Airsoft Action April 2020 | Page 76

KIT & GEAR 0241 TACTICAL - USA Tactical Over Trousers (TOTs). We’ve formed alliances with other US manufacturers, such as Head On Tactical, to provide tactical gear in the same patterns our products are made in, to give the customer more of what they are looking for in one place. So we’re kind of a shotgun blast of gear and equipment, not specialising in one item.” AA: I know that you work with excellent camouflage patterns and pattern developers; can you tell me more about this? 0241: “We work with the makers of many patterns, buying direct from the factories here in the United States. We communicate constantly with PenCott and A-TACS (and many others), working to be at the top of the list whenever a new pattern becomes available. PenCott has been great to work with because, due to my geographic location (next to one of the US Printers), we’re able to work with PenCott to develop new materials not typically available and provide cool products to our customers. Our neck gaiters, balaclavas, and caps are an example of this. We saw a shortfall where a good material was needed and PenCott worked with us and the printer to develop a great material to meet that need. Additionally, 0241Tactical developed its own suit (tops and bottoms) in DEPSOC as well as boots, caps, balaclavas, and various other tactical gear.” AA: You make a lot of your products to your own designs; what’s the process there? 0241: “Trial and error! If we take a look at the Tactical Operator’s Pullover (TOP) with regard to changes (which we consider improvements), we’re probably on version 20 at this point. The TOPs originally started off as a very rudimentary anorak and we’ve really turned it into a shooter’s jacket, with features that have made it a sought-after piece of gear. Our templates are originally rough drafted with cardboard and adjusted ...and adjusted again ..and again until the final design is what we’re looking for. Then we make a final template out of a more robust material and that becomes our standard.” AA: I know that you have a tie-in now with some other premium brands; who are they? 0241: “As time has progressed it became clear that we needed to start expanding our staff to meet the increasing volume 76 APRIL 2020 of 0241Tactical sales. In order to pay for the additional staff, we took on the business philosophy that “We make tires but we’re going to sell another company’s cars in order to sell more of our tires”. This has turned our webstore into a one stop shopping site selling our own, locally produced items as well as items we retail. We began to sell for Sk7 USA (who’ve been an amazing brand partner) a few years ago to meet the demand for PenCott camouflage items but that quickly morphed into selling many other patterns. A-TACS Camouflage has been amazing to work with and we work hand in hand with their owners. When the new BDU Extreme clothing line came out, 0241 made the first order with Tru-Spec. We’ve really tried to branch out and offer more unconventional tactical clothing intended for customers who need tactical clothing but don’t want to look like they’re deploying to Afghanistan. As far as listing out companies, we sell Tru-Spec, Sk7USA, UR- Tactical, HRT Tactical, Viktos clothing, KWA USA, and even a few smaller companies that make incredible gear, such as UW Gear in Florida and Head On Tactical in California. We’re looking to join SnugPak and another company this year.” AA: Where do you see 0241 Tactical evolving in the future? 0241: “Slow growth and hire our military veterans. 0241Tactical started while I was serving in the Marine Corps. The United States has the Department of Veterans Affairs that seeks to help those veterans who’ve served with educational, job placement and medical assistance. My wife (an Air Force veteran) works with a local government department to help our veterans navigate the government bureaucracy and get the assistance they’re entitled to. Along those lines, I wanted to be in a position to help other veterans by providing jobs for them. However, this isn’t a charity case. I see their service as valuable experience that provides amazing insight into a market they’re very familiar with. Our first full-time sewing guru, Kyle, is a prior Army Parachute Rigger who learned sewing machines during his service. The military teaches attention to detail and he’s marked by exactness and accuracy of workmanship. He’s been an amazing addition to 0241Tactical. That being said, we want to grow 0241Tactical, with veterans like Kyle, to become a tactical sew shop in America. We want to produce our own brand items but offer a US-based production service for other companies looking to production here in the USA.” AA: When I saw you at SHOT you told me that you’d signed up with KWA for their gas products; you mentioned them earlier, so how do you see this going forward? 0241: “When I was stationed in the United Kingdom I became friends with the guys at Free Fire Zone/Fire Support and started hanging out at their fields near Peterborough and, as a result, got a ton of experience with Airsoft Electric Guns (AEGs). My perspective is that airsoft is an incredibly fun sport that motivates people to get off the couch and get moving. The problem I saw with airsoft was that when you can carry nearly unlimited ammo, it diminished the realism of force on force training and often turned games into a frenzy of BBs flying everywhere! “This year at Shot Show I saw the KWA booth and saw that KWA has really begun to market towards law enforcement and the military, with their Professional Training Rifles and Pistols. Elements of authenticity have been reintroduced by limiting magazine capacity, including recoil but most importantly, the operation function of the training systems mimic the real function of actual firearms. This means muscle memory learned in a training environment will translate to real world situations. With increased government scrutiny on spending, KWA provides significant cost-savings but this is overshadowed by the risk mitigation training with 6mm BBs offers, instead of shooting live ammunition. As 0241Tactical expands we are looking to provide law enforcement, military and private citizens with the tools to enhance their own shooting techniques. If the relationship with KWA USA bears fruit, we’ll expand with other brands that can offer similar training systems.” AA: If someone reading this article likes the sound of what you offer, what should be their next step? 0241: “Check out our website at www.0241Tactical.com and if you don’t see what you want, email us at [email protected] and let us know what you’re looking for and in what pattern/material. If we can get it and it’s feasible, we’ll work with you. If you need a large order for your unit, please hit us up as we can support that too.” AA: Thanks so much for talking to us Sean. We wish you continued success with the new designs, patterns, and projects and certainly look forward to seeing you at SHOT in 2021! AA