Advertisements for 'wannabe warrior' equipment

[Mobuck]

This is a constant thing showing up on my emails. I understand that there are some folks who have actually been there and used the plethora of slings, bags, vest, and similar kit and have become comfortable just having this stuff hung on their body but GEEZ, I couldn't even walk around with all the assorted bits and pieces being advertised for sale hung on me.
You know, I'm out here in the country away from public shooting ranges and such but do people actually show up at 'the range' with all this baggage? Maybe I just need to get out more? UH, no way.
I do have a complete 'GO TO WAR' vest/dump pouch/holster/ammo pouch(s)/holster/fighting knife setup hanging from a peg in case it's needed but it's not something I need to 'go shooting'.

 

[Dave P.]

I don't go to public ranges but at the range I'm a member at I've never seen anyone show up like that.

 

[Doons]

Only time I have seen it, is during one of the tactical shooting classes I attend a couple times a year. I would say 20% (4-6 guys) show up “Battle Ready” for these classes. It seems a bit much to me but they seem to enjoy it. I‘m just an old gummer who attends to get some practice moving and shooting with a pistol and carbine. Several of the full battle rattle guys are really skilled with their shooters. Several are not . Me, I usually somewhere in the middle from a shooting skill perspective and the thought of putting on all that gear does not interest me. They seem to enjoy the classes, I enjoy the classes…. all good.

My wife calls it my “Rambo Saturday”… I stuff mags in my belt, cargo pockets and have considered carrying one in my teeth… there are exercises where I look like I’m doing some kind of interpretive dance to get to my mags…. Rambo I ain’t….. last Fall’s pic….

 

[kmoore]

Never seen that stuff on the range. I also have tactical gear hanging in a closet along with a duty belt. They just need ammo and gear put in the pouches. I have never put the stuff on and took a photo. Same goes to firearms, I do not share photo's of any of that. I do try the gear on and inspect the stuff from time to time. I found that's important since it all shrinks as I age and needs adjusted to fit. Most of my old co workers have the same type gear, none wear any of it to the range or send photos to others while wearing it.
I should state that I had to wear most of that stuff to a range 3 times a year to qualify. I have several photos of me after winning some big matches with one of my rifle's and shooting gear on in cabinets with the award metals and trophies.

 

[eveled]

Its more prevalent on paint ball courses.

 

[dweis]

In real war the less stuff you have to carry the better you do at staying alive. Tactical Toms are just satisfying their need to look like a warrior.

 

[gramps]

My range here on the farm is about 200 yds from my front door. Nope, no one has shown up even closely resembling that. I have a tactical vest from my LE days that has a couple of 30 rnd mags in it loaded, hanging up in grab and go configuration. When I was in LE, we all showed up in civvies, with our guns ammo and holsters in range bags at whichever range we were using that day.
gramps

 

[jimbo1096]

I think you nailed it when you said "wannabees".

 

[Goldstar225]

I haven't seen that (yet). Me personally I wore that stuff with LBE during my military time enough to last me a lifetime. During my LE career I kept a "bail out bag" in my unit. The load out was two spare magazines, extra shotgun ammo(buck & slug), toilet paper, two bottles of water, first aid kit, immodium, advil, rolaids and a couple of granola bars. Not very tactical I guess but I could hold a static position for a while with that.

 

[jyo]

I spent the best part of a couple of decades in the firearms business here in L.A. managing some major gun stores. Part of being in the business was hanging out with shooters of all types---new, old, young, females who had never held a gun (men too) and showing up at range events put on by gun makers and wholesale gun businesses. I enjoyed it all, of course, but a few instances stand out---some guys dressed in full-on military stuff---a guy who showed-up at the range wearing a full "Gilly suit" (!)---guys who had very little experience with firearms showing up with Barrett light 50s (!), and more... Like grandma used to say: "It takes all kinds to make up the world..."

 

[Selena]

Only time I have seen it, is during one of the tactical shooting classes I attend a couple times a year. I would say 20% (4-6 guys) show up “Battle Ready” for these classes. It seems a bit much to me but they seem to enjoy it. I‘m just an old gummer who attends to get some practice moving and shooting with a pistol and carbine. Several of the full battle rattle guys are really skilled with their shooters. Several are not . Me, I usually somewhere in the middle from a shooting skill perspective and the thought of putting on all that gear does not interest me. They seem to enjoy the classes, I enjoy the classes…. all good.

My wife calls it my “Rambo Saturday”… I stuff mags in my belt, cargo pockets and have considered carrying one in my teeth… there are exercises where I look like I’m doing some kind of interpretive dance to get to my mags…. Rambo I ain’t….. last Fall’s pic….

Interesting, out of curiosity how many magazines do you normally carry? My sister in law is always trying to come up with ideas for smaller items to build from her deer leather. Multi-pocket magazine pouches that slide onto a belt might be an option for her.

 

[Ride1949]

 

[RSIno1]

Mall Ninja gear

 

[the_leper_colony]

I used to wear a lot of surplus camo clothing, but it wasn't for range trips or invading small countries - it was for work. I had a job where I was constantly digging holes, filling buckets or sample bags with sand/gravel/whatever, and pulling rock cores out of core barrels, putting 'em into boxes, and logging the contents, you name it. It was dirty work, and I learned a few things quickly: (1) camo pants don't show the dirt, (2) they're cheaper than blue jeans (I got most of mine at thrift shops), and (3) the cargo pockets work great for gloves, safety glasses, notebooks, etc.

But even the folks I worked for, who knew why I wore 'em, would rag on me if I walked into the main office wearing camo - lots of comments like, "Is somebody there? I can't see anybody, but I think I hear somebody?" I would just laugh and go back to work.
:)

 

[Watchman]

I wear a lot of camo pants, because at the end of hunting season they always go on clearance sale and are about half the cost of cheap jeans. When people ask me if I've been out hunting, I tell them no, I just like to dress funny.

 

[Rich/WIS]

My older boy was a combat medic and along with the usual stuff he had his medic bag as well. Load must have approached close to 100 pounds. When on active duty (30 years ago) a flack vest, kevlar helmet and all the normal gear easily exceeded 50 pounds. Recall seeing somewhere that the most common VA payment was for problems associated with joint//back issues from carrying heavy loads. Surprise !!!.

 

[the_leper_colony]

My older boy was a combat medic and along with the usual stuff he had his medic bag as well. Load must have approached close to 100 pounds. When on active duty (30 years ago) a flack vest, kevlar helmet and all the normal gear easily exceeded 50 pounds. Recall seeing somewhere that the most common VA payment was for problems associated with joint//back issues from carrying heavy loads. Surprise !!!.

That's been a soldier's lot in life for centuries. IIRC, the Roman legionnaires were expected to carry 80 pounds (or more?) of weapons and other gear/equipment for a certain distance every day, and that set the standard for many armies at least through the American War Between the States. Most Hollywood war movies are good for a few laughs, if you notice how little the soldiers are carrying (probably because the actors would fold up like Barbie dolls, if they were asked to haul a realistic load)!

As always, FWIW, IMHO, YMMV, etc., etc.
:)

 

[eveled]

We had a guy at work who carried a tourniquet on his belt. We all thought it was stupid until a 19 yo apprentice on another job severed his arm and almost bled to death.

 

[eveled]

That's been a soldier's lot in life for centuries. IIRC, the Roman legionnaires were expected to carry 80 pounds (or more?) of weapons and other gear/equipment for a certain distance every day, and that set the standard for many armies at least through the American War Between the States. Most Hollywood war movies are good for a few laughs, if you notice how little the soldiers are carrying (probably because the actors would fold up like Barbie dolls, if they were asked to haul a realistic load)!

As always, FWIW, IMHO, YMMV, etc., etc.
:)

Yep they don’t carry anything then miraculously have a frying pan when they stop.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I don't need any of that tactical stuff. I am not planning to go to war against anyone. I would rather be a humble cowboy with a couple of six-shooters and a lever-action. It's all just play acting.

 

[bobski]

most tacticool guys who sell this stuff seem to focus on a level 1 load out.
never any mention of the level 2 and 3.
true warriors know that most of it is stripped off and jettisoned then youre down to running with a pistol, knife, flare, beaner, and a spie harness....if things get hot.
and they always seem to.

 

[mexicanjoe]

I carry what I need to the range in a back pack. if it dont fit, it dont go. When I worked UC I usually had a vest ready for roll out, as we normally wore street clothes. Fortunately, I have several ranches to go shooting, and I'm usually by myself.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I work pretty hard at NOT looking "tactical." I don't even wear camo hunting most of the time, coyote calling and turkey hunting being the exceptions.

 

[Watertender]

I work pretty hard at NOT looking "tactical." I don't even wear camo hunting most of the time, coyote calling and turkey hunting being the exceptions.

Good idea... The tacticool guy is going to be the first one taken out in a bad situation. I prefer the "Grey Man" concept. Invisibility is a good thing especially in a conflict. I will go out of my way to avoid trouble but if there is no choice I will respond fully.

 

[Mobuck]

I keep a fully equipped 'load out' rig hanging from a peg in the basement. Complete with loaded mags for AR and pistol, fixed blade knife, and all the other plunder one might need for an immediate 'call to arms'. It's been there since Y2K with periodic 'refreshment' and I'm expecting it to be ready if/when needed.
This is all the 'wannabe' warrior I'm interested in--I'm more of the 'has been' warrior these days.

 

[tazbigdog]

It’s hot in AZ, so it is shorts. Usually a semi-auto on hip, AR sling, and my hat/hearing protection if I’m running and gunning, long pants and maybe a tactical thigh holster.

 

[Hvymax]

I wear a lot of camo pants, because at the end of hunting season they always go on clearance sale and are about half the cost of cheap jeans. When people ask me if I've been out hunting, I tell them no, I just like to dress funny.

That's when you give them the 1,000yd stare and say Yes. Yes I was.

 

[Hvymax]

We had a guy at work who carried a tourniquet on his belt. We all thought it was stupid until a 19 yo apprentice on another job severed his arm and almost bled to death.

I keep the CPR shield and tourniquet on the outside of my kit. If it doesn't require a CPR shield or a tourniquet it can wait till I dig it out of my kit.

 

[Hvymax]

I keep a fully equipped 'load out' rig hanging from a peg in the basement. Complete with loaded mags for AR and pistol, fixed blade knife, and all the other plunder one might need for an immediate 'call to arms'. It's been there since Y2K with periodic 'refreshment' and I'm expecting it to be ready if/when needed.
This is all the 'wannabe' warrior I'm interested in--I'm more of the 'has been' warrior these days.

I'm in the process of making a shoulder rig for my 357sig that carries 3 extra 27rnd mags. Optic, light, laser equipped it's a solid to 100yd choice that I can wear under a light jacket. I also have an AR based and Shotgun base grab and go as well.

 

[Stantheman1986]

Tacti-Fools :)

I've spotted them at the various gun clubs I've been to over the years, the Call of Duty games, tactical AR15 GunSturbation on YouTube and 20 years of GWOT wannabe BroVet culture and walking the thin line of Stolen Valor spawned most of them.

The general rule is, real combat Vets don't wear any of that crap to go shooting. I'm an OIF vet and I wear regular clothes and I mostly shoot cartridge and cap and ball revolvers. That Tactical Range Kyle garbage is cringy. If someone claims to be a Vet and they're dressed like an "Operator", odds are they were briefly in the Guard and got chaptered or they were a Super POG

If they were actually "training" they wouldn't be at a gun club populated mostly by older Fudds who are there to play with .22's. I try to stay away from these people because the last one I interacted with at my gun club, he appeared to be psychologically troubled and just really weird. I prefer to be left alone at the range and I keep to myself anyway.

I have coworkers that carry a 1911 and 5 mags to go to WalMart, and they always wear 5.11 Shoot Me first pants and the ubiquitous velcro hat, and almost always a Grunt Style T-Shirt because the world must know they are a Veteran. It's a bit over the top and I think many of them feel inadequate, and make up for it by carrying ridiculous amounts of gun, ammo and gear.