Why does half of the gun community want to be "tactical"?

[Regular Joe]

Where the tacti-kool confusion bothers me is when I see young guys out shooting with "tricked out" guns, and trying to hit things like they see in the movies, when they haven't first learned to handle guns.
They see me shooting my .22 rifles with wooden stocks, and they assume that I'm just some stupid old guy who can't afford to "shoot" like they do. It isn't what they think of me that is bothersome. It's seeing that they simply are not thinking very much. It's seeing that they would have a huge load of wrong ideas to unlearn before they could begin to be any help to me in a real situation.
This is all about media, and the consumer mindset. We are taught that we have to buy and emulate our way into being the "right kind of person".
That's the fundamental wrong in it. A real man and shooter becomes such by trying different things and thoughts and situations, and thereby growing into being practi-kool. In that same sense, a real teacher doesn't teach a student what to know. He teaches the student how to learn. Then we depart from all of the tactical gear, or most of it, and get back to an old mountain man saying: "the more you know, the less you have to carry".

 

[bluesteel63]

mini14gb it appears to me that you are one of the people that you have been putting down this entire thread. There is enough tacti-cool to go around so stop worrying that other folks are stepping on your persona.

When I was in the Army back in the day we had none of the gear they use in today's army so is all that gear really necessary for a soldier to do his job. Maybe it is and maybe it isnt. We did our jobs just fine without red dot scopes and collapsible stocks and such other niceties such as those.

 

[mcdonl]

I could care less who does what. Just sounds like people whining to me. To each their own.

 

[Mags]

I could care less who does what. Just sounds like people whining to me. To each their own.

^^^ Yep, who cares what others do with their money. What do you guys want, goverment regulation on drop leg holsters?

 

[Geckgo]

ditto to mcdonl and Mags, who gives a crap?

When I walk around post with my wife she is always picking apart the other soldiers' uniforms.. "this patch isn't in the right spot", "that eyepro isn't apropriate", "her hair violates section..." blablabla. I just laugh at her b/c I've known plenty of soldiers and none of the ones I know have been that picky about stuff before. But, I let her go and get a chuckle out of it.

If I see some kid tacked-out at the range, or even better, some kid that that just talks and laughs way too loud, I get a chuckle.

When the fuddy-duddies start telling me that my Winchester 555s are crap ammo, I laugh and say "my 10/22 likes em, don't know why"

The thing that really gets under my skin is when one of them retards goes walking down range without even letting anyone know... while we are still shooting!!!

 

[McCall911]

I can't help but laugh at the idea of myself as a "mall ninja!" Too funny!
No, I'm anything but "tacticool!"

 

[1911Tuner]

In a word...Marketing.

Back in the day, when Smith & Wesson was making some truly fine revolvers, they introduced a Model 19 under the banner "Distinguished Combat Magnum" and it caught on like Kero-Sun heaters in Alaska...despite the fact that it had target-type sights, hammer, trigger, and stocks.

Then, "Custom" became the rage, and it rages on today.

"Tactical" is just another manifestation of a marketing strategy aimed at a certain segment of the shooting fraternity. As to exactly what led up to it is a matter of speculation, but it's likely that it evolved rather than bursting onto the scene.

"What is it for?"

"Why...to sell, of course!"

 

[oldfool]

tacti-cool is largely an invention of the internet, grossly over hyped and overstated
(other than young 'uns on paintball fields, you know)
there really are not so many of 'em out there as YouTube might have you believe
I am "anything but", don't own hardly any black plastic, only kid on my block without an AR-15
but most of my shootin' buddies own their fair share, just because they like guns that shoot well, and that be true of all of us, personal preferences aside
(none of 'em dress up like mall ninjas, though, and I have never seen that at our gun range, specifically including the local SWAT guys)

it's the loudest voice in the room that gets the most attention (and deserves it least), and that's how it is with tacti-kool, too, no big surprise

MARKETING, yes, 1911 Tuner bullseye there
we "think" mostly whatever they tell us to think, it's pervasive marketing immersion, 24x7
just consider think about the mega-trends in firearms over the last few decades, all keyword driven -
magnum
hollowpoint
hi capacity
polymer
airweight
tactical

none of those terms are absent merit, yet all are over hyped, oversold "magic"
because you just don't want to be the last kid on your block without, you know

but hard core tactical/tacti-kool, half (??), no not hardly... 1% maybe

 

[Ruddie]

To quote myself as I see some of the crap for guns and gear they have now... " Paint it OD green and wrap it in 550 cord and call it tactical".
There is a big difference in thinking tactical and buying tacticool crap. I like my gun grips and comfort items but I don't have 40lbs of unrefined crap on on my AR. its pointless and weighs you down as your trying to not get shot.

 

[lizziedog1]

Do they make tactical toilet paper yet?

 

[bobbarker]

I guess the way I look at these folks is they want people to "know" that they're dangerous, and not to be messed with...

Of course, the people you really don't want to mess with are the ones who don't advertise that you don't want to mess with them.

 

[vaherder]

Farm Kewl or Rancher Kewl works for me these days after 20+ years getting paid to pretend to be bad a*s! Hey before I brought the farm I got my girlfriend the first couple seasons of Greeen Acres so she could be famer girl kewl. The Gabor sisters and the girls at Petticoat Junction back then had nothing on her she is still hotter when she wears just her overalls and FMPs. Daisy Duke plays second fiddle be it Catherine Bach or Jessica Simpson. Winchester 94 lever action on the ATV. P99 in a holster that keeps it secure and doesnt drop it mud and sheep poop. Dont need a tactical capability quick draw on the farm.

Levis, flannel shirts, polo shirts no logo and tshirt with hotrod logos and work boots. Dont need to cross dress with latest tactical kewl accessories and clothing from some overpriced internet seller. Since I retired I rarely if ever carry concealed. No need since I can kill you in a thousand different ways with my Iphone. And sorry there isnt an app for it. And no it wont becoming to your Blackberry soon.

I outgrew playing Army with my bro when I was 7yo. If some folks feel the need to cross dress and play operator or SWAT gurl its a free country just keep it in your own backyard and not in the shopping mall or Tractor Supply parking lot. Do not trespass. Oh and remember dont confuse your tactical cross dressing with your other crossing dressing. Mixing and matching your Victorias Secret undies with your pants with too many pockets is so 2005! Cammie and leopard prints clash in real non tactical kewl world.

Va herder

 

[lizziedog1]

Of course, the people you really don't want to mess with are the ones who don't advertise that you don't want to mess with them.

The quiet people scare me most.

 

[TechBrute]

First, people imitate and the people they respect. I think it's fine that people respect our military and our police.

Second, tactical is practical. Parkerized finishes are more durable than blued, military patterned guns are more ergonomic (form follows function), and cargo pants are comfortable, practical, and stylish.

Third, why do you care? If people spent half the time shooting that they did being bothered by what someone else does, we'd have better discussions.

 

[xcgates]

@Lizzydog1:

Why, yes they do! Specially designed for comfort, portability, and ease of use in the field!

 

[lizziedog1]

Third, why do you care? If people spent half the time shooting that they did being bothered by what someone else does, we'd have better discussions.

Why should we care? Some of these tactical goofballs don't do much to improve our standing in the nonshooting community. Some of these guys could be used as poster children for the Brady Bunch. Maybe we shouldn't care about the image we project, but come on, some shooters do not help our cause.

 

[Ingsoc75]

So is the issue with "tactical" or "tacticool" seeing people who use EBRs decked out with scopes, flashlights, laser pointers, etc) and wearing tactical clothing while at the range?

or

Is it people (usually in their 20s and 30s) using EBRs and going through 20-30 round magazines at the range as you take the time to sight in your hunting rifle?

or

Is it a combination of the two?

 

[fallout mike]

This is the same group of guys that used to live in their moms basement and go to all the star trek conventions

 

[danprkr]

Oh, they have a value, because if they weren't so over the top the rest of us wouldn't have any comedy relief.

 

[lizziedog1]

This is the same group of guys that used to live in their moms basement and go to all the star trek conventions

Nine out of ten of these guys have probably never been out with a girl either.

 

[mcdonl]

So, some people hate the "tacti-cool" people, others hate the "Elmer Fudds", even others hate the "Thugs with their plastic guns", there there are those who hate the "More money than Brains types" who have their gold plated 1911's....

What am I missing?

 

[Gouranga]

...the image we project, but come on, some shooters do not help our cause.

My response is who cares? I mean really, are we going to become the type of community that hammers on members who do not dress a particular way or act a particular way? If anti's want to use that let them. They are going to use something one way or another.

So we have guys that for whatever reason want to dress up and go out and act like they are SWAT or something. You know, the good part about it, they MIGHT actually learn something. Like the kid who goes out and shoots 500 round sideways out of his 9 and suddenly learns "Hey, if I hold it upright I can get a good sight picture and actually hit what I am shooting at.". They may learn how to use their weapons REAL good. So long as they are overall not presenting a danger to others, than leave them be.

Youtube is full of videos of idiots driving down the wrong side of the road, driving extremely aggressively and dangerously, and nobody complains that they are going to get our drivers licenses taken away. Let the brady's scream about the tacticool guys, cause I will bring up these YouTubes of the drivers and ask where their outrage is there, cause those guys are actually killing people on the roads.

The guys will sooner or later grow out of it and when they do they will have some extra training on using their stuff (granted no where NEAR military) and they will have large firearms collections and in many cases some sweet AR's to trade.

 

[PRM]

Funny thread. Like asking someone, why do you drive a pick up truck instead of a Mini-Cooper.

I like the older stuff myself. Got a lever action rifle and a WWII bolt action. Love the SAAs, C&B revolvers and even have a Walther PP.

Never got into the really tactical stuff. Most of it is costly and not practical for my needs. Other side of that coin, I have a close family member who is into the whole SASS thing. I also don't dress up like a cowboy to go to the range...

I'm just glad we live in a country where we have the right to own and enjoy firearms as we want to.

 

[Geckgo]

Does the gold plated, tiger striped 50 cal fall in with the GP 1911s???

 

[Creature]

Some of these guys could be used as poster children for the Brady Bunch. Maybe we shouldn't care about the image we project, but come on, some shooters do not help our cause.

When is that not the case for anything?? Just like hip-hop and rap music got a bad rap, no pun intended, there are many kids out there who dress the part but are not delinquents. Not all of them are straight A/Honor Roll students...but most are not really gang-bangers either. Its a life style choice that we, as Americans, are free to make. Dont get so wrapped around the axle about it.