Sig Sauer ROMEO8T

By

Keith Finch

-

March 27, 2020

Sig Sauer dropped onto the optics market in a manner that some may describe as… well…

Sig bringing you ALL the optics and the details all kinda blending together

O Romeo, Romeo, whyfore art there so many Romeo’s? Seriously there are like 18… I counted.

My Theory: The People Want Options!

Sig perhaps theorized that they could cover the full spectrum of the market fairly well and that even if their products started to get in each other’s way some would catch. Make the dots and the people will come buy dots.

We know teething issues existed in their optical line. The Romeo 5’s, initially winning an FBI carbine endorsement, had a rash of electronic issues. They seem to be fixed solid again as my 5 XDR is running fine and my early 5 (purchased/made prior to the FBI rush if I recall correctly) hasn’t gone out yet, these few years in.

Then there was the whole Aaron vs the Romeo 1 ordeal, which was subsequently solved by the 1 Pro.

But finally, in the history of Sig Romeo Optics we have this absolute legend…

ROMEO4T in Combat on a Colt Canada Commando with the SAS in Kenya

The SAS operator who kitted up, turned on beast mode, and went to work saving lives in Kenya with his Sig Romeo 4T topped Colt Canada Carbine. Reportedly he killed half of the terrorists himself (2 of 4 gunmen) and images show him evacuating civilians from the attack site over and over again.

This, in the collective consciousness of the internet, seemed to be the turning point. The redemption of the Sig’s dot designs in the fires of battle against terror, in the hands of an operator’s operator from a world renowned organization. He Who Dares Wins, and the daring hero had a Sig dot.

So, with Sig now firmly in the “cool guy” optics camp they started floating around on the list of recommendable options. Joining names like Holosun, Trijicon, and even the Grand Pewbah Aimpoint as having competitive options.

Then they sneak this borderline Sci-Fi looking thing in on their 338 Norma Magnum General Purpose Machine Gun…

I was intrigued. I had to get one now… Oh and the dot too.

The ROMEO8T

Upon doing some digging and inquiring with Sig the new sight was their ROMEO8T, a high durability large window reflex sight. For the market segment that enjoys large window designs like the EOtech EXPS, Ravor UH-1 “Huey”, and Holosun 512 it looked like just what we wanted.

The mildly Sci-Fi aesthetic and FDE color scheme did it a couple of favors too from my standpoint.

That isn’t always the case…

BRAVO4.. Too far, Sig. Tone it back. We don’t just need angles for the sake of angles. I’m sure it works fine but I’m not equipping a Klingon disruptor rifle.

Where the BRAVO4 ‘Battlesight’ looks like it is competing for a movie inclusion by J.J. Abrams, the ROMEO8T just looked.. durable. The 8T had the ‘go into the field and do the job’ look.

Now looks are just looks, what is the ROMEO8T?

It is a high efficiency LED, premium grade material, reflex optic. The 8T combines two highly favorable design elements, the large window design (similar to what EOTech is famous for) and premium grade LED emitter systems like Aimpoint and Holosun, with a few touches of their own.

My own guess is that the 8T was envisioned riding the NGSW-AR and MG 338 from the project outset, then being able to fill any reflex optic role that a CompM4 or EXPS is sitting in too.

XCR-L from Robinson Armament with the ROMEO8T Red Dot Reflex Sight and Streamlight TLR-1 HL — Behold! Working from home. Robinson XCR-L Pistol with ROMEO8T.

Quick Aside: I always thought the Marine’s decision to put TA11 ACOGs on SAWs was more hindrance than a reflex option would have been, the 8T is undoubtedly more to my liking. Add a magnifier for those situations where a closer look does benefit the shooter, but that open field-of-view “heads up display” acuity is what I want on a suppresive system like a belt fed most of the time. It creates a more situationally flexible system allowing engagement of an area quicker under most circumstances. The ACOGs are BAC but it isn’t quite the same.

Material Selection and Environmental Endurance.

The ROMOE8T uses two critical elements that place it in the military optical system category, a 7075-T6 aluminum optic body and an IPX8 waterproof rating. These, along with the normal high durability coatings for the lenses and body, fogproof purging, and field oriented ancillary factors, make the 8T far more than just a fair weather dot.

Most manufacturers of less expensive dot optics will advertise ‘aircraft grade’ aluminium without specifying either 6061-T6 or 7075-T6. The ACOG is 7075-T6. The Aimpont CompM5 is 7075-T6, previous Aimpoints were 6061-T6. Most high grade optical mount systems are 6061-T6 or 7075-T6. It’s the right metal for the role.

7075-T6 especially provides an incredible housing for optics with simpler internals (reddots and fixed power optics) and can be built to a standard that even the best variable power options cannot match. Complexity in the mechanism increases vulnerability, especially to water. That complexity also mandates a greater variety in material selection.

The IPX 8 water proofing standard is a significant claim. It means continuous immersion at depth (under water pressure). While the manufacturer sets the actual parameters the minimum is continuous beyond 1 meter, 3 meters (bottom of a 10ft swimming pool) is common. Not only can the sight get wet, Sig is telling us it can swim.

For comparison, the Vortex Razor Gen III and Sig Tango6T are IPX7 rated. They can get soaking wet without a care but swimming is not a good option. Water pressure of less than a meter depth and for 30 minutes. Wading across a stream, sure. Diving, not so much. The only variable I know with an IPX8 equivalent is the VCOG (20 meter depth)

After all of that Sig went a step further and added a titanium impact shield (EOTechs use an aluminum one) to protect the housing further still. Basically a slat armor that will take the brunt of a fall, impact, or crush and can be easily replaced if damaged, saving the optic itself from all but the most catastrophic crunches. The shroud and optical body also provide protective standoff to mitigate hitting one of adjustments on accident.

ROMEO8T CQS Reflex Red Dot Optic with side controls on an XCR-L — The dust lens caps are a nice design touch too. They pop off if you would rather not have them. 10/10 Grunts will lose them in the field.

LED Emitter, Sight Window, and Reticle System

Now, as an astigmatic individual I have a love/hate relationship with reflex sights. Some emitters work very well with my eyes, some give me a starburst blob thing instead of a dot. Trijicon’s MRO (Not the HD, haven’t tried that yet) is an example of a perfectly good sight that didn’t have an emitter my eye worked cordially with. It worked, just not cleanly. EOTech’s are also fuzzy since holographic is nearly always rough with astigmatism, still works though.

The ROMEO8T has a very clean and clear emitter, the LED and internal selections produce a crisp sight picture and clean dot. When using the circle dot reticle option the edges of the circle segments are sharp and well defined. The BDC reticle dot selections come the closest to blending together but still avoid it, something I could not say of my EOTech 2-2 reticle.

The 38mm sight window provides the “heads up display” quick and open acquisition that smaller optical body systems can’t quite manage. The coated glass gives incredible light transmission and a very clear sight picture. It was well chosen to minimize color distortion and transmits a much brighter image than some competing sights.

Weird observation: On higher brightness settings there is a minor glare effect producing a wide “crosshair” visible to the shooter. It’s hard to explain, but in essence on brighter settings you could see an extra bit of red glare above, below, on the left, and to the right of where the dot is positioned in the window. This narrow bit of glare, for lack of a better term, appears on the edge of the optic window at those four points and is always precisely referenced on the dot.

What you are seeing is reflection off of the edges of the ocular window, the housing there is smooth enough and has enough surface area to cause a narrow “beam” visual effect. This is because the lens is so deeply recessed that the edges catch some of the light from the LED. It tends to vanish as more light comes through the objective lens, so looking at a brightly lit target area makes it go away. No negative or distracting influence while I was shooting either, just gives it a vaguely video game-ish targeting effect. It is more pronounced if you use one of the circle dot reticles.

Controls and Rail Interface

The ROMEO8T has simple controls. Two buttons on the left side of the optic housing, an up arrow and a down arrow. Three guess what those do for the brightness settings. Clicking either will turn the optic on and holding either will turn the optic off. Holding both will cycle the reticles. Adustments are .5 MOA clicks and are accomplished with a flat head screwdriver or spent case rim.

The battery housing is on the right side. A horizontally mounted CR123 slides in and the watertight threaded cap closes it up. The cap has a retention wire so that it doesn’t go anywhere. The cap doubles as an emergency 1/2″ mounting wrench to tighten nut on the optic to a reasonable degree, it does not properly torque the mount but can get you to ‘good enough for now’

The machined housing of the ROMEO8T has recoil lugs that interface with the rail and keep the optic from sliding and it’s torque spec on the 1/2″ nut is 85 in/lbs. Yes, 85… 338 Norma Magnum Machine Gun, remember. Sig states that using this spec the optic will return to zero.

Overall

The ROMEO8T is supposed to be a robustly built reflex sight that can stand with Aimpoint, EOTech, and Trijicon. Specifically with the CompM4/M4s, the EXPS3, and the ACOG.

With its construction, lens and emitter quality, and easy control suite it can accomplish all of those things and comes in a few bucks under the competition. A quick check of current prices and you can find 8T’s for $40-60 under an EXPS3 (in the $599-$650 range) and it will be a few bills under an ACOG or CompM4/4s/M5. What it doesn’t have yet is the time on market of the others.

The 5.11 Operator Axe – Delta Designed

By

Travis Pike

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March 27, 2020

The 5.11 Operator Axe is a tool designed by Kyle Lamb of Viking Tactics and built by 5.11 Tactical. The Operator Axe features a few dozen functions, but the main tools are an axe head, a hammer, and a pry bar. On top of that, you have a metal cutter, some hex and socket drivers, a measuring stick, and a lovely polymer sheath.

This is a compact tool that is only 15 inches long and weighs 1 pound 10 ounces. The Operator Axe is made from SCM435 stainless steel and is 7mm thick with a 21 mm hammer. The axe is long enough to be quite functional in any of its dedicated tasks.

The Operator Axe is perfect for improvised breaching, for crash rescue, and to keep around the camp as a handy dandy tool. The quality is undeniable, and the durability is likely unmatched. Outside of the welded on hammer, the entire device is made from one piece of steel. This makes it durable and tough to break.

Now stainless steel isn’t the best for a wicked sharp blade, but it’s suitable enough. As a stainless tool, it’s more durable, less likely to chip, and more corrosion resistant.

Running Hard

Tomahawk style tools are quite popular with troops overseas. A little too popular with Dev Group, but that’s a different story. Tomahawks are handy tools to have. If you are clearing out lanes of fires, digging holes, chopping wood for a fire, or smashing open doors and breaking locks, they can be invaluable. I could see a ton of extra value in the Operator Axe in the hands of the men and women overseas.

The extra hammer, metal cutter, and pry bar add extra icing to the already delicious cake. Check the Operator Axe out at 5.11 Tactical. They have both a compact variant and the full-sized model I’m jawing on about.

New Gun Owners

By

Keith Finch

-

March 26, 2020

There is nothing quite like a crisis to shock one into the realization that society is very very fragile and that your safety is ultimately your own. With that realization COVID-19 has produced a lot of new gun owners. I mean A LOT. NICS has been broken more than usual and stores are barren. The back stock of firearms isn’t gone… yet. It has been depleted significantly.

Reminds me of the Obama era panics… ah, those certainly were times.

(Above) Six minutes on handling the pistol overall. Thanks to Sig Sauer. Watch to completion please, you should have time at home.

Anyway for those newbies. Welcome! Now please, pay attention.

To start with, your semi-automatic pistol, Glock or otherwise, works in a manner similar to the video below. Handling it shouldn’t be a nerve wracking experience (although I know it will be for many, and that is okay) when you take it out of the box or get ready to shoot it for the first time.

Take all this available time and read that owners manual. Don’t open that box of ammunition or worry about the magazines or any of that stuffy until you do, please.

Take. Your. Time.

You may have bought a gun due to an emergency but learning about your newest tool is something to be paced calmly and as you understand any given topic.

I’m not going to hound the 4 safety rules here. They are all over everywhere else, including the literature that came with your pistol which you should also be reading.

Don’t rely on just your one friend who knows guns to tell you all about it either. They are, probably, not a professional firearms instructor. Regardless of how well meaning and enthusiastically helpful they wish to be take their advice with a trust but verify mentality. This is where YouTube becomes an asset, it is chalk full of real firearm instructors covering various topics. The danger is that it is chalk full of everyone else too, no matter how well meaning. Look for videos by or sponsored by groups like the NSSF and the professional firearm academies. Take your time and rewatch them. Ratings are another good gauge on whether or not a video has some information worth your time.

Allow me to simplify safety into ONE rule of overall attitude and thinking.

When you pull the trigger the gun IS going to fire.

If you keep that one concept in mind while you’re learning and beginning to adsorb the other information, you will do fine. Be patient with yourself.

Another function video of exceptional detail that covers the AR-15 and M16 specifically. The details are similar with most semi-automatic rifles, minus the automatic fire parts. It will give you an excellent place to orient yourself on the various parts in any semi-automatic just as the Glock animation gives you a reference for most semi-auto pistols.

Firearms aren’t the same, but they are similar. With a knowledge base and a little GoogleFu you can probably figure out the differences between these two specific examples and your own.

Again, welcome new owners. Please take your time and ask questions, be patient, and if someone is not being patient with you ask somebody else.

New Zealand Mosque Shooter Pleads Guilty

By

Keith Finch

-

March 26, 2020

51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder. A posted manifesto and a live stream weaponizing the internet too as he attacked.

Brenton Tarrant plead guilty today to carrying out one of the worst solo acts of terror in modern history. It’s a move that will likely cause both relief and confusion as this removes the looming trial. Relief for victims as they gain some closure without the spectacle of the man’s hatefully reasoned insanity dragged into the spotlight for public consumption. They won’t be forced to relive the horror in that forum, where Tarrant could bask in the attention and spew rhetoric for the grand proceeding.

And that is where confusion comes in. Why did he give that up? Mass shootings are a violent and horrific communication platform. Tarrant is a classically defined terrorist with a political goal, many listed actually, the expulsion of Muslims and foreign ‘races’ from western “white” nations among the most prominent.

The cognitive dissonance required to hold such a view set, the broken and evil mind that produces a plan like was carried out, it reeks of narcissism and self importance. A belief that they alone are ‘smart’ enough to fix the ‘dire situation’. The situation of people slightly different from themselves peaceably living their lives as citizens of the same nation.

The level of self deception necessary to believe a nearly identical act of terror to those favored by Al-Shabaab is somehow justifiable and that the act will ignite violence and descent worldwide that would magically end in a segregated utopia.. baffling.

It’s curious such a deluded mind would give up the platform of the trial. But then again, Tarrant has been cooling his heels in maximum security as likely the most reviled man in the nation. He only manged to screw thousands of New Zealand gun owners in addition to the legacy of the shattered community of Christchurch. There was no “glorious” [/sarc] bloody revolution. No one flocked to his banner, except maybe one asshole in Texas who attacked Wal-Mart. There was only derision and disgust, and I don’t know how long a mind could hold onto a delusion with such universal external pressure unabated.

That legacy of failure and the weight of hindsight, the tragic pity for a lost and broken soul, and the righteous anger burning towards him may have torched the ambition for trial stage away. We can hope.

For the community of Christchurch, especially those close to the victims, I hope he has accepted his fate and will meekly fade away to let them heal. We will see at sentencing.

Lionheart LH9 Review

By

Caleb Giddings

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March 26, 2020

Why did I want to do a Lionheart LH9 review? Because when the pistol first came out in 2014, I was fascinated by the introduction of a “new” DA/SA pistol to the US market. I got in touch with the guys out there, and we did the Lionheart LH9 review.

Fast forward six years later, and the LH9 is still available. The team at Lionheart also have added a bunch of new products to their lineup, including the fully customizable Regulus pistol. This allows users to design a pistol to their specific desires. The most interesting aspect of all Lionheart pistols is their unique DA+ system. The Lionheart DA+ works by keeping the mainspring compressed, but the hammer goes forward. This removes the majority of the initial pull weight from the first double action shot. The gun operating in DA+ mode has a long trigger travel for the first shot, but with reduced pull weight, then all subsequent shots are single action. It’s an interesting system that gives the safety of a DA pull without a heavy trigger.

The biggest drawback to the LH9, and the entire Lionheart family of pistols is the same as in 2014. Getting quality accessories for them is difficult. Yes, Lionheart sells you magazines and holsters right on their website, but that’s pretty much the only place to get them. A brief check of Galco’s website shows zero options, and neither does JM Custom Kydex, who basically make holsters for everything. It’s a bummer, because the LH9 really is a cool gun.

I liked the LH9 that I shot for review all those years ago. 2014 was a long time ago, but the gun is still available, and after looking online it’s incredibly affordable, going for around $450. It’s worth buying just because it’s interesting mechanically, and it also makes a great gateway gun for people who are DA/SA curious but might be concerned with DA trigger management. Or just buy it to be a hipster, so when people ask what you’re shooting you can say “oh this is a Lionheart, you probably haven’t heard of it.”

Sage Dynamics – Ballistic Advantage Barrels

By

Keith Finch

-

March 25, 2020

Aaron Cowan takes 3 of Clint Hanson’s Ballistic Advantage barrels and put them into rifles. Quality, accurate, and affordable.

I know Clint and he knows barrels. I would recommend any of the Hanson profiles you’re interested in putting into rifles. Most of the barrels at Thunder Ranch were Hanson profile and the guns performed fantastically.

Ballistic Advantage sports a variety of calibers in both AR-15 and AR-10 style barrels with both CMV 4150 Steel and 416 Stainless Steel.

The barrels exist in different quality grades with a variety of materials and finishes taking point to give you the function you desire. 4150 CMV steel is a recognized international standard in barrel steel and is often used in military grade automatic weapons with chrome lining because it handles heat well. It’s durability is considered one of the ideal mixes of strength, heat temperance, and elasticity that will produce and accurate and enduring rifle.

QPQ Nitride is a corrosion resistant and fairly lubricious finish that has been used on steel, especially in the firearm industry, for a long time. While chrome lining was the go to answer, and still is for military contracts, chrome has disadvantages the military just accepts for scale. QPQ brings the majority of chrome’s corrosion resistant and durability benefits without the accuracy degradation. It allows more potential accuracy to be wrung from a barrel because you do not have to stack tolerances for errors under an additional layer of material (chrome). Barrel life is still impressive on QPQ treatments.

416 Stainless has similar and even more precise benefits. The premier downside for in the benefits of stainless is in overall barrel life. Stainless is understood to wear at a slightly greater rate than layer protected steels like CMV chrome lined.

Emphasis on slightly, we’re in academic discussion territory at the moment. If you were running rifles almost exclusively as machine guns for entertainment value of high fire rates you wouldn’t use BA Stainless barrels, you’d use heavy chrome lined ones for pure durability to lengthen your maintenance time cycles.

But if you were looking for a highly accurate barrel with more than acceptable general use durability (aka anything other than continuous daily tourist driven mag dumps) stainless steel will provide it in spades.

From an assembly standpoint the attention to detail and material choice there is also a blessing. Gas blocks come installed on Hanson barrels, one less irritating chore. In the premium tiers they use nickle boron on the feed ramps to make feeding even more reliable still with a little further added durability. It’s the small sensible decisions and the attention to detail.

Can’t fault the prices either.

Be the Piggy

By

Dr LateBloomer

-

March 25, 2020

Y’all know I’m a pediatrician, right? So I’m sharing my favorite meme of the week with you. Because I needed the smiles and so do a lot of you.

I’m also NOT going to share a few other words that came out of my mouth this week, because quite a few of them were not fit for public consumption. Because some people are self-absorbed anal sphincters.

Suddenly everyone on the internet is a public health expert. And it’s not just the Karens with their essential oils, either. It is taking all of my self-control to stay away from discussion groups, because it’s not good for my emotional well-being currently.

Please remember while you are at home sitting through the 4,657th rerun of Frozen, while you listen to your kids fight and watch your 401K tank, that there are real people out there in the trenches of healthcare losing their lives to this virus, too.

When you talk about “only” a 1% death rate from Coronavirus or other such callous piffle, please remember that this also includes at least 23 physicians in Italy, unreported numbers of other healthcare personnel, and who knows how many in China and the rest of the world. That word “only” now also includes two healthcare workers in Georgia.

Yep, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare personnel are in the trenches of this “war”, battling for people’s lives and risking their own in increasingly inadequate protective equipment. All the while some idiots are still going to porch parties and beach events, and blabbering on the internet about how many million people’s lives are worth sacrificing on the altar of their own convenience.

I’m not in the front line trenches, so I’m not talking about me personally. My role is more along the lines of guarding those hospital warriors’ flank. We in community pediatrics are doing our best to keep all of the other stuff OUT of the ERs and urgent cares. Because Strep and ear infections and rashes and diarrhea may not be sexy, but they send millions of kids every year to the doctor whether there is a worldwide health emergency going on or not. If we can keep those kids safe in their homes with telemedicine, then we keep additional hordes away from the already overflowing and contagious main healthcare system.

We also in that way, if truth be told, help to protect those kids’ caregivers, who in more cases than people realize are the kids’ grandparents. Children are being raised by their grandparents in amazing numbers because of the opioid epidemic and because of poverty. Those grandparents – the kids’ ONLY caregivers – are more often than not older and with other health issues. These caregiver grandparents are exactly the category of people that others so cavalierly dismiss in that “only 1% death rate” (or whatever other stats they pull out of their posteriors that day).

As much as I have been learning about prepping the last couple years, I never in a million years thought I’d be pumping gas with a walmart bag wrapped around my hand like a recycle-able number 2 protective mitten to keep myself from catching something that I could give to my patients.

I also never in a million years thought I’d be pawing thorough my fabric stash trying to find the tightest weave I had in order to home sew masks to help protect my staff when supplies run out. And the supplies are already running out in major healthcare systems.

So forgive my rant please, as I’m not completely back to my comic and snarky self. There is still too much going on that is p*ssing me off, and I’m in no mood to suffer fools gladly.

Please, I’m begging you. BE THE SECOND PIGGIE. Stay home.

Firearms During Natural Catastrophes

By

DRGO

-

March 25, 2020

(from personaldefense.com)

[Ed: We previously published this September 26, 2017, courtesy of Hacienda Publishing, where it first appeared September 24 that year. It is a timely reminder as leaders are clamping down on gun sales & permitting during today’s COVID-19 contagion.]

In 2005, at the time of Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans police used the excuse of enforcing compliance with the mandatory evacuation order to confiscate firearms. They went door-to-door seizing guns from the people who stayed behind hoping to ride out the storm. These were the same firearms that the citizens expected to have available to protect their lives and property in the aftermath of the disaster.

In fact history has repeatedly shown that firearms, including assault weapons, can be very useful and life-saving tools following natural disasters, such as Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and during times of civil unrest, as during the Rodney King L.A. riots of 1992.

In New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Mayor Ray Nagin’s police chief superintendent said that the only guns allowed would be “in the hands of law enforcement.” Moreover, Stacy Washington, a decorated Air Force veteran, writing for the NRA Americas’ 1st Freedom, pointed out: “Guns were confiscated with disastrous results: Utter lawlessness ensued, and the police were spread too thin to respond to all the mayhem. Before total gun removal was completed, the NRA stepped in, first gaining a preliminary injunction and then an order putting a stop to the ill-conceived plan. The sheriff had to return more than 1,000 firearms to their respective owners.”

Gun-grabbing mayor Nagin should have known that confiscation of firearms from persons, who have not committed a crime, is a violation of the Second Amendment—and under the dire circumstances of a natural catastrophe, an inexcusable and unforgivable misjudgment, as well as an affront to the people of New Orleans.

Gun confiscation at the time of the Katrina disaster—when they are most needed by citizens to protect their families and property—was such an outrage that several states and the federal government passed laws to prevent that egregious constitutional illegality from ever taking place again during natural disasters.

In 2006 Congress passed the Disaster Recovery Personal Protection Act that became incorporated as an amendment to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2007. It was signed into law on October 4, 2006. This federal legislation prevents the government from confiscating legally owned firearms during times of major disasters or state of emergency. Following the example of the federal government, most state legislatures adopted similar versions of this law.

Be that as it may, on Sept 5, 2017, in preparation for contending with Hurricane Irma, the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Kenneth Mapp, contrary to U.S. law, ordered the National Guard to confiscate firearms and ammunition from the people of the islands. Confiscation was supposedly necessary so that authorities “could carry out their mission.” Whatever that may be, we are left to wonder. Nevertheless, the Islands are ruled by federal law approved by Congress in 1954, “Revised Organic Act of the Virgin Islands” and subject to U.S laws. Fortunately, the government of the Islands’ plans for gun confiscation seem to have been put on hold after the NRA threatened to file a lawsuit.

Ms. Washington further wrote: “Time after time during natural disasters, reports of looting and increased armed criminal action have been reported. The primary reason for firearms purchases is to protect self and loved ones, and this is especially important at times when the police are overtaxed and crimes of opportunity are more likely to occur. Natural disasters offer criminals an opening too sweet to resist—and once an individual or group of marauders is at your door, it’s too late to ask the National Guard for your guns back.” Exactly!

In 1989 after Hurricane Hugo assailed the city of Charleston and surrounding coastal areas in South Carolina, Governor Carroll Campbell Jr. issued “shoot on sight” orders to the South Carolina National Guard. The authorities, in some cases assisted by armed citizens, deterred some of the thugs from looting. And likewise in 1992, during the catastrophic Hurricane Andrew that devastated Florida, looting was limited because citizens used high capacity magazine assault weapons—just at the Korean shopkeepers in Los Angeles did earlier that spring of 1992, when they protected their property from the usual parasitic thugs roaming the land and capitalizing on the suffering of others.

Florida has led the way in how to handle some of these natural disasters. In 2015, in addition to its concealed carry weapons (CCW) licensing, the state passed a separate law that permits all adults (except felons), to carry concealed firearms during emergencies “for up to 48 hours after issuance of an evacuation order.”

Some states like Maine and Vermont have “Constitutional Carry” laws, which allow all law-abiding citizens to carry firearms without a permit —emergency or not. In such states, as well as in Florida with its expansive CCW license laws, citizens act as deterrent to crime during natural disasters and emergencies because criminals and the marauding thugs do not know who is armed. A potential victim could very well be an armed citizen and deadly to mess with!

— Miguel A. Faria, Jr., M.D. is a retired Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery and Adjunct Professor of Medical History at Mercer University School of Medicine. He is Associate Editor in Chief and World Affairs Editor of Surgical Neurology International. He served on the CDC’s Injury Research Grant Review Committee.

All DRGO articles by Miguel A. Faria, Jr., MD

SIG SAUER – 716i TREAD AR-10 Rifle

By

Keith Finch

-

March 24, 2020

NEWINGTON, N.H., (March 24, 2020) – SIG SAUER, Inc. is pleased to introduce the 716i TREAD, a direct impingement, AR-10 platform that provides versatility for long range shooting and hunting while maintaining a lightweight design for easy carry. The 716i TREAD is easily customizable with existing TREAD branded accessories.

“The TREAD brand has gained recognition for offering premium products, at a competitive price point, that are designed, engineered and built with the same quality and innovation consumers expect from any SIG SAUER product,” said Tom Taylor, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales. “The 716i TREAD brings the power of the AR-10 platform to the TREAD series and is an exciting expansion to the line. The rifle is lightweight with premium features right out of the box, and consumers can anticipate an affordable price point below $1,400 in stores. For those consumers that want to customize their rifle, they have the freedom to grow with TREAD branded accessories already available in stores that fit the 716i TREAD.”

The SIG SAUER 716i TREAD is a lightweight, forged aluminum receiver, direct impingement rifle that comes optics ready and features a precision nitride coated, carbon steel barrel, an ambidextrous lower receiver, a free floating M-LOK™ handguard, a 2 stage Matchlite Duo Trigger, a six position adjustable stock, and comes chambered in 308 WIN.

716i TREAD Specs:
Overall Length: 37in.
Overall Height: 8in.
Overall Width: 2.5in.
Barrel Length: 16in.
Barrel Twist: 1:10in.
Weight (incl. magazine): 8.5lbs.

The SIG SAUER 716i TREAD is currently shipping and available for purchase at retailers nationwide. Complete product specs and information for the 716i TREAD are available at sigsauer.com.

About SIG SAUER, Inc.
SIG SAUER, Inc. is a leading provider and manufacturer of firearms, electro-optics, ammunition, airguns, suppressors, and training. For over 150 years SIG SAUER, Inc. has evolved, and thrived, by blending American ingenuity, German engineering, and Swiss precision. Today, SIG SAUER is synonymous with industry-leading quality and innovation which has made it the brand of choice amongst the U.S. Military, the global defense community, law enforcement, competitive shooters, hunters, and responsible citizens. Additionally, SIG SAUER is the premier provider of elite firearms instruction and tactical training at the SIG SAUER Academy. Headquartered in Newington, New Hampshire, SIG SAUER has almost 2,000 employees across eight locations. For more information about the company and product line visit: sigsauer.com.

The M16A5-I Rifle

By

Keith Finch

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March 24, 2020

The M16A4 was first introduced in 1997 with production sweeping outward in services for the next decade. In 2007 I was still issued an A2 variant for basic training, by the time I left MCRD San Diego A4’s were in circulation. I received an M16A4 when I landed in my slot at 1st Battalion 24th Marines but it had none of the optical goodies yet. We were heavy into GWOT in both theaters and the cool toys stayed overseas with the troops actually shooting at people. Within a year, I believe, we had ACOGs and PEQ lasers for our M16’s and small selection of M4’s.

There was an ongoing debate (some fueled by angry rhetoric from a rather pompously stupid officer) on what to do to keep the M16 (and M4) current or replace them. Tech has developed at an astounding pace and mistakes continued to be made when it came to equipment, mostly small but they were still there. Institutional stagnation played a role as units were cautious about implementing solutions, though often designed by the very war-fighters using the systems, and the have rifles suffered as a result.

A 2002 study had found that the M4 was less reliable than the M16 (99.73% overall reliability for the M4 vs 99.91% for the M16), mostly due to the fact they hadn’t figured out everything they had to do to the gas system and buffer yet. Not a surprising finding considering the AR-15 family was always envisioned as a 20″ barreled rifle system. But this led to the USMC hanging onto the M16A4 as the “3 times more” reliable system it was, even as both the M4 and M16 continued to receive internal improvements to tighten reliability numbers even further.

A decade and change later a study was released by the Marine Corps in February 2015 that outlined several changes that could be inexpensively made to keep the M16A4’s current. In parallel timing a small number of adjustable stock kits made their way out into the fleet to assist Marines of smaller stature. Another initiative during this time period was partnered with VLTOR Weapon Systems to knock out two items simultaneously, add adjustable stocks and further increase reliability.

A study of significant changes to Marine M16A4 rifles released in February 2015 outlined several new features that could be added from inexpensive and available components. Those features included: a muzzle compensator in place of the flash suppressor to manage recoil and allow for faster follow-on shots, though at the cost of noise and flash signature and potential overpressure in close quarters; a heavier and/or free-floating barrel to increase accuracy from 4.5 MOA (Minute(s) Of Angle) to potentially 2 MOA; changing the reticle on the Rifle Combat Optic from chevron-shaped to the semi-circle with a dot at the center used in the M27 IAR‘s Squad Day Optic so as not to obscure the target at long distance; using a trigger group with a more consistent pull force, even a reconsideration of the burst capability; and the addition of ambidextrous charging handles and bolt catch releases for easier use with left-handed shooters.^[183] – Summary of Marine Corps Times Article, Wikipedia

The VLTOR A5 Stock and buffer system is where the M16A5 concept draws its name — The best beard pulling stock ever assembled. Also the buffer system the Marines tested.

All these separate items conglomerated into the concept of an ‘M16A5’, despite it never really being a single project. The USMC would ultimately end up shifting M4’s to their infantry instead pursuing the A5, matching a move by the US Army.

The ‘A5’ died…

As a military project at least. I did my personal variant of the concept last year. It was envisioned as a least invasive modification that encapsulated most of the items the Marines had on their ‘wish list’ from 2015.

It turned out rather well but still had some short comings (especially for short folk). One year later, I’m moving forward with another phase of improvements.

M16A5-I (Improved)

Author’s FN M16 with a TA11 ACOG. 2019 PIP Concept

Two omissions originally made in my variant of the M16A5 compared to the 2015 USMC list were freefloating the barrel and an adjustable stock with upgraded buffer system. In the intervening time new products have been introduced to further enhance what can be offered to the AR-15 end user and I took some of those into account with my choices.

There is still no great way to freefloat the barrel of an M16, especially if you desire a front sight post gas block. That, to me, is just part of what makes an M16 an M16 still. Remove it and we essentially have a new Gucci AR variant and the M16 is no more.

Note: I see the Geissele URGI as an essentially new rifle too, where the early SOPMOD rails that kept front sight gas blocks on M4’s still kept them as M4’s. That is purely my internal logic, not any SOCOM nomenclature or secrets inside the military rifles.

I may (and I stress may, I do not see it as essential, just desirable) add a non-freefloating M-LOK handguard to replace the KAC M5 RAS. This would (assuming using the Midwest Variant and not a new design) shave 40% off the weight of the rifle’s handguard and bring it to modern ancillary specs. This option does omit the heat shield inside the RAS but opens the barrel up to more air-cooling and M-LOK panels that are heat resistant are prevalent.

The jury is out on that mod, but it is available. Picatinny is still the international standard, while M-LOK exists to omit unneeded rail space. It has the benefit of being structurally superior also. Grips and a few lights have added direct to M-LOK mounting options but optics are still rail mounted, rail is great for building interfacing recoil support, and they are likely to remain rail mounted for a long time yet.

Improved Stock and Receiver Extension (Buffer Tube)

I did opt to add an adjustable stock to the M16… finally.

Originally when I chose the Magpul Rifle MOE Stock it was for that least invasive upgrade potential. The MOE only required a single screw (and the careful detainment of a tiny spring for the rear takedown pin) to change over. It added the better cheek weld surface, improved length of pull (reduced to A1 length), and increased sling compatibility.

It did not give adjustment. The MOE is just as fixed as the A2. It fits a greater percentage of users to a more comfortable degree but it can still suffer from the ‘one size fits one/none‘ problem. To a much lesser degree mind you but it is still present. The M16A5 I had finished would still not adequately fit folks of small stature. It fit my stature for more modernized shooting but I’m the stature the A2 and A4 were built around in the first place.

So, in recognition of their contribution to the USMC A5, I chose a VLTOR receiver extension. Not their A5 7-position though, a shorter 5-position standard M4 length one (more on that in a moment). Any decent M4 tube will do, but the VLTOR has numbers to reference position and that is nice.

Onto that tube went the B5 Systems SOPMOD Bravo. The Bravo omits the waterproof ‘hide a snack/battery’ tubes of the original SOPMOD and has an improved shoulder interface geometry. “Storage” stocks and grips have always seemed to be a solution in search of a problem, nice but overall far from essential. What was essential were QD sling swivel slots, and the Bravo has them right where I want them.

Bonus: Way less beard hostile then the EMOD, a stock I do otherwise like.

Since I was adding an adjustable stock I also needed a receiver end plate. This doesn’t need to be fancy, it can be the boring old M4 piece that costs a few dollars. I put the Magpul ASAP-QD on.

Will I use that added socket? Probably not, but it is there for a one-point sling for a reason. I rigged an M16A4 with industrial metal zip-ties in years past to do what that end plate gives me, and does so much more easily and securely… seriously the A4 has no good sling compatibility, it’s still the weakest point in my opinion on the M4/M4A1 and M16A4’s in service and we’ve known better for years!

Anyway, new receiver extension/buffer tube, stock, and end plate with proper staking. Seriously, staking the end plate is the easiest thing and then the castle nut won’t walk. Do it. Hammer and a cheap punch, one whack, done.

Improved Buffer and Recoil Spring

There’s no great mystery to my choice here. The A5 receiver extension, buffer, and spring system work very well. But my personal favorite system is the Geissele Super 42. And given that the Super 42 with H1 was on the shelf (and is recommended for rifle length systems) while the A5 was not, the Super 42 got the win.

Geissele Super 42 chosen for the M16A5-I project — Mmm.. Springy

As the improved trigger system is also a Geissele (SSP) adding a second/subsequent part to source for the M16A5-I parts list was an easy choice.

Improved Optics and Light

Last year the ACOG was still retained as the optic of choice for the M16A5. There was flexibility in the choice between the improved TA31 RCO, TA11 SDO (which was on it), and a Gen2 TA50. I still recommend ACOGs, they are a simple robust optical solutions.

LPVO’s are the future standard, however. The Marine Corps took the leap by announcing the upgrade to the VCOG 1-8x as the new Squad Common Optic (SCO). I will probably join them in that choice at my financial leisure. Several fine LPVO choices in 1-6x and 1-8x exist today and a standard setting 1-10x will be arriving next month.

M16A5-I use an LPVO like the VUDU — VUDU Optics 1-6x FFP LPVO

The EOTech VUDU 1-6x is currently the serving sight. I learned to love LPVO’s on this optic out at Thunder Ranch. It made 400 yard shots a joke, 500 a breeze, and 600 worth taking. That was with a 14.5″ rifle. Giving it 5.5″ of extra powder burning (velocity building) time in the barrel only makes 5.56 rounds happier on terminal effects, especially the heavier ones.

Am I saying the VUDU is the sight? No. But it is one on a list of quality options to fill the role and until I get the Trijicon, for largerly nostalgic reasons, it’s going to serve. EOTech’s on Military rifles still feel right, and SOCOM continues to agree.

Fun Fact: SOCOM re-chose the EOTech even after the whole thermal drift lawsuit fiasco. The improved sight was the best for what they wanted.

Light

I’m not running night vision so no PEQ, DBAL, or MAWL, subject to change but not relevant for my equipment at this moment. Instead a Surefire M600DF Scout gives me plenty of workable light for what I need. A Cloud Defensive or Modlite are equally/even more serviceable options for this role. Streamlight’s are still the choice budget conscious option.

So there you have it, the M16A5-I. Mine is built on the FN15 Military Collector Series but an Aero Precision or BCM URG will serve just as well if you want to do something on the concept. And a lot of us have time right now.

EOTech is Changing Ownership

By

Keith Finch

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March 24, 2020

VUDU16Eotech — VUDU Optics 1-6x FFP LPVO

Ann Arbor, Michigan (March 24, 2020) – American Holoptics LLC™, a privately-held U.S. company, has signed a definitive agreement with L3Harris™ to acquire EOTech®.The transaction is expected to close mid-2020 and is conditioned on customary closing conditions. American Holoptics is a subsidiary of Koucar Management, whose strategic acquisitions of Elite Defense® and HEL Technologies™ represent a solid foundation of cutting-edge optical science and weapons systems distribution. The American Holoptics leadership team has an exceptionally broad and deep experience providing high-quality products to the global weapons accessory market. In addition, this team has a proven track record of building customer-first and technology-focused organizations. “We’re proud to sign this agreement to join our team and technology with the EOTech brand,” says Matt Van Haaren, CEO of American Holoptics. “EOTech brings together technologically advanced product lines and production capabilities that will integrate well with our existing business and strategically expand our product portfolio. Together we will deliver an all-new level of service, innovation, and integrity to military, law enforcement and civilian users around the world.”

About EOTech®
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, EOTech designs, manufactures and markets electro-optical products, VUDU rifle optics, thermal devices, and night vision systems. Due to its advanced technology, EOTECH Holographic Weapon Sights (HWS) are among the fastest and most intuitive sighting systems on the planet. This is exactly why you’ll find them on the weapons of America’s most elite law enforcement professionals and special operations warriors. You’ll immediately see the advantage the instant you engage a target. www.eotech-inc.com

H.R. 5717 – Gun Violence Prevention and Community Safety Act of 2020

By

Keith Finch

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March 23, 2020

A BILL

To end the epidemic of gun violence and build safer communities by strengthening Federal firearms laws and supporting gun violence research, intervention, and prevention initiatives.

Ha! Okay, let’s gloss over the ban, register, and “buyback” (what they didn’t own it in the first place) of vast quantities of common firearms and accessories that still account for the smallest segments of firearms related violent criminal acts. I’m getting tired of reading the most egregious firearms bills ever because someone somewhere on Capitol Hill takes that as a challenge, by God.

In this case it was Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia and his friends.

Mr. Johnson of Georgia (for himself, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Quigley, Mr. Brown of Maryland, Mr. Morelle, Ms. DeLauro, Mrs. Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Mr. Keating, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Moulton, Ms. Pressley, Mrs. Trahan, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Danny K. Davis of Illinois, Mr. Neal, Ms. Clark of Massachusetts, and Mr. Pascrell) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

Oh and it starts off strong in the gun controller wishlist.

Firearm Licensing

Nothing engenders more trust and respect in the governments faithful protection of your civil rights than getting a card to exercise them, am I right? I am tired of the ‘we license drivers’ argument… so tired. It isn’t the same

“§ 932. License to own firearms and ammunition

“(a) In General.—Except otherwise provided in this section, it shall be unlawful for any individual who is not licensed under this section to knowingly purchase, acquire, or possess a firearm or ammunition.

“(b) Eligibility.—An individual shall be eligible to receive a license under this section if the individual—

“(1) has attained 21 years of age; and

“(2) has completed training in firearms safety, including—

“(A) a written test, to demonstrate knowledge of applicable firearms laws;

“(B) hands-on testing, including firing testing, to demonstrate safe use of a firearm;

“(C) as part of the process for applying for such a license—

“(i) has submitted to a background investigation and criminal history check of the individual, including a background check using the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, to ensure the individual is not prohibited from possessing a firearm under subsection (g) or (n) of section 922; and

“(ii) has submitted a photograph of the individual;

“(D) has not been determined by a court, in accordance with subsection (c)(5), to be unsuitable to be issued a Federal firearm owner’s license; and

“(E) is not otherwise prohibited by Federal, State, Tribal, or local law from possessing a firearm.

This is a literacy poll test ladies and gentlemen, make no mistake. It is a bid to actively deny your right with the thin veil of being certain you are responsible enough to exercise that right. And, as a license, of course it will cost money. A right tax, a mandate to do these things to prove yourself worthy and paying for the privilege.

It would be more reasonable to tax if the government provided, like roads. If with your license you also received a steeply discounted P320 and an M4, access to quality and reasonably abundant training facilities and instruction, and an annual ammunition allotment for common calibers with a discount on acquisition of more ammo, there would indeed be value in a license.

But I know for a fact that at the end of my licensing I’m not going to be taken into a John Wick style fitting room where I am greeted with a selection of fine wears and an instructor ready to further my discipline all on tax payer (even partially) expense. None of that will be true, not remotely. No money collected from the licensing will be spent on making education and selection more accessible or maintaining the orderly discipline of arms. It will be used, at the lowest possible percentage of total, in some vague “gun violence prevention” program which will amount to police doing their jobs like normal.

“(c) Establishment Of Federal Firearm Owner’s License.—

“(1) IN GENERAL.—The Attorney General shall issue a Federal firearm owner’s license to any individual who is eligible under subsection (b).

“(2) ISSUANCE OF LICENSE OR NOTICE OF DENIAL.—Not later than 40 days after the date on which an individual submits an application for a Federal firearm owner’s license under this section, the Attorney General shall—

“(A) determine whether the individual is eligible to possess a license under this section; and

“(B) based on the determination under subparagraph (A)—

“(i) issue a Federal firearm owner’s license to the individual; or

“(ii) provide written notice to the individual of—

“(I) the determination that the individual is ineligible to possess such a license based on the requirements described in subsection (b), which shall include an explanation for the determination; or

“(II) a petition filed under paragraph (5).

They can hold you up for 40 days. More than a month before the government is required, by themselves, to issue a determination. And unlike Brady you do not automatically get a license after the waiting period and there is no written penalty against the government in failing to discharge the licensing duties.

If you’re denied you must appeal, like with NICS, and that is a slow and arduous process that will only be slowed further with this. LEO’s are, of course, exempt. They mandate a yearly background check on licensees and that manufacturers start inscribing the date of manufacture on firearms, despite meticulous records already being in place for manufacture and transfer.

A 10 gun per year sale limit is now to be enforced, you need a license to buy or rent any firearm. The government telling you with arbitrary numbers what you do and don’t need. If I needed or wanted to sell off a portion of my collection it would require me to have an FFL at beyond 10/year. To say nothing of if I needed to move to somewhere I couldn’t bring them, even temporarily. It sounds like transferring them to anyone would require both parties to have a license, even if just for storage or safekeeping.

Red Flags – Oh Yes, they’re back

“(L) the State shall establish processes under which—

“(i) an individual whose covered license is revoked or suspended, or whose application for issuance or renewal of a covered license is denied, shall surrender or transfer all firearms and ammunition that are or would have been covered by the license; and

“(ii) an individual who is subject to an extreme risk protection order or a domestic protection order, as defined in section 2266 of title 18, United States Code, shall surrender or transfer all firearms and ammunition in the possession of the individual;

“Are or would have been covered..” is a concerning phrase, despite earlier language that older arms have a ‘grandfathering’ provision if your license gets denied for any reason all your firearms sound like they are immediately forfeit.

New, longer, and mandatory waiting period

SEC. 202. COMPLETION OF BACKGROUND CHECKS; 7-DAY WAITING PERIOD.

Section 922(s)(1)(C) of title 18, United States Code, as amended by section 201 of this Act, is amended—

(1) in clause (i), by striking “; or” and inserting “; and”; and

(2) in clause (ii)—

(A) by striking “3 business” and inserting “not less than 7 business”; and

Normally after a NICS check is initiated the government has to complete this “instant” check within three business days if it requires review. This puts reasonable pressure on NICS to do their job and not delay a person from purchasing a firearm without merit. Under the new law it looks like this would be changed to no transfer can occur before the passage of 7 days and that an incomplete check from NICS is just a permanent denial of the purchase by placing it in limbo.

ASSAULT WEAPON AND SILENCER BAN

To legislate something you must define it… so

“(37) The term ‘semiautomatic assault weapon’ means any of the following, regardless of country of manufacture or caliber of ammunition accepted:

“(A) A semiautomatic rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any 1 of the following:

“(i) A pistol grip.

“(ii) A forward grip.

“(iii) A folding, telescoping, or detachable stock, or is otherwise foldable or adjustable in a manner that operates to reduce the length, size, or any other dimension, or otherwise enhances the concealability, of the weapon.

“(iv) A grenade launcher.

“(v) A barrel shroud.

“(vi) A threaded barrel.

“(B) A semiautomatic rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds, except for an attached tubular device designed to accept, and capable of operating only with, .22 caliber rimfire ammunition.

“(C) Any part, combination of parts, component, device, attachment, or accessory that is designed or functions to accelerate the rate of fire of a semiautomatic rifle but not convert the semiautomatic rifle into a machinegun.

“(D) A semiautomatic pistol that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any 1 of the following:

“(i) A threaded barrel.

“(ii) A second pistol grip.

“(iii) A barrel shroud.

“(iv) The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol grip.

“(v) A semiautomatic version of an automatic firearm.

“(vi) A manufactured weight of 50 ounces or more when unloaded.

“(vii) A stabilizing brace or similar component.

“(E) A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that has the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.

“(F) A semiautomatic shotgun that has any 1 of the following:

“(i) A folding, telescoping, or detachable stock.

“(ii) A pistol grip.

“(iii) A fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 5 rounds.

“(iv) The ability to accept a detachable magazine.

“(v) A forward grip.

“(vi) A grenade launcher.

“(G) Any shotgun with a revolving cylinder.

“(H) All of the following rifles, copies, duplicates, variants, or altered facsimiles with the capability of any such weapon thereof:

I’ll save you the trouble of reading through it all. It is everything. Every semi-automatic with a box magazine is a “semi-automatic assault weapon” and banned. Because ultimately, as I emphasized above, everything “has the capacity to accept” those listed items. It’s literally a matter of installing it on most firearms made in the last 50 years.

Also they basically defined barrel shroud as “handguard” so we know we’re working with ‘top men’ on getting this whole definition thing right on point.

“(v)(1) It shall be unlawful for a person to import, sell, manufacture, transfer, or possess, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce, a semiautomatic assault weapon.

Basically, everything. Every semi-auto that isn’t internal magazine fed and 10 rounds or less, the M1 Garand and SKS. Maybe even them because “capacity to accept” is a broad term and could basically mean ‘can be installed’.

They did put a ‘grandfather clause’ in, they had to. But is only for possession, not transfer. So it looks like we keep them, we die, and that’s it.

Funny enough under the “exempt” section they have an AK, Century M70 Sporter, listed as Bolt Action. Further proof that only the very best experts looked at this pile of garbage and gave it their blessing. Subject matter guru’s one and all.

They then go after home built “Ghost Guns” and make sure those are illegal too. You cannot serialize your own guns without an FFL for manufacture.

“It’s all bullshit folks. It’s all bullshit and it’s bad for ya.” – The Late George Carlin.

So, readers. Let’s get onto the house and remind them they have other priorities and that this won’t stand. Any of the links will take you to various sections of the bill, it is a nightmare.

Carry rotations are a bad idea

By

Caleb Giddings

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March 23, 2020

It’s Monday, so we’re going to talk about why carry rotations are a bad idea. What is a carry rotation? It’s when people decide which piece of life-saving equipment they’re going to carry not based on their mission or potential threat, but rather on feelings. “Oh it’s Tuesday, so I’ll carry the Ruger today” is an example of a carry rotation. Carry rotations are a bad idea, and we’re going to look at why.

Understanding what a carry rotation is and isn’t helps us avoid making mistakes. A carry rotation is carrying different guns at different times with no mission driven purpose. It’s like saying “I’m going to carry a Glock 19 on Monday in a Dark Star Gear holster because there is a full moon” and then on Tuesday carrying a revolver because “three fifty seven” starts with the letter T like Tuesday. On the other hand, carrying different guns for different mission purposes isn’t a carry rotation.

For example, let’s say that your EDC is a Beretta APX. But when you go running, you carry a Smith & Wesson 340PD because it’s easy to conceal and light enough that it won’t yank your running shorts off. Another reason to carry a different gun would be if you were issued a Glock 17 for work, but carry a Glock 43 when you’re off duty. Different guns, different purposes.

One of the reasons this is a bad idea is they prevent you from becoming well-versed with one gun. When you’re carrying 5 different guns a week, you never really form a bond with one of them, they’re all just rotating accessories. The biggest thing about carry rotations is that it indicates the person carrying all these guns isn’t interested in personal protection so much as they’re interested in “being the guy/girl carrying a gun.” It’s a different attitude, and leads people to make bad decisions. Don’t be “the guy with the gun,” be the guy or girl who is serious about self defense.

Man Sized Targets Suck

By

Travis Pike

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March 23, 2020

Okay, that headline is meant to be incendiary, and it’s a little click baitish, but a good part of me stands by that statement. Man sized targets are likely the most common targets for those training with a combat mindset. I use them, and I do so quite a bit. The problem comes from only using man sized targets.

The Good Things About Man Sized Targets

There are a lot of benefits to man sized targets, especially realistic targets. The old school B27s leave a lot to be desired, but the printable targets from Sage Dynamics, the Modern Warrior Project T1 targets, and the RE Factor tactical targets are all great man sized targets.

They allow you to visualize the critical components of the human body. That’s great, but if they are the only target you are using, you are making a mistake. Man sized targets are good for training, but also seem to be great for the ego. Hitting one isn’t difficult, and a lot of people misuse them when it comes to training.

‘Combat accurate’ is a term I hate and seems to be tossed around a lot and justified with man sized targets.

The Downsides of Man Sized Targets

I’m no SF gunslinger, but I’ve traded rounds with the Taliban a few times, and in every firefight, everyone involved on both sides seemed to want to be as small as possible. My opponent was man sized, but they never presented themselves to me the way a B27 presents itself. They hid, showing as little as themselves as possible.

Frequently they weren’t the best trained and they weren’t pieing corners or alternating shoulders and stances, but they were behind cover. I’d hazard to guess that most people try and take cover when shooting at each other, I know I would.

You have to be precise, and to be precise you have to train to hit small targets. A lot of people give competition shooter’s a lot of crap, but IPSC regularly uses hardcover targets that make shooters engage with precision onto a notionally covered target.

Bad Guys Use Cover Too

After my first deployment, I served under then Gunnery Sergeant Viggiani. He’s now a Warrant Office and is reshaping the Marine Corps rifle qualification. This man is a true hero, a badass, a killer, and the Marine that all Marines want to be.

He took our training and skills to a new level with a rifle. In a time when the Marine Corps was using big green man sized targets with T Zones, chest zones, and pelvic girdles marked, he challenged us to be even more precise.

In one course of fire, he attached playing cards to the targets in various areas. Some you’d expect like the head and chest, but not all. Sometimes they were in weird positions on different parts of the body. Those playing cards were the only area that counted for hits.

This made you think and react accordingly to where you could shoot. Better yet, it broke you lose from the mindset of a predictable, center mass target. In a real fight, you might not be able to shooter center mass, only visible mass.

Aiming at the left portion of a shoulder was entirely different from aiming center mass. But if all you can see is the shoulder, you do have a target. Safe engagement and bullet accountability is still a factor, but recognizing your options to end the fight is essential.

Changing Up Your Training

Next time you train at the range, bring a dot torture target and practice shooting the dots. Or staple cards to man sized targets. Or set up fake cover for a target to hide behind. By fake cover, I mean cardboard or taking the IPSC route and marking parts of the target that are behind cover.

Don’t let the ego growing nature of hitting man sized targets limit your training. Don’t be afraid to shoot weird targets at weird angles. You’ll never be able to predict a violent encounter, so you might as well be ready for anything.

Keep your man sized targets. They can be excellent training, but also challenge yourself to be a better shooter. Remember that bad guys use cover to and you may need to be precise to beat them.

Cook County, IL: Taxing a Right isn’t infringement!

By

Keith Finch

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March 20, 2020

Chicago Police Dept Barrier — Retro Style Photo Of A Police Riot Barrier In Chicago, Illinois

Of course it isn’t. It only disproportionately impacts people in lower income brackets and otherwise denies them that right. Sure, a $25 tax on a firearm only shifts the price about 3-5%, oh and then another 6.25% Sales tax of course. And the ammunition cost is only increased 10-25% on top of the 6.25% sales tax so what could possibly be prohibitive about that? 10-25% cost increases never exclude anybody, that’s just science. They’ve never caused a single bad thing to happen ever, ask anyone who had their rent or mortgage jacked by 10-25%. Easy day. [/sarc]

Panel: Ammunition, gun taxes not ‘prohibitive’

An appeals court has upheld Cook County taxes on firearms and ammunition.

The 1st District Appellate Court has ruled a $25 fee for gun purchases and 5 and 1-cent surcharges on ammo do not violate the federal or state constitution.

Justice Shelvin Louise Marie Hall authored a 25-page opinion, noting that even the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decisions that affirmed individuals’ right to bear arms made clear the right “is not unlimited” and “conditions and qualifications on the commercial sale of arms” are still fair game.

So Cook County wants to keep their extra money… I. Am. Shocked.

She wrote that the taxes, enacted in 2012 and 2015, don’t really infringe upon gun-ownership, which is the core protected conduct of the Second Amendment.

“Nor are the taxes at issue prohibitive or exclusionary; we find it difficult to say that the taxes, $25 and $.05 per round respectively, are anything more than a ‘marginal, incremental or even appreciable restraint’ on one’s Second Amendment rights,” Hall wrote.

No? I’m sure nobody in Cook County has ever been at a point where $50-75 made or broke the bank for them that pay period or the next. I’m sure they love paying that much extra over sales tax. It doesn’t discourage them at all from seeking out instruction to better exercise their right safely when the cost for a class jumps 20% in ammo alone. I’m sure none of that feels appreciable.

“To be sure, while it is clear that the firearms tax and the ammunition tax increase the costs of purchasing firearms or ammunition in Cook County, a law does not substantially burden a constitutional right simply because it makes the right more expensive or difficult to exercise,” she added.

Infringe: act so as to limit or undermine (something); encroach on.

Does making it more expensive and difficult to exercise ‘limit or undermine‘ the right?

I’ll let you ponder that. Take your time.

Hall, joined by Justices Mary K. Rochford and Mathias W. Delort in the ruling Friday, also rejected claims the county taxes were unconstitutionally arbitrary and preempted by statewide laws.

The suit was filed in December 2015 by Guns Save Life, Inc., Des Plaines-based Maxon Shooter’s Supplies and Indoor Range, and a county resident named Marilyn Smolenski, a member of Guns Save Life who paid the 5-cent tax on an ammo purchase under protest and who claimed she would modify future firearms purchases because of the taxes.

That was a month after the Cook County Board enacted the ammunition taxes, $0.05 per round of centerfire ammo and $0.01 per round of rimfire ammo. The $25 fee on all retail gun purchases was enacted in late 2012.

Plaintiffs argued those taxes impermissibly burdened their Second Amendment rights as well as their rights under Article 1, Section 22 of the Illinois Constitution, which is similar to the Second Amendment but states the right to bear arms is “subject only to the police power.”

They also claimed violations of Article 9, Section 2 of the Illinois Constitution, the Uniformity Clause, which states tax classifications should be “reasonable” and subjects and objects taxed “uniformly,” and that the statewide Concealed Carry Act and Firearm Owners’ Identification (FOID) Act preempted local regulations on guns and ammo.

Cook County Associate Judge David B. Atkins partially granted a motion to dismiss filed by county officials, ruling Maxon and Smolenski only had standing to challenge the ammo tax, not the firearms tax, though, he also ruled Guns Save Life had standing to challenge both.

He then granted summary judgment for the county in August 2018, ruling the taxes did not meaningfully impair the right to bear arms, and even if they did, they were substantially related to a government interest because some of the tax funds go toward public safety. Atkins also ruled plaintiffs didn’t show the taxes violated uniformity, and that they were outside preemption because they were a proper exercise of county taxing power.

Ah, so if it funds “public safety” it’s all good. Infringe away through financial means as long as a few pennies end up with the Police, EMS, or Fire Department.

“Turning to the ordinances at issue here, while they involve firearms and ammunition, it is clear that the challenged taxes on the purchases of firearms and certain types of ammunition within the [c]ounty do not restrict the ownership of firearms or ammunition,” Hall wrote.

How not? It’s an extra cost above and beyond the costs of material, manufacture, and time put into making the firearm available. That cost is then tacked on just because it is a firearm or ammunition.

“It is the right of ownership of firearms and correspondingly, ammunition, that is at the core of the Second Amendment, which, as noted by Heller, is not itself unlimited. The taxes could reasonably be considered a condition on the commercial sale of arms,” she added.

At the end of the day, the panel wrote, the gun surcharges are akin to sales taxes, which are levied on all kinds of goods and services.

But these aren’t levied on “all kinds of goods and services,” these are specifically added to firearms, whose access is explicitly constitutionally protected unlike most goods and services.

“Plaintiffs, and any other purchasers of firearms and ammunition, are already subject to sales tax on the purchases. Plaintiffs do not argue that such sales tax on the purchase of firearms and ammunition violates their right to keep and bear arms,” Hall wrote.

Because everyone pays those on a broad selection of goods and services. This tax is in addition to that general evenly applied tax and specifically targets arms and ammunition, which again are constitutionally protected.

I expect another appeal and this may end up going all the way federal court, even the SCOTUS, because of the issue at hand. In the meantime gun controllers are going to gun control, and use any method they can find to justify doing so.