Army Tries New "Qualification": "One shot, one kill" may be the motto of
the Army sniper, but for Soldiers qualifying in Basic Rifle
Marksmanship, the traditional one shot per target on the range could
soon come to an end. The Basic Combat Training Soldiers of 2nd
Battalion, 39th Infantry Brigade, are testing a new BRM qualification,
which combines elements they will experience on the battlefield -
movement, concealment, presence of civilians and using multiple rounds
on an enemy.
http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/03/27/8162-jackson-testing-new-weapons-qualification-method/
---
Rule Three Reminder: This video will show you the obvious cause of the
accidental discharge of a Federal Flight Deck Officer's Service weapon.
The cause was a flawed and dangerous policy requiring redundant and
unnecessary firearm handling by the pilots and an equipment design
disaster. You don't place foreign objects next to a trigger of a loaded gun!
http://www.crimefilenews.com/2008/03/video-of-dangerous-firearm-policy-of.html
APSA Press Release:
http://www.secure-skies.org/doc/PRESS%20RELEASE%20-%20BLAME%20SHIFTS%20TO%20TSA%20IN%20PILOTS%20GUN%20MISHAP.pdf
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States Lose Hunting-, Fishing-License Revenue: Bob Shannon is an avid
hunter and a fishing guide, and he owns a tackle shop, but he sometimes
struggles to get his own son out into Vermont's woods and fields. "He'll
be sitting there with the video games," Mr. Shannon said of 9-year-old
Alexander. "I finally had to lay down the law last summer: 'If it's a
nice day, you're outside.'" Mr. Shannon's challenge reflects a larger
problem plaguing many state governments: Revenue from hunting and
fishing license sales is plunging because of waning interest in the
outdoors.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080330/NATION/837110035/1002
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Holster-Design Contest: The Montana Shooting Sports Association is
holding a holster-design contest to assist Montana college students who
may wish to participate in the upcoming open-holster protest but may not
own a holster.
http://www.progunleaders.org/holster/
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On the Radio Today: This Sunday on Liberty Watch and America Armed &
Free, author David E. Young will spend the entire 2 hours with host
Charles Heller on his new book, "The Founder's View of The Right To Keep
And Bear Arms," a book that delves exhaustively into the historical
evidence of our rights.
Liberty Watch/America Armed & Free is heard from Noon to 2 PM on AM 690
in Tucson, AM 930 in Douglas, AM 1240 in Globe, and live on the internet
at:
http://kvoi.com/listenlive.php
---
From John Farnam:
24 Mar 08
News from DSA and Krebs:
I'm in the Chicago area, and I visited my friend at DSA and Krebs this
morning.
DSA's pistol-cartridge-firing, compact SMG/rifle, the TP9, is now
available in 45ACP! I shot both the 9mm and the 45ACP versions today at
DSA's factory range. Both fire from a closed bolt, and both are
reminiscent of the H&K/MP5. These weapons are designed mostly for
bodyguards, but, with the current high cost of 223 and 308 ammunition,
they may become popular simply as a means of doing relatively
inexpensive shooting with a longarm!
Robbie Barrkman's NP3 coating on working parts of DSA's "Spartan" series
of AR-15s and FALs makes for smooth operation and simplified
maintenance, since soot and crud will not stick to it! When you buy a
rifle from DSA, my recommendation is that you get the Spartan upgrade.
DSA makes a better FAL than FN ever did!
DAS's "mid-length" AR-15 is the same size as an M4, and DSA is still the
only AR-15 manufacturer whose rifles come with a D-Ring, already installed.
Krebs is marketing the Saiga/Kalashnikov in 308 with FRMG plastic
magazines. However, with 308 ammunition so expensive right now, demand
for the rifle is down.
What is hot right now is the Krebs/Kalashnikov in 5.45X39, simply
because there are still cheap sources of ammunition in this Russian
caliber. Conversely, 223, 7.62X39, and 308 are much more expensive, with
no end of price increases in sight. In addition, the 5.45X39 cartridge
was designed, from the beginning, for military purposes. Like the
7.62X39, its case is tapered and is designed to make feeding and
extraction to and from hot chambers reliable. On the other hand, the
American 223 started as a sporting cartridge, and its straight-wall case
feeds and extracts much less dependably.
Another popular item is the Saiga/Kalashnikov 12ga autoloading shotgun,
which uses a ten-round, box magazine. I've had these in courses, and
they've all run fine!
These two heroic American manufacturers continue to produce quality
guns, despite the rabid, anti-gun attitude of many of Illinois'
politicians. It is indeed ironic that so many American gunmakers are
located is anti-gun states, like IL, CT, and MA.
We may get relief in June!
/John
(Inexpensive shooting with a long gun? How about a .22? Just my opinion
but, if you are tempted to buy a rifle chambered in 5.45x39mm because of
current ammo availability, stock up on all that ammo you can afford,
while it's still available.)
27 Mar 08
Good news, for a change:
I just completed an Instructor Clinic at a suburban, Chicago police
department. We were at their indoor range where we shot handguns and
AR-15s. Company duty guns were SIG 220s, and 226s, G21s and 22s,
Kimber 1911s, S&W M&Ps, and SA/XDs. Backup pistols were G26s.
What struck me as the Course progressed was the competence of these
young officers! There was not a bumbler among them. Most were range
officers and SWAT Team members, and every one was an accomplished
shooter and proficient gun handler in his own right. They carry all the
time, and most carry more than one gun, plus blades. I may have shown
them a few things, but they came to me as competent Operators!
Among my students were four Chicago PD officers, carrying S&W M&Ps and
SA/XDs, and these guys were top-drawer! CPD's new chief is himself a
shooter and aggressively pro-training. Refreshing to see a big city
have these proficient trainers on their staff.
I am encouraged that, even in a state known for vile, anti-gun politics,
we have police trainers who are on top of their Craft, are
unapologetically unafraid of guns, and indeed consider themselves
professional gunmen.
Things are looking up!
/John
(When I attended the Pistol Course at Chapman Academy in 1992, I had a
Chicago PD firearms instructor as a classmate. He mentioned that, at
that time, after graduating from the academy, CPD officers returned to
the range once a year, to fire a "qualification." When the Law
Enforcement Officers Safety Act was passed in 2004, one of the issues in
Illinois was that there was no state "qualification" standard.)
--
Stephen P. Wenger, KE7QBY
Firearm safety - It's a matter
for education, not legislation.
http://www.spw-duf.info
