Overcoming the "tactical" mindset

[Smoke]

Side note: why would anyone want a camouflaged knife, blade and all, or an all-black one? If you drop the former in daytime you may have a heck of a time finding it, and if you fumble the latter after dark...I don't get it.

I used to have one of those camoflage Zippos until I dropped it in Graf and couldn't find it.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

They are decked out in black from head to toe

I am not too popular at the local range, apparently I have made one too many comments about how the tactical gear is used in front of the bathroom mirror.

.....These guys end up not being able to hit the target and then blame it on the gun....
The people who want to learn and listen will always outshoot them.

When I was instructing, I loved the 125 pound housewives. They would come in all scared of the noise and the recoil. I could solve that problem in about 10 minutes. Then they would listen to instructions and would be shooting decent scores double action at the end of the first day. The cowboys who had "grown up with a gun in their hands," not so much. Of course, the paper target was to blame, they could hit real targets but not that stupid paper.

In SASS we have something called the Stealth Bullet Society for folks whose bullets hit the target dead-center but the bullet passes through the target without leaving a hole. I guess I used to hand out a large number of stealth bullets to my students.

 

[Smoke]

But, Smoke, is it a camouflage handkerchief?

I can not stand white clothing of any kind. all of my handkerchiefs are GI brown

 

[sac-gunslinger]

I'm thinking about installing a stomp trigger in my boot instead, I just gotta figure out how to work out the missing my big toe thing.....

That must limit your tap dancing career.....

 

[Smoke]

Historical Footnote

Since were discussing tactical wannabes and Mall Ninjas I am posting the following for it's historical value as well as it's humor.

The original post from Gecko 45

Am I being careful enough?"Gecko45 writes:

hello friends,

Last year I made the decision to trust my life on the street to Second Chance body armor. I got the level IIa because it stops the most rounds. plus I got the Trauma Plate for the front.

What scares me is that, although I can fit an extra trauma plate in the front, I cannot fit a second one in back. As of late I have taken to duct-taping a second trauma plate to the area of my back where the heart and vital organs are located. Then I put my vest on.

Here is the questions. The ducttape solution, although tactically sound, is hot and painful to remove. I would like to go to the single-plate solution in back. What I am worried about is repeated hits to that area with .308 ammunition. I have a high-risk security job and I fear that I would be the target for repeated long-distance shots to my back.

Are any of you aware of a thicker plate that could stop, say, .338 Lapua or something like that? Is there a better way to do the second plate?

BTW, I am, of course, usually carrying a pair of ceramic plates in my briefcase so that I can shield my head. My SO (we work as a team when necessary) has a similar accessory containing a breakdown NEF single-shot 300 WinMag with an 18" bbl. The plan is that I shield us with my body and "catch the rounds" while she assembles the NEF. I lay down covering fire with my 23 (Bar-Sto .357 Sig barrel) and she makes the long shots. I will then throw smoke grenades to obscure the area while continuing to lay covering fire. The problem, of course, is when I have to turn my back to run, and then the problem crops up.

 

[duppie]

Ahh yes....Gecko45.
What ever happened to the Gecko?......


Probably did irreparable damage to his back attempting to remove the "Kick Me" sigh taped to his ceramic plates on the back of his body armor while shopping for face paint at the local Sewing Hut.

 

[LaVistaBill]

Tactical Mindset

I call the individual walking into a 7-11 getting robbed and wearing his/her tactical vest, BDU's and combat boots as the "shoot me first person." A lot of the open carry types too; they want to look "tough" but really don't have a clue. If the bad guys are shooting at them first, it gives me some time to draw my weapon from concealment, find cover and assess the situation. That may sound callous, but they made the choice, not me...

 

[LaVistaBill]

I also learned at a gun writers seminar a couple of summers ago given by a big tactical products supplier that they sell civilian versions of their LE and military equipment as they realize there is big money to be made from the "Walter Mitty" types running around out there who are "legends in their own minds!"

 

[Gearhead Jim]

After carrying a 1911 or a Hi Power for most of my LE career, on duty and usually off duty, it's still inconvenient to do so. Being retired now, I mostly go with the J frame in my pocket that was my on duty backup for many years.

Looking at the crime statistics in my county, it would be more likely to save my life if I wore a crash helmet driving to the grocery store, or carried a defibrillator all the time. But I have an emotional problem with letting some dirtbag kill me, so I carry the J every day and a Glock when traveling.

Thinking about the un-likelihood of it ever making any difference to me, I have:
Avoided carry Magnum loads in the Airlite J, though I do use +P.
One reload only for the J, usually no reload for the Glock except in certain areas.
Ballistic vest hangs in my closet at home.
Small, cheap (but nice) Streamlight ProTac 2L pocket flashlight, not very tactical.
Instead of a quick-draw, lockback, with the clip visible outside the pocket, I carry a Swiss Army knife with a few tools.
No survival gear in the car except the cellphone/charger, unless in bad weather or desolate area.

I can't survive a nuclear war or a massed zombie attack, but I don't clank when I walk and don't worry about drowning if I fall into the neighbor's pond.

Works for me...

 

[bp231986]

I carry a handgun with a spare mag, a knife for your everyday use and i do like to carry or have near me (in my car)my surefire EB2.

 

[kaaskop49]

Some posters have made reference to camouflage gear. I understand that some hunters have actually lost camouflaged longarms in the outdoors. My LGS has a Mossberg 930 tactical SG with pitbull camouflage over the entire weapon. Don't know how (or why) it was applied.

Can't make this stuff up.

 

[M.Cunningham]

Guys wearing all that **** in public look like complete dorks, and more than half of them wouldn't know how to use all the mess they are wearing anyway.

 

[Badkarma 1]

My own take is to evaluate your surroundings, neighborhood, where you like to go, shop, eat out and so on. Then decide what you need, and how to carry it.
I live just outside the city limits of E. St. Louis, Il. and yet I'm totally comfortable with a newly acquired model 64 snub, two speed loaders, a Streamlight, folding knife, and a Victorinox multi-tool(hey the saw blade is handy for pruning vegetation.)
Yeah some days its the 5906 or 457, but I like variety. But I dig this K frame snub and am already proficient with it!
Dale

 

[S&W45Colt]

My own take is to evaluate your surroundings, neighborhood, where you like to go, shop, eat out and so on. Then decide what you need, and how to carry it.
I live just outside the city limits of E. St. Louis, Il. and yet I'm totally comfortable with a newly acquired model 64 snub, two speed loaders, a Streamlight, folding knife, and a Victorinox multi-tool(hey the saw blade is handy for pruning vegetation.)
Yeah some days its the 5906 or 457, but I like variety. But I dig this K frame snub and am already proficient with it!
Dale

Man, you are near a rough, rough area. I worked there one time carrying a FS M&P and a BUG and still felt under gunned. This was a few years ago, but we'd hear 3-5 shots an hour during the day time and stayed in groups at night doing neighborhood sweeps and we had some pretty rough run-ins at night.

If I lived there I think I'd have to have a castle, dragon and a moat. My hat's off to you for being able to navigate that area comfortably.

 

[Badkarma 1]

Man, you are near a rough, rough area. I worked there one time carrying a FS M&P and a BUG and still felt under gunned. This was a few years ago, but we'd hear 3-5 shots an hour during the day time and stayed in groups at night doing neighborhood sweeps and we had some pretty rough run-ins at night.

If I lived there I think I'd have to have a castle, dragon and a moat. My hat's off to you for being able to navigate that area comfortably.

Born and raised here, and only been broke into 3 times! Yeah I still hear shots every now and then, sounds most like pistol fire, although sometimes I swear there's an AK sounding off!
For the most part it's calmed down from the 70s but its still a bad town, and I have some not so friendly types living on the same street, but they're mostly thieves and cowards... And the sheriff is watching them too.
And thanks!
Dale

 

[Black_Sheep]

If I felt undergunned going someplace with "only" a j frame and an extra speed strip in my pocket, I simply wouldn't go there...

 

[ferretray]

First thing I'll write here is each to their own. Don't really care what the next fellow does in ref. to choices in training and equipment.
I prefer the company of folks that are low profile in their endeavors.
I tend to carry what I consider the basics:
Handgun and a reload. Mountain Revolver in .44 Magnum these days.
Flashlight. I like Surefire.
Knife. Folder or small fixed blade.
Kerchief.
Wallet, glasses and keys. Lighter.
Cellphone.
I've pretty much carried this standard load for years. You would never know by looking at me.

 

[Silvergoose]

I'm under the impression that tactical training along with equipment was designed to minimize the user not to make a spectacle out of the person. Wearing camo gear everyday is your business, it reminds me of dressing like cowboys and indians when I was kid. I try to stay as low key as possible. I do not want to draw attention to myself or the loved ones that may be with me. It has been said here before, if you look for trouble, you can find it.

What I carry is out of sight and out of mind of anyone with me and anyone seeing me, perfect. I'm getting older and some things do not function the way they use to. Rambo, I am not, nor do I think I am any type of superhero. I want to go about my business without much fuss and bother, yet I do not want to be a doormat for any wouldbe bad guy. As I have told many of the younger people that work with me,"Old Men Cheat" We do not take a knife to a gun fight.

Besafe protect the ones you love.

 

[big&slow]

Some may disagree with my procedures, but that's OK.

I will be 60 in a few months. I have been all over the world. I have worked as an armed security guard for a while. I have carried for duty and as a private citizen.

I have never been in a situation where I felt like I needed to pull a weapon and defend myself.

I have a permit. I carry periodically. I carry mainly to stay in practice. I train at the range a couple times a month, mostly because I enjoy shooting as a hobby. I also feel that if I have a permit, I should be competent and safe with the weapon I can carry.

If my risk potential changes, I will change my carry habits.
If I need more than the 10 rounds I carry, I am in too deep anyway.
If you feel the need to carry all the time, I support you.
If you feel the need for backup mags/guns etc, I support you.

You sound like me with the exception of I'm 63. Worked armed security myself and never had to pull it, then or as a private citizen..

 

[Hodgin]

Carrying a gun isn't a "hobby," but does have some similarities. Gadgets become a big thing. Fishing, hunting, golf, woodworking, and so on. If you watch and listen to the "experts," you end up with a boat load of stuff and a drained bank account. Possibly an expensive divorce as well.

I carry either a 9c or BG 380 depending on outerwear with no spare mags. I'd carry a spare mag but I have enough problems holding my pants up. I have a good gun belt but a big gut and small rear. Once things start down, they go fast. My knife is an ordinary small pocket knife. I can cut a box but won't win a knife fight.