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Covert Operations Case – Keep Your SMG Discreet

Concealed carry firearms are relatively easy to carry. Get a good holster, some pants, a solid belt, and a short, and boom, it’s covered. A pistol is great, but a submachine gun or short rifle is much better. They tend to be a little tougher to conceal. It’s not a weapon that hides under a shirt well. However, that’s where the Covert Operations Case comes into play. Designed by Elite Survival Systems, the Covert Operations Case lives up to its name.

The Covert Operations Case

Covert Operations Case implies a certain amount of discretion. Discretion comes in many forms, and in this situation, it’s a laptop case. The Covert Operations Case comes in several sizes. This is the SMG model and is designed for guns like the MP5, the Scorpion, the MPX, etc. Rifle sized variants exist, as do SBR versions, and even larger AR 15 cases. As the cases get larger, they lose a bit of their discretion.

Buy The Larger Version Now $116

None of the cases have the telltale tactical designs. You won’t see MOLLE straps, tactical logos, or external magazine pouches. They are all sanitized and designed to be plain, boring, and discreet. This small model is indistinguishable from an average large laptop bag. It might be a little deeper, but no one will pick up on that.

You have a shoulder strap as well as a briefcase-style handle. YOu can move the strap back and forth to various positions. The case is well padded and will protect your firearm or laptop from the environment well.

It’s the Inside That Counts

The Covert Operations Case is made up of an external pocket and a large main pocket. The external pocket is rather large and could fit important stuff from a charger and mousepads to first aid kits and spare mags.

The main pouch of the Covert Operations Case houses two sets of straps that allow the case to hold two SMG sized weapons or a separated upper and lower of a pistol AR 15 build kit. The straps allow the weapon to be secured and latched down for both safety and discretionary purposes.

Buy Now $90

Across from the straps is a section of hook and loop. Here you can add magazine pouches and various other mission essential gear. Between the two sides is a panel that acts as a divider. It can protect the guns from the pouches and vice versa. The divider can be removed with ease should you so choose. Both sides of the case can be opened to access the padding. This area is large and open enough to squeeze a soft armor plate in if that’s your thing.

Putting it In Action

The design itself is clever. It remains discreet but adds on several features that separate it from just shoving a gun in a laptop bag. For one, the case opens almost entirely allows you to easily access your gun without it snagging. If opened while being carried, the gun is easy to access and easy to deploy.

The strap is wide and padded, so carrying heavy weapons is still comfortable. The guns can be light, but four or five fully loaded magazines can get heavy, as can flashlights, optics, and more get pretty dang heavy.

Overall quality is top-notch. I’ve been using this bag for a few years now. When traveling, I like to bring more sting than a CCW pistol, and I want to do so discreetly. I keep the bag under lock and key, of course, but toting it to hotel rooms and from space to space keeps eyes off it.

I mean, it’s just a laptop bag, right?

The Flash 5 From Tactaload – Best Shotgun Stock

Tactaload is a new company bringing a lot of innovation to the world of shotgun stocks. Tactaload was founded by a veteran Secret Service agent with an expansive amount of time behind a shotgun. His experience with the Speed Feedstock and normal side saddles lead him to create the Flash 5.

The Flash 5 is a shotgun stock designed to hold five spare rounds of ammunition. It’s capable of holding 2.75 and 3-inch shells normally, and when you remove a spacer, the gun will then hold 3.5-inch shells.

The Flash 5 is made from a rugged and ultra-strong polymer material designed to take a beating. The stock is currently produced for the Mossberg 500 series and the Remington 870 shotguns.

Breaking Down the Flash 5

The Flash 5 has an integral magazine built into the stock the feeds the rounds from the bottom of the stock. A small spring-loaded gate ensures the rounds do not slip out of the stock when the environment is dynamic. The gate pops out of the way with no input from the user other than pulling the round from the stock.

Buy Now $130

The Flash 5 is ambidextrous, and the majority of the rounds are concealed inside the stock. This adds a level of protection not found in side saddles. On top of that, the rounds are in the center rear of the gun. This positioning helps maintain the gun’s balance and makes the gun swing nice and smoothly.

How It Works as a Stock

While holding rounds is cool, the stock has to succeed as a stock more than it has to succeed as a shell holder. I can use a shotgun without a shell holder, and I can’t use one without a stock. The Flash 5 is luckily one helluva good stock. It provides a consistent cheek weld and allows for a comfortable grip.

Most importantly, you can adjust the length of pull. Most shotgun stocks have way too long of a LOP for combat shooting. The stock has optional inserts to adjust the stock from 12.5 inches to 13.5 inches in half-inch increments. This makes it quite easy to fit the stock to the shooter and increases comfort and control over the weapon.

Putting Work In

I was a little skeptical about reloading from the Flash 5. I’ve always found side saddles to be the fastest way to reload a gun. Imagine my surprise when I found myself slightly faster with Tactaload’s Flash 5 stock. The Flash 5 made the movement from stock to chamber short and more intuitive. Grip the round, rotate my wrist, and insert into the tube, rinse and repeat. The only time it’s slower than a side saddle is for port reloads. However, we are talking fractions of a second slower.

I repeated the drill for what had to be hundreds of reloads. Over and over and over. I was oftentimes wearing my wrist out holding the Mossberg 590A1 on target. The Flash 5 never failed to deliver the next round I needed. I’m shocked and remain surprised at how capable and durable the Fast 5 is.

The Mossberg 590A1 is my go-to pump-action combat shotgun, and it will sit adorned with the Flash 5 permanently. It’s faster, easier to use, better balanced, and is one helluva well-made stock. It’s short and sweet, with the ability to hold five-rounds makes it a no-brainer for me. On my Mossberg is squeezes into most AR15 Cases It costs nearly the same as the famed Magpul stock but offers you a high-quality spare shell holder on top of that. The Flash 5 is a genius design, and I’m excited to see what Tactaload comes up with next.

 

 

The Romeo5XDR – Budget Blasting Red Dot

SIG went from being well known for producing fantastic metal frame pistols to being well known for making everything. This includes rifles, suppressors, and even optics. Today we are looking at their budget-friendly Romeo5 red dot, specifically the Romeo5XDR model. The Romeo5XDR is the most robust and durable Romeo5 that’s outfitted with superior water protection and higher grade shock protection. The DR stands for dual reticle, and the Romeo5 serves up two separate reticles. 

The Romeo5XDR – Dual Reticle Design 

The first is a 2 MOA red dot. It’s straightforward and is the industry standard. The second reticle is a 65 MOA circle with a 2 MOA dot. The dual design allows you to pick and choose your reticle. The 2 MOA is a bit simpler with a less obscure sight picture, and it tends to be kinder on battery life. The 65 MOA reticle is much more versatile and eye-catching at the cost of decreased battery life. 

The 65 MOA circle and dot reticle allow for engaging finding capabilities. At one hundred yards, the 65 MOA ring is the average size of a normal man. If an average-sized man fills the reticle, then he is roughly 100 yards away. If he fills from the bottom of the reticle to the middle dot, then he is 200 yards away. It’s handy but can be a bit tricky to use. 

The 65 MOA ring is also more prominent, more comfortable to see, and faster to find and get on target. The bigger reticle is easier to track between targets and can be used at any range. The 65 MOA reticle is perfect for that fast, close-range shooting, and the smaller 2 MOA dot in the center is better purposed for longer range shooting. The Romeo5XDR is one helluva versatile optic. 

In practice, I can ring steel at 15 yards with blistering speed, and when I fall back to 100 yards, I can do the same with precision and confidence. Both the dot and circle options are crystal clear and extremely crisp. They outperform every other budget red dot I’ve shot with. 

Class and Glass 

The Romeo5XDR presents the user with crystal clear glass with a slight blue tint to it. The blue tint is normal in these optics, and it’s from obscuring. The view through the lens is clear and can be used with a magnifier without any clarity issues. Cheap red dots often look okay as red dots, but troublesome and poorly made glass shows it’s weakness under a magnifier. 

The Romeo5XDR runs off of a single AAA battery and lasts up to 50K hours. I can say after several years of use, and I’m still on the battery that was included with the optic. The optic is equipped with SIG’s MOTAC system. MOTAC stands for motion-activated, and this acts to help preserve the battery for stone heads like me who forget to turn their optic’s off when they put them away. When the optic is left undisturbed for a period of time, it shuts off automatically. 

When the optic senses motion, it activates and returns the last setting the user set. The Romeo5XDR is a very modern choice that goes above and beyond your normal budget red dot. The glass packs some unbeatable features for a budget red dot, and the Romeo5XDR is a true performer, and it does so above and beyond its price tag. 

 

3 home defense firearms that’ll make you prepared like John Wick

You roll to your side to take a quick glimpse of the clock: it’s 3 AM. You’ve been awake for the past 2 hours, trying to go back to sleep. You couldn’t. Something’s off…you can just feel it.

“Ah, it must be paranoia,” you think. When you’re about to close your eyes, you suddenly hear a loud shatter downstairs. You get up. And then, your front door slowly creaks open, bringing a chill down your spine. “Oh shi—” you panicky think before cutting yourself off. You know what this is:

A home invasion.

Your heart starts pounding as you quickly try to find your .30-06 hunting rifle with scope. Beads of sweat roll down your face as your hands begin to shake uncontrollably. You realized that your hunting rifle is downstairs. And then, suddenly out of the shadows, a dark hooded figure emerges. What do you think will happen next?

You’ll either lose your life or your precious valuables. Why? Because you weren’t adequately prepared for a home invasion. How do you prevent that from happening? By getting prepared. And one of the first steps in being prepared is getting yourself a SOLID home defense weapon. That’s why I wrote this article — to show you my top 3 favorite home defense firearms, starting with my first recommendation…

 

  • Remington 870 (Shotgun)

Mitch Barrie on Flickr

 

Pros: Flexible ammunition types, insanely powerful

Cons: Heavier and harder to carry (compared to pistols), requires two hands to shoot, low ammunition capacity (compared to rifles)

Why use a Shotgun for Home Defense?

Because they’re scary as hell. If ANY intruder hears a sound of a shotgun, they’ll most likely bolt for the door… and will never step foot on your property again. But that’s not the only reason you should invest in a shotgun. Shotguns are also extremely versatile. Meaning, there is a wide variety of ammo available like:

  • Slugs
  • Buck Shot
  • Bird Shot

In other words: Shotguns are multi-purpose. They can be used for hunting and target shooting as well as home defense. And that’s not all. Shotguns are incredibly reliable. (More specifically, pump shotguns). They are very easy to use and won’t fail on you — even with minimal maintenance. The best part? Shotguns are pretty darn cheap. In fact, a brand new Remington 870 only costs $300. And if you really look, you could get yourself a used one for less than $150.

Recommended Accessories: 

  • Shotgun Sling: Makes extra ammo easily-accessible.
  • Red Dot Sight: Allows for rapid target acquisition. The FastFire 3 from Burris is SOLID.
  • WeaponLight: Flashlights and lasers are a must for shotguns.

 

  • Glock 23 (Pistol)

WikiMedia Commons

 

Pros: Easy to carry, lightweight (and compact), requires only one hand to shoot

Cons: Low ammunition capacity (compared to rifles)

Why use a Pistol for Home Defense?

The fact is this: Handguns are some of the best firearms for home defense. They’re also my personal favorite. Here’s why… Accessibility. I carry my Glock 23 almost EVERYWHERE I go. It’s small, compact, light and fairly easy to use. That said, you’d be able to move quicker and quieter through your home. Bruce Willis in Die Hard would probably agree with me. Another reason for acquiring a pistol is because they rarely run into jamming issues, easy-to-clean, and just straight up reliable.

Look: Just do yourself a favor and get a handgun (if you don’t have one already). It’ll protect you everywhere — inside AND outside of your home.

Recommended Accessories: 

  • Grip: Upgrade your stock grip with a grip from a reputable manufacturer for an improved grip quality.
  • Light/Laser: Will help with accuracy and seeing in low-light conditions.
  • Holster: A must if you conceal carry. Feel free to read my top 3 essential firearm accessories.

 

 

  • AR-15 (Rifle)

Pixabay

 

Pros: Higher ammunition capacity, powerful, long-distance shots

Cons: Heavier and harder to carry (compared to pistols), requires two hands to operate

Why use a Rifle for Home Defense?

If you want to be a badass like John Wick, use an AR-15. The reason? It’s INSANELY versatile. The AR-15 can be used for home defense, target shooting, and even deer hunting. How is that possible? The AR-15 is chambered in a 5.56 cartridge and could also shoot a .223 — allowing for a flexible platform. And get this: An AR-15 is actually EASIER to shoot than a shotgun or pistol due to the low recoil and accuracy. If that wasn’t enough for you, the AR-15 also holds a larger total capacity of ammunition. In other words: you can easily take on multi-person home invasion.

Let me make it simple: I highly recommend owning an AR-15. It’s just… awesome. I’m not the only person who thinks so. In fact, the AR-15 is the most popular rifle in America.

Recommended Accessories: 

  • Rifle Scope/Red Dot Sight: Read this article on how to choose a rifle scope.
  • Front Hand Grip: Allows for MUCH better grip.
  • Flashlight: Great for low light environments.

Which Firearm Should I buy For Home Defense – Pistol, Rifle Or Shotgun?

It depends on your environment. Want something lightweight and easily accessible? Get a handgun. Live in a rural area and have a lot of distance? Invest in a rifle. However, if you live in a more densely-packed area, go with a shotgun. Also, don’t forget to check your local laws to see which firearm is legal. But most importantly: whatever firearm you choose, make sure to commit to training and practice. As long as you head to the gun range a couple of times per year, you should be golden. With that said…

Now Its Your Turn

These are my top 3 favorite firearms for home defense. Sure, there are hundreds of guns out there you can choose from but these were my top 3 favorites. That said, I’d like to hear from you:  What firearm do you use (or plan on using) for home defense? Let me know by leaving a quick comment down below.

 

Author Bio:

Richard Douglas is a scopes expert with over 10 years of hands-on experience and has been featured on Burris Optics, War History Online and more. No wonder his friends call him the “James Bond of Scopes.” Richard now spends most of his time reviewing scopes and sharing his exclusive findings on his blog, Scopes Field.

 

Feature image courtesy of Pixabay

Check out this underwater pistol Heckler & Koch built for the Navy SEALs

One of the things movies always get wrong about firearms is how water will affect the way a bullet travels. Even in the otherwise-almost-too-real “Saving Private Ryan,” bullets are shown flying through water almost exactly as they do in the air: on a straight trajectory and with a lethal amount of kinetic energy. The truth of the matter is, bullets just don’t move through the water all that well. In fact, with many firearms, all it takes is a few inches of water to strip a moving bullet of the speed necessary to penetrate the human body. In most cases, water just knocks bullets off their course, but in some, hitting the water is enough to break the round apart completely. While some firearms can function under water, they tend not to function as you’d need them to if you were in a fight for your life.

This scene from John Wick 3 actually does a really good job of demonstrating how water affects bullets.

(Warning: graphic content)

For most folks, a weapon’s ability to take a life while completely submerged in water isn’t a pressing concern, but for some very specific groups of war fighters, this presents a serious issue. Navy SEALs are known for conducting clandestine operations in and around the water, and Navy Frogmen are often tasked with preventing the foreign equivalent of our SEALs from doing the same near American shores. Because most standard issue firearms would be all but useless in an underwater engagement, these undersea war fighters needed something with a bit more reach than their diving knives that actually worked beneath the waves.

That’s where Heckler & Koch stepped in. Back in 1976, they secretly developed the P11: a five-barrel module-arrangement pistol that’s capable of firing 4-inch long steel darts. Its effective range underwater was between 30 and 50 feet (depending on depth) and they could even be fired in the dry air with an effective range of just shy of 100 feet (though accuracy was said to be questionable at such distances).

Heckler & Koch P11 with test-device (WikiMedia Commons)

H&K didn’t even acknowledge producing the pistol until 1997, giving their select customer list a solid two decades of use before letting the cat out of the bag. According to some sources, hundreds of these pistols were issues to Naval special warfare units, though it’s unclear how many are still in service. It stands to reason that the Navy may now be operating more effective underwater weapons.

Instead of using traditional rounds, each of the five barrels came sealed from the manufacturer with what was effectively a mini-rocket propelled missile stored inside. The projectiles were actually tiny solid-fuel rockets with fins to stabilize their path as they sailed through the water. When the operator pulls the trigger, an internal battery actually sends a current to ignite the fuel and launch the projectile through its barrel. Once all five rounds had been expended, there was no way to reload the pistol — it had to be sent back to Heckler & Koch to have a new sealed five-round chamber installed.

 

Feature image screen captured from YouTube

What’s the best Home-Defense carbine for the new gun owner?

Let’s face it, there are more than enough articles detailing rifle setup or reviews of home defense carbines With the ever-growing list of friends, family, and acquaintances that have little to no shooting experience, they tend to ask the same typical questions:

“What’s the best rifle I can buy?”

“Can’t I just go cheap?”

“I know what you’re saying, but I really like that tiny Sig P290. Can’t I just go with that? A rifle seems like a bit much”

“Can’t I just build it? It looks easy on YouTube.”

“Can you show me how to set it up?”

“I don’t know about LMT, I’ve heard Rock Rivers’ are just as good on this blog.”

I’ve seen varying reactions from the staff at your average gun shop. Some people are helpful, some get annoyed, others exploit a new buyer for the sake of an easy sale, and the absolute worst is the staff member who seizes the opportunity to belittle you. While some folks come to me lacking maturity in their line of questioning, I always provide the best and simplest advice I can give. There’s nothing to lose here, and if someone decides to bet their life on your recommendation, I really hope you gave them a real answer based upon a combination of real experience and some research. This article is my recommendation to a new buyer interested in protecting their home. With that, I’m keeping much of the information in this article basic.

When writing this article, I chose two carbine length multipurpose rifles, tailored slightly towards close quarters battle (CQB). The first question is “why carbine length? Don’t we have better options with respect to short barreled rifles (SBR) and AR pistols?” Yes, there are better options, but I have no desire to deal with SBR laws when traveling across state lines. I have even less of a desire to deal with how the BATF chooses to interpret the legality of an AR pistol on any random day of the week. Furthermore, a 16-inch barreled AR-15 will handle a close quarters fight just fine. You may be hesitant as a new shooter to approach the concept of an AR-15 style rifle over a pistol, so let’s assess the “why” — My main driving factors for choosing an AR-15 style rifle are: high-capacity, maneuverability, dependability, and accuracy.

Now, let’s get into the weapons. I chose two different models from two different manufacturers.

Rifle1: Daniel Defense M4 V11 in 5.56mm with 16inch barrel (Pictured on Top)

Rifle2: BCM RECCE 16 in 5.56mm with 16inch barrel (Pictured Below)

Here’s why I chose these manufacturers, quality parts, quality labor, quality control. Take whatever stance you want, but Daniel Defense and Bravo Company Manufacturing are known for this. Am I saying you’ll never get a bad gun off the line? Nope. I’m saying that you are far more likely to get a dependable weapon out of the box. If there is a defect, both companies take their customer service seriously, and will make it right.

All those points aside, if you decide to make a rifle your duty or home protection weapon, and it has yet to be fired, you’re a moron. Never bet on an unproven piece of life saving gear. Do not get caught up in the “it’s mil spec so it’s basically the same” mindset. That “mil spec means it’s good to go” argument is the equivalent of saying, “to build a house all you need is a roof.” The extra steps these companies take before shipping a weapon are leaps and bounds above other manufacturers, and that is why I chose them.

Now, there are plenty of other manufacturers that make quality AR platforms such as LMT, Colt, Triarc Systems, LWRC, LaRue Tactical, Knights Armament Co, etc. and they are top notch. Even during my service in the military I bet my life on Colt for years, so please do not think I am stating these other manufacturers are unworthy for duty or home defense. On the other hand, if you are considering building a rifle (I recommend that for more experienced individuals), do not make your first home defense rifle a build. I’ve seen it all when it comes to builds. Build your first and make sure it runs — Clint Smith would agree with me. With that noted, let’s move on.

Weapons System Overview:

Rifle1: Daniel Defense M4 V11 in 5.56mm.

Barrel- Cold Hammer Forged, government profile 1:7 twist, Chrome Moly Vanadium Steel

Rail- Keymod 15inch

Gas system- Mid-Length

Gas block- Low profile pinned

Muzzle Device- Daniel Defense Flash Suppressor

Rifle2: BCM RECCE 16 in 5.56mm.

Barrel- Cold Hammer Forged, government profile 1:7 twist, MIL-B-11595E Chrome Moly Steel

Rail- Keymod 15inch

Gas system- Mid-Length

Gas block- Low profile dimpled with set screws

Muzzle Device- BCM Mod 0 Compensator

I can get into further detail, but I’m not a damn brochure, look the rest up yourself.

The barrel- Both rifles are government profile and cold hammer forged, a solid decision with respect to durability. There are some who would urge you to seek lightweight barrels, but I like versatility. There are also days where training is high round count and long in duration; I have no interest in sacrificing accuracy, or increasing the level of heat on my handguard if that can be mitigated with a slightly heavier barrel. In fact, I am also a big fan of the heavier SOCOM profile barrels as they handle a higher volume of fire. Bottom line, I like a workhorse that I can depend on.

Moving onto gas systems- I’m a pretty big proponent of the mid-length gas system on a 16 inch barrel. It allows greater dwell time and creates a far smoother recoil impulse than a carbine length gas system. During training sessions, I believe you’ll find recoil management a tad more manageable than a “snappy” carbine length system during a rapid string of fire.

Gas blocks- Pinned or dimpled with set screws? Honestly, if done right it doesn’t matter. However, if done wrong the weapon won’t run. This is an area where a quality manufacturer is important. Over the years, I have had plenty of friends shoot their personal weapons in a course side by side with me, and some lesser manufacturers have been known to cut corners in this area. I’ve seen some of those guns run like sewing machines, then one day, not function…. All due to poor gas block installation or cheap materials.

Muzzle device- The muzzle device in both systems work just fine, but they are nothing to write home about. The Daniel Defense Flash suppressor works as intended, it dissipates muzzle flash, and helps direct recoil where it needs to go. The BCM Mod 0 Compensator does neither task very well. It does an okay job of flash suppression, and an okay job of compensation. If you are thinking of installing a large muzzle brake on your home protection weapon to aid in recoil management, don’t. The muzzle flash, combined with the deafening noise will be a less than pleasant experience should you have to fight with your rifle indoors.

Regarding Rails- both work fine, Keymod or MLOK, I really don’t care. It does not impact my ability to shoot well, and the systems are durable. If I were to pick from the two manufacturers, I prefer the BCM rail system. It’s lighter, and the lockup is simplistic but tough. For you gear-nazis, MLOK accessories will have greater longevity with respect to accessory availability, and it is a more durable system than keymod.

Last, but not least, Bolt Carrier Groups (BCGs)- There’s a ton of options out there, so I’ll say it like this, get yourself a full auto BCG. The AR-15 was designed to run with the full auto BCG. There are better options, but a Mil-spec, carpenter 158 steel, high pressure tested, magnetic particle inspected, heat treated and shot peened, with properly torqued and staked gas key screws are essential to reliable operation. The Daniel Defense and BCM BCGs are a fantastic example of a perfectly executed Mil-spec BCG; however, the BCM BCG has become the “gold standard” throughout the shooting community. You would not be wrong with either choice.

Rifle Setups:

Rifle1- Daniel Defense M4 V11 (Pictured on Top)

Optic- EOTECH EXPS 3-2 (Tan)

Iron Sights- Daniel Defense fixed iron sights

Foregrip- Strike Industries SI LINK angled foregrip

Light Source- Arisaka Defense 300 series with Surefire SR07 pressure switch

Buttstock- BCM Gunfighter SOPMOD Stock

Other- Magpul PMAG Coupler

 

Rifle2: BCM RECCE 16 (Pictured Below)

Optic- Trijicon MRO

Iron Sights- Daniel Defense fixed iron sights

Foregrip- Strike Industries SI LINK angled foregrip

Light Source- Arisaka Defense 300 series with Surefire SR07 pressure switch

Buttstock- BCM Gunfighter SOPMOD Stock

Other- Magpul PMAG Coupler

Kit for your setup are where some folks tend to skimp once they purchase a quality rifle, sometimes…. They skimp even if their rifle is garbage. But here’s the takeaway, positive target ID, a fast-reliable optic, and a weapon that feels instinctive to operate are just as important. If it looks cool, but works sometimes, or is not user-friendly, move on.

Optics: The EOTECH EXPS series- are great close quarters optics, practically parallax free (not totally), large window that promotes situational awareness, and ideal donut style reticle make it a force to be reckoned with. Now, I am fully prepared for all my EOTECH haters to crawl out from the rock they are hiding under screaming things like “thermal drift!” In my experience, all the EXPS models I’ve run work great. Even the one I used during my time in Special Operations through parachuting, climbing, rucking, FAST roping, and extended shooting sessions during extreme cold weather (the polar vortex of 2015), I’ve had no issues. My biggest complaint is battery life, 1000 Hours. You do not want to be in a position where you go to turn on your optic in the middle of the night only to see a big fat nothing. I always play it safe and change my batteries every 3 months.

Moving on to the Trijicon MRO- the thing is bomb proof, parallax is a bit rough on this optic, but I haven’t found that to be an issue. In stark contrast, the battery life is amazing at a whopping 5 years in constant on. What is very hard to beat, is the price. If you wait for an online sale, you can roll out the door with one for approximately $375.

Iron sights- It’s like this, yea, it’s more money to spend; on the other hand, batteries and electronics fail. Iron sights are a constant you can count on, so buy them. Light Source- Arisaka Defense makes solid kit, and the 300 series are cost effective and reliable. They are also relatively small, light-weight, and take up very little real-estate on your rail system. Add a surefire pressure switch and you’re in business.

Flashlights are a non-negotiable item, if you can’t identify what’s in front of you, you are combat ineffective. BCM Gunfighter SOPMOD stock- Highly durable (I’ve drop tested their stocks before at 20+FT…. they hold up), with a fantastic cheek-weld. The BCM SOPMOD stock makes reflexive shooting just a tad more instinctive. Strike Industries Angled foregrip- I just like them, no other reason, find what works for you. Their slim profile allows me to get a solid grip around the rail system, and the forward notch aids the shooter in keeping the rifle pinned to your shoulder with ease. Lastly, the Magpul PMAG coupler- “What’s better than one thirty round magazine?” Two thirty round magazines mounted side-by-side. I can’t predict the future, but 60 rounds of 5.56mm in your home defense rifle should be more than enough to end most engagements. I’m not saying 60 rounds are all you’ll ever need, but I am saying that the odds are in your favor.

Lastly, all the top-notch gear in the world does not make an effective combat shooter. I know plenty of businessmen that own expensive firearms they don’t know how to run. If you plan to invest in a home defense weapon, then plan to invest regular money in constant training. You owe it to everyone as a responsible gun owner, you owe it to your family, the innocent neighbors across the street, and most of all, yourself. Even if you’re not a combat shooter, you need to train like one. The whole reason you are making this purchase is if something “might” happen. Well, if something “might” happen, then training is the other 50% percent of that dangerous hypothetical.

 About the Author: Jonathan Fietkau is a former SOTACC from 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, and a graduate of the Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat Course (SFAUCC). He is a combat veteran of Iraq, and other theaters of operation, with previous service in the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions.

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