Aimpoint,
a Swedish manufacturer, was the first to produce an electronic
version of the iron sight system. It has continued to provide
innovations in firearm optics and has expanded its catalog of quality
optics introducing a new generation of compact model optics in the
fall of 2014. It has also offered AR shooters optics that are
tailored for their customized firearms. However, overall performance is what counts as the comparison video demonstrates at the end of this article.
The Micro T-2 Sight is an updated version of the Micro T-1. The
Micro series was introduced in 2007 by Aimpoint making it a worldwide
standard for compact reflex sights.
As a former US Army armorer, as a
secondary Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), I can tell you I
have come up against some dirty, fouled weaponry. Therefore, the
importance of cleaning your weapon to ensure consistent accuracy and
long life, cannot be overemphasized. I cannot remember how many times
I had to refuse to accept an M16 that was not clean from turning in
their assigned rifle to the unit arms room. It did not make me
popular, at times, but it was my duty to ensure that all weaponry in
the unit arms room was battle ready.
Despite the popularity of
semi-automatics, there are plenty of revolvers around, some for
cowboy-action shooters and others used for home defense and concealed
carry.
Some revolvers have been made by
manufacturers have cost-cutting modifications, but are not as good as
the old made-for-hard-use 'wheel guns'. It is true modern revolvers
that are made with CNC machines are consistent in its making over the
older firearms, but the material used is less quality. That is pretty
much the story of many things manufactured today – cost more but
not made as durable. Automobiles are good examples, the sheet metal
being thinner on a modern vehicle that that used on cars made in the
1950s; their cost increased because of the cost of steel and the tech
marvels installed.
Self-loading rifles and pistols require
a recoil spring to cycle the action. The AR or military M16 is
lightweight, therefore it requires a buffer that provides extra
weight. The action energy is absorbed by the spring, so compression
is important in order for the stored energy to push the buffer,
carrier and bolt back in the forward position.
Firearm owners and gunsmiths are
constantly looking for that right tool to do a specific job.
Cleaning firearms is a priority if you
want your firearms to last and perform as the manufacturer intended.
A handy cleaning tool can be found at
your local department store, like Walmart. It is an
interdental cleaning brush that is available wherever toothbrushes
are displayed. They are like a nylon bore brush except the brush is
only 0.1 inches in diameter. Well made, they work well when cleaning
small screw holes, firing pin holes, small cracks and grooves in a
firearm. Especially important when cleaning a bolt mechanism in an AR
rifle.
Fate of Destinee has provided a YouTube instructional video that provides help in techniques in developing better marksmanship and shooting habits and skills. She is a leading firearm proficiency expert and has been beneficial in introducing new firearm owners with helpful information, especially the female gender.
The
AR-15/16 is the weapon of choice of armies and sport shooters around
the globe. It is versatile and with certain configurations makes the
top choice in home defense. It's light weight, reliability and easy
field breakdown features has won the hearts and minds of US military
personnel for decades – outperforming and selling the more
economical AK-47. In rural areas, it has become a favorite predator
and varmint control rifle and homestead defense weapon.
With
all the build configurations available today, it can be confusing as
to making a choice of how to configure your stock AR-15.
The following video was produced by
Iraq Veteran featuring shooting champion, Jerry Miculek,
using a Smith & Wesson M&P. As you can see, Jerry
relies on proper technique to show how incredibly fast a target
and/or multiple targets from a holster.
Sig Sauer Academy has posted an excellent video to help folks to achieve marksmanship and proper gun handling. He has a series that is beneficial for those wanting to be proficient with their firearms, of which three are presented here. The YouTube video features Adam Painchaud, director of Sig Sauer Academy who provides basic common sense gun handling:
In 2012 firearm ownership skyrocketed
mainly because of the political movement to ban so many models and
types of firearms. In addition, many states finally complied with the
Second Amendment and offered conceal-carry permits available to
law-abiding citizens. This also boosted firearm training programs
that emphasized upon safety and proper carry and draw procedures.
With all those new to firearms the
myriad of gun cleaning products available on the market and some
spent a fortune when they did not need to.
When I was a limo driver I carried
large quantities of cash, thus also carried a 9mm with a Bianchi
leather skeleton holster. It was so comfortable I would forget
it was there, balanced because on the right side there was a magazine
holster. So with that experience, I pass on to readers some tips if
you choose to use that style of conceal carry holster.
The standard carry position for this
type of holster is the vertical position, which is the choice if you
carry large frame automatics or “Dirty-Harry” style long-barrel
revolvers. There are models also available with long-barrel scoped
revolvers for hunters or custom holster for those who have
laser-point systems.
BoomFab
has produced a low-mass, reduced-gas bolt carrier for the AR-15
rifles called the Titane Carrier. The Missouri
manufacturer produces the carrier on a CNC system and claims to be
the lightest bolt carrier on the market. Titanium is known for its
strength and lightness, used in eyeglass frames to reduce weight. The
reduced amount of gas is an added feature in the lightweight model,
which reduces muzzle rise and recoil for faster and more accurate
shots on the range and in competition. Aluminum bolt carriers were
made, but proved unable to withstand any long term use.
There is a lot of talk about calibers
and ballistics and much has to do with personal preference and myth.
Smart preppers choose calibers that will give them a reasonable
amount of range and dual purpose: hunting and defense. Some rely upon
Hollywood action films who have been partly to blame for much of the
myths that is circulating. Still others make their choice, especially
in pistol calibers, “stopping power”.
In
tradition, the practice of dry
firing
was taboo, a cardinal sin. However, in every function test of a
military firearm – dry firing is part of the function test.
So
is it a myth passed down by generations, or based upon fact?
I
would like to settle this argument with logic and science …
The
answer, to make this article shorter, is it depends on the firearm.
Most modern firearms are not damaged, unless performed thousands of
times over and over when dry firing.
Firearms stored in a gun safe or safe
room or even a wood display cabinet can be subject to moisture
primarily caused by humidity and sometimes condensation if the
temperature fluctuates greatly.
To combat humidity and compensation there are dehumidifiers
on the market to solve this problem and prevent surface rust of
firearms from occurring. Never store your firearms in cloth or
leather gun cases or even leather holsters. Moisture can be retained
and create an environment that invites rusting.
There is an electric dehumidifier by Browning[see Amazon advertisement below] which works quite well, about a foot long to be
hung vertically at the front of one of the walls of your gun safe.
The heat will prevent condensation and only uses about 18 watts of
power or less. The best model is with tubes that are 1/2” in
diameter.
In a safe room, a small fan installed
with keep air circulating and helps to prevent condensation.
When you are out hunting, protect your
firearm stock with Carnuba wax, wiped thinly over metal parts
as well as the rubbed into the stock. Cleaning and lubricating your
firearm with Break-Free CLR is also a plus. When I was jungle
training in Panama, the arms room had no windows or circulation; so
we coated Break-Free heavily on our M16s and by morning there was a
film of rust formed under the coating of oil! However, wiping our
firearms of all that extra oil removed the rust because it was
prevented from adhering by the Break-Free. Expensive in comparison to
other firearm oils, it is by far the best – used by US armed forces
since it came out in the middle 1980s. It replaced the WW2 gun oil
that was used until that time.
So, whenever you return from the range
or out in the field, always take time to wipe your firearms with
Break Free. Your firearms will be happier.
If you must store your firearm for long
periods, the American Gunsmith Institute suggests to use Vacuum Food
Storage Bags (sealed) after giving it a wipe of Break Free. A test
revealed that compared to putting a firearm in a waterproof
container, the vacuum sealed plastic prevented corrosion by 100%.
Firearm owners and collectors usually
spend a good deal of money on their firearms – so take care of
them!
