CHECK YOUR GUNSAFE! We all have the same guns!!!

[threefeathers]

The answer to standardized training is not as obvious to those who have never benn to basic and hard to grasp to those who never saw combat. In 24 years as a 11B and then 19D I saw much difference between those who were adaquately trained and those who weren't. The lie most of us like is that Militia waon the revolution. I think the bes depiction of this is The Patriot. Even Marion realized that his Militia would stand up for a maximum of 2 rounds in a real fight. Militia is at best a pain in the ass, take Iraq today. This isn't Normandy, The Chosin, or Khe Sanh. If it wasn't for the press we wouldn't be paying that much attention.

The most those without training could do is be a royal pain while a tough standing army is trained, ala Valley Forge. Like then we could tie down units, kill leaders, pillage, and raise general hell while enticing the 82nd to come over to us.

 

[parados]

I couldn't agree more. I think a lot of gun owners (present company excluded of course ) have 15 or 25 guns of various calibers and actions but they don't know how to use a single one of them well.

More guns aren't better - you can only shoot one at a time and you can only carry a couple (plus ammo). Better to have a handful that you are an "expert" with than a whole closet full of ones that look cool that you don't know how to use effectively...

 

[fistful]

Good perspective, parados, and thanks for putting in so much time for us. But if you were making some point about training or weapons, I'm afraid I didn't understand. What did you mean?

 

[parados]

Sorry I got a little off topic here, but to summarize:

It's important to have formal training and then practice regularly. Formal training doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg - but it does take effort.

Buying/shooting guns is great fun and we all look forward to our next purchase, but if its at the expense of seeking out training then our next "purchase" really should be formal training and not another gun.


To steer back on topic:

Your first few gun purchases should be in the standard calibers that everyone has: (9mm, .45, .223, .308 .22 etc). But if you already have those guns/calibers then investing in more skill is always a good "purchase". Because - the skill level you maintain WTSHTF will mean more then the guns you own.