Tactical World Winter 2017 by Vadim Koval

FROM THE EDITORS OF GUN WORLD

SUPERIOR ACCURACY RITTER & STARK’S SX-1

SURVIVE A GUNFIGHT DO’S & DONT’S

TACTICAL WORLD

DISCOVER INNOVATION HALEY’S WEAPONMOUNTED LIGHTS LONG RANGE PRECISION WAYS TO IMPROVE

COMBAT PROVEN

LEARN FROM THE MASTERS: TANTO & BOON

PLUS, COBALT KINETICS’ NEW KRIS PARONTO SIGNATURE WEAPON

FROM THE EDITORS OF GUN WORLD WINTER 2017 • U.S. $9.99 • DISPLAY UNTIL: 12/5/17

79 WINTER 2017

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ENGAGED MEDIA INC.

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THREAT STOPPERS THE SHOCKWAVE & THE TAC-14

PDW & SBR PERFECTION VERTX’S PRO GARMENT BAG 9/7/17 6:54 AM

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,FZ.PE JT IFSF 5.

AccuPoint TR24G • Trijicon 1-4x24 Riflescope $1,020.00

KeyMod™ is the tactical industry’s new modular standard!

BCM Diamondhead Defense • • American Folding Front Sight RECON X Scope ®

Diamondhead • BCM Folding Rear Sight ®

Mount $189.95

$99.00

$119.00

• BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Compensator Mod 0

KMR-A15 KeyMod Rail • BCM Handguard 15 Inch $199.95 ®

• BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Stock $55.95

Blue Force Gear VCAS Sling $45.00

BCMGUNFIGHTER™

BCM PNT™

KeyMod 1-Inch Ring Light Mount

BCM® KMR-A KeyMod Free Float Rail Handguards

For 1” diameter lights $39.95

Same as the fantastic original KMR but machined from aircraft aluminum!

BCMGUNFIGHTER™

BCM BCM BCM BCM

BCM® A2X Flash Suppressor $34.95

Ranger • BCMGUNFIGHTER™ • GEARWARD Grip Mod 0 $29.95 Band 20-Pak $10.00

$58.00

Low Profile • BCM Gas Block $44.95

• BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Vertical Grip Mod 3 $18.95

• BCMGUNFIGHTER™ QD End Plate $16.95

B5 Systems SOPMOD Bravo Stock

$89.95

KMSM • BCMGUNFIGHTER™ KeyMod QD Sling Mount $17.95

9 Inch KMR-A9 . . . . . . . . $176.95 10 Inch KMR-A10 . . . . . . $179.95 13 Inch KMR-A13 . . . . . . $189.95 15 Inch KMR-A15 . . . . . . $199.95

Trigger Assembly

KeyMod Modular Scout Light Mount For SureFire Scout Light $39.95

BCMGUNFIGHTER™

Polished – Nickel – Teflon $59.95

PWS DI KeyMod Rail Handguard Free float rail for AR15/M4 pattern rifles.

Wilson Combat Tactical Trigger

PWS DI 12 Inch Rail . . . . . . . . $249.95 PWS DI 15 Inch Rail . . . . . . . . $249.95

PWS KeyMod Polymer Bipod Adapter $23.95

$269.95

Inforce WML-HSP $119.00

Daniel Defense SLiM Rail Handguard

Slim, Light, Modular KeyMod Free Float DD SLiM Rail 12.0 . . . . . . . . . . $265.00 DD SLiM Rail 15.0 . . . . . . . . . . $265.00

Trijicon

TA31RCO-M4 ACOG 4x32

Daniel Defense KeyMod Bipod Adapter

$1,422.05

Aimpoint PRO

$47.00

Patrol Rifle Optic

Daniel Defense KeyMod 1 O’Clock Offset Rail Assembly

$424.00

$39.00

KeyMod Modular Light Mount For 1913 mounted lights $39.95

Arisaka Inline KeyMod Scout Mount $34.00 Arisaka Ring KeyMod 1” Light Mount $44.00

Thorntail KeyMod Offset Adaptive Light Mounts Thorntail 1.030 Mount $70.00 Thorntail M3M6 1913 Mount $50.00

Arson Machine Company KeyMod Light Mounts Scout M600 Mount $48.00 1” Ring Mount $44.00

All pricing is subject to change without notice. Please see our website for current pricing.

Hartland, WI U.S.A. / Toll Free: 1-877-BRAVO CO (1-877-272-8626) / Fax: 262-367-0989 / BravoCompanyMFG.com

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KeyMod is here! TM

Industries • Midwest Folding Front Sight $79.95

Micro H-1 2 MOA • Aimpoint with LRP Mount $709.00

• BattleComp 1.5 $155.00 1913 • BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Modular Light Mount, KeyMod $39.95

KeyMod™ is the tactical industry’s new modular standard!

Industries • Midwest ERS BUIS $93.95

Ranger • GEARWARD Band 20-Pak $10.00

• BCMGUNFIGHTER™ KMSM KeyMod QD Sling Mount $17.95

KMR-A13 KeyMod Rail • BCM Handguard 13 Inch $189.95

• BCMGUNFIGHTER™ QD End Plate $16.95

KAG • BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Kinesthetic Angled Grip, KeyMod $18.95

PWS FSC556 Tactical Compensator $98.95

•

TangoDown ARC MK2 30 Round Mag $14.95

• BCM PNT™ ®

Trigger $59.95

• BCM

BCMGUNFIGHTER™

• BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Stock $55.95 • BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Grip Mod 3 $17.95

Polymer Trigger Guard $6.95

Vltor Carbine EMOD Stock

Comp Mod 0 - 556

Threaded 1/2x28 for 5.56 AR15 platform

$89.95

$119.65

Comp Mod 1 - 556 Threaded 1/2x28 for 5.56 AR15 platform

$94.95

IWC KeyMod QD RL Sling Mount Accepts heavy duty or standard QD swivels

$17.00

IWC KeyMod Hand Stop Mount-N-Slot design $34.95

BCM® KeyMod Picatinny Rail Sections Mil-Std 1913 rails, Nylon Rails available in Black, FDE, Foliage Green.

Nylon Rail, 3 Inch . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.95 Nylon Rail, 4 Inch . . . . . . . . . . . $11.95 Nylon Rail, 5.5 Inch . . . . . . . . . . $14.95 Aluminum Rail, 3 Inch, Black . . $19.95 Aluminum Rail, 4 Inch, Black . . $24.95 Aluminum Rail, 5.5 Inch, Black . $29.95

PWS KeyMod Picatinny Rail Polymer Rail, 5 Slot. . . . . . . . . . $11.95 Aluminum Rail, 5 Slot . . . . . . . . $28.95

VTAC MK2 Wide Sling

BCMGUNFIGHTER™ Enhanced Lower Parts Kit BCMGUNFIGHTER™ With BCM® PNT™ Trigger Assembly, BCM® Mod 3 Grip, BCM® Trigger Guard, and Mil-Spec hardware kit. BCMGUNFIGHTER™ ELPK, semi-auto $99.95

BCMGUNFIGHTER™ KAG

Kinesthetic Angled Grip

Uses biomechanically efficient forward rake, small profile textured front and back for positive engagement. Impact resistant polymers, in Black, Flat Dark Earth, Foliage Green and Wolf Gray. KAG-KM, KeyMod Version . . . . . $18.95 KAG-1913, Picatinny Rail Version . $19.95

$44.95

VG MOD 3

Low-profile length for increased mobility and decreased “snag”. Made in the U.S.A. from impact resistant polymers, available in Black, Flat Dark Earth, Foliage Green, Wolf Gray. VG-KM-MOD-3, KeyMod Version . . $18.95 VG-1913-MOD-3, Picatinny Version . $19.95

Aimpoint Comp M4S Red dot sight, fully NVD compatible, with QRP2 Picatinny Rail Mount

$846.00

EOTech HOLOgraphic Weapon Sights

BCM® KeyMod Rail Panel Kits 5.5 Inch Rail Panels, in Black, Flat Dark Earth, Foliage Green, Wolf Gray - 5-Pack . $9.95

Model 512 $429.00 Model 552 $529.00

All pricing is subject to change without notice. Please see our website for current pricing.

Hartland, WI U.S.A. / Toll Free: 1-877-BRAVO CO (1-877-272-8626) / Fax: 262-367-0989 / BravoCompanyMFG.com

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TACTICAL WORLD WINTER 2017

CONTENTS COVER STORY 54

IT'S IN THE BAG Find out the rating our gear junkie gave to Vertx's Professional Rifle Garment Bag. By Dave Rhoden

TO DOT OR NOT Welcome to the candidates’ debate. Experts discuss the pros and cons of red dots and iron sights. By Dave Rhoden

IT ALL STARTS IN THE MIND A former Army Ranger customizes his training sessions to the needs of each student. To improve by massive leaps and bounds, you should run the course … if you’re tough enough. By Torrey Kim

DEPARTURE FROM THE NORM Engineered by some of the top vets and LEOs, LMS Defense’s Practical Carbine course is redefining training. By Joshua Jackson

BEST OF THE BEST Our pro reveals his must-have gear for the range. By the Tactical World Editors

SCATTERGUN REDEFINED Mossberg's Shockwave and the Tac-14 go head-to-head in this battle. By Mike Searson & Gordon Meehl

DON'T LET YOUR TRAINING KILL YOU Terrorism. Rising crime rates. Social chaos from one coast to the next. Find out the keys to keep you alive in a gunfight. By Chuck Taylor SOF WORTHY WHIP Fast and agile. That’s the Battle Buggy that transports Elite warfighters into special operations missions. We have the exclusive. By Claire Stokes

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RUNNING IT DRY A SIRT pistol can raise your skill level beyond what you’d ever imagine. By Tactical World Staff

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WELCOME TO THEIR WORLD Two of Benghazi’s badasses, Kris Paronto and Boon, open up on their new training facility. You’ll also meet Tanto’s new Cobalt. By Amelia Earl

FEATURES

LONG RANGE PRECISION There’s a lot of chatter about Ritter and Stark’s SX-1 Modular Tactical Rifle. Just how did it perform? By Gordon Meehl

PERFECTING YOUR LONG RANGE GAME We’ve got 10 ways to enhance your long-range shooting skills. By Kevin Reese

PRACTICAL INNOVATION One of our active LEOs tested two of Haley Strategic’s new weapon-mounted lights that are intended for ECQ environments. By Drew Pruhs

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GOAL: SURVIVAL There are “rules” in a gunfight, and our pro provides 20 of them. By Drew Wallace

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OVERCOMING OBSTACLES And you thought law enforcement was tough on the streets. Wait until you read about Rebecca McCoy’s world. By Doug Jeffrey ONE MILLION TEST ROUNDS It is a former candidate for the U.S. Army. Find out how FN’s 509 performed for our “soldier.” By Oleg Volk

COLUMNS 06 08 130

FROM THE EDITOR TACTICALLY SET REAL WORLD

ON THE COVER Gun: Kris Paronto (with Cobalt’s new gun) and Boon Battleline Tactical’s Title Sponsor: Maxim Defense Industries; Presenting Sponsor: Vertx Photographer: Mark Kuhlmann Designer: Eric Knagg

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70 96

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FROM THE EDITOR

APPROPRIATE RESPONSE

WINTER 2017 EDITORIAL Doug Jeffrey Editorial Director Gordon Meehl Editor Kelly Nomura Executive Managing Editor Margaret Kavanagh Managing Editor DESIGN Eric Knagg Design Director CONTRIBUTORS Larry Atil, Amelia Earl, Joshua Jackson, Torrey Kim, Mark Kuhlman, Lukas Lamb, Danny Pritbor, Drew Pruhs, Kevin Reese, Dave Rhoden, Mike Searson, Claire Stokes, Chuck Taylor, Drew Wallace, Oleg Volk, Wodhawk Photography ADVERTISING Gabe Frimmel Ad Sales Director (714) 200-1930 gfrimmel@engagedmediainc.com Casey Clifford Senior Account Executive (714) 200-1982 Mark Pack Senior Account Executive (714) 200-1939 Charles Dorr Account Executive (714) 200-1931 Spencer Redmond Account Executive (972) 448-4649 John Bartulin Account Executive (866) 866-5146 ext. 2746 John Cabral Advertising Design Gennifer Merriday Advertising Traffic Coordinator Eric Gomez Advertising Traffic Coordinator MARKETING Elise Portale Content Marketing Manager Brooke Sanders Content Marketing Specialist Eric Surber Content Marketing Specialist Michael Chadwick Digital Marketing & Media Coordinator Andrew Dunbar Videographer

ore often than not, when people find out I work with the team at Tactical World, the response is, “Wow, that must be a dream gig!” Yes, it is. But not necessarily for the obvious reasons that illicit that exclamation. What makes working on Tactical World great is more than just the “cool” factor of being able to test some of the best equipment on the market today, like the SX-1 or the Crux-Ord tripod, or being able to collaborate with some of the industry’s best writers; Mike Searson, Kevin Reese and David Rhoden come to mind. What makes this opportunity so special is the humbling reminder that even though life is bigger than where and who we are at any given moment, we still have control of how we react and what we learn from those moments. My dad, a Vietnam Vet, would say, “Son, you need to prepare yourself to be responsible for the things that happen to you in life.” With youthful indignation, I would mumble something like, “I’m not going to take

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responsibility for what someone else does to me.” I never really asked him what exactly he meant until recently. So, with middle-aged “wisdom” I asked why he kept telling me to take responsibility for things that happened to me, even though they were not because of me. He leaned forward and said, “I never said take responsibility. I said you have to be prepared to be responsible. You have to know how to be able to respond to the things that happen in your life in the appropriate way,” he continued. “Sometimes stuff just happens, but how you’re able to respond to it determines where your life goes from then, forward.” Whether it’s being caught for 13 hours in a firefight that garners national scrutiny, paving your own road through a new career, or working to throw lead a mile away so that it hits exactly where you want it, this issue is full of examples, not only of how others have been able to respond to their situations, but also how you can prepare yourself to do the same. TW By Gordon Meehl

OPERATIONS Robert Short IT Manager Parveen Kumar Newsstand and Circulation Analyst Shailesh Khandelwal Subscriptions Manager Alex Mendoza Administrative Assistant Victoria Van Vlear Intern Program Manager EDITORIAL, PRODUCTION & SALES OFFICE 17890 Sky Park Circle, Suite 250 Irvine, CA 92614 (714) 939-9991 • Fax: (800) 249-7761 www.gunworld.com www.facebook.com/eembybeckett Tactical World is published by Engaged Media Inc., LLC, 17890 Sky Park Circle, Suite 250, Irvine, CA 92614. © 2017 by Engaged Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. CUSTOMER SERVICE Engaged Media, Inc. 17890 Sky Park Circle, Suite 250 Irvine, CA 92614 Subscriptions, Address Changes, Renewals, Missing or Damaged Copies (800) 764-6278 (239) 653-0225 Foreign Inquiries subscriptions@engagedmediainc.com customerservice@engagedmediainc.com Back Issues: www.engagedmediamags.com Books, Merchandise, Reprints (800) 764-6278 • Foreign (239) 653-0225 Letters to Editor, New Products, or to Contribute a Story or Photo djeffrey@engagedmediainc.com

ENGAGED MEDIA INC. Mike Savino CEO Tom Conradi VP, Brand and Product Development Pinaki Bhattacharya Vertical Manager Bob Husly Director of Business Development Nathaniel Phillips HR and Office Management Jason Mulroney Director of Content Philip Trinkle Newsstand Sales Director Malic Vann Digital Marketing Director This magazine is purchased by the buyer with the understanding that information presented is from various sources from which there can be no warranty or responsibility by Engaged Media Inc., as to the legality, completeness or technical accuracy.

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TACTICALLY SET

CUTTING EDGE

RAISE YOUR PERFORMANCE LEVEL WITH THIS NEW TACTICAL GEAR

Text by Tactical World Staff • Photos Courtesy of Manufacturers

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ATLAS THERMAL BINOCULAR N-VISION OPTICS

Smaller and lighter than most thermal binoculars, N-Vision Optics’ ATLAS Thermal Binocular travels easily with you wherever you go. ATLAS provides a thermal image in high-resolution and the robust design is completely waterproof, preventing the rain from ruining your parade. Discover beyond what your eyes can see by using ATLAS for extended detection, recognition, and identification ranges during extreme conditions or on just a normal, sunny day. Specifications: • Detector Resolution: 640 x 480 • Detector Pitch: 12µm • Lens: 50mm, F1.2 Germanium lens • Refresh Rate: 9Hz or 60Hz • Detection Range: 2250m • Image Capture: Internal memory MSRP: $5,695 www.NVisionOptics.com

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FUSION STRETCH TACTICAL PANTS VERTX

Among the classic characteristics of Vertx pants, the Fusion Stretch Tactical Pants include articulated knees to give you greater freedom of movement, and a fully gusseted crotch to increase your comfort in almost every position. Specifications • Articulated back yoke with two utility pockets • Side stretch waistband • Lower front hand pockets for easy access • Vertical zippered pockets above cargo pocket • Fully gusseted crotch • Angled back pockets for ease of access MSRP: $89.95 www.Vertx.com

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MILITARY GOGGLES ABOM

Designed to be combat-ready, Abom’s Military Goggles are equipped with Cold Weather Mobility (CWM) systems which features KLAIR™ technology. Thanks to Abom’s patented technology, these goggles prevent fog from clouding your vision via the electrically conductive film that’s placed between the lens. A current is sent through the film by a micro-controller, which heats the lens and effectively eliminates the power of fog over your day. Specifications: • Polycarbonate inner and outer lens • Two modes: Always-On or On-Demand • 6-hour rechargeable batteries • Carl Zeiss IMPACTO lenses • Microfiber Glint Guard MSRP: $340 www.Abom.com

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FORTIS 2.0 PLATES PREMIER BODY ARMOR

Premier’s revolutionary Fortis 2.0 Level III Plates are the thinnest and lightest 10" x 12" plate on the market. The 0.5mm ballistic steel core weighs in at 6.1 pounds (6.4 pounds after coating) and is half a pound lighter than any competitor. The revolutionary SAPI multi-curve design allows for greater comfort and a more contoured fit for better wraparound protection. The Fortis Plates fit perfectly into Premier's lightweight open architecture Falcon Plate Carrier. Specifications: • Can withstand the following rounds, shot as close as 50 feet: • 5.56×45/.223 up to 3,100 feet/second • 7.62×39 123gr PS Ball (MSC) • 7.62×51 147gr FMJ (M80) – up to 2,850 feet/second • Shooter's Cut shape • Battle-tested, ultra-hard steel plus Ultimate Linings spall coating MSRP: $150 www.PremierBodyArmor.com

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UNIVERSAL PISTOL MAG POUCH, UNIVERSAL AR-15 MAGAZINE POUCH AND UNIVERSAL TOURNIQUET POUCH WILDER TACTICAL

The Generation 3.0 Wilder Evolution Series—the Universal Pistol, AR-15 Mag, and Tourniquet Pouches—are the newest pouch design by Wilder Tactical. Made to last for years, the pouches are made with Super Tough Nylon and will withstand heavy usage. When the pouch is empty, the compression strap can be adjusted to maintain stability. The pouches can be stacked on each other and are compatible with a range of mounting options. Specifications: • Adjustable compression strap design maintains stability even when empty • Compatible with steel or polymer mags • Available in Black, Coyote Brown, and OD Green • Can be piggy-backed to Wilder Evolution Series rifle magazine pouches • Made with Super Tough Nylon for years of dependable service • Tourniquet pouch compatible with CAT, SOFTT, and SOFTT-W tourniquets (not included) • Designed by a S.O.C.M. Ranger Medic for fast access, durability and comfort Pistol Mag Pouch: MSRP: $28.95 AR Mag Pouch: MSRP: $29.95 Tourniquet Pouch: MSRP: $29.95 www.WilderTactical.com

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SOCOM RACK GRIZZLY TARGETS

Using a different construction method than other steel target systems, the SOCOM Rack has cam-style pucks that hold the plates in place. This means that no bolts are needed, so the plates don’t get loose and bolts don’t get bent or damaged. The body and legs of the SOCOM Rack were galvanized to resist rusting and maintain a clean appearance. Grizzly Targets are known to produce quality targets, and the SOCOM Rack is no exception. Specifications: • No bolts to get bent, damaged or mangled • Never gets loose • Galvanized to maintain function and prevent rust • Overbuilt, heavy-duty construction • Front guard is removable for easy replacement • Detachable wheel system available for mobility MSRP: $2,399.95 www.GrizzlyTargets.com

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AR OPTICS BUSHNELL

Maximizing a round’s performance, Bushnell’s AR Optics 4.5-18x40mm scope provides holdover points up to 600 yards out by using the Drop Zone reticle. Quickly adjust your shot and improve your aim by using the scope’s tactical-style target turrets. The multi-coated optics, combined with the side parallax focus, gives you a clear, bright sight picture every time. Specifications: • Power x Obj. Lens: 4.5-18x 40mm • Field of View: 22/5.5 at 4.5x / 7.3/1.8 at 18x • Weight: 21.5 ounces • Length: 12.4 inches • Eye Relief: 3.7 inches • Adj Range: ±25 inches MSRP: $214.49 www.Bushnell.com

MAGAZINE LOADER MAGPUMP {08) RIFLE Cutting your load time in half, the Rifle Magazine Loader by MAGPUMP can load 90 rounds in less than 90 seconds. To use the Magazine Loader, just place the rounds in either direction into the hopper, connect your magazine, and then use the pump to load rounds into your magazine. Safeties are built in to prevent you from damaging rounds when loading, and it won’t load more once your magazine is full. MagPump currently has these loaders for AK-47 or AR-15 ammunition, but will be coming out with handgun magazine loaders in 2018. Specifications: • Loaders available for AK-47 or AR-15 ammunition • 90-round capacity hopper • Orient ammunition in either direction • Eliminates hand fatigue caused from loading • Can’t damage rounds when loading • Mounts to any Weaver or Picatinny rail • Lifetime, transferable warranty MSRP: $199.99 www.MagPump.com

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XPRT 3.0 WATERPROOF 6-INCH BOOT 5.11 TACTICAL

You’re all about performance and preparation, and that’s why you’ve had your eyes on 5.11’s XPRT 3.0 boot. As you know, a tactical shift can take you just about anywhere, and that’s why you need an outsole that grips wet or dry surfaces. That, and a footbed that helps reduce fatigue. Don't worry, the XPRT 3.0 delivers that and more. Specifications • VIBRAM Megagrip formula on outsole helps grip on dry and wet terrains • New OrthoLite Imperial footbed for higher energy return and less fatigue • Kevlar heel and side ankle abrasion protection • eVent Protect BBP waterproof lining • Full-grain, waterproof, easy-polish leather • Imported MSRP: $209.99 www.511Tactical.com

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LINQ CRIMSON TRACE

The World’s first wireless laser and white light system, LiNQ™ combines a green laser sight and 300-lumen LED white light with Instinctive Activation™ for AR-type modern sporting rifles and AK-type rifles. Utilizing a secure, individual connection, LiNQ offers complete wireless control of the laser and light module. The replacement grip is ergonomically designed for quick activation and mode changes, eliminating the need to reach for the rifle’s forend to operate. The green laser sight, coupled with a powerful tactical light, offers high visibility in all lighting conditions, making LiNQ the ultimate illumination and targeting solution. Specifications: • Free batteries for life • 3-year full warranty • Over 2 hours laser battery life • User Adjustable: Windage and elevations • Dot Size: Approx. 0.50 inch at 50 feet MSRP: $649.00 www.CrimsonTrace.com

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HYDE PANTS VERTX

Similar to the Fusion Stretch Tactical Pants, the Hyde Pants grant you exceptional movement and storage capabilities. These functional pants include a zippered vent pocket to provide air circulation and are powered by 37.5® Technology, which works to keep you cool and dry all day. The Hyde Pants are designed with multiple pockets to store cellphones, magazines, and other items, and every pocket corner is reinforced with metal rivets. Specifications: • Two reinforced utility pockets above back pockets • Lower front hand pockets for easy access • Discreet dump pocket on right side • Zippered vent pocket along seam of both legs for air circulation • Small, hidden utility pocket inside of bottom cuffs • Reinforced heel kick plate for durability MSRP: $89.95 www.Vertx.com TW

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IT’S IN THE

BAG

VERTX’S PROFESSIONAL RIFLE GARMENT BAG IS IDEAL FOR SBRS AND PDWS Story by Dave Rhoden, Photos by Lukas Lamb

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everal years ago, I met with a three-letter agency in the Pacific Northwest that had a challenge; their agents were having to park in a garage about a block away and walk down the street to their actual office building. That may not be such a big deal to you and me, but imagine having to walk downtown carrying a rifle bag (or two), mixing with a largely liberal populace, and maintaining their identity as Joe Civilian day in, day out. During about the same timeframe as above, I met with a Mexican Federales officer who was walking to work one day with his rifle bag when the cartel drove by and tried to spray him with bullets. He was completely nonchalant about being shot at (as if it were irrelevant to his current need). He was furious that he wasn’t able to quickly and rapidly deploy his own rifle from its case in order to return fire and take the fight to the enemy. Here’s a scenario: You’re a plainclothes officer with an unmarked take-home car, living in a metro area or any suburban neighborhood, USA. How do you transport your rifle(s) and gear from your home to your car, and vice-versa, without alerting everyone around that your home/ vehicle is fully stocked with firearms?

Right: With pockets large enough for shoes, shirts and socks, or a workout bag of TRX straps, the garment bag makes a great travel companion.

Far right: The coated, braided, stainless steel cable, allows you to lock the bag into your car or trunk to prevent the quick smash-and grab from would-be thieves. The “luggage tag” pull makes it easy to find and quickly access your SBR or firearm of your choosing.

Vertx may have an answer for all three situations, and more, with their new Professional Rifle Garment Bag ($269.95 MSRP).

First Look I’ve taken about a half-dozen flights with mine, including an international trip to Israel. The Garment Bag was allowed in the overhead compartments on all flights without any fuss. And I have to admit, it’s a sharp-looking bag. Vertx does an excellent job of paying attention to the details that set it apart from the traditional tacti-cool club, scrubbing the exterior of the bag of any MOLLE, Velcro or obnoxious brand logos. The full-grain leather-wrapped aluminum carry handle feels as good in the

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Bottom: The main exterior compartment is 28-inches wide and has a laser-cut web platform covered in loop, compatible with a number of pouches like the Vertx Tactigami line. (The Veritas Tactical VT16 URBN G8TR, pictured.)

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TACTICAL WORLD WINTER 2017

“... most people are won over simply knowing it’s a concealed rifle bag.” VERTX.indd 17

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TACTICAL WORLD WINTER 2017

hand as a custom-wrapped steering wheel on an import car, and by using the 1919 webbing on the shoulder strap, the end-user can choose between either pre-positioning the shoulder pad so it stays in place, or letting it slide along the strap as the bag moves with the body. A great discrete feature along the top edge of the bag is its coated, braided, stainless steel cable, which allows you to lock the bag into your car or trunk to prevent a smash-andgrab from would-be thieves. The bag material is a robust 1680 Denier ballistic nylon that would excel in any gorilla/luggage beat-down commercial. There are three exterior pockets and each one is padded to prevent printing of any items you might want to stow. Pull the quick tab and inside you’ll find a space 28-inches wide, perfect for any number of SBRs and PDWs, along with laser-cut web platform TW-WIN17-Caracal 8/10/17 10:57 AM Page 1

“THE GARMENT BAG WAS ALLOWED IN THE OVERHEAD COMPARTMENTS ON ALL FLIGHTS WITHOUT ANY FUSS.” corners of the bag are sections of loop for attaching your favorite Vertx Tactigami pouches (sold separately). The detachable chain and hook allows you to hang the garment bag and all the weight of your apparel and kit without worrying about it breaking away.

covered in loop. There’s also a removable muzzle cup to prevent printing or more aggressive muzzle breaks from tearing through your bag. Making the interior of the bag a light tan makes it easy to quickly spot what you’re looking for. When showing the bag, it seems most people are won over simply knowing it’s a concealed rifle bag. The icing on the cake is when they realize it’s also a full-size, functioning garment bag with additional tactical features. The interior split zipper design lets you easily organize and stow your apparel, and the two lower mesh pockets are large enough for at least size 13 shoes or a bag of TRX workout straps. In the upper, interior

The Air Angle

Right: Vertx Professional Rifle Garment Bag in Bracken ($269.95), Jedburgh Cover Shirt by RE Factor ($59.99), Vertx Hyde Pants in Smoked Pearl ($89.95), shoes by Altama, OTB Maritime Assault - Low in Black, ($85)

The Professional Garment Rifle Bag has already had early success with federal officers that have to fly with their firearms. The exterior of the bag has a luggage handle pass-through slot, great for when you have to stack luggage on the go. Throw your favorite armor panel into a zippered compartment, and now that luggage pass-through slot instantly becomes a shield you can carry on your arm.

www.caracalusa.com VERTX.indd 18

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FEATURES & SPECS

• Accommodates rifles up to 28-inches overall length • Padded front panel to prevent weapon printing • Laser-cut MOLLE-compatible Velcro-lined quick deployment platform • EDC pull for rapid access to weapon • Front inverted pleat pocket with two mesh admin pockets in the interior • Coated, braided stainless steel cable to secure bag to fixed position, prevents smash-and-grab theft (lock not included) • Shoulder pad with gripper to secure bag in place, prevents sliding • Full-grain leather-wrapped aluminum carry handle • Velcro-lined back pocket for use with Tactigami accessories • Pass-through back panel to secure to luggage trolley handle • Compression straps with aluminum G-hooks on both sides • Fully functional garment bag on the interior • Detachable chain and hook hanging accessory • Tri-glide zipper opening, YKK zippers throughout • Dual mesh front-facing storage pockets for footwear, toiletries, etc. • Dual Velcro-lined panels for use with Tactigami accessories • Center interior strap to cinch and secure hanging clothing • Dual butt stock pouches for vertical rifle storage when hanging • Insert compatible for optional added protection • Ambidextrous design for left- or right-handed draw • Fabric construction: 1680 Denier Ballistic Nylon • Bag size: 29” L x 15” H x 5” W • Bag weight: 5 pounds, 2 ounces *Tactigami and other accessories sold separately

Above: The Vertx Professional Rifle Garment Bag is a low-profile, two-inone, soft rifle case and fully functioning storage system for apparel, shoes and travel gear. Tactigami-compatible and Velcro-lined, this innovative design allows rapid deployment of rifles up to 28 inches. Offered in two colors: Bracken and Black.

VERITAS TACTICAL VT16 URBN G8TR • • • •

Right: Thanks to Veritas Tactical for use of their VT16 URBN G8TR pictured with the Leupold LCO (sold separately).

“VERTX DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB OF PAYING ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS THAT SET IT APART ...” VERTX.indd 20

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Caliber: 5.56 NATO 7075 T6 billet aluminum upper and lower Custom Urban Gray Cerakote 14.5-inches 1:7 hybrid polygonal fluted barrel, 4150V grade Mil-spec B-11595E Crome Moly(CrMoV) with black nitride finish Mid-length gas system with low-profile gas block Surefire SOCOM brake (pin and welded) 13.7-inches billet rail system with MLOK slots Nickel boron M16 BCG CMC flat 3.5-pound single-stage trigger Ambidextrous B.A.D. safety lever Billet charging handle with tactical latch Law tactical folding stock adapter Enhanced pivot and takedown pin Enhanced bolt catch Magpul SL carbine stock Magpul pro flip-up sights

• MSRP: $2600 with VZ hardware, $2450 without TW

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DOTOR

EXPERTS DISCUSS THE PROS & CONS OF RED DOTS & IRON SIGHTS

NOT I

’d been running my custom Glock 19 with a red dot optic for about a year. After the initial adjustment curve, I was absolutely in love. And then one rainy afternoon everything changed … Even though it had been sprinkling off and on, and rather lightly, I didn’t think it was any reason to stop me from getting in some plinking. At the time, I didn’t have my red dot pistol in a holster, and it wasn’t concealed

DOT.indd 22

Story by Dave Rhoden, Photos by Lukas Lamb

or hidden underneath my shirt. Throwing a few extra mags in my back pocket, I simply carried it in my hand from the truck to where I shoot on my property. I lifted the gun up to aim and was mortified. There was no dot! Just crazy, refracted light squiggles in the middle of the lens. I couldn’t even see my front iron sight because the “dot” was so diffused from the moisture that had accumulated on the lens. Heck, I couldn’t even see the target!

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Now, by my own admission, I’m a tactical narcissistic gear whore. I buy gear and then gratuitously post pictures about it.

Above: From left to right, the Aimpoint Micro T-1, Leupold’s DeltaPoint Pro and Trijicon’s RMR.

That said, my hasty, insatiable drive to procure the next cool-guy piece of kit often means I may or may not have properly researched the pros and cons of said purchase prior to whipping out the credit card. So, gather ‘round and see what guys I should have consulted have to say regarding the pros and cons of mounting dots versus running iron sights.

CAST OF CHARACTERS Al Zitta of Z-M Weapons An Air Force Vietnam veteran, Zitta has over 60 years of firearms experience. He has been an armorer since 1992, he has multiple firearms patents, and with a federal license that allows him to build up to, but not including nuclear, he’s probably the foremost authority on all things that go bang that I know. “I use red dots in competition, 100 percent,” says Zitta. “I have them on the rifle, I have them on the shotgun and I have them on the pistol. I’ve been shooting in open class for 35 years, and I have been running dots as long as I can. “The first time I used a dot was probably 30 years ago … a Tasco 40mm can with a 12-MOA dot. Because my skill level then wasn’t as good, the dot really increased my accuracy.”

DOT.indd 24

“... WHEN YOU START REACHING OUT AT DISTANCES OF 20, 30 AND 40 YARDS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER TARGETS, THAT’S WHERE THE DOT JUST KILLS.” — AL ZITTA

When asked if he has any personal carry guns with red dots on them, his answer was, “No. Because they’re cumbersome, they take up room and you (sometimes) have to turn them on. I can fire 20 feet and in faster with an iron-sighted gun than with a dot. And initial target acquisition is faster with iron sights.” In competitions, Zitta says they have different skill level tests called qualifiers, and he said he was “actually a master in iron sights before I was a

master with a dot sight. But the dot sights help teach you about recoil and the rise of the sights, and it actually makes you a better iron sight shooter.” So, when is the right time to run irons? “It’s proven in competition, anything 20 feet and under, the irons sights shooters are faster. But when you start reaching out at distances of 20, 30 and 40 yards, especially smaller targets, that’s where the dot just kills.” Do optics help when shooting on

9/6/17 12:21 AM

TACTICAL WORLD WINTER 2017 The picture on the top right represents a clear dot and sight, while the picture on the bottom right shows what happens to the dot when moisture accumulates on the lens.

TIPS FROM THE PROS

Even though manufacturers say their batteries should

last 2-5 years, Lucas recommends changing out the battery on your red dot every year. To be safe and to make it easy to remember, do it on your birthday.

In setting your dot intensity, don’t overpower your target

with the dot. Turn it down as low as you can safely and quickly see it. You’ll be able to call your shots better and have better grouping. Remember, aim small, miss small.

So, what are some tricks you might want to use to protect

that lens from the moisture? “When we’re in a competition, if it’s raining, we’ll use tape or paper towels—whatever it takes, to cover the lens while it’s in the holster. Once the weapon is pointed at the target, the rain doesn’t seem to bother it. But, crawling around in the rain, the dirt, the mud, the water gets on there, it distorts it. And it can get to a point where it’s so covered, even your backup irons, which co-witness your dot, become inoperable,” warns Zitta.

the move? “Yes, depending on the distance,” says Zitta. Lucas Botkin of T.Rex Arms On the other end of the spectrum, we have spry Lucas Botkin, owner of T.Rex Arms, a multi-million-dollar holster company founded in 2013. They specialize in Kydex with an emphasis on concealed carry holsters. Holster development, carry techniques and firearms training for him are inseparable, and early on he began experimenting with red dot optics.

When he first started the holster company, he said there were a number of people using them for concealed carry; there’s a lot more now, he says. “So, I started getting experience running optics in a concealed carry fashion, while learning how to use them from a holster, how to conceal carry them effectively, how they operated in the rain, and how they worked on a striker-fired pistol versus a competition environment,” he says.

A lens pen is a great way to keep your red dot clean

and can be purchased online for about $6.50.

Make sure you properly tighten the screws holding

your red dot to the slide or they may eventually work their way out.

Most people picking up a dot for the first time can

easily get discouraged when they can’t find the dot immediately. But

“I come from a civilian, concealedcarry background, and I’m around a lot of people that conceal carry, including law enforcement, military units training for lo-vis operations, and law enforcement doing undercover work. Red dots are starting to get into the tactical world,” says Botkin.

DOT.indd 25

“The major difference in competition versus concealed carry is management —how you manage the brightness of the dot. In a competition world, you typically have time to adjust the brightness of your dot, depending on your stage or lighting conditions. So, before you draw, if it’s a cloudy

with training, you’ll find the dot quickly. In fact, Lucas says most people tend to hate their dot for the first two weeks, then it starts to click, and then they swear by it. Just don’t get it wet, or like me, you may be swearing at it.

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TACTICAL WORLD WINTER 2017 Left: Lucas Botkin of T.Rex Arms believes holster development, carry techniques and firearms training are inseparable.

draw it and you can’t see it; if your weapon light washes the dot out; if your dot runs out of batteries; or if it’s raining. So, it’s a more complicated system that requires more training and more management,” warns Botkin. “But with the proper management, it can be a forcemultiplier in the concealed carry and tactical world.” However, there are a number of upsides. “It’s easier to shoot more accurately at distance, and you can remain focused downrange instead of having to adjust your vision from the threat to your front sight and then back to the threat (more so outside of 7 to 10 yards),” he notes. “With optics, you’re able to remain focused on the threat, tracking what he or multiple people are doing through the optic’s window, increasing your situational awareness.” “Whereas, if you put your iron sights on someone, you can’t see below them because the gun is in the way. If you put the dot on someone, you can see below them because you have the dot in the center of the glass. This allows you to see if they’re moving their hands to draw, unlike having irons pointed at his head, where your gun is blocking what he’s doing.”

“RED DOTS ARE STARTING TO GET INTO THE TACTICAL WORLD.”—LUCAS BOTKIN day or a bright day, you can set your brightness for that before you start shooting.” “In concealed carry, you don’t know necessarily what your lighting conditions will be because they’re always changing. Whether you walk into a store from a dark environment and all of the sudden, it’s light; or when it’s a bright day outside and you go into a dark restaurant.” Fortunately, many optics are now auto-adjusting, so you don’t have to constantly be thinking about the brightness of your dot. But those can pose a problem when you start running a weapon light. “The weapon light can wash out

DOT.indd 26

the dot if it’s pulling light from the ceiling,” says Botkin. “If you’re in a dark room and then shine 400 lumens, it gets washed out. You won’t see it … almost always.” Or, as the old saying goes, “Light absorbs light.” The way he does is it is to run it on manual.

THE COST FACTOR Now, let’s look at it from a simple cost perspective. Decent aftermarket iron sights can retail anywhere from $90-$250 (AmeriGlo, TruGlo, VTAC, Trijicon, etc.), versus going with a red dot that you’ll need a milled-out slide ($150-$250+) or dovetail plate ($40-$90), the cost of the

“I adjust my dot (on my concealed carry pistol) throughout the day,” he says. “That requires the shooter or concealed-carrier to be a lot more active. It’s not a ‘put it away and forget it,’ sort of a thing. People like to get a red dot on a pistol to cheat training, but in reality, running a red dot on your pistol requires twice as much training. You have to train with the dot, with your co-witnessed irons if the dot fails; if your dot is dim, you

red dot ($350-$750), plus co-witnessed back-up iron sights ($120-$250) and batteries ($1.50). “If you’re going to carry a dot, you definitely want back-up irons,” says Zitta. “Even in competition, I want that too, because it’s electronic. It can go down any time, the battery can quit, the recoil fractures something in there … you’re done. You got back-up irons, then you’re good to go. “Back 15 years ago, the dots would just quit,” he says. “Today, with any of the top-of-the-pile dots, they’re 99.9% reliable, and they can take a lot of the abuse.”

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“You can also use red dots to shoot accurately with night vision. If you have tritium iron sights, you can see them through night vision, but it’s very out of focus and depending on lighting conditions, you may not see them at all. But a red dot, you almost always see through night vision.”

All three pistols have back-up iron sights.

“K.G.” K.G has spent the last 15 years as a gunnery sergeant and team leader for an Israeli special response unit (police), and he served four years prior to that as an operator and commando in the Israeli Air Force. When not on raids or special missions, he is also an active IPSC shooter. “In the past few years, I have been exposed to mini red dot sights mounted on handguns,” he says. “The two most popular are the Trijicon RMR and the Delta Point. In my opinion, the red dot makes your shots more accurate and faster. It’s easier to shoot with both eyes open, and it’s easier to shoot at night.” “But the difference between the red dots to the iron sights is not dramatic enough to justify the high price of the red dot, not to mention the slide cut to fit the sight. So in value for money, I personally don’t think it is worth going to the red dots.”

THE HIT RATIO “In the Vietnam war, of course, we didn’t have red dots,” says Zitta. “But years later, when they first

“… THE RED DOT MAKES YOUR SHOTS MORE ACCURATE AND FASTER. IT’S EASIER TO SHOOT WITH BOTH EYES OPEN, AND IT’S EASIER TO SHOOT AT NIGHT.”— K.G.

started getting issued to troops (on rifles), the hit ratio went from like 20-25% to over 75%.” So, do they work? “Of course they do. Are there issues? Of course there are,” Zitta continues. “But their technology and manufacturing is just getting better and better. Ten years from now, if a guy buys a gun, and it doesn’t have all of these new amenities on them, people are going to think you’re really oldschool—like flintlock days.”

DOT.indd 28

“(However), if money is not an issue, I personally would go for it. But when it’s a matter of modifying an entire unit of 100 Glocks, (it becomes) a significant budget discussion.”

PREDICTIONS How will red dots evolve? Zitta believes electronic sights will continue to progress, and that back-up irons will eventually be replaced by a film applied directly to the glass of the optic, in essence, a hologram inside the lens.

“I see them progressing and getting better and better, and then the prices will come down,” he says. “Eventually, they may even start incorporating the lasers.” Lucas and Al both agreed that more manufacturers will be offering their pistols with the optics already mounted as stock items, and that exposed emitters, which can be blocked by dirt, debris and water, will eventually move to internal housing in a reduced size. TW

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TW-WIN17-Condor Outdoor 8/17/17 9:04 AM Page 1

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LONG RANGE PRECISION RITTER & STARKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SX-1, WHICH PROVIDES INTERCHANGEABLE FUNCTION, EXCEEDS EXPECTATIONS

Story and Photos by Gordon Meehl

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ne of the best memories from my childhood is getting new LEGO sets. That was my first exposure to the joys of modularity … a common system of construction that allows expansion and interchangeability of core parts to change the configuration or function of objects. In other words, I loved taking things apart and changing them to adapt to a different use. Fast forward to a few months ago when I was asked if I’d like to shoulder a modular new rifle from a small European company entering the U.S. market. The selling point, a highprecision, long-range rifle that can be simply and quickly be reconfigured to shoot different calibers. You didn’t have to ask me twice and the Ritter & Stark SX-1 MTR was on its way.

First, the Background A modular long-range precision rifle is not a new concept. Remington’s MSR has been in service to the U.S. Army since it won the Army’s Precision Rifle competition in 2013. Having worked for Remington, the MSR was a rifle with

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Adding a Vortex Viper PST Gen II 5-25 x 50mm FFP Scope and an ultra stable S7 bipod rounds out an impressive shooting system.

which I had some familiarity. I was very curious to see how this new entry into the market would compare to what was arguably the category standard. The basic criteria for the Precision Rifle competition is that the rifle needs to shoot two or more types of SAAMI standard ammo. To maintain reliable sub-MOA precision across various calibers, the rifle should be able to have a caliber-specific system of interchangeable barrels. The platform should be built on an aluminum chassis, with a fully adjustable stock and a swappable pistol grip. Additionally, it should be designed to accommodate a 5-10 round box magazine and have a configurable rail system for optics and accessories. The Ritter & Stark, though not part of the original competition, fulfilled all these requirements.

Close Look Ritter & Stark is imported, distributed, and sold directly by EuroOptic. The rifle is available with barrels chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum, .308 Winchester barrels and .338 Lapua

Magnum. The review rifle came chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum with the .308 conversion, and the necessary components to swap between the two. Ritter & Stark also came with the most secure, sturdy and well-thought-out hard-shell cases I’ve come across. Custom cut foam looks like it was poured around the rifle. There are, however, some pieces of foam that can be removed to accommodate mounted optics. The locks take some muscle to open and close, so rest assured that once in the case, the SX-1 is tucked in tight; nothing is moving around once the case is closed. But, this is a rifle review and not a hard-shell case review. The most noticeably unique feature of the SX-1’s modularity is the manner in which they treat the interchangeability of the barrels. Rather than a simple barrel swap, like the Remington MSR, for instance, the SX-1 barrels each have an integrated top rail. In spite of the slight increase in the overall weight of the system as a whole, having a

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“THOUGH IT WILL NEVER BE CONFUSED AS A LIGHTWEIGHT, THE HEFT OF THE RIFLE HELPED DAMPEN SOME RECOIL ...” PRECISION SNIPER RIFLE DEFINED In 2009, a United States Special Operations Command market survey called for 1 MOA (0.3 mrad) extreme vertical spread for all shots in a 10-round group fired at targets at 300, 600, 900, 1,200 and 1,500 meters. The 2009 Precision Sniper Rifle requirements stated that the PSR, when fired without suppressor, shall provide a confidence factor of 80% that the weapon and ammunition combination is capable of holding 1 MOA extreme vertical spread. This shall be calculated from 150 ten (10) round groups that were fired unsuppressed. No individual group shall exceed 1.5 MOA (0.5 mrad) extreme vertical spread. All accuracy will be taken at the 1,500-meter point. Other requirements were that the rifle weigh less than 18 pounds loaded, have Picatinny rails, and have an easily changeable barrel. (Sources: Precision Sniper Rifle (PSR) - Solicitation Number: H92222-09-PSR2, Precision Sniper Rifles Systems (PSR) Draft Go/No-Go Requirements. TW-WIN17-Battenfeld_Caldwell 7/25/17 10:46 AM Page 1

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marriage of a top rail to a barrel allows for a specific optic to be paired to each barrel. This allows for more shooter consistency as the optic is (presumably) already zeroed for that specific caliber. This is probably my favorite feature, as it eliminates having to figure the drop conversions between calibers.

Although any Remington 700compatible trigger group can be dropped in, the provided trigger is smooth-pulling with a crisp break.

The barrels themselves are manufactured to exacting tolerances and are designed with one purpose, repeatable precision. The fluted barrels are designed to walk a balanced line between rigidity and weight. When asked about what makes their barrels special, Ritter & Stark commented, “The rifling is processed in a CNCcontrolled electrochemical machine. This avoids the transmission of thermal effects and mechanical stress to the material. Furthermore, this process allows us to produce barrels with unique uniformity and within tolerance zones that were not possible in a serial production before.” Barrel changes are the easiest I’ve come across in any multi-caliber weapon. With an empty chamber and the bolt removed, you loosen the four hex bolts where the handguard meets the receiver. Remove the handguard to expose three bolts that clamp the barrel to the receiver. With those bolts

loosened, the barrel easily slides out the front and a new barrel slides in. The process takes no more than two minutes.

Just in front of the magwell, two screws attach the handguard to the receiver. Loosen these bolts and you're well on your way to changing out barrels.

Changing calibers also requires that the bolts and magazines be swapped out to accommodate the new round. Rather than swapping out the entire bolt, Ritter & Stark opted instead to merely swap out the bolt head. This allows the swap to be faster and the bolt-receiver interface remains consistent.

The magazines vary, based on calibers. The SX-1 comes with an easy-to-swap, polymer magazine well that is retained by a single bolt. Multiple designs are available to accept different types of magazines for different calibers. It’s worth noting that attaching the handguard is completely at the shooter’s discretion. I chose to keep the handguard on so I could ensure a stable shooting platform by mounting the S7 bipod as close to the front as possible. Ritter & Stark does,

“... THE SX-1 SEEMED TO FAVOR THE HEAVIER AMMO IN OUR 100-YARD TEST.”

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however, have space for a Picatinny rail immediately in front of the receiver. The SX-1 meets the shooter’s shoulder with a highly adjustable buttstock. Length of pull, cheek rest height and angle, and recoil pad height are all adjustable in the field without tools. A sliding panel on the bottom of the stock covers a Picatinny rail for the addition of a monopod. If the stock isn’t your cup of tea, the SX-1 will also accept any AR-15-compatible stock. I found the buttstock very comfortable. A folding stock adapter connects stock to the receiver, locking in place in both closed and open positions. This mount can be switched around so the stock folds to either the left or right side. Additionally, the receiver is threaded to accept a standard AR-15 receiver extension (buffer tube) so a stock, including the SX-1’s, can be mounted directly without the folding mechanism. Remember the LEGOs? Because the SX-1 one uses a common platform, any Remington 700-compatible trigger can

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The cockpit of the SX-1 is supremely designed. A 60degree bolt is one of the smoothest production bolts on the market.

“THE SELLING POINT, A HIGHPRECISION, LONG-RANGE RIFLE THAT CAN BE SIMPLY AND QUICKLY BE RECONFIGURED TO SHOOT DIFFERENT CALIBERS.” be dropped in. The included trigger, however, is extremely adjustable with a clean break and an integrated safety. The grip can also be swapped out for an AR-compatible grip.

Range Time With previous reviewers throwing plenty of .308 lead down range, I opted for testing .300 Winchester Magnum. Contributing to that decision was the fact that I was able to test the rifle at South Carolina’s Open Training Grounds (SCOTG), one of the longest (if not the longest) ranges in the Southeast with the capability of shooting steel over a mile away. I also got to spend the afternoon picking the brains of their knowledgeable staff and instructors, including their ballistics expert whose encyclopedic knowledge will make your head spin. It was well worth a

long drive to spend the afternoon with these guys whispering over my shoulder. The accuracy-testing process was pretty straightforward. We took five “fouling” shots to give the barrel a little heat to make sure anything left in the barrel was loosened up. The barrel was thoroughly cleaned. After zeroing the scope (a Vortex PST Gen 4), we cleaned the barrel and set in to testing. We averaged the group diameter of three five-round strings. The barrel was cleaned between changing manufacturers. The headline from accuracy testing was that the SX-1 seemed to favor the heavier ammo in our 100-yard test. This may be misleading, however, as the lighter 300WM ammo may not

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have had enough distance to stabilize. That is, the flight path tended to be corkscrew-like until the flight path stabilized. Either way the SX-1 is worthy of the precision rifle moniker. The SX-1 shot very smoothly and was very solid. Though it will never be confused as a lightweight, the heft of the rifle helped dampen some recoil and provided a solid platform for accuracy testing. The adjustable stock allowed me to get into a comfortable and consistent shooting position, which also helped in getting better accuracy data. Shooting off a CruxOrd tripod allowed us to reach out and ding steel at well beyond 1,200 yards.

The entire SX-1 shooting system stores securely in a custom hard-shell case.

THE SPECS RITTER & STARK SX-1 MTR CALIBER

.308 Win

.300 Win

.338 Lapua

(7.62X51 NATO)

Magnum

Barrel Length

24.5 in/623 mm

27.15 in/690 mm 27.15 in/690 mm

Overall Length

47.3 in/1,202 mm

50.8 in/1,291 mm 50.8 in/1,291 mm

Length Folded

37.5 in/953 mm

41 in/1,041 mm

Overall Width

3.2 in/81 mm

Width Folded

4 in/103 mm

Rifling Grooves

Rifling Twist

1:11 in/280 mm

1:10 in/254 mm

TTL Weight (w/o mag)

12.8 lbs/5.9 kg

13.7 lbs/6.3 kg

Ultralight Model Weight 11.25 lbs/5.2 kg

11.9 lbs/5.5 kg

11.9 lbs/5.45 kg

Magazine Capacity

10 rounds*

5/10 rounds

Stock Length

2.4 in/60 mm

Final Thoughts The SX-1 is not a cheap rifle, but you do get what you pay for. Ritter & Stark has exceeded the expectations of what a factory precision rifle should be, and put in a package that deftly resolves the issues of maintaining that precision in a modular, multi-caliber platform. TW

Adjustment Optical Interface

MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rail with 12, 20 or 40 MOA forward inclination.

Accessories Interface

Allows MIL-STD 1913 Picatinny rails via M-LOK or M5 screws. Octagonal cross-section enables handguard to accept accessories in 45° steps.

ACCURACY Ammo Fit and comfort is critical in a precision rifle. The SX-1 extensively adjustable butt stock allows for a near-custom fit.

SX1.indd 38

Average Size

Best Group

Federal Power Shok – 180gr lead free

1.36 in

1.18 in

Federal TLR – 200gr

1.08 in

0.93 in

Barnes Precision – 220gr OTM

1.04 in

0.88 in

9/6/17 12:42 AM

TW-WIN17-SimpliSafe 8/10/17 11:31 AM Page 1

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PERFECTING

YOUR LONG GAME 10

ESSENTIALS FOR RINGING STEEL WAY DOWN RANGE

Story and Photos by Kevin Reese

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“

end it.” As quickly as he uttered the command, my breathing settled in a natural pause and the pad of my finger began its slow, steady squeeze. At my preferred weight, just 2¼ pounds, the trigger broke like ice and the round headed downrange. I watched the splash 900 yards away and knew I was on steel; my spotter, Chris Reed, Precision Rifle Series competitor and winner of History Channel’s “Top Shot,” Season 2, guided me in, “Three-tenths down.” I made the adjustments and settled in again. “Send it.” My breathing paused, I squeezed the trigger and sent another down range. “Perfect elevation … go two-tenths left … waiting on you.” I fired again. “Fire a couple more. You’re in there.” Two more shots left me with a threeshot group of just under three inches at 900 yards!

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Selecting the right gun does not necessarily mean the most expensive gun, says the author.

While Reed has been a great coach of sorts over the years, another world-renowned shooter, Scott McRee, also has had the dubious honor of putting up with my trigger-time antics for scores of hours. Not only did he build my first two precision rifle kits, both with standard yet battle-proven Remington 700 short-actions (he machined the chassis himself), he’s the perfect storm of know-how and precision artisan. Yes, I’m a lucky guy to get the faceand range-time I do with a couple marksmen like Scott and Chris. That said, while my rifles are world-class match grade, yet affordable, works of art, I still have to do the hard work on the trigger to consistently bang steel at extended ranges. I’ve been told that knowledge unshared is knowledge wasted, so here are 10 things I’ve learned from the likes of Chris and Scott to get your steel ringing faster, more consistently and at greater distances.

The Right Gun Notice I did not say “the most expensive.” Selecting a rifle and optic setup precision machined and designed to get you on target has more to do with precision accuracy than some people might have you believe. In a marksmanship world where sub-1/2-MOA is standard, consider an affordable rifle system capable of delivering at least 1-MOA grouping with the right person lined up behind it. A well-designed and solidly crafted chassis—I prefer one from McRee’s Precision—can turn your haggard old Remington 700 into the precision rifle of your dreams, starting at about $500 for a world-class chassis and $1,150 for a full kit. McRee’s also now offers customized rifle systems starting at about $2,000. I currently run two McRee’s Precision BR-10 Rifles, chambered in .308 Win. and 6.5 Creedmoor, both with McRee’s Precision muzzle brakes.

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YOUR GUIDE TO SELECTING A SCOPE Choosing the best long-range riflescope can be daunting. While most of today’s precision shooters opt for MIL adjustments, the choice between MIL and MOA is yours alone to make. What is critically important is ensuring your reticle and turret adjustments operate in the same measurement. Never choose an optic with a MIL reticle and MOA adjustments, or vice versa, especially for long-range shooting, unless you like complicated math on the run. If possible, select a first-focal-plane (FFP) optic. A FFP reticle increases and decreases, relative to the target, as magnification changes, ensuring subtensions (spacing between lines) are valid through all levels of magnification. This is critical for accurate holdovers. Second-focal-plane (SFP) reticles do not change, leaving subtensions valid at only one magnification. As it relates to FFP and reticles, I prefer a MIL-dash reticle over MILdot; at high magnification, dots cover too much target surface for my taste. Before you buy, look through scopes outside. Make sure your sight picture is crisp and clear through all magnification levels (mirage aside). Make sure the scope includes adjustable parallax and, if possible, a zero-stop. Any scope at this level should include a lifetime warranty. Precision FFP scopes can easily run well over $3,000. My preference is a Sightmark Pinnacle 5-30x50 TMD (pictured), at a cost of around $1,500. I get the features I need and more without breaking my writer’s budget.

“...NONE OF THAT MATTERS IF YOUR ATTITUDE IS OFF TARGET.” Ready to pull the trigger on hairsplitting production rifle? The best production bolt-gun I have run to date is, hands down, the Bergara B-14 BMP. I have been working with a 6.5 Creedmoor B-14 BMP and have consistently achieved ½-MOA performance, so far, out to 1,000 yards in calm conditions. The Bergara B-14 BMP costs about $1,600.

The Right Optic Second to the rifle’s mechanical ability to group at long range, you have to be able to see the target. Reed often jokes, “If you can’t see it, you can’t hit it.” He’s right. The optic you choose should have crisp, clear glass, a fine reticle with hashmarks (even better, in my opinion, if it illuminates to contrast your target), parallax adjustability, second-focal-plane (SFP) within 500 yards, first-focal-plane (FFP)

TW_LR_SKILLS.indd 43

beyond 500, zero stop and Mil or MOA adjustability. If your budget won’t get you into a quality FFP optic with a decent warranty, consider beginning with an SFP; although, affordable FFP optics are making their way into your favorite gun shops.

The Right Ammo Ammo is another critical element of gear necessary for precision marksmanship. Study up on the ballistics for various loads. Learn about ballistic coefficients, velocity, energy and effective range (i.e. energy and drop over longer distances). Some supersonic calibers precision shooters prefer are .308 Win., 6.5 Creedmoor, 6mm Creedmoor, 6 x 47 Lapua, .338 Win. Mag., .260 Remington and .243 Win. Other calibers like 5.56 or .300AAC are definitely not the best choices for long-range shooting.

Positioning can make or break effective shooting, says the author, a Marine.

The Right Attitude Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is a precisionshooting skillset. Sure, practicing and studying marksmanship elements like ballistics, mirage and wind are critical; however, none of that matters if your attitude is off target. When it comes to precision shooting, somebody, somewhere, always knows more than you. Acknowledging this simple fact and progressing with a positive, readyfor-anything attitude not only makes shooting more fun, it eliminates much of the pressure shooters place upon themselves to shoot accurately. If I’ve learned anything, it’s this: the less pressure I put on myself, the more accurately I shoot. The more open I am to learning, experimenting, and absorbing thoughts and suggestions from other precision shooters, the better marksman I become.

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;DOPE IS YOUR GO-TO SHOOTING MANUAL FOR ACHIEVING HITS AT VARYING DISTANCES."

The Right Position Positioning can make or break effective shooting. In the Marine Corps, we studied shooting positions quite comprehensively. From boneon-bone to muscle-on-muscle and using alternative supports like your sling, walls, trees, and the ground, establishing a rock-solid position is paramount.

The DOPE sheet, which the author used while in the Marine Corps, takes into account load and environmental data, distance and other variables like spin drift,

Marines and precision shooters alike would agree, in a stable position, virtually the only movement you should see are the result of your heart beat and your breathing. Even in the off-hand and other less stable positions, where muzzle movement is more likely to occur, such motion can be controlled or, to some extent, at least better understood to optimize shots based on a pattern of such movement; for example, consistent motion in a figure-eight pattern. Benchrest and prone shooting offer the most stable precision shooting positions, with sitting, kneeling and standing (off-hand) following, most to least, in order of stability. Benchrest shooting often employees a rigid

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you’re back on target. Done wrong, you’re not on target and likely using those menacing muscles to get you there.

support up front, such as a Lead Sled, bipod, sandbag, and so on, and another rest under the stock, such as a squeeze bag. Neither of the two points really even rely on bone support; thus, you should be completely relaxed and focused on other shooting fundamentals. Legitimate physical shooting positions rely on bone and muscle. Of the two, bone-on-bone support should always be your first objective. Muscles have a tendency to ruin shot placement, especially if you’re under pressure, stress or straining. Artificial and bone supports allow you to relax. Shooting with muscles relaxed eliminates the potential for muscle to shift your point of impact.

Ammunition is another important consideration, and the author recommends that you study up on the ballistics for various loads. Some supersonic calibers precision shooters prefer? .308 Win. and 6.5 Creedmoor, among several others.

If not, make physical adjustments. If you’re off left or right, literally shift your body, don’t simply twist, this does nothing to move your NPA. Adjusting elevation can be done by adjusting stock height in your shoulder as well as hand placement. If you’re using an artificial support, like a bipod, you can make an adjustment there, too. The point is clear. Learning to consistently begin with your NPA is vital to precision shooting. Practiced

enough, some semblance of NPA is likely to exist even in unconventional shooting positions. While relaxed shooting and NPA are basic essential for consistent accuracy, so is body position. Focus on getting as much of your body directly behind the rifle as possible; even in a kneeling position, your back leg should be parallel to the target and your front foot, even your toes should be pointing directly to center mass. If someone took a topographic photo of you in this position, you would look like a triangle pointing directly at the target downrange. A good prone position also looks like a triangle. Line up directly behind the rifle with your NPA established, extend and spread your legs as far apart as comfortable and point your toes to the outside. Establish artificial or solid bone support to ensure your muscles are completely relaxed and begin focusing on your objective.

PHOTO BY GUS ALONZO

As important, or perhaps more so, is establishing and maintaining your natural point of aim, no matter what shooting position you decide to employ. After every shot, your body … and aim, move to a natural position. Done right,

To find your natural point of aim (NPA), get into a shooting position, perhaps prone. Settle in behind your rifle, look through your optic, put your sight or reticle at center mass of your target, then relax. Close your eyes and breathe slowly, in and out. Open your eyes again. Are you still on target? If so, you’ve found your NPA.

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“ESTABLISH PRECISE SIGHT ALIGNMENT AND SIGHT PICTURE ON A TARGET DOWNRANGE."

The Right Objective Zeroing in on the right longrange objective means taking control of three important sighting elements: Eye relief, sight alignment, sight picture and parallax. Fortunately, for long-range precision shooters, we like our optics … and robust magnification. Reed reminds me often, “You can’t hit it if you can’t see it.” Common sense, right? His KISS method (keep it simple, stupid) reminder specifically targets these sighting fundamentals. Eye relief is achieved when you install your riflescope. During installation, adjust your comb height to ensure your eye is directly behind the optic, establish a solid and comfortable cheek-weld and then move the optic forward and backward until a crisp, shadow-free image through your scope is achieved. A major player in precision shooting is consistency, so make sure your cheek finds that same sweet spot every time! Establishing precise sight alignment isn’t rocket science. Ensure your reticle is centered in the full field of view and

TW_LR_SKILLS_CX.indd 46

You have to be able to see the target. There are several factors to consider when selecting an optic. Among other considerations, it should have crisp, clear glass and a fine reticle with hashmarks.

shadowing is non-existent. Also, make sure the horizontal line of your reticle is level, not canted. A canted reticle most certainly does throw off your shot; in fact, at 1,000 yards even a slight cant may shift your point of impact completely off target! Make sure your scope has been mounted properly and is perfectly level in relation to your rifle. Once sight alignment is achieved, sight picture is, as you might guess, the picture you see when you’re on target. Make sure your vertical reticle line bisects the target and then make sure your horizontal reticle line is not canted. Depending on range and adjustments you’ve already determined whether you’re holding directly on target or utilizing reticle hashmarks in a hold-over sight picture. Parallax is another important aspect of shooting accurately with optics. Establish precise sight alignment and sight picture on a target downrange. With your left hand, slowly turn your parallax turret while repeatedly tilting your head up and down while

continuing to attempt to keep the reticle on your down range target. At first, the reticle will rise and fall over your target. As you adjust, you’ll reach a point when even while rocking your head, the reticle remains steady on your target. Your parallax is now set correctly.

The Right Order of Operation In the Marine Corps, positions, NPA, sight alignment and sight picture aside, marksmanship boiled down to BRASS. Ask me or any of my Jarhead bretheren what BRASS means and the answer, most assuredly, is always the same: Breathe, Relax, Aim and Squeeze! At this point, you’ve made appropriate windage and elevation adjustments; accounted for your NPA; settled into a solid shooting position; established an unshakable cheek weld; acquired precise eye relief, sight alignment and sight picture; are perfectly relaxed and have set your rifle’s safety to fire. Now is the time for BRASS. Inhale. Exhale. At the end of exhaling, note the respiratory pause before inhaling again. This is your shooting window. Inhale, exhale and let your breathing relax in this natural pause

9/6/17 1:58 AM

TW-WIN17-Sig Sauer 5/18/17 9:34 AM Page 1

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SIG BALLISTIC TURRET

LOCKDOWN™ ZERO SYSTEM

DEV-L™ HOLDOVER RETICLE

Dial up extreme long range targets with ease at any distance using the included custom SBT dial

Quickly and conﬁdently return to zero with the easy to conﬁgure zero stop and auto locking elevation turret

When speed and accuracy are paramount the DEV-L illuminated milling holdover reticle delivers hit after hit

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as you aim, then slowly squeeze the trigger until the rifle reports. Breathe, relax, aim and squeeze. Sure, it seems simple, but mastering BRASS, like everything else in precision shooting, requires consistency throughout boatloads of dry training (us Leathernecks call it “snapping in”) and live fire.

The author, far right, says have fun, seek mentorship and practice. Longrange shooting will become addictive, he says.

The Right Optic Generally, two riflescope adjustment systems are used, MOA and Mil. While 1 MOA is 1.047 inches at 100 yards, a Mil is 3.6 inches at the same distance. Many MOA riflescopes feature, as an example, ¼ MOA. This means adjusting one click at 100 yards shifts your point of impact (POI) 0.26 inch. To simplify, many shooters call out 1 MOA as one inch; thus, consider one click in this example as a 0.25 inch POI shift. Since a Mil at 100 yards is such a large measurement, Mil adjustments are at 1/10 Mil per click. This means 0.1 Mil click at 100 yards shifts your POI just 0.36 inch. Three clicks at 100 yards adjusts your POI 1.08 inches. For both MOA and Mil, adjustments are multiplied in relation to distance. While 1 MOA adjusts 1.047 inches at 100 yards, that same MOA adjusts 10.47 inches at 1,000 yards (1.047 x 10). A single click on a ¼-MOA turret would move your POI 2.62 inches at 1,000 yards and so on. Likewise, adjusting 1 Mil shifts POI 3.6 inches at 100 yards, the movement pushes POI over 36 inches at 1,000 yards. Whatever you use, make sure your reticle and turret adjustments are the same. Your spotter must also be calling out adjustments so as to match your turrets. Consistency is the key to long range success. As a point of interest, most longrange precision shooters also use first-focal-plane riflescopes. Without getting technical, a second focal plane reticle remains the same size throughout magnification changes. This changes the measurement of subtensions (amount of space/ distance between hashmarks). The reticle in first focal plane riflescopes magnifies commensurate with scope

TW_LR_SKILLS.indd 48

“JOINING THE 1,000-YARD CLUB IS EASY.” magnification. As magnification increases, the reticle size also increases. This is important because the subtension at 100 yards remains the same at 1,000 yards.

The Right DOPE DOPE, short for Data on Previous Engagement, is your go-to shooting manual for achieving hits at varying distances. A number of environmental variables, including wind, temperature and barometric pressure (some argue altitude over BP) affect trajectory; for that matter, ballistics also affect trajectory—that is bullet weight, velocity, ballistic coefficient and more. Experimenting (safely) with loads or different types of factory match ammunition, and shooting during varying environmental conditions, further your knowledge of how variables affect trajectory. Numerous ballistic calculators are available via smartphone apps; Ballistic is one of my personal favorites. Kestrel has long been known as the leader in weather meter/applied ballistic data for world-class precision shooters and the Gunwerks G7 Ballistic Rangefinder is also an incredibly impressive performer. All of these ballistic tools make precision shooting easier, especially with computers capturing real-time atmospheric data. No matter which tool you decide to

use, the critical information you input (or the computer captures) is used to calculate trajectory. The result is your DOPE sheet. The DOPE sheet takes into account load and environmental data, distance and other variables like spin drift, and provides precise windage and elevation adjustments required to bang steel at extreme distances. Many precision shooters keep critical DOPE taped to their stocks and scope covers as an on-the-fly resource.

The Right Stuff Like most other hobbiesturned-obsession, precision shooting is downright addicting! So, where’s the rub in that? Long-range shooting can break a blue-collared bank in a hurry; don’t ask me how I know, but I think I own stock at Brownells. Accessorizing with a reputable retailer that offers a robust selection and, frankly, great pricing and service, actually helps me make smarter choices. My other precision-shooting gear includes a Tactical Tailor squeeze bag; Atlas, Harris and (new) Firefield Stronghold bipods; McRee’s Precision and ZRODelta Cowl Induction muzzle brakes; ZRODelta DLOC-34 Scope Mount; Badger Ordnance and Sightmark 34mm rings; Sightmark Latitude 20-60x80 XD Tactical Spotting Scope; BLACKHAWK! Pro-Shooters Mat; and Challenge Steel Targets. TW

9/4/17 11:45 PM

TW-SPR17-Midwest Industries 1/17/17 12:11 PM Page 1

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PRACTICAL I

ard work pays off. Haley Strategic has firmly entrenched its reputation as being a wellspring of innovative products. Though their overall catalog is modest, the products therein all punch above their weight

TW_HALEY.indd 50

The author, who is active LE, said Haley Strategic produced practical innovation to the market with these lights.

class when it comes to quality and usability. Improving on an established product, Haley Strategic has brought not one, but two options to the world of weapon-mounted lights. Approximately five years ago, Haley

Strategicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relationship with Inforce brought a special-edition rifle/carbine light to the market. Boasting 250 lumens, it was an improvement over the standard Inforce light while keeping the features that represented Inforceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s innovation: an integrated rail mount,

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L INNOVATION

HALEY STRATEGIC SCORES BIG WITH TWO WEAPON LIGHTS BUILT FOR CLOSE QUARTER ENVIRONMENTS By Drew Pruhs | Photos courtesy of Haley Strategic

a safety lever to prevent an accidental “light discharge” and an ergonomic activation button. Building upon the success of their previous collaboration, Haley Strategic (HSP) and Inforce have once again an industry-leading weapon-mounted light system, two

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actually. The HSP Inforce WML 400L and the HSP Inforce WMLX 400/800.

LIGHT 1: HSP INFORCE WML 400L The Gen 2 WML is an understated improvement of a good and already

proven design. This offering comes in a slightly upgraded and beefedup body. Made of glass-reinforced polymer, the Gen 2 WML is robust and has upgraded heat-dispensing vents to help manage the temperature of the LEDs while in use.

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“THE ALL-INCLUSIVE RAIL CLAMP ALLOWS THE LIGHT TO MOUNT SEAMLESSLY WITH YOUR WEAPON.“ DO THE MATH $129

The MSRP of the WML 400L

$170

In dollars, the price of the HSP Inforce WMLX 400/800

Though approximately a quarter-inch longer than the original Gen 1, they are now able to squeeze out an upgraded 400 lumens of white light, while still running on just one CR123 lithium battery. The light has a bright, tight beam that provides a lot of throw for mid-range applications, while still providing enough spill so that you can constantly take in your periphery, as well as use the corona for searching when in tight quarters. At just over three ounces and 4.2 inches long, the Haley Strategic Inforce WML is a low-profile package that has a 1.5-hour runtime. Haley Strategic distilled the essential function of a weapon-mounted light and exclusively offers a momentary-only option. This both simplifies the options and the action of using the light in its primary role— identifying lethal threats.

AT A GLANCE WML 400L and WMLX 400/800

Left: Here’s a close look at the finer details of the WMLX 400/800.

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• For tactical low-light applications • Angled activation button • Waterproof to 66 feet • Two lockout systems prevent accidental discharge • Momentary-only digital pressure pad WML 400L: 400 lm, 1.5-hr runtime WMLX 400/800: 400-800 lm, up to 4-hr runtime

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TACTICAL WORLD WINTER 2017

An improved, textured digital pressure pad is angled to allow activation without the need of any wires or tape switches. The pressure pad has also been upgraded to function better in cold weather. The all-inclusive rail clamp allows the light to mount seamlessly with your weapon. Additionally, it allows the user to easily switch the light from one weapon to another as needed, with no need for additional tools.

inch longer and just under an ounce heavier than its little brother, while still offering all of the same great features. You can now switch between running a solid 400 lumens or an impressive 800 lumens of white light. You can alternate between the two light output options by means of a side-mounted switch. You get a four-hour runtime at 400 lumens, and at 800 lumens, the light still boasts an impressive twohour runtime.

Finally, the Gen 2 WML features two distinct lockout systems to avoid white light “negligent discharges.” A quarter turn of the light’s head prevents the light from being activated and is the ideal mode for travel, transport and storage. The safety lever is still part of the design and is easily manipulated with your thumb, though it is now removable. The safety lever is still the ideal carry mode for movement to and from your objective or when you are carrying your weapon, but not actively searching an environment.

Because both the 400- and 800-lumen beams emanate from the same lamp, the light pattern is essentially identical. What changes is the intensity of the beam, the power of the throw and the usefulness of the spill. While “low light” is a relative term, the 800-lumen option is far reaching and is ideal for longer distance target identification, and of better use in more lit environments for threat discrimination.

GREAT OPTIONS

So, how do you improve on what is already an excellent and innovative design? Make it bigger!

Haley Strategic continues to bring practical innovation to a market that is oversaturated with redundant fluff. Both the WML and the WMLX are ergonomic, yet utilitarian, while still offering features and options that make the end-user never feel wanting.

The WMLX, designed to run on two CR123 lithium batteries, is just over an

With an MSRP of $129, the HSP Inforce WML 400L is a significant improvement

LIGHT 2: HSP INFORCE WMLX 400/800

TW_HALEY.indd 53

Above: Up close and personal with the WML 400L.

over its predecessor and is offered at essentially the same price. That alone makes it a great option when outfitting a carbine or shotgun setup for working in an urban or Extreme Close Quarter (ECQ) environment. For $170 you can get a slightly bigger light with the option of double the lumens, that is best suited for a carbine that may have to work at the outer edge of its effective ballistic capability, or for a “work gun” that is likely to get a lot of use. You can see that hard work pays off. Most definitely. TW

HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH? In the flashlight world, the argument of “how many lumens?” is ongoing. While most will say that more is better, there is such a thing as too much. With the ability to easily switch between 400 and 800 lumens, that argument loses much of its momentum. Whether you are moving from indoors to outdoors, or through a structure with a lot of white walls where bounce-back becomes an issue, or when you want to use light as force to overpower an unknown threat, being able to easily switch your light output makes you more able to adapt to an evolving situation.

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WELCOME TO

WORLD

THEIR

TWO OF AMERICAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BENGHAZI HEROES, TANTO AND BOON, CREATE A MOBILE TRAINING TEAM

By Amelia Earl, Photos by Mark Kuhlmann

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To read Dave Boonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interview, go to www. facebook.com/TacticalWorldMagazine/.

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he Battle of Benghazi. That infamous night when our men were left surrounded by hordes of armed members from the Islamic militant group Ansar al-Sharia. With nowhere to run and no promise of help from the outside, six American security contractors readily put their lives on the line to rescue and protect Americans stationed in Benghazi. The security team fought for over 13 hours under heavy machine gun, rocket and mortar fire. Their acts of heroism and self-sacrifice that night were captured in the book and movie, “13 hours.” Among the six security contractors were Kris Paronto and Dave Benton, also known as Tanto and Boon, respectively. They quickly gained fame as national heroes after the media filled our country with the details of the Battle of Benghazi, but they were American heroes long before then. Mr. Paronto and Mr. Benton have diligently served our country for many years and have become some of the most talented, well-crafted fighters and defenders our country has known. Now that both men are no longer doing government work, they’re using their advanced knowledge and skillset in combat and weaponry to train others at the company they started called Battleline Tactical. In the following story, they will discuss their company, how their experiences and skills translate to teaching and a few other surprises. —AE TW: Let’s start with the name of your company. Kris “Tanto” Paronto: Battleline Tactical. We are a mobile training team (MTT), and we host training events all over the country. We have two main locations: Firebase Tactical and 88 Tactical. TW: Are you ever going to open a place permanently? Tanto: I would like to, but there’s a lot that goes into that. I have been to so many ranges now that I know exactly what I want if I was to open one, but I don’t have the time to do that. If I can’t have time to focus on it, I’m not going

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Kris Paronto and Cobalt Kinetics joined forces to build Tanto’s ideal pistol.

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“We want you to be scrappy. That’s how we operated overseas. We were low-profile, with limited weapons and tools at our disposal and placed on very small teams.”

to do it. I would want to give people the best facility possible, but I just couldn’t do that right now and I’m not going to do something if I can’t devote myself to it. That would be a disservice to myself and the community because I wouldn’t be giving them the best facility I could. TW: When did you first begin training others? Tanto: I became a private security contractor at Blackwater Tactical Range in 2003, and later at several other ranges. Whenever I got back from deployment, I would teach a class.

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It’s my way to give back. I’ve trained civilians, police officers, SWAT, CIA, and military personnel because I have years of experience and I have utilized my training and skillsets throughout my deployment and during firefights. TW: What prompted you to start teaching others the skills you had learned? Tanto: Coming back from deployment I needed something to do. When Blackwater asked me if I wanted to train there, it just seemed like the right thing to do. At the time, I was training guys with whom I was going back over to serve with and, at the range, I was in my element. TW: Provide an overview of Battleline Tactical. Tanto: We teach things from basic pistol handling to individual protection measures courses to leadership classes. Our main goal is for people to have fun, be safe and to walk away feeling confident in their abilities. TW: What type of clientele does your company train? Tanto: For our open enrollment courses that you can sign up online it’s mostly civilians, but we do have some exmilitary or ex-police. When we do train

MEET TANTO Name: Kris "Tanto" Paronto Age: 46 Marital Status: Divorced Residence: Omaha, Nebraska Kids: Yes Military Background: Former Army Ranger from 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment and private security contractor. He served four years in the U.S. Army and an additional four years in the U.S. Army National Guard reaching the rank of Sergeant then becoming a commissioned officer in 2003. He has been involved in security operations in hostile environments for over 10 years. Education: Master’s in criminal justice, with an emphasis in public administration Website: KrisTantoParonto.com

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“... IT’S NOT ABOUT US OR ABOUT SHOWING OFF, IT’S ABOUT MAKING SURE OUR CLIENTS ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME ...” — TANTO 9/6/17 1:59 PM

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army or law enforcement personnel, they tell us what they want us to teach. Those classes must be built around their specific requirements. TW: What type of classes are available? What skills can your clients learn by taking your courses? Tanto: We have a pistol class, advance pistol, advanced pistol from a concealed and open carry, advanced rifle, basic rifle, individual protection measures courses, AR-15 and SKS specific classes. Our clients can learn how to shoot from a stationary and moving vehicle. We have a whole gamut of things people can learn, from anything you want to do with a pistol or rifle, to tactical things like room clearing and individual movement. TW: Do you offer any mental training courses that prepare a person to remain emotionally

MEET BOON Name: Dave "Boon" Benton Military Background: Dave "DB" Benton has a combined 24 years serving in specialized teams and leadership roles in the military, law enforcement, protective security and intelligence community. He has held many positions on various teams from assaulter, sniper, breacher, tactical medic, team leader, and instructor positions from explosive entry to SWAT.

Dave Boon said he and Tanto’s background covers the whole spectrum—military, law enforcement, private protective security, government intelligence community and CCW—so students will get comprehensive, unparalleled instruction.

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shape, then that’s when mistakes will happen. You’re brain doesn’t work as well when you’re physically exhausted. Try running as fast as you can for a mile and then do a simple task right after, and you’ll see that your mind doesn’t work well. Also, when you try to aim a gun while you are breathing heavily, your accuracy is going to go way down. You might be able to hit a target while standing straight, but what about after chasing down a bad guy? Being in shape is extremely important to eliminate mental mistakes or compromise your shooting abilities. It is paramount to being a better fighter. That said, at a training facility, you don’t have to be in the greatest shape since a lot of it is just standing around and any movement is brief.

balanced in pivotal moments? Tanto: We train this by giving you a task and putting some pressure on you. We don’t put you through anything too intense, and we make sure you can complete the task. It’s the instructor’s job to be watching and evaluating how you’re doing to make sure you’re not losing focus or getting too stressed out. That’s where an instructor steps in and shuts it down. They go over what went wrong and what went right and then have you do it all over again. TW: What philosophy is Battleline Tactical founded upon? Tanto: Putting the person first and making sure they have fun. Boon and I know that it’s not about us or about

To enhance mental toughness at Battleline Tactical, Kris Paronto says they give students a task and put some pressure on them.

showing off, it’s about making sure our clients are having a good time because you learn better that way and teaching them skillsets. Seeing them happy and enjoy themselves, especially after accomplishing a task, means everything to me. TW: What role does physical conditioning play in your training and in real-life combat? Tanto: You have to be physically fit to fight. Imagine you are going into a football game, and you are out of shape. After the first quarter, you are going to be worthless. You won’t be able to move or pick up your arms. Downrange and in combat or in any real-world situation, if you’re not in

TW: How does your past military experience enhance the training offered at your facility? Tanto: The training environments we went through, doing things repeatedly until they were second nature, and then putting them into practice during real experiences taught us a lot. We’ve had years of going through training ourselves and then many years of us using that training while we were deployed. We took what we instructed and then applied it in real-life situations and saw what worked and didn’t work. We experienced failures and learned how to deal with them. We tell our students what worked for us, what didn’t work, how we dealt with it, and then have them figure out what’s best for them.

INSIDE THE 14TH HOUR FOUNDATION It’s been about a year since I started the 14th Hour Foundation. I wanted to start a foundation that helps not only military, but also helps contractors, law enforcement, and first responders. When people apply, we verify that what they said is correct and then we help them cover whatever expenses they need help with, like funeral expenses or electrical bills. What inspired me to create this foundation is that there wasn’t anything like it and no foundation helped contractors. Every foundation was specific to one group, so I wanted to make one that encompassed everyone—law enforcement, military, police, first responders, and contractors. The goal of the 14th Hour Foundation is to help all the different people that help protect and serve us. It’s still relatively new and I haven’t been keeping track of how many we’ve helped. I think if you’re keeping track of the numbers, you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. If most people never see what 14th Hour has done, that’s okay. If the people who need help get our help, then I’m happy. I’ve always wanted to do it, it’s my way to give back. I don’t think it’s affected me personally. When people do it to make themselves feel good, they are doing it for the wrong reasons. I just wanted to be able to thank these people by giving back to them. —Tanto

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JOINT FORCES Tanto Collaborates With Cobalt Kinetics On a New Pistol Courtesy of Cobalt Kinetics It has become the privilege and honor of gun manufacturers to work alongside, to represent and to pay respect to our nation’s heroes. Be assured, that when a gun manufacturer takes on the charge of doing justice to the memory of our servicemen, they enter that endeavor with respect and sincere intention to pay deserved recognition and gratitude to our veterans and to commemorate and remember those injured and the ones that paid the ultimate price for our freedom. It may be that the only way for us to honor these soldiers is to tell their stories and to create trophies in their memory so that we won’t forget their example. Kris Paronto is one of these service men that we, as a nation, celebrate for his brave service in theatre. He has a story and a lesson that we should all learn and learn well. To say that he had a rough experience in Libya 2012 is a grave understatement. But his American spirit and will to live a full life and help and teach people has lead him to become a successful author and

handguard is one of Cobalt’s proprietary structures. It’s affixed to

entrepreneur.

the upper and barrel by their own rock-solid fastening system. An uninterrupted 15-inch Picatinny rail runs from the charge handle

Most recently, he has released his own signature weapon. He

to the muzzle.

partnered with Cobalt Kinetics to bring his ideal weapon to life. The gun in question is a pistol based on the Cobalt Kinetics EDGE.

The final finish on the gun is subdued battle-worn crimson

This weapon boasts some patented Cobalt tech called the “Dual

behind a layer of flat black. The control and restraint exercised

Drop” that adds a left-side forward assist and links the function

by Cobalt’s master Cerakote crew provides a subtle and beautiful

of these ambidextrous forward assist buttons to the bolt release.

effect. The gun bears a laser engraved Ranger tab, battalion scroll

Once you’ve used this mechanism, you’ll never be able to go

and Ranger crest. Also burned into the Cerakote are “TANTO” and

back to the conventional controls. It’s as fast and instinctive as

the number “13” as a reminder of the 13-hour assault on the U.S.

one can imagine.

compound in Benghazi in 2012 where Kris fought to protect his teammates and fellow Americans from marauding insurgents.

The rest of the pistol is kitted out with premium controls: the charging handle, selector lever and magazine catch are all

Cobalt Kinetics is honored to work with Kris Paronto and very

ambidextrous. The fire-control mechanism is without equal—it’s

proud to build his ideal pistol and offer it for sale. It is important

the ATC Gold Trigger. The Mil-spec M-16 bolt group is treated

to note that every component on this gun was sourced from

in a black nitride surface conversion for high lubricity and wear

American companies. Some of these companies were founded

resistance. The bolt itself is marked “MPI” that is, magnetic

and are operated by veterans. Some actively seek out and

particle inspection, as a quality control check during manufacture

employ combat veterans. This was one of Mr. Paronto’s original

to detect flaws and points of potential failure.

stipulations in building his gun—that it’s production and sale

The 10.5-inch barrel is made from 4150 CMV steel and

benefit our veterans. Proceeds from the sale of “Tanto” Pistol

chambered in 5.56 NATO with a 1:7-inch twist rate. The muzzle

benefit Kris Paronto’s 14th Hour Foundation.

is dressed with the Cobalt Kinetics EDGE brake. On a 10.5-inch barrel, it’s got very balanced performance; it’s not overactive like

For details, pricing, lead times visit www.cobaltkinetics.com or

most brakes can be on shorter barrels. The barrel is fitted with

www.14hours.org. TW

an adjustable gas block to allow the user to tune his pistol for optimum performance.

THE SPECS

The Grip is Cobalt’s own billet aluminum offering. It is made

• 10.5-inch chrome-moly

without any surface texture … just smooth machined aluminum.

steel barrel

• 15-inch continuous Picatinny rail • M-Lok handguard

The contour and ergonomic grip angle make it fit the hand

• 5.56 NATO 1-7 twist

perfectly and lend to enhanced weapon control and resultant

• Adjustable gas block

accuracy.

• Cobalt Edge muzzle brake

• Ambidextrous controls

• 27 inches overall length

• ATC Gold Trigger

• Billet grip

• 6 pounds, 2 ounce

The arm brace is the KAK blade, arguably the best of its kind

• Cobalt Dual Drop bolt control

on the market. It serves it purpose without compromise. The

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o be the best, you have to learn from the best. And there may be no better than Drew Wallace. Wallace served with the 75th Ranger Regiment, in support of OIF and OEF, and Blackwater Worldwide. He currently produces the reality series “Training Cell” for SOFREP TV. We tapped into Drew’s real-world, live fire experience and tier one training to get

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Luck is the residue of design, says the author, who adds that it is critical to prepare relentlessly.

some insight on essential items for making sure when the smoke clears, you leave the fight without having any additional holes put in your body.

DO 01

In a gunfight, much like anything in life, luck is the residue of design. You must prepare relentlessly to take

advantage of every opportunity or to react to every unfortunate event beyond your control. Preparation is everything. Always be ready so when something happens you don’t have to get ready. One way to always make sure you’re prepared is to assess and re-assess a situation. Constantly ask yourself: If lead flies, where’s my cover? What’s

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GOAL: SURVIVAL

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THE 20 DO’S AND DON’TS TO WIN A GUNFIGHT Story by Drew Wallace, Photos courtesy of SOFREP.tv

the quickest way to get to cover? Where is my best path of exit?

Remember the three Ds: distance, direction, description. If you see or hear that first gunshot, communicate to anybody and everybody those three simple indicators. It gets everyone locked on a target.

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There’s a good chance that you won’t be the only person in a crowd who has prepared themselves to defend friends and family. Communicating and coordinating with others is a success multiplier. It also ensures that you’re not mistaken as an offender and are properly identified as a defender.

every manipulation of that weapon. Without being a master of your weapon, your effectiveness in any gunfight is severely diminished.

Dry fire your weapon. Know the grip, feel, trigger and

In this issue, there’s an excellent article detailing the benefits of dry fire training. (See page 108.) Scenario-based training is a critical aspect to be

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successful in a gunfight. How many gunfights ever occurred on a 50-meter flat range on a sunny day? Build different scenarios and variables into your training, so that your mind and body can react with lethality in any real-world scenario. A number of ranges and clubs are now inviting top instructors for weekend seminars and training. It’s to your advantage to take as many of these as possible, with as many different teaching styles as possible.

Increase your heart rate during training. If your body is not prepared for the physiological demands of a gunfight, such as elevated heart rate and stress, you will not be able to maintain composure and effectiveness. The stronger you are, the better you’ll shoot, manage recoil and get back on target. The better your cardiovascular system, the longer you can effectively fight.

Make the scene safe, while not losing focus on eliminating the threat. A mass casualty incident can quickly detract from eliminating the threat at hand. It is a balance of those two.

Your enemy’s behavior builds a story; listen to it. In an active shooter situation, what is the shooter's behavior? What is he shooting? How frequently is he shooting? Can you identify the sound of the weapon? These are some of the questions you must ask. The more information you have, the better response you can have to eliminate the threat. Situational awareness helps you make proper decisions, communicate action plans, as well help with any after action reporting required.

Always keep a trauma kit with you or nearby. Someone will get injured or even shot. If you have the right tools with you to save lives, it becomes a much better day. There are a number of combat

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“THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT PANIC IS SPENDING HOURS PREPARING FOR ALL CONTINGENCIES AND OPPORTUNITIES.” Top: How do you prevent panic? Spend hours preparing for all contingencies and opportunities.

Below: Shown here filming, the author says it is mandatory to know the difference between cover and concealment.

trauma kits available. More important than carrying a good trauma kit is knowing how to use it. It’s worth your while to invest in a good trauma first aid class.

Know the difference between cover and concealment. Cover is that which can protect you from a threat; concealment only hides you and offers no true protection.

Know the difference, and have an idea of what cover is actually effective at stopping rounds.

Take notice of your physiology. Your heart rate and ventilation rate are great indicators for how your body responds to stress. Everything becomes more challenging when stress is applied. Proper oxygenation and some deep breaths can make a huge difference before taking a shot.

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Gunfights don’t occur on the range, says the author. He recommends that you build different scenarios and variables into your training so you can react with lethality in a real-world scenario.

the opponent had decades of fighting experience, yet looked like sheepherders. Learn about your enemy, as it will allow you to better predict behavior. The biggest threats can come from the most unassuming enemy.

Don’t go it alone, if you don’t have to. In most circumstances, two will always be better than one, particularly when entering a room.

Don’t move to a position with no exit. If you do not have two avenues of escape, you are trapped, and that’s not a good spot to be in.

Don’t remain static. If you can move and shoot, you are a much harder target to hit than standing still. Know where you’re moving before you start moving there.

Don’t forget to use suppressive fire. If you need to move quickly to another location, lay down some suppressive fire and sprint your ass off to the next point of cover. Communicate with other defenders when you’re moving, and they can help cover your movement.

DON’T 01

Don’t forget to check your equipment. Don’t expect what you don’t inspect. If you haven’t checked your gear and done a functions check, don’t expect it to work correctly.

Don’t forget the basics. If you are missing your target, reel it back to the basics of body position, sight alignment, breathing and trigger squeeze. Remember one rarely rises to the occasion, but rather

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Don’t forget to check your rounds. A full combat load is seven magazines of 5.56, but even that can go quickly. After that first volley of returning fire, make sure you are diligent with how you expend your ammunition. In a self-defense scenario, chances are your round count is much lower than your typical combat load out. Additionally, in an unexpected and stressful situation, counting rounds may not be a top priority. Retained tactical reloads should be considered as a way of ensuring you don’t run to slide-lock at an inopportune time.

defaults to the level of your training.

Don’t stop firing until you get the feedback you are looking for. Too many guys stop shooting to see where their rounds hit. If you’re in a gunfight, you shoot until you see the feedback you want.

Don’t underestimate your opponent. Know your enemy. In Afghanistan,

10 DIG DEEPER Check out Drew Wallace's work at: www.sofrep.tv

Don’t panic. Mistakes are made when stress levels increase. The best way to prevent panic is spending hours preparing for all contingencies and opportunities. So, get back out there and go to work. TW

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IT ALL STARTS IN THE MIND HOW THIS FORMER ARMY RANGER CUSTOMIZES EVERY TRAINING SESSION TO THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF EACH STUDENT Story by Torrey Kim Photos courtesy of KÃ&#x201E;GWERKS

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ake one look at Garett Schwindel running a training session and you’ll immediately recognize that his program is different from any other you’ve seen. The former Army Ranger has trained everyone from Special Operations operators, contractors, and federal agencies, to civilians. Regardless of why you’re seeking to better your skills, Garett uses the same methodical approach of decoding, then recoding your mental processes, to help achieve vastly greater results in a shorter period of time.

Establishing Subconscious Competence Schwindel’s main base of operations is Kägwerks’ facility in Washington state. Kägwerks, a funky spin on Cognitive Works, is two separate companies, one that provides specialized training, and another designing and distributing products to Special Operations units. Students of all levels get customized training tailored specifically to the shooter’s needs. “Our focus on improvement has evolved over time,” Schwindel says. “It’s more than just mechanics and efficiency when trying to get guys good at shooting quickly. It starts in the mind and how it works.”

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Proficiencies start when new neural pathways are established. First, the skill is modeled, and then with the student’s understanding confirmed, the skill is practiced repeatedly until it’s as subconscious as breathing.

“PUSHING AT A 100-PERCENT PACE LEADS TO INCONSISTENCY AND MESSING THINGS UP, ULTIMATELY LEADING TO THE REINFORCEMENT OF BAD HABITS.” As he explains, senior operators who have been exposed to multiple firefights have established a mental conditioning that allows them to actually thrive in chaos and execute deliberately without panic. This comes from training to a level of subconscious competence that is hardwired in their minds. If you can get the mechanics done efficiently without chewing through a bunch of mental bandwidth, you are leaving more mental processing power free to solve the big problems. This allows the mind to stay calm and clear.

approach to efficient learning, understanding how the brain works and customizing the training toward that,” Schwindel says. “A student’s mindset, level of competency with specific tasks is evident in their movements. Ultimately you want to get the mechanics of shooting to a level of subconscious competence like brushing your teeth.”

Once Schwindel began investigating how to customize training for each type of student, he started delving further into what he refers to as “the inoculation effect.” He began researching cognitive processing to investigate exactly how the brain works and learns, what the neural pathways do, and which methods allow students to override old training scars.

“If, during the course of a 10-minute engagement, you shoot 90 rounds and each shot takes about a half-second, you are only spending 45 seconds out of 10 minutes actually shooting. It’s all of the supporting mechanics, movement and decision-making that uses up the other 9 minutes 15 seconds.

“I began using more of a cognitive

Schwindel says the actual act of pulling the trigger is a very small portion of the overall sum total of work that must be accomplished in gunfighting.

“It’s clear that there’s a lot more areas that need to be refined in the course of

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an engagement beyond just shooting,” Schwindel says. “Kägwerks tries to get the shooting to a level of subconscious competence and efficiency to free up the mental bandwidth to process battlefield problems.”

Undoing What’s Hard Wired Students who have shot quite a bit with inefficient mechanics, have hardwired neural pathways into their brains. A new pathway must be re-created for what “right” looks and feels like. This can be quite hard to do if the student has ingrained the wrong pathway over many years. The longer they have done it, the harder it is to undo and correct, but through understanding the mind and incrementally adjusting the mechanics, it can be done quite quickly. Newer shooters must spend a lot of time learning how to manipulate their weapons, reload, use cover, transition and move, and those activities take up a lot of mental bandwidth at the outset of a shooting career. However, Schwindel says, once that becomes subconscious competence, certain things are hardwired, and if a shooter has hardwired a habit that impacts his accuracy or speed, it takes time to undo it. “For instance,” Schwindel says, “I was working with a current Special Forces guy who had a deficiency where he would index his weapon out of the holster and was slowing down drastically as he was presenting out before his shot.” He had trained this way for years and it was deeply rooted in his mind. “I wanted to create a new neural pathway so he wouldn’t slow down until the last 3 inches of presentation,” he continues. “I advised him to mimic index and presentation, but without actually grabbing the weapon, and when he did that, his hands moved at full speed. So, it was clear that his hardwiring involved the feeling of his hand hitting the gun because he had done it so many times and he was trapped in that familiar mode.” After Schwindel worked with him for

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approximately 30 repetitions of the exercise without indexing his weapon, the operator was able to override the old neural pathway that was slowing him down. “He could then mimic presentation at the speed he needed to without the weapon,” Schwindel says. “So, then we tried it with the weapon, and he was able to move at full speed with weapon in hand because he had created a new neural pathway close enough to the mechanics of what he wanted to achieve, but different enough to gain some progress in overriding the old pathway, yet similar enough in movements to bridge the gap quickly.”

Some Shooters Must Forget What They Know One of the essential keys to Kägwerks’ training program is teaching a student to think critically for themselves. “There has been a culture of not questioning the SME presenting the information. Misinformation has been passed down, regurgitated and taught without ever having been brought to question,” Schwindel says. “There are students who will link up with a subject matter expert in their town and will take what that person says as gospel, and then perpetuate that info. But that advice may not be correct,” explains Schwindel. “If someone’s advice doesn’t directly add to the performance of what you’re doing, or pass the sniff test, then it’s probably not good advice.” Keep in mind that it’s okay to ask questions if what the instructor is teaching doesn’t make sense to you. “Too many people follow blindly and regurgitate stuff the instructor said, without questioning it,” Schwindel says. That’s how misinformation is spread like wildfire. “When I instruct, I take students from point A to point B and walk them through it and ask if that makes sense to everyone. That’s where I’ve found favor with students. I explain the ‘why’

About Garett Schwindel Garett served in the elite 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. He has a total of 14 deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan as an Army Ranger, PSD Operator, U.S. State Department Lead Firearms Instructor, and Shift leader for a Helo CSAR team. During his time as a lead State Department firearms instructor he has trained thousands of U.S. military and private contractors, as well as hundreds of foreign military and police. Over the last 3 years he has trained U.S. Special Operations Units, various SWAT teams and civilians. He served as vice president of a weapons design company and is currently the CEO of a military solutions design company.

and enable them to start to figure out how to improve for themselves,” Schwindel continues. “I tell them not to just take my word for it, but to run it through their own mental process to ensure it makes sense.” If an instructor doesn’t appreciate questions or requests for explanations, then you should reconsider whether that person is the right instructor for you, Schwindel advises. “There are a lot of people relying on this training to protect their brothers in arms, communities, families and homes, and there are instructors out there that fail to realize the gravity of the situation,” he says. “With regards to being an instructor—they’re being paid to help you survive—that’s a heavy burden to bear and many don’t give it the seriousness it deserves.” Instructors should be well-versed enough to quickly spot a student’s inefficiencies in mechanics or mindset. “For instance,” Schwindel explains, “students often panic when something doesn’t go according to plan. When this happens, a student will make many vigorous movements that don’t achieve anything while the brain is processing the situation.

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“I TELL THEM NOT TO JUST TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, BUT TO RUN IT THROUGH THEIR OWN MENTAL PROCESS TO ENSURE IT MAKES SENSE.” Schwindel spends just as much time figuring out how his shooters learn and process information as he does working directly with them to improve their proficiencies.

“I show the students that panic in the mind translates into panic in the movement. When stuff goes sideways, they have to slow down, receive the information they need, and then execute efficiently to make the fix. “Refine the fundamentals of shooting to a point of analyzing every portion of what you do with the utmost scrutiny,” he continues, “looking for areas to improve efficiency and performance.” You can’t look deep enough. As a matter of fact, most people don’t scratch the surface with the level of analysis it takes to improve rapidly. Shooting is not a skill with a definitive touch point of expertise, it is a continuous process. It must be every shooter’s goal to be constantly improving his/her skillset. As Schwindel advises, improvement should always start with the fundamentals. “Start out with accuracy. The foundation of shooting is accuracy. Speed is secondary and directly degrades accuracy,” he says. You have to know how accurate you are at what speed and at what distance in order to get effective hits. This comes from quantifying data and training at 90 percent of your potential. Pushing at a 100-percent pace leads to inconsistency and messing things up, ultimately leading to the reinforcement of bad habits. Ninety percent seems to be the sweet spot where the work gets done quickly and with almost 100 percent on the execution front. If you constantly train in the 90-percent range, you will get faster by always being on the razor’s edge of speed and accuracy. Going faster than you can accurately engage only results in expensive noise. TW

WHERE TO FIND KÄGWERKS

Garett Schwindel’s training facility, KÄGWERKS, is based in Camas, Washington, and you can find him on the internet at Kagwerks.com.

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TW-WIN17-Sig Sauer_rattler 8/8/17 10:37 AM Page 1

M A DE BY

YOUR WA IT IS OVER

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SIG MCX®

RATTLER

DISCREET The pinnacle of portable ﬁrepower, the MCX Rattler features a 5.5” barrel and folding stock, making it usable as short as 16”

sigsauer.com

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™

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Available in 5.56 NATO and 300 BLK, the switch-barrel MCX Rattler offers M4 ballistics in a subgun-sized package

Built for top-tier units, the short-stroke piston design eliminates the buffer tube yet maintains familiar M4 controls

#mcxrattler

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DEPARTURE

FROM THE

NORM LMS DEFENSE’S PRACTICAL CARBINE COURSE—ENGINEERED BY FORMER LAW ENFORCEMENT, MILITARY & PRIVATE CONTRACTORS—REDEFINES TRAINING

Story by Joshua Jackson, Photos by Larry Atil

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t is not every day that you get a free admission to a firearms course, especially when the instructor is one of the most respected and elite trainers in the country. But today is your lucky day. — Editor As a trainer, the first thing you should discover is that you need to be a perpetual student. A student of the craft, a student of the industry and a student of your customer base.

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You’re getting the best with LMS Defense Instructors. They have provided advanced weapons and tactics training to police and military forces to U.S. allied governments.

Having worked as a firearms instructor in both law enforcement and the private sector for the past 15 years, I couldn’t help but feel that something was missing. With each course that I attended and taught, the flat range dictated the course material in far too many ways. While there was always something learned in a class, the missing piece was often in the application of the material. And then things changed.

How It Developed Through a fortunate series of introductions and events, LMS Defense obtained access to a very large ranch in California’s Central Valley. This is an area rich with history dating back to the days of the Wild West, and it provided the perfect venue for a class that left the constraints of the flat range behind and opened up a true laboratory for experiential learning and application of skills.

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While not the first company to run a class of this nature, we have been able to provide what we feel is one of the most comprehensive carbine courses, because it allows students to work on all of the core skills, which makes them well-rounded practitioners of the carbine. To do this, we took the three pillars â&#x20AC;&#x201D;weapons-handling, marksmanship and target engagementâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and added mindset. Plus, we helped students apply them in a fluid environment. That was the objective of this course. In the average carbine course, a student is introduced to a skill such as positional shooting. The instructor demonstrates each position and then

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Above: One aspect of the course is to build the studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; confidence in their ability to quickly and successfully engage a target.

each student explores the different positions in a course of fire that will likely use barrels, barricades or railroad ties to create objects to work around. While there is an application of the skills, what is contrived is the nature of the barricades. Students then leave hopeful they will be able to apply this skill in an abstract way under stress in a life-or-death situation. The Practical Carbine course provides the student with an opportunity to apply the skills learned on the flat range in an environment that has far more variables than the flat range under a nominal amount of stress. For

example, the Practical Carbine focuses on the core skills of being able to apply rapid-decision making to successfully using positional shooting skills in unpredictable terrain, utilize a carbine at varying ranges from 0-500 yards, rapidly identify no-shoot targets and engage shoot targets, perform key weapons handling skills such as reloads and malfunction clearing, as well as being able to process information. The ability to separate critical information from white noise is a cornerstone to tactical decisionmaking. Furthermore, the Practical Carbine course challenges students physically through hiking and movement

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“... WE TOOK THE THREE PILLARS ... WE HELPED STUDENTS APPLY THEM IN A FLUID ENVIRONMENT.” Above: With each evolution of the course, layers of complexity are added. Here, Josh Jackson assists a student.

between firing points and training lanes. While instructors often discuss the merits of physical fitness, it isn’t often that a student can see where they need to improve and how their state of fitness affects their shooting skills. To form the material for the Practical Carbine course, I combined 17 plus years of law enforcement experience and critical incidents with years of being an avid outdoorsman,

Day 1 This two-day course begins with the obligatory safety and medical brief. Given the remote location, this is of critical importance. A zero-tolerance

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safety violation policy is strictly enforced. Beginning with a review of movement, shooting and ready positions, and a discussion regarding how environmental factors such as vegetation can affect the shooter’s ability to get their bullets from their rifle to the target, students quickly move to the range. Within the first few rounds of the class, students see how quickly a basic skill like mechanical offset is forgotten and how other outside factors like small vegetation can impede their ability to rapidly resolve a life-and-death encounter. It’s hard-hitting lessons like this that set the stage for the balance of the class. Throughout the course, a mix of paper-and-steel targets are used to reinforce marksmanship skills. With each evolution, layers of complexity are added. Very popular is a more

complex positional shooting problem that has students engaging targets from 25 to greater-than-100 yards. This progression of problem-solving and skill application builds shooter confidence, which is a key component of the mindset pillar. Transitioning into a distance-shooting block takes advantage of the numerous pieces of prepositioned steel targets at the ranch. For many students, using unmagnified red dot sights they have never been able to shoot beyond 100 or 200 yards. A focus on solid marksmanship fundamentals is reinforced with successful hits on targets at distances of 400 to 500 yards. This portion of the course also includes a hike with carbine, ammunition and other support equipment. It quickly becomes obvious which students have not made a degree of physical fitness a priority. Following a minimal amount of physical exertion, this

AN INSIDE GLANCE Given the unique nature of the property and the ranch house that is located there, lodging and dinner are included in the cost of the two-day course. Staying at the ranch creates an immersive environment, as well as a great opportunity to interact with like-minded individuals.

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“WITH EACH EVOLUTION [OF TRAINING], LAYERS OF COMPLEXITY ARE ADDED.” directly correlates to their ability to accurately engage targets. A block of medical instruction is included during which the fundamentals of traumatic wound care, tourniquet application and the MARCH algorithm are taught. It has been my experience that most people will find themselves in a position to use their skills in providing a minimal degree of medical care long before using a firearm in selfdefense. While training medical skills lacks the sexiness of selfies on the range in your latest new tactical nylon purchase, saving your own life or someone else’s is way more impressive. Day one closes with the low-light and no-light portions of the class. Utilizing a number of dry creek beds, students are able to work on movement, target discrimination and positional shooting while moving with a 180-degree field of fire, providing a shooting experience many have never had. After the sun sets, the course moves into the no-light portion. Students

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LMS Defense’s Practical Carbine class will challenge your skills and physical conditioning.

have the choice of running this portion with white light or with night vision. The timeless question of how many lumens are really enough is quickly answered. Thanks to a close industry partnership, night vision equipment and multi-function aiming lasers are available for students who may be interested in trying equipment out before making a purchase.

Day 2 The second day of the course includes additional distance shooting and then moves to a large area covered in small stands of vegetation. Creating an outdoor clearing and target identification problem reinforces the need to move to the best position for engagement rather than taking questionable shots. It is lessons such as these that are of value for both hunters and tactical shooters alike. Running this drill in pairs also forces students to communicate and relate critical information to their partner. After a brief movement across the ranch, students are set for a rolling problem-solving drill. While traversing roughly a half-mile along a hillside, students engage targets when instructed from whatever

location they are in when the shoot command comes. This builds the students confidence in their ability to quickly identify the best position given their location and the solution for successfully engaging the target. This is followed by another evolution working on rapid target engagement at various distances in close proximity to other shooters. As the day comes to a close, a final multiple target multiple position evolution brings all of the skills learned and applied together for one last run.

Welcome To Their World If you are looking to be challenged and apply what you have learned over the course of countless flat-range classes you have attended, then the LMS Defense Practical Carbine class may be for you. We look forward to seeing you on the range. TW

FIND THEM ON THE WEB www.LMSDefense.com

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BEST OF THE BEST EDITORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S PICKS FOR TOP VALUE TACTICAL PRODUCTS By the Tactical World Editors

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y nature, most shooters, especially tactical shooters, are results- and goaloriented. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always on the lookout for products that will improve our shooting, upgrade our weapons or make our shooting lives easier. When looking for top products, we ask ourselves a number of questions, including, Is the value good? Does the product perform as advertised? Will it make us a better shooter? For the products shown here, the answeres were all yes. Some of these products are new, some are a new spin on an existing product and some are plain old must-haves. Now, raise your game.

Vortex â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Viper PST Gen II 5-25x50 In a retail environment that pressures companies to continually push for innovation and relevance, we are a little skeptical when we hear about a company coming out with a second generation of a successful product. In this case, the Vortex Viper PST Gen II is anything but hype and is truly a next generation scope. The new Viper has upgraded glass and controls, as well as a wider range zoom. Additionally, Vortex has leveled up the zero stop and offers more reticle choices. All the upgrades and wrapped in a much better-looking shell. The user interface has improved with more substantial turrets. Not only are they a little bigger but also knurled for a more positive grip, as well. (MSRP: $1,399.99 - VortexOptics.com)

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SPECIFICATIONS: Magnification Objective Lens Diameter Eye Relief Field of View

5-25 x 50 mm 3.4 in 24.1-4.8 ft/100 yds Tube Size 30 mm Turret Style Tactical RZR Zero Stop Adjustment Graduation 0.1 MRAD Travel per Rotation 10 MRAD Max Elevation Adjustment 20 MRAD Max Windage Adjustment 10 MRAD Parallax Setting 25 yds to Infinity Length 16 inches Weight 31.2 Product Manual (PDF)

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Cruxord Pro Military gear Tripod system One of the keys to putting lead on a target at great distance is having a stable platform from which to shoot. CruxOrd has recently introduced a new tripod that provides such a platform. You may have seen other tripod systems. Most of these are adapted systems, usually a special mount slapped on a photographer’s tripod. Rather than adapting products from another purpose, CruxOrd instead created their system from the ground up as a complete and integrated shooting platform. That’s probably why they have been selected as a preferred shooting platform for some of the military's tier one teams. The CruxOrd Pro Millitary Gear Tripod System provides ultrasmooth movement and stable support for even the longest shots. Their sysetm is capable of supporting up to 50 pounds of equipment and features a Picatinny cradle attachment. Separate locking and adjustment mechanisms allow friction adjustment without instability. Rifle and spotting scope positions can be adjusted smoothly with one hand and a balanced position maintained without tightening. The support system is made of hard anodized, scratchresistant 6061 aluminum alloy and CNC precision machined parts in the USA. Maintenance free, it is designed with weather-sealed ball bearings, which enables the head’s smooth movements. The Support System also features oversized knobs for ease of operation. The CruxOrd Pro Military tripod is a 3-section, 58-inch tall carbon fiber tripod with a 42mm diameter top section; it features high-strength carbon fiber and a custom-machined aluminum apex. Weighing approximately 6 pounds, the Pro collapses to a mere 26 inches, so the system is easily packable. The unique truss construction apex features multiple ¼-inch-20 holes and antirotation pin slots for various accessories. The legs have three locking angle positions: 21°, 50° and 78°, to adjust to any shooting situation. The apex also features an interchangeable flat plate/bowl mount. The optional PMG 75mm bowl accessory pops in/out easily and allows effortless finite bubble level adjustments. (MSRP: $2,395 - CruxOrd.com) SUPPORT SYSTEM FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS:

TRIPOD FEATURES INCLUDE:

• Smooth panning and tight locking mechanism

• 10x (10 layer) carbon fiber tubing

(separate from assembly mounts) • Hard anodized scratch-resistant finish • Sealed maintenance-free ball bearings • CNC Precision-machined parts • 5-year warranty

• 42mm top section diameter • 1/4"-20 threaded holes on leg tops and apex for additional accessories • Spring-loaded apex safety mechanism (prevents accidental mounting plate release)

• Made in USA

• Easy leg lock access from front and back

• Length: 9.5 inches

• Bubble level on apex

• Width: 2.25 inches

• Anti-slip molded feet with integrated hardened stainless steel

• Height: 13 inches • Weight: 5 pounds

spikes ($75.00 value) • Made in the USA

• Load Capacity: 50 pounds (22 kg) • Mount Thread: 3/8"-16

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Garmin Foretrex 701 Ballistic Edition Garmin has always had a close relationship with military. In fact, their first client was the U.S. Army. Combine that with their rank as the leader in wearable GPS technology and it’s no surprise that Garmin has worked with various Special Forces groups to give them the upper hand in wayfinding and navigation technology. Going back close to a decade and a half ago, the Garmin Foretrex 101 wrist-worn GPS device could be found as an essential part in many operators’ kits. Fast forward through a few years of SOF input on how to improve the Foretrex platform and what features were key to getting their job done. The current Foretrex 701 is the culmination of this experience and input. The major leap forward with this iteration, is the partnership with Applied Ballistics and the incorporation of their Applied Ballistics Elite software to calculate aiming solutions for long-range shooting. I happened to be lucky enough to be one of the few outside of Garmin to put the 701 through its paces before general release (which, at the time of this writing, is scheduled for late September). Having some experience with the 401, I was very much looking forward not only to the new features, but to see how familiar standard items have been treated. Like its most recent predecessors, the 701 is durably constructed to exceed mil-spec standard MIL-STF-810g. To help get you to from Point A to Point B and point you in the right direction, the 701 provides comprehensive navigation and tracking using a more sensitive GPS sensor, plus ABC (altimeter, barometer and compass) sensor capabilities. The built-in altimeter provides elevation data to accurately monitor ascent and descent, while the barometer can be used to predict weather changes by showing short-term trends in air pressure. The 3-axis electronic compass keeps your bearings, whether you’re moving or not. Working with the Applied Ballistics Elite shot solver was what I was looking forward to the most. The 701 is loaded with the entire AB bullet library and calculates the solution based on parameters the shooter inputs into the unit, such as wind, temperature, humidity, range and direction. Using these parameters, a shooting solution is calculated and presented either as a single solution or as a range card. The solution includes calculations for holdover, windage, velocity and time of flight. As distance increases, the AB ballistics engine calculates additional extreme long-range factors such as horizontal Coriolis effect, vertical Coriolis effect, spin drift, and aerodynamic jump. When strapped onto your wrist, the 701 is easily visible when mounted on the rifle. With the dynamic Range Card feature, the shooter never has to take their eyes off the downrange target to check their paper DOPE charts; the shooter can make quick adjustments based on environmental conditions to dial-in the shooting solutions to actual impact points downrange. The consistency and accurate data output of the Applied Ballistics are proven on the range. After zeroing the rifle, stepping out 100 yards at a time, the AB shooting solution will be spot-on across different shooting platforms and calibers. If you have used any of Garmin’s handheld devices, you are more than familiar with the features and functions. Route tracking, waypoint marking and navigation are standard features. The 701 also pairs with Garmin's heart rate monitors and other fitness products to increase its usefulness outside the range. The Foretrex 701 Ballistic Edition is well-worth the investment for both the seasoned and novice shooters. (MSRP: $599.99 - Garmin.com)

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OXX COFFEEBOXX

Real Avid maintenance and cleaning tools

Although this is not directly a shooting accessory, coffee still is a must-have for early morning starts at the range. And who can argue with that? The COFFEEBOXX ensures that grabbing those follow-up cups won’t be missed on the shooting line.

Regular cleaning helps your firearms perform at their highest level. Cleaning is just one of the necessary evils and consequences of spending all day at the range. Most cleaning products on the market have changed very little over the course of the past few decades, but Real Avid takes a new, modern design approach.

The founder and lead designer of OXX used to work as a product designer for a major home appliance manufacturer. He noticed that people wanted to bring their home appliances out into the world to places like job sites, tailgating and at the range, but the appliances just weren’t designed to be moved further than the box to the countertop. Something had to change, so born was the idea for the OXX COFFEEBOXX, a crazy rugged single-serve coffee maker that is designed to function in any conditions.

Their two most popular tools are the Bore Boss and the Gun Boss Pro Universal Cleaning Kit, and they follow the philosophy of letting usability and ergonomics drive the product design. This means they make cleaning less of a chore and more like a wise investment in the health of your weapons. The ultra-compact Bore Boss is the first ever self-storing, easy-feeding, cleanpulling, field-ready, hassle-free, pure-genius bore cleaner. The single-piece cable with integrated phosphor bronze brush and braided mop wraps around

Using any K-cup style cup, the COFFEEBOXX makes a great cup of coffee. Ten to be exact. There are two doors on the top, one is in the front and one in the back. The back door is for the water reservoir, and the front is for the K Cup. The control panel is super easy to navigate. It is also sealed to prevent any problems from water, dust, dirt, etc.

the unique Flex-Case Handle to keep the system stowed and organized. To use, simply flip, feed, clip and pull. Throw it in your pack, or put it in your pocket. It's the next best thing to a self-cleaning gun. For deeper cleaning, Real Avid has the Gun Boss Pro Universal Cleaning Kit, a sturdy, sleek, secure tool case loaded with high-quality brass rods and a new, innovative multi-function rod handle. Components and compartments are

It comes with a 3-foot retractable cord, so really it’s designed for 120 volts of house power, and it never misses a step when plugged into a wall. A camper or RV will have no trouble either. It’s so easy to throw the OXX COFFEEBOXX in the back of the truck and head on out with it, especially if you have a range that has power. When you show up with this, you’ll be every shooter’s best friend, especially on those crisp or wet mornings.

labeled, making organization a breeze and the patent-pending kickstand case keeps everything within easy reach. Gun Boss Pro is the best way to keep every piece in place. Case closed. (MSRP: $9.99/$29.99 - RealAvid.com) TW THE GUN BOSS PRO UNIVERSAL KIT INCLUDES: • Multi-function handle rotates, taps pins and also works as a detailing handle • 12 ga. brush and mop

The perfect compliment to the rugged COFFEEBOXX is their equally rugged Workhorse Coffee K-cups. Twice the caffeine keeps you on top of your game. Don't worry, even with the extra caffeine Workhorse remains smooth and isn't bitter. (MSRP: $229.99 - OXX.com) KEY FEATURES:

• Large slotted tip • High-performance tool case organizes, displays and protects cleaning set • 20 ga. brush and mop

• .40 cal. brush and jag • 25 - 1.2" X 2.4" synthetic cleaning patches • .357 cal. / .38 cal. / 9mm brush and jag • 25 - 2" X 2.4" synthetic cleaning patches

• Small slotted tip

• .30 cal. brush and jag

• Engineering-grade resin case is impact-

• .280 cal. / .270 cal. / 7mm

resistant

brush and jag

• Brews all K-Cup style beverages

• 12 pounds empty weight

• 84.5-ounce spillproof water tank

• Crushproof & rustproof

• .45 cal. brush and jag

• .243 cal. brush and jag

• Replaceable carbon water filter

• Water, dust & impact resistant

• Screw holes for permanent mounting

• .22 cal. brush and jag

• 3-foot retractable power cord

• Three brass rod sections combine with rotating handle to form a 32" rod

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Featured: T-shirt, Billet Grip, Buffer System, and Universal Adjustable Stock

Cobalt Kinetics accessories now available. See more at www.cobaltkinetics.com/upgrade/

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SCATTERGUN REDEFINED THE SHOCKWAVE AND TAC-14 GO HEAD-TO-HEAD FOR NON-SBS SUPREMACY

Story and Photos by Mike Searson and Gordon Meehl

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wo of the top-selling firearms of 2017 are the Mossberg 590 Shockwave and the Remington Tac-14. According to Mossberg, the 590 Shockwave has exceeded all sales expectations and the company is considering expanding the line to possibly include other finishes, gauges, and so on. Under Federal law, the Mossberg 590 Shockwave and the Remington Tac-14 are not shotguns, as they were not designed to be fired from the shoulder. They are simply classified as “firearms.” Since they are not considered long

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Similar but different ... two of our writers grab these category-defining firearms to see what each has to offer. The two outstanding firearms are shown above: the Shockwave (left) and the Tac-14.

guns, they can only be transferred to individuals 21 years of age or older. To keep clear of NFA (National Firearms Act) status as a short-barreled shotgun (SBS) or an AOW (Any Other Weapon), a firearm need only measure in excess of 26 inches in overall length. This is not a complete hall pass, as various states chose to redefine what a shotgun is for whatever reason, and because these firearms have smooth bores that can fire shotgun ammunition, they may be considered short-barreled shotguns in some states. It is your responsibility to determine

their legal status before you pick one up.

History These firearms owe their lineage to a distinct group of shotguns designed for the U.S. Marshall Service’s Witness Protection Agents in the 1980s. The Marshalls wanted a 12-gauge shotgun that could be easily concealed under a sports coat. Like the Mossberg 590 Shockwave and the Remington Tac-14, the Witness Protection (WITPRO) Shotguns utilized a bird’s-head-style pistol grip instead of

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a conventional buttstock. In the case of the WITPRO guns, these pistol grips were made from the original factory buttstocks.

The Mossberg 590 Shockwave strips down easily by removing the magazine cap and then removing the barrel.

The original WITPRO guns used a short forend and a 14-inch barrel. Later versions went to 12.5-inch barrels flush with the magazine tube, and some had choke tubes installed for versatility. Bead sights were used and the only other accessories were a hand stop that doubled as a sling loop on the magazine tube, and a single sling swivel stud mounted on the rear of the pistol grip.

Shooting a 14-inch barreled firearm Shooting the Mossberg 590 Shockwave or the Remington Tac-14 is a bit of an art unto itself. Most rookies will try to mortar them or shoot them from the hip. We find it is best to shoot

The Shockwave and Tac-14 are more than just range toys. We see these as essential pieces of gear for those who need the power of a shotgun in more of a compact package.

it the way the U.S. Marshalls were instructed—by bringing the firearm up as if you were firing a stocked shotgun, and sight down the bead. As you shoot, push out on the forend with the non-shooting hand and pull back on the pistol grip, as if you are trying to pull it apart. This not only will reduce much of the felt recoil, but will allow you to hit what you are aiming at. It is also a stark reminder of why the Marshalls used a hand stop on their Remington 870 WITPRO shotguns and why the Mossberg 590 Shockwave has a loop. Shooting without one can cause the shooter’s hand to fly in front of the muzzle.

We will take a look at these two firearms from the perspective of two different authors.

The Mossberg 590 Shockwave – Mike Searson The Mossberg 590 Shockwave is not a hunting piece, so we patterned ours at 15 yards. Hunting and sport shotguns are typically patterned at more than twice this distance, but we wanted to keep self-defense usage in mind, first. Because shot patterns can have variation within the same box, we shoot an average of five rounds in order to gauge consistency. Using Remington #4 buckshot, we produced a 24 x 20-inch pattern that was close to 2 feet in diameter.

“ACCORDING TO MOSSBERG, THE 590 SHOCKWAVE HAS EXCEEDED ALL SALES EXPECTATIONS …”

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“WITH TWO NEARLY IDENTICAL CONTENDERS, IT BOILS DOWN TO MINUTE PREFERENCES.” Switching over to Federal Low Recoil 00 Buckshot this created an 8 x 8-inch pattern that was about 12 inches in diameter at the same distance. These results may differ between firearms and will differ between loads. Try what you intend to use in your firearm and stick with that particular load. We prefer the full-length magazine tube of the Mossberg 590 Shockwave as opposed to giving up one round on the Remington Tac-14. In self-defense situations we have heard of, nobody ever said they wished they had less ammunition. We take this to heart and installed a Mesa Tactical SureShell Side Mount Shell Carrier. This carrier mounts in the top scope mount screws on the Mossberg 590 Shockwave and provides four shot shells on the left side of the firearm in aluminum holders. The added bonus is that it gives the shooter a short length of Picatinny top rail to mount a

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reflex sight, ghost ring rear sight base, flashlight or laser. Unlike cheaper shell carriers, there are no receiver pins to replace with questionable screws. The only downside is that only the four-shell carrier option will work on the Mossberg 590 Shockwave, as the six-shell version will prevent the firearm from going into battery. Mesa Tactical is working on a new version for the Mossberg 590 Shockwave, however, and it might be available by the time you read this. If you like adding every accessory in the world to your firearms, you will have to be a tinkerer used to modifying your firearms as many Mossberg 500/590 accessories will not work out of the box on the Mossberg 590 Shockwave. We like to keep ours simple and apart from the Mesa Tactical Side Mount Shell Carrier; our only other accessory was a BLACKHAWK! Shotgun sling that has additional shotgun loops. We do

The magazine cap of the Shockwave doubles as a sling atachment point. The Remington Tac-14 includes a Magpul handguard with M-LOK attachment points.

not keep the loops loaded, but the potential is there, should we need it. Otherwise it makes for an effective sling. While we understand why the loop is installed, it is probably our least favorite aspect of the Mossberg 590 Shockwave. In the future, we may switch over to wood furniture and have a choke system installed and maybe have a brown leather hand strap made.

The Remington Tac-14 – Gordon Meehl Like so many, my first experience with a shotgun was shouldering a well-used Remington 870. When I heard I’d have the chance to try out Remington’s Tac-14, an 870-ish firearm (that is not a shotgun), I felt that same nervous excitement of anticipating the first trigger pull. I took the Tac-14 to South Carolina Open Training Grounds to shoot some steel and paper.

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want even more boom pills, I’m sure someone out there is starting to make a +2-+3 extension tube. The Shockwave also gets props for its ability to handle Aquila 1¾-inch minishells. The Tac-14 won’t feed or chamber these properly, whereas the Shockwave handles them with ease. Rumor has it, however, that Remington is working on a fix. The Remington may edge out the Mossberg in construction, finish and price, but only barely. The black oxide, steel billet receiver is, in theory, more durable than Mossberg’s blued aluminum, but it’s also heavier. Both ring the registers in the mid $400’s. So that we could get a more applesto-apples comparison to what Mike was doing a few thousand miles away, we used a similar distance to pattern the shots but also decided to move in a little closer. My thinking was that the Tac-14 will be used more in close quarter defense, and shooting from 7 yards away would show more closely what a wound cavity in an intruder would look like.

The Magpul handguard on the Tac-14 allows for more grippable surface area. Whereas the corncob grip on the Shockwave allows your grip to be closer to the centerline of the bore.

I have to tip my hat to the Shockwave with respect to capacity. Out of the box, the Tac-14 only has a 5-shot capacity (4+1). If having a halfdozen shots makes you feel more comfortable, Wilson Combat makes a one-shot extension tube. Unscrew the dimpled end cap, replace the washer with Wilson Combat’s wavy washer and screw on extension tube. If you

BOTTOM LINE So, Shockwave or Tac-14? Gordon favors the Remington if only for the M-LOK foregrip. Mike prefers the Mossberg for the capacity. With two nearly identical contenders, it boils down to minute preferences. It’s a Coke or Pepsi, Ford or Chevy argument; you’re not on the losing end either way. TW

Using Federal Personal Defense Loads (2 ¾-inch 00 buck at 1,145 fps), the Remington patterned similarly to Mike’s Shockwave, with a 12-inch spread from about 10 yards and almost half that at 6 yards. Switching to a Federal’s clay competition load the spreads were, for all intents and purposes, the same just with a lot of small holes in the paper rather than the 00-sized punches. The Tac-14 handled Federal’s Truball low-recoil slugs easier than expected. The short barrel doesn’t lend itself to winning any accuracy contests. Using the “push-pull” shooting method, the recoil was more manageable than expected from such a short blaster. The Magpul grip is comfortable, but for me, a more substantial stop would yield a little more shooter confidence and possibly faster follow-up shots. The great thing about having the M-LOK grip is there are a plethora of accessories that can be mounted to the foregrip—light mounts and a full-size hand stop come to mind.

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Mini-Blaster Face Off Capacity

TAC-14

590 SHOCKWAVE

4+1

5+1

Construction Milled Steel Billet

Aluminum

Fore-end

“Corn Cob” w/Hand Strap

Magpul M-LOK

Barrel

14-inch Cylinder Bore w/Bead Sight

Grip Brothers from another mother. The Shockwave and Tac-14 are nearly identical.

Shockwave Raptor Pistol Grip

Finish

Black Oxide

Matte Blue

Weight

5.65lbs

5.25lbs

MSRP

$433.50

$455.00

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DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T LET YOUR TRAINING KILL YOU

HOW COMBAT-FOCUSED TRAINING CAN SAVE YOU IN THE STREETS Story by Chuck Taylor, Photos by Larry Atil

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n this age of terrorism, rising crime, social chaos and economic uncertainty, the need for selfdefense skills is greater than ever. We only need to pick up a newspaper, tune in to the evening news, or access the internet to see the daily threats we face. As such, an ever-increasing number of citizens are obtaining concealed weapon permits and then carrying their handguns on a regular basis.

Because they’re easier to shoot under stress and are more efficient, many tactical shooters train with a full-sized pistol, but carry a compact or even sub-compact version. This is a serious error and can result in disaster in a real gunfight. Train with the gun you intend to carry and fight with.

Most states require citizens to attend a brief class to qualify for the CCW permit, and some of those require licensees to pass a rudimentary shooting test. But what many people don’t realize is that just passing this test doesn’t really amount to much; it doesn’t even come close to indicating expected proficiency in a real-world event. Just by passing the test, applicants shouldn’t believe they are qualified to use weapons quickly and effectively, or automatically know in which circumstances it’s legal to do so. Those that realize the limitations of CCW qualification process usually

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Pick your instructional sources carefully, says Taylor. The realm of self-defense is vast and instructors come from different backgrounds and abilities.

obtain some additional forms of training, perhaps from the same instructional source from which they first got their CCW permits. There are those however, typically those with some degree of firearms knowledge under their belts, that believe additional training isn’t necessary. They couldn’t be more wrong. Having a CCW and taking a short written and/or shooting test only protects the issuing

authority, not the permit carriers. For you, as a carrier, subsequent use of that handgun in an actual fight—if you survive it—quickly discloses that there is far more to the subject of deadly force and self-defense than is ever discussed in a CCW class. That’s called tactical liability—the “nuts and bolts” of the encounter, and who wins and who loses it.

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If you get past the fight in one piece, you’ll have to deal with criminal liability—a comparison of your actions and motives to both statute and case law. To complicate things there’s also the issue of civil liability—the claim that somehow your decisions and actions indicate irresponsibility, psychological deficiencies or psychotic tendencies. These last two are fully as difficult to deal with as the actual fight, for they entail lengthy and detailed investigations, interviews and courtroom appearances—all of which are financially and emotionally stressful. Following are other critical considerations.

The Right Instructor Given all the factors coming into play during and after a self-defense situation, you’d be well-advised to seek additional training, but in so doing, pick your instructional sources carefully. The realm of self-defense is vast, with instructors coming from many different backgrounds and abilities. Unfortunately, they are many instructors that are either recreational or competitive shooters—both honorable endeavors to be sure—but neither one requires an understanding of tactical shooting technique, criminal and civil liability, or the knowledge of proper tactics and movement. Not having an instructor who can teach you these essentials is an open

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invitation to tactical, and potentially, personal, disaster. Seek out someone with real-world tactical experience and proven ability. “Ah ha!” you say. You know a fellow who was a SEAL, who just returned from the Middle East. He was an elite soldier, so he must know his stuff when it comes to combat shooting. Unfortunately, this is only partly true. Military personnel only know the things they’re trained to do in military combat, virtually nothing of which is appropriate for civilian self-defense. More often than not, the courses they teach are overloaded with techniques more suited for team, rather than individual civilian self-defense, situations. Unfamiliar with civilian selfdefense needs, they often shoot too much, which is not only unnecessary, but is big trouble when John Q. Citizen finds himself in a gunfight in his living room, or exchanging fire on the street, where non-combatants need to be considered.

The Right Stance Another issue to consider is which stance to adopt. Competitive shooters love the Isosceles stance, whereas purely recreational shooters often shoot one-handed, or utilize a mix of various methods. Conversely, most of the more advanced combat shooters prefer the Weaver stance. Too many prospective combat shooters unwittingly meld various

Left: Graphic targets should be used as much as possible. However, make sure that they don’t have visibly inaccurate representations of the thoracic and cranio-ocular areas like this one does. Middle: The scoring methods and aiming points of most silhouettes are essentially derivatives of the traditional bull’s-eye and often utilize incorrect aiming points. While of humanoid shape, IDPA and IPSC/ USPSA silhouettes are designed for competition rather than combat. Their scoring zones are arbitrary and don’t realistically represent a human’s thoracic and cranio-ocular cavities. As a result, they represent a skewed balance of accuracy and speed by rewarding competitors who shoot too fast and with less accuracy than is needed to reliably put down an attacker in a real gunfight. Right: Small and/or obscured targets are often encountered in the real world, so train to deal with them with graphic targets like these. Being able to successfully make cranio-ocular shots at typical combat handgun ranges greatly enhances your ability to handle failure to stop and hostage situations, too.

characteristics of both stances into their own, then find that their shooting suffers as a result. The Modern Technique of The Handgun, as it’s often called, is anything but universal. It varies considerably, depending upon the shooter’s perspective, which in turn, is the result of his background. Thus, techniques can differ greatly, often to the point where they’re completely wrong or, at best, marginal in their effectiveness. If you use a 9mm, then either the Isosceles or Weaver stance will do just fine. But, if you prefer a gun that’s more powerful, like the .40 S&W or .45 ACP, you’ll quickly find that the Weaver is superior. It controls recoil better than the Isosceles stance and as a bonus, provides better body balance, a reduced target profile, and is more adaptable to the use of a flashlight in lowlight situations.

The Right Target The nucleus of combat shooting is finding the right balance of accuracy and speed appropriate to the tactical problem. The vast majority of targets currently available, however, ignore this vital premise. Instead, they’re merely amorphous spin-offs of traditional bull’s-eye targets, and thus, fail to accurately represent the two areas any combat shooter must concentrate on: the thoracic (chest) and cranio-ocular (brain/eye) cavities.

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Years ago, I discovered this fact and was eventually forced to create my own silhouettes—known commercially as the Taylor Combat (Camouflage) targets and Taylor Police Combat (Gray) targets. Available from Action Targets, Inc., they’re smaller and more accurately pursue the best balance of accuracy and speed needed for positive results in real gunfights. Steel targets are also popular these days, and with good reason—they give immediate feedback to the shooter. The concern I have is that most of them (Pepper Poppers, Falling Places, and the like) don’t represent anything even remotely humanoid. While they’re great fun to shoot at and are popular in competition shooting, they fail to build the proper balance of accuracy and speed against areas representative of real-world points of aim. So, if you use steel targets for combat training, pick them carefully. Graphic targets can be a great training aid, but make sure that they, too, accurately represent the thoracic and cranio-ocular areas. Though they are more expensive, photographic targets are even better, especially if a wide array of them are used. They depict actual people from different angles, wearing a variety of clothing types and colors. Small or obscured targets are also often encountered, so train on them, too. There is certainly a need for good generic silhouettes to build and maintain shooting and gun-handling skills, but you’ll quickly discover that humanoid targets are much tougher to deal with. As such, in order to get good hits, you’ll have to slow down and be more conscious of shot placement.

Pick Your Shooting Spot On-the-line shooting, often called Standard Exercises, is a necessity to build and maintain shooting and weapon-handling skills, but don’t limit yourself to it alone. At my training outfit, Chuck Taylor’s American Small Arms Academy, in every tactical handgun course, we also offer situational shooting. Our students are

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Think beyond the norm. On-theline shooting is a necessity to build and maintain shooting and weapon-handling skills, says Taylor, but don’t limit yourself to that.

“THE NUCLEUS OF COMBAT SHOOTING IS FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE OF ACCURACY AND SPEED APPROPRIATE TO THE TACTICAL PROBLEM.” exposed to the best ways of dealing with tactical situations typical to civilian self-defense. As an example, such situations occur in the bedroom with the shooter in bed, while seated at a table in a restaurant, in the living room recliner or while seated in a car. Each situation has its own challenges and techniques and thus require serious examination in order to develop the most efficient ways of handling them.

The Right Follow Through Another legacy of competitive shooting is the tendency to shoot and relax. This originates from being able to see your bullet holes in the target, which is virtually impossible in a real gunfight. Shooting your weapon only signals that the fight has begun, not that it’s over, or that you’ve won. You can only ascertain that fact by answering four questions: Is he hit? Is he down? Is he out of the fight? Does he have friends? You can only get the answers to these questions if you bring the gun down to a Ready position, so you can see the entire target area. Otherwise, it, your hands, and part of your forearms will obscure the target, making rapid assessment impossible.

There are three stages to combat shooting—presenting your weapon to the target, target engagement, and assessment. The need to assess is missing completely from both competitive and recreational shooting, so relaxing after you engage a target presents no threat. However, in a real gunfight, the target’s reaction can be variable and must be detected and understood very quickly. Only by “getting the gun out of your face”, in other words, bringing it quickly down to a ready position after you fire, can you effectively achieve this goal. Otherwise, you won’t have the information needed to take appropriate action after the initial confrontation.

CONTACT Chuck Taylor’s American Small Arms Academy www.ChuckTaylorASAA.com Action Target www.ActionTarget.com.

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THE BEST JUST GOT BRIGHTER

HIGHER LUMENS. HIGHER PERFORMANCE. SEPTEMBER 2017 surefire.com/leadtheway

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the world. Learn how to recognize them, be able to quickly check their condition, and use them effectively. Though quite stressful, such training is also fun and highly rewarding when properly administered.

Only Perfect Practice Makes Perfect

“... THREATS AREN’T ALWAYS ENCOUNTERED TO YOUR FRONT, SO LEARN THE BEST WAYS OF TURNING ...” The Right Way to Handle Your Weapon There is no question that presenting your weapon quickly, then placing accurate hits on your target, and assessing the results, are all critically important. However, there is more to it than that. Learn how to quickly (and correctly) clear malfunctions and perform speed and tactical reloads, while under stress. Likewise, threats aren’t always encountered to your front, so learn the best ways of turning to your left, right and rear while presenting your weapon, too. This includes target engagement at arm’s length, as well as at distance. Fights often begin at such ranges and the techniques for dealing with them must be thoroughly understood and mastered. As you might expect, the closer the threat, the faster the situation will develop, so be sure to include such situations in your training regimen. Multiple target situations are also on the rise, so train yourself in the best ways of dealing with them. Proper use of cover, improvised shooting positions and weak-hand shooting are also important. There are a number of ways to increase your speed in such situations without loss of accuracy or violation of good tactical principles, but you won’t learn them from anyone with a competitive or recreational shooting background. Once again, such

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Don’t ignore lowlight training. The author—an adjunct professor of Police Science, courtrecognized expert witness, a 4-Weapon Combat Master and decorated Vietnam veteran of two infantry combat tours—says most handgun fights occur in dim light.

skills aren’t needed for that type of shooting, but are critical in a real fight.

The Right Lighting Most handgun fights occur in dim light, so training both with and without a flashlight is a must, although due to liability concerns, most public ranges won’t allow it. Find someplace that you can train under such conditions, since the potential for them is high. If there is enough light to identify the target as being a deadly threat, a flashlight isn’t needed; but if not, then select a flashlight technique and perfect it carefully for whichever stance you prefer. From a tactical perspective, a gun-mounted light is quite efficient, but is awkward to carry/conceal and under certain conditions can increase civil liability concerns to dangerous levels. Man-against-man shooting can be a marvelous training aid, especially if appropriately configured steel knockdown targets are utilized. Of all the different ways of inducing stress into your training, man-against-man shooting is the best. Such shooting can take many forms; however, be certain that the tactical situation being represented is realistic and practical. Otherwise, little is to be gained. Unfamiliar weapons should also be addressed. These days, weapons from the old Soviet Bloc and many other nations can be encountered all over

Last, but certainly not least—practice, practice and practice more. There are no shortcuts to real skill at arms. Dry-practice of your presentations, responses to the left, right and rear, malfunction clearances, speed and tactical reloading on a regular basis. Once or twice per month, head to the range for some live-fire trigger time and practice them again. Many instructors don’t realize it, but all the functions you need to perform in a gunfight are best trained for with repetition. Repetition builds the sub-conscious programs that are vital to fast, effective responses under deadly stress. Some call it “muscle memory” but that’s just a buzz-phrase. Believe it, because it’s the deadly truth—sub-conscious programming controls everything you do under stress, so make sure everything you do in practice is done correctly and smoothly … every time. Otherwise, you ingrain incorrect responses along with the correct one, causing hesitation while you try to intellectually sort things out. Hesitation in a fight is fatal, so make absolutely certain your dry and live practice is properly executed. These, then, are some of the most important hints to ensure your training is the best. Those truly qualified to administer it are fewer in number than most aspiring combat shooters realize, but worth seeking out. There is far more to real-world combat shooting than most instructors recognize, so conduct your search thoughtfully. And in so doing, remember that you’re a civilian, not a SWAT team member or Navy SEAL. The difference in the kind of training you need to deal with civilian situations is as different from that you need for military situations as night is from day. TW

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PREMIER BODY ARMOR’S SWITCHBLADE BATTLE BUGGY UPS THE ANTE Story by Claire Stokes, Photos by Gordon Meehl, Illustration by Manufacturer

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he success of most special operations missions relies on the ability of the operators to execute the mission with speed and agility, moving from waypoint to waypoint, infiltration point to exfiltration point, as rapidly and reliably as possible. Until recently, elite warfighters had to pick either the venerable but leviathanlike Humvee, or what is basically a tricked-out, side-byside small-engine ATV. With their lives on the line, they had to make a choice between a truck that is heavy and cumbersome, but well-fortified and defensively equipped, or a semi-militarized ATV (another toy vehicle) that’s fast but with questionable durability and limited capacity. Not much of a choice. But Frank Stewart and his crew at Premier Body Armor had the solution—the Switchblade.

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xxxxxx

“UNTIL RECENTLY, ELITE WARFIGHTERS HAD TO PICK EITHER THE VENERABLE BUT LEVIATHAN-LIKE HUMVEE …” Birth of a Solution The Switchblade was born out of months of brainstorming, prototyping and many instances of going back to the drawing board to make sure everything was perfect. Wait, what? A body armor company made a Bad Ass Battle Buggy? How did that happen? Very simply, Frank Stewart is not only an innovative voice in the world of body protection, he’s also a highly sought-after authority in creating defensive transportation, having designed and built hundreds of hardened and armored vehicles for the world’s richest, most elite and most powerful people. Taking that

knowledge and top-notch engineering ability to the world of body armor was a natural step. Being a consummate car guy, Frank couldn’t pass up the chance to redefine what an elite rapid-response squad-based vehicle should be. To give you an idea of the challenge Frank and his boys rose to, here’s a look at what’s on the must-have checklist for a Spec Ops-worthy Battle Buggy: • 4-wheel drive • Diesel powered • > 400-mile range • Minimum 4 troop capacity • Small cargo bed capable of

CONTACT

Premier Body Armor | www.PremierBodyArmor.com | (704) 750-3118

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carrying 1,000 payloads • Lights configurable for use with NV devices • Multiple mounts/brackets to secure a wide variety of weapons systems Frank saw these as the bare minimums and upped the ante. A 246-mph engine powers five warfighters over 425 miles between fill-ups. With 405 foot-pounds of torque and a four-wheel drive transmission, there’s not much that will stand in the way of this svelte battle beast. Additional items, like two weapon mounts on each side for squad weapons, a top mount for heavier weapon systems (a 50 caliber M2, for instance) as well as 360-degree LED and IR lighting, make this four-wheeler more than battle ready. Hydraulic, adjustable suspension allows the Switchblade to be deployable to the most remote regions from assets like the V-22 Osprey.

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Top: Real-word testing: A group of Special Operations veterans and current private defense contractors run an extraction exercise to test the 360-degree defensibility of the Switchblade. (Special thanks to the South Carolina Open Training Grounds, www. SCOTGUSA.net.)

One Purpose

Right: The brain behind the brawn: Owner and CEO of Premier Body Armor, Frank Stewart, gets behind the top-mounted .50 cal M2.

Built with one purpose in mind, don’t expect this to be rolling up to your next Jeep rally, or to be the next offroadstyled suburbanite “road only” toy car. What you can expect is that it will get our elite warfighters on target on time in the most tactical of ways. Check out the illustration to see how well-thought-out and purpose-built the Switchblade is. TW

CHECK OUT THEIR OTHER PRODUCTS Note: Visit our New Products section (starting on page 8) to see Premier Body Armors’ new line of revolutionary, body-contoured, lightweight, fully Level 3-compliant plates and plate carrier.

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RUNNING IT

DRY

USING A SIRT PISTOL TO LEVEL UP YOUR SKILLSET Story by Tactical World Staff, Photos by the Manufacturer

egardless of what we shoot—pistol or revolver, full-size or compact 1911 or striker fired pistol—the common thread that ties us all together is the drive to become as proficient as possible, as safely as possible, with our weapons of choice. We all know that expertise comes through repetition. Ask anyone who is serious about their shooting skillset and invariably they’ll tell you that one of the best (and safest) ways to get in those reps is through dry fire training. What you won’t hear a lot of chatter about is why it’s effective or how to maximize your dry training to become an even better shooter. With the drive to develop legendary tack driving marksmanship, we often focus on what will make our groupings smaller instead of how to make ourselves experts in weapons handling. While marksmanship, i.e., consistently putting the rounds where we want them, is an overarching goal, expert shooters also know that effectively and efficiently knowing how to manipulate your firearms is probably the most important of all the fundamental skills. The Marine Corps used to (and may

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Though inert, non-firing SIRT pistols are made to be functionally identical to topselling tactical and defense pistols.

still) do a full week of “snapping” before loading up the mags and going hot on the range. The focus for a full seven days is on manipulating the rifle and working all their basic skills through dry fire/no ammo training. The premise being that developing the muscle memory for safe weapons handling and manipulation is just as key to the fundamentals of marksmanship as learning to put lead down range. In the civilian world, training up our defensive pistol-handling skills, the safe weapon handling and manipulation of a gun, is as equally important as the fundamentals of grip, sight picture and trigger control. However, to make the pursuit of proficiency difficult, many ranges don’t allow you work on your practical skillset development. Insurance companies frown on shooters taking a step back from the line to work on drawing from different shooting positions. Therefore, dry fire training becomes the best-fit solution to training in a busy work and personal schedule.

The Role of the SIRT Recognizing the importance of practical, safe and convenient dry fire

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“IF FIREARM PROFICIENCY IS YOUR GOAL, PRACTICE …“

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“… TRADITIONAL DRY FIRE TRAINING, WITHOUT GETTING FEEDBACK ON MY QUALITY OF MOVEMENT WAS NOT FITTING THE BILL.” training, Next Level Training introduced the SIRT (Shot Indicating Resetting Trigger) Training Pistol. Mike Hughes, an engineer, patent attorney (and History Channel’s “Top Shot” contestant) first developed the SIRT pistol as a self-diagnostic training tool to help him fine-tune his skills. Mike reflects on the evolution of his training pistol, “I found that traditional dry fire training, without getting feedback on my quality of movement was not fitting the bill. My first ‘SIRT’ was a laser JB-welded into a live fire Glock with a resetting trigger with a soldered switch. I found I needed to have feedback on my trigger control, the alignment of the muzzle, etc., when dry firing. Without any feedback, I didn’t know the quality of the movement, sight alignment or how smooth my trigger pull was. Without

PRODUCT BREAKDOWN: • SIRT 110: functional features of a Glock 17-22 (not affiliated with Glock USA) • SIRT 107: functional features of a Smith & Wesson M&P including 107° grip angle (not affiliated with Smith & Wesson) • Replaceable magazines • Same weight and feel as live fire tools (pro models) • Replaceable sights and magazine releases • Adjustable trigger properties (trigger break and over travel) • Adjustable red trigger take-up lasers allow for activation with different trigger positions (first touch to prep) • Powerful shot-indicating lasers (green on pro models, red on performer models) • Cannot be converted to live fire tools, 100-percent inert, no FFL required

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the laser, it was like practicing free throws by shooting a basketball against a brick wall without a rim.” That first “MacGyvered” training pistol evolved into the SIRT you see pictured here, SIRT models 107 and 110. Though not associated with Smith & Wesson or Glock, the Model 107 and 110 (respectively) are inert, yet functionally similar to their live fire doppelgangers. This allows you to develop and practice functional skills that are directly transferable to your primary EDC weapon. A resettable trigger and laser feedback at take up, and again at the break, allow you to easily get in rep after rep with a visual indication of your progress. Being inert, there’s no possible way a round can be loaded or fired. Therefore, you are polishing and practicing your skills on your schedule, in your home, manipulating the weapon in the environment you’re training to defend. When an instructor talks about sustainable daily training, we really have to be practical in how and when we schedule that practice. With all our obligations, it can be very difficult to get in all the training we really want. The advantage of a SIRT training pistol is the sheer convenience. You can have the SIRT training pistol on your table and get reps in while on a conference call, or pretty much any time of the day. Why not do some drills as you binge-watch the latest must-see TV from 2006?

Whether you’re new to the shooting game or a pro, dry fire training can be beneficial.

For a brand-new shooter, just getting comfortable with handling a firearm in dry fires is very important. But, even if you’re an advanced shooter, testing out different shooting techniques, whether it be with the use of cover, prone, in a compromised shooting position or in simply aggressive, fast, concealed carry draws, you have to dry fire to really hone these skills and burn in those neural pathways.

Sights vs. Index Shooting? There is great debate as to whether, in a high-stress environment, you need to focus on your sights or train yourself to simply point and shoot. There is evidence indicating that use of sights in a combative situation is highly improbable, given the effects of how adrenaline dulls finer motors skills and narrows our visual acuity. Conversely, however, there are certain opportunities where you must, for the sake of accuracy use your front sights exclusively, such as ambushing a bad guy who does not directly have his attention on you, but is a clear and imminent active shooter threat to third parties. In such situations, it is critical to be able to pull the focus back to the sights and take one clean lateral head shot to neutralize the threat. If you really think about it, point shooting and sighted fire are very close cousins. The greater your index

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shooting capability is, the better you can line the sights. In other words, when you have developed wicked point shooting abilities in your dry fire, the sights are already substantially aligned. In other words, all the solid reps of drawing aggressively and breaking shots with laser feedback prior to getting full crisp sight picture builds your natural point of aim. Now, when you have to shoot a smaller, more difficult target, the sights are already there but you need to train the disciplines of pulling your vision back to the front sight while prepping the trigger and breaking that clean shot. In your dry fire sessions, don’t feel restricted to just point shoot or just sighted fire. Vary the distance and size of your targets and learn just how much sights you need to get the shot. One thing to note on very difficult shots is to only do one shot. With a clear, crisp, front-sight focus, you want to be able to shoot very accurately with clean trigger control. Therefore, for difficult hard targets, simply do one shot so you don’t walk in the shots, that is, using the reference of the previous shot to adjust the muzzle, versus utilizing the sights, which is the skill you’re working.

Diagnostics You can actually diagnose your skills more in dry fire than on the range. A bullet hole is a moment in time, but a laser movement is an oscilloscopelike reference of your shot. If you are plagued with low left bullet impacts under time pressure (for right-hand shooter), you are likely “milking” trigger control issues. The goal is to try to get clean dots in your dry fire even under extreme time pressure and different awkward shooting positions. Ugly

The SIRT pistol pairs well with a number of dry firing training methods.

dashes generally mean undesirable movement of the muzzle when breaking the shot. If you’re doing longer range and/ or difficult targets with a rigorous front sight focus, you should be able to see the blurry laser impact in the background. However, when doing far hard targets, be sure to keep the discipline of front sight focus and not walk in the shots (sidebar).

General Manipulation Probably one of the most untrained aspects of shooting is simply defeating garments and getting the gun into play. This is probably where you can focus a majority of your dry fire practice and merge these general gun manipulation skills with your marksmanship skills. Before trying a new holster live fire, wear it around the house for a bit. See if you can watch TV and sit with it comfortably, then randomly draw and shoot a safe target (abide by safety rules noted) to truly assess your equipment and abilities.

even when feathered. deficiency putting their trigger when To hone reactive shooting skills, there are a number of laser-activated targets that These new are the perfect supplement to the SIRT training system. The Interactive Multi-Target systems Training System from LaserAmmo.com is one such system. The basic SIRT system consists of three targets with wireless target-to-target communications with multiple drill so a first configurations. The shooter can engage the targets in one of five shooting modes: of the trigger standalone, steel-plate shooting, tactical training (“chase the ball”), shoot/no-shoot, or double-speed shoot/no-shoot. (Includes four 3 x 5-inch cards per lower target.)red

ON TARGET

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The new SIRT 107 pocket pistols have an adjustable second laser that is activated the trigger is A very common in all shooters is finger on the they shouldn’t. models with the are adjustable, feathering touch will activate the laser.

BORED? PICK A CARD One of the downsides of dry fire training is the potential to get bored with the same old draw-and-shoot or target transition drills. Those drills also skip one of the best parts of dry fire training with the SIRT pistol—the ability to incorporate more realistic scenarios into your pistol manipulation and shooting exercises. DryFireCards.com gives the shooter 50 separate drills and scenarios to incorporate into your daily dry fire routine, staving off the boredom of a limited repertoire of drills. Just grab a card from the deck and do the drill. The cards are part of a larger system of drills and self-paced dry fire instructions called the 21-day alpha shooter challenge.

There is also a second powerful green laser, which is only activated when the shot is broken to represent the shot-indicating laser. Best practice is to put the red trigger take-up laser well below sight picture so it’s not a sighting aid; it is merely used to know when your finger is on the trigger and also generally denotes the direction of the muzzle (but should be aligned below sight picture so it’s not a visual crutch).

Goal: Improvement To make your firearm proficiency practice the most effective use of your time, you need immediate feedback. TW

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OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

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IWI’S REBECCA MCCOY HAS FOUGHT THROUGH CHALLENGES AND RAISED THE BAR FOR WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE GUN INDUSTRY

Story by Doug Jeffrey, Lead photo by Oleg Volk; Other photos by Simone Associates, Inc.

t seemed like just another shift at the Steelton Police Department. As mundane as it may have been, it was anything but slow. Working the beat on this central Pennsylvania town ranged from normal traffic violations to drug-related calls and the occasional call of shots fired. Dangerous situations to be sure, but nothing could have prepared Officer Rebecca McCoy for what awaited her on the streets that night. It was anything but a routine, ordinary night. The call for a 2-year-old child in cardiac arrest came in near the end of her shift. At the time, McCoy was still on FTO (field training). She arrived at the scene about five minutes prior to her field officer. She entered a house unlike any other and made her way through the mess and into a bedroom covered in dirt, soiled diapers, animal feces, cigarette butts, beer bottles and cigarette ashes. Rotten food added to the ambience. “When I arrived on scene, I discovered the child was two months old, not two years old,” says McCoy. “And she was dead. Here was this pristine baby, a girl in a dress, lying dead on the floor,

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While the Firearms Training Unit Coordinator with the Pennsylvania State Capitol Police, Rebecca McCoy developed and instituted numerous firearms training programs and firearms policies and procedures.

and she had been dead for quite some time.” The officers performed CPR on the infant, but it was futile. The investigation revealed that she had been born prematurely. That night, the parents had disconnected her from the heart monitor and had taken her into their room, where they allegedly got high. During the night, while in bed, they allegedly rolled over and smothered her. During the on-scene interrogation, the scene wrenched at McCoy’s heart yet again. The male suspect, seemingly concerned only about himself, repeatedly asked for cigarettes. The pain did not end there, as McCoy and her partner watched the autopsy, where the coroner officially declared suffocation as the cause of death. “I had nightmares for a couple weeks after that whole incident,” says McCoy, now a sales rep for IWI. “I still have the infant’s case file, and I will occasionally look at it. I think about her a lot. It was a senseless death. She was so innocent.”

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“HERE WAS THIS PRISTINE BABY, A GIRL IN A DRESS, LYING DEAD ON THE FLOOR …” That horrendous incident, one that left an indelible mark on her, was just one of many challenges that Rebecca McCoy faced.

Early Life Born in Pennsylvania, McCoy grew up in a woodsy area by a large creek. She spent most of her childhood outdoors, hiking, cycling, swimming, exploring, ice skating and playing ice hockey. “I only came back to the house for lunch and dinner,” she says, laughing. Her father was an engineer who worked on hydroelectric turbines, and

UNWAVERING SUPPORT One of Rebecca McCoy’s passions is providing support for victims of domestic violence. “It is very important to me to support women, victims of domestic violence and kids.”

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her mother sold cars. McCoy, who has 2 older siblings, and a twin brother, always had an overwhelming desire to help others, which is why she eventually secured a job in a hospital’s intensive care unit while simultaneously working as a volunteer fire fighter. “I [ultimately] ran with the department for 16 or 17 years,” she says. It was a good run, but an unexpected occurrence altered the course of her life.

Police Work While with the fire department, McCoy went on a ride-a-long with a local police department. For a woman who always had helping others foremost on her mind, the allure of full-time police work tugged strongly at her during the ride. “To make a long story short, I loved everything about being a cop,” she says. “[Besides,] I had wanted to serve the public, which really appealed to

Rebecca McCoy said being one of five females in a department that had 100 sworn officers became an unexpected challenge.

me. [In an incident], we are going in while others are going out. Typically, the first responders are people with Type A personalities. I am not aggressive, but I do not like to sit back.” That desire to help people, regardless of the circumstances, combined with another factor, sealed her decision to make a move. “I was getting burnt out in the intensive care unit at the hospital,” she says. And understandably so. It is, after all, tough to watch people die with such regularity. “Most patients did not leave alive,” she says. “We got some of the worst cases.” The last one was the toughest. A 16-year-old cut his foot at school, his blood became infected and he died. “I was in the room when he passed away,” she says. “That was tough.” In the years ahead, that mental toughness served her well.

FIGHTING THROUGH THE ACADEMY To ensure candidates were entirely focused on becoming officers, the

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academy required full-time attendance. Other work was prohibited. It happened to be a turbulent time in McCoy’s life, as she had just left her husband, so some friends allowed her to stay with them while she chased her dream. Going into the academy, McCoy had her expectations, one of which was to develop a bond of friendship with other aspiring officers. After all, that’s how Hollywood portrayed it. Reality was different. “It was a little bit cutthroat,” recalls McCoy. “Everyone was competing for a job. I thought there would be more camaraderie.” McCoy pushed through the training and ultimately became a patrolman with the Highspire Police Department, and it was especially gratifying. “Toward the end of academy, I felt like I belonged,” she says. “I had gone through this horrible transition after I left my ex-husband, but now I felt

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like things were coming together. I had learned a lot about the law and domestic issues, and it was empowering. This process helped me to become independent. It felt like a huge turning point in my life.” But that was not the end of the obstacles.

A Woman’s Role After stints with the Highspire and the Steelton Police Departments, the Pennsylvania State Capitol Police, an agency under the Pennsylvania Department of General Services, picked her up. Their jurisdiction was primarily state-owned buildings and property on the Capitol’s complex, and she was assigned to the Firearms Unit. Being one of five females in a department that had 100 sworn officers became an unexpected challenge.

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“I heard a male officer say, ‘How do you feel about a girl taking over the firearms unit?’” McCoy recalls. The words cut, but they also provided motivation, as she moved into her new role shortly afterward. “I’m in an agency where there are not a lot of females to begin with, and there was only one in a leadership role,” she says. “But I made it work.” She did so by employing a specific strategy. “There is a delicate way to do things,” she says. “You need to know how to talk to people without pushing them away. Learning how to work around that was key. “ In that role, she reworked the entire training program.

“It was empowering and a great Eventually, she was considered for the thing for me,” she says.And great Firearms Training Unit Coordinator, but things kept happening, as she also it wasn’t an idea everyone supported. landed also a role on the Police While in an office, she overheard a conversation in an adjacent hallway. TW-SPR17-US Optics 1/6/17Special 7:44 Response AM PageTeam. 1

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“I was stunned when I got on the SRT (Special Response Team) team,” she says. “I was very happy, and I could not believe I was selected for this. From what some officers had said, they thought it would be very difficult for a female to pass the physical requirements required to make the cut for the team.“ To secure these positions, it took more than physical skills. Mental tenacity helped. “For me, it wasn’t about compromise,” she says. “It was do what is right. When I discussed topics with supervisors, I would bring up issues with the firearms training program that needed to be addressed. It took a lot of perseverance to get the required funding for better equipment and increase training standards. But, because of that, I got things done for the Capitol. I feel like I made a difference.” A short time later she also felt like it was time to move on.

IWI Time While still with the department, McCoy took an armorer’s course through IWI, where she got familiar with their weapons, including the Tavor, which she liked so much that she thought it would be a huge asset as an entry weapon for her department. She mentioned it to the Chief, who agreed and felt it should become the department’s patrol rifle. As a result, McCoy became the contact for IWI at the department. But it didn’t stop there. IWI officials wanted her to join their team. “They kept asking me to speak at local vendor shows to talk about the Tavor and why we wanted it for our department. A little over a year later they pursued me to work for them,” she says. There were a couple things that initially stopped her, including a state pension and the police beat.

BIO AT A GLANCE Name: Rebecca McCoy Age: 43 Occupation: IWI US Commercial Sales Representative Website: Iwius.com

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“IT WAS A LITTLE BIT CUTTHROAT. EVERYONE WAS COMPETING FOR A JOB. I THOUGHT THERE WOULD BE MORE CAMARADERIE.” — REBECCA MCCOY Although they persisted, she didn’t want to let go of either. McCoy ultimately made the choice to work for IWI because of the company's potential growth and strong belief in the products they produce. Still, it wasn’t an easy decision. “I felt like I was walking off a cliff,” she says. “I was not sure what was under me, and I was not sure how the [firearms] market was. I left a sure thing, retirement and a pension to do something I was not familiar with. I knew firearms and the products I was representing, but I didn't have much experience in sales. So, it was scary, but I am happy with the decision.”

Although her primary job is a US Commercial Sales Representative for IWI, Rebecca McCoy still works part-time for the Highspire Police Department.

chest, had regained consciousness long enough to call 911. After clearing the house, McCoy called for an ambulance. She also did something that she will never forget. After the woman, who is in her 50s, was released from the hospital, McCoy and her sergeant returned to the woman’s house to take additional photographs. When they entered the house, the woman stood, greeted McCoy, hugged her and thanked her for the reassuring words while they waited for the ambulance that day.

Blood Everywhere

“I said, ‘Do you remember me?’ And the woman said, ‘I remember every word you said.’ In her mind, I rescued her, and I clearly knew what I was doing. To me, my mind was running a million miles a minute, and I was a little unsure of myself because I felt like I might do something that would prevent us from putting the person who did this behind bars.”

The clock had just hit 6:30, and it was near the end of McCoy’s shift with the Highspire PD. The call came in for an attempted homicide. McCoy, just seven days off FTO, raced to the scene, made entry and discovered a bloody mess. A woman, who had been stabbed five times in the back and three times in the

“But it was definitely a good feeling to hear her say that,” says McCoy. “The case built my confidence. Everything came together nicely and we were successful in prosecuting the suspect..” And that’s a memory that brings a smile to her face. TW

For McCoy, it’s been a long and winding road with lots of memories, but there’s one good one, in particular, that stands out.

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Million Test Rounds

FIND OUT HOW FNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S 509, A FORMER CANDIDATE FOR THE U.S. ARMY, PERFORMED IN OUR FIELD TEST Story by Alex Volk, Photos courtesy of FN

he FN 509 is the development of the FNS Series Compact for the U.S. Army trials for a modular pistol. Featuring a conventional tilt-barrel design with a 4-inch conventionally rifled hammerforged barrel and a 17-round magazine, the handgun was built to specifications set by a committee, and it would have been a generally acceptable sidearm

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The 509 is a sharplooking pistol that the U.S. Army considered.

for troops. To that end, it succeeded, though the U.S. Army did not select this design. While the handgun did not end up in the hands of U.S. Army personnel, it ended up in my hands for a review. In their marketing, Kahr said the platform has been tested extensively (more than one million rounds) for reliability,

ammo compatibility and durability. Following is what I discovered.

The Specifics Using metal magazines and thin grips, FN created a weapon suitable even for fairly small hands. Easily interchangeable straight and arched backstraps allow for the modification of the default-pointing angle for better

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“VARIOUS STIPPLING STYLES AT THE FRONT, BACK, SIDE AND THUMB REST AREAS OF THE GRIP ADD UP TO GOOD RETENTION ...” instinctive shooting. Between the good grip fit, pronounced beavertail and dual recoil spring, felt recoil is moderate, even with +P ammunition. Muzzle flip is also moderate, so no re-gripping is required between shots.

Above: These shots provide a good view of both sides of this 9mm.

The trigger is creepy and a bit heavy, at 7.5 to 8 pounds of pressure. While it doesn’t interfere with accurate shooting, it does require a slower, more deliberate trigger pull to stay on target. In testing, the heavy trigger led to hand fatigue after 12 to 15 shots, causing loss of practical accuracy. Recoil doesn’t add up even after much longer sessions, but the trigger finger wear does. Considering the likely maximum load-out of 52 rounds (17+1, two spare magazines), this is a realistic limitation to consider.

Various stippling styles at the front, back, side and thumb rest areas of the grip add up to good retention without irritating the skin, like more aggressive metal textures or certain custom competition pistols. Compared to Glock 17, the 509 has half-an-inch less barrel with the same grip length, and it weighs a couple of ounces more, accounting for part of the recoil and flip reduction. One-handed handling is quite good, except for the slide stop, which seems a bit too small for comfortable activation. Once released, magazines drop free.

CONTACT

www.FNAmerica.com

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On their website, FN lists their gun as a double-action pistol. However, the striker is half-raised by the slide reciprocation, and the cocking is completed by the trigger stroke. It does not have re-strike capability.

Performance

Right: This view provides a close-up look at the 1.35inch width of the handgun.

Mechanical accuracy is very good. The limitations of the sight radius and trigger result in roughly 1-inch 10-shot groups from a standing position with all ammunition tested, which included polymer RNP 65-grain target ammo, 115-grain ball, 124-grain +P hollow

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duplicated on the left and the right sides. Slide stops are properly fenced by frame projections. Unfortunately, the slide stop is a tad small for comfortable activation and tends to pinch the fingers, but that could just be me. points and 147-grain subsonics. Functioning was 100 percent with all types of cartridges. Seventeen-shot groups all opened up to two inches, due to shooter fatigue— the heavy trigger affected my ability to stay on target. I stopped the last test group at six shots, realizing that my performance became the limiting factor. While strength exercise for the hand should solve this, so would an aftermarket trigger in the 4- to 5-pound range instead of the stock 7.5 to 8. At least the trigger itself is wide and smooth, so it doesn’t abrade skin with extensive use. The gun features a fully ambidextrous slide stop lever and magazine release.

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All controls—slide stop levers and magazine release buttons—are

The right-side mag release worked easily, while the left side required changing the grip and a very deep, deliberate press for the magazine to drop. Trying to activate the release one-handed was impossible without shifting my hand position, as the additional protrusion of the right-side button—when the left was depressed— ran right into the top of the middle finger, which was still wrapped around the grip. The problem was even worse when shooting in gloves. The right side worked fine, but the process required a very considerable contortion of the index or the middle finger to activate without losing the firing grip. It would have been better if the situation were reversed, as the outside button is more

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“... THE 509 IS A MOSTLY COMPETENT SERVICE PISTOL WITH POTENTIAL FOR GREAT ACCURACY WITH A BETTER TRIGGER.” likely to be pressed by accident. Looking inside the pistol, I found that the release buttons press against separate springs, so a competent gunsmith could adjust the engagement depth. The magazine retention tab is a small projection on the front. While it enables ambi releases, I wonder how vulnerable it is to damage when a magazine is dropped during reloading. In theory, the protruding baseplate and the corrugated lip at the front of the magazine by the feed lips should shield it from direct impacts. The magazine can be loaded by hand with no problems, but the omission of the loader in the box with the pistol makes the process a little slow.

Breakdown Disassembly is simple; lock the slide back, rotate the takedown lever, pull the trigger and push the slide forward off the frame. The recoil spring comes off and replaces easily. In the slide, the striker and the drop safety plunger

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Above: The mag features a high visibility, low-friction follower, as well as a polymer base with black finish.

available. The sights are squared off, reflecting the preference for the option to rack the slide against the belt or another object one-handed in an emergency. Considering the intended military use of this pistol, a slightly longer slide— similar to G17—would have improved both sight radius and the balance

are both large, robust-looking parts. Although the slide looks very angular, all the major corners are properly radiused, so the pistol can be handled with ungloved hands without abrasion. The frame is plastic, with molded-in steel inserts. The Picatinny accessory rail is full length, with four tabs. That is sufficient for full-size light and laser modules. Stock sights are white dots on black, adequate in good light despite being slightly shiny. Tritium night sights are available as an option on the LE model of the pistol, which is available to everyone. Aftermarket sights, such as XS F8 two-dot design, are also

Right: The fixed 3-dot luminescent sights are standard.

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without appreciably affecting the weight. As it stands now, the full-sized grip is mated to a visually short slide, limiting its medium-range potential in military use. The trigger will release without an inserted magazine. The loaded chamber indicator is both tactile (extractor claw sticking out of the slide) and visual (red paint on the back of the extractor). In addition to the passive drop safety, the hinged trigger also serves passive safety, requiring well-centered pressure for the discharge. External fit and finish are traditionally excellent.

Final Summary Overall, the 509 is a mostly competent service pistol with potential for great accuracy with a better trigger. However, the mag release problem is common enough to bring up numerous search results indicating that most

The gun measures in at 7.4 inches long and 5.56 inches high. The trigger pull is 5.5-7.5 pounds.

Bottom Right: Bad weather? No problem. The enhanced grip texture is designed for faster follow-up shots in all conditions.

pistols have that problem. That noted, Steve Fisher of Sentinel Concepts, a veteran law enforcement officer and a world-famous trainer, regards the 509 quite highly. Considering the purpose of the 509â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Army useâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;the heavy but consistent trigger becomes an understandable design choice: it can be handled more safely in the absence of tactile feedback when gloved or in cold weather. The release issue is somewhat mitigated by the right-side option remaining functional. TW

SPECS

Model: FN 509 Caliber: 9mm Operation: Double action Magazine Capacity: 10-17 rounds Weight: 26.9 ounces Barrel Length: 4 inches Overall Length: 7.4 inches Height: 5.56 inches Width: 1.35 inches Trigger Pull: 5.5-7.5 pounds MSRP: $649

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THE EDGE OF

PERFORMANCE + HIGH CARBON STAIN L ESS STEEL BL ADE + SPE CI ALT Y COAT E D ALU M I N U M H AN D LE + DUAL THUMB KN OBS + L IN ER L OCK + S T R AP CU T T E R + G LASS B R E AKE R + PO CKE T CLI P

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REAL LIFE

THE MIND IS THE ULTIMATE WEAPON Words by Danny “Gator” Pritbor, Photos by Wodhawk Photography

our mind is your ultimate weapon. Everything else—your body, the guns and gear—are just tools, extensions of you. I leave you with two points:

At the core, preparation starts with programming the mind to be situationally aware and with a mindset dedicated to quick decisionmaking. In order to get ahead of the power curve, you must be willing to take action during a critical, life-or-death situation, which means putting the lives of others ahead of your own. During an active shooter situation, when the instinct of self-preservation overtakes people, you are quickly processing the environment and how to deal with the threat. It is a difficult skill to master, but

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it can be done with training that focuses on stress inoculation and good decisionmaking.

No matter if your role is defensive or offensive, if you plan to be in the combat arena, your body needs to be ready to meet the demands. Think marathon, not sprint. You don’t have to be a CrossFit Games competitor, but you need to be functionally fit. Your body is the engine that drives all the cool weapons, gadgets and gear. See the world for what it is, a very dangerous place. It is only a matter of time before the terrorist events of Europe come to our shores. Or, you could find yourself and your loved ones the target of a criminal attack. Train

for the worst-case scenarios, be ready, willing and able-bodied to respond. TW

About Gator • In 2005, Gator (above, left) founded Firebase Combat Studies Group. • He first served as a United States Marine and then transitioned to civilian law enforcement. • After the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, he worked with the State Department Diplomatic Protection Services in the Middle East and eventually as a protective special agent, where he led numerous protective missions in support of counter-terrorism operations.

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Milled Gas Block Has Multiple Attachment Points Including a QD Socket and Bayonet Lug,** for Many Sling and Accessory Mounting Options

AR-556 ® Rifle (Model 8500*)

The Ruger ® AR-556 ® is a semi-automatic, M4-style, direct impingement Modern Sporting Rifle that offers consumers an affordable, American-made rifle with the rugged reliability they have come to expect from Ruger. Extensively tested during its development, the AR-556 ® is constructed from top-quality components, including forged 7075-T6 aluminum upper and lower receivers and a cold hammer-forged, chrome-moly steel barrel with M4 feed ramp cuts. Chambered in 5.56 NATO, the AR-556’s carbine-length, flattop, M4 design is fully configured with a Ruger ® Rapid Deploy folding rear sight, milled F-height gas block with post front sight, forward assist, dust cover, brass deflector, telescoping six-position or fixed stock, improved trigger-reach grip and enlarged trigger guard. Standardized M4/AR components are utilized throughout, so the AR-556 ® can be customized easily. * Some rifles may not be available in all states and locales due to laws limiting magazine capacity and feature-based restrictions. Please check with your local law enforcement agency prior to purchasing this firearm to verify that it may legally be purchased and/or possessed in your particular state and locale. ** State compliant model 8502 is offered with a fixed stock, heavy contour barrel, no bayonet lug or flash suppressor and includes one, 10-round magazine.

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8/29/17 3:17 AM