What is the best night vision? what are the best night vision goggles to buy?  We will break it all down for you in this video.

Karl is an “Ambassador” for FLIR. So, any of you that are interested in getting a good deal on FLIR or Armasight by FLIR products; please reach out to Tactical Rifleman in the private message section.

Here, at Tactical Rifleman, we are all about showing you how the military “Shoots, Moves, and Communicates.” A big part of shooting and moving in the dark is being able to see. As most of our combat ops are done at night, it only makes sense for us to practice at night, using the best NVDs that the taxpayers can buy.

That said, whether you are military, law enforcement, or civilian; there are certains guidelines that apply.

Match the optic to the mission
Thermals are NOT always better than standard IR
Always get the BEST tube you or your unit can afford
Batteries, batteries, batteries
On this flavor, we are going to do a series of videos about different night vision gear, including GEN-III & Thermal, and both helmet & weapon mounted versions.

This first video is about the dual-tube BNVD that I run on my helmet. It’s a sweet piece of kit, that is actually pretty affordable.  The exact model is the Armasight by FLIR BNVD 51 3AG

http://www.armasight.com/night-vision/night-vision-binoculars/armasight-bnvd-51-3ag

Before you ask… Let’s play “I Spy” and I’ll answer a few questions that I know my TR family is going to ask:

Yes, we filmed the “indoor” portion of this video in my “Man Room.”
Yes, that is indeed a picture of Saddam Insane hanging up on the wall over my shoulder. I got it from one of his palaces during the initial invasion of Iraq. He didn’t need it anymore.
See the calendar hanging up next to it? That is a “cameo appearance” by a friend’s calendar company, call “We Love our Guns.” It shows modern firearms being held by models wearing WWII era bathing suits in conservative poses. The cool part is that the outfits are just body painted on to the nude models. Please check out his website, to see more pics and posters available of each model.
Some of you have asked about the military Challenge Coins that are on display on top of the chair rail. They go all the way around the room, and each of them has a story behind it. I’m gonna share a lot of these stories with some of our supporters, on Patreon, but I just don’t have the time here to do it.
There are a lot of pictures and souvenirs, hanging up in this room. I never hung up a single “military” picture in my house the whole time I was active duty. So, maybe a went a little overboard now.
OK, now here’s a question for you… What is the “copper colored circle” on my shelf to the left? Leave your guesses in the comment section below. You know I read all your comments.
Till next time; thanks for watching. Strength & Honor, TR.
 

Thanks to Leatherback Gear for offering Tactical Rifleman viewers 10% off; just use Promo Code: TACR10. Check them out at http://leatherbackgear.com

Unfortunately, “Active Shooter” scenarios are still very much in the public eye. All schools across our great country are going over their drills, as are public & private businesses and places of worship.

Run, Hide, Bunker, and Prepare to Fight.

Throughout my 26.5 years in the military, I conducted dozens of deployments, in and out of combat zones, in and out of secure areas, and often in “civilian” clothing. Yes, sometimes I ran “fully kitted out” with Level-IV plates (including sides) and a helmet. However, often we had to move around in a “low-vis” uniform, wearing low-profile gear. I would take “non-military” looking bags, and stuff in ballistic plates. It worked well, and didn’t draw attention like a lot of MOLLE Assault Bags will. Anyways, we always wished that someone would make a decent “low-vis” bag that offered ballistic protection.

Fast forward, and enter a new company called Leatherback Gear.

Their bag not only has Level-IIIA Plates, but also zips apart to be worn as a vest, protecting both front and back.

Level-IIIA plate provide protection against most pistol & shotgun calibers. I have to say “most” because there are always exceptions; such as Armor-Piercing rounds and so forth. So, legally, just pistols, not Rifles.

That still covers the fat that 70% of active shooter engagements, in the US are conducted with Pistols.

Well, just like how the “Lawyers” make them error on the conservative side; I wanted to see just how far that liberal application of force could be applied before these Leatherback Gear Bags failed.  So, I then shot it with a 5.56mm AR and a 7.62mm AK.

Now, before you all bitch; no I did NOT use Steel-Core AK or Green-Tip AR ammo. Why not? Well, because most active shootings are done by wack jobs, using the crap ammo that they buy on sale. So, I used the most commonly bought plinking ammo I could find. As an example, I used 55gr ball for the 5.56mm.

Honestly, I thought that the doubled-up plates would fail. So, I also added a couple school books and a laptop. Why? Well, because I watch my daughter carry her heavy book bag out the door to school everyday, and I know she is carrying a ton of crap.

Watch the video and I think you’ll agree that I was pleasantly surprised. The doubled up IIIA plates stopped both rifle rounds. Wow!!!  

So, I’m pushing a great bag, and am asking you to help me spread the word. If you have loved ones traveling into harm’s way; then, set them up for success.

The team at Leatherback Gear loved the test that we did. So, you guessed it, I hit them up for a “discount code.” Just enter TACR10 on their website and you’ll save 10%.

As always, thanks to MGM Targets for sponsoring the Steel Targets for this video. MGM Targets is offering Tactical Rifleman viewers 10% off; just use Promo Code: TACR10.  

Thanks for watching. Strength & Honor, TR.

This week on Tactical Rifleman I want to give you guys a short and sweet brief on what I think potential Navy SEAL candidates can do to get in the correct headspace to successfully survive Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training, notoriously known as BUD/S. Make no mistake about it, I didn't realize this stuff when I went. It wasn't until after, when asked how I think I made it through, I realized a few mental principles that helped me through the tough spots. Believe me, that training had plenty of them. Some of these lessons were learned the hard way as my career was far from perfect. 

The Navy SEALs have some of the finest individuals I have ever had the honor to fight with, serve with, and learn from. With the proper mindset and maturity, maybe some of you will earn the honor of that service as well. Hoo-ya and good luck!

Thanks to MGM Targets for sponsoring the Steel Targets for this video. MGM Targets is offering Tactical Rifleman viewers 10% off; just use Promo Code: TACR10.  

OK, I know everyone has their own opinion on “Home Defense” weapons. Well, that includes me.

Now, you know I don’t mind voicing my opinion and I’m a little “long-winded”, but I ask that you bare with me.  My opinion is “Go with what you know.”

If you only practice with a pistol; use that pistol for home defense. If you carry a rifle for a living, then it only makes sense for you to use the same type weapon for home defense.  Now you notice that I’ve mentioned a pistol and a rifle. I haven’t said shit about a shotgun. That surprises many of you, because “everyone” on the internet/TV/movies push using a shotgun for home defense.

-It doesn’t go through walls like a pistol
-The “Racking Sound” will scare the intruder away.
-You don’t have to aim
-Better in low light
-The Pump Shotgun will never jam
-Weapon of choice for Zombies
Well, call me crazy, but to me, for Home Defense, I want:
-Accuracy, so I don’t hit friendlies
-Stopping power
-Something that I have “Muscle-memory” with, for ease of use in hasty situations
Shotguns are for breaching doors and shooting birds.

I don’t want to argue here… just watch the video.  You’ll see I prefer a Rifle for Home Defense.

You'll notice I mention, for those that suck with a pistol, to also have a spray can of Mace... I got that little trick from a old SF Guy (Thanks Fortin). I can't take credit for that one.

I’m not going to bring just a pistol to a gunfight; I’m going to bring a rifle. Now, before you comment why I carry a pistol EDC; I carry a pistol every day because I am NOT planning on getting into a gunfight. I carry the pistol just in case.

Now, when that home alarm goes off; you can bet I’m coming prepared. I’ll be praying it was nothing. I’ll be praying they wont be stupid… but if they come to hurt my family, rest assured I will exercise my right to spend then next two weeks cleaning up bio-hazard from all over my walls.

A good AR, with a white light and good optic… along with a quality way to secure it safely; that’s all you need. Enough said.

Again, just my opinion. Let the comments and bashing begin.

Thanks for watching. Strength & Honor, TR.

Here at Tactical Rifleman, we are all about showing you new equipment without taking sides over which brand is better than another. Sometimes we do, but rarely. Now, that said, this new Heathen Assaulter Bipod kinda stands out as “the best” because it is the “only” bipod of it’s type that we could find.

    So, it is two parts. First is the head, that doubles as a “Barricade Stop.” Second, are the two removable legs. These can store tucked up against the forearm rail, or they can be just tossed in your pack or range bag.

   Why would an assaulter need a bipod? First and foremost, to confirm zero on your weapon. Sometimes you show up at the zero range and there are no sand bags or rests; been there a hundred times… got the t-shirt.  Additionally, I have often seen SOF guys and Marines trying to get more stable for long-range shots, in the middle of running gun battles in An Najaf and Al Fallujah. Off-hand 175 meters is possible, but get a Marine stable… hell, he can shoot that M16A4 500 meters, easy.

   So, if you are a Geardo just looking to be “first” with a new piece of kit, or an Operator just looking to get an “edge” over the enemy; you might want to check out the new Heathen Assaulter Bipod.  Again, don’t forget to use the Promo Code TR20 to get 20% off for being a fan of Tactical Rifleman.

Thanks for watching. Strength & Honor, TR.

MGM Targets is offering Tactical Rifleman viewers 10% off; just use Promo Code: TACR10.  Check out the Plate Rack in a bucket here: https://mgmtargets.com/plate-racks-dueling-trees/steel-challenge-plate-rack

Here at Tactical Rifleman, we are all about showing you tips, techniques, and new equipment to help you “Shoot, Move, and Communicate.” That includes training gear, like targets. Anyone can print decent paper targets on a standard printer. However, everyone loves to shoot steel. That includes me.

    Now, if you rewind a couple of decades, my A-team would often deploy overseas, to shit holes, to teach other countries to fight for themselves, so we wouldn’t have to. These countries didn’t fancy shooting ranges with steel targets. So, we would end up spending your tax payers’ money (thanks by the way) to buy piles of steel knock-down plates to deploy with. These were heavy and didn’t stack well. We always wished we had a couple plate racks, for doing “Man versus Man” competitions (good stressor), but there was no way you could fit a could large plate racks on a Air Force Pallet.

   At the NRA Show last year, I stopped by the MGM Booth to say “Hi” to Mike Gibson and his great family. You will not find a better group of Americans anywhere. Anyways, Mike showed me his “Plate Rack in a Bucket.” While it was designed so that any gun enthusiast could now afford a plate rack and could easily transport it; it immediately popped in my head that “these would have been great to deploy with!!!” Operators could  literally toss 6 of these cans on your Deployment Pallet, and it would take up no room at all. Then, all you need is three 2 by 4s, and you can find them anywhere on the planet.

    So, I asked Mike if I could do a video, to help get the word out to all our war fighters out there, still going down range. Mike even offered all our Tactical Rifleman viewers (that’s you) a 10% discount; just use the promo-code: TACR10 when you go to check out.  That’s good for everything on the website. 

   What’s that?... You’re not a SOF Operator getting ready to deploy? Well, if you like to shoot, but don’t have a good local shooting range that has plate racks; then this Plate Rack in a Bucket is perfect for you too. Drive out into the woods or desert, set it up, and start shooting; much better than shooting beer bottles. These plates are Rifle-Rated Steel too. So, you can get out past 100 meters and bang away on it with your long guns too.  Don’t forget to your the Promo Code TACR10, to get your 10% off.

Thanks for watching. Strength & Honor, TR.

So, you have an accurate rifle? Try this drill to see just how accurate YOU are.

    I can teach a monkey to shoot targets at 500 meters. As a matter of fact, I HAVE taught monkeys how to shoot accurately. That said, anyone can shoot stationary targets from a prone stable firing position.

    We call the “Tactical Rifleman,” because we don’t just focus on target shooting . Rather, we focus on all the skills that today’s operators need to be successful on the modern battlefield. For precision rifle shooting, that means getting out of your comfort zone and shooting from expedient firing positions, under various conditions, and a variety of targets and distances.

    So, this video I want to talk about & demonstrate (video, duh) a great drill I’ve put together for making snipers perfect their shooting skills from various heights. Why?

   Hunting in the “Global War On Terror” I often found myself and my fellow sniper team shooting from urban hide sites, with shooting loopholes at various heights.  We would have to use whatever materials were available, furniture and tables, to build shooting platforms and positions. Well, we hadn’t really practiced this that much back in the states.

    The drill is to:

Confirm Zero (Prone)
Confirm Suppressor Zero-Shift (if you run a suppressor)
Shoot Grouping drills from 12 to 72 inches above the ground, in 6” increments.
Record & compare data, to see where and at what heights you need to focus future training.
Now, I’m not saying to do this every time you go out to the range. Hell, I like banging steel plates at 1200 meters as much as the next guy. However, if you get bumped off that UKD Range by another unit and all you have is a 200 or 300 meter range; this is the perfect time to work on grouping drills.

If you are one of those SWAT Snipers that only shoots out to 120 meters (legal issues); then, this would be my NUMBER ONE training drill.  You can do this at 100 meters all day long.

I want to give a shout out to Kevin “Coach” Jimmerson, for being my demonstrator. That 6.5mm was a real tack driver. He was shooting .3 MOA groups all day long. I’m a big believer in always trying to learn as much as you can constantly, and I have learned a lot about shooting from Coach over the last few years.

Thanks for watching. Strength & Honor, TR.

This week on Tactical Rifleman, I review the basic setup and components of one configuration of my war belt I utilized in the SEAL Teams.  Much like the body armor setup video, the war belt is also not a one-size fits all setup.  Team guys set up their kit in a manner that both fits their load bearing requirements and comfort as well as achieving the minimum loadout for their position in the platoon.  Now, there is nothing sexy about this setup.  Due to the maritime component of SEAL operations, salt water wreaks havoc upon gear.  Therefore, the kit I carry is designed for function and is predominately a maritime setup (Visit Board Search Seizure (VBSS)/Zodiac work/Diving, etc.).  I use a more high-speed setup when operating in a direct action or land warfare capacity.  That means that the kit is a bit nicer and more expensive in order to stand up to a harsh, dryer environment as well as to carry additional ordnance items and communications equipment. 

The components on the belt are a bit of a “hodge podge” of different brands of gear; some of it issues and some of it scrounged from the DRMO (recycle) bin (yes, SEALs sometimes have to dive into the “land of abandoned gear” for stuff).  The point is, you don’t need all the hyped-up Gucci gear to do work.  You just need something durable yet easily replaceable.  We put our kit through hell during training evolutions and this rig is a basically the stuff that survived that crucible over the years.  The belt itself and pad are Blackhawk.  The mag pouches are from my basic loadout package and are of no name brand.  They simply Velcro shut when not in use and have a plastic internal piece to keep the mags from sliding around.  The large drop (olive drab) pouch is from London Bridge trading and is basically a SAW ammo pouch I use as a large utility bag.  The drop-leg holster is from 5-11 and is modular detachable meaning I can swap my Glock 34 holster for my Beretta holster (when training Air Force dudes) pretty easily. The SSE roll-up drop pouch is from Tactical Assault Gear (https://www.tacticalassaultgearstore.com/) which is a veteran-owned founded company all made in the USA.  Great stuff! Canteen pouch is Blackhawk.  The knife is a SOG SEAL pup.  I realize that gear has advanced over the years and the team at Tactical Rifleman have most likely used a variety of these items across the spectrum.  Please feel free to leave constructive comments and questions below.  Stay violent, my friends! 

Air Armor Tech is offering Tactical Rifleman viewers a 25% discount, if you use Promo Code: tacr25 at https://airarmortech.com

Ok, I got that out of the way, because most of you only read the first sentence of my writeup. I spend time writing as much good information down here, under the video, as I cover in the video… sometimes more. So, if you actually read these notes, please let me know in the “comments” section, or I just might quit doing it.

    My goal was for this video to NOT come across as a “marketing” video for Air Armor Tech. Part of the Tactical Rifleman core principles is to show “new” and “good” gear that viewers may not have ever seen before. So, when I saw these bags, I thought it was something different and worth sharing.

    Gun Bags, really?  There are ten thousand different gun bags out there. Most are good, some are great. Why is this one worth showing?  This bitch INFLATES.

Great for protecting the Gun (they ran it over with a Hummer)

Great padding for laying on rough shooting ranges or hot roofs

Great for protecting the Gun (they dropped it from a frickin helicopter)

Inflates/deflates really quickly

Did I mention it is really Great for Protecting my Rifle?

    Anyways, you know the deal. Check out the video. These gun bags are great but, like everything else that is high quality, they are a little pricey. So, we asked Air Armor Tech to cut our viewers a discount.

I’ll see you in the comments section. Thanks for watching. Strength & Honor, TR.

In this video we cover what I keep in the IFAK, on the back of my Gun Belt. IFAK stands for Individual First Aid Kit.  Well, honestly probably because the Army didn’t want to call it a FAK. Just like they didn’t want to call the HMMWV a “Hummer” because it sounds too much like “Bummer.”  I digress.

    As for everything inside my pouch; I would prefer that you purchase it all from North American Rescue, so there is no chance of you getting counterfeit stuff off of Amazon. I reached out to get part numbers from NAR, but they never got back to me. So, here’s at least a list with links, from Amazon, to at least get you pointed in the right direction…

Soft T wide  tourniquet (Keep on your kit where you can reach with both hands)
http://amzn.to/2FlnytH

Nasal Trumpet (you just need one, but sized to you)
http://amzn.to/2ocRMr4

Chest seal
http://amzn.to/2BGoKrJ

14 gauge catheter  (only if you know how to treat a Tension Pneumothorax)
http://amzn.to/2HybmX2

Combat gauze (nice to have)
http://amzn.to/2FloOwV

Kerlex (at least 2)
http://amzn.to/2sFjDoF

Ace wraps (at least 2 to hold kerlex in place)
http://amzn.to/2CxuxMY

Duck tape (3 feet rolled tight)
http://amzn.to/2CxQ20e

Yes, you can buy fancy “issue” IFAKs that have tons of extra items. I, personally, take them out to save room. I don’t need First Aid Graphic Cards to tell me what to do. I don’t carry rubber gloves, because if it is one of my buddies bleeding out, I’m not gonna take the time to put them on.

    I carry the bare minimum amount of stuff because, if you carry a ton of great gear, your medical kit would be too large and you would leave it in the vehicle or team room. My basic IFAK stays with me, and I carry extra med gear on the back of my body armor. We also carry a much larger Medic Bag in every vehicle.

Ensure that you can reach your IFAK with both hands.  Otherwise, try to guess which arm will get injured. Murphy is a bitch.

Of Course, the dedicated unit medics or PJs carry much more medical gear in their Trauma Bags. Depending on the mission or situation, some units ever deploy with whole medical teams. It’s all about having the gear to take the most advantage of that first Golden Hour.

   That said, you can’t rely on that unit medic or local EMS to come save the day. Life saving starts with First Aid. That’s you, that are standing right there when it happens. So, have the gear to get it done.

   If you haven’t already, I encourage EVERYONE to attend a modern medical course, such as a Tactical Combat Casualty Care Course (TCCC). T1G offers these great classes. You can sign up for these at T1G.com

Thanks for watching. Strength & Honor, TR.

In this video I want to cover a couple simple training drills. First will help you determine if a student has a flinch. The second drill will help you break that flinch.

    Why do new shooters flinch? Well, they are scared of the gun. Not so much the recoil in their hands, but rather the overpressure concussion of that shock wave hitting them in the face. For some, maybe Daddy started them off at 10 years old shooting a double-barrel 12 gauge. For others, maybe they had poor hearing protection. Don’t laugh at them, because I can put you behind a Barrett .50cal (with the muzzle brake removed) and after a dozen rounds, your body wont be wanting you to pull the trigger either.  Whatever the cause of the flinch; first you have to identify it, then you have to eliminate it.

    Most shooters don’t flinch when they are just dry-firing, because their subconscious mind knows that they aren’t going to get slapped in the face by a loud shock wave. Also, you can’t really see a flinch while someone is shooting live ammo. That’s where Dummy Rounds come in. They work great for surprising that shooter. They think they are going to get popped. Then, when they hit the dummy round, that you hid in their magazine, they jerk the living hell out of the firearm.

   Once you have identified that the shooter has a flinch; try to take away as much of the cause as possible. Use double ear pro. Use good wrap around glasses or even goggles. Use a pistol with a smaller caliber or lighter loads. A 44 magnum is not the best pistol to start out your 12 year old daughter on.

   One of my favorite drills for fixing a Flinch, is called “Alternating Ball & Dummy.” Every other round is a dummy round and the shooter knows it. I even remind them. My thought process is that, even though they flinch on every live round, they are not flinching on the dummy rounds. Their subconscious mind is at least seeing what “correct” looks like 50% of the time (when they are shooting the dummy rounds). After a while, they relax, and the subconscious mind begins to flow with the line that they know is correct. It works. It might take a few magazines, but it does work.

   So, the next time you are out at the range with a new shooter that is missing terribly; instead of just bashing them, give them some constructive criticism. Help them identify if they have a flinch. They might not even know it. Then, if they do, try my “Alternating Ball & Dummy” Drill to help them break the habit.

Thanks for watching. Strength & Honor, TR.
 

In this video we cover Slings that the US military uses on their Battle Rifles.

Here, at Tactical Rifleman, we really do read the comments. Most of them are total jackassery; but every now and then one of you will ask a legitimate question or have a request for a video. We do our best to answer all of these. If you ask a good question and we don’t answer it; it’s probably because we have ALREADY ANSWERED the SAME QUESTION a dozen other times (often on the same video). That said, we do get questions that warrant a little more than a two sentence answer.

    I common question is “What kind of Sling is on your Rifle?” or “What do you think of blaa blaa blaa Sling?”  So, hence, here is your “Sling” video.

    First, up front, I’m not gonna tell you what kind of Sling mine is (but I think it is ATS), because I hate pimping one brand over another. There are lots of great companies out there that are all putting out great gear. I don’t want to get one brand or another mad at me.  All I ask is that you try to use quality gear by a reputable company. Stay away from all the counterfeit shit coming out of China.

   Next, I want everyone to understand that I don’t carry “this” or “that” just because it is “sexy” or politically correct. Rather, I carry what I think is the best piece of kit for the current situation. Slings are a perfect example of this.  I started carrying a Leather Sling on my first M-21 sniper rifle, because that’s all I had and that was what I was taught to shoot with.   I used a 2-point short black nylon sling on my M-16 because that’s what we were issued.  It sucked; so we cannibalized into the first 3-point slings, and they have since continued to morph into the slings you see used today.

    I won't pimp single point versus multipoint slings. They all have strong points and weak points. Educate yourself and choose what works best for you in your situation.

Thanks for watching. Strength & Honor, TR.
 

In this video we cover how Snipers train to shoot moving targets. 
First, you have to determine your “Lead.” That’s based on “Time of Flight” and the “Speed” that your target in moving. 
Second, you have to master the techniques for cracking that sear so your bullet arrives at the same place as your moving target. We cover the two techniques of Tracking and Ambush.  Both techniques work well and each have advantages and disadvantages.
  The Ambush technique is the most common one used by Snipers in school, because it allows the shooter to set up a stable firing position. The targets are at a set speed and don't change direction unannounced. This makes for accurate shots and high scores on tests. It is easily the most accurate technique for shooting movers.
  However, in real life, breathing targets often wander around and change gait and direction, which may screw a shooter using the Ambush technique.
  Which brings us to our second technique for shooting movers, which is Tracking. This requires the shooter to move his weapon with the movement of the target and then break the trigger when the sight picture is at the correct lead. This is less accurate, because the shooter is moving rather than being in a static stable firing position.
    I prefer the Tracking technique for shooting on a count down. What am I talking about? Imagine your sniper team is supporting a hostage rescue assault. Snipers are hidden, assaulters are at breach points and there are several enemy sentries walking around. Now, the whole assault is going to go down off of a count-down on the radio. All snipers have to shoot at the exact same time, otherwise the first bullet crack would alert the rest. Now, because of this, you can't guarantee that the sentry will be at your Ambush point right on the count-down. So, you have to move the crosshairs with him, which is using the Tracking Technique.
 I hope you enjoy the video. I enjoy teaching and filming the sniper subjects. I know it’s not “sexy”; so we wont get a lot of “Views.” That’s fine. I hope some of you learned a little something; and that’s what it is all about. Thanks for watching. Strength & Honor, TR.
Help support Tactical Rifleman by purchasing one of our T-shirts, check them out at: https://shop.spreadshirt.com/Tacticalrifleman/
Thanks for watching. Strength and Honor, TR.

MGM has agreed to give our Tactical Rifleman viewers a 10% discount; just enter promo-code “TACR10” at https://mgmtargets.com 

In this video I want to share with you my favorite Steel Target for teaching Combat Shooting; the MGM Spinner Target. MGM is a strong supporter of our armed forces and our constitution. We have a Link that will take you straight to their Homepage, where you can find my favorite target along with all their other great products.  Big THANKS out to Mike Gibson and his whole great family.

It I could only own one piece of Steel targetry, it would be this Spinner. As a matter of fact, I have deployed to combat zones with one of these Spinners. Just as my assaulters; this puppy will help keep your skills sharp.

If you just need a stationary target, you can drive a wooden stake into the ground in front of the bottom plate, and that’ll keep it from rotating.

It looks like a “carnival ride” that you would find at a 3-Gun Match. “So, why does Karl like it so much for teaching Combat Shooting?”  Well, go watch the video, and I’ll explain it to you.

Thanks for watching. Strength & Honor, TR.

This Video covers the proper way to load & unload your primary and secondary weapons.
   If you surf the internet, you’ll find literally millions (with an M) of shooting videos. Several are pretty good, very informative, and professionally done. However, these videos don’t get many views or hits. Now, flip to the other extreme, and there are tons of videos showing very entertaining jackassery with firearms that, while filmed professionally, are down right unsafe. These get millions of views within seconds of them being posted.
   When we at Tactical Rifleman were first contemplating making instructional youtube videos, we didn’t give a shit about being entertaining to the masses. What we wanted to do was build a place where operators, professionals, and gun-loving  citizens could go to find good information on guns, gear, and training.
    This video is the textbook example of what we wanted to do. While it is a simple and boring video; it sets a standard that is repeatable while also explaining why we do it the way we do. Every operator or student that attends one of our pistol/carbine courses has to learn the proper standard for loading and unloading their weapons. Now, while it does vary slightly by unit; most will agree with the need for this standard. There is a method to the madness.
   Why do we load the Pistol first? Well, because it can then be placed securely in a holster that protects the trigger mechanism of the weapon. If we had loaded the rifle first, it would have been left hanging loaded, bouncing around on the front of our kit, while we we loading our pistol. We teach to always have positive control of a loaded firearm. Make sense?
     Why to we check the sights? To make sure they work. This may be the last time you look at them before getting on the helicopter. Better to find out now, before getting on the bird, while you still have time to get fresh batteries or replace a broken fiber-optic sight before a match. Make sense?
     Why load from your “Speed Reload” pouch? It’s just one more repetition… one more rehearsal of a speed reload; kept fresh in your subconscious mind. That’s the one reload that HAS to be SMOOTH & FAST; why wouldn’t you want to practice it every time you load? Make sense?
   So, they learn these skills and techniques when they attend our courses, along with a thousand other little tidbits of information. Now, what happens two years later, when the Gunny tells the Lance Corporal to “go teach the new privates how to properly load & unload their weapons”? That Lance Corporal can now go to the web, watch this video to refresh the standards in his memory, and he can go out and teach a great class. Also, if the Lance Corporal screws it up, the Gunny can then send all the privates to go watch this video (while he sweet talks the Lance Corporal).
    Our intent is to give you a place to go to find good information on guns, gear, and training. The other sites are fun to surf when you need a good laugh. However, when you need good tips and techniques, you can always turn to Tactical Rifleman. So, subscribe to this site. Share it with your friends. Add comments and questions. Thanks for watching. Strength & Honor, TR.
 

Some people ask why you might want to change the trigger in your AR.  I explain that with trigger control being one of the important fundamentals of shooting and that a standard AR has an two stage trigger with 5-8 lb pull, you might want to change that stock trigger to help you improve your trigger control.  

In this video I show you how to replace the stock trigger with a Timney 667s.  This is a single stage trigger that is set to break at 3 lbs.  I like Timney because this is a one piece unit that is simple to install along with having a crisp clean break every time at 3lbs.  Timney has been building great rifle triggers for over 60 years. 

When exploring the different triggers, it’s important to find a product that is right for you and your needs.   Here are the main differences between the two-stage and the single-stage replacement triggers.

What are Single-Stage Triggers?

Single-stage triggers are the traditional product for the avid user. They’re designed to operate in one smooth range of motion allowing you to pull the trigger through to release the pin. It’s simple and there are no gimmicks involved in the use of single-stage triggers. Many find single-stage triggers easier to adjust and with a clean break in the trigger action.

What are Two-Stage Triggers?

Two-stage triggers have an operating process that involves two distinct phases of firing. The advantage of this style of design is that it allows the user to know exactly when the firing will take place. They know that once they set the trigger after the first phase, the gun will fire. Instead of breaking and firing as part of one process, you hit a break wall within the firing of the weapon. Immediately following this break wall, the weapon discharges. Knowing when the trigger is going to break gives you the advantage in terms of accuracy over your target. You’ll be able to time your shots more effectively, and mitigate issues with balance and unsteady grips that can limit some weapons.

How to Choose Between the Two

In choosing between single-stage replacement triggers and two-stage triggers, it’s important to determine what you want from the weapon. The single-stage triggers work well for those who require a fast action pull with reliable performance, while the two-stage triggers are effective for target practice in high stress scenarios.

Thanks for watching the video and if you have any direct questions for Pete you can contact him at pete@alansarsenal.com
 

This week, on Tactical Rifleman, we are going to cover Tourniquets. We get a lot of questions about the Med Kits we carry.

If you are looking for the tourniquets used in this video

CAT Combat Application Tourniquet - GEN 7
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SOFTT-W Tourniquet
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TK4 Tourniquet
http://amzn.to/2CJsYzG

 When you talk Medical Gear, first and foremost, we want to push Tourniquets.  The best way to prevent Hypovolemic Shock, is to keep those Red Blood Cells inside the body.

     I want that last sentence to sink in… The best way to prevent Hypovolemic Shock, is to keep those Red Blood Cells inside the body. Imagine, middle of the gun fight, you see your buddy lying there bleeding bad. You are 50 feet from good cover. How long would it take you to drag him 50 feet over rough terrain? How long would it take you to scoop him up and “Fireman’s Carry” him 50 feet? Now, as fast as you think you are, it’ll probably take twice that long real world. Next question: How long would it take for him to bleed out 2 liters of blood from a major injury? I say 2 liters, because that’s all it takes to push someone into Uncompensated Shock.  So, what do we do about it? We put Tourniquets on ASAP, before we drag him to safety.

   As a Special Forces Medic (18D), I was taught to clamp bleeders and all kinds of other great ways to stop bleeders. We were taught that Tourniquets were a last resort. We were taught WRONG. This little 15 year war (thanks politicians) has cost us thousands of lives, and has been a great case study on the treatment of trauma on the modern battlefield. We now teach TOURNIQUETS IMMEDIATELY.

     Once you put it on, leave it on. Don’t worry about damaging the limb or crushing injuries. The doctors have protocols for dealing with tourniquets and their removal. Let the Docs in the hospitals remove the tourniquets.

     I know you internet ninjas want a shooting video every week. Here at Tactical Rifleman, we cover everything involved with “Shoot / Move / Communicate.” Medical is a big part of that, and Tourniquets is a big part of Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC). I encourage everyone to attend a good TCCC course, like the ones taught at Tier-1 Group (t1g.com).

     Thanks for watching. Strength & Honor, TR

This week, on Tactical Rifleman, we are going to do a brief introduction into the M-240 Medium Machinegun. Pretty well everyone in the modern US military is familiar with this weapon. It’s used in helicopters, as COAX on tanks, and is the bread-n-butter of all our weapon squads. We aren’t going to bore you with all the statistics. If you want to know the text book maximum effective range, then go to an E-5 Promotion Board. Rather, we are just going to cover Load/Unload/Malfunctions, and then wrap it up with dumping 400rds into a couple illegally parked cars. Hope you enjoy. Strength & Honor, TR.

DISCLAIMER: This is NOT a TACTICS Video. Jason is ONLY showing tips on Foot-work; for Operators that already have mastered the basics of CQB. ****
     This week on Tactical Rifleman we get into a little Close Quarters Combat (CQC) tips and techniques.  CQC is practiced over the course of all Special Forces careers and endless hours are spent honing these skills as it is sometimes considered the “bread and butter” of the trade.  Operators work tirelessly to perfect this craft and breakdown each phase of an assault as to increase their performance from one kinetic operation to the next.  In this video, former Navy SEAL and owner of Arion Risk LLC shows us a simple hack to optimize efficiency of movement into a space.  Although it may seem like common sense, even the entry through a doorway is thought about and practiced.  The way in which an operator initially enters a space is just as important as their action within.  An operator has to be on balance through all phases of an entry in order to take a well-placed shot regardless of target position.  A simple calculation of foot placement and entry procedures can be the difference between a well-aimed and balanced shot and a miss.  The technique shown in this video is a testament to the detail with which Green Berets and SEALs practice their trade.  So, listen up! This video will forever change the way that you enter a room and may you never be off balance again.