Overcoming the "tactical" mindset

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Man, where have I been? FLASHLIGHT OIL? That is truly odd!

What next, multi-tool antifreeze? O-rings on a tack hammer?

You'll find it at your favorite dealer, right next to the prop wash.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

There are no "sportsmen" at the local range or the local gun store these days, only operators and zombie response team members. Everyone wants tactical weapons, because they are constantly imagining themselves in a shootout or other survival situation

I am going to express an opinion here and I hope it does not offend any of my forum compatriots. These are my experience-based observations.

I have been involved in firearms sales since the mid-70's (off and on). Most of the "cool tactical" gear I have seen sold has only gone into action against the bathroom mirror. I have seen AR's loaded up with so many accessories that they weigh more than a Garand. Armament as a status symbol. Ain't nobody gonna be able to lug those puppies around let alone find themselves in a running gun battle with zombies.

If this describes you it is OK. If you derive pleasure from using your arms in that way then great. Your purchase has provided a valuable return. Just don't look down at us mossbacks who are looking at the ancient Smith and Colt revolvers in the display cases. Odds are some of us older guys have some real gunfights under our belts using that ancient equipment.

I don't own an AR, nothing in semi-auto tactical configuration. My "fighting rifle" is a 357 Magnum lever action that has accompained me for years. It is comfortable to shoot. I can do more with one or two rounds with it than most can with a whole magazine of 5.56 ammo because I know it so well. I look like a Cowboy Action Shooter (only with a DA revolver) and nobody pays attention to me, especially out on the far west deserts where I like to hang out. And I have fun all the time. Life is too short to be so serious all the time. We never know when we might be called home so live righteously and enjoy every minute.

YMMV and that is perfectly OK with me.

 

[Smithsrevenge]

And my car has been running on tactical oil for months.

Did ya know I saw actually tactical headlights at the auto store the other day........ Ugh

Sent from my VS930 4G using Tapatalk

 

[shouldazagged]

Well said, Bruce. Preaching to the choir here, but doing it well.

 

[spad124]

Pistol, reload, flashlight, phone (preferably with bluetooth earpiece for hands free use), and usually a knife. Pretty much all the time. BUT: first and foremost, pay attention, avoid dumb places unless you are paid to be there; avoid people who do dumb stuff; if you see something that looks like it is going sideways, leave. That's the part that really matters. If I have to use the other gear, something went wrong well before then.

Agree. As a long time resident of the last state in the Union to enact CCW, my focus for the last 50 odd years has been on paying attention, avoiding dumb places, and avoiding people doing dumb stuff. My wife was raised a county girl and to this day doesn't have much "situational awareness" in urban settings or when traveling. So, I always try to have enough for two.

I've certainly left places when things were starting to go sideways, the most memorable of which was a LEO friend's retirement party at at bar. Way too much beer was flowing, not everyone was getting along and many of those not getting along had their off duty weapons. Time to go.

Frankly, all I carry is a pocket knife, because that's all I can legally carry. Plus the proverbiai cell phone. I do have a folder and flashlight in the console, but that's it.

The state police don't expect to issue any CCW permits before March 2014. I have to drive through a pretty rough part of town to go to and from work so, if I do get a permit, I expect I would carry my P6 or maybe put my K frame in the car--plus carry my pocket knife.

 

[sac-gunslinger]

Well said, Bruce. Preaching to the choir here, but doing it well.

I knew you would understand.....

 

[shouldazagged]

I knew you would understand.....

Well, I don't know how old you are, but I used to tell Cain to stop picking on his brother.

 

[MOONDAWG]

Mall Ninjas & Sidewalk Commandos can take point all they want.

The normal folk will stay in the rear with the gear and watch the show.

 

[Practical]

I live in NY and had only one handgun which took more than a 10 round magazine. A glock 19.

Now that NY has made it impossible to load it with more than 7 rounds, I realize that gun with a couple magazines gave me a lot of piece of mind.

Every other handgun I have had has been a Colt, Smith & Wesson or Ruger target gun, 22 revolver or less than 8 shot magazine. I was fine with that. BUT the glock was the go to gun for carry, home defense, IDPA, etc.

Now that I can load it with only 7 rounds, it made me realize that 'tactical' is a marketing term. Being ready mean having what you need.

Wait until your states equivalent of the Safe Act comes along, you won't be happy. A 5-7 round gun is no match for a hi-capacity auto in equally skilled hands. My state senator wanted a 5 round limit on ALL guns capacity for NY. That is the goal of the anti-gunners. The can't ban guns completely, but he said we have to reduce the carnage. You don't need more than a few shots to scare away someone...

 

[TheGunman]

I dont concern myself with the choices of others

 

[Smoke]

On another site the question was how many extra clips do you carry. I was amazed at what some people carry. Now to each there own but some had 40 t0 50 rounds 2 guns. If that what makes you comfortable fine. But if you have to fire more than 2 to 3 rounds your in a word of hurt an your next should be 911. I do believe in one extra clip that's just me. I don't want to look like I am looking for trouble either.

To be fair I always carry two reloads, when I carry my 6906 that means I'm carrying 36 rounds. So I can't fault someone for carrying 40

 

[bp231986]

I dont concern myself with the choices of others

smart

 

[Smithsrevenge]

I ate some gummy bears while training for small room clearing at work yesterday.

Does that mean they were tactical bears?

 

[snubbyfan]

I posted this pic in another thread but I feel as if I need to show our tactical cats here too.

 

[Smoke]

I ate some gummy bears while training for small room clearing at work yesterday.

Does that mean they were tactical bears?

Were they black?

 

[Lt JL]

I shoot some three-gun in the summer. My squad is all retired big city cops, and a few Feds (just because we feel sorry for them).
At any rate, my squad is always last. We never have any 'failures to neutralize"(gamers don't like to say kill), we never shoot any hostages. What we are is slow. we think out every stage, take about 15 minutes each to clear the shoot house, and take cover when we reload. In consequence, the guys with the hi cap 9s, the tricked out Saigas, and the .22 (yes, .22)ARs, kick our butt time wise.
Our answer is this: take one mag or load in each weapon. you start at one end of the 1 mile woods, I'll start at the other. Only one of us comes out. Never have any takers, fortunately. Strategy is what youre going to do, tactics is how youre going to do it. Neither has much to do with looking MAHVELOUS<DARLING!!

 

[sac-gunslinger]

What we are is slow. we think out every stage

When I was instructing I always used to tell my students not to worry about how fast they were engaging the targets. The qualifying time limits were sufficient to allow time to think about the shots they were taking.

I used to set up one lane with a hostage situation where there should have been no shot possible. A couple of yaaahoos over the years actually tried the shot (and made it!). They were always disappointed with the zero score on the round.

I like slow.

 

[rock_castle]

Don't you just love threads where somebody criticizes behavior that most others agree is probably over the top, and then everyone piles on and tries to show that they agree and behave much more reasonably? Carry whatever you want or need to carry. It is nobody elses business. The important thing is to go home safe every time.

 

[Fastbolt]

... Strategy is what youre going to do, tactics is how youre going to do it. Neither has much to do with looking MAHVELOUS<DARLING!!

Nicely stated.

However, there's seemingly no shortage of folks who get the saying for prioritization "Mindset, Skillset, Toolset" backwards.

Not a problem for gaming/competition and leisurely enjoyment at the range. Enjoyment is its own reward in such pursuits.

The potential for incoming rounds can change one's perspective, though.

 

[C Broad Arrow]

Despite all of the gear, the most dangerous weapon is the one between your ears, and the one that makes all the difference.