cdbeaver
Member
Would some one please define "tactical" for me as it applies to firearms and optics? It seems to be a word that has been used rather loosely of late.
Tactical Tactics
- Thread starter cdbeaver
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Tamara
Senior Member
It means "black and expensive". 
TheLastBoyScout
Member
Tamara's definition seems to fit well, but I think of it as a weapon designed and/or optimized for use against people trying to kill you. Therefore, MP5s and AR15s= Tactical, while Mini-14s and 10-22s are not tactical.
Edward429451
member
Now wait just a minute here....22's are not tactical? How bout the lady who snuffed seven Taliban with a supressed .22 awhile back?
Tactical black is the joke, but I assert that tactical is really a mindset. You can use a 10/22 tactically, or you can use an AR-15 as a plinker, and so on...
Tactical black is the joke, but I assert that tactical is really a mindset. You can use a 10/22 tactically, or you can use an AR-15 as a plinker, and so on...
762x51
Member
Suppressed 10/22's are tactical.....regular 10/22's are not. You see?
TheLastBoyScout
Member
Exactly. A SUPPRESSED 10/22 would have been modified for its new use, silently killing enemies, there fore it's TACTICAL . A STOCK 10/22 was designed for recreational use, and is not used in combat (except as a last ditch), so it is NOT TACTICAL.
Tamara
Senior Member
Seems to me that a bone-stock Chipmunk .22 used to save your life would be far more "tactical" than a PSG-1 used to decorate a gun safe.
But that's just me.
But that's just me.
Glockster35
Member
I agree "Tactical" is a mindset, not a color or anything else.
I think it is far overused, but I hardly feel like this is a new thing...Tactical has been abused for many years...I can't believe you just noticed.
Now for the kicker, I just bought paint to paint my 1985 VW Golf 4 door, guess what color it is????? Yep, tactical black, by Dupont...
I think it is far overused, but I hardly feel like this is a new thing...Tactical has been abused for many years...I can't believe you just noticed.
Now for the kicker, I just bought paint to paint my 1985 VW Golf 4 door, guess what color it is????? Yep, tactical black, by Dupont...
Preacherman
Member
Actually, you're all wrong... The term was invented by builders to describe a worker who wouldn't drive a nail hard and firm, but wasted time by tapping it gently with a ball-peen hammer instead. He was said to be doing the "tack-tickle". After numerous errors in pronunciation, and being applied to "nailing" criminals and the enemy, by natural progression we reached the modern term "tactical". I'm sure you all understand now...
El Tejon
Member
cd, some people could not bring themselves or others to face the truth, thus we say "tactical" when we mean fighting.
Somewhere along the line someone forgot that firearms are weapons to be used against fellow human beings. Just another euphemism to shield some from this reality.
Of course, it is a handy marketing term to raise the price of anything!
Somewhere along the line someone forgot that firearms are weapons to be used against fellow human beings. Just another euphemism to shield some from this reality.
Of course, it is a handy marketing term to raise the price of anything!
Tamara
Senior Member
Right, like my Tactical Model Ruger Bearcat. You should see how fast I can clear an El Presidente with that beast!
I especially like the tactical bright brass gripframe...
I also hear that all the snipers in SEEL team XLIV are using Ruger No.1 Internationals just like mine.
eviltravis
Member
I think the term "tactical" may be more in reference to the weapons application, than to it's design. It's definitely an over used term. It is however so fun to say. Tactical. Tactical. Tactical.
If you say it three times really fast, your guns all turn black.
If you say it three times really fast, your guns all turn black.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
IMO, tactical is a mindset as to how one uses any weapon.
There are times when the best tactical thinking invovles not being there. Leaving early. Making no noise. Not shooting; just disappearing.
I've spent a lot of years learning how to move through brush without making human-audible noise. The last thing on God's green earth you'd want is me after you out in the boonies, with a .22 rifle. You can have whatever you want. Odds are, I'd win, since sometime or another you're gonna have to sleep.
I've spent a lot of years learing the behavior and quirks of my pet rifle and my pet load, and learning to estimate range. Open country, one shot and you're "gone" and I'm also gone--but I'm moving.
So, what's tactical?
, Art
There are times when the best tactical thinking invovles not being there. Leaving early. Making no noise. Not shooting; just disappearing.
I've spent a lot of years learning how to move through brush without making human-audible noise. The last thing on God's green earth you'd want is me after you out in the boonies, with a .22 rifle. You can have whatever you want. Odds are, I'd win, since sometime or another you're gonna have to sleep.
I've spent a lot of years learing the behavior and quirks of my pet rifle and my pet load, and learning to estimate range. Open country, one shot and you're "gone" and I'm also gone--but I'm moving.
So, what's tactical?
, ArtEl Tejon
Member
Tamara, your Tactical Bearcat is actually the Tactical Training Model. Billy's copies of the Single Action Army, et al, are weapons which were used against plenty of other human beings during 2 centuries.
Many lose sight of the reason for the rkba when they insist on describing firearms as sporting gear. They are not and was not what Madison intended. The RKBA is not about duck hunting, target shooting or even plinking.
The use of "tactical" this and "tactical" that is silly in that it attempts to partition "fighting" weapons from "others." They are all fighting weapons. Of course, if marketing calls it "tactical", the company can increase the unit price.
Many lose sight of the reason for the rkba when they insist on describing firearms as sporting gear. They are not and was not what Madison intended. The RKBA is not about duck hunting, target shooting or even plinking.
The use of "tactical" this and "tactical" that is silly in that it attempts to partition "fighting" weapons from "others." They are all fighting weapons. Of course, if marketing calls it "tactical", the company can increase the unit price.
Still Learning
Member
As usual, Tamara and Art nailed it pretty well.
The boys and girls in all the marketing departments have simply seized everyone's desire to be "tactical" to help sell everything from pen knives to firearms. Money won't buy your ability to become "tactical" anymore than it will buy you intelligence, physical fitness, etc. Anything worth having requires training, effort and continued practice.
The human desire to be able to plunk down some cash and have instant gratification is lining the pockets of a lot of folks selling over-priced trinkets, IMHO.
The boys and girls in all the marketing departments have simply seized everyone's desire to be "tactical" to help sell everything from pen knives to firearms. Money won't buy your ability to become "tactical" anymore than it will buy you intelligence, physical fitness, etc. Anything worth having requires training, effort and continued practice.
The human desire to be able to plunk down some cash and have instant gratification is lining the pockets of a lot of folks selling over-priced trinkets, IMHO.
Tamara
Senior Member
El Tejon,
I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with you on that. (As you may remember... )
I understand what RKBA is all about, but a Ruger Bearcat or Anschutz 2013 is no more a fighting weapon than a modern fencing foil is. They are toys for games or sports that are loosely based on skills needed for combat or food-gathering.
I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with you on that. (As you may remember...
)I understand what RKBA is all about, but a Ruger Bearcat or Anschutz 2013 is no more a fighting weapon than a modern fencing foil is. They are toys for games or sports that are loosely based on skills needed for combat or food-gathering.
Should be used as a way to describe the "difference" between a firearm specifically designed for fighting or for sporting.
Now, can a sporting firearm be used in a fight (tactically), and vice versa can a military issure firearm be used for sport?
Of course.
Why do people get so upset when something is described as "tactical" seems like the same knee-jerk reaction the antis have...
Ok I'll stop banging on my all black tactical keyboard now.
HS/LD
Now, can a sporting firearm be used in a fight (tactically), and vice versa can a military issure firearm be used for sport?
Of course.
Why do people get so upset when something is described as "tactical" seems like the same knee-jerk reaction the antis have...
Ok I'll stop banging on my all black tactical keyboard now.
HS/LD
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I just think the word is overused to a disgusting degree.
I have an 870 Wingmaster with an 18 inch barrel and 2 shot extension. But it still has the pretty Wingmaster wood stocks. If I put it next to a new 870 Police model with an 18 inch barrel and 2 shot extension, only the PM has a black plastic stock, which one do you think will be marketed as tactical? They are the same gun, do the same thing, only one has plastic stocks.
What made the S&W TSW (Tactical S&W) series different than the regular Smiths? They were the same freaking guns with better triggers. Then they stuck flash light rails on them.
Why is the Springfield TRP a Tactical gun, while my lightly customized loaded model Springfield isn't? They do the same thing? The same way? With only minor cosmetic, and finish differences between the two.
I think that Tactical has taken on a few different meanings in the gun world. Anything that is scary looking to liberals. Anything that looks like it should be used for fighting. Or anything that is plastic or black. Like I said it is a useless inane marketing buzzword. Totally meaningless in actual life.
To me tactics are things that you do to fight more efficiently and to beat the other guy. Tactics are what you use to win. The finish on your gun has jack squat to do with tactics.
I have an 870 Wingmaster with an 18 inch barrel and 2 shot extension. But it still has the pretty Wingmaster wood stocks. If I put it next to a new 870 Police model with an 18 inch barrel and 2 shot extension, only the PM has a black plastic stock, which one do you think will be marketed as tactical? They are the same gun, do the same thing, only one has plastic stocks.
What made the S&W TSW (Tactical S&W) series different than the regular Smiths? They were the same freaking guns with better triggers. Then they stuck flash light rails on them.
Why is the Springfield TRP a Tactical gun, while my lightly customized loaded model Springfield isn't? They do the same thing? The same way? With only minor cosmetic, and finish differences between the two.
I think that Tactical has taken on a few different meanings in the gun world. Anything that is scary looking to liberals. Anything that looks like it should be used for fighting. Or anything that is plastic or black. Like I said it is a useless inane marketing buzzword. Totally meaningless in actual life.
To me tactics are things that you do to fight more efficiently and to beat the other guy. Tactics are what you use to win. The finish on your gun has jack squat to do with tactics.
Andrew Wyatt
Member
I'm going to have to disagree with tamara on this one.
A bearcat, Chipmunk or perrazi shotgun is still a weapon, and all three of them are quite capable of being used as a fighting piece.
It's mindset that makes a weapon a weapon.
A bearcat, Chipmunk or perrazi shotgun is still a weapon, and all three of them are quite capable of being used as a fighting piece.
It's mindset that makes a weapon a weapon.
King
Member
My $.02 after stating that I don't use that word............
1) Black
2) For fighting rather than hunting or sporting
3) Mindset / intent.
As stated by Correia and others....a much over used word and designed for sellers to mark up the price.
1) Black
2) For fighting rather than hunting or sporting
3) Mindset / intent.
As stated by Correia and others....a much over used word and designed for sellers to mark up the price.
Tamara
Senior Member
A weapon is something that is used to attack someone.
Saying, however, that a Ruger Bearcat, a Chipmunk, a blunted fencing foil, or a Louisville Slugger is designed to kill humans is stretching fact a little, though all four are certainly capable of doing so.
Edward429451
member
We're all wrong...
Tactical is of or relating to tactics....
Tactics;
(used with a sing. verb) The military science that deals with securing objectives set by strategy, especially the technique of deploying and directing troops, ships, and aircraft in effective maneuvers against an enemy: Tactics is a required course at all military academies.
(used with a pl. verb) Maneuvers used against an enemy: Guerrilla tactics were employed during most of the war.
Well well well. It dont say jack about mindset or Bearcats or 870's or Black or any weapons. Its about strategic maneuvers against an enemy.
But of course peoples slangish use of words can alter the meaning of words like saying "Thats Bad!" meaning cool or good. So even if we're all wrong technically, we're still all right too cause if you have the proper Mindset and have at least a Bearcat with you, you can use it to get back to the Black 870 that you shouldn't have laid down in the first place.
and that's tactical.
Tactical is of or relating to tactics....
Tactics;
(used with a sing. verb) The military science that deals with securing objectives set by strategy, especially the technique of deploying and directing troops, ships, and aircraft in effective maneuvers against an enemy: Tactics is a required course at all military academies.
(used with a pl. verb) Maneuvers used against an enemy: Guerrilla tactics were employed during most of the war.
Well well well. It dont say jack about mindset or Bearcats or 870's or Black or any weapons. Its about strategic maneuvers against an enemy.
But of course peoples slangish use of words can alter the meaning of words like saying "Thats Bad!" meaning cool or good. So even if we're all wrong technically, we're still all right too cause if you have the proper Mindset and have at least a Bearcat with you, you can use it to get back to the Black 870 that you shouldn't have laid down in the first place.
and that's tactical.
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rock jock
Member
There is a legitimate use of the word. Its just that it has been over- and mis-used so much that it has failed to mean anything. I think of tactical as light, manuverable, concealable, accessable, or accessorable.
Oh, and black.
Oh, and black.
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