, for example, were known for their ceremonial cleaning and preparation of their swords for battle. In our modern age of firearms, every Law Enforcement officer and military service member learns early on in basic training to regularly maintain and inspect their rifles, shotguns, and handguns for duty. It is not only good practice but has always seemed to be integrated into the warrior’s universal code. -TS-

5 mins

TRAINING SIGHTS

When learning the basics of firearms training, two key fundamentals of shooting any firearm are sight alignment and sight picture. Sight alignment is defined as the relation of the front sight to the rear sight in line with your eyesight in order to shoot straight at your intended target. Optimally, your alignment will have equal height across the top plane of the sights and equal spacing of light on each side of the front sight when looking through the rear. Sight picture is commonly defined as the relation of sight alignment with the intended target. -TS-

7 mins

SKALLYWAG TACTICAL: D2 DAGGER

Our world is amazingly full of rich culture, beauty and light, but for many armed professionals, we know all too well there is a dark side as well. One in which evil lurks at any moment to pounce and effectively change the world as we personally know it. When we prepare for a mission, whether it’s in daily life or occupational assignment, we load out for the dangers we expect to face.

5 mins

SIG LEGION XFIVE P320

For decades now, SIG Sauer has been known to Military and Law Enforcement communities as the “professional’s choice”. Due to the company’s reputation for rugged, high quality firearms, everyone from local police departments to elite units such as SEAL teams have employed them to face evil at all threat levels. -TS-

8 mins

READY TACTICAL SLING

Firearms training and tactics are an ever-evolving series of techniques as is the gear that goes along with it. Few people outside of administrative personnel fully understand the cost and time that goes into every time a unit or department changes equipment. There is not only the cost of the equipment itself but the cost of training or retraining the end user, often compensating them for their time or having to work around their schedules for availability. -TS

9 mins

HELIKON-TEX NEW DIRECTIONS FOR 2020

At SHOT in January one of the more exciting meetings of the week for the entire PMCI review team was a chance to get together with the folks from Helikon-Tex. International readers may already be familiar with the name, and this Polish manufacturer of tactical gear and clothing has been on our team radar from some considerable time! The PMCI crew have been evaluating their latest garments and designs and now report back.

7 mins

RAVEN 6MM GBB PISTOLS FOR TRAINING

I was very pleasantly surprised late in 2017 when I was introduced to the pre-production versions of the new RAVEN “6MM” GBB pistols and I’ve been using one of the 1911-style models ever since in my personal home training regime, way before “6mm Training” even became a buzz! Since then the marque has moved ever-onwards offering a mind-bending array of models to choose from.

8 mins

ELEVATED SILENCE EOSXL .22

In the tactical world, operators are used to hearing common calibers mentioned such as 5.56, 7.62, .338 Lapua and even .50 BMG but what about .22 LR? Yes, you read that correctly, .22 LR. Is there a time and place in the modern realm of tactical operations? In my humble opinion, from both personal experience and in-depth research working with one of the top suppressor manufacturers in the country, the answer is YES! More specifically, yes, if the right tool is used for the right job.

9 mins

GEAR ON TEST

HELIKON-TEX PILGRIM ANORAK AND PANT In my musings on training and especially “situational awareness” in this issue sometimes I need to apply that same advice to myself and not get tunnel-vision when I’m looking at my own gear locker! I work pretty closely with the guys at Helikon-Tex in Poland and our conversations tend to be about gear for range and operational use, but amongst their other lines are some real gems!

7 mins

DESIGNATED TRAINING GUNS

WHEN IT COMES TO FIREARMS TRAINING, MANY OF US DEDICATED TO THE DISCIPLINE WILL SPEND HOURS ON THE RANGE SENDING HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF ROUNDS DOWN RANGE EACH MONTH. SADLY, IT IS A HARD FACT THAT MOST WILL NOT SPEND JUST AS MUCH TIME OFF THE RANGE HANDLING OUR FIREARMS, WORKING ON BASIC FUNDAMENTALS SUCH AS DRY FIRING OR MORE ADVANCED TECHNIQUES SUCH AS MOVEMENT OR WEAPON RETENTION DRILLS. ONE OF THE PRIMARY EXCUSES FOR NOT DOING SO IS SAFETY.

9 mins

Read all stories from Private Military Contractor International

Private Military Contractor International Magazine Description:

Private Military Contractor International is the first publication dedicated to PMC operatives.
Available only as a digital magazine PMCI includes news, reviews and general interest articles written by past or current military and PMC personnel .
All our writers are experienced individuals with an in-depth knowledge of their subjects.
The magazine also includes lifestyle and recruitment sections, plus welfare and home-life articles - and best of all, it is FREE!