The State of the Subgun – 2023
The Pistol Caliber Carbine is dead? Long live the Pistol Caliber Carbine?
By whatever name you call the pistol caliber shoulder fired weapon, it took a step back from front and center in the 21st century. The MP5 and its peers did a fine job with police forces and special operation units for decades, but the current point gun of the CQB environment is the 5.56 SBR.
The reasons are numerous, but they concentrate down to a marked improvement in safety and effectiveness for that particular mission.
However nobody needs to rush to abandon or dismiss their smooth shooting 9x19mm’s or .45′ ACPs in favor of 5.56 for those improvements, nor do they need to avoid pistol caliber guns that comfortably fit that home protection niche just because 5.56 is an option.
9mm didn’t get less effective, with modern projectiles it arguably closed the gap a little. The round per round gap still exists and will not be closed, but the required efficacy standard is surpassed by either firearm. The US Military and certain LE units are still soliciting subguns in pistol calibers to fulfill roles.
Here are two reasons, especially right now, not to ditch your PCC/SMG
Ammunition
We’ll take care of the easy one first. 9mm costs have stabilized, and will likely continue to do so, fastest of all the ammunition types after the disruptions from the various panics. $260 can get you a case right now. It’s affordable and you can afford to train with it. Other calibers, like .40 S&W, saw far less disruption overall than its more popular metric brother.
More Effective Than You Think
The main reason that subguns are getting the sideline in the caliber debate is simple, the fire a heavy, thick, and slow projectiles. Pistol rounds have an efficacy limit, and some draw backs like wall penetration, that 5.56 exceeds in numerous ways because the 5.56 is light, long, and fast. But what is often getting falsely attributed to the caliber, instead of the caliber in a handgun, is the remaining efficacy of the subgun/PCC.
The great draw of the 5.56 SBR isn’t just the per shot efficacy, it is the ability to control a space up to 200 to 300 yards from your position with relative ease and a high hit probability. You can control out to 100 yards nearly effortlessly, as the system is zeroed and point of aim pretty much equates to the point of impact. That is also the practical space in which you can positively ID a person as a threat or not with your naked eye. The carbine offers you greater capacity and a greater zone of control that the capacity can influence over the handgun. The larger shoulder fired weapon also comes with some psychological influence, it is recognized within subgroups who understand violence as a tool of seriousness the way a handgun is not.
If you can see something or someone and identify a legitimate threat then you can hit it with a carbine.
If your primary need is a higher capacity and a zone of control primarily within 100 yards, that unaided visual ID range, the PCC/subgun can meet that need handily too. You can fairly easily stretch that to 200 yards too, well beyond the distance for the majority of justifiable line of site engagements. Your PCC and your 5.56 both cover your required effective zone of control and offer you the increased ease of control benefits of being carbines.
The pistol caliber often gets falsely attributed with the degradation in accuracy when the real culprit for handguns is handling. The handgun is significantly more difficult to shoot because it has significantly less support while shooting it. The PCC/subgun has the three points of control that the SBR has and that is what grants both of them the larger efficacy zones. If you were firing 5.56 in method as unstable as a traditional handgun, your effective range would be just as short.
Combine that zone with good hollow point ammunition that runs well in your gun and you have a significantly improved performance envelope without changing caliber. Magazines are all over in 20, 30, 35 round capacities for multiple guns. Recoil is low. Suppression is easy and very effective for further noise safety, especially indoors. Your only major deficiency over 5.56 is going to be the shot per shot energy and terminal ballistics on the target.
Bonus: When Size Matters
We can make some very compact 5.56 and .300BLK guns these days, but we can still make a more compact PCC/Subgun and we aren’t diminishing any of the round’s designed efficiency. Most pistol calibers are designed to burn their powder and reach speed in three to five inches of barrel, so even a subgun with a diminutive profile is loosing no energy on their rounds. The 5.56 round is really loosing a lot with a barrel under 11 inches and has such a tremendous amount of muzzle flash when you get under 9 inches that it can double as a flashbang.
Even with a gun like my X95 SBR, a gun I absolutely wholeheartedly recommend for this role too, where I’m not compromising on my barrel length and the benefits there, I am still locked into a gun that is roughly 24 inches in length. That’s small, no doubt, but an MP5k with the tri-lug muzzle and folding or collapsed stock gets under 15 inches. Makes for much easier stowage and transport.
Breaking Down Holster Retention Levels
Holsters, holsters, holsters, everyone needs a holster. A good holster goes a long way, and different people have different needs for different holsters. With that in mind, one of the main considerations you’ll have to make is retention level. How likely is it that someone will snatch your gun or your gun will have difficulty staying in the holster for any reason? Concealed carriers and police officers have different demands for their holsters. Let’s dive into holsters and retention levels to hopefully create a better understanding of retention levels.
The Two Types of Retention
Retention comes in two forms, passive and active.
Active means there is a device that must be defeated to draw the holster. This device can vary. Older leather holsters utilized a thumb thong with a button snap, and that’s active. Modern holsters might use a button, a sliding lever, or any other modern device. Those are all examples of active retention.
Passive is based on the friction fit of the holster. There is no device to be defeated, and the friction of the holster keeps the gun in place., This can vary quite a bit, and many forms of passive retention are adjustable to increase the friction.
These are the two categories of retention, but they do not represent the various level available.
Holster Retention Levels
There isn’t an official list of retention levels held by police and military forces. They typically rely on industry experience, and companies like Safariland publish in-depth explanations of retention levels. Safariland tends to rule the roost and set the standard for most of the industry.
Level 1
Level 1 retention holsters are defined by having one retention device. This can be the Safariland ALS, the Blackhawk thumb lever, and other one-step methods to draw your gun. This is the most basic active retention level. It’s not overly complicated and will actively prevent the weapon from falling out of your holster and will make grabs difficult.
There seems to be some debate if passive retention holsters count as Level 1 holsters. This means friction-fit holsters would be considered level 1. I’m not agreeing or disagreeing. Just clearing up how others may define a level 1 holster.
Level 2
Level 2 retention requires two actions by the user to free the gun from the holster. These systems make it fairly difficult to snatch a gun, and the two steps can vary. These can be a single hood and passive friction retention or a two-step hood system.
Level 3
Level 3 holster pairs together two devices to facilitate a very high level of retention. Safariland uses the SLS hood and ALS release for their level 3 systems. Blackhawk uses a hood and thumb lever, and there are numerous other options. This is the most common option for duty use.
Level 4
Level 4 is a bit unusual and seems to only be offered by Safariland. These holsters include the SLS and ALS systems, and they also add the SLS Sentry Guard device to make grabs nearly impossible. According to Safariland, these are aimed more at corrections environments than duty or patrol.
Clearing the Air
Hopefully, we’ve helped explain what these levels mean and how they affect your holster selection options. Not everyone needs a level 3 holster, but if you do need that retention, there is no other option. Now you know what those levels mean and can make the decision for yourself.
Revolutionize Your Glock 43x Experience with Faxon Firearm Accessories
In the quest for improved accuracy and performance, firearm enthusiasts are constantly on the lookout for enhancements that can significantly elevate the capabilities of their Glock 43x. To aid in this pursuit, this press release delves into a curated selection of top-notch accessories that are currently redefining the world of Glock 43x upgrades. Those are the sights, a match barrel, and a metal high-capacity magazine. Beyond that, you can add a compensator if you have a threaded barrel for the Glock 43X.
One of the standout Glock 43x accessories is the Faxon Firearms Glock 43X Barrel. This high-quality match barrel boasts an array of impressive features like a straight fluted design, 1/10 barrel twist rate, and Chameleon PVD finish, making it ideal for those looking to optimize their firearm’s accuracy. With the Faxon Firearms Glock 43X Barrel, precision becomes far more attainable.
Faxon Firearms Glock 43X Barrel Specs
- Straight Fluted
- 1/10 Barrel Twist Rate
- Stress Relieved 416-R Stainless Steel
- Chameleon PVD Finish
- 11-degree Target Crown
- Conventional Rifling
The Faxon Firearms EXOS Compensator is another innovative Glock 43x accessory space addition. This cutting-edge pistol compensator is designed to enhance the overall accuracy of the firearm by reducing its upward movement. Engineered specifically to work effectively with a broad range of factory-loaded ammunition, the EXOS Compensator ensures optimal performance regardless of the type of ammunition being used.
Faxon Firearms EXOS Compensator Specs
- Length: 1.218″
- Width: .865″
- Height: 1.269″
- Weight: .05lbs
- Thread: 1/2×28
When it comes to sights, the Night Fision Tritium Sights offer some of the most technologically advanced options on the market for Glock 43x handguns. Created with a ballistic polymer cup and custom Tritium vial, these sights cater to both Glock 43X MOS and standard models. The unique combination of materials allows the Night Fision Tritium Sights to be the brightest available in the market, ensuring impeccable accuracy in various lighting conditions.
By incorporating these advanced accessories into your Glock 43X, you can significantly transform the performance and accuracy of your firearm. Investing in such premium upgrades enables you to unlock the full potential of your Glock 43x in any situation, empowering you to become a more skilled and confident shooter. Experience the next level of performance, accuracy, and reliability with these exceptional Glock 43x accessories.
A Personal Review of the IWI 2 Day Galil/AK-47 Operators Course
When it comes to AK courses across the firearms industry there are many that lack actual foreign weapon experience. These courses often follow their normal practical rifle curriculum, but instead with AK’s. The 2 day Galil/AK-47 Operators course from IWI was not that. Instead, it was an in depth course on the history of the AK platform, specific tricks and pieces of knowledge for the build and mechanics of the firearm, all taught by an instructor that was a true foreign weapons subject matter expert. If I were to recommend any AK course it would hands down be this one.
I am pretty new to actually running the platform however I do have some limited experience with working on the AK platform in a prior line of work. The pace of the 2 day course and the level of depth that went into every drill helped me be confident and successful at the end of the weekend. Below will be a quick overview of what we did each day, some specifics as to why this course stood out from the rest, and some gear recommendations that will help you be successful in the course.
The Class Taken
Date: April 01 – 02, 2023
Hours 8:00am – 5:00pm
Prerequisite: None
Price: $500
Round Count: 600
Location: Gerrardstown, WV (Peacemaker National Training Center)
There were about 15 students in the course and two instructors. We shot on the zero range of the Peacemaker National Training Center. On this specific range we were able to shoot paper targets, steel, and out to 300yds.
Day One
Day One started in the classroom with AK history briefs, knowledge on modifications and mechanics of the platform, field stripping and lubrication/maintenance points, zeroing procedures, and a safety brief. This is where I first found respect for the knowledge that the main instructor, Thomas Alibrando, had. He knew tricks on disassembling and reassembling weapons. He also showed the class the different ways that the Galil and AK platforms were built that could hinder or help sights staying zeroed. The curriculum in itself was genius I mean, we all go to classes where students are having malfunctions due to not lubricating their guns. Why not force them to do it in a teaching setting?
The only thing I would have liked to see is more information on ammunition, especially due to the current shortage.
We then went out to the range and covered the items below.
Day One Range Drills
- zeroing at 25 yds
- verifying at 100yds
- proper shooting stance
- safety manipulations (demo’d four different kinds)
- low ready, high ready, battle ready
- difference between trigger holds and resets after the shot
- charging the gun (demo’d four different kinds)
- brief about equipment
- steel competition
This course had specific zeroing targets for the AK and galil platforms due to their different sights and holdovers. The instructors in the class also divided us up by AK and Galil platform to make the zeroing procedures easier and even the drills. This organization kept for the whole class and really helped. It’s worth it to note that the instructors had their proper AK iron sight adjustment tools and took time over lunch to help a student that was having troubles zeroing due to a loose scope.
The way that Tom taught the manipulation drills also showed why this is a true AK platform class. AK’s often have different kinds of safety levers such as Krebs safety’s or the standard lever. Sometimes these levers are also bent very tight to the receiver and hard to press. Tom spoke on all of this and showed different ways to move the safety ie two finger, one finger, knuckle, etc. He also showed when to move the safety during presentation. All key things that are different between the AK and rifle platform. Charging the gun was no different. There are multiple ways to do this and Tom showed the fastest and most efficient way but allowed us to try the other ways as well.
Ending the day with a little steel competition allowed the students to end on a high note.
Day Two
We immediately went out to the range on day two and went over the drills below.
- magazine changes (four different kinds)
- malfunction set up drills with partners (blue falcon drills)
- par time drills/half and half drill
- positioning
- proper assessment
- turn and shoot drills/el pres
- partner long range shooting at 175 yds and 300 yds
- competition to win a prize from IWI
- brief about AK and Galil magazines
- 15 rounds of full auto shooting from a Galil Ace provided by IWI
I am honestly glad that the curriculum allowed for magazine changes to be on day two instead of one. There was a lot of information dropped on day one, especially for half of the day being inside the classroom. Tom demo’d each type of magazine change, including yes, the magazine sweep. Speaking of, I highly recommend gloves for this class. The magazine changes and safety manipulations caused for some cut up hands.
The instructors way of teaching assessment drills was also different than I have ever seen. While many kind of touch on the post engagement assessment drills, and students often kinda fake the assessment, the instructors found a way to make students try. They did this by holding up fingers or an item. If the students saw two fingers, they need to give the target two extra shots. If they saw an item in the instructors hands, they better remember that item. It worked and I found myself actually looking around after the engagement, not just turning my head.
To end the day IWI provided a full auto Galil Ace and a magazine of ammo for each student to shoot. Genius marketing…
Gear Recommendations
Students within the class ranged from brand new to the platform to this being their fourth AK class and having a good amount of experience on the platform. Those that were brand new fought with a lot of their gear making the class even more difficult to keep up with. The three largest things that were struggled with were slings, magazine pouches, and magazines.
Slings including their AK attachment points are not an option when it comes to practical rifle handling courses. The sling should have the ability to be adjusted quickly for tension and should be a two point sling, NOT single point. I found myself tightening and loosening the sling after almost every drill and the tension did help with arm fatigue and controlling the gun. Some options for this type of sling is the BFG Vickers Sling, Magpul MS1, and the VTAC sling. Students should ensure that they have an easily adjustable sling and also a way to attach it to the gun as AK’s are a very different platform. While paracord is a last minute fix, it isn’t the best option. If your AK doesn’t have a quick detach point there are other options such as the Molded Universal Wire Loop from Blue Force Gear. This simply loops through your AK rail no matter what kind of rail it is.
Next issue being magazine pouches. AK magazines have the front locking lip on the body of the magazine making finding magazine pouches a little difficult. During the course you’ll have a lot of magazines on your body at one time and may need to stow one back into a magazine pouch dependent on the drill. Having magazine pouches that allow for easy magazine removable and stowage is paramount. A couple of good options for pouches that have a wider opening and allow for room for the locking lip are the soft-shell scorpion magazine carrier from G-code and the TACO from HSGI.
Lastly, the proper magazine. There are a ton of different kinds of AK magazines out there and even some tricks to get Galil magazines working properly (learned it in the class). This makes having magazines that don’t work properly a very normal thing in the foreign weapons world and it was shown in class. A few students were having magazine issues which also slowed them down in class. The most recommended AK magazine by the instructor is the Xtech Tactical Magazine. The next being from the AK/AKM GEN 3 PMAG from Magpul. Ensure that you buy the proper generation with the steel reinforced magazine locking lip.
Future Classes
Galil /AK Operator Course – 2 Day
August 05 – 06, 2023
Location: Gerrardstown, WV
Galil/ AK-47 Operator Course
Prerequisite: None
Class Status: Open
The Aesthetic M21 – 9-Hole Speedway Run
I rag on the M14 alot.
I’m not going to stop. It was, is, and shall remain the worst service rifle of the 7.62 service rifle era.
But that didn’t mean it wasn’t made to work. That didn’t mean it couldn’t work. It just means that the requirements to make it work, keep it working, and keep it updated within the modern parameters and mission scope required of our 7.62 rifles were better accomplished with other rifles.
Josh and Henry take one of the accurized variants of the M14/M1A, the M21, through their speedway course and it performs… well, hit play and find out. Stay for the discussion too.
Revolt for Gun Control?
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/14/gun-control-revolt-chris-murphy-00096827
Easily taking gold in the “what the hell did he just say?” contest this month is Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) for his statement suggesting that the Supreme Court’s dedication to accurately interpreting the constitution would result in a “popular revolt”. In order to avoid putting words in the senator’s mouth, and so we’re all on the same page, I’ll quote him.
“If the Supreme Court eventually says that states or the Congress can’t pass universal background checks or can’t take these assault weapons off the streets, I think there’s going to be a popular revolt over that policy.”
Not satisfied with that head-scratcher, he made sure to follow up with “A court that’s already pretty illegitimate, is going to be in full crisis mode”. Both sides of the current political divide are rife with examples of “anything I don’t like is extremism”, but claiming that the SCOTUS is illegitimate because they have ruled against your personal beliefs is pretty wild. If you don’t like SCOTUS’ rulings, get better lawyers, or better policy. If you don’t like their composition, vote for better congresspeople.
So what does Sen. Murphy mean? I lack the mutant powers of Professor X, so I can’t actually go into his head and explain that for you, but I do have an internet connection and have googled the word revolt. It turns out that a revolt is “violent action against a ruler or government : rebellion”. So, and I hope I’m understanding this right, Murphy seems to be saying that if the government is not given the power to remove arms (and thus the genuine capacity for revolt) from the entire civilian populace, the anti-gun left –that famously unarmed portion of that populace– are going to take violent action against the government (and thus its agents), until the government agrees to… disarm us all? Have I got that right? Did they suddenly forget their own argument that the government has F-15s?
They seem to forget that all of these gun laws they support explicitly exempt law enforcement –who they constantly remind us are murdering people on the street for sport daily– and that any revolt would run up against them and their “weapons of war whose only purpose is to massacre huge volumes of people in as short a time as possible”. So is Sen. Murphy completely ignorant of not only the definition of the words he’s chosen, but the laws and their downstream effects? Or is he simply grandstanding for likes and votes, and knows perfectly well that what he’s saying is cognitive dissonance in it’s most amusingly nonsensical form? With politicians, one may be just as likely as the other, but I tend to think that Hanlon’s razor fails to cut when it comes to stuff like this, and they’re simply pandering to keep their jobs as decades of anti-rights gun control policy are undone by evidence-based judicial rulings. The only thing revolting here is the senator’s cynical play at rallying ignorant support.
Osprey Remnants: Inexpensive Packs Made from Recycled Materials
Let’s be real, times are tough right now. Everything is more expensive. Shipping is more expensive, items are more expensive, so why not find ways to cut costs? Osprey packs did in fact find a way to cut their costs, thus finding a way that we the consumer can save our money as well. This is done with the Osprey Remnants Items.
Osprey Packs are a very popular outdoor company that gives their customers well engineered specific to the type of activity packs such as hiking, climbing, or snowboarding. They also give us outdoorsy luggage and other accessories.
Whether you care about sustainability within the environment or not, Osprey gave us a few exclusive items that are made from extra ripstop nylon materials that they had leftover from making their more popular items. These items are called “Osprey Remnants”. All Remnants items are 30 dollars and under yet still a useable pack.
Remnants Items
Osprey Remnants Packable Daypack
Price: $30.00
Colors: Misty Grey, Volcanic Grey, Rainforest Green
The coolest thing about this daypack is that it packs into one of its own zip pockets. This makes it easy to throw into your luggage as a backup pack in case you want to venture out of the hotel or have a spontaneous hike that your other purse or backpack just doesn’t cut it for the outdoors. It comes with dual side water bottle pockets and a main pouch. The shoulder straps are lightly padded. Honestly it all seems like a great value for 30 bucks.
Specs
- Fabric: 210D mini hex diamond ripstop nylon
- Volume: 1037 IN3 / 17 L
- Dimensions: 15.75H X 10.24W X 7.48D IN.
- Weight: 0.503 LBS.
Osprey Remnants Duffle
Price: $30.00
Colors: Jasper Red, Misty Grey, Volcanic Grey, Rainforest Green
This duffle surprisingly has a lot of structure and padding built into it yet is still able to be stuffed into its own internal pocket. With a wide zip opening on top and a mesh zippered pocket on the inside it is a great value for an everyday duffel. It actually fits a good amount of clothes as well, women may be able to fit a weekend amount of clothes, men a week.
Specs
- Fabric: 210D mini hex diamond ripstop nylon
- Volume: 2746 IN3 / 45 L
- Dimensions: 21H X 12W X 1D IN.
- Weight: 0.69 LBS
Osprey Remnants Simple Tote and Everyday Tote
The difference between these two totes is the shape and the pocket location. On the Simple Tote the shape is a bit of a more wide and shorter tote with a zipper pocket located on the outside of the tote. The everyday tote as a non zipper pouch located on the inside of the tote and it is a more of a tall and skinny tote.
Both totes are an easy and packable way to have a tote that can be easily washed and not worried about due to the ripstop material. It’s a great option for beach trips or just throwing random stuff over your shoulder or into the car.
Simple Tote
Price: $20.00
Specs
- Fabric: 210D Nylon Mini Hex Diamond Ripstop
- Volume:2380 IN3 / 39 L
- Dimensions: 14.17H X 17.32W X 11.02D IN.
- Weight: 0.375 LBS.
Everyday Tote
Price: $15.00
Specs
- Fabric: 210D mini hex diamond ripstop nylon
- Volume: 2380 IN3 / 39 L
- Dimensions:14.17H X 17.32W X 11.02D IN
- Weight: 0.37 lbs
Osprey Remnants Stuff Sack and Zipper Sack Set
The stuff sacks and zipper sacks are a cheap option for packing smaller items or creating room in your bags. The stuff sacks are exactly as they sound, a sack with a draw string, D ring attachment point, and this set comes in three different sizes and colors. The zipper sack set also comes in three different sizes and colors. These are small pouches with a zipper in the middle. Great for clothes, electronics, or organizing other personal items.
Stuff Sack Set
Price: $20.00
Zipper Sack Set
Price: $25.00
Memorial Day – 2023
To the men and women who lost their lives in service to this nation. We thank you and we honor you today.
We are free. We are free to thrive and to enjoy this life because of sacrifices like theirs. We are equally free to squander our gifts and spoil our enjoyments in shows of selfishness, false humility, ingratitude, and hubris. Let us try and take this summer to enjoy all those things the honored dead gave up for us. Let us most of all enjoy the peace we are afforded here, and do nothing to turn these memories of our departed sour with pettiness.
The nation is sour right now. It is tired, it is sick of it. ‘It’ meaning very many things all at once, we’ve first world stressed and problemed ourselves into places we didn’t need to be. In many respects because of people ‘trying’ to do what they felt was ‘right’ but without much regard for reality.
Summer is here. Let’s make it one our fallen would have enjoyed with us.
Gunday Brunch 102: Kids, guns, and entertainment
Boy I bet you never thought you’d get an episode with parenting advice from Jack Clemons and Caleb Giddings, did you?
The Underarm Assault Position – Walking Fire or Bust
We’ve all probably come across something in firearms media showing or advising to tuck your gun’s stock under the arm and point it forward. This is often called the underarm assault position for who knows why. It was a fairly common position used from World War 1 up into the 1980s, at least. I’ve seen it in WW1/WW2 era military manuals up into Massad Ayoob’s Stressfire 2.
It’s been around, and I always wondered why? In our era, we don’t see it very often, if at all, and throughout my Marine Corps career until now, no one has taught me the assault position, and therefore no one ever taught me why. I had my own hunches, but hunches aren’t enough, so I went exploring, finding explanations and reasoning why the reasons behind the so-called assault position.
Origins of the Underarm Assault Position
The assault position comes from a tactic known as walking fire or marching fire. It was first used by the Prussians during the Austro-Prussian War. French general and keeper of a very long name, Jacques Antoine Hippolyte, Comte de Guibert, originally named the technique walking fire and felt it was ill-advised. The Prussians, with their Dreyse needle guns, made good use of it, notably at the Battle of Koniggratz.
From there, it evolved and became tactics used in World War 1 with the French and their Chauchat automatic rifle. Later the Americans adopted it with their M1918 BARs. The idea was simple. An infantry assault moved together, with automatic weapons suppressing the enemy until the infantry reached a point they could charge. The automatic riflemen would tuck the weapon under their armpits and fire nearly from the hip.
This tactic fell out of favor when proper fire and maneuver combat entered the military mindset. The assault position remained en vogue for some time after marching fire gave way.
Getting Close
The Thompson SMG and M3 Grease gun also employed the assault position, but not necessarily for marching fire. FM 23-41 the M3 and M3A1 Field manual states that:
This position, usually called the hip position or chest position, is used for close-in fighting. When this position is used, there is less tendency of the muzzle to climb. The sights are not used to aim the weapon; the firer simply points the weapon toward the target and commences firing. The soldier must have a great deal of practice before he can do accurate shooting. To assume this position, press the stock against the side of the hip with the right arm, or place the stock under the armpit and press it against the body. The body should be in a crouched position, and the firer should walk on the balls of his feet so that he can quickly shift his body to fire at targets to his side.
That’s a fairly apt explanation of why the position was used with SMGs in World War 2
A Ready Position
While walking fire went away, the assault position often served as a ready position, especially in an era where slings went over shoulders and not across bodies. You could carry your M3, your Thomspon, your M1 Garand, or BAR at a quasi-ready position comfortably by tucking it under the arm. This helped support the weight of the weapon. It also made it quick and easy to shoulder when working in a less-than-permissive environment.
Retention
In the modern era, this same position was used for extremely close quarters for retention purposes. The LAPD SWAT MP5 qual calls it the close retention positions. The justification is simple. The weapon is closer, so harder to take. It’s also pinned under the arm, again making it harder to take. The officer using the positions can still orient the gun at the target while using their offhand to secure a suspect or fend them off.
You can shoot from this position, but with the modern ideals of accountability, it’s only used in extremely close quarters. For example, the LAPD MP5 qual only uses the position when shooting at three yards.
End of an Era
My carry-a-gun-for-a-living training never included this position, and I wonder if modern slings and weaponry have made it obsolete. Maybe it’s still being taught, or maybe our tactics have evolved to get rid of it. Equipment and tactics are in constant flux. I always find it interesting to track down the origins of certain gear and tactics. This help me understand the why behind their reasoning, and it was fascinating to research the underarm assault position. Hopefully, we all walked away with a better understanding of this old-school tactic.
Reducing Your Buckle Bulk
Appendix carry puts a lot of stuff up front on your beltline that wasn’t there before. Suddenly you have a bunch of gear that’s competing for limited space that was normally occupied by your belt buckle.
Some folks go the easy route of just rotating their belt, so the buckle sits off to the 3 or 9 o’clock positions. That never really jived for me, so the search for slimmer options became the goal.
Wilderness Tactical has long been known for their bombproof nylon gear, and they’re currently making half a dozen different belts.
One of the more popular ones is their Low Profile, which is definitely slimmer than their Instructor or Frequent Flyer, but the tri-glide buckle used still creates a bit of a hump that some people find undesirable.
Tom Kelley from Dark Star Gear saw this as an opportunity, and started working on a slimline G-Hook specifically made to replace the factory buckle on the Wilderness Low-Pro belt.
This G-hook has the benefit of being more “set & forget” so you’re not constantly having to re-tension your belt every time you take it off.
Additionally, instead of being manufactured perfectly square, it has a slight 5-degree bow in the front, which helps the belt more naturally follow the contour of the body.
The belt I got for this was honestly smaller than expected, so I’ve been running it as a regular belt when I’m not carrying a pistol.
The biggest advantage on this buckle was the quick-detach, so it holds securely but makes everything a lot easier to don & doff.
This is a big benefit when you’re talking about appendix carry, since belt tension on the wing is one of the most critical aspects of making the pistol conceal effectively.
It makes perfect sense that the guy making one of the best AIWB holsters on the market is now designing supplemental gear for other elements like belts to help his rigs perform to their maximum potential.
These will be a standard item offered on the Dark Star website, and are slated to release later in the year.
DISCLAIMER:
Tom Kelley is a friend, and has supplied me with several holsters at no cost over the course of our relationship. The belt & buckle were provided for T&E as well. I have also purchased numerous holsters, mag carriers, and a rash guard from Tom at full price.
Ruger SR 22 – A great rimfire
Ruger hit the ground running with the Ruger Standard Model .22. Originally selling for less than forty dollars the Standard Model was an immediate success. The Ruger MKII and polymer frame versions followed. Today Ruger offers a versatile lightweight pistol in the form of the SR 22. It isn’t a target gun or hunting gun like the larger Ruger but it serves a purpose. It is a neat little gun well worth its modest price. The SR 22 is a modern handgun with a sleek look. While it fits the intended role well the double action first shot trigger isn’t to everyone’s liking. Be certain to understand the ins and outs of a DA first shot handgun. I simply ignore it when target shooting and fire in single action mode. The lightweight SR 22 is accurate enough for most chores but it isn’t a target gun. The pistol was available at Cheaperthandirt.com for $434.15 in early February with 4.5 inch barrel. The standard 3.5 inch barrel gun is twenty dollar les.
Fit and finish are good to excellent. The pistol is left hand friendly with dual safety and magazine release controls. The safety is a bit different than most but simple enough to acclimate to. The safety moves up to fire and down for safety. Unlike many small handguns the controls are large enough for easy manipulation. The pistol is compact but doesn’t cramp most hand sizes. If you are going to deploy the pistol for personal defense become familiar with the safety hammer and trigger operation. I wont fault you on that choice, quite a few bad guys have been put on ice by a .22. If you are able to use a larger caliber well you should. That said something is better than nothing and the SR 22 is certainly something.
The pistol features a changeable grip frame. The grip as delivered fits my hand well. Large size hands may find the grip sleeve a nice accessory. The grip sleeve isn’t easily changed and requires some effort. The pistol is supplied with magazine base pads for the two ten round magazines. The magazines are not difficult to load to full capacity. Take down is simple enough. A take down lever inside the trigger guard is pressed down to release the slide. Triple check the handgun to be certain it isn’t loaded and you will have no problem running the slide to the rear and up off of the receiver rails. It isn’t difficult to run the slide back into battery. This is a blowback design. The barrel remains fixed to the frame during disassembly.
The slide is nicely machined from aluminum. You may wonder how the tiny recoil spring functions but an aluminum slide and the .22 LR cartridge don’t produce a lot of momentum. The guide rod is a simple plastic unit. The ejector and extractor are larger than needed for this cartridge and all parts are more than strong enough for the task of .22 rimfire reliability. That’s not a hasty conclusion the SR 22 has proven reliable in thousands of examples. The grips are nicely serrated for a firm grip. The slide features both forward and rear cocking serrations a nice touch on a rimfire handgun. The rear sights are fully adjustable allowing the shooter to sight the pistol in properly. The dovetailed front sight offers a possibility of adjustment with the proper sight pusher. Ruger makes some of the best adjustable pistol sights and they are found on even some affordable models. The SR 22 also features a light rail for mounting lights or lasers.
Operation and manipulation
Lock the slide to the rear and insert a loaded magazine. Load the magazine and drop the slide. The hammer remains cocked. The safety may be applied to decock the hammer. This simply means the hammer is lowered without manual manipulation which is commonly applied by holding the hammer as the trigger is pressed. I sometimes fail to use the decocker, mainly on the range rather when making a pistol ready for carry. We should always use the decocker to lower the hammer as manually lowering the hammer sometimes short circuits the firing pin block. You may wish to carry this pistol hiking or for personal defense. The pistol may be deployed safety on or safety off. Learn to manipulate the safety quickly and properly. The double action first shot trigger is safety enough in the minds of many. The first shot both cocks and drops the hammer. The trigger is pressed to the rear and forces the hammer to the rear by use of a draw bar. The hammer falls and fires the pistol. The slide recoils and the hammer is then cocked for single action fire. Subsequent shots are taken single action. This mean that the trigger only drops the hammer. The double trigger is long and heavy and difficult to press smoothly. Cocking the hammer for a single action shot is indicated if precision is needed. The single action trigger demands about 5/8 inch of travel and then breaks at 6.4 pounds. My version is a relatively new offering with a 4.5 inch barrel kind of a long slide SR 22. The resulting balance is excellent. The pistol is only slightly heavier than the 3.5 inch barrel gun. Practical accuracy is good and the barrel picks up a little more velocity than the standard version usually 22 to 38 fps with assorted loads.
Firing the Ruger SR 22 4.5 inch gun over a period of several months I have fired more than seven hundred cartridges- not very expensive in .22 LR costs. Neither did I have sore wrists after the longer range sessions. The pistol is reliable as there were no failures to feed, chamber, fire or eject with .22 Long Rifle High Velocity. At 7 yards as expected the pistol put all the bullets into a ragged hole. For most uses including pest control and taking out an aggressive reptile on the trail this accuracy is encouraging- as long as you cock the hammer for a deliberate shot and press the trigger smoothly. At 50 feet the pistol exhibited several two inch five shot groups with little smaller or larger. The pistol is consistent and worth its modest price. I like the 4.5 inch pistol more than the 3.0 inch and it isn’t any more difficult to carry. As a general purpose spelunking hiking or house gun the SR 22 is a good choice. I do prefer the 4.5 inch barrel version. The SR 22 is reliable and accurate and will give you at least a fighting chance if you choose not to use a heavier caliber. I hope you use something larger. For those using the pistol as intended for training and fun shooting the SR 22 is a neat pistol that fills many shooters needs well.
SPECIFICATIONS
- Model: Ruger SR22
- Caliber: .22LR
- Magazine capacity: 10 rounds
- Materials: Aluminum slide, stainless steel barrel, polymer frame, railed dust cover
- Weight empty:18.7 ounces
- Barrel Length: 4.5″
- Overall length: 7.4″
- Sights: Three white dots, fixed front, windage and elevation adjustable rear, reversible rear insert
- Action: DA/SA, decocking safety
- Finish: Black anodized
GRAY BEARD AMMO ANNOUNCES GRAND OPENING
Conway, Arkansas – May 24, 2023 – Get ready, firearms enthusiasts! Gray Beard Ammo is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated grand opening on June 2nd and 3rd. This premier gun store is set to become the go-to destination for all your firearms and ammunition needs in Conway and beyond.
Located at 3150 Vail Avenue, Conway, AR 72032, Gray Beard Ammo aims to provide a top-notch shopping experience for firearm lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those who prioritize personal safety regardless of their knowledge and skill level. Whether you’re a seasoned hunter, a sport shooter, or a new or seasoned gun owner, Gray Beard Ammo has an extensive range of high-quality firearms and ammunition with friendly staff ready to help you.
The grand opening celebration promises an unforgettable experience for every visitor. So mark your calendars for June 2nd and 3rd, as Gray Beard Ammo has lined up an array of exciting activities and special offers to kickstart its presence in the community. Here’s a taste of what you can expect:
● Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Join us at 10:00 a.m. on June 2nd as we officially inaugurate Gray Beard Ammo with a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony. Local officials, respected members of the community, and special guests will be in attendance to dedicate and commemorate this landmark event.
● Giveaways and Prizes: Prepare for excitement as Gray Beard Ammo will host giveaways every half hour throughout the two-day event. Stand a chance to win fantastic prizes.
● Community Engagement: Gray Beard Ammo is dedicated to fostering strong community relationships. As part of our commitment, we will present Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu demonstrations to showcase our nonprofit and how it serves anyone, but especially Arkansas veterans and first responders.
ABOUT GRAY BEARD AMMO
Gray Beard Ammo is a premium gun store located in Conway, Arkansas. We offer a wide range of firearms, ammunition, and accessories, catering to the needs of both experienced shooters and those new to firearms. Our mission is to provide exceptional customer service, expert guidance, and top-quality products to ensure the utmost satisfaction of our valued customers.
UPDATE: Brace Injunction “Clarification” Set for June 2nd, Amnesty Still Ends May 31st
In an incredible display of government efficiency at its most mediocre , the hearing date to clarify the injunction against the ATF’s brace rule has been set for June 2nd, 48 hours after the amnesty period set by the ATF is set to close. Plaintiffs and the public are left in a limbo period where, per the rule they are to comply in one of the prescribed manners by the 31st of May, but they may have not had to as of the 24th of May but they won’t know whether or not they were no longer under the 31st deadline until 2 days after the deadline, despite it being decided by the court a week before the deadline.
Terrific.
So, you might not have to register or alter your firearm as of yesterday, but you won’t know until two days after the deadline. It may affect everyone with a braced firearm or just the plaintiffs listed. We won’t know until after the amnesty ends whether or not it actually ended or mattered. Fun stuff.