8 Dec 03

More Mossberg 590 comments from a friend on active duty:

"We used 590s in Panama and they proved themselves both reliable and durable. We put 10,000 rounds per year through each of them with minimal armorer maintenance. Concur with your advice on replacing the plastic manual safety lever. It doesn't last long under field condition.

When I arrived in Panama and took command of a security platoon. Two of our site posts used 590s, modified with after-market pistol grips and no shoulder stock (about as useless a contraption as can be imagined!). Upon touring the posts the first day I asked the Marines if they had ever trained with shotgun in that configuration. To my surprise, they had not.

I insisted that the pistol-grip-equipped shotguns brought to the range for our weekly 'port and starboard' firearms training. Sure enough, the Marines had little problem handling the shotguns when shooting light (birdshot), training rounds. However, when 00 Buck and slugs were fired, the guns were utterly uncontrollable and completely inaccurate, no matter how they were held. The pistol grips all promptly cracked as well.

My Marines quietly approached me afterward and asked that the pistol grips be discarded and that factory stocks be reinstalled. That very day, they were!"

Lesson: Emergency equipment should never be fielded without adequate testing. What looks sexy and shiny in the showroom often disappoints in the field. How many times we've seen it!

/John

8 Dec 03

Readiness comments from another friend and student on active duty:

"I spent last week training and evaluating DOD Security Police at a major military installation here in CONUS. What a contrast! Attitudes of all the participants were excellent. They were all eager to learn and willing to lis ten. Unfortunately, gun-handling skills, marksmanship, and tactical skills ranged from marginal to abysmal. They have the hearts of warriors, but not the ski lls.

These kids are required to carry their M9 pistols with an empty chamber and the manual safety/decocking lever down. Many don't even have a magazine inserted. They are issued Level III retention holsters, and are required to carry only hardball ammunition. They are given no training in drawing the pistol from the holster, reloading, or stoppage reduction. The only range time the y get is for 'qualification,' which is, of course, a joke.

I observed that most of them are so unfamiliar with their equipment that, upon drawing the pistol from the holster (those that can actually figure the holster out), they fail to chamber a round, fail to take the safety off, and routinely point the muzzle at their own hand. Grip, stance, movement, verba l commands, and administrative skills have obviously never been practiced or e ven discussed.

These kids have no access to rifles or machine guns. The pistol is all they have. Senior NCOs and officers here readily recognize the glaring deficiencies, but none of them have the necessary skills either, and they do n't know where to go to get them. Bureaucratic inertia, of course, encourages them t o do nothing. Few are willing to 'rock the boat.'"

Lesson: The blind are trying to lead the blind. Competent training in critical weapons skills is available, but the blind are too proud to ask.

/John

8 Dec 03

From a female friend in SA:

"Just to let you know what happened to me on the weekend. I was robbed, sitting in my car, window down (it's summer here), waiting for the light to change. This is in downtown Capetown.

I was on the phone, talking to my husband. A person came to my window distributing pamphlets. I mumbled that I wasn't interested. Next thing, I see a person (same one? I don't know!) at my window, bending down and grabbing the gold chain from around my neck. I grabbed hold of it with my left hand and tried to yank it back. Last thing I saw was my chain going out the window!

I yelled that I am being robbed, but no one paid much attention. I then wen t to the Waterfront, where I approached a security guard, who was helpful. He took me to their headquarters, took a makeshift statement, and called the police. An hour later, Sgt Adams of the Table View Police arrived, casually took my statement and gave me the case number, so I could make an insurance claim . There was no attempt to actually investigate the incident or identify and arrest the robber.

I had to confront to fact that, until now, I've been living in a dream world . I am responsible for my own safety? I always thought the police did that!

What have I learned? That I have been foolishly naive. I need to make significant changes in my routine, indeed in my entire personal philosophy. I really am 'on my own.' Aren't I?"

Comment: My friend learned an important lesson cheaply. All she lost was a piece of jewelry. She is lucky to be alive! Yes, we are all "on our own!"

/John