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Our sister publications — American Handgunner and GUNS Magazine — have long had monthly columns for events and gear that did not necessarily warrant a full article. Starting this month, AmericanCop will be doing that, too. I hope you enjoy it, and I welcome your feedback.
Garmont 9-81 Alert Boots
The 9-81 boots during a range session with a rifle and optic that we will cover here soon.
We mentioned the Garmont tactical line of boots in our SHOT Show coverage. For the past couple of months, I have been wearing these for both indoor and outdoor range work. Having worn their hiking boots for several years, I really looked forward to using them.
Garmont touts the very lightweight nature of these boots. They accomplished this via a knitted polyester mesh body that is reinforced at key points for protection and durability. Because of how the body was constructed, there are no seams in it. The body is reinforced at specific areas with TPU panels that are heat-sealed to the mesh. Important to me is that these are lace-up boots, not ones with a side zipper. At 4” high, they are just tall enough in the places I have worn them. The Vibram sole provided excellent traction on and off the pavement while also being quite comfortable.
Here is the coyote version for when basic black boots aren’t appropriate.
One note: If you are used to Garmont’s non-tactical boots, these have narrower footbeds.
This model is available in both black and coyote.
Garnont Tactical 9-81 Alert boots
Staccato
Handgun training with Mike Benbow at Staccato Ranch
As has been the norm since their rebranded launch in 2019, Staccato continues to evolve. Here are two newsworthy notes from them.
1st, they have opened their training facility, appropriately known as Staccato Ranch, in Florence, Texas. It is a membership-based facility with three programs, one of which is shotgun only. There are discounts for active and retired service members as well as first responders and Staccato 368 participants.
The facility offers both indoor and outdoor shooting bays, including “dynamic shooting ranges” and shotgun sports. Golf carts are also available. Membership benefits include discounts on classes they host there.
Their vice president in charge of training is Mike Benbow, who was previously with the US Marshal’s Service. During his USMS career, he spent most of it with their Special Operations Group, ultimately serving as the commander.
The 4″ barreled C model can be purchased with either the compact frame or a full-size one.
They also released their C-model pistol. It has a 4” barrel, which puts it in the sweet spot of pistols for duty, concealed carry, and home defense. The C can be had with either a compact grip frame (15-round magazine) or a full-size frame designed for a 17-rounder.
Thyrm
The DarkVault2 is a water and dust-proof housing for your smartphone that mounts on your armor and load carriage gear (PC – Thyrm).
Best known for its battery holders, Thyrm continues to develop practical products that are needed to hold and protect batteries and electronics while allowing them to be readily available to the end user. They recently released the Dark Vault 2.0, which is described as a “mobile comms platform that provides complete protection for your smartphone without the need for a special phone case.” The waterproof and dust-proof case uses a MOLLE/PALS system to attach to your armor or load carriage. There are two sizes – regular (6.1”) and large (6.5”). The DarkVault 2.0 is made in the USA.
Walther & Aimpoint
Walther’s 4.5″ PDP with the Acro P2 – atop a slide factory milled for it.
The Walther crew recently announced a solid partnership. They are teaming up with Aimpoint to offer their PDP pistol with a slide directly milled for the Aimpoint Acro footprint, with the Acro P2 already mounted on it for retail sale. Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania State Police adopted this combination for duty use. This PDP has a 4.5” barrel chambered for 9mm with a 1/10 twist rate. Overall, it is 8” long and 6.9 inches tall—without the optic, if this is a concern to you.
The Acro P2 is a well-proven optic. Time has shown it to be a very durable optic, including the four I own. It mounts by clamping to the cuts on the slide rather than bolting down into it. A CR2032 battery powers the 3.5 MOA dot.
