Maxpedition TacTiles

Maxpedition TacTiles are low-profile pouches with PALS webbing sewn all the way around. The idea is to offer additional storage options without losing any attachment points. TacTiles do this well.

They come in three different sizes  (small medium and large) and each size is offered in five colorways - Black, Khaki, OD Green, Foliage Green and ACU. Shown above are a large in OD, medium in Khaki and a small in Foliage. Let's look at each one...

Here we have a Small TacTile in Foliage Green (shown here with a Grimloc Carabiner; sold seperately). It measures approximately 4 inches high by 6 inches wide by 1.5 inches thick. When full, it's actually closer to two inches thick. It will hold an iPhone/iPod, Power Bars, small flashlight, batteries, multitool, etc. All three sizes have a have a zipered opening on top with two pulls made of 550 cord. Inside the main compartment there is a mesh slip pocket and a small loop of 550 for dummy cording (see photo of the large pouch below). It is also equipped with two D-rings for the attachment of a strap, if desired. The 1x5 inch piece of loop-side velcro is big enough for a nametape.

On the back are three rows of PALS webbing with the columns sewn wide to make centering the pouch easier. It is intended to be attached to the mating platform using TacTies, Malice Clips, etc. It can also be worn on a belt using ALICE clips; as shown above. It's not a very snug attachment, but it will work in a pinch. (I once read somewhere about how an ALICE clip can be disassembled and sharpened for use as a makeshift weapon - something to consider...). The pouch is also unobtrusive enough to just be carried by itself or clipped to a belt loop using a Tac Link carabiner. This is a great little pouch. I've used it attached to a MOLLE Vehicle Panel as a small "dump" pouch for my wallet, change and so on.

Next is a Medium TacTile in Khaki. It is Shown here with a Tac Link and a Mil-Spec Monkey Small Patch Panel (attached to the back). This one is my favorite of the three sizes. It measures 7 inches high by 6 inches wide by 1.5 inches thick. It's esentially the same as the small version, but three inches taller. This is a really useful size. As you can see, the MSM Patch panel fits perfectly. In the photo below, I have added a Maxpedition M-2 Waistpack and a strap, so it can be used as a stand-alone bag.

The TacTile is also very close in size to the Fatty Pocket Organizer, allowing them to be joined together to increase the Fatty's capacity -

This pouch also fits perfectly on the lower front pocket of the Falcon II Backpack or on the webbing side of the Baron Duffel Bag. Overall, another great pouch. Let's move on...

Shown here is the inside of the Large TacTile. All three sizes are the same on the inside. This one measures 8.5 inches wide by 6.5 inches high by 1.5 inches thick and is a perfect size for use as a stand-alone bag. Here it is with a strap and a Maxpedition Monkey Combat Admin Pouch attached to the front.

I really like the Monkey Combat Admin Pouch. We will take a closer look at it in a future post. If you don't mind a little extra bulk, this TacTile will fit on the bib portion of a chest rig/plate carrier, increasing your storage capacity without losing any MOLLE "real estate". And as we all know, PALS webbing is a good place to hook, clip, tie or hang just about anything.

As with all Maxpedition products, all three TacTiles are thoughtfully designed and built to last. The materials and construction are top-notch and backed by a limited lifetime warranty. You can't go wrong.

Semper Paratus.

Zombie Baby Wallpaper

When I had my website, studio3-d.com, trying to keep people from using my images without permission was a constant battle. Most people don't seem to care much about intellectual property rights. Pictures of the doll below were, by far, used the most. It drove me crazy.

 I realize now that I can't control it and that trying to do so is utterly futile. I also realize that these are very popular images and my being a prick about it doesn't serve anyone. So, in the spirit of Halloween, I decided to give one away.

This particular photo was taken with my iPhone. I uploaded the full resolution so you can scale it to fit your screen. I also put my blog address in the corner where it can be photoshopped out, if that's what you want to do. The doll's name is Halo. It has nothing to do with the game, it's a reference to the ring of nails around his head. Enjoy!

Semper Paratus

Free Zombie Target

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I do that sometimes. As a way to make it up to you, I have decided to make this zombie target available for free (just right-click it and save it to your computer):

I designed it to fit 11"x17" paper. If the image appears too big, try printing it at 80%. It took me a few tries to get it to look about actual size.

With Halloween coming up, I plan on posting more about zombies, props and that kind of stuff. 'Til then, Happy Hunting!

Semper Paratus

MOLLE Vehicle Panel

Here is a nifty item I picked up a few years ago from supplycaptain.com. It's genuine military contract overrun made by The Specialty Group, Inc. I've looked recently and this particular model doesn't appear to be available anymore. There are similar products available; like this one from Special Forces and this one from Original S.O.E.Gear. Smittybilt also has their G.E.A.R. line of MOLLE-compatible seat covers and vehicle accessories. It's nice to see some of the Military's better ideas making their way into the civilian arena. MOLLE is the shit. It bewilders me as to why the civilian marketplace hasn't caught onto it sooner.

This panel measures roughly 14 inches wide by 21 inches high. It attaches by means of 550 cord tied to the corners. It is intended to be tied to the back of the seat, but I use it on the front of the seat back since my car doesn't have a console. If I have a passenger, I can just untie the panel and toss it in the back. 

There is a total of nine rows of PALS webbing, with the top three rows having nine channels and the bottom six rows having six channels. The dump pouch is permanently attached. There is also a large slip pocket which closes with hook and loop. It is big enough to accomodate a few 8.5x11 spiral notebooks or magazines and catalogs or whatever.

As you can see, the dump pouch will easily hold a 1 liter Nalgene bottle or at least six 30 round M4 mags. The Maxpedition Fatty will also fit in there. I have added a Maxpedition Small TacTile and a Grimloc carabiner. Note also that a 12 inch crowbar fits nicely.

Here is a closer view with a Pentagon MOLLE Light and a pair of Blackhawk SOLAG gloves (the best gloves I've ever owned!)

Another configuration:

That's a USGI patch panel with a six round shotgun shell panel stuck to it, a Maxpedition Universal Flashlight/Baton Sheath, the Small TacTile and a Condor 4x 30rd mag pouch.
The possibilities are endless. This is one of the handiest pieces of gear I own. It greatly increases your car's storage capabilities and puts needed items within easy reach. Highly recommended.

Semper Paratus

New Headgear

I want to show off something I got from my friends over at Grit Magazine.

Pretty fine looking hat. 100% cotton, one size fits all. Here's our friend Rotten Ronnie trying it on:

If you want one of your own, you can follow the link above to get to Grit's store. Grit is a bi-monthly magazine dedicated to small farming and country lifestyle. It's been around since 1882. Lots of good stuff there.

Semper Paratus

Rotten Ronnie, Zombie Supermodel

I wanted to take a minute to introduce "someone". This is Rotten Ronnie. He is a life-size zombie prop I made a few years ago:

He is made of cotton and latex over a plastic skull model. His arms are made the same way over fake skeleton arms. The body is just a wood frame covered with plastic and stuffed with plastic shopping bags. His legs are just 2x2 boards with 1x4 feet. He will stand up on his own, but doesn't do much else.

Here he is last Halloween as a butcher:

I might be using Ronnie once in a while to model clothes and stuff for me. Look for him in future posts!

Semper Paratus

RK Shows Gun Show; Overland Park, KS; July 7-8, 2012

 R.K. Shows, Inc. hosted a gun show at the Overland Park Trade Center at 115th and Metcalf this past weekend. In a way, if you've seen one gun show, you've seen them all, but this was one of the better ones I've seen at this location in quite a while. There were many vendors and lots of people in attendance.

And of course, there was a ton of cool stuff to look at.

This is a Browning M1919 machine gun. It could be yours.

For those interested in melee-style zombie weapons, the choices were many; such as these Cold Steel machetes and tomahawks.

I have a Cold Steel Kukri Machete like the one in the upper right of the top photo (next to the blue thing). It's an awesome yardwork tool. I will post  a review of it soon.

This is the Mossberg 500 Chainsaw ZMB. 12ga 3 inch, 6+1 capacity, it comes with a chainsaw-style foregrip, agressive muzzle device and accessory rails.

AR15's and variants were in abundance. I found table after table of complete rifles, upper and lower receivers and many parts and accessories.

There were a lot of handguns, too...

This was a 55 caliber anti-tank gun that has been converted to .50 BMG;

This photo accidentally turned out kinda nice. I took all of these pics with my iPhone, so they are not quite up to my usual standards. That's 100 rounds for $325.

With more women getting into shooting, there are more color choices for accessories;

And by "more", I mean pink. Here is a plain-jane AR with pink furniture;

I liked this one; it's a Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22 with a custom pink tigerstripe paint job. Nice.

Back in the late 90's, I went into a trendy clothing store in Westport looking for something in pink camo for my daughter's birthday. They looked at me like I was crazy. They hadn't even heard of pink camo; and that was a fashion store! Who's crazy now? Here is a range bag in pink camo;

Speaking of bags; there were several vendors selling tactical nylon gear and gun cases. This booth had all kinds of tactical-looking gear at stupidly low prices. $35 for a Maxpedition Falcon II look-alike;

They also had some duffel bags for $40 that were big enough for me to fit inside. Like seriously. Let's load one of those to capacity and send it through typical airport baggage handling and see how long it lasts. You get what you pay for.

There was plenty of genuine military surplus for those who were looking for the real thing;

Along with guns and gear, flags and "subversive" literature are also available;

This table was all about The Duke;

Quantico Tactical is a relatively big retailer with five locations nationwide. I was happy to see them here.

Here are a few things they had;

An FN SCAR-16 in Flat Dark Earth (I'm really liking that color).

A Remington 870 Express in A-TACS camo (I like that pattern, too).

A case of pretty Trijicon scopes.

I'm not sure if this vendor really was a "one stop zombie defense supply shop", but the whole show certainly was. These were just a few of many zombie targets available.

Redneck and proud of it.

What Would Bubba Do? Probably drink a beer, shoot something and wait for the next gun show.
Semper Paratus

Mil-Spec Monkey Small Patch Panel and Shear Pouch

I recently acquired these two small pouches and I didn't know it at the time, but they solved a couple of minor issues I had with my Maxpedition Fatty Pocket Organizer. They are both designed by Mil-Spec Monkey in collaboration with Tactical Tailor and manufactured in the U.S.A. They are shown here with a pair of Mini EMT Shears, also from Mil-Spec Monkey.

The patch panel is constructed from 1000D nylon, while the shear pouch is made from 2 inch nylon webbing wit a piece of one-inch webbing for securing the shears. The front of the panel is covered with loop-side velcro. The backs have three rows of PALS webbing for attachment to any MOLLE-compatible surface. Both of these pouches come with color-matched Malice Clips (not shown). 

Unlike other patch panels, the MSM panel includes a zippered compartment for the storage of small, flat items. This greatly increases the usefulness of an otherwise limited product. Measuring approximately 6.25 inches wide by 4.25 inches high, it's big enough to hold an iPhone or other similar device; but doesn't offer much protection (more on that in a minute).

I wanted to include a few small first aid items in my EDC, but didn't have a pouch that was flat enough to suit my needs. I was using a 3x4" ziplock bag, but those aren't very durable. The Small Patch Panel works perfectly.

As mentioned in my post about the Fatty Pocket Organizer, the elastic loop in the middle of the pouch held my flashlight, but allowed it to rattle around and srape against the multitool. The Shear Pouch is intended to hold a pair of 7.5 inch EMT shears, but fits a Mini Maglite like it was made for it. The 1" webbing is long enough to secure the light, but it's not really necessary for my purposes, so I just folded it back and tucked it behind the PALS webbing.

I like to keep my phone in the front inside slip pocket of the Fatty, but was concerned that the front of the pouch is a single layer of fabric, which offers little protection from impact. The Small Patch Panel remedied this issue. It fits inside the pocket and adds almost a quarter inch of padding, plus the fuzzy surface of the velcro protects the face of the phone.

The Shear Pouch fits under the center elastic loop just right, securing the Maglite and preventing it from making direct contact with the multitool.

As a further enhancement to the Fatty, I gutted a piece of 550 cord and added it to the zipper pull on the right side. It helps a lot.

Overall, I am very happy with Mil-Spec Monkey's products. They are simple, well thought-out, affordable and very useful. It's a big bonus that they are made in the U.S.A.

Semper Paratus