My Top 3 Interesting Handguns

04/12/2014 MadOgre 7 Comments

I’ve a rather short list of handguns that are of interest to me, at the moment. Perhaps the fascination will pass on these, but the Want Factor has been quite high all year so far.

1. The Walther PPQ M2 5″.

The P99 I reviewed for Concealed Carry Magazine really impressed me, overall. But a couple things that irritated me to one degree or another on the P99 was removed or fixed in the PPQ. Namely the mag release and the decocker button on the top of the slide. The PPQ retains everything good about the P99, just cleaned up. Like a Subaru WRX without the Spoiler and Hood Nostril. Talking to some other guys about the PPQ, such as Jon Hodoway from Nighthawk Custom Training… it’s quietly becoming a favorite in the class of Polyframed Striker Fired pistols.

2. The SIG M11-A1.

This is basically a reintroduction of the very excellent SIG P228… Which is what SIG is now calling the 229… but the 229 has rails. Don’t try to figure it out – it’s SIG and they just do things like that. But it takes nothing away from the M11A1… Which is an excellent pistol and one that’s been on my mind more and more lately. Slightly shorter than the full sized 226, the M11A1 comes home to that “Just Right” size for me. For EDC work both Open or Concealed, this gun can get it done. And has been getting it done under the 228 tag for a long time. I had a 228 that I used as a backup gun for some time and it was quiet excellent. I did have some problems with the trigger return spring, but that was an easy fix and it never troubled me again. I miss that gun. This is it’s resurrection.

3. The Ruger Super Blackhawk, 4 5/8″, .44 Magnum.

Nothing quite says “You’re Doomed” like thumbcocking back the hammer on an accurate and powerful single action revolver. I’m more fond of the western style revolvers than I am the more “modern” double action types. There’s something about the classic heritage of the breed that is both fascinating and just… I don’t know how to say it… “The way it should be”. Especially when dealing with full potency magnum loads. The only thing I’d do to this gun would be to get a Gold Bead front sight put in. That’s it. The reason I picked this over the Vaquero… the sights… the magnum frame… and a grip that fits my hand better. The Vaquero felt too small to me. Nice, but too small. That and with the Blackhawks I can really place my shots. For me, that’s a requirement with a gun with only a few rounds in it. The shorter barrel looks properly handsome as well. If I was in a rural area again where Open Carry didn’t even cause folks to look twice – That’s what I’d be packing most of the time I think. (Along with a Truck Gun in the same caliber… Such as a Rossi 92 20″)

Weapons

Armchair Quarterbacking: DETONICS.

04/10/2014 MadOgre 15 Comments

Before I roll forward with Armchair Quarterbacking Detonics, I want the readers here to know my long history with the Combat Master, and my affections for it. I wrote two articles about the Combat Master for Concealed Carry Magazine. Both articles were rather glowing of the guns overall. You can read them both here. The second article has photos here.

“This is like Scarlett Johanson winning an Ultimate Fighter Championship.”

I considered Jerry Ahern a friend. We had many great conversations about Detonics and about the Combat Master. When Jerry passed away, I was greatly saddened. But what saddened me the most was the new iteration of Detonics and the all new version of the Combat Master.

One of the things we had talked about was the use of a regular dovetailed front sight with Tritium and moving the rear sight back to the normal 1911 position and using a regular Commander style hammer and a Beavertail. Make it more like a regular 1911 that people are familiar with instead of having the Combat Master occupy the Uncanny Valley. We had even discussed me buying one in this configuration from Detonics USA, and Jerry had said “Don’t worry about it, George. We’ll send you a prototype.” This was being discussed while I was writing the second Combat Master review. But before I could return the review pistol to Detonics, the company had closed its doors and Jerry was removed from his office. And what we had discussed went with him.

Some time after that all happened, Detonics had reopened. And they did come out with a new version of the Combat Master…. and this happened:

They did indeed use a regular sized front sight post… and they moved the rear sight back to where they normally go. And then they did that. I don’t even know what that is. No one else did either as this version of the Combat Master was killed off almost as fast as it had come out. Here is where it failed again. It’s still not like a 1911… It’s still almost familiar but wrong – dead nuts in the center of the Uncanny Valley zip code. Right where people look at it from a distance and say “hey, look at that” and then they get close enough to really see it and they are repelled. Instinct dictates the initial attraction and the subsequent revulsion. Because it’s not what they are familiar with it. A hexagon barrel with the front sight mounted to it is just fine… On a Webley. But on a 1911 pistol of any sort?

Detonics needs to bring back the Combat Master because that’s WHAT DETONICS IS. But they need to forget that strange polygonal barrel and make it more like a traditional 1911.

The scalloping of the ejection port on the older Combat Masters is both elegant and beautiful. That’s a nice touch that should come back. The Rear Sight should be in the normal 1911 position. But not a Novak ramp style. Something more like an ICE Claw rear sight. And give it a small Beavertail. For better accuracy, reliability, and ballistic punch, lengthen the barrel a bit.
The other problem with the Combat Master is the Magazine. They are shorter than the standard Officer’s model, which means you are Single Sourced for them. Lengthen the frame just a touch so that you can use regular Officer’s Magazines. The result is you will have a gun that fits people’s hands better and they can get a bunch of spare mags without having to sell a car to do it.
I’d even take this a step further and use a GI Guid rod and Bushing. Take a look at the Nighthawk T3. You know what, Detonics? There is a waiting list for those things. And those guns cost double your discontinued Combat Master. Do you see the difference here? You probably don’t. The difference is your gun was not just different – it was strange. While the T3 was a compact 1911 DONE WELL. That’s the difference. And that’s why people were waiting to pay double dollars for something that the Combat Master was competing with.

The 1911 should always feel like it’s familiar. You should never have to break out a Manual or look up a How To video on YouTube. The 1911 should be a 1911. Like Apple Pie and Baseball, it should be Classic and it should be reminding their owners of heroic days past… and it should be inspiring in its accuracy and reliability for future adventures. It it doesn’t do that, you’ve failed. I can’t explain this any better. If it’s not clear to you, well… Good luck.

The MTX pistol looks interesting. But you said a 3.5″ and a 5″ version will be available in 2013. Nothing looks worse than saying you are coming out with something and then you don’t. Unless it’s a double stacked 1911 with a 3.5″ barrel. Just don’t do that. It sounds good at first but is never a good thing once it’s in the hand. Just drop that, and concentrate on getting that 5″ version done… and maybe even do a 6″. Do a 10mm version in 6″ because that would be awesome and something that is just not available outside of STI. A 6″ 10mm MTX would have me drooling.

Bring back the Range Master and the Street Master. Make the Range Master a 5″ traditional 1911 with adjustable sights and the Street Master a 4.25″ with fixed sights. Make them like the originals, but better. Give them Match barrels and triggers and make them as accurate and as reliable as any other high end 1911, but do it at a competitive price. Look at Dan Wesson’s 1911’s. They are absolutely excellent. Do some extra touches that need to be done… Polish the rails and the locking lugs. Polish the trigger parts so the trigger feel is absolute perfection. And forget the gimmicks. The only options should be polished blue or stainless. The grips should be stunning woods with torques head screws so it looks clean. Double Diamonds. Traditional. Traditional done to Perfection. Make the guns live up to their names. It should make the person feel like he really and truly is holding something special and wonderful in their hands when they pick one up. Nothing about it should make one raise an eyebrow.

Caliber options for all guns should be 9mm, 10mm and .45 Auto.

If at this point, you can’t do a good traditional 1911, Detonics should be allowed to die with dignity. But for some people, the name still holds currency and we want it to succeed. You just need a man with some vision to take charge and make the name great again. You need another Jerry Ahern.

I’m available for contract negotiations at any time. 😉

Weapons

They don’t make it, but I want it.

04/09/2014 MadOgre 5 Comments

The Beretta 90-Two. Beretta’s best and worst in one single package. Let me explain why.

On one hand, it’s absolutely the best. The best handgun Beretta has ever made. It has all the latest features and updated good looks that really take it into the next century. I love the swept lines and new contours in the frame on the safety levers.
On the other hand, it has the worst name they could have given the pistol. I had people come to me at the gun counter and say “I want a Beretta ninety two.” Yes, I have that right here. “No, a ninety two.” You get my point. It’s name was made of confusion. Had they called in a 2092 or something, it would have worked. Colt and STI did similar things for the “1911” and it worked. Worked just fine, without being cute. In fact, it was more descriptive and accurate if a name. People knew what you were talking about.
The internal buffer and the dovetailed sights are both features of the 92A1… and that’s great. But the 92A1 doesn’t have the fresh new look.
I’ve been wanting one of these more and more this year. For no specific reason.

Here’s the other gun I’m wanting. The 92FS Compact. I have no real justification for it. It’s only a little bit smaller than the standard 92FS. A little shorter in barrel and slide, a little shorter in the grip frame. So it’s really not so “Compact”. It’s more of a 92 “Commander” in that it takes the gun that feels rather large and turns it into a gun that feels “Just right”. I can’t describe it any better than that. It just felt oh so very “right” when I drooled on one at the last gun show I went to in Utah. I passed it up, but the gun has been on my mind ever since and as of late as been doing laps like a motorcyclist in one of those round steel cages.

Both of these guns are very high in Want Factor for me. I want them bad. But I can resist buying them because of rational reasons. But rationality can only go so far.

Now, if Beretta made a 90-TWO Compact. I’d just have to throw my hands up and surrender to the Beretta Trident and do something very foolish to quickly raise the money to buy one immediately. Because that’s what I really want. I don’t think I could take living in a world that has that and me not having one.

Government

Jeb Bush and the GOP

04/07/2014 MadOgre 13 Comments

I don’t like Jeb Bush. He’s not just a RINO, but he’s everything I don’t like about politicians rolled up one big fat burrito that the GOP may try to choke us with. He’s another Big Government RINO and we’ve more than enough of those.
The GOP is so completely full of fail that I’d be laughing if this wasn’t happening in my own country.

I am really seeing less and less of a distinction between the two parties. I’m quite disappointed in both… but especially the Republicans.
It’s going to come down between Jeb Bush and Chris Christie… Just watch. Or worse – they are The Ticket.
I tell you what, I keep hearing about Belize… Belize is sounding better and better all the time. Because the USA is looking more and more hopeless.
The fact that I am even thinking like that just pisses me slam off. Because I love this Country. I love America. But America is making some really bad decisions… our Government needs a Factory Reset.
1. We need Voter ID laws passed in every state.
2. We need Closed Primaries. Only Party Members should vote for party candidates.
3. We need Congressional Term Limits. 4 years, 2 Terms Max.
4. We need Congressional Pay, Benefits, and Pensions dramatically cut. Pay should be capped at 80,000, Benefits limited to only during their term of service, and Pensions – no – No Pensions at all. Because serving should be a Service and not a Career.
We do those 4 things… And I believe the Government will clean its self up as the Rats will seek out other ships.

Weapons

Pistol Braces

04/07/2014 MadOgre 2 Comments

I am quite tempted to get an AR-15 Pistol and but a “Arm Brace” on it. Because I love SBR’s but hate the red tape that goes will them. Here’s the thing though, and the reason I am hesitant about this… The ATF has changed it’s mind in the past about things and there is no reason that they couldn’t change their mind on this. This “Brace” thing looks too much like a stock, even if it isn’t. For some reason.

Because I look at these things… and the first thing that comes to mind is “Stock”. It just does. It has the profile of a stock and you can shoulder it like a stock, so realistically, what’s the difference? I’m afraid at some point in the future, the ATF is going to change their mind on these and all the sudden you are going have an illegal SBR on your hands. Or even worse, you can be well within the guide lines and yet some local Officer Captain America is going to see it and declare it to be an SBR and arrest you and confiscate the “pistol”. Because Cops in general, do not have the best track record of knowing all the ins and outs of Gun Laws. We would think that they do, and a lot of them really do… but some don’t. MAC talks about being That Guy, well, there is always That Cop. And you don’t want to be that guy that meets That Cop. Especially considering that these things could be legally reversed overnight.

What we need to do is just get rid of the Barrel Length restrictions on rifles and shotguns. Just do away with those line items in the NFA. And well, if we are doing away with those, let’s just toss out the NFA altogether because it’s a package of regulations that only serve to create infringements and stumbling blocks for things you can still get if you are willing to jump through the hoops. So they effectively do nothing but piss us off.

So I’m going to avoid a potential ATF trap with these Braces.

Gear

Adams Holsters

04/04/2014 MadOgre 4 Comments

These three holsters are from Adams Holsters. They are Luke’s “Crossroads” holster in exotic leathers. Top left is my Glock 23 RTF2 in Shark hide. The top Right is my Beretta 92FS in two different Shark hides. A subtle two tone that looks very sharp. The bottom center is my Springfield 1911 GI in Gator and Elephant. (Legally imported Elephant hide)

The Crossroads is just one style of holster Luke makes. These are a pancake style outside of the waistband holster that carries a heavy gun quite comfortably. It’s my favorite for that reason, because when I wear a gun, it’s from pants on to pants off.

The “Gatorphant” Crossroads is my newest that just arrived the other day. I’ve been wearing it constantly of course. The GI 1911 is a heavy pistol and I’ve found it to be less than comfortable in other holsters. In the Crossroads though, I’ve had no problem with all day packing. I know I’ve talked about it before, it I wanted to take a group photo.

Automotive

Armchair Quarterbacking: JEEP.

04/04/2014 MadOgre 22 Comments

I’ve not come to terms that Jeep is now owned by the Italians. Fiat of all things. Who could have guess that would happen 20 years ago? Fiat, the makers of cars that break down more often than cars from Jaguar. Fix It Again, Tony… now has Jeep in it’s pocket. This is the automotive equivalent of Jennings owning Browning. It’s an absurd notion… But Fiat made some good moves and positioned themselves to buy Lancia, Alpha, Ferrari, and Maserati… Unbelievable. Now they own Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep. Boggles the mind.

I think that this is the reason that Jeep is probably the most Bi-Polar of automotive brands. When one says “Jeep” it invokes a mental image. One of rugged outdoorsiness. A majestic warrior off-roading rig perched on a mountain ledge like the Lion King, chin into the wind and looking stoic.

That’s “Jeep”. That’s what we think about. We think about taking Jeeps through deserts and mountain trails hunting Orc and Adventure. And that’s been The Jeep Thing for decades. But unfortunately Jeep has become this:

The new Jeeps, the Patriot and the Compass are a pair of Dodge’s trying to look butch.

This is Automotive Evolution gone wrong. While some companies are making better and better vehicles all the time, Jeep is kinda… going the wrong way. These butch little Mall Hunters are not keeping in the spirit of the brand. The Identity. I swear to heaven that I saw “It’s a Jeep thing” on the back of a Compass. Do you know why? Because people are forgetting what a Jeep thing is. This is an utter failure of the Brand. To keep up with the Lion King train of thought – this is most fitting:

Jeep needs to Remember. They need to kill off the Compass and the Patriot. Get rid of these pathetic little Cute-Utes and return to it’s core. To do this, they need to bring back two vehicles in updated versions. First. The Wagoneer.

Jeep has defecated on the Wagoneer badge… Used it like a Trim Package that just put terrible wood patterned vinyl on the sides of Cherokees and Grand Cherokees. I’m talking about bringing back the real thing in an updated version. A real honest Wagoneer. Full sized, no apologies. Jeep doesn’t think this can work, so they have not done anything of this sort. But it does work. And I can prove it as evidenced by exhibits A, B, C, D, E… I could go on, but you get my drift now. Jeep had that. A full sized, luxurious, commanding vehicle that could carry people and cargo and tow just about anything that needed towing. I still see them on the road once in a great while… and they are beautiful. I had one once… and letting it go was a huge mistake. It was awesome. Jeep needs to bring this back. Do some Retro Styling on it for the sake of Identity, but build it on a RAM 1500 platform. Body on Frame. Give it some off roading chops. And give it three engine options. The 6.4 liter “392” Hemi for the Petrol Guys. The 3.0 Liter V-6 EcoDiesel, for those family guys wanting economy and room. And for those that need to tow heavy things… the 6.7 liter Cummins Diesel. Give it three Jeep trim levels. The Limited, the Overland and the Summit in keeping with current Jeep SOP.

And maybe a stripped down version for the Die-Hard off roading Jeep Enthusiasts. Keep it simple, straight forward, honest and truck-like and guys will cheer and sell their houses to buy it. Ram does this with a version of the 1500 truck and it sells well to those guys wanting to hotrod it out.

The new “Cherokee“? I hate it. It may be a decent all roader and something people are wanting – vehicle class wise. But come on. For the love of all that is holy at least make it look like a Jeep. Make it look like a smaller Grand Cherokee with similar styled lights and grills. What you have now is alien and disgusting.

Not in a good familiar and hot way.

You get my point?

The other vehicle you need to bring back… Is one of your pick up trucks. There was the Comanche and others… and they didn’t sell well, because Jeep was owned by people who didn’t know what they were doing. But they did make a solid truck. They just didn’t know how to market it.

People want Jeep Trucks. And they are willing to pay for them. Do you want to know how I know? See the Brute and tell me people don’t get weak in the knees like that. You guys tried with the Comanche. But that failed because quite frankly, that was a stupid idea. Cutting down a unibody into a pickup? Who’s idea was that? It was so bad, that your Dealers had to ask you to stop it. But the Brute shows us something. The Brute shows us that Gladiator Concept was a good idea. The problem with the Brute is that it’s expensive as hell. Too expensive. As is everything with a Jeep badge these days… but the Brute is just stupid expensive. You get what I’m saying. Make the Gladiator and make it simple. If you did that… Adventurers would be applauding around the world.

Automotive

Armchair Quarterbacking Chevy, Part 2

04/03/2014 MadOgre 11 Comments

Continuing my Armchair Quarterbacking of Chevy; it’s time to look at the SUV’s and Trucks.

This is my ride. A 2013 Equinox 2LT. I own this. I got it brand new last May in 2013. I added a trailer hitch to it and other than that, it’s bone stock. This is a great car. Well, it’s really a crossover SUV according to the Auto Industry, an SUV/Truck according to Chevy, and a Station Wagon according to my friends. It’s got a direct injected, 3.6 liter, multi-fuel, V-6 engine that cranks out over 300 horses. It can really haul ass. I love the big bore looking dual exhausts. I’ve got 15,000 miles on it now, and the only problem I’ve had was a bad battery that was replaced under warranty at 8,000 miles.
Here’s the problem though. I keep calling it a car because it doesn’t feel like an SUV at all. SUV/Truck? There is nothing truck-like about it and there never well be. It’s a Station Wagon. Even the All Wheel Drive versions… are just all wheel drive station wagons. So let’s improve upon what it really is.
What I don’t like about the EQ is the lack of testosterone in the Shifter. When in Manual Mode, to up and down shift you have a tiny toggle think on the shifter. Come on. Let me play with that stick. I want to move the stick to shift. Not toggle the button. And also, when in manual mode, make it stay in the gear until I manually shift it. And if I want to down shift – let me down shift it. The EQ’s Manual mode has no control over anything – it only takes your command as a suggestion that it will consider later, down the road. Manual Mode should also involve a sport setting. An SS version would be nice too, because… Reasons. Really there should be an SS version of everything. Because having the option of More Power should always be available.

Keeping up with Chevy’s evident idea of taking one thing and making it a bit bigger… The Chevy Traverse is to the Equinox what the Sonic is the Spark. Basically the same damn thing a bit bigger. Again, this is supposed to be an SUV. What it really is, is a Mini-Van. Anyone telling you differently is selling something. The Traverse really is a nice vehicle. They sell very well, as I see millions of them on the road, just like the EQ’s. But they should be called the Transverse because it’s just a cross-dressing Mini-Van trying to look a little more butch. It even has Eyeliner.

Not that there is anything wrong with that…
What Chevy really needs to do though, is get off it’s ass and bring back the Trailblazer. Here’s a rendering of what that could look like:

Now THAT is a freaking SUV. And Chevy, when you do this. Don’t make it like how Dodge did the Durango and Ford did the Explorer… That’s what the Traverse is… a huge bloated Station Wagon. No. Base it on the Colorado. Truck First. What you need to do is make it something that can compete with Toyota 4Runner. Something that has some actual Off Road capability instead of the rival’s Dirt Road capability. Make the Trailblazer live up to it’s name. Give it the comfort of a Jeep Grand Cherokee, but the clearance and ruggedness of 4Runner. That’s the target. People would go BONKERS for it. I’d trade my EQ in on it. Engine options would of course have to start out with the 3.6 Liter V-6, but then give it that 5.3 Liter V-8 option. Because – BALLS. That’s something missing in the Off-Road market.

I’m loving the new Colorado… or what I’m seeing of it. Dropping it was a mistake. I really liked the last one. I did. I had a friend who got one and I was jealous. A great little truck. But it was rather gutless. You had rather weak engine options in it.

Chevy really needs to do something to answer to the Ford Raptor. Toyota brought out some cosmetic upgrades to make their truck look like a Raptor type Rig… but it’s only weak sauce. So here is what you do, Chevy… Go to YouTube and watch every video on something called the King of Hammers. Eat Bacon. Listen to Heavy Metal. Go shooting. Grow a beard. And then eat some more Bacon… and then let your engineers do a version of the Colorado called the Hammer. Give it some serious performance chops, and make it a freaking Off Road Super Hero. And put one in every Dealership. Get the Hammer Pro Team out and run it to the North Pole like what Top Gear did with the Toyota. Run it around the Nurburgring like what Ford did with the Raptor. Promote the hell out of it and show the world that Chevy has it.

One last thing, Chevy. Remake the Avalanche on the Colorado platform instead of the Silverado.

Government, Military

Arm our Armed Forces

04/03/2014 MadOgre 14 Comments

It was decades ago when I first said it… A pistol and a fixed blade knife should be part of the Uniform. If you are in Uniform, you should be armed.
Our Military Bases are essentially Gun Free Zones. Most bases are like small cities, lots of traffic in and out. And the MP’s or DOD Police are too few and far between to be effective at insuring people’s safety. It’s asinine that we expect our Military to “Protect our Freedom” when we do not allow them to even protect themselves. This has always been the greatest hypocrisy and injustice.

When a soldier graduates their AIT… not boot camp, their Advanced Individual Training, and are officially trained in their MOS… Part of that graduation ceremony should be that they are bestowed their weapon of office. A pistol and a knife. These items should be given to them with the expectation that they are now part of their uniform and should be maintained and cared for and that while in uniform they should be worn at all times.

I’ve been told that my idea is “extreme”. Really?

At Ft. Hood, 2009, an Officer shot and killed 13 other soldiers and wounded 30 others. Now at Ft. Hood, April 2014, a soldier shot and killed 4 other soldiers and wounded 16 others. The Navy has had a couple recently as well. Let’s ask those people and their families if my idea is too extreme. I bet there are a great many soldiers – trained warriors – who would have given anything to be able to defend not themselves, but their brothers and sisters in arms. How many of the loved ones of those killed and wounded would have wanted their servicemen to have been able to defend themselves? Ask them if my idea is too extreme.

I heard a pundit on the radio say that they need to have been searches at the Base Gates. Search every car and ever person coming on base. This person is an idiot. We can’t even keep contraband out of Prisons, let alone a busy military base. This person has obviously never been near a military base. Let’s take a look at a small one. I happen to live right close to a small Marine base. And every morning I am in the traffic flow heading into that base. I turn off before the gate, thank heavens. It’s bad enough as it is. Seriously… the traffic is hell on wheels. And a detailed search of everything going in? That’s just flat out unrealistic. Getting on base would take hours. And for what? You take all the problems of the TSA at Air Ports and magnify that to controlling the incoming traffic into city sized areas?

How about we trust our Armed Forces with Arms? Considering that we train them to use them, it seems like a pretty simple solution. A pistol and knife is a lot cheaper than hiring and training an army of TSA type security people to secure every gate and every fence-line at every military base. And you’ll keep the traffic flowing. No one wants to go to work 3 hours early just to get through security to get into work. That’s just stupid and short sighted. Because you only serve to maintain the gun free zone inside. You would have a hard shell on the outside… and inside would be just as gooey and soft as it’s been and a mass shooting could still happen. Because like I said before – we can’t even keep contraband items out of our prisons.

To make this worse, even the Base Commander at Ft. Hood is against the idea of his soldiers being armed. Think about that for a moment. He feels like he can’t trust his own soldiers? Isn’t that an indication that maybe he shouldn’t be a Commander of any base? Here’s a question to you Officers out there… If you can’t trust your own men, what does that say about your Leadership?

Think of the disconnect of logic here… Civilians are protecting our Armed Forces, because we don’t trust them to protect themselves. Yet we trust them to protect the Civilians. Where is the logic in this? Just thinking about that gives me a migraine.

Also note – The shooter in this case was rampaging for 15 to 20 minutes. This has been repeated in the media’s news coverage. So now would be copycat maniacs and terrorists now know the response time at Ft. Hood and probably other bases. And they know our bases are essentially great Gun Free Zones. Which means that situations like this are more likely to happen in the future than before. We’ve already had 3 this year? We’re going to see this happen again and again.

Why? Why are our soldiers good enough to Protect America yet the troops are too inept to be allowed to protect themselves? I’ve heard even other Military Guys say that they would hate to see a PFC packing. Come on. I’ve seen plenty of PFC’s with more sense than many Lieutenants and yet “Officers” automatically get a pass? So an Officer’s Rights according to the Bill of Rights is more important that a PFC’s? That’s bullshit. Utter bullshit. And don’t talk to me about the antics of the younger Enlisted – That’s a direct reflection of their Leadership and you know it.

A few days of pistol training, as a part of BASIC TRAINING is not too much to ask for. You could pay for the cost of a Battalion’s worth of pistols for the price of a couple Javelin Missiles. Here is the extreme part. When the Soldier leaves the service… They keep the knife and the pistol as a token of their Oath. Because that Oath doesn’t expire.

We can roll this out easily. Start by arming our Officers and NCO’s. E5’s and above. Then cycle the rest through training and issuing sidearms as the training is complete. Then issue sidearms at AIT Graduations moving forward.

Arm our Armed Forces.

Uprising

Top 10 Rigs for the Zombie Uprising.

04/01/2014 MadOgre 17 Comments

10. The HMMV, or Hummer. While it is not a ideal in areas of operation where landmines and IED’s are used by insurgent forces, the HMMV offers many advantages. It has enough power and clearance to plow through and over hordes of undead walkers.

9. The Jeep Wranger. Wait, what? Yes. A Jeep Wrangler… But specifically the Sahara or Rubicon and specifically with a Hard Top. Ideally it would be the Rubicon. A 2012 or newer stock or older with something other than the factory engines. Any crate motor swap will do. While not as overly rugged as a HMMV, the Jeep has the ability to thread through areas the big Hummer can’t go. It’s also quicker. Forget the things like soft tops, half doors and the popular Jeeper summer options… You don’t want nothing but canvas protecting you for the Biters. You want something that can get you out of trouble and over those mountains? This is good way to go. That and you can find them at any abandoned Dealership. So just go into the offices and find the keys.

8. The MATV. Built for warfare in areas too hostile for the HMMV, the MATV offers more mine resistance and greater clearance. It’s high saddle allows you to see well over the heads of the oceans of shamblers you may have to roll over. This beast can punch through into areas other rigs can’t go. A turret up top allows one of your team to mount up a belt fed to help clear out path when things get rough. And incase you run into marauders and bandits, it’s armored hull may prove to be a life saver.

7. Chevy Avalanche. The Avalanche is a great truck for a jack of all trades, do everything sort of rig. 4 doors allows your team to quickly get in and out, and the pickup bed can let you guys haul a lot of stuff and it has decent towing. You’ll want to outfit it with some brush guards for pushing through undead biomasses.

6. The Ford Raptor. Sometimes you really need to get somewhere fast. The Raptor can deliver your Rapid Response Team like no other. Fast. Agile. Perfecting for racing over mounds of fallen undead.

5. RAMROD. You are going to need a vehicle that haul a lot of people and supplies. You are going to need a vehicle that can push abandoned cars out of the way and clear the highway. You need a Semi. When you raid that Sam’s Club or Costco or Cabella’s, how are you going to bring all those good home? You are going to have to find someone skilled to drive that if you don’t know how. Don’t worry… you’ll find plenty of volunteers.

4. A Highway Snow Blower. Because sometimes to get where you need to go… You may need to paint the town red. The problem with pushing your way through a horde of zombies is that they will be waiting for when you come back. The upside to clearing a path this way… You have one hell of trail of bread crumbs to find your way back.

3. Toyota FJ. Giving you a more room and protection than a Jeep, but a smaller footprint and more range than a HMMV, the FJ just may be the best Zombie Rig that isn’t a Ford Raptor. Great reliability for when you explore far from your base of operations. These can go anywhere and do anything.

2. A Blackhawk. To get your team in and out of an area fast, extractions or tracking a target… You need some air power. The Blackhawk is tough and reliable and easy to fly… as far as choppers are concerned. And you get to yell “Get to the Choppa!” Because you know you want to.

1. The Centauro. Because you may need a tank. Normal tanks are slow, cumbersome, and the tracks are problematic if you have a long way to go. The Centauro can get there and bring everything you need a tank to bring, and then can haul ass home. You can carry a squad of dismounts with you. So you and your team can ride in style, kick ass, and bring back the bubble gum.

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