Triple-Chaser Separating Canister CS Grenade

The Triple-Chaser separating canister CS grenade, manufactured by Defense Technology, is a fast burning, medium volume canister containing 3.2 ounces of CS. It consists of three separate canisters pressed together with separating charges between each section.

The grenade’s construction is robust and durable, capable of withstanding the rigors of field use and adverse environmental conditions. Its compact size and lightweight design make it easy to carry and deploy, ensuring quick and seamless integration into tactical operations.

To deploy the grenade, grasp the safety lever (commonly referred to as the spoon) in the web of the dominant hand. The non-dominant hand should be used to pull the safety pin. Throwing the grenade will release the safety lever and the striker will activate the M201A1 fuze. Shortly after, the grenade will separate into three sub-munitions spaced approximately twenty feet apart. This provides increased coverage area in a short period of time — from one deployment. Terrain and surface conditions can affect the distance of the separating sub-munitions.

To maximize its effectiveness, the grenade should be deployed using an underhand method, ensuring lateral movement towards the target area. This technique will assist in delivering the sub-canisters along a line, from left to right, well ahead of the grenadier. Its separating function and relatively quick burn time (twenty to thirty seconds) minimizes throwback potential. Taking advantage of wind direction during deployment further enhances the dispersal range and efficacy of the CS agent.

The effect of CS gas on individuals includes burning sensations, a heavy flow of tears, involuntary closure of the eyes, nasal discharge, coughing, and difficulty breathing.

This device is intended for outdoor deployment and may be hand deployed or launched. Launching of grenades provides additional stand-off distance. This munition should not be deployed onto rooftops, in confined spaces, or indoors due to the grenade’s fire-producing capabilities.

Disco32 U-94 – Kenwood 2-Pin PTT

The Disco32 U-94 – Kenwood 2-Pin push-to-talk (PTT) is a military-grade communication accessory designed to meet the rigorous demands of tactical operations. Constructed with a mil-spec Nexus U-94 push-to-talk device, this PTT boasts exceptional durability and reliability, making it the ideal choice for military headset users requiring seamless integration with radios featuring Kenwood K1 (2-Pin) connectors, encompassing models from Baofeng, Eartec, Kenwood, Olympia, Puxing, Quansheng, TYT, Weierwei, Wouxun, and many others.

Key features of the Disco32 U-94 include its water-resistant construction, all-black hardware, robust click switch, and a non-rotating retaining clip.

This device is available in high impedance (non-amplified) and low impedance (amplified) versions, ensuring seamless operation with a wide array of communication headsets equipped with U-174 down-leads and NATO wiring. The high impedance PTTs are normally compatible with civilian headsets (including clones of military-style headsets such as Armorwerx, Z-Tactical, Tac-9, TAC-SKY, etc.); the low impedance versions generally work with real military-style headsets (including Otto Tac, MSA Sordin, 3M Peltor ComTac, and Ops-Core AMP).

Disco32 offers two cable configurations to suit different mounting configurations, with a 6″ short cable ideal for front-mounted radios and a 20″ long cable for side or rear-mounted setups. As my radio is mounted at the rear of my left cummerbund, I require the longer cable.

40mm LMTS Tactical Single Shot Launcher

The Defense Technology 40mm LMTS tactical single shot launcher, manufactured by Lewis Machine & Tool, is remarkably lightweight for a standalone launcher, weighing just 3.5 pounds. It features an expandable AR-style stock and integrated front grip which enhance handling, allowing for personalized comfort and control. The ambidextrous lateral sling mount and QD mounting systems allow both single and two point sling attachment.

A MIL-STD-1913 top rail enables users to customize the launcher by installing an optic, if preferred, although it comes factory with a Glock rear sight and adjustable front sight post. I found the factory sights to be sufficient for firing less-lethal munitions within approximately two hundred yards.

One of its standout features is the single/double action Smith & Wesson trigger group. The user has the option to fire in either heavy, double-action mode or to cock the external hammer to fire in light, crisp, single action mode. This adaptability ensures optimal control and accuracy in various tactical scenarios. Additionally, if a round fails to fire, the external hammer allows the operator to cock the weapon and attempt to fire again.

The ambidextrous breech release is easy to actuate. Unfortunately, it is so easy to actuate that I found it necessary to reposition my dominant thumb lower to prevent accidental actuation of the breech release due to recoil when firing.

I prefer the standard 14″ barrel, however it is also offered in 9″ and 11″ barrel lengths. Historically, shorter barrels suffered to produce sufficient velocity and accuracy.

The launcher is designed to fire standard 40mm less-lethal munitions, up to 4.8 inches in cartridge length (the standard length for parachute flares and similar signaling rounds) as well as most medium-velocity high-explosive (HE) munitions. The Defense Technology 37/40mm munitions will also function in this launcher. However, this launcher is not designed to fire 40mm high-velocity munitions and most will not chamber in this launcher.

Camouflaging the Weapon

I painted this camouflage pattern on a multi-caliber AR-15 lower receiver and two upper receivers, one of which is chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO while the other is chambered in .22 Long Rifle.

Painting

The first step to painting a weapon is to clear and field strip the weapon, removing any oil or lubricant with brake or carburetor cleaner.  Neglecting this step may lead to inadequate paint adhesion, resulting in repainting.

The weapon should now be masked.  This includes ensuring the dust cover is closed, taping off or closing flip-up scope caps, taping off visible or infrared illumination devices, et cetera.  Any markings that you would like to preserve, such as the scope turrets, should be covered with masking tape.  If desired, the barrel can be plugged with an earplug.

Proceed to a well-ventilated location and apply the tan base coat over the entire weapon using an even, sweeping motion while holding the can about twelve inches away from the weapon.  Take care not to apply the paint too heavily which may cause it to run or drip.

After the base coat has dried, diagonally apply brown stripes, again holding the can approximately twelve inches away from the weapon.  If an area is assessed as too hard or dark, just hit that area again with lighter paint.

Next, lightly dust the rifle with brown paint to mute the overall tone and hard shapes. This is done by holding the spray can about eighteen to twenty-four inches away.  The paint is a mist at this point and will more or less fall onto the weapon.

Once the paint job is complete the paint should be allowed to dry for at least thirty minutes.  Once the weapon has completely dried, remove all masking material such as tape, tissue paper, or earplugs used to mask the weapon prior to painting.

Finally, conduct a functions check to ensure the weapon operates correctly.  Inspect the optic, if equipped, for inadvertent paint contact on the lenses. Insert magazines to confirm smooth insertion and release.

One can of paint can be used to fully coat at least three rifles.

Other Methods

In addition to painting, boot bands and burlap strips can be wrapped around the stock and handguard of the weapon, ensuring no interference with the chamber, charging handle, magazine well, ejection port, or optics.

Harvest Log: 01/06/2024

I finished my night shift and then headed out for a brief hunt on Saturday, January 6, 2024.  As the morning light painted the landscape, I reached my hide site. I was armed with my modified Ruger 10/22 sporting a Magpul Hunter X-22 stock and a Monstrum Guardian 3-9×32 optic.

Sighted in for, and loaded with, Federal Auto Match, this rifle is a squirrel clapper.

A gray squirrel came into view, oblivious to my presence. I harvested him with a clean headshot at approximately 07:19 AM. Returning home, I was thankful for another successful hunt.

Harvest Log: 12/30/2023

On Saturday, December 30, 2023, concealed among the hickories and oaks, I sat motionless in my hide site.  A gray squirrel’s tail twitched atop a fallen log.  Slowly, I lined up for the shot.

At precisely 8:32 AM, the stillness of the forest was upset by the sharp report of a gunshot as a 40-grain lead bullet hurled through the air.  The crisp winter air carried the sound through the trees, and a startled silence fell over the area as the squirrel tumbled from the log, landing with a muted thud. The squirrel was collected and processed to feed my family.

During this hunt, I was equipped with a Ruger 10/22 fitted with a Magpul Hunter X-22 stock and sporting a Monstrum Guardian 3-9×32 medium power variable optic.  It was loaded with Federal Auto Match .22 long rifle ammunition.

Radio Antenna Counterpoise

A standard radio antenna is known as a monopole. This is not an efficient antenna, but is a necessary compromise for convenience and ease of use. The human hand often provides some coupling, but it is not as efficient as having a counterpoise (sometimes referred to as a ‘tiger-tail’ or ‘rat-tail’), which serves as the opposite end of your antenna and performs similar to a dipole. This device can be inexpensively made and may improve transmission range and reception.

This counterpoise design is intended to be placed under the belt clip and retained by reinstalling one of the belt clip screws through the ring terminal connector, holding it between the radio body and belt clip. This counterpoise design is not intended to be mounted underneath the antenna.

Because this device attaches to the belt clip retaining screw, unlike other devices that are directly attached to the SMA/BNC connector, it is unable to damage the antenna or antenna jack if it were to be pulled on.

Multiple counterpoises may be attached to your radio. The transmitting signal will use the most resonant counterpoise.

To make one counterpoise, you will need a length of 20-gauge stranded copper primary wire. Strip the insulation and install a heat-shrink ring terminal connector. Next, cover the heat-shrink ring terminal connector with an approximately two-inch long sleeve of heat-shrink tubing. It should be long enough to fit over the wire and ring terminal. Now, trim the primary wire (including the length of the ring terminal) to the appropriate length. If you do not know the appropriate length of wire for your counterpoise, I suggest a six-inch counterpoise for GMRS/FRS, a UHF frequency, and a nineteen-inch counterpoise for MURS, a VHF frequency. A heat-shrink end cap adds a nice finishing touch.

Harvest Log: 12/29/2023

On Friday, December 29, 2023, I went for a short hunt in the light winter rain.  Armed with my Ruger 10/22, enhanced by the Magpul Hunter X-22 stock and topped with a Monstrum Guardian 3-9×32 optic, I ventured out to my hide site.

As the clock ticked to 3:26 PM, a gray squirrel, its fur blending seamlessly with the wintry landscape, emerged from behind a gnarled oak, peering around the tree.

Bam.

The squirrel, struck cleanly, tumbled out from behind the tree and landed with a delicate splash in the shallow waters of the meandering creek below.

I exited the hide site to recover my harvest.  I retrieved what looked very much like a drowned rat, placed him in a plastic bag, and dropped him into my ILBE assault pack and exited the woods.

Harvest Log: 01/17/2021

I harvested this male gray squirrel with a single .177 caliber pellet which was fired from a Gamo Shadow Sport break-barrel air rifle on Sunday, January 17, 2021 at 08:17 in the morning.

This squirrel was processed and the meat recovered was used to feed my growing family. Squirrel meat is often praised for its lean and flavorful characteristics and is considered to be a good source of protein and various nutrients.

Harvest Log: 01/30/2021

Approximately 04:00 PM on Saturday, January 30, 2021, I caught this male gray squirrel in one of my Bridger #110 body grip traps. While performing a routine trap check at 01:05 PM on Sunday, January 31, 2021, I located the catch, removed him from the trap, and collected him.