Category Archives: Long Guns

The KY STATE POLICE Modified Sniper Qual

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An old qualification target with a vintage FBI sniper school data book. Documentation on the target states that the run was made in 4:11 total.

Years ago, I had the pleasure and honor of attending the Kentucky State Police Advanced Sniper School a couple of times.  I went back several more times with the honor of helping put it on.

This article is not about the grueling 16+ hour days, the realistic scenarios or the demanding mental and physical conditioning needed to pass.  This article is about the single thing that sent many a perspective sniper, or in some cases experienced sniper packing without a certificate at the end of the week.

This article is about the modified qualification course.

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Review: Trijicon SRS Sealed Reflex Sight

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The Trijicon SRS or Sealed Reflex Sight mounted to my 10″ SIG 516.

I had an opportunity pop up a few weeks ago that allowed me to get my hands on the new Trijicon SRS (Sealed Reflex Sight).  The 1×38 MIL-spec sight is about as rugged as they come.  It is a parallax free, reflex sight with a large 38mm aperture for maximum visibility in a short body. The 1.75 MOA red dot has dual power illumination with 10 brightness settings.  3 of those are NVG compatible.   The AA battery is mounted in line with the bore and assisted by the top mounted solar cell panel.  The large buttons for adjusting the brightness levels are located on the sides of the housing and are easily manipulated with or without gloves.  The overall build quality of the sight is what you would expect from a company such as Trijicon.  The sight is robust with a housing so rugged that seems like the demonic offspring of a fire hydrant and a manhole cover. Continue reading →

Photo of the Day: Shooting the LaRue PredatAR 7.62

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Here’s one from a while back when I was testing the LaRue PredatAR 7.62 for an article I wrote for Soldier of Fortune. Weighing in at under 8 pounds unloaded, this handy big bore rifle is extremely pointable and easy to shoot. I later added a BattleComp BABC muzzle device which does an amazing job of keeping the muzzle level between shots. The only downside to the PredatAR is the insane demand. Get your name on the list and own one of the finest lightweight, modern battle rifles available.

SOURCE: http://www.larue.com

Review: Geissele Super Dynamic 3-Gun (S3G) trigger

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To most people, a “match trigger” in a AR15 platform belongs on a rifle with a 16 to 22 inch  precision barrel. During the course of my career I have shot the normal GI trigger that I was given. During sniper school the precision platform opened up to me, but the desire of a nicer trigger didn’t really bleed down to my other carbines until I shot a friend’s Geissele trigger a few years ago. I have since tried many “match” triggers of all types and from numerous companies, never really finding something I liked enough to warrant the additional funds.

I shoot a lot of 1911 like most of the other contributors on this site and personally use primarily a flat blade trigger. This preference of a flat trigger has bled down to my bolt guns as well. I learned that Geissele was producing a flat blade trigger and I had to try it, so I ordered 1 of every model ( Super Dynamic 3 gun, Super Dynamic Enhanced, and Super Dynamic Combat). Continue reading →

SKD “PIG” Plate Carrier- A Review

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We currently issue the PPI Operator vest at work.  We’ve been looking at and testing various vests, and plate carrier rigs for our next vest replacement which comes up in 2014.

In comes the “PIG” (Patrol Incident gear) plate carrier from SKD Tactical. (http://www.skdtac.com/PIG-Plate-Carrier-p/pig.502.htm).  One of my coworkers purchased this plate carrier, set it up and we started testing it.  The first thing I noticed about it was the reasonable price.  The carrier ran about $340 shipped.  SKD’s website boasts that their product’s ship in one business day or it ships free.

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Mossberg 930 SPX Review And Modifications

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The Mossberg 930 SPX Shotgun has several factory features which make it a formidable combat shotgun out of the box, but as with most weapons some modifications will better suit it to the user.

The 930 SPX is a semi-automatic 12-gauge shotgun with 18 1/2 inch barrel, and is fitted with an LPA Fiber Optic front sight with Ghost Ring rear sight. The red fiber optic front sight is adjustable for elevation and shows up well in daylight and glows like a night sight when a mounted light is used. There are tritium front sights available for the LPA Sights. Having been in the situation of not being able to see a brass bead, trust me you want a visible front sight. The rear sight is adjustable for both windage and elevation and the click adjustments are well defined, and are clearly marked in white. The rear sight is mounted to the receiver on a Picatinny rail, which allows mounting a red dot sight if so desired. Both front and rear sights are protected by metal ears and are very rugged. The 930 SPX has a Choate extended magazine tube. Synthetic stocks with recoil pad and sling studs front and rear round out the package.

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Review- Sure Fire X300 Ultra Weapon Mounted Light

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Sure Fire X300 Ultra mounted on author’s duty Glock 35

I am a flashlight nerd.  I admit it.  I’d almost go to meetings like any other addiction if it was offered.  I am constantly on the hunt for the next biggest and brightest thing.  I’ve often stated that I am waiting around for the light to come out that has the same performance on the human body as to when the Germans looked into the Ark of the Covenant on Raiders of the Lost Ark.  Real old Testament stuff.

So when James Otto of Otto Firearms contacted me and stated he had the new Sure Fire X300 Ultra in stock finally, I broke out the plastic and one was on its way. Continue reading →

Smith & Wessons M&P10 7.62mm Rifle – First Impressions

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Smith & Wesson’s M&P10 rifle features fully ambidextrous controls including magazine release, bolt catch/release, and selector lever.

At SHOT Show 2013, Smith and Wesson introduced their new line of 7.62mm / 308 caliber rifles, which feature fully ambidextrous controls, compatibility with SR-25/M110 pattern magazines, and an attractive price point. At about 7 3/4 pounds unloaded, the rifle (dubbed M&P 10) is extremely lightweight and handy. After a cursory examination at SHOT, I knew I had to get my grubby hands on one and try it for myself. Continue reading →

PHOTO OF THE DAY: LaRue PredatAR 7.62

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A couple years ago I extensively tested LaRue Tactical’s PredatAR 7.62 rifle for a feature article in Soldier of Fortune magazine. This was one of the nicest semi-automatic rifles I’ve ever had the pleasure of shooting. Despite the thin profile barrel, the rifle shot sub-MOA with Black Hills 168gr and 175gr match. I eventually added a BattleComp BABC which made the rifle very pleasurable to shoot, despite its light weight. It is no wonder why LaRue has such a long waiting list…

MAGPUL’S 20LR M110/MK11 7.62 MAGAZINE

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Since the introduction of the PMAG in 2006, Magpul Industries has set the standard for reliable polymer magazines for the M16 platform. Prior to the PMAG, the best the market had to offer were from Thermold and Orlite, which were marginal at best. The use of polymer for magazine bodies have definite advantages in weight savings and durability, as seen in our Magazine Drop Test. The PMAG has earned itself an excellent reputation among end users, many of whom prefer the polymer PMAG over USGI aluminum magazines. While I believe aluminum USGI magazines have their place, the current generation PMAG is an excellent choice for a duty magazine.

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Firearms Safety – Why do we take it for granted?

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This installment there are no pictures.  No high speed/low drag, Crossfit fueled, SWAT laden cool guy pictures.  My apologies to Tim and Hilton for not having pictures as required. (Editor: We don’t require pictures for every post!)

Instead, I hope this article will serve as a moment of pause.

It is 2013.  Why are gun owners still negligently shooting people in their homes?  Notice I said negligently.  I am talking about the unintentional shooting of a family member or guest that usually winds up with the shooter telling the first responding officer “I thought it was unloaded”.

The liberal left tries to get everyone to equate gun control with gun safety.  They seek an emotional response by invoking, “It’s for the children”.  Fact of the matter is that their versions of gun control have nothing to do with safety, nothing to do with guns, and everything to do with control.  What I am referring to is firearms safety becoming a way of life.  It becoming organic to who you are, a thread in your DNA.

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Carbine Training: The 18 Drill

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The 18 drill is one of my old standby’s.  18 yards, 18 rounds, 18 seconds, 18 inch aiming area.  Sound pretty simple?

This is a carbine drill that is shot from three positions- standing, kneeling and prone.

To set up for the drill, the shooter loads three magazines with six rounds each.  One is inserted into the gun and the gun is charged.  The other two are placed somewhere on the body for two emergency reloads.  The shooter starts in the standing position,  facing the target, safety on, gun in low ready.  On the tone, the shooter fires six rounds standing, performs an emergency reload, and goes to the kneeling position.  From the kneeling position, the shooter then fires six rounds.  The shooter performs an emergency reload, and then goes prone.  The shooter then fires his/her remaining six rounds.  Time stops on the last round fired.

We score it as all or none on the target.  The run has to be “clean” with all 18 rounds inside the aiming area.  Usually we shoot this on the B21 target with all hits to be inside the “coke” bottle (a little more generous than a true 18 inch circle) or anything in the “Down One” or “C” zone on a IPSC or IDPA target.  The “Down One” or “C” zone is larger than 18 inches, but with a little ingenuity, you can make the scoring work with just about any target, by adjusting the target area to fit.

 

Your Patrol Rifle: Cruiser Carry

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I first heard the term “Cruiser Carry” many moons ago when I was in the Academy.  “Cruiser Carry” at that time was used to describe the condition of our Remington 870’s when stored in our police cars.

Then came the Patrol rifle.  We in the firearms training community adapted “Cruiser Carry” to the rifle.  There are a few different versions of “cruiser carry” but here is what we currently teach around here. Continue reading →

Optics on an AK? Enter the RS Regulate AK-300 Mounting System

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RS-Regulate AK300 base with AKM mount and AImpoint Comp M3

RS Regulate AK Optics Mount
By Darryl Bolke

The AK-47 platform has made some huge inroads in the last decade as a more mainstream primary rifle system for many American shooters. It is also becoming one of those systems that you need to learn to run even if it is not your normal issued rifle for either military or L/E shooters. While the AK system is usually a robust and reliable rifle (especially in true military issued form rather than “assembled” rifles), it is lacking in many areas for efficient use. One of the biggest shortcomings of most AK’s is that they are essentially equipped with a rough pistol sighting system. Continue reading →

Colt CM901: The Hammer – Close In Work

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Does one “weapon” fit all?  Does one “weapon” fit most?  I am not exactly sure?  Actually I am leaning towards “no” but I am open to suggestions.  Then the Colt CM901 enters into the market and it is engineered to be able to shoot the intended 7.62 NATO chambering down to the 5.56 NATO round via the different uppers it can accommodate.  With a separately built and supplied sleeve the CM901 can accept complete upper receivers of different or the same calibers and can run them with little interruption.

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