High Exposure

First order of business, especially for IWB carry, is to get a gunbelt, operative word being gun. Personally, I like the Ares Gear Ranger Belt. It is the BEST belt I have used to carry CCW and I have tried a lot of belts looking for the "one". It is very stiff which helps distribute the weight of the gun and OWB extra mag(s) I carry, but remains comfortable when I come home and take the holster off. CompTac also makes a nice gunbelt if you need to spend more time dressed up, it is all leather with a plastic layer inside. It is comfortable and works well. I have a Box-O-Holsters over the bookcase by my front door that has all the holsters I use regularly. I have two dresser draws full of holsters in my gear room for the ones I tried and rarely or never use. I find myself reaching for the same two IWB holsters for my Glocks (G27, G23, G22, G35) everytime I go out the door. My typical first choice is a DeSantis Scorpion Holster that I wear at the 4:30 position. It is sturdy, has a nice solid click in/click out with good retention, holds the gun close to my body, and is fairly comfortable. I have the model for a G27, and use it for all of my Glocks. I found that model designed for the G23 and G22 pinched a little and offered no extra retention, security, or comfort. I have had my Scorpion holster for 6 or 7 years now and wear it almost daily. The only issue I had was the belt clips broke after about 3 years (It was my fault, I snapped them being lazy while taking the holster off.) It was a $4 part and took 10 minuted to fix once they arrived. Now I keep an extra set handy in case I snap another one. I also really like the CompTac Minotaur holster, it is a hybrid Leather/Kydex like the crossbreed and is secure and comfortable. I feel lilke it does not conceal as well as the DeSantis Scorpion. I also use the CompTac Mag carriers.

Ejection without feeding typically points to a gas issue - although I once saw it due to an put of spec Cam pin that was binding up in the BCG and slowing it down... Your BCG is not being moved far enough to the rear to strip a new round from the mag. Problems like these are common with WECSOG guns. Without going hands on, it will be difficult to diagnose. My first guess is BCG. Make sure the gas key is tight. Second guess is gas block/gas port issues where they are not lining up properly. Brass on your brass deflector is 100% normal.

A good friend, who is much smarter than me, once told me that "The mission drives the gear train" If you have multiple weapon systems and more than one job/mission profile it may make sense to have one armor carrier and a few chest rigs set up for each that you can swap out. Something like the Mayflower R&C stuff woth the buckles on the armor for attaching a chest rig to. This gets expensive, carries a weight penalty, adds bulk, can be more uncomfortable and still may not be an ideal solution. I prefer a PC with pouches mounted directly to it. Saves a bit of weight, pouches are where I want them, it is relatively comfortable. and it is a simple one piece system to get in and out of. For my requirements - it just works better. Good looking Out!

I guess you missed this part Not to get into a pissing contest, but you asked for mechanical accuracy of the system. That requires a rest and more than 3 rounds

With my G35 equipped with a Trijicon RMR02 RDS and a KKM barrel I have shot a 1.6" 10 shot group at 25 yards while zeroing from a rest. I know a guy that routinely shoots 2" 5 round groups offhand at 25 meters with a similar G34 setup. He is one of the best shooters I know. Our Prosecutors Office carries the PX4 (They are transitioning to G23 & 27s this fall) and I have a bunch of trigger time behind one as a range instructor for the County SWAT team. And I think Metuchen just went to Beretta .45s from G21s. I can not warm up to Beretta. I HATE double/single action guns. Give me a single trigger pull to learn all day long. And, I think they are *GASP* ugly

I am assuming you are referring to shooting a long gun and not a handgun, correct? If I understand your condition correctly, I think that as long as the zero you have is current (post surgery) and you use the RDS correctly keeping both eyes open, you should be fine. The difference with the RDS over Irons is that you keep focus on the target while superimposing the a single aiming point, the red dot, on the image downrange. It is a target focused sighting system so you do not need to focus on the dot as if it was a front sight, or line it up with anything. Another trick to "train" your eyes to make the correction automatically is you can occlude the tube of the optic in training/practice/dry fire and let your brain combine the right eye dot/left eye target image into a proper sight picture (assuming a right handed shooter). Using a quality optic will also help here. Good luck.

Neighbors schmeibors Buy what works for you. Don't limit yourself. The levange is the only one I have experience with. It shoots OK. In any event, it is only 5.56 so even with no comp it shoots OK

What do you have in it? A lot of people keep too much stuff in there. They use their IFAK to hold their Boo-Boo (band aids, neosporin, moleskin, crazy glue, etc...), their E&E (fire starter, compass, etc...) or sick call (Advil/Tylenol, benedryl, etc...). I you have that stuff in, take it out. The IFAK should be for immediate life saving (2nd tourniquet, bandage, quikclot, gauze, chest seal, decomp needle, etc...) and appropriate life saving support gear (light stick, scissors, safety pin, duct tape) only. What pouch are you using? Either a bigger pouch or less stuff. Is anything vacuum sealed? That helps a lot with the bandages and gauze. Checko has a good list. Covers all the bases. You could also split it up into a bleeder kit (gauze, TQ, Bandage, quick clot) for self aid and a breathing kit (chest seal, needle, etc...) for someone else to use on you.

Why do you like the 24? I really want one for some reason.... Wondering if you can feel a difference between it and a G35 or not.

I see nothing about decibel levels in the motor vehicle code, it just states excessive noise, unreasonably loud, or audible sound. Additionally, time restrictions, for example - from 10:00pm - 08:00am - can be used as well as distance limits - can be heard at 50 feet - in local noise ordinances in addition to decibel limits for the enforcement of non motor vehicle noise complaints.

I don't have any time with one, but it looks like you could run something like this: http://store.troyind.com/OEM_M4_Battlesling_Mount_p/smou-m4s-00bt-00.htm As it only replaces the plate behind the castle nut, not the nut itself and won't interfere with the stock itself. ETA: its the same Troy OEM sling adapter you linked to above on the Primary Arms site.

Right. That is interstate. If I go to PA or NY I am covered. As I understand LEOSA and how it was explained to me in training was that it does not trump anything in your home state. If you have info to the contrary I would love to have A copy of it!

The "tiniest bit off" is buzzed. Buzzed is drunk. "Under the influence of alcohol" generally means you have alcohol in your system. How is being the "tiniest bit off" in anyone's best interest during a DPF encounter? There are no extremes in my position other than the assumption that I used DPF. No, carrying while out at dinner is not he same as a Cop carrying at work, you are right. The similarity that is there is the use of DPF after consuming any alcoholic beverages. If it has no effect, then it has no effect wether I am protecting myself or other. If my COC is OK with it, it is technically legal and in policy and I was a Cop in your town, how would you feel about it seeing me and some co workers knocking back 2 at the local pub while in uniform? If we met at a bar and I was carrying, I wouldn't be drinking. Simple.

Precisely.

When you say "buffer" what are you referring to? The weight that moves with the spring is the "buffer." The spring is an "action spring". The tube it all rides inside that has the stock attached to it is the "receiver extension". You can use a carbine length receiver extension, with a carbine length action spring with a standard, H, or H1 buffer with a mid length or carbine length system with no issues. You can use a rifle length receiver extension, with a rifle length action spring and a rifle weight buffer with a mid length or carbine length gas system (you may run into some issues with a carbine length gas system and a rifle length receiver extension, but mine ran fine) You can alter the functioning of the rifle a bit by playing with the buffer weights to adjust the dwell time of you have a rifle that is being picky with ammo or is having other function problems. I use H buffers in all my rifles with a cabine length receiver extension regardless of it is a mid length or carbine length gas system.

That is the LEOSA law. I am curious what will apply in NJ as a retired NJ Officer carrying under our own retired Officers program. http://www.njsp.org/about/fire_ret.html Intriguing, that the LEOSA ruling does not say drunk, it says under the influence. What defines under the influence I wonder?

I have rifles with both carbine gas systems and mid length gas systems. Subjectively the mid length has softer recoil and is back on target faster. Objectively the midlength is more reliable and has reduced wear on the components with a longer sight radius (assuming a traditional front sight gas block on both rifles) When I grab a rifle out of the safe do I care which one I grab? No. If I had a choice, I would pick a mid length system. If I had to run a carbine system instead (which I do as both of my issued work guns are carbine length) it is no big deal. Either will get the job done as long as I do my part. And both are boringly reliable. Don't get all wrapped up about buffers. Just get an H buffer and be done with it. It will run in either length. (Excluding a rifle length receiver extension)

My administration says it is OK. My General Orders specifically state "An Officer or Sgt, while working and in Uniform may have 2 beers per 8 hour shift, and no more that 3 in a 12 hour shift as long as there is more that 2 hours between each alcoholic beverage."**** Should I or Shouldn't I? Or is this just another example - like many other things in life - of "just because I am permitted to, doesn't mean I should." I know I can handle two beers, and still shoot like a house on fire, so it is Ok for me right? I will know when I had too many and will take myself out of service and off the road. Or, how about just one? Surely cops can handle just one beer. How do you think the Zimmerman trial would have gone if they did blood work and he had a .02 BAC? He didn't draw until he had to. By all accounts he didn't pull until his life was in danger, he didn't approach Martin with his blaster out, and was leaving the area when was attacked. Martin did not have a weapon, but DPF was indicated. So, Alcohol in your system, even a little bit, will have no affect on your judgement on what is and is not an immediate threat? There is science and plenty of experts out there that would disagree. Do you believe anyone who opposes the shooting will believe you when you say "I just had 2 beers, I wasn't drunk."? **** ETA: Point of order - My admin is not ok with it and my GOs don't say anything of the sort regarding allowing me to have alcoholic beverages in Uniform. We are not even allowed to sit in a restaurant for dinner of they serve alcohol. It was brought up as a discussion point only, not an endorsement or admission of drinking on duty.

Your ability to shoot after a drink or two has Jack and Squat to do with what I am talking about. You are not judged on whether you hit your mark and gave your attacker a clean death or you merely winged him. Your actions are not deemed appropriate simply because you center punched him and you are not automatically considered sober because you burned your adversary down with a sub 2 second Bill Drill. The decision making process you went through to determine if you should shoot or not along with your ability to cleanly move through those thought processes without the taint of alcohol (A substance that is known to lower inhibitions and to make people more prone to violence and bad devisions) is one factor that will point towards innocence or guilt at trial. It will also give any prosecuting attorney or opposing counsel an opening to plant a seed of doubt in the minds of those responsible for determining your fate. Again, So, if my administration was OK with it and my General Orders allowed me to drink two beers per 8 hours on shift as a Co you would see that as acceptable and that it would have no effect on my decision making process especially when dealing with potential DPF situations? Other professionals drink during the work day, why can't Cops?

? Where did I ever say it was illegal to go into an establishment that serves alcohol while armed or to consume alcoholic beverages while armed. I said that personally thought it was a poor choice, not against the law. You see no difference in personal security and situational awareness inside and outside your home? You don't see a differenc in the potential effects of dulling your senses and decreasing your ability to make decision inside and outside our home? You also don't see people that change from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde after a few drinks? So, if my administration was OK with it and my General Orders allowed me to drink two beers per 8 hours on shift you would see that as acceptable and that it would have no effect on my decision making process especially when dealing with potential DPF situations?

Blake - I would also look at the TAG/Shellback Banshee. It is an execllent PC at an unbelievable price. They also have very good armor - soft and hard - at better than normal prices.

You are not tracking. My issue with drinking while carrying has nothing to do with getting in a gunfight in less than ideal circumstances or at less than 100% - That will happen. We don't get in gunfights on bright sunny days with cottonball clouds floating across and impossibly blue sky over rivers of chocolate and trees that give beer. My issue is dealing with the aftermath of the shooting and making that whole process tougher because you have given a prosecutor, an attorney, the family of the other party, a jury or a judge a chink in your armor. A way in. A sliver of doubt to present to the courts about your ability, your mindset, and your decision making process. You cold be 100% justified and in the right, but a slam dunk justified shooting has now turned into an uphill battle to prove you are not a drunk with an itchy trigger finger. You can't compare a shooting at home to one while out, either after a few drinks. Someone coming into your home is out of your control. You can not predict it, you can not plan for it, you did not choose for that to happen. You are in your home where there is an expectation of privacy and security. You didn't go out surrounding yourself with unknown situations with variables out of your control. You are in your home, with people you know, and someone makes their decision to come into your home. Going out on purpose and having a few drinks while armed is completely under your control. You can choose not to be armed, or not to drink. You have chosen to surround yourself with strangers and place yourself at the mercy of their will and chosen to ingest a substance that carries a stigma of lowering inhibitions and making people short tempered, even in small amounts, and you chose to do this while carrying a firearm. No, I don't have any specific examples of this happening. I don't keep that stuff handy and I don't have access to court proceedings of every shooting out there. Do you have any specific examples of an incident where someone had a small amount of alcohol in their system while involved in a shooting and it did not make the trial tougher and put the shooter and his family through extra hell? I carry a gun every day, all the time as well. In fact I carry 2. I have also chosen not to drink out while carrying. I refuse to put my family through that extra torment because I wanted a beer. You still haven't answered my question, if it is no big deal, should Cops be allowed a couple of beers in duty?

Nope. Doesn't quite work like that. Also, a Municipal Cop typically has more authority than a County Cop has more authority than a State Cop has more authority than a Fed when enforcing local laws in their jurisdictions.

I don't think it is necessarily a crime to be armed while intoxicated if you are legally allowed to be armed in the first place. There should be some kind of administrative punishment involved, but if he is retired, I am not sure what would happen. I doubt he would be arrested, but If the owner of the bar or an employee called, and stated that there is a drunk retired guy carrying a gun and that he is not wanted in the establishment, that should sove the problem. Being sleepy is not a measurable fact. A BAC content is measurable, and admissible, and usually one of the first things they look for after a shooting - especially at a bar or restaurant. Being drunk is a concious decision you make beforehand, being woken up in the middle of the night is not. While both a car and a firearm are weapons and can take a life - you can not equate them. They are not even close to being similar in use, in licensing, and in familiarity with most citizens. Most people can see themselves driving after a beer or two, most people can not see themselves carrying a gun, let alone drinking while doing so. The mere presence of a gun frightens most people at an irrational level without alcohol being involved. If you think that having a few drinks - even if you aren't drunk (how does the person drinking decide what drunk is anyway? Do you give yourself HGN and SFSTs before each drink to see if this is the one that tips the scales from sober to buzzed, or buzzed to drunk? "Is this next drink the one that would slow my reflexes and cloud my judgement or was it the last one?") - and risking getting involved in a shooting won't be a problem for you in a civil or criminal trial, then go for it. You are a big boy and will make your own decisions. Personally, why would you even want to open that can of worms? Why even put that doubt in the head of a judge or jury? Do you think most people, especially people who are not often around guns and aren't comfortable with them, would think it is a responsible act to drink while armed? Even if technically not illegal it points to maturity, mindset, decision making process and your condition at the time of an incident - which is all allowable in a trial. So, let me ask you this: should Cops be able to have a beer or two on duty, as long as they don't get drunk? I would rather be 100% perfect and be able to defend myself. That is why I don't drink out at bars or restaurants.