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A Practical Alternate Perspective on Guns

Image by RMFA Photography, J. Sarkody

We have a natural tendency to hold a single perspective. We are only an individual, we can only truly hold one. We can grow in our perspective, evolve it, and it may change given the right amount of new information, personal circumstances, and world events.

But opening our view to acknowledge other perspectives, especially those most opposed to our own is difficult. Firstly because it is hard to rationalize differently than we naturally rationalize so “stepping into someone else’s shoes” is mostly just a cute aphorism. Secondly though, we tend to focus on the perspectives that are most opposed to our own and filter things down to binary. Republican/Democrat, Capitalist/Communist, Pro-Gun/Anti-Gun.

These distinctions simplify our worldview and strip it of complexity, nuance, and most of all.. other people’s validity. Someone can have a valid opinion that is misinformed. Someone can hold a valid perspective contrary to your own. Most importantly, opinions and points of view are not binary. It is easiest to advertise them as such, and it is politically effective to do so, but they are not.

The world is far more complicated than that.

So now I bring you a well though out Center Left perspective on gun control.

[For clarity: Matthew’s paragraphs are unaltered and in italics. My commentary is the unitalicized, except for emphasis points]

National Democrats’ misguided re-embrace of gun control

Merry Thanksgiving Eve!

Hope everyone manages to have a fun and safe holiday tomorrow.

My plan was to keep things pretty wonkish this week and then stir the pot next week, but I couldn’t resist. Something I’ve thought for a while is that Democrats were wise to have abandoned gun control as an issue between John Kerry’s defeat and Barack Obama’s re-election. And whatever you thought of the idea of returning to the topic in 2013, at this point enough time has passed that we can say definitively that it hasn’t worked.

Yes, this is Matthew Yglesias, an individual that would probably be handed the ‘anti-gun’ ballcap and stand next to a group of moms and mayors that demand unreasonable ineffective things. But Matthew would stand their awkwardly because, despite being a democrat, he understands fully well how unreasonable and ineffective gun control is. He is not pro-gun rights. He firmly considers gun owners “hobbyists” but this gives his rational mind an unbiased (he doesn’t have an overt emotional negative bias or positive one) to consider firearms in a way that we civil rights minded opinionates have difficulty visualizing.

Why is Matthew anti-gun control? Because it is a losing issue with no upside except the quasi-moral ‘highground’ of caring about deaths caused by guns. It is a ‘hill to die on’ with nothing gained beyond the shallow surface level brownie points of having “done something” sort of.

Back a bit over a decade ago when I worked at the Center for American Progress there were certain issues CAP didn’t really work on. Some of that was just a lack of funding or staff interest but there was no rule against trying to go get the funding if you were interested. The two big exceptions to that were trade, which was seen as too divisive in the Democratic Party, and guns, where the feeling was that post-2004 Democrats had decided that this was not an issue worth losing votes over.

That analysis had a few parts to it:

  1. Even gun regulation measures that poll well did not seem to really motivate voters while opposition to gun regulations was clearly motivating.
  2. The kinds of gun control measures that poll well are not the kind of thing that would significantly move the needle in terms of US gun deaths — the high-profile mass shootings that spark these conversations are statistically rare and generally don’t involve shooters who would’ve flunked universal background checks.
  3. The pro-gun forces are advantaged by the geography of the US Senate, so the outlook for federal action on even popular-but-ineffective measures is bad.
  4. Related to (1), most progressives themselves did not think this was a particularly important issue compared to universal health care, climate change, immigration reform, and abortion rights. Nor did they consider it as urgent as fiscal stimulus and financial regulation.

This is current. This is the case today. And Black Friday was the 4th highest sales day of all time for NICS checks (and we are dealing with pandemic inventories of firearms that have been under stress for nearly 9 months)

In summary, it did not make sense to risk losing votes over measures that were unlikely to be adopted and unlikely to make a huge difference even if they were adopted.

In summary of Matthews summary. It’s really easy to say you would like a semi-popular reform like UBC’s, but the folks against it (like yours truly and probably many of you readers) are far more motivated to oppose it. They are the folks who changed their profile picture to a French flag overlay after Nice and Bataclan. Their policy opponents changed their profile picture too.. then went and updated their concealed carry license and spent rounds on the range training. Both had the humanistic sympathetic response to tragedy in the world, but one took actual physical steps.

Opponents to gun control are far more motivated, which is why it takes devastatingly skewed spending balances, uninformed largely urban and suburban majorities, and overwhelmingly left leaning law making bodies to pass even window dressing versions of gun control. These are at the state level because of the insular smaller populations of the states where NYC can overwhelm the more moderate attitudes or rural New York, Chicago can dictate to Illinois, and the left coast can speak for their state interiors attitudes, even if the attitudes are differing.

Of course lots of institutions don’t talk about gun control — the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities doesn’t, the Economic Policy Institute doesn’t — but CAP’s silence had a special significance. The institution was (and is!) a hub of consensus center-left thinking across the issue space. Their non-discussion of the issue was part of a larger consensus across the party network that it was fine for big city mayors or Dianne Feinstein to be passionate about gun regulation, but most national organizations were going to try to keep the issue off the agenda.

It is too costly. It lowers vote counts and turnouts by too much on issues they actually want to advance more, and that gun control opponents do not oppose, or do not oppose nearly as stringently. A pro-gun voter will get out if an assault weapon ban is on the legislative menu but they are much less likely to actively oppose something like a minimum wage hike, even if they disagree with it.

Click through on the title. Give the whole body a read. Realize that reasoned discourse works on this crowd, they aren’t Feinstein, Biden, Harris ultra loyalists. At the very least it should broaden your horizon of understanding of other than pro-gun mindsets, an important part of successfully engaging them in dialog.

I don’t agree with Matthew’s perspective on firearms, but I can very easily rationalize his perspective. He sees it as a hobby with risks. I say it is a fundamental right of free people, not a hobby regardless of what hobbies spring from it. Understanding that this our the difference in our perspectives is the key to civil discourse on the subject. It is often the failure point of the rabidly anti-gun when trying to engage pro-gun people, they fail to acknowledge that from the perspective of the people they are trying to engage this is a fundamental human right. It is the habit, unfortunately on both sides, to talk down instead of to someone. You/We are right and they are wrong, oversimplified binary.

The Primary Arms GLX 2.5-10X Scope Review

The Primary Arms GLx 2.5-10X is one of the nicer optics I’ve gotten my hands on. I’m not a huge long-range optics guy, and I see most of these awesome optics as above my experience level. However, in the spirit of learning and evolving, I’ve dipped my toe into higher-end, long-range optics. The Primary Arms GLx 2.5-10X is an excellent starting point for folks like me. It’s well priced and provides you with a fantastic optic for the money. 

Primary Arms GLx 2.5-10X Specs

The Primary Arms GLx 2.5-10X is a big optic. It’s got some weight to it, and at  22.5 ounces, it feels like a solidly built optic. The scope is 12.5 inches long, has a 44mm objective lens, and a 30mm tube. 

The scope is a first focal plane model outfitted with the ACSS Griffin MIL reticle that features partial illumination with ten brightness settings. The optic comes with a nice set of Butler Creek lens covers. I’ve attached the optic to my Springfield Armory AR 10 with a GLx mount. 

Clarity 

Clarity at 100 yards is truly brilliant. I can see the shot holes in my VTAC Tactical targets from 100 yards easily. I could see them so clearly that I could make adjustments just off of looking at the target. One hundred yards performance with a 10X scope isn’t much, but still, that level of clarity is impressive to me. 

Moving back to 500 yards with my AR 10 and GLx 2.5-10X scope, I got to light up several targets. The clarity was still outstanding. I could see the target with ease and could tell everything I was looking at. I couldn’t see bullet holes, but I could see the eyes of my VTAC target. Even small targets like rifle gongs were easy to see. When I rang a gong with a 308 caliber pill, I could track its movement as it swung back and forth. 

Five hundred yards was as far as I could shoot, but with the optic dismounted, I was able to gaze 800 yards down a local dirt road that is as straight as a nail. At 800 yards, I could see the terrain and make out various terrain features. I could spot street signs, specific plants, rock mounds, and more were visible and easy to differentiate from each other. 

Exploring the Reticle 

The GLx 2.5-10X reticle is one of the more complicated variants of the famed ACSS reticles. The Griffin Mil reticle features the donut of death style ¾ quarter-circle ACSS reticle, as well as a complicated and robust drop pyramid. This pyramid style mil grid allows for bullet drop and wind calls at various ranges. There are moving target leads, a MIL Stadia ranging tool, ranging ladders, and an illuminated chevron reticle. 

The reticle has a lot going on, but once you are looking at it, the ACSS Griffin reticle doesn’t seem overly complicated or obnoxious. Everything has a place, and I can see how fast a shooter could become with the ACSS Griffin reticle. It would allow for rapid bullet drop compensation even in windy conditions. Align your target with the right dot, and boom it’s going down.

As a man used to simplistic reticles, it took me some time to learn the Griffin reticle. Once the complicated reticle made sense, shooting became simpler overall. The illuminated chevron gets quite bright, and even in the brightest part of the day, the chevron is easy to see. You get ten settings for illumination, and between each setting is an off position. 

I adore this feature. It makes it easy to find the sweet spot illumination wise and then instantly turn it off and on at the brightness level you prefer. 

Turrets and Adjustments 

The adjustment value of the Primary Arms GLx 2.5-10X is a very fine .1 mil. It’s a precision rifle optic, so precision adjustments should be the norm. Luckily I didn’t have to make too many adjustments to get my AR 10 on target. The turrets are fantastic. They are huge, offers tons of room for adjustment, and are very easy to see. 

The Primary Arms GLx 2.5-10X has very aggressively textured turrets. They are scalloped for an easy grip, and the adjustments are all very tactile. The scales implemented on the turrets make it easy to track your adjustments. The turrets and adjustment scale are both big enough that they can be seen and used without breaking your firing position. 

The Shooting Experience 

The Primary Arms GLx 2.5-10X might be too much scope for my experience level. Long-range shooting and I have never been best buddies, not due to anything other than a lack of opportunity. That being said, the GLx has forced me to learn something new, and I can always appreciate that. It’s also given me a little more interest in pursuing some shooting beyond 500 yards. 

When I get the chance, I’m hauling myself, my Primary Arms GLx 2.5-10X, and my AR 10 out to somewhere I can stretch my legs and try to learn a little more about long-range precision rifle shooting. The optic certainly has the ass to do it, the big is, do I? 

GarandThumb’s Home Gun – HK416

Discussing home protection guns is always a treat, especially when you get into the various “camps” or schools of thought when it comes to one or another home defense set ups. There are some constants though, regardless of weapon type, that emerge and Mike, THE Garand Thumb, hits a lot of those points solidly in these 18ish minutes.

These are points that are worth repeating because these are questions that are constantly asked. These are good questions.

Home Defense

Home defense does not start with the gun. The gun is the final tool, not the first. Home defense starts with security conscious decisions about locking your doors. Installing alarms, sensors, and motion lights. Having a fire escape plan and building good conscious habits. That first and most effective layer keeps out the “handle rattlers” types, individuals or groups who are looking for easy low risk access to steal stuff or cause other mischief.

This isn’t just lock your doors “at night” while you are sleeping, doors should remain locked and your property in a state of security both when you are away from it and when you are at home. The type of predation changes but you can keep that security blockade in place. Certain predators, the classic ‘burglar’ with his mask and dark sweat suit, are looking for an unoccupied space for easy financial gains. Home invaders on the other hand are specifically looking for occupied dwellings to exploit the inhabitants in some way. Home invaders are seeking direct conflict.

Take appropriate, simple, and consistent precautions against unauthorized access. Simultaneously, recognize that against a determined individual or group your routine precautions are only hurdles to clear and that they are in place to allow you to get to your more forceful responses.

Home Defense Gun

I, like Mike, am a rifle guy. The semi-automatic, magazine fed, intermediate caliber rifle is the greatest universal individual fighting tool man has devised. But if you are a ‘carry gun is fine’ or a ‘haha, shoulder claymore go boom‘ type we are all in the same basic mindset of ‘Have a Home Defense Gun’

Putting aside the debates of caliber effectiveness and how wise certain items are for your use or your other household members use…

(No, your 5’2″ wife, girlfriend, or daughter cannot effectively use your 12ga that they are scared to shoot because it bruises they shoulder. Or perhaps yes, they can use it because they like and regularly do shoot it in trap, skeet, or 3-gun and it has a light, barrel length, and optic appropriate for defense)

…the home defense gun requires, yes requires, the following:

Reliable Operation.

It needs to run and hit what you aim at. If more than you is expected to use it in an emergency it needs to run for them and hit what they aim at.

A. LIGHT.

Put a good light on your gun. TLR-1 HL, TLR-7/7A, TLR-9, TLR-RM1/2, X300U, Surefire Scout 300/600/600DF/Pro, Modlite, Cloud Defensive. That’s the list I have durability data on that I trust.

Weapon light is preferred to a carried light, it allows both of your hands to be free to work. If you need general lighting, flip the light switch. Handheld will be the alternate.

Home Defense Ammunition

Regardless of caliber, pick an ammunition type that will work.

Pistols get good Jacketed Hollow Points. Pistol Caliber Carbines too. Check for reliable cycling.

Rifles get expanding jacketed defense ammo like Gold Dot, Mk262 clones (77gr OTM), or Mk318 (62gr expanding solid copper), etc. When in doubt on rifle, pick a ‘medium game’ round as that is what the human body structure classifies us as. In a pinch, solid lead core FMJ will work also and avoid M855 if possible, M855/SS109 has a poor ballistic track record when it comes to home defense.

Shotguns get slugs and buckshot. Pattern your buckshot when you zero. Be aware of what your gun is actually doing and keep the fuddlore mysticism about not having to aim and all that garbage away. We’re adults and we can admit that some of the stuff we used to believe was bullshit.

Home defense guns greatly benefit from:

Red Dot or LPVO Optics (platform appropriate)

Optics > Irons. They are faster and more precise and more forgiving of hasty eye positions.

High Capacity Magazines

Especially in pistol and shotgun formats, bumping up the number of available rounds to deal with a home invasion against 2-4 assailants is a good idea. Turn that 5 round tube into an 8 or 9, put a side mount of some sort on for more ammo. At home, switch out the 15-17 round carry magazine for a 21+ home magazine.

Rifles? D60 time.

The thing you do not want to be doing in the up close and personal confines of your living space where you assailant(s) are at arms length is reload.

Home defense guns benefit from:

Suppressors

Guns are loud. Really loud in confined spaces. Rifles especially will benefit from being suppressed to save your ears and eyes. The shorter the barrel the greater the benefit. PCC’s will too but handguns and shotguns less so, they get can be hard to balance running suppressed against the challenges and awkwardness of doing so.

Alternatively, electronic hearing protection by the home defense gun. Put them on and turn them up. Do this inside a few times and move around so you can get a sense for your altered hearing perception. Have family move around in various rooms, think about what you can hear and how it sounds for better environmental awareness.

Sling

Long guns benefit from slings, it makes it far harder to snatch away from you and easier to ‘drop’ if you need your hands. Yes there are a million things in your home to put your gun down on too but the sling gives you more options, not less.

‘Bandolier’ of Holding

Something, anything, that you can easily drape onto your body relatively securely that brings along the medley of first aid gear, a little spare ammo (1-3 magazines, maybe also has your pistol in a holster), and perhaps a pocket to shove your cell phone in, to go hands free. Flex cuffs might not be a bad idea. A way to carry useful things while in a likely ‘pajama clad’ state.

Situationally Beneficial Additions

Laser/Illuminators

Visible lasers have limited utility but IR pair with night vision for accurate aiming without increasing your light output. The visible component is generally co-aligned so zeroing is easy. IR Laser/Illuminators are very hand paired with night vision, the most affordable I have found is Streamlight’s TLR-VIRII, which also doubles as a very decent 300 lumen visible light.

More expensive MAWLs, DBALs, and PEQs generally dominate this section but NODs and IR aiming and observation are very high dollar investments. They may benefit your particular situation though, so invest at need. Also, really fun.

NODs/Night Vision

Expensive increase in your ability to observe greater distances. No, NODs are not practical moving in your house, too much ambient light even at their darkest and too much extra noise that you will generate moving. The white light is fine. They definitely cool to move around with, but they aren’t going to allow you to ‘get the drop on someone’ any better than rapidly and effectively securing your position for defense. In that scenario NVGs/NODs may provide benefit since they would not require light to let you observe from your position of advantage. It’s a very expensive advantage.

But for the situation of observing exterior property without silhouetting yourself with interior lights or using a light that gives your location away they do fantastic. For a situation in which you exterior lighting isn’t functional also. These are pretty far out one offs but not into the realm of unreasonable if the disposal income is there to invest. Their fun factor makes up for the limited application.

Hell, way less work and hassle than boat.

My Home Gun

I’ll cover in a later post. Talking about the differences in General Purpose (which can easily be home defense) and Home Defense specific (which can leverage into general purpose) applications. Among the greatest strengths of the rifle is its flexibility, it covers a great many applications.

GunSkins, Detailed Patterns Made Easy

            Over the last decade I have used several products to camouflage firearms and gear. While it is possible to get achieve great finishes, unless you have a complete finishing shop it is hard to obtain very detailed patterns. This is not the case with GunSkins.

            GunSkins is an appliqué, a sticker if you will. Before you blow off the idea of using a “sticker” to finish your firearm, bear with me. Gunskins is a precut vinyl wrap with a non-marring adhesive. Before I worked with it, I wanted to make sure the material lived up to what I read about it. Try as I might during the install; I could not get the wrap to remove factory finish on any part of the Sig Tread or any of the handguns I applied the GunSkin to. Now that I knew the GunSkin would not damage the Sig Tread, the time had come give it a facelift with Kuiu Verde 2.0.

These are the items you need to apply GunSkins. You will also find helpful videos on gunskins.com.

            Before applying the GunSkin, you need a few additional items. These are not items not unique or hard to find. First, you need a sharp razor cutter to trim the appliqué with. Second, a clean rag and a degreaser to ensure you are working with a clean surface; I used ordinary rubbing alcohol. Last a heat gun or a hair drier to make the GunSkin malleable to form it to the nooks and crannies of the firearm. An ordinary pencil eraser will also help get the GunSkin into those tight places without marring it.

            First off, you do not have to remove every part of the AR. GunSkins cuts every part to fit each section perfectly. You will want to remove the upper receiver from the lower, if for no other reason to make the parts easier to maneuver. Once you do that, wipe down the entire rifle with alcohol. This will ensure any cleaning fluids or light oils are removed. After that, wipe down the area you are going to work on again and repeat for each section. Again this is to make sure you have a clean surface.

            The first item I did was the OEM P-Mag. There are two sections of GunSkin one for each side. You will notice the leading and trailing edges will roll into place once warm. Only the exposed section of the magazine will be covered, you do not want to interfere with the magazines inserting or dropping free.

            After finishing the P-Mag, it was time to do the details of the upper receiver. Again, wipe down the section you are working on with alcohol. I did the left side first because it was the least involved. After that, the ejection port cover, brass deflector and forward assist; the remaining pieces will overlap the brass deflector and forward assist, this helps keep the small pieces secure and give you a smooth look. While doing this apply heat as needed and then over the entire upper receiver to get all the pieces formed it.

Placing some of the GunsSkin sections is easier using a tweezers. Here I was working around the forward assist.

            Next I worked on the lower receiver. First I did the grip. Like the magazine is two separate pieces of GunSkin, the heat gun will help the sections to wrap smoothly here as well. A little trimming was required around the grip so it would not lay under the lower receiver section. Next I did the magwell on the right side, it was the least involved area to work with. The area around the amb-safety needed cut out. Then the other sections were applied.

The grip GunSkin will conform quickly with a touch of heat.
Finishing the grip.
When doing a large area like the forearm, verify how much you need and then cut the section.

Finally I did the largest item, the forearm. The Tread has a unique M-Lock forearm that is basically all flat surfaces. First I tested the forearm section to see how much was needed for the diameter and cut an inch overlap. Next I peeled a portion of the GunSkin from the backer. I wanted to use the backer to help to roll the material onto the forearm. Using the backer gives you control and will keep the product smooth as you apply it. Once it was applied I used my heat gun on low to ensure the GunSkin was tight, make sure you do not hold the gun in one place for long; it will melt the GunSkin. Then came the fun part of doing the forearm; cutting out all of the slots with the sharp razor cutter. Once all of the slots were cut out, I again hit each one with the heat gun; this wrapped the GunSkin into each slot.

Do not peel the entire GunSkin from the backer, you risk sticking to itself. Use the backer to help smooth out the GunSkin.
I slightly dimpled cutout sections to ensure I was cutting the hole not the metal.

            When you have the AR finished you will notice the pattern you chose matches up. This shows how GunSkins pays attention to cutting each appliqué. At $64.99 an AR GunSkin is an ideal Christmas or Hanukkah gift for the shooter on your list. GunSkins offers the kits in 97 patterns; the kits are also available for pistols, shotguns, long guns and scopes.

Grip Assist is a two part system; an adhesive/sealer and the crystal aggregate. It will give you a solid purchase in all conditions.

            The one item I would add is Grip Assist at $29.99. This is GunSkins’ two part kit to give texture to your GunSkin covered firearm. First apply the adhesive/sealer let set as instructed and then lightly sprinkle on the texture. A little goes along way and you can repeat the process if you want a more aggressive finish. The liquid comes in black or clear that will allow the GunSkin to show through.

The GunSkin wrinkled as it was getting applied, my 70lb Chow was helping. The Skin touched itself as I was attempting slide him out from under foot; sorry.

            To apply GunSkins to my Sig Tread, it took about an hour. Another hour was needed for Grip Assist to cure. That is a fast way to give your firearm or other gear a new look. GunSkins was by far the easiest and fastest finish I have used on a firearm. GunSkins can help conceal your firearm, make it stand out and protect it from the elements without any special tools or skills. GunSkins is truly DIY. Your unique firearm will standout on the range or in the field. Get out there and enjoy your new firearm; shoot safely, shoot accurately and have fun.

Thought Exercise: Counter Sniper (9-Hole)

I don’t know if the SBI code is still operational at this time but I do like this as a thought exercise. What platform for an isolated counter-sniper mission.

Now, a few obvious caveats: The SCAR set up is not 2007 technology. Neither is the AI/MP5 setup as optics, at the very least, have advanced in the decade plus since then.

But the scenario itself is fairly simple. Urban counter-sniper operation up to 72 hours in duration on your own.

2007, Baghdad, Iraq. You are a CIA Special Operations Group officer working on an overall human intelligence mission when JSOC (Joint Special Operations Command) reaches out for help to canvas the city of Baghdad for the sniper nicknamed “Juba”. JSOC intel suspects that he is operating west of the Green Zone trying to pick off targets between the BIA (Airport) and the US embassy. Due to the time constraint and needing to cover a large amount of rooftops, JSOC sniper elements are stretched thin, and are split onto separate rooftops to: 1, observe/identify targets and 2, provide overwatch for US forces on ground searching. Some JSOC shooters are forced to work solo and you expect a high possibility to be on your own in the next 72 hour + operations.

Options:
1, AI AE Mk I (Suppressed) + MP5A3
2, SCAR 17 + Nightforce 1-8x ATACR

So, would you rather have an accurate battle rifle with an LPVO optic, an ATACR, which nearly matches the performance of the Leupold Mk4 MR/T 2.5-8 and the 3.5-10 that were on the Mk12 and M110 respectively around that time period (and in certain places still are today) or would you rather run two guns, one is a dedicated CQB mobility gun and the other a dedicated precision rifle.

I plan to jump in and watch the live stream if I have the time, and participate in the discussion too.

But I know my answer. It is biased by a number of factors, not the least of which is my personal love of the SCAR 17. But it also comes from the available technology, the environment, and my personal proficiencies. I am simply most proficient with and comfortable with an assault rifle/carbine/battle rifle whatever term you want to use and the same can be said of using LPVO optics.

So, that said my choice is the SCAR. But I am rifleman, not a trained sniper, and there could be solid factors to consider for the CS mission that would make the Accuracy International AE Mk1 a viable tool also.

So let’s break down what we are given.

  • Up to 3 days on your own, food water, ammunition, etc.
  • Primary threat is a trained/proficient enemy sniper
  • Secondary threats are standard militants and their support network

I am going to make a few assumptions here that are not specifically given in the short scenario, but for clarifying my position and the gear choice. The first is I will assume I am also carrying a pistol regardless of “primary weapon” selection. Second I am assuming that while you/I may be alone in our position/hide, there is support around. Other counter-sniper positions, ground forces teams, and with enough spin up time air cover/support, but that nothing is available to you immediately. Third, I am assuming the SCAR will also have a suppressor.

With that in mind you are looking at covering allied movements in urban terrain over short to medium distances against the enemy sniper and his supporting militants. You may be firing on a single target or small groups at various ranges and you will be in range of return fire. You could encounter that threat at distance by observation in a position or during movement from position to position. Hostile threat could also find, close with, and engage you while you are looking for them.

Your weapon choices for the counter-sniper part of the mission are either a large, long, heavy low fire rate .308 with minimal signature and precise observation capabilities or a shorter high fire rate .308 with moderate signature reduction and moderate observational capabilities. The SCAR is quicker, the AI is more precise. Both have a similar effective range envelope that will cover urban environments although the SCAR’s is going to be slightly shorter due to velocity. Most of your available distances and angles will not be near maximum range, long streets and roof top to roof top may though.

For CQB and movement your weapon choices are a 6-8lb 9mm submachine gun with a good track record, probably dot and light, or a 9-11lb select fire .308 with a very nice 1x and light. This is while either dragging another rifle (with MP5) or using your flexible primary and the supporting gear. While supporting militants and the sniper are not likely to be wearing high grade armor, it has happened. The MP5 (and sidearm) would be the easier to armor up against.

For movement, getting into and out of positions will be quicker with the consolidated SCAR system. You are not “packing and unpacking” the AI. Managing two ammunition supplies in 20 rounds magazines and pistol magazines will be logistically easier than three ammunition supplies out of 5 round or 10 round AICS mags (assuming it uses them), 30 round MP5 magazines, and pistol magazines. Sniper rifles were starting to make that transition but this was early on. The AI AE did however as it was based on the L96, the Mk III variant standardized it to AICS as well instead of a proprietary magazine.

The largest change and probably the greatest point of debate will be the optic and its counter-sniper suitability. Modern Sniper optics like the Leupold Mk 5 max at 18x and 25x which give far more detailed information to the shooter. However, the optics of 2007 were generally 10x fixed power or 3-9x variable power. So the ATACR 1-8x on the SCAR is giving near what was available at the time plus the added low power flexibility of the LPVO and the upgrades in reticle and glass.

Now back to the mission objectives:

  1. Force Protection
  2. Locate the enemy sniper

For the force protection mission a precise weapon with a high rate of fire to engage small groups who are threatening vehicles and foot patrols is desirable. The ability to rapidly relocate and provide fire support on a new angle is desirable. The SCAR would be the quicker and more mobile weapon.

For the counter-sniper mission. The higher magnification, even by 2007 standards at 10x or so or todays standards of 25x, available on the AI will allow for greater detail of observation and greater distances. For specifically locating the HVT who will also be engaging at range, that is a desirable feature.

In this case however, it would be one I personally forego to gain the other benefits. My network and the ground elements I am protecting can also be utilized to find the enemy sniper. I can effectively engage still with 8x within my effective .308 range.

Other alternatives include utilizing a 3-18x type optic (Razor or Mk5) and an offset dot on the SCAR. I see this as preferable to the “two primary” system, especially when the MP5 doesn’t have an armor defeat capability against the most likely armor protections of the militants. An M4 or 11.5 AR variant would change the equation some, so would having the AI in a caliber other than .308 but those are not given parameters and I have made enough assumptions.

Even if the SCAR was not available with suppression I would still pick it, gunfire is its own form of communication. It would let supporting forces paying attention know a threat was engaged and fire rate would clue them to if the threat was down. Ground forces in support would be in communication and radio traffic could confirm the situation. If the AI is the only suppressed system that is something to consider, also whether or not the MP5 is suppressed or not. If we are sticking to the given information than it is not, just like the SCAR, and firing it will generate signature for friend and foe alike.

Conclusion

The SCAR 17 gives the most flexible platform to engage the widest variety of threats in short order while still granting good observational optics for ranging and communication with ground forces. It simplifies your logistics loadout and will be quick to move with.

Limitations – The SCAR, especially suppressed, will be a fairly long rifle to move with, on the order of an M16A4. Certainly manageable, but not MP5 levels. With the 8x top end zoom target ID limitations will exist. With the SCAR being primary both for distance and close it will have to be brought out of the position to fight with along any axis not covered from your current spot, this could be slower than switching to a secondary in which an MP5 would be better than a standard 9mm pistol.

The SCAR offers several capabilities that neither the MP5 or the AI AE Mk1 can, but it also has an effective range limitation shorter than the AI AE Mk1 for both observation and engagement and has certain mobility limitations in use that the MP5 doesn’t. You wouldn’t be wrong with either toolset.

But I would run a 17.

GAT Daily Gift Guide!

Welcome to the first ever GAT Daily Gift Guide, where we take you through a list of things you can buy for that gun person in your life. Odds are, if you’re seeing this article it’s because it was sent to you by someone in your life that you likely know as “the gun person” and they’re trying to help you find things to buy for them for Christmas. Have no fear, GAT is here.

First off, let’s talk about buying a gun. According to the ATF, it is legal to give firearms as gifts, so long as the person receiving the gift is not a prohibited person. However, due a complicated mishmash of state level laws regarding transfers, the ATF recommends giving a gift card instead of an actual firearm. However, if you think gift cards are lame, there’s another option: an 80% lower purchased from Rocky Brass! If your gun friend is the tinkering type, there’s nothing better than a Polymer80 frame, so they can legally build their own gun from scratch.

Maybe you’re not interested in that, and you want to get something a little more affordable. Good news, because we have holster recommendations galore. First up from Dark Star Gear, we have holster for Glocks, Sig P320s, and Beretta 92 Series guns. Additionally, DSG has a great concealable magazine pouch called the Koala that lets you carry a reload easily. Or you could get swag! Hats and mugs are cool too. Our next holster maker is Phlster, who is desperately trying to restock their new Enigma system before Christmas. But thankfully they have other awesome stuff in stock, like their pocket emergency wallet.

If polymer holsters aren’t your thing, how about some nice leather? Galco is having a holiday sale, and their Combat Master OWB is the best mass produced leather holster on the market. I carried an M9 in one for an entire Middle East deployment, which is probably against regs but was comfortable as hell. We also partner with DeSantis, whose gear I haven’t personally used, but friends say is pretty solid. Check out their website to find something you like.

Last but not least is a classic – want to turn your Glock into a PCC without actually buying a PCC? Well then check out our friends at MechTech, who make a non-firearm (it can be shipped to your door) upper receiver that replaces the upper on your Glock, XD, or 1911 (yes that’s right) and makes it a pistol caliber carbine out the door. These have been around for a while and they’ve definitely got the bugs worked out of their design.

Hopefully this Christmas gift guide will be useful for you! If you’re the gun person, send this link the person buying your presents, and if you’re the present buyer…good luck!

The Viper By Vortex – Pistol Built Purpose

Micro red dots are versatile optics. As red dots, they can be used on any platform effectively. One could argue an optic works best when it’s designed for a specific platform. When the platform is considered, the design can be tailored more and increase the overall effectiveness. The Vortex Viper is an optic tailored specifically to pistols. Vortex produces more than one mini red dot, but the Viper is the only one specifically designed for handguns. 

Inside the Viper 

The Viper aims to be ultra-small and compact but still accommodate the standard mini red dot market. It uses the same footprint as the larger Venom and will work on multi-plate platforms like the Glock MOS series. The Viper is 1.02 inches tall, 1.06 inches wide, and 1.81 inches long and weighs only 1.03 ounces. The Viper also has a 6 MOA red dot that’s larger than many mini red dots associated with rifles and perfect for handguns. The 6 MOA Viper reticle is easy to see and fast to acquire. 

Since handguns are designed for close-range fun, the 6 MOA reticle isn’t too big. On a rifle, a 3 MOA or even 2 MOA reticle is often the preferred option, but handguns work well with a bigger is better mentality reticle wise.

Consider that 6 MOA is only about 1.5 inches at 25 yards.

Construction and Design

The Vortex Viper is a sturdy optic that is seemingly very well built. The Viper has supportive sides that don’t leave the window hanging free. This reinforced design adds some size to the optic, but that extra size results in extra strength. Handguns are used at ranges where hand to hand fighting could easily happen, so that extra strength ensures extra durability if the fight goes to the ground. 

The Viper comes with a Picatinny rail adapter if you are like me and looking to mount this on a less than a tactical handgun. 

The buttons are a smart design as well. They take a very deliberate press to activate and won’t accidentally activate when carried via holster. While it seems anti ergonomic, it’s a smart design. There is no chance for the optic to be switched off or the reticle to be adjusted on accident. Turning the optic off requires a 5-second press on the off button, so it’s impossible for it to be tripped. 

The itty bitty Viper has ten brightness settings, and while none offer NVG compatibility, the optic can get superbly bright. Bright enough to conquer the sun of a Florida day without much of a fight. At higher settings, the reticle has some minor starbursting effect to it, but at seven and below, the dot is quite crisp and quite clear. 

Lead Meet Steel 

The Vortex Viper implements a very smart lockout system for the adjustment turrets. A small flat head unlocks each turret, and this allows you to make your adjustments. Once your dot is zeroed, you can relock the turrets and have confidence that they won’t move on accident. It’s simple and easy to use.

The included tools are all you need to make adjustments to the Viper and to unlock the turrets. The 1 MOA adjustments make zeroing quick and precise enough for handgun ranges. It’s hard to do a box test with a handgun, but as far as I can tell, the adjustments are true. I used a target with 1-inch boxes at 50 yards, and every two clicks resulted in the reticle moving a full inch on the target. 

I’ve attached this little fella to my Smith and Wesson 22A pistol. The 22A is a simple 22LR pistol, and it’s made for plinking and hunting. The top of the gun has a full-length Picatinny rail, and there sits the Viper. As it turns out, adding a red dot to a pistol like this is a great idea. 

Plinking Perfection

The current ammo slump has made 9mm impossible to get, but locally 22 LR is still easy to find. This makes most of my shooting 22LR focused right now. I not only forgot how fun it is to just plink, but I forgot the added capability red dots add to handgun shooting. I stepped back to 20 and 25 yards and listened to the steel go ding, ding, ding. 

The 6 MOA red dot was perfectly suitable as far back as 50 yards. Admittedly I need a more stable position to get consistent dings on steel, but I could. The red dot makes it easy to focus on the target. Lay the dot over the target and focus on the target. Target focus is the key to success with a red dot, and it makes shooting more intuitive. The sensitive nature of the dot shows you all your flaws and forces you to be a better shooter or go back to iron sights. It allows me to perform well above what iron sights can do. 

The Viper locked down well on its mount, and the mount locked down well on my gun. I didn’t apply Loctite, but nothing moved. That’s the joy of the recoil generated by a 22 target pistol. 

Pistol Presence 

Without a doubt, the addition of the Vortex Viper increased my ability to hit my target. It did so with greater speed, greater precision, and at longer ranges. The Little Viper is perfectly suited for handguns, and the design and construction exhibit that. As a permanent addition to my gun, the plan is to take some rabbits in the winter, and I think the Viper is the perfect predator to do so. 

The Taurus G3c – The New Calf

The Taurus G3 is the latest generation of Taurus pistols to premier across the firearms industry. The original G3 was the first entry, and it was a full-sized Glock 17 sized pistol. The latest model to grace the G3 line is the G3c. C, of course, stands for compact. The G3c is not Glock 19 sized or Glock 26 sized firearm, but sits somewhere in between. That’s not a bad thing. It’s smaller than most compacts but doesn’t feature the small stubby, three-finger grip of most subcompact firearms. 

My own experience with Taurus is a bloody trail of broken firearms. Specifically, their revolvers. As a poor 21-year-old, I owned many a Taurus, and they mostly consisted of the revolver lines. This includes a Judge, a Model 85, the Polymer Model 85, a neat 45 Colt snub nose, and a medium frame 357 magnum. Each and everyone broke with little use or presented some odd problem. My luck with Taurus automatics has been much better. 

Albeit not perfect. 

The G3c Specs 

The Taurus G3c is an evolution of the G2c and keeps right around the same size and weight. The G2c came in both 9mm and 40 S&W, but as of this writing, the G3c is only available in 9mm. 

Barrel Length – 3.2 inches
Overall Length – 6.3 inches
Weight – 22 ounces
Height – 5.10 inches
Width – 1.2 inches

Compared to the competition, the gun is a little bigger than most subcompacts, but as mentioned above, that’s okay. The magazines each hold 12 rounds, and you do get three mags. It sounds like a Hellcat or P365 competitor, but it’s a good bit chunkier than either of those. Admittedly with the existence of both of those firearms, it’s hard to choose the G3c over either in most respects, except for the price. The G3c is selling online for 259.99, roughly half the price of either the P365 or Hellcat. 

Features of the G3c

The G3c keeps the weirdish DA/SA trigger design that first premiered in the 24/7. This trigger system is referred to as a single action with double strike capability. The trigger works like a normal, partially cocked striker-fired design. Except if you pull the trigger and the round doesn’t ignite (or you’re dry firing), the trigger goes into double-action mode. So if a round fails to ignite, you can try again. There is no means to manually drop the gun into double-action mode besides a trigger press. 

 

The sights are Glock compatible, which is nice because Glock sights are everywhere, and this makes them easy to upgrade. Your stock sights are actually metal sights, which gives them a point above Glock’s stock sights. Speaking of compatibility, the magazines are SIG P226 compatible. Another nice touch. 

The G3c has a small Picatinny rail to accommodate accessories like the new Surefire or Streamlight mini lights. Also, a MantisX works with the rail, which is handy. There is a manual safety on top of a trigger dingus safety and front and rear slide serrations. 

The G3c has a few good ideas with compatibility among popular platforms, and it’s a promising start. 

Ergonomics 

I’m not a manual safety type, but the G3c isn’t a bad safety. It’s placed in a 1911ish position and requires a simple flip of the thumb to activate or defeat. The magazine release sticks out nice and far, almost as if it’s an aftermarket extended-release. The grip panels are nice and textured. They seem more aggressive than Taurus designs in the past. 

The grip is just long enough to accommodate my gorilla-sized hands, and I hate a hanging pinky, so points for that. The magazines all come with a pinky extension to make it so. The slide lock is useless in my gorilla hands. I find myself pinning it down and keeping the slide from locking to the rear with a thumbs forward grip. It’s my life, and it happens with most guns outside of CZs. 

Ergonomically the gun is okay. It doesn’t blow minds, but the basics are done right. Well, almost right, because there is a big flaw in the grip, we’ll talk about in the next section. 

Range Time with the G3c

Let’s start with the good. I like the sights a lot. The front sight is a standard white dot, and the rear sight is all black and textured to reduce glare.

The contrast between the front and rear sight makes it quick and easy to get your focus on that front sight. 

The grip and texture keep the weapon pinned in your hand, and it’s never trying to wrestle away from you throughout the recoil impulse. You can keep the gun on target and make accurate and fast follow up shots. Accuracy is perfectly acceptable for a small defensive pistol. Headshots at 25 yards are doable, and within 10 yards, you can punch out a Dot torture dot without breaking the circle. 

Swapping mags is quick and efficient. The magazine release is a highlight ergonomically. 

The average is almost everything else. The trigger is kinda okay. It’s not heavy, but the single-action pull is the same length as the double action, just a bit lighter. The trigger is gritty along the way and feels like plastic rubbing on plastic. It’s not bad enough to compromise accuracy, but the difference between the G3c and a SIG is evident. 

Reliability wise I ran into one problem with one magazine. The follower failed to rise and feed the next round. The problem was solved with a quick hit to the bottom of the mag. I’ve had this problem with Taurus automatics before. It’s isolated to this one magazine, which I benched and later cleaned well. It seemed to sort that issue out. 

Other than that, the gun gave no issues extracting, ejecting and cycling. 

The bad is the way the slide bites my hand with every single shot. It gets to the point where the gun is drawing blood and giving me a recoil and slide bit induced flinch. I’ve mentioned my Gorilla like hands a few times already, and for better reference, I wear a 2XL glove. This is likely why I’m getting my hand beat to hell, and I’ve seen others shoot the gun without any issues. 

Shots Fired

The G3c is an okay pistol. I don’t love it, but it’s not a categorically bad pistol. At the 259 price point, I can see its appeal. My main concern would be reliability; even if an issue is solved, I tend to be spooked. I’m not superstitious; I’m just a little stitious. As a budget pistol, it’s an improvement over the G2 series and one of the better choices in the budget world of handguns. 

Safety Recall Notice: SIG SAUER Cross Bolt-Action Rifles

NEWINGTON, N.H., (November 25, 2020) – Today Sig Sauer, Inc. is announcing a safety recall for the CROSS Bolt-Action Rifle, and consumers should immediately discontinue use of the rifle.  This recall applies to all CROSS Bolt-Action rifles currently manufactured. 

Sig Sauer has viewed an online video that presents a single CROSS Bolt-Action Rifle with a potential safety concern.  This gun has been returned to Sig Sauer and upon evaluation it has been confirmed that the rifle exhibited a delayed discharge after the trigger was pulled.  Sig Sauer has decided to issue a safety recall in order to implement a modification to the firing action to address this potential safety concern.

To register for the recall process please visit sigsauer.com/crossrecall or call Sig Sauer Customer Service at 603-610-3000, option 1.  Following registration Sig Sauer will further communicate with you to arrange for the return of your rifle to Sig Sauer for the safety improvement.  All shipment and replacement costs will be covered by Sig Sauer. 

Sig Sauer is committed to providing the highest quality, industry leading firearms in the marketplace and is requesting that consumers take immediate action and follow the recall process as described. 

So.. what happened to Zenith?

MSR Pistol. Zenith/MKE Z5RS MP5

Turkey. Turkey happened. Not the one we will deliciously consume tomorrow but the nation that controls MKE…

ZENITH FIREARMS CUTS TIES WITH MKE; PLANS NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH IN 2021

This press release serves as an announcement that Zenith Firearms will no longer be importing MKE-produced firearms. The philosophy that Zenith has always carried is to reach for excellence with integrity. The product that we brought to the US market is high-quality, the customer service that we provide is superior, the ammunition that we now import is of excellent quality. Zenith is just getting started. We have opened a retail gun shop in Afton, VA, and continue to service and custom-build all manners of firearms. Zenith will continue to service those models that were imported under its brand and will continue to work on roller-delayed firearms sent to us for repair, upgrades and refurbishments. Zenith arguably has one of the most capable gunsmithing workshops in the US.

Those with a love of the roller-delayed platform, watch for Zenith’s US-manufactured product launch in 2021!

Many have asked what happened between Zenith and MKE. So, here is a factual account. Please note that MKE is a government entity and in many ways immune to retribution, and business rationale is a secondary consideration.

MKE had a product liability lawsuit dating from 1976 with the plaintiff, Mr. Ohntrup, in Pennsylvania, in which judgement was entered in favor of the plaintiff with a significant monetary award. MKE refused to settle with the Pennsylvania defendants and the award grew to nearly $42 million (https://casetext.com/case/ohntrup-v-makina-ve-kimyaendustrisi-kurumu-1). Consequently, MKE products were prevented from importation into the US. ATI attempted to import their product in 2009-2010, but were quickly prohibited.

In 2011, one of Zenith’s owners, who had been a longstanding representative for MKE in other countries, was approached by buyers from Walmart to import MKE ammunition during the period of ammunition shortage. Zenith went to work, first settling MKE’s legal matters to ensure imports would not be stopped, by preparing a $4.47million settlement to Mrs. Ohntrup (the widow of the plaintiff), and then preparing contracts with MKE and Walmart for the first year of product importation. This led to the successful importation of 111million rounds of ZQI ammunition in 2012-2013, and the relationship formed the foundation of Zenith’s firearms business with priority given to the importation of MKE-made firearms.

When the ammunition shortage ended, Walmart essentially liquidated their stock of ZQI ammunition below cost and destroyed the market for ZQI and its partners. The contract with MKE however was set to continue ammunition imports for an additional 12 months at a price no longer viable in the US. Knowing that Zenith would be suffering a considerable loss due to the ammunition pricing, the defined agreement between Zenith and MKE was that the loss would be borne by Zenith but corrected through firearm imports and the cooperation of Zenith and MKE in order to build a robust US market for MKE products. The aim was to eventually manufacture 922R parts here in the US, as a joint effort between Zenith and MKE. Unfortunately, in the end, Zenith absorbed all the loss and paid the settlement, and was left in debt to MKE.

In 2015-2016, MKE’s factory manager, Mr. Tanriverdi, attempted to elicit a bribe from Zenith’s owner, Kutlay Kaya, to be given the technical data packages of the Z-series firearms and the new MPT-55 and MPT-76. When MKE’s management failed to deal with the problem, Mr. Kaya took the case to the authorities which led to the arrest and imprisonment of Mr. Tanriverdi for treason (https://www.dailysabah.com/investigations/2016/12/14/man-faces-prison-term-for-saleof-weapon-project). Instead of this action bringing forth better relations, it appeared that it was the beginning of a troubled relationship with MKE.

Just when Zenith was anticipating an increase in firearms imports and the release of long-awaited WWII surplus ammunition, the July 2016 coup attempt occurred and all MKE’s effort was diverted to the local needs in Turkey. Zenith waited. MKE focused on manufacturing their new infantry rifle, the MPT, and Zenith continued to wait. Management at MKE changed several times, and each change meant less understanding of the value of Zenith’s reintroduction of MKE products, brand and impact on the US market. Certified delivery schedules became meaningless and late deliveries missed critical market deadlines, in one instance resulting in a $1.8million loss. Additionally, product prices increased with inflation at 10% per year, even when no product was delivered in a given year. Zenith remained protective of MKE’s reputation throughout and continued working towards establishing honest trade which would have brought great success to both parties.

In January 2019, a new agreement was put in place with much effort to ensure shipments would be on a monthly basis. MKE used more subcontractors to overcome their filled capacity as the MPT production remained a priority and it led to manufacturing and quality deficits. Intentional sabotage was even suspected. However, Zenith corrected the significant quality control issues here in the US while making the concerns known to MKE. MKE accused Zenith of being in breach of contract according to payment schedules and Zenith countered that the quality issues constituted a priority breach and prevented products being put into the market. To this day, funds that were sent to MKE in mid-2019 for product orders have been diverted to the ammunition debt that Zenith has been working to clear since 2016. This act alone is illegal since the financial matters were in two separate companies (Zenith Firearms vs Zenith Quest International). It appeared that MKE’s then deputy manager, Mehmet Unal, was set on working with others, cancelling Zenith’s contractual exclusivity as Zenith refused to line pockets and were insistent on necessary corrections being made. Management changed again in late 2019, and at Shot Show 2020, MKE informed Zenith that they appointed a new company as their exclusive representative to the US. They have since proceeded to select Century Arms as the company that they will use to import MKE’s MP-5 clones. In October 2020, Century released a video in which they showed their AP-5 with black tape over the manufacturer and importer names. One can
only assume it is because “Zenith Firearms” is actually engraved on the receiver.

The focus of Zenith remains on servicing the US firearms industry with excellent product and service. For more information on our services and products visit www.zenithfirearms.com and www.zqiammunition.com.

In Summary…

A quasi-governmental firearm entity, MKE, expected the usual bribes and backroom dealing that is a regular part of business in certain circles. They didn’t fulfill their requirements. Left their US partner out to dry. And appear to be trying so anew with a new partner.

All while using the unfortunately effective legal protection of, “Fuck you, we are literally the nation of Turkey.”

What does that mean for Zenith owners?

Zenith, like they said, has you. Has your firearm. And has plans moving forward. But future MKE guns are not a part of that plan.

Red Herring in Virginia

(theatlantic.com)

[Ed: The Massas one “labor[s] so hard for” in Old Virginny: formerly blackfaced Herring is the anti-freedom politico on the left, similarly scandalized Governor Ralph Northam at center, and accused sexual assaulter Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax on the right.]

Last week, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring caught wind of law-abiding citizens planning to gather to exercise their First and Second Amendment rights and, rather than directing government to facilitate their Constitutional activities, he succumbed to his tyrannical impulse, went to court, and put the kibosh on it, afterward tweeting:

“Putting hundreds or even thousands of Virginians at risk for the sole purpose of selling guns is just not worth it and I’m pleased that the Judge agreed with me.”

“Worth” what, and to whom?  That is the central issue that Herring’s litigation raises.  I’ll concede that the number of people placed at risk, presumably from coronavirus, is correct; and let’s take for granted that the risk is grave—serious illness and death. Does that outweigh an enumerated Constitutional right that codifies the natural right to self-defense and one that guarantees the right to peaceable assembly?  Who decides these things?

I hadn’t planned to go to this show.  Although there is always room for more, I am well-stocked on ammunition and guns. I can always rationalize buying a gun I’m looking at, but I didn’t have the inclination to buy another one right now.  Perhaps I’ve misjudged the tenor of the times and I’m certainly lying about desire, but it was “just not worth it” to me right now.

But unlike our collectivist-minded would be overlords who believe it is essential to impose their will over everyone, understand that for many people the risk of attending this show would have been absolutely worth it.

If I were about to become a new gun owner, frustrated by the lack of local supply on gun store selves, and wanted to interact with more seasoned gun owners, this would have been a great opportunity. If I were a victim of domestic violence and rbecoming armed was a pressing necessity, it would be well worth the risk. If my store in downtown Richmond had been looted, if I were a Republican poll watcher, if I were a recently assaulted MAGA hat-wearer . . . I could go on, but the point is that in a nation that prioritizes liberty, individuals chart their own course not tyrants who highjack a plague and weaponize it with fear mongering to disenfranchise the people they are supposed to represent.

I know there are more than a few Venezuelans and Hong Kongers who would have happily taken whatever the risks would be of attending that gun show to obtain guns to fight for their right to exist against governments that tyrannically oppress them.

A person isn’t fully alive if there isn’t anything or anyone they’d risk dying for. We acknowledge and accept the risks associated with driving to work, bearing children, caring for the sick, liberating the oppressed, and in recent times, speaking our minds publicly because these activities have value and meaning to us as individuals.  Our Republic endures because people pledge their lives to preserve it. To rob us of that is to rob us of our individual humanity, and ultimately of the value of our lives.

Robbing us of our God-given individual rights is exactly what they want to do. Collectivist thinking is the thread that ties the tyrany-afflicted together.  Why did “gun sense” organizations run ads about “protecting Obamacare” in Virginia, instead of running ads about gun control?  It wasn’t just because interest in “gun control” is at such low levels, it’s because Obamacare is another incarnation of collectivism (and because it’s proponents are also anti-gun).  We know this because one of its architects, Zeke Emanuel, who is now on Biden’s transition team, wrote that healthcare should be prioritized for people between the ages of 15 to 40, with people aged outside of that range receiving considerably less care—for the good of society!

Collectivism is at the heart of Josh Horwitz’s argument against guns:  if any and all gun control isn’t passed, individuals will believe that they have an individual right to determine when the government has become tyrannical and take up arms against it.  His straw-man argument:

“The problem is that one person’s tyranny is another’s universal healthcare bill.”

Interesting choice—dim minds think alike, eh, Josh?

Why are these people so afraid of individual rights?  Because as long as you can exercise your individual rights, they cannot easily make you do what they want, and that appears to drive them bonkers:

“We are a country based on the rule of law. Guns don’t make you a super citizen with the ability to make special rules or have special political influence because you happen to be armed.”

What about the law termed the Second Amendment?  What if a subsequent law is tyrannical?  Horwitz is of the opinion that if a new law is backed by 51% of the vote, the issue is settled.  The fact that I’m armed doesn’t make me “special,” it makes me harder to kill. I have no intention of beginning a fight with anyone, but I want would be oppressors to think twice before oppressing me.  Instead, Horwitz wants me to pledge just to accept whatever the majority decide, even if that’s two wolves overruling a rabbit about tonight’s dinner menu.

Don’t let the drama of the contested Presidential election distract you from local gun laws fomented by miscreant legislators and government officials.  Even if Trump prevails, we must still support appeals of today’s hogwash to superior courts.

All law is local: focus on what you can influence, and relentlessly exercise your right to warn your elected officials when they infringe on your rights.

.

.

–Dennis Petrocelli, MD is a clinical and forensic psychiatrist who has practiced for nearly 20 years in Virginia. He took up shooting in 2019 for mind-body training and self-defense, and is in the fight for Virginians’ gun rights.

All DRGO articles by Dennis Petrocelli, MD

“Braces” Banned Overnight?!

No.

The article, originally posted on Ammoland, has been updated to reflect more accurate information. But the original article and screenshot stating the ATF is after “23” brace models that don’t have an ATF determination letter for the specific SKU are already making the rounds.

What is actually happening? Nobody knows, especially the ATF.

This headline was triggered after a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) release was published related to the ongoing battle between the ATF vs. Q and SB Tactical over what the Honey Badger ‘pistol’ and possibly the Sugar Weasel and Fix pistols hit the interent.

In it, the ATF has stated that only the SB15 and MPX PSB braces from SB Tactical have actual determination letters from ATF. ATF FTISB, Firearms Technology Industry Services Branch, the ATF subdivision where the industry interacts with it, also known as FATD, Firearms and Technology Division, sent a letter to SB Tactical back in 2018 saying that all other SB Tactical braces did not have official determination.

The ATF wasn’t banning braces, they were responding to claims of false advertisement that models other than the SB15 and MPX PSB had “ATF Compliant” or other language used in their advertising.

Now, the ATF’s approval process is slow, subjective, and limited to a specific item. They will also be very vague on issuing corrections (See Q) which amounts to telling anyone submitting anything to ‘change it a little and try again’.

SB Tactical has two determination letters for two specific products. The rest of their products are logical derivatives of those first two products. But the ATF, for full “compliance” would need every variation submitted to them for approval. All changes or updates to the design would also need separate approval with little or no guidance on whether SB Tactical could upgrade materials, make small changes to dimensions, or even change some of the supporting hardware of an individual brace SKU.

So.. will they be banned?

Unknown. That seems to be the direction ATF are leaning, opening the full legal battle for all braces. But is has not been changed at this time.

Truglo’s 1-8X Omnia, a Quality Affordable Mid-range Optic

Truglo's Omnia 1-8X is an all-round scope that is hard to beat.

            Over the last several years I have become a fan of Truglo Optics. They are affordable, give you a lot of value for your dollar and are well made. My choice for three gun has been the Omnia series.

            My 1-6 Omnia has traveled the country and used in matches from Las Vegas to Georgia. Throughout those travels the scope has endured being tossed in dump barrels, falling off the tailgate of the truck, all conditions of weather and being removed to switch to a red dot. Throughout all of that, the scope has never lost zero or fogged up. I cannot ask more out of a scope.

            When the new 1-8X Omnia was introduced, I was thrilled. This would expand the scope’s uses dramatically. Not that I planned to use it for long range shooting, but the extra magnification would be ideal for hunting. 6X is good, but in low light conditions of the woods it could leave you wanting more. Not that one needs to see a deer better, but you need to be able to see how large the rack is. Shooting a buck that does not meet the state requirements can lead to a lot of legal hassles. The extra magnification should help eliminate that problem.

Truglo’s Omnia 1-8X mounted on author’s custom ruger AR-556 is a good all-around use package.

            What specifically do I like about the Omnia scope? First off you receive a complete package. In the box is the scope, flip-up scope caps, mounted throw lever, an APTUS-M1 mount (it fits Picatinny rails perfectly and will work on a Weaver rail) and the wrenches to loosen the locking caps. Second is the price, the 1-8X has a MSRP of $414.99. Third is the quality. I have found I do not need to have a multi-thousand dollar optic to shoot three gun or to hunt deer in Pennsylvania. What I need is an optic that can survive me and still work, Truglo’s optics do that.

            One feature that truly sets the Omnia scopes apart from other low power variable optics is the illuminated reticule. Unlike many others, when set on one power to use it as a “red dot”, the aiming point does not wash out in bright sunlight. Omnias have been the only scope out of dozens of scopes that were still visible at high noon. It might not seem like a big deal until you come up on a freshly painted piece of steel and your aiming point washes out. Since I am not planning on hunting polar bears; that should not be a concern I need to worry about in the field.

There are 11 levels of illumination for the reticule and the adjusting knobs lock securely so you do not accidentally change your zero.

            Let’s look at the details of the Omnia. It has a 30mm tube with a 24mm objective lens with ½ MOA adjustments (@100yards), locking pull/push turrets, an adjustable ocular lens and 11 intensities of brightness for the reticule. The illuminated All Purpose Tactical Reticle (A.P.T.R.) is a bullet drop compensator for 55 grain .223 Remington bullets when you use 50/200 yard zero. If you use 100/300 zero, a different .223 bullet weight or other calibers you will have to learn the different drop for each stadia mark. For three gun, I use 69 grain .223s and there was not enough variation that it was not an issue to get hits on steel at 250 yards plus.

The “horseshoe” works well on 1X as red dot, with 55gr. .223s the BDC is pretty much dead on.

            Adjusting the point of impact on the Omnia is easy thanks to the large locking knobs. The ½ MOA clicks are positive. To make adjustments, pull the knob up and to lock it, push down. Once you have zero set, you loosen the knob’s set screw, move the knob to zero and tighten the set screw down. Once it feels snug, it is tight.

            The throw lever comes installed. When it is at 3 o’clock you are on 1X, rotate counterclockwise to 9 o’clock and you are at 8X. The power adjustment is smooth and simple. I have tested more expensive scopes that did not move as smoothly. To the rear of the power adjustment is the ocular adjustment. It rotates to the left and right to ensure the Omnia’s A.P.T. Reticule is sharp and clear for you.

You can adjust clarity of the reticule with the ocular adjustment and quickly change magnification with the factory installed throw lever.

            The APTUS M1 mount is a solid one piece mount. Obviously, the upper portion of each scope ring is removable. Each ring is secured by 4 Torx screws, two on each side of the ring. When mounting the scope I put a drop of purple LocTite on each screw to keep them from loosening. This not only keeps you from constantly checking to see the screws are tight but will help prevent over tightening and stripping the mount threads. I do the same to the mounting bolts and have yet to have a mount or rings loosen.

Over many miles and many times off/on an AR, the APTUS M1 mount has ensured various Omnias have held zero.

            As you can see, Truglo’s Omnia 1-8X is a lot of scope for the money. It would be a good addition to any rifle with a Picatinny rail, but shines on Modern Sporting Rifles. If you are looking for a new scope for the field, duty or competition; you will be hard pressed to find a better value on the market. The Omnia’s clear view and outstanding A.P.T. Reticule will help you shoot accurately, let you see your target area to shoot safely and shoot better for more fun.

Speed Beez Speedloader review

If I had to use one speedloader for the rest of my life it would be these: the Speed Beez loaders. But why? What makes them so great, especially in a market where a lot of more affordable loaders exist, and where no one cares about revolvers anyway? I’m so glad you asked. Welcome to my Speed Beez Speedloader Review.

Reviewing any speedloader seems a bit anachronistic in a world of polymer framed 20 round 9mm pistols, but revolver enthusiasts out there seriously carry and shoot these guns. Those enthusiasts are a small, but dedicated market, and want to spend their dollars wisely, which is why we’re doing a Speed Beez Speedloader Review. Are they good? Are they worth the money?

Answering the questions about the Speed Beez Speedloader first involves understanding the two types of speedloader release mechanisms on the market right now. The first and most common is the twist-knob type, exemplified by the HKS speedloader. These loaders need you to immobilize the cylinder with your support hand, insert the cartridges, then twist a knob to release them. The force dropping the rounds into the cylinder is gravity, which means that twist-knob type loaders don’t work right if your cylinders have a bit of fouling in them. They also limit you to one style of reload, the Miculek hand swap. One positive point for twist-knob loaders is that they’re secure, and will usually keep their rounds if dropped.

The other release mechanism we’re going to cover in the Speed Beez speedloader review is push-type release. These, like the Safariland Comp-III loader, require the user to push the cartridges into the cylinder. They can be spring-assisted, like the Comp-III and Jetloader, or in the Safariland Comp-I and II use gravity. The spring assisted loaders are the best for fast, positive, reloads because they can overcome fouling in the chambers and keep your gun running.

Now let’s actually do the Speed Beez Speedloader review. These loaders are push-type releases with a spring assist. To load the rounds into the loader, push the rim of the cartridge past the retaining spring until it clicks. Loading the gun is just as easy: align the cartridges with the charge holes and press until the loader clicks. It’s simple and easy to use, and most importantly, very very fast. While the odds of needing to reload a revolver in a gunfight are vanishingly small, it’s nice to know that if you need to, the Speed Beez speedloader will get it done in a hurry.

The only knock we discovered during the Speed Beez Speedloader review is that they don’t retain the rounds very well. Because the spring running around the body of the loader is the retention mechanism, dropping the loader will result in rounds falling out. Of course, the easy solution for this is simple: don’t drop the loader. If you use the Speed Beez for concealed carry, we recommend carrying it in a pouch on the belt, or a jacket pocket that has nothing but the loader in it.

Other than that, these are great speedloaders. They’ve been my personal go to for a while now, and I’m happy to recommend them to other revolver degenerates.

Congress and Carrying

ABC News opens with this headline

Gun-toting congresswoman-elect may carry Glock at Capitol

An aide to a firearms-toting congresswoman-elect says she has already asked Capitol Police about carrying her weapon on Capitol grounds once she’s sworn into office

Yes, she may.

It is allowed.

It should continue to be allowed.

But that won’t stop news agencies from trying to ho-hum and anti-gun actors from harrumphing about the fact that a member of congress can keep personal arms. Their staff has certain permissions to do so as well, and this should be normal.

There are 535 voting members of Congress, 6 non-voting, 9 Supreme Court Justices, The President, Vice President, and their immediate staff who are all under increased public scrutiny and ire by the very nature of being in the public eye. They are celebrities, after a fashion, but with far lower popularity. The irritate people just by holding the office, sometimes just by having a party affiliation. And it does not take a mob to put their lives in jeopardy, it takes a lone nut in the correct place at the correct time. The ways these people’s lives are at risk are legion, but nobody lives a life free of risk.

They are targets, and no amount of well meaning, well wishing, utopianarian shallow mindedness will alter that fact. They are targets. They are also the people in the best position to act in their own defense should the broader screen of the Capitol Police fail at their jobs, which they have.

That isn’t knock against the Capitol Police, the Secret Service, the FBI, or any agency whose job it is to screen for threats. They have to succeed at a rate of 100% to prevent all possible incidents of assault, terror, or other violent threats to the people under their care. The myriad threats who could bring that violence, and have, only have to get it right or get lucky once.

With that in mind, if we think of the active protective services as the primary screen of particulates. Yes, we will use a water analogy here. If those screens catches most of the problems then it is effective and worthwhile filter. However adding the final screen, the finest version of the filter, by keeping Congress and their staff able to bear personal arms is worthwhile. Almost nothing ever reaches this screen because the rest of the filter is so efficient, but almost nothing is not nothing. Nor is this final filter a catch all, it is simply a last chance to catch one more problematic particulate that made it past the rest of the filter.

ABC continues:

The practice is allowed for lawmakers, with some limitations, under decades-old congressional regulations. The public is barred from carrying weapons in the Capitol, its grounds and office buildings.

We say decades old as modern gun-control and its exceptions to rules and new rules and new exceptions are a 20th and 21st Century product for the most part. We made it complicated.

Boebert asked Capitol Police officials about carrying her weapon when she and other House freshmen taking office in January were in town recently for orientation programs, according to two congressional officials. Both people — a Democrat and a Republican — spoke on condition of anonymity to describe her request.

Anonymity, because we spur this into an issue it should not be. Nor would it be if folks like this did not keep making it so.

Lawmakers may not bring weapons into the House chamber and other nearby areas, the regulations say, according to a letter Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., wrote in 2018. Aides can carry lawmakers’ weapons for them on the Capitol complex, he wrote.

This seems a little convoluted a practice that requires overhandling.

In his letter to House Sergeant at Arms Paul Irving, Huffman summarized the regulations after being briefed on them by Irving. An opponent of letting members of Congress carry guns on Capitol grounds, Huffman abandoned a 2018 effort to halt the practice due to colleagues’ strong opposition and said in an interview that he wouldn’t try again this year due to continued resistance.

Meaning several million new gun owners newly minted and gun gontrol being effectively a dead issue to the public kept raised only by anti-gunners? We know Biden wants to expand the NFA in an atrociously egregious manner but cooler heads should keep that button unpushed and it can remain a D talking point to appease the mayors and moms who demand things demandingly. A flock of Karens instead of cranes.

Huffman said the loophole for lawmakers, adopted after a summer of racial unrest in American cities, is outdated and risky.

A summer of racial unrest in American cities… were you awake for 2020, sir? Also we have a nasty viral infection floating around that caused the police to limit their responding actions to reduce their risk of infection and left the public that they are screening far more vulnerable during turbulent high stress time where financial pressures increased drastically.

Also.. Loophole? Yay! It’s back! The word! “Loophole, Noun: A written rule or portion of a rule that allows something you don’t like so you will obfuscate that it was deviously or unintentionally left in.”

I missed Gun Control buzzwords

He said members and their staffs carry firearms around the Capitol “all the time,” though he mentioned no names. He said lawmakers keep guns in their publicly accessible offices, though building entry has been limited due to COVID-19.

It’s such a problem! That it is a regular behavior that doesn’t disrupt the Capitol?

“Members could have a loaded AK47 sitting on their desk and no one would ever do anything about it,” Huffman said.

Why should they? Serious question. I have one on my desk (well.. SCAR 17) so what is the dramatic risk in allowing the duly elected members of the Government to keep arms in their public personal spaces? We give unelected members that privilege, thousands of them.

“But those are cops!”

And?

“They’re sworn!”

So is Congress.

“They have training..”

Dan Crenshaw is a Navy SEAL, many serving members are Veterans or hold other qualifications in arms, and quality concealed carry training and practices are not difficult nor present an abnormal or unacceptable risk. Especially not in comparison to something so inherently problematic as safely operating a motor vehicle.

Certainly it is practical that certain areas remain sterile of exterior armaments from the general public, but Congress are supposed to be there doing their jobs and they are inherently the highest profile individual and group targets.

He also said with lawmakers exempted from passing through screening devices throughout the Capitol campus, “no one checks” to make sure they’re not bringing guns onto the House floor.

Again, why should they? To make you feel better? Do you believe for a moment that if one of your colleagues, a fellow member of the highest legislative offices in a powerful and prosperous first world nation, wanted you harmed they could not easily find a way to do that? That ‘waving through’ your congressional sitting members so that they may go about their business as congressional members and not being certain that they, the duly elected lawful representative, are not carrying a personal firearm is the thing keeping you from harm as another sitting member?

Are you actively this naïve to risk? Or this simply a low risk way to attack the right to carry a firearm for protection by making a rather poor ‘plea to reason’… for surely members of such an “esteemed” body as Congress are well enough protected and should eschew such vile and base things as personal defensive weaponry. Especially because that opens up the possibility that one member or staffer could shoot another! That possibility, of course, exists regardless but it exists with allowed carry too.

I suppose that makes the injured or killed who were unarmed and following the rules no less injured.. but more righteously so?