AR15s… and M&P-15s and M400s and …

Published by in AR-15 Basics on May 2nd, 2012 | No Comments »

I’ve written previously about AR15s and brand names, but it has since occurred to me that some people new to black rifles don’t realize they have an AR15.  Lately it seems that I get more and more questions like these; “Does the Magpul PMAG work in my M&P15?”  or “I have a Sig M400 and I can’t find any quad rails that will fit it.  They all say they are for AR15s.”  or “This scope says it’s for an AR15.  I have an M&P15, will it still work?” and on and on….

Now that Smith and Wesson and Sig Sauer have piled on the AR15 bandwagon, some people don’t understand they are still AR15s.  A Smith and Wesson M&P15 is an AR15.  A Sig M400 is an AR15.  Now some of you might want to get real technical here and point out that an AR15 is a Colt rifle with a 20 inch barrel, fixed stock, and is semi-auto only.  That might have been true 15 years ago, but not today.  The term AR15 and M4 are used so generically that’s it’s impossible to have them define one specific rifle.

My purpose here isn’t to make fun of anyone – it’s to provide education.  Here’s a few pictures to show what I’m talking about…

#1

#2

#3

The three rifles shown above are commonly called AR15s or M4s.  For the most part, the same accessories will fit each one.  Can you determine the brand of any of them?  If I wasn’t the one writing this post and knowing what make and model each rifle is, I couldn’t distinguish them.  My point is this… an M&P15 is an AR15.  A M400 is an AR15.  Now a FN SCAR and Bushmaster ACR are not AR15s.  While they do use the same magazines and have a few other compatible features with ARs, they are entirely different rifles.  This is not the case when it comes to Smith and Wesson, Sig Sauer, CMMG, Rock River Arms, and all they others…. they are AR15s.

oh, and by the way, #1 is a Sig M400, #2 is a Smith and Wesson M&P15, and #3 is a Colt.  Just thought you might want to know.

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Unrealistic AR15 Scope Expectations

Published by in Optics, Tactical Accessories on April 18th, 2012 | No Comments »

Something that I try to address in my videos, and somewhat here on the blog, is realistic expectations of scopes and accessories that I discuss.  But this issue is coming up so frequently that I want to dedicate an entire post to it.

Scenario #1: person buys a $150 red dot sight for his AR15.  While at the range, and prior to mounting it, the red dot is sitting on the table.  It gets bumped, falls off the table to the concrete floor, and breaks.  The person then posts all over the internet what a piece of junk that red dot is and bad mouths the brand name and manufacturer.

Scenario #2: person buys a $150 scope.  It’s a short, compact scope with a “tactical” look to it and claims to be made for AR15s.  Decides to take the AR deer hunting.  While climbing into his tree stand, his rifle somehow comes loose and falls to the ground.  The scope is broken.  He then gets on the internet forums saying how that scope is worthless and “I’d never trust my life to that brand of scope”.

 

Ok, these are not real scenarios, but based on actual complaints I hear regularly so I want to address this issue and hopefully shed some light on realistic expectations.  Since the expiration of the assault weapon ban in 2004, the AR15 has become the most popular rifle in America.  Needless to say, with that type of demand, the market for accessories has exploded.  Prior to 2004, about the only optics made specifically with the AR15 in mind were Trijicon, EOTech, Aimpoint, and Leupold.  If you’re familiar with those brands, you know they are expensive.  That’s because their optics are made for combat.  Prior to 2004, most AR15 scopes were actually being used on rifles for military or law enforcement duties.  Some civilian shooters were buying the expensive optics for their rifles, but a lot of them were just mounting regular scopes because they didn’t want to spend the big bucks for a combat grade optic.

Fast forward to the present day… with the explosion of the “tactical” industry, there are all kinds of scopes and accessories out there.  Here’s the problem… and in my mind it shouldn’t be a problem, not everything marketed and sold for the AR15, or any other tactical rifle, is made for combat.  You cannot buy a $100 scope, even if it looks “tactical and really cool” and expect to get the same quality you would in a $800 scope.  Nor should you trust your life, or anyone else’s life, to it.  I just don’t understand what people are thinking.

When an EOTech costs $550 do you really think you can by a $129 Sightmark reflex sight and get comparable quality?  Do you really think you can buy a $199 NcSTAR and get the same durability and optical clarity as you do with a $1600 Trijicon ACOG?  It’s totally unrealistic.  This doesn’t mean Sightmark and NcSTAR are junk.  It just means they are made for target shooting and light hunting.  If you drop them, they will break.  If you drop your gun on a rock, they will break.  It’s kind of like buying a stock Ford Mustang and then being pissed off when it doesn’t perform like a Ferrari.

Low cost scopes are meant for plinking, target shooting out to a couple hundred yards, hunting in optimal conditions, etc.  They are not combat grade scopes.  They are not meant to “trust your life to”.  They are great for what they are designed for.  Now if you want or need better performance from your scope, then you must spend the money for it.  That’s the cold, hard, reality.  If you want a scope you can “trust your life to”, then you better save up your money because it’s going to be almost as much, if not more, than what you spent on your rifle.

I’m not trying to be rude here.  I just want to say it plainly though.  It seems like there’s this big misunderstanding out there.  People buy a $100 scope for their AR15 and then they’re not happy with it because they don’t feel like they can trust their life to it.  Why would you ever feel like you could trust your life to a $100 scope?

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Go To War Scopes

Published by in Optics, Self Defense on April 11th, 2012 | No Comments »

If you were going to war, what scope or sight would you want on your rifle?  For the moment I’m going to limit the response to “single unit” optics and not consider scopes like the Trijicon ECOS or Leupold HAMR that have the mini sight on top.  Let’s only discuss single sighting systems and then I’ll talk about scopes like the ECOS and Red Dots with magnifiers, etc.

In response to the opening question, I immediately beginning thinking Trijicon ACOG, EOTech or Aimpoint.  Leupold has some nice scopes, but I’m not sure I would pick my “Go To War” scope outside of the three brands previously mentioned.


My first choice is the Trijicon ACOG TA11H.  In reality, it’s a toss-up between the TA11H (Horseshoe reticle) and the TA11F (Chevron Reticle).  I pick the TA11 series (3.5×35 ACOGs) over the TA31 series (4×32 ACOGs) because of the longer eye relief.  The TA11 has 2.4 inches of eye relief compared to the 1.5 inches on the TA31 series.  The TA11 has a 10mm exit pupil compared to the TA31′s 8mm.  Larger exit pupil also aids in faster target acquisition as you’re eye can be positioned less precisely behind the scope.  I feel like the TA11 series gives me faster target acquisition.


Like I said earlier, I have a real hard time deciding between the Horseshoe reticle or the Chevron reticle.  As I’m picking a combat scope, and typical combat range is less than 100 yards, I think I would go with the Horseshoe reticle.  Target acquisition just seems faster with it.  The center Horseshoe dot is designed for point-blank shooting out to 200 yards.  The top of the vertical stadia line is your 300 yard point of aim and then you can see it designated for longer distances.  The dot is 1 MOA so it’s only covering a 1 inch circle at 100 yards (2 inches at 200 yards) which is precise enough for combat shooting.   Additionally, I pick the red reticles over the green ones.  I know they say our eyes see green better, but the red reticles stand out better to me.

With a bit of training, the TA11H is going to be almost as fast as and EOTech or Aimpoint.  I like the 3.5x magnification as it will help you locate and identify targets at longer ranges as well as inside buildings and shadows of an urban area.  Adversaries typically do not make themselves a target.  They are trying not to get shot as much as you are.  You are probably only going to see movement or a small part of them.  The small amount of magnification is going to help you see inside windows and concealed positions to help you shoot the enemy when he thinks you can’t see him.

My second choice is the much overlooked Trijicon ACOG TA26SR.  I think a lot of people miss out on this great sight.  It’s compact, lightweight and super fast at getting rounds on target with 1.5x magnification.  All of the ruggedness of the ACOG in a smaller unit.  I love the reticle as well.  It’s just seems like you’re on target as soon as you bring your gun up… and no batteries required.

For my third choice, I would pick the Aimpoint COMP M4S with it’s 2 MOA dot and 80,000 hours of battery life.  Yes… you read that right… 80,000 hours on one battery.  That’s probably one of the biggest reasons I choose it above EOTech.  I like the COMP M4S over the COMP M4 due to the lower battery casing.  The Aimpoint COMP M3, with 50,000 hours of battery life, is also an excellent choice.

Battery life, especially in combat, is an issue with me.  I was reading Chris Kyle’s excellent book, American Sniper, and especially noticed his account of leading a group of SEALs on a raid in Iraq when the battery on his laser sight crapped out.  Murphy’s Law at work… and Murphy works overtime in combat.

My fourth choice is the EOTech 556.  The 556 has the buttons on the side for use with a magnifier and offer 1100 hours of battery life.  Leaving battery life out of the question, I don’t know if I prefer EOTech over Aimpoint.  I probably lean a little toward EOTech.

Combo Units?

Now let’s talk about the “combo units” which combine a magnified scope with a mini red dot or using a magnifier with the Aimpoint or EOTech.  I think the best combat sight in the world would be the Trijicon ACOG TA11H with a Dual Illuminated Trijicon RMR mounted on top.  I’ve already talked about the TA11H, but I choose the Dual Illuminated RMR because it doesn’t require batteries and, like the ACOG, it’s always ready.  No switches to turn on.. just pick up the gun and start shooting.  Placing the RMR on top of the ACOG now gives you the instant target acquisition you get with the Aimpoint or EOTech.

I don’t like the Aimpoint 3x Magnifier because of it’s twist mount.  You’re constantly putting it on and taking it off.  When you take it off the rifle, you need some place to put it where it won’t get lost and broken.  Just seems like a hassle to me.  I much prefer EOTech’s new G33 3x Magnifier.  It offers the “Flip to Side” mount where you push a button and it flips off to the and out of the way.  I think the Flip to Side mount is a much better design than Aimpoint’s Twist-Mount.  The only drawback I see to the Flip to Side mount is then you have the 3x magnifier off to the side in an unusual position where I think it could get banged going through doors or other tight spots – as it’s hanging off the side of your rifle.  Additionally, you have to move one of your hands off the rifle to flip it out of the way or move it back into position.  With the RMR above the ACOG, you just have to raise or lower your head about an inch and a half to use the desired sight.

So for combo units, I would go with the TA11H and the Dual Illuminated RMR.  Second choice is the Aimpoint COMP M4S with the EOTech G33 3x Magnifier.

Honorable Mentions

OK, let’s talk about a few optics that didn’t make my list.  I really like the new Leupold HAMR, but I don’t think it’s better than the TA11H so why pay the same amount of money for a scope that needs batteries for illumination?

Additionally, the ACOG has 30 years of combat proven experience behind it.  I trust Leupold and believe the HAMR is probably as rugged as the ACOG, but it’s hard to beat the Tritium illumination and 30 years of military experience.  The HAMR is available with Leupold’s DeltaPoint mounted on top, but the DeltaPoint requires batteries and is useless if you lose battery power.

The Aimpoint PRO (Patrol Rifle Optic) is new from Aimpoint and I’m really impressed with it.  If I didn’t have the money for the COMP M4S, then I’d go with this PRO model.  But, as money is no object for this little exercise, I picked the COMP M4S.

As many of you know, I really like the Burris AR332.  It’s a great scope and I feel it will hold up to rugged use, but if I have the choice, I’d take the ACOG over the AR332.  If I was spending my own money, and didn’t have the $1100 for the ACOG, I would be comfortable going with the AR332.  I don’t think the AR332 was made as a “Go To War” scope like Trijicon, Aimpoint, and EOTech so it’s not going to hold up like they would.

I’m sure some of you are wondering why I didn’t pick Trijicon Reflex Sights like the RX30.  This is where dot size trumps Tritium illumination.  The smallest dot you can get on the Trijicon RX34 is 4.5 MOA.  You can get the RX06 with the 11 MOA triangle which gives you the top of the triangle for precision aiming, but the 80,000 hours of battery life combined with the 2 MOA dot on the Aimpoint COMP M4S wins my vote over the Trijicon Reflex Sights.  In my Combo Unit pick, I go with the Trijicon RMR, but I have the ACOG for precision, longer range shooting, so I’m not so concerned about dot size on the RMR.

In closing, there are a lot of really great scopes and sights for tactical rifles.  There are other “combat-grade” optics out there that I didn’t mention for the sake of brevity.  This discussion could possibly be dragged on forever!  I mention my picks here and tried to give my reasoning.  Other people obviously will pick other optics and have other reasons.  My point is to promote you’re own thinking on the subject as well as give you some lines of thought and reasoning to guide your decision if you’re shopping for a high end, combat grade, scope.

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Back Up Iron Sights – BUIS

Published by in AR-15 Basics, Optics, Self Defense, Tactical Accessories on March 26th, 2012 | No Comments »

Sometimes I feel the need to address what I consider to be a “fad”.  And I should make it clear that I hate fads.  I don’t like anything that people do just because its what everyone else is doing.  Now if it makes sense and you understand why you are doing it, then have at it.  But don’t just follow along because I’ll share a little secret with you….  Most people are clueless!

The topic today is Back Up Iron Sights or BUIS.  BUIS evolved when we started putting red dots and other optical sights on our rifles.  Just in case these electronic gizmos quit working, we want some way to stay in the fight so the BUIS was born.  Now I want you to consider two key phrases in the sentences above; “Back up” and “stay in the fight”.

There is only one reason for a BUIS on your rifle and that is because your optical sight has failed or quit working for some reason and you’re in one of those “I’M ABOUT TO DIE” situations.  The BUIS only exists because that high dollar EOTech, Aimpoint, Leupold, or Trijicon quit working on you.  Maybe it got blown up by an IED, took a round, or just went FUBAR for no particular reason… AND someone is still out there trying to kill you.

Now we don’t put BUIS on our hunting rifles and yet every fall thousands of hunters take to the field with only one sighting device on their rifle.  People fly into Alaska and pay big money for a hunt, but they don’t have BUIS on their rifles.  If their rifle scope fails on them then they’re just out of luck.  Now a lot of people are buying AR15s and other similar style rifles and putting scopes on them.  If you’re just buying it for plinking and having fun, do you really need BUIS on it?

The BUIS is a combat invention.  It’s based on the military philosophy that “two is one and one is none”; meaning if you have two of something, then one of them can get broken or lost (fairly common) and you still have one.  If you only have one, and it gets broken or lost, then you’re just SOL – shit out of luck.

I guess I’ve just talked to a lot of guys who are putting a lot of time, money and stress into figuring out how mount a scope with a mini red dot on top and still be able to use the BUIS and they’re using the rifle on prairie dogs and wild hogs.  It’s just not needed.  Save your money and spend it on ammo.  “Invest in Lead”, that’s what I’m telling everyone!

Now I’m not trying to make light of anything.  If you’re going into combat or plan on using the rifle for self defense, then I’d have a BUIS on it.  I try to live by the “Two is one and One is none” philosophy, but it’s also because I look at every one of my weapons as a self defense tool…. and I think that’s a lot of what is driving the desire for BUIS.  I think a lot of guys look at their AR15 as a self defense gun if the need ever arises.

I prefer the Magpul MBUS Sights.  Thanks to Magpul, we no longer have to spend over $200 on a BUIS set.  The MBUS sights are excellent and I just don’t see any reason to buy anything different.  The only drawback it that you can’t use the front MBUS on a gas block – it con only be used on a forearm rail.

Now if you’re looking to Co-Witness your scope and your BUIS, see my Learning Center Article on my website at , https://www.valhallaarmory.com/kb_results.asp?ID=20  There’s a lot of misunderstanding when it comes with co-witnessing and that article will help explain the whole concept.

So is the desire for a BUIS part of the “tactical fad” or legitimate?  Only you can decide as only you know what you plan on doing with the rifle.  I just want you to make the decision based on fact and not just because everyone else is doing it.

 

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A Code to Live By

Published by in The Warrior Spirit on March 22nd, 2012 | No Comments »

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion;respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.

Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.

When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.

- Tecumseh

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Another Look At Sheep, Wolves, and Sheep Dogs – and a few other critters!

Published by in Self Defense on March 21st, 2012 | No Comments »

Most of you have probably come across the analogy of Sheep, Wolves, and Sheep Dogs.  If not, you can read it in its entirety at http://www.killology.com/sheep_dog.htm

I’ll summarize it and add a few other comments of my own here:

SHEEP

“Most of the people in our society are sheep. They are kind, gentle, productive creatures who can only hurt one another by accident.” This is true. Remember, the murder rate is six per 100,000 per year, and the aggravated assault rate is four per 1,000 per year. What this means is that the vast majority of Americans are not inclined to hurt one another.

Some estimates say that two million Americans are victims of violent crimes every year, a tragic, staggering number, perhaps an all-time record rate of violent crime. But there are almost 300 million Americans, which means that the odds of being a victim of violent crime is considerably less than one in a hundred on any given year. Furthermore, since many violent crimes are committed by repeat offenders, the actual number of violent citizens is considerably less than two million.

Thus there is a paradox, and we must grasp both ends of the situation: We may well be in the most violent times in history, but violence is still remarkably rare. This is because most citizens are kind, decent people who are not capable of hurting each other, except by accident or under extreme provocation. They are sheep.

WOLVES

The wolves feed on the sheep without mercy. Do you believe there are wolves out there who will feed on the flock without mercy? You better believe it. There are evil men in this world and they are capable of evil deeds.

SHEEPDOGS

“Then there are sheepdogs,” he went on, “and I’m a sheepdog. I live to protect the flock and confront the wolf.” Or, as a sign in one California law enforcement agency put it, “We intimidate those who intimidate others.”

 

OK, I’d like to add my own opinion, and a few other critters, to the mix.

True wolves are rare.  I love the whole Sheep, Sheepdog,  and Wolf analogy, but I think it’s highly idealistic and overly simplified.  See, in reality the sheepdogs spend most of their time dealing with the Skunks.  The Skunks typically aren’t dangerous, they just stink everything up for everyone around them.  The Skunks are the losers and deadbeats that just can’t seem to make it in regular society.  They make their living by sneaking around, stealing things from anyone, including other skunks, and bouncing around a society that supports them through welfare but doesn’t want anything to do with them.

Most crimes are what I call Skunk-on-Skunk.  It’s one dirtbag beating up or stealing from another dirtbag.  Sure every now and then one of these Skunks makes his way into our neck of the woods and we call out the sheepdogs to run him off.  We don’t want them moving in and stinking up our turf.  These are the people cops spend almost all of their time dealing with.  Yes, when a wolf makes an appearance, they all go running to take him down, but that doesn’t happen very often – mainly in movies and TV.  We need the cops out there to guard against the wolves, but since there really aren’t that many wolves, we put the cops to work keeping the Skunks contained.

There’s another kind of critter out there as well.  That’s the Wolverine.  See the Wolverine just wants to be left alone.  He takes care of himself and can deal with a Wolf or a Skunk if he crosses paths with one.  He doesn’t need a Sheepdog for protection.  The Wolverine isn’t a Sheepdog, because the Sheep are annoying…..  and somewhat of a temptation!  No, not really.  They’re just so gullible and clueless!  The Wolverine only cares about protecting his own.  Sure, he might intervene if he sees a Wolf going after a Sheep, but he’s motivated by his hatred for the Wolf than a love for the Sheep.

He knows there’s Wolves and Skunks out there and is prepared to deal with them.  He doesn’t seek them out, but he doesn’t hide from them either.  They’d be foolish to mess with him.  The Sheep are scared of the Sheepdogs and even more wary of the Wolverine.  The Wolverine doesn’t eat them, but he has teeth and claws like the Sheepdog and the Wolf and they just aren’t sure where he fits into the picture.  Wolves avoid Wolverines like the plague.  They don’t want anything to do with them – especially when there’s so many Sheep to prey upon.  Sheepdogs can’t quite decide what they think of the Wolverine.  Some Sheepdogs tolerate the Wolverines just fine.  They know the Wolverine isn’t a threat to the Sheepdogs and it’s a kind of “The enemy of my enemy is my friend” arrangement.  Other Sheepdogs don’t like the Wolverines at all.  They consider any other critter that has teeth and claws to be a threat.  These are more of the “false Sheepdogs”.  They like the idea of being in charge of everyone and the power that comes from their position, but they’re often the ones that find something else to do when a Wolf shows up.

Anyway, that’s how I see it.  There’s more than just Sheep, Wolves, and Sheepdogs.  What am I…. I’m a Wolverine!

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Bug Out Bag Check List

Published by in Bug Out & Survival on March 13th, 2012 | No Comments »

Everyone is searching for the “best bug out bag check list“, but you’ll never find it.  The “best list” is the one you make yourself because it will apply to your personal needs.  Every person and family is different and will have different needs.  Rather than simply following some list, we’ll go through various categories that you will need to prepare.  Once you fulfill your needs in each category, you are equipped and well on your way to being prepared.  Being prepared is more than simply being equipped.  I could supply you with a rifle, body armor and everything soldiers in Afghanistan are using, but you probably wouldn’t be prepared for combat.

Many people confuse being equipped with being prepared.  Simply having supplies in only part of being prepared.  You need to know what to do with them, how to use them, and most of all you need the mindset of surviving.  Then you are prepared.

I use Categories of Preparedness in my planning system.  These categories are: Water, Shelter, Food, Medical/Hygiene, Information/Communication, Tools, and Self Defense.  I’ll address each of these categories in future posts.

But here’s a basic kit list to get you started:

Modular Pack
32 oz Water Bottle
Water Purifier
2 MREs in heat bags
3 Power bars
Jerky
Info Sheet
ID holder
Whistle
Notebook
Pen
Watch Cap
Poncho
Solar/Crank LED Flashlight
First Aid Kit
Matches
Firestarting fuel
AM/FM Radio (uses AA batteries)
AA batteries
Multitool
Duct tape
Paracord
Saw

Duffle Bag
4 MREs in heat bags
Peanuts
Tent
Sleeping bag
Shirt
Pants
socks
underwear
Shoes/boots
Handwash
Large Plastic Bags
Personal Hygiene Items
Handwipes
Toilet paper
Microfiber towel
Work gloves
insect repellent
sunscreen
boonie hat
wool blanket

I like to split the kit up into “essentials” and “niceties”.  Put the essentials in a backpack.  I like the military style MOLLE backpacks that have the MOLLE webbing so you can easily add pouches, but any backpack will work.  Then use of duffle bag for the rest of the stuff.  This leads to the concept of Modular and Mobile.

The complexity of emergency preparedness is not knowing what you’re preparing for.  The emergency doesn’t fit itself to you.  You have to fit yourself to it.  Your plans and supplies need to be flexible.  Your survival supplies must be modular and mobile.

Think of modular like a nesting doll.  One doll fits inside another and inside another and so on.  You can take out a single doll or you keep them all together.  Your survival supplies must be adaptable to the situation at hand.  Making them modular allows you adapt to the situation you’re dealt.

There’s only a few scenarios you must be prepared to deal with no matter what the situation is.

Evacuate on foot.  Roads are jammed and you cannot take your vehicle.  Take only what you can carry.
Evacuate using your vehicle.  Take as much stuff as possible.
Remain in your home.  Survive with whatever you have at home.
You’re away from home during the emergency.  You may or may not (most likely) be able to drive home immediately.  You will only have whatever you have with you.

Using these four scenarios you can begin planning your response and the supplies you will need.  A modular survival kit fits together and is organized for maximum flexibility.

Military special operations forces use this principle in organizing their equipment.  They carry the most essential gear on their body.  Next they have a backpack usually consisting of a large main pack and a small “Shoot & Scoot” bag.

War is an emergency situation in and of itself.  The large pack contains the least essential items.  The “Shoot & Scoot” bag contains more essential stuff.  If the soldiers come under fire, they can drop the large pack yet still have the “Shoot & Scoot” bag and whatever equipment is on their body.  If the situation really gets bad and they need to move fast, they can drop the “Shoot & Scoot” bag but still have their most important gear with them.  This concept allows them to rapidly adapt to the situation at hand.

Organizing your survival kit along these lines will allow you to rapidly adapt to any emergency situation.  Start off with essential items that you want to have with you no matter what.  Put them in a vest with large cargo pockets like a photographer’s or fishing vest.  Next you have a small backpack stuffed full of your next most essential items.  Then you should have a large duffle bag.  You stuff the vest and backpack into the duffle bag along with your least essential items.

Now all of your gear is organized into one place.  You can quickly find it during an emergency.  If you need to evacuate, you grab it and go.  If you end up evacuating on foot, and your kit is too heavy to carry very far, you take out the vest and backpack and keep going.  Or maybe someone else can carry the now lighter duffle bag.  This system allows you to improvise, adapt, and overcome problems during an emergency.


Keep the same type of system in your car.  Most Americans do not spend much time at home.  It’s very likely to be away from home when disaster strikes.  This brings up the problem of distance.

It’s nothing for us to get in our cars and travel fifty, or more, miles from home without ever thinking about not being able to drive home.  Many people commute this distance to work daily.  Thirty or fifty miles is nothing to drive, but how long would it take you to walk?  Would you be able to do it?  Ladies, how far could you walk in high heels?  Guys, are you ready to walk home from the office in your suit and dress shoes?  Business attire is not very practical for dealing with emergencies.  Include a set of rugged, comfortable clothing and shoes with a modular survival kit in your vehicle.  If possible, keep a kit in your workplace or office.

Dealing with distance is going to be a major problem because we have no concept of it.  In fact, in most metropolitan areas we no longer refer to distance, but the time it takes to drive.  Listen to the way we speak, it’s “15 minutes” to here and “45 minutes” to there.  We don’t have a clue how far it is.  We only know how long it takes to drive.  Well, how about knowing how long it takes to walk?  It’s “3 days to here” and it’s “8 days to there” might someday turn out to be reality because you can’t hop in your vehicle and rocket down the road 75 miles per hour. You must start thinking in terms of distance and how you will deal with it.

Let’s clear away some of the “fog of war” surrounding emergency preparedness.  During an emergency situation, there are three basic tasks to be concerned with; Secure, Stabilize, and Assess.

Take a car accident for example (one of the most common emergency situations).  Once the car crashes and comes to a stop you need to prevent any further harm from occurring to yourself or others.  You stay in the vehicle rather than getting out in the middle of traffic.  Preventing additional harm is Securing.  As police and emergency services arrive, their first priority is securing the scene.  They want to ensure no further harm comes to the victim and make sure no one else is harmed or gets involved in the accident.

Once the scene is secure, the paramedics want to stabilize anyone affected.  The police start directing traffic around the accident to provide a secure, stabile environment to deal with the problem.

Then they assess the situation and decide what to do.  Are there life threatening injuries?  Do they require a helicopter med-evac?  Do they need to stabilize any of the victims prior to transporting them to the hospital? The next step must always provide increased Security, Stability, and Assessment (help) than what the current one does or it’s not worth taking.

Any emergency situation requires these three tasks; Secure, Stabilize, and Assess.  Your first priority is to prevent any further harm to yourself and those around you.  Then you need to stabilize your situation to get a clear picture of what’s happening.  Next you assess the situation and determine what you need to do.  Do you stay in place or relocate?  The entire goal is to survive the situation and return to your normal standard of living.  You will Secure, Stabilize and Assess until you are back to your normal way of life.

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GunTec 300 Lumen Tac Light

Published by in Tactical Accessories on March 13th, 2012 | No Comments »

The GunTec 300 lumen tactical light is new to us at Valhalla Armory and I’ve been very impressed with it.  It’s super bright, reliable, and amazingly affordable!  This is a perfect tactical light for outdoor situations where you need to light up longer distances or large areas.

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The Optics of Act of Valor

Published by in Optics on March 10th, 2012 | No Comments »

I saw the movie Act of Valor the other night.  As you probably know, it the characters are portrayed by active duty Navy SEALs and the movie is based on real missions.  The tactics and weapons are supposed to be accurate.  Very impressive!  I think everyone should see it.  It’s an inside look into the mind and world of Special Operators – and all military personnel to one degree or another I think.

I couldn’t help noticing the weapons and gear used in the movie.  Most of the SEALs were using EOTech sights on their M4 Carbines.  As near as I could tell, they appeared to be EOTech 553 models.  A couple had Aimpoints on their weapons, but EOTechs seemed to show up more often.   The Aimpoints appeared to be COMP M3 models.

I didn’t see any Trijicon ACOG scopes in the movie at all.  I was surprised and wondered if SEALs are not too fond of the ACOG.  If anyone out there knows (really knows, not some video game / airsoft wanna be), I’d like to hear from you.

For assaulting buildings and close combat, I don’t think there’s anything better than an EOTech or Aimpoint.  As to which one is better, I think it’s personal preference.  Aimpoints have a 50,000 hour battery life which is way more than what you get with an EOTech.  The new EOTech 553 models are about 1100 hours of battery life.  I’ve used both EOTech and Aimpoint and I think they are both top quality combat optics. For a purely tactical or self defense weapon, don’t short change yourself and try to make due with a lower end sight.

There’s a lot of great scopes and sights out there that I recommend for AR15s and tactical weapons.   But don’t confuse general purpose shooting and plinking with combat.  When lives are on the line, there’s only a handful of sights and scopes I would trust.  EOTech and Aimpoint both fall into my “trusted” category of sights.  They are combat proven and won’t let you down.

Normally I would never write about the weapons and gear I see in a movie, because it’s usually just whatever the director or somebody thinks looks cool – but Act of Valor is not your typical movie.  So go see it and tell me what you think.  If you see a tactical scope other than EOTech or Aimpoint, let me know.  Also, I couldn’t tell what scope the sniper was using on the mission to recover the CIA agent as it was covered in camo/ghillie.  If you know, or have a guess, let me know.  My guess would be some type of Leupold, but it looked too short.

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The M4 Carbine Debate…

Published by in Tactical Rifles on March 7th, 2012 | No Comments »

American soldiers are going into combat with 50 year old technology.  Sure, the M16 has been updated since Vietnam, but it’s basically the same weapon today and shortened into the M4.  And for 50 years the debate over M16/M4 reliability has raged as well.

The 2006 Army solicitation for a new 5.56mm carbine was withdrawn when Colt lowered their prices.  But should low price be the only consideration?  I’m a big fan of the M16/M4 platform.  Don’t get me wrong.  I have a few of them and I think they are great rifles.  But times have changed and technology marches on.  Isn’t it time for something better?  I mean fighter pilots are not flying F4 Phantoms into combat so why are the grunts packing 50 year old technology?

“In recent years, the M4 finished dead last in a sandstorm reliability test, against 3 competitors that include a convertible M4 variant. Worse, the 4th place M4 had over 3.5x more jams than the 3rd place finisher. Was that a blip in M4 buys, or a breaking point? DID explains the effort, the issues, and the options, as the Army moves forward with an “Individual Carbine” competition. “  http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/the-usas-m4-carbine-controversy-03289/

Like I said, I’m a big fan of the AR platform rifles, I just wonder if it isn’t time to give our soldiers the best rifle using the best technology we have today.

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