GEAR | LBX TACTICAL BANGER BACK PANEL!

Hey everyone!

Welcome back to the blog! Today I have another gear review for you and we’ll be looking at the LBX Banger Back Panel that many of you will have seen adorning my LBX Armatus II in MAS Grey! Whilst I was in the US last year the awesome team over at LBX Tactical hooked me up with some sweet gear before I returned to Blighty and this is one of the pieces that I’ve finally given it enough outings to give an accurate review on its functionality and aesthetics.


So the Banger Back Panel from LBX Tactical is a specific back panel for the Armatus carriers that secures with heavy duty Velcro and 2 fast clip release closures. It features a centre section for a hydration bladder that is made from a 3-way stretch material that secures with a hook and loop tab, a zipped pocket that has an area of loop velcro for identification patches an it has four smoke/flashbang pouches with elastic webbing and a retention cap for quick access/retention.


The BBP is easy to install on the Armatus II - just unclip the clips and remove the velcro/molle panel and stick the new one on, clip in the clips and you’re good to go. It’s lightweight so it doesn’t weigh the carrier down but obviously when it’s loaded up, it can depending on how much weight you put in it. The centre section that is designed for a hydration bladder is expandable and is quite large so a 2L water bladder would fit comfortably on those hot game days - this could be used for other items. The front pocket is deceivingly large so it can stow a fair bit of stuff - when I’m playing short CQB games I’ll pack this pocket with a shemagh to give it a little more shape.

My only complaint about the panel is that because I have pretty short arms I can’t reach the zips on the zippered pocket easily - this to me is definitely a ‘buddy pocket’ as anything I stow in there needs to be grabbed by a team mate but the 40mm pouches at the bottom are much easier to reach. The 40mm pouches fit TRMRs, EG WP40 and the flash grenades easy and the retention on the pouches is good.


It is available in a few different colour-ways including Wolf Grey, Ranger Green, MultiCam, MAS Grey, Coyote Brown and Black so there’s one to suit any loadout. I would LOVE to see this panel in MultiCam Black to pair with my MCB Armatus II! I chose this in the MAS Grey as its a really nice combination of grey and green which looks great with my Ranger Green loadout.

The Banger Back Panel retails for $99.95 from the LBX Tactical website which is around £79 in GBP for the product alone, but as it’s coming from the States, remember to add on shipping AND customs charges, it is available from their UK stockists Tactical Kit for £99.99 which may be the cheaper option depending on the exchange rate etc. Taking that into account it’s not the cheapest back panel on the market but it does look gucci, which is what we all want right?


Photography by @1legion.uk_patriot
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GEAR | VIPER VX CHARGER PACK!

Hi all!

Welcome back to the blog! Today I have another gear review for you, and this time we’re looking at the Viper Tactical VX Buckle Up Charger Pack that I’ve been using with my VX Buckle Up Utility Rig lately!


The new Viper VX Buckle Up Charger Pack is apart of the new VX range and what drew me to this product is its similarity to the HSP FlatPack, but for a fraction of the price. The pack itself consists of one main compartment and one front compartment - both of which have the capability of expanding. It has adjustable/removable shoulder straps and also MOLLE attachment which mens it can be used with the VX range (and similar systems) and most plate carriers that have a MOLLE back. It is made of 700D Polytech material and is really lightweight - weighing in at just 0.54kg but has a huge carrying capacity of approximately 4-14ltr!

As for other features, it has D-ring attachment for chest rig compatibility, a bladder/comms outlet, a huge Velcro id panel and a grab handle.

I’ve been using the VX Charger Pack in place of the straps for the VX Buckle Up Chest rig (you can read my review here) to give my back more protection from BBs especially when playing indoors and the straps on the pack seem to be a little shorter than those on the CR as well so it gives me a closer fit. The pack also gives me the option to carry essentials onto the field - including BBs, speed loaders, a water bladder on hot game days etc which in turn can help balance out the weight of the CR when it’s fully loaded up! Although I don’t run HPA anymore, I reckon this pack is a good size to carry a small HPA tank. Thanks to the Buckle Up system, the straps are really easy to swap out for the charger pack - just unclip the straps and clip in the pack and you're good to go! It can be used on other brands gear as it also has the MOLLE back.

The VX charger pack is available in Green, Titanium, Coyote, V-Cam and Black and retails for £38.50 from retailers such as Military 1st. This means there is a pack that will certainly suit any loadout (I currently run one in green to go with my VX Chest Rig), and it’s pretty affordable so they are really budget friendly (especially if you want more than one for different load outs!)

What are my final thoughts? It’s affordable, gives you more protection than the original straps, allows you to carry essentials onto the field, is expandable and it looks like a higher end product than its price point! I really like that it is functional AND looks great. It’s a great lightweight backpack to add to any loadout, I just wish it came in more colours - MultiCam Black, AM I RIGHT?! Overall, I think Viper is killing it with their new VX range!



Photos thanks to @1legion.uk_patriot
Sponsored by Viper Tactical
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GEAR | SPIRITUS SYSTEMS MICROFIGHT MK3

Hey everyone!

Welcome back to the blog! Today I'm featuring a review from the June issue of 6MM ACTUAL by my good friend Tallin on the Spiritus Systems Micro Fight MK3 Chest Rig! I enjoyed T's review so much that I picked up a Spiritus MK3 when I visited Land Warrior in May - check out his review and see what you think!

"Spiritus systems, are a gear company based out of Washington, USA, that have been making big waves in the combat gear scene. Their focus is on lightweight, versatile gear and that is used by branches of the police, military and private sector. As an airsofter that enjoys using the more realistic gear, I found myself very interested with this company’s products and have been following them for some time. I recently took the plunge and order myself one of their modular chest rigs the “Micro Fight” in ranger green.


My main reason for selecting the micro fight over its competition was because the Micro Fight was designed from the ground up to be as light-weight and modular as possible, this means it has the ability to hold magazines of all kinds and calibres including 9mm, 5.56mm and 7.62mm in multiple configurations and allows me to use it with both my scar H and M4 with a simple swap of a magazine insert! 



With the addition of a removable cover on the back of the chassis, that when removed reveals a Velcro backing, which, in turn, allows you to mount the chassis as a placard to any plate carrier that has a Velcro front panel and space for swift clips. You will also be glad to read that the quality of this item is second to none as the Micro Fight chest rig MK 3 is built from 500D Cordura material; so, there is little chance of tearing during ops. Though like most materials, it is not indestructible, with nylon stitching and high-quality Velcro sections used to cover the interior and exterior of the chassis, it all comes together to create a very well-built chest rig that will last. 

It is available in a multitude of colours including the full Multicam range of camos and colours such as wolf grey or ranger green; allowing you to fit it seamlessly into any loadout. This is the perfect item for somebody that enjoys running an extremely streamlined loadout that carries only the essentials.

But before you even consider purchasing a Spiritus systems micro fight I must warn you that this rig is a fully modular platform that is sold in parts and not as a complete unit. Although this is by no means a bad thing. It allows you to build the chassis to your own specifications. 

After toying with how I wanted to set mine up I decided to wear my micro fight MK3 as a front panel on my JPC and built the MK3 up to allow me to carry exactly what I need during a game day. Currently, it holds 3 standard AR magazines in the rear compartment with the micro fight triple 5.56 insert that holds 2 pistol magazines in its front compartment, with the micro fight double pistol magazine insert. Though this area is also sharing space with my dead rag and Alan key set in case of a malfunction midgame. To help hold in these extra pieces of gear I have utilized the micro fight half flap.



Unfortunately, all this modularity comes at a price. Building even a simple chest rig loadout will set you back around £150+. Though this is slightly higher than its competitors. I personally believe that the modularity and lightweight design of the micro fight justify this slight price increase over similar products.

Hogan, T. (2019). SPIRITUS SYSTEMS MICROFIGHT MK3. 6MM ACTUAL. 3 (June), 8-9.
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EVENT | LAND WARRIOR OPEN TRADE WEEKEND!

Hey everyone!

Welcome back to the blog! Today I'm catching up on some posts that have been in the works for a while, and in this post I'll be telling you about the Land Warrior Open Trade weekend! On Friday 17th May I made the mammoth drive from Derby to Dalkeith - the home of Land Warrior Airsoft. I set off around 7.30am as it's a 5 hour drive in regular traffic conditions, however, there was a huge accident at Junction 40 of the M6 which left me in standstill traffic for almost 3 HOURS! The trip altogether took 8.5 hours and I learned a lot - stop frequently just in case, always have food and water for long car rides (luckily enough I had some lucozade sport and mints in the car). When I arrived at the store I had a quick look around, an axe throw then we went out for a curry. 

We arrived at the store on Saturday bright and early ready for the day! Land Warrior recently acquired the neighbouring unit in their building so have been doing a lot of in house modifications including a brand new cafe, a live firing range and an archery/axe range. Over the course of the day, customers were invited in to have a coffee, take part in axe throwing/archery and practical shooting for free, play wargames, buy/sell second hand kit and there was a huge 5.11 sale on in the store itself.

Land Warrior Airsoft, Dalkeith

5.11 @ Land Warrior Airsoft, Dalkeith

5.11 @ Land Warrior Airsoft, Dalkeith

5.11 @ Land Warrior Airsoft, Dalkeith

Highlander @ Land Warrior Airsoft, Dalkeith

As many of you will know my Krytac MKII CRB-M is from Land Warrior and has their top upgrade package installed so I took her back to LWA to have her LEOTEK engraving done!

LEOTEK engraving

Archery, Axe thorwing and buy/sell

Bike display

This quad had CUP HOLDERS

LWA opened up their new activity hall to their customers and skirmishers to hold a buy/sell fair with tables of pre-owned goods! Bargains were had!

Buy/sell

Buy/sell

Buy/sell

Customers also had the chance to take part in wargamming activities upstairs.

Wargamming
After a successful day at the store, we retired to our respective households to relax before the game day at Airsoft Edinburgh -  check it out here.





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NEWS | THE PTS MAWL!

Hey friends!

Welcome back to the blog! Today I have some more news for you (and I'm a little late to the party thanks to the Sims 4 KILLING my MacBook *face palms*) from PTS on the release of their MAWL (Modular Advanced Weapon Laser)!

PTS Syndicate is proud to announce an exclusive licensing agreement with B.E. Meyers & Co., Inc. to produce and distribute the PTS MAWL®-PTS (Modular Advanced Weapon Laser – PTS), a high quality replica of the B.E. Meyers & Co. MAWL® (Modular Advanced Weapon Laser), for the worldwide airsoft market.


MAWL (Modular Advanced Weapon Laser)

The MAWL® family of weapon lasers has been adopted by select Special Operations Forces around the world. It is currently in use and deployed with a variety of U.S. and international defense, government, and law enforcement agencies as the standard weapon laser. The MAWL® departs from the typical box design as a response to direct end-user feedback. It is based off of three design parameters: to be used under stress, in the dark, and with gloves on and it has the ability to seamlessly transition power output and divergence to adapt to environmental demands and. Incorporating cutting edge VCSEL laser technology for clearer and more consistent illumination and with improved ergonomics and interface, the B.E. Meyers & Co. MAWL® remains the unparalleled in small arms weapon laser performance.


PTS SYNDICATE LICENSES MAWL FOR AIRSOFT

B.E. Meyers & Co., Inc., known for their rugged, advanced photonic solutions for the defense and aerospace industries, and PTS Syndicate, a prolific licensee of products in the tactical market, are proud to announce an exclusive licensing agreement to bring the internationally recognized B.E. Meyers & Co. MAWL® (Modular Advanced Weapon Laser) to the global airsoft community. PTS Syndicate will be manufacturing and bringing to market the MAWL® -PTS, the only official licensed MAWL® replica, which will be easily accessible to consumers through PTS Syndicate’s extensive distribution network in Asia, Europe, and North America.

MAWL®

The MAWL® family of weapon lasers has been adopted by select Special Operations Forces around the world, and is currently in use, and deployed with a variety of U.S. and international defense, government, and law enforcement agencies as a standard weapon laser. It departs from the typical box design as a response to direct end-user feedback. With the ability to seamlessly transition power output, and divergence to adapt to environmental demands, the MAWL®is based off of three design parameters: to be used under stress, in the dark, and with gloves on. Incorporating cutting edge VCSEL technology for clearer, and more consistent illumination, with improved ergonomics and interface, the B.E. Meyers & Co. MAWL® remains unparalleled in performance.

For more information on the MAWL®-PTS, including its official release date, please watch www.ptssyndicate.com. For more information on the MAWL® and other B.E. Meyers & Co. products please visit www.bemeyers.com

MAWL® is a registered trademark of B.E. Meyers & Co., Inc.


About B.E. Meyers & Co, Inc. 

Founded in 1974, BE Meyers & Co, Inc. has transformed from being one of the first developers of night vision systems for law enforcement applications to an industry-leading aerospace and defense manufacturer of advanced photonic systems.

The company's core technologies include infrared and visible laser systems for aiming, illumination, targeting, non-lethal visual disruption, and long-range Hail and Warning. With customers that include the U.S. Military, foreign defense organizations, and various law enforcement agencies, B.E. Meyers & Co. has developed a reputation for producing products that tip the scales of victory for warfighters defending freedom across the globe.

PTS Syndicate 

When it comes to training, simulation, and the ultimate experience, there’s PTS and then there’s everyone else. With RDT&E (Research, Development, Test & Evaluation) teams in both USA and Asia and using the best materials and manufacturing processes, PTS Syndicate is committed to bringing the highest quality and innovative products onto the market to meet and exceed the exacting standards of the most discriminating end user. PTS is also a prolific exclusive replica licensor of the latest weapon and weapon accessory products for the airsoft market and has an excellent reputation as a trusted licensing partner that works closely with our licensors to extend awareness of their brands into new market spaces.
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CLOTHING | VIPER STRETCH PANTS REVIEW!

Hi all!

Welcome back to the blog! Today we have another review - this time from my girl Ellie-May/ @northernlights_airsoft on the Coyote Stretch Pants from Viper Tactical!

"In this review, I will be talking about the Viper Stretch Pants from Viper Tactical. 

Right off the bat, the first thing I love about these pants is that you can wear them for most outdoor activities (urban games, CQB and Summer outdoor games in general). They’re versatile; and with a suggested retail price of £69.95 (£59.95 at Military 1st), they're pretty affordable. These tactical stretch pants are a low profile, cargo style trouser that is made from a thin but durable combination of nylon and Spandex; giving the material a slight stretch so it moves with you. And, whilst there are only three colours to choose from (black, green and coyote), these colours will match with most load outs. 

One thing that may turn people away is the lack of a built-in kneepad, (something I know I like having when I’m playing outdoors, woodlands especially). However, they are manufactured with a reinforced seat and knees so they are hard-wearing; along with clean and solid stitching, these trousers will stay with you for a while. The lack of a built-in kneepad was something I liked when it came to these trousers though; it meant that I could continue to wear them once I got home after airsoft. So, it’s also really easy to style these in your everyday wardrobe as well as your airsoft wardrobe.



Another key feature of this product is the pockets. As standard there are two deep front hand pockets with a right integral pocket; two back pockets that are hook and loop close, both with their own integral pocket; a mag pocket on the front of the left leg, also hook and loop (If you’re not wearing these for airsoft, this can fit any standard size smartphone instead); and also a wider pocket above the knee on both legs, again hook and loop close. So, there are enough pockets to satisfy anyone’s needs. There’s also a handy D-ring on the waist that can hold things such as keys or tools.


So, with soft but durable material, plenty of pockets and versatility as a clothing item; what’s not to like about the Viper Stretch Pants? Well, a personal issue I had was that, whilst there is a wide range of sizes to choose from (S-3XL), I had trouble getting the smallest size to fit my waist. A small comes with around a 32” waist, and I’m a 28” waist usually, and with no other way to adjust the pants I had to resort to using a belt for the day. Although trying to find any kind of trousers that fit just right on the leg and the waist has always been a struggle for me; so, I recommend always checking the size charts before you buy. 

Overall, for all of us who are out and about this summer, the Viper Stretch Pants are an excellent addition to anyone’s wardrobe, but check the size chart before purchasing."


Newton, E. (2019). VIPER STRETCH PANTS. 6MM ACTUAL. 3 (JUNE), 26-27.
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NEWS | PTS ZEV COMBAT SIGHT TM G SERIES!

Hey everyone!

Welcome back to the blog! I have some more news for you from PTS!


The PTS ZEV Combat Sight Set comes with plain black rear sights and a bright fiber front sight. This combination gives a shooter a clear picture and easy pickup of the front sight to get shots on target faster and more confidently under all lighting conditions. Also, the wide rear square notch combined with the narrow front sight post increases sight alignment precision and sight picture confidence for accurate longer distance shots. The serrations on the sight bodies helps to reduce glare for a crisp sight picture and the aesthetic ZEV slashes on the rear sight body sides give the sights a distinctive flair. The sights may also fit WE and KJ G17s with some slight modification (please consult a professional airsoft technician for installation).



Features:

  • A clean serrated post for a glare free sight picture
  • Improved accuracy due to ease of target transition and acquisition
  • CNC-machined steel alloy
  • Compatible with Tokyo Marui G17
  • Package includes:
  • PTS ZEV combat rear sight
  • PTS ZEV front sight with red fiber


Pre-order here
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6MM ACTUAL | JUNE 2019!

Hey everyone!

Welcome back to the blog! If you follow me on social media you will have seen that last week I released the June issue of 6MM ACTUAL!

6MM ACTUAL is all about giving you - the readers of FFA - more value from Femme Fatale Airsoft. I've designed 6MM ACTUAL so you can read the best of the monthly blogs and also get bonus content exclusive to our monthly downloadable. Online or offline, and for free! Whilst I love writing the blog, creating IG & YouTube content and writing for publications, I felt like something was missing and this is where our monthly downloadable bridges the gap. Truly International airsoft, from guns to gear, to events, it’s in 6MM ACTUAL.

In this issue we have - a review on the Spiritus Systems Microfight MK3, a review on the Krytac KRISS Vector AEG, a write up of MilSim West: Objective Stavropol, a site review on Airsoft Edinburgh and for our bonus content, there is a review on the Viper Tactical Stretch Pants and UFPRO Gen 2! We also welcome a team of new contributors - Tallin, Ellie-May, Hiu and Ben.



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NEWS | PTS ZEV EXTENDED MAGAZINE RELEASE TM G SERIES!


Hey everyone!

Today we have more news from PTS Syndicate - the release of their ZEV Extended Mag Release for the TM G series!


The PTS ZEV Extended Magazine Release is a CNC-machined aluminum extended magazine release upgrade from the original plastic factory version. It features a textured oversized head that allows shooters to access it without shifting grip thus decreasing reload split times to get the gun back into action where precious fractions of a second in a competition or gunfight can make the difference between winning and losing. It may also fit WE and KJ G17s with some slight modification (please consult a professional airsoft technician for installation).

Features:

  • CNC-machined 6000 series aluminum 
  • Ergonomically correct trigger pad
  • Compatible with Tokyo Marui G17
  • Package includes:
  • Magazine Release Button
  • Extended Magazine Release Plate (Black)
  • Extended Magazine Release Plate (Silver)



Pre-order here
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NEWS | PTS ZEV PRO MAG-WELL PRE-ORDER!

Hey everyone!

Welcome back to the blog! Today we have some more news in from PTS! The pre-order for their PTS ZEV PRO Mag-well!

PTS ZEV PRO Mag-well

The PTS Zev Technologies PRO Mag-well is designed for the professional shooter that is looking for the competitive edge of a mag-well without the bulk of a race gun and comfortable for close to body or conceal everyday carry. The mag-well is slightly flared at the base to be wider than the stock opening, which is ideal for quickly inserting the magazine in the pistol during reloads helping build proper muscle memory for improved consistency and reload time. It may also fit WE and KJ G17s with some slight modification (please consult a professional airsoft technician for installation).


Features:
  • CNC-Machined 6000 Series Aluminum
  • Designed for the professional shooter
  • Quickly inserting the magazine in the pistol during reloads
  • Compatible with Tokyo Marui, Umarex




Pre-order here
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