FBINAA Associate Magazine Q3.2021

Continued from "The Saves Club", on page 8

easily be concealed for one mission and built like a tank for the next. Like the FAV, The SHIFT 360 comes in black, navy, Ranger green, tan, multicam, tactical green, and coyote. Safariland takes exceptional pride in their work. I’ve spent more than a decade in this industry and have never seen a cooperate culture more devoted to their customers. Safariland’s mission statement is “ Together, We Save Lives.,” And it isn’t fluff. In their factory in Jacksonville, Florida—where they’re mak - ing holsters—there’s a running tally of the number of the times Safariland armor has made that critical difference. The numbers are there for everyone to see—from the management to the janitorial staff, as a constant reminder that what they do matters. The partnership between Safariland and Hardwire offers a new standard in shock dissipation physics, momentum transfer efficiency, and ultimately, ballistic protection. Taking a round should not be the end of the fight. Because of Safariland’s dedication to protection, we know that more than 2,000 officers have gone home to their families. Others have made it survived because their armor system al- lowed them the flexibility to move when they had to. Even more have been able to run unencumbered by the weight of steel plates. And how many guns have stayed secure in Safariland holsters because of active retention devices? Can we count that high? Safariland can’t possibly put a number on the lives they’ve saved, much less the number of lives the company has touched. Instead, they take point in this industry and continue to collabo- rate and innovate.

two new carriers that offer flexible options for personal protec - tion. The third generation of Safariland’s Fast Attack Vest (FAV) provides a robust and comprehensive platform that allows for easy combination of hard and soft armor for increased protec - tion. The front, back, sides and shoulders are all built with soft armor inserts. This design offers increased coverage for those who need robust protection while still allowing for comfortable mobility. The shoulder straps and padded cummerbund panels feel more like straps on a backpack, or a hip-belt. While protec - tive and substantial, they’re hardly restrictive. In addition, independent bottom loading front and rear plate pockets are built in to accommodate 10”x12” and SAPI rifle plates. The FAV is sized to cover small to extra-large body types and sizes. This allows for mobility and flexibility and the additional protection of SAPI plates where they’re needed most. The FAV is also easy to customize. Shoulder pads, neck guards, and even groin protection can be attached to take this from exceptional core coverage to an even more complete armor system. The external cummerbund system allows for easy adjust - ments. The FAV comes with either Velcro closures or First Spear Tubes. An internal flex-pouch is designed for radio and accessory storage, while SWIFT Clip attachments offers compatibility with a variety of user-customizable pouch systems. Safariland makes the FAV in the most common uniform col - ors: in black, navy, Ranger green, tan, multicam, tactical green, and coyote. The FAV is designed for complete coverage. The new itera- tion of the SHIFT 360 Scalable Plate Rack System is built for speed and maneuverability. The SHIFT 360 , also entering into its third-generation con- figuration, is a carrier designed to accommodate multiple sizes ranging from small to extra-large SAPI plates. The lightweight, highly durable, flex internal lining system allows for a very accu - rate fit, and the SHIFT 360 is designed to accommodate a variety of plate thicknesses. This flexibility is key to adapting armor to mission specific needs. Compared to the FAV, the SHIFT 360 looks lean. But the core coverage and adaptability remain. The SHIFT is available with an Advanced Webless System (built with Safariland’s new propri - etary Divergent MOLLE) in 500D Cordura nylon, or a Traditional Modular Webbing system (TMW) in 500D Cordura nylon. In its core configuration, the SHIFT places protection where it matters most. The design is purposefully light and pairs well with Hardwire plates. For those who rely on their speed, the SHIFT 360 is a great option. If soft armor inserts aren’t sufficient, hard plates can be added. Like the FAV, though, the SHIFT can be customized. While the carrier itself is lean, the SHIFT can accept additional padding and pouches for mission-specific needs. The SHIFT 360 could

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About the Writer: David Higginbotham is a writer and editor who has worked for numerous outdoor publica- tions. He holds a Ph.D. in English from Florida State University and taught writing for more than a decade before stepping out of the classroom and onto the range. He currently lives in Fort Smith, Arkansas with his wife Emily and 12-year-old son, Thomas. He’s the Scoutmaster of a Scout troop and an avid outdoors- man.

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