No doubt someone, somewhere will read that title, “Stop The Consumerism”, and have a minor heart attack because they think I’m some sort of communist or socialist or some other “ist”.
Nope, far from it. But the reason I say stop the consumerism, is I see a trend, both online and in person, about the endless consumerism of guns, and gear. People are so focused on the latest and greatest, and spend so much money to get it, that they don’t get around to mastering the gear they have, and can’t afford ammo for the guns they have to practice and have on hand just in case. That’s a big problem, if you view the Second Amendment as it was written, it was written for the Militia.
As an example, what good’s your AR15 if you can’t shoot off hand, on the move, or kneeling or prone? If you can’t shoot it while wearing an LBE harness or some sort of vest? If you don’t practice, why don’t you? Having “stuff” in your basement collecting dust, isn’t doing you any good. Have you shot in the cold? I mean real cold? Like sub zero? Wear gloves, those aluminum triggers and hand-guards get COLD. Does your gun still work? A gun that works when it’s 70′ may not work in sub zero weather. Make sure your CLP doesn’t freeze and that you don’t use too much. Have you ever shot in the dark? Do you know how a muzzle flash can be disorienting or even blinding for the shooter if his eyes have adjusted to the dark? Can you reach for a magazine out of your rig and load reload your rifle or pistol without having to look? Do you have your sight, whether iron or some sort of scope or red dot, battle sight zeroed? Do you know what a battle sight zero is? Do you have a small cleaning kit in your LBE harness or pack or whatever your set up is? Do you have the straps adjusted so it sits comfortably? If you have body armor, can you walk miles without collapsing? Can you shoot with it on? Do your magazines all work? Have any of the springs weakened? Does your ammo work? And will your ammo work in sub zero temperatures? When it comes to ammo, very often you get what you pay for. And is your rifle battle sight zeroed for the cases of ammo you have squirreled away? Do you have spare parts? Like spare buffer springs for an AR15? If you don’t, get some basic spare parts, and learn how to check them, and install new ones if needed.
Stop focusing on the “stuff”. Get yourself a couple of good fighting rifles, and a couple of good fighting pistols. And get used to them. Get a couple slings that work, and a couple holsters that work. Practice. Don’t worry about wearing your guns out, if you do, then fix them, or if it’s too big of a job, have a gun smith fix them, or buy a new one. Get a rig of some sort, I like the LBE harness, but whatever you like, buy it, and practice. Don’t worry about having the “best” ammo. Buy name brand, that’s reliable, and combat accurate. Remember, combat accurate won’t win a long range precision rifle match. Combat accurate is minute of man. Personally I like the 36 yard – 300 yard zero for my 5.56mm AR15’s. But set your sights for whatever suits you, and practice. Get so you can shoot minute of man, standing, on the move, kneeling, prone, leaning against something. Once your rifle’s sighted in, stop using a bullseye. Just shoot at a plate or something. Typically I use bare paper plates. If I can put the bullets in the paper plate, I’m satisfied. The issue with bullseyes, is, and studies have shown this to be true, is you can subconsciously train your brain to look for a bullseye, when there isn’t one. Well if you ever actually need your gun, there won’t be a bullseye on a man’s body. If you shoot at a place that allows it, shoot steel. That’s probably the best target for serious practice. If I could, where I go I would use steel, not paper plates.
Over this past winter, I worked at getting used to shooting in an LBE harness, worn over many layers and a parka, and shooting prone in the cold Minnesota snow. That took a long time to get used to. Due to eye problems, I must have a scope. Learning the right adjustment for the adjustable stocks on my AR15’s took some time, as going prone can alter your eye relief when compared to standing. Also, learning a proper grip for prone shooting- well you can’t hold your rifle the same way you would standing. Making sure you have the middle of the pad of your finger on the trigger, is critical. It took me awhile, a few trips out and more rounds than I’ll admit, to get used to it, but eventually, I could shoot about as good prone at 100 yards in the snow as I could from a bench.
Also, this where I stayed till after dark a few times, and shot off a few rounds, to see what a flash suppressor will or will not do. Also, to see how far my weapon light would shine, and what it’d look like through a scope. Try it. And, again, this is where I found out, well one of my rifles at least will shoot at -14′.
That’s another thing to consider. Gun powder burns differently, at different temperatures. If you have it zeroed for a Minnesota winter, recheck it for spring-summer-fall. Also altitude changes things as well. Even the same ammo, buy a case from a different lot, it might zero different. Also check it.
If you want a 12 or 14lbs gun, by putting thermals, night vision, magnifiers, lights/lasers, go ahead. But practice. That’s heavy enough to make WW2/Korean era M1 Garand’s look light weight. I can’t shoot something that heavy off hand and hit anything. I keep mine, light, flat top, low profile gas block, mid length gas system, AR15 carbine’s, with a scope, forward vertical grip, weapon light, and sling. I stick with 5.56mm because no rifle cartridge is more popular. I like Win. M855 specifically, I like what I see it do to logs and stumps. But that’s another factor, shoot “stuff” with your ammo, not just paper or steel targets to test and see if you like what it does to “stuff”. Take some shots at logs, or stumps or old junk from your garage. See what different ammo does. Remember, if the shit hits the fan, you won’t be able to call for a resupply chopper, so stick with common calibers, like 5.56mm for the rifle, and 9mm for the handgun.
Also consider batteries. If the shit hits the fan, say an EMP either by an act of God, or man made, your gizmos will be fried. Also, those things burn through batteries. Batteries have a limited shelf life. How many spares can you carry? Things to consider.
In the end, buy yourself a decent rifle and pistol, and the associated gear, and practice. Practice. Practice. Practice.
You are the Militia.
“It isn’t always being fast or even accurate that counts… It’s being willing.” John Wayne, in ‘The Shootist’ (1976)
Leave a Reply