Mk5 Micro Fight Chassis, the new cornerstone of the Spiritus Systems Chest Rigs.
This year at SHOT Show 2022 I had the chance to check out the NEW Mk5 Micro Fight Chassis by Spiritus Systems. Based on lots of use and feedback, they have updated the design in both materials and pattern.
If you aren’t familiar with Spiritus Systems, they’re a manufacturer of tactical gear made here in the U.S. They make hard-use gear for today’s warfighters, law enforcement, as well as the tactically-minded consumer. They have been making their chest rigs for a number of years now and the design, while slowly changing, has stayed pretty much the same — until now!
The New Mk5 features a PALS-compatible front, letting you attach extra pouches as you see fit, depending on your needs.
For starters, the material used has changed. While the previous Micro Fight Chest Rig was made out of cordura, the new Mk5 is made out of a special laminate that gives it greater strength and durability, as well as the ability to be laser cut. This opens the door for more attachment points and more overall flexibility when it comes time to set it up.
The design has changed quite a bit, too. Rather than two open pockets on the Mk4, where you could either put magazine inserts, flaps or other accessories, the Mk5 is simply one pocket for inserts.
Based on feedback, the front pocket on the older design wasn’t used that much. So by doing away with it, they created a more streamlined chest rig and were able to cover the front with female velcro. This lets you attach the cummerbund on your plate carrier across the front of the Mk5, such as the LV-119.
The CCS Pouch is sized perfectly to fit over the front of the Mk5 and give you secure storage for smaller items.
But there is still tons of modularity. Even though the Mk5 only has one pouch for magazine inserts, thanks to the PALS compatible front, you can mount other pouches, magazine or otherwise, on the system. Or, you can use the new CCS Pouch. The CCS Pouch covers the front of the Mk5, similar to the old second pouch. But the CCS has two zippered compartments. This lets you keep all those smaller items secure, rather than using a velcro flap like on the older Mk4.
Overall this expansion of the Micro Fight Chest Rig line is one more option that lets you, the user, configure your gear however you see fit for the mission at hand. Expect to see the Mk5 Micro Fight Chassis and CCS Pouch in Q1 of 2022.
Price-wise, the Mk5 and CCS will be around the same price as the Mk4 Chassis. And like the previous Mk4, all of the components can be purchased individually. So you can use your harness, back-strap and inserts from your other chest rig and just upgrade the Chassis.
The Surefire Ryder 9-Ti2 Sound Suppressor and Springfield Armory XD-M Elite OSP Threaded handgun synergistically combine to become something greater than their parts. The XD-M Elite Tactical OSP (Optical Sight Pistol) reflects the current state of the art in full-sized combat handguns. The Surefire Ryder 9-Ti2 is as fine a handgun suppressor as mankind can create. Thread these two magnificent tools together and strap on a Streamlight TLR-8G to create the most effective combat pistol in the world.
The Surefire Ryder 9-Ti2 Sound Suppressor is shown mounted to a Springfield Armory XD-M Elite OSP pistol.
Walter Mitty’s Ideal Suppressed Handgun
I can count on less than one hand the number of times the CIA has tapped me to travel to the other side of the world to rescue a kidnapped supermodel from the clutches of some evil super-villain. In amongst all the shaving cream commercials and trans-oceanic jaunts on the superyacht I bought with the proceeds from my gunwriting who has time for such? Were the President to call, more often than not I’d just tell him I was too busy.
Who am I kidding? I’m a 55-year-old man with worn-out knees, steadily worsening presbyopia, a family, and a mortgage. The only way I might ever rescue a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model in a faraway land would be if absolutely everybody else to include Nancy Pelosi, Pete Buttigieg and Greta Thunberg were otherwise indisposed. However, there yet remains something to be said for maintaining the proper tools in the profoundly unlikely event I might actually get that call.
Few of us will ever get the opportunity to infiltrate an evil lair to rescue a supermodel. However, this is the rig you’d want should you get that call.
There is something primally satisfying about tactical shooting. I don’t hunt. I have no issues with those who do, but that’s just not my thing. However, the storied art of tactical shooting embodies the timeless allure of power under control. For me at least it’s like golf, only way cooler.
The urge to contrive the optimized tactical handgun spawns from some primordial spaces. Rocking the hottest gun on the range certainly has its appeal. However, unlike a top-end $10,000 Gemspot OM 5 Deluxe Diamond Golf Driver, this rig will actually help keep you and your family safe come what may. This deep into the 21st century the practical applications of a proper tricked-out tactical handgun are fairly obvious.
Practical Tactical
The ideal suppressed handgun system needs to be rugged, accurate, quiet, intuitive and utterly reliable. This weapon should run fast and well while shooting straight and packing a simply breathtaking number of rounds onboard. The symbiotic melding of the Surefire Ryder 9-Ti2 Sound Suppressor, the Springfield Armory XD-M Elite Tactical OSP threaded handgun, and the thumb-sized Streamlight TLR-8G tactical light is all that and more.
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more effective and efficient suppressed handgun system. This rig has literally all the bells and whistles.
The Surefire Ryder 9-Ti2 is one of the lightest, thinnest, most effective pistol cans in its class. Sporting a svelte tube diameter of 1.25″ and a paltry 10.7-oz. weight, the Ryder 9-Ti2 offers a trivial weight burden. Rugged, mil-certified, heat-treated, sequentially-numbered stainless steel baffles and a fluted titanium outer tube define ballistic greatness. A built-in Linear Inertial Decoupler ensures flawless reliability, while exceptional rigidity and concentricity provide superlative accuracy with a minimal and predictable point of impact shift. The Ryder 9-Ti2 is honestly as good as it gets in my opinion.
The 1.25″ outer tube diameter is about the same width as the pistol grip. This offers relatively unobstructed use of the gun’s sights. It also allows you to holster the piece in certain carry rigs with the suppressor in place. We committed gun nerds prattle on about pistols and suppressors all the time, but there are precious few ways to actually tote the two together. The Ryder 9-Ti2 can get you there.
The Springfield Armory XD-M Elite OSP Threaded Handgun comes from the factory with a 5.28″ hammer-forged threaded barrel, deep cocking serrations both front and rear, and a truly bilateral ambidextrous pushbutton magazine release. The slide release is replicated on both sides of the gun. The META (Match Enhanced Trigger Assembly) offers an inimitably crisp, fast, and safe striker-fired trigger experience.
The Surefire Ryder 9-Ti2 Sound Suppressor is positively anorexic. Despite its trim architecture. the can is exceptionally effective.
What’s brand new nowadays is the factory-mounted HEX Dragonfly electronic optical sight. This compact, lightweight slide-mounted optic provides a wide uncluttered field of view along with an easily-accessed 3.5-MOA red dot. The battery lasts around three years, so you needn’t fret about it unduly. Replace the battery every odd-numbered birthday, and you’re good. Mount up a Streamlight TLR-8G combination light and laser, and the thing hunts like a bloodhound even indoors or in hard dark.
Trigger Time
The positively epic 22-round magazine that feeds the Springfield Armory XD-M Elite OSP Threaded Handgun lasts just about forever. You can get tired of squeezing the trigger before the box runs dry. That’s entertaining on the range. However, out in the Real World the fastest mag change is the one you don’t have to make. The META trigger and optimized everything conspire to create a delightful and effective shooting experience.
At 13 meters from a simple rest, this combination offers some fairly incredible accuracy.
The Ryder 9-Ti2 adds very little weight and even less bulk. What added mass there is reaches out forward to help tame recoil and muzzle flip. All centerfire pistol cans are noisy. However, the Ryder 9-Ti2 employs cutting-edge baffle design to excise the snap from those spunky 9mm rounds. Feed the gun 147-gr. subsonic loads and shoot it in a wide-open space and it is surprisingly easy on the ears. Thread it on, and it will do its part to help preserve your hearing and tactical awareness should you ever have to use this rig indoors or within a vehicle.
The Springfield Armory XD-M Elite Tactical OSP runs like a toddler after Toblerone, and the Surefire Ryder 9-Ti2 Sound Suppressor amps up both the sex appeal and tactical efficiency. The Streamlight TLR-8G shreds the darkness while offering truly surgical short-range targeting. The sum total will ably keep you and yours safe come what may. You may not actually be called upon to rescue a supermodel from a Bond-grade supervillain, but that doesn’t mean you can’t keep the proper tools handy, just in case.
Of course you could not pay me enough to go to South Africa today. What with all the problems that they are having now. Which is a pity as I always wanted to test myself against a Cape Buffalo. But I guess that’s the way God acts. Grumpy
Almost as soon as Duke obtained a concealed weapons permit he discovered the
inside-the-pants style of holster was most comfortable for him.
Photos By Yvonne Venturino
As a lifelong cat lover the primary thing I have learned from them is comfort is of prime importance. It is especially important in carrying a concealed handgun. And, be sure of the following: While I am not a training guru or firearms instructor by any stretch of the imagination, I am well versed on comfort.
The simple fact is if carrying a handgun is a nuisance you will soon stop carrying one. Upon first obtaining my concealed weapons permit I experimented with carrying a variety of handguns ranging from a Hungarian PA 63 9mm Makarov to 1911’s and even Colt SAA .45’s. I tried normal belt holsters, inside-the-pants holsters, shoulder holsters, crossdraw, and strong-side draw.
What I came to prefer was the inside-the-pants holsters. Why? Because to understate the matter I am of “plus-size,” so having a 2-1/2 pound handgun hanging on my already stressed belt caused my jeans to habitually head south. With the same pistol stowed in an inside-the-pants holster, the belt bound it to my body so gravity had little effect on it. That holster by the way was a Milt Sparks Summer Special and the pistols ranged from World War II vintage 1911A1’s to Colt Lightweight Commanders .45’s or a Kimber Pro Carry .40 S&W. My only complaint was the holster loops snapped around the belt. Upon coming home I would set the pistol on a shelf but the holster had to stay on my belt. While not exactly a problem, it still felt distracting.
Although most firearms trainers discourage it, during Montana
winters Duke usually carries in a coat pocket.
As always in life, things change. A few years back due to a botched surgery I had to stop wearing belts for a while and therefore quit wearing the Summer Special holster and 1911’s. During this time I switched to J-Frame Smith & Wesson revolvers. First was a Model 442 Airweight and next was a Model 360. The latter one is actually labeled “.357 Magnum” but both of those snubbies are loaded with .38 Specials. At 12 ounces the Model 360 is a bear to shoot but a joy to carry. Clint Smith beat me up fiercely for saying it, but mostly I just stuck those S&W’s in pockets instead of holsters.
There is a contributing factor to practical concealed carry when living here in Montana. Winters are cold, requiring a heavy coat. Furthermore the section of Montana I call home is known for its winds in winter. That requires coats to be buttoned or zipped, which make it nigh on impossible to get to a handgun concealed under it. It seemed far more feasible to me to carry those little 5-shooters in an outside coat pocket rather than on the inside tucked under a couple layers of garments.
Someone right now has to be thinking, “Well tough it out. Leave the coat open.” Like I said it’s a windy area and I mean really windy such as 30 to 40 mph winds being common and 75+ mph winds not being unusual. An open coat would end up wrapped around your ears.
I’ve recovered somewhat from the botched surgery but still only wear a belt on occasion. Furthermore, along the way I discovered those fine little “Pocket Pistols” Colt made and John Browning designed at the beginning of the 20th century. I bought both .32 and .380 ACP versions. I’ve never encountered a thinner handgun of any sort, nor one with edges better rounded. The .380 has become a companion to me.
Duke’s most recent inside-the-pants holster was made for him by
Karla Van Horne of Purdy Gear. It holds his Colt .380 “pocket pistol.”
Before someone gets upset saying I “recommend” a .380 for self-defense, again take note that I do not bill myself as an expert on such matters. I’m not saying people should use .380’s for self-defense. I’m saying I do with the mindset it’s better to have a handgun than not have one because carrying it became a chore.
Which brings us to my latest concealed carry holster. A few years back I met a delightful lady named Karla Van Horne who does leather working under the business name of Purdy Gear. We visited a bit and discovered both of us are fond of the Colt pocket pistols. When she asked if I had a holster for mine I had to admit I did not. She then asked me if I would like one. Yes! And it then came to pass she crafted me another inside the pants one but instead of belt loops it has a belt clip. That way it can snap over my belt when I wear one or just clip over my jeans waistband when I don’t.
It’s handy, comfortable and has never been spotted yet that I know of.
Those who own the night, own the fight. Attacks often happen in the shadows, where predators feel they are shielded by the dark. It could be a home invasion in the dead of night or a lurking assailant in a dimly lit parking lot.
Night sights give you the power to get on target even when you are dealing with low-light situations. Normally, gun owners have been forced to pay extra to buy their own night sights and then pay again to have them installed. But now, more than ever, there are guns that come with that option right from the factory.
Below is a list of seven great firearms for those who want night sights on a gun right out of the box. Light is power in the darkness. These guns are ready for the challenge.
The Glock 19x is Glock’s first-ever crossover pistol. It combines the compact slide of the Glock 19 with the full-size grip of the Glock 17. The end result is a gun that is concealable and highly controllable. Needless to say, it also boasts that legendary Glock reliability.
But it’s the addition of night sights that really puts the Glock 19x over the top for us. Many gun owners buy their Glocks fully aware that they will be changing the factory sights. The Glock 19x removes this step and gives you a gun that’s ready to fight at night.
Sig’s P320 is a striker-fired pistol with incredible modularity. You can easily change your gun to your heart’s desire or even swap out the entire grip. The internal fire control unit can also be completely pulled out with ease.
It’s not uncommon to see these guns at competitive and defensive shooting events. They’ve also grown a strong following for concealed carry. The aggressive grip texture is great for controllability, and many shooters find the P320 easier to naturally point when shooting.
Remember the “Noisy Cricket” from the “Men in Black” movie? We can’t be the only people who thought, “Wow, that would be a great concealed carry gun.” The NAA Pug is not going to send you flying through the air when you shoot it. But it’s about as tiny as you can get if you want more than one or two rounds in a micro pistol.
This little .22 Magnum is stout and sturdy. It can make a great back-up gun, and it’s small enough to tuck into your pocket. Don’t expect to shoot tight groups at 20 yards, but the tritium front sight allows you to quickly get the gun on target when it’s up close and personal.
Maybe the NAA Pug is a bit too small for your liking, so let’s tip the scales in the opposite direction. The Springfield TRP blends America’s classic 1911 with modern technology. This TRP also packs a powerful punch with its 10mm cartridge.
It offers some nice improvements over the classic 1911 as well. With a match-grade barrel and tritium night sights, it’s both accurate and powerful. But don’t expect to fit the Springfield TRP in your pocket.
If you want a gun with a metal frame and slide that’s still light, you can take it down to a highly concealable size with the Kimber EVO SP. This is a custom-built gun meant for everyday carry. It boasts a 3.6-inch barrel and comes in at just over a pound. Plus, it offers all the quality and precision that has made Kimber a well-respected name in the firearms business.
Sleek, modern, and packing Walther’s signature ergonomic grip, the Walther PPS M2 LE is a great option if you are looking for a smaller self-defense firearm that is also comfortable to shoot.
Walther’s guns are well known for their comfortable grip and overall ergonomics. While the grip may be small and easy for concealment, you can always add higher-capacity magazines that extend the grip for your hand while still offering concealability.
Meet the “little” big kid on the block. There are plenty of small guns on the market, but the P365 kept the small size and somehow squeezed 10+ rounds into its magazines. When it was first introduced, the Sig P365 got a lot of hype. But the hype stuck for good reasons.
It quickly became a concealed carry favorite, and there are plenty of holsters and accessories to make it fit your needs. But right out of the box, this little pistol offers capacity, shootability, and night sights to boot.
So far, every gun has had more traditional sights that protrude above the slide. This might not be a problem for you. But Sig took their P365 model and created a snag-free P365 SAS version that basically lowered them into the slide itself. It’s a unique feature that makes the gun very, very sleek.
The sight itself is unlike anything most shooters have ever used. They might take some getting used, but these snag-free night sights earned the SAS an honorable mention on our list.
