TUFF Products Revelation 2.0 Review: A Properly Carried Carbine

April 16, 2018

Truck Gun

Every Day Carry Carbine

Personal Defense Weapon

There are several ways to title the theory but the principle itself is simple.

A rifle is a significantly better tool in a fight than a handgun, with rare circumstantial exception. Carrying a rifle discretely is also significantly more challenging than a discreet little Glock 43 or Sig P365.

Challenging… but not impossible.

TUFF Products and Sentinel Concepts developed the Revelation 2.0 to significantly advance the EDC Carbine concept by increasing it’s ease. The design incorporates aspects to better conceal the firearm, better carry the carbine and supporting equipment, and more easily deploy the firearm if necessary. Steve Fisher’s brainchild given form.

From the exterior the bag is much more akin to a hiking day pack than a MOLLE ensconced ‘Assault Pack’ or 3-Day Bag. This deliberate camouflage stops the user from screaming to the world ‘I might be carrying a gun!’ in the same manner a Cabela’s fishing vest telegraphs the same.

The shoulder straps are adjustable for ride height comfort and fit while being well padded. It wears very comfortably across the back and shoulders. A top carry handle is attached, well sewn, and easily supports the weight of the carried equipment. The soft rounded design carries even a fully loaded bag comfortably.

The water pockets on either side, exterior helmet bungee, and avoiding tactical stereotypical colors like flat dark earth, coyote, and olive drab green keep the backpack looking exactly like a backpack.

Convenient since the Revelation 2.0 is, by appearance and function, a backpack. It stores my laptop, power cords, and binders if needed with ease. Pockets for everything exist as you customize layering what you carry to fit what you need where you need it for when you need it.

Within the main pocket, the firearm side is designed to hold a variety of carbine style pistols and SBRs. Specifically spaced to fit a 10.5″ barreled AR with a law tactical folder for the buffer and stock/brace. Essentially a ‘MK18‘ clone with a folding stock. A 20 round, 30 round, or Magpul D-60 magazine will fit in the carbines while stored. Similar magazine sizes will store and the carbines can support small optics like RMR’s, ACOG’s, Aimpoint’s, and similar options.

The pocket opens with a pull handle allowing access to the carbine. The zippers on the outer pocket will unzip with pressure from your arm and it and the divider clear the path for a draw, when done deliberately.

The bottom of the Revelation 2.0 is rigid and reinforced to protect the firearm’s muzzle while the bag is being picked up and put down constantly. This protects from printing through the bottom of the bag and keeps the profile well squared up while protecting the carbine.

In the pocket on the front I keep a Blue Force Gear/Vicker’s UDC sling, compatible with both the Galil ACE I have in testing and my Zenith MP5. In the bottom of the main pocket two 40 round Magpul PMAGs sit horizontally perfectly for additional ammunition. This, along with a magazine in the carbine, gives the user between 100-140 rounds. With the MP5 two 30 round magazines in the same spot give the user an easy 90 rounds total, more or less at will and as desired.

Plenty of ammunition with 3 full magazines, balancing capacity with space and weight considerations

I’ve come to use a 3 magazine standard for these carry set ups. With an AR compatible option a D-60 allows that on board capacity to sit closer to or just above 4 standard mags. This isn’t an ‘outside the wire’ patrol set up so much as a get out of danger trump card.

The tactic set in motion is to pull and deploy the carbine to engage and eliminate or suppress the immediate threat and then pull the two spare magazines and place them in your pockets for reloads. If time and safety allow, you can pull and attach the sling before re-zipping the Revelation 2.0 to carry your remaining equipment. Then extract you and yours from the threatened or dangerous area.

Speaking of that equipment.

The large front pocket is lined with Velcro and can support any accessories that will attach. In this case a QD IFAK and SOF-T Wide tourniquet from AR500 Armor rounding out the two trauma kit set up Steve is fond of speaking about. “One for causing, one for treating.”

So that covers the kit in theory and the Revelation 2.0‘s place within the scope of that theory. The end user can pack a quickly accessible carbine, carry it as easily and conveniently as any backpack, and carry your every day items and other emergency equipment all in a nondescript manner.

Whether the Revelation 2.0 is riding shotgun (carbine) in the seat beside you, stored accessibly within arms reach, or on your back while wandering about your day it discreetly accompanies you with more gear than your belt and pockets can support.

To truly test the concept though it has to be used. It would not do to have all of the equipment to assist you theoretically and it in practicality be largely inaccessible.

Off to the range.

My LWRC M6 PSD is the standard by which I judge all small carbines. It only has two detracting features in this instance. 1st, it’s a true SBR and comes with the legal terms of use. 2nd It’s an AR and doesn’t fold to fit the Revelation 2.0. The Galil ACE fits like it was born in the Revelation 2.0

To gather data on the bag I set up a drill. One round on target from 25 yards, timed.

Starting from a neutral standing position, facing the target, and wearing the Revelation 2.0 on both shoulders. On the buzzer remove the bag from your shoulders, draw the carbine, ready the carbine, and fire a round into the target.

The carbine is carried Condition 3 (full magazine, empty chamber) and so the charging handle has to be cycled to ready the weapon.

Does this cost time?

Yes.

But the time savings is academic between a Condition 3 and Condition 1 weapon used in this method. This is not your carry sidearm, it is not your on demand weapon. The carbine is your overmatch weapon, your ‘up gun’. It can be readied quickly but if you need your gun immediately for a close direct threat with no time buffer your sidearm is your gun to grab. The carbine gets engaged when you have a time buffer, you don’t need long… but you do need time.

Illustratively, a 2.00 second draw from concealment is slow with one of my Sigs.

P229 Legion in a HolsterCo Stealth.

I’m not that fast and there are many who can push sub second draw times, especially from appendix carry.

Drawing the Galil ACE from the Revelation 2.0 has many more steps and my fastest time was 8.52 seconds. Slowest was 11.59 and we’ll use that to extrapolate that under duress with a performance decrease I will be 5-7 times slower getting the carbine than getting the pistol.

After repeated iterations I averaged a time of 9.51 seconds to target engagement. Not bad. Excellent actually and a significant improvement from the more traditional style assault pack I was using for my MP5. The Revelation 2.0, being purpose built for this application, executes it’s duties superbly.

Staging the pack is key as is knowing your body mechanics.

As a right handed shooter I set the Galil (and MP5) up with the folded pistol brace outward facing (away from your back while worn), pistol grip pointing to the left, muzzle down. This allows the bag to be slid off the shoulder and be grounded in a manner that places the pistol grip toward the user when the bag is opened.

Thus. Also pictured: The Blue Force Sling

The zippers for the main pocket get staged by the buckle on the upper right so that grabbing the top zipper and pulling toward you opens the compartment. Having the buckles closed on either side will not prevent drawing the gun (but may slow the process) and the buckle can be useful for keeping the zippers spaced. Another method would be to pick the ‘Primary’ zipper, the one you pull to get to the gun, and remove or shorten the cord on the other. Pick a method that operates smoothly for you.

After accessing the main compartment, pulling the handle on top of the divider reveals the carbine.

Pull the carbone

Work the charging handle

Flip the brace open

Brace. Safety Off. Engage Target.

All in an average of 9.51 seconds. The Galil ACE’s side charger and folder designs aided these actions. If necessary the ACE and Zenith MP5 can fire brace folded too, the safety on the Galil ACE is tougher to operate this way since it’ll rub on the folded brace.

As time and safety allow grab and pocket your spare magazines and then re-zip and shoulder the Revelation 2.0. Getting to the IFAK involves nearly the same set of motions.

Up gunning made simple. EDC Carbine in both theory and practice. That’s the beauty of the Revelation 2.0.

To grab a Sentinel Concepts Revelation 2.0 by TUFF Products click here (or an earlier link)

If you’re interested in a course with Sentinel Concepts, here. I would recommend them.

For a review on the Galil stay tuned.

GUN SHAMING IS DAMAGING OUR INDUSTRY

A Girl and a Gun

April 16, 2018

When asked what A Girl & A Gun is and who can attend our events, our reply is “all are welcome.” We welcome all women to participate in our recurring events. We welcome junior shooters to attend with their mothers. We welcome the men in our lives to support and understand this female-bonding time we share, which usually translates into more family time together on the range. It’s a Win-Win for everyone!

We are not “man haters” or separatists trying to isolate ourselves in the shooting community. AG & AG events are safe places for women to ask questions without looking stupid in front of a male counterpart or feeling the pressure to not let down her husband or father if she makes mistakes while learning. We know and love many wonderful male instructors, but a lot of our newbies benefit from women mentoring other women. We bring the ladies in, raise them up, ignite their self-confidence, and then push them out of the nest to join our shooting community. We choose to do this in a “dude-free” environment. Just like men enjoy a poker night with the guys, this is no different than women going to bunko or book clubs.

I was inspired to write this blog in response to comments made on a Facebook post about purchasing a specific gun for my teenage son. Innocent comments made mostly in jest about choosing one gun over another struck a nerve with me because I could feel the undertones of people perpetrating what I call “Gun Shaming.” It is fine if you are a fan of a specific manufacturer, and have a gun that you are loyal to and would rather cut off your trigger finger than ever be forced to shoot a different gun, but that gun doesn’t work for everyone.

My son had been working with a specific gun for a few years, and he hit a road block in his training. We worked on the gun, we worked with him to the point of frustration, and his self-esteem was being adversely affected. One day I pulled a different gun out of “my box of training guns” and the improvement was drastic and immediate. The relief on his face was noticeable. This goes to show that we can love all kinds of guns, desire to be one with the gun, vow to be loyal… but sometimes the gun is going to choose you and not the other way around.

Gun shaming extends beyond brand loyalty as it has crossed over to colors of the gun and accessories. You are entitled to your opinion, but if it isn’t yours and you don’t have to shoot it, keep your gun-shaming comments to yourself.

Take a look around and you’ll see that people are shamed for EVERYTHING. When I see it happening in the firearms community, I am compelled to tell people that we need to be better than that. I’m not asking anyone to change their opinions or their loyalties because what you like is what you like. But don’t shame someone else for being different. The important thing is that they are safe. If someone is using a gun that is poor quality or unsafe, help them make better choices without shaming them. Being mean and condescending is not the way to share information and educate people.

So when AG & AG says all are welcome, we mean it: All women, all guns. It is great if we can help someone find a better solution for their needs by recommending our favorite brand or style, but we should never make someone feel bad because of what they like. A gun that they enjoy shooting is better than any gun that is ignored at home in the safe.

SOURCE ARTICLE: https://www.agirlandagun.org/gun-shaming-is-damaging-our-industry/

Tribute to Pat Rogers, Brother, Mentor and Friend. Rest in peace.

MASF

April 16, 2018

Pat Rogers, brother, mentor and friend to great many passed away on Wednesday May 4th 2016.

I was at work at my clients site in WV and a friend messaged me telling me that brother Pat Rogers had passed away. At first I was in disbelief and utter denial…. There had to have been a mistake, someone is spreading a bad rumor or read something wrong. A short while later I received definitive confirmation from one of my closest friends nicknamed “Starbuck”. There was no mistake, he indeed had passed away and it hit like a ton of bricks. I was disheveled and though I was physically at work my mind was elsewhere thinking of Pat’s wife and the friends I knew who were closest to him. If I was hit this hard, they must be floored and completely devastated….

I was extremely saddened and shocked by this news. I was registered to take a class with Pat this June 18th and June 19th at Echo Valley training center in Winchester Virginia.

Pat helped countless people and enriched our community. In Pat’s own words “we are greatly diminished”. May God rest your soul brother, thank you for everything.

This picture was taken in front of F3 Tactical Inc. on June 9, 2012 for Customer and MASF Member Appreciation Day

1268767_369389369831326_786403898_o Pat was the nucleus of the training community here in Northern Virginia and for many, across our great country. There are many great things that I could say about Pat Rogers but my friend Jimmy Smith/co-owner of F3 Tactical Inc. has already done a great job expressing what a great many of us think and feel.

Pat with Bolt and Jimmy at F3 Tactical Inc.

“If you are scrolling through your news feeds today and seeing the plethora of pictures and memories that your friends have shared with Pat Rogers, then you are blessed. You are blessed because you are part of a warrior culture and community that only a man like Pat could inspire. Take a second to look at every one of those pictures, and read every shared memory because they are pieces of a legacy that one exceptional man has left behind for us in this life. They are snapshots of a very selfless gift that Pat gave to all he touched, the gift of the fighting spirit.

Pat, I know you are watching, I want you to know we love you. I want to share with everyone how happy you made us, how Chief’s eyes would light up every time you visited or called, she absolutely adored you brother. Also, how Bolt would literally be snoring when you walked in, and as soon as he heard your voice he would try to jump over the counter for hugs and kisses. My God, we are going to miss you.

At rest now Pat, you extraordinary Warrior. THANK YOU, for all that you have done for our country and our community. There will never be another like you, not even close.

width= — Pat Rogers and Jimmy Smith/co-owner of F3 Tactical Inc.

Goodbye for now, my friend.” -Jimmy Smith/co-owner of F3 Tactical Inc.

Thank you Jimmy for helping so many people in our community get to know Pat through these events you and Chief hosted for us all at your store because without them many would have never had the pleasure of meeting him and getting to know him including my wife and I.

Below are two of F3 Tactical Inc’s photo albums (links in blue below) where a great many of us here at MASF and other members of our local community got to hang out with Pat and get to know him:

Customer and MASF Member Appreciation Day at F3 Tactical Inc.

Chappy Comes To Visit F3 Tactical Inc.

My wife and Pat back in June 2013. At the time she was pregnant with Princess Eve

Pat Rogers BIO by Paul Buffoni of Bravo Company

“Pat was born in Brooklyn NY in 1946.
He has worked shining shoes; delivering newspapers; pumping gas; working on a ride in Coney Island; driving a taxi; a sport parachute instructor, a photographer, and for an airline company that serviced the Far East.

He served in the active and reserve components as a United States Marine starting in 1963.
He served in the former Republic of Vietnam with 3rd Marine Division.
He was an 1811 Tank Crewman; 0311 Rifleman; 0369 Infantry Unit Leader; 8531 Primary Marksmanship Instructor; 8662 Parachutist; 5702 NBC Specialist; 5702 NBC Officer.
He served for 5 years in the Foreign Material Acquisition Exploitation Unit, and finished as Chief Warrant Officer 2.

He was a NYC Correction Officer; a NYC Police Officer, serving in Patrol; Street Narcotics Enforcement Unit; Anti-Crime; investigator in Manhattan Robbery Squad, Central Robbery Division.
As a Sgt he served in Patrol; Anti-Crime; in the Chief of Detectives Office; as a supervisor in the Technical Assistance Response Unit, and as a Hostage Negotiator.
He was decorated 54 times, to include the Medal of Valor.
He worked as an IC with the Counter Terrorism Center of OGA.
He was an SME evaluating the DOS Anti-Terrorist Assistance Program.
He was a Rangemaster at Gunsite for 12 years.

He been the principal at EAG since 1989.

He was the 464th person in the US to accrue 1000 Free Fall Parachute Jumps (USPA Gold Wings #464), the 203rd to accrue over 2000 Free Fall Parachute Jumps (USPA Diamond Wings #203) and the 131st person in the US to accrue over 12 hours
in freefall (USPA Gold Free Fall Badge # 131)

He is an NRA High Master Rifle, and CMP Distinguished Rifleman.”

Paul Buffoni of Bravo Company and Pat Rogers

Read Paul’s entire tribute here -> http://us11.campaign-archive2.com/?u=097f8e03b1a7790c20791c79d&id=0d39b19772&e=5a43ee0a75

In memory of our dear friend Pat Rogers by Panteao Productions:

Pat Rogers for the NRA – Panteao Commercial:

Freddie Blish – LtCol USMC(Ret) and Pat Rogers

May 4th 2016 will forever be etched in my memory for the day that my friend, mentor, and brother warrior, CWO2 Pat Rogers, USMCR(Ret) passed away. My phone began ringing shortly after 0700 PST and continued for the entire day. When I wasn’t receiving calls, I was notifying mutual friends, lovingly known as “Friends of Pat.” Pat frequently claimed that he didn’t like people and preferred the company of animals, preferably dogs and in particular Rotties. However, within the firearms training community Pat had numerous friends – military, LE, and civilian alike. He was extremely beloved by all of those that trained with him, except maybe for those that made his “NFE” list. We appreciated the depth of knowledge that he taught on the subject of fighting with firearms, as well as on life. Pat was more than instructor, he was a teacher – nay – a Professor on those subjects. Jeff Cooper considered Pat one of the top five Masters at teaching others how to fight with firearms. Pat had the unique ability to critique a student’s failure in a way that was not only humorous to everyone in the class, but to the student as well, so that everyone learned. However, I must have been a bad student, because it took me six classes to finally earn the coveted “MooseCock” award.

I met Pat through Col Bob Young, USMC(Ret). Col Young was charged in 1988 by the Commandant of the Marine Corps, then General Al Gray, USMC with converting the Marine Corps’ old Barracks and Sea Duty Battalions to the Marine Corps Security Forces, which meant that it wasn’t just a name change, but a change in training and mindset. Col Young and several other Marines attended numerous shooting schools around the country and found that the curriculum taught at Gunsite was the most relevant. Col Young became the VP for Operations at Gunsite and I met him when I attended a Gunsite 250C course taught by Jeff Cooper in July 2001. We became friends due to our being Marines, as well as having served in the Marine Corps Security Forces. After 9/11, I was the Operations Officer for a unit that was training up for what was to become Operation Iraqi Freedom. I called Col Young and told him we needed to get some Staff NCOs up to Gunsite for a “train the trainer” class on handgun, carbine, and shotgun. His response was, “No problem, I’ll get Pat Rogers to instruct them.” Pat did just that! After we returned from OIF I and started work up training for subsequent deployments, I knew that I needed to attend a Gunsite 223 Carbine class and the RangeMaster had to be Pat.

Having qualified Expert as a Marine with the M16A2 over 10 times, I thought I knew most everything there was about manipulating a carbine. Pat smacked me aside the head with a heavy dose of reality. He even pulled my head from my arse regarding combat optics on carbines, especially Aimpoint sights. Armed with the knowledge taught by Pat, we began implementing sweeping changes in how we trained to fight with carbines, as well as equip our Marines. I returned for a 556 Carbine Class at Gunsite the following year knowing that it would be Pat’s last class there. As with all things “Pat” – it proved to be epic!

Later as a Commanding Officer I brought Pat back several times to train my Marines prior to deployment. His influence was demonstrated one day when I overheard several NCOs discussing how they would solve a tactical problem. One them quickly asked, “What would Pat do?” I called Pat and told him. He was “tickled” as he liked to say, because he was helping Marines “Kill Bad Guys like Champions!”

Pat had a genius for helping connect individuals in the warfighting community with worthy industry professionals, new and experienced alike. There are too many companies to name that owe their success to Pat’s blessings. He had a knack for identifying great young warfighters, as well as sharp young companies/products, and helping them succeed. His After Action Reviews drew the ire of many companies that manufactured sub-par products, but he never compromised his ethics because of his love for the warfighters. If a product performed, he wrote about it, if it sucked he said so. In both cases, he backed it up with quantifiable information as to why. Something our industry needs to see more and we need only to look to what Pat did as our example.

Little did I know that the Gunsite 223 Carbine class that I took with Pat, in April 2004, would begin a 12 year friendship, mentorship, and brotherhood. Much of my success in the firearms industry, to include being a Gunsite Instructor, I owe to CWO2 Pat Rogers, USMC(Ret). This is not only true for me, but for so many others in the firearms industry. We are diminished as a nation, as warfighters, and as a firearms industry, especially the tactical side, by Pat’s passing. There are no words for me express my sorrow.

In closing, Pat lived and taught the Marine Corps’ mindset, “Do unto others before they do it to you.” Or as Pat said, “See the Mother F’r, shoot the Mother F’r. Quit thinking about it.” I am convinced that when he reported for duty to guard Heaven’s Streets, St Michael assigned him to training God’s Angels on how to fight. I am also certain that they have never heard such colorful language with such a think New York Irish accent, nor have they ever laughed so hard while being humiliated by a “warrior sized” Chief Warrant Officer of Marines.

Pat, my brother, Bravo Zulu. Until Valhalla!

Semper Fidelis,
Freddie Blish
LtCol USMC(Ret)
President
ROBAR Companies, Inc

Here are three must watch videos about Pat Rogers:

Pat Rogers Uptown Girl Video https://youtu.be/_J3TuZbVz34

Pat Rogers Pro-Tip: Load Procedures aka How to Earn a MooseCockhttps://youtu.be/lUHm34hksac

13119763_1698683607061999_8580000269973851580_o

“My friend, my mentor. I miss you greatly” -Steve Fisher

“First time I met Pat at F3 w/Heidi we chatted a few minutes about guns, dogs and training. He was one of kind and will be missed by all that knew him and those who have heard of him.” – Joel Townsend

“Pat Rogers will always be remembered as a Marine’s Marine and someone that gave selflessly. The man pushed the Marine Corps as well as countless students into better training, and it’s beyond doubt that he helped many increase their combat survivability. My regret is not getting to spend more time with him, he gave so much to so many. You will be missed Sir. Semper Fidelis brother.” — Nathan Murr

unnamed “TD1 at my first EAG class, I was instructed to redo a drill in front of all to see. I was all set….then Pat said “Don’t fuck up!” I fucked up. And was quickly told to “Unfuck yourself!” -Patrick Tarrant

“I first met Pat Rogers at an EAG Basic Carbine Course back in early 2012. I had come back from a deployment in 2011, and had just moved to NOVA in the fall. I had been on Lightfighter for a while, and had wanted to learn more about shooting rifles than the very limited amount I learned in the military. Pat made it clear online that there was a wealth of lessons in the AAR’s, and he wasn’t kidding. I tried to do my homework as much as I could for that class….I was a Navy Reserve intel puke…that was bad enough, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to be THAT GUY, too!

TD1 (Training Day 1) comes along, and I pulled up to the gate at the range along with several other students. Some had already known Pat and trained with him before. Then Pat pulled up in the Death Star. And he go out. And his fly was hanging wide open.

I was pretty damn sure it was a trap, and hell if I was going to charge head long into it. Neither did anyone else, and a little later, he was all zipped up, cussing, teaching, mentoring, yelling, sharing, cussing some more, bestowing several lifetimes worth of knowledge on those lucky enough to be there. Pat really did treat everyone like family, if you kept moving and learning. He knew my name when I ran into him once or twice after the class. He liked the pictures of my kids up on Facebook. I read on a post somewhere on the 4th that Pat wasn’t an instructor. He was a teacher of men. Uncensored, unfiltered, not giving a damn about those who didn’t care for him, but giving the world to those who did.

Yes, Pat.

Until we meet again, thanks.” -Patrick Tarrant

“TD1 at my first EAG class. A COC in Columbia, TN 2009.
I was on the first relay not even ten minutes onto the firing line portion. Made ready to shoot the first drill, when I pulled the trigger, I saw the mag fall to the deck.
I got the whole “I must be a bad instructor…..”
I told Pat that I knew “someone” was going to do it, so I thought I’d step up and take one for the team so that it would take the pressure off of everyone else.
I got a “WTF” look from him and he just started laughing his ass off.
I proudly accepted my M/C from him that afternoon.
He also never let me forget that.” -Harvey Scobie

Roger Jones with Pat at F3 Tactical Inc.

I think that everything that could be said about this great man has by all of our community, his students, friends and loved ones. I want to leave off with something that Pat did that brought a laugh and great joy to us all. Please have a great day and remain vigilant. Godspeed -B

SOURCE ARTICLE: http://masf.co/2017/05/03/pat-rogers-brother-mentor-and-friend-rest-in-peace/

SHOTGUN FIT: UNDERSTANDING STOCKS

A Girl and a Gun

April 15, 2018

There are many factors involved in shooting a shotgun accurately, but one of the most important and least understood is gun fit. Most manufacturers offer a standard stock dimension, something that fits the average shooter. Since shooters don’t have an opportunity to choose between different stock sizes and configurations, they just accept the gun as it was built and learn to shoot what they have.

In a perfect world that wouldn’t be the case – every hardcore target shooter would be able to walk into a gun store, just like walking into a shoe store, and pick a gun stock as perfect as the right pair of shoes. It may seem daunting, but getting the right fit isn’t nearly as complicated as we make it out to be. The measurements are easily understood and it would behoove every shotgun shooter to be on speaking terms with them. The most important thing to keep in mind is that almost all stock measurements start at the rib line and go down.

Here’s a run-down of some of the measurements in a rough order of importance.

Length of Pull

One of the most important measurements in fitting a shotgun to a shooter is length of pull (LOP). Shown as measurement ‘A,’ it is measured from the center of the butt to the center of the trigger and is seen as a fairly direct measurement of the length of the butt stock of any firearm.

Too long a distance here will force the shooter away from the gun, moving his or her cheek back from the point of the comb where it belongs. The butt will also tend to catch in his or her clothes as the gun is quickly mounted.

Too short a distance is uncomfortable to get lined up, forcing the shooter to ease their face back, away from the breech, in order to line their eye up correctly. A too-short length of pull will also result in having the thumb smack the shooter in the nose or safety glasses under recoil.

Length of pull is dependent on many factors: length of arms, length of neck, shoulder width and stance. Similarly-sized people they can have completely different LOPs based on stance alone. A good middle ground is 14 ½” for field guns and 14 ¾” for target models. For shorter/smaller shooters we make a number of shotguns, including the 712 ALS, 720 ALS, Redhead Reduced Length and the new Lady Sterling.

Drop at Comb

To find drop at comb, a perpendicular line is drawn down from the rib line to the point of the comb and a measurement is taken (‘B’). This drop is one of the most critical of all the factors involving fit, allowing the cheek to rest at the right height, which in turn allows the eye to fall naturally in line with the rib. The proper drop allows the gun to be thrown up for a quick shot and not have to be adjusted before firing.

If the comb is too high, the eye is forced high and we will tend to shoot high. To counteract this, shooters mash their cheek too hard against the stock, trying to lower the eye. This isn’t a comfortable, natural way to aim and will lead to more felt recoil from the gun.

If the comb is too low, the eye will be too low and we will tend to shoot too low. To avoid this, shooters place their cheek too lightly on the comb or even raise off the stock a bit and neither is good for accuracy.

Drop at Heel

Drop a perpendicular line from the rib line to the heel, as at ‘C,’ and the measurement is called the ‘drop at heel.’ Whereas a small change in drop at comb can make a big difference, a fairly wide range of measurements of drop at heel can be comfortably accommodated by the average shooter. One thing that does change with this measurement is the amount of felt recoil.

A gun with a little drop at heel is said to have a straight stock. Since the force is directed straight back into the shoulder, there will be less perceived recoil. Stocks with large drop at heel can have a bit more felt recoil as the gun rotates up into the shooter’s cheek, but typically feel much more comfortable during the mount and swing.

Drop at Toe

This is the distance from the rib line down to the bottom tip of the butt, ‘D.’ This is the lowest portion of the butt stock and is also the lowest part that contacts the shoulder. Drop at toe is equally as important to felt recoil as drop at heel, but for a different reason.

Comparing the drops at heel and toe, the more the difference, the longer the butt pad is and in turn the larger the recoiling surface is. The larger the pad, the more distributed the recoil is on the shooter’s shoulder. A small pad, having little difference between drop at heel and drop at toe, will result in a gun that sends all its force through a smaller surface, resulting in more felt recoil. When shooters complain about a shotgun bruising their shoulder, many times it comes down to too little drop at toe or too little pitch.

Drop at Monte Carlo

This is the furthest comb measurement before the heel, ‘E.’ Not all guns have Monte Carlo style stocks, but those that do tend to fit the shooter much better than traditional style stocks. Common on target guns, it is important to realize that the Monte Carlo has a huge effect on the drop at the heel and the drop at the toe, resulting in a gun that is comfortable for high volume shooters as it allows for better fit and considerably less felt recoil. Field guns many times do not have Monte Carlos because of the increased dimensions translate into more weight.

The CZ Redhead Target and Sporter models all come standard with Monte Carlo style butt stocks.

Pitch

Pitch is the angle of the butt pad’s back surface, measured off of a perpendicular line drawn down from the rib (‘F’).

Pitch is most important for people with large chests, usually women. For those shooters, a stock with too little pitch will distribute recoil with only the toe section of the butt, creating an uncomfortable experience and many times bruising their shoulder. By having more pitch, the stock will distribute recoil through the entirety of the butt pad, making the gun more comfortable to shoot.

It should be noted that there are several ways to measure pitch. Measuring the angle of the pad is one way, but another way commonly used in the US is to draw a line from the heel across the top of the breech and into the air above the front sight. The distance from the muzzle up to that line is measured in inches and is then referenced in relation to the amount of pitch in the gun. The problem with measuring pitch this way is that barrel length has to be taken into account, since an identically-stocked gun with longer barrels will have a different measurement for pitch.
CZ shotguns have approximately 8 degrees of pitch. To appeal to female shooters, the Lady Sterling has been introduced with unique stock dimensions and 12 degrees of pitch.

Cast

The terms ‘cast-off’ and ‘cast-on’ are used to describe stock configurations for either a right-handed or left-handed person. This measurement is shown in the diagram below and is designated ‘G’.

Simply put, cast refers to the deviation of the butt away from the center line of the gun. A shotgun with no cast is straight and a line down the rib will continue straight down the center of the butt stock, when viewed from above. When looking from the back of the gun, a cast-off stock will show the center of the butt slightly right of the center of the rib line. The opposite is true of a cast-on stock.

Cast allows a shooter to look straight down the rib, so a cast-off stock is meant for a right-handed person and a cast-on stock for a leftie. Mounting a cast-off stock left-handed results in the shooter looking down the right side of the rib, meaning their eye will not align naturally with the rib.

All wood-stocked shotguns that CZ-USA offers are cast-off for right-handed shooters. The 712 ALS, 720 ALS and 712 Utility have neutral cast for both right-handed and left-handed shooters.

The right combination of these measurements will make a shotgun ‘feel right.’ When the proper fit is achieved, a shooter will be able to focus on the target, not the shotgun, giving them one less thing to worry about. To help shooters select the right shotgun, we’ve included these measurements for our lineup in a special specifications sheet at the back of the shotgun section.

By Dave Miller, Shotgun Product Manager and Pro-Shooter for CZ-USA. He has over 20 years of experience in the competitive shooting community and has lived to see the sport evolve into the world’s fastest growing shotgun sport. He is respected as one of the most knowledgeable individuals in the sporting clays community with a Master class title, and one of the best shooters in the United States. He is also the main star on the Outdoors TV show CZ-USA American Gun Dog TV. Dave recently accomplished setting a new Guinness World Record for the most sporting clays targets shot in 1 hour. This article was first published by the Missouri Conservation Federation.

SOURCE ARTICLE: https://www.agirlandagun.org/how-to-fit-your-shotgun/

MASF YouTube subscriber & listener giveaway 2017!

MASF

April 14, 2018

Good day good people!

MASF – Modern American Shooting & Firearms – Charity & Nonprofit Education Organization has launched our very first YouTube subscriber & listener giveaway 2017!

It is completely free!

All you have to do is subscribe to our YouTube channel below and you will automatically be entered. The good news is that for those of you who are already subscribed, you are already entered!

Our YouTube channel -> Civilian Carry Radio – CCR, presented by MASF

It begins today, Tuesday June 20th 2017 and runs for 4 weeks through Tuesday July 11th 2017.

We will announce the winner on Wednesday night July the 12th, our 21th episode of Civilian Carry Radio – CCR, presented by MASF

This podcast focuses on MASF’s mission of promoting, evangelizing and facilitating proper mindset, safety, education and training for Gun/Firearms. The weekly LIVE show is hosted by Baraka Ulrich James, President and Founder of MASF, co-hosts Allen Sams, Vice President of MASF and Karie Thomas MASF board member and sponsored competitive shooter. Our BIO’s are here –> http://masf.co/about-us/

We are giving out a total of 3 awesome prize packs!

The prize packs are loaded with a lot of awesomeness!

Prizes for this giveaway were given and donated to us by some members as well as some of our corporate sponsors including:

MASF member – Mark A. Lancaster, Jr. founder of Squared Away Customs, LLC. donated a generous $150.00 gift certificate for his store – Squared Away Customs
“Squared Away Customs is everything but a “cookie cutter” kydex holster shop; we love doing custom work!”

MASF member – Peter Palma of MS. Clean Kits – learn about the MS Clean kit from Peter here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUbdDiRFV8s

MASF member – Lori C. donated a $129.95 PMAG® D-60™ AR/M4 5.56X45MM NATO

One of our corporate sponsors Patriot Patch Company has donated a bunch of swag including patches, stickers and an AR15 cleaning mat.

Curt Staubach of Faxon Firearms donated 2 awesome prizes! 1) a $145.00 Faxon 5.56/300 BLK M16 Bolt Carrier Group – Nitride 2) a $175.00 16″ GUNNER, 5.56 NATO, Mid-Length, 4150 QPQ

There is also Glock inc. swag, MAGPUL swag and magazines, an UpLULA pistol magazine loader and much more, see the pics below!

You can only win one of them but are entered in automatically to win all three!

Due to state regulations the PMAGS cannot be shipped to States of CA, CO, CT, MA, MD, NJ, NY, Hawaii and District of Columbia. Parts of Illinois and Indiana also have local restrictions. If you are drawn and reside in one of those listed states you will not be eligible and we will re-draw, thank you.

Please share, re-post and help us spread the word! We could not do this without all of you good folks!

Thank you for your time, help and support!

SOURCE ARTICLE: http://masf.co/2017/06/20/masf-youtube-subscriber-listener-giveaway-2017/

UNDERSTANDING RANGE COMMANDS

A Girl and a Gun

April 14, 2018

The purpose of range commands is to establish clear, concise, and standard methods of range operation in order to make things move efficiently and enhance safety. On a shooting range, in a firearms class, or in competition, commands are just that: commands! They are not suggestions or good ideas – they are words that demand a particular course of action. All action shooting sports have standardized range commands.

See video at NRA Tips & Tactics >

Here are some of the commands you may experience on a stage:

Make ready. You make get a sight picture. If the course calls for a loaded gun, insert a magazine and chamber a round. Engage the safety if your gun has one, and holster. Assume the start position.
Shooter ready? You may acknowledge with a nod; make sure to respond if you are not ready.
Standby. This indicates that the start command is coming. 1 to 4 seconds after standby, you will hear the timer “beep.” At this point you may start firing.
If you are finished, unload and show clear. If you are done shooting, drop your magazine, rack the round out of the chamber, and show the range officer your empty chamber.
If clear, hammer down; holster. With a pistol, after the range officer sees the empty chamber you should drop the slide, pull the trigger and holster the gun.
If clear, hammer down, bolt open. With a rifle or shotgun, after the range officer sees the empty chamber you should close the bolt, pull the trigger and open the bolt again before slinging the gun and moving it to carrying position.
Range is clear. The course of fire has ended, and you may move down range.

If something is wrong, you might hear:

Finger. This means you have your finger inside the trigger guard. Take it out and place it straight along the slide.
Muzzle. This means you are pointing your muzzle in an unsafe direction, most common is getting close to breaking the 180 of the course of fire. Immediately move the muzzle back down range and in a safe direction.
Stop. Stop immediately and let the range officer walk you through unloading and holstering your gun before explaining what went wrong.

It can be easy to become confused in the fast-paced atmosphere of action shooting sports, which is why it is essential to make responding to range commands second nature. You can’t afford to make a mistake that will make you look foolish and compromise the safety of those around you.

SOURCE ARTICLE: https://www.agirlandagun.org/understanding-range-commands/

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR REVOLVER WITH SWAB-ITS

A Girl and a Gun

April 13, 2018

When it comes to maintaining firearms, Swab-its’ Bore-tips offer improved barrel cleaning and lubrication while the Gun-tips line offers four distinct sizes and lengths of swabs to ensure cleaning and lubrication of the harder to reach areas that are often neglected. Reusable and easy to clean with soap and water or mineral spirits, Swab-its products are more thorough, quicker and easier to use than traditional methods of firearms cleaning and do not leave the residue or lint left behind by patches, mops and cotton swabs.

Before Cleaning Your Revolver

Unlock the cylinder and ensure that your firearm is unloaded by visually and physically inspecting. No ammunition should be present while cleaning. It is advisable to have your manufacturer’s owner’s manual handy for reference for proper disassembly and maintenance procedures. If you purchased your gun used, many manuals can be downloaded by accessing the manufacturer’s website.
You may find it easier to clean your revolver by removing the cylinder from the frame. This is easily accomplished with a single action revolver. For double action revolvers, just swing the cylinder out of the frame for ease of access. This will allow you to access around the forcing cone as well as more comfortable addressing the chambers.

In this article, we will address cleaning the Revolver. To demonstrate, we will clean and lubricate a Taurus Tracker .357 Magnum in titanium.

With their chisel point, Gun-tips 3” precision swabs are especially useful in digging into the hand, stop and the compensator.

Because fouling can build up in the cylinder and interfere with chambering and extraction, cleaning the cylinder is essential. Generally, all that’s necessary is to wipe the cylinder face with solvent. The 5” large surface swab is ideal. If there’s built up fouling, use of a toothbrush and solvent will generally do the trick. It isn’t necessary to remove all traces of carbon stains. Just remove any buildup that might cause binding between the cylinder face and the rear of the barrel. Especially for those who’ve fired lead bullets, there may be a dark gray buildup on the outer front edge of the cylinder and in the cylinder flutes. Again, a brush and solvent can address this if the swab is not aggressive enough.

A swab with solvent or a toothbrush should be used to scrub the rear of the cylinder and the ejector. Lift the ejector up and clean underneath. Trapped fouling can cause the cylinder to bind and grit under the ejector can become embedded in the metal when fired, so this area should be scrubbed as well.

The rounded tip of the 3” mini easily accesses the yoke and gets behind the trigger.

Cleaning the Barrel

Due the absorbency of the foam, less solvent is required than you may generally be accustomed to using. An application of solvent should be made and allowed to soak before applying a bore brush.
Hint: Protecting the revolver from damage when the bore brush is being pushed through the barrel can be accomplished by tying an old sock or some other rag around the rear cylinder opening, creating a soft “stop” before hitting the breachface.

Following loosening fouling with the bore brush, reattach the Bore-tip used in solvent application. Run through the barrel, blotting off on a rag or paper towel to remove fouling. Repeat as needed until no new fouling is loosened. Use a clean Bore-tip for drying and, if storing your gun, another clean swab for applying lubrication.

Swab-its offers two choices when cleaning the barrel of .357/9mm handguns. Bore-tips come on a runner of six swabs which snap off and can be screwed into a standard 8/32 cleaning rod. For the ultimate in convenience, Bore-sticks are a 3-in-1 unit that replaces the patch, jag and rod. Available in packages of four, Bore-Sticks are ready to go straight out of the bag; just apply your favorite solvent or lubricant.

Remember: if you are storing your firearm and coat the barrel with light lubrication, this lubrication MUST be removed prior to shooting your gun. Swab-its products are washable and reusable. If you used a bio-based CLP, such as FrogLube, the swabs can best be cleaned by washing in a degreasing dish soap, rinsing thoroughly and allowing to dry completely before the next use. If you prefer a petroleum based solvent or CLP, cleaning the swabs can most easily be achieved by dipping in mineral spirits, blotting debris and air drying.

By Michele Makucevich, Firearms Products Territory Manager of Swab-its. She oversees the Rhode Island CMP and is a long-time youth coach and competitive shooter.

SOURCE ARTICLE: https://www.agirlandagun.org/clean-revolver-swab/

VG6 Precision: EPSILON 7.62

Keith Finch

April 13, 2018

We’ve asked… VG6 Answered…

VG6 Precision is proud to announce the launch of the new EPSILON 762 muzzle device. Compatible with most common .30 caliber chambered rifles, this hybrid device features both recoil compensation and flash signature mitigation in one package.

With a continued focus on improved recoil control, the EPSILON 762 features a new enhanced chamber design that improves gas flow and felt recoil measurably over previous versions. VG6 also focused on saving weight during the design process by including aggressively cut channels along the length of the device.

Following the success of the GAMMA 762, the EPSILON 762 provides an additional offering with distinguishable features for the growing M5/AR10/.308 platform.

The EPSILON 762 retails for $94.99 and is available in Black Nitride and Bead Blasted Stainless Steel finishes.

The Epsilon is arguably the most distinctive design VG6 Precision produces with both flash hiding and recoil mitigating properties in its futuristic aesthetic. It’s only detracting factor was a lack of a 7.62 option for those of us who love our .30 Cals.

Now the 7.62×51 and .300 Blackout crowd has an Epsilon of their own.

With a three prong front and a 3 chamber baffle system the Epsilon continues to blend the form and function seamlessly into the 7.62. My order is in already.

I thought lived in a “safe neighborhood”, now I know there is no such thing

MASF

April 13, 2018

By: Rick Topping, US Army Veteran – MASF Member

Originally Published in MASF Quarterly Online Magazine Fall 2015 issue

Two years ago I was almost given a terrible reminder of lessons I thought I already knew. I had come home from work early on a random weekday evening. It was about 430pm and I was sitting on the couch in my front room listening to a conference call for work with my laptop in my lap. I had changed into sweatpants and a t-shirt and after saying hello to my wife and newborn daughter, settled in for a long session of listening to folks argue over a project plan. Suddenly the relative quiet was shattered by a resounding boom from the direction of my front door. I snapped my head in that direction and jumped up to see what was going on. At the same time that I sprang to my feet, another loud boom came from the front door. This time I saw the door bowing in (my front entryway is a double door that opens from the middle- see picture below) and a stunning realization hit me, someone was trying to kick my front door in!I immediately raced to the door and slammed my shoulder into it as hard as I could. When I did this I heard a grunt from whomever was outside as I pushed the door back to flush. I noticed that the door had been hanging on by a thread, only still closed because of the EZ Armor my Father in Law and I had installed some months earlier.As I held my front door shut with all my might many thoughts went through my head. This first of these was where is my gun? The answer to this question was upstairs in the bedroom where it would do me absolutely no good. When I had come home from work and changed out of my monkey suit I had left the pistol upstairs because I wanted to wear sweatpants and be comfortable. As I waited for another kick to hit the door I frantically looked for anything in the vicinity that could be used as a weapon, but finding nothing I resolved in my mind to go hand to hand with whomever came through that door, even if they were armed, as I knew my Wife and newborn were only feet away from a potential intruder. Moments passed and nothing happened, so I chanced a peek out the window in the room next to our front door. I just caught someone in a hoody jumping into an SUV in my driveway as he slammed the door and they backed into the street and sped away. Almost as soon as I realized the attack was over and that we were safe, a sudden cacophony of sound assaulted me. The dog barking, my daughter crying, and my wife screaming all punctuated just how serious this situation could have been. I took a moment to collect myself, consoled my wife, and called the cops. My family had just dodged a real bullet and I knew it was my responsibility to learn from the situation.

As with any after action report there were a few good things I did right leading up to this event. First and foremost I believe it is extremely important to put some thought into hardening your house no matter where you live. My home is in an upper middle class neighborhood where this sort of thing “just doesn’t happen” yet my next door neighbor had his house broken into about a year before this event. When that occurred I took action to help make my house more resistant to break in, and up armoring the doors to the house was one of those steps. This EZ Armor door kit wasn’t really that expensive and installed with some screws and a little filing/fitting. I truly believe that the only thing that kept that door intact long enough for me to get to it was the EZ Armor product. Secondly, I had talked through and rehearsed with my Wife what to do in the event something like this happened. She quickly grabbed up my daughter and sought out a safe place, apparently I yelled at her to “take cover” but I honestly don’t remember this. She grabbed my Daughter and got ready to run without question, and without coming to see if she could help me or to determine what was going on. I think talking through and even rehearsing these kinds of events with family is critical to those of us that don’t live alone. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating getting to elaborate or scaring young children with this activity but you need to have some kind of plan in place and have practiced executing that plan.

ezarmorsatinnickel Now on to the part that has made the most impact on me, the thing I screwed up. As I am sure the reader has gleaned by this point my big screw up was not having my gun on me. I know a lot of people think you don’t need to carry a gun in your own home, or in the day time, or any number of other rationalizations- I used to be one of them. If this is you, then you are wrong. I now have a firearm in easy reach no matter where I am in my house. I carry my gun, even in my own home, all the time. The big problem is that I knew I should have been carrying my gun at home even before this happened. Even having taken multiple shooting courses focused on personal defense and hearing the exact words “carry your gun all the time” come from the mouths of such respected trainers as Matt Jacques of Victory First and Pat Rogers of EAG Tactical wasn’t enough to overcome complacency. I served in Afghanistan and I know good and well that evil exists in this world and then when the moment of truth comes you had better stand ready….and I still got lazy. Folks, I am begging you to take a look at what you can do to harden your home, come up with emergency plans and practice them with your families, and above all train with and carry your weapon. All the time. Even at home. Even when its hot or cold or rainy or uncomfortable. If this could happen to my family, in a nice neighborhood in broad daylight it could happen to anyone. In this seemingly ever more dangerous world, the only ethical choice is to take personal responsibility for the safety of yourself and your loved ones. Owning, training with, and carrying a firearm is by far the best way to do that.

BIO – Rick Topping: Rick is an Ex-Army Signal Officer, Father, Husband, and professional IT geek. He enjoys shooting, HAM radio, reloading, and many other hobbies that probably cost too much money and take up too much time. He has recently started a blog to share his knowledge and passion in the realm of emergency preparedness and can be contacted at https://learn2prep.wordpress.com/

SOURCE ARTICLE: http://masf.co/2017/11/04/yes-it-can-happen-in-your-neighborhood/

2A Armament Receives Regulated Bolt Carrier Patent

Keith Finch

April 11, 2018

New from 2A Armament and the USPTO! 2A Armament has been awarded the patent for their gas regulation system that has been incorporated in their bolt carrier system by the USPTO. This system allows adjustments in the felt recoil, spent cartridge ejection pattern, as well as eliminating the need to replace other components of the rifle while running a suppressor. Offered in two different variations of lightweight steel (7.9 oz.) and ultra-lightweight titanium (5.9 oz.), these new systems will be sold as complete bolt carrier groups.

The Regulated Bolt Carrier is fully adjustable through the port door so that the rifle does not have to be broken down for adjustment, and can be easily tuned for all combinations of buffers, springs, suppressors and barrel lengths. In fact, it has infinite adjustment – from fully open to fully closed on the regulation gate. The unit also comes with a T-6 Torx tool for adjusting this Idaho-made part, which is available in both steel (black nitride finish) and titanium (black ion-bond or bead-blast matte finishes).

While there are other bolt carriers for AR-15 rifles on the market, none other than the 2A Armament Regulated Bolt Carrier, utilize a gas-regulation gate that can be adjusted to run with an infinite number of setups of barrels, suppressors, springs and more. In fact, the Regulated Bolt Carrier will be the only one available like this for many years; until the patent runs out.

2a Armament isn’t stopping there, they are also working on a large frame regulated bolt carrier for those shooters who enjoy the AR10 platform, so stay tuned. For more details on the patent check out USPTO Patent No . 9,857,129 as well as other innovative products at www.2a-arms.com.

SIGHT ALIGNMENT

A Girl and a Gun

April 11, 2018

In order for your shot to reach its intended location on a target, a shooter must have sight picture and alignment. Sight alignment is the symmetry between the front sight and rear sight. Your front sight should be in the exact center of the rear sight, at the same height of the rear sight. Remember the old adage: equal light, equal height.

Sight picture is what you see when you look at your target. It includes your sights and target. You must focus your eyes on the front sight of your pistol; the target and rear sight should be blurry.

SOURCE ARTICLE: https://www.agirlandagun.org/sight-alignment/

The 2A Today

Keith Finch

April 11, 2018

Well readers Massachusetts ban on ‘Assault Weapons’ stands with U.S. District Judge William Young dismissing the lawsuit challenging the measure.

Young said assault weapons are military firearms and aren’t protected by the constitutional right to “bear arms.” Regulation of the weapons is a matter of policy, not for the courts, he said.

States can individually decided whether or not to allow the scary firearms.

Attorney General Maura Healey put out an enforcement notice in 2016 that clarified Massachusetts Assault Weapons Ban and that too was upheld by Judge Young. ‘Look-a-like’ firearms were targeted extensively.

The Gun Owners’ Action League of Massachusetts and other groups that filed the lawsuit argued that the AR-15 can’t be considered a “military weapon” because it is not select fire.

Young noted that the semi-automatic AR-15’s design is based on firearms “that were first manufactured for military purposes” and that the AR-15 is “common and well-known in the military.”

So is the Remington 700, Judge Young, it is ‘common and well-known’ as a company and battalion asset. So are the COTS Barrett M82 and M107, Commercial Off The Shelf.

“The AR-15 and its analogs, along with large capacity magazines, are simply not weapons within the original meaning of the individual constitutional right to ‘bear arms,'” Young wrote.

Historians will note (hopefully) the AR-15, developed by ArmaLite in 1956, was a commercial offering first and was slowly picked up by the U.S. Air Force and Special Operations from those commercial offerings. The M-16, the military exclusive AR-15, wasn’t adopted until 1964.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Militia – a military force that is raised from the civil population to supplement a regular army in an emergency.

a military force that engages in rebel or terrorist activities, typically in opposition to a regular army. Editor’s Note: Remember folks, our Founder’s were terrorists in the eyes of the British Empire.
all able-bodied civilians eligible by law for military service.

But please, Judge Young, tell us more about how the AR-15 and similar weapons are not under the original meaning of the Second Amendment.

It requires no stretch of the imagination to infer that The Framers meant for the citizenry to keep and be proficient with small arms and supporting arms. In modern application the most basic applicable set up is a modern rifle, a sidearm, first aid kit, magazines, armor, and enough ammo and supplies to support a short term (3-Day) mission, action, or operation.

Whether a County Sheriff forms a posse, “Red Dawn” starts from the sky in some manner, or a monopoly of force should not be held by a corrupt government like in the Battle of Athens, the people of this nation have both the right and responsibility to rise to their defense and that of their communities.

Speaking earlier of the British Empire let’s check in there.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan enacts ‘knife control’ policies to crack down on stabbing epidemic.

After London surpassed the New York homicide rate for February/March knives are on the chopping block.

In response to the spike in crime, Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, deployed over 300 additional London police officers to the city’s most crime-ridden neighborhoods to stop and search anyone they suspect is carrying a knife. In the U.S., such policies are very controversial and possibly violate the Fourth Amendment, but in England, police are able to stop and search anyone they suspect is carrying a knife.

The “tough, immediate” measures also ban home deliveries of knives and acid, two of the most common weapons in London today.

“No excuses: there is never a reason to carry a knife. Anyone who does will be caught, and they will feel the full force of the law,” Khan wrote on Twitter, sharing his new policies.

#LondonNeedsYouAlive: Don’t Carry a Knife

There are 653,626 teenagers in London – every one of them is important. They shouldn’t risk their futures by carrying a knife. Share this film and help carry a new message: #LondonNeedsYouAlive #LNYA -Sadiq Khan, Twitter

What a time to be alive. A man who ran on stopping ‘Stop and Frisk’ policy has embraced it and wants knife control to supplement the gun control that is working out so well.

Just look at that downward trend… wait a minute…

ETIQUETTE ON THE RANGE

A Girl and a Gun

April 10, 2018

There are unspoken rules of etiquette within our shooting community that should be observed at the range. Sometimes you don’t find out about them until you have done something wrong and are on the receiving end of some harsh criticism. To save you from having to learn the hard way, here are seven ways you can be a respected shooter the first time – and every time – you walk into the range.

See AG & AG Founder Julianna Crowder’s video at NRA Tips & Tactics >

Travel smart. Etiquette begins in the parking lot. Keep all guns cased and empty unless you are actively using them for concealed or open carry. Do not handle your firearms directly while you are outside.
Be friendly. The range employees are there to help you and make sure that you have a safe experience. Remember that their job requires them to keep an eye out for problem customers, so make sure that you present yourself in a friendly and approachable manner at all times.
Dress for success. At the range this means wearing the appropriate clothing and footwear, but most importantly it means coming prepared with the right ear and eye protection. Research beforehand the best eyes and ears for the venue, the kind of guns you plan to shoot, and your own personal needs.
Respect the 180. Always adhere to the 180 Rule. Unpack your gun with the muzzle pointing in a safe direction (our pistol pouches and Bench Bags help with that), and avoid clutter at your station so you can safely pick it up and put it down. Keep each gun in slidelock and pointed in a safe direction while not in use.
Keep it simple. You’re there to build your skills, not to impress anyone, so work on shooting one gun well instead of being mediocre at 10 different guns. If you want to work with more than one firearm, dedicate a specific period of time to each one. Plan your practice and use a journal to keep track of your progress and budget your ammo.
Don’t be a jerk. Failing to follow all of the safety rules isn’t the only way to get a bad reputation at the range. Arguing with staff, refusing to take correction, and acting like a know-it-all are all behaviors that you should avoid.
Pack up and leave safely. When you’re done shooting, don’t rush to get out. You may be tired or still have adrenaline in your system, either of which can cause you to miss safety steps. Take it slow and pay close attention to how you pack up your guns.

Even if you aren’t a great shooter right out of the gate, keeping these seven guidelines in mind will help you to earn respect. Demonstrating yourself to be a responsible and disciplined person is the best way to ensure that you will be welcomed with open arms by the shooting community, with all of the helpful advice and friendly competition that that involves.

SOURCE ARTICLE: https://www.agirlandagun.org/range-etiquette/

7 WAYS TO BE A BETTER SHOOTER

A Girl and a Gun

April 9, 2018

January is over, and so are the month’s good intentions. If you are like most people you hide from the doom of New Year resolutions and proclamations of change and improvement. Let’s face it, change is hard and not likely to take hold in just a few short days at the beginning of each new year.

But change and resolution are possible, you just have to look at it differently than what is prepackaged and shoved in your face new year after new year. In relation to your goals as a gun owner, improved marksman, even competitive shooter, you can start anytime you are ready. We are waiting for you whenever you are ready with the support you crave and the education you need!

1. Make Range Time

Spending time at least twice a month at the range is key. Attending a Girl’s Night Out or having a buddy to train with is ideal, not only because it is fun to shoot with a pal, the practice sessions can become more intense when you have immediate accountability. Add in 1 or 2 matches, you will quickly have valuable trigger time 4+ times a month.

2. Dry Fire Practice

Dry fire is something you can do anytime day or night. Dedicating 5-10 minutes a day putting your hands on your gun is the best gift you can give yourself. Did you know that you can lose the ability to acquire a sight picture after 2 days? It is a fine-motor skill that will dwindle away without exercise. Taking a sight picture, practicing your trigger press, and working your draw are some things you can do that build incredible muscle memory for your subconscious brain. Using training tools like the Dry-Fire Cards will give you fresh skills to practice and MantisX is your personal instructor to expose where you need more work.

3. Use Your Journal to Set Goals

You may have heard our term “Tactical Foo-Foo”. Well here is the full explanation: The AG & AG Shooting Journal is designed to track your “tactical” range session with guns, ammo, weather, wind, and whatever physical conditions you experience, and give you ballistic data on performance. The “Foo-Foo” part is simply how you can improve your experience. Did you come to the range with head trash or ready to take on the world? This is where you record how you feel and the impact it had on your trigger time. Head trash is real, and if you come to the range with a poor attitude, you can see it in your performance. Don’t pull the trigger and then shake your head saying “no that was bad.” When you are at the range, this is your time to shine. Find your inner Wonder Woman and experience your empowerment. Range time costs money, so don’t waste your time and money if you are not in it to win it.

Decide that you will head to the range knowing what shooting techniques you want to work on, instead of just winging it. By assigning specific goals to range trips, you can work on improving your shooting, one target at a time.

4. Silence Negative Thoughts

Whether it is someone shaming the gun you shoot, the gear you use, or the ammo you love… leave it. If you are using products that are not “the best” take note and see where you can improve the gun, gear, and ammo you use within your budget. Anything is better than throwing rocks and harsh language, but there are better guns, gear and ammo to use for self-defense and recreational shooting. The equipment you use depends on your goals and preferences. Be aware that there will always be negative people.

5. Clean Your Range Bag

It is possible you haven’t been to the range in several weeks and there are unneeded items and trash lurking in your bag. You know how you purge your closet? Purging your range bag is just as cathartic. New sunscreen, bug spray, and general gear for the range including timers, ammo, mag loaders, targets and pasters can leave you feeling excited to get back out there.

6. Create Health, Wellness, Peace, and Happiness

Ok, so I am tapping into the peace and love side we all have, some hiding deep down and others shining bright for all to see. Being healthy is very personal. It is so exciting to see women set their physical fitness goals based on how they want to perform in the sport of 3-gun, for example. But the truth is, this is your personal fitness journey. We know that size and weight is not relative. Where ever you are, whatever you can achieve, it is yours and your happiness will follow. There are many programs we can offer up or trainers to reference if you ask us, but until then we will trust you are doing the best you can with what you have, where you are.

7. Just Do It

Shooting is not rocket science. There is skill, talent, and a bit of luck involved. If you are one of the gifted few that just pick up guns and win everything… God Bless you. If you are like most of us and have to work at it, God Bless you twice for having determination to work your passion and enjoy your hobby. The gun calls people for different reasons, self-defense or competition. The reward of mastering this piece of machinery is beyond words.

SOURCE ARTICLE: https://www.agirlandagun.org/9-ways-better-shooter/

Once Again… it is Monday

Keith Finch

April 9, 2018

garfield_monday — from voidspace.org and Jim Davis