Hardware’s in development. Software’s not even close to alpha yet.
Alright, so I more-or-less have an idea how I want to build my AR. I read up on all the minutiae and acronyms and arcane distinctions between Brand X and Brand Y. I even got some advice from the Mall Ninja himself. If I’m not 100% decided yet, I’m close enough that I don’t think I’ll be making any *drastic* changes…
… and then it occurs to me that I have absolutely NO idea how to run one of the damn things effectively. I mean, I know where the controls are and how they function, but all the details of proper stance, administrative handling, immediate action drills, where the cool kids are putting their support hand this week, etc… No idea. Could I safely handle the gun and make it go bang? Sure. Could I operate it quickly and efficiently? Not bloody likely.
So… where should I go to start reading up on modern carbine technique? (First person to suggest arfcom gets a nutpunch-over-IP). And yes, I know full well that books and magazine articles != actual training. I’m hoping to take Steve Fisher’s carbine course later this year. I’d like to get a bit of a head-start, though, so I don’t have to be That Guy at gun school.
I know pdb and Tam have some professional training under their respective belts. Maybe I can beg some advice from them…
You are giving this WAY too much thought.
Comment by alan — February 9, 2010 @ 8:22 am
Agree with Alan.
Having gotten most of my ‘training’ with the AR platform in the Marine Corps (is that Corpse?!), I can tell you that the weapon is ok for what is asked of it.
A tactical carbine will be employed much differently than a ‘battle’ rifle, or a competition gun, or a sharpshooter, or a hunting arm – and will be built much differently.
Start off cheap, maybe even used – learn the weapon ….. then build your hearts’ desire!
Comment by The Packetman — February 9, 2010 @ 4:04 pm
Caveat #1 – as we all know, nothing replaces actual trigger time – so the best course you can take is the primary goal…
HOWEVER
Magpul Dynamics has done an excellent set of DVDs which covers a great deal of what their courses teach. No, it won’t replace a class, but it is a good supplement/preparation while waiting for one.
Food for thought.
Comment by Sean — February 9, 2010 @ 8:45 pm
For $40 (less if you have their dealer discount) you can get the Miculek practical rifle DVDs from Brownells. You could do worse than learn to run an AR from a 13 time 3 gun champ.
If that’s not your thing, I’ve heard anecdotally that the Magpul Dynamics Rifle DVDs are pretty good, but they’re a bit pricier than the Miculek set.
Comment by Caleb — February 10, 2010 @ 11:15 am
I recently attended a training course taught by Matt Burkett. You might want to consider one of his training DVDs.
Comment by Jayson — February 12, 2010 @ 10:17 pm
I’ve been to Steve’s carbine class. My advice is:
Go with an empty mind.
Don’t worry about what you need to know ahead of time. Just be a sponge, pay attention, and learn while you are there.
The only thing you should really do ahead of time is make sure your gun and gear is good to go. Have a good quality gun and make sure you know how to lubricate it. Zero it ahead of time. Have good mags and a way to carry them.
After that, just pay attention and keep the ears open and the mouth shut. Take notes and make sure you grok what he’s explaining.
You’ll do fine.
Comment by Trebor — February 15, 2010 @ 1:17 pm
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Pingback by SayUncle » On buying an AR — February 17, 2010 @ 10:59 am
I suggest asking for help at arfcom … and then doing the opposite.
Seriously … I suggest buying a 20′ floated DCM Service rifle competion legal upper, with 1/4 MOA click sights, and a standard lower with a drop in match trigger, a cloth M-14 sling, and a couple of 20 round milspec magazines.
Then take that beast to a few Appleseed clinics to learn how to shoot it. Then maybe do some OCMP matches. Nothing teaches like actual competition.
Leave the CQB carbine stuff to the tactical tommie wannabes.
Comment by Kristopher — February 17, 2010 @ 11:20 am
If you’re looking for reading material, you might try _Some of The Answer: Carbine Manual_ by Jim Crews.
Comment by Jim — February 17, 2010 @ 11:43 am
The Magpul DVDs aren’t bad, and _Green Eyes & Black Rifles_ by Kyle Lamb from Viking Tactics is a decent book for getting into the swing of things.
After that, a good class with plenty of hands-on time is always a good call.
Comment by Fred — February 17, 2010 @ 2:04 pm
I don’t see many carbine classes around here – everybody wants to be a 2-mile LURP sniper or a double-fistfull Pistolero, so I shoot my AR and M4 at CMP matches and enjoy the rapids with the reloads – but I think (also) the book “Green Eyes Black Rifles” is a good place to start reading…
Comment by DirtCrashr — February 17, 2010 @ 2:42 pm
The suggestion of the MAGPUL DVDs is a good start, but you really need to attend training with an instructor, so you can have an unbiased outside actor to critique what you are doing.
http://www.eagtactical.com/index.asp
Pat Roger is a great instructor, and his classes are almost always full.
Comment by Mark — February 17, 2010 @ 3:39 pm
Join your state rifle club/NRA affiliate: http://www.nrahq.org/clubs/state.asp
Mine is the Virginia Shooting Sports Association. I participated in an M-1 riflery shooting match that qualified me to buy a CMP Garand. BTW mine was a phenomenal Springfield Armory National Match model. Taking an M-1 riflery clinic is a great way to meet other gunnies, many of which will own AR-15s.
Another possible way to meet AR-15 shooters is to check out an Appleseed match: http://www.appleseedinfo.org/
Put up a 6×9″ card at your local gun shop or range and ask for someone to help you learn the AR-15. GOOD LUCK.
Comment by DC Handgun Info — February 18, 2010 @ 5:59 am