First Tactical: 5.11 Quality for Less? SHOT Show 2016

On range day prior to the 2016 SHOT Show, I stopped at the First Tactical display. If you have a yen for high-line tactical gear, you’ll probably be interested in this.

Here’s what I was told about First Tactical: It was started by Dan Costa, the founder of 5.11 Tactical (who still owns 20% of 5.11). I’m told he tasked his designers with improving 5.11’s stuff, to create something even better. And finally, he decided his new company would sell only direct to consumers–in other words, you can only buy First Tactical’s stuff online.

On their site, they list all kinds of clothing (except underwear), plus bags and “gear.” That last category includes knives, flashlights, and pads for elbows and knees. They also offer boots for sale.

SHOP NOW

Quality looked pretty good, so if you need (or just want) quality tactical gear, you might want to take a look at First Tactical.

And no, I’m not getting anything for posting this. Just trying to spread the word about a promising young company and help our readers save a few bucks.

Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.