Personal Defense World
  • News
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Shotguns
    • Class III & More
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics/Lights
    • Safes
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • First-Time Shooters
    • Home & Self-Defense
  • Videos
    • Latest Videos
    • PDW Videos
    • Free Gun Friday
    • SCCY Brand Videos
    • Video Series
      • Everyday Carry
  • More
    • Sweepstakes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Personal Defense World
  • News
  • Guns
    • Handguns
    • Rifles
    • Shotguns
    • Class III & More
  • Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics/Lights
    • Safes
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • First-Time Shooters
    • Home & Self-Defense
  • Videos
    • Latest Videos
    • PDW Videos
    • Free Gun Friday
    • SCCY Brand Videos
    • Video Series
      • Everyday Carry
  • More
    • Sweepstakes
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Personal Defense World
No Result
View All Result
 
FREE GUN FRIDAY > Enter to WIN the Ruger PC Charger & PC Carbine, Ammo from Black Hills and the Caldwell Portable Range Kit!

Behind the Scenes at Safariland

Dennis Adler by Dennis Adler
December 5, 2012
in Exclusives
0
Behind the Scenes at Safariland

Scott Carnahan, Safariland’s vice president of Duty Gear and Bianchi Brand holsters, explains to visitors the R&D process for designing a holster.

0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
A holster-forming operation on the assembly line. The machine (not shown) can mold various models simultaneously.
Safariland maintains a large armory of new and vintage revolvers and semi-automatic pistols, which are used to form-fit holsters.
This is the Ballistic Engineering System test lab where I witnessed a vest being evaluated. An automated firing mechanism is used to discharge a test round while high-speed cameras simultaneously record the impact on a large plasma-screen monitor.

A holster-forming operation on the assembly line. The machine (not shown) can mold various models simultaneously.
This is the Ballistic Engineering System test lab where I witnessed a vest being evaluated. An automated firing mechanism is used to discharge a test round while high-speed cameras simultaneously record the impact on a large plasma-screen monitor.

Inside layers of a ballistic vest showing that the bullet stopped in the first subset of the vest.
Back Face Deformation (back stop) shows the degree of energy transferred through the body armor. The depth is measured by a laser. A vest will stop the bullet, but the impact energy is still transferred to the wearer. This generally results in a bruise, as though the wearer were punched.
Scott Carnahan, Safariland’s vice president of Duty Gear and Bianchi Brand holsters, explains to visitors the R&D process for designing a holster.

I recently had the opportunity to tour Safariland’s facilities in Ontario, California, where I got an up-close look at its manufacturing techniques, the R&D lab and, most importantly, the ballistics lab where its engineers develop and test new tactical gear—that includes the latest in bulletproof body armor for military and law enforcement.

What takes place on any given day at Safariland’s massive operation is worthy of a documentary. Development work and improvements to holsters and tactical gear (with input from law enforcement and the Bianchi shooting team) are almost continuous, providing real-time, in-the-field data to R&D. Safariland uses 3D modeling and CNC machines to develop prototypes and manufacture necessary tooling, all in-house. And turnaround in prototyping ideas can sometimes be as quick as 24 hours.

Manufacturing is also an ongoing process, with improvements and new techniques being incorporated into the assembly lines on a regular basis. I was privy to some of these improvements but was, understandably, unable to photograph or report on them. It suffices to say that the manufacturing of some Safariland tactical holsters is as innovative as the guns they carry.

Thermo-molded, form-fitted holsters for law enforcement and civilian use feature a combination of synthetics and leather for either the exterior finish or the interior (suede linings). These holsters are mass-produced on rotary machines that can form-fit multiple holsters at one time. The tooling, which is developed in R&D, creates forming dies that shape holsters to perfectly fit specific firearms commonly used by law enforcement and the military. Additionally, Safariland keeps an impressive armory of firearms for fitting holsters.

One of Safariland’s most impressive departments is the Ballistics Engineering Systems lab headed by Bob Weber and his team. The lab continually experiments with and upgrades the effectiveness of Safariland’s tactical body armor. I was able to witness a test that used an automated firing mechanism to discharge a test round at ballistic vest material, while high-speed cameras simultaneously recorded the impact for review. The backstop (or back face) uses a soft clay material that deforms to measure the energy that would be transferred to the wearer—the impact is checked by laser to precise depth. Note that, just as a gun produces recoil when fired, a bullet hitting a vest still transfers significant energy to the individual wearing body armor. Depending upon the design, weight and strength of that vest, the impact can knock the individual back or even knock the person down, all without penetration or major injury.

Vests that have dual defense capabilities (against bullets and against knives, ice picks and other sharp objects capable of piercing bullet-stopping fabric) are also in development at Safariland. The company is building better holsters and protective gear for our military and law enforcement, and that inevitably leads to better gear for civilians. There is always a lot going on behind the doors in Ontario, California. For more information, visit safariland.com or call 800-347-1200.

Didn't find what you were looking for?

CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTS

Related Posts

16 of the Best Concealed Carry Holsters for 2022.

Holster Hot Picks: The 16 Best Concealed Carry Holsters for 2022

10 Holsters Under $60.

10 Concealed Carry Holsters Under $60

New Safariland HK holster fits accommodate compact weapon lights.

Safariland HK Holster Fits for VP9, P30 Pistols With Compact Lights

Safariland released several fits and styles of holsters to fit the Taurus GX4.

Taurus GX4 Holsters: Safariland Adds Numerous Fits for New EDC Pistol

Load More

PERSONAL DEFENSE WORLD VIDEOS

Discussion about this post

FEATURED POST

What Are Red Flag Laws?

What Are Red Flag Laws and Are They Ripe For Abuse?

Recently, the Senate passed the “Bipartisan Safer Communities Act,” which includes funding for red flag laws. Garnering the support of...

Read more

TRENDING

POF-USA, POF-USA Skirmish

POF-USA Releases The Skirmish, Ideal For Competition Use

...

11 of the Best 1911 Pistols for 2022.

11 Best 1911 Pistols [2022]

...

The SIG Sauer P365 X-Macro Comp.

SIG Sauer P365 X-Macro Comp Provides 17+1 Rounds of Fast Follow Up

...

The Savage Arms Stance, chambered in 9mm.

TESTED: Savage Stance Is a Solid Entry into the Concealed Carry Market

...

PICK A CATEGORY

CONCEALED CARRY SPOTLIGHT

Summer Concealed Carry Options.

Carry Concealed Comfortably This Summer

Winter weather provides quite a few benefits to gun owners. Big, heavy coats and shirts more easily hide the bulges...

CONCEALED CARRY SHOWCASE

Schools Throughout Madison County North Carolina Get AR-15s for Defense.

Madison County Schools in North Carolina Boost Security with AR-15s

The Pineworld K5 Gun Safe.

The Pineworld K5 Gun Safe with Biometric Entry Reviewed

The SIG Sauer P365 X-Macro Comp.

SIG Sauer P365 X-Macro Comp Provides 17+1 Rounds of Fast Follow Up

Mayors Against Illegal Guns Report for Duty to Target Firearm Industry.

Mayors Against Illegal Guns Conspire to Target Firearm Industry

The Oakley SI American Heritage Collection.

Oakley SI Honors Military Aircraft History with American Heritage Collection

Study Proves the Good Guy with a Gun Theory.

Good Guy with a Gun: Study of CCW Holders Stopping Mass Shootings

Escaping a Knife Attack, UF PRO

WATCH: How to Defend Yourself Against an Attack with a Knife

The Wilson Combat 45th Anniversary Special Edition CQB.

Wilson Combat Celebrates Its 45th Anniversary with a Special Edition CQB

site logo
Gun News, Gun Reviews, and Self Defense Tips
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Policy
© Athlon Outdoors, All Rights Reserved.
You use of this website constitutes and manifests your acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, and awareness of the California Privacy Rights. Pursuant to U.S. Copyright law, as well as other applicable federal and state laws, the content on this website may not be reproduced, distributed, displayed, transmitted, cached, or otherwise used, without the prior, express, and written permission of Athlon Outdoors.

Manage your GDPR consents by clicking here. Manage your CCPA consents by clicking here.
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Guns
    • View All Guns
    • Handguns
    • Shotguns
    • Rifles
    • Class III & More
    • Sponsored
  • Gear
    • View All Gear
    • Accessories
    • Ammo
    • Holsters
    • Knives
    • Optics/Lights
    • Safes
    • Suppressors
  • Lifestyle
    • View All Lifestyle
    • Concealed Carry
    • First-Time Shooters
    • Home & Self-Defense
  • Videos
    • PDW Videos
    • Free Gun Friday
  • More
    • Subscribe
    • Contact Us

© 2022 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.