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Mastering the LPVO: Part 2 – Low-Power Variable Optic Training Tips

By
Patrick McCarthy
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0

In Part 1 of this article, we covered the advantages and disadvantages of a low-power variable optic, discussed important factors for buying an LPVO, and talked about how to choose an appropriate LPVO mount. Now that we’ve addressed these “hardware” considerations, it’s time to address the “software” you’ll need to get the best performance from your LPVO-equipped rifle. Like any complex tool, you can’t expect to use it properly if you’re not trained. The two-day TruKinetics Intro to the LPVO class we attended provided many helpful lessons to keep in mind.

How to Mount an LPVO

Before firing a single round out of our guns, task number one was to confirm our optics were mounted correctly. That might sound like a no-brainer, but it’s easy to mount an LPVO incorrectly, and if you do, you’ll be left wondering why you’re constantly struggling to find the eye box or hit targets. Knowing your optic is mounted securely and zeroed will leave you with a sense of confidence, and that’s especially important for a magnified optic that may be used at 500 yards or more.

LPVO mounting involves three factors:

  • Placement – Is your optic an appropriate distance from your eye? If not, you’ll struggle to acquire a clear sight picture quickly.
  • Leveling – Is your reticle level? If not, you’ll be constantly chasing a proper zero. Even a few degrees of tilt in the reticle can cause rounds to completely miss a target at 500 yards.
  • Torque – Is every nut and bolt tightened to the correct specification? If not, your optic level, placement, and zero may shift unexpectedly (usually at the worst possible time). Estimating “gutentight” is not acceptable!

Tools
Here’s what you’ll need to mount your LPVO:

  • Inch-pound (not foot-pound) torque wrench and/or torque driver
  • Bubble level and/or leveling wedge
  • A small amount of oil to lubricate the rings

TruKinetics LPVO Mounting Procedure

Step 1: Apply a small drop of oil to your fingertip, and rub a very light film of oil onto the inside of the mounting rings. This allows your optic to move freely in precise increments until it’s fully torqued.

Step 2: Set the LPVO into the mount and insert the hardware, turning each screw a few times with your fingers to confirm it’s threaded in properly.

Step 3: Determine the appropriate placement of your optic on the gun at full magnification power. Make sure your rifle’s stock is set to your preferred setting, and move the optic back and forth until you get a full sight picture without shadow at the edges of the lens. Large adjustments can be made by shifting the mount forward on the upper receiver Picatinny rail (never attach or “bridge” it onto to the handguard). Finer adjustments can be made by sliding the optic tube inside the mount.

Above: Instructor Todd helped this student position his LPVO for a clear sight picture before tightening the hardware.

Step 4: Once the placement is correct, lightly snug the ring hardware in an alternating X pattern, maintaining equal gap between the ring halves on either side of the mount. The LPVO should still be able to move a little, but shouldn’t be sliding around loosely.

Step 5: Hold the mount on the Picatinny rail and press it forward to eliminate any wiggle room within the rail slot. Then, with your inch-pound torque wrench, torque the rail mount hardware to the manufacturer’s recommended specification (for example, 30 in-lbs).

Above: The Arisaka Defense leveling wedge is an easy and inexpensive way to quickly level an optic. However, it may not work for setups with tight clearance between the mount and optic housing. Bubble levels are a tried-and-true method, even if they require some patience and finesse.

Step 6: Level your optic. There are many tools for this job, but TruKinetics recommends the Arisaka Defense Optic Leveler ($28 MSRP), which is a wedge system that physically levels the flat bottom of an optic against the mount. Bubble levels should be used to confirm that the mount and optic are completely level relative to the gun.

Step 7: Using the inch-pound torque wrench, torque all the hardware on the rings in an X pattern to the manufacturer’s recommended specification (for example, 15 in-lbs). Watch the level carefully to confirm it doesn’t move during this process. It’s generally not recommended to use any kind of Loctite or thread-locker compound on this hardware, since it lubricates the threads and can lead to unwanted variances in torque.

Step 8: Add witness marks on the torqued hardware using a paint pen or silver sharpie. This will give you a visual clue if anything comes loose in the future.

Step 9: Set the diopter on your optic. Aim at a plain white surface such as a wall and begin slowly turning the diopter ring (obviously do this in a safe direction while following all firearm safety rules). At the correct diopter setting, you should see a clear, in-focus reticle without any fisheye distortion or unwanted magnification. You may need to look away or close your eyes occasionally to reset your vision and confirm the diopter setting.

Above: Diopter setting is specific to the user’s eye, so if your rifle is used by multiple people, you may want to add color-coded witness marks for each shooter’s setting.

LPVO Training Tips

Read on for a few of the lessons we learned from the drills during our two-day TruKinetics class.

Start With a Good Zero
This probably sounds like another no-brainer, but if a trusted zero is important on a red dot sight, it’s doubly important on a magnified optic that may be used at 500 yards or more. TruKinetics instructors recommend the classic 50/200-yard zero — rounds impact on your point of aim at both 50 and 200 yards, and will impact high by a negligible amount at 100 yards. Beyond 200, you’ll need to hold over using the markings on your reticle and the data you’ve recorded while testing your gun (data on prior engagements, a.k.a. DOPE).

We zeroed our rifles at 50 yards from supported prone positions, using a bipod, backpack, and/or sand bags. Our LPVOs were set to full power, and we shot 5-round groups before making adjustments to elevation and windage turrets. Once we were absolutely confident about the settings, we loosened and reset our optic turrets back to the 0 mark. If it’s necessary to dial in elevation or windage adjustments in the future, this will allow us to quickly return to our rifle’s zero, rather than some arbitrary number on the dial.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Shadows
There’s an important difference between a perfect sight picture and an acceptable sight picture. With an LPVO, especially on higher magnification settings, achieving a perfect sight picture without any scope shadow at the edges takes time. In any life-and-death shooting situation — whether it’s civilian self-defense, law enforcement, or military — time is one thing you won’t have much of. Therefore, it’s critical to know how to take quick shots from an acceptable sight picture (i.e. one where there’s visible scope shadow). This is the single biggest training hurdle associated with moving from a red dot sight to an LPVO.

Above: Shooting quickly with an LPVO requires learning to accept an imperfect sight picture. Scope shadow can feel distracting at first, but with some practice, it’s easy to tune out the shadow and still get good hits.

Thankfully, scope shadow is both manageable and predictable. As we mentioned earlier, shadow on one side of the scope “pushes” point of impact towards the other side. In other words, if you notice shadow at the top of your optic, expect rounds to impact lower than your point of aim. How much lower? That’s something you’ll need to test for yourself, since every gun and optic is a little different. We did several drills during the TruKinetics course to check this principle, and most students noticed that even with substantial scope shadow, there was barely any deviation in point of impact.

Of course, if you’re shooting at longer distances or smaller targets, eliminating scope shadow becomes increasingly important, so you should take more time to refine your sight picture. But at 10 or 20 yards, there’s no reason to let a little scope shadow slow you down.

Focus On What Matters
Many of us who have spent time using red dot sights have learned the importance of being target-focused. Instead of focusing our vision on dot itself, we focus on what we’re shooting at and simply remain aware of the dot’s placement. This lowers the risk of fixating on small movements of the dot, which can cause us to slow down too much or miss the target entirely.

On the other hand, those who have spent time shooting precision rifles will know that the opposite is true — it’s generally considered better to bias your visual focus towards the reticle, not the target. This allows us to determine a precise point of aim on the reticle, including elevation and windage measurements, and hold that point on the target while pressing the trigger.

Since an LPVO can be used for both short-range and long-range shooting, you’ll need to let the situation dictate what you’re focusing on. For a quick shot at 1x within 50 yards, focus on the target just as you would with a red dot. A daylight-bright illuminated reticle will help you use your LPVO in this manner. If you’re at 6x magnification trying to hit a small plate at 300 yards, take more time to focus on the reticle and use it to measure the appropriate hold-over.

Above: It’s essential to understand your LVPO’s reticle and take mental notes on hold-overs at various distances. Even if you’re not pausing to use a DOPE chart and laser rangefinder before taking a shot, your reticle will help you quickly estimate a target’s distance and the appropriate point of aim.

Measure Your Misses
As we mentioned before, one of the LPVO’s greatest strengths is its use as an observational tool. That observation shouldn’t end after you fire your first shot. If you hit the target, great — keep watching to determine if you need to fire again. If you missed, the reticle’s “ruler” should give you all the information you need to correct your error. With a red dot, you may not be able to see where your round impacted, and if you can, you’re forced to use a generalized correction (e.g. hold right edge of target). An LPVO offers better visibility and much more precise corrections (e.g. hold right 0.6 MIL).

Above: Misses happen. With a red dot, you’ll need to estimate wind and elevation holds, but an LPVO’s detailed reticle offers precise information to help you make a quick follow-up shot. (This is the same reason why TruKinetics doesn’t recommend oversimplified duplex reticles.)

Don’t Overmagnify
Magnification is a double-edged sword, so use it with caution. Just because your optic can go up to 6x or 8x or 10x doesn’t mean you always have to use all that power. Doing so may give you a great view of the target, but it also gives you tunnel vision.

Excessive magnification can slow down your ability to scan the environment for a target, or it can cause you to mistakenly shoot the wrong target. Dialing back to an intermediate magnification setting gives better spatial awareness — the last thing you want is for an innocent bystander to run into your field of view just as you break a shot.

Above: Magnification should be high enough to identify the target and determine whether it’s a threat, but low enough to maintain spatial awareness around the target. To demonstrate this balance, some paper targets depicted individuals with weapons that weren’t easily visible until magnification was dialed up.

Hold Before Dialing
In the precision shooting world, it’s advisable to take time to measure the environmentals, enter them into a ballistic calculator, and dial corrections into the scope before firing. With an LPVO-equipped carbine, you may be moving around or shooting at multiple targets at various ranges, so dialing becomes less practical. It’s smarter to simply use the reticle markings to hold corrections and take the shot. This is where a “Christmas tree” reticle with a grid of windage and elevation dots becomes especially helpful — it offers quick reference points that help you shoot precisely and quickly.

As one of the instructors explained, LPVOs offer enhanced precision capability, but that doesn’t mean every LPVO user needs to become a sniper. All we really need is “a knuckledragger understanding of how to get good hits.”

Closing Thoughts

The TruKinetics LPVO class culminated with drills that tested every student’s LPVO proficiency, incorporating speed, precision, target transitions, movement, and positional shooting.

In one drill, we started near a parked truck in hilly desert terrain, and moved in a two-man team to assess 10 paper targets scattered through the environment. Each student communicated by shouting “set,” “moving,” and “move” to his partner, and we covered each other as we wove through cactus and scrub brush. Some targets depicted simple armed threats; others were holding hostages, surrendering, or carrying harmless objects that might be misinterpreted as weapons. We used our LPVOs for positive identification of each target, and made quick decisions to shoot or keep moving.

Above: Practical drills forced students to maintain the fundamentals of shooting, moving, and communication while also using LPVOs to positively identify targets at various distances.

Another drill involved a timed competition-style stage, with paper targets as close as 10 yards and steel plates as far as 200. This also involved bracing off barricades and sprinting between shooting positions. We were scored based on one hit in the A zone (head box) or two hits in the C zone (body) on paper, with time penalties incurred for failure to eliminate or engage targets. This was a fun challenge that generated some friendly competition between students, and the top shooter received a prize at the end of the class.

After two full days and 600 rounds of ammo expended, I walked away from the TruKinetics class feeling confident in my LPVO-equipped rifle as well as my ability to use it to the fullest. Although there’s certainly a learning curve involved with any LPVO, overcoming it will make you a better, more well-rounded shooter. I know that my AR-15 can get reliable hits at 500 yards and beyond. More importantly, I know I have enough magnification to positively identify those targets before taking a shot, and I have reticle markings to quickly correct any misses after the first shot. That’s a massive advantage over a red dot sight, even one with a magnifier.

For more information on TruKinetics civilian and law enforcement training courses, go to trukinetics.com or follow @trukinetics on Instagram.

Mastering the LPVO: Part 1 – Low-Power Variable Optic Buyer’s Guide

By
Patrick McCarthy
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0

Red dot or LPVO? Spend five minutes in any gun store, forum, or social media group, and you’ll probably hear someone asking this common question about optic choice. Red dot sights are often considered the default — unless you’re still rocking iron sights, you probably already own an RDS, if not several. They offer a quick-to-acquire point of aim and wide field of view with zero magnification. On the other hand, the low-power variable optic (LPVO) is a powerful tool that can help you maximize the capabilities of your rifle through adjustable magnification ranging from 1-4x, 1-6x, 1-8x, or more. However, if you want to get the most out of it, you’ll need to do your homework.

Above: An LPVO, such as the Vortex Razor HD 1-10×24 seen on the 13.9-inch AR I used during the TruKinetics course, can be supplemented by an offset red dot sight (such as this Trijicon RMR in a Scalarworks KICK mount). But as you’ll see later in this article, that addition is far from mandatory.

TruKinetics Intro to the LPVO Course

Above: Norman offers advice to a pair of students after moving through a practical course of fire in the Arizona desert.

In an effort to address the pros and cons of the LPVO and learn how to use one effectively on an AR-platform rifle, I signed up for a two-day Intro to the LPVO class from TruKinetics. Founded in 2020 by 23-year law enforcement veteran David Norman, TruKinetics started strong with a focused selection of course offerings and a cadre of instructors with highly-relevant skill sets. For a class focused on LPVO use at distances from 5 to 500 yards, you’d be hard pressed to find a group of three instructors with more real-world experience behind these optics:

  • David Norman – 23+ years working law enforcement in Phoenix, AZ, including 13 years of full-time SWAT experience with Special Assignments Unit (SAU); Department of Defense contractor
  • Brian Langoliers – retired USMC Scout Sniper, U.S. State Department security contractor, and Phoenix Police SAU sniper
  • Todd Besaki – retired Army Ranger, federal agent for the U.S. Department of Energy training teams that escort nuclear materials

Read on for some lessons learned from this course, and how our experiences on the range reshaped our perspective on the value of the LPVO.

Red Dot (+ Magnifier) vs. LPVO

In essence, the LPVO bridges the gap between a red dot sight and a medium-power rifle scope. A quality LPVO offers true 1x magnification (or extremely close to it) and a bright illuminated reticle for close-range targets, as well as the capability to adjust quickly to a higher magnification setting for targets that are further away.

LPVO Advantages
Most importantly, TruKinetics emphasized that an LPVO’s magnification offers enhanced ability to positively identify (PID) a target before choosing to shoot. At extended range with a red dot, you might not be able to determine if the individual you’re looking at is carrying a gun or some other object. That’s critical information, no matter if you’re a member of the military, a law enforcement officer, or a civilian. The LPVO is a potent tool for gathering information, even if you don’t have to pull the trigger. And it allows you to obtain this information from further away — that distance enhances your safety and buys you time to react to any potential threat.

Of course, there are a variety of magnifiers for red dot and holographic sights, as seen on Tom Marshall’s OD green rifle above. These magnifiers can improve extended-range PID capabilities with a red dot, but they’re not without drawbacks of their own. According to the TruKinetics instructors, red dot magnifiers are typically…

  • Less versatile than LPVOs — they offer fixed-power magnification with an on-off switch, rather than a range of magnification settings
  • Dependent on the battery in a powered red dot, rather than an always-present etched reticle
  • Open to dirt, smudges, and other obstructions on four lenses, rather than two on an LPVO
  • More complicated to zero, since the magnifier and red dot each have elevation and windage adjustments
  • More prone to shifting parallax, since toggling the magnifier adds/subtracts layers of glass
  • Less effective under low-light environments or tinted windows, due to poorer light-gathering

As a quick example, if a 1x red dot has acceptable PID capability on a given target out to 100 yards, a dot plus magnifier might offer the same level of PID out to roughly 300 yards. Under the same circumstances, a 1-6x LPVO could offer solid PID out to 400 yards. A 1-10x optic can easily PID targets at 600 yards and beyond. If your rifle and ammunition are capable of remaining effective at that range, why wouldn’t you want an optic that can match their performance?

LPVO Disadvantages
Even though each of the three instructors swears by the LPVO based on decades of professional experience, they weren’t afraid to point out some of the drawbacks of these low-power optics. Here are some of the cons of LPVOs versus red dots, with or without added magnifiers:

  • Weight — LPVOs are generally rather heavy, although this has been getting better in recent years. It’s up to you to decide if the extra capabilities are worth a few ounces of added weight.
  • Eye Relief — Any magnified optic (including red dot magnifiers) will be more sensitive to the shooter’s eye position than a 1x red dot. This can be overcome by setting up your optic properly and understanding the impact of scope shadow.
  • Night Vision Capability — If you need to passively aim while wearing NVGs, it’s not easy with an LPVO. Adding an offset or top-mounted backup red dot sight is a simple solution for NVG users.
  • Cost? — At first glance, an LPVO might seem expensive. However, the price of a comparable-quality red dot, magnifier, and two mounts adds up fast, and this often ends up as a wash.
  • Training — There’s a bit of a learning curve for newer shooters to feel quick and confident behind an LPVO. More on this later.

For a more in-depth guide to these points, refer to the article “Grudge Match: LPVO vs. Magnifiers” from our sister publication Recoil.

How to Choose an LPVO

So, you’ve decided to buy an LPVO — which one should you get? There are many good choices, but before you spend any money, you should learn what you need. During our class, TruKinetics instructors offered a list of important considerations for buying an LPVO, in order of importance:

Focal Plane – SFP vs. FFP
Second Focal Plane (SFP) and First Focal Plane (FFP) optics both have their place. This discussion could be its own article, so to keep things simple, we’ll summarize:

  • SFP optics have reticles that stay the same size regardless of magnification. They’re less expensive, and usually have simpler reticle designs that lend themselves to close-quarters use at 1x. However, SFP reticle markings (subtensions) are only correct at a specific magnification value, so you’ll need to memorize that and avoid intermediate magnification settings if you plan on doing any long-range work.
  • FFP optics have reticles that increase in size as magnification increases. They’re more expensive, but no matter what magnification setting you use, the reticle markings will be correct. FFP reticles tend to offer more precise “Christmas tree” markings for long-range use, but can appear more cluttered at 1x. These optics are ideal for users who may need to quickly engage multiple targets at varying distances, especially longer ranges.

Reticle
Your optic’s reticle is extremely important. Consider it carefully before buying! There are four main options:

  • Duplex a.k.a. plain crosshairs — These reticles give the user no additional information or measurements, and are not recommended.
  • Bullet Drop Compensator (BDC) — This gives a “quick and dirty” point of aim for various distances, but only if you’re using the barrel length and ammo the reticle is designed for. For military- and law-enforcement-issued duty guns with consistent ammo, it makes sense. For civilians who mix and match various brands and weights of ammo, it’s not a good choice.
  • Minute of Angle (MOA) — One of the two primary measuring systems, which equates to 1/60th of a degree (or 1 inch at 100 yards).
  • Milliradian (MIL a.k.a. MRAD) — The other measuring system, which equates to 1/1000th of a radian (or 1 meter at 1000 meters).

Above: I chose this EBR-9 MRAD reticle for my Vortex Razor HD Gen III LVPO. At full magnification (as pictured) its dotted “Christmas tree” offers clear measurements to hold for wind and elevation at longer ranges.

If you’re trying to decide between MOA and MIL, we’ll refer you to this article from our sister publication Recoil. Basically, both are viable — even the TruKinetics instructors had varying preferences, with two preferring MILs and one MOA. Whatever you do, don’t get an optic that uses both (i.e. an MOA reticle with MIL adjustments) because this gets extremely confusing. One instructor put it bluntly, “sell that sh*t if you have it.”

Lastly, consider your mission before picking an LPVO reticle. Some reticles are great for long-range precision but will appear cluttered at 1x; others are nice and clean at 1x but don’t offer much useful info for long-range use.

Eye Relief / Eye Box
Eye relief is the distance your eye needs to be from the eyepiece to achieve a full image; eye box is the 3D space where your eye can move while maintaining that full image. As mentioned earlier, LPVOs are sensitive to eye/head position, and can produce scope shadow as the eye moves towards the edges of the eye box. TruKinetics recommends LPVOs with “generous” eye box and eye relief of 3 inches or more. This makes it easier to get a consistent sight picture quickly.

Above: Brian of TruKinetics explained scope shadow with this diagram. The arrows indicate point of impact shift — if you see shadow on one side of the optic, the impact of your shots will be “pushed” slightly in the opposite direction.

Trueness of 1x
Ideally, your LPVO should offer a true 1x magnification, or extremely close to it. If the minimum setting is noticeably greater or less than 1x, you may not be able to shoot well with both eyes open, and your brain’s processing of visual information may be slowed.

Illumination
If you intend to use your LPVO in bright environments, look for “daylight bright” reticle illumination. This will help your optic feel more like a red dot sight at 1x. If you intend to shoot in low light environments, your full reticle should be illuminated, not just the center point.

Turret Security
In order to prevent your LPVO’s elevation and windage turrets from turning inadvertently, choose an optic that has locking and/or capped turrets. This will help you trust that your rifle is zeroed every time you need it.

Above: The Razor HD Gen III has capped elevation and windage turrets, plus a locking illumination dial. It’s mounted in a Scalarworks LEAP 1.93-inch mount.

Durability & Track Record
If you need to trust your life to a weapon, choose an LPVO make and model that has a track record of proven durability, preferably in the hands of military or law enforcement users. Research this carefully and do your best to exclude single-user anecdotes.

Magnification Ring
Put simply, the magnification ring should move when you need it to, and stay put otherwise. Many users prefer a throw lever for fast adjustments, but be careful that it doesn’t snag on gear and unexpectedly change the magnification setting.

Above: Another configuration of my rifle included this Leupold Mark 8 LVPO, which features locking turrets rather than removable caps. Also, the magnification ring has a raised tab rather than a large throw lever.

Glass Clarity
It’s not necessary to get too far into the weeds here, but poor-quality glass can lead to “fisheye” distortion near the edges of the image — this can cause parallax shift problems if your eye isn’t centered inside the eye box while shooting. Japanese and German glass tends to be clearer, but Chinese glass has also come a long way in recent years.

Diopter Design
“This is one of the most important and most misunderstood pieces of an LPVO,” said one instructor. The diopter ring on an LPVO must be adjusted to match your eye, and failure to do so can cause a true 1x optic to feel anything but. An improper diopter setting can even cause eye fatigue and headaches. Like the magnification ring, your LPVO’s diopter ring should move only when you want it to.

Weight and Size
How will you use your rifle? If it’s mostly a bench rest gun, a little extra weight is no big deal. If it’s something you’ll carry on a sling for hours or days at a time, every ounce matters.

Above: If you need to run with your rifle or hike long distances, weight is a major consideration, but it should also be balanced with the optic’s features and durability.

…and Finally, Price
The old adage still applies: you get what you pay for. However, be realistic and don’t assume you need the most expensive optic money can buy. As one of the TruKinetics instructors put it, “Buy what you really need, not what someone on Instagram says is awesome.”

For a trustworthy entry-level LPVO, TruKinetics instructors recommended the Vortex Viper PST 1-6×24, which retails for about $600. If you’re looking for something professional-grade, they recommend stepping up to an optic in the $1,000 to $1,500 range, such as an EOTech Vudu, Vortex Razor HD Gen II, or Trijicon Accupoint.

How to Choose a Mount

Above: In this photo, Todd from TruKinetics is installing an EOTech Vudu 1-6×24 LPVO in a Bader Ordnance Condition 1 mount. Note the cantilevered design that places the rail mount near the midsection of the optic.

Much like you’d be foolish to buy a $150,000 Porsche and install the cheapest set of tires you can find, you shouldn’t try to cut costs with your optic mount — it’s where the rubber meets the road. TruKinetics recommends one-piece scope mounts for LPVOs, specifically cantilevered mounts that allow the optic to be mounted further forward on the gun. This ensures the optic can be positioned appropriately while remaining securely attached to the upper receiver (not “bridged” onto the handguard). Make sure you choose a mount that matches your optic’s tube diameter (e.g. 30mm or 34mm).

There are many excellent LPVO mount manufacturers to consider, including LaRue Tactical, American Defense Mfg. (ADM), Warne, Midwest Industries, Geissele, Badger Ordnance, and Scalarworks.

Above: Instructor Brian’s rifle is equipped with an EOTech Vudu LPVO in a Larue Tactical SPR quick-detach mount. Its 1.5-inch height offers plenty of cheek weld stability for prone shooting. Brian’s setup also includes a backup Trijicon RMR in a separate 45-degree mount.

Is QD Really Necessary?
Quick-detach functionality is optional, but certainly not mandatory. After all, it’s best practice to avoid removing your optic once it’s zeroed. The likelihood of any quality LPVO failing so catastrophically that it must be removed during a firefight is very low, and if that’s a concern, you should consider installing an offset sight system (45-degree irons or a backup red dot).

Poor-quality QD mounts can come loose unexpectedly, throwing off your zero or even allowing the optic to fall off the gun; high-quality mounts should be just as secure as a bolt-on mount, but you’ll generally pay more for this feature.

Above: While low optic mounts offer a comfortable cheek weld for prone shooting, high mounts make it easier to achieve a clear sight picture in more challenging positions. Each student experienced this firsthand after shooting through the various openings in a plywood VTAC barricade.

How High?
Mount height has a substantial impact on shooting comfort, so you should consider it carefully before you buy. Base your decision on the height measurement in inches, rather than vague terms like “standard height” or “lower 1/3 cowitness.” Here’s a quick breakdown of some common choices:

  • 1.2 inches — These mounts are usually designed for traditional hunting rifles, and are too low for most AR-platform applications.
  • 1.5 inches — This is the most common height for traditional LPVO mounts. It works fine for many shooters, and offers a very stable cheek weld against the stock, but it can be a little tougher to acquire a sight picture in compromised shooting positions.
  • 1.7 inches — Another popular choice, and a nice middle ground for most shooters.
  • 1.9 inches — These taller mounts offer a “heads-up” shooting position, which some shooters find faster and more comfortable. However, there’s a trade-off: it may lead to neck strain while shooting from the prone. Muzzle awareness is also important with tall mounts, since it becomes easier to inadvertently shoot the edge of a barricade.
  • 2.0+ inches — These are often referred to as night-vision-height mounts, and they’re more common for red dots than for magnified optics. They have some substantial drawbacks for LPVOs, including difficulty establishing a solid cheek weld against the stock (especially in the prone) and hold-over issues at close range.

In the next part of this series, we’ll cover how to properly install your LPVO on your rifle, as well as some TruKinetics training tips for close-range and long-range shooting with an LPVO. Click here to read Part 2.

Toyota Gibraltar: The Secret Factory That Builds Trucks for the UN

By
Patrick McCarthy
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0

Toyota 4×4 trucks such as the Hilux and Land Cruiser have become renowned around the world for their ruggedness and durability. In nearly every modern armed conflict, you’ll see combatants on both sides using these trucks, often with the bodies clad in camouflage spraypaint and a machine gun mounted in the bed (these are often referred to as technicals). However, they’re also popular outside the military among humanitarian aid groups and other non-government organizations (NGOs). The United Nations uses thousands of Toyota trucks in third-world nations every year, often with specific upgrades such as heavy-duty bumpers, snorkels, winches, and radios. A little-known company called Toyota Gibraltar Stockholdings (TGS) stepped up to meet this need, shipping approximately 650 white Toyotas per month to war-torn and disaster-affected regions around the globe.

A recent video segment from the BBC show Top Gear gave us a sneak peek at the Toyota Gibraltar facility, which resides in the tiny 2.6-square-mile British territory at the southern edge of Spain. This is an optimal location for distributing the white Toyotas, since half of the world’s seaborne traffic passes through the Strait of Gibraltar between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

Much like the scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark where the camera zooms out to show a nearly-endless sea of wood crates, this BBC video shows multiple parking garages crammed with a mind-boggling number of identical white Toyotas. At the time of filming, there were more than 1,000 of these vehicles on-site.

The most common vehicle at Toyota Gibraltar is the venerable 70-Series Land Cruiser. The base vehicles are spartan, with cloth interiors and manual locks. Most of them are fitted with all-terrain tires, upgraded bumpers, roof racks, snorkels, spare tire carriers, jerry cans, dual batteries, and other off-road-oriented upgrades. This custom work is done by in-house mechanics at TGS, using items from storerooms stacked floor-to-ceiling with parts.

Depending on the needs of the customer, TGS can build fully-outfitted ambulances or search-and-rescue vehicles. The video also shows some more specialized vehicles, such as a green Land Cruiser built for anti-poaching operations in Africa and a white Corolla built with shatter-proof film on the windows (likely for transporting aid workers through dangerous cities).

This leads to a question. Given the obvious demand for these trucks in armed conflicts, there’s a lot of money to be made by selling to less peaceful clientele. So, does Toyota Gibraltar also build vehicles for militaries and warlords? The Top Gear host explains, “They do not do armor plating here. This is not the sort of place you can go for a military-specification vehicle. Toyota and the UN do not want to be involved in that sort of business.” We’ll let you draw your own conclusions from this statement, but it’s hard to deny that Toyota has hinted at military applications of its trucks in the past.

Check out the 6-minute Top Gear video below:

New: Vertx Gamut Gen 3 Backpack

By
Patrick McCarthy
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0

If you’ve ever shopped for a discreet-looking every-day carry backpack, you’ve probably heard someone mention the Vertx Gamut. This series of packs has been around for several years, both in its original Gen 1 version and in the Gen 2 version that came out in 2019. These backpacks have also appeared in many of our Bag Drop gear loadout articles, such as Alexander Crown’s Office Escape Bag and Joe Dawson’s Personal Security Detachment Pack. So, we’re glad to hear that the company has continued to refine this series with the release of the new Vertx Gamut Gen 3. This announcement also mentions 3.0 versions of other EDC bags, such as the smaller Commuter.

The new Vertx Gamut Gen 3 is currently available in four colors: black, olive drab, grey, and dark earth.

It’s slightly bigger than the Gamut 2.0, increasing in capacity from 25 liters to 28 liters, but it retains the same core features — a padded laptop/ballistic panel sleeve, a 180-degree-opening main compartment, and a quick-access front flap that conceals a field of MOLLE-compatible webbing. The latter feature is where you’ll find one of the biggest changes. The traditional-style nylon webbing has been replaced with a much larger area of Velcro laser-cut webbing. As always, the slick front flap can be stowed behind the MOLLE panel if you prefer to add external pouches or show off your favorite morale patches.

On the opposite side of the pack, the redesigned Rapid Access pull-tab can be relocated or interchanged with other zipper pull styles, depending on which compartment you need to open quickly. The CCW compartment is also half an inch deeper for easier access, and the side pocket water bottle retention has been improved. We’re pleased to see that the slit-style sunglass pocket at the top of the Gamut 2.0 has been replaced with a medium-sized, full-zip pocket that should be great for storing snacks and other loose items.

While the Gamut 2.0 had permanently-stitched pen/knife/flashlight pockets inside the top of its main compartment flap, these have been replaced with plain Velcro material and a detachable Tactigami Double Admin Panel. This makes it easier to re-configure the storage for various sizes of items, such as pistol mags or a med kit.

The back of the Vertx Gamut Gen 3 has a new air channel material for improved breathability and airflow to the wearer’s back. It also has the rolling luggage handle pass-through and stowable waist belt from the previous version.

Check out this video for a full walkthrough of the new features:

MSRP for the Gamut 3.0 is $265, and it’s currently available on Vertx’s web site. We hope to get our hands on this new Gamut in the near future, so stay tuned for more of our thoughts once we’ve worn and tested it.

Tenkara: A Better Way of Survival Fishing

By
Offgrid Staff
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0

I love fishing, especially fly fishing, so it’s no surprise that I like to count it as one of my survival skills. I mean, who doesn’t have occasional fantasies of being able to bug out into the woods and live off the land? Depending on where you’re located, fishing certainly sounds like a great way to put food on the table. Of course, if you can’t pack the gear, you won’t have it. That’s why a plethora of “survival fishing” kits have been produced over the years, with some being solid and others being gimmicky as can be. Tenkara is a minimalist fishing method that’s surprisingly close to what most people envision when they think of “survival fishing.” Of course, this system does have some drawbacks, but they’re hardly unique to tenkara. In this article, we’ll discuss what tenkara is, the pros and cons, and some basic techniques.

What is Tenkara?

Tenkara is essentially a Japanese form of fly fishing, and both the gear and techniques have many similarities. For instance, both use a weighted fly line to cast a nearly weightless artificial dry fly. In modern tenkara and fly fishing, both the rods and lines are made from similar materials. However, tenkara hardware has many unique attributes that make it particularly suited to backpacking and survival fishing purposes.

Above: A tenkara rod can fit comfortably inside a typical 72-hour pack, such as this 5.11 Tactical AMP72.

The Equipment

The main piece of equipment in every style of fishing is the rod itself. Unlike western fly, spinner, or bait casting fishing, tenkara rods don’t use a reel to hold the line. Because the line attaches directly to the tip of the rod, there are no eyelets. The lack of eyelets allows the tenkara rod to telescope into itself. The collapsed footprint is much smaller than other telescoping fishing rods or multi-part rods, which friction-fit segments together.

The size and weight factor becomes clear when looking at a side-by-side comparison, such as between my Wetfly tenkara rod and my Orvis Recon 7-weight fly rod. The rod tubes only contain the rod. In the case of my fly rods, I still have to pack the reel separately.

Above: The tenkara rod is telescoping and fully retracts into itself.

The tenkara line is similar to a fly line. One key difference, however, is that it has a small segment of monofilament extending from the end, rather than being either bare or supplying a welded loop to attach a leader. This built-in “leader” is very short, making the use of tippet a necessity to attach flies to the line.

The tenkara line itself is also much shorter than a fly line, and unlike a fly line on a reel, there’s no backing. The advantage here is that it packs much smaller, but with the obvious disadvantage of reach. However, tenkara technique is built around the limited means of line management, so in practice this isn’t that big of a deal — especially in narrow, fast-moving water such as smaller trout streams.

At the tip of the tenkara rod is a small string, which is used to attach the welded loop on the tenkara line. This can be done with a simple clinch knot that all fishermen know and can be undone when packing up.

Above: A typical tenkara line has a welded loop to attach to the rod and a piece of monofilament coming out of the end. Here you also see the loop from the monofilament for attaching tippet.

Another key advantage that the properties of tenkara gear provide is that there are fewer parts that might break or need maintenance. In a prolonged, grid-down scenario, for instance, a broken eyelet on your rod or a broken mechanism in a reel isn’t going to be easily repaired or replaced.

Tenkara equipment is also much cheaper than fly fishing gear. The higher-end Tenkara USA gear can come in at around $250 for a full kit, whereas my Orvis setup (toward the high-midrange) was about $750. My Wetfly tenkara rod cost only $99 when I got it, although the same model is now going for $125 at time of writing.

Above: A simple clinch knot with about five twists is all it takes to attach the line to the rod tip. The knot can be easily undone later to break down the rig.

While there’s fishing gear available at all price points, there’s no need to go all-out. My very budget-conscious tenkara rig has caught some nice fish, from Wyoming to Texas.

The Techniques

Above: The first fish I ever caught on tenkara was this cutthroat trout on the Snake River in Wyoming, just below the dam in Grand Teton National Park.

In a lot of ways, tenkara fishing is like fly fishing, but there are some differences. The lack of the reel, for instance, means you can’t strip line, so working streamers or poppers like you may be used to is pretty much out. The shorter line attached to the tip means you’re not going to be shooting line like you would with a fly rod, either.

The tenkara cast is unique as well, with many experts teaching a short, forearm-based cast with more play in the wrist, as opposed to a classic fly cast. This makes it ideal for narrow streams or areas with decent tree cover, such as many of the streams I fish in central Texas. However, I’ve found that tenkara works well with a roll cast as well. Additionally, I’ve used tenkara gear to teach a fly cast to my elementary school-aged daughter.

Above: Small wrist adjustments are all it takes to move the rod tip and give action to the fly. Here, we see a bank beetle gently creating ripples on the water to attract fish.

So, what are the key techniques that lead to success with tenkara fishing?

The first is dead drifting. Casting the fly upstream in moving water and having it float downstream toward the waiting fish, simulating a dead insect on top of the water. While by no means a tenkara-specific technique (I’ve caught some pretty beefy brown trout on traditional fly gear while dead drifting), the way the line is attached to the tenkara rod, as well as how it floats, combine to make this technique feel natural.

Similar to dead drifting is pausing. In this technique, you cast upstream and float the fly into an area where you think — or know — the fish are and then pause to give the fish a chance to strike. You then pull the fly and recast, or let the fly go to another spot downstream and pause again first.

Pulling the fly allows you to work a fly somewhat like a streamer, however, rather than stripping the line you’re working the rod tip.

Above: The rod tip is up, letting the line come down at a 90-degree angle into the water, which is about 8 feet below me here. Gently move the rod to create up-and-down motion of the fly on top of the water.

An iconic tenkara technique is pulsing, where you hold the rod tip high and bob the fly up and down in place to entice the fish.

Tenkara purists are also more likely to change techniques up before changing flies, unlike Western-style fly anglers. Sometimes you need to match the hatch and sometimes you need to work the fly right, so keeping both approaches in your mind will help get bites.

Above: Casting the fly out and letting the water take it down stream as if it was a dead bug is what dead drifting is all about. That was enough to entice this hungry bluegill.

What About “Survival” Fishing Kits?

The market is stuffed to the gills with kits of various quality and composition claiming to be for “survival” purposes. These range from new-style “survival cards” to old-school military survival kits that come with a bit of fishing line and some hooks. So, why would someone choose to carry tenkara equipment rather than one of these “survival” fishing rigs?

Above: Some “survival fishing” setups, like this Ka-Bar, are more gimmicky than practical. For me, setting the hook without the leverage of a rod is the main challenge.

First of all, let’s talk about effectiveness of the equipment. One of the “survival fishing” setups that I tried recently is the Ka-Bar Backpacker Caster, which provides a way to spool a good amount of monofilament and to hold a few lures (and maybe some sinkers and floats) in a polymer handle designed to look like their famous combat and survival knives. The compact, self-contained nature of the design appealed to me, and it cost about $20 when I bought it.

Using it, I found that both casting and setting the hook were very difficult, even though I was able to get bites. I chalk this up to the lack of rod. The rod essentially is a lever, which allows you mechanical advantage when both casting a lure and in setting the hook in the fish’s mouth. Using this tool was essentially glorified hand lining. I wasn’t able to land a single fish, no matter how many bites I got. If I needed them for my dinner, I’d be in trouble.

Above: Tenkara rods pack down much smaller than typical fly rods, and the tubes are much smaller as well. This Wetfly is about a third as big as the Orvis rod tube.

Of course, my lack of success could just be due to my lack of practice. But that leads us to another advantage of tenkara — it’s enjoyable on its own, which means you’re likely to take it out to fish on purpose, rather than having it in the bottom of your bug-out bag “just in case.”

You wouldn’t buy a .38 revolver, never practice with it, and then assume you’d be good to go if you were attacked in the parking lot one night, would you? So, why would you assume that you’d be putting food on the table with a “survival fishing kit” that you’ve never used, and which is likely incomplete?

By incomplete, I’m referring back to the lack of a pole I mentioned earlier. I’ve caught many a fish as a kid using line tied to a stick, but the stick is key. There are many trees, such as willow, which provide branches that have similar properties to a tenkara rod. So, even if you were in a prolonged grid-down or survival situation and the tenkara rod broke, you could fashion a replacement that still allows you to leverage the skills and techniques you’ve built up over time, practicing with the equipment for the pure joy of fishing.

Final Thoughts

Above: This green sunfish was caught with tenkara and a Chernobyl ant fly pattern, just north of Austin, Texas.

To sum it up, tenkara provides an excellent choice for a cost-effective low-profile, resilient, fishing kit for use by backpackers who want to reduce weight, people looking for something to keep in a bug-out or bail-out bag/truck box, or anglers who are looking for something familiar but with new challenges.

Anyone already familiar with fly fishing will pick up tenkara quickly. If you’ve never fly fished, or you’re trying to train children without the distraction of dealing with reels and line management, then tenkara is an excellent place to start. It’s enjoyable enough that you’ll want to spend the time to master the equipment and skills, increasing your effectiveness and reducing frustration if you suddenly find yourself relying on your catch to feed yourself and your family. Tenkara is definitely worth adding to your inventory and skill set.

Above: I generally keep my tenkara rod and a small pouch with the line and flies in a Plano box in my truck, where I keep my roadside and emergency equipment as well.

Gear Up: New Survival Gear for December 2022

By
Offgrid Staff
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0

Welcome back to our dive into the world of gear! In this edition of Gear Up, we explore the latest innovations and reliable classics that are key to staying prepared for any challenge. From cutting-edge technology to time-tested tools, our focus is on equipping you with insights and information that keep you one step ahead wherever the journey of life may take you. Whether you’re bracing for the unknown or fine-tuning your preparedness kit, join us as we unpack the must-haves for this month.

Blue Ridge Overland Triple Run MOLLE Seat Back Panel

NOTES
Many folks take pride in what they consider their EDC, but usually limit that term to the gear they carry on their person. Little do they know that vehicles are often just as important when it comes to preparedness. Enter the Triple Run line of gear from Blue Ridge Overland. They take vehicle EDC to the next level by crafting a back-of-the-seat MOLLE panel and with enough options to suit almost anyone’s needs. Laser-cut MOLLE rows are backed with a high-vis orange underlay, which not only looks cool, but makes attaching gear more efficient. Velcro paneling on the top is perfect for securing grab-and-go pouches or affixing your favorite morale patch. The headrest mount is woven through the entire length of the panel, ideal for anyone familiar with how hanging weight can affect durability. Accessory pouches are sold separately.

COLORS
Black; Black/Orange; Blue, Coyote/Orange

MSRP
$80

URL
blueridgeoverlandgear.com

Breeo X Series Smokeless Fire Pit Firemaster Bundle

SIZES
19, 24, 30 inches

MSRP
$1,039

URL
breeo.co

NOTES
No electricity? No gas? No problem! Whether it’s because of overtaxed electrical grids or natural disasters, food security becomes extremely important. Breeo stepped up to the plate in that regard by putting together a comprehensive system to cook for family, friends, and even a close-knit community. Start by picking the diameter that best fits your available space, and continue by choosing the necessary cooking accessories that fit your needs. The sear plate griddle is great for sauteing veggies or heating up flapjacks, and the outpost grill swivels to adjust how much direct heat is underneath your favorite protein. An adjustable kettle hook makes for easy water boiling closer to the flames, or bringing stew to a simmer when set higher. After a great home-cooked meal, place the lid over the top to extinguish the flames, or use the ash shovel to clean it up for storage until the next use.

Bertucci M-2RA Women’s Field Watch

BANDS
Black, Espresso, Field Drab, Field Khaki, Liguria Olive Leather, Tan English Bridle Leather

MSRP
$85-$100

URL
bertucciwatches.com

NOTES
Analog watches tend to be overlooked in the age of smart technology, but their dependability continues to stand the test of time, pun intended. Bertucci has introduced a new line of field watches specifically designed for women, and it doesn’t disappoint. The classy 35mm case is lightweight, water resistant, and features passive luminosity for quick reference when the sun goes down. An adjustable band made from Bertucci’s proprietary blend of woven nylon is one-size-fits-all, and the case weighs a mere 1.2 ounces, which lends to soft and comfortable wear. In an industry where the majority of gear is designed for men, being able to find an item that’s both rugged and feminine is a rare treat.

Thyrm CellVault-5M Modular Battery Storage

COLORS
Black, Flat Dark Earth, MultiCam, MultiCam Black, MultiCam Tropic, Olive Drab, Rescue Orange

MSRP
$55

URL
thyrm.com

NOTES
A ton of products and accessories require electricity, and in the field, this typically comes from some form of battery. Being prepared often means carrying several extra batteries just in case a headlamp goes dark or an illuminated optic runs out of juice. If you’re sick of digging through a pack or pocket looking for those spares, scratch that organizational itch with a product that’ll keep your energy solutions protected and easily accessible. The CellVault holds a variety of batteries from AAA and 18650 to CR2032. A waterproof gasket seal keeps them safe from environmental conditions, and the tough polymer casing holds up to strong impacts. Integrated straps are built into the case for securing to MOLLE panels, and an adhesive Velcro patch is included if you want a label that corresponds to the type of battery being stored within.

LTWK Handcrafted Knives Frontier Valley

OPTIONS
With or without sheath

MSRP
$69-$100

URL
ltwrightknives.com

NOTES
Rather than collecting dust in some vast horde of blades, here comes a knife that was made to be used frequently. Whether it’s in the field or around the homestead, the 25⁄8-inch blade of the Frontier Valley is just the right size and shape for a wide array of tasks. As far as designs go, it has been a tried-and-true LTWK favorite for several years, and harkens back to Appalachian-made knives of the early pioneer days. The handle material is made from natural Micarta, indexes well, and is comfortable to work with. The blade is 1⁄8-inch A2 tool steel, an alloy steel renowned for its ease of sharpening, and has been expertly heat treated to a Rockwell hardness of 57-59 by Peters Heat Treating in Meadville, Pennsylvania. From game prep to general EDC, this is a quality knife that’ll fulfill many roles. Overall length is 6 5⁄8 inches.

MPOWERD Luci EMRG

LUMENS
25

MSRP
$20

URL
mpowerd.com

NOTES
How often have we heard our public officials warning us about rolling brownouts and blackouts over the past several months? Thankfully, we don’t have to be left in the dark. The Luci EMRG is an inflatable, solar-charging emergency lantern, with no batteries needed. Set the lamp in the sun during the day — eight hours for a full charge — and the light will run up to seven hours in its low output setting. Other modes include high, flashing, S.O.S, and steady red. Luci EMRG will operate within a temperature range of 32 to 113 degrees F, has a waterproof rating of IP67, and can withstand up to 150 pounds of pressure. Weighing only 2.8 ounces, the collapsible lantern also makes a great addition to a camping, hunting, or backpacking loadout.

First Tactical Men’s Tactix System Jacket

COLORS
Black, Midnight Navy, OD Green

MSRP
$385

URL
firsttactical.com

NOTES
What you choose to wear when the weather is wet, cold, or both, can be the difference between just another day and a full-blown emergency situation. Having a three-seasons-style jacket like the Tactix System will happily take some of the harshest weather conditions and ask for seconds. This is a technical jacket that has a boatload of features, starting with its outer shell, which is 100-percent nylon, waterproof, breathable, and bloodborne-pathogen-resistant. Tucked into the collar of the outer shell is a triple-adjustable hood that features a rain gutter brim to keep water from dripping into your face. Beneath the outer shell is a short jacket made from a combination of nylon and four-way stretch spandex, which is also both water- and wind-resistant. Remove the outer shell entirely and either wear it as a lightweight rain jacket, or leave it at home and wear just the softshell zip-out on a brisk autumn morning. This is a solid choice for first responders and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

Black Diamond Soloist Gloves

SIZES
XS, S, M, L, XL

MSRP
$100

URL
blackdiamondequipment.com

NOTES
Frostbite typically occurs first on exposed skin, then fingers and toes, and it’s of the utmost importance to protect those areas when the wind brings temperatures below freezing. When venturing out into extreme winter conditions, a reliable set of knuckle roasters is worth its weight in gold. The Soloist Gloves from Black Diamond fit the bill and will keep your mitts nice and toasty. Outside is a lightweight, abrasion-resistant shell, with goatskin leather stitched to the palm with Kevlar thread. This allows the wearer to grip jagged rock and ice without worrying about damaging their handwear. Inside is a removable, 100-percent waterproof liner, with 170g of PrimaLoft Gold insulation on the back of the hand, and 130g on the palm. The removable liner makes drying and cleaning easy to do, and prevents possibly damaging the outer shell during maintenance.

Wazoo Adventure Kit

WEIGHT
3.5 ounces

MSRP
$110

URL
wazoogear.com

NOTES
When searching for a robust set of EDC tools that are both functional and reliable, you’d be hard-pressed to beat the Wazoo Adventure Kit. This tiny kit — no larger than 7 by 2 inches — is packed with a whopping 23 tools, and after reviewing its TSA- friendly contents, you may wonder why you ever left home without one. This kit contains many of the items you need to secure the necessities of life. Need fire? A ferro rod and fire plugs have got you covered. Need water? Katadyn tablets and 1L food safe bags will help you purify it. Hungry? There’s fishing tackle and 50-pound-test fishing line. The kit also includes several items to signal for help, a button compass for navigation, an LED light for illumination, strong technora cordage, 24-gauge brass snare wire, a braided wire saw, and more. This kit was designed to fit comfortably into any of Wazoo’s cache clothing items, but it’ll fit just as easily into a glovebox or the top flap of a rucksack.

WESN The Microblade

STYLE
Black, Blacked Out, OD Green G10 X Titanium, Salmon G10 X Titanium, Titanium

MSRP
$75

URL
wesn.com

NOTES
Knives have remained useful from the days of primitive man through the age of self-driving vehicles. However, there are circumstances when pulling out a large blade may have undesirable consequences. In some non-permissive locations, there are caps on how long of a blade you can carry in public. Fortunately, The Microblade is just long enough to be useful and small enough to be discreet. D2 tool steel swivels smoothly on ceramic bearings, and a frame lock holds it in place securely. When it’s fully open, The Microblade is a mere 3.75 inches long, or 2.25 inches when closed. The pocket clip helps you tuck it beneath the waistline, onto a belt or webbing, and since it weighs in at only 1 ounce, you won’t even know it’s there. It’s tiny, constructed with durability in mind, and makes a handy addition to an EDC loadout.

Wiley X Mystique

STYLE
Gloss Black/Polarized Rose Gold, Gloss Black/Polarized Grey, Gloss Demi/Brown

MSRP
$100-$180

URL
wileyx.com

NOTES
Vision is one of those things that’s easily taken for granted until it’s degraded or taken away. Wearing a quality set of sunglasses is a must to prevent excessive sunlight from causing irreparable harm. Bonus points if the lenses are impact resistant. Wiley X Mystique sunglasses for women check both of those boxes and look stylish to boot. The lenses are rated to shield your peepers from 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation with distortion-free clarity. They also meet ANSI Z87.1 safety standards for high-mass and high-velocity impact protection. Mystique sunglasses are durable, come in several frame and lens color schemes, and are a great option for an active lifestyle.

Earthsafe Chemical Alternatives Aquatabs

QUANTITY
30 tablets per box

MSRP
$11

URL
earthsafeca.com

NOTES
Hydration is a key to life, and all the gear or survival knowledge you possess won’t be of any use if a steady flow of potable water isn’t maintained. So, what do you do if the only source of water is from a stagnant pond or is possibly contaminated? Boiling is an option, but it requires you to stop moving and build a fire, consuming valuable tinder, fuel, and time. This is where Aquatabs becomes an appealing solution to clean drinking water. The active ingredient in these tablets is sodium dichloroisocyanurate, a tried-and-true chemical that’s commonly used on an industrial scale to purify drinking water. One small tab will sanitize 0.75 liter of contaminated water in as little as 40 minutes, and you can keep moving while it does its work — just scoop up some water, drop in a tablet, and continue hiking. Aquatabs are approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the World Health Organization, and are certified to NSF Standard 60 for drinking water.

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Technical K.O. – Dillon Aero’s Minigun-Equipped Ford Ranger

By
Patrick McCarthy
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0

The term “technical” is often used to describe a civilian vehicle — usually a 4×4 pickup like the venerable Toyota Hilux — that has been modified to carry an onboard weapon system such as a heavy machine gun, anti-aircraft cannon, or anti-tank rocket launcher. The underlying light, mobile weapon concept dates back far beyond the automobile to horse-drawn tachanka carts of the First World War and carroballistas (essentially huge crossbows mounted on carriages) of the Roman Empire. However, according to the book Technicals: Non-Standard Tactical Vehicles from the Great War to Modern Special Forces by Leigh Neville, this descriptor originated during the Somali Civil War in the early 1990s, where NGOs hired local gunmen in “Mad Max-style armed pickup trucks” for protection under the guise of being “technical advisers.”

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in Issue 64 of our sister publication Recoil magazine.

As with other weapon concepts that have persisted through history, technicals still appear in nearly every modern conflict because they’re extremely effective. Unlike purpose-built military vehicles that require specialized, expensive parts and complex maintenance routines, technicals are based on vehicles that can be purchased locally and serviced at any Jiffy Lube (or its third-world equivalent). Their weapon components are bolted or welded in place, so they can just as easily be removed and exchanged. And if the vehicle is damaged in combat, repairing or replacing it is a matter of tens of thousands of dollars, not hundreds of thousands.

Serious Firepower

Above: The Dillon Aero MMC turret system built into this custom bed cage helps the operator maintain control of the M134D as it spews a near-continuous beam of rounds downrange. This weapon produces a considerable pile of spent brass and belt links after a few short bursts.

Arizona-based weapon manufacturer Dillon Aero recognized the merits of the technical formula, but wanted to put its own spin on it — literally. The Dillon team purchased this 2021 Ford Ranger and equipped it with the company’s Multi-Mission Capable (MMC) system, which is a modular, power-operated turret that can accept a wide variety of weapons. The compatibility list includes M240 and M60 medium machine guns, M2 .50-caliber heavy machine gun, MK19/MK47/H&K GMG automatic grenade launchers, the Russian PKM, and many others. But this truck features the cream of the crop — Dillon Aero’s M134D minigun, which doles out a staggering 3,000 rounds of 7.62 NATO per minute. That’s 50 rounds per second, or about four times the rate of fire of an M240. While taking photos for this article, we had the opportunity to send some rounds downrange with the M134D in the MMC turret, and we can only describe it is as a firehose of hot lead. If you can use one without grinning ear-to-ear, we can’t be friends.

Above: The bed cage was designed to accommodate overland accessories such as these Rotopax fuel canisters.

As cool as the minigun is, there’s more to this truck than its armament. A representative told us, “The Dillon Aero Ford Ranger goes a step further with the engineering effort to mount field-deployable communication systems that allow for ground control of military and civilian aircraft. We also implemented overland features that allow for extended capability in various mission settings.” The most noticeable upgrade is a one-of-a-kind custom bed cage that supports the MMC system; Dillon engineers designed and prototyped it using CAD files provided by Ford. The truck also features Coastal Offroad front and rear bumper sheetmetal kits, which were welded and finished in-house. The front bumper contains four Baja Designs LED lights and a Warn winch; the rear bumper has a swing-out spare tire carrier and antenna mount. That antenna is connected to a Mil-spec PRC-113 VHF/UHF radio that sits atop the truck’s dash.

Above: A Mil-spec PRC-113 radio adds communication capabilities to this truck. To save space on the dash, its bulky amplifier was relocated to the floor behind the center console.

Above: Fox coilovers with remote-reservoir shocks allow this Ranger to handle washboard desert roads smoothly at speed.

For improved off-road capability, the Ranger was equipped with ShrockWorks rock sliders, a Coastal Off-road skid plate, Fox remote-reservoir shocks, 17-inch Fifteen52 wheels, and 33-inch BFGoodrich all-terrain tires. Additionally, a Roam Adventure Co. awning was bolted onto the Prinsu roof rack, and Rotopax fuel canisters were installed on the bed cage.

Above: The MMC turret accepts a variety of weapons, including heavy machine guns and grenade launchers, but this Ranger is equipped with Dillon’s own M134D Minigun. We’re told they also have plans to try it with the .50-caliber 503D Gatling gun in the near future.

Although technicals are typically the work of “austere” mechanics and fabricators in war-torn countries, it’s not hard to see why mainstream manufacturers like Dillon Aero (and Global Military Products, distributors of the Scorpion mortar truck we featured in Recoil Issue 61) are getting on board with the idea. It’s much easier and more cost-effective to install a weapon system on a locally sourced civilian truck than it is to send a custom-built military vehicle halfway across the globe and keep it running. Kyle Goodale of Dillon’s Special Projects skunkworks explained, “We’ve had many vehicle platforms come into the shop, usually built for one purpose or another … The Ranger represents the first project of its type for Dillon Aero, where the Special Projects division was given a blank slate to build upon. We look forward to implementing it in our testing processes for various weapon systems such as the 503D (.50-caliber Gatling gun) platform and having a good time with it as well.”

Above: This high-clearance Coastal Offroad rear bumper includes a swing-out with a full-size spare tire, trash bag, and antenna mount.

Dillon Aero Ford Ranger Specifications

2021 Ford Ranger XLT SuperCrew 4×4

Drivetrain: 2.3L EcoBoost 4-cylinder with 10-speed automatic transmission

Suspension: Fox Performance Elite Series 2.5 remote reservoir coilover shocks

Armament: Dillon Aero MMC turret system equipped with Dillon Aero M134D Minigun and Trijicon MGRS sight

Wheels & Tires: 17-inch Fifteen52 Turbomac HD wheels, 285/70R17 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires

Body Modifications: Dillon Aero custom bed cage, Coastal Offroad front/rear bumpers and skid plate, ShrockWorks rock sliders, Prinsu roof rack, Roam Adventure Co. awning, Rotopax fuel containers

Electronics: Baja Designs Squadron Pro bumper lights and S2 Pro A-pillar lights on SDHQ brackets, sPOD HD light/accessory controller, PRC-113 radio with VRC-83 amplifier and bumper-mounted antenna, Warn winch

Owner & Builder: Dillon Aero Inc. Scottsdale, Arizona

WEB: dillonaero.com

Special Thanks: Foothills Fabrication, ShrockWorks, Coastal Offroad, SDHQ Motorsports

Stimulants: The Pros and Cons of Tea, Coffee, Tobacco, and More

By
Offgrid Staff
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The search for super soldiers, fearless fighters, and the ever-vigilant warrior has led man to experiment with a host of different substances throughout the history of warfare. Many of us know about the use of stimulants in modern history and how various substances have been used to give soldiers an upper hand during difficult times. Before proceeding, it’s imperative we stress that many of these substances are dangerous and/or illegal. RECOIL OFFGRID is in no way endorsing any illegal activities; we’re only examining some psychoactive substances that have been used during survival situations, hardships, or warfare. Throughout this article you will see some “Alton’s Insights” from regular RECOIL OFFGRID contributor Dr. Joe Alton. Alton is a physician and medical preparedness advocate.

Disclaimer: This is meant to be a brief overview of the history and effects of stimulants, not a detailed guide on their use. Many of the substances in this article are illegal, addictive, and/or dangerous. Seek professional medical advice before using any stimulant.

Tea

Photo via Flickr.com/vanf (CC BY 2.0)

One of the earliest, and certainly the best-known, mood-altering items is tea. Tea is one of the most widely consumed drinks on the planet and could fill an entire article on its own. According to legend, tea originated in China in the year 2737 BC. As the story goes, Emperor Shen-Nung had some tea leaves blow into his water. The leaves made the water turn a golden color and gave it a pleasant taste; thus, tea was born. Tea has been given to soldiers ever since due to its mild caffeine content, pleasant taste as a morale booster, and its ease of preparation.
Nowadays tea has regional tastes and various healing properties and is a $50-billion-a-year business. For survivalists, teas have a host of benefits. Tea is inexpensive and comes in numerous varieties allowing different tastes to be tailored to the drinker’s preference. Tea plants can be grown in your garden and dried for long-term storage. Different types of teas can help with stomach issues, headaches, give important vitamins and nutrients, and help with sore throats. Of all the items we cover in this article, tea is the most universal.

Alton’s Insights: Tea or Tisane?

Regular tea is different from herbal teas. A tea is officially a drink made from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Black, green, oolong, and white tea all come from the same plant, just processed differently. Things like chamomile or lavender teas aren’t really teas at all, but “infusions” or “tisanes.” Unlike true teas, most infusions have little or no caffeine. A few plants, however, like yerba mate, contain quite a bit. Others contain stimulants like theobromine, ephedrine, or cocaine.

How Much Caffeine is in Tea?

When it comes to caffeine, not all teas are created equal. Caffeine levels can vary significantly depending on many factors: brewing and steeping methods, variety, grade, oxidation, and growing conditions. One source gives the following ranges for 8-ounce servings:

  • Black tea has 40 to 70 mg per cup
  • Oolong tea has 37 to 55 mg per cup
  • Green tea has 35 to 45 mg per cup
  • White tea has 15 to 30 mg per cup

Coffee

Coffee, the soldier’s best friend, second only to the rifle. The origins of coffee date back to the 9th century, in Africa. As legend has it, a goat herder was letting his herd munch on some berries, and they made the goats very energetic. Curiously, the herder brought some of the berries to a holy man who said they were the devil (we paraphrase), and the berries were cast into a fire where they smelled delicious. As any curious goat herder would do, he ground them up and added water, making the first cup of coffee in the known universe.

Coffee made its way to Europe in the 8th century and eventually to the Americas in the 1700s. Coffee became so important to the soldier that, during the American Civil War, it was the most mentioned thing in soldiers’ diaries. In 1890, a New Zealander invented instant coffee, making coffee consumption in austere environments even easier. Coffee holds similar properties to tea in that it has natural caffeine (approximately 95 mg per 8 ounces of black coffee). Coffee is easily portable and is offered in countless varieties to help a survivalist find a palatable flavor.

Alton’s Insights: Tea vs. Coffee

Tea leaves contain more caffeine by weight than coffee beans. An ounce of coffee won’t yield much more than 2 cups of coffee; however, an ounce of tea will yield 20 to 30 cups. A cup of tea, therefore, has less caffeine than a cup of coffee.

Cup of Joe: Friend or Foe?

Moderate use of coffee and other caffeinated beverages has “perks” in terms of increasing alertness and temporarily relieving fatigue, but research increasingly shows that coffee drinkers are also less likely to develop certain medical issues, including:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Stroke
  • Depression
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Liver and uterine cancer

In 2016, the World Health Organization officially lifted coffee from the list of potentially carcinogenic foods. It went on to designate coffee as potentially protective against cancer of the uterus and liver. Excessive use of caffeine still has risks, such as agitation, insomnia, headaches, anxiety, and gastrointestinal complaints. Elevated blood pressures and fast heart rhythms are also possible.

Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are commonplace today. In 2016, Red Bull alone generated $3 billion in the U.S. Pre-workout, which usually has 200 to 400 mg of caffeine, is extensively used by athletes and bodybuilders for an extra increase in performance. As mentioned previously, caffeine has been in use for thousands of years, but it’s only somewhat recent that humans have supercharged it into consumables like Rip Its and pre-workouts. Refer to RECOIL OFFGRID Issue 29 for our in-depth look at energy drinks, caffeine, and related stimulants.

Caffeine Withdrawal Symptoms

Addiction to caffeine is real, given the symptoms that occur in heavy users (>400 mg per day) when they stop drinking it. They might experience:

  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Mood changes
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Constipation
  • Tremors

Tobacco/Nicotine

Tobacco plants originated in the Americas as far back as 6000 BC. The leaves of the tobacco plant were dried and smoked for what was believed to be medicinal purposes. The inhaled smoke provided the user with a euphoric sense that included increased blood pressure, heart rate, and a feeling of increased relaxation with simultaneous concentration. Tobacco spread to Europe and sailors would plant seeds around their popular routes to never be without a supply of the dried leaves.

In the 1600s, tobacco plants were being grown in Virginia and subsequently used as currency due to their demand. The First World War saw cigarettes rise in popularity in part because they were included in some soldier’s rations and sent for free by tobacco companies. The “cure all” mentality of cigarettes continued with soldiers who found comfort in the tobacco’s ability to calm nerves, prevent boredom, suppress appetites, and provide more alertness on the battlefield. Smoking is still widespread within the military — according to a Department of Defense study in 2011, the military has a 24-percent tobacco use rate compared to the general public rate of 19 percent. Today, we know more about the hazards of tobacco use and ultimately how the dependence and other side effects are a survivalist’s enemy.

Alton’s Insights: A Potent Pesticide

Pure nicotine is so toxic that it was used as a pesticide in places like India and the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned such use in the U.S. in 2014.

Coca/Cocaine

Coca can be traced back to the ancient Incas, who would chew the leaves to speed up their heart rate and breathing, giving them an extra boost when performing strenuous acts. These coca leaves were isolated, making way for the development of cocaine in 1859 by a German chemist. From there, toward the turn of the 19th century, cocaine began to be used within medical settings. As was the case with many substances in those days, it was marketed as a cure-all for everything from depression to sexual impotence. The introduction of a highly popular soft drink that included coca leaves as an ingredient helped push the drug into the mainstream.

By the early 20th century, some of the dangers of cocaine started to become apparent; however, by the 1970s and ’80s, the drug became widespread within America. The drug can give the user feelings of extreme energy, confidence, and high levels of alertness. This happens through an increase in the heart rate, body temperature, and a huge dump of dopamine into the brain, which controls motivation and your reward response. Cocaine is highly addictive and can cause heart attacks, panic attacks, and strokes.

Alton’s Insights: Freud’s Habit

The father of psychotherapy, Dr. Sigmund Freud, was a famous proponent of cocaine. After trying the drug in 1884, he recommended it as a treatment for depression, alcoholism, and morphine addiction.

Better Living Through Chemistry?

DuPont’s slogan from the 1930s might have applied in the 19th century, when manufacturers included cocaine in many products, including cigarettes, shampoo, toothpaste, and local anesthetics. Cocaine was an original ingredient in the production of the soft drink Coca-Cola. Combined with caffeine, it was touted for its stimulant effect. It was removed from the recipe in 1903.

“Crack” vs. Powdered Cocaine

Cocaine’s highly addictive stimulant effects can be obtained by inhaling the powder through the nose (“snorting”), mixing powder with water and injecting, or smoking something called “crack,” a mixture of water, cocaine, and baking soda boiled until a solid is formed. The solid is broken into “rocks” and smoked in a pipe.

Smoking crack causes a much faster and significantly more intense effect than snorting powdered cocaine, as it enters the bloodstream more quickly. The magnitude of the “high” produced is responsible for the extreme potential for addiction.

Khat

Khat is leaves commonly found throughout Africa. The leaves are chewed giving the user a euphoric feeling that simultaneously suppresses appetite and gives a perceived increase in energy. The plant is consumed in social settings where things like alcohol may be prohibited. Users sit around with each other, much like other countries would for coffee or a beer. Khat is commonplace in Africa and has been found to be used by fighters within the continent, giving them an extra boost during strenuous times. Most major countries around the world have outlawed khat due to its addictiveness and other adverse health effects such as depression, hallucinations, cancer, and, in some cases, death.

Betel Nut/Areca Nut

Betel nut is found in southeast Asia and Pacific Islands. Chewing the nut goes back roughly 2,000 years and is treated as a social event. The betel nut comes from the Areca palm and is in use by millions of people. Noted for its stimulating effects, commonly compared to numerous cups of coffee. The nut is chewed with other plants, flavors, or seeds to improve the taste. Chewing the nut increases salivation, causing the user to spit. The nut helps the body release adrenaline that causes the user to feel more energy. Much like other stimulants, betel nut chewing is popular amongst soldiers and other people who use it as a boost to morale through otherwise difficult days.

Amphetamines

Amphetamines are a synthetic, addictive, mood-altering drug. They can be used illegally as well as legally to treat many different problems for both adults and children. In warfare, they have been used for over 100 years to help give soldiers an edge over the enemy through stimulation to the central nervous system. This allowed warfighters to stay awake longer, stay more focused, and suppress appetites. Amphetamines made soldiers more confident and at the same time made them feel no fear. Four main types of amphetamines have been used by numerous countries:

Pervitin was widely used in World War II by the Nazis. Nazis appreciated the drug’s ability to help them forget some of the hardships of the war while also giving them the same energy as several cups of coffee. With such widespread use, the Nazis found side effects to be detrimental as well, with aggression and suicide being common.

Benzedrine, or bennies as it is sometimes called, was also issued during World War II to Allied troops. The government claims it was only used under special circumstances; for example, where pilots or ship captains needed to stay alert for longer periods of time. Benzedrine was the Allies’ answer to the widely known Nazi drug use.

Pep pills, also known as Dexedrine, were regularly issued to U.S. troops during the Vietnam War. Dexedrine is twice as strong as Benzedrine and recommended “safe” dosages were rarely followed. Pep pills helped soldiers’ power through extreme trauma from a mental standpoint while also helping with the physical hardships. The increased power of the drug had increased repercussions when soldiers suffered withdrawals, making them incredibly irritable, violent, and even suicidal.

Adderall is the modern-day answer to Attention Deficient Disorder (ADD) and is very close to methamphetamine but technically isn’t. Adderall is commonly found in the military and college campuses due to its ability to help the user stay focused on a task and activate the “fight or flight” response, which directs blood and energy flow to major organs, increasing alertness. Adderall is also highly addictive and long-term use can cause the brain to stop naturally producing feel-good chemicals. In modern times, Adderall has been given to troops in the Global War on Terror.

Winding Down

There are numerous options in the world of performance-enhancing drugs for those who find themselves in dire events and those who maybe just want an extra kick in the pants. Some of them may find a place within your bug-out or survival plans. Just remember to be smart about it. A survivalist addicted to something is worse off than one who’s simply tired.

New: Hatsan Invader PCP Semi-Auto Airgun

By
Patrick McCarthy
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When most of us think of air rifles, we think of the old pump-action and break-barrel models that lined sporting goods store shelves during our childhoods. Those airguns are fun for plinking, but shooting more than once in quick succession is a challenge, especially if a moving target is involved. Thankfully, airgun technology has come a long way in recent decades, and powerful semi-automatic models are widely available. Hatsan USA recently released a new airgun in this category known as the Hatsan Invader PCP (short for Pre-Charged Pneumatic). It features interchangeable air cylinders and magazines, as well as a muzzle velocity up to 1,100 feet per second with .22 caliber pellets.

The new Hatsan Invader is a semi-auto airgun available in either .22 or .25 caliber. It includes three detachable S/Roto magazines, each of which holds 12 or 10 rounds (.22 or .25, respectively). It features a modern-style all-weather stock with an integrated pistol grip, textured grip surfaces, and four Picatinny accessory rails. The stock also includes an adjustable cheekpiece, rubber buttpad, and integrated sling mounts. A detachable carry handle with adjustable iron sights is included, but this can be removed and replaced with a red dot sight or scope of your choice.

As the airgun is fired, a built-in pressure gauge displays the remaining pressure in the 255cc air cylinder. Hatsan says that when they’re filled to the maximum 200 BAR of pressure, each cylinder can be used for “up to 50 semi-automatic shots within 85% of max velocity.” Once a cylinder is depleted, it can be swapped for another pre-charged cylinder in seconds — no struggling with manual pumps or springs. Replacement cylinders are sold for $150 new or $100 refurbished. MSRP for the Hatsan Invader is $610. For more information, go to hatsanairgunsusa.com.

Kawa Mawlayee Interview: Lessons From an Afghan-Born Green Beret

By
Tom Marshall
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It’s sometimes said that “fate is not without a sense of irony.” Kawa Mawlayee is, arguably, a man whose life has been guided by fate. A native Afghan, born on September 11th, his family emigrated to America during the Russian invasion. Kawa eventually went on to serve as our country’s first Afghan-born Green Beret — a career that would take him back to his homeland under most ironic circumstances. From Kabul to America’s heartland and back to his birthplace, Kawa brings an incredibly unique perspective to survival, personal safety, and our nation’s engagement overseas. This perspective is what drives the principles of his company, 2Alpha Training Group, which he uses to help average Americans live a more prepared lifestyle and exercise their freedoms to the fullest. We recently had the opportunity to sit down and speak with Kawa about how he got here and where he’s going next.

Photos by Chris Hernandez

Escaping the Shadow of the USSR

RECOIL OFFGRID: We understand you were born in Afghanistan. Tell us about your family’s experience emigrating to the U.S.

Kawa Mawlayee: I was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, on September 11, 1978. Considering I’m Afghan, born on September 11th, and a Green Beret who fought in Afghanistan, my life story almost all makes sense somehow. My father’s side were all Afghan military. My mother’s side were all bankers. During the height of the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan, the influence of the communist party in Afghanistan had caused great dissension amongst the Afghan military. A lot of soldiers, including my father and grandfather went AWOL and joined the Mujahideen to fight the Russians.

The plan was always to leave Afghanistan, but it got expedited when my father was killed during a firefight with Russian forces. His body was brought back to my family and buried in the famous cemetery behind the University of Kabul, where he remains to this day along with other family members. When we left, it was mostly my mother’s side of the family. My father’s side left soon after, but they went to the UK and Holland.

At the time of our departure, I was 3 years old, and my sister was a newborn. My grandfather made several trips from Afghanistan to deliver us to our new house in Pakistan. On one of those trips, it was my mom, my sister, and I. My grandfather, being a banker, was always in a nice suit with his face shaved. At the last Mujahideen checkpoint, two fighters boarded our bus, along with many other Afghans fleeing. They would routinely check for members of the communist party or ask for donations of money and food toward their cause.

They saw my grandfather with a suit and no beard and decided to interrogate him further. They took him off the bus and made him kneel in the dirt with AKs pointed at his head. They accused him of being part of the communist party or a sympathizer due to his appearance. Meanwhile, my mother (21 at the time) was watching all this from her seat on the bus. My grandfather provided proof of his employment as a banker and was able to convince them that he wasn’t a member of the communist party.

The two fighters told him that since he was a banker, he should donate some money to them. My grandfather was able to pull a few thousand dollars out of his pocket and hand it to them. We spent the next seven months in Pakistan waiting for our paperwork to be approved so we could come to America.

Above: Through his military career and beyond, Kawa has dedicated his career to improving and optimizing his skill-at-arms.

Where in the U.S. did you grow up?

KM: Once we left Pakistan, we flew to Lincoln, Nebraska, where my oldest uncle was already a foreign exchange student. We settled and started making a life for ourselves. My grandfather had made that Kabul to Pakistan trip four times, getting all his children and grandchildren out of the war zone. We were a very tight family who always came together for dinners and other gatherings. Lincoln, back in the early ’80s, was still very much a small Midwestern town — nothing more than farmers and college football. It was perfect for raising a family and growing up, but for fresh immigrants from Afghanistan, it was a foreign country with a strange language, customs, and traditions.

What kinds of challenges (if any) did you face growing up in American culture with parents who grew up with Afghan culture?

KM: I think with any new immigrants, there is always a stigma of being stereotyped or judged by our appearance and accent. I’m sure my mom and the other grown-ups had their fair share of experiences with that. Growing up, I didn’t face much of that kind of treatment since my sister and I were young and started speaking English fairly quickly. Throughout high school and college, there were several isolated incidents where other students would make racially charged comments or comments based off stereotypes. But for the most part, we were treated well by everyone. I grew up to realize that we were accepted and taken in with open arms.

From Marine Corps Infantry to Army Special Forces

What drew you to the idea of military service?

KM: There were a few things stirring in me that led me to my final decision to join the military. Since all the males in my family served in the military, I felt like it was in my blood. However, the primary reason I joined was due to an overwhelming sense of gratitude for our new lives. I wanted to repay the country that took us in as immigrants and gave us every opportunity to better our quality of life. In America, we had freedoms that most of my family never experienced before.

Tell us about the first part of your military career as an enlisted Marine. When did you join, what MOS did you hold, and what kind of deployment experience did you have?

KM: I joined the Marine Corps out of college in the year 2000. I wanted infantry, even though the recruiter saw my IQ and ASVAB scores and told me I should go into intel. I told him either give me 0311 infantryman or I’ll go across the hall to the Army.

When I joined the Marines, deployments were only defined by MEUs (Marine Expeditionary Unit), meaning that we would get on a Naval ship and sail across the world to conduct training exercises. In 2001, I went on the 31st MEU to places like South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Philippines, Singapore, and Okinawa. In February of 2003, we deployed to OIF I for the invasion into Iraq. Our first firefight was an Iraqi Republican Guard ambush. My hand was trembling so bad, I couldn’t get my magazine into my rifle. My buddy had to grab my hand and tell me to take a breath. After that first firefight, something changed in all of us. It was like training kicked in, and we knew what to do each time. We suffered casualties, but it was from conventional methods, not IEDs or mortars like insurgencies. I saw people get hurt, die, and shut down … like literally lay their weapons down and say they’re done.

Halfway through the deployment, I got promoted to fireteam leader and was in charge of three other Marines. It was my first taste of leadership in combat. The third deployment was back to Iraq in late 2004 for Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah. I was a Squad Leader in charge of 17 Marines, including “attachments” like sniper and mortar teams. I describe Operation Phantom Fury as the worst and best deployment I’ve ever had. It really taught me who I am and who I want to be moving forward.

When did you get out of the Marines, and what did you do between then and re-entering service with the Army?

KM: After we got back from Fallujah, I decided to get out. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do just yet, but I needed a break. I left the Marines and decided that I was going to take a few months and clear my head. I loved the Marine Corps. I loved the infantry. I was good at it, but I was torn between staying in the infantry or going somewhere better. I eventually decided to join the Army and try out for Special Forces. I knew it wasn’t guaranteed and that if I failed, they’d send me to a conventional infantry unit. But I realized that Army Green Berets have the best mission set out of all the other Special Operations units. They are indeed the jack of all trades, with a specialty in unconventional warfare. Who wouldn’t want to be a Green Beret when you understand what they’re capable of?

Special Forces teams are known, in particular, for the ability to integrate with local forces in hostile countries. They undergo specific training in foreign language and cultural awareness to better execute their missions around the world. How did your Afghan heritage affect your SF training? Did it limit you to only operating in that part of the world? Did it provide any benefits or advantages along the way?

KM: Being Afghan, Muslim, and being able to speak Afghan Dari and Persian Farsi made me an asset that 5th Special Forces Group recognized from day one. They knew exactly what my career progression would look like in regard to training, schools, and missions. I got to do a lot of things that normal Green Berets didn’t get to. I did my best to relay my understanding of Middle Eastern cultures to other Green Berets so they could have some insight to how to conduct themselves in country. My proficiency in my languages meant that I could listen in on conversations and vet our host-nation counterparts. And once I let them in on the secret that I was from Afghanistan, it was like instant rapport was established.

Understanding Afghanistan

What do you think the U.S. got wrong about their expectations of military involvement with Afghanistan and subsequent withdrawal?

KM: Before I go into this answer, I want everyone to understand my stance on war. After seeing it in several countries now … I’m 100-percent against war. The only war I would support now is the one where a foreign country would dare invade U.S. soil. With that said, I believe we should have never been in Afghanistan in the first place. I feel the same about Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. We spent two decades fighting a war in a country with very little to no benefit to our country or foreign policy. Thousands of American soldiers’ lives lost. Almost 200,000 Afghans died. Hundreds of thousands had to displace. Other than setting up a puppet government and establishing a banking system, I’m not sure what all was accomplished in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has never been held by any foreign occupation. Going back to before the days of Alexander the Great, Afghanistan was simple to occupy, but impossible to hold. Afghans have always been tribal. When there wasn’t a foreign occupation, they fought amongst themselves for territory and power. But when a foreign force did invade, they made peace treaties and joined forces to fight the foreigners. It happened to Darius of Babylonia, Alexander the Great, the Caliphate armies, Genghis Khan, Tamerlane, descendants of Attila the Hun, the Chinese Steppe Armies, the Indian Elephant armies, the Russians, the British, and now the U.S.

All that the people of Afghanistan know is how to fight against enemies far superior to them. You can’t simply convert 2,500 years of war-torn culture into a peaceful Western democracy in 20 years. As for the sudden withdrawal from Afghanistan, it was as backward as it gets when executing the last phases of a theater of war. The fact that we allowed so many Americans and Afghan counterparts to be stranded there without security or aid is mind-boggling. The fact that we abandoned $7 billion dollars’ worth of military equipment to fall into the hands of the Taliban and their foreign counterparts makes me almost believe that it was done with intention. Even a lowly Green Beret like myself knows that the non-essential people get evacuated first, then the equipment, and lastly the security forces. You can’t pin this on one man. You have an entire cabinet of very smart think-tank people who knew exactly how to proceed yet chose to do it this way. I think this withdrawal will go down in history as one of the biggest strategic fumbles of the American military.

Above: Through his training company 2Alpha Training Group, Kawa continues to spread his knowledge and experience to military, LEO, and civilian shooters alike.

What do you think the biggest misconception is about Afghani culture?

KM: I believe it’s that the U.S. government and perhaps even the American people believe that the people of Afghanistan needed our help, hence why we (the people) stood by for so long and accepted the 20-year war there. The truth is the Afghan people never asked for help, nor would they. They are a proud people who have handled their own issues for centuries, if not longer. In addition, Afghanistan’s culture has gotten wrapped into the blanket perception of other Middle Eastern countries. Islam isn’t the driving force in Afghanistan, like it is in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, or Libya. However, due to the Taliban’s emphasis on extreme Islam, many people believe the Taliban is a religious group who want to incorporate Sharia Law. Their leadership’s goal is to control the future of Afghanistan, and they know that using Islam is the easiest way to recruit most of their fighters. The average Taliban fighter can’t even read, and most of them wouldn’t know the first thing about the Quran. Most of them do it because they feel it’s right, mainly due to sheer ignorance.

Above: Small-group training is a professional specialty for Special Forces soldiers, and Kawa brings this well-honed skill to all of his classes.

Preparedness Training for Every American

When did you get out of the Army, and what drove that decision?

KM: Technically, I’m still in the Army as of now. I didn’t decide to leave. The Army is kicking me out because I decided that I won’t be getting the COVID vaccine. I was ordered several times to reconsider, but I refused. On a unit level, they tried to help me by encouraging me to apply for a medical or religious exemption, but I refused those as well. Although I’ve taken plenty of vaccines in the military in the 21 years I’ve served, we also knew that these other vaccinations had a good track record. I know people personally who have died, have gotten extremely sick, and even two who have lost the ability to walk and developed seizures from the COVID vaccines. I simply refused the vaccine, signed my final counseling statement, and am now waiting for the Army to kick me out. I wish I was alone in this, but I know many other Green Berets from the Regiment that have made the same decision.

Based on your experiences overseas, what’s one lesson you’d like to teach the average American about emergency preparedness?

KM: Gun skills and fighting skills are great to have, but none of it matters if we’re inherently putting ourselves in a position where we lose situational awareness. Without situational awareness, it won’t matter how fast you can draw a gun. When we teach this at 2Alpha Training Group, we call this being proactive or being an Active Citizen. Being proactive in your situational awareness could give you enough data to help you mitigate or hastily exit a bad situation.

Other than SA, I highly recommend you seek medical training in your local areas. At the minimum, take some Stop the Bleed courses or CPR courses. The chance of you having to draw your gun is very slim, but the chances of you having to render medical aid to someone is far greater.

Tell us about 2Alpha Training Group, and what you guys do there.

KM: 2Alpha Training Group is the firearms and tactics training company I started back in early 2017. I spent several years as cadre at SFAUC (Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat) for 5th Special Forces Group, which drove me to hone my shooting and tactics skills. I also got good at public speaking and delivery of curriculum. In 2015, I decided to start an Instagram page with 15-second shooting videos. I kept that page private for the first six months due to still being in deployment status. Once I got to SFAUC, I made the page public so others could benefit from those videos.

I started hosting local classes for civilians. Fast-forward five years and now I have two main instructors as well as a few guest instructors that I routinely use to teach around the country. We offer a wide variety of mobile courses from the fundamentals to very advanced protocols, lowlight tactics, concealed carry tactics, team CQB/VCQB, one-man CQB, and even medical courses. Lastly, we consult for film, TV, and video games. I recently just got back from Spain where I was the military advisor on Guy Ritchie’s new movie The Interpreter with Jake Gyllenhaal. We also have a major project we’re currently working on that will change the way people access our instruction and the way they train on their own. Hopefully, we’ll be able to launch the project sometime in the second half of 2023.

Internet trends and fads seem to have a big influence on people’s gear choices these days. Are there any gear trends you wish would disappear, or new ones you’d like to start?

KM: The evolution of gear is a perpetual cycle. I think most civilians look at Special Operations as the standard for gear and try to emulate that on their own. That allows smart people to come up with ways to evolve gear which, if successful, gets the attention of Special Operations. The cycle is mostly a positive one, but it has pros and cons. I think abdominal pouches for medical purposes are a brilliant addition to our plate carriers using real estate that beforehand, was useless. Now we can have an entire medical fold-out pouch in our lap without having to take off range belts. The one thing I’d like to see go away is drop leg holsters. Holsters that get attached to the leg are completely obsolete. Drop holsters coming off your range belt with a thigh strap are ideal, especially since more and more manufacturers are finding ways to allow for those holsters to swivel and not get bound up on the leg.

About Kawa Mawlayee

Age: 43

Hometown: Lincoln, NE (now residing in Houston, TX)

Military experience: 21 years total — 5 years in the Marine Corps infantry, 15 years in Army Special Forces

Favorite quote: “The possession of great power necessarily implies great responsibility.” — William Lamb (French Revolution, 1817)

Favorite food: Mantu, an Afghan dish using wontons stuffed with seasoned ground beef, caramelized onions, and mashed potatoes. It comes with a special sauce that’s drizzled on top.

Favorite movie: Braveheart

Favorite gun: Favorite rifle is my 12.5-inch Gladius from Cobalt Kinetics. Favorite pistol is my stock Glock 19X.

Recommended reading list:

  • Afghanistan: A Military History from Alexander the Great to the War Against the Taliban by Stephen Tanner
  • The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare by Damien Lewis
  • Anything Star Wars (I’m a big SW nerd)

URL: www.2alphatraininggroup.com

Kawa’s EDC Gear

  • Glock 43X with extra mag
  • Benchmade SOCP dagger
  • SureFire E2D Defender Ultra flashlight
  • Converted Jansport backpack with Grey Man Tactical rigid MOLLE panel, Cobalt Kinetics 7.5-inch folding AR pistol, three mags, trauma medical pack, shears, two TQs, daytime and nighttime recognition signals, AA and CR123 batteries, IR and red chemlights, phone charger, lighter, and iodine tablets
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