[USMC03Grunt]

I guess I grew up in the days of old school where killing Haji with an A2 and iron sights seemed to work well enough then as I'm sure it would today. When it comes to the "tacti-kewl" stuff, much like a warning label on a bottle of whiskey, I follow the "enjoy in moderation" line of thinking. My personal M-4gery is outfitted pretty much the same as the one I carried in Afghanistan with an M68, Matech BUIS, mainly empty Knights RAS (except for a flashlight) and the same Vickers sling I had on my issue M4. The idea of visible lasers (IR lasers combined with NVGs are another matter), bipods, tough-guy handles, off-set iron sights, chainsaw handles, and other junk on the other hand that adds a lot of bulk and weight for a minimal return in performance is the crap I can easily live without. Ah, I can hear it now though, "But, but, but...I won't look like an 'operator' without a ton of accessories tacked on my gun!" Know what, I knew a lot of the real "operators" over in the JSOC compound and I got news for you, most of them kept their rifles stripped down to bare minimum (regardless of what hollyweird would have you believe) rather than having to hump all that extra useless weight that slows you down.

[BEER]

making bullets come out the pointy end, THAT'S tactical, everything else is just gravy.

[Nestor]

Originally Posted by FLIPPER 348

Me too. I built and shot this today:

(...but I wll be installing a rail on it for nightstand/roadtrip duty)

That is a very good pistol You have there
I've seen 1911's with the rails already.
Seriously that configuration didn't bother me much.
I'm not a fan, but as Glock Fanatic said - right preparation is everything. Works for him very well - I sure can see that.

[fnfalman]

So, you're saying that a gun isn't "tactical" unless it has gadgets?

An M1 Garand isn't tactical any more even though it was used in a world war and two other minor wars plus who knows how many conflicts?

Originally Posted by M&P15T

Here's the irritating thing about some in the "anti-tactical" crowd. They repeatedly voice the incorrect observation that those that use things like optics, lasers, grips and such, use them because they have no shooting skills. They then go on to say how much better their shooting skills are than the tactical crowd, because they don't use "tactical" stuff on their weapons.

A smart and savvy person wants every possible advantage on their side, including good shooting skills. Adding things like RDSs, Holo-sights, VFGs, lasers, lights, are simply taking mechanical advantages that exist, and using them to compliment and enhance their skills.

This is not a black and white topic. Just because one chooses to take advantages available to them, does not mean that they don't posess the proper skills. I've seen plenty of "bare-bones", "anti-tactical" shooters that can't hit the broad-side of a barn. I've seen this just as often as one sees an uber-tactical weapon owning ninja who also can't hit the broad-side of a barn.

[CajunBass]

I guess I'm old school. I like my guns in blue steel and walnut, although I will accept stainless steel and hardwood on occassion.

I do have a muzzle-loader that's black and has a plastic stock though.

[M&P15T]

Originally Posted by fnfalman

So, you're saying that a gun isn't "tactical" unless it has gadgets?

An M1 Garand isn't tactical any more even though it was used in a world war and two other minor wars plus who knows how many conflicts?

Correct. an M1 is now "old skool". But, I understand and approve of your sarcasm.

[series1811]

It depends on what I am doing. When I was doing high risk warrants over and over again, I like an AR with an attached light, an electronic sight, a foregrip, and a VTAC sling. I like my shotgun with a 14 inch barrel, an attached light, and a one point sling. I like my handgun, in a Safariland drop holster, but pulled up higher than most people, with an attached light.

But, when I am out on weekends, shooting cans or whatever, I like a plain jane gun, with nothing but iron sights and a wooden stock. Maybe, because that's the way I grew up shooting and it brings back pleasant memories.

I have had enough days of shooting ARs and shotguns, all day (or days, sometimes), in tactical courses over the years, to have had the fun pretty much beat out of that.

Shooting cans back on a bayou, or some back forty somewhere is still fun.

[vafish]

I hate the word tactical it has been so over used it means nothing.

To me the word tactical has become synonymous with mall ninja.

I like practical accessories on my guns that have real world uses.

Outdoor Hub mobile, the outdoor information engine

[MadMonkey]

It depends somewhat on the weapon. I like my AK's in both classic and tactical... AR's the same way (building an A1-style soon). However, I cherish weapons like my Browning .22 that was passed on to me from my dad, who had it passed on from his dad. I'll never even put a scope on it. I also love old-school lever guns and bolt guns.

I don't really care as long as it's functional. My AR has an AFG, red dot, light and flip up sights... all of that is a result of trying things out and finding out what works best for me (even though the rifle looks like a Magpul commercial ).

Whatever works for you. Screw what other people think

[M2 Carbine]

It's very easy to prove to yourself if you need some of the "tactical" stuff on your guns.
(I think the use of "tactical" all the time is a little silly)

Take note of how well you shoot during the day, including defense type shooting like fast aimed and point shooting on the move. Maybe throw in a little weak hand and shooting from unusual positions.


It's said that 70% of defense shooting take place in low light. Chances are if you are in a defense shooting it will be in low light.
So, now try your defense shooting, point shooting, etc, when the conditions are such as this.






If you can do as well in low light (with a hand held light) as you do in daylight you do not need such as gun mounted lasers, gun mounted lights or laser/lights.





Personally I do far better in low light shooting using such as lasers and laser/lights than I shoot during daylight.
For instance, I pretty much suck shooting with a hand held light in low light. I can't begin to do such as this when shooting without the laser or laser/light in low light. So I mount lasers or laser/lights on everything, making fast accurate shooting in low light and dark child's play.

[Reb 56]

The only weapon I have that maybe considered Tacticl is my AR it has rails and a scope. I dont consider scopes to be tactical, just a way to be more accurate. As for the rails they just look right on an AR.
All my other guns are old school, wood and Steel for my Rifles & Shotguns and my Pistols are Glocks and 1 J Frame 642.

[fnfalman]

Nobody claims that gadgets don't have use.

I have an issue that others claim a gun can only be "tactical" if it were to have gadgets attached to it.

[esh325]

I much prefer the old school firearms/equipment, but when your life depends on it, a lot of times the tactical stuff just has more utility.

[carloglock19]

The only thing I keep old school is my EDC (except for night sights) and my shotgun.

[NEOH212]

Originally Posted by fnfalman

Nobody claims that gadgets don't have use.

I have an issue that others claim a gun can only be "tactical" if it were to have gadgets attached to it.