Incompetence by Choice

10 Apr 08

Incompetence by choice. This from an LEO friend in the UK:

"In the UK, when an officer displays the slightest interest in firearms, he is automatically disqualified from all armed assignments. In addition, his career is toast at that point, as knowledge of firearms, let alone shootingand gun-handling skills, constitutes a permanent bar to promotion.

One of our officers, who was armed, was subsequently disarmed (removed from our Armed-Police Group) because of his 'unhealthy interest'in developing individual skill with weapons!

Over here, the more competent you aspire to be, the less suitable you are to be armed. Only dithering buffoons need apply!"

Comment: During the decline of any civilization, we have the requiem " Incompetence-is-a-Virtue" stage, where the skilled, dedicated, and heroic are habitually punished and marginalized, while unqualified, incapable, pandering pretenders unfailingly ascend to high positions.

The British proudly remind us that their Island has not been successfully invaded since 1066. They better pray the next invaders are imbeciles, because they'll have only blundering bunglers standing in their way!

/John

Advice from overseas

10 Apr 08

A note on the fabled Kalashnikov Rifle, from a friend currently in Afghanistan:

"Close examination of chronically malfunctioning rifles invariably reveals that they are filthy. Even the legendary Kalashnikov has its limits! Carbon from Russian ammunition builds up behind, and under, the extractor, makingit progressively more difficult for the extractor claw to properly grab cartridge rims. This leads to 'soft-extraction,' which is manifested by empty cases remaining in the receiver instead of being ejected. M-4s with broken extractor springs routinely display the same symptom.

Our rifles see much rough treatment and heavy use, and, if they are to run when we need them to run, they have to be continuously, rigorously maintained. Of course, the foregoing is no great revelation, but, when in active, continuous fighting, having reliable equipment is far more than just a casual request. Over here, one can get hurt for all kinds of reasons, sometimes no reason at all, but getting hurt on account of faulty emergency equipment is stupid, and something of which I, for one, never intend to be guilty!

We've used Kalashnikovs manufactured in Russia, any number of Eastern European countries, China, even Egypt. All run well, except those manufactured in Pakistan. Pakistani AKs are trash. I've seen no exceptions!"

Comment: In most parts of the world, for most of recorded history, human life has been, and continues to be, amazingly cheap! All who intend to live through the coming chapter of world history need to have good equipment and be dedicated to its maintenance. Even the best weapons don't clean themselves!

/John

Firstlight Tomahawk

10 Apr 08

Firstlight Tomahawk LE:

I first saw the Tomahawk flashlight at the SHOT Show earlier this year. I liked it immediately for its compactness and the logic and convenience of controls, a Firstlight hallmark. I've used Firstlight's Liberator for some time. I like it too, but carrying it, along with all my other concealed equipment, is inconvenient.

The Tomahawk, due to its compactness, solves the carrying issue, as it conveniently clips on to its belt carrier. I've been carrying my copy for two weeks. With the Tomahawk secured in the belt clip, I'm able to illuminate the area in front of me, without tying up my hands. The LE version is loaded with features, all easily accessible via only one hand.

The 120 lumen light is extremely bright. It also has red and blue LEDs that can be set to flash much like a beat-car overhead. Intensity is adjustable, and a strobe feature is built in. I can use it to illuminate, disorient, or signal. I can conveniently use it in conjunction with my pistol and rifle, without physically attaching it to the gun

I'm carrying it constantly now, as it is a consummate personal-security tool. Recommended!

/John