Rules For Rebels: Firearms Edition

With any group that forms for the purpose of survival or homesteading, need to protect what they have.  It is important that you are armed and know how to use your weapons.  Here are some simple guidelines to help insure that goal.  I'm sure I will ruffle some feathers but, that shouldn't be anything new.  These are things that need to be discussed.  If not with your group, then with yourself.

Think Practically

Whatever weapon you decide to use as your primary should be something that makes sense.  What I mean by that is, use something that would work well given what you plan on doing with it.  It's the never shoot a large caliber man with a small caliber weapon type of thinking.  I've seen a lot of people get into the pistol caliber carbines lately.  While they are a cool weapon for sure.  Effective body armor becoming far more prevalent make these weapons a liability.  Many, also think that a shotgun or hunting rifle will also be enough.  While there is something to be said for the man with one gun who know how to use it, they are not the end all be all.  Now, that's not to say these weapons don't have their place because they do.  However, you have to be aware of having the right weapon for the job.

Pick One And Stick With It

I'm not gonna get in to the AR v. AK debate again.  They both have their positives and negatives.  Just pick one and stick with it.  Resources are limited for everyone and you don't need to waste your money investing in separate systems that are designed to do pretty much the same thing.  Instead, work towards improving whichever system you currently have.  If you are working within a group, it might be best that everyone is running the same system as well.  Not everyone needs to have the exact same build, but it makes sense that everyone has the same basic platform.  I know that everyone is not big on imposing standardization.  However, in this situation it may make sense.  This will enable you to pull your resources together to acquire ammo, magazines and most importantly, spare parts.  People always overlook that the fact that shit breaks and this becomes less of an issue if you have a large supply of spare parts to make repairs.  For the sake of simplicity and practicality, pick one and stick with it.

Some More On The Whole Standard Thing

It really does make sense that everyone uses the same pistol too.  I don't think I need to repeat the reasons because they're the same.  There are many find options out there.  I'm not gonna bother going into them all because well they're either Glock or not a Glock at this point.  Only thing I would add is whether it's compact or full size models, pick one.  At the minimum, just purchase the magazines to the full size model.  It makes things that much easier while allowing for individual variety.  Just an additional tip. Whatever pistol you chose, make sure it can accept a pistol light.  It just allows for opening up additional tactical options.

Don't Cover Your Weapons In Crap

 People do it all the time and it's very easy to do.  You have to know what you need on your rifle and what you don't.  It is very easy to fuck up your weapon.  The only thing you absolutely need on a rifle are a sling, optic and a high quality light.  If you happen to have access to night vision equipment then it would probably be a good idea to have a high quality infrared laser and illuminator as well.  When it comes to a pistol, you should have a high quality mounted light and a holster of equal quality that is BUILT FOR YOUR MODEL OF PISTOL  Everything else is strictly optional at best and nothing more than dead weight at worst.  This is the easiest part to fuck up since most people of a tendency to get the cheapest lights and optics that they can get a hold of.  This is a bad idea.  Cheap shit usually eats batteries and isn't rugged enough to work long term.  Most likely, the cheap shit you buy will just fall of your gun after normal use.  Like your rifle is rejecting the garbage you put on it.  Take this as a sign to not out dumb shit on your weapons.

You Need Ammo

I really shouldn't have to explain this.  You already have a stockpile of ammunition for all the weapons in your possession.  We have already seen that ammo is a finite resource so you should have as much as you can get a hold of.  Reloading is a viable option too.  Just be aware that supplies like this are also finite and it does take a degree of skill.  Not only will you need this in order to keep your weapons useful beyond being used as a club.  Ammunition can also be used for bartering for supplies you do need.  You don't want to give away the ammo you do need though.  In this case, it might be a good idea to have smaller stockpiles of ammo for other weapons that might be available in the area.  Ammo for weapons like revolvers or the various hunting calibers.  These calibers could be used to barter with locals who might have a weapon that needs that ammo.  Another options is that if you scavenge or acquire one of these weapons, you will have the ammo necessary to make use of the newly acquired weapon.  Just remember, you can never have enough ammo.

Train & Get Trained

It you have weapons then you need to know how to use them.  You need to go out there and get training.  There are a plethora of great firearms instructors out there.  Luckily, most of them have YouTube channels and social media presences so it's not like they are hard to find.  Though these instructors do travel the country, you will most likely have to do some travelling to get to a class.  You will also have to pay a nice chunk of change for their training as well.  However, their skills and knowledge are worth every penny.  However, for every good instructor, there are a dozen shit heads.  Before you take a class, do your research and make sure you are getting a quality instructor.  Remember, gunfighting is a perishable skill.  When you return home from a class, you have to remember to continue training on your own.  These instructors provide you the skills but, it's your job to refine them yourself.

If you want to survive long term, it is most likely that you will have to eventually fight for your survival.  It is important to have the best possible chance of survive a fight that will eventually come.  You need to have the best weapons for the fight.  You need to have all the support needed to keep those weapons in the fight.  Most important, you need to know how to best make use of those weapons.  you have to fight for your survival, fight the best way possible.

Scopes On Rifles

 

I admit this is more of an nuisance for me and I'm sure arguments can be made against my opinion but, I hate when people put scopes on their rifles.  Well, when people put the wrong scope on their rifle or put them on a rifle that is not properly configured for said rifle.   It's probably one of the biggest annoyances that I have seen from my time in the firearms community.  It shows a lack of knowledge of their and a lack of aware of mindset a proper awareness of their weapons capabilities.  I'm sure I'm gonna catch some shit for this but, at this point I really don't fucking care.  I feel the need to get it off my chest and might as well share my thoughts.

One thing I've always tried to figure out with these people would be the reasoning behind putting long range scopes on an AR15 (one that note we should really try to bring back the term CAR15 seeing how most modern rifles on the market are in that configuration) that only has a realistic effective range between 300 and 400 yards.  My immediate assumption when I first started seeing this configuration was an overall lack of knowledge.  What I mean is that all they've known for most of their life were bolt actions and hunting rifles.  This was probably the first AR they've ever purchased.  They at least understood that optics were the future but obviously didn't know where to start.  That most likely lead to them either putting an old hunting scope that they already had on there weapons or buying whatever scope happened to be in the glass case at their local gun shop.  Most build of this variety are off the rack gun shop options so it makes sense that they went an option that was available on the spot.

A different explanation would be poor mentality.  Not poor as in budgetary constraints but poor as in being cheap.  Another way to put it would be a "Just As Good" thought process.  The idea that this hunting scope that they already have would be equally good as more modern optics.  The mentality of "Just As Good" is an issue that goes far beyond something like rifle optics.

Something else that absolutely annoys the fuck out of me are people using variable range scopes on weapons with a front sight post.  This is just something that just makes no sense to me.  I just find it baffling that people would use a scope designed for more precise shooting and willfully obscure their field of view with a permanent front sight.  Now at more increased magnifications, the field is no longer obscured.  However, increased magnification hinders the ability to use your weapon in a close quarters scenario.  This can be overcome with training but we should know by now people who set up rifles like this probably don't train enough with their weapon to overcome this deficiency.

Even when people do use scopes in the right configuration, they often use the shittiest scopes they can find.  I've lost track of how many times I've seen guys use optics on their rifle that they found on Amazon.  These are often some of the most bottom barrel Chinese made garbage you can find.  Even worse, some will place an equally shitty red dot or reflex sight on the top of the scope as some of these pieces of shit even have rail attachment points.  Most of these scopes don't hold zero.  If they have illuminated reticles, the battery life is horrific.  Finally, like most cheap optics, they are not built rugged enough to service serious abuse and will probably fall apart on their own.  If you're gonna put a precision scope on your rifle, at least use something of quality.

I really do know that I'm nitpicking complaining about something so menial.  Then again, I really don't care.  This is something that I've seen way too much from people building tactical rifles.  It shows me that you don't know what you're rifle is capable of.  It shows that you're too cheap to properly build your rifle.  Most of all, it shows that you don't know how to properly employ your rifle.  Please, stop doing this shit.

Then again, some sights are better than no sights I guess.

I Was Wrong

 A while back I wrote in article discussing my thoughts on those who were involved in the Boogaloo movement.  How I thought they were superior to those who subscribed to the 3% ideology and would be better equipped and trained.  Overall, I thought they would be more prepared than others.  The reality however, is that I was wrong.  I was wrong in assuming that the people in the movement were better.  It turns out that you're not that different.  In some cases you may be worse.

One thing that I've warned about and have had concerns about was to fall victim to the cult of personality.  Unfortunately, some of you still desire structure and leadership.  That desire has allowed grifters to insert themselves as a figurehead and hijack the movement and the ideology.  Case in point would be the case of Mike Dunn.  A supposed Marine wash out who was able to market his nonexistent credibility in to organizing several militia groups in Virginia.  The moment Boogaloo memes became popular he started marketing himself as a self professed leader of the movement.  Dunn, would continually talk shit and make an ass of himself in front of anyone who would give him a platform.  He would also continually make an aggressive stance against racism.  While racism is definitely not cash money and your ass will be yeeted, he went about it in such a way that it came off more as an attempted to mask racial beliefs.  As if he were to be so loud about being against racism that no one would think that he himself was a racist.  Though I'm not sure how valid these concerns are, his behavior on the matter comes off as one of those liberal elites trying to mask their hatred.  However, it is not as much of a problem anymore given how he has separated himself from his Boogaloo groups and is currently being accused of being a federal informant.  Which is something I believe I have warned about in the past.

The big appeal of the Boogaloo for most would be it's last of structure and organization.  Yet, there are fucking assholes out there that are trying to create structure and organization.  He comes Magnus Panvidya.  Raised in a cultish environment, Magnus here has become a form of figurehead of the organized and public persona of the Boogaloo movement.  Founding the Unity Coalition, Panvidya has helped or at least influenced the creation of several Boogaloo related social media pages and has been known to tout the existence of state wide Boogaloo chapters.  Personally I left the Patriot movement because of the desire for large, nationwide groups.  This guy appears to be involved in doing that here.  Whether it's a lack of knowledge as to what he's doing, a need for attention or something more nefarious.  Panvidya, seems to be concerned with removing one of the movement's greatest strengths.

I have to admit, this one is just low hanging fruit.  This whole bag a of tools prefers to be called "Soap" just like the Call of Duty character.  I don't know exactly what his level of importance is but he decided to go ahead and talk to 60 Minutes.  The entire segment was cringe inducing as it was obvious that everyone involved was some Gen Z moron who had know intellectual knowledge about what they were talking about and nobody appeared to have any kind of tactical knowledge.  It was more like they were all looking for an excuse to get out of their parents house for the day.  Also if you notice in the photo above he intentionally has the U.S. Constitution prominently displayed.  This makes it relatively obvious that he still subscribes to a statist ideology.  For most people involved here, they subscribe to a more anarchist belief system.  Though I don't believe these things to be mutually exclusive, symbols of authorities and power grabs are usually not considered that important.

I have no idea who this freak is but he's representative of an important point.  That most of you make it incredibly difficult to be taken seriously.  Beyond his Richard Spencer style haircut, he's also wearing one of those cheap plate carriers you get from one of those Facebook ads.  My problem here is that it's painfully obvious that most of the people who promote this ideology, are not taking it seriously, Yes, I know that there is a whole lot of irony involved in the idea of Boogaloo.  However, it feels to me that most people are taking this irony seriously.  Also like many of other movements that propose that they are preparing for a coming civil war or revolution aren't actually prepared to fight in said events.  Nor are they prepared to actually live though such events.  All you see them do is show up to protests where they suck up to the Black Lives Matter movement and poorly defend  themselves against their detractors.  I left the Patriot movement to get away from people like this but apparently they're like fucking cockroaches.

I'm sure this will lead to a great deal of disagreement but, the idea of Boogaloo has become a giant joke.  Maybe that's what it was supposed to be though.  Maybe I myself got it confused to with the goon subculture.  I thought most were disaffected veterans and like minded individuals who had an understand of 4th gen warfare and a realistic stance of prepared resistance.  Instead it's mostly a bunch of zoomers and morons who think they're gonna take on the government with shitty equipment and the most obscure weapons that they'll never be able to properly maintain.  I thought this would be better but I've come to a simple realization.  I was wrong.

Rules For Rebels

Throughout the years I've been a part of many different "Patriot" and liberty focused groups.  I have also encountered or interacted with many other groups via social media, user created content and direct interaction via training or even political events.  A common theme I see with all of these groups is that they seem to be making the wrong choices in terms of how they conduct themselves.  It has given me the idea to lay out a sort of ground rules or polite suggestions to help those looking to get organized.  Using this as a blueprint.  Those looking to for groups of their own will have a chance to not repeat the mistakes of the past.

1.  Have A Mission

What is meant by the statement have a mission is to know for starters what kind of organization are you trying to be.  For an example, if you're trying to be a militia then you shouldn't be so heavily focused on conventional military tactics.  If you are a mutual assistance group then you need to multifaceted as to prove you can actually provide assistance beyond walking around with a budget build AR and cheap plate carrier without plates.  Different kinds of groups require different approaches.  One of the most important things you can know is who you are and who you are not.

2.  Size Matters

A lot of groups like to gloat about how big they are.  I've seen people brag how they have the biggest group in the state or how many members their are throughout the country.  Groups like this are way too big.  Large groups are slow to move, loaded with useless bureaucracy and consistently have descension among the ranks.  Large groups are also susceptible to infiltration whether that is from another group, the media or even an alphabet agency.  Large groups allow for greater difference of opinion.  This is not necessarily a bad thing as intellectual diversity is good in general and allows for greater creativity.  It becomes bad when you get that one asshole who thinks they can run the group better than the leader and starts gaining followers within the group.  I've seen 3 separate groups in my area split that was enabled because of how massive the group was.  Keeping your group small will prevent many of these problems.

3. 1 Group, 1 World, 1 Family

Group cohesion is very important for any organization.  When shit goes down they will most likely be all you have.  They will essentially be your family.  Therefore, it only makes sense for you to treat them like family.  If you you're having a family cookout, invite your group members and their families.  Hangout out on the weekends.  You don't always have to be doing group related activities.  Simple team building goes a long way.  Whether you're doing some home project or just getting drunk and stoned, grow and build together as a group.  Let each other into your worlds.  Open up to each other, have your families interact with each other.  One small, unified group can accomplish more than any group of strangers.

4. Beware The Cult of Personality

Many groups and liberty movements have some kind of figurehead or lead that everyone rallies behind.  Someone they see as the face and voice of the movement.  Stay away from these people.  These so called leaders are usually the last person that should be in charge.  More often than not they are just in it for their own ego and their own agenda.  They crave attention and have no problem running up to any camera they can find and start pontificating like they are next savior of the free world.  Unless you want every news outlet and federal agency looking right at you, stay away from the wannabe George Washingtons.

5.  Social Media

Don't fucking use it.  It doesn't need to be any more complicated than that.  If you are the type that needs to have Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for other reasons then yes, you can be on them.  Just keep your group stuff off them.  If feel the need to have some social media presence (now I need to do a little self reflection as I type this) then use a pseudonym or alter ego and keep your personal information as close to the chest as possible.  Social media is nothing more than a digital collection of evidence that even if you do delete these fuckers will find anyways so it's best to give them as little or have as much plausible deniability as possible.

6. Recruitment

Why the fuck are you recruiting?  This is just like social media, just don't fucking do it.  If you want to bring somebody into your group, it's best to have known them for a decent amount of time.  Bringing any asshole who just wants to join is how people infiltrate groups.  It's also how you let in loose cannons and liabilities.  If you need to increase membership for some reason then pull from your already existing circles and not some random off the internet.  You'll most likely have better results.

7. You're Not in The Military Anymore

This is more for those of us who are veterans.  You're not in the military anymore so stop acting like.  Most of the people you're working with were not in the military or most likely had a pretty good fucking reason for leaving.  The thing that annoys me the most with groups is their attempts as applying a military structure.  So many are stuck in a 3rd generation warfare mindset which will set you up for failure immediately.  Instead of applying the lessons you were taught by the military, start applying the lessons you were taught by your enemy.  Start thinking 4th generationally.

8.  There's More Than Just Trigger Pulling

A lot of groups just want to shoot guns, pose for photos and complain about how Democrats a ruining America.  None of them are thinking about how they are going to eat, how they are going to sleep, how are they going to cloth themselves and more importantly how they are going to take care of their families.  These are things that probably require far more focus than shooting guns.  You need to know how to grow food, how to build long term shelters, how to repair and make clothing.  If you can't do any of that, you might as well throw down your guns and run around begging to be shot.  You can also beg to be someone's bitch too, whatever floats your boat.

9.  Invest, Invest, Invest

This is probably far more important than anything else.  Invest your time.  We're playing the long game here so be prepared for the long haul.  Invest your effort.  These are all thing that require you give your all.  If you're not prepared to give all you then you've already lost.  Invest your money.  Probably the hardest as we all have bills to pay.  I more than most understand that but this is definitely a you get what you pay for world so start saving and figure out a budget.  As I said we are playing the long game so prioritized what you need most and go from there.  You only get out what you're willing to invest into it so don't be a slouch and don't be a cheap bastard.

That's all for now.  I'm sure there will be more to be added so this will be an ongoing thing.  If you have something to contribute and I value your opinion you know how to reach out to me.  Don't be afraid to do so.

The AK VS. AR Debate

This is probably one of the greater debates that go on within the gun community as a whole.  The debate of small arm superiority between the AK-47 and AR-15 platforms.  While both have their advantages, I believe that one platform is superior to the other.  Now, I know I won't be changing anyone's minds as to which is superior.  I'm well aware that everyone's minds are already made up on that issue and I have a snowball's chance in hell of changing that.  This is just my perspective and opinion that is more for those who have yet to acquire such a rifle.

 

Customization

One thing that almost every person with a rifle wants to do is customize it.  It would be very difficult to prove otherwise, that the AR-15 would be superior in this matter.  The AR platform is often referred to as Barbie for men or grown up Legos.  This is entirely true as literally every component of an AR-15 can be customized.  The level of customization is to the point that you can build an entire rifle from scratch.  The AK on the other hand, while having parts that can be customized is nowhere near the level of the AR-15.  Yes, you can swap out handguards, grips and stocks.  However, most stocks are considered flimsy and the grips and handguards are usually AR derivatives that have been adapted to the AK pattern with mixed results.  Top covers can be replaced as well to offer mounting solutions but, most consider them to be inferior and not providing the needed stability to maintain the zero of an optic.  While steps have been made in the industry, the AK is still lagging behind the AR in terms of customization.

Optics

Another item that many do (and at this point all should) do with their rifles is mount optics.  I really don't anyone is even gonna bother to challenge the fact that the AR-15 is superior in this instance.  Almost all AR-15's on the market today have rail sections on the top of the receiver.  Most even have them going across the top of the handguard or are easily able to accept handguards that do.  This gives the end user near unlimited options in regards to mounting optics.  The AK on the other hand, is less forgiving in this matter.  Almost all stock AK's require some modification in order to mount optics.  This will either be in the form of a railed gas tube or, an added attachment that goes over the top cover.  This greatly hinders one's options when compared to the AR.  If you use a railed gas block, you are limited to optics with unlimited eye relief that more often than not have no magnification options.  If you go with the side mount to go over the top cover, you end up with an optic several inches higher than the iron sights which will pretty much negate any cheek weld you have on the rifle.  There are also some after market top cover options but, I've been told that most of them aren't stable enough to maintain zero so take that as you will.  With all that said there really is no point defending the AK here.

Reliability

Let the games begin!!!  What is probably the greatest argument made by those who are on the side of the AK.  You always here of AK's being buried for years or all beat to hell and still working while the AR will fail if not treated with extreme care will fail instantly.  However, when it comes to which rifle is more reliable well, I'm gonna say that the jury is still out actually.  When it comes to the AR, most of the claims of unreliability are from from when the M16 was first introduced in Vietnam.  A rifle built by committee that was heavily flawed then rectified in order for the government to save face.  However, given all the modifications and tweaks that can be made to the AR operating system, they can still be a bit temperamental.  When it comes to the AK, most of the stories of the AK are anecdotal as opposed to statistically proven.  In Range TV did mud tests with the AK and showed them to fail where the AR succeeded due to being a better sealed system.  Yet, every shooter has heard some story about some beat up or buried AK that no matter what was done to it, still shoots like it just came out of the factory.  Given only one "empirical" test, anecdotal evidence and old fudd myths, I've decided to take the high road and not take a decision on the heavily debated issue.

Magazines

Everyone tends to overlook magazines.  Usually, in regards to the fact that most people don't have enough but that's besides the point at the moment.  There are many companies out there that produce magazines for both the AR and the AK.  When it comes to the AR, pretty much any magazine out there will work.  the only magazines that are most considered to be flawed would be early USGI style magazines.  Those problems however, can be easily rectified with spring and follower replacements.  Beyond that, while people have their preferences when it comes to magazines, anything out there will work.  As for the AK, while many people like the polymer magazines, most have a fatal flaw.  They usually have weak locking tabs that have a tendency to break under hard use making them inoperable.  While the newer Magpul magazines have attempted to fix the issue with metal tabs, the issue still exists.  The metal magazines are far more reliable however, given the current market, have become increasingly difficult to find.  While the polymer magazines may be cooler, you're better off with the metal ones.  Seeing how it's harder to find the metal magazines for AK's, well I guess you're shit outta luck.

 My Ruling

Yeah, I'm saying the AR is better no shit.  Better customization options, better optic mounting options, arguably more reliable and far more options for magazines.  However, believe it or not I really don't have a problem with the AK.  They are still a proven rifle system and that fact can be backed up.  I'm just saying I think the AR is better.  If you already have an AK, keep it an continue to use it.  Just be aware of it's strengths and weaknesses.  If you don't have a rifle yet, go ahead and get yourself an AR.  However, it's your money do what you want with it.  I hope this helps people.  If you disagree and think I'm wrong I'm open to discussion.  If you think I'm wrong and just want to be pissed about it, well, fucking fight me.

Meme Guns

 Boog Bois, Goons, Patriots, Preppers and gun owners in general all have an affinity for showing off their "go to war" rifles on social media.  There is nothing inherently wrong with such an act.  Some are looking for advice on improvements and opinions on modifications.  Others (myself included) like to flex with their builds from time to time.  However, throughout all of these different subcultures there seems to be a running theme among them.  They all have people who seriously intend to fight with what is more of a meme tier weapon.  Weapons that often lack any force multiplier capabilities or are in such obsolescence that you wonder their practicality or modern functionality

The Future is Now Old Man

There are some out there that believe that all you need is a basic rifle.  That such things like optics, illumination or pretty much anything else.  The fact of the matter is that for serious combat application, this setup will leave you at a serious disadvantage.  Optics, illumination, night vision capabilities all act as force multipliers.  It's all about enhancing the lethality of your rifle.  In the situations that we will be potentially looking at, you need any and every tactical advantage that you can feasibly have.  A refusal to realize that fact is a disservice to yourself, your teammates and anyone who will depend on you for their safety and survival.  I suggest you keep up with the times.

The Cold War Relic

For some reason people seem completely content running old and out of date rifles or even Curio and Relics as their primary firearm.  While these rifles were the pinnacle of their time, they simple cannot keep up with modern weaponry.  Although there have been attempts to update some of these weapons (the AR most notable) but for the majority of these weapons, they are either no longer manufactured or only built by few companies preventing the economy of scale that makes AR's and AR components so affordable.  This means that if you have a part failure, it is unlikely that spare parts are commonly available.  Also, it is unlikely that you will be able to find spare parts for these rifles or even spare magazines.  At least not in an amount that's realistic for long term combat use.  I suggest that unless you are desperate, leave the antiques in Grandpa's safe.

The Obscure European Rifle

Yes, I know these weapons are cool.  Many of them are modern.  Some even take AR magazines and even Magpul PMags for that matter.  You can even find them for prices similar to high end AR's and AK's.  However, beyond the weird flex, what's the point?  Yeah, it looks cool and it's something to show off online.  Beyond that it's usually nothing special.  In the long run it's gonna end up similar to the antiques and old guns.  There's no economy of scale so spare parts are gonna be hard to find.  If it doesn't take standard magazines, those will be hard to find and be costly.  Worst of all, if it's something new to the market there may be some potential problem that have yet to be worked out yet.  That means you may have something that's cool and new that doesn't work.  I suggest you stick with something more common.

There are plenty of options out there for you to choose from.  It just makes sense to stick with something that's more common.  A weapon that you are able to find ammunition for.  Magazines are readily available.  Spare parts that are common and affordable.  Most importantly in my opinion, something that enables you to employ the force multipliers to fight, survive and most above all to win the firefight.

Now, I know some of you are gonna ask. where's the AK?  Well the AK is definitely a viable weapon.  However, when comparing it to the AR, there is enough information and knowledge out there that it requires it's own time in the spotlight and that is what I will do........eventually.

Carbine Employment Course

Since the boys and I recently acquired night vision and lasers.  We decided we needed to proper training on how to use our new tools.  Especially since I haven’t worn them in 10 years and walked into a tree.  However, thanks to barriers to entry a prerequisite course was required.  Not for me or my friend Ed (Militant Farmer on the gram & Concerned Citizen on Twitter he’s got branding issues I know but it’s not my hill to die on) since we got those glorious DD-214’s.  Instead, it was required for my Crackhead of a roommate (he’s not actually a crackhead but if you saw him stand next to one you’d have to ponder) since he never served.  With that said, we decided fuck it we’ll make a weekend road trip out of it.  We ended up getting a recommendation for a carbine employment class from Steve Fisher of Sentinel Concepts.  What I admittedly assumed would be a B.S. check in the box class ended up being what I think is one of the better classes one should take when first entering the world of professional firearms instruction.

The Instructor

Now, let’s first get to know our instructor.  Steve "YETI" Fisher (I didn't care to ask how he got the nickname, now one cares to ask where T-Rex came from but it sure as shit ain't from Lucas Botkin) has been a firearms instructor since the 90’s.  He has been involved in many endeavors in his home state of Michigan and has worked for reputable instructional companies like Magpul Dynamics and EAG Tactical.  Since 2014, he has been owner and lead instructor for Sentinel Concepts where he has been travelling the country providing firearms instruction to police departments and private citizens alike.  He also has done consulting for various companies in the tactical world, testing and giving input on various products currently on the market.  I will admit, before signing up for his course I had little knowledge of who Steve Fisher was.  However, his credentials speak for themselves and one should have know doubt that this man knows what the fuck he is talking about.

Actually meeting the man himself was a rather interesting experience in itself.  We arrived at the range and he just happened to be relaxing at the bed of his truck drinking a white Monster (we'll get back to that) and smoking a cigar.  We all introduced ourselves to each other and shook hands.  Naturally however, he saw my Haley Strategic hat and made the joke "Disruptive Dick" which in hindsight I probably should have seen coming.  We did the usual range routine of photocopying identification and permits and filling out waivers.  During that time was some very pleasant and informative conversation regarding rifle builds.  All 3 of were putting new optics through the paces for the first time so it was nice to have the input of what could obviously be regarded as an industry expert.  He even showed us what he currently runs and gave us information regarding night vision and lasers even though it wasn't at all part of the course.  I enjoyed the fact that we were very able to pick his brain regarding various builds and setups.  If there was anything that did throw me for a loop was that he offered us homemade blueberry and peach zucchini bread.  Little did I know he was a bit of a homesteader who grew  and preserved his own produce.  I really shouldn't have been all that surprised given the community overall but still, it was interesting to find out.

The Course

Time for the actual class.  It first started with basic introductions and what weapon system you are using and more importantly why you were taking his class in the first place.  This not only informs him he's going to have to adjust some of his instruction to account for nontraditional weapon systems but also, how and where he can adjust his curriculum based on the skill level of shooters.  We then went into the usual safety brief information classroom instruction.  I regret not taking notes at this time because I only remember some information about LPVO's (Low Power Variable Optics) since I happen to use one.  I did find that part a little funny seeing how Steve talks about them in a somewhat begrudging manner acknowledging the fact that their use is a trend that he had a large part in proliferating.  He did make a good point however to the fact that you can't substitute one distance for another when zeroing a given optic.  Apparently that is some myth as the distance people use are not completely accurate in regards to bullet trajectory.  He also gave some points on what was probably one of the bigger takeaways from this whole course, being the importance of proper sling usage.  He's very adamant about the usage of 2 point slings (luckily I brought my BFG Vickers sling) and he sees 1 points as little more than a holster for your rifle.

After that it was onto the actual shooting portion of the course.  Naturally we started off with a 50 yard zero.  I had no issues in getting my groups into the black.  However, I did find difficulty with my American Defense scope mount as the height proved to make proper mounting of my rifle difficult let along my crosshair barely clearing my DBAL.  Militant on the other hand had a great deal of difficulty with his zero.  It came to the point that it was determined that his Sig Romeo 5 was total garbage and Steve just made it simple by providing a spare Knight's Armament upper receiver with a Vortex Crossfire.  I found this surprising gear wise as I never had issues with my Sig Romeo 7 and I've always heard that the red options provided by Vortex were of poor quality.  The course proved that to by gun snob bullshit.

When it came to the actually shooting portion, there was nothing really out of the ordinary. The primary focus of the class was on fundamentals and the use of the B8 Target.   Steve emphasized fundamentals as a baseline for shooting.  Everything beyond that is just tactics.  You can do all the high speed tacticool if you want but there is no point to any of that if you don't have the proper technique and the ability to shoot accurately.  The priority is more for efficiency than it is for speed.  Case in point, whenever I tried to go fast I would begin to hook shots all over the place.  My roommate Crackhead, was trying to go so fast during a failure to feed drill that he missed slapping in the the magazine and failed to pull the charging handle all the way back.  The B8 is a target that is 11in wide overall with a 5.5in black circle that was our primary target for the entire duration.  Steve's big focus throughout was round accountability.  I took it as a physical manifestation of aim small miss small.  While he was accepting of rounds in the 8 zone, the goal was to get all of your shots in the 9 zone or better.  The use of this target made it very easy to determine whether or not you are applying the proper fundamentals.  It came to the point where I was able to tell which of my shots were from me applying the proper techniques and where I fucked up.

When it comes to modern shooting, most people (myself included) don't factor in making use of the sling anymore.  Steve made a point of mentioning in the class that for many, it has become nothing more than a holster for your rifle.  This is especially the case when shooters use 1 point slings.  In the class we used 2 points and Steve taught proper ways to manipulate the sling in order the achieve shot stability.  Modern 2 points with quick adjust systems allow you to quickly adjust sling tension at various shooting positions.  Before the class I usually saw my sling as an afterthought and would constantly just use a simple 1 point if I bothered with the sling.  Now, I take it as seriously as every component on my rifle.

Steve's teaching style can very much be described as big boy rules.  He didn't really yell at all except when telling people to shut the fuck up when he was passing important information.  Techniques and drills came with a story of how it was developed and often there was an explanation as to the purpose of the training and the intended effects.  There were no shot timers or time limits.  He simply told you the course of fire he wanted and we did it.  There was no rushing through anything, he wanted to make sure that you were focusing on technique and shot placement.  One think I liked but wasn't really expecting was that after every period of instruction, he went around and asked everyone for input.  Essentially he was asking for a takeaway or lesson learned throughout.  It allowed for discussion of the techniques and to see that the knowledge was being retained and what effects the practical application of the knowledge being provided.  Most training I've done didn't have this desire for input.  Then again most training I've done felt like things were being done because it was expected or for the instructors on gratification.  As if people were people told what they wanted to hear or instructors loved the sound of their own voice and trying to show off.  This class was more of what you need and what did you actually learn.

Lessons Learned

Well, for starters you should wear fucking pants or at least apply a generous amount of sun screen.  I decided not to do either and man did I fucking pay for it.  I was able to power through it but was definitely not a good time.  It was the first time I did serious shooting with the LPVO and didn't really have a problem using it at close range.  I figured it was gonna be similar to an ACOG where where the lack of eye relief and abundance of scope shadow would throw me out of focus.  However, I do need a higher mount for the scope.  Beyond having to look past my DBAL, properly mounting the rifle proved to be more difficult than need due to the optic being so low.  Steve recommended the Badger Ordnance 1.93 mount and that's what I went with.  Using a sling proved to be a valuable asset but, my BFG Vickers sling proved to not be up to snuff.  It's a good sling but the webbing material proved to make quick adjustments more tedious than need be.  It think I'll be transitioning to a Magpul MS1.  You can have all the cool gear you want but if it's more hindrance than help, you need evaluate what is more important.

Final Thoughts

I've been trying the think of how I'd best recommend this class.  While I did learn a lot of things, the majority of the class felt more like a refresher.  It was mostly fundamentals with new things added in.  However, that's not a bad thing.  Especially after years of tacticool bullshit and trying to feel like an "operator" or some shit you have to step back and go back to basics from time to time.  If like us, you've decided to start taking shooting courses, this is the place you should start.  If you're gonna start taking more serious training, then you're gonna have some bad habits work out.  A class like this where you're gonna get a refresher with some new information.  You're also gonna get a base line that you can build upon.  We will be taking another class with Steve depending on scheduling and finances.  He has a wealth of knowledge and we will continue to learn from him.  Especially this little nugget of wisdom I got from him before leaving.  "Wear pants next time!"

I’m Back

Yeah I know but hey I’m back.  Yet again.  To say shit got crazy here is a bit of an understatement.  Then again it is 2020 and crazy has a bit of a new definition.

For starters, our female dog decided to shoot out out some puppies.  I wake up one morning and go out to have my morning smoke and get greeted by my roommate saying sorry.  I walk around the corner of my house and see her stuck to my male.  So yes children, it really does only take one time.

Unfortunately, she must of had complications because a week layer my lady demon dog died.  That was a rough one.  Partially because she died in the back of my car on the way to the animal hospital.  However, we had bigger problems as we now had to bottle feed 6 German  Shepard pups.  With a little help with from friends, we got lucky and all 6 were healthy with 5 going on to new homes.

I say 5 because obviously we decided to keep one.  This time we decided to keep a male because we know the one we kept is too much of a fucking moron to not mount his own kid.  So now we have this little shit to look after.  Puppies may be adorable but are hell to actually deal with.

 Seeing how we had 5 puppies that needed homes, Trump don’t revolt against the government checks and an emotional void, we decided to do dumb shit.  Yes, we bought night vision.  While whether not night vision being a worthwhile expenditure is debatable we decided to take the risk.  We’re a small group, responsible for a lot of land and live around a lot of potential threats if shit was to get bad.  We decided that in the land of the blind we need to do whatever we can to ensure that we are the one eyed man.

Now, since we have night vision, it only made sense to get lasers.  We decided on the Steiner DBAL D2.  Deciding factors were the powerful illumination, ability to attach a rail scales leaf and most importantly the price point.  We blew most of the money on monoculars otherwise we’d probably have MAWLs on our guns.  While highly recommended, your rifle will most likely be a boat anchor regardless of what you do.

So, all I can really add to this is that silver clouds have their lining.  Then again, that is a very no shit statement to make.  2020, has been a crazy ass year and I guess we’ll all have to find some positive in all this bullshit.

More content to come.

COVID 19

Well, this shit escalated quickly.  First, we thought of Kung Flu as a strange virus where we saw China do what well what we know China to do but rarely prove.  Now, we have a global pandemic caused by the Novel Coronavirus.  With the amount of confirmed cases increasing daily, it has caused people to be out of work, the stock market crashing and fears of martial law.  However, it's not a total loss as we have gained valuable insight into the collapse.  Granted that's probably because the collapse is actually happening.  Based on some of my own experiences as well, this needs to be a wake up call for many people who think they're prepared.  Whether it's for SHTF of the Boogaloo, the realizations is that most of us aren't ready.

Now one of the more obvious reactions to this pandemic is of course mass panic.  It's only naturally for those who would be uninitiated to these sorts of things would freak the fuck out.  The usual joke for most in the prepping community (thanks to the Rodney King Riots probably) is that looters would go for the fancy TV's and all the other useless bullshit.  Well this time around the hoarding item of the day appears to be toilet paper.  People all over are rushing to get as much TP as possible.  It's gotten to the point where people are fighting each other for it.  Luckily we haven't gotten to the point where the stores are no longer open and everyone gets desperate.  For now, we are still left wondering what will happen when people get desperate for things more important than things to wipe your ass with.

Since everyone is freaking the fuck out, there have been increased calls for government intervention.  Yet another thing to be expected.  People screaming for the government on all levels to come in and save them and I can't argue with that point.  I mean protecting the citizens is one of the main purposes of the government.  Well, at least it's supposed to be.  However, it appears that everyone wants the government to take over everything and just throw money at the problem and that's just what it's doing.  Forcing small businesses to close, social distancing (which I can do on my own thank you very much), closing schools, mandatory testing checkpoints and even cordoning off entire cities.  They're even arguing right now over a "stimulus" package to give every American $1,000.  While yes free money is cool.  Only problem is that the money has to come from somewhere so we all know how this goes.  If this governmental overreach keeps getting invited upon us by the masses then COVID 19 could lead to the totalitarian super state that we all fear.

Martial law is almost in inevitability at this point.  Many places have already seen the National Guard show up.  People have been freaked seeing tactical vehicles rolling down the street.  On the flip side of that, you have people begging, even demanding full on martial law.  Beyond the constitutional quagmire that such and action creates, the military is not equipped for such an action.  They can't conduct law enforcement (hence using civilian police on installations now) they suck at humanitarian missions.  They only thing they are good at is killing people and breaking shit (note I didn't say winning wars) so it's only a matter of time before they start doing that shit here.

The 3%er fuckers are all over the place on this one.  Around here however, their dependence upon bureaucracy has held them back hardcore.  They've literally spent more time arguing over the fact that not everyone has the chosen uniform and everyone posting links to what pants and shirt are the best.  When it came to an actually plan, the only word passed was protect people and restore order.  Yes, the most vague mission imaginable.  No such discussion on how that will be done just that it will be done.  No mention of working with government at any capacity.  More than likely they'll just present themselves to the national guard who will make dig graves or just shoot them because they'll be kitted out and fully armed.  However, anything will be hard for them to do because they don't all have the right uniform.

Of course, with everything going on there's a good chance the Boogaloo will actually happen.  Only problem is that based on all the conversations going on, it's sadly apparent that most are not prepared for the current situation.  Even worse, some have expressed desires to just raid and become marauders.  So that means a bunch of people who follow philosophies based upon the nonaggression principle are gonna instantly piss all over it.  If you're gonna Boog you have be prepared for all aspects of it.  That includes having the supplies and infrastructures that you think you're just gonna take from others.  If you don't know how to grow food, treat wounds, sew clothing, build shit in general then you're not ready to Boogaloo.  Most likely, someone is gonna come across your dead body and just strip you of anything useful then comment on how you're dressed like an idiot.

As far as we know, this virus is only going to get worse.  I'll be honest, I'm not all that afraid of it.  What I am afraid of is all the idiots out there who are panicking and buying all the toilet paper and begging for the military to drive down Main Street.  What make the situation worse is that while our government is using the situation to take more power, those who would oppose them are more concerned elsewhere.  One is arguing over fashion decisions while not even having a clear mission.  The other has been so focused on the action side of the situation that they haven't really focused on a way of supporting their habit in a practical and realistic manner.  The only thing that I know for sure is that the future is gonna get very interesting and if you're not prepared for it you probably won't get to find out just how interesting.  Oh well, at least we can all agree that the memes have been entertaining.