This may well be the most significant individual weapon in US Small Arms History.
While THE rifle no longer exists exactly as it did on that day on that target, more of it is present in this photograph than anywhere else. You’re looking at history here ladies and gentlemen. Thanks to LAV for sharing it with us.
First, we see Chief of Staff of the Army GEN Ray Odierno donning an Ops-Core Maritime FAST Helmet as he prepares to observe a live fire demo by members of 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Fort Hunter Liggett, CA.
Rangers from the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment assist U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno dawn his protective gear and communication system during his visit to Fort Hunter Liggett, CA Jan. 31, 2014. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Steve Cortez/ Released)
Next, he is out in the field, kitted out. I also dig that the CSA is wearing the Operational Camouflage Pattern even though it is a CONUS training exercise.
U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno (left) observes as the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment conducts a live fire exercise at Fort Hunter Liggett, CA Jan. 31, 2014. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Steve Cortez/ Released)
On the other hand, we have this photo taken at a different time and place, of the Commander-in-Chief, President Obama wearing an ACH with the worst cover I have ever seen. If looking cool is winning, then GEN Odierno is taking home the trophy. The POTUS? Well, maybe that’s what happens when you hang out with Marines.
(Thanks Feral Jundi for the heads up on the POTUS helmet.)
Fayette, MO — The Mk4 3GR was developed specifically for the 3-Gun Competition, where quick-handling for both short and long shots is a necessity. Featuring a smooth Geissele Automatics SSA® 2-stage trigger, a lightweight KeyMod hand guard and an accurate 18-inch 416 stainless steel barrel, the Mk4 3GR has the fit, feel and function to make it an ideal rifle for the fast-paced action of 3-Gun Competition.
The Mk4 3GR is chambered in 5.56x45mm NATO and sports an 18-inch 416 stainless steel medium taper profile barrel with a 1:7 inch twist. It is equipped with a CMMG SV muzzle brake, Geissele Automatics SSA 2-stage trigger and a Magpul MOE® pistol grip, trigger guard and rifle butt stock. Each rifle also comes with a 30-round Magpul PMAG®.
The Mk4 3GR includes an RKM14 KeyMod hand guard with a 1913 Picatinny rail on top. The KeyMod slots are found at the 3, 6 and 9 o’clock positions and offer shooters a low-profile mounting alternative to the M1913 Picatinny rail. For accessories that are not yet KeyMod compatible, users can purchase a separate CMMG 5-slot Picatinny adapter rail that can be easily attached to any of the KeyMod slots for optimal placement of the accessories.
CMMG Mk4 3GR Specifications:
Caliber: 5.56x45mm NATO
Barrel: 18” Medium Weight Taper Profile
Muzzle: CMMG SV muzzle brake, threaded ½-28
Hand Guard: CMMG RKM14 KeyMod Hand Guard
Receivers: Forged 7075-T6 AL M4 Type Upper, AR15 Type Lower
Trigger: Geissele Automatics SSA 2-Stage Trigger
Furniture: Magpul MOE Pistol Grip, MOE Rifle Butt Stock
Weight: 7 lbs. (unloaded)
Length: 38”
Magazine: 30-round Magpul PMAG
www.cmmginc.com/product_p/55a6654
Rogue Dynamics Colt Classic shirt features a front-facing design reminiscent of a certain international soft drink company’s flagship product. The back of the shirt features the Rogue Dynamics logo. Printed on a 50/50 American Apparel shirt. Available in sizes XS-XXL.
www.roguedynamics.com/products/colt-classic-shirt
Army Rangers assigned to 2nd Battalion, The 75th Ranger Regiment, fire at an enemy bunker during task force training on Camp Roberts, Calif., Feb. 1, 2014. Rangers constantly train to maintain their tactical proficiency.
(The U.S. Army photo by Spc. Steven Hitchcock/Released)
Later, these rules were adapted slightly:
RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY
RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET
RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET
I carry nearly every day and I make it a point not to rely on that pistol in a way that would cause me to go places I wouldn’t go if unarmed.
From the very introduction to my Covert Carry Class, I stress as a mindset for a civilian CCW carrier the following three escalation steps:
Avoid – bad places or people whenever possible (do you really need that snack at the circle-K at 2330 in a sketchy part of town?)
Evade – bad situations and people once identified (there’s no law that states you must stay in a place you don’t feel safe or if someone feels the need to lose their temper on the road just drive away.)
Defend – when the first two courses of action are no longer viable and you are in fear for your life or the lives of others.
*Be mindful not to get yourself into avoidable situations with a gun that you can’t get out of without a gun.*
You’re conduct day to day should reflect an aware and cautious professional. Being genuinely talented with a firearm and having good situational awareness are crucial to your own safety but not a guarantee. The better you are, the more confident you become, and the more likely you are to go to riskier places, because you’ve got “good situational awareness and a pistol.” Every skill should be used to benefit you. Live a confident life as a responsible and self-reliant citizen. One cautionary note; don’t let that confidence overextend your posture so much so that you can’t respond effectively or successfully, if something does go wrong or catches you off-guard.
Don’t go places or take chances that you wouldn’t without a gun just because you have one. You may very well be smart and fast and aware and talented, but it’s just you and maybe a friend or your family, not a 6 man assault team. Any mistakes can make for a really bad day for everyone, so judgment is king.
Be smart before you have to be hard. Trust me, it makes the “being hard” part a lot easier!
– Mike Pannone
Mike Pannone retired from the Army’s premier assault force (1st SFOD-D) after an explosive breaching injury. A year after his retirement America was attacked on 9/11 and he returned to help serve his country as the head marksmanship instructor at the Federal Air Marshals training course and then moved to help stand up the FAMS Seattle field office. In 2003 he left the FAMS to serve as a PSD detail member and then a detail leader for the State Department during 2003 and 2004 in Baghdad and Tikrit.
In 2005 he served as a ground combat advisor of the Joint Counter IED Task Force and participated on combat operations with various units in Al Anbar province. Upon returning he gave IED awareness briefings to departing units and helped stand up a pre-Iraq surge rifle course with the Asymmetric Warfare Group as a lead instructor. With that experience as well as a career of special operations service in Marine Reconnaissance, Army Special Forces and JSOC to draw from he moved to the private sector teaching planning, leadership, marksmanship and tactics as well as authoring and co-authoring several books such as The M4 Handbook, AK Handbook and Tactical Pistol shooting. Mike also consults for several major rifle and accessory manufacturers to help them field the best possible equipment to the warfighter, law enforcement officer and upstanding civilian end user. He is considered a subject matter expert on the AR based Stoner platform in all its derivatives.
Gunfighter Moment is a weekly feature brought to you by Alias Training & Security Services. Each week Alias brings us a different Trainer and in turn they offer some words of wisdom.
