[David]

With all due respect to Skunk -- I think I have become "tactical" -- or at least, I am heading in that general direction.

Since I started with THR (12/2002), I have slowly noticed a change in myself.

For example, I just used to just carry a P32 as my CCW -- now I carry a J-frame in my front pocket AND the P32 in my rear pocket as back-up.

That's not all, folks:

I now wear Royal Robbins on a regular basis (I never even heard of RR before I started reading THR).

I how have a Spyderco knife clipped to my pocket.

I now have a SureFire E1 clipped to my other pocket.

And, I have an ASP LED light attached to my keychain.

:uhoh: :what: :scrutiny:

And I am sure I will even become more "tactical" as I learn about even more new "tactical items" on THR.

Has anyone else slowly become "tactical" since joining THR?

[Skunkabilly]

Don't forget the Oakleys. Wear black everything. Your goal is to look like a cross between a specops operator and a bouncer. Roll up those sleeves. Walk either with your arms kinda out (like you work out too much) and stand with your arms crossed. Have your cellphone handsfree set running up your sleeve so you look like an Agent. Did I mention Oakley? :D

In all seriousness, it's mostly mindset. You know all about that Combat Triad stuff right? Being constantly alert mainly. Try not to let anything surprise you, always have a way out, see them before they see you, etc.

True tacticals use tactical judgment to avoid tactical operations that would require superior tacticality :D

[spacemanspiff]

i'd like to think i have become more PRACTICAL than anything. its rather tough to pull off being 'tactical' without getting made fun of. its all in the attitude. skunk pulls if off great cause he can laugh at himself.

its the wannabe-tacticals that get no respect. you know the type, they show up to the range and put on their 'shooting gloves', they have the latest-greatest-foshizzle brand of combat tupperware, they rapid fire every magazine, and hit only the ground at 20 feet. lets see, what have i missed?

[Kevlarman]

Exactly! I used to just carry a Benchmade folder in my pocket, but now I find myself with a mini Maglite on my keys, Photon II light, Underwater Kinetics 2L flashlight, etc.

I even wear Royal Robbins shorts most of the week!

:D

[greyhound]

Alright I'm pretty new so I don't even know what Royal Robbins are, but I'll proly be wearin' em in 2 months....:D

[bogie]

Well, my new favorite rifle isn't really all that tactical - it's painted with that stuff that changes color from greenish to bluish to purplish...

[4v50 Gary]

Ninja invisibility is the ultimate tactical. You disappear in the crowd and can't be distinguished from one "passerby" to the "next." Dress as the crowd dresses. If you're the only person in all black and everbody else is in blue jeans & t-shirts, you're going to stick out.

No clothing, belt bucklet, hat or other item that shouts "cop" to the crowd. You want to be so indistinguishable that people have trouble remembering what you look like.

As far as toys are concerned, the more discreet, the better.

[Preacherman]

I now have a SureFire E1 clipped to my other pocket.

And, I have an ASP LED light attached to my keychain.

You may not have become tactical, but you've surely been enlightened...

:evil: :neener: :p :D

[dustind]

How do you like the ASP LED light? I was thinking of building a led flashlight until I saw that one. Leds can survive anything short of a vice or valcano. They also do not really draw any power, 40ma for the whole flashlight, give or take.

I think you have become more tactical and practical.

Me, I used to sneak around the woods behind my old house in a ghillie suit with all of my paintball gear for paintball practise, I doubt I can get more tactical.

[Deepdiver]

Why, David, you will be getting some BIGGER guns, won't you??

With all due respect, I am sure that you will be considering something more .40-ish, as you pursue your "tacticality" further???

I just KNEW you would be!!!

[duckfoot]

Knew a fella that was also enlightend with this thing, called "tactical". He would pie every corner in his house and duck walk to the range. Guess, Army Rangers are kind of goofy like that.

[David]

dustind -- I really like the ASP LED -- it cost only about 10 bucks (in fact, I had to buy one for my wife and other family members as well -- it was the "tactical" thing to do).

:D :D :D

You are correct, sir -- I am pondering some .40 autos at the current time.

:D :D :D

[PATH]

It sound slike you are becoming very tactical. There is no cure for it at this time. Just go with it. If you have any questions just ask Skunk.

[Kevlarman]

I used to have an ASP Sapphire LED light. It was cool and all, but the non-replaceable batteries made me get a Photon II.

[David]

Kevlarman -- good point.

My ASP LED light's battery did go out once, however, ASP gives a lifetime warranty on the BATTERY itself, so I returned it to them.

And guess what?

They did not just replace the battery, for some reason, they sent me a BRAND NEW light -- now that's tactical, and great customer service!

:cool: :p :)

[atek3]

Ya, THR has definatly tactical-fied me.
Royal Robbins 5.11 pants, wilderness 1.75" 5-stitch, Benchmade D2 AFCK Axis in one pocket, kershaw whirlwind in the other. Alas my shirts are not that tactical (although several are carbon/charcoal CoolMax).
Those are my work clothes.

However, I'm not a spray and pray type. When I shoot at the ranges I mainly shoot highpower. I've learned most of my pistol skills through classes and LOTS of dry practice drilling. (In the last month alone of 15 minutes every other day, I've gone from very bad to fairly decent)

atek3

[Cameron Lamont]

All this talk of TACTICALITY reminds me of a time when I played paintball as a kid.
My brother's friends all had the UBER TACTICAL gear. Laser sights, tiger stripe cammo, little electric fans in the face masks and super duper boots and gloves... they strutted about calibrating this and resetting that... you get the picture.

My brother and I rolled up with a friend of my Dad who was an instructor with the 1 NZ SAS Gp, you may have to look that up.
He was wearing a light blue t-shirt, a pair of ripped levis and white sneakers that looked like they where brand new, and might glow in the dark.

While they polished the carbon fiber and "optimized" their lasers to the atmospheric conditions, he calmly fired just three shots through the old wooden stock pump version that the place rented out, you remember the real old paintball guns you had to tip forwards and backwards to roll a ball into the chamber. He declined a face mask in favor of the sunglasses he was wearing.

Teams were quickly selected and it seems that all the ULTRA TACTICAL guys wanted to be on the same team and use us as target practice.

I think I must have been about 14 then and I was quickly dispatched by some laser wielding Tactical Operator, with a select fire Carbon Fiber 3000K.

The funny thing was, I was not alone long, as one by one those paint ball ninjas came wandering out of the thick New Zealand bush with a splotch of bright paint on their face mask.

I watched that day as the guy wearing sunglasses and blue jeans with the old pump style paint ball gun, quietly cleaned the clock of every last one of the tactical gear freaks, in each and every match!!

Later on, as I sat in the sun holding a cold pop can to the numerous welts that covered me, along came my friend. He didn't have so much as a drop of paint on him.
"How did you do that with that stupid gun like mine?" I asked "They have laser dot sights and full auto and cammo and carbon fiber and..."
He smiled sat beside me.
"Cameron, it is not the gun that wins the fights. It is the guy behind it looking through the sights."

Why do adults think they have to rhyme things just so they stick in a kids memory?

I’ll never forget that lesson.

I don’t know what an ASP LED even looks like…

Regards,
Cameron

[atek3]

cool story

[twoblink]

Yo Dave..

Your next step is to take a "Carbon Fiber 101" class :D

Do you have your Camelbak?

Do you spend more on the gun, or the doodads for the gun?

Have you learned to swivel around Chow Yun Fat style yet? (in slow motion of course)

After you get done with becoming tactical, time for you to start becoming logistical...

[Glockster35]

Prior to getting addicted to firearms message boards I used to simply carry my Glock 23 in a pancake holster and that was all. Never carried extra mags.

Now I have close to 30 holsters for my different handguns, with as many mag pouches. I have a fanny pack for my Glocks, and one for my 1911.

I have a collection of RR 5.11 pants, Sportif 911 pants and recently purchased a set of Dickie cargo pants (i like them a lot). I also have several set's of Oakley (Military only) black eyewear. Boots...well I have no less than 10 pair...but they are all mostly Military issue.

I have several different sure-fire lights, and just placed my order for a bunch of Blackhawk gear.

Most of this stuff I will use for both duty and home protection, but when I move back to the states I will use some of it for CCW also.

I have learned a lot by reading the boards. The posters on THR are some of the best people and like to share ideas.

I won't ever be up to the speed of Skunky...but that doesn't really bother me. Although I do have a carbon fibre car alarm remote (by Clifford)...

[igor]

My karate teacher told about his late teacher who used to view everything about him as an exercise in tactics. Crossing the street, meeting the wife coming home, ordering at a restaurant, any seemingly mundane chore or interaction... often when he got the expected results of his positioning, attitude and timing he'd flash a little-boy grin and say: "heiho!"

This curious, playful, sometimes even mischievous way of viewing the world, constantly relaxed but alert (call it zanshin or SA) is the key to my tacticality... and I'd miss out on a lot of fun little things in life without it too!

But naturally, never without my tactical Nokia communications, the lights, the bat belt and the Victorinox tool... :p I go to Condition Whiter than Any shade of Pale if I wear anything non-black or dark green...

[10-Ring]

:D The church of Skunk is growing! :D LOL!

[walking arsenal]

YEAH!! im hooked too, gone tactical, mag light, Glock 33, spare mag, S&W swat in pocket, fobus holsters, plain black t-shirts, the works BUT i usually top it off with a hawaiian print shirt (great for hiding the tools of the trade) and tennis shoes or other joe nobody garb. look like everyone else, and be awares and if somthing should happen i'll bet that BG will be a little surprised to find himself looking down the biz end of a G33 held by a guy that looks like he tromped off the set of hawaii 50:D

[chadintex]

I used to be tactical, but I got tired of taking longer than my wife when it was time to go out. Plus the batman utility belt gets heavy after a while and wearing a cover garmet gets hot.

Now, its mostly just a 9mm, extra mag, Gerber EZ out, mini maglite, and my Zippo under a t-shirt. I leave the rest of it in common places I will be like the truck, office, house, etc.

Plus, since moving out of Dallas, I can't rationalize the need so much.

[Archangel]

Just let us know when you start duct taping level IV plates to your back.

[seeker_two]

SIGN #1 THAT YOU'VE BECOME TOO TACTICAL...

When you reply to a topic with something like this...

I hold my Benelli at low ready just in case anyone thinks they can take advantage of me being in the head....no reading material to put me in condition white, no sir.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=32758

:evil:

[Navy joe]

20+ years ago I remember my dad always had a BoB in the vehicle. We's from the country, been tactical way longer than it's been a cool word.

Original question. Definitely not. Dost thou mock the church of tacticality by appearing before your brothers with no H&K artifact?

[Futo Inu]

God forbid. :) Myself - no not really. Actually, if anything, I've beecome less tactical since my first post on The Firing Line til today (what's that, about 6 years?). I used (at times) carry 2 Glocks (21 and 27), and a NAA mini-revolver all at the same time, plus some spare mags (oh and a laser on the 21 of course), along with pepper spray most everywhere. On a couple of occasions I even carried 4 handguns at the same time (3 glocks and the NAA). Now, I just carry one handgun and no spare mags (ok, on rare occasions 1 spare) - either the KelTec P3AT or Kimber Ultra Shadow II, and no pepper spray (I now figure run, and if that doesn't work, shoot). I've always carried just one folding knife, and it is a bit more tactical - before I carried a cheapie and now I carry a "name brand" - a Kershaw. As to why, well part of my over-tacticality before was due to my having attended security guard and private invetigator training just shortly before this period, and having one "mall ninja" friend. Plus for some reason I'm just less paranoid than in my younger days - dunno why.

[Stevie-Ray]

Roll up those sleeves. Walk either with your arms kinda out (like you work out too much) and stand with your arms crossed. Please don't do that unless your arms are at least 16". And pressing out your biceps when your arms are crossed doesn't cut it either without the 16" rule. If they're not up to snuff, work out more. You'll know you're hard at it when your hands start sticking to your head while washing your hair.:D

[dsgrntldPW]

You ain't tactical unless you have the Hogue overmolded rubber tactical toilet seat!

[Soap]

Uhh...I think some people don't understand that Skunk is joking about the tactical stuff. He probably trains more than 90% of the people on this board.

Well anyway, my tactical lesson was just the other day. I was in the new management center at Purdue getting something to drink. I was standing in line with a scone and a $5 Tazo iced tea...then all of a sudden...my keys to my Mercedes dropped and rolled under the napkin/sugar/etc. table. So I calmly grabbed my Surefire A2 off of my Wilderness 1.75" black belt. What would I do!? Should I use LED mode or white light mode!? So I went into Rice Paddy Prone and I couldn't see it in LED mode. So I reached into my Assault pack and grabbed my 21" ASP, attached the mirror, and "mirred" under the table. With the ASP mirror, combined with my white light from my A2, I was able to locate which sector my keys had dropped into. Then I secured my keys. Tacticality pays off my friends. Tacticalilty + Dan + Tight situation at Starbucks = Gold.

[Skunkabilly]

Dan, a wise man in Chinatown say: "He who has dropped his keys, has already lost them."

[gong sounds]

Two words: Gemtech Lanyard.

[Hardtarget]

SpaceMan!...I saw that guy at the range last week! Before I could carry my gear to the line, he ran through three mags (rapid fire) finished off all three firing five to seven rounds from the hip...and I did see several rounds hit 20 to 30 feet in front of him...SOOOO un-tacticle! :rolleyes: I mean...if you are TRUELY tactical, (Rambo), aren't you a better shot from the hip?
I'll never be very tactical...my kids just laugh. :D
Mark

[Andrew Rothman]

Heh. What a great thread. I've been laughing my bee-hind off since I started.

I wear the ultimate camoflage -- I dress like everyone else, and I ACT like everyone else. No friends, family or co-workers (except wife and shootin' buddy) would ever guess that I carry. I mean, there's nothing particularly tactical about a cel phone or a Swiss Army knife, is there?

By looking mild-mannered, smiling a lot, and keeping my big yap shut, I avoid a lot of trouble. You know -- the best way to win a gunfight is to not even let it start....

I carry an inexpensive but reliable gun (Ruger P95) with 2 15-round mags in a SmartCarry for the ultimate conceal.

Okay, I admit, I bought a fanny pack and a Franklin-Planner-looking pouch to cover unusual carry situations, I have a SureFire in my GunVault, and a $6 one-AAA LED flashlight in my pocket. A good tool is a good tool.

But I don't live in a war zone. Why would I dress like I did? :)

Matt

[Skunkabilly]

CDI, my friend. CDI.

:neener:

[Andrew Rothman]

Forgive my ignorance when I say, "huh?"

Matt

[Andrew Rothman]

FWIW:

http://www.defense-training.com/quips/29Aug03.html


29 Aug 03

On the Stealth Existence from a friend in GA:

"On the way back from an IDPA match today my car broke down, and I had to have it towed. The tow truck driver was kind enough to drop me at my house e n route to dropping the car at my local mechanic's garage. Of course, I had t o unload all my 'equipment' at the end of my driveway and carry it to the house.

Fortunately, my 'gun bag' is a tool box from Home Depot. My ammo can' is a one-gallon paint can, and I carry my shotgun in a lacrosse racket case, as I learned from you. I was happy that I didn't have to unload a bunch of obvious gun stuff, such as hard rifle case, OD ammo can, and typical range bag at th e end of my driveway in front of my neighbors, their kids, and the tow truck driver. Instead, I looked like a guy on his way back from helping a friend with a home improvement project, which is, in fact, my usual cover story.

The stealth existence makes life tolerable and entails few sacrifices, excep t maybe ego-gratifying style concerns.

Lesson: The stealth existence must be regularly practiced by all of us. We don't want questions or curious looks. What we want to do quietly slip unde r the radar.

/John

[Andrew Rothman]

One more Farnam quote:

http://www.defense-training.com/quips/19Mar03.html


Years ago, Jeff Cooper delineated the "Color Code" and the "Principles of Personal Defense" in an effort to provide us with a logical model for one's thinking on the subject of mental preparedness. I'd like now to go to the next step and apply the same logic to the issue of personal appearance and demeanor, as we all agree that, in the domestic defensive environment, avoiding a fight is preferable to winning one.

Layer One: Nonattendance.

<snip>

"A superior gunman is best defined as one who uses his superior judgment in order to keep himself out of situations that would require the use of his superior skills."

Layer Two: Functional invisibility. We all need to practice to art of "being invisible." It is in our best interest to go our way unnoticed, both by potential predators and by the criminal justice system alike.

Whenever I travel, particularly to foreign countries, I endeavor to be the one that no one notices; no one recalls; no one remembers. I silently slip through the radar, leaving no trace, a nameless, faceless tourist. When in any public place, I try to be clean and well groomed, but I never wear bright colors, any kind of jewelry, or anything shiny. I smile a lot, but talk softly and as little as possible. As we say in the law enforcement business, "Courteous to everyone. Friendly to no one."

<snip>

Layer Three: Deselection.
<snip>

When invisibility fails, we need endeavor to be consistently deselected for victimization. We do this by making it a habit to appear alert, uninviting, self-confident, and strong. At the same time, we never loiter or appear indecisive. We are always in motion.

<snip>
Layer Four: Disengagement: Our best interests are not served by any kind of engagement with potential predators. Successful disengagement involves posturing, bearing, verbalizations, and movement. It is in our best interest to disengage at the lowest reasonable force level, but we must simultaneously be prepared to instantly respond to unlawful force with superior force.

<snip>

/John

[ocabj]

The only tactical gear I carry around all the time is a Surefire 6P with a 120 lumen bulb. Great for movie theatres (gotta check that seat for dirt, food, needles, etc.) and for those tailgaters at night.

[David4516]

Okay, I need Skunk or another expert on Tacticality to determine my tactical factor. On a scale of 1 to 10, how tactical am I:

Clothing:

Normally I wear bule jeans and a baggy shirt. I also like to wear hiking boots, and sometimes a baseball hat. My current hat is a Browning hat, does that give me bonus points?

Weapons:

I carry a Makarov in 9mm Makarov, somtimes I'll carry an extra mag. I carry the Mak "cross-draw", at about 9:30.

Gerber AR3 pocket knife that I can 'draw', open, cut, and then place back in my pocket all with just one hand.

Gizmos:

Mini Mag, the kind that takes AAA batterys and not AA ones.

Leatherman "Squirt" multi tool, the P4 version

Pocket Watch. I'm not sure if it counts as "tactical" since it isn't millitary time...

Nail clippers. You'd be amazed how often these things come in handy, they can do more than just clip nails

Pen. Out of everything I carry, this gets used the most.

So, how am I doing? Am I tactical? What could I do to imporve my tacticality?

[David]

My "Tactical" Update:

I think I may be becoming even more "tactical."

Since I first posted, I have traded in my SureFire E1 for the SureFire E2 (you know, it has even more "tactical" candlepower).

Also, I am now pondering carrying a Beretta Centurion 9mm with pre-ban mags (by the way, this is a wonderful handgun at a great price) as my new CCW when it gets a bit cooler.

And thanks to Skunk's suggestion, I am trying to track down a pair of the new Oakley SI Assualt footwear (if I can find them at a discount price -- retail is $195.00 -- too high even for the "tactical" me).

Yeah, I guess you can say I have become a little more "tactical" !!!

:uhoh: :what: :scrutiny:

[Lonnie Jaycox]

Tactical Rig,
Birkenstocks WITH socks, cardigan (can we say Mr. Rogers), NPR member gift bag (could also be garden or symphony bag), bifocals with a second set of reading glasses on cord around the neck, book in the weak hand. I am thinking of a MMM bumper sticker on the Volvo. You get the picture.

[Skunkabilly]

David 4516, some tips from the Master of Tacticality

Normally I wear bule jeans and a baggy shirt. I also like to wear hiking boots, and sometimes a baseball hat. My current hat is a Browning hat, does that give me bonus points?

What color is the hat? The boots must also be Gore-Tex. Or Danners and/or Oakleys. Jeans must not be Levi's because they are anti-gun. The baggy shirt must have a skull or flames on it. Or a loud 2nd Amendment message (Cold Dead Fingers, etc.)

I carry a Makarov in 9mm Makarov, somtimes I'll carry an extra mag. I carry the Mak "cross-draw", at about 9:30. Gerber AR3 pocket knife that I can 'draw', open, cut, and then place back in my pocket all with just one hand.

Great, all you need is a backup gun and a backup knife. But you're off to a good start.

Mini Mag, the kind that takes AAA batterys and not AA ones.

Ahhh those? If you want small and weak, get a Photon. But you NEED a Surefire!!!!

Leatherman "Squirt" multi tool, the P4 version. Pocket Watch. I'm not sure if it counts as "tactical" since it isn't millitary time... Nail clippers. You'd be amazed how often these things come in handy, they can do more than just clip nails Pen. Out of everything I carry, this gets used the most.

Pen must be some kind of pen you picked up at Trexpo or something. Squirts are nice but Waves are better. Haven't you played SWAT3? You can pick locks and disarm bombs with them. Pocket watches are good because the tritium glows won't give away your position at night. Nothing shiny for light to reflect off of. As for nail clippers, I guess I take back my backup knife comment...the nailclipper will do.

[Glockster35]

Wow,

I guess I am more tactical than I first thought. I carry nailclippers everywhere I go. It's my obsessive compulsive disorder. I have to have clean short nails all the time. But, since it's required in the military...I guess I am alright!

I haven't got to the point where I am carrying the Surefire with me off duty. But I will when I return to the states and carry CCW.

I bought a pair of nice looking GoreTex hiking boots from Cabelas last year, and wear them most of the time. I also wear my Sportif 911 pants quite often. Other fav's are the Dickie Cargo pocket pants. I am waiting on an order for my Royal Robbins 5.11 pants, and a shirt.

I don't wear loud shirts, because hey wouldn't fit in with the climate in Germany, and I prefer not to call attention to myself in a country full of terrorists.

[David4516]

Skunkabilly,

Thanks for the pointers, I guess I've got some work to do.


"What color is the hat? The boots must also be Gore-Tex. Or Danners and/or Oakleys. Jeans must not be Levi's because they are anti-gun. The baggy shirt must have a skull or flames on it. Or a loud 2nd Amendment message (Cold Dead Fingers, etc.)"

That hat is "Forrest Green", it is sort of cammo since I live in Oregon and there are trees all over the palce. The boots and jeans are both "Wranglers", they make comfortable yet cheap stuff so thats why I buy it. The boots are leather, and are steel-toed. I won't touch levis with a 10 foot pole. Most of my shirts have a nature theme, I've got a couple with deer on them, one with an eagle, you get the idea...

"Great, all you need is a backup gun and a backup knife. But you're off to a good start."

I want to get either a Beretta Tomcat or Jetfire for a BUG. I think I've got the knife covered since my Leatherman also has a knife in it. Is the Beretta "Tactical" enough?

"But you NEED a Surefire!!!"

I must be way "un-tactical", because I have no idea what a Surefire is :o

[Skunkabilly]

I want to get either a Beretta Tomcat or Jetfire for a BUG. I think I've got the knife covered since my Leatherman also has a knife in it. Is the Beretta "Tactical" enough?

No, it needs to be .38 or 9mm bare minimum. Like a Kahr, Glock 26, etc. Mouseguns go well with a suit but have no place in a pair of Royal Robbins. I also carry a Leatherperson but usually forget I have it on. I told the guy at the Sheriff's dept I didn't have any more knives and forgot I had two of those on me (I think of it more as a screwdriver because that's what I use most in it)

I must be way "un-tactical", because I have no idea what a Surefire is

Really bright lights the size of a cigar.

[David]

Oops...I left out one more "tactical" update:

I replaced my Endura knife with a new Benchmade Griptilian (one great EDC knife) !!!

Now, that's tactical...as well as practical !!!

:D :neener: :D

[Rogelio]

Skunkabilly....


Plase give me some help, ok??

The only Oakleys I have are my sunglasses (Minute) dark blue with black lenses.

Carry either a Glock 25 or a Tanfoglio FORCE COMPACT(4 o clock). Use a 4" .38spl as backup.Carry extra mag in a black magholder at 11 o clock.

Use a cheap folding knife or a 3.5" fixed blade (depending on the mood) clipped horizontally to my belt at aout 8 o clock

I usually wear either Dockers (with a button down short sleeved shirt) or Cargo pants (with a very nice IZOD LACOSTE in blue, grey or tan).

Shoes....Hush puppies slip on black leather...

Scale from 1 to 10???


Also, 4 maglites (we can´t get surefires)

[Dave Markowitz]

Birkenstocks WITH socks, cardigan (can we say Mr. Rogers), NPR member gift bag (could also be garden or symphony bag), bifocals with a second set of reading glasses on cord around the neck, book in the weak hand. I am thinking of a MMM bumper sticker on the Volvo. You get the picture.

That ain't tactical, that's hunting over bait!

:D

[twoblink]

Just as an FYI..

Heidi Klum says it's ok to wear Birk's with socks... and while she might not be tactical, she's about 99% what a man can ask for!! :D

[Nightcrawler]

I now have a SureFire E1 clipped to my other pocket

I gotta wonder. How many times during the average day do you actually find use for a flashlight?

I can't imagine loading my pockets full of stuff like that; I don't even like bring my checkbook if I dont' have to.

Fortunately, being a college student, I can pack anything I want into my backpack. I also wear a big parka in the winter that has lots of pockets.

[jamz]

You know what is wierd? I've gone through a lot of phases in my life, tactical-ish to totally untactical. LAtely it's been the latter. However, a couple of weeks ago, for whatever reason, I stuck a spare spyderco rescue clipit in my pocket, and I swear, I must pull that thing out five or six times a day. It really comes in handy, much more than I would have thought. Now I will carry it around more or less permanently.

-James
(untactical)

[seeker_two]

I gotta wonder. How many times during the average day do you actually find use for a flashlight?

More times than you'd expect. Power outages, light bulbs burned out, finding items in a movie theater or under furniture: there are numerous circumstances where you'll thank your personal diety that you had one.

That said, I think a Surefire or Streamlight is a little much for EDC. My pocketlights consist of a Photon Microlight II & a Dorcy LED light that looks like a shrunken MagLight w/ a tailcap button that runs off of 1 AAA battery. For a $6 light, the Dorcy has proven better than I thought. Throw an extra battery in you pocket, & you'll get a good light in a small, light package. The Photon makes a good backup light.

If I'm going somewhere where I know I'll need a bright light, I break out the Scorpion or my 2 D-cell flashlight from my truck.

My typical load is the two lights & other stuff that I won't reveal here (I never pack & tell...;) )

Untactical, but prepared....

[Will Fennell]

jamz,
In my business, we love people like you!:D Now hurry up and loose that knife, and run out and buy another one...and a spare!

Seriously, EVERYBODY needs a knife....its mankind's 2nd oldest tool[handy rock =hammer for oldest tool].

To be totally tactical, I know I should carry 2-

Guns, but I only carry 1...

Spare Mags, but I only carry 1...

Flashlights, but I only carry 1...

Knives, well, I'm usually on track there! But hey, its my job:neener:

[jthuang]

I gotta wonder. How many times during the average day do you actually find use for a flashlight?

Maybe it's because I'm a night owl, but I use my flashlights frequently.

My parents live in a very rural area and never use the outside lights. :banghead: So I drive up and park my (rental) car and on overcast nights, I'm in almost total darkness. Without a flashlight, it's a real chore to find the right key and open the front door.

[JonnyB]

As I get older, I find that my vision in low light is nowhere near what it once was. I carry a mini MagLite on my belt at work in order to make out small details in less-than-optimum lighting - under desks, in wiring closets, above suspended ceilings, etc.

Typical (off work) carry:

1 self-loading pistol (Kimber .45 or FN Hi-Power)
1 spare mag - on belt or in left rear pocket
1 Spyderco folder - on belt or in right front pocket
1 Swiss Army knife - left front pocket
1 Mini MagLite - belt, in front of holster
2 Active eyeballs

No Royal Robbins gear, though. I'm not *that* tactical! I do use a 1.5 inch, tapered heavy belt, though.

Jon

[jamz]

I'm a pretty tactical guy, even though I don't carry, or indeed even own a single gun. I'm always packing though, and you know, my little piece of gear has saved me more than once, and I really would feel almost naked without it.

I'm referring of course, to ChapStick.

Most of the time I just carry my primary, but on occaision, if I think the situation might demand it, I'll carry a backup in another pocket (usually weak-side, with the primary on the strong side upper pocket. I might even have one in my glove box, just for emergencies, or if I unexpectedly run out when I'm only carrying my primary.

I think my all-time record for carrying at the same time was no fewer then four on my person- I don't do that much anymore though- the logistics are too complicated, and I feel silly figuring out which would be the backup, the tertiary, etc. Most of the time one is enough. (Maybe one plus a backup in the car.)

Some people have preferences on what type they like to carry, but I feel that for good all-around defensive purposes, I like to carry the SPF-15. Some people like to go lighter, but I feel that this is a good traded-off. I also go for the dark blued model, much less flashier than some others out there.

I kid you not when I say that ChapStick has always been there for me, and saved me many times. It's been able to protect my entire family more than once, and you can't say fairer than that.

I'm a firm believer in educating kids, and I don't think you should keep these things taboo. I've shown my 4 year old how to properly treat and use ChapStick, and he's pretty good now, and I believe that he has the proper level of maturity and respect to safely handle it. It's to the point where I can almost trust him with his own one to carry. Someday I will, and that will be a proud moment for me as a father.

:D

-James

[Will Fennell]

James,
Don't forget to stockpile the little jars or CARMEX[kinda sounds like its some kinda plastic explosive:uhoh: ] to augment your regular chapstick for when SHTF, or as the internet operators like to call it TEOTWAWKI:eek:


:neener:

[Smoke]

Heidi Klum says it's ok to wear Birk's with socks

Heidi can wear pretty much any damn thing she wants to and still look good.

Not true for the other 99.99999999999999999999999999% of americans.

[W Turner]

I have noticed a treand in my buying to replace my old worn out stuff with newer more "tactical" stuff. I am also a cheapskate that looks for the cheaper version of traditional tactical gear.

-I have always worn Hi-Tec boots, most comfortable footwear I have ever owned

- Replaced my un-tactical Timex with a Luminox

-Replaced my semi-tactical Safariland velcro belt with a Wilderness products' 1.5" belt

-Replaced a S&W tanto blade folder with a Cold Steel Voyager XL in tanto, which I replaced with a CRKT Grey Ghost which I replaced with a.............wait for it.................CRKT Carbon Fiber M16-11(add 10 tactical points for the CF)

- I am also looking at the Cabela's version of the RR pants and vest for $10 less per pair and the exact same features and design

- Recently dropped a whole $6 at WalMart for a AAA LED light instead of spending $60+ for a Li powered surefire...I have used and carried it daily for three weeks with great results.


Mino

[David]

I think I have become EVEN MORE TACTICAL since I first started this post a few months ago.

For example:

My everyday carry knife is now a Benchmade Griptailian.

My new keychain light is an ARC AAA.

I replaced my Surefire E1 with a Surefire E2-HA (a super cool "tactical" flashlight).

I sometimes even wear an Oakley polo shirt (in black) along with my Royal Robbins pants.

With the cooler weather, my CCW is a Beretta 9mm Centurion with night sights and a pre-ban mag (instead on my trusty old J-frame).

:what: :eek: :what:

[Deepdiver]

I still think y'all need BIGGER guns!!:D

[Skunkabilly]

I sometimes even wear an Oakley polo shirt (in black) along with my Royal Robbins pants.

I gotta ask....with just the O or the ones with the skulls and flames? :scrutiny:

I don't like Oakley clothing. Those Os on the hat and shirts are right over the 10-ring and CPU...give the BGs visual aids where to shoot :eek:

[seadog]

I'm "redneck tactical" most of the time:

Cold Weather Mode:

Leather flight jacket, flannel shirt, jeans, LLBean engineer boots.
Carry a Springfield Stainless Loaded 1911, polished up, in a Galco shoulder rig. I want the BG to SEE my big gun when it gets pulled. Do have a "tactical" Emerson folder and a Sure Fire 6P.

Hot Weather

Usually a TShirt from one of my favorite fishing tackle shops, khaki cargo shorts, a Smith 638 in the front pocket, THREE speed strips worth of reloads in the other front pocket and a little Spyderco.

It has been my experience in 23 years as a LEO that most of the black clad ninja "actors" fare badly when the poop hits the fan. Tactical is in the MIND, not what you wear.

[redneck2]

I've read the whole Bible front to back, cover to cover twice (Leviticus and Numbers get a little sluggish...but anyway)

where do I get the teachings from the Church of the Tactical Skunk??? I see bits, pieces, and passages from his works, but have never found the complete version.

:D

And, Seadog....that's more like yuppie tactical. No self-respecting redneck (actually an oxymoron) would wear LL Bean. Rednecks wear a Cat Diesel Power hat, Mossy Oak, and carry a Mossberg 500 with #6 shot or a .30-30 lever action.

If you can't buy it at Wal-Mart or the Army/Navy store, it ain't worth wearing.

[David]

Is anyone getting / expecting / wanting any "TACTICAL" gifts this holiday season from your family and friends?

:uhoh: :p :uhoh:

Skunk, my black Oakley polo has the Oakley logo ("O") on the sleeve!

:eek: :D :eek:

[seeker_two]

Tactical depends on your environment....

Here where I live, this is tactical...

http://www.lilligren.com/Redneck/redneck_special_forces.jpg

:D

Redneck Pics (http://www.lilligren.com/Redneck/default.htm)

[David4516]

"Is anyone getting / expecting / wanting any "TACTICAL" gifts this holiday season from your family and friends?"

I think I'm getting some reloading dies for .25 ACP, does that count?

[SapperLeader]

I dont consider myself a tactical dressed individual, usually wearing sneakers or hiking boots, rr 5.11 pants, and whatever shirt suits my fancy, ranging from sweatshirts to t-shirts. I carry most of my gear more as a practical item that i see a need for, rather than tactical points. It is definityl fun though to see all the gear most of us carry.

I carry a fair amount of gear, but its all stuff I use on a weekly, if not daily basis.

Main gun - currently rotated between a xd-9 and xd-9 subcompact. Springfield 1911 9mm will be added as soon as my milt sparks holster arrives.

Main gun - carried in iwb holster
BUG - S&W 642 j-frame in pocket holster
2 reloads in a cqb.com magazine holster
Benchmade griptillian
Benchmade 941ti in casual situations, switched out for a different pocketknife depending on work conditions,
Leatherman c2 pocket multitool with white photon
Zebra pen
chapstick
surefire e2 flashlight
key silencer with keys, leatherman squirt, yellow photon, white arc aaa.
eclipse gum
bandana, field dressing, and a pocket fak altoids tin in a cargo pocket.
lg verizon brand cellphone

Seems like a lot of stuff, but the pocket knives, and keys and the only really visible items. I wear good pants with a good belt, and every item on this list but the field dressing gets used a lot. I carry the field dressing because Im a army combat lifesaver on top of all the other medical training ive had, and feel that adding a dressing and a bandana to my carry gear, gives me a lot of options for handling a serious wound. Bottom line, carry what you feel comfortable with, add and subtract as neccesary.

[Logistar]

Since I started with THR (12/2002), I have slowly noticed a change in myself. I actually never thought about it but...

Before TFL : Old "Titan Tiger" Revolver and newly purchased Taurus 9mm for CCW. Probably less than 50 rounds of ammo on hand total.

After TFL : AK-47 (SAR-1), Full size Beretta 92, P-32 BUG, assault vest (Holds 4 30-round AK mags and 4 15-round Beretta mags plus a knife and some other stuff plus the vest has a built-in holster for the Beretta, has a place for a hydration pack and you supports the use of alice clips to hang more suff off the back.) I maintain a minimum of 1000 rounds of ammo and keep 180 rounds in the vest.

Nah, no real change. :scrutiny:

Logistar

[atek3]

Just when I thought here in the Bay Area 'goin' tactical' royal robbins style was the ultimate in counter-fashion (basically a big f-u to the hippies and commies) ...some punks come on the radio, the RADIO, telling people if you want to get your hip outdoor and tac-gear come to http://www.tadgear.com and stock up.
Great. Now I'll see teeny-boppers walking around with Danners, Royal Robbins 5.11, surefires, oakleys, and wilderness. All their gizmos hanging off their belts in kydex QD rigs.
saying stuff like:
"hey dude, are you like "squared away"?"
"Man that chick she was like high-speed and low-drag, if you know what I mean?"
"Oh my god, becky, look at those carbon fiber earrings, those are really like tactical."

Oh well,
atek3

[Skunkabilly]

TADGear got plugged by hippies on the radio? LOL what is this world coming to!?!!?

[Skunkabilly]

http://oakley.com/media_cache/oakley/catalog/product/apparel/spring_04/lifestyle/ss_element/earth_camo.png/enlarge_one.jpg

David, my friend, you need one of these shirts!!!

[David]

Skunk -- AWESOME shirt.

Is it an Oakley?

Do you have a link for it?

Thanks, Skunk.

:cool: :what: :cool:

[Skunkabilly]

Yep, it's Oakley.

It's borderline ninja but I have to admit it's pretty cool.

But since you're almost as tactical as me, this could put you in 1st place:

http://oakley.com/media_cache/oakley/catalog/product/apparel/spring_04/lifestyle/standard_issue_assault/snow_camo.png/enlarge_one.jpg

[Black Majik]

Ah... but does anyone have CF earwax pickers? :D




















I dont :o Mines made outta cow horns from Taiwan. Uber lightweight :p

[David]

Skunk, you are the king of tactical.

Me?

Not even close!

I don't own a single item made of carbon-fiber!

At least, not yet...

:what: :eek: :what: