What qualifies as a range commando???

Status
Not open for further replies.
The gear and guns should be setup for a specific role or purpose. Slinging a 40mm grenade launcher serves no purpose other than leisure. You can't hunt with it, compete with it and probably don't use one for LE work either. Lights are like night sights, they're only useful in low light/no light envitonments. Seeing one hanging off a rifle during the day isn't a commando indicator in my books. Removing your lights during the day then reattaching them at night is counter productive. Some may say you can't shoot at night. Others will say they compete/train indoors under low light/no light conditions.

Matching fatigues are a personal thing. Again, a logical camo pattern makes sense. The black "woodland" sh*t and other exotic colours serve little to no purpose. Often the camo used at the range is the same used for hunting so it serves a dual role.

Armor is very much a personal thing. Wearing armor isn't a stupid idea at the range. The potential for getting shot at the range is significant(imagine that!). Armor at the line might be overkill but to each their own. Armor for downrange dynamic drills especially with others is a wise idea, especially if you take professional training. I firmly believe in the "train as you fight" doctrine. Same applies to competing. If you wear armor, matching shorts and shoes, a specific belt when you compete or at work(mil and LE), etc etc its best to train with it as well.

A blow out kit/bleeder kit/IFAK/Personal trauma kit etc is IMO a no brainer. Again, the likelihood of a gunshot wound at the range is significant. Bleeding out is a relatively simple problem to solve provided you have the supplies to do it. A standard first aid kit isn't a bad idea either. Sharp magazines, sharp knives, rocks and other everyday pains in the a$$ occur.

I think one of the greatest indicators of the commando is poorly setup kit and cheap kit. A drop leg rig dangling around the knees with the thumb strap undone is a clue. A cheap knockoff vest with the magazine pouches on the dominant side and magazines both upside down and backwards is a clue. A double/triple pistol pouch mounted on either shoulder (often right side up making reloads very awkward) is a clue.

Filling all available real estate on a rig is called MOLLEitis or PALS disease. A serious case of either is easily cured by extended use of said overweight/cumbersome rig. Empty pouches are a sign of a poorly laid out rig or the commando in question. If you don't need to carry it or can't articulate why you carry something, it should probably go.

TDC
 
I wouldn't judge anyone for bringing, or wearing a lot of tactical gear.

Let's be honest here. Why do we do this in the first place? Let's look at some of the reasons.

A)We are just big boys with toys. Many of us have a pile of guns and gear because we are playing the adult version of cops and robbers or soldier. Is that any different than the guy with his car tricked out with 600 hp that he never uses or the biker with all the leather and a big beard even though he is an accountant. So what if a guy wants to be decked out in matching gear, armor, lasers, and optics. Role play is part of the fun. Look at the Cowboy Action shooters. Those fellas love their role play.

B)Some of us may be military or LEO. No further explanation needed. Might as well train with the gear you use everyday.

C)Some are survivalist types. Whether its a horde of zombies, global nuclear war, or violent criminals on the rampage because the economy has collapsed, some feel the need to be ready for such an event. The way things are looking today, some of these scenarios look more likely every day. So some guys like to go and practice kitted out to the max in case they ever need it. Is there anything wrong with this? I'd rather have guns and training and never need it, than to need it and not have it.

On the flip side, some guys are minimalists. Some are because they can't afford the gear, some just don't want it. Nothing wrong with being old school.

I can see the merit in either approach, and its not my place to look down on either of them. Isn't life to short to judge a guy because of gear. That's the same as hunter types that judge the guys that shoot pistols or assault rifles. We are all in this together at the end of the day.
 
The thing that gets me about some of the CGN tactical geniuses/mall ninja/range commandos is that at least 60% of them are WAY over weight and out of shape......... all I can think is ok, fat boy if you don't have a heart attack when the lead starts flying!!

I also get a kick of the guys all dressed up in those oakly ninja boots and desert cammo at the Vancouver ranges.
 
I wouldn't judge anyone for bringing, or wearing a lot of tactical gear.

Let's be honest here. Why do we do this in the first place? Let's look at some of the reasons.

A)We are just big boys with toys. Many of us have a pile of guns and gear because we are playing the adult version of cops and robbers or soldier. Is that any different than the guy with his car tricked out with 600 hp that he never uses or the biker with all the leather and a big beard even though he is an accountant. So what if a guy wants to be decked out in matching gear, armor, lasers, and optics. Role play is part of the fun. Look at the Cowboy Action shooters. Those fellas love their role play.

B)Some of us may be military or LEO. No further explanation needed. Might as well train with the gear you use everyday.

C)Some are survivalist types. Whether its a horde of zombies, global nuclear war, or violent criminals on the rampage because the economy has collapsed, some feel the need to be ready for such an event. The way things are looking today, some of these scenarios look more likely every day. So some guys like to go and practice kitted out to the max in case they ever need it. Is there anything wrong with this? I'd rather have guns and training and never need it, than to need it and not have it.

On the flip side, some guys are minimalists. Some are because they can't afford the gear, some just don't want it. Nothing wrong with being old school.

I can see the merit in either approach, and its not my place to look down on either of them. Isn't life to short to judge a guy because of gear. That's the same as hunter types that judge the guys that shoot pistols or assault rifles. We are all in this together at the end of the day.

Well, that about sums it up! I usually take my tac vest to the range, however if the range is full of non-tactical types, then I leave it in the car. If the range is empty or I know the guys, then the "tacticool" gear comes out.

To each their own. I try to never judge on gear alone. Shooting skills speak for itself.
 
Well, I personally like to wear a three-piece suit & tie when I go the range, but that's just me.

In today's world, people respect men in suits, because they could be anyone with power to screw you over: politicians, bankers, diplomats, stock-brokers, chief executive officers, foreign investors, and so forth. In fact, I think wearing a three-piece suit & tie to pretty much anywhere would make you look badass.

Ever seen an executive rock climbing? How about a stock broker in a night club? Or maybe a diplomat out fishing? You probably have, but you could never tell that these people of power had such down-to-earth hobbies because they dressed like everyone else. They need not feel shame that they'd rather be doing that then golfing, or racing their BMWs, or whatever other few mundane hobbies people of power have.
 
As long as people are having fun and not putting bullets in my direction, who cares? They can wear bunny suit for all I care........I go to the range to shoot MY GUNS, not to investigate what other people are wearing and shooting, or what they think of what I am wearing.
 
Just do whatever suits your needs & wants, and try living a healthy lifestyle so your not fat & useless. All where the gear because I fit in all three categories with the exception of being fat & useless.
 
Hahahahahaha!!!!!!!

I was reading that link with an open mind until he mentioned he was mall security. Then it all fall in place and hilarity ensued.

That's not a far cry from those folks who really think they work for Starfleet and wear their Star Trek uniform to work.

When he started writing about taking multiple .338 shots to the back, I started to wonder, "is this dude for real?". Then I found out he was all too real.
 
I've seen some guys at the range dressed up just like the guys from blackhawk down. All their gear is BRAND NEW with no dirt, scratches, rips or tears and they usually have a little proficiency and a lot of ego.

To me it seems a little silly to go in playing soldier and not actually being a soldier.

It's alot different when your gear makes your shooting easier and it makes you more efficient with your shooting. These are the guys who are looking for performance only, and not looks.
It's a free country, if you want to go into the indoor range, sit down in that foldable chair wearing a BDU, chesrig, tactical knife, tactical light, lemons stuffed in your grenade pouches and your 400$ super dark oakleys that you don't need indoors go for it.
 
Am I a range commando?
TMSATacShootJune282009030-1.jpg

DayTwo104-1.jpg


Someone seeing me roll up at the range dressed like this could very well think I am a mall ninja/range commando and I wouldn't blame them. Without context anyone at the range with tactical gear could be a RC.

In the end, if you are honest about your intentions and who you are, not pretending to be something you are not, I would find it hard to label you a range commando or a mall ninja.
 
I've seen some guys at the range dressed up just like the guys from blackhawk down. All their gear is BRAND NEW with no dirt, scratches, rips or tears and they usually have a little proficiency and a lot of ego.

Yup.. and all it takes is the "beep" sound of the timer to completely mess them up... Dropping mags, trying to find a mag in one of their 27 pockets/pouches... Trying to figure out why they can't get their $3000 AR to go bang... But hey... standing still they look great.
 
Once again shooters show how much we look down on each other.

As long as you're safe dress any way you like. I'm just happy people are shooting guns.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom