Producr Review: ABArms Forward Guard

Being that Masada Tactical is involved with training so many tactical units and security professionals, we often times are asked to review various products for different manufacturers of tactical equipment.

Typically we will receive the item and over a period of roughly 30 days will put it through its paces to see what it does, how it performs under some more strenuous conditions, and then we write a report about it for the manufacturing company.

Although typically these items are tactical in nature, we know many of our members are police officers, military personnel, or otherwise involved in security operations, and as such we thought you may also benefit from these reviews.

The first one we will share with you is our most recent one.  This review is for an AR-15/M-4 forward hand guards.  For those who don't know, the forward hand guards are the pieces that cover the barrel of the rifle, typically from action to the front sight.  These guards allow the shooters to hold on to the rifle without risk of burning themselves.

The guards we got to test are made by AB-Arms.  AB stands for American Built (http://www.abarms.com/). AB-Arms is an American company located in Glen Rock, PA.  This company manufactures several accessories for AR-15/M-4 rifles, with its latest addition being this new Forward Hand Guard.

Traditionally hand guards are divided into two types: the old fashion round style made of plastic or aluminum, or what is referred to as a "Quad-Rail" due to the rails on every side (top, bottom, left and right).  The round guards are not the most comfortable ones, and one cannot attach any accessories (lights, optics and alike) to it.  The quad rails are even worse in terms of comfort because of the rail, although one can attach various accessories to the multiple rails.  Needless to say, neither style was ever very comfortable and most shooters ended up adding a vertical grip to the guard just so they don't have to hold on to it.

Round Guards:

Quad Rails:

This is where AB-Arms came in with a unique new ergonomic design.

The shape of this new innovative forward hand guard allows the shooter to hold a comfortable surface, while still allowing for control due to the front end angle - pushing against that salnted front end allows the shooter to maintain a firm grip without fear of slipping.  The rail on the top allows for various accessories to be attached, and the ports on either side act as openings for heat to escape and as anchors for additional picatiny rails if one chooses to put those on.

Installation of the new guards was also easy.  No tools are required as there no screws on the guards.  once inserted around the barrel they just latch together.  The guards have heat shields inside of them which further assist in keeping them cool, even when firing thousands of rounds. 

It is important to note that if the rifle's barrel is floated a tad more work is needed in removing the muzzle flash suppressor and reinstalling the original parts.

After installing I took the rifle with its new guard to the range.  It handled beautifully.  It was comfortable, it remained cool, and the texture on the bottom of the guards, under normal conditions retained its gripping abilities.  We shot the rifle from various angles, supported and un-supported, and in tactical scenarios.  The guards felt comfortable throughout.

Overall, I liked these guards.  They are a fresh change from the old format, tactically functional and ergonomically accurate.  If you own an AR-15/M-4 platform rifle you may want to check these out.  Masada Tactical will be carrying these in our pro-shop in the very near future.

Stay Safe!

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical, LLC
http://www.masadatactical.com/

Scenario Based Training

Scenario-Based-Training, or Reality-Based-Training, has been the rage for a while now in defensive tactics and self-defense training.  What the term implies is that training should be taken out of the old mindset of a "dojo environment" and applied in true situations.  The goal is to simulate the stress associated with true violent encounters, either by means of physiological stress or environmental depiction of where such an encounter may take place.

There are many individuals and organizations who took great strides in making Scenario/Reality Based Training better.  Some notable names include Semunition who make marking rounds that enhance the reality of firearms training, others, such as Red-Man and Blaur (High Gear) make protective suits that can be worn to allow individuals to engage in a more violent, and therefore real fight without risking injuries.  Programs are offered by many organizations who promote their courses as "street oriented", and by doing so shy away from traditional martial arts and more towards skills that are better suited for a true violent encounter.

We must understand, traditional martial arts have been around for hundreds if not thousands of years.  It served human kind well.  Wars were fought and won using these skills.  However, there are a few issues with traditional approach to battle: 

• Some skills were developed many ages ago and have not evolved since.  Unfortunately, the threats today, with the proliferation of firearms, concealable weapons, and gang/group mentality differ greatly from the samurai way of battle.
• martial arts is traditionally taught and practiced in a training hall, or "Dojo".  However, fights rarely take place in a controlled environment, where the temperature is just right, the floors are matted, and the training partner is careful to not hurt you while practicing a skill.
• And of course, the scenarios are limited or non-existent.  When was the last time you walked into a traditional martial arts school to find them training in how to defend against multiple attackers, while on stairs or in a parking lot, practicing ground fighting skills on actual pavement, incorporating training weapons, and most importantly: using vulgar language and demeanor as are likely to be exhibited on the streets?

Now, don't get me wrong.  Those of you who know me know that my background is traditional at heart.  I was brought up learning what I consider one of the original Mixed-Martial-Arts (at the time it was referred to as "Combined Martial Arts") with Skornik Israeli Combat.  And although progressive in its approach (combining skills from various disciplines, as well as weapon disarms), we still wore Gis (the traditional martial arts attire) and practiced katas.  I also trained in Judo and Hapkido.  Loved them all.  But the truth is that it wasn't until I enlisted that I realized that martial arts are one thing and practical combat is another.

Israeli Combat System is a progressive system.  We teach skills that are designed to work in true self-defense situations.  There is nothing pretty about it.  No fancy kicks, or flashy moves.  What we do have are skills that work.  And most importantly, skills that work under true extremely stressful situations.  And I am not just saying that, we do our  hardest to drive this point home with our members and client agencies.

We make every class a scenario based class.  It may be something as small as fatigue drills to assure that the skills can still be preformed when fine motor skills are lost.  But more often then not, we incorporate a lot more into our training.  We practice our ground fighting skills on the unforgiving surface of our paved parking lot.  We fight bare knuckles to learn what it's like to hit and get hit.  We fight on stairs, between cars, and place a heavy emphasis on the psychology of an attack.

And we are not making things up.  Our knowledge is rooted in experience.  Often times experience that was a hard lesson to learn.  Our cadre of instructors are former military, present law-enforcement officers, or fighters who earned their stripes the hard way.  If they say that stress will induce a certain reaction it is because they have seen it, done it, and learned from it.

For those who don't know we hold a weekly FIGHT class.  It is not a sparring class.  We do not meet for an hour with the idea that we'll go for 2 minute sparring matches wearing gloves and protective gear.  Sometimes we do, but that is not the norm.  Our FIGHT classes are divided into two categories: skills and scenarios.  During skill classes we pick a situation and learn how to defend it, for example: take down defenses, kick defenses, and even specific weapon defenses.  But the best part is when it all comes together during our scenario classes.  In these classes you will fight on stairs, be locked in a tiny room and have to fight your way out, be placed in handicap positions to simulate injuries, fight from seated positions, or have to protect a loved one.  That is when skills truly get tested.  After all, why learn self-defense if you can't test your skills in the scenario in which they are supposed to be deployed?

Our FIGHT class is every Tuesday evening at 6pm.  It is open to all members Orange level or higher and all sworn officers regardless of level.

Add some of our reality-based seminars, such as street smart and our Urban SERE and you will see how reality-based-training is taken to a level rarely seen in other training facilities today.

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Masada Tactical, LLC
http://www.masadatactical.com/

Masada Tactical to carry knives at its pro-shop

Starting June 2011, Masada Tactical will begin carrying knives for sale at our pro-shop.

Over the past few months we have hosted several knife fighting classes/seminars, as well as instructor courses for Law-Enforcement.  And being that knives are not a restricted item, we decided to offer our members and guests the option to buy quality knives that fit their needs and budget.

Initially Masada Tactical will carry a selection of Cold Steel and CRKT Tactical Folding knives.  We chose these brands due to their high quality blades while maintaining reasonable prices.  Please note that special orders for other brands or models are always acceptable.

Masada Tactical has been able to purchase many knives at wholesale prices, making the retail cost to our members significantly lower than found anywhere else.

In addition, we will carry training knives for our members who take our knife  and stick fighting classes (offered on the second and forth Sunday of each month).  Owning their own training gear will allow our members to care for their equipment and train on their own time as well.

As we move ahead with the initial order, I wanted to post this list of attributes people considering to purchase a knife should account for:

1. What would the application, or perceived use of knife would be?  Will it be used for survival (think Rambo)? Will it be used as a tool when hunting?  Is it mainly used as an everyday tool to open boxes and envelopes?  Or possibly, as a back-up weapon for self-defense?  Each application requires a different blade type, shape, size, etc.
2. Weather consideration: if you is living in an area with humid climate, or by a sea-shore, it is imperative that the blade is made of steel that is resistant to such corroding elements.
3. Steel quality: the saying that you get what you pay for is definitely true in this case.  Better steel used for the blade, the better the chances it will maintain it's sharp edge and shape.
4. If the knife will be used for combat one should avoid a serrated edge.  Serration tends to get stuck on bones and organs.  Serration has its value when the main use of the knife is for cutting ropes, branches, etc.
5. Blade style should also be a consideration.  Different blades serve different purposes.
6. The length of the blades is also important, for both functionality and comfort of carry.  As a general rule, a folding knife should have a blade of 3-5 inches, and a fixed blade knife should have a blade of 5-7 inches.
7. Make sure a guard exists between the handle and the blade.  Too many knives overlook that aspect which increases the chance of injury in case of slippage.
8. If you decide on carrying a folding knife pay close attention to the opening/closing mechanism.  Do you feel comfortable with it?  Is there a safety that you should know about?  Did yo practice opening the knife under stress?

These are just a few of the many variables we took into consideration when deciding on what knives to purchase and offer our members.

For a list of exact models, specifications, prices, and to pre-order please contact BK.

Stay safe!

Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
Owner, Chief Instructor
http://www.masadatactical.com/

Urban S.E.R.E recap

Oh, what a day it was.  I must be honest, as the time for the seminar approached I got more and more excited, and at the end of the day this special event has exceeded all of my expectations.

I must begin by thanking Steve for raising the idea of holding such a class.  Traditionally S.E.R.E. (Survival, Escape, Resistance, and Evasion) classes are military or para-military in nature and skills that are kept close to the heart.  After-all, if the enemy knows that we know how to counter their methods they will be forced to correct for that, hence eliminating our seemingly un-noticed advantage.

However, we realized that in today's society knowing these skills in imperative, even for the common citizen.  With Mexican cartels hijacking American citizens, with home invasions and captivity on the rise, it was just another tool that we can offer our members.  And with our members' self-protection in mind we designed a class that no other school offers.

The class began with "torture".  Unknown to our participants, psychological warfare has began.  The environment has been made harsh, and the mind games started.  The initial portion included lecture on general safety tips, street survival, travel safety, and psychology of an assailant.

Following the lectures were practical lessons on how to escape restraints of various kinds, such as handcuffs, zip-ties, duct tape and more.

These lessons were followed by practical exercises.  Bound and blinded we took the participants, now captives in a faraway land, through series of "torture", stuffed them in trunks of vehicles, and forced them to implement the skills they learned.

The final exercises included a list of tasks to be completed out on the streets of Pikesville while our cadre of instructors hunts them down. 

I am not sure that the word "fun" in the first to come to mind.  There was some pain, and a lot of discomfort, but ultimately the group of participants did an unbelievable job, and even organized a coup against the captives.

It is only fitting that as our members were completing their first S.E.R.E. class, the number one most wanted terrorist in the world was shot and killed by U.S. Navy SEALs (DevGru, team 6).

Look forward for another one of this unique classes next year.

As always, stay safe.
Tzviel 'BK' Blankchtein
www.MasadaTactical.com