Night Ops checklist

Ill be participating in a night OP @ the city. As an avid hobbyist airsoft player I think its a good rule of thumb to have a pre-game ritual. This is the time where you check double check your equipment before the day of. Why? Makes sure you dont travel to a game and have something fail on you and your left watching people play or asking for a hand out.

This is my usual base checklist everyting else builds upon this:

• Check Tac Light [batteries/brightness]
  
• Check Laser [batteries/pressure switch/alignment 50ft]
  
• Check Main [proper feed/hop-up/lubed]
  
• Check Secondary [recoil/mag leaks/proper feed/hop-up 15ft]
  
• Check Vest [fit/pouches]

Its always a good rule of thumb also to bring enough things with you just in case you need a quick fix. I usually bring my multi-tool [Leatherman Juice S2], duct tape, electrical tape, & folding allen key [Spin Doctor; for bicycles]. I have used all of them on occasion to help out a fellow player, fix broken or falling pieces, or have used a combination of them for improvised tools. I keep things relatively small, why? I dont wanna carry my whole Airsoft outlet with me. Usually after a game I feel worn out and the last thing I wanna do is bring all the stuff in.

Today I did a little maintenance on my G17

Its a HFC Glock 17 or now commonly referred to as the HFC DarkHawk. But up until today I had a KJW barrel in it. I reverted back to the original HFC barrel and spring and did some Teflon modding. Taking from the Teflon mod's they do on clone spring sniper riffles I wrapped the barrel and hop-up bucking in Teflon tape. Wow. I was rather impressed with the distance and float of the BB. At 20 yrds out it floats nice flat float and a slight curve at the end. Thats how I like it. Each shooter has a preference.

Tomorrow morning I will zero in my weapon to a little closer than usual is that at night games people want to remain planted in their spots. However, when I play I try to zero in on their position thus having closer targets. Hopefully this will work out.

MBUS Available @ EHobbyAsia

Made of polymer material (same as Magpul PMAGS) these Magpul Back-Up-Sights (MBUS) offer a real nice flip-up sight. With release buttons on its side and top it makes for a real nice sight for when your optics or position require you to go to irons. The sight requires an adjustment key to adjust the front post. These sights fit standard 20mm rails. They retail for $89.99 as seen on Ehobbyasia.com.

Having sold my replica 552 and RDS I have been using my iron (with great results). So this may be in my future external purchases.

Still have no idea what I am talking about? Check out Christ Costa @ the Magpul booth at SHOT Show 2009 demo its real steel counter-part (although still made out of polymer) the PTS MBUS:

Softshell! Softshell! Softshell!

If you know me lately I have been wearing a non-tactical softshell around. Having doubts of spending the money on a tactical softshell? I do recommend that you invest in some regular softshells in particular one made by Snozu. 

Found it at a local discount clotching store (Marshalls) for $29.99 Ive been wearing it ever since even on relatively warmer days. It lacks pockets, pockets, pockets, & pockets but I can make by. However, if you are looking into a TACTICAL line without busting the wallet or going for a clone (Ebaybanned) I strongly would invest in a Triple Aught Design (TAD) Gear softshell. 

Anyone of their signature softshells should suffice for you. I have personally seen these in person and have a couple of friends with them. They have nothing but great things to say of them. One of my friends uses it religiously even at work getting dirty and regular use. It still maintains its shape and the stiching has really stood the abuse. Heres a short review from Modesto Airsoft BATStrider (Bay Area Tactical TV):

Art of the Tactical Carbine - Magpul Dynamics

Title: The Art of the Tactical Carbine

Price: $39.95

Website: www.magpul.com

Disk 1: Magpul Basic Carbine Course

Disk 2: Magpul Advanced Carbine Course

Disk 3: Reference

Finally, I had a chance to get through the whole set. All I can say really is WOW. Coming from an airsoft perspective (no formal real steel training) I can see this as one big reference. It really is something that I will look back on over and over again. The instructors Chris Costa and Travis Haley do a wonderful job at breaking down the essentials and basics and re-build them to fit the shooter. This DVD collection should be used as a way of establishing some ground rules and basics for the operator to build upon.

As an airsofter I find it very helpful in pointing out drills and basic rifle management. One section that got me rewinding over and over again was on the types of reloads. Why is this important? Basically better manage your magazines the faster and less steps you take off whoever your engaging. Both Chris and Travis go over equipment placement and how a better set-ups can shave seconds (and essentially save lives) on the field. For an airsoft player most of the time we put pouches on our molle webbing without ever thinking about the practically. Efficiency not fluidity is what they stress. They want to make sure that the operator stays in control of the moment and wants to ensure that the shooter has to do the least amount of work to put a mag in. Ive seen some players place them on the back of their plate carriers (wtf?) and to be honest I think on my next (airsoft) gear purchase I will put defenietly consider its placement.

Heres a video that you WONT find on YouTube or anywhere else for that matter. Its a special section on "Drawing the Secondary" on the 3rd disk. All of the rights go to Magpul Dynamic and I am solely putting it on the page for education and reference for the dvd.

Drills (USMC)

Real Steel here. Here a Marine demonstrates shooting drills and a tactical reload:

Green Mountain Rangers

Most enthusiasts are probably familiar with members of GMR (Green Mountain Rangers) especially those who participate in the Op: Irene games.

This is one of my favorite helmet cam videos. Why? Simply because it shows the intensity of the sport. Granted all tactics and training were thrown out the window during some of the gameplay but that just shows -one can imagine- the true emotion of combat. Things get close, things get disorienting, things get out of hand but you want to make sure the steps your taking are the right ones.