BlackHawk dove deeper into the L.E. market last year, with its well-developed line of police duty gear. The centerpiece of the line is the SERPA Level 3 Duty Holster. Weapon retention is ensured first by the precise molded interior dimensions of the holster, second, by a lock that engages the triggerguard, and third, by a patented thumb-activated Pivot Guard that covers the rear of the pistol’s slide.

This super-secure, but blindingly fast design holds an officer’s sidearm like a vise until released by index-finger pressure on the outboard side, and thumb pressure on the inboard. The motion is natural for the wearer, but almost impossible for an assailant to perform. Now, for 2007, that Level 3 security is available in a design that accommodates an attached tactical light — and BlackHawk has a new light perfect for that role!

Also introduced at SHOT Show was the Xiphos NT, a 3-watt rail-mounted pistol light with a “cam-clamp” for rapid placement on Picatinny and other rail-mount designs. The Xiphos features constant-on, momentary and the same disorienting “strobe” mode of the Gladius tactical light, plus a low-battery indicator.

The SERPA Light Bearing Duty Holster and Xiphos NT light are available separately or as a money-saving combination deal. For details, go to blackhawk.com.

Upgrade HWS

L-3 EOTech, makers of the famed HWS HOLOgraphic Weapon Sight, expanded its offerings for 2007 with a strikingly improved Model 557 HWS, with new reticles and both 3x and 4x magnifiers, which vastly extends the efficient working range of the original HWS design. To accommodate the magnifiers, the operating switches of the 557 have been moved to the side of the case, the front portion of which has been raised to provide clearance over standard handguards found on the M4 and M16 rifles.

Further matching the 557 to EOTech’s magnifiers, the reticle places four 1-MOA aiming dots inside the familiar, easy-orienting illuminated circle. Each dot is matched for .223 ammunition used at zero-to-300 meters, 400, 500 and 600 meters. Since the dots are holographic, they subtend a true 1 minute-of-angle at all ranges. Other reticle patterns available are matched to long-range performance of .308 and .50 BMG rounds.

The magnifiers mount behind the HWS and are rail-mounted using either a fixed, ARMS lever rapid-change mount, or EOTech’s FTS Flip-To-Side mount. Both 3x and 4x magnifiers can be retrofitted to all HWS models. All EOTech HOLOgraphic sights are passive, so they do not emit muzzle side-light signature to give away an operator’s position, and all models designated Military and Military/Tactical are compatible with night-vision equipment.

Get all the info at L-3com.com/eotech.

Eagle Seeks Dealers

Eagle Industries is a global supplier of tough, 100 percent made-in-the-USA nylon tactical gear for military users. Eagle is celebrating their 25th anniversary this year by seriously expanding its law enforcement line. John Carver, cofounder and CEO, announced the establishment of a separate Law Enforcement Division, headed by Ben Lenett.

“We’re in the process of developing new packaging. We’ve increased the marketing department from three to 10 people, and we’re looking for new dealers. We’re working on improved dealer support packages, point-of-purchase displays and cooperative advertising programs with our dealers. In short, we’re working hard on ways to help our dealers improve their sales,” Carver said.

At the scenes of emergency calls, when an officer bails out of the cruiser with a shotgun or patrol carbine, typically they have no handy way to carry extra magazines or 12-gauge rounds. Eagle listened, and responded with two new grab-and-run bandoleer systems, the Patrol Bandoleer M4, and the Shotgun Patrol Bandoleer. They are both far more than “bandoleers.”

The first provides secure but easy access to four M4 or M16 magazines, plus two pistol magazines, and can be thrown over the shoulder, strapped to the waist belt or worn as a chest rig. The second holds 12 shotgun rounds in elastic loops, plus two pistol mags, and offers the same one-size-fits-all adjustable straps and carry options as the Patrol Bandoleer M4.

Another hot L.E. seller is the Eagle MOLLE Chest Rig, which holds three M4/M16 magazines on a MOLLE-webbed surface that accommodates any number of Eagle’s accessory pouches for radios, lights, OC sprays and more. Comfortable shoulder straps and adjustable backstraps allow for extended wear at critical-incident scenes.

See these and other great sellers at eagleindustries.com. Click “Dealer Info” to get on board.

Racy Glocks

Just imagine being able to fit a Glock slide on a stainless 1911 frame or on an alloy SIG frame, and add variously sized, changeable rear-grip strap inserts. Essentially, that’s CCF Raceframes, displayed at this year’s SHOT Show.

Under the banner, “Taking PERFECTION To The Next Level,” the company claims superior muzzle control, enhanced accuracy and vastly improved ergonomics compared to “stock” Glock pistols. The frames, offered in aluminum, stainless steel and titanium alloys, have rounded rather than squared-off triggerguards, and all sport Picatinny rails for mounting accessories.

Although several police departments are evaluating samples and CCF Raceframes have appeared in American COP, our sister publication, dealers who stopped by tended to stare quizzically. Then they picked up one of the frames and smiled.
Art Ong, the owner of Hawaii’s largest supplier of firearms and accessories, Magnum Firearms & Range in Honolulu, knew exactly what he was looking at, and he was seeing sales written all over those frames.

“Cosmetically, ergonomically and mechanically, I think they are a real improvement,” Ong said. “The CCF frames fit a smaller hand — or a larger hand under stress — much better than the Glock frame, and the Glock lacks adjustability. With Raceframes’ grip inserts, I can literally fit the frame to a shooter’s hand. The trigger is shorter — a good thing — and it’s also cleaner and more crisp. Overall, I think it’s more naturally pointable. It’s a winner.”

Visit ccfraceframes.com.

And finally, here’s the Shooting Industry SHOT Show “Staff Selection” — the product and maker our own staff snoopers agreed has a bright future in the L.E. market: Warren Tactical Series Handgun Sights.

How much can you learn about handgun sights over 20-plus years of high-profile law-enforcement experience, including 15 years assigned to a Hostage Rescue Team and 12 years as a lead firearms instructor? What about 22 years of competitive shooting, highlighted by five IDPA national championships? That is a thumbnail sketch of Scott Warren’s background, and now he’s making sights that reflect lessons learned on the streets, in matches and on L.E. training ranges.

Our SHOT staff caught Warren, who, with a bagful of his goods, met with handgun makers and distributors. He was interrogated, relieved of some samples and released with a warning: “We’re going to make you famous — maybe.”

Warren has firm beliefs about the function of sights, most notably that rear sights should be as clean and crisp as possible, free of serrations, odd angles and undercuts or anything else that interferes with directing the shooter’s eye to a bold, clear front sight. His sights also feature case hardening for strength and toughness, and concealed-carry friendly anti-snag profiles. Offered are all-steel standard sights and night sights incorporating Trijicon tritium lamps. There are Warren Tactical Series sights to fit most popular “working pistols.”

Warren’s friend and co-competitor Dave Sevigny has made his own modifications to Warren’s basic design, and those models are offered as Sevigny Competition and Sevigny Carry sights.

Suggested retail prices are very competitive, too, ranging from $59 for plain versions, two-lamp Tritiums for $100, and three-lamp sights for $109. Wholesale rates are 35 to 40 percent below retail depending on numbers ordered. Warren’s sights are tough, clear, good-to-go gear.

For more info, visit warrentacticalseries.com, or e-mail sights@warrentactical.com.