Defence & Space

Iron Beam with new laser director

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the Israeli Ministry of Defense unveil new Iron Beam laser director. Company to Showcase Full High-Energy…

2025-06-05 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

The Philippines Ordered 12 FA-50PH Block 20 Aircraft

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2025-06-04 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Karkonosze Program: A Game-Changer for the Polish Air Force’s Tankers?

The Polish Air Force has been requesting the acquisition of aerial refueling tankers for years. The program to procure a multi-role transport…

2025-05-23 | Sławek Zagórski | 5 minutes

Swedish A26 Submarine and Poland’s Orka Program

In early April, Saab organized a visit for representatives of the Polish defense media to the Saab Kockums shipyard, located in Karlskrona…

2025-05-08 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 16 minutes

Iron Beam with new laser director

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the Israeli Ministry of Defense unveil new Iron Beam laser director. Company to Showcase Full High-Energy…

2025-06-05 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

The Philippines Ordered 12 FA-50PH Block 20 Aircraft

The Department of National Defense of the Philippines has signed a contract with the South Korean company Korea Aerospace Industries for…

2025-06-04 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Advancing multi-domain EW operations: Rohde & Schwarz unveils latest innovations at AOC Europe

Rohde & Schwarz demonstrates the next generation of SIGINT/EW systems, sensor fusion and signal analysis solutions, designed to meet the evolving…

2025-05-12 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Iberian Blackout: Is Poland Prepared for a Similar Scenario?

The blackout on the Iberian Peninsula has prompted a few cautious questions about whether Poland is secure in the event of…

2025-05-02 | Krzysztof Zagórski | 6 minutes

IDET & PYROS 2025: KALAN Tracked Amphibious Vehicle as the Successor to the PTS

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2025-05-30 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

IDET 2025: Patria AMV XP 8×8 with TURRA 30 Turret

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair IDET 2025 in the Czech Republic, Finnish company Patria Oyj showcased its…

2025-05-29 | Rafał Muczyński | 4 minutes

Iron Beam with new laser director

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the Israeli Ministry of Defense unveil new Iron Beam laser director. Company to Showcase Full High-Energy…

2025-06-05 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

The Philippines Ordered 12 FA-50PH Block 20 Aircraft

The Department of National Defense of the Philippines has signed a contract with the South Korean company Korea Aerospace Industries for…

2025-06-04 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

IDET & PYROS 2025: KALAN Tracked Amphibious Vehicle as the Successor to the PTS

During the International Fire Fighting Equipment and Services Fair PYROS (held alongside IDET 2025 in Brno), the Czech company New…

2025-05-30 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Leonardo and Weststar Join Forces to Supply Helicopters to Malaysia

During the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Italian company Leonardo and Malaysian firm Weststar…

2025-05-20 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Iron Beam with new laser director

Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the Israeli Ministry of Defense unveil new Iron Beam laser director. Company to Showcase Full High-Energy…

2025-06-05 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

The Philippines Ordered 12 FA-50PH Block 20 Aircraft

The Department of National Defense of the Philippines has signed a contract with the South Korean company Korea Aerospace Industries for…

2025-06-04 | Rafał Muczyński | 3 minutes

Polish Minister of Defence Travels to the U.S. for Meeting with Pete Hegseth

A press conference was held at the 1st Airlift Base with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz…

2025-05-26 | Redakcja | 5 minutes

Another Meeting at the Polish Ministry of National Defence with a Delegation from South Korea’s DAPA

Polish Deputy Minister of National Defence Paweł Bejda met with Deputy Minister of South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA),…

2025-05-14 | Redakcja | 1 minutes

Airbus, CNES and VAST reaffirm commitment to strengthening EO capabilities in Vietnam

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2025-05-26 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

ICEYE and IHI start cooperation to develop SAR satellite constellation in Japan

The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE and the Japanese IHI Corporation are beginning cooperation in the construction of a constellation of up to 24…

2025-05-22 | Redakcja | 3 minutes
Shooting

MSBS GROT BULLPUP conversion now available

Fabryka Broni “Łucznik” Radom is introducing long-awaited conversion kits for the MSBS GROT S16 FB-M1 and S10 FB-M1 semi-automatic rifles,…

2025-06-02 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

IDET 2025: Grand Power Showcases M4M1 Carbines for the Slovak Armed Forces

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair IDET 2023 in the Czech Republic, Grand Power — a Slovak firearms manufacturer — showcased…

2025-05-28 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

MSBS GROT BULLPUP conversion now available

Fabryka Broni “Łucznik” Radom is introducing long-awaited conversion kits for the MSBS GROT S16 FB-M1 and S10 FB-M1 semi-automatic rifles,…

2025-06-02 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

Streamlight introduces the TLR-8 HL-X and TLR-8 HL-X sub

Streamlight introduces the TLR-8 HL-X flashlight with an integrated laser sight, producing a beam with up to 1,000 lumens of power, offering…

2025-03-18 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

Protective Rescuer Vest – BC Arms Archangel

The Archangel Rescuer Vest is the result of a collaboration between Polish companies Currahee and BC Arms. It was created in…

2025-05-16 | Mariusz Rams | 6 minutes

Direct Action Spitfire Plate Carrier – Part 1: Testing the Carrier

Nowadays, the market offers a wide range of options in the gear and load-bearing equipment category. One of the most basic…

2025-05-08 | Michał Gaweł | 14 minutes

Enforce Tac 2025 starts on February 24th

Enforce Tac is an international trade fair aimed at law enforcement officers, experts from government agencies, and representatives of the…

2025-01-30 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

POLSECURE: Holsters HPE Poland offer for uniformed services

At the 3rd International Police and Public Security Fair POLSECURE 2024 in Kielce, Holsters HPE Poland presented its offer for…

2024-05-01 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

MSBS GROT BULLPUP conversion now available

Fabryka Broni “Łucznik” Radom is introducing long-awaited conversion kits for the MSBS GROT S16 FB-M1 and S10 FB-M1 semi-automatic rifles,…

2025-06-02 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

IDET 2025: Grand Power Showcases M4M1 Carbines for the Slovak Armed Forces

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair IDET 2023 in the Czech Republic, Grand Power — a Slovak firearms manufacturer — showcased…

2025-05-28 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

Setting Up a Shooting Belt: An Example with Clawgear

To assist with shooting training and beyond, various belts and gear configurations have been developed and customized to suit individual needs. It’s…

2024-11-28 | Łukasz Kołodziejski | 14 minutes

Weapon light: a practical tool for everyday service. How to choose?

In the world of armed forces, where every second can determine the outcome of an operation, precision and effectiveness are…

2024-08-29 | Redakcja | 7 minutes

Over 100% increase in gun permits in Poland in 2024

The Polish Police have released statistical data on firearm permits issued in 2024. An increasing number of Poles now hold…

2025-02-20 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

Firearms In Poland 2023: Number of permits continues to grow

The National Police Headquarters has released statistics regarding the number of firearm permits and firearms themselves in the hands of…

2024-02-17 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

5 Best Value ATN Rifle Scopes Under €1500

ATN is a leading manufacturer of daytime optics, smart night vision, and thermal vision technology. The innovative features and ergonomic designs…

2022-11-11 | Redakcja | 8 minutes

MILMAG Visits Grand Power

Grand Power is a Slovak manufacturer of the acknowledged good quality firearms. Take part in our guided tour with English subtitles.

2022-05-23 | Redakcja | 1 minutes

Protective Rescuer Vest – BC Arms Archangel

The Archangel Rescuer Vest is the result of a collaboration between Polish companies Currahee and BC Arms. It was created in…

2025-05-16 | Mariusz Rams | 6 minutes

Direct Action Spitfire Plate Carrier – Part 1: Testing the Carrier

Nowadays, the market offers a wide range of options in the gear and load-bearing equipment category. One of the most basic…

2025-05-08 | Michał Gaweł | 14 minutes

EOTECH Holographic Sight – History, Technology, Practice

The holographic sight is a device known for nearly 30 years and used by professionals around the world. A favorite sight of many…

2024-09-02 | Michał Gaweł | 12 minutes

Trial by Fire: Test of 5.11 Tactical Gloves

We were offered a chance to test gloves from 5.11, American company producing tactical clothes, footwear, and accessories. As an active lifestyle makes wearing gloves a necessity, we gladly undertook the task.

For testing, we received four models: HARDTIME and TAC NFO2 from Expert series, TAC K9 from Professional series, and Taclite 2 of Everyday series. We put them to intense trials, often very hard, for months. Now, you’ll learn how have they handled the tests, and hear if their are rightly praised by NTOA (National Tactical Officers Association).

General Information

The gloves are made in sizes ranging from S to 2XL. Luckily the smallest size was the most suitable for my rather small hands (gloves that are not dedicated for women, even in the smallest available size are often too large for me) making me categorize them as unisex. They are made in multiple variants, adapted to different needs, from thicker — providing greater degree of protection — to thinner, suitable for finer tasks. Depending on the model, they are in black, shades of gray, or beige colors. One of the traits characteristic to majority of the gloves produced by the company is use of the tactical touch, a finger sewing solution enabling more precise movement and comfortable wearing. Some models have connective fingertips, allowing for touch screen use without taking off the gloves, but the pairs we received lacked that function.

HARDTIME – EXPERT SERIES

The producer provided some technical data and noted the gloves are sturdy and ensure reliable knuckle protection excelling in harsh mission environment. Well, after the generic description we could expect anything. The first impression was positive, brought by well made, regular, and precisely lead seams. Interior part is made of single sheet of elastic and light kidskin. Pieces of the same skin are sewn in place to protect knuckles. Metacarpal bones are covered by thermoplastic reinforcement, appearing flexible enough to avoid hindering movement. Additional support for the user’s hand is provided by Kevlar inserts. Extended wrist- parts together with velcro fastener can potentially shield wrist tendons and median nerve, as well as limit amount of dirt getting inside the gloves.

In practice, despite being the “hard” version, the protection felt comfortable and flexible. The gloves were tested by us during various precise and not-so precise tasks. They worked fine on firing range, while pulling a delicate trigger of a .22LR Ruger carbine, replacing magazine in Glock was smooth and without issues (although a few profanities slipped out while filling the magazine with bullets), and a paper tissue was removed out of a package as well as a flashlight from a pocket without taking off the gloves. Surprisingly, they even held their own during coin test.

What about the more sturdiness-reliant tasks, the ones the gloves were supposedly dedicated to? Among the positives, we counted the fact that Hard Gloves were excellent during sawing wood – provided sure grip, saved from blisters, the construction ward the splinters off the soft tissue, and avoided being scorched while feeding the wood into the stove. They also did they part while exploring abandoned and ruined buildings, protecting from scratches while climbing and giving confidence to handle dirty or otherwise unhygienic findings. The drawbacks include hole on one of the thumbs on one glove and abrasion of one of the fingers on the other after a few months of use. Regretfully, all the tested pairs have worn out textile parts, and individual threads getting loose. What’s more, velcro fasteners have tendency to adhere to woven parts when carried in pockets or backpacks, potentially reducing their lifespan. HARDTIME GLOVES, thus, aren’t as hard as they could be.

HARDTIME gloves work well when driving. Well profiled palm panel matches the body contour

Even sensitive trigger can be effectively used with HARDTIME gloves

HARDTIME gloves provide adequate protection against splinters

HARDTIME passed the coin test without any problems

TAC NFO2 – EXPERT SERIES

According to the producer, these gloves provide comfort and precision of touch, and are made out of fireproof NOMEX material. Like in HARDTIME, the interior part is made out of single sheet of soft kidskin. External protection is provided by a flexible leather piece with a foam layer in between. For a better fit, the wrist has elastic element sewn in, and an additional piece of leather reinforces the cuffs.

Tests soon revealed that use of elastic gave the opposite effect to the intended one: cuffs get annoyingly loose on my feminine forearm. It isn’t the result of too few exercises – the more muscular co-testing man has similar impressions. This flaw turns into an advantage only when you want to quickly remove the gloves, helping yourself with your teeth (but only as long as you know where you put your hands in the first place, or you don’t mind mouth infections). The short cuffs don’t protect the forearm and aren’t long enough to perfectly fit the sleeve.

Promise of being fireproof enticed us to include literal trials by fire in our tests. We didn’t manage to get any of our disliked acquaintances to volunteer, nor any of those we like, so we had to risk our own skin. Thankfully, TAC NFO2 really protects against an open flame. Pouring alcohol over the glove and igniting it inflicted no harm on the tester. The only side effect of the experiment was black, hard to wash away stain made by paint the gloves released due to heat. The scorched glove changed its color slightly, but suffered no damage otherwise, still being fully suitable for wearing afterward.

To sum up: while camping together by a fire, the potatoes won’t taste of burned plastic, nor will offering fire to the significant other lead to jokes regarding melted gloves or scorched fingers. Because of the loose construction, they will be suitable for hot summer month, because the sweat will find the way out. Sadly, we can’t recommend them for garden work, because dirt and other impurities will get in easily.

TAC NFO2 really are fire-resistant

After the fire trails, some discolouration is present. The gloves, however, still function very well

Too short and protruding wrist part of the TAC NFO2 gloves

TAC K9 – PROFESSIONAL SERIES

In case of these gloves, the first noticeable thing are crude rubber panels on the upper side. Palms have inlays of thin rubber and the same material was used for fingertips. Thumbs and tips of the index fingers were additionally strengthened. The wrists are stabilized with thick rubber and velcro fastener. The remaining parts of gloves are made out of thickly woven fabric, and a few key areas are reinforced with Kevlar. The pattern was designed with dog handling officers in mind. Not being one, nor even having a dog, I found it hard to test them according to their intended purpose and had to improvise. I decided to use a climbing wall as a substitute. After all, a climbing rope resembles a leash or a dog chain a bit, and the wall is coarse like hair of a short-haired German shepherd.

During the visit to the rope course, we found that the seemingly crude rubber panels don’t hinder movement in any way nor are they uncomfortable. Instead, they are providing excellent protection during contact with rough surfaces. Rubbery palms improve adherence and enhance grip, preventing slippage of the zip-line out of hands. Extra reinforcement on thumbs and index fingers (at key points, as the testing showed) are effective at minimizing effects of friction during the way down. I had some problems while manipulating carabiners and tying ropes – gloved fingers lose finesse. T

AC K9 also provided decent protection from unfavorable weather. The rope course visit took place in the fall, when the temperature fell below 10 degree Celsius (50 degree Fahrenheit) with a short bout of precipitation. All the time, I felt comfortably warm and dry.

I also noticed (although in different circumstances) that rubber fingertips let the fingers rest steadily on a firearm’s trigger, although the thickness of the gloves limits the precision of the shooting while wearing them. Other operations on firearms are either restricted or even completely impossible. Finesse is not the TAC K9 strong suit.

Despite their rugged design, TAC K9 work well even when shooting a revolver

Paws, fur and sharp fangs – almost like a dog. TAC K9 gloves were designed with canine handlers in mind and did not succumb to the portraited beast

TACLITE 2 – EVERYDAY SERIES

Construction of these gloves is simplistic. They are wonderfully soft, though. The upper side is made of nylon, with some spandex, the palm is made of delicate sheepskin. The fingertips (with tactical touch seam) are made of the same smooth skin. Wrists are protected with neoprene-made cuff with velcro fastener.

Delicate, soft, flexible… Where to wear it? The first thought is everywhere, although without excesses – I wouldn’t take them to a toilet (unless public) nor wear them under shower. However, I used them to avoid grime while traveling via public transport. I must admit that, while traveling by rail during my vacation, thanks to assurance provided by TACLITE2 I felt safe and secure. I traveled long distances without anxiety while gripping unhygienic train handrails and easily pulled my ticket out of my bag upon the conductor’s request. T

ACLITE 2 made lesser overall impression on the second tester. That started to change when he discovered, completely accidentally (supposedly those were the only gloves at hand at the moment) that they are suitable to wear while cutting metal. Stinging fillings failed to penetrate the thickly woven outer layer, the sheepskin was also a decent barrier. TACLITE 2 is also useful in cold cellars: they allowed installation of an electric socket (with all of its minuscule screws) while being comfortably warm. They also protect from aggressiveness of some firearm clips, allowing for their issue-less reloading. They allow operation of an AK 47 front sight adjustment tool. They are definitely fit for tasks that require manual precision. They failed at completely different trial: at an outdoor gym, they suddenly ruptured.

TACLITE 2 work especially well for precise activities

AFTER-TEST IMPRESSIONS

All tested models after a couple of months of hard testing. Wear and tear are very noticeable

All the tested gloves can be easily called well-designed. Composite elements are strictly matched, without excess of material that could pinch the user. Flat seams are made of soft threads improve the comfort of use. Leather used in the models we tested was flexible and professionally tanned, preventing loss of elasticity after contact with water, which is common is such type of products. Additionally, all the tested gloves let the moisture escape easily. They don’t protect against frost, but they function decently during warmer days. Let’s stress that the advertised tactical touch is not merely a marketing ploy – that idea actually works.

Durability is less impressive. On website of one of Polish distributors I noticed a 2-year producer’s warranty. Well, if they really give one, they might be aspiring to a charity status. After a few months of tests, the gloves look badly and are suitable to warranty exchange. It could be the results of all those unconventional and savage trials they were given during the tests. During the routine use they might last longer.

Gloves from 5.11 will be useful in different kinds of situations, although they have some disadvantages – mainly limited durability and some slight design flaws. Is the NTOA trainers’ recommendation warranted? Well, for less active and retired officers, 5.11 products will serve for many years. Those are good gloves but not perfect – although perfect gloves might not yet be designed?

 

This article was originally published on MILMAG 02/2018

 

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