Reflection

These three shotguns were inherited by our client from his Father in-law who passed away earlier this year from cancer. The two had planned to go hunting together but it always was put aside as work and other commitments got in the way. In the end their hunting trip together never happened.

Our client wanted something special done to the shotguns. They are all made in the same factory in Brazil but each was sold under the name of a different gun manufacturer. They are a 410, 20 and 12 gauge. When we received them they were rusted and pitted the wood was damaged, they all needed some TLC.

After we cleaned, degreased and repaired them, we chose a tight weave carbon fibre over a dark blue base for the barrels actions and fore stock clips. The wooden stocks and fore stocks were given a marsh grass pattern that would highlight the blue carbon fibre.

They are a reminder that we need to take the time and share our lives and adventures with those that are special to us as we never know when or if we will get another chance.

Camouflaged Optical Systems

In this picture we have a custom rifle chassis and skins done by our friends at Alberta Tactical Rifle Supply with a Schmidt & Bender scope and a BORS (Barrett Optical Range System)all done in the A-TACS Camo. To learn more just click each of their links and it will take you right to their sites.

$99 stock special only until Sept 20th

Hunting season has opened and we are celebrating. Now until Sept 20th, 2011 we are decorating all standard hunting rifle stocks for just $99.00 (reg $155.00) and all standard complete hunting rifles (stock Action and barrel) for $175.00 (reg $260.00) plus applicable taxes and return shipping. If you have been considering getting your hunting rifle camouflaged, there has never been a better opportunity! Contact us today to secure your order as this sale ends Sept 20th

Bone Head Camouflage

This is a solid performing camouflage with enough cool factor to make it unique.

Camouflage gun work video

This video was produced over a year ago to highlight some of our gun work, however, it also shows the dipping process so that you get an idea of how it works. We hope you enjoy it.

Camouflage story

On one of the forums that we belong to we ran a contest to gather camouflage stories. The following was submitted by Babyseal, I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

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I was trying to hunt down this enormous porcupine that kept fighting with my friend’s dog leading to several expensive vet bills because the conservation officers wouldn't come out. She lived alone in the middle of nowhere northern Alberta and her dog was her only companion. I had a plan. I put on my own camouflage and had a rifle to match. Late one afternoon, I crept out into this forest that she said it always ran away into and decided to park myself in a good spot to watch this game trail I suspected it of using. There was lots of loose leaf little all over the ground so I got set up real comfy in a good spot so I wouldn’t make any noise.

Well, like I often have to do after long periods of sitting and waiting in the cold, I had to pee. Badly! I didn’t want to because I would have to take my eyes off the trail and it would create more scent and noise to give me away, but it wasn’t a matter of choice any more. So I laid my rifle down, took a few steps back into a little dip behind a large tree and began to relieve myself, well away from the rifle, but where I could still sort of see the trail.

Just as I was finishing up, I heard a rustling through the fallen leaves and guess what came tromping down the trail. You guessed it. The porcupine. I was quite excited, but I silently zipped up and knew that this was going to be a simple and quick matter. I was wrong. I looked at the ground to find a quiet path back to my rifle, except, where was my rifle!?!

I instantly flushed red as I realized that it was somewhere right in front of me, but I couldn’t see it! Pride over the good camo job was not present. Only embarrassment over the situation and stress over failing to get the porcupine washed over me as I crouched there searching for my gun. The pressure continued to build.

I tried, so quietly to find that rifle, but inevitably, the critter heard me and went trundling off into the woods. I was so mad. Darkness was coming and I felt torn between chasing the damn thing with a stick and finding the rifle. But I knew that if I didn’t find it right away, I might never find my rifle. I was so mad at myself that I could have screamed. My blood pressure must have been spiking because I felt stressed! I scanned and searched but I couldn’t find the damn rifle anywhere, and I knew it was right by me somewhere!

After a few moments of spinning I calmed myself down and started to search methodically for it. I actually had to do a grid search of the ground in an area of about 5 square meters to find it. All told it must have taken me about 20 minutes to find the rifle in a spot I must have looked at about 20 times. I can not describe the mix of relief and embarrassment I felt when I FINALY picked up the outline of the barrel in the leaves. Picking the rifle up, and brushing the leaves off of it, I went home in shame. I vowed to buy a sling for the damn thing tomorrow.

When I got back to the house where my elderly friend and her loyal dog were waiting with hot coffee, she asked me how it went. I lied. Sort of....

I told her I couldn't find anything.

I guess the guilt of what really happened camouflaged the lie.

And that is my story about camouflage. Don't let those camo guns out of your sight!

Babyseal

Canadian licenced Firearms Facility

Cobra Imaging is pleased to announce that we are now a fully licensed Canadian federal firearms facility, providing decorative coatings to all non restricted, restricted and prohibited firearm classifications for individuals, commercial, law enforcement and military agencies.

Visit our Website www.cobraimaging.com

Contact us at sales@cobraimaging.com

Bad Camo on Facebook

Surfing Facebook last week I stumbled upon a fun page that deals with bad camouflage around the world. This is the page introduction "Bad camo is all about poorly applied, unfortunately conceived, and just plain ugly camouflage patterns. Enjoy!" after reading this I had to explore it further. I found the page both entertaining and informative and thought you might to. Here is the link to the page

Todd Jarrett on Pistol shooting

This is one of the best pistol shooting instructional videos I have seen. Todd Jarret is a world champion pistol shooter and in this video he explains techniques to better pistol shooting. One tip he did not mention is that a well decorated firearm just shoots better. Enjoy!

The art of camouflage or camouflage as art

Camouflage - we know it mostly for its ability to conceal but today camouflage is finding its way into the world of art. There are several artists that are exploring ways of creating beauty and visual stimulation by introducing camouflage into their works of art. I am currently working with three artists that work in different mediums who are utilizing the water transfer printing process to enhance their artistic work. This is just another example of how camouflage is finding its way into non traditional areas and with great success.

Personalized Camouflage

When you have your firearm camouflage with the water transfer printing method you have the option of deciding not only on the pattern you like but also the base colour used underneath the pattern. This opens up a whole world of possibilities. In the picture of his and hers we see two rifle stocks done in the same pattern but with two different base colours giving these stocks a unique personalized touch.

Ultimate Camo, one of huntings best camouflages

Ultimate camo is a hunting camouflage that was the brain child of Andy Cuttitta, a long time hunter. The camo pattern simulates tree bark and I believe it is one of the best camouflages you can find for tree stand hunting or any hunting where you have a tree or woods in the background. The range of concealment with this camouflage is also amazing as it blends into the surroundings whether you are near or far from it. What I like best about this camo pattern from a decorators point is that with simple changes to the base colour you can match most tree species making it an excellent all around camo for any of the woods you hunt in. I have applied ultimate camo on rifles and equipment that are being used across Canada, with excellent results for any season. If you are looking for a great camouflage for your neck of the woods I suggest you check out Ultimate Camo.

Happy 4th of July

To all of our American friends, we wish you a very happy 4th of July, have a great day!

Camo solution for the DIY

As a professional that applies camouflage to firearms I often get asked about other methods of camouflage that one can use at home. My first instinct is to tell them no there is not, but I never do. The truth is there are other ways to camouflage your gun for the DIY. The one method I want to talk about today are camouflage fabric tapes and cloth wraps that are easy to apply and will give you a camo look.

The up side to these products are that they can be easily removed and reapplied meaning that you can change up your camo for the area you are hunting in, for example a grassland pattern for wetlands and then switch it up to a winter pattern for the snow. They also can provide some grip to the firearm which can be handy in cold and wet conditions. They do offer some mild protection against bumps and scratches. If you have a classic firearm that one would never dream of putting a permanent camouflage pattern on then these products can be ideal when you need some temporary situational camouflage.

The down side to these products are that they are not permanent but hey, they are not designed to be. They do not add any significant protection from corrosion and in fact can cause corrosion and moisture damage if left on after getting wet. The tape glue can leave a residue that can also be a pain if not cleaned properly.

The fact is that these products definitely have a place in the camouflage firearm world if they are used with the intention they were made for. They are designed to be a temporary camouflage solution. So if you are looking for a fairly quick and inexpensive camouflage method I would certainly look for one of these products.

Digital camouflage

Digital camouflage is the use of small micro-patterns as opposed to large micro-patterns used to create a design of effective disruption. In traditional camouflage the large blotches of color with sharp outlines are easier to see, with digital camouflage the blurring of the edges on the small colored micro-patterns makes the outlines and the effect is harder to define. The name digital camo refers to the coordinates of the pattern, which are digitally defined, along with the set of colors used. Most non-digital camouflage patterns use some form of digital color set but the difference is that they do not use digital coordinates.

An example of a very effective digital camouflage pattern is the Canadian CADPAT pictured above.

HAPPY CANADA DAY

Wishing everyone a very happy Canada day. Canada is 144 years young.

Canada was established as a self governing country on July 1st, 1867.

However, there were places called Canada before official Confederation.Canada dates back to 1535, when Jacques Cartier first discovered it. Before that Canada was inhabited by the Aboriginals. They called it kanata , hence the name Canada.

Dazzle Camo, making a comeback?

I found this interesting article about the merits of Dazzle Camouflage used on ships and vehicles. Makes for an interesting read. Not sure it would be very effective as a personal camo but it would be unique,enjoy, Dazzle camo proves weird patterns make combat vehicles safer

MultiCam VS ATACS

In this debate it would seem that MultiCam is a clear winner. Why? well for one the US army has chosen MultiCam for their Afghan mission. The other is that we see more requests for MultiCam to be applied to firearms then any other single Military style camo. Although I do believe that ATACS will find its following. As one who has seem them both used in the field, they both offer excellent concealment properties.

So why Camouflage your firearm?

The truth is that camouflage only works if everything is concealed. It is not good enough to just wear camouflage clothing. Yes it breaks up the large mass of a body but your hands face and weaponry are all spot-able. Think about how you hunt for a minute. When we are spotting for game we are looking for things that will help us identify our game, the white in an ear, the flick of a tail, or the glean off an antler lead our eyes to making out the bigger mass of a body. It is the same way for our game in spotting us. Uncovered faces and hands are a give away, the same with the solid black mass of a rifle or stainless barrel. So if we are truly trying to conceal our entire self it is important to remember to camouflage everything and you will have a far better chance of not being made out.

Ghille you and your gun

Named for the Gaelic “lads” who accompanied deer hunts in the Scottish Highlands, the Ghillie suit is a camouflage garment covered in heavy foliage. Temperatures in these portable hunting blinds can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit in moderate climates. Above are Ghillie-suited snipers of the 2nd Foreign Infantry Regiment (France) in Afghanistan in 2005.

Camouflage is for everyone

This is a post from the Cobra Imaging blog enjoy!

Camouflage works!

The picture above highlights the importance of selecting the appropriate camo for the environment!

Why a blog site about camouflaged firearms?

Good question, there are a few reasons why we created this site. The first is to expand the understanding of the process we use to apply camouflage; water transfer printing (WTP). You see, although WTP has been around for some time there are very few people who know about it. It is one of those processes where we see the results from it every day but do not really know what we are looking at. An example besides camouflage on a rifle stock would be the wood grain you find in car interiors. There are countless products manufactured that utilize the process of WTP to enhance their visual value.

Another reason for this site is to showcase the different types of camouflage you can get, whether it is traditional, high tech, or just plain cool. I am also hoping to explore the methods to camouflage a firearm from professional application to the DIY. Ultimately I am hoping that the firearm community will contribute to the content of this site with suggestions and contributions. So let’s get started and see where we can take this.