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[Trembula]

This was forwarded to me by a shooting aquaintance - I have always enjoyed reading what John Farnum has to say and several folks I trust think very highly of his training.

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30 Sept 04

If you haven't already, here are several critical "things to learn" in these times.  I give this frank advice to all my students:

Learn the AR-15 system.  The AR-15 may not be the perfect rifle, but it will be around for the remainder of our lifetimes, and you'll probably have to use one sooner or later.  Issues are airborne grit, lack of maintenance, overcharged magazines, and broken extractor springs,  among others.  AR-15s are found everywhere the USA has had influence.

Learn the Kalashnikov system.  You'll find the Kalashnikov everywhere else!   Made in China, Russia, Eastern Europe, South Africa (Rs), or Israel (Galil), they all work the same way. It's a good system, but it needs competent maintenance.

Learn about Glocks and SIGs.  They're everywhere and will be for the foreseeable future.

Learn how to get a blade in your hand fast.  Blades are useful for all sorts of things, but, in an emergency, you need one deployed and ready to go to work, fast.

Learn how to eat MREs.  You well may have to subsist on them. C-rations are out.  MREs are in.  There is a learning curve.  Heating element is now water-activated.  Everything is now in plastic packets.  Hardtack (John Wayne crackers) are still in!

Learn how to apply the Israeli Battle Dressing to wounds, even your own.  This is the battle dressing everyone is using now, and it is superior, by far, to all its predecessors.  It is literally a life saver, and you'll probably have to use one, maybe sooner than you think.

Learn how to effectively treat, in the field, a tension pneumothorax. A tension pneumothorax is commonly associated with penetrating chest wounds. The condition is often lethal within minutes, but it can be stabilized, and the wounded person can survive his trip to the OR.

Learn how to use a Leatherman Tool.  It will do lots of jobs.  You need one and you need to know its many capabilities.

- John

"Willingness is a state of mind. READINESS is a statement of fact!"

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Comments? Agree / Disagree?

I think he is right on about familiarity with the handguns and long gun platforms listed above. Those guns are here to stay and one probably ough to know how to operate them. Sort of like how it is useful to be able to drive a stick shift even though every car you own is an automatic...

Dan

[Chuck Burnett]

Seems reasonable to me, as far as it goes.
I would generalize to include a working knowledge of as many common firearms as you can get your paws on combined with a solid foundation of marksmanship and gunhandling.
If you consider guns that you will commonly encounter or easily acquire
here in the U.S,  bolt and lever action rifles and pump and semi-auto shotguns would be high on my list.
I've seen solid semi-auto shooters boggle when handed a revolver. It seems odd to us older guys that some younger shooters have never run a wheel gun.
I try to examine and handle any gun I encounter that I'm not familiar with.
Fortunately most gun owners are proud of their toys and willing to share. 

Chuck

[Lance_Larsen]

I would add that everyone should at least try a machinegun once in their lives.  It doesn't hurt to be able to put a small controlled burst where you want it.  As Ferris Buehler said "If you have the means, I highly recommend it!"

Go to Knob Creek once in your life and try a full auto burst from a M-16 and an AK-47.  If you are working in the Middle East as a consultant (and many other places in the world) it certainly wouldn't hurt to at least have a passing familiarity with the AK-47 full auto.  I'd love to see someone escape instead of getting beheaded for a change.  Or at least go down fighting.

The list was right on, but a good point with the revolver.  I would also suggest a Colt .45 Auto since they are so prolific.

This also makes me think about my Kung Fu training.  I have the utmost respect for those people who spend their entire lives learning a Combat Art.  But really, what are the odds you'll end up fighting against someone who is using a chain with a weight on the end?  Or a sharp edged folding fan?  Or a sword that springs out when you whip it?  Like Hock says, play the odds.  Practice with what is likely to be available, practice against what is likely to be used against you.

[Trembula]

One of my friends who has been to a number of the "name" shooting schools told me about the "New Jersey Turnpike Drill" that they did at one of them. Basically it consisted of everyone loading up their sidearms, which were collected and then randomly redistributed - I think they were covered up and on the signal you had to uncover it, figure out how to use it and engage the targets. Sure it isn't a "fair drill" if you end up shooting someone's Taurus instead of your Wilson Custom, but neither is life and the more different handguns you are proficient with, the more likely the one you have available will get the job done.

I think the drill originally referred back to a real incident in which either a backup officer or friendly citizen came across a downed law enforcement officer on the NJ Turnpike and was unable to figure out how to effectively manipulate the downed officer's gun.

One of the enjoyable things about shooting is shooting other people's guns - most folks are pretty friendly and will let you try out their piece at the range (so long as you replace their ammo!) - helps you figure out which guns you like and dislike and plan how to spend your penny collection...

[Professor]

One of my friends who has been to a number of the "name" shooting schools told me about the "New Jersey Turnpike Drill" that they did at one of them. Basically it consisted of everyone loading up their sidearms, which were collected and then randomly redistributed - I think they were covered up and on the signal you had to uncover it, figure out how to use it and engage the targets. Sure it isn't a "fair drill" if you end up shooting someone's Taurus instead of your Wilson Custom, but neither is life and the more different handguns you are proficient with, the more likely the one you have available will get the job done.

I think the drill originally referred back to a real incident in which either a backup officer or friendly citizen came across a downed law enforcement officer on the NJ Turnpike and was unable to figure out how to effectively manipulate the downed officer's gun.

One of the enjoyable things about shooting is shooting other people's guns - most folks are pretty friendly and will let you try out their piece at the range (so long as you replace their ammo!) - helps you figure out which guns you like and dislike and plan how to spend your penny collection...

This is an excellent drill to do with advanced shooters.   

For those that haven't done this drill:   Please give some instruction to remind shooters about barrel "lasering".   People have the habit of pointing the gun down the line of shooters while they try to figure out the gun....I watch this happen last weekednd during a Range Officer training session. 

I've always run this drill "one-at-a-time" due to the safety consideration of handling new guns (and trying to rapidly get on target).

[Professor]

Go to Knob Creek once in your life and try a full auto burst from a M-16 and an AK-47.  If you are working in the Middle East as a consultant (and many other places in the world) it certainly wouldn't hurt to at least have a passing familiarity with the AK-47 full auto.  I'd love to see someone escape instead of getting beheaded for a change.  Or at least go down fighting.

A friend in Iraq as a consultant has related that every BMW on the street in Bagdad has an AK between the front seat with a full-auto setting.  IEDs and shooting are happening daily with a 5% casulty rate for the private company.   Rules:   If they point it at you....they are hostile....until then, carry on.

Most class-3 owner will willing let you shoot their gun (bring good quality ammo).    It's not too difficult to keep a 30 round mag on a 4" target at 15 yards, but it does take some trigger time...and it's a blast.