All posts tagged CCW jackets

Expanding our product line based upon customer feedback

Tru-Spec softshell jacketsWe are expanding our tactical clothing line towards Law Enforcement products in 2013.  We have a really good location for many of our police departments and it’s really all about logistics.   This year we have brought in some of the Tru-Spec Extreme Assault Suits which is something we really didn’t know about until we were asked to bring them in.  There are always slight functionality differences between these and other manufacturers that each department might want, but you never know until they ask for it, or walk in and ask us about them.  Having a shoulder or arm pocket that Law Enforcement can use when identifying a person or persons that have a warrant out for their arrest.

Fabric and materials really matter depending on the work you are doing.  We ran a promo on the Tru-Spec Softshell jackets this past fall and they were very popular with our customer base.  They are more useful and practical since they are a Fall and Spring jacket and give you a level of water resistance that other jackets don’t have.   Here in our parts of the Country we can get a  lot of rain in cold and warm temperatures and being able to adapt to whatever you wake up to in the morning means having a very diverse wardrobe.

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TruSpec Softshell promo has ended and it’s time to move to Winter Apparel

Several years ago our number on selling item was the Sig Tac jacket.   I have no idea whatever happened to the production of these jackets because they were widely accepted and nobody out there made something like it.  It was  a very nice jacket that looked like regular clothing but had large internal pockets for CCW.   We’ve seen several nice things from the Woolrich Elite line but many of their jackets had some short comings.   There was a Woolrich Elite Series Barn coat that looked nice but it really needed to be lined and was basically a dud product.   TruSpec has gained lots of ground in the industry an from what we see is only behind 5.11 tactical as far as market share in our territory.

TruSpecs name basically lives up to it’s quality control because the tactical pants have all been very consistent compared to other products like Blackhawk, Woolrich and Eotac.   We’ve had so many issues with 5.11 products that we avoid them unless we get special orders, the TruSpec jackets have also become broader in design with the new Soft shell jackets and the 3 in 1 jackets and parka are a staple with local law enforcement due to their features and designs.  Tru Spec does a good job with their winter outerwear but we have had several people say that the sizes run a little smaller.

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The New Tru Spec Soft shell jackets

We are several weeks into the Tru Spec Soft Shell jacket promo and many of our customers are first time Tru Spec customers.   We have been monitoring the tactical clothing industry for several years and one thing is for sure, Tru Spec is easily one of the Top 3 tactical clothing products.  The new soft shell promo has given us a new line of products to our inventory that are geared towards Law Enforcement.  The Tru Spec soft shell is a very versatile jacket and not too heavy to wear in the Spring when things might warm up.  The hard thing about living up here in the North Eastern part of the Country is that we get all 4 seasons and sometimes varying degrees of winter.   If you have a heavy winter jacket, there’s a good change you might not use it for a few years because you just might not need it.

This jacket in black which is style 2454 is our biggest seller followed by the multcam camo pattern.  Multicam Tru Spec Soft Shell jackets are made of a different material than the Tru Spec tactical pants so there will be a slight color variation.   One thing people forget is that different materials absorb colors differently and you will have a hard time looking perfectly matched.    We’ve seen it several times in here when customers buy pants, shirts and jackets and have mismatched camo.  From what our customers tell us these have a very good use in Fall and Spring but might be a little light to wear in the dead of winter.

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Climate changes and and carrying firearms

I’ve been carrying firearms for well over 2 decades and I’ve “been there done that” on most of the typical CCW mistakes.   There’s nothing like getting a nice winter jacket in the middle of the winter, carrying your Beretta 92FS while Christmas shopping using a Fobus or Blackhawk holster, and after 5 minutes of being there, realizing you’re going to sweat to death if you don’t take your jacket off but you can’t because you’re carrying in a paddle holster.   I learned that and realized that for the most part, I probable never would need a winter coat unless I was standing outside all day.   Modern synthetic materials are getting so good that fleece and wool are really going to be a thing of the past.  There trend is that body armor and armor plating will get thinner and lighter, it’s only a matter of time.

We’ve been watching the Vertx, Blackhawk and TruSpec product line for a long time and can see an obvious trend.  This Fall we are working on a TruSpec jackets and outwear promo and there are many cool things we can’t wait to see come in.  Vertx is kind of pricey but really good stuff, we’ve been happy with the Woolrich Elite outwear especially the Twill Jacket.  Unfortunately last year was a  bad year for outwear because of all of the warm weather.  From a retail standpoint, hopefully we get a Fall and Winter Season.

 

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Shoulder holsters being banned from Defensive training?

I first heard about this 3 years ago when I was taking a class, and I’m glad I didn’t bring my Uncle Mike’s vertical holster with me when I was taking the class, but it really wasn’t that style that was an issue.   Understandable so,  shoulder holsters, if not properly used, can be a hazzard to people behind the firing line, especially if it is a vertical rig.   Everyone seems to think of the Galco holster The Miami Classic when they think of that style of carry, but not all holsters are like that.   They look cool, but standing next to several people with that style of carry isn’t going to  be safe when everyone is holstering and un-holstering.

I do not think that shoulder holsters are less safe, and I personally think they are very practical for people that do a lot of driving, and it’s one of my favorite ways to carry a large size semi-auto.   Paddle holsters and OWB holsters are hard to draw from in the seat position and Bulldog holsters along with Uncle Mikes make very inexpensive holster rigs.  The Bulldog holsters have a double magazine pouch which gives you a little bit more weight distribution.   Shoulder holsters aren’t the best for CCW because the straps can ride up on you, but if you wear the appropriate clothing they can work.

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