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1. Regarding the topic of guns, zeroing, and “stuff vs. skills” in the article by JWR today, I wholeheartedly agree. I myself am in the process of downsizing my own collection to more common (standardized) calibers and fewer guns. I have a few pieces in exotic calibers or configurations for pure enjoyment, but the core battery of my collection are those firearms I use and train with.

   I want to add my own emphasis to JWR’s about training. I’ve taken professional courses and performed well, but learned over time that my reaction times begin to naturally wane if I haven’t practiced with live fire for a while, so I attempt to go to the range (or desert) a bare minimum of six times per year, preferably more. It truly is a perishable skill, and while I’ve never been in a firefight, I was once in a very uncomfortable situation in which three men approached me at night for the purpose of mugging me, and they didn’t leave until I presented arms. If one of them had suddenly rushed me with a knife or gun, the ensuing scene would have been a blur.

   Also, I highly recommend getting a plastic “red gun” for training. These are about $30 and are usually styled to mimic a Glock 17 or S&W M&P. Practice your holster draw with one regularly.

   1. Don’t get yourself too standardized. Being able to find some lesser used ammo can be easier if you aren’t 100% finalized in your inventory. I never found it challenging to find .30-06 in the depths of the last big ammo shortage.

      Standards are great for bulk, but having that old .243 Win that you have shot since you were a youth goes a long way.

      I’d always want a few less common calibers in the inventory that are easier to source ammo for.

2. Regarding zeroing your firearms…well said. After much time in the sandbox, I learned to zero your basic AR iron sights, then remove the carrying handle rear sight from your AR and put it on, or in, your basic kit in case you need it when all else fails. Then put on your BUIS and zero them. Lastly, put on your optics and zero that. It takes a little time but is well worth the effort.

3. I started checking the zero on my guns a couple of years ago…..what a rude awakening! several were way off as I had never fired them. Now I continue to cycle through them at the range just to maintain proficiency. I learned long ago from my competition shooting days, that the more you shoot the better you shoot.

4. Ammo prices continue to be historic bargains. Homesteading season is frantic in these months, but ordering practice ammo is mandatory. S&G is getting me two day delivery. 45 ACP at 30 cents each is fantastic deal. Once the daily kneeling period is over (AKA planting time), the fun starts again.

   We won’t starve on the homestead, but food prices are going to be much higher next fall, especially for meat. American food production in the central US, along with power blackouts affecting water pumping for California produce, cannot be beneficial.

   The Forward Observer keeps issuing fuel shortage/price warnings as well. I’m making precaution moves.

   This summer isn’t the Big One, but times are getting tougher. In Sociattle, there have been 5 shooting and one knifing in the past four days. Good thing Governor “Imthataxman” signed in 8 more gun control bills, right?

   Anyway, if you aren’t going to grow food yourself, you better start canning at the last remaining cheap meat sales. Get to know some 4H families too. They produce food.

   Good Bless, and keep your pants dry and your plants watered.

   1. In California, we’re in the final seven-week countdown until full background checks and registration are required to buy ammo from a retailer. Our closest Walmart (per a supervisor who told me a few days ago) is pushing all their ammo forward from the back storage onto the shelves to sell as much of their inventory as possible before the July 1 cutoff. Nobody in management (and I’ve spoke with at least half a dozen of them) knows what’s going to happen, but all signs point to Walmart pulling out of the ammo business entirely. They’ve already stopped at 40 of our CA locations last year, and are downsizing in others already.

      The only available option after July 1 to buy ammo without the background check and wait period will be if you’re physically at a licensed range and buy from them. It will be only one box at a time, and you cannot take anything home with you (makes no sense, as the new law still allows for a person to import up to 50 rds from out of state, so why can’t I take a box of 50 rds home from my local range?).

      Oh, yes…almost forgot the big one…the much-ballyhooed ‘quick and convenient’ 60-second check will only allow you to pass if you have guns currently registered with the CADOJ. Even if you had something registered in the past but sold it and no longer appear on the current roster, you’re out of luck and will have to go the long 10-day route via the CADOJ full application and check.

      1. You’re forgetting option FOUR!

         Drive to Nevada, purchase 5000 rounds and drive back home. Be sure to take hywy 95 out of Vegas to hit Nipton road, which places you out on CA HYWY 5 one exit above the mandatory communist checkpoint between states. If you don’t, they will facial recognition you, read your license plate, strip search, and cavity search. Be sure to use the ammunition to shoot you way out of the People’s republic of California should things go awry.

         God bless!

5. A good friend will give you a nudge when you need it. Thanks for the “Training is more important than stuff” nudge JWR. I needed it.

6. Regarding sighting in AR 15’s: They are different from what most of us are used to. The difference is that the aligned sight plane is a lot higher above the bore of the rifle. Most hunting rifles have a difference of between one inch and an inch and a half. If you use a scope with a really big optic lens it could be more. Older rifles with their sights close to bore axis had a rule that many of us learned.

   When first sighting in shoot a group at 25 yards. Adjust your sights until the group is centered. That should put you a couple inches high at 100 yds and right on at longer range. Usually 200 or 250 yds, depending on caliber.

   This doesn’t work with AR’s. Sight in at 25 yards can make you miss the paper entirely at 100. Paul Harrell has a discussion of this on You Tube.

   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHtEoRUakKk

   1. Correct. The U.S. Army zeroing targets have separate point of aim and desired point of impact clearly marked.

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